Chapter Text
Prompto’s been playing guitar since he was a child but he’s been uploading music online since he was a teenager.
He was discovered on Kwehtube by Gladio’s father’s agency and was offered a deal which to this day he still can’t believe. He’d cried when he got the email and had replied with shaking hands, happy tears rolling down his cheeks.
Gladio’s been his manager for years now. He’s been like a big brother watching Prompto grow and guiding him through stardom, shielding him from the bad parts and celebrating with him during the good parts.
He’d been there when Prompto’s first album went gold, when Prompto cried live on Mogstagram with his fans. It’s close to going platinum now and the twenty year old can’t believe it.
He owes Gladio so much but he owes his fans too. His alloys as the fandom have taken to naming themselves since Prompto’s stage name is Quicksilver and Prompto loved it so much it became official.
His alloys are wonderful, so sweet and supportive but he tries not to be too parasocial with them, it’s a little hard though.
But he wouldn’t trade his fans for the world.
* * *
Prompto sits in the car, Gladio’s in the passenger seat cause he’s still not got his licence.
Prompto’s doing a gig at a music festival. Gladio’s been telling him about it for weeks but Prompto’s so nervous he’s forgotten the details. It’s his first gig, he’s yet to do a tour (he will do at some point soon, he swears.)
“You’re on second.” Gladio states.
“Who’s on first?”
“Umbra.”
“Umbra?! The Umbra?!”
Prompto sits up straighter at that. He almost chokes on his spit.
“Oh Gods, I’m gonna bomb.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Dude, you put me after music royalty!”
“He has more experience but you’ve got talent too.” Gladio reminds him. “‘Sides, event did it, not me.”
Prompto groans.
“I’m fucked.”
Umbra’s a mysterious guy. Black spiky hair, blue eyes and looks like a model. No one knows the guy’s full name, only his stage name. He’s a Caelum that’s all everyone knows.
Caelum’s have ruled the music industry for decades, Umbra’s mother and father were a duo act and Umbra’s grandfather had been a well known manager.
Prompto’s seen Umbra at award shows, he usually sweeps and just comes off as kind of an asshole when he gets awards. Prompto doesn’t expect him to cry or anything but he just comes off as bored.
Maybe stardom’s jaded the guy? Who knows? Despite being the same age, (Prompto thinks? He’s not sure.) Umbra’s seen more than Prompto has maybe not been shielded from it like he has.
Honestly Prompto doesn’t know. The guy’s an enigma.
* * *
Noctis scrolls on his phone as Ignis runs through things with him.
“You’re the opening act but they may want an encore later.”
Noctis hums and looks up.
“Solo or with someone?”
“I’m trying to find out but I wish they’d mentioned something sooner.” Ignis sighs.
Noctis leans back, holding his phone close.
“That newcomers there right? The anxious guy?”
“Quicksilver? Yes, he’s right after you.”
Noctis hums at that and shifts in his seat.
“He’s good, loud but good…Knows how to work a crowd.”
Ignis types on his phone and glances up at him.
“You used to be anxious too.”
Noctis remembers when he first started out, awkward and nervous but he pushed it aside so much (still does) he’s developed a reputation for being this cool, closed off guy who’s maybe a bit of a dick. He should correct it but it’s too late now.
“Maybe do the encore with him.”
“Are you certain?”
Noctis nods.
“Least annoying person there.”
Ignis tuts.
“You shouldn’t say such things about the other acts.”
“It’s true. The others are either tryhards, suckups or stuck up and think they’re better than everybody here.”
“What does that make Quicksilver?” Ignis asks.
“The one genuine guy who’s not been corrupted by fame somehow.”
“Are you saying you have?”
Noctis smirks at him.
“Everyone thinks I’m an asshole Iggy, maybe I am.”
“Depends on the day.”
“You’re supposed to disagree with me.”
Ignis raises a brow at him.
“Am I? I don’t remember that in the contract.”
Noctis rolls his eyes.
“Smart ass.”
* * *
Gladio's thick brows go almost to his hairline as they drive to the venue.
Prompto swallows and grips his phone tighter.
“What…What is it? You’ve gone quiet.”
“They’re saying Umbra’s wantin’ to do an encore with you.”
Prompto pales at that.
“What?!...Why?’”
He’s way better than me
I’ll just embarrass myself
“He just does. Maybe the kid thinks you’re good.”
Prompto laughs a little at that, it’s self deprecating.
“As if! Maybe he wants to show me up.”
“Why would he do that?”
“Cause! Everyone says he’s an asshole! I dunno!”
Gladio sighs.
“Just breathe kid, it’ll be fine.”
“What if it starts a fan war?”
“Why would it?”
“I dunno, I tank and his fans take the piss out of me, my fans defend me…Chaos.” he curses and runs a hand through his hair. “Is it too late to cancel?”
“Yeah. Breathe, you’re panickin’.”
Prompto laughs, hysterical almost.
“You don’t say.”
“So yeah or no? Need an answer, kid.”
Prompto swallows and wrings his hands.
Fuck it
Get it over with
“Sure. Go for it.”
Gladio texts back and Prompto tries to stop shaking in the back of the car. He’d be doing an encore with the multi award winning Umbra. Pinch him.
* * *
Noctis is in the green room when Quicksilver walks in. The blonde freezes, clearly nervous.
He’s wearing a light grey tank top with white geometric patterns on it, red plaid pants with a white belt and black braces, black fingerless gloves and black boots with silver spikes at the cuff.
He’s also wearing a black and silver choker and silver chain with two small hoops on it.
Noctis grabs a bottle of water and offers it to him.
“I won’t bite,” he says with a smirk. Does it do anything for the whole he’s not a complete asshole image? Noctis isn’t sure.
Quicksilver hesitates before taking it with a quiet “Thanks.”
“So we’re performing together.” Noctis says and Quicksilver pales.
“Y-Yeah…I-I’ll try my best.”
There’s something about the other singer that’s endearing. If anyone else did this Noctis would be tired of them but it’s cute with this guy.
Noctis gestures him over and Quicksilver sits in the chair next to him.
“Um…You never do collabs…Why pick me?”
Noctis shrugs.
“I like your sound.” That's not a lie. He’s heard the blonde’s music before. He’s talented and Noctis would be lying if he said he didn’t like his voice.
“Y-You do?”
“Yeah. Plus you’re not an asshole.”
Quicksilver uncaps his drink and blinks at that. For some reason he’s so taken back, his stutter vanishes.
“...How do you know I’m not?”
Noctis shrugs.
“I don't,” he admits. “You just don’t seem like one I guess.”
Quicksilver laughs a little before he takes a drink. Despite barely knowing the man, Noctis misses the sound already. Part of him wants to make him laugh again.
Quicksilver swallows and looks at him.
“So…Umbra? Why Umbra?”
“It’s my dog’s name.”
Quicksilver blinks at that before smiling.
“Aww~ that’s cute.”
“Why Quicksilver?”
“Not to like dox myself but it’s what my name means dude…Um can I call you dude?”
Noctis smiles at him.
“Yeah it’s fine.”
Noctis grabs a drink, uncaps and takes a sip.
“Did you always want to be a singer?”
Noctis swallows.
“No sorta just happened.”
Quicksilver looks at him curiously, he tilts his head slightly. It’s cute honestly.
“What did you want to be?”
“Fisherman.”
Quicksilver looks like he doesn’t know how to respond.
“Really? No bullshit?”
Noctis nods.
“Yeah. You?”
“Work at a chocobo ranch.”
Noctis smiles at that.
“I could see it.”
* * *
They talk a little longer until Umbra has to go on stage, he says goodbye and heads off and Prompto sits there for a second after he does.
Maybe he’s not an asshole
He rushes to get up, deciding to go listen to Umbra from backstage and maybe find Gladio.
He texts Gladio with a smile on his face.
Prompto:
Maybe I was wrong about him
Big guy:
You were?
Prompto:
Yeah
He seems chill
Easy to get along with
* * *
Prompto gets a good look at what Umbra’s wearing on stage. Head to toe in black, how does he not overheat? A cropped black jacket with something on the back, maybe a behemoth?, black shirt, ripped black jeans, black boots with red bottoms that are 100% designer.
Umbra ignites a fire in the audience, in Prompto as he plays and sings. The music vibrates in Prompto’s chest, his voice shakes him.
He’s heard him before, who hasn’t, but his voice still affects Prompto.
Umbra doesn’t even look nervous, he looks confident honestly with a little smirk on his lips as he plays a black and blue guitar, as he sings.
He wouldn’t be, he’s done tours, performed at award shows. This is a cake walk for him and clearly it shows.
His eyes flick to Prompto for a second, he smiles a little more and continues to sing and play before turning back to the audience.
After the song’s over, Umbra talks to the audience. It’s surprisingly casual leading Prompto to feel guilty for ever thinking maybe he didn’t care for them. Judging by how he is now, he clearly does.
He calls them his stars, something Prompto finds adorable for some reason. He had no idea Umbra’s fandom had a name.
“You probably all know this one, it’s one of my favourites.” Umbra states, smiling as the audience cheer and scream. “I was gonna ask you to make some noise but beat me to it.”
He earns more cheers and laughs a little. Prompto thinks it’s cute.
Gods this guy’s so cute, why does he get such a bad rep?
Umbra starts to play, looking out to the crowd. He squints at a sign someone’s holding up in the crowd.
“Marry me, Umbra.” he reads it outloud. “I’ll think about it.” he teases, earning a scream in response.
Prompto shakes his head and laughs a little quietly backstage. This is dangerous. He’s the type who falls fast and falls hard and if Umbra continues, he might just fall for him.
It’s a slower song, more sombre but it’s nice. Prompto finds himself tapping his thigh as he listens. He wonders if there’s a story behind it or if it’s a song Umbra wrote with no one in mind.
Maybe he’ll ask if he gets the chance one day.
* * *
Umbra performs a couple of songs, maybe 5 more before Prompto’s up.
Prompto swallows and heads on after him with a silver and red guitar over his shoulder on a strap.
“Knock ‘em dead.” Umbra mutters to him as he walks past him with a towel around his shoulders.
Prompto walks on stage, slips into his stage persona and smiles at the audience. He glances to the side realising Umbra hasn’t left and is watching him backstage.
Cool! That’s totally not anxiety inducing or anything
* * *
Quicksilver’s music is more upbeat than Noctis’, it’s something that pumps you up, gets you tapping out a beat, humming along.
Someone in the audience screams that he’s hot and Quicksilver smiles and flashes them a finger gun earning more screams.
Then the blonde sings and Noctis freezes. Sure he’s heard his voice before on the radio but it’s entirely different live.
He’s sure he’s staring at him but he doesn’t care.
Is it normal to fall for someone’s voice?
He’s not sure, he keeps his professional facade on and breathes hoping his face doesn’t start burning up the longer he listens.
Least he’s hidden from the cameras if he does blush, there’s some comfort there knowing he won’t have his face plastered over social media over his reaction to Quicksilver.
Speaking of him, he loosens up more, really gets the crowd excited as he gets them to join in singing with him then proceeds to let them sing the next line.
He points the mic to the crowd, one hand to his ear and beams, giving them a thumbs up.
“Don’t come for my job.” he jokes, earning a fair few laughs from the audience.
Noctis bites his lip and continues to watch, to listen. It’s like the stage is Quicksilver’s home and everyone else is a guest.
Gone is that anxious guy, it’s wild honestly.
* * *
Prompto does the same amount of songs as Umbra before finishing up. He bows and thanks the audience.
“You’ve been great.” he smiles.
“We love you!” a guy screams from the audience and Prompto smiles.
“Love you too.” he makes a little heart with his hands and beams at the audience earning screams of delight which makes him laugh. “Cya later!”
With that he heads off stage, Umbra still waiting for him.
“You watched the whole thing?” Prompto asks, completely surprised.
“You watched me.” Umbra replies before gesturing him over as he starts to walk. “It’ll be a while before we go back on.”
Prompto follows him back to the green room.
“Now what?”
Umbra shrugs.
By the time they reach the green room, Prompto practically sighs as he sits on the couch, Umbra joins him.
“None of this feels real.” Prompto mutters.
Umbra smiles at him.
“You get used to it. Trust me.”
“Umbra, you’ve done tours.”
“I know it’s easy for me to say but you do.”
Prompto looks up at the ceiling at that. He’s probably right but Prompto’s not sure he’ll ever get used to this.
“Noctis.”
“Hm?” Prompto looks over to him.
“My name.”
Prompto blinks at that before his eyes widen.
Holy shit he just told me his actual name?
Am I the only person outside his crew that knows it?
It really fits him
“Prompto.”
Noctis smiles at that.
“Suits you.”
Prompto blushes at that.
Am I crazy or is he flirting with me?
“T-Thanks.”
The pair fall into a comfortable silence before Prompto speaks up.
“...When this is over do…Do you wanna I dunno…Go eat somewhere?”
Noctis looks at him, one eyebrow raised.
“Asking me out?” he teases.
Prompto turns crimson.
“U-Um…”
Noctis laughs a little.
“Sure. There’s a Kenny’s about a ten minute drive from here.”
Prompto swallows.
“We can um get to know each other, see what happens.” he mutters.
Noctis hums at that.
“Sure.”
* * *
When the encore finally comes, the duo heads back out, Noctis is a little different with him on stage, he smiles more and comes off as playful at points.
By some miracle Prompto doesn’t die during it. They duet on each others’ songs or the songs they know, their voices melding together perfectly and making the audience go wild.
Prompto can’t help but think as they sing that he wants to know more about this man, he wants to get closer to him.
Noctis smiles at him and he almost melts.
I think I’m falling for him
* * *
Noctis texts Ignis once they’re done and off stage before gesturing to Prompto to follow.
“Our managers are hanging out. Apparently they already know each other.”
Prompto blinks at that. Gladio’s never told him that. It’s clear from Noctis’ face he’s just as in the dark as Prompto is.
“We’re stealing a car.”
“...Huh?”
“We’ve got time before they come find us.” Noctis reaches into his pocket and pulls some keys out.
“Do you always sneak off?”
“Yeah.”
Prompto smirks at that. Noctis is really proving to be way different than the asshole image he’s gained.
“Your manager must hate you.”
Noctis snorts at that.
“Sometimes.”
* * *
They head to a Kenny’s drive-in and when they get their food, he drives the car around the back of the building, hiding it a little before they dig in.
Noctis has the radio on low as they pair enjoy fries and burgers together.
“So…Any tours planned?” Noctis asks, swallowing.
“Nah…I dunno if I’m y’know ready yet.”
Noctis takes a drink and looks over at him.
“I think you are. Audience adores you.”
Prompto blushes a little at that.
“...I’m scared I’ll fuck up, give a terrible show, injure myself, disappoint everyone.”
“That’s normal.” Noctis eats another fry. “I still worry about that.”
“You do?”
He nods.
“People won’t be pissed off if you get hurt, fans…fans’ll worry, understand, wish you well y’know.”
Prompto nods, unsure what else to say.
“So outside of all this what do you y’know do for fun?”
Noctis takes another drink.
“Play games, fish.”
“...You actually fish?”
“Yeah, I won trophies in contests years back. Under Noct Gar.”
Prompto smiles at that.
“Gods you’re kinda a dork. Has anyone ever told you that?”
“You’re the first.”
That makes sense considering no one else really knows him fully right?
Prompto backpedals and takes a drink, swallowing.
“What games do you like?”
“Assassins creed, justice monsters.”
Prompto’s eyes light up at that.
“Dude, no way! Me too.” he smiles and grabs his phone. “You know King's Knight?”
Noctis raises a brow.
“No?”
“Oh Noct, you’re missing out.”
Prompto blinks before apologising. He got so caught up in general he forgot he was talking to someone he barely knew and not an old close friend.
Noctis looks confused.
“What are you sorry for?”
“Being too casual…I barely know you. It’s kinda unprofessional.”
Noctis scoffs.
“Prom, I like it.”
Prompto stares at him at the nickname and Noctis hesitates, going awkward as he rubs the back of his neck.
“...Are you fine with me calling you that?”
Prompto smiles.
“Sure if you’re cool with Noct.”
Noctis nods.
The two fall into a comfortable silence, finishing their food before Noctis speaks up.
“Can we trade numbers?”
“Your manager cool with that?” Prompto teases.
Noctis shrugs and grabs his phone from his pocket, it has a cyan carbuncle charm dangling off it.
Prompto comments on how cute it is, scrolling through his own phone for his number.
“You really like chocobos.” Noctis mutters, staring at his case.
“My dad took me to a ranch when I was a kid, been obsessed since.”
He pulls his number up and reads it out to Noctis who types it out before texting Prompto, Prompto saves his number and replies with a “Hi”and a smiling emoji.
Noctis smiles at his screen before pocketing his own phone.
Prompto can’t believe it, not only does he have Umbra’s actual name and number but he’s just had Kenny’s with him in a car. How many people can say that?
“We should head back.” Noctis comments, starting the car back up.
Prompto hums in agreement, pocketing his phone and buckling up, Noctis buckles up seconds later and reverses before turning around and pulling out of the drive-in.
He drives back to the festival spot and Prompto takes a sip of his own drink.
“Prom?”
“Hm?”
“We should do this again sometime.”
Prompto blushes at that and nods.
He’d love that.