The Count Down To New

[thechurbyboxmod]

Sometimes feelings build up. Sometimes all it takes is a resolution, some liquid courage, and the rush of celebration to break through the silence. This is what happens on those nights



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[faithfulsupport]

After they died down a little, Ignis leaned forward and placed his hands on the man's face again to give the kiss that had been interrupted by the fireworks. He wasn't going to ask anything tonight, overanalyzing any of this would be rude and ruin things. And he wasn't about to do that. So for now he was going to enjoy a simple kiss and be thrilled by Nida's shy and beautiful admission.

[skyward_eyes]

A second kiss. Yeah, this was a year worth remembering. He melts into it a little and sighs contentedly when it too fades.

“I should have done that years ago.”

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis smiled and lowered his head a little shyly to think that this could've happened before tonight. "Perhaps, but it is quite meaningful that we kissed at the start off a new year." Maybe other people in the Ballroom were doing the exact same thing, but Ignis didn't really care right now.

What he cared about was the man with him right now.

[skyward_eyes]

It could have, but was anyone really looking for romance and love during the dark years? Probably not. Ignis's attention never would have come to this, come to him. He would have been too... occupied in other things.

"Meaningful?" he asks, tilting his head as he considers Ignis. "Probably only if this serves as a start."

[faithfulsupport]

"Well there is that." That was one of his questions actually, if this was a start. But he figured Nida wasn't one to kiss and run. The man just didn't seem to be the type with the blushing, the not dancing since high school and he hadn't been out flirting or dancing with anyone else. So the advisor figured he wasn't what Prompto or Noct would term a 'player'.

[skyward_eyes]

What would being a player get him? Some Glaives were like that, but Nida didn't see a point.

But he's not sure at all what the man might feel about it all.

"There's that," he agrees, a bit unsure where he stood at this point. Or sat.

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis had listened carefully to hear if Nida mentioned anything further than what he'd said previously. So with no new information forthcoming, he tilted his head a little. "Would you like this to serve as a start?"

He figured the answer was yes but it would be very wrong to assume information such as that. And this was way too important to play guessing games with.

[skyward_eyes]

"Yes," Nida agrees quickly, his breath a worried little whisper.

He wanted it desperately. But he didn't know if it was very likely to come. But how was he supposed to explain it. How he was supposed to do just about anything at all without fearing the failure?

"Are you, uh, sure? That you'd want to have that?"

[faithfulsupport]

"I was rather hoping that would be your answer." Ignis replied with a smile on his face. He then pulled back to look at Nida with a quizzical sort of look on his face. "Yes I'm sure, are you?" Somehow he didn't think the other was unsure but it was the question that had him wondering.

Hopefully if they were together, there wouldn't be anymore having to worry about being too..whatever it was Nida thought of him. He could be seen as a regular man with regular feelings and not put on some pedestal.

[skyward_eyes]

Was he sure? Nida wanted to laugh. Instead he only smiled. How silly of a question.

“I’ve been hoping you would notice me since I joined the Glaive. I just never thought it would actually happen. I was too new before everything started to do more than see you out of the corner of my eyes back when I was training before the night the wall fell. And after...”

Well, pining Ignis down in the long night was even harder. So maybe he had a few years to build thing up in his mind

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis shook his head. "There was a lot going on, and I had long since resigned myself to being alone." A smile then graced his features just for a moment, long enough to lift a hand to touch Nida's face. "I noticed how handsome you were, but getting all of the royal business done was where my concern was, not standing around while admiring a certain Glaive."

[skyward_eyes]

Frankly, he was still wowed that Ignis knew he existed.

“At least I have looks. Beyond my position it might be the only thing to call attention to me. And even that hasn’t worked reliably over the years. But you? You’re a man of true beauty. And I did not kid. I have heard plenty of people long after you. You are just... well, so busy and serious and so far as it’s said, not interested in anyone.”

Why go out on that branch when it was already seeped likely to fall through?

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis smiled and lowered his hand. "No, I believe your kind heart makes you stand out among others." He tried not to be really touched by what Nida was saying here but it was damn near impossible.

Looking down at the ground, he tried to hide how he felt about others wanting him. Why would they even do that? He was nothing special. But then a small laugh came out about being busy and serious and not interested in anyone.

"I wasn't looking since my hands were kept busy with attending to the king."

[skyward_eyes]

His kind heart, huh? Nida has to laugh.

"Not sure a kind heart is really the best idea for a guard," he muses as he leans against the other man a bit more.

"I doubt he'd want someone so important to him to lack something for himself.

[faithfulsupport]

It was nice to hear Nida laugh if anything though he just smiled as he was leaned against. This was..rather comforting. Just them alone and no one had bothered them for whatever reason which was good. Still, the comfort lead to a gentle soft tone when he spoke next.

"No, but the crown can weigh quite heavily at times." That was a gross understatement but then again he did that a lot.

[skyward_eyes]

"Heavy is the head that wears the crown," Nida smiles. "But he's good. He's amazing, and he will do us good."

Nida believes in his king. But more than that, he believes in the man who believes in their king.

"What about you? What weighs heavily on you? Maybe I can... can help with the weight."

[faithfulsupport]

He nodded with a small smile. "Yes, that is very true as well." But then he laughed lightly because it was so heartwarming to hear of the Glaives and other people praise Noct. The king seemed to always just kind of nod some days when Ignis would tell him he was doing great or things along those lines.

A surprised but delighted face turned to look at Nida when he offered his assistance and that earned the man another brief kiss. "Have I told you that you have a kind heart? But no, honestly there is nothing that would help that I can think of at the moment."

Silently he was thrilled that he'd even been asked because the gesture had been quite unexpected.

[skyward_eyes]

Well, it was a new year. Maybe it was time to expect new things, Ignis.

For now Nida smiled and leaned a bit more heavily against the advisor.

"Are you still interested in dancing with me?"

[faithfulsupport]

He finally allowed himself to lean against Nida a little in turn. This was so lovely, just the two of them, sort of cuddling on a stone bench.

So when he felt the other leaning on him a little more, Ignis couldn't help but gently kiss the top of the dark head and spoke softly. "Of course I am interested, for as long as you'd like."

[skyward_eyes]

Well then. Nida rose to his feet and turned to face Ignis with a slight bow and an extended hand.

"Might I ask the honor of a dance with you?"

[faithfulsupport]

There was a slight blush on the advisor's face as Nida asked for a dance in a very gentlemanly way. He was quite impressed and nodded as he reached for the other's extended hand. "Yes, you may."

Ignis stood and smiled at the man with him. Let everyone else have who they were with, he was happy with who he had right here with him right now.

[skyward_eyes]

Be proud he didn't fall over. But Nida smiles and takes the hand in his, righting himself.

"How about you lead this time? I can feel the alcohol starting to make me fumble. I don't want to trod on your foot."

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis smiled as they held onto each other. "I can certainly lead if that's what you prefer. And if you step on me too many times, that would be a good indication that it's time to stop dancing for the evening and escort you safely to your room so you can get some rest."

[skyward_eyes]

"What a gentleman, escorting me back," Nida laughs. "But first, let's get our dance."

Just let him have that. He wants to dance.

"Show me a good time?"

[faithfulsupport]

"Of course." Ignis smiled. "I wouldn't wish to miss having another dance or two with you." Or more depending on how Nida was feeling of course. So they headed out onto the dance floor and the advisor found a suitable spot on the floor. He waited until the other was ready, and then he lead easily, having years of practice under his belt.