The sun was barely in the sky when the train comes to a halt in Cartanica. The whistle of the steam engine muffled by the walls of the sleeping car, yet was still loud enough to wake those who were light sleepers.

Noctis, despite not being a light sleeper, stirs and opens his eyes. His mood was dark, his body felt stiff and like a wet towel was draped over his shouders weighing him down. He sits up blinking against the dark haze that seemed to settle in his eyes after Altissia.

With a sigh he climbs down from the top bunk bed and moves to the bunk which Ingis and Prompto slept in.

Ignis was still fast asleep and Noctis knew he wasn't comfortable in the small bed. He didn't even fit in it properly. He has his right leg out of the bed and the left was bent. Noctis watches him for a bit trying to gather the courage, strength, and energy to wake and deal with Ignis.

Taking a deep breath he leans forward gently shaking Ignis awake "Ignis come on. Get up." He says trying to sound gentle. Ignis whimpers a bit opening his eyes only to close them again.

"Careful. Don't sit up to fast...actually. Keep your head down until you're all the way out." He says placing a hand on Ignis' back as he eases him from the bed.

Once he was standing Noctis hands him his cane and begins to collect fresh clothing for Ignis along with the medicine for his eye. With everything in tote the king leads his friend to the train car with the toilets and showers.

:/

Noctis sat with Ignis, who was eating a pretty lousy breakfast. Consisting of luke-warm flavorless eggs, dry toast, and a can of Ebony. The coffee was a pain to find for Noctis but the smile it put on Ignis' face to hear he had his favorite drink again made it worth it.

Noctis watches as Ignis lifts up a small packet of peach jam "It's one of those square packs...the lip is on far left corner...you want me to open it?" Noctis asks repressing a sigh.

Ignis shakes his head as he opens the jam and dips his toast into it. Noctis didn't say anything leaving Ignis to think he had left.

However when he feels eyes on him Ignis lifts his head turning to the direction of where he believes the feeling is coming from. "Noct? Is that you?" He asks his voice full of uncertainty.

"Yeah."

"I thought you left."

"Sorry..."

"It's alright. Though, tell me is something the matter? Is there anything that I-er perhaps Prompto or Gladiolus can help with?" Ignis asks in a soft tone.

"No. I was just- nevermind." Noctis says looking away.

Ignis looks saddened, ever since the events of Altissia everyone has treated him differently, at least that's how it felt. Ignis sighs "Noct. I lost my sight not my brain. I'm still fully capable of helping you." Ignis hated the desperation that slips into his voice "Me losing my sight shouldn't change the fact I can still help." Ignis says sounding defeated.

'Yeah but not in the way we need.' thought Noctis staring at the scar on Ignis' face.

Noctis sighs running his hands through his hair before standing up causing Ignis to grab his cane when he hears the seat creak and heavy boots thump on the floor. "Are we leaving?" He asks Noctis who nods and cussed softly forgetting Ignis couldn't see it "Yeah. But you can stay here if you want to finish your breakfast."

Ignis snorts out of amusement "I'd rather not finish that abysmal excuse for food. I have no doubt in my mind that Umbra could create something far more edible." Ignis says as he follows Noctis out of the car.

The thought of the dog making meals was amusing but Noctis didn't have the heart to laugh nor the energy.

He simply walked along side Ignis for a moment as he sank into the memories of what he had left of Luna. The deepening sadness bubbles as he hated that her final moments were most likely painful. She didn't deserve to die that way.

He hated it so much. All those years with her were now nothing more than memories.

He didn't realize it not until he no longer heard the scraping of the cane against the sidewalk and a very angry shout reached his ears, did he realize that Ignis was no longer with him.

He spins around realizing he accidentally left Ignis behind and that he must have picked up speed while lost in thought. It hurt to see Ignis trying to figure which of the many footsteps belonged to Noctis.

He looked flustered. Noctis sighs realizing that this was going to be problem for him and the others.

He knew deep down that he couldn't bring Ignis with them. He couldn't see and he didn't want the man stumbling off into a trap or straight into danger. Or even worse right off the edge of a cliff.

He sighs knowing that they may need to go all the way back to Altissia and have Monica or Cor come pick up Ignis.

He hears Ignis apologize which brings him out of his thoughts once more this time what he sees fills him with rage. A much bigger guy, near the size of Gladiolus with less muscles had Ignis by the shirt.

The bigger male shakes Ignis before throwing him to the ground. Seeing Ignis thrown and being picked on was Noctis' breaking point.

Fueled by blind rage, the prince warps in front of Ignis catching the fist that the bigger man was about to throw at the advisor.

"Must feel like a big man picking on someone who clearly has the disadvantage. You think you're cool picking on a blind man." Noctis growls.

The people who had gathered to defend Ignis had helped him to his feet dusting him off as someone handed him his cane. Ignis thanks them he makes a move to grab Noctis' shoulder but quickly decides against it. He didn't know exactly where Noctis was and he didn't want to embarrass himself further grabbing someone he didn't know.

"Noct, please it wa-" Ignis starts to say before he hears something heavy make contact with the train car "Will you shut up Ignis!? There is no way that you bumping into this...this..." Noctis growls as he slams the guy against the car once more "He is the one that should be apologizing not you! He ran into you knowing you can't see!"

Ignis falls silent.

The bigger guy simply laughs "You think a small fry like yourself can take me on? You got some nerve. I'll teach you to mess with me!" The larger male reached for Noctis who allows himself to be grabbed. The bigger man aims a blow to his face but his fist was caught.

Noctis gripped the mans' fist and placed his other hand on the mans' torso and heaves him up and tosses the man on the ground knocking the air out of him. A move he learned from Gladiolus and had used it on him many times.

"Oh come on, I wasn't gonna hurt him. Just was gonna teach the useless punk a few moves."

Noctis summons a sword, who was this guy to call Ignis useless?

"Die!" Noctis growls as his eyes go from a soft blue to a reddish pink. Thunder crackles overhead and the massive man begins to beg for forgiveness.

Noctis didn't hear him his ears were ringing and he only wanted this man who hurt Ignis to pay with his life.

Noctis was suddenly yanked to the side. Still blinded in his haze rage he didn't recognize the voice that followed. Acting through his rage, he hit the newcomer.

This time a deep gruff voice snaps Noctis out of his trance. He looks up and sees Prompto helping Ignis to his feet. His heart tightens when he sees the blood trickling from the advisors' nose.

"Ignis, I'm so sorry." Noctis says approaching Ignis only to stopped by Gladiolus "Don't you dare touch him." He growls.

"Prompto go get him cleaned up." Gladiolus orders.

Leading Ignis away Noctis looks at him apologetically.

Those two simple words.

'Noct's back.'

Words he has heard so many times in his lifetime. Words that hardly had any affect on him at all suddenly filled Ignis with so many emotions that he wasn't sure which one to express first.

Should he shout happily? Should he be angry? Should he laugh?

So many emotions. And one little ol' him.

Prompto was the one to fetch from the small home they shared. Ignis was straightening up the best he could when Prompto bursts into the door with a big smile on his face "Iggy! Iggy! Dude you'll never believe this."

"What is it?" Ignis asks.

"Talcott is bringing Noct! Noct's back dude!"

Ignis felt his throat tighten as he drops the couch pillow he was holding. His words stuck in his throat as he struggles to figure out what to say.

"Dude. C'mon, let's go see him!"

Ignis feels Prompto grab his hand before moving his gloved hand to his back, leading him to where the King is. For a moment Ignis felt like he was in his twenties again when he was first blinded and lead by the best seeing eye dog one could ask for.

Ignis doesn't know how long they walked but the familiar smells of motor oil and the intense brightness that gives some light to his sightless eyes tells him he's at Hammerhead Garage.

"C'mon Iggy...oh! The truck, he's here! He's here!" Prompto squeals as he pushes Ignis forward. The advisor felt his stomach flip as he begins shake out what? It couldn't be fear...could it? But why should he be afraid of the king?

They were friends, no brothers.

"What if he doesn't recognize us?" Ignis asks feeling childish. But Prompto only laughs "Dude we gotta worry about not recognizing him." The blonde laughs.

Ignis chuckles softly as he finally comes to a stop. And a familiar voice reaches his ears.

"Guys...its been a while."

Noctis was back.

But the small meal, the small talk that moved them all to tears, the terrifying yet terrific battles they endured leading up to this moment seemed to have gone too fast.

And now as the four of them stood at the bottom of staircase, before their king. Like ten years ago where their journey began.

Now as King Noctis stood before them, addressing them each. Ignis couldn't help but tremble, he told himself it was because of the chilling rain.

He hears what Noctis was saying but his mind was elsewhere. He thought back to all the moments he and Noctis spent together.

All the games they played, the stories they shared, the outrageous adventures that Noctis took him on. Of course they had their moments where they wouldn't get along all the time but he never recalls a moment where he or Noctis told each other that they hated each other.

"Ignis."

Ignis couldn't, he didnt have the heart to look at Noctis. He let's out a shuddering breath as tears well up in his eyes, he was never more grateful for his dark visor.

He didn't hear what Noctis had said about him, his mind was swirling with flashbacks and each one hurt. Each one sent a crippling pang to his heart, and it made it harder to breathe.

"Walk tall...my friends."

Noctis turns to walk up the massive stairs when he feels something grab his arm. He turns around only to see Ignis standing before him. His head was lowered, his shoulders trembling, and a soft choking sound escapes him.

Noctis smiles softly as he faces Ignis completely "It's going to be okay." He says pulling Ignis into a hug.

Ignis pulls off his visor and buries his face into Noctis' shoulder, tears stream down his face as he gasps against the other. The words he wants to say sticking in his throat.

Noctis doesn't shush him, he knows that he's hurting and that he was going to lose not just his king but a brother.

More arms loop around Ignis and Noctis, Gladiolus and Prompto joined the embrace causing Ignis to weep harder.

"Apologies..." Ignis sobs his breathing quicker "It's just...I...I don't know what I'm trying to say. There's just so much I want to get off my chest...but..." His voice was wet as it broke throughout the sentence.

"Iggy, I remember reading somewhere that tears...tears are the words your heart needs to express. It's okay if you can't get all the words out. We know what you're trying to say just by you crying."

Ignis looks up, his blind eyes appear to glow blue in the dark moonlight landscape. He shakes his head unsure of what else to do as he grips Noctis cloak tighter.

Once they separate Ignis is still in tears his visor back in place as Noctis' footsteps slowly fade only to be replaced by the roars of emerging daemons.

Summoning his daggers Ignis follows his friends into battle.