Chapter Text
Preparing for Altissia is nowhere as complicated as it was for Solheim. Accordo and Lucis are allies, at least technically considering they haven't heard back from it yet, so there's no need to blend into the crowd or to sneak into the city.
They leave in the morning, despite how little sleep the four of them managed to get due to their late visitors the night before. And although it's only been a few hours, that's as much time as they need.
Brutus wasn't in bed yet so he got to sharpen their regular weapons as soon as their decision to go was taken while they already had some clean clothes to wear. They also still had the potions Juno had brewed for their last trip while Cid and Cindy took care and prepared their chocobos for the trip ahead.
Now, the sun is slowly rising over Insomnia and they're all set.
It's so similar to their departure but this time, the stakes are even higher.
The war.
The future of Eos.
Juno's life.
“Keep me informed if there's any development with Solheim,” Noctis tells his father as they walk down the courtyard's stairs.
“I will,” the King assures him with a nod.
“And if you receive any news from Tenebrae-” the Prince begins to say only for his father to interrupt him.
“I will send you our fastest solas, I promise!”
The King then grabs both of Noctis’ shoulders, squeezing them reassuringly as he searches for his eyes.
“Noctis,” he sighs, shaking his head, “you have to have faith in her. No matter what happens, Juno will defend herself. She's got a few tricks up her sleeve, alright?”
“Alright,” the Prince half heartedly agrees, not fully convinced but it seems to be enough for his father to be satisfied.
The others have now joined them while hugs and handshakes are exchanged around before the four young men climb onto their chocobos, ready for the ride ahead.
“Walk tall, boys!” the King solemnly declares with a worried look in his eyes. “And may the Six watch over you!”
Noctis nods and gives his father a saddened smile, the burden of the last few weeks starting to weigh heavy on his shoulders.
So much has happened in so little time.
Around a month ago, all he was worrying about was how to confess to Prompto and now…
The city is still asleep as they make their way through the empty streets until they reach the Southern gate. As always, the Crownsguards there step aside to let them out and wish them farewell on their trip.
It's only once they're past the Wall and onto the road leading them to Leide that the what he and Prompto witnessed properly hits Noctis.
Ignis’ father killed his mother.
How in Ifrit's Helheim is he supposed to tell him this?
How will he react?
Will he believe him or will he accuse him of lying?
Will he take the burden of his father's actions onto his shoulders or will he understand he had nothing with it?
Should Noctis even tell him?
Maybe Juno and his own father were right to hide the truth from him?
He deserves to know who his father truly was but what good would it even do to him?
What-
“Noctis!”
Startled, the Prince nearly falls off Regalia's back, catching the reins right on time to pull himself back onto the saddle. Once he's properly seated, he looks up to find his companions’ worried eyes already on him and realizes he got lost in his thoughts.
“Sorry, sorry!” he apologizes, petting Regalia's side to apologize to his loyal chocobo as well. “I wasn't paying attention.”
“Anything on your mind you want to share with the crowd?” Gladio teases him, looking a lot less worried now.
But Noctis only shakes his head as he puts on a fake smile, hoping to fool his retinue but judging by the way Prompto frowns, he's not believing him.
“It's not easy right now, Noct,” Iggy tries to reassure him. “But we're here for you. No matter what.”
Thankfully, the Prince is saved from having to answer him when the four chocobos abruptly stop walking and chirp anxiously, batting their wings while the ground underneath them starts shaking.
“Save it for later!” the Shield warns them as he jumps off his bird's back and summons his greatsword out of the armiger. “Something's coming!”
So Noctis and the others imitate him, their own weapons at the ready, right on time as the rumbling of the earth beneath their feet grows and they hear heavy, massive footsteps coming their way.
There's not many creatures native to Leide that could make such noise; a herd of dualhorns, but the footsteps are too synchronized for it. So that only leaves-
“Bandersnatch!” Gladio yells right as the monster in question comes running down a nearby sandy dune, roaring loudly.
“Go!” Noctis orders the chocobos who immediately scatter away, leaving the four young men alone to face the beast.
Thankfully, as big as it is, the creature is neither super agile nor fast so they easily dodge its charge and by the time it has turned around to face them again, the Prince and his retinue are back on their feet and ready for the fight.
This time, they attack first. Prompto shoots it several times, emptying his quiver, and Noctis infuses each arrow with lightning magic using his powers. The shock sends the beast stumbling forward so Gladio and Ignis take it as an opportunity to strike while it's down.
They land several good blows at the monster before it roars, making the ground shake, and gets back up onto its feet. It shakes itself and the two men have no choice but to dive to the sides to avoid being hit by the bandersnatch's spikes.
Then, it turns its attention to the Prince and his lover, immediately charging in their direction, so Noctis reaches for Prompto's hand as soon as he's holding onto the blonde, he tosses his sword to his left before warping after it, effectively getting them both out of the creature's path.
They repeat this dance a few times, the monster visibly weaker each round. At least, until-
“Prompto!” Ignis yells right as Gladio shouts as well.
“Noct! Careful!”
This time, the bandersnatch doesn't simply charge blindly at them. Instead, as soon as it's close enough, it leaps and although they easily dodge its feet and avoid being crushed, when it lands, its enormous weight makes the ground shake, making Prompto lose his footing. The beast only has to to shake its head to send the blonde flying over backwards several feet in the air.
“Prompto!” the Prince cries out as he watches his lover landing in the sand with a whimper of pain.
His first instinct is to run over to him and make sure he's alright but that would only expose them both to the creature's next attack.
No!
The best thing he can do right now is protect Prompto from any further harm!
“Ignis!” he shouts but his adviser is already sprinting towards the blonde.
“I'm handling him!” he confirms as he kneels besides Prompto so Noctis turns his full attention towards the monster right as Gladio joins him.
“C'mon, Noct!” his Shield growls, raising his greatsword. “We've wasted enough time already!”
The Prince nods in agreement and this time, they don't let the bandersnatch charge again, striking it repetitively. Its thick spikes might make it impossible to reach its neck and cut any arteries but there's one vital part that isn't protected.
“Gladio!” he calls out as he jumps back to avoid being hit. “Launch me!”
And although the older man doesn't know what his plan is, he doesn't hesitate before stepping back as well and putting down his blade. Noctis immediately jumps on it and as soon as he has landed, Gladio raises his sword, launching the Prince high in the air.
Just as he planned, the bandersnatch looks up to keep eyes on its prey and that's exactly what Noctis was hoping for.
“Fuck you!” he swears out loud as he throws down his sword and the blade goes to lodge itself right into the creature's eye.
Blood immediately starts gushing out from around the weapon while the monster roars and stomps in pain for a moment until it drops into the sand. It keeps convulsing for another minute or so before it finally dies, its body going slack.
As soon as it does so and that the beast is no longer a threat, Noctis takes a deep breath and sends his sword back into the armiger, the weapon fading away from the bandersnatch's eye socket, and then quickly runs towards Prompto and Ignis, Gladio tailing him.
Thank the Six, the blonde is already up on his feet, looking disheveled, bruised and battered but alive.
“Prom,” Noctis breathes out, looking for any injury on his lover who simply smiles and takes his hands into his, squeezing them reassuringly.
“I'm fine,” the blonde reassures him, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. “No need to worry.”
“He had some wounds but they were nothing a potion couldn't take care of,” Ignis explains, patting Prompto's back.
“You scared us there for a second, Blondie!” Gladio teases, playfully punching his shoulder although Noctis can see as relief washes over his Shield as well. “You good to ride again or you need to take a break?”
Prompto nods.
“I'm good.”
However, before they can leave, they have to figure out what to do with the bandersnatch. Unfortunately, its meat isn't really edible but at the same time, they can't just leave it like that in the open. That would attract carrion eating beasts and that would endanger passersby so ultimately, they set its corpse ablaze and walk away.
Once they're at a safe distance, Noctis whistles and the chocobos come back running, happily chirping and ruffling their feathers.
The Prince pets Regalia's side and waits until Prompto is seated before climbing onto his saddle.
“We've still got a long way to go,” he tells his companions. “We stop at Longwythe tonight and we make it to Galdin Quay tomorrow?”
Gladio and Ignis both nod.
“We can't make it any further than Longwythe today anyway,” his adviser confirms.
The three of them then look at Prompto.
“You're sure you're good to ride all day?” the Prince worries, wanting to be absolutely certain he's not any more hurt than he lets on.
The blonde chuckles and nods.
“I promise I'll tell you guys if I need a break or something.”
Now that their destination is settled, they resume making their way ahead although they will definitely need to tell someone about the bandersnatch.
If Noctis remembers his lessons about the Lucian fauna and flora correctly, those beasts rarely leave their nests, content to just hunt the creatures that venture too close so what was it doing so far out there?
Has food been scarce lately?
Eventually, they pass by Hammerhead and briefly stop, only to give some water to their chocobos and take off their thick winter cloaks, sending them into the armiger.
If they weren't in such a hurry, they would go to see Takka, the village's master cook. He has a way with meat that could rival the Citadel's cooks and just thinking about some of his specialties is enough to make Noctis’ mouth water.
Soon, they're back on the road as if nothing happened and that's when the Prince starts wondering again about what he will do now that he knows the truth about Ignis’ father.
He doesn't want to lie to him.
It will hurt him, he's perfectly aware of it, but the longer they keep the truth from him, the worse it will be once they finally tell him.
He simply has no idea on how to bring it up to him.
Does he tell Gladio as well or does he leave it to Ignis? Should Prompto be part of the conversation as well?
And when is he supposed to do it?
There's no easy way to say “Your father was a traitor who killed my mother.” And truly, he understands why Juno and his own father kept the truth from him for so long.
He wonders if Ignis’ uncle who raised him, Adolphus, intended to tell him the truth someday but since he unexpectedly passed away a few winters ago…
Who else knows? Juno and his father, obviously. Monica and Clarus. Cor, Cid and Weskham, of course. Drautos maybe?
But Noctis quickly shakes himself out of it.
He's not going to tell him right away so there's no point in worrying about this now.
Soon though.
But there is something else he can worry about.
Prompto.
The blonde and Ignis are riding their chocobos side by side, a few feet ahead of him and judging by the way his lover is throwing his head back and laughing, he really is feeling alright.
Unless he's simply better than Noctis imagines at faking it.
“He's not going to disappear if you look away, you know?” Gladio teases as he brings his chocobo closer to Regalia so they can talk without their two companions hearing them. “You're staring.”
“You wouldn't be acting the same if it had been Ignis?” the Prince points out and much to his surprise, his Shield doesn't have a sharp comeback ready on the tip of his tongue.
Instead, the corners of his lips twitch up and he looks almost amused.
“Fair point,” he concedes with a nod after a moment as he looks back ahead. “He really is the one for you, isn't he?”
Noctis doesn't hesitate
“Yes!”
“You're thinking of making things official between you two anytime soon?”
At this point, he could probably try to lie and say he hasn't thought of it just yet but Gladio would see right through him.
“As soon as things are settled with Solheim,” the Prince confirms, sighing wishfully. “Fuck, it this whole mess hadn't happened I would have proposed already for sure!”
His Shield chuckles.
“I always thought that from the moment you would get together, you wouldn't last a month without accidentally proposing to him. Probably during sex.”
Noctis scoffs and reaches over to punch his shoulder.
“What about you?” he wonders, raising an eyebrow. “You're thinking of popping the big question to Specs anytime soon?”
“I'm on the same boat as you,” Gladio admits, shrugging. “The only reason I haven't proposed yet is because of the war coming. Otherwise, me and Iggy would have tied the knot already.”
Something mischievous then flashes across the Shield's face and he looks back at Noctis with a knowing expression.
“What about kids?” he asks, the question nearly sending the Prince off the saddle. “You're planning to knock Blondie up at some point?”
“Gladio!” Noctis chokes, a dark blush spreading across his face.
“What?” his Shield shrugs with a smirk. “I need to know cause that kid will need a Shield so I need to get to work too.”
Noctis makes a face and gags because he did not want to imagine that, at all, but thankfully he's saved from having to answer when Longwythe comes into sight in the distance right as the sky turns warmer shades with the sun setting on the horizon.
Perfect timing.
Even the chocobos seem impatient to rest for the night as their steps quicken without them needing to do anything and soon, they walk into the village.
Stars begin to light up the night sky as they walk to the stables and pay for the birds’ paddocks. They wish a good night to the chocobos, petting them affectionately before making their way over to the inn.
Unlike last time, the old man at the counter smiles as they walk in and greets them properly, asking them if they had a safe trip but then, his eyes grow wide while his jaw drops.
Noctis is confused until he follows his eyes and realizes the man has caught sight of the silver Crownsguard pin on Ignis’ tunic.
“Y-y-your Highness,” he stutters as he bows his head ridiculously low. “I'm so terribly sorry! I didn't recognize you, your Highness! Please, forgive my behavior. I-”
“It's okay,” the Prince cuts him off, trying to pull him out of his misery. “I promise you, it's fine.”
Ignis opens his pouch to get some coins out but the old man shakes his head vigorously.
“No, you Highness! I cannot accept it!”
But Noctis still reaches into the pouch, taking out a handful of gold coins and putting them on the counter. It's more than enough to pay for their stay and at this point, all he wants is some food and a bed.
“I insist,” he makes it clear, meeting the man's eyes. “Every work deserves a pay.”
As the innkeeper realizes just how much gold the Prince has just given him, his face falls before he gives Noctis a wide, thankful smile.
“Thank you so much, your Highness! Thank you! Thank you!”
Now that it's settled, they walk out of the inn and cross over to the tavern which is a lot more animated than the last time they visited it.
People are laughing, drinking and singing along to the skald on stage and were the circumstances different, Noctis knows he would be excited for the evening ahead but tonight, they don't have time.
They're going to eat and then go right to bed so they can leave early in the morning.
“Find us a good place,” he tells his lover, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.
He then makes his way over to the counter with Gladio in tow while Ignis remains with Prompto, undoubtedly keeping an eye on the blonde after what happened earlier.
“Hi!” Noctis greets the woman at the counter. “What’s on the menu tonight?”
“Salmon with some greens and mashed potatoes on the side,” she replies with barely a glance as she's busy trying to juggle with all the customers.
The Prince makes a face at the mention of the vegetables but Gladio simply slaps him over the back of his head and puts on his best charming grin as he slides some gold coins across the counter.
“Four plates, please! And four mugs of your best ale!”
She grins back at him and grabs the coins.
“Comin’ right up, sweetheart!”
She then disappears into the kitchen behind the counter and as soon as she's out of sight, the Shield's smile turns into a teasing smirk and he looks back at Noctis.
“You better get used to eating your greens, Charmless! Wouldn't want the future Prince or Princess to pick up on your bad habits!”
Scoffing, Noctis playfully pushes Gladio away.
He's got a point but for all he knows, he doesn't have a kid yet so he can still eat as he wishes.
However, before he can say so, a man walks up to them and Gladio immediately tenses and the Prince can see his protective Shield instincts kicking in.
“You're the ones who defeated the bandersnatch?” the stranger asks them in lieu of a greeting.
“What if we did?” Noctis retorts, raising an eyebrow.
The man's features soften and he extends his hand out to him.
“That was an impressive kill!” he praises them as he shakes Noctis’ hand and then Gladio's. “Bastard’s been giving us trouble for the past few days. We'll sleep better tonight, that's for sure!”
“We?” the Shield repeats after him, still defensive.
“I'm Dave Auburnbrie!” the man finally introduces himself with an almost imperceptible smile. “Field leader of the Hunters!”
Noctis almost introduces himself as well but instead, he simply smiles back at Dave.
“Glad we could be of help then!”
“Don't know what you guys are up to but if you're ever looking for a job, we're always looking for people who can stand their ground in a fight!”
“Thanks for the offer,” Gladio replies, shaking his head, his posture relaxing, “but we're kinda busy at the moment.”
Dave steps back, raising his hands in surrender.
“If you ever change your mind though, my offer will still stand,” he quickly adds before leaving them to their own devices.
Both Noctis and Gladio chuckle as they look back at each other.
“Do we really blend in that good in a crowd?” the Prince wonders and his Shield snorts, playfully punching his shoulder.
“You don't really look royal to be fair,” he teases, easily dodging Noctis’ kick in response. “See it as a good thing! It's easier for us to travel when the whole country doesn't know who you are!”
Soon, the bartender comes back with their orders so they thank and after carefully balancing the four plates and just as many mugs, they walk over to the table their lovers have claimed.
Prompto looks very pleased that Dave praised their hunting skills while Ignis deplores with a sigh that unfortunately, the Hunters are loyal to no one but the common folks they protect from predators and monsters.
“They would make formidable allies if we end up in an open war with Solheim!”
“We're just going to have to hope it won't come to that,” Noctis points out as he starts digging into his plate, purposefully leaving the greens on the side while ignoring his adviser's glares and the amused looks his lover and his Shield are throwing at him.
*~*~*~*~*
Noctis sleeps better that night than he would have expected considering the hundreds of thoughts running through his mind. However, he wakes up before dawn and just lies there in bed, staring up at the ceiling with Prompto's breath tickling his neck.
He's going to tell Ignis.
Soon.
Today.
He deserves to know the truth.
No matter how much it will hurt.
The Prince knows that if he was in his adviser's position, he would like to know.
Sweet fucking Six, he hopes he's not about to make the biggest mistake of his life…
Sighing, he tightens his arms around his lover and kisses his forehead before closing his eyes, letting sleep lure him in for the time they have left before sunrise.
***
The next day is a lot more uneventful.
They see a group of anaks as well as a herd of sabertusks from afar but neither attack them so they don't go any closer either.
Then, around noon, the Cygilian sea finally comes into view in the distance and no matter how many times they've seen it in the past, the sight still takes Noctis’ breath away.
They haven't come all this way for sightseeing though. They have a job to do and a war to avoid so they follow the path going down the hill until they reach Galdin Quay.
It used to be a small, modest fishing village but as Lucis’ only port, it quickly grew and nowadays, it's where people go when they need to relax and take some time away from their daily life.
They make their way over to the stables and as soon as they're jumping off their chocobos’ back, a stable hand is already taking them to a paddock for their stay, promising Noctis and his retinue to give the birds an overdue bath and feed them the best greens on the market.
Gladio whistles in appreciation as they all look at each other, amazed and a bit amused.
If that's the way their chocobos are being treated, then he can't imagine how they would be treated if they spent the night at the inn.
Unfortunately, they're on a time limit right now so it will have to wait until next time.
So they begin making their way over to the port but as they reach it-
“I'm afraid you're out of luck!” a man announces as he walks towards them and Noctis immediately freezes because that man is none other than the one he bumped into in Solheim. “The ship to Altissia, you were planning to take it?”
“Yeah,” Prompto replies with a confused expression on his face. “Why?”
“Unfortunately, there isn't one,” he dramatically sighs, looking back over his shoulder.
Something in Gladio's demeanor changes immediately and he straightens his back, looking more intimidating.
“Feel free to wait here if you wish,” the stranger shrugs as he walks past them and Noctis jumps two feet back to avoid bumping shoulders with them. “As for myself, I have better things to do!”
Once he's a few feet ahead of them, he adds, more quietly but still long enough for them to hear.
“It might have something to do with the current conflict.”
Then, with an almost inhumane speed, he turns around and flicks something in Noctis’ direction who only doesn't get hit in the face by it thanks to his Shield's reflexes.
Gladio opens his hand and shows the object in question; a small, silver coin but the Prince doesn't recall ever seeing one like this before. It's not Lucis’ currency, that's for sure, nor Accordo or Tenebrae’s. And it's not the rusty, copper coins they saw in Solheim either.
“Okay,” Gladio groans, growing annoyed as he steps in between the stranger and the others, “I've had enough. Who are you exactly?”
But the man only smirks and raises his hands in surrender as he takes a step backward.
“Simply an humble traveler,” is all he says before turning around and walking away without another word.
“That was odd,” Ignis sighs as soon as he's out of earshot.
“I think you mean creepy!” Prompto corrects him, shaking his head as the four of them keep their eyes on the man.
He soon disappears out of their sight and only then does Noctis let out the breath he was holding.
“I saw him already,” he admits as he looks back at his companions. “He was in Solheim. I bumped shoulders with him when we were at the market.”
He tells them about the dog as well as Juno's response when he told her about it.
“And now the bastard is here,” Gladio mumbles, looking back to where the man has disappeared. “Feels like we might have a stalker.”
“Let's just go see if he was telling the truth about the ferry,” Ignis sighs once more. “We will deal with him later because I feel like this isn't the last we've see him.”
Gladio's posture remains defensive as they venture through the port, Ignis’ eyes keep flickering around them as if an assailant could jump out any second while Prompto takes Noctis’ hand into his and holds it tightly.
They come across several fishing ships but the ferry that usually takes people across the Cygilian to Altissia is nowhere to be seen.
Fuck…
“According to my sources,” a voice suddenly tells them, startling them, “Accordo is keeping every ship at the docks.”
The four of them turn around and find a blonde man sitting on a bench with a knowing look in his eyes.
“Why would they do this?” Noctis asks as he raises an eyebrow.
“Maybe because we're on the edge of a war,” he replies with a shrug. “It's making your diplomatic mission more complicated, doesn't it, Prince Noctis?”
They immediately all stiffen, dropping all pretense but unlike with the creep they ran into earlier, this guy doesn't seem dangerous.
Just overly smug.
“Okay,” Noctis tells him, crossing his arms over his chest, “you know who I am. So what do you want?”
“Simply to help you,” the stranger answers, looking so fucking condescending. “Name's Dino by the way and there's no need to introduce your retinue.”
His eyes flicker to Noctis’ companions.
“Gladiolus Amicitia, Ignis Scientia and Prompto Argentum.”
He smirks as he looks at the latter.
“Although rumors say there might be a wedding between you two in the near future.”
Prompto turns a dark shade of red and before Noctis can protest, Ignis steps forward to de-escalate the situation.
“You said you wanted to help us,” he points out, ignoring his last comment. “You know a way for us to get to Altissia?”
“I know a few fishermen who could take you there for the right price,” Dino announces as he crosses his arms behind his head. “It will have to wait until tomorrow though. They're saying the ocean is agitated today as if Leviathan herself had awakened.”
He then points out a large building to the right of the port.
“You should take a room for the night! We've got the best beds in Lucis outside of Insomnia and also the best seafood you'll ever eat in your entire life!”
“What are you?” Prompto asks him, shaking his head. “Some kind of tour guide or something?”
But judging by the look on his face, he's not going to tell them anything else so the Prince groans in annoyance and along with his companions, leave the port the way they came in and walk over to the inn next door.
The Mother of Pearl is the city's largest building and it looks like it belongs in the Crown City. It's such a drastic contrast to the shitty inns they've been staying at recently.
No suspicious stains or odd smells tonight, that's for sure.
“So?” Prompto wonders as they walk in. “We trust him to get us to Altissia tomorrow? We don't even know him.”
“We don't,” Gladio agrees although he looks like he has something in his mind, “but the locals might.”
Then, without any more explanation, he strides over to the counter and flashes a charming smile at the innkeeper.
“Hi,” he greets her. “You've got any rooms available for the night?”
The woman smiles back at him and notices Noctis, Prompto and Ignis standing behind him.
“For the four of you? I could rent you two smaller rooms with two beds in each but if you don't mind sharing beds, I've got a bigger room with two large beds and a view of the ocean!”
Prompto snorts while the corners of Ignis’ lips twitch up in amusement and Noctis snickers.
He's pretty sure his Shield and his adviser have been sharing a bed since the festival, just like he and the blonde have been doing as well.
“We'll take the big one then,” Gladio confirms with a nod and his ever so charming grin. “And we've also heard amazing things about your seafood so we want to try it as well!”
As he keeps praising the local cuisine, Noctis realizes what his Shield is doing and he's got to admit it's a good plan.
They all watch as Gladio pays for the room and orders their lunch before-
“One more question,” he quickly adds as the woman is about to prepare their food. “There's this guy at the port who told us he could get us to Altissia.”
“You mean Dino?” the woman who has introduced herself as Coctura wonders. “If he told you he could do it, you can trust him to do so.”
Gladio nods in understanding and gives her a few more golden coins before she focuses on the food and he turns around, walking back to the guys with a pleased look.
“Told you the locals would know!”
*~*~*~*~*
The food, indeed, turns out to be the best seafood they've ever eaten and Ignis is so impressed he takes notes on a piece of parchment to reproduce it himself later on and even try to bribe Coctura into giving him the recipe.
As for the room they've rented, it also goes beyond their expectations and almost reminds Noctis of his and Prompto's room at the Citadel although no matter how comfortable the bed is, with Gladio and Ignis so close by, it's not like they'll do anything that night.
They spend the rest of the afternoon practicing what they're going to say to Camelia Claustra, the Queen of Accordo, when they see her.
Then, once they've all got their speech memorized, they have dinner and try more of Coctura's seafood before retreating to their room for the night.
They play cards and some orlog and it's only as they're getting ready for bed that Noctis realizes he cannot keep this charade on any longer.
If Ignis is to follow him all the way to another country like he's planning to do, then he deserves to know tbe truth.
“Ignis!” he abruptly calls out in a tone that makes his companions freeze.
There's a questioning look in Prompto's eyes, as if asking if he's about to do what he thinks so the Prince nods almost imperceptibly in his lover's direction before focusing on his adviser.
“There's something I need to tell you.”
Ignis frowns but sits down in the chair facing him.
“I'm listening,” he says, motioning for Noctis to go on but the latter shakes his head.
“It's delicate. I don't know if you want Gladio to know as well.”
His Shield frowns but doesn't comment unlike Ignis.
“We have no secret for each other,” he assures the Prince, shaking his head as well. “Just like you and Prompto. So whatever you need to tell me, you can just say it.”
Noctis sighs deeply, looking down at his lap as he fidgets with his hands while he searches for the right way to say it. In the meantime, Gladio comes to sit beside his lover while Prompto does the same, pressing a reassuring hand to the Prince's thigh and squeezing it.
“We found out something,” he awkwardly begins as he looks back to his adviser. “Right before Tenebrae's delegation arrived at the Citadel. To be honest, we overheard a conversation that we weren't mean to hear and then we saw something and-”
He cuts himself off when he realizes he's nervously rambling.
“Is it that bad?” Gladio worries to which Prompto nods.
“Worse than you can imagine!”
“It's a secret no one but a handful of people know, okay? My dad and his retinue, Monica, Juno, Adolphus.”
The mention of his late uncle makes Ignis’ face fall.
“Your father,” Noctis anxiously continues, repeatedly tapping his foot, “he wasn't what we've been told our entire lives. He-”
“He what?” his adviser presses him, leaning forward so he's seated at the edge of his chair. “What?”
“He's the one who killed my mother.”
All colors drain from Ignis and Gladio's faces so Noctis tells them everything; the conversation he and Prompto overheard, the ritual they witnessed, the explanations Juno gave them afterwards.
By the time he's done, both of his friends look dangerously close to fainting while guilt is sinking low into his stomach.
He should have them right from the start, as soon as he and Prompto found out.
He should have…
“But it doesn't change anything to me, Iggy,” he desperately tries to make up for it. “You're one of my best friends, like my brother! It-”
But without giving him time to finish, Ignis abruptly stands up and makes a beeline for the door.
“Ignis, wait!” Gladio calls out after him but he simply ignores his lover and walks out, slamming the door behind him as a heavy silence befalls upon the room.
Noctis sighs and sinks further into his chair, running both of his hands down his face while Prompto gently threads his fingers through the Prince's black locks.
“I really fucked up!” he mumbles into his hands.
“You didn't.”
Surprisingly, it's not his lover's voice but rather Gladio's, causing Noctis to drop his hands onto his lap to look at his Shield.
“You didn't fuck this one up,” he repeats now that he has the Prince's attention, shaking his head.
“Don't you think we should have told him right away?” Prompto questions him.
“You found out like two days ago,” Gladio reminds them with a sigh. “You were processing it too. And I also get why my dad and the others didn't want to tell him either. The only one who really fucked up is Magnus himself.”
He then looks over his shoulder at the shut door.
“I don't think Specs is angry at you either. I think he's just trying to process that everything he has ever been told about his dad was a lie.”
He then reaches over to reassuringly pat Noctis’ arm.
“He'll come around. Just give him some time.”
Time is exactly what they're running out of at the moment though…
*~*~*~*~*
Ignis doesn't come back to the room that night.
Gladio leaves at some point to try to reason with him but he comes back a few minutes later with a defeated look.
Prompto on the other hand is trying every trick in his book to cheer up Noctis; he plays with his hair, massages his back and challenges him in a few more rounds of orlog but nothing works.
The Prince simply can't forget the betrayed look in his adviser's eyes…
And even if they have a boat to take the next day and a war to avoid, he just can't fall asleep, no matter how good Prompto's arms feel around him or how Gladio’ snoring from the next bed is luring him to sleep.
Every time he closes his eyes, he sees Ignis’ heartbroken face…
They might say he didn't but he fucked up and he knows it!
His father and the others were right to keep this a secret…
*~*~*~*~*
Skeletons.
Hundreds of them.
Shreds of clothes hanging from their frame with pieces of rotten skin still attached to their bones.
Rusty weapons.
All of them standing as a man shrouded in darkness commands them to rise and attack.
Amber eyes turning yellow with black markings spreading around them.
The Citadel in the distance.
*~*~*~*~*
Noctis awakens with a gasp, sitting up abruptly and waking up both Prompto and Gladio in the process.
“What’s wrong?” his Shield sleepily mumbles once he realizes there's no imminent threat as they're still in their room at Galdin Quay.
“Was it the dog again?” Prompto tries to guess as he pushes Noctis’ hair out of his face. “The man?”
But before the Prince can explain himself, the door is slammed wide open and Ignis walks in with an uncharacteristically worried look on his face.
“Iggy,” Noctis begins, “about last night-”
But his adviser raises a hand, effectively silencing the Prince.
“We will talk about it later,” Ignis assures him, shaking his head, “but right now we have a bigger problem to deal with. We have to leave!”
“The fishermen are already ready to take us to Altissia?” Prompto wonders, confused.
“We're not going to Altissia,” the adviser replies to him before looking back at Noctis with a grim expression. “There's been developments.”
He sighs heavily.
“There's been an attack. Four actually.”
“What?” Gladio, Prompto and the Prince's voices echo at the same time.
Ignis nods slowly.
“Insomnia, Altissia, Fenestala and Drakestone have all been attacked simultaneously last night.”
The four capitals…
“Who did that?” the Shield questions his lover as he stands up.
“We don't know yet,” Ignis admits, shaking his head. “The news has just started to spread. Ravens and solas are flying everywhere.”
But a thought suddenly hits Noctis.
“What about my father?” he worries. “Is he okay?”
But Ignis’ silence fills him up with dread.
No…
No, no, no!
No-
“Some rumors say he didn't make it,” his adviser sighs, confirming the Prince's worst fears. “But others say he was seen leaving the city so I don't know who to believe at this point.”
Then there's only one way to find out the truth…
“Hurry up!” Noctis declares as he tosses the sheets off his body and stands up. “We're going back to Insomnia!”