[ Do you swear your fealty, do you promise to protect the crown in any and every way you can, will you always do your duty? They're a series of questions that he'd seen written in a Crownsguard class room for the younger children. The ones whose families were close enough with the crown that their positions were guaranteed. He, too, had gone through classes like this, raised in the certainty that where others may wonder or just not know, he did. He had a purpose from his birth. His purpose was one his family had held to for years, each new Lucis child working with the child of a Scientia.
Had he wanted to, he could have had his pick of any job, back then. Trained for the Crown but not required for it-- if he had chosen to leave and further his studies for a while, he had a sister that could take over. She would need additional training, but the option was open for it, if he needed. He'd never needed. From the moment that he met Noctis, he'd been sure that this is where he was meant to be.
Gladiolus talked to him about it, once. Prompto and Noctis were still curled up in the tent, laying over each other like puppies that had played too much and were tired out. Gladiolus and Ignis were outside the tent, the former drinking a beer, the latter nursing a coffee while he stroked the feathered head of his chocobo, and enjoyed the warmth of the fire. You ever think about leaving? About how maybe this wasn't meant for you, despite the whole family...business?
Ignis had debated it a few moments, wondering if Gladiolus was beginning to doubt now that things had really gone to shit, but no. A glance over at him reveals that Gladiolus is watching him almost knowingly, amber eyes steady, not guilty. Maybe before, but I don't really recall back that early. I just know that I want to be here by his side. My duty hasn't changed even if the specific situation may have. You're Noctis's Shield, but I-
You're his right hand, Iggy, Gladiolus had finished quietly, and oh, he realized. That was a knowing look, because he wanted to talk about that. Ignis grimaced, patting his chocobo on the head and waved it off before it could even start. My duty is to be at his side in whatever capacity he requires and I haven't failed that yet.
Nah, I mean. If anything it seems like you're real intent on doing your duty, Gladiolus had said with a nod at the tent, and Ignis' face had flamed. Gladiolus always was better about talking him into things, at shaking him out of his own head when he was being a fool. If only he had the power to do this now, but no. Ignis fall asleep to the unsteady sound of Noctis' breathing and when he wakes, he's alone.
When he sends Noctis' schedule a reminder notification of his departure the next morning, he's alone until Gladiolus and Prompto show up to hug him goodbye fiercely. He's still got quite a few of his duties - it's an extended work trip, where during the base hours he works with Aranea's men and the time difference means he can still make conference calls for anything involving Lucis. The kind of running away teenage you would've been proud of, Gladiolus says into his ear, squeezing his shoulder. It's enough to jar him, to make him hiss out a breath, angry that he'd do this but Gladiolus doesn't look smug or knowing, he looks sad. Like he figured this was going to happen and he's disappointed in it.
Well, if he and Noctis were going to be disappointed with how things went, why not add Gladiolus to the list. Make it a full set and add Prompto.
The trip there is easy, despite the way he's in turns furious at himself and the reactions to this, and desperately, horribly tired, wanting this period of aching to be over. It's not enough that he can go a thousand miles away from Noctis and bring everything important to him; Noctis still has a grip on his heart even this far away. It's too much. But the work out here is good work, it's important work for the Crown in a different way and the business of all of it distracts him. He doesn't flourish, but he does well. He balances both sets of duties, provides immaculate records on time and works himself to the bone in a way that he would never get sick of.
He and Aranea linger together when they can - their schedules are often opposite but they stay in the same room, because despite not being in a relationship neither of them are interested in fucking anyone else. Aranea because it's time-consuming and boring, and Ignis, because he doesn't have time outside of work. He could marry her, maybe. It'd make sense the older they get, as they know they can deal with each other for long periods, in confined spaces. He'd let her do whatever she wanted with her job and he'd be free to work how he liked. It would be comfortable.
It's never suggested, but Aranea grabs him when he even edges close to the subject, shaking her head. You're cutting an hour out of your day or I am, and you're going to go out. You said this was to help you move on, so move on.
Strangely, it does help. He meets more people this far away. None that he's particularly interested in but plenty that he becomes shockingly good friends with. He writes to the people that he dated in Lucis that he got along with, too - against all odds, this year is the one where he talks to people the most, out of any of them. He maintains friendships and remembers how to exist on his own, in a capacity. Truthfully, he thought he'd feel as lost as he does that first month but things settle into a very acceptable sort of middling ground. Nothing exceptional, but it's passable. It's a distraction.
It's enough that when the contract ends, he holds off on signing. He ought to go back. There's a child, now, and he misses all of them fiercely. Aranea tells him the contract will wait; this should be a vacation. Two months, and if he's back at the end then she'll know right away he's taking the job. At first he thinks it'll be too much to come home; he's felt lost without Noctis so close, but email and phones being up again means that he can do his job just as well remote. They're not fighting to save Noctis' life constantly any longer. He doesn't need to worry.
My duty hasn't changed even if the scenery has.
The first night is a good one - the Crownsguard take him out drinking and while he barely drinks more than a bottle and a few shots others buy for him, it's good to see everyone again. Prompto goes through pictures, Cor buys him a shot of something that smells good, but extremely spicy and then presses a hand to his shoulder. I'm asking you for Regis' sake, and the King's. Corner him if you have to but don't let him be an idiot.
It's shockingly close to something some would almost call treason, but that's not what gets Ignis. It's the fact that a moment later, Cor tilts their shot glasses together and says, Regis would've wanted him happy and he knew that was with you.
It's an older wound, but one that's still tender. This is where Gladiolus learned to strike so deeply with his words; Cor the Immortal's had a long time to learn how to make them hurt but not disable. He takes the advice for what it is and rejoins the party after purchasing a round for all of them. In the morning, despite the rowdiness, he's up and taking stock of everything. Their replacement Chamberlain - not his sister, but more a mix of people taking on the duties in the castle, is not...bad. It's just not as efficient as having someone who knows them this well. He steps into place like a whirlwind and soon enough things fall into place, but there's no Noctis. Cor was right, he might have to go after him. A few weeks, that's what he'll give it and then chase him if needed. In the meantime, he has no end to what he can occupy his time with and with Noctis missing, he finds he's spending more time with Octavia.
It's not far for her to see any of the hurts he's buried deeply, so he keeps everything about Noctis cooly professional. He's wonderful with Luna, and it's clear he genuinely adores her right away. He presents Octavia with a present he'd picked her up where he was - close enough to the Empire that he could take a trip to an old candy factory that she had mentioned she liked, back before the darkness. It's up and running, even if it doesn't have distribution back, which means he brings her a whole box of it to tide her over.
The night she asks him over, he's come fresh from three different meetings the state of the household and different things he thinks they should adjust and edit in his time gone. It's productive, but he's tired and looks it, slipping into the room two minutes early instead of five; he'd gotten caught in the hallway. ]
I apologize that I was almost late; I forgot the immediate change once you're readily accessible.
no subject
Had he wanted to, he could have had his pick of any job, back then. Trained for the Crown but not required for it-- if he had chosen to leave and further his studies for a while, he had a sister that could take over. She would need additional training, but the option was open for it, if he needed. He'd never needed. From the moment that he met Noctis, he'd been sure that this is where he was meant to be.
Gladiolus talked to him about it, once. Prompto and Noctis were still curled up in the tent, laying over each other like puppies that had played too much and were tired out. Gladiolus and Ignis were outside the tent, the former drinking a beer, the latter nursing a coffee while he stroked the feathered head of his chocobo, and enjoyed the warmth of the fire. You ever think about leaving? About how maybe this wasn't meant for you, despite the whole family...business?
Ignis had debated it a few moments, wondering if Gladiolus was beginning to doubt now that things had really gone to shit, but no. A glance over at him reveals that Gladiolus is watching him almost knowingly, amber eyes steady, not guilty. Maybe before, but I don't really recall back that early. I just know that I want to be here by his side. My duty hasn't changed even if the specific situation may have. You're Noctis's Shield, but I-
You're his right hand, Iggy, Gladiolus had finished quietly, and oh, he realized. That was a knowing look, because he wanted to talk about that. Ignis grimaced, patting his chocobo on the head and waved it off before it could even start. My duty is to be at his side in whatever capacity he requires and I haven't failed that yet.
Nah, I mean. If anything it seems like you're real intent on doing your duty, Gladiolus had said with a nod at the tent, and Ignis' face had flamed. Gladiolus always was better about talking him into things, at shaking him out of his own head when he was being a fool. If only he had the power to do this now, but no. Ignis fall asleep to the unsteady sound of Noctis' breathing and when he wakes, he's alone.
When he sends Noctis' schedule a reminder notification of his departure the next morning, he's alone until Gladiolus and Prompto show up to hug him goodbye fiercely. He's still got quite a few of his duties - it's an extended work trip, where during the base hours he works with Aranea's men and the time difference means he can still make conference calls for anything involving Lucis. The kind of running away teenage you would've been proud of, Gladiolus says into his ear, squeezing his shoulder. It's enough to jar him, to make him hiss out a breath, angry that he'd do this but Gladiolus doesn't look smug or knowing, he looks sad. Like he figured this was going to happen and he's disappointed in it.
Well, if he and Noctis were going to be disappointed with how things went, why not add Gladiolus to the list. Make it a full set and add Prompto.
The trip there is easy, despite the way he's in turns furious at himself and the reactions to this, and desperately, horribly tired, wanting this period of aching to be over. It's not enough that he can go a thousand miles away from Noctis and bring everything important to him; Noctis still has a grip on his heart even this far away. It's too much. But the work out here is good work, it's important work for the Crown in a different way and the business of all of it distracts him. He doesn't flourish, but he does well. He balances both sets of duties, provides immaculate records on time and works himself to the bone in a way that he would never get sick of.
He and Aranea linger together when they can - their schedules are often opposite but they stay in the same room, because despite not being in a relationship neither of them are interested in fucking anyone else. Aranea because it's time-consuming and boring, and Ignis, because he doesn't have time outside of work. He could marry her, maybe. It'd make sense the older they get, as they know they can deal with each other for long periods, in confined spaces. He'd let her do whatever she wanted with her job and he'd be free to work how he liked. It would be comfortable.
It's never suggested, but Aranea grabs him when he even edges close to the subject, shaking her head. You're cutting an hour out of your day or I am, and you're going to go out. You said this was to help you move on, so move on.
Strangely, it does help. He meets more people this far away. None that he's particularly interested in but plenty that he becomes shockingly good friends with. He writes to the people that he dated in Lucis that he got along with, too - against all odds, this year is the one where he talks to people the most, out of any of them. He maintains friendships and remembers how to exist on his own, in a capacity. Truthfully, he thought he'd feel as lost as he does that first month but things settle into a very acceptable sort of middling ground. Nothing exceptional, but it's passable. It's a distraction.
It's enough that when the contract ends, he holds off on signing. He ought to go back. There's a child, now, and he misses all of them fiercely. Aranea tells him the contract will wait; this should be a vacation. Two months, and if he's back at the end then she'll know right away he's taking the job. At first he thinks it'll be too much to come home; he's felt lost without Noctis so close, but email and phones being up again means that he can do his job just as well remote. They're not fighting to save Noctis' life constantly any longer. He doesn't need to worry.
My duty hasn't changed even if the scenery has.
The first night is a good one - the Crownsguard take him out drinking and while he barely drinks more than a bottle and a few shots others buy for him, it's good to see everyone again. Prompto goes through pictures, Cor buys him a shot of something that smells good, but extremely spicy and then presses a hand to his shoulder. I'm asking you for Regis' sake, and the King's. Corner him if you have to but don't let him be an idiot.
It's shockingly close to something some would almost call treason, but that's not what gets Ignis. It's the fact that a moment later, Cor tilts their shot glasses together and says, Regis would've wanted him happy and he knew that was with you.
It's an older wound, but one that's still tender. This is where Gladiolus learned to strike so deeply with his words; Cor the Immortal's had a long time to learn how to make them hurt but not disable. He takes the advice for what it is and rejoins the party after purchasing a round for all of them. In the morning, despite the rowdiness, he's up and taking stock of everything. Their replacement Chamberlain - not his sister, but more a mix of people taking on the duties in the castle, is not...bad. It's just not as efficient as having someone who knows them this well. He steps into place like a whirlwind and soon enough things fall into place, but there's no Noctis. Cor was right, he might have to go after him. A few weeks, that's what he'll give it and then chase him if needed. In the meantime, he has no end to what he can occupy his time with and with Noctis missing, he finds he's spending more time with Octavia.
It's not far for her to see any of the hurts he's buried deeply, so he keeps everything about Noctis cooly professional. He's wonderful with Luna, and it's clear he genuinely adores her right away. He presents Octavia with a present he'd picked her up where he was - close enough to the Empire that he could take a trip to an old candy factory that she had mentioned she liked, back before the darkness. It's up and running, even if it doesn't have distribution back, which means he brings her a whole box of it to tide her over.
The night she asks him over, he's come fresh from three different meetings the state of the household and different things he thinks they should adjust and edit in his time gone. It's productive, but he's tired and looks it, slipping into the room two minutes early instead of five; he'd gotten caught in the hallway. ]
I apologize that I was almost late; I forgot the immediate change once you're readily accessible.