faesphere | Call Me Out / Open RP Post

I figured that much. Why do you think I asked?

[You dork.]

You don't have to carry it all by yourself anymore.

[ ~~cause you love him, Noct~~.

That gets a small smile to form on his lips. ]

I know. [ his tone showing gratitude. ] I'm internally grateful that you're back.

[ have a squeeze. he has been carrying stuff around for the past five years, shouldering it on his own, more or less. he hadn't wanted to bother Prompto or Gladio with it, they just knew. ]

The details are a bit hazy now, but [ he gives a sigh ] I die. [ his eyes narrow a bit. ] You weren't there and that alone scared me enough to look for you after I woke up.

[ have a quiet little sigh as he buries his face against your shoulder, Noct. ] ... I wanted to be sure that you were here. So I moved down here for the rest of the night. [ he's said this last night already, but ] I need you.

[ he lifts his head up a bit, pulling back and looking into Noctis' eyes. ] Don't leave me, please. [ he'll rip apart anyone who tries to tear them apart again. he can't handle this a third time in a row. he can't. ]

[Noctis can't help but hesitate; it's a lofty promise, especially when there are still so many unknowns here. He doesn't yet know why he was brought back, what his purpose is, what the Astrals expect of him. His life is, as always, in the hands of their world's gods, and he's only been able to relax due to Ignis' presence and the fact that they've been left alone this long- that he hasn't been called back to oblivion. That doesn't mean he never will be, and if the gods gave him this life and this power, that means they could just as easily take it away.

He hates the idea of not answering, or at least giving Ignis some relief from his fears, so.]

I'll fight to stay, [he murmurs, meeting Ignis' eyes with his own, furrowed in determination.] And I'll always come back.

[That, at least, feels like a safe vow. It doesn't matter what sort of plans the Draconian has for him this time. Nothing will keep him away from his family for long.]

We're together again, I'll fight to keep you with me.

[ He can see the determination in Noctis' eyes and Ignis' matches it.

He feels a little more at ease, but ] You swore to protect me and I'll protect you too, if anyone tries to tears us apart. [ A hand moves to brush Noctis' hair behind his ear, giving a soft smile. ]

I won't let you go easily. [ His love and care shines through here in his tone of voice. ]

I know you won't.

[And he's grateful, truly. Vague memories or not, he doesn't relish the thought of being a willing puppet of the gods anymore. He did his duty, he saved the world. Gave them back their dawn. Let him have the rest of his life, however long that might be.]

I guess... here's to the future, then?

Indeed. [ He leans in again to give Noctis a kiss on the cheek.

Then he jerks a little in surprise at someone banging at the door. A cry of "Iggy!" can be heard though it too. Ignis knows that voice immediately. ]

Ah, I do believe that's Prompto. [ Ignis moves to untangle himself from Noctis and pushes the blanket off him. He slowly gets up, wincing a little at the pain in his legs, but he's fine otherwise. ]

Hang back, Noct. I'll talk to him first. [ He carefully steps over Noctis and walks to open the door..

... He gets it open and is immediately tackled. Ignis lets out an 'oof' in surprise, but he really shouldn't be. He doesn't see Gladio anywhere, but it's smart to leave him behind to keep an eye on things back home, Ignis figures. He awkwardly returns the hug, whispering that he's okay and safe. Though his back hurts from the wounds still on him there. He peels Prompto off him gently and guides them to a place to sit down at.

Ignis spares a glance at Noctis then he explains everything. Starting from the business meeting to where he is now, leaving out as to who Noctis is for the moment. He quietly listens to Prompto fill him on what's been transpiring back home and he frowns, he doesn't like what he hears. He sighs and rubs at his forehead, mumbling a thank you.

Then he turns to Noctis, gesturing for him to come over, finally. ]

Prompto, this is who saved me. Please, just take a good look at him. It's Noct. [ That earned a "are you crazy?" look from Prompto, but Ignis just smiles. ] Just trust me. It's really him.

[Noctis waits inside, stealthily peering through the doorway as they talk, unable to help his quiet curiosity. Prompto... he remembers a little, here and there, flashes coming to the forefront of his mind before fading again. Moments in an arcade, the flash of a camera, an enthusiastic jog in early morning. A tearful face and a silly beard, saying goodbye.

"No turning back."

Hearing that voice helps, so while he waits, he closes his eyes and just listens.

When Ignis calls for him, he hesitates a moment, worried about what might change, what sort of unstoppable stone will be rolling down a hill once the truth goes beyond the two of them, but ultimately turns into the doorway to reveal himself. It isn't just anybody, it's Prompto. His best friend, his family. If he's too afraid to face his family he might as well have stayed dead.]

...Hey.

[He gets the expected reaction; the gaping, the gasp, the disbelieving noises. In true Prompto fashion, when it clicks that this is real the other man closes the distance between them and gives Noctis a similar greeting to what he gave Ignis, bowling him right over, clinging tightly and babbling a dozen questions at minimum- how this is possible, is he okay, why is he alive, is here around to stay, what happened to him, is it okay that he's glowing!? Noctis listens to them all, unable to get a word in, and doesn't really know what to say. He sits up, letting Prompto clutch at him and weep a little (he was the emotional one, Noctis remembers that much, and it's reassuring to know that in his mid-thirties after everything they went through, that still hasn't changed), and after a long moment he looks helplessly over at Ignis, his eyes pleading. What does he say? How does he even begin to explain this? Prompto's bound to notice that he doesn't remember, and they need to give a good excuse for not returning immediately to Insomnia. He's still very much lost in this new world he's mostly forgotten.]

Prompto...

[Help, Iggy.]

[ Ignis isn't too surprised by Prompto's reaction to Noctis being alive. He'd done the same himself once Noctis remembered him. He watches quietly for a couple of minutes, letting the pair have a moment, it's only when Noctis looks at him pleading that he gets up from his spot and kneels by the pair.

He quietly rubs at Prompto's back and gives a brief explanation that Noctis doesn't recall much and that they can't let word get out of Noctis' return, that Ignis' goal here is to help him with that. When Prompto protests that he wants to help too, Ignis is quick to say no, that he needs both him and Gladio keeping an eye on things in Insomnia. His own life is in danger still, after all. But he needs to talk to Noctis in private about that one.

Ignis manages to peel Prompto off Noctis and gives him a small smile of apology. They make arrangements of letting the pair to take the car that Prompto arrived in and to let Cindy take Prompto home. Prompto leaves the pair to go talk to miss Cindy quick. ]

Are you alright, Noct?

[Noctis stares after Prompto once he's gone, his expression conflicted. He was happy to have seen him again, of course, but it's hard to feel a matched level of joy when he doesn't have the memories to support it yet. A lot of those memories will likely be found in Insomnia, too, since he'd spent the majority of his life there, but he's not ready to go back, either. Not where he was meant to be king, where his family lived, where people might know him, and... where he died.

Right now the most he has is Ignis, so... he'll focus on that.]

I'm okay. Just thinking that I'll have a lot to make up for, once I remember again. I know how important he is to me, and I'm glad to see him, but... [He gestures vaguely to his own head.] Still a mess up there. You said I'm Noct, but am I really the same person without all my memories?

[He doesn't want to be half of who he was, or just some shadow the gods left behind for them as a consolation prize.]

[ Ignis watches Cindy and Prompto for a second before turning his attention completely to Noctis, hand falling on his shoulder. Is he the same person? He knows the answer to that one without even thinking about it. ]

Of course you are. You may be without your memories, but I still see the same Noct that I know.

[ That he knows and loves. He moves to get up, wincing a little at the kinks in his legs and gently nudges Noctis up with him. ]

We'll get your memories back, both good and bad.

What if I don't get them back?

[It's pessimistic, but he wants to be prepared for disappointment in case the worst happens. While he doesn't like the idea of starting over from nearly scratch, the gods aren't exactly known for being this kind. Especially not to him.

He reaches up to wind his fingers around Ignis' hand.]

I don't want to be the one to hurt you.

[ Ignis considers that one for a minute, squeezing the hand in his. ]

Then we'll make new ones together.

[ He tugs him back inside the caravan for a minute, shutting the door, wanting privacy for this. He shuts the distance between them then, hugging him tightly. True, it had stung losing Noctis twice, then his memories poofing, but... ]

It's not your fault. I hardly blame you. Never.

It hurt yes, but I care about you, Noct, otherwise it wouldn't have hurt so bad. I'm overjoyed to have you back in my life here and now.

[ His next words coming out quietly. ]

I love you.

[Noctis exhales shakily as he's pulled into the embrace, unmoving for a long moment until his arms lift to wrap around Ignis in return, holding on so tightly it might almost be painful. He doesn't want to let go. Even if he never remembers... he never wants to lose this.

Make new memories. The promise means the world to him. They might never be the same... this might be all they ever get. But still, Ignis won't abandon him. He won't be alone anymore.

He shudders, burying his face against Ignis' shoulder.]

I love you...

[He'll be okay, as long as he remembers that.]

[ As much as he wants to keep them here, they do need to get going. And talk. But he doesn't do either, clutching onto Noctis like his life depends on it.

And well, it does.

He shuts his eyes and keeps them still, painful for him to let go as well. It feels so good to hear those three words out of Noctis too. ]

I have every faith in you, we'll be okay.

[ He pulls back a bit, shifting and moving his head to kiss Noctis on the lips, slow, soft and tender, just like before. He, no they need this, this moment and each other. Nothing else matters right now. ]

[Noctis returns it, quiet and relieved, resting his forehead against the other man's for a long moment before withdrawing fully.]

Yeah... me too.

[As long as they have faith in each other, they can do this. Ultimately that's all that really matters.]

What do we need before we go...? We should probably get ourselves sorted and get moving before we're kicked out.

[ He keeps his arms around Noctis even as the kiss is broken apart, though he's happy. At the question, he sighs quietly. ]

Prompto confirmed what I've been fearing since you rescued me, it's too dangerous for me to return home. [ He goes quiet for a minute. ]

Since this first got started in a business meeting, there may be more outside of Insomnia. [ more attempts on his life that is. ] I have you watching my back, if that should come to be. [ he prays that it doesn't, but he's not alone this time around. even if his life is at stake, he knows that Noctis will be there to save him, no matter how many attempts it takes. ] We'll need to be ready for that.

[ if Prompto is correct and that there's gil in the car, then that's their first move: weapons. ]

So... weapons. We shouldn't leave this place unarmed.

[He's 1000% determined to ruin the day of anyone who so much as comes near Ignis with the intent to hurt him, but he's not entirely sure that this wild astral magic he's relying on right now would be enough to do it. He still doesn't want to risk losing control and missing a shot, or worse, accidentally hitting Ignis. Hopefully his brain can get itself together enough to remember his training.]

What about money? Supplies? Did Prompto bring anything?

[ He opens the caravan door open then, seeing the other pair still talking. ]

I do believe that he's leaving us the car that he came in. [ He steps back outside, seeing it parked at the gas station and shakes his head in amusement. ]

I usually keep extra clothes, gil and other emergency supplies in the car just in case. [ He starts moving towards the Regalia, it's not the same one as before, but it's a copy made from Cid. He does wonder if Noctis recognizes the car.

He jumps a little as keys are thrown at him from Prompto, giving a soft thanks. Well, that takes care of that, he supposes. ]

Shall we see what's inside?

[Noctis is barely attentive enough to what's going on; he manages a small wave in Prompto's direction, but he isn't looking. His eyes are transfixed on the car, all sleek curves and Lucian black. The paint and the leather seats shine like new in the morning sunlight, and slowly he makes his way over to it, running a hand almost reverently over the front, crouching to examine the emblems peppering its design: the Lucian crest, the king's - his father's - crest. Even the familiar old Insomnian decor found on the license plate. If he'd been asked to name those numbers off by heart he wouldn't be able to, but every curve of the lettering strikes a chord in him now.

He stands up again, to get a better look at the vehicle from front to back, and when he speaks his voice is a little breathless, awestruck.]

This is... the Regalia.

[I know this car.]

[ He takes a step back away from the car, letting Noctis examine it. Is he remembering...? ]

Indeed it is, though it's an exact copy of it.

[ He gives Noctis a concerned glance, he knows that the Regalia has emotional attachment here. ]

Noct...? [ Are you okay? ]

[Noctis doesn't answer right away. He moves to the side of the car, still trailing his hand along the surface, and stops at the driver's seat, moving to climb in. He pauses before the door is even half-open, reconsiders, then goes to repeat the motion in the seat behind it. He settles in quietly, leaning back against the leather, and glances around- first to the right, the unoccupied space there. Then to the front, both left and right sides. He takes a deep breath, and a deeper exhale.]

I was... here. [He sat in the back. He always sat in the back, on the left side. Even as a kid, when he was in the Regalia with his dad, this is his spot.

Gods. He remembers his dad's face-] ...I sat here. And you were- [He gives the top of the driver's seat a quiet thump of his hand.] -here. When this was home.

[ Ignis is just quietly watching Noctis move about the car, he's remembering. That should squash any fears that they both might have about Noctis not recalling anything else.

Instead of answering, he moves to the drivers side and slips in, letting the keys drop to his lap. He sets both hands on the steering wheel, at ten o'clock and two o'clock. He spares a glance at Noctis again through the side mirror. ]

This look correct?

[ Home, it was this way for these two, on their journey, they had two more people in the car with them. Prompto and Gladio. ]

What else do you recall...?

[Noctis leans forward, resting his chin on Ignis' seat from behind, taking in this new view. Things have changed a little, but there's no denying that sense of right that rushes through him, like a sudden burst of adrenaline. He leans further so he can get his arms partway around Ignis' shoulders, holding him gently.]

Yeah... that's right. It's almost there.

[One hand lifts briefly to touch near the corner of Ignis' eye.]

I remember you used to wear glasses. [And then, more quietly, a subtle remorse about forgetting something he's lost and should never have forgotten,] I remember... Dad's face.

[ At the hands around his shoulders, he lets himself shut his eyes, listening quietly.

He still wears his glasses, but he can see fine without, his capture had left him without them. Noctis remembers him from the shared dream they had and he'd been without his glasses then. He'd preferred his world to be crystal clear. ]

That's right... [ he says softly, at the touch near his eye.

His blood runs cold at the mention of Regis. Noctis' dad is dead, at the hands of an enemy that is no longer a threat. His breath hitches in his throat for a second, pulling his hands off the steering wheel to shift his body to look at Noctis. ]

Noct... I'm sorry... [ He doesn't know what else to say, but he remembers the anger and grief from all of them. He lifts his hands to place them gently onto Noctis' arms that are around his shoulders. ] He's... gone...

[Noctis is quiet for a long moment, bowing his head. "He's gone." Those words aren't a surprise to him, though they should be, as he has no memory of being told that his father died, or witnessing it happen. He doesn't know the when, or how, or why. Just... the quiet ache of loss, and a fleeting memory of sitting in the backseat with him, his father's smiling face and a hand gently stroking his hair.]

I know, [he finally murmurs.] It's okay.

[So many people from his old life must be gone. There's holes in his heart that memories can't fill, he knows this instinctively with no logic to back up that belief. Still... he's not alone. He'll be alright as long as he remembers that much.]

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