[There's no one to fight here, however. He can take out anger on Ignis as much as he wants, he'll be there for him. But they are not fleeing either- they have nowhere to go and no one else to count on, except themselves. Ignis has no idea how they will move on from this but- they have to. And they have to pray that Prompto found proper peace somewhere else.
When he feels that Noct had let up on fighting him, Ignis releases his hands and wraps his own around Noct's shoulders, drawing him into a tight hug. Ignis can feel tears sting his own eyes, gliding down his cheeks silently. He wants not to cry, he wants to remain solid support for Noct but- the thought of Prompto being gone. The sound of Noct's sobs. Slowly but surely it breaks his heart bit by bit and Ignis can't keep up the facade anymore.
His hug tightens around Noctis and Ignis buries his face in Noct's hair.]
Since they had been children, Ignis had been that one thing that Noctis could always depend on. That stone wall. That pillar of strength. Always so calm, cool and collected. Always had the answers. Knew what to do. What to say. Noctis had come to rely on him for guidance. To lead the way when he couldn't. To be his light in the darkness.
But he felt that pillar crumble just a little now. Felt the way Ignis clung onto him, arms wrapping so tightly about his shoulders it felt like they might break. How he buried his face down into his soft hair as he cried.
His own hold tightened, strengthened as he shifts, brought himself up to wrap around Ignis, like a barrier between him and the rest of the world. Guided his face away from his hair, brought their foreheads together softly so he could glance up into his eyes.]
Please don't cry, Iggy. Please. I can't take it.
[But even as he speaks he's dipping forward, kissing those tears away, staunching the flow from one eye before moving to the other. Soft and reverent over the faded scars. Gentle and loving.]
[He was the one that's supposed to help Noctis through this, the one to support him and help him. How did it come to this? To them losing everyone and everything they care about, in such a small time!? It's as if the afterlife doesn't want to give them a break as well.
Ignis blinks through his teary eyes, glassy-]
I can't... see you cry either, [his thumb coming up to wipe whatever tears are left on Noct's cheek. He can't take seeing people he cares about, people he loves, in pain anymore. With a small, shaky breath, he closes his eyes and nods- in return, he won't cry. He won't because it upsets Noct and he doesn't want that. He presses a kiss to Noct's forehead and then leans back, only slightly.]
I'm sorry, Noct... I really, really am.
[He is sure Noct carries the same, matching guilt in his chest- 'I failed Prompto'- they are still here and he is gone. And there's nothing they can do about it.]
Gone where? To some better after life where there was actually light? Laughter and sun and the happiness that he deserved? Or had he been taken from them only to go some place worse? Was there even any place worse than this?
Maybe he'll come back. But wasn't that selfish to wish that? Maybe he'd finally find peace. Be allowed that.
Now it was only them. Noctis and Ignis and Luna. What if something happened to Luna? What is something happened to Ignis? He didn't think his heart was strong enough to take it.]
We should do something. Bury him. [Had there even been anyone to do it at home? Prompto had said Ignis and Gladio were there but -
But he wasn't. And Ignis had died at his side.] He... he deserves that.
[Prompto had always deserved so much better. And Noctis had failed him. Noctis had failed everyone. But he tried to keep that guilt at bay. To focus on what they had to do.] Will you help me? I can't... I can't do this without you, Iggy.
[That is what Ignis hopes. What Ignis prays. He will never accept anything less than that for their friend.
He just wishes they had a sign that he's alright out there somewhere. So that Noct's heart can rest for once. It makes Ignis more resolute to be careful and not gamble his life here. Noctis needs him. And he doesn't intend on leaving his side, ever.]
Of course I will help you, [Ignis says quietly, his hold on Noctis tightening briefly then letting up.] I will go bring a blanket and shovels from the General store. You stay here, alright?
[He doubts that Noctis would leave Prompto's body unattended but he needs to hear it from him.] I will be back in five.
[There was no rest for a weary, broken heart. For one that had suffered so very many cracks and fractures. All it knew was the pain brought by loss. By suffering. By war. There was no such thing as rest, as peace. By all accounts it should just cease to beat entirely and shattered into a million blackened shards.
Ignis was the only thing that continued to hold it together. Who continued to hold him together. And somewhere deep within him he realized that either of them could be next. That one day it might Ignis' body who he stumbled upon and he would have to do this alone.
Please. Please please please. Never let this be Ignis. He would lay down and die right along with him. Because he didn't want to live a world without him in it.]
Alright. [Shifting, he pulled away from Ignis had held him, slipping back down until he could resume his previous position. Until he could drag Prompto back onto his lap and cradle him there.]
[Ignis returns in five minutes, as he promised, with a blanket to wrap Prompto's body up and two shovels to dig out the grave. Ignis helps Noct wrap him up and they move towards the forest a bit, near one big tree. They work in somber silence- digging the grave up, placing the body down and then covering it up.
The physical work kept his mind occupied and away from emotional pain, but he knows it will eventually settle in. When they go back to the hut they share. After they take a shower and sit down and it finally settles in. He takes the shovel away from Noct and stands next to him, hand wrapped around his shoulders.
He doesn't say anything. They've put a stone to mark the place but they will return to it to make it better. They stand in front of it for a while until Ignis grips Noct's shoulder a bit, to get his attention.]
[Even now that it was over and done, when Prompto's body was hidden from their sight. How could he just walk away and leave his best friend there alone? With nothing but darkness and the cold hard ground to surround him.
But Ignis' hold was firm. Just enough to capture his attention and begin to draw him away. They need to go back. They're covered in dirt and filthy. Exhausted. And he knows that Ignis won't leave him. Will stay there, by his side for as long as it takes. And he can't find it within himself to be that selfish right now.]
[He knows he doesn't want to go. Hell, Ignis doesn't want to go either. But he has to take care of Noct, bit by little bit. They won't recover from this, no matter how much time it passes. Not until they find out that Prompto is safe and sound somewhere else.
Ignis places a gentle kiss to Noct's temple and slowly steers them away from the grave.]
Those are the words that finally seem to sink in, finally make it through the hazy cloud of grief that had settled over his entire being and gets him to move. To follow Ignis' gentle guidance, until they're turning away from the grave and leaving it - and Prompto, gods, he doesn't want to think about it - behind.
There's so much that he wants to say. So many words that want to come. Questions and tears. But he keeps them all inside. Holds onto them until they've somehow made it back. Across the waters of the river and through the village to the place they had all once shared. It feels emptier now that their sun has been extinguished. Even as he guides them up stairs, towards the bathroom and the warmth of the shower. It all feels so hollow and cold.
It feels like they stand beneath the spray for hours. Noctis with his head on Ignis' shoulder and the hot cascade flowing down over them, with nothing but the dim light of their lanterns to illuminate the room. He doesn't want to let go, even when it turns cold and they have to wash away the remnants of dirt and leave. All he wants to do is sleep. Maybe he'll wake up and Prompto will still be there.]
I think it's time I moved my stuff into our room.
[It comes suddenly. Because there had been a pretense that he shared a room with Prompto. Both because they needed the company and because he didn't want to add injury to Luna's emotions. But without him here, there really was no reason to continue.
And he really didn't want to go back into that room and be alone.]
[Going back and getting cleaned up is mostly them going through motions. The stuff they do mechanically. He keeps Noct close, hands wrapped around him as they shower in silence, trying to offer as much comfort as he possibly can. It won't heal the wounds, nothing can, but perhaps they can find a little bit of respite in each other.
When they step out and Noct passes his request, Ignis nods. That room will probably bring some very bad memories if Noctis spends a lot of time in there, all by himself. He wraps Noctis in a towel when they step out and kisses the top of his head.]
Alright. But we will do it tomorrow. You need to rest now.
[Or rather, Ignis will do it for him. Because it's a habit. He leads them to the bedroom, the room illuminated by the moon and the stars in the night sky, the light falling through the big window and right down on the bed. Gently, he nudges Noct to get under the covers, following closely after him.]
[It doesn't take much. For him to drop the towel and climb in bed, slipping beneath the covers. To wrap himself in the warmth and familiarity. To bury his face down into the pillow that smells like him and Ignis, into the comfort and safety that he only feels now when he's with him.
When he glances up from under the fall of damp black hair those eyes are glassy. Filled with unshed tears and emotion and he reaches for Ignis like he can't stand being away from him, even for the seconds it's taken to climb into bed.]
[Ignis doesn't make Noct wait. He slips under the covers the moment Noct is settled down a bit. His hands wrap around him, tight, holding him against himself. It's fine if he cries- silently or loudly. Ignis will be there to hold him until he's tired from it and falls asleep. He will hold him through the night and days and never leave his side. A silent vow he made to himself, to be always near, whenever he needs him- in life and in the afterlife.
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When he feels that Noct had let up on fighting him, Ignis releases his hands and wraps his own around Noct's shoulders, drawing him into a tight hug. Ignis can feel tears sting his own eyes, gliding down his cheeks silently. He wants not to cry, he wants to remain solid support for Noct but- the thought of Prompto being gone. The sound of Noct's sobs. Slowly but surely it breaks his heart bit by bit and Ignis can't keep up the facade anymore.
His hug tightens around Noctis and Ignis buries his face in Noct's hair.]
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Since they had been children, Ignis had been that one thing that Noctis could always depend on. That stone wall. That pillar of strength. Always so calm, cool and collected. Always had the answers. Knew what to do. What to say. Noctis had come to rely on him for guidance. To lead the way when he couldn't. To be his light in the darkness.
But he felt that pillar crumble just a little now. Felt the way Ignis clung onto him, arms wrapping so tightly about his shoulders it felt like they might break. How he buried his face down into his soft hair as he cried.
His own hold tightened, strengthened as he shifts, brought himself up to wrap around Ignis, like a barrier between him and the rest of the world. Guided his face away from his hair, brought their foreheads together softly so he could glance up into his eyes.]
Please don't cry, Iggy. Please. I can't take it.
[But even as he speaks he's dipping forward, kissing those tears away, staunching the flow from one eye before moving to the other. Soft and reverent over the faded scars. Gentle and loving.]
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Ignis blinks through his teary eyes, glassy-]
I can't... see you cry either, [his thumb coming up to wipe whatever tears are left on Noct's cheek. He can't take seeing people he cares about, people he loves, in pain anymore. With a small, shaky breath, he closes his eyes and nods- in return, he won't cry. He won't because it upsets Noct and he doesn't want that. He presses a kiss to Noct's forehead and then leans back, only slightly.]
I'm sorry, Noct... I really, really am.
[He is sure Noct carries the same, matching guilt in his chest- 'I failed Prompto'- they are still here and he is gone. And there's nothing they can do about it.]
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Gone where? To some better after life where there was actually light? Laughter and sun and the happiness that he deserved? Or had he been taken from them only to go some place worse? Was there even any place worse than this?
Maybe he'll come back. But wasn't that selfish to wish that? Maybe he'd finally find peace. Be allowed that.
Now it was only them. Noctis and Ignis and Luna. What if something happened to Luna? What is something happened to Ignis? He didn't think his heart was strong enough to take it.]
We should do something. Bury him. [Had there even been anyone to do it at home? Prompto had said Ignis and Gladio were there but -
But he wasn't. And Ignis had died at his side.] He... he deserves that.
[Prompto had always deserved so much better. And Noctis had failed him. Noctis had failed everyone. But he tried to keep that guilt at bay. To focus on what they had to do.] Will you help me? I can't... I can't do this without you, Iggy.
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He just wishes they had a sign that he's alright out there somewhere. So that Noct's heart can rest for once. It makes Ignis more resolute to be careful and not gamble his life here. Noctis needs him. And he doesn't intend on leaving his side, ever.]
Of course I will help you, [Ignis says quietly, his hold on Noctis tightening briefly then letting up.] I will go bring a blanket and shovels from the General store. You stay here, alright?
[He doubts that Noctis would leave Prompto's body unattended but he needs to hear it from him.] I will be back in five.
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Ignis was the only thing that continued to hold it together. Who continued to hold him together. And somewhere deep within him he realized that either of them could be next. That one day it might Ignis' body who he stumbled upon and he would have to do this alone.
Please. Please please please. Never let this be Ignis. He would lay down and die right along with him. Because he didn't want to live a world without him in it.]
Alright. [Shifting, he pulled away from Ignis had held him, slipping back down until he could resume his previous position. Until he could drag Prompto back onto his lap and cradle him there.]
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The physical work kept his mind occupied and away from emotional pain, but he knows it will eventually settle in. When they go back to the hut they share. After they take a shower and sit down and it finally settles in. He takes the shovel away from Noct and stands next to him, hand wrapped around his shoulders.
He doesn't say anything. They've put a stone to mark the place but they will return to it to make it better. They stand in front of it for a while until Ignis grips Noct's shoulder a bit, to get his attention.]
Come. Let's head back.
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[Even now that it was over and done, when Prompto's body was hidden from their sight. How could he just walk away and leave his best friend there alone? With nothing but darkness and the cold hard ground to surround him.
But Ignis' hold was firm. Just enough to capture his attention and begin to draw him away. They need to go back. They're covered in dirt and filthy. Exhausted. And he knows that Ignis won't leave him. Will stay there, by his side for as long as it takes. And he can't find it within himself to be that selfish right now.]
We'll come back, right?
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[He knows he doesn't want to go. Hell, Ignis doesn't want to go either. But he has to take care of Noct, bit by little bit. They won't recover from this, no matter how much time it passes. Not until they find out that Prompto is safe and sound somewhere else.
Ignis places a gentle kiss to Noct's temple and slowly steers them away from the grave.]
We will come back, I promise.
[And Ignis always keeps his promises.]
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Those are the words that finally seem to sink in, finally make it through the hazy cloud of grief that had settled over his entire being and gets him to move. To follow Ignis' gentle guidance, until they're turning away from the grave and leaving it - and Prompto, gods, he doesn't want to think about it - behind.
There's so much that he wants to say. So many words that want to come. Questions and tears. But he keeps them all inside. Holds onto them until they've somehow made it back. Across the waters of the river and through the village to the place they had all once shared. It feels emptier now that their sun has been extinguished. Even as he guides them up stairs, towards the bathroom and the warmth of the shower. It all feels so hollow and cold.
It feels like they stand beneath the spray for hours. Noctis with his head on Ignis' shoulder and the hot cascade flowing down over them, with nothing but the dim light of their lanterns to illuminate the room. He doesn't want to let go, even when it turns cold and they have to wash away the remnants of dirt and leave. All he wants to do is sleep. Maybe he'll wake up and Prompto will still be there.]
I think it's time I moved my stuff into our room.
[It comes suddenly. Because there had been a pretense that he shared a room with Prompto. Both because they needed the company and because he didn't want to add injury to Luna's emotions. But without him here, there really was no reason to continue.
And he really didn't want to go back into that room and be alone.]
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When they step out and Noct passes his request, Ignis nods. That room will probably bring some very bad memories if Noctis spends a lot of time in there, all by himself. He wraps Noctis in a towel when they step out and kisses the top of his head.]
Alright. But we will do it tomorrow. You need to rest now.
[Or rather, Ignis will do it for him. Because it's a habit. He leads them to the bedroom, the room illuminated by the moon and the stars in the night sky, the light falling through the big window and right down on the bed. Gently, he nudges Noct to get under the covers, following closely after him.]
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When he glances up from under the fall of damp black hair those eyes are glassy. Filled with unshed tears and emotion and he reaches for Ignis like he can't stand being away from him, even for the seconds it's taken to climb into bed.]
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He's there. Forever.]