I know it's been for fucking ever but I so wanna write a part two to Frustrated|Klaus Mikaelson but to do so I would HAVE to rewatched probably the whole series. I dunno if I can handle that 😂
I got pretty fed up with looking for words to replace said because they weren’t sorted in a way I could easily use/find them for the right time. So I did some myself.
I’M DRUNK OR JUST BEING WEIRDLY EXPRESSIVE FOR A POINT/SARCASM
Hooted
Howled
Yowled
I WONDER
Pondered
Voiced
Wondered
OH, YEAH, WHOOPS
Recalled
Recited
Remembered
SURPRISE BITCH
Revealed
IT SEEMS FAKE BUT OKAY/HA ACTUALLY FUNNY BUT I DON’T WANT TO LAUGH OUT LOUD
Scoffed
Snickered
Snorted
BITCHY
Tattled
Taunted
Teased
Edit: People, I’m an English and creative writing double major in college; I understand that there’s nothing wrong with simply using “said.” This was just for fun, and it comes in handy when I need to add pizzazz.
Slytherpuff | Drabble/one shot series | Takes place in 2018
No warnings
Word count 1107
Hazen sits outside, in the passing courtyards of Hogwarts, with his best friend Reni next to him. Her legs cross and facing the younger boy as he fiddles with his thumbs over the conversation they are having. It was a common occurrence for the two to be found here on the nice days. As of late, this was Reni’s favorite place to talk about Hazen’s current crush. Him denying every ounce that he, a particular Slytherin, would like him back.
“Do you have any proof of it?” Reni, leaning forwards into Hazen, questioning the blonde boy on his theory. She’d have light conversations with the Slytherin. His name Sebastian about the topic but the rolls switch, yet he wasn’t ever denying Hazen of liking him.
Hazen licked his lips glancing up at Reni, her deep ocean blue eyes staring intently at him. “Well, no but he’s not,” he replies quietly, shrugging his shoulders as he looked around the yard.
A few other students took up spaces under the large trees and other benches that sat around the yard. Luckily, catching no sight of the boy they were having a discussion about but it didn’t make Hazen’s nerves let up. Sebastian could be anywhere and having a hushed conversation about it in the open wasn’t the way he was hoping him to find out.
“You don’t know that then, H,” she spoke, following his gaze a little as her’s pick up pale purple hair in a small crowd of Gryffindor students. Reni meets her eye’s for a second before the girl said something to the others before breaking off from them and heading their way.
“Hiya!” She greets excitedly, standing and looking down at the two before her. Hazen was still distracted by surveying the small courtyard.
“Sebastian, again?” Gemma questions giving her friend a worried look before asking, “Is there anything else you can bother the kid with?” Gemma’s eyes traveled from her sandy blonde haired friend to Reni, who was grinning.
“Sure thing,” Reni shrugs, gazing at Hazen, “still stuck on the idea that he doesn’t like him,” Reni finished off but Gemma already guessed that. It wasn’t an unusual conversation lately with Hazen but he would always, always find a way to get himself out of it.
“I can go caught up him with?” Gemma said pointing past the two, into the hallway leading out into the yard or to other places around the castle.
Reni turns slightly to look, sure enough, there was the Slytherin boy they were talking about. He was walking alone, no doubt to the Great Hall, the boy was always eating. Sebastian looked lost in thought as he walked not even noticing the small group of friends he’d find himself hanging out with from time to time.
“Please, no,” Hazen meets the eyes of his grey-eyed friend, admiring her for her confidence but wishing she’d stay out, wishing they both would. He didn’t want to be a bother, having glanced at the other boys’ direction. “He’s probably, like trying to do something important,” he continues mumbling up an excuse. Though to his right, Reni was nodding her head like crazy about the idea and that was good enough for Gemma.
“Hey, Sebastian! Wait up,” Gemma yells hurrying over to him.
Hazen’s eyes widen as Gemma had hooked her thumb back at him, Sebastian meeting his gaze with a small, barely there, smile across his lips. Warmth took over Hazen’s cheeks as he quickly looks away and glares at Reni. She wasn’t paying attention to him, he watches as Reni gives a wave at the two.
“You guys are just trying to embarrass me to death or something,” Hazen whines, his eyes looking at the ground now. He wasn’t always this shy but at this moment he so wished that was true, then maybe he wouldn’t have told his best friend his secret. What did he think he was going to happen when he told a teenage girl, honestly he wasn’t thinking that far ahead. It wasn’t a sudden turn of events Reni had let it settle before telling Gemma about it. Then they decided it was up to them to help him get the boy. Which of course they shared that idea about a week later with Hazen and much to his liking, they got to work with a setup.
“It’s obvious I wouldn’t make your death this noticeable,” She states cooly like it was nothing to be embarrassed by your best friend in public.
“They’re getting closer,” Reni squeals, nudging Hazen’s shoulder, making him take a quick glance over his shoulder.
Mistake, Hazen meets the dark eyes of the boy he’d been having a crush on for near a year now. He, Sebastian, didn’t have any particular expression but he didn’t seem upset for being distracted. Though it did look like he may have just woken up, messy black hair hung barely of his eyes, a dark green, wrinkled jumper sat loose against his tanned skin, paired with black skinny jeans.
Hazen’s admiring had him barely miss the deep, “Hey.”
There it was, the deer in headlights moment and Hazen wasn’t sure what to do, probably say something but what? So many ways to say something, anything but they all decided to suddenly become a foreign language. He could feel his heart pick up speed as long with the slight heat to his already rosy cheeks, why was the middle of fall suddenly so hot?
“You okay, Hazen?” Hazen’s eyes meet the boys’ standing in front of him, his deep brown eyes searching his as Sebastian raised a hand to his forehead. “Not too hot,” Sebastian continues looking at the younger boy as he stares back at him, “Maybe you’d like to go for lunch?” Sebastian tilts his head, trying to read the boy.
“Um,” it was a soft response and Sebastian hardly hears it.
“You haven’t had lunch yet, Hazen, go with him,” Reni speaks up, placing a hand on his leg to try to break his oddness.
“What?” Hazen’s eyes focus on the Ravenclaw, who was definitely betraying him right now.
“You need food H,” Sebastian agrees. Hazen looks back up at him, he didn’t look annoyed or bothered but made hopeful.
Reni and Gemma will probably try to stalk him so if something does happen they’ll be there. Hazen bit his lip glancing at Reni, she only stares silently saying yes, though he doesn’t know that. Signing, he looks back up at Sebastian.
“All right,” with that, he nervously stands up, eyes not meeting Sebastian’s. He took a deep breath before looking up, again, “Let’s go.”
"Hey, what's your full name?" She asks. The four of them are sitting in semicircle on a thick quilt, under the shade of a rather impressively large tree.
"Who, me?" Ro asks. She's leaning against said tree, beautiful black hair tied back form her face with a Ravenclaw ribbon. She's tall and thin, with marble colored skin and sharp features to match her sharp blue eyes. There is a book on her lap, some nomag book she got from her sister.
"All of you guys." Comes the response. "I promise none of them will be as embarrassing as mine."
"Oh, we're finally gonna be able to call you something other than your last name." Sal responds, intrigued. He's half laying on his side, an astronomy book open on the ground in front of him. His dark hair isn't styled today, just haphazardly pulled back from away from his clear grey eyes. His shirt sleeve are rolled up to show is pale forearms, and his long legs are dangling off the blanket, green converse shining in the sunlight.
"You lot have to go first." She laughs.
"Oh! I'll go first!" Griff sits up, smiling that wide, toothy smile of his. His Auburn hair is sticking up wildly, hazel eyes bright. His Gryffindor tie hanging loosely around his maple colored skin. "My full name is Griffith Allan Grey." He states proudly, hand on his chest.
"Your middle name is Allan? That's oddly normal." She laughs.
"After our grandpa." Sal responds, shrugging. He's sitting between her and Ro, facing Griffith.
"Sometimes I forget you guys are cousins."
"It's hard to believe." Ro responds. "I've known them for years and it's still weird for me sometimes."
"We've gotten that a lot." Griffith responds light heatedly, tapping Ro's knee with his hand. "Your turn."
"Rowan Taylor Rogers."
"Cute."
"Thank you." Rowan smiles, nodding.
"Fun fact, all her sisters middle names are Taylor too." Sal whispers to her, and she looks at the other girl with wide eyes.
"Is that's true?"
"It's a family tradition." Rowan responds, rolling her eyes.
"An unimaginative tradition." He whispers again, and she laughs.
"Yeah yeah, your turn Salvador." Rowan draws out his name.
"Your name is Salvador?" She squeaks, and he cringes.
"Yeah, Salvador Lee Simmons."
"That is so cool dude!" She laughs.
"You think? Thank you." Salvador smiles at her.
"Most people think it's dumb." Griffith states.
"No, you think it's dumb, there's a difference." Rowan responds.
"Whatever, come on Holloway, your turn." Griffith smiles, looking at her with his open and happy eyes.
She sighs, smiling and tucking a lock of her short dirty blonde hair behind her ear. Her freckled cheeks are rosy, making her chocolate brown eyes look brighter and her sun tanned skin look pinkish. She fiddles with the hem of her Hufflepuff skirt, taking a deep breath. "You guys have to promise not to laugh."
"I swear on my house." Griff responds, faking seriousness.
"I make no promises." Salvador states.
"Neither do I." Rowan agrees.
"You guys suck." She laughs.
"Come on, you have to tell us now." Rowan's voice is light for once, her eyes teasing.
"Alright. You guys are the proud friends of one Honey Bee Holloway."
"Wait." Salvador says.
"No way." Comes from Rowan.
"Your name is Honey Bee?" Griffith looks excited, as always.
"Yep, first name Honey middle name Bee."
"That's the coolest name ever!" Griffith yells, laughing.
"What kind of naming criteria do they have in the states?" Rowan asks, but there's a laugh in her voice.
"I think the real question is," Salvador puts one hand on Honeys knee, looking into her eyes. "How high were your parents when they named you?"
Slytherpuff | Drabble/one shot series | Takes place in 2018
No warnings
Word count 1107
Hazen sits outside, in the passing courtyards of Hogwarts, with his best friend Reni next to him. Her legs cross and facing the younger boy as he fiddles with his thumbs over the conversation they are having. It was a common occurrence for the two to be found here on the nice days. As of late, this was Reni's favorite place to talk about Hazen’s current crush. Him denying every ounce that he, a particular Slytherin, would like him back.
“Do you have any proof of it?” Reni, leaning forwards into Hazen, questioning the blonde boy on his theory. She’d have light conversations with the Slytherin. His name Sebastian about the topic but the rolls switch, yet he wasn’t ever denying Hazen of liking him.
Hazen licked his lips glancing up at Reni, her deep ocean blue eyes staring intently at him. “Well, no but he’s not,” he replies quietly, shrugging his shoulders as he looked around the yard.
A few other students took up spaces under the large trees and other benches that sat around the yard. Luckily, catching no sight of the boy they were having a discussion about but it didn’t make Hazen’s nerves let up. Sebastian could be anywhere and having a hushed conversation about it in the open wasn’t the way he was hoping him to find out.
"You don’t know that then, H,” she spoke, following his gaze a little as her's pick up pale purple hair in a small crowd of Gryffindor students. Reni meets her eye's for a second before the girl said something to the others before breaking off from them and heading their way.
“Hiya!” She greets excitedly, standing and looking down at the two before her. Hazen was still distracted by surveying the small courtyard.
“Sebastian, again?” Gemma questions giving her friend a worried look before asking, “Is there anything else you can bother the kid with?” Gemma’s eyes traveled from her sandy blonde haired friend to Reni, who was grinning.
“Sure thing,” Reni shrugs, gazing at Hazen, “still stuck on the idea that he doesn’t like him,” Reni finished off but Gemma already guessed that. It wasn’t an unusual conversation lately with Hazen but he would always, always find a way to get himself out of it.
“I can go caught up him with?” Gemma said pointing past the two, into the hallway leading out into the yard or to other places around the castle.
Reni turns slightly to look, sure enough, there was the Slytherin boy they were talking about. He was walking alone, no doubt to the Great Hall, the boy was always eating. Sebastian looked lost in thought as he walked not even noticing the small group of friends he’d find himself hanging out with from time to time.
“Please, no,” Hazen meets the eyes of his grey-eyed friend, admiring her for her confidence but wishing she’d stay out, wishing they both would. He didn’t want to be a bother, having glanced at the other boys' direction. “He’s probably, like trying to do something important,” he continues mumbling up an excuse. Though to his right, Reni was nodding her head like crazy about the idea and that was good enough for Gemma.
“Hey, Sebastian! Wait up,” Gemma yells hurrying over to him.
Hazen’s eyes widen as Gemma had hooked her thumb back at him, Sebastian meeting his gaze with a small, barely there, smile across his lips. Warmth took over Hazen’s cheeks as he quickly looks away and glares at Reni. She wasn’t paying attention to him, he watches as Reni gives a wave at the two.
“You guys are just trying to embarrass me to death or something,” Hazen whines, his eyes looking at the ground now. He wasn’t always this shy but at this moment he so wished that was true, then maybe he wouldn’t have told his best friend his secret. What did he think he was going to happen when he told a teenage girl, honestly he wasn’t thinking that far ahead. It wasn’t a sudden turn of events Reni had let it settle before telling Gemma about it. Then they decided it was up to them to help him get the boy. Which of course they shared that idea about a week later with Hazen and much to his liking, they got to work with a setup.
“It’s obvious I wouldn’t make your death this noticeable,” She states cooly like it was nothing to be embarrassed by your best friend in public.
“They're getting closer,” Reni squeals, nudging Hazen’s shoulder, making him take a quick glance over his shoulder.
Mistake, Hazen meets the dark eyes of the boy he’d been having a crush on for near a year now. He, Sebastian, didn’t have any particular expression but he didn’t seem upset for being distracted. Though it did look like he may have just woken up, messy black hair hung barely of his eyes, a dark green, wrinkled jumper sat loose against his tanned skin, paired with black skinny jeans.
Hazen’s admiring had him barely miss the deep, “Hey.”
There it was, the deer in headlights moment and Hazen wasn’t sure what to do, probably say something but what? So many ways to say something, anything but they all decided to suddenly become a foreign language. He could feel his heart pick up speed as long with the slight heat to his already rosy cheeks, why was the middle of fall suddenly so hot?
“You okay, Hazen?” Hazen’s eyes meet the boys' standing in front of him, his deep brown eyes searching his as Sebastian raised a hand to his forehead. “Not too hot,” Sebastian continues looking at the younger boy as he stares back at him, “Maybe you'd like to go for lunch?” Sebastian tilts his head, trying to read the boy.
“Um,” it was a soft response and Sebastian hardly hears it.
“You haven’t had lunch yet, Hazen, go with him,” Reni speaks up, placing a hand on his leg to try to break his oddness.
“What?” Hazen's eyes focus on the Ravenclaw, who was definitely betraying him right now.
“You need food H,” Sebastian agrees. Hazen looks back up at him, he didn’t look annoyed or bothered but made hopeful.
Reni and Gemma will probably try to stalk him so if something does happen they’ll be there. Hazen bit his lip glancing at Reni, she only stares silently saying yes, though he doesn't know that. Signing, he looks back up at Sebastian.
“All right,” with that, he nervously stands up, eyes not meeting Sebastian's. He took a deep breath before looking up, again, “Let’s go.”
Late morning sun hung in the air, creating a warm glow through the tree that surrounded the small town as Naruto began a quick walk from his apartment to the local flower shop. An actual flower shop that sold varieties of beautiful flowers and not just half dying, cheap flowers for a last-minute thought. Naruto wasn’t really one to spend a lot of time in such a place but something about it he found oddly peaceful. Barely anyone seemed to come in but enough to keep in business and there was never too many workers but there was this one, Sasuke. It was a shock like a punch to the chest the first time Naruto had seen him in the shop. Sasuke had left sometime during the change to high school; Naruto felt like they could be friends and at some level, he felt they were but Sasuke seemed to have problems accepting him as so.
Naruto kept the reddish-orange haired dog, Kurama, close to him as a few people passed them. He knew quite a few people around, having caused a lot of issues for them but everyone grew to like him. Maybe it was Kurama when he finally decided to convince his last foster home to let him adopt an animal. Kurama, though not fond of most people, seemed to keep Naruto more in check once lost the last person he looked up too.
The flower shop was squished in between his favorite ramen shop, that’s how he had found the flower shop and something else Naruto didn’t bother to remember. It was small but the perfect fit as it probably wasn’t easiest job keep too many flowers alive and with the changing seasons. That’s at least what he figured, he didn’t keep good track of what flowers were seasonal. Naruto hadn’t put that much thought into it once he started taking flowers to his biological parents, he didn’t know them so well. Only random fragments of their life before he was even thought of.
Though, in the month of October, this month he found himself on this walk a lot more than normal. It was better to be out walking then laying around inside a small, one-bedroom apartment with a dog on his days off from coaching boxing for younger kids. October was always the month that changed up his normal energetic self, just the slightest but enough for people, mostly Sakura, to tell something was up. A month that held the death of both his biological parents, which would remind him to think of Jiraiya. Jiraiya was one of the only people he’d meant that knew his parents and knew random facts about them. Naruto had looked up to Jiraiya during his times being passed around foster homes in his young teen years. Jiraiya was never in one place long enough to be granted the custody, so they told them but later Naruto began to understand maybe it was the books.
“Alright, Kurama be good,” Naruto muttered to the dog scratching him behind the ears as the fading sign to the flower shop came into view. He definitely wasn’t friendly at least, mostly to Naruto but only when he wanted to be. Naruto pushed open the door of the shop, a little bell jingles over he’d as he stepped inside letting the door shut on it’s on with another jingle. The sweet, soft smells of flowers filled his nose, even though right about now he would more be satisfied with the smell of deliciously cooked ramen, this was a strange close second right now.
Naruto glanced around the shop as he tugged Kurama long, picking up on that there were a few different flowers around. He glanced towards the counter to find a very bored looking Sasuke sitting there with his nose stuck in a book. His hair dark and spiked like always, clothes stood out against his very, very pale skin. Naruto only recently started to see him around the shop, though never had the chance be rung out by him till now. He always looked like he’d rather be anywhere but here and he never bothered to wear his name tag half the time. Naruto shook his head, reminding himself why he was here and started his hunt to find some flowers that stood out to him.
“Need any assistance?” A low voice out of nowhere said about a while later.
Startling Naruto, he quickly turned around to come face to face with cold, black eyes staring at him. He stepped back bumping into a table of flowers and nearly knocking them over. Catching them just in time before they crashed to a glassy mess on the floor and only allowing a little water splashed out the sides.
"You can’t just sneak up on people like that,“ Naruto replied glancing down at Kurama, who gave out a low growl towards the pale man.
“Kurama,” Naruto hissed, lightly tugging the dog away from Sasuke.
Naruto took a quick glance at Sasuke noticing his dark eyes glaring down at the dog. He took in for the first time that Sasuke had clipped his name tag to the half-unbuttoned black shirt relieving a lot of pale chest. Something in the back of Naruto thought that maybe it wasn’t exactly dress-code for the shop but he probably didn’t care, the dark jeans and the small apron around his waist were on the right track.
"Looking for any meaning?” Sasuke continued not seeming to care about the possible mess Naruto about caused and straight up ignored him.
Naruto gave him a confused look at the words a meaning. Since when did flowers mean something? Naruto’s mind raced back to all the flowers he’d left with his parents. Had he left something stupid before? Not that he’d ever know but it wasn’t going to let that hold him back from something he started years ago.
Naruto thought it was quite strange that Sasuke would care about helping him with anything. Sure, he did work in a flower shop, after all, it might have all been a part of the job. Which only lead Naruto to more curious questions but how this was the job he came back to, maybe he worked somewhere too. Sasuke didn’t look too thrilled, well his expression didn’t really change at fact Naruto had no idea flowers held a bigger message than just being decorative.
A very clear but unsure, “No,” escaped Naruto before he could process it like that ever really happens in the first place.
“The flowers,” Sasuke’s annoyance was deeply laced in his voice as he glanced at the flowers. “For who you’re giving them too,” Sasuke didn’t really want to have to do too much explaining. He wished he’d just stayed reading and not bothered to ask him if he needed help but he willed himself to give the idiot a chance. No one ever told him it was a requirement of his job but if he had free time it was heavily persuaded besides cleaning.
“No,” Naruto stated he hadn’t thought about meanings before and he wasn’t going to stand and listen to Sasuke, of all people, tell him what followers meant. Sasuke had never bothered him before now? Never even seemed to notice Naruto come in before, though he definitely had. Either way, the flowers were for people he barely knew himself. Not that Sasuke knew that or at least he thinks so, who knows what he’d gotten up to while gone. Naruto only knew the names and faces to go with those names from some old hospital image of his parents holding him. Only because finally Jiraiya had shown up in his life, finally deciding to stay awhile and got Naruto out of the foster system and before he knew he was on his own. He’d been passed around a couple foster homes before the last one stuck and then Jiraiya. Though having Jiraiya around he didn’t get to learn a lot about his parents, it wasn’t something he wanted to talk about. Maybe a few stories here and there but nothing to say what time of flowers they would enjoy. He had passed away at the time Naruto turned of age and moved out, he never thought to ask what type of flowers they would have liked. Naruto thought it was just something he would do on his own as a way to thank them.
“Dobe,” the word was light coming from Sasuke, who was heading back to the front counter. A lost in thought Naruto barely heard it as he’d busied himself with the flowers, again.
“What?” Anger flashed through Naruto, whipping his head towards Sasuke, Kurama was quick nuzzle him before he had a chance to do anything else. He really worked on keeping a check on his anger; he never left more overwhelmed about it till Sasuke. He’s barely said a full sentence to him and it was years since the last time they talked or fought, he forgot how easily Sasuke could piss him off. Naruto tried to ignore it as Sasuke wasn’t even paying attention and already back to the book he was reading beforehand. Quickly, Naruto grabbed a few flowers, chrysanthemums, and trudged up to the front counter.
Sasuke closed and sat down his book, gave Naruto and the flowers a quick glance but didn’t say anything. Ringing in the few bright orange flowers, reading off Naruto the amount. He dug out his wallet to pay, while Sasuke wrapped them up in a thick paper. Naruto didn’t bother to say thank you as he took the flowers from Sasuke and started to leave.
“Don’t want your change?” Sasuke’s smug voice sounded from behind Naruto. He knew he had pissed off the blonde and it always pleased him to see how easily it was. Naruto turned back around, grabbing the change and started to head out once, again.
“You’re welcome,” the smugness still lingered in his voice.
“Whatever, Bastard,” Naruto replies, gripping Kurama’s leash tightly, pulling him close and made their way towards the door. Naruto let out a breath he didn’t even know he held as he got outside, taking a quick glance back he saw that Sasuke was watching him.
***
Naruto laid on his back in bed, blankets tossed around his waist and one arm under his head as he was lost in thought, staring up at the white ceiling. Today was his birthday, a day he both enjoyed but also a day that would bring up some memories that were only ever told to him as stories. Even now after, 23 years he still found himself thinking back to his birth parents and some of the foster families he was in. A few mornings he’d think about this or anything really till Karuma came rushing in to wake him up for the bed and get a start.
Letting out a deep breath Naruto finally came out of his thoughts as Karuma nudged the rest of the bedroom door opened and trotted over to him. The red-orange dog sat in front of Naruto, eyes staring at him before he barked. Causing Naruto to lightly jump at the unexpected reaction.
“What was that for?” Naruto asked eyebrows knitted as his ears finally picked up sounds from the kitchen. It sounded like someone was in the kitchen, some food on the stove as the smell came into the room along with some opening and closing of cupboards. Naruto looked back at the dog as they both stood up to go check it out. What Naruto wasn’t expecting as short pink hair bobbing around the kitchen on the hunt for something or other.
“Sakura, how’d…?” Naruto started as Sakura whipped around to look at him like this was completely normal.
“Finally, you’re up,” Sakura let out a relieved breath as she flipped some pancakes on the stove before going back to looking for something. “Ah, ha!” She said as she pulled out a few plates from one of the various cupboards.
“How did you get in?” Naruto asked glancing around his space to check for anything broken before walking towards the kitchen.
“No, no, go get ready for the day and put on more clothes,” Sakura said while shooing him out of the kitchen. Though, he was more concerned if she’d filled up Kurama’s food dishes but his question was answered when he heard the dog eating.
“Can I just know how you got in?” Naruto questioned her.
“Yeah, made myself a key a while, ago,” She shrugged going back to the cooking. Naruto stared at her for a while before doing as told.
Still, a bit confused as to how Sakura got a key he decided to ignore it at least it was her and not someone else. They’d been actual friends since the beginning of high school about the time Sasuke had decided to disappear, so maybe it was odd she didn’t have a key before or maybe normal? He wasn’t too sure but wasn’t going to worry about it any further as he got himself a shower ready.
After one relaxingly hot shower he got out wrapping himself in a towel before finding his normal outfit of dark jeans, thank his foster sister for that one, an orange shirt. He fluffed the towel about his hair before tossing it on the ground and heading back out into the kitchen. Where he found Sakura’s back to him with Kurama on the floor beside her, she was one of the only other humans he could get along with when he wanted.
“Breakfast,” Sakura turned slightly on the barstool at the small island in his kitchen and hooked a thumb at the plate of pancakes and fresh berries on top.
“Thanks,” Naruto mumbled, he’d gotten better with his manners somewhat. “So, why are you here?” He asked, stabbing around at the food before breaking off a piece to eat.
I’ve known you long enough to know how today likes to play out,” Sakura stated, barely looking at him. “Figured I could help start it in a friendly way,” She shrugged, taking a bit of her own food. “Plus, had to make sure you showered before coming to your own party all smelly,” Her nose scrunched up as they made eye contact.
“Whatever,” Naruto rolled his eyes, “I would have showered,” He muttered under his breath as he stuck more food in his mouth.
“What was that?” Sakura nudges his arm with her shoulder.
“When was the last time you saw Sasuke?” Naruto blurted out, it wasn’t like he meant to but the dark-haired boy had been on his mind for the last week. It had been so long seen he had seen him last it was hard to shake that he was back and for who knows how long or why.
“Oh, um, I did think I saw him the other day,” Sakura didn’t sound too sure though, “But I didn’t get a good look so I would go with when he left, why?”
Naruto didn’t say anything for a little while just nodding as he finished the few pancakes. “I saw him about a week ago, well, it wasn’t the first time actual but there were words this time around,” Naruto looked towards Sakura, her bright green eyes were already on him.
“What? And you didn’t say anything before now?” Sakura’s voice rose a little, “Jerk, can’t just keep things from me, where?” Sakura asked but she was more in gossip mode for Ino then into Sasuke anymore.
“That flower shop I visit,” Naruto said.
“Hm, alright,” Sakura looked away from him, she was up to something.
The sky was changing from a bright, clear blue to shades of oranges and yellows by the time Naruto left his apartment for only the first time that day. He’d really just felt like going back to bed but he knew Sakura put time into this party and he didn’t want to let her down. There wasn’t any way he could get out of it, Sakura knew he wasn’t ill so and it was one of the only times to see everyone together, again. It was always nice to see everyone taking the day off and spending a night out once in a while. The bar wasn’t all that far from Naruto’s apartment, he knew he was pretty close after some time when he could hear the pulse of the music.
“Happy Birthday, Naruto!” Sakura shouted over the music before he was barely in the door, sticking a shiny, orange ‘Birthday Boy!’ cone-shaped hat on his head. “So, how is it?” She shouted again, gesturing to the mass of people. Most he recognized as his friends but there were a few townspeople hanging out and maybe he thought he saw a very pale and dark-haired man but Sakura was dragging him further inside before he could get a good look.
“It’s great,” Naruto yelled over the music, reaching up to remove the hat but Sakura glared at him. His hand slow retreated back to his side as Sakura ushered him to join the party. Sitting him down at a table with Lee and Gaara and wandered away.
“Happy Birthday!” Lee shouted, clearly hearing his voice over the music and probably drowned out whatever Gaara was about to say to him.
“Thanks,” Naruto nodded towards him before as glass was harshly placed in front of him. “Gee, thanks, Sakura,” Naruto glanced up at her as he pulled the drink closer to him. He took a gulp of it but he couldn’t quite figure out what it was as his eyes wander around the bar.
“Can’t just go to a bar and not drink,” Sakura rolled her eyes and disappeared into the crowd of around the Dj.
As the night continued Naruto found himself having small conversations with just about everyone, having a couple dances to a few songs here and there but ultimately, he found himself drawn to sit on at the bar. He didn’t seem to find who he was looking for but swore he kept catching glimpses of maybe Sasuke about the bar. Naruto wasn’t exactly sure why he kept looking for him though maybe he didn’t like how there was barely even conversation between the two of them after so long.
It probably wasn’t anything to do with the few drinks he had, not wanting to drink the night away but this way at the bar would make it harder for anyone to come to talk to him.
Someone was trying talking to him though, not anyone he knew which was a plus as he was spaced out. It was just his friends now, mostly everyone had a handful drinks by now and offering to buy one, he took a couple offers, but nothing to get super wasted off of. Unfortunately, or not, Sasuke was a no-show so he thought, he never got a full view of him if he did happen to be in the bar. Not that he knew if Sakura would have invited him, she didn’t even know he was in town. He’d made small conversations with everyone and he felt like it was an okay time to go and if he did now, he didn’t think anyone would have noticed. Naruto finished his last drink a while ago and had paid, whether or not he was supposed he wasn’t sure.
Biting his lip, he glanced over to see if anyone was for sure talking to him, finding the seat now empty he got up to leave. Grabbing his jacket from the back of the seat, he glanced around the bar to see everyone pretty distracted. Even in his bright orange shirt, no one seemed to notice as he slipped out the bar nor did anyone try to stop him. After all, he was the birthday boy, no one could tell him he couldn’t leave.
Stepping outside in the chilling wind, he quickly slipped on his jacket and head down the street. Letting his thoughts get away from and his feet carry him wherever they pleased. After a while, he found himself at the entryway to the cemetery but this time without flowers but he was already here, it wouldn’t hurt anything to visit.
Walking in and out of the very neat setup of headstones he found himself in front of Jiraiya’s. He let out a breath and hung his head while sticking his hands in his pockets. He wasn’t too sure what to do now, that wasn’t a real point in being here. But days like this, his birthday especially or around the holidays, he felt more loneliness any other time. It wasn’t like all his friends were in relationships but if it wasn’t that they still had some sort of family to visit.
The crunching of dry leaves startled Naruto, his head popped up as he twisted around towards the stranger he didn’t expect to see who was a headstone away from him. It was hard to make out the figure at first as he was wear black, with black hair and eyes but his ivory skin stood out against the moon that lite everything up in a magical glow.
“Sasuke?” Naruto question, the dark eyes meant him and he almost regretted comforting the raven-haired man. Even though the darkness of the night with just the moon he could see the glare of Sasuke’s eyes.
“What, Dobe?” Sasuke snapped, his hands shoved into his pocket as he held eye contact with Naruto.
Naruto was taken back as he continued to stare at Sasuke, he wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t expect to find Sasuke here and so late, Naruto wasn’t even sure what the time was, to begin with. Though, it didn’t seem like a complete coincidence that Sasuke was just a row away from him.
“You’re not the only one with people here,” Sasuke snapped, which caused Naruto to remember Sasuke’s family. It was something in the news years and years ago, way before they were put into any classes together.
“Bastard, I never said that,” Naruto said annoyingly, his mind a little hazy from the bar and he assumed maybe Sasuke was a little too. Or why else would he be out here, regardless of how he looked he surely didn’t seem like someone to hang out at the cemetery.
“One for cheering up, huh?” Sasuke shook his head.
The next thing really he did took them both by surprise. Naruto launches himself over the headstone that separated himself and Sasuke, knocking them both of balance and barely missing the headstone behind Sasuke as the fell to the ground. The two boys held eye contact for what felt like minutes while trying gain back normal breathing.
“Still the same,” Sasuke muttered, trying but failing to get away from Naruto
“You felt here for years, don’t come back here being all, whatever it is like before,” Naruto breathed out, glaring at Sasuke as he hovered over him. He held eye contact with Sasuke as he firmly pressed his hands into the grassy, dirt beside his head.
“Naruto! Get off me,” Sasuke angrily trying to push on Naruto, again, but the blonde didn’t move as he continued his to stare.
“Stop that,” Naruto’s voice hissed at the box, that held a very persistent cat on wanting to get out. He was in the middle of pushing open the door of his shared apartment when the cat shoved itself against the end of the box causing it to slip out of Naruto’s hand and on to the ground. The impact caused the box to fly open and a fluffy black cat came out, unharmed.
“What have you done now?” The voice didn’t hold a lot of emotion as Naruto turned its gaze towards the pale man. He was seated at the desk on the other side of the room going over who knows what, glasses sat low on his nose as he gave Naruto one of those looks. That look that definitely let Naruto know he’d crossed the line but he also knew Sasuke wasn't going to make him take her back.
“Well...” Naruto drawled out watching as the chubby black cat wandered around choosing to go closer to the dark haired male. “I, um,” he started up, again as he watched Sasuke reach down to pat the cat. “See she likes you, we can’t just take her back,” Naruto said coming inside the rest of the way and closing the door.
Sasuke didn’t answer Naruto right away as the cat jumped up on the desk to further distract him. “And Kurama?” Sasuke question, counting to pat the black cat as she took over the desk. Naruto turned back towards them and made his way to the couch.
As the dog in question came out of their bedroom to greet Naruto. The golden dog stopped once he noticed another animal taking up residence on the desk Sasuke was at, tilting his head but let her be. It wasn’t like Kurama and Sasuke were best of friends anyway; he made his way to Naruto, jumping up on the couch and resting next to the blonde.
Naruto reached out to pet him, looking away from Sasuke. “He seems fine so far,” Naruto said, giving the dog a good scratch. “Maybe, till he notices it’s not leaving,” Naruto muttered as the dog propped his head on his leg to look up at him.
Sasuke made a noise of agreement, looking over at Naruto while asking,“Why did you bring her home?”
“Well, I don’t know,” Naruto started, it was really an impulse buy that he hoped Sasuke was okay with and well that was already answered. “I just, I, we kinda have Kurama and you and your family with cats,” Naruto’s reply was jumbly, “I thought it would be cute,” He shrugged glancing over to Sasuke, who was taking a quiet liking to the fluffy black cat laying across his papers.
You sat out on a chilly day to do some innocent grocery shopping for the next couple of days and maybe checkout a few Christmas items for the upcoming holiday. When you completed as much shopping as one could for a day, you left the shop with a few items and a couple things to shop for later. Deciding to make the walk home, not that you had any other choice, it had gotten colder and you wanted to turn around to go inside the warm grocery store. It wasn’t an option and you needed to be home before dinner, a promise you made Choji as he would being leaving the next morning for a mission. Though, a small shop on the way home did catch your eyes, Christmas lights twinkled around a beautifully decorated tree in the window front, on the outside it’s colorful Christmas spirit was simple. You just had to stop in and take a look, you know, to warm up like two birds with one stone.
The Christmas spirit just drew you in to much as you pushed up the door of the shop. A little bell juggled to alert the shop owners as you walked across the threshold. Cinnamon filled your nose as you took a breath in, letting the door shut behind you. Gazing around it was as if Christmas throw up inside the small shop, which was both unattractive yet appealing Christmas was just that holiday you enjoy.
You and Choji had yet to decided on what to decorate your own Christmas tree for the holidays, the three was still helplessly in the box in fact. It was something you were hoping to do together but Choji hadn’t made any comment of decorating it as anything in particular. Neither of you really brought it up, it wasn’t your first Christmas together as a couple but it was the first Christmas you’d be living together for.
Figuring taking a look around could get some ideas going to pitch to your lovely boyfriend, hopefully over dinner tonight. Though the smallness of the shop hadn't stopped the owners stuffing it full of Christmas; anything from simple Christmas ornaments to some unique ones or specialized ones, dangled or sat neatly on shelves. Nothing had caught your attention, sure there was plenty of things to see and some were sparkly enough for you to stop but nothing seemed to make sense for the two of you but you also weren't sure exactly what that was. Would Choji want a color theme, or a theme generally like all sorts of snowmen/other holiday themed items-they seemed to have a wide variety of them-, a tree overflowing with random decorations that are collected of the years, or maybe a more calm mix of a theme but a little random to try to make it theirs.
Humming to yourself and biting your lip, you wandered around a little more. Reaching the back half of the store, it seemed it's where a few things lied about on the shelves in bins that were on sale.. It seemed to be items that were slowly but surely going out of stock or items people have completely looked over and that's when you'd found it. The colorful but not too bright, unique but something you felt would fit the two of you sat neatly a couple steps in front of you.
The perfect ornaments.
***
“So,” you held your hands behind your back as you stood face to face with Choji in the entrance to the house you shared. Rocking on the heels of your feet, you bit your lip as you meant his eyes. He'd barely been inside the house before you'd confronted him as he was slipping off his shoes. No hello or a quickly hug before you wanted to spring the news on him. You had been wait a few hours, decorating the Christmas tree, tidying up the little apartment and having dinner being cooked as you spoke to him.
“What have you done now?” Choji tried to hide the smile in his voice, though he wasn’t the greeting he was hoped to be meant with he was happy to see you. He could tell you were happy but nervous about something with the way you moved before him.
You glanced behind yourself, though you couldn’t see the beautifully decorated Christmas tree from where you stood. “I may have, I don’t know, decorated the Christmas tree,” you spit out quickly with a shrug but you your gaze didn’t meant his. There wasn’t anyway Choji was going to get upset with you, you both knew this but you still had nerves that wouldn’t settle.
“Oh,” Choji chuckled, his slight fear of you finally adopting a puppy or some sort of animal hadn’t come true quite, yet. “I trust you, now show me this tree,” He said happily, reaching up to tug you into a hug before you took his hand and lead him to the living area.
Close to the TV set up was a dark green colored tree, wrapped in white lights and light colored tensile. Choji didn't say anything as you watched him take in the light colored decorations that took shape of varying sweet desserts. It wasn't your first choice of items when you had walked into the shop earlier that afternoon, but you felt like it was the right choice. It had felt like something the both of you would enjoy, it wasn’t plain traditional, not that you would have minded that, it wasn’t to fully random either, it seemed fitting. Having no actual thought of purchasing any ornaments till you had your boyfriend's opinion, you hoped he liked them.
“Do you like them?” You asked, having taken your hand away from Choji’s. The nerves had came stronger as you await an answer causing you to clasps your hands in front of yourself, moving the slightest to towards Choji. He was still taking it all in and it was unlike the normally happily man to not have some emotion written on his face. You new Christmas was a big thing but you also new it varied as well, with the nerves reaching the limit of silence you went to speak, “Cho…”
A wide, smiling face turned towards you as Choji shushed you into his chest. “I love it,” He whispered to you, having sensed you were worrying. You signed against him, giving into the warm hug not that you could have resisted much longer.
Hey guys, this is just some self indulgent birthday fluff. I really wanted to make Noctis warp/ body slam Prompto lol
-Enjoy
“Hey!” Noctis calls out. He’s standing on the second floor of the biggest ballroom in the citadel, leaning against the marble railing. Prompto stands on the other side of a fifty foot gap, where the empty dance floor below them is visible. It’s the middle of the night, but the glass ceiling is letting in light from the full moon, and it’s enough that he can see the blonde. “Found you.”
“I believe the rules were you had to catch me.” Prompto calls back. He’s dressed in yellow plaid, over a tank top with a band logo on it and pale jeans. Noctis is, of course, wearing all black, and bags under his eyes.
“Come on, don’t you think it’s a little rude to make me chase you for my own birthday present?” Noctis is tired, after spending all day celebrating with people that only care about his title.
“It’ll be worth it, trust me.” Prompto is smiling, lopsided and and genuine.
“That’s how it’s going to be huh?” Noctis is grinning, shaking out his hands.
“That’s how it is.” Prompro agrees.
“Well then, looks like you’re just going to have to catch me.” He is climbing up on the railing, summoning a small and lightweight dagger. Prompto’s eyes widen and he takes a step back.
“Oh no, this is a very bad idea.”
“Nah, it’s a great idea.” Noctis aims, pulls back, and throws it. The dagger plants itself in the wall above his blonde significant other’s head. Noctis warps with it, hitting Prompto square in the chest full on. It’s hard enough to send him stumbling back, but Noctis is ready, keeping them both off the ground. Prompto is clinging to his arms, face flushed and eyes wide.
“Looks like I’ve caught you.” Noctis grins. Prompto swallows, smiling.
“Seems that way.”
“So, what is this present you’ve gotten me?” He asks, and Prompto blushes again.
“It’s um, it’s in my pocket.” Noctis lets him go, and Prompto stands on his own. He reaches into his back pocket, pulling out a ring box. “So, um, this might not make a lot of sense when you see it.” He hands it to Noctis, who opens it immediately.
“It’s a key?” He raises a dark brow, looking at Prompto in confusion, who is rubbing the back of his neck.
“Yeah, um, it’s to your apartment.”
“You’re giving me a key to my own apartment?”
“No I.” Prompto rubs his face, taking a breath and starting over. “When we graduated, you asked me to move in with you and I said no because I wanted to go to college, live in a dorm and all that. I know you don’t like living alone, and I still have classes to take but, if you want, I can move in now?” Noctis is smiling.
“So, you're giving me your key to my apartment.”
“More like I’m giving you myself to live in our apartment.” He responds. “You can keep it if you don’t want me to move in. I have a backup gift just in case, it’s matching slippers, Chocobo for me and Moogle for you.” Noctis cuts him off before he can really start rambling, kissing him softly.
“When can we start moving you in?”
“Whenever you want.”
“So, tomorrow then.” Noctis kisses him again, deeper this time. “I’d say tonight, but I want you all to myself after having to chase you around.”
You had shown up at Shino’s home early that afternoon, begging him to accompany you to the pumpkin patch being held near by. It took a lot of convincing and effort to drag Shino from his warm home out into the chilly air, though before that could even happen Shino had you wait on him. Before you know it you were heading towards the desired place with a boy that made it look like snow should be falling from the sky at any moment. Sure the day was a little chillier than it has been lately but you didn’t understand quite why he was dressed in such heavy and warm clothes.
You’d walked around the decently sized pumpkin patch looking for something to entertain the both of you for a good hour before you crossed a sign that read ‘Maze Ahead’. Practically dragging Shino, without saying anything, along with you though he didn’t seem to want to go anywhere quickly.
“I’m glad you decided to come with me,” you said to him as you carefully took his hand in yours and started the beginning of the maze. Surprising around the maze was still pretty chilly even with the tall hedges, you could feel slight shivers coming from Shino’s cold hand.
“Hmm,” Shino was barely audible, his voice caught behind the tall neck of the shirt and coat he wore. He gently shook his hand out of yours to stick in the pockets of his coat. You caught his eye for a second, though they were covered by his goggles, you were curious to why he was being strange. It was cold, sure but not cold enough to put on such a thick coat.
You could start to tell there was something off with him, while you traveled more into the maze. “Are you all right, Shino?” You questioned, nudging into him a little to get his attention. “You make it look like it’s freezing out,” You commented gesturing to his clothes.
“It is,” his voice was low, you would have barely heard him as you stood right next to him. You must have given him a confused look because he added, “for the bugs.”
“Oh,” you hadn’t even thought about the bugs, it never crossed your mind what would happen to him during the colder months. Now you had a guilty feeling resting low in your stomach as you scooted your way closer to him. He didn’t deny your movements though he was also unsure what to do about it but welcomed the warmth that he could get from you.
“I’m sorry,” you muttered, looking up at him, “Why don’t we go find some hot cocoa and maybe home?” you ask him, hoping the guilty look wasn’t smeared all over your face.
“Thank you, that would be nice,” you couldn’t see it but there was the smallest of smile on Shino’s lips.
I’ve been recently introduced to Naruto and will be adding it to my (Caspar’s) list of writing requests. Requests will be open for reader-inserts/fanfictions and for most male and female characters :)
Prompto gets jealous and drunk off something fruity at a winter ball in Tenebrae.
A jealous one shot, for myself
Words: 4,113
Ao3 link
Prompto sits staring out a fancy window to the snow covered plains of Tenebrae, avoiding glancing at Noctis, who sits a table over. He shouldn’t be so upset, he knows that he’s being irrational, and normally he has a very clear and level head; Unless it came to Chocobos, or photography, or music he really liked, or movies, or books or video games…
Okay, maybe he was overly enthused about pretty much everything. He’s got a lot of feelings, and while he’s not bad at hiding them, he’s not very good at it either.
So, sitting here, watching Noctis smile at Lady Lunafreya in a way that he’s never seen the prince smile at anyone before, it tugged at his heart in an unpleasant, but familiar way. He shouldn’t be jealous of Lady Luna, she and Noctis had been friends long before Prompto was in the picture, but he couldn’t stop it. They sat close, whispering about the other royal people in the room and laughing. She touched his arm, or his hands, leaning in close to talk to him while the people around them came to make introductions or the like. This was a winter ball, before the holidays, to talk of peace in the lands over the winter.
Noctis had invited Prompto here as a friend, not as a guard or anything, like Ignis and Gladio were invited as, but as a +1 to the Prince. He had been ecstatic to go, having dreamed of the ice and snow of the beautiful land for years. He had packed multiple memory cards for his camera, and had filled two before they even reached the city. Lady Luna had greeted them, briefly, when they arrived. She smelled like flowers and moonlight when she hugged him, commenting that maybe she should keep him here to add color to the land.
He had blushed, and then he was whisked away into to a room with an amazing view, right across the hall from Noctis. Prompto had barely seen the Prince since, having woken to find him already having breakfast with Lady Lunafreya, leaving Prompto to dine with Ignis and Gladio. Not that he minded, they were all friends, and Ignis does like keeping an eye on how much the photographer is eating. Prompto has a bad habit of forgetting to do so sometimes.
Then he was talking to Luna’s brother, a hard faced man with white hair, who also seemed lost with Luna hanging out with Noctis. Prompto and him hit it off faster than he expected, and the other even offered to show him the best place to see the sunset if he wanted. He remind Prompto of Cor, slightly, in the way he seemed hard and unreachable, but opened up with a few jokes and smiles. He wore all white too, and Prompto felt more out of place wearing bright colors then he did in the citadel.
Ravus walked him back to his room to get ready, stating he had to do so as well. The outfit that Prompto was to wear was laid out on his bed, now doubt by Ignis, who had also picked the outfit, and paid for it. Prompto offered to cover the cost, but the other male had simply shrugged and smiled. Ignis has a way of saying you can pay him back, but never letting you.
It was a nice outfit, nicer than anything else Prompto owned for sure. While Noctis had to wear all black to represent his kingdom, Prompto didn’t. His shirt is a wine red, untucked from his pants, under an ash grey vest. His suit jacket is black like his pants, with gold buttons, rolled up his arms (Ignis told him not to do that, but he liked how his arms looked so he did it anyway). Matching boots with gold buckles and red soles, a black and gold bracelet that Ignis didn’t ask questions about, but got custom made to match, and gold earrings.
Prompto had felt pretty good, even better when he walked into the room and Noctis looked at him with something like awe. He had thought that Noctis would have seen what he was going to wear, but maybe not. He had been walking to Noctis, smiling, and then Luna walked it.
All white blonde hair, and pale skin clear of any blemishes like freckles, and purulent silk dress hugging her curves. She looked ethereal, gracefully making her way into the room. She smiled, and met Noctis on his way, stopping him. Prompto watched them, watched her really. Lady Luna was perfect, like a painting hand made by one of the gods. Noctis deserve someone like her, not a reject with more secrets then he knew what to do with. Prompto had sat down in a slump, playing with his bracelet.
That had been at least an hour ago.
Ravus had stopped by, talked to him some. He is still close, sitting next to him and talking to other angry looking men in outfits that look more like armor than suits. Prompto chances a glance at Noctis, and finds Lady Lunafreya lending into him, saying something softly in his ear. He blushes, hard, and his eyes find Prompto’s for a mere second before he’s looking away again.
Prompto stands, abruptly.
“Are you okay?” Ravus asks, looking at him.
“Yeah, just, going to get a drink.” Prompto knows he sounds angry, knows that anyone with half a brain could read his face and tell that he was anything but alright. He knows he’s shouldn’t be upset, knows that Noctis certainly isn’t his to be jealous over. He is his friend, and Luna is a beautiful girl, he should be happy for Noctis. Gods he wishes he was happy for Noctis.
“What can I get ya’?” The women at the bar has sharp features, short red hair and clear brown eyes. She’s wearing a bow tie, and smiling politely.
“Something fruity that’ll make me forget why I’m in a bad mood.” He sits at the bar, and she chuckles.
“I’ve got just the thing.”’ She starts mixing things behind the bar, and Prompto puts 50 gil in the tip jar. She hands him a little glass with a yellow and orange liquid, and a slice of pineapple with two cherries. “This is a house special.”
Prompto has half of it gone before she starts talking again.
“So, what’s got you drinking like that?” She smiles, wiping the bar down next to him. He laughs, but it’s forced.
“You ever been in love?” He responds, and she lets out a dry chuckle.
“Once or twice.” She nods. “Is she here?” Her dark eyes scan the room, and he finishes his drink.
“He, and yeah.”
“Oh, where’s he at?” She sets a second drink in front of him, and he smiles.
“He’s the one sat next to Lady Lunafreya, with the dark hair wearing all black.” Her eyes scan the room again, before she looks down at the bar.
“He’s cute. Must be important too, sitting where he is.” He laughs, more genuinely this time. His head is starting to feel fuzzy around the edges, and he leans back in his seat.
“That he is.” He takes another sip from his glass. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name?”
“Kore.” She responds.
“I’m Prompto.” He sticks out a hand, and she shakes it. “So, you heard any good gossip tonight?” He asks, leaning on the bar and watching her as she laughs.
“Honey I’m a bartender, all I ever hear is gossip.” She responds.
And so they start talking, about the councilman from Insomnia cheating with a girl from Niflheim, and about Revus supposedly being seen with a pretty blonde boy this afternoon. He laughs and tells her that might have been him, and she laughs too, agreeing that Prompto diffidently is a pretty blonde boy.
He’s on his fourth drink, and halfway done with a plate of horderves that Kore convinced one of the waiters to ‘forget’ here. They are little skewer things, with vegetables and cheese and a slice of meat in the middle. She has served a couple other people, but none of them stayed past getting their drinks.
“I think you might be bad for business.” She jokes, and he pulls his wallet out and slips a few more gil in the tip jar. “I was kidding.”
“Nah, I always bring too much money when I go places.” He shrugs, putting his wallet back. She smiles fondly at him, than looks at her watch.
“My shift is about over, and the next guy coming in isn’t as friendly as I am.” She looks him over. “Do you need me to walk you back to wherever you’re going?”
“Are you hitting on me?” He asks, looking at her suspiciously, and she snorts.
“With how much you’ve been going on about that lover boy of yours? I wouldn’t stand a chance.” She responds. “I’m also happily engaged, don’t think my girlfriend would like it if I came home with a strange man.”
“Only a little strange, thank you very much.” He jokes, and she laughs again. “I can make it back on my own, it’s not far.” He smiles.
“You sure? Kela won’t mind driving you home? She’s already gotta pick me up.” She seems genuinely worried, and Prompto smiles. He likes this girl, even if he might not remember her when he’s sober again. He’s opening his mouth to decline again, when she looks behind him and smiles. She scribbles someone on a napkin and hands it to him. “Text me when you get home, I’d feel bad if something bad happens because I got you drunk.”
He looks at the napkin, then at her in confusion as she looks next to him.
“Hi, what can I get ya’?”
“Something fruity would be good.” Noctis slides up to the bar, standing against it.
“Imagine that.” She whisper under her breath, and Prompto stifles a laugh. Noctis looks to him and he shrugs, finishing his glass. She sets two of the same thing down, and they both take one.
“How many of these have you had?” Noctis asks, looking him over.
“A few.” He responds, watching the girl behind the bar wink at him as she leaves. He spins in his chair, looking out over the room. It’s not as crowded as it had been when he sat down, but he’s not sure how long ago that had been. His eyes scan over the room for a pile of white silk, and doesn’t find one. “Where did Luna go?” He glances over at Noctis, and finds midnight blue eyes watching him.
“She and Ravus are wishing some guests goodnight.” He responds, eyes steady. Prompto takes a breath and forces a smile.
“She looked great tonight, huh?” His mouth teats bitter afterword, and he’s sure it’s not from the sweet drink in his hand.
“Yeah.” Noctis responds, after a moment. Prompto nods, setting his half finished drink on the bar top behind him, clumsily.
“Well, I hope you two have a wonderful evening than. As for me I might have had a few to many, better get back to my room and sleep it off.” He stands on wobbly legs, swaying so heavily that Noctis puts an arm on his shoulder.
“Wow, how many too many did you have?” He asks, a joke in his voice.
“At least three.” Prompto giggles, his head light and his legs like lead. The room is spinning around him, but the music is soft and the floors are golden, and he feels like he’s dreaming.
“Come on, I’ll walk you back.” Noctis offers, and he weakly protests.
“You’ve got a lady waiting on you. I’m sure I can get Ignis or Ravus or someone to make sure I don’t pass out in the hall.”
“Why would Ravus walk you back?” Noctis gives him a sidelong glance, pulling Prompto’s arm over his shoulders.
“Oh, he showed me around today when you were busy with Lady Lunafreya.” Prompto leans into Noctis, letting himself be walked away. The dark haired male makes a sound sort of like a scoff.
“I would have shown you around if you asked.” He sounds defensive, and Prompto laughs again. He can’t seem to stop, even as they leave the golden ballroom and enter a marble hallway. There is no longer any music, other than the wind passing outside the glass walls, and their steps echoing around them. It still feels like a dream, with the stars and moon in the sky like jewels, and Noctis warm and close to him.
“When would I have had time to ask?” He responds, closing his eyes a little longer than could be counted as a blink.
“This morning.” Noctis answers, sounding less sure.
“When you and her were rushing off from breakfast?” Prompto reminds him. “Or when I saw you across the garden with Iggy and Gladio and you were being pulled along by the dogs? Or when you got to the ball and sat across from me all night?” He lists, not bitterly really. He was too drunk to be bitter. The drinks had worked.
“Well, you could have come up during the party?” Noctis says after a moment. Prompto squints at the hall around them and realizes he has to idea where they are as he replies.
“And fight against politicians and bureaucrats to get close enough to see Lady Lunafreya chewing on your earlobe up close? Forgive my hesitation in doing so.” He feels a ting in his chest when Noctis blushes. He’s not sure what he had been expecting, maybe for the other to laugh it off.
“She wasn’t chewing on my, anything.” His voice cracks at the end of his statement, and Prompto rolls his eyes, making himself dizzy and almost sending him to the ground, causing him to burst into a fit of giggles. Noctis stops walking, leaning them against the wall so Prompto can catch his breath. “She wasn’t.” He tries again.
“Maybe not, but she definitely wants to be.” Prompro looks out the windows next to them. Glass walls, leading to the snow covered gardens. It’s beautiful.
“She’s my friend, Prompto, like you.” Noctis is looking him, confusion playing over his pretty face when Prompto sighs, resting his head against the wall behind him.
“Then she very definitely wants to be.” He says, letting his eyes close.
“What?” Noctis shakes him slightly, and Prompto meets his dark blue eyes. The moonlight shines off the snow, bathing the hall in pale light that makes Noctis’ eyes shine like the ocean under a summer sky, a blue so deep he feels like he might drown. His dark hair is swept back from his face tonight, and Prompto wishes silently that Noctis would wear it like this more often. His fingers feel heavy when he touches the side of the Prince’s face, before letting his hand fall back to his side.
“We should get going, don’t want to keep Lady Luna waiting.” His voice is soft, and Noctis’ eyes bore into him like he’s trying to scoop out his soul. Prompto would let him have it, for what it’s worth.
“I’m not going back to the party.” Noctis states, pushing off the wall and leading Prompto down the hall again.
“Why?” His voice comes out cold, and he looks down at his feet as he walks.
“I’m with someone more important.” Prompto looks up at him, and finds his friend looking down the hall.
“Don’t let me ruin your night.” He keeps looking at Noctis, watching his face shift into a smile.
“Without you the whole night has kinda sucked. Leaving you and going back would really ruin it.” He jokes, and they turn down a hall the Prompto does recognize, finally. “Besides, I haven’t seen you all day, right? Gotta fix that.” They stop in front of Prompto’s door, and while he’s pulling out his key the napkin falls from his pocket. Noctis picks it up. “Is this that bartenders number?” He asks.
“Yeah, she wanted to make sure I got home safe.” Prompto shrugs.
“Looks like you had a good time at the party too then.” There is something in his voice that sounds accusatory. He turns to look at his friend, meeting the princes eyes, and suddenly everything he felt all night is hot and fresh in his chest. Every touch over the last year, all the nights spent sleeping in the same bed, or hanging out for hours on end, or sitting too close together, he can feel it on his skin. All the times he wanted to tell Noctis that he was in love with him, that he’s wanted to yell it to the stars and pray it to the gods, every secret admirer letter he wrote playing over in his mind. It’s too much, far too much to be crashing down on him while he’s drunk and standing in the hallway in front of gods and everyone.
“I spent the whole night talking about you.” Prompto blurts out. “About how I was jealous that everyone got time with you but me, and how I wished it was me making you blush and not her, and how that’s stupid because I should be happy a pretty girl that you like, likes you back. But all I can think about is how I’ve had so many chances to tell you how I am so in love with you it drives me crazy and I pick now to act on it, after someone else takes an interest in you.” He looks at his hands, his eyes burning with forming tears. “How lame is that?” He chokes out a laugh and it turns into a sob.
“Prompto.” Noctis’ voice is soft, and Prompto shakes his head.
“I should be going to sleep.” He doesn’t look at Noctis when he opens his door and steps inside his room, closing it behind him. He collapses on his bed with his head in his hands, feeling tears run down his face.
Then his door slams open, and he’s looking up in shock when Noctis walks in, angrily slamming it closed behind him to. His eyes are hard on Prompto, and the blonde swallows around a dry throat.
“Listen here you fuck. You do not just get to say that to be then disappear into your room like nothing happened, okay?” Noctis storms to the bed as he talks. “Your in love with me to the point it drives you crazy and you just walk away from me? How lame is that?” He sits in front of Prompto, on his knees, and holds the others face so he can keep their eyes locked. “I’ve been with Luna all day because I have been trying to sort out my feelings for you. The whole nation is convinced that I’ll marry some nice noblewomen and have kids, but I don’t want that. I want you.”
Prompto can feel his eyes widen, more tears spilling over his freckled cheek and Noctis’ hands that hold him.
“You think she’s been flirting with me? She’s been talking about you and giving me tips how to tell you what I feel. I’ve been watching you the whole night trying to get the courage to talk to you. Then you go and beat me to the confession, rude.” Prompto laughs, even while he is crying. “And now I want to kiss you, but your drunk and I’m not taking advantage of you.” Noctis is laughing too.
“You could stay here tonight? We’ve shared a bed lots of times, and kiss me in the morning when I’m not drunk.” He offers, voice shaky. Noctis sighs, like he’s relieved Prompto didn’t kick him out or something.
“I think that sounds like a great Idea.” The Prince agrees.
(∩｀-´)⊃━☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ
Prompto wakes up with a pounding headache. He peels open his eyes too look around the room, realizing he slept with his contacts in last night. The curtains are closed, but light is dimly seeping past them into the room. He’s wearing his favorite pajamas, and wrapped up in the blankets he feels kinda cozy, like he can go back and sleep this terrible feeling off.
“Good morning.” The bed shifts, and he opens his tired lavender eyes. Noctis is sitting next to him, smiling and holding out a dark colored mug. Prompto sits up, taking it in his hands and finding it warm.
“Morning. What is this?” His voice is raspy, and he winces because of it.
“Hangover cure. Ignis brought it.” He responds, and Prompto takes a sip. It teats pretty good, like honey and something else sweet. He starts feeling better after his first sip, his head starting to clear. He looks sheepishly at Noctis, smiling.
“Thanks.”
“Of course. And I talked to Luna, since we leave tomorrow I told her I wanted a day to hang out here. So I can show you all the cool places Ravus wouldn’t show you because outsides aren’t supposed to go there, or we can go to town? There are some real photo worthy places around, and I know where all the best ones are.”
“Could we, stay here for a while?” Prompto looks at him, and Noctis looks at him with kind eyes. It’s been too long since Noctis looked so relaxed, with everything going on lately.
“Sure.” He kicks off the shoes he had been wearing, moving the pile of blankets until he is pressed against Prompto’s side. He takes the empty cup from Prompto’s hands, setting it on the night stand. Prompto looks at him, tugging on the sleeve of his sweater.
“Did I get really drunk last night?”
“You did.” Noctis answers.
“And did I, confess anything?” Prompto tried to be casual about it, but it is all fuzzy and he has to know.
“Only that you’re in love with me.” He’s got a grin on his face, and Prompto feels his cheeks flush.
“And you are…”
“In love with you too? Yes.”
“And we didn’t go to war with an army of half demon half shark monsters?” Noctis looks at him, a chuckle escaping his lips.
“Not that I know of.”
“But we did agree to kiss when I was sober.” It’s Prompto’s turn to grin.
“We did.” Noctis is leaning in, watching him.
“I might have hangover breath.” It’s a warning, but he’s leaning in too. Noctis doesn’t reply, closing his eyes. Prompto dose the same, pressing his lips against the others. It’s soft, not lasting long, and when Noctis pulls away he’s left wanting more.
So Prompto chases the others lips, finding his pale hand under the blanket with his sun kissed one and curling their fingers together. Prompto kisses his lips again, and his cheek, and forehead and chin, then lips again to be safe. Noctis is left smiling, and breathless.
“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.” Prompto feels dizzy again, his hand tingling where it touches his friend, his heart pounding.
“Probably as long as I’ve wanted you to do that.” Noctis kisses him again, moving closer and trading which hand is holding Prompto’s so he can wind his arm around the blond’s back, bringing him closer.
“Does this mean we’re dating?” Prompto feels warm and safe in Noctis’ arms.
“I’ll have to take you on a real date.”
“I think we’ve gone on a lot of real dates.” His voice is light, and he is smiling.
“Maybe, but I’ve never been able to call you my boyfriend during them.”
“Boyfriend to the prince, huh?” He seems to consider this. “Does that have a royal title or something?”
“I can probably make one if there isn’t.” Noctis shrugs, closing his eyes and leaning his forehead against the others. Prompto laughs, and closes his eyes too. He can feel sleep pulling at the back of his eyes, the feeling of being warm and close to Noctis making him relax.
“Hey, Noctis?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you.” The words come out of his mouth before he can put thought into if it’s too soon to say that. He feel Noctis pull them down so they are laying on the bed, instead of propped against the head borde.
“I love you too, Prompto.” They curl closer together, chest to chest, Prompto’s face in Noctis’ shoulder, legs tangled and hands laced, resting between them.
He thinks briefly that he should thank Luna for talking to Noctis, and Kore for putting up with him, before he’s sleeping soundly in his boyfriends arms.
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