[ Noctis takes a long time to respond. Upwards of 20 or so minutes agonizing over a reply. He's used to people fussing over him, but that's in terms of doctors and his father. It's different when it comes to a person who was apparently your best friend for a long time and is trying to be your best friend again after losing your memories. He's not used to having friends, much less a friend this close.
Eventually, Noctis comes around and reminds himself this guy found him unconscious in his apartment, then waited over him in the hospital for months. Even going as far as sneaking in past visiting hours and hiding under his bed. He kind of owes the guy a bit more credit and leeway over his own personal self-esteem issues. ]
i know we talked about it before but.... if i'm being too much you gotta let me know last thing i want is to make you feel worse about stuff
[prompto knows noctis has bad days. they talked about it, months back. obviously, noctis doesn't remember. and prompto doesn't want to say that he knows since he doesn't want noctis to distrust him.]
but i promise i'm not gonna be there to "check on you" just to hang out if today's not a good day at least let's both have some company yeah?
[prompto arrives in about half an hour, backpack strapped to his shoulders, and a bundle of joy in his arms, and a leashed rufus. he rings on the doorbell of noctis' apartment but helps himself in with the key (it was more of a... warning, to signal noctis that he arrived).]
[even if noctis is still in bed, prompto won't mind. neither does he mind the mess too much. he unleashes rufus, careful not to jostle the younger puppy, and says hello to etro, the cat queen of this place sitting on the counter, by scratching her between her ears. she seems pleased and rubs her nose against prompto's hand.]
[ Prompto is right to assume. Noctis hasn't moved from his bed, and he hasn't quite had the energy to. His head is under his pillow, buried under blankets. There's a gathering mess of pill bottles, an inhaler, and water. Some garbage, too. It's pretty clear by the state of his apartment that he hasn't moved around much. Leftover fast food bags from the last time Prompto was over are right where they were when he left.
Etro is certainly good company, but she's a cat, and like Noct? Keeps to herself. That isn't to say she doesn't stick by him. She does, but cat things call, and she can't nurse over the disasterous lump of flesh always.
He hears Prompto come in, and somehow he feels the urge to hide even more. He looks like death, feels like death. Let's be real here, Prompto has seen far worse. At least he isn't hooked up to machines, but he just doesn't feel at his best. He sighs as Prompto comes through the hall, slowly peeking his head out from the blanket. ]
[prompto finds him where he thought he would; a smile and a wave, he pushes further inside, sitting down at the edge of the bed, his back to noctis. he knows for a fact how much the other hates being looked when he isn't at his best.]
Thanks for havin' me.
[is what he mutters, rubbing at the small puppy's belly.]
[but prompto does turn towards his best friend eventually, smile still on his face]
Look, it's my new friend.
[is he talking to the dog or noctis? doesn't matter, because in a matter of seconds he sets down the small dog onto the mattress, and she carefully and hesitantly tries making her way on the soft material under her paws]
Found her at the shelter. I fell in love immediately when she tried to keep up with me while jogging during our walk. Lasted a whole thirty minutes, which is a lot more than what you ever managed.
[a bigger smile still, the tiny dog heading over to the lump that is noctis, trying to climb atop him and giving up, preferring flatter terrain]
[ He hasn't been awake long, so he's still rather groggy. As Prompto comes in with his back turned, he purses his lips. He's not asking for him to pretend nothing is wrong, just--
Oh.
Prompto turns around with a small little puppy in his arms, and his expression shifts to admirable curiosity. Noctis sits up slowly, watching as the little ball of fluff tries and fails to get under the sheets. Noctis absolutely adores animals, so there's no way he can stay grumpy in the face of this cute little thing. She scampers into his lap as soon as he sits up pawing at his chest. He manages a smile, despite the little jab at his hatred of jogs. ]
She is. Hah-- Hey, you.
[ She whimpers playfully at his sudden demeanor shift, hopping to try and reach his face. Noctis doesn't deny her in the slightest, picking her up so she can lick at his chin. ]
Kind of a sudden decision, isn't it? You already have one dog.
[prompto 100% knows that noctis loves animals. still smiling, he's pleased at his decision to bring her here, even if he's still a bit unsure about having adopted her at all.]
Mm, I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I kept her here? Rufus, too.
[almost on cue, rufus comes up, the clicking of his nails on the polished marble floor. he goes on over to nose at prompto before going over, tail wagging, to the side of the bed to meet noctis. he may also be trying to sniff at the tiny pupper]
Speak of the devil... My room's coming up too small as it turns out.
[he speaks fondly, and removes the bag from his back, looking inside for a bag full of snacks from the grocery.]
Hungry?
[he's got some chicken sandwiches and a sports drink]
[ He can't be mad. Honestly, he could use the company, so the thought of watching over two dogs doesn't at all bother him. Noctis has only seen Rufus a few times, but they've already become fast friends. Well, at least from Noctis' perspective.
Noctis holds the tiny pup in one arm, the other reaching to Rufus to pat his head. ]
What's up, big guy?
[ Prompto had a great idea. Dogs are an instant upper in situations like these. Noctis turns his attention back to Prompto. ]
Uh... Sure. Why not? I've got enough space for them.
[ Noctis scritches Rufus' head, looking to both of them for a moment. He hears Prompto's next question, though his gaze lingers on the small white pup. She nips at his nose briefly, which makes him flinch, but he exhales the slightest chuckle.
He'd been feeling absolutely awful a second ago, and the idea of eating something seemed impossible. Now? ]
[energy levels rising, prompto kicks off his sneakers and climbs towards the middle of the bed, sitting himself down. he puts the sports drink (yellow and deliciously hydrating) on noct's side and opens up the plastic container with the chicken sandwiches. there's twelve total, and prompto thought they could share.]
These ones are highly nutritious. Don't worry--no veggies in them. But they're creamy and a bit spicy. Here!
[you need to put the doggos down, bro]
I'll make sure to come around to take them for a walk in the mornings, after class, and at night. I'll bring their food and bowls too. I mean, I got some in my bag already... but, toys, also. I'll take them to their vet appointments as well. You won't need to move a finger, honest!
[ Rufus seems to be keen on doing his own thing, where he's freed once he realizes Prompto has food. The sweet puppy, however, is back to licking wherever she can reach on Noctis' face. It brings another laugh, his hands delicately holding her close. She's absolutely adorable, and he can't help the slight pause when Prompto promises to do the dirty work.
Noctis doesn't say anything to it. But he could...
He has to stop, placing the little one down and patting her head. She putters around the bed, hopping about and pouncing the little bump in the sheets that Noctis' feet make. He wiggles them around for her even as he turns his attention to Prompto. He takes a sandwich, opening the container. ]
Smells good.
[ He's still not entirely used to having a friend take care of him like this. But he doesn't seem put off by it once he takes that first bite.
[prompto smiles fondly. it's a victory whenever noctis gets to eat something. and, besides, he looks so much more livelier than he did a minute ago. his not-plan plan really worked out; he's especially more relieved that noctis agreed to take in his dogs. his place is really too small.]
Pretty good, huh?
[prompto also grabs at a sandwich, biting into it. rufus gets massively interested and tries climbing on the bed and atop prompto's lap to try at the sandwich. prompto gives him half.]
[...this makes prompto so happy]
I've been trying to think of a name for her. Thinking Tiny since she's so small.
[ Noctis doesn't bother trying to put the puppy onto the floor. She's perfectly fine here, and Noctis isn't even bothered by her nestling in his lap and begging. It's cute. And he... maybe just took a piece of bread from the sandwich to give to her. He scratches her fluffy little head. He's still in a world of pain, but this makes it easier to bear. ]
Tiny. I think that fits.
[ Noctis takes another bite of his sandwich, speaking slightly with his mouth full. ]
[this is fantastic, prompto thinks, and is quickly taking his phone out to take pictures of the puppy. don't worry noct, only your hands will be showing]
Glad you're getting on so well already. C'mon, eat up some more!
[he pushes the container with the sandwiches closer and then removes himself from the bed, picking up at the stuff strewn all over the floor. clothes land in the laundry basket and trash gets thrown in the bin, whereas things that fell off the table get back on the table.]
I'm thinking you could set up her bed here on this corner of your room. What do you think?
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no subject
Eventually, Noctis comes around and reminds himself this guy found him unconscious in his apartment, then waited over him in the hospital for months. Even going as far as sneaking in past visiting hours and hiding under his bed. He kind of owes the guy a bit more credit and leeway over his own personal self-esteem issues. ]
sure
no subject
if i'm being too much you gotta let me know
last thing i want is to make you feel worse about stuff
[prompto knows noctis has bad days. they talked about it, months back. obviously, noctis doesn't remember. and prompto doesn't want to say that he knows since he doesn't want noctis to distrust him.]
but i promise i'm not gonna be there to "check on you"
just to hang out
if today's not a good day at least let's both have some company yeah?
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i'm bringing you a present and some snacks
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[even if noctis is still in bed, prompto won't mind. neither does he mind the mess too much. he unleashes rufus, careful not to jostle the younger puppy, and says hello to etro, the cat queen of this place sitting on the counter, by scratching her between her ears. she seems pleased and rubs her nose against prompto's hand.]
Always good to see ya, Etro.
[smiling, he heads on over down the hallway]
Noct? Yo, you wanna see your present?
no subject
Etro is certainly good company, but she's a cat, and like Noct? Keeps to herself. That isn't to say she doesn't stick by him. She does, but cat things call, and she can't nurse over the disasterous lump of flesh always.
He hears Prompto come in, and somehow he feels the urge to hide even more. He looks like death, feels like death. Let's be real here, Prompto has seen far worse. At least he isn't hooked up to machines, but he just doesn't feel at his best. He sighs as Prompto comes through the hall, slowly peeking his head out from the blanket. ]
What?
no subject
Thanks for havin' me.
[is what he mutters, rubbing at the small puppy's belly.]
[but prompto does turn towards his best friend eventually, smile still on his face]
Look, it's my new friend.
[is he talking to the dog or noctis? doesn't matter, because in a matter of seconds he sets down the small dog onto the mattress, and she carefully and hesitantly tries making her way on the soft material under her paws]
Found her at the shelter. I fell in love immediately when she tried to keep up with me while jogging during our walk. Lasted a whole thirty minutes, which is a lot more than what you ever managed.
[a bigger smile still, the tiny dog heading over to the lump that is noctis, trying to climb atop him and giving up, preferring flatter terrain]
Cute, huh?
no subject
Oh.
Prompto turns around with a small little puppy in his arms, and his expression shifts to admirable curiosity. Noctis sits up slowly, watching as the little ball of fluff tries and fails to get under the sheets. Noctis absolutely adores animals, so there's no way he can stay grumpy in the face of this cute little thing. She scampers into his lap as soon as he sits up pawing at his chest. He manages a smile, despite the little jab at his hatred of jogs. ]
She is. Hah-- Hey, you.
[ She whimpers playfully at his sudden demeanor shift, hopping to try and reach his face. Noctis doesn't deny her in the slightest, picking her up so she can lick at his chin. ]
Kind of a sudden decision, isn't it? You already have one dog.
no subject
Mm, I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I kept her here? Rufus, too.
[almost on cue, rufus comes up, the clicking of his nails on the polished marble floor. he goes on over to nose at prompto before going over, tail wagging, to the side of the bed to meet noctis. he may also be trying to sniff at the tiny pupper]
Speak of the devil... My room's coming up too small as it turns out.
[he speaks fondly, and removes the bag from his back, looking inside for a bag full of snacks from the grocery.]
Hungry?
[he's got some chicken sandwiches and a sports drink]
no subject
Noctis holds the tiny pup in one arm, the other reaching to Rufus to pat his head. ]
What's up, big guy?
[ Prompto had a great idea. Dogs are an instant upper in situations like these. Noctis turns his attention back to Prompto. ]
Uh... Sure. Why not? I've got enough space for them.
[ Noctis scritches Rufus' head, looking to both of them for a moment. He hears Prompto's next question, though his gaze lingers on the small white pup. She nips at his nose briefly, which makes him flinch, but he exhales the slightest chuckle.
He'd been feeling absolutely awful a second ago, and the idea of eating something seemed impossible. Now? ]
I could eat.
no subject
[energy levels rising, prompto kicks off his sneakers and climbs towards the middle of the bed, sitting himself down. he puts the sports drink (yellow and deliciously hydrating) on noct's side and opens up the plastic container with the chicken sandwiches. there's twelve total, and prompto thought they could share.]
These ones are highly nutritious. Don't worry--no veggies in them. But they're creamy and a bit spicy. Here!
[you need to put the doggos down, bro]
I'll make sure to come around to take them for a walk in the mornings, after class, and at night. I'll bring their food and bowls too. I mean, I got some in my bag already... but, toys, also. I'll take them to their vet appointments as well. You won't need to move a finger, honest!
no subject
Noctis doesn't say anything to it. But he could...
He has to stop, placing the little one down and patting her head. She putters around the bed, hopping about and pouncing the little bump in the sheets that Noctis' feet make. He wiggles them around for her even as he turns his attention to Prompto. He takes a sandwich, opening the container. ]
Smells good.
[ He's still not entirely used to having a friend take care of him like this. But he doesn't seem put off by it once he takes that first bite.
You got him to eat!]
no subject
Pretty good, huh?
[prompto also grabs at a sandwich, biting into it. rufus gets massively interested and tries climbing on the bed and atop prompto's lap to try at the sandwich. prompto gives him half.]
[...this makes prompto so happy]
I've been trying to think of a name for her. Thinking Tiny since she's so small.
no subject
Tiny. I think that fits.
[ Noctis takes another bite of his sandwich, speaking slightly with his mouth full. ]
Mm--
What about you? Sound good?
[ She wags her little tail, barking. ]
Can't argue with that. Tiny it is.
no subject
Glad you're getting on so well already. C'mon, eat up some more!
[he pushes the container with the sandwiches closer and then removes himself from the bed, picking up at the stuff strewn all over the floor. clothes land in the laundry basket and trash gets thrown in the bin, whereas things that fell off the table get back on the table.]
I'm thinking you could set up her bed here on this corner of your room. What do you think?