Noct...

[ Ignis's voice trembles. There is a bit of tension around his lips, but... his eyes are warm and open. It feels extremely good, between the way those blue eyes stay on his and the sensation of soft lips over a palm that... well. He's not used to either attention paid to it, nor to feeling that is pleasant coming through it. He takes his gloves off to shower, to cook, to, well. A few other things, usually messy ones. Sometimes when with a partner. Hence...

Yeah, he needs a moment to get his breathing back into control.

Then his fingers curl to tenderly caress Noct's cheek. ]

That may take a little while to sink in. Be patient about it? It has nothing... nothing to do with how much I love you.

[ He has to say it. He has to, even while his hand moves down, curling lightly over a buttock, before sliding down over Noct's bare thigh. Because he knows himself, and he knows Noct. And Noct will get frustrated, and... probably hurt.

Noct hurt is very much not a wanted outcome. ]