I--

[ Ignis's voice comes out somewhat ... wet? moist? He isn't sure how to think about it in his head, and that's distracting him from thinking of the fact that it also breaks and he can't continue. Nor that he's blinking his eyes a little too fast, as his sight has become blurry even with the glasses, but he can't. He can't - he can't cry. He must not. It is not about him, it's never about him--

Except that it is about him. Noctis is putting himself out there, putting so much of himself out there so as to make this about Ignis as well, and Ignis can sob with the way the words, clumsy and shy and too much do to some bruises that have been scraped raw inside him. If I think about it too much I can't breathe. That is so - so Noct. Who always felt so much, so deeply, so long. But he always felt, even when he never breathed a word about it, or even gave a look, or-- or.

But that. That is not the crux of what Noctis is saying. Nor of what Ignis is feeling. ]

I know what you want to tell me. [ He opens his mouth to say that they can't and - he can't. Not with knowing for certain now what Noctis feels, how deeply he feels it, and what denying it would mean. (He is the one who was never supposed to hurt Noct. Ever.) Not with Noct imploring him to not bring up duty or their positions. Not with - not without lying.)

He swallows. Then dips his head down, until he leans their foreheads together. It's awkward for him and his shoulders and neck will hate him,but it also feels right. So right. ]

We can feel what we feel, Noct. And we can - know what we feel. But you know why that's... [ That's as far as it can go. It is, isn't it? With those eyes looking at him like that, with their world in shambles, he isn't even sure. He isn't sure...

So Ignis takes a shaky breath and moves to the other points, which he is at least certain on. ]

Nothing of being by your side has ever sucked, and you have never taken advantage. Never taken more than I was giving willingly.

And that was, and is, will be - all that I am. Always.