Chapter Text
He smiles lightly as he straighten's the other's collar before slipping the thin fabric over it, the ends of the silky cream tie coming to rest just above his waist. He tries his best to ignore it, the way he is standing so close to the other, close enough to feel warm breath skimming across his cheeks. He reminds himself silently that he was supposed to be happy dammit, not moping around on his best friend's wedding day.
Yes, today was the day of Prince Noctis Lucius Caelum, going-to-be-king of Insomnia's wedding. And his bride? The ever enchanting Princess Lunafreya Nox Flueret. Anyone who has seen the pair before would agree they are a wonderful couple. Childhood friends, their bond strengthened even further after the war with Nilfheim, a future king and after this marriage, a future queen. Who could ever say otherwise?
The two of them were always inseparable when together, constantly chatting and most of all, laughing together. Somehow, the sleepy prince seemed to always smile and laugh more in the presence of Lady Luna, this he noticed. He would be blind not to. While they had their fun whether it was in dark alcoves of the palace or underneath the shade of the trees in the glass house, Prompto stood behind in the shadows.
He knows it, he understands that his meagre feelings will not be reciprocated. Who was he but a peasant? Who was he but a fellow adventurer who went on an epic quest with Noctis? Who was he but a former fat kid always trying too hard to be in the spotlight, always trying so hard to get said prince's attention? Not because he wanted the status, no, it was never for the status or fame. He just wanted to be Noctis' friend, at least that was how it started.
He doesn't actually know when, nor does he know why or how he started falling for his best friend. Was it because Noctis had saved his life an uncountable number of times on the battlefield before? Was it because he managed to be friends with the prince? Or was it because of all those sneaky nights they'd spend under his blanket, watching old TV shows on the small screen of his phone? Was it due to their shared love in video games? Was it because Noct tended to make these small sounds of agreement and praise whenever he showed the raven the pictures in his camera? Maybe it was because they skipped boring classes on the rooftops some sunny afternoons with the wind caressing their hair. Because he loved listening to the sound of the other's laugh. Because Noctis was the first one to appreciate him for he who is, not who he pretended to be. Because Noctis never judged him for his choices. Because Noctis was always there by his side and vice versa.
Or simply because Noctis is his best friend.
Yeah, that fits. He was his bestest friend in the whole wide world! And it wasn't that abnormal to fall for your best friend right? Not even if said best friend is straight, is betrothed to a stunner and is future king. Nope, not weird in the slightest.
… Okay, maybe a little bit weird then. Not that he would openly admit all of this.
He sighs softly and begins to make quick work of the tie. When Noctis approached him and shyly requested him to help him tie the piece of fabric which was looped like a disjointed noose around his neck, Prompto couldn't help but laugh at his friend's predicament. If looks could kill, the glare Noctis sent him would have sufficed in mauling him to death. Setting down the glass of champagne and brushing the chocolate cookie crumbs from his hands, he carefully unties all the messy joints from their prison, straightening it out. “Over 20 years old and I'm really impressed you still can't tie a simple tie Noct. I mean, where do you get all that intelligence from?” His smart mouth remark earned him a cuff on the head and a slightly embarrassed “Shut up Prom.” from the disgruntled prince. The blond just laughed merrily.
This whole wedding plan was neither made by Luna nor Noctis himself, but rather by Ignis, the mother of their little group. Said bespectacled man drove himself batshit crazy over the past few months coming up with new recipes, planning the whole schedule from top to bottom, arranging the seats for the guests, designing the groom's wear, designing the bride's wear, baking the cake and going so far as to asking both Gladio and Prompto “Which colour of flowers do you think would suit the golden wallpaper better? Ivory, Cream or Snow White?” at which both the other males just cocked their heads in ignorance. To be fair, all the colours looked the same to them.
Ignis has been on his toes all morning, careful not to let any of the other three drink themselves silly at the stag party last night and making sure all the guests arrived on time. He would not be starting this wedding late for any reason. Gladio was, as always, in charge of the security side of things and had several times sneaked off to try and calm down Ignis' level of anxiety lest the planner burst from exhaustion. (Prompto has already witnessed the bespectacled man screaming at the cook because he used granulated sugar and not crystallised sugar for the cupcake toppings as he asked.)
That left only himself to be in the waiting room with a highly strung Noctis. He hid it well, the prince, with his usual aloof demeanour and perfect poker face. But Prompto was observant enough and had been his friend long enough to know the differences. The raven's brows were furrowed ever so slightly on his still mask, his lips pulled into a deeper frown than usual. His fingers were restless, finding anything to drum a tone which only he knew on. Tension built up in his shoulders, so much so that Prompto wanted to sit him down onto the plush cushions of the sofa and massage all the stress out of it.
Instead, he stood toe to toe with Noctis, fingers looping themselves around the fabric and expertly tying a steady knot. He kept his baby blues focused on the cream of the tie blending in with the pristine white of the shirt, merging into a singular colour. He could feel the warm breath and was sure the other could feel his too. He knows for a fact that Noctis is getting married today, can see the glaring statement right in his face. Still, … still his heart was constricting painfully in his chest, his stomach a hollow pit which left a bad taste in his mouth. He could feel some cookie crumbs he had hastily ate lodged in his throat and swallowed. Now, now, don't cry. There's no use in crying remember? He steels his gaze, rapidly blinking whatever drops that threatened to spill form his eyes. For a fraction of a second, he gently touches his fingers above where Noctis' heart is and feels its erratic pulse from the nerves.
It was so intimate, what he was doing. If he were to let his daydreams sail him away, then he would be going through the same motions, tying Noct's tie for him because the silly idiot didn't know how to do it himself. But unlike this timeline where eventually he has to finish the job and go back to being friends, the luckier version of himself will get to pull the raven closer and sear their lips in a sweet kiss before going off to work. A domesticated scene which exists only in the confines of his own imagination.
He adjusts the knot of his tie one more time, just to stall. “There all done!” he exclaims as he smiles brightly at his friend, taking care not to let his wave of emotions pour forth. Noctis' gaze goes soft, turns to stare at his own reflection in the mirror and admires the clean work Prompto has done. “Thanks Prom. Never knew you could tie a tie.”
“Aww schucks, who did you think tied mine for me?” asked the peppy blond as he fingered his own black tie. “Besides, I'm your best man aren't I? Helping their very nervous, soon to be wedded friend tie their ties is what we bestmen do!” The raven sends a small smile his way, and Prompto swears his heart skipped a painful beat. He gulps down the recessive words forming on the tip of his tongue.
Noctis shrugs on the white coat which hung off the table, turns around several times in the mirror to ensure no creases were found, if not Ignis would be after their heads. “How do I look?” he asks, voice softer than normal, hesitant. Prompto stares wide eyed a bit at his friend, because how can someone be so devastatingly handsome and talented at the same time? It wasn't legal. The praises he has prepared gets stuck in his throat, his tummy giving him a stomachache and his legs wobbling. He could feel his resolve faltering, so close was he to accidentally blabber all those pent up feelings out.
Concerned about why his usually upbeat friend was so quiet, Noctis took a few steps to close the distance between them. “Prom, you okay?” To say he was shocked was an understatement as his icy gaze trailed a tear falling from his friend's eye. “Prom, … oh Prom...” he whispers as he wipes away the droplet with the flat of his thumb. The raven places both his palms on each of the blond's cheeks, cradling his face gently. Prompto's eyes go wide, hiccups and laughs weakly at his own foolishness. “I-I'm sorry Noct... I just...” He rubs at his eyes furiously, all the while reprimanding himself in his head. Stupid, stupid, stupid. How could you let him see you cry? It's Noct's wedding for godssake, he's supposed to be happy!
Noctis smiles and runs his thumbs gently over the dusting of freckles on the blond's face which camouflages themselves when his face turns red. Somehow Noctis finds that trait endearing. “Getting emotional now are we?” he whispers as the blond laughs again, a forced sound strangling out. “Yeah... Sorry about all this...” Prompto smiles as wide as he can, trying to assure his best friend all was fine. “I'm okay Noct! Just a little bit you know,” he gestures wildly in the air and laughs. Noctis goes along with his game for now, because he knows the blond is extremely good at keeping secrets despite the way he looks.
So he doesn't question it any further, instead he rests his forehead against the blond's, letting their breaths mingle in the small cavern they created. “Noct...?” The raven closes his eyes and concentrates hard, trying to pick out the steady beat of his best friend's heartbeat amongst the muted chatter coming from the other side of the door. Prompto on the other hand, had his heart bursting out from his chest, fingers slightly trembling from the closeness of it all. Noctis was as good looking up close, and he smelled heavenly too. Must be some new cologne Ignis forced him to wear. “Prom, tell me when you're ready okay?” Icy eyes meet baby blue ones. “Take your time, but tell me when you're ready okay?”
Prompto swallows, his heart going a mile a minute in tearing itself apart. Tell him when he's ready? He'll never be ready. Imagine what his confession would do to their friendship. They would be complete strangers within the day! Hell, he knew he would have to take this secret of his to his grave, Noctis could never know. Never. But, for the sake of appeasing the raven and to be rid of that intense gaze, Prompto nods. “Sure! No problem Noct.” Lies, lies, lies. Noctis beams at him and feels his inquisitive streak settle, save for that small voice at the back of his head, nagging.
“Well, shall we get a move on then?” asks the prince as he softly lets go. Prompto's heart clenched tightly in his chest cavity, already broken. “Right on it,” he grabs his black cloak. “before Ignis kills us for being late.”
The whole ceremony was attended by numerous influential head honchos and a handful of their close friends from their adventures. Prompto could spot Cindy and her dad in the front pews, so was Wiz and his wife. He gave them a small wave from his spot at the altar and they waved enthusiastically back. He plants his eyes forward, to the back of Noctis facing the massive double doors of the grand hall. This is it, the time for them to be wed. At the cue from Ignis, the organ plays, the priest asks all present to stand in a baritone of a voice. The mahogany doors swing open to reveal Luna in her wedding dress standing there, reminiscent of an angel. Her long platinum locks were done up in a casual style, slim white dress sewed with pearls which made it look like stardust in the sunlight, a flimsy veil which was embroidered with the symbol of her kingdom. In her hand she held a small bouquet of pale blue hydrangeas to go with the colour of her eyes, the tiara on her head twinkling.
How could Prompto ever compete with that? It was virtually impossible.
As she walked down the aisle, everyone in the crowd 'ooh'-ed and 'ahh'-ed, especially the ladies. Some were even beginning to cry, complete with hankies. The sentimental music playing in the background went extremely well with the whole ceremony, Luna walking elegantly and coyly, about to marry Noctis.
When she reached the altar, the priest raised both hands and lowered them. The crowd then reseated themselves. He looks on without a sound as he notices the soft gazes both Noctis and Luna send each other and he can hear the pitiful sound of his heart breaking all over again.
But he can't cry, he can't do anything but smile his widest smile. Because Noctis is his best friend, this is his day and he deserved to be happy. Even if it meant Prompto would hurt for the rest of his life.
When you cried, I wiped away all of your tears.
When you screamed, I fought away all of your fears.
And I held your hand through all of these years.
But you still have all of me.