Mistaken

Chapter 11: Joy

The fact that your eyes were downcast and you were practically hugging yourself made Prompto want to cry.

"Hi..." Prompto began awkwardly.

"Hi..." You responded. Prompto could see more tears form in your (eye color) eyes. He remembered like it was yesterday when they used to sparkle. Now they looked tired and empty.

Both of you struggled to speak. So many questions flew around Prompto's head. What scared him more was how to even begin talking to you. Over the past few years, he yearned to know how you were doing, whether he was the reason you skipped out of town, whether there was a part of you that could forgive him and the list went on.

There were many other women who had shown interest in him, and while they all were beautiful and vibrant, they paled in comparison to you. The way your dazzling (eye color) eyes sparkled with curiosity or mischief. Your cheerful laugh that could lift his mood within seconds. The way his name sounded whenever you called him always sent shivers down his spine. Many memories ran through Prompto's mind as he looked at you, wanting nothing more than to wrap his arms around you, kiss you tenderly and stroke your hair.

Prompto knew above all the questions he had in his head, he had one thing to do. Remembering how he used to apologize to the beautiful woman in front of him, he bit his lip before getting down on one knee, finally meeting your eyes as he looked up. He saw your eyes widen at the gesture, tears now brimming and threatening to fall.

"You're so mean Prom! Why'd you take such an ugly photo of me?" A 20-year-old you whined, trying to grab the camera away from Prompto.

"What you mean? You look beautiful in all the photos I take!" Prompto asked, a playful grin on his face as you tip-toed to reach for the camera again.

"No way! Delete it!"

"Nope!" He teased, stealing a kiss from your lips when you tried reaching again.

"Prom!" Your face turned a million shades of pink. "That's it! I'm not talking to you unless you apologize to me down on one knee!" You declared in embarrassment, walking off in a huff.

Prompto remembered well you kept your promise, ignoring his calls and text messages for two days straight. From memory, he was sure the distance was due to your embarrassment in your demand, rather than the photo he took of you or the kiss he stolen in the process. At this moment, he hoped this would be acceptable, despite being the reason why you had separated.

"(Your Name)," Prompto could feel his heart pounding against his chest. The sorrow that loomed over both of you was overwhelming. Thinking about the chocobo stuffed toy he had given you when you were still in high school, and the fact that everyone knew who he was the moment he stepped foot in Meldacio spoke millions. You had every intention in Juno meeting her father. You had decided for yourself and for your daughter, she would have her father in her life.

"I'm so sorry babe," he apologized, the old affectionate nickname rolling off his tongue naturally. He could feel his voice giving way as he continued. "I'm so sorry you had to go through this. I'm sorry I never gave you a chance to explain yourself or to tell me about..." He stopped, unable to continue. Prompto couldn't hold back anymore and broke down crying, crouching down at your feet with his forehead on the ground. He could hear you had started crying too, hearing your sobs and whimpers. He felt a pair of shaky hands on either side of his face, pulling him to look back up. Your lip trembling as you tried holding back as you cradled his face.

"I'm sorry too, Prom," It only took a second for Prompto to reach for you and engulf you in his arms. The pair of you cried in grief together. Each tear that escaped his sapphire eyes carried more than just the raw emotions overflowing from his heart. All the days and nights leading up to your departure, feeling that no one cared for you as began your term in Meldacio, finding out you were pregnant with his child, giving birth and raising her on your own, only for her to be gone so soon. It was all too much to process. Prompto couldn't imagine anyone in this world who didn't deserve this kind of life more than you. You had lived a happy life up until now. He felt responsible for being a part of the reason you had suffered so much. How could he even begin to make things up to you?