Lorelai awoke pretty early the next morning, even earlier than Ignis. Her excitement to enjoy the beach got the best of her and she couldn't wait anymore. She quietly got herself fixed up and left the caravan, letting the boys enjoy their beauty sleep. She immediately got herself a small meal at the restaurant, savoring the taste of the high-class food. She then went over to the shop near the parking lot. She bought herself some things for the beach and rushed back to the caravan.

Ignis was in the process of climbing out of bed when Lorelai entered. Upon seeing him, she silently smiled and waved before heading to the bathroom. She got changed into her swimsuit, grabbed her towel, sunscreen and umbrella, and left. Ignis immediately noticed her apparel and followed her outside so he could speak to her without waking the others.

"Are you going swimming?" he asked, wanting to know where she would be.

She nodded. "Yep. I got up early and already ate. I couldn't wait to get in the water."

He chuckled. "Very well. We'll meet up with you later."

Lorelai left him and headed down to the beach. She picked out a spot and set up her umbrella. She then laid out her towel on the sand and got to work on applying her sunscreen. Once ready, She waded out into the water. As soon as she was deep enough, she dove completely under. She swam over the sandy bottom, passing rocks and small bits of coral along with many tiny, colorful fish. She came up for air before diving under again. She spent what seemed like hours in the water.

~~~~~

"So, Lorelai started her vacation without us," Gladio said with a chuckle. "Typical."

"Aww, this was my chance to snap some pics of my Goddess!" Prompto whined. "Why didn't you wake me up, Iggy?!"

Ignis sighed, handing the blond his breakfast. "Apologies, but I assumed you'd want to sleep in, as per usual. Lorelai may still be swimming when you finish."

Prompto began scarfing down his food upon hearing that. "Let her swim," Noctis stated. "I'd rather go fishing instead." The prince then looked to the blond. "By the way, what about the Goddess of Gears you obsessed over before?"

Prompto paused and swallowed his food. He placed a hand over his heart. "Alas, it is time I leave her," he explained in an overdramatic tone. "I must pay my respects to the Goddess of Stars now."

Ignis and Gladio only shook their heads at Prompto's ridiculousness. After breakfast, the group headed out to the beach. Prompto immediately began looking around for Lorelai while following Noctis to the pier.

"I don't see Lora," Prompto said, shielding his eyes from the sun and scanning the area.

"Chill out, Prompto," Gladio said. "She could've went over to the shop or something. She'll be back."

Little did they know that the raven-haired girl was just under the water's surface. Lorelai had seen her friends coming and decided to hide. She swam under the water to the edge of the pier, right below Noctis. With the glare of the sun on the water, no one had even seen her. In an instant, she popped out of the water, grabbing the prince's foot and causing him to jump in surprise.

"Hey, Noct, how's it going?"

Noctis scowled down at her. "Dammit, Lora, don't do that! And get out of there, you're gonna scare the fish away!"

Lorelai laughed. "The prince of Lucis? Fish? Now I've seen everything." Despite her joking, she complied to his command and climbed up onto the pier, sitting next to his feet. She wrung the water from her hair. "I've been swimming for a while now anyway."

Prompto's blue eyes widened and he found himself staring at the girl with his mouth hung open. Wearing a white bikini, most of her body was exposed, much to the blond's enjoyment.

"Nice bikini, Lora," Gladio commented, earning a growl from Prompto. "You're looking hot."

"A bit too revealing for my tastes," Ignis stated. "But you do look quite fetching."

Lorelai stood up with a smile. "Thank, guys."

"Where'd you even get that?" Noctis questioned.

Lorelai rested her hands on her hips, looking at Noctis as if he were an idiot. "Hello, at the shop. Do you really think a beach resort isn't going to sell swimsuits?"

He only shrugged in response. Prompto's brain was fumbling for words. He wanted to compliment the girl too, just as his friends did. But he was too much of a nervous wreck at the moment to say something that wouldn't come off as creepy. But he knew that this was the chance he was waiting for. He had to get her picture. It was a chance he couldn't pass up. After several moments of gathering his thoughts while the others talked, he took a deep breath, finally ready to speak.

"Uh, Lora?" The girl looked at him, spying the camera in his hand.

"Let me guess, you want a picture?" she interrupted with a knowing smile.

Prompto eagerly nodded. "Y-Yeah, if you don't mind."

"Not at all."

Prompto couldn't contain his enthusiasm. "Aw yeah, pics of my very own beach bunny model!" he cried out with a grin. "Let's go over there!"

Lorelai giggled and followed the boy. The two left the others at the pier. Prompto stopped just a short ways away. He instructed his model on where to stand and how to pose. He snapped several photos of her in front of the water. He skimmed over each picture, his blue eyes gleaming with joy.

"Alright, that's it," he said with a grin. "Thanks, Lora. You make the best model."

She smiled. "No problem, it's kind of fun. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to relax in the shade of my umbrella while I dry off."

"Cool, I'll join you."

With Prompto following behind her, Lorelai went over to her towel and umbrella that sat just a short distance from the pier. They could see the prince still fishing. Lorelai laid on her towel while Prompto sat at the edge of it. The girl's eyes were closed as she relaxed and let herself dry off a bit. The blond couldn't help but stare at her, his eyes traveling over her figure. A smile of content tugged at his lips at how peaceful she looked. After a short while, the others came over once Noctis was done fishing.

"We should probably go ahead and rent a room at the hotel," Ignis suggested.

Lorelai sat up from her spot. "Sounds good. I've got to change first though."

She gathered her things and Prompto offered to help carry them. He ended up holding onto the umbrella for her. The group went back to the caravan. Lorelai changed and everyone got their things and went to the hotel to rent a room. Lorelai and Gladiolus decided to go get messages while the others checked out their room. Prompto was gazing out at the ocean view through the glass window when Noctis went over to his side and nudged him.

"How'd your little photo session go, Prompto?"

The blond glanced back, noticing that Ignis had left the room. He then looked at his best friend with a smile. "It. Went. Great. The photos turned out amazingly! I managed to capture her beauty on MY camera!"

Noctis smirked. "Yeah? Lora also seemed happy to do it."

Prompto happily hummed in content. "She's the best."

Noctis rolled his eyes when he noticed that Prompto didn't pick up on what he was hinting at. He cleared his throat. "Y'know, this would be the perfect time to ask her out."

Prompto gasped. "I-I don't know. W-What should I say? I don't wanna sound like a creep."

"Just ask her to join you for dinner later. I'll even help you out if you want."

"Okay... But you better not embarrass me!"

The two left their room and walked through the Mother of Pearl to the place where Ignis stood with his arms crossed. They followed his gaze to Lorelai and Gladio, who both laid on their stomachs across padded seats with people massaging their backs. They both had looks of content on their faces.

Lorelai rested her chin on her arms and let out a small moan. "That... feels... so... gooood."

"You guys should give it a try," Gladio added.

"Pass," Noctis answered.

Once the two had had their massages, Noctis nudged Prompto and gestured toward Lorelai. Prompto gulped and said, "H-Hey, Lora, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Yeah, sure. What is it?"

Noctis whispered to Prompto with a sly smirk plastered on his face. "I was just wondering if, um, you'd like to join me for dinner later?"

Lorelai arched an eyebrow. "You mean just the two of us?"

Prompto's cheeks were tinted pink. Noctis whispered in his ear again. "Y-Yeah, I mean, if you want to."

Lorelai smiled. "Okay, sounds like fun."

"Great!" Noctis whispered to his overjoyed friend. "And then afterwards we can-" Prompto froze after realizing what Noctis told him. The blond frowned at him with displeasure. "What are you trying to make me say?!" he quietly yelled at the prince.

Lorelai only laughed at the two. Gladio was about to speak when Ignis lightly placed a hand on his shoulder and shook his head, silently telling the shield to remain quiet. Prompto couldn't be happier though. He was afraid the girl would turn him down. Lorelai wouldn't admit it, but she was beginning to feel a real connection to the blond. Though she thought it was just a strong friendship, not at all the type of feelings Prompto felt toward her. But maybe in time, she would understand the deeper meaning in the boy's words and actions.