downrightfierce | 006. prompto/noctis; say you'll never let me go

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006. prompto/noctis; say you'll never let me go

we could waste the night with an old film smoke a little weed on the couch in the back room

( Prompto had really expected things to get worse after the fight incident — and with certain people it kind of had. But there was a bit of a chance for the better at the same time once word had gotten out that he’d unceremoniously kneed one of the biggest assholes in their class in the junk. Alec and his cronies were as bad as ever, worse, but some of the rest of the class, well… it was better. Sort of.

Prompto still felt like he and Noct were sort of an island unto themselves, which was fine, Noct wasn’t big on being social and he didn’t blame him. But Prompto himself had found conversations starting and flowing easier in the few classes he didn’t share with Noct. Hell he even had a few back up people to sit with at lunch now when the prince was called away for princely things. It was kind of nice.

Still though he hadn’t really expected that day’s events. Being handed off a small bag from one of the boys in his art class as they all shuffled out for the day, a promise of it’s a killer strain, Prompto, you’ll love it like this was something that Prompto did. Which he didn’t. Not that he wasn’t curious, but when your only real friend was the Crown Prince getting high wasn’t exactly the kind of thing you could bring up.

Right?

He spent a few days researching it, making sure he wouldn’t inadvertently kill Noct because that would pretty much spell execution and finding no evidence of people dying from smoking pot he goes onto the best ways to do just that. And maybe it’s overkill, the hoodie he keeps up as he goes into the shop, the giant sunglasses he wears on his way there and out, the half thought of a fake mustache — because really it would be his luck that by some sheer coincidence Ignis is driving by on this road at the same time Prompto slinks into a paraphernalia shop. But he gets a small glass pipe and that was that.

And then it still takes four days to work up the nerve to even bring it up to Noct. They’d gotten drunk before, but this was different. This wasn’t just illegal for their age, it was illegal period. And he feels like some kind of criminal coming over with the bag of weed and pipe in his bag and an hour into games he finally works up the nerve, nudges Noct’s shoulder with his own from their spot on the floor, backs to the couch. )

Hey dude… you want to get high?

( Overly casual. Like he was asking if he wanted to order pizza. )

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[If Noct's noticed a slight decrease in the whispers in stares directed at himself and Prompto both, he hasn't mentioned it. His tried and true method of dealing, 'ignore it or nap through it' still holds, and he's not about to change it when it's more or less worked out until now. He's not really expecting any big change, either, not when his friend's new mortal enemy pretty much owns the sketchier side of the student body.

Or part of it. Apparently there are still a few shady characters on their side, who knew?

In any case, Noct is none the wiser when Prompto arrives at his apartment for their designated gaming night (one of maybe four or five a week), the potential for disaster he'd brought with him the furthest thing from Noctis's mind; the last thing he's expecting when Prompto nudges him is... Well, that.

...And whatever Prompto's expecting, it probably isn't a laugh as Noct reaches across his lap to snatch a handful of chips out of the bag at his side.]

Pfft. Very funny, [he says around a mouthful of chip, ever the graceful and dignified Crown Prince. It hasn't crossed his mind that it's a serious offer- they drink often enough, sure, but that's usually his idea and smoking up is a little different.]

( Well, he was half expecting a laugh. The question was so ridiculous really. And Prompto's pretty sure there's about a hundred rules punishable by execution or being tossed in some dungeon somewhere about exactly what he is proposing. So why wouldn't it be a joke. And he's half tempted to let it roll, laugh and confirm that yes, he was just joking.

But he's also curious, sue him. And he knows he could just go smoke it at his own place, get high by himself and... play video games or something, who knows. But it'd be more fun with Noct. Prompto knows that once Noct graduates the small amount of freedom to be a kid he has will probably rapidly disintegrate, if they're going to do stupid things like get stoned this was the time to do it.

He can't but laugh though at the sight of Noct talking with a mouth full of chips. Gods whoever was on deck for taking Noct from this to a presentable royal was doomed.

Prompto reaches up for his bag on the edge of the couch and tugs it down. He digs under the seven t-shirts he'd stuffed in there — just in case Iggy had been there, he'd figured it'd mask any scent and hide the offending items — and pulls out the bag of weed and little glass pipe. )

Uhhhh... totally serious, dude. ( A pause. ) But uhm, I mean, we don't have to, this guy in my art class gave it to me and I thought it'd be fun and like I wouldn't want to do it with anyone but you but you don't have to, Noct, I'm not like... trying to... ( He trails off as he realizes he was just about to use the words peer pressure like some idiot. He laughs. ) You know what I mean.

[Whipping Noct into true royal shape will most likely fall on Ignis, the poor bastard. He's got his work cut out for him for sure... But then again, Noctis isn't quite this much of a bum around anyone else- only Prompto gets to see him like this, rumpled and messy with crumbs in his lap and entirely unashamed of that fact. Prompto's a lucky guy.

The aforementioned crumbs are dusted unceremoniously off of Noct's pants and onto the area rug they're parked on as Noct turns to watch Prompto rummage through his bag with eyebrows raised in both curiosity and amusement. So many shirts..

He half expects Prompto to pull out a drink or some candy pot leaves or something like that. But when that's not what happens, Noct finally pokes the pause button and sets his controller at his side, eyes widening somewhat.

~~IS THAT A WEED?!~~]

Huh... [He gestures for Prompto to pass the bag over to him so he can take a look, the request (and accompanying chuckle) hopefully serving as a soothing response to his panic about peer pressure. N E R D.

Rolling the dried leaves between his fingers, Noctis inspects the contents curiously through the plastic before lifting the bag for an investigative sniff. He doesn't know good weed from bad but his nose wrinkles nonetheless at the earthy scent, and while he can't tell whether it's good or bad, he's 100% intrigued...

And much more excited than he's letting on. Giddy, even- he's always been a little curious, honestly, and like Prompto he's aware that his time is running out for stupid shit like this.]

Sure. Yeah, I'm game. ...You know how to do it, right?

[Because... Noct doesn't.]

( He does indeed feel better as Noct asks for the bag which he hands over. At least Noct himself seems more than a little curious so Prompto can rest easy that he's not forcing his best friend into something he doesn't want to do. Which if he stopped to think about it was probably a ridiculous worry. Like Noct wouldn't have any problem telling Prompto he had a dumb idea and he wasn't going along.

Prompto can even sense the excitement that Noct isn't showing. Years of practice of seeing what Noct shows and what he's really thinking, how the show part was really only about ten percent of it at best.

And as Noct confirms he's game there's a bright grin on Prompto's face — eyes bright with excitement. )

Yeah, I do, definitely — I mean I looked it up, it doesn't look that hard.

( His browser history, if he actually kept it which he didn't for fear of it ever seeing the light of day, was something to behold. How to smoke pot, porn, video game tips, slash fanfiction... yeah... don't ever ask to see his browser history, Noct.

He takes the bag back and sets about filling the bowl of the pipe, breaking up the pieces he puts in a little just like he had read. He frowns realizing he forgot one key thing in his bag and hands the pipe for Noct to hold as he digs for the lighter. )

Uhm - maybe on the balcony? ( He suggests as he pulls the lighter out. Probably didn't want the apartment reeking of pot in case Ignis decided to randomly show up later. )

[Nope, no question whatsoever. And besides, Noct is basically immune to "peer pressure" with the notable exception of whatever stupid shit Gladio is challenging him with. The kingdom at large owes that boy a debt for being more level-headed than their Prince, because sometimes Noct is pretty sure he'd jump off a cliff just to prove he could do it better...

But that's a bad decision for another time. This particular situation is both totally welcome and also probably inevitable; better here than anywhere else or gods forbid anywhere public.

Noct watches, both interested and a little impressed, as Prompto gets them set up, gaze lingering maybe a little longer than it should on the deft movements of his friend's fingers. It's a little funny to think about him doing research on how to get high... But Noct can't help but appreciate the effort. Prompto's always like that, always has shit covered even when it's just dumb shit like picking up the best snacks or finding the best games or, yes, weed research.

Anyone who thinks Prompto's actually as ditzy as he acts isn't looking hard enough, Noct thinks.

But now isn't the time to get all... However he's getting. Again. Nope, now is the time for baby's first bowl.]

Yeah, definitely, [he agrees as he hands the pipe back as delicately as he can manage.] Specs'd pick that up in a second.

[Quite frankly there's a chance he'll peg the scent as soon as he walks in anyway, balcony or no balcony- the guy can pick out the tiniest hint of pretty much every spice ever out of basically nothing- but that's a later problem. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? A lecture? Yawn...

Shoving up from his spot on the rug and brushing yet more crumbs from himself (what? They'd been eating fro like an hour and the game needed his attention more!), Noct steps over the various bits of trash that litter the floor on the way to the sliding door. Once there it takes him a minute to dislodge the sweatshirt that gets jammed when he tries to open it, but then way is clear and they're outside soon enough. It's a nice night, cloudless and warmer than it's been; the perfect weather for hanging outside.

And getting high. Which they're totally about to do!

Mentally he shakes himself- chill- and leans against the railing with his arms crossed... Though it's likely his expression gives him away when he turns to peer expectantly at Prompto.]

So... What now?

[His curiosity has never led him to do much more than wonder what it feels like- the methods are totally beyond him and so he's relying on Prompto to lead the charge here.]

( Prompto stands next to Noct at the rail and there's a small pause as he glances out over the city below them. It's something he's never quite gotten used to even now — the way everything looks from up here. The way the city lays out before them with a view befitting of, well, a future king. And it's one of his favourite spots in the world, the beauty of the scene below him and the warmth that comes with knowing he's lucky enough to be here in the first place. Seeing something not many are fortunate enough to see — and he definitely means more than the view as he looks back to Noctis and the expression on his face.

Prompto pushes the thoughts aside and grins again. And even though he probably treats Noct as a prince the least out of everyone, there's still certain traps that they can't quite get out of. One being in almost all ways, from the subtle to the big, Noctis comes first. Be it the way Prompto has all but revolved his life around the other, to who gets the first play when the next big game they got is only one player, to… well… who was going to get the first hit.

He holds the lighter in the pinky of one hand as he quickly shows Noct with the pipe as he talks. )

Uhm okay, so you need to keep a finger on the shotgun here and I'll light it up for you… take a breath in and it's probably gonna burn but hold onto it as much as you can, okay?

( With that he waits for Noct to put the pipe in his mouth and he steps in close. It's… kind of really fucking distracting being this close, his hands brushing against Noct's as he raises one to block the breeze and the other to light the bowl. It's even more fucking distracting looking down on Noct's lips wrapped around the pipe and Prompto feels like his brain is mush and he hasn't even hit the weed yet. But he lights it up for Noct and releases the lighter once Noctis gets a hit of it. )

Edited 2017-04-04 00:30 (UTC)

[The view... Well, at least someone's getting some enjoyment out of it. Not only is it old news- Noctis has lived here for a bit, after all- to him it's, well... Lonely. Isolating. Being all the way up here is just one more reminder of how much distance there really is between him and and the rest of the city, the entire kingdom and everyone in it- a distance that's becoming more and more apparent every time he's called out of class or has to cut plans short because he's needed elsewhere.

But... It's not so bad when Prompto's here. He likes it, Noct knows this for a fact, and so barring the times he knows he can't stomach it he almost never turns down a chance to hang up here when his friend's around. He can even enjoy it sometimes like this- Prompto's excitement can be infectious, when Noct lets it be.

For instance, the grin that mirrors Prompto's as he explains what to do.]

Alright, think I got it.

[And tonight, at least, he has other concerns outside of his steadily building royal existential crisis. Most noticeably the way the breeze that'd been cutting through his hoodie might as well be blowing against an invisible barrier as soon as Prompto steps in close, Noctis's body feeling instantly warmer for reasons that, while he either can't or refuses to place, have nothing to do with the flick of the lighter against the the pipe or the thrill of doing something they most definitely shouldn't be doing.

But fortunately there isn't much time to brood over that particular train of thought, because as soon as the distinctive smell of burning leaves hits his nose Noct takes as deep a breath as he can, pulling hard... A mistake that he pays for almost instantly as he coughs and jerks away, gasping and sputtering against the searing burn in his throat. It fucking hurts.]

S-shit--! [Doubling over, he lifts a hand to cover his mouth as the other move to clutch helplessly at Prompto's sleeve as he tries to suck in a deep enough breath to count.

Yeah, he's totally got it down.]

( There is a moment of sheer panic as Noctis starts to choke and sputter and Prompto’s mind is spiraling into a million worst case scenarios of having to own up to killing the goddamn Crown Prince. He reaches for Noct, a hand tight on his arm to keep him up and really he would probably laugh if he wasn’t so concerned about the way Noct can’t quite get a breath in and tries to remind himself that this was normal from what he’s read. )

Crap - you okay, buddy? ( He waits until Noct looks like he might not just fall over should he let go and then quickly runs into the living room to grab one of their drinks, handing it off to Noct when he returns.

He waits until the coughing subsides and then laughs, a little nervously. ) Well, now I’m fucking terrified to do this. ( He says, half joking, and also there’s no way in hell he’s letting Noct be high by himself. So he lifts the pipe to his own mouth and lights it. Learning absolutely nothing from Noct’s mistake he does the same fucking thing and falls into a coughing fit of his own as the smoke burns through his throat and lungs. And yeah, he’s more than questioning their sanity right at this moment, what were they even thinking. )

[Over the next few moments Noct is pretty sure he's actually dying. His throat stings like a bitch and his lungs utterly refuse to cooperate, his eyes are leaking and his body is shaking hard with every attempt at pulling in a breath...

But eventually everything relaxes, the hacking coughs growing smaller and less insistent until Noct is finally able take a breath, clear his throat, and take a sip of the drink Prompto brings to him from inside. His hero.]

Thanks. Yeah. Yeah, damn, I wasn't expecting it to burn that bad... You might wanna take it easy-- [He clears his throat again and takes another drink, swiping at his eyes with a grunt and swaying slightly back into his spot. At the moment he can't tell if he's lightheaded because he almost suffocated or because of the weed...

Either way his own slight dizziness doesn't stop him from reaching out to slap Prompto on the back when he totally ignores his sage advice to go a little easier on the pipe than he had.]

You gotta breathe, come on-- [he does the same thing Prompto had, holding his friend up until the worst of the coughing is through and then passing him the drink to soothe the roughness he's sure is just as harsh in Prompto's throat as it still is in his own.] So much for 'easy', huh.

[There's more than a bit of amusement in his voice, both because he's sure he looked about as much a mess as Prompto does right now and because... Well, this whole situation is pretty funny.

His hand lingers against Prompto's shoulder for a few moments longer than is probably necessary before he straightens up and scrubs it down his face instead before turning to peer at him through slightly narrowed eyes.]

...Do you feel anything?

[The only thing he's feeling himself is a slight tingle in his fingers that he's attributing to the wind, but other than that... He isn't sure. He has no idea what this is even supposed to feel like, and so even obvious signs are going right over his head.]

( The burning is quite possibly the worst thing he's felt, and he was recently punched in the face. There's a little bit of a thought as to why the hell people even do this and he assumes the payoff must be pretty damn good. Because ouch. Noct's hand is a welcome weight on his shoulder as his breathing returns to normal and he takes a drink as Noct lets go.

Prompto regards Noct at the question, like he's trying to determine an answer with his mouth squishing over to the side. He feels — well, like he just about hacked up a lung. Though maybe there's some tingles? Maybe? Kind of in the base of his skull but like Noct he's not sure if that's from the weed or from lack of oxygen.

He shrugs. ) I don't know, dude, you? ( And before Noct can really answer: ) You wanna go again? ( Holding the pipe out for him. )

I don't know either...

[Staring at the pipe for a long moment, Noct weighs the risk of certain almost-death against the potential reward of... The unknown. Hah, how dramatic is that? He actually laughs a little to himself at his own private dorkiness as he reaches for it in response.]

So why the hell not.

[Translation: go big or go home.

He waits for Prompto to man the lighter again (because while he gets the mechanism he isn't sure putting both glass and fire in his twitchy, tingly hands is the best idea) and moves into position when he does, flicking his eyes to Prompto when his lips meet the end as if to say go ahead.

He gives himself until it's lit again to mentally prepare himself for the pain, pulling slowly this time, a little more carefully; he's rewarded for his efforts by a short delay between the smoke entering his lungs and another round of slightly-less-intense coughing. To his credit, he gets it under control much more quickly this time, casting a pleased, maybe even faintly challenging look in Prompto's direction. He can't help himself, even if his second try hadn't gone perfectly.]

Your turn, [he says, voice crackling just a bit from the abuse but not so much that it dulls the overall effect.]

( His own hands are surprisingly steady when he helps Noct, and yeah there is a definite tingle that he's realizing as they once again huddle in close. He watches close as Noct takes another hit and smiles a bit to see that the coughing fit was a lot better than the time before. A grin at the look Noct gives him and nods.

He takes his own hit, like Noctis a lot slower than the first and manages to let the smoke linger in his mouth before he blows out. And almost — almost — makes it through without coughing. Still though, it's a lot better than the first. But he takes another drink anyways, the liquid cool on the burn that still lingers in his throat.

He stands, taps a toe, hums a little and is honestly at a loss as to what he's even waiting for. But a minute or two later he's fairly certain whatever it is is starting to sneak up on him. The little tingle from the back of his neck spreads, curling up around the rest of his head and there's a sudden laugh. )

Shit... dude? ( A grin ) Do you feel that? ( Eyes bright as he looks at Noct, swaying a little where he stands. )

Edited 2017-04-04 19:25 (UTC)

[For a long, long, long moment, Noct just stares, Prompto's words not quite penetrating his mind until almost too long to count.

His response, while probably not worth the weight, is pretty telling in and of itself.]

Do I-- What? [A beat.] Ohhhh. [Aaaaand a grin that turns into a snicker that turns into a full blown snort of laughter as Noct ducks his head, not sure exactly what's so funny outside of the fact that he has zero clue what's happening. Which is funny, for some reason, instead of a little insane.

He's cool with it.] Not sure.

[...Yeah, he's feelin' it now, Mr. Krabs.] I think so.

[He's feeling a lot of things, actually. Like... A lot a lot. His eyes feel funny and his thighs are twitching in a way that makes no sense to him at all, and he's pretty sure every time the wind blows he feels cold and hot at the same time. His face also tingles. And the rest of him, too.]

Yeah.

[It's not bad, though, and he returns Prompto's grin lazily. Part of him wants to try one more time to see if there's more, wondering what else might happen if they go again, but there's just enough rational thought left in his head to tell him not to go so hard this first time around.

That doesn't stop his very red-eyed gaze from lingering on the pipe, though... Or is it Prompto's hand he's staring at...? Either way he's definitely staring at something, and definitely looks kind of far away.

More than usual, even.]

( He laughs at Noct's reply, at the full out snort laugh that is rare at best on a good day and maybe it's not entirely the weed at play at the warmth it spreads through Prompto. )

Yeah... yeah... ( He repeats Noct's words, his slow and kind of over pronounced as he feels them out in his mouth. Yeah was a weird word he decides.

He's pretty sure this is it. This sort of loopy, tingly, mess he's rapidly becoming. And it's weird how it's not like he's seeing things or anything crazy, just that the world feels suddenly so different somehow. Even still, he has just enough sense still to pick up on Noctis staring at the pipe and Prompto gently puts it down on the little table on the balcony. Probably best to - wait. And he's pretty sure if he keeps holding onto it he's liable to drop it now. )

Nooooct... ( Kind of drawn out as his fingers of his other hand snap with a laugh to pull him from the distant look he'd fallen into. ) Stay with me, buddy.

Huh? [Blinking slowly at the snap of Prompto's fingers and his laugh, Noct turns his (dubious) attention on his friend once again, rubbing at his eyes as he's pulled out of his haze. Right. Right.]

I'm here, sorry, [he says, grinning at himself. He's a lightweight when it comes to drinking, so this reaction probably shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone... Least of all him.] Guess I spaced out for a minute.

[Probably not the last time that's going to happen tonight.]

...My face is kind of-- [he scrunches his nose in what he hopes is a visual interpretation of the overall tingling sensation.] You know?

[He's sleepy, too, but not in the usual way where he needs to be horizontal immediately, more like... He feels like he could be horizontal? Sort of comfortable-like. Light and floaty.]

Feels like... A nap. Only awake.

[..........Yeah.]

( Prompto just laughs at the way Noctis comes back to his senses, well, not really senses but at least the fact there was someone else in the near vicinity. He steps closer as Noct mentions his face and reaches a hand across to poke at said face lightly with his fingers. The skin warm and squishy under his touch and he grins. )

Your face... is.... ( And it takes about every last bit of semi sobriety Prompto still has in that moment to not end that with really fucking pretty. ) Squishy.

( But then Noct's mentioning naps and Prompto drops his hands with a laugh. )

Wow, seriously, dude? You gotta bring naps into everything don't you - ( He teases and huffs a little as the wind picks up, tugging his hood over his head. )

Your face is squishy.

[~~Nailed it. 11/10 best comeback ever, he'll be here all week.~~

Much to Noct's disappointment, Prompto's hair does not go crazy when he prods at his face like he's just set his fingers against one of those... crystal ball looking things with the lightning inside. Because that's what his face feels like. An electrically charged, person-shaped, crystal ball of... Skin. Right.]

And naps are everything, [he says seriously before mirroring Prompto's genius and flipping his own hood up and over his ever-unruly hair, tucking the bits hanging in front of his ears back so he can, you know... See. Sort of.] Never met one I didn't like.

[And this... this 'waking nap'? He could totally get used to this. Every once in a while, anyway.]

Good one, buddy. ( But the sarcasm he is aiming for is lost because he can't quite stop grinning, letting out little bouts of laughter.

Especially as Noct prods at his face in return.

He watches Noct pull his own hood up and it actually kind of aches in that moment how adorable it was. Which... wasn't new necessarily as far as thoughts go. Just sort of — more. He reaches a hand across and pushes at the hair Noctis missed, mouth squishing to the side as he leans back after, regarding his handiwork with a nod of approval. )

You are a nap.

( See, now that was a comeback.

He jumps a little in place, bringing his hands to his mouth to blow air on. )

Wanna go inside, it's warmer in there? ( Yes, that was a question to the temperature. )

[Everything seems to happen both too quickly to keep track of and slowly enough that Noctis can practically hear the warbly sounds of television slow-mo as Prompto reaches toward him, and for some insane reason there's a split second where he's sure he's moving to touch his face again, curl his hand warm around his cheek. Noctis even drops his gaze in anticipation, blinking another slow, heavy blink before he realizes what's actually going on.

But the brush of Prompto's fingers against his cheek is cool and quick, doesn't linger the way he'd been expecting, and the resultant shiver distracts him before he can even piece his thoughts together enough to be properly disappointed... Or even wonder why he should be.

Instead, he huffs (belatedly) and what is definitely an A+ comeback. He is kind of a nap in person form, isn't he? ...There are worse things, he supposes.

Anyway, moving on, because he seems to be having a bit of a brain-backup going on here (when did it get kinda cold? how long has Prompto been bouncing in place like that? why is his constant motion so endearing...?):]

Yeah, let's do it. We still got a few rounds left. In the game, [he adds as though it's not completely obvious what he means.

He doesn't move immediately, however- there's a long and awkward pause while he stares at the living room through the glass as if willing it to suck them both inside and spare them the work of actually walking the three feet inside, then another pause while it sinks in that that's not going to happen, and then, finally, Noctis steps forward and slides the door open to step inside.

This evening is clearly going places. At least he's not stopping to dig his toes into the carpet just because. ...Yet.

No, he actually makes it all the way to their spot against the couch and drops back into his earlier position with a smoothness that could almost pass for sobriety... At least until he grins red-eyed up at Prompto, hood still in place and hair already sticking out despite Prompto's best efforts. It's a lost cause, obviously.]

Dude sit down, [he says, flapping a hand even though it's totally unnecessary.] Do you feel that?

['That', in this case, meaning the ever so slight vibration of the game's menu music against the floor, around the room in general. Thank the gods for great sound systems...]

( He could help with the door issue. Or he could stand there and laugh at the fact Noctis has apparently forgotten how doors work. He chooses the latter. If only the rest of Insomnia below them knew that their Crown Prince was currently being stumped by the simple act of opening a sliding door.

Which is hilarious until Prompto trips over the bottom of it on his way in. He catches himself easy enough, looks to the door with a raised brow and then follows Noct back to the couch. Yeah... maybe sitting would be best for a while.

He sinks down next to Noct, maybe just a little bit closer than he had been sitting earlier — which given he had already been fairly close in the first place puts him with shoulders pressing against Noctis' lightly, crossed legs touching.

He's quiet as he tries to figure out exactly what that Noct is talking about but when he focuses in on the vibrations from the floor a wide smile spreads across his face, eyes wide. )

Oh - that's cool. It's like - like we're one with the music. ( He laughs. ) Shit, dude, that was cheese, sorry.

[See?! It's not just Noct- that door has it in for the both of them, clearly. So judgey...

Once Prompto's settled in next to him, Noctis takes advantage of the closeness to sag fully against his shoulder, a sort of half-slump with one hand resting on the floor and the other wrapped loosely around the controller that's utterly failing at keeping his attention. One leg is outstretched and the other bent so that it's resting solidly against Prompto's thigh; the idea of personal space, usually a non-entity anyway, might as well be a hypothetical concept tonight.

Humming at Prompto's comment- because that's absolutely what it's like, cheese or no cheese- Noct closes his eyes for what's intended to be just a moment, relaxing into the thrum of the music, the comfortable repetitiveness that's swaddling his mind like some kind of music blanket. He's distantly aware he was going to do or say something, but at the moment he can't help just... spacing out again. Because between the music and the warmth of Prompto's side he's having a pretty hard time working out why exactly he should do anything else.

There's no rush, right...?]

( Given his mind's habit of running a mile a minute it's a nice surprise that right then it just sort of... stops. The world pinpointing down to two things and two things only. The little moment in the cycled music that does beee dooop dum — or at least that's what it sounds like, a little riff that catches his attention each time it comes around and kind of swirls around in his brain and makes it all happy. And Noct. Namely every single part of his body currently pressing into Noct's. And it's not like they've never sat stupidly close before but it's different right then. Hyper aware of each inch of contact.

Really fucking distracting.

His hand snakes around behind Noct, settling against the side of his head and his fingers start to comb through the strands. Which is totally a normal thing friends do, right? Sure. But it feels nice, nicer than maybe it should, and Noct's like putty next to him which is a very good thing. The most relaxed he's seen him in a while now.

And he's quiet for — honestly he's not sure how long, could be two seconds, could be two hours — however long and then as the song comes back around, under his breath: ) beee dooop dum

Edited 2017-04-06 15:23 (UTC)

[Noctis hums again when Prompto's fingers find his hair, tipping his head into the touch like it's the most normal thing in the world for his best friend to be essentially petting him. And it's not like he'd have shrugged off the touch any other time, but now? Now it's pretty much the nicest feeling ever, a little tingle at the back of his skull mixing with the music and fuzziness of everything in general, flooding his body with a warmth that might honestly have scared him if not for the haze of chill currently fogging his brain and trapping his worries outside of him for a change.

And for a little while nothing can penetrate that aura of calm save for the music and the fingers brushing through his hair, the steady rise and fall of Prompto's shoulder where it's pressed into Noctis's side. More than content to sit in silence for a bit Noctis does just that, the only outward sign of life being to slouch even more into the warmth until finally, finally it occurs to him that he's probably been sitting here staring off into space for like an hour or something... Or maybe it's Prompto's voice that snaps him out of it, the little jingle coming from somewhere near his ear rather than the floor.

Either way, he shifts up a bit- not away, just less melted into the floor- and laughs a little, lifting the controller lamely and tilting to peek at his friend's face, see if he can catch him all serene.]

Hey-- you good?

[He can't help flashing a sleepy smile, or feeling privately pleased about... This. And the fact that it's just theirs. For some reason that feels so important- he can't get the thought out of his head.]

( Noct's hope would be easily met as serene is definitely where he's at. Not quite as far off as Noct has been, but sort of just... content. And much like Noct he's feeling lost enough to the sensations that the usual worries are long gone. While he's hype aware of the contact he's not — concerned about it in the usual way. The little thoughts of how it just feels right to sit with Noct like this louder than the confusion that tended to come from that. So when Noct sneaks a glace, Prompto's face is perfectly content, even if his eyes have a red rimmed kind of glassy look to them.

He laughs at the question, hand still in Noct's hair and with a little giggle he leans in and actually kisses Noct's cheek. For no other reason than he can maybe? Apparently being a bit on the touchy side sober makes for a very touchy Prompto under the influence. )

Sooooo good, dude. ( He answers with a bright grin and picks up his own controller. He makes some vague motion of starting the game back up and then wrinkles his nose. )

Do you ever wonder if maybe we're the video game? ( He asks super seriously but then laughs barely a moment later. ) Jokes... I'm not that far gone.

[Unconcerned- exactly. Later on (or tomorrow, if they go for a second round at some point) Noctis will have to deal with the fact that while everything's simplified in a strange way right now he's definitely aware of what's going on. He's able to react in the same capacity he would any other time, and there's nothing especially unreal about the brush of Prompto's lips against his cheek...

It's just that he doesn't particularly care about anything outside of that, the warmth and softness of it, the tingle in his skin. The only difference between now and later is the extent to which he feels compelled to overthink it; right now that desire is in the negatives and right now he's completely fine with that.

No complaints- maybe just a soft laugh and flush of color in his face... Either from the kiss or the grin- jury's out there.

In any case, Noctis tips his head back against the couch cushion, squinting into the ceiling like he's looking for the man behind the curtain, apparently seriously considering the suggestion regardless of Prompto's disclaimer.]

I mean... It's possible, right? Like-- [He unpauses the game at last, pressing lazily against the analog stick and watching his character dart right, then left, then right again with a cartoony puff of smoke to highlight the movement. That guy doesn't know, does he? That he's not really in control, that there's some outside force governing his every move, dictating right, left, up, down, jump, dodge, fall...] What if we are?

[His lips twitch, and he nudges Prompto's side.]

What class're you?

( He lets his eyes settle on the screen as Noct talks, still listening even if he's not looking. Mouth moving as he makes little sound effects in time to the movements on the screen.

At the nudge he shrugs and lets his head fall to Noct's shoulder, he feels rather top heavy in the moment and that helps. )

If we are we're probably the most boring game ever, dude. ( He laughs, scratches at the top of his nose and takes a moment to debate the question. )

I want to be something cool... like a rogue class. Super badass thief or something. ( A pause. ) Oh! Or like an assassin. I could be a badass assassin — buuuuuuuuuut... I'd probably really be like... an elf or some shit. ( He shrugs. ) M'ears are big enough for it at least.

[Are his ears big? Noct's never noticed if they are, though now that Prompto's brought them up... They're good ears. ...Cute ears.

But elf ears?]

No way-- It's your nose. You totally have an elf nose.

[What exactly constitutes an elf nose he doesn't say, but he seems pretty sure of himself regardless. Especially now that Prompto's drawn attention to it by scratching it. 100% an elf nose.]

So... An elf assassin? [He narrows his eyes.] That's a thing, right? [He's still messing with the controller, but clearly paying zero attention. T minus five seconds until his character falls right off the platform...] Liiiike... A sniper. Elf.

[EVER FIRED A GUN, PROMPTO...?]

( His hand moves back to his nose at the comment, lips in a pout as he does and eyes wide. ) Really? Do I really, dude? ( Possibly world ending right here, way to go, Noct. ) How bad is it…? Ugh I know I do, it’s huge, it’s hideous. ( Seriously, good job Noctis. Way to be. )

I can’t be an elf sniper, snipers are badasses without giant, hideous noses.

( He reaches for the controller just before Noct can fall to his death and easily clears the sequence of jumps. )

But I totally own the high score on every shooter in the arcade soooo.... OH! ( Instant perk up as the idea hits. ) I could get a nose job and be a badass sniper. If... I had more than ten dollars. ( And deflated just as soon as it came. )

[Although he's pleased to have his character rescued from certain death, Noctis isn't about to let this pity party of nose go on. Letting out a long-suffering sigh, he reaches for the offending feature himself, snatching it between the knuckles of his pointer and middle fingers despite whatever protest may occur.]

Relax-- what elf do you know that's got a huge nose? [He wiggles it a little for emphasis, not hard enough to hurt but just enough to cause his head to shake somewhat.] And it's not like I said goblin or something fugly like that. You're fine.

[Releasing his friend's nose, Noct leans over to plant a kiss on its freckled bridge, right where that slight, elf-like curve begins.

Why? Because he can.]

( The rescue is short lived as the touch from Noct pulls Prompto's attention away from the screen, though he still holds the controller loose in his hands. He tries to wrinkle the offending appendage even in Noct's grip, a little pout still on his lips.

At least until Noct leans forward and kisses his nose. And for that second it feels like the air sort of whooshes around him, settling in as a loud pounding in his ears. His skin reddens, a blush from nose outward and his eyes settle on Noct's face.

There's a fight in him at that. A sort of push and pull between moving, sliding a hand behind Noct's neck, throwing caution to the wind and actually kissing him — and sitting so still he's barely breathing. His heart skips a beat and he settles on a grin, and before he can even register the way the words would sound — probably far more flirty and suggestive than he should be with Noct: )

I got some other body parts I don't like all that much if you're going for the whole kissing things better... thing.

( And then sheer panic as he realizes he just said that. Internal panic, fingers tightening on the controller but his eyes still on Noct. A sort of nervous little laugh, an attempt to be like hey just joking, dude, not totally asking you to kiss other parts of me. )

[It isn't until Prompto's face reddens that Noct realizes that the gesture was a little much even with the typical lack of personal space between them. Belatedly flustered, Noctis averts his gaze, only looking up again at the sound of Prompto's voice. And he's sporting some redness of his own.]

What? [Aaaand then he laughs, both because Prompto's laughing and because he senses an out of this slightly awkward situation of his own making...

Even if part of him is a little disappointed that it's presented and that he takes it.] Oh yeah, I'll get right on it.

[He shakes his head as if trying to will the color away, though the way he tugs at his hair probably renders that mostly pointless anyway. And for a moment everything's still, quiet except for the pounding of his heart that's either gone unnoticed until now or an indicator that there's something else going on he in no way has the capacity to deal with...

But then a flicker on the screen catches his attention and he groans, thoroughly distracted from that dangerous train of thought before it can get very far at all.]

Man-- wasted, [he says, gesturing at the screen where the game over message flashes tauntingly.] R-I-P... You wanna do versus mode instead?

[Crisis... Averted??]

( He’s still… which is a rarity for him, as Noctis reacts to the situation, laughing a little when he does. But still, his hands are on the floor, almost glued there as he struggles to not reach out for Noct — because that would be line crossing, right? He’s more aware of himself than Noct, more aware of the way his feelings have shifted and changed, the realization of Crush with a captial C and all underneath friend one he’s made already. But with that he’s also aware of the very real fact nothing would — or probably should — happen. Still though… he can’t help the small flicker of hope when they’re this close, can’t stop the desire that runs through him to make something happen.

He swallows, disappointed when the moment passes, when they’re back to games and other easy things even though he knows it’s for the best.

He hands Noct back his controller and picks up his own once more, grins brightly as he forces the earlier thoughts from his mind and gives back in to the loopy feeling from the pot. )

Only if you promise not to judge my skills at the moment — pretty sure I’m gonna suck hardcore at this right now, dude. ( His head falling back to Noct’s shoulder as he waits for the other to set up the versus mode. )

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006. prompto/noctis; say you'll never let me go

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