Final Fantasy XV 💖Crystal Heart

16---Sand and Sea

On the long drive all Issa can do is stare at the chocobro on the drivers side.

Prompto glances at her and smiles. "I'm sorry for the long drive miss, If you'll just bear with me we shall be arriving rather shortly." Mocking Ignis high class voice.

She laughs, they must have been driving for hours. But she didn't care.

They pull up to a parking lot near the ocean. The breeze is so nice. She sees a beach and way out on the water a cool structure is built.

"Welcome to Galdin Quay, I hope you like it, I know you love the ocean and I thought it would be special to take you here." He says, eager to see her reaction. But she doesn't seem phased by it.

They exit the vehicle and walk toward the beach together.

Issa's brow becomes hardened..."I have been here before."

"How? We never brought you here?" He asks as they continue on the sand walking.

The waves crash against the stone and sand... she hears birds calling, "It is just so familiar."

****Her memory***
"Do you know why I brought you here?" A king of the past asks. Standing at the end of a short dock.

"I do not. But it is peaceful here.." she replies.

King---" Indeed it is. You have always been pure at heart, no matter what is thrown your way. There is something special about you Issa, do not let anyone tell you different."

She stands beside him, appreciating the view, thankful that he took a moment to spend with her.

"Here is a gift to you, may your life be honorable always." He unsheathes a long sword, handing it to her. "I had this forged as a reminder of how profound you are, never forget it."

************
A bittersweet memory of the man she called father.

Issa smiles, feeling secure for a moment. But she searches the ocean for a memory of her mother with no avail.

Prompto stands beside her, "did you figure it out?"

"Huh?" She responds finally after being so lost in thought.

Prompto--"Why this place seems so familiar to you?" 

Issa---"Many years ago I stood here with my adoptive father. He was an encouraging man and I remembered something he said." The wind blows her hair gently.

Prompto wraps one arm around her waist and kisses her head, "He must have been a great man to raise someone as wonderful as you are. What did he tell you?"

She leans in under his arm,
"He told me that I was profound and special..."

She was never of noble blood but she is thankful to have had a father who believed in her. It doesn't matter where she came from, what matters is the here and now.

"He's right you know." he turns in front of her grabbing hold of her hands, "you are special and I wouldn't change anything about you."

He kneels down at her feet, looking up to her with a joy in his eyes.

He removes her boots one by one and then his own.
Taking her hands he walks backward leading  her into the water, the colď waves splash on their bare feet.

Further they walk until the water is at their waist. Issa feels the calm, peace comes with the water.

The chill of the ocean water makes Issa shiver and Prompto pulls her in, close to his chest. She can smell the warmth of on his skin, a swirling sensation of aromas.

Issa looks down into their glistening reflection smiling.

Prompto gently lifts his hand under her chin for her to look in his eyes,"I want to ask you something..."

"Yes?" She responds, she feels her body become warm.

"Do you trust me?" He asks, then kisses her forehead.

Issa--"Of course, you know I do."

He leans in again to kiss her, this time her lips.

Her mouth parts and his tongue touches hers.  An energy flows between them to the point  where it could get out of hand.

After a few moments Prompto pulls away,
"That's all I need to know. I just want you to know you can come to me for anything."

"You really are a gentleman, I love that about you.."

she reaches down with her hand and splashes Prompto in the face.

His styled blond hair now lay flat and wet.

Normally he would freak about his hair, but for Issa he would do anything.

He laughs  splashing her back.
They run around playfully together nearer to the shore, splashing and screaming.
An enjoyable way to spend the day.

Later...
They sit together on the dock, letting their clothes dry with the last of the afternoon sun.
"You are beautiful, you know that?" He says turning to her.

"If you say so, though it is hard to believe." She responds as a stray hair falls in her face.

He brushes it behind her ear,"Some day, I will prove it to you..."

Evening rolls in and the sun begins to set, Prompto jumps up like he has an idea.
"Hey Issa, I will be right back."

She nods and he leaves her sitting at the dock. She crosses her legs and pulls her hair to the side. Stroking it gently between her fingertips.

"It truly is peaceful here." She whispers to herself. "At long last, I am no longer alone."

After a few minutes she glances back scanning the beach to find him.

On the sand about thirty feet behind her, she sees Prompto flinging a blanket around comically.
He is trying to lay it flat but the wind has other ideas.

She decides to wander his direction, picking up her boots along the way.

Prompto thinks to himself: Aww man here she comes and I'm making a fool of myself. How is this supposed to be romantic? Act cool, act cool.
He brushes back his messy hair with both hands as the blanket flies away.

Issa laughs,
helping him chase after the blanket and lay it down properly.

"Ignis packed a dinner for us and I thought it would be perfect to watch the stars tonight."

They both take a seat to eat, Ignis had prepared fresh fruit, sandwiches, Port wine cheese and crackers.
"This was a wonderful Idea." She responds, " Was it yours?"

"Of course," he winks at her. "I just don't know how to cook."

Issa rests her head on his shoulder.
The sun drifts off to sleep and one by one the stars emerge in the sky. Prompto watches as she  looks into the sky. Her eyes shine brightly, with a childlike amazement at the twinkling.

A streak of light shines across the horizon, "wow!!! A shooting star!" Issa jumps up to stand and cries out in excitement.

Prompto looks up at her and the perfect moment has come. 

"Issa, will you do something for me?" He asks.

"Of course, anything for you." She glances down then back up again still excited about the shooting star.

He props himself up on one knee, taking her hand.

"Will you marry me?"
She gasps turning back at him, did he just propose?  tears begin welling up in her eyes.

He smiles up at her, pulling out a box from who knows where and in it: A ring, center diamond with 24 diamonds surrounding it in a unique shape forming waves like the ocean.

She falls into his arms in disbelief and shock. She kisses him with joy in her heart...

Yet Issa utters not a word.