[ Closed ] OU - Ignis and Noctis

[kittycaterer]

[ It’s not that Noctis has never seen Ignis without his glasses, it’s just that it’s so rare that he takes them off. What with his obsession with clarity and all. He never really considered it until Ignis had managed to get them stolen by a wild chocobo the previous day.

It’s still funny to him. Noctis shouldn’t laugh, but the situation was a riot.

But Noctis finds himself oddly interested in the result. In how Ignis looks without them. It’s like a totally different person, yet the voice and personality are much the same. Noctis isn’t so much a liar about the attraction he has towards Ignis so much as he doesn’t know that’s what is going on. He’s about as oblivious to his own feelings as ever. All he knows is that he oddly wants to see it again.

That’s a bit embarrassing though. Maybe he should keep it to himself. Noctis mulls over the thought while staring at the fire at camp. They’ve nestled at Spelcray Haven, where the view of the night sky is honestly Noct’s favorite. They’ve stayed here before, taking another pit stop on the way back towards their destination.

Noctis sighs as he leans back in his foldable chair, Prompto and Gladio off doing a jog for some odd reason while Ignis prepares dinner. He’s not much for starting conversation, and so his head lulls to the side, eyes shifting upward to watch his retainer at work. Something Noctis often does without realizing: staring. ]

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[kittycaterer]

[ Ignis is far too good at this. Far too polished in seeing right through Noctis' attempts at appearing calm and cool. It becomes clear rather quickly that Ignis is keen on staying ahead here.

The second Ignis lists off what other matters he can focus on, the second he turns his head as if to feel indifference, Noctis feels a natural shift in his energy. A slight boil to his blood. Ignis is absolutely correct in knowing that Noctis can easily become huffy and pouty, especially when he's verbally cornered. It shows in his face, in the way his cheeks slightly puff in protest. But they deflate quick.

And it all happens completely natural. Noctis will hate later how good Ignis is at making him shift. Because he realizes he doesn't want any of that yet. If they waste time and the guys come back, this stops right here.

Noctis very abruptly snags Ignis' glasses from his hands, not at all with the intention of holding them hostage (he's well aware of what they mean to him), but certainly with the intent of being sly. ]

Oh, I get it. You like the attention.

[ Noctis puts the glasses on. They slide down the bridge of his nose, so as to not alter his own vision too much. But Noctis, throwing the mini-tantrum, thinks he's being clever nonetheless. If anything, he thinks he might look good in glasses.

He tilts his head again, so as to purposefully look Ignis in the eye. ]

Just makes your day that I'm making a pass at you.

[ He's not outright answering the question the way Ignis wanted, but he thinks he still has the upper-hand here. Even with the bright flush on his cheeks. Noctis steps closer, chest puffed. ]

That's not the end-game, Specs.

[amities]

[He thinks he has him cornered, that this is basically the end for Noct's little game, but just like that for a second time that day he finds himself realizing that sometimes things don't always go according to one's plans. One always needs to be prepared for the unexpected.

His poor glasses, snatched once more by a fussy black Chocobo.

Ignis is clearly taken off guard as his glasses are pried out of his hand. He straightens fully, eyebrows raising as he just stares at Noct in silent confusion, watches him actually put on the glasses and he looks so absolutely ridiculous. They're a little too wide for the frame of his face, and he can see that Noct won't put them on properly, which makes Ignis want to press that the center and push them up higher along the bridge of his nose even though he knows they'd just slip back down.

He's making such a scene out of nothing and yet Ignis can't possibly be struck more speechless, not because Noct is here, huffing and puffing like a child, but that he's finally admitted what Ignis was only vaguely aware of.

Noctis had been hitting on him.

And then it's done. Their game is done.

Ignis has lost.

All he can do is laugh. It starts with a tremble of his lips, a twitch at the corner of his mouth and then a huff, but it just comes out of him right then, a melodious exhale that he can't stop as heat swells to his own cheeks, and Ignis has to try to cover his mouth because he knows he's going to upset Noct further by laughing at him but he just can't help it.]

[kittycaterer]

[ Noctis is about as terrible at flirting as anyone could expect. He’s a sheltered prince, he’s only ever had close interactions with those in the Crownsguard. And even then, they’re all fully aware of how awkward he is. So he’s off the rails here in terms of being suave or prepared.

Ignis pushes his glasses up Noct’s nose and sure enough, the slip down. Only when Noctis raises his brow and looks absolutely baffled that Ignis’ reaction to all of this is to laugh. What is he laughing at? The glasses? What he said?

Noctis looks mortified. ]

What’s so funny?

[amities]

[Oh no, he's upset him, he knew this was going to happen and so Ignis tries his hardest to smother his laughter. Unfortunately he's not having much luck. He's able to stiffle it down to a quiet chuckling but he still looks terribly amused, and his voice has that airy quality like he's just now remembering how to breathe properly.]

I'm-- I'm so sorry, Noct, I'm not laughing at you, I promise, it's just...

[He puts a hand on Noct's shoulder immediately, because he doesn't want him turning away or running off to escape.]

You needed to wait until I'd lost my spectacles, in order to tell me you fancy me?

[kittycaterer]

[ Astrals, he’s not stopping! Does he really sound that silly? Was it really that funny? Noctis feels his face burn up, and so it easily reflects on his naturally pale skin. He ruffles up practically like an overstimulated cat the more Ignis laughs, absolutely mortified and embarrassed. Ignis even laughs out his apology and he honestly wants to crawl in a hole now.

And Noctis never takes to embarrassment well. His maturity reverts back a few years as he puffs his cheeks and shakes his shoulder out from beneath Ignis’ grips ]

I didn’t wait for it, I just made the observation.

[ He is so incredibly flustered right now. ]

A-And you don’t need to put it that way!

[ Fancy. Like he’s a fragile thing crushing on his advisor! ]

[amities]

[Okay, he really needs to settle and stop, otherwise he's just going to upset Noctis to the point that he's going to throw a tantrum and simply warp himself into the tent. Ignis allows his hand to fall, fingers still tucked carefully against his mouth to attempt to hide the humored expression he still can't seem to squash down.

But there is clear, irrevocable warmth in his eyes as he speaks, as he refuses to move away from Noct's space as he gazes down at him with utter fondness.]

I should allow you to explain then. It'd make things much clearer to me. You understand how much I favor clarity.

[His voice hushes, the hand at his mouth finally dropping. The setting sun has his hair glistening an almost golden shade, tufted bangs swaying in the breeze, pink awash over his face from his laughter and the strange inkling of embarrassment he suddenly is starting to feel because Noctis was in fact hitting on him. And he hadn't noticed.

He wishes he had.]

Would you, please? Noct.