Prompto and Noctis had their small, private moment together, and while it was no solution for everything else, it did bring some amount of happiness in their dire world. Prompto could hold Noctis safely in his arms, and for a little while he could pretend that nothing was wrong.

Their chests were pressed together, letting their hearts hear one another and beat in sync. Something like this had always been a secret fantasy for him. To be in bed with Noctis, expressing their love to one another. He had dreamed about it many times.

But, like everything else that had happened, the dream had to end and soon they would have to return to reality. As much as he didn't want to let go, he couldn't be so selfish, not when the world was at stake.

They had their nap, which ended up being much longer and needed sleep. Despite having slept in the Crystal for 10 years, it seemed they needed a proper sleep.

Though Prompto had hoped for sunlight when he woke, he glanced out the window to see nothing but the same eerie gray skies as before.

'There's got to be some way to save Noct, and save Eos. It can't be all grim, predetermined shit.'

"Prom?"

He sighed, wishing that he had more time. "Yeah, Noct?"

"We should probably get up soon. Don't want to keep everyone waiting."

Humming in agreement, Prompto slowly let go of Noctis. "I know…"

Together, they got up and headed out of the caravan, finding Ignis and Gladio nearby.

"Did you two enjoy a night to yourselves?" Gladio chuckled.

Prompto blushed. "Shut up."

Gladio only laughed. "Of course you two are still shy. I'll give it time, then I'll be teasing you guys in full force."

Noctis groaned. "Whatever."

"But if the two of you are done, I take it we can prepare to head out?" Ignis inquired.

"Better not keep everyone waiting," Noctis replied.

"If we're heading out, you two should get yourself a trim. Can't have our King and one of his Crownsguards looking like hobos."

Ignis chuckled. "Is it really that bad, Gladio?"

"If you could see it, you would faint at how disheveled your King has become."

Prompto huffed. "We'll clean up then! Anyone here have a razor and stuff?"

Gladio grinned cockily. "Do either of you even know how to shave?"

"Can't be that hard," Noctis shrugged.

"There should be some supplies in the storage areas," Ignis said. "I shall go and ask for you."

Ignis walked away and returned a few moments later with two razors, a comb, a pair of scissors, and shaving cream. Prompto took the items and glanced at Noctis. Neither of them had to say what they were both thinking, both feeling the same on the subject ever since waking up.

"Just… give us a little longer?" Noctis replied softly.

"Take what time you need, and don't feel bad if you need to ask for help."

Prompto and Noctis shuffled off to the caravan again, entering into the small bathroom it had. As much as Prompto wanted to avoid it, he had to face his reflection, seeing what 10 years had done to him.

He could see how much older his face was. From his jawline to his eyes, everything seemed to be a little more refined. The longer hair and beard covering his face also was a big, sore reminder that he had been gone for far too long.

"So, who's going first?" he asked, glancing over to Noctis.

Noctis brushed back some of the hair covering half of his face. "I guess start with me? I'm the one who looks like some former musician who couldn't let go of his old hairstyle?"

Prompto snorted. "I can see it. But, let's see what I can do! Want it to look like your own hairstyle or…?"

"Something close… Try to keep most of the hair out of my face, okay?"

Taking the pair of scissors and the comb, Prompto started to study Noctis's face. "Well, I've never cut anyone's hair before, but I'll give it my best shot!"

"I trust you," Noctis whispered.

It was a phrase so simple, but it was still enough to make Prompto's heart flutter.

"Thanks. Now let's get started."

By the end, Prompto had managed to clean up Noctis's hair, giving him a much more presentable look. His hair was now out of his face, outside of one strand of hair that Prompto had cut a little too short, but Noctis said he didn't mind.

"Ready for me to cut yours back to your usual chocobo butt?"

Prompto chuckled. "You really miss the chocobo style?"

"Yeah, it's familiar…" Noctis muttered. He ran his fingers through one of Prompto's longer strands. "But long hair doesn't look half bad."

"You think?" Prompto raised an eyebrow, a little surprised.

"Yeah."

"In that case, keep it like this. Just, y'know, trim it to look neat."

"You sure?"

Prompto nodded. "Why not?"

He glanced at his reflection, still a little surprised by his older look. It would take a while to get used to that. But, if he was going to try, might as well stick with it.

Noctis started to comb Prompto's hair. "Okay, guess we're both trying something new."

"Yeah. And what about the beards?"

"Probably will keep mine. Kind of reminds me of my dad's when I was younger. A king looks better if he's got a good beard, right?"

As Noctis clipped away some hair, Prompto started to laugh. "Guess you have a point. A baby faced king isn't really the most intimidating."

"I don't think I'd be that baby faced…"

"Heh, well I think I may shave mine. Not sure if I'm ready for beard life just yet."

Soon, Noctis had finished trimming Prompto's hair, and all that was left was for Prompto to shave off his beard that had grown from their time in the Crystal.

"You know what? I'm glad we don't have actual 10 years worth of hair and beard," Noctis commented jokingly.

It was something Prompto had thought about, but he hadn't given much time to question it before. "Does that mean Bahamut was trimming our hair so we didn't end up with several feet of hair?"

Noctis shuddered. "I don't want to think about that being a possibility."

"Well, guess we should be thankful, otherwise we'd really be needing a long barber shop trip."

When Prompto had finished, and his face was clean once more, the two of them headed back out to meet with Ignis and Gladio. Now they could be ready to move out, preparing to take the trip back to Insomnia.

Before they headed out, Ignis suggested they change into more appropriate attire. Apparently, all those ten years ago, there were Kingsglaive uniforms given to Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto to wear during the would've-been wedding in Altissia. Prompto didn't really remember that discussion all too well, but with everything that happened, he didn't fret too much over it.

Soon, he was dressed up in the uniform along with the other two while Noctis was dressed in a very formal kingly uniform. It was one much like King Regis wore, and the more Prompto ended up staring, he could see how much Noct really did look like his father, with a solemn expression to top it all off.

Together, they got into a vehicle and headed off back towards Insomnia, driving along the dark and eerie road, avoiding any daemons that appeared out at the barren landscape. As they rode, Prompto noticed how upset Noctis looked, seeing what Eos had become.

He couldn't really blame him. He felt the same too, seeing the beautiful world they once ventured across now cast in a never ending darkness.

Soon, they arrived on the outskirts of Insomnia. From there, it was decided they would make the rest of the journey on foot.

"Before we make the final trek into the city, shall we make camp? There is a haven close by if you recall," Ignis said as they walked down the road..

"One last camp?" Noctis said softly.

"Might as well," Gladio said.

Setting up camp felt as if it were yesterday to Noctis, and to him it really was. For Gladio and Ignis it was 10 years. As far as Noctis knew, Gladio and Ignis didn't go around camping together for the last decade. For them, this was like reliving old memories, and it only riddled Noctis with more guilt.

As the campfire was starting to flicker to life, Noctis glanced at Ignis. There was something Ignis had said before that made him wonder. It wasn't exactly anything odd, but it was the tone of his voice.

"Hey, Ignis? Got a minute?"

"Something you need, Noct?"

"Just a moment, if it's alright."

The two walked to the edge of the haven. Noctis's mind raced with what he wanted to say, trying to find the right way to put his words.

"So, y'know, looking back… It wasn't all bad," he started.

"I suppose we had some fun along the way."

"And our fair share of trouble, too… But I don't have any regrets. Luna and you guys brought me this far, and now I'm on my own."

"No. You won't be going alone."

There was that tone again. His tone implied he wanted to say more than what he was really saying.

"Ignis. You know… Don't you?"

Ignis sighed. "I wouldn't have the slightest idea what you mean."

Of course Ignis would try to deflect it. He was good at avoiding things like that. "You told Gladio to stop teasing me and Prompto about the idea of a wedding. You dismissed it instead of teasing like I thought you would."

"And if I thought it was inappropriate at the time?"

"Ignis." Noctis breathed in deeply, trying to keep a calm composure.

"I suppose I can't keep lying… It's true. I do know what fate lies ahead of you."

That was all Noctis needed to settle the slight unease he had bubbling. "That's why in Altissia… When you tried to tell me we should stop our journey."

"I couldn't bear to tell you the truth. I thought of it, but once I saw your determination to keep going, I thought it was frivolous to try and keep persisting," Ignis replied.

"And all this time? All these years? You kept it to yourself?"

Ignis nodded. "If I were to tell anyone, I feared they would lose hope in the future. I'm sorry, Noct. I should have said something sooner."

There was no point in trying to argue with Ignis. Sure, Noctis could say a million things that came rushing to his mind, but he held back. Now was not the time to dig up the past for Ignis. That was all long in the past for him, and Noctis knew it wouldn't be right to guilt his Advisor anymore than he was probably feeling.

"It's fine. Really, I uh, I'm thankful that you stayed by my side even knowing that."

Reaching forward, Noctis grabbed one of Ignis's hands, much like how he did as a child.

Ignis gave him a smile in return. "I would never abandon you, Noct. No matter what the future showed."

"Thanks… Thanks for everything, Iggy."

"You're welcome. Noct. However, there is one thing that I feel I should mention."

"And what's that?"

Ignis sighed. "The vision that I was granted, I saw what lies ahead for you, but what I saw didn't have Prompto."

Noctis wasn't going to pry to see exactly what the vision held, he already had a good feeling what it probably was. But, the comment did make him think. He could recall how Bahamut seemed annoyed that Prompto had entered the Crystal with him.

It did make him wonder if something had changed. If Prompto's involvement had made his future differ ever so slightly, then maybe he wouldn't have to worry so much.

"Oh," he finally replied. "Well, I guess that's something interesting. Don't know what to make of it, but I'll keep it in mind."

"Of course, Noct. I only wish there was more I could do."

"You've done more than enough. Just don't worry, okay? We're going to get through this." Noctis paused before adding, "but maybe indulge in a little teasing like Gladio does? I know… it's not much, but it's nice to know that the two of you support me and Prompto."

Ignis chuckled. "It is rather heartwarming to know that you opened your feelings to one another."

"Yeah, who would've thought it?"

"Oh, I had the occasional theory, but I didn't ask at the time."

Noctis raised an eyebrow. "You did?

"It wasn't hard to read your expression Noctis. You used to try and steal quick glances towards Prompto when you thought no one would notice."

Noctis rubbed the back of his neck, remembering those moments that went all the way back to his high school years. He would spend so many moments trying to stare at Prompto, admiring his smile or his laugh. He had kept it all to himself back then, thinking it would never be something he could have.

If only he could go back to that moment to tell himself not to give up. To not lose hope, knowing that it would all work out in the future.

There was no changing the past unfortunately, but he could at least try to shape the future from here.

"I'm glad you are happy for us. I just… want to say thanks again. You've always been great by my side, and I couldn't have made it this far without you or the others."

Finally, after holding onto Ignis's hand for so long, he let go and moved forward to embrace Ignis.

"I'm happy to call you my brother, Iggy," he whispered.

"As am I, Noct," Ignis replied, giving his return hug.

They stayed there for a few moments, letting the moment sink in. But, just like everything else, he couldn't linger too long. If he wanted to bring a brighter future for his friends and everyone else on Eos, then he had to keep moving forward.

However, there was still more on his heart and mind that he had to get out there. With the fire at the camp now crackling warmly, it felt like the right kind of place to give a speech on what he was feeling inside.