Chapter Text
Noctis didn’t know what he was doing.
His so-called ‘plan’ was just plain-out stupid, and Astrals, maybe even dangerous. Noctis could not specifically describe what was going through his head as he continued to make his way to the sketchier parts of Insomnia, but what he did know for sure was that he was damn-well determined to continue. The reason for that was one based off of desperation, and the Prince of Lucis felt urged to find a way to manage with his wearisome issues. On the top of the list, the cherry of the metaphorical cake, was that the stresses of his everyday life were only increasing, and in turn the alleviations dwindling. The scale of the pros and cons were most definitely unbalanced, and only degenerating since he had begun to take actual notice, both in his personal and professional life.
It had come to his attention that his many, sleepless nights were beginning to accumulate, and along with this, his patience was seemingly non-existent—that distressing, little fact made the prince most distraught for multiple reasons. Despite his will to be laid-back and somewhat nonchalant, his edgy temper was at an all-time high. The shocked or hurt looks he was noticing from his advisor, the withering and repulsed glares from his Shield, both only gouging at the noticeably expanding hole within him, their demeanour around him having changed ever so slightly—but it was still noticeable. Of course, it was. He couldn’t help but notice that his only friends were beginning to regard him differently, and it was his fault—it made him want to scream. Noctis had become more and more so unable to hold himself back before whatever the hell came out of his mouth in a period of anxiety, only seeping in self-pity after he had made comments that he didn’t mean at all. He was told that hormones were what caused such behaviour, but he was an adult now, and seemingly worse than he was a few years ago.
Noctis saw no way to immediately patch up his struggles and fill the void; no matter how hard he tried, he just ended up getting upset with himself, and then taking that out on those around him. It was petty, and immature, but he couldn’t fix it. He saw no way how to.
And so, after weeks of deliberation, the prince resolved to simply settle on some variety of consolation. He wasn’t looking to completely repair; only to reduce his apprehensions and stresses, particularly for the future. He just wanted relief. And it wasn’t just for him that he wanted it; it was also for his companions’ sakes, as well. They didn’t deserve to have to take such antagonisms from him, because his suffering was not their fault.
Because Noctis was suffering; that was quite clear to him, and had been for a while. He had distressing worries about the harsh future, and about his dad, plaguing his mind with unceasing tedium. Along with that, the man constantly found himself with his hands full with either meetings, training, or mandatory royal educations that he needed to attend to and complete on a deadline. Besides his Shield and advisor, no other friends made themselves known to him, and if they did, his social awkwardness and withdrawn conduct was enough to push them away within a certain period of time.
He had time to himself, sure. Especially since he had finished school. But those moments weren’t spent doing something fun, or productive. Without his two companions being by his side at all times, he’d have abundant spans of solitude. And whenever he was alone, he’d find himself fixating on all the regrettable things he had said that day, or what was going to happen in the future. To him, or his two friends. His dad, as well.
Obsessing about his troubles had become the norm with him, and sometimes he’d even forget what there was to look forward to. Even though the life of a prince sounded about as glamorous as it got, Noctis couldn’t see how it could get any more predictable. The only surprises he got were negative, like sudden calls about something he did wrong from a frustrated advisor, or disheartening news that his father’s health had taken a rough turn once again.
Just little aches in his chest. Tiny jibes at his heart that he couldn’t quite recover from before a successive blow pierced once again. Over the last two years or so, he had lost count over how many times he succumbed to these debauching feelings.
But even so, there was no way he could mention to anyone what was going on inside of his head. He was supposed to be the prince, prepared to take over the entire kingdom when it was his time; how could anyone take him seriously knowing that he was already crying himself to sleep just because he was troubled and lonely? No way would he speak out, not even to his father, not ever. He just couldn’t.
Someway, somehow, he would have to handle things himself.
Shortly after reaching that conclusion, Noctis realized that he needed something more, even if it wasn’t a constant fix. He wouldn’t dare settle for drugs, of course, but rather something less extreme; something quick, distracting, and possibly even way out of his comfort zone.
Somehow, after those weeks of mental debation, he found himself making his way to find a prostitute.
It was mind-boggling, even to him, to realize exactly what it was that he was doing, but it was most definitely efficient for what he had in mind. To be able to lose himself in hazy, unadulterated ecstasy. What could be easier?
Noctis hoped that if he repeated that last line enough times, he’d begin to believe it.
It was a few months ago, when Ignis was busy driving him to an event at an unpractically late hour, when at a stop he noticed a discreet transaction between some dude and a middle-aged woman in fishnet stockings. The guy handed her some cash, she in turn nodding with a lazy smile on her face, but Ignis drove off before he could see what happened next. But even so, it just notified him that such things were going on. He didn’t think much of it back then, and didn’t even mention it to his advisor. But now, it proved to be the source of his idea.
On one hand, he could’ve possibly contacted a brothel instead of opting for something as dodgy as a street hooker, but he didn’t want to chance anything that could be considered official in any way. He didn’t want any signatures, any sign-ups, any possibility that he could be recognized by more than one person. After all, entering a sex establishment in the kingdom he was to rule sounded like the definition of a bad idea. He couldn’t risk it, especially since Ignis practically scanned all of his financial remittances, privacy be damned.
He needed real cash, and no witnesses. He was pretty sure if he paid the prostitute enough, they would keep their mouth shut. And even if they didn’t, who would believe a single person saying that they were offered money for sex with the Prince of Lucis? Never the best at strategizing, or thinking things through in general, really, this appeared to be his best bet. It was definitely not foolproof, but he was beyond desperate at the moment.
Desperate for relief. To spend the night with someone sounded as if it would most assuredly provide that exact thing. Sex would help him calm down, or at least he hoped it would. He was seeking to go all the way with someone because on one side, Noctis masturbated often, it was true—but it just didn’t do enough anymore. It didn’t send him anywhere, and he couldn’t block out his unease even during his climax. Sometimes he’d be so down that he couldn’t even will himself to get hard. He guessed that with another person, having real sex for the first time in over two years, he’d have no choice but to lose himself in whatever sensations he was welcomed to.
No work, no status, no judgement. Just mindless, engrossing bliss that he could share with another. It didn’t sound like it was too much to ask for. He wanted to neglect his issues, and forgo his problems, even if it was just once. Since he had finished school, stuff like playing hooky and disregarding work had become a thing of the past. Everything was beginning to pile up, and he had no release. He could only hold onto everything, and try to hold himself together whilst he was at it. He had shallowly mentioned to Ignis a few times that he was feeling stressed, at times when he just couldn’t hold it all in, but his advisor suggested things such as therapy, or possibly massages. Noctis couldn’t ever see himself doing therapy again, and he’d do a whole lot in order to prevent any stranger’s hands from making contact with his back. He craved more so than anything to just let some steam out of the pot that was the manifestation of his worries. A balance was highly anticipated, and when the idea of possibly shaping such a thing came to his mind, he went to work immediately for a plan.
He would never have ordered Ignis to have someone sent up to his room, or anything of the sort. He’d never be able to look at his advisor the same way, no matter how understandable it might’ve turned out to be. Plus, his Shield would’ve most certainly been notified of his request, and he’d rather die than have to try and live down that one. ‘Noctis, the royal douche who was so unappealing that he had to order people to satisfy his sexual needs, because no one would be willing to do so themselves.’
He could practically hear the words spilling out of Gladiolus’ mouth with a smug smirk accompanying, the irksome tone augmented due to his amassed disdain with the prince.
And besides, that wasn’t what was going to happen, anyway. He wasn’t just going to force someone to serve him. Definitely not.
He was paying for this. There was a difference. Most certainly.
Noctis had everything planned out. He had waited for the perfect time, where Ignis would be at the citadel all night, and the next day, working. Gladiolus was making a visit to his sister for around the same duration, and the prince himself had no pressing matters to attend to. Noctis had arranged one of the less conspicuous cars to drive out of his apartment, and since he had his license, the whole plot played out in seclusion. No drivers. Perfect.
And so here he was, the mellow moonlight streaming through the Wall seamlessly and dancing along with the already bright city lights, the prince having already been gazing over sketchy streets through his dark-tinted windows for a while. Even so, he had a scarf wrapped around his neck, and huge sunglasses concealing a large portion of his more easily-definable features. He even pulled his hair back into a small knot, just to differentiate between his usual style that was consistently plastered throughout the tabloids. A wad of cash that amounted to one thousand crowns nestled safely in his pocket, the prince having obtained such a sum through more discreet means, insinuating Ignis couldn’t possibly find out about it.
There were countless faces he passed, some old, young, male, female. But most of the areas were crowded, and so he made sure to avoid them as well as he could. He spotted some women who were dressed rather promiscuously, but they were always stumbling around with friends, not looking to open their legs for money. Ignoring everyone who was accompanied by another, Noctis began to give up on hope. He thought it would be easier than this, but for some reason, he was having trouble simply finding a single soul.
Turning into a darker, much more quiet street for the second time that night, Noctis drove slowly, peering through his windows with distinct regard. For some reason, the whole, filthy street was void of intense lighting, and appeared to be desolate. That was, until he finally saw someone.
A woman, clad in a short skirt, pretty hair, and alone. She wasn’t really walking anywhere, more like just standing there. Like she was waiting.
Taking that as a hint for what the woman did in her spare time, Noctis took a massive breath before he finally pulled up near her, his heart thudding in his chest with erratic repetition. The engine cut off hastily, and the sudden silence was almost overwhelming. In the movies, the woman would always walk up to the window and lean against it as she and the dude negotiated payment. The woman he saw all those months ago did the same. He guessed that was how this would turn out.
And so, with that in mind, Noctis grimaced when the lady finally took a harsh look at the car that pulled up so closely to her with an unmistakable frown, taking a step back. And then another. Ultimately, she was walking away, the prince obviously having been mistaken of her intentions, or what would have been her intentions if she was actually a prostitute. And his misguided actions had only proven to scare the poor girl.
After all this time, he finally managed to pull up to someone he had hope for, and she ran away. They didn’t even exchange words, his creepy approach enough to send her running for the hills. It was only the first stop, and yet he found that he had already completely given up by that point. What was the use? He was just wasting his time. It was stupid to have thought that this would have worked in the first place.
Gazing out towards the direction where the woman had scampered off to, lost in self-deprecating thoughts, a sudden, light tapping against his window nearly made him cry out in shock, Noctis’ head whipping around to see who had approached him without his notice.
Through the vague darkness beyond his window, blue eyes stared into his own through his sunglasses, the distance between them minor, the eyes belonging to a body who had taken another step backwards after having knocked. The body of a male.
“Y-Yes?” Noctis inquired suspiciously after he rolled down his window until it was halfway open, suddenly becoming hyperaware of just how sketchy the dark street he was parked on was. Maybe he should’ve just ignored him.
After a few more moments of mental questions flowing without restraint whilst he waited for an explanation for knocking on his window like this, Noctis observed exactly what the guy looked like with instinctive haste.
Longish, blonde hair adorned his paler face messily, but not in an unappealing way. Freckles dispersed across the young man’s nose and cheeks, the look sort of conveying a kind of innocence in his apparent, impersonal appearance. Analyzing even further, Noctis perceived he wasn’t especially tall, but in no way lacking height. But it was whilst observing the guy’s figure did Noctis finally take immediate notice to how the man was dressed.
Impossibly tight, dark leather shorts clung without restraint to the guy’s waist, Noctis able to make out things that would most certainly get helpless gawks in a more public place. Two dark, bulky twin bracelets clung to his wrists, the shallow design engaging. Most of the guy’s stomach was bare, toned muscles clearly visible there, too. A charcoal, open vest jacket hung over his shoulders, the only thing underneath a harness of some sort that was obviously meant to emphasize the man’s pecs, a smattering of freckles adorning the muscles there, as well. He was probably wearing shoes.
And that was it.
There was no other notion that came to Noctis’ mind whilst contemplating what the man in front of him was supposed to be.
“…Are you looking for a good time?” the stranger inquired almost softly as he purposely leaned forwards once more, a hint of stiffness in his posture, perturbation in his voice. It wasn’t especially deep or robust, and it lacked the sort of masculinity Noctis would’ve expected from a guy wearing a harness like that. It belonged to the sort of guy you’d call buddy, the kind who’d continually come and hang out at your home, and not on the streets, looking to use his body for easy cash.
It was only then did Noctis realize he was just staring at the stranger without saying a word. Replaying what he was certain he had heard, a dark flush blossomed to his cheeks within seconds.
“I-I beg your pardon…?” he eventually squeaked out in a voice unbefitting of a twenty-year-old, let alone a prince, the man unable to pull his gaze away from the blonde who was now eying him thoughtfully through the half-open window. He felt incredibly stupid in his bulky sunglasses and scarf, but he didn’t dare take them off.
“I said,” he reiterated without changing his previous tone, “Are you looking for a good time, man? I’m one of the people who provide them, in case you didn’t get that straight away—considering that you can pay the fee, of course.”
Noctis felt like blowing up. Astrals, what was he supposed to do in this situation? If he said no and tried to pull away, would this guy try and murder him? Would he just let him go? His lack of experience immediately settled his thoughts to the worst-case scenarios, and he was rendered afflicted in his decision.
But at the same time… something sparked inside of his mind. Something foreign, almost completely unrecognizable. It was blatant to the prince that he’d most likely never have considered this in any other circumstance; and yet here it was, trying its best to curl its grip into his brain, aiming to ultimately captivate his more urgent attention. He couldn’t bring himself to ignore the possibility.
…Was this night to be entirely fruitless, after all? Could he… Could he possibly bring a guy back to his apartment? He was going for a distraction, something new and exciting—that definitely fit the piece, right?
Quickly glancing up and down the man outside his window once more, he noticed that he was just waiting patiently, like he had all the time in the world.
Insecurities were abruptly regarded with slight disdain, and Noctis couldn’t wrap his head around it. Maybe it was because it would be something he had never, ever done before, but anxious fixations settled in record time, and he couldn’t even think of an answer to his previous question.
Seconds later, and uncertainty got the better of him, the prince ultimately deciding against it. There was just something unsettling about this entire situation, and he more or less just wanted to get the hell out of there. He was stupid and immature to have even attempted to do something like this. And as childish as it sounded, he just wanted to go home.
“Um… I don’t know…” Noctis finally murmured with forced hesitation, hoping that the guy would take the hint and leave him be.
“You don’t have to be nervous, dude,” the man announced abruptly, the word ‘dude’ startling the prince momentarily, “There’s no shame in a little pleasure. And I’ll be sure to make you feel real good, I promise. If you’re looking for some experience, I can most definitely provide. If it’s something stressin’ you out, I’ll make it all disappear.” A slightly strained smirk was sent his way. “Just give me a few moments, and I’ll persuade you yet.”
Noctis had frozen, despite his already-rigid position. That last option was what he wanted. Exactly that. He wanted it so badly, but was this really the right way to get it? Why was he even considering it again, after having already decided against it? Wasn’t there something easier, a simpler way…?
“C’mon, babe,” the guy suddenly whispered out in a voice that practically oozed out sensuality, Noctis not even having realized he had closed some distance between the window and his person. The guy’s lashes fluttered charmingly as he pouted ever so slightly. “I’ll do whatever you tell me, like a good, little boy… What do ya say?”
Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap.
This was so wrong. Noctis forgot how to process properly. He couldn’t possibly be replaying the words over and over in his head because he found it in various ways enticing and hopelessly captivating.
…And yet that was exactly what was happening. What was it about that dirty line that turned him on so much? And coming out of a dude’s mouth, he should’ve been even more opposed to it, right?
…Right?
“…W-What are your rates?”
At first confusion lingered within him, but it only took a little while for Noctis to realize that those questionable words came out of his own mouth. The prince had to stop himself from slamming his head against the dashboard in unparalleled mortification, the blush burning across his face so fiercely he feared the man before him would laugh.
But the blonde didn’t seem to notice, or if he did, he just didn’t care. He simply smiled almost wickedly, and for a second, Noctis had to contemplate over whether or not he was just baited by a male prostitute. Not exactly something royalty did often.
“One hundred for an hour,” the guy eventually replied, that impish smirk still on his face, “More if you want to go crazy and really make it last. Either way, I’ll give you what you want.”
For that price, he could most definitely accomplish what he had been craving for weeks, now. He shouldn’t be doing it, and he could just imagine the look on Ignis’ face, or his father’s, if they somehow found out what level he was stooping to.
But that didn’t stop his head from nodding, a clear indication that he accepted this guy’s terms.
Noctis couldn’t believe this was happening. A prostitute was currently circling around his car to climb into the passenger side, and worst of all, he was waiting for them. For him. Was he going to have sex with another man? How was that even going to work? He’d never… He’d never done something like this, not even in high school. It wasn’t even really something he considered, so why was he just letting it happen? Did he actually want to fall through with this, and spend the night with this guy?
The slamming of the opposite-side door startled him out of his thoughts, Noctis gazing over to the now-occupied car seat, regarding the new addition to the car’s interior. It was an effort in itself not to accidently let his eyes wonder, the bulge in the guy’s skimpy pants somehow even more prominent now that he was sitting down. He was moderately surprised that the blonde didn’t mention his own bizarre-looking accessories, but he wouldn’t take them off. Not yet.
“Where do you wanna do this, then?” the guy asked him without retracting eye-contact, his index and middle finger delicately brushing against his thumb, most likely a nervous habit. Although he didn’t seem nervous…
“Uh…” Noctis mumbled, mentally scrambling for what he thought would be the right answer. He had originally planned to take the prostitute back to his apartment, and since he had nothing to do work-wise, both Ignis and Gladiolus out of the picture as well, he wouldn’t be in any rush to eradicate any and all possible evidence that was left behind. Also, the ‘tools’ for any acts of sex were hiding quietly in his bedside table. But now…? He was unsure of how much he wanted to bring this stranger into his home.
…But he guessed he’d enjoy it a lot more surrounded by the familiar, safe walls of his apartment, considering that this was actually happening, of course. He couldn’t exactly decide whether or not he had banged his head so hard on something that he somehow managed to fall into a dream about this.
But since the latter seemed unlikely, the prince considered the question once more, even so ending up with the same solution as before. He wanted to ditch his stresses; not add a constant paranoia over whether someone was peering in through the glass of his windows wherever they decided to park. And he couldn’t go to some hotel, either. Options were definitely limited, and he hoped this guy would understand without any thorough explanation necessary.
“I… was hoping to just take you back to my place, actually. It isn’t far,” Noctis finally got out, his voice indecisive even to his own ears.
Silence accompanied, the guy opposite of him looking as if he was contemplating his response, biting his lip suddenly. The mature-like, sexy attitude appeared to waver for a second or two, a glimpse of something odd streaking over the blonde’s features, only for it to revert to the previous expression and remain frozen. “…I’m not sure how comfortable I am knowing that I’ll be in your place. You understand, don’t you?”
“O-Of course,” Noctis assured whilst licking his lips, nodding to emphasize his point, “It’s just that… well, I’ve never done this before, and I’d prefer to be somewhere I felt more calm, or something. I swear I’m not a psycho or anything, I’d just really… like what you previously offered. To make my stresses disappear, even if just for a little bit?” That insinuated that he chose the former, one-hour option whence concerning payment, but he quickly decided to add, “And I’m not planning on anything… extreme,” just in case.
The guy stared for a little longer, before he tilted his head slightly to the side, his expression pensive. “When you say, ‘you’ve never done this before’, what is it that you’re referring to? Hiring a hooker, or…?”
It wasn’t even another second before Noctis realized what the blonde was implying, a flush rising to his cheeks once again. Before he could say anything, the stranger beat him to it.
“I couldn’t help but notice you and that woman,” he spoke plainly, Noctis’ breath hitching at the mention of his recent mishap. “You stopped for her, yes?”
Noctis resolved that there was no point in denying it, even though this was just a stranger he was conversing with.
“…Yes,” the prince finally admitted, unsure of why this guy was interrogating him about that, the prince embarrassed no matter the reason, anyway.
“And yet here we are,” he finished, regarding the prince with what appeared to be curiosity. “…Are you okay with me?”
Noctis blinked multiple times out of shock, the question having taken him aback. It was certainly something that he himself was pondering over, as well. “I… I never considered it before, being intimate with another man… but, I guess…?”
“So, I’ll be your first?” came the response.
The prince nodded slowly whilst his face continued to burn hotly, Noctis unable to look the man opposite of himself in the eyes. Why the hell were they having this conversation, like they knew each other or something? Wasn’t a prostitute willing to have sex with practically anyone? No questions asked? What was the point of making this awkward?
“You’re putting quite the level of pressure on me, y’know?” the guy eventually spoke with a hint of amusement in his voice, “Guess I gotta try my best, now, huh?”
Oh, Gods. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pressure you, or anything, I just-“
“I’m just teasing you,” the blonde interjected quickly, Noctis blinking as he peered back into the man’s eyes in surprise. He just laughed at his stiff response. “Gods, how pent up are you, man?”
Noctis just bit his lip as he glanced out the windshield in a vain attempt to conceal his ever-increasing blush, once again wondering how the hell he let himself end up in this situation. Although, however uncomfortable he was, somewhere, deep down, he was glad he managed to reel in someone who didn’t appear to be a complete and utter psychopath. And despite the fact that another penis was mixed into the offer, the guy was a rather beautiful, young specimen, he had to admit. His eyes, hair, freckled skin, blatantly apparent sex appeal… maybe this wouldn’t be too bad, after all. He just needed to stop fixating so much.
A few more seconds breezed by, not a word being conversed. That was, until he heard the, “The name’s Argentum, by the way.” emitting from the blonde.
Looking over at the guy, ‘Argentum’, Noctis only then remembered that he had to introduce himself, as well.
Oh, boy.
Suddenly hyperaware that this could turn out to spoil his night, the prince knew he had to do this right. He had to prepare for a bad response, along with making sure his wording wasn’t too immediately alerting.
He wasn’t looking forward to this, and he could only hope this Argentum dude would take it better than he thought he would.
“Um… there’s something I should tell you,” he spoke slowly and carefully, just praying that he wouldn’t somehow manage to scare off this one, as well. Hypothetically, would he himself care that the guy he would be opening his legs for was the next ruler of the entire kingdom?
…Maybe it would be best not to ask himself that question again.
Argentum just waited without moving too much, his eyes even more blue now that they were caught in the light gleaming from the roof.
Before the prince revealed himself for real, Noctis opted to just ask a quick question first. “You… You don’t have a camera, do you?”
Real smooth. Provide mysterious tension to an already insane approaching question. Where the hell was Ignis’ terminology when he needed it?
But even though Noctis understood how weird it was to ask a question like that right out of the blue, despite its necessity, Argentum didn’t seem all too fazed, oddly enough. “Not right now, I don’t. I don’t even bring my phone to work. You don’t have to worry about whatever it is you’re worrying about.”
Taking a massive breath, the prince decided to just speak plainly, despite a frightened voice inside of him screaming at him to make a run for it. “My name’s Noctis.”
He counted to three before he received an initial reaction, Argentum’s eyes finally narrowing slightly, his lips tightening in obvious disbelief. “Noctis,” he repeated in a doubtful, flat voice, his tone conveying immense incredulity. “As in… Prince Noctis?”
Realizing that he had no other choice, lest he wanted to spend his night of wonders clad in pulled-back hair, crazy sunglasses, and maybe even the scarf, Noctis slowly reached up to take the articles off, despite his better judgement. The gasp that emitted from Argentum once he did so completely overshadowed the controlled façade of his, the strident sound higher pitched and obviously shocked. His mouth dropped open. His eyes widened to three times their previous sizes.
“You’re… You’re Prince Noctis?!” Argentum gaped without even trying to conceal his astonishment, Noctis cringing slightly at the echo of noise in the car. Yep, he resolved he could’ve done this better.
Even so, the prince just nodded slowly, taking out his hair now that he was at it. He felt slightly better now that it was out in the open, however open a closed-off car with only the two of them in there could be, but could only predict what would happen next.
“I-I… I gotta go,” Argentum abruptly announced, turning around in his seat to push open the door without another word being spoken.
Despite having guessed that that would’ve been the response, alarms were suddenly blaring in the only moments he found he had left. Without even thinking about it, Noctis reached out and grabbed Argentum’s arm, the instinctive action drawing a sharp look from the blonde as his head spun around to face him once again. But it wasn’t solely anger. There was something else there, too.
“I’m sorry,” Noctis blurted out, not even thinking of his next words before he spoke them, “I wanted to tell you earlier, but I just had to make sure-“
“It doesn’t matter!” Argentum yelled loudly, staring at the prince through wide and almost fearful eyes, “There’s no way this is happening, who knows what’d happen to me if I got caught out, I-“
“There’s no way you’d get caught!” Noctis quickly interrupted, his voice pleading, “I swear, nothing will happen! I won’t let anything-“
“Listen! You’re the prince, I can’t just-“
“One thousand!” Noctis suddenly exclaimed desperately in the heat of the moment, Argentum’s movements eventually coming to a complete halt, arguments dying on his lips. The idea of blurting out a sum was completely spontaneous, and yet it seemed to have the desirous effect of stupefaction.
“…What?” Argentum demanded after a moment, his eyes slightly narrowed.
“I’ll give you a thousand crowns, just for an hour,” Noctis quickly got out now that it was obvious he had obtained Argentum’s undivided attention. “…Please.”
Reaching into his pocket, Noctis pulled out the cash roll he had stashed there, handing it to Argentum without a second thought; it was more of an act of trust than anything, because he knew full well that the blonde could literally just make a run for it as soon as his fingers curled around the money.
Breathing shallowly, Argentum reached out slowly, gingerly taking it into his grasp as he exuded a minuscule breath. He deliberately brushed his fingers over it, as if making sure it was real.
“It’s all there, I promise,” Noctis assured, moderately surprised that he had managed to satiate the intense worry that had suddenly overcome the blonde next to him. Even if the means by doing so were rather… immoral. “Just… don’t go, please. I’d… really like to do this with you.”
And for the most part, it was true. But on another, more insignificant note, it was so weird, to be the prince and still having to beg. Not that he didn’t beg Ignis for certain things at times, but this just felt different. It just proved that no matter what title was held upon him, he was still the same as everyone else at his core. Noctis just wished everyone else knew that about him.
Mentally dispelling his rather impromptu, oddly deep, and distracting thoughts, the prince reverted his attention back to the task at hand.
“…Argentum, was it?” Noctis inquired in a softer tone when he didn’t get an immediate answer to his pleas, the blonde quickly opening his mouth as if to say something, only to close it right after. He just nodded in response to the inquired designation. “I wasn’t kidding, earlier,” the prince continued gently, “Even if somehow such a situation would arise, I won’t let anything happen to you. I have the entire night, and tomorrow, to myself, so there’ll be no interruptions. No guards, no nothing. And I’ve gotten anything we might need ready, as well. You’ll be perfectly safe. Just… please.”
After a while, Argentum finally looked over, the ambience the prince received from the blonde one that wasn’t tampered with, the previous, assured attitude obviously having been a point of successful business. Currently, Noctis perceived a much more honest expression, and he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. Suddenly, the stranger in the passenger seat seemed a whole lot more human, and he began to feel bad for him. For tastelessly bribing him along like this. Maybe this whole thing was as bad as he had feared, despite his earlier downplaying of the previously unknown circumstances.
“…You’ve really thought this all through, haven’t you?” Argentum eventually muttered out, looking as uncomfortable as Noctis felt.
Despite himself, the prince just nodded without disagreement, hoping with everything inside of him that he’d managed to persuade him. He didn’t know when or how this got so serious to him, but right then, it was.
“…Okay. I’ll do it,” Argentum finally answered, leaning his head back against the rest as Noctis nearly released an inexact noise of relief. He worked to keep a composed look on his face, despite his various inner emotions spinning out of control. “I’ve never had sex with a prince, before, so this should be an experience.”
Struggling to ignore that last sentence with hesitant uncertainty, Noctis examined the blonde from his seat, waiting the tiniest bit before letting out anything else. “And you can’t tell anyone about this. It’d have to be a secret.”
“…Of course,” Argentum responded in a semi-shaky voice, scratching his fingers against his thumb once again.
His head was already swimming by that point, but the one sure thing he comprehended was that he received a confirmation from the guy; a mutual consent.
And that was enough. That meant success.
Once it became apparent that no more conversation was to be brought to light, Noctis turned the keys in the ignition after a few more nervous seconds of contemplation, the engine of the car calmly roaring to life. Gently pushing down on the accelerator, the car began to move, and then the two were making their way to the prince’s apartment, the lingering silence soundlessly accompanying.