Housemates, a Final Fantasy XV fanfic by Raberba girl
Chapter 9 - Household Chores (part 3)
[rough draft 2]
*The new chapter posted on 15 April 2023 is actually "Chapter 8 - The Stalker."
o.o.o
They all took a quiet moment to process and finish what was left of their cake and ice cream. Then Prompto ventured, "Ignis, what you and Gladio were saying about the housework. I was thinking... You're good at scheduling and stuff, right? Maybe if we kind of...assigned chores to people, it might be easier than just expecting people to do their part without, like, defining what 'their part' is."
"Ah," Ignis said, perking up a little. He reached down to take out a folder from a bag under the table and held it for a moment. "I realize that this might have been excessive by 'normal' standards, but I did take the liberty of drawing up a proposal for the housework arrangements."
Noct tried not to be too obvious about rolling his eyes. Typical Ignis overkill, but at least it wasn't hurting anything. Gladio, too, was smiling a little bit as he shook his head. After glancing at them as if to gauge their reaction, Prompto said, "Um, sounds cool."
Ignis cleared his throat and opened the folder, laying a sheet of paper on the table. "These are the chores that need to be done on a regular basis, grouped by area and frequency, then prioritized." The paper contained neat lists of daily and weekly kitchen, bathroom, and general house chores, with a couple of other things noted on the side. "I think it's reasonable to expect each of us to be responsible for our own bedrooms and our own laundry," Ignis said, tapping at the corresponding note.
Noct internally groaned, but didn't dare show his dismay since it was a fair assumption. Oh well; he already hired a service to clean his clothes whenever he procrastinated on them long enough to run out of things to wear, and the bedroom was easier to keep up with now that Prompto was living in there, too. "Though in your case, Prompto," Ignis went on, "I would be happy to continue ironing your clothes."
Prompto blinked, then gasped. "Oh! Crap, I'm so sorry, Ignis, I forgot I have a room now, you don't need to-"
"I would like to," Ignis said. "It gives me satisfaction to see you looking your best, and I actually rather enjoy domestic work. What I have been objecting to is the lack of fairness and feeling like I've been taken for granted, but that was never a problem with you."
"Oh," Prompto whispered.
Noct, leaning his chin on one hand, said, "So you're gonna keep ironing Prompto's clothes just because he's your favorite?"
Ignis's smile was sharp as he said shamelessly, "Indeed."
"Aaahhh," Prompto whimpered, but Noct felt more amused than anything. He had no qualms about showing blatant favoritism to Prompto, either.
"Now," Ignis went on, "perhaps this is unreasonable of me, but I feel very strongly about claiming the kitchen chores." Most of the tasks in the kitchen section were already highlighted in green and marked with the letter I next to each line. "It will be easier for me to relax my standards with the rest of the house if I am permitted to have complete control over the kitchen."
"You're a weirdo, but I can live with that," Gladio said. "Dibs on the trash."
"That includes the recycling and organic waste, too," Ignis said.
"Yeah, I know," Gladio huffed, "and the bathroom wastebasket." He studied the list. "I can do the floors, too." Ignis highlighted 'Take out rubbish,' 'Sweep,' 'Mop,' and 'Vacuum' in pink and wrote the letter G next to each line.
"I can do the bathroom," Prompto offered. Ignis considered this a moment, then highlighted most of the bathroom tasks in yellow.
Noct felt a little desperate as he looked at the list, trying to find something that didn't look totally exhausting. He acknowledged some obligatory gratitude toward his roommates for claiming all the hardest stuff, but even what was left just seemed like too much on top of school and laundry and depression and insomnia and chronic pain. He felt like a jerk for wanting to duck out and throw money at the problem, but he honestly didn't think he could handle housework. "Guys, cleaning uses up a lot of spoons. Can I please pay someone to make up the difference?"
"At least pick one token chore," Gladio said, a little too forcefully to be a suggestion.
Noct looked at Prompto for help, but he just shrugged apologetically.
Noct took a breath and looked back at the list. He could do one, right? He still had his doubts about succeeding, but it was more than fair. "I can...dust," he said finally decided. Ignis gave him an unimpressed look, maybe because dusting was marked as both low priority and weekly rather than daily, but he highlighted it in blue.
"I suppose I can take the windows as well, and the bathroom mirror," Ignis said, switching to the green highlighter. "I'll add the hand towels to my own laundry, and you all ought to wash your bath towels with yours."
"Sounds fair," Gladio said.
"Should we have assigned laundry days, so we don't get in each other's way?" Prompto wondered.
"Yes," Ignis said immediately.
"I mostly get mine done at the manor," Gladio said, "but sure, I use the machine here from time to time." The three of them quickly claimed days of the week to do their laundry on, and Noct picked at random from what was left even though he doubted he'd be using the washing machine very often.
"One more thing," Ignis said, and Noct repressed the impulse to growl. "Noctis- Noct, I think it's reasonable to ask you to please clean up after your cats, if you insist on keeping them in the house."
"I'll help you," Prompto said quickly.
"I've been cleaning up after them," Noct grumbled. That was the only chore he had any motivation for at all, dealing with the litter boxes and cleaning cat puke or pee from the floors if there were any accidents. He didn't want people getting grossed out and venting their resentment on the innocent animals.
"Oh, is that why there's constantly cat hair everywhere?" Ignis snapped, then took a breath. "Apologies for the sarcasm. I meant, I would appreciate you doing a more thorough job."
"I can do it," Prompto said again. "No worries, Noct, I got you."
"Thanks," Noct mumbled, feeling his face heat.
"Also, just to let you guys know," Gladio said, "Prompto and Ignis. Don't ever worry about housing, okay? I live in a mansion, and we've hosted long-term guests before. Even if I'm pissed at you, I'm not gonna let you get thrown out on the street. You're ever in trouble and have no place to go, we can put you up. If it really doesn't work out, I can sponsor alternate housing until you get back on your feet. Okay?"
"Yeah," Noct said quickly. "Prompto, you can totally come live with me if anything happens, okay? My parents won't mind." They'd actually probably be over the moon to meet and host Noct's one sole non-sibling friend. They already asked after Prompto during every phone call. "And..." He forced himself to say it. "Ignis, too. We have a couple of spare rooms, and...honestly, I think my mom would love you. So...same. Don't stress out about money too much, okay?"
Prompto and Ignis were both staring at them. Prompto had tears in his eyes. "Thank you," he choked out. "Thank you guys so much, that...that really helps."
"...Yes," Ignis said softly. "I doubt I will ever need the assistance, but I am truly grateful for the offer. It does ease my mind."
"Also," Gladio said, "my parents started a foundation; it's still going strong even though my dad basically handed over the reins to someone else after my mom died. If you guys are interested in trying for future scholarships, I can give your applications a little boost. Or if you ever want an internship or something at my dad's company, I can put in a good word for you."
Ignis's mouth was hanging open slightly, which was an unusual but amusing look on him. "You would do that for us? For me, I should say, after how disastrous this semester has been so far?"
Gladio shrugged. "I'm not one to hold grudges. I wouldn't want to work in the same department as you, Ig, but helping you along in life? You may be an asshole, but you're a hardworking and principled one. I'm not gonna be petty and sabotage you just 'cause we don't get along." He nodded at Prompto. "And you and me don't even have that problem, so doubly so for you."
"Can I- May I please hug you?" Prompto asked breathlessly.
Gladio laughed. "Sure, kid." Prompto wasted no time flying out of his seat and bouncing around the table to glomp Gladio, who patted his back indulgently.
When Prompto finally leaned back, smiling, Noct decided, 'Screw it.' He stood up and opened his arms. "Birthday hug from me." Prompto didn't hesitate to wrap him up in his arms, and Noct squeezed him back. Prompto was a good hugger.
Prompto then eyed Ignis, who sort of tilted his head and made a small, inviting kind of smirk. Prompto crept around the table and edged up to Ignis, then beamed when Ignis stood up and gave him a dignified embrace. When they both leaned back, Prompto turned that sunshine smile onto all of them equally. Noct put his hands in his pockets and tried not to be too obvious about basking in it.
Gladio clapped his hands together decisively. "So, we good to end the meeting?"
"I will post this in a central area," Ignis said, carefully adding 'Clean up after animals' to the general daily list and highlighting it in blue.
"You do that," Gladio said dismissively. "Time for presents."
Prompto jerked in surprise. "I thought that's what the application and housing things were."
Noct frowned. "You thought inviting you to come live with me was a birthday present?"
"We wouldn't have extended the invite to Ignis if that was the case," Gladio snorted. "No, we went shopping earlier." He headed over to his room, and Noct, hearing Ignis following behind him, hurried upstairs to retrieve his own recent purchase from his bedroom. He'd had it professionally gift-wrapped at the store.
When they all returned, Prompto was wide-eyed as he stared at the colorful packages in their hands.
"Hey, so, I don't know anything about this stuff," Gladio said, handing his box over. "I just described what I thought you'd like to the saleswoman and she picked it out, but there's a gift receipt in there. Feel free to exchange it for something better if it's not right."
"I have no idea what this could be," Prompto murmured, frowning like it was a mystery to solve instead of a surprise to discover. He inspected the box for a moment before cautiously picking at the tape and pulling off the wrapping paper without tearing it. Then he gasped.
"Huh," Noct remarked. The gift was a fancy-looking camera. Noct knew that Prompto loved taking pictures and was good at it, but for some reason, it had never occurred to him that Prompto might like a whole, actual, separate camera instead of just continuing to use his phone. Even though Prompto mentioned his old camera at least every other day. 'I'm the worst.'
"This is-?! How much was this, I can't-!" Prompto floundered, seeming almost distressed as he cradled the box in his hands.
"Don't worry about how much it cost," Gladio said firmly. "It's a gift, and I could afford it. You've talked about that old camera you loved."
"It broke," Prompto said softly, now peering at the box and reading the list of features. "Almost two years ago now..."
"Well, now you got a replacement. Like I said, feel free to exchange it if you want a different model or something. Or even just return it, if you want, and keep the money."
"No way!" Prompto looked up at Gladio, his face finally breaking out into a huge grin. "Thank you. Thank you, Gladio! If there's anything I can do for you, I know there's nothing I can do to make up for this but if there's anything you want me-"
"Kid, look up 'gift' in the dictionary sometime," Gladio interrupted, sounding slightly exasperated but still smiling.
"Now that you have a proper camera," Ignis spoke up thoughtfully, "you can start building a portfolio and taking steps to venture into professional work."
"Hah," Prompto laughed, apparently misinterpreting the suggestion as a joke. He was still pretty shy, he probably needed a lot more time to get used to the idea. Which was fine; he'd be taking plenty of photos in the meantime that he could sort through once he started considering the idea seriously.
"Here's mine," Noct said, pushing his present across the table. "It's the latest model, even newer than mine. For now, anyway."
"Oh no," Prompto breathed, but gently set the camera aside and took hold of the new gift almost reverently.
"And come on, rip the paper," Gladio said. "The wrapping's not that pretty."
Prompto looked at Ignis as if for permission to rip the wrapping paper on his own gifts. Ignis nodded, so Prompto took a breath, tucked his fingertips under the seam, and (still way too carefully) tore away the wrapping. "Oh my gosh. Noct...!" He stared at the box, then nudged up the lid to gaze at the gorgeous brand-new phone nestled inside.
"I asked them for a model with good photography features," Noct explained. He smiled wryly. "Guess that doesn't matter anymore with your spiffy new camera camera, but now you won't have to deal with those annoying glitches anymore, and you can download that new King's Knight mobile expansion."
"Which is the real reason he bought you a phone, of course," Gladio laughed. Noct elbowed him, trying not to blush because...it was kind of true. Of course he'd have gotten Prompto something nice and that he was interested in, anyway, but...yeah, gaming stuff might have been a factor.
"This is amazing," Prompto breathed. "I've been needing a new phone since- Noct, thank you." He leaned over and they hugged again.
When they broke apart, Ignis cleared his throat. "This is secondhand," he warned as he handed over his own gift, "obtained from an acquaintance. However, it is in very good condition and I altered it to fit you. I hope you'll find it useful."
Smiling curiously, Prompto opened the gift, then exclaimed, "Oh!" He traced a gentle fingertip over the fine fabric, then took hold of the jacket by the shoulders and held it up. "This is a real suit...wow...!"
Noct suddenly really, really wanted to see his friend in a proper suit. Prompto deserved nice things. "Try it on," he said.
Prompto blinked at him in alarm, but Gladio and Ignis both chimed in that he should do it. Prompto gathered up the outfit and took it upstairs.
"Did he not have one before?" Gladio asked.
"No," Ignis huffed. "The outfit he wore to dinner with your family was the best I could do for him with such limited time and funds, and we had to go out and buy it. The poor boy didn't even have that much when he went out on job interviews at the start of the semester."
Gladio looked concerned, and even Noct fidgeted a little in distress for his friend. He himself hated wearing suits, but he knew how unfairly critical people could be. Wearing a nice outfit at least served as a form of emotional armor, if nothing else, and in certain contexts, could help sway bias in one's favor. Prompto had it hard enough with his Niff looks and lack of confidence; having better clothes would at least give him a defensive boost against judgmental jerks.
Prompto finally came downstairs again, looking hunched and anxious.
"Shoulders back! Chin up!" Ignis called. "Remember what Gladio taught you earlier."
Prompto looked startled and straightened up on what looked like reflex, then tilted his head and put his hands in his pockets. Gladio wolf whistled. The encouragement made Prompto grin, and he relaxed a little so that the casually confident pose looked more genuine.
Noct was impressed. "Man, it does look good. Nice job, Ignis."
"The sleeves are a little too short," Ignis fussed, going over to tug Prompto's right hand out of his pocket and pick at the sleeve. "You ought to take off the wristband, it doesn't go with-" Prompto's eyes widened and he yanked his arm out of Ignis's hold, but then immediately placed his left hand in Ignis's. Ignis frowned, but fiddled with the new sleeve, barely acknowledging the interruption. "I'll have to adjust the hems."
"Thank you, Ignis," Prompto said, shoving his right hand back in his pocket. "I really, really appreciate this." He looked around at Noct and Gladio. "Thank you guys so much. This was already the best birthday I've had in ages, and now it's- You guys are amazing. Noct, I know you said your birthday was right before you moved here; what about...you guys?"
"I'll be long gone by then," Gladio said, waving a hand. "My birthday's not 'til April, and I'll probably be back at the manor next semester."
"Mine is February 7th," Ignis murmured, pushing up his glasses. "You needn't go to any trouble, any of you, just so you know."
"No way, I'm not just ignoring your birthday after everything you've done for me," Prompto said firmly.
"Yeah," Noct said, mostly just to not look like a jerk. He could get Ignis a gift card or something.
"In any case," Gladio said, "Happy Birthday, blondie." He reached out and ruffled Prompto's hair. "We're all happy for you."
Prompto smiled again. "And I'm happy because of you all."
'Freaking cinnamon roll,' Noct thought admiringly.
TBC