The move into the Citadel happened quicker than Prompto expected. With the help of various servants, all of Prompto's stuff had been moved out of his old house and into a room in the Citadel. Now all that was left there was an empty room and a note on the kitchen table for whenever his parents decided to come home. He would deal with them later, if they even cared enough to call him once they found out that he left to live in the Citadel with his adopted daughter.
Prompto did what he could to adjust to his new room, still marveling at how big it was. It was all supposed to be a bedroom, but it was larger than his living room back in the old house. That was the Citadel lifestyle he figured, everything had to be grand and way larger than the regular sizes.
As he spent that time adjusting, he focused a lot on playing with little Scarlet. With the help of all the servants doing the moving, he had a lot more time to just stay with her and play with her for hours.
Some of it was still pretty tiring. Scarlet would get cranky, or drool a whole ton, or even refuse to take a nap. Thankfully Prompto held himself together, reminding himself that he could pull through this. No matter how fussy the baby would get, he could make it work in the end.
He also had the guys helping him out too, well mainly Ignis and Gladio, but Noctis was there for moral support. Together the four of them would make it through the days Scarlet was the most fussy.
Currently, Prompto was sitting on the couch with Scarlet sitting in his lap. He bounced his legs lightly as he watched the tv screen, with Noctis showing off some cool things in the newest Assassin's Creed game.
"Dude I still can't get over how amazing the graphics look. Freaking amazing!" Prompto said.
"Yeah totally. They're getting better and better each time."
"And their new gameplay stuff isn't too bad either."
"Gotta wonder what they'll do next."
Noctis nodded. "Yeah for sure… also hey, I uh, had something I wanted to ask you. Even though I probably know the answer to it right now."
Prompto turned slightly to look at him. "Huh? What is it?"
"You know there is that gaming convention? It's been announced they are going to have a big Assassin's Creed event or something," Noctis replied.
"Oh em gee dude! I completely forgot about it! When is it?"
"End of the month. But I figure you probably won't be able to go."
Prompto frowned slightly. "Why wouldn't I be able to go."
Noctis pointed to Scarlet who was still sitting politely in Prompto's lap. "Don't think you'd wanna drag a baby there."
"Who says I can't?" Prompto asked as he picked up Scarlet holding her out to Noctis's face. "Who says this can't be 'baby's first convention'?"
Noctis snorted as he patted Scarlet on the head, causing her to giggle. "Are you going to dress her up or something?"
Oh! I totally wanna do that now! That's a great idea! Can you imagine her dressed up in a little Assassin's Creed onesies? Or even a chocobo one? I bet it would be easier to find a chocobo outfit than an Assassin's Creed one, plus I have no idea how to sew it if it would come to that."
"So you really wanna go to it? With the baby and everything?"
"Totally. I think it would be a lot of fun. Plus I wanna go with you. I wouldn't pass up a chance for a fun convention."
"Haaaa," Scarlet added in.
"See, she even wants to go!"
"I think that was just her making sounds. She's been doing that a lot lately."
Prompto snickered while shaking his head. "Nah, she totally is agreeing with me. I know exactly what she is saying."
"What a dork," Noctis laughed. "But cool. We can go together then. I'll make sure we can get the tickets before the event is sold out."
"Aw thanks, but you don't need to buy the ticket for me. I'm sure I can get it myself."
Noctis shook his head. "Nah, let me treat you to this. As just a gift between friends and stuff."
Prompto opened his mouth to protest again, but he stopped himself. He knew he shouldn't argue with Noctis over it. If he wanted to give him a ticket to the convention as a gift, that wasn't the worst thing. They could still have fun there together and it would just mean that Prompto had a little more to spend if he didn't buy the expensive ticket for himself.
"Alright, fine as friends. I'll accept that. But now!" Prompto said as he stood up, lifting Scarlet into the air. "I think it's time for lunch! I can tell a little someone is hungry."
"You're such a dad," Noctis groaned. "Just as bad as my own dad."
Chuckling, Prompto walked over to the kitchen. "Guess that's just how good dads are."
"Hmph…"
As Prompto set Scarlet down in her highchair, he turned around to face Noctis. "Something wrong?"
"Nah, nothing is wrong."
"Hm, no I can tell you're being grumpy about something. What gives?"
Noctis rolled onto his side, facing away from Prompto. "It doesn't matter."
"Noct, come on man. Stop being so whiny. You know you can tell me what's bothering you. Please? I'm here to listen."
With a sigh, Noctis faced back towards Prompto. His face still looked clouded and distant. "Just… seeing the way how my dad has been recently around her. It just makes me… I feel like… I don't know. I haven't seen my dad look that happy in years."
When Noctis finished, Prompto started to smile. "Oh I get it! You're feeling jealous!""
"W-What!? No way I am jealous! That would be stupid!" Noctis said as he bolted up to his feet.
"Then why do you seem so worked up over it?" Prompto snickered. "You're jealous your dad is being all dorky dad mode over little Scarlet. I'm sure if you just asked your dad to spend more than a dinner with you he could give you a lot more fatherly love."
"Prompto! That's not… it isn't that. I just…"
"You just miss the fatherly love and attention," Prompto finished for him.
Sighing, Noctis lowered his had. "Okay yeah… you're right. I just see how happy he is, holding her and playing with her. I know I've been busy with my own royal duties and he has too… but he's making time to see her, so I guess I wish he would do the same for me."
Walking over to Noctis, Prompto placed a hand on his shoulder. "Aw Noct. Like I said, all you have to do is ask. He would probably do it in a heartbeat. Your dad is a major dorky dad, y'know. And he still loves you very much."
Averting his eyes, Noctis let out another short sigh. He still looked so conflicted, but that wasn't going to stop Prompto from trying to help him. He was going to do whatever he could to cheer up his friend. Maybe even help rekindle the father-son relationship that he knew both Regis and Noctis were secretly wanting.
"But I don't even know how I would ask him…"
"Just go up to him and say 'Hey dad! I want to hangout with you today. I've missed you a lot!" And then you give him one of your super dorky smiles and I am sure that will warm your father's heart."
"My super dorky smiles?" Noctis chuckled.
"Yeah! You got smiles that can light up a room, but you rarely smile like that. So your dad probably misses seeing you when you do it."
"You really think just me smiling and asking to spend time with him would help?" Noctis asked in a soft voice.
"Oh I know it, dude! As a proud father myself I know all the things fathers should know."
Noctis snorted. "I don't think you are quite the master yet. But uh… thanks for the suggestion. Maybe I can give it a try."
"Go for it. I believe in you," Prompto said as he headed back to the kitchen. "But for now it is yum yum time! You ready Scarlet for some yummy foods?"
Noctis came by the kitchen table to watch as Prompto fed Scarlet. Prompto could tell Noctis already was in a better mood than moments before, seeing as he was starting to show a small smile. Though it would probably be a little bit, Prompto knew that Noctis and his dad could get some good father-son bonding time together. It would be good for both of them when that would happen.
Until then, he would just have to keep cheering Noctis on until he had the courage to actually do so. Knowing Noctis, he would still try to back out at first, being too shy or worried of the outcome. But with enough time, Prompto knew it would work and then everyone would be happy. If things could just stay happy then Prompto knew that the future would be bright for every single one of them.
Another chapter another day. I hope anyone reading this has enjoyed and I will see you all next time!
