Prompto unlocked the front door and then slipped into the dark, silent house.
His breath was still slightly ragged from his sprint home, but he'd made it in time to help his elderly neighbor, Clara, haul out her trash bins. The last time she'd done the task alone, she'd fallen and nearly broken a hip. Ever since then, Prompto had been sure to jog home early on the days the bins went out.
He'd offered to take care of them for her on a regular basis, but Clara would hear none of it. She said it was asking too much of him, that he was young still and didn't need a list of commitments just yet. Mostly though she was just stubborn and independent, but the moment Prompto showed up each day to offer help, she'd accepted it.
He knew she was afraid of suffering another fall.
As thanks, she baked him cookies and pastries. They were, by far, the most atrocious things Prompto had ever tasted in his life, but he'd always graciously taken the baked goods. She'd meant well, and he knew she didn't have a lot of money. It had been kind of her to take the time and expense to prepare each batch, and even though they were inedible, they made Prompto feel special.
Setting aside the latest tin of rock-hard, blackened cookies, Prompto started a few of his household chores. He knew, from past experience, if he didn't keep up with the housework it would slowly build and overwhelm him.
After that, he cracked open his history textbook and started reading. Hours later, eyes blurry and head fuzzy with historical tidbits, he began his math homework.
Eventually, realizing how late it was, he wandered into the kitchen and heated up a cup o' noodles.
He would've preferred a slightly healthier meal, but this would have to do. After all, it was the cheapest thing he could purchase at the market.
With a sigh, he reached for the two bills that had been on the counter, and then he plopped down at the kitchen table.
His funds were running dangerously low, and he'd been unsuccessful in contacting his parents. They were, no doubt, totally immersed in their research.
He didn't blame them though. In fact, he was slightly more concerned about them than himself.
Both had their respective fields of study. His mother's specialty was agriculture and irrigation, and his father studied botany–with a keen interest in plants that held medicinal qualities. They were extremely focused and, perhaps, a bit eccentric when it came to their research. Sleep, food, basic human contact–it could all be forgotten as they worked.
In fact, it was not uncommon for Prompto to be out of contact with them for months at a time, but, even then, he never felt neglected. They loved him. If there was one thing he was absolutely positive of, it was that.
When they were home, when their research could be set aside, they spent every moment doting on him, excitedly sharing their findings with him, looking at every single one of the thousands of photos he'd taken while they'd been away.
Those days were full of warm embraces, loving conversations and laughter. Then their work would call them away, and Prompto would be alone once again.
As for running out of funds…
This had happened before. Prompto's mother probably thought his father had wired him money for the month and he thought she had, but it didn't' matter. He'd manage. He always did.
As long as he didn't miss any school, he'd have lunches thanks to the school meal plan he'd purchased. It was, perhaps, one of the better investments he'd made with his paper route money. Not only would he get lunches, but it served as a great motivation to get up every morning and get his butt to school.
He slurped down a few noodles, opened the bills and spread them out on the table before him.
The electricity and his cellphone bill were due. If he drained the last of his grocery funds and used his next paper route check, he would just barely manage to pay both bills.
A tendril of panic began to wrap itself around Prompto as he considered a month of bare cupboards, but he quickly calmed that concern.
He could ask the diner owner down the street if he could pick up a few evening shifts washing dishes and clearing tables. They'd worked out this arrangement before. It was a good temporary job, and a fine way to make some extra cash.
He folded up the bills, returned them to the counter and cleaned up his mess from dinner.
Smiling to himself, he slowly made his way upstairs to bed.
Everything would be fine. He would get through this. After all, he was frickin' Prompto Argentum – swiftest kid on his block, ace photographer, hauler of trash bins, and befriender of princes.
Nothing could stop him!
Just as promised, Prompto was waiting for Noctis outside of the school in the morning.
As they made their way down the hall, whispered voices and gazes followed the prince. Just as he had the previous day, he ignored them, but today he was surprised to realize that the unwanted attention no longer bothered him.
With Prompto bouncing along beside him, blathering on about the latest expansion for King's Knight, the prince felt…content.
The feeling stayed with him throughout the morning, even in the classes he didn't have with Prompto. Being alone for those few hours didn't matter, because he knew his friend would be waiting for him in the hall after the bell rang.
That lonely pull that used to come with each school day seemed a distant memory.
At lunch, Noctis watched with a slight fascination as Prompto steadily devoured his school meal.
The prince wasn't sure if he'd ever seen anyone launch so wholeheartedly into such a questionable looking dish. Wrinkling his nose, Noctis felt a bit queasy as he eyed the food on Prompto's tray. Was it meatloaf or chicken, and why in the world was it gray?
"Ugh," Noctis groaned. "I can't see how you can eat that."
Prompto paused, swallowed down his last bite, and grinned over at the prince. "Well, not all of us get a spiffy, gourmet packed lunch like you do. This Ignis guy who makes your food must be a professional chef or something."
Noctis shrugged. If Ignis had been there, he would've scoffed at the compliment but been secretly flattered.
With a quiet chuckle, Prompto set back into his food, clearing the tray completely before Noctis was even halfway through his meal.
"You didn't eat your carrots yesterday," Prompto said, eyeing the mentioned vegetables sitting on the table. "Are you going to trash them again today?"
Shoving the carrots toward Prompto, Noctis replied, "You want them? They are all yours."
The exuberant 'thanks' was quickly followed by a steady flow of crunching.
Noctis eyed his friend a moment before shaking his head. "Man, you really are like a human garbage disposal, aren't you?"
Prompto blinked and then grinned. "Because I'll eat vegetables? I'm not sure that qualifies me as a garbage disposal, but I guess you might see me as one since you are such a picky eater."
Scowling, Noctis was about to reply that he was not a picky eater, but then he realized he was currently carefully picking the small bits of olive out of the pasta dish Ignis had included in his meal. He looked up, his gaze meeting Prompto's, and they both broke out laughing.
"Maybe," Noctis conceded, "I'm a little bit of a picky eater."
Prompto gave a little hum of agreement as he continued to crunch on the rapidly dwindling supply of carrots.
Their day continued on in much the same manner that the morning had unfurled. Classes were slightly boring, Prompto was thoroughly entertaining and the two never seemed to run out of subjects to discuss. Noctis couldn't recall a time when he'd felt more at ease.
And then the school day ended.
Noctis spotted the car first. His chest tightened as he considered how best to divert Prompto from the vehicle. Eventually, he'd have to introduce Prompto to Ignis, but, he hoped, that didn't have to happen quite yet.
He tried to offer Prompto a curt goodbye when they were still a fair distance from the car, but Ignis had been seemingly prepared for this turn of events.
He actually got out of the car and called for Noctis and Prompto to come over. It was very un-Iggy-like.
Prompto wasted no time in sprinting over. The young man was obviously enraptured by the sleek black vehicle and, in his wide-eyed state of wonder, he hurriedly asked if it was okay if he snapped a few shots of the car with his cellphone.
Ignis, for his part, seem taken aback by the request, and Noctis was sure the man almost said no. Instead, his brief nod was enough to send Prompto launching forward, craning over the vehicle in odd angles to find the perfect shot.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Prompto. My name is Ignis." The man's tone was sharp, his intention, undoubtedly, to draw attention to the fact that the youth had not properly introduced himself.
Rising from his crouched position behind the car, Prompto's cheeks flushed pink "Oh…I-I'm sorry." He paused to flash a bright smile at Ignis. "I completely lost my head there for a minute. These lines and shine were just a bit too much for me. The lighting and reflection of the school on the surface too…oh man, it's perfect!" He halted, a startled expression crossing his face as his gaze wandered from the car to Ignis. "I'm pleased to meet you Ignis. Uh…ah…Noctis speaks highly of your cooking."
Ignis gave a rather pleased hum, a faint smile creeping onto his face, and, suddenly, Noctis felt very uneasy.
"Perhaps, then…" Ignis began, "you'd like to come up to the Citadel for dinner tonight and have a taste of my cooking first hand? Additionally, I would consider it a pleasure to get to know Noctis' newest friend a little better."
The excitement that flashed across Prompto's expression dissolved into a crumpled look of uncertainty.
"I don't know. I mean, I'd like to, but…"
"I would be more than happy to provide you with a ride home after dinner," Ignis offered, "if that is your concern."
Prompto's smile returned with full force. "Are you sure? It won't be too much hassle, would it? I'm probably out of your way. I mean, I don't imagine you'd live in the same neighborhood as me. It's a nice enough neighborhood, but not that nice. You probably live somewhere a lot nicer, I bet." He gave a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his head.
"It is no trouble," Ignis replied, though Noctis was sure that was a lie. Opening the rear passenger side door, he gestured for the two to enter. "I'm sure there are others at the Citadel who would like to make your acquaintance as well."
Settling into the backseat, Noctis glanced over, finding his friend fidgeting with his seatbelt. There was a strained look on the young man's face. Worry and fear clearly showing, but, as he glanced up and saw Noctis looking back at him, he forced a smile. It was almost painful to see the usually bubbly teen trying so hard to look happy with the situation.
Noctis offered a reassuring smile back, but he could tell it did little to calm Prompto's nerves.
"You don't have to go, if you don't want." He whispered, but Prompto was quick to shake his head.
"No, I want to. It's just…" He paused, eyes fixed on Ignis as he made his way around the car to the driver's door. "I just hope I don't make a fool of myself. I mean, the Citadel? What if I do something stupid? I don't know the etiquette." Prompto's eyes suddenly widened, a low gasp escaping. "We're not going to meet your dad, are we? I don't think…I mean, it would be nice to meet him someday…but maybe…just…not…today." His words, spaced and stuttered sounded so timid and weak.
Ignis was in the car now, starting the engine.
"It's okay, Prompto." Noctis reassured his friend. "My father's schedule is beyond full for this week. I doubt he'd have the time for an audience with us today, and I'm sure…" Here he raised his voice, gaze snapping to meet Ignis' in the rearview mirror, "…Ignis understands how overwhelming someone's first visit to the Citadel can be, and he will not do anything to make you uncomfortable."
Prompto's lopsided grin softened a little, but the tension didn't seem to totally drain from the boy. Noctis gave a low, inward sigh.
Somehow this was starting to feel a lot more like a kidnapping than an invitation. There was no way this little dinner party was going to end well.
Thanks Ignis, at least I had a friend for a couple of days…