Totomostro

Based on the betting mini-game in the Arena Galviano Colosseum in Altissia.

Lightning sighed and tried not to send Noctis a glare. She crossed her arms, worried if she didn't she might have throttled him for losing 300,000 gil. "Well, there goes our money for the Fine Caviar Canape." In her mind, she waved goodbye to the expensive dish she had been wanting to try. Well, you can't have everything. She thought dejectedly.

"It's not so 'fine' anymore, isn't it?" Ignis said coldly as he pushed his glasses from the bridge of his nose. Due to some unknown phenomenon (or maybe it was from the setting sun, Noctis will never know), Ignis' glasses were shiny, making it unable to see his eyes and for that, the Prince was grateful.

However, he winced at his adviser's tone, as if a frosty wind had passed by. "Shit, Iggy." He turned to look at them apologetically. "I'm so sorry, Light." He knew how much Lightning and Ignis wanted to try the caviar canape and he had gambled it all away.

While the three of them sulked in the corner, the other two were in a happier mood. While Prompto and Gladio only bet a few thousand gil, their earnings were better than nothing and they took this chance to rub it in.

Prompto laughed, his fingers forming into guns. "Hah and the Prince of Lucis fails!"

"More like-" Gladio paused for dramatics and snickered. "- the Prince of Losing."

As the two laughed in an almost evil manner, Noctis mumbled in defeat. "Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want." Damn, he thought for sure that Coeurl was going to win.

His royal adviser shook his head, but felt no pity towards his highness. "There is a saying: 'Gambling is the son of avarice and the father of despair.'" Noctis felt a twist in his gut, like someone had stabbed him.

"There's also another one." Lightning said, this time taking her turn. "'There is no better gambling than not to gamble.'"

Ignis hummed in agreement. "That is a rather good proverb."

"I have more." She said and the two continued to talk as if Noctis wasn't right next to them. "'There are two great pleasures in gambling: that of winning and that of losing.'"

"Ah, well said."

"Will you two shut up." He stated depressingly, it wasn't even in the form of a question. He didn't need his adviser and his Glaive to take turns stabbing him. His pride was in tatters as it is.

"Alright." Lightning sighed and gave Noctis a determined look, her eyes shining at the challenge. He knew it well and the scenario always played out to her favor. "We'll get that money back."

"You're going to bet?" He asked her, unsure if this was a good idea. If she were to play and lose, they would only have enough money for a night's stay at the Royal Suite in the Leville.

"Yeah, I think I'm pretty good at this." She replied, twisting her neck. "I've actually been betting in my head and, so far, I've gotten everything right."

"Then why didn't you say something about that Coeurl if you knew it wasn't gonna win?" He groaned.

"I didn't say I knew who was going to win, Princess." She rolled her eyes. "Compared to those five Reapertails, that Coeurl looked too exhausted to even fight. And it's your own damn fault for gambling in the first place."

Noctis couldn't help but look at her in awe. He had always trusted Lightning in whatever situation they were in. And she always did save his ass.

As the electronic panel showed the round's list of beasts to bet on, she watched each of them carefully, assessing who was most likely to win. "Besides, you owe Ignis and I a caviar canape." To which Ignis nodded with crossed arms. She settled on her target, the Master Tonberry, and said out loud. "I think the Tonberry's gonna win."

Overhearing this, Prompto goaded. "Hah, you really think the little guy's gonna win?"

She didn't spare him a glance as she inputted her bet on a smaller electronic panel in their balcony area. "Who'd you place your bet on?"

"Gladio and I are going for the Gigantoad." The blonde cameraman grinned. "He's gonna squish that little dude!"

With the bets placed, the beasts were released from their cages and into the arena. Roars, cheers, and loud sounds from various trumpets filled the stadium. Noctis gritted his teeth as he watched Lightning and Prompto's bet. The Tonberry was tiny compared to the Gigantoad.

"A kitchen knife." Ignis mused. "Wonder if it's a culinary battle he wants."

"I somehow doubt that." The Prince chuckled nervously.

As the battle commenced, with loud cheers from everyone, and occasionally one from Ignis, only the Tonberry and Gigantoad were left. Tonberries are known for their patience when attacking, striking when the enemy is at its most vulnerable or unguarded. It was clear who the winner was going to be as the Gigantoad kept attacking, using up its energy and tiring itself. When the Tonberry finally attacked, its knife was encased in purple, glowing energy and claimed victory.

As Prompto fell to his knees and Gladio scowled in disappointment, Noctis and Ignis cheered at their victory. Lightning smiled, pleased with herself at gaining Noctis' money back and proving a now-disgruntled Prompto wrong, who she honestly thought needed to be brought down a notch or two. "Never underestimate an enemy, no matter what the size."

When the amount of their winnings came unto the electronic panel, the Prince stared at it then shifted to her, his mouth open as he realized she earned back twice the money he had lost. "Lightning!" He shouted excitedly and glomped her into a hug. Before he could even think, the words were already passed his lips. "I love you." He blurted out.

She simply smirked. "I know."

AN: Did I really just upload another drabble without months of hiatus? Yes I did ahahaha. I plan to have a second part to this drabble; something that involves the caviar canape because everyone knows that's the most expensive dish in the game. Anyways, hoped you like this one! Playing this was a bitch and I had so many regrets hahaha. Stay Lightis~