"So, how do you guys feel now that you get to wear the greatest uniform ever made?" I asked.
Prompto, Gladio, Ignis, and I were wearing the Kingsglaive uniform without our jackets.
"Man, this is so cool! If only I could warp too," Prompto pouted.
Gladio gave him a light smack on the shoulder, "Even after seeing what she had to go through in Altissia?"
Prompto went slightly pale at the memory, "Yeaaaaa, maybe not." I chuckled.
Noct then stepped out of the tent in his Kingly Raiment. We stood in front of him, half amazed and half proud.
"Dude! Now you really look like a king!" Prompto exclaimed.
I expected Noct to be embarrassed as he had always been about his role 10 years ago, but he actually looked proud of himself as well.
"You've changed a lot while you were gone," Ignis commented.
Noct smiled and turned his head away towards the campfire, "Why don't we sit and have dinner, like old times."
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"So Ignis, you're really cooking like you uses to." Noct said as he took another bite of his favorite Mother and Child Rice Bowl Ignis had prepared for us.
Ignis laughed, "Well, I can manage with far less help than I required before."
Prompto happily took a bite as well, "Well, I'd say this is even better than I remember, Iggy."
Ignis smirked, "Perhaps I've developed a culinary sixth sense,"
"Hey Iggy," Gladio spoke up, "You oughta follow Weskham's example, open up a restaurant,"
I nearly choked on my food, "You never told me while you were visiting that Weskham told you to open a restaurant," I placed my spoon back in the bowl and rested me hand on his knee, "You should totally do it!"
He smiled shyly at me, "Perhaps I will. Assuming such demand still exists in a post-apocalyptic world,"
"Maybe you can do it after we bring back the light again," Prompto suggested, "Right, Noct?"
Noctis just stared at his bowl, moving his spoon in circles instead of eating, "Noct?" Prompto said softly.
Noct's eyebrows furrowed for a moment before he gently placed his bowl on the ground at his feet. He entwined his fingers together nervously and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"There's something I need to tell you all," he said. We each placed out bowls down and leaned forward as well.
The entire time he spoke his eyes were glued to the ground, "When I was inside the Crystal I met the Draconian, Bahamut." He fell silent, "Before giving me his blessing he told me a few things. He told me where the darkness came from and how to stop it,"
I nearly jumped out of my seat, "Really? What did he say?"
Noct didn't speak at first, "He said that Ardyn was the cause,"
This didn't surprise us much. We had already known his past thanks to Cor, "So, how do we stop him?" Prompto asked.
Noct took a deep breath, "He said I had to obtain the full power of the Crystal... But that can only be done on the Kings throne,"
"Seems simple enough," Ignis said.
"Yea, Insomnia is just right there," Gladio said. We had chosen to sleep on the outlook of the city. The place where our misery began.
Noct didn't look at us, he just furrowed his eyebrows once more, "But... In order to get the power a sacrifice has to be made,"
The tension around us was high. None of us dare say a word. Noct let put a broken sigh, "As he said, 'Many sacrifice all for the King; so must the King sacrifice himself for all,"
It seemed like the silence went on for an eternity. No one had any words for what we just heard.
Noct then broke the silence for the first time, "I know I have no right to ask this, but I want you four by my side in the end,"
We all looked up at him in shock. Tears welled up in my eyes at the choice. What should I do? Watch my good friend die before my eyes? Die alongside him? I wanted to live alongside Ignis and the others after this was over. I wanted do finally feel the rays of sunshine on my skin after 10 years of darkness.
I started wondering how I would die. It was my choice after all. I thought about all the things we had been through. I thought about my vows as a Glaive. I swore an oath to protect Insomnia and the King.
For hearth and home.
"Well," I said. Everyone was now looking at me, "Insomnia is gonna be overrun with daemons. Someone has to protect the Citadel while you do your thing,"
I look around and saw nothing but love and sadness is their eyes. I swallowed a sob about to escape my throat. My words were broken from holding back tears, "I swore to King Regis I'd stay by your side and protect you no matter what, Your Majesty. And I'm going to keep that promise."
When no one said anything I just hung my head low and faced the ground. I can hear quiet sobs and sighs from all four of them.
"You know what," Prompto said, "I'll do it too. That's what best friends are for after all," Noct looked like he was about to break down now.
"Same here. I am your royal shield,"
All that was left was Ignis. He placed a hand on my leg before speaking, "I made a few promises to King Regis myself, and I would never break them."
Gladio quickly picked his bowl back up again and began eating to keep this stuff out of his mind. We chuckled and did the same, "Thank you," Noct whispered.
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After the dishes were done we sat in silence, watching the campfire burn.
"The five of us around a campfire. How long has it been?" Noct asked.
I smiled, "Far too long,"
It was quiet again, "I, um" Noct mumbled.
"Out with it," Gladio grumbled.
Noct looked up at all of us, "I just..." Je paused. He clenched both fists and sighed, "Dammit. The he'll is this so hard?"
The tense mood came back. Soon the tears would too, "So I..." Noct pushed back his tears and spoke up louder, "I've made my peace. Still... Knowing this is it. And seeing you hear now," the tears started to fall for all of us.
Noctis' lips trembled, "It's... More than I can take," he choked out.
I buried my face in my hands and let silent tears fall down my cheeks, "Yea, your damn right it is," Prompto said.
Gladio let out a small laugh, "You spit it out,"
Ignis sighed, "It's good to hear,"
I let my hands fall from my face, no longer embarrassed by my tears like I was all those years ago, "At least we were able to spend one last camping trip together,"
Noct stood up and stared at us all. He could no longer hold back the tears, "Well, what can I say? You all are the best,"
YOU ARE READING
Ignite My Heart (Ignis X Reader)
FanfictionThe gentle and romantic love story: You are part of the Kingsglaive and King Regis has asked you to accompany Noctis and his friends on their journey. The four men don't seem to happy about it, but maybe they'll learn to like you over time. This sto...