[ Noctis says quietly as he releases him. He's right, of course -- how often had he laid awake at night, running through a whole host of options? It is inevitable that he would hurt one or the other or continue with both. But that Ignis is the one who took it all upon himself is still something that stings. Logically, rationally, it was the best option; it mitigates a whole world of losses, but irrationally, emotionally, it's something Noctis struggles to accept.
He watches him extricate himself, how the napkin endures all of that before Ignis realises what he's doing. With him, he thinks, Ignis has less control over his own emotions, and he studies the set of his jaw. There's something deeper that they're not touching on, something that Noctis has always wanted -- but perhaps it's not up for him to have. The country comes first, not their hearts, and not for the first time he feels something ache deep inside. They don't have the luxury to be selfish, and Noctis will never have the right to choose anyone -- or demand the right to choose anyone -- above the crown, their country, the ones who have sacrificed themselves for the country's sake. ]
You did the best you could before. But -- moving forward. We're going to have challenges like these one way or another. I want you by my side. And maybe -- in a much more official capacity. Can you accept that?
no subject
[ Noctis says quietly as he releases him. He's right, of course -- how often had he laid awake at night, running through a whole host of options? It is inevitable that he would hurt one or the other or continue with both. But that Ignis is the one who took it all upon himself is still something that stings. Logically, rationally, it was the best option; it mitigates a whole world of losses, but irrationally, emotionally, it's something Noctis struggles to accept.
He watches him extricate himself, how the napkin endures all of that before Ignis realises what he's doing. With him, he thinks, Ignis has less control over his own emotions, and he studies the set of his jaw. There's something deeper that they're not touching on, something that Noctis has always wanted -- but perhaps it's not up for him to have. The country comes first, not their hearts, and not for the first time he feels something ache deep inside. They don't have the luxury to be selfish, and Noctis will never have the right to choose anyone -- or demand the right to choose anyone -- above the crown, their country, the ones who have sacrificed themselves for the country's sake. ]
You did the best you could before. But -- moving forward. We're going to have challenges like these one way or another. I want you by my side. And maybe -- in a much more official capacity. Can you accept that?