A/B/O Promptis Ball/Teach me to dance

[starless_sky]

The newspapers and the internet alike were abuzz with the news about the red carpet gala happening at the the Citadel. It was some charity ball but the tabloids and entertainment news didn't waste a chance to gush about the celebrities who were already confirmed to be attending. The dignitaries, the CEO's, the movie stars, singers, the socialites... and of course the royal family. It was so rare that Prince Noctis showed his face at such events it was an event in and of itself to see him shined up like a new crown and MAN was he a HUNK now. Right ladies? What is he going to wear? YSL? Burberry? Take a look at this edition of Elle~

That garbage was why Noct ignored the news. He stayed offline, didn't have a twitter account, didn't post photos of himself ever. He was comfortable that way. It was just him and Prompto and he needed little else. Things were great at home. They had school and all but they worked on their studies... on Ignis' orders. And they had each other. Noctis couldn't put to words how nice it was to have someone to look forward to seeing, someone to come home to. He had his best friend and his lover all in one and he never knew how lonely he'd been until he wasn't alone anymore. He had Prompto. Not just for sex but to curl up with and to talk to and to laugh with. He was his person. 

His father was well aware of the changes in him and Noctis hadn't made it a secret that he'd taken a mate. Regis wasn't exactly thrilled with his son's choices in bonding so young wihout consulting anyone but he did not say much on the matter. It was done, unable to be undone now. And Regis did not dislike Prompto, quite the opposite. But he wished... he wished for a lot of things. That they had been older, that it had been under less dire circumstances, that they'd talked about it beforehand... but he couldn't regret the marriage. He could not, as a father, regret anything that made his son so happy. 

It was Regis' idea that they hold the charity ball and that Noctis should attend. With Prompto. Officially. It was a positive way to bring Prompto out to the public, it would be a lovely way to take control of the PR moment and stage it in a nice light... and also not allow the reporters to eat Prompto alive. It was a perfect opportunity. Noctis couldn't deny it, but that required getting Prompto Ball-Ready which.... was why he was sitting flipping through music and wondering how he could teach his mate to dance. He didn't know how to dance, he just did it on command, he didn't think about it. How could he explain it? 

He'd tried to get Ignis to teach Prompto only to be shot down. 'He is your mate, you will be the one leading him, he needs to learn how to read you, Noct, not any lead but you.' 

And so here he was trying to figure out how to start this at home. Just them with some music. He had pushed the couch to the windows, the dining table too. The floor was wide open and before he saw Prompto, Noctis just wanted to get the steps in his head. He started a waltz and began stepping across the floor, arms out for an invisible partner. Expertly he danced alone but he was trying to mind his own movements and try to find words to explain them to his mate.

Comments

[starless_sky]

The same could be said for Prompto's scent to Noctis. It was what calmed him down, and its absence set him on edge.

Oh, plenty of people would find a reason to be upset with Noct's choice of partner. It had little to do with Prompto even if he had his own unique reasons the public could use to be unhappy about. Unless they were Noctis' chosen one, some people would just be unhappy.

"That's what I am telling you. None of that matters. What they think about us doesn't matter. It doesn't have anything to do with my ability to lead them." not that the people have much of a choice about that anyway. No one else could wear the ring or use the crystal so their hands were tied.

Some people would love Prompto. Some people would dig up that he was a Nif and love him all the more for that. Some people would hate it. It would be its own divisive thing until they married and Prompto would become part of the royal family and part of the political landscape.

"They will. More will than won't." there were plenty of people who didn't much care about who the prince was dating but would be charmed that he had found a nice young Omega. Others would just be glad the prince had someone who could bear children and ensure a stable continuation of the Line of Lucis. And there would be plenty who would have Opinions.

"At the worst, they will get used to you. But we're just going to go on either way. They're not going to stop us. They can't take anything from us." not their love or their joy. And he isn't going to let anyone's opinion shape his destiny with his mate.

"You want to sit down on the couch?" meaning did Prompto want to curl up in his lap on the couch with the risk of losing time to making out or napping? Or both?

[everatyourside]

Logically, he knew Noct was right. He'd be a good leader, whether or not people liked his choice in a mate. He was probably greatly overestimating how much they'd even care. Noct had way more experience dealing with this sort of thing anyway. He needed to just relax and trust his Alpha's judgment.

"Right," he let out a sigh, "sorry, Noct. You went to all this trouble and it's so sweet of you to teach me. I... I'm sorry for bringing you down like this. I know I'm probably worrying way too much."

"Yeah, a break's probably good," Curling up on the couch sounded like a great idea, honestly. Prompto didn't want to move from where he was, fit so perfectly in Noct's arms, his scent warm and close, but taking a seat and cuddling would probably help his anxiety as well. He nodded and followed Noct over.

[starless_sky]

Logic had little to do with the anxiety though and that was the key of it. Noctis couldn't logic Prompto out of this. He had to comfort his Omega.

"I don't do it to get something out of you, I want this to be something we can enjoy together, if you don't like it then we don't have to do it. It's not going to hurt my feelings." because while the idea was attractive and kind of romantic, he could juse as easily abandon ballroom dancing. He had made a career of being a wallflower at balls.

He took quick steps to the couch and sat in the corner of the L. He tugged Prompto's hand to come sit in his lap if he chose. He could snuggle him closer there and get comfy in there. Maybe they could sleep.

"I think you look cute as hell dancing if it means anything to you."

[everatyourside]

Prompto would hardly have suspected his mate trying to get something out of him, or using him. Of the two of them, Noct was the one with power, money, position, and more. It just made him feel all the more like if Noct asked something of him, he really ought to make an effort. And honestly? He loved dancing. Even if his definition of it was flailing along to the radio, or bouncing his hips to the music as he made dinner and trying to copy the movements he'd seen in the music videos.

"I know," he sighed, following Noct over and settling into his lap, legs tucked in close. "And I mean- I do like dancing. You've seen me use Iggy's spatula as a microphone while I rock out."

He gave a short laugh, leaning his head against Noct's chest, "it's just... different when I'm comfortable, I guess. The thought of doing it in front of anyone sorta throws me off. It's not that... that I don't trust you or that I don't want to or that I don't like it, I'm just- I know how easily I can turn into a train wreck when I get anxious, y'know?"

The compliment was enough to color his cheeks, a blush running to his ears and down his neck. Dancing for Noct, especially if he thought he looked good doing it, was fine, good even. But it could be so hard to actually let his guard down enough to stop caring about the things around him.

If it means anything to you...

"It means everything," he said quietly.

[starless_sky]

It was true Noctis had the least to want out of people but he was also brattier than Prompto and accustomed to having his way all the time. But what he really wanted now was Prompto's happiness and that wasn't something you could buy or command. Prompto liked dancing, sure, but he'd never been trained and this was really just one skill he'd need in the social jungle of royal society.


"I may or may not do it too." especially when his guilty pleasure songs are on. He may like girly pop songs along with the cool music of their day. Afrojack and the like. Noctis hugged his mate to him, glad he'd chosen to sit on him rather than next to him. His lap was Prompto's throne as far as he cared.

"Well, we need to get you comfortable with it. My goal is that you can do it with me naturally and then we can just be in our own little world and ignore everybody at the ball. I never look at people." he was so used to ignoring cameras he didn't even look at them. He'd have to somehow train that into Prompto too. For his mental health if nothing else.

"You can do it, I know you can." because he had with so many other things. Prompto just needed to get his mind off the source of his anxiety. If they could polish his dancing skills until he could comfortably chat while doing it then they were golden. He'd just get Prompto to start chatting about something while they danced and it would be over before they finished talking. Once Prompto knew he could do it without failing then it would be easier for him. Surely... right?

Wait, was he blushing? His ears were pink...

"Well, in that case I think you're graceful and you can do this well. I want to dance with you. Here. Not just at the ball just..." how could he say it without feeling stupid? He liked cuddling Prompto, loved making out and having sex, he adored snuggling with him in bed. Any time they could be close he wanted it and he yearned for a more active way to be close. All their other ways were semi or mostly sedentary.

Dancing had always been something he had to do growing up, he never saw the appeal of it. Never had a partner he wanted but Prompto made him want to love it. He wanted to pull him close when a song came on, to be able to twirl him around and laugh and hold his hands. To be so effortlessly in sync...

"I just... I always want you near me, any way I can have you. Even if you just wanted to keep it here, I still want to do it."

[everatyourside]

It was cute when Noct really let go, sang along to the radio, danced around the apartment like no one was watching. The world might see Noct as a stiff and somber prince, but Prompto got to see the completely human side of him and absolutely loved him for it.

The idea of having their own little world was a good one, Prompto considered. When they'd just been talking, it was easy to let his body just follow along, sensing the cues and body language rather than trying to hyper-focus his attention to catch them all. Maybe it would help to get himself an object to focus on, like a worry stone or like how flying elephants needed magic feathers. Maybe a mantra, something to bring him back to these peaceful moments, remembering that their world was what mattered, and it could be as big or small as they needed it to be.

"Yeah," he leaned into the hug, "I like dancing here with you. I just wish I didn't get rattled so easily."

But the more he heard Noctis explain, the more he understood. It was more than just steps on a dancefloor. For him, it was something intimate, something special, a way to be close, even in public. Not a display, but a comfort.

He squeezed a little closer, slipping his hand into Noct's and playing aimlessly with his fingers, tracing patterns onto his palm. The blush didn't go away, didn't fade, just quietly remained with Noct's sweet words.

"When you say it like that, how can I refuse?" he smiled softly.

"Guess that means you'll have to practice with me, every day, right? How terrible that must be," he gave a short laugh. "If practice means I get to be this close all the time, I think I'll be looking forward to it more and more."

[starless_sky]

So sad those moments were rare, short, and followed by Noctis being embarrassed. He was human as anyone and quite honestly he was a dork. A complete and utter dweeb and he knew it. He tried his best not to let people know that and give into the impression that he was a stoic but cool prince. He best achieved that by just not talking.

Prompto need not hyper-focus on anything. He could already read Noctis more intimately than anyone else. He knew everything he needed to know, they both just needed to relax. For now, Noctis would try to occupy Prompto's mind with conversation but maybe a worry ring would be helpful. It may double as a promise ring if Prompto chooses.

"We both do. It's not a big deal." they were both hopeless about it too. Noctis just had thicker shields between the stimuli and his anxiety.

He let Prompto play with his hands, enjoying such a simple but intimate touch. They'd reached a higher level of intimacy than before. At first, after Prompto's heat, he was so careful about his affectionate gestures. Every touch and kiss had to mean something or be for a reason. But now it could just be for nothing, just idle touches.

He smiled at his lover. "Oh yeah, we'll leave the furniture like this. You can see the TV from here, can't you?" it was too far away for Noct but they could still play video games from the couch. "Maybe you'll learn to love it. Maybe we can just... do it here all the time, then the ball will be just like at home. No big deal."

[everatyourside]

It was true, Noct hid his anxiety much better, but it was there, all the same. Prompto wished he could do more to help ease it at times, and was getting better at noticing the telltale signs, and asking for help was something they both struggled with plenty.

"Yeah, someday I'll get as good as you at playing it cool at these things," Prompto vowed, twining their fingers together and giving a gentle squeeze.

As for the furniture, he gave a lopsided grin. It wasn't exactly a great aesthetic, pushing everything to the walls.

"From this far? Yeah, my distant eyesight is great. That's why I kick your ass at those shoot-em-up games all the time," he winked, making a finger-gun with his unoccupied hand and pretending to fire a couple times. Up close, things were harder to focus on, but that's what contact lenses were for.

"Before you know it we'll be a proper fairy-tale couple. Capable of breaking into song and dance at a moment's notice," he gave a short laugh, relaxing into Noct's arms.

[starless_sky]

They both had work to do in the anxiety department. Noctis also needed to work on his communication. Not his skills necessarily just doing it at all. He didn't tell Prompto his feelings enough, or anyone for that matter. The few times he explained them to Prompto were the only times he ever discussed how he felt. He had to be better, else they might end up here on the couch having a talk more often.

"Maybe not. I don't think being like me is a great plan even for me. I shut a lot of people out." linking their fingers he looked at his lover and pressed a gentle kiss to his knuckles.

"You never miss. Even on the shooter at the arcade that is broken." he swears it is because he can't win on it to save his life. Noctis prided himself on setting high scores but he couldn't get past that one's final boss. If he even managed to get that far most of the time. He had to concede Prompto was the better shot even if he blamed the machine.

"I dunno about singing. I'm not good at it. You are, but not me..." he could play the piano but he wasn't really thrilled to do that either. "You can sing. If you have to." he hugged Prompto close and pet his hair back.

"No matter what happens... this is our safe place... right?"

[everatyourside]

Noct had a way of making him feel like he was home in a way that his house with his foster parents never had. His arms were safe and warm and Prompto could feel his worries start to ebb away. His smile was soft as Noct kissed his knuckles and he reached up to press one against Noct's jawline.

"Careful, that's my boyfriend you're talking about," he squeezed their hands together once more, "I think it makes you... a good judge of character. You notice a lot about others that they don't see themselves. You don't always have to talk for hours to make a connection. We can have a great time and never say more than a few words."

He wasn't sure if his words were helpful or not, but Noct was an incredible person and he hoped he could see that. "Besides, if you need someone to be obnoxiously cheerful and annoy people until they have to be our friends, I'm definitely here to help. Worked for us, right?"

Prompto couldn't explain his knack for ranged weapons, even if they were only in video games, but it was one thing he could take a little pride in. Not a terribly useful skill, but hey, he'd take what he could get. He'd take a pistol over those oversized weapons Noct and Gladio were always flinging around. Some of them were bigger than he was, no exaggeration. Prompto blew on the end of his finger-gun, winked, and pantomimed setting it back in a holster.

"Imagine the looks on the faces of all those court officials though if you burst into song," Prompto laughed, "their jaws would fall to the floor!"

He settled into Noct's lap, returning the hug and letting his eyes flutter closed as Noct started playing with his hair. He craved this sort of closeness, to touch and be touched, and nothing made him feel more content and wanted.

"Of course Noct. Nowhere I'd rather be."

[starless_sky]

Funny, Prompto did the same thing when he moved in here. This had just been Noct's safe haven, his cave away from other humans. His dwelling full of trash, junk food, and video games. But as soon as Prompto began to live here it was home. More than the citadel, more than even with his dad, he thought...

"Oh? You gonna defend him? You sound scary when you're mad." he purred in response and leaned in to kiss Prompto's face. He wondered what Prompto was like when he was mad... strange that he'd never seen that side of him yet. "You're better at talking people into being our friends than I am." he is aloof and standoffish and... Prompto is anxious too but he can at least be friendly.

Noctis wondered if Prompto might want to train with actual guns. He didn't know anyone in the citadel who specialized in them but they all knew how to work on. The glaives all trained in every weapon type and then chose their favorites. Someone could help Prom if he wanted it. Maybe?

"Oh, they'd be on the floor. You've heard my singing, they'd all be shocked at how bad it is." couldn't carry a tune in a bucket... but he could play the piano. He could play and Prompto could sing. But that wouldn't let him dance... he couldn't get better at singing. Ignis had tried and tried but he just wasn't made for it, sadly. Or perhaps for the better. Now he couldn't be asked to sing in public.

He liked petting Prompto like this. It felt intimate in a relaxed way, one they had to work up to. He relished it now, that he had someone to be this close to, someone that he could tease, joke with, and cuddle.

"Me either... hey... at the ball... I think we should stay in my old room that night. At the citadel. We can escape the party whenever we want and go upstairs. It'll be easier than trying to drive out." traffic will be nuts with people arriving and departing plus all the news vans camping outside would be hard to navigate around.

It suddenly dawned on Noctis that they needed to work on protocol and how to talk to people with Prompto. How to bow and how to refer to someone of the court. Ugh, maybe this ball was asking too much but he just pet his boyfriend's hair and said nothing about it. He'd had enough for one day.

"If only your boyfriend was really nice. He might order out for your dinner."

[everatyourside]

It took a lot to get Prompto actually angry. Usually, he was just so glad to have people tolerate him that he'd put up with whatever treatment he was given. Luckily, he'd yet to be around anyone who took advantage of that, and was pretty trusting. Anger really only factored in if someone hurt or bothered his friends and since friend number one was the prince of Lucis, that just... didn't happen all that often, if ever.

"You know it. Super scary, better watch out," he laughed, squirming and giggling as Noct kissed him again. "Guess we'll have to balance each-other out. Good thing I love you."

The thought of Noct belting some out of tune cheesy love ballad in front of a cabinet of well-dressed politicians was a pretty amusing one, but just being able to dance together was enough. Prompto would try, even if all he managed was swaying back and forth to the music as Noctis led.

"Hey, that just means I get to have your amazing singing all to myself," he grinned, bumping against Noct's shoulder and all but purring at Noct's fingers in his hair. He leaned into the gesture, letting his eyes fall closed.

"Yeah?" Prompto hadn't seen much of the citadel, even with how long they'd been together. He just figured Noct seemed to enjoy his time away from all that, to feel somewhat normal, at least for now. Things would almost certainly change after they graduated, but until then, it was nice that they let Noct live a sorta normal high school life.

"I do wanna see it. I bet you had one of those big, fancy, four-poster beds and about a million fluffy pillows," he decided, trying to imagine what it might be like. "Think we'll both fit?"

The idea of someone delivering dinner did sound nice. Iggy wasn't around, and it was always kind of a relief when neither of them had to cook. But Prompto was also trying to be extra careful with the ball coming up, not to pick up too many calories. As long as they didn't pick anything deep fried, it was probably okay. But Noct did love his greasy sandwiches and sweets.

"Hey, my boyfriend is probably the nicest guy in Lucis and spoils me rotten, so I bet he might even get curry if I asked real nice..." he suggested, chewing the corner of his lip. He rarely took advantage of all the things Noct offered, but maybe it was okay to indulge, just a little.

[starless_sky]

Noctis could only hope he never triggered that anger. He'd been told the phrase, 'beware the fury of a patient man' and while he himself was a patient man... when it came to anger, Prompto was more patient than he. If he ever snapped it might be frightening. Good thing they were around good people who wouldn't do them wrong. They only had to handle the asshats at school for a couple more years then they could just retire to citadel life.

When Prompto giggled Noctis just kissed him more, trying to make him laugh. "They'll tell stories about you to children, they'll have a name for you."

If that helped Prompto relax or laugh then it was worth it. He would die if he had to sing in public. Just melt into the floor and it wouldn't be redeemable. No amount of flattery could cover how bad he was. But they could dance and even just the casual slow dance was enough for him. He could get used to that here at the apartment.

"Lucky you." silly thing, nobody likes his singing voice. He tucked Prompto's head into his neck as he pet him. All they needed now was a nice hard rain or some out of season snow and it would be perfect. Just stay inside and cuddle up.

"Nah, no four poster. It has curtains though." not that they extended far enough for him to blot out the sun and sleep. He wanted four-poster for that reason that he might use blackout curtains and sleep at all hours. He knew his room might impress Prompto. It was perhaps bigger than this apartment. He had an ensuite of course and his closet was easily the size of the bedroom. But that place, with the golden doors and marble desk... it was cold to him. Unfeeling, he had lots of memories there but this was his home. Prompto was home.

"I dunno, maybe we can't both fit with all the pillows. We can duel for the right to the bed. Can't be a singing competition." his bed was plenty large enough, Prompto need not worry, but that wouldn't stop Noct from teasing.

"Your boyfriend doesn't spoil you nearly enough. And maybe... maaaybe he will get you curry." he smirked "How nice are you gonna ask?" he would get it regardless, his phone was in his pocket ready to fire up one of his delivery apps. He was already imagining what he'd order. Prompto could get curry, he'd probably add a couple mango lassis to the order and some fish curry and garlic naan. And maybe some samosas too.

[everatyourside]

Prompto coiuldn't help but laugh as Noct showered him with kisses, his sensitive skin ticklish as he tried to duck into the embrace, hide his face in Noct's chest, but it wasn't enough to keep him from each gentle touch as Noct held him.

"MMm I'm sure I'm the monster under their beds," he shook his head. "Prompto the terrible."

He laughed, imagining some terrible blond, freckled monster sneaking up under children's beds. So very frightening.

"Curtains sound nice. A little privacy if we..." he trailed off, brows raising suggestively. If he and Noct got to hook up after the party, it was all the more incentive to do his best, to show the world he could be a mate worthy of such an incredible alpha. He let his tongue slide along Noct's neck, trailing over his pulse point.

"I promise I won't take up much space," he replied, doe-eyes pleading and wide. "but if we have to battle for the bed, hmmm... guess I'll have to fight you for it, hmmm?"

He giggled again, "name your terms for combat."

As for dinner, Prompto smirked. Compared to his old life, he was living like a princess. Everything he could wish for, Noct provided. When all he really wanted was to be close to his best friend. It was a dream come true. He let his fingers run in slow circles over Noct's chest, looking up with pleading eyes, large and so blue they were almost purple.

"I'll beg if I have to," he licked his lips, teeth grazing over the corner. "Depends on what his boyfriend wants..."

[starless_sky]

And as Prompto laughed, he laughed. Even as he kissed Prompto more he was giggling. It was so stupid and he loved it. Their stupid little games that only lovers played.

"We can come up with something better than that. You'd be like... the boogeyman, but worse." a yellow-haired purple-eyed monster that took pictures of you in embarrassing positions and sent them to everyone. The horror.

"I don't want to assume... but I think the chances are very slim that we aren't going to." he shivered as that tongue ran across his neck. Belatedly he shivered. He took a second to realize what it was on his skin and then he smiled slowly. Sexy. That felt nice too.

"Can't be something you're good at, I have to make sure I win. So no singing and no shooters. Or running." he could run but Prompto was fast like an arba. "Hmm... something we can both have fun with." video games or edging, he didn't know which one he wanted. It was all a joke anyway. "How competitive are you feeling?"

Noctis hadn't even gotten him the big things. His own car, his own bodyguards, a whole renovated suite to live in, high-end suits, the latest and greatest cameras. Money couldn't buy happiness but it bought a hell of a lot.

"Aww not those eyes, you know I can't say no to those..." as if he was going to say no anyway. He slides his thumb across Prompto's mouth so he'll stop biting his lip. Then he got his phone out and started an order. He added prompto's favorite green curry soup. "I'm gonna add stuff. Samosas and those mango shakes. Do you want dessert?"

[everatyourside]

There was something so fun and easy about being with Noct, and Prompto gave his mate a few pokes to the ribs in ticklish retaliation.

"Worse than the boogeyman?" Prompto feigned offense, though he couldn't hide a playful half-grin.

"Hmmm Promptoad. Promptimus Prime. Promptotal Annihilation. Promptornado," he rattled off a few options, giggling as they grew more ridiculous.

His smile grew as Noct shivered, and he leaned in, breath warm against Noct's throat. "If you wear one of those nice suits, it'll definitely help your chances."

It was hard to help himself when he saw Noct dressed so sharp, the hard lines of his body highlighted. His broadening shoulders and trim waist, the perfectly fitted trousers that just made Prompto think of how fun it would be to take them off later.

"You better believe I'm up to any challenge you've got, Noct," he tried for a flirtatious look, hoping it didn't come across as too goofy.

Prompto tried not to blush as Noct's thumb traced his lip. If he was a little more daring, he would have licked it, caught it briefly in his mouth. But with Noct on the phone, he tried to behave, smiling as Noct remembered his favorite thing on their menu. Dessert though? Prompto looked down guiltily, mentally counting the calories and shaking his head.

"O-oh uh- No, I better not," he said sheepishly. After the ball, maybe then he could splurge. Luckily curry soup was still a pretty healthy option.

[starless_sky]

He giggled more when he was poked and then laughed outright when Prompto listed off those names. He couldn't come up with them rapid fire like that but before he could recover from one, Prompto said another. And another. He was laughing so hard it was infectious.

"Pro...Promptosaurus." his weak addition to the list. It didn't matter, he was laughing so hard, holding Prompto tighter he didn't think of much else. He'd been told his laugh was infectious but he only let it show this much with Prompto. When he said silly things like that.

"Oh? You want a suit? I was gonna wear a t-shirt and jeans. Damn... I guess... I mean, if it's gonna get me laid I guess I have to." he smirked. "You need to get fitted soon for yours."

He wanted to see Prompto in a proper suit. He had one but... a nice one that fit him properly. He knew Prompto liked seeing him dressed up but he wanted to see if the reverse was a treat too. Surely, it would be. Prompto was a dish in anything he wore. He could wear a trash bag and Noctis would find him attractive.

"Hmmm... who can take the longest nap? Who can catch the biggest fish? Who can..." he smirked "If I take you in the shower. After dinner. And we... y'know. Whoever comes first loses." Prompto was sexy even when he was goofy. He was cute as hell.

If he put Noct's thumb in his mouth they'd never get dinner. Prompto would have been had right there on the couch. Maybe later, though.

"No? I'm getting one, you can have some of mine." mr amazing metabolism. Noctis was still almost girlishly thin though he was eating better with Prompto around. Slightly better.

"You sure? Don't you like their stuff? I'm gonna get kheer... you love their desserts. I can get you one now and put it in the fridge for later."

[everatyourside]

It felt good to see Noct laugh. Especially when they'd both been so tense and messed up earlier. This felt good. It felt right. Promptosaurus, huh? He gave an ineffectual impression of a t-rex, his scrawny, bare legs pretending to stomp, arms drawn up tight to his chest as he let out a warbly roar. He finally let up, flushed with laughter, the corners of his mouth beginning to ache.

Prompto leaned against him, catching his breath, trying to push his mind to important things like wardrobe. Oof. Maybe, maybe he'd been putting off the fitting, hoping he could shave off a couple more pounds. He'd insisted he could wear one of his old suits, but he had to admit he was kind of relieved that Noct had offered to get him something nice. He wasn't going to look like the living work of art that was his boyfriend, but at least he wouldn't have to worry about how shabby his old suit was getting.

"No promises, but the odds will definitely be in your favor," Prompto grinned.

"Ugh, yeah, I keep forgetting about that fitting," he added, "this week for sure."

As for the challenge, Prompto raised an eyebrow at the obviously skewed options like fishing and napping. No way, if he didn't get sharpshooting or marathons, those were off the table too! But that last option, it was enough to get a bright blush running down his arms and neck.

"Th-those hardly seem fair," he said, though he couldn't keep a squeak from his voice as he did so. Prompto knew how sensitive his body could be and he knew damn well Noct did too. "Maybe we could try that last one though..."

Noct was really pushing the dessert, and Prompto couldn't help how his brows knit together in indecision. He did like their desserts, Noct was absolutely right, but Prompto also didn't have Noct's crazy good metabolism. He licked his lips, shaking his head faintly. It was so hard to say no to sweets.

"I've gotta be good, can't afford to pack on any pounds before this fancy shindig," Prompto insisted, "but you should totally get one for you. Their kheer is amazing!"

[starless_sky]

Noctis laughed louder at the dinosaur impression. He was getting red, having a hard time breathing. He had faint protests. 'no no, stop, it hurts' but he didn't mean them. Well, all the laughing did hurt but he loved it.

"Oh, I think the last one is the best one. I guess we'll both win but one of us more than the other. You think you can outlast me?" he leaned in close, eyes narrowed, long lashes brushing against Prompto's cheeks as he kissed him.

Noct knew that look on Prompto. He was hiding something, thinking deeply about it. He had been suspicious Prompto was trying to trim down but that look and his sudden lack of dessert in his diet was proof.

"You're fine, you don't need to worry about your weight, you can't gain or lose that much before the date anyway... I'm kinda worried about you, you stopped eating." not entirely but he stopped eating certain things and that was bad enough to Noctis. But while to him it was one night, this was Prompto's introduction to the world and he needed to help him prepare for it rather than hide from it.

"How about I get one kheer and we can share it?"

[everatyourside]

It was true that the competition was definitely one that was more fun than most, and even if one of them lost, they both got something pretty good out of it. He smiled into the kiss, fingers trailing from Noct's jaw, down his neck as he pulled away.

"If this were a marathon, it would be no problem," Prompto narrowed his eyes, giving Noct a playful smirk, "but I think I'm up for the challenge."

The other part was harder to let go. It was hard not to associate his weight and body with being somehow worthy or enough to be with Noct. He'd been afraid for years to even approach and talk to him again until he was at a more acceptable weight. That sort of mindset lingered, even if a lot of it had been his own misunderstanding.

"You can say that, mister perfect-metabolism," Prompto nudged him lightly with an elbow. If he didn't worry about his weight, indulged as much as he liked, he was sure he'd start noticing in no time. That baby fat he'd worked so hard to get rid of would come creeping back in, in no time at all. It was a difficult balancing act.

"I mean... I didn't really stop," Prompto was quick to defend himself. It wasn't that he wasn't eating at all, he was just... counting calories, eating less, running more.

But the fact that he had worried Noct, it made that cold, guilty feeling settle into his stomach. He hadn't thought there was anything all that dangerous about it. He might be a little under average weight for his height, but he told himself it was better than over.

"You don't have to worry," he insisted, hands dropping to his stomach, pinching a bit of loose skin as he made a face, "I just wanted to trim up a little. No muffin top, that sorta thing."

"Hnnnn, okay, okay, I'll have a couple bites," he relented. He couldn't say no to Noctis, even if he was mentally counting the calories.

[starless_sky]

He chose to think of them both as winners in that game. It was fun even to lose. No biggie. It only decided who was going to sleep in the massive bed in his room.

"Oh, you may... you really may. You come way more than I do." maybe that's an omega thing...

Noctis didn't think it was great to intentionally be unhealthy but he considered restrictive eating to be unhealthy. It looked more and more like... he didn't want to think the words Eating Disorder but he worried Prompto was suffering from something like that. Ever since he trimmed down he obsessed about his weight. It was fine to be healthy but Prompto was like... it fed his anxiety. It was almost like he feared he'd gain weight in the night with no power to stop it.

"I don't have a perfect metabolism and yours is just fine too. It's alright, you can relax. It doesn't matter what people think of you. Aren't you happy running and eating dessert? Aren't you happy not having to think about your diet so much?"

Noctis pouted and then sighed "You don't even have a muffin top." a pause. "Honestly you were a cute kid if you went back to that it wouldn't bother me. But you have to make a choice to do that, it's hard to gain weight Prompto. I've had to do it a lot in my life. I don't have a perfect metabolism. I had the opposite problem of you when we were kids. I couldn't gain much weight and I couldn't keep it on. But the calories I had to eat to even gain those pounds... Prompto you're not going to accidentally eat it in one bite."

[everatyourside]

"Do not!" Prompto immediately turned a bright shade of red. Okay, maybe it was true, but Noct was no innocent either. It wasn't his fault his body was so damn sensitive or that Noct gave amazing blowjobs.

He huffed, but the upset was all bluster and he only gave Noct one more poke in the ribs before he was satisfied.

The other topic was harder to talk about. He wasn't unhealthy, or, he didn't think he was. He'd noticed a lack of stamina with his recent diet, maybe a couple dizzy spells, but that was normal, wasn't it? He tried not to think about it too deeply, writing it off as just another problem to work through to get the result.

Noct told him frequently that what other people thought didn't matter. And in some ways he did believe it. Noct's opinion mattered more than anyone else, and he'd move mountains for that approval. But the ball felt different, somehow. His actions wouldn't only reflect on himself, but on Noct too, once their relationship was made public. Happiness never really figured into that equation. He did like running, but he also liked dessert. Not counting calories or checking off his workouts, after so many years at it, it was like a foreign concept.

"Noct," Prompto's face fell a bit, "don't make that face, it's not like that."

Hearing that Noct didn't care if he gained back his weight, it made his heart feel tight. It was hard to forget the rejection he felt as a kid, even if it hadn't been Noct's intention. Torn between being what he was and Lady Lunafreya's request for him to befriend the prince, he knew he had to change, to make himself into the kind of person who was worthy to be Noct's friend.

Not to mention how hard Noct had it as a kid. His health had been awful in plenty of other ways, and he knew it could be just as difficult on the opposite end of things.

His eyes fell toward the floor, hands folded in his lap. As chatty as he usually was, he wasn't sure what to say to that. It was a whole box full of unresolved issues and tying his self-worth to an ideal body weight was just one of many stresses and anxieties.

"I just..." he didn't know how to explain, "Sorry, I didn't mean... I dunno, I thought... you liked me better when I'm small, like this. It's work, sure, but I don't mind it. I want to be the best I can for you Noct, especially for this event, y'know?"

[starless_sky]

"You wanna bet? Count them next time we do it." He liked how sensitive Prompto was and he liked to think that as his Alpha, Noctis was the one Prompto responded to the most. But on top of that he fancied himself a good lover who was excellent at giving head.

He smirked at the poke and reached to ruffle Prompto's hair but he had that anxious look on his face. Noct's hand fell short and dropped on Prompto's shoulder. No, Prompto, it's not normal and you already know that, you know better than this.

He didn't have a reference point for what Prompto must be feeling. Ignis had lectured him about the pressure Prompto must be under and how to help acclimate him to social life in the citadel, how to greet people, how to dress, how to bow and shake hands for heavens sakes. But Noctis had put that on the back burner. He didn't want to make his love's head explode or give him a reason to boycott the ball. He knew it was a lot for Prompto but he'd never been thrown into the deep end like this before, not for something so exposed or so... terrifying. And also so important for one's future.

But he still pouted anyway, despite Prompto's cute objection.

"It seems like that to me." he reached his fingers out to rub Prompto's neck.

"If you like you better thin then that's what I like too. If you don't want to be thin then I don't either. I love you unconditionally, Prompto. I don't care how you look, I love you. The best you can be is happy and healthy and not tearing yourself down in a thousand little ways. You're enough."

[everatyourside]

Prompto had a hard time thinking straight when they had sex, let alone counting how many times Noct could make him come in a single evening, but he had a feeling his Alpha was right. It was just so difficult to think of anything but how good he felt or how much he loved his mate.

Before he could gather his thoughts further, Noct's hand fell heavy on his shoulder and Prompto could feel his stomach sink a little, tension rising until Noct began massaging his neck. While he was stiff at first, his shoulders began to fall slowly as Noct worked the muscles.

Prompto's feelings on his appearance were complicated and would probably be difficult to work through, but Noct's support meant everything. He could feel tears starting to form at the corners of his eyes and he buried his face in Noct's shoulder, arms slipping around his waist.

"Sorry Noct, I'll try to be better, I know, I love you too, like, so much and I just..." he trailed off. What had he done to deserve Noct? It was a hard place to be, wanting to make himself better, more worthy, but without pushing his mind or body in worrying ways.

He squeezed Noct a little tighter, sniffling a bit, "sorry, I didn't mean to make things all serious."

[starless_sky]

Noctis prided himself on that fact. Prompto came easily when they had sex and he liked to think it was because he was a good lover. Maybe it was just their bond or the fact that Prompto was so sensitive but even if Prompto didn't count how many times he came, Noct had an idea.

But before he could fall into daydreams of sex and try to get his lover into bed, they had to have this talk. This was a key moment for Prompto and he had better not waste it letting his Omega trail off and drop the subject. He rubbed Prompto's neck and then his shoulders.

"It's fine to be serious, it can't all be video games and sex. But you're missing my point. You don't have to be better for me. You don't have to qualify or do anything other than be yourself." he pet Prompto's hair when he snuggled close.

"It's alright... you don't have to prove your worth, you're already here. I'm not gonna wake up one day and change my mind. I wouldn't choose my mate thoughtlessly. At least give me that much credit."