aterat | One Fall And One Less Bear

Perhaps, perhaps not. Likely a guard or two from the station would see them and Nida would earn light teasing there.

But frankly, it meant less to have specific people see them so much as to just have the chance that they would. Because Ignis isn't wrong. Joy looks good on Nida, and it's good to find it again.

"We should figure out what dinner is. And I need to get some fresh fish for Julia. I swear that little beast is so spoiled."

Which was good, because she'd stride out if not."

He nodded as they walked along still holding hands. But there was a smile as to how Nida referred to Julia. "You simply dote on her, but she's a cat so I believe it's more of a requirement."

"Fresh fish for her and for us would solve both issues at the same time. However, if you're in the mood to have something else, let me know and I'll.." His voice trailed off for a moment and his head cocked slightly to the side. "Didn't you say you wanted seafood..something about how you had it back home?" This was his way of trying to spoil and indulge Nida.

Trying to pile on more of that joy on his handsome beau's face.

"She's a Peacock Cat," Nida corrects, and you can almost hear the capitalization there, out loud. For serious. "I don't simply dote. I know that her love is for sale and I want it. And that if I don't buy it, she will find her way into the arms of someone who does. Not even kidding. It's what their species does."

Wait, he'll cook fresh fish? Nida grins, and nods at the suggestion.

"Balamb was a semi-tropical island. They specialized in fish in their cuisine. I mean, I like stuff other than it too because of my roots, but there is nothing like grilled fish with some sort of fruit-based sauce or salsa or something... Just no strawberries, of course. And mango is okay, but citrus..."

Much better.

"Then I'll simply take your word for it." If that was the way the cat was, then he'd definitely try and help out with funding, even if Nida might not need it. And that made him wonder a few more things, but maybe he was jumping ahead again.

And the advisor nodded. "Well, while we're out, let's get some of the things you had and you can instruct me on how much to make or..do it yourself." This would hopefully let Nida see how far Ignis was willing to go kitchen wise to make his man happy.

Nida probably needed it less than Ignis. His job kept him more than secure at the moment. And he could always pick up hunts and the like to supplement his work.

"I can't cook," Nida reminds him. He can't even begin to cook even if he bought the things. "I guess I can try and figure something out..."

Now he's worried dinner will be charred.

"You don't have to, but if you can prepare the sauce or just tell me how it was done back home, that would work out just as well." Ignis offered. He smiled and kissed his lover on the cheek, and it was a chaste one at that since they were out in public.

He couldn't explain how nice it felt to be out together like this and it was also relaxing at the same time. Maybe the should do this a lot more often.

"I've never seen it done, it could go horribly," Nida frowns, but hey, he's willing to try. And he brightens at the little kiss.

IT's silly, how much these little PDAs mean to him.

"And what if I just want to let you surprise me?"

"Alright, but if you've any suggestions in the department, I'm open to hear them." He wanted to make everything just the way Nida liked it or remembered it, much as the advisor had struggled back home to get Noct's Memory Lane pastry right several times. But maybe it too needed time to formulate and come together though it rubbed at the perfectionist in him.

Ignis then smiled. "Are we still talking about the cooking, or other things as well?" And that question may or may not be an invitation and suggestion at the same time.

"Well, I meant the food, but I suppose I can accept it in other things as well. There is something to be said for a bit of surprise in one's own life. And as you said yourself, you are big on the idea of spoiling me."

And he supposes he can accept that.

The advisor smiled and gently squeezed the hand in his. "Then we'll figure this all out together and yes I do intend on spoiling you." Rotten too, but that was kept quiet. So they got to the fish market and he started looking around, keeping his hand securely in Nida's. Today for some reason they had quite a selection of fish and the people who saw Ignis waved and came over with their greetings. He was a regular customer here after all.

Turning to his beau, there was a smile in the green eyes since everyone could plainly see their hands linked together. "Now, where shall we start?"

Nida's hand tightened on Ignis's once they got to the markets, as if he was afraid that the man might get away from him if he looked away. But he smiled back when Ignis looked to him.

"I don't know. I doubt anything here is really tropical. But maybe they have salmon? Is there a time of the year for salmon?"

"Salmon are from river, but they should still be feasible now, though I do believe it's getting near the end of the season for them." They moved over and Ignis got one of the usual people to help them with their fish quest. The man waiting on them led them over where the salmon were being kept and informed them this was the last bit until roughly Spring. After giving a nod of thanks, Ignis moved with Nida to look over what was available.

"Perhaps we should stock up?" Ignis asked this as he continued to look.

"I don't know how long this stuff keeps in the level of tech this place has," Nida sighs. It definitely lingers behind his own world, which means he really has no clue. "But this would be lovely. What do you cook with salmon? I think herb butter?"

"This place is a minefield of technological anomalies." Ignis agreed. "Here they have fresh fish which is akin to our open air markets in places back home. But the level of technology in the apartment is superior and we have both a refrigerator and freezer." It boggled the man's mind half the time to be honest.

But the part about the fish had him nodding. "Yes and with it we can have potatoes, or rice and or some vegetables. Unless you have a preference."

"Not to mention the phones," Nida agrees, looking a bit annoyed. He misses real technology. He misses motorcycles.

"Rice and vegetables sounds good. I can make rice without burning it too. It's me being helpful!"

"Yes, our phones as well. They're not half as advanced as ours back home, but at least we have rudimentary ones that will do their job just in case something should happen." It was better than nothing really.

But he smiled at Nida and squeezed his hand gently. "If you feel up to making rice, that would certainly help the process a bit darling." That felt good too, to call Nida by that endearment out in public instead of just thinking it like he'd done.

Darling. Damn if his heart doesn't skip a beat like it does every time when he's called that. IT hadn't been often, but it had been enough, a sweet treat slipped to him on the sly that helped him through a lot.

"Well then I'll make rice."

"Sounds like a plan." And then Ignis proceeded to order about 6 slabs of the salmon, which gave them plenty to spare for later. It was good to stock up now he supposed which would help them in the future.

And it was only when he was given the fish that he had to let go of Nida's hand which he didn't want to do. But once he shifted the weight around, it went right back.

"What are we getting for Julia? Or are we feeding her the salmon as well?"

For Julia? Nida intends to be far more picky. He winks and starts talking to the vendor. Soon he has a very lovely cod.

“Okay. I also need a few more things. I make her stuff from scratch. Since it isn’t cooking it works out.”

As soon as he caught that wink, Ignis put his head down and fought to hide the blush. There was something intimate about that sort of gesture and he absolutely loved it. He loved how it made him feel too, especially since they were out in public right now.

But after the cod was received, the advisor nodded. "Since we're already out, we might as well get them. Lead the way." Ignis had already gotten the fish and he basically went shopping every other day since he was already out hunting.

"So kind of you, to join me for my errands, my flame," Nida smiles as he pulls the man along through the markets. This? This was pretty much the greatest thing he had ever experienced.

"How about while we're out, we get things for a dessert to celebrate. Something simple that maybe you can teach me."

He knows he's a horrible cook, but maybe Ignis can achieve what his brother had not been able to.

Another shy smile came out at Nida's words but he held on firmly to the hand in his and kept going. It was nice and a little odd to see the people he normally saw with his beau but it was a blast. And he thought he saw other people there too but wasn't sure so he just kept moving.

The thought of dessert had him wondering but he tried to think of how to keep it simple as was being presented. "Simple dessert, mayhaps we could try baked apples?"

Couldn't really go wrong there.

"Baked apples. Sounds wonderful," Nida smiles and leans his head on the other man's shoulder. "Bet even I can't mess that up."

"Just some cinnamon and an oven.." Ignis said before Nida's adorable gesture just took his breath away and made him melt all at the same time. So for a minute or two he struggled with replying and not wanting to break the magic of the moment.

In the end, he settled for gently kissing the top of the dark head though he really wanted to just do something completely unlike himself and kiss Nida both madly and passionately in public until neither of them could breathe.

Smiling the advisor squeezed the hand in his and spoke softly. "I'm certain you won't."

Hyne but it really is the sort of moment that felt magic. That was as true for Nida as it is for Ignis. Perhaps more so because he hadn't thought this sort of magic could be his again.

"Well, I'm unlucky, but I will be happy to try anyway. I've got a better motivation than I've ever had to make things work out."

And Ignis was of course the reason.

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