driftfleet | Recipe #002

Entry tags:

Recipe #002 - Waking Up

Who: Ignis Scientia
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Ignis' room, First Breath
When: October 1st

Action - Ignis' Room, First Breath

[Falling asleep was easy. Exhaustion had played such a huge part of things when Ignis's head had touched his pillow that night after watching the meteor strike Lyuku. Waking up, on the other hand, is difficult. Everything feels stiff and he's not sure that he really wants to face it. Suddenly, he understands how Noctis has felt on more than one occasion.

A sound to his left catches his attention and he turns his head in that direction, pulling on the scar tissue around his left eye, nose and forehead.]

The Six take me... Gladio, is that you?

[No, this isn't Zegnatus. No bed in the dread fortress was this...comfortable isn't the world. Familiar. This bed is familiar, but not the bed he had in Insomnia. It takes a minute as he attempts to open his sightless eyes out of habit.]

Noct? Prompto?

Video

[Blind men can't see buttons to make it audio only, so take in his nifty scars. ~~It seems the Atroma have taken his sunglasses.~~]

I feel I must apologize to anyone who has been worried about me since the excitement with the inhabitants of Lyuku. I appear to have gone back to Eos for a short period of time.

You may find me on the First Breath should you wish to talk in person.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Okay. I'll be there as fast as the shuttles can take me.

[ She does want to see him, after all, after all the fretting and worrying that had come over the last handful of weeks. It feels like an eternity since they were sitting together on the planet and now... Now she doesn't know what to do or say, and she rushes to make her way to the shuttles so that she can get over to him. It's not going to end well for her heart, but it's not the first time she's been there for a friend in pain.

Off the shuttle, she makes her way through to the rooms on the ship, wandering down until she finds the one with Ignis' name on it. She knocks on the door, poking her head inside carefully. ]

Ignis?

[It's strange, but since losing his eyesight, his sense of hearing and smell have greatly increased. Of course, he's heard stories of it happening to others, but it hadn't really played a big part of his life until now.

But he can hear her footsteps before she arrives to his door, as it's open. And then she is there. He reaches over for his walking stick that the Atroma were nice enough to let him keep and uses it to stand from his bed.]

Come in, Hermione. I fear that I don't know the actual state of this room. Prompto and Noctis had been here every day evidently.

It's not as bad as you might imagine.

[ She doesn't make to move and help him, even if instinct is urging her to. She's been around people that have been hurt and wounded - she's felt it herself, too, almost losing her entire life to damage - and she knows that aid or pity can sometimes be the worst thing you can do. Hermione wants to help, wants to support him, but she doesn't know how to do it without upsetting him or leaving him on edge.

So, she does nothing. ]

You weren't asleep for long enough for them to turn everything completely upside down, at least. [ But, ah, she breathes out. ] ... How long has it been? For you?

[He's not against assistance as a rule, but after all of the hovering that Prompto and Gladiolus have done the last two and a half weeks on Eos, he's more than ready to do things on his own.]

I suppose that's a small mercy, considering the circumstances.

[He thinks of the best way to answer her question and figures that truth is the best way forward, as far as he knows it.]

Roughly three weeks back home passed for me before returning.

[And it only took two days to lose his eyesight. Isn't that great?]

Only three weeks?

[ The shock comes and, as soon as she says it, she realises it sounds ridiculously insensitive. Obviously, a huge amount had happened to Ignis in those short weeks and she bites her lip, shaking her head before she breathes in and out. She has to choose her words more carefully, and she's a little ashamed of how quickly she's making a food of herself. ]

I mean that other people have slept for months and years before now. Three weeks is a short amount of time compared with that.

[ Moving a little closer, Hermione hesitates before she swallows and closes her eyes. ]

I don't want to make you uncomfortable, Ignis, but - there's an elephant in the room, so to speak, and...

[He gives her a small smile. He knows she doesn't mean to offend him and he isn't. The stories others have told about their returns home generally span more than a few weeks. But he and the others are proof that three weeks is all it takes to utterly change one's life forever.]

I'm not familiar with what an elephant is, but I agree that there is something we must address before it changes our relationship irrevocably.

[Now that he knows what it is, perhaps he can at least tell her how he feels so that they can move forward. Whatever direction that might be.]

You've never seen an elephant? [ Oh, lord. ] It's a large mammal with big ears, a trunk and tusks on either side.

[ Not the most apt description, but it's not as if she can draw him a picture of what elephants look like. Shifting awkwardly, Hermione walks over and settles down beside him, careful to let him have a bit of space even as she reaches, carefully, to put a hand on his arm. ]

You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. I'm not here to make you say anything you're not comfortable with. I'm here because I missed you and I wanted to visit you.

[He can feel the heat of her hand through the fabric of his shirt and jacket. It sends a now familiar tingle up his arm and he responds by covering her hand with one of own.]

Your consideration for my feelings is appreciated, but the fact of the matter is that I happened to receive these wounds during the evacuation of a town during my journey with Noctis and the others. I saved lives and this is a small price to pay to ensure that innocents left Altissia alive.

[He's not going into how it happened. He hasn't even told Noctis what happened yet, and if anyone deserved that story when Ignis was ready to tell him, it would be his own king.]

I don't regret the decisions I made at that time.

[ Hermione's fingers wrap around Ignis' gently and she squeezes just as carefully, moving to shift just a little big closer. It's alright, she thinks - and listening to Ignis speak she can understand. She'd have done the same thing - let herself be hurt to save as many people as possible. ]

That was very brave of you. [ And it's true. Not many people would have done the same sort of thing. ] And thank you for telling me what happened. I can't imagine how difficult it must be, especially waking up here again.

[ Her thumb moves over his knuckles absently and Hermione watches his face - she can't see his eyes, now, and so his face is going to betray what he feels, and her voice will give hers away as he can't see anything of her. ]

I... I'm really glad you're back, Ignis.

I might not be able to see and I have made my peace with that, but I am alive and able to be of use to those around me. Dwelling on the negative does no one any good.

[Besides, here he doesn't have to listen to Ardyn Izunia's ridiculous taunts about the damage he caused. The bastard can't laugh now and anger Gladio at least.]

I can still fight if the need arises.

[He now recognizes his desire for Hermione, even if she pities him as a damaged man, and it takes a great deal of self-control not to show her exactly how capable he still is.

Especially when she's so close and he can smell her familiar shampoo and ink and herb scent with every breath he takes.]

In light of these circumstances, it's nice to have been missed even if all I've done in your eyes is sleep.

No, you're right. Focusing on the things that will make you miserable won't do anyone any good, and I understand that. I'm glad that you're able to see that optimism in it.

[ Not that Hermione can talk, considering that she can sometimes be the most negative person, especially after a bad dream or sinking into bad memories. ]

I hope you don't have to fight, Ignis, but at least you can still do it.

[ But Hermione is soft and gentle, and her hand squeezes his again. She can never find it in her heart to pity him, and she finds herself in awe of just how strong he is. She had felt blindness in one eye, she had come close to dying, but he was so...

Strong.

It makes her heart feel warm and bright in her chest, like the way her shard used to feel. Warm and brilliant. ]

It was strange not having you around. Prompto was a little lost, and I had no one to talk to about things.

[He laughs at that. It's not a nice laugh.]

You're giving me far more credit than I deserve. I'm sure that I might have fallen into despair and self-pity if it hadn't been for Gladio and Noctis attempting to go at one another's throats as they rushed to both blame Noctis for my injuries. While having to work together to complete our goals.

[He rubs the hand that she isn't holding over his face to attempt to center himself. He knows that he'd be bitter and angry if he'd been left with nothing to do right after it happened, if he'd had time to stop and listen to Ardyn. But he hadn't and so he isn't bitter.]

I merely have perspective.

[But her warmth, her words, her touch soothe the part of him that is angry that this happened. He moves their nearly joined hands to rest on his leg so that he can hold it properly. It isn't a bold declaration, but it is a quiet statement that matches her own.]

Prompto is a good friend, but he will eventually find his own way to move forward. And I'm sure there were others to talk to. However, I would be lying if I said that I wasn't flattered you felt that way.

I'm glad that they were there with you, then. It's difficult, when things happen to you, to accept it and keep moving forward is something incredibly admirable. It's really good to see that you have that strength, Ignis. I mean, I knew it was there, but -

[ Well, she's making a complete and utter fool of herself, isn't she? Her cheeks are burning a bright red and she can feel how hot they are even as she glances away. It would be so easy to be angry and upset, but he's moving forward and doing his best to be strong, and that's something to be admired. Hermione can't see any reason to pity Ignis when he's so strong.

Maybe she's babbling and saying things he already knows, and it makes her shift awkwardly, even as her hand stays under his without pause nor hesitation. Hermione can't quite bring herself to pull it away. ]

I don't know how flattering it is. [ She shakes her head, expression soft. ] I'm just glad that Prompto had someone to turn to about all of this. It's incredibly confusing the first time it happens to someone and I wouldn't have wanted him to be lost or uncertain.

[ Their hands move and they're holding hands properly now, and something catches in Hermione's throat. ]

Ignis...

[ Hermione hesitates, just for a moment. She wasn't sure how far she could push this, how much she was allowed, but she leans close, reaching for his free hand and lifting it to touch her face, so he can see her too. ]

You can still see me, too. Any time you like, if this works.

[She is rambling and they both know it, but he doesn't bring attention to it. Why would he? This is an extremely difficult situation and to be at a loss for coherent thought isn't exactly unusual. Of course, he's had time to deal with it back on Eos, but he also hadn't shared this with Hermione, that this was a possibility. Mainly because he hadn't wanted to admit it to himself, let alone worry her needlessly.

And then she places his hand on her face. Another way to see is through his hands, he knows, relearning how things should look by their shape. It's just something he's not used to and he's quiet as he attempts to distinguish the features of her face without his eyes.

Her skin is soft under his fingers as he carefully traces the shape of her brow, the scar over her left eye, her cheeks, her mouth. His heart is beating erratically and he doesn't trust himself to speak and break the mood that she has inadvertently created between them. She can't know how he feels since he hasn't told her.

But before he can second guess himself, he moves his hand to her hair and leans in to kiss her, softly. She can pull back if she wants, but he really hopes that she doesn't.]

[ The hands on her face are gentle, careful, tracing over the marks that make her features her own. It's hard not to wince when his fingers press over her scarring, down across her eye and over her cheek, and she feels as though she might end up melting under the warmth of his fingers. There's nothing judgemental about how he traces her skin, nothing that makes her feel as though she should be ashamed of herself, uncomfortable. It's not pressing, and that's more of a relief than she can put into words.

Hermione is used to being needed for something - for her mind, for her power, for her strength - and being wanted for all those things in hand. She's used to people complimenting her because they want something from her, rather than just her alone. When Ignis touches her she doesn't feel anything like that; she feels wanted for herself, for who she is, in spite of those things.

In spite of the scar on her face, in spite of her power, in spite of her mind. Just her.

When Ignis leans in to kiss her there's no real hesitation. Her cheeks burn a little red and she feels a twist inside of her, stomach coiling a little with excitement, butterflies screaming inside her. She doesn't know how to handle herself for a moment - she doesn't know what to do, she doesn't know how to breathe, and her heart pounds over and over inside of her.

But she leans up, and she tilts her head, and she presses forward to return the kiss. Her hand moves up and touches Ignis' cheek, stroking over the curve of his cheekbone, and her eyes close as she settles against him; her hand is still in his, and she doesn't pull away, leaning into the embrace. ]

[It might have taken him a while to catch on that he is attracted to Hermione, wants more than friendship from her, but what he wants is all of her: scar, mind, power, heart, all of it. They will have to discuss things later, surely, but for now that's not important.

The fact that she reacts favorably, returning the kiss and touching him in return, is more than he could have hoped for had he allowed himself to think about it. It emboldens him enough to add more pressure, still finding his way to make it comfortable for the both of them. It's not exactly something he's great at, not really finding a pressing need to know how to seduce women before now.

But even still, he pulls away long before he really wants to, making sure to squeeze the hand he's still gripping gently.]

You are beautiful even if I cannot physically see you, Hermione. I don't need to touch your face to know that.

[ She doesn't want the kiss to stop, and she can't help the way that she chases Ignis' lips as the kiss slips away and she feels air come back to her all of a sudden. Her cheeks are flaming and her hands are shaking just a little bit but it's wonderful, it really is, and there's no way for her to stop the way her fingers squeeze around the hand she was still holding. Hermione doesn't want to stop any of this, but she realises that she ought to say something, especially since he's being so very good to her. ]

Ignis.

[ Her mouth drops open as she tries to find words and she's not entirely sure what to say, biting her lip before she leans in to give him a quick peck on the lips, her free hand still touching his cheek with a tenderness she can't disguise. ]

I... I suppose you can tell that what happened to you doesn't change how I've felt about you? You're wonderful even if you can't see me, and it doesn't stop me from feeling like this - here.

[ And she moves his hand to press it over her heart, where the beat is fast and a little bit ridiculous. ]

Is that okay?

[He can feel her hands shake against his face and the one he holds. He doesn't think that she is ill but merely dazed. Her voice proves that he's right, but it's really her words and her touch that tells him that if he should want to kiss her again she wouldn't mind.

And he does want to kiss her again. Especially after that teasing little peck.]

I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't pleased to hear you say that my own disfigurement doesn't change your opinion and feelings regarding me. But, I honestly wasn't worried about that. You've never struck me as a person who was shallow enough to judge on looks.

[Despite the fact that he is a little vain and it irks him.

The pounding of her heart is almost in sync with his own and he responds by kissing her once more, though brief.]

My only concern is that you don't feel some sort of obligation to me.

[He doesn't want pity. He won't accept it, not now.]

Edited (hit enter too soon) 2017-10-09 00:55 (UTC)

[ Being this close to Ignis feels lovely, she thinks, and that bubbling feeling doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. She didn’t expect it to, either, if she’s being honest - she’s been aware of her own emotional entanglement since the wedding, since their dance, and she had simply shrugged it off as something that was present but had nowhere to go. Hermione was used to having people be aware of her but not really want her - not that she thinks Ignis would have been the same, but she hadn’t been ready to hope.

His kiss had completely blown her away and she felt buoyed from it. ]

I’m glad that’s what you thought. It’s - I mean, I can appreciate someone with a handsome face, and yours is handsome. There’s more to someone than just how they look, though, isn’t there? And I’ve always liked more than just how you look, Ignis.

[ All in the present tense, of course, because she still likes how he looks. It means she can lean into the kiss without hesitation, cheeks flaming. ]

Obligation? [ Hermione pauses, then frowns, taking his cheeks in her hands. ] Do I seem like that kind of person? I’m
Not - it’s nothing like that. It’s you, Ignis. I like you.

[Now that he's taken this step, he can't keep from touching her, her hair, her throat, her face. And while he no longer can see her flushed cheeks, he can certainly feel the warmth of her skin under his fingertips.

While she talks, he brazenly leans in and kisses her cheek, lips hovering near her ear.]

Like seems a very inadequate word right now. I like Lady Lunafreya, but certainly not the way that I care for you. I want to establish that right away. I cannot just be your friend after hearing you say all of this to me.

[ Her face is flaming red and she knows it - he can probably feel it as he presses his fingers over her skin. She doesn’t mind at all, though; each touch makes her feel giddy, makes her feel as though she could melt into his arms. It only got worse - or better - as he leans in to kiss her cheek, and Hermione can’t hide the soft noise she makes.

She’s happy, she realises. It’s making her feel buzzed. Carefully, she reaches to touch his hands again, to draw them close. ]

It seemed like the best word, but you’re right. It’s not that simple - it’s more than that. [ Hermione swallows, drawing his fingers to his lips so she can give them a soft kiss, holding them there. ] What do you want, Ignis? What do you want from this?

[His own words repeat over in his head, leaving him wondering where this side of him has been hidden. He's normally the cautious, practical one. However, he knows that he's been dancing around his own feelings for her close to two months now and he's tired of being that man in light of what he's experienced recently.

But his attention is on her, the feel of her skin, the sound of her voice, the smell that is definitely all her. When she begins to kiss his fingers, he's not sure what to say or how to react. And he suddenly feels a little inadequate, which he hates a great deal. And embarrassed at what he has to admit.]

Hermione, if I'm honest, I hadn't really thought that far ahead. [He barely has friends, let alone lovers, okay.] This is rather new territory for me.

[He draws one hand from her grasp and puts it around her waist, pulling her closer, leaving no room for even air to get between them without difficulty.]

There are things that I want but that can wait because they are secondary to the fact that I want to spend more time with you, getting to know you. But not just as a friend any longer.

That's alright.

[ It's not as though she's had an abundance of boyfriends. Cisco had been the first person that had really been her boyfriend since Viktor, and the other people who had shown any kind of interest in her... It had always been messy. Luke, who she had never admitted her feelings to, Gilgamesh who wanted to marry her, Dorian who wanted to kiss her and sleep with her but not be with her - because that's just who he was. All her messy, confusing friendships that had brought here here, her own uncertainty weighing down on her.

Hermione can't fault him for the confusion, or the uncertainty. It's not what she had expected when she had come to visit him here, after all, even if she wants more kisses, wants to touch him more, wants to stay close at his side. Her heart is racing and her cheeks are flaming but she's happy, even if the prickle of nerves threatens to overwhelm her. She just hopes, she thinks. She hopes it works out. ]

We can spend some more time together. We can do whatever you like - we're here together. [ And as much as she misses the Drabwurld she has no reason to think she might be going back any time soon. She's been here almost two years, now; there's no way she's just going to be able to go back without some kind of protest.

It's comfortable, tucking herself against his body, and she bows her head as she finds more words to try and fight back her own uncertainty and the way it twists up inside of her. ]

I'm happy to be here, Ignis. We can work things out whenever we're ready.

[Her happiness and comfort are important to him. While he knows a bit of her history with others in relationships, he's never had any to talk about outside of his friends and a few women who he'd been mildly attracted to but nothing came of it. Dancing? Mild flirting? He can handle those, but with Hermione, he's on unsure footing.

Six, does it feel good to have her next to him, with their feelings no longer creating a distance between them.]

I will follow your lead as we go forward. [He gives a half-smile.] It seems logical, as you can see where we are headed.

[ Hermione can tuck herself against him and she softens, tilting herself so she's settled against his side properly. Ignis is warm and she feels comfortable and at peace, her rushing, uncertain feelings calming down into something a little more familiar, a little more relaxed. It's her and Ignis, like she'd said, and they can wade through these strange, muddled feelings together. It's not going to be easy, but it's not impossible.

His smile is something sweet, though, and she's not entirely sure how she's meant to stop herself leaning up to give him another quick kiss. ]

I'm not as experienced as you think I am. [ And she nudges his side gently. She's not entirely comfortable with the jokes, but she bites her tongue - it's his wound, not hers, and she can't judge. ] But I'll do what I can.

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