Chapter 10

"Oh."

That was what Noctis said, and the realization on his face supplied the rest. Prompto on the other hand was too nervous to find any words to say. But even if he wasn't able to say anything, he was already racking up the thoughts in his brain. Everything was moving a mile a minute now and he couldn't stop it.

"Does he actually… Does Noct… How in Eos did Iggy figure it out? Was it really that obvious?"

Ignis straightened up his posture and moved towards the door. "I hope now you two are able to talk things through. Since I know you are both far too stubborn to take the surgery, I advise you to come clean and express your thoughts. You better do it soon though, His Majesty will be arriving soon, he is extremely worried since I informed him of the incident."

Prompto watched Noctis flinch Clearly he hadn't even considered his father in all of this. But now Ignis had left and it was just the two of them again. Prompto wasn't too sure where to even begin though. The entire realization was still a little too much for him to comprehend. He still had his doubts but if Ignis said it was true, then there had to be some truth to it. Ignis was usually never wrong., right?"

"So…" Prompto said as he cleared his throat. "You think Iggy was telling the truth there?"

"Telling the truth about what? That we're idiots? Or that we are just like Gladio's romance novels… which how does he even know what goes on in them? Oh gods you think they read together or something?"

Prompto snorted at the thought. "That would be strange. But also I mean if we are being honest, about the other part. You can be kind of an idiot sometimes."

Noctis started to frown but Prompto quickly went on to say more. "I mean like a good idiot! You know like a dork or whatever. Something that just makes you uh well you! Ha ha… ha."

Prompto was laughing sheepishly trying to hide his embarrassment but he figured Noctis could see it as clear as day. He was as much of an idiot as Noctis was, but perhaps he was a bit more obvious at times.

Noctis at least was laughing too. "You're the better dork here. But… does that mean… the person who you were pining after," Noctis swallowed, looking a little more nervous before. "Is it me?"

Prompto couldn't find the words to answer. Sure he wanted to trust Ignis was right about the both of them, but there was still that doubt in his head. But he couldn't leave it to go unanswered, so he nodded.

"Oh Prompto…" Noctis reached forward with his hand and placed it on Prompto's shoulder. His eyes were beginning to water. "Why would you ever think I couldn't love you?"

"We're going to go in circles again, but you were thinking the same thing as me."

"I know… and I feel terrible now. I was too worried you wouldn't want to be more than just a friend with me. I thought with how friendly you were with all the girls in school that you couldn't possibly think that way, or you would think I was being too weird that I wanted more than just friendship."

"Noct, you're my best friend. My only best friend, and you make me happy. Like really really happy. But I just thought I had no chance. Why would someone like you want to love some pleb trash like me?"

"Prom," Noctis said softly. It was the first time he ever used a nickname for him, and it honestly made Prompto's heart melt a little. "You are not trash."

"Yeah I am," Prompto replied back, still not feeling too confident. "I'm just nobody, I'm not worth anything."

"Well you know the saying. The one that goes 'one man's trash is another man's treasure' or something like that."

Prompto couldn't help himself as he let out a short snort. "So I'm still trash."

"Well then, you're my trash."

Noctis had tried to say that as seriously as possible, keeping his face smooth and calm, but Prompto started laughing hard right away. He felt tears form from the laughter but he couldn't sound himself. "Gods Noct, that sounds so bad."

"I guess so," Noctis replied in between his own fits of laughter. "I thought we were supposed to be like Gladio's romance novels. You don't think they say that kind of cheesy stuff? Or should I say trashy?"

"I wouldn't know and I don't want to know! I am never touching one of those books. But, so this means… you know between us?"

"Yeah…"

"Wow, Ignis was right. We really are idiots. At least we found out before it was too late," Prompto replied as he placed his hand on top of Noctis's. "Hey wait a minute! That means you were willing to suffer with the Hanahaki stuff because of me!"

"I love you that much Prom. I couldn't bear to lose these feelings I have for you. Plus I didn't want to hurt you by forgetting."

"Oh yeah. I'm the same. If I didn't have those feelings I would probably feel so lost."

"Well now we know. Now there doesn't have to be any more suffering." Noctis leaned forward and placed his forehead against Prompto's. "We don't have to hide it anymore. I love you Prom, I have loved for so long now, and I want to keep on loving you."

Prompto moved his arms around Noctis, holding him tightly. "I love you too. There's so much I love about you, and love you for."

"Good," Noctis whispered. "Cause there's a lot that I love about you too, and I wanna tell you all of it."

Perhaps the moment could have gone on longer, and maybe Prompto would have said something more, but a different voice cleared their throat. Prompto and Noctis quickly shifted back from one another and turned towards the door to see none other than King Regis standing there.

"If I am interrupting I can always come back later," Regis answered, a light chuckle in his voice. "I may have stepped in too soon and ruined the moment. Though I can see there is quite a lot of 'love' going around."

"Dad…" Noctis groaned, his cheeks turning red. "I'm fine now. Everything is going to be fine."

"Good, I'm glad to hear it son. But…" he started to smile almost slyly. Is there anything you want to tell me before you go?"

Prompto was astonished that the king could act like this. He was practically teasing Noctis to say something. But what Prompto didn't expect was for Noctis to take hold of his hand, and smile warmly at him before looking at his dad again.

"Dad… can I reintroduce Prompto to you? But this time as my b-boyfriend?"

The words were shaky in Noctis's mouth, but Prompto had to give him credit that he was actually able to say it. Though it did make his face heat up that Noctis had called him that so soon. But the sound of it was music to his heart. It was something he always wished for and right now it almost felt like he was dreaming. But he knew that this was all way better than any of his fantasies, this was real.