[That smile was a rare, precious sight, and it causes one of his own to appear, lighting up his eyes in the dim firelight. But then they travel downwards, landing upon the offered hand and he hesitates for a long moment. For so long such things had been forbidden, something that they never would have been allowed. It still felt so strange to think that those restrictions were gone now.
All it takes is a deep breath to steady himself before he's linking their fingers together, squeezing once before dropping them down at his side.]
[For a moment, Ignis thought he might've overdone it with the offer, but there's a silent sigh of relief when Noctis accepts it. Entwining fingers with him makes warmth settle in his chest and honestly, this is the first time he felt at ease here.]
You are worth the wait.
[Is this flirting? Could be. But Ignis says it because he really thinks that. He leads the way from the bonfire down the small path at an easy pace- they are in no hurry.]
[This is definitely flirting. It has to be, right? They're on a date an they're flirting. This is fine. Everything is fine.]
Come on, Specs. Flattery will get you everywhere.
[Maybe they should have grabbed a torch, but his lantern does a pretty good job of illuminating the immediate path. It's nice and bright, if nothing else. He always knew that all of his sleeping would come in handy.]
[Now that gets a nice chuckle out of Ignis. His hand gives Noct's a squeeze-]
I am not good at flattery. I merely speak the truth.
[The night is also not that dark. The stars and the moon illuminate nicely their little path to the docks. At least, it's good at illuminating here. In the woods is probably way different.]
I brought something for you to try. I hope they are crunchy enough, [he raises the bag. Hopefully, the pretzels didn't lose the crunch whilst being in the bag.]
Well, they do say good things come to those who wait.
[It was a nice night - could it even truly be called that? It was always night, and he had long since lost track of time. Not quite warm enough to be unpleasant with a nice breeze blowing in off the water. The skies were clear and the moon and stars shone brightly.
And there were baked goods apparently.]
You've been baking up a storm lately. Not that he really minded all that much. It was difficult to when there was always so much good food. Even less so when it had been made by Ignis.]
[There are always baked goods around Ignis these days. One can go and play sudoku only for so long. Ignis cannot sit around and just do nothing either. He's not used to it. So baking spree is a thing. This time, on the menu, pretzels. Crunchy pretzels, he hopes.]
Have I? I didn't notice from how fast said baked goods disappear.
[Teasing right back at you Noct. He's seen you snoop around the kitchen when you should sleep, snacking on things.]
[They're going to have to find you a different hobby, Ignis. Because at this rate, it's going to take forever to chip all of it off his ass. And he doesn't even have Gladio here to force him to run through drills constantly.]
Good. Because I'm pretty sure I'd starve without you.
[Or end up eating cup noodles for each and every meal.]
[Well, if Noctis continues to run around the forest with Prompto, away from the forest spirits and keeps ending up in trouble, there won't be any need for it.]
You wouldn't starve. You can be resourceful when you're by yourself, I am quite aware of that.
[Even if it's cup noodles and toast all the time, it's still food.]
[Yes, that's exactly what he means. Nothing burns calories better than running for your life from monsters and demons.]
I would be a terrible old friend if you could.
[Ignis will have to agree that the bar food is atrocious. And he is happy that while he was alive he took up cooking. It is probably the single, most useful side skill he ever acquired.
The trip to the docks is uneventful- the route to there is rather safe. There are few tree trunks near the edge of the lake and Ignis stirs them that way to sit down.]
[There's a particular stump near the edge of the water that's wide enough for them to sit side by side, and that's the one that Noct chooses. Opening the bag the smell of freshly baked pretzel's fills the air, along with an edge of salt his mouth actually waters a little bit.
Reaching in, he plucks one out, testing the crunch with his fingers before lifting to his mouth and taking a bite.]
[Where before there had been a sharp groan, it was now a soft sigh rising up from his throat. There was nothing to stop him from leaning into that kiss, from nuzzling in just a little.]
[Is this what his heart desires? Or is it just some desperate attempt at replacing what had been ripped from it so suddenly? Should he really even be considering this when his emotions were in such disarray? Was it fair to continue to lay all of that guilt at Ignis' feet and just pray to the very gods that forsaken him that he didn't somehow come away more broken that he began?
And he tries to respond with all of that. He does. Tries to put his doubts into words. They shouldn't. They couldn't. There were too many reasons why not.
But everything in his entire life be damned all that wanted to come out was one single word and he could stop it, couldn't reign it in anymore than he could cease his heart from beating. Because it was what that heart wanted. More than he wanted his next breath, he wanted this.]
Yes. [His head cants, shifting just enough so that their eyes meet. The bag of pretzel's is long forgotten, laying slumped against the base of the tree trunk where it fell between his legs. Because his hands are too worried about touching Ignis to care. One balanced upon his thigh while the other traces along the strong jaw line. And it's a soft smile he wears now, one that doesn't disappear even as he leans in and brushes their lips together.]
[It felt like time had stopped as Ignis waited for Noctis to answer back. He would've accepted anything he decided- he's been without him for years, just silently yearning, cursing at the time and all the missed opportunities. But the kiss they shared in the room- it was too sweet. Sweeter than any pastry he can make. And so addictive. And after that, his hopes dared to resurface, even if for a little while.
The answer- short and soft- made warmth explode in Ignis' chest. To have Noctis want him, want them, like this- Ignis probably cannot find a happier man anywhere right now.
He kisses him back slowly, a smile on his lips as well, and there it is again. The most incredible thing in the world- Noct's lips. His hand cups Noct's cheek in return, but keeps the kiss soft and simple, slow. Relishing in the feeling of it.
When he pulls back, Ignis leans his forehead against Noct's.]
Those words are little more than a whisper spoken against his lips, but they're enough to make his heart twist, to make it yearn for all of the time they had lost. All of those missed moments where they would have had this, spent separated by what duty dictated.
That he be with another. That he have no choice in the matter. Because what his heart wanted didn't matter.
He loved Lunafreya. Part of him always had, from the very first moment they had met all of those years ago. And that same part of him always would. It was the part that had been so amendable to the proposal of their marriage. A joining of old friends, finally reunited after years and an ocean had separated them. A joining of nations, after war and hatred had kept them apart,
But Luna wasn't here.
And Ignis was.
And he had spent just as much time yearning for something he could never have with this man as he had with Luna. Had spent just as many late nights wondering how it would feel to have those hands touch more than just his shoulder. How those lips would taste upon his own.
Now he had it in the palm of his hand. His Ignis. How could he ever say no? How could he ever deny this?]
My Iggy...
[It's a soft whisper in return, followed by the smallest, most playful little kiss.]
[Ignis is not sure what would happen if Lunafreya appeared here; perhaps he will have to step back. But those thoughts are secondary at this moment-
Right now, he's going to cherish and let himself enjoy every little kiss, touch and moment with Noctis like this. Who knows what will happen later? Maybe that Keeper will decide to reset them again. If it happens, Ignis doesn't want to have any regrets.
The words make him smile widely and he returns the short, playful kisses. Despite the constant night around them, it's... kind of romantic like this, with moon and stars over the sea.]
Always yours...
[Ignis whispers; his heart will belong to Noctis regardless of what happens.]
[Maybe he would. Maybe all they would ever have is this. These stolen little moments between the two of them where everything seemed to be right. Maybe this is all they would ever get. A few kisses to tide them over for the rest of their lifetimes.
Noctis would rather die a million deaths in an endless loop than have this be it for them.
Always yours. A sweetly spoken confirmation that makes everything else disappear around them, until the only two things that exist are Noctis and Ignis. Until the entire universe shrinks down and they're all that's left.
It's impossible to resist the urge to shift, to twist his body and climb onto his knees, throwing a leg over Ignis' and place himself directly into his lap. Especially when it feels as if it were made entirely for him. Like he belongs there.]
[He was always Noctis'. From the moment King Regis introduced them. The sense of belonging grew and shaped itself differently through the years. Sometimes in nice shapes- friends, brothers- sometimes in not so nice- advisor, a constant reminder of how things are; of what things are. Ignis is proud of everything he is, and he'd be lying if he said that Noctis didn't make him who he is.
It is selfish to even think it, so he will never say it, but Ignis would go through his death again if it meant keeping Noctis safe. What Noctis is to him, can't be put into words.]
And I might enable you.
[Ignis smiles, hands wrapping around Noct's waist and holding him close, pressed against himself. Perhaps he does belong here, in his lap. And Ignis wouldn't have it any other way.]
Every single time they're this close he feels something within him tighten, clench almost painfully, like it's preparing for the eventual heartache the movement is sure to bring. Building a wall around his heart, guarding it from the pain that has to be in his future.
But then he feels it, that steady beat that doesn't come from his own chest, but against it. And he knows it, better than he knows himself. There's a warmth that comes with it, gentle and comforting, and every single doubt falls away.
Because he knows what lengths Ignis went to just to keep him by his side. And he knows that he won't give this up so easily.]
It wouldn't take much.
[Just like it doesn't take much to draw him to the curve of Ignis' neck, the pale skin practically calling out for his attention. Lips running across the point where his pulse pounds so strongly, pressing against it softly before attaching.]
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All it takes is a deep breath to steady himself before he's linking their fingers together, squeezing once before dropping them down at his side.]
Wouldn't want to keep you waiting.
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You are worth the wait.
[Is this flirting? Could be. But Ignis says it because he really thinks that. He leads the way from the bonfire down the small path at an easy pace- they are in no hurry.]
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Come on, Specs. Flattery will get you everywhere.
[Maybe they should have grabbed a torch, but his lantern does a pretty good job of illuminating the immediate path. It's nice and bright, if nothing else. He always knew that all of his sleeping would come in handy.]
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I am not good at flattery. I merely speak the truth.
[The night is also not that dark. The stars and the moon illuminate nicely their little path to the docks. At least, it's good at illuminating here. In the woods is probably way different.]
I brought something for you to try. I hope they are crunchy enough, [he raises the bag. Hopefully, the pretzels didn't lose the crunch whilst being in the bag.]
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[It was a nice night - could it even truly be called that? It was always night, and he had long since lost track of time. Not quite warm enough to be unpleasant with a nice breeze blowing in off the water. The skies were clear and the moon and stars shone brightly.
And there were baked goods apparently.]
You've been baking up a storm lately. Not that he really minded all that much. It was difficult to when there was always so much good food. Even less so when it had been made by Ignis.]
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Have I? I didn't notice from how fast said baked goods disappear.
[Teasing right back at you Noct. He's seen you snoop around the kitchen when you should sleep, snacking on things.]
Besides, I love cooking for you.
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Good. Because I'm pretty sure I'd starve without you.
[Or end up eating cup noodles for each and every meal.]
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You wouldn't starve. You can be resourceful when you're by yourself, I am quite aware of that.
[Even if it's cup noodles and toast all the time, it's still food.]
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I just can't hide anything from you, can I?
[At least back in Insomnia there had been take out. He really doesn't want to end up eating bar food for every meal.]
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I would be a terrible old friend if you could.
[Ignis will have to agree that the bar food is atrocious. And he is happy that while he was alive he took up cooking. It is probably the single, most useful side skill he ever acquired.
The trip to the docks is uneventful- the route to there is rather safe. There are few tree trunks near the edge of the lake and Ignis stirs them that way to sit down.]
Here, [Ignis hands Noctis the paper bag.]
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Reaching in, he plucks one out, testing the crunch with his fingers before lifting to his mouth and taking a bite.]
Mm. They're perfect, Iggy.
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Ah, glad to hear. I was afraid they would soften by the time we reach the lake. They were hot when I packed them.
[He was afraid that the steam would make them soft.]
There isn't much choice in the general store when it comes to food supplies. I am happy I could still make something tasty despite that.
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[Or ingredients they found along the way. He was pretty sure that Ignis really could make something out of absolutely nothing, though.]
Prompto is gonna be so jealous he's missing out on these.
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[A small joke and poke at Noctis who'd complain if they'd have just toast for dinner too often.]
I left him a few, of course.
[He wonders where he wandered off. But, for now, he's too distracted by Noct's closeness to think about it properly.]
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There wasn't even any jam or anything.
[Just plain toast that was so dry it would just turn to sawdust in his mouth.]
Wait, so you're just giving my pretzel's away? What else that's supposed to be only mine have to just been handing out?
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But he always tried to have eggs around to make at least scrambled eggs.]
You have four in the bag. I left two for Prompto. He has to eat as well, [Ignis chides playfully. The presses a kiss to Noct's temple.]
Nothing... I'm entirely yours. [He says very quietly, just for Noctis to hear.]
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So... we're doing this then?
[This whole being together thing.]
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If your heart desires so...
[Because heavens know his own does. A very well kept secret- even from himself.]
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And he tries to respond with all of that. He does. Tries to put his doubts into words. They shouldn't. They couldn't. There were too many reasons why not.
But everything in his entire life be damned all that wanted to come out was one single word and he could stop it, couldn't reign it in anymore than he could cease his heart from beating. Because it was what that heart wanted. More than he wanted his next breath, he wanted this.]
Yes. [His head cants, shifting just enough so that their eyes meet. The bag of pretzel's is long forgotten, laying slumped against the base of the tree trunk where it fell between his legs. Because his hands are too worried about touching Ignis to care. One balanced upon his thigh while the other traces along the strong jaw line. And it's a soft smile he wears now, one that doesn't disappear even as he leans in and brushes their lips together.]
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The answer- short and soft- made warmth explode in Ignis' chest. To have Noctis want him, want them, like this- Ignis probably cannot find a happier man anywhere right now.
He kisses him back slowly, a smile on his lips as well, and there it is again. The most incredible thing in the world- Noct's lips. His hand cups Noct's cheek in return, but keeps the kiss soft and simple, slow. Relishing in the feeling of it.
When he pulls back, Ignis leans his forehead against Noct's.]
My Noct...
[...sounds so surreal.]
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Those words are little more than a whisper spoken against his lips, but they're enough to make his heart twist, to make it yearn for all of the time they had lost. All of those missed moments where they would have had this, spent separated by what duty dictated.
That he be with another. That he have no choice in the matter. Because what his heart wanted didn't matter.
He loved Lunafreya. Part of him always had, from the very first moment they had met all of those years ago. And that same part of him always would. It was the part that had been so amendable to the proposal of their marriage. A joining of old friends, finally reunited after years and an ocean had separated them. A joining of nations, after war and hatred had kept them apart,
But Luna wasn't here.
And Ignis was.
And he had spent just as much time yearning for something he could never have with this man as he had with Luna. Had spent just as many late nights wondering how it would feel to have those hands touch more than just his shoulder. How those lips would taste upon his own.
Now he had it in the palm of his hand. His Ignis. How could he ever say no? How could he ever deny this?]
My Iggy...
[It's a soft whisper in return, followed by the smallest, most playful little kiss.]
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Right now, he's going to cherish and let himself enjoy every little kiss, touch and moment with Noctis like this. Who knows what will happen later? Maybe that Keeper will decide to reset them again. If it happens, Ignis doesn't want to have any regrets.
The words make him smile widely and he returns the short, playful kisses. Despite the constant night around them, it's... kind of romantic like this, with moon and stars over the sea.]
Always yours...
[Ignis whispers; his heart will belong to Noctis regardless of what happens.]
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Noctis would rather die a million deaths in an endless loop than have this be it for them.
Always yours. A sweetly spoken confirmation that makes everything else disappear around them, until the only two things that exist are Noctis and Ignis. Until the entire universe shrinks down and they're all that's left.
It's impossible to resist the urge to shift, to twist his body and climb onto his knees, throwing a leg over Ignis' and place himself directly into his lap. Especially when it feels as if it were made entirely for him. Like he belongs there.]
I could get used to this.
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It is selfish to even think it, so he will never say it, but Ignis would go through his death again if it meant keeping Noctis safe. What Noctis is to him, can't be put into words.]
And I might enable you.
[Ignis smiles, hands wrapping around Noct's waist and holding him close, pressed against himself. Perhaps he does belong here, in his lap. And Ignis wouldn't have it any other way.]
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Every single time they're this close he feels something within him tighten, clench almost painfully, like it's preparing for the eventual heartache the movement is sure to bring. Building a wall around his heart, guarding it from the pain that has to be in his future.
But then he feels it, that steady beat that doesn't come from his own chest, but against it. And he knows it, better than he knows himself. There's a warmth that comes with it, gentle and comforting, and every single doubt falls away.
Because he knows what lengths Ignis went to just to keep him by his side. And he knows that he won't give this up so easily.]
It wouldn't take much.
[Just like it doesn't take much to draw him to the curve of Ignis' neck, the pale skin practically calling out for his attention. Lips running across the point where his pulse pounds so strongly, pressing against it softly before attaching.]
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