After kicking his shoes off, Noctis dropped onto his couch with a dramatic sigh. The council reports Ignis had written up for him had been dumped on the coffee table, because there was no way he was going over them now. It had been a long week full of training and seemingly back-to-back council meetings. He needed a break which was why he'd invited Prompto over for a weekend of gaming, movies, and takeout.
"Seriously, Prompto, how many meetings does one council need to have? Maybe if they'd stop arguing with each other over every little thing, they'd actually get things done."
He knew it was more complicated than that, of course, but he really hated council meetings. He didn't know how his father dealt with them without going insane.
"But enough work talk. I don't even wanna think about the damn council for the rest of the weekend."
He rolls out the thick mat upon the top of the roof of the building they are at. It is deep in the middle of the city, and Cor drags a large black case over to himself, sitting it on top of the mat. He clicks open several locks on the case, and cracks it open.
There is a thin, sleek looking rifle inside, as long as Prompto almost.
"Sit down." Cor gestures to the mat. "This is part of your training."
"Mm." It was a careful sound of acknowledgement, understanding as much as he could but knowing he probably only had so much information really. "Yeah, I get that. Kinda rough sometimes, huh?"
Well, okay, that wasn't very comforting. "I just mean, uh. Well, yeah. I mean, unless you mean, like. Not here home, where you just get to play games and not have to pretend to be perfect or whatever. Like, 'home' means different things, and. Um." Prompto finally gave up with a little laugh.
"I am super bad at advice, sorry." He finally admitted with a laugh. "Might be super good at sneaking away for a little while, at least. If you're up for it."
Ardyn sighed. He wasn’t mad at Prompto of course, though he was a little confused at what the guy was trying to say. He was just homesick.
“I meant Altissia,” He said finally. “the smells, and the people, and the language? I feel bad cause I love Noct and dad but. . . Lucis isn’t home.”
He flops back and glances over at Prompto.
“Parties like this,” He waves at the people. “It just reminds me I’m a foreigner. That my voice and looks are all wrong. You know? There are some Altissian Glaives that make it better but like, I still miss home.”
Mistletoe! (Let's face it, it's an accident but an accident that will be taken advantage of.)
Skylar didn’t notice. She, for better or worse, thought quite highly of the men she had travelled with, so she never thought they (least of all Ignis) would entertain the idea.
Prompto and Skylar had arrived together, gifts in hands and coats around shoulders. It was a modest event, only their friends invited. They joined in on the eggnog (which Gladio spiked, to no one’s surprise) and after several hours had a rosiness to them that could only be explained by the alcohol.
Noctis was the one with the idea, Ignis was the one with the execution. No one noticed the way Ignis reached up to tape a piece of the garnish on the doorframe because they were all entertained by Gladio telling some story he had read on the news earlier that day. Throughout the party both Prompto and Skylar walked through the door frame, but never together. It was getting to the point where Noctis was getting anxious their dumb little plan wouldn’t even work.
Late in the evening, Skylar deemed it an appropriate time to leave and started gathering their belongings. Prompto wrapped a scarf around her neck and held her coat for her to slip her arms through the sleeves.
“Thank you so much for hosting us, Noctis.” Skylar smiled, though it was aimed at Ignis (because really, he was the one who planned the event).
“Yeah, no problem. You both should be heading out.” Noctis commented, to which Ignis leveled a glare at him for.
“Uh yeah, we both should!” Prompto agreed, looking at them odd before stepping out the door. Skylar was still gathering something to take home and Noctis was about to say something further when Ignis took matters into his own hands and collected them for her, eloquently turning her and pushing (shoving) her towards her significant other.
Prompto caught her in an instant, though with her momentum they crashed into each other and lips met in a sloppy clash. Gladio laughed loudly, saying something about him waiting all night for it to happen.
Ignis chuckled softly and bid the blushing pair goodnight. Skylar was out in an instant, ranting about how she could trust no one in their group. Prompto lagged behind, flashed the guys a lipstick-stained smile, and gave them all a thumbs-up before hurrying after his girlfriend in an attempt to not get left behind.
you’re okay, it was just a bad dream. -- @stonecoldmeme.
[ Send me "You're okay, it was just a bad dream." for my characters reaction to waking up from a nightmare in your characters arms. ]
stonecoldmeme said: "You’re okay, it was just a bad dream." No judgment there; just a soft voice and a softer touch, rubbing Noct's shoulder. He understood, with all the anxiety and everything, but he also knew that Noct-- Well. It was a little different for Noct. He was as happy to stay there as he was to give his best friend some alone time, if he'd rather. ((Welp.))
it wasn’t the first time it had happened. it was NEVER the first time it had happened. nightmares and Noctis went together too well for the Prince’s comfort. there were many sleepless nights in his apartment and even some sleepless nights whilst camping out with the others. and things had only gotten worse with so much added stress and anxiety the past few weeks. tonight was no different from those other nights.
he could vaguely remember the nightmare and what had happened within it, especially the part where it left him jolting awake and gasping out for breath whilst his heart raced in his chest. he tried to be quiet as best he could, but he still managed to wake up someone all the same. luckily for him, it was Prompto. he honestly would have preferred him over the other two any day.
the blond’s touch was gentle and warm and welcoming. he was sure the gunner could feel the way Noctis was trembling despite he somewhat calm expression. he had gotten pretty damn good at putting on a tough face lately. 『 ❝ a bad dream... yeah... ❞ 』 he murmured the words quietly, laying his head in his hands and running them down his face with a somewhat shaky exhale. 『 ❝ just a bad dream... ❞ 』
but it had felt so real.
@stonecoldmeme said: "W-whoah. I'm, uh, not from around here, I guess. That sword you've got looks like it means business, um. R-right, so I kind of heard about this SOLDIER program thing? There anyone who can explain that to me or answer basic questions?" At least he hoped that sounded confident (and competent) enough to get an answer and not a-- Well, a great big sword wound.
The tall silver haired male stared down at the stranger, when he first noticed the young man he summoned his weapon. But upon closer inspection it wasn’t who he thought it was. “Apologies, I thought you were someone else.” Sephiroth said and summoned away masamune. He arched a brow curiously at what the other was here for. “You’re a bit late for the SOLDIER program. It was a army for the ShinRa company who tried to take over the world along with unethical experiments. SOLDIER is disbanned and what is left of ShinRa isn’t here, I’m whats left.”
