[ It sits between them, a landmine in no man's land, except -- except, Ignis forgets that it's Noctis. He reaches across the table as if it's nothing, as if it's not a reminder of the mornings he spent in bed with the other man, lounging, savoring the periods where they were alone and able to be themselves, not what the crown required of them.

Ignis' balance in the conversation is off - he's used to looking for reasons why people do things, what political motivation or benefit they have. He'd done it with Octavia and it wasn't necessary, but with Noctis? He's not sure. It could simply be that he wanted it. It could be utterly absent-minded, that he doesn't remember. It could be something else entirely and Ignis can't focus on that right now. He swallows down any bitterness, any regret and spears a strawberry with his fork. ]

Forgive me if I didn't have time to tend to the circles under my eyes before meeting with you. [ Oh, that's snippier than he means, but the little jab hurts more than he's expecting it to and Ignis swallows down anything else before he sticks both feet in his mouth. Coffee. He'll feel better after coffee. ]

In not so many words. I don't believe you need me to explain the minute details.