[ Part of him wants to make excuses, to usher Noctis out until he can open the windows and shower, covering up evidence of this. He hadn't slept with anyone else that he'd dated; once or twice, he got close, but for the most part, he was finding that he wanted some sort of connection. After loving so hard and so long the idea of not having any sort of emotional connection to someone was...difficult.
Aranea, he respected, he knew. They'd fought together and nearly died together on a number of occasions. She offered simplicity in a world that often wasn't, without any of the issues dating brings. Distantly, he know that he's putting a band aid on the would rather than cauterizing it, but he can't seem to stop himself. Worse, she knows exactly how to read him as well as he reads her these days, knows when it's going to be nothing remotely physical, they're just going to discuss business, knows when he wants to be bent over the bed and made to curse into the pillows. She never calls him on it directly, but she also doesn't hide her disapproval. This time, it takes a tangible form.
Inside the bundle of paperwork is an offer of a job. Merc work with her, under a contract with the crown. She knows enough people in enough high places between the Empire and here that it's an easy play, no doubt. She's offering him a chance to get away from it for a while, to travel and refresh. To be involved in a different way, to protect Noctis in another capacity. It's tempting. When it looks as if Noctis wants to fight, Ignis exhales and presses his hands flat to the table, waiting until he watches those edges soften, hackles lowering.]
She had business to attend to, earlier. It was less of an issue for her to come here than for me to make my way to her hotel. I have an early meeting in the morning.
[ He's not ashamed of passing time with someone else, of trying to move on, but when Noctis keeps standing there and doesn't lash out, he goes for the robe hanging on the door and pulls it on just slow enough that it doesn't seem like he's rushing to hide. ]
If you need something, it won't take me long to clean up and I can meet you in your study.
YESSS LET THE HATE FLOW THRU U
Aranea, he respected, he knew. They'd fought together and nearly died together on a number of occasions. She offered simplicity in a world that often wasn't, without any of the issues dating brings. Distantly, he know that he's putting a band aid on the would rather than cauterizing it, but he can't seem to stop himself. Worse, she knows exactly how to read him as well as he reads her these days, knows when it's going to be nothing remotely physical, they're just going to discuss business, knows when he wants to be bent over the bed and made to curse into the pillows. She never calls him on it directly, but she also doesn't hide her disapproval. This time, it takes a tangible form.
Inside the bundle of paperwork is an offer of a job. Merc work with her, under a contract with the crown. She knows enough people in enough high places between the Empire and here that it's an easy play, no doubt. She's offering him a chance to get away from it for a while, to travel and refresh. To be involved in a different way, to protect Noctis in another capacity. It's tempting. When it looks as if Noctis wants to fight, Ignis exhales and presses his hands flat to the table, waiting until he watches those edges soften, hackles lowering.]
She had business to attend to, earlier. It was less of an issue for her to come here than for me to make my way to her hotel. I have an early meeting in the morning.
[ He's not ashamed of passing time with someone else, of trying to move on, but when Noctis keeps standing there and doesn't lash out, he goes for the robe hanging on the door and pulls it on just slow enough that it doesn't seem like he's rushing to hide. ]
If you need something, it won't take me long to clean up and I can meet you in your study.