So, because of a terrible snowstorm in Norway, our last flight (and consequently our night stop) was cancelled. Which means I can return home and post a new chapter :D
Also, the sequel to this story is officially finished! I am even drawing my own, original cover picture, and I can't wait to let you all read it! ^^
Iris woke up at the first lights of dawn, the sky still relatively dark. She couldn't help it. She was over-excited at the thought of joining the prince and his Crownsguards, and went to get ready. She wore the same outfit as the day before, being one of the most comfortable for traveling.
She didn't bother to grab any sorts of weapon, considering that she didn't even know how to lift a sword, and simply counted on the fact that the four boys would protect her if they got attacked.
She made herself a sandwich, as silently as possible so to not disturb Jared and Talcott who were still sleeping, and then went out to take an early walk. She sighed contentedly as the fresh breeze caressed her skin. Her feet brought her to the main square, so uncharacteristically empty, and her mind suddenly raced to Prompto. She imagined the blond boy taking pictures of the beautiful city at dawn, with close to zero people around.
She jumped when someone tapped on her shoulder, and whirled around to look at the person who had interrupted her train of thoughts. Her heart skipped a beat when she found herself face to face with the very young man she had just been thinking about.
"'Morning, early bird!" he exclaimed happily "What're you doin' up so early?"
"I-I… wasn't very tired, and decided to take a walk" she stuttered, blushing slightly "W-what about you?"
"Me? Ah! Taking fresh pics, of course! Didn't have many chances to take some good shots out in the wilderness, so I thought I could make up for that now" he grinned and, without warning, went to position himself beside her, wrapped his left arm around her waist and, with the other, aimed his camera at their faces and snapped away.
Iris froze at the unexpected touch of his hand gently lingering on her side, and her cheeks reddened even more. To her horror, her blush was clearly visible in the picture he had just taken.
"D'you think it's cold?" he asked, staring intently at the picture.
"N-not at all!" Iris replied, feeling anything but cold "Why do you ask?"
"'cause you're all red in your face. Doesn't that happen when it's cold? Blood rushes to the freezing parts of your body when it's too cold, or somethin' like that" he explained, failing to understand what was really going on. Iris sighed in relief.
"Well, it is a bit cold" she lied.
"Well, you shouldn't go out without a jacket then" he pretended to scold her, and then started unzipping his black jacket. Iris stared blankly at the blonde taking his jacket off and offering it to her.
She didn't have a choice but to wear it, becoming immediately engulfed in his scent.
"Better?" he asked kindly.
"Yeah" she said, feeling warmer than she had ever been in Lestallum.
The boy simply grinned at her, and she had to look away to prevent blushing any further.
"How is he always this happy?" she thought bitterly "He's the jolliest guy I've ever met!"
"Wooow! Iris, look at that!"
Iris turned in the direction Prompto had indicated, and was marveled at the sight of the rising sun painting the town pink and orange.
Prompto quickly grabbed his camera once again, taking pictures of the beautiful sight, and then turned to face her.
"Don't move!" he ordered.
"Wha-?" Iris stared surprised at him, and realized he had just stolen another picture of her.
"Sorry, I just had to. You looked so blissful and… pretty" he admitted, stuttering on the last word.
For the second time that morning, Iris blushed violently at the compliment.
They kept walking side by side in silence, Prompto occasionally taking more pictures and they watched as the town started to get back to business. People could finally be seen ushering out of their homes to go to work, elder ladies hanging freshly washed clothes outside and shops opening.
"Are you hungry?" Prompto asked suddenly.
"I ate a sandwich earlier, but I'd be lying if I said that was enough" she confessed. Prompto smirked and gestured for her to follow him.
They stepped into a cozy-looking café and approached the counter. Iris ordered a black coffee and a croissant, while Prompto chose a blueberry muffin and a cappuccino.
"No way, girl" he said, gently pushing her hand away "This is on me".
"What? No, you don't need to!" she tried to protest, but the boy simply shook his head and handed the money to the cashier.
"It's nothing, really. The boys and I have been on a few hunts, and got plenty of money for the effort. And I don't mind using it if I get to spend some quality time with you" he said jovially, while starting feasting on his food.
His words managed to catch her off guard again, silencing her feeble attempts at protesting. He kept complimenting her, buying her food and seemed to genuinely enjoy being around her. She didn't have much experience with boys, but had enough girlfriends at school to know what his behavior meant.
He obviously liked her, at least so she suspected. Or was she simply hoping he did? After all, she had never received any attentions from other boys.
"Why so serious?" he asked, frowning at her thoughtful expression.
"Uh? Nothing, really!" she replied in a high-pitched voice. They kept eating in silence, and she couldn't help but smile tenderly at the boy's satisfied expression.
"Prompto?"
"Mhm?"
"Is-is there any girl you like?" she asked boldly, resting her chin in her palm in an attempt to look nonchalant and casual. The gunslinger almost chocked on his piece of muffin, obviously not expecting such a question.
"Ehm..." he started, a slight blush beginning to color his freckled face "Well-"
He took a deep breath before speaking again. "Yes."
Iris felt her stomach twitch and her heart speed up. Prompto's expression suddenly turned dreamy, as if he was picturing someone in front of him.
"Ehm, may I- may I ask who she is?" Iris tried carefully.
"Well, her name is…" he started, before pausing for a few seconds. "Her name is Cindy".
"Oh…" Iris said, her voice sounding dangerously disappointed. She cleared her throat and forced a beaming smile "That's awesome! Do you have a picture of her?"
"Yeah, of course!" he replied enthusiastically, and went to rummage in his backpack in search of the photo album.
"Here she is, the goddess of Hammerhead!" he said dramatically.
Iris focused on the stunning blond girl posing beside a very much happy Prompto, with what seemed like a garage and a gas station in the background. She was hot, and obviously knew it judging by the outfit she was wearing. It was revealing, to say the least.
She could tell that Cindy girl must have dozens of boys drooling over her, following her like puppies and her face immediately fell. What chances did she have with any boy when girls like her walked the earth?
"She- she is really pretty" Iris said, handing him back his album and plastering a forced smile on her face.
"I know, right!" Prompto agreed approvingly, his eyes dangerously fixed on Cindy's revealing chest.
Iris couldn't understand why she felt so sad, so disappointed, so angry. But she should have expected it. Just because Prompto was acting all nice and friendly around her, didn't mean he was interested in her. For all she knew, he acted that way with any human being, both female and male, and she wasn't any exception.
"Who cares" she thought "He's not my type anyway".
She told herself she had hoped he would confess his crush on her out of pure selfishness, because her female ego needed to be told that some guy had fallen for her, that she occupied a special place in someone's heart, even if that meant breaking it for not requiting his love. Instead, she ended up getting hers broken.
No, wait. What? Her heart was not broken. Not because of bloody Prompto Argentum. Noctis was sitting on the throne that had been his place for all those years. Right?
So yeah. What she was feeling was nothing more but disappointment, for she had briefly convinced herself that Prompto Argentum had developed a crush on her. But of course he was after sexy Cindy.
"So, are you two- ehm, together?" she asked tentatively, trying as hard as she could to sound genuinely happy for him.
"Not really" he answered flatly, his face falling a bit "She is "married to her work". He air quoted.
"Sorry to hear that" she said, frowning at the fact that she wasn't sorry at all.
"Nah, it's alright" the blonde said, attacking the last pieces of his muffin.
Iris looked outside the large windows by the table they were sitting at, and could see the streets were finally bustling with people, as usual.
"Ready when you are" she hinted, chuckling at Prompto downing the whole mug of cappuccino in one sip in his haste to leave.
Next Chapter: Noctis tries the Quicksilver, but something goes wrong. Iris meets Cindy. Iris is jealous?