[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.]
[ that gentle hand against his cheek is enough to make his gaze flick upwards again, blinking as ignis shifts closer to him. and then... it's like the world slows down to a crawl, everything else freezing around him as ignis shifts forward and presses their mouths gently together.
and it takes him a few long seconds just to be able to wrap his brain around what's happening, even though it takes his heart no time at all to leap against the cage of his ribs. ... but. honestly? all he does next is make a conscious effort to stop thinking, shifting closer and reaching up with one hand to curl his fingers over one of ignis' shoulders. then he closes his eyes and just lets himself kiss back, a disbelieving little thrill rising up all the way through him. ]
[Illness is forgotten, caution never once considered as their lips meet. He feels a shiver roll through him as Noct's fingers curl against his shoulder, a tremor he hadn't allowed himself to feel when Noct had pulled himself against his back at the stove. He takes a brief, shallow breath before parting his lips against the kiss, his hand falling away from the prince's cheek so that is arm can encircle his waist, pulling him tight against the warm line of his own body.]
[ the way that ignis throws an arm around him and pulls him decisively closer is enough to make electricity sizzle all the way up noctis' spine, crackling along his skin. it's almost like pulling magic from a power spot, from summoning the armiger -- it's a taste of a power far greater than himself, something intoxicating and hopelessly addictive. ... and impossible, impossible to resist. (not that he's trying all that hard.)
so he groans a low answering sound into the other man's mouth, licking in greedily to deepen it. he's only half-sure of what he's doing, moving more on instinct than any sort of skill, but it's good. eager and messy, as greedy as someone trying to soak up as much of something as they can before they lose it forever. ]
[The eager response takes him by surprise, though a small voice at the very furthest corner of his mind chides him for that, insists that it shouldn't. Why else would he have reached for Noct, if not to have that show of affection reciprocated? As ever, he finds himself too concerned with logic-- and he makes an active effort to shut it out, shove it aside.
Logic, he's decided, will not ruin this. He will not allow it to.
The arm around Noct's waist strengthens its grip, fingers curling tightly against his hip as Ignis rolls onto his back once more, dragging the prince along with him this time. A soft moan escapes him in reply, tongue eagerly reaching to meet Noct's, one hand finally moving to the back of his head to tangle his fingers tightly in the prince's dark hair.]
[ the sound of that moan goes through him like fire, heating up his blood until he's sure it must be boiling in his veins. and the way that ignis rolls onto his back and pulls noctis on top? it's perfect, the way that it keeps them pressed tightly together, the heat from their bodies combining to create something that rivals his own fever.
so he kisses ignis like he means to claim him, as if he can sear the kiss all the way down into his very core. he wants ignis to remember this; he wants him to wake up the next day with lips that are still faintly kiss-bruised and tender, to know that it was noctis who left a mark. ]
[He allows the kiss to break only when he needs to come up for air, and even then, it's only barely. His fingers are splayed flat against the small of Noct's back, those belonging to his other hand still threaded through the prince's hair, the warm press of their bodies electrifying in its own right, an age-old, deep-seated desire that he's never been bold enough to act on. For all his confidence, there was a line he had never dared to cross, not until now.
He claims Noct's lips again, catching the bottom lip between his teeth as he arches his back beneath him, just enough to press further against his inviting warmth, a heat that had nothing to do with fever.]
[ he groans into ignis' mouth, low and needy, shuddering at the feeling of his advisor arching up underneath him. there's a part of him that still can't quite believe that this is happening -- it must be some fever-dream, surely, his imagination using his overheated brain as an excuse to run wild.
... and yet, ignis is a delightfully real and solid presence beneath him, pressing up into him and reacting so sweetly to everything that noctis does. so he can't help but want to seize this for all that he can, to kiss ignis greedily until he's sure that he'll never forget the taste of his mouth or the heat of his --
. . .
wait, hang on.
and ignis gets absolutely no warning as noctis suddenly rips away abruptly from the kiss, turning his head just in time to avoid sneezing directly into the other man's face. ... nice. that was a sexy move. ]
this thread is so relevant to my sick sick life right now
[And just like that, everything comes screeching to a halt. Ignis freezes for half a moment before laughing, exhaling slowly as he drags a hand over his eyes.
Only Noct.]
Perhaps this isn't the best time for this.
[And yet any time spent with Noct is precious, as far as he's concerned, cold or otherwise.]
[His smile softens, and he shakes his head as he lets one hand travel down the length of Noct's spine, coming to rest at the small of his back, hoping to offer some degree of reassurance.]
I could never.
[He never has so far, anyway, even if it had taken him until now to act.]
Have I ever put anything or anyone before you, Noct?
[ he wasn't expecting to hear that, and it's enough to make him fluster, pink creeping up the nape of his neck and into his cheeks. ... so he ends up tucking his head underneath ignis' chin to earn himself a little respite, fingers curling loosely in the fabric of his shirt. ]
... it's not that.
[ he's not insecure enough to doubt his importance in ignis' life -- if nothing else, ignis is utterly committed to his duty, and he doubts that anyone else will be able to ever usurp that priority. but... ] ... but you might change your mind. Or decide it's a bad idea. Or something.
[Of course, Noctis' fears weren't unfounded. There was no denying that Ignis was almost painfully dedicated to his responsibilities, and this could be seen as a conflict of interests-- but if it was, it was a conflict that had been present for a very long time, and certainly wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
He shakes his head slightly, crooking his index finger beneath Noct's chin to tip it upwards.]
I won't. I have never lied to you. I don't intend to start now.
[ he lets himself be nudged gently upwards, eyes searching over ignis' face for a long moment as if he's confirming something for himself. ... and finally, instead of speaking, he just...! holds out an extended pinky finger solemnly, looking for the same promise they used to exchange as kids. ]
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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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and it takes him a few long seconds just to be able to wrap his brain around what's happening, even though it takes his heart no time at all to leap against the cage of his ribs. ... but. honestly? all he does next is make a conscious effort to stop thinking, shifting closer and reaching up with one hand to curl his fingers over one of ignis' shoulders. then he closes his eyes and just lets himself kiss back, a disbelieving little thrill rising up all the way through him. ]
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so he groans a low answering sound into the other man's mouth, licking in greedily to deepen it. he's only half-sure of what he's doing, moving more on instinct than any sort of skill, but it's good. eager and messy, as greedy as someone trying to soak up as much of something as they can before they lose it forever. ]
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Logic, he's decided, will not ruin this. He will not allow it to.
The arm around Noct's waist strengthens its grip, fingers curling tightly against his hip as Ignis rolls onto his back once more, dragging the prince along with him this time. A soft moan escapes him in reply, tongue eagerly reaching to meet Noct's, one hand finally moving to the back of his head to tangle his fingers tightly in the prince's dark hair.]
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so he kisses ignis like he means to claim him, as if he can sear the kiss all the way down into his very core. he wants ignis to remember this; he wants him to wake up the next day with lips that are still faintly kiss-bruised and tender, to know that it was noctis who left a mark. ]
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He claims Noct's lips again, catching the bottom lip between his teeth as he arches his back beneath him, just enough to press further against his inviting warmth, a heat that had nothing to do with fever.]
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... and yet, ignis is a delightfully real and solid presence beneath him, pressing up into him and reacting so sweetly to everything that noctis does. so he can't help but want to seize this for all that he can, to kiss ignis greedily until he's sure that he'll never forget the taste of his mouth or the heat of his --
. . .
wait, hang on.
and ignis gets absolutely no warning as noctis suddenly rips away abruptly from the kiss, turning his head just in time to avoid sneezing directly into the other man's face. ... nice. that was a sexy move. ]
this thread is so relevant to my sick sick life right now
Only Noct.]
Perhaps this isn't the best time for this.
[And yet any time spent with Noct is precious, as far as he's concerned, cold or otherwise.]
noctis understands u
... what if you end up changing your mind? [ but there's a note of uncertainty underneath the rest, wavering and unsure. ] About this, I mean.
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I could never.
[He never has so far, anyway, even if it had taken him until now to act.]
Have I ever put anything or anyone before you, Noct?
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... it's not that.
[ he's not insecure enough to doubt his importance in ignis' life -- if nothing else, ignis is utterly committed to his duty, and he doubts that anyone else will be able to ever usurp that priority. but... ] ... but you might change your mind. Or decide it's a bad idea. Or something.
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He shakes his head slightly, crooking his index finger beneath Noct's chin to tip it upwards.]
I won't. I have never lied to you. I don't intend to start now.
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Of course.
He crooks his own pinky in return, hooking it against Noctis'.]
A promise.
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