[it comes as a relief—that abel doesn't push the issue forward, but instead offers comfort in silent understanding. prompto feels a sting in his eyes but it's nothing, really, just a wash of emotion. he presses forward, reclining fully on the table and keeping his arms spread before him.]

Maybe later. Just the company's fine.

[it's a request if there's ever been one. it's easy to feel alone despite being surrounded by a crowd that is excited to wish him happy birthday (mostly while hideki's in sight, probably to get an in into the rich guy's friend group).]

[acting like it's all fun, like it's all fine... it's draining in a way prompto hadn't noticed until now.]

I almost didn't come. [he mumbles, cheek pressed to arm] I hyped it up to V, though, and then I just had to keep the show going, y'know. Big twenty-one, exciting, whoo! [jazz hands] and all that. [huffing out a sharp breath, it pushes up his blond bangs off his eyes.] It was... almost like showing up with a friend.

[these be his buzzed-not-quite-drunk ramblings, but he's clearly trying to keep a strong vibe going.]