Chapter 2

Summary: The party are heading to the royal tomb to receive yet another weapon. A task they have done multiple times. Except this time, they proceed with a broken feelings.

When they reached the Regalia, Gladio pointed to Prompto to take the wheel. This made Noctis give him a suspecting look. He probably thinks that Noctis not mentally prepared. Instead of picking a fight in the early morning, Noctis decided to let it slide. On the bright side, he can have a long nap now.

Minutes past after they hit the road, that when Ignis called out Prompto. The blonde turned his head to Ignis direction "Yes?"

"Are you looking at me now?" Prompto blinked several times, processing the question. He can't focus on the road anymore. He starts sweating, realizing the meaning behind the question.

It was a test for him!

"Um, No. My eyes are totally on the road."

Ignis sighed "You awfully took a long time to respond. And on top of that, you hesitated." Prompto frowned "Well, what the hell, Iggy. You called me."

Ignis stated the obvious "You could have answered without looking."

They could hear a laugh coming from behind. It was from Gladio, with a smirk he said "Yeah, don't get us killed Prompto!" The gunner frowned more at the teasing "Shut up, why don't you drive?"

Ignis was adjusting his glasses "Didn't you know?"

"Knows what?" Prompto suddenly got excited; it was his chance to turn back the teasing at him. He could hear that Gladio was gritting his teeth.

"He failed many times in the driving school. He is much worse than you two."

It was Prompto turn to laugh; he turned his head to him and in annoying voice said "Do you want a private lesson? Because I, the great Prompto, can give you one."

He averted his gaze to the side and said "No thanks, I really don't want to die" Prompto continued teasing "I bet Iris will drive before you do!" Ignis joined him "No doubt about it"

Gladio was embarrassed "Shut up, you two!"

Prompto noticed that Noctis eyes are on them and he was smiling at what happening. It made Prompto really happy. Yes, they are moving on.

XX

It took hours to reach their destination.

"Finally we are here!" Gladio exclaimed. He was stretching his arms and legs.

"Told you so! We should have gone to the other one, the MTs are probably gone by now." Prompto was placing a hand on his back "Aw, my back."

Yes, the poor man was driving the whole time.

"It is not really worth it" Ignis said. Even though he knows that Gladio is lying but he would stick to his plan. Ignis kept thinking in the car. He will consider this as a sort of test for himself, if he did manage it, then he can continue with their journey without fear.

Noct didn't join their conversation, instead he asked about the location of the tomb. Thankfully, it is not located within a dungeon. It was just up to the hill. An easy one to get, the only danger could be here is that the only road to the tomb had a large number of the monsters that they may face and fight.

Soon, they started moving. They were walking slowly pace. The rough rocky road was difficult and uncomfortable to walk on for Ignis. For several times, he would stumble and fall. Every time he fell; he could feel that all the eyes are on him. They didn't say anything watching him being miserable. Every time, he felt a gentle hand on his back helping him to stand again. It was Prompto's hand but Ignis insisted that he could handle himself. Every time, he gritted his teeth, feeling irritated, they must be feeling sorry for him.

Pathetic

It didn't take time until there was a distance between Noctis and Ignis. Gladio was in disbelief for their king behaviour. He was torn off between staying near Ignis or keeping up with Noctis.

He decided to follow Noctis. He thought that Noctis may didn't notice the distance. So he shouted of how they should stick together. However, Noctis didn't show any intention of sticking and kept moving a little forward.

Finally Gladio was fed up with his act. With a strong grip on the king shoulder, he stopped him from moving and yelled. His voice was loud "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Noctis shoved his hand away, his face was showing that he fully knows why Gladio was stopping him, yet he said "What?" Gadio gripped his collar; more anger filled him "cut the crap! You know what I mean!"

Noctis took a deep inhale; his voice was trembling, refusing to give an answer or explanation of his actions. "Let go of me"

"So you dash over there by yourself. You don't give a shit about it don't you?"

His face showed pain of what Gladio said, of course he cares, still he wouldn't say anything "I said let go of me"

"No much of an answer huh?"

The other two reminded watching the scene in front of them and they were waiting for it to finish. They expected this conflict. The whole situation was tense.

Prompto hesitated "should we stop them?"

Ignis replied "Leave them. Those two are stubborn. They won't stop."

But for Ignis he could feel it. He is the reason of such conflict. He was a burden. He was slowing them down. No much of a help. Maybe that was the reason Noctis was not answering? So that he doesn't hurt Ignis feeling?

The situation didn't improve.

Gladio and Noctis was at each other throat.

When they encountered monsters, Noctis had greater distance than before. Fighting with all he got. Gladio would keep up with him for protection and to remind him of his comrade condition. The reminder wasn't friendly; he would throw comments about him being a selfish king.

In normal situation, Ignis would stop their bickering. But this time, it didn't matter to him as he was having his own issues. Fighting was not as he predicted. He couldn't tell where the enemies where coming from. There were too many sounds filling his ears. He took many hits, used more potions than he used to. And he can say that Prompto was covering him most of the time.

Useless

Finally, they reached tomb. Noctis received the royal weapon. That when Gladio decided to give him another lecture but on a different matter. The big guy crossed his arms and gave the king a disdain look "Would you stop moping? You need to grow up and get over it!"

Noctis shook his head, sighing in annoyance at Gladio. He just came and received another royal weapon didn't he? He placed his hand on his chest "I'm over it, I'm here aren't I?"

Gladio not convinced nor satisfied by the answer, he continues "How's that ring fit ya? You rather carry it around than wearing it?"

Noctis bit his lips, remembering everything that happened.

"She gave you her life! Stop feeling sorry for yourself."

"You don't think I know that?"

"No, you don't'!"

"That is enough you two!" Ignis was the one who decided to stop them. Gladio changed his look to Ignis and pointed with his finger, it seems that part of his lecture was for the advisor "And you, don't you think I didn't notice. You were struggling back there. If Prompto wasn't covering you, you would be long dead."

"I know" Ignis said, he voice was composed yet hurt. He repeated again "I know"

That silenced Gladio, he expected Ignis to fight back. Feeling guilty of what he said. Gladio didn't mean to say it that way. Before he gets the chance to apologize to Ignis, the advisor turned to what he assumed Noctis location "A king can't be led by standing still. A king pushes onward always, accepting the consequence and never look back" Then he turn to the other man "Gladio. Noct will take his rightful place, but only once his ready. And I know why he was running. He wanted to clear the path for me, didn't you?"

Both Noctis and Gladio were taken back by what he said. Noct for how he discovered the young king intention, Gladio for believing that Noct didn't care about them.

Ignis speech was enough calm the situation.

Gladio placed his hand on his waist "Fine" he turned to the king "I…I'm sorry for misjudging you." Noctis crossed his arms "It's ok" he hesitated "Even though you were jerk but thanks for reminding me of my duty."

Finally, things back to normal. But Ignis needed to say one more thing

"For my situation… I…I will leave this matter for you Noct."

"B-But" Prompto wanted object but Ignis raised his hand. He stopped Prompto from further discussion.

He would trust his friend, his king choice.

Noctis sighed; "L-Let's just call a day" he would think about Ignis situation more thoroughly "There is one heaven nearby. Let's camp tonight." He tried to lighten the mood, smacked Gladio's back "You should be happy. We are eating your favourite food tonight"

Gladio grinned at him "Yeah, I'm looking forward."

Ignis could feel a hand on his back "Let's go Iggy."

He smiled at them, his feeling were mix of happiness and sadness. This may be the last night he can spend with them.

A/N:

I feel really bad for Iggy. Writing up all this feelings. oh man :(

Well, well, what do think will be Noctis decision? and Yeah, I'm not following the game but doesn't mean I'll be evil.