[Noctis makes an agreeable noise at that, briefly burying his face against Ignis' neck and closing his eyes. It is nice here, and though he knows they can't stay long - probably couldn't even if they had the budget for the Leville - there is a comforting safety to be found in numbers. Surrounded by strangers, yes, so anyone could strike anywhere... but not everyone can be a terrorist, and it would be foolhardy to attack in broad daylight with so many witnesses. Easy for them to hide in a crowd, too. Still, much like Insomnia, big cities won't stay safe for long.
No, what's safest is for them to catch their pursuers, and they can't do that in hiding. For now, though, they have this.]
I like it here, [he mumbles.] With you, where it's safe.
[He feels like, at least for tonight, they can relax and ease off the paranoia. Just for a little while.]
[ Ignis makes a small noise at that, agreeing quietly. He's safe and home in Noctis' arms like this, there's nowhere else he'd rather be.
After a couple of minutes of quiet between the two, he gives Noct a squeeze in his arms before mumbling: ] Food's getting cold, did you want to take it on the walk?
[ He's not going to mind either way. But he hadn't expected Noctis' reaction to the photo. ]
Whatever you don't recall, I can tell you stories about it, if you like? [ If Noctis doesn't get all of his memories back, then Ignis can pick up the pieces for him. Help him slide in the puzzle pieces of himself. ]
Mm... whatever's good for you. I just- I want to stay by your side.
[He can eat fast, if they want to walk. Or they can sit here, close and enjoying one another's company. Until told otherwise, he... doesn't really have a life outside of Ignis right now. He's not sure if he ever will again. In truth he's afraid to look ahead that far.
The past is frightening for different reasons, but not as scary as the true unknown, so after a moment he nods.]
I like the sound of that. Hearing stories. Maybe it'll remind me of something.
[ Whatever is good for him? What's good for both of them is to stick close to each other's sides. Ignis tugs Noctis back in and shuts his eyes, giving him a soft and quick kiss. ]
I merely wish to stay by your side too.
[ Ignis knows the story that he'll want to tell as well, it can begin when they get back to the hotel tonight. For now, he draws back a bit, and pokes at the food with his finger a bit. It had gotten a bit on the cold side, but no matter. He is a cook after all and can very easily warm it up for the both of them. ]
Let's take this to go and enjoy ourselves on a walk. [ He rises up from his seat, carefully untangling himself from Noctis and reaches for his hand to pull him up. Ignis uses his free hand to grab at his dish, bagging it.
It's not quite how the first part of this date would play out in his mind, but he doesn't care, just as long as he has Noctis by his side. ]
[It's a quiet but content walk around the overlook, Ignis filling him in on some noteworthy differences, tidbits of what Lestallum is like back in the light, nothing important but enough to satisfy some of Noct's curiosity and cheer him up a little. Ignis has always been good at that.
Afterwards it's a short distance back to the hotel, where the food is set to re-heat, and Noctis disassembles the mask he'd acquired for being out in public: contacts out, gloves and jacket off. For better or worse, he is himself again, and at least with Ignis there's no need to hide. The inhuman changes that were the cost of his revival are accepted without hesitation, and he's grateful for that.
Once he's done he returns to Ignis, winding an arm around him from behind and resting his chin on the man's shoulder.]
[ As they walk together, Ignis points out the little things here and there, noticing how quiet Noctis is. He can tell that his mood is slowly improving though, which puts a smile back on his own face.
When they get back to the hotel and while Noctis is removing the contacts, he sets the case of Ebony down on the table that he'd brought back with them before starting the walk. He's starting the reheat process of the food when he feels an arm go around him followed by a chin on his shoulder.
Ah, that is a question indeed. He has many favorite moments, but one does stick out to him the most. The moment they met, but Noctis probably won't recall that one, he was too young. Ignis himself was six years old.
It's only reheating so he slides an arm back around Noctis' waist as he answers this one. ]
We've known each other since we were little kids, [ he begins as he stirs up the food with his free hand. ] your father is responsible for introducing us at a young age. I was six, you are a few years younger than me.
He asked me to stand beside you as a friend and as a brother. [ A lot has happened since then. If it weren't for that, they wouldn't have had the other memories that they've created together.
Speaking of, they're on the run, but Ignis hopes that he can do something special for Noct's birthday, it is coming up soon. ]
[His tone is thoughtful, not the same sort of quiet and sad that he used to carry years ago during their journey. In some ways, losing his memories means losing much of the tragedy he'd experienced that year, and now the words indicate only what he might have had once, rather than what he's lost and mourns. He tries to imagine his father's face, and the memory Ignis speaks of, but all he can see is an armored spirit wielding a familiar glaive.
Someday, maybe. Prompto must have a photo somewhere.]
I don't remember it... but if I was that young, maybe I never did. I can't believe I forgot that we'd been together that long.
[It's no wonder he feels so at ease in Ignis' presence. It must come so naturally to him, after this many years.]
[ Ignis leans his head back a bit to rest on the side of Noctis'. ]
Most people don't recall much from that age. I hardly blame you.
[ He takes a moment here while he keeps reheating the food, thinking about their past quietly. He is slipping easily back into the friend and brother roles though Noctis hasn't been back that long, but there's something more there too. The love that they share. ]
It has been quite the journey together and I don't regret a day.
[ None of it, if one little thing changes, they may not be together as they are now.
Ignis can't help but let a teasing smirk fall on his face though. ]
[Noctis sticks his tongue out briefly. Like a brat.]
How come you all split up... after? Do you get to see each other much these days?
[He's adjusting to the idea of them not getting to travel as a group anymore, and though that stings, he gets it, kind of. But they all lived in Insomnia, didn't they? They could still be close.]
[ Ignis gives off a slight chuckle at the response, seeing the tongue sticking out. ] You just proved my point, you know.
[ He squeezes Noctis briefly against him and he reaches to shut the burner off with his free hand.
Ah-, he pauses at that question, giving it a thought over. ]
You more or less know what happened to me already.
As for Gladio, he still trains people for Crownsguard, but he's married on top of that. [ Ignis gives off a sigh. ] You wouldn't know her.
Prompto, [ he shakes his head a bit as he gets the their food back into the bowls. ] does really well with his photos. He also spends a lot of time with Cindy - I wasn't too surprised to see him in Hammerhead when he came out to check up on me. He has a thing for her, but Cindy's too married to her work.
[ He rubs at Noctis' side idly. ] Life just happened for the three of us, but we still care for each other. We stuck together after it [ you died ] happened for a while, but life got us.
[ Noctis was the glue that held them together on top of that, but he doesn't say so now. Really, they started to drift apart after the crystal took Noctis in the first place, but came back together after he came out ten years later. ]
[Gladio's married... another thing he missed while he was gone. It's hard not to feel depressed about it, but he fights against it, exhaling and pressing himself more tightly against Ignis' side. He's not about to let himself get lost in this same miserable rabbit hole again. No, they're going to finish their meal, they're going to rest, and tomorrow they'll go back to enjoying Lestallum, or traveling, or whatever else. Life will go on, until... well, until it doesn't anymore.]
Life sucks that way sometimes, huh. [His tone is bemused, a little tired for it.] Is it... [He hesitates.] Would it be better if...
[-I stopped coming back? Stupid. Stupid question, especially directed towards Ignis. He already knows the answer, and asking it would hurt. Instead, he shakes his head.]
...Nevermind. I'll have to give them my congratulations, when we make it back there.
[ Ignis gives Noctis a curious glance, but he looks more worried than anything. Sighing softly, he slowly turns and tugs Noctis into a hug.
He knows that it can't be easy, to hear that the people he considers to be family to have moved on. They've grieved over Noctis, but no one hadn't expected him to come back. Ignis was willing to wait out his own death, through natural means.
Then Noctis showed up out of thin air. ]
I know it hurts to hear. I'm here if you need a moment.
[ He's concerned about the cut off from Noctis' statement too. ]
We're your family, Noct, no matter what.
[ Even if Ignis is somewhat thankful that Gladio hadn't shown up when he, himself, was still weakened from the first attack. Gladio's gotten more protective over Ignis and he doesn't think that he would've been able to stop him from attacking Noctis. It'll take Gladio a lot more convincing, even if he has mellowed out over the years. Prompto being accepting of Noctis being alive wasn't too much of a surprise though. ]
[Noctis shakes his head, recognizing his own foolishness. They already have enough to worry about, he doesn't need to start fussing over whether or not he belongs. It's been so long, and he can't expect to immediately slot himself into the life he barely remembers having before. Not just the five years since his death, but the ten years he was absent for... life had to go on without him. He'd feel worse if they'd done nothing but wait for him. This is better, it's just going to take a while to adjust to it. With his memories missing, you'd think it would be easier to adapt to a new normal. Still, it isn't without its own struggles.
With a quiet, tired sigh, he tugs back.]
Let's just eat and get some rest. Still got lots to do before we can see them again.
[ Ignis sighs quietly as he pulls back from the hug, grabbing the bowls and moving them to the table. Dinner is more or less quiet chatter now, he can't fault Noctis for feeling the way he does. Ignis doesn't know what he'll do in his position, being gone for fifteen years total abouts, memories gone. Noct's trying his best to adapt though, he can tell.
He grabs a quick shower before crawling into bed before letting Noctis get a shower in if he wants to. Once they're both situated, Ignis gently tugs Noctis into a cuddle embrace, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend. ]
I love you, [ he murmurs quietly, slipping into sleep. ]
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no subject
No, what's safest is for them to catch their pursuers, and they can't do that in hiding. For now, though, they have this.]
I like it here, [he mumbles.] With you, where it's safe.
[He feels like, at least for tonight, they can relax and ease off the paranoia. Just for a little while.]
no subject
After a couple of minutes of quiet between the two, he gives Noct a squeeze in his arms before mumbling: ] Food's getting cold, did you want to take it on the walk?
[ He's not going to mind either way. But he hadn't expected Noctis' reaction to the photo. ]
Whatever you don't recall, I can tell you stories about it, if you like? [ If Noctis doesn't get all of his memories back, then Ignis can pick up the pieces for him. Help him slide in the puzzle pieces of himself. ]
no subject
[He can eat fast, if they want to walk. Or they can sit here, close and enjoying one another's company. Until told otherwise, he... doesn't really have a life outside of Ignis right now. He's not sure if he ever will again. In truth he's afraid to look ahead that far.
The past is frightening for different reasons, but not as scary as the true unknown, so after a moment he nods.]
I like the sound of that. Hearing stories. Maybe it'll remind me of something.
no subject
I merely wish to stay by your side too.
[ Ignis knows the story that he'll want to tell as well, it can begin when they get back to the hotel tonight. For now, he draws back a bit, and pokes at the food with his finger a bit. It had gotten a bit on the cold side, but no matter. He is a cook after all and can very easily warm it up for the both of them. ]
Let's take this to go and enjoy ourselves on a walk. [ He rises up from his seat, carefully untangling himself from Noctis and reaches for his hand to pull him up. Ignis uses his free hand to grab at his dish, bagging it.
It's not quite how the first part of this date would play out in his mind, but he doesn't care, just as long as he has Noctis by his side. ]
no subject
Afterwards it's a short distance back to the hotel, where the food is set to re-heat, and Noctis disassembles the mask he'd acquired for being out in public: contacts out, gloves and jacket off. For better or worse, he is himself again, and at least with Ignis there's no need to hide. The inhuman changes that were the cost of his revival are accepted without hesitation, and he's grateful for that.
Once he's done he returns to Ignis, winding an arm around him from behind and resting his chin on the man's shoulder.]
What's... your favourite memory? Of us.
no subject
When they get back to the hotel and while Noctis is removing the contacts, he sets the case of Ebony down on the table that he'd brought back with them before starting the walk. He's starting the reheat process of the food when he feels an arm go around him followed by a chin on his shoulder.
Ah, that is a question indeed. He has many favorite moments, but one does stick out to him the most. The moment they met, but Noctis probably won't recall that one, he was too young. Ignis himself was six years old.
It's only reheating so he slides an arm back around Noctis' waist as he answers this one. ]
We've known each other since we were little kids, [ he begins as he stirs up the food with his free hand. ] your father is responsible for introducing us at a young age. I was six, you are a few years younger than me.
He asked me to stand beside you as a friend and as a brother. [ A lot has happened since then. If it weren't for that, they wouldn't have had the other memories that they've created together.
Speaking of, they're on the run, but Ignis hopes that he can do something special for Noct's birthday, it is coming up soon. ]
no subject
[His tone is thoughtful, not the same sort of quiet and sad that he used to carry years ago during their journey. In some ways, losing his memories means losing much of the tragedy he'd experienced that year, and now the words indicate only what he might have had once, rather than what he's lost and mourns. He tries to imagine his father's face, and the memory Ignis speaks of, but all he can see is an armored spirit wielding a familiar glaive.
Someday, maybe. Prompto must have a photo somewhere.]
I don't remember it... but if I was that young, maybe I never did. I can't believe I forgot that we'd been together that long.
[It's no wonder he feels so at ease in Ignis' presence. It must come so naturally to him, after this many years.]
no subject
Most people don't recall much from that age. I hardly blame you.
[ He takes a moment here while he keeps reheating the food, thinking about their past quietly. He is slipping easily back into the friend and brother roles though Noctis hasn't been back that long, but there's something more there too. The love that they share. ]
It has been quite the journey together and I don't regret a day.
[ None of it, if one little thing changes, they may not be together as they are now.
Ignis can't help but let a teasing smirk fall on his face though. ]
You were quite the brat at times too.
no subject
[Noctis sticks his tongue out briefly. Like a brat.]
How come you all split up... after? Do you get to see each other much these days?
[He's adjusting to the idea of them not getting to travel as a group anymore, and though that stings, he gets it, kind of. But they all lived in Insomnia, didn't they? They could still be close.]
no subject
[ He squeezes Noctis briefly against him and he reaches to shut the burner off with his free hand.
Ah-, he pauses at that question, giving it a thought over. ]
You more or less know what happened to me already.
As for Gladio, he still trains people for Crownsguard, but he's married on top of that. [ Ignis gives off a sigh. ] You wouldn't know her.
Prompto, [ he shakes his head a bit as he gets the their food back into the bowls. ] does really well with his photos. He also spends a lot of time with Cindy - I wasn't too surprised to see him in Hammerhead when he came out to check up on me. He has a thing for her, but Cindy's too married to her work.
[ He rubs at Noctis' side idly. ] Life just happened for the three of us, but we still care for each other. We stuck together after it [ you died ] happened for a while, but life got us.
[ Noctis was the glue that held them together on top of that, but he doesn't say so now. Really, they started to drift apart after the crystal took Noctis in the first place, but came back together after he came out ten years later. ]
no subject
Life sucks that way sometimes, huh. [His tone is bemused, a little tired for it.] Is it... [He hesitates.] Would it be better if...
[-I stopped coming back? Stupid. Stupid question, especially directed towards Ignis. He already knows the answer, and asking it would hurt. Instead, he shakes his head.]
...Nevermind. I'll have to give them my congratulations, when we make it back there.
no subject
He knows that it can't be easy, to hear that the people he considers to be family to have moved on. They've grieved over Noctis, but no one hadn't expected him to come back. Ignis was willing to wait out his own death, through natural means.
Then Noctis showed up out of thin air. ]
I know it hurts to hear. I'm here if you need a moment.
[ He's concerned about the cut off from Noctis' statement too. ]
We're your family, Noct, no matter what.
[ Even if Ignis is somewhat thankful that Gladio hadn't shown up when he, himself, was still weakened from the first attack. Gladio's gotten more protective over Ignis and he doesn't think that he would've been able to stop him from attacking Noctis. It'll take Gladio a lot more convincing, even if he has mellowed out over the years. Prompto being accepting of Noctis being alive wasn't too much of a surprise though. ]
no subject
[Noctis shakes his head, recognizing his own foolishness. They already have enough to worry about, he doesn't need to start fussing over whether or not he belongs. It's been so long, and he can't expect to immediately slot himself into the life he barely remembers having before. Not just the five years since his death, but the ten years he was absent for... life had to go on without him. He'd feel worse if they'd done nothing but wait for him. This is better, it's just going to take a while to adjust to it. With his memories missing, you'd think it would be easier to adapt to a new normal. Still, it isn't without its own struggles.
With a quiet, tired sigh, he tugs back.]
Let's just eat and get some rest. Still got lots to do before we can see them again.
no subject
He grabs a quick shower before crawling into bed before letting Noctis get a shower in if he wants to. Once they're both situated, Ignis gently tugs Noctis into a cuddle embrace, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend. ]
I love you, [ he murmurs quietly, slipping into sleep. ]