Chapter Text
"Ruby!"
Prompto's voice startled me, as I didn't know he'd be around my classroom at this time.
The two of us were juniors at Insomnia University, having met our freshmen year in our photography 101 class. I had just been taking it as a general education class, and had almost immediately regretted my decision to take it until I had asked the shy blonde sitting next to me to be my partner on a project. Not only did the two of us get the best grade in the class with the perfect picture of a mesmenir, but we quickly became best friends.
That class was also where he had given me the nickname of Ruby; I had been adamant that he had edited his picture of a rubyshears to make its belly so bright and colorful that I harped on about it for hours. Plus, calling it a rubyshear instead of a stoneshear? Was he really expecting me to think that was an actual animal?
Prompto had been quite pleased to show me that they are, in fact, actual animals.
Today, my class had let out twenty minutes early - thank god - and Prom had yelled for me just as I was leaving the building. And he wasn't alone.
Standing next to him was a tall, muscular, dark haired man wearing one hell of a tight shirt.
"I didn't know you had a class here! When's your next one? Maybe we can hang out for a bit!" Prompto ran over, giving me a small hug while barraging me with questions.
"Yeah, room 213. Let out early today so… My next class starts about an hour from now, so we can start hanging out in between. Who's this?" As we were talking, the other man had walked over and was grinning at me.
"Oh! It's Gladio, er, Gladiolus. He's uh… one of my boyfriends. You know. Him and Iggy and…" Nervous Prompto was so damn adorable. Well, Prompto in general is just adorable, and I've had a crush on him the whole time I've known him, but I've also known he was taken almost the whole time I've known him. He's never shown me pictures of all of them before - strange, since he shows me pictures of everything else - so I wasn't expecting one of them to be a gorgeous tattooed giant.
"We're finally close enough friends for me to meet one of your boyfriends? I'm honored!"
"Ruby, right? Prom talks about you enough I should be the honored one. Didn't realize how gorgeous you'd be though."
"Gladio!" Prom gasped.
Gladio just chuckled in response.
"He's like that all the time, Ruby."
"Oh, it's alright." A tiny, tiny part of me was disappointed. But Gladiolus was with Prompto and two others, so I had no right for that little bit of selfishness.
"Well, you wanna grab some snacks before your next class? I'm done for the day and Gladio and I were just planning on hanging out!" Prompto said, cheeks a little red.
"I don't wanna ruin your date, I'll just grab something myself so you don't have to stay on campus."
"The four of us live together. Plenty of time to be alone if we wanted, and I want to get to know you with how much Prom mentions you."
"Well, sounds like a plan then if you really don't mind. Cookies?"
"Yes!"
*****
Prompto: So you know I don't talk abt my bfs much…
Prompto: I rly want u to meet them tho
Prompto: But u gotta promise 2 be careful who u talk abt them with
After a rough session of my creative writing class - I just couldn't think of something to write for the topic today, and I've still been having a tough time thinking of my short story idea - I checked to see Prompto's messages.
Ruby: You know I won't gossip with anyone. Why?
In response, I just got a picture of the four of them. One of Prompto's selfies, with Gladiolus, a blonde man with glasses, and oh shit that's the fucking prince!
Ruby: Is that Prince Noctis?!?!
Prompto: Yup Iggy is his advisor and Gladio is his shield
Prompto: We met in hs
Prompto: It's not a huge secret but we try to keep it on the down low
Prompto: Pls don't make it a big thing
Ruby: I can't believe you not only have 4 bfs but one of them is Prince Noctis! You need to give me lessons!!
Ruby: Don't worry Prom I won't tell anyone.
Ruby: YOU BETTER GIVE ME A HEADS UP IF I'M GOING TO MEET THE PRINCE!!!
Prompto: He'd love you 3
Prompto: Wanna see more pics of them?
Ruby: PROMPTO
Ruby: Also yes show me all the pictures!
Almost immediately after I sent that message Prompto starts bombarding me with pictures. Selfies of all of them, pictures of the other three, a couple staged pictures with all four of them. Overall he sends me around 15 different pictures before going back to texting.
Prompto: I've wanted to share for a while but it's weird with Noct
Prompto: Didn't know how u would react
Prompto: They all wanna meet u tho
Prompto: Might talk abt u a lot
Prompto: I wasn't trying to surprise u with Gladio! Really didn't know u had a class there
Ruby: It's fine Prom, Gladio seems nice! And you know I'd love to meet the other two but Prince Noctis? Why would he wanna meet me? I'm nobody?!
Prompto: Dude ur my best friend outside of them
Prompto: Noct is cool just mention King's Knight or smth
Ruby: Prince Noctis does not play King's Knight.
Prompto: More than I do
Prompto: He just got Kor
Ruby: The new legendary that's definitely not supposed to be the marshal of the kingsglaive?
Prompto: Yup
Prompto: Tbf it looks nothing like him
Prompto: Obvs
Ruby: Now is not the time to drop that you've met Cor the Immortal.
Prompto: Dude I live in the citadel
Prompto: With Noct
Ruby: How have I known you for 2 years and never suspected anything?
Ruby: Your life is crazy.
Prompto: Yup but gotta go Iggy made food and doesn't like phones at the table
Prompto: Hang btw classes thurs?
Ruby: Sure!
*****
Of course when I got home I looked up pictures of the four of them. Who wouldn't when their best friend is dating the fucking prince?
Most of the pictures are just of Prince Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis, but there are a decent amount that show Prom as well. Including one that shows the four of them sparring, where Prompto has guns? So many questions!
But those outfits…
I'm definitely jealous of Prompto.