Your eyes opened as the cars slowed into it’s parking space.
“Finally.” You muttered. You didn’t even give the prince or Gladio a chance to opened their door before just swinging your legs over the back of the car and sliding down the trunk.
Behind you Noctis made an indignant noise, while Gladio arched an eyebrow at your actions.
You snickered and shrugged, “What? Isn’t my fault your both slower than molasses.”
“We hadn’t even stopped fully!” Noctis said, finally opening his door and getting to his feet.
Gladio did the same while shaking his head. “At least wait until Iggy get’s it into park.”
“It was stopped enough for me.” You said flippantly, waving away their protests. “Besides. We’re here! Finally! I don’t know how ya’ll are so used to such long rides.”
You stretched your arms up, trying to working out the kinks in your back. Prompto was also stretching before coming to stand beside you. “You said it. Would it kill you to stop more often Ig?”
He only looked at the both of you and sighed without responding, lacking the energy to even try. Something that was common ever since you joined their group. Prompto’s energy was bad enough, but with you added into the mix? He didn’t stand a chance.
You in turn slung your arm around Prompto’s shoulders as you bounced up and down on the balls of your feet. “I haven’t been to Lestallum since I was a child! There’s so many people! And it’s so loud! Everything look so…different!”
“What? Really?” Prompto turned to look at you and then looked at the others with huge eyes. “You guys, we can’t NOT show her the town. Is it possible to stay for the night?”
Noctis perked up a bit at the suggestion of staying, he was about to say something, probably in favor of it. But then Gladio put his hand over his mouth and muttered, “Don’t even think about it.”
So he didn’t. Instead, you assumed by Gladio’s shout of disgust, he licked Gladio’s hand and warped away before the bigger man could crush him. “Well, I have to go see what Holly wanted, I’ll catch up with you all later!”
Then he was off at full sprint. Gladio glanced at the both of you and then Ignis, “I have to see Iris, but first…”
He took off in the same direction as Noctis, and you could swear you heard a shout of terror in the distance.
You snickered, but you really felt bad for the prince. Once Gladio caught him he was dead. Like, dead dead. You’d experienced that first hand when you had played a prank on him while on watch duty. Revenge for the socks incident you said. But he retaliated and now it was an on going thing. Gladio had managed to start a prank war with you and Prompto both, and it looked like Noctis was about to join your ranks. You couldn’t wait.
With a laugh you stepped away from Prompto, looking toward the over look, and the landscape behind it. That settled you down a bit. The sight was amazing. Breathlessly you said, “By the Astrals, and people get to live here and see this everyday.”
Ignis, who for the most part had remained silent through all the shenanigans, nodded, “Astounding isn’t it?”
You nodded, falling quiet and looked up at him with a smile. But then you tore your gaze away and sighed. “But as soon as we get done here, we really should get back on the road. As much as I complain, we got a job to do.”
Ignis hummed in agreement. “True, but it doesn’t seem fair that you don’t get to see the city…”
Prompto, being ever helpful, starting bouncing on his feet much like you had been earlier. “We can take her on a tour before we leave! Show her around! There’s this really great spot that I wanted to take a picture at too, so…wait.”
He stopped bouncing and frowned, pulling his camera out of his pocket. “Aw man. I have to get these pictures to Vyv though.” But then he brightened, “Ignis! You’re not doing anything, and I’m sure Gladio has caught up with Noctis by now and he’s fairly safe with him…kinda… So why don’t you and her go look around the town?”
You turned to look at Ignis with a hopeful expression. “Please? I mean, we’ve already established we’re not staying the night so….?”
Ignis stood in thought for a moment before sighing and giving you a small smile. “I suppose…Just this once. Consider it a reward for your hard work thus far.”
You cheered to yourself and turned to look at the city, eyes darting to everyone and everything. It was true, you hadn’t been here since you were a child. And then when you became a hunter, you stuck to pretty local hunts and tasks. Getting the chance to see the city, and with Ignis no less, you were filled with glee.
After snapping out of your thoughts, you turned to Prompto with a smile. “I’ll catch up with you later, yeah?”
“You bet!” He said, then he turned to dart off to find Vyv, leaving you alone with Ignis.
“So…” You turned and started to bouncy slightly on your feet again, “Where to?”
Ignis gestures for you to follow along, and you fall into place behind him, enjoying the start of the stroll. “Well, I figured we could go through the market and pick up a bite to eat from the stand there.”
You tilt your head and offer a grin to him, “So, Ignis Scienta eats street food? I’d never have guessed.”
“Is it really so surprising?” He gave you a frown as you crossed the street, but you could see the amusement in his eyes, “It tastes good, it’s quick, and fairly filling.”
“It is a surprise, considering how you fret over spice combinations and portion balance.” You snickered and strode ahead of him, wandering into a random direction now that you were in the city. “But…I guess now that I think of it, it suites you.”
“Street food?” He asks.
You blink and turn around not realizing you said that out loud. Instead of getting flustered you flashed a smile and said, “Yeah, let’s go with that.”
His face was confused, but he did let it go. “Alright.”
The rest of the walk continued in peace, with you both greeting people as they greeted you. Aside from that, the walk gave you time to think.
What you had meant was that he was a bit more adventurous that he let on. He wasn’t scared of trying new things, or of unknown paths. And, even though it was odd, him liking street food did fit into what you knew of him. And how adventurous he was when he let his hair down was something that you found endearing, and a big part of the reason that you liked him.
While you were thinking, you didn’t catch that he was clearing his throat more than usual.
The soft call of you name to get your attention pulled you out of your thoughts. You stopped where you were and stood beside Ignis, looking up at him questioningly.
“How about we try this one?” He suggested, gesturing to a few meat skewers.
“Sure!” You chirped, and followed along after him as he went to pay for two of them. You took one from him and said thank you to the vendor before departing with your food to look at the rest of the stands. As you ate, you couldn’t help but note how spicy it was. You never figured Ignis for someone to like hot foods, but the more you knew.
He introduced you to a few of the people in the market him and the boys had helped before they met you, and you found yourself losing track of time with him. You both had to take off your jackets soon enough, but you found yourself enjoying the heat. Eventually though, he pointed out that it would soon be afternoon, so you both went to look at the powerplant, one of the things you were extremely curious about. So he wanted to ensure you got to see it before you left. But as he started to explain how it worked, he suddenly began coughing harshly.
“Ig? Do you need something to drink?” You asked as soon as it stopped, worry coloring your voice.
He nodded before answering, “If it doesn’t bother you?”
You shook your head and raised your hand. “Not at all! You’re not catching cold are you?”
Without thinking you stepped closer to him and pressed the back of your hand to his forehead, and you stared at his forehead as if you could see if he had a fever written there. While you weren’t looking, his eyes roamed over your face. He could see the concern on your furrowed brow and in how you were biting your bottom lip.
He cleared his throat and took a step back, offering you a shy and unsure smile, “No, nothing like that. Just a dry throat I’m sure.”
“If you say so.” You thought it strange but lowered your hand. “Perhaps the vendors in the market have something, huh?”
You set off in the direction you both came from to hunt something down for him to drink. “Anything particular you like?”
“Pick what you think would be best.” He said. There was a look of concentration on his face, and you didn’t want to interrupt what he was thinking about, so you kept your mouth shut until you got to the vendor.
You got two drinks, a pink one for you and a green one for Ignis. You didn’t know what the flavors were, because you had told the vendor to surprise you, but yours was good. And judging by Ignis’ thoughtful face, his was as well.
You both made your way back to the look out point and leaned against the bars there, watching the landscape change with the sunset’s light. But then you made the mistake of glancing at Ignis. His face was completely relaxed, and his eyes in the sunlight almost made you say a prayer to the astrals in thanks. He was still rather winded it seemed like, and would occasionally clear his throat still. But with him so distracted…
You ended up leaning over to press a kiss to his cheek. However, when he caught the movement out of the corner of his eye, he turned to face you. Which resulted in you kissing him full on the mouth.
You pulled back with mild surprise on your face, but then huffed in amusement before pressing another fleeting one to his lips. He stood in stunned silence, and you could see a blush beginning to form on his face. To spare him some dignity while he tried to get himself back together, you turned and faced forward again. Then you decided you mind as well get your feelings for him out there, considering things would be a bit weird if you just kissed him and then never said anything about it.
“I wanted to thank you for today… It meant a lot to me.” You smiled out over the land, glad that this was easier without meeting his gaze. “And I have a feeling you know just how much from that just now. Truthfully…”
“I like you more than I should. And you’re under no obligation to return that if you want to keep this professional.” You kept your smile frozen on your face so he wouldn’t feel pressured.
“I-I…” He trailed off and let out a sigh to steady himself. “I enjoyed today as w-well…and…Well-”
You’d never heard him stutter before, a testament to how nervous you had made him. You braced for rejections. But it didn’t come. He ended up coughing again instead, and this time it sounded worse. Your head whipped around and you placed a hand on his shoulder to steady him. “Ignis? Whats wrong?”
He couldn’t answer, and it was beginning to worry you when you could hear slight wheezes coming from him when he’d inhale before another cough. You glanced over your shoulder and then told him, “I’m going to find the others. They’ll know what’s wrong, right?”
You went to dart away but a grip on the back of your shirt short stopped you. You tuned in surprise and watched as he shook his head. “Don’t-” He gasped out, and you went back to his side.
“Ignis, I don’t know what to do here.” You said calmly.
“It’ll pass.”
You frowned at how dizzy he looked, almost as if he was wilting in place, and then you muttered, “Oh hell.”
Quickly you dug into your small bag and dug out a potion and pressed it into his hand. “Use it. Usually these things help almost everything right?”
He opened his mouth to protest, but was interrupted by another coughing and wheezing fit. While he was distracted you shattered the bottle in his hand for him. The effect was almost instantaneous, and you could hear him taking in a large gasping breath. Almost as if he had been drowning.
“…You alright there?”
Another small cough left him as he was catching his breath, so he nodded instead.
You waited until he could stand up straight again before speaking. “If you don’t mind my asking…What was that?”
“…An Asthma attack.” He muttered, down casting his eyes so he wouldn’t have to see you.
You frowned and looked at him in concern. “Asthma? I didn’t know you have asthma.”
“Not many are…in fact…I’m almost sure that I’m the only one with Insomnia gone.” He stated in a careful voice.
“Ignis…That’s unusually reckless of you.” You whispered, thinking of all the times you’ve heard him cough on outings with them all. Was he dealing with it then as well?
“Yes well….If people were to find out…I’m pretty sure I’d not be welcome at Noctis’ side any longer.”
You hummed in disagreement. “You really think the prince would let anyone chase you away? I’m pretty sure if someone tried he’d stick to you like a burr if you tried to go.” You gave him a small smile, which he did not return, so you continued. “Anyways, Ignis, it’s terribly dangerous of you not to tell anyone. What if this happened during a battle or while driving or…”
“It wouldn’t. I go to great lengths to ensure that.” He then turned to go to the car, but when he swayed on his feet you stopped him.
“Iggy, I know I said that we shouldn’t spend the night earlier, but after that I really think you should rest.” You pleaded with your eyes, and he let out a sigh.
“Normally, I’d disagree, but this attack was particularly disagreeable with me. So…”
You didn’t cheer or anything. You only nodded and pulled up Prompto’s number and pressed dial.
“Hey there!” He said cheerfully. In the back ground you swore you could hear Gladio and Noctis bickering.
“Prom, hey. Change of plans.” You said, ignoring the stare Ignis was giving you.
“Oh?”
“Ignis is a little under the weather, so we actually are going to stay in the hotel tonight.” You could almost feel the relief coming off of Ignis when you didn’t explain what happened.
“Yes!!” Prompto cheered on the other end of the line.
“Pass it along to tweedle dee and dum? We’re heading there now to secure the rooms.”
“Will do, Sunflower!”
“Alright Sunshine. See ya there in a bit.”
“Later!”
You hung up the phone and then nodded, “We’re good Ig. Let’s go.”
The first part of the walk was in silence, and it was peaceful. (You didn’t dare take your arm off of Ignis though. Just in case he was still dizzy.)
“It’s usually under control.” He began to explain, breaking the quiet. “Its just…the temperature sometimes triggers it…and getting startled makes it worse.”
You gave him a confused look, wondering what he was talking about.
“When were you star-” You started. But he cut you off when he looked at you. Or more specifically your lips. “Oh.”
You swear, you tried to stop the nervous chuckle that left you.
“Gracious Astrals, I know I’ve been called breathtaking before, but this it the first time it’s actually happened.” You teased.
He gave you such a surly look you had to laugh as you began to pull him toward the hotel. “Sorry, was that in poor taste? I’ll make it up to you by not telling anyone else if you don’t want me to.”
“If you’d be so kind…Thank you.” He smiled at you and you beamed back.
“Don’t mention it.”
In reply he surprised you with his own kiss to your forehead.
You blinked and ended up stopping in your tracks as he went on ahead. “Just to let you know, now that I’m not so surprised, I like you more than I should as well.”
You let out a laugh as he left you behind. You couldn’t contain your delight at the sight of a blush travelling up the back of his neck as you began to follow him once more.
Imagine Final Fantasy 