Wow, it has been so long. For that I profusely apologize. Though, good news, I have it all finished! I will be releasing the rest on a regular basis. Since the last update the DLCs have been released so that has been somewhat taken into account into how I finished this. I apologize if the story feels a bit rushed, but this is what I've had in mind since the beginning. I hope you enjoy!

Lestullum

"You can leave with Prompto, Cindy and Talcott tomorrow, if you like." After Prompto had walked Ignis around the hotel so that he could get a feel for his surroundings, he'd settled in one of the couches downstairs in the lobby. He had been enjoying the silence and moment of solitude when Aranea had joined him. Though he'd felt a pang of excitement when she hadn't jumped at the chance to leave in the morning, he would be disappointed if turned out she'd done it out of a feeling of obligation.

"You can't talk me out of this, Ignis. The three of them can manage on their own. I can't leave Gladio to return with you and Iris by himself."

Ignis sucked in a sharp breath and bit his tongue. He paused before answering. "I'm not defenseless, you know."

"I know, Ignis. But you still have room for improvement."

Ignis nodded begrudgingly and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands. He hated that she was right. That he wasn't the same as he had been. He longed for the day he would feel fully comfortable in his skin again.

He heard her whisper softly, "I'm sorry."

"No, you are correct. I just don't prefer being reminded of my short comings." He shifted his weight back against the couch, unable to get comfortable. "However, I am grateful that we will be traveling together again, whatever the reason may be," he said slowly. He had been thinking of how to expresses his gratitude when she had sat near him. He hadn't felt the couch shift, so he assumed by the sound of her voice and placement of the furniture that she was sitting in one the chairs to his right.

She let out a chuckle in response. He heard the chair squeak as her weight shifted. After a pause that left Ignis wondering what it meant, Aranea spoke up. "It looks like they just set out some food. Care to join me?"

Her request wasn't what he'd expected, but he assumed it meant he shouldn't try to push his luck and return them to their conversation. He nodded. "I could use a good meal." He heard her rise from her chair so he did the same. He could smell the food, but was not sure where it had been set up. Prompto hadn't pointed that out on his "tour". Ignis hesitated.

Suddenly, he felt what he assumed to be Aranea's hand on the inside of his right elbow. She pulled him lightly in her direction. "This way, Specs," she said softly.

Ignis was used to being led around by Prompto and sometimes Iris, so he found the prospect of having someone new help him a bit unnerving. Before he could say anything, she had pulled him to her side. He had started to crook his elbow to accommodate for her hand, but before he could, she slid her hand down into his. He felt his feet stumble a bit, but continued to follow her lead. He suddenly realized that without the appearance of him leading someone else around, he suddenly felt very vulnerable. He felt Aranea squeeze his hand, then released. As he was about to ask where they were, he felt a plate press into his recently vacated hand.

"See? You're still alive," Aranea said playfully. "Now, would like me to tell you the options, or just surprise you?"

Lestullum

Prompto returned to his room after showing Ignis around and flopped back-first onto the bed, letting out an audible sigh. For the first time in a while, his sigh was one of relief. The events over the last few years had left him feeling out of control. Though this situation was no different, he found solace in being in a familiar place with all of the people he cared about. The absence of Noctis was still raw, but Prompto felt like he was starting to feel normal again – or maybe new normal. His eyes to drift close when he heard the door open.

"Blondie?"

He sat up immediately at the sound of Cindy's voice. "Yeah? I'm here."

She stepped further into the room and crossed her arms. "There ya are. Gladio is busy with Iris, so do ya mind helping me find the garage?"

"Uh, sure. I think I saw it earlier on a walk." Prompto quickly stood and nervously wiped his hands on his pants. He really wasn't sure where the garage was, but getting alone time with Cindy was rare, and he wasn't about to miss an opportunity. "Did you and Aranea get settled in okay?" he asked as he walked them out into the hallway.

"Yeah, I guess so. Don't plan to do a whole lot of sleeping though. I slept all the way here and figure I might as well make myself useful."

Prompto nodded as they entered the lobby, and smiled when he saw Aranea sitting in a chair near Ignis. He was thinking of a clever joke to make about them when he saw them stand and interlace fingers. He managed to keep his mouth shut until they were outside of the hotel. "Atta boy, Ignis," he laughed.

Cindy smiled. "Well, it's about time. I think I walked in on them the other day."

"Oh? This I gotta hear!"

"Sure thing. But first," Cindy reached out with her thumb and briefly touched his chin, "you gotta tell me why you decided to keep this fuzz."

Prompto went red and sped up toward the garage.

Lestullum - Iris' Room

The nurse had finally left for the night, so Gladio settled in, prepared to spend the night by his sister's side. There were only two beds in he and Prompto's room, and he figured Ignis would need it more than he would. Gladio leaned back against the headboard in the bed next to his sister's, his eyes closed, head tilted toward the ceiling. His thoughts began to drift.

Iris' vitals were getting stronger and the nurse was hopeful Iris would gain consciousness within a few days. Gladio was fearful of the possibility for permanent damage, but he was trying not to focus on it. He also tried to avoid thinking about how if he'd left her back in Hammerhead, she would have been safe. Thinking about Aranea and Ignis traveling back with them was also troubling. He still wasn't sure about Ignis' abilities, and if he was honest with himself, he was a bit jealous of the affectionate gaze she gave Ignis earlier. Not that he had plans to pursue her, but he had always appreciated her abilities and after the recent trip he had started to feel much closer to her.

The last couple of years Gladio had felt increasingly lonely; the more he distanced himself from the guys and the less frequently he saw Iris, the less he felt like himself. Noctis leaving had been the first step. As the King's Sworn Shield, his life's purpose had walked into the crystal with Noctis. Gladio was trying to make a name for himself as a hunter in an effort to have a legend comparable to Cor's, but thus far it had not proved to be as fulfilling. Being the King's Shield had been a very trying, and at times very frustrating, endeavor. However, during that time Gladio had felt a strong motivation and desire to continue to strive forward. Without a clear mission, he felt adrift.

Despite his troubling thoughts, Gladio began to succumb to sleep. Just as he was teetering on the edge between the conscious and unconscious, he heard groaning. "Iris!" he declared, sitting up straight. When his looked over at his sister hope caught in his throat as he saw her eyelids struggling to flutter open.

Gladio hurried over to stand next to her bed, one hand on her forehead. It seemed a bit soon for her to wake up, but he was grateful for any sign of progress. Her eyes finally opened, fear clearly visible in them. She began to try to awaken her stiff limbs, but Gladio gently discouraged it, know what could happen if she tried to expedite healing before she was ready. "Calm down, Iris. I'm here. We're in Lestullum. You made it. Just rest."

She slowly stopped struggling but her eyes remained open and fixed on him. She started moving her lips but little sound escaped. Gladio offered her the glass of water from the side table and helped her take a few sips. After a few moments and clearing her throat a few times, she was able to get out a few hoarse words. "I saw them, Gladdy. I saw him. He's still alive."

Gladio set the cup back on the table and broke eye contact. Could what his sister was saying be true? Maybe she was delirious. "You need to rest, Iris."

"Gladdy—" she protested. Before she could get further, Gladio interrupted.

"I will listen in the morning, I promise. Just relax." He gently brushed her hair with his fingers until her eyes gently shut. Softly he placed a kiss on her forehead, thankful that at least one of his loved ones might just survive their tragedy.