Work Text:
Ignis is the type of man who boasts a readiness for anything ; breaching enemy lines for a combat operation or practicing a recipe until he has perfected every single ingredient in the dish before serving it to his loves. It’s become something of a skill truly, but with every skill, comes a price to pay. In Ignis’ case, due to the fact that he, Prompto, Gladio, and Noctis were on the run from Niflheim and could rarely catch a break between dropships of mechanized soldiers or wild beasts harboring hunger, deep sleep was a luxury he simply couldn’t afford. He’s always been a light sleeper though, ever since he was a child, so achieving REM wasn’t something that he sought after when it was time to rest. No, Ignis practically embodied the phrase: sleep with one eye open.
Tonight was no different. He’s become used to the sounds of the forest and the low, ethereal hum of the haven that they settled their shelter upon. It was when his ears pricked to the noise of a slight shuffling next to him, followed by a small murmur of something that Ignis couldn’t readily decipher, when his body fully stirred awake. Noctis is laid beside his frame, and Ignis could tell thereafter that the mumbling was leaking from him ⎯ what ends up catching the royal advisor by surprise, is the fact that the next thing he recognizes is the sound of Noctis giggling. Yes, giggling . With his toes curling and his knees tucked up towards his chest underneath the blanket he and Ignis shared. He halts his movements, observing the softly cackling prince with an expression painting over in a twinge of amusement.
Soon enough, the gentle, huffy laughter provoked both Gladio and Prompto to rise from their slumber. Sluggishly, the two of them met eyes before shifting those tired glances to Ignis, who held but a single digit to his lips and gestured down with his own sight. They follow the signal and after processing the fact that Noctis was giggling and fidgeting in his sleep, obviously experiencing quite the tickle dream, neither Prompto or Gladio could find it within themselves to be cross about being awakened so early. Additionally, no one wanted to rouse Noctis from his dream either. Almost as if telepathically, when they all locked gazes with one another again, they shared the same plan: they would make their sweet prince pay for waking them up a different way.
Dawn breaks free over the horizon, and three out of the four travelers rise to meet the sun. They bathe in its rays as each individual occupies himself with something: Ignis moves to prepare their breakfast, Gladio indulges himself on a morning run near the lake, and Prompto ( deeming himself as the official “Noctis Waker-Upper” ) drags a semi-uncooperative prince out from the shelter of the tent, where he slaps himself down into a chair beside the fold up table. Ignis tsks at him, because he simply won’t tolerate such laziness, and assigns Noctis and Prompto to set the table while he finishes the last bit of cooking. They do so with minimal rebellion, and once Gladio returns from his run, they all sit down to enjoy breakfast together. The conversation begins with Noctis teasing Gladio about sweating up the breakfast table and ends with Prompto snapping a quick photo of Gladio wrestling Noctis into a headlock.
With stomachs full of delicious sustenance and their campsite properly packed back into the Regalia, Noctis nearly chokes when Gladio abruptly inquires of him, “So, what were you dreamin’ about last night, Noct?”
“ ⎯⎯ Dunno. Can’t really remember it, I guess.” Noctis replies in a dry tone, attempting to conceal the underlying anxiety beginning to bubble within the pit of his gut. Why was Gladio asking him this? Sure, there were times where the four of them would discuss the occurrences of their dreams, but this was so out of the blue. On top of that, Gladio singled only him out. It couldn’t be that he…?
“Yeah? ‘Cause, to me, it sounded like it was quite the fun dream.”
Oh. No. Unable to oppose the paint of blossom pink that slowly spreads across the apples of his cheeks, it doesn’t take long for Noctis to realize his fate. If Gladio figured out that he was indulging in a tickle dream last night, then that means… Ignis and Prompto know the same. There’s no way they wouldn’t know!
“Eh ⎯ maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t,” Noctis almost shudders out, exhaling in a manner more shaky than he had desired, with all the intention to remain aloof to Gladio’s teasing tonality. “Like I said, can’t remember.”
His tallest boyfriend gave a mere shrug, and settled into his usual seat in the back of the Regalia. Noctis hoped and prayed to every God who’s name he could recall in that moment, that this entire embarrassing situation would be laid to rest once they were back on the road. But the moment his glance met Gladio’s as he approached the empty seat next to him, he knew his taunts weren’t quite finished yet. Goosebumps raised along the flesh of the prince’s arms, and before Prompto could tread closer to the passenger side door, Noctis grabs him by the wrist and tugs him in close.
“Hey,” He greets him with vocals barely above a whisper, as if Gladio were listening to their conversation intently. “Could you, uh.. Could you switch with me? Just for today?”
The blond blinks, curiosity spreading across his features like a brush across a canvas. “Switch with you? But, Noct, you know I always call shotgun! Plus, I need the leg room. And I get car sick sometimes if I sit in the back seat.”
“Wha⎯⎯ you have literally never told me any of that before.”
“I have too! Besides, you’ve never asked to be in the passenger seat before, so why do you want it now all of a sudden?”
“I⎯! Because! Uh…” He tries to wrack his brain for a viable excuse to use, but nothing except the truth comes to mind. Swallowing in a dry throat, Noctis shoves his hands into his pockets, sapphire gaze no longer matching Prompto’s own. “⎯⎯ ‘Cause I… Gladio’s gonna be teasin’ me if I’m back there with him, I can already feel it. I damn well know you guys.. Heard me last night…!”
Trembling lips can no longer hold back the smirk forming, and Prompto gasps softly, acting as though he just now deciphered what Noctis is talking about. He leans in closer towards his royal love, pursing his lips as if he were about to kiss him, before he leans just an inch or so back, slaps a hand on his shoulder and goes: “No.~” With a turn of his heel, he circulates back to face the Regalia and hops much too gleefully into the passenger seat.
Noctis is cemented where he stands, struck dumb with disbelief. Did that seriously just happen? He’s never been the type to pull status, but right now, in this very second, Noctis heavily considered brandishing the prince of Lucis card with an order for Prompto to give him the front seat. He knows himself too well though… And, with little more than a passing glare, he slides into the back seat where Gladio sits and the smug grin etched along his lips is enough to dance a shiver down Noctis’ spine.
That wasn’t nearly the worst of the teasing that was to come. Gladio all but pretends to read his book, while taking any opportunity he can to poke or jab at Noctis at the same time, whether it be with a finger, his elbow, even his damn knee. The prince squirms against his ministrations, relying on every ounce of strength he can muster to deny Gladio the satisfaction of a reaction other than smacking at his prodding extremities. Ignis and Prompto spare informed glances to one another, a smirk adorning both of their features as they pretend to pay the two in the backseats no mind.
The biggest of the four finally ceases his taunting touches right before they make their first stop of the day: the gas station. They all exit the vehicle, Noctis fleeing perhaps a bit too quickly to give off a sense of normalcy, and into the small shop on the side he went, with the rest of his crew following behind. Noctis offers to pump the gas, leaving little room for opposition when he shoves some gil towards the shop owner and returns to the Regalia without Ignis so much as nodding in response. Prompto giggles slightly at the scene, before something soft and yellow catches his eye off to the side. He bends a knee down to observe what he’s seen and the smile across his lips spreads into a full grin. He picks the item up, cleans it off and pockets it for later, springing towards the door when Ignis calls for him to hurry and that they’re going on their way.
The prince is surprised when they hop back on the road again and Gladio doesn’t make the same moves as he did earlier. He’s leaving him alone for some reason, but Noctis doesn’t completely trust it. He can feel that he isn’t safe yet, there’s a subtle electricity in the air between the four of them that’s got goosebumps rising along his skin. Prompto is the one to break the silence, oceanic eyes seeking out Noctis’ in the rearview mirror.
“So, you really don’t remember your dream from last night?”
Noctis nearly chokes. Why is Prompto bringing it up now?! Of all the random ass conversations the blond tends to initiate during their car rides, he just had to press on with his stupid dream!
“No⎯..! No, like I said, I don’t remember anything from that dream. Why the hell are you guys so invested in it?”
“Well, ‘cause you were makin’ some pretty cute noises during it. You were twitching too, looooots of twitching & squirming.”
Shit. Noctis’ cheeks are beginning to redden against his better judgment, and suddenly, he begins to feel smaller than what he is. “I⎯⎯”
“Giggling too! There’s nothin’ wrong with all that, I was just curious about the details of it!”
“Th⎯! There’s nothin’ to say…! Just, leave it be.” He was going to explode. He could feel it in the pit of his stomach, the swirling butterflies of anticipation that made his lips tremble and his knee shake. Something very prominent told him that they weren’t going to let this go. And truthfully… did he want them to?
Prompto chuckles a bit, but shrugs freckled shoulders and relaxes back against his seat. “Whatever you say, Noct.”
That was the last of that conversation, wherein a new topic is triggered by Ignis, something about the missions they had lined up for today that the prince has trouble paying much attention to. He’s much more preoccupied with the sensation of prickling warmth pooling underneath his flesh, all too similar to the feelings he’d experienced during his dream last night. He shoves his cheek into a gloved palm, sapphire sight meeting with the fleeting views of meadows and rock formations as they drive. He keeps his attention to the nature surrounding them, and sure enough, he eventually dozes.
“⎯⎯Ahah!” Is the small yelp that bursts from a previously slumbering Noctis, the culprit leaning above his form and adjusting his glasses.
“Good, that seems to have woken you up.” Ignis drawls, removing his hand from the prince’s side, slow enough so that Noctis could easily tell that Ignis had squeezed his side to jolt him awake from his nap.
“Y⎯Y’know you could’ve just shaken me or somethin’ right?” Noctis stutters out, still groggy and obviously tired, as he opens the car door and slides until booted soles hit the ground below. He throws his arms up to stretch his cramped muscles and nearly tumbles back inside the back seat of the Regalia when Ignis reaches to pinch at his side once more. “Hey! Ihihignis, cut it out!”
“I’m simply giving you extra aid in waking up; you still appear tired and we can’t have that right now, we have missions to complete.” The advisor responds with a matter of fact tonality, but the smirk playing at the corner of his lips speaks of underlying mischief.
“ Okay , o⎯okay, I’m awake now, alright?” Legs start carrying him off before he even finishes his sentence, knowing damn well that being alone with Ignis with that look can only spell trouble for him. Gladio and Prompto must’ve already gone on ahead and Noctis races to catch up with them, but he hears their boyfriend trailing not far behind him.
When they both catch up to the other two, they relay the information they discovered and all four begin their hunt for the target. Unfortunately for Noctis, Ignis’ cheeky little squeezes were all he needed for his focus to break apart and split itself between the mission and the ghost touches that still linger across his skin. Cobalt hair wisps as he shakes his head to rid himself of his distractions ⎯⎯ he can’t let it be known that their actions have snuck their way under his skin, not with a commission on the line.
And yet… that’s exactly what transpires.
The commission detailed a request to take down a coeurl that’s been nesting too close to the main road and harassing travelers and vendors making their way between towns. The foursome has fought their share of these tempest wildcats before, and though they’re certainly dangerous, if they focus on the task at hand and work together, the commission would be completed easy enough. That was supposed to be the case.
But, regrettably, the entire ordeal proves to be more difficult than need be. In the midst of battle, Noctis doesn’t notice the huge paw, ripe with sharp claws, moving to strike him down, until Ignis calls out to him, and grabs him by the hip and tugs him away just in time. Prompto fires two bullets, with one lodging into the coeurl’s leg and successfully tears the creature’s attention away from Noctis and Ignis. With Ignis’ hand still squeezing against his hip, the prince can only slightly nod when the taller inquires if he’s alright, teeth gnawing down on his bottom lip to refrain from releasing the goddamn yelp stuck in the hollow of his throat.
Seriously? Seriously?! He can’t possibly be this hypersensitive, not when they’re fighting a beast like this?! He could’ve been killed just now! Ignis saved him, and even though he’s since let him go to rejoin the battle, Noctis’ stomach is still preoccupied with the sensation of Ignis’ fingers digging into his hip..
His mind clarifies when he hears Gladio shout his name, warning him of the coeurl’s impending lunge towards his body. Noctis re-focuses, warps out of the way of the danger and then, after ricocheting off of a large nearby boulder, he summons his sword for a final strike and ends it with that blow. Panting slightly, he steps closer towards the slain beast to examine its form and make certain its truly deceased, with the others closing in as well. Noctis, however, steps a little too close to it, as the last few shockwaves pulse off of its frame and reach his upper body.
“Ah!” He jumps back, startled when something of a giggle rips from between his lips. The shocks were weak, much weaker than when the coeurl was alive and using full power, and the ticklish feeling that came with their touch left Noctis’ skin vibrating. His cheeks flush a petal pink, especially when he notices the small smirks each of his boyfriends don. Without another single word, he bends to pick up one of the whiskers dropped by the coeurl, shoves it into his jacket pocket, and immediately picks up the trail back to the regalia. The rest of the crew follows suit, chuckling a bit about how absolutely adorable that was.
After returning to their quest source, proving they’ve completed the deal and earning their reward, Prompto immediately asks if they can splurge a little for a hotel for the night. They’ve been camping for the better part of a week now, but with the heavy funds from the coeurl mission and roughing it out in the wilderness, they should have saved enough to afford a nice room at the hotel in Lestallum, and then some. Mulling it over, Ignis ultimately leaves the decision up to Noctis, who agrees rather easily. After all, a shower and a warm, soft bed sounded absolutely divine right now.
And, Noctis was right. Scrubbing a week’s worth of dirt and grime off of his body made it seem as though he could tackle any problem in the entire world. As soon as he gets dressed in fresh clothes, he makes it his personal mission to sink as far and as deep into the bed nearest to his person as possible, arms spread out across the surface of the blanket. He comes to regret that though, when Prompto leans towards him as he’s walking to the bathroom for his turn to shower, and pokes him a few times along the back of his waist. He relishes in the squeak that releases from his boyfriend, observing with glee as he jolts up and curls into himself. The blond giggles, until he catches Noctis with a look as though he were about to launch at him, and Prompto nearly slips as he flees into the bathroom and locks the door behind him.
Noctis frowns at the shut door, huffing through his nostrils before he jolts once again after circulating around to see Ignis and Gladio standing in the entrance to the room, each one wearing their stupid little smirks well.
“Holy crap.. Maybe you wanna be a little quieter next time, you made so much noise comin’ in the room.” The sarcasm drips off of Noctis’ tone like a leaky faucet dripping water, but there’s a whirling sensation in the pit of his tummy that’s urging him to knock off the sass.
“Tch. Big words for someone as jumpy as you’ve been today.” Gladio rebuttals, recalling Noctis’ little stagger when the coeurl shocks tickled him.
“Honestly,” Ignis chimes in, slowly making his way further into the room to settle into one of the accent chairs near the bed that Noctis occupies, “You’ve got a lot of snark in your voice now, and it’s the first time I’ve heard you this confident all day. I wonder why that is, your highness.”
Noctis gulps, swallowing in an abruptly dry throat, and refuses to meet the other’s eyes. He can feel the heat of color painting his cheeks again, cursing his embarrassment under his breath.
“I⎯⎯” The prince begins, before Gladio interrupts him by joining him on the bed, meeting sapphire with intense honey brown.
“⎯I bet I could take a few educated guesses.” The broad swordsman continues, coiling an arm around Noctis’ middle and grinning when he feels the smaller male tense up, “Heh ⎯⎯ still jumpy, I see.”
Noctis nearly whines when Gladio’s breath trickles over the side of his neck, making a small oomph sound at the display of strength from his shield as he tugs Noctis up and against his chest from the weird, half curled, half sprawled out position over the blanket. Ignis joins after removing his shoes, and soon enough, seconds later, Prompto emerges from a steamy bathroom and pouts at the scene before his eyes. He complains about the cuddle pile occurring without him, but Gladio is quick to pull him into the embrace and silence his bellyaching. The four of them remain like this, enveloped in each other’s warmth and limbs and love, until Ignis catches Noctis fidgeting against him slightly, that dusting of roseate still prominent upon the skin of his cheeks.
Clearing his throat, Ignis speaks up with: “What’s the matter, Noct?”
“Nothin’.” His reply comes a little too fast, a little too breathless for any of his boyfriends to ignore.
“Are you suuuuure there’s nothing botherin’ you? There isn’t aaaaanything in this moment that you definitely want?” Prompto’s sing-song tone is enough to darken Noctis’ flush, because damnmit, there’s nothing better worse than being caught up in the predicament he’s in now. Astrals, he’s such an evil tease.
Noctis bites down on his bottom lip to force back the small squeak that dared to jump up his throat from Gladio shifting, his grip around his waist tightening, as though he were preparing for Noctis to attempt to flee or something. Warm breath finds his sensitive neck again, Gladio’s lips press to the shell of his ear and the prince nearly melts when he goes: “C’mon, what’s got you so flustered, your highness?”
This sucks. It sucks , it sucks , and it’s the best damn thing ever. He can’t remember the last time a situation was like this: being granted such taunting and embarrassing affections from each of his lovers , building Noctis up to the brim right before his boiling point. He hasn’t spilled over yet, hasn’t given in to the sensations overwhelming his body before they even do anything, but he’ll be damned if he isn’t close. Ignis seems to sense this, with his careful eyes and methodical gaze, so when his hand rises, and two fingers settle under Noctis’ chin ever so gently, turning his face to meet with Ignis’, Noctis’ visceral shudder blooms a smirk across Ignis’ lips.
“We aren’t going to do anything until you ask us to, my little prince. Consent is important, after all.”
Noctis curses under his breath and even his words wobble; of course , this is the turn he would take. He studies his advisor’s features and notes that he’s serious, he has no intention of allowing anyone to do so much as poke Noctis without a verbal agreement. Everyone seems to be on the same page too, even Gladio’s grip begins to loosen a bit. Pearly whites now worry against his lips, fighting an internal struggle on whether to give in or stay resilient and refuse. He weighs his options, and decides there’s more cons situated on the side of refusal than if he were to do as Ignis instructs. His stomach is performing backflips and he’s already squirming, succumbing to further abashment the longer he waits to deliver a decision.
Eventually, after a few more minutes of grappling with his thoughts and desires, the prince finally opens his mouth to speak, albeit his words come out hushed.
“Y… yeah, I .. ⎯⎯” He begins, swallowing the lump in his throat to continue ( everyone’s eyes soften as he goes on, he really is too cute ) , “I want… that.”
“Y’want what, exactly?” Gladio urges him, gently, his own vocals barely above a whisper.
“To ⎯⎯ .. to be … tickled ,” The last word leaks out like a dripping faucet, quick and quiet, and almost completely shoved to the side when Noctis keeps talking, “But..! Uh… I want it, kinda.. Gentle. Not rough or fast-paced, like usual, just…” He trails off, growing silent with butterflies, but his boys understand him well enough.
“As the prince wishes.” Prompto calls out, affection poured into each word, as he leans up to plant a soft kiss to Noctis’ cheek.
The three of them take a position somewhere against Noctis’ body: Gladio holding Noctis from behind, Ignis at his front, and Prompto at the lower half of his body. There aren’t any more words for now, it’s time to speak with actions. Ignis begins with digits spidering along the plane of Noctis’ stomach, delicate touches just like he asked for. He squirms, but still remains mostly silent, sapphire sight hidden by the lids as he closes them. He can’t fight back the trembling smile that spreads across his lips though, outing his ticklishness despite there being no laughter yet.
Gladio decides to join in then, raking his nails ever so gently along his sides, and that’s when tiny, breathless giggles bubble up and out of the royal. His limbs fidget against the sensations surging throughout his frame, contending against the urge to keep them out of his boyfriends’ way or protect the sensitive areas they’re targeting.
“We’re barely even touchin’ you and you’re already giggling your head off.” Gladio comments with a grin, bright and loving and just as teasing. His fingers pick up the pace just the slightest bit and when Noctis attempts to bite on his lip for the third or fourth time that day to stifle his laughter, it lasts all of about twenty-two seconds.
“Could it be that it tickles even more when our touch is more merciful? Is that it, Noct? Does it tickle more? ”
Ignis knows exactly what he’s doing, knows exactly the right buttons to push. Noctis is so weak to the way Ignis speaks, especially in moments like these, and it shows from the way he tries to hide his face in the older’s shoulder. Ignis tsks, and removes one hand from his stomach to lift Noctis’ visage back up, shaking his head disapprovingly.
“None of that now, my prince. We want to see that sweet face of yours, isn’t that right gentlemen?”
“Heheh, yep, no hiding, Noct~! That wouldn’t be very fair to us, huh? Not when we’re bein’ such good boyfriends and giving you what you want.” Noctis swears that Prompto’s been the worst out of the trio today, and he’s definitely making plans for some well deserved payback some time soon.
For now, his focus on thoughts of vendetta are shattered once he registers Prompto softly clawing at his knee caps, and Noctis’ new thoughts consist of wondering why it tickles so much worse when there’s minimal pressure applied to it.
“Ehe⎯! C-CraHAhap..!”
“Your knees aren’t usually a bad spot for you; you must’ve been really pent up, huh?”
“NohohohOHO!”
“Lying’s not gonna get you anywhere, gigglebug.” Ignis chimes in, and the urge for Noctis to hide his face again is strong as ever, the nickname renewing a flush of red down his neck.
The volume of his giggles have heightened considerably, especially so when Prompto begins to alternate between his knees and stroking at the soles of his socked feet. He’s nearly kicked him twice already ( Noctis has determined that soft tickles are the devil in disguise ) and as such, he’s lost the privilege of allowing his legs to be easily maneuverable. Prompto’s moved to settle on top of them, bent over at the waist so he can still reach his feet and Noctis is inwardly grateful that Prompto doesn’t weigh that much.
Still, he’s more than distracted by what’s occurring with his upper body. In addition to Gladio’s fingers messing with his sides, he’s taken it upon himself to make sure that the prince’s ears and neck weren’t left out. Nibbles and kisses scatter all over his skin, from the base of his neck, to the side of it, and the shell of his ears. Ignis occupies himself with his tummy and ribs, stroking the flesh between the bones, and even bending forward to grace his belly with a few kisses that make Noctis snort. Not a single touch, or kiss, or nibble advances above minimal pressure and it’s just about the most flustering thing Noctis has ever experienced in his life.
Not to mention that every new reaction he gives them, whether it be a squeak, a wiggle, higher pitch or volume, they coo at him for it. Whisper sweet nothings to him, comment on how adorable he is, and tease him for being so damn ticklish that even touches as easygoing as these have him unraveling by the seams. And they’re right, because Noctis is so red, so reactive, and his body feels like it’s got low power electric currents running along every inch of his skin, he’s getting intoxicated on the sensations of it all.
He doesn’t even realize at first that Prompto’s went and swapped his fingers for feathers ⎯⎯ chocobo feathers to be exact. Noctis has no clue where he’d even gotten the feathers from , nor when he actually got up to grab them, but what he did know was that the feathers were absolutely twice as bad as fingers.
“Che⎯⎯! Cheheheater..!” Noctis accuses, making Prompto grin and roll his eyes.
“You never said I couldn’t use feathers! Besides, how’s this cheating? I’m still givin’ you what you want, babe!” And for emphasis, he swipes the tip of the feather over the tops of Noctis’ feet, before sawing it in between his toes and Noctis loses it all over again.
He’s lost it multiple times tonight, but every new spike of ticklishness caused a spot or tactic change brings a wide smile to his face, basking in the warmth of the tenderness and care his lovers show him. He’s surrounded by a shower of adoration, he can feel it with each caress, each word uttered, the way they observe him with a fondness unmatched. Just for tonight, any worries or problems they’ve had to encounter in the last few weeks are shoved out of Noctis’ mind. The only thing that reigns in his thoughts, is how lucky he is to be so blessed with this kind of appreciation, this kind of amour.
They continue their ministrations like this, gentle tickles and soft, blossoming laughter, well into the night. Until Noctis can no longer access his internal vocabulary to form words and the only method he can use to signal that he’s truly had enough is when his laughter goes silent and he cloaks his features by burying into Ignis’ shoulder once again. Slowly, all fingers and feathers cease their movements, permitting Noctis to simply pant and catch his breath. His body practically melts into the limbs of his companions, pliant and content and glowing with hazy glee. He accepts kisses from all of them, one by one, followed by one giant kiss with all three of them positioned at a part of his face.
He doesn’t think he could be any happier at this moment, as the evening calms down with the four of them, and Noctis begins to drift off listening to their heartbeats collide into one. A series of lazy good nights and i love you’s lead into Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto following in Noctis’ sleepy pursuit.