nascere | LET'S PLAY {open post}

Trust me when I say I'm much less worried about me than I am about you.

[ He's weathered concerns about his position before, and come out fine. Now of course, he's going to be thrown into the spotlight but his work, his duties, and everything else have been utterly impeccable. There's nothing that they could hope to pin on him, or mark as disappointing or handled improperly save for this affair. This too shall pass.

It takes him a few extra moments to answer as he's pulling out onto the highway, but then he continues: ]

I intend to update it more fully tomorrow; right now we're getting the brunt of it and it's overwhelming. We'll let the various departments do their jobs for the time being and then bright and early we'll focus on a plan outside of that. We won't have to give any other sort of statements outside what's already been provided, and if any emergencies come up, they know how to reach us. We're at a point right now where the most we can do is wait until tomorrow.

[ Not exactly true but true enough for Noctis, who needs to sleep someday. ]

I'll be fine.

[ Because that's just like Ignis, isn't it? It's just like him to worry about everyone else except himself; it's one of the things Noctis loves about him -- and is so often exasperated by, in the same vein. Reaching the innermost private chambers of his personal quarters, Noctis allows himself to relax, carefully setting his phone on the stand before shrugging the immensely heavy cloak off. He sets it aside with care, knowing how much Ignis hates it when he just drops it to the carpet.

He absorbs those words, silently marveling at how Ignis seems to already be so on top of this when Noctis had essentially only just dropped the bomb a couple hours ago. But he trusts him beyond all else, and he's grateful that he's here for him, and he smiles faintly. More than sleep, Noctis needs him. His presence, his comfort, for this small, peaceful moment with him amidst all the madness. ]

Sounds about right. You're coming straight to me when you reach the Citadel. No detours.

[ If they can only wait until tomorrow, then Ignis is doing it with him. ]

Yes, I have no doubt that you will be fine, I was asking how you are right now.

[ He doesn't really need an answer because he knows, truth be told. It's been a brutal day for all of them and if Ignis is emotionally exhausted than he can't even begin to imagine just how tired Noctis must be with this on top of everything else. At least he's relaxing, now, or making an attempt at it.

Ignis' toe presses the pedal a touch harder, flicking his signal on to turn. He's not speeding exactly, but he is passing cars more frequently than he needs to. So long as he drives carefully there's no issue. ]

I don't believe anyone is so foolish as to think I would do anything else, Noct.

[ The corner of his lips tug up despite himself, a lopsided little almost-there smile; if anyone wasn't aware of his devotion to his king, well, now they certainly were. ]

Another six minutes, or so. What were you intending to call for dinner?

[ Ignis doesn't need an answer to that, despite the question, and he notices him speeding up, based on the shadows that pass just a little quicker. Noctis spends a few moments just looking, just admiring him when he drives, and he stifles a smile. ]

I mean, no detours to the offices to check up on them.

[ Because he knows he'll probably do it, considering that intently driven nature. He finds that lopsided little smile charming, contemplating taking a long, long soak. But Ignis will be here in six minutes, so that's out. ]

I made them order pizza. [ None of the specially prepared gourmet meals tonight. He wants junk food. ] And a lot of wings.

[ And no sign of a salad in sight. ]

[ Oh, well. You're not fun, Noctis. Ignis doesn't make any promises, but he will endeavor to make the check ins the briefest that he can. Despite the shitty situation, he still wants to make sure that none of them are too miserable and if they are, that he can at least offer some sort of guidance. ]

I'll keep the check-in brief, I promise.

[ Oh, pizza. That's actually pretty promising. Ignis hums in response and doesn't even bother mentioning the salad for once, despite how he thinks about it. Some battles can't be won and shouldn't be fought. ]

I'm pulling into the garage soon; I'll likely lose service but if you want to meet me at the elevator I'll be up soon to deliver something to you.

Ignis. You have three minutes. Tops.

[ He knows, see? He knows. Noctis sighs, but he knows that nothing short of a royal edict will stop him from checking in on the others. He appreciates it, how devoted Ignis is to the staff, to the work -- the man might be a harsh taskmaster, but he's fair, and there isn't anyone else who practically knows and cares personally for everyone working here.

And that's also how he knows Ignis himself is weary, he's not even putting up a fight about the blatant lack of salads. Lurching himself up to his feet with a little groan, he's moving towards the doors; he wants to see him, and he's already making his way to the secured elevators down the corridor. He passes the glaives on guard, nodding at them. ]

Deliver something? What's that?

Yes, Majesty. And nothing exciting, I'm afraid. I'll speak to you soon.

[ He's about to pull into the garage so he disconnects the call after a tiny half-smile.

It takes everything not to roll his eyes. In the end, it doesn't take too long to check in and while it's absolutely a shitshow, he's able to cut and run to the floor where Noctis is likely waiting.

He doesn't have anything particularly fantastic, but he has picked up the little desserts for Noctis that he likes at a tiny shop down the way from the Citadel. The glaive holding the elevator hands them off with a carefully blank look. They're in a tiny bag in his hands when the elevator dings open and he doesn't hesitate to reach out to Noctis, sliding a hand around the small of his back so he can tug him into a gentle kiss, lingering. ]

Hello. You were remarkably strong today and I know it cannot have been easy for you.

[ Noctis will consider that a profound development, considering that Ignis only stayed three minutes rather than thirty -- he's half-expecting the latter, considering his workaholic tendencies. But he's pleased when the doors open a few minutes later, more than pleased to step into his arms and press his mouth softly to his.

It lingers and makes him warm, his arm wrapping around his waist. This feels better, this feels right, and he gives him a crooked smile when he pulls back. ]

And you know I've probably brought trouble on you.

[ The benefit of hiring good people to work with you is that they're able to handle things that you're not normally able to handle. Ignis fully trusts that their team can handle things until early the next morning and while he'll have to wake up obscenely early to work with it, it's still better than nothing.

Besides, not much could distract him from Noctis right now. Ignis presses another kiss to his lips at the mention of trouble, utterly unconcerned; they're in private, this section is secured to the king alone. ]

Even if I cared about such things, I would not blame you for it. Now. Take these to the table and let me change and I'll join you for this utterly horrendous mess of unhealthy food.

Oh.

[ Noctis notices the little bag he's holding, brightening visibly -- he knows where that bag's from, and he tugs him in by his collar again to deepen the kiss, grateful and pleased. Taking it from him, he smiles against his lips. ]

I hope you know you're the only one I let boss me around like this. [ And it amuses him, pleases him, before he lets go and starts down to his private quarters. ] And hurry, the pizza's just reached and it's piping hot.

Mmn, yes, oh indeed.

[ There it is. Ignis is equally pleased Noctis is so thrilled with the little thing he'd brought and lets himself be tugged into the kiss with a soft hum, lifting his free hand to stroke through his hair gently. ]

If I properly bossed you around I could get you to make your bed in the morning and eat your vegetables. [ Ignis says it too fondly to be actually mad, trailing after him. While his clothing isn't all in this room, he has enough to live with and after depositing what he has he heads for the bedroom to quickly change. On his way back into the dining room he adjusts the neck of the tshirt, borrowed shamelessly from Noctis. ] You may have ordered too much food for two people, you know.

You're never too tired to riff on me about my food intake, are you?

[ Noctis teases him, and shakes his head with a smile. He helps to lay out the sweet little mochi sweets, sneaking a few pieces of what Ignis bought before he comes back just because he can't resist.

He's still chewing when Ignis comes back, and stops, mouth full and inexplicably resembling a hamster when he notices Ignis wearing one of his t-shirts. Ignis does tend to wear his shirts from time to time, but they never stop being ridiculously sexy, even when the words emblazoned over his chest are it's about to get reel. It's tighter on him, too, considering the difference in their sizes. It's hot. ]

Mmmph. [ He swallows. Oof. ] I could eat an entire pizza on my own, you know.

Mmnn, never so far.

[ He tries helplessly to tug down the shirt but there's no helping it. While Noctis may be a touch broader than him in certain areas, Ignis' extra height doesn't help matters. The tshirt brushes the line of the simple, striped black and white silk pants he's tugged on, along with the slippers underneath.

Prompto had gotten them for him last year - simple, black slippers, but he kept the chocobo pair in his own apartments because they were cute and Prompto lit up every time he visited and saw him using them. ]

Water, before you choke. [ Not in a sexy way you asshole. Ignis holds the water up after he pours it, handing it over. ] That's not a feat to be proud of, that's vaguely terrifying if anything.

[ No, his extra height doesn't help matters, and Noctis can't help but be appreciative as he takes the water, finishing just about half of it in one go. ] Thanks for getting it, by the way. I forgot how good it tastes.

[ There was never an opportunity to pick up sweets, and he's more pleased than anything that they're still in business. He tasted a few new flavors, too. Probably. It's hard to tell when he shoved three of them in there at once. ] Did they expand their selection?

[ He's reaching for the pizza, piled high with different kinds of meats with enough grease for any oil-hungry countries to launch an invasion, then offers it to Ignis. ] You know I work it off immediately after. Usually on you. Sometimes in the gym.

[ Maybe he should visit the gym soon, come to think of it... ]

Of course. I know the day wasn't ideal, by any means.

[ And Gladiolus, much as Ignis will constantly protest it, is right. Ignis spoiled him, far before there was anything romantic between the two of them but it isn't like it ever stopped. If anything, it ramped up even more strongly as time went by. ]

I'm not certain, honestly. I've only tried a few of their items, but I asked them to prepare the flavors you most frequently purchase.

[ And shops notice when the king or his men come in to purchase, so it wasn't difficult to send one of their men on the trip to obtain them with a generous tip for them and the confectionery store. ]

You could always come to the gym with Gladiolus and I, if you like.

[ Ignis makes the offer fully knowing Noctis likely won't. Another gentle kiss, this one to Noctis' forehead, and then he tugs him by the hand over to where the scent of pizza is. ]

Much as I'd normally protest, I have to admit this sounds remarkably good after this day.

[ No, he definitely won't. Noctis hums and settles in together with him. He might be spoiled silly by Ignis, but he's always liked doing the same for him, returning little treats whenever he can find them, or learning the finer points of organizational porn just so he can surprise him with it -- which, surprisingly, goes a long way.

Warmed and actually happier after the shitshow of a day they've all had, Noctis allows himself to completely relax. He's taking a slice of pizza, offering it to Ignis. ] What sounds good? The gym or the pizza? Because there's only one correct answer here.

The gym, tomorrow or-- well, I suppose it's not reasonable for at least the next week, unfortunately. But after, perhaps I can entice you into coming with me.

[ Ignis grabs a slice for himself, folding it neatly in two with a careful little tug and creases it neatly down the middle so that he can bite off the end while he's standing without making a mess, and while still keeping a hand at Noctis' side. Normally he'd like to sit in the chair and maybe keep up on the news idly, but today's been a day, to say the least. Casual won't hurt. ]

As it is, the pizza is remarkably good after such a day.

[ Oh, honestly.

Noctis is dragging him off to the couch, grabbing the box of pizza along the way before pushing Ignis to it, settling in beside him with the box on his lap. No news, no standing around. They're going to relax. On hindsight he'll probably have to grab the wings, too, but maybe he can charm Ignis into getting up to fetch it later. ]

I'm still amazed you can make eating pizza into an art.

[ Oh, oh, they're moving. Ignis takes his lone slice of pizza and follows to the couch, much too tired to argue about the semantics of eating it right now and far more concerned with fetching two drinks from the fridge and then sinking next to him with a few more bites of that slice. Multitasking, thanks. ]

Folding a pizza is now art? Mmmn, good to know if I ever have to entertain you.

[ In the meantime, he's already polishing off his pizza with aplomb. This is what you get when you haven't eaten the entire day. He's sprawling on the couch beside him because he gets to, leaning against Ignis' shoulder.

The pizza box is now resting on his stomach, and he's reaching for another one. ]

I'd prefer to listen to you sing. You're -- what, a baritone? Tenor?

[ Under any other circumstances, with any other man it'd be remarkably disgusting. With Noctis, Ignis is helplessly charmed, winding an arm around his shoulders to tug him in to borderline cuddle while they work on the pizza together. He's already fetched a drink; he can fetch the wings next but right now he's terribly comfortable. ]

A- you know, I'm...not entirely certain. Choir classes stopped after I was ten or so, and we never picked them back up; they weren't specifically necessary for my duties. I think they were implemented them to ensure I was 'well rounded' as an assistant to you.

[ Noctis twists around to stare at him, miffed. ] So they were expecting you to sing to me? How does that come up?

[ Not that they were wrong, because it's coming up now, but whatever. He likes when Ignis is flustered, just a little, and he's biting into his second pizza, relishing the sodium and grease overload. Ugh. They're going to be absolutely disgusting after this. Luna should never be allowed to have pizza. ]

[ Ignis polishes his off and then reaches for a second, folding it neatly in two as well. He eats the same way he does everything - careful, considering, making certain he won't spill. Normally there are suit pants to worry about but this time, of course, it's just pajamas. ]

No, I think they wanted the ability to read music and understand it to be useful to help me develop my mind more than anything else. I can't read much of it these days; much like any language, you lose the ability if you don't use it actively.

[ They are absolutely going to kill this pizza if they're not careful. Ignis resists the urge to kiss him as he stands, heading over to the box of wings, bringing those back to the couch for them both. They're marginally more acceptable than the pizza. ]

If it helps, I think your mind's exceptionally developed.

[ That's the plan, Ignis. They are going to kill this pizza, and there's going to be nothing careful about it. He makes a noise of protest when Ignis pads over to get the box of wings, and then resumes sidling up to him when he settles back in. Pausing halfway, he regards the wings and calculates just how much effort he needs to put into eating them.

Maybe they should've gotten the boneless ones. ]

We're taking a long bath after this.

You say the sweetest things and flattery will get you everywhere.

[ Ignis' tone is gently teasing, full of affection. Once the wings are settled, Ignis lifts his arm to accommodate him, fingers stroking idle lines back and forth over Noctis' shoulder. He has no desire for the wings, but shockingly, the pizza is hitting the exact spot he wanted for greasy, awful to eat food. ]

I can go draw it in a few minutes if you like.

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