So, funny story. This was SUPPOSED to be chapter 33, but I totally forgot I had it planned and thus skipped right to "Distracted." My bad. So you guys get a twofer tonight! Keep in mind this is an event that takes place BETWEEN chapters 32 and 33, though the dialogue matching the game should make that obvious.
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"Umbra left that for you..." Ignis couldn't see Noctis, couldn't see the notebook, but he knew the prince's eyes would go to it as soon as he pointed it out. So he took his leave, stepping slowly so as not to run himself into the wall.
He opened the door quietly, but then he heard sound behind him. The frantic flipping of pages... and sobbing. It stopped him in his tracks. Did Noctis know he was still in the room? Could still hear him?
The prince's voice reached him, then, choked and constantly interrupted by sobs. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
Ignis' jaw clenched, his throat closed up, and he felt his right eye sting with tears again. He'd known what would happen. He'd known the news would break his prince's heart... and he'd just walked away? He was willing to fail him not only as a Crownsguard, but as a friend?
No.
He closed the door and turned around. Noctis was still crying, still whispering. "I'm sorry, Luna... I'm sorry..."
"Noct."
The apologies cut off in a gasp. He could still hear Noctis' shakey breathing, interrupted by little gasps that the prince was now obviously trying to contain. "I-Ignis... I thought you..." A sniffle. Ignis could picture Noctis rubbing his eyes, trying to get his composure back. "I thought you'd left..."
He almost had. Now he stepped carefully to the bedside, wanting to reach for Noctis' shoulder but unsure of exactly where he was. The light in the room hurt his still-freshly injured right eye too much to look.
"I will leave only if you want me to," he promised, one hand reaching out, offering. "... I'm sorry, Noct. I wasn't there for her. Or for you." He was too busy being an idiot and getting blinded. At least dying in the line of duty was considered an honour... but all he'd managed to do was make himself a liability. A burden on his prince...
His thoughts were derailed when Noctis grabbed his hand. "Ignis... " A shuffling of blankets, Noctis releasing his hand, and then Ignis almost fell over as a weight hit him full in the torso. He was held up only by the grace of Noctis' arms going around him in a tight hug. The heir's shoulders were shaking. He was crying again. "Don't say that... please... you're hurt... I was there... I was there... and I couldn't do anything..." The words were almost lost to sobs, and Ignis rested his arms over Noctis' shoulders. He'd probably moved to the edge of the bed to make the embrace possible.
He almost swore aloud, cursed the gods that had given this fate to the young man before him. Noctis would make a fine man, a fine ruler, in his own time... and yet here he was, thrown into tragedy and responsibility too early, and wounded for it.
"Don't blame yourself," was all he managed to say, his fingers squeezing Noctis' shoulder.
And then the only sound was Noctis sobbing, and Ignis held him until he quieted, wishing with all his heart that he could take away the burden that was slowly destroying his friend.