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The Advisor and his King.
The Tactician and his Sword.
Ignis and Noctis.
There were many things that you could call the two men, especially as they dance around one another during combat. The two were perfectly synchronized at times; it was like watching a competitive sport of two athletes with decades of practiced technique. Ignis with his daggers marking target by target as Noctis warped ahead, a blurry after image of blue like crystal left behind as he'd slice into each enemy one by one. Their current target, a Basilisk in the heart of the Vesperpool, was no different. The Prince called out to the ash brown haired man as he responded back in his own sing-song tone of affirmation as the two linked up. Ignis brought out his spear from the Armiger, stabbing the lengthened steel weapon into the chest of the bird-like creature they hunted before holding it up for the raven haired other to take as he grabbed hold and dived downwards, stabbing in the same spot as the other had. The creature made a squawking sound in obvious agony at the barrage of attacks coming all at once. The retinue of four men, Noct’s best friend Prompto and his bodyguard Gladiolus, taking their own forms of assault just as the other two had, all one after the other taking their weapons to the beast.
What they hadn't expected, however, was the Basilisk's final attack before it was to fall to the ground. Pulling its head back, it opened its mouth as sounds of liquid filled it before it spat out directly at Noctis. A warm, green like substance covered the ground and coated the Prince as he stepped backwards, nearly slipping in the sludge like ooze. With one final shot from Prompto's gun the Basilisk, however, crashed into the dirt, body motionless and limp.
“Noct!” the refined accent of Ignis yelled out as he rushed over, tossing his daggers as they crumbled into crystalline and disappeared back into the Armiger along with the others.
“Specs..calm down! Geez..I'm fine. Just..this is so gross. By the Six this smells horrible.” Noctis, sighed out as he flung his hands trying to flick off what he could before trying to wipe his eyes clean. This certainly was not how he planned his morning and not what he expected after waking up with no breakfast. He was hungry, his body was sore, and now he was covered in the saliva of a dead bird.
“Are you positive you're alright? Do you feel nauseous or weak, anything at all?”
“Specs. Seriously. I'm okay. Please let's just..get out of here. I really don't want to deal with any more of those, especially if it called backup.” the Prince groaned back, sluggish demeanor exposed as he started to walk on a bit ahead.
While Ignis had remained uncertain however, green eyes skimming over his charge with worry, he didn't want to press matters further. If there was one thing he didn't like to do it was to not trust what the younger had said. Trust was something important between them. He was told he was fine and even asked politely if they could retreat back to safety and the Advisor wasn't going to deny the request, especially if it meant getting out of further harm's way and getting the one he cared for some proper medical aide. And so all four headed back up the barely visible trail and back onto the road where their vehicle was parked.
The ride back in the Regalia to Meldacio HQ was more quiet than normal, with Prompto fidgeting with his camera in the front seat and Gladio looking out the window, mumbling to himself about how he could have done better if everyone had just left it to him. What was the most noticeable was how Noctis was curled up in the back seat, a light sheen coating his forehead as Ignis took a brief glance up to the rearview mirror, brows furrowing once again in worry before maintaining his visual on the road. He knew in his gut something was not right. Noct was one to stay quiet during most of their car rides, but he still had his moments of talking actively following victory during a fight. The lack of enthusiasm and laughter alongside his best friend in the front was only more cause for concern. Before long though, the car pulled up beside the small fueling station at the outpost as the quad of men stepped out. They looked around before spotting the hunter who had initially requested them to go to Vesperpool as they made their way over. Ignis occasionally would glance back noticing how Noctis, unlike the others, was slower, his footsteps slightly staggering. It was only briefly he managed to notice how the prince tensed up as the muscles in his body tightened up. Sapphire eyes flicked over to him as lips parted to speak out as his own emerald orbs gazed back catching the muttering of what sounded like his name.
And then..a hitched breath before a lean body crumpled face down into the dirt.
Everything then faded to black as voices around shouted in worry.
Ignis' eyes widened in fear as his own voice rang out in panic.
And their Noctis laid, silent and unconscious on the ground.
—
The small humming from fans were the only sounds currently heard in the hotel room besides Noctis’ breathing as Ignis looked up from his seated perch. Fingers tapped the armrest of his chair as his concerned gaze continued watching over his Prince as it had been since their arrival a few hours earlier.
Following the worried gasps from the few hunters in Meldacio and Ignis’ own panicked shout as he rushed over to look over the unconscious boy, everything up until the elder was laying Noct in the bed and beginning first aid had been a blur and rather unconcerning to him. His normally calm, composed demeanor was frayed at the edges and his thoughts only became about getting Noctis somewhere safe and helping him. While Meldacio may have had potions and basic first-aid, the advisor had been finicky and demanded about being somewhere Noctis could properly rest and near a doctor should the need arise. Gladio and Prompto assisted in getting their friend up off the ground, putting him gently in the car’s backseat before returning to handle the hunters and assist in anything else that was necessary. While they had initially tried to insist on joining the retainer in his aide, they compromised on staying behind after seeing just how much Ignis struggled not to snap at them as his eyes stayed surveying the back seat. And so he had gotten in the driver's seat of the Regalia and headed off to Lestallum.
Finally standing up from his seated position, Ignis walked over the royal’s bedside as he grabbed the cloth resting on the other’s forehead. It felt warm having soaked up the heat emitting from the fever Noctis had been currently tackling. Noctis was currently laid half covered by a sheet while his torso remained exposed after the retainer had cleaned him up to remove any possible remaining poison on his skin. The Prince had come to consciousness albeit briefly when they arrived which had given him enough time to not have to struggle with maneuvering him around as well as give him enough time to ingest a bit of antidote before blacking out once more. Wetting the washcloth once more in the basin filled with ice water on the dresser, he replaced it back to his forehead before ever so gently taking a seat upon the bed to sit beside the black haired man. He reached a hand up and tucked a few strands of hair behind the younger’s ear as green irises looked down upon him, mind becoming filled with a myriad of thoughts and feelings.
Ignis had been struggling lately with how exactly he felt when it came to Noctis. It started a few months ago after a discussion about life and relationships during lunch one afternoon. Noctis and him were eating under candlelight following a power outage due to a storm that day. A joke came out of how the atmosphere felt almost romantic until Ignis had commented that the atmosphere being tied to such a stereotype ruined just how comforting or soothing being under candle light could be. The raven-black haired boy had then been drawn to discuss romance and whether his friend ever had feelings like that for someone and what his definition of love was. The royal advisor initially tried to brush off the topic, urging his charge to eat his vegetables instead of getting sidetracked. Until he heard the defeated sigh escaping the other’s lips, a soft mumble coming out about feeling untrusted. The taller of the two then pushed up his glasses, pushing his own luncheon plate to the side as he locked eyes with the younger. Ignis wasn’t one to fret or allow himself to be lost to the pleasures of romance or mutual attraction, finding his stance as a royal retainer to his liege being enough for him to handle without the consumption of a relationship to add to it. He did have his own thoughts and theories on love and how it would feel if he allowed himself that, but it was never something he implemented. As he recounted his own definitions in that moment though, as he looked at the other boy under the glow of the candles’ flames and his change from a disheartened frown to a small smile as his advisor spoke, Ignis’ heart felt like it wanted to beat harder and his stomach tightened. In that moment he wanted nothing more than to bring more smiles on Noct’s face versus the many frowns he already had. That was when Ignis knew his feelings were not just a mutual friendship of the bond between a Prince and his servants. It was still a matter, however, if he was ready to admit it to himself and to the one he felt for.
A slight shift in the bed pulled Ignis from his thoughts as he watched furrowed brows form, a quiet gasp escaping Noct’s lips before the light murmur of the words “It’s too hot.” followed before silence again. His dear friend…his dear Prince was struggling, fighting off being poisoned and all he could do was help with the fever and keep watch over him. It made Ignis feel almost helpless, but he knew whining or complaining would hardly do either of them good. He would be there for Noctis if nothing else and serve him whatever he needed. That was what you did for someone you cared about after all even if you didn’t know what else to do. So he stood up briefly again, grabbing one of the faux black leather chairs as he pulled it close beside the bed, and he sat down. Taking out his phone, he sent some updates via texts to the other members and then he carefully grabbed one of Noct’s hands and held it in his own.
“I am not quite sure you’re coherent enough to hear me, but squeeze my hand if you ever need me. I’ll never leave you alone. Not now, not ever.” he spoke out in a rather low tone as if trying to share a secret that was only loud enough for the two of them to hear. And then he closed his eyes to let the thoughts roam free in his head.
—
A few rays of sunlight peeked in through the closed cracks of the shuttered balcony doors as Ignis opened his eyes. His hand hadn’t left Noct’s own, still lightly holding on despite the fact he had fallen asleep. Gently pulling it away so as to not disturb the sleeping prince, he lifted his arms to stretch before taking a look at his phone. It was currently eight in the morning, with only a notification from about fifteen minutes ago from Prompto telling him they were getting a ride to Lestallum and would be there in a while. He looked over the man still sleeping, noticing the lack of sheen from sweat on the skin and the slight return of color to Noctis’ face, a telltale sign that throughout the night his fever had luckily vanished. The other was still in a deep sleep, but considering he looked noticeably better, Ignis took the opportunity to take a shower and change his clothes. Grabbing a light grey button-up blouse and black slacks from his back, he headed towards the bathroom, taking one last look over at the bed.
Around fifteen minutes later, fully dressed and clean, the taller came out to see Prompto sitting on the opposite bed looking over at him after tucking his phone away. The blonde looked fully awake, though a sense of partial worry could still be read on his face. Noctis was his best friend after all and minus a few updates from Ignis, he was left on his own to wonder how their princely friend was doing.
“Hey Iggy. How’s he holding up?”
“Minus still being in a slumber, he’s healing quite well. His fever has vanished and color seems to be returning.”
“That’s good to hear.” Prompto spoke, his voice a bit quieter than normal trying not to wake their sleeping friend as he fidgeted with his fingers. Ignis could tell something was on the youngest’s before he watched him stand up, grabbing his phone off the bed. “I was really worried about him all night. Seeing him collapse like that was probably the most frightening thing I ever saw.”
“I think it frightened us both. He’s recovering rather quickly though, so he could be awake and well by tomorrow. We can keep watch today and monitor how he is. Hopefully manage him awake to at least drink some water.”
“Thanks for watching over him, Iggy. Even if I wasn’t here, I always know you got his back. You mean a lot to him ya know. And if there is anyone I had to trust my best friend with, it’d be you.” the gunslinger looked at the dagger wielder, a soft smile on his face as he took a seat on the leather chair, only to look around between the nightstand and the dresser. “Did Noct need some water or are we waiting for that or-?”
“Ah. I hadn’t gotten a chance to obtain any. I’ll go grab some and maybe something small to eat. Would you take watch while I am–” Before Ignis could even finish asking, Prompto was already waving him off and ensuring him things were safe in his hands. Taking the opportunity to get himself a coffee as well as any other necessary things for the remainder of Noct’s recovery, the freshly cleaned retainer was out the room door and headed for the nearby merch stalls of Lestallum. Knowing the one he cared most for was recovering well eased the tension in his body and helped his mind slightly relax. A twinge of worry still nagged in the back of his head, but other feelings were more prominent right now. Feelings that he shook his head to try and ignore as he stepped outside the Leville.
However, he hadn’t been out even twenty minutes, only managing to grab a few cans of his favorite Ebony coffee and some bottles of water before his phone went off as Prompto asked him if he was coming back soon. Ignis wasn’t sure if something was wrong as the text wasn’t informing of an emergency, but it still seemed a matter of asking as if he would come back sooner rather than later. Considering he hasn’t been particularly hungry and he got the most important things he came out for, the advisor started his way back to the hotel room, only briefly stopping in the lobby to ask for a cup of ice.
Coming into the room had been a surprise following the texts he had received. Noctis was awake, slightly sitting up with a pillow propped up behind him and Prompto standing beside the bed. As the elder stepped into the room, sitting down the bag of canned coffees and grabbing out a bottled water to pour into the ice cup, his brows raised in slight surprise to see the black-haired boy up from his slumber. Although, he still looked a little tired and seemed still slightly out of it.
“Noct, how are you feeling? Would you like some water?”
“I don’t know. Can the room just stop spinning though and everyone leave? Why are there so many people here? This is a throne room. Not a ballroom. I wish people stayed out of here.”
Hearing the prince’s words, Ignis finished pouring a cup of water before glancing over to the blonde still standing beside the bed.
“How long has he been awake and talking like this? Did he say anything to you or do anything?”
“I-I mean no? He initially woke up about maybe ten minutes ago asking where you were and when I tried to tell him you were getting stuff for him and I was here to help, he just started going on about the Citadel and then asking me why gender had to be so important in life and if Kingdoms could be 'Queendoms' instead.”
Ignis gazed back over the man in the bed, blue eyes looking down at the now dried washcloth whose hands were fidgeting with it. He walked over to the bed, closing the distance as he carefully sat down next to Noctis, water cup still in hand.
“Noct, I brought you some water in case you’re dehydrated. Do you think you could manage to take a few sips for me?”
“Hydration is important and water is okay, but I really want some cola. The staff never gives me any though. They always take away my favorite things." And despite his words being confusing, he took the cup from Ignis, took a few small sips then handed it back. "I don't feel so good. I want to throw my guts and my heart up so I can stop hurting."
The elder went to hand the still half-full cup of water to Prompto, signaling him to sit it on the dresser while he continued to listen to the delirious words coming out of the younger's mouth. After all, he always believed there were some grains of truth even hidden in delusions.
“I just want everyone to leave me alone. I don’t feel good. I just want Specs here to kiss me and cure me. I don’t care about stupid royal crap. I just want to be kissed. I don’t want anything else.”
Prompto’s hand stopped midway as it went to take the cup from the other, his jaw dropping at the surprise confession that came out of his best friend’s lips. Ignis, though, froze in place as he dropped the cup of water as it soaked parts of his pants before falling to the floor. Hearing what Noctis had wanted even in his delirious state had some form of truth behind it, what part though was what left the elder silent. He himself was still trying to accept how he felt about the younger prince, partially still trying to deny it considering who he was, but also hearing such a blunt desire from Noct made his heart beat sporadically. Finally realizing the cold that soaked through as it touched his skin, he stood up and grabbed the cup off the floor.
“Prompto, help him relax. Give him an antidote. I am–I need to change. I’ll..be back in a bit.” And like that, Ignis with cheeks tinted very light pink went to the bathroom and even after he returned with Noctis asleep once more, hadn’t spoken the rest of the evening.
—
Waking up the next morning was not something Ignis had been as eager for as he normally would be. Most days, the advisor would be the first one awake at early hours, preparing breakfast or packing up their belongings from camp. Today, however, he was dealing with the events of the previous night as well as the feelings that came to light. He sat up in the bed opposite of the prince’s own as he wiped the sleep from his eyes, taking a moment to look around the dimly lit room only to notice the sight in the bed across from him. Noctis was sitting up, sipping at a refilled cup of water that Prompto left the night before should he need it. He would have been more surprised to see the other up before him if he wasn’t internally struggling with himself. They both then made eye contact with one another, Noctis being the one to make conversation first.
“Morning sleepyhead. Never seen you so soundly asleep. You must’ve been tired.” the blue-eyed male said, taking another sip of water as the sound of shuffling beneath the covers echoed in the quiet space. Ignis cleared his throat, pushing up his glasses as he moved his gaze slightly downwards to the held cup.
“Quite. It has been an eventful few days. I suppose even I have my limits on things.”
“No kidding. I’ve only been up about a half hour I think and I never thought I would witness you sleep like a log and be up after me.” Noctis let out a half-hearted chuckle before the two sat in silence once more, neither of them talking for a few moments. Only the sounds of the wall clock and the breathing of the two men filled that silence until Ignis glanced up, seeing the parting of Noctis’ lips as he spoke again.
“I don’t remember much of what happened after the fight at the Vesperpool, but I remember you were the one beside me. So..thanks for taking care of me Ignis.”
“I’ll always take care of you, Noct. You don’t have to thank me for that.”
“I may be a prince, but you still deserve some gratitude. I don’t want to be someone who only takes you for granted or makes you believe you are just a servant who's only here to serve me. You are far much more than that.”
“I am here to serve you though, Noct. That’s my duty and the role I play. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
“Bullshit. Why does that have to be all there is? You’re more than that to me. You’re someone I care about far more than anyone else. You can’t honestly say that being my retainer is all there is after the years you’ve been with me, Specs.”
It was here Ignis looked away, rustling the sheets as he got out of bed and strode over to the table, grabbing a can of coffee as he kept his back turned away. Looking at Noctis along with his conviction to prove that the green-eyed man was holding something back, made it difficult to keep his focus on the other without feeling the tightening in his chest.
“Noct..you’re getting worked up and you’re still recovering. Please take it easy.”
“I’m not going to take it easy until you tell me the truth. Unless something happened making it hard for you to.”
“This isn’t the time for these discussions. Please, just leave it alone. I’ll have Gladio come in to keep watch while I go grab us food. I’m sure you should be able to handle a m-”
“Dammit Ignis! Tell me the goddamn truth!” With the shouting, Ignis turned around with his can in hand as he heard the crumpling sound of the cup that now was squished between Noctis’ hand. He could see the frustration on the younger’s face, the way his raven colored hair fell over his eyes.
Yet, Ignis still hesitated to speak. What was he supposed to say? What was he supposed to do? He was an advisor to the royal family. He was raised to be an advisor and a friend. Having any sort of feelings for his charge was not what he was on this journey to do, especially not to the engaged prince he was supposed to be watching over. And yet, it still happened. He tried to ignore it, to push it away as nonsense, but lying clearly was not going to be easy anymore. Especially not when the frustration in those sapphire eyes begged for an answer. Ignis put down his unopened drink as his gaze shifted to the floor.
“Noctis…there are some things best left unspoken. Some things that just like the poison leaving your body, are best left to dissipate.”
“Why can’t you just tell me the truth? What happened that is making it so difficult to be honest with me?” Ignis watched as the frown formed on the other’s face, a twinge of guilt filled his stomach. He sighed once more, keeping his eyes to the floor. He couldn’t keep pushing things away.
“You..were delirious yesterday and said some things that are conflicting with something I have been thinking about these past few months. Something you said that made me wonder if you felt something that I did or if what you said was merely words in a feverish state. I thought about it all night and decided it was better left unattended.”
“What did I say, Specs?”
Once again, Ignis went quiet. The atmosphere in the room felt more tense than it had the past few days when it was filled with worry and the protective aggressive aura that was initially shown to the bedridden prince. Now it was filled with unspoken feelings and panic. He looked over once again before finally crumbling under the invisible pressure on his shoulders.
“You spoke of how your heart hurt and how you wanted to kiss me. You spoke how you wanted nothing else except me, but spoke of how others always took things away from you that made you happy.--” He took a deep breath before continuing.
“--And despite the fact it was all nonsense, a part of me hoped all of that was true. For months since that lunch we spoke of our definitions of love and emotions, I have felt nothing but feelings and longing for you growing. Feelings I try not to accept and push away because of where I stand and who I am. No matter what though, they always take over my thoughts. And after what you said, it only made me want to accept those feelings instead of hiding them away.”
Now it was Noctis’ turn to become silent as Ignis continued to stare at the floor. He couldn’t bring himself to look at his prince, not now. He felt embarrassed and vulnerable, even if finally speaking out his thoughts brought a feeling of relief to his burdened shoulders and an ease in his stomach. It was only when he heard the creak of the bed and light footsteps that he looked up to see the figure of Noctis standing before him.
“Specs, those thoughts may have been said during a moment I wasn’t myself and I may not remember them, but they were all the truth. When I brought up the discussion of love I wasn’t doing it just to make conversation. I admit I have no idea when it comes to relationships and I haven’t had any experience on how love works, but what I know is that I have just as many feelings for you as you do for me.”
Ignis shifted in place, his eyes trying to look elsewhere in his state of vulnerability, but also to avoid the tint of pink (possibly) forming on his cheeks. He hadn’t expected to be answered back nor to hear a confession from the one he had been trying to repress all his emotions for while trying to take care of.
“I meant what I said and you know I don’t lie when it comes to my emotions, especially when I so rarely let myself show them. I don’t care whether I am a prince or you are my retainer. I don’t care about my engagement or what is owed to the Kingdom. Right now, this is me and you. Our own personal recovery from burdened thoughts. Everything else comes later. So..will you cure me?”
A strand of light ash brown hair fell in front of Ignis’ vision as his head tried to wrap around what had been said along with what was asked. Noctis made it clear that royal duties and their roles were not a matter of the present and even though the advisor was one for maintaining rules and following order, for once the perfectionism he placed upon himself was outweighed by what he wanted and felt. He finally locked eyes with the one before him, recalling what the prince had said the night before.
“I will always be your aid as you have been mine.”
Their vulnerability slowly crumbling away, Noctis took one last step forward as Ignis placed his lips upon the others. It started with a gentle press of the lips, the sensation of their lips together connecting as it felt like a burst of static moved throughout their bodies. While Noct’s lips were slightly chapped from the lack of hydration the past few days, the softness of Ignis’ own lips made up for it. Mouths slightly parted as they drew closer to each other, with Noctis’ arms wrapping around the older’s neck and Ignis placing one hand on the younger’s hip as he leaned down slightly. They brought their lips together, truly kissing one another for the very first time. It was warm and felt like everything wrong just melted away, that this was where both of them were meant to be. Lost in their feelings for one another, no rules of royalty or incapacitating illnesses to bring them unhappiness. All that mattered was their touches of hands upon each other’s skin and the claims upon their lips they both needed from one another. A cure made only for them.
As moments passed between quieted moans and pauses to breathe between their passionate liplocking, the two finally pulled away as they stood in front of one another. Ignis was still feeling the aftereffects of the moment, a lightened smile pulling across his lips. While it wasn’t what he ever dreamed of happening, it was not a moment he regretted or one he would take back. Noctis spoke openly how he felt just as Ignis did, but unlike Ignis, Noct was sure of his feelings and he accepted it. Something that the retainer took as a lesson learned from his prince. Now, he was sure of how he felt and he accepted it, even if it took some aid of his own. The two looked at each other, blue and green irises staring at one another—only for the moment to be interrupted by the sound of rumbling as Noctis’ stomach grumbled out in hunger.
“Um…about that offer to get food. Does the offer still stand?”
“Considering you haven’t eaten in two days, I suppose the offer is still valid.”
They both laughed at the sudden interruption, Noctis moving back to the bed upon Ignis’ request. Gathering his wallet and sliding on his shoes, the elder finally went to leave before he felt a hand reach up and grip his own, squeezing lightly as he looked down at the bed.
“Hey Specs.. I’ll always have you right?”
“I will never leave your side. Not now, not ever. You’ll always have me.”