middaeg | Bonds and Talks and Chocobros, Oh My! [closed]

And you'll both be able to pick up on mine.

[Is that a warning? A joke? Who knows...]

Pardon my practicality, then. I'm seeing the whole thing as merely helping the both of you out. Nothing above or beyond the norm. What comes with it... I'll take it as it comes at me. That said, if either of you truly have reservations, we don't have to do this.

Dude, Iggy, I just said I wasn't afraid!

[Seriously Igs, chill.]

Do you have any issues?

No, we're doing this.

[At the very least, he and Ignis are.]

Prompto says it's a bad idea not to, and I trust you guys more than anyone else, so I'd rather set up a Bond this way than trying to find a random other person or people.

As long as we're all settled.

[Ignis smiles, and it's almost a smirk. At least he's getting firm commitment to the... well, commitment. But he must be unique in seeing this as a utility, rather than something more complicated. Sure, it'll have its weird points, but the benefits should outweigh that. He's also eager to get a better handle on his magic.

And honestly? Maybe he's chill because this will be loads easier than his third one.]

I trust you both completely, and I'm certain these will be the least worrisome Bonds I'll partake of here. The temporary ones when we arrived were eye-opening for me, as I said before, so I have a general idea of how it will feel. One step at a time, together, as we've long done. This is just another push forward.

Ready, gentlemen?

[He approaches the door and reaches for the handle.]

Man, y'all're lucky you got to try out Bonds first...

[But he nods and glances over at Noct.]

Ready?

I never did the temporary ones.

[He had chances! But he's still bad at people and was supremely grouchy about being 'assigned' monsterhood, so he didn't go through with any of them.]

I'll be fine. I'm good.

Neither of you have done even a temporary Bond?

[Good gravy. He gives them an honest to god look, but smiles soon after, shaking his head. Noct's antisocial and Prompto is easy to spook. Of course they didn't even try. No wonder they're so concerned. Fortunately Ignis did half a dozen, including one with Somnus. He knows what's up. And he's taking it easy.]

It's not as terrifying as it sounds, I assure you. The sense of the other person that you get is vague in some ways. You won't be able to, for example, read each other's minds. I could tell Somnus was related to you, Noct, by the way the Bond felt familiar. I think the most intense Bond I had was with Caren, and that wasn't even by any means unpleasant. Simply... secure. I think the Bond is generally a good thing. We'll all mitigate each other's issues and be able to help when needed. I imagine this is much stronger than the temporary Bonds, but even if I amplify the effects I experienced, there wasn't anything too unusual.

I know you don't need the reassurance; I'm offering it because I have experience. You'll still have autonomy and privacy. In fact, I'll probably check up on both of you less because I'll probably know if something happens to you.

[Somnus? Who?

Whatever, not important. Ignis is trying to reassure them and tell them what to expect and honestly he'll take it. He needs all the help he can get.]

That'll be good--maybe I can stop wanting to call you guys every few hours. [To make sure they're okay, to make sure they're still here, still safe, still alive...] But if we're going to help each other's issues, does this mean you'll finally take a break Iggy?

You Bonded with Somnus?

[To be fair, you could also tell that Noctis and Somnus are related by looking at them--Noctis doesn't see the resemblance but it's definitely there--though they're slowly becoming less and less identical as time goes on.

Also Prompto, let him introduce you to his weird great-grandpa who keeps subtly trying to hit on his friends for some reason sometime.]

Huh. That's kind of...really weird, actually.

It wasn't as though I deliberately sought him out. We were paired up by chance. I thought he looked suspiciously familiar, but the Bond sealed it. He's quite the interesting man, actually.

[Ignis smiles, totally nonplussed. There wasn't anything weird about it, really, and he's confident that the Bond with Noct will be one of the most incredible experiences of his life because of it. The familiarity, the warmth, the sheer comfort Ignis feels knowing Noct is safe and happy. Maybe it's selfish, but he'll be content with it.]

By the way, I know I mentioned before that I'll be committing to another Bond after ours. However, informally I want to reiterate that the two of you--and Noct in particular--are my priority. I'll save the rest for the vows.

[He pulls the door open.]

Onward.

[Prompto nods, curious as to who the other person Ignis is bonding to is but not so curious that he want's to ask and pry when Ignis doesn't want to say.

He'll save that for later.

A Witch of the Coven approaches them, takes one look at them, and directs them to where the Bonding will take place. Prompto starts to hum a very familiar jingle under his breath, nervous.]

[Noctis is curious, but also more willing to speak his mind when it comes to Ignis things.]

Oh? Mind telling us? Or is it a secret?

[Whether Ignis decides to answer or not, Noctis is following the Witch when she appears, nudging Prompto with his shoulder as he goes.]

You gonna be okay?

It's no great secret, but I didn't think either of you would be interested, so I never elaborated. It's Caren, actually. Miss Ortensia.

[The smile Ignis gives is genuine and rather soft, but he quells it quickly as the Witch arrives. Prompto is nervous, Noct is trying to keep steady, and Ignis... well, he's about to find out that this is much more than the temporary Bonds, that's for sure.]

I'm actually excited...

[Because this is new, this is an experience that will benefit them, a tangible way he can help them both. It'll feel good to be useful. That's really all he wants.

They follow the Witch into an interior room, Ignis glancing to Prompto and putting a hand on his back to reassure him. There's a magic circle waiting, prepared for their arrival, and candles and various other magical items nearby. It all seems very normal to Ignis, who spends plenty of time here studying, but to the others it might be a bit oppressive.]

Normal ceremonial and magical items. Nothing to be concerned about.

Yeah, I'm--Caren?!

[Iggy he needs answers.

Later, though, as this is vastly more important right now and he's a mess (surprise surprise) and the other two are trying to keep him calm. Why is this his life.

The Witch reminds the three men of the ritual before stepping back to monitor and step in if necessary. Prompto looks at the other two.]

Who should go first?

How about us two first, and then we can fight over Ignis or something.

[He's joking, but he says it with only a hint of a grin.]

Be my guest.

[It makes Ignis smile, and he steps beside the part of the circle he's directed to by the Witch. They'd let the Coven know they wanted a special arrangement, the three of them Bonding at once, or rather, two at a time, yet all present. They'll step in in turn. But since it's to be Prompto and Noctis first, Ignis will politely wait.

The Witch ushers the other two into the circle, pointing out the areas where they need to stand, then motions for them to join hands. It'll begin that way.]

[Prompto follows instructions, taking Noct's hands and squeezing them.

And hoping the jerk doesn't comment on the clamminess.]

...I'm not good at this. At all. You're my best friend and I would literally die for you, and I'm supposed to put all that into words and--look. You're my best friend. You always will be. No matter what, and if I ever say otherwise I'm giving Iggy permission to shoot me.

[Prompto why.]

And...it means a lot that you'll stop our epic quest to get to the crystal to let me get great photos or see the chocobos. It makes me feel like I matter, y'know? So...yeah.

[He's not going to comment on the clamminess, but he's sort of judging because they're supposed to be doing vows and none of those are really vows, and this whole thing is a little ridiculous to be quite honest.]

Ah...first of all, you're my first and very best friend, and to that end I'm vetoing any known attempts to die for me in advance. I'm never going to make you stop taking photos, even the dumb selfies and the ones where I'm napping, but I'm still going to judge them.

[He pauses, but only because he had some other stuff written down that's in his pocket and he doesn't want to let go of Prompto's hands in case it might mess something up. But he doesn't remember everything.]

Glad we're on the same page regarding our friendship, because honestly, you're stuck with me until I decide otherwise.

[Ignis feels slightly self-conscious for having written and memorized more vow-like vows, but he's also warmed by their commitment. Prompto changed Noct's life when he became his friend, and they are and should be inseparable. There's no envy from Ignis, only a soft, gentle feeling of happiness for them both. It's so rare to see them speak from their hearts, and he's truly glad to witness it.

The Witch steps in to the edge of the circle the two men stand in, and waves a wand between them. There's a visible magical surge around them, glittering and warm, enveloping them both, then it dies away and the Witch simply states that the ceremony is complete.

Ignis gives them a few moments to let things settle, to feel the Bond between them, then looks to them both.]

My turn, then. Which of you would like to go first?

[Honestly the only thing they didn't discuss was the order they'd do it in, which they really should have done. It amuses Ignis to no end that they're slightly disorganized in the most charming of ways. It doesn't even infuriate him or bother him anymore. It's just who they are, as a group, as a unit, as the Crownsguard and their beloved King, but even more so, as people tied together by bonds of friendship that run deeper than even this ceremony can dream to go.]

[Prompto doesn't want to let go of Noct. That warmth is...nice and he can already sort feel things from him and wow this is a Bond? Wow. It's gonna be great when Iggy joins.

But he lets go of Noct and steps aside, bowing and gesturing to their idiot prince with a flourish.]

You guys go.

[He's sure Ignis has a lot to say to Noct, and it wouldn't feel right to be the first one Iggy says stuff like this to.]

[He doesn't want to let go of Prompto's hands, either, but they can't stand in the Bond Circle forever and have to get on with their lives eventually. It's a nice feeling, though.

The display afterwards is something he might assume is trying to be patronizing in some way if it wasn't Prompto doing it, but he doesn't and just rolls his eyes.

He is assuming, like Prompto, that Ignis has a lot to say, and he's sort of afraid that it's going to be a repeat of their recent talk. Ignis probably has enough sense not to put all of that stuff out in the open, especially in front of a stranger--who actually probably doesn't care, but still--but he's about to find out.]

Guess it's you and me then, Specs.

I guess it is.

[If it wasn't half blase, it wouldn't be Noct.

Ignis steps in, giving Prompto one last glance before he puts out his hands for Noctis to take and hold.

This is it. This is where something will end, and something new will begin. Another step forward. He's utterly glad it's with these two.

His deep green eyes seek Noct's, and though he knows it'll embarrass the man, he begins, earnestly holding his gaze.]

Noct. I've known you since before I understood what duty looked like. I've been your shadow for more years than not. My sincerest hope is that I've always been a rather beloved one, rather than an inconvenience or an irritation. Truth be told, I have adored you with every fiber of my being for more than half of my life, and yet I still feel I owe you more.

I give you these vows not as a man who owes or is owed, but as someone who willingly offers himself to one he knows will never abuse that trust and confidence.

[He takes a breath, steadying himself, and continues. How does he express a lifetime of gratitude? A devotion no one else could dream of having? A love that runs so deep that the word doesn't do it justice? What vow could he possibly make that he hasn't already made?

The words he wrote and memorized are forgotten. He has to say this from his heart, much as brave dear Prompto just did.]

My vow is this: Nothing will change. I will be, as I have always been, your companion, advisor, and brother. I will do what needs to be done when it needs to be done, and nothing less will make me feel satisfied in my role. My duty is a grim one at times, and at others the purest joy one could experience. You exasperate me as much as I do you, I'm certain, but in the end, we've always met in the middle, and I pray we always will. If you need me, I will be where I always have been, with no reservations or exceptions. I expect you to take full advantage of that.

I intend to follow you to the end, no matter where the journey may take us. You will walk the tallest of us all, Noct, and I will always give you my utmost support. You have my respect, my gratitude, and the deepest fondness I could ever hope to offer anyone. You are my king, my liege, my brother, and my truest friend. I love no one better. I'm proud of you, and have no doubt that I shall forever be such.

[It's not as strange, taking Ignis' hands, even in this situation. They're less clammy than Prompto's, and the man is a little less panicked about the whole thing. It's still slightly strange for Ignis to be meeting his gaze directly, though, because a small part of him, even though it's been that way for the past two months now.]

Yeah...you've been around since I could remember, basically, and I'm extremely grateful for that. Never enjoyed the responsibilities you've brought with you, but your presence has been a wonderful one.

[He doesn't remember what he wrote down for Ignis. The fact that Ignis' vows are a thinly veiled near confession of love throws him off just a little bit and he has to mentally scramble to come up with something to respond to that with.]

I vow to keep being worthy of your--or anyone else's--respect and admiration. To be a decent friend. I don't know if I can make a promise, but I can try to be a decent ruler if I need to, and at the very least not completely embarrass myself on a regular basis.

[He starts to say something else, but doesn't, closing his mouth instead and giving a quick nod. Sorry Ignis, he's only good at speeches when he's angry.]

That you try is all we ask and ever have.

[It's an aside, as the Witch steps in and waves the wand, joining them together. Noct should feel a tremulous flood of relief coming from Ignis immediately upon their Bond solidifying, uncharacteristic of anything he'd show on the outside.

So maybe Ignis did confess some hefty feelings, but he's hoping Noct already had an idea of how much his advisor cares for him. That he'll always be the center of Ignis' universe, and not for any one single reason. For every reason. Not romantic love, but a deep, abiding adoration and devotion that transcends mere friendship. Though he may often be the one guiding Noct, he's happiest in his shadow.

Smiling, he lets go of Noct's hands, and turns toward Prompto.]

Last, but certainly not least...

[The Witch guides Prompto into Noctis's place, and wow can Noct probably feel the butterflies dancing around in his stomach as he takes Ignis's hands.

His are still very clammy.]

I, uh. So it's totally obvious I didn't write anything or plan anything or...anything, really but.

[Deep breaths, Prompto.]

Like with Noct, it means a lot to me that you, y'know, give a crap about this random nerd. And I'm gonna be repaying that for probably ever so...yeah. You're awesome, Iggy, and I'm really happy that we're doing this.

[He tried to make it more vow like. It did not go well.]

Bonds and Talks and Chocobros, Oh My! [closed]

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