[He cannot make such promises about the future, but at least when he sneaks those in, they'll be so well-disguised that Noctis is, at least, likely to accidentally ingest a few before he catches wise and eats around them.
Let him be. He can dream.]
You'll thank yourself for eating something before you sleep, regardless. [Even as he talks, Ignis goes about firing up the camp stove, the movements involved second-nature by now.] Your sleep will be more restful if you're well-nourished.
[ ... which isn't an entirely convinced noise. and, after a few minutes of lingering in his chair, noctis decides to get to his feet, shuffle right on over to ignis, and lean against his back. he's just tall enough to prop his chin comfortably on the other man's shoulder; there's always been something oddly comforting about watching ignis cook, maybe because it's a throwback to memories of a simpler childhood.
besides, from here, he can keep an eye on the amount of vegetables that are being added to his soup. it's a win-win. ]
[Ignis stiffens slightly, his shoulders going tense, having been so focused on his work that he hadn't realized he was being crept up on. He relaxes almost immediately; familiarity, after all, was never out of place with the pair of them.]
Comfortable?
[He neatly slices funguar for the soup, prepared to defend his decision on account of their not, technically, being vegetables.]
[ fortunately, ignis lucks out -- mushrooms don't rank all that high on noctis' list of Most Offensive Foods, so. for now, he's content to close his eyes and turn his face a little further into the crook of his advisor's neck, breathing out in a worn-out sigh. ignis' skin feels pleasantly cool against his own; he's probably already managed to spike a low fever, which would explain the throbbing ache that persists at his temples. ]
[He exhales softly. While he is loathe to interrupt this particular moment, the burning heat of Noct's forehead against the crook of his neck is impossible to ignore. He leaves his work forgotten for the time being, the beginnings of the soup being left to simmer over a low heat, carefully turning to take hold of Noct's shoulders without putting too much distance between them.
Rather than softly rebuke him for inappropriate public behavior, however, he simply presses the back of one ungloved hand to the prince's brow, giving a decided frown.]
[ he makes a soft noise of complaint when ignis shifts away from him, loathe to lose his warm pillar of support. but the hand against his forehead is a nice compromise, and he's more than happy to lean into it, ignis' skin pleasantly cool against his flushed forehead. ]
You make it sound like I'm about to keel over. [ with a little snort, letting his eyes close. ] It's not that bad.
Bad enough, and it will be far worse if it's not seen to now.
[Ignis offers him a rueful smile of apology, knowing all too well just how little the prince cared for his instruction in day-to-day life. He tuts softly, pushing Noct's hair back from his forehead before drawing his hand back.]
Let's go. The soup can do without me for a few moments. We'll get you settled first, I'll bring it to you once it's done. You'll be far more comfortable in the tent.
[ he's childish enough to wrinkle his nose at the (gentle) order, but... tired enough not to put up more of a fuss than that. being off his feet doesn't sound all that bad, honestly, and he knows that he isn't likely to dig in his heels enough to actually change ignis' mind. ]
Fine, fine. You're the boss. [ he makes it sound grudging, but there's a smile lingering around the edges of his mouth. either way, he's falling back towards the tent, ducking down inside and then plopping on his bedroll. already, he reaches out to work on the laces of his boots, kicking them off one after the other. ]
[Ignis may not be royalty, but he takes the charge given to him by King Regis quite seriously. He doesn't stray far from Noct as they move towards the tent, keeping a hand at the small of his back to steady him until he drops unceremoniously to the ground.
A faint smirk twitches at the corner of Ignis' lips, and he picks up both of the discarded boots to set them neatly in the corner before he gets to his knees, reaching for one of the nearby blankets that had been left beside the bedroll.]
[ it's such a common thing for ignis to pick up after him that noctis barely even pays it any mind, wriggling into the bedroll before he peels off his jacket. that also gets dropped into a heap without much thought as he settles himself in, stifling a cough into his arm. ]
Not this time. [ at least he sounds a little amused, even if there's an unmistakable weariness to his voice. ] Don't think I'm forgetting about all the times you've tried to get me to eat vegetables. Or do all that extra work in my school courses. ... or especially that time you tried to make me take courses in ballroom dancing.
Sooner or later, you'll realize all that I do is with your best interest at heart.
[His tone is matter-of-fact, as it so often is, but the disclaimer is followed by a soft, affectionate chuckle as he expertly drapes the blanket across his charge to help ward off the night's chill.]
Dancing is not only a useful addition to your arsenal of social graces, but also has quite an effect on your reflexes and footwork in combat. It did you more good than know, I assure you.
We have really different ideas about my best interests.
[ it's more of a joke than anything else -- he's never doubted that ignis does what he does because he believes it will make noctis better, a ruler more suited to bear the burden of his crown. and even back when all of his advisor's nagging and insistence had worn his patience thin, even when he'd lashed out, none of his frustration had really been aimed at ignis.
and now that he's older? if anything, it's a truth that he knows better than ever. ]
So waltzing is what helped me take down that garula, today? [ and he's catching ignis' blazer before he has a chance to pull further away again, trying to tug him down. stay. ] Back then, I was just pretty sure you liked watching me make an ass of myself.
[But the conversation itself isn't what's holding his attention now. He glances downwards to see Noct's fingers curled against his blazer, white-knuckled, and lets out a soft noise of acquiescence as he shifts his weight to sit beside him. It's not quite enough to make him forget that he left the camp stove running outside, but he's never been inclined to abandon his prince in a moment of any degree of need.]
Though I won't say it wasn't at least mildly entertaining.
[A smile quirks at one side of his lips as he reclines, pulling another rolled blanket towards him to tuck beneath his head, folding his hands and letting them come to rest stop his stomach.]
[ truth be told, noctis is always more than happy to get his way. especially when getting his way means getting ignis into an easy cuddling range; he shifts up against his side almost immediately, tucking himself up under ignis' arm and abandoning his pillow in favor of ignis' shoulder. the fever makes it so that his body can't decide whether he's too cold or too hot -- but ignis is a nice and steady comfort either way, something warm and solid and safe to bundle up against. ]
Admit it. Watching me try to waltz was the highlight of your morning. [ and he punctuates that with a nudge to ignis' side. ] It always seemed like it put you in a better mood, afterwards.
[Well. It was quite clear that Ignis wouldn't be getting back to work at the stove anytime soon-- though he couldn't say that he particularly minded. He casts a careful glance towards the tent's closed flaps for any sign of their other companions, taking a moment to ensure they were alone. He would prefer this moment go uninterrupted and undiscovered, though the desire was in no way born of shame or embarrassment-- merely the fact that Ignis himself was a very private person, and there were certain things he would prefer to keep to himself.
Things, as well as people.
As Noctis pulls closer, Ignis shifts his arm just enough so that he can idly push the prince's hair back from his forehead, his brow furrowing slightly as he once again realizes just how warm Noct is. Worrisome, but he hopes it's nothing a good night's sleep won't cure.]
I can't deny I enjoyed watching. [He laughs quietly, the memory itself still vivid.] Not only for the fact that I vastly preferred time spent with you to strategy meetings.
[ he mms an unmistakably pleased sound as ignis pushes his bangs gently back from his forehead, leaning into the touch. he's perfectly aware of the fact that ignis will be required to get up and tend to the soup, and that it'll probably be sooner rather than later, but. for now? he's happy to milk the moment while he can. it's not like he doesn't like having prompto and gladio around, but... it does make moments like this, where it's just the two of them, considerably more rare.
it makes being sick almost halfway worth it.
especially when the statement that follows makes his chest go almost ridiculously fuzzy and warm, enough to make his cheeks color with a shade of pink that has nothing to do with the fever. ]
... that's a shocker. [ ducking his chin a little, feeling an odd bubble of shyness. ] I sort of figured that I was a pain in your ass, most of the time.
[The sound isn't exactly assent, but it isn't denial, either. Noctis had, of course, been a considerably trying charge over the years, but Ignis had always done his best to endeavor not to take it personally. Even on the most frustrating days, they were friends beyond their working relationship, especially as they grew older-- barring a brief and particularly tumultuous period during Noctis' high school years.]
Is it really so shocking? I take my duties quite seriously, it's true, but not all of it was work. Much of the time I spent with you was by choice, especially after a certain age. You didn't always need me there as an advisor. At times, it seemed you would much rather have a friend.
[He doesn't go around picking up after just anyone. He gives Noct a sidelong glance, curious, only then realizing that the prince's face has turned pink.]
You're flushed. Never a good sign.
[Of course it has to be the fever. Why would it be anything else?]
and he takes a moment to simply roll the statement around in his head, marveling quietly at it. it's not like he doesn't realize that they're friends now, after everything they've been through, but a few year ago? he'd been certain that he was nothing if not an irritating (but necessary) component of ignis' job, someone that he was required to look after and goad into some semblance of propriety. or maybe that's just the shadow of his tumultuous high school years talking -- there had been a time, after all, when he and ignis were an almost inseparable pair. people his age in the palace were always few and far between, and so a much younger noctis had taken to following ignis around like a duckling after its mother, idolizing him almost like an older sibling.
but he blinks out of the reverie as his advisor speaks again, although --
... ugh. he immediately ducks back a little, flustered. ] S'fine. It's just a little fever.
[He turns his head just enough for his gaze to follow Noct as the prince pulls away, equal parts inquisitive and concerned.]
You're not too warm?
[Ever practical, even in the middle of what had the potential to be a rather sentimental moment. He reaches out to lay the back of his hand against Noct's forehead once more, frown pulling a little bit deeper as he then moves his palm to rest along the prince's cheek. Warm there, too.]
You'll forgive me for being worried, I hope. It's a difficult habit to break.
[He's not sure he'll ever manage it-- nor would he want to.]
[ he can't help but huff a little laugh at that, even as he shakes his head. ]
I don't think I'd know what to do with myself without you nagging me.
[ but... he isn't about to complain against the touch of ignis' hand against his cheek, either. not when it's so easy to close his eyes and lean up against it, enjoying the relative cool of the other man's palm against his feverish skin. he can't exactly claim that he feels great, or that he's revved up and ready to start wrestling behemoths in the near future, but...
it's not like this is bad. especially with ignis here. ]
... but you don't have to worry that much, you know? Being out here on the road is a pretty decent way to toughen up.
I suppose I ought to give more credit where it's due.
[He's spent so long having to hover and worry, to aid Noctis in day-to-day decisions as well as political matters that it's become second nature. The prince, however, was quite right: Ignis had already seen him grow by leaps and bounds on this particular trip.]
You're already a much different Noct than the one I last saw in Crown City.
[He smiles in turn, amused as he turns his head to look at Noct properly, one ear pressed against his makeshift pillow and setting his glasses just slightly askew.]
King or no, you've always been made of much stronger stuff than that.
[ something about all of that -- the way ignis looks at him, what he says, is just. too much. and whatever else noctis might have wanted to say in response gets trapped into the resulting lump in his throat. there's a warmth that rises up from inside him that has absolutely nothing to do with his fever; it makes his heart flutter a strange beat in his chest, makes his stomach twist oddly.
and he's seized by the sudden desire to do something, even if his body doesn't seem all that inclined to divulge what that something should be to the rest of him. ]
I -- [ so he ends up just fumbling lamely, his cheeks on fire. ] ... thanks. For saying so, I mean.
Or, uh? Thinking so, I guess? [ flustered!! ] ... you know what I mean.
[For a man whose job is often to observe and catch minute details, there are many that often escape Ignis when it comes to a certain sort of behavior, a certain flavor of teasing or bashfulness that never quite registers. It's what he sees in Noctis now, and for the first time that evening, he doesn't attribute it to illness. Instead, he reaches to lay his hand against Noct's cheek once more and carefully rolls closer to him, leaning in to answer the prince's fumbling thanks with actions instead of words, pressing their lips together.]
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[He cannot make such promises about the future, but at least when he sneaks those in, they'll be so well-disguised that Noctis is, at least, likely to accidentally ingest a few before he catches wise and eats around them.
Let him be. He can dream.]
You'll thank yourself for eating something before you sleep, regardless. [Even as he talks, Ignis goes about firing up the camp stove, the movements involved second-nature by now.] Your sleep will be more restful if you're well-nourished.
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[ ... which isn't an entirely convinced noise. and, after a few minutes of lingering in his chair, noctis decides to get to his feet, shuffle right on over to ignis, and lean against his back. he's just tall enough to prop his chin comfortably on the other man's shoulder; there's always been something oddly comforting about watching ignis cook, maybe because it's a throwback to memories of a simpler childhood.
besides, from here, he can keep an eye on the amount of vegetables that are being added to his soup. it's a win-win. ]
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Comfortable?
[He neatly slices funguar for the soup, prepared to defend his decision on account of their not, technically, being vegetables.]
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... nn. You're warm.
[ yes. ]
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Rather than softly rebuke him for inappropriate public behavior, however, he simply presses the back of one ungloved hand to the prince's brow, giving a decided frown.]
You have a fever already.
[That won't do.]
Come. You shouldn't be on your feet, Noct.
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You make it sound like I'm about to keel over. [ with a little snort, letting his eyes close. ] It's not that bad.
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[Ignis offers him a rueful smile of apology, knowing all too well just how little the prince cared for his instruction in day-to-day life. He tuts softly, pushing Noct's hair back from his forehead before drawing his hand back.]
Let's go. The soup can do without me for a few moments. We'll get you settled first, I'll bring it to you once it's done. You'll be far more comfortable in the tent.
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Fine, fine. You're the boss. [ he makes it sound grudging, but there's a smile lingering around the edges of his mouth. either way, he's falling back towards the tent, ducking down inside and then plopping on his bedroll. already, he reaches out to work on the laces of his boots, kicking them off one after the other. ]
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[Ignis may not be royalty, but he takes the charge given to him by King Regis quite seriously. He doesn't stray far from Noct as they move towards the tent, keeping a hand at the small of his back to steady him until he drops unceremoniously to the ground.
A faint smirk twitches at the corner of Ignis' lips, and he picks up both of the discarded boots to set them neatly in the corner before he gets to his knees, reaching for one of the nearby blankets that had been left beside the bedroll.]
It's not so terrible, is it? Listening to me?
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Not this time. [ at least he sounds a little amused, even if there's an unmistakable weariness to his voice. ] Don't think I'm forgetting about all the times you've tried to get me to eat vegetables. Or do all that extra work in my school courses. ... or especially that time you tried to make me take courses in ballroom dancing.
[ it had been a particularly egregious offense. ]
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[His tone is matter-of-fact, as it so often is, but the disclaimer is followed by a soft, affectionate chuckle as he expertly drapes the blanket across his charge to help ward off the night's chill.]
Dancing is not only a useful addition to your arsenal of social graces, but also has quite an effect on your reflexes and footwork in combat. It did you more good than know, I assure you.
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[ it's more of a joke than anything else -- he's never doubted that ignis does what he does because he believes it will make noctis better, a ruler more suited to bear the burden of his crown. and even back when all of his advisor's nagging and insistence had worn his patience thin, even when he'd lashed out, none of his frustration had really been aimed at ignis.
and now that he's older? if anything, it's a truth that he knows better than ever. ]
So waltzing is what helped me take down that garula, today? [ and he's catching ignis' blazer before he has a chance to pull further away again, trying to tug him down. stay. ] Back then, I was just pretty sure you liked watching me make an ass of myself.
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[But the conversation itself isn't what's holding his attention now. He glances downwards to see Noct's fingers curled against his blazer, white-knuckled, and lets out a soft noise of acquiescence as he shifts his weight to sit beside him. It's not quite enough to make him forget that he left the camp stove running outside, but he's never been inclined to abandon his prince in a moment of any degree of need.]
Though I won't say it wasn't at least mildly entertaining.
[A smile quirks at one side of his lips as he reclines, pulling another rolled blanket towards him to tuck beneath his head, folding his hands and letting them come to rest stop his stomach.]
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Admit it. Watching me try to waltz was the highlight of your morning. [ and he punctuates that with a nudge to ignis' side. ] It always seemed like it put you in a better mood, afterwards.
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Things, as well as people.
As Noctis pulls closer, Ignis shifts his arm just enough so that he can idly push the prince's hair back from his forehead, his brow furrowing slightly as he once again realizes just how warm Noct is. Worrisome, but he hopes it's nothing a good night's sleep won't cure.]
I can't deny I enjoyed watching. [He laughs quietly, the memory itself still vivid.] Not only for the fact that I vastly preferred time spent with you to strategy meetings.
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it makes being sick almost halfway worth it.
especially when the statement that follows makes his chest go almost ridiculously fuzzy and warm, enough to make his cheeks color with a shade of pink that has nothing to do with the fever. ]
... that's a shocker. [ ducking his chin a little, feeling an odd bubble of shyness. ] I sort of figured that I was a pain in your ass, most of the time.
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[The sound isn't exactly assent, but it isn't denial, either. Noctis had, of course, been a considerably trying charge over the years, but Ignis had always done his best to endeavor not to take it personally. Even on the most frustrating days, they were friends beyond their working relationship, especially as they grew older-- barring a brief and particularly tumultuous period during Noctis' high school years.]
Is it really so shocking? I take my duties quite seriously, it's true, but not all of it was work. Much of the time I spent with you was by choice, especially after a certain age. You didn't always need me there as an advisor. At times, it seemed you would much rather have a friend.
[He doesn't go around picking up after just anyone. He gives Noct a sidelong glance, curious, only then realizing that the prince's face has turned pink.]
You're flushed. Never a good sign.
[Of course it has to be the fever. Why would it be anything else?]
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and he takes a moment to simply roll the statement around in his head, marveling quietly at it. it's not like he doesn't realize that they're friends now, after everything they've been through, but a few year ago? he'd been certain that he was nothing if not an irritating (but necessary) component of ignis' job, someone that he was required to look after and goad into some semblance of propriety. or maybe that's just the shadow of his tumultuous high school years talking -- there had been a time, after all, when he and ignis were an almost inseparable pair. people his age in the palace were always few and far between, and so a much younger noctis had taken to following ignis around like a duckling after its mother, idolizing him almost like an older sibling.
but he blinks out of the reverie as his advisor speaks again, although --
... ugh. he immediately ducks back a little, flustered. ] S'fine. It's just a little fever.
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You're not too warm?
[Ever practical, even in the middle of what had the potential to be a rather sentimental moment. He reaches out to lay the back of his hand against Noct's forehead once more, frown pulling a little bit deeper as he then moves his palm to rest along the prince's cheek. Warm there, too.]
You'll forgive me for being worried, I hope. It's a difficult habit to break.
[He's not sure he'll ever manage it-- nor would he want to.]
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I don't think I'd know what to do with myself without you nagging me.
[ but... he isn't about to complain against the touch of ignis' hand against his cheek, either. not when it's so easy to close his eyes and lean up against it, enjoying the relative cool of the other man's palm against his feverish skin. he can't exactly claim that he feels great, or that he's revved up and ready to start wrestling behemoths in the near future, but...
it's not like this is bad. especially with ignis here. ]
... but you don't have to worry that much, you know? Being out here on the road is a pretty decent way to toughen up.
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[He's spent so long having to hover and worry, to aid Noctis in day-to-day decisions as well as political matters that it's become second nature. The prince, however, was quite right: Ignis had already seen him grow by leaps and bounds on this particular trip.]
You're already a much different Noct than the one I last saw in Crown City.
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[ and one side of his mouth tugs up into a crooked little grin. ]
It'd be pretty embarrassing, right? If a cold took down the king.
[ he'd probably never hear the end of the lectures, once he hit the afterlife. ]
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[He smiles in turn, amused as he turns his head to look at Noct properly, one ear pressed against his makeshift pillow and setting his glasses just slightly askew.]
King or no, you've always been made of much stronger stuff than that.
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and he's seized by the sudden desire to do something, even if his body doesn't seem all that inclined to divulge what that something should be to the rest of him. ]
I -- [ so he ends up just fumbling lamely, his cheeks on fire. ] ... thanks. For saying so, I mean.
Or, uh? Thinking so, I guess? [ flustered!! ] ... you know what I mean.
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this thread is so relevant to my sick sick life right now
noctis understands u
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