Author's Notes: As always, thank you very much for being here. Words fail in measuring the gratitude I have for all of you, enjoying my Final Fantasy XV adventure! It's weird, writing Prompto/Ignis while writing Promptis for another fic, but all the same, writing this has been an experience I'll always treasure. Just in time for the end of the year, too. Thank you, everyone!

The title of this was changed from 'My Favorite Things' to 'Simple and Clean' because I listened to the Kingdom Hearts 2.8 version of the Utada Hikaru song, and immediately pegged it as this fic's theme song. For me, the song represents Prompto and Ignis' relationship, and Prompto would be the one singing the lyrics. Plus, I'm the kind of dork that imagines anime-style openings for her fanfiction. KH2.8's version of 'Simple and Clean' would be the opening theme for this adventure.

Thank you for coming in. Please enjoy!

In our last episode:

"Are you home?"

Confusion edged into that eternally jubilant voice. "Yeah. Why?"

"How long will you be there?"

"For a while, just hanging out. What's-"

A click cut off Prompto's inquiry, elevating his confusion most likely to the point of concern. Ignis knew how things worked among them-Prompto would call Gladiolus and ask what was going, never wanting to bother Noctis for reasons Noctis would've blasted him into another dimension over, but Gladiolus would then call the prince and they'd all end up calling him, wondering why he had thrown Choco Pup into a black hole. That was, if they even got that far.

Ignis would be at Prompto's front door in no time, package number one in hand.

"There you are! I was wondering what was going on with you, Princess!"

Surprise and concern were one on Prompto's face, as gentle as the lights on Ignis' tree. He was rooted in the doorway, believing Ignis would bring his visit to an end in just a few seconds, as he was always on the move and no one wanted to visit him anyway, right? The Princess of Lucis probably just had a question to ask him about Noctis, or wanted to voice concerns about Gladiolus building shrines to Cindy in his apartment. Whatever it was, Ignis would be gone in the blink of an eye, right?

Prompto tilted his head, eyeing his friend with light and tenderness reminiscent of a sunrise. "So. Wanna tell me what's on your mind? Why didja need me here, at home?"

As calm and composed as a sycamore tree, Noctis' caretaker pressed the painstakingly crafted package into the young man's hands. Prompto eyed it as though Shiva herself had planted the gift in his hands, while the act made perfect sense to the only man that would challenge Ramuh to a duel. Silence encased the two of them in their little pocket of the universe, while snow gave Ignis' shoulders a warm, gentle glow. "We've got some time before Christmas," the gunner whimpered, visibly uncomfortable, not at all used to anyone showing up at his apartment. Having a gift pressed into his hands was no small thing, either. It was as if every god and goddess in Eos had just ordered him to save the planet.

Maybe it wasn't his. Perhaps it belonged to someone else. The prince, maybe. Or maybe Big Bear Gladiolus. "Want me to hold on to this for you, huh?" Noctis' longtime friend chuckled nervously, taking a step back into his home. "Hiding presents from ol' Noct, I see."

Prompto couldn't tell if Ignis was either bored or aggravated. When it came to Lucis' greatest chef, was there even a difference between the two? "Wrong," he informed his friend, his tone a soft, frustrated snarl. Shock erupted on the young Argentum's face, but was then replaced with the light of realization.

"So you want me to keep this from Big Bear!"

"Wrong again. The gift is yours. And I'd like you to open it right now."

Every god and goddess in Eos not only told him to save the planet, but ordered him to become King because somewhere along the line, Noctis flew off into another dimension, leaving him, Ignis and Gladiolus behind. And the keys to his destiny slept in that glistening, immaculate box. Heart racing at the speed of sound, an anxious Prompto looked at his friend. Ignis, hands in pockets, as serene as the snow gracing his shoulders, did nothing to deter him from opening it. Noticing how heavy the box was, the young gunner set the gift down, gently tore off the wrapping paper as though ripping it off would upset the delicate balance between time and space, and-

A medley of fragrances rose in a divine concerto, spilling into his home like light cascading from a newborn sky. The symphony assaulted the one it was meant for with beauty so powerful, it almost brought tears to his eyes. "It is all yours," the masterpiece's craftsman said, as though he had just delivered a bag of Chocobo feed.

"Is it to your liking?"

It wasn't his birthday. It wasn't a prank, because Ignis was the last person in any world that would pull one. So he must've woken up on the wrong side of the bed, stepping out of bed and into a dimension where nothing made sense. "Are you serious?" he asked, closing the lid, torn between not wanting any more of heavens to escape and wondering if Ifrit would pop out of the box, then incinerate him. Nothing against Ignis. It was just that stepping into another dimension was a bit disorienting.

"This stuff's incredible! And you made it just for me?"

Realizing the princess was still in the doorway, snow brushing up against him, Prompto ushered him in. Inviting someone into his home was no different from learning how to walk, but allowing Ignis to freeze? Wouldn't be any different from committing treason. "Come in, come in," the gunner pressed him, heart still racing, gathering the box of treasures into his arms. "Can't have you freezin' out there, Your Highness!"

"Never mind, it's quite all right. I've got hands full of responsibilities that need tending, so I'll be on my way. Please enjoy your meal."

"You're leaving? All right, then. See you later, Iggy. Thanks for the eats."

Prompto closed the door, broken into a million pieces but smiling. Ignis turned to leave. Prompto's eyes wouldn't bother him, oh no. Never again would he fall victim to those eyes. Those dastardly, devilish eyes. Never again! Ignis was made of iron-no, steel! Steel not even Ifrit could melt! He was-

Knock knock.

"Hey! You came back! Thanks, Princess!"

The illumination on the blonde's face, reminiscent of how the sun kissed the horizon after a long winter, incinerated Ignis' need to return to the outside world. Beaming with radiance only he could create, Prompto pulled his friend into the apartment by his sleeve. The strangeness of having anyone at home was still there, tugging on his sleeve, but Ignis coming back? It was as if he had been forced underwater, but Ignis returning shoved air into his lungs with such force, it was violent. "Sit down," the ball of freckled sunshine urged, pressing the chef towards his table. Hosting someone at his home was no longer frightening or abnormal. It was fun, something that filled Prompto's mind, heart and spirit with something he never thought he'd feel-electrifying, divine relief.

Never comfortable with taking the passenger's seat, Ignis relieved his friend of the package and walked into the kitchen. "I'd like you to sit down, please," the dagger-wielding magician prompted him, unloading his creation onto the kitchen counter. "Rest yourself."

"But-"

Ignis' tone sent shivers through his spine. "It is my responsibility and pleasure to serve," the maestro ordered, his voice so velvety it was practically a purr. A stern, sweet purr. "Now sit. Oh. May I please be granted entry into your cabinets?"

"Yeah, sure, d-d-do whatever you want," the gunner panted, plopping himself into one of the seats at his table. Heart pounding at a velocity much greater than Ramuh's thunderstorms, he found himself not able to do anything but stare at the artist working his magic. Meanwhile, Ignis noticed a glaring lack of anything festive in Prompto's home. While he had been pushed into taking a tiny, pre-lit tree home, the gunner himself had nothing brightening his home. Reflecting on the cold, searing absence of the season's magic, Ignis found himself grimacing.

How can someone this warm and jubilant shine so brightly in such darkness?

Events unfolded in snow-kissed tranquility, blanketed their corner of the world in empyrean gentleness. Ignis served the meal he had created, filling his friend's home with invigorating thunder once more. Prompto asked him about the day's events preceding his arrival, still a bit nervous about having anyone over but euphoric. Radiant. Jubilant while the meal unfolded between them, celestial holiday fragrances spilling into a place that was normally lonely. Prompto couldn't help but glow over the magic not only spilling through his home, but inside of him as well, warming places he thought would forever remain cold. But all thoughts of peace and warmth evaporated once Ignis rose to leave, eyes and mind set on the world beyond their sanctuary.

"Gotta go so soon?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so," the kitchen's maestro said, eyes focused on the front door, unwilling to face the one Gladiolus called 'Choco Pup'. "Duty calls, I'm afraid. On another note, I'm delighted you enjoyed your meal. Expect more from me later on."

"Wait."

It wouldn't happen again. He wouldn't be haunted by those eyes again. There was nothing on Eos that could convince him to turn and face the wielder of Lucis' most deadly weapons, nothing. He'd rather-

"Thanks, Ignis, for everything. I'll see you later?"

Acknowledge the warm, luminous brilliance on his friend's face once more.

"Yes, you will. Thank you for having me."

"Thank you for being here," Prompto replied, with a smile that caused Ignis' heart to skip a few beats. Honestly, he could rule all of Eos with those eyes.

"Loved what'cha made me. Have a nice day, okay? And don't forget to water your tree, Princess."

The door closed behind him, making Ignis wish the outside world would've remained silent for the rest of the day. But enough with looking back.

It was time for package number two.