Ignis sat at the dining room table with his laptop, working from home since he took another day off from the office. He kept throwing worried glances over at the couch where Y/N sat watching tv all afternoon. They both had skipped breakfast that morning, running over to the Citadel as soon as Cor had called them. She had refused lunch and dinner. Ignis made her a small plate of toast, hoping to get something in her stomach, but he wasn't certain if she had touched it. He couldn't see from his place at the table. The hour was getting later and they would soon be retiring to bed. He had tried not to bother her much and give her space to sort out her thoughts, but he couldn't hide his curiosity about what was going on in Altissia. He knew he would be given a briefing, most likely at a meeting the following day. But he wanted to ask to also get her thoughts on everything currently going on. Maybe get a little more insight. His conversation with Gladio was still in the back of his head. Why didn't she talk about the rest of her family?

Ignis cleared his throat quietly before speaking.

"You haven't spoken about the council meeting. I've been meaning to ask you how it went?" he

asked, carefully.

"It went fine I guess," she mumbled quietly.

Well, that wasn't much for him to go on.

"Was anything further said about your mother?"

"Not really," she replied.

Ignis sighed. He racked his brain for more questions he could ask her.

"Do they have any sort of plan going forward? Any promise of further communication now that your mother knows about what has been happening?"

"No, they haven't gotten further word from her. I zoned out most of the meeting. I'm sorry I can't tell you much more."

"No worries. I'm not a part of the council meetings, so it's not much my business anyways. Have you thought about contacting your mother again yourself? Maybe she would pick up this time?"

"...maybe," she mumbled quietly.

"You don't speak much of your father and brother. Have you tried contacting them?"

"I guess I figured if my mother wasn't answering, then why would they. My brother doesn't care. That I'm certain of."

"Do you guys have a strained relationship? I regret I never asked you much about your family before."

"You could say that I guess. He's hot headed and has an ego the size of Eos. We got along fine growing up I suppose, but now that he's older, he's just a pain to deal with. And there was always the whole me getting the throne over him thing going on. Guess he might take my call now if only just to hold it over my head that he's destined for the throne and not me."

"Do you think he would have any insight about your mother?" Ignis asked.

"Those two are thick as thieves. If anyone would know what she's up to, it would probably be him."

"Forgive me for asking but…why have you not gotten ahold of him before now if that is the case?"

"Like I said…we just don't get along that well anymore. He would have nothing good to say to me."

"He is your brother. You two grew up together. I'm sure a part of him must miss you being around."

Y/N just shrugged her shoulders.

"I think I'm going to get ready for bed," she said, standing up from the couch after turning the tv off.

"Very well. I'll be finishing up my work and heading there myself shortly."

"Um…okay?" Y/N replied, giving Ignis a strange look before walking down the hallway and into the bedroom.

Ignis finished up the report he was working on. Closing his laptop, he grabbed the papers scattered around him at the table and began paper clipping documents together and putting some away in folders. After tucking his work along with his laptop in his messenger bag, he made his way into the bedroom. He couldn't hear the shower running and assumed Y/N would be coming out shortly, so he set about getting his sleep clothes ready for his own shower.

Y/N opened the door and walked out, jumping back slightly when her eye caught Ignis.

"Oh! I wasn't expecting you to be in here," she exclaimed, putting a hand to her chest.

"Apologies. I didn't mean to frighten you. I was simply getting my night things ready for when you were done."

"Oh…okay." Y/N walked over to her vanity to grab her hair brush as Ignis made his way into the bathroom.

His showers usually didn't take long. After quickly cleaning himself and washing his hair, he got out of the shower, towel drying himself and getting dressed in his sleep clothes. When he exited the bathroom, Y/N was standing next to the bed. He deposited his clothing into his hamper and walked to the side of the bed he slept on last night and plugged his phone in before bringing it up and checking his messages one last time.

"Um…what are you doing?" Y/N asked.

"Just checking my messages and emails one last time. I'm known to get both at all hours of the day and when they're sent this late, they are usually important," Ignis answered, not looking up from his phone.

"No I mean…why did you plug your phone in there?"

"...where?" Ignis asked, confused, looking up at her. "Beside the bed? I need to have access to my phone in case an emergency should arise and I am needed." He always plugged his phone in next to him at night. He plugged it in this very place just the night prior. He wasn't certain why she was so perturbed.

"Are you…sleeping…here?" she asked hesitantly.

Ignis looked at her a moment, not sure what had changed.

"I…had planned to. Would you prefer I not?"

"I just…I mean, I know you did last night but…that was, ya know…"

"I see. Let me gather my things and I will head back out to the couch," Ignis replied. He tried hiding the hurt in his voice, but wasn't sure how good he accomplished that.

"Wait…" Y/N stopped him. She sighed looking around. "Do you…have any more pillows?"

"I may have some in the closet in the hallway?"

"Can you check?"

"Certainly." Ignis walked out into the hallway where the closet was. It was mostly storage for extra blankets for guests, his heavy winter coat, and some of his extra shoes. The vacuum and mop was also stored here. A mish mosh of things if you will. He grabbed the two extra pillows he had in the closet and shut the doors, returning to the bedroom.

"I only have these two," he said, holding them up as he walked over to her.

"That will work," Y/N said, grabbing them and pulling the covers of the bed down. She began lining the pillows up down the center of the bed. "There. That works, I guess." Ignis raised an eyebrow at her when she turned back to look at him. "To keep you on your side."

"Ah. I see. So…you do not wish for me to return to the couch then?"

"I…feel kinda bad. Just…stay on your side this time."

Ignis nodded his head and made his way back to the other side of the bed. He carefully watched Y/N and she took off her robe and hung it on the bedpost. She looked a bit nervous and she got into the bed and pulled the covers over herself. Ignis pulled the covers back on his side and did the same. Y/N turned off the bedside table lamp and plunged the room into darkness. Ignis laid quietly listening to her breathing in the dark. It was a bit sped up, and he only imagined she was nervous. Why, he wasn't certain. They had slept together last night with no issue. Granted he had awoken tangled up with her, but judging by her reaction this morning, she didn't seem to mind.

"Good night, Y/N" he said, glancing her way, even though he couldn't see her in the blackness.

"Good night," she whispered back.

Ignis awoke the next morning on his stomach, his arms tucked under his head. He looked around the room a bit disoriented at first, not sure what had awoken him. Glancing beside him, he spotted Y/N still asleep. The room was still dark; the sun not yet starting to rise. He grabbed his phone from the night table and looked at the time. 5:26. Four minutes before his alarm was meant to go off. He opened his phone, turning the alarm off, not wanting it to wake Y/N. He was needed at the Citadel today, but she wasn't. He would let her sleep in.

Carefully pulling the covers back, he gently got out of bed. He quietly padded his way to the bathroom and shut the door. After using the toilet, he grabbed his shaving cream and razor and began his morning process of getting ready.

As he was buttoning up his dress shirt, his thoughts wandered back to yesterday morning. And last night. What was Y/N so worried about? Sharing a bed was hardly more scandalous than some of the activities the both of them had engaged in together. They made it almost a routine at one point touching each other before bed. How was sleeping next to each other so different? He admitted he got a little carried away with their morning kisses yesterday, but they both had stayed clothed and that was still less than what they had done previous nights, according to him. What was she so afraid of? Did she think Ignis did not return any feelings? He was certain he had let her know at every chance how he felt about her. Sure, he hid the true depths of those feelings, but not enough that she would assume he didn't want her. Was she still nervous in her innocence? Perhaps.

Ignis tucked his shirt in his dress slacks and buckled his belt. Exiting the bathroom, he grabbed his suit jacket he had tossed on the end of the bed and began putting it on as he made his way over to Y/N's side of the bed. He quietly crouched down and looked at her a moment admiring her as she slept before gently saying her name.

"Y/N…" he almost whispered out. She twitched a bit but didn't quite stir. "Y/N…" he said her name a bit louder. She startled awake and looked at him, a puzzled look on her face.

"I am about to leave soon and go into the office. I have some meetings I need to be present for today. You may stay here though. Do you wish for me to call a glaive to stay with you?"

"I'm staying here alone?" she asked.

She had done it before. During their honeymoon when Ignis ran to the Citadel for a file he needed. She admitted she felt safer in their home than in that dreaded Citadel. But with the recent attack from someone new, she was still a bit on edge.

"I…I do not think I wish to be alone quite yet," she answered.

"That is perfectly alright. I will have someone come over and I won't leave until they get here. Would you feel more comfortable with a female glaive?"

"I believe so…"

"Very well. I will go make a phone call. Would you like me to make you some breakfast as well before I leave?"

"No, thank you."

Ignis sighed. She had barely eaten anything in the past two days. Surely she had to be somewhat hungry.

"Feel free to order something for lunch. The menus are in the top kitchen drawer all the way on the right. If you should need my assistance for any reason or need anything at all, please get ahold of my cellular. I'll leave the number to my office on the fridge just in case."

"Alright…" Y/N replied quietly, tucking herself further under the covers.

"Do not feel you have to get up just yet. Sleep as long as you need," Ignis said before standing. He wished to kiss her forehead but there was an odd tension between them for some reason.

Ignis made his way to the kitchen with his phone tucked against his ear. As he spoke with Cor about a glaive heading to his apartment for the day, he wrote his office number on a post-it. Before he stuck it to the fridge he stood still a moment thinking, and then added Gladio's cell number to the paper just in case. If, heavens forbid, he couldn't be reached, she would have someone else to get ahold of.

Ignis unlocked his office and walked in, depositing his notepad onto his desk. He sat heavily in his seat with a sigh, bringing his hands up to rub his face. He had just finished meeting two of four. He still had to type up a report for Noctis. Why the Prince couldn't just attend the meeting himself, he wasn't certain. The boy was supposed to be getting more royal duties but it seemed to Ignis like nothing much had changed. Half the time he wasn't even certain where the Prince was. Most likely just in his room, if how often Gladio was in his office bored was anything to go by.

Speak of the devil, two people had entered his office just as he had turned on the monitor to his computer.

"Hey Specs," Noctis greeted before plopping down in the chair Gladio usually sat in. His shield followed closely behind, standing next to him with his arms crossed.

"Good afternoon, Highness. I just returned from the Local City Affairs meeting. Would you prefer I give you a verbal summary of the meeting now or type it up for you to read later?"

"Eh, I'll read it later."

"Will you?" Ignis quipped, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I'm not in the mood right now," he said distractedly as he scrolled on his phone.

"Very well," Ignis sighed. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Nah, just came to hang out for a bit. Luna is off doing…something," he shrugged. "Speaking of her, I was wondering…does her and Y/N get along okay?"

"As far as I know, there are no rifts between them. Why do you ask?" Ignis responded, opening a program on his computer to begin typing up the report.

"So I was thinkin…Prompto was gonna come over this weekend. And it would be really cool if you came over too. Maybe make dinner or something. Gladio is gonna be there too."

"I wouldn't mind, but what does this have to do with Luna and Y/N? We've ate together before, the two of them present, with no issues."

"No, see…I was thinking Luna could like, go to your place or something. Hang with Y/N. That way it's just us guys," Noctis explained.

"Oh…" Ignis pondered the request a moment.

"Plus Luna has like no friends here. And neither does Y/N. Figured the two of them would maybe want to hang out or something. I mean, if she's up to it. I know shit has been rough. How is she doing?"

"Physically, she is better. Her bruises are healing well. I fear mentally, it has taken quite the toll on her," Ignis sighed, rubbing his temple with his right hand.

"I still don't get how we haven't caught him yet," Noctis said, scrunching his eyebrows up.

"I wanna know what the connection with this new guy is," Gladio piped in.

"I think we all have a lot of questions. Me most of all. But we have to just trust Cor and his men are working on it the best they can," Ignis replied.

"I don't know what I would do if it were Luna. You have to be going crazy, Specs," Noctis told his friend.

"I sometimes fear I am. I'm getting less sleep, that's for sure."

"Why don't you take some time off or something?"

"I've already taken a couple days more than I can afford. If you're not attending these meetings, someone needs to," Ignis eyed Noct.

"Yeah yeah, " Noct grumbled, still playing his game on his phone. Probably King's Knight if Ignis had to guess. He had gotten Ignis to create an account and play a few times. But the advisor rarely had time anymore for it.

Ignis shared a look with Gladio and his friend rolled his eyes. Ignis shook his head and went back to typing up the report on his computer.

Ignis pulled his car into his usual parking spot in the apartment garage. Turning the key and cutting the engine, he sat in his seat a moment in silence. Today was a lot longer than he anticipated. He tried his best to keep up on his work while he was home. But his meetings were long and his reports just as much so. Things were heating back up with Niflheim, which meant more meetings. At least Noctis had been present for most of those, considering his nuptials were meant to cool the heat down between the enemy nations. Some activity had been picking back up again, however.

There was also a conversation about Y/N's bodyguard she had brought with her, Bernard. He was to be leaving in two days. Ignis wondered how Y/N was going to take seeing him leave. She seemed a bit attached to him, for whatever reason. There had a been a few times she asked for him since moving in to the apartment, but Ignis assured her he was in good care at the Citadel.

Sighing once more and rubbing his hands up and down his face, Ignis proceeded to exit the car and make his way up to his shared apartment. The hour was later than he hoped to return home and he wondered if Y/N had eaten anything for dinner yet. Before he left the office, he had text her that he would be on his way, but she never responded. He didn't feel much like cooking this evening. Perhaps they could just order take out.

Ignis unlocked the door and walked through it, depositing his keys in the small bowl on the table sitting near the door before shutting the door behind him. As he was taking off his shoes, he noticed the glaive from this morning walking down the short hallway.

"Oh, did you not switch off with no one else?" he asked her, a bit surprised.

"No. It's been just me all day," the woman responded.

"My apologies. I didn't mean to return so late. I assumed you would have split the shift with someone else. I hope you weren't too bored here."

"It's fine," the woman politely responded.

"Did she eat anything for dinner yet?"

"She didn't even eat lunch, as far as I know," she shrugged.

Ignis paused a moment and blinked.

"She didn't eat anything for lunch?" he repeated.

"Not unless she has food in the bedroom. She's been in there all day."

Ignis blinked again before responding.

"She never came out? She didn't watch TV or anything?"

"Nope. I never even saw her."

"Have you checked on her?" he asked, his heart speeding up a bit.

"No. I didn't want to bother her."

"Thank you for your time. Have a nice evening," Ignis said before pushing past her and making his way to the bedroom quickly. His stomach started to knot up slightly. He hoped nothing had happened while she was alone locked in the bedroom. So far, the mystery man who usually attacks her hasn't made himself known outside of the Citadel walls, but Ignis feared it could happen anywhere. At this point, he was putting nothing past the man.

Reaching the door, he stopped in front of it and knocked his knuckles against the wood a few short times.

"Y/N?..." he called before turning the knob and opening the door.

The room was darkened, the sun dipping below the horizon in the distance through the window, which had the curtains drawn. Y/N picked her head up and looked in Ignis' direction when he opened the door. Seeing it was him, she laid her head back down onto the pillow.

"Are…are you sick?" Ignis asked, walking into the room and making his way to her side of the bed.

"No…" she mumbled.

"Is everything alright?"

Y/N just shrugged her shoulders, something Ignis struggled to see in the near dark room.

"I was informed you didn't eat lunch or dinner. I was thinking of ordering some take out. If you tell me what you would like, I will order it for you."

"I'm not really hungry," she replied.

"Y/N…you must eat something. You've barely eaten but a few bites the last couple of days. If your stomach is nervous or upset, I can make you some toast or soup. Something easy on your stomach."

"No thanks."

"Please, Y/N. You're going to make yourself sick not eating. Can you at least try?"

Y/N sighed.

"Whatever, I guess."

Ignis watched her continue to lay in the bed for a few moments before speaking again.

"Have you been in bed all day?"

"Does it matter if I have?"

"It's not healthy to stay in bed for so long if you aren't sick," Ignis gently sighed. "Why don't you watch some TV for a bit? Or at least join me at the table for a bit while you eat," Ignis suggested.

Y/N sighed loudly, throwing the blankets off of her and standing from the bed. She grabbed her robe hanging on the bed post beside her and threw it on. She walked towards the door and Ignis moved out of the way for her to pass him as she walked out the bedroom and made her way to the dining room table. Ignis carefully followed behind her but didn't sit down himself.

"Would you like me to order you something or make you something?" he asked.

"Toast is fine," she mumbled.

"Very well." He made his way into the kitchen and got out the bread. "Is there…anything in particular that is bothering you?"

"Haven't exactly had the greatest couple of days, now have I?" she bit back.

"Would you perhaps, wish to talk about anything?"

"No."

He pressed the lever on the toaster and turned to face her. Ignis tried racking his brain to think of something that may lift her spirits a bit.

"Have you called LeAnn lately?"

"And what, have her see me like this and ask questions? No thanks."

"You don't have to video call her. You can call her on your phone."

Y/N hadn't thought of that. The two of them had been video calling for a while now and she simply had gotten so used to that.

"Don't you think she will ask questions about why I'm not video calling?"

Ignis shrugged.

"Tell her it is broken. Or that I needed to use it. You could always just text her as well. It does not always have to be a video call. Surely she doesn't expect that all the time and won't hold it against you."

Y/N shrugged. Perhaps Ignis was right. She would think about it. The toast popped up and Ignis set about spreading a little bit of butter on it, sprinkling some cinnamon on the top just the way she liked it. He set the small plate in front of her and she quietly thanked him, taking a moment before nibbling a small bit off the corner. She could admit her stomach felt empty, sure. But the racing thoughts going through her head made it twist and knot causing her to feel nauseous. At least she felt somewhat safe in the apartment. So far nothing bad had happened here.

The glaive that had stayed at the house obviously ratted her out about staying in bed all day, though. Ignis wouldn't have come straight to the bedroom sounding so concerned otherwise.

Maybe she didn't need a babysitter tomorrow. So far nothing had happened at the apartment. And perhaps the mystery men were satisfied now that she got ahold of her mother. The first man didn't seem to bring up anything about her, but the second man was obviously very serious about it.

"I don't think a glaive needs to stay here tomorrow," Y/N spoke up after another small bite of her toast.

Ignis glanced up from his phone at her surprised. He thought for certain she would want a glaive here every day, probably for weeks to come. Only one day later and she was fine?

"What…changed your mind?" he asked carefully.

"I don't like feeling babysat. Nothing has happened at the apartment so far. I think it's all connected to the Citadel."

"Wouldn't it be better to be sure though? I know you've been safe here thus far, but someone is always with you here."

"I was alone once before. During the week after we were married."

"Yes, but that was only briefly-"

"And having someone around isn't a sure thing. I've seen the man when you were near before."

"Yes, but…I just think this is a bit rash. I can have someone else come tomorrow. Maybe someone I know a bit more personally."

"Who, like Gladio?"

"No, Gladio must always be with the Prince."

"What's that other guy's name? Prompto?"

Ignis paused. He had to admit, a small part of him was glad she wasn't sure of his name, even if she got it right.

"He's been busy with Crownsguard duties lately. I'll…have to see."

"I don't really want him here anyways. It's so…such an invasion of privacy having someone in your personal home."

"I can have a glaive ordered in the hall. Would that be better?"

"Yeah…perhaps," she mumbled.

"I know you don't like having to be watched twenty-four seven," Ignis sighed. "But it's for your safety. I only want you safe and unharmed. I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to you in our own home while I was away."

Y/N just nodded, staring at the table. Before Ignis could say anything more, the doorbell rang, signally the food order he put in on his phone had arrived. He got up and retrieved his food from the delivery boy but by the time he returned to the table, Y/N had retired back to the bedroom. Ignis sighed looking down at the half eaten toast on her plate.

Ignis sat at his desk with his head buried in his hands, elbows resting on the hard wood in front of him. He was finally catching up on the work he had fallen behind on. Now if he could just get Noctis to read the damn reports he was spending time typing out for him. He knew the boy wasn't, even if he claimed he had.

"What's wrong, Iggy?" a deep voice asked.

"Nothing. Just getting a headache is all," Ignis responded to Gladio who walked in the room but hadn't taken a seat.

"Things at home alright?"

Ignis straightened the papers on his desk and got up to get a folder from the filing cabinet.

"Things are fine. I've just had a lot of work to catch up on."

"Took you a minute to answer. You sure? Princess back to being a royal pain in the ass?"

"No Gladio," Ignis sighed, arms falling to his sides as he looked at his friend. "She has a lot going on as well."

"I get that. I'm not trying to start shit. I came to ask if you wanted to go to lunch?"

"What about Noct?" Ignis asked, sitting back down at his desk.

"King Regis wanted him to dine in the hall today to discuss something. He's got my dad and Cor there. He's good. I haven't been out in a while and figured I'd ask if you wanted to come with."

"Yes. That would be nice." Ignis stood from his desk and followed Gladio out of his office. Locking the door behind him, the two headed to the elevator.

After walking the streets for a few minutes and going back and forth between a couple places, they finally settled on a popular deli. The two put in their orders and sat at a table outside waiting for their sandwiches to be made.

"So, anything new?" Gladio asked, opening the soda bottle he purchased with his lunch.

"Not particularly," Ignis responded, running his fingers on the condensation on his water bottle.

"You seem like you have something on your mind."

"Just the usual, I suppose. Wondering who the hell is after my wife and when it's gonna happen again and will it be in my own home."

"You have someone staying at the apartment with her though, right?"

"Yes. However, she requested they stay out in the hall from now on. She feels like they are invading her personal space I think."

"And I bet you're hating that," Gladio chuckled.

"I do wish someone was with her, yes. But I have to respect her boundaries as well."

"So I take it with all the new shit going on, the fun bedroom activities have come to a halt?"

"Gladio," Ignis sighed. "Do you ever think about anything else?"

"Honestly? Not really." he shrugged.

Just then, a worker from the deli brought their freshly made sandwiches out to their table. The two carefully unwrapped them and began eating. After a few bites, Ignis paused.

"I wonder if I should order lunch to be sent to Y/N," he pondered out loud.

"Text her and ask," Gladio shrugged his shoulders, talking around a large bite in his mouth.

"She'll probably just tell me she's not hungry. I should just have something sent over and hope she eats it."

"Why wouldn't she eat it?" Gladio asked, scrunching his brows together.

"She hasn't been eating much lately. I think…I don't know," Ignis shook his head. "I fear she's falling into a depression or something."

"Understandable. She's been through a lot of shit the past month. Hell, two months."

"I'm not sure if this weekend would be good for her."

"What's going on this weekend?" Gladio asked, confused.

"When Noct brought up Luna coming over to the apartment to visit her."

"Maybe it would do her some good," Gladio shrugged again. "Maybe she needs some girl talk or whatever. A friend here and not halfway across the world like…Lisa? Laura?"

"LeAnn," Ignis corrected his friend. "She still hasn't talked to her, either."

Ignis got out his phone and opened the food delivery app. He decided he would just send her something and hope to the Astrals she would eat it. A simple soup and sandwich is what he settled on. He chose a deli closer to the apartment than the one him and Gladio were currently at.

Ignis put his phone away after his purchase was made and he went back to eating lunch with his friend.

Y/N sat on the couch across from the tv. It was on and playing some kind of drama she was only half paying attention to. She had slept so much the day before she couldn't sleep anymore. She eventually got bored just lying in bed and decided to try watching some tv. Nothing good was on. Her stomach rumbled and she admitted she was finally feeling a little hungry after not eating much for the last couple days.

She glanced down at her phone on the coffee table. She kept wanting to call LeAnn but something kept holding her back. If she just called, LeAnn wouldn't be able to see the healing bruises on her face and know what happened. She was surprised Ignis had suggested she lie about the video calling, but it was a good idea. Finally giving in, she picked up her phone and called her best friend.

After only two rings her friend picked up.

"You know, this whole calling me every day then suddenly stopping thing is for the birds."

"Hello to you too," Y/N giggled. "You know it works both ways, right?"

"Yes, I just figured you were busy or something and didn't want to bother you. And what's with the phone call? Your video tablet not working or something?"

"Yeah it's…acting weird. Ignis said he would send it in to be fixed."

"Well hopefully soon. Even seeing you every day, I still miss your face. So what's up?"

"Not a whole lot," Y/N lied. "Anything….anything new there?"

"Nope. Same old same old."

"My mother hasn't announced or…mentioned anything?"

"No, why? You expecting her to?" LeAnn asked.

"I just…know the Citadel was finally able to contact her. I wasn't sure if anything political was going on."

"No. I don't think so. Everything seems normal around here."

Y/N thought back to Ignis asking about her father and brother. Why hadn't she messaged either of them? Especially her father. There wasn't any animosity there. She just figured if her mother wasn't answering her, that her father wouldn't either.

"Hey, you haven't heard from my dad or brother…have you?"

"Uh, no," LeAnn laughed. "Your father always stays out of the limelight and your brother has been busy shoving himself in it. This whole him taking the throne thing is seriously going to his head. You can just see it on his face."

"Yeah, I figured that."

"So what's new with you and Ignis? Any new spicy deets to give me?"

Y/N rolled her eyes.

"That's all you want to talk about."

"Hey! My best friend finally is able to be laid according to royal law and I'm happy for her! Now…what's new?"

"Honestly…nothing," Y/N mumbled.

"Oh come on! What stopped everything? Last I heard you were just giving him handies at night. You're telling me it's still just you jerking him off?"

"Well, no," Y/N started. She had forgotten that she never told her friend about their switch in roles the night before she was attacked. "He, um…he got me off too," she practically whispered the last half of that statement.

"Shut up!" LeAnn squealed. "Did he go down on you? Tell me his tongue is magic and he went down on you!"

"No he just…basically did the same thing I had been doing to him. We just kinda…switched."

"Okay…not as exciting as I hoped but that's okay. Did you at least enjoy it?"

"Yeah, I…I enjoyed it," Y/N giggled.

"Okay. So you both got each other off. What's next?"

"Well, we finally slept in the same bed."

LeAnn was silent for a few moments.

"You haven't slept in the same bed yet?" she asked.

"Well, no. I wasn't comfortable-"

"But you were comfortable enough to rub his dick?"

Y/N covered her face with one hand, even though no one was around to see the blush heating up her cheeks.

"Sleeping together is so…intimate!"

"How is that more intimate that getting each other off?" LeAnn asked.

"It…just is! I wanted to…do what we did and then…be alone. It was too much to then lay down next to him and sleep right after."

"You're a strange one, ya know that?"

"Look, this is all…new to me. I'm trying to ease into it all."

"Okay, so you sleep together. Any late night cuddles?" Y/N's silence was all she needed to hear. "You put pillows between the two of you, did ya?"

"Easing into it! I told you!"

"This poor man."

"Listen I-" Y/N cut off when she heard a knock at the door.

"Listennnnn….what?" LeAnn asked after a few moments of silence.

"Someone is at the door," Y/N whispered into the phone.

"So…answer it?" LeAnn asked, not sure what her hesitation was about.

"Yeah, I…it's just no one has ever come to our apartment before."

"Maybe it's a friendly neighbor bringing over a pie!" LeAnn said sarcastically.

"I'm gonna stay on the line with you, okay?"

"Are you that scared?" LeAnn asked, chuckling a bit.

"Don't laugh at me! It could be anyone!"

"Sure, sure! I'll just be right here."

Y/N slowly got off the couch and quietly tip toed to the door. She didn't want whoever was on the other side to know she was there. She crept slowly up to the peephole and looked out into the hallway. All she saw was the glaive she spied on quickly this morning standing there with a bag in her hand. She almost forgot about the glaive being in the hallway. Unlocking the door, she opened it slowly.

"Good afternoon Miss Y/N. Your lunch order is here," the glaive said, holding out the bag to her.

"I didn't order lunch," she told the glaive.

"Well perhaps somebody ordered on your behalf then!" the glaive smiled, shaking the bag a bit to emphasize Y/N should take it.

"Free lunch! Nice!" she could hear LeAnn say from the other line of the phone.

Slowly, Y/N reached out her hand and took the bag.

"Thank you," she mumbled before shutting the door and walking into the kitchen. She placed the bag on the counter and just looked at it, not sure if she wanted to open it or not.

"So what is it?" LeAnn asked.

"I don't know. I don't even know who sent it!"

"Maybe your doting husband did," LeAnn suggested.

"I'll call you back later. I need to call him about this."

"Okay then? Remember to say thank you!"

"If he's actually the one who sent it!"

"Seriously, who else could it be?"

Y/N still didn't want to tell her friend about the mystery men just yet. This bag could be anything from anyone as far as she was concerned.

"I'll just talk to you later!" Y/N rolled her eyes before ending the call. She quickly brought up Ignis name in her contacts and hit the call button. It only took two rings before he picked up.

"Hello? Is everything alright?" he asked.

"I, um…" Y/N stuttered a moment. "Someone delivered a bag to the apartment. The glaive said it was lunch but I haven't opened it yet."

"Goodness, I should have text you. Apologies! I ordered you some lunch and had it delivered."

"Oh, okay. So it is just lunch then."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. That must have been a bit frightening having something arrive you weren't expecting."

"Yes it…it had me on edge, I'll admit," Y/N said, starting to untie the bag.

"I'll be sure and message you next time."

"No worries. Um…thanks, I guess."

"It was no trouble. I hope you enjoy it. It's just a simple deli sandwich and some soup but it's better than the few groceries we have at the house."

Y/N wasn't quite sure what else to say.

"So…will you be home late today you think?"

"Things are going along smoothly so far. I shouldn't be past six this evening."

"Okay, I guess I'll see you then?"

"Of course! Take care Y/N!"

Y/N ended the call and looked in the bag at the sandwich rolled in paper. She was feeling kinda hungry after not eating much the past few days. Perhaps she would eat the sandwich instead of being stubborn and leaving it in the fridge like she was almost tempted to do. After putting the soup in the fridge, she grabbed her wrapped sandwich and a napkin and went back to sit on the couch and watch tv as she ate.

A/N:

Just a bit of a filler chapter. Some more plot stuff is set to happen next chapter. I almost left it at another cliff hanger but I know those can sometimes get annoying so i didn't lol

Hope everyone in the US had a great holiday and hope the rest of you had a great week as well! Hopefully the busy christmas season doesn't keep me too busy and I can work on the next chapter sooner rather than later.

Thanks again for all the great comments and kudos i continue to get on this story! They all mean so much to me!