Chapter 20
The evening with the hunters turned out to be quite enjoyable for Noctis. He felt surprisingly at ease as he listened to tales of days gone by—tales of Prompto the hunter and his comrades—and he felt he had a better understanding of the era of darkness than he'd ever had. The hunters had painted quite the picture with their stories, and Noctis had listened with intrigue—so much intrigue, that Prompto had seen the fascinated look in his eye, and had even begun chiming in with stories of his own, getting caught up in the moment and forgetting the conversation they had had in the tent. When they'd had their fill of stories and alcohol, they turned in for the night, too tired to do anything but curl up together and sleep.
When morning came, Noctis awoke first, and he headed into one of the nearby shacks to freshen up. He got a quick shower and changed into his Assassin's hoodie that Prompto had given him for his birthday; of course, like the dog tags, he couldn't leave home without it—being a gift from Prompto and all. He was on his way back to his and Prompto's tent when he was stopped by the young woman they'd met in the shop the day before.
"Hey, Your Majesty. You have a sec?"
"Uh, sure. Tink, right?" Noct asked, offering a smile as she came to stand in front of him.
"Yeah. I just wanted to say, it was really nice to see Prompto again. I had a hunch you two used to be sweethearts by the way Prompto always talked about you. But seeing you two in person gives me peace of mind," she said, mind racing back to the campfire the night before—the tender looks the men had exchanged, the way Noctis' eyes had lit up at every mention of Prompto, the way their hands had linked like it was second-nature.
"Prompto's a sweet guy, and he deserves someone who really cares about him," she went on, her smile timid as she peered up at him from under her green ballcap.
"O-oh. Thanks. I do care about him. You don't need to worry about that," Noct replied with a soft chuckle, a light dusting of pink appearing on his face.
"And that's not all. If you two tie the knot one day, well... I think that would be a good thing for a lot of people."
"Yeah? Why's that?"
"Like Prompto, I'm from Niflheim, which earned me a lot of scorn and distrust pretty much since I was a kid. I'm sure Prompto's told you that we've become a lot more accepted over the last decade, but I still think a lot of people would take comfort in knowing the Lucian king would marry someone with Niflheim roots. And not for power, but for love."
"Thank you, Tink. My hope has always been that the world would view it that way, but some people have told me I shouldn't be too sure," Noct said, giving a small shrug.
"I think when you first returned, some of the citizens were fearful that you might try to take over Niflheim, and take advantage while we had no one to rule us. That's why we were content to continue governing ourselves. But Prompto is the proof the citizens need to confirm your union isn't about taking control of Niflheim—it's about peacefully uniting your two nations, right?"
"Yeah, it is," Noct assured her with a smile. Tink seemed content with his answer, her expression peaceful.
"Glad to hear it. Well, that was all I wanted to say. Good luck, Your Majesty. I really mean that. I wish you and Prompto all the best, no matter what lies ahead for our nations."
"Thank you. It was a pleasure meeting you, Tink," Noctis said, and the girl gave a nod—one that barely concealed her excitement—before she trotted off toward the store. Noctis let himself appreciate the small victory; he was glad to have another soul on their side.
He proceeded back to the tent, finding Prompto awake and dressed. He sat atop his sleeping bag, tugging his combat boots onto his feet. His gaze flickered up toward Noct, then back down. Noctis knelt in front of him, reaching out for his knee.
"Hey, they've got something cooking out there that smells delicious. Eggs and garula bacon, I think," he smiled. He was relieved when Prompto returned the smile.
"I know. I woke with my stomach already growling," he laughed, before focusing on tying his laces. Noctis' hand brushed lightly over his knee.
"Hey, um... You still mad at me? About last night?" Noct quizzed, visibly unsettled.
Prompto took in his regretful expression, and his hunched form that was buried inside the baggy Assassin's Festival sweatshirt. It was the first time Prompto had actually seen him wear the garment, though he figured he'd probably worn it sometime during that month where they'd hardly spoken to one another. Prompto shook his head, and leaned in to press a kiss to Noct's forehead.
"No, I'm not mad at you. Especially when you're looking so cute in that hoodie I bought you," he smirked.
"Yeah, still fits. Glad I didn't outgrow it before you got to give it to me," Noctis said, giving him a half-hearted smile as he pulled away. Eyes met, Noctis' still appearing somewhat wary.
"Look, Prompto, I'll understand if you're still upset. I know this must be frustrating for you," Noct shrugged, but Prompto gave another shake of his head.
He'd already let himself abandon any lingering hostility he felt toward Noctis. This trip was for them—for him—and Noctis had been kind enough to take the time away from his duties to give him this opportunity. It wasn't fair to constantly give him a cold shoulder, especially when the things Noctis had said the night before were beginning to sink in.
"No, it's okay, Noct. I don't want to make a big deal about this right now. Let's just enjoy the trip, alright? Like you said before, there are other ways for us to be close, and these few weeks to ourselves will prove that."
"Yeah," Noct agreed, smile slowly returning. "I mean, I'm enjoying the chance to meet your friends. I like experiencing these things with you, making new memories."
"Yeah, plus we'll have tons of new photos to show off when we get back," Prompto grinned, shoving a fist in the air. Noctis knew that Prompto was going the extra mile to be kind to him, and he appreciated it, but he didn't want them to simply gloss over the tension that had been between them the night before.
"Prompto, I hope... I hope you didn't mean what you said last night. About you wishing you'd never told me the truth. Because I don't ever want you to feel like that," Noct spoke up, brows furled with sadness. Prompto recoiled a little before lowering his head and hugging his knees. He blinked quickly, expression pained and filled with guilt.
"I'm sorry. I was just upset," he said.
"And I don't blame you for feeling that way," Noctis promised. "I mean, I understand why you said it. Things have changed since you told me, and that's exactly what you didn't want."
"Yeah. Pretty much," Prompto shrugged, timidly meeting Noct's eyes. "But I understand, too, you know? I did a lot of thinking last night, about why you don't want to go too far with me. It makes sense that you're scared, and it's okay if it takes you a little while to feel comfortable again. I shouldn't have made you feel like the bad guy."
Noctis allowed his lips to curl into a small smile as gratitude swelled within him.
"Thank you, Prom. For being so patient," he murmured, voice low and calm. Prompto watched his expression soften.
"Hey, it's way better than being at odds with you. I hate it when we fight," Prompto lamented. Noctis rubbed his opposite arm, hoping to ease the last of his tension.
"Me, too."
"Besides—" Prompto finished lacing his boots and scooted forward onto his knees, stealing a kiss from Noctis' lips. "The day you finally do give in, it'll probably be better than ever," he winked.
"What? 'Cause all the sexual tension will have been building up for months?" Noct raised a brow.
"Exactly," Prompto smirked. "Now, come on. Breakfast first, then maybe we can do a little fishing."
"Sounds perfect," Noct smiled, accepting Prompto's hand as he was led out of the tent.
They spent most of the morning at the Vesperpool. They found a good, safe fishing spot, and Noct seemed to relax at this opportunity of casting a line. Prompto puttered around the dock, trying out some experimental shots with the new lens Noctis had bought him for his birthday. It was peaceful, with birds chirping in the distance, and the soft plops of Noct's lure as it danced over the water. Noct declared one of the lures Prompto had given him for his birthday to be the best of the bunch.
When morning turned to noon, Prompto surprised Noct with a picnic lunch he'd packed away in the trunk. They sat happily on the dock, munching on sandwiches and making lighthearted conversation until Noct flopped back against the wood, letting the sun warm him. Prompto knew he would drift off before long, but he merely curled up alongside him, nose nestling into his baggy sweater. Noct slung an arm around his waist as they bathed in the sunlight.
After Noct had dozed for a good half hour or more, they packed up their things and headed back to the hunter HQ for a game of darts. Castor and a couple of other hunters joined them for supper and the evening that followed was much like the last—with everyone gathered around the fire, sharing stories over a couple of drinks.
When morning came, Prompto said his goodbyes, and he and Noctis hit the road again. Eventually, they crossed the newly constructed bridge between Lucis and Niflheim, singing along to songs on the radio until Prompto grew quieter and quieter. Noctis noticed Prompto's uneasiness increasing as they continued further into Niflheim territory, and he reached over to take his hand. Prompto didn't consider pulling away, even as his gaze remained on the landscape around them.
"Looks like the Glacian still has this place looking like a winter wonderland," Prompto commented, trying to muster a smile.
"Is this place familiar to you?" Noct tried.
"Yeah. Pretty sure this is one of the places where I trudged through the snow trying to find you," Prompto said.
Noctis tried not to let himself be saddened or angered by the memories of that day on the train to Gralea. If he'd had it his way, he would have warped off of that train as soon as he'd had the chance, and caught up to Prompto long before he could pass out from the freezing cold temperatures. He would have wrapped him in a blanket and cradled him in his arms until Ignis and Gladio found them again. Too bad things hadn't turned out that way, Noctis thought; he might have saved Prompto from the most traumatic experience of his life.
"It's weird, isn't it? If I hadn't been separated from you guys that day, I probably never would have ended up in that magitek facility. I might never have found out the truth about myself," Prompto mused.
He never would have seen the clones that looked exactly like him, never would have met his creator. Maybe Ardyn would have revealed the truth of his barcode to him in Zegnautus regardless, but he'd learned more in that facility than Ardyn could have ever relayed to him. Besides, he'd taken down Verstael's monstrosity, Immortalis, which meant he'd quite possibly saved the world, and that was one thing he would never go back and change.
"Do you wish you hadn't?" Noctis asked, carefully.
"No, it was for the best."
Both were silent as they continued past snow-covered hills and into a more urban atmosphere, with houses and buildings filling the seemingly endless canyon below the road. Prompto shifted uncomfortably as he took in the city, and Noctis ran his thumb along the back of his hand.
"You want to head for your parents' place now? Or do you want to have today to ourselves? We don't have to rush there if you don't want to."
"Oh, uh... Y-yeah. Let's wait 'til tomorrow. I think I need some time to clear my head first," Prompto replied, numbly.
"Sure," Noct agreed, though his worried gaze flickered between Prompto and the open road. "You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah." It was mostly true.
"I know. We both used to think of this as enemy territory, but it was the people in charge—not the people living here—who made it into the corrupted place it was," Noctis stated, and Prompto watched him with surprise. He appreciated Noctis' attempt to soothe him, even if he had missed the mark a little.
"Yeah, I know," Prompto hummed, contentedly. "It was the empire, not the people," he agreed.
"Then what is it?" Noct gently tried again.
"I was just thinking... this is probably gonna be your territory someday, huh? I mean, I know nothing's official yet, but someday, you're probably going to rule the place I came from. I just... I hope I get to see that, you know?" Prompto trailed off.
"Of course, but... what's got you thinking about this all of a sudden?"
"I was talking to Tink. Seems you've earned a lot of Niflheim's trust over the past while."
"Well," Noct laughed, warmly. "It seems you've had a lot to do with that."
"Huh? Me?" Prompto quizzed, brows raised as he pointed to himself.
"Yes, you. Things have changed since Libertus told us that people distrusted you because of your association with me. Now people are beginning to trust me because of my association with you," Noct smiled. Prompto continued to appear perplexed.
"I don't get it. Why?"
"Well, the hunters know and trust you, the damage with the glaives could have been a lot worse if you hadn't made me abandon the hunts back home, you've had some good ideas about money and resources, you've personally checked in on the progress in Galdin. You're already being seen as a figure that people can trust. Besides, Tink said you're the reassurance Niflheim needs to realize that... if I were to take charge of Niflheim, it would be out of love for you and where you come from."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. My love for you proves that taking charge of Niflheim isn't just some grab for power. It's about creating peace between our nations. Breaking down the borders, just like we promised, right?" Noct smiled.
"T-that's right," Prompto nodded, a flustered little smile appearing on his face. He could still remember that day in Zegnautus, the fated promise that he and Noctis had made all those years ago. Could he really be such a vital key to making it come true? Could Noct really not do it without him? He'd always wished it would truly be something only they could accomplish together.
"Do you really think that's a good move, given our nations' history and everything?" Prompto asked, just to be sure.
"It's because of that history that we need to at least try and make a change. Past rulers aside, Niflheim is a beautiful place," Noct added, glancing out the window, watching the houses and industrial buildings glisten with snow.
"I've never explored it in full, but I hope so," Prompto said, weakly, his fingers clutching a little tighter to Noctis' of their own accord. Noctis squeezed back, knowing exactly where his partner's thoughts were.
"Prompto, you didn't come from a kingdom filled with hate. Maybe where you were born wasn't the ideal place, but Niflheim itself was probably filled with as many kind people as Lucis. And I'm going to find all the good and beautiful things here and show them to you," Noctis vowed, his words drawing Prompto's curious gaze to him.
"Is that a mission of yours?" he asked, with a small chuckle.
"Yeah, it is now," Noct smiled, coyly. Prompto's smile was relaxed now as he sat back in his seat more comfortably, watching the scenery go by.
Both of them knew that Niflheim wasn't all experiments and power-hungry people, as Prompto had fought alongside and protected many of the nation's caring and generous citizens, but Noctis knew Prompto would still feel better if he saw the place at its best.
And so, with both fun and beauty in mind, they checked into their hotel, then set out on foot to a large, snowy park in the middle of town.
"Wow," Prompto marvelled, halting in his steps as they came across the huge, oval, outdoor skating rink.
Somewhere between fifty and a hundred people filled the area—many already skating in their winter gear, some lacing up their skates on the sidelines, and some merely watching the action. Some skaters stumbled and skidded slowly over the ice, apparently new to this winter activity, while others circled the rink at brisk speeds. Others sat on nearby park benches, or stood in line waiting for hot chocolate at the small booth close to the rink. Trees surrounded the area, each one tall and full of branches that held a fresh layer of sparkling white snow. The evening sky was darkening, but its dark blue hue made the snow stand out, its beauty quite stifling as flakes fell softly down to meet the few inches of white already on the ground.
"Wow, this place is incredible," Prompto repeated, making Noctis smile, and squeeze the hand that was already within his own.
"Told you this was a beautiful place. Here you go. This is Niflheim," Noctis gently murmured. Prompto continued to gape, and he gazed around at the happy people, at the youngsters playing in the snow, at the couples—young and old—holding hands, just like him and Noct.
"So, do you want to try it out?"
"You mean, us? Skate?" Prompto questioned.
"Yeah, have you ever skated before?" Noct quizzed, raising a curious brow.
"Only a few times. I don't know if I remember how. You?"
"Y-yeah, I think I know my way around the ice," Noct stuttered, and averted his gaze shyly, making Prompto give a suspicious frown. He squinted his eyes at Noctis, whose gaze flickered nervously back to him after a few too many seconds of silence.
"You're hiding something, dude," Prompto stated.
"What? No, I'm not!"
"Your cheeks say otherwise!"
"Fine," Noct huffed, his hand twitching uncomfortably in Prompto's grasp. He kept his gaze on the skaters ahead—on their colourful scarves and their hats with the little pom-poms on top, anything to keep himself distracted enough to spit out this secret.
"You remember I used to take my skates with me to school on Tuesdays?" he started, slowly and timidly.
"Yeah."
"I lied. I wasn't playing hockey. Ignis convinced my dad to put me in figure skating because he thought it would help me become more graceful."
He dared a look at Prompto, who was keeping a straight face, but who burst out laughing a second later, his head flinging forward as he tried to recover from the hilarity of the story. He'd always thought it was odd; not only had Noctis' old skates appeared a little too dainty for hockey practice, Prompto had also been surprised that Lucis' only prince had been permitted to play such a rough and dangerous sport.
"Did… Did Ignis hate you, or something?" Prompto wheezed, holding his stomach as he fought for air. Noctis merely continued to frown.
"He certainly didn't consider how much I could be teased for it, which is why I never told anyone."
"You didn't need to hide it from me!"
"Didn't I? You're finding it pretty funny right now."
"Just the fact that Ignis put you up to it. Plus, I'm having a great time picturing you in tights! But figure skating is incredible to watch, dude! And seriously, I think those lessons worked," Prompto said, voice returning to normal as he recovered.
"How so?" Noctis tested.
"Come on! You move like no one I've ever seen. You are unbelievably graceful, even in the midst of battle. Kind of mesmerizing. Kind of beautiful."
"Keep talking," Noct purred, deciding to forgive his partner for laughing, as he was definitely redeeming himself now. He inched his body closer to Prompto's, making their arms touch from their wrists to their shoulders.
"Aw, no, now I'm embarrassed," Prompto said, rubbing the back of his head. Noctis rolled his eyes.
"You're embarrassed? I just told you my deep, dark secret."
Prompto gave a shrug, and tugged gently on Noct's hand, stepping backwards and hoping to pull him along, but Noctis continued to stand where he was, his gaze curious as he watched Prompto's eager expression.
"Will you show me, Noct? Show me how to skate?" Prompto's eyes were wide and childlike, reminding Noctis of the Prompto he'd known years ago. That willingness to find fun in any small way he could, that curious innocence… No way could Noctis deny Prompto anything when he was wearing that look.
"Fine, but if you laugh, I'm leaving you to figure it out on your own, and you're not going to find it so funny when you land on your ass," Noct warned.
"I promise, I won't laugh," Prompto rolled his eyes, waving his free hand dismissively.
Together, they proceeded toward the skate rental building—a small shack similar to the hot chocolate booth. Prompto requested two pairs of skates in their sizes, and meandered over to one of the benches to put them on. Noctis laced his up much more quickly than Prompto did, probably thanks to all the practice. They stuffed their shoes into their bags, which they turned in to the girl working at the rental shack for safe keeping, then proceeded over the snow towards the ice, holding onto each other for support as they hobbled on the unsteady and somewhat unfamiliar footwear.
"I'm gonna make a fool of myself, aren't I?" Prompto groaned, when they reached the ice to see a little girl—who couldn't have been more than five or six—going at a decent clip, hands behind her back as she skated with ease.
"No way. I've got you," Noctis promised, patting his arm, just above where their elbows were linked with one another's. Bravely, Noctis took the first step onto the ice, and waited patiently for Prompto to do the same. Carefully, they managed to get both feet safely onto the slippery surface, and Prompto tensed up like a cat in water, hoping that if he stayed perfectly still, he wouldn't go anywhere until he was ready.
"You're gonna be fine. Here," Noct smiled, gently unlacing his arm from Prompto's and outstretching his hands in front of him for Prompto to grab. Their mittens clung together especially tightly thanks to the sticky, packed snow that they must have picked up sometime while they were getting their skates on. Prompto smiled nervously as Noctis locked eyes with him.
"Okay, to start, just try sliding one foot back and forth to get the feel of the ice," Noct instructed.
"Alright. Sounds easy enough," Prompto grinned, sheepishly. He shifted his weight to his left foot, and when it threatened to move, Noctis somehow managed to keep them both grounded. Carefully, Prompto did as he was told, and slid his right foot forward and back, letting both his brain and his muscles get used to the feeling. After several repetitions, he switched to the other side, finding it a little easier this time.
"Alrightie. What next?"
"Now, you're gonna try pushing one foot out to the side and letting it glide back in. It should propel you forward," Noctis explained. "As soon as you do that, follow it up with the same thing on the other foot."
"Gotcha. I think." Prompto once again followed his partner's instruction, and to his relief, was able to go forward in a couple of slow strides as Noctis skated effortlessly backwards, still holding his hands.
"I think my muscle memory is actually kicking in a bit," Prompto grinned, managing a few more strides, this time a little more confidently.
"Cool, you're doing great," Noctis encouraged.
Slowly, but steadily, they made their way along the rink, earning a few smiles from the passersby, to which they gave smiles in return. It was strange, Prompto thought, that these people could have been his people—if he had been born instead of created, or if he'd been given to a Niff family instead of being brought to Lucis. Looking at these people now, as kind and as similar to those in Lucis, he had to wonder if the leadership had been different, would there have been a war at all?
"You're not sad, are you? Sad that we're here?" Noctis asked, noticing the distant look that had taken over Prompto's face as he stole gazes at the citizens around him.
"No, not at all. I mean, it's a bit surreal, I guess, to think that things could have been different if the circumstances had been just a little different, too," Prompto shrugged. "But I'm glad I grew up in Lucis. If I hadn't, I probably never would have met you. There would be no us." There was a definite sadness in his eyes now, and Noctis leaned in to kiss the tip of his nose.
"Well, I, too, am awfully thankful there's an us," he smiled lazily as he pulled away, feeling so grateful that the tension from Meldacio was gone for now.
"Noct?"
"Mm?"
"Do you think Tink was right when she said that? About me being the reassurance Niflheim needs?"
"Well, yeah," Noct said, eyeing Prompto as they continued along the rink. "For years, there have been rumours that you and I were more than friends. Us being together all this time shows that this is not just some whim we're following. Any union between us would truly be for love, and you being originally from Niflheim is the symbol we need to prove that there is no more bad blood between our nations. It shows that we are ready to move past the war, and embrace peace with one another—you and me, Lucis and Niflheim."
Prompto nodded slowly, taking it all in with a stoic expression. Noctis ducked his head a little, trying to catch his gaze.
"You okay?"
"What about Accordo? Or Tenebrae? You sure there wouldn't be a better match for you there?"
"I'm sure," Noct said with a smile, a hint of laughter on his breath. "Accordo's got Claustra running things, Tenebrae has their government. And besides, neither of those places has ever feuded with Lucis like Niflheim has. Our nations are the ones that need to heal. And I honestly think we're the key to making that happen."
Noctis watched Prompto with a slight frown, hoping he hadn't said anything that might dissuade or discourage him—even overwhelm him. To his relief, after a few long seconds of mulling it over, Prompto turned his head, granting him a sincere smile.
"You make a really good point, Noct," he said, making the king smile. "I want us to make a difference together, and if that's the best way to do it, then I'm on board. I would be more than proud to rule at your side, and become your husband from Niflheim."
"My husband?" Noct asked, eyes opening wide. The blades of his skates skidded into a T-shape, bringing him to a halt.
"T-that's what you meant, wasn't it? Is that okay?" Prompto queried, eyes popping open as well, worried he had said something wrong.
"I-is that a yes to my proposal?" Noctis asked, and Prompto tilted his head to the side in thought, his eyes travelling up toward the star-speckled sky. In Accalia, he had been hesitant, but now, everything seemed clear. Noctis was his future, and even if that future wasn't a long one, he couldn't imagine taking the journey with anyone else.
Yes, maybe they still had things to work through when it came to Prompto's condition, but that didn't mean they wouldn't figure it out. It certainly didn't mean he didn't love Noctis, because he did. With every piece of himself, he loved Noctis beyond all else. He didn't have time to even consider what the reactions of the council or the public might be, because the words were already leaving his mouth.
"Um, yeah. I think it is," he timidly grinned, bringing his gaze back down to meet Noctis'. Noctis gave him an incredulous, yet tearfully happy look as he moved forward to embrace him, his hands leaving Prompto's—which as a result, left Prompto a little unsteady.
"Wh-whoa! Don't forget, amateur skater here!"
"I'm not gonna let you fall, you doofus," Noctis half-cried, half-laughed, pressing his nose into the side of Prompto's hair, and pressing tiny, frantic kisses against the blond strands.
Hands clung to the back of Prompto's jacket, holding him so very tightly that it was actually a little bit hard to take in regular breaths, but honestly, Prompto couldn't care less. He just threw his arms around Noctis in return, and joined in the emotional, joyous moment. He found himself feeling a little giddy as they quickly realized they didn't know what to do with themselves—their tears finding their way out of them as weak chuckles.
"This is like the least romantic way to say yes to a proposal—doing so months later in a public place when I don't even have the ring with me," Noctis squeaked out.
"Are you kidding me? It's totally romantic! Holding hands, ice skating in a beautiful place!"
"I guess that's true."
Another burst of half-sobs, half-chuckles emerged before Noctis finally made himself pull away. When he did, they noticed that many of the bystanders had stopped what they were doing to watch them. Some had soft smiles on their faces, while others looked a tad confused. Prompto smiled, and held up a mittened hand, as if he wore a ring underneath.
"We just got engaged!" he explained, with a shy, crooked grin. The looks of confusion transformed into happiness, and everyone who was watching applauded them.
"Congratulations, you two!" a few people called out, and Noctis nestled his head in under Prompto's chin, his mitten-clad hand coming to rest on Prompto's chest. Prompto wove an arm around his waist, pulling him in close.
"Best day ever?" Noctis murmured, glancing up at him with a smile.
"Oh, totally the best day ever," Prompto agreed, with a grin so wide his eyes crinkled.
"I love you, you dork," Noct whispered, against his chest.
"I love you more."
"Not possible."
Once they had recovered from the excitement of the engagement, they continued the trek around the rink. Prompto managed to keep up with Noctis well enough as they skated side-by-side now, holding hands as they continued their promenade.
"Still feel like I'm on a high," Prompto said, unable to hide his elated grin.
"I should hope so," Noct smirked. "Hope I wasn't the only one waiting for this day my entire life."
"Nope, right there with ya, buddy," Prompto replied, chuckling. "So, I gotta ask. Back in Meldacio, when you were talking about me taking risks and accepting my origins and stuff..."
"Yeah, I was hinting around, trying to see if you might be ready to say yes to my proposal if I gave it another go," Noct said, smiling in amusement.
"Thought so. Didn't clue in at first, but now it makes sense."
"I've said it before. I suck at hiding things from you."
"Sometimes you do," Prompto laughed. They continued to move along the ice, the soft scrape of their skates against the ice almost therapeutic. "So, while we're out here, are you gonna show me any of your tricks?"
"My tricks?"
"Yeah, you know, some of your cool figure skating moves?"
Noctis glanced around. It was fully dark now, and most of the families with small children had already gone home for the night. The rink couldn't have held much more than twenty people now. There were plenty of open spaces where Noctis could show off if he really wanted to. And he wanted to, for Prompto—Prompto who might not always be there; Prompto who, as far as Noctis was concerned, would get just about every damn thing he wanted for the next decade.
"Okay, but I'm gonna be severely out of practice," he said, glancing sidelong at Prompto and giving him a shrug.
"It's fine! Remember, you're talking to a guy who, for one thing, just agreed to marry you and therefore is gonna love you no matter how bad you suck. And two, can barely skate at all, so you could literally skate backwards a stride and I would be impressed. Just go for it!" Prompto encouraged, and Noctis was glad to have even so much as a one-man cheering section, especially if he landed on his backside.
"Alright. I'm gonna need a bit of space, so just hold on," Noctis said, slipping his hand out of Prompto's as Prompto successfully skidded to a halt.
Noctis skated a few strides ahead, then getting some momentum, he turned himself around to skate backwards, and stuck a leg out behind him. His upper body leaned forward, his arms coming gracefully out to the sides, which Prompto assumed was for stability. To his surprise, Noctis launched himself into the air, and somehow managed to spin around twice before landing on his opposite leg, which swung out behind him with as much grace as he'd had before the jump.
"Dude! That was amazing!" Prompto beamed, skating forward to catch up with him. His heart felt light with pride and admiration, and he suddenly wanted to brag to the whole world that it was his fiancé who had done such a spectacular trick. Noctis' cheeks were pink, and Prompto hadn't noticed if they'd already been pink from the cold, or whether it was from the praise; it certainly wasn't from the effort of the jump, as it had looked far too easy for him.
"Thanks. That was only a double salchow, though. I used to be able to pull off a triple," Noctis sighed, staring longingly at the ice.
"Still, that was so frickin' cool," Prompto chuckled.
"Hold on. I'm just gonna try…" Prompto remained where he was as Noctis skated ahead again.
"Please, don't hurt yourself," Prompto groaned, but Noctis continued along, manoeuvring himself until he was in the correct position to take flight again. Prompto watched as Noctis repeated the same jump from earlier, and Noct cursed under his breath, knowing he could do better if he could just get a bit more air.
He continued to skate, gaining lots of backwards momentum, knowing exactly how to move. This time, he launched himself, and pushed his body into three complete spins before landing back on one leg, the other swinging out behind him, his body leaning forward again, and his arms out to the sides. He looked like some sort of majestic being. Prompto felt like he was developing a crush on Noctis all over again—like they were teenagers and he was just discovering the ways in which Noctis was so different from anyone else, in the most extraordinary ways.
"Man, I am so in awe of you right now!" Prompto bleated, almost pouting as he approached Noctis again. Noct chuckled, amused that although Prompto sounded slightly jealous, he still wove his arms around his waist and pulled their bodies together.
"Let's call it even. Don't think I didn't get distracted sometimes when we'd be fighting monsters, and I'd see you wielding your guns with all that energy in your step. You're amazing, too," Noctis said.
"Yeah?" Prompto blinked, then he realized he'd almost missed a perfect opportunity to tease Noctis. "Wait, you sure my firearms weren't the only guns you were checkin' out?" He smirked, posing with his fists up and muscles bulging under his jacket, eyes closed and lips puckering together. Noctis swatted the back of his head.
"You shouldn't tease people. It's not nice," he mumbled.
"So you were checking me out," Prompto snickered.
"Oh, yeah. Totally," Noct admitted, smirking. "Thought you already pointed that out in Meldacio."
"True, I did," Prompto grinned, letting out his usual chuckle that warmed Noctis' insides. Noctis took Prompto's hand again, and they continued to leisurely skate side-by-side. The air was chilly now, but as long as they kept moving, it was still tolerable.
"Prompto?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm really happy you said yes," Noctis said, turning his head to look at Prompto. "I know you were scared about what impact our marriage might have on everyone, but I'm really glad you didn't let those fears win. Because I love you. I love you so much, and I can't wait to live this life together that we never thought we'd get, you know?"
Prompto smiled at Noctis' rambling, and brought himself to a stop, his skates digging into the ice. Noct glanced back at him, and stopped as well, carefully inching himself back to stand in front of Prompto. Hands joined between their bodies, and Prompto locked eyes with Noctis.
"Even if it's short-lived?" he asked, just to make sure one final time that Noctis was thinking this through.
"No matter how short it is, I'll always be thankful to have been by your side," Noctis said, and Prompto felt his heart warming.
He loved this older, more vocal Noctis who didn't hold back so much of what he used to hide away in his heart. Maybe the reality of Prompto's situation had made him realize how important it was to live life with no regrets, to say the words he felt Prompto deserved to hear. Even if it was a sad way to learn that lesson, it was still better than never having said them, and regretting it once it was far too late.
"I'm happy I said yes, too," Prompto promised him. He tilted his head to press their foreheads together, and Noctis brushed his nose against his own. "Getting to marry my high school sweetheart and best friend?" Prompto chuckled softly, warmly. "That seems like more happiness than any guy should ask for. I'm pretty lucky."
"We're both lucky," Noctis hummed, his lips travelling to the side of Prompto's face, then nipping at his cold, bare ear. The warmth of it brought his awareness to just how frozen the rest of his body was, and he reacted with a violent shiver.
"Brrr... Getting chilly out here."
"Yeah, guess we could head for the hotel now," Noct smirked, still licking teasingly at the frozen skin.
"What do you say we pick up a bottle of champagne on the way? Really celebrate tonight?" Prompto asked.
Noctis pulled back, and gave him a genuine smile. This was their engagement night, after all. It should be one of the happiest nights of their lives, and it was. Why not milk it for all it was worth?
"That sounds perfect," Noctis agreed.
"Alright," Noctis grinned, mouth half-full of the popcorn they had bought on the way back from the liquor store. He held the champagne bottle out in front of himself, thumb brushing against the cork. Prompto sat on the edge of the bed, eagerly grinning, as he reached into the long, plastic bag of popcorn. He stuffed in a mouthful as he watched Noctis.
"Let's hope I don't break anything," the king said.
He popped the cork off with a loud noise, and the two of them cheered. Noctis smiled widely and headed for the counter in their hotel room, where a sink, coffee maker, mugs, and wine glasses sat waiting to be used. He reached for a wine glass, and poured up some champagne for Prompto.
"For you, sir," he offered, bowing playfully as he handed him the glass.
"Why, thank you. What a gentleman," Prompto sang, airily, closing his eyes as he took a whiff of the bitter beverage. Noctis returned to the counter, and poured himself a glass of the champagne before heading to the bed to sit beside his fiancé. Prompto met his gentle gaze with a tender, but jubilant smile.
"Here's to many wonderful years together," Noctis announced.
"And to a beautiful future," Prompto added.
"Cheers," Noctis smiled, softly.
"Cheers." They clinked their glasses together delicately before bringing them to their lips and taking a sip. Prompto smacked his lips as it went down, and Noctis chuckled softly at the sound.
"Hey, Noct. You ever try that thing where you link arms and try and drink it? I've seen it done at weddings and stuff," Prompto energetically chirped, holding his elbow out to imitate the motion.
"I would only have ever tried it with you, you doofus, so no, I haven't," Noct smirked.
"I always thought it looked kind of cool. Maybe we could practice now, and be really good at it for our wedding." Prompto's eyes were lit up with eager excitement, and Noctis wouldn't dream of taking that look away.
"Alright, then," he simpered, hooking his elbow with Prompto's, earning him an even more excited look.
"Ready?"
"Yep. Go," Prompto signalled, and they brought their drinks towards their lips again. The awkward movements of trying to get their mouths to reach the glasses made Prompto laugh, the vibration of which made Noctis' champagne splash upward and dribble down his chin. He let out a squawk before lowering the glass again and wiping his face with his free hand, as Prompto continued to laugh at the sight.
"Nice job," Noctis playfully muttered.
"See? This is why we practice," Prompto grinned, as they made their second attempt, successfully downing a mouthful this time. They unlinked their arms, and Prompto turned away, crawling across the bed to set his glass down on the nightstand.
"Okay, third time's the charm," Noctis murmured. Confused, Prompto turned back to face him, and there was Noctis—down on one knee, with a small, black, velvet box in his hand. Prompto's eyes widened, and he got to his feet, his hands coming to rest on either side of his own face as he stared down at Noctis with nervous excitement.
"Prompto Argentum, I love you more than I ever thought possible, more than I've ever loved anyone. I know that sometimes you feel like you're not worthy. I know that the little boy I met in grade school never felt he deserved to marry his prince. But I promise you, Prompto, if you let me, I will take every opportunity for the rest of our time together to make sure you know you're loved, that you're worthy, and that you're the only one I want to spend this life with. The only one," he said, watching as Prompto's tender smile grew.
"I mean it when I say you're my everything, so will you please…" Noctis trailed off, his fingers prying open the box in his hands. "Do me the honour of marrying me?"
Prompto stared down into Noctis' tender, blue eyes, and at his gently smiling lips. He'd given this poor man a 'no' on his first hasty proposal, then a 'yes' on the second where there'd been no ring at all. Now finally on their third try, they had made it all come together—a peaceful place, a beautiful speech, a glistening silver ring, and two very happy people.
"Yes," Prompto said, with a gleaming smile. "Yes, I will marry you, Noctis Lucis Caelum."
The teary excitement that had overtaken them at the skating rink didn't return, but was rather replaced with a deep warmth that seemed to take over not just their hearts, but their bodies and souls. Prompto allowed his hand to be taken into Noctis' and he watched as the thick, silver band with three silver diamonds was slipped onto his ring finger. He brought it up to eye level to admire it as Noctis got to his feet.
"Do you like it?" Noctis asked, brows creasing in uncertainty; Prompto had no idea why he was worrying. It was a beautiful piece of jewelry—elegant, yet masculine. Most importantly, it was a symbol of their love, and he was touched to have such an important symbol on his person at all times, for all the world to see.
"I love it. Thank you," he cooed. He reached out for the back of Noctis' neck and pulled him in to meet his lips. They shared several slow, patient kisses before pulling apart, and leaning into each other's embrace. Prompto rested his chin on Noct's shoulder, and Noct leaned forward to do the same.
"I love you, Noct."
"I love you, too."
They stayed like that for several minutes, swaying slightly in a circle, like a very slow dance. Eventually, they lifted their heads to share another kiss. As they parted, smiling eyes met.
"You want to move to the bed?" Prompto asked, in not much more than a whisper. Noctis nodded, and they travelled over to the mattress, dimming the lights and taking another few sips of their champagne before huddling together. Noctis lay on his back, his hand reaching for the nape of Prompto's neck, and pulling him down to meet him again. Prompto laughed as he accidentally kicked the popcorn bag near the end of the bed, sending several pieces scattering across the mattress.
"Some people have rose petals on the bed? We nerds have popcorn," he chuckled.
"Nerds, huh? Yep, seems kind of par for the course for us," Noctis smirked.
Prompto hummed his agreement as he leaned down again, capturing Noctis' lips and earning a weak moan as his tongue invaded Noct's mouth. Noctis' hand travelled to Prompto's back, and found its way underneath his shirt to caress soft skin. Prompto did the same to the front of Noctis' shirt, sliding his hand up until it found the lines of his abdomen.
Prompto's fingers brushed lightly over the stitches, and he pulled back a little, having forgotten they were there. Noctis released a soft breath.
"It's okay. Doesn't hurt much anymore," Noct assured him. Prompto smiled and leaned in to kiss him, hand wandering under the fabric again.
"Prom? I still don't know if we should… go too far, you know?" Noct said, pulling back from the kisses. Prompto pulled back as well, and met Noctis' eyes; they actually looked frightened.
"Don't worry. I don't want to fight about this tonight, Noct," Prompto promised him. Noctis looked relieved, and he gave Prompto a soft smile, returning his hand to the back of his blond hair, fingers brushing through it gently.
"But we could still snuggle up with a movie. Or we could go back out on the town for a bit. Whatever you want," he murmured. Prompto's gaze wandered southward, and he looked almost shy to speak as his fingers traced circles on Noct's stomach.
"Or we could still do you," he eventually said, so quietly, so uncertainly. Noctis stared at him with a slight frown, waiting until Prompto's gaze found its way back to his own. Prompto had always been a giver. It had always been in him to think of others before himself.
He continued making patterns on Noctis' skin with his fingertips, wandering ever so slightly closer to his waistline each time they circled. Noctis focused on keeping himself still, even though the contact was driving him a little crazy. Prompto's touch was quickly becoming a little too inviting, but this was their engagement night. It was supposed to be about reciprocity.
"No way. That's not fair to you," Noctis said, continuing to thread his fingers through Prompto's soft hair. "Let's just skip that part for tonight."
"I don't mind," Prompto assured him, lowering his lips to Noctis' waist now. He kissed the skin gently before trailing his lips onto his jeans, continuing to kiss his way down. He could feel every muscle impatiently twitching beneath him.
"O-okay, okay. If you're sure you don't mind," Noctis panted.
"I don't mind," Prompto repeated. He immediately felt Noctis reaching for his shirt, tugging it over his head. He took that as an invitation to do the same to Noctis, who sat up to allow him to rid him of the garment as well. Noctis lay back down, hands sliding over Prompto's toned midriff before Prompto lowered his lips to his clothed groin again, his fingers working to undo the button on his waistband.
"Nng... just use your hand, though. I want you up here with me," Noct instructed, breathlessly. His fingers moved up to cling to the nape of Prompto's neck, tugging him gently towards him. Prompto raised his head to meet Noctis' eyes, and gave a small nod and smile before leaning in to meet Noct's lips again; Noctis whimpered as they connected.
Prompto succeeded in one-handedly undoing Noct's pants, and brushed the back of his hand over his boxers.
"What about your clothes?" Prompto asked, lip caught between Noctis' two.
"Don't care. I've got more, just go."
Not needing any further permission, Prompto slipped a hand under his boxer shorts, and Noctis released a heavy breath laced with hints of a moan as fingers curled around him. Prompto captured the noise into his own mouth, and continued to kiss him tenderly, but passionately, as his hand began a stroking motion. He rested his other hand at the side of Noctis' face, his elbow taking most of his weight as he hovered above his partner.
"I love you, Noct," he whispered, thumb brushing over Noct's beautiful face as he watched his closed eyes, and his forehead creased with lines of pleasure.
"I love you, too," Noct breathed.
His hands wove around to the backs of Prompto's shoulders, holding him close in that barnacle-like manner that Prompto had always done to him when they made love. And in this moment, Prompto knew that he was loved—by the way Noctis whimpered his name, and the way he clung to him like he was the only man left in the world. Maybe this way of showing their love wasn't what they were used to anymore, but it was the result of Noctis wanting to keep Prompto safe and healthy, and right now, it was enough. Maybe it would always have to be enough.
Before they knew it, Noctis arched up against Prompto as he reached his peak, his head tilting back against the pillow. Prompto pulled away from their kisses to give Noct time to catch his breath. He placed kisses on Noct's forehead instead, content to wait as Noct came down from the high. Noctis blinked lazily, and managed a small smile as his fingers travelled to Prompto's lips, grazing tenderly over them as he stared up at that gentle face.
"I love you so much, Prompto Argentum," he whispered, never ever wanting him to forget that.
Once they were showered and ready for bed, they shut off the lights and curled up under the covers together for some sleep. Noct rested with his head on Prompto's chest, hand rubbing gently. He was deep in thought, and Prompto suspected as much, as Noct was even more quiet than usual.
"Something wrong?" Prompto queried, squeezing Noct gently in against him, arm secure around his waist.
"I feel like I was selfish tonight," Noct admitted, burying his nose a little deeper in against Prompto's t-shirt. Prompto shook his head and sighed.
"Come on, man. I was the one who offered."
"And you're also the one who had to take a cold shower afterwards."
"Wha—? How do you know—"
"Prompto, all the steam in the bathroom from my shower didn't magically disappear after yours."
"Well…" Prompto fidgeted uncomfortably. As tempting as it had been to take care of his urges on his own, he'd figured he'd better not. "Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Besides, you're only trying to keep me healthier longer. That doesn't make you a bad guy. It makes you a really good guy."
"I hope so, because right now I feel like scum."
"Noct," Prompto murmured, and tilted his head down to kiss the top of Noctis' hair. Noctis continued to brush a hand over the front of Prompto's shirt, and Prompto gave him another squeeze in his arms. The silence continued, and while Prompto felt he should try to get to the root of it again, he didn't know if he should prod anymore until Noctis was ready to talk.
"Can I ask you something?" Noct began on his own.
"Of course."
"If you're saying all this now... If you had a change of heart like this..." Noctis trailed off, and Prompto frowned, worriedly.
"Noct?" he coaxed, feeling the man's tension as he held him in his arms.
"You're sure you didn't mean what you said in Meldacio, right? When you said you wished you'd never told me about your condition?" Noctis held his breath as soon as he'd gotten the question out, and listened as Prompto gave a long, regretful-sounding sigh.
"No," he whispered. "I'm glad you know the truth. Like I said, I was just... hurt and angry."
"That's good. I-I mean, not good that you were hurt, but—"
"I know what you mean," Prompto assured him. Noctis adjusted himself against his chest again, but he still didn't seem settled. Normally, when they lay cuddled so close like this, it was only a matter of time before Noctis drifted off, but he seemed far from it now.
"I really don't mean to keep hurting you, Prompto. I'm just confused when it comes to what I should do in these situations. I don't know whether I should do what you want, or listen to my gut when I'm feeling apprehensive about it," Noctis divulged, hoping they were both in a state of mind to talk about this openly and without scorn.
"I know. Your heart's in the right place, Noct. It has been from the start," Prompto murmured. "I don't think I really understood until I thought about what you said in the tent that night. You're so nervous of making me worse off that you get sick to your stomach. That's when I realized how deeply you care, Noct. The thought of hurting me actually..." Prompto's voice failed him before he could finish the sentence.
"Makes me physically ill? Yeah," Noctis admitted, hand rubbing over Prompto's heart.
"And that's love. That's the kind of real love that makes me realize I'm perfectly safe with you, Noct. And so, I can't be mad at you for having these sorts of doubts."
Noctis lifted his head to take in Prompto's serious but gentle expression, and he gave Prompto a genuinely grateful smile before laying back down.
"That means a lot," he whispered, and Prompto hummed his appreciation.
"I think it's finally hitting me... what my condition means. What leaving you behind means, and I think it's making me want to cling to you more than ever. I think that's part of why this whole lack of intimacy thing is so hard. But that doesn't mean I want to be reckless either. I'm not going to put myself in a situation that I think is gonna be harmful in the long run," Prompto explained.
"Yeah," Noct replied, softly. He hadn't really considered that until now. Prompto was watching out for his health as well. He had been all along.
The time he'd panicked when he'd had the nosebleed back home, the way he'd fretted whenever Noct would ask him if he was feeling okay—those were the signs that he was worried as well, and perhaps Noct should have trusted that Prompto could take care of himself. After all, he'd survived a long time without him.
"Can I ask you a question next?" Prompto asked, and Noctis nodded his head against his chest. "Have you done any research on… you know. What we can or can't do? Because I feel perfectly healthy right now, and if tonight was an example of what things have to be like from now on, then that's fine. I'll deal. But I don't want to waste any opportunities to be together if we don't have to."
Noctis swallowed hard, his guilt returning and settling in his gut. His thumb ceased its motion against Prompto's side, his fingers curling into a loose fist against his skin instead.
"Can I be honest with you?"
"Uh-huh. Always."
"I've been scared to look into it. I feel like… I won't like what I'll find," Noct murmured, closing his eyes tightly as if to block out the pain.
"Still being honest? I've been avoiding it for the same reason," Prompto said, and Noctis opened his eyes wide, blinking in surprise. He quickly closed them again and continued rubbing a hand against Prompto's side. He was glad to know he wasn't alone in that mindset, but there was still more to this equation.
"I'm terrified to know what's going to happen to you, Prompto, and terrified to know what I might have already done to shorten your life."
"What are you talking about?" Prompto asked, weakly, so much confusion in his voice, as Noctis had always been the thing to make him feel better—never worse.
"What if taking you on that journey with us put a strain on your body? Think of all the battles you had to fight, and all those nasty poisonous enemies we ran into, or… All the times I thought I was making you feel special when we made love... What if I was damaging you somehow?"
"Noct, just stop, okay?" Prompto whispered, pressing kisses into the king's dark hair. "You can't start thinking that way. You'll drive yourself crazy like that, especially when there's no way to go back down that road now, not even with Umbra."
Noctis nodded, clutching Prompto's shirt a little tighter. He suddenly wished more than ever that Umbra still offered him that option to go back in time—to fix things, to finish quests he'd left undone, to spend more time with his friends. Ever since he'd come back from the final battle, Umbra seemed to have lost the ability to transport him back.
But imagine if he hadn't. Would that have meant Noct would never really have to spend a day without Prompto after he was gone? Could he have travelled back and relived their days together? Or would he have travelled back in time, only to find Prompto no longer existed there either? He shivered at the thought. Maybe he was better off not knowing.
"Besides, you worry too much."
"No, I don't," Noct grimaced.
"You usually keep it inside, but yeah, you do," Prompto insisted. Noctis opened his mouth to retort, but when he found he had nothing to retort with, he merely gave a meek nod against Prompto.
"Maybe that's what makes it so much worse. The fact that I never tell anyone what I'm thinking. When I finally reach that point, so much has already piled up in my mind that I find I'm an absolute mess."
"But you don't have to keep all these worries from me. They're probably all things that I've thought of before, too, so we should just talk them out together. We're both scared, and neither one of us knows what the future's going to hold, so we should be especially sure that we don't shut each other out at a time like this."
Noct tilted his head to press a few kisses to Prompto's chest, and he felt a hand rub against his back in thanks.
"So, when we get back to the Citadel…. Maybe we should both look into your condition? Just sit down and really read over the info we have?" the king asked.
"Yeah."
"Then I'll call Ignis in the morning. He helped look into your condition in the first place, right? I'll see what he can dig up for us."
"Sounds good, Noct. He might still have the original documents they found in the magitek facility. It might give us some more clues as to what's going to happen," Prompto said, with a small smile. It may have scared him, too, but he knew it was a step they both needed to take. The more they knew, the more prepared they would be, and the easier this whole process might become.
"You know what else has to happen when we get back home?"
"What?" Prompto asked, curiously.
"We have to tell everyone we're getting married," Noct announced, and Prompto could hear that slightly giddy tone in Noct's voice that let him know his partner was more excited than nervous.
Prompto repeated the words in his head. Getting married. He and Noctis were getting married. He was going to be married to Noctis. The unbelievably wonderful thought made him laugh, and Noctis lifted his head to beam softly at Prompto's easy grin. He reached a hand out to briefly tousle blond bangs.
"Can't wait to tell people. The guys, Aranea, Cindy... Oh, and Fae is gonna be so excited," Prompto smiled, eyes hazy as he pictured how happy some of their friends would be.
He found himself wondering what it would be like to accompany Noct during his meetings in the audience hall. He thought about eating meals together in the elegant dining room, of driving to special events in the back seat of a fancy car, both dressed in the most regal attire. He pictured how proud he would be standing behind King Noctis, supporting him as he made some grand speech on the balcony of the Citadel. He wondered if King Regis would have been proud of them as well.
"I'm excited," Noctis softly uttered, still smiling.
"Me, too," Prompto whispered as Noctis tenderly met his lips. They pulled back with hazy eyes and soft smiles before Noctis settled his head back down on Prompto's chest, his fingers resting atop the skin where he could feel the thumping of his heart underneath.
"So, are we going to see your parents tomorrow?" Noctis felt that pulse speed up a little at the question.
"Y-yeah, I guess so."
"Nervous?"
"Totally," Prompto sighed.
"You don't have to go if you're not ready." Noctis wanted to make sure he knew that, and Prompto silently thanked him for it with a gentle rub against his back.
"I know, but... I think this is something I have to do, whether or not I feel ready. My plan was just to thank them and make sure they're okay, right? How hard can that be?" Prompto grinned, but Noctis could feel how tense his body was beneath him, and he tilted his nose in to brush against the soft skin of Prompto's neck, hoping the caress would soothe him.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but... I'm afraid some part of you is still hoping to find acceptance from them," Noctis cautiously said. Prompto bit his tongue, shocked that despite him never saying those words aloud in all their years together, Noctis had still known the thoughts he'd kept behind his walls. After a minute, Prompto let out a nervous puff of air, which came out sounding like a weak chuckle.
"And I understand why you might still be searching for that, but... What if it's something they can't give you? Will you still be okay?" Noctis went on, brows curving upward in worry.
Prompto stared down at the black head of hair on his chest, at the hand that traced circles on his skin. He knew Noctis was being as gentle as he could with his delivery; he recognized it by the way he kept his head turned timidly away from his gaze. Prompto gave Noctis a squeeze in his arms, thanking him.
"Yeah, I think so. I mean, sure, it'd be awfully nice if they did accept me... if they could see the man I've grown into, but you're right. It's possible they're just not capable of that kind of love," Prompto acknowledged, and Noctis' expression softened at the slightly wounded sound of Prompto's voice.
"It's not a reflection on you. You know that, right?" Noctis lifted his head now, needing Prompto to see the conviction in his eyes, but there were so many more emotions swimming in Prompto's—fear, uncertainty, pain. Noctis wanted to take them all away. He wished—hoped—that his love could be enough to take them away.
"I don't know. I feel like this thing drove them away," Prompto said, with a half-hearted chuckle, raising his tattooed wrist, and trying not to feel scorn for those lines and numbers.
"I thought you were okay with your barcode now," Noctis frowned.
"I am. At least, mostly. But I think you're right, Noct. When it comes to my parents, I'm not okay with this mark. I feel like it's the thing that divided us," Prompto whispered, voice meek as he stared at the black ink.
"Well, if that's what drove them away, then they don't deserve you, anyway. That mark is just a tiny part of you. It doesn't define you," Noctis announced, confidently, eyes still filled with a sternness, a look of persuasion. "You're incredible, Prompto."
Prompto's expression shifted into one of admiration, and he smiled softly as he touched his index finger to the end of his king's nose.
"And you are biased," he teased, voice high-pitched and words accentuated.
"Don't believe me? Just ask your friends what they think of you, then. You think Ignis or Gladio cared when they found out you were made in that lab? You think Talcott or Fae think any less of you for it? Or Aranea or Cindy? Or your friends in Meldacio? Every one of us loves you for all the things you are—the strong, caring, funny, camera-crazy, chocobo-loving guy you are. You are good enough, Prompto," Noctis promised, and this time, Prompto couldn't hold back the smile that came to his lips, nor the light that filled his heart, the joy that made him feel like he was floating. He reached out to ruffle the back of Noctis' hair, smile soft and genuine.
"Man, if you'd told me all this on the motel rooftop all those years ago, you probably would have had me in tears."
"Happy tears, I hope," Noct said, his tone still serious like he wasn't sure of the answer. Prompto nodded, fingers threading through ebony locks.
"Very happy tears," Prompto smiled.
Noctis closed his eyes as a kiss was pressed to his forehead, and the two of them lingered there, lost in the moment, letting themselves drown in it. It wasn't the kind of physical contact Prompto had been seeking lately, but perhaps it was something that he'd needed even more tonight, something he hadn't realized he'd needed.
"Thank you, Noct." He felt the tug of stubble on his shirt as Noct smiled against his chest.
"You're welcome. Just know that whatever happens with your parents tomorrow, you're not alone," Noctis assured him, and as eyes met again, Prompto was confident that he could handle whatever came his way. He had survived a decade without his beloved prince, but he didn't have to fight all of his battles alone anymore; Noctis was here for him, of his own will. Noctis—he was enough, too. More than enough.