(open) i don't know how to word it

[flatteries]

Who: Inigo and you!
When: Fiddlesticks 27
Where: Sleeper carriages, luggage carriage
What: Inigo loses a boyfriend.
Warnings: None, just a very sad Inigo.

( scenario a - sleeper carriages )

Maybe you've already noticed it, but something about Inigo today seems.. off. Or at least, extra off, considering Inigo has already seemed to be acting more strangely than usually the past few days, especially since the day of the party.

But today? Today things have seemed to reach a fever pitch. Maybe you're worried enough to go check up on him, in which case you might find the guy in one of the hallways of the sleeper carriages, near his room. If you bother to ask him what's up though, he'll just laugh.

"What? No, I'm fine! Of course I'm fine, what could po--"

That's the exact moment he turns to head into his room to try and hide from this conversation, only to forget to scan his ticket. Which means he's just walking head-first into the door, causing him to topple over to the ground.

It's fine. He's fine. This is fine.

( scenario b - luggage carriage )

Inigo is trying really hard to carry on as usually. Really, he is. Because that's just what he does. He's not someone who sits around and mopes. Sure, the circumstances here may be different than the ones back home, but old habits are hard to give up, and Inigo's oldest and most stubborn habit is definitely the thought running through his mind that he has to be okay. He has to be strong. So despite the moments where he slips up and seems off, he tries so hard to laugh. And joke. As if nothing is up.

As if he doesn't feel like his heart has been torn straight out of his body.

But it's so hard to keep it up all the time. At least the shower is a good place to cry, but when Inigo finds it occupied exactly at the moment he needs it, he quickly tries to look for another place. He knows nowhere on the train is safe to hide from everyone, but he figures the luggage carriage is at least the furthest out of the way. It's the only option right now. It's either that, or crying in the middle of the train.

Which is why if you happen to be in the luggage carriage - or went looking for him everywhere only to end up here - you may find Inigo sitting on top of some suitcases. His knees are drawn up to his chest, and although that makes it impossible to see his face from the current angle, the telltale sounds of sobs are probably all anyone needs to see what's going on here.

Comments

[flatteries]

Honestly, sometimes looking at Prompto is like looking into a mirror. A weird, weird blonde mirror. Inigo is pretty sure he looks the exact same way when he cries. Like he's some sort of dumb oversized baby. At least it means he's not going to judge Prompto for this at all - it'd be hypocritical of him.

And he's here to comfort Prompto, after all. Not make him feel worse. So Inigo doesn't poke fun at him for Prompto's obvious lie - instead he just quietly lets the other curl against him, hoping it might relax Prompto some.

Thankfully Inigo's thoughts are dragged right back to Prompto's circumstances before the quiet can let them wander too far off back to his own. Although what Prompto is saying.. is unexpected. Is he seriously about to tell him something he hasn't even told one of his friends from back home? Is he really worthy of that level of trust? Or is it maybe just because it's easier to tell it to someone uninvolved?

Either way, Inigo listens. And then frowns a little, though not angrily. More just thoughtfully.

"What do you mean, a traitor?" Inigo knows what traitors are, of course! It's just such an odd word to use in combination with Prompto of all people. "Prompto, I'm pretty sure you couldn't betray a single gullible puppy, let alone actual people."

[bethereprompto]

Prompto was quiet a couple moments as he tried to find the right words. It was so difficult when Inigo didn't know so much of the background that was needed to understand just how bad Prompto's origin was.

"The kingdom of Lucis is where Noct, Gladio, and Iggy are from. It was the only remaining nation not under the empire of Niflheim's control. There was a big mess with attempting a treaty but that turned out to be a trick and well.. the kingdom fell. We've been on the run. The thing is, the empire has these soldiers.. they're called Magitek. They're not, uh, like 'real' people? They're clones and like they were made in lab and not, you know, born like a regular person. They're just mindless drones. A- And really ugly.."

He had to take a second to keep from breaking down again. He peeled back his glove to reveal a series of black numbers. "I found out I was one of them." He lifted his head and looked at Inigo. "I'm not.. I'm not from Lucis and I'm not 'real'. All the clones have these on their wrist. I'm the same thing that is trying to kill us."

[flatteries]

The story isn't too hard to follow. The fall of kingdoms is a topic that's pretty familiar to Inigo, and while his world obviously doesn't have anything like lab clones, the description makes him think slightly of the Risen. Except the things Prompto is describing clearly weren't human from the very start.

But then Prompto continues. And there's the numbers. Inigo meets Prompto's gaze for another moment when the other looks at him before his gaze drops towards the numbers, staring at them. At least it explains why Prompto seems to be wearing a glove all the time, rather than it just being a unique fashion choice.

Though he's quiet for a moment, he speaks up again as he looks back up at the other's face. "Well, hold on a moment there. You say those things are ugly, but you're a pretty handsome guy! Not as handsome as me, obviously, but you're up there." He smiles, obviously trying to bring some levity into this conversation. Especially with how tense and worried Prompto seems. "And you may say some slightly dumb things at times, but calling yourself mindless would be calling you a disservice."

It kind of sounds like he's making light of it, but really, Inigo means well. After all, what he's just trying to say here is..

"I may not know much about your world, but.. I don't think a few numbers on your arm are going to determine who you are, Prompto. You are the one who's choosing what you are. You haven't betrayed anyone, right? You don't act like a mindless drone. You seem just like anyone else. Then who cares what you were at the start? What matters is who you are now."

[bethereprompto]

Prompto had to laugh. It was a watery almost pitiful kind of laugh, but it was there. "Well no one but Gladio is as handsome as you," he joked back. The gentle teasing that he says dumb things also brought a small giggle to the surface.

He wrapped his arms around Inigo and pressed his face against his shoulder. It felt amazing to be accepted so easily by a friend. Sometimes Gladio and Noct didn't really count since they were so biased. Someone else? It was special. "I'm so glad you're my friend. I know it sucks here sometimes, but I'm really lucky I got to meet you."

[flatteries]

Prompto isn't the only one who can use this hug.

Even though Inigo has already forced down his sadness and tears for the moment, of course the whole Yuki situation still hurts. It still feels so, so raw. But there's little Inigo enjoys more in life than hugs, and it feels so nice and comforting to have Prompto's arms around him right now.

So don't mind him is he just leans into it, his weight resting against Prompto. Just trying to enjoy the comfort the hug brings.

"Thank you for saying that." After all, Inigo doesn't believe anyone is ever very lucky to meet him..

But he'll try his best to accept his friend's words right now.

"I'm glad to have gotten to know you too. Let's see if we can stick around for a while more, huh..?"