Hadriel IC Inbox

[claritatis]

"You've reached Ignis Scientia. Leave a message and I will endeavour to get back to you post-haste."

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[dedikated]

( If it changes, he'd be the first to notice anyway. Let's be honest here. Her fingers no longer mess with his hair, finding places on the sides of his face, tracing over smooth skin as she falls into more kisses. Not to let the conversation drop, or to distract him from other things, but simply because she wants to. )

I— ( kiss ) — love — ( kiss ) — you.

( It's not like the first time, half-driven by guilt, or the second, where it still tingled nervously in her gut. This comes out easily, as sure as she ever has been about anything. )

[claritatis]

I love you, too.

[He's meant that, every time he's said it, but it took some development of his feelings for him to realise that the first time the words came out of his mouth, it wasn't quite love. He had cared for her then, and deeply, but the real love of her came later.

It's what now swells gentle and warm beneath his heart and she kisses him, as he smiles at her and knows that he doesn't want anyone else.]

And you should know, you make me feel I'm the luckiest person here.

[dedikated]

( Those words trigger rolling eyes, a shove, and the unmistakable flush of colour across her cheeks intensifying into something deeper. It's always felt strange to hear that — not just from him, but that sentiment echoed by anyone, offering a reminder that she has value beyond her work — but it was easier to shrug off when she could file it away as a comment on physical skills or value.

It's impossible to do that given the conversation preceding it, and those words slide into a place deep in her heart shared by Faith calling her bestie and Glacius naming her warrior, sister.

Words she'll never truly feel like she's earned, but has been granted nonetheless.

Kate huffs out a sound of protest, butterflies in her stomach flitting in that same way they did before the beginning of all of this, when there was nothing but close quarters in kitchens and the looming threat of angry robots. )

Fuckin' hell.

( Gross, revolting, and so on. )

[claritatis]

[The moment she starts to react that way, he laughs. He could have predicted it before he even spoke, the way she shoves at him and swears, but responses like that are all part and parcel of just why he feels the way he does about her.

And he'll tell her over and over again, without any blushing on his part.]

I know, I know. [He says fondly, pulling her down for a light kiss.] I'm a terrible embarrassment.

[dedikated]

( Well, at least one of them can deal with emotions without wanting to squirm out of them. But she's a lot of better at it than she used to be, that even being at this place where she flushes and pushes him away is a damn sight better than shutting out the possibility entirely.

He kisses her and Kate doesn't pull back, leaning her forehead against his with the softest of playful smiles flitting across her face. )

... You're not so bad.

[claritatis]

Ah. The highest of compliments.

[He deals with his emotions in this aspect of his life with far more ease than in many others. With Kate, it's never been difficult to be open, to express warmth and fondness for her, and to lean into every affection and smile she bestows on him.

She's frustrating, stubborn, hotheaded, but so wonderful, and he wouldn't change a thing about her.]

You're not so bad, yourself.

[dedikated]

I know.

( Don't be sarcastic, Ignis. Gosh.

If there's anyone in this city who deserves the smiles she gives and the ease with which Kate shifts herself again, sitting in his lap with her legs stretched out and leaning her head back against his shoulder to look at the stars, it's him, for helping her latch on to some of the parts of herself Hadriel was starting to erode with its constant drama. Helping her find parts of herself, like the part that has her so easily relaxing against him, that she didn't even think she possessed.

Everything is quiet and still, and for once she doesn't feel the need to break that.

This is more than enough. )