aterat | One Fall And One Less Bear

"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.

"I don't want to humble you," Nida laughs, reaching up with the hand not carrying his own purchases, the hand that had been holding Ignis's, to stroke his cheek.

"I just want to share with you whatever you will allow."

The blonde head shook, biting back his answer. But he couldn't help but smile. Turning, he set his bag down and took Nida's from him to set down on a bench next to his. Green eyes looked about and no one was around, so he took both of his hands, placed them on either side of his beau's face and kissed him hard.

Hyne, how could any man compare to this one? How could any moment compare to the sweet and very private man pulling Nida in to kiss him in a mostly public place. Nida's arms wrapped around Ignis's waist to hold him there, relaxing into the kiss.

This? This was probably what happiness was made of.

He didn't want to think about who might stumble upon them but this kiss was something he wanted to do. And Ignis could feel Nida respond which made him wish they were home, but the more time out in public, the better. But he made plans to definitely show this wonderful and handsome man how much those words meant that he wanted to learn to cook to spend time together.

It was nothing that he was used to, he had to bribe the King or flat out ask so that they could spend more time together. And Nida wanted to just do so because he wanted to. This man in his arms was just a miracle to Ignis in so many ways.

The miracle was Ignis. The miracle was the man who had taken the annoying, headstrong, almost impossible man he had met in the past, and choosing to accept his company. His playful insinuations. His advances. And of course, finally, him.

That was the miracle, and one Nida had never expected to find again. But apparently there really were other fish in the sea.

Finally Ignis snapped himself out of kissing Nida, when he dimly realized he wanted to push him against the wooden pole which wasn't far off from where they were right now. He was normally temperate and in control of himself at all times, but Nida was apparently a person that could undo his mental fetters and restraints. It was a dangerous sort of thing, but he realized he kind of liked it too.

Finally he kissed Nida's forehead and held onto the other man's face for a moment afterwards, speaking in a soft tone. "Perhaps we should get going."

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