#「 𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒* :: the long night 」

[battleshot]

🔥 ─ have an indoor picnic by the fireplace and/or christmas tree ,     from @lionfated​

                             Several, like Prompto, kept track of certain days and changes in the weather. They were still no strangers to harsh conditions or a winter-like climate despite the darkness, a sign of the change from summer to autumn. A sharpshooter who is optimistic despite suffering from daily nightmares.   (   There is never a predictability to what he will be plagued with that night. The train fall? Ignis' blindness could have been prevented had he returned to Ignis earlier.... Does that glow come from the red eyes of MTs? Knowing once that he was designed to be like that - an amoral machine dedicated only to killing and destroying ..   ),   he liked remembering special occasions.

It was no different in the week leading up to it. Despite his best efforts, Prompto would not be able to reach Squall on Christmas. In the face of increasingly bleak circumstances, the brunet served as a listening ear. To gloat over getting 'sick shots' and groan about the smell of helping Cindy with a delivery the next day. Sometimes, it's?   ...  I just need a friend to talk to.

If Squall hadn't already realized that already, he appreciated his company and presence

They'd certainly had their fair share of close calls,   (  though prompto was usually on the blame end... ), but there were also softer moments like him asking for a blanket from Squall and the brunet putting it aside for him when it was washed, and not kicking him out of bed when he could not shake off a terrible nightmare. As a result, he slipped out quietly the next morning to start his day.   (  Embarrased and never to be spoken of again   )   Nevertheless, he appreciated him.

He created the decorated tree from what he had around him all afternoon. When Squall entered the shared space, he was greeted by a string of half-functional lights. A roaring fire, which was rare; few lumberjacks were willing to risk cutting logs with deamons that lay dormant -- or in some cases, pounce around quite flamboyantly. The next thing Squall would see was that. An excited looking photographer sat atop a plaid blanket with a basket full of snacks beside him.

       ❝    Oh! H-Hey you!   ❞ His palm lands on the ground as he leaps to his feet, reaching over that distance and grasping the hand of Squall with joy in his step.     ❝   Come take a look!    ❞ He beckoned, leading the brunet over and explaining the premise and content of all he had done to pull this off. He debated mistletoe for a moment, but chickened out at the last minute, and if Squall noticed, it would be on the shelf above the fireplace. His blue eyes briefly caught on to it as he explained   (  in detail  )  everything he had managed to get for them.

He wouldn't have to wait long before he began gaining doubt about his words. You're trying too hard, he's going to think you're saying it for    ❝   Uh, anyway--   ❞ He huffed and scratched the nape of his neck, taking out some of the items and passing some over to Squall. A moment in which their eyes locked, and thank the six for the warmth of flickering embers -- for his cheeks took on a deeper hue. He could debate too long, and it would seem odd, lean in too slowly, and it might seem like something else. In an effort to soften the blow, he finally managed a soft smile as he reached for something Squall held in his hands   (  although Prompto had placed it there  )  and at that exact moment he kissed him on the cheek. After hesitation, he whispered softly.

      ❝  Happy Holidays.  ❞

🎄 ｡:*• ─ IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME !      ›  ( accepting )

[battleshot]

𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑘𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 . [ @inscmnus  ]

❝ Right... Yeah..." A brave nod, a step forward. There wasn't much else to be said about the inevitable of the night. Come dawn -- the dawn that would be brought forth from the King's sacrifice -- all would be said and done, and thus the world would be reborn anew. A new challenge lay ahead following this night, one last defense for the man he called his best friend, to protect him whilst he did what he was destined to do.

In those last moments alone, Prompto dared to do something he wished he could have done many years ago. In the years since their first kiss, experimenting in youth, the sharpshooter has regretted never speaking of it again. Would it have changed anything? Inevitably he would've still been signed up to marry Lunafreya, and though it never came to fruition, there would simply be heartbreak and sadness.

It always felt like Noctis was the right person, but there was never the right time.   Maybe next lifetime...

Edging that one step closer, his eyes pierced into those that looked almost tired, weary. Though confident and determined, it was high time that this matter be put to rest. And, in a fluid motion, he tilts his head, closes his eyes, and quickly leans in to kiss His Majesty before he could overthink for even another second. Because if he did, just like each and every time before, he would chicken out. This was his last chance.

❝ Just had to do that..." A slight sniffle, disguised by a breath of laughter. "For old times sake..." a feeble excuse, considering they hadn't shared any form of intimacy in the romantic sense since long before their journey took place, but he could feel the warmth spread across his freckled cheeks and the last thing he wanted was for his last memory of Noctis to be an awkward one.

His hand was raised and placed upon Noctis' shoulder, a pat, a sort of squeeze. ❝ Good luck.... Not that you'll need it." A pause. Silence. ❝ C'mere--" Throwing his arms around him, pulled into an embrace, burying his chin into the King's shoulder, holding him tight as he closed his eyes. ❝ Go kick his ass -- for all of us."

[battleshot]

𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝚂𝙴𝙻𝙴𝙲𝚃 :   𝐹𝐹 𝑉𝐼𝐼

                     𝙲𝙷𝙰𝚁𝙰𝙲𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝚂𝙴𝙻𝙴𝙲𝚃:  𝑅𝑈𝐹𝑈𝑆  ✓  𝑅𝐸𝑁𝑂  ✓  𝑇𝑆𝐸𝑁𝐺 ✓ @rcdfcxr​​

                                "    Alright,  this  looks  promising!    "    An  optimistic    thought  spoken  aloud  as  journey-worn  feet  hope  to  finally  find  relief  in  the  suburban-like  dwelling.  When  was  the  last  time  he  heard  children  running  around,  laughing,  or  witnessed  it  first-hand?  As  he  looked  around,  passively  observing,  it  almost  didn't  occur  to  him  how  long  he'd  been  standing  there.  Inhaling  the  air  that  felt  far  from  home,  yet  refreshing,  his  smile  grew.  Was  Midgar  aware  of  Lucis'  crisis?  In  all  likelihood,  they  didn't,  considering  they  carried  their  freshly  baked  loaves  of  bread  from  the  local  tradesman,  making  their  way  through  with  casual  ease. A  feeling  of  belonging  and  dislocation  enveloped  him. The  feeling  is  not  strange;  akin  to  a  memory  of  the  time  he  spent  with  his  friends.

Wanting  to  be  enough      /      I'm  nothing  like  them.

But,  a  more  carefree  time,  in  which  he  flourished  in  photography,  shared  laughter  around  a  campfire,  and  awoke  early  to  catch  the  dawn,  even  if  it  meant  getting  up  earlier  than  he  liked.  (  Unless  it  was  to  take  pictures  to  impress  Cindy  ...  )       "    W-Woah,  hey,  sorry  --  didn't  see  ya  there!    "    Flustered,  caught  gawking  at  the  activities  of  the  community,  oblivious  to  where  he  was  walking.  And,  as  Prompto  was  about  to  find  out,  these  weren't  the  type  of  guys  you  would  want  to  bump  into  in  the  dark.   

[battleshot]

                                                                    Excitement,  nerves,  pride  --  being  one  of  the  three  to  escort  the  royal  to  his  lady,  the  sharpshooter  was  practically  bursting  at  the  seams.  It  would  be  a  road  trip  filled  with  thrills,  photos,  and  memories,  but  for  now,  he  would  stifle  his  anxiety  about  being  alongside  the  advisor  and  shield  --  both  of  whom    possessed  titles  and  royal  reputations,  but  he  did  not  --  aside  from  being  a  member  of  the  Crownsguard.      (    for  which  he  should  give  himself  more  credit    )

𝑁𝑦𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑐𝑘 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑡. "𝐽𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑎 𝑠𝑒𝑐, ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑡." 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑜 𝑐ℎ𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑒𝑠, 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑎 𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑐𝑘 𝑘𝑖𝑠𝑠. "𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒, 𝑦'ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟?"      @sunlilted​ + Nyx

A  familiar  voice  called  to  him  as  he  threw  his  bag  into  the  trunk  of  the  regalia.    "    Huh-?    "    Tugged  by  trusted  hands,  his  body  naturally  fell  into  place.  As  sunlight  broke  through  the  citadel,  a  beaming  smile  shone  from  fair-freckled  features,  hands  rest  peacefully  on  uniformed  shoulders,  and  his  torso  willing  to  embrace  Nyx  without  protest.  Prompto's  happiness  seeps  through  the  kisses  he  gave  him,  stealing  a  second  and  a  third  just  to  be  sure.

Eventually  parting  and  throwing  him  a  wink  and  a  haphazard  wave,  he  promised      "    I'll  be  back  before  y'  know  it!  "    Oh  yeah,  he  had  it,  baaaaad.

                    Fluorescent  lights  extend  beyond  Lestallum  but  evade  the  reach  of  azureous  optics.  A  new  day  of  darkness  has  passed,  but  how  many  more  would  they  endure?  Despite  everyone's  efforts,  nobody  had  an  answer.  There  was  only  one  thing  they  knew:  the  True  King  would  return  to  restore  the  light  ...    one  day.

The  return  of  Nyx  allowed  Prompto  to  remain  alight.  However,  he  would  still  have  moments  that  haunted  his  past  --  who  he  really  was  --  but  the  soft  reassurance  of  the  glaive,  the  hand  holding,  the  soft  whispers  at  night,  entwining  limbs  would  keep  him  from  thinking  about  anything  else    except  them.  This  was  what  kept  that  sunshine  personality  alive.

𝑁𝑦𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑐𝑘 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑡. "𝐽𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑎 𝑠𝑒𝑐, ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑡." 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑜 𝑐ℎ𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑒𝑠, 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑎 𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑐𝑘 𝑘𝑖𝑠𝑠. "𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒, 𝑦'ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟?"      @sunlilted​ + Nyx

Although  the  action  made  him  laugh  and  caught  him  off  guard,  he  turned  his  head  just  in  time  to  capture  Nyx's  lips  while  standing  with  his  back  against  Nyx's  chest.  A  part  of  him  felt  a  strange  deja  vu,  maybe  a  part  of  him  felt  a      sadness  he  could  not  explain,  but  he  looked  up  at  the  taller  male  as  he  answered.    "    Yeah...  (  Curling  his  lips  with  mild  concern    )    yeah,  don't  worry,  I'll  be  fiiine    "    A  shrug,  brushing  it  aside;  something  that  didn't  wane  with  age  was  his  anxiety.  A  barely-there  whisper  passed  between  them  as  they  shared  another  slow  kiss.    "    I  love  you.  "   

[battleshot]

     “  i feel like i could endure anything as long as i have you to come home to.  ”                                                                                                     ↳   [◉"]  @inscmnus​​​  ；

However, they both knew  that  wasn't possible. Their hearts sank in anticipation of what would come with the dawn. In a previous time, they would've laughed about this. Prompto would've called him out for being too sentimental since emotions weren't really Noctis' forte. Now? The impact of this hit  hard.   "  In this lifetime… and the next…    " ,   he said with a subtle inclination of his head and a smile  suppressing all emotions at bay.

 ↳            SOFTER PROMPTS

[battleshot]

      ↳                 “  you make me feel safe.  ”    @inscmnus​​

A teasingly light hearted remark made by the gunslinger to his King the night before  the final battle.      "   You're not goin' soft on me in your old age, now are ya?    "   In the absence of words, embers of the fire create warmth as they flicker into the night. A bounce in his step to take a seat beside him, he slumps slightly in his shoulders.    "  Hey..  "   The blond whispers softly, alerting Noctis of his presence.   "  We're all here for you, dude. Didn't wait all these years for nothing!  "   There was humour in the smile, but no amusement was found. The three of them knew what Noctis would have to do, and not one was pleased. Noctis was a lamb raised for slaughter,  destined to die .... but through the sacrifice of his life, all of them would be saved.    "  C'mon --  "   he says finally, slipping a gloved hand over the shoulder of his friend and smiling fondly at him.   "  Iggy's been dying t' cook for ya! Let's not leave specs waitin' -- maybe he'll even spare the vegetables -- special occasion...  "  His hand is extended toward the King as he rises from the camping seat. His gaze washed over him, and as he stared into the flames, he knew that this would be  the last time  they could have something as simple as a campfire meal together. Yet, even when it killed him inside, Prompto was the  light they all needed, the  optimist  he always was.

[battleshot]

         𝙸𝙽𝙲𝙾𝙼𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙼𝙴𝚂𝚂𝙰𝙶𝙴         ' hey! ' gloved hands clasp together behind her back; a smile is adorned upon her face. ' we're closing the bar early tonight.. i know you've been busy since you got here. how about we do something fun? '  @glovesup​

His engagement faded from his mobile device as the bartender spoke pleasantly, appealingly.   "  Hm?  " Oh, how could he deny that smile? Her smile was infectious, which wasn't easy to come by during hard times. In fact, his freckled features appear lighter as he slides his phone into his pocket and echoes a bright smile to her in return.   "  Something fun, huh?  "   His curiosity is evident in his expression as he takes a step forward, arms crossed beneath his chest.   "  Whatcha got in mind?  " 

[battleshot]

    𝙎𝙬𝙞𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜    𝙞𝙙𝙡𝙮    𝙤𝙣    𝙝𝙞𝙨    𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚,    he  felt  brief  flashes  of  emotion  at  some  of  the  more  memorable  moments  he  shared  with  his  fellow  comrades  ...  his    friends.  His  features  may  have  suggested  that  a  little.  Still,  he  held  on  to  that  last  little    glimmer  of  hope,    believing  that  his  best  friend  would  return  and  banish  the  darkness  they  had  dwelt  in  for  so  long.  

“    you  think  i  don’t  notice  but  i  do.    i  can  tell  something’s  wrong.    ”        @arcaens  throwback  to  she,  wilds  witch

  ❝    Huh?--  ❞    A  moment  to  register  that  he  was  being  spoken  to,  instinctively  lowering  his  device  as  he  does  so.  He  may  have  been  a  little    obvious    in  his  sorrow  with  his  words,        ❝    Oh.    ❞      His  feeble  effort  to  move  forward  is  insufficient.  He  didn't  want  sympathy,    perhaps    someone  to  relate  to  ...  Being  a  witch,  loss,  and  death  was  no  stranger  to  her;  thus,  he    erred    on  the  side  of  caution.  

      ❝    S'all  good  --  just  get  a  little  emotional  looking  back  y'know?    (    A  huff  of  laughter,  a  gloved  hand  stretching  to  scratch  at  the  nape  of  his  neck    )    Easier  time  ....      ❞    His  voice  sounded  more  hollow  than  usual,  perhaps  exposing  a  crack  in  his  armour.  

𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘁𝘀     (accepting)