Altissia

Chapter 4: Reunited.

"ARE YOU COMPLETELY OUT OF YOUR MIND? You could have collapsed from that sickness! You could have been kidnapped! Tortured! KILLED! You could have gotten lost and no one knew where to search! Don't you have the slightest clue about what the word self-preservation mean? Don't you care about what this does to Prompto and Gladio? I... I should turn you over my knee and teach you a lesson, but I'm afraid that you are too dull for it to go through." Ignis barked harshly and pinched the bridge of his nose, his unseeing eyes were directed towards the ground and his breathing was strained by the pain in his ribs.
He sighed heavily, turned towards the sound of his ward's rapid breathing and shook his head slightly 'I should probably not yell at him... He is both sick and sad and probably in shock too, but what am I to do when he's not even listening to reason? IS there even something to do? Maybe I should just call...' He tilted his head to the side and folded his arms over his chest in a stern demeanour.
"Do you have anything to say in your defence Your Highness, or should I call Cor to fetch you and ask him to teach you a lesson?" He asked with an almost venomous voice.
Noctis flinched and bit his lower lip 'Great... I barely had time to enter the garden before he flung upon me and began to yell... I guess that Prompto has called him after all, or Gladio? It may have as well have been Gladio and that would mean that he and Prompto are on their way. I'm in trouble for real this time... I guess it won't get any better by ignoring Iggy's questions...' He thought and took a deep breath to collect his thoughts before he answered somewhat ashamed.
"I... There is not much to say... I am worried about you Iggy, you are the closest thing to a parent that I've ever had, don't take it wrong, I loved my father, but it has always been you who have been there for me; the thought of losing you... I can't stand it.
Please try to understand Ignis, please... I didn't think at all, I just ran because I all I could think of was to see that you were alright, truly alive and the fear that you wouldn't come back to us.
I know that I did wrong, I know that I scared you all, I know that this was selfish, stupid and dangerous; but when I finally realised that, I was at the airport already, it was too late to turn back." He said pleadingly and wrapped his arms around himself, as if he could protect his inner being from the guilt by doing so; guilt... And relief, those were the only feelings he currently felt.
Ignis clenched his fists and took another deep breath, he didn't know what to say, the words warmed his heart but he was way too angry to calm down by them and way too disappointed and shocked to let them affect him. He sighed heavily and shook his head again, everything was so frustrating, to hear the prince he sworn to protect with his life, doubting his loyalty...
To hear his ward's hurt and fearful voice, his rapid and strained breathing from his sick body.
Noctis watched the ground again, bit his lower lip down hard and started to sob, he had expected Ignis to yell at him and to scold him, but he had not expected himself to feel so terrible emotionally and mentally by the words that came out from his friend's mouth.
Noctis had expected himself to feel comforted and happy about to see him, but everything was stained with guilt, fear, shame and sadness. Another sob leaved his lips and he took a seat at the ground, the hard stomped earth was the only thing that felt comforting at the moment, it was the only thing he found solid. Ignis continued to breathe deep and calm and started to speak again, this time a bit more civilized, but still in a harsh and serious tone.
"You are going to text Prompto and Gladio, telling them that you have arrived and ask them to call me in two hours." He said and made a pause before he started to speak again.
"You are acting like an obstinate child Noctis; it isn't fit for a king to be and neither for a man in the twenties. You have to understand that you can't keep on doing as you please, there are consequences that might harm or even get someone killed; do you understand that?
You could have died while being on the run! How do you think Prompto would have felt if that had happen while he was in charge of looking after your spoiled bum? You have to start listen to me Noctis Lucis Caelum, I'm your chancellor and it's my job to consult you, a job mere impossible to accomplish if you choose to close your ears every time I open my mouth.
Answer me on that question and answer me sincerely." The older man scolded sternly.