Ignis had secretly always wanted to go to a Disney park. He remembered seeing a television special about the opening of Disneyland Paris when he was just a child growing up on the outskirts of London. At the age of 6, he'd shyly asked his aunt about the possibility of going, and she'd kindly explained that the trip would be too expensive, and Ignis, well-trained in disappointment, had never asked again.

Maybe that explained the flutter of nervous excitement in the pit of his stomach as they boarded the monorail train that would transport them to the entrance. Noctis and Prompto were surprisingly quiet on the ride over, but as soon as they stepped outside and saw the gates to The Magic Kingdom, they became instantly energetic and giddy.

The boys walked between them, Ignis holding Noctis's hand and Gladio holding Prompto's, as they discussed what they thought might be inside. Some guesses about the teacup ride and roller coasters were accurate, while Prompto's wide-eyed suggestion about a thirty-foot alligator that lived under the castle was a little off-base. As usual, Ignis did award him points for creativity.

Once their tickets were scanned, they got Noctis and Prompto to stay still long enough for a family photo in front of the train station before passing under the tunnels that opened to the famous Main Street USA, the one that Ignis had only seen in pictures. The smell of popcorn wafted through the air as they looked down the long stretch of buildings that appeared to come right out of a 19th century postcard. At the end of the street was the famous Cinderella's castle, even taller and more impressive than he'd imagined.

"Pretty cool, huh?" Gladio said to the boys who were eagerly surveying their surroundings. They walked past emporiums and candy shops on their way to the castle, Ignis trying to take in every beautiful detail of the intricate shop windows and the big band music playing overhead.

Prompto was eager to run off and snap photos of just about everything until Gladio finally insisted on scooping him up for a piggy back ride. Ignis was amazed he still had the strength given Prompto's growing size and weight, but he shouldn't have been surprised. Gladio had always been in remarkably good shape because he liked exercise, a wholly foreign concept. Ignis tried not to ruin his own good mood by thinking too hard about it.

"I think I know where we should go first," Gladio said slyly, showing the map to Ignis.

"Where? Where? Where?!" Prompto demanded.

"It's a surprise, little man," Gladio explained.

"Another surprise?!" Prompto groaned before trying to squirm out of Gladio's grip.

"Yeah, but you'll like this one," Gladio assured him. "If I put you back on your feet, you have to promise not to run off," he said as he put Prompto down before kneeling in front of him and putting out his pinky. "You have to pinky swear."

Prompto was never one to back away from a pinky swear and dutifully presented his own pinky for the shaking, the contrast between Gladio's massive finger and Prompto's tiny one as adorable as ever.

They made their way under the castle and into an area called "Fantasyland." Carnival music emanated from the carousel in front of them, and everywhere Ignis looked, there was a new and charming sight. He caught a glimpse of Pinocchio's village, a Seven Dwarfs themed roller coaster and yet another castle in the distance.

They made their way towards the Princess Fairytale Hall, and Prompto became positively exuberant (even going so far as to perform a happy twirl) when he saw the pictures posted outside, indicating who they were going to meet. Per usual, Noctis played his emotions a little closer to the vest.

"What do you think of meeting Anna and Elsa?" Ignis asked as they made their way through the queue line.

"Sorta nervous," Noctis answered quietly. "I hope they like me."

Ignis was emotionally disarmed by the sentiment, as he often was by Noctis's vulnerability.

"I'm sure they'll adore you," Ignis said, giving Noctis's shoulder a squeeze as they waited their turn to be called into the room.

As soon as they were beckoned forward and stepped inside, Prompto sped towards Anna, his idol and twin—in personality if not in looks—who kneeled down to give him a hug.

"Anna!" he squealed.

"Hi there! What's your name?" she asked.

"I'm Prompto! I'm wearing your shirt," he said, proudly showing off his Frozen t-shirt with Anna and Elsa's faces on it.

"I think Olaf would like that shirt," Anna said.

Prompto looked like he might combust from delight at the revelation. "Olaf is here?!"

"I think he's out making snowballs, but you might be able to see him in the parade later."

Prompto looked a little concerned, so Ignis chimed in to reassure him. "We'll be sure to do that."

"We're adopted," Prompto announced at random, as he sometimes liked to do. "Well, almost," he shrugged. "Can we take a picture, pleeease?"

Ignis had forgotten for a time the direness of their circumstances and felt a little twinge of anxiety at the reminder. Thankfully it faded when Gladio gave him a reassuring smile before urging Noctis towards Elsa.

"Hey," Noctis finally said after a few seconds of staring at his shoes.

"It's lovely to meet you," Elsa said, putting out her hand, and Noctis shook it, blushing furiously, but smiling nonetheless, as she suggested they take a photo together. As they turned to walk away, Ignis noticed the dreamy look in Noctis's eyes as he waved his last goodbye.

"That...was so awesome!" Prompto said, twirling once more and trying to climb onto the rails separating the queue lines before Gladio grabbed him.

"I didn't even tell her how much I liked her movie," Noctis sighed quietly.

"I'm sure she knew," Ignis consoled him. "I think they were very impressed with both of you."

Just then, Ignis spotted an ice cream cart, the perfect diversion for a disappointed Noctis. Prompto and Ignis chose ice cream sandwiches shaped like Mickey's head, while Gladio and Noctis picked chocolate-dipped ice cream on a stick (also shaped like Mickey's head—Ignis was certainly noticing a trend).

They found a bench in Fantasyland and enjoyed their treats, Noctis and Prompto exchanging observations about the princesses and discussing what to do next.

As soon as they stood up, Prompto dragged them into one of the nearby gift shops, and (far too easily) convinced them to buy a Marie cat plushie from The Aristocats movie. Noctis chose a little cap with Mickey ears for himself, and he looked so cute in it, they got a matching one for Prompto too. Noctis was given the option to choose another toy, but he insisted on getting a couple of sparkly magnets of the castle, one for Luna and one for Cindy, instead.

They took a stroll through Fantasyland afterwards and ended up outside The Haunted Mansion ride. Ignis was a little concerned that it might be too scary for children, but Gladio remembered the ride from his childhood and insisted it would be fine. As soon as they entered the inside lobby and a voice boomed overhead inviting them in, Prompto gave himself away by the tight grasp he kept on Ignis's hand.

After walking down a darkened hallway, they were instructed to step inside a moving "doom buggy."

"Are you sure you want to ride this one?" Ignis asked.

"Noctis is going, right?" Prompto said.

"Well, yes, but you don't have to do everything Noctis does."

"Mmm, I wanna go," Prompto insisted, and despite his reservations, Ignis allowed it. Gladio shared a buggy with Noctis, leaving Ignis with Prompto. As soon as they were seated, Prompto quickly suctioned himself to Ignis's side and only occasionally peeked out of his hiding spot under Ignis's arm before he retreated again.

Despite Prompto's fears, Ignis enjoyed the ride as they slowly made their way through the rooms of the mansion. When they exited the attraction into the bright outdoors, Ignis asked if Prompto liked it.

"Oh yeah, it was awesome!" Prompto said.

"So you'd like to go again?" Ignis teased, too amused to call Prompto on his bluff.

"Mmmm, maybe later, okay?" he said, dragging Ignis by the hand to catch up with Gladio and Noctis.

The rest of the day passed by in a pleasant blur, an endless string of delights—rides and shows and tasty food shaped like Mickey's head. Ignis found himself perpetually forgetting and remembering his fears about the future, but when he did remember them, they all seemed distant and even manageable, a lifetime away from the simple pleasures of this day, all of them together, walking hand in hand, the boys smiling and giggling and Gladio going out of his way to plant a kiss on Ignis's cheek or put an arm around him while they waited in line.

When it got dark, they shared a couple of ice cream cones and found a nice place to watch the fireworks show. It was clear Noctis and Prompto were getting sleepy, but as soon as the narration came on overhead and the sky burst to life with sparks of color, they were instantly engaged, awed faces looking up at the display.

The theme of the fireworks show was "wishes," and as it progressed, Ignis felt a strong emotion rising in his chest, one that brought a smile to his face and spilled over into the corners of his eyes. It was the joy of having his family beside him, taking the time to enjoy something so simple and pure in such a complicated and messy world. The fact that Ignis was here, of all places, with the people he so dearly loved, suddenly felt incredibly miraculous and worth celebrating.

The final narration came with a burst of fireworks and a swell of music. We must always believe in our wishes for they are the magic in the world.

It was a sentiment which under other circumstances might have been considered cliche by Ignis, never one too be too sentimental, but in this moment, he opened his heart to the distinct possibility that perhaps everything was as it should be, that maybe there were no accidents, that life was generous and the inclinations of his heart could be trusted. In a moment of total clarity, Ignis believed in magic.

He knew, without a doubt, that everything would be okay. And, just then, Gladio took his hand, and they watched the grand finale together, connected by the warmth of their palms. When the music ended, Ignis looked at Gladio to discover he'd also been crying. That didn't surprise him. What did was the fact that Noctis had apparently been crying too.

Ignis bent down to pull him into a tight hug and wiped the tears from under his eyes.

"Are you alright?"

"I don't want another family. Me and Prompto wanna stay with you," he pleaded. "Is someone gonna take us away?"

"No, darling. No," Ignis said, pulling Noctis close again.

"It's okay, Noct," Prompto said softly, patting his back. "I made my birthday wish, remember?"

"Sometimes wishes don't work," Noctis sighed.

"What did you wish for?" Ignis asked, nearly breathless, almost afraid the answer.

"He wished that we could stay," Noctis replied. "We don't wanna be adopted by Dino."

Ignis wasn't even sure how Noctis knew Dino's name or the threat he posed to their family. He'd tried to shield the boys from the particulars, but he should've known Noctis would discover the truth somehow.

"You won't be," Ignis promised. "I'm sure of it."

"But I heard you say—"

"Whatever I said, I was wrong. You're our sons, and that's all there is to it. No matter what has to be done, we'll do it. Nothing is more important to me than the three of you. My family," Ignis almost choked on the word. "I love you very much, Noctis, and you too, Prompto."

For some reason, Ignis had never uttered those words to them before. It was almost as if he feared that by admitting the depths of his attachment he could jinx himself and open himself to some unknown pain, a great cosmic joke, like the one that had so often been played on him. But now he understood there was no reason to hesitate, because it felt good to tell the truth, the one he'd secretly known since the moment he'd seen Noctis coloring from across the room.

"Love you too, dad," Noctis said.

"Me too," Prompto said, squeezing himself into their embrace.

Ignis found exactly what he expected when he looked up at Gladio, red eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. Ignis stood so he could pull his husband into the hug too.

"I love all you guys too," Gladio said, "so much."

The next morning, as the kids swam around the hotel pool, Gladio was surprised to receive a call from Aranea. He paced as they spoke, Ignis keeping one eye on him and the other on the boys.

Gladio sat down on the pool chair next to him looking a bit shocked. "Dino announced he's taking the adoption to court. Apparently it's in all the papers, at least the local ones. You're—the whole thing about you and the stealing. It's all there. The accusations. And Ara hasn't heard from Ardyn since it all happened. She thinks he flipped sides. He won't even return her calls."

Gladio seemed really torn up by it, his face falling into his hands. "What're we gonna do, Iggy?"

The answer seemed obvious.

"We fight, of course. I think I'm quite up to the challenge, aren't you?"

Gladio looked up at him, and Ignis watched the smile form at the corner of his lips. "I'm so lucky I married you."

"Not as lucky as I am, darling."