Wow, I didn't think I'd be returning to this story, but here I am. I've recently gotten the encouragement to continue, as I've gotten more feedback and reading the story over. Man it's been a while. XD
A lot of these chapters are most likely going to be a bit more fluff than big important events happening, though it will flesh out the story more and give shape to some of the concepts.
Sorry that this story was put on hold for a long time, I'm hoping to pick it back up again and continue for all of you. Thanks so much for your patience and understanding!
Slight swearing, not a whole lot.
"Find me. Know the truth."
Some sort of whisper in the darkness...who was talking?
"Insomnia...find the answers."
It was getting louder...it sounded like it was right behind her, ready to jump at any moment. Slight fear began to surface. For some reason, the voice was familiar...a relic lost to the ages, it felt like.
"Dawn..." It called out to her. A distant whisper, yet it also felt like it was right in her ear.
"He will die."
Suddenly, some sort of ceiling came into view. Her heartbeat was going a hundred miles a minute, her breath nearly as quick.
Dawn sat up from her bunk, utterly confused as to what just happened. A voice in the dark...urging her on. Was it her mother again? As she sat upright, she then felt something drop out of her right hand with a soft 'thud', followed by movement underneath.
There was a slight groan. "Dawn? Are you alright?"
Ignis. She had completely forgotten they were holding hands all through the night, and it seemed her abrupt awakening woke him up.
She sighed, a heavy feeling of guilt started to surface. "Sorry, Iggy...yeah, I'm...I'm fine."
The sun was well on its way; the sky was a dark blue, getting brighter and brighter as the minutes went by.
"You don't seem 'fine'." The brunette's voice was quiet. All of the other boys were still calmly asleep in their respective bunks, save for Gladiolus, who spent the night on the floor.
Dawn's pale hand met with her face, still trying to remember let alone make sense of the weird dream as a headache ensued. This wasn't exactly the best start of the day...
"No, really...I just...have a little headache that's all." She tried to soothe her lover's worries, but she knew better. He wasn't the type to let things go easily.
Being as quiet as possible, Ignis got up from his bunk and put on his glasses. He startled the redhead as he stood up to look at her. "I'm up anyways. Why don't we go outside to talk?"
"But..." She made a slight pouting face, showing that sleep was what she desired more at the moment.
"Come now, we need to be awake in about an hour anyhow, and I trust you won't be able to fall back asleep in that time."
He had a point. They did need to be awake early in order to reach Lestallum at a reasonable hour, and Dawn wouldn't be happy with just thirty minutes of sleep. She might as well take up the offer...'The bird, up early, catches the worms'...or whatever that human saying was.
"Alright, alright. Let's go then."
By some sort of miracle, the two managed to slip out of the caravan without disturbing the others. The sky was slightly brighter now, with a cold morning breeze to accompany it. The redhead shivered in response, for her white tanktop didn't exactly give much warmth.
"You're shivering." Ignis pointed out. Without even waiting for a response, he pulled off his dark jacket and draped it over her shoulders with one fell 'swoop'. "There."
She gave a small chuckle. "Always the gentleman." She said as her goosebump-covered arms found their way into the cozy sleeves. "Thank you."
Suddenly, she was surrounded by his scent. It smelled of coffee...and...fried food? Whatever it was, it was an amazing combination.
"Quite odd that you even get cold, with you being a fire fairy and all." Said Ignis in curiosity. The redhead expected him to bring it up.
"It takes a little bit of time for my powers to get going when I wake up." She said. "They lie dormant while I'm asleep."
He nodded thoughtfully, understanding what she meant. "I see...similar to fireplaces."
"Fireplaces?"
"Yes. After the flames have been exstinguished, it takes time and effort for them to alight and rage once more."
His simile between her inner powers and fireplaces almost sounded...poetic. Even better was that it actually made sense.
"You could put it that way, yeah." She agreed.
The pair then started to walk towards the public area that was full of tables and chairs. At this time of day, no one was out, making it the perfect opportunity to just sit and talk. Ignis was concerned about Dawn and what she was dreaming about, for he knew that sometimes her mother would reach out to her in various ways. Maybe this was one of them?
They found the closest table and sat opposite each other in the two chairs. By now, the sun was peeking from the horizon, its warm light bathing the surrounding area and chasing off any and all deamons. Dawn took the time to let her eyes wander and take in the view.
There was nothing like this at home. All there was was the grey volcanic ash, accompanied by the dusty brown sky. There was no lush greenery or fresh air where she lived. The redhead let her lungs fill with the open air, feeling it give her life...this was a new and refreshing sensation.
The brunette instead was looking at the woman before him. Her eyes were tired, her body slumped slightly. Dawn was just overall...exhausted; the weight of her family and the vision was heavy upon her shoulders...and it showed. Ignis silently wished he could take it all away, if even for a day.
"So, if you don't mind me asking...what caused such an abrupt awakening?" He asked her, voice gentle.
Dawn's trance in the environment was interrupted, her gaze returning to his concerned face. "I told you, Iggy...I'm alright. There's no need to worry."
"Dawn, please...I can tell it's important. I don't mean to pry, but..."
She sighed. "Alright...you win. I'll tell you." Her hands rested on the table, her face getting slightly closer to his. He felt bad for pushing, but this was something he couldn't ignore. If it really was her mother...there could be danger. "It...it was my mother...I think. I heard some sort of voice as I was sleeping..."
Just great. He had a feeling this would happen. He did the same as her, resting his hands on the cold table and leaning forward. "What did she say?"
Dawn's eyebrows creased, trying hard to remember. "She said..." She started, pausing between her words. Why was it getting harder to remember? "...Something like...'find me'...and...'Insomnia'."
"I see...so you were correct all along. Your mother wants you to find her there."
She nodded. "Yeah...I guess so." Her eyes lowered to her slender hands, deep in thought. "But why? Insomnia is in ruins...overrun with the Empire and probably deamons and MTs...why there?"
Ignis frowned slightly. "I haven't the faintest idea. Are you sure there's no special connection between you and Insomnia?"
"I'm sure. I've never even known of its existence before coming to Eos and meeting you."
He sighed. There was no clear reason as to why it was Insomnia right now...but maybe it had something to do with her mother? She might have gotten involved with the booming city at some point without her daughter's knowledge...but this was all speculation. Nothing can be proved until she actually sees her in person.
"Dawn." He said, looking into her forest green eyes.
She copied him, though her eyes seemed to be out of focus, like she was somewhere else at the moment. "Yes?"
Without really thinking, Ignis gently covered her smaller hands with his, feeling the warmth emanating off of them. Her inner 'fireplace' must be back to normal. "You still want to go see her, don't you?" He said.
Her face dropped a little. "I..." She looked back down at their hands together. "Iggy..."
"It's alright, you can tell me. I promise I won't get angry."
"I know you won't, it's just..." She tried to convey what was going on inside her mind. "I said I would stay, and I am sticking by that. Leaving you is too dangerous."
A worn thumb started to slowly rub her knuckles. "I know." He said soothingly, trying to keep her calm about the whole situation. "But I understand that in your heart, you still want...no, need to see her again. Somehow."
She did not meet his gaze. Vision went slightly blurred as tears started to gather, like a pool starting to fill. "I...I do..." She said quietly. "She has the truth, and...I just..."
Her voice seemed to dissipate into the open air, her words failing to find traction anymore. The more she dwelled on it, the more it hurt, despite her being happy here with her love and new family. It made her sad knowing the truth might never come to light.
The brunette knew that this would keep bothering her. She was trapped here with him because of the vision, never to learn of what compelled her mother to do such horrid things. It made him sad to see her like this.
His hands squeezed hers lovingly. He knew nothing he could say could really fix the situation, but he had to try nonetheless. "It will be alright."
The woman didn't respond, her eyes glued to the table before her. It was no good...he had to try harder.
So be it.
Ignis rose up from his chair, pulling away his hands from Dawn's. "Wait here, I'll be right back."
She finally looked at him as he suddenly started to walk away into the woods for some reason. "W-what? Where are you going?"
"Just wait there, if you please. I'll only be a minute."
Dawn stared in confusion and slight panic as his light brown spikes disappeared into the shrubbery. Was he angry at her or something? What was he even doing?
But, she did as she was told and stayed put, patiently waiting for her lover to return. Maybe he really was upset about the whole thing...of course it was a bad idea to say anything...idiot.
About a minute passed in silence until the brown spikes appeared again. His clothes were slightly smeared in green, a few leaves left resting on his shoulders and back. The man approaches her with arms behind him, out of view.
"I have returned, as promised." He said slyly.
Eyes wandered up and down his person, studying the strange circumstances that he found himself in just a minute ago. "Um...what happened, Iggy?"
Without answering, Ignis moved his arms in front again, revealing his strange secret. In his hands were about a dozen flowers, all different hues and patterns. Her sight was filled with an explosion of color in front of her. There was white, blue, red, pink, yellow, orange...a very vivid bouquet that was surprisingly made in a short amount of time.
Dawn was speechless for a few seconds before responding. "W...what's this? I've never seen so many different flowers at once..."
"For you. I made sure to pick the best and brightest." He handed the redhead the flowers, letting her enjoy the look and smell for herself. In doing so, his cheeks turned a slight pink, embarrassed by his sudden actions. This kind of thing was never done before, as far as he remembered. "I...wanted to cheer you up."
"They're beautiful. Thank you..." She was moved by his act of kindness. It meant a lot for him to go through all this trouble just to make her happy...
The smell was sweet and calming, like she was in the middle of a meadow. Each flower had a slightly different scent, which all mixed together to make an aroma fit for putting someone to sleep.
"Of course. I love seeing you smile."
Her gaze returned to him once more, reminded of the fact that he was still covered in leaves and grass. It only took a few seconds to take her out of the moment and start laughing.
Ignis's face lifted in surprise. "What is so funny?"
"You're covered in shit! How did you not notice?" She exclaimed, unable to keep her laughter in check. He seemed so silly looking like that while still trying to create a tender moment with her.
"I...what?"
Still giggling, she gently put down her flowers on the table and approached him. "Here, I'll get it."
She combed his body, front and back, picking off the various leaves and such as she continued laughing to herself. "Man, you got this stuff all over you!"
"My apologies. I was more focused on finding the right flowers."
"There, all done. You're green-free now." She finished.
The brunette turned around to face his helper. "Thank you. I couldn't imagine looking like that in front of the others." He said with a sigh of relief.
"No problem, just don't make a habit of running off into the woods, okay?" Dawn snickered.
Out of the blue, his hand slowly met with her cheek, caressing it. His bright eyes locked onto hers. "Well, can't say I'll promise that. The whole endeavor was worth seeing you smile and laugh."
Her cheeks turned red, her laughter dying down to peaceful silence. She never knew Ignis had such a loving and sweet side to him to this degree. Well, of course it was obvious after what he did during the chocobo incident, and making her that cake, but this was more than she expected. It was like she was his whole world.
To be perfectly honest, it felt a little...unnatural.
"You're so sweet..." She placed her hand on his. "I didn't know you cared for me this much."
"Of course I do, Dawn." He replied with his signature smooth voice. "You mean a lot to me."
Yellow sunlight seeped through the trees, enveloping them in light. A cool breeze made the branches sway back and forth, creating a calming rustling sound that grew louder and softer. The scent of the freshly picked bouquet wafted towards the pair occasionally.
"You mean a lot to me too." She responded softly, as if the breeze was her voice. Her heart beat faster and faster, swelling with emotion. This sensation was still somewhat new to her. She could hear the heartbeat in her ears.
The feeling was taking her away, and it seemed like it was taking him away as well as he slowly got closer. Time seemed to slow, the world coming to a halt, as if the pair had made it so. Dawn wasn't sure what was happening, but whatever it was, she wanted it to continue.
As he got even closer, she closed her eyes, feeling the breeze move her hair and stir her soul. The heartbeat was even faster now, almost to a deafening degree. He was mere inches away.
Ignis himself wasn't sure what was happening either, this just seemed...right. He was compelled to do this somehow. He could feel Dawn's radiating warmth as his lips drew closer to hers, but he could tell there was something more...she was warmer than usual, and not because he was so close to her.
Finally, their noses touched, and their lips were only a mere inch apart.
He wondered what kissing Dawn would feel like, and now was his chance to find out. It also seemed like she wanted this, too.
This girl that has never known love...never known affection...he was going to give her all that she wanted.
"HEY GUYS!"
The moment was immediately over. The lover's lips backed away from each other quickly as they both looked towards the direction of the interruption.
Out in the distance was Gladio, waving at the pair to catch their attention. "You okay over there?"
Dawn was frozen in place, her mind numb from what just happened-or, what would have happened if Gladiolus didn't cut in. They were...they were going to...
"We're fine. Dawn just needed some fresh air, that's all." Ignis responded after clearing his throat with a hardy 'ahem'. His face was beet red.
"Just about everyone's up. Let's have some grub!" Gladio said, obviously looking for breakfast already. He turned around and headed back towards the caravan.
Dawn and Ignis sat in an awkward silence for a minute, not sure what to say. They had nearly shared their first kiss on a whim, and the moment was gone as quick as it came.
"Well...we should...um...head back." Said the brunette, not looking at her.
"Y...Yeah." The redhead finally found her words again. After grabbing her flowers, the two headed back to their shelter, neither saying a word out of embarrassment. Hopefully the tattooed man didn't see anything.
Damn Gladio, butting in at the worst possible time.
Fluff galore, I know. XD Not sure what the next chapter will entail yet, but I'll figure it out.
Also an important note: for those of you who think the romance is happening too fast, there is actually a reason as to why, but I won't spoil that.
Thanks for reading and supporting!