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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For Faithfulsupport

[skyward_eyes]

Celebrations are always so... intense here. How could they not be. A new year always seemed to be a metaphorical mark of the end of the long night, a bright look toward what will come. But hey, big parties at the Citadel were always nice, and the party this year was as wonderful as it always was.

And Nida? He was leaning against a wall in the ballroom where the main party was being held, watching with a soft smile as the King danced with his Queen, as Prompto took pictures, as the Shield looked protectively over his charges.

That said... There was one face he couldn't find. The one he looked quietly for every time he was on guard duty. The shadow of the King.

"Ugh, you're being stupid again, Nomura," he sighs. "New Year, new aspirations."

[faithfulsupport]

Even if there was a New Year coming, Ignis had pushed the King out of the room so he could work. All Noct kept doing was asking 'Are you done yet?' Which of course only got an exasperated serious look, sometimes over the edge of the glasses. And it made him want to hurry which was worse. These last minute tasks to get done before the new year was celebrated were definitely needed so that orders could be issued and requests could be sent out after all of the partying was done.

The royal advisor was looking to ease into the new year not start a brand new year out chaotically. Work was something he excelled at, he could work hard with the best of them and there had also been the king's good natured teasing about finding someone. Who in their right mind would want someone like him? So it was best to get that noise out of the room too.

There was one person he would like to spend time with, but that man surely was taken or something along those lines. And he never spoke of Nida to anyone because he didn't need someone going and pestering the man which he was sure at least Prompto would take a shot at.

So with a sigh and a shake of his head, Ignis got up from the desk with work finally done. Then he went and got dressed and then he headed downstairs, trying not to look around.

Heading towards the ballroom now, his green eyes spotted Noct dancing with his bride. Well at least the king was occupied.

[skyward_eyes]

Speak of the devil. Well, think of him. There was Ignis, coming in through the doorway that Nida had been assigned to. He watched the other man silently as Ignis watched the dancing royals.

"They look good together, my Lord," Nida mused.

He should be silent, but he had to... had to watch.

[faithfulsupport]

He had stood near Nida on purpose but hadn't actually looked at the man. Hearing his voice though sent a small thrill through him and Ignis allowed that to form a pleasant smile.

"Indeed." And the King and Queen did look good together. But there was one thing he had a slight issue with. "And no need for such formality, just Ignis is fine."

[skyward_eyes]

At least it's a small thrill for one of them. For him it's a rush of his heart, a surging of his spirits as he wants to reach for the other man. Instead he keeps his eyes on the dancing couple.

"They at least seem happy. Looking forward to fortune in the next year I expect. They're lucky, to have such happiness going into another year."

[faithfulsupport]

"They are indeed fortunate to have each other." Ignis remarked, thinking on how Noct had spoken of how the royal couple would begin working on a family in the new year as well. Their dance ended after a few minutes and a new one began with couples beginning to go out onto the dance floor now.

The royal advisor grinned broadly as his green eyes spotted Gladio leading Prompto out. Noctis now owed him from their private bet. But he said nothing and looked over at Nida briefly, feeling a little nervous. "Don't let me take up your time, if you're going out for a dance."

Surely this man had someone to come whisk him away for a waltz.

[skyward_eyes]

“Damn. I owe Cor thirty Gil,” Nida sighs as he watches Prompto and Gladio move to dance. “I bet that wasn’t happening before midnight.”

Oh well, he could live with that loss. A happy shield who was finally honest with himself and Prompto might go a smidge easier with that great sword in training sessions with the Glaives.

Still, Ignis’s prompting broke the restraint Nida was trying to put on himself. To not look at the right hand of the King.

“I’m on guard duty until the shift change at half til midnight. No dancing for me. Not that I’d have a partner.”

[faithfulsupport]

Green eyes lit up with amusement as he heard the part about the bet because silently he was happy others had wagers on them too. But then Nida said he was on duty until his time. However, that last part got his attention and he found himself looking directly into the other's dark eyes.

Wait, why didn't the man have a partner? Nida was a handsome man and of course Ignis had noticed. And the other seemed to have a very kind heart, from what little he knew and had seen.

Then why didn't he have someone to dance with?

So he stood a moment longer and turned his head away, debating within himself but decided against it. "In that case I'm sorry they couldn't make it."

[skyward_eyes]

They really were lucky, weren’t they? To be so happy together, in the light of the healed world. Well, light being metaphorical unless one meant the electric ones in here, given the night. Nida sighed as he watched the Shield and the gunner dance, jealous.

The comment from Ignis comes as Nida is caught up watching and aching for that sort of companionship, and so words slip from his lips without being fully intended. Yes, he would have wanted to respond, but not like this.

“Not all saw the return of the dawn. But he, like so many, fought in hopes that others would. He would be glad that moments like this came of what he gave.”

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis turned to look again at Nida concerned as he heard about what happened and his hands went behind his back.

Oh.

Well that explained why the man didn't have a partner. And the advisor nodded solemnly to the man, knowing that their battles took a lot of good men and women with it. Still, it couldn't be easy to be standing here and watching a happy couple dance while..well he didn't really want to finish that thought. So his voice went low.

"I'm very sorry for your loss."

[skyward_eyes]

"Thank you," he says, rather than just shrugging it off and pointing out that Elijah was a bit of an asshole, even for a hunter.

Physical intimacy was what he'd taken up in the Long Night. Love? Well, that wasn't something he'd let himself feel. So he just watches the dancing.

"What of you, My Lord? Surely there are a number of people who would whisk you away in their arms. Or want to be whisked away."

[faithfulsupport]

Nodding at the thank you, he'd turned back to watching Noct and his Queen but then there was that pesky title again. But before he could address it again the topic of dancing was now on his own plate and he laughed a little self consciously.

"I'm afraid not."

Really he was here because he had to be, it was expected and polite. Maybe he'd dance with the Queen later but that was expected of the Crownsguard and a formality.

"But that's very kind of you to say so."

[skyward_eyes]

Nida looks at Ignis and then rolls his eyes.

"I don't know," he muses as he looks at Ignis, "I think it's only because you haven't formally joined the party that there isn't a queue started to ask you to dance."

Because the man is stunning, even more beautiful tonight than he already was.

[faithfulsupport]

He shook his head and looked the other in the eyes. "You're the only one who believes that, I assure you."

And then he looked back over and Noct nodded at him to acknowledge his presence. Well so much for any more hanging on the sidelines, since he was going to have to go talk to the King and Queen after this dance. And maybe that would be his one queue as Nida suggested because the advisor would dance with her per formality. Well maybe there'd be Noct, Gladio and Prompto as well but that would be it.

[skyward_eyes]

Oh Ignis, so foolish, so handsome. And so good at radiating a 'don't approach me' sort of vibe. To the point where Nida almost felt bad for him.

"They care about you," Nida observes as the King looks over their way. "And expect you to have fun. Think about it, Master Scientia. There's no harm in celebrating a job well done. And surely you didn't dress up that fancy for nothing."

Nida allowed himself a smirk and a nod.

"When you're out there having fun, make sure someone reminds the wait staff to save some of the good stuff for us first shift guards. We deserve treats too."

[faithfulsupport]

He knew all too well that Noct and the Queen and the lads would want him here to have fun. But even if he was here he would still keep an eye on Noctis. However, the formality in the way Nida addressed him crossed his mental line of three tries. And then he got the request for treats which had his brain turning it over in his mind a few times.

Alright.

"I will certainly make sure to do so after I greet their Highnesses in a few moments. But speaking of no harm in celebrating a job well done and since you're so solicitous about my plans, might I be so bold as to be able treat you to a dance this evening?"

[skyward_eyes]

Oh come on, the formality made sense. Ignis might well be Crownsguard and something like a Kingsglaive, but even among them Ignis was a higher rank. He was a noble. He was powerful. He was important and Nida was some no one immigrant from Tenebrea. Propriety mattered, even among the rougher Kingsglaive.

He didn't know the object of his affection enough to accept using a first name. He could get in trouble.

But then Ignis says the other thing and Nida is actually blushing. Blushing and breaking formality and duty of his position to jerk backwards in shock. Not revulsion, just confusion.

"D-dance?" he stammers out nervously. "With you? I... I don't know if that's a good idea, sir. I haven't, uh, well, I mean to say, I've never... I don't want people to think you a clod if I tripped over you."

His heart is racing, and he cannot manage to drive the heat from his cheeks, his neck, even his ears.

Really, it was text book 'the gentleman doth protest too much.'

[faithfulsupport]

Well that blush was certainly a different sort of reaction but for a moment, Ignis worried he'd truly stepped wrongly in approaching. But he waited patiently and he smirked lightly. "I promise I can teach you how to dance." He recalled having to practically drag Noct out there several times and he was sullen and non responsive to lessons.

Those days were long gone now thankfully.

He smiled and nodded, looking back to the royal couple. "You've time to think it over. However, if you're somehow uncomfortable with the idea, that is alright."

And as the song currently playing as just about at it's end, he wondered why Nida was blushing. But if the guard's reply was no, it was no and that was the end of it.

[skyward_eyes]

Oh, he can dance, but there was no way he could do it well enough for someone like, well, Ignis.

"That desperate to, uh, avoid the people that would fall over themselves to dance with you? Choose a Kingsglaive?"

How could he say yes? How could he not?

"Well, I guess if someone needs to protect you from the lords and ladies that would want to catch your eye, that will work. but you'll owe me.

He can't let the guy know how eager he is for this. Rejection, on the last night of the year? Pass.

[faithfulsupport]

The green eyes narrowed slightly because he wasn't 'desperate' as had been put to him and he almost walked at that moment without another word. But he sighed and folded his arms over his chest. "Besides informing people to save goodies for you, what else should I owe you for a dance?"

Were dances always business deals? Well business could very well be broached over a dance and Ignis knew that. And dancing with significant others in order to charm them and seal business deals were done as well. But this one had him stumped because he wasn't sure what else he could do for a Glaive, but he would try.

And he didn't need protection, there'd be nobody except the few of the lads and the royals themselves. But he didn't mention that at all.

[skyward_eyes]

Oh no. Oh no. He offended Ignis. Not even the man in charge of so many things. Which has him stammering to apologize.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean you were desperate desperate. Oh fuck. Astrals, just shoot me now, I'm bad at this," Nida groaned. He was supposed to be guarding, not staring. Not thinking maybe he should flirt.

"I haven't... I just... I'm shocked you are even speaking to me."

[faithfulsupport]

The song ended and Ignis shook his head at the king, which Noct knew he had to wait a minute. Turning back to Nida, the advisor listened to the man and wasn't sure how to bridge this. But fortunately he had patience thanks to growing up beside a certain dark haired king.

"It's alright, but please explain why you're shocked that I'm speaking to you." In his own eyes Ignis was no one special, the special one had just completed a dance with his Queen. He would even occasionally spar with the Glaives and he never once treated them any differently than people.

He even tried to recall anything in this very conversation where he held himself above Nida or had even came off that way. The only thing he'd done is ask the man to drop the formality to his recollection.

[skyward_eyes]

How could Ignis not get it? Before Nida could stop himself, once again, the words burst forth. Good thing people didn’t usually hold forwardness against the Glaives.

“Because you’re Ignis Scientia. Everyone in the Glaive heard stories about you during the Long Night. About holding off Ardyn in Altissa too. You’re, like, amazing.”

[faithfulsupport]

"I simply did what needed done, there's nothing extra special about that." He smiled, a little sadly because he didn't feel like he belonged in either world. He wasn't royal so he wasn't on Noct's level nor would he even try. And apparently his deeds now put him on a sort of high pedestal, untouchable or unreachable by others. "I serve the king just as you do, but in a different capacity."

But he shook his head. "I must go, I can't delay his Majesty any longer or he'll come over here and inquire about our conversation." And Ignis wasn't having it. "Think about that dance and if you wish to decline, you are free to do so of course." Green eyes looked at the king as he spoke next. "And I'll still see to your earlier request as well."

[skyward_eyes]

"Yes," Nida says before the man can walk away. Still blushing, still having trouble looking at Ignis. "I, uh... yes. When I'm off duty. I'll try and find you. I'd like to dance."

Which might not go well. He looks so nervous over the idea of it. That Ignis should have noticed him. How was that even possible?

He wants to ask how him. He wants to know if the man will forgive him if he didn't dance well. He wanted to take him to dance now. But he didn't. Wouldn't.

"Later then."