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]

( It may not have felt that way, but it's what they should probably register it as. Hadriel taught her exactly why falling for people was a bad idea in its uncertain walls the last time she was here, and the peripheral awareness of the fact that he's only twenty two despite the words and actions comes into sharp focus.

All the same, old conversations about having been happy for a while ring in her ears, and she doesn't pull away or move back any further. Doesn't do anything else, either, because her heart feels like its lodged between some of her ribs.

Crap. )

[claritatis]

[This is a scenario in which all of Ignis' education and experience fails him. One which he has only ever been on the periphery of, perhaps observing but never experiencing, and he doesn't move his hand from her arm as he adjusts his spectacles with the other with deliberate care.]

I didn't expect it. [Careful, too, are the measured words that come out to avoid stumbling over syllables.] But I don't... object. Not in the slightest.

[Even if, perhaps, he ought to.]

[dedikated]

( She's almost grateful for the pause, the thoughtful, considered reaction over any more impulse ideas. It gives her a moment to collect herself, to push her heart back into place and swallow down the butterflies that seem to beat their wings more loudly than before.

The urge to say that they shouldn't, that part of her that has wanted to hide away from all these things, still echoes loudly inside of her. It's familiar and comfortable and she's spent so long believing that it's better this way that the list of reasons why they shouldn't jump to mind immediately. This isn't necessary. She's gone most of her life without it. She could just rely on old habits.

But then, there's that other voice. The one that's equal parts Faith, reminding her how good it is to live life and have fun, and her own promises uttered years ago. Those ones she keeps remembering with a tinge of guilt, like some new year's resolution. Promises to make the most of the time she has, because she's seen too many people have theirs cut away all too early. )

I-

( Kate stares up at Ignis, teeth worrying her lower lip for a second. )

...Fuck it.

( Well, if he's not objecting, then certainly he won't mind another kiss, one that's far less brief, her arm wrapping around his neck to pull him in close. )

[claritatis]

[Ignis has no such problems when there are several more primary concerns on his mind. This isn't something he can approach with any kind of measure beyond the initial careful reaction, but as he waits for what feels like an age for her decision on what she'll do next he can feel his pulse steadily growing louder in his ears.

Let it never be said that Ignis Scientia is not open to new experiences. He manages not to pitch forwards when she pulls him, and after a moment of hesitation the hand not still holding her upper arm - almost like a lifeline at this point - comes to the back of her head and threads loosely into her hair. The level of poise that tends to come along with most of his actions manages to handily disguise the fact that he has very little idea of what he's doing.

It isn't as brief, and he doesn't mind at all. He couldn't say if it was the water that made this feel as if it had been a long time coming, or if something else had been pushing them together from the start.]

[dedikated]

( She's not going to ask about the hand that hasn't left her arm, gripping onto her as though she could float away at any second, or think about anything for once. It's much easier to accomplish both of these when her occupied mouth and the brush of his fingers through the length of her ponytail offer more than enough distraction.

Perhaps it's just as much the new planet. Just as much the knowledge that they've managed to survive the first real invasion the city's had. Perhaps those things play just as much a part in helping her to ignore the doubts and reasons not to as emotion-charged water and lingering feelings.

Who knows. For the moment, what's important is trailing her fingertips across his shoulder, nipping at his lip gently. The important things are his hand in her hair and the warmth of bodies pressed together in the light of a slowly sinking sun. )

[claritatis]

[In later consideration, Ignis will put a good portion of this down to factors that have nothing at all to do with the godly influences flowing through them due to limited hydration options and barely considered house calls. She has been a near-permanent fixture in his life for the past several months, a central point which he has come to rely on, to trust, and to care about enough that he didn't even think to fight anything about the situation they are currently in.

It's slowly and gently that his fingers loose their grip on her arm, that his hand moves to settle in the small of her back instead, that he pulls her just that little bit closer to him.

The thought to break from her only occurs when the lack of being able to get a full breath begins to make him light-headed. Even then, he barely shifts back an inch, and there's a small, bemused smile on his lips as he looks down at her.]

Well, that's... certainly a first.

[dedikated]

( Whatever the case doesn't seem to matter now that it's actually happening, rather than being something briefly considered in moments of weakness and dismissed with a pang of guilt. There's that comfort that's been there for months now, a confusing little tangle of trust that's bolstered by emotion driven events and high adrenaline invasions, that settles somewhere at the base of her spine, right under the touch of his hand.

Somehow, this all seems to make sense. That it happens like this, driven by something other than anger or worry or too much alcohol. Something positive. Warm. New beginnings and all of that, despite the wreckage of an already dilapidated city.

Her eyes open when he pulls back and she finds herself mirroring that smile - lopsided as hers is - without thinking. )

...yeah. Were that.

( This isn't where she would have pictured them a few months ago, but then, she's never ended up where she imagined. It is certainly a first for them, in general. )

[claritatis]

[The god's influence is still buzzing through his system, but it's almost as if it's faded into the background, mission accomplished, leaving him with his own quickened pulse and the tingle of her lips on his. He slips his hand free of her hair and places it on her shoulder instead, sliding his thumb across the fabric under it.]

Had I had any idea that a segue into potential agricultural concerns would have prompted that reaction, I might have done it far sooner.

[He doesn't want to lose the lightness of the current mood to anything more serious. Not yet.

It is by no means where he had pictured them, either. Kate has been a good friend, but it took this moment for him to realise that she's been far more than that for some time. How blind he had been to it is almost baffling, now that he can see it clearly.]

[dedikated]

( They can have a few moments of respite. A flush of happiness, warmth, delight that has nothing to do with the god that betrayed them all but rather some freshly tapped potential. Kate lifts her hand from his shoulder, gently pushing at the side of his head for that comment. )

Coulda just kissed me instead.

( Not that it really matters either way, now. )

[claritatis]

You would think that would have occurred to me. [He says wryly, laughing softly as she shoves at his head and then pausing to straighten his glasses. There's no way that he'd be able to wipe the smile off his face, even if he wanted to.]

But I dare say I've been embarrassingly unaware of my own feelings and... [And, well...

His smile softens a little.]

It's not often I run into a situation in which I'm entirely unaware of any strategy I might employ.

[dedikated]

( Should she take that as a compliment? Because she's going to. Being able to knock someone out of their comfort zone brings an odd sense of pride with it, even if it's not necessarily any more her comfort zone than it is his. It's that awareness that pricks at her heart just sharply enough that she doesn't prod him any further about that.

That, and there's one other thing she's very aware of. )

... Owe Henry a drink now.

( Goddammit, Ignis. )

[claritatis]

[It would be an awkward kind of conversation to have, and one he is honestly quite glad that she doesn't pursue. If they talk about it another time, then so be it, but not now.]

Henry? What does he have to do with this?

[Still with a small smile, though with the addition of a faintly quizzical look, he does have to wonder what the good knight may have to do with anything that just occurred.]

[dedikated]

( Well, she's got some awkward news for you. One that bubbles up a huff of laughter, as though she can't quite believe Henry was the one to see it first. )

Asked me "how long you'd desired me".

( Can you hear the airquotes? Because. Yeah. That's exactly it. )

[claritatis]

[A few different expressions flash over his face in a matter of moments, but he settles on laughing and adjusting his glasses again with the air someone might taken on while awkwardly rubbing the back of their neck or scuffing their toe along the ground.]

I, ah... [It isn't often you'll get to see him at a loss for words, Kate. Enjoy it.]

I had no idea that I was making it so obvious.

[dedikated]

( She will. Though she'll also roll her shoulders in a shrug. )

Me either.

( But hey, apparently guys like Ignis don't just break into smiles casually when they see a friend. )

[claritatis]

Hm. [Comes the soft response, and he tucks a few strands of hair straying free of her ponytail back behind her ear.]

Well, he wasn't wrong.

[One finger beneath her chin tips her head up just a little, then he leans down and kisses her again. He isn't too bold, at first, but finds his footing as quickly as he does with most new situations he finds himself in. It feels like a fine alternative to conversation, at this point.]

[dedikated]

( Oh good. That's what they need. Henry being correct about things.

Though that comment is quickly forgotten, as - indeed - are all thoughts of Henry when Ignis' lips brush hers again. She has to agree that this feels just as good as talking to him, if not better, as hands find their place in the fabric of his shirt, Kate pushing herself back onto the balls of her feet for a little extra height.

Strange, how quickly concerns can disappear when things fall into place like this. )