Chapter Text
Ignis had his arm wrapped around Gladios as they returned from the market. He had needed some groceries for their supper that night, and Gladio offered to tag along, to which Ignis would never say no too. He could make due on his own, relearning the sidewalks from the citadel to the newfound settlements around it. Buildings, grocery stores. Things were being rebuilt and the city was slowly returning to life.
His arm was wrapped around Gladio’s for mere comfort than necessity. He new now that they were getting closer to the citadel. He felt Gladio’s steps slow, and he furrowed his brow, head tilting in the mans direction. He knew they weren’t there yet. He opened his mouth, but they had stopped walking and he froze at the name that fell from Gladio’s lips.
“ Noct?” Gladio’s voice cracked, and Ignis felt his chest get tight. He hadn’t heard that name in over a year since…
“That's not funny, Gladiolus.” Ignis said, squeezing his bicep lightly as warning. The man beside him was rigid, why?
“I think I’m pretty funny,” The voice hit his ears and he nearly dropped his groceries.
“ Noctis? ” the name came out in a whisper, and Ignis’ unseeing eyes were wide, staring in the direction of the voice.
“Heya Iggy, Gladio.” he said, raising a hand to the other two. Gladio took a step forward, and Ignis clung to his arm as he followed forward.
“Noct, How?” Gladio spoke again, his voice didn’t crack this time, but it sounded as if he struggled to form words.
“It’s kinda a long story, and I’m not really sure myself.” he said before being pulled into a very tight embrace by his former shield, feeling Ignis’ arms wrap around him from the other side. He smiled, reaching up to hold their arms close to him, shutting his eyes.
“It’s really you,” Ignis breathed, and Noct nodded. He felt a wetness against his neck, and he was aware Ignis was crying, but wasn’t going to comment on it.
“Asshole,” Gladio grunted, and he sounded a little choked up. Noctis laughed a little.
“What? That's what you have to say to me?”
“Please don’t leave again,” Ignis rushed out, and the three of them fell silent, and Noctis smile faded slightly, and he sighed. “I won’t, at least, I don’t think I will. Not for a long time.” he sounded sincere, yet worried. He had no idea what the Astrals had in store for him this time around. But he had been brought back somehow.
They pulled apart after a long moment, and Noctis looked at them, smiling. He kept his arms around their waists, not wanting to let them go, and assuring them that yes, he was here, and not going anywhere.
Ignis didn’t wipe his eyes dry, but he watched as Gladio tried to discreetly do so.
“Come along, Noct,” the name felt foreign on Ignis’ tongue for a moment, “let’s get you back to the Citadel and talk,” he suggested, and Gladio nodded. Noctis hesitated, arms dropping, and Gladio frowned.
“What’s the matter?” he asked, looking over Noct as he looked between him and Ignis, then around them.
“Uh, where’s Prompto?” he asked suddenly, and Gladio frowned, as did Ignis.
“He didn’t wish to stay in the crown city.” Ignis said, frowning. “Not without you here, he said. We tried to convince him to stay, but he didn’t want to be here. We weren’t going to make him stay.” he said, and Noctis frowned, but his shoulders relaxed a little.
“Oh...Where is he now?” he asked, looking at Ignis, then Gladio. Gladio grinned a bit, throwing an arm around Noctis’ shoulder.
“If you had to take one guess, where do you think he is?” He asked, and Noct hummed.
“Hammerhead?” he said, and Gladio blinked.
“Actually no, but really good guess.” he murmured, and Ignis chuckled.
“I do believe Prompto was rather fond of the Chocobos at Wiz’s ranch,” he informed, and Noctis smiled a bit.
“Oh, yeah that sounds like him alright…” he trailed off, looking down.
“Noct?” Ignis spoke at the silence.
“Can we go see him?” Noctis said, looking to Gladio expectantly.
“Do you wanna rest first? Eat, change, anything?” Gladio suggested, brow raised.
“No. I wanna see Prompto.” Noctis said, and Ignis and Gladio looked at eachother, or rather Ignis in his direction. Though if you didn’t know any better, one would say they were staring at each other, sharing a silent conversation between them. Ignis nodded, and Gladio reached up to ruffle Noctis’ hair, and the King ducked out of the motion.
“Don’t--” he grumbled, and Ignis smiled fondly.
“Children, please.” he murmured, and Noct glared at him for a moment before his face softened.
“Gods, I missed you guys…” he murmured.
“Uh, you missed us?” Gladio said, brow raised as he bumped his shoulder into the other. “We thought you were gone. Permanently.” he grunted.
“Gladio,” Ignis warned.
“Hey, so did I!!” he huffed, crossing his arms. “Like I said, I dunno what happened...I was definitely dead.” he said, and he noticed Ignis flinched at the word. He rubbed the back of his head.
“Well you’re here now. And If you wish to see Prompto, we should get going. It’s a long drive to Duscae” Ignis said, and Gladio nodded.
“C’mon then, let us drop off our groceries and grab the car keys.” He said, and the three of them turned to walk to the citadel.