Can't believe it took me this long to update...sorry about that. x_x It got difficult with work, family drama, distractions, and my boyfriend's area being in tornado watch for a few hours. Ugh...that was horrible.

This chapter might feel short cuz it's mainly just talking. That seems to be the pattern lately. XD

Thank you to those who read and support my story! You are all in my thoughts.

Slight swearing and possibly crappy writing. XD

The new couple had reached the small, creaky caravan when they were greeted by two figures. There was no mistaking the wild blonde and unruly black heads of hair, even in the dead of night. Why were they out here? Dawn wondered.

"Hey. You guys okay?" Said Noctis, seemingly glad that the duo had arrived back safely. His face was still as blank as ever in the dark, however.

Ignis somewhat returned the attitude that he showed, trying his best not to give away anything that might reveal what happened between him and Dawn. "We're fine. Just had a little chat, that's all."

Dawn herself wasn't exactly sure why Ignis suddenly wanted to be so vague about their relationship. She was fine with whatever comments they would throw her way or anything of the sort, but he obviously felt differently. It was possible that he didn't want to distract too much from his job of looking after Noct...which was kind of disheartening, if she was being honest. On the other hand, maybe he didn't want to cause some sort of rift between them? Whatever the case, she felt the need to question him about it.

"Oh really?" Prompto mused, his face alight with mischief. "Just a chat, huh? Gonna' give us the scoop?" He crossed his arms expectantly, looking for some sort of explanation as to why his friends wanted to be alone.

She really wanted to just up and tell them outright and get it out of the way; all the hiding and mystery was killing her, but ultimatlely decided to respect the brunette's wishes. However, it was a bit concerning. Didn't he trust them wholeheartedly?

"Maybe some other time, slick." She said, returning the tone. "It's late, and we still haven't had any dinner."

The dark-haired Prince responded with a pat to his stomach. "Can't complain. Could use some dinner right about now."

"I suppose that's my cue." Said Ignis with a nod, his tone suggesting that this was nothing new. "I'll have supper made in just a moment. Care to assist me, Dawn?"

"Sure. I don't mind." She said casually.

With that, they made their way into the trailer, where the tools and equipment were waiting. But when the redhead reached the top of the steps, she noticed Prompto giving Noctis a small smack on the arm, with Noctis shrugging and handing him what looked like gil in response...

What was that all about?

Well, whatever it was, it would have to wait for now.

In the trailer, which was unoccupied by anyone but the duo at the moment, the woman approached her partner after making sure their friends weren't going to follow them in.

"So, uh...Iggy?" She said in a low voice, pale arm resting on the cold, bland countertop.

"Yes, Dawn?" He responded, though preoccupied with gathering his special spices and various ingredients for their late supper. He was hard at work, going into what Dawn liked to call his 'chef mode'.

While in this 'mode', his body seemed to go on autopilot, multiple things in their correct places, everything turned on and cooking away. He was so good at what he did that he could have conversations with people without distracting from whatever dish was being created. The redhead just had to admire his skill.

"Are we gonna' tell them about...you know..." Her face got a bit warmer. For some reason, the whole subject made her embarrassed to a certain degree. "...us?"

Her lover sat for a second, deep in thought. His gloved hands stopped exploring the cooking supplies, his 'mode' seemingly interrupted. Both his hands rested on the counter, unmoving.

"Well..." He started, matching her volume. "It might not be the best idea at the moment."

"Why do you say that? I mean...don't tell me you're ashamed of our relationship?" A pang of fear went through her system for a second, wondering why their love would need to be something to be ashamed of and hide. She hoped that it wasn't true.

He quickly shook his head. "Of course not. But with recent events, revealing it outright could cause a sort of...imbalance."

Fear was dispelled as soon as it came upon hearing his response, calming back down to a normal level. "I'm not sure I understand."

Now he turned to look at her, his face appearing a little more focused. "You told us not too long ago that there was a vision. A vision of you destroying your home by the death of someone dear to you."

"Yeah?" The mere mention of the vision always gave her some sort of response, whether it was sorrow or rage or anxiety. This time, it actually irritated her somewhat. All she wanted was to bask in the joy of her first relationship, not keep talking about the impending doom of death and destruction.

"If we were to confirm that that person is most likely me, we could lose our focus on the task at hand. We should be concerned with getting to Lestallum and planning our next move for retaking the Crystal, not my safety."

Dawn gave him a sorrowful and shocked look. In truth, she had the urge to slap him over his act of complete selflessness, but kept her cool and responded in a continued hushed voice. "Ignis! I can't believe you said that! Of course we're concerned about your safety!"

She looked through the window that was next to them for a second, making sure that the others were still outside. Gladio had just returned from somewhere, but took a seat near the other two men instead of entering the trailer.

Her hand met with Ignis's; fingers finding their way between his, interlocking their hands together. She gave a heartfelt squeeze as he stood there, processing the words. It hurt to hear that he would just throw his life away like that, not giving a single damn about himself so much so to even wanting to spread that kind of horrid thinking to everyone else. Even her.

She spoke in a gentle, somewhat hurt voice. "Please, don't say things like that...you're just as important as the Crystal. We'll get to Lestallum and everything, but no one is just gonna' forget about you. Especially me. Got it?"

She half-expected him to oppose even more, insisting that worrying over him would be pointless, but he did otherwise. "...Yes. I understand." He gave a small, warm smile and returned the hand squeeze. "Thank you, Dawn."

"Anytime. If I catch you saying shit like that again, I'll kick your ass." She joked, her mouth also rising into a smile.

"I wouldn't put that past you." He teased. Not long after, he went back to his normal, serious self. "If the time is right, I suppose it wouldn't hurt for us to tell them." He said.

"Fair enough. It would be a little weird to just drop it on them randomly...but we should at least tell them that I'm not leaving anymore."

"I agree; clearing up the confusion on that front should ease their minds for now."

Satisfied with the compromise they had made with each other, the duo resumed their cooking endeavors. They eventually finished making their meal; the whole group gathering outside to enjoy their supper in the cool, crisp night air.

"Woo! Time for you to get in my belly!" Prompto exclaimed at his plate, eagerly taking a seat in one of the chairs.

"Looks pretty good." Noctis said as he sat down as well, though not nearly as fast as the blonde. "Did you make some of it, Dawn?"

Dawn had already taken her seat before any of them. "Yeah. Or at least...I tried to." The last part was slightly quieter. Even though Ignis had shown her what to do, she feared that the meal didn't quite come out right. After all, there was a difference of years worth of experience between them.

Gladio, seated next to the Prince, gave her a questioning look. "'Tried to'? You sayin' it's poisoned or something?" He said.

"Comon', give me more credit than that." The redhead grinned. "It's not like I threw in a dead rat or anything."

Prompto was already shoveling the meal into his mouth. "Muph, I coudn't care lesph ef yoo did." The others snickered over how stupid he sounded.

"I assure all of you that Miss Spectrum did a wonderful job of assisting with the preperations." Said Ignis, turning his head to look at her in a thoughtful gaze. "Perhaps she could be my full time assistant?"

"You're little cooking helper. Not a bad idea." Nodded Gladiolus.

The boys seemed to be in agreement, but Dawn shook her head. "Wait, wait...just cuz' I helped with ONE meal..." However, it was already too late.

"Sleeping Beauty and Specs...partners in cooking." Said Noctis, clearly amused by the prospect.

"Yehh! Iph'll beh phun!" Sputtered Prompto.

Maybe it was a good idea. She could learn the art of culinary over time, eventually making it so her and Iggy could switch the role of chef every so often, relieving at least some of the responsibility that he carried on his shoulders. Even better, they could have their own quality time together without it cutting into anything else, such as his job. It was the perfect set up.

Upon realizing this, the redhead finally nodded in agreement. "Actually...I think you might be right." She said. "Iggy could use the help."

"Wonderful. Then we shall start at dawn." Said the brunette, soon after noticing the pun he unintentionally pulled.

"Oh. Very funny, Ignis." Said Dawn.

"Actually, I'm serious. I want you to help me prepare breakfast."

"Really? Well...uh...okay."

With that, the group had fallen silent, each enjoying their dinner at their own pace. Dawn's fears dissipated as the boys complimented on her and Ignis's handiwork, pride beginning to take its place in her heart.

However, it was short lived. She remembered the news she had to break to the other boys, having to mention the vision yet again. Hopefully afterwards she could just forget about it for at least a little while and enjoy the time she had.

Putting down her fork, she looked up, meeting eyes with the others around her. "So...there's something I need to tell you guys." She said.

They, too, put down their forks, attention being focused on their friend.

"I've been thinking about it...the vision...and what I should do about it." Their faces drooped slightly. It seemed that they had put the vision in the back of their minds too, understandably. "I've decided that the best thing to do...is to stay with you all."

Gladiolus was the first to speak up. "I thought you said you needed to leave. You didn't wanna' take the risk."

The woman nodded. "Yes, but...I've realized that leaving will only be worse." Rosy pink started to appear on her cheeks from embarrassment over the next thing she wanted to say. "I...I will always be close to you all. If I go, I won't be able to protect you." She could feel her heart beating out of her ribcage, threatening to break free. Being this emotional and expressive about her feelings was still new to her, even with these recent...'events'. Events that involved a certain brunette.

The boys looked at each other, no one really knowing how to respond. Save for Ignis, of course.

Eventually, Prompto spoke. "And you're okay with that, Iggy?" He asked, turning towards his friend.

The brunette in question gave him a puzzeled tilt of the head. "Why ever would you ask me specifically?" He said. "She is speaking about all of us."

"Yeah, but...don't think we don't know there's somethin' goin' on between you two!" The blonde responded with a huge, devillish grin.

Instantly, both Ignis and Dawn reacted, their eyes drifting off from their friend's. The brunette pushed up his glasses with a finger while the redhead began figiting with the end of her shirt.

"W-what? What are you talking about?" Dawn said with a huff, clearly taken aback by the accusation.

"Aw, comon'! Did you really think we wouldn't notice?"

Defeated, Ignis finally gave in. No use in hiding it now, he thought. "No...I'd just hoped that the subject would remain unaddressed until the time was right." He sighed.

"Ignis! I thought..." The woman started, but trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"It's alright, Dawn. They have already figured it out."

Well, so much for that...keeping it hidden didn't last very long...or did it?

"Wait a second...you mean there really is something going on?" Said Noctis in surprise.

"Yes. Dawn and I..." His bright green eyes met with her deeper ones for a moment. "...we are in a relationship now."

The woman that was his lover sat silent, her cheeks threatening to match her fiery hair.

"Duuuuude!" Shouted Prompto in excitement, his hair flailing around with the movement. "I so knew it...my love radar is never wrong!"

It wasn't long until Gladio joined in. "Don't get too happy just cuz' you're right one time." He said. "Congrats, guys. I'm happy for ya'."

Noctis gave a small, but warm smile. "Yeah. I'm happy for you guys too. But...how come you didn't wanna' tell us?"

"Iggy here didn't want you guys worrying about him." Said Dawn as her face darkened slightly. "We believe he is the one mentioned in the vision...so he thought telling you guys that would distract you from the journey."

The dark haired Prince gazed at his friend with a look of sorrow, completely different from mere seconds ago. "Ignis..." He started.

"Highness, I still feel the same as I did then." His eyebrows furrowed, his eyes focused. "We are concerned with reclaiming our home and taking back your throne."

"Of course we are. But we also care about you, Specs. We aren't just gonna' let you get hurt."

"...I understand. All I ask is that you focus on our mission."

"I...okay. If that's what you want."

The brunette then felt something grab onto his hand tightly, a new source of warmth getting closer.

"We're all here for you." Said Dawn, almost to him alone.

Everything seemed good at the time: the secrets were out, the vision in an acceptable place, and the group banded together, now with Dawn as a permanent member of the team.

"I think an offical welcome is in order." Said Gladiolus. "Dawn is one of us now."

The other two men happily agreed. "Totally. Welcome to our awesome little group of awesomeness!" Prompto said, his smile returning.

"A fairy traveling with us does sound pretty cool." Noctis crossed his arms thoughtfully.

From that point on, the idea of hiding from the world forever was officially behind her. She would stay with Ignis and the others, protecting them from the vision at any cost. This was her life, the way she chose it to be. This...this was what she wanted all her life.

A home.

The group retired for the night, squishing into the musky caravan for sleep after their satisfying supper was eaten.

"Night, guys. And night to the happy couple!" Prompto said in a low voice as he finshed getting situated in his bed. "You're gonna' have to give me some dating advice, Iggy."

"I'm right here, you know." Replied Dawn with fake malice, also situated in her sleeping space above Ignis.

The brunette gave a small chuckle. "I doubt any of it will succeed with your ever-working mechanic."

Noctis spoke up from below Prompto. "Ouch. He's kinda' got a point, blondie."

"Hey! A man can dream, okay?" The 'blondie' replied.

"Night 'ya'll'." Gladio snickered in the dark.

With that, the group of friends (and couple) drifted off into a deep sleep. It was a long day, filled with adventure, discovery, love...and it was only going to continue from here on out. Whatever was going to be thrown at them, they would at least take it together.

Dawn was the last to fall asleep, much to her surprise and slight annoyance. She better not wake up last again.

So much had happened between arriving in Eos and now...not only finding her very first friends, but also finding love for the first time. It was like all of her dreams had come true. How could she had gotten that lucky after so many shitty years of life? Maybe good things really do happen to those who wait.

The redhead, mere seconds to falling into comfortable darkness, reached her hand below her, into her lover's bunk. After searching for a few moments, she eventually found his hand, resting on the pillow.

Her slender fingers wrapped around it, carressing it like it was the only thing she could feel. Not exactly sure if the brunette was asleep or not, she didn't squeeze too hard; just enough to keep them together.

"I love you, Ignis." She whispered, careful not to disturb anyone. There was a hope that he had heard it. In truth, it wasn't exactly clear why she said it at that moment. Possibly because thinking about her life and the way it was before coming to Eos made her think about just how much Ignis's love meant to her. He needed to know that, even if its as simple as saying "I love you" every day. She would make sure he knew.

A response was suddenly whispered back to her from below.

"I love you, Dawn." His fingers wrapped slightly tighter around hers.

A smile crept into the redhead's face right before her eyelids got too heavy. Their hands never left their positions as the night went on.

That night was the best sleep Dawn had gotten in years.

Aw man, writing those last few paragraphs felt awesome. I'm so happy for Dawn. ;u;

Hope you all enjoyed and I will do my best to update soon!