kittycaterer | Recolle AU/OU COMBO BREAKER PSL

Recolle AU/OU COMBO BREAKER PSL - Prompto, Ignis and Noctis

[ Often times, Noctis would wonder when he would become like the normal citizens of Recolle. When he would become blissfully numb and unaware of the oddities that often fell upon those who lived there. With the Retrospec app comes the strange awareness of everything, and when it's taken away? Nothing.

He watched Gladio go from being in disbelief to the world around him to being completely unphased. As if he didn't even notice anything. Often times, Noctis wishes the same would come of him. The second he opens his eyes to an unfamiliar apartment and equally unfamiliar bed, he realizes he's not even one step closer to that.

The alarm buzzing from the cellphone on a nearby nightstand is unfamiliar as it yanks Noctis from a dead slumber. His eyes open to the morning light spilling through the windows, and he rolls to his side to turn off the offending sound.

It's not his phone.

Noctis sits up quick to try and figure out how to turn it off. It's a smart phone, but not at all like the one he has. When it shuts off, he's met with a wallpaper. Himself and Prompto; not weird, but...

They're wearing uniforms in it. Prompto grinning his usual, stupid grin with his hair matted down, a green-striped tie loose around his neck in a blueish blazer. Noctis' hair is significantly shorter in this picture. Prompto and him never went to school together. He's only known him a couple years at best. It's then that a text message comes through, the name not unfamiliar but.

Definitely unexpected.

Dad:
Noctis, it is 12:30.
You were to be here for briefing at 10, as we discussed.
Son, I understand you are newly graduated, but please remember your duty.
You are two days from 20 years and no longer a child.
I've sent Ignis to retrieve you.
- Message sent Sunday, August 28th M.E. 755 12:30PM ]

What?

[ Noctis' eyes go wide, looking at the phone as if something has started to crawl through it. Not only is he being told he's 19 years old, but duty?

What?

He rips the blanket off of him and jumps out of bed. He's only in his boxers, but he doesn't think about that when he yanks the curtains open to see that this is not the city that he is familiar with. This obviously isn't his penthouse in Recolle, and this...

This looks like... ]

... This... Isn't right...

[ Oh god. Oh no. Oh no, this is Insomnia. ]

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[noctis probably looked away and into his hands because of the look that prompto gave him--of disbelief and of "you're pulling my leg, dude," only to grow more concerned as noctis goes on--too convinced and serious for this to be a prank.]

[instead of going for a funny quip, prompto instead puts a hesitant hand over noctis's shoulder]

So, let me get this straight. You're Noct from a parallel universe, from this place called Earth, and your life was pretty wacky after moving to a new city. And now you've replaced the Noct from Insomnia, meaning that he-- must be in Recolle...?

Sounds a little hard to believe.

[but]

...next step is: how do we get you back, yeah?

[ Christ, he hadn’t even thought of that. Of the other Noctis winding up in Recolle...

Noctis jolts at the hand to his shoulder, looking up and over to Prompto. Bewildered because he instantly seeks out a solution rather than just outwardly questioning him. ]

You—

... You believe me?

[he pulls back, a bit offended at the question]

[then gestures at the apartments and houses around the field]

Which one's mine?

[ Noctis looks out, absolutely clueless. ]

Uh—

You live out here?

Yeah. You've been at least twice to my place.

[but it just shows that he's right]

--dude. Buddy. Of course I believe you. You still are Noctis, different universe or not.

Last thing I want is for you to feel that you can't even trust me.

[ Noctis takes a heavy exhale, feeling the first bit of relief since waking up here. His posture slacks as he leans forward, rubbing at his face. ]

Sorry, I just—

It’s been... Hard.

[ His Head turns, looking to his friend. Of course he’s understanding. That’s just classic Prompto, and Noct’s heart aches to the reminder of that. He chooses not to tell him about their relationship, because there’s still so much. ]

What am I supposed to do?

Don't take this the wrong way, but you're... actually a lot softer than the Noct I grew up with.

[he smiles, nudging noctis lightly on his thigh]

As for what to do... hmm... Iggy? Don't think this is something you could go to your -- your? Dad? Is it your dad?

Softer?

[ He’s not sure if that’s a relief or not. Noctis boggles a bit at that, looking down at their knees touching. And he’s reminded yet again that this Prompto isn’t the one he’s been dating for several months. Noctis turns a touch red, hoping that the compliment can be blamed. He sighs as he rubs at the back of his neck, still surprised to find significantly less hair there. ]

He’s the same person. Just... Not. Not here. He thought I was sick when I saw him yesterday.

And Ignis...

He’s in the same boat as me, actually.

I guess that's Iggy out for the count in this.

[he frowns momentarily]

Could you ask Lady Lunafreya? [...] You -- do know who that is, right?

[pauses]

The Nifs are coming to the city to discuss a peace treaty. If we can't figure this out until then, you should at least learn to act like Noct, you know?

Lunafreya?

[ That should answer the question. But he’s immediately diverted back to the reminder that royal duties are a thing. He hears Prompto, but the words “peace treaty” sound even more bizarre to him. Because anything he’s seen in his memories of Niflheim is anything but peaceful.

His eyes widen, scooting back. ]

Wait—

We’re discussing a peace treaty? That’s.

[ All Noctis can See is the magitek soldiers. Lifeless and cold. The dark snow and pervading darkness. Noctis winces and shakes his head. ]

Oh no.

No this is bad.

Dude, nah, hold on -- chill.

That's some months away, really.

[he frowns at noctis's reaction]

We don't trust Nifs. King Regis isn't going to make some choice to doom us all or anything. We got this.

[ Should he say something? Does he even know what the hell he is talking about? Noctis’ memories of this place are few and scattered. And his head starts to hurt because he can’t grasp any of this. He tries to keep a calm demeanor, instead running his hands down his face as he leans forward again, jogging his leg. ]

I’m gonna be sick.

[prompto rubs his back consolingly. this has got to be a lot]

You share a notebook with Lady Lunafreya. She's the Oracle, y'see. She confers with the Astrals and all that. Maybe she can get some answers over this whole situation?

[ His stomach twists, but god if he isn’t drawn to the consoling that Prompto gives. He wants so badly to tell him the full truth but he knows he can’t. Noctis rubs at his face as he tries to register what Prompto is saying. Who he’s talking about. Noctis has no recollection of anyone named Lunafreya, much less what an Oracle is.

What is he supposed to do outside of that? Sure, there may be answers in this book, but Noctis doesn’t even know where to start with all this. With a sigh, his hands drop, and he leans back against Prompto’s hand. ]

Well. You were right.

Guess we are the same people. I denied it tooth and nail, and here we are.

[ He’s talking about the Prompto in his world. ]

Where’s this book? And Lady Lunafreya...

[he stares at noctis for a moment]

This happened once. It can happen again, and you'll get thrown back. Maybe it's the Astrals having a laugh at you.

[it's not much comfort, but still...]

The book's gotta be at your place. As for Lady Lunafreya... you usually call her 'Luna' by the way-- she's in Tenebrae. Tenebrae's been part of the Empire for some years now, so she's basically a prisoner. You guys communicate through her magical dogs, though, so the Empire isn't aware of what's going on.

[ Tenebrae? Magical dogs? It’s not like Noctis is unaware of these kinds of things, he has special abilities and plenty memory of it but that doesn’t mean it stops being weird.

But what makes him the most at awe here is that he isn’t sick. He hasn’t felt the usual exhaustion he feels. Sure, he’s tired, but for something completely different. And there’s so much on his mind right now, he can’t help but sigh and stand up. ]

I need a drink.

[ One thing he’s earned from his time in Recolle: bad boy tendencies. He reaches to put his hood over his hat. ]

Any idea where we can sneak any of that?

[ since hes apparently underage now. ]

[prompto stands abruptly, worriedly]

Seriously? I don't think we could!

[security being pretty tight and glaives always be watching]

[ Noctis shoves his hands in his hoodie pockets, starting to descend back to the ground. He’s stressed, he’s exhausted, and he wants to stop caring about his situation for the evening. ]

We’ll figure it out, come on.

He-hey, wait up!

[prompto clambers up to his feet, hurrying after noctis]

Dude, I dunno what it was like for you where you come from, but here you're the prince.

[prompto puts a wary hand to wrap around noctis's arm, attempting to stop him so the other can look at him]

There's always a glaive nearby, and people easily recognize who you are. You can't just ... get a case of beer with a fake ID or whatever.

[ Noctis’ feet touch the ground and he only makes it a few steps before he’s stopped. Prompto’s arm locked with his own where it earns his attention and gaze. He looks up to him, expression a bit blank, if not a touch bewildered. Because even if he’s a CEO’s son, he didn’t actively have bodyguards around him. Just... Nannies and nurses.

He’s not too sure he wants to divulge that right now. Being told he’s a prince makes him sick to his stomach, because he’s got a habit of denying it tooth and nail.

Not only that, but Prompto is hanging on to him. A Prompto who is presumably straight. The contact is a bit startling for him, and so he meekly looks away with a huff. ]

Never thought I’d wanna trade off for a sick body again.

[ He sighs, rubbing at his face. ]

Fine, just... I need a minute where I’m not dealing with this.

[prompto just gets the impression that noctis is uncomfortable with being touched like this. so, what he does is let go of him, taking a few steps back and giving him the space he needs to breathe and collect his bearings.]

Right.

What's something that's familiar and normal to you? Back in where you came from.

[ Prompto lets go, likely because he probably looked like he was uncomfortable. But the distance puts the slightest crack in his armor. Noctis looks Prompto’s way, then looks down again...

This is possibly his worst nightmare. He isn’t ready for this. He doesn’t want this, and here’s Prompto having no recollection of the relationship they have elsewhere. And it’s not like Noctis can just tell him; this was enough of a bomb to drop on the guy. Who’s been nothing but understanding and eager to help.

Prompto is right here and yet he still misses him entirely. It’s an odd sense of being for him. Noctis rubs at the back of his neck as his eyes glance back to the blonde, unsure of how he’ll sound but it’s not wrong. Ignis is going through the same motions here but he’s equally lost. There’s only so much he can do and yet here stands Prompto, calm as can be despite the news. ]

... Just you.

Edited 2018-04-28 18:35 (UTC)

[prompto waits for a response, doing his best to not let the silence in the pause between question and answer enhance just how terrifying this whole situation actually is. how is noctis supposed to pass off as the prince of lucis? well, it helps that he's got an estranged relationship with his father at the moment. but it's still going to be a bit of a mammoth task. ignis is also out of the equation--which sucks more than prompto would have thought--and gladio may actually be too hotheaded to believe this.]

[plus, he's not that familiar with noctis's royal family, so to speak.]

[the response to his question ends up catching him by surprise instead, emotion easily deflected by the small but sad smile that prompto offers noctis.]

Yeah? Flattered, dude.

[it's vulnerable; everything about this is vulnerable. noctis is usually the more reserved of the two, which is why prompto takes this as a chance to pull noctis into an embrace, closing the distance between them.]

I'll grab some clothes and we can have a long sleepover. Y'know my folks don't mind. Sounds like a plan?

[ Noctis is used to a life of instability. It’s been the main aspect of his life, being as deathly ill as he had been. Moving to Recolle under the impression he’d find enlightenment and maturity in his schooling, only to land himself in a world manipulated into—

Well, this.

This unfamiliar sky he stands beneath, the unfamiliar buildings that scrape through the skies and find a blunt, but transparent wall above them. And apparently he’s responsible for all of it now. There’s hardly a face here that Noctis recognizes, yet they all recognize him. Everything about this whole situation is unstable, but far beyond what he’s prepared for.

Except for Prompto. They’ve both got essentially no one here and here he is, taking the reigns. Because even where he comes from, it’s usually him who has it somewhat together. At least by appearance.

He’s engulfed in Prompto’s embrace and it almost startles him. Knowing full well that they aren’t an item here, this sudden hug is far more than what he’d anticipated. Noctis stands like a deer in headlights for the slightest moment before blinking to his reality and lifting his arms in kind. Prompto suggests they have a sleepover and Noctis hugs a bit firmer because yeah, the last thing he wants is to be alone right now. ]

Yeah.

Sounds like a plan.

[when prompto pulls back, he looks resolute. you can tell that he'll do what he can to make sure noctis gets his way, at least in terms of how he wants to feel about this whole situation.]

Onwards to my place, then. We'll grab some non-alcoholic stuff to drink and stock up on gross snacks, then we'll chill and play videogames. [before noctis thinks that prompto is forgetting the important thing here, he adds] At least for tonight.

[he gestures vaguely towards the houses]

This way. I'll show you my crib.

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