Chapter Text
It’s the freckles that Ignis really notices for the first time. Freckles that he commits to memory, especially when he finds himself restless at night in either the tent or a hotel bed. A smattering, constellation-like across pale skin and he wanted to connect them with his fingers, with his tongue. He wanted to trace patterns on Prompto’s skin. However he was not about to say it out loud. It would not do to make his feelings known. Not when Noctis was the focus of his entire life.
Ignis had long ago shed himself of any hope of having a connection with anyone that was not the Prince. There was the beautiful Mars Silvanus, a Crownsguard who had won his heart and soul. She was the apple of his eye, so to speak. Yet she knew that she could not come between Crown and Country, so she had broken it off gently with him. Ignis missed her home-cooked meals, her dark brown eyes and deep brown skin that shimmered from the gold powder she dusted herself in when they went on dates. Maybe once Noctis was wedded and they were back in Insomnia, he’d call on her. Was she even alive? He had tried to contact her, but with no luck. Until then his thoughts drifted to the blonde in the passenger seat.
Prompto was fidgeting with his camera and mumbling to himself. Gladio and Noct were napping in the back, so Ignis figured he’d make small talk. It wasn’t something he did particularly well.
“Did you pick that up in Hammerhead?” He gestured with a tilt of his head.
Prompto nodded. “Yeah, it’s the new Lokton LX-X1R.”
Ignis chuckled. “You must forgive me for not understanding any of that, Prompto. I do apologize.”
“Oh, don’t. It’s all good.” Prompto glanced back down at his camera, his eyelashes brushing against the tops of his cheeks. Ignis felt his breath catch in his chest. “I forget sometimes that you guys aren’t that into photography.”
“I do enjoy looking at the fruits of your labor.”
“Thanks, Iggy.”
They drove the rest of the way in comfortable silence. When Ignis rested his hand on the rest between them he didn’t move it at the accidental touch of soft fingertips.
Prompto is about to say something absolutely obnoxious and Ignis can’t help but focus on the freckles across his nose. They’re adorable, making him look fresh-faced and Ignis smiles without really meaning to.
“See even Ignis likes my idea!” Prompto chirps.
Ignis shakes his head, clearing it. He wasn’t really listening to the others. “What was your idea? I was daydreaming. I apologize.”
Prompto pouts which makes Noctis chuckle and Gladiolus just shake his head. “Not like you, Iggy,” he says as he swigs his beer. The motel room is suddenly feeling too small and hot.
Ignis shrugs. “Sometimes my mind is prone to wandering.”
Prompto smirks. “Really? You’re the most focused of all of us!”
Noctis lays down on the bed and yawns. “Eh, I’ve caught him drifting every once and while. “
“What was your idea, Prompto?” Ignis focuses on something else besides Prompto’s freckles.
Prompto does a little jump for joy in his seat. “Oh yeah! I want to go see the chocobos again before we get to Lestallum. After all that Dead-eye business I don’t think we really got to see them, you know?”
They all know this is just a ploy to spend more time with the feathered beauties that Prompto is so fond of. Ignis glances at his dozing charge. “And what did Noct have to say.”
“I said sure, but Gladio said we shouldn’t waste time. I said we aren’t because I’m in no hurry and neither is Luna.”
Gladiolus rolls his eyes and grunts from behind his book. “So you say.”
Noctis stretches his arms out. “And I’m King, so my word is law.”
“Well, if Noct doesn’t mind then yes we can, Prompto.”
Prompto claps his hands and gives a little shout. “Thank you!”
Ignis feels his heart thump a little faster and he has to avert his gaze.
It’s before bed when Ignis finds Prompto sitting outside the motel room on one of the rickety plastic lawn chairs. He’s drinking a soda and humming to himself. His tapping away on his phone, oblivious to the world around them.
“Mind if I join you?” Ignis asks as he pulls out a chair.
“Go ahead, Iggy.” Prompto smiles up at him. “ I could use the company. Are Noct and Gladiolus asleep?”
Ignis nods. Noctis is sprawled across the bed while Gladiolus commandeered the sofa instead of grabbing one side of a bed. “I figured you may be in bed as well seeing as we’re going to be up relatively early.”
Prompto shook his head. “I need to unwind a bit before I hit the sack.”
Ignis crossed his legs and settled back in the chair. The evening has cooled down considerably and Ignis closes his eyes, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. They’ve been on the road so long and he’s been more than a little deprived of intimacy. He stretches out his hand absentmindedly and jumps when he feels slender fingers entwine with his own.
“Prompto?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re holding my hand.”
“I realized that,” comes Prompto’s chipper voice. “I want to. May I?”
“Yes, you certainly may.”
Ignis allows Prompto’s grip to tighten just a bit and he gasps when he feels a fingernail scrapping delicately the palm of his hand. It’s been so long since he’s even held hands that he feels his cock stirring in his trousers.
“Been awhile?” Prompto’s eyes are on him and they look so serene and beautiful. Ignis could lose himself in them.
“Since?”
“Since someone’s held your hand?”
Ignis thinks back to his precious Mars. He wonders if she’s all right. If she’s even alive. “Before we left. I had a girlfriend.”
“You think she’s…um…she’s alive?” Prompto’s voice falters as he poses the question.
Ignis hopes she is, yet he honestly doesn’t know. He hasn’t heard from her. “I’m not sure, to be honest, Prompto.”
“Well, maybe you should call her?”
Ignis closes his eyes and sighs heavily. He had done that and gotten no answer. “That’s why I’m not sure. She’s never answered.”
The “oh” is so soft and quiet that Ignis thinks he may have imagined it. He knows he isn’t imagining the lips against his hand though. “Well, I hope she doesn’t mind me tending to you for a night then.”
They’re in the backseat of the Regalia before Ignis can even comprehend what is happening between them. Prompto’s hand is unbuckling his belt with a deftness that catches him off guard and he feels the air leave his lungs when Prompto presses his lips against his.
“You taste like coffee,” Prompto whispers as his tongue licks his lower lip.
Ignis moans as Prompto’s hand finds his cock, hard already. “Apologies, I had a cup before I came out…”
Prompto chuckles, the sound deep and resounding in the space. “Don’t apologize. It tastes good. Normally hate coffee, however I could get used to it.”
Prompto closes the small bit of space between them again to kiss Ignis. The kissing is leaving him breathless and disheveled. He’s going to look a right state when he goes back into the hotel. Prompto is panting underneath him and grabbing at the lapel of his shirt. “Let me help,” Ignis breathes against Prompto’s lips.
Prompto kisses him again, nodding. Ignis sheds his shirt with minimum trouble and the undershirt beneath it as well. Prompto lifts his own shirt up, exposing his stomach. Ignis eyes drift down to it and Prompto freezes for a moment.
“You know what? Let’s not do this.” He pushes at Ignis, who sits on the opposite side and just waits.
“All right,” he says as he begins putting his clothes back on. He doesn’t question what just happened, he knows honestly. He’s been a part of it as well and it pains him to realize this. “I’ll see you in the morning, Prompto. Good night.”
Ignis exits the Regalia as does Prompto. He watches as the blonde heads back into the hotel room. He arms the alarm before heading back in as well.