i'd like to show you a million things

[blindsider]

[Ignis is nesting.

He wouldn't admit it aloud, of course. The little house out at Caem was good enough for occasional stops, but now that Noct's... condition is progressed enough to slow her down it's become more of a fixture, and one that sorely needed a few homey touches.

Taking funds from their coffers to finance his own pet project was unthinkable, of course, and he'd attempted a few hunts on his own to bankroll it. It hadn't taken the others very long to cotton to that, however, and after a fairly sound telling-off he'd found that either Gladio or Prompto were always willing to accompany him and that it made the process much smoother. There's a better bed for Noct's back, and decent linens to make it more comfortable. The kitchen has expanded far beyond its original adequate setup, and he takes pleasure in having a more robust place to prepare meals for Noctis, his friends, and whoever happens to be passing through at the time - and a lot of people pass through, to offer congratulations and check in on Noctis. Cor's visit had been alarming ( I ought to find a dungeon to throw you in, he'd said, before clapping Ignis soundly on the shoulder and smiling a smile that didn't move his mouth at all but danced in his eyes regardless ), but Gentiana's absolutely took the cake. They'd been sitting around the table after dinner when she appeared from nowhere, announced that the Queen of the Stone had spat in the eye of fate, and produced a large plush chocobo that made Prompto squeak.

She'd even stayed for dessert.

This room, though, is a secret. From Noctis, at least. Dustin had offered it up, and of course Ignis had refused until Dustin insisted he'd much rather be staying with his partner, and that this gave him a good enough excuse to present to the marshall. There are curtains, sky blue and printed with clouds but heavy enough to block out the light when sleep is needed. He's painted the walls yellow, which wouldn't have been an option he'd consider until he saw this particularly warm, pale hue that makes him think of the sunrise on a clear day. Some of Prompto's photographs have been blown up for the walls - cute and calming things, chocobo chicks and views of a calm ocean. There are bookshelves, the collection they may someday hold started with Iris' joyful donation of some of her own childhood favourites, and Gladio had helped him smuggle in soft, plush rugs and a comfortable chair. He can't take any credit for the crowning glory, however - that's all Cid's doing. The old man had pulled him aside one day, cussing and grousing about doing things the right way and damn kids keeping secrets from their elders, and shown him a crib of beatifully carved pale wood. One look at Ignis' face had him snorting that raising a kid would knock the softness right out of him, but he'd seemed pleased.

The door has stayed securely locked until today. When he peeks his head around the doorframe to their room Noctis is thankfully not asleep but fiddling with her phone, and just looking at her fills him with such a profound swell of love for her that he feels it aching in his chest and has to clear his throat before he speaks. ]

Dinner's ready. I'd like to show you something first.

Comments

[linkstrike]

[ anyone who claims that pregnancy is a beautiful and romantic thing is a filthy liar. ... or maybe noctis just isn't very good at the whole thing, because she feels less like a glowing image of motherhood and more like a swollen garula. she's absolutely useless in a fight (not that ignis would let her anywhere near one), and even a trip up the stairs of the little seaside house at caem is enough to run her out of breath. her back aches, her feet and ankles are swollen, and she can't even curl up in her favorite napping position because of the obnoxiously rounded swell of her belly.

and everyone (everyone) is determined to treat her like... ugh. gladio and ignis and prompto have all been doting and overprotective to the point that they seem nervous to let her walk down the stairs without assistance, which is endearing, but... also definitely makes her want to strangle them. add that to the fact that complete strangers keep cornering her to coo and attempt to pet her stomach, and she's half-tempted to lock herself in this cabin and send everyone else away until the whole mess is over.

... everyone but ignis, that is. sure, he's been overprotective and occasionally a little smothering, but he's also been doting and patient and attentive to every single one of her needs. he wakes up in the middle of the night to cook her midnight snacks to soothe her cravings, patiently rubs her feet or her back when she complains of being achy, and even sneaks in little luxuries like bubble baths or more comfortable maternity clothes to make the whole thing a little more bearable.

noctis never doubted that he'd be a perfect father, and he still seems determined to prove it to her. ]

... you're gonna have to help me up. [ making a face at him, wrinkling her nose. ] Getting vertical isn't exactly my strong suit these days.

[blindsider]

If only I'd known pregnancy would be so difficult for me, I'd have been more careful.

[ He's joking! Of course! He is, however, still fully prepared for a punch in the arm as he crosses quickly to her side to help ease her up, pausing to press a tender kiss to her temple. He's well aware that to Noctis this must seem like one long stretch of discomfort, but to him she's radiant. The usually sparse curves and angles of her body have billowed out and with her long hair and often fierce expression she looks like some kind of mother-goddess, powerful and protective and wild. ]

How are you feeling?

[linkstrike]

[ THAT TOTALLY WARRANTS A PUNCH TO THE ARM!!

... but she's smart enough to realize that she won't get far without ignis, so. the punch is a light one, at least. ]

Fat. Gross. [ but she sounds more amused than really aggravated about it -- she has had a few moments of crying not feeling well, or not being able to move like she used to, but... her hormones are giving her a break today, so. ] Ready to murder the unlucky guy who did this to me.

[ punctuated by tugging him a little closer for a kiss once he helps her sit up, just in case he was worried. ]

[blindsider]

There's a queue for that particular murder, but I doubt anyone's foolish enough to voice their objections if you cut to the front.

[ He sounds supremely unconcerned about his impending death. The kiss helps, of course, and he returns it with lingering adoration. But he's been with her when she's truly upset, when all he could do was hold her as she cried (and one memorable occasion when she did actually banish him from the room, and he'd had to trust Prompto to comfort her in his absence) and he knows this isn't that.

Still, a little flattery can't hurt. Not if it's his honest opinion, surely. ]

And in my entirely biased opinion, you're exquisite.

[linkstrike]

You only think so because you're all gross and sentimental.

[ but she's pleased to hear it, anyway. and it gets him another kiss, punctuated by an affectionate nuzzle to his cheek. they're lucky to have this place here in caem to use as a hideaway; the empire hasn't shown any sign of closing in on them here, and she knows she's safe with ignis and gladio and prompto to watch over her.

it isn't home, and they all know it, but that doesn't mean it isn't a wonderful little nesting place. ]

And because you're worried crazy pregnancy hormones will make me smother you in your sleep.

[blindsider]

My life is in your hands.

[ And because he is, in fact, all gross and sentimental, he raises one of those hands to kiss it before he stands and reaches to help her up. For all that she's a vision of maternal beauty in his eyes, he's seen her lever herself out of a chair unassisted and looks both difficult and dangerously comical. ]

Come along, my warrior-queen.

[ He's not even taking the piss, that's the pathetic thing. ]

[linkstrike]

[ ugh, he's a sap.

(... and she loves him so, so much.)

with his help, she's able to pull herself up from the bed without the usual production, although it does take a rather undignified grunt of effort. and once she's on her feet, she has to take a second to find her balance again -- resting one hand on her stomach with a little huff. ] ... you could've warned me that you were some kinda giant baby, y'know.

[ if she didn't know better, she might suspect gladio as a more likely father. how can having one kid turn her into such a ridiculous blimp? ]

[blindsider]

[ She huffs, and he settles his hand in the small of her back, both for support while she finds her feet and just for the contact. He's always taken pleasure in simple touches, but now more than ever he delights in the closeness. ]

I'll have you know I was a remarkably average baby. Slightly underweight, as a matter of fact. I can't take the blame for this one.

[ Which is odd, really. He remembers meeting Noctis for the first time, and she was tiny. Making a joke about her stepping out on him with their friend would be in very poor taste, however, so she settles for steering her gently toward the door. ]

Perhaps it's all this healthy sea air.

[linkstrike]

There's no way they got it from me. I've always been a shrimp.

[ ... and okay, she and prompto have joked about gladio's probable ability to knock someone up just by being in the same room with them, but. that's... just a joke, right?

. . .

on second thought, she's not asking ignis about the scientific validity of that theory. ] Either way, we better move back to Insomnia before this kid grows up to be Gladio-sized. I don't even think you could cook enough to keep up with that growth spurt.

[blindsider]

A fine plan.

[ It's too tender a thought to joke about. There are worse fates for a child than to be raised at the seaside by a group of people who adore them, but it's not home. He wants to be able to show their child the Citadel gardens he and Noctis played in as children, the museums and libraries, the beautiful pulse of life that lights up the city at night. He wants to be back, and to know that his family is safe.

The thought of it does make him briefly wonder about all the setting up he's been doing here, whether that's going to somehow signal to Noctis that he's given up, or that he doesn't think it's important. But there's nothing for it now - she'll never let it rest if he suddenly decides he doesn't have anything to show her after all, and their friends have been too kind in their assistance to throw it all away. So he pauses for just a moment with his hand on the door to the revamped room - the baby's room - and kisses Noct's temple again. ]

In the meantime...

[ And he opens the door. ]

[linkstrike]

[ she is curious about what he has to show her, but... knowing ignis (who she loves!), it's probably going to be something Very Boring. a new way of sorting the intelligence reports, maybe, or possibly a fresh batch of results from the vegetable garden. not that he isn't capable of sweet, romantic gestures that can totally sweep her off her feet! ... but the days they've found themselves in don't tend to allow for very many sentimental gestures, especially when so much of their energy is devoted towards just surviving.

so! she's totally ready to be Very Appreciative no matter what he has hidden beyond the door, and --

... oh.

it takes her a minute to adjust to what she's seeing -- the soft yellow walls, the cloud-covered curtains, the crib tucked off to one side, but. the moment that it hits her, it's enough to take her breath away. he's made her a perfect little nursery, snug and safe and decorated with a handful of heartfelt little gestures to remind the child it's intended for of all the people who already love them. and it's so sweet, so thoughtful, so perfect --

-- that she immediately bursts right into tears. ]

[blindsider]

[ Oh.

He's about 70% sure they're good tears, and he shifts behind her to wrap his arms around her (a more difficult feat now than it used to be, certainly), resting one hand on her belly and tucking his face into her hair. She's so beautiful, strong and sweet and wonderful, and it's not the first time that he's thought it unfair that she has to carry all the physical effects of this on her own - that making somewhere safe for them is the very least he can do - but it hits a little harder than usual in the face of her tears. ]

I know it's not home, [ and it's a soft thing, murmured quietly against the shell of her ear ] but perhaps it can feel like it, for a little while. Everybody helped. We love you. Both of you.

[linkstrike]

[ this crying thing is so dumb! especially since she was never the type to cry before, and now it seems like the absolute smallest of things can bring on a stupid crying jag.

... of course, out of all the things that have made her cry lately, this actually seems like the tears might be justified, so. ]

It's perfect. [ which comes out watery and choked around those hiccupping little sobs. ] You're perfect. I can't believe --

[blindsider]

I'm better than I could have been without you.

[ And he means it, utterly and sincerely. He has it in him to be passionate, and he has it in him to be devoted to his work. He just can't think of any other situation, any other person for whom he could have been both. There's so much of himself that he never would have experienced without Noctis in his life, and he'll always be grateful to her for that. ]

[linkstrike]

I think that's my line.

[ but at least admitting it makes her laugh, even as she turns in his arms so that she can wrap her arms around him, too. ] How did you even do all of this? It's perfect.

[blindsider]

You sleep a lot.

[ It's teasing, yes, but warmly so. Having her turn toward him makes him smile, and he ducks his face down to kiss her. ]

I had a lot of help. Prompto took the pictures, of course. The books are from Iris. Gladio moved all the furniture in, and charmed the woman at the store into helping us choose a nursing-friendly chair. I believe Cid made the crib, though he won't admit it. And I don't know if you can see the blanket in it from here, but once Talcott found out what we were doing he couldn't be stopped.

[ It's soft and snug-looking, with tiny, friendly little cactuars around the border. ]

Sometimes I'm so happy we're doing this that I forget about the circumstances. I wanted to make sure there was at least one place where you could forget about them too.

[linkstrike]

[ sometimes the realization of just how many people who love her that she's fortunate enough to have in her life is just... too much. and it's enough to make her throat swell up with a fresh wave of tears, because she's nearly overcome with the enormity of the gestures. ]

I -- [ and for a moment, she's too choked up to continue, so. she ducks her chin a little and takes a breath to steady herself... and then gives up entirely on composure, smushing her face into his chest. ] I love you so much.

[blindsider]

And I love you. I have done for as long as I can remember.

[ He takes a moment just to hold her, to enjoy being close. Sometimes the enormity of what's happened is terrifying, and he knows it can only be worse for Noct, who lost her father as well and has the hopes of so many weighing on her. It's a great comfort just to be with her, to have her close and find peace in that. ]

[linkstrike]

[ it takes her a few moments to catch her breath and find her composure, but... finally, she's able to pull away enough to scrub an arm across her eyes, taking a deep steadying breath. and then she steps out of the circle of his arms just so that she can explore the nursery a little better -- running her fingers over the frames of prompto's pictures on the wall, of the railing of the crib, of the breezy cloud-printed curtains.

it's nothing like the dedicated nursery suite back at the citadel, but it's still perfect. even more so, maybe, because it was put together so lovingly by the people closest to her.

but! she finally turns to him, mouth tugging up a little at the edges. ] I think it's missing something, though.

[blindsider]

[ He leans in the doorway, just watching her as she moves about the nursery. She already seems comfortable there, and he can't help a little swell of pride over it. He resists the urge to narrate as she goes and lets her explore at her own pace instead, but when she turns back to him he can't help jumping on her comment and striding to her side, eager to rectify whatever's missing. ]

What do we need?

[linkstrike]

One sec.

[ leaning up to kiss his cheek, and then making her way back to her bedroom. although they've mostly settled in caem, they're still living out of their luggage -- ready to pick up and leave at a moment's notice, if the empire draws close enough. so she hefts up her bag onto the bed with a little grunt of effort, taking a second to root through it until she finds what she's looking for.

and then it's back to ignis and the nursery, taking a moment to find the perfect place before she finally settles her wooden carbuncle carving on a little shelf overlooking the crib. ]

There. [ stepping back, resting one hand on her stomach. ] Now it's perfect.

[blindsider]

Ah.

[ She's right. It's perfect, and despite being convinced at every turn that he loves her more than is possible there's a little burst of adoration at the gesture. The little carving is a familiar sight from their childhood, and he understands what it means for Noctis to put it there, to pass it on to their child. He moves to her side, rests his hand on her stomach alongside her own and curls an arm around her shoulders. ]

You're a wonderful mother.

[ Yes, already. ]

[linkstrike]

You can't say that yet.

[ but there's a laugh in her voice as she says it, leaning to rest her cheek against his shoulder. ] We haven't even gotten to the hard part.

[blindsider]

I can, and I have. You agree with me, don't you?

[ And it's almost become habit now, to reach out through that connection they have when he's talking to the baby. He's so grateful for it; for her magic that gives him the chance to be involved in this unique way, and as time goes on he could swear that the baby is starting to know him, to react to him. It's never been anything as defined as when he reaches for Noctis yet, that connection giving him a full, defined sense of her and all that she is, but it's special nonetheless.

Although this time, he stills. It's different. Or - not different, perhaps, but more. Like listening to a piece of music he's heard countless times before and being aware for the first time of the different instruments that make up the melody. ]

...Noct?

[linkstrike]

I know you'll be a great parent. But... I think I still have a lot to learn.

[ and that might be a terrifying thought if she didn't know that she'll have ignis beside her for every step of this journey. if she stumbles, if she falls short in something, he'll be there to pick her up and make up for any way that she might be lacking.

but she blinks a little at the sound of her name, shifting slightly. ] Mm?