#fun fact I actually have a bunch of light purple paper :]c

[clownhavoc]

Also have another drawing I made a long time ago that I never posted :]👍

[memes-in-a-half-shell]

Business AU - Working Late, Part 4

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3

Flirt mode  A C T I V A T E D 👏

As everyone else in the room was getting ready to depart for the day - chatting here and there and gathering their belongings - Vee was mostly occupied by her handbag, making sure everything was there before she would leave the place. She did not hear when someone approached her, but she next felt the poke of an object to her right shoulder.

“I didn’t want to make you feel bad earlier,” started Donatello’s voice. “But I truly do think we’re connected somehow now.”

She looked at him, first noticing that he had been poking her with a cardboard file folder, and then she took a good look at his clothes. Purple. AT LEAST not the same shade. He was wearing a fitting v-neck sweater of a dark purple color, with a white shirt  and a black tie underneath, his looks completed with dark charcoal pants and black shoes.

“... You’ve got to be kidding me,” started Vee with a stifled laugh. “Why are we like this?”

“I’m not superstitious, but maybe it’s destiny. We were meant to work together,” he winked. “Great minds think alike!”

Vee couldn’t hide her smile, next prompting him to get on the move for their dinner. She first expected them to walk out of the building and head to a subway station, but she was surprised to see the turtle head towards the indoor parking lot of the building.

“Wait, you want us to go by car?” she asked, her heels clacking rapidly on the tiled floor as she caught up to him.

“Why not? It’ll be quieter that way! I don’t feel like dealing with crowds in the subway anyway.”

She had to give him that, at least. A car would smell better than a subway train... As they made their way through the lot, she noticed Donnie getting out keys, the woman commenting:

“Huh, I thought you’d have a chauffeur or something like that.”

“Why, because I’m rich?” asked the mutant, amused. “I like driving, so I don’t see why I would leave all that fun to someone else.”

He pressed a button on a small remote attached to a key, which prompted a black SUV nearby to flash its light.

Vee was most certainly impressed by his taste, first observing the vehicle until she noticed the other opening the passenger door for her.

“The lady may take her seat.”

As she took place, her eyes scanned the interior.

The major difference she could notice from any other cars was how the driver seat was rearranged a bit further back, allowing space for the mutant’s shell most probably. As Donnie took place next, Vee couldn’t help her question:

“Is this car completely custom made?”

The other smirked: “If it was, it’d be way cooler. ... Nah for this I only had a Genesis GV80 model slightly modified to accomodate my form. I like the look of it and I don’t need something too extravagant to go around on the streets.”

“ ‘Don’t need something too extravagant’,” quoted the woman. “You do realize that you have an expensive car?”

“Remind me to show you my brother Mikey’s cars,” added Donnie, then starting the car’s ignition. “Then we can talk back about what’s expensive.”

As soon as the vehicle was brought to life, music was heard, being none other than Dio’s “Better In The Dark” track. The turtle rapidly fumbled to turn it down, his eyes widening.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry for that,” he said once silence was back.

“... Are you kidding? You shouldn’t apologize for listening to Dio!” reassured Vee. “That guy frickin’ rocks!”

The terrapin smirked: “Ah, a woman of good taste! You keep on getting better and better.”

Vee couldn’t help her smile in return, the pair then finally getting on the move.

***

Donnie had to park his SUV on a quiet street, the duo next walking towards their destination; New York’s Little Italy. The evening was already laying its shadows in the sky, but the streets were bright and colorful, the warmth in the air of the incoming summer days an absolute delight. A light conversation was held as they were walking, until Vee was abruptly stopped by almost falling due to one of her heels stumbling into a small crack in the sidewalk. She was first surprised by how fast Donnie had been to catching her, a small laugh escaping her. To feel his touch around her, his strength, all she could hear was her heart drumming in her ears. They continued their path, Vee’s arm hooked to Donatello’s. It simply felt like a dream at that point...

They finally arrived to the place; a small rustic looking restaurant that had been hiding from the bigger crowd’s broad sight. There were few patrons inside, the ambiance calm and somehow giving a “feels like home” kind of vibe. Donnie seemed to know the place well, only quickly waving to the staff and already going for a table. It was a nice little corner with a table large enough so they could lay down their paperwork. Being a complete gentleman, the mutant was quick to draw a chair for Vee to sit on, waiting until she was seated properly before settling down across the table. A waiter was already at their disposition, Donnie already asking for a bottle of white wine, interjecting some Italian words in the bunch and ending with a “grazie mille”, to Vee’s surprise.

“You speak Italian?” she asked as the waiter was walking away.

“Non molti, ma un po' sì (Not a lot, but a little bit yes),” he answered. “Still learning, but I’m getting there.”

“Do you know any other languages?”

“I’ve tried to start learning Japanese alongside my brother Leonardo, but I’m not as proficient as him so far. I’ve also started French.”

Vee couldn’t help herself: “Donc, si je parle dans ma langue maternelle, tu devrais comprendre? (So, if I speak in my native tongue, you should understand?)”

Donnie froze for a moment, soon ruminating the words and showing a smile.

“Un peu (a bit),” he said. “But I feel like I need to practice a little more.” He did not skip a beat when adding: “I don’t know why, but I think a French Canadian’s accent sounds way more interesting than metropolitan French. There’s a certain flair to it, I can’t really explain...”

Vee was most certainly amused: “Try going into any rural parts of Québec, then you’ll feel like you’re speaking to aliens or something. Our French is unique, sometimes butchered, but it is nice indeed.” She did a small shrug. “I could help you practice, if you want.”

Their wine arrived, their glasses filled and the bottle left at their table. Donnie took his glass, pensively rolling the drink in his hand.

“You keep on giving, miss Vee, and I’ll soon feel cheap. First you’re helping me for the Lowline, now you’re proposing to help me with my French. ... My oh my, mademoiselle, I’ll have a debt to repay once again.”

“Let’s start by actually getting something for dinner,” added the woman, lifting the menu to her face in order to hide her blush. “It’ll give me time to think about if I need your help with something. What’s good in here?”

It was so hard to act casual...

“Their pastas are the best, but I’ll have to say that their tiramisu is to die for - I’m definitely grabbing one of those at the end.”

As the evening went along, Vee was finally starting to feel more at ease. The food was delicious, the wine delectable, and the company absolutely charming. They took some time to review the folder Donnie had brought along, talking about the project’s restrictions and demands. It was simple enough thus far, some ideas already boiling in the woman’s mind. Maybe the wine was kicking in, but she didn’t even flinch when her hand brushed the turtle’s over some papers. Her body language was screaming interest, lightly hunched over the table, actively listening to him and her smile tender. She couldn’t quite explain this attraction she felt. All she knew was that Donnie had this aura surrounding him; a welcoming and calm presence that made her feel safe and relaxed. His humor was subtle and his additions to a conversation well-placed. He was a man of many words and of a vast knowledge, although gladly giving the spotlight to any soul speaking, always listening with great interest. Vee could only admit that she wanted to learn more about him.

***

The dinner over, the pair headed back to the SUV, Donnie at least insisting that he could drop Vee to her place. How could she say no to a sweet smile such as his, anyway? The address handed, the ride went on smoothly in a comfortable silence, the woman glancing at the many lights outside - not even noticing that the terrapin would sometimes glance her way and feel this lovesick knot in his chest...

As he parked nearby her apartment building, he did not hesitate to get out as well, at least considering it good etiquette to escort her to the entrance.

“I hope I didn’t make it harder for you by cramming all that information in your face?” he said as they were talking, arms hooked again.

Vee shook her head, amused: “Absolutely not. It has given me ideas, in fact.”

“Good, good.”

As they stopped by the main door, they paused, their hooked arms transitioning into a longing, yet subtle touch of their hands. Vee finally moved her hand away, her blush faint as she removed a small strand of hair from her face.

“... This was nice, thank you,” she said. “Not the habitual work meetup I’m used to, but this was good for a change.”

Donnie quickly cleared his throat, retrieving his thoughts.

“Of course! It was quite pleasant, indeed. ... It’s not often that I get such enjoyable company.”

“You’re sweet, thank you.”

There it was, that silence as they both crossed gaze. That moment of unspeakable words and uncertain actions... The mutant sweetly smiled, breaking that moment.

“I’ll see you tomorrow at work. ... Goodnight, Vee.”

“Goodnight, Donnie.” She felt like she could breathe again...

Yet, as she saw the other walk away, she added:

“Donnie!”

He turned back.

“I think I know how you can repay me for the French lessons,” she continued. “... How about another evening together? Not work related this time.”

Joy lightened up the turtle’s features, definitely agreeing: “Absolutely!”

And just like that, the night felt even better.

((Part 5))

[365runesofthesystem]

Noctis Month, Here We Are

So I am already running out of ideas for Noctis Month Titles... This is going to be fun.

But here is the chapter. I am so sorry it is normally later because I forget to do the thing that I said I would do. 

And if you didn’t notice, this chapter title is the rest of the previous one.

Together! They for the Powe- *coughs* “In Closing One Door, There’s Another One Opening”

Read it here or on AO3, it doesn’t matter much to me. 

But yeah, Noctis Month!

Enjoy!

Fandom: Final Fantasy XV / Relationship: Noctis/Prompto /

Tags: Noctis, Poor Prompto, Confessions, Hurt, Angst, Comfort?, Chocobros, I am horrible, Canon Divergence, Canon Compliant?, I don’t know, Canon whatever is not actually Canon.

Chapter Eleven: ...There’s Another One Opening

Ignis parked in front of Prompto’s house, Noct giving him a squeeze on the shoulder as he jumped out and went up to the door, knocking.

“Prom! Let’s go! Are you ready!?”

He looked down, idly noting that Prompto hadn’t answered any of his texts.

He looked up when Ignis flashed the lights and shrugged, knocking again.

“Prom!? Let’s go!”

He leaned in, trying to hear his best friend from inside the house.

Silence.

A wave of unease crashed in his stomach, twisting it and making Noct instantly ten times more nervous.

“Prompto!? Come on buddy!”

He knocked harder, barely noting that Ignis had turned off the car and was walking up behind him.

Silence filled the night and, for the first time, Noct realized that no lights shone from inside.

The nervous knot twisted harder, making Noct’s breath catch.

He instantly tried the door, dread spreading through his fingertips as it easily swung open. Ignis instantly tensed but Noct threw himself in, his mind going a million miles an hour.

And slamming to a stop when he saw his friend.

He was in the living room, crumbled to the floor like he had just fainted there, papers scattered all around him and his phone black right next to his head.

“Prompto!? Oh gods, Ignis!”

He instantly ran up to him, gathering him in his arms while Ignis did a sweep of the house, his face pale and his mouth drawn in a thin line. He picked up a few papers while Noct felt Prompto for injury, taking in the fact that his face was hot, his breathing coming out in shallow gasps.

Noct gently shook him, one hand planting itself on Prompto’s cheek and slapping.

“Prom, dude. Please wake up. I really really need you to wake up man. Please.”

His friend groaned, his head swinging away. Noct felt relief bubble up, his voice coming out as a tiny whine. Ignis dropped next to him, checking for a pulse.

After a minute, eyelashes parted to reveal giant purple orbs, unfocused, bright but there.

Noct could have cried but instead he held him tighter, making Prompto focus on him for a second.

Ignis leaned forward, placing a hand on Prompto’s forehead. He winced slightly, giving Noctis a look.

“Prompto, can you tell me what happened? Did you faint? Are you hurt anywhere?”

Prompto blinked, his eyes squinting with confusion for a second before they widened, tear instantly welling in the corners. He grabbed Noct’s arm in a death grip, his body shaking. The tears began to fall freely and, somehow, it scared Noct more than anything else.

Prompto moaned, his mouth quivering as he gasped out.

“The-they’re g-g-gone! All gone! Th-they’re a-aren’t c-c-oming back!”

Noct felt his throat close, felt the tears come. He was glad Ignis was there, who seemed to be handling it a lot better than he was.

“Prompto, who is it? Who isn’t coming back?”

Prompto blinked, his face face morphing into sorrow.

“My parents.”

-

Noct was sitting in a chair next to the bed, switching out the rag for who-knew-how-many-times when Gladio came in, his face filled with concern and Ignis at his heels.

He took one look from Noct to Prompto, who had thankfully fallen back to sleep, before he walked over and leaned close.

“So? What happened?”

Noctis didn’t answer, staring at his friend’s pale face as Ignis sighed and fixed his glasses.

“A combination of malnutrition, overexertion and fatigue. It seems Prompto has been hiding just how broken up his family was.”

Noctis felt the lump form in his stomach, the words that Prompto had spilled coming back to haunt him. He swallowed and turned, seeing Ignis still holding through the papers they had gathered at the house. He tried to sound calm, tried not to let that lump come out of his throat.

“Specs, what has been happening? What hasn’t Prompto been telling us?”

Ignis gives him a look before sighing, holding the papers down and fixing his glasses.

“I do believe that isn’t my place to say Noct. It is not like I have definite answers either. I merely gathered the papers, I didn’t read them. It wouldn’t do anyone any good.”

Noct was about to tell argue because fuck it , his friend was sick and hurting god-damnit , but even as he opened his mouth, a groan from the bed had him looking down, meeting blue-violet eyes that blinked rapidly.

Noct sighed, leaning forward and giving Prompto a smile.

“Hey Prom. Are you okay?”

Prompto winced, a hand going to his head as he croaked.

“My head hurts.”

Gladio instantly produced water and Noct helped Prompto sit up, running a hand down in circles on his back while he helped him nurse the drink.

They gathered around, letting him take a few sips before Ignis cleared his throat, catching Prompto’s eye.

“Prompto… do you know where you are?”

Prompto blinked, opened his mouth and then closed it when he began looking around. His face drew up in confusion, as he seemed to realize that his position.

“I’m in the Citadel?”

Ignis nodded.

“What is the last thing you remember?”

Prompto blinked, giving Ignis a look.

“I… got the mail… And…”

And Noct saw the moment it hit him. The moment the memories flooded his friend’s brain and the moment his hands let the cup go, the only thing keeping from spilling being Gladio and his giant hands and fast reflexes. He took the cup and Prompto slowly lowered his hands, letting them ball the covers into fists. Noctis could faintly feel him shake.

Ignis seemed to catch on, his face morphing into sympathy and sad understanding as he placed the papers in front of Prompto.

“And you saw these… right?”

Noctis glanced down at the papers, not taking in much before Prompto grabbed them, almost ripping them in his haste to hide them. His hands shook where they held the papers, beginning to bunch them. His head dropped, his hair hiding his bangs. He leaned away from Noct’s touch, his body hunching in on itself.

“... Did you… read it?”

Ignis looked hurt.

“Prompto, of course I didn’t. They weren’t mine to look at.”

Prompto stilled, his body relaxing just a bit. He looked up, taking in something from Ignis’ face and wiping his eyes, Noct seeing tears blending with his eyelashes.

He laughed, crunching the papers more as he took a breath.

“Oh… Well… Thanks. I’m… I’m sorry.”

The words were broken, like Prompto was slowly falling apart; like he was barely holding on to this world by his teeth.

It made Noct hurt, made him cling to Prompto a little more.

Prompto laughed, his hands coming from the papers as he gently straightened out the crinkles.

“I made you guys worry. Sorry. It’s been… busy for me.”

The words were empty, practiced lies that Prompto had perfected but, now that Noct knew a little of the truth, hollow without true value to them. Noct felt the lump come back up his throat, knew without looking that Ignis and Gladio were the same.

But Prompto continued, his voice pitching so that he wouldn’t crack.

“I have been uh… working through some things. And school’s been a bit hectic… And well, when your parents leave, it kinda makes everything harder.”

He was trying to joke but everyone saw it: the tears were back, his voice was hitching just a tiny bit, his hands starting to fist once more.

“I mean, it’s fine! I knew they were busy! It had been fine…”

But it wasn’t and Noct didn’t need to know anything else to figure out that his friend - no, his love - knew that too. He shifted, wrapping his hands around Prompto, his breath tickling Noct’s ear as he continued.

“It’s fine! I really was okay! I mean, they were busy! So… so I thought … thought it was okay. But now…”

Prompto whined, his tears falling down onto Noct’s shoulder, some of them streaming past his neck.

He held on tighter.

Prompto choked, his body convulsing against Noct for a second as he shifted to adjust to his friend’s position.

“Now… I know… And I think I kinda already knew. But maybe… I didn’t want to believe it.”

“Oh Prompto…”

Ignis sounded like he was fighting down his tears with every breath. The tiny little hitches told Noct that Gladio was already failing.

Prompto shook his head against him, leaning into Noct as he bit his lip and pulled Noct away for a second, his hands holding his sides.

They looked at each other for a second.

Noct saw the raw hurt and anguish on Prompto’s face.

Prompto smiled sadly at what must have been his own.

“They left everything to me… The foster care center apparently took me some list since I am an adult and… they transferred everything to my name… That’s what the letters said.”

Noct felt his heart breaking.

“That’s what they left me with.”

He dragged Prompto closer for another hug, not giving him any room to argue. But Prompto just allowed it, digging himself into the crook of Noct’s neck, his hands coming to hold his back with so much force. Tears drained against his skin, gasps for air sucking at his throat, Prompto’s body shuddering against him with every second that passed.

Noct felt tears burning his eyes and he quickly blinked them away to give Ignis and Gladio a look.

They all shared the same sentiment, all of them burning with a sorrow that Noct highly doubted was ever there before.

Slowly, Ignis moved closer, wrapping his arms around both of them, Gladio coming and placing a gentle hand on Prompto’s head.

And, in the midst of the crying, they held their friend, not even thinking for a second of letting him go.

-

Prompto woke up in Noct’s arms.

After bouts of crying, Prompto slowly revealing everything that happened with his parents and lack of them, Ignis and Gladio had left  late into the night so Prompto could rest and recover. Noct had stayed with him, holding him as new tears had come out, tears of his own joining Prompto’s.

They had sat there, in that horrible silence for a long while and when Prompto was finally done, Noct had tucked him into the bed, laying down next to him and simply stayed with him, one hand rubbing his back while the other clasped Prompto’s tightly.  

They hadn’t said anything, neither of them wanting or needing to and Prompto had finally fallen asleep, with Noct’s breath against his face, his hand in his own and his solid weight next to him.

Now that he was awake, he gently moved from underneath his friend, taking in the soft sighs Noct let out as he stirred. He sat up and swung his legs out of the bed, settling on the edge to grab his phone, turning it on to see that they had charged it for him. The clock read 9:30am, telling him that both he and Noct had slept in late.

There were a couple of messages from Noct, all of which were just simple quips asking what he was doing and if he remembered the party. One missed call from Noct who had left a single voicemail telling him to be ready and not be sleeping cause Noct had actually managed to stay awake through the whole class without him.

The thoughts from the day before trickled down, now less horrifying and more just passing by, like he was done with the feelings.

For now.

He sighed, putting his phone down and going back to Noct, cuddling up next to his friend.

After he had the majority of his crying done, after he had laughed it off as being pathetic and ashamed, his friends made him realize something.

Ignis had talked to him first, giving him a hug and holding by the shoulders.

“Prompto Argentum, listen to me now. What was done to you was completely unforgivable and very selfish of the people who called themselves parents. It wasn’t your fault. And now that it is done and over with, we are going to leave it at that and move on. Because you are so much more than just a bunch of papers. I can guarantee it as your friend.”

Gladio had nodded, simply patting his head as he looked him in the eye.

“Kid, it sucks and hurts and must be breaking you up inside. But don’t let it get you. You’re strong and honestly, who cares? Just another piece of your puzzle. All good.”

Noct had been last, while they were alone and almost asleep.

“Prom.”

“Yeah?”

He had heard him suck in breath, like he was trying not to start crying again. He had snuggled against the pillow next to him, his eyes pinched sadly.

“This sucks.”

Prompto felt his throat tighten; swallowed down the sorrow.

“Yeah.”

They had waited a beat, letting the silence sit until Noct spoke again.

“But you know what?”

Prompto had watched as Noct shifted so their faces were close, his forehead gently tapping against Prompto’s before he pulled back slightly, his face melting into something much more personal and soft and just raw…

It was so much that Prompto had blushed, despite everything. Noct had just sighed, closing his eyes.

“I am glad.”

It had hit Prompto then. That feeling had swelled inside and pushed itself out through tears. It was raw and almost painful and Prompto had shuddered out a few breaths as he got used to it.

He was loved.

Good things come to those that wait.

Right here, in this bed that wasn’t his, in the place that wasn’t home, in the arms of the one person he was lied to, he was loved.

Maybe…

Even as the ugly horrors that he had tried to hide behind mask brought out, he was still so, if not more.

What I waited for…

Prompto’s breathing hitch, making him whimper and making his lip tremble and making his heart break with the thought.

Wasn’t the pain…

He had closed his eyes as well, clinging to the being that was Noct.

Remembering it now brought back the feeling tenfold and as he laid next to the one person that had shone him happiness, he felt the tears come back.

Maybe…

“Me too, Noct.”

What I waited for…

“I’m glad too.”

Was this.