[Hope... The word reminds him of a name that had gone grey. Hope also disappeared like Gladio, his name lingering in color for a long while and then- gone. Ignis can feel the chill crawl up his back that similar thing could happen to Gladio. Weeks on end without a word from him and then just- disappearing.
Ignis takes a deep breath to calm his nerves and exhales slowly, closing his eyes. Don't panic, Ignis, there is no room for panicking here. People shouldn't, can't see you like this. Yet his brain refuses to embrace any attempt at it as the minutes tick by.
Gladio had told Ignis as well of what he was... "attempting" to do, which makes his this situation hurt even more somehow. He had said 'no' back then, well, he implied it. While he knew how to maintain friendships, anything that goes further than that is completely lost on Ignis. And he definitively wouldn't stand between Gladio and Ravus. The offer actually made Ignis feel as if he was the one interrupting something finally good around here. And he's not about to ruin it.]
He is... he was basically the one keeping us alive back on Eos. He knew every mountain to the last tree and every Haven from north to south. [A sad chuckle escapes him, finger curling into jacket again,] I yell at him yet I owe him. What a base for a friendship. [If he didn't grow up with Gladio and knew how he ticked, they would probably never get along.
The feeling of material underneath his fingers seems to remind Ignis;]
Ah, m-my apologies. I seem to have taken your jacket, [Ignis says, slowly slipping it off.] I... went out to check the rest of the estate. I didn't see what I took from the coatrack. [He folds it and offers it back.]
[Ravus can see his awkward attempts to comfort Ignis having the opposite effect. The man is even worse off than before. It’s chipping away at Ravus’ defenses as well.
Words can’t help because there’s so little logic to their situation and so many emotions. Maybe words are not what he should be offering Ignis. He knows the emptiness Ignis must be feeling, because there’s a Gladiolus-shaped hole within himself as well.
Ignis offers back his jacket, and instead of taking it, Ravus puts his metal hand over Ignis’ and reaches out with his other hand to tilt Ignis’ chin up. Words of reassurance have proven useless, so all that is left is action. ‘You are not alone. We will take care of each other until our Gladiolus returns.’ Not knowing how to voice those sentiments, he leans forward to close the distance between them, hoping that the touch of his lips will convey what he cannot speak.]
[It was an attempt, for which Ignis is very grateful. It's just his state of mind is supplying him with every single scenario that could lead to the most disastrous endings.
But every single thought comes to a screeching halt when Ravus' fingers rest on his chin, and before his eyes can even focus on the other's face, to ask -what is he doing-, their lips touch and it's as if everything disappears for a moment. The confusion slowly settles in, but not enough to warrant Ignis pulling away. The kiss is warm and inviting, and sends a different kind of shot down his back, to combat the chill that was climbing slowly.
Slowly, he pulls away, mind even more of a mess than earlier, adding a new layer of confusion and questions. But... it feels like they've already been answered. Ignis can feel his eyes starting to sting.]
...I can't...go through this by myself, again...
[A broken admission that he would never dare voice outside of these walls.]
[Ravus swipes the first of Ignis’ tears away with his thumb.]
I can’t either. [He admits. Ravus has only a handful of people that matter, and losing another will destroy him. ‘I am not losing Gladiolus.’ He has to keep reminding himself. ]
But we are not alone. [He closes this distance between them again, a kiss to ground himself in Ignis’ presence.]
[Ravus' finger leaves a hot trail beneath his eye as he wipes away the tears, tempting him to just lean into that touch. He didn't want to cry, not in front of Ravus. He'll upset him even more and-
'They are not alone'- the words have yet to sink in properly and settle down all the anxiety and horror that woke up inside of him the moment he realized that Gladio isn't around.
The next kiss has Ignis clutching onto Ravus' upper arm, gasping for air from the heaviness of it, every nerve feeling both strained and yet on fire.]
[Ravus gives himself a moment to stop thinking and just feel Ignis's lips against his. They will, they must, make it through this. Then he pulls back, and brushes his hand through Ignis' hair with more tenderness that he is used to using.]
You should rest. Lie down. I'll make breakfast for the others and send Estoc to put a closed sign at the cafe for the day.
[He gives Ignis' hand a squeeze and begins to push himself off of the bed to see to the tasks.]
[If it were any other situation, Ignis would adhere to reason and just let the man do what needs to be done. But this is not a regular situation and Ignis' brain isn't wired to handle all of this at once. Maybe before but- not today.
His hand grips back on Ravus' to keep him from standing, eyes not meeting his, for the moment.]
Don't... don't leave, please.
[He's been up the entire night, all of that is covered already. Ignis was looking for a way to busy himself. And even if he didn't- it can wait. Everything can wait for a few more moments.]
[Ravus sits back down on the bed. That 'please' was an unnecessary nicety. As if Ravus could deny Ignis anything in this moment...
He slides closer, thigh pressed to thigh.]
Do you want...to forget for a while?
[Ravus could be good. He could sit beside his friend and offer his shoulder for Ignis to cry on. He could trace gentle, soothing circles on Ignis' back and card his fingers through Ignis' disheveled hair, and they could agonize together.
Or he could bear both of them down onto the mattress and do his best to drive all thoughts from their minds.]
[Forget for a while... is Ravus asking what Ignis thinks he is? His closeness is already distracting as it is, the press of Ravus' leg against his sending warm waves through him.
Is... this really alright with Ravus? He has so many questions that he can't voice right now, even when he probably should. What does he want? If Ignis knew, he wouldn't be feeling this cornered, listless and nervous.
A light, pink color dusts Ignis' cheeks, in spite of the dread he feels for Gladio disappearing. To think that Ignis Scientia would actually feel shy of all things.]
[Ravus brings his hand up to rest on Ignis’s thigh. He turns his head so he can speak softly into Ignis’ ear.]
What was it you told me before...? ‘If I considered it imposing, I would not have offered.’
[He leans back to give Ignis more room to think. He didn’t think it possible to fluster Ignis Scientia, but here they are. Ravus wants to see what other reactions he can elicit.]
Gladiolus wants you. I want you. When he returns, we can figure out what that means for all of us. But for now...I am here for you, however you wish.
[It feels as if a shot of electricity ran through his thigh from where Ravus' hand rested. To think that his own words would be used against him- it draws out a small, beaten smile from Ignis. Beaten at his own game.
Ravus' breath is tickling his ear, sending small shivers down his back. And no, it does not help with the blush on his cheeks. It's actually getting worse. Ravus' words just slowly chip down on his barriers and barricades he built up over the years.
However he wishes...
Ignis' eyes travel over Ravus' face for a brief moment- then he leans in to capture his lips in a bit of a needy kiss. Needy for what- Ignis is not sure, but hopefully it will pass the message. Words are not Ignis' strong point this morning.]
[Ignis’ eagerness has Ravus smirking into the kiss. The previous kisses were gentle, but now, he’s been granted permission to explore. Ravus slides his hand higher in Ignis’ thigh and brings the other around to Ignis’ back to trace the line of his spine, reveling in Ignis’ reactions.
They don’t need words when they can bare their intentions through touch and mingled breaths. Ravus is getting the idea of what Ignis needs...what both of them need.]
[The shiver that rakes Ignis' body is obvious, but the hands have full permission from Ignis to explore and touch, wherever they can reach. His own hand slides up Ravus' arm, fingers gently splaying over the other man's neck and cheek, thumb brushing alongside his jaw. His touch might be slow and gentle, but kiss definitively isn't.
The flush that settles in Ignis' cheeks is a mix of embarrassment for being too eager, and the realization that yes, this is fine and Ravus accepts it, accepts him. He wants to pull even closer against him, but the position they are sitting in is a bit limiting.]
[This is probably moving too fast, but Ravus' pulse is quickening with every exploratory touch Ignis presses into his skin. He's too tired to resist taking what he wants.
His magitek hand snakes up under Ignis' shirt, cold metal against heated skin, and Ravus pushes Ignis down onto the mattress, following close behind. The sheets still carry Gladiolus' scent.
Relinquishing Ignis' mouth, Ravus presses a kiss into the corner of his lips, then his jawline, onward to his neck. His hands go to the buttons on his shirt, seeing to bare the skin that Ignis so rarely shows.]
[And Ignis is tired of denying that he wants this. That he wants Ravus and Gladio. Their closeness and to be something more than just friends with them. And if Gladio doesn't return for Ignis to confess this to him, the guilt will eat him inside-out.
But such thoughts have no place in Ignis' mind right now. There's a soft gasp when cold metal touches his warmed up skin, but he very willingly lets Ravus move him to lie down. It is a dizzying feeling when Ravus lips travel over his jaw and neck, making it so hard to focus. And the scent of Gladio that lingers in the sheets is not helping.
It's cold in the room, but the way Ravus is looking at him while he's unbuttoning the shirt is making Ignis' skin feel like on fire. He exhales softly, hand resting on the bottom of Ravus' shirt, eager to take the garment off of the other man.]
[Ravus undoes the last of the buttons and slides the fabric to the sides. He pulls back long enough for Ignis to tug his shirt off, then leans back in to kiss a line down Ignis' chest.]
...you're perfect...
[He strokes his fingers over Ignis' pectorals, leans down to swipe his tongue over a nipple. Thank the Six Ignis isn't the habit of walking around shirtless like Gladiolus is, Ravus would have never been able to resist doing this to him.]
[The side of Ravus that Ignis wasn't a witness to before, a side that sends tingles of anticipation through his body as he watches him take off the shirt. He sucks in a breath when lips connect with his skin, fingers coming instantly to thread with long strands of hair, undoing the tail Ravus was wearing.]
Ravus...
[Ignis has to bite down on his lip to not moan, the sound leaving his throat sounding more like a whine. To be fair, he's not sure which sound is more embarrassing, seeing he never made either in anyone's presence.]
[Ignis may be embarrassed of the noise he makes, but it goes straight to Ravus' cock. Ravus wants to play Ignis' body like an instrument.
He feels his hair cascade around his face, and as he nips his way up Ignis' chest, the strands trail and tickle against Ignis' skin. He returns to Ignis' neck to nibble the skin above his pulse.]
I need more.
[He straddles Ignis' legs, pressing their bodies together more fully. All thoughts of grief or loss are overpowered now by animal desire.]
[Ignis' body is responding to every new sensation, way more honestly than Ignis would usually conduct himself. But he has no power over it and Ravus is making it easy to just let yourself get lost in sensations.
His body arches slightly off the bed when teeth tease the sensitive part of his neck, a hot shot of arousal like a wake-up call for his system. This time he doesn't hold back the groan, the grip on the hair only getting stronger.
He pulls Ravus' face from his neck to look at him as he speaks-]
[Ravus is typically resistant to orders, but something about Ignis’ authoritative tone, coupled with the tight grip in his hair, has his cock jumping to obey his command. Ravus groans, willing himself to have something resembling patience.]
How do you like it, Ignis? Do you prefer to take, or be taken?
[His hand drifts down lower, finding and fumbling with the fastening of Ignis’ pants.]
Shall I use my hands on you? My mouth? My cock?
[He could probably name twenty different ways he’d like to find his pleasure with Ignis’ flushed, bucking body. Once is not going to be enough to exhaust all the options.]
Ah... [His eyes follow Ravus' hands with rapt attention, feeling every word and every question incite the excitement within him. And with every offer, Ignis could clearly see it in his mind, which makes it so hard for him to think about this and decide.
He licks his lips, hands settling on Ravus' hips before he sneaks a peek at the older man's face as he rubs the palm of his hand firmly against the crotch.]
You said you can make me forget. [Ignis' fingers snap open the button, not moving his eyes from Ravus' face.] So I'll leave it to you. I want you to have me any way you want.
[Ravus watches Ignis' tongue flick across his lips. Damn him, he made that look good. His pulse quickens when Ignis offers himself up to Ravus, and he's certain his normally pale skin is getting red as he runs through everything he's like to do to Ignis in this moment.
His hips twitch as Ignis palms him, and he slips his own hand into Ignis' pants to grasp him in return.]
Generous. I hope you have nowhere to be today.
[He gives Ignis' cock a slow pump, then withdraws so he can strip out of his sleep clothes. The pale expanse of skin gives way to angry scar tissue around his left shoulder, which he unconciously turns away from Ignis' gaze.]
[Ignis can see it in Ravus' expression- the want that flickers in his gaze. It makes the feeling of anticipation grow in Ignis. He wants to squirm as those eyes almost keep him pinned to the bed so he's glad that Ravus' hand gives him an excuse to do that, however brief it is.]
No... [he can see Ravus turn away and Ignis sits up, turning the man fully towards him while pressing face against his neck and lips underneath his ear.]
...no hiding... [he says in low voice and presses few soft kisses along the expanse of the pale neck, followed by a graze of teeth over the pulse point.]
[Ignis would be better off without the scarred and ugly parts of him, Ravus thinks, but he lets Ignis turn him. He doubts he could deny Ignis anything when he gets assertive like this. He could order Ravus to lie down to be stepped on and Ravus would eagerly comply.]
Then you shall have me.
[He tilts his head to bear his beck to Ignis' bites as he renews his efforts on removing Ignis' pants. He slides his magitek hand to Ignis' butt to lift him enough to start sliding them down.]
I want to see you, as well. See you, feel you, taste you...
[In fact, he's tempted to take a page from Gladiolus' book. If Ignis wants to forget...]
[And Ignis would argue. All of those scars and "ugly" parts make Ravus who he is. And it's not up for debate whether he accepts it or no. He does- unconditionally.
His eyes close briefly at the affirmation and Ignis smiles, pressing a kiss to Ravus' jaw, before letting him get rid of the pants. And he adds underwear to the pile as well, since Ravus is already having a hold on his hips.]
I said anything, [Ignis leans on his elbows, eyes rowing freely over every part of Ravus' skin, trying not to show that he's a bit embarrassed.]
Why are you hesitating? [His eyes finally stop on Ravus' face, as if challenging him.]
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Ignis takes a deep breath to calm his nerves and exhales slowly, closing his eyes. Don't panic, Ignis, there is no room for panicking here. People shouldn't, can't see you like this. Yet his brain refuses to embrace any attempt at it as the minutes tick by.
Gladio had told Ignis as well of what he was... "attempting" to do, which makes his this situation hurt even more somehow. He had said 'no' back then, well, he implied it. While he knew how to maintain friendships, anything that goes further than that is completely lost on Ignis. And he definitively wouldn't stand between Gladio and Ravus. The offer actually made Ignis feel as if he was the one interrupting something finally good around here. And he's not about to ruin it.]
He is... he was basically the one keeping us alive back on Eos. He knew every mountain to the last tree and every Haven from north to south. [A sad chuckle escapes him, finger curling into jacket again,] I yell at him yet I owe him. What a base for a friendship. [If he didn't grow up with Gladio and knew how he ticked, they would probably never get along.
The feeling of material underneath his fingers seems to remind Ignis;]
Ah, m-my apologies. I seem to have taken your jacket, [Ignis says, slowly slipping it off.] I... went out to check the rest of the estate. I didn't see what I took from the coatrack. [He folds it and offers it back.]
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Words can’t help because there’s so little logic to their situation and so many emotions. Maybe words are not what he should be offering Ignis. He knows the emptiness Ignis must be feeling, because there’s a Gladiolus-shaped hole within himself as well.
Ignis offers back his jacket, and instead of taking it, Ravus puts his metal hand over Ignis’ and reaches out with his other hand to tilt Ignis’ chin up. Words of reassurance have proven useless, so all that is left is action. ‘You are not alone. We will take care of each other until our Gladiolus returns.’ Not knowing how to voice those sentiments, he leans forward to close the distance between them, hoping that the touch of his lips will convey what he cannot speak.]
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But every single thought comes to a screeching halt when Ravus' fingers rest on his chin, and before his eyes can even focus on the other's face, to ask -what is he doing-, their lips touch and it's as if everything disappears for a moment. The confusion slowly settles in, but not enough to warrant Ignis pulling away. The kiss is warm and inviting, and sends a different kind of shot down his back, to combat the chill that was climbing slowly.
Slowly, he pulls away, mind even more of a mess than earlier, adding a new layer of confusion and questions. But... it feels like they've already been answered. Ignis can feel his eyes starting to sting.]
...I can't...go through this by myself, again...
[A broken admission that he would never dare voice outside of these walls.]
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I can’t either. [He admits. Ravus has only a handful of people that matter, and losing another will destroy him. ‘I am not losing Gladiolus.’ He has to keep reminding himself. ]
But we are not alone. [He closes this distance between them again, a kiss to ground himself in Ignis’ presence.]
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'They are not alone'- the words have yet to sink in properly and settle down all the anxiety and horror that woke up inside of him the moment he realized that Gladio isn't around.
The next kiss has Ignis clutching onto Ravus' upper arm, gasping for air from the heaviness of it, every nerve feeling both strained and yet on fire.]
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You should rest. Lie down. I'll make breakfast for the others and send Estoc to put a closed sign at the cafe for the day.
[He gives Ignis' hand a squeeze and begins to push himself off of the bed to see to the tasks.]
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His hand grips back on Ravus' to keep him from standing, eyes not meeting his, for the moment.]
Don't... don't leave, please.
[He's been up the entire night, all of that is covered already. Ignis was looking for a way to busy himself. And even if he didn't- it can wait. Everything can wait for a few more moments.]
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He slides closer, thigh pressed to thigh.]
Do you want...to forget for a while?
[Ravus could be good. He could sit beside his friend and offer his shoulder for Ignis to cry on. He could trace gentle, soothing circles on Ignis' back and card his fingers through Ignis' disheveled hair, and they could agonize together.
Or he could bear both of them down onto the mattress and do his best to drive all thoughts from their minds.]
What do you need, Ignis?
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Is... this really alright with Ravus? He has so many questions that he can't voice right now, even when he probably should. What does he want? If Ignis knew, he wouldn't be feeling this cornered, listless and nervous.
A light, pink color dusts Ignis' cheeks, in spite of the dread he feels for Gladio disappearing. To think that Ignis Scientia would actually feel shy of all things.]
I... just don't want to be intruding.
[On Gladio and him and their relationship.]
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What was it you told me before...? ‘If I considered it imposing, I would not have offered.’
[He leans back to give Ignis more room to think. He didn’t think it possible to fluster Ignis Scientia, but here they are. Ravus wants to see what other reactions he can elicit.]
Gladiolus wants you. I want you. When he returns, we can figure out what that means for all of us. But for now...I am here for you, however you wish.
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Ravus' breath is tickling his ear, sending small shivers down his back. And no, it does not help with the blush on his cheeks. It's actually getting worse. Ravus' words just slowly chip down on his barriers and barricades he built up over the years.
However he wishes...
Ignis' eyes travel over Ravus' face for a brief moment- then he leans in to capture his lips in a bit of a needy kiss. Needy for what- Ignis is not sure, but hopefully it will pass the message. Words are not Ignis' strong point this morning.]
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They don’t need words when they can bare their intentions through touch and mingled breaths. Ravus is getting the idea of what Ignis needs...what both of them need.]
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The flush that settles in Ignis' cheeks is a mix of embarrassment for being too eager, and the realization that yes, this is fine and Ravus accepts it, accepts him. He wants to pull even closer against him, but the position they are sitting in is a bit limiting.]
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His magitek hand snakes up under Ignis' shirt, cold metal against heated skin, and Ravus pushes Ignis down onto the mattress, following close behind. The sheets still carry Gladiolus' scent.
Relinquishing Ignis' mouth, Ravus presses a kiss into the corner of his lips, then his jawline, onward to his neck. His hands go to the buttons on his shirt, seeing to bare the skin that Ignis so rarely shows.]
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But such thoughts have no place in Ignis' mind right now. There's a soft gasp when cold metal touches his warmed up skin, but he very willingly lets Ravus move him to lie down. It is a dizzying feeling when Ravus lips travel over his jaw and neck, making it so hard to focus. And the scent of Gladio that lingers in the sheets is not helping.
It's cold in the room, but the way Ravus is looking at him while he's unbuttoning the shirt is making Ignis' skin feel like on fire. He exhales softly, hand resting on the bottom of Ravus' shirt, eager to take the garment off of the other man.]
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...you're perfect...
[He strokes his fingers over Ignis' pectorals, leans down to swipe his tongue over a nipple. Thank the Six Ignis isn't the habit of walking around shirtless like Gladiolus is, Ravus would have never been able to resist doing this to him.]
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Ravus...
[Ignis has to bite down on his lip to not moan, the sound leaving his throat sounding more like a whine. To be fair, he's not sure which sound is more embarrassing, seeing he never made either in anyone's presence.]
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He feels his hair cascade around his face, and as he nips his way up Ignis' chest, the strands trail and tickle against Ignis' skin. He returns to Ignis' neck to nibble the skin above his pulse.]
I need more.
[He straddles Ignis' legs, pressing their bodies together more fully. All thoughts of grief or loss are overpowered now by animal desire.]
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His body arches slightly off the bed when teeth tease the sensitive part of his neck, a hot shot of arousal like a wake-up call for his system. This time he doesn't hold back the groan, the grip on the hair only getting stronger.
He pulls Ravus' face from his neck to look at him as he speaks-]
Then take it.
[-because he's not joking.]
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How do you like it, Ignis? Do you prefer to take, or be taken?
[His hand drifts down lower, finding and fumbling with the fastening of Ignis’ pants.]
Shall I use my hands on you? My mouth? My cock?
[He could probably name twenty different ways he’d like to find his pleasure with Ignis’ flushed, bucking body. Once is not going to be enough to exhaust all the options.]
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He licks his lips, hands settling on Ravus' hips before he sneaks a peek at the older man's face as he rubs the palm of his hand firmly against the crotch.]
You said you can make me forget. [Ignis' fingers snap open the button, not moving his eyes from Ravus' face.] So I'll leave it to you. I want you to have me any way you want.
I am all yours.
[I trust you.]
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His hips twitch as Ignis palms him, and he slips his own hand into Ignis' pants to grasp him in return.]
Generous. I hope you have nowhere to be today.
[He gives Ignis' cock a slow pump, then withdraws so he can strip out of his sleep clothes. The pale expanse of skin gives way to angry scar tissue around his left shoulder, which he unconciously turns away from Ignis' gaze.]
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No... [he can see Ravus turn away and Ignis sits up, turning the man fully towards him while pressing face against his neck and lips underneath his ear.]
...no hiding... [he says in low voice and presses few soft kisses along the expanse of the pale neck, followed by a graze of teeth over the pulse point.]
I want all of you.
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Then you shall have me.
[He tilts his head to bear his beck to Ignis' bites as he renews his efforts on removing Ignis' pants. He slides his magitek hand to Ignis' butt to lift him enough to start sliding them down.]
I want to see you, as well. See you, feel you, taste you...
[In fact, he's tempted to take a page from Gladiolus' book. If Ignis wants to forget...]
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His eyes close briefly at the affirmation and Ignis smiles, pressing a kiss to Ravus' jaw, before letting him get rid of the pants. And he adds underwear to the pile as well, since Ravus is already having a hold on his hips.]
I said anything, [Ignis leans on his elbows, eyes rowing freely over every part of Ravus' skin, trying not to show that he's a bit embarrassed.]
Why are you hesitating? [His eyes finally stop on Ravus' face, as if challenging him.]
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