[despite hearing the words that he's wanted to hear--of acceptance and reassurance--prompto still fidgets, somewhat unnerved; he scratches at his hand, nervously, then at the back of his head when embarrassment overtakes his nerves.]
[but although he feels embarrassed, there's a hint of a smile on his features--amidst the sniffles and the remaining tears that he makes a point of rubbing off with the back of his hand.]
[that's all you have to be.]
[for most of his life, he's tried so much to not be something that would otherwise cast others away, especially in these past five years of being noctis's best friend. his hand curled into a fist, he lightly bumps at the other's side, a gentle gesture practiced between them and the other two members of their retinue during their roadtrip.]
...thanks. It, uh, means a lot.
[knowing that he can be freed of having to hide the mark on his wrist, who he is... it's like a 20 year old weight has been lifted from his chest.]
[ A harmless protest to the "blow" that only gets him to half-smile, something in the expression cautiously reluctant as he now searches Prompto's eyes -- he looks the same, feels the same, is the same. ]
You sure you're okay? Just keep me up to date in the future, okay? I'm not the worst listener.
[ And yet...
Right now he's hearing words he doesn't want to, eye contact immediately broken when his best friend elects to bring up Ardyn. ] Yeah, I ran into him. He's a real pain in the ass, huh.
Yeah, I'm okay. I think. [he adds with a bit of a laugh, rubbing at his nose.] For now.
[because they both know that prompto's prone to these moments of self-deprecation that dig too deep, but knowing that noctis has his back no matter what means a lot.]
[there's nervous energy again, though, as he bounces his knee up and down.]
He's bad news. Just -- be careful around him, okay? I don't know what he's trying to accomplish but he isn't as friendly as he made himself appear back in Lestallum.
[he knocks at noctis's knee after a minute, his voice quiet.]
You... can also tell me anything, whenever something's bothering you.
[it's embarrassing, because they've been so sure of just Understanding, a silent mutual agreement, and to put it out there is a bit too personal even for them.]
[ Just hearing those words alone gets a little sigh of relief out of him, faint and aborted but still impossible for his best friend to miss at this distance. It's good news, sorely needed, and it's a huge weight off of his shoulders to know that the air's been cleared between them.
Almost. ]
Yeah... I know.
Listen, Prompto-- [ He can't look him in the eye and lie, he just can't. ]
... there is something, something I need to talk to you about. Just... not yet, okay? But soon, I promise. I just need some time to think about it on my own.
[the words are worrying, and prompto would be hasty to have his expression fall into mild concern and the general build up of panic starting in his gut. but, instead, he shakes his head and manages a smile.]
I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't allow you the time to process whatever it is.
[he'll be brave for the both of them, at this time.]
I'll be here when you're ready, and I'll always have your back.
[it is the same courtesy noctis gave him, and prompto has to honor as much. resolute, he rises to his feet and does a quick fist pump with his hands towards his chest.]
--we should probably sit around Iggy and look after him for once, huh? Don't know when that opportunity will come up again.
[...i mean, altissia, but prompto's trying to remain Positive.]
[ His head lifts when Prompto straightens back up, unable to fight the little twitch at his lips when he sees Prompto's own smile. Sure, there are still heavy thoughts and realities hovering over their heads, but for now? This was a good conversation and the trust between them has only grown. That's something he wants to hold onto for as long as he can. ]
Ahh, no kidding... He'll be up soon and ordering us around, making sure everything's way cleaner. It'll feel good to pay him back a little in advance.
[ So Noctis too stands, careful again to favor his nearly-healed arm through the process. ]
[he kicks lightly at noctis's shoe, to emphasize his point? before making his way back towards the ladder.]
I'll go first in case you fall off, at least we'll both break our heads together.
[snickering--that's nothing to laugh about--and he begins his descent down the ladder. it doesn't take long for them to make it back to the safehouse, in a better mood than the one they left with, talking considerations for their mmorpg characters, quieting down as they reach where ignis is sleeping. they may as well continue their conversation on leveling up and enhancement items through texting. and for now, at least, things are like they used to be.]
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meadowlark ic contact 〉
at least it wasn't ten
[but although he feels embarrassed, there's a hint of a smile on his features--amidst the sniffles and the remaining tears that he makes a point of rubbing off with the back of his hand.]
[that's all you have to be.]
[for most of his life, he's tried so much to not be something that would otherwise cast others away, especially in these past five years of being noctis's best friend. his hand curled into a fist, he lightly bumps at the other's side, a gentle gesture practiced between them and the other two members of their retinue during their roadtrip.]
...thanks. It, uh, means a lot.
[knowing that he can be freed of having to hide the mark on his wrist, who he is... it's like a 20 year old weight has been lifted from his chest.]
Did -- you see Ardyn, in the safehouse?
that's all we can hope for
[ A harmless protest to the "blow" that only gets him to half-smile, something in the expression cautiously reluctant as he now searches Prompto's eyes -- he looks the same, feels the same, is the same. ]
You sure you're okay? Just keep me up to date in the future, okay? I'm not the worst listener.
[ And yet...
Right now he's hearing words he doesn't want to, eye contact immediately broken when his best friend elects to bring up Ardyn. ] Yeah, I ran into him. He's a real pain in the ass, huh.
no subject
Yeah, I'm okay. I think. [he adds with a bit of a laugh, rubbing at his nose.] For now.
[because they both know that prompto's prone to these moments of self-deprecation that dig too deep, but knowing that noctis has his back no matter what means a lot.]
[there's nervous energy again, though, as he bounces his knee up and down.]
He's bad news. Just -- be careful around him, okay? I don't know what he's trying to accomplish but he isn't as friendly as he made himself appear back in Lestallum.
[he knocks at noctis's knee after a minute, his voice quiet.]
You... can also tell me anything, whenever something's bothering you.
[it's embarrassing, because they've been so sure of just Understanding, a silent mutual agreement, and to put it out there is a bit too personal even for them.]
no subject
Almost. ]
Yeah... I know.
Listen, Prompto-- [ He can't look him in the eye and lie, he just can't. ]
... there is something, something I need to talk to you about. Just... not yet, okay? But soon, I promise. I just need some time to think about it on my own.
no subject
I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't allow you the time to process whatever it is.
[he'll be brave for the both of them, at this time.]
I'll be here when you're ready, and I'll always have your back.
[it is the same courtesy noctis gave him, and prompto has to honor as much. resolute, he rises to his feet and does a quick fist pump with his hands towards his chest.]
--we should probably sit around Iggy and look after him for once, huh? Don't know when that opportunity will come up again.
[...i mean, altissia, but prompto's trying to remain Positive.]
no subject
Ahh, no kidding... He'll be up soon and ordering us around, making sure everything's way cleaner. It'll feel good to pay him back a little in advance.
[ So Noctis too stands, careful again to favor his nearly-healed arm through the process. ]
... thanks, Prompto.
no subject
[he kicks lightly at noctis's shoe, to emphasize his point? before making his way back towards the ladder.]
I'll go first in case you fall off, at least we'll both break our heads together.
[snickering--that's nothing to laugh about--and he begins his descent down the ladder. it doesn't take long for them to make it back to the safehouse, in a better mood than the one they left with, talking considerations for their mmorpg characters, quieting down as they reach where ignis is sleeping. they may as well continue their conversation on leveling up and enhancement items through texting. and for now, at least, things are like they used to be.]