NOCTIS interlaced his fingers with yours as the two of you approached the others. You could feel the tension in Noctis' hand as he tightened up his grip on your hand. And one quick glance at him and you knew that he was on edge. He had his jaw locked and he was nervously looking at all of them.

After you stopped in front of everyone, you happen to glance towards the royal car and saw Pelna climb out of the passenger's side. Then you watched Nyx slowly climbing out of the driver's side. You gave them a slight smile before you turned back to the others.

"Jason, Brady, may I introduce you to his highness, Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum of Insomnia." You said to Jason and Brady as you did a slight bow towards them before you stood back up and looked back at Noctis.

"Noct, this is Jason Skylar and his bodyguard Brady......?" You trailed off as you suddenly realized that you hadn't any idea what Brady's last name was.

"Valentine. And its actually Brandon. Brandon Valentine, your highness." Brady said in a smooth tone as he slightly bowed towards Noctis.

"It's nice to meet you both." Noctis said in a flat tone.

"And you as well, your highness." Jason said with his dazzling smile as he did a slight bow.

"Thanks for today, guys." You said to Jason and Brady. "But I should be good for the rest of week now."

"Oooooh no. Your not getting off that easily." Jason said with a smile as he stood back up. "Ignis made us promise to keep you safe while your here."

"Ignis did?" Noctis asked with a questionable tone.

"Aye." Brady said as he nodded towards Noctis.

"On his last day here, Ignis made us promise that we'd look after her while she's on campus." Jason said with a smile towards you before he looked at Noctis.

"He said it would put not only him, but a certain someone else at ease in his absence. And I think I know who he means now." Jason continued as he gave Noctis a slight smirk before he looked away from him for a moment. "So don't worry your Princey head. While (y/n) is attending classes at this school, she'll be well protected."

You rolled your eyes and looked away from them as you slightly shook your head. Noctis glanced over at you and slowly slid his thumb across your hand. He had a feeling that it was going to be something like that. At least based on the last conversation that he had had with Ignis just before he debarked the train. Ignis had told him not to worry about you and that he had taken care of everything before he left. He sighed as he watched you look back up at him and give him a slight smile.

"She better be." Noctis said in a flat tone before he looked back up and gave Jason a firm look.

Jason gave him a smirk. "She will."

You couldn't help but get slightly nervous as you watched the two of them stare at each other for a moment as the tension started to build between them. But when Jason smiled back and gave him a nod, you could feel your body start to relax. It seemed that they both had the same understanding, because they seemed to realize that they both had the same goal as they both glanced at you.

You then turned back to Jason and Brady. "Well, I shall see you two tomorrow then."

"You bet." Jason said with a smile. "Will you be driving her again, your highness?"

"No. Well, not tomorrow anyway." Noctis said as he gave you a disappointed smile.

"Perhaps later then." Brady said with a smile.

"Perhaps." Noctis said in a flat tone.

"Gwen, Trish." Noctis said as he nodded to the girls.

"Your highness." Gwen returned with a smile.

"Good to see you again, sugar." Trish said with a slight smile.

Then after a quick goodbye, you were slipping into the front seat of Noctis' car before he closed your door and walked around to climb in himself. Jason and Brady waved at you before they turned back to Gwen and Trish and started to talk to them. You gave them a slight smile as Noctis started up the car.

"Ready?" You heard him ask.

"I am if you are." You looked back at him with a smile.

"Good." Noctis said as he looked behind his car as he started to back up the car. "Gladio and Prompto should be there by now."

"They'll be there too?" You asked as you gave him a confused look. "I thought that you said that it would be just us?"

"It was at first." Noctis replied bluntly as he stopped the car and shifted into first gear.

You sighed as you gave him a slight smile as he slowly started to drive away. It was obvious that something, or someone had changed his plans for him. But you really didn't mind. You hadn't seen Prompto and Gladio in a few days either. And besides, there was plenty for everyone to do at the arcade.

"It's okay. We'll still have fun." You said back with a smile. "But we better get there before Gladio starts to freak out."

Noctis slightly laughed. "Yeah."

"What took you so long?" Gladio asked as you and Noctis went walking hand in hand into the arcade after a quiet drive over.

"That would be due to Ignis' college friends." Noctis said with a sour tone as he looked over at you.

"Well that, and the fact that Noctis didn't seem to want to go over the speed limit for once." You said as you gave Noctis a slight smirk, even though you had a feeling that that had been intentional.

"Hey, it's all good." Prompto said with a smile. "Everyone's here now. So let's go play some games?"

"Yeah." You said with a smile as you beamed at Noctis.

Noctis couldn't help but to smile back at you. "Wanna race?"

"You know it." You replied with a huge grin.

After a few races of going back and forth between who won each race. The two of you finally gave them up to Gladio and Prompto and you stood off to the side. That was until you spotted the new Dance Rush game that had just been put in. You had always heard of people getting into some serious dance moves on those things. And as you looked at Noctis, you couldn't help but to smirk at him as you watched the two guys put the dancing machines through their paces.

"How about a dance off?" You teased. "Winner gets to choose what we do after this."

"Does it have to be something here?" Noctis asked as he searched your face as he grabbed your hand.

You shook your head with a smile. "No. It can be wherever the winner wants."

"And what does the loser get?" He asked as he turned you towards him.

"To have a great time with the other person." You smiled back.

"Well that's not much of a prize for the winner." Noctis replied as he frowned. "We're already having a great time."

"Then what do you suggest?" You asked with a smirk.

"Hmmmm." Noctis said as he looked up as he slowly pulled you closer to him before he wrapped his arms around your waist and gazed down at you. "How about, the loser has to wash the other's car?"

"Okay. That's easy." You smiled back.

"....in nothing but a skimpy swimsuit." He added with a smirk.

You narrowed your eyes at him as you smirked back at him. "Okay. But I hope you like to wash cars in your speedo."

"Wait? What was that?" Prompto asked as he quickly turned around and looked at the two of you.

"What? You want in on this too?" You asked as Prompto stared at the two of you.

"And what would that be?" Prompto eagerly asked.

"Forget it Prompto." Noctis quickly said.

"If I beat you in a dance off," you continue as you ignore Noctis, "I get to choose where we go next."

"And if you lose?" Prompto asked with a slight smirk.

"The loser has to wash the other person's car in their skimpiest swimsuit."

"But I don't own a car?" Prompto said with a hurt look.

"I'll loan you mine for this." Noctis said with a slight smile.

"Do trucks count?" Gladio asked as he suddenly was into the conversation as well.

"Sure." You smiled. "Why not."

"You're on then." Noctis said with a smirk. "If we win, you have to wash our cars in a string bikini."

"And if you lose, then you have to wash Tracy's and my dad's in your speedos." You smirked back.

"Hey, wait a minute." Prompto quickly chimed in. "How is that fair?"

"Two for two of course." You smiled back. "Noctis' car and Gladio's truck vs. Tracy's and my dad's cars."

"Oh." Prompto said with a slight smile, even though he still looked a bit confused.

"So do we have a deal?" You asked all of them as the last two dancers got off of the machines and you stepped onto one of them.

"You bet." Noctis said as he stepped onto the other one as he kept his eyes on you. "I expect a spotless shine when you're done."

"We'll see whose car gets a spotless shine." You smirked back.

Then after selecting a song that you both agree upon, you hit the start button and the two of you started dancing across the small lite up floor. Prompto and Gladio were cheering for Noctis as the two of you matched beat for beat, step for step. But as the song sped up, so did the steps. And before Noctis knew it, he was starting to miss his marks and was soon falling behind. You couldn't help but to smile as you kept up with the pace and started to enjoy the dance as you matched the machine step for step, tempo per tempo until the last note.

Noctis' look of disappointment was almost too much for you as he pursed his lips and he narrowed his eyes at you. You smirked back as you crossed your ankles as you looked at him. You knew that he was a great dancer. But it looked like all of that dancing with the choir and with Ignis had truly helped you out in this case.

"I think your tight black speedo will work perfectly for washing the cars." You smirked at him before you bit your bottom lip.

Noctis gave you a heated look as he took a step towards you. But before he could get any closer to you, Gladio stepped in between the two of you and pushed Noctis off the platform and started to select a song. Apparently he didn't like the fact that Noctis had just lost. But as Noctis walked off and you turned back to the machine, you already knew that you had this in the bag.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

And in a few minutes and two songs later, even Prompto himself was bowing his head in defeat along with Gladio and Noctis. You couldn't help but to smile at them though. They had honestly given it a lot of effort. But it just wasn't enough to beat you. You couldn't help but to grin on the inside as you silently thanked Ignis.

"So now that you have defeated all three of us." Noctis said as he crossed his arms in disappointment. "When should we be by to wash your cars?"

"I think this weekend will work perfectly." You smiled back at them and watched them all shrug their shoulders.

"But for now, let's go get milkshakes." You continued and watched them all slowly look back up at you with a smile.

"That sounds like a great idea." Gladio said with a slight smile.

"No. Not great." Noctis corrected as he came up and grabbed your hand.

You gave him a confused look as he gave you a kiss on the cheek before he whispered in your ear. "It's the perfect idea."

You slightly giggled as you looked down.

"Let's go." Noctis said as he started to lead you and guys out of the arcade.

Nyx and Pelna watched and followed behind the group from their positions outside of the arcade. Noctis interlaced his fingers with yours as you walked back through the mall and over to his car. Prompto had ridden over with Gladio, which was a good thing, since Noctis' car was only a two seater. Unfortunately Gladio hadn't parked right next to Noctis' car. But everyone had agreed to meet over at the 4x4 cafe for dinner and milkshakes.

"Please tell me that you're not going to make us wash the cars in front of your house." Prompto asked as he slowly drank his milkshake after finishing off his burger.

"No." You answered back with a smile. "I was thinking more like at the citadel, in the parking garage or perhaps in the back garden."

"Oh good." Prompto said with relief.

"Of course I may give Monica and Gwen a call." You smirked back. "I'm sure that they would love the show."

"You wouldn't dare." Gladio said in a firm tone.

"Gwen? Really?" Prompto nervously asked.

Which you only returned with a smirk before you looked at Noctis.

"Perhaps I could try to get Luna to show as well?" You continued. "Or better yet, we'll video chat."

Noctis narrowed his eyes at you. "You're going to enjoy this, aren't you?"

"Oooooh yeah." You smiled back with a mischievous grin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~~~

After Noctis paid for dinner for everyone, you each parted ways. But you were glad that even though Noctis had lost the bet. He seemed to still be in a great mood when he walked you up to your front door. Even with his head down and his fingers interlaced with yours as he walked beside you.

"You're not upset about losing are you?" You asked as you stopped by the door and turned to face him.

"No." Noctis said as he stepped in front of you. "Why would I be?"

"Well, you know....." You replied as you nervously shifted on your feet and looked down. "... the whole washing a car in your speedo thing and all."

Noctis then reached over and lifted up your chin as he moved within an inch of touching you with his whole body. You felt your breath catch as you took a shaky breath. Your eyes searched his as they darkened into a deep sea blue. His other hand reached around your waist and slowly pulled you against him. Immediately your whole body trembled.

"I would wash a thousand cars, if it meant that I got to see you again." He said in a deep voice.

Then he leaned in and kissed the corner of your mouth. You slightly gasped from his tender kiss. Your eyes closed as you fought back the urge to kiss him back. But before you could say or do anything, he pulled away and started to head back to his car.

"Call me later." He said over his shoulder as he walked away.

You slowly opened your eyes and turned back to him. Words escaped you as you stood there fixed to the ground.

What was that about? You finally thought after you heard the roar of his engine over your pounding heart as he pulled away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE next couple days of classes went by without anything exciting. Except of course walking and talking with Jason and Brady about Gwen and Trish as they bombarded you with questions about them. It seemed as if they were interested in them for three reasons. For one, how you knew them. And secondly, why hadn't you said something sooner. And thirdly, was about their skills when they competed on the high school swim team.

"Well, we have to head over to the pool." Gwen said as she stood up at the end of class. "Too bad you have to work. I think you would like all the eye candy that's there."

"Gwen!" You half yelled with a smile.

"What? Ignis isn't here. And besides, it's not like you would be cheating on him for just taking a peek." Gwen continued with a smile.

"That may be true. But I would feel like a peeping tom if I did." You said as you stood there for a moment holding your book, before you slid it into your bag.

"Suit yourself." Gwen continued.

Once you were outside, you said goodbye to the others and headed for Tracy's car. You had to admit that you were curious about what the college pool looked like. But not curious enough to sit there and watch a whole practice. Perhaps though, you could attend a swim meet or two.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

That night at the cafe started off very busy as the evening dinner rush seemed to be getting more popular suddenly. You hardly had a chance to breathe with everyone coming in. Which was how you were caught off guard when you stepped up to the table by the back corner.

"Welcome to the 4x4." You said with your eyes down as you placed down the cuttery before taking out your notepad and looking up.

"Would you like to..." You started to say before you froze in place as you were looking straight at the short-blonde guy from school.

He gave you a gentle smile as you stood there dumbfounded. Apparently it was the reaction that he was hoping for. Because his blue eyes seemed to shine with amusement. Which made you flustered as you tried to regain your composure as you shuffled your feet.

"Hi." You quietly said.

"Hi...." He returned as he looked at your name badge. "....Ms. (y/n). I'm Loqi."

"How do you know my name?" You asked out of shook.

To which he nodded towards your name badge. You glanced down and absently ran your fingers crossed it as you looked away from him feeling a bit silly.

Of course he read your name badge dummy. You thought as you tried to shake off your nervousness and look back at him.

"Wha..wha.....what are you doing here?" You stammered.

"Well, I came to eat dinner." He answered nonchalantly. "This is a restaurant, right?"

You closed your eyes as you bit your bottom lip and slightly nodded your head. Why am I on edge with him?

"Of course." You said as you slowly opened back up your eyes and put back on your cooler demeanor.

"Would you like to hear today's specials?" You said as you put back on your waitress face.

"Sure." He grinned back, clearly enjoying himself as he watched your reaction.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

After he ate, he put his dishes aside and pulled out his classwork. You carefully watched him as you cleaned them off for him as well as a couple other tables near him. He didn't seem to be paying you any mind as he started writing down a few things as he skimmed through his open textbook. Which kind of surprised you. But then again, the restaurant had quieted down by then.

Perhaps I'm just being paranoid. You thought as you took the dirty dishes to the dish room. It's just that so much has happened that I guess that I just can't seem to relax anymore.

But still. You thought as you placed the dishes in the sink.

"Ah forget it." You said out loud and started washing the dishes.

"What?!" Brian asked from behind you.

"Nothing." You shouted back before turning back to a sink full of dirty dishes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~~~

By time you were done putting the last tray into the dish machine, you felt much calmer. And you were half expecting an completely empty dining room, considering it was almost closing time. But as you walked out of the kitchen with the cleaning cloth for the tables and chairs, you were surprised to see Loqi still sitting there studying. Only this time he was just reading as he appeared to be deeply focused on the book in his hands.

"You might want to tell him that we're closing up in a few minutes." Brian said before he walked past you and towards the kitchen.

"What has he been doing over there?" You quietly asked as you kept your eyes on him.

"Studying. What does it look like?" Brian asked as he gave you a curious look before he turned and looked at you completely. "Why? Did you notice something?"

"No." You said as you gave him a slight smile. "I was just wondering."

"Oh. Okay." Brian replied with a nervous tone. "You better call me if he gives you any trouble."

You looked back at Brian and smiled. You knew his heart was in the right place. But when it came to fighting, you were much better trained then him with only his street fighting skills. But the support was still reassuring.

"Don't worry. I think I can handle him." You said back. "But I'll yell if I need you."

"Alright." Brian said. "I'll just be on the kitchen if you need me."

"Okay." You replied.

Then you watched Brian give Loqi a quick glance before he disappeared into the kitchen. You took a deep breath as you watched the door swing shut. Then you squared your shoulders and walked straight over to Loqi's table. But as you approached, Loqi didn't seem to even flinch.

"Hey, I hate to bother you while your studying." You quietly said as you stepped up to his table.

"Then don't." He said in a flat tone.

"Well, you see. I kinda have to." You said as you stood in front of his table. "We're actually closing up."

Loqi slowly looked up at you and searched your face for a moment. But then he looked around the cafe and saw that there wasn't anyone else there. And you watched him suddenly get uncomfortable as he started to gather up his books and study material. You slightly smiled as you realized that he must have been really into his studies to not notice anything around him like that.

"I'm sorry." He said as he quickly got up and started putting his stuff back into his bag. "I didn't realize it was this late. What do I owe you for the food and coffee?"

Wow. He was totally into his studies. You smiled back at him. "We took care of that awhile ago. And the coffee is free refills."

"Really?" He asked as he put the last book in his bag. "I must have been in the way then."

You smiled at him as you shook your head. "Not at all. It slowed down once you were done eating. So there was still plenty of room for the other customers."

"I'm glad." He replied with a smile back.

"You know, if you need a place to study, you can come back tomorrow if you want." You replied.

"Are you sure?" He asked as he relaxed on one foot.

"Absolutely. In fact, I'll save the back table by the kitchen for you. It's the quietest seat in the house." You said as you gestured back to your favorite booth.

"I would appreciate that." He returned with a beautiful smile. "I'm afraid that I don't really have a quiet place to study back at the dorm."

"I would consider it a pleasure to have you then." You beamed back.

"Thanks." He said back with a smile. "See you tomorrow night then?"

"Tomorrow morning might be better. This place gets busy on Friday nights." You said as he slung his backpack over one shoulder.

"Good to know." He replied. "Tomorrow morning then?"

"Yeah." You smiled back.

Then you watched him walk outside. But instead of walking to the street, you saw him walk over to the wall across from the door. And that was when you realized that there was a black motorcycle against the wall. You stood there for a moment and watched him put on his helmet and secure his bag on his back.

He then slung his leg over and glanced back at you as he started up the bike. Then he tilted the bike to one side as he brought up his kickstand. And with a nod and a reeve of the engine, he pulled away. You slightly smiled to yourself as you dropped your gaze.

A bike, huh. That's a first. And here I was thinking that he might be more than just a student. I would have noticed a bike trailing us. I guess that goes to show that I need to relax more. You thought to yourself as you started wiping down his table before doing up the last of the dishes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Can I see you tomorrow?" You heard Noctis asked through the phone as you laid in bed for the night.

"Maybe after work." You said as you snuggled up with your blanket as you cradled the phone.

"Can't I see you sooner?" He pleaded.

"I have to work tomorrow." You quietly replied as you felt your heart break from his disappointment that was obvious in his tone.

"What if I stop by there?"

"I'm not going to stop you." You replied. "But you know it gets busy on Fridays. Like super busy."

"What about Saturday?"

"Same."

"Sunday?"

"Well Sunday morning we already have plans."

"Huh?"

"Dance off......car wash......don't tell me you forgot already?"

"No." Noctis said in a low voice. "I was just hoping to see you more then just one morning."

"Oh Noct." You said in an exasperated tone. "Maybe next weekend?"

"I can't."

"Why not?" You asked as you were the one now confused.

"My dad and I have a fishing trip planned that starts that weekend and goes until the following weekend."

"Really? A whole week?" You said in an excited voice. "That sounds like fun."

"It's suppose to be." Noctis replied in a low tone.

"You don't sound too excited about it."

"I've never been on one without Ignis before."

"Does that mean that you need a cook?" You asked excitedly.

You could almost feel his smile through the phone. "Why? Are you volunteering?"

"I would love to go camping. And why not with you?"

"I would love to have you there. Do you think that we could talk our dads into it?"

"Perhaps. But we have to do it just right."

"I take it you already have an idea."

"Damn straight I do."

~~~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~~~

For the next few minutes you explained the plan. Noctis didn't say anything at first. But instead he just patiently waited and listened. When you were done, he simply hummed.

"Hmmmm? Come on Noct. You have to give me a bit more than that. Do you like the idea or not?" You asked Noctis.

"I'm thinking that you spent way too much time with Ignis."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because only he would think of something as brilliant as that."

"Soooo you like it then?"

"I don't just like it. I love it. I'll talk to my dad in the morning about it."

"Same here. This will be fun." You said excitedly. "I can't wait."

"Nor can I." Noctis replied in a deeper tone. "But I better let you go for now. I'll call you with his answer."

"Perfect. Night Noct."

"Night princess."

You couldn't help but to smile as you hung up your phone and put it on the charger for the night. If all went the way you were hoping, all four of you would be camping in two weeks. The thought was exciting to you in more than one way. For one, it was great break from the stress of college and the big city. The other was the fact that you had wanted to go camping with them since the first time Ignis told you about their first trip without King Regis.

I hope this works. I know my dad had promised to take me before. But with Tracy being pregnant, I'm afraid that she won't be able to come. Which is my main issue. But hopefully, they'll let me camp with King Regis and Noctis. After all, there would be an adult there. You thought as you tried to figure it out as you fell asleep dreaming about camping and fishing with Noctis.

******Author Note******
I know that a lot of folks aren't too keen with sleeping in a tent. But I for one love it. Minus any bears or racoons raiding the camp site. There's just something about waking up to the beautiful early morning sun and the evening dew still clinging to the grass.

Will now with the potential of a camping trip coming up, things start to look up for once. And speaking of looking up. What in the world is Loqi studying that has him so engulfed with his studying? We just started classes, so it can't be that. Then what is it?

We shall see.

Thanks for reading. :)
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