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Music pounded, and a slight haze of smoke hung in the air. Prompto waved his hand in front of his face, nose wrinkling in disgust.
“I’m going to get a secondary high at this rate.”
Noctis just laughed and took another drink from the red cup in his hand.
“Would that be such a bad thing?”
“Uh, yeah. I value my lungs, dude. Unlike some people here.”
Noctis just shrugged.
“Not like I’m blowing smoke in your face. I’m perfectly sober right now, thank you very much.”
Zack choked on his drink.
“Noct, I love you man, but you don’t know what sober is right now.”
Noctis had the grace to look embarrassed. He shot a look in Prompto’s direction before reaching out and playfully punching Zack’s shoulder. Zack laughed, rubbing his shoulder.
“To be fair, neither do the two of you,” Noctis said with an eye roll.
Prompto just shrugged in agreement. He had had nothing but beer, but he’d had enough that his head swam pleasantly. From the looks of him, Zack felt the same.
They sat chatting for a while longer until Zack interrupted with a whistle.
“Who is that! Damn, he’s hot.”
Prompto and Noctis both turned to see who he was talking about. The last person Prompto expected to see was his brother, Cloud.
Prompto, who hadn’t seen his brother in months, jumped up and tackle-hugged him.
“Cloud! What are you doing here?!”
Cloud chuckled at Prompto’s antics, hugging him back before stepping away.
“Just got back into town. Heard there was a party and figured you’d be here, getting into trouble.” Cloud waved his hand at the smoke in the air, and Prompto blushed.
“Hey, don’t be like that. You know I don’t touch that stuff. I’m not about to risk my scholarship like that. Can’t run with lung cancer.”
Cloud just laughed again. Reaching up, he ruffled Prompto’s messy hair.
“Still look like a chocobo, I see.”
“My hair does not look like a chocobo,” he exclaimed in mock-outrage.
Cloud pretended to study him for a minute.
“You’re right, it doesn’t look like a chocobo… It looks like a chocobo’s butt.”
“Hey!”
***
Noctis watched Prompto race off in bemusement. His eyes narrowed when Prompto launched himself at the stranger. Their easy camaraderie was clear, even from this distance. Noctis couldn’t hear what was being said, but the way the man smiled at Prompto and ruffled his hair spoke volumes. Prompto was glowing.
Noctis studied the stranger with curiosity. Zack was right; he was hot. He took in the messy blonde hair and eyes so bright a blue Noctis could make them out even from across the room. Noctis’s eyes slid back to Prompto, taking him in. Yes, the stranger was hot, but Prompto was… better.
“Damn would I like to see them together,” Zack said with a wink. “Now that would be hot.”
Noctis scowled. That would be hot, but… Prompto? With that guy? No.
Instead of letting on about his thoughts, he just grinned drunkenly at Zack and said, “Definitely hot. You know I’ve got a thing for blondes with messy hair and blue eyes.”
Prompto chose that moment to reappear at his side. He looked shocked at Noctis’s words.
Shit.
***
Noctis thought Cloud was hot? Prompto felt his heart clench. He’d never spoken like that about anyone. At least, not around Prompto. Definitely not about Prompto.
“Just what are you saying about my brother?” he asked, flopping back on the couch beside Noctis. Maybe he’d misheard?
Zack’s eyes widened. “Your brother?! I’m not sure if that makes what I said even hotter or not.”
“What exactly did you say?” Suspicion laced Prompto’s voice.
“Believe me, you don’t want to know,” said Noctis before Zack could answer.
Prompto wanted to insist, but stopped himself. Instead, he drained his cup.
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
***
“So… who was your friend last night? He was cute.”
Prompto froze, coffee halfway to his mouth.
“You mean Noct?” Please say no.
Cloud just shrugged. “Yeah, I guess. Dark hair. Gorgeous eyes. Built like he knows how to fight.” Cloud seemed far away, obviously picturing Noctis in his head and enjoying the view.
That described Noctis, all right.
“Hey, you think you could introduce us,” Cloud continued.
“Introduce you?”
“Yeah. I mean, I’m here for a while. Might as well have some fun.”
Some fun… great.
Cloud had a bit of a reputation. He went through guys like Prompto went through film for his camera. Now, he’d set his sights on Noctis.
Prompto wanted to refuse, but he knew that wouldn’t stop Cloud. It would only fuel his interest. He’d back off if Prompto told him to, especially if Prompto admitted to liking Noctis, but…
Noctis had said Cloud was hot. Maybe he’d be into it.
“Sure, I guess I can do that.”
It broke his heart a bit to say, but it wasn’t like he’d ever had a chance with Noctis, anyway. Someone might as well be happy.
***
“Hey, Noct…”
Noctis looked up, brightening when he saw Prompto standing before him.
“Hey, Prom. What’s up?”
Prompto seemed to hesitate, as though he needed to say something he didn’t want to say. Just as Noctis was about to prod him, Prompto spoke.
“You remember my brother?”
The look in Noctis’s eyes intensified. Yes, he remembered the man. He also remembered the jealousy he’d felt over Prompto hugging his own brother. Remembered how Prompto had caught Noctis gushing about him. Remembered the way his face had shut down. Prompto had not enjoyed hearing how attractive Noctis found him.
Noctis shook the thoughts away. So Prompto didn’t like him back. He could deal.
“Yeah, I remember him. Why? What’s up?”
Again, the hesitation. Prompto almost looked nervous.
“Well, he asked me to introduce you.”
“Who are we introducing?” Zack appeared next to Prompto, eager to get in on the gossip.
“Prom says his brother wants to meet us.”
Zack’s eyes grew heated. “Hell, yes. Let’s do it.”
“Actually…”
“So, when is this introduction taking place? Soon, I hope.” Zack wiggled his eyebrows in exaggerated excitement. Or maybe not exaggerated. This was Zack.
Prompto seemed to deflate, but then he was grinning and shoving Zack playfully. Noctis assumed he was seeing things that weren’t there.
“Hey, that’s my brother you’re talking about.”
“Is he single?”
“So far, today,” Prompto joked, but his eyes shot to Noctis for a split second.
“Great! We can make it a double date!”
Prompto’s eyes widened. “Um… I’m not sure that’s what he meant.”
“I’m just screwing with you, man. We’d love to meet him. Right, Noct?”
Truthfully, Noctis didn’t care about meeting the man. Then again, he obviously meant a lot to Prompto. And what was important to Prompto was important to Noctis.
“Sure. I’d love to meet him.”
***
Things were not going how Prompto had expected. He’d set out to arrange a meeting, figuring Cloud could take it from there. He always did. But now, Zack had inserted himself into the mix, and Prompto didn’t know what to do.
On the one hand, this took the pressure off Prompto somewhat. Zack could always keep the conversation flowing.
It was obvious Zack was interested in Cloud, too. Then again, Zack was interested in everyone. Prompto wasn’t very concerned about his feelings getting hurt.
No, that fear was reserved for Noctis. Zack and Cloud could use one another and move on, no hard feelings. But Noctis wasn’t like that. He’d want a relationship. And Cloud didn’t do those.
Still, the memory of Noctis gushing about how hot Cloud was at the party stuck in Prompto’s mind. The way his face had lit up, a dreamy look in his eyes, as he’d described Cloud’s “messy blonde hair and gorgeous blue eyes.”
Prompto was used to being overlooked. Yes, he was attractive in his own way, but he paled in comparison to his brother. Cloud just had a special something that drew attention everywhere he went.
They were all meeting up tonight. It was going to suck.
***
Cloud turned out to have a fantastically dry sense of humor. He kept the table cracking up with his blunt observations and remarks. He also turned out to be as much of a flirt as Zack. Where Zack was very in your face about his interest, however, Cloud was more reserved. His flirting came through in the heat in his eyes and casual remarks that held double meanings. He split his energy evenly across both Zack and Noctis, though Noctis wished he’d leave him out of it.
At first, Prompto had seemed miserable, and Noctis had fed off that energy. But Cloud and Zack kept the conversation going and, after a drink or three, Prompto seemed to relax and Noctis could do the same.
By the time they all went their separate ways, Cloud had absconded with both their numbers and, from the looks of it, a piece of Zack’s heart. Noctis watched Cloud and Prompto go. His heart was safe from Cloud’s clutches. It already belonged to someone else.
***
After their night out, Cloud entered what Prompto liked to call his “honeymoon phase.” That was where Cloud stayed glued to his phone, smiling like an idiot, taking selfies with bedroom eyes, and just being obnoxiously happy.
Prompto tried to put it out of his mind. Yes, it meant his matchmaking had worked, but he wouldn’t let that bring him down. Cloud was happy. Noctis was too, though his “honeymoon phase” was far more understated. He didn’t stay glued to his phone, but every time Prompto saw him, his eyes were lit with happiness. That was proof enough for Prompto.
He could only fool himself for so long, however. One day, it was all bound to come crashing down. When it did, he was not prepared.
Cloud had left the room, leaving his phone sitting on the couch beside Prompto. Not that Prompto was snooping. He just happened to glance over at the same time a message came through. A message from Dark Haired Sex God.
Can’t wait for tonight… Gonna make you SCREAM.
What remained of Prompto’s heart shattered. He’d been fooling himself to believe this didn’t bother him. Obviously, his efforts had paid off better than he’d thought. Now, he just had to live with that.
***
Something was wrong. Prompto wouldn’t meet his eyes.
Noctis didn’t know what to think. Prompto had been acting off for days. His normal good cheer seemed forced. Maybe he was still remembering Noctis’s words from the party? Did he find Noctis's being attracted to him so repulsive? Or was something else going on?
Noctis had had enough. There was only one way to know for certain. He cleared his throat, preparing himself for the inevitable rejection to come.
“So, Prompto… Have any plans for tonight?”
Prompto seemed to shrink in on himself. “No,” he all but whispered, before clearing his throat. “No, but I won’t be sitting around at home. Don’t worry about that.”
The comment confused Noctis. He wanted to dig deeper, but Zack interrupted in usual Zack fashion.
“Well, I have plans with a major hottie.” He continued on, but neither Noctis nor Prompto were paying much attention, both in their own heads. Noctis didn’t know what Prompto was thinking, but he was trying to find a way to ask about Prompto’s non-plans for the night. To ask if maybe they could include Noctis.
Before he could, though, Prompto gathered his things, said an awkward goodbye, and left Noctis to listen to Zack ramble on about his latest conquest.
***
Prompto stayed out late that night, but not late enough.
When he arrived back home, the sound of moans coming from Cloud’s room and the rhythmic banging of a headboard hitting the wall greeted him.
Prompto immediately turned and left, but not before he heard Noctis make good on his threat to make Cloud scream.
***
Prompto crashed on Zack’s couch for the rest of the night. Zack wasn’t home, but he’d texted him and Zack said he didn’t care. He’d even apologized, though Prompto did not know why. Maybe he just knew Prompto was upset? Zack acted like a clown much of the time, but he had good insight. Plus, Prompto hadn’t been hiding his upset very well.
As he made his way back home the next morning, Prompto steeled himself to face Cloud. How was he supposed to go on pretending it didn’t bother him? It did. It was killing him inside.
When he let himself into the apartment, Prompto was faced with the back of a shirtless, dark-haired form. His heart, already shattered, crumbled to dust. Noctis was still there? That was unusual. Cloud’s conquests never spent the night.
Prompto ducked his head and hurried past the figure. He didn’t make it far, though.
“Morning, Prom! Sorry we ran you out of the place last night. Hope the couch slept ok.”
That… was not Noctis’s voice. Prompto spun back around to find Zack standing half naked in his kitchen, cup of coffee in hand.
“Wha…”
Cloud chose that moment to enter. He was in a similar state of undress; the love bites trailing down his collarbone on full display. He walked over, took the coffee from Zack, and kissed him. It was not a kiss of friendship.
Prompto felt like his head was about to explode.
“What the hell, man,” he yelled, surprising even himself with the outburst. “How could you do this?!”
Cloud jumped, spinning to face Prompto with a confused expression.
“Do what?”
But Prompto didn’t want to hear it. Without another word, he stormed back out of the apartment. He had to get to Noctis. Make sure he was okay.
***
When Noctis opened his door to find an upset Prompto, confused didn’t cover how he felt. It was early, and he didn’t have class until the afternoon, so he’d still been asleep when the knock sounded. He’d been having a wonderfully filthy dream, too. Now, the star of that dream stood before him, eyes taking Noctis in, seemingly searching for something.
Noctis suddenly remembered his state of undress. There he stood, wearing nothing but his boxers in front of the man he was… crushing on felt too juvenile to describe his feelings. He shifted to hide himself behind the door.
“What’s wrong, Prom?”
Prompto’s eyes widened.
“You… you don’t know…” The words did nothing but confuse Noctis more.
“Um, no. I guess not. You want to come in?” Noctis stepped back, opening the door wide enough for Prompto to enter. After a beat of hesitation, he did so.
“Just give me a sec. I’ll throw on some clothes.” As much as he was dying to know what was going on, Noctis knew he couldn’t stand around in his boxers. Not with the object of his affections staring at him. Things might become evident.
Quickly, he threw on a t-shirt and some pajama bottoms. When he got back, Prompto hadn’t moved, though his eyes roamed around the room, taking in Noctis’s living space.
“What’s going on, Prom? What happened?”
It was obvious Prompto was at war with himself over what to say. Finally, he blurted, “Cloud slept with Zack.” He then shrank back, as if expecting Noctis to explode.
“Uh, yeah, I know. Zack wouldn’t shut up about it yesterday after you left.” Why did Prompto feel the need to announce this? And why did he look like he’d expected it to piss Noctis off?
Noctis didn’t think Prompto’s eyes could get any wider.
“You knew?! And it doesn’t bother you?”
“Why would it bother me? I don’t care who your brother messes around with, and Zack is a big boy. He can handle his own affairs.”
“But… but I thought… You and Cloud…”
Noctis couldn’t help it. He burst out laughing. Him, with Cloud? That was funny.
Only Prompto wasn’t laughing. He looked hurt and confused and still more than a little upset.
“Prom,” Noctis said, getting his mirth under control, “Why would you think I was even remotely interested in Cloud?”
“You said… at the party. And then Cloud said…”
Noctis felt his own eyes widen to match Prompto’s. He realized there had been a colossal misunderstanding. He needed to clear things up.
“Prom, what exactly did you hear me say that night?”
“You said he was hot. That you liked messy blonde hair and blue eyes.”
Noctis nodded. That had been what he’d said, only…
“Prompto? Have you looked in a mirror?”
Prompto just stared at him, confused. Noctis sighed. In for a penny, in for a pound.
“I was talking about you.”
***
“What?” Prompto’s voice came out calm. Disbelieving. He couldn’t have heard that right. It was his mind playing tricks on him. Perhaps he’d wake up on Zack’s couch any moment and this would have all been a nightmare.
Noctis just stared at him, looking sheepish.
“Yeah, I was talking about you, not Cloud. I mean, sure, he’s good looking. But I’ve had my sights set on someone else for a while now. Cloud pales in comparison.”
This couldn’t be real. He had to be dreaming. Prompto pinched himself. Hard. He squeaked when it hurt.
“You… You like me? But I thought…”
Noctis just shook his head, amused at Prompto’s fight to catch up to reality.
“Yeah, Prom. I like you. You might even say I like like you, if you want to be juvenile about it.”
Prompto couldn’t find the words to answer. His entire worldview had been turned on its head. The longer he stood there, mouth gaping in shock, the more uncomfortable Noctis looked.
“Look, I understand if you don’t like me back. I wasn’t trying to push you into something you don’t want. But I couldn’t just let you go on thinking I had a thing for Cloud.”
The way Noctis said Cloud’s name, filled with displeasure at the mere thought of the two of them together, finally broke through to Prompto.
“I do like you, Noct. I always have.”
Noctis beamed.
***
Prompto thought he’d never hear the end of it from Cloud. Zack wasn’t as bad about teasing him, but Cloud had special brother privileges. Privileges he insisted on utilizing. Often. Prompto just buried his head in Noctis’s shoulder and hid. When Noctis’s arm came up and held him close, Prompto relaxed. He looked up, into Noctis’s eyes, and the gentle affection he saw there mirrored his own.