V-day with a Shield and a book | blkwings

[houseofscientia]

[ To be honest, Ignis started arranging his Valentine's day way before Gladio asked him for a date. To get a few hours off from his busy schedule it needed excessive rearrangements, and in a few cases, bribing too. Ignis figured if the man wouldn't ask him, he'd signal his wish in time for him. Thankfully, he could trust Gladio to deliver a pretty smooth request for a Valentine's day date, to which Ignis could bravely say yes.

It didn't mean Ignis wasn't busy that day. He prepared some cards and obligatory chocolate Noctis can give to a few people. Ignis also prepared a batch he spiced up a little for an important soon to be Shield too.

Preparations were easy in some way, but the actual date stroke Ignis with a strange emotion. Something akin to unease, though not entirely in the wrong way.

It did help his nerves a little that he was the one driving them, even if Gladio insisted it would be faster if he drove. But it gave them something to focus on during it and so Ignis didn't have to just smile to himself all the time like a fool. Gladio navigated them to a part of the city Ignis wasn't too familiar with. Which was exciting.

He gets out of the car, looking around as he's setting his shirt and vest he is wearing for this occasion, with slacks and too expensive shoes. They are far from the Citadel, but not too far, which is good. Even with all the arrangements, he could still be called to assist Noctis. Both of them, actually. ]

Show me the way, then.

[ One thing about being in a different part of Crown City however, is that Ignis can hold out his hand for Gladio to take and people won't bat an eye. Would he try that near the Citadel, hell would get lose. ]

Comments

[houseofscientia]

[Ignis shifts at the touch, but not entirely because it's uncomfortable. Quite the opposite. He relaxes into it though when he's sure Gladio will keep it light for now. There will be a time when Ignis will ask him not to, but this isn't that time.

In exchange he just moves his hand, placing his palm flat against the other's chest.]

Distance gives more time to learn about my enemy. I'm more for speed and tactic than brute force.

[He explains as he's moving into Gladio's hold easily. As if they've been doing this their while lives. It's not overwhelming, it feels more like something that would make him whole. A bit excited too. Reassured, even.]

But how many times could you lift me over your head? [Ignis challenges. Though he agrees that having some practice in close combat could beneficial. A lot, actually. He won't be as good as the Shield in it, but having knowledge in all types of fighting is something he'd like to aim for.] In exchange, I could give tips on speed, if we can keep the training up.

[blkwings]

[He laughs quietly at Ignis' thoughts about battle, curling his fingers against the fabric of the other's clothes. He feels it too. Having his weight against him, his scent, his warmth- it's something he misses- keenly- when he's not around.]

Distance also gives your enemy more time to learn about you. Speed and tactics have their place, yeah. But you need to back it up with a bit of brute force too.

But thanks. I could always do with some different training too. Maybe it'd be good to do it. ...Not just to get close to you.

[The challenge makes him laugh, again, lowering his head to press a small kiss against Ignis' shoulder. He looks, playfully, to the side of his head.]

Don't know. A few hundred. Wanna find out?

[houseofscientia]

By the time they think they know me, they're already defenseless. [Ignis smiles. He has confidence in his skills in that area. Though he's not stupid to ever stop learning and training. Especially not when Gladio offered his help.] You don't have to sell brute force for me, I also think it's one of the most important aspects in a fight. Something I try to compensate for in my technique.

Yes, it'll be welcomed. [He agrees, frowning a bit. It may be worrisome, that they also talk about work. In a way. Spending time together may morph into training together, for the sake of Noctis, their future King. Ignis wonders if it's his fault for making everything around Noctis, even this thing with Gladio. He also knows it could be one of the points that will get tested in the future.

Though then he tilts his head at Gladio, setting his glasses again. Oh yes, he'd love to find out.]

Are you trying to impress me, or is that a good guess?

[blkwings]

Anyone else, and that'd sound like bullshit. Not you though.

[He can believe it. It's a bold statement, but coming from Ignis, it's nothing but credible. The ma had a quiet confidence about him that commanded respect- and a look in his eye that suggested absolute honesty.]

Dunno. You're in good shape. [He can't help but, cheekily, move one of his hands to squeeze a bicep.] You must be strong. Probably you just plan things so well it never comes to you having to use your strength.

[He moves his hand back to its position, curled around his waist, and he moves his eyes to him again, the playful look showing again.]

I'm being conservative. I didn't get to look like this by cheating. ...But we could make it interesting. You could stand on my weights as an extra challenge. I think I could bench them and you.

[houseofscientia]

[Ignis moves a hand to pretend he'd want to bat Gladio's hand off of him. But it's just a teasing movement. If he really wanted those hands anywhere else than on him, Gladio would be aware by now. And this much is allowed after all.]

I keep in shape, it still needs work. [He assures, though there is something in the fact that Gladio compliments him.] Being resilient is also important in which you have more experience in.

Now that'd make a great balance training for me, too. [He smiles, matching Gladio's gaze.] What a great set of exercise we already have. [Training together. Ignis convinced it would work. It should work. He hoped it will work... With that in mind, he reaches up to brush his thumb against Gladio's chin.] Say, are you motivated by reward, Gladio?

[blkwings]

[The fake bat causes another quiet laugh from him. He's amused. Too amused by the thought of testing his limits. There's an almost childish look in his eyes as he does so-- and above all, he would not do this with anyone else. He couldn't, for a start. Not in his position.]

Yeah. Wouldn't hurt you to get more resilient. But if you've got cause to ever use it, I've fucked up. M'not planning on fucking up. With either you, or the prince.

[Co-training, like that anyway, sounds fun. Almost as fun as other things they could be getting up to in the gym- but Ignis was right. It really was too soon for all of that.]

Could make it a contest, if you want. See who can last longer. You up top, me below.

[At the question, and the thumb, he turns his gaze, his eyes meeting those of his partner. And he considers, tilting his head toward his hand.]

No. Only thing that motivates me is living upto what I should be. ...What about you?

[houseofscientia]

If you're serious, I'll help in both of those things. [Ignis smiles. Gladio's determined. He is, with everything. Truly a great quality in a Shield, he wonders. And he wants to be there to see it through, to witness it with his own eyes.] Training suddenly sounds way more interesting, that it was before.

[Ignis listens as Gladio answers his question. It's a noble motivation. Something that suits Gladio. Something, that wouldn't falter, wouldn't fall, just like the man himself. Ignis' gaze lowers to Gladio's lips as he's lost in thought for a moment. He wasn't thinking about that specifically before, but now that he does, the first thing that comes to his mind is King Regis trusting his one son to him. He'd call it duty, but there's just something more to it. Maybe one day, he'll find a good word to call it by. As he answers he's quiet, a bit more serious as he's sliding his fingers along Gladio's jaw.]

Something similar. The duty of my fate, if you will.

[Then he presses is fingers under Gladio's chin to tilt his head up just a tad, to look at him.] But what I wanted to ask was, if I could motivate you with anything in training?

[blkwings]

Completely serious. Always am.

[He states, deciding to lean to the side against the back of the sofa, turning Ignis slightly in his arms so he could see his face properly. He keeps his arms around him though- closing his eyes as he continues to lean into Ignis' hand.

The timbre of the other man's voice changes, and he opens his eyes once more- responding earnestly.]

The way I see it, we were both put here to help each other. You as someone to guide him, me as someone to defend him. It only works with both of us. Without either of us, he's dead. So lean on me, when you have to. I'll help you with your duty. Just like I'm going to lean on you.

...But Iggy. If... if either of us was born as something different, I'd still feel like this about you. He's important. Really important. But you're really important too.

[Sappy? Sappy. Ignis' fingers run over his jaw as he talks- falling silent when his chin is pushed up. And his eyes narrow, a slightly playful look in his eyes coming into them, a smile exposing white teeth against tanned skin.]

...There's no way you don't know what I'm gonna say, right?

[houseofscientia]

[This time Ignis closes his eyes, because Gladio's words fill him with a kind of determination. With a feeling that he's not alone. It's not like that he felt alone before, it's more like now he has someone else with him. Someone who understands.

'It only works with both of us.' It echoes in him. And how true that is.

And then... yes. Sappy. But...] Important? [He can't help to repeat it to himself with a slight smile. It's a strange feeling. Thinking about himself detached from his duty. Almost a frightening even, because his whole family was born to serve. Their existence, their purpose was to aid and guide royals, and yet Gladio is saying he'd be still just as important without all that. Ignis does wonder, however. For the first time, he's a bit speechless. Yet another thing Gladio is able to do.]

I may have gathered some information, yes. It'll be interesting to include such methods, if you agree. [Sometimes he's using the word 'interesting' instead of 'fun'.]

[blkwings]

Nope. Really important. There's a massive difference.

[He smiles at that, moving his head away from the finger that held his jaw upward, touching his lips in a small kiss to Ignis' cheekbone. And he can't help but smile against his face, accentuating his point with a light bump with his nose.

Then he puts his chin right back where it was, on the end of that outstretched finger. Because, what could be said. Ignis being assertive was... something new. And hot.

At the question, he laughs. Gently.]

I'm up for it. I'll book a few private sessions. Hope the training room can handle us.

[houseofscientia]

I believe you.

[It should be unfair how that kiss made Ignis' heart beat just a bit faster. It's already going at it on a higher volume than it should, ever since they met that day.]

It has no choice. [He nods, pulling his hand away, just to slide it on Gladio's neck as he leans in to have his own set of small kisses on his lips.] It's settled, then.