Until the Last Note Fades - FFXV Rock Band AU Fanfic
Chapter Title: you made your bed, sleep in it
Relationships: Eventual Gladnis, Crownyx, other relationship tags to be added
Fic Summary: "Anyone can play guitar," or so the song goes. A story about the work and love that goes into making a dream happen - no matter what that dream might be.
Chapter Summary: The road trip begins! Nyx and Crowe get ready to play their first road show, and Ravus and Luna start their own journey.
Ignis harassed them all for three days to make lists, get packed, and check their equipment. It still took him an entire day to get them organized when it was time to leave. The sun was setting as they finally pulled out of Gladio and Noctis’ driveway
Ignis ran a hand through his hair and exhaled, then he looked into the side mirrors and angled the huge van into reverse.
Once they hit the highway he seemed to loosen up, helped along by Gladio’s management of the music for the ride. He played some of their favorites, and before long Ignis had relaxed enough to tap his fingers on the steering wheel and sing along lightly.
Noctis was quiet but content, staring quietly out the window as they left the city lights behind and stars poked through the thick velvety purple surface of the night sky. He grinned when a favorite of his came on and leaned forward to poke at Gladio’s sizable bicep.
“Oh dude, turn this up. Listen to this solo!”
Gladio grinned and turned it up. Noctis waited for the solo to finish and started chattering about it; a discussion that Prompto followed only part of but that definitely sounded like Advanced Music Nerd, and he grinned at Noctis’ excited handwaving.
Gladio’s playlist clicked forward to a slinky song with a heavy bass beat and a slithering riff. Oh, well if that isn’t classically perfect fucking timing. Ugh. Prompto put headphones in and curled up in the backseat, trying to look like he was just trying to grab some rest.
Ignis hit traffic, sighed, and popped the top on the canned coffee he’d propped in the front seat cup holder. He looked around, moving slightly to the beat.
“This is good. New?” he asked Gladio, taking a sip.
Prompto burrowed further into his corner.
“New to me. I dig it though.”
Ignis nodded in agreement. “Who is it?”
“Group called Stoss, but I think it’s just the singer leading it mostly. Can’t remember her name, though.”
“Me, either, but I think she’s from New York.” Noctis poked Prompto. “Hey, you were living in New York before the tour, right? Give this a listen - do you know who this is?”
Prompto winced and took out an earbud. He sighed a little bit. “Yeah, this is Stoss. I know it.” His hand hovered with the earbud, looking to shove it back in and get back to his podcast.
“Yeah yeah, but who is it? Do you know the singer’s name?”
“Yeah, it’s - Aranea Highwind.” The words were thick in Prompto’s mouth, and he hoped his feelings weren’t written all over his face for Noctis, and if he turned around, Gladio to see.
Of course it was Ignis, always perceptive, who flicked a glance into the rearview mirror.
“Let Prompto sleep if he wants to sleep, Noct.” His tone was a little scolding, but Noctis took it well, just giving Prompto a little smile.
“Sorry. Yeah, maybe Iggy’s gonna let you drive next. Rest up,” Noctis teased.
“Not likely.” Ignis responded from the front.
“It’s not you - he doesn’t let anyone else drive. Do ya Specs? Not even Gladio, and he’s supposedly the other responsible one.” Prompto grinned at Noctis’ words, noticing where that left Noctis in their little group.
Ignis pushed up his glasses, and his British accent became slightly more clipped. ‘It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just that it gives me something to do. Riding in the passenger seat is insufferably boring, and -”
“Riding in the back makes you carsick. I know, Iggy. I’m just giving you a hard time.” Noctis’ words were affectionate, and Ignis smiled back at him.
Prompto pulled his hood up over his head and turned toward the window, watching the lights of the cars around them blend into snaking lines as the traffic finally let up and they moved on their way. It was a long way back to the East Coast, and their journey was just beginning.