Short and harmless, two things my fic usually is not. Hello there! Amarissia here, major newb to FFXV. Like, seriously, I got into it about a week ago and have been inhaling DLC and Wikis to try to figure this complex world out. I'm really loving it, and already plotting a multi-chapter, but please bear in mind, I'm still learning.

If you know me, it's likely from my FFVII work. I'm in the (procrastinating) process of getting all my fic up at AO3, as it seems a lot more active these days. So, expect more from me here and there, but as my Choir of muses would warn you – I'm an angst-fiend with a liking for unequal relationships. This little ficlet is not typical of me, but I had fun writing it. I hope you enjoy it.

Oh, and no warnings, rated G or whatever. Also NOT typical of me.

SWALLOW

Ignis Scientia had been gifted all his life, and paired with his unfailing patience, the trait had secured him an honored and enviable position since his childhood. As advisor to the Crown Prince of Lucis since the younger boy was a toddler, Ignis performed his duties impeccably, impressing everyone right up to the king with his knowledge, insight, loyalty, and cool head. He liked to think he understood Noctis better than anyone else, and that he was valuable to him, and Ignis took a quiet, humble pride in this.

Truth be told, it wasn't a mere duty. His unwavering fidelity to the future monarch went hand-in-hand with a genuine love for the boy. He would give his life without hesitation for Noctis, and for the most part, the prince answered this devotion with warmth and a sometimes-grudging acquiescence to Ignis's rules and prodding. Ignis understood that at Noctis's current age, 15, rebellion and sulking were just par for the course, and also that Noctis didn't rebel against him out of any actual malice. The kid didn't have a mean bone in his body.

Noctis was, however, prone to grumpiness, and now, as they sat across from each other at a table in the prince's apartment, Ignis with folded hands, Noctis slouching with crossed arms, bad mood was emanating from the teenager like heat, or magic.

Ignis cleared his throat. "Are you ready to begin? The sooner we start, the sooner it will be over."

"I…guess."

For Noctis, that was often the most cooperative he got. Before Ignis could offer positive reinforcement for it…

"It'll never stop being funny. The Chosen King too scared to eat vegetables."

Gladiolus Amicitia was behind Noctis, leaning his tall, broad body against the wall, slurping up a Cup Noodle and smirking between mouthfuls. As the prince's Shield, a personal bodyguard, Gladio trained Noctis in combat and accompanied him nearly everywhere to protect him. He didn't really need to be here right now, as the building was constantly surveilled and staffed by Crownsguard. Ignis suspected the young man was present mainly to tease his charge, and hoped Gladio's sometimes-too-harsh needling wouldn't interfere with today's culinary experiment.

"I am not scared," the prince said lowly, but he was keeping a safe distance from the table, upon which was set several plates containing various common vegetables, some cooked, some raw.

"Of course you're not." Ignis flashed a quick look of warning at Gladio. "Let's start with a carrot."

The prince looked apprehensive as the small plate was slid closer to him, but reached for its contents quicker than Ignis had expected; perhaps Gladio's presence had some benefit after all, if Noctis felt he now had something to prove. The boy's slender fingers fumbled a moment with the unfamiliar, coin-shaped piece of carrot, and pushed it unceremoniously into his mouth. He chewed a few times, made a disgusted face, and was on his feet and with his head over the garbage can so rapidly, he might've point-warped there.

"Sorry, Specs," Noctis was polite enough to murmur as he resumed his seat.

"Don't worry about it, we still have – "

Gladio's laughter interrupted. "What a future king. Can't wait to see you handling the Nifs when you can't even stomach salad ingredients, Princess," he mocked between sips of broth.

Ignis tensed, preparing for Noctis to explode. Strangely, the prince, still looking straight ahead, instead smiled, a lovely sight no one got to see often enough, but what was it doing here and now, and why was there a touch of smirk in it? The answer came without delay.

Gladio suddenly made a noise of disgust and spat a mouthful of soup back into his cup. "Noct! You brat!"

"What now?" Ignis asked with a frown.

"He turned it into a fucking Potion!"

"Don't call me Princess," Noctis said casually, shrugging.

Gladio stomped off to the bathroom to rinse the unpleasant, medicinal taste out of his mouth, muttering about how "if I wasn't your Shield I'd knock you through the wall, you spoiled brat" and "gods help Lucis when that little shit takes the throne." Noctis continued to smile, especially when he saw Ignis struggle not to laugh. Both of them had put on more serious expressions by the time the Shield returned, scowling still but apparently done insulting his charge.

"All right," Ignis continued, "carrots are a no-go. I think we'll skip Lucian tomato, as I know you dislike bitter things – "

"That's right, Iggy, keep spoiling him. I'm the one who has to make sure the scrawny runt can defend himself, which he'll never be able to do if you keep indulging him."

Thankfully, Noctis reacted only by rolling his eyes. Ignis cleared his throat, selected another small plate, and placed it in front of the prince.

"Baby corn, principally grown in the Duscae region. It's faintly sweet, so you may very well like it. Give it a try."

Noctis looked skeptical, but popped the small yellow cylinder between his lips. He chewed once, twice, rose presumably to go spit this one out as well, but apparently Gladio had been expecting this, and though bigger and broader, this time he was faster than the younger boy. The Shield got behind the prince's chair, seized Noctis around the waist and lifted him just off the floor, clapping his other hand over the boy's mouth.

Noctis's screams of protest were muffled thus, and being restrained by a much larger and stronger body, all he could really do was wiggle and squirm like a cat suddenly sprayed with water.

"I'll let you go when you swallow, now calm down."

Noctis responded with words that, had they not been muffled, would definitely have gotten him in trouble with Ignis.

"Gladiolus, if he chokes – "

"Yeah, yeah, prophecy down the crapper, I got it. Stop being stubborn and swallow!"

Seeming to accept defeat, Noctis finally went still. He took a deep breath in through his nose, and obeyed with a soft gulping sound. Gladio, with an approving "Hmph, see, no big deal," set the boy back down on his feet and went back to his previous position, leaning against the wall.

Noctis took a few more breaths, then turned to face his Shield with a scowl. The expression was more petulant than malicious at his young age, but there was an always-growing power behind the anger in his storm-colored eyes. Kid'll be a force to reckon with even for the astrals someday, Gladio thought, so all the more reason we need to be tough on him now.

"How dare – "

"I know you won't believe me, Your Highness," Gladio began, for once not using the title mockingly, "but Iggy and I are doing this for you. You want to be strong, right? You want to hand me my ass during training someday, you want to be a warrior like your father? A well-balanced diet is part of that. If you wanna tell His Majesty about my treasonous act, feel free, he'll probably laugh and give me a raise. But you will quit sulking and appreciate that Specs here is trying hard to find a compromise, a vegetable you might actually like. He's being nicer than I would be."

Gladio sighed, and continued when he saw the glare directed at him softening a bit. "No one's trying to be mean to you, Noct, not Ignis, ever, and at least this time, not me either. We're trying to serve the future king, the Chosen King, as best we know how."

The prince looked at him, searchingly and without movement or sound for several long moments. Then Noctis nodded, and with a more regal posture and bearing than usual, he sat back down and faintly returned Ignis's encouraging smile.

"What's next?"

Making a mental note to do something nice for Gladio later, Ignis selected a saucer that contained several tiny green spheres. "Peas. Also a bit sweet, and a very useful ingredient, as they can be added to casseroles, salads, and many other dishes."

Looking uncertain, but not seeking to delay, Noctis plucked one of the peas from the plate and tossed it into his mouth. At first he chewed very slowly, then seemed to be surprised, swallowed, and grabbed two more.

"Wow. These aren't bad."

"You like them?" Ignis almost couldn't believe his eyes and ears.

"Well, like, not my favorite taste, but I wouldn't mind if you start using them as an ingredient."

Ignis smiled broadly, and bowed his head. "If it pleases Your Highness."

Gladio approached to ruffle Noctis's hair and briefly squeeze him around the shoulders. "Good job, kid. Face your fears and a lot of the time, turns out they were nothing to worry about."

"Thanks, guys." Noctis fixed Ignis with a playful smirk. "Since we're here, I might as well try the rest, right?"

Ignis returned the smile. "As you wish, Your Highness."

Thank you for reading. Happy to read any feedback you might have!