Hey guys. Thanks for your continuous support! We continue with the rest of the water park date.

And to answer a question I got (I thought I mentioned Evie's appearance before, but here ya go! (I'd message you but you're on guest :'D)) Evie has green eyes and has short, wavy strawberry blonde hair (like a bob/pixie cut?) She's light skinned but not as much as Prompto and has light freckles. A couple inches shorter than Prompto and I'm pretty sure if she wore heels she would be taller, but then again he spikes his hair up super high so who knows~?

Chapter 21

Sun Kissed

Evie would have thought Prompto's energy would slowly disappear like every other person if they were at a water park, but nope. After they grabbed lunch Evie convinced him to join her in the lazy river before they go off to the next slide, and they were practically playing bumper tubes. Prompto accidentally splashed a few other park goers, an older couple, and Evie had to apologize for him but they didn't seem to mind. As Evie and Prompto passed them she overheard one of the ladies gush, "Oh Uriah, remember when we used to be like that?" Prompto apparently also overheard and just smirked at Evie.

"What's that look for?" She exclaimed, cheeks pink, and promptly splashed him.

"She has returned fire! It's war!"

The girl shrieked and used her tube as a shield, but Prompto dove under and wrapped his arms around her midsection and started tickling her.

There was a fork in the lazy river and Evie quickly retreated to the right side before Prompto was swept away with the other current, but the fork joined back as one after a few feet. Evie finally got back on the tube and was just relaxing for a moment's peace before her tube dipped to one side. She sat up, alarmed to find Prompto with his arms perched on her tube.

Water was dripping down his nose and chin and his wet hair was swept to one side and it stuck up funny. By now the sun definitely kissed his face. "Can I help you?" Evie asked, gripping on the handles just in case he decided to flip her over for the tenth time.

"I'm just a little merman looking for this cute pirate captain." He said innocently.

"Oh," she rolled her eyes, "why did she steal something?"

"Yeah," he clutched at his chest dramatically, "my heart!"

The cheesiness didn't end for Evie.

And neither did Prompto's determination for her to go on the tallest, steepest slide in the park.

It was later in the day and the sun was finally out of the glass dome's view. The lights turned on and it felt like the sun never disappeared. Evie was concerned the lights were going to give Prompto an even worse burn because sure enough his shoulders started to get all toasty, and his back was a light pink. He didn't put sunblock on back there anyways.

They went around and did their favorite rides, and now they were just walking around figuring out what to hit up again until they reached the entrance to the slide they haven't gone on. Either it was Prompto's planning or it was by chance that they stopped there. Evie was going with the first.

"C'mon Eve! Just close your eyes!" He wheedled.

"No! I'm probably gonna pass out for being so high up just for waiting to get on the actual slide!"

"But you can go two at a time! I'll be right next to you." He was already tugging her to the staircase. "Please?"

"If I die I'm blaming you!"

"You're not gonna die." He laughed, amused with her dramatic ensemble.

"Prompto Argentum I have been on every other ride, isn't that good enough?"

"Nope. C'mon, just one time!"

She stared at the ungodly steep slide, imagining all of the things that could go wrong but alas, she knew she couldn't bring Prompto down from cloud 9. "Fine."

It appeared Prompto could sense her uneasiness because he kept on talking to her to distract the obvious distance they were putting between them and the ground. "Ignis would just be lounging in a chair right about now. He insists that he can perfectly watch our things instead of putting it in a locker, but he's just finding an excuse to get out of getting on a slide and ruining his hair."

Evie snorted, staring at her boyfriend and not at the ground. "I can believe that. But I thought you would hate to get your hair all messed up."

"If it's in the name of fun I'll do anything."

"I know."

They were one platform away from reaching the top and Evie could hear her heart thud in her ears. Prompto was standing behind her and he wrapped his around her stomach and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Okay, so after this slide we can go on whatever you want."

"So the lazy river it is then."

"Sounds good." He kissed the side of her head. "I think your shoulders are a little burnt."

"Pfft, you have it worse. Mine will just turn into a tan."

Another pause. "You have freckles."

She blinked. "I do. But they're not that noticeable."

"It's cute!"

Evie laughed. "Whatever you say. I think yours are cuter."

"Nuh-uh," he said in a childish tone, "yours are." He assured.

She couldn't believe she was having such an absurd conversation about whose freckles were 'cuter', but she could appreciate it. "Your freckles are your signature look. You'd be a completely different person if you didn't have them. Have you ever played 'connect-the-dots' with your freckles?"

He snorted. "Loads. I managed to find four chocobos."

"Only four?"

And there they were at the slides. Evie paled at the view. Not only could she see the entirety of the park, but what was beyond the glass dome. She could've sworn she saw the citadel from here. "Prompto how lousy would I be if I wanted to back out?"

"Wellllll, consider this: going down the slide is a lot faster than going down the stairs."

"Prompto!" Her heart leapt into her throat. "That's not helping!"

"Just lie down and let gravity do the rest." He encouraged and gave her midsection a gentle squeeze. "I'll see you at the bottom. You can do this."

Evie wanted to keep his arms glued around her and she felt this sudden sense of dread when he left her to get on his slide. Legs numbly carrying her, she sat down and went on her back. She heard the countdown from the lifeguards and then she was pushed off gently.

Evie screamed louder than before, covering her face from the water. She swore her back didn't touch the slide until halfway down. When she finally cruised to a stop, she sat up, paler than a ghost and heart going at lightspeed.

Prompto had helped her to her feet and Evie proclaimed she would never go on that slide ever again and he accepted it. For the next hour, both of them were relaxing in the lazy river like normal people and Evie's soul was able to catch up to her body.

They were floating down the river along with the current in their inner tubes, hands linked. Prompto ran his thumb over her hand in gentle circles. "Hey, Eve?" His voice broke Evie out of her trance from looking up at the sky beyond the glass. The evening colors were starting to paint over the light blue.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for today. I needed this break." He squeezed her hand.

She smiled. Truth be told she needed this immensely. Her mind needed to be distracted from classes and the impending doom called 'adulthood' that was lurking beyond 2 more months. "I just hope the sunburn won't make us regret anything."

"I wouldn't regret anything. I managed to get you to go on all the rides with me!" Prompto was elated. Too bad she couldn't see his smile.

"Your poor nose though…"

"You can always kiss it to make it better?"

Evie laughed and shook her head. "It'll just sting."

"Stop depriving me of my kisses!" Prompto flicked some water at her.

She shivered, having the front part of her body all dried from the warm air and lights. "Don't be so dramatic!"

"Says the girl who said she was going to 'die' on the slide."

"I had good enough reason to be nervous!"

Eventually they called it a day and dragged themselves out of the river.

The two nearly passed out when they climbed into a taxi, but Prompto managed to keep both of them up as he was swiping through all of the pictures he took. He took a particular liking to a one where he did a sneak attack on Evie. He was smiling like a goof whereas Evie had her mouth covered and eyes closed, but it was easy to tell that she was smiling behind those hands. Another one was where he had someone take their picture and they were standing in front of a water ride, forming one large heart with their arms.

They were dropped off at Prompto's apartment where they entered and practically dove head first in the couch, but Evie wrinkled her nose when the smell of chlorine hit her. Thank gods she brought an extra pair of clothes this time.

She had her eye fixated on the bathroom. "You wanna shower first?" She asked as she kicked her flip-flops off.

"'M'too tired t'shower," Prompto whined as he made his way to the couch.

"Alright, I'll steal all of the hot water then."

Prompto held up a hand with a flourish as if he was struck with the most brilliant idea in all of Eos. "How 'bout this? We shower together!"

Evie mustered all of the strength to squint at him but it didn't work. "No funny business, mister. I'm too tired."

"Trust me, babe. I'm ready to hibernate." His words contradicted the sudden hop in his step as he made his way to the bathroom. Evie followed after him and turned on the faucet. They peeled off their clothes and damp suits and jumped into the shower.

For the most part they minded their own business, washing up and rinsing, until Prompto yelped when the water hit his back. His back was an angry red from the sun.

"I put on sunblock! You saw me!"

Evie was examining the burn. "Yeah but you didn't do your back. I was going to say something but you were already running off!"

Prompto whined like a kid. "How bad is it?"

"Bad." He reeled his head back, frowning. "Well it still needs to get cleaned. We need to get the sunblock off." He protested but Evie already grabbed the soap and washcloth. "I won't put too much pressure. Now, stay still."

After gently washing down his back, while putting up a little struggle, they finished cleaning up and Evie was about to turn off the water when Prompto pulled her flush against his chest. Evie didn't protest much, inhaling the fresh scent of soap on his body. Prompto hummed in content and buried his face in the crook of her neck, nuzzling it. Evie giggled when he pressed small kisses on her wet skin. She ran her hands along his sides, tracing the dips and bumps from his lean muscles.

His hands smoothed up and down her waist before going down her hips and thighs. Evie gasped. "I-I thought I said no funny business."

His lips found their way to the curve of her shoulder, kissing the stray freckles he could find. "I just wanna touch you…" he murmured.

"There's this thing called cuddling, and we can do that outside the shower." She breathed, unconsciously tilting her head as he continued to make her skin buzz with soft kisses.

"Nnnnnng," he pulled away reluctantly and when the water was turned off they were quick to dry and change into fresh clothes. They jumped into his bed and buried themselves under the sheets and comforter. Just as Evie got comfortable, Prompto already pulled her against his chest.

They didn't exchange any words, but took pleasure in the silence. Prompto traced circles along Evie's back as she curled into him, forehead resting against his. They stared at each other, and through a small exchange of nose and forehead kisses they fell asleep.

The next day, both of them had class. Evie was sitting in one of her classes for journalism when Prompto texted her complaining that his back itches, but if he scratched it then it would hurt. Evie couldn't help but laugh and feel sorry for the poor boy. Ignis would definitely be playing as mom and giving him the "I told you so" lecture.

After her class she snagged a copy of this week's issue of the paper to deliver to one of her professors. Her office was located on the second floor of the library and Evie was thankful for the walk. Spring was finally melting away most of the snow and the trees were starting to bud.

She made it to her professor's office and dropped off the paper. Professor Bonavento was an older lady who taught Insomnian history and literature and to this day was still one of Evie's favorites. She had a nice chat with her before Professor Bonavento had to leave for one of her lectures and Evie was by herself until she reached the commons of the second floor.

Lounging on one of the plush couches was someone of a familiar build. Huge shoulders and brown hair brush back over his hair. Approaching the couch, she tapped the man on the shoulder. "Gladio?"

Sure enough the bodyguard looked up from his phone. He appeared disgruntled that is until he saw Evie's face. A smile adorned his features. "Hey stranger."

She observed the seating area around him and found no sleeping prince. "Noct's in a class?"

"Yep. Just a few more months of this."

"And then you can babysit him at the citadel when he's king. I don't think he'll be able to sleep through council meetings then."

Gladiolus smirked. "You just passing through?"

"I was, but I don't have another class until a few hours from now so I can just sit with you if you're not against it."

He patted the seat next to him and she obliged. Evie sat back in the couch, shifting her shoulders a bit. They got a good amount of sun and the fabric irritated her skin much like Prompto's, but at least it was manageable. "So how are you and Blondie?"

"We're doing pretty good. We may have gone to the water park yesterday," she laughed and rummaged through her bag to pull out a water bottle.

"Gods, Prompto was spamming the damn chat with pictures." He appeared affectionately frustrated when he said that.

"Is that why you looked so mad when I first walked up to you?"

He chuckled. "At this point I'm used to Prompto shoving selfies of you two in our faces. You got him worse than Cindy." His phone chimed and he glanced at it. Evie's eyes followed to his phone and glazed over the words "King's Knight" before he flipped his phone over.

"You do play that game, huh?"

"What? King's Knight?" Gladio shifted in his seat and rested his arm across the top of the couch. "Not as much as Noct and Prompto play it. As much as they hate to admit it, I always get the better score."

"That's not what I've heard." She laughed. She knew about the game long before Prompto, knowing that it swept over campus like a wildfire. Lyra downloaded the game and then deleted it a week after claiming that it was 'dangerously addicting' and that it would 'ruin her life'. Truth be told she had the game on her phone as well, but it was stowed away in a folder of forgotten games that needed to be uninstalled however Prompto convinced her to play a few rounds.

"Prompto's been talking trash huh?" That seemed to spark his inner competitiveness. He picked up his phone and opened the app. "Did Prompto rope you into this game?"

"Not initially. I just downloaded it because everyone else did when it was first released." She took out her phone. "We can play a quick round?"

After finally getting the campus' shoddy wifi to work, they added each other and they started a round. Minutes of swearing and close calls went by and Evie had her eyes glued to her phone screen. She had been so engrossed with the game she didn't see Noctis flop onto the couch across from them.

"Good chat, guys." Noctis said with a dry laugh.

"We're in the middle of something very important right now," Gladio huffed, squinting at his screen.

"King's Knight." Evie explained.

"Oh you play that game? I'm down for a round," Noctis said. From Evie's peripheral vision she saw the prince take out his phone.

The round between Evie and Gladio ended shortly with Evie as the victor, to which the muscled man was shocked but shrugged it off with his usual easy-going grin. The prince merely smirked and they were all waiting for their round to start.

"Of course she would beat you. Let's be honest Gladio, you're all talk."

"I'm gonna make you eat your words, little kid."

The three sat there, tension strung high as the monsters got harder to kill and the speed was picking up. Evie's eyes stung as she blinked for staring at the small screen for so long and just as she finished another wave of monsters the game froze on her and Lyra's profile picture flashed on the screen. The game closed in on itself. "Dammit Lyra!" She hissed.

"Aw what happened E? You disappeared!" Gladio said, eyes fixated on the screen.

"Lyra's calling me―" she muttered and answered the call. "This better be important!"

"Sorry," she drew out each syllable with her usual sass, "anywho, guess who I ran into?"

Evie rolled out her neck and sat back with a silent huff. "Who." She grumbled.

"Ignis!"

She blinked. "Huh?"

"You know―the tall hot guy with glasses―" she supplied.

"I know who Ignis is!" She hurried. "What do mean you 'ran into him'?" The two males looked up from their phones at the name of their friend.

"I was heading to the clinic and I saw him walking down the sidewalk. He was running errands so we couldn't talk for long."

"So why couldn't you just text me?"

"Girl you know I can't walk and text at the same time! I'm almost at the clinic so I'll talk to you later!"

Evie pulled her lips in a tight smile. "Uh-huh."

"Dammit!" Noctis groaned and leaned back in the couch, holding up his phone in disbelief. Gladio merely smirked and gave the prince a mock salute.

"What was that?" Lyra asked.

"I'm playing, was playing, King's Knight with Noct and Gladio and then you freaking called me! You crashed my game!"

Lyra laughed. "Sorry sorry!" She said without an ounce of guilt. "I didn't know. I'll let you get back to that then."

With that the call ended. Evie sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. Gods dammit, Lyra.

Some lighthearted bonding with the other bros. And believe it or not but their graduation is going to be a few more chapters! I can't wait to type up the next half of Evie and the rest of the guys' life after college. I'm also really enjoying reading your predictions of what's going to happen for Noct's wedding! I'd answer your questions but I don't wanna spoil anything ;;;; I can say there will be no deaths involved though! I'm dead set on this story being all cute and slice of life with typical drama lol.

I'll see you for the next one!

-Jen