Hey all, so this is the final chapter of Introductions, but, if you enjoyed this story, don't be sad...I'm posting the first chapter of my next story (Mistakes Were Made) in this series VERY soon. Sorry this story ended so suddenly, it kinda just felt like a good point to wrap it up. Plus, I'm thinking of doing a few one-shots set in this story line, so there might be a few things I touch back on later (for those of you who are interested). Enjoy!

Ignis carefully crafted one of Prompto's preferred curry dishes for dinner that evening. He'd meticulously seen to it that all the ingredients were fresh and that everything was prepared to perfection. He put every ounce of culinary expertise he had into the meal. It was, if he were to say so himself, a near flawless dish.

In the end though, Prompto barely touched his dinner, but Ignis didn't mind.

That honest smile, the warmth and elation in those bright blue eyes was all the compensation Ignis required for his effort.

After all, he only wanted the boy to know that he was cared for, that there were those who wanted him to flourish. If Prompto's nerves and grief were giving him an upset stomach, well, there was no reason to heap guilt atop that.

As they all sat around the dining room table, Prompto, however, wouldn't let up with his apologies for not consuming more.

"What if," Ignis said, seeing quite clearly some compromise had to be met to settle Prompto's remorse over his lack of appetite, "I set aside a serving of this curry for your lunch tomorrow? I'm often loath to serve leftovers, but this particular recipe should keep well. I dare say that it shall be just as good tomorrow as it was today."

Again, that brilliant smile lit Prompto's face.

"That'd be great, Iggy."

Iggy…

Noctis had started calling him that long ago, when the Prince was still so very young. It was a term of endearment that Ignis would not grant to most, and yet Prompto, with his friendly, innocent nature, had wholeheartedly earned that right. When had that happened? Ignis couldn't recall exactly.

"Very well, then that is the plan," Ignis answered, busying himself with clearing the dishes and storing away Prompto's leftovers. Sometimes, he found it far easier to become preoccupied with some task rather than meet that honest, gregarious stare Prompto so often fixed upon him.

As he worked, he listened to the other three converse.

For the most part, they kept the topics light. Already, the evening had been emotional, and that heavy pull of grief and worry still hung over them, no matter how playful the banter might have sounded.

Noctis and Prompto were just starting to move toward the living room, ready to play some more video games, when Ignis' phone rang.

Ignis glanced casually at the number, but the screen simply read 'unknown caller.'

A telemarketer, perhaps?

Never one to ignore a call, Ignis sighed before dutifully answering.

"This is Ignis Scientia, to whom am I speaking?"

"Mr. Scientia?" The voice was feminine and shaky. "Cor Leonis gave me your number. He said you'd be with Prompto. May I speak with him, please?"

Ignis had an inkling of who this mystery woman was, but he dared not jump to any conclusions.

"I have no qualms with handing my phone over," Ignis answered, "but I'd like to verify whom this is making such a request."

He was aware then of how the other three in the room had frozen, how all eyes were now fixed on him. Looking to Prompto, Ignis felt a pull of concern as it appeared the youth had suddenly forgotten how to breathe. Eye wide, face pale, stance stiff, the blond looked as if he was sculpted from wax.

"Lillian," she answered, "Lillian Argentum. Ulnic and I just made it out of the Boulves Mine with the help from a party of Glaives Cor Leonis sent. As soon as we could get cellphone service, I tried calling Prompto, but I kept being sent directly to voicemail."

Ignis could feel tension he hadn't known had built within him suddenly fade. Smiling, he slowly made his way toward Prompto. "Yes, his phone was damaged when he took a spill on his bike, but he will be just fine. Perhaps though, you'd rather hear this all from your son. Here he is…"

He held the phone out, and though Prompto was quick to take it, he was slower to put the device to his ear.

Prompto's voice was hesitant, soft. "Hello?"

Ignis could barely hear the faint murmur of Lillian's voice on the phone, but he didn't need to hear her words to understand the beaming smile and joyous tears streaking down Prompto's face.

"Mom! You're okay! And Dad?...How?" Prompto paused, his face strained in happy concentration. "What? Gross! Really?" Another paused, a few soft hums of answers coming from the boy. "No, I'll be okay. I broke my arm and my leg and got a little scratched up."

There was no mistaking the motherly barrage of worry and love that flooded from the phone then.

"No, mom," Prompto answered, "I swear, I'll be okay…yeah, Ignis has been taking care of me. I'm taking potion dosages and the doctor said I'll be as good as new in a week or so. Yeah, yeah…I promise. When will you be back? I miss you."

For a while, Prompto merely listened, holding his smile in place as he stared absentmindedly at his feet.

"Okay. I'll see you then. I love you. Tell dad I love him too. Here's Ignis…" he said, suddenly thrusting the phone back at the Advisor. "She wants to talk to you."

Strangely enough, Ignis actually felt nervous taking the phone back. He did not often have to deal with mothers. Somehow, they seemed far more intimidating than any Council or King ever would.

"Mrs. Argentum," he said, "Prompto has been incredible easy to see to, far more agreeable than Prince Noctis."

The chipper flutter of laughter that sounded from the line quickly eased Ignis' nerves.

Gladio quietly ushered the boys out of the room. Prompto was rambling, speaking so quickly he stumbled over his own words. His hands darting around as he gestured wildly, telling the story his mother had relayed to him.

Noct was all smiles, nodding and listening contently. The Prince cast one last happy glance back at Ignis before the three disappeared from the room.

"He has always been such a good boy," Mrs. Argentum answered, "and I thank you with every fiber of my being for looking after him. He is the dearest thing in the world to me and Ulnic, though it might seem hard to believe, as we, idiotically, leave him alone when we should be enjoying the last of his youth with him – before he grows up to become a famous photographer and is far too busy for his old, sappy parents."

Another peal of laughter sounded from Lillian, but there a hint of strain to it this time.

"Prompto mentioned that you and Ulnic both do a lot of humanitarian work. He said there are many communities that might perish if not for your efforts. He is quite proud of the both of you."

"Y-yeah? I um…" Her voice broke a little. Her breath was choppy, as if she was silently sobbing. "That's nice to know, but I still wish we had been better parents to him – that we hadn't traveled so much. Even now though, looking through my e-mails, I have pleas from people all over Lucis begging for my help, and Ulnic has the same. Whatever I do, I feel that I will disappoint or hurt someone. Whatever choice I make, someone will suffer. Do I help the people and leave my son alone, or do I stay in Insomnia and ignore the pleas?"

"What if…" Ignis replied, "…you weren't leaving Prompto alone? As I stated, he is easier to care for than the Prince, and it would be putting me out very little to watch over him while you are away. In fact, he helps more than he hinders my duties, as Prince Noctis is far more agreeable when Prompto is present. Additionally, I believe Gladio Amicitia and Cor Leonis would be willing to help look after the boy as well."

Her response was quick. "I could never ask such a thing of you, that's just too…"

"That is just the thing though," Ignis interrupted, "I've already made the offer, so you needn't ask. It is simply there for you to accept. We can go over the details of this arrange after you've returned to Insomnia. I trust that Cor has already set up your travel arrangements?"

"Y-yes," Lillian answered softly, "We will stay at a Haven for a few days while we gather our strength, and then we will head back. I believe we should be home in perhaps three days." She drew in a sharp breath, "I just can't thank you enough for…"

"Nonsense, I'll hear no more of that," Ignis answered, "As I've already stated, Prompto is as good for us as we are for him. I only regret that I hadn't learned of his predicament earlier, so that his accident could have been avoided."

"You are a good man, Mr. Scientia."

"Please," he mused, "Don't go spreading that around. I have an image to keep up, after all."

She laughed. "Well, I guess that was all I had to say, so, I'll see you in three days?"

"Yes, I'll be sure to put you on my schedule," he replied, "Until then, please try to get some rest. Prompto, I can assure you, will be well taken care of while you are away."

"I am sure he will be," she answered. "Goodbye, Mr. Scientia."

"Goodbye, Mrs. Argentum."

He hung up, feeling both relieved and stunned by the sudden silence of the room. Greedily, he took a few minutes for himself, simply breathing, letting himself have a brief respite before launching back into his schedule of care for Prompto and Noctis.

Eventually, he retrieved the case of Prompto's potion dosages from the counter and started making his way to living room. He could hear the exuberant blond incessantly rambling long before he'd neared the room.

"Ignis!" Prompto shouted the minute he spied the man. "Guess what? Did they tell you?"

"It is hard to know," Ignis smirked, "When you do not make accurate, precise statements. What exactly is 'it' that 'they' might have told me."

From his position on the recliner, Gladio flipped a page in his book, not even bothering to look up. "Get ready, Iggy, for a whole lot of talking coming at ya."

Right beside Prompto, on the couch, Noctis groaned and set his controller down. "We're never going to get through this level."

"Mom and dad are going to be back in, like, three days!" Prompto was nearly exploding with joy as he teetered on the edge of the couch.

"Yes, Mrs. Argentum did relay that information to me," Ignis replied. "Please, sit back, Prompto, or you're liable to injure yourself all over again."

Prompto flopped back. "They survived by eating bugs. BUGS, Ignis. How gross is that? And mom made a weapon out of her pantyhose. She filled them with rocks and swung them around. She killed imps with her pantyhose…HER PANTYHOSE!"

Ignis quirked a brow at Gladio. "Has he been this worked up since he got off the phone?"

Gladio looked up, glanced at the kid and shrugged. "Actually, I think he's calmed down a bit."

"And dad, he found an old mining shovel to fend off daemons with…it's not quite as awesome as mom's pantyhose weapon, but it's still pretty cool…and then…"

Ignis nodded politely, taking in every detail the boy prattled on about. Although he was terribly unsure how Mrs. Argentum had informed Prompto of so much during their short chat. It seemed a bit implausible, but if she talked near as fast as Prompto did, well then…

"Ignis? Iggy? Were you listening?"

Ignis blinked, his gaze shifting back to Prompto. "My apologies, I'm afraid I was lost in thought for just a moment. What was that last comment you made?"

Suddenly, Prompto looked a bit shy, as if was uncertain of repeating himself.

"The kid's appetite came back," Gladio answered. "He was asking if it was alright if could have that curry now."

Ignis smiled. "Of course, come back to the kitchen and I'll reheat it."

Noctis groaned. "After that can we play some video games?"

Ignis' first reaction was to say no. It was getting later in the day and Prompto needed his rest, but…

"One hour, that's all, then Prompto must take his potion dose, and then it will be bedtime."

Noctis opened his mouth, but Ignis was ready.

"No arguments, no negotiations. I assure you, any further demands for the night will strip you off all the privileges I've granted you thus far."

Wisely, Noctis snapped his mouth closed and sunk further into the couch.

"I'll be waiting for you here, Prom," the Prince replied. "I might play single player for a bit to level up, okay?"

"Sure, whatever, dude, that's cool," Prompto answered as he started skipping toward the kitchen.

"Prompto," Ignis hissed, "Your leg…please, don't put so much pressure on it."

Oh Six help me, it's like the boy is trying to injure himself now.

Prompto halted suddenly, sheepishly glancing up at Ignis. "Sorry. I forgot."

"Apology accepted, just try to be more careful."

A soft hum came from Prompto as he limped into the kitchen and found a seat at the table. Ignis, for his part, quickly set about reheating the meal. He felt a bit relieved that the blond was able to eat something. After all, it would do him much better for his healing process if he ate regular meals.

"I spoke with your mother about how your parents are both called away rather frequently." Ignis said as he stirred the curry.

"Oh," There was something that sounded startled and heartbroken in that single word Prompto uttered.

"I suggested that they stop leaving you by yourself," Ignis added, "that…"

"But they have so much they have to do," Prompto's voice was raised, his face flushed, "and I don't mind. It really doesn't usually get that bad. This last time was just a bit of bad luck, and…"

"Prompto," Ignis used his best authoritative tone, quieting the boy instantly. "I think you misunderstand my intent. I do not wish for them to stop with their work. I only asked that they leave you in the care or myself, Gladio or Cor Leonis. We have spare rooms here in the Citadel, and you would be more than welcome to stay and…"

Ignis was cut short, gasping with surprise at the warm tackle that came at him. He was barely able to stay on his feet and keep the curry form toppling over. Looking down, he found Prompto squeezing him in a tight embrace. Slowly, the boy looked up, blue eyes brimming with tears, a lopsided, happy smile adorning his face.

"Thank you, Iggy," Prompto whispered, "Thank you…"

Ignis stood for a moment, debating on whether he should pry the child off his midsection or return the gesture. Finally, his better nature kicked in, and he wrapped his arms around Prompto.

"You are quite welcome."