"Yeah, I got another!" cheers Noctis as he lifts up his fishing rod with a large silver fish twitching at the end.
"Nice one Noct." Gladiolus shouts as he reels in his own fish, a small silver fish with a deep purple tail fin. Seeing the tiny thing Noctis lets out a barking laugh "Puny!" he teases as he casts the line back out "Seeing how Gladio is slacking off, I gotta catch more fish if we don't want to starve." Noctis says as he waits for the lure to vanish beneath the water. "Wouldn't be easier if we just went out to eat?" Prompto asks as he taps away at his phone playing King's Knight.
"As an good idea as it sounds I would prefer if I made dinner tonight. I feel like I hadn't been pulling my weight." Ignis says softly as he adjusts his knitting needles readjusting the green and blue yarn.
"You're kidding right?" Gladiolus jokes reeling in the fish which tugs at his line "You don't cook two meals and you're already feeling like you're falling behind."
"It's not that. I can't help but think about how I made a fool of myself in Lestallum. How I was bed ridden with the flu, and how I struggled to climb up the cliff face." Ignis pauses the soft clicking of the metal needles stops as he sighs piercing them into the ball of yarn.
"I just feel like none of that should've happened. I shouldn't have put you lot through that." Ignis says softly looking up at his friends making Noctis laugh "You can't stop yourself from getting sick Specs. I mean yeah you can try and prevent it but you're bound bound to get sick eventually." Noctis says laughing "I mean think about all those quests we do at night when it's freezing."
"Or those that have wait for a rain storm." Prompto adds.
"Look that's just life. And we'll trudge through it like everything else." Gladiolus adds nodding "And we'll be there for you if you ever get sick again."
"Thank you." Ignis says smiling a bit as he runs his finger over the ball of yarn.
"But about Lestallum...folks are bound to faint going there, right? I mean no place should be that hot." Prompto adds.
"Totally."
"Agreed."
"Mmhmm."
"Now you boys didn't have to do this." Monica says as she crosses her arms her eyes tracking Noctis and Ignis as they make their way to the kitchen where the tactician proceeds to remove his gloves and wash his hands in the sink and Noctis sets down a bucket full of ice and fish.
"True, but I wish to cook for everyone for a change." Ignis says as he turns off the water and grabs a paper towel.
"For a change?" Iris asks curiously from her spot at the table.
"Specs was down and out for about week or two fighting heat exhaustion turned flu." Noctis explains "Clearly he's feeling better if he's in the mood to make dinner." Noctis says smirking.
"Wait you had the flu?" Iris says sounding upset "You promised me that you were going to be more careful the last time I saw you Iggy!" Iris snaps. "Ah I assure you I have been taking care of my health just the incident that caused my sickness was because I had fell into a chilly river. I had failed to change out my clothes in a decent amount of time which spurred my body into flu like symptoms." Ignis explain as he skins the fish.
"Well we did ask you to change your clothes." Gladiolus reminds.
"Apologies."
"I bet it was all planned out." Prompto teases.
"Oh come now, who do you take me for?" Ignis snarks.
"I don't know...you are pretty sneaky and manipulative." Noctis teases.
"I am not!"
"You tricked me to get out of bed once." Noctis grumbles.
"I woke you up because it was three in the afternoon and you missed a very important meeting."
"Eh."
"Same old Noct." Teases Iris.
"I feel sorry for Lunafreya." Gladiolus says shaking his head "Imagine having to wake this guy up everyday just to make sure he does his job."
"Something tells me it won't be Lady Lunafreya waking up Noct." Prompto says "I think its gonna be Ravus. Oh dude imagine" Prompto lifts his left hand making a claw "him slashing the blankets and shouting out 'You lazy king, how dare you wed my sister, you call yourself king but you can't even get out of bed!'." Prompto roars out mimicking Ravus' voice.
"Impressive, you sound just like him." Teases Ignis as he begins to batter and fry the fish.
"Oh dearest brother, I change my mind about Noctis. I need a man who can wake up on time." Gladiolus teases trying and failing to mimic Lunafreya's voice.
Noctis simply rolls his eyes.
"You deserve only the best my sister, you need a man who never sleeps a man like myself." Prompto adds still going with Ravus' voice making Gladiolus snort in laughter.
"Eeww." Noctis whines "Make this Brother's Conflict end already!"
"Just sayin' dude, if Ravus could he totes would." Prompto teases.
"What no...he wouldn't. I'll tell you what he would do though. And that's rip you in two for even suggesting that." Noctis grumbles "In fact, I should tell him you said that."
"Aww c'mon I was only kidding!"
"Still tellin'."
"Noooct, it was a joke please don't tell him!"
"Sorry."
"Nooooct please!"
"Is the food done yet Specs?"
"Not if you two keep bickering for you'll force me to add vegetables to the dish instead of macaroni."
"Don't do that. We'll behave."
"Yeah what he said!"
It was around three in the morning when Ignis is woken up out of his slumber. His chest felt like it was attacked by fiery claws, he couldn't breathe and his throat was killing him. He takes a deep breath hoping to get the ache under control but it only triggers a cough.
A harsh near hacking cough. He tries to breathe again this time through his nose but the attempt was short lived as he finds himself coughing even more. He had to get out of the room for he didn't want to wake up his friends. Gasping for air and stumbling out of bed Ignis blindly makes his way out of the room, out into the hall and into the bathroom where he closes the door after fumbling with the lights.
Ignis collapses onto his elbows coughing into the bowl of the sink. With a wheezing gasp Ignis coughs louder with only fills his mouth with a acidic taste rising in the back of throat and filling his mouth.
Ignis tries to swallow but his throat felt like being constricted leaving him to gasp for more air leaving him in this vicious cycle of coughing and choking. And with every cough the worse his chest felt.
"Ignis?"
Ignis coughs in response.
"What's wrong?"
It was Noctis who had entered the bathroom already pulling out a large towel from the pantry and making his way to Ignis.
"Can't...breathe."
"I know, its gonna be okay."
Noctis turns the sink on blasting the hot water and plugs the sink when steam begins to form. He drapes the towel over Ignis' shoulders and turns the water off "Okay Iggy, try to breathe through your nose slowly. Like last time."
Ignis takes in slow breaths as Noctis rubs his back "I'll make you some of the milk and honey."
"No...I need something for my chest. Please Noct it hurts." Ignis begs, his voice sounding stuffy.
"Right. I'll be back, while you wait keep breathing in the steam."
Ignis nods, closing his eyes as he continues to breath in the steam which was starting to make his nose run. Sniffing Ignis could feel himself starting to relax, he was finally able to breathe without coughing. He knows he has Noctis to thank for that.
A couple of minutes pass but Ignis soon hears Noctis returning "Here Iggy, its a glass of dissolved baking soda...I remembered my dad taking it when he had similar symptoms pop up...I think you have heartburn." Noctis says handing Ignis the mug and a handful of tissue, who takes both.
"But why did it trigger just now? And I don't believe I ate anything that would cause it." Ignis says as he wiping at his nose.
"You'd be surprised at what can cause it, we did have fried fish. And fried foods tend to be a major one. My dad loved fried foods and would immediately regret eating it when this would happen." Noctis says smirking a bit at the memory of father complaining while Clarus lectures him.
"Anyway Specs, drink this. It's gonna get rid of the burning you're feeling." Noctis says sitting on the tub. Ignis does as he is told holding his breath as he does so against the slightly salty taste. His tongue recoils at the taste but he finishes the entire drink, causing him to burp.
"Excuse me." Ignis says blushing.
"You're fine."
Noctis stands up and lays a hand on Ignis' back "Come on let's get you back to bed."
Ignis nods as he follows Noctis back to the bedroom "I'll make you some more of the drink in case it comes back." Noctis says earning another nod from the older male. Ignis didn't feel like talking, he was tired and the coughing and burning left him feeling weak. In all honesty he was just grateful that Noctis didn't ask him any questions for his mind felt like static.
They reached the shared bedroom and the King eases his brother down into his bed once they reached it. Ignis allows himself to be covered up by Noctis, the act was small but Ignis couldn't help but feel a bit spoiled. Sure he's been covered up by the others many times before but he was always hurt or unconscious when it happens because of an injury he'd receive during a hunt a timed quest.
But being taken care of when he isn't feeling to great was still a new feeling to him. Despite the fact he had been taken cared of recently when he had the flu, he wasn't used to it at all.
But he was happy to know his friends loved him enough to help him get better. Heck, they had even went out of their way to get Sania to make medication for him that he could take. The thought alone makes him smile.
"Alrighty Specs, I'll prepare you another drink. But for now just try to get some sleep." Noctis says softly before heading down to the kitchen as Ignis falls into a dreamless slumber.
"So how about we try our hand at this timed quest? It looks like only a handful of people attempted it." Prompto says sliding over the flyer that lay on the countertop of the Crow's Nest they were having breakfast at.
"Depends, what are we fighting this time? I swear if it's Cactuars we're not doing it." Noctis grumbles.
"Why not?" Gladiolus questions as he squirts ketchup onto his eggs "Not up for the challenge?"
"It's not that, it's just they are a pain to kill. I hate chasing them, not to mention I hate getting dizzy and stuff." Noctis mumbles as he picks up the hot maple syrup and pours it over his pancakes drowning them in the golden liquid.
"I mean who actually likes that stuff? But no, this time we're facing garula! So it should be pretty easy." Prompto says as he slides the flyer over to his friend who looks it over with a sigh "Yeah...I don't know...I guess." Noctis says mumbling before sliding it to the right of him "What do you say Specs?" Noctis asks looking over to spot next to him.
However, Ignis wasn't there.
"Uh, Ignis?"
Noctis looks around the restaurant twisting in his seat as he does so "Where did he go?" He asks curiously.
"I think your friend went to the bathroom. He looked a bit like he was in pain."
Noctis didn't have to hear anymore for he was already climbing off the stool and makes his way to the bathroom carrying his soda with him.
The second enters the room he can hear coughing. He rounds the corner where he finds Ignis leaning over the sink, coughing loudly into the bowl.
Noctis frowns as he approaches the other and places a hand on his back. He gently begins to pat Ignis' back "Try to breathe Iggy." Noctis says softly "Does your chest hurt, like it did last night?"
Ignis nods as he fails to keep down another cough.
Noctis frowns, nodding, he tells Ignis to hang on little longer as the dark haired King heads out of the bathroom and restaurant making his way to the backseat of the Regalia where he grabs the thermos he had brought just in case this happen.
Warping inside the restaurant, Noctis runs back to the bathroom ignore the questions his friends were throwing at him.
The King turns on the hot water waiting for the steam to bellow up from the sink. The second it does Noctis pulls off his jacket and drapes it over Ignis' head.
"Deep breaths Iggy."
Noctis rubs his brother's back patiently waiting for the coughing spell to end. Nearly fifteen minuets passed but eventually Ignis could breathe again. Ignis at this point was shaking terribly and his eyes are watery.
"Ignis. Here drink this." Noctis says as he opens the thermos and pours some of the liquid in the top and hands it to his friend.
Ignis drinks it down before Noctis pours him more "How long were you in here?" He asks as Ignis hands back the empty top.
"Not long...but I appreciate you coming to check on me." Ignis say softly as he hands Noctis back his jacket.
"I'm always gonna check on you, cuz you always check on me." Noctis admits as he opens the door allowing Ignis to step out.
"I know." Ignis says smiling a bit as the two return to the others.
"Ignis! Hey you okay?" Prompto asks hopping up and out of his seat before easing Ignis down into it.
"I'm all right. Just choked a bit..." lies Ignis. He honestly didn't want to stir up anything or worry his friends. Despite being grateful for Noctis' concern he was also a bit annoyed by it only because he didn't like how weak it made him feel.
"What? You choked!? You're though right?"
"I am now."
"Hmm. You outta all of us should know to chew your food well."
"Duly noted."
"Well let's buy Ignis some water and lets head off."
"Turn the channel, I hate this song." Gladiolus grumbles as he licks his thumb and turns the page.
"Dude, how do you hate One Winged Angel? That's like the song." Prompto questions before turning the dial once hoping that this station will be okay.
The station drones on and on about a new food item at local fast food joint earning an eye roll from the King. He shakes his head as he turns onto a new road "I know without a doubt that Ignis can something way better and name it something cooler to than 'Big Boy'. I mean it'll sound weird walking up to the counter and just sayin' 'Gimme the big boy."
Prompto smirks "Not if you say it like 'Me me big boy!'."
"Then you would be thrown out." Gladiolus says not looking up from the book he was reading.
"What would you have called it Ignis?" Prompto asks curiously.
"Well, as everyone knows your dish's name should reflect the food you're serving. But at the same time have a eye catching name or simply state what it is." Ignis pauses a bit feeling his throat prickle a bit and he knew he was going to cough again "As for myself I would've-..." the twinge grew stronger and trying to swallow it down only triggered him to turn his head and cough into his arm.
Clearing his throat, Ignis continues "I would've named it something along the lines of 'The King Garula' or 'The Fat Chocobo' or perhaps even name it something that will pay homage to our friendship. Maybe som-" Ignis lifts his arm again coughing into the black sleeve "something like 'Ch-" he tries again but the constant prickling in the back of his throat is persistent and the need to cough was strong. Leaving Ignis to cough repeatedly into his arm.
He takes in a small gasp leaving him to cough repeatedly. His hands go to his face covering his mouth as he takes in a strangled gasp which leaves him coughing violently. With each cough pain blossoms in his chest causing his face to twist in agony and his eyes to squeeze shut as tears leak from the corners of his eyes.
"Hey, Ignis you okay!?" Cries Prompto leaning forward his hand going to the polymath's back.
"Noct pull over!" Shouts Gladiolus as he stands slightly behind the passenger seat. Noctis nods as he looks over at Ignis, he sees a parking space but on the other side of the street requiring him to make a U-turn. "Sorry about this Ignis, but hang in there." He says turning the car around.
Ignis groans in between coughs, the constant sniffles, coughs, and gasps was starting to making him feel nauseous, and with his churning belly the sudden spinning of the car only causes Ignis' already upset stomach to roll as the Regalia pulls into the small parking space stationed on the shoulder.
The Regalia is powered off as Gladiolus and Prompto climb out of the car. Gladiolus moves to the side Ignis sat and opens the door carefully rubbing his back as Prompto races to the trunk and opens it.
Ignis coughs again before trying to gasp for air. Noctis frowns not entirely sure how to help his friend at the moment. Especially with Gladiolus rubbing Ignis' back and Prompto most likely fetching a water bottle so what could he do to really help. He knows its not much but he begins to massage Ignis' neck "Try to take slow deep breaths." He says softly.
"Yeah, breathe in through your nose."
Ignis tries but it only ends with him gagging twice followed by a cough and then him, without warning, throwing up. First into his hands and then the floor of the Regalia.
"Ah Ig-Ignis!"
"Hey!"
"What's wrong, is he okay?" Prompto asks making his way to the side Gladiolus is on. He looks over to Ignis and was about to ask him if he was about to ask if he was alright only see the tactician retching.
Gladiolus grabs Ignis out of the car so he wouldn't make a even bigger mess. He gently guides him over to the guardrail and lets him lean against it, however at this point nothing else came up. Ignis was shaking violently but he was no longer cough, instead he was taking in gulping breaths.
"You feeling okay Ignis?" Prompto asks nervously feeling worried for the other "I will be." Ignis says weakly looking down at his gloved hands frowning "Hey, don't feel bad we'll just wash your gloves." Prompto says smiling reassuringly as he carefully removes Ignis's gloves.
Ignis sighs miserably his stomach and chest were still hurting him not to mention he was feeling utterly humiliated. He had just made a fool of himself not to mention ruined the floors of the Regalia, oh how his Majesty must be rolling in the afterlife because of that.
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea. We should call in an say we're holding off until tomorrow." Noctis says looking over at Ignis who was now holding his stomach "It'll be unfair to Iggy to make him fight after that." He adds gesturing to the Regalia.
"Ditto. And it's not like this is a a real hunt, it's just some dumb game to beat high scores or something...I never understood that." Prompto says "Besides, there are like a whole of garula and only one Iggy."
"Then its settled. We'll head to a motel and drop Ignis off and Noct off while me and Prompto go to the gas station and clean up the Regalia." Gladiolus says as he makes his way to the car.
"Wait!" Ignis cries almost desperately.
This gets the others to look at him. He looks a bit taken aback but he clears his throat "Look, please don't go through with this." He says almost begging them "I'm fine."
"You're not fine Ignis, you just threw up. How is that fine?" Noctis questions.
"That was because I was coughing. I'm not coughing right now." Ignis says trying to debate "I'm feeling fine."
"Are you?" Gladiolus asks raising an eyebrow as he crosses his arms for he wasn't buying what the other was saying.
Ignis bites his lip knowing that Gladiolus could see right through him but Ignis wasn't going to back down. He didn't want them to stop their plans because of him, besides he knew his limits and what he was comfortable doing and not doing.
"I am, trust me."
"Well, if you say so." Noctis says sounding unsure "But any sign of you showing us that you're not well then we're leaving."
Ignis nods already knowing that he'll do everything in his power to keep this quest afloat.
"Well I guess we'll continue on foot. We're close its just a little ways up north." Gladiolus says before looking towards Ignis "Up for the trek?" He asks earing him a nod from the tactician.
With that Noctis and his retinue make their way towards the garula, occasionally pausing whenever Ignis stopped when his coughing got to bad.
They eventually arrive at the spot marked on their map causing Prompto to frown "So uh...anyone else confused as to why these guys are way out here?" He asks snapping a couple of photos of the mammals.
"Beats me." Noctis says tiredly "I just know we better score big points cuz I really want that sword." He says his eyes lighting up at the thought of owning a musical instrument turned weapon.
"Alright enough chitchat!" Gladiolus growls as he makes his ways over the rocks and towards the beasts "All I care about is getting us from free steaks from these guys." He says summoning his sword.
The second the four of them stood together was the same instant that Noctis started the countdown "One three guys!" Noctis shouts looking at the stopwatch they had been given to record their time.
"One."
Prompto and Ignis summon their weapons.
"Two."
They each mentally select which of the beasts they'll strike first.
"Three!"
The boys shoot forward, their weapons dealing damage to the first four of the garula that they spotted or were close enough to.
Gladiolus swings his sword into a garula's leg sending it to the water with a splash before lifting his blade and spinning around with it slicing down another with ease.
"Pff show off." Laughs Prompto as he switches to his circular saw earning an eye roll from Gladiolus "Just focus on dwindling down these numbers as fast as you can." The oldest says flatly.
"Aye Aye Captain!"
Meanwhile, Noctis warps to a large stone having depleted his magic using several warpstrikes just so he could summon the armiger. He scans the field looking for Ignis, the battle had barely started but he heard him coughing.
Sure enough he found him, it looked like he was holding his own.
Ignis leaps out of the ways of a charging garula who trumpets angrily stomping in the water with its trunk raised. Ignis stands straight up his energy drained from how tired he feels because of the events from earlier. He wasn't going to tell the others because he feared he would slow them down by having to go a motel.
He summons his lance and races forward with the means to stab the wooly creature. Thats when his throat prickles, chosing to ignore it Ignis leaps up high into sky only to come crashing down onto the creature.
"Nice one Specs!"
Ignis opens his mouth to say something but several coughs leave him instead making him frustrated. Ignis turns his head his eyes closing as he sends his weapon away when he found himself under another fit.
Seeing that the man was distracted the garula, that Ignis had wounded trumpets and charges at Ignis. Swinging its truck it slams its nose against the daggersmen bringing him down to the ground with a strangled gasp of surprise.
Feeling unsatisfied the garula raises a hoof and brings it down onto Ignis' chest causing him to scream out in agony. It raises it's foot again this time as it brings it down its met with a sword "Get out of Iggy!" Gladiolus roars who had blocked the attack.
Ignis, whimpering crawls away before collapsing in the water.
Seeing this the brothers gather Ignis and abort the quest.
While they all were settling into the motel room, Gladiolus calls dibs on the the bathroom first leaving the others to wait for him to finish his shower. Noctis however didn't care at the moment as he lays his advisor down into one of the beds. Ignis was still clutching his stomach as he lays on his side with his eyes closed.
Noctis figured he would like to get cleaned up a bit so he heads into the small kitchen where he finds a bucket under the sink and begins to fill it with warm water. Despite wishing that Gladiolus could've at least let Ignis gone first seeing how he was hurt, Noctis knew Ignis probably would've refused the offer in his current state.
Ignis shudders trying to get his breathing under control when Prompto appears in his line of view. Craning his neck Ignis looks up to see Prompto standing in front of him "This was all they had across the street." He shows Ignis a small square packet of acetaminophen "They didn't have anything bigger, but I bought two just in case, and I got you some water." He says gesturing to the push-top water bottle on the nightstand as he begins opening the little packet for hus friend.
"It's alright, and thank you...Prompto." Ignis says as Prompto gives him his medicine and drink waiting for him to finish.
Noctis approaches setting the bucket down on the floor with lightly steaming water "Okay, Prompto help me take Iggys' clothes off." Noctis says casually earning a uncomfortable look from Ignis who carefully sits up "I'm capable of undressing myself thanks." He hisses through gritted teeth.
"We know but you're injured and we just want to help. Just relax we'll take care of you." Noctis says dipping a washcloth into the bucket "I understand but let me do this." Ignis says as his fingers fumble with the buttons on his purple leopard print shirt.
"Let me do this...bad enough I needed constant saving today." Adds Ignis his voice was strained.
His fingers refused to cooperate as they couldn't even manage to undo one button. Noctis steps in and pushes Ignis' hand aside "Noct please. I can do it." Ignis repeats desperate to prove to his brother and his friends that he could still handle himself. That he wasn't going to hinder them or hold them back.
That he was still capable.
His hands shake violently as they continue to refuse to work causing tears to roll down Ignis' cheeks "I-I..."
Noctis frowns as he steps in again tnis time he succeeds in getting Ignis to surrender and allowing him to take care of him.
"Just rest Iggy. I'll take of you."