"I...wait!" Prompto stuttered, heart still pounding from the fear of his near-assault and the adrenaline of seeing Noctis attack someone to defend his honour. It was a peculiar, thrilling mix of shock, awe, and arousal. He trotted after the Prince, who was storming out into the gloom. Noct flawlessly side-stepped endless, dark droves of their peers as they left the bathroom and returned to the ear-pounding volume of exciting chatter, vague whoops and yells, and of course the buzzing bassline of the music.
Dizzy with the sea of movement and noise that nearly overwhelmed him, Prompto followed Noctis with far less grace, awkwardly bumping into people, apologising with soundless words and raised hands against the deafening music. He lost sight of the Prince for a few seconds and his stomach wrenched in panic, before he saw the familiar bright yellow feather on a lapel, and gratefully used it as a beacon to the double doors at the far end of the gym.
Noctis was standing a few feet away from the exit in the warm summer air, arms crossed and eyes closed, but his countenance seeming more peaceful than it had in the aftermath of his aggression.
Prompto pushed his way outside, where the brilliant twinkle of fairy lights and garden décor extended into the vast expanse of the school's football and soccer fields. It was much quieter outside, the music dampened to a low bass and the noisy crowd of teenagers dulled to nothing more than a background murmur. A few scattered couples passed by as Prompto made his way nervously toward the Prince, but the area was pretty much deserted as most of the teens were busy enjoying the festivities inside.
"Hey."
Noctis opened his eyes at the sound of the familiar voice.
"Hey," the Prince mumbled vaguely.
"You okay?" asked the blond, his voice tense and laced with worry.
"Yeah," snickered Noct quietly. "Dude had it coming."
"Can I see?" asked Prompto, gesturing toward the Prince's swollen knuckles. Noctis reluctantly extended his hand, allowing the blond to size up his wounds. "Wow, looks like you really did a number on yourself," Prompto muttered with dismay upon viewing the full extent of scraped and bruising red skin. He took Noctis' hand gently between his own, which were still shaky after the unexpected altercation that just shattered his hopes of giving Noctis the best prom night ever.
"S'ok, really. It's just a minor flesh wound. You should have seen the other guy," joked the Prince.
"I'm… really, just… so sorry," the blond stammered, tone still serious as he leaned forward to lightly press his lips against Noctis' knuckles, giving each one a tender kiss.
The sensation of warm lips against his sore knuckles created a dual friction of tickling and stinging, and it caused Noct's mouth to twitch into a wry smirk.
"What are you apologising for? It's not your fault you're the most eligible bachelor in school," he admitted, chuckling fondly. He used his free hand to cuff Prompto gently on the head, his fingers ruffling briefly into his coarse, stiffly-gelled hair.
"Well, thanks for coming to my rescue."
"No prob. I was wondering what happened when I came back with cupcakes and there was no sign of you. And well, it seemed like you were in need of a knight in shining armor," quipped the Prince with a grin.
"It's been tough at school without you, ya know," Prompto spoke quietly, eyes turned toward the perfectly cut blades of grass beneath their feet. "That dude… just wouldn't leave me alone."
"Yeah, he's a first-class creep," Noctis nodded. There was a lapse of words, a comfortable silence, before the Prince spoke up again, softly. "Seriously though...are you okay? I shouldn't have left you alone. Should've been looking out for you," he confessed.
Prompto beamed, turning to face his dark-haired friend, whose expression was maudlin. "You're a smart guy but you're not psychic. You didn't know that was gonna happen. And I'm not made of glass, so you don't need to worry about wrapping me up in cotton wool," he told him, giving him an affectionate nudge. "Still, that was kinda unexpected. Didn't think I was such hot property," the blond joked, smoothing down his white jacket, before tentatively pushing his hand into Noct's, squirming into a gentle hand-hold.
"You really have no idea, do you?" Noctis chuckled softly, pulling Prompto closer beside him. "Why do you think I got so jealous that night outside your place? Figured I was too late, and you were hiding some new guy in there," he added uncomfortably, inwardly wincing at the idea.
"Oh, you mean the night you tried to barge in and ruin your prom night surprise which I'd been planning for weeks?" the blond laughed.
"Heh. Sorry 'bout that," Noctis wallowed. "I didn't know."
"It's okay. I forgive you!" Prompto nestled himself happily into the crook of Noctis' arm and enjoyed the warmth he found there. "I hope you liked the surprise?"
"Sure did," chimed the raven-haired teen, leaning his head gently against Prompto's and staring up into the starry lights.
"Oh, just you wait! There's one more thing we gotta check out. A little something from Ignis to say happy graduation," the blond squeaked excitedly.
"Oh, Gods," Noctis muttered, his expression souring again. "He probably got me a set of frying pans or a new vacuum cleaner or something. As if he hasn't already given me enough hints on how to live like a normal adult."
"Well, you're not quite an adult yet. And for all he complains, I'm pretty sure kings don't have to do their own cooking and cleaning," Prompto chuckled. "No, this is way better than homeware, trust me. He was my accomplice in all this after all, remember," the perky blond added with a wink.
Noctis smirked and gave him a playfully narrowed glare, squeezing his hand. "And here I thought you were on my side."
"I am," replied Prompto with a warm smile. "I always have been." Reluctantly leaving the warmth of his date's body heat, the blond took Noctis' hand carefully, making sure to avoid his injuries, and led him further into the garden. They left behind the glowing party lights in exchange for a more dimly lit maze of leafy pathways decorated by occasional hanging lanterns and white lattice arches. "Follow me!" he exclaimed excitedly.
"It sure is nice out here," Noctis commented quietly, looking around and enjoying the sweet scent of greenery carried in the gentle breeze of fresh night air.
"Sure is! But it should soon be time, so we better hurry!" Prompto chirped, picking up their pace as he eagerly pulled Noct behind him. "Must find the perfect spot…" the blond murmured to himself as he guided the Prince through the overgrowth toward the far end of the school property where they came upon an old playground. "Oh, this'll be perfect!" the Prompto squeaked happily.
Noctis chuckled to himself behind the blond, and Prompto turned to him with a sweet, questioning expression.
"...Could get used to this," the Prince admitted. "You taking the lead." He raised their joined hands in illustration.
Prompto responded with a sweet, flush-faced chuckle. "You looking for a little power play, Noct? Really didn't have you down as the type," he winked, and then laughed even harder at the shocked, embarrassed look on the Prince's pale features. "Kidding, Noct, kidding. Don't have an aneurysm," he teased.
"How can someone who looks so innocent be so..." Noctis began, trailing off.
"So damn sexy? I don't know, man. It's a mystery," Prompto suggested airily, before melting into self-conscious giggles. Noctis let go of his hand and gave him an affectionate shove, watching the sprightly blond trot over to the extensive and statuesque jungle gym, turning to beckon him close, before shimmying up the red bars of the climbing frame towards a flat, wooden platform some twelve feet off of the ground.
"Okay, hold up," Noctis told him, raising his hands in rejection. "I had to get out of bed for this. There is no way I'm exercising as well."
"I promise you won't regret it," laughed Prompto, making it to the top of the perch and evaluating the vantage point whilst brushing the dust from his suit. "Yep, this should work," he whispered enthusiastically under his breath.
"Hey! You gotta see the view from up here," Prompto called back to Noctis who was shuffling reluctantly toward the metal handle bars, contemplating the climb. "Come on up, your Highness!" The blond offered an encouraging smile and extended a hand down to support the Prince's ascent. Noctis hesitantly took a hold of the bars and started pulling himself awkwardly upward.
"This suit is definitely not made for climbing," the Prince muttered, feeling the seams of the expensive, fitted fabric bunch and strain in the most uncomfortable places as he ascended. Prompto solidly gripped the raven-haired teen's arm, hoisting him up onto the rickety weathered platform, giving him one final tug to get him topside.
"Oomph!" squawked the blond, toppling backward underneath the Prince.
"S-sorry!" stammered Noctis, flushed with embarrassment. He quickly rolled off of his friend into a sitting position against one of the faded wooden walls engraved with years of student initials and other assorted graffiti.
"Heh, it's ok," Prompto laughed shyly, rubbing the hurt from his tailbone and scooching over to sit beside his Prince.
"So, uh...hmm," Noctis suddenly murmured, his husky voice raised slightly in interest. Prompto followed his gaze, and watched the Prince run a finger over the well-worn indents of the wood behind him, scratched with the marks of scores of students over scores of years. Some were glossy and deep, some barely scraped through the top surface of the wood, the faded ink of a ballpoint pen still evident, still managing to survive Insomnia's sometimes-volatile elements.
"You gonna vandalise it, Noct? Hey, put, 'The KING was here, bitches!'" Prompto chuckled, nudging his best friend with his shoulder.
Noctis made a face, pondering exaggeratedly. "I gotta better idea," he grinned, abruptly pushing his fingers into the pocket of Prompto's dress trousers, rummaging. "Where is it, I know you have one."
"Woah, dude!" the blond exclaimed sharply, trying to bat Noct's hand away. "What are you doing?"
"You always carry weird junk around with you. I know you gotta penknife."
"And you think I brought it to prom?"
"You did, didn't you." Noctis told him flatly, barely even enunciating it as a question.
"...Well...yeah. Hey, you never know when weird junk might be useful! Like, right now for instance," Prompto shrugged, retrieving his mini, fold-up penknife and giving it to Noctis, who looked smugly victorious, unfolding the small blade.
"You're a nerd, Prom." He ended his statement with a quick kiss to his best friend's warm, freckled cheek.
"Yeah, and you love it," joked the blond, but the Prince was now directing all his attention toward the letters he was whittling into the age-worn wood, his tongue peeking out between his lips the way it always did when he was deep in concentration.
Prompto couldn't help but look on in amusement while Noct was completely absorbed in his work, the letters beginning to take shape – N.L.C.
"Hey, no peeking til I'm finished," the Prince commanded, glancing up momentarily to shoot Prompto a stern look.
"Ha! Sure thing, your Highness!" Prompto obediently looked away toward the stars overhead. It was a beautiful night. As he relaxed and enjoyed the deliciously sweet smell of foliage combined with the subtle scent of Noctis, he couldn't help but ponder how there was nowhere else in the world he'd rather be. He set his head back against the wood and began counting constellations while the Prince worked diligently creating his masterpiece.
"There. That should do it," announced Noct after several minutes of comfortable silence, interrupted only by the consistent creak of scored wood and sharp metal.
"Do I have permission to look, your Highness?" Prompto asked, playfully holding his palms over his eyes and fidgeting with excitement.
"Go for it," came the Prince's laconic instruction, and he shifted aside slightly, chewing back an amused, and somewhat self-conscious grin.
With a musical chuckle, Prompto turned melodramatically, and the turbulent squall of different expressions that tried to inhabit his elfin features all at once was a delight to watch. Noct scratched his own softly-spiked hair awkwardly, as the blond gaped at him.
"Noct, like...seriously?"
Noctis spared a glance at his handiwork, a simple carving of their initials, framed by a slightly wonky heart-shape. He flicked away some sawdust from the wounded wood distractedly.
"I...of course. I mean...that's why we're here...isn't it?" he asked, voice croaking a little from anxiety.
A faint blush adorned the Prince's cheeks as he nervously fiddled with the penknife, tucking the blade away and shoving it into his pocket where he fidgeted with it some more as he awaited Prompto's response.
"Y-yeah, I… I guess it is," Prompto said timidly, trying to quell the surge of emotion welling up inside his chest like a storm trying to burst free. He honestly couldn't remember a time in his life when he'd ever felt this happy. Did he really deserve this?
"Hey, hey," Noct moved closer, looking concerned and using his thumb to gently wipe away the single tear that had escaped the wet pools forming in Prompto's sapphire eyes.
"Oh! Sorry," Prompto sniffed, embarrassed. He hadn't even realized he'd started crying. He quickly rubbed his eyes, and smiled at Noct. "Don't worry, I'm just… really happy is all."
"Dude, I always worry about you. Especially when you start crying when I'm trying to be all romantic," Noctis shrugged in an exaggerated and entirely play-acted show of indignance. "But I...I'm sorry if that was too much. Shit, I mean...that's gonna be there for a long time," the brunette laughed huskily, running one pale hand through the sleek, soft hair that obscured his merry eyes.
"It's ok. It's not too much," Prompto said smiling. He stared at Noctis' creation, tracing a single finger absent-mindedly around the simple, carved heart. "I like it. A lot," he added.
"Well, that's good, because I do too," the Prince smiled, gripping his palms against Prompto's smooth cheeks and forcing the blond to meet his intense gaze. "I'm serious, you know. This is real. And I want the world to know about us, Prom."
"Don't worry, they will once they see tomorrow's newspaper," laughed the blond nervously.
"Good," the raven-haired teen mumbled right before their lips met in a long-awaited kiss.
Noctis suckled gently, and briefly on Prompto's thin lips, distantly fancying that maybe the taste of him was partly influenced by a lifetime of laughter that had dampened and melted and settled on that mouth. Not nearly enough laughter, as far as Noctis was concerned. Prompto had had a rough start in life and still practically had more hang-ups than Noctis could count. He hoped, one day, somehow, to remedy that.
"...I bet you could have taken a better photo of us than that guy," the Prince mused, thinking back to the dumbstruck photographer, who was probably already back in his paper's headquarters, unable to believe his luck and the staff getting screamed at to push the next morning's edition through ASAP.
"Well, I'd certainly like to try some time," smiled Prompto.
At that moment, several loud booms resounded above them, the vibrations almost strong enough to shake their rickety platform, while the night sky lit up with a spectacular mix of colourful petals exploding and spilling down across the darkness.
"Ah! This is it!" announced the blond happily, looking toward the fireworks and throwing his arm around Noctis' shoulder as the sounds and bright colours exploded in successively impressive bursts, growing larger and more extraordinary by the minute.
"Is...is this...?" Noctis trailed off, his soft and husky voice made higher-pitched with awe, and his words would have been barely audible to Prompto over the explosive fireworks directly overhead, if the Prince hadn't been tucked so close to him. "...This was Iggy? Gotta say, this is better than cookbooks," Noctis chortled, edging closer still to the blond, bumping their hips together. Noctis cringed slightly, as if expecting the neon sparks from the fireworks above them to rain down in some kind of fiery, skin-searing precipitation.
"Yep, this is all thanks to Ignis. We really wanted to make this night special for you, ya know. Especially since it's supposed to be 'the best night ever' and all", Prompto chuckled, recollecting what Noctis had once said about the prom.
"It is," Noctis confessed. "The best night ever, I mean," he added bashfully.
Prompto beamed and leaned his head gently against Noctis' shoulder. The two sat like that for a while, nestled into one another, fully captivated by the incredible display unfolding across the night sky. The fireworks were grander than anything they'd ever seen before at any of the summer festivals or New Year's celebrations. It was impressive, to say the least. Ignis must have certainly gone all out to set this up.
"It's beautiful," the blond said with awe after a single loud boom sent a sky full of gold, glittering hearts trickling downward.
"Sure is."
Prompto turned to look at his Prince, who was now gazing at him softly, the shower of sparkles reflecting in his eyes.
Noctis licked his lips quickly, opening his mouth to speak, and then grimacing with an irritated smile as he was rudely interrupted by the monumental bang of a blue-green, star-shaped firework overhead, crackling into aqua sparks before fading into black nothingness. Barely a second later, a deep yellow spiralling explosion, like a giant, incandescent pinwheel, fizzed hundreds of feet over their heads.
"Prom, look, I wanna tell you something...Uh..." Noctis muttered, shifting on the hard wood platform and clearing his throat as he visibly planned his next words.
"Shall I give you a minute?" Prompto teased him tenderly.
"Shut up! I'm getting there, don't interrupt me," Noctis scowled, but amusement glowed in his downcast eyes and flushed cheeks nevertheless. "Look, I'm kinda crap at this stuff. I'm lucky I can form whole sentences half the time, especially when you're around, making me all tongue-tied," he admitted, letting out a soft huff of laughter. "But...you did all this for me. Well, I'd kinda like to think that it's for us. I didn't, uh...I really didn't have anyone I could call a friend before. At least, nobody who hung around me just because they liked my company. And I'm...I'm dreading all the stuff I'm gonna have to do after school. Scares the shit out of me, actually," he confessed quietly, eyes down and silvery-black hair shielding his expression. "But I...I think that maybe I could handle it. As long as you're with me."
Prompto took a shallow, shaky breath to speak, his eyes pained and supplicating all at once. The Prince held up one hand, silencing the inevitable flood of words from his friend.
"What I'm trying to say, is, uh...well, you know. Thank you. For everything. I don't...know what I'd do without you. Life would be...kinda empty," Noctis shrugged, clearing his throat self-consciously. "I have no idea if that's what love is, but...if not, I reckon it's close enough," the brunette shrugged, finally lifting his cautious gaze to look upon his friend, fingers fidgeting restlessly.
"Noct, I…" Prompto paused for a moment, finding himself at a loss for words after his best friend's confession. Their years of friendship were finally coming full circle, the intricately-shaped pieces of their puzzle all falling into place. Everything just felt… so right. Still, his hands were shaking, his heart pounding as he swallowed hard to try and steady his voice before he spoke once more.
"Noct, I should be the one thanking you. I mean, you know everything you said just now? It's exactly how I feel too. Before we started hanging out, I was always alone. But now, with you, I feel like life is worth living. These past couple of weeks really made me realize that. I'm not so good at this confession stuff either, and I can't say I've ever been in love before now, but when you're not around, I know it hurts. Right here," added the blond, pressing Noct's hand to his chest. "I was always afraid to let myself believe that it could work out like this. For us, I mean. I've been waiting all night to wake up from this amazing dream, cause I just can't help thinking that I don't deserve this. I don't deserve you. You're a Prince, for cryin' out loud! And I'm just… nothing, really."
"Stop right there," Noctis interrupted, pressing his finger firmly against Prompto's thin lips. "You are not nothing. You are special. You're my best friend and the only person in all of Eos that really matters to me. I want us to be together, Prom. Plus, you should know by now, I don't make time for just any old loser. You gotta start realizing that if you're gonna be my boyfriend."
"Heh, sorry," the blond laughed sweetly. "It might take some getting used to, but I'll try to remember that," he quipped with a smile. "And boyfriend, huh? I think I like the sound of that!"
"Me too," said Noct, flashing a confident grin. "Now come here, boyfriend."
The teens barely noticed the fireworks show above them as it drew to a spectacular close. They sat in each other's arms beneath the stars, their lips locking together in an endless waltz of perfect kisses while everything else outside of their embrace faded away.