Mmn. Here.
[He's perhaps a bit too well-versed in this sort of thing. Call it an intellectual fascination with how the human body worked. Needless to say, he could name every single muscle and nerve group, along with all 206 bones. So when he sees that little head roll and hears that joint release, he nods.
He's very gentle, doesn't push fingers in without warming up the muscle tissue first. And his hands are very warm. It's basically him sort of gently kneading Noct's shoulder for a bit.]
[He's perhaps a bit too well-versed in this sort of thing. Call it an intellectual fascination with how the human body worked. Needless to say, he could name every single muscle and nerve group, along with all 206 bones. So when he sees that little head roll and hears that joint release, he nods.
He's very gentle, doesn't push fingers in without warming up the muscle tissue first. And his hands are very warm. It's basically him sort of gently kneading Noct's shoulder for a bit.]
[He doesn't take that drink away yet, but if he knows his friend (and he definitely does) Noctis will probably fall asleep not ten minutes into this. The boy was like a cat. He could sleep anywhere. So he'll just keep an eye on him. If he dozes off, Ignis will grab that glass before it spills.
He's keeping things utterly professional, over the shirt touches only. But he can't help the fond little smile on his lips when Noct curses and sighs.]
That's it, just relax.
He's keeping things utterly professional, over the shirt touches only. But he can't help the fond little smile on his lips when Noct curses and sighs.]
That's it, just relax.
[He chuckles a little at that, running a carefully firm thumb down the back of Noct's trapezius.]
I'm mainly self taught. I've watched a few videos on technique, but mainly I just paid attention in my anatomy and first aid classes.
I'm mainly self taught. I've watched a few videos on technique, but mainly I just paid attention in my anatomy and first aid classes.
Because a proper therapeutic massage can't be done without knowledge of the body and its systems. First aid isn't just about putting a band-aid on a boo-boo, you realize.
[Now that the trapezius is warmed up, Ignis feels a bit more comfortable trying to manipulate the levator scapulae. He increases the pressure slowly, giving Noctis ample opportunity to tell him to stop.]
[Now that the trapezius is warmed up, Ignis feels a bit more comfortable trying to manipulate the levator scapulae. He increases the pressure slowly, giving Noctis ample opportunity to tell him to stop.]
If I wanted to get a license and do this professionally, then yes. As it is, I feel my talents are best kept here, on the talented amateur level.
[Now that Noct's head is forward and down, he uses his access to get at the spinalis capitis. There will be no more complaints of a sore neck under his watch, thank you very much!]
[Now that Noct's head is forward and down, he uses his access to get at the spinalis capitis. There will be no more complaints of a sore neck under his watch, thank you very much!]
[For all that Ignis puts forth a certain clinical, cool detachment, hearing Noctis say 'this is exclusive' makes his heart skip a beat, and his fingers tighten just a little. Not enough to cause any discomfort, but still there. He's only human, after all.]
If you wish to nap, I won't discourage you.
[Mainly so Noct doesn't spend the night drinking his body weight in vodka. Ignis can tidy up, put away the alcohol, and be godsdamned thankful that this wasn't as disastrous as he'd feared.]
If you wish to nap, I won't discourage you.
[Mainly so Noct doesn't spend the night drinking his body weight in vodka. Ignis can tidy up, put away the alcohol, and be godsdamned thankful that this wasn't as disastrous as he'd feared.]
[Ugh. That's the whole point, Noctis. Secret to the grave, remember? But he makes a sour face, and does indeed pour himself a bit more. Mainly tomato juice. If massages are happening, he needs to keep himself cognizant. ...Mostly.]
And I came over to make sure you didn't do anything foolish. We're apparently working at cross-purposes.
And I came over to make sure you didn't do anything foolish. We're apparently working at cross-purposes.
Ah? Feeling the need to confess a youthful indiscretion, highness? How much hush money will we need to cover it up?
[That is 10000% a joke, indicated by Ignis' wry tone and little smirk. The thought of Noctis doing something so bad it would require bribery to make it go away was laughable.]
[That is 10000% a joke, indicated by Ignis' wry tone and little smirk. The thought of Noctis doing something so bad it would require bribery to make it go away was laughable.]
Prompto's the one with the camera. I'd suspect him of secret paparazzo tendencies, if I were you. Now hold still, I'm not done with your shoulders.
[What on Eos could Noct want to confess to him? He was already thinking up nineteen different scenarios, from a missed cell phone payment to something world-endingly dire. Fortunately, he had a plan of action for all nineteen.]
[What on Eos could Noct want to confess to him? He was already thinking up nineteen different scenarios, from a missed cell phone payment to something world-endingly dire. Fortunately, he had a plan of action for all nineteen.]
[There's a moment where he tries to parse that. Sometimes keeping up with Noct's train of thought is like trying to keep up when he warps. Impossible, frustrating, and embarrassing to try. But...angels fear, fools dare, etc.]
...A clarification? You don't think it's a good idea to have purchased said thing? Or it's not a good idea to subsequently gift it?
...A clarification? You don't think it's a good idea to have purchased said thing? Or it's not a good idea to subsequently gift it?
[Yeeeeeah. Ignis actually pauses the massage, and has to blink to himself a few times. He even adjusts his glasses. Then he sits back down next to Noctis, a small frown on his face.]
Am...I to believe that this inadvisable gift you've purchased...is for me?
[They'll address the rest of all that stuff in a bit. Right now he's trying to figure out exactly what in the name of Leviathan's left flipper is going on here.]
Am...I to believe that this inadvisable gift you've purchased...is for me?
[They'll address the rest of all that stuff in a bit. Right now he's trying to figure out exactly what in the name of Leviathan's left flipper is going on here.]
[As Noct leaves the room, Ignis pulls his glasses off and rubs his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. Not out of annoyance, though. He's actually touched beyond words, and is trying to collect himself. And when Noct brings back those books, he uses a moment to flip through glossy pages to make sure his voice doesn't crack.]
...I actually do enjoy coffee this much. These are wonderful. Thank you, Noctis. Although I have no intention of going into business for myself. I still cannot recreate your Tenebrae pastry, after all.
...I actually do enjoy coffee this much. These are wonderful. Thank you, Noctis. Although I have no intention of going into business for myself. I still cannot recreate your Tenebrae pastry, after all.

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