fourstrings | the longer the waiting the sweeter the kiss

the longer the waiting the sweeter the kiss

[ Honestly, a six-month anniversary isn't something he'd been thinking about celebrating until Noctis had brought it up (in... however a disastrous fashion). It's always seemed a little morbid to count what time they have together. But once the idea is in his head, he can't quite leave it alone.

He thinks first of taking Noctis out somewhere they can watch the stars. A nice callback, if there'd been something particularly interesting happening, but as it stands the idea doesn't weigh against the tradeoff of camping when he's hoping to... celebrate. Then clothing, perhaps, something tailored especially for him. Ignis likes the idea of a symbol of his affection that Noctis can wear in public, but when almost all of Noct's clothing is tailored especially for him and a full third of it chosen by Ignis anyway, it lacks significance.

It's not until he hears about a fellow student looking for assistance that he knows what it needs to be. He'd hoped for pure royal black, but when he'd arrived to have a look none of them had quite matched that description. In the end, the kitten he chooses is almost entirely black – the toes of her front left paw are white, making her look as if she's dipped it delicately into paint, and he thinks she's all the more charming for it. She's been with her mother long enough that she's past the helpless fluffball stage, bright and inquisitive and affectionate with him until she decides she's had enough and trots away haughtily, her little tail held completely upright, and lays down to take a nap.

She's perfect.

He tells Noctis he's going to come by to prepare a special meal, and he has every intention of doing so. He explains away the everyday nature of it by reasoning that this way they have the privacy to be as affectionate as they like, but when he's at the door he sends Noctis a text asking him to wait on the couch, with his eyes closed. He's almost certain any text he receives in response will have some accusation of kinkiness so he doesn't check, just carries in his first load; ingredients for dinner and the cheesecake he'd prepared ahead of time, craning to see if Noctis is following instructions. ]

Won't be long.

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[ honestly, after the disaster of his first (accidental) attempt at an anniversary gift, noctis is almost determined to swear the whole thing off. ... but ignis is important to him, and it seems wrong not to... mark the occasion, somehow. to make a note of it, to try to express that importance with something tangible, some act or some present.

unfortunately, ignis isn't an easy man to shop for.

clothes are immediately out of the question -- ignis is at least a thousand times more fashionable than noctis could ever even dream of being, and the idea of presenting him with something tacky and unwanted is... embarrassing. cooking is also a no-go, for much the same reason. and he's never really been all that great with his hands, or talented enough in any area to consider making something. he skims store windows idly on his way home from school in the afternoons, but all the little glittering trinkets on offer just don't seem to be... enough, somehow. too impersonal, too easy.

luna is the only one in his confidence when it comes to this secret relationship, so he even tries turning to her for advice. but the response he gets isn't exactly the easy answer he was hoping for; she only tells him, in that sweet way that always makes it feel like her words are smiling warmly up from the paper, that he's the only one who can pick out the perfect gift. that if it feels right to him, it'll be perfect to ignis, because it'll be chosen from the heart. which is all well and good, really, except his heart isn't sending him anything remotely useful. how do you pick a gift that tells someone how much they mean to you? how much you love them?

in the end, he makes his choice, and... even down to the minute he gets ignis' text, he's still tempted to stuff it under a couch cushion and just forget the whole thing.

still. ]

You really should've given me the blindfold ahead of time, Specs. [ because he knows ignis would ignore a text, and can't be allowed to escape the requisite comment so easily. ] Thought you'd be the type to have your kinky stuff all planned out.

[ Honestly, he's insufferable. Which is, of course, why the smart little remark has Ignis smiling. A detour, then, to check that Noctis really isn't peeking -- but mostly to lean down and speak right next to his ear, low and soft. ]

Perhaps I simply like to see what I can have you do just by asking, from time to time.

[ He follows it up with a little kiss pressed against Noct's temple, and then moves away to complete his task. ]

Closed, Noct. Until I say otherwise. I'm quite serious.

[ he's on his best behavior! and not peeking, which is why ignis suddenly speaking into his ear is enough to make him jump. ... and then blush, heat creeping up from underneath his collar as the words sink in properly. he's half-tempted to try to reach up and catch ignis long enough to pull him down for a kiss, but...

... before he can decide, there's already the soft fall of his footsteps, moving steadily away. dammit. ]

I got it, I got it. [ puffing a little breath up towards the ceiling. ] But I don't know why you're bothering being so secretive. Even if I see the ingredients, I'm not gonna be able to figure out what you're making.

I suspect it might only confused matters, at that.

[ But he is being good, and even if he wasn't Ignis is excited for the big reveal. A little anxious, certainly, but excited. There's a box that gets rather unceremoniously deposited just inside the door, full of supplies -- litter and a tray, food, cat dishes and some little heart-shaped treats that he's informed cats adore. The kitten, on the other hand, gets lifted carefully and cradled against his chest while he deposits her carrier with the box. Far better to put her straight into Noct's hands, he thinks. He gives her ear a little rub and then moves slowly back to the couch, pleased to see that Noct's eyes are still closed and the surprise will be complete --

and the kitten mews, because of course she does. ]

Honestly.

[ he does mean to keep his eyes obediently closed, really.

but the little mew startles him enough to make him forget his promise, and he immediately swivels around to find the source. and the sight of the kitten in ignis' arms is so... different from what he might have been expecting that his brain struggles with the task of processing what he's seeing; there's just a long moment of wide-eyed silence, throat working around words that refuse to come. ]

Is that --? [ and he stands up before he even realizes what he meant to do, still stunned into a stupor by the wriggling black fluff in ignis' arms. ] You --

A little spoilsport, apparently.

[ But one he's had time to grow fond of, if the warmth in his voice is any indication. Noctis looks stunned, but given his general attitude towards cats Ignis is happy to assume it's in a good way. He keeps walking until he's close enough to gently extend her for Noctis to take, his smile leaving very little room to assume he's anything but thoroughly pleased with himself. ]

But your little spoilsport.

[ ignis can't have gotten him a cat.

after all, he's the one who seems to be the most mindful of noctis' busy schedule -- he's always shepherding him from obligation to obligation, pushing reports gently in front of him, reminding him about pressing things on his calendar. if anything, noctis always assumed a pet would be shot down as an impossibility, a distraction he can't afford and that his duties won't permit. so it's never even been something he's permitted himself to want; the disappointment for some things is just too great, too raw, too real. it's always been better to ignore the bars of his cage when he can, to keep from slamming himself up against them and letting his boundaries bruise him.

but ignis passes her over into noctis' arms, and she's warm and wriggling and real. already mewing impatiently, wriggling in a clear desire to be put down so that she can explore this new kingdom. but he can't resist the urge to press her up against his cheek, to feel the kitten-soft fur against his skin, to feel the flutter of her little heartbeat for himself. ]

You got me a cat. [ and it isn't until his voice breaks on the last word that he's tearing up, already struggling to swallow past the lump in his throat. ]

[ Oh. Oh. The sight of Noctis tearing up is too much for him, even knowing it's out of joy. So he leans in close, careful not to press against the tiny body between them, and kisses Noct's cheek.

He'd wondered about it, after he'd heard there were kittens who needed homing. Noctis is busy, between his schooling and his duties. He'd never have considered a dog, or something equally needy, but cats are notoriously independent. He likes the idea of it, too; a little friend to be there when Ignis can't, to curl up next to Noctis on the couch and keep him company while he reads over dull reports or does his homework. ]

She needed a home. And I can't think of anywhere she'd be more loved.

[ ignis moving close enough to press a kiss against his cheek is all the incentive noctis needs to throw his free arm around him in a fierce hug, much less careful to keep from squishing the kitten between them. but she seems pleased by the warmth (or by the idea that she's become the center of attention), and settles down to a steady rhythm of purring between them. ]

I can't believe you got me a cat. [ and he can feel the stupid tears spilling over onto his cheeks when he squeezes his eyes shut, but he can't convince them to stop. he's just... so touched by the idea of it, of ignis picking her carefully out and thinking of him. of another little life to warm up the apartment and make it feel less lonely -- and did ignis think about that too, he wonders? it's the perfect gift, the sweetest gesture noctis can imagine, and he's so overwhelmed and so wildly in love that everything inside him wants to come boiling over and out. ] Thank you.

Thank you so much, I can't -- [ with a little hiccup, and then a watery laugh. ] Damn, now your gift is gonna seem really lame.

[ Well, the cat seems happy. She's a tiny little thing, to be making a purr loud enough that he can feel it against his chest, but it's just another reassurance that he's chosen correctly. For her and for Noctis, whose face he tips up to softly kiss at the fall of his tears and then sweetly and chastely at the mouth. It's wonderful to see him like this, to see how instantly he's taken to her and she to him, enough to make his chest squeeze tight with love. ]

Oh, I doubt it. This was a halfway selfish choice to begin with. Between her and Carbuncle, now I know there'll always be someone watching over you when I can't be here.

[ It's meant as a joke, and he doesn't realise how true it is until the words are already out. Half the reason he'd fallen so in love with this particular kitten is how easily he'd been able to picture her cuddling up with Noctis after the self-assured way she'd rubbed up against his outstretched hand when he went to see the litter, throwing the whole weight of her tiny body against his touch instead of the curious sniffing process of the others. And if he'd spirited away one of Noct's worn t-shirts to put in her carrier to help her get used to his scent and facilitate the process, well. It was only practical. ]

Look at her. She's already decided you'll do.

[ it's a little embarrassing to be making such a mss of himself in front of ignis, but -- well, it's not exactly like it's the first time. and he really is too blown away by this little purring gift to even think about how he might compose himself in favor of looking cool, so...

it's sort of a lost cause. ]

If you wanted to get me an extra babysitter and call her a present, you're not supposed to admit to it. [ but it has him smiling, even though his eyes are still teary. ] You're not much of a spy.

Nor much of a spymaster, it seems. I think she's already switched sides.

[ Not that it was ever in any doubt hat she'd adore Noctis; Ignis hasn't seen him with animals often, palace life being what it is, but he does seem to have a way with them. Noctis is smiling, though, and that's the important thing. Ignis cups the back of Noct's head, stroking gently at his hair, and returns the smile warmly, his eyes full of affection. ]

These six months have been wonderful, Noct. I love you.

[ it's not as if the words are a secret between them, but they still manage to knock him a little breathless each and every time. there's always that quick blaze in his heart, as if he's flint and the words strike at him just enough to produce sparks -- he's incredibly lucky, noctis knows, to be loved by a man like this. so his immediate response is to curl his free hand around the nape of ignis' neck and pull him down for a kiss, lingering and sweet. ]

Love you too, Specs. I'm really glad you, uh... gave me a shot at this. [ and his cheeks color, just a little. ] The whole boyfriend thing.

Speaking of which, I, uh... [ and he lets go of ignis briefly, shifting the kitten into the crook of his arm so that he can dig for the little package in his pocket. ... which then gets thrust at ignis, with noctis pointedly looking the other way. ] It's kind of a lame gift, but...

[ it's a clumsily wrapped thing, dark blue tissue paper with little glittering silver stars, small enough to fit in the palm of ignis' hand. and unwrapping it unveils a simple necklace -- a skull strung on a length of silver chain. ] It's, uh... it's made out of a little piece of the crystal that fell off a long time ago. Back when it crash landed here, maybe? Or that's what my dad said, anyway.

But I thought... [ and he hesitates, chin ducking just a little. ] If I was connected to the crystal, and you had a little piece, then... that'd mean we were connected, too. Even when we're apart.

[ and he'd chiseled out the little skull himself so it wouldn't just look like a chunk of random rock -- it blends better into the crownsguard garb this way, and it also signifies a link between ignis and the crown. but the handiwork is still a little rough, clumsy and obviously inexperienced, so he doesn't rush to lay claim to that. ]

[ He's already smiling at the sight of the little skull before Noctis explains, but then he does and Ignis could swear he feel his heart flutter and thump at the significance of it. A piece of the crystal, so deeply and inextricably linked to Noctis and his line, to hang about his neck. It's too much, obviously, an honour far beyond him -- but given to him as it is by Noctis, he wouldn't give it up for anything. He stares at it dumbly for a moment, completely lost for words, and when they won't come at all he simply squeezes it tightly in his hand and leans in to kiss Noctis again. Slow, firm, and full of gratitude.

That done, he lifts his hands to fasten the chain around his neck. It's quite short; short enough for the skull to nest in the hollow at the base of his throat. The way his shirt is buttoned now -- the way he wears it when it's just the two of them, rather than how he wears it on official business -- frames it perfectly, and as his fingers brush over the little carving he decides then and there that it's how he'll wear them from now on. He'll never be able to hold Noct's hand across the table in a cafe, or slip his arm around him as they walk together, but this he can wear proudly in public for all to see, and that feels like a victory. ]

How does it look?

[ that little pause is time enough for noctis to doubt the gift at least a hundred times over, but. then the kiss comes, and that's all noctis needs to know he did well. instantly, his heart swells up with a surge of happiness and relief, and he's more than happy to tip his chin up into the kiss and relish it for as long as it lasts.

and when ignis pulls away, noctis is grinning up at him, the purring ball of kitten still nestled snugly underneath his chin. they both appraise ignis as he slips the chain on -- and when noctis reaches out to brush his fingers gently over the little crystal skull, the kitten also extends a paw to bat curiously at the sparkle of the delicate chain. ]

Suits you, definitely. [ and the fact makes him puff a little with pride. ] I like it.

[ He laughs quietly at the little paw patting at him. He loves the gift, loves that Noctis seems to understand that, and now he can love that it apparently has the kitten's seal of approval.

With the dizzying significance of it receding into something pleased and warm, he does find his mind casting back over something Noctis said and briefly doubting his plan to run around with it on display, though. He loops his arms around Noct's waist, standing so they're hip-to-hip and leaning back just enough to make room for their little friend between their bodies. ]

Is it proper for me to have this? [ And then quickly, clearly meant to reassure - ] I ask because you mentioned your father talking about it. I don't intend to take it off, so I should probably know if I need to start wearing a tie whenever I'm at the Citadel.

[ that's enough to make his mouth tip up at the corners in a little grin, tickled by the idea of ignis sidestepping lightly around his dad. but he shakes his head a little bit in answer, leaning in just long enough to steal another quick kiss.

the kitten, briefly smushed between them, is quick to mew a squeaky note of protest. ]

Nah. It's tradition to give them out as tokens to the most important people in your life. I was kinda worried it was too formal for an anniversary gift, but... [ now there's a hint of laughter in his eyes, almost sparkling with mischief when he flicks a look up at ignis. ] I remember how excited you got, the first time you realized you were connected to the crystal.

Cheeky.

[ The admonishment probably carries very little weight, given that Ignis is both colouring faintly and failing to suppress a smile at the obvious note of teasing in Noct's voice and expression. He should possibly be annoyed with himself for not being aware of such a tradition, but it's rather overtaken by his pleasure at the surprise of it. The meaning, too; Noctis is, has been, and will continue to be the most important person in Ignis' life. Noctis presenting him with something that marks him in kind sets his emotion stirring again, love and pride and happiness all warming him through. He lifts his hand to Noct's cheek, a gentle touch that brushes there before trailing down the side of his neck. ]

It's perfect. I'll wear it proudly.

It's nowhere near as good as a cat, though.

[ with an affectionate little head rub for her, which is enough to make her butt her head into his hand to demand more. she hasn't even been in the apartment for an hour, and she's already bossing royalty around. ] If they gave out boyfriend awards, I'd nominate you for sure.

It's perfect.

[ Repeated with a level of emphasis that indicates he'll brook no argument, though certainly in a nicer context than usual. Ignis has no desire for a cat of his own (he rather fancies that having Noctis for a boyfriend gives most of the experience of cat ownership anyway), but the level of validation in Noct's gift to him is precisely what he hadn't dared to hope for.

Not that any of that stops him from being incredibly proud at the way Noctis and the cat are interacting, and he twirls a finger briefly around the end of her fluffy little tail. ]

I'll let you two get better acquainted while I start dinner. There are toys in the box by the door, if you'd like to try them out.

[ the cat responds almost immediately to that touch at her tail, wriggling around in noctis' arm and reaching out with one deft little paw to bat at ignis' hand in retaliation. and the sight of that is enough to make noctis laugh a little, tickling her chest and getting a little nip of kitten teeth in return. ]

You sure you don't need help? [ which warrants a pause, and then another laugh, slightly more sheepish. ] I mean, I know you don't need help, but...

It seems a little wrong to make you do all the work on our anniversary.

[ His first instinct is to say no, but anything he can do to encourage Noctis towards cooking has to be a good thing. And on a purely selfish note... ]

I'd appreciate the company. Perhaps we can even throw something together for the little miss to apologise for my stealing you away from her.

[ They'd probably better, honestly. One of the ingredients he's stowed in the fridge is a sealed foil package of fish, and chances are she'll go bananas when it's opened. He kisses Noct's cheek, considers giving the kitten a little kiss as well and thinks better of it, and heads into the kitchen to wash his hands and start setting ingredients on the bench. ]

[ it's hard to make himself put the kitten down, but... it helps, reminding himself that she's his, that she isn't going anywhere. it's not like the scant few times when he's smuggled a little bundle of abandoned strays into the citadel or his apartment, back when he was almost immediately found out and forced to rehome them amid lectures and reminders about his responsibilities. but there's no fear about someone coming to take astra away; if ignis is giving her to him, then he's almost certainly made sure to cross his t's and dot his i's beforehand.

so he leans down to plop the little kitten down on the floor of his apartment, grinning as she almost immediately puts her little tail up and struts after ignis as if she's assured of the treat that's coming. there's nothing timid or shy about her; she hasn't even been in the apartment for an hour, and she already seems confident that it's hers to conquer. ]

I didn't know you were studying cat cookbooks in secret. Planning to start a career as a feline chef once you get tired of bossing me around? [ but there's humor in his voice, and open affection, and the way that he steals closer to press a kiss against the nape of ignis' neck is probably enough to take any potential sting out of his words. ]

[ He cranes his head forward, allowing more space to accept that little kiss, and gives a pleased hum. ]

It's sweet that you think I'll ever tire of bossing you around.

[ And as if to prove the point, he turns enough to give Noctis a kiss of his own and points to the box by the door. ]

There are dishes for her in there. Would you fetch one for me, please?

[ The dishes were something of a flight of fancy. He'd looked at them, seen some that were plain and glazed in black - smooth enough to be easy to clean and certain to fit in with the rest of Noct's apartment.

Then he'd completely ignored those in favour of of some that he's hoping (almost certainly in vain, he's aware) Noctis won't laugh at him over. There's a larger, flatter one stamped over with little fish and a cat licking its lips, and a smaller one with higher sides in which the same cat is merrily sailing a boat, with a little paper hat on its head. He immediately returns to the bench, setting salted water to boil in the hopes that diligently preparing the meal will somehow protect him from teasing. ]

[ it's probably a stupid thing to be happy about, but here he is, grinning like an idiot. and he's even willing to accept the next bit of bossing when it comes, briefly leaving astra to supervise the cooking so that he can pad back out to retrieve her dishes.

... but the sight of the dishes is enough to do him in entirely.

there's just something absolutely endearing about the mental image of ignis carefully picking these out -- ignis, who takes great pains to ensure the fashion and coordination of his wardrobe, and who noctis has seen (on more than one occasion) attempting to decide which one of two (nearly identical) plates would be best suited for showing off his latest culinary creation. these cat dishes aren't at all to ignis' usual refined tastes, but that just means he was thinking about noctis when he picked them out, and.

it's dumb, really dumb, but the whole thing is enough to put a lump in his throat. so he returns to the kitchen, one cat dish in each hand, and promptly wraps both arms around ignis' waist the moment he's close enough, mushing his face into the older man's shoulder. ]

I love you. A lot. [ muffled, but clear enough. ] You know that, right?

[ you giant soft-hearted nerd. ]

[ Well, that went rather better than he was anticipating. He'd been just a little uncertain about the dishes - he'd chosen them based on the way Noctis has always been with animals on the rare occasions he's seen it, talking to them with a sweet and gentle level of indulgence that he thought the whimsical patterns reflected. But Noctis has always been just a little touchy about displaying that sweetness openly, and certainly about having it pointed out. It's a relief when he's not only not teased for his choice, but on the receiving end of some of that sweetness himself.

He lifts Noct's head from his shoulder, cradling his face in both hands and letting the absolute adoration in his eyes give him away. ]

I do. I know.

Thank you.

Gotta wonder what everyone else in the Crownsguard would say about your taste in cat dishes, though.

[ and now he manages to crack a grin, even though it's a little wobbly -- he's still halfway overwhelmed with just how much this whole thing has meant to him, and his heart feels almost achingly full with the adoration he can see mirrored in ignis' eyes.

he doesn't deserve this. he really, really doesn't, but --

before he can give the matter much more thought, he's interrupted by the pressure of two tiny paws coming to rest on his calf, and an insistent little mew. and when he pulls free of ignis' hold long enough to look down and investigate, he snorts a laugh when he spots astra peering up at them intently, her attention piqued by the appearance of the plates. ] You picked a bossy one, huh? Guess it's true what they say about birds of a feather.

Small, demanding, and too cute for her own good.

[ And he shifts to give Noctis room to pick her up if he wishes, but hooks an arm around his waist, not yet ready to let him go. Although whether he'll be permitted to keep it there is a matter of debate, considering what he says next. ]

I wonder what the appeal could have been.

[ ignis is getting a Look for that comment, but noctis refuses to even dignify the comparison with a response! ... other than bending down just long enough to scoop up the kitten, settling her against his chest and then tucking himself up against ignis again. and already, she's purring again -- pleased as punch to be nestled at the center of attention between them. ]

I think you picked a winner. [ already, he couldn't imagine loving another kitten in the entire world as much as he adores her. ] We make a pretty cute family, huh? You, me, and Astra.

Astra.

[ It's not lost on him, and when he repeats the name his voice is hushed, ridiculously soft. It's perfect. So too the suggestion that they're family, and there's something about the moment that settles over Ignis like a favourite warm blanket. He aches sometimes for the things they'll never be allowed, for the life and the duty that's required of Noctis Lucis Caeleum, but here and now - their bodies tucked in close, Astra curled between them warm and content - it's more than enough to take these moments as they are and treasure them. He cups his hand gently at the back of Noct's head and kisses him, close-mouthed but sweet and lingering, feeling almost as if he's too filled with love. ]

The best.

And now I'm afraid I have to detach, if I'm going to spoil my beautiful family the way I hope to.

[ It would be far more convincing if he actually let go, instead of lingering to brush further kisses over Noct's cheek and rub a gentle finger at the base of Astra's ear. Well. There's time. ]

[ the promise of ignis' cooking is always a tempting one -- especially that there aren't an abundance of vegetables about -- but it still pales in comparison to being kissed like that. sweetly, tenderly, and warmly enough to convey his affection without having to say a single word, and enough to tingle all the way down into noctis' fingers and toes.

so he's already turning to catch ignis' mouth in another one of those lingering kisses, shifting the kitten in his hold a bit to keep from squishing her between them. ] What if your family likes the way you're spoiling them now, huh?

[ after all, he's always been a big fan of having his dessert before dinner --

but astra either resents no longer being the center of attention, or is smart enough to sense that her dinner might be delayed, and she's quick to rectify the situation. so she sinks her sharp little claws into noctis' chest and punctuates her demands with another bossy mew, looking up at him smugly as he hisses and jerks back in surprise. ]

... or not.

[ Ignis makes a very poor effort at stifling a laugh, though he does weather a ferocious little bite as he reaches to delicately shift her paw with a murmured be nice to your father. One final kiss, which requires leaning over the savage beast, and he turns to the fridge with a smile. ]

Perhaps a bribe is in order.

[ So: He extracts the package of fish, trims the thinner ends of the fillets and cuts them into fine slices to place into the dish. ]

You might want to pop her down before you take the dish. She's already displayed a willingness to take a man's hand off, if not quite the ability.

[ from the moment that the package of fish is open, astra begins squirming and meowing as if this is the first bit of food she's been offered in at least a hundred years. so noctis is more than willing to take ignis up on his suggestion as he leans down to plop the kitten back on the kitchen floor, snorting as she immediately begins winding her way through ignis' ankles and mewing in what is (very obviously) her nicest attempt at saying pretty please. ]

I'm starting to think you might have a thing for being bossed around. [ if his taste in boyfriends and cats is anything to go by. ]

Difficult to say. I don't generally let anyone do it.

[ And, because he is a cruel man who hates kittens (or so Astra's increasingly desperate mewing suggests, at least) he delays her dinner by pressing the dish into Noct's hand. It should come from him, he thinks. Partly to help cement their bond, but also slightly because he doesn't want to encourage her to bully him to the fridge every time he comes over in the hopes that he'll produce fish. But what he says is - ]

Perhaps you could try it later, and we'll find out.

[ to be honest, noctis hadn't really been considering it as anything other than a joke, but. when ignis cements it into an offer, teasing or not, it's hard not to let his mind consider the possibility. and the thought of ignis on his knees, eager to please and waiting for his orders, is --

but the fantasy is interrupted in its tracks by another impatient meow, long and whiny enough to suggest the sort of suffering that waiting for her dinner is forcing astra to endure. so noctis snorts and steps away a bit to make sure she's not underfoot while they're cooking, putting the dish down once he's a safer distance away. and immediately, she's pouncing gleefully on the food, wolfing it down as if she fully expects someone to come along and snatch it away without warning. ]

She's sure got an appetite. [ and he stays crouched so that he can give her a gentle poke to her tummy, biting the inside of his cheek to stifle a laugh when she sprawls defensively across her dish and mreows at him in protest. ] Bets on how long it takes before the vet is giving you an earful for letting her pack on the pounds?

They can hardly scold me if we can't fit her in the carrier to get her there.

[ It's all pronounced with a chiding tone, but the look he's giving her is soft enough to betray him utterly. She's perfect, and Noctis is clearly smitten. Ignis is feeling very pleased with himself indeed.

To the food, then; the water is boiling, so he adds new potatoes, tiny things barely bigger than the end of his thumb. The sauce he's making is tomato-based, but full of spices and sweetened just a touch, He's reasonably confident that he can pass it off as practically ketchup, and he sets about finely mincing garlic and shallots with confidence. ]

So, Noct. Are you ready for the responsibilities of fatherhood?

[ ... okay, he really did mean to help with the cooking.

but it's way too easy to be utterly enthralled with astra -- she finishes off her dinner and then promptly plops down to wash her face and paws, so prim and fastidious that you never would have known how messily she'd been eating just a moment before.

of course, the question is enough to pull his attention away, blinking and then snorting a laugh. ] As long as you're sticking around, I think I'll be okay. I don't think I'm cut out for the whole single parent thing.

[ It is only by colossal force of will that Ignis manages to sweep the chopped vegetables into the pan before he moves to lean over Noctis and kiss the top of his head instead of abandoning them altogether. And he certainly doesn't begrudge Astra the attention she's getting in lieu of his help; it'll take a lot more than that to take the sheen off how much he's enjoying seeing them together. ]

My cross to bear. I think I'll manage.

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the longer the waiting the sweeter the kiss

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