#((and after they were done they were like 'heeey...had any trouble with this tooth here?'))

[theheadlessgroom]

@beatingheart-bride

Both June and Wilhelm exchanged little looks at this-not so much at Emily's apology (which, they felt, was nothing to apologize for), but at her comment that "things are starting to turn around": Though she didn't elaborate (and the Pace's felt it would be rude to pry, especially so soon after meeting her), something told them that their son had something to do with it.

"Ah, no need to apologize, lass," Wilhelm smiled, waving his hand at her, adding, "Living a quiet life is nothing to be sorry for! And besides, it's not like we're living thrilling lives ourselves-and that's alright! Sometimes, quiet is good."

"I'm just sorry you've felt a little...caught up in your thoughts, as you said," June added sympathetically-if there was anybody who knew what it was like to be in ones own head, caught up by too many thoughts weighing you down, she couldn't lie, it'd be her and her family (even if they tried their hardest not to be).

"I'm glad to hear things are picking up for you, dear. Tell me, what sorts of movies do you like? Our boy's a horror fiend; he reads every issue of Famous Monsters he can get his hands on, has all sorts of posters and knick-knacks in his room. I don't know how he sleeps in there sometimes!"

"It's not that bad, Ma..." Randall smiled and blushed, as he rubbed the back of his neck-spooky stuff around him at night as he slept just didn't bother him!

[seashellkittyatsunset]

A Pleasant Discovery

           It had been a long day of driving in the Regalia, and Ignis was more than happy to have the chance to stretch his legs. The royal entourage of Noctis, Gladio, Prompto, and Ignis had made the drive from Galdin Quay to Hammerhead to help deliver some sorely needed supplies as a favor to Cid and Cindy, and was now getting ready to set up camp. As a surprise, the trio of ex-Imperials of Aranea Highwind and her two subordinates Biggs and Wedge had accompanied them with their motorbikes. When asked as Gladio was packing up the last of the supplies at the port, Aranea mentioned that she wanted to make sure the parts for the new headlights that Cindy was making would get there in one piece. Though a little miffed for doubting the integrity of him and his friends, Ignis nevertheless welcomed the soldiers’ presence as they made their way to the garage. There had been a small herd of Garulas blocking the road, and with their help, the boys had no trouble clearing the way.

           Now, after picking up groceries for themselves and their guests, Ignis was grabbing the last bag out of the trunk. Gladio was with Biggs, setting up the tents and such, Prompto had accompanied Ignis while shopping but ran off with Aranea and Cindy soon after, while Noctis went to get firewood with Wedge, and Cid was dozing off in one of the camp chiars. Reaching into the depths, oddly enough there was one more bag than the man had anticipated; tucked away behind the parcel he now carried.

           “What the devil…?” he muttered as he bent low, bringing the bag out into the light of the late afternoon sun. It was a short, square box filled with an odd of assortment of pastries that he could only describe as donuts. Frowning, the advisor to the wayward prince knew that he had not purchased them with the other ingredients, leaving only…

           “Prompto…” A sigh escaped the man as he shook his head and made his way back to the now erected campsite on the outskirts of Hammerhead. The boy had an incorrigible sweet tooth, and must have sneaked the box in with their purchases when Ignis had had his back turned. No doubt the blonde gunslinger would try to gorge himself on the snacks with the prince, Noctis, and completely spoil their dinner. Setting the food down on the dining table, Ignis had gone to check on the stove when lo and behold, Prompto popped up next to him, Aranea and Cindy in tow after taking a tour around the camp with the energetic ray of sunshine.

           “Heeey, Iggy! Need any help?” The freckles on Prompto’s face were spread wide with his smile as he skipped up to the makeshift kitchen. Ignis wondered how on Eos he could have such boundless energy. And judging from the subtle glance the blondie threw at the girls, it was all to impress them.

           “It would have been nice having some help carrying this lot from the Regalia, but it seems you’ll have to settle for helping cook.” The girls laughed at Prompto’s sputtering and sheepish look, and Ignis allowed himself a small smirk. He definitely took any chance he could to mercilessly tease the youngest member of their four-man band. It was a bit of a small game to them, kept them knitted together through jokes and jibs.

           “If y’all need some more hands, I’ve two more right here!” Cindy, their loyal mechanic and friend, offered. Prompto had been smitten with her since day one of meeting her, and did everything he could to win her attention. Ignis sometimes wondered if she was just playing hard to get or if she honestly did not return the boy’s affections. Either way, she looked after the men as much as the Regalia and it was always a warm welcome from their travels.

           The ex-Dragoon of the Imperials stepped around from the back stove, a cheeky grin playing on her visage. “Got room for one more? I’m just as handy with a knife as I am a spear.” A wink and a laugh at Ignis’ shocked expression, and the deal was sealed. Aranea had a way of getting what she wanted and it always left Ignis bewildered as to how. Women were dangerous and Aranea seemed to be a master at it.

           Dinner thereafter was a quick affair as Ignis directed his three compatriots in the art of preparing their feast. Prompto was put on sauce and vegetable duty, Cindy on table setting and drinks, and Aranea on meat prep and grilling with Ignis assisting her in both. Aranea had not lied about her skill; easily slicing through the meat with precision as the bespecled man watched and transferred the pieces to the cooking area. He rather admired the camaraderie they had developed, and struck up an easy conversation with her as Prompto and Cindy did the same.

           Soon finished, with Noctis and Wedge having returned with arms full of firewood and having started a roaring fire and joining Galdio, Biggs, and a now-awake Cid, dinner was served to the delight of everyone. The steak and vegetables had come out excellently of course and the group was tucking in and chatting about random topics of their fancy. The advisor soon noticed his prince was pushing his vegetables to the side of the plate like usual. It always perturbed him that the young royal had such a strong distaste towards necessary nutrients. Shaking his head, he happened to glance back at the doughnuts that were still on the table and an idea sparked into his mind.

           “Prompto,” Ignis called over to the boy across the firepit. “Forgive me as it had slipped my mind, but what exactly are those confectionaries that you so readily slipped into the groceries?”

           The freckled youth had a look of embarrassment on his face again before responding. “O-Oh, those. Yeah, the shopkeep saw me eyeing them and said I just HAD to try them! She said they were called “poon-shkees” or something, but there was no way I could say no!” He rubbed the back of his neck as he spoke, nervous of the reproach that he could hear was about to come from the older man. “We haven’t really had a chance to have any sort of dessert stuff lately, so I thought, why not?” Prompto finally looked up, his blue eyes trying to search Ignis’ green for any sort of reprieve.

           Ignis surprised him and everyone else who was listening in with a smirk. “Well, if Noctis would be as so kind to eat some of his vegetables, I don’t see why we couldn’t enjoy some dessert.” Gladio barked out a laugh at Iggy’s clever gambit and was soon joined by everyone else.

           “What? Iggy, not cool!” Cornered with his companions finding amusement at his expense, Noctis seemed to mull over his decision before finally taking a bite of the asapargus and grimaced. The moment was memorialized with a flash of Prompto’s camera and more laughter. Ignis could only beam in triumph, and mentally filed away the tidbit for future use.

           Once the plates were (in Noct’s case, mostly) clean and placed to the side for washing, Prompto excitedly grabbed the box of doughnuts and started passing them out to everyone. He shoved one into Ignis’ waiting hand and another just as quickly into Aranea’s, who was seated to the advisor’s right. As the photographer dashed around to the next person, the man studied the pastry he now held. It was somewhat of an oval shape with powdered sugar dusted all over its surface. Taking a bite, he had an explosion of flavor in his mouth, the crème filling nearly gushing out by accident. Though it was his favorite flavor of chocolate, it was almost overwhelming to have so much in his mouth at once.

           A laugh at his side made him turn in his seat. Aranea had also taken a few bites of her dessert, but didn’t have nearly as much crème dribbling from her mouth. “You’ve got to take it slow, hotshot!” Reaching out before he could react, she deftly wiped the sugary goodness from his chin with her finger and stuck it in her mouth to lick it off. “Ooooh, you were lucky to get chocolate. I got strawberry.” Laughing again at the dumbstruck look on Ignis’ face, she gave a coy wink before turning away to strike up a conversation with Cindy.

           Ignis just sat frozen in his position, his once-bitten pastry laying forgotten in his twice-shy paralysis. He had no idea how to even start processing that not only had Aranea touched him without permission, but had done so with a brazenly flirty move in front of the gods and everyone. His brain was being so slow to bring him back down from La-La Land that another camera flash startled him out of his reverie.

           “Prompto! Delete that photo at once!” Tossing his treat aside into his chair, he made to go after the younger man who had skipped off giggling. Aware he was making even more of a fool of himself by giving chase, Ignis just couldn’t seem to care as he had to make sure such an embarrassing picture was not left for posterity. It did the trick of sending everyone into a laughing fit, and indeed, helped bring the group even closer in comradery. Ex-Imperials along with Lucian nobility and commoners alike delighted in the scene of the bespecled man chasing after the blond gunslinger. It made for a good end to a long day with good friends, good food, and good memories.