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

[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.

[He loves the way she fits beside him, how comforting just having her with him feels. He'd be concerned if he wasn't aware of just how much he likes her and wants to spend time with her.

And she feels the same way, which definitely makes it easier. She doesn't care that he won't be able to see her face again.

When she leans up to kiss him again, he turns it from a sweet peck into something deeper, less innocent. He's willing to let her lead, definitely, but he's never been a passive person a day in his life.]

Then we can take our time, learn what to do together. I don't see why we should let anyone else determine how our relationship goes.

[ It's strange to find herself settling down beside someone knowing that it's actually going to be alright - before there were always other things to think about, other concerns, other people, but with Ignis... It's just the two of them. She feels a sudden rush of comfort, of happiness, and it makes her close her eyes, breathing out a soft noise - something like a contented sigh.

She hadn't thought that Ignis felt the same, not really. He seems so beyond her reach sometimes, so high above anything she could hope to be, that she forgets he's human. All the time that he's taken to make sure she's alright, to make sure she's comfortable, she had never really considered that it might be born from mirrored feelings, but here they are.

The change in the kiss does surprise her, just a little, but she gives into it without hesitating, tilting her head into him and giving back just as much as she was receiving. ]

No, no, you're right. I've had enough of that for a lifetime. [ Ron trying to micromanage her relationship with Viktor, her strange, twisted friendships and romances in the Drabwurld... Hermione thinks something independent might be wonderful. Comfortable. ] I'd like to figure this out, just the two of us.

[Ignis takes a hand and goes back to tracing the scar that runs down her face, not at all caring about it. He is careful to make sure he doesn't hurt her, because that would defeat the purpose of his desire to discover how she feels under his fingertips now that he doesn't have to hold back quite so much.]

I will have to spend some time getting used to things on the Fleet now that my situation has changed, but if you stay here, Hermione, I think that I will focus only on you.

[Not... that he's complaining.]

[ Hermione isn’t entirely uncomfortable with the gentle touch to her scar - sometimes she’s still embarrassed or uncomfortable about its meaning, about why she has it, but that’s something she has to work on. It’s been years, now, and she’s at the point where she wakes up and forgets she has any of them. Her face is marred, but her guilt chews at her less. She’s growing stronger for it, and maybe that’s what Alyosha wanted; for her to be stronger, better, more honourable.

She smiles instead of wincing, fingers brushing over Ignis’ gently. She’s still not entirely sure how far she can touch and go with her kisses, but this is enough. They’ll work it out. ]

Did you - [ Wait, no. ] Should I leave? [ She doesn’t want to, not really, not with how close they are and how much more she wants, but she’s not willing to push either of them too far today. ]

[He can feel the way her muscles shift as her mouth moves to smile. It's a strange and interesting phenomenon, especially since he can no longer see her face as she does. Something that he will have to get used to now that his life has changed so irrevocably.]

No, I would like for you to stay, unless you have somewhere else to be. I merely was hoping you'd like to...walk around the ship with me.

[That sounds stupid but he's already had the words come out of his mouth and he can't take them back now.]

[ Realising that Ignis can’t see her means Hermione knows she has to be more vocal about the way she feels and what she’s thinking - he can’t rely on looking at her face or checking her smile or her eyes anymore. It’s not necessarily a bad thing - she’s well aware of her own tendencies when it comes to pretending everything is okay - but it’s going to be a change. Not as big as the one Ignis has been through, however, and her awareness of that just makes her more determined to do better by him.

They’re entering something special together. He has the right to her honesty, Hermione thinks, and she should work on that. ]

There’s nowhere else I need or want to be. I’d be happy to go for a walk with you.

[ She happens to think it’s a lovely idea. Spending more time with Ignis is no bad thing and she can learn the layout of his ship for if - when - she comes back. She seals the deal with a tilt of her head, kissing his palm quickly, shyly. ]

[Her words get him to smile fully for the first time since waking up. It feels as if this is a dream and that he'll wake up back in the darkness of Eos, the sound of Ardyn Izunia's voice echoing in his head for a long moment.]

Well, lucky for us both, the Atroma saw fit to leave my walking stick with me. Even if they took my glasses for some unknown reason.

Can you describe them to me?

[ She doesn’t really want to pull away from him, and she’s happy cuddled up at his side, but if they’re going to go for a walk... She’s going to have to move away. She doesn’t move until Ignis does, though, watching him with a soft expression. She wonders how much his hands can pick up from her - the shape of her smile, the way her nose wrinkles, all the other things she doesn’t think about. ]

If you want I can transfigure you a new pair. It shouldn’t be too difficult.

Thin, silver colored, wire frame glasses. I suppose I don't need them right now, but they would mitigate the staring that others would do at my scars.

[Not everyone is as gentle as Hermione or as semi-prepared as Noctis and Prompto. And he doesn't want to deal with any questions as to how this happened.]

They're unimportant right now.

[While standing, he picks up his cane and expands it out before offering an arm in the general vicinity of where he believes Hermione is.]

Shall we?

[ Hermione is already moving before Ignis finishes talking. She’s quick to pull something out of her bag - which means leaning away from him, unfortunately - and settles it on her lap. After that the transfiguration is easy; they’re probably not the same as the glasses Ignis wore back at home, but they’re silvery, thin and light. They’re good enough until he finds something he prefers, at least, and hopefully he’ll be a little more comfortable. ]

Here. [ Carefully, she leans up and puts the glasss on his face, leaning a soft kiss against his mouth as she goes. ] If they’re too big or too small let me know? I can always adjust them a little bit.

[ These are the perks of being around a witch, she supposes, and when Ignis stands she goes with him, reaching to take his arm happily. She has to step a little closer, but she doesn’t mind at all - especially since it means they’re close again. ]

Lets go. [ She doesn’t suggest he use her for help if he needs it, even though she wants to. He’ll ask, she decides. ] Maybe once I know this ship I can spend some more time here.

[He forgets that she's a witch. And a powerful at that. It's not something he's really had to consider before. Transfiguration isn't a thing on Eos, after all.]

They're fine.

[And they are. They fit almost perfectly, considering they're only meant to cover up the scars on his face a bit. They fit as well as she does at his side, not that he's quite soppy enough to say that aloud.]

I would like it if you'd visit more often. Although, I do want to continue our talks in the library on the Iskaulit. I know that the shuttles can be set on auto-pilot, after all.

Edited 2017-10-19 07:18 (UTC)

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