Work Text:
Despite his best efforts, Ignis truly couldn’t wrap his head around the blond his charge had befriended.
He was, admittedly, suspicious of Prompto for a time. The blond seemed to fit himself too closely to the prince’s side, apparently unaware of boundaries like personal space. It was hardly his fault, he was all but raised to expect the worst of others and – to his shame – his bias against people of the blond’s particular complexion.
Days turned into weeks, weeks to months, and after the first year he was frankly more worried about Noctis unknowingly pressuring Prompto into staying should he ever wish to take his leave. It had become increasingly obvious that his intentions were nothing but pure. Worries of greed turned into pleads for the blond to accept anything given other than their friendship. Concerns of manipulation had melted away, making it almost comical when the youngest would try to take fault for the prince’s actions.
He thought, foolishly, that he had finally come to understand the puzzle that was Prompto Argentum.
And then.
“Highness?” Ignis questioned, confused when the prince stopped and stared pointedly at the blond. “Is everything alright?”
“Go on, Prom.” Noctis said, voice light and teasing. “Iggy is a busy guy, you can’t keep him here all day.”
“Shut up!” The blond hissed, whiny and unsure. Still, in an apparent show of bravery he shuffled forward. He dug into his bag before pulling out a little package, offering it to the advisor.
Ignis took it slowly, eyebrows scrunched in confusion. It was neither his birthday nor any sort of holiday that he could think of.
“I- uh… It’s stupid but,” Prompto took a shaky breath, eyes trained on the ground. “I found it at- you don’t care- anyways I just… I thought you’d like it, so…”
He raised a hand, gesturing to it lamely before shuffling back a step, clearly wishing to make a hasty retreat. He could hear Noctis struggling to contain his laughter, but was unable to process much more than that.
“Why?” Ignis blinked, confused, quickly stopping the hand that tried to touch his throat from the shock of his own voice. He cleared it, hoping to recover. “Why thank you, Prompto. I shall open it when we return to the apartment, if that’s alright?”
Prompto nodded, turning to leave.
Noctis caught his wrist, rolling his whole head along with his eyes before tugging the blond into the back seat with him, despite the sputtered protests and weak attempt at digging in his heels.
Ignis paid no mind to it, and instead rounded the car and returned to his seat, gently sitting the package – something soft and loose, fabric? – in the seat beside him before starting the car. A quick glance in the rearview mirror confirmed that both boys were buckled in, and so they left.
He did his best to tune out the heated whispers behind him, knowing by now that if it needed his attention, he would be included with a quick kick to the back of his chair. He wasn’t fond of the way the prince had chosen to alert him, but it was certainly effective.
Contrary to the car, the walk through the halls of the building was alarmingly silent. Noctis walked with his usual lax posture, tugging at his tie now that there was no chance of them being seen by the public. Prompto, however, dragged his feet with the defeated energy of a man sentenced to die.
Ignis found himself deeply uncomfortable with this. He set the gift down carefully on the kitchen island, staring at it for a moment before directing his attention to the blond.
“If you would like to take it back, it’s alright.” He offered. “I would hate to make you uncomfortable, especially with a present.”
Prompto shook his head. “No no no, I just… Unless you don’t want it?”
He couldn’t help the small, fond laugh. “I don’t even know what it is.”
“Right. Well. No time like the present.” Prompto paused, burying his face in his hands with a dramatic groan. “Oh gods, just kill me now.”
Ignis clicked his tongue, struggling to find the taste in such humour, but said nothing further, instead taking the gift into his hands once more, carefully tugging away taped edges.
Noctis sighed. “You’re supposed to rip it, Specs.”
Ignis blinked owlishly, eyebrows pinching in a bit. “But he worked so hard to wrap it. That feels rather rude…”
“Oh for the love of…” The prince sighed, marching over and yanking a strip away. “There. It’s torn anyways now.”
Ignis frowned, reminding himself to scold the prince for his behaviour later. For now, he listened, tearing away the paper.
It revealed a dark grey t-shirt. He turned it over and was unable to stop the startled laugh that escaped him.
There, on the chest, was the painting of the rouge queen knighting one of her trusted retainers. Except it wasn’t , because the retainer had been replaced with a slab of meat, and text at the top, right near the neckline, proudly decreed it Sir Loin.
He bit the inside of his lip in contemplation before removing his glasses, setting them gently on the counter, and pulling the fabric over his head. It was a bit snug, given he had other clothes on, but he managed to right it with little effort.
The effect was immediate, Noctis doubling over in laughter while the light seemed to return to the blond, a shaky grin on his face. He looked down, smiling a bit at the shirt before, nodding his head in thanks.
Prompto practically swooned with relief, a smile so bright it felt blinding pointed to the advisor. “So you like it?”
“I do indeed, thank you Prompto. I only wish I had more time to wear it, as I doubt the council would see it as I do.”
The blond laughed. It was a touch hysterical, but clearly pleased and high off relief. “I’m glad.”
Truthfully, Ignis was genuinely upset he couldn’t wear it more. However, the next time he found himself forced into taking time off, he proudly donned the fabric. It wasn’t nearly to his usual standards, and more than once he found himself tugging at the neckline as it itched his skin, but it was worth it for the smile and laugh that Prompto greeted him with when he found his way to the arcade. The blond wasted no time in tugging him into a tight hug, squeezing once before pulling away and complimenting his choice in outfit.
Noctis startled when they approached, Gladio going doe eyed at the sight of him.
“You’re embarrassing me.” Noctis complained monotonously, though the upward quirk of his lips betrayed him.
"I haven't the faintest idea what you could be referring to." Ignis sniffed, going to stand beside the Shield as the other two took off with the cheer of a machine opening up.
"Nice threads." Gladio teased, tugging on the sleeve.
He smiled. "Thank you. It was a gift."