Chapter Text
You sat at your desk typing away at an email you had been meaning to send to your boss. It was getting colder out and you wanted to request a small space heater to keep you warm. Sitting at a desk near the front entrance to the building was always a little chilly. You cursed yourself for not thinking to bring a warmer jacket or even a pair of mittens.
You shivered as someone entered the building, a gust of cold wind filled the room, but the cold didn’t last long as the smile of the adorable man warmed your heart. It was the new guitar teacher, Prompto. He had only been working at the music school for a few months but the two of you became fast friends once you learned of each other’s love for video games and nerd things in general.
“Heya, Y/N!” He waved as he wiped his shoes on the mat. “Brrr! It’s getting so cold! How are you sitting there with just a sweater?”
You look down at what you’re wearing. It wasn’t exactly a warm outfit by any means. A thin pair of leggings, a loose T-shirt, a black hoodie, and a pair of fuzzy moogle slippers you liked to keep at work. “I don’t know,” you sighed, rubbing your chilled hands together in an attempt to warm them up. “I’m just about to email the main office for a space heater to keep me warm.”
“At least you have those slippers. Look at how cute they are!!” Prompto excitedly pointed at your slippers once he rounded your desk and placed a coffee on your desk. “You gotta tell me where you got those. I need to get some for my boyfriend.”
“I’ll send you the link once I’m done writing this email,” you smiled at him. “Thanks for the coffee, by the way.”
“Hey, no problem. Iggy gave me a gift card for the coffee place across the way,” he explained. “Kind of a ‘congrats on getting a real job’ kind of gift.”
“Who is Iggy, again?” You take a sip of your coffee, taking a moment to appreciate how the cup warmed the icicles you called fingers. Your question, of course, was a lie. You knew who Ignis was. In your opinion, he was the most attractive out of all of Prompto’s friends. There were some nights where you caught yourself staring at the man on Prompto’s photography instagram account. He was a popular subject for the young blond. “You’ve mentioned him but I can’t remember which one he is. Is that your boyfriend?”
“Nah, just a friend. He’s the guy with glasses in my profile pic on Mogbook,” Prompto took out his phone and showed you his profile picture. How he managed to find not one but three super attractive friends, you’ll never understand. “See the guy on the far right? That’s Ignis.”
“He’s cute,” you comment nonchalantly, hiding your face in the coffee as you take a sip. You weren’t the most suave individual on the planet but you figured you could fool Prompto into thinking you weren’t a touch starved dork and very horny for the opposite sex or just about anyone who would give you the time of day.
“Cute? Uh, I think you mean super hot ,” Prompto corrected you as he zoomed in on Ignis’s face and urged his phone closer to you. “I don’t think you got a good enough look. You need to appreciate those cheekbones.” Oh, you’ve definitely appreciated them.
“If he’s so ‘super hot’, then why didn’t you go for him?” You asked, finally starting to feel warm after your third large gulp of coffee, burned taste buds be damned. “Does he have a boyfriend?” You hoped you were being chill, metaphorically, and that your new friend couldn’t tell you were secretly pressing him for information. At least with your last question you’d know if he was even interested in women and/or if he was taken.
“Eh, he might be hot but he’s not my type,” Prompto shrugged.
“Ah, so he rejected you. I get it, I get it,” you smirked with a teasing eyebrow wiggle.
“Pffft, I’m serious!” Prompto pouted at your accusation. “I’ve never asked. He’s not into dudes.”
Aha. There is it , you thought.
“You poor soul.”
“Your pity is not needed. I have Noct,” Prompto shrugged with the most adorable smile you’d ever seen. You’d be lying if you said you didn’t think about boning the freckled ray of sunshine when you first met him. But your flirting was short-lived when it was met with genuine feelings of friendship and stories about his boyfriend, much to your disappointment at the time. You’ve since gotten over it and very much welcome Prompto’s company as one of your closer friends. “Anyway, I gotta get ready. My first lesson is in five minutes!”
Prompto smiled again before gliding into his room to set up his equipment. You smiled to yourself as you turned back to the email you had pushed to the wayside in favour of your sunshine boy. A warmth flowed through you but not from the coffee.
“There’s a very small chance, then,” you mumbled to yourself, your smile growing wider.
-
“Just you and me, huh?” Prompto smiled as he leaned against your desk. It was the end of the day. The rest of the teachers had finished up their last lessons and headed home. The freckled man stretched with a sigh, “I guess my last student is a no show today. Better call my ride.”
“I thought you took the bus?” You cocked your head. “Unless your boyfriend is picking you up.”
“Nah, one of the other guys said they’d pick me up today. We’re having a movie night!” He beamed.
“That sounds fun,” you smiled. “What kind of movie?”
“Really terrible B movies.”
“Ooou, invite me over if you end up watching Troll 2 or The Room!” You laughed.
“Ooh, totally!!” He laughed. “Okay, imma go get my stuff ready before they get here.” Prompto rushed off into his lesson room.
You were just finishing up your paperwork for the end of the day when the door opened. You shivered again but put on a happy face as a man walked in. “Welcome!” You chided happily. You got a better look at the man and recognized him as Prompto’s friend Ignis.
Geez, he was much more handsome in person, and that’s saying something. He was always incredibly attractive in the photos. You squirmed in your seat, feeling unworthy of being in his presence and wildly underdressed. He wasn’t wearing anything too fancy, a black peacoat and dress pants, but he wore it so well.
“Good evening,” he smiled at you. Fuck, he has an accent. It’s a good thing your cheeks were already red from being cold or you’d never be able to live down how hard you immediately blushed at the sound of his voice. “I’m looking for Prompto Argentum.”
You stay quiet for a moment as you count the adorable beauty marks that littered his face. One...two...three...four...five... “Uh!” You snap out of it and pretend to do something on your computer. “Y-yeah, Prompto’s here. He’s just getting ready to leave. You can feel free to sit in any of the chairs and wait for him.”
“Thank you but I’m perfectly fine waiting right here,” he smiled again, softer this time, as he took off his leather gloves. Suddenly the room was very warm. Uncomfortably warm. Wasn’t it cold a moment ago? What’s happening?
His voice brought you back to reality. He just asked you a question. What was it? How long have you what? Uh oh. “Sorry, could you repeat that?” You laughed nervously. You were totally blowing it and you didn’t even know what it was.
“How long have you been working here?” He repeated softly. His voice was like velvet. You could listen to him talk nonsense all day and never grow tired of it.
“Oh, I’ve been here for a couple years. It’s great!” You smiled brightly. “It’s a really chill place.”
“That’s wonderful. Prompto has spoken quite highly of this establishment,” he looked around. “He loves the relaxed atmosphere, the music, and your company.”
“Oh no, he talks about me?” You sucked in a sharp breath with a wince. “He probably says all I do is eat snacks and watch videos on my laptop.”
“Actually, he says he enjoys looking at your drawings and is fascinated by the fact that you’re always writing something,” Ignis turned back to you and you averted your gaze, embarrassed.
“Aha, yeah, I write a lot,” you took out your little sketchbook and pens from the small pile next to you and showed them to Ignis. “Whenever I have time I’ll do some silly doodles, too.”
“I’d love to take a look, if it’s not too much to ask.”
His request took you by surprise and you nearly dropped your sketchbook. You fumbled with the little book and looked up at Ignis. He was looking back at you with a warm smile and you couldn’t help but wonder what an attractive man like him was doing having a conversation with you, a self proclaimed lump that looked more and more like her couch by the day. You weren’t even wearing any makeup and the realisation made you want to die.
You opened your mouth to say something but before you could answer him, Prompto walked into the room. You brought your sketchbook close to your chest. “Maybe another time,” you said quietly.
“Hey Igster!” Prompto waved at his friend before motioning to you. “This is my friend Y/N.”
“Yes, we were having a lovely conversation,” Ignis nodded before extending his hand to you. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Y/N. My name is Ignis Scientia.”
You reached out to take his hand before your brain could catch up. His hand was so warm. “Good to know yah!” You blurted like an absolute dork. Never before had you wanted to spontaneously combust as much as you did in that moment.
“Goodness,” Ignis gasped lightly, placing his other hand on top of yours. “Your hand is freezing.”
“Oh, uh, yeah,” you laugh nervously, making a small motion to take your hand back but Ignis didn't budge. “It gets cold in here and I didn’t bring any mitts.”
“That’s quite unfortunate,” Ignis frowned.
“It’s fine,” you wiggled your hand out of his grasp and brought it close to you, averting his gaze. “I’ve emailed head office and they’re going to send me a little space heater to keep me warm.”
“If you’re sure.” Ignis still seemed concerned.
“She’s fiiiine,” Prompto waved his hands around in an exaggerated manner before urging Ignis to the door. “Bye Y/N! See you tomorrow!”
“Bye Prom!” You waved.
Ignis turned to you with a small wave as he was being dragged out of the building. “It was nice meeting you! Take care,” he called.
“You as well,” you smiled, continuing to wave goodbye to the boys. Once you were sure they were gone, you fell into your chair, letting out a breath you hadn’t realised you were holding in. You had made a complete fool of yourself and that little chance you had was gone, you were sure of it.
Not five minutes after they were gone you get a text from Prompto.
Sunshine Boy:
“See? What did I tell yah? Hawt as all hell, babbeyyy :fire emoji:”
You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help the wide smile that crept its way to the corners of your mouth.
Y/N:
“How dare you catch me off guard by having your gorgeous friend chat me up.”
Sunshine Boy:
“Oh, so he’s gorgeous now???”
Y/N:
“Hey, you were the one who wouldn’t stop talking about his cheekbones :shrug emoji:”
Sunshine Boy:
“True. True :nodding emoji:”
-
A week had passed since Ignis had seen you at the music school and, to his surprise, could not stop thinking about your brief encounter. It was so simple and pleasant.
The moment he walked into the building he was graced with an adorable voice and a bright smile. At first glance, you were an average citizen. No makeup, average clothes, average job, but a pleasant disposition he found very refreshing over the stuffy people he had to deal with at work every day. Perhaps talking to you would continue the refreshing feeling, he thought.
The way you stared at his face in awe stirred something in the advisor. How your eyes widened in embarrassment and began tapping away at your keyboard, it was very cute.
He had heard about you before when Prompto would talk about his new job. You were the cute receptionist in the stories that would be writing and drawing for no other reason than you enjoyed it. “Dude, I’m pretty sure she’s written a novel or two and I’ve only been there for, like, a couple months,” Prompto said one day. Ignis was curious as to what you were actually writing.
When you showcased a little sketchbook, Ignis immediately wanted to see the contents. Without thinking, he asked you to take a look, and hoped that request wouldn’t scare you away.
He needed to see you again so he offered to drive Prompto to work and pick him up later for their terrible B movie night.
“Hey, thanks for helping me carry my stuff inside, Iggy!” Prompto smiled as they entered the building.
“It’s no trouble, Prompto,” Iggy smiled at his younger friend.
There was no immediate welcome from you so Ignis glanced in the direction of your desk. You weren’t alone. Accompanying you at your desk was a small child, a little boy around five years old was sitting in your lap as he watched something on your laptop. You were on the phone chatting with who Ignis assumed was a customer, phone in one hand and keeping the child steady in the other.
“Hey, kiddo, someone came through the door,” you told the kid as you leaned away from the phone. “Remember what you say when someone comes in?”
“Welcome!” The little boy blurted loudly.
“Welcome!” You laughed before you went back to your phone conversation. You made eye contact with Ignis and paused for a moment before smiling sweetly and gave him a small wave. That small flash of your teeth gave him butterflies.
“Come on, let’s put these things in my room!” Prompto urged as he attempted to lift his heavy amp. He gave up and opted to push it on the dinky little wheels it had, maneuvering around the patrons sitting in the chairs of the waiting room. “‘Scuse me, sorry!”
Ignis adjusted the strap of the guitar bag he had offered to carry before following the freckled teacher into his room, glancing at you as he passed your desk. The room was small, consisting of two chairs, a small desk with a computer, and whatever Prompto had decided to fill the room with. Band posters lined the walls, as well as posters of various games Prompto had an interest in.
“Sorry ‘bout the mess,” Prompto laughed nervously as he shuffled a few cords away with his foot. “Still getting the hang of looking professional but also keeping that ‘cool teacher’ vibe.”
“I’d say the mess contributes to that vibe,” Ignis sighed as he placed the guitar down against a chair.
“Y’think?”
“That doesn’t mean you shouldn't clean your room,” he pointed out.
“Yeah, because then I’ll be hearing about it from the big boss,” you snorted as you leaned against the doorframe. Ignis jumped at the sudden voice coming from beside him. You smiled up at him. Astrals, you were so much smaller than he was.
“Hey, Y/N,” Prompto smiled at you. “Did Leo get picked up?”
“Nah, he’s still watching cartoons at my desk,” you shook your head. “Just thought I’d say hi before the six o’clock rush of group class kids.”
“Riiiight,” Prompto nodded before sliding to the door and hugging you. “Well, hi!”
“Hi Prom,” you giggle, hugging him back. Ignis couldn’t help but stare at you. You were small but had a pleasantly plush frame. He felt a little jealous watching Prompto hug you and not have the pleasure of holding you himself. You let go of Prompto and looked up at Ignis. “And hello to you, too, stranger. Been a while, huh?”
“Indeed,” Ignis nodded. He followed you back to your desk where the child, Leo, was sitting in your chair. “Is this your child?”
You snorted loudly with a laugh. “No, no, no,” you shake your head. “He’s the little brother of a student that goes here. His mom doesn’t get a lot of time to go shopping so I watch him at my desk while her other kid is in lessons.”
“I see.” Ignis glanced over at the kid, who enthusiastically shouted ‘welcome’ to the patrons walking through the door. When his gaze fell back on you, he saw you rubbing your hands together. “Still no mittens?”
“Um,” you blush as Ignis reached out and placed his warm hands overtop of your frigid ones. “I don’t have an excuse this time. I just didn’t bring any.”
“Perhaps you should have designated work mittens?” He offered with a smile.
You laughed at the idea before a woman came rushing into the building with a couple grocery bags. “Right on time,” the woman huffed as a gaggle of children spilled out of the room housing the group classes. One of the children ran to her and hugged her leg. “Hi baby, did you have fun in class? One sec, I have to give these to Y/N.”
She shuffled over to your desk, placing the grocery bags, which you happily took. “Thanks so much for looking after Leo. I was able to get so much done!” The woman exclaimed as Leo hopped out of the chair and into his mother’s arms.
“It’s no problem. Thank you for getting me some food. My pantry was running dry,” you say to the woman.
“It’s the least I could do for your amazing babysitting service!” The woman laughed. “Have a great week!”
“Bye!” You waved as the family exited the building.
“Groceries?” Ignis questioned.
“She gets me a few essential groceries every week in exchange for looking after Leo for an hour,” you explained. “It’s a nice way to save money and know that I have at least something to munch on throughout the week.”
“Are you not being paid enough?” Ignis asked, tilting his head in concern.
“Ah, no, no, no!” you waved your hands frantically. “That’s not what I meant. I’m not going hungry or anything, I just, um, better to have food than money I’ll most likely spend on something dumb, aha.” You looked down at your moogle slippers, one of the dumb purchases you made. You don’t regret it.
“Indeed,” Ignis hummed. You felt like that was the perfect opportunity to have been insulted but there was nothing of the sort from the bespectacled man. You looked up from your slippers to find him smiling down at you. “I’m glad you’re not going hungry and that you’re making good culinary choices, unlike someone .”
“Are you talking smack about me?” Prompto peeked his head around the corner, bag of chips in his hand.
“You could do without all the snacks,” Ignis sighed. “If you want to keep all that weight off you’ll keep the snacking to a minimum.”
“Yeah, I know,” Prompto pouted, looking down at his chips sadly before slipping back into his room to start his lesson.
You sunk into yourself, crossing your arms over your plus figure. You weren’t incredibly large but you weren’t what the media liked, either. Ignis caught your uncomfortable glance. “Have I said something to upset you?”
“N-no, I just,” you paused to find your words. “You get a little sensitive about the subject of weight when people look at you funny, y’know?”
“That was not my intention,” Ignis spoke quickly, a blush dusting his cheeks. “Prompto has just been on a diet and I’m making sure he doesn’t stray from it. It was not a comment on anyone who is overweight. You’re a very attractive woman and--ah--” His blush grew when he let it slip that he found you attractive.
You blush along with him. It’s not everyday a man who is way out of your league says you’re pretty. “Oh wow, uh, thanks!” You smiled up at him. “You’re pretty cute, too. I like your beauty marks.”
Ignis was still processing how much of a buffoon he must have looked like in front of you to say anything. Instead, he decided staring at you was a better option. It was not. There was an awkward silence that made everyone involved uncomfortable. Even the patrons in the waiting room could feel it.
The awkward air was quelled when someone cleared their throat, “Y/N, I’d like to pay for this month’s lessons.”
“Oh!” You whip around and make your way back to your chair. “Sorry about that! How would you like to pay?”
Ignis took the opportunity to slip away into the small crowd of parents picking up their kids, avoiding all of the knowing smirks from some of the older patrons. He knew he made a fool of himself. He didn’t need old married women judging him on his flirting skills.
Once in his car, Ignis let his head fall into the steering wheel, uncaring of the loud honking noise accompanying his action.