nascere | LET'S PLAY {open post}

[ He feels ridiculous the more he talks about all of this; it's not as if Noctis would ever judge him for it, but at the same time, Ignis knows that he has his own things that he's going through. Of course, a relationship is a partnership, too. Noctis would want to know. Ignis is more than aware he's walking himself around in mental circles and talking about it will be more use than anything else.

The kiss to his fingers gets a soft noise in response, Ignis reaching out to graze fingertips over the curve of his jaw, the pout of his lower lip. He's so lovely sometimes that it strikes Ignis all over again and he feels silly for being almost flustered by it; he's far too old for that. ]

Ardyn was successful. You were - we lost you to the Astrals, the crystal, the ring. You fulfilled your destiny and he was defeated, but not before they took you, too. It wasn't...the situation itself was awful, but the worst was feeling so helpless. You had a duty to fulfill and I understood that, even in a dream, but that did not make it any easier to accept.

No, I guess it wouldn't.

[ Noctis says quietly, after a long silence. How much worse it must be for the people who love him -- for Ignis, Gladio, Prompto, to be haunted by the possibility of failure. Dying, he supposes, is easier than living through loss, because at least it ends. Not that Noctis wants to die, mind; even if he's prepared for the eventuality.

Sometimes, he thinks in his more private moments, if it might be better if he did, after all. A life to pay for all the others who have given theirs up for his sake along the way. But he owes his days to his people and their loved ones, he owes it to them to restore their home.

He leans into Ignis' fingers, eyes lidding at the delicate touch. This is not the rambling of a delirious man -- it's Ignis naming the ghosts that haunt him before they become a noose around his neck.

Leaning in close to lay a soft kiss to his chin, his cheek, he murmurs. ] Now is probably a good time to remind you that you're the strongest, bravest man I know. Not just anyone would charge in and demand the favor of the old kings. You --

[ His fingers come to rub over where the ring had been on Ignis', and he takes that to his lips, pressing a kiss over it, too. ] You're never helpless. You'll always find a way -- that's the kind of person you've always been.

[ Part of him hates this - he's always depended on being strong enough to be Noctis' shield of a different sort, so baring any sort of weakness feels even more strange. But it is Noct. He knows him, trusts him. He loves him. If he can't trust Noct with this, then what is he doing?

Besides, it feels better to get it out, to tell him about it. It never came to pass; Noctis is fine, warm and solid underneath Ignis' hand and he's grateful for that. It's a gift and he isn't going to squander it. Noctis leans into the touch and Ignis sighs quietly. Sometimes, he's overwhelmed with it: with how much he loves Noctis, with how grateful and lucky he is and moments like this make it all the clearer.

The sickness may be a portion of it; he feels absolutely horrendous but knows that he'll get well soon enough and dwelling on it won't help. It may make everything seem all the worse, but he's aware enough to realize it and compensate for it. ]

Flattery will get you everywhere, Highness.

[ He tilts his head up to it, like a flower to the sun and feels himself warm in a way that has nothing to do with his fever at Noct's gentle touch and kiss. ]

I'll do everything in my power to make certain your trust in me is never misplaced.

I'd hope so. I plan to get everywhere with you.

[ Look at him, still so beautiful when sick and looking like death warmed over -- and Noctis knows this is love, full and unrelenting and joyous, and when Ignis tilts his head up to him, when he accepts his kiss and his touch like it's the only thing in the world he wants, Noctis' heart sings. He never thought he'd have this again, he thinks, he never thought this kind of contentment would sit in his chest, so close to bursting. ]

In here, I'm your lover, not your king. [ He kisses the side of his mouth now, then his lips. If he gets sick again, he gets sick again, he doesn't care. ] Now get some sleep, and I'll give you a bath when you wake.

Mmnn, a good thought to consider.

[ He should let Noctis sleep, though. It's late and they're both tired, one of them from sickness, the other from job duties. He's laid bare his nightmares and while it still felt raw and a little awful to consider, Noctis hasn't run from the room and he's still being terribly sweet. It's ridiculous, just how much he loves him. It feels absurd, thinking about it, how things could be so different if they didn't have this, but no. He was lucky enough to wake up in a world where Noctis would be asleep beside him and he wasn't going to squander that gift.

The kiss to his lips gets a slightly disgruntled little noise made against Noctis' mouth, but he doesn't pull back. He does squirm down onto the blankets and sheets and strokes his hand down the line of Noct's chest, ending at his hip, settling his head on the pillow. ]

I'll hold you to that in the morning.

LET'S PLAY {open post}

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject