023 » these shallow waters never met what i needed

[shiruyeh]

CALL ME OUT MEME.

♛ please refer to this list for canon muses and this list for original characters. ♛ "call" one of them out — you can do so by putting their name in the subject line of your post! ♛ this can be informal/formal/comment spam/crosscanon/shippy/smutty/whatever tickles your fancy! ♛ here are some prompts inspired by other memes! ❶ — texts from last night. ❷ — morning after. ❸ — drunk/drinking. ❹ — picture prompt. ❺ — insomnia. ❻ — sharing the same bed. ❼ — snow day. ❽ — sky gazing. ❾ — roadtrip.

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prompto argentum; final fantasy xv

[inlay]

5 - Sleeping is hard when you're camping and there are gross bugs and things

[thatgoodnight]

[ If there is one activity Noctis seems to enjoy more than anything else, it's sleeping, and any chance at a nap he gets, he tends to take. It isn't only ennui that lulls him to sleep so often, of course - using the magic of the crystal and letting the others use it through him is itself draining in an altogether different way than physical exertion. But they've had plenty of that lately, too, with all the monsters they've been hunting to pad out their too-thin wallet. How ironic it is, then, that now when he is trying his hardest to fall asleep and has every reason in the world to sleep, Noctis finds he simply -- can't.

At first he blames their choice of campsite. For all that it had looked flat, they inadvertently built their tent on a gravely bit, and the bigger stones dig through the sleeping bag's padding just enough that he can't ignore them. But after some tossing and turning, he finds a comfortable enough position and... still can't fall asleep.

Next, he blames Gladio, snoring a little - enough of a noise that clearly that must be what keeps him up. But after a while Gladio shifts and turns his head and the snoring settles to the deep slow breathing of sleep.

Well, if it isn't the ground and it isn't Gladio, then it must be the night life. It is only on this camping trip that Noctis has developed a profound appreciation for just how loud nature can be. Crickets only sound calming and nice through a window or during a nighttime stroll through a garden. But their location is a good distance from the nearest body of water, and aside from occasional bird calls and the ubiquitous crickets, it really isn't loud at all - at least no louder than things he's slept through countless times before.

All other excuses reasons ruled out, he is left with nothing but his thoughts and the conclusion that his mind is the true culprit tonight - and the only cure for that is sufficient distraction. So, having given up on counting carbuncles, at long last he very carefully extracts himself from his cocoon, grabs his boots and extra carefully climbs over the shapeless lumps of his friends to leave the tent, glad that the mild weather means it isn't zipped and velcroed tight - Ignis, light sleeper that he is, would undoubtedly hear him then, and the last thing Noctis wants just now is a lecture about getting the proper amount of rest.

Once outside, he puts on his boots, tying them in the most half-assed way imaginable that still keeps the laces from dragging on the ground somehow, and stretches and -- finds himself immensely surprised to realize Prompto is already out here.

Noct blinks several times, bemused, before he ambles over to flop beside him. This is perfect in a way - one distraction already ready and waiting.]

Hey.

[It's already obvious neither one of them can sleep, so asking that seems like a waste of breath. Besides, he imagines Prompto will probably tell him that and at least half of the reasons he can't sleep without even needing, well, prompting. Please let it be a really boring sleep-inducing reason.... please...! ]

[inlay]

[the sound of footsteps makes prompto turn his head over his shoulder.]

Oh —

[he says, in a normal, conversational tone, but normal is too loud for the dead of night, and prompto has to catch himself, lowering his voice to a soft whisper more appropriate for ass o' clock in the morning.]

Oh, hey, dude. I didn't wake you up, did I?

[it is a sign of his role as the party marksman that prompto's keen eyes need only flick once over noctis's frame to take in the prince's general state of being — half-laced shoes, wrinkled clothes, mussed, flattened hair from tossing and turning in an effort to sleep.]

I got up 'cause, uh... I had to take a leak. [pause.] No, okay, that's a lie.

[why did he even say that? he's not even really sure. seemed like it would be funny. ha ha, prompto has to pee. something like that.]

...I had — this — weird dream.

[thatgoodnight]

[To the question of being woken up, Noct just gives a negative grunt.]

Nn.

[being informed that prompto had to pee gets a blink, and the admission that no wait that's not true gets lifted eyebrows, and noctis keeps right on waiting.]

Oh?

[he slouches down comfortably to listen.]

[inlay]

[prompto fidgets in his seat in the gravel when nocis sits down next to him — part of him wants to tell the guy to sit on a nearby rock or some softer dirt or something — but he holds his tongue.

on that matter, at least. as far as the "weird dream" goes, he babbles awkwardly while skirting around the subject.]

Yeah. I mean... I've been having them a lot recently. Not like, a recurring dream, you know? Just sort of... the same kinds of dreams, but they're always a little different every time. And then I always wake up... in the middle of the night...

[he rubs the back of his neck awkwardly, looking out at the outlying lowlands.]

...I mean, it's not a big deal, right? Like, I haven't been shooting worse or anything, right?

[thatgoodnight]

[watching just how much prompto fidgets makes noctis feel tired all over again, so he follows his friend's gaze towards the horizon]

Mm.

[it's tempting to be glibly insulting on prompto's shooting skills, but as bothered as prompto seems just now, noctis decides teasing would make it worse]

No. Same as always.

[he isn't lying. but he also hasn't been paying minute attention. maybe prompto has been worse and he didn't realize amid the dust and chaos. but no one was hurt more than usual and things died about the same as normal.

he looks at prompto again, weighing his options. it seems best to cut to the chase so prompto can get on about what's really bothering him.]

... what are they about?

[inlay]

It's, eheh... man, I don't even know where to begin.

[prompto laughs awkwardly, glancing over at noctis as if he'll somehow be able to read his friend's unreadable expression; he averts his gaze as soon as he's able.]

It's, like... promise you won't laugh?

It's... kind of the same thing every time. Like last week I had this dream that I was trying to keep up with Ignis, only he was running so fast, and I was running so slowly, that in the end he left me clear behind. And... couple days ago, I had this other dream that we were being attacked, but I was a kid again and — and I couldn't do anything, and you all had to protect me. And just now I dreamt that this MT — the kind with an axe, you know? — this MT was about to kill you, and I had him in my sights, but for some reason I hesitated to pull the trigger and —

[he lapses into a brief silence.]

...And, you know.

[thatgoodnight]

[Noctis says nothing for the space of several heartbeats.

A few weeks ago, he probably really would have laughed the dreams off - or tried to, anyway. Found some way to skirt away from the last dream Prompto described, at least. For all that he has been acquainted with death nearly all his life, Noctis has always hated thinking about it. Not his own, not his father's, not his people's and certainly not his friends. But a lot has changed since then.

Not everything, though. Prompto still worries too much about the wrong things.

(be reassuring)
^
be an asshole < O > be unhelpful
v
say nothing

]

Are you that worried about not pulling your weight?

[inlay]

[prompto goes still for a moment. he lowers his eyes. then his lips pull into an odd, wry smile, and he scratches nervously at his chin while turning his head away.]

It's not like I think about it... you know, every second. Just sometimes.

...Whenever I close my eyes, I guess.

[he forces a laugh.]

Problems of the plebs, right? I bet this all sounds really dumb.

[thatgoodnight]

[noctis frowns and looks down as if studying the dirt]

It doesn't.

[he leans his elbows on his knees and considers again his choice of words. he knows the feeling - the moment of letting your guard down and the fears and worries pouncing. the gnawing doubts, normally so neatly tucked away, that come crawling back out of their dark holes. but in the end he settles on the source of the worries instead of the feeling]

I wouldn't have asked you to come along if I thought you were a burden or would hold us back. [not, of course, that he'd anticipated quite this much fighting when they started this journey, but prompto always held his own.] And you haven't.

[inlay]

[prompto lets that sink in for a moment before he remembers to breathe, exhaling sharply into the night air.]

...Thanks, Noct. I appreciate it.

[entirely on a whim, he puts his hands into shooting form, fingers wrapped around the grip of an invisible pistol; he takes aim at a tree in the distance, making as if to shoot a leaf off its branches.]

Bang bang! And another one goes down, all thanks to your best bud.

except that plant-slayer is probably an epic name if the plant is a morbol

[thatgoodnight]

It's what I'm here for.

[that nets a smile...that soon becomes a smirk as he sits up a little, eyeing prompto's target.]

Prompto the Plant-slayer. All leaves shall tremble at your approach.

[inlay]

Totes McGoats.

[he rubs his nose in mock pride, grinning]

Think you can make that my official title someday? Prompto the Plant-slayer, lover of chocobos. Sounds badass.

[thatgoodnight]

Lover of chocobos, huh? [there is no wrong way to love a chocobo...]

I'll make a new position just for you. Chocobo Prince. [the smirk hasn't gone away, as he looks back to Prompto - or more specifically his hair] They're sure to recognize you as one of 'em.

[inlay]

Hey, I said it doesn't look like a chocobo's butt!

[prompto huffs, but his voice is getting a bit too loud, and he softens it on his reply.]

...Though, now that I think about it, I don't think I ever asked you. Does the royal family have chocobos? Special chocobos? Royal chocobos? Chocobos with little crowns on 'em... aw, that'd be so cute.

[thatgoodnight]

[noctis chuckles at prompt's indignation and shakes his head. chocobos with little crowns sounds freaking adorable, but no way is he admitting that.]

Nah, I wish. [he isn't as into them as prompto, but man he would have loved having chocobos to go visit and pet growing up] The only chocobos in Crown City were at the racetrack.

[inlay]

That sucks!

[he shifts his weight, kicking his legs out in front of him so that he can pick pebbles out of the folds of his pants.]

One day, I'm gonna live somewhere where I can have my own chocobo... Ah, you know what? When this is all over, just drop me at the chocobo ranch. I'll live happily ever after there.

[thatgoodnight]

[Noctis yawns, but he's still smiling a bit.]

I suppose we can make the detour on the way for the Chocoprince. Just make sure you shower before you come visit.

[inlay]

At least when I sweat I don't reek like Gladio. Or... wait, you're talking about the chocobos, right? Chocobos don't smell! They are pure woodland beings. Er... birds.

[his eyes flick over toward noctis to catch the last second of that yawn, and he frowns.]

...Wanna go back to bed?

i am in love with your prompto fyi. pure woodland beings indeed

[thatgoodnight]

[Maybe he's talking about both! not all aftershaves really compliment eau de chocobo, after all.]

We probably should, yeah. [That's close enough to a 'yes', right? He feels a bit more relaxed after talking with prompto (the laughter definitely helped) so he hopes he'll finally fall asleep... and prompto seems more relaxed now, too]

I AM GLAD i think i'm getting the hang of this

[inlay]

[prompto smiles and reaches over to give noctis a hearty pat on the back, then stands up and kicks the last bits of dirt off his pants.]

Alriiight. Bright and early tomorrow, yeah? Bright and early.

...And if you still can't sleep, I'll turn the music down in the car tomorrow so you can nap while Ignis drives.

[thatgoodnight]

[Noctis cringes.]

ugh. [why are you reminding him about how early Ignis is gonna drag them all outta bed? but he appreciates the offer, though he has to make an amused snort as he pulls his legs up and pushes himself to his feet, brushing any pebbles and dirt off his butt.]

Doesn't matter how loud the music is. Just so long as it's not you [he nudges prompto for emphasis] driving.

[Except that he totally managed to sleep through most of the worst of that, too.]

[inlay]

Hey! I'm only a little bit of an awful driver!

[he swats back, chortling quietly — apparently he's proud of the fact that no one trusts him behind the driver's wheel — and he swats noctis's butt too, just for good measure.]

[thatgoodnight]

[proud? or just pleased that it means he doesn't have to drive and can while his time snapping pictures of everyone?]

I wonder if that's what Cindy thought when she saw the dent you put in the Regalia.

[inlay]

[mournfully, prompto... half-throws himself into the dirt, swaying like a dead man in his feet as he staggers under the weight of noctis's good sense.]

D-Don't remind me! Augh... she was so mad... I incurred the wrath of the grease-monkey goddess...