calcitrants | IC INBOX [ERKU]

[ noctis doesn't have long to wait, because in his absence, ignis finds himself frequenting the fishing spots he knows noctis likes -- and during periods like these, he finds himself on the beach, hoping that he would be with the latest batch of arrivals.

he's been disappointed a couple of times before, but today when his devices buzzes and that familiar name pops up, he feels his mouth go dry.

noctis is back. he's returned, and he clearly remembers him. ignis even excuses the brusque tone of it -- coming out from the cold sea water is not the most pleasant of experiences, and ignis is already sprinting down the length of the beach to look for him.

his heart's in his mouth, and he hopes, he hopes this isn't a dream.

he stops only when he spots a wet, bedraggled ~~kitty~~ noctis, and immediately draws out a big, warm fluffy towel from the armiger, holding it out to him. ]

...Noct.

[ He's sort of debating on what to do while he waits. Taking temporary shelter in one of the nearby shacks would be a good idea, but it'd make it harder to find him, and he doesn't want Ignis to feel like he's been lied to. So, Noctis stands there with his arms wrapped around his trembling, cold body, feeling more than just a little miserable.

The feeling should alleviate the moment he hears footsteps in the sand and he looks, and there's Ignis, right along the shore, but it doesn't. He didn't come from the direction of the city. He came from the beach, like he was already there. Having been on the island for so long, Noctis has caught on to the flow of arrivals and the usual tradition of their appearance: always on the beach. For Ignis to have already been here, when he has no reason to be out here on the beach...

It's just a coincidence, right? It's not like he was waiting for him. It's not like he's been out here before.

As Ignis steps forward and ushers what seems to be a towel out of the armiger, Noctis' voice catches in his throat.

He was waiting. He's been waiting, all this time. ]

Why do you even have that in there?

[ His voice strains to show the humor in the statement as he takes the towel, wraps it around himself, holds it in a tight white knuckled grip.

Noctis thinks about being in that crystal, and everyone waiting for him. Ignis waiting for him, like this, and he knows he shouldn't because he's dripping wet and he'll mess up Ignis' clothes.

He steps forward and presses into him, that wet mess of hair nudging into Ignis' chest. ]

I left without saying goodbye again. Sorry.

[ ignis doesn't care if noctis gets his shirt wet, the important thing is that he's here, he's safe, and out of destiny's reach. he can feel the cold seawater seep into his shirt, but the resulting warmth of his prince's body pressed up against his is enough for him to endure the discomfort.

he recognises that look on realisation in those blue eyes when noctis inevitably puts the pieces together -- that ignis has been here on the beach waiting for him for this time. does he need to ask why, when he already knows the answer?

ignis doesn't respond, and only squeezes him tighter. ]

Apology accepted.

[ he says softly, even if noctis doesn't need to apologise at all. he buries his face in that wet mess of hair briefly, before letting go, swallowing the inexplicable lump in his throat. ]

It's cold. Let's go back to my place and get you warmed up.

[ He doesn't actually have to accept that apology, Noctis wants to say, but instead he just burrows his face into Ignis' wet shirt for a moment long. His breath is cold against the fabric as he shivers, but he's already looking forward to getting to shelter, though it takes him slightly off-guard to hear that Ignis says "my place". Did he get his own place? From the Augur, or one of those run down apartments?

(Could he not stand to live in Noctis' empty little cottage?)

But that brings up a better question: with Noctis having disappeared and reappeared, just what exactly happened to all the things he used to have here on the island? ]

The Regalia, is it still here? The place I was living in too?

[ He'd ask about that arcade he brought into existence from the Augur too but it's very, very low on the priority tier list right now. ]

[ he doesn't have to, but he wants to, and so he does, because ignis has missed him for so long. he'd kept up noctis' cottage faithfully, cleaning it every day and making sure that it's in a good shape for him when he returns. ]

The Regalia's in front of my house. And I've kept your cottage in good condition as well.

[ it's not like ignis is living too far away from him, he's practically living just a street away. he walks him back, showing noctis to the regalia and his own home first, an unassuming, but classy single-level house with a modern, sleek interior. ]

Come on in and get dry. I'll walk you back to your cottage later, if you want.

[ How the heck did he even move the Regalia, Noctis wonders, last having kept that gas tank empty since the first day it showed up. But he imagines it wouldn't have been too much trouble to ask for help moving it. Gladio's got enough muscle to take care of that on his own. He'll have to thank Ignis for... so much, really. Even when Noctis isn't around it's like his job caring for him doesn't end.

He stamps out that thought before it can wander off in unpleasant directions.

Once they reach his home and step inside, Noctis is more than a little impressed with the layout. Immediately it reminds him a lot of the old apartment he used to have in Insomnia, and it fits Ignis perfectly. The interior is simple, everything looks clean and in order, and so he's quick to start unlacing his boots as he's learned to do so he doesn't walk on in with his soggy shoes, but when Ignis speaks up again he looks over at him and pauses. ]

What if I want to stay?

[ He's still pale from the cold, but warmth begins to swell under his skin a little at a time now that he's finally indoors. ]

I mean, you should give me a tour of the place. I need to make sure it lives up to my adviser's standards. Especially the bed.

[ Gotta make sure it's nice and comfortable and has enough space for two people where they can sleep for a few hours. ]

[ THERE'S GAS IN IT NOW, NOCTY.

there's so much that ignis wants to share with him, so much to tell him -- not least of which is the t-rex curled up asleep at the back of the house, impervious to the cold and entirely comfortable in her spot. but that can wait.

ignis dutifully puts aside his shoes and leads him into the apartment when he's done, raising his brows in surprise, although the relief and smile that grows on his face speaks volumes as to what he really thinks of noctis staying.

yes. yes, of course. always. ]

You're most welcome to.

[ ignis can't imagine being away from him; not tonight, not for the foreseeable future. he can't help a small smile as he takes his hand, leading him through the house to show him just where and how he's living. very, very well, it seems -- but it doesn't mean anything without noctis here.

he pauses at the master bedroom, at the immaculately made king-sized bed. ]

What do you think?

[ Surprised pikachu face... can't wait to have to regain the privilege to drive at night again.

Ignis' hand is warm in his own, even after being out in the cold with him, so he gives it a firm squeeze as he follows him through the apartment until they reach the bedroom. Just like the rest of the place it has that certain clean but elegant style, and thankfully, he sees a huge bed just waiting to be pounced upon. But Noctis at least bides his time as he gives the room a good look-over. ]

Needs more cat hair all over it. We'll fix that later.

[ Basically the condition his own bed had gotten into along with the rest of the furniture, what with how often he allows those stray cats into his place, one in particular. Noctis' head turns to Ignis immediately. ]

Hey, what about Rascal? He's okay, right?

IC INBOX [ERKU]

MOMMY'S HERE, BABY ;_;

😭

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