#chocobo express

Nearby, he sees Prompto, guns still drawn and his guard still up, as though he expects yet another one of Ardyn’s tricks. On the citadel steps is Gladio, who is only just now lowering his sword. To Ignis’ right is Ravus, sheathing his sword.

“He has done it,” Ravus says.

Ignis thinks of the vision Pryna had shown him just before she passed on—Noct, on the throne, impaled by his father’s sword—

“Noct!”

Ignis looks up in time to see Prompto racing up the stairs, throwing himself at Noctis. Gladio is there just in time to catch them just in the nick of time, making some kind of remark that earns a childish retort.

Ignis rolls his eyes. It would seem little has changed.

(He wouldn’t have it any other way.)

Ignis walks up the citadel steps, smiling at the sight. He thinks of the future that could’ve been—Prompto pulling the sword out of Noct’s body, Gladio holding Ignis back while he curses every Astral for the fate they chose for his oldest friend—

There’s no need to think about that now.

“He really did it, Iggy,” Gladio murmurs. He pulls Ignis close, wrapping his arms around him tightly.

“Did you not have faith, Gladio?” Ignis asks, his tone teasing.

“Just shut up and kiss me.”

Now, the sun was setting, turning the sky a stunning red-orange. The light reflects off the ocean, creating a sight so beautiful Prompto takes a photograph. The stars, slowly but surely, are coming out, twinkling brightly.

“Isn’t it beautiful, Iggy?”

Ignis’ attention turns to Prompto. There’s something particularly breathtaking about the way the lightning seems to make Prompto’s skin glow, like he’s an angel sent from the Astrals above. His big, beautiful blue eyes are wide with wonder as he stares at the sight before him. In the back of Ignis’ mind, he remembers that this is Prompto’s first time outside the wall.

“It most certainly is,” Ignis whispers, though his focus remains on his boyfriend’s face.

Prompto lets out a soft sigh of content, leaning against Ignis. He rests his head on the adviser’s shoulder, his eyes sliding shut. “I had a lot of fun today, babe.”

“As did I, my darling,” Ignis murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to Prompto’s temple. “I regret not saving up more funds before we came, though… perhaps then we could’ve been able to do more than sightsee.”

“Who cares about all that?” Prompto asks. “I got everything I need right here.” He takes Ignis’ hand, intertwining their fingers.

Ignis’ smile grows a little wider. Everything about this moment was perfect—the day giving way to night, the gentle movements of the gondola, the soft drone of the city surrounding them.

As Ignis walks through the cemetery, he thinks of the last year before the dawn returned. At the time, he had thought Prompto’s frequent illnesses were a result of all the work they had put into preparing for Noctis’ return. Now, thanks to Sania’s research, he knows that’s when his body had started to give up.

It’s not hard to find Prompto’s tombstone—the roses he left the last time still lay there. He kneels down and removes the dead roses, his eyes following a white petal as it falls to the ground.

Ignis doesn’t bother to wipe away the tears the begin to trail down his face. “Of all people, you were least deserving of such a fate, Prompto.”

He should be in the citadel, training new recruits and offering words of advice to those who might think they’re not cut out for the Crownsguard. He should be taking photos in his free time, perhaps doing a little work for Vyv on the side. He should be at home, curled up with Ignis and their ridiculously affectionate Great Dane after a long day of work.

“I know I say this every time I come to visit you, but… I’m thankful for the time I got to spend with you.” Ignis reaches out to run his fingers along the name carved into the tombstone. “I only regret that I didn’t make an attempt to befriend you sooner.”

Ignis looks back down at the dead roses, still able to make out their colors in spite of them being in such a state. In the back of his mind, he remembers Gladio explaining the meaning behind each color when they made the bouquet.

“The white rose represents innocence and youthfulness. The deep crimson, grief and sorrow. And the red rose… a love that lasts forever.”

Ignis replaces the old bouquet with the new one—fresh flowers, full of life, just like…

1. Who takes the trash out? 

prompto! he doesn’t really mind tho bc he usually walks their dog at that point of the day so he’ll kill two birds with one stone

2. Who reminds the other to take care of themselves?

prompto. ignis gets super busy at the citadel and he tends to skip meals if he’s behind on his work or forgo sleep if he’s been put in charge of planning an event. prompto makes sure he eats and sleeps and drinks water (even going as far as locking up his ebony until he drinks a glass water but that’s only when ignis is *really* stressed)

3. Who is happier when they are out in nature?

it think they’re about the same? when ignis gets a free moment to join prompto on his morning runs or walks with their dog he’s *super* relaxed and it’s basically a mini vacation away from the citadel. prompto, on the other hand, *loves* nature and he’ll take a bunch of photos and pet all the stray animals they come across and it’s honestly so sweet?

4. Do they like to go in the hot tub together?

yes, but they don’t really get up to anything (on three separate occasions ignis has fallen asleep in a hot tub)

5. Do either of them avidly follow a celebrity and/or fandom?

ignis has been obsessed with tunny tonberry since he was a child and he hasn’t outgrown it, like, at all (he’s more lowkey about it nowadays but prompto has given him a bunch of tunny tonberry collectibles that he keeps displayed in their room)

6. Who builds a pillow fort?

prompto. he’s very well known for his Pillow Fort Skillz and it’s great for lazy nights in

7. Who plans the romantic date?

ignis goes all out when he plans dates bc his busy schedule is p much the reason they don’t get to go out as often as they like. he knows prompto doesn’t hold it against him, but he feels it’s the best way to make it up to him

8. Who likes to play with the other’s hair?

ignis loves playing with prom’s hair (especially after prom’s fallen asleep or he’s had a long day). his hair’s just!!! so soft!!!

9. Who calms the other down when the other has a nightmare?

ignis. he has a lot of practice calming noct from his nightmares, so calming prompto isn’t that difficult.

10. Who wants their dog to sleep on the bed with them?

PROMPTO!!!! he wants tiny (HE NAMES THE GREAT DANE TINY BC HE WAS THE RUNT OF THE LITTER) to sleep with them but ignis is like NOOOO HE’LL CRUS H US

11. Who can’t sleep without the other?

ignis doesn’t sleep very well without prompto. if prompto’s lying in his arms, then he knows he’s safe and nothing’s going to happen with him.

12. Who is too nice and will listen to a sales person pitch?

prompto. if a kid’s involved, he winds up buying the product (”Iggy, I had to buy those cookies! that little girl gave me the puppy dog eyes!”)

13. Who makes the first move to cuddle? 

ignis. he and prompto are both pretty touch-starved (prompto bc he was pretty lonely growing up and ignis bc he didn’t really have much of a childhood) so it works out for the both of them.

14. What is their go to fast food place?

the crow’s nest. prom’s got fond memories of it and ignis *genuinely* likes the food

15. Who likes to wear the other’s sweaters?