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The biggest rule when it comes to befriending someone—especially the prince—is that you cannot fall for them. In no way does Prompto think he has a chance with his best friend and crush
But here he is, face warm and holding a soft smile as he watches Noctis beat another quest in Assassin's Creed.
He knows it's not very subtle, the way he looks at the prince. When his eyes shine just a little more, and he can't stop the corners of his mouth from curling up ever so slightly.
It's come to a point where sometimes he even chokes on his own breath just because Noctis looked his way.
Prompto knows his crush is wrong. That he shouldn't like his best friend orthe prince. But it's fine, he can ignore it. Just put his feelings for Noctis off to the side and pretend they don't exist!
He nods to himself slightly, agreeing on his thought before Noctis pushes the controller into his hands.
"Hey take over for a sec will you? I gotta pee." He says, walking away before Prompto could answer him.
The controller is still warm from Noctis' hold, and the thought has Prompto's face turning a red tint as he bites his lip in a nervous attempt to distract his racing heart.
Taking a deep breath, Prompto leans back against the sofa behind him, and instead focuses on the game.
Luckily for Prompto, all he really had to do was get from point A to point B, so it wasn't too much work before Noctis returned.
Taking his controller back, Noctis resumes where his friend left off. Prompto settles on the sofa, no longer sitting on the floor by Noctis, and scrolls through his phone in the comfortable silence that fell over the two.
"So what were you thinking about earlier? Nodding to yourself and all." He asks, and he catches Prompto off guard.
Stuttering, Prompto replies, "Oh I uh.. I was just thinking about something random, it's nothin' important!"
Then before he could give Noctis a moment to think about his answer he goes, "Hey do you think I could stay the rest of the weekend?"
In Prompto's defense, it was quick thinking, not smart thinking. Asking to crash at his crushs place for the next two days?? Oh he's lost it now.
Noctis on the other hand forgets Prompto's first response, only thinking about the second part of what he said.
"Yeah dude, 'course you can. You know you can always hang here, even if I gotta hide you from Specs." He smiles playfully at the end and Prompto's heart definitely does not skip a beat or five.
Despite his hearts desperate attempts to explode out of his chest, Prompto manages to reply steadily, "Thanks dude, you're the best!" Jokingly winking at the end. And for a moment he swears he can see Noctis' face go a tad pink, though it could just be his mind playing tricks on him.
•
After Noctis calls it a day on the game, he joins Prompto on the couch and together they hang out in silence.
At some point Prompto finds himself using Noctis' thighs as a pillow as he tiredly scrolls through the endless videos of Chocobos that appear on his page.
Soon Ignis opens the apartment door, keys jingling in his hold as he toes off his shoes. The sounds wake Prompto with surprise before he quickly plays it off as if he'd never fallen asleep.
Noctis smiles at the act, watching his friend struggle to keep his eyes open and his phone up.
"Good evening Noctis, Prompto." He greets, and Noctis silently hushes him before pointing to Prompto, who's all but failed his battle against sleep.
Noctis lets out a soft, quiet laugh. He feels warm at the sight of Prompto, who's currently knocked out on his lap.
Ignis simply nods and gets to work in the kitchen, as quietly as he can to not wake the prince's friend.
Out of habit, Noctis starts lightly playing with Prompto's hair with his free hand, twisting locks around his fingers every once in a while.
Though asleep, Prompto lets out a content sigh and Noctis chokes up. His heart beats unnaturally fast and he's overwhelmed by a giddy feeling.
He can't help but stare. Prompto’s face, he's so...pretty. Noctis doesn't stop himself from taking in the view. Eyes trailing from long blond lashes to the curve of his pink lips, faintly glossed from the cheap chapstick he applied earlier.
Noctis looks away hastily, his face flushing more and suddenly it's real hot in his apartment. His heart's beating out of his chest at this point and he's hoping Prompto can't feel it.
From the kitchen, Ignis watches his princes far from subtle gestures towards the blond, quietly chuckling to himself as he watches Noctis panic.
Ignis turns the stove off, setting the simple soup to the side to cool as he prepares bowls for the two teens.
"Noct," He calls out and Noctis immediately whips his head around to face him, face still shades redder than normal, "Would you wake Prompto? I've finished dinner."
Noctis just nods in response before turning to his friend. Letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding, he places his hand on Prompto's shoulder.
"Promptoooo," He drags out, shaking the other, "Gotta wake up, Iggy made dinner."
Prompto groans, sitting up reluctantly, hand raising to rub his eye.
"Oh sweet," He yawns, "Mornin' Iggy!" He says, knowing it's far from morning.
"Good evening Prompto, I do hope you're hungry." Ignis smiles fondly.
Prompto smiles back brightly, then stands up stretching. Noctis follows, stumbling a little due to his legs falling asleep.
The three sit at the table together and enjoy the warm soup, fitting for the recent chilly days.
•
Playing Assassin's Creed was great but being up at 2:17 in the morning playing silly sleepover games is even better, especially when the prince has his own secret stash of soda.
So here they are, sitting on the floor of Noctis' bedroom, bedding spread out as though a tornado blew through.
The two, growing more delirious from being up so late, giggle at anything and everything.
Prompto stares at Noctis for a moment before bursting into laughter and Noctis joins not long after, tears welling in their eyes as their cheeks become sore from smiling so much.
"Okay, okay," Noctis huffs out, trying to stop himself from laughing again, "I got a question."
Prompto sits up from where he's laying, fighting off a smile, knowing it'd lead to another laughing fit if he didn't.
As soon as he knows he won't laugh, Prompto replies, "Mkay, shoot!"
Noctis wears a mischievous smile as he asks, "Would you still be my friend if I.... was a worm?"
And Prompto doubles over in laughter. It was so out of character for Noctis that he caught him off guard.
Noctis starts giggling to himself, his stupid question worked.
In retaliation, Prompto says, "What about you? Would you still love me if I were a chocobo?" He lets a chuckle out.
"You already are." Noctis rolls his eyes, smiling.
Prompto's slowly been going crazy throughout the night, Noctis looks so good with a smile and it's killing him. How many times can his heart skip a beat before he drops dead?
Noctis’ tone becomes a bit more serious, "Would you still like me if I weren't the prince?"
Prompto's smile falters, and he moves closer to Noctis. He wraps his arm around his friend and says, "Noct, I'd still like you no matter what. Prince or not you're Noctis, my friend, first and foremost!"
That makes Noctis smile, a small kinda sad smile, but a smile nonetheless.
"I just- I feel like people only like me for my status y'know? I was always being gawked at, still am." He sighs and turns away from the blond.
Prompto frowns. He knows there's not much he can do about Noctis' feelings but he can surely try!
"Noct, buddy," He leans his whole body against Noctis, "You know I always got your back right? I love you as the prince and as Noctis, don't forget that! It doesn't matter to me that you're the prince."
And Prompto is grateful Noctis is turned away, because he can feel the heat spreading through his face. But Noctis needed to hear that, and for him he'd say it a hundred times more.
Noctis lets out a breath, looking at his shaky hand. His heart's beating so fast he feels like he's going to pass out. Of course what Prompto said was to make him feel better and not some kind of confession but he can't help hoping just a little.
This is kinda risky and he knows it, but he's not thinking all that clearly anymore. Noctis grabs the hand Prompto wrapped around his shoulder earlier, fidgeting with his slim pale fingers for a moment before turning back towards the blond.
And Prompto's face is so red, visible even in the dim light, but he can't say anything because his is too. Noctis chuckles a little, head dropping while he continues to hold Prompto's hand.
Prompto moves and wraps his arms completely around Noctis. It's a little difficult with how the prince is sitting but Prompto doesn't mind the extra work.
He's so anxious and giddy, it's making him lightheaded. But before he knows it, Noctis' arms are wrapping back around his waist in return, warm and comfortable.
Noctis changes his positioning and pulls Prompto between his legs, holding him closer. The lack of distance has Prompto feeling the rush of Noctis' heart against his chest.
And then, Noctis laughs. He laughs pathetically and tucks his face in the crook of Prompto's neck, and his breath is hot against his already heated skin.
"Prompto," Noctis murmurs, voice muffled. "Can I... Can I kiss you..?" And Prompto almost dies on the spot.
He doesn't think it's humanly possible how fast his heart's going, and his hands are shaking, and he can't really think straight, and suddenly it got several degrees warmer.
Prompto moves his hands to Noctis' shoulders, gently pushing him far enough to see his eyes avoiding his gaze.
His hands crawl up to cup Noctis' cheeks, soft and flushed, before guiding the prince's eyes to his own.
Prompto didn't think he could fall any harder.
Noctis' storm blue eyes, glossed over and barely visible in the dim lighting of the bedroom, meet his own.
Noctis is nervous. Scratch that, he's absolutely terrified. Once again he's staring, except this time Prompto's awake and looking back at him.
His eyes pan over every part of Prompto's face for the second time today. And he notices when Prompto licks his lips, his chapstick is barely there.
Oh, he looks so good. Noctis can't help but copy Prompto, licking his lips too, nervously.
Then, shakily, Noctis puts his left hand over Prompto's right, and holds his wrist with his free hand.
Prompto breaks out an affectionate smile, eyes flicking away for a moment, "Yeah," He breaths out, "I'd- I'd like that."
Noctis feels his lips curling at the answer and he's absolutely beaming with joy. Prompto's letting him kiss him, is he dreaming? He doesn't wanna find out if he is.
Prompto pulls Noctis in, their faces close. And Noctis can see every freckle littered across his face, he loves Prompto's freckles.
Then with all the courage he can muster up, Noctis pushes himself forward, his lips gently pressing against Prompto's.
They taste of his leftover vanilla chapstick mixed with the soda they had been drinking earlier. And Prompto's lips are soft, much more than he'd expected.
A giddy feeling bubbles in his stomach and he's dizzy. He's so nervous, there's so many feelings at once.
Prompto wraps his arms around Noctis' neck and kisses back eagerly. As if he'd been waiting years for this (he has).
It's not perfect and they're a huffing mess, forgetting air is essential. But the inexperience is nice, knowing they're each other's first.
Noctis leans away a moment, as far as he can with Prompto's arms still around him. His breathing is stuttering and he's so so happy, he can't help but cover his face in an attempt to calm down.
Prompto can see a smile past Noctis' hands and Gods he never wants this moment to end. He hugs Noctis again, the prince's head resting to hear his overjoyed heart.
"I'm...so happy," Prompto sighs with a soft smile, "To think I'd be kissing you." And Noctis lifts his head to look at him, no longer fighting off his smile.
And Noctis wants to speak, but he has too many things to say. Words rack his brain and jumble together and he gives up on trying to say something.
Instead he sits up, leaning in and covering Prompto's face with light kisses, hitting every mole and freckle in sight.
Prompto laughs and pulls Noctis closer. It feels so good, having him in his arms.
The two stay that way, eventually leaning back to lay on the floor. And Noctis gets up quickly to pull a blanket off his bed before settling himself back into Prompto's arms.
Noctis has never been more comfortable than he is now. Between Prompto and the blanket, he could fall asleep right then and there.
And that's what he does. Prompto plays with Noctis' hair as he sleeps, just how Noctis had done to him.
It doesn't take long for the warmth to make Prompto drowsy too, soon joining Noctis.
And that's where Gladio finds them later in the morning, surrounded by empty and half drunken cans of soda. He holds a silly smirk on his face looking at the two and leaves them to sleep.