~(Y/n)'s POV~

"So... what is so important through this small crevice?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest. Gladio was the first to answer my question. "There's a rumor going around about the ancient key we're searching for."

"And it's through here?"

"Well, we're not sure," Noctis replies. Feeling as if I was being left out, I began tapping my foot against the stone floor. All eyes turned to me as they sensed my irritation. Knowing about my rampages, Prompto hid behind Gladio with shaky legs. A gentle hand was placed on my shoulder and I knew it was Ignis'. I gazed at him, hoping he would tell me what was going on.

"Small misconceptions have led us here. Though all who heard the rumor shared the same information, it is highly possible the key does not reside in this vicinity."

"But, you hope these misconceptions are not on faulty claims. That way, we have our hands on the ancient key while the Empire scurries to find it," I state. My words made him smile and he moved his hand from my shoulder to the top of my head. "Dude, that's so creepy how the both of you can tell what the other is thinking," Prompto said. Gladio chuckled at his words and pushed the blonde from behind him. "They've been together for five years. How could they not?"

"Eh, true," Prompto replied with a shrug. I roll my eyes with a sigh. Ignis ran a gloved hand through my (h/c) hair to calm me down. "Let's head on in," Noctis said, beginning to squeeze through the cranny. Immediately as he tried to shimmy through, his body was stuck. Gladio pried the prince out of the gap with one strong yank. Prompto was next, but not even he could get through.

"If these two scrawny kids can't fit, neither can I," Gladio grumbles. I bit my lip, trying to contain my laughter from his statement. "Maybe (Y/n) can fit? She's the smallest one out of all of us," Prompto said. Before I could say a word, Ignis stepped forward and interjected. "No. I refuse to send her in all alone," he said sternly. The three were taken aback by Ignis' intimidating stare and stern voice. "Ignis, you know we need that key," Noctis spoke up.

From his stance, I could tell Ignis was tensing up. His hands clenched into fists as he looked away from the prince. Knowing I was the only one who could get the key, I walked in front of Ignis and took his fists into my hands. "Ignis, I'll be fine. Trust me, I don't want to do this, but... I'm the only one who can squeeze into the gap." I unravel his clenched hands and smiled up at him. His emerald eyes bore into my (e/c) ones. Reluctancy and worry passed through his eyes as I continued to stare into his beautiful eyes.

With a sigh, Ignis finally caved in. He gripped my hands tightly and he leaned down to my height. "A foreboding feeling is rising within me, but... I know you are right. Please, do be careful, (Y/n)." I gave him a kiss on the cheek before I proceeded. Taking a deep breath, I began to shimmy into the gap with ease. "If something happens, scream," Prompto said. Gladio hit the blonde on the back of the head.

"Don't do anything too rash, (Y/n)," Noctis said. "Wow, love the confidence boost, guys..." I mumble to them. "Sorry," Prompto and Noctis apologize in unison. From the corner of my eye, I saw Ignis begin to scold the two. I giggle as I reach the other side. "I'll be quick!" I tell to the others. "Be careful!" Ignis shouts back.

"Always a worrywart," I laugh to myself. The worry and concern in his form and eyes were burned into my thoughts as I went deeper into the cave. I know Ignis was more worried than what he was showing. Ever since the little accident about two years ago, he's been very overprotective of me.

"I guess anyone would be if they found out their lover was attacked by a psychopath," I said to myself in a whisper. Though I wield dual blades, Ignis still worries over small things. Shaking my thoughts of Ignis away, I delved deeper into the darkness.

Countless of Imps and Flans attacked, but none of them proved to be a threat. Pushing forward, I had to choose between two paths. Luckily, I had chosen the left path and it led me to a strange chamber with deity statues looming overhead. "What on Eos is this place?" I question as I spotted a small glint from the corner of my eye. Curious as I am, I picked up the gleaming object.

"Is this..."

Examining the key, I saw what appeared to be a butterfly on the end. The beautiful artifact also seemed to resemble a keyhole. As I kept eyeing the object, the ground beneath me shook violently. Small rocks fell from the ceiling as the shaking grew more intense. I slid the key into my pocket and ran back the way I came. The tremors continued, causing rocks to fall all around me. One rock had made a deep cut on my cheek as I finally reached the gap.

"(Y/n), hurry!" Noctis shouts. More tremors came as I slid through the gap. One of the violent rumbles had caused everyone to crouch and protect their bodies from any falling rocks. When I was about halfway through, a rock much bigger than any of us was about to fall and block my escape. "Guys!" I shout desperately. As I did, the rock finally gave away. I gasp as time seems to stop. I prepared to be trapped, but I then felt someone grab my arm. My body was yanked out of the crevice just in time. The force from being pulled caused my body to fall forward.

Waiting for the pain, I closed my eyes but nothing came. I slowly open my eyes to see I was currently laying on top of Ignis. When I tried to stand up, Ignis only held me closer. His grip on my hand and my waist tightened as he sighed in relief. With my head on his chest, I could hear his frantic heartbeat. Our breathing was synchronized and I heard him mutter to himself. "Thank the Six..."

"U-um, Iggy? As much as I love you, may I stand up?" I ask. Finally realizing the position we were in, Ignis apologizes and we both get to our feet. The tremors had finally ceased, making all of us sigh in unison. When I wiped some dirt from my cheek, I whimpered in pain. I pulled my hand away to see blood covering my fingertips. "Oh, that's right," I mumble to myself, remembering the cut I had on my cheek.

Ignis must've heard my whimper because his whole body snapped to face me. Our faces were only a few inches apart as he leaned in. With one of his gloved hands, his thumb skimmed the unscathed skin under the cut. His brows knitted together while his hand continued to gently caress my cheek. Seeing the worry in his emerald eyes, I told him about the rock that had caused the cut. "By the looks of it, it is merely a faint scratch. But, I'm not taking any chances."

Without anything to say, Ignis grabbed my hand and dragged me back to the Regalia. The others followed and waited as Ignis began tending to the cut. I sat in the front seat and watched Ignis open the first-aid kit. He pulled out disinfectant and a small cotton ball. "Gods, I hate disinfectant..." I grumble. My words made Ignis smile while he put some disinfectant on the soft cotton ball.

Ignis tilts my chin upwards, our eyes locking together. "You know the drill," he said. "Yeah, I know. It's gonna sting..." I groan under my breath. Once the cotton ball made contact with the cut, I immediately flinched and grabbed onto Ignis' sleeves. He whispers a small apology and carefully cleans the cut. After a few seconds, the stinging sensation vanished and I sighed in relief once Ignis was done tending to the cut.

"(Y/n), did ya find anything?" Prompto intervened right before I could thank Ignis. "Uh, yeah. Here, give this to Noct," I said, pulling the key from my pocket. The blonde nodded and took the key to the prince. When I tried to stand up, Ignis quickly stopped me. His tall, lean form loomed over me as his face inched closer to mine. My eyes widened when I felt his lips against the cut. The action caused my cheeks to ignite with a red hue as I held a hand over my cheek.

"W-what was that for?" I meekly ask with a blush. Ignis smiled and moved his lips to my own. One of his hands moved to the back of my neck to deepen the kiss while the other messed with my (h/c) locks. Getting lost in the moment, I placed my hand on his cheeks and gently used my thumbs to draw random shapes. My actions had made him relax and melt into my touch.

Feeling the need for air, we both pulled apart. We remained close together until a cold droplet hit me on the nose. I blink a few times and look up at the sky. Gray clouds loomed overhead and were slowly becoming darker. Another drop hit my nose as the two of us got into the car with the others.

Noctis had taken the wheel, forcing Ignis in the backseat with me and Gladio. When all of us were safely in the car with the roof up, it began to downpour. Noctis started the engine and headed in the direction of Lestallum.

The only thing we could hear was the rain beating down on the Regalia. Feeling exhaustion setting in, I rested my head on Ignis' shoulder. He rested a hand on my leg and leaned his head against mine. Before long, I had fallen into the dream world with a smile on my face.