Prompto's camera sat unattended on the log, a rookie mistake.

Noctis noticed.

By the time Prompto emerged from the tent, towel draped over his shoulder, it was already too late.

The first photo lit up the screen.

Tiny hands covered in cake. Wide, confused eyes. Your hair sticking out in every direction, the unmistakable disaster of a childhood birthday immortalized forever.

Noct snorted as Gladio leaned in, broad shoulders shaking with laughter.

Ignis didn't say a word but the faintest, knowing smile curved at the corner of his mouth as more photos appeared.

The chocobo nest incident. The oversized hoodie. The infamous face-in-the-fries snapshot.

Prompto's eyes widened in slow-motion horror.

"No...no, no, guys stop...!" His voice cracked as he practically stumbled over himself, trying to wrestle the camera back.

You barely managed to yank your hoodie up, hiding your face but the warmth flooding your cheeks was impossible to ignore. The fabric swallowed most of your expression, eyes barely peeking out as Gladio's laughter roared.

The teasing continued, Noct smug, Gladio delighted, Ignis observant as always.

It was chaos. And Prompto… was still blushing.

He finally snatched the camera back, fumbling with the strap, shoulders hunched defensively, eyes darting from the group to you, buried in your hoodie, clearly mortified.

The panic softened. The teasing died on his lips.

He took a step closer, awkward, sheepish, still clearly embarrassed himself but the way his arm slipped loosely around your shoulder wasn't hesitant.

It was familiar. Protective. Quietly grounding.

He tugged you in, hoodie and all, his chin dipping as he bumped his temple lightly against the top of your head.

His voice stayed low, quiet, rough with leftover nerves but sincere underneath it all.

"Y'know… they only laugh 'cause you're the cutest thing on this whole trip."

The words were simple. Embarrassed, awkward typical Prompto.

But the arm around your shoulders stayed, steady. And the heat in your cheeks slowly eased, replaced by quiet warmth as the group's teasing faded into the background.

For a moment, it was just your brother, flustered, proud, unshakably yours.