Chapter Text
Of all the unofficial holidays invented by the young Crown citizens of Insomnia, this was the one Ignis had the most trouble with. It wasn’t messy, loud or even risque.
Unless you had a problem with the Crown Prince and his best friend attending school wearing tiaras.
Ignis didn’t have a problem with the tiara, itself. Live and let live was his motto and discretion practically a lover. He had a problem with the excitement shown by his younger charge. Not because it was a tiara, no. Not because Prompto's had to match - obviously.
It was because he was here, in some rag-tag discount store, with the aforementioned Crown Prince and his very excitable best friend, picking out plastic monstrosities to place on their heads.
All four of them.
He would have to ask Gladio how in the world he allowed himself to be talked into this ridiculousness for the tenth time, at least, since Noctis declared (as a Royal Decree, the little shit) that everyone in his retinue must wear one.
All Day.
“Hey Iggy, what do you think of these?” Prompto’s voice broke Ignis out of his funk to be greeted with the sight of two sparkly tiaras, with at least four, several inch tall points, covered in pink fake diamonds.
“I think his Highness will be eating vegetables for a week if either of you think I’m putting that on.”
The blonde laughed nervously, “Nah, we wouldn’t make you wear that. Well, I wouldn’t,” Prompto winked and clapped him on the shoulder. Before Ignis could reply, the young man had turned back toward his more sullen companion who was studiously inspecting the selection like he was looking at fishing gear. The Prince was nonchalant, careful not to draw too much attention as always. Ignis was slightly surprised when he picked up a rather elegant (if Ignis was going to call any cheap plastic thing elegant) tiara that was tasteful scrollwork in Lucian Royal black. It was a bit surprising to see him hold it out to Prompto but as the blonde leaned over a bit to allow Noct to place it on him, the juxtaposition between his blonde tresses and the dark, swirling crown made for a rather striking picture. Ignis was sure there would be many selfies in their future.
“You like it?” Noct asked nervously, Ignis turning slightly away so as not to appear to be eavesdropping on purpose.
‘Yeah, it’s pretty cool. Like a real one,” Prompto replied, the wonder evident in his voice.
“It suits you.”
Noct sounded happy and Ignis smiled to himself. Prompto coming into his life never ceased being the best thing that ever happened to that boy.
“Now we gotta find you one!”
Ignis felt something being pressed into his hand while he was busy trying not to be in the way. He looked down to see Prompto’s crown had been given to him to hold. Of course. Why else was he here?
“Specs, I think we’ve found yours,” came the sly voice of Noctis and Ignis was loathe to discover what exactly that meant.
“Let’s have a look then,” Ignis moved a few rows over to where they had wandered to peruse even more bright and grandiose monstrosities. Dear Astrals, some of these even blinked or glowed. “I’m sure Gladiolus would appreciate that one,” Ignis smirked as he pointed to a rather normal looking tiara that happened to contain a row of skinny, glowing sticks that would light up in the dark. The tuft of fluffy feathers around the base just made the whole thing in Ignis’ opinion.
Gladio would probably hate him. That might not be a good thing considering they were still sparring partners.
Surprisingly, when he looked at Noct’s offered tiara it neither blinked or glowed. For that he was grateful. Of course, it had a row of fat jewels in every color and the entire base was gold and glittery but Ignis supposed if he was going to do this, it could be much worse.
So. Much. Worse.
“For me?” Ignis smiled and took the proffered tiara as gently as he could. He knew with depressing clarity that he would not have a glitter-free outfit for the foreseeable future unless he threw away whatever he wore with this item. That included today’s outfit sadly, since he already noticed some black dusting the lower part of his shirt from holding the tiara destined for Prompto.
“Try it on, Iggy!” Prompto’s excitement had not waned and Ignis sighed, more for principle than actual irritation. It would not do to clue Prince Noctis in to the fact that he wasn’t as tight as he believed him to be.
“Here, hold yours,” Ignis handed Prompto his black tiara and with both hands carefully lifted the gold one to his head, settling it in place. “Well?” He struck a small pose that had Prompto laughing and Noct raising his eyebrows. Mission accomplished.
“Wow Specs, I didn’t expect you to be quite so…”
“Sexy?” Prompto offered with a blush grazing his cheeks. Noctis looked a little sick at the notion.
“Ew, I was going to say ‘agreeable’,” Noct complained giving Prom a smack on the arm.
“Well, you did make it an order, your Highness,” Ignis grumbled, unable to completely keep the amusement from his voice.
“Well, I still need one and Gladio.” Noct shrugged, patting Ignis’ arm and turning back to the selection.
“Oh, Noct, this one is so you!” Prompto grabbed one that was black and silver, a tuft of black feathers around the rim. Thankfully, nothing glowed or blinked. It wouldn’t do for the Crown Prince to look tacky no matter the contrived occasion. Prompto raised the tiara, Noct automatically tilting his head so he could place it on him. Ignis was skeptical at first glance, but the silver and glittering faux diamonds made a nice contrast with the dark of Noct’s hair, the black heart in the middle pulling it all together.
“I must agree with Prompto, that one does suit you.”
“It matches yours so yeah,” Noct said, blushing slightly as Prompto reached up to touch the tiara, running his hand down the side of Noct’s face. Ignis coughed slightly, startling the two boys. He hated to be that way but they were in public.
“Let’s concentrate on finding Gladio one so we can get back to the apartment.”
Noct gave him a look that showed he understood as Prompto reluctantly moved away, the moment broken. A few silent minutes passed as all three looked around the racks, trying to come up with a good tiara for Gladio. Unlike Noctis, Ignis had no particular desire for them to match. He and Gladio were not ‘best friends’ to everyone’s eye and this was not the time to invite any sort of gossip into exactly what they were. Even if that gossip would probably not even touch the reality.
“It’s gotta be like, big,” he heard Prompto break the silence and he let out a small relaxed sigh. Things were rotating back to normal. “I mean, the big guy is exactly that, right? If we don’t get him something big it’ll just be lost on him and he can’t hide! That defeats the purpose.”
“Agreed,” Ignis replied, visually dismissing the smaller, short tiaras until he came upon one much like the gaudy, pink one Prompto had shown him earlier. This one was not pink, well, it had a few pink gems but mostly it was silver with diamond points that raised up higher. Unlike the rest, this one was full around, almost like a crown. Prompto had a photographer’s eye for sure. Gladio would be served well with the taller, fuller version.
Unfortunately, he was training and wouldn’t be shown his fate until later. Knowing Gladio, it wouldn’t phase him. Ignis envied his seeming ability to go with the flow, at least with his physical appearance.
Then again, being unusually tall and muscular afforded him that confidence.
“What do you think, Iggy? Since you’ll probably be the one who gets to give it to him.”
“Your Highness, it is your decree, is it not? Why must I be the bearer of Royal news?” Ignis tried hard not to let his mirth show but Noctis seemed unaffected either way.
“You sit in for me in boring meetings. Giving my shield a fake tiara should be much more exciting.”
“Your confidence in my abilities is touching, as always,” Ignis said dryly.
“That’s everybody, right?” Prompto was holding his and Gladio’s tiaras while Noctis was still wearing his for some reason.
“Yes, take yours off, Noct, we can pay for it and be done with this establishment.”
Noct put a hand to his head, grabbing the tiara gently and pulling it off. “Forgot I was wearing it,” he mused.
“You will have a full day to enjoy being a Princess,” Ignis teased, using Gladiolus’ prefered nickname for their Highness.
“You’ve been hanging around Gladio too much,” Noct complained.
“Job hazard I’m afraid,” Ignis responded crisply. He ignored the pout Noctis sent his way, electing instead to place his tiara on the counter and motion for the others to add theirs.
“Oh, I love spirit days!”
The girl behind the cash register was a senior they discovered, as she regaled them with stories of past years faux-pas, mishaps and her favorite Moogle-themed dress-up day.
“I am sure they will enjoy every moment,” Ignis cut in hoping to get out of the store sometime in the next century. As he paid swiftly, trying not to draw attention to the black card that signaled the Royal account, Prom and Noct had predictably made their way out of the store and were hanging by the door, clearly itching to be done with shopping.
"I'm sure they will!” Their excited cashier gave a final wave as Ignis walked as fast as possible without looking like he was running.
“Let’s get to the car and get out of here,” Ignis instructed, leaving no room for argument, not that he expected one. He could tell his Prince had enough for now and was about to fall asleep standing up. Prompto looked like he was going to cling to Noct the minute they were in the vehicle. He would take them back to Noct’s apartment and let them rest until dinner. While cooking he could figure out when would be the best time to give Gladio his tiara.
Well, in private was the obvious answer. As he slid in the driver’s seat, Noctis predictably slumped into the back, Prompto practically lying on top of him. Sliding the bag with their sparkling purchases onto the empty passengers seat, Ignis realized it wasn’t a matter of when to give Gladio his tiara.
It was how.