faesphere | Call Me Out / Open RP Post

[ He's not sure what to expect out of Noctis here, he slows his steps to match the other man's pace and he keeps an eye on his expression as it shifts and changes. He can't even begin to guess what's on Noctis' mind though, but his expression concerns Ignis a bit.

Once he does answer, Ignis lets his hand fall off Noctis' shoulders and takes his hand in his own, interlocking their fingers and squeezing them. ]

I'm with you every step of the way. [ he gives a tug on their joined hands to get Noctis to stop walking. Ignis gives Noctis a comforting smile. ] If there's anything I can do to help you keep finding that peace...

... I'm here.

[Noctis only nods, swallowing hard; he's grateful that Ignis can see again for a very selfish reason, suddenly- he doesn't have to speak if he can't find the words, Ignis can look at him and know an inkling of how he might feel. He can't express all of it, especially since his heart is still so conflicted, but it's a comfort to feel Ignis' hand in his, and hear the words of reassurance. He wasn't alone; it isn't like before, when he'd first learned the truth. It's... safe, to share how he feels.]

When I was told what I had to do, I... wanted to run away. [His voice is stilted, hesitant, but he tries to forge on for Ignis' sake.] I was terrified of it... of dying. I didn't want it. But I was inside the Crystal, so there was nowhere to run.

[The Crystal and the Draconian were without mercy, overwhelming him with the planet's inscribed memories, connecting the balance of his life with that of every living creature on Eos, every human soul, every ounce of suffering. He didn't want to die, but if he refused his calling, all of them would perish instead. The guilt would eat him alive.]

It's natural, right? To not want to die. I'm supposed to save every life on the planet, but I'm one of them too, aren't I? I thought- why can't I be saved?

[He grips Ignis' hand a little more tightly, his gaze focusing on the woods ahead, not able to look his friend in the eye. He knows it can't be easy to hear, especially in light of it being impossible to change the fate he's so frightened of.]

'A king pushes onward always, accepting the consequences and never looking back.' I remembered those words. And I thought about you, too... how you never hesitated. Even if there was a chance your life would be forfeit, you stepped up, ready to save me.

[His thumb rubs subtly over the middle finger of Ignis' held hand, where he'd set the Ring of the Lucii in place.]

I... can't stop. I can't let any other lives be lost. So I guess I don't need help finding peace, just... help me be brave, Iggy.

[Brave enough to go through with it, terrified or not. Brave enough to die for the world.]

[ He wasn't expecting a whirlwind of emotions to come out of Noctis like that. He has to fight hard to just... pull Noctis into a protective embrace and hide him from the world. But that's not what he needs right now. No, what he needs is strength and a hug alone isn't going to solve it.

He picks out the nearest tree and quietly gives a tug on their joined hands. He moves them to where they're sitting against the tree, backs against it. ]

I'll be a lot more worried about you if you weren't afraid, Noct. No one wants to die. [ Ignis thought he heard it in Noctis' tone at camp, while he was talking to them. That was the original reason he'd gotten up to speak to Noctis, but...

He looks down at their joined hands, seeing the scar there. Noctis knows. By means of the Crystal, Ignis is guessing, cause he certainly didn't tell him about it. And Gladio and Prompto don't know what he'd did on the altar that day.

I swore an oath to stand with Noct and keep him safe. Whatever it takes, I will protect him.

His own words ring in his ears then. He'd been enraged, pushed to his limits after seeing Noctis' life at stake that day. And his own fear of not knowing of what he'll find on the altar that day either.

He hadn't felt brave. Not in the slightest. It wasn't bravely that pushed him into putting on the ring. No, Ignis knows better than that. Though, his and Noctis' situations are different, Ignis only wanted to protect Noctis and he has the world resting on his shoulders.

His free hand lifts to touch his own scar for a second, before he lets it drop. ]

What I did for you, it wasn't bravely that pushed me into doing it. [ he admits slowly, finally addressing that elephant in the room. Ignis locks his eyes with Noctis', to let him see the truth in them. ] It went beyond that, even beyond my oath to protect you. No, [ he says slowly, lifting his free hand to rest against Noctis' cheek. ] it was the love and care that I have for you that pushed me into doing it. [ even if it cost him his life, as Noctis pointed out.

It isn't fair for Noctis to have the world resting on his shoulders like this. Ignis had tried to find a way to save him, but... No sense in thinking about that now. ]

Let the love be the strength that you need, Noct, the love that you have for people and the people that love you back. Let love be the guide into letting you feel brave.

[Noctis sits down with him without resistance, his head tilted up so he can gaze up to the sky, watching the clouds drift, the sun shining brightly in his peripheral. The air smells sweet, like flowers and greenery, reminding him of the havens of Duscae, that warm scent of life inhaled with every breath he took.

Love... it's cheesy, but he recognizes the truth of it. Ignis had always been pragmatic, logical, intelligent beyond what Noctis could ever hope to achieve, even if he'd done well for himself in school. Ignis made it look effortless, though they all knew he'd worked hard. He could weigh the pros and cons of every course of action, determine which option would reap the most benefits. In that moment, given a choice between Ardyn and Noctis - an incredibly powerful and immortal chancellor of the army that now ruled the entire world, versus an unconscious and dethroned king who would have failed his one job had Luna not stepped in to wake his power for him - Ignis could have determined which would be the more advantageous option. Noctis had very little to offer anyone, after everything had been taken away from him, while Ardyn held all the cards. Duty only forced a man to go so far, to give up so much. Ignis could have gone with him, traded his skills and intelligence for a cushy Imperial-funded lifestyle, utilized all his advisory training for someone who actually had a throne to rule. Gladio was always duty-bound, but there were moments after Cartanica that Noct was surprised Gladio hadn't gotten fed up with him and left. A good Shield ought to have a king worthy of him. Prompto had never been tethered to him, and could have walked away at any time, vanished into the crowd of Insomnian refugees that poured out of the city after it fell, or joined with his so-called "father" after his best friend shoved him off a train and left him for dead.

But... they'd stayed. All of them stayed. Here, at the end of the world, they stood by him and were ready to face a monster with untold power, all for his sake. Because they loved him, had waited ten years for him. Ignis loved him.

He meets Ignis' eyes as long as he's able, then ducks down and tilts until his head rests on Ignis' shoulder instead, his voice hushed.]

I love you... and I love them. I love the world. That's why I chose this.

[He'd been sent out into the world so he could experience it, and learn to love it. He'd been shown the history of that world and all its people so he would recognize the scope of what would be lost if he made the wrong decision. More than anything else, though... he'd been granted, through fate or chance or the kind understanding of those who love him, precious comrades to stand by him and teach him on such a deeply personal level that dying wasn't the end of everything for him. He could live on in their memories, through the lives they led afterwards, and the love they carried for him. That was why he'd asked Ignis to live for his sake. For them, he can be brave.]

[ His heart, well, is understandably torn in two. He's glad that he can help Noctis out at the end of his journey, but he doesn't want him to die. He lets his head drop, his cheek resting against on top of Noctis' head.

He can't be selfish. Not in the way how he's thinking, a part of him wants to take Noctis and run away someplace safe together (what safe place, who's he kidding), but he can't. It's not his decision to make. So, he's sworn to stand by Noctis until the very end. Then he'll grieve. ]

I love you, too, Noct. [ more than he's letting on, more than he can ever express.

He grows a bit quiet after that, letting everything just sink in. ]

The ring, [ he says slowly, tone growing a bit curious. ] I never told you about it. How do you know?

[Noctis can't help hesitating again, resting quietly against Ignis like that for so long it might almost seem as if he'd dozed off. (Can one fall asleep inside of a dream? He'd rather not find out yet.)

Finally, though, he sighs softly and speaks up once more.]

I saw... a lot of things, while I was in the Crystal. Absorbing its power meant taking in all the memories of the planet. Everything that happened, across all of history... from start to finish. [Or at least, up until he'd been pulled in. Those ten years hadn't been delivered to him while he slept.] Felt like my head was gonna explode. Even now, it's all... [He makes a vague, wobbly hand gesture.] Muddy, in there. Don't think a human being's meant to hold all that information. I remember the important stuff, though.

[Ignis. Luna. Even Ardyn, his past and his struggles, everything that made him the monster he is in the present day. Those memories are within him, now, and he understands better why he'd done so many horrible things. He, too, was ready for the end to come for him.]

[ Yeah, don't fall asleep on him again, Noctis. Not that he'll mind, but they're already stuck in a dream together.

Quietly, he listens and lets out a little wince at that. ] You must have the biggest headache. [ he murmurs softly, he can't image having all that information stuffed into ones head like that.

After a couple of more minutes of quiet, he speaks up again. ] .... Still interested in those strawberries?

[Noct's only reply is a brief, dry laugh. Headache is putting it rather lightly. He's very comfortable, though, and a good pillow is a great way to soothe a sore head.

He stirs at the suggestion when it comes, lifting himself upright and stretching his arms up over his head.]

I'm always interested in strawberries. You see any around?

[ Well now, we'll just have to do something about that, won't we?

He thought he'd saw.... Ah, there. ]

Up ahead. [ small patch of red near where they're at. He slowly, and reluctantly gets up and gently pulls the sleepy King up with him. ]

Oh, Noct. When you're ready to go, I've already got another place in mind. [ He has a mysterious smile on his face, mischief in his own eyes too. ]

[Noctis leans on Ignis as he's pulled upright, responding with an agreeable hum as he ventures towards the strawberry bush, crouching down to start plucking a few of the especially juicy looking ones. They looked so good, he could honestly just eat them all here...]

Oh yeah? Where to next, then?

[ he kneels down next to Noctis, looking over the strawberries himself. ]

Lestallum, [ he gives Noctis a quick glace as he plucks up a strawberry, letting it roll in his hand. ] I do have my reasons for wanting to go. [ not for his benefit, but he's hoping he can find what he's looking for there. he won't say much more than that. ]

I assumed you would.

[Ignis very rarely makes decisions on a whim, and this is sort of an important journey for them. May as well make it meaningful.

He collects a couple before giving in to the temptation to bite down on one, closing his eyes for a long moment and just quietly savouring the burst of sweet flavour. The taste and scent are exactly like he remembers from back then.]

Sounds good to me. Maybe we can find a nice spot to eat in the market.

[It might be weird to see it without the usual crowd of people, but he'd liked the feel of it. It reminded him of certain areas of Insomnia, less rich-and-snobby, more down to earth zones. Places where no one knew him as the prince, where he could just go grab some street food with Prompto and not worry about someone taking creepy photos for the tabloids.]

[ he gives a little nod at that. ] I assume you have your reasons for wanting to come here. [ he says softly. though he's not prying into it.

WEEELLLLL, about that. Noctis doesn't realize how close he is to hitting the nail on the head. His expression gives away nothing but a knowing smile. ]

...Mm.

[Noctis takes a moment to think about whether or not it wants to answer. There's little sense in hiding it, though- what is he protecting, exactly? And from Ignis? Absurd. This man knows his heart better than any other, save for the one who once lived here- and she's gone, his words can no longer reach her. This is his last chance to be honest about how he feels.]

I wanted to see it in daylight, one last time. I thought... it'd be nice to walk this path on my own two feet.

[The last time he'd been here, beyond the railway station, he'd been in a wheelchair the entire time, being moved gingerly from chair to bed and back again. Scared, traumatized, wounded. The second time he'd seen Tenebrae, he'd been grieving Luna's death and terrified for Prompto. If this is his last day in this world, he'd wanted to remember Tenebrae for something other than pain, for his sake and Luna's.]

[ Yes, he'd suspected that this was the case. Without saying a word, he lets the fruit fall from his hand and gets up, not before he grabs onto Noct's hand and pulls him up with him. Ignis tugs Noctis into a gentle, warm and soothing embrace as much as he can muster. For now, and after their earlier talk. ]

I know. [ he whispers quietly. ] Just how much Tenebrae means to you.

[Noctis is careful to keep the strawberries in his hand from squishing, curling his free arm around Ignis to hold him back. He closes his eyes, settling against the other man, self-indulgently accepting another embrace, face buried to his friend's shoulder.]

I'm okay, Iggy, [he murmurs.] I'm glad we came here.

[He does feel better, having done this. The company certainly helped.]

[ He can't help but feel a wave of relief wash over him, it hadn't been pretty at all the last time they were here. He can recall Gladio's protest against it, stopping here in Tenebrae, but Noctis needed this, a chance to get closure.

He does pull back after a bit. ] I'm glad we came here too. [ A quick glance at the strawberries has him wondering ] Any special meaning to the strawberries?

[Noctis considers the handful of berries, and after a moment, rather than answering, he lifts one and presses it against Ignis' lips, brows lifted. See for yourself.]

[ This night is most certainly full of surprises, he had been so stunned when he'd first saw Noctis in this strange dreamworld. Ignis makes a soft sound of surprise and his expression mirrors it, realizing what he's intended to do here.

His heartbeat picks up a little - and he's careful of course - when he gingerly takes a careful small bite out of the strawberry from Noctis' hand... ]

[This would be a really smooth seduction gesture, had it come from anyone else. A little indirect kiss by Noct taking the second bite, or a way to sweeten a proper one.

But this is Noctis, so of course what he does is smile broadly and nibble on one for himself.]

Wouldn't you want to taste this again, if you had the chance? I forgot most of it when we got back to Lucis, but I almost made myself sick eating those pastries the day Luna introduced them to me.

[ Of course, Noctis is a little shit like that. He shakes his head in amusement, what is he to do with you, Noct.

A slight blush is on his cheeks though, but he's quick to pick up on the conversation. He knows the one, the very same that he had been trying to recreate for Noctis, his attempts haven't been successful in the least bit, but he's gotten closer to the sound of it. ]

Indeed I would. [ of course, he's not at all surprised that Noctis would do something like that. ] Ah yes, the very same ones that I've tried to recreate for you.

Yup, the very same.

[Noctis rolls the strawberries into his suit jacket pocket, not really caring if they squish a bit while they walk. If he's not allowed to take them with him to the next spot, at least he tried. And if he can take them, perhaps they'll find somewhere with a kitchen.]

We finally found the missing ingredient, after all these years.

[ He kneels back down himself to pluck a couple of strawberries and pockets them as well. The final ingredient huh. This is what he had in mind, was giving the pastry a well, final go. ]

If we find the rest of the ingredients in Lestallum, perhaps I can make it for you.

[ He stands back up and looks over to Noctis again. ]

Are you ready to go?

Yeah, I'm ready.

[Noctis snags Ignis' hand again to lead him to the next destination, his eyes roving along the treeline to an exit that looks like something Carbuncle would have set up for them. He spots it after a moment: a huge tree with a vast dark hole in the center, knotted and encircled with vines. He walks towards it, pulling Ignis with him, and guides them right into the dark, his hand reaching out towards the next realm of their shared dream. The shadows swallow them up just as before.

Within moments the world re-materializes into an alley of Lestallum, half a block away from the market. The city is hot, dusty, and unnaturally quiet, humming with energy from the powerplant like always, same as ever in almost every other way. It's weird to not see the streets crowded with people, but that just means it's easy to navigate.]

The market next, right?

[ Like before, he allows himself to be dragged along and thankfully, no jumping off a cliff this time. He's patient with the darkness surrounding them and waits on his vision to clear up. They're in an alley somewhere in Lestallum.

It's kind of nice to have it to themselves. But that's not why they're here. ]

Yes, [ he confirms, starting to move in that direction. ] I'll admit that it's strange not being shoulder to shoulder with people. Did Talcott fill you in?

[ He spies out the market shortly after and blinks in surprise. Looks like there's a lot more food overall and it's filled with Ignis' and Noctis' favorite foods. The powers of a dreamland, he supposes.

Which means, he should be able to find what he's looking for the pastries. ]

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