To have and to hold, in case you get cold-

[fieryknowledge]

Insomnia was white under the newly fallen snow. The soft blanket of white covered the still ruined parts of the city, lending it a peaceful air, but around the Citadel, life was teeming once again. The Citadel proper had been repaired and the buildings around it were well on their way as well. Once the people had heard the the Chosen King had won and returned to them, they started to flock back to the city, bringing life and joy with them, as well as calloused hands and the willingness to help rebuild.

For Ignis, it'd been difficult. For the first month, he'd hold his breath each night, watching until the sun rose again as if he expected it to just vanish. It wasn't that he didn't have faith in his beloved King. It was simply too many years spent in the dark. Too many memories better left in that same dark. Too much pain.

Now that there was life in the city again and he knew it was good and permanent and safe, he settled into a routine as was his nature. Up before dawn and while he'd claim it was still to do things for his liege, anyone that really knew him knew that he would be looking for the dawn, even a year later. Now was no different. He'd risen before the sun and once it was up, he'd gone about his day. Meetings with the council that he now headed in Noct's absence, or working on helping the rebuilding efforts with Cor and the like. Each night, he returned to his new rooms in the Citadel, looking to curl up in Gladio's arms and sleep, praying there would be no nightmares to plague them in their sleep.

Tonight, while the snow fell silent around the city, Ignis found himself getting back home earlier than expected. Everyone was in fine spirits thanks to the weather and once he realized that there would be no real work for any of them, he called off the late council meeting and made his way back home, sure that Gladio wouldn't be there for a while since he knew his love liked to train in the evening. That left him plenty of time to cook something nice for both of them instead of the quick meals he'd grown used to whipping up for the last few months.

Comments

[sworn_shield]

With everything, after what happened from the fall of Lucis until they climbed those stairs together to beat Ardyn, Gladio has seen several moments where he thought one or two of his friends- or himself- would lose their lives. Most of them he had been able to brush off, especially those moments that were his own death, but finding Ravus over Luna's body, Noctis unconscious and being told that Ardyn had taken Ignis, his heart had nearly stopped.

It has almost been eleven years since then, and he still remembers how his heart pounded in his throat for days until they could get to Gralea, and Ignis had been so so damaged...

It was hard to think about. But every morning Gladio wakes up with Ignis by his side, and every night he falls asleep pulling the man closer to him. A reminder that they made it through, all of them made it through, and Gladio was so, so damn lucky to have him.

The past two days Gladio should have been training around this time in the evening, but he hasn't been. Sneaking out early instead to had the finishing touches on his surprise for Ignis checked on. The rings. Their rings, the one he was going to give to him to wear for the rest of their lives, because the thought of putting it off any longer is just silly.

He should wait- Their anniversary of their first date is in a few months, and Ignis birthday just a little before that.- However ever since the moment he has seen the finished product, had it safe and secure in his pocket he can practically feel it burning there.

Satisfied with everything he finally is taking the rings home with him. While he should stay out longer, instead Gladio finds himself wandering in the direction of their apartment earlier than he should be. Ah well, he really wants to see Ignis, and he should get this put away as soon as possible.

His heavy footsteps announce his presence even before the door opens to their apartment. He takes a few minutes to take off his heavy outerwear to protect from the snow, ringbox inside it, on the coathanger before following his nose to the kitchen.

"Hey," he greets, arms wrapping around Ignis waist, pressing himself up against him from behind. He sighs happily and borrows his cold nose and lips into that warm neck, nuzzling a little scratchy with his facial hair. "Smells great, Iggy."

[fieryknowledge]

Ever since the power of the kings had coursed through his veins, some would say Ignis seemed a little off. A little too knowing. A little too keen and now was no different. He heard Gladio coming long before the door opened, those footsteps a clear giveaway and a cadence he knew as intimately as his own heartbeat.

He was smiling long before Gladio came into the room. The cold caress against his neck earned his lover a murmured chastisement, but the slim man couldn't have protested too much. After all, he didn't try to move away from the touch. Instead, he let himself lean back into those strong arms, against the broad chest, chuckling under his breath at the downright domestic scene that he never would've imagined his life becoming.

Not when the Empire had caused them all so much chaos. Not when he knew that his choice almost eleven years ago should've led to his death. Not when ten years spent in an eternal night should've driven them apart and often time, it had. Missions, people to rescue, daemons that needed killing. They did what they had to do, but in the end, they always came back to each other.

"You're home early. Surely you can't be done beating up all the new Crownsguard recruits by now."

[sworn_shield]

Warming up happily against him, Gladio takes just a few moments to breathe Ignis in. To recharge with him there, to just enjoy being with him and thinking along the same lines, that this utterly domestic moment is something they fought hard to get and it could have easily have slipped through their fingers.

"I missed you; Thought I'd leave the beating up to Iris for once and enjoy our evening." He presses a kiss to that lovely, unblemished skin. Ignis' scars he loves just as much, every part of him so damn much that some days he thinks he could burst with happiness.

"Is it just us tonight, or are the other two joining us?" Prompto and Noctis have their own lives, though the four of them have stayed close with what they had gone through. Prompto even has a royal position decreed to him now to keep him close, a good thing considering how on occasion the other could feel like his past would get the better of him and needed his three friends to remind him that he was his own man.

[fieryknowledge]

Ignis suspected that Prompto's past would always haunt him so he did all he could to keep the younger man occupied when he wasn't with Noctis. He'd given him tasks during the rebuilding, documenting the process through photographs. After all, it was time to write a new history to Insomnia and what better way to preserve it?

Chuckling under his breath, he let his head tip a bit to give Gladio room. The scarring on his neck had been healed when Noctis had called on the Crystal to help him, but there were still faint, silver lines marring his face around his eye and along his nose and chin. His hand still bore the brunt of the scarring, faint pink lines radiating out from where the Ring had started to burn its way into his skin. Prompto told him that when he'd been found, his hands looked like nothing but ash so some scarring wasn't anything he would complain about.

"Just us tonight. Cor is watching over Noctis this evening while he and Prompto charm the new Altissian ambassador. Nothing too serious. We're already close to signing an open aid act with them and we don't foresee any problems that would change that."

[sworn_shield]

"That's good. If all goes well with that we'll have a little ceromony tommrow night, so we will end up having a formal dinner with them anyway." Gladio never minds when the others are over, especially since they went for so long without Noctis around. Having a night along with Ignis though after picking up the rings just seems like perfection, however.

Finally his mouth finds Ignis own, fingers underneath the man's chin to guide him to the right spot for them to meet. Long slow and passionate, just enjoying being close, Gladio does pull away what feels like is too soon, but he knows Ignis would be more cross over a burned dinner than a too-short kiss.

"M' gonna shower real quick. I'll be back before you're done." he promises, and backs off to go do so. On his way to their bedroom he snags his coat so he can go bury the ring box in his sock drawer, making a promise to himself to look at a calendar tomorrow and find the perfect date in the next few months to ask.

Months, weeks? Thst all seemed so far away. That he let's himself mull over as he gets cleaned up.

[fieryknowledge]

Of course there would be a formal dinner. In a way, Ignis had missed them. It'd been quite a long time since the Citadel had seen visitors, much less such an important occasion. While that meant formal uniforms and reminding people of their manners, it was right down Ignis' alley.

Gladio knew him far too well, but don't think he didn't lean in, trying to chase those lips for a moment longer with a faintly protesting murmur. He managed a long, mock put-upon sigh before he shook his head and turned back to their dinner, but there was no way to miss the flushed cheeks and the small smile twisting his lips.

"You've got an hour. I figured anak stew would be good for a cold night and it needs time to cook down."

[sworn_shield]

Astrals, how did he get so lucky? He would stay, but getting clean for dinner and bed does feel nice, and he steps out after half an hour all scrubbed down and hair washed. Padding barefoot into their apartment, boxers on because surely he will be scolded for not wearing anything in the kitchen, he goes to find his lover again.

As usual, Ignis food smells delicious, and he can't wait to eat it. Seeing the man so relaxed after such a long time in the dark, where they spent months apart at a time, was so damn nice.

"I'm going to have to wear my crownsguard uniform again tomorrow. Its been awhile since we pulled it out." He muses out loud, letting the man in to his thoughts, wherever he may be in their apartment. Pulling down the dishes he sets the bowls near the stock pot near the stove, and works on setting everything else on their small table. "It's strange to think we'll be going back to all that soon, you know? Hopefully without the part where you work yourself exhausted twice a week."

The beginning of their relationship had those sorts of things that couldn't actually be solved, but well, now they had the luxury of getting someone to help.

[fieryknowledge]

Scolded would've been right. Ignis had long since lost any sense of shame about his body and being nude, but not in the kitchen. That was a non-negotiable... well. While he was cooking anyway.

By the time Gladio came back, Ignis was leaning back against the kitchen counter, simply waiting for the food to be done, a glass of wine in hand. In the past, such a thing would've been common-place but the entirety of the world was still recovering from the long night which meant such luxuries were just that; a luxury. Noctis had only been gifted the bottle of wine from the Altissian delegation and their dear King wasn't a fan of wine, so off to Ignis it went.

Smirking, he huffed a soft sigh before he drained the wine that was left in the glass. while he watched Gladio set their little table for dinner.

"Some of us wear it more often than we used to, though it's still a bit stifling at times. As for exhaustion... well. We both know that's going to happen. There's... a chance that I might be leaving for Lestallum soon. I'll be gone for a couple of weeks at least, helping to get things back in order there. They shouldered a lot of the burden of government during the Long Night and I know Monica would appreciate the help."

[sworn_shield]

"Lestallum?"

Gladio frowns a little to himself, but doesn't really find himself surprised. He ended up spending a lot of time there, and it was often where he met up with the others after months of traveling and little communication. Loads of refugees around as well, and of anyone could broker a deal like that, it would be Ignis.

"If anyone could give her that help, it would be you, Iggy." Trying not to sound grumpy, but Gladio has always been easily read by Ignis. Finished with the dishes, he moves over to the man and wraps his arms around him, giving thst kiss that had been cut off too short before.

"You know I'll miss you, right?"

[fieryknowledge]

It's all too easy to let himself fall into that kiss, but don't think he can't read the tension in his lover while he's there in his arms. He knew that his news wasn't exactly good, but it was unavoidable. Sooner or later, they'd be separated for some reason or another. At least now that the world was stable, there would be easier communication and no real worries about dangerous adversaries to threaten them.

"I know you will, love. It's not set in stone, though. I might be able to stay here for the duration if I can convince Cor to go in my place. Everyone there respects him and honestly, some of them fear him. That just works in his favor. No frowning, alright? Not until there's a reason to frown."

[sworn_shield]

Ignis is warm, comforting and Gladio can't help but lean into him, eyes warm and mouth. Smiling as he looks at the other while he speaks. His beautiful, wonderful Ignis.

"A practical excuse." He teases gently, then adds on. "Heck, if you do go, maybe I could even convince Noct to let me come up for a weekend. After all, when's the last time we had a vacation?"

Spending time in the long night recovering from injuries underneath Ignis care didn't really count, no matter how he had made a joke of such at the time.

[fieryknowledge]

"If you're looking for a vacation, we could always see about visiting Galdin Quay soon. Maybe get Noctis and Prompto to join us, though... I don't plan on sharing a room with them again. I'm sure they wouldn't mind getting away from everything."

The rebuilding was going very well, but it was draining on everyone. There was a lot to do, between rebuilding infrastructure and wooing new ambassadors and cementing good relations with new governments that came into light after the Long Night. The work was worthwhile, but he knew they were all wearing out. Most days, Ignis was happy being home again, but there were moments he missed the freedom their road trip had offered.

Sighing, he let his head sink down to rest against Gladio's chest, just content to soak in his presence while he could.

"But if I do end up going. I'd love the chance to see you while I'm there, even if Lestallum isn't exactly a vacation paradise."

[sworn_shield]

"It doesn't matter where it is, so long as I'm with you."

Gladio said, and it isn't some grand declaration of love more than it is simply fact. Ignis relaxes against him and Gladio holds him, smile on his face and wondering just what he had done to be with someone so caring, so wonderful. Ignis was simply the very best part of him, he things as he raises a hand to stroke through blond hair. The very best part, and he never wants to lose that.

"Galdin sounds nice. We could camp out on our way there, like we tried to do the first time- I'm sure we could pull some strings for the best private room, have our own little getaway while the boys fish."

...This is sounding a lot like a honeymoon, the more he thinks about it. And really, it's not a bad idea. He thinks about the ring sitting in their bedroom, and he can't help but notice his heart pound a bit faster.

"...Good place to get married to, when we're ready."

[fieryknowledge]

Some would call it romance, but for Ignis, it was just how it was between them. Years of understanding and trust wrapped up in a lasting affection and attraction that even the longest of nights couldn't break. Bruise and bend, at times, but never broken.

The idea of camping pulled a low chuckle from Ignis as he let his head tip a bit as if to encourage the fingers carding though his hair. They still had a bit of time before dinner was done and Ignis intended to enjoy every moment of quiet time he had with Gladio, even if it was spent as simply as this.

"... indeed. When we're ready."

When they were ready. It was a nebulous thing, really. Ignis knew that Gladio was the one for him and he'd known that for years. After everything they'd been through, he knew that nothing would come between them and while he'd let his mind wander to the idea of marrying Gladio, he'd never tempted fate by proposing. Not when the Astrals seemed to finally be letting them live their lives without some great and terrible destinies hanging over them.

[sworn_shield]

"Soon."

Gladio thinks back on their very first kiss, when they were mere teenagers and dealing with confusing hormones and feelings, muddying up the perfect little schedule they should have had. Taking care of their prince, Ignis working so damn hard on top of training with him to the point of exhaustion, and the moment where Gladio realized that his usual natural flirting was met with little but he always wanted more.

He strokes his fingers through Ignis hair, then repeats himself more confidently. "Soon. I think we've waited long enough, right?" The ten year period of darkness has kept them apart often, to the point that the idea of marriage seemed so far off and wrong without Noctis there. But now everything was better, was perfect.

Just like Ignis being with him felt perfect.

[fieryknowledge]

Their first kiss... how long ago was that now? Ignis could still remember it vividly. He was still all gangly limbs and quietly held insecurities and how in all the hells had he managed to win over Gladiolus of all people- They'd been so damned young. So foolish, but in the end, that foolishness had taught Ignis a strength that he never imagined he could have. He knew that, with Gladio at his side, he could accomplish anything. After all, they'd managed to defy Fate, right?

The questioned pulled his attention away from the strong fingers sliding through his hair and for a moment, he wondered if Gladio was up to something.

"... we've waited a long time, I suppose. You've never seemed truly interested in it before, though. What's changed?"

[sworn_shield]

What had changed? So much around them and yet, at the core it was always the same. Ignis at his side, ready to face the world. Sure, their duty will come first, but they both know that. With the Gods will subverted however, and the scourge defeated there is little more to worry about than human politics.

Gladio considers this for a moment, eyes on Ignis as he looks for the right words. "It's just that... I'm not worried about dying at any random moment, just for making one misstep, you know? Worried about leaving you behind to deal with that. It isn't something constant looming over our heads anymore, worrying about tomorrow. Now we can plan months, years ahead."

Gladio isn't sure if he is getting g through right, but he speaks from the heart, and he knows Ignis will understand what he means. "And when I think about that, any plan always has you in it. It always has. Since Noctis is the last king and there's no worries about bloodlines and duty more than what we have now... I know it's always going to be with you, so why not make it official."

He's rambling a little bit, but all of what he says, Gladio means.

[fieryknowledge]

Why not make it official?

For a moment, he just stood there, his face burrowed against Gladio's chest. There was a soft, muffled chuckle from him before he pulled away to turn back to check their dinner though at that moment, he was hyper-aware of Gladio there with him. Oh, he understood Gladio's words quite well and he shared the same sentiment, but in a way, the planning for months and years ahead wasn't just something for their lives. It was something for everyone's lives and deep down, Ignis wondered if he'd truly thought it through.

He loved Gladio since they were both young and even to this day, he was still madly in love with him, but he knew that there was a better than average chance that the rebuilding would take up so much time and energy that he was concerned that Gladio would feel slighted. Add on his remaining duties to Noct as well as council leadership for their King and-

"... are you proposing, Gladiolus? It almost sounds like you are."

[sworn_shield]

Gladio doesn't protest Ignis leaving him, pulling away and the both of them she'll shocked to quietness. Shit, had he had messed up? No, not exactly- he had spoken his mind. Said what he really meant and how he really felt.

It should be no surprise to anybody thst Gladio is also a terrible liar when it comes to Ignis as well. Not that any of this was a lie now, just flustered words spewing out of his dumb mouth.


"I-" Fuck. This was an awful way to do things, wasn't it? Iris was going to smack him for being so damn unromantic about it. But he goes forward, arms wrapped back around Ignis, and doesn't let him go. If he has already gone this far...

"I love you. Some days during that dark that was all I knew, Iggy. I won't propose if you don't want me to, but I do want you to know there isn't anyone else on Eros for me and never will be."

Now thst there is a almost functioning government back, he wants it official. Seems both Amicitias has a thing for romance.

[fieryknowledge]

No, he hadn't messed up. In fact, Ignis was the one feeling like he'd messed up. Maybe he should've just come out years ago and asked. Maybe he should've asked the night before they'd taken Insomnia back, like he'd wanted to. It would've been impetuous and for Ignis, such a thing was unusual. Noct used to tease him and tell him that there wasn't a romantic bone in his body and at moments like this, he believed it.

Sighing, he let himself sink back against Gladio once again.

"I never said I didn't want you to propose. Far from it, in fact. I never thought we'd have the chance to do something so... normal. That never stopped me from imagining it from time to time."

To some, normal would be boring. To Ignis, after everything they'd been through, normal would be bliss.

[sworn_shield]

After everythingthey have been through, Gladio can understand the hesitation. It seems their lives were meant fir adventures, but why couldn't they have what they wanted on top of that?

There was no reason why Ignis couldn't do his job and wear a ring. No reason Gladio couldn't add Ignis last name to his own. He takes a deep breath and holds on to the other man a little tighter, steadying himself in their, yes their, kitchen.

"Marry me, Ignis. We deserve to be happy."

[fieryknowledge]

As far as Ignis was concerned, they deserved more than just happiness but right then, he had everything he needed and wanted. Gladio's arms were warm and firm around him, his voice a low, beloved burr in his ear and the safety and security that all their pain and suffering had bought them. All the years in the dark, waiting for their brother and liege to return, every single moment of fear was worth hearing those words.

He felt his face aching and realized that he was smiling like some lovestruck fool and really, he was. He'd been lovestruck since he was a much younger man, his heart captured by the big man pressed in so close behind him.

"I thought you'd never ask. Iris is going to be disappointed that she wasn't here to witness it."

[sworn_shield]

" 'M sorry I took so long. You know I'm slow on the uptake sometimes." Not knowing Ignis had harbored a crush back when they were young, but those days are thought of fondly now. Because they figured it out, made it through the worst of the worst, and have a sense of love and security in each other that even a blossoming Kingdom can't provide.

Gladio smiles just as much, nuzzling into the other man,coaxing him up for a kiss. Dinner is still being made so he can't sweep him up into their bedroom, but there will be plenty of time for that once they manage to eat. If they manage more than a few bites.

"More like she'll be mad I was so unromantic about the whole thing. I might have to receeate it with a ring so she can squeal over it." He teases with a laugh, eyes warm and only for Ignis in this moment, despite talking about his sister.

[fieryknowledge]

It wouldn't take much coaxing to get Ignis lifting his face into that kiss. It was met with a pleased murmur and he idly thought about turning around and setting the stew on low so it could take its time finishing up while he let his new fiance debauch him. It really wasn't responsible and he knew he shouldn't, though.

It was tempting, though. Very tempting.

"You don't have a ring? Perhaps I should reconsider."

There was no missing the tease in his voice, nor the smile on his face that seemed to just be stuck in place.

[sworn_shield]

Gods Ignis is beautiful like this of smiling so much that even his eyes seemed to glow wilrh his love. Gladio doesn't want to let him go, debates ruining their dinner fornthe third time in as many minutes to wisk his newly minted Fiance off out of the kitchen.

"Actually, I've been working on that." He admits, and pulls back and away from him to pad to the bedroom. "You know im no good at secrets, I havent had them for very long."

When he comes back the box is in hand, and he thinks about just handing it over, but changes his mind and instead opens it up, slipping the ring off to put on Ignis hand himself.