Final Fantasy XV 💖Crystal Heart

20---Bittersweet

Issa sits alone, by a campfire she started herself.

The ground beneath her is so cold on her bare legs. She brings her knees up to her chest wrapping her arms around them. She looks to the horizon at the volcano seemingly glowing in the dark.

She feels hurt but has calmed
herself just enough to think:
Was it all an act? Or am I becoming the monster who desperately tried to break me?

My heart feels broken.
I wanted her to feel fear and I wanted to act strong but inside I didn't know how to act.

This anger inside, I don't know what to do with it...I'm sorry.

She hears a twig snap in the shadows beyond the dim lighting of the fire. Her head shoots up that direction.

"There you are." Prompto walks out of the shadows. It didn't take long for him to find her.
"I thought maybe I would find you here. I came to apologise to you."

She sighs, "I really want to be left alone Prompto."she stands up and shoves him, but he stands firm. He tries to wrap his arms around her waist but she brushes them away. "I am so angry with you. How could you let her kiss you?"

"Issa, she forced herself on me. I didn't know what to do....I..." he tries to explain himself but she cuts him off.

"I don't believe it. I thought you were different and I know you were a lady chaser in the past." She finally said it. Something deep down she had never let go of.

Tears well up in his eyes,
"Please hear me out. Yes I admit it. I always had my eyes out at every pretty girl. But not one if them ever looked at me the way you do.
You are my first kiss and I wish for you to be my last."
His voice shakes.

Issa's hard expression softens but she steps backward from him. "So for the entire ten years I was asleep...you kept your eyes only for me? It sure didn't look that way, with that woman pressing against you."

"Yes, I waited for you and I planned to keep waiting for you. I wanted to do everything right, for your sake. I'm so sorry this happened, I should have never gone to that party. She wouldn't take no for an answer. That is the truth."

Issa kneels down and sits at the fire...leaving him stand alone. So he takes a seat by her and they both stare into the fire.

Issa rests her head on his shoulder--"I guess I accept your apology. I was completely out of line with rage. I didn't feel like myself when I saw you with her. Please forgive me."

He rests his head on hers, "You had us all scared for our lives. To be honest I thought maybe it would have been a massacre. But the pain you felt, or still feel. It's normal. But whats not normal is pulling a sword on someone."

"I only intended to scare, not to massacre as you say."she says.

"Please forgive me Issa, I had no intentions with that hulk woman."

"I know that now... I forgive you.... but right now I  feel as tho I am unraveling on the inside." She responds softly.

"What do you mean?" He asks concerned.

Issa--"I'm worried that I am not good enough...these feelings keep attacking me. I have so much of my past affecting me now. . I feel as tho I've gone mad or insane for lack of better words."

He lifts his head to look at her, all he can see is the bridge of her nose as her head lay on his shoulder.

Prompto---" you are more than good enough, thats why I asked you to marry me. I made my choice and I chose you. For better or for worse. We will work thru these issues together. One at a time. I am here for you always if you'll still have me."

She turns her head to look up at him, "I love you and I still want to marry you..." Tears roll down her cheeks.

He kisses her softly and looks at her face, "I love you so much, I couldn't let you run away.  "

Issa rests her head on his chest, just as she had done the first night they spend together...except this time, it was intended and she was fully aware.

"We have got a wedding to plan." He smiles.

"I just want the 5 of us to be there." She responds...the only people in the world who mean everything to her. "I still want to punch Gladio tho..."

Prompto let's out a laugh
holding her close.
She relaxes her body and
listens to his heart beating as she falls asleep.

***************
The next morning.

Gladio and Iris are in Lestallum at the market gathering ingredients for Ignis.
"You know, if the relationship between Issa and Prompto goes sour I will hold it over your head the rest of your life Gladio." Iris says frustrated.

"I said I was sorry, I just hope He can get thru to her." He responds.

They carry bags of food to the hotel. "I am sick of staying at hotels, we need to build a home. Man in crown city at least we had nice apartments." Gladio complains stopping in the middle of the town square.

Iris thinks for a moment then comes up with an idea.
"You know what? Out in the desert was celebration for power being built out there! Maybe we can join in the efforts to help build the city there!"
She jumps up and down excitedly.

"I do see a future there. Maybe I can build a home for the two love birds...to make up for this huge misunderstanding." He thinks to himself.

"Oh Gladdy, under all that muscle and brawn, you have a big heart. You do what you will. It's a nice idea. " Iris laughs as they both walk into the building.