The Frog Prince - The First Kiss
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XV and the characters therein are copyright and owned by Square Enix. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. This work is the intellectual property of the author, is available and intended solely for the enjoyment of mature readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.
Genre: yaoi, romance, comedy and fluff
Pairings: Noctis/Prompto
Warnings: yaoi (m/m sex)
Summary: While fighting an unknown enemy, Noctis suddenly gets himself turned into a frog. Ignis, Gladio and Prompto need to find a cure in the next twenty four hours, or Noctis will be damned to remain a frog for the rest of his life.
Comment by author: Hey everyone! This funny idea came to me while I watched the latest ATR. Gosh, the new battle footage is amazing! And the music! I can't wait to play this game, honestly! ;_;
Well, enough of that. On with the first part of this story! The second and last part is following soon after (I almost finished this story, only a few more lines left to write down.)
Enjoy!
Update May 2016: Thank you very much, dear Juliet, for beta reading this story! You don't know how much I appreciate your help, I did learn a lot. You are the best! :D
- Kamuel
...
"Noct, don't rush this! Get back here!"
"Not a chance, Ignis! This one is going to be easy!"
Prom is following quickly, calling after me: "But we still don't know any of the Naga's weaknesses, at least let me assist you!"
"I can handle this, focus on the other enemies!"
"Don't be reckless! Noct! Stay here!" I hear Gladio shouting in warning from further away, but I refuse to listen.
We have fought many enemies in the past few days, and because of all these accumulated experiences my inner powers have grown a whole lot stronger than ever before. I know I'm unstoppable right now. I can fight the Naga all on my own! This should be a piece of cake!
The adrenaline is pumping through my veins as I activate the Armiger, warping myself instantly right in front of my target with a confident smirk on my lips.
But just when I position my Phantom Swords strategically around the Naga's body, ready to slash my target to pieces, the beast is already breathing out a horrible reeking substance straight into my face.
That must be poison!
Damn! I have to get away! With a high jump in the air, I teleport my infected body as far away from the dangerous fumes as possible. But, the moment I start to get dizzy, I know it's already too late for me. The poison has breached my lungs and I can feel the foreign substance spreading through my system with lightning speed.
"Noct!"
I can hear Prom's worried voice, footsteps are coming closer ... I want to call for help, but a sudden vicious pain is stabbing through my muscles and bones, and with a sharp cry full of suffering I fall with a heavy thud down on the unforgiving ground. Not able to do anything as everything becomes blurry, my body and mind is helplessly giving in to unconsciousness...
...
"...ct! Noct! Can you hear us?"
What happened?
Where am I?
"The hell? Prompto, you sure this is Noct? This isn't just a regular toad you've taken with us?"
"Yeah. I'm hundred percent sure it's him. I saw exactly how that damn snake creature cursed his body! And I found him surrounded by Noct's clothes."
"All right, all right. I believe you. It's just... look at him, it's so hard to believe."
"Yeah, I know. Everything happened so fast. I couldn't reach his body in time to help him."
What... what's going on?
Gladio's and Prompto's unusually large faces are staring at me full of worry.
Why are they so huge all of a sudden? I lift my head up to take a look around me.
Since when is the interior of the caravan black and white only? I try to stand up on my trembling legs and then I squeak out an inhuman sound that shocks me and causes my entire body to freeze up in utter terror.
What's this?!
Surely this glibbery, squishy mass of flesh can't be my body!
I quickly glance down, only to be greeted by some slimy and ugly looking feet-the feet of an animal. The feet of a frog. Gasping out in sheer horror, a croaking sound makes its first appearance, and I force my slimy little mouth to shut up instantly in embarrassement.
I'm a frog.
I'm a goddamn frog!
What kind of joke is this?
And since when can frogs become embarrassed?
Ignis's large face is coming closer to inspect me. "Easy there Noct, don't panic. You've been cursed by the Naga temporarily into a frog. Wait. Why am I even talking to a frog? He can't understand us, or does he?"
Gladio is poking my side with his huge, meaty finger a few times too many and I squirm, trying to get away from his insistent prodding nudges against my sensitive skin. "Well, he's definitely a frog now. With such a small brain how would he be able to understand the human language anyway?"
Excuse me, did Gladio just say that I have a small brain?
I can understand every damn word you all say! Quit treating me like a frog! And stop poking me for goodness sake, I'm still a living, breathing creature!
I guess my beady frog eyes don't look intelligent enough for those to directly translate my comprehension of human language towards my human friends. And now I can only watch my dearest friends helplessly in silence until Prom has mercy on me, taking me carefully up into his warm hands. "Ohh, he's so cute!" he whispers with a fond smile, the tip of his finger stroking over the top of my head.
Excuse me, did he just say that I'm cute?!
I can't stop my small body from bristling in defense, jumping up and down in agitation while a few more awkward croaks are escaping my slimy throat.
"Noct, stop it. You're tickling me.", Prom is continuing to caress the slimy skin on my back in soothing motions and I give a shiver of pleasure.
I hear another croak coming out involuntary. Crap. This is mortifying.
Gladio is snorting out a laugh. "His Highness clearly doesn't agree with you."
"Oh shut up. Noct can't understand what we are saying, so it doesn't matter. I can call him whatever I want. So what if I think he's cute as hell?"
I swear, the things I'm going to do to Prom in revenge as soon as I'm back to my human self...
Ignis is adjusting his glasses, saying: "Back to the problem at hand. We need to ask around if anyone knows of a cure for this unfortunate curse. I already tried every single cure spell in my entire arsenal, but nothing helped so far. This isn't some regular poison we are dealing with, I admit freely to be out of options."
"Maybe Wiz, the owner of the Chocobo ranch, knows something. Let's ask him first."
I turn my small head towards Gladio, following his movements as he's opening the caravan's door. I don't know if I will ever get accustomed to the so called frog perspective. I miss my human legs already.
Ignis is following him, turning back to me one more time, saying: "Prompto, take care of Noct. Maybe sleep a little. We'll come back with a cure as soon as we can."
"Understood."
The door closes afterwards, and Prom is holding me securely against his chest, breathing out a defeated sigh. I wiggle my small body further into the warmth of his fingers and the soft fabric of his shirt, closing my eyes tightly.
Prom whispers softly: "Hey ... you are shivering. Everything okay?"
No, I'm not okay.
At least this is what I would have said if I were in a human body. But all that comes out of my little slimy lips is another helpless sounding croak. If I could cry right now, trust me, I would.
This whole ordeal is absolutely insane, humilating and damn uncomfortable.
Not being able to speak my mind and having such a small, unflattering body all of a sudden, and in addition to that having my sight turned to black and white only and never being able to use my powers again... ugh. I feel so restricted and helpless right now. Never again will I take my human body and senses for granted.
Prom is suddenly lifting me up to his face, so that our eyes can meet on the same level, saying softly, "If only I could have been there for you... it's all my fault. I shouldn't have listened to your reckless demands..."
No, Prom.
It wasn't your fault. It was my own stupidity, my own foolish decision to fight all alone that turned me into this nightmare. I'm sorry for making you worry so much.
I feel devastated to see Prom beating himself over something that has been obviously my own fault.
"To imagine that something even worse could have happened to you... and I... I don't know what I would have done without you. You are everything to me, Noct. Everything. Don't you ever dare leave me, do you hear me?"
His lips are coming closer and closer.
I tense up and gulp down my sudden high-strung urge to jump down. Stupid frog insticts, Prom would never do me any harm.
And then I feel a soft kiss placed on the top of my head which again brings a shiver of pleasant feelings. But then he says something, that makes me stop in my tracks entirely.
"I love you..." he murmurs against my slimy skin.
What?!
I'm staring wide-eyed without focus ahead of me. Not knowing how to react to his sudden confession.
Prom is holding me close to his chest once again as he turns his body to lie sideways on the bed while we wait for Ignis and Gladio to return with a cure.
But regardless of its importance, the cure is the farthest thing on my busy mind right now.
Is it true? For how long? Why me? Why tell me now? All that I can think of is about the possible meaning of Prom's honest feelings towards me as I try to calm down my hasty beats of my small and fragile heart...
...
"Please tell me you found something."
My mind is still fuzzy with sleep when Ignis and Gladio return. I didn't even realize the moment when I fell asleep.
Prom is yawning and sitting up from the bed, holding my petite body close to him. I seek more of his warmth... It felt really good to sleep so close to Prom's human body and I find myself wishing to be able to continue.
Both of us are watching with anticipation on our faces when Ignis comes closer, sitting down on the other bed across from ours.
"The only thing closest to a cure we've found are... a few hints," Ignis says, sounding aggravated.
Prom is furrowing his brows with worry. "Hints? What kind of hints?"
"Well, first of, we have about twenty two hours left to find an antidote for Noct, or else he stays a frog for the rest of his life. We met an older woman outside who told us some ancient tales. But regretfully nothing really made sense to me. So far we still haven't figured out an immediate remedy for Noct."
Great news.
So I only have twenty two hours left until I lose my last shreds of being human forever.
I am honestly trying not to panic here. I'm sure my friends will be able to come up with a solution in time. They always did before and I trust them with my life.
Gladio is sitting down next to Prom, staring at me while adding with a frown: "To be honest, the mad woman we spoke to told us nothing but a garbled soup of ridiculous nonsense. She spoke of sacrifices, kisses and love. We couldn't even ask what exactly her words meant, because she left in a blink of an eye."
Well, that's it.
Now I feel sick to my stomach.
I'm doomed.
Prom's fingers come up to stroke gently over my head. "Sacrifices, kisses and love? What exactly did she mean?"
I snuggle up to Prom's chest in growing despair.
There is no cure for me.
Now everything is truly lost.
My father's death, the stolen Crystal, Niflheim's invasion. How can we ever restore peace and justice when I'm stuck in this tiny body, powerless for eternity?
Ignis is interrupting my furious thoughts when he says: "It's late. Let's catch up on a little bit of sleep. The previous fights were very draining and we need every little bit of energy if we want to succeed in finding a cure for Noct."
"Ignis, I can't believe you suggest we go to sleep now! There are only twenty two hours left! We need to get out there and search for a cure. Now!"
I stumble slightly from the sudden movement when a hysterical Prom is standing up and heading towards the door, still holding me close to his chest.
Gladio sounds tired when he says, "Be reasonable Prompto. We won't stand a chance against all enemies tonight, especially not without Noct's powers to aid us."
"But..."
"Prompto, we already know you care for Noct a lot, you love him, but rushing into battle without sufficient energy and preparation will get us nowhere."
What in the world... am I the only one who didn't know of Prom's true feelings? Why didn't he tell me much sooner? Why did they hide something so important from me?
"You are right." Prom is hesitating for a moment, but then he's walking back to the bed we've previously slept on. "Let's just rest for a short while..."
I'm suddenly very glad that my cheeks are not able to blush a bright red because not one moment later I'm being squeezed protectively against the warm skin of Prom's nude upper chest, his nipple right next to my small head.
Of course it's not the first time I'm sleeping against him while being half-naked, but it's the first time where I'm aware of his love for me and all the implications of said love truly means to the both of us from now on.
And, it's only because of my current state, and because of his confession, that I realize I love him too... I always have.
As if reading my mind Prom is kissing me one more time tenderly on the top of my head. "Good night, Noct... don't worry... love you..."
I truly am an idiot. Now it's too late. Too late for everything. Prom has always been there for me. I should have realized my feelings months, no, years ago already. I was too selfish. Too preoccupied with my own issues.
I nuzzle my small head closer to his soft skin, feeling insecure inside, regrets starting to make themselves felt while the fear of impending loss grows stronger and stronger by the minute...
...
In the morning Gladio wakes us up, and then he leaves Prom and me alone for a short while.
"Mornin' Noct. Slept well?" Prom whispers, kissing again the top of my head-a gesture that meanwhile I can't help but find very sweet. "Too bad I can't have both of you, human Noct and frog Noct. You are seriously too cute to be true."
I would roll my eyes at him if I could. So I just croak once in response.
Prom is chuckling. Placing me on his chest, he's stretching his arms up with a huge yawn. "Well? What do frogs eat again? Flies?"
"All types of invertebrates," Ignis responds with a sly smile, entering the caravan with a plate full of fruits and bread in one hand, and another smaller one with... twitching insects which seem to be barely alive.
Ugh. I admit to be hungry. I'm starving actually. But I'd rather eat some measly crumbs of bread, instead of some icky half-dead insects.
Ignis is placing my breakfast in front of me with a knowing smile. "I know that you are hungry and that you can't resist my offer."
Despite feeling disgusted, my frog instincts are betraying me, and as if I'm not myself, I watch helplessly how my legs jump straight down onto the plate. Instantly, my long tongue aims for the first prey and in a matter of seconds I make short work with all the culinary delights presented in front of me.
Prom is whistling in pure wonder, clapping his hands. "The Phantom Tongue! I think this is the first time I saw a frog annihilate an army of insects in such a short period of time. Noct's fighting skills are visible even in the way he's eating!"
"Remarkable, indeed," says Ignis teasingly, poking me once again from the side.
I was hungry, okay?
My head would burst from all the blushing, were I not a frog.
"All right guys, I found someone, who knows of someone, who knew of somebody else, who had more information about the Naga. Sounds promising, right? So let's eat and then head the hell out of here," Gladio joins us, ushering Prom to properly dress himself.
After a quick breakfast we decide to split up to interview several people at once about a possible cure for my squishy predicament.
By evening it becomes painfully clear that there is nobody who has a clue for us. And so everyone meets again inside the caravan to share their meager insights.
Prom is the first one to share his findings. He has a dismayed expression on his face, which makes me want to hug him. "Sorry guys, I have no further information. The women were either screaming or running away from me as soon as they saw the frog sitting inside my pocket. What did you two find out?"
Gladio is scratching his neck. "Nothing useful. Most people never heard of Nagas or of a curse which turns humans into frogs. The ones who had once heard of this couldn't remember what the exact cure entailed. It's been utterly frustrating."
I feel Prom's fingers caressing me soothingly. But my heart has already begun to plummet into a spiral of renewed despair.
"I might have something... but, maybe this is just one last nonsensical attempt of my brain to see something where there is nothing to see," Ignis says softly, staring imploringly into Prom's eyes.
"You make me nervous. Just spit it out Ignis. What do I need to do?" Prom immediately gets down ready for action.
Ignis clears his throat first, before saying, "Kiss him."
K-kiss me?
We all stare at each other in utter silence for some long seconds.
"Heh, makes sense. Let's see if this works." Gladio is placing me on top of Prom's outstreched hands.
For the love of all that is precious to me, I didn't want my first kiss with Prom to end up being slimy! He'll surely hate me afterwards!
"Wait. Are you sure I'm the right person?" asks Prom in a trembling voice.
Ignis is smiling mysteriously. "In the tale named 'The Frog King', the princess needed to be in love with the frog for the kiss to work in his favor. You love him, Prompto. That's why I'm sure this could work."
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Prom is lifting his hands up to his face, bringing me closer to his lips.
I don't know if frogs are capable of holding their breaths, but this is what I would do if I were still human. I'm about to kiss Prom, I'm about to kiss Prom, I'mabouttokissProm!
And there.
His warm but dry lips are touching my smaller ones and right now I don't know how to feel.
I expected butterflies in my stomach to make me dizzy with excitement. I expected fireworks to explode.
But as a frog, such human emotions are painfully absent from my current state of being.
The 'kiss' lasts a few seconds longer, but when nothing happens Prom is ending the kiss, disappointment palpable on his sad face. The despair is clutching at my heart even tighter after watching his heartfelt expression.
"How much time do we have left?" Prom asks in a hollow sounding voice.
"Only about one hour..." Is Ignis's equally sad response.
Gladio is cursing loudly. "There must be something we can do! Shit. Regis won't ever forgive us if we let his son die in such a way."
Prom is suddenly standing up. "I... I'm going to take a walk. I need fresh air."
"Hn, don't stay away for too long."
My small body is being placed into Prom's pocket in front of his vest again.
Where is he going? There is nothing Prom can do to undo my wrong-doings. This is my fate and we all need to accept that. Not every hero gets to have a happy end after all...
...
"Don't worry Noct, I'm going to find an antidote even if it's the last thing I'll be doing."
Huh?
Where are we?
I was so deep in thought this whole time, that it's quite a shock to see Prom and me suddenly standing in the wilderness of the Duscaen plains, in the middle of the night. In front of a Naga no less. How Prom was able to avoid fighting the nocturnal enemies will probably stay a mystery to me forever. Right now his gun is pointed at the Naga, as if daring it to poison him too.
"Ignis can analyze the content of the beast's breath and blood to make a cure out of it. We still have time, I have no choice but to slay it at any price!"
No! What the hell are you doing Prom, run! Don't risk your life!
At this crucial moment I don't care what I sound like, the croaking sounds out of my throat are bordering on panicky and hysterical when I see Prom shooting at the Naga without any protection for himself.
And just as I feared, the dreaded curse immediately hits Prom and I'm powerless to do anything about it. I only hear a shout of pain and then I fall down on the ground on all fours, the huge blades of grass hiding the view of what's happening beyond them.
Prom! No!
I jump as quickly as I can towards his clothes, cursing my weak body for being so small and slow. But when I reach his clothes, I can't find him anywhere.
Prom?
Prom! Answer me! Where are you?
When I sense the Naga gliding closer to our position, I quickly hide underneath Prom's shirt, hoping the beast would go away if it can't see or smell me anymore. Crawling further inbetween the fabrics, I finally stumble over slimy limbs that are not mine.
It's Prom.
Unconscious, but still alive.
...
To be continued. ;)
