aterat | One Fall And One Less Bear

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."

Truth be told, Nida would have let Ignis push him up against the pole. And then probably would have had to arrest himself and Ignis for public indecency. It's better that Ignis be the smart one and stop.

That said, he really did like how easily he kicked up the other man's fire. So he was left grinning up at his new boyfriend and nodded.

"Yeah, we should. So much shopping to do, my flame."

"Of course." Ignis replied with a shy smile and a shake of the head. He loved when Nida called him that, again especially with the emphasis on the 'my' in front of it. But he didn't know how or even if he should admit to something like that, so the advisor turned and handed Nida his bag back and took his own.

"Shall we?"

Though he really wanted to just head home.

Give him credit, Ignis. Nida was good enough to see the delight in his partner over the little name. It wasn't going away any time soon.

"Of course we shall. Otherwise dear Julia might disown me."

"She'll be very happy to see you return home with food just for her." Ignis replied, trying to keep his mind on something mundane like feeding cats so he didn't try and hurry them home. He damn well knew this whole being out together thing was very important and an important step for them so he would be patient of course.

It was a thrill to be hand in hand with someone and that someone wanting to be there with him like that. So to keep himself from talking about it, he squeezed Nida's hand and smiled.

"Perhaps she will. I'll be happy to return home with you, though."

And really, what more could he want. Going home with his partner at his side."

For some reason Nida just had this effect on him where he knew all the right words to say at the right times. But still his face turned slightly red and he chuckled. "I can stay for as long as you're comfortable."

Ignis definitely didn't want to overstay his welcome, but he was more than happy to stay with Nida for as long as it was alright. And he could go back to his own apartment whenever it was needed.

Did he? Nida would be shocked to hear that. But he didn't mind saying the words anyway. It was just how he felt.

"You know I'm comfortable with you there. Why would I be anything else?"

Ignis sighed lightly, trying to figure out how to answer that one. "Just let me know if it changes." He was used to the lads being around him all the time but he wasn't one to want to smother someone for all of their time or attention.

"How much more shopping have we left to do?" He'd stay out as long as they needed to, but also thought to stock up on things too since they were already here, like he'd done with the salmon.

"Yes, I will. But I fear that won't be the change you see," Nida assures him.

"No more than ten minutes if you want to run things back. But we can get more, if you want to be out and about."

He smiled at Nida and squeezed the hand in his. "That makes me wonder what changes you do wish to see." But when the other gave his estimation, Ignis shrugged. "I simply wish to make sure we obtain everything we set out to get."

Normally he made himself a list but this trip had been rather impromptu. He'd actually planned on cleaning the house but then he was given the necklace and saw the description of what it meant and..here he was.

"I don't know. I want to see where this takes us."

And he doesn't know where it's taking them. He just wants to find it out.

"It's all rather thrown together, I guess. Normally my brother sent me with more of a list."

A shy smile appeared when Nida gave his answer and once again squeezed the hand in his. "As do I darling." Ignis then leaned over and very briefly kissed the side of the dark head. He'd never even been this far before so it wasn't like he knew where they even were at this point.

"Next time we'll have a list ready."

"Next time I won't broadside you by asking for a relationship beyond our... private time."

Not that he didn't like their private time a lot. But... The quiet intimacy of shopping together was amazing.

Ignis smiled and swore his face was going to hurt by the end of the day with all the smiling he was doing. "And speaking of a relationship, how shall I refer to you should we run into someone we know?" The advisor figured clarification would be a good idea so he didn't accidentally say the wrong thing and upset the proverbial apple cart here.

"I suppose that depends on what you want to say. But I'm going to refer to you as my boyfriend," Nida suggests, his expression a touch fond. "If you've got other terms you prefer, I'm okay with that."

"Ah, boyfriend works." It was generic enough not to insinuate a lot, and yet explain so much at the same time. He wondered what it would be like to be introduced to someone they knew by Nida as 'boyfriend'. It would be different and a small part of him could only silently admit that he was kind of excited about it.

But he sighed. "Beau is the only other term I've come up with."

"Beau," Nida parrots, testing the word out. It's not one he's heard before, and he is left thinking about it.

"Beau. I like it."

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