faesphere | Call Me Out / Open RP Post

.... Yes, I saw the dawn. [ he still sees it, day in and day out.

The way how Noctis' speaks of his own death, gets Ignis to shut his own eyes. ] .... I found you on the throne, dead. We found you that way, Gladio and Prompto.

You died to save the world, Noct. It... was the hardest thing I ever had to do, was let you go.

[ He reopens his eyes and looks up at Noctis once more. ] This isn't the first time you've came to my rescue. You saved me before from a terrifying daemon who almost killed me.

I trust you, Noct.

[ Gods, he wants to hug him, but as he is, he can't. ]

... Will you untie me?

[He feels a strange relief at Ignis' answer, to know that he saw it. He doesn't fully understand that feeling, but he'll remember it, so he can reexamine it later if his true memories return.

He feels his heart rate pick up once again at the other names, repeating them quietly as well. Gladio. Prompto. He died, to save the world? On that throne he can remember only briefly, surrounded by darkness and pain and then, suddenly, a blinding light. There were daemons (he remembers daemons, they were gone now, all the Messengers knew that), and he'd fought them. He'd fought one.

Something inside him twists at the idea of chasing those memories, so instead he shakes it off and carefully lifts Ignis up again, gaining access to the ropes so he can untie the knots holding him hostage, their hands brushing as he worked.]

I'm sorry... I... I know you're important to me. I want to remember... was I not allowed...?

[Were they taken from him, because of what he is now? A Messenger of the gods surely doesn't need human memories to fulfill their duty. But if that were the case, why allow him to come back while those who might know him were still alive?

He wishes there was someone who he could ask, but Messengers were made to convey the word of the Astrals to the people of the world. They weren't around to ask questions of those gods themselves.]

[ He feels a lot better than he was before. No longer at the mercy of that stranger, no longer in danger, his wounds healed. As Noctis starts to work on one of the knots keeping him tied up, he knows that he's going to be fine. ]

... Thank you. [ he whispers quietly. For saving him, to whatever Gods that brought him back to Ignis, for giving Noctis a second chance at life. By some miracle that Noctis had heard him somehow.

He spares a glance at Noctis. ] You're very important to me to, Noct.

I'll help you, in any way that I can. I promise. [ he's determined to help Noctis out now. He spares a breath.

The rope is starting to slack around his wrists, almost there. There's two more knots left to go once Noctis has this one free. One knot on his upper back and the other around his legs. ]

... I promised you that I wouldn't forget you. [ Is that why Noctis has forgotten everything? Cause of Ignis' promise? He frowns a little, but it's a thought to keep in mind. ]

Edited 2020-11-14 16:10 (UTC)

Aren't I here to help you?

[Noct's tone is musing in a way that sounds more like his old self, smiling faintly as he finishes the second knot and moves to Ignis' legs. It won't take long at all to free him; if he can't untie one of them, he'll just destroy it. He's wary of using that fire so close to Ignis, though, in case his control isn't stellar just yet. Do Messengers have to train their magic? There's no guidebook for this.

Despite his words, he's warmed by the idea that Ignis will help him. Perhaps, if he can stay for a while, whatever's wrong with his mind will fix itself. He'd... really like that. Even just to stay would be enough, memory or no. Ignis makes him feel safe.]

[ That sounds like the Noctis he knows and he can't help but smile. They got to keep talking to coax stuff like this out of him.

Once the last of the ropes are off, he gingerly tests out his limbs, bringing his arms out from behind his back and grimaces a little at the stiffness of them. How long has he been tied up like that? He rubs at one of his arms a bit, trying to get out the kinks.

He reaches out to Noctis though. ] Noct, I'd like to try hugging you. Please. [ his tone almost betraying how desperately he needs it himself. ]

I...

[Are people allowed to hug Messengers...? Is that not a taboo or something? The question brings to mind a brief, flickering thought: the arms of a child wrapped around a dark-furred dog, hugging tightly and crying into its neck, in pain and mourning the loss of a friend.

Umbra...

He shifts a little closer, and spreads his arms.]

I'll let you.

[ He shifts closer to shut the distance between them and gets his arms wrapped around Noctis, pulling him into a familiar embrace. One that's loving, gentle and caring. One hand idly rubs at Noct's back.

A tear slips down Ignis' cheek, his hands shaking a bit. Gods, it's been five years since he's felt Noctis in his arms like this. Five long, dark years.

He's happy though, safe and warm. But more than that, he's home. Home is where the heart is and he knows all too well where his heart lies. It's still with Noctis. Always Noctis. ]

You saved my life, Noct and I like to help you in return. You sounded like your old self a minute ago. [ there's hope in Ignis, hope that he can get Noctis' memories back. ] Do you trust me?

[The embrace is warm and familiar, and it makes his heart ache all over again, an echo of I know this bouncing around in his head like a reverberating drum. He's felt this before, he knows it immediately. Ignis has held him in the past.

Tentatively his arms rise up and hold the man back, fingers curling in his shirt. This... feels right. It's where he belongs. His mind doesn't remember yet, but his heart does.]

I... trust you, Iggy.

[How could he not? Even the words themselves feel right as they leave his lips, as if there'd be no reason in the world to not trust this man.]

[ He lets the relief that he feels flood through him. He needed to be sure, there was no doubt, but with Noctis' memories being messed up as they are...

He tightens his grip a little, letting himself enjoy the moment. It wasn't until he had Noctis in his arms that it hit him hard that yes, this is real. Noctis is real. He's alive and well somehow, but Ignis isn't going to question it.

He keeps quiet as he struggles to keep his emotions in check, he doesn't want to break down. Not until he's been able to help Noctis. The other man needs him just as much as he needed Noct.

He pulls back after a bit and puts his forehead against Noctis', praying that this too, sparks something in the other man. ]

[This, too, feels like something he's experienced before, and for a long moment he just sits quietly like that, eyes closed, drinking in the presence of the other man and chasing that feeling. The thoughts creep up on him slowly, visions (memories?), or like a dream that he thinks might be real but can't know for certain until he asks. Fleeting ideas, like a lightbulb about to burn out, flickering on, off. On, off. On, off.

His voice is faint as he speaks up again, wary of saying the wrong thing, of being wrong, of hurting this man who wants him to remember so badly.]

Ignis... you've... always been there, haven't you? Always with me. I can't keep it all in my head, but I can see you with me, every time I looked over, in my memories...

[ He's remembering is what he thinks. It stirs inside Ignis too, that hope growing brighter. ]

I have, we've been through quite the bit together.

[ Remember me.

He pulls his head back a bit this time and he cups Noctis' cheek in his hand. ]

You're starting to remember, aren't you?

[He doesn't like to make promises that he can't guarantee, but... hesitantly he opens his eyes to watch Ignis, tilting his head subtly into the hand on his cheek.]

I... think so. Just- you look different.

[His own hand lifts to trace softly just under the scar over Ignis' eye, examining the shape of his face.]

You've changed, but I remember your face.

[ He smiles a little and he lets his thumb rub at Noctis' cheek. ]

Five years will do that, [ he says softly. ] you've changed too, but I knew it was you by the sound of your voice.

[ Progress and he aims to keep at it. ]

What did you see?

[Noctis thinks for a long moment, trying to grab onto the tail of at least one memory and rein it in, so the flashes of thought can become more detailed, so faces can become voices can become words can become conversation.

What did he see?]

...We were... cooking. It was quiet, and warm... your hands were on mine. Pastry, and... strawberries. [His eyes close again.] Lestallum...

[ Upon hearing that, he lets his free hand grab onto one of Noctis', giving it a squeeze. ]

That's right. [ he searches Noctis' face, giving him an encouraging smile ] The strawberries were the missing ingredient for the pastries.

You brought me something... [ he lets it hang, to see if Noct can recall the Ebony on his own. ]

[He thinks again, then grimaces, his mouth moving as if experiencing an unpleasant taste. Sense memory, perhaps?]

Coffee. It was gross.

[Ah. Hang on.]

I don't like coffee. I remember that, too.

[ He laughs at that. ]

You drank half of can of it. [ He still doesn't understand why Noctis did that other than it's Noct. ]

We took the pastries somewhere. [ Again, he'll let Noctis fill that on in. ]

[Noctis takes a little longer for this one, because the origin of that memory is of a place that hurts to think about, now. Being there had hurt him. Blades and burning lights and dying, he was dying, he was dead. He is dead.

He blinks rapidly, his breath picking up speed, but he manages to say,]

Home. We went home.

[ He frowns a little at this one, seeing Noctis' reaction to it. ]

We went there to stargaze.

I... [ he hesitates a moment ] told you something. [ that he's in love with Noctis. ]

[For the first time, Noctis doesn't hesitate. His tone is musing, almost wistful.]

You said you loved me.

[That memory feels... nice. A blanket of comfort to quietly smother the horror of what it meant to return home. They both knew he was going to be gone soon, but Ignis loved him even so. It was... humbling. And still is, despite his unexpected return.]

[ Ignis says nothing, but the confirmation is in his eyes, gaze locking onto Noctis'.

He shifts a little, taking both of Noctis' hands in his own and sets them on Ignis' cheeks. He lets his own hands drop. This should be a familiar sight, when Noctis had kissed him. ]

[Noctis is puzzled for a bit, keeping his hands there and gazing into Ignis' eyes. He's worried at first. Only one of his hands is... safe, and the other he'd rather not risk touching what's important to him that much. He doesn't want to watch Ignis burn.

(it would be ironic. a part of him is unpleasantly reminded of the language of the ancient world woven into his mind from years of forgotten education and the power of the gods flowing through his veins. ignis, the man of fire, burning. but let it not be by his own hand.)

The longer he holds that gaze, the more he recognizes the signs of what is being asked of him: their closeness, the way he can feel Ignis' breath between them, dusting against his skin. The soft press of every fingertip against Ignis' face. The curve of his lips.

...He remembers...

...leaning in, capturing those lips with his own. Kissing him, soft and sweet and longing. A kiss to say goodbye. He remembers doing all of this.

It's how he knows to repeat the gesture, right here and now.]

[ He shuts his eyes when Noctis kisses him, following his lead here. Arms go back around Noctis, pulling him closer to Ignis.

Gods, he's missed this. The closeness that they shared and he hopes and prays that this kiss helps Noctis recall it too. A tear leaks off his face, body trembling a bit.

He lets his love and care pour out into this kiss, the pain and sorrow that he went through the past five years leak through.

I missed you.

He pulls back a bit, murmuring softly. ] I'm still in love with you, Noct. [ before he captures Noctis' lips on his own once more, letting it last as long as Noctis need it to. ]

[Still in love. Noctis shivers against Ignis, able to feel it through the kiss. He has no memory of kissing anyone else, but would a platonic or heartless kiss feel like this? Needy, urgent, hopeful... the kiss of a man who's been left waiting, wanting. Five years, Ignis had said. And he'd been gone for longer, before then. It hurts to know he's been the cause of so much pain.

"I love you.

Just remember this."

And he remembers too, like a wall crumbling down around him: the soft fur of Carbuncle beneath his fingertips, walking hand in hand with Ignis across Eos, laughing as they fell from the Disc together, tasting strawberries, making pastries, watching the stars. Crying together, falling asleep in one another's arms. Finding his resolve, and making peace with what was to come despite knowing he's loved, and loving in return.

He remembers loving this world and the people who lived in it enough to die for them.

Dying, dying.

Kissing this man, to say goodbye.

As he draws back, half-gasping not for air but from the shock of it all, he exhales a weak, sobbing laugh, his thumb brushing away the tear on Ignis' face.]

This one... means hello.

[He's back. He's back, and while he doesn't know why, and he doesn't know for how long, and he doesn't know what he is anymore, he's back.]

[ When Noctis draws back from the kiss, Ignis watches, hopeful, praying in his heart. The weak sobbing laugh that he hears out of Noctis has his heart skipping a beat.

This one... means hello.

The last kiss they shared was a goodbye one. This one, it's a reunion and he can't but let out a tired sobbing laugh himself.

Noctis remembers. He remembers. A wave of relief rushes through his body. He's hugging onto Noctis even tighter now, though not breaking his eyes off Noctis' own. ]

... Noct. [ he's taking steady breaths ] Y-you remember...

I missed you. I missed you so much. [ A lump forms in his throat as fresh tears roll down his cheeks. He will not cry, not now, not now... His body wants to give in, he's trembling, shaking...

but he needs to hear that Noctis remembers him. ]

Edited 2020-11-15 16:15 (UTC)

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