fourstrings | (no subject)

[ He'd thought, perhaps foolishly, that Noctis might want to stay in the Citadel after taking it back. Of course, he hadn't anticipated what awaited them in the throne room, and even without that additional horror it's easy to see how it might feel like too much so soon after everything. Instead, they're back in the small apartment Ignis has kept. It's a studio with only the bathroom walled off separate from everything else, but it has intact walls and roof, not to mention functioning plumbing and hot water, which outside of Lestallum qualifies it as luxury.

The bathroom is to small and poky for this, though, which- to Ignis, at least – feels like something of an occasion. He's prepared a large basin of hot water, and laid out towels and a washcloth. The tools he's laid out make it seem more formal too, although in honesty the long dark has meant that it's easier to come by things like bars of shaving soap and straight razors than canisters of foam and plastic-handled blades. Of course, the most important part of the process is currently sat in one of the few chairs in the place, watching Ignis with an expression that seems to verge on amusement. Ignis wraps a towel around Noct's shoulders, layering it in front of him to protect him from water and foam, and brushes his fingertips against one bearded cheek. ]

Are you sure? It's really rather handsome, you know.

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Ah.

[ It's full of emotion for such a small sound. Surprise at the force of the reaction, a little bit of fluster, and above all - deep and abiding love. He takes a moment to let the pad of his thumb brush over Noct's face, high on his cheek where it's free of foam and he'll feel nothing but Noctis. For all that they're upside-down and ten years older than he remembers, those eyes still have the power to knock the breath out of him, to make him want to lose himself in them. and he nearly does for a moment - but then he chuckles, and bends down to press a fleeting kiss on Noct's forehead. ]

Well. I suppose I can afford to be gracious and let them see a little more of this beautiful face, if that's the case.

[ ah might come as a bit of an underwhelming response if it were anyone else -- but noctis knows ignis, and it's easy enough for him to hear all those emotions in the undercurrent. and if there was anything he missed? it's all there, plain as day, in the way that ignis looks down at him. ]

As considerate as he is handsome. [ teasing, but with a tone that still rings warm and sincere. ] I'm a lucky man.

I don't think you know what you mean to us.

[ It's a quiet thing, murmured as he settles into the motions of shaving Noct - the sweep of the blade, gentle splash of water, wipe and repeat. The rhythm of it is soothing, something his hands repeat easily as he talks. ]

I hope you know what you mean to me, but to all of us. Your people. So much was lost, but knowing the sacrifice you were making and that you'd be back let people push through. It gave them a reason to work and to fight. To live.

They love you, Noct.

[ And he smiles again, a hint of a laugh in his voice as he continues. ]

Not quite as much as I love you, but still.