mercurio | 〈 recolle ic contact 〉

[prompto stares down at his phone, scratching the side of his head. what does he make of this? he's no stranger to the kindness of others, but it's never been on such a personal level.]

[it almost feels like ardyn is trying to cater to him personally.]

i'll have hot chocolate with whipped cream! i'll take my medicine straight after

[it's a foreign kind of sentiment. and despite feeling puzzled, he replies in an easygoing manner]

i wonder what it'll be~ it isn't even my birthday haha

[A puzzling sentiment, isn't it, Prompto? In fact, perhaps even a bit for Ardyn, if the man were to really sit down and think about it. A strange lingering sort of protectiveness, for which he cannot say why. For now, however, he chalks it up as merely a simple gesture, of giving a (not!)student something which they've expressed interest in once before.]

You'll see.

[And so Ardyn will be there, seated at one of the outdoor tables. He has his own drink, an unmarked box with a mystery item within laid in front of him, and Prompto's drink, untouched and ready to be given to the young man when he shows.]

[prompto's homework was basically continuing to solidify his portfolio for what he's got to present later in the semester. he's been out and about, taking pictures and focusing on different and new techniques. thus, he arrives at the coffee shop with his camera bag slung across his chest and a tripod in his arms.]

[spotting ardyn is not difficult, and prompto waves and heads on over with a skip to his step.]

[if ardyn were to squint, he could notice the colour of bruising around prompto's nose. ardyn does not need to squint, however, at the look of confusion on prompto's face as he sits himself down across from the other, setting the tripod against the table.]

Hey, professor.

[eyes...on the...box?]

[And it's not difficult to spot Prompto coming over, when he's carrying a tripod with him. Ardyn, lackadaisically leaning back in his chair, as expected, nods at him in greeting.]

Afternoon, Prompto. You look to be keeping busy.

[He motions at Prompto's drink, still steaming, indicating for him to go ahead and take it.]

Though I bet you're dreadfully curious what's in here,- [Ardyn leans forward, putting his free hand on the box.] -hm?

[Still a bit of a tease sometimes, this man.]

Dunno about dreadfully...

[he leans forward, readjusting himself, and bringing the cup closer to himself; leather and metal rings on his fingers against it.]

But hell yes to the curious part.

[he brings the drink to his lips and savours the chocolate, quick to lick away the whipped cream mustache he condemned himself to when he ordered this drink.]

[prompto still has no idea what he has done to deserve whatever ardyn is going to give him? he really doesn't know if it can even be considered a gift, yet, either.]

...uhm. [so he grows sheepish, putting the cup down and pressing his back to the back of the chair] Thanks.

[for the hot cocoa, and ? this]

[Come now, dreadfully sounds more dramatic, Prompto.

But still, Ardyn chuckles, and lightly pushes the box forward. It's indicative of giving it to him, of letting him open it whenever the curiosity gets the best of Prompto.]

To be fair, this is something I came across when I was sorting things out around the house -- getting ready for Yu and Souji's party. [He makes a vague motion with his hand.] I had an extra one lying around, apparently.

[When Prompto gets around to opening the old packaging, within it will be none other than a record player.]

Though I do hope you'll see it as more interesting than just an old hand-me-down.

[curiosity gets the best of prompto literally seconds after ardyn pushes the box forward and explains that he found it lying around. what could it be? nothing prompto can think of really equates to it being]

[...a record player]

[prompto's eyes are as wide as saucers, and he's still as ardyn continues talking. he doesn't remember any time where he received something because he had casually mentioned it; doesn't remember being the owner of anything without working hard to afford it--or at the very least be deserving of it, much like the moped noctis gave him.]

[prompto doesn't recognise this kind gesture from an adult, since he's never been the recipient of such a thing.]

[it's with a slightly befuddled and concerned expression that prompto turns to look at ardyn again]

I can't accept it! I've been saving up for one!

[this logic does not, and will not, perhaps, make sense outside of his head]

[It's an easy enough thing to turn around on him, at least, especially for a man like Ardyn.]

And now you don't have to!

[The most casual sip of his own coffee, a grin slipping onto his features.]

Save your money. Get some use out of it, since I didn't. You've really no reason to not accept it.

[Or rather, it seems very much like Ardyn won't be taking "no" for an answer.]

[prompto wants to answer back to that, but finds himself unable to do so. ardyn's generosity strikes a chord that is usually never struck, leaving prompto vulnerable and obvious in how he doesn't know how to accept gifts modestly.]

[so quiet he remains, looking back at the record player and fingers fidgeting and soon exploring the square contraption.]

[he doesn't know how to use it, but... he'll learn, one way or the other. and also, he does not seem happy, despite the enthusiasm he portrays via his body language.]

...this really is an extra one, right?

[reassure him that he isn't a charity case]

[Ardyn's smile wanes a bit upon studying Prompto's expression. He sheds some of his flippancy as a consequence, and when he speaks his tone is a bit more questioning. Vaguely concerned, because did he do something to upset the young man?]

It is.

[He thinks of the implications of that question, wondering what Prompto is really getting at.]

Would it have been an issue if it wasn't, Prompto?

Hm.

[the answer is non-committal, prompto shaking his head in turn, and the creases on his furrowed brows relax, and his tightened jawline wears off for an abashed kind of smile.]

[ardyn sounds pretty sincere. he wouldn't lie to prompto about this.]

I don't generally get gifts like this. [hands now fully atop the contraption, he seems to quickly grow fond of it] I guess I was surprised?

[he'll treasure it, for a number of reasons. one of them being because ardyn gifted it to him.]

You'll teach me how to use it, right?

[The reply is automatic, as if Prompto needn't even ask.]

Of course I will. It's very simple.

[His smile returns, more sincere this time. He feels obligated to ask:]

That being said, if you think I'm overstepping bounds, I want you to let me know. [Ardyn feels as if this is important, especially given his role as professor at the university; he will gladly quell his own tendencies to want to watch over this young man if it makes him uncomfortable.]

[at that, prompto waves his hand about before standing and carefully taking out the record player from within the confines of the box, examining it. the chocolate is currently forgotten, the whipped cream simmering downwards.]

Nah, it's cool.

[the idea of ardyn being a professor at his university and how this could be reason to be wary does not even cross his mind. it shouldn't, really, considering prompto isn't taking law classes (seriously, anyway).]

[a smile easily grows and grows, as prompto studies the record player some more, careful at handling the arm. it's clear that he appreciates it.]

Figures it's a Crosley. [he's making a jab here, at ardyn's age maybe? it's all in good fun.] But that means it's also quality. Isn't a Stanton...

[prompto and his dj dreams, but maybe this fits him just fine]

[eyes up to ardyn now, as he returns to pack up the record player]

What album did you first listen on this?

[Figures it's a Crosley? He exhales, a half-amused scoff. Now, what's that supposed to mean, Prompto?

(Of course he's not even close to offended.)]

What album? That was so many years ago; you'll have me straining to remember.

[Not making a case for not being an older man (but he's only 37!), Ardyn.]

Led Zeppelin II, I think it was. I don't think I have it any longer.

Really? A pity... I guess I'll have to think of one as good as that one to listen to first.

[though, let's be real: prompto already knows exactly which one he will be listening to. he's been waiting, all this time, after all.]

[closing the box, he sits prim and proper and his smile spreads from ear to ear, grabbing his camera and turning it on]

I gotta repay you! And now that I have my camera with me, there's something I promised you, right? It's fair trade, now!

You already have an array of excellent albums from what you've shown me.

[From that time Ardyn visited Prompto in order to make him tea to soothe his stomach, he means.

But at the mention of the promised something, Ardyn raises a brow.]

That's right. These so-called incriminating pictures. [He leans forward in faux conspiratorial interest.] Time for me to brace myself?

[prompto's a-giggling for exactly one second before he's dragging the chair to the side of the table along with his weight (sorry, employees of the establishment), until he's sat nearly next to ardyn.]

A bit. Maybe. Depends on what you find embarrassing.

[he taps onto one of the folders in his camera's memory (bless SD cards). it reads nothing suspicious or otherwise incriminating, other than 02/14/2017. prompto full screens the first image and then hands his camera over to ardyn. several different options pop up in white, but ardyn might be most interested in the arrow motioning towards the next picture.]

[the pictures aren't all too incriminating; just teachers having a drunken, fun time at a bar and outside of it. nothing unusual, were it another group of people]

[prompto sits, hunched forward a bit, hands holding on to the bit of chair between his knees.]

I will say I've taken pictures of way worse things.

[For someone as observant as Ardyn, the date of 02/14/2017 is telling enough. Immediately, the professor has an inkling of what he's about to be met with, as far as the photos are concerned.

He leans in a little, since the boy is seated closer, and takes the camera from him. A moment while he taps at the screen, scrolling through the photos. Of him handcuffing Bigby, of him seated with Grell, singing.]

...Ah. [He straightens, leaning back in his chair, one hand still clasped at the camera, and the other comes to rub at the stubble on his chin. The flicker of embarrassment, though good-humored, in his expression.]

Yes, I remember that night. Vaguely. [He taps at the screen, the one of him serenading Grell.] Did you just happen to be passing through?

[prompto snickers, a hiss of a laugh really, shoulders shaking in clear amusement. he takes pictures of so many things and of so many different people, sometimes of situations a bit incriminating, but he never does anything with the power he would otherwise have with those photographs.]

Yeah. I was walking home from my experimental date, and who do I see on the other side of the street in the pub, but a group of responsible adults?

[he had popped into the seven eleven right across from them, and watched in bemusement for a while.]

Well. "Responsible" is used rather liberally in this instance.

[If he were to be honest, he remembered less and less the more that night continued on. He scrolls through a couple more pictures, commenting.]

Though what can I say? Many drink themselves into a stupor on Valentine's Day. [Even though that's usually for less-than-happy reasons.] As a single man, I had to continue the tradition.

[Even though Ardyn had.... two dates.... that day.]

There's nothing wrong with it.

[in prompto's eyes, he has no reason to judge his teachers and adults in general for just having a night off. it's normal, isn't it? to just go and have fun with your friends; there's no age limit to that.]

[he hees before speaking again]

There's no age limit on having 'fun.' I just took pictures of it because I basically take pictures of everything and everyone.

[studying people this way....]

Catching people unaware reveals some of the more honest moments in life, doesn't it?

[Ardyn knows next to nothing about photography, but he feels safe in making this assumption. He pauses, considering.]

Even so, some of these are less than flattering.

[At least there are no pics of anyone puking. He hopes.]

--you should see my selfies.

[less than flattering pictures--prompto is kind of king at that kind of depiction. but, something about ardyn's words tell him that ardyn isn't all too upset about the pictures.]

[which is what spurs prompto on to say:]

Do you want a copy of them? To have something to remember that fun night by.

They can't possibly be that bad.

[He responds with a glimmer of amusement. And at the offer, something wry ekes into his smile.]

I think I'll take you up on that offer, actually. If it isn't too much trouble on your end.

[He wonders how the others would react to seeing these. He considers showing them, not for malignant purposes, but merely out of curious amusement.]

〈 recolle ic contact 〉

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