#charnel queue

The fact that it's always Dean in these moments. The fact that Naomi knew she had to erase every bit of emotion Cas had towards *Dean specifically*. The fact that Naomi never accounted for Dean saying something like that, never accounted for Dean feeling that way about him, and that being enough to break through.

I drew @starlikeknight for @agi92‘s ffxv small secret event! Ironically, we just got to talking to each other recently on Twitter :D

I know it’s not Christmas-themed, but it’s centred around friends and thankfulness. I hope you enjoy

Prompto stuffs his hands into his pockets as he and Noctis walk along the avenue, side-by-side.

The movie had been pretty terrible and the popcorn had been stale, but as birthdays go, it isn’t the worst. Definitely a cut above the one where his parents got him a bike, and then it wound up stolen that same day.

That… had been a low point.

‘Soooo,’ Noct says, bumping him with his shoulder. ‘My place? We can order in.’

Prompto shrugs.

‘I’unno,’ he replies. ‘I was kinda planning on hitting the hay.’

‘Dude.’

Noct jogs ahead, turning to face him, stopping him in the street.

‘Nuh-uh,’ he says, waving his hands. ‘Nope. You are not bailing. You only turn twenty once.’

The truth is, Prompto doesn’t like making a big deal of his birthday — not when it has a history of going monumentally wrong. This one’s been pretty chill, and he wants to end it on an okay note.

But… Noct looks so expectant, and it’s enough to have Prompto sighing and throwing his hands up in defeat.

‘Okay,’ he says. ‘Takeout at yours. What’s the worst that could happen?’

Noct nods, and Prompto’s almost sure he sees a smirk flicker across his friend’s face, but then Noct’s back is to him as he turns and sets off once more.

Noct makes a fuss of trying to get through the door; he misses the lock on the first try, then drops his keys noisily on the second.

‘You drunk, dude?’ Prompto says.

‘Nope,’ Noct replies, as the key finally slots into place. ‘All good.’

He edges the door open, flipping on the light switch, and as Prompto trails in after him, he’s assailed by a sudden burst of noise.

‘SURPRISE!’

Prompto blinks as Noct steps out of the way, letting him take in the full view ahead.

Somehow, everybody Prompto knows is there — from the nicer Citadel staff he’s met through Noct, to friends from school. Iggy and Gladio are at the front, holding a ‘Happy Birthday!’ banner between them.

Prompto’s cheeks burn as he steps forward, covering his mouth with his hands.

The crowd makes way and Iris emerges, holding a gigantic cake in the shape of a chocobo. Twenty candles are on top, twenty flames flickering merrily.

‘Gods,’ he whispers, hardly able to believe his eyes.

Noct is the first to sling an arm around him; soon Gladiolus comes over to fill the gap on the other side, and even though Ignis is awkward as he hovers nearby, there’s a warm smile on his face.

‘Happy birthday,’ Ignis says.

‘Yeah,’ Gladiolus chimes in, ruffling Prompto’s hair. ‘Happy birthday.’

Prompto feels a kiss on his cheek, rushed and chaste and shy, and when he looks at Noct his friend is blushing just as fiercely as he is.

‘Happy birthday, Prom,’ Noct says.

Looking around, Prompto can feel tears prickling at his eyes — but he’s determined not to let his emotions get the better of him. Still, as Gladiolus and Noct let him slip free so he can make his rounds, there’s a tightness in his throat as he tries not to cry.

‘You guys are awesome,’ he says, turning to look at his friends.

There are times when he feels like he doesn’t belong; times when he worries that they’re only friends with him out of pity.