A/N: Take the end of this chapter as you will. Lara is 17 and Ignis is 18 - and whilst that's perfectly legal where I come from, it may not be where you are. Nothing is described, nothing happens, just alluded to, implied if you will.
There was no way to add this warning without making this chapter worse than it sounds. All innocence here I promise!
The Winter Solstice, a time for families, reflection and memories. Sitting in front of the fire, surrounded by friends waiting for the long night to end, waiting for the sun to rise once more. Of the four main holidays, the people of Insomnia celebrated, this was one of Ignis' favourites. Previously he'd just spent it in the company of the royal family, this year, however, he was certainly looking forward to what the next day would bring.
"Pass the gravy," a nudge in his rib brought him out of his musing. He glanced at Gladio, only the shield could prod him in the ribs and have it hurt without meaning to, the guy had no understanding of his own strength.
Reaching out, he picked up the delicate china gravy boat and handed it over, catching Gladio's smirk as he did so.
"Oh do tell, Gladio, I'm beyond intrigued to know what it is you're smirking at," Ignis said laced with sarcasm.
"What? I just merely was pointing out that I'd asked for the Gravy three times, and all three times you were staring at your plate contemplating whether to eat it or make love to it," Ignis blushed and Gladio chuckled. "I'm kidding, but you are distracted. I take it you have plans?"
"Tomorrow," Ignis said still blushing. He couldn't believe Gladio had said that, out loud, in front of the King no less. He glanced down at the other end of the table where the king sat chortling at a joke Clarus had just told them.
"You know if you just faced the fact and admitted that you had someone, then you'd be able to spend the actual solstice with her instead of the day after. She could even come to the gala."
Ignis composed himself enough to glare at his friend. He then also cast a meaningful look around the table.
"What are you two whispering about," whispered Noctis from the opposite side of the table. He looked rather disgruntled to have been placed in-between Iris and the daughter of another council member.
"How cute you look with my sister on one arm and the lovely Miss Hadrian on the other," Gladio said once again having an answer to everything. The two girls in question blushed and giggled.
"Don't make me fire you," Noctis grumbled, slumping down in his seat.
Ignis smothered his smile with a glance and a hand motion to indicate that Noctis should sit up properly. This was met with a glare and huff before compliance.
"Thank you," he muttered to Gladio, once Noctis had been dragged back into a conversation with the two girls.
"As always, I respect your wishes but there will come a day where I run out of witty one-liners or I'm up against someone that will see right through them. Not everyone is as unobservant as our dear prince."
Ignis sighed thoughtfully. "And I appreciated it I really do, just a little bit longer though. Please?"
Gladio waved his plea away. "As always, total respect for your slightly questionable decisions," he tapped Ignis' forehead gently before reaching over and grabbing a tray of potatoes.
Whilst the traditional solstice dinner was only close friends, high ranking officers and their families, the gala was everyone, Crownsguard, Kingsglaive, public officials. In the past when travel was freer between territories there would be officials from Tenebrae and Accordo, now with tensions running high and a war on the horizon it was just those from within Insomnia.
Whilst the dinner was a chance for Ignis to relax, the Gala was a time for him to work. Even Gladio was expected to keep a clear head and stay close by Noctis as he made his, begrudging, rounds to the guests and smiled sweetly at them as Ignis whispered their name and title into his ear.
"Why does Dad get to stay in one place and watch?" the prince huffed after the Mayor of Insomnia had left to talk to the Police Commissioner.
"Give it time," Ignis soothed, ignoring the eye roll Gladio gave their Prince behind his back. "Your father had to do this as well."
"Yeah, well it would be much better if Prompto was here."
"Even with Prompto here, you'd still have to attend to these duties first. Don't you think that would be a bit unfair for him, having to watch you talk to other people instead of talking to just him?"
Noctis thought about this for a second, before sighing. "Nah, he'd just take photos."
Footsteps echoed from behind them and Noctis visibly slouched.
"Madam Hecton, Refugee Liaison," Ignis muttered and Noctis turned around.
"Your Royal Highness," the woman, a greying fifty-year-old, wearing a conservative plum floor length gown, stopped before the prince before bowing deeply.
"How is your department Madam Hecton," Noctis said cautiously and Ignis could see he was trying despite his reluctance.
"Fairly quiet, Sir. We haven't had much traffic in recent years."
"Do you not get involved with the recent attacks?"
"Alas, Sir. Once the paperwork is filled and the ID's handed out, we don't see much of the refugees at that point. They get assigned a house, enrolled in education if needed and that's really it."
Ignis was frowning, he would have thought the Refugee Liaison would at least keep in touch with the refugees, offer to counsel, see how there are settling in. To his surprise, Noctis seemed to be on the same wave-length as his advisor.
"What about after-care and counselling? I'm by no means an expert on the matter, and please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong but I would say being uprooted from a home and relocated to somewhere where they have no friends, no future and no hope, that they would need a little more than just a house and education."
Madam Hecton seemed at a loss of what to say.
"Furthermore," continued Noctis. "As Refugee Liaison, I would certainly be a lot more concerned about what is happening to the refugees. Possibly even check in with them or work with the local authorities to protect them," he gave a quick nod of his head to symbolise that he was done before stalking away. Gladio followed him as soon as he left, leaving Ignis with Madam Hecton.
"I hear the refugees celebrate the Solstice with a huge street party to celebrate all their different customs. I'm sure that would be a great place to start if you ever wanted to see how everyone was fairing," he muttered, still trying to keep his composure, before he too walked off, leaving the poor woman alone in the middle of the hall.
"I just, urgh!" Noctis groaned, kicking the pillar he and Gladio were standing behind. "I didn't mess anything up did I?" he added when Ignis had caught up with them.
"On the contrary, Noct. Those were valid points to bring up," Ignis said calmly.
"I can't help but wonder what brought this on, Iggy said it took you ages to read the reports." Gladio had one eye on the gala from behind the pillar, and one eye on Noctis. Positioned so he could see everything.
"I mean it's innocent people, getting hurt, in our city…" he trailed off looking guilty. "I also can't help but think, what if it was Prom… you know?"
A glance was shared between Shield and Sword, one that went unseen by the Prince. Both had identical looks on their faces, was this when not doing a background check on somebody blew up in their faces?
"Prompto's a Niff…" Noctis muttered, eyes downcast. Gladio made a sound, somewhere between clearing his throat and holding his tongue so he didn't say something he'd later regret. "No wait sorry, let me rephrase that. Prompto is a refugee from Niflheim, however, was adopted by Lucians, two Insomnian's in fact and so he never really got refugee status, he got Insomnia Citizenship… but if he hadn't of been adopted you know, he could be leaving where they live and he could be the one in the hospital next…"
"Why didn't you tell us before? Surely, that's something we should…" Ignis finally said, remaining calm but making a mental note to bring this new discovery up with Cor, Clarus and of course Noctis' dad.
"He only told me last week, I dunno. I still trust him and all that, who cares where he came from right? There are people in Niflheim suffering just as much as someone from Galahd, even more, I'd wager because they're closer. So that's why I had a go at Madam what's her face. Ignis," he suddenly glanced up and Ignis blinked, looking almost like a rabbit caught in headlights as his prince frowned at him. "Do something advisory about it," he muttered before grabbing Gladio by the arm and dragging him over to the buffet table. Ignis allowed himself a wry smile, how much was too much? He wondered.
As much as Ignis would have liked to have done "something advisory" about the situation with the Refugee Liaison, it was technically still a public holiday, so it was filed away on his phone along with the reminder to check in about Prompto's background. Gladio had mentioned before he'd left that morning about speaking to his dad about it, and promised to text if there were any updates. Ignis himself had left shortly after that, Noctis had retired first, taking himself up to his rooms to sleep the morning away. Ignis too, decided to stay at the Citadel, using his old room within his Uncle's apartment.
"What are your plans for the day?" his Uncle asked over lunch once they'd both had a quick rest.
Ignis paused, that innocent question had just opened up the perfect opportunity to explain exactly what he was doing in his off time and who exactly Lara was. He glanced down at the simple meal his uncle had provided them and weighed up his options. If anything he wanted Lara to be able to have a say in whatever excuse his uncle would have for them not being together, but how long would that be before they were in a position where they could tell people about their relationship? A small portion of his brain reminded him that nothing was going to end well if he didn't tell the truth, but the voice sounded remarkably like Gladio, so he pushed it aside for now. It was best for both of them to continue on with their original plan, three more months until Lara graduates and gets into CCU and then he will have the conversation with his Uncle, just not now.
He looked back up at his Uncle and waved an indifferent hand. "Nothing exciting I'm afraid; laundry, cooking, Noctis gave me a couple of things to work on last night, so if I feel up to it I might get a head start on them…
He trailed off his uncle nodding agreeably. "Sounds like my day," he stopped slightly and looked at Ignis, who squirmed slightly under his intense green-eyed gaze. He hadn't felt this way since he was a child taking the blame for another of the Prince's late-night sneak-out sessions. "I must say I am impressed with how well you're getting along with young Amicitia, I couldn't help but notice your comradery at the dinner yesterday. But I implore you to remember your duty. You have a different relationship to the Prince and his Shield then I did with Councillor Amicitia and his Majesty and I don't want to see you fail because of that. Just be careful."
Ignis stopped himself from breathing in relief, he'd made the right decision to not talk about Lara, especially if his Uncle was this hung up on his friendship with Gladio. He kept his face passive as he stood up to take his plate over to the kitchen.
"Gladiolus and I merely thought it would be more beneficial to the Prince if we got along," he said, placing his plate in the sink and going to turn the tap on.
"I'll wash up later," his Uncle said before he too stood up and brought his plate over. He placed it in the sink and placed a hand on his nephews' shoulder. "Just remember the difference between a professional working relationship and one that could be used against you."
Ignis nodded and glanced up at the clock, he had an hour before he had to meet Lara. "I understand Uncle, we're just friends, nothing more and we both know our duty." He felt a pang of guilt as he neglected to mention Lara.
"Well as long as you remember that, fancy staying for a game of chess? It's been a while since we've played?"
"No thank you, I should get going," another glance up at the clock. He could check to make sure the Prince was alive and see if he needed a lift to Prompto's or back to his own apartment before he met Lara.
She looked tired as she clambered into his car, but then again, he probably didn't look any better, the joys of watching the sunrise.
"So where are we heading?" she asked with a sly glance in his direction.
Ignis just grinned, he wanted to keep the surprise for a little bit longer. It was nothing special, just a home cooked meal in his apartment but as he'd neither invited her home before or cooked properly for her (the picnic they'd had was all finger food), he thought this would be a nice surprise.
"We're almost there," he said simply and chuckled as Lara huffed teasingly.
They were in fact almost there, by car, especially, on a public holiday where not many people had reason to be out on the roads it only took them half the time as it would have normally taken. He parked in the underground garage and lead Lara over to the elevator. His apartment complex was designed the same way as the princes' just with less security. It was close to both Noctis' apartment and the Citadel and he'd only been living there a year or so. He'd moved out when Noctis did, in order to be close to him.
"Do you live here?" Lara asked as they stepped off the elevator at his floor and made their way down to his door.
"More or less," Ignis said unlocking the door and gesturing for Lara to enter. "I've yet to actually calculate where I spend most of my time, here, at the Citadel or at the Prince's." He let out a dry chuckle and place his bag on the side table before taking his shoes off.
Lara had already taken her shoes off and was exploring the living room. His apartment was modest, an open plan living room and kitchen, no balcony but instead a large floor to ceiling window, that was currently still covered by maroon drapes.
"May I?" she asked, hands fingering the curtains, turning to look as Ignis joined her in the living room.
"Please do, I haven't been home since yesterday morning, so it would do some good for the place to see some light."
She opened the curtains carefully and Ignis smiled as he heard her suck in a breath. He did have a pretty good view of the city. The Citadel was close by, the purple light of the crystal that held up the wall, twinkling in the distance. Even the wall itself looked pretty with it's near translucent glow.
"How do you get any work done with a view like this?" she breathed, still captivated by the quiet city.
Ignis chuckled and walked towards her, he stood behind her, standing a head taller than her he could easily see what she could. Without a thought to ask permission, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close against him. She flinched at the touch before relaxing into the hug.
They hadn't really been intimate other than a few quick hugs as a greeting or a kiss in departure, nothing longer and nothing that would draw too much attention to themselves. Being in the privacy of his own home was nice, he didn't have to worry about being recognised. She turned around in his hug so they were face to face and looked up at him.
"You didn't bring me here to show off the amazing view did you?" she inquired with a wry smile.
"Merely an added bonus," he said returning the grin. He stepped away from her and the window, and took her hand, leading her into the little kitchen behind them. "The real reason is that I wanted to make you dinner, I found a recipe that I'm sure you'll enjoy however I must admit, I've never made it before. With your knowledge, I thought you'll be able to help me."
Lara paused and pulled her hand out of Ignis' grasp. "I'm not that much of a cook, my meals come in the form of throwing food groups into a slow cooker whilst I'm at school and eating the result. If I forget it's usually noodles.
Ignis had reached the counter by that point and retrieved a cookbook he'd placed there before leaving for the citadel the day before. He opened it up at the right page and handed it to her.
"Tide Grouper Carpaccio?" she read before looking up at him. "This is Accordian?"
"You've had it before?"
"Once, a friend of my Grandmother owns a bar, it's often on his menu."
"And thus you already have more experience than me," he said with a grin, walking around the counter he reached the fridge, opened it and pulled out the wrapped tide grouper fillet he'd bought previously. From a cupboard, he also retrieved some Aegir root, tomatoes and other herbs and spices the recipe had called for. Placing them all on the counter he gestured to Lara to join him. "Let's work together shall we?"
A quick nod and she was next to him, she placed the book down on the table and they both looked at the recipe to find out what needed to be done first.
Soon the smell of fish filtered through the apartment, the sounds of chopping or the brief moments of conversation as they worked. They worked well together, both seamlessly working on separate projects to add them in at the right time.
Despite her insistence that she couldn't cook, Lara was holding her own. It did, after all, take someone who knew the basics to throw food in a slow cooker and expect it to taste good. Fish was the exception, she'd explained.
"Well that time I lived beyond the wall, fish was a commodity if you knew how to catch it. Catch it, cook it, eat it. Anything can be roasted over an open fire."
Soon the meal was cooked and the couple was sitting down at the counter, tucking into the meal. There was something strangely familiar and domestic about the whole thing and Ignis found he enjoyed it.
"So how was your night?" He asked they hadn't really spoken about anything other than cooking, too busy focused on the task at hand.
"Not too bad, Mariya was distributing coffee and Soba, the old Tenebrean lady who gave you the recipe for the treats, had a food stall, so I spent the night between the two helping where needed. Nothing really exciting. Everyone seemed to get excited when this lady from the Citadel decided to grace us with her presence but I didn't recognise her."
"Grey-haired, your height, brown eyes, plum dress?" Ignis inquired.
"It was dark and she was wearing a jacket but I think so yes.
"Jolene Hecton, Refugee Liaison."
"That makes sense, a lot of the older ones, those who were among the first to move here kept singing her praises, owed her a lot."
Seemed to Ignis that Jolene had taken the Prince's words to heart and visited them after all. It was nice to hear that she was welcomed, maybe her reception could help influence her to make a few changes. He was curious though how Lara's move into the city had gone, come to think of it, she never spoke about it.
"So who did your documents when you moved here?"
"I'm not sure, some guy I think, maybe an intern. I was in the hospital at the time… ah," she glanced up in time to see Ignis face turn to one of horror. "Nothing bad, just a broken arm, bruised ribs… nothing that hasn't… I'm going to stop talking now." she added with a small laugh. "You have a very protective look on your face. This was six years ago."
"Still… it's the thought of it all," Ignis said quietly and he felt Lara's hand grasp his hand and he smiled as their fingers linked. "How did you come to Insomnia anyway, I don't think you've ever said."
Lara seemed to think about this for a while, even going so far as to stand up from the counter and take both hers and Ignis' plates and place them in the dishwasher. She then walked over to the couch and sat down, beckoning Ignis over. She sat cross-legged, pillow clutched in her lap, looking much like she did six months ago when he'd walked into the very coffee shop she was working in. He walked over and adopted a similar position, back against the armrest, one leg tucked under him, the other planted on the floor.
"Now you have to promise me that you will neither laugh or get angry at what I'm about to say." Ignis raised an eyebrow and Lara continued. "No getting overprotective either, the past is the past after all.
Ignis nodded, intrigued at what she was going to say.
"You know I lived with hunters, well they never let me hunt…"
"With good reason," Ignis couldn't help himself and Lara clicked her tongue.
"I was eleven, been with them two years, and I thought I could handle an easy hunt by myself. A couple of Sabertusks, nothing fancy or big, just in and out and home for dinner. It was down near old Lestallum, they have this old fort, base structure, left abandoned after the war 20 odd years ago and the Sabertusks were prowling around, they snuck in through a hole in the fence, I followed… and then woke up in the backseat of a fancy Crown City Car, with a broken arm, cracked ribs and a headache."
Ignis must have looked confused because Lara laughed. "Yeah I was as confused as you, apparently the base wasn't quite so empty and the Sabertusks I was following, led me into an infantry of Imperial troops, the guy who rescued me was a member of the Crownsguard sent to investigate. He was confused as much as I was."
The look of confusion turned to a frown. A member of the crownsguard brought her to Insomnia? He hadn't heard of this, but then again he'd only been twelve at the time. He didn't start sitting in on council meetings until he was sixteen. "Do you remember his name?"
Her brow furrowed as she tried to remember. "Marshall? Maybe?"
Ignis didn't know whether to laugh or groan. "Cor Leonis? Marshall of the Crownsguard?"
A shrug. "Short dark hair, blue eyes and never smiles?"
"That's him," this time he did smile.
She glanced at him, "I said not to laugh," she pouted.
"I'm not, I've met the Marshall. They call him "The Immortal" after his service in the old war. I'm smiling because I'm relieved there was probably no-one better to have been found by."
Lara grinned, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. Ignis glanced at the clock, he still had one more surprise planned. "Come here," he motioned, untucking his leg and bringing both legs up onto the couch. Lara nodded and dropped the cushion she was holding, turned around and settled herself in-between Ignis' legs. Her back against his chest, his arms wrapped around her, both facing the windows overlooking the city. It was the perfect position to watch the sunset. The last surprise to the perfect day.
"This is comfortable," Lara muttered, putting her head back slightly to look up at Ignis.
He kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Then stay, at least for tonight?"
Blue eyes met his searchingly, unsure. "Are you okay with that?"
"Yes," and he was. There was no-one around, no-one came to visit him and he was comfortable, relaxed and wanted to spend as much time with Lara as possible as tomorrow he would go back to work and she would go back to studying.
Lara turned her head back towards the window and pressed herself against Ignis chest. "Then I'd like that very much."
A/N: Thanks for reading, favouriting and following. I would love to know what you think - you guys are all the best.
