Bonds and Talks and Chocobros, Oh My! [closed]

[clickclickbang]

Who: Prompto Argentum, Noctis Lucis Caelum, and Ignis Scientia
When: July 6th onwards
Where: Prompto's place and Noct/Iggy's place
What: Bonding needs to happen stat, but so do some important conversations.
Warnings: TBD

Starters below because there's a lot of threads about to happen here.

Comments

[quickrecipeh]

I'm sure.

[He says it in the same way one might say dinner is served: it's set, he's going to do it, and Prompto doesn't have a choice. But yes, this is Ignis being his usual caring self, so get over it.

Smiling, he ushers Prompto into the other room and waits for him to get comfortable before joining him by sitting on the edge of the couch cushion.]

Admittedly, I haven't tried this particular application of magic, but I think I can combine what I've learned about healing magic with the fire. It shouldn't be too difficult, though it may take a moment to figure out.

[clickclickbang]

[He's still adjusting to this, okay. He knows what Ignis vowed but like. It's Prompto.

Prompto gets comfortable in his little nest again, wincing as he stretches out his legs as best he can. There's even pawpads on his feet, now.]

That's--ah--fine. Just please don't set me on fire, the fountain in the yard's frozen over.

[quickrecipeh]

I won't actually generate any fire. If I set you on fire, you're free to scold me.

[Scold him, Prompto, he dares you. But he scoots in a little closer as Prompto stretches out, and looks to his face with a gentle, confident smile. Then he looks back down again, running a hand gingerly down Prompto's lower leg, seeing if he can generate the heat without the flame. It doesn't work right away, but eventually--once he removes his gloves--there's a marked difference in temperature.]

There we are. Now, why don't you tell me where it aches, and I'll work on those spots first?

[clickclickbang]

[Prompto moans as the heat starts to sink in, tail going nuts behind him.]

The knee and ankle, mostly. I'm not walking normally and ow does that hurt. Or, well, not walking like a human does.

[quickrecipeh]

[Cute... He applies a little pressure to Prompto's ankle joint.]

Does pressing on it hurt?

[clickclickbang]

[In response that...sure is a vaguely canine yelp.]

Uh...a bit. Not a lot but maybe don't do that again.

[quickrecipeh]

[Ah, he'll have to get used to that. The yelp makes Ignis withdraw his hand a bit, and the warmth stops.]

I'd thought to give you a massage of sorts, but it's very tender, isn't it?

[clickclickbang]

For now, yea--massage?

[What.]

[quickrecipeh]

I've done it for Gladio after an injury, so I'm of a mind that it'll help you, too.

[clickclickbang]

--oh. Oh.

[Look, he's tired and in pain. He's not thinking clearly.]

Maybe! Not right not but maybe later?

[quickrecipeh]

[What were you even thinking he meant??? Never mind, Ignis doesn't want to know.

Back to the warm touches then, delicate and gentle.]

I'll just apply the heat, then. It may help with the pain.

[clickclickbang]

[Look. Look.

Prompto nods, finally relaxing with a sigh.]

Thanks, Iggy. For the curry and this--you didn't have to, y'know.

[quickrecipeh]

I'm afraid you're going to have to get used to my customary level of care.

[He smiles over at Prompto.]

In other words, this is what I signed up for, so this is what I'm happy to do.

[clickclickbang]

[Prompto hums, unsure of how to respond because...this is a level of care he only ever really saw aimed at Noct. At least obviously, but he may have missed it before.]

Sorry. Just not used it, y'know?

[quickrecipeh]

It's fine. I hope I didn't alarm you.

[Well... hopefully he'll get used to it so Ignis won't feel awkward helping out. It's his privilege and pleasure to do so, honestly. And even if Prompto won't get the royal treatment he gives Noct, he'll at least get some general fussing and doting. Believe it or not, Ignis likes being needed and wanted around.]

Would you prefer I be less hands-on about this? I might be able to heat up an inanimate object, so you can use that instead.

[clickclickbang]

No, no! This is fine, I'm a touchy-feely kinda guy, y'know? I just...didn't think you were, that's all. You seemed on edge after--

[Wait. Ignis hasn't lost his sight yet. He has no idea what Prompto's talking about.]

[quickrecipeh]

Frankly... in general, you would be correct. I don't tend to touch people as often as others might.

[He runs his hand up Prompto's leg slowly, palm and fingers hovering just over his skin.]

However, if it's useful, I'll do it. I've comforted Noct when he was ill, helped Gladio with minor injuries... Not that either of them will admit to that, I'm sure. At any rate, I'm capable of doing what the job requires.

[clickclickbang]

Gladio gets hurt?

[A joke. Prompto chuckles but then falls silent.]

But you don't like other people touching you.

[Not a question.]

[quickrecipeh]

[Ignis falls silent. Prompto knows something.]

You're correct. I usually don't care for it. I appreciate having personal space. However... if something requires physical contact, I won't shy away. And... this place has, strangely, changed some things for me rather rapidly. I'm not sure if it's the Bond...

[He thinks for a moment.]

No, I can't wholly blame the Bond. It's been quite the experience.

[clickclickbang]

Not just the Bond?

[Huh.]

Like...what else changed?

[quickrecipeh]

A few things.

[He runs his hand slowly up and down Prompto's leg as he explains, focusing on the stress points Prompto indicated earlier. He'll switch to the other leg in a moment.]

I think I've had time to digest what we've gone through, and it made me realize that I ought to be more open with the people I care about. And... another matter, but I doubt you'd like to hear about it, so suffice to say I'm becoming more comfortable with things.

[clickclickbang]

[....did.

Did Ignis get laid? Is that what he's implying there? Holy shit.]

That's...good. Maybe now you'll let me help...

[Wait crap. He shakes his head.]

Uh, ignore that, sorry, I'm tired and just babbling!

[quickrecipeh]

[The very same. Multiple times. That weirdness slipping into the Bond the day he went to Bond with Caren? Yeah. Add it up, Prompto.]

Help? ...I could ignore it, but I'd appreciate you speaking your mind.

[clickclickbang]

[Prompto pauses, biting his lip and wondering how best to phrase it]

When...after Altissia, you...obviously you need help. And Noct wasn't able to do it and I don't think Gladio knew how so...I did.

[Do the math.]

[quickrecipeh]

[There's so much math in this conversation.

Ignis looks up at him, frowning at first, brow furrowed. Of course Noct would have been too shell shocked to do much, and besides that it wasn't his job to take care of Ignis. It's... possible he also saw him as a liability, Ignis realizes, and that hurts him deeply. The same for Gladio. Of course Gladio would think he was a liability at that point. He was probably utterly useless in Prompto's time. Incapable of doing anything for himself. If Prompto was kind enough to help him...

There's a distinct sadness in the Bond between them that probably echoes right to Noct. A feeling of complete despair. He tries to cover it.]

And I resisted the attempt?