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.

Threaded | Flat

[ after all those years spent in the crystal, just having ignis close enough to touch seems like a luxury. it's why he can't resist leaning into that gentle touch against his cheek, reaching up to catch ignis' wrist and press a warm, open-mouthed kiss to the soft skin of his inner wrist. and even then, it's hard just to uncurl his fingers again and let him go -- there's a part of him that wants to clutch desperately at ignis as if to keep from being torn away from him again, but.

an exhale, and he calms that voice of gnawing panic, letting his hand fall away again. then he finds a smile, tipping his chin up to better admire his barber. ]

It itches. And besides, [ with a low note of laughter, amusement warming his expression. ] I've seen you get ready in the mornings. Pretty sure being handsome is too much work for me.