~(Y/n)'s POV~

"One more to go," Noctis said as we departed to find the last runestone. We followed the last lightning strike to Malacchi Hills just east of Wiz's Chocobo Post. While walking, I had found a Duscaen orange and picked it up and showed it to Ignis.

"That's it!" He shouts, making me jump into the air. The orange went flying, but I scrambled around the catch it. I had to jump up and grab it before it had soared over my head. Once caught, I held the orange close to my chest. Ignis saw I was breathing hard and placed a hand on my back.

"Apologies, (Y/n)."

I shook my head. "D-don't worry about it." My shaky voice betrayed me. Ignis noticed and moved his hand from my back to my head. "Dude, she's not the only one you scared," Prompto whines. Ignis pulled me close and cradled my head against his chest with one hand. "I'll take caution not to shout so loud."

"No, it's fine. I know you get excited when you come up with a new recipe."

Ignis smiles down at me. "I hope to ask for your assistance once we get the ingredients."

"Of course!" I smile back up at him.

"I could try it for ya," Gladio said.

When we get close to our destination, lightning strikes, shattering a heavy stone that blocked our path. "Well, I guess we're here," Prompto said.

"Fociaugh Hollow," Noctis mumbles as we enter the dark cave. We turned on our flashlights and delved deeper into the darkness that consumed our surroundings. As we traveled further in, Imps appeared everywhere. With the five of us, the daemons didn't stand a chance.

When the cave had lighten up some, Prompto and I noticed a strange hole. "What could've made such a giant hole?" Prompto questions. I shrug and look closer in the hole. My eyes widen when I saw movement. "Prom, move back..." I warn.

"W-what's wrong?"

The sound of slithering and hissing grew closer. When I saw something approaching from the darkness, I pushed Prompto to safety. When I tried to move out of the way, something wrapped around my body. Prompto quickly reached out to me. Our hands missed and I was dragged into the darkness with a loud scream.

~3rd Person POV~

Everyone froze as they heard the bloodcurdling scream. Ignis' eyes widen as he recognizes the person behind the scream. They snap in the direction that the loud screech came from. "Was that--" Noctis starts. "(Y/n)?" Gladio finishes. Ignis runs to where he heard the scream to find a flustered Prompto.

"Where's (Y/n)?" He asked in desperation.

"A-a snake took her!" Prompto shouts with fear-filled eyes. Worry consumed Ignis as he thought of losing her.

"S-she pushed me away and was grabbed!" Prompto frantically explains. "Let's hurry," Noctis said. Ignis didn't need to listen to the prince as he was already on his way deeper into the cave.

"(Y/n)!" Noctis shouts. They all waited in silence for a response. When one didn't come, Ignis' worry began to grow.

"Iggy, calm down. We'll find her," Gladio said to the desperate advisor.

"Such a thing would have been avoided if I had not left her side," he said, clenching his fists.

"No, it's my fault. I should've listened to her when she sensed something was wrong," Prompto said with a guilty voice.

"No time to play the blame game. (Y/n) comes first," Noctis states. They all nod and head deeper in. More daemons began to spawn as they continued forward. Ridding the cave of such abominations was an easy feat.

"Wait, did you hear that?" Prompto asked, stopping everyone in their tracks.

"Hear what?" Gladio looked at the blonde in confusion. He silenced the bodyguard with a wave of his hand. They all listened closely and heard someone shouting. Their eyes flew open as they ran in the direction of the shouting.

"Over here!"

They snapped their necks up to see a waving (Y/n). Ignis felt relief wash over him as he saw she was alive and well. Without hesitating, he quickly found his way up to her. When he reached where (Y/n) was, he grabbed her face in his hands. "Are you injured?" He asked, staring deeply into her (e/c) eyes with concern.

She slowly lifted up her shirt. The sight before him made his eyes widen. A huge bruise was located on her side and spread a little across her stomach. "The thing that grabbed me held on pretty tight. Now, I've got a giant bruise thanks to it."

Ignis touched the bruise, earning a wince from the girl. He immediately retracted his hand and apologized. She shook her head with a warm smile. Not being able to hold himself back anymore, he wrapped his arms around her carefully and pulled her close.

"I should have not left your side," he whispered.

"Don't blame yourself, Iggy. No one had any idea such a daemon was down here with us."

Ignis smiled at her words and rested his head atop hers. "You are too kind, (Y/n). One of the myriads of reasons why I am infatuated with you," he whispers sweetly to her. She giggles and rests her head against his chest.

"Geez, Iggy, you kick into high gear when it comes to (Y/n)," Prompto panted as he and the others finally made their way up.

"You okay?" Gladio asked her. She nods with her normal smile. "Just a bruise, that's all."

"Bruise?" Noctis asked. She lets go of Ignis and begins lifting her shirt up to reveal the hideous mark. The three were taken aback at such a sight. "Besides that, I'm fine. Also, the daemon kept mumbling something about a baby."

"Naga," Noctis simply said.

"The daemon with the head of a woman and the body of a snake?" Prompto questioned. Noctis nods in response. They all went silent as they imagined the horrific daemon.

"We've got to find the last runestone. I'm sure we're bound to run into the daemon," Gladio said.

"Let's go find this runestone and get the hell outta here," Noctis states. All in agreement, they continue on ahead. When the group ran into a horde of Imps, they quickly drew their weapons. While fighting, Ignis heard a whimper from (Y/n). He snapped his attention to her to see she was holding her side in pain. An Imp was about to attack her, but Ignis threw a dagger, killing the Imp easily.

"T-thank you," she meekly said. Ignis ran to her side and protected her from the remaining Imps. Once all were dealt with, he turned to face (Y/n). Ignis bent down to her height and stared into her eyes. She knew what he was going to say and sighed. "Fine, I'll stay out of battles until I'm healed."

He gave her a small smile and kissed her on the forehead. "You have a knack for reading minds, my dear."

"No, just yours," she smirks. His smile widened at her response.

"U-um, guys?" Prompto's shaky voice drew everyone's attention. We looks to where he was pointing and saw Naga. She kept muttering about her baby as they approached. Noctis stood in from of the daemon and crossed his arms. She glared down at Noctis and asked him about her baby.

"Can't help ya there," he said cockily. Naga thought the group was lying and lashed out at them. (Y/n) made sure to stay out of the battle as the guys all jumped in. As she watched the fight, her side began to ache in pain. While distracted by the bruise, (Y/n) didn't notice how close Naga has gotten until Prompto shouted at her.

Ignis tried to draw Naga's attention, but she was solely concentrated on (Y/n). "Dammit!" Noctis shouts as he warps to her side. Naga's tail shot out and tried to grab her, but (Y/n) was quicker and sliced her tail off with a swift swing of her blade. The daemon screeched in pain and backed away. Noctis took the chance to deliver the final blow. Naga withered to the ground and her body vaporized.

They all sighed in relief once the daemon was gone. (Y/n) was leaning against the wall with beads of sweat and a pain stricken look on her face. "Noct, can you three handle the final runestone?" Ignis asked as he saw (Y/n)'s agonizing expression.

"Yeah, we've got this. Take care of her," Noctis replies, picking up on (Y/n)'s behavior. He nods and runs over to the whimpering girl. Ignis made sure not to touch the bruise as he carefully took her in his arms. (Y/n) relaxed and rested her head against his chest as he headed back to the entrance. The only times he would let her go was when they had to squeeze through a few small gaps. Besides that, Ignis didn't allow her to walk alone.

Grateful for no daemons, Ignis and (Y/n) finally make it back to the Regalia. He sat her down in the passenger's seat and kneeled in front of her. Ignis grabbed the hem of her shirt and looked into her (e/c) eyes. "May I?" He asked politely.

"Y-yeah, go ahead," she replies with red cheeks. Ignis gently lifts her shirt up and examines the bruise closely. His gentle fingers glide over her side and stomach. When his fingers made contact just a little, (Y/n) flinched. Ignis saw and knitted his eyebrows. He whispered a small apology and carefully put her shirt down. Before Ignis could move, (Y/n) cupped his cheeks in her warm hands and smashed her lips on his.

Ignis immediately kissed back and placed his hands over her smaller ones. Both melted into the kiss as the two fell deeper into ecstasy. Ignis moved his hands to her (h/c) hair and threaded the soft strands through his gloved fingers.

They pulled apart and Ignis leaned his forehead against (Y/n)'s.

"So, what's my diagnosis?" She asked with a small laugh.

"You are out of commission until further notice," he responds.

"Does that mean you'll be the one taking care of me until I'm all better?"

Her words brought a bright smile to the advisor's face.

"Of course, (Y/n). I trust no one else with you."

"Yay!"