melodiesofeternity | Crystalline Chill

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Crystalline Chill

Who: Residents of house C-01 and friends!
When: All throughout May, see prompts and individual threads
Where: House C-01
What: Monthly catchall for the XV House shenanigans
Warnings/Notes: There's likely going to be spoilers for Kingsglaive and the main game up to Chapter 13 somewhere in the comments.

A. Sometimes you just want to ride...
Late in the morning of the 1st, there is a low purring sound of an engine going down the street. One that wasn't accustomed to travel aside by foot or chocobo claw. Yet, somehow, a certain man manages not to clip a single thing. And it sits there, in front of House C-01, black, shiny, and very much a wonder to a few moogles. Especially since the convertible's roof is airship-grade plexiglass.

B. [Insert "I'll Make A Man Out Of You" joke here]
There was one upside to living with the once-deceased leader of the Crownsguard, and that was one didn't have to go far for a training enthusiast. There was also one downside to this: not having to go far for a training enthusiast. It's the crack of dawn when the nice little symphony of insects and kwehs get interrupted by the sounds of wooden weapons clashing and spells being practiced.

Rest in pieces, light sleepers. They apologize in advance.

C. That's it!
Of course, no one can train or go through the day on no fuel. And one person in particular has taken upon himself to at least ensure a few others can eventually cook eggs without burning them. The real question is: Will Ignis come up with a new recipeh involving that jar of kupo nut butter?

D. I want to ride my chocobo all day~
If anyone is surprised at the fact that there are two or three (depending on the date because Chocobo Eater event) lovely birds, then they clearly don't understand at least 50% of the household's love for the magnificent creatures. The black one in particular seems to be particularly happy with their nice little stack of shiny objects...

There may or may not be a pair of glasses on the top of that pile. Sorry, Specs.

E. Hold my Ebony
(Feel free to come up with your own prompts, guys; these aren't the limits to our zaniness.)

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Ignis has been focused on the cooking so he wasn't that worried. He did glance at the waffle iron once Noct opened it to check it. It looked great so he smiled and turned back to the eggs. Ebony left the room singing some made up a song about chocobos ('I can't ride it, but I can pet it, chocobos, one, I want to get it' or something like that).

"Enough to cover the bottom of the waffle pan. The dough will rise while baking so don't worry."

Oh, thank the stars the overly eager moogle is gone for now. Noct breathes a quiet sigh of relief before nodding, and carefully adding the batter to the waffle iron; closing it when it was just enough to cover.

Another six minutes to go, and he lightly taps a finger against the counter while he waits. Not having anything other than the clock to focus on, he's slowly realizing, isn't good.

Ebony got a warning that when Ignis is cooking he's not to meddle unless Ignis explicitly asked him. So he's been good and Noct has been saved.

Ignis takes out the first batch of eggs and places them on the plate then cracks new ones, seasoning them as well. He glances at Noct who seems to be getting bored with baking waffles- which, true, isn't good. For the waffles.

So... he starts humming the dreaded song as he fries the eggs. Pointedly not looking at Noct. Thank you, Ebony, for giving him the idea.

Noctis blinks. Once, twice, thrice. Before slowly turning his head toward Ignis. Sure, he's heard it a couple times from him, but it's so rare that it still surprises him.

He snickers, trying to hide it behind clearing his throat. It doesn't work, because it only evolves into a chuckle. Before quietly joining in.

No one tell Prompto. Ever.

Because of the heavy atmosphere from earlier, Ignis thought that it would be good to lift some spirits up. And besides, it's only Noct. He's already heard him hum the song before. On rare occasions, but it still happened. Because of Prompto.

...and now the song will be in his head the entire day. Wonderful.

But when Noct also starts humming the song, Ignis can't help but smile- perhaps it was worth it.

Well, he's not wrong there. That song's going to be stuck in his head all day, too. In fact, he's still humming it when he checks the second waffle. Finding it done, he gently removes it from the iron, places it atop the other on the plate of waffles, and repeats the process.

When it's closed, though, he marks the time, and just... gently leans on Ignis a little. Silently thanking him for this. He needed it.

He didn't expect the sudden weight on his shoulder. It's been... a while. Years since Noct just sat down next to him and leaned on his shoulder to take a nap or two... or three. Obviously, he's not napping right now but still. It brings back memories and it make's Ignis smile.

He places the spatula on the counter so he can give Noct's hair a gentle ruffle. The offer to cook with him every morning still stands, if Noct is interested.

It felt like a lifetime ago the last time he did; leaning on him like this. One that was likely ever beyond his reach, now. It's tempting to nap like this, but after feeling the hand ruffling his hair... he snaps back out of it and stands up straight.

Any more and his mask might crack.

Noctis hesitates, because he hates mornings. Hates getting up this early, even if his dreams have been... forcing it lately. Yet that conversation with Shiro keeps replaying in his head, when he realized how adrift he felt. Feels. Without a purpose here beyond trying to keep them together. A task he's been having difficulty with while he himself is caught in inner turmoil. He needs something other than training and fishing to ground him.

"Ignis," he starts, voice purposely lowered and unsure. "I- want to learn."

Perhaps that time was beyond his reach now, but he can always make some new memories. Because Ignis... certainly does want that. Something to hold onto and remember after everything's done back on Eos. So he doesn't plan on dwindling this precious time given to them- despite it being riddled with dangers.

He looks over at Noct when he places the finished batch of eggs onto the plate, with a curious look.

"You want to learn how to cook?" He pushes his glasses up a bit, with a slight, amused smile. "If I remember correctly, you were really against getting up early to prepare breakfast."

Of course he does. So does Noct, and yet... he still finds himself hesitating to open up about what happened. Despite telling another to do the very same.

Yes, he realizes he's a huge hypocrite.

He pointedly looks away, trying to ignore that amused glint. "Changed my mind." It's a gross oversimplification, but... not inaccurate. The only thing he really had a problem with before was the time. Now- "'Sides, if these nightmares keep happening..."

He shakes his head. He really didn't want to think that they'd be a constant, but all the same. He can't sugarcoat it. Not with someone who can practically read him like a book. "I'll likely be awake, anyway."

Sometimes, opening up is harder than anything. Ignis understands that, especially in Noct's case. Ever since his injuries, Noct has been a silent person, keeping to himself a lot, not sharing his thoughts or feelings with anyone.

When he managed to draw out a smile from him with his cooking, Ignis decided that he's going to learn to make all the meals perfectly so he can see him smile all the time.

Now, his desire to learn how to cook is making Ignis happy. The nightmares, however, are dampening that a bit. He's thoughtful for a few moments as he cracks new set of eggs into the frying pan.

"I do not know how much it will help, but perhaps some herbal tea could help you relax before going to bed? Ebony and I could scour the market and try to find something."

"It's worth a shot," he guesses, rubbing the back of his neck. Though he pauses, before adding, "...and I know Prompto's not sleeping all that well, either." Not that he could blame him, with the state he was in when they found him in Zegnautus and that he's from about the same time Noctis is himself.

At least, he hopes.

He checks the third waffle, removing it from the pan and starting on the fourth. Just to give his hands something to do.

Ignis gives Noct a worried look. Prompto didn't look well even when they were in the doctor's office. "We will make some for him too." He's not sure how much this will actually help but, as Noct said, it's worth a shot. Ignis doesn't know what happened (not yet anyway, Prompto said he'll talk to him) and he wants to give them a hand.

"You're getting the hang of it, Noct," Ignis comments on the waffles Noct made. He can make as many as he wants, he doubts that anyone in the house would have any complaints about it.

Noctis nods once. They haven't talked about it, but... he's heard the tossing and turning a couple times when he wakes up from his own. He just wishes he could do more.

"Yeah, guess so."A faint, proud smile crosses his lips. Really, he's just aiming to make one for each of them. They can give the leftovers to the moogles.

...Except maybe Ebony. He's hyper enough as it is.

He should be proud. Baking the waffles is the hardest part after all. Making the batter for it is the easy part- just add all ingredients in proper measurements and mix them. That's all.

"I am almost done myself here. Only one more batch." He's actually getting hungry right about now. Those waffles smell delicious.

Ebony can have a waffle. Without syrup, of course.

You say that, Ignis, and live under the same roof as a couple of younger men who hate math. Granted, he's likely the lesser of the two evils. Still.

"One more after this one, unless the moogles want-" And at that question, Ivory poked her head into the kitchen. "Did someone say waffles, kupo?"

Oh, dear.

Just let the scale do all the hard work of counting and measuring Noct.

Ignis turns around when Ivory flies in and he knows that Ebony won't be too far. As suspected, the Moogle is peering in, not actually flying over because- forbidden zone when Ignis is cooking.

"Well," Ignis says with a smile, "if Noct wants to make some for you." He turns to grin mischievously at Noct.

He really, really needs to learn to keep his mouth shut around these moogles, doesn't he.

Noctis sighs, getting out a plate and placing one of the already done waffles on it. He holds it out to her, and Ivory gleefully takes it. Puts it down on the table, and then hugs him. Hugs him.

What has his life become?

"Thank you, kupo!" She lets go, going to fetch the kupo nut butter to place on hers. He doesn't question it. Moogles and their kupo nuts, man.

"You too, Ebony?" He doesn't even have to turn around. He just knows the earnest little troublemaker's there.

Well, not completely shut. Only choose his words properly.

Ebony slowly flies over and stands directly behind Noct's shoulder, looking at the stack of waffles. And before Noct even gives him a plate with his portion of food, he gets a hug.

Ignis has to bite the inside of his cheek not to burst out into giggles. Noct's expression is something to be witnessed.

"I'd love waffles kupo! Thank you!"

There is a very low, almost growl at the back of his throat. Too much hugging this early in the morning. They're just lucky they're cute, and Ignis, if he ever so much as insinuates the reason why he doesn't push Ebony off of him, is gonna get it in their next sparring match.

Or perhaps, when he least expects it in general.

Noctis hands Ebony a plate with a waffle on it before taking the waffle currently in the iron, out. With their two moogles satisfied, he prepares another one. Pouting.

He won't say anything, but they do have scheduled sparring for later today. Considering they have the same asterisk it's good for practice sessions.

Finishing up the eggs (since Moogles will have only waffles), Ignis puts the frying pan away from the reach and leans on the counter, watching Noct work with the waffle iron.

"I am looking forward to your waffles as well."

It did make for far more evenly matched sparring sessions. Even though they focused on different asterisks first. Maybe he should put in a little for ninja this month.

Noct blinks at that little comment, feeling the back of his neck heat up a bit. He hadn't been paying attention, save for the clock. Fourteen minutes til freedom, thanks to the moogles. "Same with your eggs."

What? He's hungry.

Ignis reaches for one of the plates from the cupboard: "Well then, let me prepare your plate." Because, next to preparing the food, Ignis enjoys arranging it as well. Even though it's only waffles and eggs.

When he finished placing the food, he wanted to sprinkle the waffles with a bit of powdered sugar with cinnamon. Which was in the shaker. Which is gone.

"Ebony..." Ignis turns around and, what do you know- the Moogles are making it snow on the waffles. "I believe that is more than enough sugar," Ignis says, snatching the shaker from them because, yes, he saw Ivory trying to reach for it too.

"Aww..." Ivory pouts, deflating a little. "You should try it though, kupo! It brings out the flavor of the nuts, kupo."

Noctis blinks a couple times, two thoughts coming to mind. First: Oh gods, please don't tell him his moogle is a gourmand. Second? ...Well, it makes him chuckle without looking at them. Because man, did his head go to the gutter.

"A pound of sugar won't bring out any flavor except sweetness," Ignis says, eyeing the pile of sugar on Ivory's waffles. Somehow, Moogles' diet is worse that Noct's. And that's coming from Ignis.

He comes back to the counter and sprinkles half of the waffles on Noct's plate with sugar and leaves the other half for the eggs. "This should do it."

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