Noctis + Ignis; self indulge crap #69

[nightoftheround]

If Bahamut thought for a moment his stone-cold delivery was enough to put Noctis at peace with the decision he was being given, he was dead wrong. Something the Astral more than likely felt from the young man as he curled in on himself in the aetherial wastes within the crystal itself. A conversation unspoken took place, a plea heeded without the prince ever opening his mouth, nor sparing the towering deity a glance of equal measure.

Before he knew it, the world materialized around him, and he felt sheets he hadn't in such a long time. The comfort was not merely because of the high grade the mattress had, but because of its unmistakable familiarity.

Just as quickly as he appeared, he rose--eyes wide with surprise as he stared at his bedroom within the castle. It couldn't be, could it? Was he truly here? In the past--or did Bahamut truly listen to his need to see the future his sacrifice will make?

After spending a moderate amount of time inspecting his room, seeing all the details just as memory would lead him to believe, he braved leaving. Walking down the long corridors was hauntingly familiar, and he idly wonders what this place looked like after the take over--but shook the thoughts from his mind, especially when that stings to think about.

He continued, aimlessly, till he came across someone--but not just anyone. He recognized this man, for how couldn't he? He had known him for the better part of his life. His attendant, his body guard, his driver, his cook, his friend. His chest tightened painfully seeing him--seeing those scars, not to mention he could see the age in his face, even if whatever span of time this was didn't mute his handsome features. He couldn't help himself but run forward.

"Specs!"

Comments

[lucisdreamer]

"Are you harping on my clothes, Ignis?" He couldn't help but tease him a little. Unfortunately, most of his clothes fit exactly that: a surly teenager. But he did have some clothes that were a bit more formal, he couldn't always get away dressing like some sort of rebel teen still trying to find himself, or whatever.

"It's not like you haven't seen any of this before." Maybe not him completely naked. They had to bathe in the wilderness before, but even then chances were no one was STARING (right?), and Ignis helped him get dressed when he was younger. Ignis probably had seen more of him than anyone else, so even if he wasn't blind, slipping out of his raggedy clothes did little to inspire any sort of modesty in him.

It didn't take long before he slipped into an old suit of his, nothing too fancy, but nice enough that he'd fit in with any sort of interns that might be around the citadel. He finger combed his hair a bit, trying to make it less messy, and maybe a little more professional looking to not draw so much attention to him, before looking to Ignis, "Alright. Let's get going, Specs."

[blindloyalty]

"One moment," he said with the staying tone of a primary school teacher. He pulled a comb from his pocket, standing and facing him. His hand went immediately to his shoulder to ground where things were. From there he moved his hand to Noctis' hair and clicked his tongue. He drew his finger along his scalp, then the comb followed, parting it uncharacteristically and neatly to the side. He stepped away for a moment, the sound of the faucet running briefly emanating from the other room. He came back, comb wet, to retrain that gelled hair.

"Now is not the time for half-hearted disguises... I won't lie and say that I don't miss my sight, but right now I'd trade damn near anything to see you looking hirable."

[lucisdreamer]

"Hm?"

It was about all he got out before Ignis began doting on him like an overbearing mother. He didn't complain, it was the same song and dance that filled their almost life-long friendship, and Noctis stayed put besides a scrunch of distaste that afflicted his features. An expression unseen, of course.

He merely sighed as Ignis went to wet the comb, an attempt to control his unruly gelled hair, one that did not end in failure! He was certain he looked ridiculous. Hireable as Ignis put it, lame was how Noctis would name it.

"C'mon, I think there's way better things than seeing me look like some stiff to want your vision back over."

[blindloyalty]

Ignis chuckled as he finished combing, making double sure there weren't any sticking-up pieces.

"Does his majesty have a suggestion?"

He flicked his comb shut, satisfied, and pocketed it. He ran his hands down along Noctis' lapels and then up to ensure that his tie was properly tightened. He clapped him once on the shoulders before retrieving his things to head out the door.

[lucisdreamer]

"Well... anything, really. I just don't think me in a suit, with my hair combed to the side, is much to gawk at."

He sucked in a sharp breath as Ignis ran his hands down his lapels, feeling his tie and what not. Noctis couldn't help but stare at his friend's face, taking in the scarring. One eye sealed shut, the other cloudy with blindness. It left his chest aching, and finally he was able to tear his staring away when Ignis moved away from him. Only for a moment, however.

He couldn't help the twinge of guilt, even if he never asked for this, any of this. Least of all the sacrifice Ignis had to make in serving him. There was an obvious lag in Noctis' following, no sound of his foot steps behind the older man, he was lost to his thoughts as he looked at Ignis, eyes scanning over him as if he had something to say--yet nothing could come to mind.

[blindloyalty]

He paused as he was turning the door handle, realizing something was on the prince's mind or gathering his attention. It would be very many things, he thought. Best to venture into them later and resume focus. He took a breath, hoping it wasn't him. He chided himself for being vain, though. Just being in this room must have been strange for Noctis after all they had been through.

"I think you'd be surprised at what I would happily gawk at," he said, opening the door. He handed his paperwork to Noctis to complete their little lie.

"We'll go to the eastern wing, it should be deserted this time of day."