Actually Prompto was. Because Gods knows Noct is all about that reckless life.]
It's okay. I know how you lose track of time when you're head is in the books
[Getting out of bed really didn't sound all that appealing. Especially when Prompto was there and he was warm. But someone had to make sure Ignis actually stopped and got some rest.]
[Ten minutes later the sound of footsteps can be heard as Noct carefully makes his way up the stairs, lantern swinging from one hand and a bottle of water in the other.]
[There are a lot of books and broken things strewn around the archives- Ignis just doesn't want Noct to trip and break his lantern.
Ignis is sitting all the way in the back, on top of the desk because there are no chairs around, stacks of books around him. He's holding his lantern directly above the book- otherwise he wouldn't be able to read.
He looks up when he hears a sound, and calls out.]
[His own lantern cast strange, gold shapes on the walls as he approaches, the woven metal handle make it easy to slip the unwieldy thing onto his forearm, leaving his hands free.
But he's careful not to step on anything or trip over a wayward book as he reaches the back of the room, sitting down the bottle of water to reach forward, gently taking the book Ignis currently holds out of his hands.]
You've been at this long enough, Iggy. It's time for a break.
[He's about to protest and ask Noct to return his book when his eyes fall on the bottle. That's not coffee. Ignis is slightly disappointed. And sad that there's no caffeine. But proud that Noct went through what he said.]
I just want us to be prepared and fully informed.
[And knowing Ignis, they won't just be prepared. But over prepared. And then some. Because Ignis doesn't do well with surprises. Always have a backup plan. Besides, he's dead. He doesn't have to sleep and rest... right?]
[You are definitely not getting that book back, Ignis. In fact, it's already been closed - but he did carefully mark which page you were on, because he knows you. First thing tomorrow you're going to be right back at it.
And he's about to say something, point out that in order for them to really be prepared they're going to need Ignis to not be sleep deprived.
Until he mentions the cut currently cross his cheek and he realizes that it had probably been pretty visible when he had turned to put the book away.]
[Ignis raises his hand to Noct's cheek, but dares not touch the wound. His hands are dusty and dirty from going through so many books by now, he doesn't want to infect it.
He sighs and gives his best to squash this insanely tight feeling of fear in his chest. Yeah, it's just a cut, Noct can handle it. He can handle way more, Ignis knows that. And yet, here they are, both dead and something is still trying to go after them.]
I'll still see to it when we return. We don't want it to get infected.
[No nagging, just a small reminder that sounds like it.]
[There's a soft pang of disappointment when the touch doesn't connect, the anticipation of it dissipating slowly into nothing. He had cleaned it, along with the ones upon his hand and inner wrist where he had made to lift himself over before Prompto had managed to stop him.
But there was no arguing with Ignis. And honestly, without potions and their recovery only partially working, he really didn't feel like dealing with infected wounds either.]
There was this fence we came across while we were out exploring. I tried climbing over it but Prom stopped me. It had these signs. Warnings, I guess. We tried to take some pictures of it for you.
[He doesn't touch the one on Noct's cheek because it looks deep, but he proceeds to inspect the rest of Noct because, well, it's reflex by now. Despite what he's doing, he is really intently listening to what Noctis is telling him.]
A fence... A blockade stopping us from reaching the Lighthouse, [Ignis says softly, eyes scanning Noct's clothes for rips and finally settle on his hands. He takes his wrist to see it closer with lantern and, okay, it's not that bad. But he'll still clean it.]
Good thinking. [He's silent for a moment before he lifts his gaze from Noct's hand to his face.] Thank you for listening to Prompto. We ought to keep recklessness to a minimum.
[The rest of him is in surprisingly good condition, all things considered. Sure, his knee twinges a little bit from all of the hiking. And from Prompto tripping and dragging him down. But it could be far worse. His clothes are even still in shockingly in one piece. Who knew leather and cotton could be so durable.]
You should come with us next time. Maybe then we could find out what's on the other side. [Part of what had stopped them was not having Ignis there with them. Sure, the two could take care of themselves, but Noctis, at least, was used to fighting as four.
His fingers twist, bringing his hand around until they can interlink with Ignis', entirely unfazed by the dust and the dirt.] I told you I'd be careful. I'm not leaving you, Iggy. Not for anything.
[Ignis feels both wary of the thought of exploring further than the sign, but he also knows that just sitting around isn't going to be of any use to anyone.]
We'll have to be extremely careful and perhaps borrow a torch from Rastus. [Their lanterns are not going to be enough for this. Also, they shouldn't use them for those purposes either.
A warm tingle goes through him when Noctis links their hands. The words that leave his mouth leave Ignis short of breath and the grip on Noct's hand tightens lightly.]
[They could leave it to someone else. Just sit back and try to enjoy their after life here in the darkness. But that wasn't who any of them were.]
Sounds like a plan. [He really didn't like the thought of leaving their lanterns somewhere unattended either. But considering Prompto apparently still couldn't stay on his feet and he was, well, himself, it was probably for the best.
His fingers flex once, twice, before giving them a soft tug.]
[They will have to think of something how to keep their lanterns safe. Ignis is sure that most of "others" disappearances are because their lanterns got extinguished not because they were incapable.]
Once I figure out how to keep our lanterns safe, we go.
[The flexing fingers catch his attention and Ignis sighs. He's 23- why hasn't he still learned how to say 'no' to Noctis?]
Ah, very well. I will come back to these some other time, [he says and slips off the table, but not letting go of Noct's hand.]
[Because he looks up at you with those big, blue eyes and somehow makes it appear as though he's the most innocent thing on earth.
Also because he's your favorite. Don't tell Prompto. He has him convinced it's the eye thing.
Ignis stands and suddenly it's like Noctis forgets how to do everything. Even breathe. Because he hadn't realized just how close he had been, and now that space between them is completely gone.]
Come on, Specs - [Was he speaking? He's pretty sure he's speaking.] - I'm way more interesting than any of these books.
[The eyes definitively make things a lot harder (Ignis will never completely admit that he's utterly weak to that stare).
Ignis notes the pause in Noct's movements and suddenly the air is not heavy from the dust and mold and lingering darkness, but of something unspoken. Buried, perhaps, a long time ago. Never spoken about.]
That you are, [Ignis easily agrees, not even thinking about what he said. The scary thought, however, is that he's not lying.] Especially when you're up to something... [Ignis says slowly. He can't see Noct properly, just the shimmer of his skin and shadow of his figure. But he knows he's very close.
And neither is stepping away, for some "unknown" reason.]
[He's doing it right now. Looking up at you with those pure blue eyes, sparking with mischief and the knowledge that he's probably about to get everything he wants.
That's how this worked. Noctis would want something he shouldn't have, and all he'd ever had to do was bat his eyes a few times at Ignis and he would move heaven and earth to make it happen.
But more and more he was beginning to realize that he didn't want something from Ignis. No, he what he wanted was Ignis. Someone who had sacrificed his very life for him. What more could he ever honestly ask for?
So he didn't move away. And he knew exactly why he didn't.]
You caught me. Now what are you going to do with me?
[That's how it worked. That's how Ignis always ended up being reprimanded for indulging Noct way too much. And yet, he couldn't say no to him no matter what anyone said. Is he his weakness? Most likely. He tries to convince himself that he isn't but the facts prove it differently.
Ignis "caught" him... and yet it was Noctis who entwined their fingers, holding tightly. Not letting go, not stepping away. Ignis briefly wonders if his heart is going to burst out of his ribcage. Because he's reading too much into this... right? Noct can't possibly mean-]
Take you... back...
[The answer doesn't match what Ignis is doing. He's literally not moving, except tilting his head down slightly- just to see his face more clearly, Ignis tries to convince himself, but that's just a lie.]
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A while? I must've lost track of time
[It happens when there's eternal darkness around you.]
Would you like me to rejoin you? Or do you want to have a walk and join me?
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Actually Prompto was. Because Gods knows Noct is all about that reckless life.]
It's okay. I know how you lose track of time when you're head is in the books
[Getting out of bed really didn't sound all that appealing. Especially when Prompto was there and he was warm. But someone had to make sure Ignis actually stopped and got some rest.]
I'll come to you
Give me fifteen
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You know me so well ^^
Could you bring me a cup of coffee since you're coming this way?
[He's thirsty and his eyes sting. Coffee is an obvious solution.]
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It's late
You do not need more coffee
[He's bringing you water.]
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The concept of time is not that relevant here, in any case, what with all the night time
[Don't keep the coffee away!]
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It's okay, we'll get you through this coffee addiction
[Too late. He already left.]
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[Said every addict ever]
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I suppose we all have our vices...
I am on the second floor of the Archives. Mind your step.
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I think we need to find you a new one
Yes Sir
[Ten minutes later the sound of footsteps can be heard as Noct carefully makes his way up the stairs, lantern swinging from one hand and a bottle of water in the other.]
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Ignis is sitting all the way in the back, on top of the desk because there are no chairs around, stacks of books around him. He's holding his lantern directly above the book- otherwise he wouldn't be able to read.
He looks up when he hears a sound, and calls out.]
Noct?
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But he's careful not to step on anything or trip over a wayward book as he reaches the back of the room, sitting down the bottle of water to reach forward, gently taking the book Ignis currently holds out of his hands.]
You've been at this long enough, Iggy. It's time for a break.
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I just want us to be prepared and fully informed.
[And knowing Ignis, they won't just be prepared. But over prepared. And then some. Because Ignis doesn't do well with surprises. Always have a backup plan.
Besides, he's dead. He doesn't have to sleep and rest... right?]
...is that a cut on your cheek? What happened?
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And he's about to say something, point out that in order for them to really be prepared they're going to need Ignis to not be sleep deprived.
Until he mentions the cut currently cross his cheek and he realizes that it had probably been pretty visible when he had turned to put the book away.]
I'm fine, Iggy. They're just a few cuts.
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He sighs and gives his best to squash this insanely tight feeling of fear in his chest. Yeah, it's just a cut, Noct can handle it. He can handle way more, Ignis knows that. And yet, here they are, both dead and something is still trying to go after them.]
I'll still see to it when we return. We don't want it to get infected.
[No nagging, just a small reminder that sounds like it.]
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But there was no arguing with Ignis. And honestly, without potions and their recovery only partially working, he really didn't feel like dealing with infected wounds either.]
There was this fence we came across while we were out exploring. I tried climbing over it but Prom stopped me. It had these signs. Warnings, I guess. We tried to take some pictures of it for you.
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A fence... A blockade stopping us from reaching the Lighthouse, [Ignis says softly, eyes scanning Noct's clothes for rips and finally settle on his hands. He takes his wrist to see it closer with lantern and, okay, it's not that bad. But he'll still clean it.]
Good thinking. [He's silent for a moment before he lifts his gaze from Noct's hand to his face.] Thank you for listening to Prompto. We ought to keep recklessness to a minimum.
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You should come with us next time. Maybe then we could find out what's on the other side. [Part of what had stopped them was not having Ignis there with them. Sure, the two could take care of themselves, but Noctis, at least, was used to fighting as four.
His fingers twist, bringing his hand around until they can interlink with Ignis', entirely unfazed by the dust and the dirt.] I told you I'd be careful. I'm not leaving you, Iggy. Not for anything.
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We'll have to be extremely careful and perhaps borrow a torch from Rastus. [Their lanterns are not going to be enough for this. Also, they shouldn't use them for those purposes either.
A warm tingle goes through him when Noctis links their hands. The words that leave his mouth leave Ignis short of breath and the grip on Noct's hand tightens lightly.]
Neither will I...
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Sounds like a plan. [He really didn't like the thought of leaving their lanterns somewhere unattended either. But considering Prompto apparently still couldn't stay on his feet and he was, well, himself, it was probably for the best.
His fingers flex once, twice, before giving them a soft tug.]
Come back with me?
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Once I figure out how to keep our lanterns safe, we go.
[The flexing fingers catch his attention and Ignis sighs. He's 23- why hasn't he still learned how to say 'no' to Noctis?]
Ah, very well. I will come back to these some other time, [he says and slips off the table, but not letting go of Noct's hand.]
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Also because he's your favorite. Don't tell Prompto. He has him convinced it's the eye thing.
Ignis stands and suddenly it's like Noctis forgets how to do everything. Even breathe. Because he hadn't realized just how close he had been, and now that space between them is completely gone.]
Come on, Specs - [Was he speaking? He's pretty sure he's speaking.] - I'm way more interesting than any of these books.
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Ignis notes the pause in Noct's movements and suddenly the air is not heavy from the dust and mold and lingering darkness, but of something unspoken. Buried, perhaps, a long time ago. Never spoken about.]
That you are, [Ignis easily agrees, not even thinking about what he said. The scary thought, however, is that he's not lying.] Especially when you're up to something... [Ignis says slowly. He can't see Noct properly, just the shimmer of his skin and shadow of his figure. But he knows he's very close.
And neither is stepping away, for some "unknown" reason.]
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That's how this worked. Noctis would want something he shouldn't have, and all he'd ever had to do was bat his eyes a few times at Ignis and he would move heaven and earth to make it happen.
But more and more he was beginning to realize that he didn't want something from Ignis. No, he what he wanted was Ignis. Someone who had sacrificed his very life for him. What more could he ever honestly ask for?
So he didn't move away. And he knew exactly why he didn't.]
You caught me. Now what are you going to do with me?
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Ignis "caught" him... and yet it was Noctis who entwined their fingers, holding tightly. Not letting go, not stepping away. Ignis briefly wonders if his heart is going to burst out of his ribcage. Because he's reading too much into this... right? Noct can't possibly mean-]
Take you... back...
[The answer doesn't match what Ignis is doing. He's literally not moving, except tilting his head down slightly- just to see his face more clearly, Ignis tries to convince himself, but that's just a lie.]
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