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Prince Noctis ducks into the next trendy fashion boutique that catches his fancy, arms already full and a little sore from carrying around so many bags. He knows he can have the shops simply deliver his purchases to his apartment door—royalty does sometimes have perks, after all; but there’s a certain instant gratification of carrying around all of your new stuff for all the world to see.
The shop is grungy and industrial, exposed brick on the walls and visible pipes in the ceiling, low rock music blaring from artfully places speakers around the store. It’s the kind of shop that Prompto would absolutely eat up—so naturally, Noctis has to buy him something.
“Hi, welcome to Bone & Mortar,” calls a soft voice from behind the register. “Can I help you with anything today?”
Noct’s head snaps up from a pile of gray snakeskin jeans to peer at the cashier he didn’t even notice. He feels goosebumps roll over his skin, down to his very toes; heat rises to his face as the cashier rounds the counter and stands full-body before him.
“Oh,” she says, eyes lighting up in recognition. “You’re...you’re the prince.”
“Noct,” he blurts out, a little too loud for his own liking.
She nods, smiling warmly. “Trying to keep a low profile, huh? I get it. Sorry.”
Noctis rolls his tongue across his top teeth. “No, I—well, yeah, but that’s not it.” He clears his throat. “I just don’t like titles, is all.”
“Oh, okay.” She shrugs casually. “Do--do you want me to hold your bags at the register while you shop?”
Noctis looks down at his reddened hands. “Uh...sure.” He follows her to the counter and sets his packages down, instantly feeling a little more blood flow to his poor fingers. “Thanks.”
“No worries. What brings you in today, Noct?”
“Dunno, just never been here before.”
“Well, welcome! If you have any questions about anything, feel free to ask. I’ve worked here for a while, so I can answer just about anything.”
Words die on Noct’s tongue; Here’s a question, will you go on a date with me? “Cool, thanks.” Noctis swallows hard and tries not to ogle the cashier’s backside as she goes back behind the counter to perch on her stool. He idly picks out a few things in Prompto’s size, including the snakeskin jeans, and nearly bumps into her as she rushes past him with a brown paper shopping tote.
“Oh, Six I’m sorry your High—Noct,” she corrects, flustered. “Just got an online order in.” She pauses at the jeans in Noct’s hands. “Didn’t peg you for a animal-print jeans kinda guy, but I can dig it.” She grins, blushing slightly. “They’d look good on you.” As fast as she’d come, she’s gone to the next shelf, rifling through a rack of skull-print cold-shoulder sweaters.
Noctis looks back down at the pile of pants and grabs a second pair; then, eager to get out and catch his breath, he grabs a pretty gray plaid scarf from a nearby hook, hurrying to the register.
“Oh, are you ready?” she calls, frantic. “I’ll be right there!”
“Nah, take your time,” Noctis mumbles. “Finish the online order, s’cool.” He waits patiently for several more minutes until she’s back at the register again, tote bag bulging with clothes ready to be processed and shipped away.
“Thanks, you’re so nice,” she breathes, setting the bag down on the counter behind her, gathering Noct’s purchases in her arms so she can scan them.
Noctis frowns. “Dude, you’re the only one here. Why would I be mad for waiting just a few minutes? I wasn’t even ready when you left. Don’t sweat it.”
“Yeah, well.” She sighs, scanning the pants, shirts, and scarf in quick succession. She pauses at the scarf, holds it up and rubs the soft flannel between her fingers. “Oooooh, we just got these in! I’ve been eyeing one myself. It’s sure to keep you warm this winter.”
“Yeah,” Noctis says, whipping out his credit card to pay. He watches her bag his purchases with care, printing the receipt and tucking it deep inside the clothes.
“There, all set. It was really nice to meet you, Noct. I hope you come back.” She holds out the bag, and Noctis grabs the handle, brushing his fingers against hers.
He gulps, feeling himself blush again—and he doesn’t miss the dusting of color across her round cheeks, too. Noctis fumbles the scarf out of the bag as he rounds the counter for his other purchases, holding it out shyly.
“Oh, did you change your mind--”
“For you,” he says, gathering the rest of his shopping spree in his strong hands. He flicks his eyes up to hers, and his heart throbs as she clutches the soft scarf to her chest, eyes wide in awe.
“Are you—you're sure?”
“Sure. I’ll come back for another one. But you said you wanted it, so...” Noctis shrugs. “S’not like I can’t afford it or anything.”
She laughs, and Noctis feels goosebumps again. “Right, duh. Of course.” A pause, then; “You’re so nice. You don’t even know me, and yet...”
“I could,” Noct’s brain fires before he can take back the words. “I could know you. Uh. If you like princes, I guess.”
The clerk’s jaw hits the floor. “Are you...are you asking me... but you don’t even know my name?”
“Okay, what’s your name?”
“___________.”
“Cool, that’s really pretty. Like you.” Noctis drops the bags from one hand and reaches for his phone. “Number?”
“I’m dreaming,” __________ mutters as she takes the prince’s phone and adds her contact information. “I’ve gotta be dreaming.”
Noctis smirks as he pockets his phone, hoisting his shopping bags once again. “I’ll text you later, okay?”
__________ nods, still clutching the scarf in her trembling hands. “Do you always hit on shop girls, Noct?”
Noctis laughs, making his way out of the store. “Nope. Just you,” he calls.
He skips back out into the mall with a spring in his step, his prospective date's info tucked safely into his phone. Noctis has never been more grateful for a fifty-dollar scarf in his whole life.