First Date

[threevirtues]

Don't be awkward. That's... almost entirely what's going through his head all night. Sure they get caught up in conversations, in their usual banter and video game strat arguments. Prompto tells him about some new lens type that's being released and Noct tries to make a mental note of it (maybe he could pick one up for Prom?) but they both know he's gonna have to ask Prom about it again over text so he has something to refer to.

Between all of that, though, in every lull in conversation, every playful nudge or lopsided smile- Don't be awkward.

It's not until they're heading home, until Noct insists that he's walking Prom home not just to the corner that they usually have to veer off into separate directions that he realizes not being awkward has also meant that, despite the nice restaurant and everything he's been so not awkward that Prom really has no godsdamned clue what he was going for with this.

Which only makes him feel stupid and maybe a little sulky and for a moment he considers reaching out to take his friend's hand. But no, can't do that. Not here, not still in such a public area. Not when anyone could see them, paparazzi included. It turns into him just rubbing his palms on his pants -nice pants even! Dress slacks! He dressed up nice(ish) for this!- before shoving his hands in his pockets, shoulders rounded and doing his best not to look too disappointed. It's not Prom's fault and he knows the blond will blame himself for it. No, he's the idiot that tried so hard to play it cool it didn't even sound like a date.

Ugh why is he so dumb sometimes?

It's like every other evening they spend together, right? Fun, carefree, where conversation and banter comes as naturally to the pair as breathing.

Prompto has to admit, the fancy restaurant and the slacks were a new thing. The walking him home fully, too. Almost like...

As if. Prompto Argentum knows better than to get those kinds of hopes up. If they're even hopes at all, buried under layers of complicated struggles at the implications of having feelings for another man. This is Noct, his best friend in the world, but also the Prince of Lucis. Even if he liked dudes, there's no way someone like Prom would be, well, anything more than a good bro. It just wouldn't work. It can't, in the blond's anxious little mind.

Not much time to get lost in that though- not when he sees Noctis take a familiar, slightly slumped pose, complete with hands in his pockets. That built-in instinct to get close, keep Noct from his own thoughts kicks in.

He gently bumps his shoulder against Noct's, making a point to walk along a little closer to his side. "So, cameras like that could get awesome pics of things like household objects...food...Speakin' of food- that was hella good! I only ever walked by that place before, soooo fancy. Somewhere you been a lot while I wasn't looking?"

The smile on his face is just as genuine as anything else. Being around Noctis always makes smiling easy for Prompto.

Despite the urge to sulk he can so rarely resist Prompto's infectious positive energy. His lips curl into a grudging sort of half smile as he glances over to Prom and bumps his shoulder back against the other. Only to snort and give him an incredulous look. "Oh come on, that fancy? No way. You know I don't dress nice enough for a place like that unless I have to."

Usually that means when he has to go to the Citadel. That has, largely, been a rare thing the past few years. Though... maybe now that school's over he'll need to be present at more of these meetings that Ignis had been attending for him. Which will mean less and less time for nights like this.

"We're supposed to be real ass adults now, y'know? So I thought-" maybe it's about damn time he gets his shit together and makes this official before he loses the best thing that's ever happened to him. But he doesn't quite have the nerve to just come out and say it like that. So he just... sorta shrugs awkwardly, watching Prom sidelong as they walk. Most of the time the blonde knows what's going on in his head better than he does. This might be one instance where they're actually on different pages.

There it is- that slight perk up with Noct, invisible to just about anyone else in the world. Prompto knows it means he has his friend's attention, and the following smile proves the attempt fully landed so far.

Generally, it is easy for Prompto to know what Noct is thinking- but here, with this in particular, they definitely are on different pages by way of cluelessness and doubt on Prompto's end.

Blue eyes blink as Prompto just sort of stares sidelong, crossing his arms behind his head in a casual gesture.

"Thought what? Can't pick up what might be goin' on in that noggin of yours right now," a rare occurance. "Real adults, so we gotta do adult-y stuff like fancy dinners together now? Do I need to go get a suit?!"

He snorts another disbelieving laugh. "You? A suit?" But he shakes his head, half dismissing the topic and half denying that there's anything to figure out. It's not that complicated, it really isn't.

Before long though, they're turning onto Prompto's street and Noct tilts his head a little. He does his best to get an idea of how many people might be around and is pleased to find this end of a nice quiet neighborhood is largely empty. Even then he's nervous, for the practical reasons of gossip about the royal family and for how Prom might react. Will, undoubtedly, react.

But maybe not. Maybe just this once things will work out for him.

So he finally slips his hand out of his pocket and cautiously reaches out to slide it into Prompto's, threading their fingers together lightly. It- it's cool. It's fine. Nbd. Just... keep walking.

Prompto's feet keep moving along with Noct, but his heart briefly stops. It stops, only to burst back to life thundering along, picking up speed frantically as the situation and the warmth of Noct's hand around his own truly sets in.

Noct is holding his hand. It's such a casual thing. Natural, like everything else between them. Like it was supposed to be, and yet that in and of itself makes Prompto's entire world flip on its head.

Amidst the maelstrom of conflicting thoughts, the fear, the denial, the unbridled joy, the longing he tried so hard to stifle and hide, one thing stands as a beacon in the blond's mind: Holy crap. Don't fuck this up, Prompto.

Even if this is a hallucination. Even if it is some kind of game. Even if it means settling things he's only just started to confront with himself, Prompto wants this. If he's honest, he's wanted it for a long time.

A shuddering breath, and he gives Noctis' hand an acknowledging little squeeze, attempting a casual smile even as he can feel his cheeks heat up with a furious blush, easy for Noct to see.

"Wh-what? I'd look killer in a suit. Even if it would drive me nuts!"

Yeah, there we go.

Prompto's steps don't falter but Noct can feel the spike in his anxieties. It's something he's gotten a sense for over time, the tension in his shoulders, the precise cadence of his steps, the way he breathes when he's thinking too hard. Subtle little things that give him away that Noct's pretty sure no one else would notice. Before he can try to laugh it off or anything though, Prompto squeezes his fingers and Noctis blows out a breath hard enough to lift his bangs from his face for a moment.

The look he flashes over at Prompto is uncertain as so many of his smiles are, a grin that lasts for barely an instant befor he's tempering his expression. The smile still there but quieter, the way Noct prefers it, nothing to attract attention. His own cheeks darken as well, even if it's not as noticeable as Prom's.

"Maybe but you wouldn't be comfortable so what's the point?" just because the clothes would look nice doesn't mean they'd look right. Not by a long shot.

Wow, Prompto just loves that smile. He could get lost in every nuance of it given the time. How it looks slightly shocked, then softens into something more understated but glowing. Like the stars in the sky. It calms his thundering heart to an extent, but only makes his cheeks grow hotter.

Prompto can see a slight tint to Noct's own, too- he wonders if it is a trick of the light. Probably not.

"Ha, you know me way too well, Noct-man. You got me. I would want to jump outta my own skin in a suit for too long."

So...They're holding hands. Prompto gives another small squeeze as he takes a steadying breath. A little indication to Noct that he's more than thinking about this.

"Still, maybe I can take the L and look cool sometime. Just to try it out."

Noctis lets his thumb stroke along the side of Prompto's, heart thundering in his chest despite how much he tries to play it cool. They both know this is... something. More than either of them can put words to but they keep acknowledging in their own ways.

Still Noct pauses a little, turns his head to pully look at the blond. Then just shakes his head, takes his next step at enough of an angle that in addition to their entwined fingers Noct's shoulder brushes lightly against Prompto's. "Eh- don't put too much stock in lookin cool." Another of those soft smiles. "Besides. I don't think that'd be taking an L, man."

Prompto swears that smile could knock him off his feet every. Damn. Time. "The nonexistant comfort is a big L! But..." Well, now he's blushing even more at Noct's unspoken agreement to him looking good in a suit. That and the brush of his thumb.

Okay, maybe he should try it out. Just for Noct. Just to see if he gets a reaction in that understated way. "I'll give it a shot sometime. Gotta do it for science! Or something."

The shoulder brush is duly noted- Prompto makes a point to stay close, keeping the extra point of contact with their shoulders in addition to those twined fingers. It makes him crave more in a way the blond hasn't really felt before. Or perhaps hasn't allowed himself to feel until now.

This is something all right. Prompto's nerves and heart may as well burst. There's so much he wants to say. Could say. But the words, for once, don't come out in a stream of nonsense. Or anything at all.

Noctis snorts again, shaking his head and pulling their linked hands up enough that he can elbow Prompto playfully. The gesture is familiar, the same sort of goofing around they always do. But this time when Prompto stumbles away from him Noctis tightens his hold on the blond's hand to pull him back in against his side a second later. No getting three steps ahead and watching Prompto scramble to catch back up, just pulling him right back, an undeniable sort of magnetism between them. Just... one they're only now letting themselves acknowledge.

"You've got a weird definition of what counts as science." There's that soft lilt of a chuckle in his tone, not really a laugh so much as a warmth to his voice. Words that grow a little softer as they get closer to Prompto's place. Uncertainty flickers in those deep blue eyes for a moment but he steels himself. This has, over all, gone way better than he could have anticipated.

So when they come even with the gate Noctis wastes no time ducking around the corner, out of sight of the main street and somewhat hidden from the front door just in case Prom's parents decide he's been out too late. (Doubtful but it would be their luck.) Turning the corner so swiftly means he's pulling Prompto along once more, just enough to turn and press the blond against the wall. It's rushed and sudden and more nervous than he wants to admit to but one moment he's pulling Prom around the corner and the next he has him pinned to the wall, free hand coming up to cradle his face as Noctis closes the distance between them. Finally, finally pressing their lips together in a kiss that is years overdue.

Prompto makes a surprised sound when he's pulled back to Noct's side. He makes an even more surprised sound with what follows. He flows with the movement as he's pinned, the unflagging trust he has with Noctis of course keeping him calm as he can get with the hand-holding.

Six alive. This is a dream, right? Noct's lips against his own. Like he's thought of so many, many times when falling asleep. Or even when they would hang out. How he'd wonder- what if we closed the gap between us? What if we kissed, and held one another? What then?

Such thoughts were always summarily chased off. Ridiculous. That'd imply he's gay, right? Plus it would imply Prompto would ever be enough for the literal Prince of Lucis. Him. Him! That isn't even mentioning the complications of an heir, or the public fallout, or-

...There just isn't time or room for all these worries, though, in this precious moment. Everything melts away, until all that exists is the two of them, the sensation of the kiss, their bodies so close, Prompto's back against the wall. He gasps against Noctis, arms reaching up and around to grasp around his shoulders. One wanders up to cradle the back of Noct's head, fingers weaving through that soft, messy, forever bedhead.

Prompto pulls Noctis closer. This is Inevitable. Long overdue. Perfect.

What then is that Noct would have felt even more guilty for those scattered instances when the two of them would end up half in each other's laps, leaning into one another on his couch, hands on each other's cocks and gasping the same breaths. When he'd try to pretend that watching Prompto's face wasn't what finally brought him to the edge. That he didn't treasure the memory of his voice, the sound of his name on Prompto's lips.

It wouldn't have been fair. He was an absolute wreck then and, honestly, he still is but he's not willing to risk losing this. Not now, not when he can stop it. Not when he is, for once, fairly confident that they are on the same page even if they haven't acknowledged it.

A confidence that is rewarded when Prompto responds to that kiss so eagerly. There's no room for doubts or second guessing when the blond's arms curl around him, pull him in close and fingers slide into his hair. The hand on Prompto's cheek echoes that motion, dipping back to sink into pale silk. Part of him wants to follow Prompto's lead on other things, to cling to his friend and kiss him as desperately as he's wanted to for years now.

He manages to restrain himself, to keep the kiss softer, something more romantic than just groping hands and hungry mouths. That he's certain they could have ended up falling into half a dozen times before now. But this, this is deliberate, loving and reverant. And something he will try to make linger as long as possible.

It really is so different than the times they agreed to "help" one another, always so deftly skirting around the (now, in retrospect) obvious feelings they harbored. Never spoken, never fully accepted out of worry and self-deprecation in Prompto's case, but always there.

Often those times were frantic, hungry, rushed, with them both trying to shove aside anything beyond fulfilling something physical. This is stiflingly different. Loving. An acceptance of every unspoken thing that, shockingly, Noct was reciprocating all along. It soothes a soul-deep ache Prompto's been holding onto for so many years like a balm. It is as though a breath he's been holding can finally be released . Before he can catch himself, there's tears of relief stinging at the corners of his eyes.

Scary as this is, terrifying as all the complications this will come with may be, the sheer relief sees it all fading away. The blond trembles bodily, basking in how softly Noctis keeps the kiss. He stays there, stunned, tears running down his freckled cheeks. Whenever they part, the expression on Prompto's face speaks volumes. Reverence, relief, joy, adoration, love.

How can he find words after that?

Prompto's trembling is what finally makes Noctis draw back, a spike of something panicked and fearful in his throat for just a moment. Had he misread something, somehow? But the look in those crystaline blue eyes is full of so much love and adoration that Noctis can only offer a gentle apologetic smile. His other hand comes up to join the first, holding Prompto's face and oh so gently wiping away the tears, desperately hoping they're not a bad thing just... maybe kind of overwhelmed. He gets it. He's been there before too.

Noct goes up on his toes for a moment, pressing a gentle kissing to his forehead, letting his lips trail down to kiss beside one of those stunning eyes, lower to the tip of his freckled nose, and then once more to his lips. The kiss is firm and steady, still gentle but unyielding enough that he hopes it can be another reassurance for his friend. It only lasts a moment before he is leaning against him, brows together and only barely able to meet Prompto's gaze through his lashes.

"S-sorry it took so long." His lips quirk up in a lopsided little smile, shoulders rounding with a huff of breath that's nearly a laugh.

Prompto swears he can see stars, cheeks blossoming with a new round of heat while Noctis traces kisses along his face. The sheer love in the gesture steals the blond's breath away all over again. Tears still fall, the overwhelming tidal wave of emotions leaving Prompto stunned.

Took so long? Prompto has a hunch this doesn't just mean the kiss they've both awaited, consciously or otherwise, with baited breath. If anything, Prompto is so proud to see Noct at this point. Sure, Iggy and himself have been on standby to keep him on track, but there's been a change, a good one, steadily. An ability for Noct to do and enjoy things that had been stifled so heavily for so long showing. Prompto can see it.

A smile with a warmth to rival the sun tugs at Prompto's lips. He wiggles his head so their noses nuzzle against one another.

"Nothin' to apologize for. I barely could catch up with...Any of it myself. And here you are, doing amazing, turning things around. This is...Perfect, really. Th-thank you, Noct. I-" His voice catches, and he chokes back a sob of relief. "This- I- all this time, I just- I never thought it was possible. But I never stopped thinkin' about it. About you. About us."

Noctis huffs a quiet laugh when Prom bumps their noses together, another of those flickering smiles breaking out across his features. It fades into something closer to a grimace as Prompto speaks, guilt gnawing at him despite himself. "I know."

Tugging his sleeve down over his hand he reaches up to brush away more of those tears, boxing Prompto in against the wall and keeping him close. The position would bug the hell out of him but Prompto seems to prefer it. Being all wrapped up together like this. So he wipes at his cheeks and strokes his face and just... savors the closeness of the other.

"I never stopped thinking about it either. Even... even when I was really messed up. I didn't... want to saddle you with-" He pauses to grumble a sigh and roll his eyes. "what was apparently my brain just refusing to make the good chemicals."

No one can deny that the meds have had an impact. They're still sorting out the exact dosages but it's been a few weeks now and he's been... more even? More steady if nothing else. Hopefully they'll find a place that is a little better than where this even keel is but even this is worlds better.

"Wanted to be able to do right by you."

Indeed, the close contact, small space, and being wrapped up in Noctis is a comfortable, wonderful position for Prompto. He practically melts against his companion, happy to lean into any and all of his touches along his face and body.

It really is like a dream.

Noct was worried the entire time. About being enough for him. That in particular makes Prompto's heart practically rattle against his ribcage. How crazy it is, when Prompto's own worst fear beneath the personal baggage was exactly the same.

Still, for Noct to think he is someone that needs some high standard...That is striking to a boy who values himself about as much as the dirt under his boots.

"I know you can do that and more, Noct...You know I'll be by you for every step of the way. The good and...The tough. Whatever we gotta do. I-"

The words come out so naturally. Like Prompto Argentum was always meant to say it to Noctis, all his life. He looks right into those ever-tired eyes, and bares his soul.

"I love you, Noct."

He's already nodding slightly, one of those grudging, lopsided smiles tugging at his lips. The words are on the tip of his tongue, half formed reassurances. Of course he knows that Prom will be there with him for it all. Prom's been there with him for so much, even before the blond had gotten up the nerve to approach him again he'd been there, a constant presence in the background that had somehow been reassuring in its own way.

But then Prompto says the one thing that Noctis could never have expected him to just put out there so quickly, even if he's pretty sure they've both known it for years. This time it's Noctis' turn to be stunned, a spark of something awestruck and hopeful in those deep blue eyes. He presses forward, pressing Prompto bodily into the wall hands returning to hold his face.

For a moment he simply searches Prompto's gaze, despite how much he knows better. Prompto would never say something like that if he didn't mean it. It doesn't stop him from staring into those beautiful cornflower blue eyes. "I love you too, Prom. Think maybe I always have."

And with that the stunned half smile breaks into another of those fleeting grins, one that is smothered against Prompto's lips after another moment.

It's Noctis' expression that sends Prompto to the realization that he just said those three words aloud. The awe and sheer hope almost moves the blond back to tears once again, but the pressing and soft touches keep him just on the cusp of it. He melts against Noct, just reveling in the feeling of soft, loving touches especially on his face.

He craved this for so long. They both did. To hear Noct say he always loved him- well, there isn't any kind of words Prompto thinks he could ever conceive of to say just what that means. All his fears, his anxieties, the dread of reciprocation being impossible are blown away.

Finally something just clicks when Prompto hears it. Like life itself was out of focus, now finally snapping into crystal clarity. His aching heart for once, aches with something full and beautiful instead of lingering longing and emptiness.

So when Noctis kisses him once more, Prompto returns it with all of those feelings concentrated behind him.

I love you. I love you. I've always loved you. I've known since the moment I first saw you, even if i didnt fully understand. I'm so relieved. I'm so happy. Please let this last.

Whenever their lips part, it takes him a moment to speak, with a smile more radiant than ever.

"That's a real long time, isn't it?" He teases.

The kiss lasts longer than the previous ones, intense in the weight of emotion they both put into it. So much love, long denied, the knowledge that everything is finally set right with them. The joy of having Prompto confirm those feelings have always been a two way street, no matter how much they may have tried to deny them. For a long while Noctis savors all of it, kissing the blond deeper and more demandingly.

When he finally has to break away to pant softly against Prompto's lips he's smiling still, possibly the longest time that Prom's ever seen him smile consistently. And it's all because of him.

"Yeah... sure is. Finally figured you were never gonna make the first move, though." The smile fades into a cocky smirk, something smug and satisfied in his eyes. Oh if Prom wans to start teasing he can tease back just fine, They both know Prom takes the teasing way harder than Noct.

It's true, the teasing always does hit Prompto a touch more, but right now he finally sees it for what it probably always was- a love language between them. It makes the whole thing magical. So he pouts, playful as ever, making a point to puff his cheeks with a bit of that drama he tends to offer. "Look, man, I didn't even think it would ever happen! What was I gonna do, make a move and kill the vibe? Nahhh."

The thought hits him, though, as he leans himself as far forward as he can to land a playful smooch on Noct's nose. "First move...Whoaaaa, full romance! You were walkin' me home! That was all a date! Romance and Noct...What a bangin' combo that is!" There's a fondness in those bright blue eyes as he says it. Teasing it may be, but Prompto is speaking the truth. It is an awesome combo.

But...That means...Noct is walking him home to drop him off. The thought of not only parting ways with Noct now but also spending the night alone in that huge, empty house opens a pit in the blond's stomach. His expression falters, still up against the wall. If he always felt a magnetism to Noctis before, now it is unbreakable. Inescapable. Inevitable.

"S-so...That means you gotta drop me off, then?"

There's so much left he wants to say. Wants to talk about. He wants to wile away the hours with...His boyfriend? Is that it, now?!

Sleeping alone is too much after all this.

"With how many years it took you to finally come talk to me? Nah, I knew better." He grins at first but it swiftly turns into rolling his eyes, cheeks flushing brightly with embarrassment more than the faint pleased pink before. "Oh yeah, real romantic. You didn't even realize it was supposed to be a date until like... right now."

Don't try to argue it, Prom, you literally just had the observation midsentence. It's fine, it just means he's going to have to pull out all the stops next time. When they feel the need to do real date things... which Noct's not so sure is going to be a major part of their relationship but still, it's something to keep in mind. All the playfulness fades, though, when he sees the way Prompto's expression sinks. The flicker of his gaze to over Noct's shoulder, the question that follows, it's clear to see why he's upset now.

Noctis frowns, reaches out to lace their fingers together before he turns just enough to actually look at the house. The pervasive silence, not a single light or even suggestion of movement. His hand tightens around Prom's, squeezing reassuringly. "They're not even home, are they?" It's late, way too late for them to be out if they were planning on coming home at all. But they're clearly not. They rarely do. He knows that much, even if Prom tries to make out like it's no big deal. So he just shakes his head, squeezes Prom's hand once more and takes a step away from the wall, tugging him towards the front door.

"Then I guess they can't say shit about me spending the night, huh?"

Yeah, no. Noct has him there. All Prompto can manage in defense is another huff- but he takes the cute flushing of his cheeks as a victory. So worth it.

"No, course they aren't there. Nothing ne-huh?!"

Noctis is already pulling him along towards the door. There's nothing to do but follow- those squeezes of the hand and the nonchalance with which Noct handles this all...It's comforting. That always has been something special Noct could do. Any anxieties or worries he's stuck in? Noct has a penchant of so casually striking them down, too. It's special.

Prompto wrestles the keys from his pocket with his free hand, turning the lock and pushing the door open. The house is completely dark- as usual. Empty, cold, devoid of any of the warmth something like home is supposed to have. At least, that's what Prompto figures from the TV shows. This is all he knows- and if he thinks too hard on it his mind wanders to wondering if it's his fault in the first place.

But now Noct is here with him. Holding his hand. As the lights flick on, a different sort of light enters the typically cold space.

"Uhm...My bed's pretty small, but we....Could make it work? Or the couch? Hang out and talk and...Y'know ...C-cuddle?"

This is really happening. It's happening. Prompto, humorously, barely manages to stutter out that last part. Sure, they've done far more than cuddling before, but cuddling in this context is monumental.

Noct just shrugs casually as Prompto makes suggestions. He is already toeing off his shoes and shrugging out of his jacket. Which does require releasing Prompto's hand briefly. The blonde might be disappointed that Noct doesn't immediately reach for it again but Noctis steps away from the door with a playfull swat to Prompto's arm and one of those subdued smirks that comes with his teasing when he's trying to be at least a little gentle with it, trying to tell Prompto it's okay and they can just be normal.

"Works out cause you're pretty small." Mischief glints in those deep blue eyes and then Noct is on the other side of the room, blue light crackling in his wake and apen he'd had in his pocket now in his hand. That smirk brightens into a grin, a challenge, and then he's turning on his heel to book it upstairs.

He doesn't want Prompto to be upset, doesn't want him to second guess himself or them. Surely if he can keep the banter up for a bit he can pull the blond back out of his head. And yeah, maybe warping across the room is cheating but Prompto runs like... everyday. If he wants to stand a chance of beating him to his bedroom he kinda has to cheat.

The parting of their hands does see Prompto shuffle in place for a moment, teetering on the edge of diving deeper into his own head. Was it something he said? Is it too much? W-

Noct is so very in tune with the antsy blond, though, and cuts those thoughts off with perfect timing, the playful swat jostling him right back to the present moment. It brings him to a space both comfortable and natural- the one where it is just the two of them, Prompto and Noctis, playful and happy and able to just be themselves. To exist without worries or the weight of the world. Where they appreciate one another in a way Prompto can now see was loving. It makes Prompto visibly light up with a dramatic pout, pale blue eyes shimmering and giving away his actual delight.

"I'm not that small, man! H-hey, whoa!"

Oh that is so cheating. Warping around like that! "Wow, unfair lead much?!" The blond squawks, reflexively, darting forward with his runner's speed in a bid to catch up. He nearly does catch Noctis, at the top of the stairs, extending an arm to pop at his friend's rear just before he's again out of reach.

"Wait up!!"