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Ignis was a man of infinite patience, and growing wisdom. From navigating His Majesty's picky eating habits to finding ways to make sure Gladio didn't permanently stink up the tent when his feet were finally freed from their leather confines after a long day out, Ignis had many opportunities to lose his composure. Yet, none of those trials could compare to teaching one of his closest friends how to drive…
You.
You'd been extremely shy about asking Ignis for help, not so much because of the driving. No, it was the reason, the motivation behind the sudden need to know how to drive that embarrassed you. You and Prompto had been having... odd encounters with one another. Too heavily loaded with romantic tension to be taken as a rift between friends but far too hesitant to be seen as anything serious. Any time Gladio jokingly told you two to "get a room," (something Ignis always scolded him for) both of you would quickly scurry away from each other. It was honestly pitiful.
You both knew something was brewing between you two, that you were beyond the point of being strictly friends (something confirmed when you both confronted each other about your supposed crush on Noctis... which neither of you actually had! It was all a conspiracy your own self doubts let fester). But both you and Prompto refused to take it further. To talk about it. To address the times you'd held hands in the tent. The times you'd purposely allowed your thighs to touch during long rides in the Regalia.
That is, until you came up with a plan. A plan that would need you to be alone. And for that, you'd have to stop relying on Ignis to drive. When you shared your plan with Ignis, he was more than ready to help end the painfully obvious tension between his two beloved friends.
He just hadn't expected you to be such a nervous student. Trips to Hammerhead became more frequent once you were allowed behind the wheel. Gladio's constant complaints about your choppy stops and Noctis's sudden interest in wanting Ignis specifically to be the one driving definitely didn't help calm your nerves either. Ignis tried his best not to show his frustration, but even a saint has his limits.
However, the only time he truly almost gave up was when you almost crashed the car. He'd firmly told you to stop the car, and suggested you take a break from driving for an entire week. You were devastated of course. Ignis did his best to ignore the clear view he had of your teary eyes through the back mirror. Though he was relieved to see Prompto nudge your head towards his shoulder as a form of consolation. Ignis wanted to throw in the towel, but as always, Ignis took time to think things through as he cooked dinner that night before speaking privately with you.
"Although I understand your urgency to become proficient enough in your driving to enact your plan, I encourage you to be patient and allow yourself time to learn. Unfortunately, you will not learn correctly if you rush through things."
"I know... I just really want to get this over with already. I can't talk with Prompto openly if I'm worried about Gladio or Noctis overhearing." You rubbed your hands. It was a cold night, and you'd lost your gloves sometime during the hunt earlier today.
"I understand. But things require patience, my dear." Ignis offered you his gloves, something Prompto managed to see as he approached the campsite.
"Shit, he's back-" You whispered frantically.
"Didn't find your gloves?" Prompto’s eyes zoned in on Ignis's gloves, how big they were on your short fingers.
"No... I think I lost them. But Iggy was nice enough to let me borrow his."
Prompto nodded with a smile, curiously stuffing his hands in the pockets of his pants before entering the tent.
You and Ignis exchanged glances, quietly deciding to pause driving for a week before trying again. And boy was that a good idea. That one week returned your confidence, and in no time, you had gotten your license.
"I can't believe it..."
"Me neither." Gladio playfully smacked your back, earning a hit to his arm.
"I confess I had my... concerns, but I knew you'd manage." Ignis was preparing dinner, purposely choosing something that would take a while to cook.
After all, tonight was the night.
"I mean I HAD to pass, Ignis. You were my teacher! Besides, if Noctis could learn-"
"Hey, I'm not the worst driver here. That title belongs to Prompto." Noctis laughed.
You glanced over at Prompto, who was shooting Noctis a look before going back to looking through his camera roll. He'd been a little quiet since you passed the test. When you had broken the news to them, his instinct had taken over and he’d enveloped you into the warmest hug you’d ever received.
But as always, Gladio was more than ready to tease him.
"Take her out on a date first, at least."
Prompto had quickly peeled himself away from you, beet red and apologetic. Since then, he'd been avoiding eye contact with you, and that was scaring you.
But you couldn't back down now. Not after Ignis put in all that work. Not after you finally had the chance to borrow the Regalia.
"Hey Prompto, can you accompany me somewhere?" Prompto almost dropped his camera. The rest of the boys shared knowing looks, but before Gladio could tease, Ignis sent him a pointed look.
‘Don't you DARE.'
'Ok, ok damn.'
"Uh... sure. Where are we walking to? Not too far, right? Kinda dark outside..." Prompto started packing his camera.
"Actually, I'm driving."
Gladio raised his eyebrows, closing his eyes to withhold the smirk tugging at his lips.
"Oh... ok."
Ignis gave you a small nod as you made your way to the vehicle, knowing you'd return happy.
"You didn't give them permission to-"
"Gladio."
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The car ride was relatively short, but it felt eternal to both you and Prompto. You had regretted keeping Ignis's gloves on with how sweaty your hands were getting. Prompto wished the cold wind were enough to calm him down. When you finally arrived at the lake, the two of you silently walked to the edge, sitting just close enough to dip your fingers in the water.
"So... what's up?" Prompto was close enough to notice the goosebumps on your arms.
"What are we doing?"
"Hm?"
"We hold hands. We practically stare at each other everyday. And we do stuff like this." You turned to look at him, surprised at how close your faces were. "And we get this close even when it isn't necessary. I don't do that with anyone else."
"What about Ignis?" Prompto looked away, instead looking into the lake.
"Ignis?"
"Yeah, you guys were pretty close when he gave you his gloves."
You scoffed.
"Yeah, because I didn't want you hearing about how I was learning to drive to be alone with you to sort whatever this is out." Prompto’s ears perked up as he glanced over at you through his peripheral.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, you indirectly motivated me to drive. So please, Prompto. What is this?"
Prompto sighed before scooting closer to you. He shifted enough to bring something out of his pocket.
Gloves.
"I... Iris helped me pick these out for you. I know your hands get cold easily so when you lost your gloves, I meant to give these to you." Prompto laughed to himself. "But then I saw Iggy give you his so..."
"So they're not for me anymore?"
"What? No, it's not like that. They're yours. Always have been. Always will be."
Prompto offered you the leather gloves. As you slipped your fingers in, you noticed how they were lined with soft, warm material on the inside. And they fit perfectly.
"I love them. Thank you, Prom." you smiled at Prompto, and the blonde gently nudged your shoulder.
"Just the gloves?" Prompto muttered, eyes falling to his lap, where his hands gripped Ignis's gloves.
"No... I love you, too. Probably more than the gloves. And they're really cute." You slipped your gloved hand in his.
"That's funny. Friends don't hold hands on a date by the lake at night." Prompto leaned in, whispering into your ear. "But... partners do?"
"Oh? Is the royal photographer asking me out?"
You both giggle as you playfully butt heads before sharing an innocent peck.
"As warm as these gloves are, I'm still really cold. And I really don't want Gladio getting any funny ideas." You tugged on Prompto as you got up.
"Oh gods... did they all know you had this planned out?"
"No, I only told Ignis because he found it weird when I asked him to teach me how to drive out of the blue."
As you walked back to the Regalia, Prompto opened the passenger seat for you.
"Uhm... Prom?"
"Please? I wanna treat my person to the Prompto express!"
"...fine."
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"Dinner's almost ready and they're not back..." Noctis had been keeping an eye out for any signs of the Regalia's headlights.
"I doubt they'll have an appetite after eating eacho-"
"Gladio. Such obscene commentary is highly unwelcomed."
Before he could continue scolding his friend, the sound of the speeding Regalia steered Ignis's worries elsewhere. There's only one person who drove that recklessly.
"Dear gods..."
With a loud screech, Prompto parked the Regalia. Ignis sighed, serving enough plates for everyone.
"Smells great, Iggy!" Prompto sat down, signaling you to sit beside him. "Here are your gloves, by the way."
"Thanks for letting me borrow them, Ignis." You said as you settled besides Prompto.
"Of course. Did you find your gloves?" Ignis took his seat, calmly starting to eat.
"No, but Prompto actually gifted me new ones." You kept your eyes on your plate, a little scared to look your friends in the eye.
"You finally gave them to her." Noctis lightly kicked Prompto’s leg as he set aside the vegetables on the edge of his plate.
"Mhm." Prompto glanced at you. "And we sorted things out."
"About time." Gladio smirked. "I thought I was gonna lose my bet with Noctis." The prince groaned, handing over some gil to Gladio.
For the rest of the night, the crew exchanged stories and jokes before turning in for the night.
And Ignis slept particularly peacefully. After all, as much patience and wisdom he had, he was more than relieved to know his driving instructor days were over... well, until Prompto crashed the car again. But that's a concern of the future, one Ignis doesn't entertain as Gladio's snores slowly drift into the distance.