Giggly Morning
A/N: Reading Ginny’s recent reblog kinda inspired me to write a story for them as well. Tickletober is over and we’re looking back to a month full of awesome works. I hope you all enjoyed it just as much as I did~ Number 31 - Rest - of @vqler's Tickletober prompt list of 2025 ft. Noctis, Prompto, Ignis and Gladio from Final Fantasy XV.
Words: 1,145 words under the cut
The campsite was quiet that late morning, the fire from the night before burned down to embers, and the desert sun was already creeping high into the sky. Gladio and Ignis were outside the tent, finishing their breakfast and reviewing their plans for the day. The only problem was that their prince still hadn’t emerged.
Noctis had a habit of sleeping late, but this was pushing it - even for him. “Should we wake him?” Ignis asked, stirring the pot absently as he peered toward the tent. Gladio shrugged. “He’ll come out when he’s ready… or when his stomach starts growling loud enough.”
Prompto, however, wasn’t satisfied with that answer. His camera hung around his neck, and his bright eyes sparkled with mischief as he grinned. “Or… we could wake him up ourselves.” Both Ignis and Gladio raised an eyebrow at him. “Oh no,” Ignis said flatly, immediately recognizing that mischievous tone, “what exactly are you planning, Prompto?”
“C’mon, Specs,” Prompto laughed, “it’s the middle of the day! He can’t just keep snoozing like that! And besides…” his grin grew wider as he lowered his voice, “I’ve got the perfect plan.” Gladio leaned back against a crate, smirking. “This ought to be good.” Without another word, the blonde ducked into the tent.
Inside, the air was warm and filled with the soft sound of Noctis’s steady breathing. The prince was curled up in his sleeping bag, dark hair a mess, his arm thrown lazily over his eyes to block out the sunlight that slipped through the cracks in the fabric. One foot had slipped free of the covers, pale and completely unguarded.
Prompto’s grin turned devilish. “Rise and shine, Your Highness,” he whispered, before lightly dragging a finger down the sole of Noctis’s exposed foot. Noctis twitched, his toes curling, a muffled grunt escaping from under his arm the second skin met skin. Prompto bit back a laugh, doing it again with two fingers this time, slowly skimming across the arch of his foot.
“Hhh- heh quit it…” Noctis groaned, shifting but still refusing to open his eyes. “Aw, come on Noct! You can’t just sleep the day away!” Prompto teased, this time wiggling all five fingers against the bottom of the ravenhead’s foot. The prince jolted with a snort, his eyes flying open. “Promp- hah! StoHohop thaHahat!”
But Prompto only laughed, leaning closer and scribbling both hands along Noctis’s sides now that he was stirring. “Nope! Not until you’re awake!” Noctis tried to roll away, but Prompto was relentless, tickling at the sensitive spots just above his hips. Noctis’s quiet groans turned into muffled laughter, his face half-buried in his pillow.
“Pfft- Promp- e-eHehnough!” he barked between chuckles, twisting around. Prompto beamed, triumphant. “See? That’s the sound of a guy who’s definitely awake now!” But before he could continue his attack, Noctis suddenly shot a hand out, grabbing Prompto by the wrist and yanking him down onto the bedroll.
In one swift move, the prince rolled them both so that Prompto was trapped beneath him, squirming in surprise. “W-Whoa- hey, hey!” Prompto squeaked, his eyes widening in surprise. Noctis gave a sleepy smirk, his voice low and rough from just waking. “You asked for it…”
Before the other could wriggle free, Noctis slipped his hands under the blonde’s arms and scribbled his fingers into the hollows of his armpits. “NO hhahhhahhahaha, N-NoHot fair!!” Prompto shrieked, thrashing but unable to push the heavier boy off. He kicked uselessly at the blankets, laughter spilling uncontrollably from him.
“Still think I should get up?” Noctis teased, leaning closer and wiggling his fingers faster. Prompto’s face turned pink as he tried to fight him off. “Y-Yes hhahahaha juHust st-stop!” The sound of their laughter carried outside, where Ignis sighed and adjusted his glasses. “Well, it appears Prompto has succeeded in waking him.”
“Sounds like it,” Gladio chuckled, “but the kid’s not gonna win this one alone.” Sure enough, Prompto’s frantic voice followed: “Gladio! Ignis! Hhahaha h-h-heHehlp meee!” That was all the invitation Gladio needed. He strode to the tent, pushing the flap open with a grin. “What’s all the racket in here?” Prompto’s eyes lit up like he’d been saved.
“Gladio! He’s tiHihckling meHehe! G-GeHeht him off!” Noctis glanced up lazily, still straddling Prompto, his fingers poised over his friend’s ribs. “Don’t you dare.” But the Shield only smirked, cracking his knuckles. “Sorry prince, you had your fun.” With that, he lunged, scooping Noctis up under the arms and dragging him back off Prompto.
The sudden motion left Noctis flailing, his shirt riding up slightly as Gladio easily pinned him against his chest. “Gotcha,” Gladio said smugly, then dug his fingers into Noctis’s sides. The other exploded with laughter, kicking and twisting in his friend’s hold. “N-Nohoho! Gladio, stahahap!” Prompto sat up, red-faced and panting, but quickly regained his grin.
“Payback time!” he cheered and dove forward to join in, skittering his hands over Noctis’s stomach while Gladio held him steady. The tent was filled with helpless laughter now, Noctis unable to fight both of them off at once. He tried shoving Prompto’s hands away, but Gladio’s grip was unshakable, leaving him vulnerable to every poke and scribble.
“Hahhhaha o-oHokay, okay! I’m up, I’m up!!” Noctis finally yelled between laughs. That was when Ignis finally stepped into the tent, arms crossed. “Gentlemen,” he said, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward in amusement, “do try not to collapse the tent.” Prompto glanced at him, still giggling. “We’re just waking him up! Wanna help?”
Ignis shook his head. “I believe the two of you have it well in hand.” “Not for long,” Gladio rumbled with a grin, shifting his hold so that Noctis had just enough wiggle room to grab Prompto again. In the chaos, both of them tumbled sideways, dragging Gladio down with them. Suddenly all three were caught in a pile, laughter erupting from every direction.
“Noct, let- haha leHet go!” Prompto squeaked. “Gladio, moHove your elbow- hahahaha,” Noctis gasped. “You’re all hopeless,” Ignis muttered, but his voice carried fondness more than annoyance. Eventually, Gladio pulled back, letting Noctis catch his breath. Prompto collapsed beside him, grinning ear to ear despite his disheveled hair.
Noctis sat up slowly, still chuckling as he rubbed his eyes. “You guys are the worst…” “And you,” Ignis reminded pointedly, “are finally awake. Which was the entire purpose.” Prompto stuck his tongue out playfully. “See? Mission accomplished!” Noctis gave him a flat look but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at his lips. “Next time,” he warned, “I’m locking the tent.”
Gladio laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. “Good luck with that, prince.” Outside, the day stretched warm and bright, their laughter lingering in the air like an echo of camaraderie. Noctis may not have wanted to wake up, but surrounded by his friends, it was hard to stay grumpy for long.