[ The best and worst part about knowing Noctis sometimes, is understanding what he means when he says something, and knowing that it comes from a good place, despite the way it makes his stomach twist. Do it properly he says. Work with me to find a solution.

Logically, Ignis knows that he doesn't mean anything by it, but what were the last few months of their lives before Ignis decided that it was leave, because there was no other option? Noctis wasn't about to stop becoming king, and they were too new, too unstable to try and force their way into a deal that they couldn't back up with no military, nothing but a head of state back from the dead and the remains of a former political institution still trying to scramble themselves back together again and take care of their people.

Still, it stings in a way he wasn't expecting and gently, he removes his hands from where Noctis has held them, folding his napkin once, twice, before he catches himself and just holds it. ]

I attempted to find a solution with you, but the only ones available to us were continuing to lead an affair in the dark and risk Octavia deciding -- well within her rights, mind -- that enough was enough. Or, we could simply start a divorce there - before any of our projects were completed, before we had the help we needed to keep moving forward, before we had solidified ourselves as a power worth trusting, not just a haphazardly arranged political branch from a city. The only other option was to stop and I tried--

[ It's easier, to keep his emotions in check when it's just him, or politicians. With Noctis, it's harder and it shows, Ignis clenching at the napkin, jaw clenched tight a moment before he forcefully releases. ]

The only other option was stopping, and I wasn't strong enough to stop wanting you if I were here. There was no other option.