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[shatteredlenses]

 

This is Ignis.  Please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.  Storyteller willing, I may actually be able to read messages left for me soon.
...
And, no, your Highness, this doesn't mean I will be too busy to make sure you eat your vegetables. 

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[shatteredlenses]

Gladio!

[The strength of the Shield's reaction catches Ignis by surprise. He'd hoped that his friend's exhausted state might dull the pain a little. Of course, it couldn't be that easy.

Adrenaline does a lot to push back exhaustion and clear the mind, even if it does leave it all the fuzzier once it's run its course. Still, Ignis is glad that the shock clears his mind enough that he draws his hands straight back away from the wound instead of jolting into it and causing Gladio more pain.

Carefully, he sets aside the cloth and the bowl, bring a damp hand up to cradle the side of Gladio's face.]

Easy. I'll be quite cross with you if you give yourself a concussion on top of this.

[His thumb rubs gently over the Shield's cheek, movements slightly unsteady as the short burst of adrenaline starts to fade already.]

There is enough healing magic in the bandages that neither stitching or packing will be needed. Just be strong for me a little bit longer.

[piercetheheart]

[There's a small delirious part of him that almost lets foolish words tumble free. "Anything for you." Maybe an "Always" or some other sentiment that he can't let go of. Focusing on stopping those words takes up what little bit of clarity he had regained from the shock of pain. Instead all that comes out is a soft, mumble.]

Ah-huh [Meant to be an affirmative but perhaps to garbled for even that. What he does do, before he even realizes what he's doing, is turn his face into Ignis' hand, pressing into that comforting touch like a cat, tipping his head just enough to press a feather light kiss to his palm.]

[shatteredlenses]

[Though it shouldn't in such a serious situation, the mumbled assent and light kiss bring a smile to Ignis' face. There's something so innocent and open to it, things that Ignis is very unused to seeing expressed by Gladio.

Unconsciously, his thumb moves to trace lightly over the man's lips.]

I need to get back to work or we'll be here all day. Be good for me.

[Ignis pulls his hand away then, so he can return to cleaning and bandaging Gladio's wound. However, before he goes, he does pause to press a gentle kiss to the corner of the Shield's mouth.]

[piercetheheart]

[This time it does slip out, the words, the kiss, it's too much and he's so very tired.]

Always...

[Be here for him, be good for him, be whatever Iggy needs. Always.

And before he's even done bandaging Gladio is drifting, barely aware of what's going on and mostly asleep. He'll move if prodded but getting a coherent response out of him isn't going to happen for hours yet.]