There's no direct reply. Instead, about ten minutes later, Ravus is simply entering the house, walking right to Prompto's door, and rapping his metal knuckles on the door frame to announce his presence. As if the heavy gait of his boots and clinking of various belt buckles wasn't loud enough, echoing down the hall.
Prompto really thinks he got away with it, and for a little time, sighs in relief in his bed, drawing the covers over his annoying horns and his annoying spikes and his annoying, awful, painful deformed lumps on his back, and the extra annoying sail fins between them, too. All of it. It makes him too exposed, keeps him from being able to wear enough clothing to cover the body he was already so insecure about. He doesn't think his (...are they his?) scales or spikes are ugly per se- the lumps are unnerving, especially as they begin to pull and stretch his skin in unnatural ways in an attempt to form into wings- but being forced to go practically shirtless is just far, far too much for the conscious blond.
It was why he's been skipping out on training, despite hating doing so. He can't stand the thought of people seeing his body.
Bang, bang, bang
Prompto jolts. It sounds like metal on wood. He suddenly realizes that, oh shit, the clinking of metal before it was not some stress-induced auditory hallucination.
It was Ravus. Some deep part of him receives an alien wave of satisfaction over that, despite his first instinct being to groan aloud. Was that Sjerit? She only has a moment or two of the blond's attention. Something else is about to steal it away with aplomb. When he peeks out from under his blanket, slitted blue eyes go absolutely huge. He squeaks, and nearly topples forward out of the bed entirely. Prompto only just manages to balance on the edge, covered by his warm armor. The outfit Ravus is wearing gives him a front-row view of his plush chest, and his hips.
He's- oh, wow.
"H-huh? Look sick? You can't even see me!"
Prompto feels the equivalent of an exhausted eyeroll from within.
"I see plenty." Ravus says cryptically, head tilting to the side and leveling Prompto with an unimpressed look. "The fact you are still so active, and Ignis did not stop me on the way in, is proof enough." If he notices Prompto's oogling, he doesn't give any indication. Which likely means he's not even aware that is what's happening here. Instead, he presses Prompto.
"Why do you insist on foolishness? You were doing persistently well at our previous sessions, so why give in now?"
Prompto tries not to get too wound up in the swell of pride the praise from Ravus about their previous training sessions causes. He can do that again, too, prove himself and get stronger, and, oh Ravus, that outfit, and-
No, no no no. This isn't right! He sure as heck can't just go anywhere like this. But Ravus clearly isn't going to take his excuse. Finally, with a sad sigh, Prompto gives up the hiding part of this ruse. He lifts the blanket from himself, at least enough so Ravus can see the mess. Two deformed lumps that seem to be attempting to form wings painfully push from each shoulder blade, surrounding a set of two light-copper sail-fins that run from neck to tailbone. He of course has full horns, a set of four that curve from his head, but of greater note is the smattering of scales and spikes littering his shoulders and other areas of his body.
"I uh. Can't wear much, like this. People can't- I don't want to be. Seen. Without enough to cover me."
His eyes are sad, a little fearful, and worst of all: defeated.
Ravus watches the various blankets and sheets fall away to reveal the drastic changes that have come on quickly for the blond. Last he'd noted, those spikes hadn't been nearly so intrusive, and the scales are much thicker where he can see them rising from Prompto's skin.
Glancing down at himself, Ravus can't say he's surprised. The changes are becoming more rapid, evolving and growing like a virus that infects them all. He can't say he's altogether pleased about the more intense changes like the long tail set with neural spines. Or the fact most of his belly and groin are now covered in dense, plush fur that he must brush and maintain. The horns are seriously causing him neck cramps too.
But for all the changes, Ravus has simply... Dealt with it. What more can he do? He's never much cared how anyone has viewed his body, but it seems that isn't the case with Prompto. A twinge of guilt plucks at his heart seeing just how much it's hurting him too. The boy wears his emotions like all the gaudy patches on his favorite vest.
Subconsciously, his tail lashes, thumping against the door frame.
“You are concerned your changes may be even less appealing than anyone else?” Ravus tilts his head, genuinely curious where this stems from. “If so, I assure you, none who judge you will have any grounds to stand on. And if they thought to trouble you over it, I would defend your honor to the last. Whatever your appearance, your character speaks far greater of you.”
The thump of a thick, muscled tail against the doorframe makes the skittish Prompto jump in place a little, enough that he accidentally drops the blanket fully. He's shirtless, and thankfully in a pair of boxer shorts on (or the closest approximation he can have, in this world). His wing-nubs twitch, causing him to wince before the panic really sets in. Now Ravus sees him. He might also note the obvious stretch marks all along his belly.
He yelps, snatching the blanket back up to tighten around him- which only presses against all his new appendages and draws out a choked, pained cry from his throat. Prompto takes a moment to steady his breathing and focus on it, close, closer, until he can think again past pain and panic.
"No, it's not that..." But. Wait. Did Ravus just say he would defend his honor? Like an entire knight from a high fantasy movie? Why the heck does the intensity of it crash into him like a bowling ball to the chest? The conviction behind those words is tangible. Prompto genuinely needs a second to catch his breath before he continues.
"I don't want people to see me. My..." His voice takes on an edge of disdain. "My body. I don't wanna miss training, big man. Even if everything hurts so bad. But that means going out there with nothing on up top, cause of all this weird spiky stuff."
There's a distinct lack of reaction from the silver, at first. Prompto is a flighty thing, and Ravus has ultimately learned to tamp down base reactions to that in general. Beyond that, his gaze flicks only briefly to follow the falling of the sheet, but doesn't linger on any one spot on Prompto for very long. His gaze is evaluating, but objectively. There are scars, and spines, and scale marks that define him now, and Ravus makes note of them internally. Maybe somewhere he notes that the scars are distinct, and perhaps more than expected. Things to ask about later, because Ravus does tend to find the stories of scars interesting (and if he were more honest with himself: attractive).
What does move him is that fact Prompto keens as though he's in pain. Just as his lack of reaction a moment ago had been instantaneously decided, so is this. Ravus is quite suddenly at Prompto's side, concern in the furrowed line of his brow. Ravus hadn't believed the sick angle earlier, but he hadn't accounted for potential growing injuries from the rapid changes to their bodies either. After all, his own have ripped open a good portion of his back and spine. As is typical of himself though, Ravus has not bothered to acknowledge the discomfort.
"I had not realized you felt so strongly about this." He doesn't quite understand the disdain in Prompto's voice, but if it's enough to cause such distress, Ravus doesn't feel right bearing the guilt, and forcing Prompto to continue. He's a strict instructor, but he's not Drautos.
Still, in the back of his mind, Thul rumbles about being too soft. A thought Ravus feels more than hears. Ravus' own thoughts push back against the heavy thunderheads of Thul's personality. Yet instead of resistance, he feels compromise. Something he voices aloud to Prompto.
"If training would cause more harm than improvement, it is wasted time and effort. Best to conserve your strength, in body and mind, then. Still, you should not wallow and let yourself be mired in misery. We can find somewhere private to at least get you fresh air and some stretching. I will not allow anyone else close, unless you deem yourself fit."
Ravus is by his side in an instant, in a way that makes Prompto's breath catch in his throat. He cannot fully tell if it is from the swiftness of it all, or being this close to the silver's face, able to see every scale, every sharp angle, every detail of his look of genuine concern.
"H-hey, I'm ok, just forgot about all the craziness on my back!" Prompto squeaks, a little more surprised-sounding than he intends.
Ravus' idea actually elicits a wave of approval from Sjerit- the blond has started to recognize when feelings come from her as opposed to him, and worked on hearing her voice more clearly. For all that he loves the thought, and trusts that Ravus would keep him secure...
...His anxiety persists, and his expression falls while a spark of worry flickers through those soft blue eyes. "I- what do I even wear? I can't- I can't leave. It could fall off, or someone could see from a distance, and then it's all over!!!"
Ravus arches a brow. 'All over' might be a bit of an exaggeration, but he supposes it's also not his place to dictate Prompto's fears. He is, however, obligated to help him conquer it.
The how of that gives him pause. The concerned look turns to one of thoughtfulness, gaze cast distantly while he ponders. And then, the obvious idea hits. He'd asked for this coat specifically to accommodate his changes...
Ravus straightens up enough to shrug out of his coat. Is he oblivious to the fact suddenly being bare-chested in front of Prompto might short-circuit every little nueron in the blond's head? Yes, entirely. Just like he's oblivious to what else he might do to him by then draping the coat over Prompto's shoulders, effectively burying him in it, but it does hide most of the dragon features by sheer size.
It all hits Prompto like a lightning bolt, really. One second, Ravus is suddenly topless, showing off his, as Prompto might say, big naturals in perfect, close view.
Then before he can wonder or ask why the big man is taking it off, he gets his answer- which sees his body buzzing and mind waving between a total shutdown and exploding into fireworks. He swears he can hear a light chuckling in the back of his consciousness, but his mouth opens before he can consider answering that.
Prompto gazes up at Ravus with nothing short of stunned wonder in those soft blues. He even manages to rise up from the bed, take a few steps forward...
"Y-yeah."
...Only for his weak knees to betray him and give out. Now the blond is kneeling on the ground by Ravus' feet. This is fine. Totally fine!
"We can go."
He speaks like nothing is happening in a bid to brush off or ignore the stifling embarrassment he would feel otherwise.
Showing off implies the fact any of this is coordinated outside his natural (and now partially dragon influenced) instincts to be of service. Prompto needs someone to push him, and Ravus is hear to facilitate. The floundering is confusing, but not unworkable. So he kneels down when Prompto practically flops to the ground, graceless as a newborn fawn,
"Hm, perhaps being rooted inside and without your usual exercise has weakened your immune system some after all." The concern is there, low burning in his voice, as he sweeps a hand up to Prompto's forehead to feel for a fever. While he doesn't believe the sick bit, that doesn't mean it can't be coming on.
"I'll carry you," he says after finding only a bit of heat against the back of his hand. The start of a fever maybe? Or just embarrassed? Ravus thinks he might flush a bit if someone also witnessed him so clumsy. He's missing the unsubtle gay context by a mile, sorry, Prom.
And when he says he'll carry him, he does mean it. Immediately. The blond is pulled to his bare chest while Ravus gathers him and the cloak up. Detangling the rest of the blankets, he rises like Prompto weighs absolutely nothing cradled in his arms. Really, the boy is so slight with the assistance of his bloodline, magitek, and natural strength he may as well actually weigh nothing.
"Shall I inform the others that I am borrowing your time for a bit?"
There Ravus goes, checking him for a fever. Oh, no, Prompto thinks with a wince, he must feel hot. But not a feverish sort. Only thing he can do is hope and pray that the big fellow has no idea what it could be from. For now, it seems, he doesn't.
Carry him. Yeah, that- "Huh? Wh-"
Before Prompto can complete the question, he's being swept right up into Ravus' arms. Held, cradled close to his body, with his face right by those incredible tits. If the blond was running warm before, now he's on fire. He squawks with shock, going absolutely limp. Just...Utterly short-circuited. Enough so that when asked if Ravus should inform the others, he just nods dumbly. "Y-yeah..." He manages, once again not at all realizing the absolute death by boyfriends he just signed off on. As if he isn't already deceased.
Prompto is exceedingly lucky in the fact Ravus is too caught up in his concern to deduce that he's the problem here. Which, to Ravus, amounts to a frustrating feeling of uselessness. Sitting here fussing is clearly not helping, and the blond has suddenly lost his usual chattiness. Fine, he was always better with actions instead of words.
So he simply nods, and carries Prompto to the kitchen, where the rest of his friends seem to be getting ready for breakfast.
"I am borrowing him. We will return shortly," he says, brief, but not unkind as he inclines his head as a way of saying goodbye. Then he's back on his mission, carrying the slight frame of his feverish companion. Out the door with no further explanation from Ravus himself. Down towards the river they go, Ravus picking his way through the underbrush to find a secluded spot. Prompto had been worried about prying eyes, and not so long ago Ravus had found the perfect spot to accommodate that. At least until Gladio and Ignis had tracked him down. But now seems like the perfect time for a revisit.
"Will this do?" Ravus asks, gaze set on the sheen of morning light dancing on the river's surface. "I dare say it is as secluded as one might get."
Prompto is so amazed by the situation at hand that all he can do is attempt a small smile and wave over to his boyfriends in the kitchen, at least so they know everything is ok. Not that they wouldn't be able to tell otherwise, given everyone's thoughts on Ravus and the knowledge of Prompto's training. Still, he figures the reassurance is good. Or maybe he's attempting to feign some level of confidence in a bid to soften the future teasing he knows will come from this situation. There's no hiding the blush on his cheeks. Or Ravus' distinct lack of top.
The boy decides to just tuck the coat around him and go for the ride. He quietly watches the scenery around them, settling in those strong arms more with every passing second.
Prompto snaps to attention at the rumbling of Ravus' chest, and the words that come with it. "Oh..." the smallest of smiles come to his face. Trees around them, the river ahead... "It's so nice out here. This is perfect."
While Prompto's quiet might be cause for worry, a quick glance down reveals the uncharacteristic silence is a peaceful one. The blond looks almost serene watching the world go by, and Ravus feels a stirring deep in his chest. His heart seems convinced to do odd little flutters in his chest. It doesn't help that approval radiates from where Thul curls around his soul, like he himself can feel the warmth of the sun on his scales as Ravus does on his own skin. The others have insisted the woods are no place to live, but it's hard to deny the beauty of it all as the river shimmers before them.
"It is peaceful. I admit, while it left me with far too much time in my own head... I did not mind seeing the beauty of living things, so untouched by the staining, black ink of human hands. It reminded me of home." Tenebrae and its vast, ever-wild forests were always a far dream while trapped in the glacial hell of Niflheim.
Gently, Ravus sets Prompto down on his feet, and makes sure the coat settles over his shoulders properly. His hands skim down, settling low on Prompto's shoulders.
"It will do. You needn't have anything to fear this far from Town. But if you wish for me to walk the perimeter, I can. Otherwise, we should not dally. We've already burned plenty of daylight, and we have lessons to make up for."
"Ohh. This is where the guys found you. I remember tipping them off after I saw you sitting all alone out here." There's a quiet, pleased huff deep somewhere within- Sjerit, still happy about her host's decision to do that, and making a point to remind him.
Prompto feels the gentle tugs at his heart when Ravus explains how this place reminds him of home. Home, Tenebrae, not the fields Niflheim, permanently encased in ice. How much, the boy wonders, did his companion long for home? When did it become exhausting? Did he ever lose hope?? "Tenebrae was one of the most beautiful places I ever saw. I...Wish I'd had the time to capture it in photographs."
He gazes up at Ravus once securely on the ground, cheeks heating up with the proximity, the fussing, the gentle touch around his shoulders. Those aggravating, sensitive, and admittedly deformed wing....Things shudder with sensation of touch being anywhere near them.
"Y-yeah. Training sounds good. Let's do it." Anything to focus his mind. Get active again, and spend his anxious energy. Whatever Ravus throws his way in terms of drills, Prompto will meet with his usual gusto, even when there's a little rust to shake off at first.
Training is no less intense just because Ravus has been gentle with him up until now. Prompto, as with every other session, is still put to the test in every aspect. There's a good set of stretches beforehand. Afterall, there's no point in snapping tendons or overextending muscles carelessly, lest they lose even more training time. Once limber, they launch into it. Ravus forces Prompto to defend himself ferociously, though every blow is measured with the accuracy of someone that has known what unchecked strength feels like used against him. Pointless punishment for the sake of pain isn't something he will ever use against a dear friend, no matter how effective it may be in toughening up.
His claws never gouge, only the strike of his palm hits. Always with his real hand, as the magitek arm is solely kept up to block or deflect. And his sweeping lashes and kicks always skate away from joints or vitals. Near enough to remind Prompto of the threat of leaving openings, until he can drill it into his muscle memory where he naturally should guard.
Again and again, Ravus presses him, while the adrenaline sings in their veins. Until Ravus turns with a great sweep of his tail, and buckles Prompto's legs out from beneath him.
Ravus stops when he hits the ground, breathing deep and even to counteract the race of his heart.
“Remember, you have been given new weapons. Claws and tail to strike, until we can find you firearms again. But you have also been given defensive measures. Consider your scales and spines like the carapace of a bulette - a thorny shield between your foe and your life.” As if to demonstrate, the thick neural spines along Ravus’ back flare up, deadly points that wave menacingly, daring anything to try him.
Of course, the motion reopens all the thin, spidery blood vessels that are newly developing to feed into the spines. A proper ridge has yet to develop, so the paper-thin skin bleeds down the line of his back, though Ravus hardly seems to notice while he watches Prompto to ensure both that he's paying attention, and that he's not hurt beyond expected bruises.
The stretching is at least enough to keep things comfortable. As comfortable as it gets with a pair of growing, painful wings trying to escape one's back. Prompto might be rusty, but his instincts still serve him well for training, especially as Ravus sets the pace right where he knows the boy is capable of reaching, or someday surpassing. He falls into it like a familiar rhythm, the adrenaline of movement, dodging, blocking, and striking back flowing throughout his body and reminding him of how much he missed this. A chance to grow, and become more, better prepared to take on the strange world he finds himself in. For those he loves.
Evasive measures have, of course, always been the agile Prompto's best-honed skill outside of sharpshooting and swift, decisive close-quarters atttacks. It means the true act of defending blows needs a good bit of work, and it shows. It also means it sinks in well each time Prompto knows he missed covering himself, and sees him considering the kinds of wounds he would sustain.
He isn't expecting the big, blue tail to lash out and trip him. Prompto is knocked back into the grass, spitting a curse at the way pain blossoms through him from landing on his wings. He sits up, sides heaving as he focuses his attention on his opponent. Rushing blood pounds in his ears- and then, he hears Ravus giving as good advice as ever. "Never thought about using any of this..." Prompto says between panting breaths, "Guess I thought it all would be in the wa-"
The blond's veins run icy cold as his enhanced, more draconic senses pick up the telltale coppery tang of blood. He's on his feet in a matter of seconds, rushing to Ravus' side to check on his companion. "Wait, wait, I smell blood- are you, are you ok????"
Prompto follows the scent, circling around behind Ravus before wincing at the absolute sight of his back. "Holy crap, dude. That has to hurt! Like, bad! You're bleeding all over yourself!"
His brows knit themselves into a furrowed line as Prompto sputters and scampers up to him. The concern registers, but not the cause, as he briefly glances down at himself for any injuries he might have missed with the flow of adrenaline dulling his nerves. But no, there's nothing besides sweat and the grime of the river's edge and grass staining him. At least, where his own eyes can see. It's when Prompto is skirting around him, and looking over the mess of his back, that Ravus understands. Because he can't lie and pretend he's unaware of the state it's in.
The spines along his back settle back down, hot blood cooling at their base, and bracketing either side are deep, torn fissures along his back. Raw, freshly evolved muscle and the blue gleam of wing membranes shines slick and blood-wet within. Making no mention of how badly scarred his back already was, he's caught enough of his own reflection to know it's an unpleasant sight. But the pain is a dull, low frequency that reverberates through him. Easy enough to tuck away in his mind and ignore in favor of all else.
It's only the reminder that makes it flare up, and Ravus exhales a hard breath.
"I apologize if it is disturbing." Ravus shifts his posture just enough to turn his back away from the fretting blond. "For as frequently as I bathe, that is simply the nature of it. Activity naturally impacts blood flow. It will look worse in these sorts of scenarios. You needn't concern yourself with it."
It really is a gruesome sight- but Prompto is less concerned about how terrible Ravus' back looks, and far more preoccupied with how much pain the man must be enduring. His own changes have hurt horrendously, but this- this looks like something next level. Just like that, blood is trickling around and pooling, and just like that, Ravus is apologizing for it. Prompto looks absolutely incredulous.
"You are apologizing for going through it? Are you for real right now?!" He shakes his head, grabbing Ravus by the hand. He marches the pair of them along to the river's edge. "I am gonna concern myself with it, because you're- you're you! You're important!"
The ball of energy has some of his spark back, it would seem, especially in a moment driven by such passion and care for another. So passionate is Prompto, he doesn't fully register what he suggests. Or what might come of it. "Look, I feel gross from wallowing in bed for days, and you are clearly hurting here. Shouldn't you, I dunno, wash it off? Even if it gets bad later at least you can feel good and clean for a time, right?"
Ravus looks confused at the incredulity Prompto touts, as if this should be obvious. He supposes he is 'for real' right now, as the blond puts it. He says as much, the phrase sounding almost foreign on his tongue.
"I am 'for real.' I do not imagine myself or my words imaginary. I do not require coddling." But he hardly gets the chance to explain any further. Prompto has him by the hand, and Ravus doesn't have it in him to dig in his heels. So he follows, and listens, and tries not to let the flutter in his heart mean too much as Prompto insists that he's important enough to worry over. It truly doesn't seem like something worth so much effort, to Ravus, but he's learning rapidly that this doesn't seem to be the universal thought. These small wounds and growing pains, they're such background noise to him, always determined to ignore hindrances. And yet, to these kind sorts, they seem like terrible roadblocks.
"I suppose your point is one I cannot argue. The pains are tolerable enough, but I do not like being unclean." The idea of having to eventually put his coat back on with dried blood encrusted on his back makes him curl his lip with disgust. It fades as his thoughts pull back to Prompto, and his expectant look. He's left blinking slow and helplessly down at the smaller man. Bullied by kindness, yet again.
"I concede," he says, and squeezes Prompto's hand where he's subconsciously refused to let go. Despite what he has to ask next, tinged with reluctance. "Would you prefer to bathe further down river from myself? You did not wish to be seen bare, earlier."
Prompto is of two minds here. Well, two that are a little uneven. On one hand, yes, he is shy about being seen bare-hates it, even, in most contexts. On the other, much stronger one, though, Ravus almost already got to see him fully unclothed, and vice versa. If they turn away to strip and get in the water...They ought to be covered enough, with the lower halves submerged out of sight. The water isn't terribly clear. Out of sight enough. Right? Right??
Maybe there is also a part of Prompto, a small spark growing day by day, that wants to get closer with the sharp, yet kind Ravus. A man he feels kinship with, who understands him in certain ways he never thought possible of another person. Plus, Noct...Well, he kissed Ravus. Since learning that, it has been a lot harder for the blond to chase off thoughts of his own feelings on the guy. Of how handsome he is, how he manages to make Prompto feel safe and understood, but also stronger than he gives himself credit for- budding confidence. Of how butterflies flit about in his stomach whenever they brush close during conversations. Of the quiet, gentle kindness he showed upon seeing the barcode on his wrist, and of words Prompto will never, ever forget.
A crush. Prompto Argentum absolutely has a crush on Ravus Nox Fleuret.
That squeeze of the hand also reminds the flighty boy of how little he wants to be exposed and alone where someone could happen upon him in such a vulnerable state. He doesn't want to go away. "You already saw most of what I was hiding anyway, right? If you um. Turn away, I can just get set up and in the water. Then I'll turn away and you do the same. Should be over both our waists. No problem?"
Prompto feels such a pang letting go of Ravus' hand, but does so, and waits for him to turn away. Should Ravus do so, he will strip fully, and scurry his way into the water. His more draconic tendencies cannot stand it- from what he's gathered from Sjerit, she- and eventually he- is a creature that favors dry, arid climates. But his wish to be clean, and his worry for Ravus win this day. Once his lower half is fully submerged, the blond turns away from Ravus. "Your turn."
As instructed, Ravus turns away. His arms are crossed before his chest, tail swaying a bit with his thoughts. He knows the boy is rather shy, so he'll respect this arrangement, but doesn't quite understand the whole thing. Not until suddenly it's his turn. He glances back at Prompto, and as his claws falls to the belts at his waist, there's suddenly a spike of something uneasy straight into the pit of his stomach. A sense of shame that has nothing to do with Prompto, and everything to do with the fact he's never intentionally let anyone see his body in any kinder context before. It's always been with a sense of dehumanization, something he simply accepted, and forcibly quieted down the riotous feelings of unease it brought up.
Ravus breathes in deep, fights down that wave of unpleasantness, and unbuckles his pants. If there's at least one part of these changes he's very suddenly grateful for, it's that there's a dense layer of long white fur that keeps most of his groin covered.
He slips into the water once's bare, and sinks down to sit along the edge, leaned forward to keep his spines from rubbing against the bank. The water is cold this time of year, but the shock of it along his skin is a dousing of clarity Ravus appreciates. He's fine. They are fine.
"You may look now," said perhaps a touch softer than he might normally.
Ravus agrees so easily. It only takes that lull of silence while Ravus undoes his belts for Prompto to realize just what he's agreed to whilst following his heart. Holy shit. Both of them. Nude. Taking a bath together. The sort of intimacy usually saved for couples. But then again, so is carrying someone around bridal-style whilst fussing over their health.
The boy swallows down a growing lump in his throat, and as he turns around, the butterflies in his stomach kick up into an absolute frenzy. There, mere paces away, sits Ravus. Stark naked in the swirling waters. His tail flicks underneath, and the deformed nubs on his back even try to twitch, making him ache.
He's so handsome. Chiseled as though carved out of marble. Covered in scars with countless stories, badges that tell of a gruesome but resilient past. Yes, Prompto's already seen him topless, but there is something about seeing Ravus in the water with the light dancing through the canopies above that makes this hit entirely different.
He is suddenly so very grateful that he recently woke up with his unmentionables moved to an inside spot. The slit won't give anything away unless he really screws up- plus, the water is obscuring enough to be as comfortable as Prompto can manage being this exposed to a man he's just realized he has a raging crush on.
"W-wow," Prompto gusts, taking a few steps closer to his companion. "Uh, I mean, whoa, the water is chilly! You doing ok? I can, um, help you wash the hard to reach parts on your back. If you like!"
Just play it cool, Argentum, he keeps saying to himself.
That look of wonder, and perhaps something more, catches Ravus off guard. Whatever he's been expecting, this clearly isn't it. While he can acknowledge that in some ways, he thinks Prompto has taken a shine to him, it's never been with the assumption that it's been anything more than the way one could look up to their instructor. A source of something wanted, something admired. Of something to be gained. That's just the way things are. Transactional moments he may gain or lose from, navigated by emotions he barely tolerates. At least, up until recently.
But it's hard to convince himself of all that with how Prompto looks at him now. Asking nothing of him but to care for him. Gaze falling over his form that is so much more than the appraisal of a weapon or tool.
Ravus swallows hard, and glances off. As he pretends the light shimmering off the water is far more interesting, his tail swishes through the current with a slow wagging. He's also struggling for something to say to the kind offer that won't betray the tangle of his thoughts. What he ends up with is... Something.
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"You do not appear sick."
Edited 2024-12-05 04:00 pm (UTC)
TITS FLASHBANG
It was why he's been skipping out on training, despite hating doing so. He can't stand the thought of people seeing his body.
Bang, bang, bang
Prompto jolts. It sounds like metal on wood. He suddenly realizes that, oh shit, the clinking of metal before it was not some stress-induced auditory hallucination.
It was Ravus. Some deep part of him receives an alien wave of satisfaction over that, despite his first instinct being to groan aloud. Was that Sjerit? She only has a moment or two of the blond's attention. Something else is about to steal it away with aplomb. When he peeks out from under his blanket, slitted blue eyes go absolutely huge. He squeaks, and nearly topples forward out of the bed entirely. Prompto only just manages to balance on the edge, covered by his warm armor. The outfit Ravus is wearing gives him a front-row view of his plush chest, and his hips.
He's- oh, wow.
"H-huh? Look sick? You can't even see me!"
Prompto feels the equivalent of an exhausted eyeroll from within.
"Why do you insist on foolishness? You were doing persistently well at our previous sessions, so why give in now?"
No, no no no. This isn't right! He sure as heck can't just go anywhere like this. But Ravus clearly isn't going to take his excuse. Finally, with a sad sigh, Prompto gives up the hiding part of this ruse. He lifts the blanket from himself, at least enough so Ravus can see the mess. Two deformed lumps that seem to be attempting to form wings painfully push from each shoulder blade, surrounding a set of two light-copper sail-fins that run from neck to tailbone. He of course has full horns, a set of four that curve from his head, but of greater note is the smattering of scales and spikes littering his shoulders and other areas of his body.
"I uh. Can't wear much, like this. People can't- I don't want to be. Seen. Without enough to cover me."
His eyes are sad, a little fearful, and worst of all: defeated.
Glancing down at himself, Ravus can't say he's surprised. The changes are becoming more rapid, evolving and growing like a virus that infects them all. He can't say he's altogether pleased about the more intense changes like the long tail set with neural spines. Or the fact most of his belly and groin are now covered in dense, plush fur that he must brush and maintain. The horns are seriously causing him neck cramps too.
But for all the changes, Ravus has simply... Dealt with it. What more can he do? He's never much cared how anyone has viewed his body, but it seems that isn't the case with Prompto. A twinge of guilt plucks at his heart seeing just how much it's hurting him too. The boy wears his emotions like all the gaudy patches on his favorite vest.
Subconsciously, his tail lashes, thumping against the door frame.
“You are concerned your changes may be even less appealing than anyone else?” Ravus tilts his head, genuinely curious where this stems from. “If so, I assure you, none who judge you will have any grounds to stand on. And if they thought to trouble you over it, I would defend your honor to the last. Whatever your appearance, your character speaks far greater of you.”
He yelps, snatching the blanket back up to tighten around him- which only presses against all his new appendages and draws out a choked, pained cry from his throat. Prompto takes a moment to steady his breathing and focus on it, close, closer, until he can think again past pain and panic.
"No, it's not that..." But. Wait. Did Ravus just say he would defend his honor? Like an entire knight from a high fantasy movie? Why the heck does the intensity of it crash into him like a bowling ball to the chest? The conviction behind those words is tangible. Prompto genuinely needs a second to catch his breath before he continues.
"I don't want people to see me. My..." His voice takes on an edge of disdain. "My body. I don't wanna miss training, big man. Even if everything hurts so bad. But that means going out there with nothing on up top, cause of all this weird spiky stuff."
What does move him is that fact Prompto keens as though he's in pain. Just as his lack of reaction a moment ago had been instantaneously decided, so is this. Ravus is quite suddenly at Prompto's side, concern in the furrowed line of his brow. Ravus hadn't believed the sick angle earlier, but he hadn't accounted for potential growing injuries from the rapid changes to their bodies either. After all, his own have ripped open a good portion of his back and spine. As is typical of himself though, Ravus has not bothered to acknowledge the discomfort.
"I had not realized you felt so strongly about this." He doesn't quite understand the disdain in Prompto's voice, but if it's enough to cause such distress, Ravus doesn't feel right bearing the guilt, and forcing Prompto to continue. He's a strict instructor, but he's not Drautos.
Still, in the back of his mind, Thul rumbles about being too soft. A thought Ravus feels more than hears. Ravus' own thoughts push back against the heavy thunderheads of Thul's personality. Yet instead of resistance, he feels compromise. Something he voices aloud to Prompto.
"If training would cause more harm than improvement, it is wasted time and effort. Best to conserve your strength, in body and mind, then. Still, you should not wallow and let yourself be mired in misery. We can find somewhere private to at least get you fresh air and some stretching. I will not allow anyone else close, unless you deem yourself fit."
"H-hey, I'm ok, just forgot about all the craziness on my back!" Prompto squeaks, a little more surprised-sounding than he intends.
Ravus' idea actually elicits a wave of approval from Sjerit- the blond has started to recognize when feelings come from her as opposed to him, and worked on hearing her voice more clearly. For all that he loves the thought, and trusts that Ravus would keep him secure...
...His anxiety persists, and his expression falls while a spark of worry flickers through those soft blue eyes. "I- what do I even wear? I can't- I can't leave. It could fall off, or someone could see from a distance, and then it's all over!!!"
The how of that gives him pause. The concerned look turns to one of thoughtfulness, gaze cast distantly while he ponders. And then, the obvious idea hits. He'd asked for this coat specifically to accommodate his changes...
Ravus straightens up enough to shrug out of his coat. Is he oblivious to the fact suddenly being bare-chested in front of Prompto might short-circuit every little nueron in the blond's head? Yes, entirely. Just like he's oblivious to what else he might do to him by then draping the coat over Prompto's shoulders, effectively burying him in it, but it does hide most of the dragon features by sheer size.
"Better?"
Then before he can wonder or ask why the big man is taking it off, he gets his answer- which sees his body buzzing and mind waving between a total shutdown and exploding into fireworks. He swears he can hear a light chuckling in the back of his consciousness, but his mouth opens before he can consider answering that.
Prompto gazes up at Ravus with nothing short of stunned wonder in those soft blues. He even manages to rise up from the bed, take a few steps forward...
"Y-yeah."
...Only for his weak knees to betray him and give out. Now the blond is kneeling on the ground by Ravus' feet. This is fine. Totally fine!
"We can go."
He speaks like nothing is happening in a bid to brush off or ignore the stifling embarrassment he would feel otherwise.
"Hm, perhaps being rooted inside and without your usual exercise has weakened your immune system some after all." The concern is there, low burning in his voice, as he sweeps a hand up to Prompto's forehead to feel for a fever. While he doesn't believe the sick bit, that doesn't mean it can't be coming on.
"I'll carry you," he says after finding only a bit of heat against the back of his hand. The start of a fever maybe? Or just embarrassed? Ravus thinks he might flush a bit if someone also witnessed him so clumsy. He's missing the unsubtle gay context by a mile, sorry, Prom.
And when he says he'll carry him, he does mean it. Immediately. The blond is pulled to his bare chest while Ravus gathers him and the cloak up. Detangling the rest of the blankets, he rises like Prompto weighs absolutely nothing cradled in his arms. Really, the boy is so slight with the assistance of his bloodline, magitek, and natural strength he may as well actually weigh nothing.
"Shall I inform the others that I am borrowing your time for a bit?"
Carry him. Yeah, that- "Huh? Wh-"
Before Prompto can complete the question, he's being swept right up into Ravus' arms. Held, cradled close to his body, with his face right by those incredible tits. If the blond was running warm before, now he's on fire. He squawks with shock, going absolutely limp. Just...Utterly short-circuited. Enough so that when asked if Ravus should inform the others, he just nods dumbly. "Y-yeah..." He manages, once again not at all realizing the absolute death by boyfriends he just signed off on. As if he isn't already deceased.
They will rib at him over this for weeks.
So he simply nods, and carries Prompto to the kitchen, where the rest of his friends seem to be getting ready for breakfast.
"I am borrowing him. We will return shortly," he says, brief, but not unkind as he inclines his head as a way of saying goodbye. Then he's back on his mission, carrying the slight frame of his feverish companion. Out the door with no further explanation from Ravus himself. Down towards the river they go, Ravus picking his way through the underbrush to find a secluded spot. Prompto had been worried about prying eyes, and not so long ago Ravus had found the perfect spot to accommodate that. At least until Gladio and Ignis had tracked him down. But now seems like the perfect time for a revisit.
"Will this do?" Ravus asks, gaze set on the sheen of morning light dancing on the river's surface. "I dare say it is as secluded as one might get."
The boy decides to just tuck the coat around him and go for the ride. He quietly watches the scenery around them, settling in those strong arms more with every passing second.
Prompto snaps to attention at the rumbling of Ravus' chest, and the words that come with it. "Oh..." the smallest of smiles come to his face. Trees around them, the river ahead... "It's so nice out here. This is perfect."
"It is peaceful. I admit, while it left me with far too much time in my own head... I did not mind seeing the beauty of living things, so untouched by the staining, black ink of human hands. It reminded me of home." Tenebrae and its vast, ever-wild forests were always a far dream while trapped in the glacial hell of Niflheim.
Gently, Ravus sets Prompto down on his feet, and makes sure the coat settles over his shoulders properly. His hands skim down, settling low on Prompto's shoulders.
"It will do. You needn't have anything to fear this far from Town. But if you wish for me to walk the perimeter, I can. Otherwise, we should not dally. We've already burned plenty of daylight, and we have lessons to make up for."
Prompto feels the gentle tugs at his heart when Ravus explains how this place reminds him of home. Home, Tenebrae, not the fields Niflheim, permanently encased in ice. How much, the boy wonders, did his companion long for home? When did it become exhausting? Did he ever lose hope?? "Tenebrae was one of the most beautiful places I ever saw. I...Wish I'd had the time to capture it in photographs."
He gazes up at Ravus once securely on the ground, cheeks heating up with the proximity, the fussing, the gentle touch around his shoulders. Those aggravating, sensitive, and admittedly deformed wing....Things shudder with sensation of touch being anywhere near them.
"Y-yeah. Training sounds good. Let's do it." Anything to focus his mind. Get active again, and spend his anxious energy. Whatever Ravus throws his way in terms of drills, Prompto will meet with his usual gusto, even when there's a little rust to shake off at first.
His claws never gouge, only the strike of his palm hits. Always with his real hand, as the magitek arm is solely kept up to block or deflect. And his sweeping lashes and kicks always skate away from joints or vitals. Near enough to remind Prompto of the threat of leaving openings, until he can drill it into his muscle memory where he naturally should guard.
Again and again, Ravus presses him, while the adrenaline sings in their veins. Until Ravus turns with a great sweep of his tail, and buckles Prompto's legs out from beneath him.
Ravus stops when he hits the ground, breathing deep and even to counteract the race of his heart.
“Remember, you have been given new weapons. Claws and tail to strike, until we can find you firearms again. But you have also been given defensive measures. Consider your scales and spines like the carapace of a bulette - a thorny shield between your foe and your life.” As if to demonstrate, the thick neural spines along Ravus’ back flare up, deadly points that wave menacingly, daring anything to try him.
Of course, the motion reopens all the thin, spidery blood vessels that are newly developing to feed into the spines. A proper ridge has yet to develop, so the paper-thin skin bleeds down the line of his back, though Ravus hardly seems to notice while he watches Prompto to ensure both that he's paying attention, and that he's not hurt beyond expected bruises.
Evasive measures have, of course, always been the agile Prompto's best-honed skill outside of sharpshooting and swift, decisive close-quarters atttacks. It means the true act of defending blows needs a good bit of work, and it shows. It also means it sinks in well each time Prompto knows he missed covering himself, and sees him considering the kinds of wounds he would sustain.
He isn't expecting the big, blue tail to lash out and trip him. Prompto is knocked back into the grass, spitting a curse at the way pain blossoms through him from landing on his wings. He sits up, sides heaving as he focuses his attention on his opponent. Rushing blood pounds in his ears- and then, he hears Ravus giving as good advice as ever. "Never thought about using any of this..." Prompto says between panting breaths, "Guess I thought it all would be in the wa-"
The blond's veins run icy cold as his enhanced, more draconic senses pick up the telltale coppery tang of blood. He's on his feet in a matter of seconds, rushing to Ravus' side to check on his companion. "Wait, wait, I smell blood- are you, are you ok????"
Prompto follows the scent, circling around behind Ravus before wincing at the absolute sight of his back. "Holy crap, dude. That has to hurt! Like, bad! You're bleeding all over yourself!"
The spines along his back settle back down, hot blood cooling at their base, and bracketing either side are deep, torn fissures along his back. Raw, freshly evolved muscle and the blue gleam of wing membranes shines slick and blood-wet within. Making no mention of how badly scarred his back already was, he's caught enough of his own reflection to know it's an unpleasant sight. But the pain is a dull, low frequency that reverberates through him. Easy enough to tuck away in his mind and ignore in favor of all else.
It's only the reminder that makes it flare up, and Ravus exhales a hard breath.
"I apologize if it is disturbing." Ravus shifts his posture just enough to turn his back away from the fretting blond. "For as frequently as I bathe, that is simply the nature of it. Activity naturally impacts blood flow. It will look worse in these sorts of scenarios. You needn't concern yourself with it."
"You are apologizing for going through it? Are you for real right now?!" He shakes his head, grabbing Ravus by the hand. He marches the pair of them along to the river's edge. "I am gonna concern myself with it, because you're- you're you! You're important!"
The ball of energy has some of his spark back, it would seem, especially in a moment driven by such passion and care for another. So passionate is Prompto, he doesn't fully register what he suggests. Or what might come of it. "Look, I feel gross from wallowing in bed for days, and you are clearly hurting here. Shouldn't you, I dunno, wash it off? Even if it gets bad later at least you can feel good and clean for a time, right?"
"I am 'for real.' I do not imagine myself or my words imaginary. I do not require coddling." But he hardly gets the chance to explain any further. Prompto has him by the hand, and Ravus doesn't have it in him to dig in his heels. So he follows, and listens, and tries not to let the flutter in his heart mean too much as Prompto insists that he's important enough to worry over. It truly doesn't seem like something worth so much effort, to Ravus, but he's learning rapidly that this doesn't seem to be the universal thought. These small wounds and growing pains, they're such background noise to him, always determined to ignore hindrances. And yet, to these kind sorts, they seem like terrible roadblocks.
"I suppose your point is one I cannot argue. The pains are tolerable enough, but I do not like being unclean." The idea of having to eventually put his coat back on with dried blood encrusted on his back makes him curl his lip with disgust. It fades as his thoughts pull back to Prompto, and his expectant look. He's left blinking slow and helplessly down at the smaller man. Bullied by kindness, yet again.
"I concede," he says, and squeezes Prompto's hand where he's subconsciously refused to let go. Despite what he has to ask next, tinged with reluctance. "Would you prefer to bathe further down river from myself? You did not wish to be seen bare, earlier."
Maybe there is also a part of Prompto, a small spark growing day by day, that wants to get closer with the sharp, yet kind Ravus. A man he feels kinship with, who understands him in certain ways he never thought possible of another person. Plus, Noct...Well, he kissed Ravus. Since learning that, it has been a lot harder for the blond to chase off thoughts of his own feelings on the guy. Of how handsome he is, how he manages to make Prompto feel safe and understood, but also stronger than he gives himself credit for- budding confidence. Of how butterflies flit about in his stomach whenever they brush close during conversations. Of the quiet, gentle kindness he showed upon seeing the barcode on his wrist, and of words Prompto will never, ever forget.
A crush. Prompto Argentum absolutely has a crush on Ravus Nox Fleuret.
That squeeze of the hand also reminds the flighty boy of how little he wants to be exposed and alone where someone could happen upon him in such a vulnerable state. He doesn't want to go away. "You already saw most of what I was hiding anyway, right? If you um. Turn away, I can just get set up and in the water. Then I'll turn away and you do the same. Should be over both our waists. No problem?"
Prompto feels such a pang letting go of Ravus' hand, but does so, and waits for him to turn away. Should Ravus do so, he will strip fully, and scurry his way into the water. His more draconic tendencies cannot stand it- from what he's gathered from Sjerit, she- and eventually he- is a creature that favors dry, arid climates. But his wish to be clean, and his worry for Ravus win this day. Once his lower half is fully submerged, the blond turns away from Ravus. "Your turn."
Ravus breathes in deep, fights down that wave of unpleasantness, and unbuckles his pants. If there's at least one part of these changes he's very suddenly grateful for, it's that there's a dense layer of long white fur that keeps most of his groin covered.
He slips into the water once's bare, and sinks down to sit along the edge, leaned forward to keep his spines from rubbing against the bank. The water is cold this time of year, but the shock of it along his skin is a dousing of clarity Ravus appreciates. He's fine. They are fine.
"You may look now," said perhaps a touch softer than he might normally.
The boy swallows down a growing lump in his throat, and as he turns around, the butterflies in his stomach kick up into an absolute frenzy. There, mere paces away, sits Ravus. Stark naked in the swirling waters. His tail flicks underneath, and the deformed nubs on his back even try to twitch, making him ache.
He's so handsome. Chiseled as though carved out of marble. Covered in scars with countless stories, badges that tell of a gruesome but resilient past. Yes, Prompto's already seen him topless, but there is something about seeing Ravus in the water with the light dancing through the canopies above that makes this hit entirely different.
He is suddenly so very grateful that he recently woke up with his unmentionables moved to an inside spot. The slit won't give anything away unless he really screws up- plus, the water is obscuring enough to be as comfortable as Prompto can manage being this exposed to a man he's just realized he has a raging crush on.
"W-wow," Prompto gusts, taking a few steps closer to his companion. "Uh, I mean, whoa, the water is chilly! You doing ok? I can, um, help you wash the hard to reach parts on your back. If you like!"
Just play it cool, Argentum, he keeps saying to himself.
But it's hard to convince himself of all that with how Prompto looks at him now. Asking nothing of him but to care for him. Gaze falling over his form that is so much more than the appraisal of a weapon or tool.
Ravus swallows hard, and glances off. As he pretends the light shimmering off the water is far more interesting, his tail swishes through the current with a slow wagging. He's also struggling for something to say to the kind offer that won't betray the tangle of his thoughts. What he ends up with is... Something.
“I... I seem to have forgotten to bring soap.”
Amazing.