Angelica curled up on her bed, hugging her arms tightly. The room was dark and empty. Angelica had gone straight to her and Iris's room at the motel. All of her friends had gone to get something to eat upon their return from Fort Vaullerey. But she really wasn't in the mood to socialize, not after what she'd done. Her eyes watered with tears that threatened to fall.

"What's becoming of me? Am I so murderous that I'd turn on my friends?" Her voice was quiet and trembled with each word she mumbled. "Sometimes I really hate myself."

Her rumbling stomach forced her off the bed. She quietly left the dark room in search of a snack, hoping she didn't run into her friends. Though fortunately for her, they were gathered at the diner, eating and talking. Angelica watched them momentarily through the windows. They looked to be having a good time, smiling and laughing. The girl sighed in disappointment and went to the food truck to buy some snacks.

Meanwhile, the group inside were telling Iris about their infiltration of Fort Vaullerey. The brunette was overjoyed to hear it all. The riveting tales of her friends' adventures always fascinated her. Noctis happened to glance outside, seeing Angelica walking away from the food truck with a bag of chips and crackers. His friends followed his gaze, noticing the girl as well.

Noctis suddenly got up and hurried to the diner entrance. "Hey, Angel!" he called. "Feel free to join us!"

Angelica glanced back at him before taking off, running back to the motel. Noctis watched with confusion while Prompto came over beside him. "What do you think's wrong with her?"

"I believe I have an idea," Ignis said, earning everyone's attention. Noctis and Prompto sat back down to hear what he had to say. "During our operation, I was forced to restrain her. Of course, Angel being Angel, she lashed out at me." He lightly traced the cut along his cheek.

"Ah, I was wondering how you got that," Gladio responded.

Iris frowned. "So, Angel's probably beating herself up about it."

Ignis nodded. "My point exactly."

"So, like, she's punishing herself for attacking you?" Prompto questioned.

"Well obviously," Noctis answered him.

Iris rose to her feet. "I'm gonna go talk to her, girl to girl."

Iris left the diner. Silence fell over the guys as they finished eating. They then left for the motel. Approaching their room, they saw Iris standing at the door to her room. She looked at them with worry etched on her face.

"Angel locked me out. She won't open the door or even answer. I'm starting to really worry."

"We could ask the owner for a spare key," Gladio suggested.

"As long as we don't drag the owner into our affairs," Ignis said. They watched the bespectacled man leave and go to the front desk where an elderly man was. "Pardon me, but our friend seems to have locked herself out of her room. Might you open her door for her?"

The man smiled. "No problem, I have the master key to open all the rooms." The motel owner followed Ignis to where the others were. He stuck the key in the door's lock and turned it, causing it to click in response. He opened the door slightly. "There. You kids be careful with your keys now."

As soon as the man left, everyone piled inside. The room was dark and Angelica lay curled up on her bed, her back to them. Her phone was beside her, playing some music, though it was low and they couldn't hear it well. The redhead covered her ears with her hands and tried to force back her tears. She heard everyone's footsteps as they entered. Noctis took a step forward.

"Angel, we wanna tal-"

"Go away!" she shouted. "I don't want company!"

Ignis narrowed his eyes, immediately understanding what she was doing. He looked to the others. "Please, leave us," he quietly told them. "Let me handle this."

His companions looked to one another before nodding. They all slowly left the room. It grew quiet and Ignis's eyes focused on the girl. He flipped the switch on the wall, turning on the lights. Angelica visibly flinched. Ignis spied an empty chip bag and cracker wrapping on the table next to her bed. He slowly walked toward her, the song playing on her phone becoming clearer.

This is the song, by the way. It's called "Monster" and is by Imagine Dragons. I wanted to implement this song because it describes Angel's feelings perfectly (and because I love music, if that isn't obvious). Feel free to listen to it if you like.

"Angel."

"Leave me alone, please," she begged, her voice cracking. "Go away before I..."

"Before you hurt me?" Ignis chuckled. "I'm certain I'm safe." He seated himself on the edge of the bed next to her. Her silence caused him to sigh. "You can't lock Iris out of her own room, you know."

"But..." she muttered. "It's better if she stays away. I don't want to hurt her too."

Ignis reached out, placing a hand on her arm. "Angel, you won't attack any of us without reason. I know what this is about. You think you're a danger to us, and that isolating yourself will keep us safe from harm."

Angelica's teary eyes widened. He was spot on, as always. "I'm... I'm so sorry, Ignis. I didn't mean to attack you." She slowly sat up and turned to face him. "But what if I attack again? I don't want to hurt any of you."

A gentle smile graced the advisor's lips. "I know you better than that. The only reason you lashed out was because I was an obstacle between you and your target. Truthfully, I knew of the consequences, but I risked it anyway. I'm to blame just as much as you are."

"It's more than that though," the redhead argued. "It's all repeating. It's happening all over again." She clutched her head.

Ignis leaned closer, placing his hands over hers and removing them from her head. "Whatever do you mean?"

"It's just like when I was little," she explained. "My mind clouded - I couldn't think straight. It's like all I could think of was slaughtering my enemy. But when that happens, it's suddenly difficult to distinguish friend from foe. I just... react, and because of that, I end up hurting someone by accident." She thought back on her kindergarten days when she injured another kid without meaning to. "I thought I had gotten past this ages ago."

Stray tears leaked from her eyes. Ignis was quick to wipe them away before taking hold of her face and locking onto her deep blue eyes. "Listen to me, I understand, more than you may know. And I promise you that I will do all in my power to keep this from repeating. If your mind should grow hazy, I shall be there to stop you from doing anything you'll regret."

Angelica stared at him with astonishment. "Even if it means being injured in my onslaught?"

Ignis chuckled at her. "You should have more faith in yourself. I doubt it'll ever come to that. Trust in us, Angelica. Trust in me."

Angelica slowly nodded, and the man released her. She turned the music off. "I'm still really sorry about that, Ignis." She pointed to his cheek.

He smiled. "Merely a small cut. Nothing to be concerned about, darling."

Angelica bit her lower lip. "Still, I wish I could undo it. But I guess..." She shifted and leaned forward, swiftly and gently planting her lips on his cheek, right over the cut. She was quick to pull back, averting her eyes shyly. "That'll have to do."

Ignis was stunned by her boldness, but he was quickly smiling softly once more. "All is forgiven, darling."

"If you don't mind, I'd like to get some rest," the girl said. Ignis stood and headed for the door. "Thanks, Ignis." The man paused, looking back at her. "I really enjoy our talks."

He smiled in return. "As do I. Have a good night, Angel."

He left the room. Once on the other side of the door, Ignis looked back toward the room. With a smile plastered on his face, he lightly traced his fingers over the cut, feeling the exact place her lips had touched. He definitely hadn't expected a kiss of any kind from her. The master tactician had been caught off guard. But that confirmed one thing - that Angelica was returning his subtle affections.

He walked over to the next room and went inside, seeing his friends all sitting around. Noctis immediately rose to his feet. "She okay?"

"She's doing fine," he replied. "And Iris, you may join her now, if you like."

Iris nodded. "I will. Night, guys."

The brunette left the room to return to her own. "So, what all had her so bummed?" Prompto asked.

Ignis pushed up his glasses. "As I presumed, she was worried she'd end up bringing harm to us, much like she did as a child."

"Ah, like the whole 'breaking a kid's arm' incident," Prompto said.

"Yes, but I talked with her and told her she had nothing to worry about," Ignis explained. "I trust in her. Plus, we owe it to Miss Valerie to aid her daughter now, when she needs us."

"Got that right," Noctis agreed without hesitation.

Gladio chuckled and crossed his arms. "You've sure got a way with assassins, Iggy. Or at least THAT assassin."

Prompto snickered. "I'll say. Seems like Iggy's the only one who can get Angel into a talkative mood."

"You two do seem to have a mutual understanding that even I don't get," Noctis pointed out.

Ignis had a faint smile as he took a seat. "Yes, it does appear that way, doesn't it?"

The advisor certainly wasn't denying it. He knew he had a special connection to Angelica. The way he understood her so well was proof of that. Not only that, he enjoyed her company, no matter the circumstances. He thought back on the promise they all made to Valerie years ago - the promise to watch out for Angelica and keep her on the right path in life.

Ignis now took that promise to heart, knowing Angelica needed them to keep her from falling into her own inner darkness. And he would hate to ever learn that the girl he'd fallen in love with became lost amongst the darkness slowly blanketing their Star. Truthfully, it seemed like Ignis had as much of a duty to her as he did to Noctis. He only hoped that their bonds would be enough to keep Angelica on the path of light, and walking right by his side.