School : 9:55am : 185 days
You were at school on this glorious Fall day. The wind was blowing, and the colorful autumn leaves danced around in harmony. The sky may have been gloomy, but gloomy you were not. In fact, nothing could take the smile off your face.
"What is that look?" A sleepy Noctis walked over to your table.
"Prompto slipped her another note." Your smile was firmly riveted to your face as you pointed to your right.
Noctis looked in an unsuspecting manner at the girl next to you, or as you usually referred to her, 'Prompto's Dream Girl.' The tall girl walked over to her seat, and in it was a pink note that was folded in two.
The girl sighed, "Looks like I got another one."
"Again?" Your eyes directed toward the girl. "What's it say?"
She moved her long jet black hair behind her ear as she started to read. "Roses are red and I'm filled with glee at the thought of you going to the Winter Formal with me. No seriously, will you? Love... Prompto Argentum?!"
Her jaw dropped upon reading the name. The classroom filled with laughter as she read the boy's letter.
Noctis looked at you wide eyed. He whispered in an upsetting tone, "You did this?"
You shook your head furiously. "I didn't! It must've fallen out of his pocket on his way out!"
Prompto was presently in the restroom at the moment. When he walked in he would be met with a class laughing at his expense. You knew he was very sensitive when it came to things like this. You'd been thinking all week of a way to get back at the boys for lying to you about your food, but you figured just letting them wallow in misery was enough.
This was not your mess, but you felt like it was your responsibility to clean this up. That poem was horrible, but it surly had his Prompto-ness all over it. Perhaps it was one of his reject sonnets that he planned to throw out.
"He's gonna be totally bummed." Noctis bit his lip as he thought about it.
There was a thought that crossed your mind. It was a silly one, really. With the Winter Formal being just a few days away you two could easily just break even with no consequences, right? That was nice, but it wasn't this thought that was giving you trouble. The thought was another. You really wished this dumb idea would get out of your head. It was like a pounding headache that had no quit.
You put a hand to your forehead and sulked in a quiet tone. "I'm gonna hate myself for this."
You stood up and snatched the love letter from the girl. "Prompto wrote this?!"
The green-eyed girl nodded, "Yeah. This whole time I thought it was someone... else. Someone... better."
"Save your disappointment." You held up a steely hand. "Prompto Agentum is one of the greatest guys I've ever met in my life. Not only is he a gentleman, but he's funny, charming, humble, and smart."
The black haired girl frowned at you, "Then why don't you go with him?"
Your shoulders held a shrug as you tossed the paper back to her. "Because he didn't ask me; he asked you, and honestly I'm starting to question why. He could have any girl he wants in Insomnia, but instead he chose to go after you. You should be a little more flattered when someone shows interest in you. Especially if that person is one in a million. You may not believe me, but if you say no to him, you're gonna regret not giving him a chance."
She was at a loss for words. She didn't know if you were telling the truth or just good at lying.
You could see the boy coming back down the hallway not too far away. "Make your choice. If you don't ask him then I will. I have a custom made Vivienne Westwood dress that I don't want to go to waste."
This was the first time the girl had ever been flustered in front of her peers. In doing that you felt very accomplished.
Prompto walked back in the classroom and all eyes were on him. He didn't know if he should leave or give a speech. "Howdy?"
All pigments in his skin seemed to flush out as his dream girl approached him. Pretty sure he wasn't even breathing. She greeted him with a toothy smile that nearly knocked the boy flat on his ass.
"Prompto?" Her long eyelashes came together in slow motion as he looked at her. "I'd love to go to the Winter Formal with you."
You took a seat back at your desk and beside you was a proud Noctis. "You did good squirt."
"Don't I always?" You place your hands under your chin. You feel like cupid flying away with your arrows and harp.
Noctis snickers in your ear, "So, where ya gonna get that tattoo?" Just like that your cupid wings were stripped and you were freefalling back into a cold reality.
"You think he'd still make me get a tattoo? Look how happy he is. He's not that heartless."
Downtown : 3:27pm : 185 days
"You are so heartless!"
"Well you lost the bet." The blond boy graciously opened the door to the tattoo parlor for you.
"I can't even believe you! I said so many nice things about you today!" You walked inside with your feet dragging on the floor.
Noctis didn't contain his laughter as you three entered. He was loving this. "What type are you getting."
"She should do Arial Black so it stands out." Prompto grinned eagerly.
"Out!" You pointed at the door. "Both of you! I'm doing this by myself!"
"What?! Come on, let us see." The blond pleaded.
"No, you two have to go." You reopened the door for them. "Bye bye now."
The duo left but they were far from happy about it, especially Prompto. As they walked away a part of you wished you didn't kick them out. This was your very first tattoo and it was nerve wracking.
You walked over to the counter and smiled nervously. "Hi, I wanna get a tattoo."
The man greeted you with a sarcastic nod, "Well, I assumed that's why you walked in. What do you want?"
"A name; Prompto Argentum. Century Gothic, no caps, black ink, and no wider than 3 inches please. Oh, and on my foot, like, the bottom of it."
The man sneered, "Looks like you got this all mapped out, huh? C'mon, I'll take you back."
You were dreading this, but it was just something you had to do. At least it was in a place where no one would ever see it, and even better, it was in a place where you didn't have to look at it.
The man showed you to your seat, and you were ready to go. You smooth your plaid skirt down as you sat on the tilted back chair. You removed your right black shoe and took a deep inhale. It felt like an eternity taking off your long white sock, but in reality, it was just a second. The design pressed up against the upper sole of your foot and you closed your eyes. If only you had one more day to get a date, then it would be Prompto at a barber instead of you in a tattoo shop.
You laid back and the sound of the buzzing gun consumed you. It was just you and it. The sound was so loud. Your breathing intensified and you just wanted out!
"Don't do it."
Your eyes blaze open and your foot retracts back. You look around to see whose voice it was that snapped you out of this.
It was the bodyguard Gladio himself, and you were starting to think it's beyond coincidental that you kept running into each other.
"Just give yourself the day to think about it."
You looked at the tattoo artist as you snatched your items and quickly put your sock and shoe back on. "I'm really sorry I wasted your time. He's right though. I'm not ready."
You hopped of the seat and made for the exit, "What are you doing in here?"
"Thinking about a tattoo. I had one in mind for a while."
You cracked open the door and stood there a moment. "Thank you, Gladio." You loitered at the door for just a second longer before turning back to face him. "Do you wanna hang out? There's that festival going on a few blocks down."
Why were you asking him to hang out? Your gut told you not to go down this road, but you felt like you owed it to him for cutting your time so short last you hung out. Or, at least that was the excuse you were going to keep telling yourself.
"You asking me on a date?"
"It's not a date!" You replied defensively. "It is two people hanging out at a festival. I wouldn't go on a date in my school uniform anyway."
"Mmmm, nah."
"Nah?" Your eyes amplified, "Nah? What do you mean nah?!"
Gladio reached around you to open the door. He'd step outside into the overcast as he left the shop.
You'd grab his arm before he could get too far, "Don't be like that! What do you mean?"
He looked down to see your inquisitive eyes peering up at him. Goodness your eyes were sickening, particularly when you were making that innocent face. Your dainty hands had a firm grip on his forearm, and he wasn't going anywhere without giving you answers.
He was such a joker. He looked away from you tauntingly, "I don't wanna hang out."
Your hands released from his arm and you'd stand before the man, "Are you really doing this?!" A deep sigh fled you and you took a step back. "I am not going on a date with you!"
"Okay, catch ya later Half-Pint." The man put his hands inside his dark denim pockets and began to make his way down the street.
You brought a finger between your teeth as you watched him walk away. Again you were faced with a decision. Stay quiet and let him leave, or open your big fat mouth.
"Fine!" Your hands ball into fists as you speak. "We can go on a damn date!"
Why did you allow him to dictate this? You were outwardly upset, but on the inside... no, you were still upset. It wasn't like this guy had some magic charm that you couldn't find somewhere else. He was huge flirt, and with each exchange you had to remind yourself not to get caught up in it.
"Let's go then."
.
Festival : 3:49pm : 185 days
As you two approached, the smell of fresh kettle corn was in the air; it was so close you could almost taste it. Games of every kind were set up in the booths lining the street. Cotton candy, rides, kissing booths, everything. People walked around with balloons and paint on their faces. The music and people were so loud you'd have to raise your voice just to speak normally. It was a freak show and you loved it. Your inner kid was screaming, but you'd try to contain yourself.
Your eyes looked all around the festival, and you didn't know what you wanted to do first. There were so many colorful flashing lights that your mind couldn't just focus on one thing. Without a word you walk straight over to the shooting game booth.
"Ready to get your ass kicked?" You said as you took point at one of the plastic rifles.
"Is that what you think?" The man rose his eyebrows as if he'd make you eat those words.
There was no way you could lose at this because you had impeccable aim. You closed your left eye and waited for the bell to sound. Right when you heard the ding you went for it. You shot all the ducks within your line. It felt nice to be good at something.
"Which prize do you want when I win?" You laughed as you continued to shoot.
He didn't respond to you, but focused on shooting the moving yellow chocobos. You couldn't stop smiling as you heckled him. "The pink teddy looks cute. You want that one?"
"I can stop shooting if you want to catch up." You nudge the man but he was still focused.
Backing away from the gun you'd take an ostentatious stretch. Your cockiness was at an all-time high right now. Putting a hand over your mouth you'd yawn oh so fictitiously.
"Right, we're in the middle of a game." Your eyes widened as you went back to your gun.
All the targets were down and the ending bell rang. You looked at your score and then at Gladio's. You beat him by a landslide. "I'll take my prize now. The pink teddy will suffice."
The booth attendant handed you your prize and you'd hide your face behind it. The endearing pink bear had nothing on your guiltless eyes as you looked up at the man, "Is this the one you wanted?"
The corners of his mouth curved into that amiable smile as you taunted him. His tongue traced his bottom lip as he shook his head, "I don't think you even know what you just started."
Poking out your bottom lip you'd bring your shoulder to your chin, "I'm so terrified."
You'd push the bear into his chest and rolled your eyes. "That's the first of many stuffed animals I'll be winning for you tonight. So come on, date. It's your turn to pick the game. What else do you want to get slaughtered at?"
He'd rub his hands in sinister delight as he looked at the balloon darts just a few feet away. As you two approached he pointed up at the prizes, "So do you want the cactuar or the mini behemoth?"
You tapped the base of your chin with your index finger, "You're really going to test my aim again? One catoblepas plushie coming your way."
You two started again and the darts went flying. "I'm gonna make you regret asking me on a date."
Gladio smirked, "Actually you asked me, remember?"
Well why did he say that? Just that statement was enough to throw off your aim. He was totally right though. You gripped the tiny metal dart in your fingers, and lining it up was okay. When it came to actually performing though, you just completely declined in skill.
His eyes peeked over and he saw that you were dropping the ball. "So cactuar or mini behemoth?"
Your cheeks puffed out as you knew he was totally gonna win. "Cactuar." You mumbled under your breath.
The time was up and Gladio pointed at you. "You heard the lady."
You held out your hand like an angry child as the mid sized green cactuar was placed in your possession. At least it was kind of cute.
"Ring toss! Right now!" You grabbed the man by the crease of his arm and dragged him along. "This I know you're gonna get your ass kicked at."
The big man stood beside you, but this time he wasn't playing against you. You would individually go one at a time. He'd by lying if he said his eyes didn't trail off as you were playing. Not too far though, he needed to know what score to beat. Your legs were distracting in that skirt though.
A gust of wind blew your way, and you'd put your hands on the back of your skirt. You caught a glimpse of his wandering eye and you were definitely having none of that.
"Don't be checking me out!" You gave him the ring while still holding down your skirt. "Go, it's your turn!"
He took the plastic white hoop and started his turn. You weren't really paying attention to him so much as you were your skirt. Why did the wind decide to pick up again right now? Perfect timing weather! Your back faced the game and you were able to look out in the open. You could see some girls in the distance giving the goo goo eyes to the man beside you. I mean, he wasn't yours so they had the right to look didn't they? Didn't stop you from rolling your eyes though.
As you turned back, your face was greeted with a large stuffed anak. "A stuffed anak for The Great Anak."
Your eyes were stuck on the giant animal. It was so cute, and the meaning behind it was even better. This thing was practically as big as you, but dammit if you weren't going to drag it around.
"Thank you." You hugged the anak as you lifted it off the ground. "I love it."
For whatever reason, seeing the animal took you out of your competitive mood, and what you wanted to do now was walk around. Taking in all of the sights was something you needed to do before the day was over anyway. The sky was dimming and more lights began to turn on. It brought you back to your time as a kid.
"So what do you do for fun? I mean besides turning down men all day." Gladio walked beside you as you two sauntered through the festival.
Your unamused face looked up at him. "You think I'm some kind of maneater? That's flattering, but no. I like archery. That's why I have good aim. I've had a lot of practice. Between that, hanging out with my friends, and attempting to learn how to cook I don't have much time for anything else. Speaking of time, you seem to have a lot on your hands considering you have one of the most time consuming jobs in the world."
"First of all, archery is badass." He gave you a thumbs up. "Second, I don't have a lot of free time. You've just been lucky to catch me on my time off."
"Lucky?" You playfully nudged the man.
Before you could walk further you stopped in your tracks. "Holy shit."
"What?" Gladio looked around.
"Okay, you're gonna think this is totally stupid, but I don't really care." Your eyes glistened as you spoke, "I have this thing where I try every new flavor of ice cream I see and they have one called Hot Melon. I don't know why they're serving ice cream in this weather, but come on, we have to try it."
Once again you were dragging the man along with your prizes in one arm and your hand gripping his wrist.
"Can I get the Hot Melon please." Your hand was still clutched to his wrist as you placed your order. You quickly released as you heard him getting out his wallet. "Stop it Gladio! We're not doing this again. Let me pay!"
His amber eyes looked directly into yours, and he gave you a sardonic look. He didn't need to say anything. In his eyes he reminded you of what happened last time.
You turned your head away and looked up, "Whatever, but I'm not gonna be happy."
Yeah, your 'unhappiness' lasted all of 2 seconds before the green ice cream cone was in your possession. It was sprinkled with small red flakes, and you were dying to taste it. Your moment of relishing was over. You put the ice cream cone to your lips, and you weren't sure if you were feeling heat or cold coming off it.
Your tongue ran across the cool dessert and you nodded in affirmation of bliss. "It's good. It tastes like honeydew melon and..."
It was then that the heat of the ice cream started to kick in. Hot was definitely an understatement. Your eyes started to water, and you fanned your face.
"I don't know if I should eat more to cool off or eat none to cool off. It's so hot!"
"Let me see." Gladio drew up your arm and had a taste for himself.
Your eyes narrowed at him as he ate some of your food. "Hey!"
"I mean, it's mild I guess."
"Don't be macho! You know this is hot." You reach your hand up and press the ice cream to his lips.
Unexpectedly he opened his mouth and took a huge bite out of the cone. Trying to one up the man you take what you think is a big bite knowing it's going to be a total mistake. Your mouth was on fire, and the only person to blame was you.
"I can't do this! It's scorching!" Your eyes shut tightly. "Here you have the rest macho man."
You handed the remains of the cone to Gladio and he of course finished it off. He was a serious machine because this had to be at least 200,000 scoville units.
Your teary eyes looked up at the man, "That was not fun, but at least I can cross that off my list."
Your head turned just as the Ferris Wheel finally lit up. It was so beautiful, and of all things here it was the most outstanding. "Let's go."
You didn't drag the man along this time, but he just followed. This was the first time there was an actual line for the thing you wanted to go on. It was a pretty moderate line, and for the Ferris Wheel you'd wait. The breeze picked up again, and now you found yourself stagnant in a long ass line. You looked around, and once again you saw some girls checking out Gladio again. It wasn't just for the simple fact that he was tall either.
You didn't mean to, but an annoyed sigh escaped your lips. This was why you could never date a man like Gladio. Well, there were many reasons, but that was one of them. It just irritated you how they just blatantly stared at the guy. You wondered if he noticed as well. You couldn't get jealous over a guy who was just a friend, could you?
The goose bumps started to form on your arms, but they were hidden beneath your long sleeve shirt. You had a slight shiver tremble your body, but it was nothing serious. As you moved up in the line you could feel hands rubbing up and down your arms. These were Gladio's hands, and they were actually really warm.
"What are you doing?" You looked up at the man with fake callous eyes. "I can't have you doing this date stuff."
His head fell back in a fit of laughter, "You want me to stop?"
He knew what your answer was, and it was the reason he asked. How did you get in this situation you wondered? This was dangerous, and it needed to be stopped.
"Well, strictly on a survival basis I'll allow it." Your face turned away with sass.
The line continued and you walked forward still in the man's grasp. The petty part of you was hoping that the girls from before saw you two now.
Finally you reached your booth in the Ferris Wheel. You left your prizes to the side and headed on. You took the seat on the left and Gladio took the seat across from you on right. Your legs were crossed and his were on either side of yours to compensate for lack of leg room.
Man you were wishing you brought that stuffed animal with you so you could hide your face. Of all the moments today, this was the most intimate. You grabbed your arms and tried to shake the cool air that continued to pester you.
"C'mere." Gladio looked at your shivering arms and back up to you.
"What?" Your eyes broaden. You heard what he said, but you just couldn't think of what else to say.
"Come over here. I know you're cold." He rose his eyebrow in a feat of smugness. "For survival."
"Don't use my words against me!" You climbed over his left leg and squeezed beside him. "I'm ONLY doing this because I'm cold."
"Why else would you be doing it?" His arm came around you as he scooted you closer.
"The view is nice." Your eyes peered off into the distance. You could see the illuminated city below, and you felt on top of the world.
"You going to the Winter Formal?" He casually threw out the idea.
"I have my perfect pajamas picked out just for the occasion."
"You're not going?" His eyes were taken away from the scenic view and onto you.
Your arm lifted up and rested on the side of the metal red cart. "No. It's gonna be like 32 degrees. That's too cold to be outside in a ball gown."
"That sounds like a phony ass excuse."
He was right, you were a party of one ready to drink hot cocoa and stay wrapped under warm blankets.
"It's not! Not everyone goes to the Winter Formal you know. I'm fine with staying home."
You could see a minute expression of guilt on the man's face. "I would ask you to go but I have to work."
Your fist playfully punches his side. "First of all you're just assuming I'd say yes. Second, who said I was staying home because I didn't have a date?"
He wouldn't pry on this one. Although you kept your facial expression straight, and your attitude didn't falter, he could tell this was a sensitive spot for you. Your eyes spoke volumes. You wished you never made that stupid bet. Times were better when the plan was just you Promto and Noctis staying in. You just had to ruin it with your colossal mouth.
You rode the rest of the ride in silence. It wasn't awkward, it was just a moment of peace. It was rare to find people who could just sit in silence sometimes, and it was nice to know that he was one of those people. There wasn't always a need to fill up space with words. It allowed you to take in and appreciate the full sight from the top of the Ferris Wheel. You wished you could stay up there forever, but hey, law of gravity. What goes up must come down.
The two of you stepped off and you collected your prizes. You stood at the exit of the ride and just looked up at the man.
"This has been fun Mr. Gladiolus. I'm glad we came." You set the anak down and wrapped your arms around the man.
He reciprocated and it was strange. You didn't desire to be in his arms until it happened. You couldn't keep toying with your own emotions like this. The calendar days were falling rapidly and you couldn't drag him into your mess. It wouldn't be right.
You looked up at him with a smile that was melancholy and delight all in one. You began to lean in and he did as well. Getting up to your toes, you were well on your way to the man's face. Just inches away from his lips you stop short.
You chin is rested against his chest, and your breath stifled. Running your tongue across your lips, you inch up just a little bit more.
You open your mouth and your words are like smooth velvet. "I don't kiss on a first date."
Tauntingly you back away and pick up your anak. You were such a tease it was nauseating. He couldn't even be mad at you; you were too calculating. You knew what you were doing and you were just reeling him in. His grin was undying, and his laugh was unaffected. It was moments like this that made you wonder why he even bothered with you in the first place.
"Last game." Gladio pointed to the same booth that you first started on. The shooting game. "All or nothing."
Your eyebrows rose in surprise. "One ass kicking just wasn't enough for you was it?" You took the pink teddy bear out of his hand and walked over to the stand, "We're getting ready to upgrade this prize."
You took point and you didn't understand why he would want to play this again. There was no way he was going to win this unless he hustled you the first go 'round. Even if he did you were too good, and he was outmatched by far. The final bell sounded and it was like deja vu. You were quicker and your aim was much more precise. You glanced over for a moment and Gladio was more confident than he'd been all night. But why?
You regained focus and continued to shoot. "Gladio, I thought you were smarter than this. Tsk tsk tsk."
Just like before he didn't reply to your heckling. There was only focus.
You shot down the last remaining targets. "And... that's... game!" You pointed up at the giant stuffed moogle. "I'd like to trade the pink teddy for that one please."
You shook your head as you passed him the moogle. "Why? Did you expect a different result?"
"Not really."
"Well then what the hell?" Your arms cross as you form a frown on your face.
He'd lean down to your height, "Consolation prize? Kiss on the cheek?"
"I can do that." You finger beckons him closer and you roll your eyes pretending like he is such a chore.
You supposed he at least deserved that much. He left the results up to you, and that was kind of what sold you on allowing this.
You pucker up and lean in close. There was nothing romantic about a kiss on the cheek to you. You gave Noctis kisses on the cheek all the time, so there was really no difference.
Right before your lips made contact with his stubbly cheek, he turned his face. Oh yeah, he played you. Your lips met his in a quick and premeditated kiss. It was only a peck, but the feeling of his soft lips against yours was enough to get your heart racing.
"What was?! Why did you?!" Your hands came up to cover your mouth and hopefully your bright red face. You turned away from the man in full embarrassment.
He broke rule number one about first dates, and he found it awfully hilarious. Were you upset? Probably not. Would you play it up? Definitely.
"Hey! You can't just do that kind of stuff, you know? What if I just... what if I just kissed you?!"
"Do it." He remained in the same place hunched over as you turned back to face him. "Do it. I don't think you will."
"I won't give you the satisfaction." You cooed as you picked up your prizes from the ground once again.
You began to take off without him, but he'd call to you before you made any headway. "It's getting late. I'll walk you home."
"So you can squeeze more kisses out of me? No way." You looked up at the darkened sky, and from this part of the city not a single starlight could be seen. "I'm a big girl. I can make it home intact."
You turned halfway to face him at the entrance of the festival. Your arm was firmly tightened around the anak and cactuar. A light beam gathered upon your face. "Thank you. I suppose I wouldn't be completely against a second date."
You didn't wait to see his reaction, but you'd walk down the heavily crowded streets. Finally you could head back home, but not without making a quick pit stop.
.
Tattoo Shop : 8:33pm : 185 days
"Okay, you are all finished up." The tattoo artist wiped the remains of the ink and blood left on your skin. "Ready to check it out?"
You nodded and headed to the long mirror hanging on the wall. You lifted up your skirt and saw the name 'prompto argentum' tattooed on your ass. At least, in the mirror that's what it said. To the rest of the world it looked like random backwards letters strewn together. Ultimately you decided against your foot because you knew Prompto would make you take off your shoes all the time.
This spot was perfect, and in a place that no one would ever see it... hopefully.