[ardyn leans forward so minutely, but prompto notices, and he leans back, the stool he's sitting on scraping on the ground some.]
[he looks at ardyn with suspicion, trepidation (as he should), not trusting the fact that he acts so casual, unwrapping his sandwich like he's got all the time in the world to make a statement.]
Because you hate doing what others tell you to? You're your own man and you do what you want, no fucks given?
[it's a sassy remark, and prompto should probably definitely cool it.]
Close, I suppose. What man doesn’t enjoy a bit of independence now and again?
[He lets that hang, lets himself consider Prompto’s growing anxiety, bubbling beneath words trying to relay bravado instead. The sandwich unwrapped, he lets it sit there untouched.
[There was warning enough in the atmosphere, something languorous and dangerous in Ardyn’s smile, that would’ve tipped off Prompto to something bad about to happen. But it’s too late now, what with the young man in reach—
So Ardyn grabs his wrist, twisting it, and yanking him forward, enough to tip the table and send the food scattering and sliding down.]
You’re right. I’m here to relay a warning to you. Stay still and don’t squirm now, and listen.
[if ardyn didn't want to make a scene, he shouldn't have gone for the option where he makes their food scatter all over around them. prompto's initial surprise forces a choked sound out of him, pain through gritted teeth as he winces with the intention of telling ardyn to fuck right off--]
[but there's something about the way he says his words that pause prompto in doing anything but what the man tells him to.]
[he's halfway off his chair, forced forward by the arm, his shoulder burning in pain at the tension. he can barely move his hand...!]
[The commotion causes the vendor to peek his head out from behind his stand, spotting the ruckus, calling out for them to stop—
But Ardyn doesn’t care for him, doesn’t see anything but the boy he’s clasped his hand around, impossibly tight, pulling him forward and keeping him near. Things clatter all around them, but let the damnable items fall!]
Aren’t you? All the fear flown from you, in a show of defiance? How courageous, how utterly inspiring.
[He jerks him forward, and if the vice grip around Prompto’s wrist isn’t jarring enough, the way Ardyn’s movements forcibly press the other’s middle against the edge of the table should be.]
But let me enlighten you, Prompto. You think that makes it any harder to hurt you? To hurt those close you? How brave are you willing to be, to test my patience again, to test your luck again? Will you be fearful for someone else’s sake?
[the worst part is how quickly ardyn's emotions invade him. it's similar to before, somewhat less unhinged. the anger, the hatred, the poison that revolts and bites and gnaws to the point where it's suffocating. it cancels out any sense of inspired devotion and determination prompto would have tried to channel.]
I'll protect them.
[he squeezes out, not really that loud or courage-filled.]
[He’s not letting go yet. That hate crosses the bridge initiated between them, filling up any space Prompto might try to hide away from it. Years and years and years of the stuff, it feels like a well that one would never reach the bottom of, no matter how deeply they plumbed.]
Will you? How? Look at you now, Prompto! Is this the look of someone strong enough to protect their friends? Do something, show me — prove to me that you can even survive my touch for moments longer than this!
[The empathy bond glows a stringent blue, but Ardyn doesn't care if they're in the public eye. Angled away from the vendor for now, he revels in these callous moments between them.]
[there's a kick under the table--making more of the food and the drinks to scramble to the floor--and it's not so much an offensive tactic as it is prompto trying to diffuse the situation. their chests glow blue, the hatred pouring through him unbearable, like heavy slime numbing his arm (maybe that's just the pain that comes from the twist of ardyn's fingers).]
Hey, cut it out!
[one of the vendors is stepping out of the small shop to check out what the matter is.]
[there are bigger things here, than ardyn's grudge and prompto's own need to prove himself to this man. he tries to dislodge himself, pulling at his arm, his other hand trying to pry ardyn's hands off him.]
I'm not gonna show you anything when it's gonna get us in trouble beyond what we can handle right now.
[through gritted teeth. hopefully ardyn will understand this one particular caveat.]
[Eyes don't unstick from Prompto, grin stays engraved on his expression, like a permanent feature.]
No? Then I'm not at all impressed, nor am I at all dissuaded from doing what I want, and when I want to.
[The vendor is coming from around his spot behind the counter, heading towards the both of them with a frown and more words of stark disapproval. Only when Ardyn hears the padding of quickened footsteps behind him does he let go, fingers releasing like a bear trap snapping in reverse.
The blue at their chests fade. Nothing to see here.]
[and immediately, upon being released, prompto holds steadfast to his arm and brings it close to his chest, stumbling back up to his feet and keeping his eyes trained on ardyn. and yet he moves back, put some distance between the two of them.]
[ardyn is a terrifying man, and even without having whatever he had at eos to help his bigger sense of grandeur, he is calculating enough to know how much to give without getting himself into any explicit trouble.]
[this was a bad idea and prompto should've known better.]
[the vendor is saying something about not allowing fighting in the premises, saying something about getting their pictures from their id's, and prompto's simply biting his tongue at this point.]
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no subject
[he looks at ardyn with suspicion, trepidation (as he should), not trusting the fact that he acts so casual, unwrapping his sandwich like he's got all the time in the world to make a statement.]
Because you hate doing what others tell you to? You're your own man and you do what you want, no fucks given?
[it's a sassy remark, and prompto should probably definitely cool it.]
no subject
[He lets that hang, lets himself consider Prompto’s growing anxiety, bubbling beneath words trying to relay bravado instead. The sandwich unwrapped, he lets it sit there untouched.
Gesturing at the bowl of…bugs—]
Hand me that, won’t you?
no subject
I doubt your wanting to meet me in person was to exchange pleasantries and life advice.
no subject
So Ardyn grabs his wrist, twisting it, and yanking him forward, enough to tip the table and send the food scattering and sliding down.]
You’re right. I’m here to relay a warning to you. Stay still and don’t squirm now, and listen.
no subject
[but there's something about the way he says his words that pause prompto in doing anything but what the man tells him to.]
[he's halfway off his chair, forced forward by the arm, his shoulder burning in pain at the tension. he can barely move his hand...!]
I'm not scared of you anymore.
no subject
But Ardyn doesn’t care for him, doesn’t see anything but the boy he’s clasped his hand around, impossibly tight, pulling him forward and keeping him near. Things clatter all around them, but let the damnable items fall!]
Aren’t you? All the fear flown from you, in a show of defiance? How courageous, how utterly inspiring.
[He jerks him forward, and if the vice grip around Prompto’s wrist isn’t jarring enough, the way Ardyn’s movements forcibly press the other’s middle against the edge of the table should be.]
But let me enlighten you, Prompto. You think that makes it any harder to hurt you? To hurt those close you? How brave are you willing to be, to test my patience again, to test your luck again? Will you be fearful for someone else’s sake?
[Fingers press harder, coiled around him.]
Tell me.
no subject
[the worst part is how quickly ardyn's emotions invade him. it's similar to before, somewhat less unhinged. the anger, the hatred, the poison that revolts and bites and gnaws to the point where it's suffocating. it cancels out any sense of inspired devotion and determination prompto would have tried to channel.]
I'll protect them.
[he squeezes out, not really that loud or courage-filled.]
You only hurt others. That's all you got.
no subject
Will you? How? Look at you now, Prompto! Is this the look of someone strong enough to protect their friends? Do something, show me — prove to me that you can even survive my touch for moments longer than this!
[The empathy bond glows a stringent blue, but Ardyn doesn't care if they're in the public eye. Angled away from the vendor for now, he revels in these callous moments between them.]
no subject
Hey, cut it out!
[one of the vendors is stepping out of the small shop to check out what the matter is.]
[there are bigger things here, than ardyn's grudge and prompto's own need to prove himself to this man. he tries to dislodge himself, pulling at his arm, his other hand trying to pry ardyn's hands off him.]
I'm not gonna show you anything when it's gonna get us in trouble beyond what we can handle right now.
[through gritted teeth. hopefully ardyn will understand this one particular caveat.]
no subject
No? Then I'm not at all impressed, nor am I at all dissuaded from doing what I want, and when I want to.
[The vendor is coming from around his spot behind the counter, heading towards the both of them with a frown and more words of stark disapproval. Only when Ardyn hears the padding of quickened footsteps behind him does he let go, fingers releasing like a bear trap snapping in reverse.
The blue at their chests fade. Nothing to see here.]
no subject
[ardyn is a terrifying man, and even without having whatever he had at eos to help his bigger sense of grandeur, he is calculating enough to know how much to give without getting himself into any explicit trouble.]
[this was a bad idea and prompto should've known better.]
[the vendor is saying something about not allowing fighting in the premises, saying something about getting their pictures from their id's, and prompto's simply biting his tongue at this point.]
Whatever, I'm leaving anyway.
[and that's that.]