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For his birthday they decided to try paintball. He was only eighteen once so why not have some fun?
Noctis looked at his friends in camo. The three monsters stood out granted he did too with his giant black moth wings and antennae.
Prompto a topaz carbuncle humanoid with his big yellow glowy ears, bushy tail and ruby horn coming from his forehead.
Gladio with long behemoth horns, fangs and black claws. He at least didn't stick out as much as Prompto. But his height made him an easy target.
Ignis was the only one who looked normal minus the corpse-like skin and umbrella. Granted it stopped the vampire from burning in the sun.
He was gonna be the easiest target honestly. He knew it yet he only agreed to this to please Noctis.
"Ok gentleman. Don't be cheap with your shots." Ignis sighed. "Please."
"No dick shots, got it." Prompto offers a salute and Ignis exhales from his nose.
"Yes Prompto but less crass."
"No face shots either." Gladio adds. "Shit bruises."
Noctis nods and watches as Prompto rests the paintball gun over his shoulders. He poses for a second and grins at Noctis.
"...It's been nice knowing you guys." Noctis says. "But we all know who's gonna win."
"Me." Gladio replies with a cocky smirk.
"Fuck no! Me." Noctis grumbles.
Ignis groans and offers his hand to Prompto who eagerly shakes it.
"May the best man win."
"Yeah!" Prompto smiles at him. "It's gonna be super fun."
"Though I don't promise to go easy on any of you." Ignis adds, making Prompto swallow.
"S-Same here man."
* * *
They all decide to split up and hunt each other down.
Prompto's ears twitch as he walks as carefully as possible, trying not to make a sound. He looks around for any sign of his friends.
Almost in a paranoid state he turns around and points his paintball gun at any sign of noise.
He's not been walking long when he spots Gladio. He smirks and fires before the big guy has a chance to return fire he takes off running.
Prompto snorts as he hears the shield curse and miss a few shots.
He feels like paintball might be his element.
* * *
Ignis is next. He spots him hiding behind a tree. Ignis has faster reflexes, being a vampire so he aims and fires quicker than Gladio, before Prompto has a chance to return fire.
The carbuncle screams, just about dodging a shot that hits just between his feet.
"Lucky. You're rather...Fast." Ignis compliments him. Usually it'd feel nice to receive a compliment from the advisor but in this sense it feels terrifying more so when he's pointing a gun at Prompto. Sure it's not a real one but still.
Prompto aims, his hands tremble a little.
"Thanks? I think?" He goes to shoot but a woosh in the air distracts him.
Prompto spins around paranoid, Ignis uses that to shoot the carbuncle in the back making him yell a "Fuck!"
"Rule one: never turn your back on a foe Prompto." Ignis says. Before Prompto hears a familiar sound of impact and a hiss of pain. "Bloody hell!" Ignis winces, holding his shoulder. Paint on it
Prompto frowns and looks around. He doesn't see anyone around who could have done that. He looks up out of curiosity and gasps.
Noctis is in the air, flapping his wings. Cheating. Granted they never said powers were cheating or off the table but it feels like cheating. Prompto can't fly.
Noctis takes aim and Prompto curses, breaking out into a sprint.
"Aerial attack!" he yells to Ignis. "Take cover!"
Ignis decides to use his vampire speed and zips to another location while Prompto does possibly either the stupidest thing known to monsterkind or the ballsiest.
He tries to snipe Noctis. Probably won't work but it doesn't stop him. No surprise it misses him.
"You're cheating dude!" he hisses.
"No one said I couldn't do this!" Noctis calls back.
Prompto decides if Noctis is cheating he will too. He decides not by magic though or abilities. Since they wouldn't really help him in this situation.
Prompto takes one of his boots off and hurls it towards Noctis. Noctis surprisingly catches it and Prompto swallows.
"Dude come down!" Prompto grumbles.
Noctis decides to drop, now hovering over the ground. Prompto frowns.
"Feet on ground," he says.
Noctis lands.
"Now what?" he asks, keeping aimed at Prompto.
"A duel. We turn our backs on each other,take some steps and draw on five." Prompto says. "Loser pays for lunch."
Noctis thinks it over and nods.
"No cheating." Prompto huffs.
"Fine. I won't."
The duo turn their backs on each other and walk.
One
It feels weirdly quiet, a breeze blows through Prompto's hair.
Two
Noctis' ruffles his wings. It's a cute habit he has.
Three
This feels like one of those cheesy westerns and Prompto loves every second of it
Four
Noctis can honestly say this is the best birthday he's had in a while. No matter the outcome he's had fun.
Five
They turn around quickly and two shots ring out. Two curses and two groans.
It's a draw.
"Now what?" Noctis asks, rubbing his side.
Prompto rubs his arm and offers him a smile.
"Round 2?" he asks. "I'll go hide and you come find me, birthday boy."
Noctis hums and turns around, closing his eyes.
"No cheating!" Prompto scolds.
"Better start running then." Noctis replies jokingly.
Last thing he hears is Prompto taking off running before he starts to count. He smiles. He can't wait for the cake after all this.