Healing Wounds [Final Fantasy XV]

|IX|

"We'll see." she whispered to herself with a non-existent smirk.

"Wot?" 

Before he knew it, Avalon dashed towards Prompto and snatched the camera right out of his hand then stood behind him. 

"Ava!" Now it was his turn to whine. "No fair!" 

"Gimmie back Chocobo and say plushies aren't just for babies." she demanded. 

The blonde thought a second. "I'll say that if you admit that you're cute." he smirked. 

"Huh?" Avalon's eyes grew wide before she retorted. "No way, it's bad to lie."

"Its not a lie!" 

"Fine, I'll get Choco back myself!" 

And with that, Avalon proceeded to chase Prompto around the camp ground. They ran around laughing and yelling at each other like little children. 

"Settle down. Be careful." Ignis tried to call but his warnings were futile and they continued to race around the small space. 

That was until Noctis finally made his appearance and Prompto used that to his advantage. He leapt behind his friend and held on to him.

"Noct help! Avalon won't do anything when you're around so you're my shield!" 

With those words, Avalon skidded to a halt, stopping only inches away from the prince. Their eyes met and she instantly diverted her gaze. 

"Uh, hi." Noctis tried to greet. 

She didn't say anything and just retreated away from him. 

"Yes! My secret weapon!" Prompto exclaimed, jumping in rejoice.

Avalon just walked away and went to get the moogle plushie that was seated on one of the chairs. She picked it up and squeezed it tightly, concealing her face. Then she went and sat on one of the camping chairs.

"No fair! You have a back up!" Prompto cried. 

While he was standing in his spot yelling nonsense, Avalon took the opportunity to silently dash to him, snatch the chocobo and replace it with his camera.

By the time the blonde realized what happened, the girl was already seated again with both her stuffed animals and a triumphant glimmer in her eye. 

"What did- when did..... WHAT!?" Prompto exclaimed looking from the camera in his hand to the girl and back. 

Avalon gave him an innocent look like she didn't know what he was talking about and batted her eyes.

Gladiolus was the first to witness her actions and then just thought a moment. As the five sat down to have dinner, the blonde couldn't stop rambling about how cute Avalon was apparently being in the store. 

"And I got a ton of pictures!" he exclaimed and took out his camera. "Ava's so photogenic, I couldn't resist." 

"And is Avalon okay with all the photographs?" Ignis raised a brow at the blonde. 

"Well, yeah! She always poses when I ask and doesn't seem to mind." Prompto replied. 

"I really don't," Avalon added, just above a whisper. 

"Wanna see?" Prompto then asked the others. He started waving the camera up in the air. 

"Sure, why not?" Noctis replied. 

But before he could show anyone, the girl dashed at him and grabbed the device from his hand. 

"Ava? What gives?" he asked. 

She just shook her head. "Shy, are we now?" Gladio smirked. 

Avalon didn't reply. They knew the answer so she returned the camera to the blonde. 

Once their dinner was done, the shield spoke up. 

"Hey Noct, how 'bout some training tomorrow morning?" 

Prompto laughed, "You're asking Noct to get up at the crack of dawn?" 

"Just this once, it won't kill ya." Gladio urged.

"I dunno, any kinda training is hell." Noctis sighed. "Y'know what? Why not."

"Great. You too Avalon." he said with a tone of finality. 

Avalon gaped at him, wide-eyed. What!? Where did that come from? I'm supposed to train with him!?  She knew this wasn't up for discussion. She was going to train with the Prince's shield whether she liked it or not. 

"Crack of dawn tomorrow morning. Better get some rest." the brunette then said. 

"Right." 

Everyone started filing into the tent. Everyone except Avalon. As with the caravan, she stayed put and waited for instructions. 

"The tent sleeps four but I'm sure one more person wouldn't hurt." Prompto started. "Plus you're tiny anyway, so come on."

The girl hesitated. The thought of sleeping with four grown men in such a small place would be unsettling to just about anyone.

"I know it may not be the ideal sleeping arrangement," Ignis spoke up. "But if it would make you feel more comfortable, I wouldn't mind you sleeping next to me and the wall of the tent." 

She thought about it a moment. Then nodded. And soon Avalon was at the very back of the tent, next to Ignis and Prompto next to him. 

As usual she fell asleep almost instantly. And as usual, Prompto found it as the perfect photo op. He was just about to pull out his camera when his arm was yanked back by the person behind. 

"I know you love your photo ops, but don't be a creep." 

He turned to see his best friend looking at him skeptically in the darkness. 

"Uh-R-right," he laughed sheepishly and laid back down.

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The next morning, at the literal crack of dawn, Gladio, Avalon and (somehow) Noctis were up and in the center of the heaven. 

"Are you planning on training with that in your arms?" Gladio asked. 

Avalon was holding her new chocobo plushie in her hands. She nodded, he didn't push matters.

"So what exactly are we doing again?" Noctis asked through a yawn.

"Simple," the brunette started. "We're gonna have a race." 

Race? Avalon thought but didn't say. 

"On the beach, let's go." 

The trio made their way to the nearby beach and Gladio marked the start and finish line for them. 

"How about this?" he said more of a demand rather than a question. "If either of you win, I'll go easier on you during training. But if I win, you have to train every morning everyday." 

Either way we train. Avalon nodded and Noctis just sighed. 

"Alright! On your marks! Get set! Go!"

And with that they were off. Gladiolus was obviously in the lead with Noctis right on his tail. Avalon on the other hand was several paces behind.

Wow! They're both crazy fast! She thought. I could always..... No, not yet. 

She tried keeping up, but it seemed the two were too fast for her. Then she realized that Gladio was only seconds away from the finish line. No way! I can't let him win......

I won't let him win.

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