[ Of course they're having a deep heart to heart moment on the couch and Noctis would ruin it by wiping his greasy hands all over his pants. He has to wash them anyway, but it's the principle of the matter, thank you. Then, Noctis clarifies what he means and Ignis' expression goes that careful, political blank as he tries to consider his words. Gently, he removes those hands and presses kisses to his knuckles instead. ]

I never doubted that you loved me. My...fear, I suppose, was that we both loved to excess. What was the point of everything we sacrificed to get here, if we were going to risk throwing it all away for ourselves? Everything we've done, we've done for the betterment of the country, her people.

[ It was only a matter of time before something gave; Ignis figured it was best that it was him, rather than Noctis or worse, Octavia. ]