Prompto couldn't sleep well that night, despite having a comfortable bed for once. He kept thinking about Iris's description of the Magitek troops, and how much chaos and destruction they had brought to the city that had welcomed him when he was but a defenseless infant. After making sure his companions were fast asleep, he took off the wristband that he always wore on his right arm and stared at the bar code printed into his skin. He looked once more at his friends, feeling possibly even more as the odd one out since he didn't belong with them, and probably never would.
He despised being what he was, and had tried anything to get rid of that bar code, but no matter how hard he tried it would stay imprinted into his skin forever, as a dark reminder of his true origins.
His parents had told him the truth at a young age, or better they had been forced to, seeing as the child could not afford to go out showing people where he really came from. Even though the Lucians were kind and understanding people, they doubted they would have accepted having him around. And so, he had always been forced to wear the wristband to hide his true nature.
He wondered where he would be now, and especially what he could be had that Lucian man not taken pity into the one-year old toddler and risked everything to bring him to Lucis, before making sure a nice Lucian family could adopt him and take care of him.
He suddenly felt restless and could no longer bear being in the same room as his friends. He got up, not bothering to put on his jacket, and went out to get some fresh air.
It was 2 AM, and the streets were deserted. He walked in the shadows, grateful to be alone and for once not pretending to be happy and carefree.
He walked on and on without really registering where he was going, until he found himself crossing the street which separated the city from the gas station. He walked a bit further to the stone terrace which overlooked the sea.
However, he stopped abruptly when he realized he was not the only one awake. Iris was leaning forward, her elbows placed on the stony surface, her right hand under her chin and her eyes fixed over the horizon. He wasn't sure he could tell in the dark, but she looked extremely sad.
He had always been a laid-back and jolly boy, both around men and women, but he lacked enough self-confidence to approach a girl alone, especially at night and when they looked in need of moral support. He just didn't know how to act around them despite trying to seek their attention when he was surrounded by his friends.
He tried to head back into town as silently as possible, pretending he had never seen her but he heard her calling his name.
"Prompto…?"
"Hey Iris" he said in a low tone, getting nervous all of a sudden. Fearing to be rude by standing so far from her, he decided to approach her and stood by her side.
"Daemons" she said, pointing at something in the far distance "I had never seen one before now".
Prompto focused on the point she had indicated and could indeed see a violet shadow lurking in the woods.
"I heard the Empire is using them to enslave the rest of the world" she continued. Something inside Prompto's stomach twitched, and he felt once again like a traitor, like someone who didn't deserve to be part of the prince's team.
Iris could sense him turning rigid once more, just like he had earlier that day. She frowned and decided to ask him.
"Why do you act so funny whenever we talk about the Empire, Prompto?"
Prompto was caught off guard, and tilted his head to the side so fast he could feel every nerve in his neck screaming in protest.
"I-I" he stuttered, trying to think of an excuse "It's just that… they wiped away our home, killed our friends and families. I wonder if my parents survived…"
He trailed off, hoping his answer was convincing enough. Apparently it was, for Iris gave him a sympathetic smile and nodded.
"I am worried too" she said.
Again, Iris noticed the boy beside her rub his right wrist without even realizing he was doing it.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked, eying the spot he had been touching.
"Wha-? Oh no, everything's fine. Perfectly fine" he answered agitated.
Frowning a bit, Iris reached out to grab his wrist, thinking he had hurt himself somehow. However, the boy interjected her and moved his arm behind his back before she could touch him.
"It's just… I sprained my wrist yesterday and it still kinda hurts. I'll be ok" he said hurriedly.
Prompto mentally smacked himself for being so careless. His companions had never noticed his unconscious habit of rubbing the spot where his bar code was printed, but he guessed women had some sort of sixth sense for these things.
She looked at him suspiciously for a few instants, but then smiled kindly and nodded.
"So, ehm… what are you doing up so late?" he asked, trying to distract her from their previous conversation.
"Could ask you the same thing" she answered smartly.
"Couldn't sleep" he said simply, shrugging his shoulders.
"Me neither" she confessed with a sigh "What with all the stuff that has been happening lately".
Prompto could only nod, not sure of what to say.
"Prompto…?" she asked hesitantly.
"Mhm?"
"Do you… do you think Noct and Luna will get married?"
It was such an unexpected and strange question that Prompto blinked confused.
"Of course I do. Why shouldn't they?" he asked her back in disbelief.
"I… Nothing, I just thought… You know… Do you think Noct loves her?" she questioned again, blushing furiously.
Prompto began to understand what she actually meant, and didn't honestly know how to tell her without hurting her feelings.
"I… I believe so. It doesn't seem like he cares too much about the wedding and doesn't like talking about it, but I do believe he has true feelings for Luna" he admitted.
"I see…" Iris said sadly before mustering a much cheerer expression "I guess they make a nice couple, uh?"
"I-I guess."
An awkward silence fell between them, and Prompto began to feel uneasy.
"Ehm, do you like Chocobos?" he asked without thinking. "Chocobos. Really, Prompto?!"
She turned to look at him with her large brown eyes, and he immediately regretted asking her such a dumb question.
"Very much. Not only are they extremely cute, but also very useful" she answered jovially.
"Really? Well, why don't you join me to the Wiz Chocobo Post tomorrow?" The words flooded out of his mouth without control once again, and he realized it almost sounded like he had asked her out on a date.
Feeling the need to repair the damage, he quickly added "I've been wanting to check it out for a while now, but considering that the boys find it a waste of time and money, I thought I could ask you".
"Perfect. Now it sounds like she's your last resort"
"Sure, why not!" she accepted enthusiastically, and Prompto could tell she was genuinely interested. This made him smile and feel slightly more confident.
"Right. So, how about we meet here at 10? I can ask Noct to lend me the Regalia, or we could ask Jared" he suggested.
"Guess we'll have to stick with Jared's old van" Iris giggled "I doubt Iggy and Noct will allow us to borrow the Regalia".
"True" he chuckled "Better get some rest, then! See ya tomorrow!"
She gave him one of her best smiles and, for a moment, he forgot all of his worries.
When he arrived at the hotel, he felt much more light-hearted and fell asleep almost instantly, thinking about their imminent excursion.
He couldn't have known that, at the other side of the town, Iris was feeling exactly the same way.
Aww, poor Iris is heartbroken and Prompto is so awkward around girls :D Hopefully things will be much cheerier in the next chap ;)
Next Chapter: Iris and Prompto spend the day at the Wiz Chocobo Post. Chocobos. Chocobos. And more Chocobos! Plus something not as cute... *O*