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

[He stiffens in the embrace, but allows it.]

That certainly sounds like something I would do. Maybe I'll eventually be able to handle myself in combat completely. Coming here was an unexpected end to the constant adrenaline and chaos. I've had too much time to think... I can't say I like it.

You? Not liking a chance to think?

[But he understands completely.]

We'll be fine, Iggy. Promise.

Thinking productively and ruminating are very different things. I appear to be doing the latter. I'll make myself busy soon enough.

[Caren's a handful, and he'll be doing the magic study group.]

Yes, I'll be fine. It was a momentary concern. [Lying.] I won't stop pushing forward.

[Does he call him out on that? Because Prompto knows it's not temporary.]

I know you won't. You totally annihilated a malboro while blind.

Did I?

[He tries to sound bright, amused.]

Yeah. Not gonna lie, it was badass.

[He's trying, okay?]

A-and you and Gladio and Noct made your way through Zegnautus Keep despite daemons and MTs everywhere and out of the three of you, you were totally the one least beat up.

[The effort is appreciated by Ignis. He so very rarely needs to be comforted, or reassured in any way, but the fact that he'll lose a precious thing and still not have protected Noct from death haunts him to no end. Maybe years from now he'll have coped with it, but for now... it's raw and horrible.

Still, he can't let Prompto down.]

Did we? Perhaps I learned a thing or two, after all.

[A pause.]

I hope I can properly express my gratitude at some point. I could have said a dozen more things to you are the Bonding ceremony, but I didn't, and I hope I'll find a way to say them in the future. Knowing you were the one who helped me recover... it doesn't necessarily surprise me, but it makes me feel like I gravely missed your warmest qualities.

Whaddya mean?

[Warmest qualities?]

You said plenty at the Bond! I don't know what else you could've said.

Perhaps it's better left unsaid.

[He doesn't want to make Prompto self-conscious, after all.]

At any rate, you say you've taken good care of me, and now it's my turn to do well for you. Let's have you lie back again so I can warm your joints more.

[Which Prompto does, sighing a little in relief.]

Thanks, Iggy. You didn't have to.

You say that, but you forget this kind of thing is absolutely my pleasure. I take pride in my role, as you know.

[He smiles, and it's finally really sincere.]

It's nice to stay busy.

Yeah but...I'm not Noct. Taking care of me isn't your job like it is with him, so...thanks.

Taking care of both of you is a privilege.

[He tries not to make it sound so formal, so detached. Maybe with Noct it started as duty, as a job, but now he truly enjoys the time they spend together, and he long has. He's come to appreciate Prompto as well, especially for the things he does for Noct. The three of them are Bonded now, and he treasures it more than he'll say. More than he'll let on. Like he'd rarely tell Noct just how much he values him as a person, as a friend, he'll hold these Bonds close to his chest and keep them quietly beloved. He wouldn't know how to do anything else.]

But, in any case, you're entirely welcome. If ever you need something, ask, without reservation. I insist.

[Prompto nods, and Ignis can probably pick up on a little bit of emotional turmoil right now as he considers something. He's tired. He hurts. This is the first full moon he's had a Bond for and honestly?

He just wants to cuddle. But would Ignis like that?]

[Oh, he feels it loud and clear. He looks Prompto over and smiles faintly.]

I won't be unkind about it, whatever it is. If I can help, I want to. Sincerely.

[...oh. Right. He can sense that now.

Prompto chuckles self-consciously and shrugs.]

I just...touch helps? And not gonna lie, I kinda miss falling asleep all on each other...

[Ignis hears that, and looks Prompto over, considering... Then he moves to toe off his shoes.

The nest Prompto has built up on the couch is substantial, but Ignis isn't deterred. It may be an unconventional request, but he finds himself pulling up some of the blankets and edging back to the other side of the couch so he can encourage Prompto to move over and lay on him, his head on Ignis' chest or shoulder.]

Here. Come closer, if you don't mind.

[The very idea spikes some kind of emotion through Ignis, and through the Bond. It's soft, and kind, and warm.]

Wait--seriously?

[But he moves, promptly cuddling up to Ignis and resting his head on the other's shoulder.]

You don't mind?

[If it were Noct he wouldn't have even asked. They fall asleep on each other all the damn time after gaming. But it's Iggy!]

Not in the least.

[He speaks softly, wrapping an arm around Prompto, shifting so he can stretch his legs or make them comfortable however he must. Ignis won't mind if he himself is uncomfortable, so long as it soothes Prompto. He'll arrange the cushions and pillows a bit, wedging them here and there to support Prompto's legs and his probably aching back and hips, too.

He didn't expect to feel happy about this, but he's actually weirdly content with the closeness. It's kind of... nice. He's blaming the Bond, because it made him feel the same way about Caren when he first arrived, like he wanted what she wanted, and that being closer emotionally and physically was everything.

Maybe he's holding him a little more intimately than he should. He doesn't know.]

Is this fine? Get comfortable however you'd like, and pull the blankets up, if you care to.

[Which he does, because cold.

And he feels that contentment, which helps him feel a little less awkward about doing this. Still awkward because it's Prompto and he's just Like That, but he does sort of snuggle closer after glancing over to make sure there's room for Noct if he shows up.]

Thanks, Iggy. Seriously.

[Ignis feels the awkwardness, and there's guilt... Like he's done something wrong. It's a momentary flash, and he sighs softly to clear his head. Once Prompto seems relatively settled, he pulls the blankets a bit more to cover them both, then seems to settle in for the duration.]

You're very welcome. It's... cozy, isn't it?

[Iggy, relax. Prompto is just an awkward chocobo.

Puppy.

Whatever.]

Totally. Also? I can feel your arm muscles like this and they are unfair, dude.

[A chuckle.]

You're talking to me about intimidating and unfair arms?

[???

He can't even hide his bafflement.]

Yeah? Dude, Gladio may have arms of stone but you can totally break me with yours and I would thank you.

Is that so?

[Honestly he is trying not to laugh. He's so amused.]

I rather like yours. Not that I compare us, of course.

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