Three days.
Three damn days left until prom night.
Every passing second felt like some kind of morbid metronome to Prompto. He had been expecting these twinges of anxiety, that were at times almost enough to make him double over. His appetite was gone, he doubted that his tailor-made suit still fitted his nervous frame, and he was in a nearly-constant state of shivery anticipation. However, he had imagined that it would be a far more positive excitement, in expectation of the culminating party of the year.
As it was, he was sick with worry. Over two weeks had passed and he had not heard a single word from Noctis, despite all his efforts at contact. He had been reluctant to go through the Prince's advisor, but now, all other avenues appeared to be closed to him.
Prompto was currently huddled on an age-worn bench in his favourite inner-city park, grasping at the tiny comfort that it could offer him. His adoptive parents weren't talking to each other, and the atmosphere at home was both suffocating and draining. The pulsing spring sun made his skin tingle with heat, and he winced against the lancing evening rays as he fiddled despondently with his outdated phone.
Accustomed, at this point, to feeling vaguely queasy, Prompto bit the bullet and thumbed out a brief message to Ignis. He was well-versed in putting up a cheerful, carefree appearance, and he made good use of it now, peppering his words with exclamation marks and emojis.
P – Hey Iggy! Haven't heard from Noct in a while is he okay? I'm all ready for prom, thanks again for taking me clothes shopping! ( ﾉ ^∇^) ﾉﾟ
He paused before hitting send, carefully reading over the message several times to make sure it portrayed none of what he was actually feeling. The last thing he wanted to do was burden the advisor with his problems, especially after the man had already gone out of his way to help him prepare for Noctis' special night.
While he stared around the empty park, he recalled the last time he had been there. It was with Noct, and despite getting drenched with pond water, he had been so content. Things had been gloriously normal back then. Familiar, and comfortable. Where did things go so wrong? He didn't know, but Gods, he really missed his best friend.
Wet pools swelled threateningly in Prompto's tired eyes. Blinking toward the sun, a single tear broke loose, forging a cool, wet path over flushed freckles. Drawing his knees tighter to his chest, he sat in silence, sniffing and gripping his phone tight to steady his shaky hands as he awaited Ignis' reply.
After a few long minutes, the vibration in his grip stirred him free from his thoughts and he stared at the illuminated screen.
I: I'm afraid the young Prince has been tied up in council meetings at the citadel. He should, however, be free by Friday. I trust you have everything in order?
P: Yes, everything. Except for my date. Haven't heard from Noct in about two weeks. We had a bit of a… falling out of sorts. (｡╯︵╰｡)
I: Ah, well that explains why the Prince has been miserable. And here I was thinking it was just because the cleaners had accidentally washed out his phone with the bed linens.
Wiping his cheek with the sleeve of his jacket, Prompto perked up at the glimmer of hope that there was a reason for his abandonment.
P: Really? His phone is busted? Oh man, haha… (□_□)
I: Yes. Plus, it has been a long and trying two weeks at the citadel. I'm certain that being taken to the prom will be just what the Prince needs after all of this. A healthy dose of your enthusiasm is sure to do the trick.
P: I'll see what I can do then. ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶
I: Shall I come to collect you Friday at 6:00 pm?
P: Yes, that's perfect. THANKS! I owe you man!
I: Put a smile back on the Prince's face for me, then you may consider us even.
Prompto sniffed wetly, grinning to himself as he smeared his tears from his face with finality, wiping his damp palm and knuckles on his jeans. At least now, he had an explanation for Noct's radio silence. But he still had no idea how the Prince was taking the whole 'kiss' episode. He wondered if Noct had already put it out of his mind, written it off as a foolish mistake and then convinced himself never to speak of it again.
He pondered whether, therefore, upon manifesting himself at Noct's place by surprise, dressed up to the nines and ready to take him on a romantic prom date, he might be more apt to receive a stony silence and a door in the face than a relieved hug. Regardless, he thought that at this point, having missed the Prince so sorely, he would welcome either eventuality if it only meant that he could see him.
The agony of the final few days of school was quickly replaced by nervous butterflies as Prompto stood before his bedroom mirror, buttoning up his shirt and tucking it neatly into his white dress pants. His plans for prom night were finally starting to materialize, as was his outfit, and his perfectly-styled hair. It had taken him well over an hour to force every blond strand into its perfectly-gelled place, probably setting a new personal record.
"Who could say no to this hair?" he joked, grinning flirtatiously at himself in the mirror.
He removed a small purple, velveteen box from one of the fancy designer bags and opened it carefully. He had searched online for several hours to find a store that was able to custom-make the chocobo-etched cufflinks based on his own design, and the effort was not wasted. The gleam of the stylish metal made him smile inside. After fastening the cufflinks, he paused to admire the shiny silver, wondering if Noctis would notice them.
Prompto took a huge breath, easing it out the same way he hoped to ease the honest, excited panic that was electrifying him. Lifting a palm to coax his quiff just into the right place, he smoothed down his jacket, grinned at himself in the traditional exercise of viewing a confident version of himself in the aluminium glass, and fingered the hem of his white jacket. Scuffing his red boots experimentally across his threadbare carpet, Prompto turned to dare to admire himself in the mirror.
"Yeah, that'll do."
When he first told Ignis of his plans to wear the red Doc Martens, he had received a questioning, raised eyebrow from the advisor. However, looking at how sharp they were now, paired with the traditional white tux, he was pretty sure Ignis would approve. Collecting the last and final bag from his desk, he marched out of his room and headed outside to where he knew Ignis would be waiting, even though (despite the hair record) he was ten minutes early.
Admiring his glossy red boots even as he walked down his front path in the balmy evening air, he almost tripped on an uneven slab, narrowly avoiding landing face first on the concrete and accessorising his outfit further with a black eye and a bloody nose. He heard Ignis' soft chuckle through the car's open window as he approached it, blushing hard.
"I do hope you'll manage better than that if there is any dancing to be done. Or at least, that Noctis will be wearing more appropriate footwear," the advisor teased fondly.
"Hey Iggy!" Prompto hopped into the immaculate sedan, laughing nervously and fidgeting with his lapels. "Is everything ready?" he asked the advisor apprehensively.
"Don't worry, I have made all of the necessary preparations," the advisor reassured the blond with a confident grin. "Although, if you are in need of your date for this evening's adventures, you may have to rouse the Prince from hibernation. His Highness has had quite a long day and I'm afraid it may have gotten the best of him."
"Don't worry, I have my ways of waking him up," grinned the excited blond.
Something was niggling in the Prince's subconscious, and it was manifesting as an irritating and slightly unnerving dream. He groaned massively, turning over in his king-sized bed, hugging his fifteen-year old cuddly moogle to himself, inhaling its comforting warmth and squeezing it under his chin.
His slightly troubling dreams soon morphed into a reluctant wakefulness, and he spared his darkened room a petulant glare before pulling the duvet back over his head, cocooning himself in warmth and cosy solace.
Prompto swallowed hard, trying to keep his nerves at bay as he knocked on the door to Noctis' flat.
No response.
Trying once more and hearing no sign of life stirring from beyond the other side of the thick oak, he pulled the spare key Ignis had given him from his chest pocket and slid it into the lock. Pushing the heavy door open quietly, the blond slipped into the dark apartment. Knowing exactly where he would find the Prince, he made his way to Noctis' bedroom and discovered a lump in the middle of the bed.
"Six o'clock on a Friday night… typical," the blond murmured quietly with a smile as he sat on the edge of Noctis' bed. This was the closest he had been to Noctis in what felt like forever, and just how much he had missed his best friend suddenly hit him when he peered upon Noctis' sleeping face peeking out from under the blanket. He reached down and gently touched a lock of raven sleek hair between his fingertips.
Prompto pulled the silky, silvery-black strands though his fingers tenderly, almost too mesmerised to be suitably guilty for molesting his sleeping friend.
He startled, ice in his heart, when the peaceful, unconscious Prince grabbed his hand in a fumbling yet surprisingly-strong grip, tucking it neatly under his smooth chin alongside the sleep-warm moogle toy. Noctis grumbled softly, before letting out an expansive, purring sigh.
"Prompto…"
The single word sent the blond's heartbeat into a flutter. Was the Prince having a dream about him? Letting his hand linger against Noctis' skin for a few moments longer than he probably should, he leaned over a little until he was close enough to savour the scent of Noctis' hair. Gods he missed that smell.
Deciding it was finally time to rouse his friend, Prompto gently shook the cocooned body in front of him.
"Hey there. Wake up, Sleeping Beauty."
"Nhh. No...jssh...ugh..."
Noctis grunted loudly, and inelegantly, and turned onto his back, dragging Prompto's hand with him. He unconsciously snuggled the slim hand back under his chin, gifting it with a faint trail of warm dribble, and one final, indistinct instruction.
"Stay w'me."
"Sounds like a good idea to me," Prompto whispered silently. And honestly, if he wasn't wearing the most expensive article of clothing he'd ever owned in his life, he might have very well just hopped into bed with Noctis right then and there, and faced whatever reprisal followed when the Prince finally woke up. The idea was tempting.
"C'mon Noct… wake up," the blond said, a little louder this time, whilst tugging his arm from Noctis' grasp.
"Nnnn." The raven-haired teen grumbled, refusing to relinquish the appendage until Prompto yanked it from his grip. The motion finally stirred the slumbering Prince and his eyelids flickered open.
Finding himself with a mouthful of warm and slightly-damp pillow, Noctis frowned and gave an impressive groan of dissatisfaction. Rubbing his sleep-heavy eyes and sitting up, he was about to yawn when the tangible presence of his best friend at his bedside caused him to aspirate in shock and start coughing, choking on his startled inhales.
"Prom! Shit, what the hell," Noctis finally managed, peering at the blond, and taking in his curious outfit. To Prompto's everlasting amusement, the Prince raised a suspicious eyebrow and proceeded to pinch himself on the arm to test his wakefulness.
"Hey, buddy," the blond laughed quietly, anxiously straightening his jacket and brushing invisible lint from the material in an attempt to hide how much his hands were shaking. "Hope you didn't forget what tonight is."
"...Umm, judging by your attire, I think I have an idea," replied the Prince in a low but deliberate voice. "Nice suit," he added with a grin.
"Thanks."
"Gotta date?"
It was a loaded question. Prompto, finally daring to make eye contact, swallowed nervously and locked onto the Prince's dark blue orbs.
"Only if you say yes."
Noctis smirked, knuckling his sleep-crumpled hair from his forehead. "If I say yes, will you give me twenty minutes to get ready?"
Prompto pushed a thoughtful fist under his chin, rolling his eyes in extravagant contemplation.
"I guess I could allow that. Just remember I got us a chauffeur waiting." The blond chuckled, and then cleared his throat, his fingers fidgeting as he toyed with the hem of his virgin-clean white suit. "And, uh...if you do...I can assume we're all good, right? After...what happened?"
"Guess so," smiled the Prince.
"Good, cause I kinda like, really missed you dude."
"Missed you too."
The two friends sat quietly staring at one another for a few lingering moments before Prompto finally stood up, allowing Noct to slither his way out of bed. "Better get ready quick, before we're more than just fashionably late!" laughed Prompto, slapping Noctis' ass and grinning at the pleasing sound it made through the Prince's black silk boxers.
"Ok, ok," the Prince shouted as he disappeared into the bathroom to take a shower.
Almost exactly twenty minutes later, Noctis emerged from his room, an attractive blush staining his cheekbones. He had rather unceremoniously forced Prompto to wait downstairs whilst he 'arranged himself.' The Prince was distantly thankful that his closet housed more formal clothes than he could ever really need, and certainly more than he would ever choose to own. If it was up to him, he'd live in his T-shirt, cargo pants and a hoodie if the weather required it.
Clearing his throat, he trudged downstairs, a wry grin crinkling his eyes as he bashfully entered the sitting room. Spreading his hands with a melodramatic flourish, he presented himself to the blond who was fidgeting restlessly on his plush leather sofa. Noct's widescreen TV buzzed with pleasing white noise in the background as the Prince adjusted his dove-grey shirt awkwardly.
"Well, what do ya think?"
"Looks great…" Prompto stood and nervously walked over to his royal date, sizing him up appreciatively. "Just one thing missing," he added.
The Prince looked at him questioningly as the blond excitedly pulled out from behind his back a clear plastic package containing two brightly-coloured, chocobo-feathered boutonnières.
"Hope you don't mind, but I got these made especially for us," the blond beamed.
"Wow, you've really thought of everything," grinned the Prince.
With shaky hands, the blond carefully opened the package, taking up one of the showy articles and holding it against the lapel of Noctis' black jacket. "Mind if I…?"
"Go right ahead."
Prompto poked his tongue out in concentration, attaching the bright accessory to his friend's silky-soft (no doubt prohibitively expensive and bespoke) jacket. He nearly dropped the fiddly feathers a few times, causing them both to chuckle nervously under their breaths, avoiding each others' gazes and blushing heroically.
When Prompto was done, cocking his head in appreciation at his own handiwork, Noctis retrieved its partner and spent considerably less time pinning it to his best friend, clearly having had more experience in doing so.
"I, uh...we look...pretty good," Noctis acceded with a tooth-flashing rare grin, scratching his hair self-consciously. He suddenly frowned, and started speaking quickly. "It's been so damn busy here...I was kinda stressing out...and on top of that my phone got screwed and I should have tried to get in touch, but...well...I guess I'm sorry." Finally raising his sheepish, indigo eyes to the tailored blond, he took a deep breath, and then pressed a quick, apologetic kiss to Prompto's mouth.
After what felt like ages of living on the cusp of complete and utter despair, it was hard for Prompto to steady himself from the dizzying wave of giddiness that washed over him from the intimate contact. The touch was so different from their last exchange. Not a hurried assault, but sweet, and soft, and gentle. A feeling of warmth spread through Prompto's chest, his grin wide with delight. "D-don't worry about it, dude," the blond managed to stutter.
"So, you said we have a ride waiting?"
"Ah, yes!" Amidst all the goings on, Prompto had completely forgotten about Ignis waiting downstairs at the car. "Well, what do you say? Shall we get going, your Highness?"
"Thought you'd never ask," replied the Prince, hooking his elbow underneath Prompto's as the two departed for their big night, arm in arm.