fieryknowledge | (no subject)

There was another sigh from Ignis before he stepped out, his pace quick as he moved toward their home. Gladio was right, of course. Ignis knew he didn't mean it like he took it. He had no idea why his nerves were so damned on edge at this point. It just seemed like everything around them was putting him on edge. Maybe it was instinct, him wanting to be out and free for a while. Maybe it was just the idea of his life changing so much so quickly. Who knew?

"... this might be a good time to see how self-sufficient he can be. He is living on his own now, after all. Maybe we can trust him a bit more if we let Prompto know what's going on as well."

Gladio sees his lover having a hard time, and he only wishes he could do more. But they will get through this. With that in mind he trails after the other, listening determinedly.

"It's true, he's almost an adult now. If youre okay with bringing him in on it, he already knows about Noctis and I."

And well, maybe Noct would even do a good job taking responsibility for himself. Gladio might pull him asode and impress the importance of it on Ignis' mental health after.

This wasn't an ideal situation, but it might be a good test for the young prince as well as his best friend, to see just how much they could be trusted to handle themselves. Mind made up, he absently nodded to himself and pulled his phone from his pocket. A few quick messages and his mind ended up a bit more settled.

The rest of the week passed quickly thanks to Ignis' distracted state. He made plans for things to get done while he and Gladio were gone and for once, he let Gladio handle most of the plans for their little 'vacation'. After all, his partner knew better what Ignis would likely need and want while he was letting himself adjust to his were side, but don't think he didn't side-eye the decision to drag along, what Ignis though, a 'crap ton' of blankets and such. It wasn't as if he'd get cold at night since his mate was damn near a walking space heater, right?

Still, he kept his peace until the trip itself, remaining quiet on the drive out and staying that way until they'd set up the camp to their liking (including Gladio dragging in all those damned blankets... for some reason).

"... I still think it's weird you brought all of those, you know."

Gladio had done his best to keep things neat and organized as they prepare. Both for the sake of changing things around to accommodate their leaving, and packing for the trip. The haven they are staying at was just used by the Glaive on their way home, so the area is safe enough to be in that he feels confident.

As for the blankets...

"It's just a precaution. I know dad sent you those documents about all thr habits and instincts, but some of them can hit really hard."

And well, that had been a bit embarrassing of a document to go through. Thankfully Ignis had not opened it in front of Noct and Prompto.

"Besides, I'll keep them folded in the tent, if we dont use 'em, we dont use them."

But camp is to his liking, and Ignis already seemed marginally happier being out of the city.

Oh, he'd read it, but he'd dismissed some of it as just silly. Surely that part had been exaggeration. Sure, he'd developed a liking for the blankets on his own bed, but nothing to such an extreme. He'd only added one more since everything changed, after all. Still, he appreciated the simple fact that Gladio was wanting to be prepared even if it was all a bit much.

Being away from Insomnia was both calming and unnerving. Part of his training for the Crownguard had been roughing it just in case, but he'd rarely spent much time away from the city proper. Now, he felt vaguely disjointed. Part of him seemed calmer and content, out in the wilds, while the rest of him wanted nothing more than to drive back to Insomnia and lock himself in their apartment or his office and get back to work.

The view was beautiful and the air was fresh around them and Ignis felt an odd contentment slowly start to ease his nerves as they settled in for a few days. First things first, though. Ignis needed to thank his mate for doing so much to help him through this change in his life. After a long, silent moment, he padded over to him and wrapped his arms around Gladio's waist, leaning up to press a kiss to his jaw.

"Seems you've thought of everything when I couldn't. Thank you."

Fussing over the camp, wanting his mate to like it, Gladio misses Ignis in thought until the man sidles up to him, arms wrapped around him.

"Anything for you, Iggy. If can make it easier on you, then I want to."

His arms come around his mate, warm. And tight as he tilts his head to kiss him properly. They haven't exactly abstained from each other since this started, but it is finally the best chance they have to relax and experiment with whatever comes to them.

""This might take a while to get the hang of, but I'll be by your side, okay?"

He knew. Even at his most unsure, Ignis knew that Gladio would be there with him and for him. Humming under his breath, he let the kiss linger on for a long moment before pulling back, his breath a bit quicker than before. Things seemed so much more intense now that Ignis could clearly smell his mate and seemed drawn by his scent and now was no exception. He was hard pressed to pull completely away from him so he didn't bother to, his arms remaining loosely draped around his lover's body.

"I've been a testy mess the few days and you've been nothing but patient and kind. I'm so sorry."

Feeling his lover's breath quicken as he nuzzle gently, not wanting to pull away either. He always is much happier with Ignis in his arms after all.

"I appriciate the apology, babe. It's been hard on you, so you've got some slack cut by me."

Instead of letting him go, gladio purrs happily, and gathers Igbis in to sit on his lap on one of their camping chairs.

There was a muffled noise as Ignis was manhandled a bit, but there was no protest. Out here, there was privacy and Ignis didn't feel so constrained by duty and responsibility. For a little while, he could be 'just' Ignis and not the adviser to the future king.

It was as liberating as it was terrifying.

Settling himself as close to Gladio as he could managed while still clothed, he leaned in, nuzzling along his lover's jaw again.

"So you would prefer that I not make it up to you?"

He chuckles, not at Ignis, but how easily they can finally relax like this. It is nice, and with Ignis in his lap he runs his hands up the man's chest, fingers finding and teasingly plucking at the buttons of his shirt.

"Oh? I didn't know that was the plan. Sounds interesting... Just what are you planning?"

Don't think he didn't lean into that contact, a low rumble curling in his chest at the feel of Gladio's hands on him. There was something comforting down to his bones knowing that Gladio wanted him, even now that things were changing for Ignis.

"I'm... not. That's what's so odd. I'm not planning a thing. I'm just going to... be. For once. At the moment, I'm planning on dozing for a little while since I didn't sleep well the last few nights. Care to join me?"

"It would be my pleasure."

Gladio rumbled happily, loving their contact like this. He takes another chance at stealing a kiss as Ignis leans in, nice and slow to set their mood. He is very glad he had brought all those blankets as well as a slightly roomier tent. On top of getting Ignis back in his right state, he can already feel the need to court his mate rising up through his veins.

"Come to the tent with me?"

Another soft rumble was muffled into the kiss before he finally let himself up, his hands lingering on Gladio for a moment longer. Still, the warmth of the sun and the fresh air was lulling him into sleepiness so after a quick smile, he climbed off of Gladio's lap, his hand automatically seeking his mate's as he padded off toward the tent.

Astrals, Ignis is wonderful. Gladio pads adter him like a lovesick puppy, hand in his and only leaving to get into the tent. He strips down into just swestpants which are just as likely to be thrown off before they reemerge from the tent and settles down with his lover, sleeping bags and a mattress pad making a great base for their rather luxurious tent. He has not spared much thought on much else beside the food, considering they would be spending a good several hours just enjoying their company.

And they do. Gladio has Ignis in his arms before they fall asleep, and his lover unconsciously shifts himself around enough to have him let go. But Gladio is never too far from him, and once Ignis settles in the sleepy were rolls over until his warm body is pressed to his mate one more time.

Doze wasn't even what Ignis did. He was out like a light thanks to being so worn after the trying week he'd had. By the time he awoke, the sun was low, lending a warm orange light to everything. He was down to his boxers and hot as a furnace thanks to how close he was to Gladio.... and the mound of blankets that he'd ended up in. Unbeknownst to him, he'd huffed and shuffled and grumped in his sleep and ended up pulling away from Gladio just enough to snag one, then more of the blankets that the bigger were had brought until he'd just collapsed into the middle of them like some prissy, broody chocobo in a nest.

Still sleepy green eyes blinked as Ignis struggled to rid his brain of the fog clouding it, grumbling as he fought to keep from going back to sleep.

Ignis' grumbling draws Gladio's attention as it had throughout their rest, scooting closer to him looking to soothe. His way kd soothing however seems a little more... well, special, and while Ignis is surrounded by his sheets, on his legs the heavy weight of his mate lays.

Until the waking up grumbling starts. A fee moments later he is draped over top of him fully now, still mostly asleep and heavy weight squishing Ignis into the softness of the nest he had created, Gladio's big body happy to drap over him so.

Yawning, Ignis scratched at his cheek before he absently pushed at Gladio's shoulder as if to get his attention. He was still hazy enough from sleep to be a bit confused as to why in the hells he was there in the middle of a thick bundle of blankets, but having Gladio close enough that his scent was almost all that Ignis could smell was soothing.

There was a moment where he almost asked what was going on, but instead, he just let his hands drift along Gladio's warm skin, fingers sketching idle patterns as he let his mind drift a bit.

Gladio rumbles sleepily, liking how Ignis touched him gently awake like this. He is so use to it from their home that it doesn't take him long to wake, and when he does he leans in to kiss along his lover's neck.

"Mm, you're awake already?" He sounds a bit amused, but enjoys how Ignis traces over his tattoos, feathers in inky black on tan skin.

"Thought you might sleep longer since you're nesting, babe."

He couldn't help the happy purr that the feel of Gladio's lips along his throat pulled from him. Eyes sliding closed, he tipped his head a bit, instinct leading him to bare his throat for his mate even as his hands slowed down in their paths along patterned skin.

"Still a little sleepy. A little hungry. A little bit of everything."

At that bared throat, Gladio shifts in closer to his lover, half listening as his mouth works a mark dark over the man. High on his neck and claiming, this one he puts on here much more gently then the last few have been, teasing kisses that suck at skin instead of bites.

"Mm, if all I had was you, I'd be good." He purrs, arms sliding into the blankets to touch his lover, more than happy to be there. "But if you're hungry, I can go start a campfire..."

There was no fussing about the mark that Gladio was working into his skin. Not when it made the were in him happy to bear his mate's mark and the human side not worried about anyone else seeing it. Out here, there was no proper or improper. All there was was what they wanted and right then, Ignis was wavering on what he wanted.

He was hungry, but that damned mouth on his skin made him hungry in another way. Rumbling his approval, he let his hands glide along Gladio's arms, clearly liking the way all that skin felt under his fingers.

"A campfire might be good."

Even as he spoke, his hands kept mapping out Gladio's skin, fingers lingering along a scar. He clearly didn't want to let him go just yet.

Gladio is happy to cuddle and touch his lover like this, the mark on Ignis one that will last for a bit. Claiming, though they both already know and have known for awhile that Ignis is his as much as Gladio is back.

"Could go ahead and start one for you." He sighs. Leaning in toward him, however, presses more of his weight down on Ignis instead. His arms slide up, one hand resting on his lover's cheek as he finds his lips to kiss him, and the other curling around his back.

He could get up... or he could enjoy Ignis for just who he was right now.. his partner, his mate, his lover.

It the back of his mind, Ignis knew that they likely wouldn't get a lot done the first night. Not when Gladio's scent is thick around him in the rumpled nest he'd built. Not when Gladio's weight was heavy atop him, bearing down in just the right way to be comfortable and not oppressive like some might think.

"A fire would be a good idea-"

The words were cut off by another kiss, this one initiated by Ignis. He leaned in slowly, eyes hazy as if he couldn't help himself. The adviser was drawn to Gladio, instincts pleased with the continued contact.

No, despite their words Gladio does not think he will be going anywhere anytime soon. He rumbles happily into the kiss, thumb sweeping over his mate's jawline, wanting and needing to press closer.

"Later." He murmmers, and this is a little more familiar, Gladio's amorous behavior and the way he presses into Ignis, his stiffening cock grinding into his lover's hip. "Eight now, I want you..."

"I was hoping you'd say that."

Another kiss, and a sigh as Ignis reached up to tangle his hands in Gladio's hair. For now, it was all slow and easy now that he wasn't fighting the demands of his body. This was something familiar in a sea of uncertainty and that made Ignis cling to Gladio even tighter.