This.. Is quite literally my first ever fanfiction. Ever. Though with countless hours on the game and over twenty other fanfictions currently tabbed on firefox it was only a matter of time before I did this.
You can see this as Promptis if you want.
And in that moment of distraction, the only noise that truly stood out amongst the rest was the chilling crash as something hit the raging river below.
Between that and the sound of battle it should have been insignificant but a lack of a certain hot-headed Prince was enough to make Ignis' stomach turn.
bzzt. bzZT.. BZZZZZT.
"-mpto.. Putting it closer.. Won't work.."
The moment even the slightest crack of sunlight had risen over the far hills and around Mount Ravatogh the terrors of the previous night were all but invisible on the land. Iron Giants and Flan alike were pulled back into the deepest depths of the nether and the local wildlife finally began to stir from the cold, drawn out into the warmth of the approaching day. Havens shone quietly like small flecks of light dotted on the landscape and for the most part were often vacant.
Except for one.
BZZZZZZZZZZZZT.
"-.. Give up, D-.. Breakfast.. Plat-.."
Despite the drone of inaudible conversation and the incessant buzzing noise it was a cold touch and vibration pushed against his cheek that finally stirred Noctis out of the bliss of his dreams and back to reality. Even before he raised a hand to swat whatever object was being shoved at him away, the Prince could feel the burn in his muscles from several days of hiking, fighting, warping and basically any other strenuous activity he'd been forced to trudge along to in the search for the Royal Tombs. Reaching successfully to his cheek and to the irritating device in question, Noctis managed to shove it away from his face before rolling over onto his side and delving himself deeper into the warmth of his sleeping bag.
Prompto wasn't having that.
"Aww, c'mon dude! It's noon already!" Came the all too familiar whine of the blonde as he shifted position to sit cross legged across from the dozing Prince. How anyone could sleep in this environment was beyond him: the sun cascading on the white material of the tent was positively blinding and even still his phone continued to vibrate in his grasp as he withdrew his attempts of shoving it against Noct's cheek. Ignis had given up trying to rouse the Prince in favour of actually cooking their long overdue breakfast and the energetic blonde was all but ready to do so too as he swiped across his phones screen to cease its constant noise. The tent flap parted and Gladio stepped into view.
"His Royal Lazyness still dozing?" The Shield mused with one eyebrow raised in contemplation at the bundle currently hunched up in the only occupied sleeping bag. Prompto nodded, accompanying the movement with an audible groan of resignation. Both were fully aware that Noctis had pushed himself to the limit in the previous two days but with the camp only just a short drive from Lestallum they really needed to get a move on as to avoid another unnecessary night under the stars.
"Last warning Noct, wouldn't want to add an extra hour on to training." Gladio grinned, stepping forward to nudge at the sleeping bag. The action only earned him a groan and a mumble to be left in peace for another…
What was it? Ah yes, five minutes.
Well, if the Prince wasn't going to go towards the light then the light would have to come to him. Crouching down aside the likely irritated bundle Gladio peered at the small tuft of visible ebony hair that betrayed the younger man's presence within the confines of his warm cocoon before taking a firm grip on the end of the sleeping bag and pulling it – and Noctis – passed a rather surprised Chocobutt, out of the flap of the tent and into the beautiful sunlight of Lucis beyond.
And of course, to add insult to injury he made sure to unzip the sleeping bag even further before exposing the unprepared Prince to daylight.
Through this entire ordeal Noctis did his best to ignore it, attempting to catch the last fleeting z's before what would only be another long day of travelling and fighting. It was only with the sharp movement of his weight and the sudden revelation of the sun did he finally sit up somewhat disorientated and opened his eyes to the light.
The light... and Gladio's rather smug-ass grin as he stood over him.
"Wonderful to see you could finally join us, Noctis. I suppose this means you'll be assisting me in preparing breakfast, all be it a rather late one now?" Ignis remarked from the other side of the long since extinguished campfire. He stood over a small table and had just begun pouring the mornings soup out into bowls when the Shield had finally decided to make his move on sleeping beauty.
"Not likely…" He huffed. Ignis had a habit of attempting to get him to cook and so far, it was a futile chain of events.
Noctis finally pushed himself up to his feet and free of the sleeping bag. Casting one lazy gaze down at it, and then another rather irritated glare towards Gladio he finally settled his sights on Ignis and the array of soup bowls set out before the retainer.
"Didn't need to drag me out here... I only said another five minutes." He murmered, though the retort was loud enough for Gladio to interrupt.
"Three times." He corrected.
"Yeah buddy, you totally said that three times before muscles here had to haul you out!" Came the rather chipper singsong of Prompto behind him as the blonde stepped free of the tent, swinging his arms and practically dancing on his heels as ever. Always a bundle of energy. Still blinking and squinting against the readjustment of light, Noct didn't quite manage to turn around before his best friend had an arm around his shoulder and began tugging him in the direction of the awaiting food.
Prompto only relinquished his grip to skip aside and set himself down in one of the unfolded camp chairs. Noctis soon followed his example, before a bright flash left him blinking even more furiously than he had beforehand.
"Say chocobo!" Prompto announced a tad too late after he pressed his finger down on the camera button, giving his best pal not even the slightest second to prepare himself for the shot.
Ignis rolled his eyes as he approached the two with steaming bowls of soup, which both accepted gratefully. "Prompto, perhaps save the photography for when his Highness is actually awake?" He suggested – eying over the Prince as he rubbed his eyes from the onslaught of light – both natural, and manmade.
"Hah, like that'd give me -any- shots." Prompto grinned, shoving the camera back into his pocket before beginning to dig his way into breakfast. The soup was just as sensational as ever thanks to Ignis.
Gladios finally accepted his bowl and eventually all four were settled into the folded chairs with silence as they chowed down.
After a few minutes Ignis broke the silence. "Lestallum is but a few hours' drive from here and once we get there I highly suggest we set aside some of our reserves to stock up on curatives."
"Any news from the Hunters on the Royal Tombs?" Noctis asked, raising his now-awake gaze from his food to his friends.
"None as of yet, no. We can assume they're continuing to hunt for them as we speak. I believe Lestallum may hold further answers to that which we seek, alongside more adequate-.." Ignis trailed off, turning his gaze to the sky as a single drop of rain broke free from forming clouds.
"Unless you wish to have an early shower, I would suggest we leave as soon as possible." He finished and rose from his seat to cross the camp. Soon enough there was the familiar clatter of plates and pans as he began to tidy them back in to their containers ready to be transported in the Regalia. Gladio soon joined the other male, leaving the two younger members of the party sat around the burned-out fire.
"Yo dude, do y'think we'll get close enough to the Disk to get a few new snaps?" Prompto questioned between mouthfuls of soup, his gaze locked entirely on the Prince.
"I don't see why not. Surprised you haven't filled up the card on that thing by now." Noctis smirked, setting his empty bowl aside.
"Nah, this baby here's going to be famous one day! A record of our epic adventures!" The blonde announced cheerfully, careful to avoid getting rain on the device as he pulled it free from his pocket once more. "I've only taken-.."
A pause.
"Ookay, that's a lot! But there's plenty of space yet, you'll see." He grinned. "Besides! Can't have too many pictures of a man's best bud, can I?"
"Not when I'm this good looking." Noct quickly added, almost surprised at his wit for such an early hour in the afternoon.
It didn't take long for the group to pack up the tents and pack their supplies into the boot of the Regalia and by the time the sun was beginning to dip below its peak they were seating themselves down on the comfortable leather of the vehicle ready for the ride ahead. Prompto had taken the passenger seat and no sooner had he sat down was he fiddling away with the radio stations – much to Ignis annoyance.
Noctis slipped into the back seat and relaxed out his aching body. It was a relief to think the rest of the day would allow him to continue his attempt at a catch up on sleep – he wasn't entirely sure if his hazy senses and aching muscles were quite recovered enough for a fight. As the hood of the Regalia covered them from the rain developing into a drizzle, the Prince let his gaze lazily scan the darkening horizons before leaning his head back and closing his eyes.
He felt the car hum to life and could only imagine the passing grey scenery as they set off to return to Lestallum.
It was a slumber that cradled him all too willingly for the following hours until a rather familiar shout echoed through the car:
"Imperials, above us!"
And Ignis hit the brakes. Hard.
Hope you all enjoyed it! Honestly just testing the waters here to see if I can portray each character correctly. Totally open for any tips, if you want to help me improve!
Next time: The Chocobros get more than they bargained for with an Imperial attack when disaster strikes.
Chapter'll be on its way soon! Looking forward to writing it out. :'3
- - Rei, 2017. (Prompto's biggest fan, and all around FFXV obsessed geek.)