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[shatteredlenses]

 

This is Ignis.  Please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.  Storyteller willing, I may actually be able to read messages left for me soon.
...
And, no, your Highness, this doesn't mean I will be too busy to make sure you eat your vegetables. 

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[shatteredlenses]

"Of course," Ignis' voice is hoarse though he still hasn't let himself cry. At least this answer is one he can give easily unlike so many of the others running though his head when he can focus enough to acknowledge them. "I don't know that I could sleep if I was alone."

Not even with Leo sharing the bed as he no doubt will. It will be to easy to fall back into those old fears of being left alone again. Fears he's not had to think about for so long; he knows they are just waiting for the right moment to jump at him again.

[want_to_belong]

"That's not a problem. I can stay here as long as you want."

It definitely wouldn't bother Prompto. It would be like camping again. With half their group.

"...I'm gonna grab my pillow real fast." He slipped off the bed, making sure Iggy knew he'd be right back before going to the other room to grab a few things. Along with the pillow, he snatched up some clothes real fast. It would be obvious enough he was moving more things when he came back to the room to set a few things down, and then jogged back to grab his camera and few other little items. It would just feel weird to sleep with all his stuff in another room, even if it was right next door.

He dropped a pile of his clothes messily on what they used for a table or dresser or whatever it would be called, and threw off his clothes to change into the cleaner and still softer random tank and pants that served as his pajamas. Then, his own specially made birthday pillow in hand, he placed it in its new spot.

Now he was all set, though he honestly wasn't sure how well he'd sleep. "You can use it too, if you want. It's a real cushy pillow. Made with feathers from the chocobos."

[shatteredlenses]

"Of course. Bring whatever you need," he wants Prompto to be comfortable, after all. There's no reason he shouldn't be.

Ignis knows he should get up and start his own preparations for bed, but it's only when Leo nudges him rather hard in the side that he finally finds the energy to move. The clothes he wears to bed aren't far away but he freezes once more when his hands find the silly tank top that Gladio had always been so happy when he wore--even if just to bed. For a moment, the memory of that happy day is almost enough to finally bring tears to his eyes. The only thing that stops them is Prompto returning to the room once more. Ignis blinks his good eye quickly to make sure the tears stay away and then finishes changing, eventually making his way back to the bed.

"Thank you," he tries to smile just a little, but it falls flat with the tears so near the surface. "I would like that. Leo will probably try to share too. Just a little warning."

[want_to_belong]

"Yeah. Well. Better than sleeping alone."

It was that force upbeat tone that he got when really he was upset by something, but he was trying not to show it. He plopped down, feeling weird about actually going to bed. It would be like if Noct was missing and they just went to sleep. He felt like he should be doing something. Out there looking for Gladio a little more. Finding some sort of world-bending solution. Or, even finding out if they were dead...

Funny thing was, even if he was dead he wasn't sure if he wanted to wake up if it meant abandoning Ignis.

He finally laid down on his back, facing the ceiling. Though they often slept near each other, he rarely slept this close to Ignis. At home they were in tents in separate bags or on separate beds. Even when they shared beds he didn't usually end up sharing with Ignis. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to doze off tonight, but they couldn't sit there the entire time. He knew he at least had to try.

"Iggy...?"

[shatteredlenses]

"Much better."

Ignis knows he should say more, especially considering his knows what that tone in Prompto's voice means. The blonde is probably just as aware of how much the advisor himself is trying to hide. If the situation wasn't so painful, he would laugh at how hard they are both trying to be strong for each other, while at the same time really not helping each other at all.

Gladio would never let them hear the end of it if he was still there.

Once Prompto has gotten comfortable, Ignis crawls in as well, settling onto his side. Much as predicted, Leo wastes little time joining them, though he lays down against Ignis' back instead of crawling between them like Ignis had thought he would. He's surprised at how quickly the weight at his back causes his body to relax. It's something he grew used to with Gladio there, the weight grounding and safe.

He's just reaching out to rest his hand on Prompto's arm as a comfort when the blonde speaks.

"Yes?"

[want_to_belong]

"I won't leave you. No matter what."

Unsure as he was that it was a promise he could keep, he knew he was going to try his best. It was strange, but even if they were dead, he wasn't sure he could leave Ignis if it meant waking up. The guilt would be too much.

At the same time, he wondered if somewhere Gladio was trying to wake them up.

Taking a hold of Ignis' arm, he turned to his side and scooted towards him, wrapping his arms around him when they were close enough.