A/N: Commission for DestiniDestati! Thank you so much again for your support~! Chapters 8 and 9 will gradually release in the coming weeks as I work on them!
Chapter 7: The Truth Whispered Through the Night
Prompto was apparently up at that hour, stretching from the small amount of sleep he was able to obtain. Noticing me there at the docks, he called out to me.
I wasn't too startled, but my own thoughts had caused me to tense just for a moment; especially given all that Ignis and I had discussed prior. “Oh, Prompto,” I greeted, trying my best to hide the sorrow that labored my words. “What are you doing up?”
“I could, uh, ask the same about you,” he wearily chuckled. Making it to my side, he kissed my cheek with that same smile that could always light up the darkest of nights. “So what’s on your mind?”
I breathed out a small sigh at his question. “You know me too well, it seems.”
“Of course. We’ve been together for over ten years.” Prompto shrugged. “I know you about as well as Noct, or at least, I want to say I do. Rarely do you walk away on your own unless something is bothering you.”
I managed a smile to the best of my ability. Felt like even some unknown force was desperate to have me spare a moment to tell Prompto about what I and Ignis spoke of earlier.
But… not here.
“You’re not too tired to go for a walk with me, are you?” I asked, grabbing his hand to hold tightly.
He raised his brow at the tone I no doubt carried when I spoke. He was quite perceptive, that was for certain. All those years, and it seemed his best qualities only got stronger. “Sure. I am fine with that.” He thumbed over his shoulder. “I think they have a lot of the brighter lights on near the coast. We can head there just to avoid any daemons.”
That would be best. I didn't want to get interrupted and lose my nerve to tell another beyond Ignis. “Sounds wonderful. Let’s go.”
Chapter 6: The White Horse of the Plague - Conquest
Thank you again, @DestiniDestati for your commission and desire to support this story!
There was something uncomfortable about even being in the presence of this man. The way he presented himself, spoke, all of it—it made me feel a memory rattle in the back of my mind that I wanted to leave dormant.
Imprisoned within his office, I found comfort in the fact that Ignis was at least at my side. If anybody could see through any dark veil that a person could cloak upon themselves, he would.
I demanded answers the moment this Delta sat down behind his desk. “Now, what do you want with us?”
Delta overlapped his fingers, grinning ear to ear as he eyed us up and down. “Merely wanted to chat about something, my Lady. I thought it would have been better for your ears alone, all things considered.”
That sounded like a threat.
Ignis could sense me tensing up, urging him to outstretch his hand to prevent me from lashing out if I so chose to.
I knew better. I would dare not do such a thing, even if I felt compelled. “What are you hinting at? Hurry it along, as I do not desire my time to be wasted.”
Delta sighed with a playful roll of his eyes. “Mm, of course.” He went quiet, perhaps debating on what to say about it all. “You know, there are stories out there that speak of a missing astral.”
There was a feverish beating in my heart the moment he said such a thing. “You listen to such fairy tales?”
He scoffed at me. “They interest me, dear Bride of Chaos. Of course I do. Sometimes fairy tales hold truth to them.”
I pretended to be disinterested. “Get to the point.” In a way, I knew he wouldn't. He loved playing around with me for some reason.
How about “I look at you and all I see is love.” for prompto, please! And make it sfw, too
A/N: I got you, lovely! Thanks for the request~
Word Count: 2,245
Rated: SFW
Chocobos rarely needed a reason to exist within the city walls of Insomnia, but they were mainly there to bring the more country part of Eos to the few green parks that were spotted throughout. Some were even used to pull carriages if people were looking for something a bit more romantic. The moment you found that there was a small farm nearby that raised and bred them, you wasted no time at all to grab at the opportunity to work there.
It wasn't exactly the best pay in the world, but you got to be around something you enjoyed.
Your months throughout working there you saw all kinds of people come and go. Some you could only remember because of something you connected on; others, they were merely problematic and you knew how to avoid any confrontation. However, there was the friend to the prince of Lucis that seemed to come over as often as he could just to look for any and all excuses to enjoy in the birds himself.
Prompto, was it? You were awful with names, and you had to admit, you never heard his around Insomnia that much even if he was a guy who was best friends with the soon to be king. If it wasn't Prince Noctis spoken about you, it was his bodyguard, Gladiolus you heard of often or his advisor, Ignis. It seemed this Prompto guy just kind of slipped into the background of things. You tried not to say anything about it in worry of how that could personally make him feel.
Honestly, it was just nice to kind of have him around. The birds really enjoyed his company, and even the temperamental ones Prompto seemed to know how to handle quite well.
“Heyas.”
The voice was all too familiar to you, making you turn from the chocobo you were washing down for the day to get it cleaned up for a ride about the park. Removed momentarily from the task at hand, you smiled ear to ear. “Good to see you, Prompto,” you greeted, wiping the wet bird dander on the apron you had over your front.
He pivoted forward, tapping his fingertips together. “So, uh, just washing the birds today, hu?”
You gave him a curious look, a lopsided smile still ever prevalent upon your features. “I do this nearly every Wednesday, Prompto. You know that one couple usually rents Piper for the afternoon and evening.” You chuckled to yourself just thinking about it. “Ever since they've been newly wed, it's been impossible to be around them.” Grabbing the hose again, you were mindful of the bird as you tried to wash off the soap that you had scrubbed carefully within her feathers earlier
“Right, right,” the gunman chanted as he inched a bit closer. “Did you need any help with her? I can get the other side if you want me to.”
Prompto would often offer his services for free, but you felt that made your job a bit on the easy side. Never had you told the owner of it, worried of how he would respond. “Well, my day is a bit lengthy anyways. I think it'll be okay if I do all the grunt work and you just talk.” Turning towards him, you tilted your head curiously. “So? What's up?”
“Ah, oh um—nothing special,” Prompto confessed, rubbing the back of his blond hair. “I was just checking in to see how you were doing and wondering when you'd be free tonight.”
He was acting far more jittery than usual. It was odd... like something was on his mind. “When I'm off?” you checked your phone to remind yourself of the time. “I will be off within five hours. Is something the matter? You're acting a bit funny.” In an attempt to lighten the atmosphere, you presented the last comment jokingly.
He nervously laughed, rolling onto the ball of his foot before moving forward again as if to rock in place. “Ah, that. It's nothing big, y/n. I was just hoping we could head out for dinner and video game stuff at umm... at-at my place.”
Now the jitters made sense. He had never offered you to join him at his place, and there it was. “Oh?” The very idea raced through your head, trying to decide whether today would be good or maybe tomorrow.
“I mean—ya know—you don't have to join me!” Prompto quickly sputtered out, his hands open as if to catch any negative criticism you could throw his way. “I was just, uh—offering.”
“You're always so hard on yourself, Prom,” you lightly jabbed, hoping to ease the mood a little. “You know I don't mind so long as you don't mind it's going to be about nine by the time I get out of here. That's not too late for dinner for you?”
A bright, honest smile spread across his lips as he shook his head. “No, no! That's just fine! It's fine...!” He hopped a bit in place as he looked around to see what else he could maybe assist you with. “Umm, well, uh. If you don't need or want my help here, I can just—.”
“I said I didn't need your help,” you playfully reminded him. “I didn't mention anything about saying 'no' to your company.” With the hose turned off, you motioned to the empty chair nearby. “You can join me and at least keep me occupied mentally so I don't go insane.”
He hardly needed to be told twice, and in that instance, he grabbed the chair, spun it around to where he was sitting in it backwards with his arms crossover over the headpiece. “You got it!”
The hours did indeed pass far more pleasantly with him at least around to talk your ear off about the latest video games, manga, and other nerdy things you both could connect on. Being around chocobos, you rarely got that connection with customers. It was nice to have the outlet.
As soon as the final hour was over, you went to grab your belongings and headed back to Prompto's place just near the Citadel. Venturing near the castle always made you a bit uneasy. You felt like you truly didn't belong there and like you would be scolded for trespassing.
“Intimidating, isn't it?” you pondered aloud as your eyes ventured over to the Lucian Citadel in passing.
“Eh?” Prompto's blue eyes followed yours. “Oh, right. That. It can be.”
There was an odd somber tone to him. You weren't sure where it came from, but it had you concerned you said something wrong in that small sentence. “Something the matter?”
He shook his head, waving away your concern. “Neh, I'm fine. Let's get inside, yeah?”
The area in which he lived was an apartment complex mainly for those serving the royal family. You knew Ignis lived there somewhere too but Gladiolus lived elsewhere to your knowledge. Upon arriving at Prompto's apartment, you found it to be quite cozy and welcoming. The kitchen shared a space with the living and eating room while the small hallway you could only imagine led to the bathroom and bedroom.
“You even have a balcony,” you gawked, pointing to the sliding glass door not far away.
“Noct let me have the window view. I feel a bit bad for poor Iggy as he kinda got stuck without much of one.” Prompto tossed his bag off to the side as he stretched to unwind from the day. “He says it's fine, but I think he's secretly envious of me.”
The joking way the last few words were said made you stifle a laugh. It was hard to imagine that man ever expressed any other mood beyond what looked to you as irritation. “So what do you plan on for dinner? I'm a bit hungry after working so many hours today.”
“The one thing I'm great at making,” Prompto teasingly began as he pulled out his phone. “A pizza.”
You chuckled. “You mean ordering a pizza.”
“It's still dinner whether I made it or not,” he jokingly jabbed in return.
Upon the pizza arriving, you both sat down to enjoy it on the sofa while tampering with one of the latest games Prompto had on him. It was a bullet hell type of game that you heard about but you hadn't gotten your hands on. In that regard, you merely watched him play it. However, the way he had been so anxious in just trying to ask you for something as simple as a dinner and a game night made you a bit curious. He was always a nervous and shy kind of guy but you rarely saw him act that way around you as of late.
“So what had you so anxious today, Prom?” It was better to just come right out in ask. You couldn't handle the beating around the bush idea.
Prompto was a bit hesitant in responding, and you blamed it on the fact he was so deep within the game in front of him. That did eventually slow, you noticed, as he hit the pause button to rest the controller in his lap. “Ah, you noticed?” he asked with another small titter.
“Hell, you're doing it right now,” you commented with a raise of your brow. “Is something on your mind?”
“N-No, no...” The words trailed off as he tapped his fingers on the controller at this point. “So, umm, y/n? H-How... What do you think about... umm, me?”
It was a very to the point question, making you jerk your head back in shock at it. “You?” Your eyes looked elsewhere as you gathered your thoughts. “What do I think about you...” you repeated aloud, though the words were more labored in thought.
“Ouch, don't think too hard now.” His words sounded like they were joking but there was also a bit of pain in there.
“No, no, no!” You waved your hands at the negative thoughts he no doubt was putting into his own mind. “It's not like that. I swear! I just. I dunno. There's a lot about you that I enjoy, so why are you asking?”
He moved his lips inward, eyes shifting about as he seemed to be gathering his courage. “Because, uh... I just...” Prompto rubbed the back of his neck, which was starting to get stiff. “Oof, I blew this before, and I really don't want to regret that again. Y/N... I really like you.”
You knew where that line usually went, but you passed it off for now as it was just a kind sentiment. The last thing you wanted to do was accidentally over read the way he had been acting as of late and ruin a good friendship. “I like you too, Prompto.”
“Not like that,” he insisted hastily. “I... y/n... I look at you and all I see is love. You know, I just... I want to be with you... And umm...” Prompto cringed over how scrambled the words were coming out. “Why didn't I write this in a letter or a text or something? I seem to suck when it comes to speaking my mind in public.”
Reaching over, you grabbed his hand and squeezed it hard with a reassuring smile. “It's a lot to take in after a long shift, but I get where you're going with this.” The smile only widened. “And I thank you for even considering me as someone you'd want to be with or at least try to be with.”
He found your words to be dismissive. Perhaps you hadn't noticed how you put yourself down in the ideals of relationships, but he certainly did. “I can easily love you, y/n. You shouldn't let the past hurt how your future is going to end up.” He glanced away again, as if showing he was hiding something from you. “I know that I've let the past nearly ruin my future, and I don't want that to happen again. I feel like...” He paused, his hands clasped one minute and then separating the next before rejoining as if to constitute the act as a shrug. “...I feel like I can trust you, y/n. I hope you know I'm not kidding when I say I do love you, and I want to love you if you'll just let me.”
There was something in his words that were somber. It was as a faint tone that you couldn't reach. Was it the fear or rejection or something else? “I guess if you want to risk it all with me then...” Actions spoke louder than words. It wasn't a kiss on the lips, but moving swiftly over, you snatched the opportunity to kiss his cheek. “...Then I guess we can give it a try. I'd enjoy seeing where loving you will take me.”
Prompto was shocked by the kiss. His gloved hand over the spot as he rubbed it affectionately while a blush made its way onto his freckles cheeks. “Y-Yeah. Of course! Great!” Even in the moment he wasn't sure how to act or what to say, but hearing that joy come back into him was more than enough to have you feel that this was a right choice to be made.
A/N: Continued commission for @martascully. Ugh, meant to do this sooner as a birthday gift to her earlier in the month but shitty weather and emotional/physical health has been less than kind. Thanks for your continued support and everything you do, hon. It is always appreciated. <3
Desc: The Assassins are said to work under the mighty King of Lucis while the Templars throw their lot in with Niflheim. Sent to find out information about King Noctis, his army, and kingdom to reveal his weakness, the Reader encounters an interesting foe in her way. {AU}
Pairing(s): Blind Assassin!Ignis Scientia x Reader
By Oreana Galena (blindgeishateahouse.tumblr.com)
Words: 5,314
Rated: Semi-NSFW (playful sexual banter and hinted fun times.)
| Commission Information |
——
Y/N’s fingers curled ever so slightly in the dark room on the ship she had taken passage on, bringing herself back from the realm of sleep. The firm mattress that the boat had to offer reminded the Templar that she was very much on her way back home as the uncomfortable sensation was hardly new given how recently she had been upon such a bed before just traveling to Lucis; however, what was new was how her simple movement caused another behind her to stir and make her body realize the weighted sensation upon her side was the at rest arm of Ignis, the hunter assassin and advisor to the King of Lucis who had felt her movements and acted in his peaceful slumber as his arm moved more inward against her as if to absentmindedly embrace Y/N closer to his chest.
She turned, looking over her shoulder to see that the blind man was very much still asleep or at least she was left to assume given how often he kept his eyes closed to keep the pain of the air away from his damaged sight. Y/N watched him closely and noticed he did appear to still be slumbering as his breathing was heavy—fixated, perhaps—with pleasant dreams or memories. She wanted to move a bit further to face him but Y/N struggled with the tempting thought as she was reminded the man was a light sleeper and seemed to be aware of everything even if he played dead in a sense. For the time being, Y/N merely rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked at the nearby clock to notice the hour.
Nearly nine in the morning—six minutes till to be exact. No wonder Y/N felt so exhausted as it was still early to her. Knowing that they would soon come to port at Niflheim’s docks given the day, she sighed heavily to herself. Seven days hardly felt like enough as it were just to enjoy in the peace and quiet on the ship. It was the sixth day (as she had been reluctantly counting down after the third) and Y/N knew tomorrow morning would be when they would depart from the vessel and lead her to escort Ignis and Prompto into enemy territory without getting anybody in trouble.
One more day… Y/N thought to herself, turning around finally to get a better look at Ignis who remained asleep much to her surprise with how much she was moving.
His arm remained lazily upon her side, the muscles seeming to twitch against Y/N’s bare skin as if to threaten in the single movement to wake but he did not. Perhaps he just realized where he was and what was around him so Ignis didn’t feel threatened. Either way, Y/N wasn’t sure how to feel about it...if she should feel relief he felt so relaxed about her or worried that she had numbed his senses during such a time.
Being able to look at him as this, she couldn’t help but smile really. His dirty blond hair had fallen about his features, nearly making it impossible to see his eyes a bit. She never truly realized at times how long his hair really was since he kept it slicked back when he was awake. In the past several days, Y/N got a good look at his morning routines as Ignis appeared to feel more comfortable about her, so she got the rare chance to see him unkempt from time to time.
Cautiously, Y/N moved her fingers about the messy strands to try and get a better view of his eyes and the damage done upon them. The scar on the left was massive and while she cringed at the sight, she merely did so in wonder of how painful it truly was to endure such a heavy consequence just to save someone you loved. You really are a reckless idiot, she thought to herself with a fretful frown. I know I can make you promise not to be so again on my behalf, but…I know you’ll break that promise if it means any of us may die.
Given how Ignis spoke highly and compassionate of his companions, Y/N was no fool. They were his friends…his family—Prompto, this Gladiolus character who had gone missing with King Noctis—and according to Ignis, after the attack on Insomnia years ago, they were the only family he had at current as he lost his uncle and parents in that dreadful and merciless attack. While she would be intent to believe her life would be of little value on the scale, Y/N had to remind herself that Ignis did nearly die on her behalf just to protect her as he saw her as a minimal threat—someone he pitied given the fear that seemed to weigh her every step and confessed in later days that he saw good in her regardless of her actions.
Finding relaxation back upon the stiff mattress of the bed, Y/N moved closer to the sleeping advisor. As her bare body moved toward his own, her eyes widened in a brief moment realizing he was asleep but very much awake in other areas. Sighing to herself in fake frustration, she tried to not disturb Ignis and cautiously moved her legs elsewhere so as not to encourage the idea even if it was literally jabbing her right near her stomach. You’d think I’d be used to that by now with how often I wake up to it lately… Y/N thought in another means to be annoyed yet playful.
Ignis’ excuse for the act in which he couldn’t control when sleeping was that he wasn’t used to sleeping beside a woman—clothed or otherwise—so it provoked the response unknowingly to even him. It was an obvious embarrassment to the advisor so Y/N tried not to comment on it often unless aiming to please him to where he could relax and find comfort.
She remained on her side, admiring the hunter as he slept. Not able to resist the temptation however, Y/N did inch a bit closer to kiss upon his lower lip that had been scarred in his past actions. The simple act was enough to make Ignis swallow audibly in the still quiet of the room, his lower lip moving from the tender kiss that he had adjusted to receiving at random.
“Y/N…?” Ignis questioned groggily, the heavily scarred eye opened for the first time in awhile in the lightless room that her own had adjusted to. Y/N could just see it through the thick tresses that nearly blanketed it.
“Yes, I am here,” she spoke to settle him as her fingers continued to toy with his messy hair with tender care. “Did I wake you just now?”
He moved, retracting his embrace for the time being as he stretched to pop a few weary muscles into place with a heavy sigh expelling through his nostrils. “Indeed, but it is just fine, my dear.” Ignis brushed his hand across his forehead, sweeping the long strands from his face as they were beginning to tickle the slope of his nose and near his cheeks. “I am sure the hour is late.”
Y/N sputtered humorously at his comment. “Just a little after nine in the morning, really. Early, if you ask me.” Her exposed chest found comfort upon his own, fingers continuing to journey through his unkempt style.
“And you are awake?” Ignis asked with an equally mischievous grin and tone to his words. “Mm, consider me quite surprised, darling.”
“You are losing your touch, Ignis,” Y/N scoffed as she stole another kiss from him. Her cheek found rest upon his chest, listening to the pleasant beating sound of his heart. “I even moved and you didn’t seem to notice.”
Ignis’ brow rose and fell, shrugging at her playful remark as he took care in rubbing another spot just under his eye that was bothering him. “Can you blame me, Y/N? I was not expecting the many hours of…exploration to happen as it did last night.”
Y/N lost count of how long they had truly been at it as well. While the days and nights had been full of conversation and a bit of planning in regards to what they would do upon their arrival in Niflheim, Ignis was trying to make use of the hours the two of them had alone. While Y/N had been used to the simplicity of their sensual times together, it seemed as the nights went onward Ignis was willing to try and drag them out a bit longer and try a few new things in order to know what worked best and what excited her the least. To Y/N it was delightful even if making her feel like his personal science project. She had found the week to be eye opening in a few ways but also aided her body in adjusting to the man who had taken and claimed her heart. What used to be horribly painful in terms of adjusting to his entire size being inside of her became an easy and welcome fit and like magic, the blind man appeared to become aware of what Y/N needed in terms of pleasure.
“I wasn’t watching the time,” Y/N whispered as she kissed his jaw line. “All I know was that was quite a bit you unleashed last night.” She paused, eyes shifting upward to count once more. “Four if I remember right.” Ignis quietly allowed a small laugh to pass his lips, his eye searching the darkness for where Y/N’s voice came from. “Wasn’t too painful for you any, was it?”
“Not at all,” he murmured as if to express his exhaustion still in that single reply. “Started to feel a bit tender near the end there, so that’s why I stopped, but I also didn’t wish to run you ragged.”
“The maid is going to complain when she has to clean our room,” Y/N joked, smiling shortly after as Ignis’ chest shuttered from a laugh he expelled a bit more vocally than the last.
“I’ll clean up a majority of the mess before we depart the room for breakfast.” His palm rubbed Y/N’s exposed back as if to mutely encourage the idea of the two of them waking further for the day. “We best get ready for such an event as it closes down at eleven.”
“I’d rather sleep than eat, really,” Y/N murmured with a recognizable whine on her words, chin remaining firm on Ignis’ chest.
Playfully, Ignis slapped Y/N’s backside before gesturing to where he knew the bedroom’s washroom was. “If I have to drag you in there myself, love, I will.” A groan passed Y/N’s lips as she reluctantly moved out from under the covers. “You are going to eat, and I will not have the maid seeing you as this.” When he felt the weight on him and the bed lessen, Ignis moved his feet to the floor as well though doing his best to allow the covers to at least preserve his dignity as he remained sitting on the bedside before fondling for his underwear he knew he tossed on the floor at some point. “Besides, we best meet with Prompto and Sal and see if anything new has been uncovered in regards to his Majesty and Gladio.”
“If anything were found, Sal would have told Prompto I am sure,” reminded Y/N as she cared little for clothing herself since her partner was indeed blind. “She may appear to be sidetracked with weird feelings for him, but she would do anything at this point to keep him happy, and I am sure she knows how much this King of yours means to him.”
Ignis hummed in thought as he fixed his boxers into place upon his lower hips. “Jealous, are we?”
While the question was merely curious in nature, Y/N couldn’t help but grumble a bit irritably at the very idea she would be jealous something she made with her best friend in mind was growing attached to someone else. She knew it seemed petty, but trying to deny that was the truth would get her nowhere as Ignis always caught onto even her minor fibs. “Sulista was never really interested in much of anybody, and I think because of her stature, nobody really returned the interest much either, so I was kind of used to having her all to myself when she was alive,” Y/N explained, rubbing her upper arms with a soft sigh at the confession. “She was a muscular woman, stood quite tall—five feet, eleven inches or something, I think—and the fact she carried around this enormous shield and battle axe at times that only she had the strength to handle, everyone was kind of intimidated by her even if she was a gentle giant.” Y/N’s hands went to her neck, resting her palms lazily at the sides as her fingertips drummed idly in thought on the back. “I guess when she went to becoming a machine, I just assumed nobody would really catch her interest, but this Prompto guy found a way.”
“Relationships are surprising in that way,” commented Ignis from obvious knowledge of the subject with all things considered. He moved across the room, outstretching his hand to find her in the darkness where his hand came to rest upon Y/N’s shoulder in a comforting hold. “You tend to find light in someone when you least expect it and within the most unlikely of people.”
Y/N’s smile twitched to one side, her hand resting upon his own to which provoked him to hold her grasp tightly. “While I am jealous, I do want her happy but…she’s a machine. She can love Prompto as much as she wants to, but a computer cannot truly express the right emotions back to someone; especially not in a physical sense.”
“Prompto didn’t tell you fully of his story from being in Niflheim, did he?” Ignis asked after a pregnant pause.
The words made it sound like they held some weight of sorts that Y/N wasn’t used to. She turned, gazing up at the glossy look of Ignis. “No…you interrupted that part, and he never continued with it.”
Ignis nodded, recalling that moment days ago much to his dismay. “It is not my station to speak of my companion’s secrets unless it is urgent, so I will say…ask him again in private, and he may tell you.”
Y/N waited for more to be said. What was so important about Prompto’s origin story that could help her computer? Before she could hope to ask further, Ignis nudged her gently towards the bathroom door ahead.
“The maid will be here soon, so we best hurry now,” he insisted, letting Y/N go to wash up first so he could tend to the mess in the room in the meantime.
As expected, Sal hadn’t encountered any incoming messages or news articles in regards to Niflheim having the King of Lucis. Y/N frowned, feeling a bit frustrated and oddly misplaced in terms of being fed any information whatsoever when it came to her superiors who were supposed to care. Did they truly not…? Did they honestly just leave her for dead? The least they could have done was at least contact her by now even if they thought she was. They treated her worse than they did their MTs.
“Something wrong, Y/N?” Ignis asked, provoking her to look over at the advisor at her name being called. “You’ve been so focused on Sal that I’ve not heard you eat much or even speak a word.”
She sighed, turning off her device and putting her away into her jean jacket pocket. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
Ignis could sense there was more to it than that but given the fact the population was about them in the dining hall, he knew better than to pry and merely cut the last few pieces of his eggs before chewing them.
Y/N looked over the circular table at the other blond she was traveling with, noticing he was toying with something on his phone. “Sal hasn’t said anything important in the past few days…has she, Prompto?”
He shook his head, mouth too full to really respond properly. “Neh, we’ve just been chatting here and there,” Prompto finally answered (though took the time to cover his mouth as he didn’t want the small remnants of food to be seen when he spoke). “Trust me, if there was any information on Noct and Gladio she had given me, I would be banging on your door regardless of the hour.”
Ignis departed from the table in that moment, not saying exactly where he’d be going but Y/N assumed it could be to get more food or to go to the bathroom. She didn’t think it was important to ask. Regardless, she found herself alone at the table with Prompto and the words Ignis spoke of earlier began to toy with her a bit. Her curiosity ushered her words from her throat. “Umm…back at the camp when we last spoke to each other…” Prompto looked over at Y/N, brow wrinkled in wonder of where this was going to go. “You said that you sometimes don’t feel real but your friends give you some sort of validation in that.” His blue eyes darted away as if ashamed he let those words get that far from him. “Wh…Was that some sort of philosophical bullshit you were feeding me or something else?” Y/N asked with a small tenor of a laugh to coax the gunman into talking.
Again, Prompto looked about the room as if worried if he spoke the truth someone would have him arrested. “I am…” His fingers tapped idly upon his glass, an exasperated sigh following shortly after as he lowered his head in surrender. “…a clone…An MT that was made in a facility in Niflheim.”
Y/N’s eyes darted back and forth as if expecting this to be some sort of joke. “What…?” she asked with another quiet laugh harboring the word. “An…An MT? But…I’ve never known MTs to really be sentient.”
Prompto moved his right hand onto the table and pulled back the black glove and sleeve to expose a barcode Y/N recognized as a factory imprint on most MTs. He only let it show for a moment before concealing it quickly once more.
“But…how?” Y/N asked in disbelief. “I’ve never known any to be cloned and installed with any personality as it made them more deadly, not able to feel compassion for the enemy and the like.” She witnessed that her words were doing more harm than good for Prompto in terms of allowing him to open up as this. “I-I’m sorry,” Y/N quickly apologized, looking away in shame. “I guess there was a reason you were created in that facility, and I won’t ask why as I can…kind of guess…” She paused, tapping her fork on the napkin before her. “Hu…guess Niflheim kind of fucked up with us both then, yeah? Sent you to ruin them from the inside only to have you befriend them and they sent me to do the same only to have me fall in love with the King’s advisor.”
“Send someone else to do your dirty work, and I guess you get mixed results,” Prompto responded with a forced laugh, trying to find light in the situation.
Y/N turned to him, smiling best she was able as well. “You chose humanity, love, and friendship over the alternative, and I can easily see why they view you as human—because you are.”
His blue eyes darted over to catch her sight, a weary smile of thanks showing upon his features. “Why did you want to know?”
“Iggy said something to me in private about asking you again when I was talking about…!” Y/N’s eyes widened as she realized what he was trying to imply. “That’s what he meant! So there—by the Astrals, I am so blind and stupid!”
Prompto gave her a funny look from across the table, shrugging to himself as he wasn’t sure where any of this was going. “Glad that got clarified,” he spoke jokingly.
Y/N dug into her pocket to pull out Sal again. “No, all along I had the ability to bring her back to life, and I never even thought to try and use the facility to clone Sulista! I merely made my own without thinking!” She breathed out in relief, wanting to nearly kiss Prompto for being a genius in his own roundabout way even if it was Ignis who suggested it indirectly.
“Yeah but…you’re missing one key thing here, Y/N—the facility is owned by your now sworn enemy,” Prompto reluctantly spoke, hating to halt her excitement in the matter. “You can go in and try to make her with them totally clueless as to what’s going on, but there’s no guarantee that’s going to work out well for us as clones take months to make. We cannot wait months to free Noct and Gladio.”
Realizing the hiccup in her plans, Y/N’s shoulders faltered and she sighed to herself. “True…” Again, however, her ideas came back to fruition. “But I can get Sal to download the basic plans for making one of my own!”
“An entire facility?” Prompto asked, jerking his head back at the irrational thought. “And here I thought I was the spontaneous one.”
The Templar rolled her eyes. “Not an entire facility, you goof! I just need the basics, and that’s just a general tube for the clone to grow and be fed the personality and data that it needs—which I have—!” Y/N gestured again to Sal. “—and a machine that can download and feed basic protocols and ensure the proper cellular growth as time progresses…yeah, yeah! I think I can do this!” Her hands gripped onto the machine, looking at the flawless silver cover not even thinking about the true reasons for doing it. “I can finally bring her back!”
“Well, as long as you got this covered and you think it’s something that’s doable…” Prompto smiled once more, gesturing to her with his fork. “…we’ve got your back.”
Y/N returned the grin, nodding at the gunman. “Thanks. I appreciate that.” However, upon looking down at the device, she was reminded of her own inner plan that she needed to do in order to actually get to Gralea before them if possible. “Tell Ignis I am heading back to the room when he returns,” spoke Y/N as she took to her feet. “I’m uh…I’m going to look over some reports and see if I cannot find anything.”
“Sure,” spoke Prompto as he slipped another bite of the pancakes in his mouth though his tone implied he was still a bit skeptical of Y/N and her being alone with that device.
Y/N dismissed it and quickly retreated to the bedroom she shared with Ignis.
Upon arriving, she shut the door in haste behind her and booted up Sal with a hesitant desire to speak; however, she knew if she sat on this, it would look all the more incriminating if she didn’t confess her position to a degree and that she was alive. “Sal…contact the Grand Master, Ivayle…”
“Processing,” Sal spoke but with a curious mannerism as she wasn’t sure what even Y/N was up to.
Sitting down on the bedside, Y/N waited nervously for Ivayle to pick up—a part of her hoping she wouldn’t at all.
“Color me surprised,” spoke the all too familiar tone that held a hint of condescension in it. “Y/N…and here I thought the Lucian dogs left you for dead after our attack on Lestallum.”
She tried to smile and find comfort in her officer’s words even if it tasted of insipid ash. It was odd, a woman she had grown to respect regardless of her harsh ways she had suddenly become paranoid with and untrusting of. Should Y/N speak the truth that the Lucians spared her and she was traveling with them? “H-Hi, Grand Master,” Y/N stuttered, moving a stray hair from her features. “I’m sorry I was unable to contact you but I was—.”
“—Spare me the pointless dribble, Y/N,” the raven haired woman demanded as her sky-blue eyes pierced through the screen in a way that felt like she wished her looks could kill and make Y/N’s heart stop dead in her chest. “While your presence is astounding and appreciated as you caused quite the distraction in allowing us a chance at grabbing the King, you better have a good explanation as to why you draw breath and have the nerve to contact us now.”
Y/N inhaled sharply, hoping it went unnoticed. “You have King Noctis then?” she probed, hoping to learn what she could at moment.
Ivayle grinned in a twisted sort of satisfaction. “Under our control at presence, yes…as is the Ring of the Lucii.” She looked away, still revealing in the glow of victory it seemed. “It is surprising what little devices one can create in order to bind one to our will.”
She stilled her tongue realizing she almost demanded her commanding office to tell her what they had done to the King. “I…I’m relieved then,” Y/N spoke halfheartedly. “The war seems to tip in our favor again.”
The woman’s grin weakened and she turned back into the ever unappreciative mother figure that Y/N had come to recognize her as from time to time. “So your information you’ve gathered is pretty much useless unless you can tell me you’ve gained more knowledge than you intended when draining their phones’ data.”
“Y-Yes!” Y/N spoke in haste as she had mulled over it in private from time to time when alone. “I know more about the Glaives, the Assassins and their whereabouts, and I know the weaknesses within the City of Insomnia.” She hesitated, biting at her lower lip in wonder of what else to add. “Also, I…I’m on my way back to Niflheim with two of King Noctis’ companions—both work as assassins and are part of his guard…one even being the Hand of the King.” She felt ill confessing that. The very idea she was willing to pretend that Ignis was her foe was more than she could manage after the several days the two spent together.
“Really?” Ivayle questioned, head tilted back just a bit as if to try and get a better read on the situation. “More of that idiot’s lapdogs are on the way here?” Her hand to her mouth, she stood in idle thought. “I suppose if we capture them the fool will stop trying to break free of our control. How are you doing this? Are you their prisoner—were you indeed foolish enough to get caught, Y/N?”
Y/N released a shaky breath as she gripped onto Sal tightly. “One of them thinks I love him, so they’re coming willingly with me…thinking I am going to let them into Gralea to search for their friends they believe you have at current.”
Ivayle grinned a demented sort of grin once more that made Y/N’s stomach knot up. “So you are actually more capable than you look,” the Grand Master muttered to herself but it was loud enough for the Templar woman to hear the spiteful words. “Fine then—let them come, and when you feel the moment is right to strike, Y/N…contact us again, and we will find you to bring you all into custody.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Y/N responded with a nod before ending the transmission.
The room was quiet until Sal’s voice module blipped to life. “Was that truly wise?”
“Don’t ask me that, Sal—you’re starting to sound like Ignis,” Y/N chastised, easily hearing that phrase in his tongue more than Sal’s.
“As I cannot stand the man, I will still point out that he would be right to ask the same thing,” continued the device. “They have verified they have King Noctis; where this Gladio fellow is, I do not know as he wasn’t mentioned. Will you let Prompto or Ignis in on this plan of yours?”
“No,” Y/N spoke firmly with a nasally sigh. “N-Not right away, no.”
“Why not?” Sal questioned eagerly as if fearing for everyone’s safety now.
“Because I have to see how this pans out first since I just spoke out of my ass to keep my commanding officer from suspecting anything,” Y/N answered with a slightly risen voice. “I don’t want them killed; especially if what I have just done may put them in danger…”
“Then tell them, Y/N!” Sal seemed to demand. “If they know what you’re up to they will know what to prepare for.”
Y/N’s frustrations began to rise at her computer not willing to listen. “Let me just plan it all in my head right now, Sal! When I have an answer, I’ll fill them in…” She sighed, lowering her head with regret. “Besides, if they are told and they are prepared for the attack and the betrayal, Ivayle will know and sense their eagerness to be caught if they are indeed bad actors and none of us will be allowed to walk the city to find out the truth of the others or to set them free. If they think I betrayed them…maybe it will be more realistic and we’ll all be safe in the end?”
Sal’s vocals attempted an annoyed growl. “You do not know that, Y/N. You are gambling too much and quite recklessly, I might add.”
“What did I just tell you about letting me think this over first?” the Templar woman hissed, her lips thinning in frustration.
“Fine, but I still think you’re making a mistake,” spoke Sal honestly. “What about King Noctis? Will you tell them of that at least?”
“I will, even if I want Ignis to not panic nor Prompto,” Y/N confessed between the two of them.
“They panic every day whether you see it or not,” reminded the handheld. “Their voices harbor a secret of pain and concern for their friend and King. I hear it nearly every day. At the very least, do not hide that from them.”
Y/N sighed, lowering her head from the heaviness on her body that was soon being weighed upon her. She wanted to play the sides to see what would be wisest. Ivayle cornered her in that conversation and Y/N had no idea what to even say without incriminating herself. If she said she was their prisoner, they would be attacked on site. If she expressed she wasn’t, more than just a fake love game would probably have to come into play that would make it all come crumbling down around them and they would all be imprisoned or worse.
Penalty for betrayal was death…Y/N knew she would die either way as the truth would have to come to the surface at some point in the eyes of the Empire and her superiors.
