i like lips and eyes and mouth and smooth soft skin

[blindsider]

[ Ignis has the afternoon free.

This is an extremely rare occasion, and one she could fill with all manner of things she's not been able to do for some time. She could read a book just for the pleasure of it, get a massage, or put on some music and a face mask and spend her time doing glorious nothing.

Instead, all she can think about is Noct.

That's not a problem in and of itself – thinking of Noctis and ensuring things run smoothly for the princess is her job, after all – but it's the kind of thinking that gives her pause. She's not planning out her schedule or devising cunning ways to sneak vegetables into things Noctis will eat. She's thinking of eyes bluer than the ocean and the scent of Noct's hair, the sweet sound of her laugh and the way she wanders around her apartment in varying states of undress, apparently completely unaware of how crazy she's making Ignis in the process. She's trying to keep her little crush under control, trying to make sure it doesn't impact the way she behaves with Noct, but it feels like they've been growing more distant lately and Ignis can't help but wonder if she's let things slip. Of course, the sensible answer to that would be to stay away, to distract herself.

Instead, what she does is pick up some blackberries on the way home for a fresh batch of tarts. It's better done in Noct's apartment – her kitchen is beautifully fitted, despite the fact that Noct only seems to use it to make cup noodles or microwave popcorn – and it means that she won't have to wait for the tarts to cool before boxing them up and taking them to Noct. She should get home while they're still warm and fragrant.

This time, she makes a few tweaks. Scientific method would call for one change at a time, but she samples one of the blackberries and they cry out for a richer crust and a little brightness. So she uses brown sugar in the pastry, a little lemon zest with the berries, and soon the apartment smells wonderful. It makes her happy to think Noctis will come home to something so cosy.

Thinking of Noctis turns out to be her downfall. When she takes the tarts from the oven, she doesn't use an oven mitt. Reaches instead for a dishtowel, forgetting that it's damp, and the heat flies straight from the moulds to her fingertips with an intensity that makes her hiss.

She only loses one, but it falls straight onto her leg. Her trousers today are charcoal-grey, dark but not dark enough to hide a stain when the tart splits open and spills berry filling over the fabric. But she's alone, so she swears – just once, but loudly and satisfyingly – and peels them off right in the kitchen to rinse away the worst of it right there in the sink.

Which, of course, is when she hears the door. ]

Comments

[blindsider]

[ Noct's determination to breeze through this like it's nothing only makes Ignis' affection for her surge. It's terribly silly - silly to be so embarrassed, really, considering the number of times they've changed with each other after after training, and rare occasions on which fishing trips have resulted in swimming, but there's something about the feeling of being caught out that makes it worse. So Noctis assures her it's fine and heads off to find her a suitable garment, and Ignis gives her a bright and grateful smile despite the fact that they're sweatpants, and hares off to get dressed and rub stain remover into the slacks with a force that she knows is excessive.

The sweatpants, though, are proof positive that Ignis should always accompany Noct on her shopping trips. low If it was simply a matter of length Ignis would just hem them once she was done, but these sit perilously low on her hips and while most of their size difference is in height, it's hard to imagine these wouldn't have slid right off Noct. Still, it's far better than the alternative. So she returns to the kitchen with a slightly sheepish smile and her nethers adequately covered. ]

Thank you. Not quite the restful atmosphere you're hoping for after school, I realize. But at least there are sweets to show for it.

[linkstrike]

I thought you'd be busy.

[ which pops out of her before she even has a chance to think about whether it's something she should say, and ends up sounding a hell of a lot like an accusation. which... isn't what she wanted, not really. ignis just dropping by for any occasion longer than an errand has become such a rare thing that noctis wants to savor it, and that means avoiding one of the arguments they fall into so easily these days.

so she edits, tries to pull back a little. ] I mean, uh... Gladio picked me up from school, so I...

I just wasn't expecting --

[blindsider]

Ah.

[ It does rather sound like she's not wanted there, and there's a little twist of guilt over it. Really, the whole point of Noctis having an apartment was to afford her a little privacy and normalcy that she wouldn't otherwise have had before she's forced to take a more active role in the running of the country and robbed of even that opportunity. It's a tremendous relief when Noct flounders in a way that sounds like she's trying to correct how it sounded, but Ignis still feels her eyes sliding away from Noct's face in favour of regarding the floor. ]

I was unexpectedly relieved of rather a lot of paperwork. I thought it would be a good opportunity try a few changes to the pastries. Which are done now, as it happens, so if you have plans I can be out of your hair.

[ They've known each other most of their lives. They were best friends, once - Ignis certainly still, perhaps a little pathetically, thinks of Noctis as her closest and dearest friend. So why is simply saying "I wanted to see you" so unthinkable? ]

[linkstrike]

No.

[ which, again, is a thought that her mouth blurts out before her brain has any opportunity to apply some sort of filter. and the vehemence of her reply is enough to make her cheeks color pink all over enough, chin immediately ducking down towards her chest as her eyes snap back towards the floor. ]

... I mean... if you wanted to stay, it's okay. [ which sounds stupid and wishy-washy, so she summons up enough nerve to reinforce it. ] It's been weird. Not having you around.

[blindsider]

[ Her head snaps up at that, though her expression is only mild surprise before it forms into a little smile. It's sweet, and very welcome, so she nods. ]

It's been strange not being here. Though next time perhaps I'll call ahead instead of surprising you. And possibly bring a change of clothes.

[ That's a little rueful, but mostly self-deprecating humour. ]

[linkstrike]

... a lot of your stuff's probably still here.

[ because next time is enough to perk her up a little, restoring enough daring to have her meeting ignis' eyes again. ] Your room's just like you left it, I think.

[blindsider]

[ Oh. Some of her things are still here. Including in the dresser, and she presses her lips together briefly in something that's equal parts embarrassment and amusement, and pushes her glasses up. ]

You know, that didn't even occur to me. Can - would you mind terribly if we pretend this never happened?

[linkstrike]

[ that's enough to make noctis blink, and then... well, she can't help it. she lifts a hand to her mouth to stifle an unladylike snort of laughter. ] You kidding? No way.

This is primo blackmail material, Specs.

[blindsider]

[ That little snort is a blessing. It's terribly unbecoming, and something Ignis should probably try to train Noct out of lest it pop out at a formal engagement of some sort, but it's also very endearing and precisely what she needs to hear right now. She raises the back of her hand to her mouth, smothering a laugh of her own against her knuckles. ]

Well. I suppose if I'm to be blackmailed I should hold off asking if you've any homework you need help with. Though a review of tactics couldn't hurt. It would have been far more effective if you'd taken a picture before offering me clothes.

[linkstrike]

You kidding? No way.

[ still smiling, warmed from head to toe by the answering sound of ignis' laugh. ]

I know how fast you can throw a dagger. I'd never get a decent pic before you took me out.

[blindsider]

Flatterer.

[ It's a joke, but there is a part of her that's genuinely warmed by the compliment. As with anything she's worked hard at perfecting Ignis is fairly proud of her skill with blades, and hearing that from Noct - even in jest - is pleasantly warming.

She tells herself that, and not her inappropriate affection, is what leads her to make the suggestion. ]

We've a while before I need to start dinner. Seems like as good a time as any for you to show me that game you were talking about, if you like.

[ Astrals save her from Noctis ever figuring out that she's so cute all she needs to do is turn on the charm and she'll be permitted to play videogames instead of getting a headstart on homework. ]