coeurdefeu | For Nocts

[Noctis laughs-]

It's fine, really. You didn't drunk text me, you hungover texted me.

[Now he's curious how completely out of it drunk Ignis looks and sounds like. He wishes he knew Ignis would do binge drinking.]

Mm. What would you like for late lunch?

[Time to change the subject. He doesn't really feel like wallowing in his stupid, useless loneliness right now. Especially around Noctis. That sort of feeling can't be given air, in this relationship. He's already treading thin ice as is.]

[Maybe he should bring it up. And it will definitively end up with Noctis spending way more time with Ignis than he is now. And definitively spend time with him on free days.]

I'm fine with anything, as long as it doesn't have too many veggies. Or weird veggies.

[Because he KNOWS he can't avoid all veggies when Ignis cooks. He can only lower their number.]

I will endeavor to keep the vegetables in their crisper drawer, your highness. And...if you'd like to shower, feel free. There are towels in the cabinet under the sink.

[And with that, he's back into the kitchen, pondering what to do for lunch. Hmm.]

Shower sounds great.

[He gently places Platy on the bed and gets out, scratching back of his head. He fumbles around the bathroom for a few minutes, until he realizes he has no change of clothes with him. He rarely spends time here- it's mostly Ignis who comes over. Clicking his tongue, he peers into the kitchen-]

Hey Iggy. Do you mind if I borrow your pants and shirt? I don't have a change of clothes with me.

Oh? Ah. Yes, that's fine.

[Ignis is just a few inches taller than Noct, after all, but they're built about the same across the chest and waist. The thought of Noctis wearing his clothing, though, sent a small thrill of blushing, flirting shame through him. So he distracts himself with preparing the rice that will go under the chickatrice breast.]

Awesome. Thanks!

[He disappears back into the room and goes through Ignis' impeccable closet. Seriously, this guy...
Easily enough, he finds a pair of pants and one of the blue sweaters he saw Ignis wear once and goes to take a shower. He feels a bit bad for having to "ruin" this spotless place.

He's done with the shower in fifteen minutes and spends another five drying and dressing. Maybe he spends an additional minute or two enjoying the smell of the sweater. But that's a secret. After making sure the bathroom isn't extremely messy with his clothes, he joins Ignis in the kitchen.]

[The roux he's making for the cream sauce does have some peas in it. Knowing Noct he'll pick them out. But an attempt must be made. Once the roux thickens, Ignis stirs in the rice and puts it back on to simmer. He's found that....

Oh.

He stares at Noctis in that sweater and swallows hard. He...he bought that last fall on a whim and forgot he even owned it, as it wasn't appropriate for his Crownsguard fatigues. And he didn't even realize when he bought it that it was almost the precise shade of Noct's eyes.

Oh dear.]

...You found something, I see.

Yeah, [Noct smiles, tugging on the sleeves a bit,] this one's actually really nice. Why don't you wear it? I only saw you wear it once.

[He joins Ignis next to the stove, peering at stuff he's cooking. Everything smells delicious, of course, but he's sure there's going to be some catch in all of this.

Well... maybe he shouldn't give Ignis a further headache and just deal with veggies for today?]

I honestly forgot I owned it. I'm so often in my Crownsguard uniform, after all.

[Honestly, it's 99% vegetable free. The peas are few and far between. Chickatrice and rice with cheesy cream sauce, it's a favorite.]

...It suits you.

[The compliment too easily makes blush rush to Noct's face. He clears his throat as he pokes the fork resting on the counter.]

...T..Thanks.

[A lot of throat clearing-]

What are you making?

[Noct blushing should be outlawed by treaty. Memo to self, have a word with His Majesty about that. Only no.]

Chickatrice and rice. You said you liked it the last time I made it.

[In fact, he holds up a wooden spoon that has a small mouthful of rice on it, blows on it gently, and then offers it to Noctis.]

Care for a taste test?

[He just can't handle Ignis' compliments when they are this sincere. But every time it happens, his mind drifts off that... perhaps he's having too much hope. And somehow pushes those thoughts away.]

Oh? Sure!

[He eagerly accepts offered food then stands back, licking his lips.]

That's awesome. [Noct licks his lips, trying to peer into the pot,] How do you manage to cook like this even after a hangover? I usually barely know my name.

[Ignis is totally not staring at Noct's mouth as it closes over the spoon. Nope. Not at all.]

Well you see, your highness, I don't get blackout drunk, on the rare occasions I do imbibe. And I drink plenty of water.

[Pointed, knowing look. Ahem ahem.]

[Noct frowns-]

I don't remember getting blackout drunk-- ah, [he snaps his fingers] you got me there, Specs.

[He just tries to give him innocent smile, which is not innocent at all. But eventually, he bursts into chuckles.]

Okay. I'll- keep myself more in check. I promise. And I'll drink ten times more water.

[Oh, Noct's dry, wicked humor strikes again. Ignis can't help his answering chuckle, warm and fond.]

As I've said, you're a grown man, capable of making his own decisions. All I ask is that you don't do anything immediately dangerous to life and limb, like drinking and driving. Here, do you mind setting the table?

I know, Iggy. Besides, I think I always let you know whenever I drink.

[There has never been an instance where he didn't inform Ignis of is... questionable, not princely behavior. He nods and picks up the plates-]

Sure, no problem.

Thank you.

[That's both for the table setting and the first part. He's just glad that he can be here for Noctis, no matter what happens or what he does. To have that level of trust between them is...remarkable.

Ignis has one of those fancy glass dining tables, the kind that show every single little ring if a glass is placed directly on it. So part of setting the table is getting out the placemats and coasters. And when Iggy appears with the pot bearing the food, there's an oven mitt that gets placed beneath it.]

[Ignis can believe it or no, but Noctis can't see himself without seeing Ignis next to him, no matter what's going on. It's just impossible for him.

His eyes light up when Ignis puts the food on the table but then groans softly.]

Beans? Really? [He didn't see them earlier from the amount of sauce, but they are there.]

[Ignis rolls his eyes. Ah, his spoiled little prince, whinging again. It's a good thing he finds it endearing.]

No. Peas. I suppose they're both in the legume family, but I promise you, there are no beans in this chickatrice and rice bowl.

[You expected he'd say something else when he sees veggies? Ah well, it doesn't look like it's swarming in bea- uh, peas.]

...alright. [He can handle a handful of beans for delicious food. They will not deter him.]

But only because I know your cooking is good. [If it was anyone else, he'd just avoid it completely.]

I live but to serve.

[Okay that's a touch sarcastic, but it's also very true. As he digs in, he's critiquing his own cooking in his head. Next time the roux should cook down perhaps a minute longer before he adds the cream. Hmm.]

[Noct, on the other hand, has no critique. It's delicious- save for the peas. He doesn't speak up until he's halfway through his food- yes, he was that hungry and the sauce smelled delicious.]

...what do you plan to do today?

Ah. Erm. I had planned on finishing up some paperwork this evening. Perhaps put on some music.

[He knows how pathetic that sounds, and he's not making eye contact. He really shouldn't be saying that he has no plans for the rest of his 'day off.']

Of course, that was predicated on your not being here. Now that you are, I suppose we could play King's Knight? Or go see a movie, if you like.

[An activity outside of the apartments? Noct is always up for that!

If Ignis doesn't have a headache, of course. He does look better than he looked last night, that's for sure. Also, he still wants to ask him why he was drinking by himself. At least Noct told him last time about himself. But... that night didn't end on lighter end, did it? It's a bit fuzzy, but he has a feeling he made Ignis annoyed by the end of it.]

The movie sounds great actually. It's been a while since we went out! [He shoves more food in his mouth-] Oh, but if you pick anything bad, you're paying for the ice cream after the movie.

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