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[blindsider]

[ He's done his research. There are the gondolas that are simply a means of transportation, shuttling people around as they go about their daily lives, and then there are... the other ones. They're ornately decorated, often bedecked with flowers, and the gondoliers will sing traditional Altissian folk songs as they row cash-flush tourists and lovestruck couples around. Tourist traps, twee and ridiculous.

Ignis wants nothing more than to ride one.

He could probably explain it away as an interest in the music (he had, in fact, developed something of a taste for it), but the truth of the matter is simple, and not something he's ashamed of. For as long as they've been together he and Noctis have never had the opportunity to feel like a normal couple. He wouldn't trade their time for anything in the world, and he's not sure things would have been much different had they not wooed in relative secrecy – given the freedom to do as he liked, Noctis would still probably prefer to stay at home – but there's something thrilling about this opportunity. The chance to walk hand-in-hand, to do the things that couples do without concern for propriety or reputation. Noct's relative obscurity here combined with the almost infamously relaxed attitude of the general public make so many things a possibility -

but first, the gondolas.

He seeks one out based on reputation, rowed by a man reported to have a leisurely pace, a wonderful voice, and an almost negligent regard for who is in his gondola or what they do so long as he gets paid. It's a short walk to the dock, and he extends a hand to Noctis without further explanation. ]

Indulge me.

Comments

[linkstrike]

[ arriving in altissia has felt like a weight off all their shoulders.

after all, luna is here (and safe), they're given a chance to sleep in real beds and take as many hot showers as they please, and something about the atmosphere of the city suggests that it's entirely removed from the war going on elsewhere. it almost feels as if they've lapsed into a daydream, and no one in the group is too disappointed when they find that their stay has been extended by a few days extra.

and while noctis was mostly planning to use this little holiday as a chance to do nothing more than sleep and fish, ignis has been pretty persuasive about getting him out to see the sights. maybe it's just the novelty of a new place, or maybe it's because they're (finally) allowed to behave like a real couple out in the open -- no one bats an eye if they meander through the open-air market hand-in-hand, or if they feed each other spoonfuls of gelato to compare flavors, or if ignis rewards him for a gifted piece of street art with a warm and lingering kiss. the entire city seems warmly indulgent when it comes to young love, and it's a welcome chance to forget about all the darkness they've fought through and just let himself steep in the warmth of absolutely loving someone who loves you absolutely.

... but this? might be taking the whole thing just a little too far.

which is why noctis pauses at the sight of the gondola, nose wrinkling as he realizes what ignis is trying to talk him into. ] ... I didn't think you were into tourist stuff.

[blindsider]

Nor did I.

[ It's an honest answer, and one he delivers with the slightest shrug. Ignis is not, in general, a man given to shrugging, but he'd spent time in Altissia while studying and found it terribly easy to fall into the the more languid pace of it. Sun-drenched days, afternoon meetings that spun out into dinner and coffee and drinks... and shrugging. Back then, of course, he's been young enough and self-conscious enough to want to blend in, insisting on soaking up as much of the language as he could, trying to feel as if he belonged with local students who had seemed to be impossibly, effortlessly cool. Now, though... ]

I never did it when I was here before, of course. Too busy trying not to be like all the touristy couples to notice how happy they were. All this architecture and culture around them, and they were completely wrapped up in one another. Like they were blind to anything that wasn't themselves.

[ It still gives him a little thrill to use the word couple publicly, in such direct reference to the two of them. Something lost entirely in the gondolier, who yawns hugely behind him. A pause, and he brushes against Noct's cheek with the back of his fingers, whisper-soft. ]

I think I understand now.

[linkstrike]

[ oh.

and whatever other objections noctis might have had to being taken on a musical boatride abruptly tumble right out of his head, because honestly? that was one hell of a reminder that he's so stupidly smitten with ignis that he'd probably follow him right to the ends of the earth. (especially if he happened to ask like that.) ]

... well, uh. [ because he feels self-conscious and squirmy, like all of altissia can hear how many beats his heart is skipping and feel the heat on his cheeks. ] I guess some tourist stuff is okay. Might as well try it while we're here.

[ so, yeah. let's get on the damn boat. ]

[blindsider]

[ His smile is instant and warm, something that crinkles his eyes at the corners and is directed solely at Noctis for perhaps a beat longer than is entirely sensible. A quick and hushed exchange with gondolier (carried out in Altissian, because sometimes Ignis just can't help himself) and he steps into the boat, holding his hand out for Noctis to steady himself with.

He settles on a seat barely big enough for two, so padded as to almost resemble a loveseat. It's clearly designed to encourage snuggling, with its back to the boatman and a fine, soft blanket draped over one arm. No shame about tugging Noctis over to settle next to him; they're doing this, so they may as well go for the full smitten couple experience. The gondola pushes off, the gondolier hums a few bars of something indistinct, and Ignis presses a kiss to Noct's temple. ]

Thank you for this.

[linkstrike]

[ there's no one around to see (besides the gondolier, and he doesn't seem at all inclined to care), but still. somehow this seems like the most obvious couple activity they've done so far, even moreso than all the hand-holding and stolen kisses. and he can feel the heat in his cheeks as he takes ignis' hand and steps down into the gondola, doing his best to look like The Picture of Cool, even as ignis wraps an arm around him and pulls him closer the moment they're both settled.

it's not like he doesn't like it -- it's cheesy as hell, but still endearing -- it's just that same sense of squirmy embarrassment as whenever ignis cups his face in his hands, looks down at him sincerely, and tells him he loves him in a voice that's so honest and open that noctis isn't sure whether he wants to burst on the spot or kiss him absolutely senseless. ]

... you don't have to thank me for going on a date with you. [ and then he catches himself, flusters a little, and that pink tint to his cheeks only darkens. ] ... I mean, if that's what this is.

[blindsider]

That's very much how I intended it, yes.

[ He can't keep a note of amusement out of his voice. It's all very new to be open about it, of course, but to have Noctis flushing and clarifying even as Ignis is pulling him close... well, it's charming. ]

I know this is rather more... conspicuous than you normally like. Not with me, specifically - [ to head off a protest he's not even sure is coming, not wanting to risk spoiling such a moment with making Noctis think he's having some crisis over his worthiness ] - but in general. It means a lot to me to have this time with you.

[ And because Ignis is not a man to do anything by half measures, whether it's in battle or cooking or cheesiness, he lifts Noct's hand and presses a kiss to his knuckles. ]

[linkstrike]

[ oh boy. he's definitely in over his head, here.

and it's always a little funny -- you'd think that spending most of their lives together would mean that there's no room left for surprises, but ignis still finds ways of catching noctis off-guard when he wants to. and this definitely counts; it's a far cry from the casual and comfortable sort of closeness that's marked most of their relationship, and the novelty of it is... kind of exciting? even despite the fact that it has him embarrassingly pink-cheeked and flustered. ]

... it means a lot to me, too.

[ which is the truth, even if it doesn't sound half as suave when it's him saying it instead of ignis. ] I hope that when --

[ a beat of hesitation, and then he presses on. ] ... once everything's back to normal, I hope we get to do more stuff like this. Dates and stuff, I mean.

[blindsider]

[ Ignis doesn't need suave. He wouldn't be opposed - it might be entertaining, if nothing else - but it's when Noctis is like this, sweet and open and earnest, whether it's directed at him or an upset child or a passing animal, that he feels the force of his love so intensely that it almost aches. He brushes a little of Noct's hair back from his face, and finds himself loving even the way it falls back immediately. ]

Normal may be a long way off yet. I hope you won't take offense if I engineer the odd occasion in the meantime.

[ It's not an entirely happy thought, but an honest one. Now that he's had this chance, he's not sure he can wait. But he's saved from sliding into maudlin thoughts when the gondolier starts to sing, apparently interpreting the scene in front of him as a seduction and earning himself a look of wide-eyed surprise from Ignis in response. ]

Oh, this is - [ ribald enough to make him colour slightly when he looks back at Noctis, really, and he chuckles quietly. Well, the first verse is innocent enough, and he leans his mouth close to Noct's ear to translate in a low murmur. ]

Come, my pretty, dark-haired man, let's play cards
and we must play the games that I know
Leave the spades and clubs aside
and if you need a heart, I'll give you mine.

Love is like ivy – where it clings, it dies
but always, always, my heart clings to you.

[linkstrike]

Well, normal by our standards, maybe. If --

[ but he gets cut off as the gondolier breaks into song behind them, and he can't help but sink down a little lower in the seat. gods, this is really touristy. and while he's almost always in favor of getting to spend a little extra time with ignis, there's a part of him that's already looking forward to ducking back into the quiet of the hotel room.

and then ignis leans in closer and murmurs directly into his ear, and the closeness is enough to send a little thrill down noctis' spine. sure, okay, it seems like a pretty cheesy love song, but...

it's ignis saying it to him, and that's enough to make all the difference. ]

... is he hitting on me for you?

[blindsider]

[ He can tell Noctis thinks the whole affair is cheesy by the way he shrinks down into his seat, even before Ignis starts translating. The gondolier continues, the lyrics getting less cheesy and more suggestive as the song continues, but Ignis chuckles low and trails his fingertips against the back of Noct's neck in lieu of offering a translation that might improve his opinion. ]

It would seem so. I think I'll have to tip him. Unless he's hitting on you for himself, in which case I shall push him into the canal and steal his boat.

[ It's a joke! Honestly, and hopefully one murmured low enough that their guide doesn't overhear, but Ignis is more occupied with the feel of Noct's skin under his fingers than worrying about that. He lets them trail upward, draws a little curl around the shell of Noct's ear before they trail down the side of his neck and dip - rather daringly, he thinks, for something happening essentially in public - under the neckline of Noct's tshirt. ]

...is it working?

[linkstrike]

[ ... oh.

it's actually a little hard to remember the bit about being embarrassed when ignis is doing... that. the way he traces his fingers in little invisible lines over noctis' skin is enough to send a little shiver all the way down his spine, heat fluttering at the pit of his stomach. and he's pretty sure ignis doesn't even mean anything by it, because they're in public and ignis is way too --

which is right about the time ignis slips his fingers under noctis' shirt.

and noctis can't help the startled jolt that seizes his limbs, feeling the color flood into his cheeks. his mind can't quite seem to wrap around the idea that ignis is seducing him. on a boat. with an audience. (but his dick seems to have absolutely no problem with the idea, and he's already forced to shift in his seat.) ] Uh.

I -- [ he clears his throat, trying desperately to be cool about this. ] ... might be more into it if you were the one singing. H-He's not exactly my, uh, type.

[blindsider]

[ He eases off a little when Noctis jumps a little. It's not that he seems unhappy with it, especially, but the blush and stammer seems to suggest that he's not entirely comfortable. That's a priority, now as always, so he withdraws his fingers just a touch and lets them trace the jut of Noct's collarbone over his shirt instead. It doesn't stop him from pressing a little kiss to Noct's cheek but that's rather more innocent - more fitting, even if he's convinced the prince won't be recognised. ]

I'll sing you the third verse when we get back to the hotel, if you like. [ And then, with a little edge of mischief because the relative freedom is making him bold - ] It's filthy.

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[ he's aware that ignis must be giving him a little bit of a reprieve, but... instead of being grateful, he's ready to incite him all over again. so he takes a moment to gather his daring, and then leans in, enough to slide a hand up ignis' thigh underneath the cover of the blanket on their laps. ]

What if I wanna hear it now? [ and his expression is entirely innocent as he tips his face up to ignis, absolutely no indicator of the way he's sliding his fingers up along the line of ignis' zipper. ]

[blindsider]

[ Oh. Ooooooh. Goodness.

Well, he only has himself to blame. And, perhaps, their gondolier, who is confirmed by a quick backwards glance to be merrily poling the boat along, his eyes fixed at the canal in front of them. The sensation of Noct's fingers tracing up his thigh and over his zipper has... the predictable effect, and Ignis feels himself colour faintly at it.

Of course, he's up for the challenge. There's something breathtakingly exciting about Noctis touching him so in public, and he lets his fingers dip under Noct's shirt again as he murmurs against his ear. Not singing, but translating again. ]

I was born for kisses, and I want them
as young people make love
I want them on my mouth, and in my hair,
and when I close my eyes they may go wherever they like.

Love is like ivy – where it clings, it dies
but always, always, my heart clings to you.

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[ he exhales in a breathless little laugh as ignis translates for him, feeling his pulse skip as ignis' fingers find their way back under his shirt. but taking the initiative is enough to make him bolder -- the color stays in his cheeks, but he cups a hand around the growing bulge in ignis' dress slacks and gives him a little squeeze. ]

That's filthy? [ and he turns, enough to press a kiss to ignis' temple, then brushes another against his mouth. ] You should hear what I can come up with.

[blindsider]

[ He stifles a gasp when Noctis squeezes at him, every fibre of control in his body required to keep him from arching up into the touch. It makes him want to reciprocate, but not quite enough to let his own arm get in the way of Noct's. They've time. He chases that soft kiss with another of his own, lips lingering at the side of Noct's mouth as he speaks. ]

Not by today's standards, I suppose. It gets worse as it goes along, but sillier. I'd much rather hear your version.

[ And then he gives in, just a little. Rolls his hips ever so slightly upward into the warm press of Noct's hand. ]

Perhaps I can coax it out of you once we've access to a bed.

[linkstrike]

[ it's easier to focus on ignis than it is on his own embarrassment -- he turns so that he can nuzzle against ignis' cheek, brushing up against his skin. it's an innocent touch in comparison to the way he palms at ignis' cock through his trousers, and to anyone not looking closely? they might seem like a perfectly chaste pair of lovers. ]

You might be able to coax it out of me now. [ looking up at ignis coyly through his lashes, giving him another one of those slow, firm squeezes. ] Unless you're too shy.

[blindsider]

Do I seem shy?

[ He should. His heart is racing, though it's mostly excitement, and he turns just a little to make the angle easier and shift his hand from Noct's shoulder to under the blanket, settling over Noct's lap.

Hos movements are sure - popping open the button on his pants, pinching the zipper down - but he's nowhere near cool enough about it to stifle the little moan that emerges at the way Noct's hand moves on him. In an attempt to recover even footing (since the upper hand appears completely lost to him) he slips his hand in under Noct's clothes, until he can curl long, gloved fingers around the hot flesh of Noct's dick. ]

[linkstrike]

[ ... oh. perhaps he underestimated ignis, just a little.

because he barely even gets the chance to be properly surprised before ignis is wrapping his fingers around noctis' dick, and the sensation sizzles up his spine. and he has to bite down on his lower lip to stifle the moan, struggling not to rut his hips up instinctively into the warmth of the other man's palm. ]

Ignis, fuck --

[ it's not eloquent, but at least he remembers enough to keep it quiet. ]

[blindsider]

Eventually.

[ Ignis has learned a lot about himself in the time they've been together, but one of the most surprising things is just how susceptible he is to baiting. It takes very little from Noctis to see him wanting to escalate things, and he can't even write it off as simply wanting to please him; there's a part of him that finds the back-and-forth of it, the little flashes of competitiveness, deeply arousing. It's one of the reasons he's content to give the younger man's cock a teasing stroke with his glove still on, despite wanting to feel Noctis against his skin - what they're doing feels risky, a little dirty, and leaving his gloves on seems to fit that. ]

I think it's high time we gave the Leville's royal suite the royal treatment, don't you? I'm sure it'd be an insult to such a fine establishment if we didn't thoroughly debauch it.

[linkstrike]

[ fuck.

and noctis loves absolutely all of ignis, but there's something particularly wonderful about ignis in a mood like this. perhaps it's because it goes against the usual mannerly and respectable face he puts on to everyone around them -- there are very few people in the world that would ever believe ignis scientia was the type to give someone a secret handjob on a gondola, and noctis counts himself Very Lucky to be a member of the club.

better stoke the fire while it's hot, then.

which is why he reaches up to grab the lapels of ignis' jacket, hauling him down until he can murmur right into his ear. ] I wanna start on the balcony. I want you to get down on your knees and suck me off, knowing damn well that any one at just the right angle could see.

And you know what? [ with a nip to the shell of his ear. ] I bet you wouldn't even mind.

[blindsider]

[ That's a very accurate assessment. In fact, if the heated little moan Ignis gives is any indication he wouldn't mind at all. This business on the gondola is one thing (a thing that's progressing rather more than he might have planned, because that suggestion is enough to prompt him to start stroking Noct's dick in a more regular fashion than the teasing handling he was giving it earlier), but the idea of taking Noctis into his mouth on the balcony, plainly visible to anyone who might care to look - it sends a starburst of heat through him, something that makes him almost a little dizzy with want. He licks his lips reflexively, thinking of the weight and heat of Noctis there, and hears his own breath shudder out of him. ]

Yes. Yes, Noct. Please.

[linkstrike]

[ there's probably no way this gondolier doesn't realize that they're all-but-fucking on his stupid boat, but. uh. there are some nice side benefits to the incognito lifestyle they've adopted, and being able to fool around like horny teenagers on a dumb tourist attraction is definitely going on the list.

and besides, the way ignis responds to him is impossible to resist. ]

Then I'm gonna -- ahn -- take you back to bed, and... [ dammit, it's really hard to string a proper sentence when ignis is touching him like that, but he's determined, here. ] ... ride you. W-Want you to watch, and... nnh... beg me to let you come inside me.

[blindsider]

[ The same thought has occurred to Ignis - that his actions are probably completely obvious - but Noctis has him in such a state that he actually rather enjoys the thought. Enough that his hand never falters in that stroking motion, and he moans again when he lets his thumb slip up to rub over the head of Noct's dick and feels skin against skin. Not what he'd had in mind when he purchased thumbless gloves, but a very nice benefit. He gives up any pretense of keeping things g-rated above their blanket and crushes his mouth to Noct's, all fierce lips and searching, greedy tongue. ]

I want you to ruin me. Make me plead, make me need you like air.

[linkstrike]

[ well, if there was any hope of being subtle, it's lost now. because he groans helplessly against ignis' mouth as the other man rubs his thumb right over the head of his dick, hips twitching up helplessly into ignis' fist. and the idea of ignis begging? pleading?

fuck, it's almost enough to make him come on the spot.

but he uses what little is left of his self-control to pull away from the kiss, grabbing at ignis' wrist to still his hand. and that gives him enough breath (and presence of mind) to form words. ]

Hotel. Now.