King's hand

Keep telling yourself that you've been playing nice, now beg for FORGIVENESS

[fuyoart]

[chosenbythecrystal-archived]

Ignis had always been more mature than him – better at keeping a cool head. That was part of what made him such a great advisor, that and his seemingly infinite patience when it came to Noctis. He'd be lost without him.

"He clearly doesn't trust me. If he did, he wouldn't keep things from me." He knew that his dad was just trying to protect him – to give him some semblance of a normal life before he was expected to take the throne. It was too late for that though. He was days away from getting married as part of the very treaty that his father didn't want him to attend the signing of.

He let the matter drop for now though. He recognised that tone. Ignis wasn't giving him much room to argue.

"Yeah, sure." Honestly, he had no idea what he should take with him aside from the little wooden carbuncle figure he always kept close. The last time he'd left home had been their trip to Tenebrae back when he was a kid. He supposed he should start with clothes and work from there. "What are you making?"

[intxlligibility]

He listens to the venting, but offers nothing in return. There is nothing to discuss in the end, even if he so wishes he could put Noctis' worries to rest. Reassure him that the King does trust him, but that this is to keep him safe from an unknown threat. But he keeps quiet.

"A little of everything, I suppose. We need to work through your food supply, lest it'll go bad during our trip" A smile, gentle, as he turns his head in Noctis' direction. "Pancakes for lunch, unless you disagree?"

There is still a gnawing worry at the back of his mind, but a worry he would prefer to carry on his own for now. Yet despite the worry, the smile is genuine, for he holds nothing but warmth and adoration towards the prince. The boy, now a man, he grew up alongside, his best friend.

[ruinedbycatastrophe]

Gladio raised a brow at that. Guess driving for so long would cause someone to get jumpy. Normally he had a break but with both of the two in the backseat passed out, there wasn't much that could be helped. And Gladio was banned from driving because he got road rage. Or at least that's what Iris had made sure to tell Ignis three years ago and now it's just apart of his character now. The words came off harsh. Gladio's fingers clenched on his book. The drop and rage that swirled in his chest, he pushed down. Everyone lost someone. It wasn't just him. He knew that. But damn did Ignis know where to stab him where it hurts. "You're tired." He replied, his grip relaxing. The Shield looked ahead at the road itself. There was a long pause. "I was gonna get engaged.I was seeing this girl for a bit. But she didn't really understand the whole Shield thing so." Amber hues flicker around them at the unending road. "So that didn't happen." More silence. "Hey, there's a haven ahead. Just pull over. You need to rest your eyes."

[intxlligibility]

"I'm fine"

The words are cold ( matching his voice ) at the suggestion of a break. Perhaps this iciness in his persona has come to stay. Constantly watching their backs, making sure they are all fed and warm. Less a person, more a caretaker to tend to their needs, and he doesn't much mind. It is what he was made for after all.

"There is a motel an hour from here. I am aiming to reach it before dark" A quick explanation to keep Gladio off his back with his nagging. "Tell me more about her. She must have been rather special to have caught your eyes"

( a change of the subject )

Jealousy has a grip on his chest, another negative emotion growing within his being. A fouler mood, which he truly only finds pathetic. They have bigger things to worry about, but instead Ignis is letting this childish crush he's been harboring for the Shield get the better of him.

There is no room for romance in his life.

And so, he sends Gladio another quick look. An attempt for a warmer glance, but it doesn't really show through the exhaustion, and so his eyes return to the road once more.

[intxlligibility]

im not dead, but you know. life's doing stuff.

My activity will forever be sporadic. I get these sudden bursts of inspiration now and again. Sometimes I think I'll never return to this hellsite, and whenever I do return I have forgotten how this site works cause it's ever changing and I am old.

but yeah. i am here... sometimes. discord me if you want.

[sylleblosscm]

@intxlligibility x

There is a chill in the Altissian air, dampening the celebratory spirit that still lingers from the Tidemother’s awakening. The city is battered, but she is not destroyed. 

 Tomorrow, the Oracle will leave this place, freer than she’s ever been. Accompanying Noctis and his retinue to complete the final gauntlet awaiting them in Lucis before venturing on to retrieve the Crystal. But heavy weighs her heart, the beat of it echoing far too loudly in her chest. Leviathan has taken her toll upon Lunafreya’s flesh, as will, unboutedly, the remaining Astrals. Though there is not a doubt in her mind Noctis will rid the darkness from their star, she likely will not live to see it. And she cannot bear to tell him. 

 Luna shrinks further into the warmth of her shawl as a violent shiver wracks her body. Footfalls break her reverie and she turns to greet their source. ❝Good evening, Ignis.❞

 She does not ask why he is not resting. Through Noctis, she has come to know the man before her well. Anticipating every solution before the problem arises. Much like her, he is oft preoccupied with the wellbeing of others. So to her, the answer is obvious: tomorrow, Noctis’ arduous journey continues. And, like her, he is worried for the Prince’s wellbeing. 

 Instead, she says: ❝This city is beautiful, is it not? We would do well to savour the sight while we can.❞

[intxlligibility]

The urge has never been so strong as it is today. He can feel it as far as the tip of his fingers. A straining need for a cigarette. He quit years ago, never truly suffering the pain of withdrawal. ( until today ).

He should feel rejuvenated after that overdue shower, should feel a slight relief for their hard fought victory really, but he doesn't. The risks grow higher every day. Death waiting at their doorstep, breathing down their necks.

A breath. Deep and shaken. Fingers through his hair, longer and now more of a hassle to tame than before. Is this truly the life Noctis were destined to lead? His fingers knead into the tension knots in his neck, wills away the beginning of a headache. ( they are present every day by now ).

Fresh air. The start of a panic attack lingers, but he cannot afford to succumb to the familiar darkness. ( they all depend on you ). But as he walks into the cool air, another presence meets him. The calming light of Lady Lunafreya, and though he should scold her for being awake at this hour, he should just as well scold himself.

"Good evening, My Lady" He walks to stand beside her, but says nothing more at this time, instead he removes his glasses to wipe away imaginary dust with his shirt. The lights are blurry in the distance, he doesn't really wish to see them, not with the smoke and fire so fresh in mind. As if the scent has permanently found a home in his nostrils.

With the glasses back on his face, he finds himself leaning more towards the city, towards the cold ocean breeze.

"How are you, My Lady?" He finally asks after some time of silence.

[intxlligibility]

Ignis is the type of person who always wins at Mario Party for some reason.

[intxlligibility]

@ofglaiveandguard continued from here Cor couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at that. It was in moments like this that the young advisor reminded him of Weskham – he was a damn good cook too. He could relate in a sense though. Cor wasn't a massive reader himself – he just didn't have the time – unless it was a mission report or paperwork. He wasn't the biggest fan of people though. “Oh, I think you'll find that there are some people out there who mean more to you than books." Cor spoke from experience. Regis, Clarus, Weskham and Cid...they were his brothers in all but blood. "And you'll mean just as much to them."

Brows knit together. Eyes, wise beyond his age, as if his soul belongs to an old man rather than a fifteen year old; looks away, followed next by the slightest of sighs.

Cor is right, of course, he knows this. It's just that... well. He is frustrated. Very much so.

"They don't think I'm good enough. It doesn't bother me ( a lie ), but I know I am just as good a fighter as they are"

Ignis knows well enough that the glaives will never see him as one of them, that he will fight for his place not only with them, but also as the youngest member of the council and advisor to the crown prince. ( and for the fact only that he is Tenebraean ).

He picks at his nails, a nervous habit, as another glance is sent towards the training hall. It's not like he's alone, he's got plenty of people around him, he just lacks personal relations. ( mostly due to his own disinterest in anything but his duty )

[ruinedbycatastrophe]

"Iggy--" He can't even stop him. Once Ignis decides something, it's hard to get him to do anything. Gladio grunts knowing it's probably the better and safer idea but that doesn't mean he's okay with it. In fact, it pisses him off a little. Which is good. He can use that. "No, we only have so many of those. Save those for Prompto, he gets fucked out there." The Shield shakes his head. "We'll just. Make a bandage. I can make it until then." The survivalist is coming out in the Shield, a skill every Shield must have in their abilities. Of course his dad would be right back that one. "I'll just. Tear my shirt a bit. Wrap it around it. And we'll get to the shelter. Yeah? Easy pickin's."

[intxlligibility]

The crease between his brows deepens with the frown. He stares at Gladio for only a moment, then he shakes his head. They cannot afford to risk his health, not when he holds such an important role to all of them.

"No. You will not argue with me on this one, Gladiolus"

He is frustrated, which can be heard in the sharpness of his voice. One hand, firm against his shoulder to keep him down, the other lifts Gladio's shirt to get a better look at the damage; and he curses silently. This reckless idiot.

Already, he is reaching into the armiger for a potion. It will not be enough to restore and mend the injury, but it will ( hopefully ) be enough to get them to the haven so that Ignis can address the wound better.

"Do you realize what will happen should you perish? Because I don't think you do"

Stray hair hangs down his face, green eyes determined yet with a hint of fear. He is tired, they are all tired, but as he locks eyes with Gladio, he pushes the potion into his hand, half begging him to take it.

"We wouldn't last twenty-four hours, Gladio. I can't do this on my own..."

[intxlligibility]

What herb are you?

Oregano

You are home to so many people and yet you're not at home with yourself. Everyone needs something from you and you desperately try to prove that you're enough but you're never enough, never good enough, never even you despite all of that. Your hands shake but only when you're never looking at them and your smile is so ever-present you can't help but wonder if its fake, wonder how much of you is real. You're a caretaker, but are you even good at that, or are you faking yourself out into believing you're something that you wish you could, someone that someone else needed you to be when you were small and so full of need and hope and fragility? Who are you underneath the need to be someone's home? Who are you when you come home to yourself?

Tagged by: @ruinedbycatastrophe

[writtenxbeginnings]

"Yeah, thank Titan that Noct had to pee at that last rest stop." The blonde chuckled quietly again, remembering his friend whining in the back seat, complaining that he needed to piss. They had been trying to beat the sun, get as far as they could, but they had agreed and grabbed some extra stuff while they were there. His eyes flickered up, watching the older man's face as he got quiet, surely lost in his own head. It always unnerved the gunner when Gladio got quiet, and while Iggy was always more reserved, even some of his quiet moments made Prompto hesitate.

The question had Prompto pausing, letting the rag stay in the sink for a moment under the slowly running water. "I'm fine, Iggy. Look." The smile on his face was soft, light and sincere as he held up his hand, gloves set off to the side. There were a few scratches along his palm, slightly red from him moving his hand around, but no blood to be seen. "I promise, if it starts to bother me I promise I'll put some ointment on it, alright?"

[intxlligibility]

Fingers brush against the redness of Prompto's skin, gently tracing the scratches as if to reassure himself that his boyfriend is indeed fine. Next, he brings his hand to his lips and presses a very soft kiss to the back of it before releasing another deep breath. Feeling the adrenaline ebbing away within.

"Today was a bit too close. I fear my heart is not made for such excitement. Especially when it's a matter of life and death"

He holds Prompto's hand in his still. His thumb now brushes the underside of his wrist, feeling the steady rhythm of his pulse in yet another way to reassure and calm his worry.

They survived yet again.

[intxlligibility]

@ruinedbycatastrophe said “You really don’t realize just how many people love you, do you?” | Gladio

When did he become so sentimental? True, Gladio has always been a weak spot to him, but never so much as to shake him. Not like this.

He stops, takes a deep breath and turns. His brows are furrowed, lips in a thin line which pulls on the scars marred permanently into his skin. Does he feel particularly confident at this moment, no, not at all, and it shows in the way his arms cross over his chest, almost as if to protect himself from Gladio's words.

"What is your point?"

His voice sounds alien to him, rusty, like it hasn't been used in a while, yet sharp, and as a warning to end this conversation before it has even begun. He isn't sure he can deal with this now; or ever really.

Now should be a time to celebrate, to chase happiness, but Ignis is tired; has been tired for such a long time, and why he's avoided everyone at any available chance.

Clearly, it would seem Gladio knows him as well as ever.

[intxlligibility]

[ It’s been very hectic at work lately, and it’s just gonna get worse in the weeks to come, so I am very unsure how much I’ll be on here. I’ll still be around, just not sure if I’ll be able to write anything.

Discord or Wire would be the easiest places for me, send me a dm or sumthinnn if you’d like my contacts anywhere else but here. Mutuals only plz.

Ilu. Take care in this stupid, hectic shitshow of a holiday❤️✨❤️ ]

[aceflorins]

I miss them. c':

[ldefix]

Ignis is a fine chef and is trying his best

[chilledfoodtin]

Older Wavenis

[astral-sphere]

[intxlligibility]

@royalbratprince said "Hey, Iggy. Is there... anything I can do to help..?" Was it like him to offer help making dinner? It absolutely wasn't. But he had before! Sometimes! Every once in a great while, and often after they had a disagreement or something, but... can't a guy just want to help? Be close to comforting sights and sounds and smells? And if he just happened to be able to hide any vegetables, that may or may not be a bonus.

The caffeine seeps into his bones with each sip, steadies his hands and mind in such a manner he assumes should be a concern, yet with the list of other things to turn his attention towards, this simply slips his mind as a small inconvenience.

When Noct speaks, he has resumed the task at hand; cooking, and with the kitchen knife in hand he continues his work.

"I appreciate the offer, highness, but I am quite all right. Perhaps, if you've a mind, you could aid me in cleaning some of the dishes in the sink? Or; while I've got my mind on it, I specifically remember a certain someone complaining about his laundry earlier today, it's not going to do itself after all"

Once more, he raises the can of ebony to his lips, green eyes sparkle with a certain mischief when he casts a glance Noct's way; the smallest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips.