Chapter Three

"Absolutely not," Noctis said vehemently when Cor suggested he and Monica look after Solaris. "I'm not leaving her."

"Noct, think about this," Ignis said, his fingers massaging the bridge of his nose.

"I am thinking about this," he replied stubbornly. "I'm not leaving Solaris."

"The Imperial army is after you. You cannot remain in one place for so long!" Ignis said bluntly. "We will make sure you have updates on her condition-"

"I'm not leaving her, Ig," Noctis held his ground. "I can't leave her. I won't."

"Sire, I do understand your feelings toward her, but-"

"That has nothing to do with this," Noctis stated, jutting his chin out. "She is a part of my retinue. Where I go, she goes."

"We cannot bring her along with her condition so critical! Be reasonable."

"I am! And I told you before, I won't leave her."

Ignis sighed heavily. This was about how he thought it would go. Gladio had tried. Prompto had even tried. Ignis had now tried. The Marshal was next and Ignis was loathe to leave it to him. Noctis was crazy enough about Sola to give up his rights to the throne if need be. That much he knew.

"I understand the situation this puts us in. All of us," Ignis said. "I do not want to leave her either. She is a part of this group just as much as any of us. But if it were any of us, we would insist you continue on collecting the arms-"

"That doesn't mean I'd accept it," Noctis shouted. "I won't accept her bowing out even if it came from her lips. I will leave none of you behind."

"Then what do you suggest we do, Highness? Please, enlighten me as to a situation in which you can be both here, and away from here so that the Imperial army doesn't drop on our doorstep with a critically injured Crownsguard."

"Pass off someone as me," Noctis said simply. "We did it plenty of times in the capital."

"No sign has been given that any of your doubles have survived the attack on Insomnia."

"I thought you didn't like having doubles anyway," Prompto said.

"Yeah, something about taking the fall for you wasn't worth risking their lives over," Gladio chided.

"I get it, alright?!" Noctis shouted. "I get it! But I'm not leaving Sola. I can't –" He stormed out of the room without finishing. There was no question where he was going. To be by Sola's side once more, just like he had been these past couple days.

"Maybe it's for the best," Prompto said. "Maybe we need to stay. If Sola wakes up soon –"

"She hasn't been conscious for the last two days. We don't even know when she'll wake up."

"Gladio's right," Ignis said. "I'm loathe to admit that we should leave her. I do not doubt the broken heart it will bring to his majesty. But we must leave soon, or our presence will be noticed, if it has not been already."

"I hate to think what will happen when she wakes up," Prompto started.

"You mean if she wakes up," Gladio said. "Monica said the blood loss alone should have killed her and Noct didn't have enough blood to give her without hurting himself."

"And I'm sure he's already blaming himself for that as well," Ignis pinched the bridge of his nose again. "We will leave tonight. Once his highness is sleeping."

"And how do you propose we do that?" Gladio asked. "He's a heavy sleeper, Ig, but he's barely slept these last couple days and he wakes up when a mouse chews, expecting Sola to be sitting up in bed."

"It's simple," Ignis said bluntly. "We drug his majesty."

"Drug, Noct?" Prompto stared at him. "Wh-what do you mean?"

"Just as I said," Ignis stated.

"Not a bad idea," Gladio looked thoughtful.

"Not a bad idea?!" Prompto looked from one to the other. "Do you have any idea how Noct will react when he finds out?!"

"We will just have to do our due diligence and ensure he is well away from Solaris at least until she recovers enough to rejoin us."

"Gods, I don't even want to think –" Prompto said. "Look, I won't say anything, but I don't like this. And I don't agree with it." It was the first time Prompto had ever stood up to Ignis or Gladio. Prompto squeezed his fists together and stalked off, following in Noct's footsteps back to their friend's bedside.

Gladio was surprised, and a little proud of Prompto. But Ignis was right. It was past time to leave. He was willing for Noctis to hate him to keep him safe. And he knew Sola would agree.

"Alright, Iggy," Gladio said. "Let's figure this out."

Noctis hadn't been eating much these last few days. So Ignis couldn't count on food to use to drug Noctis. Instead, he decided to make him some coffee, on the pretext of staying up with his highness to sit by Sola's bedside. Ignis did not want to do this. He was already despising himself. Noctis would never trust him again. And even if he did, what would Solaris think of him? She would never have condoned this to get Noctis to leave. Dragging him kicking and screaming would have been more her style. But the less attention he drew to himself, the better. That much Ignis knew. And under cover of night, they could get far. Especially with those new headlights Cindy had recently installed on the Regalia. And without Noctis awake to protest, they could get him all the way to Caem. Maybe once they reached there, they could wait it out for Sola. If she woke up. Soon.

"Still no change?" Ignis asked, more of a statement than anything. He handed Noctis the cup of coffee.

Noctis took it and shook his head. "No, Ig," he said, then took a sip. He choked a little on it as he realized what he was drinking. "Coffee, at this late of an hour?"

"You looked like you could use it," Ignis said. "As could we all." He sipped his own cup. It was good and strong.

"I thought you wanted me to sleep," Noctis said, taking a deeper drink.

"I cannot make you do anything you refuse to," Ignis said with a huff. "So, I'm repeatedly told by you."

Noctis chuckled dryly, watching Sola breathing deeply. "I need her to wake up, Specs." He looked down at his cup and swirled it around. "She's the reason I can do this. The reason I can be – me."

"I understand, Noct," he said, putting a hand gently on Noct's shoulder. "But sometimes we must do not what we want, but what we must."

"I've been thinking," Noctis said, taking another drink then setting aside his coffee. "We should try and move her. To Caem."

"She is still far too injured, Noctis."

"I know, but she'd be safe there. I'd be safe there –" He stopped and took her limp hand, slowly rubbing his thumb over her fingers. "And we'd be able to wait there, without you or Cor getting worried."

"We can address this in the morning, I think, Noct," Ignis said.

"No now," Noctis was slurring his words a little, a small sway seemed to take over him. "We move her, Igg –" Noctis shook his head hard. "Must be more tired 'n I tho –" And with that Noctis slumped forward, almost landing on top of Solaris. He didn't fall merely on the pretext of Ignis' anticipatory grab of his shoulder. He pulled Noctis back and into his arms.

"Forgive me, Highness," Ignis said quietly. "Gladio!" A pert call brought the hotel door open and Gladio with it.

Gladio strode over to the pair and took Noctis up in his arms. "It's go time."

Prompto stood, dancing from foot to foot with anxiety. "I heard what he said, Iggy," as Gladio brushed past him with Noctis in his arms. "And it's not the worst idea."

"Out of the question," Ignis said. "She's far too ill to be moved. We risk inhibiting her progress if we do."

"Pardon me but what progress?" Prompto asked. "She hasn't moved since we took out the shrapnel, Ignis. Surely we can fit her in –"

"What part of no do you not understand?" Gladio spat. "We all agreed. We get Noctis and get him to Caem."

"You agreed, I said no," Prompto reminded him.

"Then you can stay with Sola," Gladio said, sliding Noctis into the back seat. His head lolled to the side, completely unaware of what was going on. Gladio reached over and belted him in.

"That's not the worst idea," Ignis said. "Noctis might be more understanding if you remain behind."

"You're going to leave me here?!" Prompto was incredulous.

Gladio said nothing, just walked over to the passenger side and slid in, his mind already made up.

Ignis took Prompto by the shoulders. "Do this. For Noct. Please."

Ignis had never said please before like this. Prompto sputtered at him.

"He may just forgive us if one of us remains behind. Gladio must go with him, and I-I would not be parted with his highness."

"Neither would I though, Iggy. Neither would Sola!" Prompto gritted his teeth. It took a lot to make him angry. And now he was angry. And hurt. "Are you throwing us away simply because of who we are?"

"Let's get going!" Gladio roared.

"Gladio!" Ignis yelled back. "Now is not the time."

Ignis turned back to Prompto.

"Never," Ignis said, leaning in closer to Prompto. "As soon as she shows any improvement, get her to Caem. We will be waiting."

"How, Ig?" Prompto asked dryly. "I don't exactly have my own wheels."

"Call Cindy," Ignis said. "She will arrange for a car. I'll take care of the monetary details."

"You bet your ass you will," Prompto stated firmly. "Now, just – go. Before Gladio has a hernia or something."