#bday request

“You know, little bird,” her mother began gently as she closed the book, “I’ve heard a saying that when your soulmate sneezes, you sneeze too.”

“Does that mean it’s my soulmate's fault and not mine?” Zelda managed between achoos!

Her mother said nothing but only chuckled.

Zelda never did grow out of her sneezing, but she persisted anyway. Her determination to study the wildlife of Hyrule, including the flora and fauna that thrived only in the spring and summer seasons, overrode her debilitating sneezing. It was truly a shame that the most tolerable times of the year for her were fall and winter, when everything began to wither and die and her favorite flower, the Silent Princess, went away until the first melt.

On this particular spring day, the sneezing was pretty awful, but she insisted she venture out into the field anyway to study some of the Silent Princesses. She was determined to unlock the secrets of the soil, sunlight, and environment that helped them thrive so well. Every Silent Princess she had ever taken to her study had died within the night. Because of her insistence, her personal knight Link was forced to go with her as well.

“I won’t force you to eat a frog this time, I promise.”

He only smiled uneasily. It wasn’t the frogs he was worried about.

Link had what was possibly the most vicious and violent pollen allergy in all of Hyrule. When spring rolled around, he figured it might as well be over for him. Despite his great amount of outdoor duties, he did his best to stay inside, away from the flowers and the grass and all the budding greens that emitted pollen that could invade his system. Once he sneezed, he wouldn’t stop for a long while. It had gotten him in trouble during training one too many times.

But duty called, and he went out into the spring field with Zelda, that spring field teeming with malicious flowers and fatal pollen and the evil bees that spread it. When the princess told him the goal was to study some Silent Princesses, he would have fainted had he not been a disciplined warrior.

Zelda did notice his relentless sniffling from the back of her own horse, the way his grips on his reins tightened every now and then and his face contorted into something grotesque every few moments.

“Are you okay?”

He nodded. “Fine,” he choked.

She shrugged and onward they went, deeper into Hyrule Field, before stopping at a single Silent Princess Zelda had spotted. Link stayed atop his horse, wary, fighting his inner mechanisms while the princess dismounted and cheerfully knelt near the flower. He admired her in a lot of ways, but mainly her capacity to appear unaffected by the pollen wafting into her nose as she examined the flower.

“Come down here, Link,” she beckoned, voice as light as a feather and full of wonder. “This one’s rare. The colors are switched around–how peculiar.”

“I think I will stay up here,” he said. “Better view.”

She groaned, shot up, and tugged on his sleeve to get him off his horse. He stumbled down and then he was on his knees next to the flower with her, noses nearly pressed to the petals.

ACHOO!

“Ugh, I’m sorry–” But Link was quickly cut off by– ACHOO!

And now she was sneezing too, and back and forth they went, practically taking turns, trading sneezes, until they finally mounted their horses and swiftly rode away from the field. Link felt less bad about sneezing now and let the occasional one out, to which Zelda would respond similarly into her sleeve.

Link wasted no time when they returned to the castle, apologizing profusely and interrupting with another apology anytime Zelda tried to speak. He put the horses in the stable and made sure Zelda had everything she needed before he sprinted away from her, still sneezing, into the barracks.

Prompto’s shoulders drop as another sigh leaves his mouth. “You know it’s me.” He speaks through the opening, keeping his head turned away, lest he be seen as someone sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong. “Can I come in?” 

“I said to go away.” The voice sounds slightly slurred, which causes Prompto’s eyebrow to raise up. That is not a good sign, at all. First, the smell of smoke, and then now this? 

Not waiting for another retort, he pushes the door open and walks into the library. Prompto sees Ignis sitting in a chair, the chair facing the western wall where there is a bank of windows looking out at the destroyed building across the way. Prompto sees that he’s balancing a glass of what he assumes is whiskey, since that’s always been Ignis’ drink of choice. A puff of smoke billows up towards the top of Ignis’ head, the strong scent of the cigar smoke now surrounding him. 

“What are you doing?” Prompto asks, keeping his distance. He knows not to upset Ignis when he’s like this, but he’s pretty sure he’s already done that by forcing his way in here. “What happened?” 

He expects to hear him speak to him in a harsh tone - too many nights he’d bore the brunt of Ignis’ anger while Noctis slept in the Crystal. Memories of smelling cigar smoke, and equating it to having to be on his best behavior, as he didn’t want to upset Ignis. But Prompto always stood his ground, and in the morning, Ignis would always apologize for his behavior. While that didn’t really excuse it in any way, Prompto understands that people deal with certain things in certain ways. He has his own issues, and won’t ever look down on someone for their poor behavior. He knows Ignis well enough that there must be something seriously wrong if he’s smoking and drinking again. As far as he knows, it hasn’t happened in over a year - since the King had returned to them. 

Five minutes pass, but Prompto remains quiet. “Do you think that maybe I shouldn’t have gone to Zegnautus Keep with Ardyn?”

“What?” Out of all the things to come out of Ignis’ mouth, that isn’t something he expects. At all. 

“I said, do you think that it was a mistake that I went to Zegnautus Keep? What if I had stayed there and fought, rather than gone with him.” The words were slightly slurred, Ignis taking another sip of his whiskey, before puffing on his cigar. “I think so. I think it was a mistake, because I shouldn’t be here. I was meant to die for him.” 

Prompto walks forward, and goes to stand in front of Ignis. He sees that his glasses are off - discarded on the table next to him where there’s a text that Prompto recognizes has the Crown’s seal on it. He reaches for the book, and tosses it to the side. “You’re being ridiculous right now, Ignis. Do you hear what you’re saying? What would you rather have happened? If you’d stayed, maybe it could have been one of us that wound up in Zegnautus Keep.” 

He often thought about that himself, and always assumed that he would have been the one to fall. The one to return home. Home. The thought makes him sick. No, Insomnia is my home. Always has been and always will be. Ardyn had always seemed more interested in him than the rest of the group, probably for that very reason. 

It has been a long time since he’d seen Ignis this morose. Not since the King had gone into the Crystal- back when they all struggled to keep an upbeat attitude with the coming darkness. That had been a really rough time for him, and now that Ignis seems to be returning to that, he isn’t sure if he likes it. “Nonsense. You can’t possibly know that.” Ignis sets his glass down, the whiskey now gone from it. “And what are you doing here? I thought I said for you to go away.” 

“Stop acting like this.” He reaches for the cigar, which Ignis holds up high away from him, like that’s going to stop him from taking it. “What’s put you into this mood? Did Noctis tell you no?” 

The silence that follows has Prompto feeling sick to his stomach. So it’s going to be one of those nights. Again, it’s been years since he’s had to deal with Ignis being like this - he thought he’d gotten over it but apparently those feelings linger on and on. The cigar leaves Ignis’ fingers with no resistance, and he hears him sigh. “I should go.” 

“You need to sober up first.” Putting the cigar into the ashtray, he stubs it out and leaves it there, as he remembers from years past that the cigar is still good to smoke again later. The first time he’d tossed out an unfinished cigar, Ignis had yelled at him for a good fifteen minutes. The stress of Noctis leaving them, and having to deal with the world without him had put a huge strain on Ignis. He’d apologized later, which Prompto had accepted, but it still brings back somewhat painful memories of a friend who shouldn’t have behaved like that. “You want to borrow an elixir?” He reaches into his pocket and pulls one out. 

Ignis doesn’t say no, and so Prompto stands near him and releases the elixir over him, watching as it spreads over his body. Ignis pushes his glasses up onto his nose, and gives him a firm stare. “Why are you here so late?” 

“The same reason you’re here.” 

“Noctis told you no?” 

There’s a smirk on Ignis’ lips now, which causes Prompto to roll his eyes at. “You know what? You’re being a real jerk tonight. I thought this part of you was gone.” He turns to leave, but stops when he feels Ignis’ hand close over his wrist. 

“I apologize.” The sincerity is there in Ignis’ voice, but Prompto still has difficulty believing it. “Please - stay for a few minutes?” 

He goes to sit down on the chair opposite Ignis, but the hand around his wrist pulls him to where Ignis is sitting, and he finds himself being pulled down to sit on his lap. His stomach rolls as a small wave of panic goes through him. Prompto puts his hand on top of Ignis’ arm, but doesn’t move it down towards his hand like he wants to. “I’m here late because the King wants me to do the impossible. And I’m trying to figure it out on my own.” 

“It’s not the same with him back, is it?” Ignis rests his chin on Prompto’s shoulder, another touch that comes back to haunt him. On those first few nights, when the Prince had left them, he’d found himself in Ignis’ arms, the two of them consoling each other with the loss of the Prince. It had all been innocent, until one night when Prompto had worked up the nerve to kiss him. But that’s all it had ever been - one solitary kiss, and a pat on the back, Ignis saying he was sorry he couldn’t reciprocate those kinds of feelings towards him. And here he is - seated on his lap, with Ignis’ lips dangerously close to his ear, sending him more mixed signals than he cares for. “He’s different.” 

“He’s been in a Crystal for ten years, Ignis. Of course he’s different.” Prompto looks at the bottle of whiskey, tempted to grab it and pour some directly down his throat. “He’s never going to be the person he was when we last saw him together. Everything changed after the Covenant. For all of us.” 

The arm around his waist pulls him a little closer. “You were always a constant, though. Weren’t you, Prompto?” Ignis’ lips hover close to his neck. So close that Prompto can feel the heat of Ignis’ breath on his skin as he speaks. “You haven’t changed, have you?” 

“What does it matter?” He looks out the window, and sees the pained expression on Ignis’ features, coming through clear through the reflection. “You seem to want to wallow in misery tonight. I want to help you, Iggy, but you won’t let me.” 

“I’m trying.” The words are whispered into his ear, with the weight of the world in them. Prompto turns his head, and sees there are tears on Ignis’ cheeks, his eyes closed. “This is very hard for me, Prompto.” 

Reaching up, he takes his left hand and wipes away some of the tears falling off of Ignis’ cheek, then brings his forehead to rest against his, shifting the weight on his lap to better accommodate the position. “You always close off from me. You don’t want what I want to give to you. You’ve made that pretty clear.” 

“It’s not the same now.” Ignis shakes his head, Prompto holding back his own tears as he listens to Ignis. “Those were different times. While the King will always-” 

He doesn’t want to hear anything else. He doesn’t need to hear it, because he knows it’ll be the same song and dance that Ignis always gives him. But not tonight. Prompto brings his mouth to Ignis’ and kisses him with the slightest touch of his lips, afraid that he will push him away. Ignis, however, seems to be into the kiss this time as he pulls him to be flush against him, parting his lips so that his tongue can slip into Prompto’s mouth. 

Moaning into the kiss, Prompto quickly resituates himself on Ignis’ lap, his knees now on either side of his thighs, pushing against the arms of the chair. He doesn’t want this to end, but he also doesn’t want Ignis to push him away. After a few more seconds of their tongues touching each other with soft, assured strokes, Prompto ends with the kiss by pulling his head away. Ignis’ arms wrap around his body, as he rests his head on his shoulder, too afraid to say anything that might ruin what had just happened. 

“I’m sorry that my heart will always have a piece that wants it to be with Noctis.” Ignis whispers into his ear, Prompto squeezing his eyes shut as he tries not to cry. “But the other pieces - they know what they want now. And it’s you, Prompto. It’s been you since the beginning.” 

Now the tears start to fall, a soft sob leaving his mouth. “Iggy, all I want to do is give you the happiness you deserve.” 

“I know. And I know that’s why you refused to leave, when I told you to go.” Ignis hugs him tight, Prompto refusing to let go. “You’re always there for me, aren’t you?” 

“I try to be.” He lifts his head, and looks into Ignis’ eyes, the scar above his eyebrow a reminder of what had happened a decade ago. “This isn’t pity, is it?” 

A gloved hand touches his face, Prompto resting his cheek against Ignis’ palm, the familiar scent of leather somewhat calming. “It could never be pity, Prompto.” 

“Iggy, I want to believe you. But you were just lamenting about wanting to die.” Prompto reminds him. 

“I don’t want to. I didn’t want to then, and I don’t want to now. Do I wish to explore a relationship with you?” Ignis asks, looking him in the eyes, Prompto holding his breath as he waits for his answer. “Yes. But I’m warning you, it’s not going to be easy.” 

Prompto is fully aware that it won’t be easy. It never is. “We can try. And if it doesn’t work, then at least we tried?” 

“Are you sure?” Ignis asks, caressing his cheek with his gloved thumb. 

“Yes.” Prompto nods his head. “I know your heart wants the King, but I’ll keep it safe. I’ll love it, and make sure that you receive the love and attention you deserve.” He puts his hand over Ignis’, holding it against his own face. “But I don’t want you to drink in solitude, and lament alone. If you need to be sad, come find me and we can go and be sad together.” 

Ignis laughs softly, then brings their joined hands up to his lips to press a kiss to the back of Prompto’s hand. “Whatever have I done to deserve someone like you? You’re too good for me, Prompto.” 

“You’re damn right I am.” Prompto grins. “Now, enough of this moping. Do you want to go and get some dinner with me? I don’t know about you, but I forgot to eat earlier, and now I’m starving.” 

“How can you be upbeat all the time?” Ignis asks, as Prompto slips off of his lap and the two of them stand up, looking at each other. “You must feel sadness too, don’t you?” 

“All the time, Iggy.” His grin turns to a somewhat sad smile as he stares up into eyes that reflect the color of the forest. Where, a long time ago, he’d stared into them and had almost confessed his love back then but instead had opted for the easy way out - holding each other at night. Now, though, it seems that his feelings might actually be reciprocated. “But I don’t let them get me down. I save them for a really bad day, and then I hide and cry.” 

“But now, you’ll cry with me?” 

“I will.” He closes his eyes as Ignis kisses him again. It lasts for almost a minute, and then he pulls away. “Come on - let’s go find some food.” 

“I’ve got food back at my apartment. I could make you some green soup curry?” 

Prompto’s eyes lit up. “You do like me!” He nods, and listens to Ignis laugh - the sound a much nicer one than the anger that he’d heard earlier in the evening. “Yes, please!” 

“Then that’s what we’ll do.” 

He doesn’t know if this may only be for the night, or if Ignis is serious and wants to try and be together. He laces his fingers through Ignis’, the two of them heading the bank of elevators together. What the future may bring, Prompto hasn’t a clue, but that’s okay. For the moment, this is enough. 

xXx

“Please, Your Highness.” He laughs, trying to keep an upbeat attitude as he sees his best friend look dapper as all heck. “It’s not like we really went to these dances our other two years at our school.” Prompto is quick to remind him that this hadn’t really been a thing until their third year - which, fine, it makes sense to do things your final year of school. “You’ll have lots of fun without me.” 

“You should still go. It’s not like I’m going to be on the dance floor.” His best friend tries again to sway him to attend the dance with him. “There’s plenty of room in the limo. I have to go and pick up my date and her best friend - she won’t care that you’re with us. It’ll probably look weirder because you’re not there.” 

“It’s okay.” He picks up the boutonniere that Ignis had dropped off earlier in the day, and sticks it on Noctis’ lapel. “Text me. Send me pics. I’m sure the ballroom is going to look grand.” He steps back and admires his little addition to Noctis’ look. “You’re going to break a lot of hearts tonight, Your Highness.” 

“Shut up.” Prompto ducks before Noctis can punch his arm, a light bubble of laughter leaving his throat. “What are you going to do tonight?” 

“Dunno. Probably watch that new movie that came out on Moogleflix. Maybe pick up some take out.” That was a lie - he can’t afford to eat out. It’s another reason why he’d said he wouldn’t be going to the dance - it’s cheaper if he stays home. “You’re leaving soon?” 

“In two minutes.” Noctis nods his head, then grabs his phone and puts it into his pocket. Prompto walks with him out of his apartment, and they take the elevator down to the first floor. The limo is already waiting out front, Prompto looking at it wistfully. “Last chance, Prom.” 

“I’m good.” He gives his best friend a happy smile, then waves as he sees him get into the backseat. “Have lots of fun! Remember - wear a condom!” He sees Noctis give him the middle finger as the limo pulls away from the curb and sidles into traffic, Prompto laughing out loud at his best friend’s reaction. 

Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he sees that it’s just a little after seven. He doesn’t really feel like going home to an empty house right now - one more reminder of why he should be at the dance having a good time. He thinks about it for a few minutes, then finds a contact in his phone and decides to give them a call. Holding the phone up to his ear, he starts to walk down the street, heading nowhere in particular. 

“Hello? Prompto?” His stomach gives a little bit of a pleasant roll at the way his name is said by the person he’s just called. “Is something wrong?” 

“What? No?” He laughs, playing off the question as if it’s the most ludicrous thing to be asked. “What would be wrong, Gladio?” 

Gladio Amicitia, the man that is sworn to be his best friend’s figurative and literal Shield, grunts into the phone. “You never call me. Hell, you barely text me.” 

“I’m sorry. Would you like for me to hang up?” He suddenly feels very stupid for calling him. This was a bad idea. “I’ll let you go. Have a nice Friday night, Gladio.” 

“Wait - don’t hang up.” He stops walking, then steps to the side to not block the path of any other pedestrians. “I thought you’d be going to the dance with Noct.” 

Looking up at the Insomnia skyline, Prompto blinks away some fat tears that have suddenly appeared in his eyes. “Yeah, well - when you’re poor like me, dances are a luxury that you can’t afford to go to.” 

“Hey - are you okay?” Gladio’s concern makes him realize that he’s said a little too much. Wiping his eyes, he tries to talk but hears Gladio is continuing to speak. “Where are you?” 

“I just left Noctis’ place, after helping him get ready.” Prompto tries not to be too upset, but it’s difficult. He hates feeling this pathetic. “I’m going to head home in a bit. Just didn’t feel like going home right away.” 

“I’ll come pick you up.” 

“You don’t have to.” 

“I know that. Stay out front, and I’ll be there in like fifteen minutes.” 

“Fine.” He knows it’s better to go along with him than try and argue. “I won’t go anywhere. But you can’t make fun of me, okay? I probably look like crap. It’s been a really long day.” 

A sonorous chuckle hits his ear, making his stomach pitch. “You’re telling me. All I want to do is sleep, but I guess I’ve got stuff to do tonight.” 

“Stay home.” Prompto whispers, feeling awful that he’s making Gladio go out when it’s clear he doesn’t want to. “I’ll be fine, Gladio.” 

“Hey - none of that. I’ll see you in fifteen, Prompto.” The call ends, leaving him staring up at the building in front of him with a sad smile on his face. As much as he doesn’t want to take Gladio away from whatever he had planned on Friday night, he’s mildly excited that he’s not going to be alone. 

Walking back to Noctis’ apartment building, Prompto waits around then sees a sleek muscle car pull up to the sidewalk. Gladio rolls down the window of the passenger seat and ducks his head down to look out at him. “Oy - get it!” Gladio grins, Prompto trying to tell his mind to stop thinking silly things when this is just a friendly hang out. Nothing more, nothing less. 

“Hi!” He opens the door, and plops down into the seat, grunting as he doesn’t expect it to be a bucket seat. “Shit.” He laughs, closing the door as he looks over at Gladio. “I didn’t think you’d drive a car like this.” 

“Like what? This car is a classic beauty.” Gladio runs his hand along the dashboard, Prompto noticing that he’s wearing a tight muscle shirt that makes his biceps look gigantic. “Don’t be jealous of her.” 

He laughs, shaking his head. “Why on Eos would I be jealous? It’s just a car, Gladio. An object.” 

“Says you. She’s my baby.” Prompto laughs more as he watches Gladio pat the console again. “Alright - so, we gonna go get you all dressed up so you can go to the dance, or what?” 

“Huh?” That makes his mood change instantly. “No, it’s okay. No one cares if I’m there. I don’t need to be there.” 

“But don’t you want to be there? Is the only thing that’s holding you back from going is the lack of funds to get a proper suit?” Gladio doesn’t put the car into drive, staying parked in front of Noctis’ apartment building. 

Prompto sighs, then shakes his head. “I shouldn’t have said what I said. It was meant to stay in my head. No, it’s okay - Noct is gonna have his fun. I don’t need to be a third wheel.” 

“Ah.” The key turns in the ignition, and Gladio pulls out of the loading zone. “You don’t want to go because you have a crush on Noctis.” 

“WHAT.” Out of all the things that Gladio could say, he doesn’t expect him to go this route at all. “Ew - gross. No, dude. He’s my best friend, but I’m not in love with him. No, thanks.” He shakes his head back and forth, making a gagging noise as he hears Gladio start to laugh. “Did you honestly think I like him?” 

“I have no idea.” Gladio shakes his head, then the car comes to a stop at a stoplight. “The way you two are so close, I kinda just figured you might like the guy. Do you like guys? Or are you a ladies man?” 

“I don’t know what I like.” Prompto blushes, turning his head to look out at the scenery instead of giving his attention to Gladio. “Can we not talk about this, please? Where are we going?” 

“What would you like to do?” 

“I don’t want to be alone right now.” 

“Then let’s go for a drive.” 

“Okay.” 

When Gladio says they’ll go for a drive, he doesn’t expect him to take him out of the city. He’s only left the city with school, and that had been for a field trip way back in the day. Now, they were heading onto the bridge that will take them to another part of Lucis. His palms begin to sweat as they cross the water, Prompto thankful that it’s dark and he can’t see what’s below him. Not that he has an irrational fear of water or anything - he just doesn’t like knowing that the bridge has been built for a specific reason. There’s no land underneath them. 

Gladio shows his Glaives placard to the guard at the station, who salutes him as they go through the checkpoint. Prompto feels his heart is racing as they travel through what looks like a barren landscape. Gladio rolls down the windows, Prompto surprised by how warm the air feels as they travel along the highway. He smiles as he feels the car rumble beneath him, Gladio going a little faster as there is limited traffic out right now. 

Looking at the side mirror, he can see Insomnia slowly fading away, the unknown in front of them. He turns to look at Gladio, and sees him tapping his hand on the steering wheel. “Where are we going?” 

“You said you wanted to drive - so that’s what we’re doing. Do we need to have a destination?” Gladio asks, as he readjusts in his seat. 

Prompto doesn’t know what to say. “I’ve never just driven somewhere with no destination planned out. Do you do this often, Gladio?” 

“Sometimes.” He looks back out the windshield and sees him nodding his head in his peripheral vision. “The city is nice, but sometimes taking a long drive necessitates in needing to leave it.” 

“You’re lucky you can.” Prompto can’t imagine he’d ever be able to go outside of the city without a proper escort. “Your position as one of Noctis’ retainers gives you a lot of freedom, huh?” 

“Aren’t you going to be studying to be in the Crownsguard after you guys graduate?” Gladio asks, picking up a bottle of water and uncaps it. “That’s what Ignis told me.” 

Blushing, he brings his right knee up to rest on the bucket seat. “I’ve thought about it, but I don’t know if I’ll do it. You guys have been doing it for forever - why should I get to do that when I’m not going to have anywhere near as much experience as the two of you have?” 

“You’re choosing to do it. We weren’t really given the choice.” 

“Would you not do it, if you could say no?” 

The car is quiet for a few minutes. “I’ve thought about it - but I think even if it wasn’t my social obligation to do so considering my family’s line, I would probably do it anyway. Maybe more so now than ever.” 

“Why?” 

“Because you’ll be around more.” 

That comment has his cheeks burning brighter than the sun. He honestly doesn’t know what to say in response to that comment, so instead he rests his chin on his knee and looks out into the darkness. It seems that Gladio isn’t expecting an answer either, quiet music now filling the car. 

“Can we get something to eat?” Prompto asks, after they’ve been driving for about forty-five minutes. “I forgot I haven’t eaten since lunch.” 

“I know a place we can go.” Gladio speeds up his car, and they turn right down a road. “It’s diner food - you cool with that?” 

“The greasier the better.” He nods his head, perking up as he sees Gladio flash a smile at him. 

“You’re gonna love this place.” 

Lights appear on the horizon, and it seems it’s a petrol station with the diner set off to the side of the station. Gladio parks his car at the pumps, and pays for a full tank of gas before they head over to the diner together. “How’d you find this place?” He asks, as they walk inside together. 

“On one of the nights I decided to go for a long drive.” Gladio smirks, as they approach the counter. “Get whatever you want - it’s on me.” 

“Gladio…” 

“You can pay for my breakfast.” Gladio winks, then before Prompto can say anything in response to that, he’s ordering food from a man who’s name tag says ‘Takka’. 

Prompto orders the sandwich, as it looks the most appealing out of all the dishes that this diner serves. He follows Gladio to get some soda, then they find a booth and sit down at it. Once the food arrives, Prompto picks up a fry and pops it into his mouth. “Thanks for dinner, Gladio.” 

“You’re welcome.” On Gladio’s plate is a very large steak. “So, tell me the real reason why you didn’t want to go to the dance.” 

Looking down at his food, he sighs. “I already told you - it’s because my family doesn’t have a lot of money. I don’t have any nice clothes - I can’t really go to a dance in my school uniform.” He picks up another fry and munches on it. “And before you say that Noctis could have bought me a suit, I would have told him no. It’s a matter of pride.” 

“What if I offered to buy you a suit? On the condition that you let me escort you out while wearing it?” 

He stares at him, his jaw slack. “Uh, you don’t have to do that, big guy. I’m okay - I don’t need anything fancy like that.” 

“Yeah, but by your logic, you’re not going to go to your last dance in the spring, right? And that’s an occasion that all third years really should go to. It’s your last hurrah before moving on to your next adventure.” 

Gladio’s right, and he knows he has no way to argue his way out of it. “I can’t ask you to do that.” 

“You’re not. I’m offering.” Gladio picks up his soda and takes a sip. “You can say no, of course - but I think we both know you want to say yes.” 

“Why are you being so nice to me?” Prompto can’t handle it. They’ve only said a handful of things to each other the last few years since he began to hang out with Noctis. “You don’t know me.” 

“I’d like to get to know you better.” Warm amber eyes stare across at him, making his head feel like it's on fire as his blood doesn’t know where to rush to - his cheeks, his full on face, or a different part of his body all together. “I meant what I said - I’m happy you want to join the Crownsguard as it means we’ll be together more.” 

Picking up his sandwich, Prompto chews thoughtfully for a few minutes, then swallows. “I’d like that too.” He looks across at Gladio, who he sees has a smile on his face. 

“Sounds good to me, Prom.” 

They finish their food, then head back out to the car. “Are you tired?” He asks, as they get their seat belts back on. 

“Not at all. You want to keep driving?” 

“I do.” 

“Feel like driving by the ocean?” 

“Sounds like fun!” 

“Sit back, and relax.” Gladio turns the radio up as they pull out of the petrol station, then they head to the west. 

The ocean is gorgeous, and unlike anything Prompto has seen before in his life. The moon is high up in the sky now, casting its shadow over the water, making it look like it's sparkling with the moonlight. He almost wishes he had his camera, as this is a sight truly to behold - and one he realizes he might not have gotten to see if he’d said yes to going to the dance with Noctis. 

“Can we pull over?” He asks Gladio, who nods his head and points down the highway. They drive through a tunnel, and once they come out the other side, Gladio pulls over to the side of the road and parks the car. 

Getting out, he stretches his legs and yawns a little. He pulls his phone out and sees Noctis has sent him a few messages, and also sees that it’s close to one in the morning. “Let’s take a pic!” He says to Gladio, who immediately comes closer to him. Lifting his phone up, he angles it in such a way to show both the ocean and their faces as he snaps the picture. “Thanks, Gladio.” He lifts up onto the balls of feet and presses a quick kiss to his cheek. 

“Don’t play games with me, Prompto.” He feels heat start to spread throughout his chest as he hears Gladio’s voice change with the way he speaks to him. “What was that?”

“It felt like the right thing to do.” Prompto looks up at him, trapped in his gaze as the moonlight keeps Gladio’s face completely illuminated. “You’ve been really nice to me tonight. I don’t know what your plans were for this evening, but I highly doubt they were to take a really long drive.” 

A hand touches his face, Prompto marveling at how soft Gladio’s hand is. “You’re right - it wasn’t in my plan to leave Insomnia tonight to take a long drive, but I’m not sorry that’s what I ended up doing.” 

Heat travels through his body as Gladio’s hand stays in its place, his thumb now caressing his cheek that makes Prompto’s eyelids fall closed. He can hear the faint sound of music coming from the car, a slow song playing on the radio. Opening his eyes, he looks up at Gladio. “Dance with me?” 

“I’d love to.” 

They move to stand in the beams of the headlights that Gladio has left on when they exited the car, Prompto’s small hand fitting perfectly into Gladio’s. He’s never really danced before, but he figures that it shouldn’t be too complicated. He lets Gladio take the lead as they sway back and forth to the gentle beat of the music, the sound of the waves licking the sandy shore making him feel like he was having an out of body experience. The song blends into another slow tune, neither of them moving away from each other as they dance to the next song together, Prompto staying close to Gladio as he’s moved to the beat. 

The slow song ends, and Gladio pulls back and bows his head to him, which he does the same. “Want to head back now, Prompto?” Gladio asks, as he steps closer to him, Prompto gravitating to the heat that his larger body provides. He feels a sudden chill rush up his spine as he stares into his auburn eyes, his own heart beginning to flutter at an unbearable rate. “First - before we go…” 

“Yes…?” He asks, his voice somewhat breathless. He doesn’t know what’s come over him as he’s trapped in Gladio’s orbit. His mind spins, his eyelids start to fall closed as he sees Gladio’s face coming closer and closer to his own. Praying he doesn’t make a complete fool of himself, he stays perfectly still and then when he feels Gladio’s lips touch him with a hint of a kiss, all rational thought leaves his mind. 

Gladio kisses him softly at first, and then he feels the tip of his tongue start to lick along his bottom lip. Prompto moans softly as he parts his lips, inviting in Gladio’s tongue into his mouth. The first gentle caress makes his knees weak as he reaches up to hold onto Gladio’s shoulders, anchoring himself to a point because if he doesn’t, he very well might fall to the ground. Thick arms wind themselves around his body, his mouth opening wider as Gladio’s tongue becomes more insistent with his touches. He returns the kiss with equal fervor, moaning softly as he hears Gladio groan as their kisses continue. 

Dropping back down to the ground, Prompto breaks off the kiss with a soft gasp. “W-We should head back. It’s late.” 

“We could stay the night out here. I know of a caravan down the ways that we can rest in.” 

While the offer sounds tempting, Prompto shakes his head. “Let’s head back to the city. If you’re tired, I can drive for a bit.” 

“No, I’m good, Prompto.” Gladio’s hand returns to his face as they stare at each other. “You know I have feelings for you, right?” 

“Pretty sure that kiss told me everything I needed to know.” Blushing, he nods his head. “I like you too, Gladio.” He returns his hands to Gladio’s shoulders as he looks up at him. “Maybe we can go on another lengthy drive and spend the night at the caravan another night.” 

The smile on Gladio’s face lets him know that he isn’t mad about wanting to put a stop to this before it had really begun. “I’d love that.” 

“Me too.” 

Gladio walks him back to the car, Prompto getting into the passenger seat with a soft yawn. The drive back to the city doesn’t take nearly as long as it had when they were driving away from it - always whenever a good time comes to an end, it seems fleeting in the moment. Traveling across the bridge, Prompto again ignores that they’re driving over nothing and then breathes a little easier once they’re back inside the barrier that protects the city. 

They park in front of his house, Prompto not really wanting to get out of the car. But the sky is beginning to change colors from a deep blue to a beautiful violet that would soon turn to a pink and then an orange when the sun came up in the east. “I’m glad we went out tonight.” He says, keeping his hands between his legs as he stares out at the sky. 

“I am too.” Gladio’s hand touches his thigh, and then Prompto is turning his head to look at him before a strong pair of lips touch his with another firm, promising kiss. “I’m going to get you that suit, and we’re going to go out for a night on the town.” 

“I’d love that.” He would. Any time with Gladio would be a time well worth spent. “But you really don’t have to spend that kind of money, Gladio.” 

“If you’re gonna be my guy, I definitely need an excuse to shower you with gifts.” That comment makes his stomach roll, his palms sweat and his heart beat rapidly in his chest. “So no telling me no, okay?” 

Laughing, Prompto nods his head. “Fine, big guy. You can do whatever you want with your money. It’s yours to spend freely.”  

“Come give me a little bit more sugar before you go inside. I need to remember this isn’t a dream.” Gladio beckons him with his finger. Moving around to the other side of the car, Prompto lowers his head inside the opened window and lays a long, sweet kiss on Gladio’s lips. “Mmm - that’s the good stuff right there, baby. I’ll text you later?” 

“I look forward to it.” He smiles, then walks to the front door of his house. Getting his keys out, he unlocks the door, then turns around to wave at Gladio before entering the house. 

Closing the door behind him, Prompto leans against it for support. Taking his shoes off, he heads to his bedroom where he drops down onto the bed and replays how it felt to slow dance with Gladio. How it felt to kiss Gladio. All of those thoughts help guide him to sleep, as a smile stays planted on his face. What had started out a really shitty evening had wound up being one of the best nights of his life.

XxX

He breathed a sigh of relief as he gave a nod of his head, and watched Gladio nudge his chocobo to go faster, catching up to the two that were ahead of them. He did the same to his animal, apologizing quickly afterwards as it let out a loud ‘wark’ at being inconvenienced at having to trot faster. At least he wasn’t making her sprint - not today. 

They returned their chocobos to their resting pen, and then he saw Noctis grab Ignis’ hand, the two of them taking off for the night market that was just starting as the sun was starting its descent for the day. Gladio turned his head to look at him, and as their eyes met he knew that he was in for a real treat soon. They went the opposite direction together, heading back to the Leville, Prompto tempted to break into a sprint himself as he wanted to be in the bedroom with Gladio right now. 

The door to their room closed with a quiet click, and he felt Gladio put his hands on his hips, holding him in place as he pressed his body up against his back. He moaned, his skin already feeling like it was on fire as Gladio’s hips aligned with his. He could feel the thickness that was trapped beneath his clothes rubbing against his ass in a way that was sheer torture for him. “What do you want tonight, baby?” Gladio’s voice bounced around in his ear, sending another jolt of desire racing through his body as he tried to grind his ass against the thick appendage he could feel poking through his pants. 

“No arms. No eyes.” He whispered, a dampness beginning to appear on his underwear as he could feel his cock starting to drip with excitement. “I don’t want to know what you’re doing.” 

“Perfect. Go lay down, and I’ll get the things to make that happen.” 

He stripped out of his clothes as he walked over to the bed, and then sat down on his knees. He saw Gladio grab a silk tie from his bag, and then saw him grab a red rope that made goosebumps break out on his skin. The last time Gladio had tied him up, it had been the most intense feeling he’d ever experienced. He’d been wanting to ask for it again, but never felt like it was the right opportunity. But now - now he knew it’s what he needed to take this itch away. 

Gladio held up the rope and looked at him. “Just your arms today? Or do you want me to tie your arms and your chest?” 

“Whatever you want. I don’t want to be able to touch you. I don’t want to see you.” 

“You got it.” 

The knotwork began, Prompto staying still as he felt Gladio tie the rope around him in a methodical pattern. Gladio had introduced him to shibari towards the beginning of their trip, when he could sense that Prompto needed something a little more. Again, he’d been too scared to ask for it again because of the intense feeling that it brought with it. Already he was feeling his breathing becoming more shallow as the small knots dug into his skin in select pressure points. 

“Try and tug your arms free.” They were criss-cross behind his back, the rope tied around them before being wound around his chest. He tried and felt completely trapped. “Safe word.” 

“Alabaster.” Prompto’s mouth felt dry as he stopped struggling. Gazing up at Gladio, he saw him holding the silk tie that he knew was going to be covering his eyes very soon. He could feel his cock was sticking up straight, precum starting to slip down the sides as his need grew higher. “Gladio…” 

A large hand touched his face, the calming touch soothing him in a way that helped return a limited amount of sanity to his body. “Don’t worry, Prom. I’m going to help you right now. You just relax, and let me take care of it all.” The gentle touch of Gladio’s thumb rubbing against his cheek made him moan softly. “That’s it, baby….Close your eyes for me now.” 

He closed his eyes and felt the makeshift blindfold touch his face. It was tied to the back of his head, his breathing continuing to be somewhat shallow as he could feel his desire spiking to astronomical heights. “I’m good.” He answered, hoping that it was enough for Gladio to start. There was no way he was going to be able to say much else as his body was strung tight with the need for pleasure. 

“Then, we’ll start.” 

Gladio first tugged on the ropes around his arms, causing him to fall forward a little. Prompto whined low, hovering above the bed as he tried to sense whether Gladio would drop him, or if he was going to be pulled back up. The soft fabric of the duvet cover on top of the bed soon caressed his face, Prompto now balanced on his shoulders with his ass up in the air. He groaned low as a soft slap to his ass echoed in his ears, his skin tingling at where Gladio’s hand had landed. He tried to pull his arms apart, but doing so made the knots that Gladio had tied push back into his skin, his mind starting to become dull as the hedonistic pleasure began to spread throughout his body. 

Two hands touched his hips. “The windows are closed.” Prompto breathed easier as he heard Gladio say that, trying to keep his own noises at a quiet level for fear that it would bounce around the courtyard downstairs. He felt Gladio’s thumbs touch his asscheeks, keeping them spread apart. He began to writhe on the bed, trying to get away but the lack of use of his arms made it impossible. 

A long, slow lick of something wet touched his anus, making him scream into the mattress. Gladio’s tongue licked around the puckering flesh, not doing much except taste. It was enough to make Prompto explode, his cum staining the duvet as he shuddered through the orgasm. He heard Gladio chuckle, and then released a pitched moan as he felt his lover’s lips brush against the sensitive tip of his cock. 

“You always taste so sweet, baby…” Gladio murmured, continuing to lick the tip of his cock, while Prompto could feel Gladio’s finger rubbing against his anus, swirling around the spit his tongue had left behind. “You’ve got a few more in you, don’t you…?” 

“Yes…” He moaned low, his voice already taking on the rich tone that it took whenever he was in this special place. His knees spread apart more as Gladio’s tongue returned to his asshole, his shoulders shuddering hard as he was teased by that thick wet muscle. “Nnngh….G-Gladio…” 

The touches to his ass stopped, and then he felt the blood rush to his head as he was pulled up to be up on his knees. Turning his head back and forth, he tried to sense where Gladio was, but every time he moved too fast, the knots dug into his skin, making heat spread throughout his body. It was a distraction at best, but also was making him feel drunk and high all at the same time as he was toyed with by Gladio. 

Fingers touched his arms, Prompto crying out as he wasn’t ready for the touch. “That’s it….” Gladio’s voice enveloped him, his head returning its blank state as the fingers touching his skin felt like they were on fire. “Relax against me…” 

“Hhhngh…” Trying to do what he asked, Prompto leaned back and felt the strong push of Gladio’s chest against his back. He dropped his head, his shoulders dropping with it as he felt his cock now being touched by his lover’s thick fingers. “Gods….” It came out broken, as he sobbed with the pleasure continuing to spread through his body, Gladio’s hand milking his cock. He knew he was coming again, the few touches making it happen fast. 

“That’s number two.” A kiss touched his jawline, Prompto whimpering as Gladio’s hand stayed wrapped around his cock. “Let’s go for a third before I give you what you really want.” 

His body shook as the ropes were pulled on again, little bursts of lightning spreading heat throughout his body as the knots engaged with his skin. Prompto knew he was making lewd noises, but couldn’t hear them as he was deaf to everything except for Gladio’s voice. Which was saying a constant string of praises in his ear as he writhed under his touch, the hand on his cock now stroking him at a slow pace that was driving him mad. 

Something thick pushed against his twitching hole, and then he felt Gladio’s fingers push into him with little resistance occurring. His body knew what it wanted - it wanted this man’s beautiful cock, but it would tolerate the fingers for now. It was a warm up - but Prompto knew he could take it right now if he wanted. Gladio pulled on the ropes again, sending more heat flooding through him as he was eased back down onto the bed, this time laying on his back with his head hanging over the bed. 

Strong musk hit his nostrils, Prompto instantly opening his mouth with a deep groan. The thick, bulbous head of Gladio’s cock pushed against his lips and into his mouth, Prompto closing his lips around the thick flesh with a satisfying moan. Gladio’s hand returned to his cock, and he felt him start to rub the pad of his thumb around the swollen head. “Get it nice and wet, baby….I promise I’ll put on some lube. I just wanna feel those pretty pink lips of yours around my meat…” 

Prompto groaned as he tried to push more of his cock into his mouth. But the angle he was in made it pretty much impossible to do much except for suck on it like a baby would suck on a pacifier. It was a good pacifier - one he wished he could keep in his mouth all the time. That thought made him groan, the hand on his cock giving it a good tug as if rewarding him for the movement of his mouth. Gladio began to roll his hips, sliding his cock along his tongue, Prompto answering with a moan as Gladio’s hand started to really jerk him off. Another sharp orgasm rushed through his body, hot cum landing on his stomach and chest, and no doubt on the rope - it wouldn’t be the first time that happened. 

“That’s perfect, Prompto…” Gladio pulled his hand off of his cock, and pulled his cock out of his mouth. Prompto wasn’t ready to say goodbye to it, whining low at the sudden loss. Two thick fingers were pushed into his mouth, covered in his own seminal fluid. “Lick it all up, baby…” He groaned, licking up the mess that Gladio had taken from his body and swallowed it down his throat. “Yes, that’s so perfect…” 

His head spun as he was pulled to be back on his stomach, his shoulders now resting against the mattress as Gladio lifted his hips up. The tip of Gladio’s wet cock was now pushing up against his spread hole, Prompto’s cock already returning back to its stiffness as pleasure increased tenfold. “P-Please…” He begged, wanting to feel that thickness buried back inside of him. “G-Gladio…” 

“Here….we….go….” Gladio pushed his cock into his body, Prompto all but screaming as his inner walls were stretched to their limit by the thick appendage that was attached to Gladio’s body. He pushed his hips back, no longer caring if he looked completely insane - Gladio’s dick was the best, and there was nothing else that mattered in this world except for this connection. He moaned like a bitch in heat, grinding his ass against Gladio’s body as he fucked himself stupid on his cock. 

Gladio used the rope to pull him back up onto his knees. He sobbed hard as the knots dug into his flesh again, the pleasure a constant stream in his body. “Nnngh….” Prompto couldn’t say anything - words were no longer an option as he felt Gladio thrust deep into his body. It took everything in him to not fall back to the bed, the intense fucking proving to be almost too much for him. 

“Come one more time for me, baby…” Gladio murmured into his ear, as his hand started to jerk him off, while the other hand kept tugging and pulling on the rope. “One more for me…” 

Prompto felt his entire body go rigid as he began to come again. 

He came so hard, he blacked out.

***

Opening his eyes, he saw Gladio was staring at him with a concerned smile on his face. “Hey, babe. You okay?” 

“Yeah.” He groaned, clearing his throat as he realized how hoarse he sounded. He felt nothing on his body - the blindfold gone, as well as the ropes. He looked down and saw little dots on his skin where the knots were pushing into his flesh. “I passed out, didn’t I?” 

“You did. I almost went and got an elixir, but decided against it.” Gladio kissed him softly on the lips. “You feeling good now? Better?” 

“Much.” Prompto kissed him again, laughing softly. “Wow - you really know what to do to help me feel better. Thanks for doing the rope again. I really like that.” 

“I try. And that’s good to know.” Gladio brushed some of the hair off of his face, the two of them lying side by side on the bed. “Want to go and get some food? Or want me to go get something and bring it back here?” 

“Yes, that.” He didn’t know if he’d be able to walk around in public after that scene. “I’ll stay here, if you don’t mind?” 

“Not at all, chocobo.” Smiling at the nickname, Gladio kissed him again. “Let’s cuddle for a bit, then I’ll go out, okay?” 

“Mkay.” 

They cuddled for a half hour, Prompto feeling somewhat normal afterwards. Gladio went and got them food, and they enjoyed eating it on their bed. One more round of traditional sex was shared between the two of them before they went to sleep for the night. In the morning, they met both Noctis and Ignis in the lobby, all of them looking a little bit more relaxed - no doubt his friends having the same kind of fun they’d had the night before. 

“Who’s ready for another hunt?” Prompto asked, throwing his arm around Noctis’ neck. “How about we take the Regalia today?” 

“Are you honestly asking to not use our chocobos? Who are you, and what have you done to my best friend?” Noctis asked, as they walked out of the Leville together. 

“Oh hah hah.” He stuck his tongue out, then let go of Noctis. “We can use them tomorrow. Let’s go for a drive today.” 

“Sounds like an excellent plan, Prompto. I’ll drive.” Ignis offered. 

“We don’t need Prompto wrecking the car again.” Gladio tousled his hair, Prompto putting a fake pout on his face before laughing. “Let’s go get some money, boys.” 

“Let’s have a good day!” Prompto smiled, then looked up at Gladio. They shared a smile, then went back to their routine of pretending there was nothing there. Except everyone knew there was, and that was okay. 

XxX