nascere | LET'S PLAY {open post}

[ The wedding, all things considered, had been the single most happy moment of his life. Noctis had never dreamed that something like this could happen; that he would one day outlive the prophecy and be able to find bliss for himself, to settle down and share his the rest of his life with his greatest love. But it happened, and on that day he could barely take his eyes off him, smitten and still harboring an odd sense of disbelief, like a treasure hunter who's found something so precious that it defies all measurement of price.

And then they're married, and Noctis settles in as king and husband. There are some mess ups along the way, but that's entirely human, and not all that earth-shattering, and life goes on. But life has an unpleasant way of tossing over curveballs, and Ardyn's latest parting gift is one of them.

Ignis saves his life again (how many times is it now? sometimes Noctis wonders if Ignis gets tired of it; if Gladio or Prompto do), and if Noctis were conscious he would probably hate that he needed to be saved this often. But as things stand, he fights for his life the way he always had, fierce and unyielding. The surgery ends up quicker than they'd probably thought despite the gravity and extent of his injuries, and when they transfer him to his own personal chambers once he's stabilised, the king wakes within the hour, groggy and high as a kite.

Everything's painless, everything feels like cotton wrapped in cotton wrapped in more cotton, and he doesn't remember where he is, only that he can hear colors and what wonderful colors they are, too. Noctis is settled contentedly on the cusp of friendly delirium and hazy amusement. There is one face, two faces, maybe three, and Noctis can't register them in his current state. They're nice faces, though. He likes those faces. ]

Heeeeeeeeey, I'm easy. Where's no rush?

[ He drags it out, all his words slurred because it sounds nice, and he decides that he likes one face a lot more in particular; the one touching him, most especially. ] They sent me really hot nurses, huh?

[ An item to sap the king's magic is not the most surprising thing they've ever encountered but it's certainly one that is inconvenient. It's a trap meant to kill him, of that Ignis has no doubt but they're older and wiser now, more battle tested. Instead, it is a minor inconvenience that should run itself out in the next few days. Ignis will make sure that anything else with a similar magical signature is similarly disposed of.

Right now, however, Noctis is rousing and Prompto whoops quietly, settling at the foot of his bed. Gladiolus stands behind him like a particularly ominous gargoyle, arms crossed as Noctis wakes. What he expects is a complaint about pain, or a request for water, or a thousand other things. What he gets is something he'd never experienced before.

Noctis was a blessedly easy person to watch over; Prompto never urged him to get into much trouble and it wasn't as if Noctis was going to go to wild parties and do drugs in the bathroom. Going through all of his memories, he can't really remember a time when the future king was well and properly out of his mind on medication because after he'd grown up, after Tenebrae, they'd never really needed it. So right now, is, ah... something.

Eaaasy, huh, Gladiolus drawls and he can hear Prompto's snickers. ]

Blessedly, all of the nurses and doctors have left you in our hands while you recover. I regret to inform you that none of them were what you would consider attractive, but they were quite competent, which is all that matters.

[ Ignis smooths back his hair lightly, stroking knuckles against his cheek before he bends down and presses a kiss to one of Noctis' hands. ]

You'll only be out a few days and the painkillers should wear off by supper. Let me know if you need more or if anything hurts too much, yes?

[ At this particular point, Noctis isn't thinking about magic -- he's not thinking about anything at all except for the fact that this really hot nurse that touched his cheek with those long, lovely fingers and oh shit did he just kiss his hand. He's saying something about the medical team that Noctis' currently fuzzy brain can't quite accurately grasp, and he glances over at the gargoyle and the chortling blond curiously before his eyes are fixed right back on the man with the green, green eyes. ]

You're really, really pretty. [ He slurs, apropos of nothing. Distantly, he's aware that he'd probably failed to grasp the finer points of this conversation, but who cares. He's feeling really, really good in a myriad strange little ways, and he's halfway to contemplating if he's sleeping on a real cloud.

Also, that he's maybe a little bit gay. Which is of course a thought that doesn't go unshared, because he's pulling Ignis down by his collar and whispering it loudly in his ear, enough for the other two to hear. ]

I think I'm a little gay.

Dude, Noct's stoned.

[ Ignis gives Prompto a withering look for his terribly insightful comment and turns his attention back to Noctis, feeling himself warm when he's told that he's 'really, really pretty.' Truthfully, he feels as if he needs a shower and his king to be back to normal, but he'll take the compliment as it is.

Noctis pulls him down and Ignis has a moment to wonder if he's about to be kissed in front of everyone (not for the first time, but ah--) but no. No, Noctis is just poorly whispering in his ear and Ignis clicks his tongue in response, terribly fond. ]

A little bit, perhaps. It'd be terribly disappointing if you weren't interested in men, considering we've been married a while.

[ Noctis' ring was taken during surgery but it's in the ringbox placed upon his dresser. Ignis shows him his ring instead, listening to Gladiolus' poorly withheld snickers. ]

Should we leave you to rest? You seem a bit -- out of sorts.

[ Noct is so stoned, but he's not too gone that he doesn't realise this really, really pretty man is blushing, and he's reaching out to cup his cheek -- all inhibitions tossed to the wind. Oh, he feels so good under his hand, too. ]

Married? [ He echoes, having enough presence of mind to look down at his hand. No ring, though, and his gaze lingers on Ignis' longer than he should, blinking. ] You mean to other people? [ Because why doesn't he have a ring? Crestfallen and disappointed, he asks, ] Do I have to tell my wife I'm gay?

[ Because that's going to be a very difficult conversation to have, and Noctis is feeling too good to ruin things. He's sleeping on a cloud! ]

[ Oh, dear. Ignis doesn't pull away but he can hear Gladiolus coo under his breath just so he knows that he's watching all of this. Much as he'd like for them to leave the room, now that they know the state Noctis is in, they're never going to leave so it'd be a fruitless endeavor. ]

We're married to each other. You had surgery; they had to give you something for the pain and it looks like it may have made you forget everything, temporarily. They've assured me it's only temporary.

[ Not that he thinks Noctis will care. He's blissed out on whatever they gave him. ]

So no, there's no worries about telling your wife that you're interested in men. One less awkward conversation to fret about.

Oh.

[ Wait. It slowly sinks in, and Noctis will probably kick the other two later for being privy to the most embarrassing moment of his life, but right now he's flying pretty high and he's not about to land anytime soon and Ignis, bless him, is handling his drug-addled mind like a champ. It sinks in, eventually, that Noctis is married, and most importantly Noctis is married to what is just about the most beautiful man he's ever set eyes on, because holy shit.

Holy shit. ]

Oh. [ He stares at him, eyes wide with growing wonder. ] You're married to me? [ Because there's gotta be a mistake somewhere, like Yule's come along and he opened his presents only it isn't a present, it's a shining star plucked from the sky. This is that shining star, bright like the sun and holy Astrals is he for real? ] Really?

[ Is that disappointment? Ignis gives Gladiolus a baffled look, unable to help himself and Gladiolus, ever helpful, shrugs palms up.

I think you just blew his mind, Prompto says after a pause and Ignis looks back at his husband, watching the realization dawn over his face. His eyes go wide, and his voice goes shocked and Ignis is-- well. Concerned. Very concerned, because the memory issues aren't exactly good but Noctis is looking at him like he's the best thing he's ever seen and that's very flattering, especially if they don't know each other in his mind. ]

A few months ago. I'll show you the wedding photographs in a bit, I promise. The ring is the one you gave me when we exchanged them.

[ Gently, he picks up Noctis' hand and kisses where his ring would be. ]

Would you like me to fetch yours for you to see?

Yeah. Yeah -- !

[ He's not sure if he's referring to wedding pictures or the ring but both sound really good and really impossible, and he's still staring at him like he'd disappear if he blinks. Fingers curling with pleasure around his, he flushes a warm pink at the kiss. He looks up at Gladio and Prompto askance. ] Did I really get this one?

[ Because it feels like he's won the lottery, he's won at least ten lotteries, and his chest feels so full it's about to burst out of his chest -- and it's definitely not the drugs. Probably. Noctis is hanging on to just about every word Ignis is saying, clinging to his hand so that Ignis can't let go of him. If it turns out to be a really good dream, he's going to be way pissed. ]

You'll have to let me go, Noct, or I can't -- oh.

[ Prompto, apparently deciding to have some use other than watching and taking video to blackmail their king with later, fetches both of them, along with the framed wedding photo that Ignis keeps on a shelf higher out of reach. All of the items are settled on Noctis' chest rather than over his injury, Prompto careful in avoiding that whole area. ]

...Thank you. I think that's all.

[ Blessedly, after a few more seconds of video, Gladiolus and Prompto wave their goodbyes, promising Noctis they'll be just outside the door. It leaves them alone, finally, and Ignis slips the ring out so he can push it onto Noctis' finger. ]

A perfect fit.

[ Oh, there he is. Noctis is reaching for the framed wedding photo, nearly knocking the other off his chest as he squints. It's an elegant affair, understated; or at least it would have been if Noctis hadn't grabbed Ignis by the lapels, kissed him at the very last second the camera went off, and he decided this is one of the few photos they're keeping.

Drugged-out Noctis doesn't think all that deeply about the photo, only that there is him, and there is Ignis, and he makes a loud, incredulous noise when the ring fits nicely on his hand, and he's still looking at him, unable to have enough of him. Shit, he's so beautiful, it's almost blinding, He's reaching out to touch his face, just a little, as if he's afraid Ignis would disappear if he presses too hard. ]

Have we kissed yet? [ Dazed, he continues. ] You are so perfect.

[ He's absolutely going to have them give him that video when it's over with. Not to delete, but because Noctis seeing this (in private) promises to be amusing in and of itself. Everything else is committed to memory; Noctis grabbing the wedding photograph, where Ignis' eyes are wide and his hands are clasping Noctis' arms in surprise as he's kissed within an inch of his life.

There's no revelations to gain from it; Noctis doesn't do more than stare, but the way he's doing it is terribly endearing, like he can't believe his eyes. ]

I assure you, there was nothing particularly chaste about our relationship leading up to the wedding. [ Dry dry dry. Ignis leans down and presses a lingering kiss to Noctis' lips, heedless of morning breath - or post surgery breath, as the case may be. Another kiss is pressed to the tip of his nose and then his forehead and Ignis draws away so he can keep carding fingers through his hair. ] If you'd like to get rest, I wouldn't hold it against you as entertaining as your wide-eyed awe is.

[ Ah, he's kissing him. He's kissing him and Noctis is kissing him back, even if it's a little messy and he doesn't actually have full control over his mental faculties. He's gripping the wedding photograph tight like it's a lifeline, looking to him, then to it in amazement. ]

No, no. No. [ Don't go. Noctis doesn't want him to go. ] I haven't looked at you enough yet. You married me! You. Look at you, you're gorgeous. [ Awe, admiration, and an incredulousness that suffuses every word. ]

We're married. [ He repeats, more to himself than Ignis, before he tilts his head up (even in this particular state, the bratty streak persists). ] Kiss me again.

[ It feels like their first kiss all over again, in a way. It's awkward, their noses bumping, and Ignis laughs quietly against his lips. A hand lifts to catch Noctis' jaw, to ease over it and guide him into softening it, tilting so that he can brush their lips together again and again. It's chaste, still, because he's not about to find out if they can do anything more ambitious with Noctis injured and, as Prompto so eloquently put it, stoned, but it's cute. Noctis is cute, even when he's being bratty, demanding.

Of course, even out of his mind on medication he'd probably know that Ignis is weak to resist any of his wants and whims. ]

I'm not going anywhere, you don't need to worry. [ He can't resist it, pressing another lingering kiss to Noctis' lips but when he withdraws it's to use the hand cupping his face so he can trace the swell of Noctis' lower lip with his thumb, slow and sweet. ]

You're quite gorgeous yourself, you know. I could spend hours openly, blatantly admiring every inch of you.

[ He has, but it's not like Noctis probably remembers that. ]

Mmm. Mm.

[ Noctis is pliant but eager, happy to be guided and taught all over again but even happier to take matters into his own hands, tongue lightly darting past his lips during that one kiss. Blitzed out of his mind on painkillers, Noctis is genuine, effusive, even -- there isn't an image to worry about keeping up when inhibitions are nonexistent, which is why he's wrapping an arm around his shoulders and tugging him close.

Leaning into his hand warmly, he's openly affectionate when he nips gently at his thumb, taking the tip of it into his mouth to gently suck. That feels like what he's done before, he thinks fuzzily, but he's distracted again when he sees the glint of Ignis' ring, reaching for it. ]

I gave you that ring? [ It's such a shiny, pretty ring. ] Man, I must really like you.

[ Of course he'd be handsy even now. Ignis strokes Noctis' bangs back with his free hand and makes a startled noise when he nips and then there's tongue against his thumb. Oh, dear. They are absolutely not doing anything while he's recovering from surgery, which means he tugs his fingers back with a noise that he'll never admit is a laugh. Instead, he pulls his ring off of his finger so that Noctis can see it and fiddle with it if he likes.

Not unlike giving a child something shiny, he thinks, and instantly is torn between finding it hilarious and a little terrible. ]

You did. It took you weeks to commission the jeweler and get it just how you wanted it, from what you've said.

[ He never takes it off if he can help it. After receiving it, he'd even had his gloves altered so that specific finger could have extra room so he could wear his gloves over it if needed. ]

I should hope so, given the ring and that we live together. Things would be terribly awkward if not.

[ The wedding photo is gently taken and settled off to the side beside the bed so he can look at if he wishes. ]

Can I get you anything? Water, or juice, or something to eat?

[ Oh, they're not doing stuff? Because there's a soft whine of protest when he pulls his fingers back, cut short when he gets to admire the ring, turn it over and over in his hands. Shit, he really gave it to someone like him. He made this and gave it to this guy right here, the most stunning person he's ever seen.

The effort put into the ring doesn't interest him as much as the realization that he said yes, and he's wearing it, and he's taking a hold of his hand, sliding the ring back on with a fond, goofy little smile. ]

We live together. [ He marvels out loud, like it's another new piece of information to him, and Noctis isn't really in the mood for eating even if he's parched, deciding instead to explore his new husband. ] Yeah. Turn around.

Edited 2017-12-30 03:03 (UTC)

Oh, hush.

[ Instead of chastising it's the same tone it's been this whole time: painfully indulgent and fond. Ignis lets him slide the ring back onto his finger and runs his thumb over the underside gently. He may be too out of it to realize if he's hungry or thirsty so perhaps fetching something to drink and some crackers or something equally easy to eat is a good idea.

Rising, he smooths down the front of his shirt and eases wrinkles out of his pants from his awkward position of sitting on the bed most recently, but in the painfully uncomfortable chairs before that. ]

We do, right here in the Citadel. For quite a few years total.

[ He counts when they were younger, even if they weren't technically together at that point. Heading over to the tiny bar on the opposite side of the room, he fetches a glass and pours water into it. No straws, which is an oversight he wasn't anticipating so he sends Gladiolus a quick text to obtain some and then comes back. The request to turn around is odd, but he had to get the water, so he's not quite sure if that's what he wanted. There must be some logic behind it that he's missing so he clarifies: ]

Shall I turn around again?

By the Six, you have a fantastic ass.

[ Did Noctis look at it a lot? He's sure he would have looked at it a lot. Noctis is still, turned in his bed to give the greatest ass in all of Eos his full and undivided attention.

The crotch is really, really nice, too, but right now Noctis is wondering if he can bounce crackers off his butt and halfway to asking Ignis if he pours his incredible body in his clothes every morning because tight. ]

Turn around again so I can see, baby. [ A beat. ] Do we call each other baby?

[ Whatever he expected, it's not that, though he supposes that he probably should have. Ignis resists the urge to turn and examine it; it isn't as if he hasn't seen it multiple times given that he was born with it.

Still, the compliment is...appreciated, in a way. Ignis barely resists the urge to laugh once more and instead heads to the door when Gladiolus (he assumes) knocks. A set of straws is passed to him in a little cardboard box along with Gladiolus' lopsided smirk, though he closes the door on that.

One straw is placed in the drink and then Ignis comes back to the bed with ice water, settling on the bed next to him once more, careful to make certain it doesn't jostle too much with the weight of him settling. ]

You do, though I'm not quite certain I've ever had the compulsion to do so.

[ Gently, he slides a hand under where pillow meets the back of Noctis' head and eases the water glass closer. ]

Easy, now. Take a few sips of this and then we'll debate pet names and their uses.

[ It's good that Ignis resisted the urge to examine it, because Noctis is too busy getting himself visually reacquainted with that particular work of art, and he pliantly follows along, sitting up to take a sip of water -- then plenty of it, because he's thirsty in ways that, right now, don't have anything to do with how smoking hot his husband is.

But he finishes the water in record time, more intent on plumbing currently unknown depths in regards to Ignis' affections than he is on asking for another glass of water. ]

Do I like you call me? I think I would.

I was never much one for pet names, unfortunately.

[ The water is drained and gently, Ignis pries the glass from his hand and kisses it, soft and lingering and smiles as he goes to get another one. If he walks a little bit slower, lets Noctis eye his ass while he does it, well, they're married. It's nothing that he hasn't seen before, right? ]

I call you darling, most of the time. Sweetheart, sometimes, usually in response to you. You're the far more inventive one when it comes to nicknames, I'm afraid. I believe Gladiolus, a mutual friend of ours, said that I tend to use nicknames that an old woman would use.

[ He'd rolled his eyes at the time but it wasn't wrong. He brings the glass of water back rather than bringing the pitcher over (may as well give Noctis a look every time, right?) and settles back on the bed to hand it to him. ]

[ Noctis takes it but doesn't drink, and oh did he have a fine view of that ass all the way there and back. Ignis moves so elegantly, so gracefully -- every movement efficient. He's enraptured, and he sidles as close as he can when Ignis settles on the bed next to him.

Oh, this is good. He's pressing himself up beside him, and gives Ignis' thigh a comforting little pat. ] You're much hotter than an old woman. [ A beat. ] I should call you Hot Stuff.

[ Urging Noctis not to move isn't going to get him anywhere; he has a feeling that within five minutes he's going to forget what he's asked anyway, so instead, Ignis delicately starts to edge closer after pushing a hand against the line of Noctis' collarbone to still him. His shoes stay on, his suspenders stay fastened but he leans himself back against the headboard at Noctis' side and cards fingers through his hair again, smoothing his bangs. ]

Thank you. [ What a ringing endorsement regarding Ignis' potential attractiveness. Of course, a moment later, Noctis follows it up and Ignis rolls his eyes to the ceiling, unspeakably fond. ] Please, no. I'll take 'baby' over that.

Mmmm.

[ The young king hums contentedly, woozy and happy to press back against his hand. He's getting tired, and he's handing the water back to him as he yawns. That Ignis is coming closer is heartening, and he insinuates himself right by his side, under his adviser's arm. ]

So baby it is. I'm really tired, baby.

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broments - 2017-12-30 08:18 (UTC) - Expand