It was hard to write this chapter because : I never go to the shooting range, and I never hold a gun.

Please pardon me if there's any mistake regarding it :"D

Happy reading~!

Chapter 20 - Shooting Range

"Good luck." Lizette smirked as she teased Eira who was putting back her mirror into her bag.

"Uu… I'm nervous," Eira muttered. She zipped her bag then shut her eyes. Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly for a few times, she then opened her eyes and looked at the brown-haired young woman who was giggling at her.

"It's okay. Just be yourself like usual," said Lizette.

Giving a nervous smile, Eira huffed and then got out of the car.

The wind that brought spring fragrance brushed her cheeks. It was still rather cold, but warmer than before. Good thing that she wasn't allergic to pollen—unlike Stella who was staying at home for a few days due to hay fever. She didn't want to get sick just right when Cor invited her to the shooting range with him—well, it wouldn't be just the two of them, but Eira was so excited about it.

Walking toward the entrance, she already saw the tall man in his crownsguard uniform standing there. Obviously waiting for her. He noticed her presence, and she caught a slight smile on his face. Eira scurried, hastening her walking pace. And then she noticed a figure not too far from the marshal.

A blonde young man looked at her as she came closer. From the way he stood, she guessed that he was nervous standing there with the marshal. He was probably the crownsguard cadet who Cor told about the other day.

"Good morning," Eira greeted once she arrived. Smile on her face, red tint on her cheeks; she was so happy and nervous at the same time.

"Good morning. Thanks for coming," Cor said.

"No problem," Eira replied. Oh, she could hear how her heart was beating so loudly. Thumping, thudding, throbbing. It wasn't the first time she faced Cor Leonis, but why did her heart never get used to this? Well, she would be relaxed after a while. But the restlessness at the first few minutes after seeing Cor was still a problem for her.

"Eira, this is Prompto. Noctis's schoolmate." Cor turned his head, raising his hand toward the blonde young man who jolted when Cor introduced him.

"A-Ah… A… I'm Prompto. Pleased to meet you." He bowed, deeply. Too deep that it was a bit awkward.

Seeing that someone else was more restless than her, Eira somehow felt relaxed—a little bit.

"Hi. I'm Eira. Nice to meet you." Eira also bowed to him. She was the first to raise her head, and it took two more seconds after for Prompto until he raised his head again.

"Let's get in." Cor turned his body and led the way.

After giving a sheepish smile at Eira, Prompto followed the marshal.

Eira walked next to Prompto, observing the man who was still nervous there. She said, "Relax."

"Eh?" the young man turned his head to Eira as a reflex. He faced his front again then looked down while scratching the back of his neck. "Ah… Um… I-I'm so nervous. Ehehe..."

Prompto was so cute.

"Me too," she whispered. "Of course anyone will get restless around the stern marshal, right?"

Prompto gasped. "A…" a voice came out from his lips but no words escaped. He was speechless and Eira giggled seeing his reaction.

She wondered whether she was like that the first time she had dinner with Cor.

"He won't bite," Eira winked and Prompto replied with a nervous laugh. She chuckled then looked at her surroundings as they arrived in a wide room that contained a lot of shelves which displayed varieties of firearms.

"Prompto." Cor suddenly called, and it startled Prompto. Eira tried hard not to laugh seeing him flustered. She really wanted to tell Cor that he frightened the poor boy, but she refrained from doing so.

Eira watched Prompto scurried toward Cor who then explained the guns and rifles on the display, including its parts and accessories. She just followed them, silently listening to Cor's voice as he explained to the crownsguard cadet.

"Isn't it Ms. Heallint?" a familiar voice from behind diverted Eira's attention from her beloved marshal. Turning her body, she smiled at a middle-aged man, Mr. Lucas, the owner of this shooting range who sometimes visited this place as the range safety officer.

"Mr. Lucas," she greeted.

"It's nice seeing you here. Want to try a new rifle?"

"It's tempting. But perhaps later. I'm accompanying these two men this time."

Lucas moved his eyes, looking at the men she was pointing at. He gasped, "Isn't that Mr. Leonis?"

Eira looked at Cor who stopped explaining to Prompto. Lucas's voice might have snatched his attention.

"Hi, Lucas." Cor greeted, which surprised Eira that he knew the owner.

"You knew each other?" she asked.

"Who doesn't know about the Immortal?" Lucas said.

Okay, of course if someone had read the news or watched the tv, they should've known about who is the marshal of the crownsguard. But, it didn't explain how Cor knew Lucas's name. Demanding an explanation, Eira stared at Cor, who fortunately understood the meaning of her piercing gaze.

"Been here years ago." Cor said.

"When he was thirteen." Lucas added. "But the young brat didn't like guns."

"But… that was twenty nine years ago, wasn't it?" Eira frowned.

"I was his safety officer. Lil marshal couldn't aim well. And, having his pride trampled by inability to use firearms despite being called a prodigy, he began to occasionally practice here to prove to me that he became better."

"Lucas." Cor called the man older than him, eyes telling Lucas that he wanted this story of his past not to be told.

Lucas chuckled. "But he stopped coming since he became the marshal. And just visit here sometimes with Dustin. Now that we talk about him, where's he? Dustin is the one who often trains new crownsguard for firearms."

Eira raised her eyebrows after she listened to Lucas's explanation. From his wording, she could guess that it's unusual for the marshal to directly train the crownsguard cadet in the matter of firearms. She wondered, perhaps because Prompto is the prince's friend so that the marshal was appointed to train him directly like this?

"Lucas, before we start, can we use the training room?" Cor spoke, changing the topic.

"Yes, sure." Lucas smiled. He then looked at Prompto, "Please, this way."

Lucas and Prompto walked before Cor and Eira, leaving her to be able to complain at the marshal.

"You didn't tell me that you often visit this range," she pouted.

Cor chuckled, "It's a coincidence."

"You didn't need to ask for a recommendation first hand then." Eira still sulked.

Cor faced the front then cleared his throat. He murmured, "I just wanted to know which one is your favorite."

The man then walked faster, chasing Lucas and Prompto who were already entering the training room, leaving Eira who was stunned behind.

Her cheeks were burning and her heart began to race again.

He wanted to know which one is my favorite…. Aaaaa… Oh the Six….

.

.

.

"Okay… okay…" Prompto was muttering while he was going to put on his muffler. Seeing it, Eira couldn't help but to watch him.

His slender arms were slightly trembling as he tried to put the muffler on, and things weren't going smoothly because he was so nervous and then dropped it. "Aa!" he jolted, but managed not to scream so loudly when the muffler hit the floor.

Eira picked it, then looked at him, "Let me help you."

"Eh? Eh? Aa—" Prompto's face was reddened. He was petrified, not saying a thing as he let Eira put the muffler on his ears. "T-Thanks." Only after it was done that he finally said a word.

"No problem." Eira smiled. She then looked at Cor who was already done wearing his glasses and muffler and now was staring at her.

"Uh…" Prompto's voice snatched her attention again. He was biting his lower lips and muttering as he walked, "I'm not sure I remember all of those explanations."

Hearing it, Eira comforted him, "It's okay. Lucas will accompany us and he'll kindly explain it again to you. Also you can ask me or Cor. Don't worry."

"Thank you." Prompto's eyes were sparkling when he said his gratitude.

They followed Lucas and Cor who were walking before them, and at that moment, Eira just realized that he unwittingly mentioned Cor as "Cor" and not "Marshal" in front of Prompto. Ears burning by the heat, she hoped she didn't blush now. Also, she wished that Prompto wouldn't notice it due to his nervousness.

Now they walked in the hallway toward the door that led them to their assigned lane. Glancing at Prompto who was indeed still nervous, Eira started a conversation.

"So, you're Noctis's classmate?"

"Y-Yes."

"Why did you decide to be a crownsguard?"

"Eh? Ah… Um…" he gave a slight pause before continuing, "It's because I think crownsguard is cool."

Cool… Well, for Eira, the only cool crownsguard in Lucis is Cor Leonis. Looking at the marshal on their front, she muttered, "Yes. Sure. They're cool."

"And… Ms. Eira, you're a crownsguard medic, right? That's amazing."

Eira blinked and quickly turned her head toward Prompto. "No, no. Don't call me Ms. Eira. Just call me Eira."

"Ah… O-Okay." He blushed. Scratching his head, Prompto then asked, "So, do crownsguard medic also need to fight?"

Eira shook her head, "Not on the battlefield. But basic training is required. I'm going to take it next year."

"Next year? But you're already good at firearms… at least that's what I heard from the marshal."

Oh, Eira was so curious about what Cor said about her to Prompto. Did he also tell him that they often had dinner together?

"My mom taught me how to use a gun. It's prohibited by the law, but I started my shooting practice when I was ten."

"And you okay with me hearing that?" Cor who apparently listened to their conversation turned his head and glanced at them.

Eira was startled by Cor's response but managed to reply while trying to be calm even though her heart began to loudly thump because she suddenly heard Cor's hoarse voice. "You should ask William Heallint who didn't stop his wife to give a gun and a rifle to their daughter who was ten at that time."

"A bad example for a royal council member, huh?" Cor chuckled.

Ei giggled, "Also, someone I knew became a crownsguard and went to the battlefield since he was thirteen. I wonder who he is."

"I wonder." Cor gave a soft smile, and it was enough to fill Eira's stomach with fluttering butterflies.

A soft thud and a rather loud gasp from his left attracted Cor's attention. Prompto dropped his ear muffs and Eira who was standing next to him helped to take it for him.

Thud

There was a loud and unpleasant thudding in his chest as he saw how close those two were.

Thud

And there was another same feeling when he saw Eira helping Prompto to wear his muffler.

Jealous? No, no, it couldn't be. How could Cor Leonis be jealous of Prompto? And what kind of right did he have to be jealous? Eira wasn't his woman. She was free to be kind toward anyone. Wait, she was kind. And her kindness was also the one that enchanted Cor. Now the old man was worried that Prompto would be charmed by her.

No. No. No.

What was he thinking about?

But they were the same age. … It meant that the chances of them becoming lovers were high. Fuck, Cor. He knew that he wouldn't have a chance like that. He was just an old man. Unattractive. Just a pitiful old man and she was just too kind to him so she wanted to be something like… a friend.

Lucas guided them in the hallway toward the door of their lanes. Eira and Prompto followed them behind, and he could hear they were chattering. Cor was curious about what they were talking about. But unfortunately the ear muffs hindered him from hearing it. Moreover, Lucas, who was walking not too far in front of him, began to talk to him.

Cor wasn't really interested in talking with Lucas. Not because he didn't like him. It was just because the conversation behind him piqued his curiosity.

Only after they arrived in front of the door toward their lane when Prompto and Eira were a bit closer so Cor could catch what they were talking about.

"My mom taught me how to use a gun. It's prohibited by the law but I started my shooting practice when I was ten." Eira said.

"And you okay with me hearing that?" Cor teased. He actually already knew about this matter. William loved to brag about his daughter to any of his coworkers, including to the marshal.

Eira turned her head to look at him then replied while giving him a sheepish smile he loved, "You should ask William Heallint who didn't stop his wife to give a gun and a rifle to their daughter who was ten at that time."

"A bad example for a royal council member, huh?" Cor chuckled.

Eira giggled, "Also, someone I knew became a crownsguard and went to the battlefield since he was thirteen. I wonder who he is."

"I wonder." Cor smiled.

Unfortunately their small conversation should meet its end since they were entering the shooting range.

Lucas did preparation for them, placing the guns on their tables, while re-explaining the safety rules to them, especially Prompto.

"Ready for your first shoot, Prompto?" Cor asked, which apparently startled Prompto. He noticed how the young blonde's shoulders and back were tense. Being restless would be rather dangerous for him to handle the gun. Thinking hard about how to ease Prompto's nervousness, the creases on Cor's forehead were multiplied. He didn't know that his stern look scared Prompto even more.

"Prompto," Eira called. "You forget to breathe."

Prompto gasped then laughed. "I'm so nervous."

"Take a deep breath," Eira said.

Prompto nodded and did as she asked. And at that exact moment—even though he was a bit jealous seeing her with Prompto—Cor was glad to invite Eira to accompany them right now.

"So, what if the marshal shows us how to shoot first?" Eira clapped her hand, gaining everyone's attention to her.

Giving a smile, Cor said, "Sure."

"Do you still remember how to use the gun?" she asked as she stepped away from the table where Cor took a gun from.

He didn't reply. Just giving a smirk then took his gun.

While giving explanation again to Prompto, Cor checked the firing chamber to make sure that there was no cartridge in it. Lucas had already shown it before to Prompto, but another explanation from the marshal wouldn't hurt, right?

Cor loaded the gun, formed the stance, and aimed his target. He pulled the trigger when he was ready, and continued to fire several times before he halted, then unloaded his gun.

"See?" he smiled. Not toward the young man he was supposed to teach, but to a medic on his left—she was standing a bit behind, though.

"Try?" Now he turned to Prompto, stepping back from the shooting box and giving space for him to walk forward.

"I…" Prompto clenched his fist, then glanced at Eira.

"Want me to go first?" she asked.

"Y-Yes… If you wouldn't mind," Prompto replied.

Cor was jealous. Eira was too caring toward Prompto. She spoiled him so much. She knew exactly what Prompto meant even though he didn't say anything. Just a glance, and she offered her support. And her voice when she talked to him was way way too soft. Which was … actually good because it calmed him down.

"One more explanation, then?" she asked. "Hope you won't be bored about it."

"No! No! I'll be very happy to listen."

Eira chuckled, "Okay."

She waved her hand, giving a gesture so that Prompto walked to her shooting box. Cor crossed his arms, watching Eira teached Prompto again about the gun. He began to wonder if he was bad at teaching. Or… Eira was so skillful at teaching that Prompto was more comfortable to be with her. Cor didn't realize that his stern face was the one who scared Prompto and made him unable to relax.

Either way, as long as today's goal was achieved—teaching Prompto about guns—it didn't really matter. He just needed to withstand the jealousy that perturbed his mind.

Cor moved from his shooting box so that he could see the way Eira was holding the gun right now. Prompto was already moving away and standing next to him to see a particular medic fire a gun.

It was the first time Cor saw another side of her. The gentle and soft medic he knew all this time, who was usually holding a suture kit now holding a gun in her hands. He could see how serious her looks became as she aimed, and he was amazed when Eira shot the target.

She fired ten times simultaneously before she unloaded the gun and placed it on the table.

He wanted to marry her.

Cor shut his eyes because of random thoughts that invaded his head. He almost forgot that his purpose for going to this shooting range wasn't—just—to admire his crush.

"Eira, that was amazing!" Prompto exclaimed.

"Thank you!" Eira said, with an adorable smile on her face. "Now your turn. You can do it, Prompto!"

Prompto nodded then walked toward an unoccupied shooting box. As he passed over the marshal, Cor gave his words, "Relax. Control your breathing."

"Yes, Sir!" Prompto nodded. This time he looked far more confident than before. Perhaps, after seeing that Eira, a young woman in his age, was capable of shooting as well as the marshal—or probably, better than the marshal—, Prompto realized that he could do the same.

In front of the shooting box, Prompto halted to adjust the position of his ear mufflers and protective glasses, before shutting his eyes to take a deep breath.

Cor walked closer then stood not too far from the young man to watch him handling his first gun.

Prompto did well to prepare the gun. Of course after listening to the lecture from three people, he couldn't fail, right? His hands were slightly trembling, though. But it seemed that Prompto managed to calm himself. His form was good, but some adjustment was needed and Cor guided him for that.

Stepping back, Cor waited for Prompto to pull the trigger.

Bang!

"Woaah!" Prompto jolted, and Cor quickly held him so he wouldn't lose his balance.

"It's alright. Keep your fingers outside the trigger guard. Don't put down your gun. Stand."

"Y-Yes, Sir!" Prompto shouted that Cor was sure he did it unwittingly.

After helping him to stand properly, Cor gently patted his back. "Relax. Control your breath. Second shot won't be as surprising as the first. Don't hold your hand to prevent the recoil."

"Yes, Sir!" Prompto nodded and began to form his stance.

Cor stepped back and observed him. He crossed his arms, now his eyes were solely staring at Prompto.

He felt the heat from his right, noticing that there was a presence there. Sweet fragrance that was familiar to him entered his nose, and he knew who it was without looking. There was an urge to glance, but he needed to watch over the young crownsguard cadet who needed to train before applying the basic training. It was a special request from the King, to assist Noctis's friend who wanted to join the crownsguard. And now this young man was his responsibility.

Bang!

Cor blinked when Prompto fired his second shot. Prompto jolted and stepped back from the recoil, but at least he wasn't falling down like before. He then performed his stance again, which was too stiff so that Cor should step forward and instruct him.

After shooting for—perhaps—twenty times, it seemed that Prompto was getting better at it. Now Cor could take his eyes from him for a while.

Looking at Eira who was patiently staying next to him, Cor asked, "Don't want to use the lane?"

"Is it okay?" Eira asked.

"Why is it not okay?" Cor frowned.

Eira grinned, "Well, then."

Cor saw her as she walked away to the shooting box she used earlier. What a shame that he couldn't see her from the place he was standing right now. He couldn't leave Prompto and watch her instead, right?

Cor was holding a handgun, firing ten consecutive shots, and, oh the Six, he was so charming.

This was the first time for Eira to see the marshal hold a gun. Well, she actually never really saw him using his katana. The crownsguard mainly used wooden swords in the training room as they sparred.

She really wanted to take his picture as he shot. But, Lucas was so strict and every shooter should obey his rule. No matter if you were a daughter of a royal council member, rule is rule, no cellphone was allowed.

Unfortunately, Cor focused on watching Prompto then. The man didn't touch his gun anymore after that. But, hey, at least Eira could stay right beside him while pretending to look at Prompto's practice.

Eira just stood there, next to the marshal, while appreciating Cor's refreshing fragrance. She wondered what perfume he used. It made her want to buy one, sprayed it on her pillow so she could pretend that Cor was there on her bed. Gulping, she bit her lower lips to stop her wild imagination.

Taking a few glances whenever she could, Eira was glad that Cor was so serious in watching Prompto that he didn't notice that she was admiring his side figure. Perfect nose, beautiful jawline, strong neck; she gulped and should occasionally look the other way so that she wouldn't drool. Glancing at him again, she admired his short hair, it looked like it was so soft and she wanted to feel them with her hands.

Oh the Astral…

Eira wanted to slap herself from imagining things about her and the marshal. Biting her lower lips, she looked back at Prompto.

Envy.

She was jealous that Cor trained him directly like this. She also wanted Cor to train her. In the training room, in this shooting range, having him help her to form the right stance just like what he did many times before to Prompto. Oh, but well, being here like this with the marshal was not bad, not bad at all.

If she didn't know how to shoot and had the marshal as her instructor, it would probably take a long time for her to actually be able to shoot. Being stared like this by the marshal as she was handling the firearm wouldn't make her relax, of course.

However,—finally—Cor noticed that she was staying there for too long and he asked her, "Don't want to use the lane?"

Startled, she turned her head to look at the man taller than him. She had no idea what to reply and randomly asked, "Is it okay?"

Now it felt weird that she asked his permission.

"Why is it not okay?" Cor frowned.

Eira grinned, "Well, then."

She didn't actually want to shoot right now as she preferred to be by his side. But she couldn't just tell him that, right?

Walking toward her shooting box, the young lady silently hid her disappointment that she should be away from her crush.

.

.

.

"It was amazing!" Prompto exclaimed as he grinned from ear to ear. "I still can't believe I was holding a gun and firing some shots, even though most of it I couldn't aim well."

Eira smiled hearing Prompto's reply as she asked him about his first experience with firearms.

Noticing that his hands were slightly trembling as he held his fork and knife, Eira gulped and teased, "Your hands still tremble."

"O-Oh!" Prompto looked down at his hands then giggled, "Too much recoil."

"You alright?" Cor, who was sitting next to him, frowned. It was clear that Cor was worried about him.

"Yes. I'm alright, Sir!"

Eira could only smile seeing their banter. Cor didn't know that probably he was the reason why Prompto's hands were trembling. Yes, it also could be because Prompto was exhausted after his gun practice and his hands weren't used to it. But, she guessed that Cor had a role in adding the tremble to Prompto's hands. Seeing Prompto now, it reminded her of the first time she had dinner with Cor. Her hands were also quivering like him.

Cor then began to start a conversation with Prompto. Mainly about his plan for Prompto's training.

As they were immersed in their conversation—and lunch—, Eira saw her phone she placed on the table. What if…

Without much thinking, she took it then opened the camera app and aimed it at Cor and Prompto. She couldn't take any pictures in the range, but cell phones weren't forbidden here in the restaurant. Her goal was just to take Cor's picture, but she thought that the two were cute together.

Just like a father and a son.

Click!

Eira gasped. She forgot to mute the shutter sound and now Cor and Prompto noticed that she had just snapped their picture.

Her heart almost stopped beating when he caught two pairs of blue eyes staring at her. She was caught red-handed snapping their pictures without their permission. And now when her heart continued to beat, it decided to speed up its pace and create clamor in her chest.

She almost forgot to breathe, as her head was struggling to find reason for her previous act. Stuttering, she said, "A-a… Um… To commemorate Prompto's first practice."

Eira grinned, pretended that she was calm even though she actually almost fainted.

"Oh!" Prompto's loud and excited voice snatched Eira's attention. He then continued with the suggestion, "That's a nice idea! I brought a camera by the way. How about taking pictures together?"

Blinking, she didn't believe what she heard. Prompto just suggested taking a picture together, which was something that she definitely wanted.

Yes, it wasn't a picture just between Cor and her since Prompto would be third-wheeling them—sorry, Prompto. But, at least they would be in the same frame together. She hoped that she would stand close to the marshal so… aherm, a bit cruel but, so that she could… sorry, Prompto… cut the blonde away to make it as her phone wallpaper. Oh, wait, perhaps she shouldn't crop Prompto away. In case someone else saw her phone. Right, it was better that she put the three of them as a lock screen and not just Cor and her. Okay, Eira had created a scenario in her head about the picture that hadn't been taken yet.

"Sure!" Eira replied, with the same excitement as the blonde guy. No, probably she was far more excited about it than Prompto.

"Cool! Actually I noticed a photo spot in the gallery," Prompto said.

"Ah, right! Yes, there's one. Let's ask Lucas or other staff to take our picture!"

"That's a nice idea!" Prompto clapped his hand, agreeing with Eira.

"Surely you don't mind it, right? Marshal?" Eira wanted to die when she asked about it to Cor, still pretending that she was calm right now. Oh the Six, she was very excited to have a picture with him.

Cor stared at her, and after a slight pause he replied, "Sure."

.

.

.

A sigh escaped Cor's lips after he sat on his bed. His room felt so quiet, as he still remembered the exuberant atmosphere of the shooting range, given by a crownsguard cadet and a crownsguard medic. Never he thought that he would miss cheerful laughs from others, since he really loved the quietness of his room before.

He took a piece of paper from his coat, then stared at it with a smile carved on his visage. It was a picture that was taken after their lunch in the shooting range.

Cor was standing in the middle, standing straight with arms on his side. Man, he was so nervous, unable to think about pose and just standing straight because the woman he had a crush on was there next to him.

Eira was standing on his left. Now that it was the first time they took a picture together side by side like this, Cor just noticed how small she was compared to him. She was just as tall as his chest, and her slender figure just made him look like a tower. Moreover, Prompto was standing on his right just—probably—two inches taller than Eira. It seemed that Cor was a single father who had two children.

Children…

Right, Cor shouldn't have this kind of feeling toward Eira. He shouldn't.

Another sigh left his throat. Placing the picture on his bedside table, Cor gazed at a plush he put there. The only one stuffed animal—it was a stuffed monster, though—that he had, given by a young woman he fell in love with.

…

Fuck…