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.

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[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."