Reunion at Lestallum 2

[threevirtues]

It's been, well, not super long since Prompto's visit to Gladio. The first where he's truly seen his friend- and now perhaps something more that he's still getting used to- in what feels like a lifetime. That exchange of raw emotion and pent up feelings was step one in a two-step plan the boy is now utterly determined to see through.

Talcott read him for absolute filth when they finally met in person. They miss you though, y'know. That seemingly simple statement set off an absolute avalanche within Prompto. It was already eating away at him, exhausting his heart to stay away from Ignis and Gladio for so long. Being isolated from them did nothing but hurt, but he always told himself it was for the best. That maybe he failed the two of them. Took every excuse, every shred of self loathing to keep himself away.

But after hearing they were back together, and missed him? His heart couldn't take it anymore.

First, he apologized and laid his heart bare to Gladio. Now, he's given Ignis the first call in literal years to see if he wanted to meet up. To catch up, is what he said, but there's so very much more that Prompto needs to say. To put out there, despite fears it won't go anywhere at all.

"Just tell me where to meet you and when, and I'll be there," he said. Wherever and whenever, he will find his way to Ignis.

"If it's for you, Prompto, I think the question really is when are you free?"

Because for Ignis, having not heard from the other man in so long through any way that hasn't been him being the one to reach out or drop by Hammerhead when his journeys have occasionally taken him there...

He's not wholly sure he could see him soon enough.

But in the end, at least there is a constant route between Lestallum and Hammerhead. One that makes it easy for the other man to hop onto the next ride that ferries supplies and Hunters between the places. Ignis makes sure that he's there when the truck pulls into the blazing hot town, right there along the railings which look out into the long night. Ignis keeps his head cocked, listening to different voices and footsteps, distinguishing one from the other.

"Any time for you, man. I'll make it work."

Make it work Prompto does. He tries not to revel the sheer butterflies he's feeling, but there isn't a snowball's chance that Ignis won't notice a particular, not-quite-but-sort-of-nervous sound to the way he moves along with his otherwise familiar energetic gait. He bounces along, trying to just focus on the excitement of seeing Iggy again.

The rest can come later.

Luckily the ride proved as uneventful as a journey through Daemon-riddled wastelands can be. That is to say, some sharpshooting here and there, but most kept away from the truck's bright lights. Ignis is of course right there waiting for him. It is then that Prompto hops off and trots his way over.

"Hey man...Been a hot minute, huh?" The boy makes a point to announce himself before getting up close to give his friend a brief, almost playful pat on the shoulder.

It's always easy to know where Prompto is. Even now, years later since they all traveled together in the Regalia. There's an energy to his steps that Ignis could always pick up on even when he still had his eyesight, listening to it while he was busy cooking up something. So it's hardly a surprise, even without Prompto speaking up, to feel that pat on his shoulder.

"It has been a while, I suppose," Ignis says, as though it hasn't been ages and ages. "Was there any trouble on the trip?"

"Trouble? Course not! After all, they had hotshot Hunter, Prompto Argentum to keep them safe and secure- and in style!"

He laughs, though Ignis may notice an edge of...Exhaustion in his voice. A strain, something not easy to catch for the average person interacting with Prompto. Ignis, however, is far from average.

"How've you been holding up over here in Lestallum? I'm sure you're working yourself into the ground."

"I've taken no more than I'm capable of, I assure you." Granted, this may be a point of contention with those he loves, but, well. They're not here to contradict him, so instead he nods in the direction of Prompto's voice. "Would you like to go with me to the camper? We can talk a little more comfortably there."

He's already making the move towards it, however. It may be enough to actually startle Prompto, frankly, considering the last time he actually saw him in purpose was with the cane, carefully feeling out the world so that he could just make it through another day. Yet the cane is nowhere to be seen, and every step is certain and confident.

"It's good that the others were safe and secure... but what of yourself?"

Yeah, sure. Workaholic Ignis? Prompto doesn't believe it. But for now, he tables that argument.

"Sure, let's go. Lead on!"

Ignis leads on, and Prompto gets to see that new confidence and finesse with which the man moves, caneless, and it stuns him. He stays frozen in place merely watching in wonder before realizing he has to keep up. He bounces his way after Ignis, having to actually really get a move on to catch up by his side.

Oh. That question. Hm.

"Me? I'm fine! Just took some potshots at daemons. Showed off. Could be worse as far as living in the apocalypse goes."

He purposely dodges around what Ignis is probably really asking about; how is he? Hilarious how the blonde thinks that will work, at all.

Indeed, it is not a very subtle effort. Ignis supposes he should be glad that, with some of the people he surrounds himself with, they're not particularly good liars. It makes it easier when he can't read their facial expressions.

"I see." And there's the camper. Only here does Ignis raise a hand up, finding the wall and recalibrating things in an instant before making his way to the door. "But one could be better as well."

Ah. He knows that tone of voice. Prompto isn't getting out of this one. He follows Ignis inside, huffing quietly.

"I mean, everyone could be better with the situation goin' on, right?"

"Indeed." Taking a seat there at the small built-in table, Ignis tilts his hear to Prompto.

"But I have a feeling there are things you could be doing that would make you feel better." And there is one hand settle right there in the middle of the table, in plain sight. "What made you call, Prompto?"

Prompto settles right in to the chair opposite of Ignis, the gesture sending flashes of fond memories through his head. All that does is make his heart ache even more, really. His eyes linger on that hand, and the blond cannot shake the thought of how much he just wants to lace their fingers together and-

"I uh, guess I wanted to say I was sorry. For just bugging off like I did. Barely calling, or anything at all. I told Gladio the same thing before he-"

Before he kissed me. Prompto doesn't finish that thought aloud, but knows damn well Ignis knows. Gladio would never make a move without his blessing after all. The fact any move was made on him is something Prompto is still reeling over. It makes butterflies start up in his stomach all over again.

He clears his throat. "I just feel like I wasn't a very good friend when you were really goin' through it."

Also he blamed himself for not being enough to keep those he loved so much together. But that part doesn't get said aloud either.

"Gladio did mention that the two of you had a talk." The lilt says that Ignis is indeed very well of how the rest of that talk went, but there's no need to bring that as the centerpiece of this conversation. "I would have expected his words to have sunk through on their own, really.

"But since they are not and only I can speak for myself... You need not apologize, Prompto. What happened between me and Gladio back then was - messy. That was through no one's fault but our own." His fingers swipe a minor little arc there along the table's surface. "I could hardly blame you for needing time away from it all. Especially with all that has been happening. That is stress enough. We didn't need to add to it."

A sigh slips out of him, head shifting just slightly. "I should have contacted you sooner than I did, truth be told."

"I mean they sure did sink in!!" Prompto protests, grumbling a bit. Okay, the kiss was really what did it but that's neither here nor there. "But Gladio isn't you! And I still feel bad! That's...It, really."

Except it isn't. There's a shot Prompto so desperately wants to shoot with Ignis, but just doesn't exactly know how. He doesn't expect anything, either- curbing his enthusiasm when it comes to matters concerning himself is a frustratingly consistent habit for the frankly neurotic little guy.

"I'm sure you were busy grinding yourself to dust. Plus, I um. Talcott, he-" Prompto stutters, his words reflecting his scattered and vaguely frantic, rising thoughts, "I knew you were thinking of me. That...That was more than enough."

Enough is, of course, a horrendously twisted metric for Prompto Argentum when it has to do with himself. 'Enough' for him was surviving with holes in his heart and slowly wilting from loneliness.

No huge deal though. As long as the people he loves cares a whole lot about stay happy, well cared for. That's what he wants.

The rest, well that is whatever.

"Somehow, I can't be surprised that it was Talcott who spoke to you." He's good, he really is. Ignis couldn't appreciate him more, although he does try so much.

But they can speak about Talcott, what he deserves and all of that, at a later date. For right now... Right now, there's something more pressing. "You know, Prompto... You often do say that you have enough of something. But I rather suspect that enough is never quite enough by your metric."

"Yeah, I know. He's...A real good guy, that one. Wish he grew up in a better world, but..." Prompto is really proud of Talcott either way.

Ignis, unsurprisingly, puts Prompto right on the spot. He wants to argue- maybe protest that he could say the same of Ignis and his work, how he sells himself short in ways that make the boy want to grab him and shake him and tell him he's incredible.

But all the exhausted Prompto can manage is a small sigh. "I'm here and chugging along, aren't I? That means it was enough."

Except Prompto also devoted himself so fully to hunting as an escape. Taking on more and more dangerous targets to keep feeling things. He truly is one to throw stones regarding unhealthy relationships with work.

"You don't gotta worry, Iggy."

It seems he will have to be clearer, here. This isn't necessarily a surprise, but, after so many years and Prompto taking the initiative to reach out to him instead of vice versa, he hadn't wanted to assume anything.

It's not fine that the conversation has turned out like this, but it is at least what Ignis is familiar with.

"You can say it was enough, and you are here," he says. "Yet I shall worry as I please, I'm afraid. So in turn, allow me to apologize, Prompto. I should have reached out to you much sooner than I did. My own frustrations and pride held me back for too long, all while you were doing incredible things."

Prompto knows damn well he's cornered here, and that Iggy, brilliant mind he is, will so easily deconstruct the tangled web the anxious man wove all by himself. Because really, Prompto also has a level of awareness that has come over the years that screams at him over how absurd his worries are, especially when it comes to Ignis and Gladio. This is just a little push that he needs.

Of course Iggy is worried about him. Of course he will not stop. That's because-....? Those hopes stir in his chest again and Prompto works to shove them back whilst listening to Ignis' response.

He's flustering all over again. Incredible things, Ignis said. He thinks Prompto was doing not only good things, but incredible. That level of praise from Ignis specifically, it really hits him a certain way.

"You say that like you weren't kicking ass and taking names," Prompto quips back, before his tone gets a bit softer. "But...I appreciate it. You apologizing. I know we both were goin' through it. Still are." His own hand sort of slides across the table, halting right before Ignis'. He stops, biting his lower lip. No, not now. "I'm just glad to be with you again. Really hit me how much I missed you, Iggy."

Frankly speaking, while he understands he has been doing a great deal, Ignis suspects that his achievements only seem so remarkable because a blind man shouldn't be doing them. The bar is lower, and for a man with high standards... That's an infuriating thought.

But there's no need taking that bit of personal frustration out on Prompto, who only means what he says and has only cared about him from start to finish. So he passes over all of that to focus on the rest of what he says. The sound of his sleeve dragging just slightly against the tabletop, rough engineer fingers having a texture that stands out there. Not to mention, if they're all honest, things can only be so clean in the end of the world. That little bit does a lot for making sounds stand out more on the tabletop.

"Well, the feeling is quite returned," Ignis tells him quietly. "I'd rather not live with anymore regrets than I must, Prompto. I'm glad that you came to see me."

More of that warmth in Prompto sort of swells at those words from Ignis. They both missed one another, and the thought of that helps his bravery (which Prompto does have, more than he knows, but so clear to those around him) ramp up.

"Regrets huh? Um...Interesting you mention those. So I assume you know, and knew right away where Gladio and I stand, right?"

His voice grows the slightest touch sheepish, and carries this distinct tone of a boy with a schoolyard crush. The thought of that kiss plays again in Prompto's head, makes him a little woozy from the rush of emotions it elicits. Relief, joy, love.

He's really not going to get used to it any time soon.

Ah ha. Ignis smiles, just a tad. So they're finally moving to that particular line of thought. With how much he and Gladio talk, have spoken about in all the years they've been together, Prompto is right to assume. Of course this would come up between them. So long as they've had a chance to meet, they'd talk about something so important as that.

"From what I understand, where you stood was in front of the hotel, not even a handswidth from one another," he says, just a little teasing, before he nods. "But I do. For a long time now, you were always someone that he and I thought fondly of, who we'd accept into our relationship however way you decided to do so. I was simply glad that the two of you could come together in that way."

Especially considering some of Gladio's... bad habits that had come up in the time he and Ignis had been apart.

"You are good for one another, I think."

Ah that smile makes Prompto feel so much at once. He missed it, those rare little Iggy smirks. He treasures them. "Oh come onnnnnn Iggy, you know what I meaaaaaaan....!"

Alright. Showtime. He has to put this out there, and the bit about we'd accept into our relationship however way you decided to do so makes his heart jump with some semblance of hope despite his greatest efforts to temper his expectations. Ignis said he and I, too. Does that mean...?

No. Keep it level. Keep it cool. Get excited after, if that means what he so deeply hopes it does. His fingers start to drum against the table, and he fidgets bodily, squirming in place. A deep breath, and...

"Glad you think so. But there's one other bit of unfinished business I have, Iggy. You. I just-"

The words come out in a jumbled rush.

"Iactuallyreallyreallylikeyouanditkindaiskillingmecauseicantkeepavoidingitifwearegonnajustbefriendsbut-" A comical, gasping breath, "Ijustgottaputitoutthereokay?"

...

"Prompto," he says slowly. "I think perhaps you may want to repeat that somewhat more slowly." Yes, he could parse it because that's simply what he has to do with only his hearing to rely on, so it's become quite sharp... but for something like that, it ought to be done right.

Or, well...

His hand turns, palm upwards. "Give me your hand. If you can't slow your voice, then I'll show you how else to speak."

Oh fuck. What the fuck was that. Prompto doesn't think he could have bungled the landing there more if he consciously tried.

He puts his face in his hands and just sits there for a few beats. Then, sucking in a deep, quivering breath he places his hand atop Ignis', trembling. How else to speak...? Prompto sort of wishes whatever cosmic horror is out there in the Night would take his speaking privileges away.

Indeed, he suspected that Prompto would fall into a pit of embarrassed despair at that. Well, it's fine. Ignis always knew that something like this may very well happen. A gentleman makes backup plans. So he patiently turns Prompto's hand until that is the one with its palm up. One hand to keep Prompto's in position. The other to patiently trace out the same shape, again and again. Until Prompto perhaps can recognize it for what shape it actually is.

I

Again and again. Over and over. Until he can hear that quivering breath not be quite so violent, and the traced out shapes begin to change.

I
LOVE
YOU

At first, Prompto assumes Ignis is just tracing lines along his palm to calm him down. The rhythmic, repeated motion certainly gives him something to focus on, and gives him a chance to steady his breathing. But after the first few times of tracing the letter 'I', Prompto grows curious. He closes his eyes, trying to picture the shapes in his mind's eye while doing all he can to remain calm.

There's the softest of gasps from the boy when he recognizes the second word. Despite his heart starting to race, Ignis' presence and touch keep Prompto from flying back into a tizzy.

"I...love....you..." Prompto says, barely over a whisper. It feels like a weight lifts off his shoulders, like everything feels so much lighter. Like he isn't drowning and barely keeping his head over water, but breathing, existing. Right here, right now, with Ignis. With his feelings expressed to both he and Gladio, it feels like maybe he can carry

Ignis loves him. Of course he does. It was there for a long time just like Gladio's feelings for the blond. That love was in every meal. Every little smile. Every quiet moment Prompto would fill with his chatter whilst Ignis intently listened along and asked for small assists in his work. It was never all just because Prompto happened to be there too, or because he was Noct's friend like he tried to convince himself when shoving his feelings away. Ignis' fussing and care was just as much for him as it was for the entire crew on the road.

"Yeah. I love you too, Iggy."

Prompto remains frozen in place, struggling to know just what to do next.

Even for all that Ignis is a confident man... Even for all that he and Gladio talked quite indepth on this matter... Even for all that Prompto has never been particularly subtle...

There's still a little flutter in his heart, eager and hopeful, when he hears that soft gasp, and the little echo which dares to follow it.

However, unlike his nearest and dearest, Ignis is a bit better when it comes to tucking away his true feelings - most of the time, at least. So he muffles that little flutter neatly, and just waits. Waits until he finally gets words which aren't an echo, but are something else. Are a confirmation, a return call... and he smiles, a little genuine thing across his lips.

There's not always a lot to smile about, these days.

"Then I daresay you had best not let Gladio leave me in the dust," he murmurs, pulling that hand close so he can let a kiss seal his confession there into Prompto's palm.

If the earlier smirk sent Prompto's heart alight, this smile from Ignis sends it rocketing into the stratosphere and bursting into incandescent flame. After everything is sealed with an achingly romantic kiss, Prompto springs to his feet and circles around the table. He pats Ignis on the shoulder, before kneeling down next to the seated man to drape his upper body in his lap. How many times did he want to do this at camp back in the day? Too damn many to count.

"Yeah, like you'll ever let him, Iggy," Prompto chirps, his voice more light and reading more genuinely happy than anything Iggy has probably heard for a good while. "If anything I'm sure I'm in for trouble with you guys as a team. The pranking potential is pretty terrifying."

And there's so many other potential things that may give the blond a nosebleed if he lingers on it. He already knows how Gladio is in bed, but Iggy is a complete mystery. Knowing him as he does though? Yeah, nosebleed territory.

For now he's so happy to just bask in this. To be close to Ignis. To catch up.

"...I'm not usually the slow one of the gang, but it seems I came in negative-last-place getting it together enough to tell either of you how I felt."

"Wh-" Frankly, out of everything that he was expecting to happen, Prompto suddenly draping across his lap was perhaps last on the list. His hands freeze in mid-air for a second, absolutely bewildered by the turn of events, before they finally begin to lower slowly. "Now what on earth is this about?"

But he's still smiling, fingers following the curve of Prompto's head as he pets him, and the other goes to rest along his torso.

"Well, you've been busy. He and I have been somewhat slow ourselves, with all that's been going on. But you reached the finish line eventually, didn't you?"

Prompto basically has about 300 different ways he always wanted to cuddle with Ignis. Also 300 other, less cute thoughts that may or may not have involved him kneeling. Let those all collide, and that's how he ended up here. "Just gettin' cozy," Prompto mumbles happily, the warmth in his chest only growing as his companion pets and lays his hands on him. Yeah, the good stuff. "Figured with the kinda space in here this would work for now."

Oh he's just so happy. Has Ignis ever heard a puppy let out a happy sigh? Whatever sound Prompto makes sounds rather similar to that.

"Yeah, but I got a fast rep to live up to! Now we gotta play catch-up." A small smirk spreads across his face. "Not that I mind doin' that at all if you don't."

This really does feel like a dream.

Really now... Ignis savors that little noise of contentment, something that replaces the smile he'll never be able to see again.

"Catch-up can be done as slow as you like... especially if you want to enjoy it to the fullest," he says, fingers still patiently at work. They're all so desperately working, nonstop, and hardly ever see one another sometimes. They should take their time enjoying each other's company. Because...

Well, no need to ruin a happy moment with morbid thoughts.

"Although some of that catch-up may have to happen while I work. There's still a great deal for me to handle here, I'm afraid."

Prompto sort-of nods while still under Ignis' hands, a small sigh escaping his lips. Maybe taking time in something , finally, is in fact a lovely prospect. Prompto hasn't been able to really rest for a good while, drowning in his very own work at Hammerhead just to keep himself going emotionally. Maybe they all can find sanctuary in one another, much like the group did while on the road. Things will never be the way they were, but perhaps they can find fleeting moments where it feels like things could be ok.

Which reminds him....

"What kinda work you been up to, Iggy?" one of his own hands comes up to rest atop the one Iggy is laying on his torso, in a sort of supportive gesture. Prompto has a hunch about certain parts of it, but...It will be up to Ignis on how much he decides to reveal to him. Talcott of course filled him in on parts, but he'd rather hear about things from the man himself.

"You know I'm happy to lend a hand in any way I can. Knowin' you, you haven't been taking enough breaks. Change of scenery from Hammerhead might be nice anyway. It's been years!" Plus, he gets to spend some more time, in person, with Ignis, Gladio and Talcott. Something Prompto probably needed to do a lot sooner.

Something something stones and glass houses, regarding rest. Prompto's voice carries a specific and likely new kind of edge of persistent tiredness to it, for Ignis.

"If you wanted to help the Hunters here manage some of the daemons, I'm sure they wouldn't complain about it," Ignis admits, because there's simply no taking a rest, not truly, for any of them. The kind of people who can indulge in that, well... Those are becoming fewer by the day and have been for a while now.

However....

"But I have been taking more than enough breaks due to Talcott, so you needn't worry about that." This is debateable, but you'd never know it talking to Ignis as he is right now, all matter of fact. "I've been helping cull daemons as well where I can, along with making some suggestions towards the hot houses, things of that nature. For the most part, however, Talcott and I have been doing research on the various tombs and ruins about. But we won't have to worry about another outing of that nature for a while yet."

"Hah! Good, Talcott. Atta boy," Prompto cheers him on, glad to know that in his and Gladio's absences, someone has been around to keep Ignis company and scold him if he pushes himself too hard. Iggy has been pushing himself like that ever since he was a little boy, if Noct's stories are to be believed- and Prompto believes them.

Prompto gives Ignis' hand a few gentle pats. "Hmmm, okay, so what about this? I stick around and help for a bit, and maybe you, me, and Tal can do next outing as a team? Bet I could be of some kinda help, yeah? Ayo, first lil trip as boyfriends, right?!"

Also, he so badly wants to spend time with them both. Even if it is work, it is something.

"Are you sure?" The suggestion isn't necessarily a bad one - having multiple people does help make sure that they aren't caught off-guard and can handle even more dangerous daemons that might show up. Ignis isn't ashamed to admit that he's had Talcott beat a hasty retreat occasionally because he got the feeling they were up against something that was far too much for only two people, at least not with considerably more thought on their tactics.

And with some of the technology that Prompto is so good at, specifically useful against daemons... He'd be lying if he said it wasn't appealing.

"I will warn you, beyond the battles, it can be rather dry work."

"Sure as it gets! We make a good team, and even if it gets all dry or boring or whatever, it'll be worth it to hang out with you guys. I'll make it worth it, promise! It's a deal then, yeah?"

Prompto gives Ignis a few more pats on the hand to punctuate his words. Then...He grows still. Ignis will undoubtedly hear the longer breath he draws in before speaking once more, this time shifting his position. He works his way up to straddle Ignis' lap, putting one hand on each of the retainer's shoulders, and makes a point to speak though his voice is low and nearly breathless.

"So, hey. Can I ask you one more favor? I know I am calling in a whole bunch right now, but this one's really important. Easy one too, I think. I hope."

There's no arguing when he sounds so excited like that. "I suppose it's a deal," he agrees. He's already making plans in his head, things they'll have to account for with a third on their journey. It's not completely foreign an idea for them; they've done it before depending on where they wanted to go. Frankly, since it's Prompto, they might have less to deal with.

Except - then, suddenly, the weight on his lap shifts, pressure on the sides of his legs, and he starts slightly.

"I hardly think you've asked any favors so far... but by all means, Prompto." He tilts his head to the side, feels the way those words rush out against his skin. "What is it?"

Prompto swallows hard. Ignis looks so beatiful up close like this. His impossibly soft looking skin and his chiseled jawline. His lips, inviting as ever, drawing the blond in. Even his scars along his face, Prompto finds beautiful- they are a testament to the kind of man Ignis is, his loyalty and love for those around him, despite the heaviness of the sacrifice it entailed. To Prompto, it is also proof of his tenacity. Something he admires so deeply in the man.

He tries a technique Gladio showed him to be pretty solid- at least when used on Prompto himself- praying he pulls it off the right way. He leans forward and breathes his next words against the shell of Ignis' ear: "Just this."

Prompto goes for broke. One hand slides behind Ignis' head, and he pulls himself close to deliver a long, deep kiss. It feels like the moment their lips meet, an energy is generated between the two. It's addictive, perfect, how Prompto always daydreamed it could some day be. He lingers for a while, just relishing in the feeling of it all, watching and feeling for Ignis' every move and response to the gesture.

Ah. He can recognize this tactic as Prompto leans in, but not for a kiss. Not yet. He knows exactly who he picked this up from. And somehow... that only makes him smile when that kiss finally reaches his lips.

It truly is a wonderful thing, Prompto's warmth right there in his lap, shared between them like this. Ignis takes his sweet time in the kiss, and his hands go right there to rest on Prompto's lap. Just at this slow, lazy pace, he could keep going forever... Enjoy this kiss that only Prompto can givehim.

He also does not expect it to last this long, quite frankly, so all the more reason to go slow now.

Speedy, hurried Prompto is fighting every urge in his head and body to go fast with this. He is, as everyone in his life knows, an impatient, flighty sort of thing. This is too important though, too monumental to be hurried. For once, he truly has faith- as someone often said to him, everything will fall into place with patience and strategy. The smile he feels against his lips helps greatly to keep him on-task.

So he lingers, only drawing back from the kiss when he's sure the message has come across in the kiss. The love, his hopes, the full scale of his admiration and appreciation for Ignis, things words alone could never express enough. His unbridled attraction, too. "Oh, wow," he gusts out, catching his breath after.

"The real thing is better than I could ever have dreamed up. Dang," The hand behind Ignis' head slides around to the front, pale fingers tracing along that sharp jawline. "Hope I could keep up with the other awesome kissers in your life. Still a little new to...that. "

He's no greenhorn, but Prompto knows damn well that Ignis is in his own realm, much like Gladio.

His little heart starts to beat just a bit faster. His breathing picks up by a fraction, something not easy to hear...were he around someone with average hearing. He's all too aware of how warm Ignis' hands feel in his lap, too.

There's a certain kind of loveliness, in knowing that he can take Prompto's breath away like this. Slow down his frantic and energetic self so that he's just right there, sharing the moment with Ignis, their warmth intermingling. Ignis tilts his face into that little touch, enjoying how those fingers slide against him.

"I wouldn't say you're new at anything when it comes to kissing, from what I've heard," Ignis points out, a brow rising up over his sunglasses for a moment. "There's no need to compare yourself to anyone else." He turns his head a little more, just to kiss his fingers.

"You're Prompto. And that will make kissing you all the worthwhile."

"Whoa, hey," Prompto huffs at the light tease, but not before taking a moment to realize just how much he missed that mild, casual sort of thing from Iggy. "I meant taking initiative and being a kisser! C'mon man....Sheesh, how much detail did Gladdy go in to with you??" It sort of begs the question in the back of the boy's mind as to how long Ignis felt this way about him...

It is wonderful in a unique way, though, getting to touch Ignis like this, and feel him happily leaning into said touches. Getting a kiss back along his fingertips, it all makes him want to touch more. To make Ignis happy, and comfortable in a world that just doesn't allow for all that much of that anymore. This world sure as hell has worked especially hard against Ignis.

After that oh-so-romantic kiss to his fingers, he laughs, a light sound, petting along the side of Ignis' head as his hand wanders up to play in his hair. The comment on him being worthwhile to kiss just for being himself hits right to his heart, makes it flutter. That kind of validation floods him with a special kind of warmth that he adores. That he would happily relax and bask in forever if he could. Slow, and without worry. It's that special kind of magic Ignis possesses. He always did enjoy getting a little praise, even in battle.

Astrals, he's so in love.

"Tryin' to knock me out saying things like that, Iggy?"

"Ah ah ah. I'd never kiss and tell, Prompto." He makes Gladio do it instead, which is clear enough by his self-satisfied little smirk.

It softens a bit, becomes a more relaxed smile, as he feels Prompto's fingers delve into his hair. All that time bothering to fix it up, and it will no doubt be ruined again. Well, just this once... He'll permit Prompto the privilege.

Just this once.

"If you don't want me to say it, then I shall be sure to refrain in the future," he says, leaning back in his seat while Prompto keeps touching him. Like this, he knows exactly where the other is, and there's a sort of comfort in that. "I will simply have to show my affection in other ways, I suppose."

"Wait wait wait no-" Prompto surprises himself with how much he dislikes the thought of not getting praise like that from Ignis. Clearly the man is teasing- and successfully at that- which he will be able to tell from the way Prompto's breath gusts out of him in a huff. "Soooo not what I meant man. Lay it on me, actually! I can take it!! No problem!"

He is, perhaps, dooming himself here.

Still, Prompto is having a fine time playing with Iggy's hair. Watching the always-busy man relax a measure, and a bit of pride rises within him at the thought of his role in it.

"Oh, lay it on you?" Ignis taps his finger where it lays against Prompto's hips. "I daresay that you couldn't handle me doing that, Prompto." The other is so energetic as it is, he might very well fall apart from an overload of energy.

"But I suppose I understand. You will simply have to work to be heard much easier in the future."

Prompto pauses, enjoying the attention Ignis gives to his hips in particular. Is that....A challenge, he's implying?

"Whaddya mean I couldn't handle it? Yeah right! C'mon, I don't believe you at all. Prove it, Iggy. I'll show you- I can hold up just fine with a little praise. No big deal, ever!"

There he goes. Like drawing in a bird's attention with something shiny, or whistling for a hound. Prompto really is so predictable; there is something to be said for how pleasant that can be sometimes in a world so chaotic. "Now who am I to doubt the words of the best sharpshooter in Lucis?" Ignis says, which is just the mild start.

"Still, if I may speak... Could you get off of my lap first, Prompto?"

The sharpshooter comment gets a small "Heh, heh!" from Prompto before Ignis likely feels him start a bit in his lap. "Oh! Um- whoops...! Sorry!"

The flighty boy's voice is sheepish, and he quickly scrambles his way off of Ignis' lap. His mind had been racing around so very much that he basically forgot he was perched there in the first place.

So now, he stands at Ignis' side, though he makes sure to leave enough space for him to get up should he wish to. "Better?"

"Much, thank you." That's all he needs to sidle out from his seat as well, indeed onto his own feet to join Prompto. For a moment, he raise his hands to smooth out his hair again from where Prompto may have mussed it up, but it doesn't take too long at all. Then he's perfectly ready for what he wants to do.

Which is, to put it succinctly, ruining Prompto's life in a way the other should find rather pleasant.

There'd been no further movement since Prompto had gotten up, meaning he should still be in the same place as Ignis heard him. So he reaches over, fingers finding the other's arm first, and then sliding down, rolling over his wrists. "There we are... Your hands are rather lovely, aren't they, Prompto?"

Prompto could learn a thing or two from Ignis about styling his hair in style. He looks so cool doing it, even so basically like this. Prompto also knows damn well that will be the single time he ever gets away with mussing up those perfectly preened locks. Once in a lifetime- at least punishment free.

What the energetic boy doesn't know just yet is just how much trouble he's invited by goading Ignis on. Those touches along his hands to his wrists feel almost practiced, feather-light and precise. He takes a second to slow down, enjoy the warmth it brings, before he sucks in a breath.

His hands. His wrists.

The barcode.

Ignis can likely feel the way Prompto's right hand in particular tenses. The way he balls it into a fist, then just as quickly relaxes it with a long, slow exhale.

It's strange, but almost nice. Having them admired despite that terrible, permanent reminder of things he wish he could never face again. Ignis never got to truly see the tattoo, simply hear it described. Still...

The dread Prompto generally feels is joined now with something softer. Gentler. Grounding.

He will be ok.

"Heh heh...Y'think so? They're all gross and calloused from nonstop hunting and gunplay. Greasey tech stuff..."

Patiently, Ignis waits for that hand to relax. To open up, so that his own fingers can skim along his palm.

"And that dirty work has become truly invaluable," Ignis murmurs, letting his touch be slow and light, exploring every cranny of his hand and the fingers attached. "How many lives have you saved because of daemons which you took down? There are so few who can venture out into the rest of the world with the confidence you can, Prompto. How incredible these hands are, for even that alone. Yet that isn't the only thing which they do, isn't that so?"

so, Ignis has certainly praised Prompto before- he can remember times on the road where there would be comments on his sharpshooting, or chocobo handling, or of course his photography and technology hobbies. Even after Ignis lost his sight, the boy can remember handing a newly tinkered-with bio blaster or piece of battle tech to Ignis, and happily watching as the astute man explored every piece of his workmanship with his hands. He remembers the way pride rose in his chest, and how he couldn't help himself from smiling with the validation.

This, though is different. More focused. This is veering towards something that perhaps Prompto had salacious dreams about-more than once. Hearing that suggestive last bit aloud after such genuine praises and validation sets his heart hammering. He squirms in place just slightly. Deep breath. Don't let it get to you. This was a challenge! There's something to prove!

Prompto huffs quietly, chewing on his bottom lip to ground himself. Don't. Fuck this up.

"N-not the only thing they could do, Iggy," he desperately tries to sound some level of flirty when saying this, but he so clearly has a flustered edge to his voice.

At this point, it is Ignis' game, and Prompto Argentum is playing it.

"Oh, I am quite confident on that." And his fingers down at Prompto's hand become a little more... solid, so to say. They slide in just-so between his fingers, two of his own wrapping around two of Prompto's own. Pressing right up as far as they can go in both directions. "I imagine they're capable of all sorts of clever and skillful matters..."

And his fingers squeeze quite pointedly against Prompto's.

Only for a moment before Ignis removes them, talking once more as if nothing ever happened whatsoever. "After all, these are the same hands responsible in part for the communications systems that still keep us all connected," he says, taking that hand in both of his to slowly lift it up. "To help us learn about danger, to deliver good news-" Scarce as it may be sometimes. "- to remind us all that we are never alone. Even with the state I am in now... I can tell that these hands are so beautiful, Prompto." He presses a kiss to those knuckles, soft and brief.

"You are responsible for so many incredible things which have come to fruition with these hand. What a wondrous existence."

Every touch, every change of pressure, every breath and word from Ignis is so purposeful that it leaves Prompto transfixed. The two of them are connected in a fully unique manner like this, with Ignis happily taking the lead and setting the blond's mind alight with his understated, suggestive gestures. The quietest little sound escapes his throat when their hands briefly part, missing the contact in a visceral way. A clear and easy sign of Prompto's gradually slipping composure.

If he had any breath left to begin with, it is utterly stolen away by Ignis' words. Clever? Skillful? Prompto of course thought very little of all he did, ever inclined to compare himself to others or put himself down outright over some perceived intrinsic lack of value. Put plainly like this by Ignis, however, it is awfully hard to argue. Ignis' manner slows those raging thoughts, opens a path for Prompto to follow that leads to the logical conclusion of his value. It floods him with a warmth that momentarily has him feeling like everything might be ok. That all his efforts are for something. If he's at least made Ignis happy, that is more than enough for Prompto.

He can be beautiful, can't he? Ignis says so. He gazes at his hand when those soft lips part from it. Wondrous. That could be him. He wants to be that. For Ignis. For himself. For everyone. Right now, though? Especially for Ignis.

"I don't ever want any of you to feel alone," Prompto whispers, "Even when I've gotta be far away," that flustered tone is far more present now. "That's- it's n-no big thing."

Prompto doesn't sound like he even believes himself now. Like he's saying this as a reflex. There is no stopping the force of nature that is Ignis Scientia.

One day, he'll win against that self-defeating reflex of his. Ignis is certain of that. And this is the first step.

"Can you truly say it is no big thing when you've seen people cry in relief hearing messages over the system you helped pull together?" Ignis asks him, lips near enough to brush along Prompto's fingers as he speaks. "You've done something amazing, Prompto. Perhaps you need to say it, if hearing it from myself is not enough."

It is indeed a perfect first step, and Ignis has Prompto enraptured. Chills go up and down his spine at the whispers of touch against his fingertips. Prompto isn't sure he's ever experienced something quite this romantic in his damn life. He can feel Ignis' words, and a heat that he tries to resist starting to pool up within him.

"Say it huh? That an order, Iggy?"

His voice is as playful as he can manage while this utterly compromised and frazzled. Which means it sounds like an absolute mess, with how his voice pitches up ever so slightly. He may be selling himself out a little bit asking it like that specifically.

Well now, if he isn't mistaken (and Ignis knows he isn't), then he might guess that Prompto may very well be looking forward to the idea of being ordered about.

And Ignis does so live to serve.

So he steps forward. Backs Prompto up a few more times just with the movement, his presence, until there's a bump and they're forced to stop. It doesn't take too much; campers aren't very large places. The perfect space so that he can lean in close, voice to Prompto's ear.

"I dare say it is, Prompto. So say it. Say... that Prompto Argentum is an incredible, talented, beautiful man."

Prompto is entranced, stepping back to keep pace with Ignis' every move until he bumps back against the wall, pinned between it and the stunning, powerful man before him. It draws a sound between a squawk and a whine from the blonde. There's no escaping this. His heart thunders along, erratic and excited.

Prompto isn't entirely certain he would want to escape, anyway.

Goosebumps prick along pale freckled skin when Ignis leans in close, and states his command. It awakens things in Prompto that he hasn't had to contend with in a long time. The want to please, the craving for validation and acceptance, to just be seen as good enough. Being seen as good by Ignis carries all manner of different things with it too, many of which were confined to salacious dreams Prompto tended to wake up embarrassed about. Something about the retainer just....Puts his praise in another realm for the boy. Perhaps it is his confidence and competence. Perhaps it is how Ignis was the first person in Prompto's life to take care of him, in a way. There could be all manner of reasons beyond the simple answer of Prompto is just a huge sub, or parent issues, but he has little time to worry on them.

So here they are, with Ignis finding the perfect way to push Prompto into a space where he has to love himself. To praise himself. For a beat, his self-loathing clashes directly with his want to be good, paired with the slowly mounting excitement in the background.

Prompto exhales an long sigh and then speaks, a tremble in his voice. His cheeks are hotter than coals.

"I-I'm. I'm talented. And beautiful."

Well, it's a start.

Unable to see truly robs him of full satisfaction for all of this, although Ignis knows that his feelings on this are hardly the most important. Still, as he feels the edge of Prompto's breath shake with every exhale, feels the electricity coming off of him.... Ignis really does wish he could know what his expression looks like in this moment. Could see the way lashes frame his wide eyes, take pleasure in the blush whose heat he can only feel with how close he is.

He tries not to dwell on it.

Instead, he reaches up, gently stroking down the side of his jaw. "That's right," he hums, letting his fingers linger where the heat burns hottest. "So very talented, Prompto. And incredibly beautiful. Well done." His fingertip slows as it dips down to his chin. "And what else?" He won't let one word escape, after all.