#I do like Miranda's characterization in monster road trip but having her decide to be a better person out of nowhere was disappointing

[lady12maiden]

Can Monster Prom let Miranda be something other than a political caricature for five minutes

[labyrinthofleah]

Happy Birthdate | Miranda/Prompto fluff fic

[I’m uhhh a couple hours-ish late, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY @caughtupinmyownhead​! I hope you enjoy this new episode of “Leah writes fanfic of characters she only knows from gifs, screenshots, and Wikia pages.”]

The Sunny Chocobo had been a hopping hot spot since opening that morning; apparently people really needed a cup of tea and a good book to relax with that day. The café/bookstore saw a steady stream of customers well into the afternoon, right up until Miranda ducked out and ran up to her apartment above the shop.

After changing out of her uniform and fixing her hair, she glanced at herself in the bedroom mirror. She pursed her lips, tried a tentative smile, and finally stuck out her tongue while crossing her eyes.

“…Okay, let’s go already,” she finally muttered wryly. Grabbing her purse, she locked the door behind her and hurried back downstairs.

Gladio, Ignis, and Noctis had arrived and were just starting to throw on the café’s cheerful yellow aprons. Gladio grinned and nodded when he saw her. “Hey, lookin’ good.”

“Guess you’re ready for your date,” Noctis said nonchalantly, fumbling with his apron strings.

“Yeah, right. I’m just helping Prompto haul around some photography gear.” She tried to laugh it off, but judging from how hard Noctis was side-eyeing her it was a futile effort.

“A not-date by the lake. At sunset. Of course,” Ignis commented dryly, tying his own apron with effortless finesse. Gladio plucked a chocobo hat from a nearby merchandise rack and shoved it on Ignis’ head, knocking his glasses askew.

“Uh… haha?” Miranda decided the best course of action at this point was a strategic retreat. Dodging around a table, she threw them a hasty wave. “Thanks for watching the shop for me. Bye!”

The last thing she heard before the door swung shut behind her was Gladio calling, “Don’t worry, we won’t wait up,” followed by an indignant grunt from Noctis as he, too, found himself reluctantly sporting a smiling, bird-shaped hat.

Prompto was fiddling with a point-and-shoot camera near a statue not far from the café. He looked up as she approached, a grin instantly materializing on his face. “Hey, Miranda.”

Shiva on a stick, how has he not been scouted to do toothpaste ads?

“Hey.” She shot him a breezy smile of her own. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah!” He reached down to grab a sturdy-looking bag by his feet. “I got everything right here. Oh man, I can’t wait!”

They started off, falling into easy step with each other. Prompto’s stride was longer than Miranda’s, but she could tell he was deliberately matching his pace with hers. Chatting comfortably, they left the town outskirts and made their way up a dirt walking trail.

“How was work?” He asked. “This day of the week’s usually slow for you, right?”

“Actually, we were pretty busy. It got kind of insane around lunch, but we survived somehow. Did you get that new lens you wanted?”

“Yep, I found a shop that had it yesterday! I got a good deal for it, and they even threw in—”

By the time they reached the lake, Miranda was slightly out of breath. Prompto, on the other hand, looked more alive than ever as he chattered about the features of his new lens. He wasn’t quite skipping, but there was a definite bounce to his step that remained even when they stopped walking.

I guess he needs to have stamina as the prince’s bodyguard… and road tripping around beating up monsters probably doesn’t hurt, Miranda thought with a certain amount of envy as Prompto began digging through his bag. He finally drew out a scope-like contraption.

“This is it!” He held it out proudly to Miranda.

She raised an eyebrow. “That thing is huge. Are you really photographing the scenery, or did you take a hitman job?”

He laughed. “I know, right? It’s going to be so worth it, though. Trust me.”

As he attached it to his camera, Miranda took in the beauty of the natural surroundings. “You know,” she mused, “I don’t get to come out here as often as I’d like, but—”

“Smile!”

She looked back just in time to hear the shutter go off and get blinded by the flash.

“Son of Bahamut!” She yelled, throwing her hands over her eyes.

“Are you okay?!”

When she lowered her hands, she saw Prompto hovering directly in front of her, camera back in the bag. She was suddenly very aware that she could see every single adorable freckle scattered over his nose.

“I… yeah, I just wasn’t prepared.”

“Sorry, I should have given you more warning.” He cupped her face in his calloused hands, leaning in to stare into her eyes. His voice softened. “Can you see okay?”

All she could focus on was the cute way his hair swooped to one side over his forehead. “Perfectly.”

“Oh. Good.”

His hands stayed on her face.

Is this real? Am I still breathing?

His thumb ghosted lightly over her cheek, just beside her ear.

Valefor, take the wheel.

He moved in. She closed her eyes. And then, nothing mattered except his lips, soft and warm against hers.

He pulled away at last with a goofy, dreamy smile. She knew she was wearing one to match.

“…You said we were coming here to take pictures of the scenery,” she murmured.

“No, I said I wanted to photograph my favorite part of visiting this town.” He brushed some hair back from her face. “I had a whole lead-up planned and I guess I kind of ended up doing this backwards, but--”

He hesitated, worrying at his lip, but finally continued.

“I like you… a lot, Miranda. Will you, uh… go out with me?”

She giggled, reaching up to touch his cheek in turn. “Like you have to ask? I like you too, Prompto. A lot.”

A brilliant, relieved smile broke out over his face. He stepped back and drew out the point-and-shoot camera from inside his jacket. “Shall we take a commemorative photo of this momentous occasion?”

Miranda rolled her eyes in mock-exasperation at his dramatic tone, leaning into him as he wrapped an arm snugly around her. “Guess it’d be a waste not to.”

“Right?” He raised the camera so they were both looking straight into the lens. “Say, ‘fuzzy pickles’!”

“Fu—”

He turned his head and kissed her again, and she heard the shutter go off.

~*~*~*The End*~*~*~

[hope the characterizations were okay, lol. XD]