#{ Proto this is your fault that's why you're tagged

[nxctcaelum]

One Step Closer

@rubatosiis​ / @mumsthewcrd​

    The air was tense, that much Noctis could sense. But it was less for the reason that he would expect and more entirely for the frustrated grunts and grumbles coming from across the room. He looked up languidly from the plans he’d been sifting, watching Prompto tap at his screen with the most vexed expression. He sighed. That project was a massive deal, and he could tell, if not from the fourteen times Prompto had mentioned it today, by the litter accumulated around the blond. Discarded, furiously crumpled cans, a small stack of cups that had once been filled with coffee, the veritable library of reference images and help guided that the boy had accumulated for his ease of use...

    Noctis had tried to explain that creative block was normal. Not that he was much of a creator, but he’d been known to pen a few short stories or poems in his time ( none of which were available to the public and all of which were hidden in his notebook, securely stowed beneath his mattress, a very safe and secret place to be sure ). So whatever this collage or whatever it was that Prompto was not making, staring at it and aggressively tapping his screen wasn’t going to make it better. 

    His eyes flicked down to the plans once more. Yup, those were seating charts. His father had asked his opinion, as Noctis’s attendance was mandatory at such events despite his schooling. And while the prince appreciated the gesture, he wasn’t going to be able to get much comprehension done as long as he was more focused on--

    A book fell from the couch, snapping shut loudly, and Noctis shut his portfolio in front of him in tandem. Okay, he advised, and Prompto shot up from his hunched position on the couch at Noctis’s voice. Break time. Now. Stand up.

    The blond looked quizzically at him, then deflated a bit, shaking his head. Can’t, I’ve gotta--

    You’ve gotta stop beating your laptop to death. What’d it ever do to you?

     Prompto shifted in his seat. ... sorry.

     Rolling his eyes, Noctis stood from his seat at the kitchen table. Okay, so leaving Prompto to get up on his own was no longer an option. He walked across the room, reaching into the blanket that the other had curled into and snagging his arm. No sorry, no option. Up.

     It was with little grace or dexterity that Prompto finally did stand, shaking his leg out of the tangled entrapment of the blankets. Noctis lead him back a few steps in the open ground of the living room, holding both his hands as he did. Fine, fine, I’m up! Impatiently, he looked to the prince and scowled. Where are we even going?

    Noctis smirked. Who said anything about going anywhere? he insisted. I said break time. 

    His stress must have been more prevalent than he thought. Surely Noctis had expected Prompto to relax a bit at his tone, to accept his fate and entertain him, but his scowl remained. I’ve got fourteen hours and-

    And you’re gonna get an A brutalizing your equipment?

    Well I’m not going to get it not--... doing... that...

    Noctis sighed. Look, twenty minutes. Twenty minutes, and I’ll help you get that thing done. Deal?

    Prompto cocked a brow, clearly nonplussed. You don’t know the program.

    So I’ll make it fun.

    Meaning you’ll screw it up.

    Fun.

    Failing.

    Relax.

    My whole semester--

    Look, twenty minutes? C’monnnnnnnnnn--

    It was not often that the prince got to use his eyes- you know, those eyes-, but in moments like this, he was glad that he could. Noctis was never something he would label as cute, but apparently his pout was actually pretty effective. And he could see Prompto’s resolve wavering like a house of cards in a light breeze. Three... two.... one...

    Fifteen. Fine. Can’t hurt me that much.

    Noctis grinned. Thought you’d come around.

    Prompto scowled, taking a hand away from Noctis and smacking it. Like you gave me an option.

    You’d never survive in sales.

    You’re not even a salesman!

    You ready for next weekend?

    Ahhh, now that stopped him. Prompto stared at Noctis for a moment, mouthing ‘next weekend’ as if the motion would jog his memory. Noctis wouldn’t prolong his suffering. The benefit. At the Citadel? You told me you’d go with me. Noctis had even asked his father if it was alright. He’d been advised to exercise discretion, bringing Prompto to a public venue. And he would. That did not mean he’d let Prompto off easily.

    The other sighed, dropping his head. Ahhh-- not yet. Ignis said something about a fitting?

    Noctis rolled his eyes. Yeah, still gotta do that too. Don’t worry, the tailor’s cool, but also, not what I was getting at. Taking a step back, he looked the other up and down. You ever danced?

     And for a moment, Noctis had to wonder if he’d actually said something wrong. It was an innocent enough question, wasn’t it? And he hadn’t said it in a weird way; least he thought he hadn’t. But Prompto almost looked baffled, like Noctis had so much reared back and hit him with his portfolio of colors and decor. .... what’d I say?

     Prompto snapped out of his reverie, shaking his head.  N-nothing, I just.... Noct... I- I can’t? He lifted a hand, tapping his ear with an almost meekness. Kinda hard, y’know?

    Oh. Oh right-- that... Noctis felt a rising of heat on his cheeks, momentarily discouraged. But... his moral flipped, discomposure replaced with a crooked grin and confidence. That’s why I’m here. C’mon, I’ll show you.

    H-hang on- Noct-!

    Relax, he insisted. Honestly, such a stick in the mud sometimes... He resisted as Prompto tried to pull his hands back, shifting them into the hold that he’d been taught. Honestly, Ignis had been so strict with instruction, but at least Noctis could be confident now- muscle memory guided him to the first position, one hand at Prompto’s waist while the other sat delicately in his hand. Poise. He remembered how adamant the Adviser had been on poise and the natural fluidity of motion in his teaching. And looking at Prompto, that was not going to happen. The blond stood in rigid contrast to the royal. Noctis maintained a languid smile. Just follow my lead.

    But I-

    Noctis tugged him closer, pressing his forehead against Prompto’s and closing his eyes. He could hear the other gulp. Just follow my lead. He wasn’t going to let him fail. And so he lifted his foot, delicately tapping Prompto’s opposite. Halting and uncertain, the blond took a step back, and Noctis  took initiative.

     He wasn’t going to lie- Prompto was awkward and uncomfortable. The motions were unnatural, as one would expect, but that was fine. Because it didn’t take long to at least attain some semblance of flow, a motion that swept them in small, controlled circles in the middle of the dorm room. No music, no words, just a combined sequence of steps that Noctis dragged Prompto in. After a few minutes of calm silence, Noctis pulled himself back, continuing to guide the other in tow. 

    See? What’s so hard about this?

    Prompto blinked- oh, he’d closed his eyes too? That could have sucked. One of them ought to have been watching if they were going to run into something- oh well, no harm done. Noctis smiled, though, at the way Prompto seemed to grow. There was something in Prompto when he was like this- an innate light that Noctis could have sworn would blind anyone who walked into the room. He had a certain brilliance in him that showed in his smile, in the excitement he drew from every thing that he did. And that ridiculous laugh that spilled out of him, the way that it bubbled out of him- it was contagious. The only music he needed... Noctis snickered too, but stopped when Prompto interrupted, I just never thought I’d do this kind of thing.

     They slowed, eventually crawling to a stop, but Noctis didn’t release his hold. Guilt wound through him like a crawling vine. He took it for granted; really he did. His upbringing, his sense of normalcy. And he’d not even considered- it hadn’t even occurred to him... He pulled Prompto closer, now, flush as he wrapped his arms around his waist. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was certainly not a dance hold. And he buried his face in Prompto’s shoulder. It took a moment for Prompto to catch up, returning the gesture and nervously adding, Now what’d I say? with a little trill of a laugh.

     Noctis wasn’t the sort to coddle. To make excuses. He was lucky, so lucky, that he and Prompto shared the connection that they did, and to that end... Noctis owed him so much. So he did the only thing he could-  he leaned back, smirking as he rapt his knuckles over the top of Prompto’s head. You’re not getting out of this. I’ll sing to you if I have to. He was a bridge, a connection; Noctis could seal the gaps, bring aspects of Prompto’s life to him that perhaps he wouldn’t have access to otherwise. If that meant a little embarrassment... 

     Prompto paused, seeming to debate something before settling on a wolfish smirk. Serenaded by a prince? Aren’t I lucky~

     With a groan and an eye roll, Noctis smirked and tugged away from Prompto. It’s been fifteen minutes. You’ve got things to do.

     No, no, no, but now I’m invested! You said you’d sing~!

    With a scowl, Noctis leered sidelong at Prompto. He looked so excited, so expectant. And for a moment, it was a stare-down. Whoever blinked.......... ehh, Noctis would blink. This wasn’t a competition. And besides, he had an ace... A moment more of silence, and Noctis grinned.

        ♪ It’s a small world after--  ♪

    The pillow flew before Noctis could finish the first line. So, perhaps he’d be taking just a bit longer than fifteen minutes...