Ignis sighed in frustration as he pinched the bridge of his nose, nudging his glasses up a little as he did. "Prompto, ginger ale is not medication."
The voice on the other end of the line was closer to gravel than sunshine, and Ignis winced in sympathy for how painful it must've been for the blond to speak. "Sure it is, Ig. S'tha cure-all fer what ails you."
Ignis tapped his foot on the marble floor as he checked his watch. "I'll be home in about six hours. Do you think you'll be alright till then? I can probably send Gladio or Iris over—"
A harsh cough interrupted him before his boyfriend's voice came back, weaker and a little wheezier. "Nono, s'ok. I probbiss. I got…ginger ale. And oj with the pulp, so, y'know…healthy. And that condensed soup; also healthy. I'm juss gonna sleep, Ig. Just. I'll be ok, kay?"
"Condensed soup." Ignis scoffed, but couldn't keep the soft smile from his voice. "How you ever made it to nineteen is a mystery."
"I'b telling you, it's the ginger ale. Love you, have a good meeting or three."
Ignis returned the affection and hung up. He had a feeling that he'd have his work cut out for him when he got home.
Somehow, he couldn't bring himself to mind.
XVXVXVXVXXVXVXVXV
When Ignis next found himself with an extra moment, it was two hours and eleven texts later.
Promptoà hey wheres canpoter?
Promptoà canopner*
Promptoà the thing that opens cans
Promptoà im hungry and everything is working abaingst me.
Promptoà nm its a poptop
Promptoà stove hates me. Everything hates me. All but you ig. U r bust.
Promptoà best*
Promptoà fuck it going back to bed.
Promptoà shit ur at ur meetings. Sorry. Gods hope ur shit is on slient.
Promptoà forvige me?
Promptoà fuuuck. FORGIVE* me?
Always ßMe
Please do get some rest. I will be home as soon as I am able ßMe
And the can opener is in the drawer to the left of the sink ßMe
Where it always is ßMe
Noctis groaned next to him, rolling his eyes as he read the messages over his adviser's shoulder. "Prom's sick, huh? He's the living worst when he's sick."
Ignis frowned down his charge. "Yes, he can be a bit much."
Noctis laughed at that, "Yeah, that's how you know he's really ok. It's when he starts lying and getting quiet that you have to be worried.
"One time he got the flu and refused to admit he was feeling bad. Kept himself going with energy drinks and cough syrup. He was loopy as hell and fucking bit it on the track during gym; completely blacked out while running pretty fast and basically ended up with road-rash and a concussion."
Ignis winced in sympathy. "Hmm, yes. I thought I was successfully keeping him under wraps, but yesterday he slipped out before I woke and went to training. Cor had to call me to come collect him from the men's room floor. Apparently he didn't make formation and the marshal found him 'vomiting up everything he'd ever eaten'. He's been mewling in bed ever since."
Noctis gave Ignis a sympathetic expression. "Poor dude. Just make sure you don't get it and give it to me."
"Of course, Highness. I wouldn't dream of getting you ill. You're a thousand times worse than Prompto."
The adviser chuckled as the prince seemed to consider this, finally nodding in agreement. "You're right. I'm definitely worse."
XVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXV
The second time Ignis was able to pull away from the meeting long enough to glance at his phone, another hour had gone by. In that time, Prompto had managed to send him seven links to songs he'd apparently listened to and wished to share, a rambling text about how much he 'lurvd' the adviser, and an article about how ginger ale could, in fact, settle one's stomach.
Rolling his eyes, Ignis sent off a sweet text, wishing his boyfriend well and promising he'd be home as soon as possible. With real medicine.
XVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXV
By the time Ignis was finally able to go home, it was three hours and zero texts later. This was a little disconcerting, so he placed a call to Prompto's phone as he headed for the garage. Receiving no answer, he waited for the cheery greeting to end and left a message.
"Darling, I am on my way home. I need to stop by the pharmacy to collect your medications. I'll be there soon, though. Love you."
He slipped his phone back in his pocket and hurried his step. He didn't like being away from Prompto for this long when the freckled youth was sick or otherwise incapacitated. Ignis learned early on in their relationship that Prompto never wanted to 'be a bother', and would instead try to soldier on as if nothing were wrong. He could have a high fever and a sprained ankle, and he'd still insist on going on his morning run and completing his chores around their small house.
Ignis loved him endlessly, but there were times in which he would like to throttle the boy. Prompto's self-deprecating/self-destructive streak could be rather irksome at times.
He stopped at the usual pharmacy and picked up cold medicine and a few other necessities, doing his best not to tap his foot impatiently as he stood in line. It would still be at least thirty minutes before he'd actually get home.
Though he'd been the one to insist that they get a place near the outskirts of the city, he did find himself regretting it from time to time, if only in instances such as this.
But, he'd wanted to give Prompto something beautiful. The boy had been raised in the city, and though they could not move outside the Wall due to Ignis' duties, the adviser could give him new scenery to explore. So, he'd found a small rental property situated on its own acre of land, nestled in among the rolling hills near the wall. Sure, it was a longer commute, but they spent it together most days which made it bearable.
He enjoyed their late afternoons in their little home; Prompto would wander the hills and the thicket of woods at the back of the property, taking photos while Ignis prepared dinner. They were even considering getting a dog, though Ignis himself would prefer a cat.
He was not going for Prompto's 'compromise' of getting both.
As he turned onto the three mile stretch of gravel road that led to their little home, Ignis pressed the button on his dash to connect the Bluetooth, hoping Prompto would pick up this time. He had several bags and was hoping the other man could unlock the door for him.
He breathed a quiet relived sigh when the phone was answered. Prompto sounded awful, not even able to make intelligible sounds on his end.
"I'm almost home, darling." He said when Prompto gave up talking in favor of hacking up a lung. "I know you're not feeling well, but could you—"
Prompto gasped into the phone, his voice ragged. "Iggy. Ig. S'hot. I dunno—"
Ignis swallowed hard, it sounded like Prompto had only gotten worse in their hours apart. "I know, darling, I know. It's probably just because of your fever—"'
Prompto hissed through the line, whining little when he couldn't stop another string of coughs. "Nooo Iggyyy. S'hot. I…the sto..the soup…" he trailed off as he wheezed desperately. "S..ss..smoke."
With that last sibilant word, Ignis pressed his foot firmly on the gas pedal, his tires spinning in the gravel before gaining purchase, spitting rocks as he sped down the road. "Are you saying there's a fire, Prompto? Prom? Can you get out of the house?"
But there's only coughing and a small thump quickly followed by a larger one from the other end, and Ignis' stomach tightens considerably. He brakes only slightly when their driveway comes into sight, the end of his town car fishtailing as he swerved into it. He shut the engine off and snatched the keys from the ignition before stumbling from the car and bounding up the porch stairs.
Smoke was indeed beginning to rise from the small building, and his hands shook as he shoved his key into the door, unlocking it and rushing inside.
Luckily for him, the living room was mostly clear of smoke, though it was heavy in the hall leading to the kitchen. Ignis called Prompto's name before covering his mouth with his shirt and plunging into the haze.
He did not have to search long, nearly tripping over the freckled youth as he entered the kitchen. He could barely make out where fire was licking up the cabinets above the stove an across the counter. He gave it no more than a cursory glance before crouching down and gripping Prompto under his arms and dragging him from the room.
Once far enough from the flames, Ignis scooped the boy up in his trembling arms and strode back out into the early evening air. He laid the blond in the grass and crouched down again, this time checking his breathing and pulse.
Thankfully, both were there and at near-normal levels, all things considered. He quickly checked the blond over for more injuries, but other than some small burns on his arms and a growing lump on his head where it had presumably struck the floor when he fell, there was nothing. The adviser fished his phone from his pocket and quickly dialed for emergency services before planting himself down on the ground next to his lover, pulling the other's smaller frame into his lap.
He gently pet Prompto's soot-stained hair while he waited for the ambulance and fire engine to arrive, pressing gentle kisses to the boy's slack brow now and again as he watched their home get devoured by flames.
XVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXV
"Just stay out of the kitchen, Prompto." Ignis said from the doorway as the freckled youth led the way inside. It had been three days since the fire, and they were just now being allowed to come back in and collect anything that may be salvageable.
"I know, I know." Prompto's voice was still rough; not only from the cold, now, but also from the smoke inhalation. He stepped lightly through the living room, heading for the hall.
Ignis followed, taking the same path; both men giving the kitchen a wide berth. Prompto was heading towards their bedroom. The blond let out a sigh of relief to find it mostly in tact; just light soot stains covering the floor and walls. Most of their possessions seemed untouched. The adviser pulled out a notebook and began making a list of everything they would need to have packed up and delivered to their storage unit while Prompto began collecting the things they needed right then.