[ Noctis says thoughtfully, contemplating him. ] But what... joined that together?
[ Thankfully, there was nothing serious in that vial aside from the harmless need to sing his words, and Noctis can't help but lean forward, using petting Pearl as an excuse to get closer. So maybe he's quite charmed by it, okay? There is a sort of magic in Ignis' voice, even if it's admittedly unexpected and involuntary. ]
...Well. The common denominator in everything I've sung has been you. So I think it's safe to say that my subconscious thoughts are driving the impulse.
[He pauses, then shrugs a little.]
Naturally, when you're close by, I'm always thinking of you on some level.
[ Smooth as hell -- that was definitely smooth as hell, Ignis. Noctis, being a twenty-year old hot-blooded male and definitely not a teenage girl, still manages to flush a faint pink at that observation. Yeah, he's pretty sure Ignis didn't mean anything slick by that; he was just... saying it as it is.
Which, honestly, makes it even more precious. ]
So what are you thinking about now?
[ And yes, that's a transparent ploy to get another song out of this lovely, honeyed jukebox. ] Not me and chocobos, right?
...Where, precisely, did the notion of chocob— no.
[It hits him, then, what it is that Noct might be doing with the privileged information he's been given, and he claps both hands over his mouth in an instant like that's going to somehow manage to stifle the impulse that he knows full well Noct is provoking.]
[ Surely he cannot be that cruel, can he? Noctis laughs, soft and gentle, before reaching out to ease his hand away from him, replacing that with his own mouth. In the meantime, his fingers come to twine with his, threading together.
There, better? It's definitely better for Noctis, because he gets to have an excuse to hold his hand. In the meantime, Pearl meows loudly, batting at both their chins.
[This brat, this utter brat. But it's nigh-impossible to hold it in once it's been set off, and even before their lips have touched, words are spilling out —]
♪ — ride my chocobo all daaa — ♫
[And then they're kissing, and the rest of it is blessedly stifled, and the groan he presses against Noct's mouth is less to do with the kiss itself and more just to do with exasperation.]
[ Note to self: inform Prompto of this particular development -- his best friend will be giddy when he hears about this, really. And Ignis will probably really poison their food, or something.
He laughs again at that exasperated noise, delighted and amused. ]
[He pushes Noct away, lightly, but it's mostly for show; once his little moment of semi-drama is over, he's reaching with a little bit more confidence to slip his arms around Noct and gather him back in again, wanting simply to hold him close.]
Noctis can't help but melt when Ignis settles in and wraps his arms around him, and here and now he doesn't need an excuse to be close. He's pressing his nose to his neck, breathing him in and reveling in just how warm and familiar he feels, how he still sets his pulse racing.
He closes his eyes briefly, and he thinks that he hasn't felt happier than this in... well, in ages. Here Ignis is, here they are, at the beginning of something important, and he wraps his arms around him, holding him tight and fitting nicely into the circle of his arms. ]
[Because this feels like a victory, somehow; it feels like something won, something taken and defended that he is loath to surrender. This is his right to do precisely what he's doing now, to gather Noct up into his arms and hold him like this, bringing them together in a way that they simply fit together and feeling each gentle exhale of his king's breath washing over his skin as his chest rises and falls.]
[ It's anticipation that wells up in him, affection and a surge of feelings that makes Noctis bite his lip at the intensity of it. It's profound and wonderful, this feeling, the fact that perhaps they will have time together to discover what this really is for themselves.
His arms wrap around him, and Noctis shifts up, grasping his chin to pull Ignis down for a kiss, this time it's slower, more purposeful, exploring him and offering of himself shyly in turn. ]
[It's always such an impulse, to answer a promise like that with the assurance that no one is going to hurt me. The problem, of course, is that they both know all too well that it's not an assurance Ignis can validly give. They both know full well what's coming for the both of them in the future, and there will be hurt by it, and pain, and death.
But it's hard not to want to reassure him, so for once instead of staying upright and strong, Ignis lets himself bend a little — just a little. Perhaps if he can't offer Noct the satisfaction of being right in the future, he can at least give him the opportunity to feel a little stronger in the here and now.
So he melts, just a little, and relaxes against Noct's arms, and lets it come true for at least this one moment — that right now, right here, he's safe, and Noct is the one taking care of him instead of the other way around.]
[ There is nothing more wonderful, more exhilarating in knowing that Ignis is genuinely, finally letting down his guard around him. He can feel him bow and bend, and even though Noctis knows that there's a chance it might not work, this moment only makes him even more determined.
Ignis doesn't fight him on this, and Ignis trusts him, leans into Noctis' arms like he can believe what he's saying, and Noctis decides that this is enough for now, right now. Ignis is safe here, in his arms, and Noctis isn't about to let him go -- as if if he does, Ignis will get hurt, and where will they be, then?
His hand comes to settle on the nape of his neck, curling gently. He deepens the kiss without another word, pulling him down atop him on the bed -- Noctis doesn't have plans for more, only to explore Ignis, to hold him and keep him safe. ]
[Things get a little bit clumsy when Noct starts moving them around, if only because Ignis isn't quite expecting the move and winds up caught off-guard as a result of it; there's a certain brief flash of alarm that breaks his otherwise relaxed state when it feels like he's falling and they go crashing down onto the mattress together, but it doesn't last for long. He stays alert at first, responsible instincts firing as it seems as though he may need to intervene and stop something from moving too fast before it really begins, but as it starts to become apparent that it's only a benign mishap that's brought them down onto the bed together, he starts relaxing again.
It's nothing they haven't done before, it's not a liberty he hasn't already taken. He's held Noct before, and been held. They've kissed. This isn't any different.
Slowly, then, he lets himself start to relax once more, shifting to make sure that no one is being crushed and no limbs are going at odd angles before gradually relinquishing himself to Noct's command. It's not a dynamic between them that he would've immediately assumed, to be sure — for some reason, he would've presumed that Noct would prefer the relief of being passive rather than actively directing their explorations — but it's one that he finds makes sense in practice, and even has to chastise himself a little for making assumptions about otherwise.
All right, then. Let him take the lead. There's no harm in it — and actually, quite the contrary.]
...Seems you've caught me, then.
[The hand on the back of his neck is steady, reassuring, and oddly — oddly a weight that he finds he really, really likes.]
[ Clearly, this means that they need more practice. Noctis huffs a soft laugh when they're clearly not entirely coordinated -- and Pearl, poor cat, leaps off and away when it's obvious that they currently only have eyes for each other. Noctis is watching Ignis' movements with all amusement, so helplessly drawn to him that he keeps his hold secure on him.
It's endearing, he thinks, that Ignis is checking to make sure that stray elbows don't go where they shouldn't -- even in this he's still so very careful, and when he relaxes Noctis kisses him again, slow and sure and more confident than before. ]
That's cute.
[ He murmurs, because he's made no secret of enjoying Ignis' particular brand of humor -- hell, they could go forever just punning about everything and nothing in particular. He's comfortable, taking the lead and happy to see Ignis following; he hadn't thought about being active or passive one way or another, he only moves according to what he wants, what could feel good for them both. They're still exploring each other despite the fact that they've known each other almost all their lives.
This is, after all, on an entirely different level, and his other hand slides up to rest over the small of his back. Careful to pay attention to Ignis' cues, he asks softly -- ]
[It seems okay, at least, though the cautious side of him is carefully withholding judgment while they get settled in together, while he takes stock of each little piece of it and adds them all up into the sum total of what he thinks.
The kisses are pleasant, that much is a given. The way they're arranged is...a little more intense than what they've done before, but not bad or unpalatable. Noct's hands are curious but not provocative, and gentle in their explorations; that's more than acceptable. And he's comfortable, and secure, and everything is just...quiet. Easy and quiet.]
...Go ahead. I'll stop you if —
[If they need to be, is probably what he means. But they don't need to be, not now. Not yet.]
[ Noctis is just as careful -- he's very aware of Ignis' cues, taking care not to consciously or even subconsciously push him into something he's not comfortable with. He explores him, chaste and shy but infinitely curious.
He wants to explore him, hands sliding down up as he looks up, palms resting over the span of his chest. Ignis feels so strong, so solid, warm and tempting. He'd be lying if he said that he doesn't want more, because he does -- he wants so much more, but it's not yet time, not for either one of them. ]
[He's watching Noct softly now, settling in until he's perfectly comfortable, and as Noct's hands slide lightly over the plane of his chest, his own comes up to card gently through Noct's hair as, unbidden, soft-sung words start to spill from his lips.]
[ He tells him softly, leaning up to press kisses to his throat, the line of his neck. He loves it, the rumbling tenor of his voice, the way the lyrics spill into the spaces between them. He's kissing his mouth after, humming along with him with a smile. ]
Oh, this is interesting. He looks down at him curiously. ]
You want me to leave a mark?
[ They haven't actually talked about preferences at length, although even if they did, Noctis isn't sure he has a lot to contribute -- he's a blank slate where things like these are concerned, having never actually been in a proper relationship. These things are frowned upon when you're a prince and you ought to be betrothed, you see. But now, things are different. Things are... new. ]
[Hmmm. This is slightly more difficult to navigate than he'd been expecting it to be. He settles down, searching for the words that he wants before trying to string them together into an explanation that makes sense.]
I want you to feel free to do what feels right. Within reason. Trust that you needn't always ask permission before doing something — it's good that you do, and it's a fine, responsible habit to be in. But...trust that I'll stop you, if need be. And trust that I'll tell you the things that I want, when I want them. All right?
[ Ah, yes, this is much better. Noctis has been comprehensively briefed when it comes to consent and partners -- the Citadel has always had a very firm stand where that is concerned, and Noctis understands, of course. In turbulent times, the last thing they need is accusations of the prince sowing his wild oats nonconsensually and all that.
Although honestly, they don't have much to worry about, not when Noctis' interests don't include the great majority of them. Ignis is telling him specifically what he wants, what he likes, and Noctis relaxes. This is new ground, and he's not sure if he's navigating it right. But this, this feels clearer, like he's been given a direction. ]
All right.
[ He's unbuttoning Ignis' shirt now. One button, two, three, his hand sliding in to spread it wider open so that his mouth can trail after, sucking a soft lovebite under his collarbone. Lips, teeth, suction, sensuous and slow. Oh, this feels right. ]
[He does his best to hold himself steady, breathing in slowly and holding it as Noct moves to explore him; it doesn't hurt, really, when the bruise forms, but he's intensely aware of it anyway, and his eyes go half-lidded even as he continues to watch Noct for his reactions.]
[ How did he like that, Ignis asks him, and Noctis can feel his heart pounding in his ears. He can see the way the bruise forms and blossoms, like a flower on his pale skin, so flawless, impeccable, and Noctis can't help but wonder what the rest of him looks like, bereft of clothes.
Oh, Six.
He blinks, before he's looking up at him, meeting his eyes. He's into this, very much so, especially when Ignis looks like he likes it, too. He's kissing that bruise, feeling oddly, powerfully possessive. ]
I marked you up. [ He observes softly, not in the least apologetic. No, he quite likes this. ] I like it.
[ Their relationship won't work unless they're honest with each other -- like that pastry Ignis had spent years making for him. It won't turn out right if Noctis is vague, and ridiculously enough, maybe that's laid the groundwork for their communication, to a point. ] I like seeing it on you, knowing that I put it there, and that you wanted me to do it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ Noctis says thoughtfully, contemplating him. ] But what... joined that together?
[ Thankfully, there was nothing serious in that vial aside from the harmless need to sing his words, and Noctis can't help but lean forward, using petting Pearl as an excuse to get closer. So maybe he's quite charmed by it, okay? There is a sort of magic in Ignis' voice, even if it's admittedly unexpected and involuntary. ]
no subject
[He pauses, then shrugs a little.]
Naturally, when you're close by, I'm always thinking of you on some level.
no subject
Which, honestly, makes it even more precious. ]
So what are you thinking about now?
[ And yes, that's a transparent ploy to get another song out of this lovely, honeyed jukebox. ] Not me and chocobos, right?
no subject
[It hits him, then, what it is that Noct might be doing with the privileged information he's been given, and he claps both hands over his mouth in an instant like that's going to somehow manage to stifle the impulse that he knows full well Noct is provoking.]
Mmph mph mmmmph!
no subject
There, better? It's definitely better for Noctis, because he gets to have an excuse to hold his hand. In the meantime, Pearl meows loudly, batting at both their chins.
Pay attention to her! ]
no subject
♪ — ride my chocobo all daaa — ♫
[And then they're kissing, and the rest of it is blessedly stifled, and the groan he presses against Noct's mouth is less to do with the kiss itself and more just to do with exasperation.]
no subject
He laughs again at that exasperated noise, delighted and amused. ]
Mmm --
no subject
[He pushes Noct away, lightly, but it's mostly for show; once his little moment of semi-drama is over, he's reaching with a little bit more confidence to slip his arms around Noct and gather him back in again, wanting simply to hold him close.]
But one I'm terribly fond of.
no subject
Noctis can't help but melt when Ignis settles in and wraps his arms around him, and here and now he doesn't need an excuse to be close. He's pressing his nose to his neck, breathing him in and reveling in just how warm and familiar he feels, how he still sets his pulse racing.
He closes his eyes briefly, and he thinks that he hasn't felt happier than this in... well, in ages. Here Ignis is, here they are, at the beginning of something important, and he wraps his arms around him, holding him tight and fitting nicely into the circle of his arms. ]
Don't let go.
no subject
[Because this feels like a victory, somehow; it feels like something won, something taken and defended that he is loath to surrender. This is his right to do precisely what he's doing now, to gather Noct up into his arms and hold him like this, bringing them together in a way that they simply fit together and feeling each gentle exhale of his king's breath washing over his skin as his chest rises and falls.]
I've got you, Noct.
no subject
[ It's anticipation that wells up in him, affection and a surge of feelings that makes Noctis bite his lip at the intensity of it. It's profound and wonderful, this feeling, the fact that perhaps they will have time together to discover what this really is for themselves.
His arms wrap around him, and Noctis shifts up, grasping his chin to pull Ignis down for a kiss, this time it's slower, more purposeful, exploring him and offering of himself shyly in turn. ]
no subject
But it's hard not to want to reassure him, so for once instead of staying upright and strong, Ignis lets himself bend a little — just a little. Perhaps if he can't offer Noct the satisfaction of being right in the future, he can at least give him the opportunity to feel a little stronger in the here and now.
So he melts, just a little, and relaxes against Noct's arms, and lets it come true for at least this one moment — that right now, right here, he's safe, and Noct is the one taking care of him instead of the other way around.]
no subject
Ignis doesn't fight him on this, and Ignis trusts him, leans into Noctis' arms like he can believe what he's saying, and Noctis decides that this is enough for now, right now. Ignis is safe here, in his arms, and Noctis isn't about to let him go -- as if if he does, Ignis will get hurt, and where will they be, then?
His hand comes to settle on the nape of his neck, curling gently. He deepens the kiss without another word, pulling him down atop him on the bed -- Noctis doesn't have plans for more, only to explore Ignis, to hold him and keep him safe. ]
no subject
[Things get a little bit clumsy when Noct starts moving them around, if only because Ignis isn't quite expecting the move and winds up caught off-guard as a result of it; there's a certain brief flash of alarm that breaks his otherwise relaxed state when it feels like he's falling and they go crashing down onto the mattress together, but it doesn't last for long. He stays alert at first, responsible instincts firing as it seems as though he may need to intervene and stop something from moving too fast before it really begins, but as it starts to become apparent that it's only a benign mishap that's brought them down onto the bed together, he starts relaxing again.
It's nothing they haven't done before, it's not a liberty he hasn't already taken. He's held Noct before, and been held. They've kissed. This isn't any different.
Slowly, then, he lets himself start to relax once more, shifting to make sure that no one is being crushed and no limbs are going at odd angles before gradually relinquishing himself to Noct's command. It's not a dynamic between them that he would've immediately assumed, to be sure — for some reason, he would've presumed that Noct would prefer the relief of being passive rather than actively directing their explorations — but it's one that he finds makes sense in practice, and even has to chastise himself a little for making assumptions about otherwise.
All right, then. Let him take the lead. There's no harm in it — and actually, quite the contrary.]
...Seems you've caught me, then.
[The hand on the back of his neck is steady, reassuring, and oddly — oddly a weight that he finds he really, really likes.]
no subject
It's endearing, he thinks, that Ignis is checking to make sure that stray elbows don't go where they shouldn't -- even in this he's still so very careful, and when he relaxes Noctis kisses him again, slow and sure and more confident than before. ]
That's cute.
[ He murmurs, because he's made no secret of enjoying Ignis' particular brand of humor -- hell, they could go forever just punning about everything and nothing in particular. He's comfortable, taking the lead and happy to see Ignis following; he hadn't thought about being active or passive one way or another, he only moves according to what he wants, what could feel good for them both. They're still exploring each other despite the fact that they've known each other almost all their lives.
This is, after all, on an entirely different level, and his other hand slides up to rest over the small of his back. Careful to pay attention to Ignis' cues, he asks softly -- ]
Is this okay? Like this?
no subject
[It seems okay, at least, though the cautious side of him is carefully withholding judgment while they get settled in together, while he takes stock of each little piece of it and adds them all up into the sum total of what he thinks.
The kisses are pleasant, that much is a given. The way they're arranged is...a little more intense than what they've done before, but not bad or unpalatable. Noct's hands are curious but not provocative, and gentle in their explorations; that's more than acceptable. And he's comfortable, and secure, and everything is just...quiet. Easy and quiet.]
...Go ahead. I'll stop you if —
[If they need to be, is probably what he means. But they don't need to be, not now. Not yet.]
no subject
He wants to explore him, hands sliding down up as he looks up, palms resting over the span of his chest. Ignis feels so strong, so solid, warm and tempting. He'd be lying if he said that he doesn't want more, because he does -- he wants so much more, but it's not yet time, not for either one of them. ]
If...?
no subject
[He's watching Noct softly now, settling in until he's perfectly comfortable, and as Noct's hands slide lightly over the plane of his chest, his own comes up to card gently through Noct's hair as, unbidden, soft-sung words start to spill from his lips.]
♪ But baby, you're all that I want —
When you're lying here in my arms,
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven... ♫
no subject
[ He tells him softly, leaning up to press kisses to his throat, the line of his neck. He loves it, the rumbling tenor of his voice, the way the lyrics spill into the spaces between them. He's kissing his mouth after, humming along with him with a smile. ]
no subject
[He sucks in a slow breath, tilting his head just slightly to give Noct a better angle, and more of an invitation to continue what he's doing.]
If — ah. If you're going to leave a mark, Noct...make sure it's somewhere I can cover it. All right?
no subject
Oh, this is interesting. He looks down at him curiously. ]
You want me to leave a mark?
[ They haven't actually talked about preferences at length, although even if they did, Noctis isn't sure he has a lot to contribute -- he's a blank slate where things like these are concerned, having never actually been in a proper relationship. These things are frowned upon when you're a prince and you ought to be betrothed, you see. But now, things are different. Things are... new. ]
Do you like that?
no subject
[Hmmm. This is slightly more difficult to navigate than he'd been expecting it to be. He settles down, searching for the words that he wants before trying to string them together into an explanation that makes sense.]
I want you to feel free to do what feels right. Within reason. Trust that you needn't always ask permission before doing something — it's good that you do, and it's a fine, responsible habit to be in. But...trust that I'll stop you, if need be. And trust that I'll tell you the things that I want, when I want them. All right?
no subject
Although honestly, they don't have much to worry about, not when Noctis' interests don't include the great majority of them. Ignis is telling him specifically what he wants, what he likes, and Noctis relaxes. This is new ground, and he's not sure if he's navigating it right. But this, this feels clearer, like he's been given a direction. ]
All right.
[ He's unbuttoning Ignis' shirt now. One button, two, three, his hand sliding in to spread it wider open so that his mouth can trail after, sucking a soft lovebite under his collarbone. Lips, teeth, suction, sensuous and slow. Oh, this feels right. ]
no subject
[He does his best to hold himself steady, breathing in slowly and holding it as Noct moves to explore him; it doesn't hurt, really, when the bruise forms, but he's intensely aware of it anyway, and his eyes go half-lidded even as he continues to watch Noct for his reactions.]
How did you like that...?
no subject
Oh, Six.
He blinks, before he's looking up at him, meeting his eyes. He's into this, very much so, especially when Ignis looks like he likes it, too. He's kissing that bruise, feeling oddly, powerfully possessive. ]
I marked you up. [ He observes softly, not in the least apologetic. No, he quite likes this. ] I like it.
[ Their relationship won't work unless they're honest with each other -- like that pastry Ignis had spent years making for him. It won't turn out right if Noctis is vague, and ridiculously enough, maybe that's laid the groundwork for their communication, to a point. ] I like seeing it on you, knowing that I put it there, and that you wanted me to do it.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)