but if you try sometimes you might find

[blindsider]

[ Ignis is aware that his role is very much to ensure that Noctis has what he needs, not what he wants. It’s a distinction that’s become increasingly useful now that they’re romantically involved. It’s important that there are clear lines drawn between Ignis Scientia, chamberlain and advisor to the prince, and Ignis, Noct’s boyfriend. As chamberlain he makes sure that Noctis makes it to his appointments and attends all the official meetings and functions that make Noctis so uncomfortable, and as boyfriend Ignis can take him home afterwards and help him unwind from the stress of Being The Prince with a favourite meal, cuddles and a film on the couch, or slow kisses and gentle touches until all the pressure-induced tension bleeds out of him. It’s a wonderful thing, and Ignis treasures it.

Today, however, it seems that Noctis has other ideas. The prince has the day off; the advisor does not, with back-to-back meetings until early evening which will then leave him a stack of reports he’ll have to go through, weeding out the insignificances and anything that can be bumped down the food chain until he can present Noctis with only those matters that warrant his royal attention. The battle had begun almost as soon as he awoke, when he tried to get out of bed. Noctis, he has learned, does not need to be awake to object violently to Ignis attempting to leave his side. The prince had made a low sound of disapproval and latched onto Ignis with the tenacity of a barnacle, and when Ignis’ attempt to extract himself actually woke Noct up, he’d sent his hand directly for Ignis’ dick with an expression that sat worryingly between cross and smug.

Ignis had been five minutes late for his first meeting of the day, pleading car trouble in lieu of disclosing that he’d only manged to escape by putting Noctis back to sleep with an early-morning blowjob. An effective one, it seems, because it was ten-thirty before Ignis received the first text complaining of his absence. He’d apologised and reminded Noct of his meetings, and received a stream of texts in response that began at telling Ignis he was missed, journeyed through asking him to come home and ordering him to come home, and eventually culminated with a four second video of Noct’s bare torso, stomach muscles tensed, his arm nearly a blur of movement in front of him.

It is a good thing that Ignis learned early on never to open any type of media file from Noctis in the presence of anyone else.

He manages to wrap up earlier than expected, the sun just beginning to set as he leaves for the day. It’s plenty of time for him to formulate a plan to teach Noctis the value of patience, and he makes a detour on his way home via a little store he knows of that is classy, discreet, and a goldmine for anyone with a mind for tactics and a filthy imagination. Nothing too advanced, of course; they’ve not done much that required anything more than their own bodies and the occasional creative use of a necktie before, after all. This restraint is in no way sufficient to prevent him from wearing a tiny, devious smile as he lets himself into Noct’s apartment that evening, laptop case and paperwork in one hand and subtle black bag in the other.

Tonight, Ignis the boyfriend is going to set aside what Noctis wants in favour of what he so clearly needs. ]

Evening.

Comments

[linkstrike]

[ listen, it's not that noctis is a brat.

after all, he's been raised to realize that his own wants and needs should always come second to the good of lucis; his current (lack of) standing affords him a little slack, but there is rarely any room for selfishness when it comes to royalty.

... but things with ignis have always been different, and maybe it's the distinction that makes noctis a little spoiled. for years, he's been allowed to dig in his heels and stage little rebellions that ignis tolerates -- everything from leaving his socks on the floor to turning up his nose at vegetables, and the headbutting that follows is never any real threat to the foundation of their friendship. ignis isn't afraid to tell him no, but he's also willing to let noctis push boundaries and test limits without a set of consequences that feel more... normal.

so maybe it's that, or maybe it's just because it seems Very Unfair that ignis has decided to go off and focus on paperwork and meetings instead of him, but he's feeling extra greedy for the other man's attention. an attempt to wrestle ignis back down into bed with him is only a temporary victory, his texts are either perfunctorily replied to or (rudely) left on read, and his attempt at a four-second porn video was met with a radio silence so profound that he'd been forced to load up a video game and spend a solid hour assassinating bad guys before his grouchy mood subsided.

and considering how spectacularly his attempts at long-distance seduction had crashed and burned, it's actually a surprise when ignis reappears at his apartment at a... fairly reasonable hour. noctis has long-since abandoned his phone in favor of the latest copy of one of his favorite fishing magazines, sprawled out on the couch with one leg dangling off the side. he's dressed for a day off in a loose-fitting pair of black sweats and one of ignis' rare t-shirts that he'd plundered vengefully from the other man's closet (because at least it wouldn't neglect him in favor of paper-pushing).

normally, he'd probably be more than happy to greet his boyfriend with a kiss at the door and an effort to drag him off for an attempt at a continuation of this morning, but... ignis left him in the seen-zone. an unforgivable sin. ]

Busy day, huh? [ archly, very much like a cat who's been left home alone an hour after his dinnertime. ]

[blindsider]

[ Whether it's entirely his personality or an understandable desire not to lean in to his title, Noctis is very rarely anything approaching haughty. In fact, Ignis has never seen him pull that particular attitude with anyone but himself, and only ever in reaction to feeling slighted. The realization prompts an immediate urge to soothe him, despite his conviction that Noct's behavior today really was pushing it. He sets his belongings on the bench and crosses to the couch, dropping to a crouch at Noct's side. ]

I did tell you I'd be tied up all day. And I know you don't truly begrudge the Gahladian refugees my time - [ it's more of a reminder for himself than for Noct, who always seems to pay an extra level of attention when matters involving people are the ones set before him ] - but rest assured that you now have my undivided attention.

[ He may have offended Noctis enough not to be greeted with kisses, but he's confident Noct isn't miffed enough to refuse a kiss directed his way. It's a soft thing but warm, an Ignis settles one hand on Noct's chest, brushing the soft fabric of the borrowed t-shirt. ]

I like this on you. It looks good.

[linkstrike]

[ he has every intention of dragging his displeasure on just a little further (just to make sure his point is known!), but ignis has always had a way of melting him almost instantly. and it's hard to stay frosty when faced with a kiss like that -- soft and warm, tender enough to make him breathe out a little sigh when ignis pulls away to speak again. ]

... I guess I can forgive you. [ trying to make it sound as if it might really be in question, even though he's already reaching up to loop his arms around the other man's shoulders. ] As long as you promise that you're mine for the rest of the night.

[ but the next comment makes him puff out a little laugh, nipping playfully at ignis' lower lip. ] Shoulda come home earlier. I was wearing it and nothing else.

[blindsider]

All yours.

[ It is not technically a lie. Lesson or no lesson, Ignis fully intends to spend the evening lavishing attention on Noctis. In fact, there's a reasonable chance he'll be lavishing attention on Noct for rather longer and Noct would request if left to his own devices. He'll love it anyway, Ignis is certain.

Still, now that he's here and faced with his boyfriend, beautiful and willing and apparently playful, Ignis is aware that it's going to take rather a lot of control on his part to pull this off. Well, as long as they both enjoy themselves, that's the main thing. He slips a hand up under the shirt, fingertips brushing Noct's skin before he lets them dip under the waistband of the sweats. ]

Now there's an image. Perhaps if I'm very good you'll do an encore, just for me.

[linkstrike]

[ he's pleased with himself, the cat with the cream, and feeling rather smug about the way his evening is going. ignis may have kept him waiting, but he's here now -- and noctis is more than willing to let ignis have a go at making it up to him, especially considering how enthusiastic the other man usually is about the prospect. ]

Mm... [ almost like he has to consider it, even though the feeling of ignis' hand against his skin turns the sound into more of a purr. ] I dunno, you'd have to be very good. You really think you're up to it?

[blindsider]

With a little help, perhaps.

[ He loves it when Noct's voice sounds that way, meltingly warm and a little rough and like something he can almost feel moving over his skin. It prompts him to shift a little closer, press a kiss against Noct's mouth that's hungrier, more direct. ]

Luckily, I picked up a little help on the way home.

[linkstrike]

[ that kiss is the kind that only seems to make him want more, and he's already tightening his arms around ignis' broad shoulders and preparing to pull him down to him. his couch has the double advantage of being comfortable and big enough for two, and that means there's no real need to stop things just to shift to the bedroom --

but that remark is enough to pique his curiosity, and his gaze flits to the discarded back that ignis brought him with him. he'd assumed it was something usual, maybe some ingredients for a dinner he was thinking of, but... ]

... what kind of help?

[blindsider]

[ It's a positive that Noct's interest is clearly caught, and Ignis chuckles low as he runs his lips down over the curve of Noct's jaw to press a kiss against his neck. If Noctis is in the right mood, this may take very little convincing after all.

He pulls back, his eyes full of what's as close to mischief as he ever gets, and stands slowly. ]

Pop through to the bedroom, and I'll show you.

[linkstrike]

[ oh. if it's that kind of surprise, then noctis is pretty sure he won't be complaining. curiosity may have killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back again, and ignis has always been deliberate in his efforts to leave noctis very thoroughly satisfied.

still! he wants to make sure ignis doesn't plan on wasting any time when he follows him, so. as he starts to head down the short hallway to his bedroom, he hooks his fingers in the waistband of his sweats and works them off his hips with a little shimmy, stepping right out of them along the way. and that's almost the promised look -- ignis' shirt hangs low enough on him to all but cover the boxers he's left in, flirting along the backs of his thighs and teasing the idea that there's nothing left but skin. ]

[blindsider]

[ There is a brief moment in which Ignis pauses where he is, still as a stone but for the hand he lifts to his mouth to bite briefly at his knuckle, steeling himself. The sight Noctis presents is a spectacular one indeed, and Ignis has to remind himself that he has a purpose here.

Resolve set, he swiftly picks up the bag from where he'd left it, pausing only to stop by the trash as he goes - this may have been something of an impromptu plan but Ignis is still Ignis, which means there is a wad of toy-cleansing wipes to be disposed of, tucked neatly back into their packet. The day he puts anything fresh put of its packaging inside Noctis without a cleaning will be a cold day in hell. But with that taken care of, it means there's nothing left to do but follow Noctis into the bedroom, settling beside him on the bed. ]

You're free to decline any of this, of course. I realize it may not all be to your taste. Though it might be fun to find out.

[ And he sets about setting items on the covers for Noct to examine - a pair of cuffs in supple matte black leather, that wouldn't look altogether out of place with Noct's usual attire but for the steel D-rings and the clips that connect them. A rather pretty cut-glass bottle of massage oil, flecked with a tiny amount of gold dust and, according to Ignis' experience with the tester sample, just as effective at giving a tingling, warming sensation as the label claims. And a plug, also in black, reasonably modest in girth but with a remote control that can cycle through several intriguing settings. ]

[linkstrike]

[ ... oh.

honestly, noctis wasn't sure what he was expecting, but he still knows that this isn't it. not that it's a bad thing! just... a surprising one, and it takes him a moment or two to adjust. it helps, though, that the idea of ignis going somewhere and picking these things out with him in mind is an appealing one, enough to send pleasant little flurries of heat upwards from the pit of his stomach.

so he reaches out to run his fingers curiously over the items on display, stopping just short of the plug and... shying away from it for the moment, cheeks flushing pink. the massage oil is the safest thing, and that's what he settles on picking up, turning it in his hands and letting the glass catch the light. ]

... so, what gave you this idea?

[blindsider]

Well. Despite my lack of response, I wasn't... unaffected by your messages. I was thinking about you for most of the day. It's a miracle I got any work done at all, frankly.

[ And it's chiding, but... chiding in a joking sort of way. He runs an idle fingertip over the buttery leather of the cuffs, and then along the side of Noct's face - the skin there soft enough to make the exquisite leatherwork feel coarse as sand. ]

Which brings me to my next point. Those were very important meetings, Noct. I know you know that. It rather leads me to believe you could do with learning some patience.

[linkstrike]

[ that first admission is all it takes to make him Very Pleased, the corners of his mouth tipping up into something decidedly impish. for all that noctis knows him, ignis can be tricky to read over text -- and he likes knowing that his attempts at seduction had an impact, that ignis hadn't been able to just compartmentalize him aside in favor of meetings and paperwork.

... but the fussing, gentle as it is, is still enough to make him huff. (even though it doesn't stop him from leaning into that stroke along his cheek, greedy as a touch-starved feline.) ]

You're always doing important stuff. [ a little childish, but still. there's always been a part of him that insists on the idea that ignis is his, and that part hates the idea of having to share him with the countless duties that make up his calendar. stupid and selfish, maybe, but it doesn't stop the feeling from being there. ] Skipping out on stuff for one afternoon wouldn't be the end of the world.

[blindsider]

Perhaps. And perhaps if I hadn't been there, nobody would have convinced them your presence isn't necessary at the next meeting.

[ It's not really as much of a favour as it sounds. More practicality; Noctis has a lot on his plate, and Ignis tries to be conscious of the demands on his time. The way he sees it, the more he takes care of himself the more downtime Noctis has, and downtime is necessary to ensure that Noctis has the emotional reserves to function at full capacity when he's truly needed. As he gets older and takes on more responsibility his personal time will only continue to diminish, and Ignis - perhaps selfishly - wants to make sure that Noctis can enjoy it for as long as possible.

On the other hand, this is some of that precious personal time Ignis has been so jealously trying to defend. It seems a waste to spend it bickering, so he lifts his other hand until Noct's face is cradled in his palms, and regards him seriously. ]

Consider this my formal request to be allowed to make it up to you.

[linkstrike]

[ he gets it! really, he does. it's just --

and then ignis cuts his thought off with that, and noctis can't find it in himself to do anything other than blink at him. ... then his face creases with an attempt to stifle the laugh that tries to escape, and he's forced to duck his chin and turn away to hide it. ]

... what kind of nerd makes that into a formal request? [ it's impossible not to be tickled by it, and he's succumbing to a fit of laughing no matter how much he tries to fight it off. ]

[blindsider]

[ How rude.

It's not undeserved though, and Ignis can really never resist the sound of Noct's laughter. He finds himself laughing along, though he's still holding Noct's face - he's hoping, once the snickering subsides, to plant a kiss on him. ]

The kind of nerd who stopped by a sex shop on the way home.

[ With, if there was any ever doubt, the words sex shop pronounced a half-octave lower than the rest of the sentence and in a tone that indicates he's still rather surprised at himself for it. ]

[linkstrike]

[ well! if there was one thing in the world that would distract a fit of snickering at ignis' expense, it's that. so the laughter dries up immediately, a slight flush blooming across his cheekbones as he considers...

ignis. in a sex shop. picking out things to use on him.

and without meaning to, his eyes dart back down towards the small spread on the bed, licking his lips absently. ] ... what were you thinking about doing with this stuff, anyway?

[blindsider]

[ Noct's tongue darts out over his lips, pink and wet, and Ignis' own lips part in response at the sight of it. The kiss he'd intended to deliver is a fairly brief one, because after he kept Noctis waiting so long it would be very ill-mannered indeed to keep him waiting for an explanation. ]

The oil is fairly self explanatory, I think. I'd like to take a little time with that. Soothe away any ill-feeling I might have earned by keeping you waiting, hm?

[ It's light, mostly joking. A little brush of his fingers against the side of Noct's neck and then he picks up the plug, cups Noct's hand in his own and places the toy into it. All the better for Noctis to appreciate the different settings as Ignis flicks through them, from a barely-there teasing vibration to something more like a steady thump.

When I said I was yours for the rest of the night I really did mean it. I want to take my time. But you have a tendency to make a request that I have a very difficult time saying no to, and I thought this might tide you over while I make sure the rest of you isn't neglected. The cuffs should serve if you need a little assistance in allowing me to do so.

[ And he turns the plug off with the little remote, letting it go still in Noct's hand as he raises an eyebrow. ]

Yes? No? Suggestions?

[linkstrike]

[ the oil is simple and safe, something they've almost done before. most of the physical therapy regimen he'd required after his childhood injury isn't necessary now that he's an adult, but there are times when his knee still bothers him -- and gladio's training sessions normally end with him in a mess of aches and pains, potions or not. so there have been times when ignis has drawn him into the bedroom and worked the knots of tension out of his muscles with a massage, gently stripping away clothing as he works his way through the muscle groups until noctis is a loose-limbed, purring lump of satisfaction. and plenty of those sessions have ended with the two of them making love, slow and easy and tender, as if it's the last step needed to wring every ounce of tension out of noctis.

... but the plug and the cuffs are something different, and the moment ignis closes his hand around the toy and turns it on, the color on noctis' cheeks darkens into a genuine flush. he's never used something like this, not even on himself, but it's not too hard to imagine what it might feel like, pressed deep inside him and throbbing --

he realizes his mouth has fallen open slightly, and promptly snaps it shut, clearing his throat. ] That, uh. Sounds fine, I guess.

[blindsider]

Just fine? If you want it, I'd like to hear you say it.

[ And thought he pitches his voice low and silky, that's about more than flirting. In honesty, the only thing that's given him pause over this whole scenario is the idea that Noctis might go along with it because Ignis wants it; it's no secret between them that Noctis craves praise. He wants to be sure it's the experience that Noctis wants and not the approval before they proceed. ]

[linkstrike]

[ the sound of ignis' voice when it's pitched like that is almost as powerful as a physical touch, leaving goosebumps along his skin and making him shiver. still, the request takes him a moment -- not because he doesn't want it, but... well. it's always been harder to articulate his desires when he's not already caught up in the moment. shyness tangles the words together in the back of his throat, and it takes him another hard swallow before he trusts himself to speak. ]

... I want it. [ ignis' hand is still clasped around his, and that makes it easy for him to rub the pad of his thumb up along the outside of the other man's hand. it makes up for the way he can't quite meet ignis' eyes, cheeks burning and gaze stuck somewhere around the other man's left shoulder. ] I... want to try it.

[blindsider]

[ It's a good thing Noct isn't looking at Ignis' face, really. He'd sworn to himself he wouldn't get carried away at the sound of Noct accepting it, not wanting to create some sort of situation where he might even accidentally, subconsciously teach Noct that saying yes to things = praise. But for all his conviction that he won't say good or, more dangerously, good boy, he can't keep the please look off his face. Instead he settles for - ]

Lucky me.

[ and pulls Noct forward into a kiss that's both slow and considerably deeper than the ones they've shared so far this evening. ]

[linkstrike]

[ he's immensely relieved that the kiss keeps him from having to admit to anything else, and that's more than enough for him to throw himself into it with abandon. so he curls the fingers of both hands into ignis' shirt to tug him closer, immediately giving himself over to it. ]

[blindsider]

[ Now that's the kind of agreement Ignis can't possibly say no to, and he takes a few luxurious moments just to enjoy it - the feeling of Noct's hands in the fabric of his shirt, the warmth of his body, the gentle slide of their tongues. Wonderful, so wonderful that he almost regrets pulling away. But there's massage oil to be used and one extremely attractive young man to use it on, so Ignis starts to unbutton his shirt with a slow but meaningful pace. Noctis got a head start in the nudity stakes, after all. ]

We'll start simply, shall we?

[linkstrike]

[ he breathes out an almost helpless noise of complaint as ignis pulls away, unwilling to let go of his shirt even as the other man starts unbuttoning it. ... which turns out to be in his favor, because it gives him the perfect opportunity to start pushing the fabric off the other man's shoulders as he works the buttons loose. ]

Y'know... a year or so ago, if someone had tried to tell me that you go to sex shops, I never would've believed them.