The Regalia’s engine purred softly, cutting through the silence of the night. Stars dotted the sky, but the beauty of the view did little to mask the biting cold that crept into the car. You pulled your jacket tighter around you, shivering as the warmth from earlier in the day vanished with the sun.

Next to you, Noctis sat slouched in his seat. His white tank top and unzipped baggy hoodie offered no protection from the chill, and his usual wristbands and bandages only made him look colder. His hands rested loosely in his lap, fingers trembling slightly from the freezing air.

The others were up front—Prompto humming to himself, Ignis focused on the road, and Gladiolus half-asleep in the passenger seat. They were oblivious to the cold and the quiet tension in the back.

Noctis shifted beside you, letting out a quiet breath. His dark eyes flickered toward you for a moment before he leaned in, slowly, almost hesitantly. His head came to rest on your shoulder, the soft strands of his hair brushing against your neck. He didn’t say anything, didn’t look at you again—just let himself fall into that small space where the cold seemed a little more bearable.

You stayed still, feeling the subtle weight of him against you. His breathing slowed, steady and quiet, as if he hoped no one would notice. Maybe he thought you wouldn’t mind. Maybe he just needed this—just a moment of warmth.

The road stretched endlessly ahead, the night freezing, but with Noctis leaning into you, it somehow felt less cold.