Fireworks

The pair had been walking in silence for who knew how long before Edge finally stirred.

"Hey, let's take a break," It wasn't a suggestion. It was an acknowledgment that they probably were not going to get any further at this rate and an acknowledgment that they needed to rest.

At first, there had been purpose when the group split, Tyle grabbing ahold of Neko's hand in excitement already pulling her away as she shouted an excuse over her shoulder, 'We'll cover more ground if we split up! Meet you tonight at the hotel!!!' Ignaris had laughed, smiling fondly as the pair disappeared into the crowd, and Edge, though he was smirking, had cupped his hands around his mouth to holler 'Be careful!' and then they were off. Iggy's hand had reached up, clutching the large, calloused hand of his friend in his own much softer one. He barely needed to pull, he just walked, turning and leading as Edge followed, looking back over his shoulder as he spared one final thought to their younger companions

"They'll be fine, Edgelord, they might be gremlins but they are capable," Iggy had teased, his mouth curving into a small smile as he felt his friend's hand finally grip onto his and squeeze.

"Yeah, I know. I'm more worried for everyone else," Edge had explained as he fell in step beside Iggy, the crowd of people and sounds of festivity swallowing them as they too disappeared.

It had taken little detective work on their part when they had first arrived in the city, stepping out of an alley and into a bustling street earlier that morning, to put together there was a festival in town. For starters, it was hard to miss the massive parade, or the banners that hung from street lamps and shop windows advertising special holiday items, discounts, and the promise of fireworks after sundown. They had remained as one group long enough to find a hotel, book a couple of rooms, clean up, eat, and explore the streets for a good hour before Neko and Tyle's curiosity and excitement got the best of them and they were off.

The older boys had explored for a while, taking turns stopping at food trucks and in shops and among groups of people listening for anything that sounded 'odd' or 'suspicious', asking after a 'Friend' or multiple 'Friends' but after a while the two found themselves lost in their own heads. None of the gossip or conversations they overheard led them to suspect anything strange and there were no clues about Ophelia or Iggy and Tyle's friends. What they did hear was enough to piece together the nature of the festival they found themselves in the midst of: Love. A celebration of love, commitment, friendship, bonds. Couples were getting their portraits done by street artists, groups of friends were sharing massive themed sugary treats, and new families were holding up young children to better see the floats and sites as they passed by.

Iggy couldn't say when he turned off, watching with a mixture of warmth and melancholy as people celebrated and milled about. He thought of Subaru and of Iliya. He thought of the nights the three would sneak off of Heartstone Island into town and run rampant, hanging from street signs, eating themselves sick, and dancing until their legs felt weak and wobbly. He thought of his brother, Tadgh, and the times he went on quick missions with him to get more world experience. He thought of his other siblings, his friends, peers, who would tease him and in turn be teased back until play turned into ferocious wars trying to outdo each other in pranks. He squeezed Edge's hand when he felt his heart begin to clench and was reassured by the answering squeeze of his friend.

It was near sundown when Iggy was pulled from the depths of his thoughts by Edge's voice. Quiet, but firm, and allowed himself to be guided away from the crowds and onto the stone footbridge that overlooked the town square and the ocean that lay just behind it. There were few people around now, despite the prime location for viewing the show of fireworks that would soon be happening. Everyone was gathered together, the two could see the crowds from where they stood above looking out.

Finally, for what was probably the first time since Ignaris had first linked their hands, they let go of each other. Iggy stepped up against the solid stone railing and looked out. Beside him Edge stretched, ran tired hands through his hair, and then draped himself against the railing as well.

"Do you think they were able to find anything?" Edge finally asked and Iggy shrugged in response, quirking a distracted smile "Knowing them? Probably."

Edge chuckled but said nothing and the pair were once again enveloped in silence. It was an easy, comfortable silence of two people who might not always know what to say, or what to do - but of two people who trusted in the support of the other. They stared out at the sea of people below as the sun gradually set behind them. At some point, Iggy felt Edge's arm curl around his shoulders and he leaned into his friend's side.

"They're really cute," Edge spoke up, breaking the silence that hung between them yet again.

It took a moment for Iggy to see what had caught his friend's eye. Not too far from the square, perched on the roof of a shop were Neko and Tyle. They seemed to be in the middle of animated conversation, food in their hands as they gestured wildly and kept looking up into the sky as they eagerly waited for the fireworks.

"Yeah, it's sweet," Iggy sighed, a smile curling his lips. He rested his chin in the palm of his hand, elbow propped up against the stone rail. His smile widened a little when a cool breeze blew by causing Tyle to hastily remove his jacket to put around Neko's shoulders.

Silence fell again between them, but something unspoken was hanging in the air. Iggy could feel it in the way Edge's muscles tensed as he considered what he was thinking. He pressed up against Edge's side more, giving his friend a playful nudge. "What'cha thinkin' about, Edgelord?"

The teasing tone brought Edge back and he smiled, glancing at Iggy then looking away, "Okay, promise not to laugh if I say something?"

Iggy couldn't hide the grin that spread across his features as he leaned in closer, turning his body in towards Edge's at the promise of something juicy. "Why, I would never laugh at you. What is it?"

"Yeah, you know what Bunny, never mind," Edge laughed after taking one look at the excited, shit-eating grin on Ignaris' face.

"Oh come on now, you can't leave me hanging! Now I'm curious!" Iggy insisted and Edge stubbornly shrugged his shoulders.

"Sorry, mood's ruined," Edge responded.

"If you don't tell me I'm just going to start guessing until I get it. I'm *very* good at puzzles, Edgelord." Iggy reminded, straightening his back to stand tall.

"Oh my god," Edge groaned, a smile tugging his lips as he struggled to keep up the act of being fed up. "Alright, alright, I'll tell you," he sighed, then laughed again when Iggy hunched back down and stared at him with wide, curious eyes.

"It's...dumb," Edge began, turning his eyes back out ahead again looking either at the crowd, or the sea, or maybe the sky. "I'm kind of jealous of them. I mean, I'm obviously happy for them. I just...I wish I had that."

Iggy's smile faded as he listened. Despite Edge's size and strength, he looked so vulnerable in this moment.

"I wish I had someone I could just be myself with. Someone I don't have to act tough for. Someone I could hold, someone who could hold me, and...you know, maybe kiss a little." Edge continued, staring ahead and grateful that the street lamps were not yet on- and the blush he was sure was there - couldn't be seen.

When the silence stretched on longer than he could stand Edge glanced towards his friend and saw that he was also staring out. The cheshire cat smile went from his face replaced with something more thoughtful.

"Hey Edgelord, if I tell you something do you promise not to laugh?"

Edge was caught off guard by the question, by the serious expression contradicting the playful tone, "Y-yeah, of course I won't laugh."

Ignaris watched as the pair on the roof settled down as Tyle's arm shyly circled around Neko's shoulders to hold her closer and the way that she curled up against him staring up at the sky as darkness fell around them. He thought of how easy their affections were with each other. How even with shy actions they were open and sure in each other and in what they had. It made his heart clench again and drew a quiet laugh from him.

"I'm a little jealous too," He whispered.

Edge stared in shock, then caught himself and quickly looked away and tightened his arm around Iggy's shoulders.

"I lived on an island. There weren't really a lot of people, just my mentor, Su and the others," Iggy trailed off, doubling down on himself and focusing on the weight of Edge's arm on his shoulders to ground him. "They're great, don't get me wrong, but they're family - you know? I didn't really get exposed to a lot of other people, so I begged Nova to train me so that I could be a keyblade master too. So I could leave the island whenever I wanted, see new places, meet new people...maybe...maybe meet a guy, fall in love, go on adventures...live happily ever after, you know?" He laughed again, nervously, "I read a lot of books," as his shy explanation.

Iggy felt himself pulled in closer, tucked safely into his friend's side. It was so easy to lean in, to press his cheek against Edge's shoulder. It had been easy ever since that one night when he surfaced from the horrors of his dreams to find himself tightly wrapped in Edge's strong arms as he whispered 'I've got you. It's going to be okay, I've got you.'

It took Edge a moment to find words. His own heart clenched with an emotion he couldn't quite put his finger on. "You'll find your happily ever after. This isn't going to be forever. We're going to put things right and then you'll be free to go have your adventure. Find someone who you fall in love with, someone who loves you back."

Iggy smiled a little and curled his arm around Edge's middle and squeezed him as tight as he could, "You'll find that too, you know." He said. "You'll meet someone you don't have to pretend with, someone who you can feel safe with when you need to take the weight of the world off your shoulders," He squeezed Edge again and winked at him, "Someone who will treat you like the prince you are, and maybe even kiss you a little."

If Edge knew what to say to that he never got to speak it. A high whistling filled the air putting them both on edge for a brief moment before an explosion of brightly colored lights filled the air. They looked out as fireworks filled the sky illuminating the world in a captivating display of yellows, reds, blues, pinks, and purples.

Despite the beauty of the fireworks and the awe at experiencing his first show, Iggy found himself unable to keep his eyes off Edge for long. The way the color danced across his features and made his eyes glitter like liquid gold was far more breathtaking a sight. Reluctantly, he forced himself to look away before his friend could feel him staring. He stared at the fireworks, wishing with everything within his heart, that he was that person for Edge.