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"The prince has turned four."
Ignis blinks, looking up at the chamber men who have called him and his father to a meeting. Ignis does not cower. He stares at the wall behind the men, his glasses too big on his face because he didn't get the chance to tighten them and holds his ground.
"He needs an advisor, but one that is young. The Scientia family have been employed for years for this very purpose and we believe it would be in the prince's best interest for Ignis to be his retainer."
Ignis does not respond. He has not been spoken to yet.
His father responds, looking up at the chamber men with the eyes Ignis inherited. "I am inclined to agree. Thank you for this opportunity for my son to support the prince and serve the king well."
He bows his head so Ignis does too, his hair hanging in his eyes. He needs it cut - desperately, to be groomed. But he raises his head and follows his father out of the chambers, his feet quick.
His father is ecstatic but Ignis has no knowledge of his father being an outspoken man. There isn't much for him to be proud of. Ignis has yet to even meet the prince, let alone work for him.
Still, he follows his father down the empty halls that are echoing his father's shined shoes and wonders if he should get a pair.
He meets Noctis without the king within the week. The boy is young so his schedule isn't exactly full but Ignis has had to be groomed, fitted and shown to the prince's personal quarters which include his room, washroom, dining hall for him and the king, a library that Ignis has to hide his smile about, a tearoom for when Noctis has guests (mainly just Lady Lunafreya) and an entire room for Noctis' wardrobe.
The boy is only four and yet, he's already a prince.
"Prince Noctis," a guard greets, opening the door to the tearoom that Noctis is sitting in, chewing his lip. "Ignis Scientia, of the Scientia house. He is to be your personal retainer."
Ignis bows his head and does not lift it until the door closes. He looks to Noctis who didn't even bother to spare him a glance and invites himself to find a chair as quietly as possible and sit within speaking distance of the prince.
"Your name is Ignis?" Noctis asks, his eyes shining prettily in the daylight. "I'm Noctis."
"Yes," Ignis responds, his throat a little dry. "I… I am your retainer. We met before."
“I know,” the boy says, a small smile on his round face. He turns back to the window. Silence stretches between them for a very long time, to the point that maids serve tea behind them on the table and leave without a word. Neither of the boys turn to serve themselves. They stare out the window for a little while longer until the sun begins to set.
"The tea will get cold," Ignis says quietly, though it's already cold. "I can request more, if you'd like it."
"Why do you talk like that?" Noctis asks, making a general gesture to his mouth. "Your voice is… not the same as mine.”
Ignis can't really get into it too much. His family have always spoken to him like this so he adopted the accent, simple as that. He tells Noctis that much. The boy doesn’t seem to believe it but if he has anything to say, he doesn’t comment.
“Prince Noctis?” a maid calls from outside the tea room, knocking on the door. “It is time for your bath, your highness. Would you like me to escort you?”
Noctis doesn’t grace her with a reply. He slips off his chair and Ignis follows him at a distance, his hands clasped behind his back. He is his retainer, so he must follow Noctis whenever he is in his presence. He takes him to the royal bath chambers, both for Noctis and the fact that he needs to know where these bathrooms are.
Ignis watches the sun set as he waits for Noctis to finish up. His maids are with him to care for him, as he is still young but soon, Ignis will be the one guiding him to the bathrooms to bathe himself. Ignis is still young enough to be accompanied by his mother to bathe himself but right now, he stands awkwardly between two guards at the door, trying not to sweat.
This is what he has been trained for but he is still nervous. He is still young, only two years older than Noctis but has already been employed by the king. Soon, he is summoned once more to Noctis’ bedroom, to spend the night inside.
“You don’t have to,” Noctis mumbles, ignoring a glare from one of his maids. “I like to sleep alone.”
“I will wait until you have fallen asleep and then I will leave,” Ignis says, bowing his head to the maid. “Thank you.”
“Goodnight, Prince Noctis, master Ignis. The guards will be outside.”
“Of course,” Ignis says, feeling exhausted already. He’s only used his royal training for a few hours but he is so tired. He might nod off by the time Noctis decides to sleep.
But the prince loves sleeping and is out like a light, leaving Ignis to lock up his room, heading back to his own chambers. There will be a time where he and Noctis may share rooms closer to each other but whilst he is still in training, Ignis returns through the maze of the kingdom and heads to bed.
***
If it were up to Ignis, he most likely would have continued homeschooling Noctis just to avoid unnecessary attention. Every day, he’s pestered or talked about behind his back and as a result, he has yet to make any friends.
But Noctis wanted to go to public school so Ignis agreed to drive him to and from, every morning and every afternoon, just to be sure the prince would be secure. He rushed his license for this very reason, getting it the day he turned sixteen and now, he’s eighteen and sitting in the driver’s seat of the Regalia.
It was normal at first. Noctis went to school, got stared at, never paid attention in class and came home. Every day, Ignis would ask him if he had a good day and Noctis would shrug, lean his cheek on his palm and look out the window. Ignis always just assumed it meant whatever.
Lunafreya requested to go to school with him but was immediately turned down by Ravus and Ignis received a very haughty email from him that he neglected to answer. Noctis didn't have much to say on the subject, already expecting the disappointment so when Ignis told him, he just shrugged again.
But, one day Ignis asked how school was, like usual, and Noctis started smiling, almost unable to control himself.
"I met someone," he confesses as Ignis pulls out of the parking lot of the school. "We… We met a long time ago but I was waiting for him to speak to me."
"Do I know this person?" Ignis questions, looking at him in the rearview mirror. Noctis has never spoken of anyone besides Lunafreya.
“Prompto Argentum? Please don’t background-check him.” Noctis says it very quickly, leaning between the front seats. “Is… Do you know him?”
Ignis smiles, giving him a look. “Yes,” he confesses, drawing his hands over the wheel. “A long time ago, he saved Lady Lunafreya’s dog. I did not know where he went but it seems he has come back to you.”
Noctis slumps back in the backseat, hands between his legs and he smiles to himself, turning his head to the window again. The ride home is never long so it passes easily. Noctis talks all he can about Prompto, saying they’re going to play video games and that Prompto has very unique eyes.
“Unique,” Ignis echoes, feeling his heart warm. “That is a certain word to describe someone’s eyes.”
“They’re purple!” Noctis defends, leaning forward again. “Your eyes are unique too but Prompto’s… I don’t know what it is. Purple blue. Is that a genetic thing?”
“It can be.” Ignis doesn’t know too much about genetics but he knows the basics. Sometimes, mutations work in certain ways and purple can be a mutation of blue eyes. “I’d have to see him in order to tell you more.”
Noctis shakes his head immediately. “No way. You’re going to scare him off.”
“Noct,” Ignis laughs, pulling into the apartment car park, “I think if he had to work up the courage to speak to you, meeting me would be a nightmare.”
“Because you’d threaten him?”
“No, I’d be nice.” Ignis huffs at him, climbing out of the Regalia and taking Noctis’ backpack. “Do you think I’m so unlikeable? You hurt me. I thought of you quite fondly.”
“I was just asking!” Noctis carries on, tugging his sleeve like a child. “Come on, don’t be mad. You can meet him. Just don’t freak him out.”
“Invite him for dinner,” Ignis says, chuckling. “I’ll show him my paperwork and he will cry .”
Noctis spends the whole night texting Prompto which is impressive in and of itself because Noctis is notorious for being an awful texter. Ignis takes a breather in the kitchen, serves the prince his dinner and puts the leftovers away, pretending to be none the wiser.
It’s funny that’s how it all started. Now, Ignis makes dinner for Prompto and Noctis every Friday night as Prompto sits on the couch with Noctis’ head in his lap, a year and a half after they met.
Prompto whispers to Noctis, something Ignis can’t hear and the prince hums, rolling over and buries his face into his stomach. Ignis ducks his head, attention back on his cutting board just as Prompto threads his fingers through Noctis’ hair.
It isn’t long before Noctis is asleep, beyond exhausted from a day of school and Prompto sighs, looking down at him. “Is he always like this?” he asks softly and Ignis inhales, unsure how to explain.
“It comes and goes,” Ignis answers. “It usually gets back like this throughout the year, for a few months. He’s exempt from exams for this reason.”
“Is it related to his headaches?”
“He told you about those?” Ignis smiles, a little proud of Noctis opening up. “Yes. It goes worse with physical activity which is why I never let him walk home. He gets dizzy very quickly and I don’t want him to faint, obviously.”
“Can I help?” Prompto says quietly, his eyes on Noctis’ face. “It’s… This isn’t his only problem, right? He’s always sleeping in class.”
“But he’s never rested,” Ignis sighs, lifting his board to the pan to saute the vegetables. “Sleeping does not help, believe it or not. All you can do is support him.” Ignis knows how it is to feel useless, especially when Noctis is reduced to tears due to a pain he can barely explain or get away from. He’s spent many nights sitting on the foot of Noctis’ bed, trying everything from tea to natural remedies to whatever healer can offer their services.
But nothing seems to ever work so they both have to wait it out. Ignis never soothes him with touch because Noctis hates it so there isn’t much he can do.
That being said, Noctis looks rather comfortable. Ignis hands Prompto his bowl to eat on the couch so neither of them disturb Noctis. It isn’t until Prompto asks if he should stay when Noctis finally wakes up, sitting up and blinking blearily at him.
“Hey,” Prompto says softly, smoothing Noctis’ hair down where it’s gotten stuck. “Are you okay?”
Noctis yawns, ducking his head. “‘M fine,” he mumbles and Ignis gives him his dinner, excusing himself to the kitchen once more.
“Noct, I’m going to save this in the fridge and then I’m going to leave,” he announces as Noctis eats, his legs thrown over Prompto’s lap now. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Noctis mumbles a reply, waving to him and Prompto smiles. Usually, Ignis would stay the night but Prompto and Noctis deserve some alone time. Ignis doesn’t need to helicopter them tonight.
He receives a text just before midnight from Noctis that only says Thank you and he smiles. Gladio is nearby, lounging on the leather chair in his office. Ignis inhales sharply, standing up.
“Bedtime,” he whispers to his lover, who’s been waiting for him to say those words for the past two hours.
Gladio follows Ignis to his bedroom, collapsing on the bed with Ignis beneath him because even though he’s heavy, Ignis always feels better with Gladio near him, touching him. He supposes Noctis is the same with Prompto.
“Good day?” Gladio whispers, shifting his face into Ignis’ neck.
“Yes,” he answers, threading his fingers through Gladio’s hair as he thinks, eyes on his plain ceiling. “Good day.”
***
Noctis in his crown makes Ignis frown.
He should be happy and admittedly, he is. Of course he is happy for Noctis. This is his true calling, of course. The crown sits beautifully on top of his head, all silver and glimmering in the light of the ceremony. He looks dazed, his crystal blue eyes so vacant and completely elsewhere. He’s most likely thinking about Prompto, who’s waiting at Noctis’ personal apartment, watching the ceremony live on television.
Ignis clears his expression when Gladio comes to stand next to Noctis, his own royal robes fitting him quite nicely. Ignis will be next to stand beside the prince, next to his father who has his own shield and retainer beside him.
Ignis steps up to Noctis, giving him a smile when the prince looks up at him pleadingly, begging to be anywhere but here. Ignis merely rests his hand on his shoulder and watches the cameras that flash and snap photos.
“I saw that,” Gladio whispers when Ignis is taking off his glasses in his own chambers, as Noctis undresses in the next room. “You didn’t look happy.”
“I am happy,” Ignis corrects, dusting off his shoulders despite there being no mishap. “Of course, I am happy, Gladio. He… This day has been long awaited. It’s just…”
“Doesn’t seem like a prince, huh?”
“Don’t say that,” Ignis whispers, looking down at his hands. “He is a prince. When he is ready, he will prove that to us all.”
Gladio, sweet Gladio, isn’t so sure. But he doesn’t say anything - just rests his hand over Ignis’ back and gives him a strained smile. “I believe you,” he answers, making Ignis sigh. “Today’s been a big day. Don’t push yourself.”
“It’s my job,” Ignis whispers right as Noctis opens the door to the dressing room, drawing their attention to him. He’s back in his normal clothes, black on black on black and his hair no longer gelled down. He scratches his ear and gives Ignis an awkward smile.
“Can you drive me?” he asks, strangely nervous. “To mine? Prompto’s already there.”
Ignis nods, gathering his things. Gladio lets him go, turning away from Noctis to the window and Ignis concludes that he will speak with him later. He and Gladio have a different relationship - it’s not quite professional but neither is his and Noctis’ so he supposes he shouldn’t dwell on it.
“I’ll return,” Ignis tells him just in case and Gladio nods, silently telling him I’ll wait.
It’s in the car, Noctis sitting in the front seat, that the prince finally says, “Why did you look so scared?” and Ignis feels like crying.
“It’s nothing,” he tries to avoid but Noctis is sixteen now. He knows Ignis so much better than he did when he was four, so he sends him a pointed look and Ignis breaks. “I… have a lot on my mind, Noct.”
“Do you think I shouldn’t be the prince? Like Gladio?”
“That’s not what Gladio thinks.” Ignis pulls up to Noctis’ private apartment, just before the street light. He turns to Noctis and it’s times like this that he realised how much he truly loves Noctis. “Things are changing. For you, for me… Everyone. I had other things on my mind so I apologise for that. I love you, honest.”
“I know that,” Noctis pouts, glaring at him. There’s a long beat and Ignis looks away so that Noctis can finally say, “I love you too. Just…. Don’t leave me, okay?”
“Never,” Ignis says immediately, turning to him in a rush. “ Never , Noctis. I would-”
“I know,” Noctis laughs, waving his hand to him. These things always get him embarrassed, even if Ignis thinks it’s terribly cute. “Don’t wait up.”
“I will,” Ignis warns, sending him a look. “I will be here tomorrow morning, first thing, to bring you home.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Noctis mumbles, pulling himself out of the car. “See you tomorrow, Specs.”
Ignis bids him goodnight and pulls away from the curb. Driving him alone always makes him uncomfortable but he knows Gladio is still in his chambers, most likely asleep.
When the going gets tough, Noctis and Gladio are Ignis’ constants. He’s proud of that and confident they will always be there. He lets himself be escorted to his private chambers, adjacent to Noctis’ and does his paperwork while Gladio naps behind him on the leather couch.
“Gladio,” he whispers when the grandfather clock dings at midnight. The shield is immediately up and blinking at him, smiling groggily. “Come on. Let’s go to bed.”
“Yeah,” Gladio says, practically rolling himself off the couch to follow after Ignis. It’s rare that he goes to sleep in Ignis’ room but they have known each other for so long that sometimes, it can be strange not to fall asleep without Gladio next to him.
Ignis blinks slowly as Gladio snores quietly behind him, the moonlight shining through his window. He thinks of Noctis and his silver crown and wonders how the boy felt to wear it for the first time, in front of his people and his country.
He sighs and lays down, tucking himself in as Gladio snorts in his sleep, shuffling around until he finally settles.
***
“You may enter.”
Ignis wants to throw up. He knows Regis personally - has spoken to him so many times when Noctis drags him to family dinner so the silences won’t be so awkward. But meeting one on one makes Ignis so incredibly nervous. Still, he has to do this, so he pushes the throne room doors open and blinks at Regis.
“You requested to meet me, your highness,” Ignis greets, immediately ducking his head into a bow. Should he kneel? No, that would be too much.
“Ignis,” Regis huffs, laughing softly and that makes Ignis look up, his eyes wide. “You know better than that. Come closer, I don’t want to shout.”
Ignis does so, standing next to the king and a maid very quickly gets him a chair, allowing him to sit next to the king. “Good evening, king Regis. What can I assist you with?”
Regis smiles at him, his age showing around his eyes but he doesn’t let that get to him. “Noctis is going to marry Lunafreya soon.” He dives into the preparations that they must do and that Ignis, Gladio and Prompto are required to travel with Noctis as his security and as his friends.
Ignis agreed to all this a long time ago but when he needs to go over things like this, he begins to perk up. He brought his planner and schedule, so he pulls it out now, which makes Regis chuckle.
“I like organisation,” Ignis explains, a little awkward, smiling when Regis clicks his own pen.
They talk for a while, about Noctis, about Lady Lunafreya, even Prompto. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out Noctis’ feelings towards his best friend and surprisingly, Regis speaks quite fondly of the blond.
“I don’t need you to tell me how Noctis feels about Lunafreya,” Regis says, leaning back on his throne. “I’ve known for some time. As soon as Prompto spoke to my son, he was done for.”
Ignis supposes that’s true but it feels wrong to admit such a thing when Noctis is engaged and soon to be wed to Lunafreya. Even still, he smiles softly and says, “In regards to this conversation, what would you think of Prompto as a future… prince in law?”
It’s unorthodox to ask but Regis only smiles, shaking his head. He doesn’t say anything and soon enough, the silence has stretched on long enough and Ignis excuses himself. He bids the king farewell, as it is time for them both to go to sleep.
“Goodnight, Ignis,” the king says before he leaves and Ignis smiles, closing the door behind him. Before long, he’s running up the hallways, apologising to the guards who send him awkward looks.
“Noctis!” Ignis basically screams, pounding on his door. He opens the door, finding Noctis is in bed already, glaring up at him with horrible bedhead. He looks cute, and though it’s only nine o’clock, Ignis isn’t surprised that he was asleep.
“What?” he croaks, blinking unevenly at him. “You saw my dad?”
“Yes,” Ignis pants, out of breath, “and he approves of Prompto.”
Noctis blinks once, twice, three times before he grins, falling back on his bed. Ignis puts his diary and schedule on a random desk in Noctis’ room and rests against it, closing his eyes for a moment.
“Did you talk to him about me?” Noctis asks quietly, looking over at him. His eyes sparkle with excitement and Ignis smiles, nodding. “Thanks, Iggy… I didn’t need you to do this.”
He really didn’t, but that isn’t the point. “Your father brought it up, actually.”
When Noctis invites him into his bed, Ignis sits next to him. They’ve slept in the same bed before but not when Noctis is twenty and right now, Ignis doesn’t find it appropriate. Even still, Ignis slips off his glasses and looks into Noctis’ eyes when the prince watches him.
“Prompto is excited to come,” he whispers and Ignis closes his eyes just so he won’t chuckle. “He really is, Iggy. I… I really like him.”
Ignis smiles, more to himself than to Noctis and whispers, “I know. He likes you too.”
Noctis falls back asleep soon but Ignis doesn’t move from his bed just yet. Gladio is sleeping in his own family house tonight so Ignis would be alone anyways. But just when he’s about to fall asleep sitting up, there’s a text on his phone.
Hey Iggy, it’s Prompto. I wanted to ask what kind of tea you like? I want to get you something as thanks, you know? Please let me do this! As thanks for driving me and Noct around… Lemme know!
Ignis texts back, Ebony coffee, and all Prompto sends is a thumbs up.
He takes a deep breath, closes his eyes and decides to collect his things.
***
Gladio should be a light sleeper. He’s a shield, fit to protect the prince, the future king, but he’s really not. He nods off in the car all the time, same with Noctis but he’s even nodding off right now, in the camper chair like a true dad. Ignis smiles at him, unable to help himself.
Noctis is asleep between his legs, pleased and warm from the fire. He sat down to stoke the fire but Gladio’s legs are good pillows and he passed out soon enough.
“Cute,” Prompto muses, his phone in his hands. He looks to Ignis, his blue eyes soft and Ignis raises his eyebrows, expecting a question. "Has Noct always been like this?"
"Sleeps anywhere he can fit, much like a cat?" Ignis huffs a short laugh, stirring his pot of stew. "Yes, he has. It was just laziness for a while but you know him. He does enjoy sleeping."
"One of his favourite things to do," Prompto smiles, checking his phone before he locks it. "I know I've known Noct for a while and we're… together and stuff but sometimes, it really feels like I don't know him."
Ignis doesn't know how to respond, really. He's not Noctis' boyfriend and has never had to think of him that way. "Is that a bad thing?"
Prompto shrugs. His eyes rest upon Noctis fondly but there's something else in his eyes that Ignis picks up on. "No, but… You guys are in a whole other world to me."
"Noct stepped into your world in high school, Prompto." Ignis flicks off the stove and shifts the pot, leaving the ladle inside as he waits for the stove to cool. "He is not that different to you. He likes you because you're similar, really."
Noctis sniffs in his sleep, shifting from one of Gladio's thighs to the other. His shifting makes Gladio open his eyes, immediately yawning as he looks around, smiling at Ignis. "Smells good," he mumbles and glances down at Noctis between his legs. "Oh. Well, at least he made himself comfortable."
"You nap like a dad," Prompto laughs. Gladio waves him off, gesturing for Ignis to hand him a bowl.
Noctis wakes up at the smell of food, slumping forward with a yawn. He moves to Prompto, sitting between his legs. Neither of them seem to care that they have company, Prompto leaning down and whispering in Noctis' ear as he plays with his hair.
Noctis occasionally smiles around his spoon, looking up at Prompto with sly eyes but they do nothing more. Prompto kisses his cheek and Ignis feels at peace at this time in Noctis' life.
It's hard to watch Noctis grow up. His mother was taken from him too young and his life has been difficult for many years. Prompto is Noctis' lifeline, his sunshine through the dark trees that shadow Noctis' mind. Ignis is proud of that, that Noctis allowed himself to love Prompto.
Ignis finally sits down once Prompto and Noctis go to sleep. He's exhausted and only sits because Gladio forces him to, so he can clean up quietly behind him.
"You've done enough," the shield says and Ignis closes his eyes just to rest them.
"Gladio," he whispers after a while, when the clinking of the cutlery has stopped behind him. "Come here, darling."
Gladio hums, leaning over the chair and kisses Ignis softly, the scuff of his chin tickling Ignis's face. It's always slow between them as when they have time for each other, they're exhausted. They never flaunt each other in front of others, purely because Ignis sees absolutely no need for publicity for both of them; not even around Noctis and Prompto.
So, they save their moments for late nights like this. Ignis touches Gladio's face softly, like he's something delicate and Gladio smiles, pulling away to kiss Ignis' forehead.
"You're thinking too much."
"Never," Ignis muses, dropping his hand.
"You are. Noct is fine. You get that look when you're thinking about him."
"It's different."
"No," Gladio says pointedly, kissing his temple this time before he pulls a chair closer and takes Ignis's hand. "You're thinking about him and how far he's come. Think about yourself for once."
Ignis furrows his brow. "How far I've come?" He's never really thought about it. It’s not really important; as long as he fulfills his responsibility as Noctis’ retainer. But Gladio believes him to be more than that. Ignis has never understood why.
Noctis has always treated him as an equal, treated all of them as equals. There is nothing in this world that will ever be beneath Noctis because he truly doesn’t see it that way. Ignis should be beneath him, really, as a mere employee but Noctis has fallen asleep in his arms more times than Ignis can even count. He is Noctis’ brother, even if blood deems it impossible.
“How far I’ve come…” he wonders aloud, tilting his head. He and Gladio first met when they were fourteen. Gladio was so small, considering he still had to have a few growth spurts, but now, he towers over Ignis. It almost makes him feel funny. They have both grown so much since then, through training and resilience and experience. It’s something to be proud of, like Gladio is saying.
He looks at the taller man, the fire dimming out slowly but it still heats up his face. “I think I’ve come quite far,” he whispers and smiles when Gladio kisses him.
It’s been a long time since they first met and a long time since Gladio cornered Ignis in the royal library and asked him to marry him. Ignis laughed at him, slapping a hand over his mouth when the librarian shushed him.
“Do you still want to get married?” he asks against Gladio’s lips and the shield snorts, pulling away out of embarrassment. “You asked me.”
“And you laughed in my face!”
“Only because we were seventeen, you idiot,” Ignis huffs, reaching up and thumbing over Gladio’s cheek. “I’ve reconsidered, though. Ask me again when I’m… thirty.”
Gladio grins, kissing his forehead. It’s a promise, the way he has always promised Ignis by kissing his forehead. Everything is going to be okay if Gladio kisses his forehead. He feels silly thinking of it like that but he turns his eyes to the fire and smiles to himself.
Gladio keeps cleaning the dishes, humming to himself. Ignis closes his eyes and starts to drift off.
***
“Ignis,” Gladio whispers when Ignis takes off his glasses for the night, rubbing at the scar on his nose. “You’re thirty tomorrow.”
“So?” Ignis questions, hating that he can’t see Gladio’s face. He’s been blind for eight years now, and it’s been eight years since Noctis was taken by the crystal. Eight years since everything went to shit and Ignis lost Noctis when he swore he’d protect him.
He’s more agitated these days and now he knows why. He barely remembers the date of anything anymore and everyone works around him. He just cooks until he can’t stand to be in a hot kitchen anymore and then goes out to hunt. But apparently, it’s his birthday tomorrow.
“Remember what I promised you?”
Ignis inhales softly, looking down at his hands even though he sees nothing. “Gladio…”
“Not now,” he says, knowing the answer, “but… when Noct comes back, can we?”
Ignis turns to him, reaches for Gladio and his partner takes his hand, putting it against his chest. He’s shirtless, as he so often is and Ignis runs his fingers over his collarbone, smiling at him. “We can. Get me a ring and I’ll say yes.”
Gladio laughs, leans away and rustles around for something. They don’t live together anymore, not since everything changed but Gladio comes home to Ignis whenever he can and they spend the night together.
Ignis feels his hand move, Gladio grasping it and something cold slips over his ring finger, making him tense. It’s a foreign feeling because he doesn’t wear jewelry. “Oh, you… Is it ugly?”
“At least pretend to be surprised,” Gladio snorts and Ignis is sure he’s rolling his eyes. “It’s black lined with silver. No jewels, just smooth metal. I didn’t want any gems you could break off or something. And this way, it won’t get snagged on anything if you’re fighting or cooking.”
Ignis can’t speak. He gestures for Gladio to sit up, come closer and he finds Gladio’s face, cupping it like he always did. “Do you like it?” Gladio asks and Ignis kisses him as hard as he can, fingers in his hair.
“I love it,” Ignis whispers, clutching Gladio’s head to his chest. Gladio hums and kisses his chest, up his neck and Ignis sighs, scratching at his scalp to soothe him. “I love you. I’m sorry.”
Gladio pulls away, just to press his nose to Ignis’ cheek. “For what?”
“It’s… We’ve grown apart, haven’t we?” It’s not true. Gladio comes home every few days, even if he smells like blood and guts or dirt. He always brings something for Ignis, even when he’s not home because Gladio cares so fucking much and it haunts Ignis. It’s haunted him for the past decade and a bit.
“No,” Gladio answers because he knows Ignis is just talking and not really saying anything. “You could be a world away and I will never stop loving you. Just like you’re doing for Noct now. Waiting for him to come home, wherever that home is.”
Ignis doesn’t want to cry but he feels his tears wetting his cheeks. Gladio shushes him and it makes Ignis laugh. “The ring didn’t take my tears,” he jokes but that makes it worse. “Oh, Gods-” He chokes on a sob, covering his mouth and Gladio holds him, leaning back against the headboard as Ignis cries, his shoulders shaking.
He hates crying. He hated when Noctis cried, no matter the situation but it feels like every night, Ignis is stopping himself from sobbing himself to sleep because he no longer makes dinner for at least two people. He no longer has to wake Noctis up, dress him for school or order him coffee when he can barely get out of bed.
Everything mundane that people would have hated to do… Ignis misses it all. He misses waking up with Noctis’ arms around him, the four of them in the tent and travelling for no reason. Everything feels wrong without Noctis but the three of them have kept going and it’s killing Ignis, slowly and tortuously.
Gladio hums some random tune that Prompto has definitely played in the car before, all those years ago. Ignis clutches at him, unable to stop his sobs but eventually, he stills, his breathing laboured and shaky. Gladio always has that effect on him.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers, pressing the ring against his mouth to try and stop himself from hitching. The ring is going to become his new fixation. “I-I love you.”
“I love you,” Gladio whispers into his hair, leaving a kiss there. “More than you know.”
“Will he come home?”
“If we’re waiting for him, he’ll come home.”
***
Noctis does come home. It takes ten years but he comes back. Ignis only knows he’s changed when it’s later in the night and Noctis jumps at Ignis to hug him, just like he always used to do when he was a kid.
“Oh, you- You’ve grown up?” he huffs, holding Noctis in his grasp. He touches his hair, finding it long and all he can say is, “Have you seen Prompto’s disgusting goatee?”
Noctis laughs, his arms squeezing around Ignis. “How do you know it looks horrible?” Maybe it doesn’t, since Noctis will take anything Prompto gives him and fall in love with him ten times over. If ten years didn’t affect Prompto’s feelings for their king, then nothing will. Not even a goatee.
“Prompto couldn’t grow facial hair ten years ago,” Ignis smiles. “What makes you think he can do it now?”
Noctis chuckles, drawing away. It took him all night to come to Ignis, after speaking with Prompto and Gladio. Prompto’s talk went for a long time, because the blonde couldn’t keep his hands to himself but whatever. It doesn’t matter to him but Ignis has already cried after Noctis’ big speech so the hug was necessary.
“I’m sorry it took so long,” Noctis confesses but Ignis shakes his head.
“Please don’t. I… Everything changed when you left.” It takes him a few moments but he says, “I prayed every night for you. I… No, it doesn’t matter.”
“Talk to me,” Noctis begs, grabbing Ignis’ wrist. “I needed you then. I need you now, Iggy. Please talk to me.”
Ignis closes his eyes to stop himself from crying. He knows Noctis will go tonight, back to the Citadel to defeat Ardyn. But for now, they sit together away from the group and Ignis talks as Noctis hums and holds his hand close.
But as most things with Ignis and Noctis, this night ends in tears. Ignis cries as he talks but wipes away his tears when Noctis stands up and buries his head in his chest.
“You don’t have to go,” Ignis whispers. “You… You can stay here with us. With me.”
“When I was a little boy,” Noctis whispers and Ignis screws up his face to stop his tears, “you told me that no matter what, you would always be there for me. Even if I screwed up or hurt you or myself, or flunked out or pissed off my dad. You’d always be there.”
Ignis curls his arms around Noctis. “I meant it.”
Noctis huffs a wet laugh. “I need you now. I need you with me tonight, okay? And… And I just… Thank you. For everything. I will never forget you. I will take you with me, in my heart.”
Ignis has never been a selfish person but letting go of Noctis, physically and literally in this moment is one of the hardest things he has ever had to do. He knew of Noctis’ destiny, that he would have to give himself to the crystal and rise to the title of true king. He knew for a long time but he already asked Noctis to give up and it was the worst mistake he could have made.
“You have to go,” Ignis whispers, smiling sadly when he hears Gladio laugh at whatever Prompto has just said. “You can go. I… I will go wherever my king goes.”
Noctis hums, his hands holding Ignis’ and he touches the ring, making Ignis flush. “Oh, don’t-”
“You’re married?”
“Engaged,” Ignis corrects, pulling his hand away. “Gladio asked me two years ago. We… We never did anything because we were waiting for you. And the world is shot to hell so.”
“Not exactly wedding weather,” Noctis laughs, knocking his knuckles against Ignis’ shoulder. “But you have my blessing. Is it too soon for me to say I’ll watch from the afterlife?”
“It is way too soon,” Ignis huffs and begins to walk back to the fire. “I suppose we should tell Prompto.”
“Tell me what?” Prompto asks, his mouth full of food. “Is it that chocobo racing isn’t a real career?”
“Dude,” Noctis says, throwing himself into a camping chair next to the blonde, “it so is a real career. Who said it wasn’t?”
That gets the two of them going and Gladio invites Ignis over to him with a call of his name. Ignis sits next to his partner and he feels Noctis’ eyes on him, always so searching and Gladio chuckles to himself.
“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” he says and Prompto starts carrying on, moving for his camera and directing everyone to sit in a certain way.
“I’ll take a selfie! I don’t take a lot of those anymore.” Noctis coos at him mockingly but Prompto just snorts. “Come here, Noct. Get close.” There’s rustling and Prompto grunts weirdly, scoffing. “Sure, that’s… close. You’re gross.”
“How so?” Ignis asks, turning between Gladio and the king.
“Noct just licked Prompto’s cheek,” Gladio informs, lacing his fingers with Ignis’. “Just like old times.”
Ignis smiles, putting his arm around Noctis’ shoulder and looks to the camera when he's directed to by Prompto, who starts to count down. He smiles and squeezes Gladio’s hand.
***
It plays out exactly how Ignis saw it all those years ago.
Noctis is gone. Light is restored. The first thing Prompto does is take a photo of the sky even though there’s tears streaming down his face and he complains that he can’t see. Ignis blames it on the non-existent rain and pulls off his glasses, sighing.
“Come now,” he says to them, taking their hands as he tries to will himself not to cry again. “Let’s go home. It’s… It’s time to go home, okay?”
“Okay,” Prompto blubbers. “You… You don’t think we should go in?” He’s talking about the citadel, to where Noctis left them all.
“No,” Ignis says, shaking his head. He squeezes their hands and walks away from the kingdom, away from everything he’s known. “No, Noctis… Noctis needs to rest.” He feels his throat close up. “He can rest now.”
“Come on,” Gladio mumbles, tugging Ignis along and thus Prompto too. It’s time to go home, for all of them. To go back to the city and country they love, the country that raised them and Noctis ruled, for however long.
They will rebuild the city together, the three of them. Prompto is family and part of the royal guard. He will be wonderful as a citizen’s advisor. Ignis feels better just thinking about it but it’s too soon. This world is not ready for the three of them just yet.
Noctis wanted them all to keep going. It’s why he even showed up to confront Ardyn. He knew they would keep going and carry on his legacy. No king or queen, prince or princess will replace Noctis as their king.
Ignis is thirty six when he finally walks into the throne room again, where Noctis sat four years ago to assume his throne and gave his life for the gods, for the world. The throne room gets dusted every day, Ignis made sure of it, but he had yet to walk in and see it for himself.
Ignis looks down at his hand when his fingers graze the arm of the throne and he swallows. His vision has improved but not by a lot. And yet, he can still make out the ring Gladio gave him eight years ago. It hits him all at once and he’s blinking, looking at the sunshine shining through the throne room’s windows.
He runs down the stairs, out of the doors and a maid yelps in surprise when he almost crashes into her. “Master Ignis! W-What can I help with?”
“Get me Master Amicitia,” he asks her, grasping her hands, “and tell him I have an answer for him.”
The maid rushes away, knocking on doors and Ignis runs to his office, waiting for Gladio. It takes twenty minutes before Gladio pushes open his office doors, panting a little. “What? What is it?” he asks, closing the doors behind himself. “I was teaching. The guard said you have ‘an answer for me’? What does that mean?”
Ignis lifts his hand, showing the old ring and says, “Let’s get married. In the throne room. Noctis gave me his blessing four years ago.”
Gladio inhales sharply, drawing over to Ignis. He takes his hands in his, leans their foreheads together and for a second, he thinks Gladio is going to say no. But he kisses Ignis softly and says, “Okay.”
“We need new rings,” Ignis says, grinning at him. He can’t stop smiling- oh, Gods, this is love? “Next week, wedding? I don’t want it to be huge.” He’s rushing but they’ve waited six years already on the account of Ignis and he’s sick of waiting.
“It’s in the throne room,” Gladio laughs. “It’s going to be huge anyway. But yes, next week. I’ll clear my schedule.”
“And the week after that and the week after that,” Ignis drawls, cupping Gladio’s face and kisses him softly. “Two week honeymoon in Altissa?” The city has been rebuilt to its former glory and Ignis would like to visit it once more. It would be an honour to Lunafreya and Noctis, too.
“Anything for you,” Gladio promises and kisses his forehead.
Ignis has lived Noctis’ life with him, up until the very end. Prompto has photos of all of them to keep their memories but Ignis remembers everything about Noctis. From the first time they met, to the first time Ignis put him to bed and the last time he said goodbye to him.
Ignis’ heart always aches for Noctis, the boy he raised and loved like a brother. But with the ache comes love on top of longing and Ignis holds Gladio every night, letting his heart open up to him like he did almost twenty years ago.
Noctis is there on Ignis’ wedding day, as is Lunafreya. He knows it. He would know the feeling of Noctis’ eyes on him anywhere, even in the dark. He wishes Noctis was with him, obviously but life goes on and Ignis carries a piece of Noctis’ legacy with him everywhere he goes, right in his heart.
“You good, Iggy?” Gladio asks when they’re in Altissa, the sun beating down on them both. They took the boat right after Cindy did it all up, after so many years of disuse. “Hey, come on. You're acting like an old man, gazing out into the horizon.”
Ignis turns to him, smiling softly and grips his face to squish his cheeks together. “I am an old man. I’m thirty six.”
“And I’m thirty seven so if you’re old, I’m old too.”
Ignis purses his lips, pecking him quickly before he lets him go. Gladio moves past him with their bags and Ignis takes one more breath, wishing to the sky for happy days and sets off behind his husband.
It’s happy days for him now, in the light that Noctis gifted them all.