[He shouldn't be surprised. All the years Ignis has devoted to his service- no, to their friendship as well, all the time and infinite patience he'd given to the prince, all at the behest of a king who gave such a lofty request to children when they were too young to choose for themselves. He'd spent a lot of time, since he learned the truth, thinking about how to handle these moments. Prompto would be okay one day, he thinks; he has photography and technological passions, he's so good with people despite what he might otherwise believe. Gladio's stronger than any of them, he could find fulfillment in guarding the lives of the people around him, not the brat he'd barely tolerated for years and recently has learned to resent for the weaknesses he'd demonstrated, tethered to his job by lineage and family expectations just as much as Noct himself. They'll miss him, they'll grieve him, but they could live good lives once he's gone. Ignis, though... Ignis is the challenge. His whole life had been devoted to Noctis. Even his passion for cooking started because of the search for the Tenebrae recipe. It sounds so self-centered, but he can't think of what else Ignis does with himself. So much devotion, wasted on someone with no future.
He can't let that stand. Ignis deserves so much more.]
Ignis- you can. You will. When I do this... [Not if. When. When. He needs Ignis to understand.] When I do this, Lucis won't have anyone left. The world's already falling apart, it'll need people like you to do what I can't. I'm not... I was never going to be king. Not a real one, at least.
[And so much of his life makes sense in retrospect, now. Looking back, the limited training, council meetings skipped while he was in school or otherwise occupied with serving the community instead of being the prince in his castle, with Ignis attending in his absence. He knew more about the country, the government, the important people both domestic and abroad. No one else was better suited or educated. His dad knew he was going to die... he must have also known someone would have to lead when the monarchy was destroyed for good.]
...I need you to do this. You've already given me so much... just do this one last thing. [He holds Ignis' hand in both of his again, lifting it, pressing them collectively to his forehead as his voice drops to an urgent whisper. It's cruel perhaps, but...] I need you to live for me.
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[He shouldn't be surprised. All the years Ignis has devoted to his service- no, to their friendship as well, all the time and infinite patience he'd given to the prince, all at the behest of a king who gave such a lofty request to children when they were too young to choose for themselves. He'd spent a lot of time, since he learned the truth, thinking about how to handle these moments. Prompto would be okay one day, he thinks; he has photography and technological passions, he's so good with people despite what he might otherwise believe. Gladio's stronger than any of them, he could find fulfillment in guarding the lives of the people around him, not the brat he'd barely tolerated for years and recently has learned to resent for the weaknesses he'd demonstrated, tethered to his job by lineage and family expectations just as much as Noct himself. They'll miss him, they'll grieve him, but they could live good lives once he's gone. Ignis, though... Ignis is the challenge. His whole life had been devoted to Noctis. Even his passion for cooking started because of the search for the Tenebrae recipe. It sounds so self-centered, but he can't think of what else Ignis does with himself. So much devotion, wasted on someone with no future.
He can't let that stand. Ignis deserves so much more.]
Ignis- you can. You will. When I do this... [Not if. When. When. He needs Ignis to understand.] When I do this, Lucis won't have anyone left. The world's already falling apart, it'll need people like you to do what I can't. I'm not... I was never going to be king. Not a real one, at least.
[And so much of his life makes sense in retrospect, now. Looking back, the limited training, council meetings skipped while he was in school or otherwise occupied with serving the community instead of being the prince in his castle, with Ignis attending in his absence. He knew more about the country, the government, the important people both domestic and abroad. No one else was better suited or educated. His dad knew he was going to die... he must have also known someone would have to lead when the monarchy was destroyed for good.]
...I need you to do this. You've already given me so much... just do this one last thing. [He holds Ignis' hand in both of his again, lifting it, pressing them collectively to his forehead as his voice drops to an urgent whisper. It's cruel perhaps, but...] I need you to live for me.