melodiesofeternity | Crystalline Chill

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Crystalline Chill

Who: Residents of house C-01 and friends!
When: All throughout May, see prompts and individual threads
Where: House C-01
What: Monthly catchall for the XV House shenanigans
Warnings/Notes: There's likely going to be spoilers for Kingsglaive and the main game up to Chapter 13 somewhere in the comments.

A. Sometimes you just want to ride...
Late in the morning of the 1st, there is a low purring sound of an engine going down the street. One that wasn't accustomed to travel aside by foot or chocobo claw. Yet, somehow, a certain man manages not to clip a single thing. And it sits there, in front of House C-01, black, shiny, and very much a wonder to a few moogles. Especially since the convertible's roof is airship-grade plexiglass.

B. [Insert "I'll Make A Man Out Of You" joke here]
There was one upside to living with the once-deceased leader of the Crownsguard, and that was one didn't have to go far for a training enthusiast. There was also one downside to this: not having to go far for a training enthusiast. It's the crack of dawn when the nice little symphony of insects and kwehs get interrupted by the sounds of wooden weapons clashing and spells being practiced.

Rest in pieces, light sleepers. They apologize in advance.

C. That's it!
Of course, no one can train or go through the day on no fuel. And one person in particular has taken upon himself to at least ensure a few others can eventually cook eggs without burning them. The real question is: Will Ignis come up with a new recipeh involving that jar of kupo nut butter?

D. I want to ride my chocobo all day~
If anyone is surprised at the fact that there are two or three (depending on the date because Chocobo Eater event) lovely birds, then they clearly don't understand at least 50% of the household's love for the magnificent creatures. The black one in particular seems to be particularly happy with their nice little stack of shiny objects...

There may or may not be a pair of glasses on the top of that pile. Sorry, Specs.

E. Hold my Ebony
(Feel free to come up with your own prompts, guys; these aren't the limits to our zaniness.)

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When Ignis said he head to listen to him carefully, he was determined not to interrupt even though, he had a tendency at times to blurt out what he was thinking and at least he'd caught his breath and calmed himself by the time he began to speak.

Noct had to go into the Crystal. He wished he'd have known that, but it got worse. At the mention of Lady Lunafreya's white dog, he couldn't help himself.

"Tiny." He murmured, because he'd met that very same dog, but that was neither here nor there at the moment. He'd never told his friends that part of the story.

Ignis had seen a vision of the future, the darkness, he knew about the darkness. At least they were right, Noct would come back to fix it.

Noctis would come back.

However...?

Prompto sucked in a breath extremely sharply, eyes wide and he turned to look at Ignis, to take in his features, to look at his expression. He looked dead serious. He looked devastated.

For a moment there was silence between them, lingering hot and heavy because he couldn't say anything, or do anything. He didn't even notice the fact his vision was blurring before his eyes, nor did he feel the first tear spill over his cheek.

The only sound Prompto made was a heart-wrenching sob before his hand shot up to cover his mouth and muffle the sound, his body curling in on itself.

Ignis didn't say anything anymore. He knew that whatever he said right now would be lost on Prompto and, honestly, nothing really mattered. Their friend, brother, Prince and King, is destined to die to bring back the dawn. For people. For everyone. For them. Ignis wanted to argue that with all his heart, but it wasn't his place. And it's not his decision to make.

And there's nothing he can do about it.

All of this trouble, the battles, the injuries, the losses- everything just so that Noct dies at the end as well?

Prompto's sob made Ignis' heart clench painfully- so hard, as if he only just now realized how much it hurts. He tried lying to himself, tried to ignore the things he saw, thinking it wasn't true. But it was. Prompto confirmed it. And there was no avoiding it.

Without a moment of hesitation, he shifts closer to Prompto and pulls him in a hug, while trying to keep his own sobs and tears at bay.

He's not succeeding.

He turned in the embrace and slid his arms around Ignis, sobbing instead against his shoulder because the news was crushing and debilitating all at once. It was like his entire world had come full stop.

A week. Prompto had been missing Noct and wishing for him, that hole widening in his heart and it had only been a week.

The thought made him cry out and he brought one arm up along Ignis' back to rub at his eyes.

"I can't-" He swallowed.

What was he supposed to do for the rest of his life without Noctis? What was he supposed to do? Noctis was, to him, everything and he'd just pictured their time together to be longer than five years, the only good five years of his life honestly.

When the good was taken from him, what would be left?

The fact that this was true brings up plenty of other questions. None of which matter right now. He's stuck like deer in headlights, not knowing what to do or say to comfort Prompto because... there's nothing that will lessen this pain.

So he just holds him. And lets him rub his eyes as he tries to stifle and bite back his own sobs because it's finally hitting him full force. His fingers twist in on the back of Prompto's shirt.

When Prompto pulls away a bit, Ignis says with a shaky voice, "I'm... I'm sorry I had to- to break it to you like this but..." a sob made him hiccup and he pressed the fist against his lips for a moment. "But... you deserve to know..."

Ignis doesn't know what they are going to do without Noct. His whole life revolved around Noct's existence, ever since he was six. He felt as if someone moved earth from underneath his feet and left him falling. And the landing is going to be devastating.

Prompto understood that exact feeling. He hadn't had anyone in his life before Noctis who paid him any mind, attention or care. He was unwanted. He was nothing, until fateful meetings and his destiny changed its course again.

He never pictured their time would come to an end. Not until they were old and grey and ready for it. Noctis was a lifelong friend, that was all there was to it.

He nodded a little to acknowledge Ignis' words.

"Yeah. Yeah I...Yeah. I needed to-" He choked back another sob, he couldn't say it. He didn't know how he was going to face it. He hadn't planned for this.

Somewhere, the Astrals were laughing at him, as he often thought they did. "Damn the Six." He cursed because he knew it was their fault too. "And damn Ardyn and just why? It's not fair. It's not and he has to- he should get to grow up! Get old and stuff!"

It wasn't just about him, more than him Noct was losing out on yet another opportunity.

The Gods were cruel.

Ignis envisioned himself standing by Noct's side, as his advisor, for the longest time. It was what he strived to be, all of his training, years spent with Noct, tutoring him and supporting him in the darkest of times. For him, to get this kind of an end, an early end, and end for the sake of them and everybody else- it is not fair.

He takes in a shaky breath, nodding. "I... don't know. All I know is that- that we don't have the choice but accept it." Because, if what Prompto says is true, that the world plunges into darkness the moment Noct enters the Crystal- there really is no other way.

Face buried into his hands now, glasses knocked off to the side, Ignis finally breaks into louder sobs, "T-There's nothing- nothing I can do! I - I was trained to protect him from e-everything-! Why can't I-" protect him from his own destiny!?

"This sucks." That was the only way he could think to describe it, tears sliding down his cheeks because he couldn't help it, and he needed to discuss this with Noct.

"Does-" His voice caught. "Do you think he knows?"

Prompto swallowed, Ignis sounded agonized, and he felt bad. "If we could just stop this I...I'd give anything Iggy. Really." So would Ignis, and he knew it.

"If we think of something...you can have anything. Anything you need from me."

Ignis doesn't know how to bring this up with Noctis but yes, he needs to talk about it with him. To warn him if he doesn't know or discuss if he does. Ignis won't calm down until he knows that there is nothing he can do. He'll turn the sky upside down if he has to.

"I... don't know what we can do," Ignis says with heavy sighs, his cheeks still stained with tears as he leans back on the couch. "But that doesn't mean I won't try to do something. I can't just accept this while sitting down and doing nothing."

What was the point of getting a vision of future if not to stop it?

"The eyesight you mentioned I lost- I'd give it million times again if it meant that it will change something." Although, he knows that he's insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

"No, I agree with you. We have to...we have to do something." Prompto answered, his fingers curling into fists on his lap, even though he couldn't stem the flow of tears down his cheeks. All of this was too much, too unfair and too cruel.

He hated it. He wasn't mad at Ignis, no, there was no need to shoot the messenger.

"I wish it did. I don't-no one knows why you lost it so I can't say what you gave it up for, except to save Noct. That we know."

Prompto sniffled, he was not a delicate crier, at all. His face was blotchy, his eyes red and puffy.

"It's not fair, it's just not fair, I don't know how I can just let that happen. I can't Iggy, I can't."

"The question is- what can we do?" That is the problem with prophecies. They are usually set in stone with very little chance of being changed in any way. Can they really defy it? Ignis wishes with his entire being that there is. And if there is, he will do whatever it's needed to get it.

Ignis shakes his head: "My eyesight matters little right now. If that was the price for Noct's safety, then I'll pay it again." He isn't much of a "pretty crier" either, but he's lucky enough that only his cheeks and nose get red, without eyes getting too puffy.

He is silent for a long moment. "...I know. It is not fair that he should die for sins he didn't commit. To fix someone else's mistakes." He rubs away the tears that slid down and takes a shaky breath. "But... if we can't do anything, we'll have to accept it. The decision that Noct makes."

"I don't know." He answered mournfully. If he knew the answer as to how to defy the Astrals, he would offer it up willingly on a silver platter. As it was, he wasn't entirely sure they could.

"I.." He swallowed. "I figured you would. I know it'll be hard, but I couldn't just not tell you."

Prompto let out another sob and pressed the heels of his palms to his eyes and just sniffed slightly. "His decision? You think Noct wants to?"

He shook his head a moment later. "I kn-know he will." He was letting out shuddering breaths.

"I'm not ready to lose him."

They all would. Ignis would do it the moment he heard about it. Without hesitation. But, it wasn't about them in the end. All they could do is sit and watch and despair and mourn. And it makes Ignis want to scream.

Ignis nods, "Yes. I appreciate it." He does. But, as he said, losing sight is nothing compared to losing a life.

"To protect us... he would," Ignis pinches his nose. He would and they wouldn't be able to change his mind once he's set on it no matter what they said. "Me either... and we won't. For now, while we're here." Ignis takes a deep sigh and rubs his eyes, trying to get them to stop stinging from tears.

"I will make use of the library here. Try to find something that could maybe help us."

"Let me know. If there's anything I can do." Prompto said, exhaling a little and using his shirt to dry his eyes.

He didn't know how he wasn't going to tell Noctis all of this the next time he saw him. He had a hard time keeping some secrets between them.

Prompto breathed. "...There was one more thing."

"I will." Ignis nods and gives Prompto's shoulder a squeeze. "This is something that I won't be able to handle alone and keeping you out of the loop would be unproductive and insulting."

Ignis looks around for his glasses and puts them back on, now that the tears have stopped streaming down his face.

"Hm? I'm listening."

"Thanks. I appreciate it."

Prompto was quiet a moment and fiddled with his bracelets.

"I'm from Niflheim. I'm-no. I'm not one of them but I was made to be an MT so..." He said softly.

"There's uh, a barcode on my wrist, marking me as one of theirs."

Ignis listens quietly, eyes catching the small movements of Prompto's hand around his bracelet.

"And you thought that would bother me?" Ignis asks softly. This is just classified as new information in Ignis' head- it doesn't change his view of Prompto at all.

"You've been with us through thick and thin," Ignis says, smiling slightly. "As far as I'm concerned you are Prompto- a Crown citizen, Highness' best friend, a member of the Crownsguard and Prince Noctis' retinue."

He was overemotional at the moment and he wrapped he turned and hugged Ignis, squeezing him a little too tightly perhaps, but it was just because he was so grateful. He shook his head, breathing in a shuddering breath.

"N-No. No actually." Prompto shook his head again. "This is what you said last time. I'm just really glad to hear it again. All of you just were great."

He let out a little sob, or something like it. It was just a really emotional evening.

"It bothers me more than it seemed to bother you guys and I'm just so glad to hear it again. I'm sorry I-" He swallowed. "Still thought you should know."

The hug was surprising, but not unwelcome at all. If it could help Prompto feel just a tad bit better, especially after this news, then Ignis is more than willing to hug him as many times as he needs it.

Last time...? Ah. Probably at some point in the future because Prompto never brought this up in the past. Still- his opinion won't change. He runs his hand up and down Prompto's back slowly, hoping it would offer a bit of comfort.

"It is nothing to apologize for. It is a legitimate fear and nothing to say sorry for." Ignis nods.

The motion is nice and comforting, and it was what prevented him from letting go as quickly as he might have otherwise. Prompto wasn't in the habit of hugging Ignis, granted, he wasn't in the habit of hugging anyone, but it seemed like a necessary thing in that moment.

"I have a lot of stupid fears." He muttered, sometimes Prompto was sick of being scared all the time, but his brain was uncooperative in that department.

"Yeah. Thanks. Just...thanks." He trusted his friends to stand by him, even if he was scared they wouldn't. He wanted his friends by his side. Wasn't that the conclusion he reached?

A lot of them, huh? With what happened to them, they didn't get to talk about out, the chance never appeared. They were all focused on their task. Or, perhaps, this time he spent apart from Noct, things that happened to him made the small fears turn big.

"If there is anything I can do to help you, don't hesitate to ask me." Ignis pauses and pulls back, but only so he can look Prompto in the eye.

"And I mean it. I don't want you to just say it now you will do it without intending to actually go through with it." He knows how you think Prompto. "You are not going to bother me." What would bother Ignis more is Prompto not asking for help, from either Noct or Ignis.

He'd always had fears, some got better, but most didn't and he kept them to himself, at least to the degree they scared him. There hadn't been time to dwell on it. Prompto looked a little surprised when Ignis called him on his worst behaviours.

"Yeah. I mean, I'll try. I don't know what to ask you for." He didn't want to tell Ignis that he'd done stupid things on his own, like hurting himself. It wasn't good, and he didn't want them to think he was unstable, just because he felt unstable.

He was fine.

"I'll be okay, I just...need time or something. I'm...I just block the bad stuff out."

Ignis is just worried about him. He didn't mean to call him out like this but he knows that Prompto has a tendency to not tell if he's in trouble. Somehow, they all kind of have that trait. And it has to change. As soon as possible.

"Anything. I don't know how much I can help you but I want to be there for you. The same way you are always there for Noct and me." He gently shakes his head.

"Sometimes, you can't block the bad stuff out and have to deal with it. When it comes to that, we will be here to support you. All of us. Don't close us off, alright?"

"Thanks Iggy. I'm really...honoured." He flushed slightly because it was hard to describe how flattered he was.

"I'll try not to. I really will." Prompto pushed a strand of hair out of his eyes and he smiled.

"We'll all be okay right?"

Optimism, it was his best weapon.

Ignis is not sure how 'okay' they will all be but. They'll manage. They have time. And by the time they go back, they might have some answers.

...is it bad to hope?

"Yes. We will be."

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Crystalline Chill

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