"Well, looks like we're carpooling," Gladio said after looking at Prompto's destroyed tires. Prompto was nearly in tears. He had spent a lot of gil outfitting the truck. Luckily, Gladio's Crownsguard ride was as spacious as the Regalia had been.
"Don't worry, Prompto," Iris reassured him, "Cindy will tow it back to Hammerhead and get it back in shape." Prompto nodded and started to take a few things from the truck and put them in the trunk of Gladio's car.
"Think you got enough cutlery in here, big guy?" Prompto noted, pointing to the stockpile of swords. Gladio just shrugged. Prompto stuffed in his camping gear (you never know when you might need it) and his duffle bag. Iris tossed in her overnight bag and her beloved katana that Dave mercifully left in the truck.
They waited for what seemed like hours for the contingent of glaives to show up. When they finally did, Gladio was quite happy to hand off Dave. One of the glaives offered to drive them back to Insomnia, but they decided they would rather travel together. After a brief argument, it was decided that Prompto would drive—he was a marginally better driver than Gladio, Ignis insisted.
Iris was fast asleep in the passenger seat. She was exhausted from stress, but even more so from the morning sickness she'd been suffering. She sat in the front hoping it might reduce the possibility of carsickness. Prompto drove while Ignis and Gladio rode in the back. Ignis was seated directly behind Prompto and Gladio sat behind his sister happily reading his book. The group was headed back to Insomnia and they were making great time—or at least Prompto thought they were.
"It feels like we are traveling quite fast," Ignis observed.
"Nah, we're only going 80." Prompto nonchalantly replied. He and Ignis had very different ideas about what counted as fast.
"Only 80? That's 10 or more over most motorway speed limits in Lucis." Ignis wasn't wrong—at least ten years ago that information was accurate.
"Bud, there really aren't speed limits anymore." Prompto observed.
"You do realize those speed limits were not the arbitrary pronouncements of a capricious government—they were designed to maximize safety," Ignis replied. Their conversation was quickly escalating into a full scale argument.
"They were designed to generate revenue off of speeding tickets," Prompto shot back. Gladio nodded his head in response. He had to agree with Prompto a little on this one, but he wasn't interested enough to stop reading and join the fray.
"When speed limits increase, so do traffic fatalities. That's an incontrovertible fact." Ignis was going to hold his ground.
"This is rich coming from a guy who won't wear his seatbelt," Pormpto responded. It was a solid hit. Ignis was terrible about wearing seatbelts.
"I'd rather not strap myself to a vehicle you are driving," he quipped. Prompto had had enough. He half turned to the passenger behind him.
"Do you want to take over?" He said it like a challenge.
"I think that would be imprudent, don't you?" Ignis said.
"Well it sounds like you know everything about driving," Prompto said, angry and exasperated.
"Knowing more than you does not amount to 'everything'—it barely counts as 'something,'" Ignis replied.
"Enough bickering guys, I'm trying to read," Gladio said trying to restore some peace. The altercation had been enough to wake Iris.
"Prompto," she suddenly asked, "would you mind stopping soon?"
"Yeah, sure of course. Longwythe is just up the road, I'll stop off there," Prompto responded.
"Is everything alright, dear?" Ignis asked, his tone suddenly serious.
"Yeah, I'm fine—I could just use a break," she replied, "don't worry, I promise not to get sick in your car, Gladio." Iris knew that's what her brother was thinking about.
"Don't worry, it's not my car," Gladio answered.
"Uh, please don't get sick anyway," Prompto pleaded. He was a bit squeamish about such things. He used to get carsick a lot and had some pretty bad memories. Iris smiled a little and leaned against the window. She could see Longwythe just up the road. She glanced down at the clock. It was already approaching four o'clock. She had lost track of time during the ordeal.
Prompto smoothly pulled in front of his beloved Crow's Nest and put the car in park.
"I'll be right back guys," Iris said as she climbed out of the car and headed for the slightly scary looking restroom.
"Snack break," Pormpto announced and headed into the Crow's Nest. Gladio and Ignis opted to stay by the car. Ignis leaned against the front fender. Gladio stretched for a bit. After a little while, Prompto returned.
"Hey guys, they're selling Jetty's again!" Prompto excitedly brandished a bottle of the Crow's Nest signature drink.
"That is probably over 10 years old," Gladio said.
"This stuff never goes bad," Prompto said before taking a big drink.
"She's been gone a long time," Ignis observed, "I'm going to go check on her." He started to head in the general direction of the restroom when Gladio gripped his shoulder.
"Barging into a women's bathroom? Great idea, Iggy."
"It's not like I'm going to see anything," Ignis sarcastically replied.
"He's got a point," Prompto said in-between mouthfuls of chips. Thankfully, Iris arrived before anything embarrassing took place.
"Sorry about the wait," she said, "that was the scariest bathroom I have ever been in."
"You should see the men's," Prompto added.
"I think I'll pass," Iris said. She sat down on a bench with a disturbing Kenny Crow statue. Prompto held the open bag of chips in front of her. She waved her hands in a 'thanks but no thanks' gesture.
"Feeling alright?" Ignis asked.
"Yeah, doing a little better actually," she replied. Nevertheless, she was very pale with dark circles starting to form under her eyes.
"Well you sure don't look like it," Prompto added, "maybe we should just stop here for the night."
"I don't object to stopping, but I'm not sleeping in this roach motel," Gladio said. He was not the biggest fan of hotels—especially ones that had at one time been the epicenter of a plague outbreak.
"I'm with Gladdy on this, I don't want to stay here. We can just drive home, I don't mind," Iris said, as she rested her head on the back of the bench.
"I think it would be wise to stop and rest," Ignis replied, "we are all quite weary."
"If not the Three Z's, then where are we gonna stay?" Prompto asked.
"Between my gear and Prompto's, we've got a couple of tents. I vote for camping," Gladio offered.
"My pregnant wife is not sleeping in a tent," Ignis asserted.
"Your pregnant wife really doesn't care," Iris said, repeating his dramatic phrasing, "and I'd really rather not stay in that roach motel."
"It's settled then," Gladio said, "we're camping." Ignis sighed in response, but he decided not to argue.
"If we're camping then I need to pick up a few supplies," Ignis said.
"Does this mean you'll be cooking dinner?" Prompto happily asked.
"If you wish," he replied.
"I definitely wish," Prompto said and followed Ignis towards a vendor.
Merrioth Haven
"OK, we need to establish some ground rules to limit the awkwardness," Gladio said after setting up the tents for the night.
"Such as?" Ignis inquired as he stirred a gently simmering pot.
"You and Iris need to keep the PDA to a bare minimum," Gladio responded. Ignis smirked. Gladio still couldn't quite accept that his sister was a married woman now.
"And what constitutes the bare minimum?" Ignis asked, enjoying Gladio's discomfort a bit too much.
"I'll trust your judgment on that," Gladio replied, "Iris on the other hand…"
"Iris on the other hand what?" She asked as she emerged from one of the tents, "are you talking about your ridiculous PDA rules?" Ignis smiled. His wife had a way of cutting to the heart of a matter.
"It's for the good of our camping experience," Gladio replied.
"I'll try to control myself," she said with as much sarcasm as she could muster. Gladio smiled at her and went back to setting up the chairs. Prompto was getting a good fire going.
Iris walked up behind Ignis and wrapped her arms around his waist. She peeked around his arm to have a look at the stove.
"Are you sure this isn't too public a display of affection?" He said lightly.
"I'm just trying to get a look at the food," she teased.
"I'm making some soup for you. I listened to a book on pregnancy on our way here. Experts say light eating can ameliorate the effects of morning sickness," Ignis said. Of course he already researched this.
"I'm looking forward to it," she replied, "what's that?" She asked as she gestured to a teapot.
"That's kettier ginger tea—a recommended morning sickness cure," Ignis replied.
"You're so sweet," she said as she hugged him a little more tightly.
"Hey you two—if you keep violating my rules so openly, Iris is staying with me tonight," Gladio yelled. Iris sighed and walked towards her brother. She needed to have a few words with him.
It was almost completely dark by the time the group was through with dinner. The fire created a warm and appealing glow. Despite his blindness, Ignis could still sense a little light and feel its warmth. The chairs were arranged in a semi-circle as always, but they left one of the four seats empty. It was Noctis' chair. Leaving the spot open for him just felt right. Ignis offered his seat to Iris and sat on the ground by her side. He stretched our his right leg in front of him and kept his left propped up. His knee provided the perfect resting spot for his arm.
They enjoyed their coffee—and tea in Iris' case—in silence for a few moments.
"I forgot how good your food is, Ignis," Prompto said as he sipped his perfect cup of coffee
"Yeah, reason enough not to stay in a hotel," Gladio added.
"This is so much better than a hotel," Iris said as she gazed up at the stars. Ignis smiled at the compliments, but more so at Iris' obvious enjoyment. He leaned his head back against her knee—it was a subtle gesture of affection, one designed perfectly to avoid Gladio's rules. She smiled in response and started to run her fingers gently through his hair. Ignis absentmindedly rubbed his left shoulder.
"Is your shoulder bothering you again?" Iris asked, referring to Ignis' chronic shoulder pain.
"It's nothing," he answered, but she had already decided to massage it.
"Does that feel better?"
"Much."
"This is borderline, guys," Gladio said referring to his rules.
"This is medicinal, Gladio," Ignis replied. When she was convinced Ignis was more comfortable, she left to get herself another cup of tea. It was surprisingly effective at managing the nausea. Once she returned to her seat, Prompto had a question.
"So," he began, "do you think the baby is a boy or a girl?" Iris leaned backed in her chair and clutched her tea.
"I really have no idea," Iris replied.
"Which would you rather have?" Prompto was very curious about all things related to the baby. He was starting to realize that would really like to have a family of his own.
"We just want a healthy baby," Iris replied.
"Indeed," Ignis concurred.
"Hey, maybe you'll get lucky and it will be twins—then you can get both!" Iris had never considered the possibility that she was going to have twins.
"Twins? Enjoy never sleeping again," Gladio helpfully added.
"I doubt that two infants could be that much more difficult than one," Ignis replied.
"I don't think you'd be saying that if you were the one giving birth," Iris wisely noted.
"OK new rule. No discussion of 'giving birth' in my presence," Gladio interjected.
"Childbirth is a natural thing, Gladdy. It shouldn't make you so uncomfortable," Iris rationally replied.
"Yeah well there are plenty of natural things I don't want to her my little sister talk about," Gladio insisted. Now even Prompto was feeling uncomfortable.
"Less awkward subject," Prompto announced. He turned his gaze toward Ignis. "What did Dave mean when he called you the 'future king of Lucis'?"
"Oh, that," Ignis leaned forward a little, "yesterday, the Lucian ruling council, in a closed session I might add, offered to make me king." Ignis did wonder who was responsible for the leak to Dave. He would make sure to discover that upon his return.
"Wow." It was all Prompto could say. Iris was a bit shocked, she thought Dave had been lying, but she had suspected it could be the truth. Gladio didn't say anything. If Ignis were made king, it would be his job to protect him at any cost—including his own life. He was prepared to do it, but he didn't like the idea of a new royal line. As far has he was concerned, Noctis was the last king of Lucis.
"Are you going to accept?" Iris finally asked, trying not to betray her strong aversion to the idea.
"I have no intention of accepting it, should they publicly offer it," Ignis answered. She felt relieved to hear that.
"I don't think you'd want that life, Iggy," Prompto said.
"No, I certainly do not. More importantly, Noctis was the last true king. I don't intend to take his throne," he replied. Gladio and Prompto both felt the same. Iris gently squeezed Ignis' shoulder to indicate her approval.
"Now that that's settled, how about some cards?" Prompto suggested. Iris stood up from her chair and stretched.
"Sorry Prompto, but I'm just too tired," she leaned down and kissed the top of Ignis' head, "don't be too long." She wished them all a good night and headed back to her tent.
"What about you, Ignis?" Prompto pleaded.
"Perhaps tomorrow," he replied and stood up.
"You always say that!" Prompto exclaimed. He turned to Gladio. "I guess it's just you and me, big guy."
"I'm going to sleep," Gladio replied. Prompto hung his head. Ignis started to walk towards his tent when Gladio touched his shoulder.
"Hey, Iggy, hold up," Ignis turned to face his friend, "congratulations." Gladio was genuinely pleased to know he was going to be an uncle and he hadn't really expressed it.
"Thank you, I still can't quite believe it," Ignis was looking forward to being a father, but it was a little overwhelming.
"You'll be a great dad, Ignis." Prompto added.
"Yeah," Gladio agreed, "you basically raised Prompto."
"Not exactly an endorsement of my parenting skills then," Ignis quipped.
"I turned out OK," Prompto reassured him. It felt good to be with his friends again. It had been too long since they'd been at a campfire. Gladio pulled Ignis into a brief hug.
"Just take care of her, alright?"
"Always," Ignis replied and walked towards his tent.
"OK, Prompto," Galdio said, "one game, and I mean one." Prompto was ecstatic.
"I knew you'd cave."
Iris sat on her knees inside the tent, carefully unwinding her braids that had been in for almost two days. She brushed through her hair with her fingers and marveled at the bed Ignis had created for her. The layers of sleeping bags and blankets were more plush than her bed at home.
"Are you comfortable, dear?" Ignis asked as he stepped inside the tent.
"Extremely," she responded as she finished combing her hair.
"Not exactly a honeymoon suite," he said as he sat down on the pile of covers.
"It's better," she replied sincerely. Ignis wearily took off his sunglasses. He was ready to pass out. Iris dimmed the small lantern light and moved closer to him. She put her hands on his face and gently turned it towards hers. His scars didn't bother her at all anymore, in fact, she quite liked them. Somehow, they made him even more handsome.
"I just want you to know, if you think becoming king is what Lucis needs, or what Noctis would want, please don't turn it down just to make me happy," she said earnestly.
"Thank you," he replied, "but it's not going to happen, I promise you." She kissed him in response.
"I've been thinking," he said as he stretched out on his back, "it might even be nice to move away from the Citadel." Iris was happy to hear that and didn't try to conceal it.
"That would be wonderful," she said. She curled up beside him and rested her head on his chest. He wrapped his right arm around her and pulled a blanket over them with his left.
"Maybe we could find a place like you the home where you grew up," he suggested.
"It would be so nice to have a garden, and a place for the baby to play," she said sleepily.
"Indeed, it would," he closed his eyes and listened to her steady, comfortable breathing. It was such a relief to have her safe in his arms again. He was beginning to fall asleep when she spoke again.
"I was thinking," she said, "about names."
"Oh? What have you come up with?"
"If the baby is a boy, I think it might be nice to call him Noctis," she said, "what do you think?" He paused before responding. He felt tears sting his eyes, but he wasn't unhappy.
"I think that is a wonderful idea," he replied sincerely. She smiled and squeezed more closely to him. He kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes. They both drifted into a peaceful sleep and dreamed about a small house with a garden for their child.
Author's note: This has been a lot of fun to write! I love all of these characters and I hope to write more about them (perhaps during the world of ruin, perhaps post-game). Ignis and Iris would be excellent parents, imo. I hope you have enjoyed, and as always, thank you for reading and commenting.