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The first time they kissed, Soren had whimpered, he looked like the world had become full of every color possible as opposed to monochrome for the first time in his life. As if he didn't know this sort of thing could happen or even existed.
It hurt Ike to know the reason why Soren looked that way, and it strengthened his resolve to make sure Soren knew just how much and how deeply he loved him for the rest of their lives.
He stared up at Ike, lips glossy and parted, eyes slightly watery, his wonder and disbelief betraying his usual stoicism.
He looked like a puppy. A hurt puppy desperate for comfort. Ike couldn't hold back anymore. He grabbed Soren to him, a bit forcefully, and held him tightly in his arms.
For the first time in his life, Ike knew what it felt like to truly desire.
When Ike had learned just how they had first met and hearing more of it from Soren's perspective during their conversation in the tower, it made him fully understand why Soren was so devoted to him and stayed by his side through all their hardships. The embrace they shared after that conversation had helped him realize just how important they were to each other. It had changed something within him.
He didn't care for things like money or power. He never wanted much. A place to sleep and a meal to eat was plenty enough to keep him satisfied. Those exact things he realizes, with dread, was something Soren went without for a long painful time.
Seeing Soren look at him like that broke something within him. Left him aching with desire.
Desire to protect him, desire to show him he's loved, desire to hold him in his arms all night long and prove to him in every way possible how important Soren is. How much he's needed, how much Ike wants him, desires him in every way.
He had desired to lay his lips upon Soren’s for a while before he actually had the chance. Ike is a man of few words but always meaningful and forthright in his actions.
Until the wars had ended, he hadn't gotten a chance, which is quite unlike himself, he thought of how he'd take any piece of food he could get his hands on the second he was hungry.
Why hadn't he kissed Soren before this? He had the desire to do so. That he hadn't proves to him just how taxing the wars truly were.
War had taken more than the obvious things like the countless lives lost such as his father's. The things people often didn't think about was how it had also stolen his youth, his time, and his innocence. Ike thinks back to his conversation with Devdan all those years ago. He won't let life pass him by. He won't let the things that matter go unspoken.
The thought of “why hadn't I done this sooner?” Still runs through his head. He could have given Soren more comfort, given him more time to heal, but Ike quickly pushes those thoughts away. He is not one for regret, he vows to prove himself to Soren in the present and every second that follows now. He will make sure that Soren gets the comfort and reassurance he needs. The love that he had been starved of his whole life. That's what matters.
Soren fully relaxed and settled into his arms, his heartbeat no longer frantic and loud. Soft and slow, beating in time with his own now. This is truly where they both belong.