(no subject)

[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

[sworn_shield]

Gladio actually does look a little upset at how Ignis inches away from him, but does his best to hide it from the man. This is all new to Ignis, and it is happening so fast that it has to be scary.

"I just... you know, exerted my dominance over you. Its a pack thing. I was worried you were gonna get hurt if you ran away from me again, and I couldn't let that happen to you."

Iggy may have seen it from Regis or Claus when a meeting was getting heated once or twice before, but it was unlikely to have affected him so much back then.

[fieryknowledge]

Ignis hadn't noticed Regis or mostly Clarus using it, though it wouldn't shock him. During heated 'discussions', both were known to raise their voice and oddly enough, things seemed to clear up once it happened. Now he knew the how and why of it and it disturbed him. It disturbed him enough that he climbed to his feet and padded off into the tent, settling himself in the security of his nest without even realizing that he'd done it seeking comfort.

[sworn_shield]

Gladio waits only a few minutes before following his lover, cleaning up the campsite and making sure the fire was out before he entered after him. Slow, making sure his lover can hear him so he doesn't startle further.

[fieryknowledge]

Oh, he heard him. He heard every movement Gladio made even when he was outside the tent. It was as if his senses were finely tuned when it came to his partner. When Gladio came into the tent, Ignis shifted a bit in the nest, tucking himself in a little more even as he turned his gaze toward the bigger man.

"... I'm asking you not to do that to me again. Taking charge for pleasure is one thing, but that... you took away my choice, Gladio. I understand why, but... it's unnerving to know that someone I've loved for so long could do that to me so easily."

[sworn_shield]

Gladio has shed his form all the way to human by the time he enters, and moves ro sit across from his lover. In reach, if he so wished.

He listens, he really does. Ignis can always count on that, even if it is something they disagree on.

"Alright Iggy, I can do that. You know I'm gonna always pick you first." Doesn't mean he won't make mistakes in the end, but they will be honest over everything else.

[fieryknowledge]

Mistakes were more than acceptable. They were expected. After all, how did someone learn properly? Hells, Ignis had made some major mistakes earlier when he let his instincts get the better of him and don't think he didn't know that. That was partly why his mood was so off right then. Ignis didn't like making such glaring mistakes.

He knew that Gladio had settled in reach but he kept his hands tucked away, one around the edge of a blanket and the other in his lap, loose and open. Some of the tension had eased out of him by now, but that wariness remained.

"... thank you."

[sworn_shield]

He smiles gently at him, before letting out a brief noise- he forgot he left somethibg outside their tent- and quickly returns with their cooler to put against the wall. Before that, howeverx, he breaks into the six pack of Ebony they brought and hands it over, still on the right side of cold for Ignis.

"Anytime, Iggy. I love you, so I'm always gonna do what's right for us, you know?"

Finally he stretches out into the nest of blankets himself, content to be close by. Ignis knows his side is always open to curl up against when he is done needing his space to himself.

[fieryknowledge]

The Ebony was taken with a quiet murmur of gratitude, his fingers brushing against Gladio's briefly before he tucked into it. Coffee while his nerves were still on edge usually wouldn't be a good idea, but it rarely affects his nerves anymore. He's just had that much of it in his life. Instead of making him jittery, it's something that he's used to, so it helped to settle his mood a bit more.

He still kept his distance from Gladio, though.

A bit later and he turned to settle deeper into the nest, clearly worn out. It'd been a bit of a hectic day and while Ignis was used to working long hours, he seemed to wear out quicker as of late. He was sure that was partly due to the recent changes he'd been going through and he hoped they'd settle down soon. He couldn't be like this forever, after all.

[sworn_shield]

Gladio stays with him in a only slightly awkward silence, his tablet in hand opened to a book of his he has had a hankering to read. He would normally get lost in it, but he spends his time stealing glances over at his mate near the end of every chaoter, checking on him.

Finally he seems ready to sleep though, and before Gladio turns his off he does lean over a little into Ignis' space, catching his hand into his.

"Sleep well, okay babe? I know this is a lot all at once, and I know it is hard, but I promise that I'm here for you."

[fieryknowledge]

There was a pause when Gladio's hand closed over his, but a moment later, there was a squeeze back and this time, Ignis didn't let go. It was a silent invitation to join him. Ignis could hold a grudge if he wanted, but at the moment, he wasn't in the mood. Not when everything in his world had gone sideways and the support was wanted.

"I'm starting to think I'm not cut out for this."

[sworn_shield]

"Babe, it's been less than a week."

Gladio says, with a chuckle and moving to come closer, he settles warm and safe over him, keeping that hand in Ignis' own.

"You've learned about a whole different life, dealt with all of your normal job things on top of that, and your changes are kind of crazy. I'd say you are doing fucking great right about now."

[fieryknowledge]

There was a soft hum from Ignis at the praise, even if he inwardly disagreed. It was common knowledge that Ignis hated not being good at something he has to do. That was why he worked so hard when he first started to learn how to handle weapons. Having Gladio there to help, both then and now, was a gift and he knew it.

Sighing, he tucked himself in against Gladio, biting back a yawn.

"I can do better."

[sworn_shield]

"You can, it just takes a little time, love."

He leans in to kiss his lover before settling next to him, wolf part of him satisfied that he has made his mate content. One arm slips around his waist, and he settles in happily to sleep after their hard run.

[fieryknowledge]

The rest of their time off passes in a bit of a blur of sex, hormones and the rich mingled scents of himself and his mate. He'd managed to learn to hunt and was on track to be just as quietly deadly as a wolf as he was a human and they both knew he was just as fast. If anything, Ignis had always been a quick learner and there was no exception with this new part of his life.

They won't discuss that one nasty tumble into the bush, though. He felt like he'd never live that one down.

The following weeks went by quickly. Once they got back, life resumed for both of them and Ignis had to learn new ways to balance everything. In some ways, Insomnia was even more distracting now that sounds and scents were much more enhanced for Ignis now. For a few days, he'd find himself pausing in the middle of a conversation, his head slowly panning as he found himself trying to figure out a new scent or realize that he was hearing birds that he'd never heard before.

Everyone took that distraction with good humor and patience once word got around that Ignis was a 'late bloomer'.

Right around the full moon, things seemed to change. Council members started to linger closer to him than before and Clarus took him aside to quietly caution him about how some weres took the full moon. He was fine with everything save his own growing nerves until he was damn near cornered by one of the younger Crownguard during a spar. A low, soft growl was all the warning he got before the other man burrowed his face against Ignis' neck, taking a long, slow sniff before Ignis kicked him off and damn near gutted him for it.

The rest of the day had left him on edge, enough so that Regis and Noctis both had told him to go home early. After all, they both knew what was going on. A hour later and Ignis was unlocking the door to his apartment, still vaguely disgruntled.

[sworn_shield]

Their trip goes well- Gladio teaches Ignis what he knows and his mate absorbs it like a sponge. Although they do spend many hours completly engrossed in each other, their tent turned into a den of sex and debauchery between naps. It was a wonderful time and really a good way for Ignis to get use to the basics he would be dealing with. As a late bloomer, it can show up hard and fast, bur rhis helps.

When they head back home the two of them are happy, new limits learned and boundaries set that Gladio intends to keep. Sleeping back in their apartment that first nice is nice, and he feels really good about where all of this is leading to.

As the full mood draws closer, Gladio starts to notice things that bother him. People standing closer in Ignis' personal space, lingering looks that make his lips curl up, ready to growl. He isn't the only one who notices, and on the days when he is standing guard in a meeting, the sheer annoyance radiating off of him tends to curb most of that behavior.

But he cant always be there, nor is Ignis someone who needs to be protected like a fragile doll. They talk about it and agree that as long as nobody touches, Ignis can't risk his position on the council with any angry outbursts from either of them.

The afternoon before the full moon is when things get a little too out of hand. Gladio nearly marches down to the medical bay to further fuck up said mentioned Crownsguard when he is intercepted by his father and Cor. They assure him that they will handle it and send him off back home, with a reminder to wither stay home or join the pack before the full moon rose tonight.

When he enters the apartment, probaply about an hour after Ignis has, he has calmed down. Somewhat. Being at home- close to their den- makes him much happier, espcially when he can smell Ignis nearby.

"Everything okay, Iggy?" He calls as he enters, shoes coming off before he pads past the entranceway.

[fieryknowledge]

The rumor mill had already started churning by then. Word was spreading that Ignis was a new were, that 'I heard he smelled damn good' and 'did you see so-and-so when he got done with him?'. There were other, more unsavory things being said as well, and don't think he hadn't heard some of it. Not when Prompto had shared some of what he'd heard around the halls of the Citadel when going looking for Noctis.

None of it made Ignis happy to hear, but Ignis was Ignis. He knew Court gossip was nothing more than idle speculation mixed with maybe 2% of the truth. By the time Gladio walked in, he'd had a shower to try and wash away the scent of the other Crownsguard member that had pinned him down and was already in the kitchen, trying to decide on what to cook for dinner.

"It's fine."

[sworn_shield]

Asking him if he was sure it was fine was on the tip of Gladio's tongue, but he refrains. With a sigh he wraps his arms around Ignis from behind as he usually does, stopping him for a moment to steal a kiss.

"Okay, just wanted to make sure. I know you can take care of yourself, but I still worry."

Because well, he loves him. Why else? He nuzzles the back of his neck, maybe a tad bit posessive.

[fieryknowledge]

"I know you do."

And he did. He'd seen Gladio's sour face more and more often as the full moon approached, even to the point of it being a distraction during meetings when the other was in attendance. He never gave on that he was watching his mate as much as he was paying attention during those meetings, but he knew damn well that Regis and Clarus had noticed. At least they seemed to be the only ones.

Having Gladio close to him settled a bit more of the nerves that had been roiling in his gut since he'd turned violent on the other Crownsguard for getting too 'friendly', a sigh slipping free as he let his head tip a little to give Gladio all the room to nuzzle that he could want.

"Clarus said that's common between mates. I told him I was well aware of that fact by now."

[sworn_shield]

"To be fair, I was that way before."

He chuckles, pressing his scent to the back of his neck as well with stubbly kisses. For all of his flirty nature, one of his flaws was that he hated it when people flirted with Ignis- half because he knows the other hates it, and half because he was posessive. Over time, of course, he has gotten better at not letting it get to him. They had been together since they were teens after all.

"Council stuff is suspended like normal until the moon wanes, so hopefully since this is the first time, it won't happen again."

[fieryknowledge]

There was a muffled snort from Ignis, but there was no way to miss the faint humor in his tone. In the back of his mind, he idly wondered if scent carried things like amusement or other more positive things. He already knew it could carry fear and anger, after all.

Humming under his breath, he moved his arms to settle atop Gladio's, letting himself lean back into that welcome, familiar warmth.

"Perhaps, but I've still got a lot of work to get done for Noctis and Regis."

After all, he'd managed to put a reign on letting his instincts run over him, right?

[sworn_shield]

A happy rumble escapes him, and that should answer his question, as he was clearly pleased.

"You'll have plenty of time to get it done. Dad said we only need to show up to the pack at least one night, since it's your first, but the rest of the time can be ours or for your work."

His fingers spread to catch Ignis' own between them, threading together and yes, this is much, much better than those meetings.

[fieryknowledge]

Knowing that he'd have to join the pack was something a bit nerve wracking for Ignis. He'd been raised to handle courtiers and councilors and lords and the like. That was something he knew and understood. He'd only been a were for a short time now, not like the rest of the pack that were born and raised into it.

Still, Gladio would be there. He knew he wouldn't let Ignis falter.

A quick squeeze to Gladio's hand and he closed his eyes as he pulled one of them up to brush a kiss over their joined fingers.

"Is there anything I should know about handling the pack?"

[sworn_shield]

Feeling him relax Gladio was happy, because after what he heard had happened he was not sure what kind of mood he would be walking in on.

"Well, most of them know who you are already, so that shouldn't be a problem. They might want to know what clan you are from..." He frowns at the thought, remembering that they had not quite dug deep enough into his family history to know yet

"You can always say mine. That will keep from too many questions, right?"

[fieryknowledge]

"I'm not going to lie, Gladio."

Lying wasn't something Ignis did. Diplomatic truths, sure, but a flat out lie? It was something he avoided. Too much opportunity for things to go wrong that way.

"Your father told me the same thing, you know. He mentioned that I might be more appealing so some of the others since I'm not permanently mated. Not in the eyes of the pack."

It was said with care since Ignis knew how moody Gladio had been lately when he'd noticed a lot more attention being paid to Ignis.

[sworn_shield]

There are some grumbling noises behind the other, but despite were culture, Gladio has been in a 'human' relationship with Ignis for more than a few years now. He understands that some things take time, and on top of that, Ignis own pride will never allow him to lie.

He pulls away, but not ou5 of any sort of anger, but so that his eyes can meet Ignis' own, steady and hopeful.

"Welcomed with open arms to the Amicitia clan, then. It wouldn't be a lie, if even my dad said that to you." He points out. They have talked about what the future holds for them more than once, and Gladio really is a romantic at heart.

"Whatever you come up with, I'll stand by your side for it. I just... You know. Hearing what happened today makes me a little protective of you."