Author's Note: Hello again everyone! I really am sorry for the long wait... I wish I could promise to write more, but I tend only to write when I'm inspired, and life at the moment is stuffed full with distractions.

As always, thanks to everyone who's taken the time to read this. Thanks to those who've followed and favourited this, and most especially to my lovely reviewers. Your comments keep me inspired... thank you for taking the time to let me know what you think.

A.D. Williams: Well I can't admit I've ever been this bad... If someone says something that offends me I'm usually more inclined to fume internally. Of course that only makes it all the worse when I do finally explode because I've pent up so much anger. In Prompto's case though, he's definitely regretting his thoughtless words.

RRina: He really did screw up... silly boy. To avoid any spoilers I won't address the rest of your review, but thanks for reading! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far.

Guest 22: Thanks very much. :) I'm glad you like it. The thought popped into my head when I was watching the Brotherhood anime and Prompto found Pryna and received that letter from Luna. Just one of those 'what ifs' that plague you until you write them out :P

Allround yaoi fangirl: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the chapter. And yes... Prompto screwed up in a big way. He really should watch what he says in public.

Astrid Midnight: Thanks very much. To avoid spoilers I won't answer your comment, but I hope you like the direction I've taken this chapter in.

Anyways, that's enough from me. This chapter is long compared to some of the others, so I really should just let you guys get to it. Enjoy. :)

As it was they didn't have a chance to talk for the rest of the weekend, Ignis' job in the Citadel keeping him busy and absent. Not that Noctis was so bothered by the fact; he didn't really feel like discussing whatever the hell had happened with Prompto. He felt like an idiot... he'd been made a fool by the blonde and he definitely didn't like it.

Though his original plan had been to return home on the Saturday, his father's evening had freed up and the man had asked that they catch up for dinner. Rare though they were, Noctis had always enjoyed spending time with his father, despite the reminder of just how much the power of the wall drained the man. He was limping now and he'd overheard Ignis and Gladio speaking about how the man would soon require a cane to walk. It was something he didn't want to think about, his father getting weaker, but every time he'd see the man it was becoming increasingly obvious.

And he wasn't ready to lose his father.

They'd been sharing a quiet meal – neither were great talkers – when his father finally spoke. "So Ignis tells me you've made a friend at school."

Whereas any other person in the Citadel would have replied respectfully that 'perhaps he was mistaken', instead Noctis just snorted at the idea. "He's not my friend."

"But he was." It hadn't been a question, King Regis obviously reading between the lines using his own ability to read situations and people. "And something happened to change that."

And so he told the man the whole story. He hadn't meant to of course, had only meant to summarise the situation for him, but his father looked so interested and so sympathetic that he couldn't help himself and soon the King of Lucis knew everything.

"And you don't want to give him the chance to explain himself?"

Noctis shrugged, frustrated. "I'm either a charity case or an embarrassment. How is that..." but his voice trailed off when he saw his father shaking his head, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"I find friendships are rarely so cut and dried. Truth of the matter is that you can't know his reasons before he gives them to you." His father smiled at him; eyes warm. "The fear of being hurt again is a legitimate one; friendships aren't easy, but I will say that they are definitely worth it."

Noctis nodded slowly. His father had hit the nail on the head of course. His reluctance to listen to what Prompto had to say was due in great part to the fact that it had hurt when he'd thought the other had betrayed him. Even if he hadn't, even if he was telling the truth, the threat of being hurt again was there; he didn't like that Prompto – still somewhat of an unknown – had that kind power over him. "So you think I should give him a chance to explain?"

His father nodded. "It can't hurt. And if he really doesn't have an excuse you can accept then you haven't lost anything by giving him the chance to explain himself."

"I guess not."

"Excellent. Now... what say we hurry and finish this," and he indicated the roast and vegetables in front of him. "And get to the good stuff." When he'd first discovered it, Noctis had been amused to find that like himself, King Regis had a bit of a sweet tooth and just like he did, preferred his dessert to his dinner. Those rare occasions when he'd have dinner with his dad were usually the only times he could get away with leaving his vegetables on his plate without a lecture.

Because his dad did exactly the same thing.

It a bit hypocritical that it had been the King who'd asked Ignis to make sure he ate better, but given most of the time he didn't seem to get away with it either he supposed it was only fair.

"Sounds great."

It was just past midday Sunday when he awoke in his own apartment, looking around himself blearily for a moment before realising where he was. Though his intention had been to spend another night in the Citadel, his father had encouraged him to go home, to contact Prompto when he woke and to get this whole thing sorted out before school on Monday morning.

There was nothing worse than an awkward conversation with witnesses.

Still, despite that it was after two before he finally got around to doing something about it, unblocking Prompto's number from his phone and shooting him a quick text.

Noctis (2:17pm): You busy?

He didn't have to wait long for a response.

Prompto (2:19pm): No. Not busy. You wanna talk?

Noctis (2:19pm): Not on the phone. Can you come here?

Prompto (2:20pm): Uh... sure. Yeah, I can do that. Whereabouts am I going?

And when Noctis texted him his address, he could almost picture the blonde gaping at his phone when he replied.

Prompto (2:23pm): Seriously? You live THERE? Damn! Yeah for sure! I'll be there in like... twenty?

Noctis (2:23pm): See you soon.

Even given what had happened between them, Noctis still found it remarkably easy to chat with Prompto. There was something about the other's personality that just sucked you in... at least when you weren't out of your mind furious with the guy. Anger which in his case, after his conversation with his father the night before, had dimmed more than a little. Now... now he was curious about what possible reason the blonde could give him that would make what he'd heard okay.

And he wanted it to be, he realised. It had only been a couple of days but already he missed the outgoing blonde and his never-ending chatter, constant texting and endless optimism and he couldn't understand how he'd ever really appreciated all this silence before.

Prompto was true to his word, arriving not twenty minutes later, a knock on his door alerting him to the blonde's presence.

Opening the door, he found Prompto looking over his shoulder at someone retreating down the hall, turning back to look at him with wide blue eyes. "Dude... you have Crownsguard security at your apartment?"

Noctis just shrugged, stepping back to let the other guy in and closing the door behind him. When he turned around he found Prompto had made his way through the room and presently had his nose almost pressed against the glass of the wide sliding door that led to the balcony. "Dude! Check out this view! I can't believe you actually live here!"

Noctis shrugged again, making his way through the room and dropping heavily onto the couch. "Yeah. No big deal."

"No big deal? This is the penthouse of one of the most expensive apartment buildings in downtown Insomnia. People would kill for a view like this."

"Good thing I have the Crownsguard then, I suppose."

Prompto nodded, obviously sensing Noctis' subdued attitude and glancing back at him. Moments later he made his way back across the room and sat beside him on the couch, taking the seat farthest from Noctis.

Trying not to read anything into this – he probably just didn't know where things were at between them and what he'd feel comfortable with – Noctis turned a little to look at him. "So..."

Prompto glanced up at that, a faint smile pulling at one corner of his mouth.

"So."

"Explain."

The blonde nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. "First I just... I guess... well I guess I was wondering why you've decided to give me a chance to explain. It's just... you seemed pretty set against it before."

Noctis nodded. "I was. But I was chatting with my dad last night and he seemed to think I should give you a chance to explain."

Prompto blinked a couple of times in surprise. "Your... your dad? As in... the King?"

Noctis frowned at that, his voice sarcastic. "No, my other dad." And when Prompto flushed a little, Noctis shook his head. "Of course the King. He said I can't know your reasons until you give them to me, so..." and he shrugged again – he was doing that a lot, he realised. "Here we are."

"Huh." And Prompto considered that a moment. "Never really thought I'd get the king onside."

And now Noctis scowled. "He's not on your side. He said I should give you a chance to explain, and if I don't like your excuse, then..." He shook his head. He couldn't say it, he realised. Not in front of the guy but it was clear Prompto got the message when the other nodded quickly.

"Right."

"So... explain."

"It's not what you think."

Noctis rolled his eyes. "Of course it's not."

Prompto sighed. "No, I'm serious. It's not. It's... well it's kinda hard to explain."

"Try."

The blonde grimaced, nodding. "I guess... well I guess I didn't want to admit to my friends how much I like hanging out with you."

Noctis just blinked a moment in surprise at the words before he frowned, angry. "You came all the way here and that's the best excuse you can come up with? I'm an embarrassment?"

Prompto shook his head frantically, waving his hands back and forth in rejection of that idea. "No... that's not all of it... it's just... it's..."

"It's what?"

"It's embarrassing."

"So was my King's Knight username... I still told you that."

Prompto looked at him, exasperated, for a moment before realising that he wasn't being serious. They both knew it wasn't the same thing, but what was almost a joke had a small smile pulling at the other's mouth and he saw the blonde relax a little. "Yeah, you did. Okay..." He took a deep breath before speaking again, his voice rushed and almost breathless. "I didn't want to tell them I prefer spending time with you." He flushed darkly at the admission, shooting Noctis a quick glance before looking back at his hands, taking another breath, his voice slower now, as if past the worst of it. "Maybe I didn't want to hurt their feelings... maybe I just didn't want to deal with the shit they'll probably give me for it. So I said what I did. I'm really sorry."

"Yeah you've mentioned." He'd given him a lot to think about, and as excuses went... well... it wasn't terrible, and although it didn't make a lot of sense to him exactly why Prompto might prefer him to his real... his other friends, it was definitely easy to understand why he might have chosen to say what he did instead of coming clean.

He might have done the exact same thing.

"Why do you prefer hanging with me? That makes no sense."

Prompto looked over in surprise at that, blue eyes wide. "What do you mean?"

"I mean..." What did he mean by that? "Those guys are your friends. You've known them a whole lot longer than you've known me. Why would you prefer spending time with me? I'm nothing special."

"Dude. You're the Prince of Lucis. Of course you're special."

"Not what I meant."

Prompto nodded at that, looking back at his hands and it looked as though the blonde was having trouble finding words to offer him. "Yeah fair enough. But I don't really know. I haven't really thought a lot about the why. Just that I do." He was silent a moment; thoughtful. "I guess... maybe because when I'm with you I don't have to be tough. I don't have to be cool; I don't have to be funny. I can just be me, whoever that is."

"Not gonna lie... you're pretty funny."

He smiled a little then, obviously sensing that he had been forgiven the thoughtless words he'd spoken back at school. "Thanks dude."

Noctis just shrugged – when would he stop doing that? – "Yeah whatever." He paused a moment then, considering something and wondering if it was perhaps a little too soon to be asking such a thing. "Hey do you mind if I ask a question?"

Prompto shrugged. "Won't know till you ask it. What's the question?"

Considering the best way to phrase it, Noctis took a breath. "If it's not who you are... why are you that person around those guys?" When Prompto didn't answer straight away, he quickly added, "Does it have anything to do with your... transformation?"

"My transformation?" the blonde asked with a laugh. "You make it sound like science fiction." Then he nodded. "Yeah it does a little I guess. I got tired of being alone all the time. Decided to make a new start in high school, and that... well that was what people responded to. I noticed it the time my 'dad'," – and he made inverted commas with his fingers when he spoke the word – "And I first got into it class." Laughing softly, he shook his head. "Never thought having a dick of an adopted dad would land me friends, but it did... so that was who I became."

"The bad boy."

"Yeah."

"Is that why you wear that cuff on your wrist all the time? Because it looks like something like that a 'bad boy' would wear?" Which was of course when he noticed the cuff was gone. Prompto noticed this fact as well it seemed, grabbing his wrist a moment before looking around himself frantically for the thing.

"Shit! Where the hell is it?" He turned back to Noctis then. "Do you know if I was wearing it when I came in?"

Though he didn't understand the sudden panic, Noctis just shook his head in surprise, figuring it had some kind of sentimental meaning to the other guy. "No sorry. I didn't notice."

His eyes flickered back to the other's wrist as Prompto looked around where he sat a moment, before rising and retracing his steps to the front door.

Eventually the blonde gave up, returning to his seat on the couch and Noctis indicated his wrist with a nod of his head.

"Cool tattoo, by the way."

"Hmm?" It was clear that Prompto's mind was elsewhere – no doubt trying to figure out where he'd left the cuff – so he indicated the other's wrist with a brief gesture of his hand this time, Prompto's blue eyes falling to the dark design on his pale skin. He might have been imagining things but it seemed as if he started a little at the sight, his face paling, but a moment later he shrugged it off, rubbing at it absently. "Yeah... it's okay."

"Does it mean anything?"

Prompto shook his head, his mind obviously on something else entirely. "I, uh... no not really."

"You don't really sound too sure."

Bright blue eyes flicked him a quick look before the blonde glanced back at the tattoo, and Noctis got the distinct impression the other guy wanted desperately to cover it.

When he didn't answer, Noctis continued pressing, really curious now – due in big part to the fact that Prompto seemed oddly reluctant to talk about it. "So any story behind it?"

A brief flash of a smile that didn't quite reach the other's eyes and Prompto shrugged. "Besides it being the result of a drunken night, not really."

"So the numbers don't mean anything?" He held a hand out and Prompto reluctantly surrendered his wrist allowing Noctis to study the design – a barcode with numbers 'NH-01987 0006-0204'. It seemed a lot of detail for a drunken tattoo.

"Beats me. Might have at the time, but only the Six know what I was thinking." When he tugged his wrist away again Noctis surrendered it, his blue eyes watching the maelstrom of emotions crossing his friend's expressive face with curiosity.

"You know... you don't really seem to like it. I've known you how long now and this is the first I'm seeing it. You keep it covered most of the time."

Prompto nodded with a bit of a grimace. "Yeah my parents gave me a lot of shit about it. Still do at times... so I guess it's just become a reminder of that now."

"That sucks."

Regretting bringing up what was obviously a sore topic for his friend, Noctis wanted to lighten the mood. "So it doesn't mean you're for sale then?"

Prompto, obviously seizing on the opportunity to lighten the mood again, flashed him a grin. "If I was, you wouldn't be able to afford me."

Noctis cocked a brow. "I dunno... Like you said, I'm the Prince of Lucis. I can afford a lot."

"Right," Prompto chuckled. "I forgot." Then he shook his head. "Even so..." and he shrugged, his voice trailing off into nothing, and eventually Noctis decided to change the topic.

"Since you're here, you wanna play video games?" he asked, indicating the gaming console and TV with a slight inclination of his head.

Prompto smiled, nodding as he snatched one of the controllers from the coffee table. "You're on. But be prepared to have your ass handed to you, because you are gonna be playing the master."

Noctis snorted. "We'll see Blondie. We'll see."