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Noctis was the first one to call it a night, falling asleep halfway through the third movie they had put on, some kinda rom-com that Gladio said Iris had recommend to him, but they all knew that it was just an excuse to watch something sappy. As if they weren’t aware of the type of literature the big guy liked to read.
The rest of the guys seemed invested though, if the way Prompto was hugging his pillow in anticipation was any indication, but Noctis just didn’t see the appeal and really – was it a surprise to anybody that he had fallen asleep?
A hand gently patting his face woke him not much later, when the movie was done and he blearily opened his eyes to look up at Ignis’ bespectacled face.
Lazily stretching, shirt riding up at the action, he let out a satisfying groan. Prompto let out a funny noise at the sight, but it went easily ignored in his sleep-haze.
“Time for bed,” he muttered, though he made no move to get up, instead opening his arms in clear invitation, a silent command that someone should carry him to bed. Gladio huffed and rolled his eyes, but eventually moved closer and scooped him up easily, making the way to the Prince’s bedroom with practiced ease. It was hardly the first time he had to do this, after all.
When Gladio returned from tucking away His Royal Sleepiness, it was to a scene he hadn’t expected. Prompto looked like he was having a mental breakdown and Ignis was gently patting his back, trying to make sense of what the blond was saying.
“I don’t think I’m gay, but Noct – he’s so, he’s so pretty–“
Gladio resisted the urge to snort, since it sounded like Prompto was genuinely upset about this revelation.
“You do not have to be gay in order to appreciate another man’s beauty, Prompto. It is perfectly natural,” Ignis did his best to assure, his voice soft and soothing.
“No, Iggy, you don’t understand. I really want to fuck him–“ the words came out in a whine, quickly followed by Prompto covering his face, obviously realising what he had just admitted.
Silence reigned for a moment, before Gladio couldn’t hold it back anymore and let out a laugh, which only made Prompto squeak in protest.
“Ah.” Ignis pushed up his glasses, obviously trying to figure out what to say.
“The kid finally had his bi awakening,” Gladio offered, before laughing again, unable to help himself.
They had all been there, after all.
(It was a gay awakening in Ignis' case, but, well, tomayto tomahto).
Prompto seemed to calm down a little at those words, curiosity obviously winning out over the feeling of impending doom.
“What do you mean? Noct’s my best friend, I shouldn’t be…” he struggles to find the words, still not able to understand why he was suddenly feeling like this. Sure, he knew Noctis was attractive. He had even thought about how good of a boyfriend the Prince would be, but he had never had those kinds of thoughts before. Gladio and Ignis were good looking too, but he didn’t want to fuck them into a mattress. Seeing Noct stretch like that and hearing him groan so sinfully though, now that did wonders to a guy’s libido.
Gladio moved to sit down beside the blond, playfully nudging his shoulder.
“You’re hardly the first. Noct has that affect on people,” he offered, which made Prompto gape at him for a moment. The blond then looked towards Ignis, who simply offered a nod, his ears slightly red.
“Yes, you are far from the first. His Highness has made many question their sexuality. Us included,” he admitted, easily remembering the moment he began to think of his Prince as attractive.
He had been tempted to simply resign on the spot, knowing how inappropriate it was, but he also couldn’t stand the thought of anyone else taking the position as Noct’s advisor. It was only when Gladio had hinted at the same that he began to feel a little bit better about his predicament.
“I spar with the Princess regularly. Just imagine the sounds he make,” Gladio was shameless about it, at least when Noctis wasn’t around to hear about it. The brat would never let him live it down after all and, well, as his Shield Gladio knew that his feelings shouldn’t mix with his duty. Even if he considered him and Noct to be friends.
Prompto was imagining it, alright, and he also kinda hated Gladio right now for putting the image in his mind. At the same time he idly wondered what he had to do to join said training, because it sounded like it would be worth the suffering.
“At least we’re around Noct’s age. You should of seen the Glaives,” the Shield continued, smirk on his lips. Noct trained with the Glaives from time to time, mostly to improve on his warping and Gladio could still remember the look on Nyx’s face when he realised that the Prince was hot. Good times.
Prompto opened his mouth to ask for details, but Ignis cut him off with a look.
“Gladio, let’s not. The fact is that it is perfectly normal, however you are, of course, expected to not act on these desires unless Noctis initiates it first,” he lectured, to which Prompto visibly deflated. He didn’t have much hope of that happening anytime soon. He might technically have more of a chance than Ignis or Gladio, since he wasn’t duty bound in the same way that they were, but he had eyes. Noctis was way out of his league – and not just because he was the Prince.
Ignis and Gladio shared a look above Prompto’s head, having obviously seen the blond’s reaction to the news. Prompto’s self-esteem issues were no secret, even if the younger male didn’t like to talk about it.
Prompto let out a sound of despair and leaned back against the couch, a weak chuckle leaving his lips.
“Well, bros who pine together, stay together, right?” It was an attempt at humour, since he was somewhat comforted by the fact that they were all in the same boat.
“Or you could stop pining and just join me in bed – it’s not like there isn’t space,” a voice sounded from behind them, making them all freeze in their tracks for a moment before they turned towards the voice just as quickly. It was a wonder neither of them got whiplash.
Noctis was leaning against the doorframe leading to his bedroom, eyes half-lidded and a smug curl to his lips. He was wearing boxers and a loose t-shirt, but it didn’t make the sight any less alluring.
He also looked like he had been standing there for a while.
“Noct, you’re awake!” Prompto was the first one that found his voice, though it was a bit high-pitched. Really though, could you blame him? He was kinda hoping he had fallen asleep and this was all a very weird dream.
“Has been for a while.” Noctis rolled his eyes and the three of them were suddenly reminded of the fact that they were talking to the person who was known for being able to sneak out of the Citadel without anyone catching him. Noctis was very capable of being silent when he wanted to.
“Ah.” Ignis looked like his brain had shut down, though he was obviously still trying to figure out how to handle the situation in the best way possible. Prompto could just imagine the error message currently popping up in Ignis' head.
“Did you guys not hear me? I’m inviting you to my bed. I don’t know how to be more forward than that,” he pointed out, standing straight before shuffling back into his bedroom, leaving the door open in a clear invitation.
Prompto wasn’t about to let the opportunity go, so he hurried up from the couch and towards the bedroom, doing his best to convince himself that he wasn’t actually dreaming on the way. He definitely wouldn’t be fucking anyone tonight, but… cuddling was a pretty good start. Nobody was about to hear him complain about it at least.
“Don’t overthink it, Ignis.” Gladio urged, already moving towards the bedroom as well.
Ignis sighed, knowing that this was a bad idea and also knowing that there was no way he would let the others do this without him. After moving around the apartment to turn off the lights and the television, together with checking that the front door was locked, he finally joined the trio in the bedroom.
There was, indeed, more than enough space for all of them on the bed, but that certainly hadn’t stopped Prompto or Gladio from cuddling close to the Prince. Noctis looked very content with the attention and the sight made Ignis' heart swell with fondness. Noctis' happiness was what mattered the most to him, after all.
As he silently undressed and folded his clothes, Noctis opened an eye to watch him, a soft smile appearing on his face when Ignis finally moved to join them. He patted Gladio's arm and the larger male moved over without complaint, making space for Ignis to slide in beside the Prince, since the Shield could still reach from his new position.
“Night, Ignis."
“Goodnight, Noct.”