"This is embarrassing."

"Dude, it's not that bad."

"Oh really? This is the most compromising position I have ever been in."

"I highly doubt that, lofty guy like you, a lot of people have probably seen you in more embarrassing positions."

"Only if they pay for it, which you totally haven't might I add."

"Oh believe me, I will. In kind."

Prompto walked forward towards Noctis, camera gripped tightly in his hand. He stared his new best friend down scrutinizing his every feature as only the trained eye of a photographer could. What started out as an early morning sun was now climbing high into blazing afternoon heat, beating down on both the blond and his raven-haired compatriot. Sweat dripped down both of them in glistening streaks, and while Prompto didn't seem the least bit bothered by it, Noctis however was nearly dying, especially considering the very form fitting three piece suit he was currently sporting, compared to Prompto's tank top and jeans. Holding one pose for what felt like an eternity, and in a public area, was far far more demoralizing and exhausting than he had ever thought.

Noct had done photoshoots before, but he quickly came to realize that none of his older photographers were like Prompto. You can see the passion on some photographers even while they do their job, it was something he had never experienced before or really understood what was quite happening. He hadn't spoken much unless it was to guide Noctis or pose him in different ways. Even at the beginning, he spent maybe an hour framing him in the space Noct had chosen (in the middle of a busy park between two strong looking Oak trees), and waiting until the light just started hitting Noctis "just right." Whatever that meant. As far as he was concerned everything Prompto was saying or doing might as well be French to him for all he gleaned from it.

As far as the shoot actually went, Prompto was the one who approached Noctis. Something he'd never really done. There wasn't even really a reason for it, it's not like Meteor Publishing was running an article on Caelum Enterprises or their many different endeavours, and it wasn't as if Caelum Enterprises, in turn, needed Noctis photographed for any particular reason. And even if they were, they had their own company approved photographers for those purposes. No all this was was Prompto trying to get his groove back, at least that's what he said it was. Truthfully, if you asked him what it actually was, it would be a way to artificially try and create more time with Noctis, despite Noct willingly wanting to hang out with him. He knew it, he knew this was unnecessary, he knew that if he just asked Noctis out to a beer he would readily accept. Why the excuses?

If you asked? Well to put it simply, he didn't know.

This seemed easier, despite being much more difficult. This seemed more personal, despite them not speaking ninety percent of the time. It seemed so much more intimate, despite the spaces between them.

This also gave Prompto an excuse reason to give Noctis lingering touches. Even if this was a) an entirely subconscious want and b) it came in the form of posing him.

Which just so happened to be what he was doing right now. He tried his hardest to not do this so often so as to freak Noctis out, though it was getting harder and harder every time he did so. Prompto let go of his camera letting it dangle from the strap around his neck, bringing his hands up to his shoulders, very lightly he brought his hands down and with very little force brought Noctis' shoulders down as well. "You need to look more relaxed man, you look like you took a giant breath and never let go," he said softly, giving him a small smile. If Prompto took a second longer to linger on Noctis' face before he walked back to his perch on a nearby park bench, he would have seen a light pink dusting across Noctis' face.

"Fine, I'll relax more," Noctis said flippantly, "What kind of reward am I getting for this anyways?"

"Hmm… food?" Admittedly Prompto hadn't even thought of a reward, despite having promised one. But to be fair to himself, Prompto always thought food was more than a fitting payment for anything that payment was required for.

"Food? Okay no. I'm calling Ignis and Gladio, we're having a boys night out." Noct had something that looked like annoyance mixed with smugness as he folded his arms over his chest.

"B-bar hopping?" He looked above his camera, none to pleased with the words that had just escaped his friends lips. Why his mind went straight to bar hopping? Out of pure absolute fear. If there was one thing Prompto didn't do very well, it was hold his drink.

"Yeah, bar hopping works, thanks for that!" Prompto inwardly punched himself for giving him the idea. The tone in his voice suggested more irritation than his face let on, thus being very confusing for Prompto. "The last time we went out drinking was when I first met you, and I don't think you've actually hung out with Ignis and Gladio since."

"Not true! Gladio came by to drop of Ignis' lunch one day. Remember I told you, he put the fear of The Astrals in me!"

Noctis sighed, cooly moving over to the blond, completely forgetting the rest of this impromptu photoshoot. "I get it, it's kind of terrifying right?"

"H-huh? What are you-"

"Man, sit." Prompto didn't know why but he found himself incapable of disobeying Noctis, he sat almost immediately after the words left Noct's mouth. He sat by him and took a moment before he spoke, "I understand okay? You barely know them, you only met me like two months ago. I understand. You take a while to get used to shit right?" Prompto nodded a little lamely, how had he already figured this out? "I get it. I do. And, I don't know man, but I think hanging out with all of us at once will help, y'know? They left kind of strong impressions and I get that, fuck even I was surprised when they first got together! But they're probably my best friends in the whole world, and I know for damn sure they can be yours too."

Prompto didn't know if he was supposed to be invigorated to go out, or to cry at the thought of messing up. What if Ignis and Gladio didn't like him? What if he fucked up so horribly none of them would ever talk to him again? He could see this was important to Noctis though, and shit he knew he was right. He couldn't just keep hiding away from them.

He sighed a little louder than he meant to, his shoulders straightening as he turned to look at Noctis. "Yeah you're right man. Okay, bar hopping. We'll all pick one. Starting with you." The smile on his face could light up the whole city, and that was more than enough reason for Prompto.

This type of place wasn't Prompto's usual haunt. There were places similar to this that he liked, and that he planned on choosing once it became his turn, but they were more lively than this. Here the same electro beat played over and over again, while everyone danced mindlessly to it. He liked places that had a sense of community, and he was sure to bring the boys somewhere he was sure they'd never experienced before. He'd been to this kind of place maybe a few times in his life, especially when Cindy was a part of it, but never in his heart of hearts did he peg Noctis for a place like this. When he looked over his shoulder though, he could see him clearly, dancing just as energetically as everyone else in this place. Was this his real self? He seemed so excited and drenched in his sweat, his white shirt near transparent at this point.

Prompto had to look away.

He had found a nice lonely corner of the bar, nursing a cocktail, some fancy nonsense Noctis got him. It tasted like it was made out of pure sugar, but he knew better than that. This is the kind of stuff that got you fucked up. Not that he was complaining, he probably needed at least one of these before he joined the rest of his respective friend group on the dance floor. Even Ignis and Gladio seemed like they were having a great time, dancing close and deliberately against each other. Prompto got nervous again, he felt his heart rate go up. He didn't want to admit he wanted something like that, but here he was practically coveting it. He looked away again, a jealous expression on his face, and a blush creeping up over his features. Dammit! How was this so hard!

He didn't know how long he had been sitting at his spot, but apparently it was long enough for a sweaty and aroused looking Ignis to join him. If there was one person he absolutely did not expect this from, it was him. He always seemed so stuffy and uptight at work, so seeing him so loose and playful was quite the shock to Prompto's system. "Wow! I haven't danced like that since I was… probably your age!" He gave the blond a half smile that only looked slightly off kilter as he breathed out a laugh. "But you are that age, why aren't you out there?"

Prompto bit his lip for a moment contemplating why exactly he wasn't out there. "I'm scared," he said finally. Ignis got himself a beer as he looked to urge Prompto on. "I haven't been to a club in so long. It seems so foreign. Like I don't belong here, man. It's not even like I'm not an energetic dancer! Places like this just don't do it for me I guess."

"Tell Noctis then, this is supposed to be bar hopping, we've been here well over a few dances." Ignis continued to sound so matter-of-fact while he looked so flushed and out of breath. Prompto couldn't help but wonder more about what Ignis and Gladio were like together.

"Man, I can't! Look at how much fun he's having! And besides it would be a damn shame if he drug me all the way out here, made me put on my best weekend outfit, and I didn't even try to give this a go again!" He wanted to try and dance with Noctis once, dance with him like Ignis did with Gladio. Close and intimate, sharing the music through them. He used to be that, he used to be able to get into this so easily! What happened?

"That is true, you need to loosen up," he laughed as he said that, looking Prompto in the eye. He had to admit, the brunette had some fantastic eyes. Like they saw straight through you.

"Ha! It's funny that you say that, I thought someone would be telling you that."

Ignis feigned shock, bringing his hand to his chest as he gasped exaggeratedly. "Excuse you, I'm the life of any party!" He laughed softly, bringing an arm around Prompto's shoulder. "Can I tell you a secret though?"

"Of course man, on my life I promise I won't tell the whole office," Prompto laughed, clinking his glass against Ignis'. He hadn't even touched his draft yet.

"Yeah, sure you won't," Ignis threw him a playful glance as he wrapped both hands around his pint glass. "When I was younger," he started, "I would have to be told something like that. I was so uptight and stuffy. I always had my collar too tight around my neck, and having a friend like Noctis is no easy task. Nor is it very… relaxing, one could say." Prompto was starting to understand that, but it was an exhaustion he felt like he wanted around him all the time. "That was until I met Gladio. Noct introduced us, and honestly I thought that he and I couldn't be more opposite. I must have been just around your age when we were introduced." His tone took on something a little more calm, but with a little heat peppered onto his words. "I hated him. I hated Gladio something fierce. But in the end I found we had so much more in common than I thought. He's so so much more. He helped me a lot, get more out of my shell, more accepting of the world around me and the things in my life. Especially Noctis. I know you're scared right now, but I promise the bravery is in you somewhere."

Prompto laughed softly, taking another sip of his cocktail just after. "Are you saying I need a Gladio in my life?"

"Maybe," Ignis laughed in turn, "Or some immovable force to move you." He near inhaled the rest of his pint, standing up shortly after, no doubt to join Gladio on the dance floor once more. "Or who knows, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you are your own immovable force." Ignis walked away after that, not before giving Prompto a kind smile. He never in a million years would have expected to get a pep talk about loosening up about life, from Ignis. He figured you couldn't judge everyone accurately. It would be so boring if you could.

He thought about his words though. What did he mean by that? That he was his own immovable force. Like he was artificially stunting himself? That was the best explanation Prompto could come up with, even though it seemed a little strange to be saying after a pep talk. He knew already what was stopping him, but how do you jump a hurdle that seems sixty feet high? He looked over his shoulder again, the DJ was now playing something a little slower, and so much more sexy. It seemed like everyone in the club was paired up, grinding all of themselves upon each other. He even caught Ignis and Gladio getting up close and personal in this club with each other. He couldn't find Noctis though. It seemed he disappeared from his line of sight. Prompto sighed, taking another drink. He didn't know if this was better or worse.

"Hey!" Prompto shot up out of his reverie, seeing Noctis next to him, looking quite bored. He looked so ethereal, bathed in the blue light of the bar spotlights above him. He wished he had his camera, or thought to get his phone out. "Let's dance." Noctis turned his head slightly, making eye contact with him.

Those eyes, they were so entrancing. Prompto easily felt like he could fall into them forever. "W-what? To this?" He asked rather meekly, still loud enough for Noctis to hear though. He hadn't even gotten an answer before he could feel his heart rate picking up. A hammering pace beating away in his chest.

"Yeah, to this. I'm feeling kind of… saucy." He gave him a playful looking smirk as he started to body roll, badly.

Now he got it. Noctis was making fun of it, maybe. He looked so serious at first, like he actually wanted to dance with Prompto. All the blond could do was laugh, down what was left of his drink as he joined Noctis. "Oh baby," he growled exaggeratedly, "Smooth like chunky peanut butter."

"You better fuckin' believe it man. They call me Rocky Road because I'm so damn smooth," Noctis laughed back as he started to dance in the most dorky way possible to this sexy song. It was all rolling hips and arms everywhere, and a funny looking pout on his face.

Even when he was trying to look dorky, Prompto thought he was sexy. Funny yeah, but he couldn't help but think of those hips rolling against his seriously. He joined in though, giving strangely timed hip thrusts and chest pops, moving closer and closer to Noctis until everyone around them knew they were just two crazy fucks. The only people in the whole club who found them funny were them. Eventually they had grabbed onto each other, doing a strangely awkward version of a salsa, it was mistimed, it was mismatched, but it was so funny to them.

It was so hilarious, they honestly could not stop laughing. At the end of the song, Noctis dipped Prompto way too far back for it to look even the least bit sexy. The song changed, but they stayed. They were hilarious! "Oh man Noct," Prompto breathed as he got up, "I think you just gave me the sexiest dance I've had since the eighth grade!"

"Always my aim babe, giving people the best worst they've ever had." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively before falling to another fit of laughs.

He got his wish in the end, he got a dance with Noctis, and while it wasn't the dance he quite wanted, he was happy with it all the same. He laughed with Noctis in earnest, grabbing onto his shoulder tightly, bringing himself closer than he thought. It honestly was just what he needed. How did he manage to do that? How did Noctis manage to do that to him? It was nearly unprecedented, something like this only happened once in a blue moon to him. They were still cracking jokes about their amazing performance when someone had bumped into Prompto, who knocked both himself and Noctis against a wall. The music started picking up again, people pushing and pulling onto the dance floor, effectively trapping them there.

While he had no complaints, after the laughter died down Prompto found he had also gotten another thing he didn't know he wanted. To be flushed completely chest to chest with Noctis. His breath got shorter, his heart rate picked up once more, and his eyes went wide. He hoped against hope Noctis couldn't feel his heartbeat practically hammering against his chest, but all he could see was contentedness in the other man's eyes. God, those eyes. A sheepish laugh escaped Prompto's lips, barely inaudible as his breath started to leave him. He tried calming himself down by breathing faster, but that did nothing but make him more anxious. What was Noctis thinking? What was he doing still, not moving to try and move away? Noctis had to think he was a freak for this, he hadn't moved at all since they got pinned.

But the only thing you could see on the dark haired mans face was a half lidded aroused stare, Prompto didn't quite notice, he was too busy thinking about what Noctis was thinking about all of this. His own eyes were wide, his lips pursed together like someone glued them together. They juxtaposed each other like fire and ice, and it was nearly enough to send Prompto over the edge into panic town.

If he hasn't already branded me for not moving, I bet he thinks it's weird that I'm just fucking staring at him. Wait, fuck no it's definitely because I'm not moving. Like I could have probably moved away by this point. Maybe he blames me? I mean I did bump into him, only because someone bumped into me! Oh my god, he probably didn't see that, what the hell do I do? He looks so fucking… oh man. How does someone look so effortlessly sexy? I just wanna lean into him... Oh god he totally feels my heart beat right now. I know he does. How could he not. Fuck he must think I wanted this! It feels so nice though, to have him here with me like this… He probably doesn't see it that way though. He probably thinks I'm some awkward asshole who's keeping him here because of my own perverted fantasies. Fuck! Fuck fuck fuck! What do I do? How do I-

"You look amazing tonight man, like really. You clean up well," Noctis said softly, right next to his ear. His breath smelled strongly minty, but just the sentence enough was to snap Prompto out of his thoughts. His heart kept beating quickly, he could feel the lights in the room become a blur of motion, the air getting thicker and thicker between them by the second. He still hadn't said anything, how long had it been since Noctis said that? Did he wait too long? All Noct was doing was fucking smiling this absolutely stupid, sexy, soft smile at him. Did he even realize what he was doing?

"Uhh… y-you flatter me t-too much man. I don't look anything special… You though. Damn man, if I didn't know better I would think you were trying to seduce me." FUCK FUCK THAT WAS DEFINITELY THE WRONG THING TO SAY. What the hell is wrong with me? He probably thinks I'm fucking selfish, he doesn't have to do shit for me! Prompto's mind ran a mile a minute in rhythm with his heart. Every scenario ran through in his mind as to what Noctis would say next, all of it was negative.

"I think you got me pegged man. This is all for you baby." He sounded so smooth and low, like he did it intentionally. And the way he called him baby, fuck Prompto might have jumped him right then if he didn't know better. All he wanted was for their mouths to collide in a hot wet kiss. All he did was have his voice break in the middle of a laugh. What was this, High School?

"Yeah, I bet you tell that to all the guys who get you pinned to a wall. Totally by accident by the way! Someone bumped into me and I just… I didn't have the foresight to stop it and… Fuck man I don't know I'm sorry. This is probably so awkward for you." He didn't even mean to say any of that, he just did completely unsure behind every word coming out of his mouth. Was this even the right thing to do?

If anything, Noctis looked kind of taken aback. As if he didn't want to hear any of that. Of course that was probably just him overthinking his every move again. "I knew it was an accident man, it's okay… If it's uncomfortable for you we can try and-"

"No!" He knew how that came out, like he was desperate for any form of contact between him and Noctis. "I-I mean… no man it-it's okay. I don't mind too much y'know? Heh… i-it's like we have our own corner of the club, right?"

"Huh, I guess you're right. And I'm more than happy to stuck here with you than anyone else." His tone went back to normal, there was no more of that low, breathy, almost groaning volume Prompto thought he was using before. Back to normal! He wasn't mad! Huzzah!

Then why did he feel so bad? Why did it feel wrong to have changed it?

The crowd let up soon after, one DJ going on break and another coming back in to sub for him. During the down time Noctis and Prompto finally split apart, walking back over to the bar. He couldn't help but feel like he'd just done or said something wrong again, like he fucked up. He knew he didn't, it was probably just his anxiety acting up again. His heart rate hadn't gone down still, so he figured that must be what it was. Noctis seemed so quiet, he was no more quiet than usual, so why did he feel this way?

What did I fuck up this time?

As they headed back up to the bar, Prompto had got a good look of both Gladio and Ignis. Their faces were flushed, either from dancing or from something else, he didn't know. Sweat covered every inch of them and they seemed to be the slightest bit out of breath. Ignis looked up at Gladio while he sat down, having a similar expression to the one Noctis had on earlier, but this time Prompto knew exactly what it meant. He put an arm in front of Noctis before he could say anything and pulled out his phone. They were a ways away, just at the edge of the bar top while Gladio and Ignis were in the middle, but that was okay. The lighting was beautiful back here, and the yellow spotlights seemed to cascade over the pair gracefully. He took the shot quickly before showing Noctis the photo he just took. "I'll show it to them later, after I've touched it up a bit. Gotten rid of the red back lighting and some of the people back behind them. D'you think they'd like it?"

"Yeah, I think they would," Noctis replied, giving Prompto a gentle smile. "You really have such a fantastic talent."

A blush crept over Prompto's face at the compliment, but he knew he was right. He did have a talent. "I'm glad you think so, at least one of us does. I'll give you your photo's soon too okay?"

"Haha yeah! I almost forgot about that! For sure, but you gotta promise me one thing."

"And what's that?"

"I want at least one to have one massive dragon photoshopped behind me."

"Ha! Deal!"

"What's so funny?" Gladio piped up, the two having already reached within earshot of them.

"Oh Prompto had me do a sexy photoshoot for him, and I told him to give me a massive 'dragon', if you know what I mean." Noctis waggled his eyebrows up and down, not unlike he had before.

"W-what no that's not-"

"Oh, you finally found yourself someone as skinny as you! Maybe with your combined body weight you can even feel warm while ya sleep," he chided, giving Noctis a hard pinch on the cheek.

"Gladdy don't forget Dino though," Prompto couldn't help but notice the blush on Noctis' face as Ignis spoke, "He was about as lithe as I am."

"Difference is, poor 'Prince' Noctis likes to be on top, he couldn't handle that at all." Gladio and Ignis both laughed as the blush on Noctis' face grew deeper and deeper.

"G-guy's maybe our friend here doesn't want to hear about my previous partners," Noctis said sounding incredibly embarrassed.

"Previous? Ha! A better word would be 'on again off again'!"

"Be careful, Noct, he is in town last I heard," Ignis couldn't help but put on a strange smile as he pushed up his glasses. Noctis turned immediately giving him a pointed glare.

"Uhhh guys," Prompto finally spoke up, trying to cut the tension of the whole conversation, and save Noctis from further embarrassment, and truth be told, he didn't actually want to hear about Noctis' partners, previous or otherwise. "Shouldn't we be heading out to the next bar?"

Noctis immediately spoke up, moving over to side with Prompto. "Yeah! We should! Gladio, it's your turn!"

"Heh, fine by me."

As both Gladio and Ignis walked towards the door to call a car, Prompto tried to approach Noctis. He didn't know what to say, and the man was clearly still feeling the earlier teasing. "H-hey… you okay?"

Noctis didn't respond, he just nodded his head, a sour expression still on his face. He too left towards the door, Prompto following shortly after.