Work Text:
xXx
The warm sun shone brightly upon the sand, nary a cloud in the sky to hinder it or the heat it leant to the ground below. The water gently lapped at the shore, a calming sound which mixed with that of the seafaring birds and tussling of the nearby palms. Relaxing seemed to be an understatement if one were to ask Ignis. He'd almost bet his entire life savings that he'd never felt this at ease, this peaceful, since he was a child. Almost. He may have been relaxed but he wasn't that relaxed. Ignis would never give up his money so willingly. The drink in his hand would have to be much stronger before he became that mind-numbingly thriftless. Speaking of which…
Raising the damp glass, Ignis placed the straw of his drink to his lips. He sipped leisurely before letting out a pleased sigh. It was rare moments like these where Ignis was able to truly admire the world and its beauty. Being inside the city walls day in and day out, mountains of paperwork and meetings on end, tended to make one forget how wonderful the simpler things of life could be. The noise of blaring car horns and endless humming of a city that never slept became background noise the longer you were subjected to it. But here, far away from the city, away from the crowded streets and office spaces, there was silence. Here there was nature. Where trees swayed and birds chirped, the ocean whispering ever so delicately in the distance, the ever present warmth wrapping around you, this was… amazing, really. It was the only thing Ignis could think of to describe it. Nothing else seemed to compare.
Taking a deep breath, Ignis exhaled slowly as he stared out to the seemingly endless ocean. It was beautiful, all of it was. In the moment he was easily wrapped up in it all, the noise from the nearby Mother of Pearl practically silenced, the rowdiness of his companions all but forgotten. This was a calm he had never imagined possible for himself, and he was beyond happy that he had been able to find it.
xXx
"AHH!" Noctis exclaimed as a water balloon burst none too gently against his back. "You throw too hard, Gladio!" The large man merely laughed in response.
"Quit bein' a wimp, it's a balloon."
"I gotcha Noct!" Prompto shouted heroically as he lobbed his own balloon at the shield. His proud grin was wiped from his face moments later as Gladio slowly turned to face him. The high pitch scream Prompto emitted as he ran away was akin to a small child.
Noctis watched as Gladio forwent the balloons, instead grabbing Prompto himself and hauling him in the air against his chest, an evil grin on his face the entire time.
"Pretty bold of you to take on a shield by yourself Blondie."
"Noct help!" Prompto whined as he wriggled in the overpowering grasp.
"I'm on it!" Noctis said determinedly as he ran to grab a balloon. Foot digging into the sand as he slid up to his weapon of choice, the raven haired hero held the balloon in his hand for only a moment before it suddenly popped, nothing but wet destroyed latex resting in his palm. "Damn!" He hissed as he tried to locate the nearest one.
"Look out!" Prompto cried suddenly. A balloon landed just shy of Noctis' feet, popping and soaking the sand. Using his warp ability, Noctis sidestepped the low attack.
"So that's how it's gonna be." Gladio smirked, still holding Prompto hostage. The young prince grunted in frustration. Searching for the nearest water balloon, he spotted one nearly half way between himself and his assailant. Blue eyes darted to the hulking man before him, in a second he knew that Gladio had taken notice of the balloon too. With no hesitation Noctis bolted for it. Gladio readjusted Prompto in his grip, hiking the young man to the side in a football hold. The blonde squawked loudly as he was jostled around in the mad dash.
With Gladio closing in fast, Noctis knew he wouldn't be able to reach the balloon in time if he didn't speed up. His steps were slowed significantly by the sand, and his shield was more than capable of running for long periods of time, even in difficult terrain. Quickly devising a plan, Noctis warped just in time to grab the balloon before warping again a short distance away. He turned fast, facing Gladio and his dear friend. Bringing his arm back, the raven haired man launched the balloon with all of his strength, sending it sailing through the air.
His confident smile was quickly dashed however as he watched the latex weapon slam solely into Prompto's chest. The blonde tensed his body at the impact, eyes squeezed shut and mouth hanging open in surprise. Gladio laughed as he lowered his human shield to the ground.
"Dude!" Prompto yelled.
"I was aiming for Gladio!" Noctis defended.
"I was a prisoner of war! You didn't think he'd use me!"
"I was trying to save you!"
"You could've warped behind him!"
"I WAS TRYING TO SAVE YOU!"
"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S GONNA NEED SAVING!"
Prompto made a mad dash towards the prince as he made his threat. Noctis fled, stumbling in the sand from the sudden force. Somehow over the wind blowing past his ears and his pounding heart, he could hear Gladio's cocky laugh. He needed to convince Prompto to team up with him. Gladio had started this war, but they would be sure to end it.
"Prom!" Noctis huffed out as he continued to run. "Wait!"
"No way! Payback time!" A balloon flew just over Noctis' shoulder, eliciting a surprised yell.
"We can beat him together though!"
"You just don't wanna get hit!"
"I'm serious!" Noctis stopped to face his friend. With a heaving chest Noctis raised his hands up in surrender. Prompto stood mere meters away, a water balloon poised for throwing. "He can't take us both if we attack together."
"Yeah sure, just let me hit you!"
"Dude!"
"That really hurt! I'm probably gonna bruise!"
"You would bruise even if I barely threw it!"
"Whatever!" Prompto cocked his arm back more.
"Wait!"
The balloon left the sharpshooter's grasp, and Noctis knew dodging it normally would be impossible. Prompto's aim was perfect, he rarely missed a shot. He needed to break out the warp to make it out of this one. Sidestepping with a warp, the balloon flew past where he had been moments before.
"No warping!" Prompto yelled as he threw another balloon. Noctis sidestepped again.
"Quit attacking me!"
"I just want one payback hit!"
Prompto had one more balloon, maybe if Noctis could dodge it and get to his friend before he found another, he could convince him that he had no other plans to hit him with balloons.
As Prompto picked up the last of his ammo, Noctis prepared himself for one more warp. It was like it was in slow motion. The balloon left Prompto's hand easily, the throw aimed perfectly at Noctis' face. Inhaling deeply, Noctis sidestepped and watched as the balloon was now just to his left.
"Cheater!" Prompto yelled as he watched the balloon fly past it's intended target. But his look of anger quickly dropped as he saw its new path. "W-wait!"
Noctis' eyes widened with urgency. Even with a warp he couldn't move fast enough to stop the projectile. There was nothing they could do as they watched their fate surely be sealed by nothing more than a ball of water. Even Gladio's raucous laugh could no longer be heard.
As the water balloon made impact with the back of the advisor's head, the three watched on in horror. It was as though the world had stopped. The sound of the ocean was gone, the wind had ceased, just a ways down the beach stood a man with enough rage to rival that of Ifrit himself. And they were about to be on the receiving end of it.
Slowly straightening himself, deliciously cold beverage lost to the sand below, Ignis readjusted his crooked glasses before turning his dangerous gaze on the others.
"You two are dead." Gladio remarked from behind the young men.
"I-it was an accident!" Prompto stammered out, his hands up in defense. "I-I didn't mean to! I would never hit you without you knowing!" Ignis began stalking forward, fists clenched and head lowered. His green eyes seemed to glow threateningly as his now sopping wet bangs hung freely before them.
"I mean I'd never hit you at all!" Prompto practically screamed. "It was Noctis' fault! He hit me first!" Ignis' gaze shifted from the blonde to the prince.
"Wha- Hey!" Noctis practically choked. He had received many scrutinizing looks from Ignis over the years, but none of them struck as much fear and unease within him as the one he was given now. "I-It was an accident! I wasn't trying to hit him, I was- Gladio started it!" With a sharp motion, Noctis jabbed his finger in Gladio's direction. Ignis' gaze quickly followed.
"Hey!" Gladio yelled with a glare at Noctis. He shifted his attention to the encroaching advisor as he too held his hands up in surrender. "Easy Iggy, we were just playing." He tried with a forced smile.
Noctis and Prompto watched on in worry as Ignis stopped to pick up a water balloon. He weighed the object in his hand, rolling the weight of the water around before locking eyes with Gladio.
"Then you won't mind if I join you." He said in a low voice. Gladio let out his held breath with a chuckle.
"Sure." He said with a nervous smile. Expecting the advisor to join him in a two on two game, Gladio slowly lowered his arms.
"Then it's only fair I give you a three second head start." Ignis said with a threatening gaze from over his glasses.
"Huh?"
"One,"
With no hesitation Gladio turned away to run at full speed.
"Three." Ignis practically seethed as he skipped a number. With more strength than anyone could have imagined from such a lean body, Ignis threw the water balloon. As though it were a heat seeking projectile, the balloon arched seamlessly through the air, nailing Gladio square in the back with a resounding slap.
Gladio let out a growl of pain as he dropped to the ground. His unmoving form held the prince and his young friend's gaze as they stared in abject horror.
"Holy Six he's dead!" Prompto cried out.
As soon as he finished speaking, Ignis turned. His glasses were whited out by the light of the sun. Mixed with the example he just displayed of his strength, he held the air of absolutely destructive power to him, easily striking fear and a feeling of utter helplessness into those his gaze landed upon. Prompto let out a scream and Noctis grabbed his wrist, pulling him along as they fled from the scene. A balloon nailed Prompto in his lower back just before Noctis was hit in the leg. The raven haired man fell, bringing Prompto down with him.
"Just go!" Noctis yelled at his friend. He was willing to sacrifice himself if it meant Prompto could get away to safety.
"I'm not leaving you!" Prompto jumped up and grabbed Noctis' hand. Facing Ignis head on now, Prompto could see his opposing figure steadily approaching. "Ahhh!" Prompto panicked as he pulled on Noctis harder.
With Noctis again on both feet, the two began to run. Diving behind a small rock, they stopped to catch their breath.
"He wouldn't actually kill us, would he?" Prompto asked through heavy breathing.
"N-" Noctis cut himself off as a memory suddenly came forth. "He almost killed a guy once for making him mad."
"WHAT!?"
"It's fine, he probably won't kill me…"
"YOU!? WHAT ABOUT ME!?"
Prompto's squawks were cut short as a colorful object plopped in sand before them.
"What's that?" Prompto asked wearily. The boys leaned forward to get a closer look, not quite leaving the protection of their rock.
"H-he didn't…" Noctis muttered in horror.
"What?" Prompto panicked. Noctis picked up the colored ball, holding it out as he stared at it in disbelief.
"He… he froze a balloon!"
"HE'S THROWING ICE BALLS AT US!?"
Just then a bright light shot around the rock, bolts of lightning crackling just around the small shelter.
"HE REALLY IS GONNA KILL US!" Prompto screamed.
Noctis wracked his brain. Maybe he could snap Ignis out of his blind rage if he was able to remind him who exactly he was attacking. Ignis would never kill a royal family member… right? Then again, said royal member was the cause of his upset…
Noctis felt a jolt run through his body, and he was sure it wasn't just from the electricity that now stung the air. Just moments ago he had been willing to let Ignis strike him with as many balloons as he wanted if it meant letting Prompto get to safety, but now, with magic embedded balloons flying at him, he wasn't really sure if he would make it out of this one.
Before fear could stop him for too long, Noctis jumped to his feet and warped away, leaving Prompto several feet behind him. As he made for the hills, or maybe just to the car, the distant squeaking of his once dear friend was quickly drowned out by the wind rushing by his ears.
"NOCT!" Prompto screamed in disbelief. How could he! He thought they were friends! And here he was, about to be MURDERED by the prince's advisor, and for what!? Because the dumb guy warped out the way of a water balloon and made it hit Ignis? Prompto hadn't exactly thought about how he was gonna die, figured maybe it'd have something to do with protecting the city or Noctis, BUT NOT IN SOME STUPID WATER BALLOON FIGHT.
Ignis had thrown several electrified water balloons at the rock shelter by now. A part of Prompto wondered how he could even electrify water and rubber, another part of him wondered where he was getting so many balloons, and a third part of him knew that cowering wasn't the answer. With Noctis having completely abandoned him and Gladio down for the count, Prompto was on his own. Now was not only his chance to prove his worth, but to potentially show off. If he could knock Ignis on his butt, imagine how impressed his friends would be. Maybe even others once they hear the tale of "Ignis, the mad water ballooner!" Well, they'd give him a cooler name than that.
Prompto knew where the piles of balloons had been stashed along the beach. He knew where he currently was, and he knew Ignis was closing in. With a hard swallow he jumped to his feet. Still keeping low as he peered over the rock, he was able to spot his attacker mere feet away. He quickly ducked down again, not wanting to give the other enough time to land a hit on him.
Having mentally mapped out his route, Prompto took a deep breath before bolting from behind his shelter. He was able to make more ground than he had expected before the first weaponized water balloon landed near him. He felt the residual heat blow against his skin from Ignis' chosen element, though this one hadn't sounded like one of the electric balloons from before. Managing to look behind him, Prompto spotted the blackened sand where the balloon had landed, a small flame accompanying it.
"Fire?" Prompto squeaked out in disbelief. He kept running, the closest pile of balloons nearly within his grasp.
The blonde dropped onto the side of his leg, grabbing a balloon just before sliding past them. Popping back up on his feet, he quickly readied his aim before unleashing the water balloon directly at Ignis. He had zero doubt that he would miss. The adrenaline mixed with the excitement of getting to purposefully nail his straight laced friend with a water balloon made him nearly scream.
Time seemed to slow again as the projectile sailed through the air towards Ignis' still stalking form. It was right on target. Once it hit him, Ignis would either snap out of it or absolutely murder Prompto. He supposed he'd lived a good life.
The overwhelming emotions were short lived though as Prompto watched the advisor not only summon a balloon from the amiger, but also imbue it with fire magic. The energy Prompto felt before was gone now, replaced with numbness, maybe a little fear. Exploded and gone away with, much like his balloon as it made direct contact with Ignis' magic one.
Water shot in every direction, hissing as the heated water combined with regular. Prompto ducked his head, shielding it with his arms as he awaited the sure to burn liquid to rain down upon him.
"Some prince huh?" A gruff voice suddenly asked from above. Peeking out from under his arms, Prompto's face lit up.
"Gladio! You're okay!"
"You didn't seriously think some balloon was gonna take me out, did you?"
The grin that met Prompto's eyes filled him with confidence. With Gladio here to help, he truly felt they would be unstoppable. But the flames that spit from around the edge of the shield that was held up quickly brought him back to reality.
"Man, I haven't seen him this mad in a while." Gladio muttered, standing strong.
"What? You mean he's been this mad before?" Prompto asked incredulously.
"First time?" Gladio scoffed. "You wouldn't think it, but Iggy has a rage that rivals Ifrit himself. He can put up with a lot, but when he snaps, you're as good as dead."
"That isn't exactly reassuring, big guy!"
"Look, just try and cool him off."
"You mean with the balloon?"
Gladio gave a huff of a laugh.
"Might just piss him off more." He mumbled. Prompto let out a frustrated yell snatching up another balloon, conveniently hidden with them behind the large shield Gladio had summoned. Again, wasting no time, Prompto popped out from behind safety to lob the balloon at Ignis.
The advisor sidestepped the attack like a scene from an action movie. Maybe they could call the crownsguard. They'd come help, right? The kingsglaive? The… king?
"H-how did you stop him last time?" Prompto asked nervously as he hid behind Gladio's shield again. The man was quiet, his gaze hardening as he recollected the past incidents.
"Huh…" he said before bracing a hit from a frozen balloon.
"WHAT DOES 'HUH' MEAN!?" Prompto yelled.
"Here's our plan, we advance."
"WHAT!?"
"If we can get close to him, maybe we can talk him down."
"You mean if you get close to him! He's trying to kill me!"
"Fine. You stay here."
"Gladio!"
The shield was stabbed into the sand before Gladio stepped out from behind it, hands raised in surrender. Prompto swore he saw Gladio's life flash before his eyes. It was pretty short. Mostly him flirting with girls and talking about ramen. Prompto didn't know much about Gladio's life if he were honest.
"Hey there Iggy." Gladio started cautiously. "You know, that whole balloon thing was an accident." Ignis frowned, a balloon held in the air, ready to fire.
"I know, I know, you were relaxing, had your cute little drink and everything!" At this Ignis' frown deepened, almost as though the memory itself was enough to reignite the flame within him.
"What do you say I get you a new one?" The advisor didn't move, his gaze hard on the other. "Your own personal hotel room." Still no response. "How about your own private spa treatment?"
Gladio cranked up his charm to full effect. Surely he could win over the younger man with promises of sweet relaxation and pampering. That was what he was mad about right? His peace being interrupted?
"Sounds tempting." Ignis muttered as he lowered his arm just slightly.
"There you go." Gladio practically cooed, taking a step closer. "Anything you want."
"Not as satisfying as seeing you all get what you deserve however." And with that Ignis enchanted the balloon in his grasp before letting it fly.
Prompto's eyes widened as Gladio was hit directly by an electrified balloon. A loud groan escaped his lips as his body went rigid from the current. He dropped to his knees before falling forward in the sand, unmoving.
Prompto screamed. Then Gladio's shield vanished into blue crystals. He screamed again, higher. His eyes landed on Ignis, now approaching him. He screamed again, and it was a miracle Ignis' glasses didn't break at the pitch. Maybe that should be his next plan of attack. Scream so high Ignis' glasses break and he can't see.
Not even having the mental space to entertain such a thought, Prompto jumped to his feet and tore out. There was no calming Ignis. This truly was how it ended. And to think, he'd never gotten to tell Cindy how he felt!
Though the blonde had very little time to ponder his lackluster life choices as he felt a solid object collide with his butt. He dropped to the ground with a shout of pain, grabbing his offended backside. As he rolled in the sand a shadow overtook him. He blinked up, meeting the icy green gaze of his attacker.
"I-I'm sorry Ignis! I didn't do it on purpose, I swear! I was aiming at Noct! H-he warped and it hit you! I would never hit you while you were relaxing, I swear!"
"Where is he?" Ignis asked coldly.
"I-I don't know. He ran over there." Pulling a hand away from his injury, Prompto pointed in the vague direction he had seen Noctis warp off to.
Without another word, Ignis stood and stalked away, leaving Prompto to lay in the sand as he whined in pain, a frozen water balloon nearby.
xXx
Noctis leaned forward on his knees as he panted harshly. He was far enough away now, maybe Ignis wouldn't find him. Or, he could come up with a plan to save his friends. Or maybe he could just become a runaway prince and be shunned from the history books.
In reality he had hoped that by the time he got to the car Ignis would have cooled off. He wasn't quite sure how likely that was though. So, surely there was something in the car that could help them. He'd thought about grabbing an Ebony, or maybe even just driving the car onto the beach. If he could get Gladio and Prompto in, they could ditch Ignis until he calmed down. Or maybe them leaving was all he really needed. Then he could relax while they kept their distance for a few hours… maybe a couple days.
Noctis had popped the trunk, riffling through its contents for some sort of idea. Maybe he could get more balloons and cool Ignis off in the literal sense. Or maybe he could challenge him to a duel, put him and his friends' beach time up in a bet.
"Headed somewhere, your highness?"
Noctis practically bashed his head on the trunk in pure fear. He only knew two people with a Tenebrain accent, and he highly doubted Luna was here.
"S-Specs," Noctis said with a nervous smile, slowly turning to face the advisor. "No, I-I was just uh…" he looked around the contents of the trunk again. "I was gonna get you an Ebony because, well you're clearly upset!"
"Hmm." Ignis hummed, unamused.
"A-and I thought, why not get you your favorite drink to apologize!"
"And what might you be apologizing for?"
Noctis swallowed. The no nonsense tone Ignis used was one he'd heard often, but only when he had seriously messed up. He hesitated. What could Ignis possibly be looking for here? He wasn't the one who threw the balloon, but that's what he's upset about so…
"F-for hitting you with a balloon." The prince stuttered.
"You said Prompto threw it."
"Uh, h-he did!"
"Then that's not a very good apology is it?"
"W-well…"
"Unless you've something else to say."
Ignis wasn't asking. He hadn't truly asked a question since he showed up. He was demanding answers, and while he was taller than Noctis, his height somehow held more power over him now than Gladio's ever had.
"Prompto threw it but…"
"I dislike dawdling, Noct." Ignis nearly hissed through his clenched teeth.
"Uh! Prompto threw it but, he was aiming at me! I-I warped out of the way and the balloon missed and hit you…"
"Interesting."
Though Noctis and Prompto had already bumbled the truth earlier, the raven haired man was unsure whether Ignis hadn't heard over his blind rage or wanted to hear it directly from the problem itself. Prompto may have thrown the balloon, true, but it never would have hit Ignis if Noctis hadn't cheated with a warp. He could admit that…
"Are they… are they okay?"
"Why don't you come see." And with that Ignis turned, heading back towards the beach.
Noctis nodded before obediently closing the trunk and following after Ignis.
"Oh, and Noct, one more thing." Ignis said as he stopped in his tracks. Before Noctis could inquire further, Ignis turned quickly, pinching Noctis' cheeks in one hand. "No. Warping."
"Yes sir." Noctis said through squished lips.
As suddenly as Ignis had turned, he resumed walking, leaving Noctis with nothing more to do than follow like the small puppy he felt like.
xXx
"My butt hurts." Prompto whined from where he laid on the hotel bed. Noctis slapped an ice pack none too gently on the affected spot, the blonde hissing out in pain.
"Thanks for the help Noct." Prompto said with thick sarcasm.
"Shut up." Noctis practically pouted.
"I don't get why I got it worse." Gladio grumbled as he scrubbed off the black soot from his chest.
"They needed an example." Ignis said from the balcony patio. Gladio frowned at him.
"So you electrocuted me?" He muttered.
"Gladio. Drink."
"Yes sir."
Making his way over to the table, Gladio grabbed an iced drink, reminiscent of the one Ignis had been holding just earlier that day. He took it outside to the lounging man, handing it over with no fanfare. Ignis stared for a moment, his gaze covered by a stylish pair of sunglasses, leaving his intent and emotions unknown.
"You have something right," he reached his hand forward as if to wipe a spot off of Gladio, stopping only to motion to the entirety of him. "Everywhere."
"Thanks." Gladio muttered before heading back inside.
"I don't get it. If Noctis was the one who got in trouble, how come we got beat up?" Prompto asked from his spot on the bed. Noctis shushed him as if Ignis had forgotten he had gotten off easy.
"I have plans for dear Noctis."
The threat made Noctis swallow hard in fear. He already had Gladio toting on his every beck and call, what could he possibly ask of him? Maybe he was gonna use him as a footrest, or iron his clothes! No, surely he wouldn't make the crown prince dote on someone else! It was unethical!
"Noct." Ignis said, tone clipped.
"Yeah?" Noctis hesitated.
"The palms." From behind the deck lounge Ignis sat in, Noctis only saw his arm as it pointed towards a large pot of the aforementioned palm leaves. The raven haired man moved to the decorative plant awkwardly, staring at it before nervously looking over his shoulder to his advisor. "Find the best one."
Confused, Noctis turned to face the pot again. Maybe Ignis was gonna make him eat it. Or maybe he was gonna try and cut him with it. He reached out and touched one of the leaves. They felt pretty firm. They might be able to do some damage if someone put enough effort behind it…
"Um…" Noctis fumbled through the few leaves within the pot before choosing one almost at random. They all seemed… okay? "This one looks nice?" He said as he faced Ignis, palm in hand.
"Good." There was a slight pause, one that somehow filled Noctis with absolute dread. This was it. Ignis was going to enact his revenge. Something horrible, something absolutely horrifying! Something… with this plant!
"Fan me."
"...huh?" Ignis didn't say what he thought he just did. Right?
"Fan me. With the palm."
"With the p-palm?" Noctis was dumbfounded. Was he serious?
"You heard me." Ignis said in a no nonsense tone.
"Yes sir."
Noctis quickly walked over to Ignis' side, head cast down as he began fanning.
"A little harder, if you would." Noctis obeyed. Picking up speed.
From within the room Noctis heard a snort. With a face red from embarrassment, he managed to catch a peak at Prompto, hand over his mouth as he poorly hid a large smile. Noctis glared before returning his gaze to the deck.
"Don't worry Prompto. You'll be joining him soon."
"Huh?" The blonde's smile was quickly replaced with a look of disbelieving worry.
"Yeah Prompto." Noctis teased with a smirk.
"And Noct, you'll be eating all your veggies tonight."
"What?" Noctis asked. The sheer shock made him stop fanning.
"I wouldn't stop if I were you. Lest you get nothing but veggies."
"Yes sir…"
"Prompto. I think it's time you joined him."
"U-uh, m-my butt is… I don't think I can stand." Prompto stuttered. He clenched the blanket on the bed, fear and anxiety filling him.
"Gladio." Ignis said flatly. The large man smirked before turning to face the gunner.
"You heard him." He grinned as he dragged Prompto from the bed, unceremoniously pushing him towards the balcony.
Prompto held his butt as he limped over to the plant, grabbing a palm before joining Noctis in fanning.
"You're dismissed Gladio."
"Thank you." The shield smiled, even giving a small bow.
Noctis gave an almost horrified look at the act. Gladio would never give him such respect! And was he seriously letting his advisor boss him around like this? He was the prince, and Noctis didn't tend to use that to his advantage! This was too much though! He would not stand for this!
As if reading his mind, Ignis turned to peg Noctis with a stare. Though the so-called prince couldn't see his gaze, the unknown that lie beneath those sunglasses was enough to make him redirect his eyes back to the ground in shame.
He supposed he'd be pretty mad too if someone suddenly nailed him in the face with a water balloon.