[ gods, but albert is addictive. a salve on wounds, this is troubling, too. albert must be in a mood.
ignis is there in minutes, casually dressed in a henley and a light sports jacket and jeans. he's carrying a small bag with a container in it, and he's knocking on his door. ]
[Albert opens the door almost as soon as it's knocked on, and he looks... careworn. His hair is down and slightly damp, and he's wearing only a light pair of sleep pants and a hooded knit jacket that has to pass for a nightrobe until he finds one he likes.
His eyes have a spark of life in them once he reaches out to pull Ignis gently inside.]
[ ignis already knows something isn't right, even as he steps in and presses a soft, affectionate kiss to his cheek in greeting. the man is just as lovely tonight, even moreso in casual clothes, and he squeezes his hand. ]
[ ignis says quietly, bluntly, reaching up to cup his cheek. in the weeks that they have known each other, ignis has become increasingly enamoured with him, drawn to this man and his quirks.
he doesn't buy that smile either, and he brings up his hand to press a soft, gentle and lingering kiss to his knuckles. ]
I could say the same for you, but you're an incredibly distracting man, and I would rather spend tonight cheering you up. I'm sorry they're not here yet.
[He means more than that, but won't say it at the moment. There's a pause as his eyes track the kiss, the adoration he's sure he doesn't deserve, and won't ask for from anyone else.]
I wonder if it's better that they aren't, or if this is...
[A punishment. Divine retribution that he's suffering because of what he started.]
...something I shouldn't think about too heavily. There's little productive to gain. Furthermore, why should I be remotely sad when I have you in front of me?
[It's his turn to kiss his guest's hand.]
No need to cheer me. Just be yourself, and I'll be swept up in your charms sooner than I can blink.
[ he says quietly -- as charming and lovely as he knows albert is, he also knows him enough to understand that he sometimes wields that charm as a defense mechanism, retreating into himself and putting others before him. ignis has noticed it, and gently calls him out.
after all, albert deserves more than he thinks he does. ]
It's time to not be selfless. Let me take care of you tonight. I tried my hand at making a Yorkshire pudding.
[It's permission to crumble, and he loves and loathes it. This is why he adores Ignis so, why they clicked from the first moment they laid eyes on each other. He smiles, bittersweet, for several moments.
Yorkshire pudding. Commoner food, to be sure, but the kind Louis would unironically make them all, and that Albert would love with every fiber of his being.
He's so touched he can't even speak for a while. He fears that if he does, his voice will betray him.
Rather than speak, he wraps Ignis into an embrace, something he's only come to appreciate since coming here. He knows it's horribly sentimental, so he doesn't hold it for longer than the amount of time it takes for him to breathe Ignis in and stave off an emotional response. When he pulls away, he reaches out to stroke fingers over Ignis' hair, so like a lover.]
You're the best man here. I can make some tea to go with it.
[ there it is, a glimpse of the real albert, the young man underneath the many layers of gallant chivalry and charm. ignis had remembered when albert had spoken about his brothers, how he loved them and the food he ate, and he had attempted to replicate it himself as a gift for him.
as it turns out, it's one hell of a gift. he leans into the embrace and gives him a tender squeeze, happy to hold him as the warmth of their connection intensifies. he can feel it, the press of homesickness, albert's sadness, and he leans into his touch willingly.
how strange and wonderful, that he would connect with him so strongly. he catches a hold of him with a soft, playful smile. ]
Let me help. I'm loathe to let you go now that I have you again.
[His heart aches at being wanted in any way when he's missing his brothers so much, at the kindness and courtesy Ignis always shows him. He's an absolute treasure, Albert knows, and he's endlessly glad he caught his eye.
And he can feel that concern, the tenderness, something he's all too sure he doesn't deserve.]
I can't say no to you.
[He'll lead him to the kitchen by that hold, smiling distractedly still.]
[ he says plainly. even now, albert is immaculate, polite and sweetly courteous. tonight is not about ignis, not when he knows albert is struggling with profound homesickness alone in his quiet apartment.
he follows him into the kitchen, but he gently backs him against the counter, his gaze intent but warm, focused only on albert. he's here for him tonight. his hand cups his cheek. ]
[He hates being admonished for defending himself the way he always has, but their bond is a unique one, and he would rather be as honest with Ignis as he can be. Even if the man knows next to nothing of the truth, he's sure he suspects there's more going on.
So Albert closes his eyes for a moment, letting the press of Ignis in front of him and the counter behind him center him. When he opens his eyes again, his gaze is dull, tired. Honest.]
[ albert is right. ignis might not be privy to his secrets, but he knows that there's more going on with him than he's let on. however, ignis is in no hurry to pry those secrets from him -- not when he isn't ready. after all, there are still other things they have yet to discover and learn about each other, and ignis looks forward to further deepening their unique bond.
he softens when albert finally discards that lovely veneer of aristocratic manners, when he finally shows him his true state of mind, and he cups his cheek briefly. he sees him as he is, and he accepts him. ]
I will stay with you tonight.
[ he murmurs gently, then shifts away to give him space. ]
I'll make the tea and serve the pudding. Go and take a seat.
[Albert absolutely hates being vulnerable, but he's learning that it's okay with some people, or in fact necessary. There will be times when he'll resist, he knows, but not when he's being looked at like that with those beautiful eyes and a hand on his cheek.
Ignis shifts away, but Albert follows, pulling him close again for a brief, gentle kiss to the corner of his lips. If Ignis gets to assert himself, so does Albert. That's how their dance works. He murmurs against his skin.]
Thank you, Ignis.
[A breath. He's being cared for, waited on like Louis would when he had a hard time of things, and it only makes things ache more. But he'll dutifully go and sit at the small dining table to wait. Pulling the jacket around himself more tightly and zipping it, he watches Ignis work.]
You really are the most handsome man I've ever seen.
[ oh -- he likes that. ignis can't help but smile when albert pulls him close, clearly asserting himself in turn even as he allows ignis to boss him around and mind him. it's lovely, how albert discreetly, sweetly reminds him that he's doing this because he wants to, that their dance has always been between equals.
he smiles at that praise, before he prepares two cups of tea and one yorkshire pudding, collecting the cutlery with him on a tray. he sets it down delicately before him, removing the items from the tray to serve, before he settles in a seat adjacent to him. ]
And you are the most charming man I've ever met. I fear I may be spoiled by your praise.
[That Albert can revere and admire him while also being equals is something terribly special to him. The fact that he's found someone he can be that comfortable with is in itself a comfort.
His whole body is turned toward Ignis, full attention on him in a most undignified manner, so that he actually has to move the chair slightly when the food is set before him.]
It's so easy to praise you, though. [He thinks it'll be a cold day in hell before he sees a fault or a flaw in this man. Watery-eyed, he looks down at the pastry.]
I can't believe you remembered me talking about this. No, I... can believe it, because you're you, but I still think I might be dreaming.
[A glance up.]
I hope you know I'll be paying this back in kind, when I can. Somehow.
There's nothing to repay. I wanted to be here with you.
[ ignis tells him simply, because as their bond progressed in the past few weeks, ignis has increasingly stopped considering it as a transaction, or a resource. he is coming to genuinely care about albert beyond their incredibly chemistry and compatibility.
he reaches out now, gently tipping albert's face to his before he leans in to press a kiss on those soft, soft lips. ignis doesn't miss how his eyes are watery, nor the fact that he's clearly going through something, but he wants albert to know that he's here for him. ]
I know that this can never replace your brothers, but please know that you deserve to be cared for. And you deserve to be happy.
[It may not be able give and take or reciprocity anymore, but Albert finds this gesture enormous and won't let it slide by easily. His heart aches right now, equally because he's being faced with the food, and because Ignis is uncommonly good to him in ways he doesn't deserve. Again. As usual. As he always is.]
You can't go to the trouble of cooking me something from home and not accept something back in kind. I'll insist, even if all you let me do is buy you a fine bottle of wine.
[For some reason he is just... staring at the pastry instead of eating it, so the kiss is a welcome reprieve. The kiss lingers on Albert's part, chasing after Ignis ever so slightly when they part.
The words are like a dagger Ignis can't know he threw.]
...Thank you.
[He doesn't deserve happiness. None of the happiness he's taken selfishly here has been deserved. What borrowed time is he living on? When will he get the punishment he so dearly earned?
He picks up the fork and knife with hands that minutely shake. Maybe if he eats this, he can hold things together.
No. He has to hold it together. He can't tell anyone. He'll talk to Moran in the morning to absolve himself and start the cycle again.]
It goes with all kinds of meals. Usually you serve it with a meat or onion sauce, but I'd eat Louis' right out of the pan when I could.
[ something's not quite right about albert's reaction -- as if something ignis has said has struck him deeply, and not in a good way. but tonight isn't the night to open up wounds further, not when albert seems brittle underneath that gracious composure. ]
Then come on a date with me, when you feel better.
[ he says quietly. that could be a reward which fulfils two functions: it gets him out of his apartment, and ignis gets to spend time with him; the latter of which ignis has discovered he has been craving of late. he takes a sip of his tea as he listens to what albert shares, with half a mind to make both sauces for him the next time around.
he can't help but smile at that mental image of albert eating right from the pan, and he muses, happy to do his part to take albert's mind off darker thoughts. ]
With pleasure. It's about time we did something... a bit more official. Isn't it?
[The thought of going out on a date with Ignis is distracting enough that Albert can shake off the way he's dwelling on the rest. He doesn't know. Of course he doesn't. Maybe he never will. It's better that way. No matter what. If his esteem fell in Ignis' eyes, he'd lose a precious bond that motivates him here, and he isn't ready to consider that inevitability.
A faint smile comes to his lips as he cuts a small piece of the pastry off.]
He did. [Past tense. Always past tense.] We didn't live together, my brothers and I. But when we'd visit each other, we'd do such things. I still remember the first time Louis made this, with--with the butler's help. He was so determined... [A bite, and it fairly melts in his mouth, savory, only a touch sweet, absolutely close enough to the real thing to make Albert close his eyes as he chews and swallows.] You really are a genius in the kitchen.
[His eyes are still a little watery, but he turns them on Ignis.] If I ever let you get away, I'm a fool.
[ he admits with a small smile, pleased that albert looks like he's enjoying what he's made. he nurses the tea, fragrant and warm and so much like albert that his hands come to curl around the delicate teacup. their first evening together out and about had been incredibly enjoyable, and their parting after that evening had left ignis desiring even more.
still, ignis blinks, surprised at the end of it, after albert shares precious insight into his beloved family. he meets his eyes then, gently teasing. ]
I see the way to your heart is through my pudding.
[He's been enamored with him since that first torrid night, even if it was foolish of him. Once they spent time talking and bantering, uselessly discussing world affairs and their places in the cosmos, he was hooked. He's wanted to make Ignis even a little his, impractical as it is in a place that wants everyone to bond with everyone else.
Still, if he can have that sliver of him, he'll be the happiest man in the city.
He cuts another small piece of the pastry, offering it to Ignis from his fork with a little lean over in his direction.]
You won my heart well before today. This just proved my instincts right.
[ the fascination is mutual -- ignis is equally enamored, charmed by him and just a little bit in love. albert makes him feel like a teenager again, makes him remember what the nascent flutterings of romance feels like.
consequently, ignis is no stranger to the powerful desire to claim at least a little bit of albert for himself, too. in a place like this, that ought to be enough. his own heart skips a beat at the implications of his words, and he leans forward to take a bite off his fork, slow and almost-sensuous. he meets his gaze steadily, warm and tender, but there is a heat and intensity behind it, too.
his hand coming to curl deliberately around his wrist, he says quietly, plainly. ]
My heart is yours, if you will have it. I know it's impossible to be exclusive in this city, but please know -- I, too, would be a fool to let you go.
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Everything about you is a marvel to me, Albert. The time we spend together is hardly ever enough. I'll be there in a few minutes.
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Ignis, your company is a joy, and a salve on aching wounds. I'll see you soon.
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ignis is there in minutes, casually dressed in a henley and a light sports jacket and jeans. he's carrying a small bag with a container in it, and he's knocking on his door. ]
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His eyes have a spark of life in them once he reaches out to pull Ignis gently inside.]
Thank you for coming.
[As if he was the one who initiated it.]
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[ ignis already knows something isn't right, even as he steps in and presses a soft, affectionate kiss to his cheek in greeting. the man is just as lovely tonight, even moreso in casual clothes, and he squeezes his hand. ]
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[Though he knows he can't hide anything from him, so he pauses, then responds after he mirrors the kiss to his cheek.]
Missing my brothers. That's all.
[He smiles as if to say "I told you it wasn't anything important", but his hand lingers in Ignis'.]
You look so comfortable I almost want to fall asleep on you. How are you so effortlessly breathtaking?
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[ ignis says quietly, bluntly, reaching up to cup his cheek. in the weeks that they have known each other, ignis has become increasingly enamoured with him, drawn to this man and his quirks.
he doesn't buy that smile either, and he brings up his hand to press a soft, gentle and lingering kiss to his knuckles. ]
I could say the same for you, but you're an incredibly distracting man, and I would rather spend tonight cheering you up. I'm sorry they're not here yet.
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[He means more than that, but won't say it at the moment. There's a pause as his eyes track the kiss, the adoration he's sure he doesn't deserve, and won't ask for from anyone else.]
I wonder if it's better that they aren't, or if this is...
[A punishment. Divine retribution that he's suffering because of what he started.]
...something I shouldn't think about too heavily. There's little productive to gain. Furthermore, why should I be remotely sad when I have you in front of me?
[It's his turn to kiss his guest's hand.]
No need to cheer me. Just be yourself, and I'll be swept up in your charms sooner than I can blink.
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[ he says quietly -- as charming and lovely as he knows albert is, he also knows him enough to understand that he sometimes wields that charm as a defense mechanism, retreating into himself and putting others before him. ignis has noticed it, and gently calls him out.
after all, albert deserves more than he thinks he does. ]
It's time to not be selfless. Let me take care of you tonight. I tried my hand at making a Yorkshire pudding.
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Yorkshire pudding. Commoner food, to be sure, but the kind Louis would unironically make them all, and that Albert would love with every fiber of his being.
He's so touched he can't even speak for a while. He fears that if he does, his voice will betray him.
Rather than speak, he wraps Ignis into an embrace, something he's only come to appreciate since coming here. He knows it's horribly sentimental, so he doesn't hold it for longer than the amount of time it takes for him to breathe Ignis in and stave off an emotional response. When he pulls away, he reaches out to stroke fingers over Ignis' hair, so like a lover.]
You're the best man here. I can make some tea to go with it.
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as it turns out, it's one hell of a gift. he leans into the embrace and gives him a tender squeeze, happy to hold him as the warmth of their connection intensifies. he can feel it, the press of homesickness, albert's sadness, and he leans into his touch willingly.
how strange and wonderful, that he would connect with him so strongly. he catches a hold of him with a soft, playful smile. ]
Let me help. I'm loathe to let you go now that I have you again.
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And he can feel that concern, the tenderness, something he's all too sure he doesn't deserve.]
I can't say no to you.
[He'll lead him to the kitchen by that hold, smiling distractedly still.]
Could I somehow convince you to stay the night?
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[ he says plainly. even now, albert is immaculate, polite and sweetly courteous. tonight is not about ignis, not when he knows albert is struggling with profound homesickness alone in his quiet apartment.
he follows him into the kitchen, but he gently backs him against the counter, his gaze intent but warm, focused only on albert. he's here for him tonight. his hand cups his cheek. ]
Ask me again.
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So Albert closes his eyes for a moment, letting the press of Ignis in front of him and the counter behind him center him. When he opens his eyes again, his gaze is dull, tired. Honest.]
Stay with me. Please.
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he softens when albert finally discards that lovely veneer of aristocratic manners, when he finally shows him his true state of mind, and he cups his cheek briefly. he sees him as he is, and he accepts him. ]
I will stay with you tonight.
[ he murmurs gently, then shifts away to give him space. ]
I'll make the tea and serve the pudding. Go and take a seat.
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Ignis shifts away, but Albert follows, pulling him close again for a brief, gentle kiss to the corner of his lips. If Ignis gets to assert himself, so does Albert. That's how their dance works. He murmurs against his skin.]
Thank you, Ignis.
[A breath. He's being cared for, waited on like Louis would when he had a hard time of things, and it only makes things ache more. But he'll dutifully go and sit at the small dining table to wait. Pulling the jacket around himself more tightly and zipping it, he watches Ignis work.]
You really are the most handsome man I've ever seen.
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he smiles at that praise, before he prepares two cups of tea and one yorkshire pudding, collecting the cutlery with him on a tray. he sets it down delicately before him, removing the items from the tray to serve, before he settles in a seat adjacent to him. ]
And you are the most charming man I've ever met. I fear I may be spoiled by your praise.
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His whole body is turned toward Ignis, full attention on him in a most undignified manner, so that he actually has to move the chair slightly when the food is set before him.]
It's so easy to praise you, though. [He thinks it'll be a cold day in hell before he sees a fault or a flaw in this man. Watery-eyed, he looks down at the pastry.]
I can't believe you remembered me talking about this. No, I... can believe it, because you're you, but I still think I might be dreaming.
[A glance up.]
I hope you know I'll be paying this back in kind, when I can. Somehow.
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[ ignis tells him simply, because as their bond progressed in the past few weeks, ignis has increasingly stopped considering it as a transaction, or a resource. he is coming to genuinely care about albert beyond their incredibly chemistry and compatibility.
he reaches out now, gently tipping albert's face to his before he leans in to press a kiss on those soft, soft lips. ignis doesn't miss how his eyes are watery, nor the fact that he's clearly going through something, but he wants albert to know that he's here for him. ]
I know that this can never replace your brothers, but please know that you deserve to be cared for. And you deserve to be happy.
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You can't go to the trouble of cooking me something from home and not accept something back in kind. I'll insist, even if all you let me do is buy you a fine bottle of wine.
[For some reason he is just... staring at the pastry instead of eating it, so the kiss is a welcome reprieve. The kiss lingers on Albert's part, chasing after Ignis ever so slightly when they part.
The words are like a dagger Ignis can't know he threw.]
...Thank you.
[He doesn't deserve happiness. None of the happiness he's taken selfishly here has been deserved. What borrowed time is he living on? When will he get the punishment he so dearly earned?
He picks up the fork and knife with hands that minutely shake. Maybe if he eats this, he can hold things together.
No. He has to hold it together. He can't tell anyone. He'll talk to Moran in the morning to absolve himself and start the cycle again.]
It goes with all kinds of meals. Usually you serve it with a meat or onion sauce, but I'd eat Louis' right out of the pan when I could.
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Then come on a date with me, when you feel better.
[ he says quietly. that could be a reward which fulfils two functions: it gets him out of his apartment, and ignis gets to spend time with him; the latter of which ignis has discovered he has been craving of late. he takes a sip of his tea as he listens to what albert shares, with half a mind to make both sauces for him the next time around.
he can't help but smile at that mental image of albert eating right from the pan, and he muses, happy to do his part to take albert's mind off darker thoughts. ]
Does Louis let you?
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[The thought of going out on a date with Ignis is distracting enough that Albert can shake off the way he's dwelling on the rest. He doesn't know. Of course he doesn't. Maybe he never will. It's better that way. No matter what. If his esteem fell in Ignis' eyes, he'd lose a precious bond that motivates him here, and he isn't ready to consider that inevitability.
A faint smile comes to his lips as he cuts a small piece of the pastry off.]
He did. [Past tense. Always past tense.] We didn't live together, my brothers and I. But when we'd visit each other, we'd do such things. I still remember the first time Louis made this, with--with the butler's help. He was so determined... [A bite, and it fairly melts in his mouth, savory, only a touch sweet, absolutely close enough to the real thing to make Albert close his eyes as he chews and swallows.] You really are a genius in the kitchen.
[His eyes are still a little watery, but he turns them on Ignis.] If I ever let you get away, I'm a fool.
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[ he admits with a small smile, pleased that albert looks like he's enjoying what he's made. he nurses the tea, fragrant and warm and so much like albert that his hands come to curl around the delicate teacup. their first evening together out and about had been incredibly enjoyable, and their parting after that evening had left ignis desiring even more.
still, ignis blinks, surprised at the end of it, after albert shares precious insight into his beloved family. he meets his eyes then, gently teasing. ]
I see the way to your heart is through my pudding.
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[He's been enamored with him since that first torrid night, even if it was foolish of him. Once they spent time talking and bantering, uselessly discussing world affairs and their places in the cosmos, he was hooked. He's wanted to make Ignis even a little his, impractical as it is in a place that wants everyone to bond with everyone else.
Still, if he can have that sliver of him, he'll be the happiest man in the city.
He cuts another small piece of the pastry, offering it to Ignis from his fork with a little lean over in his direction.]
You won my heart well before today. This just proved my instincts right.
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consequently, ignis is no stranger to the powerful desire to claim at least a little bit of albert for himself, too. in a place like this, that ought to be enough. his own heart skips a beat at the implications of his words, and he leans forward to take a bite off his fork, slow and almost-sensuous. he meets his gaze steadily, warm and tender, but there is a heat and intensity behind it, too.
his hand coming to curl deliberately around his wrist, he says quietly, plainly. ]
My heart is yours, if you will have it. I know it's impossible to be exclusive in this city, but please know -- I, too, would be a fool to let you go.
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