It is around three in the morning when Ignis wakes up in pain. His back feels like it was slowly being stabbed by a white hot dagger, he sucks in a sharp breath and whines as he closes his eyes squeezing them shut.
In his half woken state Ignis' hand fumbles around for the morphine drip button. He softly whimpers as he can't seem to find it making him croak weakly "Noct...Noct, please wake up..." Ignis chokes out his breath short and near gasp-like. His weak cries fail to reach the King, but he did catch the attention of Gladiolus who had volunteered to stay up in case Ignis needed something or if a doctor decided to walk in, the oldest of the four currently sits with his chin in his hand reading his book. He hears the small cry getting him to look up from his novel and at Ignis who curls up into a ball on his side writhing in agony with tiny near inaudible whimpers.
Getting to his feet Gladiolus sets his book down on the chair and moves quietly to his friends side "Hey buddy you hurting again?" He asks softly.
"Again?" Ignis croaks his vision is blurry as he attempts to look at Gladiolus.
'Does he mean the first time after the treatment?'
Gladiolus pushes the small gray button connected to the drip and IV "You woke up around twelve in tears saying that your back was on fire." Gladiolus explains as he can see Ignis visibly settle down as the medicine takes it's course dulling the ache "How ya feeling now?" He asks and Ignis simply nods "It's better." The ash blonde says tiredly "That's good." Gladiolus looks at the clock crossing his arms "Well it's three...try getting some more sleep. The doctor should be in around noon maybe and we can get you out of here." Gladiolus says with a nod.
Ignis shifts a bit to get comfortable "Right." He says softly as Gladiolus pulls the blankets back up onto him and tucks him in some "Have you slept?" Ignis asks earning a shake of the head from Gladiolus "I can't sleep in hospitals." He says "Once stayed in a hospital because Iris had to get her tonsils out I couldn't sleep the entire we were in there." The shield admits frowning.
"I see...well do try to rest, fretting over me won't help you."
"I can't help but fret over you. You were in pain, and you couldn't breathe without coughing. How can I be so ' Ah no big deal everybody coughs everybody aches' about it that?"
"Everyone does hurt and everyone does cough Gladio."
"Yeah but not to the extent you were at."
"I-"
"Listen, your health is important to us. You're important to us and if you're not feeling well we're gonna do whatever it takes to help you get better."
"I understand...and I am grateful for the concern...I promise to take better care of my health."
"Hmph. You say that. But will you?"
"I will."
"Alright...now get some sleep."
"Right... G'night Gladio."
"Sleep well Iggy, call me if you need anything."
"So can I have your jello then?"
"What!? No! Give it to me, I asked for it first!"
"Will you two calm down and just share it. Stop making a scene here, in case you forgot we're in a hospital." Gripes Gladiolus as he opens the orange pill bottle shaking out two round tablets into hand and passes them over to Ignis who nods his thanks.
"You've cleaned your plate. Was it that good?" Jokes Gladiolus.
"Not so much good as it was that I was incredibly hungry. Don't forget I hadn't eaten since yesterday." Ignis says wiping his mouth on a napkin before picking up the purple sports drink and drinks a bit of it.
"Well it was for a good cause."
"I suppose."
A knock on the door catches the attentions of the brothers "Come in." Calls Gladiolus as he looks over at the door.
The door opens revealing the doctor who had treated Ignis, Dr. Trager.
"Good morning everyone. How are you all today?" He asks as he shakes hands with Noctis, Gladiolus, and Prompto. "How are you feeling Ignis? Is there any pain?" Dr. Trager asks as he puts the bud ends of the stethoscope in his ears "I'm feeling well. As for the pain...hmm, well the best I can describe it being is stubborn." Ignis says.
"Stubborn. What does it feel like?" The doctor asks as he places the diaphramg on Ignis' back listening to his breathing. The ash blonde is silent for a moment as he takes in slow deep breaths for his doctor.
"I can best compare it to a cramp in my back."
"On a scale to one to ten how is it?"
"Maybe a seven or a eight."
"Is the medicine working?"
Ignis nods "It is."
"So this pill, it's not gonna like make him sleepy all the time is it?" Prompto asks.
"And it's not gonna be like how it was last night will it? I mean he took one and seconds later he was out like a light." explains Noctis.
"Well that was because he was given anesthesia. But it won't be like last time, and there is a chance that these will make him sleepy that's why we want him to take these with caution. You know don't take them if he's planning on driving." Dr. Trager says.
"Well guess we're staying here guys." Gladiolus jokes.
"You lot best find your own rooms." Teases Ignis.
"Well it sounds like you're feeling better." Dr. Trager says as he switches to using the bell on the stethoscope "Yup...you sound clear." He adds nodding as the removes the instrument from his ears and puts them back around his neck.
"Does this mean Iggy can go home?" Prompto asks sounding excited.
"It does, but we need him to still take it easy for at least a week. Do you boys do hunts?"
The four of them nod.
"Well, I'd prefer it if Ignis opted out of them. Now work that is much more humdrum such as errands that's fine. Just until the week is over." The doctor says "I know it sounds boring bu-"
"It's fine. If it's going to help Ignis heal faster then we don't mind doing boring work." Noctis says putting a hand on his hip "We're not that gung-ho to do hunts and endanger Ignis. Ignis comes first." Noctis says sounding irked. He hated that this doctor thought he was so work happy that he wouldn't consider Ignis' health, he must've forgot that the king sat with Ignis holding his hand and comforting him during the treatment. Or the fact he stayed here with the other or how he kept paging him every time Ignis would make a sound or whimper weakly fearing that he was hurting.
"Let me get the work and then you boys will be on your way."
With that he leaves the room.
Gladiolus sighs as he stands up and heads to the stand alone closet and opens it pulling out Ignis' clothes that they had put away the previous night "Alright, let's get you dressed." Gladiolus says handing Ignis his clothes.
Ignis thanks him as he slips off the uncomfortable hospital gown and replaces it with his usual purple shirt.
"Why did he feel to tell us to put Ignis first? Do we look like the type to abandon one another?"
"I wouldn't say that." Ignis says as he climbs out of the hospital bed and begins to pull on his pants "It may be that its just something he says to all his patients and their family members as 'cover all my bases' kind of thing, a safety precaution of sorts." Ignis explains as he buckles his belt after tucking in his shirt.
"Yeah it still bugs me though." Noctis huffs.
"Yeah, don't let it..." Gladiolus says as he watches Ignis step into his shoes before sitting back down on the hospital bed with the intention of tying his shoes.
"Lemme do that for you Iggy." Prompto says as he steps up to his friend.
"You don't have to." Ignis says softly.
"I don't mind buddy." Prompto pipes as he begins to tie the laces.
At that same time the doctor walks in carrying the paperwork with him "Alright you are all set to go." The doctor says as he steps forward handing a baggy to Noctis that he was carrying "Inside are extra bandages and alcohol swabs for his back. Though the bleeding should've stopped by now. But just in case." He hands him the baggy.
"What do we do if the bleeding hasn't stopped?" Prompto asks sounding worried as he helps Ignis off the bed.
"You can pressure to his back and ice it or a popular treatment is petroleum jelly. But I assure you there shouldn't be any bleeding at all. Just remember to clean the site a bit but other than that he's fine." Dr. Trager says.
The doctor holds open the door allowing the brothers to exit the room and step out into the hall of the hospital.
"So how's it feel to be out of the hospital?" Teases Noctis as he places his hand on the small of Ignis' back "Absolutely relieved." Ignis says with a content sigh "It'll be nice to get back into the swing of things. I feel like I haven't been pulling my weight." Ignis says sounding a bit worried. He didn't want to admit it but he feared he was being a burden on his friends with how his health has been lately and despite them telling him he isn't a burden and that they would do it all again if they had to.
"You still on that?" Grumbles Gladiolus shaking his head.
"Seriously Iggy?" Prompto squeaks not believing what the tactician was saying.
"Look Ignis, you were physically sick for a few weeks and then recently you were coughing up your lungs AND if you forget you just got treatment. You physically weren't capable of helping us on hunts and stuff. Don't forget that we didn't go any hunts without you so you weren't missing anything." Noctis says sounding upset.
"I know. It's just it's something I'm not used to." Ignis admits softly.
"I know." Noctis says as he opens the front doors and allows Ignis and the others to exit "You feel like walking all the way to the Regalia or do you want me to pull her on pull?" Gladiolus asks looking at Ignis "It's a bit of a walk." He says waiting for the other's response.
"Walking is fine. Besides it's nice out today." Ignis says earning him a nod from Noctis "Yup." He says walking a long side his brother "So, wait, where are we going after this? Should we go back to the motel or maybe Caem?" Noctis asks.
"Frankly I'm rather tired of sitting around and doing nothing. If it's alright could we do a tame hunt? I care not the what the quest is, be it collecting vegetables or finding lost dog tags I just don't want to spend another day dilly-dallying doing nothing." Ignis complains hoping that his friends couldn't head the desperation in his voice. A powerful need to do something more than just laying around.
Hearing the ache in his brother's voice Noctis knew he couldn't deny Ignis a bit of normalcy for he knows that Ignis did everything in his power to keep him entertained and feeling normal when he was wheelchair bound and Noctis found it only fair to do the same.
With a nod Noctis makes up his mind "Yeah, we can. We'll drive around until we find a easy job and maybe tomorrow we'll try something a little harder. Take it one day at a time ya'know...how's that sound?"
"Sounds good."
"Hmm. Works for me."
Ignis lights up, just hearing that this is the plan to get him back in the groove of things was heartwarming and it fills him with happiness for he knows that he is extremely lucky to have friends who love him enough to go against doctor orders because of his wishes.
Well putting it like that Ignis knows it makes Gladiolus and the others sound like monsters but he knows that they care about him and will make it a point that he takes it easy on these upcoming hunts.
The walk to the Regalia was slightly exhausting for Ignis he felt a bit winded upon arriving. Not only that but he was starting to sluggish and focusing was getting a bit harder to do.
"You feeling okay iggy?" Prompto asks sounding worried for his friend looked like he was going to collapse.
"The trek just tired me out is all..." as if to prove just how tired he feels Ignis yawns before giving his eyes a quick rub "Did we park too far?" Prompto asks.
"Are pushing you too fast?" Noctis asks nervously.
"You two calm down. You forget he took his medicine for his pain? One of the biggest side effects is drowsiness. We all know that Ignis runs on no sleep and caffeine so a pill that induces sleepiness who do you think is gonna win?" Gladiolus explains.
"Caffeine is my blood Mumnis, or one little pill." Jokes Prompto.
Noctis smirks as he shakes his head and opens the door behind the passenger and waits for Ignis to get inside the car before closing the door and climbing in next to his brother.
"I know you want to go on a hunt Iggy but you can't even keep your eyes open right now. Lets go back to the motel and try again tomorrow." Noctis says as Ignis lays his head on Noctis' shoulder. Can we camp instead?" A small pause "I been wanting to make you all dinner...I hope..." Ignis trails off his mind feeling like it's in a thick fog making him blink sleepily.
"Sleep well Iggy." Noctis says as he pulls off Ignis's glasses causing him to close his eyes.
The smell of bacon frying earns a small stir from Ignis who slowly opens his eyes blinking against the sunlight that lights up the green tent. Yawning Ignis sits up and stretches a bit wincing slightly at his back spasming a bit.
He was comfortable just sitting there but he knew he would have to join the others not to mention he's hungry. And whatever it is that's being made is making his belly growl and mouth water.
He yawns again as he picks up his glasses before crawling out of the tent "Sup." Noctis says looking over at Ignis with a wave.
"Good morning." Ignis yawns again as he joins the others for breakfast. "You slept for a long time. That pill was that strong?" Prompto asks worried if having Ignis take the medication is a good idea.
"To be fair he hadn't been sleeping like he should. Coffee only goes so far. Frankly he should lay off it." Gladiolus says as he hands Ignis his plate. A breakfast consisting of an omelet, french toast, and bacon along with a mug of hot Ebony.
"You say that yet you supply me with it." Ignis says sipping a bit of the coffee. "Well I think we all can agree that you're a bit of a pain to deal with when you haven't had your coffee in the morning." Gladiolus laughs.
Ignis chuckles "I'm not that terrible."
Noctis laughs "Yeah, you're just short tempered."
"And you scream instead of talking." Adds Gladiolus.
"And you're forgetful." Continues the king.
"You grumble a lot too."
"I swear you yelled at us once with a knife in your hand because you thought we stole your glasses when they were hanging on your shirt."
"You do talk to us with a knife in your hand a lot when you haven't had your coffee."
Ignis at this point was frowning for doubted all this "I do not." Ignis argues back.
"Yeah you do." Noctis fires back playfully.
Ignis shakes his head with a smile on his lips "No." He says nearly laughing.
"Yeah, we're not making this up." The King adds.
"Prompto, tell me. Have I done any of that?" Ignis asks causing Prompto to shake his head with a smirk on his lips "Nope. That doesn't sound like you at all." Prompto jokes.
"Exactly. Point proven." Ignis says as he sets his mug on the ground and lifts his fork "Lies! Prompto is just being nice." Cries Noctis.
"Why must you weave such lies my king?" Chimes Ignis as he takes a bite of his sweet french toast.
"Telling lies?" Jokes Prompto.
"I'm not gonna indulge you." Smirks Noctis.
After breakfast and packing up the campsite the four friends find themselves on the road searching for a easy going hunt that won't push Ignis to far despite him claiming that he will be okay the other three were quick to dismiss that claim not wanting him back to coughing and unable to breathe.
Needless to say finding an idle job that Ignis could join in on was a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. Because people mostly had jobs requiring them to slay this or kill that. And with Ignis having just gotten his breathing fixed the brothers want him too winded to do anything or push him to hard.
But they weren't going to give up.
The Regalia sits in a small parking lot of a diner off on the side of the of the road, her occupants were inside the small restaurant for a quick bite and rest.
"Aww man it feels great in here." Prompto says as he leans back against the backrest closing his eyes "Much more comfortable than how it feels outside."
"Yeah." Noctis says as he sips on his soda.
"I think it feels it good. Yeah it's hot but it's not too hot." Gladiolus says picking up a french fry dipping it in a cup of ketchup.
"Well I for one look forward to chill of fall and winter." Ignis adds in as he picks up his slice of pizza that he had ordered "Oh me too! Say, you think we'll be able to celebrate Christmas still?" Prompto asks curiously "I mean I'm cool with just listening to the holiday music but you think it's still possible to ya'know buy gifts?" Prompto asks.
The others look at one another briefly.
"Yeah...I don't see why not." Gladiolus says sounding unsure.
"I say go for it." Noctis says his mind currently already coming up with his list of wishes.
"Just because we're miles and miles away from home doesn't mean we must forgo our traditions." Ignis says reassuring the others "We can even get a living Christmas tree if you want."
"A live one!? Seriously!" grins Prompto "I never had a live one."
"They're nothing special." grumbles the king.
"Not to mention a pain." adds the Shield.
"How?"
"With a living tree you must stick it in water, and the needles fall as it dies meaning you will constantly cleaning up after it." Ignis explains as picks up his pizza "But the smell of the tree is simply amazing. It just screams holidays." Ignis explains.
"And that is what I am looking forward to." The gunmen says nodding.
"Yeah but what Ignis didn't tell you is that those things usually die before Christmas gets here. Not to mention a real fire hazard." Gladiolus says "Should stick to those fake ones." He adds.
"Yeah not to mention so much easier to put up and away." Noctis says.
"You guys are no fun."
"I agree with Prompto."
As the three continue their meal three Hunters walk in sitting in the booth behind them. The brothers pay them no mind not until they pick up on their conversation. "You guys hear the reports?" The short blonde Hunter says to her friends.
"No, what?"
"About the days getting shorter and the nights getting longer."
The four friends pause listening.
"Oh yeah, I heard about that. But I just thought it that daylight savings thing going on."
"What daylight savings!?"
"You know, the one were it gets dark earlier."
"What no. The one you're talking about isn't until Fall or Winter. What's going on here is something all together different. I can't explain it but we gotta do something...if we don't then the sunlight will never come back."
"What seriously!? What's causing this? You think Titan's disappearance has something to do with this?"
"Maybe."
This bit of info gets the brothers attention as they exchange glances "Is Titan the cause?" Noctis whispers.
"I doubt it. Many are looking for answers to the unexplainable so pinning this on his disappearance is easier to believe." Ignis explains "Though, I feel that there is more to this phenomenon than that is being let on."
"Like what?"
"Hmmm. That I don't know but we should keep an eye out for."
"Maybe we can ask that Ardyn guy if he knows anything about this?"
"Why is he always your solution?" complains Gladiolus with a side glance at the small gunmen.
"I dunno, he looks like the kinda guy that would know stuff about this. Not to mention he's older than us so I figured he'd know something about this like maybe he's been monitoring it or something."
"So you're hinting at that Niflheim may be behind this?" Questions Ignis.
"Uh well not exactly what I meant. What I was saying was like maybe this is a planetary thing ya'know. Like maybe we're moving away from the sun or something." Prompto explains.
"So why'd you bring up the chancellor?" Pries Gladiolus.
"Well you know, the Empire is far more focused on tech that I thought they'd be studying space and whatnot." Prompto says.
"His reasoning is a plausible one."
"But wouldn't we have heard about this sooner? Or brought up to my dad?" Noctis questions.
"My guess is they have noticed but needed solid evidence before presenting such matters to the king. But never had the chance to due to the invasion." Ignis says.
"So what do we do now? How do I fix this?" Noctis asks.
"We carry on as normal. Remember, its our job to make sure that you have all the Royal Arms and that you reach Altissia safely. We will focus on gathering the others weapons and then board to Altissia where you'll marry Lady Lunafreya." Ignis explains "Perhaps this marriage will correct the darkness."
"And if it doesn't?"
"Then we'll go with plan B."
"Which is?"
"You'll hear it about it if it is needed."
Gladiolus nods "I know you'll come up with a good one."
Ignis shrugs as he drinks some of his juice "I don't think my plans are that great."
"They always got us out of trouble before." Noctis says.
"Yeah so don't doubt yourself." Prompto reassures.
"Thanks."
"So where to next?" Prompto asks tracing his fingers over the rim of the glass "I mean I know that we're looking for hunts but we haven't one that we can do."
"Yeah...they all seem to only have ones that we don't need or can't do...mostly cuz our rank."
"What's the point of ranks? I mean if you think you can handle it you take it right?" Prompto asks.
"Well, think of it as evenly matched battles. If your rank is say a five or higher then you'll be paired with monsters that are equal to that." Ignis explains.
"Oh."
As the brothers talk they don't notice that a man was watching them. His focus on their conversation prompting him to stand up and approaches them with a folded paper in his hand.
"Howdy boys." He says causing Prompto to jump and Gladiolus to narrow his eyes as he leans forward blocking the view of the King who sat next to him.
"What do you want?" The Shield growls not trusting the visitor.
"Simple. I over heard that you boys are hunters and I heard that you lot are the best of the best of the best." The strange man says getting the brothers to look at each other curiously.
"You forget about Deadeye? Once you boys killed that behemoth and word got around everyone wanted to be like you. In other words everyone knows thst you boys will get the job done. So I wanted to present you a hunt that we have been having a hard time with." The man says.
"So you're a Hunter?" Prompto asks nervously.
"Ain't that obvious."
"Well..."
"What are you requiring us to do?" Ignis asks looking at the stranger.
"Its nothing to outrageous just clear out a den of a Coeurl that has taken up residence in a shed a little ways northwest." The Hunter explains as he sets the paper down setting it in the center.
The four boys look at the paper before looking at each other.
"So, do we take it?" Gladiolus ask "We can save it for later."
"I don't know."
"What no, Ignis is still recovering."
"Let's do it."
"What!?" Noctis, Gladiolus, and Prompto say simultaneously.
"Ignis-"
"No Noct. Trust me."
"I do trust you but I know that you may not be able to handle it."
"I understand your concern but trust me. I know my body and I know I can handle it. It was just a quick operation allowing me to be able to breathe better. And I feel like I can do this. Trust me."
Noctis looks at Ignis searching his face looking for any sign that he was doubting himself or his words but saw none. He knows that Ignis is stubborn and that there is no changing his mind once it was set.
Sighing Noctis nods.
"Alright, if you say so."