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

[clickclickbang]

Who: Prompto Argentum, Noctis Lucis Caelum, and Ignis Scientia
When: July 6th onwards
Where: Prompto's place and Noct/Iggy's place
What: Bonding needs to happen stat, but so do some important conversations.
Warnings: TBD

Starters below because there's a lot of threads about to happen here.

Comments

[clickclickbang]

[Look. Look.

Prompto nods, finally relaxing with a sigh.]

Thanks, Iggy. For the curry and this--you didn't have to, y'know.

[quickrecipeh]

I'm afraid you're going to have to get used to my customary level of care.

[He smiles over at Prompto.]

In other words, this is what I signed up for, so this is what I'm happy to do.

[clickclickbang]

[Prompto hums, unsure of how to respond because...this is a level of care he only ever really saw aimed at Noct. At least obviously, but he may have missed it before.]

Sorry. Just not used it, y'know?

[quickrecipeh]

It's fine. I hope I didn't alarm you.

[Well... hopefully he'll get used to it so Ignis won't feel awkward helping out. It's his privilege and pleasure to do so, honestly. And even if Prompto won't get the royal treatment he gives Noct, he'll at least get some general fussing and doting. Believe it or not, Ignis likes being needed and wanted around.]

Would you prefer I be less hands-on about this? I might be able to heat up an inanimate object, so you can use that instead.

[clickclickbang]

No, no! This is fine, I'm a touchy-feely kinda guy, y'know? I just...didn't think you were, that's all. You seemed on edge after--

[Wait. Ignis hasn't lost his sight yet. He has no idea what Prompto's talking about.]

[quickrecipeh]

Frankly... in general, you would be correct. I don't tend to touch people as often as others might.

[He runs his hand up Prompto's leg slowly, palm and fingers hovering just over his skin.]

However, if it's useful, I'll do it. I've comforted Noct when he was ill, helped Gladio with minor injuries... Not that either of them will admit to that, I'm sure. At any rate, I'm capable of doing what the job requires.

[clickclickbang]

Gladio gets hurt?

[A joke. Prompto chuckles but then falls silent.]

But you don't like other people touching you.

[Not a question.]

[quickrecipeh]

[Ignis falls silent. Prompto knows something.]

You're correct. I usually don't care for it. I appreciate having personal space. However... if something requires physical contact, I won't shy away. And... this place has, strangely, changed some things for me rather rapidly. I'm not sure if it's the Bond...

[He thinks for a moment.]

No, I can't wholly blame the Bond. It's been quite the experience.

[clickclickbang]

Not just the Bond?

[Huh.]

Like...what else changed?

[quickrecipeh]

A few things.

[He runs his hand slowly up and down Prompto's leg as he explains, focusing on the stress points Prompto indicated earlier. He'll switch to the other leg in a moment.]

I think I've had time to digest what we've gone through, and it made me realize that I ought to be more open with the people I care about. And... another matter, but I doubt you'd like to hear about it, so suffice to say I'm becoming more comfortable with things.

[clickclickbang]

[....did.

Did Ignis get laid? Is that what he's implying there? Holy shit.]

That's...good. Maybe now you'll let me help...

[Wait crap. He shakes his head.]

Uh, ignore that, sorry, I'm tired and just babbling!

[quickrecipeh]

[The very same. Multiple times. That weirdness slipping into the Bond the day he went to Bond with Caren? Yeah. Add it up, Prompto.]

Help? ...I could ignore it, but I'd appreciate you speaking your mind.

[clickclickbang]

[Prompto pauses, biting his lip and wondering how best to phrase it]

When...after Altissia, you...obviously you need help. And Noct wasn't able to do it and I don't think Gladio knew how so...I did.

[Do the math.]

[quickrecipeh]

[There's so much math in this conversation.

Ignis looks up at him, frowning at first, brow furrowed. Of course Noct would have been too shell shocked to do much, and besides that it wasn't his job to take care of Ignis. It's... possible he also saw him as a liability, Ignis realizes, and that hurts him deeply. The same for Gladio. Of course Gladio would think he was a liability at that point. He was probably utterly useless in Prompto's time. Incapable of doing anything for himself. If Prompto was kind enough to help him...

There's a distinct sadness in the Bond between them that probably echoes right to Noct. A feeling of complete despair. He tries to cover it.]

And I resisted the attempt?

[clickclickbang]

A little, yeah. I mean, I'm stubborn and you needed me so I just kinda...basically told you to suck it only without actually saying that and helped anyway. But.

[quickrecipeh]

...I hope I properly thanked you.

[His voice is thin, and the heat from his hand dissipates.]

[clickclickbang]

You do! Like, not right away obviously but once we're on the train to Tenebrae and things have calmed down you do.

[Not a hint of a lie.]

[quickrecipeh]

[Relief. A little, at least. He folds his hands on his knees for a moment, though.]

Did... Noct want me to stay behind?

[clickclickbang]

Nope. Gladio told him he should, but Noct wanted you to decide that.

[quickrecipeh]

I'd expect nothing less from Gladio.

[Even if there is a twinge to hear him say it.]

To tell you the truth, Prompto... I'm slightly afraid of the future I've lived in your time.

[clickclickbang]

Yeah, but he didn't have to be such an asshole about it.

[Just saying.

But Ignis's confession gets him to look over.]

Afraid? Because you go blind?

[quickrecipeh]

Honestly, a little of that. Though it sounds like I navigate it well enough, it's still harrowing, knowing I'll lose the ability to do many things I now do with ease.

[He looks away.]

Mostly it's... that I fear losing my purpose. I'll lose Noct, and then what? I'm sure at the time I had little ability to process it, and no real choice in the matter, but...

[He has to stop, he's getting choked up.]

[clickclickbang]

[Nope. Prompto shifts and moves to pull Ignis into a proper, tight hug.]

You don't, y'know. At least not as far as I know. You just go from helping Noct to helping other people. Still can't fight but when we last talked to each other you were in Lestallum getting people where they needed to be and setting up all sorts of stuff.

[quickrecipeh]

[He stiffens in the embrace, but allows it.]

That certainly sounds like something I would do. Maybe I'll eventually be able to handle myself in combat completely. Coming here was an unexpected end to the constant adrenaline and chaos. I've had too much time to think... I can't say I like it.

[clickclickbang]

You? Not liking a chance to think?

[But he understands completely.]

We'll be fine, Iggy. Promise.