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

[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.]

[Ignis doesn't have to be Bonded with Prompto yet to note how nervous he is. He takes Prompto's hands, holding them marginally tighter than Prompto's grip, trying to reassure.]

Should I just forget what I wrote and planned, then?

[Ignis smiles, and looks Prompto dead in the eyes. Fine, he'll just make this one up.]

Prompto. It still amazes me that after all this time, you still act like you might be a bother to me. Admittedly, I wasn't always so sure about you or your motives, but you've been a light in our lives and you've always been a comfortable hand at Noct's back. You're a mood maker, reliable and steady, a stalwart friend in even the darkest of times.

To keep things simple, I'll say this: I vow, in the presence of Noct himself, to never treat you as anything less than a companion, brother, and friend. You have earned your place beside me, guarding and guiding Noct. When your light dims, I'll do my best to carry you until it can shine brightly again. I don't want you to think you always have to be strong. Don't be afraid to trip, to fall, to ask me for help. That's what I'm here for, and what makes me happiest of all. Even in this limited capacity, I'll serve you just as fairly and faithfully as I do Noct. You will never walk your path alone, if I can help it.

[He hopes that soothes him a bit, even if it wasn't quite the speech he gave to Noct. But he's said what he needs to say, and he nods to Prompto, as if confirming that everything he's said is wholly true.

The Witch steps in and does the third and final Bond, and Ignis feels the anxiety from Prompto hit him like a truck. He blinks at Prompto, then raises a hand to clap on his shoulder, giving it a friendly squeeze.]

[If Prompto's anxiety is a truck to Ignis, then so's the weird relief he feels when the bonds are solidified. He kept it together after Noct because he had to but now?

Now as he steps out of the circle there's tears. He reaches up to wipe them away but they're there.]

S-sorry, I'm a mess.

[There are way too many strong emotions happening here. Noctis doesn't like dealing with his own anxiety, let alone Prompto's most times, and...well, actually he can't be mad at Prompto crying, he's not that much of a jerk.

So it may be uncharacteristic of him, but once their ceremony is done, he's going to approach the two of them and pull them into as tight of a three-person hug as he can manage.]

You guys are the best. Don't ever change.

[He's not crying, but his voice sounds noticeably thicker, like he's trying not to.]

Edited 2019-07-17 20:13 (UTC)

[That's as much of a display of emotion as he'll ever get from Noct, he thinks, and he raises his hands to rest on the back of both their heads, pulling them just as close, ducking his head toward them both.

Ignis has said what he has to say to both of them, sincerely and from the heart, so if it does nothing, he at least tried. But for now, the Witches let them have their moment, and it's the closest Ignis has felt to either of them since they arrived. They haven't had the strife to unite them here, and he'd honestly worried about his place by Noct's side. But this is enough to make him feel better about it.

Eventually, the Witches start shooing them out, and Ignis pulls back, adjusting his glasses.]

Shall we head back, then?

[Prompto nods, reluctant to break away from the hug and so just. Takes the other two by the arm.]

Yeah. Oh, oh, I found a really good little bistro like place? Anyone up for a lunch date~?

Lunch sounds great.

[Don't mind him, he's just going to lean against Prompto.]

Are you buying?

[Noctis has money and can, but if Prompto is offering...]

Prompto, how generous of you!

[He puts a hand around the man's back and leans in a bit as well.]

And on a first date, too.

What?!

[But he laughs as they head out, fully resigned to buying them all lunch.]

Please, first date was totally Galdin. We had sushi. The good kind.

I think this is more like a honeymoon than a date.

[Didn't they just get like, sorta-married. They did vows and everything.]

Man, that was great sushi. I miss it.

A honeymoon.

[Ignis laughs quietly to himself, though there's a warm satisfaction that can be felt through the Bond.]

I miss all the fresh ingredients. Things here just aren't as good.

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

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