When the sun crested the horizon, Ignis could feel its warmth on his face.
It was finally over.
The fighting, the traveling, the daemons, done and done! The three friends fought through the night to ensure Noctis would be successful, and through blood, sweat, and a shit ton of potions, the sun brought the dawn. Although, no one would be celebrating yet. True, Ardyn would no longer be waiting around the next corner, but the loss of Noctis' absence weighed heavily amongst the small group.
The sadness that overcame Ignis, knowing that the price of the sunrise was Noctis' untimely death, was enough to swallow him whole.
Sure, life would start anew, but what would his life mean without Noctis. Noctis was his life. He was bred to be the advisor to the king since childhood. What does an advisor do with no king to advise? he wondered. At least he knew Prompto wouldn't have to suffer from the nightmares that sometimes plagued him the past ten years. And although Ignis never heard Gladio voice it, he knew the warrior wanted to be reunited with his sister and ensure her safe return to the city.
He sensed movement behind him. Prompto placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently as Gladio moved forward on his other side. He knew he wasn't alone in his grieving. His brothers were here and they would share the burden of losing Noctis together. For now, they could focus on rebuilding Insomnia. The time to grieve would come later.
Turning their backs on the rising sun, the group headed towards the citadel. Gladio pushed the doors and with a loud creak, the great hall was bared to them. The hall was quiet, except for their echoing footsteps. Prompto watched himself in the still-pristine marble walls.
Continuing their efforts to reach the throne room, Ignis slowed in front of a painting that, unless destroyed in the aftermath, should've been in this spot. Approaching the wall, he tentatively reached out a hand. When his fingers brushed the impasto, he laid his hand firmly against it. Feeling the rough texture of dried paint through the fabric of his gloves, he slowly moved his fingertips along the canvas, tracing an outline of the last Lucian King. A sob threatened to escape him, his emotions still raw.
Prompto, seeing Ignis in the reflection of the walls, went to comfort his friend.
Since Altissa, Prompto made it a personal endeavor to make sure Ignis had a hand to grab in case he should need it. "You always take such good care of everyone; let someone look out for you," he had said. Even after ten years, he remained a constant comfort Ignis didn't want to admit he leaned on but always accepted. Placing a hand in the crook of his arm, Prompto gently pulled Ignis forward.
"We should find Noctis and prepare a proper burial," Prompto suggested.
Ignis let the familiar weight of Prompto's hand pull him along. He nodded his acquiescence. Gladio grunted to his left and they continued, three lone kingsguard in search of their king.
Months later, the rebuilding efforts had lifted the spirits of Insomnias citizens.
Most of the destruction around Insomnia was cleared away and some of the folks who escaped the initial attack had come back to rebuild their lives. Prompto found that he wasn't much help in the palace, so he took to the streets and aided where he could in the community.
He was pushing a wagon full of vegetation from a farm when the old woman who owned it started walking beside him.
"It's so nice to see the city coming back to life," she said, pulling Prompto from his thoughts. "My family have lived here for generations." Gabriella smiled at him, hooking her arm with his. "As a matter of fact, I had an uncle who worked in Archive at the palace."
"That sounds like an exciting job," he replied with a smile. As far as he knew, the men in Archive just rummaged and sorted through dusty old books ... well, they used to anyway.
"Who are you kidding, it was boring as hell."
"Oh!" Shocked as he was by her abrupt statement, Prompto absently scratched his cheek. He knew Gabriella to speak matter-of-factly from time to time, but it still caught him by surprise when she was so blunt.
In their ventures, he learned that she lived alone, but when the invasion happened she helped a few families escape through a tunnel under the city her family would use to transport their produce. She returned from Lestallum after the sunrise and tried to salvage what was left of her farm. She was marginally successful. Prompto spotted her one day struggling with her cart through the lens of his camera and he had been helping her every week since. The tunnel her family used had since collapsed, so Gabriella had to push her cart through what she called the 'scenic route', when really it was just the long way around.
They continued until they reached the market district and Prompto pushed the wagon to a stop next to Gabriella's stand. He started to help move the baskets of produce when he felt his phone vibrate. Pulling it from his pocket, he was surprised to see Ignis calling. Since his accident, Ignis only ever used his phone to make calls, and usually only if it was absolutely necessary.
Prompto turned slightly away from Gabriella as he brought his phone to his ear.
"Ignis, what's up man?" Prompto asked slightly worried.
"Hello Prompto. I was wondering if you wanted to join me for lunch?" He replied smoothly.
Prompto couldn't help the butterflies in his stomach at his words. Wait a second, like a date?! Act natural. "Ugh, sure. I'm starving. Where do you want to meet up?"
"I'm leaving an appointment as we speak. How about 12:30? I'll have our meal delivered to my study."
Prompto glanced at his watch. 11:15. The train ran every thirty minutes around this part of town. He had plenty of time.
"Yeah, great. Sounds good. I'll see you then." Prompto couldn't stop the blush warming his cheeks.
"Of course."
Hearing the line go dead, he stood there for a second staring at his phone screen, grinning stupidly to himself.
Returning the phone to his pocket he looked up to find Gabriella, hands on her hips as she smiled knowingly at him.
"Oh my, with a smile like that it must have been someone very special, eh?" She spoke coolly.
Prompto cleared his throat and his smile turned into a guilty one. Sure, in the past, he spent a lot of time with Ignis and yeah, he cared about him. But was he so obvious? Prompto wasn't even sure if the advisor felt anything besides friendship for him.
Ignis had been under a lot of stress since the loss of Noctis and his work in the palace kept him high-strung. The blonde knew his company to the strategist was a welcome distraction, but Ignis rarely had time for himself. Knowing Ignis chose to spend that time with him sent a rush of warmth through his chest.
When the rebuilding started a few of the councilmen who survived had come together and asked Ignis to oversee preparations in the palace. Although the quartet had been gone from Insomnia while Noctis' gathered the weapons for his armiger, Ignis still knew the working of the inner palace better than anyone. Anyone still alive.
Ignis had been reluctant to accept but the councilmen insisted. They assured him his disability wouldn't be a hindrance and Insomnia needed a strong leader to return to its former glory. Eventually, he had accepted their proposal and, with his keen oversight, the remaining wealth of the country was budgeted and distributed accordingly. Ignis managed finances, employees, diplomacy and had taken it upon himself to restore trade amongst the nations.
Gabriella laughed. "It's too bad you're spoken for, I'd give you a run for your gil." She preened as she fluffed her short hair.
Prompto chuckled. "I'm pretty sure you're too much woman for me, Miss Gabriella."
Laughing at their easy banter, she gave him a push of encouragement, "Well hurry along. I can finish up here."
"Are you sure? I have some time and I'd hate to leave when there's so much left to do…," the reluctance holding him in place.
"I insist. It's not proper to leave a gentleman waiting." She waved him away as she grabbed a few sweet peppers and placed them in a display on her stand.
He blushed. She must have heard him says Ignis' name over the phone, however, she didn't seem to care for his preference.
"Alright then. I'll see you next week. Goodbye!" Prompto called as he ran off. If he hurried, he could catch the next train.
Ignis' back was turned when Prompto entered his study without so much as a knock. That was fine, since Ignis was sure he heard the gunner's footsteps coming down the hall, a sudden apology, and, if he wasn't mistaken, he also bumped into the door from not opening it faster than his moving body.
"Hope I'm not late," Prompto panted. He took a seat opposite Ignis, slightly flustered.
Ignis smiled warmly at him. "The food has just arrived," he said, removing the covers.
"Long-bone rib steak! What's the occasion?" Ignis noted the surprise in his companion's voice and heard the telltale clank of utensils across from him. Satisfied with Prompto's reaction, he started to cut his lunch as well.
"We're celebrating," he stated matter-of-factly.
Ignis could practically hear the gears turning in Prompto's head as he tried to work out exactly what warranted a fancy steak lunch. "Ugh, I'm sorry, Ignis ..." he trailed off.
The strategist knew how to get a rise out of Prompto but decided to spare him further shame on thinking he forgot some important date or some superficial holiday. "I had another appointment today with the specialist, Dr. Rhys. She thinks we might be able to restore the sight in my right eye."
"T-that's amazing, Ignis!" Prompto said, talking around the food in his mouth. "How soon?"
"Nothing is set in stone yet and it wouldn't be full clarity, but if the procedure goes as planned, I will be able to distinguish between shapes and colors. Corrective glasses afterward may help bring things into focus."
If Ignis was honest with himself, he was a little nervous about the procedure. There was no guarantee it would even work, but Ignis was desperate for anything after ten years in the dark. He was capable, of course, but there were a lot of people in the palace depending on him and his leadership. It wasn't until the rebirth of Insomnia that Ignis started feeling held back by his disability, unable to read faces or the endless stream of documents that were sent his way.
"I was hoping you might accompany me the day of the procedure?" Ignis asked as he cut another bite size piece of steak.
The sound of Prompto's cutlery halted and for a second Ignis wasn't sure if he would answer. Tilting his right ear towards where Prompto was siting, Ignis waited.
"Of course, anything. I'm really happy for you!" he exclaimed, and Ignis' smile grew at how genuine the blonde sounded.
Bellies full and spirits high, the two friends chattered over empty plates and Ignis hadn't felt this calm in a long time. Everything seemed easier in Prompto's company, thoughts of his responsibilities far away in exchange for lighthearted laughter.
The sound of Prompto's phone vibrating on the table broke through their revelry. Since the loss of his sight, Ignis' hearing had grown stronger, and sometimes he couldn't help but pry. He could hear the tapping of fingers on the screen and Prompto muttering nonsense under his breath.
"Sorry, I had to answer an email from my supervisor." Slowly Prompto stood from his seat, taking one last sip of his drink before he started to gather his things.
Ignis followed suit. "I didn't know you were employed."
"It's' just a small side thing, nothing too serious." He stepped closer to Ignis, "You have a little something...," he trailed off, raising his hand towards the advisor's face.
Time seemed to stop as Prompto rubbed his thumb at the corner of Ignis' lips, his body still under ministration. Painstakingly slow, Prompto continued to rub his thumb across his cheek. Ignis grasped gently at the other's wrist, halting the motion but unconsciously leaning into Prompto's now open palm.
"There, perfect," Prompto whispered.
Ignis used his hold on Prompto's wrist to pull him closer, the pace of his heart increasing. The other was so close now, Ignis could feel his exhale on his lips. It feels wonderful! The advisor felt like he was drowning in Prompto. He was close enough that Ignis could smell the subtle smell of his shampoo overtaking his senses. Just as his lips brushed Prompto's, a knock sounded at the door.
Time resumed its steadfast flow and Ignis abruptly jumped back, clearing his throat. Turning his face away from Prompto, he self-concisely straightened an imaginary wrinkle in his shirt and called out, "Come in."
"Pardon the interruption, Lord Scientia. The grand council requests an audience with you in the atrium," the herald said.
"Yes, thank you, however, I'm currently with company ..." he trailed off.
"Hey, it's fine," Prompto urged. "I, um … I have to go anyway. Thanks for lunch, Iggy."
There was a stiffness in his voice that Ignis couldn't quite place and he couldn't help but focus on the gunner's footsteps as he hurried out.
Listening for the sound of the door to click shut, he silently berated himself. He knew of the gunner's feeling towards him and he always tried to keep things between them professional. There was no time to explore his feelings in the past, the struggle to survive outweighing the need for romance. Once the sun rose, Ignis was almost immediately thrown into work at the citadel and he let the familiar routine overcome him. He didn't want to burden Prompto with a relationship he wasn't completely committed to.
He lost control today, with a simple touch, no less. He couldn't deny it felt phenomenal being so close to Prompto and just his presence made Ignis feel at ease. However, Prompto deserved someone who could be there for him and as it were, Ignis rarely had time to breathe. With his current responsibilities, he didn't foresee that changing.
Sighing to himself, alone in his study, the advisor pinched the bridge of his nose. There was nothing he could do about it now. There was work to do and he had learned it was better to not leave the councilmen waiting.