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]

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."

[faithfulsupport]

Green eyes flickered over to Nida with a nod. "I'll look forward to it." He just doesn't understand what the big deal is but maybe to the Glaive they were heroes or something. Gladio he knew never flaunted any of it either with how much he had done and he still trained with the Glaives. Maybe he'd have to fix that if Noct would stop being himself sometimes.

Maybe he'd have to chat with the King in front of the Queen about it.

He then nodded to Nida and immediately put on a smile because Noct as he'd predicted was already on his way to them but Ignis interceded and smoothed it all over. It was none of the king's business what Ignis did though he was sure to get some sort of comments later if he did get that dance. But as they were talking, the advisor looked over at Nida one more time and gave a small smile with a slight incline of his head. The king of course was oblivious as usual. And then all of his attention was then focused on the Queen.

[skyward_eyes]

Well, that was just how life went sometimes, wasn't it? Nida watched the other man go off and was left groaning, because wow, he'd really blown that, hadn't he? If someone else had seen or heard, he'd absolutely would have won a 'smooth moves, genius'.

As it was he tried to focus on the rest of his shift, and not on Ignis. It was really a failed cause. When his replacement came Nida nodded politely to them before going down to join the festivities. And he started by liberating a glass of champagne and downing it. Then a second and some finger foods.

Ultimately, by the time he found himself with enough confident to move toward Ignis, he was slightly tipsy. Perhaps that was the only reason he even had the courage to walk up behind Ignis when the man was between conversations and clear his throat.

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis had the smile plastered in place because he wasn't sure if he'd broken some unknown protocol among the Glaives. And he wanted to inquire with Gladio but that would invite unwanted questions so he steered away. As predicted he had danced with the Queen but wasn't asked by either the shield or the marksman which was just as well.

But he made sure to talk to the wait staff as he'd promised Nida he would. And then he kept looking at his watch which was pretty irritating. Everyone was making plans and giggling as to how they were going to ring in the new year. And he'd already heard more than enough about marriage proposals going around.

Ugh..

He just wanted a dance with a handsome Glaive who maybe found something else to do. It was just as well, maybe he had broken some unknown rule. He had to stay though he wanted to simply retire to his room after the ring in. But just as he'd been about to put his plans into action, he heard someone clear their throat.

"Please excuse me." This was said to one of the female courtiers who had a thing for the blonde photographer. Poor thing didn't have a chance now.

Turning around, Ignis smiled when he saw Nida.

"Well, good evening Mister Nomura."

[skyward_eyes]

The guy really does know his name. Nida's just standing there shocked for a moment.

"You know who I am," he says, almost dumbly. How was that thing? Yep. Shocked. "I'm sorry, I just... I didn't know you knew I existed before tonight. Should have. You're good at organizing things."

Running at the mouth from nerves. Damn. Nida blushes and looks away.

"I'm way better at hunts and guarding than talking to people."

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis smiled. "You knew full well who I was. And we know all of the members of the Glaive's names." Was Gladio held in this high esteem as well? Ignis never thought to inquire but again it would cause unwanted questions. Best to leave that alone.

There was a slightly embarrassed laugh on the advisor's part as Nida's head turned away, flushed with red. But he wasn't going to let Nida put himself down. "It's quite alright. I'm sure it's a matter of you simply might not have had enough practice."

He watched the lonely courtier leave and he turned back to his companion. "I spoke to the staff as I promised. I hope they did what they said they were going to." He hadn't waited around to find out, he just took them at their word.

[skyward_eyes]

Nida wasn't as in to Gladio as he was into Ignis.

"I've already had a drink or two."

Or three. Either way, he was here, and there was Ignis. Beautiful.

"So beautiful," he mumbles. Out loud. Oh no, he said the in his head thing out loud. Shit.

"Uh, right, you said something about a dance."

[faithfulsupport]

"I see, so you've already started without me." Not that Ignis was into drinking, coffee was more his thing. But he could certainly have a drink and not get out of hand. And he went to turn away to get a coffee when he heard the 'beautiful' comment.

Say what?

Slowly he turned around to Nida and looked around. It didn't appear that anyone was paying any attention to them. So his eyes blinked a moment. "I..I beg your pardon?"

Of all the things he'd ever heard about himself, that hadn't been one of them.

And then Nida tried to change the topic so he wondered if he should just go with that. Yes, get him away from here, or more importantly them so they could talk more privately. And his mind was whirling so he was fighting to act normal while that one word rang about in his head.

"Yes, yes I do believe we did mention a dance."

[skyward_eyes]

"You were right, that you only had the one. We should fix that," Nida says quickly, because he needs Ignis to not think too much on the whole 'hey this guy just complimented me' thing.

Nida holds out his hand to Ignis. Come on, give him a chance. He is going to try and not fall over.

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis shoved the beautiful compliment out of his mind and took Nida's hand and allowed himself to be led away from everyone. And while he would swear the royals and the lads were staring, he pushed that out of his mind too. He could simply explain it away that a Glaive wanted to learn to dance. And of course they would agree that he was an excellent teacher.

For some reason he looked at the clock and it was getting closer to midnight. Well they could always just do the one dance and then they'd be done or something. Or they could go out onto one of the balconies or something and just sit tight there while the new year rang in and all of the romantic things happened in the ball room, he hoped.

And the the words hit him. "You were watching me the entire evening to see if I danced with more than the Queen?"

[skyward_eyes]

And there they were on the floor. Nida, without even thinking, pulled Ignis into his arms as if Nida was going to lead. And he did it without messing up the stance.

Thing was, Nida was absolutely capable of dancing. He wasn't certain he's good enough.

"Yes," he says, not even thinking about what the admission might mean.

[faithfulsupport]

It was odd for Ignis to be touched as much as he was, so he came off a little awkwardly. But with Nida basically showing that he was going to lead, the advisor knew how to follow too. After all he'd taught Noct how to lead by him following.

As far as the admission went he wasn't quite sure what to think but nodded anyway. "That's quite flattering." And maybe it was a tad creepy, but Ignis was going to go with the more positive attitude. Besides, midnight was edging closer and they'd stop dancing or part company, or whatever.

But if he was really okay with that, why was the beautiful compliment still resounding in his mind?

[skyward_eyes]

"I, uh..."

He didn't know if he should respond to the flattering thing.

"Maybe I just wanted to make sure that you could dance," Nida offers, still looking embarrassed. "Of course you're a lot more graceful than others tonight, so where else was I supposed to look?"

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis smiled and didn't comment on the embarrassed look. "I suppose being a guard means you have to be quite observant." There was a little bit of pride in the tone, he knew he was graceful on the floor. But what was enjoying here was the wonderful feeling of being in Nida's arms. He felt very comfortable there and it was a very nice surprise.

They turned and he saw a very surprised Noct face pretty much staring in his direction and the advisor chose to ignore it though his face coloured a little. So he had to focus on something else. "Do you make any new year's resolutions?"