Final Fantasy XV 💖Crystal Heart

15---A rare Item

Gladio and Ignis wait at the table.
"I'm so glad we found those mushrooms, Ignis. You have really come a long way."

"I am glad you enjoyed it, Thank you." Ignis responds, being blind for over ten years he re learned his favorite skill.

Prompto comes running from the direction of the hotel, sliding past their table. He comes back panting, "hey guys!" He says with an excited face.

"Ooooo Something happened, didn't it? Couldn't have been more than what I caught you two doing in the forest, Amiright?" Gladio has so much fun embarrassing the poor guy.

"No!!! That's not it. She... I....she fell on me..." He explains himself, "But seriously...... I confessed my feelings for her just now and she loves me back." He sighs with a goofy grin.

Gladio Leans back in his chair proudly,"I actually didn't know you had it in you. Prompto, good for you."

"Thanks, I really got lucky..." Prompto says as he pulls up a chair, sitting.

Ignis leans foreward,
-"You know there was once a time where she confessed her feelings to me, about you Prompto.. But She deserves loving care. It is best you approach her rightly."

"I know, she really is amazing and totally worth the wait. " Prompto responds.

He puts his hands up to his cheeks daydreaming of her smile, her cute green eyes and the way she gets excited while shooting his gun.

"Hey get your head back in the game, we've got something for you." Gladio watches Prompto intensely while nudging Ignis.

Ignis---"Oh yes," he reaches into his shirt coat pocket and pushes an item across the table toward Prompto, "I believe this should suffice."

Prompto picks it up, looking closely. "Wow, this is perfect! How did you get it to look so good? Thanks you guys!"

Gladio--" we searched high and low for you Prompto. We know a guy who forged it at a high expense but price was no concern...So Don't mess this up."

Prompto-- "Awww, thanks Gladdy! You do have a heart."

Gladio--"Don't call me that."

**************

Alseep, Issa dreams:

She lays across a bed with silk sheets. The sun peeking in between thru the red velvet drapery by the widows.

"I've waited for this moment...." Promptos voice.

The sheets draw back slowly, she can feel someone crawling into bed with her caressing her from behind, a hand brushes her bare shoulder gently.
"I've always loved you, from the beginning." He says, kissing her shoulder now.
She feels butterflies in her stomache.

Suddenly the room becomes dark and the bed begins to melt...she looks down at the floor, centepedes and spiders scurrying about.
Another arm wraps around her neck, she becomes fearful. Turning her head, eyes wide she sees who it really is....
"Ardyn.....no.. but your dead..." tears fall.

"I may be dead and long gone Issa but you can't escape this. I will always be there. You'll think of me when your with him. "

"But he loves me..." She cries out.

"He will NEVER accept you, Princess." Ardyn laughs evilly pulling her tighter and tighter til she can no longer breathe.

**************
She wakes up in her bed she screams....and begins panting while tears well up in her eyes.

she sits up, pulling her knees to her chest sobbing uncontrollably...Her reality slowly unraveling before her.

Someone knocks at the door.

She sits at the edge of the bed, wiping away her tears. Walking to the door she takes a few deep breaths.

Another knock. She stops at the door and opens it.

It's Ignis, "I wanted to check in on you, I thought I heard crying."

She holds onto herself sniffling, "I had another nightmare." She couldn't lie to him.

Ignis---"Well then, will you join me for a morning cup of tea? We can talk if you'd like."

Issa---"I'd like that." She wipes away a stray tear.

They both walk down to the lobby together and out to the cafe near the hotel.

Tea in hand Ignis starts, "I can hear in your voice that this nightmare has troubled you deeply. I'm here if you need me to listen."
Ignis always seemed like a great fatherly figure to everyone, especially her.

"Ardyn did every thing he possibly could to tear me down when I was in captivity. But now it feels like he is haunting me in my dreams. I never gave up hope back then, so why do I feel this way now?" She questions sadly and tells him her dream.

"Issa, no matter what was done to you. It never changed who you are. You were a victim of his doing and this dream may very well be your doubts in yourself."

He sips from his tea and continues, "You persevered over it despite being broken down and Healing can take a lot if time. You are strong Issa, don't let your doubts consume you.."

Issa thinks deeply for a moment, well knowing that this matter wouldn't be fixed overnight, but having someone to listen helps a lot.

Issa--"Thank you, I really want to get past this."
She swirls the cup in her hands.

Ignis---"It will be alright. Just don't let your past affect your future and accept yourself as each of us accepts you." Ignis scoots his chair closer to her to rest a hand on her back, he continues.
"Only you have the ability to move foreward, lay down your burdens somewhere that means the most to you. Lay them down and don't pick them up again. Only then will you find freedom of this."

He knew how much sadness she holds behind her smile. They all heard her crying in the other room early this morning. But he felt he would be the best choice to talk.

"You are right." She smiles a little having finished her tea. She feels calm and a bit better.

Prompto comes running up to the cafe, "can I sneak her away?" He asks Ignis.

"By all means, just call me later." He responds knowing what Prompto has planned. The boys had spoken about it before heading to bed last night.

Prompto turns toward Issa,
"Would you like to go for a drive?"

"To where might I ask?" She questions.

"Just go." Ignis adds while shooing them away.

He smiles at Ignis and turns back to her,"It's be a surprise, I just know you'll love it. "