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Ignis Scientia ([personal profile] blindsider) wrote in [community profile] fourstrings2020-01-29 06:47 pm

With an artful flutter, as if on cue





[ Ignis is, to put it bluntly, buggered.

He has managed his condition since it first developed, when he was studying in Altissia. This was a convenient place for the onset; he was able to go through all the creeping horror of realizing what had happened to him and discover what he needed to do without it impacting on his performance in any way. By the time he’d returned home it was all under control, and while the honourable thing to do would have been to resign his position and never have contact with the royal family again, he can’t bring himself to do it. He’ll never harm Noctis or anyone associated with him, of course, and by this stage he’s so deeply in love with Noct and so devoted that he simply can’t bring himself to do it.

So he manages. It’s actually relatively easy to find a ready source of human blood, and he needs only a very small amount of it to continue performing at a level equal to that he’d always displayed. Easy enough, too, to tidily conceal a number of vials for their road trip, and his tendency to rise before the others means it’s simple enough to mix a little into his morning coffee and have nobody any wiser.

And then, because nothing can go smoothly on this trip, apparently, they get the Regalia back from the Empire and his supply is gone. He should have had Noct stow it in the armiger, really, but the thought that he’d discover it and ask difficult questions was too much. He reasons with himself that all he needs to do is wait until they land somewhere more densely populated and he can find a was to solve the issue discreetly, but that’s proving harder than he imagined. Between attacks and hunts and delays along the way, he feels worse and worse until it’s nearly unbearable. He starts making stupid mistakes in fights, has to leave Noct in charge of driving (it becomes bad enough that eventually he agrees to letting Prompto take the wheel) and every car ride, every night in the tent, every evening clustered around a table together is like torture. He can smell all of them, alive and vital and delicious. They don’t smell like food, not exactly, but with Ignis as prone to compiling recipes based on tasting similarities as he is, he can’t help but make the association. If they were wine Gladio would be a deep, rich Accordan red, Prompto something fresh and crisp like a sauvignon blanc – and Noctis. Oh, Noctis. Ignis had been present for King Regis’ 50th birthday and all the celebrations associated. There had been champagne, a famous vintage that was so prized as to be completely unavailable for purchase; it was only ever given as a gift, and only to the most important figures. It had been the most splendid thing Ignis had ever tasted, and it’s Jetty’s compared to the scent that billows from Noctis.

He cracks when they’re camping one night. Noctis rolls over in his sleep, bringing him painfully close to Ignis and in such a way that his head is tipped back, all the pale glory of his throat revealed, so close Ignis swears he can hear Noct’s pulse. So he flees. Leaves the tent taking only his daggers, leaves the haven. It seems inadvisable to try and drink from a demon, but it takes him a terribly long time to find an animal given the demonic presence in the area. He settles eventually on a rat; disgusting, yes, but al least not cute enough for him to have to look Noctis in the eye and know that his soft, animal-lover’s heart would be wounded by the knowledge of Ignis killing something sweet and trusting. It’s bugger of a thing to catch with his reflexes dulled as they are -

and then he vomits up all the blood in any case, rendering the whole endeavor useless.

His only option is to disappear. It will ache to do, and perhaps when the matter is resolved he can return and apologize, but the thought of it still hurts enough that he returns to the very border of the haven to look at the tent and regret his folly before he goes.

Which is another mistake, because that gives him the opportunity to see Noctis poking his head out of the tent, calling his name, and for Noct to see him in return.

Damn it all. ]
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-29 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
[ noctis has known ignis for a very long time.

and that means it's easy enough for him to sense that something is up, even though ignis is very good at concealing whatever it is. he's been sloppy in fights, and while it might be easy enough to wave that away as weariness, the idea of ignis being sloppy about anything makes it a glaring concern. and then there's the fact that he's been keeping a sort of distance from all of them -- there's a sudden lack of gentle touches to noct's shoulder or little instances of fussing over some wrinkle in his clothing, and there's a night when noctis stirs half-awake from a nightmare and attempts to roll into the comforting warmth of ignis' body heat only to find that the man nudges him carefully away mere moments after.

it... stings. to think that there's something wrong with ignis, and that ignis thinks he has to hide it from him. but! it's ignis' choice, in the end, and that keeps noctis from pressing the issue.

until one night when noctis is stirred awake by the loss of ignis' reassuring warmth at his side, and decides in a drowsy haze that he needs to look for him. it's the middle of the night -- the only illumination comes from the moon and the faint magic glow of the haven, and the only sounds are gladio's snoring and the faint song of crickets in the grass. definitely not an hour to be up and stirring, even for an early riser like ignis.

... huh. ]


Specs? [ scrubbing at one of his eyes, stepping the rest of the way out the tent to keep from waking up gladio or prompto. ] You okay? S'not even dawn.
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-29 06:13 am (UTC)(link)
[ oh.

with ignis hugging him, noctis can feel him trembling -- and it's part of the reason he hugs back almost automatically, squeezing just a bit tighter than is strictly necessary as if that'll help. he still has no idea what's going on, but... if ignis is talking about it, that's a good thing. right? it means they can start to work on figuring it out together; nothing can be worse than what they've already gone through, the losses they've already endured. they can fix it, if only they just tackle it together. ]


It's okay. [ trying his best to sound confident and reassuring, even though he's still half-asleep and still has no idea what's going on. and he's coupling this effort with an awkward attempt at patting ignis' back, because it seems like something he should do. ] Really, whatever it is, it's okay. We'll figure it out.
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-29 06:22 am (UTC)(link)
[ that's when it finally clicks. ]

Wait --

[ he pulls away from that hug enough to be able to look up at ignis, a worried little crease forming between his brows. ] ... you're trying to tell me that you're leaving?
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-29 06:40 am (UTC)(link)
[ maybe it's childish, but the thought of ignis leaving him is enough to send a cold bolt of fear up his spine. they've only rarely been apart, and never when things were this bad -- he needs ignis around to keep him steady, and thought of being without him is something terrible. awful. scary. ]

What --

[ he wants to say no! and have that be the end of it, but he knows how selfish that would be. so he drops his arms from around ignis instead and steps back, trying to steady his thoughts enough for a more reasonable reply. ] ... I don't...

Ignis, whatever's going on, you're my friend. I want to help you.
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-29 08:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it's hard to deny ignis anything when he's asking so sincerely, but. if that means ignis leaves him? noctis can't do it, can't make himself be unselfish enough to tell him that it's all right to go. he's already lost so much -- his dad, his home, whatever pieces of a normal life he'd managed to cling to in the face of his royal lineage -- he can't lose ignis too. he can't. ]

You wouldn't. [ and it's embarrassing to realize that his voice is thick with tears, the corners of his eyes stinging treacherously. ] Ignis, you're the last person who'd --

[ his breath hitches, and the words break off. ]
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-31 04:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ that's...

a lot.

he blinks as the words begin to spill out of ignis suddenly, and it feels like he's left trying to play catch up. still, it's impossible to miss when ignis talks about needing to drink blood, and -- ]


You're trying to tell me you're a vampire? [ not incredulous, not disbelieving, just... shocked. if it was prompto, noctis might have already written it off as a prank, but ignis wouldn't joke about something so serious. so... ]

... how?
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-31 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ how doesn't really matter, does it? which is why he puts it out of his mind as soon as he realizes that the explanation isn't going to help things now. and neither is an apology, which is why he shakes his head when ignis offers it.

instead, he takes a step forward and grabs the other man by the wrist, hands firm and voice steady. ]


If you need blood, then take it. Let me help you, Ignis.
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-31 05:04 am (UTC)(link)
And you're my oldest friend.

Ignis --

[ he takes another step forward, expression more determined than ever. ]

If there's something I can do to help you, let me. At least until we can get to Luna, until we can find a way to cure you.
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-31 05:24 am (UTC)(link)
[ he doesn't miss the sight of those fangs, but it doesn't scare him. it's ignis, the last person on earth who would ever hurt him, and his new status as a... vampire (?) doesn't change that. if anything, those fangs only confirm how much ignis must be suffering, how hungry he must be to let it slip, and... ]

Ignis. [ softly, reaching up to wrap his fingers around the man's other wrist so that he can tug his hand gently away. ] It's okay. Really.

I'd do anything for you. [ it's been true since they were children, and nothing about what's happened makes that different. ]
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-31 06:06 am (UTC)(link)
You wouldn't. Ignis, there's no way you'd ever hurt me, no matter what.

[ and it's stupid, but the way ignis describes it? it's enough to make his heart thump, to make that stupid little crush he's always carried around stir up into butterflies in his stomach. now isn't the time for that, he knows, but... well. the idea of ignis pulling him closer, mouth to his neck?

... it doesn't sound nearly as scary as it probably should. ]


Look -- [ a pause, and then he pulls his daggers from the armiger in a glittering burst of magic. ] If you get carried away or something, I'll warp.
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-31 06:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ ... oh.

it's... probably not a good idea? not because noctis doesn't trust ignis, but still. neither one of them probably have a full grasp on this, and leaving the other two behind takes away the promise of their help if something does go really wrong. it'd be better to stay close to camp, close to help, but... ]


Sure.

[ his answer is still nearly automatic. and so is the way he squeezes gently around ignis' hand, as if he's pressing reassurance into his touch. it'll be fine! he really does believe, with all of his being, that ignis wouldn't hurt him, no matter what changes he's undergone. and if the impossible happens, if ignis does get carried away, then he can warp his way back to the haven before anything happens. it'll be fine. ] Lead the way.
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-31 07:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ oh.

honestly, he hadn't even thought about that -- in all his pop culture knowledge of vampires, they always did the deed with a bite to the neck. the idea of mixing some into a drink is... way more clinical, and probably safer, but he won't deny the little pang of disappointment at the idea that maybe ignis doesn't want to be so close. still! he's the one with the weird vampire problem, and noctis is only here to help, so it feels wrong to start making demands about how this is done. ]


Would that, uh, be better? I don't exactly have a ton of... [ a little laugh, trying to hide the jangle of nerves. ] ... donation experience.
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-31 07:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ even more oh.

the speed at which ignis answers is enough to send another one of those dumb flutters through his system, heat rushing to his cheeks and heart skipping a beat in his chest. it's a weird thing to be pleased about, but... all of this is pretty weird, so what the hell. ]


Nah, it's cool. [ did that sound cool? he really hopes so. ] We can do it the old-fashioned way.

Might as well get the whole Dracula experience, right? Too bad you don't have a cape.
Edited 2020-01-31 07:27 (UTC)
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-31 07:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it's the last thing noctis is expecting in the middle of a moment that feels so serious, and... that's why the laugh it startles out of him is bright and genuine, even if he tries to stifle it by biting down on the inside of his cheek. it's a confirmation that ignis is still ignis despite everything, and that makes noctis feel like he's made the absolute right choice in doing this. ignis would never, never hurt him -- and if the tides were turned? ignis would be the first in line to offer himself up to help. ]

Good to know they didn't drain the dork out of you, at least.

[ but it's said with affection, and he's more than happy to follow ignis over to that rock and settle into a seat beside him. and then? he reaches out almost shyly to take his hand again, because having that connection feels right. ] Ready?
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-31 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[ is he ready? yes and no all at once, and it's impossible to tell whether the tangled knot in his stomach is nerves or excitement. especially when ignis shifts closer, mouth close enough to his skin that he can feel the tickle of the other man's breath. his breath hitches, pulse so loud in his ears that he scarcely hears when ignis asks him if he's ready.

but the clasp of their hands is reassuring, and he reminds himself that it's ignis -- ]


Yeah. [ it's soft, breathless. ]
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-31 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ that brush of lips against his throat is so different than the bite he was expecting that it makes his breath hitch, heart leaping up into his throat --

and then ignis bites down, and the feeling of it sends a flare through his system. something like pain and pleasure all at once, enough to send bright sparkling flares dancing across his field of vision. ignis draws him into his arms, into his lap, and noctis is dizzy with it all. swept away, and he grabs a fistful of ignis' blazer just to steady himself. the moan that spills out of him is something helpless, something he's even scarcely aware of, but gods.

if this is what it's like, no wonder all those damsels are swooning over dracula. ]
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-31 10:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it's almost like being asleep. well, no -- it's more like dreaming while he's still awake, caught up in some wonderful spell while still being aware of everything that's happening. even the smallest touch feels electric; ignis' hand sliding through his hair is enough to draw a little gasp out of him, and the slow licks of ignis' touch against his throat have his blood running hot.

it's only then that he notices he's hard, but he's lulled into too much of a dreamy state to even feel embarrassed by it. he's forgotten entirely about his plan to summon a weapon from the armiger and escape -- right now, he'd be more than happy to keep his neck bared and let this go on forever. ]


Ignis...
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-01-31 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it makes him groan when ignis rocks up against him, the heat of his cock able to be felt even through their clothing. proof that how good this feels is a mutual thing, and... hell, maybe that means they can do it more often. a lot more often.

but just as the thought crosses his mind, ignis pulls away from his throat. it doesn't lift the fog that's hanging heavy over noctis' thoughts, but he does make a little sound of protest --

and maybe that's why, when their eyes meet, it feels as natural as anything to lean up and press their mouths hungrily together. he can taste his own blood on ignis' mouth, and that really should be gross, but gods. he's wanted to kiss ignis for so long, and everything pumping through his system just makes it feel so right. ]
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[personal profile] linkstrike 2020-02-11 08:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he'd be embarrassed if he had to admit just how long he's wanted to kiss ignis -- and even if this is nothing like he way he imagined it might go, it's still ridiculously good. ignis deepens the kiss almost immediately, and the hot swipe of his tongue is enough to make noctis whine a greedy noise in return. every bit of that hunger ignis had shown while feeding off him is still present in this kiss, and somehow that just makes it hotter.

more, he wants more --

but then, almost as if he'd spoken the desire out loud, ignis' hand is dipping below the waistband of noctis' shorts and those long fingers are wrapping around his dick. it makes noctis gasp, breaking the kiss with a wet sound as he clutches at ignis like a drowning man. this is all happening so fast -- too fast? -- and there's a part of him that thinks maybe they should pump the brakes here so they can talk the whole thing over, but... gods, it feels good when ignis touches him. it makes it nearly impossible to think, and the way his head is still swimming from having ignis feed off him makes it that much harder. it's so much easier just to fall into it, to rut his hips up greedily into the other man's hand, to let himself have what he's wanted for years. ]