The sharp pangs in Rue's head woke her abruptly. Her hand reached up to press to her temple and an agonizing pain shot through her right side. Wincing, she forced her eyes open, alarmed by her surroundings. The room was nearly pitch black, lit only by a streak of light that peeked between the curtains on her left wall. It took her a fair amount of time to realize she was laying in Ignis's bed, in Ignis's room, in Ignis's house. Her head relaxed into the pillow for a moment longer, her neck screaming a throbbing protest.
Screwing her eyes shut, she tried to remember why she hurt so badly. She remembered getting into Rayne's car and that they spoke. She couldn't quite remember the topic, but it must've been funny—she remembered Rayne laughing. A stoplight, lots of horns… and then nothing. She huffed, irritated. Is anyone taking care of my cat? Gritting her teeth, she tried to sit up. Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes; the pain was unbearable. It felt like someone stuck a knife in her gut and sawed her insides open.
"Ignis?" she called, grimacing when her head reacted to her loud voice with shooting pains. She heard movement somewhere outside and waited impatiently. The door creaked open and Ignis stepped inside; he was clearly tense.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, nearing the bed and eyeing her sharply. She sighed as her arm screamed to be let out from under her.
"Everything hurts like hell."
"Rightly so. Lie back down."
"Why?" He didn't answer, waiting patiently. She sighed, sinking back down onto the mattress and resisting the urge to curl up into a ball and cry the pain away. If she did that, it would hurt more.
"Don't move."
"Why?" she repeated. He still didn't reply, sitting beside her gingerly and carefully pulling up the hem of her shirt. "Look, I appreciate the admiration, but I really don't think now's the…" She trailed off when he raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to shut up. "Sorry."
"Your wounds haven't reopened," he reported, touching his glasses and lowering her shirt. "That's good. You have nasty bruising left behind."
"I can feel it," she murmured. Their eyes met and she refused to look away. Pressing her lips together, she reached forward blindly and took hold of his hand. No gloves for once. Thank the gods. "What happened? I'm blanking."
"A car accident." He sighed, turning his eyes to the door. "The driver wasn't paying attention—or perhaps it was Rayne. Either way, you were hit."
"Of course I was."
"You do seem to attract all sorts of bad luck," he replied half-heartedly. She laughed quietly, though she regretted it when her side screamed for mercy.
"Shit," she hissed. He glanced down at his lap when she crushed his hand in hers. "Sorry."
"Don't apologize."
"Fine. Got any drugs to kick this down a notch?"
"Yes. If you'll let go, I can go get something for you."
"Sor—thanks."
Ignis's lips twitched into the smallest of smiles and he stood, heading out of the room. She closed her eyes and listened to his footsteps throughout the house, the clinking of glass, and the voices in the living room. Her eyes opened. Voices? Who is that? Ignis reentered the room only to turn into the conjoined bathroom, filling the glass in his hand. The sound of rattling pills caught her attention, but she still found herself distracted by the sound of people speaking. Ignis silently urged her to sit up, waiting patiently as she dragged herself through the process. She took the pills without question, gulping down the water before setting the glass on the table.
"Who's out there?" she asked in a low voice. Ignis glanced toward the open door.
"Rayne and Gladio."
"Why?"
"Their car is totaled, and I didn't think it responsible to leave you on your own. They're only staying here until their taxi arrives."
"Oh." She sank back against the headboard with a cringe. "Are they okay?"
"Yes, they're fine."
"Okay. Good."
A little more carefully this time, she took hold of his hand, glancing down the hall to see if anyone was there. No one. The voices carried on the same.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes." Ignis sighed, touching his glasses. "I'm alright."
"Okay." Rue pressed her lips together, annoyed when he stood to take the glass and leave. "Wait!" she hissed, leaning forward. Her body screamed in agony. Ignis paused, watching her recover. "Stupid question."
"What is it?"
"Can you, uh…" She laughed quietly. "Can you give me a kiss?" Ignis frowned, glancing over his shoulder anxiously. "Please?"
"Why?"
"What do you mean 'why?' Just do it."
"…"
"Iggy, please."
"You're being ridiculous."
"I almost died."
"… You don't know that."
"I know that by how you're treating me." Ignis shut his mouth, taking a deep breath to cool his momentary irritation. He wasn't even sure why he was annoyed to begin with. Smiling, Rue knew she'd won. "Please?"
"Quiet," he huffed.
She grinned, reaching up to pull him down by the nape of his neck so she didn't have to hurt too badly. The warmth spreading in her chest was a welcome feeling that dispelled all previous panic. Ignis's hand was freezing when it met her cheek, his fingertips causing a rushing shudder to race down her spine. She laughed, pulling away and staring up into his eyes. It has to be different this time. He cleared his throat, glancing down at the disturbed blankets that pooled loosely over her bruised legs as he began to speak.
"Hey, Iggy?"
Ignis jerked away, straightening and pushing up his glasses to reset himself. Rue slumped against the headboard, teeth gritted to lessen the burning pain that rushed across her skin at the feeling of her tugged stitches. She could hear movement coming closer, taking a deep breath when Gladio entered the room. His eyes caught Rue's for a moment, and he forced a thin, sympathetic smile.
"Feeling alright?"
"I'm a little sore," she replied, wresting a cringe as she tried to sink lower. All the shooting pains were making her dizzy, and the dizziness was making her nauseous. The shield glanced at Ignis before coming closer.
"Let me help you."
"Careful," Ignis warned softly, watching Gladio gingerly lift Rue and set her down on her back with his brows tightly knit together. Rue hissed when Gladio's thumb pressed into her ribs too hard, but she nodded her thanks when he stepped away, patting his arm.
"Thank you."
"Yeah, no problem." Gladio turned back to Ignis. "We're about to head out. Wanted to talk to you, though." He gestured toward Rue with his eyes alone, his hair shielding her from seeing. Ignis frowned, pressing his lips together, and nodded.
"Alright. Just—"
"Can you give me the garbage can?" Rue interrupted. Her face had gone white and her eyes were pleading. "Now?"
Ignis brushed past Gladio and pushed the small plastic can into her arms. She doubled over, thrusting her head inside as she vomited. Gladio grimaced, shooting Ignis another look.
"Let's leave her alone," he urged. Ignis glanced at Rue, wishing there was something he could do to help. I shouldn't have let Rayne take her. "Iggy, she doesn't wanna be gawked at."
"… Fine."
They left Rue to suffer in the room alone. Gladio closed the door behind him quietly and Ignis led the way back out to the living room. He wasn't certain what exactly they wanted to speak about, but he could hardly make himself care at this point. His life was a whole series of standing around and waiting for things he couldn't help to resolve themselves and he was getting sick of it. What happened to the days where action was more effective than standing around aimlessly?
"What did you need?" Ignis asked, watching Rayne stand and come around the couch. She shook her head, pulling him into a tight hug and resting her head on his collarbone. He held his breath and his heart fluttered in his chest. She knew better than to hang on too long, pulling away with a thin smile.
"I'm really sorry about what happened. She'll be okay."
"I know she will." He frowned. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah." She took a deep breath, looking past him to Gladio, who shrugged one shoulder, pushing his long hair out of his face. "Look, Ignis…" She shook her head, hugging her arms to her body. "I know I said I'd give up on getting you and Rue together, but I've been watching. I know you really care about her." Rayne's lips quirked into a smug smile. "Some might even say love."
"Rayne—" Ignis cut in, impatient and, frankly, embarrassed.
"Yeah, yeah. Here's the thing." Her smile fell. "Listen, did you know she's been seeing somebody?" Ignis almost lost his composure to the smile that dared to break through. Perhaps that was even a laugh that was brewing in his chest. This is her big concern? He shook his head, frowning.
"No. Why's that any of my business?"
"You're putting so much work in." She took a deep breath, hesitating. "I don't know if you're trying to get her to see you for who you are—that's apparently none of my business. I just don't want you to waste your time."
"I'm doing no such thing."
"I'm just looking out for you," she replied defensively. "Ignis, it's like watching you and me from the outside, okay? I don't want you to get hurt." Ignis scowled.
"It's a little late for that."
"… Sorry. I shouldn't have said anything." She huffed, rolling her eyes. "Keep that in mind. That's all I'm saying."
"I will." Do I have a choice? "Is that all?"
"Yup." She jerked her head toward the door. "C'mon, big guy. Let's go home."
"Goodnight," Ignis muttered, watching them go.
His blood was hot with irritation at her unnecessary mention of his long-lived pursuit of her. He dedicated a whole decade of his life to attempting to get her to see… What a waste. Once the headlights of their taxi disappeared, he turned the lights off and headed back to the room with another glass of water. Rue took it gratefully, having set the trash can aside.
"What'd you guys need to talk about that was so secretive?" she asked. "I mean, you obviously don't have to tell me."
"It's top-secret," Ignis replied under his breath, setting the second glass by the first and eyeing his dresser. It's getting late.
"Yeah?" Rue cracked a smile. "Was it about me?"
"Making assumptions again?" he asked, heading across the room to change into something more comfortable. She grinned.
"Maybe. You gonna strip for me too?" Ignis shot her a scowl over his shoulder and she raised an eyebrow. "You're the only guy I know that wears a shirt to bed."
"Lucky me," he murmured.
"Wait, don't put it on."
"Why?" He raised an eyebrow. "And why are you watching me?"
"Why not? You're warmer without it."
"Rue…" His expression sank into one of impatience. "I'm sleeping on the couch."
"Why?"
"So I don't hurt you."
"You won't."
"Rue—"
"Just be careful," she interrupted. Her eyes told him he really had no option. Sighing, Ignis shook his head and headed across the room to sit on the edge of the bed. She smiled, jabbing a finger into his spine and laughing when it made him twitch away. "Jumpy."
Ignis turned the lights off and set his glasses aside, carefully getting in bed so that he didn't cause Rue too much pain. She was unfazed, grinning from ear to ear.
"Are you gonna tell me the top-secret gossip now?"
"It's classified information. I don't know how you expect me—"
"Oh come on, Iggy. Just this once." She turned her head to face him, just barely able to make out his face in the darkness. Her heart sank. "Dammit, I'm wearing my contacts again."
"Did you want to—"
"No. I'll just tempt fate some more," she huffed, rolling her eyes. She reached out and ran her hand over his skin, wishing she could curl up at his side like she usually did. "Please?"
"… You can't tell anyone."
"Who would I tell?" she demanded.
"Relir."
"Damn, got me there." She sighed. "Fine, I won't tell anyone."
"Hm." Ignis turned on his side, unable to completely suppress the smile that wrestled free upon seeing her eager expression. "Alright." She grabbed his hand, pressing it to her cheek with a grin. "Word on the street is you're seeing someone."
"No," Rue gasped dramatically dropping her jaw. "Oh gods, they've discovered my infatuation with whoredom again! Whatever shall I do?"
"It certainly is a scandal," Ignis replied dryly, tracing the sharp edge of her jaw with the side of his finger. "Perhaps you'll be fired for it."
"Shit. It really does make the Citadel look bad when they hire sluts."
"Stop calling yourself that," he huffed, shaking his head.
"Why? Getting on your nerves?" She grinned, cocking her head to the side. "You don't like it when I'm bad?" Ignis grimaced, refusing to look at her. "Listen, I'm not good at talking dirty. Just let it be." There really was absolutely no need.
"I was only informing you that you're taken."
"Damn, never knew."
"Who would've thought?"
"Who would've? Really?" She laughed softly, squeezing his hand. "The two of us… Never in a million years."
"Well, the odds were certainly larger than never seeing as we're here."
"Shut up, nerd."
Ignis shook his head and fell back against his pillow. Rue refused to let go, clinging to his arm and resting in on her stomach, fingers intertwined with his. Ignis watched her doze off, lost in his own head and humored by Rayne's genuine concern for his efforts. He glanced over at Rue, happy to see her sound asleep yet again. Something told him this wasn't going to end like he and Rayne. Everything was going to be okay.