nascere | LET'S PLAY {open post}

Of course. Just because you're a demon doesn't mean you should avoid organization.

[ As much as he's being playful right now, he's also half serious. He isn't sure what sort of structure exists within them but he knows how he'd treat it because he's gotten so used to organizing messes that he's certain he could do it, the Council's messes can't be any greater.

Noctis settles into him a little more comfortably and Ignis strokes a hand over the nape of Noctis' neck, playing with the longer strands of hair idly. ]

Seduction? So, some sort of incubus or succubus, I suppose. I'd be a terrible one, you know; I'd still probably never leave the office.

Unless I asked you to.

[ His response is soft, and maybe a little pleased with himself. ] Tempted you with my soul, maybe.

[ Which is really weird to say when they're watching a movie about a demon wrecking things and terrorising a family. As well as whatever the hell that just jumped out of them in the basement. Ignis stroking his hair is a comfortable, pleasant thing, and he's closing his eyes, breathing evening out. He doesn't remember feeling this safe and contented in recent memory, but it's not a bad thing.

Hmmm. Maybe if he just rested his eyes a little.. . ]

What would I ever do with your soul?

[ Ignis' voice is patiently amused, soft in Noctis' ear so they don't attract the attention of the other two cuddled up on the couch. He doesn't normally talk this much during movies, but it's too nice to be able to lounge like this, to talk to Noctis not about work or the state of the kingdom but inane, ridiculous things.

Smiling, he kisses the crown of his head again and his hand slips up a little further so he can rub warm circles at the nape of Noctis' neck, scratching blunt nails lightly. He gives it another few minutes before Noctis falls asleep. ]

Unless I was going to use it to keep you by my side, then I could be convinced.

[ Oh, that's really sweet. He's smiling into the crook of Ignis' shoulder, and really, he'd probably purr if he was physically able to do it. It's nice, getting to do this without any particular reason -- how Ignis indulges him his inanities, and he settles into his hand, musing. ]

Don't think that'll go so well. [ He pauses, deliberate because he does like tugging at the chain now and then. ] I'm already by your side anyway.

[ A beat, then. ] Making a career out of arranging your files alphabetically, making sure every one is tagged last name first in clear letters, and color-coordinated to indicate level of urgency for each.

[ If there's anything he's learned about Ignis in the years they've been together, it's that organising shit like that really gets him hot under the collar. And for his sake Noctis subjected himself to really paying attention to how his desk always seems to be so incredibly neat in the morning. Likely Ignis' doing, or his aides had been specially trained by him to do it. Either way. ]

[ Oh, his heart. Ignis makes a soft noise into Noctis' ear, almost a laugh, tugging at the blankets so it covers his chilly feet. It's absolutely intentional that they've turned the heat down this low in here, he thinks; Gladiolus likes to keep the place warm so he can walk around in his utterly absurd tank tops. This was part of their plan and had it not included him and Noctis so neatly, he may have honestly thought it was a good one. ]

How can I be good at my job if I'm not organized, mnn?

[ Demons love paperwork, right. Well, it doesn't really matter if they did or didn't; they'd do it regardless, if Ignis were in charge. He runs offices with an iron fist. ]

If you're tired, I can drive you back to the Citadel, you know. Or if you want me to wake you up at a certain point.

There's a room here, right? We can just...

[ He trails off. It's magic, listening to that low rumbling noise, how it's so intimately murmured against his ear. Noctis' words are just as quiet, and really -- the king just thinks Gladio likes having Prompto press up against him than showing off marginally more at this point. The things people do for love, right? And speaking of the things people do, he's boldly leaning up to drop a soft kiss against his jaw before shamelessly humming under his breath. ]

Mmm. I'm awake, I'm awake. [ No, he's really not. Because he's already dropping off. But at the end of the movie, he'll stir and blink awake, soft-eyed and drowsy and so much younger than his thirty years. ]

I think the coffee was decaf.

On the loveseat.

[ Ignis points it out, no small amount of amusement in his tone but he doesn't make any attempt to move away or to reposition them. It's no shock when Noctis' breathing evens out after the gentle kiss, and Ignis is left with the warmth against his body and a horror movie he's only half invested in.

When it ends, it's barely ten PM. Ignis looks down when Noctis stirs, watching him come awake from the doze in phases, slowly focusing in on what's happening. ]

You had a sip of it, Noct, I don't believe that that's enough caffeine content to help anyone. Did we wish to try and power through the second movie?

Another time, maybe.

[ The rigors of the day have taken its toll on him, and sleeping on Ignis is the only real nap he's had in awhile. He moves off him reluctantly and stretches, stifling a yawn. Still staying close, he glances over Ignis' shoulder to Prompto and Gladio, and something tells him that they should be making themselves scarce -- but the thing is, he doesn't want to go back to the Citadel. Being intimate here is one thing, but going back to the Citadel, well -- Ignis will have to be parted from him to keep up the veneer of detachment from prying eyes and ears. ]

Gladio, you got a spare room here?

Yeah, you know where it is. Just up the stairs, second door to the right. Take the one with the bathroom.

[ Anyone else would have fallen all over themselves to make arrangements for the king, but this is Gladio, one of his most trusted, and Noctis hates all the pomp and ceremony anyway, so he's making his way there already, giving Ignis a quick glance. He's still too sleepy to discuss the ramifications of his next question, and he doesn't care. ] You coming?

I suppose that's our cue, then.

[ He could probably stay up through the second, but Prompto's wilting and Gladiolus is giving the two of them a look that says if they don't head for bed or leave now, he's going to want to have a conversation and Ignis isn't feeling up to touching that with a ten foot pole right now.

Yawning, he starts helping to gather everything up, placing clips on the chip bags so they stay fresh and ferrying dishes to the sink while Noctis works himself up to the point of moving. The question, while nonchalant enough, makes Ignis pause. He has a kit here for when he spends the night, but he hadn't...really intended to stay here. He has to work in the morning - they all do, but they could take one car back into the Citadel, assuming they can get moving on time. There's some safety in knowing he's not about to have sex with Noctis in Gladiolus' apartment, too, so there's a level of certainty that this won't turn into anything he doesn't intend it to. ]

I -- yes, give me a few moments to help clean up and then I'll be in there shortly.

[ It takes monumental effort to peel himself off the couch -- he might be king now, and has actually achieved quite a few things in his stint as monarch, but rousing himself still takes a lot of work, and he's staring down at his shoes, completely ignoring Gladio's silent cues because Six, it's really difficult to get everything working.

But eventually, he lurches upwards, noting how Ignis has automatically taken on the role to clean up even if it's Gladio's apartment, and he has to stifle a small smile. Some things never change, right? Dragging the blanket with him in the most undignified manner (whatever, they've seen the worst of him anyway), he climbs up the stairs. He hasn't slept with Ignis in a little over two years; just sleeping, really, and maybe it's a good thing he's too groggy to overthink this the way Ignis probably is, because he's looking forward to a flat surface, some pillows, and Ignis' body against his.

They're not doing anything terrible, right? They're not doing anything more than this, and it should be okay. He's missed him sorely, and he's lost track of when they'd simply slept, contented and unafraid of what comes in the morning. They'll have to part ways in the morning. but somehow this time around it seems less daunting. So he nods and finds his way to the bedroom, and it takes up so much effort that he barely manages to toe off his shoes and stumble to faceplant into bed, under his blanket and on top of the covers.

Okay, a short nap before Ignis comes up and nags at him. ]

[ There's a brief conversation in the kitchen once Prompto totters his way into Gladiolus' bedroom, not even bothering to pretend like he's going to go home. Gladiolus, the bastard, doesn't even bother to help him tidy up in his own house, he just watches Ignis like a hawk, as if he's trying to emulate the creature emblazoned on his skin. Ignis stares him down a moment, eyebrow raised. Blessedly, it's short: Gladiolus telling him he's an idiot for waiting this long, Ignis grudgingly agreeing, promising to try and be better at this for Noctis' sake.

By the time he's done and is making his way up to the spare bedroom, sleepiness is pulling at him more than he'd like to admit. While it's not late, exactly, he does have to be up at dawn and usually falls asleep somewhere around eleven or midnight, so this isn't too early. With the heat of another body pressed against him, he thinks he'll sleep that much easier if his heart can get over the furious pounding that comes with realizing Noctis will be there.

Unsurprisingly, Noctis hasn't made it far. There's a blanket shaped lump and two shoes in the way when he comes in and Ignis resists the urge to roll his eyes, neatly plucking the blanket off. ]

Up, your royal sleepiness, I promise you'll be able to sleep the night away soon.

Mmmrgh.

[ A most dignified sound from the reigning monarch, who can't be arsed to move. But he has to, because the blanket's plugged off and he's struggling to sit up, rubbing at his eyes. ] Soon? You mean now?

[ Noctis asks, shuffling to crawl towards the top of the covers, tugging it off and fully intending to climb inside of it. He's very sure he doesn't have clothes here -- Ignis does, and he's really not keen on wearing anything of Gladio's. It gives him a complex, when he's much leaner than the immense behemoth that his shield is, and those shirts are bound to hang off of him. ] Just come in and sleep already, Iggy.

I'm so glad you agree.

[ If he can't understand you then he's assuming you're saying Yes, I'd love to get up and brush my teeth. Ignis comes closer to stop him from crawling under the covers like a particularly lazy slug, squeezing his shoulder gently. ]

Come on. Gladio keeps some spare toiletries in here because Iris comes to visit frequently enough; you can brush your teeth and it will almost be like you and Prompto didn't consume your bodyweight in junkfood tonight.

I feel like these are the things you appreciate about Prompto and me. Mostly me.

[ Because if it's Prompto, they're going to have a problem. But he's following after Ignis with a groan, thwarted from the magic sweet spot of nestling into the covers and getting warm. ] Do I have get to have sleep clothes that actually close up in the front?

[ Because Gladio reasons. Not everyone has the body of an Adonis' Adonis and while Noctis definitely isn't lacking in that department, he prefers comfortable sleepwear. Or in what he's wearing now, that definitely takes more effort. The trek to the bathroom is Herculean, and he brushes his teeth in due time, making space for Ignis before his brain really settles on the fact that yes, yes Ignis is right here with him, and this is good.

Looking over at him in the mirror while he rinses, he puts the toothbrush back in one of the holders. ] You okay with this?

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I feel like these are the things you appreciate about Prompto and me. Mostly me.

[ Because if it's Prompto, they're going to have a problem. But he's following after Ignis with a groan, thwarted from the magic sweet spot of nestling into the covers and getting warm. ] Do I have get to have sleep clothes that actually close up in the front?

[ Because Gladio reasons. Not everyone has the body of an Adonis' Adonis and while Noctis definitely isn't lacking in that department, he prefers comfortable sleepwear. Or in what he's wearing now, that definitely takes more effort. The trek to the bathroom is Herculean, and he brushes his teeth in due time, making space for Ignis before his brain really settles on the fact that yes, yes Ignis is right here with him, and this is good.

Looking over at him in the mirror while he rinses, he puts the toothbrush back in one of the holders. ] You okay with this?

Ah, you've caught me, I'm afraid Prompto and I have something to tell you.

[ Dry as the fucking desert. Ignis gives him an amused little smile in the mirror before proceeding to brush his teeth. The bathroom isn't particularly large, but it doesn't seem to matter, somehow. Despite all the time apart, he knows Noctis' bed time routine and it's easy to work around it.

Toothbrush in mouth, Ignis goes to the bed to strip the top blanket and tosses it in the dryer for five minutes before making his way back into the bathroom, pressing a gentle hand to the small of Noctis' back as he bends to spit and continue brushing. The question is a valid one, and not one he wants to address with his mouth full of froth, so he spits again, rinsing his brush and placing it back into the kit he keeps here. ]

I'm rather certain that a part of me is trying to convince myself that I shouldn't be, but I am. You can borrow a pair of my sweatpants, if you like, or I can see if Prompto is still up. I have a sneaking suspicion he's keeping clothes here as well.

I promise I'll keep my hands to all the not-naughty places.

[ Noctis says after a moment, looking for a towel and fishing it out from a cabinet, handing another one casually to him. He doesn't miss how easily they fit with each other, like two pieces of a puzzle, but something's starting to bother him the more he notices. Namely, how Ignis actually has his kit here -- and he's pretty sure that this isn't something he brought with him today. No. This means he's stayed over on more than a few occasions, and while Noctis isn't the jealous type, he remembers what Ignis told him about the... arrangement he used to have with Gladio prior to him.

That had been a difficult pill to swallow at first, but Noctis likes to think that he's currently come to terms with it. Somewhat. Hell, Gladio's all wrapped up in Prompto right now, but yet. ]

Do I want to know how many other places you've put your personal sleeping kit in?

My sleep schedule and eight o'clock meeting thank you.

[ He takes the towel, glasses settling off to the side. The tiny kit also has little things like small travel jars of the facewash he uses, and the lotion he's supposed to put on the scars to make sure that it doesn't get too rough or uncomfortable, so he washes his face quickly and then dries it with the towel, smoothing lotion over in neat circles. ]

It isn't that many. I carry one in the car I take most frequently just in case with a few days of clothing and other supplies, just in case. Another in my suitcase just in case I forget, and then the one here.

[ Noctis is observing him, the scars a reminder of everything Ignis has endured for him -- the searing, scorching pain; he will never forget the sight of his fallen form in a hurry. He remembers all the times he had spent pressing his lips to those scars, adoring and grateful all at once, and he can't help a curl of longing, his gaze lingering.

The scar on his brow, a smaller one on his lip, and it takes effort to look away. Deciding to just get to the point, he asks: ]

Do you and Gladio still --

Hold meetings outside the Citadel? Yes, semi-frequently. There are some things we'd rather not discuss there, at times.

[ Ignis is totally misunderstanding the question here because it's so outside the realm of possibility in his mind. Their time spent together had lasted a time, certainly, brought about by mutual respect and familiarity with each other - there was no danger to time spent and they both knew what the other wanted (or who) and it was mutually beneficial, much like his relationship with Aranea.

Lotion finished, he slides his glasses back on and then touches Noctis' shoulder lightly. ]

There's a duffel bag in the closet if you would like to look through it for something to wear. I'm going to fetch the comforter out of the dryer.

I mean do you two still sleep together.

[ Clarification, always important. They're still not together, not technically, but that doesn't matter to him either way. He nods at that and goes to rifle through the duffel in the closet, more for something to do rather than stand there like an idiot and wait for an answer.

He finds an oversized shirt and sweatpants,then unbutton his own carelessly, shrugging out of it and hanging it carefully on the back of the chair. Unbuckling his belt, his tailored pants are the next to go, and he gets dressed. It's a casual affair; the shirt too big on his lean, compact frame but it'll do. ]

Ah.

[ Is he asking because he's curious, or because he's jealous, Ignis wonders. He's not about to ask him that -- too raw to start digging into, most likely, but he does measure his words a little more carefully now that he knows that Noctis is concerned enough about it to ask.

Once he's finished in the bathroom, he heads to the hallway again to fish out the comforter, putting it in a pile on the end of the bed for the time being. Noctis' clothes are gathered to be hung, thank you, though the effort to put them on the chair is noted and appreciated and then the blanket is spread over the bed for Noctis to crawl under when he's ready. ]

It's been a long time since we ever considered it, really. We stopped, for the most part, once I left with Aranea and haven't picked it up since.

[ It's a little bit of both, really, but Noctis has a pretty good handle of it, and he's climbing in under the covers, his expression very carefully neutral. Watching Ignis absently, not intent to slide under until he's making his way over here, he nods at his words.

Everything about this is still very sensitive, but he makes his mind not to dig too deeply. Ignis is still his own person; Noctis doesn't have a claim to his time, his intentions. But more than that, more than the jealousy is the realization that Ignis is... lonely.

He's lonely, and he's never spoken of it, and Noctis feels his heart ache for him. ]

Come and sleep.

On my way.

[ Ignis folds back one part of the blankets for him to settle under, both of them taking their respective sides of the bed once Ignis has changed and hung his own clothing up. It isn't...strange to get into bed with him again. The strange part, he thinks, comes from the fact that this is familiar. He knows how they liked to sleep, what's most comfortable, what they prefer. The strange part is figuring out what's appropriate, what's over the line.

That Noctis doesn't follow up is indication enough that something's off, too. Gingerly, Ignis rolls onto his side and presses his hand over Noctis' heart, tracing fingertips over his chest, the material of the shirt baggy, sliding with each stroke of his fingers. ]

If you're worried of my potential interest in anyone else, you should know that I don't have any.

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