[he stammers, is awkward again despite how he shouldn't be at this point in his life, at this point in the friendship he knows he upholds with daisy.]
[pulling away, prompto puts his hands behind his head, elbows locking at the front as fingers run down to press against the base of his neck. it's a nervous tick of sorts, taking a step back -- but the strange thing is that daisy hasn't presented any sort of particular discontent at his approach, something that quite surprises himself now in retrospect. he's never been that confident in affection by physical touch.]
[better be truthful. he's done nothing wrong--and keeping it to himself feels, somehow, a worse crime.]
I... overheard the conversation you and Illya were having last night.
[it comes out quiet, somewhat hushed, but his eyes meet hers, even as his inability to remain still has him swaying from side to side.]
I never met my parents. I don't have parents. [this is where his hands drop a bit, fists at his sides, an obvious show of hesitating on words he's holding back on--swallowing hard and wetting his cracked lips before speaking.] I was created in a lab, by a man so far gone he used his own clones to create an army that would destroy Lucis, destroy the kingdom that took me in despite my shady origins, the kingdom my best friend wants to save. I -- never knew, and I probably would have never found out, even though deep inside I knew there was something wrong about me, that I didn't belong.
Finding out, about this man? This man who was 'my father'? I feel guilt. I don't wanna be like him, but I'm him, composed of the same -- shitty genetic material, right?
[a deep sigh and his fists unfurl, his heart beating fast because these kind of admittance still comes as difficult, even if he's trying his hardest to own this and not let it dictate how he lives his life.]
You're not like your mom, or your dad. [with this, at least, he sounds firm.] If I'm not like Besithia despite looking just like him? Then you're nothing like the worst parts of your parents.
[ she should probably have some kind of reaction to that bombshell. being overheard — not in general, but that conversation especially, she'd expected (assumed?) some kind of privacy. what they'd said, what they'd confessed. she's not sure she would have said those things quite so candidly had she known people were listening. she's even less sure that illya would have. in fact, she can nearly guarantee he would have been far more reticent had they known someone else was home.
but now, in the wake of it, daisy can't bring herself to care very much. she isn't angry. surprised, a little, perhaps; but anger doesn't creep up. perhaps she's still too giddy in the wake of it to let anything truly negative sway her yet.
instead, she chooses to focus on the revelations prompto leaves at her feet, the sincerity in the compliment he ends with. these aren't things prompto has to tell her. they aren't answers to a mystery she's seeking out, not a key to a question that's been plaguing her. they're hidden truths, but private ones.
like her own.
so rather than get mad, daisy just shakes her head, a soft exhale through her nose as she steps forward to wrap him up in yet another hug. too bad, prompto, it's happening. you can't step out of this one.
once he's firmly ensconced in arms, she finally speaks up again. ]
[it's probably best that her response is to embrace him, for that way prompto can hide the flush high on his cheeks from the proximity that has become a normal and natural way of interacting with each other--and because her question leaves him remembering the corny territory their conversation had rerouted towards.]
Uh... the super mushy love confession? Hella romantic, guys.
[he admits quietly, returning the embrace. where they have physical contact, his emotions spread forth: nervous--as usual--but a sense of warmth and belonging that keeps his anxieties at bay, like the rhythmic pulse of a beating heart.]
I figured I'd just go into VR and play a game. I didn't mean to overhear anything, really.
[ oh. oh. that's not what she expected — but in truth, daisy's not entirely sure what she was expecting. if he'd overheard that, and he'd come to her confessing about his own parentage or lack thereof, then it stood to reason he heard their confessions too about their own. about her mother, about his father, about the trauma it had inflicted on them both.
daisy blows out a breath, arms squeezing just a little more. ]
It's okay. [ to be fair, it's not his fault they didn't check to see if they had company before having an emotional conversation. it could have been worse, anyway. there were less romantic things to overhear. ] I'm guessing you haven't dropped that bombshell on him yet, huh?
[ he's already gone, anyway. off on a run at the crack of dawn and then to who knows where. she'd see him later, but for now, he was doing his thing. ]
Tell me that Illya is not going to kick my ass for it.
[he knows that illya won't, but there's still that idea that the older man is more particular about his own secrets, about his own hidden depths that he prefers to keep to himself--clearly having only opened up to daisy considering their relationship and how it's evolved.]
Not like I'm gonna tell anyone, y'know, but I just...
You guys are one of the best people I know here in NA. Guess I just wanna say, hashtag relatable but, also, you both are rocking at life as far as I'm concerned?
If you lie about it, he'll probably be upset when he finds out.
[ a casual shrug of her shoulders as she lets him go, moving back to the kitchen counter to take a much-delayed bite out of her toast. as she chews, she considers the options; once she swallows, she continues. no full-mouth grossness here, prompto, you're welcome. ]
I don't think it's really a secret that we have a thing. [ """a thing""" ] We're just not. Advertising it, I guess.
[ she taps the bottom of the knife against the cutting board, a jazzy little rhythm in tune with her thoughts. ]
Honestly, I don't know what I'm supposed to tell people. Like, "hey, here's the guy whose apartment I half live in?"
[ you could call him your boyfriend, daisy. that's what normal people would do. ]
[ he won't get any right now... but maybe later, when he's more deserving. right now, he just gets a fond smile, and a push of her plate in case he's hungry. there's still a whole other piece of toast. ]
You might want to announce when you're home, though, just for future reference. Hearing some emotional wordvomit is one thing, but...
[ she trails off, a brow arching meaningfully in his direction. did he really want to hear the alternative? ]
[his pout continues until he's being offered toast, which he happily accepts--hopping on one foot to reach for it and thus leaning onto the counter as he picks on it, small bite after small bite.]
Yeah, wouldn't wanna intrude in sexy times, right?
[he knows it's cringe that he said it that way but this is the life he's chosen.]
--I'm not used to having t'announce myself at -- home, or whatever, but I'll do my best to be better at it.
[ but she's laughing, smiling, shoving him a little in the shoulder as he swoops in to gather the offered bite to eat. clearly not as offended as the words would imply. ]
Look, I know Illya's not, like, the most forthcoming dude in the world when it comes to saying how he feels [ understatement of the fucking year ] but you're welcome to be here, you know. Any time.
[ a bit more seriously ]
He doesn't let many people in, and he likes you. And I think he likes your company, even if he won't admit it.
[he chews on, thoughtful at her words, grinding down on the meaning of them, really squeezing out understanding so that it seeps into his skin and actually fucking sticks.]
...I like being part of this. Like ... weird home, friendly situation. [it feels good to belong.] I like you both a lot, so it's... great, that you don't think I'm an annoying third wheel.
Even if I technically am a third wheel.
[it feels safe. it feels comfortable. it feels... like home.]
I know you guys would tell me if you get sick and tired of me.
[ no shame in that. daisy would, and she knows illya would certainly not mince words if he was tired of someone's presence, so there's no real question about it. if they didn't want him to be there, he would know. ]
But until I hear otherwise, you're welcome to be here as much as you want to be. Just... you know. Maybe not in silence with your door closed. At least hang a tag on the door or something.
[prompto starts, interrupting his train of thought with reaching over to tug at one of daisy's longer locks of hair. he's teasing.]
Won't happen again.
[here's to eating more toast.] I'm glad I met you guys. Honestly. What with Noct being gone and everything... It's nice to feel welcomed like how you and Illya have done with me.
[ she gives him an exasperated roll of her eyes, but daisy doesn't swat his hand away. ]
Yeah, well. Anybody who isn't being welcoming to you is on my shit list, for the record. [ a pointed look and a jab of her own piece of toast in his direction. ] Alright?
[prompto understands what it is to belong. to be part of noctis's retinue, thus befriending gladiolus and ignis both, initially out of necessity, but further on because they all made a great time. he always felt he was great because of who he was associated with.]
[the way daisy words what she means... it's got nothing to do with who he is best friends with, or who he hangs out with.]
[it's, honestly, enough to leave him like an anak in headlights, staring at her stupidly.]
Will you be kicking my ass if I'm the one making myself feel like garbage? I'm masterful at reliving the worst of myself.
[he jokes... mostly. but take that as an agreement to her terms and conditions.]
[he can't exactly find the words to express it, but he's glad he has found this kind of relationship away from home--and is grateful for how easy it's come. it's like none of the responsibilities and duties he held over at eos matter in terms of who he is and who he gets to relate with. it's honestly refreshing, to feel understood.]
[by this point, the toast he was offered is gone, and he does stand up from the stool and makes an effort to fix his hair a little.]
Anyway, awesome talk, Daisy, cuz you're awesome. I'm gonna see if I can catch some shots of the city from the tallest spire today. You got any requests, photography or otherwise?
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[he stammers, is awkward again despite how he shouldn't be at this point in his life, at this point in the friendship he knows he upholds with daisy.]
[pulling away, prompto puts his hands behind his head, elbows locking at the front as fingers run down to press against the base of his neck. it's a nervous tick of sorts, taking a step back -- but the strange thing is that daisy hasn't presented any sort of particular discontent at his approach, something that quite surprises himself now in retrospect. he's never been that confident in affection by physical touch.]
[better be truthful. he's done nothing wrong--and keeping it to himself feels, somehow, a worse crime.]
I... overheard the conversation you and Illya were having last night.
[it comes out quiet, somewhat hushed, but his eyes meet hers, even as his inability to remain still has him swaying from side to side.]
I never met my parents. I don't have parents. [this is where his hands drop a bit, fists at his sides, an obvious show of hesitating on words he's holding back on--swallowing hard and wetting his cracked lips before speaking.] I was created in a lab, by a man so far gone he used his own clones to create an army that would destroy Lucis, destroy the kingdom that took me in despite my shady origins, the kingdom my best friend wants to save. I -- never knew, and I probably would have never found out, even though deep inside I knew there was something wrong about me, that I didn't belong.
Finding out, about this man? This man who was 'my father'? I feel guilt. I don't wanna be like him, but I'm him, composed of the same -- shitty genetic material, right?
[a deep sigh and his fists unfurl, his heart beating fast because these kind of admittance still comes as difficult, even if he's trying his hardest to own this and not let it dictate how he lives his life.]
You're not like your mom, or your dad. [with this, at least, he sounds firm.] If I'm not like Besithia despite looking just like him? Then you're nothing like the worst parts of your parents.
You're full of love, Daisy. Believe me.
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[ she should probably have some kind of reaction to that bombshell. being overheard — not in general, but that conversation especially, she'd expected (assumed?) some kind of privacy. what they'd said, what they'd confessed. she's not sure she would have said those things quite so candidly had she known people were listening. she's even less sure that illya would have. in fact, she can nearly guarantee he would have been far more reticent had they known someone else was home.
but now, in the wake of it, daisy can't bring herself to care very much. she isn't angry. surprised, a little, perhaps; but anger doesn't creep up. perhaps she's still too giddy in the wake of it to let anything truly negative sway her yet.
instead, she chooses to focus on the revelations prompto leaves at her feet, the sincerity in the compliment he ends with. these aren't things prompto has to tell her. they aren't answers to a mystery she's seeking out, not a key to a question that's been plaguing her. they're hidden truths, but private ones.
like her own.
so rather than get mad, daisy just shakes her head, a soft exhale through her nose as she steps forward to wrap him up in yet another hug. too bad, prompto, it's happening. you can't step out of this one.
once he's firmly ensconced in arms, she finally speaks up again. ]
How much of that did you actually overhear?
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Uh... the super mushy love confession? Hella romantic, guys.
[he admits quietly, returning the embrace. where they have physical contact, his emotions spread forth: nervous--as usual--but a sense of warmth and belonging that keeps his anxieties at bay, like the rhythmic pulse of a beating heart.]
I figured I'd just go into VR and play a game. I didn't mean to overhear anything, really.
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daisy blows out a breath, arms squeezing just a little more. ]
It's okay. [ to be fair, it's not his fault they didn't check to see if they had company before having an emotional conversation. it could have been worse, anyway. there were less romantic things to overhear. ] I'm guessing you haven't dropped that bombshell on him yet, huh?
[ he's already gone, anyway. off on a run at the crack of dawn and then to who knows where. she'd see him later, but for now, he was doing his thing. ]
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[he knows that illya won't, but there's still that idea that the older man is more particular about his own secrets, about his own hidden depths that he prefers to keep to himself--clearly having only opened up to daisy considering their relationship and how it's evolved.]
Not like I'm gonna tell anyone, y'know, but I just...
You guys are one of the best people I know here in NA. Guess I just wanna say, hashtag relatable but, also, you both are rocking at life as far as I'm concerned?
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[ a casual shrug of her shoulders as she lets him go, moving back to the kitchen counter to take a much-delayed bite out of her toast. as she chews, she considers the options; once she swallows, she continues. no full-mouth grossness here, prompto, you're welcome. ]
I don't think it's really a secret that we have a thing. [ """a thing""" ] We're just not. Advertising it, I guess.
[ she taps the bottom of the knife against the cutting board, a jazzy little rhythm in tune with her thoughts. ]
Honestly, I don't know what I'm supposed to tell people. Like, "hey, here's the guy whose apartment I half live in?"
[ you could call him your boyfriend, daisy. that's what normal people would do. ]
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I told you, I already kinda suspected it. Besides, you don't gotta tell anyone. I'm not spilling the beans.
[until he does, that is]
And like I've said, as long as you guys are happy, that's all that matters at this point.
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[ yeah, she remembers!! ]
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[he rolls his eyes but then makes a face.]
It was a joke in bad taste and I deserve all the noogies to make up for my crime in trying for hilarity when I'm not even a certified comedian.
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[ he won't get any right now... but maybe later, when he's more deserving. right now, he just gets a fond smile, and a push of her plate in case he's hungry. there's still a whole other piece of toast. ]
You might want to announce when you're home, though, just for future reference. Hearing some emotional wordvomit is one thing, but...
[ she trails off, a brow arching meaningfully in his direction. did he really want to hear the alternative? ]
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Yeah, wouldn't wanna intrude in sexy times, right?
[he knows it's cringe that he said it that way but this is the life he's chosen.]
--I'm not used to having t'announce myself at -- home, or whatever, but I'll do my best to be better at it.
[you get a smile for your troubles]
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[ but she's laughing, smiling, shoving him a little in the shoulder as he swoops in to gather the offered bite to eat. clearly not as offended as the words would imply. ]
Look, I know Illya's not, like, the most forthcoming dude in the world when it comes to saying how he feels [ understatement of the fucking year ] but you're welcome to be here, you know. Any time.
[ a bit more seriously ]
He doesn't let many people in, and he likes you. And I think he likes your company, even if he won't admit it.
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...I like being part of this. Like ... weird home, friendly situation. [it feels good to belong.] I like you both a lot, so it's... great, that you don't think I'm an annoying third wheel.
Even if I technically am a third wheel.
[it feels safe. it feels comfortable. it feels... like home.]
I know you guys would tell me if you get sick and tired of me.
[and there's that self-deprecating laugh.]
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[ no shame in that. daisy would, and she knows illya would certainly not mince words if he was tired of someone's presence, so there's no real question about it. if they didn't want him to be there, he would know. ]
But until I hear otherwise, you're welcome to be here as much as you want to be. Just... you know. Maybe not in silence with your door closed. At least hang a tag on the door or something.
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[prompto starts, interrupting his train of thought with reaching over to tug at one of daisy's longer locks of hair. he's teasing.]
Won't happen again.
[here's to eating more toast.] I'm glad I met you guys. Honestly. What with Noct being gone and everything... It's nice to feel welcomed like how you and Illya have done with me.
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Yeah, well. Anybody who isn't being welcoming to you is on my shit list, for the record. [ a pointed look and a jab of her own piece of toast in his direction. ] Alright?
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[the way daisy words what she means... it's got nothing to do with who he is best friends with, or who he hangs out with.]
[it's, honestly, enough to leave him like an anak in headlights, staring at her stupidly.]
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Daisy: the bully of bullies.
[look at the smile on his face!! it's one of the real ones, surfacing from a real, genuine place.]
You're a menace.
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[ but she's smiling back, soft and sure and sisterly. ]
You better tell me if somebody pushes you around for your lunch money, okay? I don't wanna hear about it from somebody else.
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[he jokes... mostly. but take that as an agreement to her terms and conditions.]
[he can't exactly find the words to express it, but he's glad he has found this kind of relationship away from home--and is grateful for how easy it's come. it's like none of the responsibilities and duties he held over at eos matter in terms of who he is and who he gets to relate with. it's honestly refreshing, to feel understood.]
[by this point, the toast he was offered is gone, and he does stand up from the stool and makes an effort to fix his hair a little.]
Anyway, awesome talk, Daisy, cuz you're awesome. I'm gonna see if I can catch some shots of the city from the tallest spire today. You got any requests, photography or otherwise?