nocts | Game Inbox

[He will cry as many time as he needs to. Noctis doesn't mind it at all and he just hopes he can give him some kind, any kind of comfort. His hand gently rubs up and down Prompto's back until he pulls back to look at him and there it is. Attempt at a joke, even when he feels bad. And always apologizing.]

Dude, I'd be angry if you didn't wake me up. [With his hands still wrapped around him, only this time from the sides, he leads Prompto upstairs, towards his room.] My beauty sleep can wait. And don't apologize...

[ he opens his mouth to say something and bites down on his tongue when he realizes it's another apology. it's not like he can help it; he's conditioned for this sort of thing because... well, he doesn't want anyone worrying about him. but of course noct is going to worry when he shows up at his house this early and looking like a wreck.

when they make it to noct's room, prompto stops and leans back into him. like this, it's almost not so bad. like this, he can pretend that noct isn't going to leave him one day too. his heart pounds against his ribs almost painfully. ]

Hey, do you think – [ nah, he isn't sure what he wants to say so he shakes his head. ] It's okay if I stay here a while, right? Like, maybe we can just go back to sleep or something?

Sure... if that's what you need, [Noctis nods, slowly leading Prompto to the bed. It's messy because Noct is not exactly a peaceful sleeper when he's by himself. He helps Prompto slip off the jacket and a belt (it's uncomfortable laying down with that) and slowly nudges him to lay down first.

If anyone needs to apologize more, it's Noctis. And he realizes that when he sees Prompto's face right before he joins him under the covers. This... is not something he wants to see again. And yet, he'll be the one to cause it in the future. His gut clenches painfully, but he ignores it and shuffles forward when he lays down, wrapping both of his hands around Prompto, resting his chin atop of his head.]

I'm here...

[ it's a lot to take in, and all prompto can do is follow noct's lead. this is what he was born to do, he thinks. stay with him until the very end. but even that feels like too much, a solid reminder that he has to fight to make a difference, change the future somehow. he can't bring ivy back now that she's gone, the thought crushing his lungs until he can't breathe, but maybe... no, he couldn't fix this. all he could do was give noct all the time they had together and hope it was enough. all of this feels like too much again, and when they're tucked together in bed, prompto faces him with courage he doesn't have. ]

I know. [ a long pause, and he's sure noct can hear him swallow. ] Noct, I – [ he swallows again. ] I'm scared. [ the confession is sharp and cuts him deep, his fingers reaching out to twine in noct's shirt. ] I don't want that to happen to us. What if... you could be gone one day too. Or Iggy, Gladio, Cor. It could be any of us, and we wouldn't know.

[Ever since he found out about his own destiny, Noctis felt like it was inevitable. Something he had to deal with and have others accept it as it is because there is no other way around it. But after seeing Prompto like this...

He'll try. The promise he gave him before was half-half, just to ease his thoughts on it a little, but now he feels a bit more determined. He doesn't want to lose him, them, anyone- and he doesn't want to leave them behind.

His hug tightens on Prompto when he speaks and Noct presses his lips against Prompto's forehead-]

I don't intend to go anywhere. And if I can help it, I will keep everyone else here with us as well. It is a scary thought, I admit... numbing thought. So, if I can, I promise I'll do everything to keep us all together, alright?

[ he appreciates the sentiment, of course he does, but there's also that vague notion of being helpless that tries to worm its way into his chest. prompto wishes he could explain that to noct, wishes he knew more words that wouldn't upset him or create that weird tension between them before like when they'd fought. yet, all he can do is sink into the weight of his arms and the pressure of that kiss. ]

Yeah... [ it's not convincing, and he know it isn't. but what else is he supposed to do? prompto breathes out softly, searching for the words, and like always, they just come tumbling out of him without a filter. ] I don't wanna lose any of this, you know? I like the way things are. [ for the most part anyway. his voice drops to a whisper. ] I like the way we are.

[Yes, it is not convincing and he understands why as well. There's no guarantee that nothing will happen to them. That they will wake up tomorrow and still be like this, wrapped in each other and wishing good morning. They could be flung back or their memories erased.

It is frightening. The mere thought of it. He doesn't want to forget them. This. Together. Noct's sigh is shaky as well and he presses another kiss to Prompto's forehead.]

I don't want to lose it either. That's why I'll fight for it if I can. [His fingers thread in the blond strands, slowly petting.]

[ he settles into the silence after a moment, soaking up the warmth from his best friend and trying to find solace in those words. this place makes it so difficult to want to get close to anyone, even those he knows from home, but it's not like he can help it. it's not like he doesn't have feelings or hopes and desires beyond this city and its weird rules. the second kiss to his forehead causes his eyes to flutter open, peering at noct through the dark, and he remembers the occasional nights where they'd tuck themselves together like this after staying up all night gaming or marathoning movies. they've changed from that, just a little, but everything else... it's still very much the same. ]

You don't have to do it on your own, okay? I'm... I've got your back no matter what. [ ever at your side he thinks, but that's definitely too embarrassing to say out loud. ] I guess I was just – I wanted to be with you for a while. Like, I dunno. Had to make sure we're still on the same page.

[ had to make sure he was still there. ]

[And Noctis cherishes all those 'very much the same' moments with all his heart. They are his sanity harbors because there are times where he feels like his brain is overloaded with duties and responsibilities. Prompt is, and always will be, a ray of sunshine in his life. A sweet summer rain that can make anything feel better.]

While we're here, you can come to me whenever you have time. Got it? [Noctis can feel his eyes burn from Prompto's words but he swore not to cry anymore.]

Yeah... got it. [ it's a soft thing, whispered between them like a secret, and in the end, he supposes that's all they can do. there's really no way to fight against this place, is there? it can just take and give without warning. he sighs, turning his head and lifting a shoulder so he can rub his face against it before rolling back to lean against noct. why is it always so hard to just feel like he's happy for once?

there's a bit of hesitation when he finally does speak again. ] Hey, Noct? [ and he doesn't wait for him to answer since he figures he's already listening. ] I wanna tell you something, but... promise it won't change anything between us.

[Noctis hums in response that he's indeed listening. And then his eyes narrow just slightly- he can't count how many times he said that nothing will make things 'weird' or change things between them. The things that COULD have done it, didn't. So he's not sure what's Prompto talking about.]

Of course. You know I don't judge. [Noctis doesn't judge people and their decisions in general. But this especially goes for Prompto.]

[ he shakes his head like it's nothing to judge, really. well, maybe it is, but he can't bring himself to stop now that he's decided to say this. so, prompto shifts and lifts up to prop himself on his elbow, determined to make it as clear as possible. it's probably stupid to do it so soon after losing somebody he cares about, but he doesn't want to keep waiting and then find he's missed the opportunity because noct either left or something else came up. it makes him nervous, so he just tries to get it out all at once. ]

I know... well, I mean, I get that you've got stuff going on with other people – [ wow, this already sounds bad. he shakes his head again and blurts it out. ] I like you. [ well, that sounds stupid and kind of flat. so he has to clarify. ] As more than just my best friend. I like you a lot.

[ he loves him, but baby steps. ]

[Noct's grip on Prompto only tightens when he says that, eyes closed firmly. How... why do people fall in love with him? When they know that stuff like that is only going to bring them the pain when he... leaves. For good. Noct's face is buried in blond hair, heart close to breaking out of his ribcage.

This is Prompto. Prompto. Noct is not sure which feeling is stronger in him- the happiness or the sadness.]

As do I... I like you too...

[More than he should, more than it's allowed. But here, it's fine, right? He's allowed to love him... right?]

[ he still feels his own hesitation about all of this, but... it's better that the truth is out. right? there's not much worse than can come of it now that noct knows, and — prompto feels himself lose his breath with that confession, squeezing himself as close to noct as he can and clutching at him just as tightly. maybe there's a chance this won't go terribly wrong as long as they're here. as long as they're together. ]

Okay. [ he doesn't want to make a big deal out of it, but his heart is flipping around in his chest. ] Okay. That's cool. [ and he pauses for a long while, the hesitation building up in the silence. ] I'm glad you're here with me.

[ and it definitely sounds cheesy, but that's all he's got. he won't do anything about it either unless noct wants it, so he just stays quiet and holds him. ]

[Noctis wants to promise him that he'll always be with him but- knowing of prophecy, he can't. Maybe, if they find a solution to it, he'll be able to say it, but right now, he doesn't want to outright lie to him.]

And I'm glad you're with me too.

[Forever at his side, as he promised. Noctis can feel his eyes sting a little and he exhales shakily, running his fingers slowly, comfortingly, through Prompto's hair.]

Game Inbox - Duplicity

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sorry for taking so long to respond to this

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