faesphere | Call Me Out / Open RP Post

[Perhaps he should not have been surprised to find Ignis here, after the night they'd had, but even so he can't help his momentary stumble in shock at the sight. There'd never been another person inside a dream with him- it's only ever been Carbuncle. Lucid dreams are one thing, but this... this feels real.

He can't help staring back at Ignis, focusing on his eyes- the colour's returned to them, and more than that, recognition, responsive movement. Ignis' eyes shift in ways Noctis hasn't seen in months (ten years, he reminds himself for the hundredth time), drifting up and down to take in the features and changes Noctis had found just as alien when he'd seen his own reflection, and at last he understands Carbuncle's last gift. It had brought Ignis here, for the both of them. So Ignis would know him as he is now... so Ignis could see the world in the sun again, one more time. And so Noctis could share this final dream with someone he loved. It's unfathomably kind, and he blinks back tears of his own, hands lifting to grip Ignis by the arms in return.]

I... can see that. [His lip quirks, unable to help the pun; it's Ignis' fault he's fond of them, after all.] I never thought anyone else could come here...

[ He's still in shock over this whole thing, but he snorts in amusement at that terrible pun. It is his fault, perhaps he is rubbing off on Noctis. He's still a bit confused, but Noct's here. That makes whatever is going on worth it. He can't help but smile, fondly. He can't even begin to describe his own emotions other than that he's happy. ]

Do you know what's going on, Noct? [ His last statement sounds like he does. ]

[Noctis hesitates for a moment, expression unsure. He's never explained this place before; it was sort of... his, his little secret world. His and Carbuncle's. Twelve years (twenty-two years) and it had been an occasional safe haven, a land all his own to make and mold as he pleased, to escape the nightmares that so often haunted him. An escape from his darkest dreams, just as his father had promised when he was a toddler.

His friends knew about Carbuncle as... a rough concept, at most. A piece of folklore that the royals of Lucis treasured. No one had ever seen or heard it before, so over the years he'd learned to hide stories of his "imaginary friend", when he grew too old for a prince to reasonably be allowed such things. It had never been an issue worth the trouble of revisiting.

Until now. Until, inexplicably, Ignis is here with him.]

It's... where I go at night, [he starts, reluctant, uncertain, half-expecting Ignis to scoff at him.] When Carbuncle pulls me out of a bad dream.

[ Noct, you overthink things, Ignis isn't going to scoff at you.

He does think about that for a second, as far as he knows, he had fallen asleep before Noctis did. He does remember falling asleep by Noctis' side. ]

I believe you. [ It's strange to see Noctis' expressions again and that he can quickly pick up on them.

The proof of what he's saying is right here, after all. ] I fell asleep before you, you weren't having a bad dream, were you?

[There's a subtle, relaxed tilt to Noct's shoulders, one that Ignis might have missed had he not regained his sight. It's nice to be believed, even with the obvious evidence right in front of them.]

No. [That, at least, he doesn't have to hesitate for or lie about. He'd closed his eyes and just... slept. It was as rare as it was delightful.] Today's, um. A special occasion. No nightmares required.

[His hands shift, curling around Ignis' and giving them a squeeze, hoping he can convey a more positive meaning than the truth. It's special because Ignis is here, not because it's the last dream he'll ever have.]

[ A special occasion. When he feels Noctis squeeze his hands, it dawns on him. It's him. It's cause that he's here. With Noctis. With someone that he loves and that someone loves him in return. ]

... Carbuncle pulled me here so we could be together. [ That last puzzle piece slipping into place. Though he knows that this will be Noctis' last dream, he doesn't need to say that. This makes Ignis determined to make the most of it. For Noctis' sake.

He squeezes Noctis' hands in return in understanding. ]

[Another wave of relief, that that's the conclusion Ignis reached. It isn't wrong, so he's grateful, and with a soft exhale he closes his eyes and leans forward, resting his forehead against Ignis' for a long moment. He loves it here, but sometimes it was lonely, even with Carbuncle to guide him; he'd wanted to share the wonder of this place, recognizing it as magical in some way, but there had never been a method of sharing it before. Now he doesn't have to explore this world on his own.

When he opens his eyes and leans back a handful of moments later, a smile crosses his lips, and there's a spark of mischief in his gaze.]

Hey... if you could go anywhere, see any place on Eos again, what would you choose?

[ When their foreheads touch, Ignis can't help but let out a soft happy sound. He shuts his eyes, enjoying the moment for what it is. He interlocks their fingers in their joined hands.

When he feels Noctis pull back, he reopens his own eyes and catches the mischief in Noct's eyes.

He doesn't answer right away, just leans forward to plant a kiss on Noctis' lips, though brief before he pulls back himself. ]

Just as long we're together, then I'm not picky. [ but. ] We never did get to see the Disc of Cauthess properly. [ If he had to pick one. ]

The Disc... I should've guessed.

[Noctis finds himself grinning; the Disc had been such a dark time back then, with headaches constantly tormenting him, the start of Ardyn's obsession with following him around, losing the Regalia, and was the first covenant of many that had led him towards Altissia, where everything went wrong. His feelings on that hauntingly beautiful place had been soured for a long time, especially due to how it had ended. He liked the idea of revisiting it like this- peaceful, empty of everyone but them, no Imperials or covenants or expectations. Just the two of them, out on their own little exploratory adventure.]

Come on, then- I'll show you.

[He knows how this works. He hears the telltale squeak and sees the burst of crimson light at the doorway, and he knows that Carbuncle has accepted his wish. He tugs on Ignis' hand and guides him to the door; without another word, he walks through, pulling Ignis with him.

Immediately the world around them ripples like they'd fallen into a pond, warping and going dark for a few seconds, but all the while Noct's hand remains firmly around his, grounding him in the pitch black of this changing world. When the light returns, the sky no longer carries the brightness of dawn but the fading golds of approaching sunset, and Hammerhead, the diner, all of it is gone, replaced by the winding path leading up towards the Disc. They emerge not from Takka's place but a cave halfway to the Meteor, on the Imperial side where they'd been refused entry the first time they tried to go without Ardyn to grant them access. Above, the Meteor glows, endless and ethereal as ever, glimmering with the light of a million stars.

Noctis glances over at Ignis, leaning in to bump shoulders. He looks pleased with himself; even if it was technically Carbuncle's power that changed the scenery, this was still his dreamworld to shape into what they wanted to see.]

Wanna see if the big guy's still there?

[ For just a brief moment, when they walk outside, he can feel the sunlight on his skin. But his world is getting dark again, and he holds firm onto Noctis' hand, wondering and curious, but he trusts Noct.

As the colors return to his sense of sight, he takes a small breath and looks around. ]

Ah, Carbuncle's power? [ he's just guessing here.

He doesn't answer right away again, just taking in the sights. The colors and the bright golden sunset. He looks to the sky, allowing himself to really see. He's hit just how beautiful everything looks around him. After being in the darkness for so long, he's missed this. Ignis wants to remember this moment. It's almost as if someone had taken a blindfold off his face and is giving him a chance to see. His gaze trails to the Meteor and he sees it glowing and glimmering. It's gorgeous.

But all of this pales in comparison to the man next to him. Even though he doesn't regret his decision on wearing the ring, saving Noctis, he's not going to let this opportunity go to waste. He doesn't want to take these things for granted.

He looks over to the man next to him now, seeing the smug look on his face. Ignis plays a small smirk of his own, his free hand going to tuck a stray hair behind Noctis' ear. ] I trust you know what you're doing. You know how this works better than me. Lead the way.

[Noctis nods at the question, as it's as good an answer as any. He doesn't really understand how it works, only that it does. Sometimes the dream changes on its own, sometimes he has to find the exit, and sometimes Carbuncle guides him from one adventure to another. It's always been different, usually (he guesses) based on the sort of dream he was trying to escape from. Tonight is special, as he'd said already. No dark dreams to run from, only dreams of a future that will never come- and those, he'd like to follow for a little while.

He scratches almost shyly at his cheek, just under where Ignis had brushed his hair back, almost feeling thirteen instead of thirty, and smiles as he starts up the path, walking side by side with Ignis, their hands still clasped.]

The first time I had a dream like this... Carbuncle said Titan was a gentle giant. He sure didn't act like one when we finally made it here, though.

[ He recalls that one all too well. Panic and fear had griped him when Noctis and Gladio both fell over the edge, while he and Prompto were safe at the top. He'd never forget the relief when he spotted the pair. ]

Indeed. [ he muses, keeping in step with Noctis. ] He was quite the angry one. [ Their fight with Titan had been challenging, but the four of them had pulled through it. ]

[Titan's the only fight he's prepared to think or talk about right now; the concept of Leviathan's rite is a distant and unpleasant memory he'd prefer to keep buried. Battling Titan had been a tough one for sure, but in retrospect, the big guy had probably gone easy on them. He was enormous enough to have crushed them like they were ants.]

I never did find out what the covenants were for. Maybe they'll show up at the last minute and do something cool. Think five out of six is enough?

[ Ignis would prefer not to think about it too hard. About what's to come. He'd rather focus in on this and on Noctis, but if Noct wants to talk about it, then he will to. He gives their joined hands a squeeze. ]

Five out of the six covenants are on your side, Noct. That beats the odds, don't you think?

...Hm. I guess. Better than none, anyway.

[He lifts his shoulders in a shrug, expression growing cryptic, and looks forward instead of digging further into it. He never learns anything until he's required to know; that's how it's been for most of his life. Secrets on secrets. There's little sense in souring his last day by dwelling on any bitterness he might feel about being left in the dark about his own life.

Instead, he points his free hand up and ahead.]

The path winds up over there- I think we can get a better look at the Meteor if we go that way.

[ He gives their hands another firm, but affection squeeze at that response. His eyes searches Noctis' face, but he's having problems reading his expression this time. Instead, he lets it drop and follows to where Noctis is pointing. He nods and gives a slight tug on their hands, following the way. ]

After being in the darkness for so long, the world is beautiful. The colors and shapes are incredible to look at now. [ He's just talking, not even thinking about it. ]

[That makes Noct's steps falter for a moment, pausing, then starting up again, his brows furrowing. He's quiet for a bit, mulling over what he wants to say before he speaks again. Even with the pause, his words still come out stumbling.]

Iggy... I don't... I won't promise anything. There's already so much riding on what goes down back home. [In Insomnia, in the Citadel, in the throne room where that thing they won't talk about is going to happen.] But I've got all the power of the Crystal in me, now. It's- a lot. Meant to heal the world.

[His hand grips Ignis' more tightly, hesitant to say the words aloud lest they become a hope that will only disappoint him later, but...]

I want to try to heal as much as I can.

[ Now it's his turn to stop dead in his tracks for a moment. Stunned speechless. But he isn't sure if this a wound that Noct can heal. He had paid a price for it, after all.

He doesn't say anything, just grips Noctis' hand tighter in his own. He's not super hopeful in this case, but the belief in Noctis is strong. He lets a smile tug on his face, looking over to Noctis. ]

I don't know what to say. [ he finally gets out. ] But if anyone can help me, it's you.

[Noctis waits for Ignis, not pulling him forward again; he understands that it would be a heavy thing to consider, especially since he's been dealing with his blindness for ten years. It's why he won't promise anything, only give the barest of warnings that he's going to try. Whether Ignis is surprised or disappointed when the sun rises... Noctis won't know, in the end, but he wants Ignis to know that he tried.]

I hope you're right. [He hasn't felt especially successful at anything, not since Altissia. But he'd like to believe that he might accomplish this- one big thing, one small. It'd be a good way to go.]

[ He gives a slight tug on Noctis' hand again, starting to move forward. ]

I believe in you. [ His smile still hasn't let up. ] Whether or not it works, I'll be fine.

I'm more than happy with you. Out of everything in this world, the one person that I wanted to see most was you, Noct. [ He stops here, considering his next words carefully. He gives Noctis a quick glace before he speaks up. ] The last person I ever saw was you.

[ So it's fitting that the first person that Ignis gets to see is the last person that he ever saw. ]

[Noctis is equal parts touched and displeased by the sentiment, falling into step beside Ignis again with a little frown.]

I don't want the last thing that you ever see to be me like that, Iggy. You should see the whole world- places like this, everyone you meet... what if you meet and fall for somebody else one day? You'll want to know their face, too.

[He's touched if Ignis takes comfort in him being his last sight of anything (or Noctis here and now, maybe, since that moment in Altissia couldn't have been a comfort) but the thought of him being lost in the dark going forward when everyone else gets to bask in the sun again... it isn't fair. He's only here to sacrifice himself because of everything Ignis and the others sacrificed for him.

Just like Bahamut said- many have sacrificed all for the king, so he must sacrifice for all. And Ignis gave away plenty. He's earned a little payback.]

[ like that. Ignis stiffens and turns to Noctis, eyes searching his face and wondering if he knows what Ignis had meant by that. He's not going to bring up the ring, or the events that went on in Altissia.

He does admit to himself that he truly doesn't know the darkened world all that well, not by sight at least. And he's never given romance a thought. This is the first that he's given a thought to a romance life, though limited on time.

He doesn't think that he can truly get over Noctis' death any time soon, once it happens that is. It'll take time for him to heal. He doesn't have an answer if he'll meet anyone else in his life like that again. ]

You mean well and I appreciate the thought, Noct. [ he gives a sigh ] Do know that if I don't get my sight back, that I'll be okay. It'll take time. [ He doesn't have to say why here, he just gives their hands a squeeze, before he lets Noctis' hand go. He puts his arm around Noctis' shoulders instead. ] You want me happy and that too will take some time and soul searching.

Don't forget, that I've made a promise to you. To live for the both of us.

[Noctis hums a vaguely agreeable noise, not responding more directly for a bit, merely leaning into Ignis, shifting his hand to wind around the man's waist in return. Their sides are warm against one another, one more quiet, unexpected comfort. He'll take it- the comfort, and the answer that comes with it.]

You can do whatever you want, Iggy. That's the beauty of it, you know?

[He hopes the others have never felt inextricably tethered to him or his fate; they should always have the right to choose whether or not to follow him. This way, though, they wouldn't have to be pulled in two directions, if they'd ever have any doubts about what they wanted from life. He doesn't like the idea that he's being forcibly removed from the equation, but he envies and is grateful that they'll have that freedom from the crown, a luxury he'd never have.]

You know, [ he begins as he feels Noct's arm go around his waist. ] either a foolish king or a wise king told me that I was allowed to be selfish. [ then he turns to look at Noctis, showing a playful smirk on his face. ]

[Noctis returns the smirk in kind, without an ounce of shame.]

I think you mean a very cool king said that.

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