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Prompto excitedly made his way up the stairs at Noctis’ apartment. Today was Noctis’ birthday! He and Prompto had made plans to hang out all day, and the blonde couldn’t be more thrilled.
The plan was to go out for lunch, head to the arcade, go catch a movie, head back to the apartment, and have a night of video games and junk food. It sounded like the absolute perfect day. And it was going to be!
He knocked on the door to Noctis’ apartment and waited patiently. He’d already sent him several birthday messages with plenty of fun emojis and gifs. Noctis replied the way Prompto figured he would.
‘HAHA dude this is awesome to wake up to. thanks man! :D”
Noctis wasn’t much of an emoji guy. Whereas nearly every of Prompto’s texts would have :))) or :(((( at the end of it, depending on the mood of the message. Prompto was thrilled to see Noctis use an exclamation point and a happy face. That was very uncommon.
He smiled down at the message and looked back to the closed door. He wondered if Noctis had fallen asleep again. With another rhythmic knock, he waited patiently.
At last, his patience was rewarded. But it was not quite what he was expecting. The door indeed opened, but he instead saw Ignis standing in the doorway. “Ah, good morning, Prompto.”
“Oh, Iggy, hey. Morning! Sorry, just didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Well, of course I’d come over to wish Noctis a happy birthday. However, he…”
Prompto suddenly felt nervous. Ignis’ tone seemed slightly distressed. Was everything okay?
“I… I’m afraid you made have to postpone your activities for the day.”
That was the final blow. Prompto’s eyes widened and he suddenly looked horribly distressed. “W-wait, what? How come?”
“It seems the prince is under the weather today.”
“Under the weather? I was just texting him earlier and he didn’t say anything about feeling sick.”
Ignis sighed. “Well, he certainly tried to convince me he was fine. I imagine he wanted to do the same for you.”
Prompto shifted his weight, suddenly feeling a bit fidgety. “S-so… what’s wrong with him?”
“He’s a bit out of it. He has cold-like symptoms and has a fever.”
“B-but…” Prompto was crestfallen. This couldn’t be happening. Today was supposed to be perfect. He’d been eagerly counting down the minutes even. He didn’t even know where to go from there. He knew Ignis likely wasn’t going to let him in. He had to at least see his friend to wish him a happy birthday in person. “C-can I at least say happy birthday to him?”
“I’ll pass along the message.”
“W-wha… Iggy, no.”
Ignis raised an eyebrow at Prompto’s sudden boldness. It was short-lived however, as Prompto quickly corrected himself. “Ah, I mean… s-sorry. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful. I just…”
“I know, Prompto. I’m truly very sorry, but I do not want you to get sick as well. I’ve already had a difficult enough time trying to keep Noctis in his bed to rest. If he were to see you, then…”
“Prom!” Noctis’ voice suddenly rang out from inside. The prince had made his way to the door to see what was going on, unbeknownst to Ignis.
“Ugh… your highness, please. Return to your bed.”
“No way, dude. Move.” He forced his way past Ignis and quickly wrapped his arms around Prompto. “I’m so excited for today. It’s… like, it’s gonna be s’awesome.”
Wow, Ignis wasn’t kidding. Noctis was damn near loopy. Prompto gave a nervous laugh and hugged back. “Y-yeah, uh…” He glanced at Ignis anxiously.
The advisor cleared his throat, looking a bit put off. “Noctis. Please return to your bed. You are putting Prompto at risk of getting sick.”
“He doesn’t care, do you, Prom? We can both stay home from school and stay together.” All this time, he hadn’t released his tight hug around Prompto.
The blonde continued to look further distressed. What was he supposed to do? In theory, probably the right thing. Tell Noctis they would have to reschedule and tell him to get back to bed so he can rest. But it was taking everything in his to muster up the strength to do it.
Noctis sniffled, sounding horribly congested. “We should get going cause, er… so we don’t miss lunch. Iggy, pull the car around.”
Ignis sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Your highness, I’m afraid I cannot let you go out today. You are not well. Going out would only make you sicker. We cannot have you ill.”
“That! That is… uhm, yeah that is not happening.”
Ignis suddenly went for the throat. “I was just discussing with Prompto that it is best to reschedule today’s festivities and have you just rest. Isn’t that right, Prompto?”
How dare he. Noctis leaned back and held Prompto’s shoulders, watching him with a confused and saddened expression. “What… you didn’t say that, did you, Prom?”
“W-well, I… I didn’t say anything.”
Ignis frowned. “If I need to be the bad guy, I will. Noctis is clearly unwell, and Prompto, if you’re a loyal friend to him, you should agree that he must stay home and recover.”
Prompto nervously pursed his lips and Noctis scoffed. “Yeah? Alright well… I’m in charge of you, so…”
The advisor was not at all a fan of that response. “Then I suppose I’ll just have to contact your father about this.”
“What?! Don’t tell my dad, dude! What the fuck?!”
”Language!”
“UuuugggggghhhhHHHHHHHH. This is bullshit. Me and Prompto are just gonna like… I dunno walk there.”
Ignis was already in the process of contacting the citadel. This wasn’t going to go well.
“Okay, fine. Tattletale… Can he at least stay with me?”
“I do not want him to get sick.”
Prompto decided to jump in with this one. “I actually have a really good immune system. Like I never catch anything.”
Noctis glanced at him with a confused expression. “Dude, you get sick all the time.”
Prompto sighed and put his hand over his face.
Ignis crossed his arms. “A doctor is on the way, and your father has been notified. I can have a car sent to bring Prompto home.”
“So that’s it then? I get a cold for my birthday and I don’t get to spend time with my best friend?”
“You can still do all of those things you’ve planned, just not today. You need to rest.”
Noctis glared at the advisor before he seemingly contemplated something. He looked back at Prompto and very suddenly leaned forward and pressed their lips together. Prompto was absolutely frozen. What was happening? Noctis was kissing him? In front of Ignis, no less? His face was immediately red and he was too shocked to even enjoy this moment that he’d yearned for for years.
Pulling away, Noctis turned back to Ignis. “There. Now he’s gonna get sick anyways. So let him stay.”
Ignis had an expression on his face that was absolutely haunting. He looked pissed. The look itself had a terrifying aura that caused Noctis to immediately look a bit frightened. “Noctis. Go. To your room. Now.”
If Prompto wasn’t so dazed from the sudden kiss, he probably would’ve run out of the building and all the way home. From the expression to his tone, Ignis clearly meant business. Noctis tried to act tough, but it was immediately a losing battle. He exhaled with an annoyed groan. “Fine. Whatever.” And he obeyed.
Prompto was surprised at how compliant Noctis was being. Especially after how bold he’d been due to his fever. It seemed that serious Ignis could cut through any brain fog. Prompto sure as hell did not want to be on his bad side.
He put his hands up in defense. “Ah, I’m so sorry. Sir. I’ll leave. I’m sorry. Tell Noctis happy birthday and I hope he feels better.”
Ignis sighed. “It’s alright. He is always very difficult to deal with when he’s ill. I sincerely apologize for this outcome, but I can see to it that he has a day cleared in his schedule to spend with you.”
“Ah— oh. O-okay.” Prompto was surprised by the sudden shift in tone.
“I also apologize for him attempting to get you sick as well. Please contact me if you do wind up feeling unwell, and I will have the citadel send a care package.”
“What?! Oh, n-no. You don’t have to do that. It’s completely fine. I’m sorry he uh… did that. And I didn’t really have your back. I just… I didn’t wanna upset him.”
“I’m unsurprised he kissed you. He certainly talks about you fondly enough.”
Prompto’s eyes widened and his heart fluttered. “Wait, seriously?”
He nodded. “I can arrange a ride home for you. Just give me a moment.”
“Oh, no need! I like walking.”
“…Are you sure?”
“Mhm! Thanks though! Uh, see ya.”
Ignis nodded and the two waved goodbye. What the hell was Prompto supposed to do with this sudden information? Noctis talks fondly about him? To the degree that it didn’t surprise Ignis that he would kiss him? He was definitely going to need to follow up on that with the advisor.
For now, he felt like he was floating. And although his house was quite the hike from Noctis’ apartment, he excitedly pranced the whole way back.