[Hey, Iggy, are you cooking? Have you missed your favorite blond hanging out at the counter while you work? Because here he is, scrubbed clean and ready for breakfast, leaning back against the counter just like the old days.]
Mornin', Iggy. [Prompto yawns and gets comfortable.] Mmmm, smells delicious. You're spoiling us forever, dude. How'd you sleep?
Pretty good! It's nice and cozy in there. Reminds me of the tent.
[Stinky chocobo feathers, stinky Gladio armpits, what's the difference? He savors the smell of Ignis's cooking, a smell he never thought he'd smell again, and sinks himself deliberately in how it feels to be safe and happy, so unexpectedly.]
[That gets him to fall quiet a minute, keeping his eyes on his pan as he stirs it and pushes the food around inside, and only at length does he begin to elaborate, thoughtfully.]
You're right that I chose a name that wouldn't immediately be associated with the Lucian royal family or its cohorts — "Amicitia" would arguably have drawn just as much attention as "Scientia", if not more. The same goes for "Leonis".
[He hums softly, still staring at the pan.]
But I wanted a name that would immediately alert you or Gladio to my presence. It wasn't just about ensuring that no one could associate me with the crown. I also wanted the both of you to be able to tell that it was me, if you somehow heard it.
[It's a satisfying answer and a warming one, too, that his name could be useful like that. It even worked that way with Dave, sort of--got him to tell Prompto "Tellus" was there. Prompto nods and bounces a little on his heels.]
You wanna keep using it? I don't mind. [He leans over and smiles up at Ignis.] It's kind of fun, actually. I always wanted a big brother, Telly.
[But he's hiding a smile, himself, and disguising it carefully behind a supposed preoccupation with his work.]
'Twas not a subterfuge long for this world, I must say, with Noct around. I suppose it might be best if I simply embraced my real name again; I may as well, with how often he gives that away.
He calls me "Telly", as well. Which means that either you've picked it up from him, or I was right in my opinion that the two of you are almost unsettlingly alike.
[Stepping a little to one side, he goes in the cupboards after a small plate, and deposits a piece of venison bacon and a small pile of hash onto it, which he holds out to Prompto without preamble.]
He lamented to me once that no one understands his pop culture references and I assured him that I had exceeding amounts of practice in pretending I do, regardless.
[FOOD. Prompto accepts the offering immediately, distracted for a delightful second before he looks back up.]
Heeey! You mean you don't care about the backstories of every character in Justice Monsters V? Iggy, you're killing me!
[He's kidding, though. He tries a bite of the bacon with happy, appreciative noises and an eventual thumbs-up, but minds Ignis's manners and doesn't speak again until he's swallowed.]
I didn't notice that we were that alike, though. I mean, beyond hair color. He's a lot... chiller than me? Even if he is younger.
[Speaking of which, he's rummaging for another few plates — full-sized this time — and lines them up near the pans on the stove in preparation to begin plating them.]
He's also fairly joined at the hip to his own best friend, and if memory serves, boasts a certain interest in photography.
[His serving utensils clink softly against the plates as he starts distributing out portions of the food.]
You might say he offered a certain...respite, of sorts. I had no antidote to missing you, but spending time with him reminded me enough of you to soothe the ache a bit.
[Ignis always knows, somehow, how to gracefully turn away from Prompto's vulnerable moments, busy with plating breakfast while missing you catches him just under the ribs. It allows Prompto a second to stare, little plate in his hands, before he blinks and nods and pulls himself together again, crossing behind him to go get silverware.]
E-everyone likes your cooking, Iggy.
[A fork for each plate, arranged neatly along the side.]
It hasn't been that long. Two months, right? ...I guess it probably feels longer if you've just been stuck here the whole time.
[He taps Ignis's elbow lightly.]
Don't worry. I won't leave you guys hanging again, long as I can help it. I'm not going anywhere.
Two months is a long time to go without your particular brand of disarming chatter.
[His eyebrows raise slightly as Prompto automatically goes to fetch the silverware for the meal, but he doesn't remark on it. At least, he doesn't at first — not until that light touch to his elbow, which is presumably for the sake of affirming what he says following it, but still, he wonders.
Prompto said he'd been getting a great deal better at navigating without the benefit of his eyes. Prompto went without being asked to assist, identifying a way that he might help out and seeing to it without preamble. Prompto touched his arm when he drew close again, giving him a tangible means of telling where he was.
He wonders.]
Do you...help me cook often, these days? From...what you remember.
[Aw, Iggy. Prompto's hands still momentarily, then carefully rearrange the last fork, like there's some perfect angle to get right.]
No. Not really.
[There isn't really a way to spare Ignis those several bleak weeks between Altissia and now, not if he keeps asking, not if Prompto's going to answer honestly. He chews his lip a little and goes to search for mugs and glasses.]
We've been eating a lot of canned stuff and Cup Noodle. Nobody really needs my help with that.
[Nobody wanted his help with anything, either. But Ignis was always gracious about it, even though Prompto knew how awful it must have stung.]
But I can still set the table, like I told Iris back then. You remember that, in the car to Cape Caem? She noticed you did all the cooking, and all the... you know, everything for us.
[He sighs and picks some more at his little plate of hash.]
[It's so hard to change that one quirk of his speech patterns, adjusting it so that the conversation doesn't turn horribly ironic or just plain uncomfortable when his automatic response is a quiet I see.]
Not altogether ideal, nutritionally.
[He tries to keep the remark light, and devoid of self-admonishment. It's all he can do not to let on how he catalogues that tidbit and stores it away as just another failure caused by his own shortcomings.]
I appreciate the help today, however. With the limited edible supplies and a shortage of people who know how to cook, my skills in the town have proven to be in high demand — and as such, I often find myself cooking for several more than just four, these days.
Heh, I bet. How do you find time to do anything else, with the hungry masses beating down your door three times a day? Just goes to show you a-meal to a wide audience.
[If disarming chatter is what Ignis craves, Prompto Argentum is here to deliver.]
Anything else I can do to lighten your load? I wouldn't trust me with anything more complicated than boiling water, but maybe, like, chopping, or... throwing out vegetable peels?
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Bloobhaus
Mornin', Iggy. [Prompto yawns and gets comfortable.] Mmmm, smells delicious. You're spoiling us forever, dude. How'd you sleep?
no subject
Oh, approximately the usual, I'd say. I've no complaints.
[Given that pretty much every one of his nights now has its quality of sleep decided by "whether or not Noct has a nightmare".]
And yourself, Prompto?
no subject
[Stinky chocobo feathers, stinky Gladio armpits, what's the difference? He savors the smell of Ignis's cooking, a smell he never thought he'd smell again, and sinks himself deliberately in how it feels to be safe and happy, so unexpectedly.]
Hmm. Heeeeey, can I ask you a question?
no subject
[THANKS FOR BEING PEDANTIC, IGNIS. THANKS.]
But you may certainly ask another, if you like.
no subject
[Like Aubumbrie or Hester.]
no subject
[That gets him to fall quiet a minute, keeping his eyes on his pan as he stirs it and pushes the food around inside, and only at length does he begin to elaborate, thoughtfully.]
You're right that I chose a name that wouldn't immediately be associated with the Lucian royal family or its cohorts — "Amicitia" would arguably have drawn just as much attention as "Scientia", if not more. The same goes for "Leonis".
[He hums softly, still staring at the pan.]
But I wanted a name that would immediately alert you or Gladio to my presence. It wasn't just about ensuring that no one could associate me with the crown. I also wanted the both of you to be able to tell that it was me, if you somehow heard it.
no subject
[It's a satisfying answer and a warming one, too, that his name could be useful like that. It even worked that way with Dave, sort of--got him to tell Prompto "Tellus" was there. Prompto nods and bounces a little on his heels.]
You wanna keep using it? I don't mind. [He leans over and smiles up at Ignis.] It's kind of fun, actually. I always wanted a big brother, Telly.
no subject
[But he's hiding a smile, himself, and disguising it carefully behind a supposed preoccupation with his work.]
'Twas not a subterfuge long for this world, I must say, with Noct around. I suppose it might be best if I simply embraced my real name again; I may as well, with how often he gives that away.
[...Wait.]
You've been talking to Dave, have you.
no subject
[The fluff of Prompto's hair tilts to one side.]
Why do you ask?
no subject
[Stepping a little to one side, he goes in the cupboards after a small plate, and deposits a piece of venison bacon and a small pile of hash onto it, which he holds out to Prompto without preamble.]
He lamented to me once that no one understands his pop culture references and I assured him that I had exceeding amounts of practice in pretending I do, regardless.
no subject
Heeey! You mean you don't care about the backstories of every character in Justice Monsters V? Iggy, you're killing me!
[He's kidding, though. He tries a bite of the bacon with happy, appreciative noises and an eventual thumbs-up, but minds Ignis's manners and doesn't speak again until he's swallowed.]
I didn't notice that we were that alike, though. I mean, beyond hair color. He's a lot... chiller than me? Even if he is younger.
no subject
[Speaking of which, he's rummaging for another few plates — full-sized this time — and lines them up near the pans on the stove in preparation to begin plating them.]
He's also fairly joined at the hip to his own best friend, and if memory serves, boasts a certain interest in photography.
[His serving utensils clink softly against the plates as he starts distributing out portions of the food.]
You might say he offered a certain...respite, of sorts. I had no antidote to missing you, but spending time with him reminded me enough of you to soothe the ache a bit.
no subject
E-everyone likes your cooking, Iggy.
[A fork for each plate, arranged neatly along the side.]
It hasn't been that long. Two months, right? ...I guess it probably feels longer if you've just been stuck here the whole time.
[He taps Ignis's elbow lightly.]
Don't worry. I won't leave you guys hanging again, long as I can help it. I'm not going anywhere.
no subject
[His eyebrows raise slightly as Prompto automatically goes to fetch the silverware for the meal, but he doesn't remark on it. At least, he doesn't at first — not until that light touch to his elbow, which is presumably for the sake of affirming what he says following it, but still, he wonders.
Prompto said he'd been getting a great deal better at navigating without the benefit of his eyes. Prompto went without being asked to assist, identifying a way that he might help out and seeing to it without preamble. Prompto touched his arm when he drew close again, giving him a tangible means of telling where he was.
He wonders.]
Do you...help me cook often, these days? From...what you remember.
no subject
No. Not really.
[There isn't really a way to spare Ignis those several bleak weeks between Altissia and now, not if he keeps asking, not if Prompto's going to answer honestly. He chews his lip a little and goes to search for mugs and glasses.]
We've been eating a lot of canned stuff and Cup Noodle. Nobody really needs my help with that.
[Nobody wanted his help with anything, either. But Ignis was always gracious about it, even though Prompto knew how awful it must have stung.]
But I can still set the table, like I told Iris back then. You remember that, in the car to Cape Caem? She noticed you did all the cooking, and all the... you know, everything for us.
[He sighs and picks some more at his little plate of hash.]
no subject
[It's so hard to change that one quirk of his speech patterns, adjusting it so that the conversation doesn't turn horribly ironic or just plain uncomfortable when his automatic response is a quiet I see.]
Not altogether ideal, nutritionally.
[He tries to keep the remark light, and devoid of self-admonishment. It's all he can do not to let on how he catalogues that tidbit and stores it away as just another failure caused by his own shortcomings.]
I appreciate the help today, however. With the limited edible supplies and a shortage of people who know how to cook, my skills in the town have proven to be in high demand — and as such, I often find myself cooking for several more than just four, these days.
no subject
Heh, I bet. How do you find time to do anything else, with the hungry masses beating down your door three times a day? Just goes to show you a-meal to a wide audience.
[If disarming chatter is what Ignis craves, Prompto Argentum is here to deliver.]
Anything else I can do to lighten your load? I wouldn't trust me with anything more complicated than boiling water, but maybe, like, chopping, or... throwing out vegetable peels?
no subject
[Speaking of vegetable peels, he's got a small pile sitting nearby, carefully arranged into neat portions.]
Would you care to feed Spot and Aurorean? They'll be needing their breakfasts, as well.
no subject
Would I? You couldn't pay me not to!
[He can be useful and surrounded by majestic, fleet-footed birds!]
Should I wake Noct up, too, or does he not need his breakfast? [Mock-innocently:] I can need his breakfast for him.
no subject
How very generous of you, to take on the burden of needing his breakfast on his behalf.
[But, with a quick look in the pan, he hastens to add: ]
There's more than enough for a double portion, if you're hungry for it.
no subject
Aw, you know I don't eat that much. I'm sure some growing teenager will want it. We've got, like, a surplus.