victory_road | Insomnia in Olivine

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Insomnia in Olivine

Who: Prompto Argentum & Ignis Scientia

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Where: Olivine (specifically their new digs, separate houses/apartments/whatever courtesy of an overly generous best friend)

When: Starts the evening of January 21

Status: Closed

It's 2am and he's awake. Again. Still.

Prompto thought that moving and all of the accompanying excitement would be enough to make him tired at night, especially considering the little projects he's started with some of his Pokemon. And then there's all the physical moving things around and organizing and re-organizing. He should be fast asleep right now.

But he isn't. Instead he's staring at the ceiling of his new room, wishing the presence of his Pokemon was enough to lull him into sleep. It hasn't been, and it doesn't look like tonight's the night it finally becomes enough.

Since the move, he's barely slept. And when he's managed to finally drift off it wasn't a very deep sleep, nor did it last very long. Sometimes his fitful nights even disturbed sweet Pryna, who tried to keep him company by curling up next to him, and the now-protective Gladio who firmly believed that he needed to be at the foot of Prompto's bed all night every night in order to keep watch.

Still, something was missing and Prompto had been trying so hard to ignore it. Because it was stupid and lame and he was so pathetic for getting so used to sleeping near Ignis that he can't sleep well without him around. Sure, maybe he needed that human presence considering he came here straight from his own personal hell. And maybe Iggy had helped a lot just by being there, and helped even more on the nights he let Prompto curl next to him and fall asleep with his hand clutching Iggy's sleep shirt. But damnit he's an adult and he shouldn't be depending on Iggy's physical presence to sleep.

... Except he totally was while they traveled around Johto and he hadn't even noticed. And now he's exhausted and miserable and sick of feeling all of it and before he even realizes what he's doing, Prompto's sliding out of bed and shuffling to the bedroom door before walking through the rest of his new home to go outside.

The night air is cold on his skin, but it barely registers as he makes his way over to knock on Iggy's door. He probably should have put on shoes, or a jacket, or something more than his sleep pants and thin t-shirt. Blearily, he stares at the door, willing it to open and praying to the Astrals that probably can't hear him for Ignis to let him in and not laugh in his face.

When the door opens, he speaks and would be mortified at the crack in his voice if he weren't so damn tired.

"I-Iggy please, m'sorry, can't sleep. C'n I sleep here?"

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Luckily for Prompto, Ignis wasn't sleeping either. It had little to do with physical contact with people and everything to do with a brooding frustration. His conversation with Ash was still sitting in his mind. To have someone who was a blatant outsider question the life Ignis had led rubbed him wrong. To have them imply Regis was anything less than the honorable man Ignis knew him to be lit anger in him.

But the worst part was the implication that Noct had been even a passive participant in some form of supposed abuse. Ignis had never viewed his upbringing as a form of slavery or abuse. He had the best of everything provided to him. Opportunities he never would have had if he weren't at Noctis's side.

His thoughts were drawn out when there was the knock at the door and he heads over to open it. Prompto's voice was concerning and he steps aside to let him in. Dahlia's distressed squeaking was even more so.

"You're so cold, come on, let me get you a blanket!" The Audino takes Prompto's hand to pull him along without giving Ignis a chance to really answer.

"Is everything alright? You should exhausted."

He lets Dahlia usher him in, immediately grateful he's no longer outside. Prompto does his best to answer Ignis while stumbling behind the Audino's rather hurried form, his bare feet padding on the floor of Iggy's new home.

"I ... I haven't really been able to sleep since we moved." He takes a seat on the sofa and slumps forward, elbows on his knees and head hanging between his arms. Raising his eyes, he looks at Ignis.

"For a while I wasn't sure why but I think I figured it out n' it's stupid n' you're jus' gonna laugh at me." Apparently, even his 'hey, stop talking you idiot' filter has fallen victim to exhaustion as well. But Prompto desperately tries to save face, and scrambles for something else to say that isn't about him and how he's pretty sure he can't sleep alone anymore.

"Y'answered the door pretty fast. What's got you up tonight?"

Dahlia continued to fuss, calling for another Pokemon to come before toddling off to the kitchen to make something warm. Porkchop, now a Delcatty, trots around the corner. He was still happy go lucky and wild but had a bit more self-control than he used to. He hops up onto the couch and rubs his face against Prompto's shoulder.

Ignis listens patiently, glad to have something to focus his energy on instead of things that had annoyed him some time ago.

"I would not laugh at you, Prompto. Being unable to sleep is difficult." He pauses a moment before moving to sit down in the other chair, legs crossing neatly.

"A conversation I had with Ash has been bothering me, but it is nothing to concern yourself over."

His hand lifts to pet Porkchop, immediately feeling the difference in his fur and missing Pryna. He wished she was here, but it was his own fault for just kind of bumbling over here.

Raising sleepy eyes and seeing the gentle patience on Ignis' face, Prompto is unable to stop the words from tumbling out of his mouth. "M'sorry. Travelin' around with you here I got used t' you bein' near me at night... n' then after my nightmare you let me lay with you ... n' we still roomed together everywhere... n' now I can't sleep even if Pryna's with me."

He curls in on himself, clenching his hair in his hands and mumbling the rest. "After bein' so close with everyone on the trip n' then after .... after everythin' Ardyn did to me I guess I kinda ... got too used to you bein' there while I slept."

Gods, it sounds even worse when he says it. He refuses to look up, certain the older man considers him pathetic and childish for this stupid problem that shouldn't even be a problem.

The words about a conversation with Ash being what's kept Ignis awake aren't lost on him. But he's in no shape to even address that right now, no matter how much he will concern himself over it because at the very least Iggy's his friend and he wants to help him too.

"M'sorry Iggy. I should just ... I should go. This was stupid."

Edited 2018-01-26 03:32 (UTC)

Ignis shifts his weight forward, holding up his hand. Dahlia was just arriving with the hot cocoa, quick to make Prompto take it before he could escape. Because you can't leave if you have hot cocoa in your hands, that was the rule! She squeaks at Porkchop, telling him to go and get Pryna.

His tail puffs with happiness and off he goes, disappearing out the front door. He'd learned to open it a while ago. Dahlia.. had to go and close it behind him.

"It's perfectly understandable. You realize that I already..." He laces his fingers together, head tilting down. ".. I've already seen you in this state, Prompto. And I can confirm your anxiety softened in time. I promise you, this will pass."

Of course, Gladio and Noct had both been there. They had actually helped Prompto more than Ignis had at the time. Then Noctis going into the crystal... well, that made it so they all had to step up at that point regardless of how they felt.

Prompto accepts the cup of cocoa with a ghost of a smile, grateful for the warm drink that, after taking a sip, he realizes is perfectly made and even topped with little marshmallows. He immediately feels the loss of Porkchop from his side and grips the mug tighter, willing the warmth to spread from his hands to the rest of him.

"Yea, but back there all of us were together. At least until whenever we separated. But we're not like that here. Noct doesn't want to make things awkward between us since the other me was dating him and I don't wanna overstep with him just because I'm used to being physically friendly with him too. An' I'm sure you're happy to finally have your own space again but here I am intruding. Again." The words leave him in a rush, only stopping because he takes another sip of his cocoa.

"Besides, it's not like we can pitch a tent and cram me, you, and Noct into it without including Ash and it sounds like you're mad at him right now so that's out. Plus I don't think any of us have a tent. N' I doubt you wanna just let me come by and sleep with you every night." The double meaning is lost on him in the moment, his second string of word vomit ending as Porkchop re-enters the house followed by Pryna and, surprisingly, Gladio.

Pryna leaps up onto the sofa and immediately nuzzles her way onto Prompto's lap, a comforting weight and even more comforting presence. Gladio pads over to Prompto's feet before turning in a few circles and settling himself directly on top of the blond's feet. Let's see his trainer escape his protection now!

"Thank you for getting us, Porkchop! We were so worried when we woke up and he was gone. I'm glad he came here though. Ignis can help, I'm sure of it!" Pryna chirps softly to the savior of the evening. Gladio huffs in irritation, not towards Porkchop but towards himself for allowing Prompto to just walk out without any of them with him. And even he offers Porkchop a low "Yes, thank you."

Ignis looked thoughtful for a moment about the tent idea. Though they didn't have Gladio they could surely manage with just the three. They had done it before, when Gladio had taken off to handle his personal business.

"I doubt you would be overstepping your friendship. It has been some time, you should approach him. The two ofyou have been friends for so long that this should be hardly a bump."

He goes silent at the comment, knowing that Prompto hadn't meant it that way. Porkchop had turned his attention to Gladio. Fur fluffs as eyes grow wide as he stares at the Houndour... He crouches, butt wiggling gently and that was the only warning before Gladio was tackled.

Still the same Skitty at heart.

"Prompto, while I do believe your anxiety will pass it would be terrible of me to throw you out and wish you luck with your own healing. That isn't what a friend should do."

He was older. Wiser, at least a little. He could handle helping Prompto out.

"Yea, but I don't wanna make things weird. He said he was worried about slipping up since he dated the other me, and literally sleeping together could make things awkward and I don't wanna do that to him." He's also got a feeling his friend has eyes for Ash and he knows Ash has eyes for Noctis. Nothing obvious, but the little things gave Ash away and how could Noct not like Ash back?

Gladio senses something and looks up just in time to see the Delcatty leap at him. Is Porkchop trying to attack Prompto?! He takes the impact and looks to Pryna, who regards him with warm eyes and chirps at him simply that this place is safe and Porkchop likes to play.

Hesitantly, not wanting to hurt Porkchop, Gladio lifts one paw to push him away. He knows he's strong, but he's never really played before and he's trying to be gentle. With a huff, his gruff growling is directed at the Delcatty "You feel like a cotton ball." Alright, so he doesn't know how to play but he knows how to tease. There's a tentative smile on his face, the Houndour clearly unused to acting like this with a new ... friend?

Prompto raises his eyes and looks directly at Ignis. "So ... you're okay with me sleeping here tonight? I c'n sleep on the couch if you want, instead of on the floor in your room. Don't wanna invade anymore than I already am."

Just because Ignis let him cuddle during the nightmare month doesn't mean Prompto is going to automatically assume he's allowed to do such a thing again. The couch is probably comfier than the floor, but at least the floor would mean he's closer to Iggy. But it's Iggy's house so it's his call where Prompto sleeps.

"I'm not a Cottonee, I'm a Delcatty!" Porkchop squeak-meowed back before clamping (gentle) teeth onto Gladio's foreleg. He gnaws up and down for a moment without doing more than pressure before puffing up and suddenly darting away. He turns to look at Gladio again, back arched as he hops back sideways towards him.

A paw papped against the floor after waving in the air a bit, ears back as he tries to goad Gladio into playing more.

"You can sleep here. You are welcome to sleep anywhere you wish. My bed will be mostly clear as I doubt I will get much sleep myself if you wish to be more comfortable."

They'd shared close quarters often enough that it honestly didn't bother him if they shared the bed space. It wasn't as if it was a small bed.

Ignis starts to stand but Dahlia was returning with a cup of tea for him already. She had become quite a helpful little thing as of late as appreciation for helping her with the contest even though Ignis wasn't a fan of such public presentation.

"You still feel like a cotton ball." Wary yet curious eyes follow the Delcatty's movements, not minding the gentle gnawing that was more ticklish than painful. Maybe that was play? Taking something meant to hurt and doing it gently instead?

When a paw pats against the floor, Gladio slowly lifts himself off of Prompto's feet and stalks towards Porkchop, ears back and the beginnings of a fanged grin forming under his scarred nose. With no warning, and no tell, he jumps towards the Delcatty, stopping just short of landing on him.

Prompto grins softly as he watches his Houndour start playing with Porkchop, and lowers one hand from his mug to gently stroke Pryna's fur. She's seriously the best thing about this place, and he is beyond grateful that she was his first companion here and that she's stuck by his side, always doing her best to make sure he's okay and to make sure the others are okay.

Her presence now, coupled with the really delicious cocoa and the honest words from Ignis, helps him get out this last bit. "I came here to see if we could lay together again... like we did when I got those nightmares in October."

He watches Dahlia as she hands Iggy some tea and idly hopes it's something meant to help the older man sleep. "But you gotta try t' sleep too, Iggy. Wanna talk about what happened with Ash? M-maybe that'll help you..."

Yea, Prompto's still tired. And he wants nothing more than to try to sleep right now. But he wants Iggy to be able to sleep too, and he's not going to budge until Ignis at least agrees to attempt sleeping.

Porkchop puffs and jumps wildly, flipping around and somersaulting in place for a moment before landing with both front paws splayed out in front of him. He stares at Gladio before booping him on the nose with one paw then turning to skitter off.

He stops to make sure Gladio was following though. Come on, lets run around like crazy beasts for awhile! Embrace it!

It was sleepy time tea, yes. Dahlia nods and smiles to Prompto as if she could tell what his concern was. Ignis would get to sleep! She would make sure of it.

"It isn't anything to be concerned over. A mere disagreement."

Ignis sips his tea, then motions towards the upstairs. "You're welcome to go and lay down. Once I finish with this I can come up and sit beside you so you can sleep."

He didn't have a problem with helping Prompto to sleep. It was part of being a friend. The physical contact that came with it wasn't a negative to him.

Gladio huffs out a laugh, finding Porkchop's antics amusing. His rumbling doggy chuckle cuts off when the Delcatty bops his scarred nose and scampers off. The Houndour is momentarily frozen, head tilted, as his eyes dart to Pryna. He's pretty sure that his ... playing ... was up to snuff and wants to make sure that chasing the cotton ball would still be okay. At the Eevee's gentle nod, Gladio trots off to follow Porkchop.

Maybe this whole 'playing' thing isn't so bad.

Prompto returns Dahlia's smile and finishes his hot cocoa in two big gulps. He reluctantly moves Pryna off his lap, murmuring a soft "keep an eye on Gladio and Porkchop, okay?" as he scratches her ears, before slowly standing up.

"You're my friend, Iggy. If someone upsets you, I'm gonna be concerned. N' talking about it might help. Get another perspective or somethin' like that." Looking around, he maps a path to the kitchen and heads towards it.

"Thank you for the hot cocoa, Dahlia. It was delicious. I'm jus' gonna wash this up for you and then I'll keep Iggy company while he finishes his tea." Yup, deal with it Iggy. Prompto isn't going to go lay down in Iggy's bed without the man himself.

He's too tired to blush properly at that thought, and sets to washing his cup. How could Ignis see sharing a bed as part of friendship but not see sharing his own upsets and aggravations as part of friendship? Prompto chuckles and shakes his head slightly.

Only Iggy.

Ignis listens to the cat and dog take off to run amok. He knew Prompto would make it difficult but would it be a terrible thing to express his frustrations? There had been no one to share with for some time.

He waits patiently for Prompto to return, mulling the decision over in his head. He hears Dahlia fussing around before leaving when Prompto returns, as if she sensed the coming conversation.

"The discussion I had with Ash was personal in nature. It.. ...Prompto, would you say my life was a poor one?"

Prompto isn't expecting Ignis to share anything, understanding that the man is still very private despite occasionally sharing his personal space, and tilts his head at Iggy's question.

"Honestly? You never really shared much about your life. At least, not to me. I just know you n' Noct have been friends since you were kids, that you guys met because you were training to be his Advisor, and that's pretty much it." He says the words plainly, feeling more than a little ashamed that he doesn't actually know much about someone he calls his friend.

"I never wanted to pry, so I never asked. Which ... is kinda crappy of me. You're my friend, and I barely know anything about you outside your role as Noct's Advisor. So I guess that's a long way of saying I don't think your life was a poor one, but I really don't know much about your life."

He's perched himself on one of the chairs arms, wanting to be closer while having a conversation that might get personal.

Ignis was.. uncomfortable to say the least. He shifts in the chair, reaching up to loosen a few more buttons of his shirt because his nerves were making him feel over heated. He was in his own home anyway. He took a moment to roll his sleeves to the half position they normally were in, ten years ago.

The movements revealed scarring he kept to himself. Across the shoulder, collarbone and chest. Down his left arm. They were like burns, similar to the one across his face. The ring had done its damage, burning from the inside out and leaving subtle indentations where skin hadn't quite repaired fully.

"I was six when I met Noct. His Majesty explained that he would need someone by his side, to keep him on the right path. That was my duty and honor."

There was the sound of a creature getting up and Caelum appeared, laying down next to the chair as if it were just a thoughtless decision. Ignis's hand dropped, fingers gently brush the white fur.

"Gladio was there as well, we both were... but I spent the most time with Noct between the two of us. I learned how to be his steward. I was educated and provided the best opportunities, opportunities I would have otherwise never had." Ignis lets out a long slow breath, the irritation an obvious undertone. "Ash seems to believe this was unfair to me. That it was akin to slavery."

There was a bitterness there. An anger. He was raised understanding loyalty and honor and this man who knew little of their world was besmirching the Caelum family even if unintentionally. It irritated Ignis because he never saw his life as an act of disregard.

Prompto's eyes are drawn to the scars, never having seen them even when he was helping the man navigate the ruins in Cartanica. Angry marks swirling around his arm and shoulder, rising to arc over his chest and clavicle. He's tracing the shapes with his eyes, still not knowing exactly what happened to cause them and never having the guts to ask, speechless at just how much of himself Ignis is sharing with him.

As his eyes take in the previously hidden features, his ears take in every word and he stays silent as he processes everything. It's ... it's definitely a lot to take in. He'd known Ignis had to have been with Noct from a young age, but six is pretty young to be told 'hey, so you're gonna be by the Prince's side forever.'

Though Noct would have been four, so it's not like he'd have treated Iggy like anything other than a new friend and playmate. And of course being in the position of Noct's steward would have paved the way for Ignis to get some first class education and learning opportunities that most people could only ever dream of.

He can hear the undercurrent of anger, the irritation for Ash and his words coming through with each syllable. Prompto takes a moment to actually think about what he wants to say before saying it, a rarity for him, and idly begins petting the Absol.

"I think I can see why Ash thought - thinks? - your childhood was ... not good. But I don't agree with him." He's quick to add that, not wanting to add to Iggy's ire.

"It kinda sounds like you might've been young when you n' Noct met, and maybe it's a little weird to tell a six year old that they're supposed to stay with someone and keep them from making stupid decisions, but everything is weird with royalty. At least, weird to plebes like me."

There's a little chuckle in his voice when he realizes how true that statement is. So many things about life as a royal just made no sense to him, but he accepted all of it when he became friends with Noctis. "If you enjoyed the things you did, then I don't think your life was a poor one at all."

Keeping his eyes on his friend's face, Prompto continues. "Did you have fun growing up, Iggy? What did you do when you weren't around Noct?" He's pretty sure that answer will be something distinctly Ignis-like, but he is genuinely curious. And maybe the answer will help Prompto better understand the man in front of him.

Ignis's brows furrowed a little when Prompto said he could understand Ash's point of view to a degree. He curls his fingers through the thick white fur, waiting for Prompto to finish his thought. He even smiled slightly when Prompto stated he didn't understand the ins and outs of royalty.

"I enjoyed caring for Noctis..." His voice was softer, nostalgic. He pulls in a breath, shifting in the seat.

"When I wasn't with him..? I would shadow the council to learn more about the ins and outs. Private tutoring to understand governmental policies both local and international... weapons training came when I was a bit older and independent study. I began cooking when I was older as well so I could continue to be of help to Noct.."

Oh, this is ... new information.

"Uh, Iggy? I'm getting the feeling that you went all out with your duty ... with making sure you could be the best help to Noctis. And that's seriously some admirable work ethic, don't get me wrong." Prompto fidgets a bit, not really sure how to phrase what he's trying to say but desperately needing to say it.

"But all of that is stuff you did for Noct. What - what did you do that was just for you?"

Examples, he needs those. Oh! "Y'know, how Noct goes fishing and Gladio reads those trashy romance novels. That's stuff they do outside their duties, stuff they do that they enjoy that is only for them and not for anyone else."

Yea, Noct could bring home fish they could eat, but when he went out to go fishing it was always just for his own enjoyment and relaxation. Maybe that'll help Iggy understand what he's asking.

Ignis closes his eye, leaning his head back. The hand on his unscathed side reaches up, tracing the lines of scars poking out from under his shirt. He was listening. Prompto was making sense but Ignis had never put it into words before. It was an intrinsic part of who Ignis was at this point that it felt obvious.

"Everything I have done for Noct has been for myself. To see him smile and bond with others. Witnessing his successes and even his failures... When I choose to do something for Noctis it is also for me."

His brows furrow and he reaches up now to pinch the bridge of his nose. He pushes the sunglasses off and lets his other hand drop down. Caelum sniffs the glasses before gently taking them from his hand to put them on the table.

Ignis lowers his head back down, letting his head push through his hair.

"It was.. a duty. And then it stopping be just a duty... These scars are from the ring of Lucii. I gave it my sight so it would help me keep Noct alive... Knowing that.. it is just delaying the inevitable."

His elbows lean against his knees, long fingers twisting in his hair.

"I would give everything I am to know Noct would see a thousand dawns without hesitation."

The only sounds in the room are Iggy's voice and Caelum and Prompto's breathing, the blond totally focused on every accented word. His brain feels like it's going in two directions, one part taking each word and processing it and the other part watching with rapt attention as Ignis bares his face and begins mussing his hair. Is it possible to die from seeing something too beautiful?

Astrals, no wonder Ash got pissed. When it's put like this, there's no denying it. But - 'delaying the inevitable'? What did that mean -- no.

"I-Iggy, you're ... you're saying -" His voice cracks and he has to clear his throat before continuing.

"You love him too. You lived your life for him and, at some point, you realized he was more than a job, he was your purpose... your everything. And you risked dying for him just to keep him alive and somehow he still dies?" Ignis loving Noctis isn't as shocking to him as he thinks it should be, but maybe that's because he's had feelings for Noct for a while himself so how could he fault anyone else for loving that goofball?

But Noctis dying? Shit, just the thought is messing him up something fierce and this Ignis might have actually lived through it. And now his own irritating heart has him pining for Noct, wanting to make sure he's still here and alive, while also breaking for Ignis and wanting to reassure him that it's okay but worrying about getting too close because clearly he can't make up his mind (if his blooming interest in Iggy is anything to go by).

He wants to do something to ease the tension from Ignis. Putting a hand on his knee might not have been the best choice, but he does it anyway as he tries to speak with the empathy he feels. "He's lucky to have you. To have someone love him as much as you do. It's gotta be rough, feeling like that and not being able to tell him any of it. Especially knowing what you know."

Edited 2018-02-05 07:01 (UTC)

"We were to give Noct everything to make his life comfortable and happy... His Majesty knew it would come to this. It was all prophesized and we were to help him reach his end goal.."

But Noct was more than a faceless man in old words predicting a distant future. He was alive. He loved to fish and hated vegetables. He would play games on his phone and laugh at jokes and weep in grief over loved ones lost.

He wasn't faceless. Ignis had Noct's face burned into his memory as the last thimg he ever saw with his natural eyes.

To know Noct was beloved by so many should bring comfort but it was only more to grieve. He shouldnt have told Prompto. He hadn't told the young man until Noct was in the crystal for some years. They bad needed to be ready.

Here..? There was no tragic end coming to them any time soon. Here they could live rich, happy lives and Ignis shouldn't be reminding either of the coming sorrow.

"I apologize, Prompto. It is not my place to burden you like this. This cross need not be carried so soon. Noct is happy here. He can find love and success and live years beyond what he was given.."

"Iggy, Iggy, it's okay. That's ... you've carried all of this alone since you got here. I'm glad to take some of it now. Y'gotta learn that it's alright to share the load." Prompto presses harder on Iggy's knee, leaning forward as he speaks.

"Astrals know you've helped me with my burdens since I got here. Let me return the favor, yea?" It's more than wanting to return the kindness and understanding he's been privy to since arriving in Johto; he wants Ignis to know that he doesn't have to keep everything in all the time.

He wants so badly to lean his forehead against Iggy's hair, to offer a tangible sensation of support, but he worries that would be too much, too personal, too ... invasive. Instead, he simply leaves his hand a reassuring pressure on one knee and continues.

"Maybe we can all find those things here. N' maybe it'll help both of you and Noct if you start acting a little less like his Advisor." Prompto gives a little nudge and a soft chuckle, hoping to alleviate any anger that last suggestion might cause. "Pretty sure the two bestie slots are taken, but there's a Mom-Friend slot that's wide open."

Ignis knew that Prompto meant well with what he was saying. Unfortunately, Ignis felt no sense of satisfaction in his words. To not be Noct's advisor removed Ignis's purpose. And while Prompto knew he didn't mean anything by it, it did feel as if Ignis was being offered a place by Noct's side that was.. set apart from the young man as well.

He knows that isn't what Prompto meant. He knows, so he gives the young man a brief smile. He was trying to help. Ignis could appreciate that.

"Perhaps I should focus on ... relaxing instead of worrying."

As if Ignis had ever been fully successful at that. But Noctis didn't need him here. This world provided Noct with opportunities to excel without the burden of royal duties or dooming prophecies. As morbid as a thought it was this could be a form of practice for the coming inevitability.

Ignis rubs his hand against his face. He needs sleep. He would be no good if he didn't rest.

"Both of us are exhausted. We should attempt to rest."

"Baths, man. Baths and yoga." Well, he's definitely tired if he's literally offering bubble baths and stretching to someone like Ignis, who'd probably grown out of bubble baths before he was 10 and was flexible enough to not need yoga. Time to find ways to help Iggy relax! Good thing his birthday was coming up.

And yea, sleep is totally a good idea. But there's one thing he'd meant to say, one thing he needed to get out before his brain lost the thought.

"Y'know, you may have seen yourself as Noct's Advisor first, but I bet Noct saw you as his friend first. Think about it. He was four - he probably just thought you were a friend he could play with all the time. An' since you were older of course you'd tell him not to do stupid or dangerous stuff." He stands, swaying a little as exhaustion hits him in earnest.

Moving his hand from Iggy's knee to his shoulder, Prompto finishes the thought. "So to him, you've always had a reason to be there."

Oh yea, he's drop dead tired. Maybe Dahlia slipped something into his cocoa (a thought that makes him giggle a bit).

"C'mon cuddle buddy. I'unno where your bedroom is and it'll feel weird bein' in your bed without you." In the morning, he's going to remember calling Ignis 'cuddle buddy' and will immediately want to disappear. Forever.

Ignis never doubted that Noct knew he had a reason to be there, but it was still good to hear. A justification of his existence from a third party would feel good to anyone. It was a good conversation, a calming one though Ignis wasn't entirely sure if it would help in the overall contention with Ash.

In time, perhaps the tensions would mellow. Ignis would continue being polite and if they managed to come to a friendlier state of companionship then so be it.

Dahlia was peeking out from the edge of the kitchen. She was watching them a little too closely at the moment.

"Cuddle buddy?"

Ignis raises a brow at Prompto as he stands. He'd memorized the layout of the house due to functional need and lead the way up the stairs. The way he moved indicated practice.

"I apologize for .. venting all of that on you. It did help though, so I appreciate it."

"Yea, cuz y'let me hold your shirt n' sometimes sleep closer'n I should." Yup, none of this is passing through his usual filter. Come morning, he'll hope he's dead to spare himself the embarrassment of facing Ignis after this.

He grins sleepily and wraps the fingers of one hand loosely around one of Iggy's wrists and follows him through the house and up the stairs. It's amazing how quickly his friend learned the layout of his new home, how deftly he moves around the furniture, and how easily he takes the stairs. Even with his eyesight intact, Prompto knows he'd be tripping over things and stumbling up the stairs whether it was day or night, light or dark.

Logically he knows it's not easy, that it takes time, but the way Ignis makes it look so damn effortless is one of the many things Prompto admires about the older man.

"Hey, no apologies needed. I'm th' one who interrupted your night, so I should be sayin' sorry some more. But m'not gonna 'cuz I'm glad you got some of that off your chest. M'your friend, Iggy. Y'cn always talk to me about anythin', okay?"

When they get to the bedroom Prompto pulls Ignis in for a quick, sideways hug before blurting out a thought that couldn't be kept in one his eyes found the bed.

"Uh, which side d'ya want?"

Ignis enjoyed the appearance of control over any situation but really, someone only needed to move one piece of furniture and it would be ruined. Or a certain Delcatty could run under his feet like he so enjoyed doing but thankfully it seemed Porkchop was still harassing Gladio.

He does lose his balance slightly when he was suddenly sideways hugged by Prompto. He pats Prompto on the shoulder before putting his arm around him to guide him towards the bed.

"It doesn't matter. Just lie down and try to sleep. You sound terribly exhausted."

He intended on actually getting ready for bed before crashing. After depositing Prompto he turns to fetch his things together so he can change into proper bed clothes.

"I would be prepared to have more than just ourselves taking up the bed considering the Pokemon think it's their bed as well."

"You're exhausted..." he mumbles as he's guided to the bed, flopping on it with every ounce of grace he possessed - none. He wiggles around a bit, playfully trying to grab at Ignis to pull him towards the bed but missing with each attempt.

He knew Iggy would be all proper about getting ready for bed, and the blond giggles to himself.

"S'okay. My Pokemon like to take over my bed too. We'll be a cuddle pile!" Prompto bursts into helpless laughter, clearly extremely tired and probably almost delirious. Once Ignis gets in bed, Prompto is sure to get some desperately needed sleep.

Now if only the older man would hurry up and come to bed!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Insomnia in Olivine

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gonna pretend Iggy has a sofa ... sorry

JOKES ON U ITS A CHAISE (sofa is good)

:-P

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