Woo new chapter! Just in time, too. My weekend is here and I'm ready to relax. XD

This chapter might seem kinda' strange or bad, but it feels good to have it written now.

I might make some tweaks if I think it needs it, but for now, here ya' go. XD

Thank you to all and hope you enjoy!

Slight swearing.

"Alright, well...I'm all ears." Said Dawn, still not exactly sure what to expect. The 'vastly important things' he mentioned could be anything. Good or bad, he needed to get it off his chest.

Ignis nodded. "Right...for starters..." He paused, like his next words were blocking his throat. "...Insomnia has fallen to the Empire."

The redhead quietly gasped. Their own home...mere days after they had left for Noctis's own wedding...

Suddenly, she was reminded of her dream not too long ago: her mother telling her to go to Insomnia if she wanted answers. Why would she want her to go there at a time like this?

"I'm sorry, Iggy..." Said Dawn, frowning. Who knows what he was going through right now.

"It's quite alright. You had nothing to do with it." He said. "Noct's father is dead because of the Emperor. He was the one who betrayed us and took down the Wall."

"He launched a sneak attack?"

"Yes. On the night of the signing, he sprung his trap, destroying Insomnia and killing the King." He pushed up his glasses. "News reports suggested that both Noctis and Lunafreya were killed, so we are taking the chance to head to Lestallum and plan our next move."

Dawn's eyes drifted to the fire. "Poor Noctis..." She said glumly. "You think the news was wrong? Luna is still alive?"

"We believe so."

"Then you guys still need to get to Altissia. Thats the only way you'll know if she really is alive or not."

Ignis's eyes grew slightly darker. "That brings me to the next subject..." He sighed. "You plan to leave, but to where? You said there was no way to return to your home."

The woman's heart dropped. She hated having to explain this to him, the mention of saying goodbye weighing her down.

"I don't really know...what I do know is that I can't come with you."

"Dawn...you can't just go out there alone. Who knows what could happen to you?"

"I understand you're concerned for me, but I'll be fine. I've lived alone for many years...I'm used to fending for myself."

"So that's the plan? Just wander the wilderness for the rest of your life, in hope that nothing will happen?"

The fiery woman quickly turned to him, frustration starting to show. "Do you have a better idea, Ignis? I know my plan seems pretty damn stupid, but it's all I have!"

The brunette noticed her sudden outburst, he could feel her fire growing stronger...it felt different from the blaze that was next to them.

"It's certainly better than just sitting around and letting you die!" She finished, nearly at yelling level.

It was silent for a few seconds, neither one daring to speak.

Dawn sighed as her hand met with her face, trying to calm herself down. Why couldn't they just accept it and move on? Why did they have to make this so difficult?

She was one to talk...she couldn't quite accept it herself, let alone them. The more time she spent here, the more of herself that was left behind with them. These guys were her very first friends...the only ones in her life that gave a damn.

"Sorry...it's just..." She whispered, finally calmed down somewhat. "You don't understand. Nobody does..."

Ignis didn't respond. His eyes were fixated on the fire, his face expressionless. He was listening intently.

"I think...I think my mother wants me to go to Insomnia. She told me that I would find the answers I seeked there."

That gave a reaction. "You mean...she's here?" He said.

"I guess so...if she wants me to meet her there." Her mouth turned into a frown. "She could tell me exactly why she left all those years ago...why she wants this vision to take place."

"But-"

"Don't try to stop me, Iggy. What's done is done."

Suddenly, Ignis stood up, face crinkled. His voice became more intense. "No! I cannot accept it, Dawn! I understand what you are saying...but I cannot just sit in silence any longer!"

Dawn also stood up to face him, her jaw nearly dropping at his words. "Why not? Why is it so hard to accept? I don't get how this one thing bothers you so much that you have to act this way!"

"It's too dangerous! You could be killed if you go to Insomnia!"

"I know that! I could give my life trying to find the truth...but I...I need to know. She's all I've got in terms of family...I need to know why she cast me away."

Ignis's eyes drifted to the ground, his face darkening. "It's you who doesn't understand, Dawn..." He said quietly. "I've watched you walk away once, and...I don't want to suffer that again."

"...What?"

"I agree, finding the truth of your past is important...but not at the cost of your life. I feared the last time you left was for good, but the Gods had brought you here, to me, once more. I'm not going to waste the chance that I had been given. I won't let you throw your life away, just as you are determined to keep any of us from losing ours."

"Ignis...you're right. I don't understand. You act so strangely and insist on staying close to me and stopping me; you're duty is to look after Noct, and yet...it seemes more like you're looking after me instead. Tell me...why is that?"

She stared straight into his bright eyes, never taking her focus off of him.

He slowly looked back up at her, mouth slightly open. "It's because...well..."

"Because what?"

He seemed to have a hard time saying what he wanted to say, words disappearing before they left his lips. He sighed. "Because..." It was barely noticable, but his cheeks started to turn pink.

"...I believe I have feelings for you."

Dawn sat still, her mind trying to absorb his words and their meanings. "W-what did you just say...?" She managed to speak, if a little quiet.

"It took some time, but I finally realized why I had been acting odd, like you stated. You are special to me...and because of this, I will do anything within my power to protect you from danger. That is why I cannot accept you venturing into Insomnia alone."

The redhead still stared at him, eyes wide. His words circled around in her mind, around and around, a whirlpool of emotions. How could this have happened? She wasn't anything special at all...what was it he saw in her?

As if that wasn't enough, his next sentence just about killed her.

"I love you, Dawn."

Those words alone made her feel faint. Her head started to spin, eyesight growing more and more weird.

Being called a friend was one thing, but hearing someone say 'I love you' for the first time was a whole different story. Her world started to change; everything just looked brighter, the darkness of the world couldn't touch her at this moment, even if she wanted it to. Her life had a different meaning; not only did her friendship with the boys give her a sense of belonging, but the love she shared with Ignis gave her a place to call home. There was finally something to fill the gaping hole in her heart that had been empty for so long. It felt...amazing.

Dawn felt her cheeks getting warmer as she saw the tears gathering in her eyes. "I...I don't know what to say..." Her voice started to quiver. It was too late to hold anything back now, as there was little to no point in doing so. Things had already gotten too far, too much had happened for it to just stop now.

"Except that...I love you too, Ignis."

Bright green eyes grew slightly wider in surprise. "Truly?" He said.

The woman nodded, teardrops falling off her face. "Yes...there's no reason to hide it now. I've had these feelings for you for a while also...but I...I didn't think you'd feel the same, or that it would be okay to tell you because of what I'm doing."

"What do you mean?"

"It seemed wrong to let you on; reveal all this to you and then up and go like it was nothing...but trust me, it isn't nothing at all."

Ignis started to smile as he approached the crying woman before him, his face becoming more and more comforting. For the first time, Dawn felt no need to jump in surprise as the brunette's arms wrapped around her fit body. He held her close, as if letting her go was the last thing he wanted.

She smiled also, small arms pulling him closer. Her tears of joy started to soak his jacket, leaving little dark spots on the black fabric. However, Ignis didn't seem to care at all.

Voice slightly muffled, she spoke again in quivers. "I don't want to leave you, or the others...it...it hurts so much. You have been here for me when no one else has, and given me the love and care that I've needed for so long..."

"You don't have to go. Stay with us, Dawn. You don't need to hurt anymore." His smooth voice was right next to her, his breath could be felt on her skin.

"But...the vision..."

"It will be alright, no one is going to die. I will see to it that it never happens."

She held him tighter, the thought of losing him or any of the boys scaring her more than anything has ever scared her before. No one knew exactly when the vision would take place...it could be five minutes from now, it could be five years from now...but one thing was certain.

None of it stopped Dawn from loving Ignis. If she had to give her life to keep him alive, then she was fully prepared to do just that.

It was strange...they had only known each other for around two weeks, and yet they already had these strong feelings for one another. Not only with Ignis, but with his friends, too. It was like she had known them for years.

She might well be falling too easily, letting her emotions take control over the slightest chance of anyone caring about her, but then again...Ignis was the same way, and he had supreme control over his emotions. Love sure is strange like that.

The lovers sat there for a few minutes, enjoying their time together. Time just fell away...hours could go by, and no one would even care. Deamons could be surrounding them at that moment and kill them both, but they would die happy.

"Ignis..." Said Dawn, breaking the calm silence.

"Hm?"

"The whole point of me leaving was to keep us from getting close, to prevent anything from happening, but...I think we've gone too far now."

The brunette backed away out of the hug, hands on her shoulders. "Yes, I think you are correct."

"So...even if I do leave...it would actually be worse at this point. Because I'll always be close to you and the others, and if I leave, I won't be around to protect you."

"...Does that mean you'll be staying, then?"

After a second, the woman smiled and nodded. "Yeah, Iggy...I'll stay."

Dawn had given up on the original plan to leave them. No matter how hard she tried, she was drawn to them, especially Ignis, like a moth to a flame. Even if she were to run in the other direction, she would just find them again on the other side of the world. These feelings just couldn't be held back or locked away. This was where she belonged, and nothing could really make her feel any different, not even the vision.

To her surprise, Ignis gave a small frown. "...I apologize. I don't mean to bring you into this circumstance unwillingly."

The woman quickly shook her head, red locks and ponytail waving back and forth. "No, no! You didn't force me into anything!"

"Nonsense. You have had this goal of yours for some time, and now I have kept you from achieving that goal. I've gotten too carried away."

It was her turn to frown. "Trust me, I'm happy that you've done the things you did. I...I finally feel love for the first time...and you have no idea how much that means to me."

The brunette's frown turned back into a smile upon hearing her words. He hadn't realized just how carried away he had gotten with the whole situation until now, but was relieved to see that Dawn wasn't opposed or angry about the idea.

"I'm glad. Ever since hearing of your story and life, I've had this aspiration of giving you happiness. I wanted to see you smile...not cry."

Dawn chuckled. "Well, I'd say mission accomplished."

His hand met with hers, gently carressing it in a loving way. "That is all I can ask for." He said quietly.

After a few moments in comfortable silence, he spoke again. "Shall we return to the others?"

"Sure. Probably eager for the new girlfriend to arrive." She grinned.

Ignis have her a quick look. "Girlfriend, you say?"

"Well duh, Iggy. Pretty sure we've gone past the 'friend zone' at this point." She said playfully, emphasizing by making air quotes with her fingers.

Her new lover laughed. "I'm inclined to agree with you, Miss Spectrum. However, I assume they are more eager to meet with the new boyfriend."

"Heh, that does make more sense, actually."

With that, the pair made their way back to the caravan after they had put out the makeshift fire.

Dawn had never felt happier in her life. She felt invincible with the boys by her side, and a newfound love in her heart. Life was good, and she basked in it at this moment in time. All of her woes and troubles seemed behind her right now, loneliness and weakness no longer having a hold on her spirit. She was...alive.

Halfway to their resting spot, Dawn started to jog instead of walk, getting in front of Ignis.

"See ya' there, sweetie pie!" She laughed, only turning for a second to taunt him.

"Did you seriously call me that?" He called after her, slightly picking up the pace to catch the fleeing redhead.

No matter what was in store for the future, Dawn and Ignis decided to face it together.

Right in my feels. ;-; My heart might explode.

Happy now, Alexondria? XD I wasn't evil this time. XD