Every minute of that night was unbearably long, long enough to grind everything inside of him into ash.
He wouldn't have noticed a difference if he had been in a torture chamber, as his world was completely stripped of light, unrecognizable and cold. Void of the magic he believed would be there. And the harder he fought to accept silence as a permanent fixture in his home, the harder it became to breathe. Harder to walk, think, believe in even the skin on his bones. Nothing around him made sense, as it had become unfamiliar, strange, even terrifying. Reminding him of how alone he was. He deserved it, after all, for believing he deserved to be anywhere near his friends, even for a second.
Every minute of that night was unbearably long, time laughing at him as he returned the lights to their boxes and took down the garland. While the rest of the world sang with the season's cheer, he remained in the dark. And it was everything he deserved. He started off his tale alone and would finish alone, as no one deserved to be dragged down by his presence. They had better things to do, the friends he loved beyond measure. None of them answered their phones when he called, and it was all because they were busy. Ignis, Gladiolus and especially Noctis-all three of them had much more important things to do, than waste time with him. So it was all right. Maybe they'd meet each other for lunch some time, or perhaps a few more jobs. Maybe, just maybe they'd-
It hurt, hurt so much. Hurt to think, hurt to even breathe. He realized he had lost even more strength when the song falling from his lips stopped, halted by pain, sadness, acceptance. Not wanting to face the world he was closed off from, he sent himself to bed several hours later. All decorations put away, all traces of hope and happiness gone, Prompto shut his eyes.
Yeah. They'd meet up later. It wasn't that big of a deal. They'd go out to eat, or maybe they'd visit Hammerhead. Then, in just a little while, they'd meet each other at the palace for the Lucis Royal Family's Christmas party. Sure, he'd feel even more out of place than he normally did, but they'd all be there. His two friends, and the young man that lit a flame more powerful than Ifrit's wildfire in his heart. They'd be there. Together. So it was all right. Everything was all right.
Prompto kept on smiling. Nothing left to do but-
Knock knock knock!
"Open up, kid! Your winter elves are here t' see you!"
Was he dreaming? Surely that must've been it. He glanced at the clock; four in the morning. Exhausted by a heart much too heavy to carry, he slipped into restless slumber-but was sitting upright, strangely alert. Aware of Gladiolus' voice. "You in there?" the team's big bear went on, voice a gentle roar of thunder. "Open up, pup. We're here with good cheer!"
Feeling as though Ramuh had slammed a fist into the side of his head, Prompto flew out of bed and raced towards his front door. They couldn't be there. It was impossible! It was insanely early, very cold, snowing outside! They couldn't possibly-
"Gladio?! Ignis?! What are you guys-"
Ignis spoke quicker than a speeding bullet. "Greetings, sunshine, may we come in? Thank you," went the Princess Scientia, diving past Prompto in an abnormal show of forcefulness. With a shrug, Gladio followed suit, then went a heavy-hearted Noctis into his friend's home. A place that had been empty every day before that snowy, shocking morning. The three of them carried packages in with them, the team chef made his way into the kitchen, Gladio followed with a drive to help, Noctis unloaded sleeping bags-
And Prompto felt like someone was spinning him in circles. "Wait a minute, what's going on? What are you guys doing here?"
Beaming from ear to ear, despite an excruciating urge to sleep for a thousand years, Gladiolus replied with a world of warmth.
"We're here for the party!"
Hurriedly setting out his friends' sleeping bags, as though it were perfectly natural, Noctis spoke next. "Gotta have some place to crash, though. We're runnin' out of steam. Had a pretty wild night."
"Yeah, looks that way," a frantic photographer gasped, face an immaculate portrait of astonishment and deep concern. "What happened to you guys? You look like Ifrit paid you a visit!"
"Not Ifrit, his brother," Ignis corrected, unpacking the dishes they had made prior to their cavern quest. "Highness, did we bring the gifts in?"
"Sure did," Noctis answered immediately, while Prompto had his eyes all over the place, growing even more confused and more frantic by the second. "I'll set 'em out."
"Wait a minute! Gifts? What are you guys talking about?! I didn't ask anyone to bring anything! All I wanted was for you guys to hang out with me, but now I wish you guys had just gone home! You didn't have to come, honest!"
Noctis, despite being exhausted beyond words, gave Prompto a look so passionate, so forceful, it would've demanded attention from the Astrals.
"Wasn't going to happen. We promised you a party, so you're getting a party. End of story."
