Kingsmen

Bear Necessities

Ignis Scientia Appreciation Society writing prompt week 1: "Ignis finds something in the Regalia that isn't supposed to be there."

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Ignis sighed heavily. Not only was he the one to do the bulk of the driving, he was also the only one who ever looked after the Regalia when they were out of Hammerhead. He stretched, hands on his hips and arched his back. What he wouldn't give for one of Cindy's full services right now. Smirking at the innuendo, he opened a trash bag with a deft flick of his wrist and bent down to the back seat. It never ceased to amaze him just how much trash two men could produce in such a small amount of time, it seemed to be one of Prompto's many talents. Much as he complained about his blonde friend, Ignis felt a great affection for him and all three of his friends on this journey. They had become so much more, brothers in arms, companions in strife and celebration, though there hadn't been much of the latter since the fall of Insomnia.

Stuffing handfuls of snack packaging and drinks cans into the bag, Ignis was idly thinking how much of this was actually Gladio's trash, judging by how much the man could put away in a day, when he reached under the driver's seat to chase a runaway Ebony can. His long fingers touched something soft and fluffy, certainly not the cool metal he was expecting. Frowning, he grasped the item and pulled it from under the seat.

It was a small, brown teddy bear, barely bigger than his hand, with tiny wire framed spectacles on. Who on Eos had left this behind? Turning it over in his hand, it looked brand new. Iris must have dropped it when they took her to Cape Caem, he concluded. That seemed to be the logical explanation. He made a mental note to ask Gladio when he got back to camp, tucked the bear into his jacket pocket and proceeded to sweep out the carpets in the Regalia. Sighing heavily, he internally cursed the sand that got everywhere no matter how short their journey.

The sun was setting as Ignis returned to the campsite after cleaning the Prince's car. Noctis himself was sat with Prompto, looking over and comparing the photographs they had taken that day. Ever since His Highness had bought that camera, he seemed to be paying less and less attention to the group's everyday needs. Rolling his eyes and making another on his long list of mental notes to remind Noct to help out a little more, Ignis began setting up to cook dinner. Would it kill those two to show a bit of selflessness once in a while?

A loud clatter from behind him signalled Gladiolus had returned from collecting firewood, the larger man rolling his eyes at the Prince and Prompto before crossing the camp to Ignis.

"Would it kill those two to do some work once in a while?" he grumbled, folding his arms and perching on the edge of one of the tables Ignis was using to prepare dinner.

"I was just thinking the same thing myself." he replied, pushing his glasses further up his nose as he looked over his shoulder at them. "Perhaps you can talk some sense into them?"

"Sure, that or beat it into them." Gladio grinned, standing up and making to walk off.

Ignis was never completely sure if his friend was joking or not about beating the younger members of their party, but whatever he did, it usually worked. "Ah, before you go, I wonder if you can help me with something."

"I can try, but I'm no better than Noct at cooking."

Digging into his pocket, he pulled out the small bear and held it on his hand in front of him. "I found this in the back of the Regalia. I was wondering if it belonged to Iris?"