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[fieryknowledge]

It wasn't uncommon for Ignis to be out late at night. Between his work and keeping an eye on his charge, nights were definitely something he was used to, though most would say he was a creature better suited to the sunlight. Most of the time, he just offered those that dared say anything a cool stare and his back as he moved on past them. It wasn't really him being rude. He simply didn't have the time for such silliness. Not when there were always things to do.

On nicer nights, he would walk himself home from Noctis' and tonight was no different. The moon was close to being full, if not already full, and the night was pleasantly warm. The walk might be longer than most would like, but he enjoyed the chance to have some peace and quiet while mulling over the business of the day. Court politics could anger the calmest among them and the chance to think things through had left Ignis better able to handle such things.

Comments

[fieryknowledge]

The feeling of that big hand curling over his pulled Ignis from his overthinking. The gesture was sweet and more of a comfort than Gladio could know. He was right, of course. The talk went well. Better than Ignis expected, honestly. He wasn't sure what he'd been expecting, but it hadn't been that. Such... open acceptance.

Sighing, he glanced up at Gladio, the public mask gone for the moment. In its place was nothing more than a tired, unsure young man.

"It's just a lot of things to take in. I've never really been a fan of personal change. You know that."

[sworn_shield]

"I do know. I'm sorry it could not have come easier, Iggy."

His voice is a little more gentle now that they were alone, not having to worry about what words to say to The King and his Shield. The same soothing he had used to get Ignis into bed earlier today.

"I know it has to be hard but I guess I'd better ask- Would you want to go tell Noctis now, or should we wait until after school tomorrow ?"

[fieryknowledge]

"I'll take care of that later."

He didn't mean to sound so short with Gladio, or so closed off. Not when right then, his partner's presence was exactly what he both craved and needed. It was just his way of compartmentalizing things so he could handle them better. Noctis... was so very important to him. To both of them, yes, but for Ignis, the prince had been his everything for so long. Until Gladio and he had become friends then more.

"For now, I just want to get out of this uniform and into something more comfortable. I'll call him later and tell him that we're taking some time off and will give him the reason tomorrow."

[sworn_shield]

"Alright babe. And if it will worry you less, I can be the one who ferries him to and from school until we leave this weekend, that way it's one variable to worry about."

Of course, then that puts him away for his mate for about an hour each morning and afternoon. At rhis state, it might be a little too much for Ignis.

[fieryknowledge]

And there it was again. That frown, showing that something else was changing yet again and Ignis wasn't about to stand for it. Huffing under his breath, he shook his head and pulled his hand from Gladio's, lips thinned out in frustration.

"I can still drive, you know. I'm not helpless."

The temper absolutely wasn't meant as anything personal. It was just Ignis trying to adjust.

[sworn_shield]

Gladio doesn't move or pull away, but he does look at Ignis. This is going to be hard on him, Gladio just has to give his mate a little bit of leeway with his feelings, just like the pack did with him when he was changing.

"You know I didn't mean it that way, Iggy. Just trying to make what the Princess needs a priority. It always is for yoj, so there isn't any reason why I can't help more to help you."

As the elevator opens he waits for Ignis before moving forward, still moving together as a unit as they get back to the apartment.

[fieryknowledge]

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."

[sworn_shield]

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.

[fieryknowledge]

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."

[sworn_shield]

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.

[fieryknowledge]

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."

[sworn_shield]

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?"

[fieryknowledge]

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."

[sworn_shield]

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.

[fieryknowledge]

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?"

[sworn_shield]

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?"

[fieryknowledge]

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?"

[sworn_shield]

"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?"

[fieryknowledge]

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.

[sworn_shield]

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.

[fieryknowledge]

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.

[sworn_shield]

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.

[fieryknowledge]

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.

[sworn_shield]

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."

[fieryknowledge]

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."