walk tall, my (boy)friends

16. things you said when with no space between us + 2. On the couch/loveseat “That couch will be our undoing,” Ignis forewarned before Noctis simply took his hand and fell back on the furniture, taking the advisor down with him. Ignis’ long legs were awkwardly positioned  over the edge of the couch and the tips of his winklepickers touched the floor, one hand was braced against the cushion and other a steel vise on Noctis’ arm. When he stretched his neck up to the prince, a lecture on his tongue that the younger man was seconds away from hearing it in that distinguished, polished accent. But Noctis dared to flash a grin back, a bold and foolhardy move, but he could withstand the consequences. “Oops.” “Noct…” Ignis began, sternly. Noctis casually brought the flustered advisor into his embrace, sighing deeply. “Bed’s too far away and I’m feeling…” The yawn wasn’t a lie. And neither was the fact that Noctis had been thinking of holding his boyfriend like this the entire day. “Sleepy.” Noctis didn’t relax his embrace for what felt like an eternity until Ignis conceded with a sigh, “Just this once.” He swiftly removed his glasses and handed them to Noctis to place them on the table behind him. “We’ll do things your way.” “Thought you’d put up a bigger fight. Was gonna bring out the big guns if you did.” Eyes closed shut, Ignis shushed him with a smile and for once, refrained from comment. Always having the last word, this time he choose not to and he moved to a more feasible position. His lids were heavy with sleep when Noctis woke up, only took moments to register that Ignis was still in his arms, deeply asleep. It’s not so often that they had the opportunity to sleep together and even less to take a nap in the middle of the day. The prince arched his neck and ghosted his fingers errant chestnut strands that fell over Ignis’ face, musing over all they’ve went through, the trials that tested their mettle, for the kingdom and for their lives. Noctis considered that abstractions such as peace and order don’t mean much to Ignis. He was always loyal to people first, but that allegiance never skewed his core principles. Ignis was just Ignis. Ever so careful, the prince gently tapped the prominent bump on the bridge of the advisor’s nose, always he loved that imperfection despite counterarguments of it being unattractive. Knowing him, Ignis would stop at nothing to save Noctis because he believed that he would do the same for him. Noctis gathered Ignis’ hand and pressed his lips against the scarring before his fingers folded over it. It was because Ignis knew Noctis would do the same for him. “Thanks for never giving up on me, Iggy.” Noctis’ eyes were turning unaccountably hot, and Ignis’ visage swam with unshed tears. “But I’m selfish. I want you to be by my side forever.” Ignis’ lips moved, groggy but clear as a bell. “Mhm, I want that as well.” “W-what?” Noctis’ voice hitched in his throat. He didn’t mean to say that aloud. His tongue betrayed him. “You heard all that?” “Was I not supposed to?” Ignis hummed like a cat that located the cream. “Your heart’s racing.” Before Noctis could deny or budge, the advisor laid his ear on the softness of the prince’s chest to listen closer. “Do you not know already that your selfishness coincides with mine?” He inhaled deeply as he traced lazy patterns in the prince’s arm. “You? Selfish?” Noctis snorted back a laugh. “Are we talking about the same Ignis Scientia who gave his all to make sure Lucis still has a king? You deserve a goddamn medal.” “I have no need for that when I have something better. Much better.” Ignis looked up to him expectedly, smiling. The answer was clear as to what he thought was the greater reward, but Noctis rested his hand on his cheek. It would be pointless to mince words or retreat when there was no space between them. “You…” he trailed off, momentarily at a loss for words as he stroked the stars that graced the older man’s cheek. “Are more than I could ask for, Iggy. And I’m not going to let you forget it.”