aterat | One Fall And One Less Bear

"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.

He was about to question the 'unlucky' part but then Nida's words warmed his heart so there was a smile in his tone. "And I will do everything I can to assist on this happiness quest of yours." So they made their way over to a place that sold apples, and Ignis gave Nida the decision what ones he wanted. Meanwhile, he looked over a selection of fruits to try and decide on the sauce to go over the fish.

Rice they had plenty of so that wasn't an issue. Cinnamon was also plentiful since Ignis went on 'baking kicks' at times.

Trying for someone you care about is something Nida is excited for. Because he does care for the man.

"I don't know that I've ever used my oven," Nida admits with a smirk. "It could explode."

Green eyes slid over to Nida when he admitted about the oven. "Well I'll be there with you to make sure it doesn't explode on you." Somehow Ignis was both surprised and not that the other man hadn't used his oven. But if he wasn't sure what to do, staying away from it would be a good idea.

"I can at least show you the basics on cooking if you're interested." Baking was easier so he figured starting with that would be a good idea.

"You're so sweet to me," he says with a smile. "And I'm interested in doing this for you. Or at least trying. My brother said I'm hopeless, but you've got a WAY nicer ass than he does."

It's teasing, and probably not okay to say in public, but he says it anyway.

Now he's intrigued. "Might I inquire as to why you wish to do this for me? I don't mind doing all the cooking.." But he let his voice trail off as Nida mentioned the nice ass comment a moment or two later and his face turned red.

Of course Ignis tried to pass it off as a sudden fit of coughing to cover up the redness in his face, but that's because they were in public. Secretly the advisor really loved that his beau had the balls to say such a thing. He just wasn't sure it was a good idea to admit it.

"Yes..well I should rather hope so."

Well that's the thing, isn't it? That Ignis doesn't mind doing the cooking. He supposes it's something he owes and explanation for. But instead of answering right away he pulls Ignis into a quiet spot between some stands and smiles at him.

"First of all, my brother, what I remember of him at least, was a very fit and muscular man, so it's saying a lot to say yours is better than his. So take your award there. But secondly... It's because you don't mind doing it. I let my brother teach me because it was good for me, and because being there and cutting things up and doing dishes was another way for us to spend time. A venue for us to talk. But you enjoy cooking. It's something you like. And that, by extension, makes it more important to me. This is something about you that you like, that you're so passionate about doing right, that I want to bask in that more."

He lets himself be pulled, wondering why the sudden movement. And for some reason Nida is smiling very openly at him. But Ignis listened when the other spoke of his brother and he wasn't sure what to say. Cooking was something he enjoyed to a point. It was something he had both the confidence and skill in, and he was sure that if he did it, it would come out right. But that was cooking for four people which proved to be a challenge here, until Nida stepped in.

But once he heard the man out, his head lowered, very pleased by the words spoken. Normally he was able to find words for any and every situation, but this one had him completely baffled. All he could do, was fall back on politeness as green eyes sought Nida's face.

"I am honoured by your words, they're quite humbling and kind."

And he really wanted to cry but in a good way.

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