#muse ;; IGNIS ( ♥ GLADIO . STRICTOMILES )

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Single to Multi Addition: IGNIS SCIENTIA.

Being tempted over with freshly made Ebony from @onuscientia . Guest muses include his older sister, Charlotte, and his little brother, Atlas, with a SPRINKLE of his parents, Alistair and Evelyn, verse depending.

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@strictomiles ;; ღ

There's nothing like a hug under a blanket

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One of the perks of rising with the sun itself came with not disturbing his hardworking husband when he desperately needed sleep and their infant needed attention. Before the rest of the world was awake, Gladio shushed two screaming fits, changed a diaper and got coffee going and ready for an in bed delivery.

Baby on his hip, he brings the coffee to Ignis' side of the bed and shifts back in under the blanket, while someone who was just discovering they had hands put their tiny one right smack on their other parent's cheek. "Yeah, go ahead." He looks toward the clock, a respectable eight AM. "You get to wake Daddy up now. Any longer and we'd hafta check if he's hibernating like a great big bear." Funny, Considering who was talking.

If someone had told him he would be living this sort of life back then, he'd have called them DELIRIOUS and, perhaps, even laughed. There hadn't been TIME for pursuits of the heart back then, from childhood up until their tireless efforts to restore the kingdom and the light. beyond that, exploration of certain . . . PREFERENCES of his were hardly encouraged, and with his heart yearning so painfully for something -- rather, someONE -- he assumed he could never have, precious years of potential happiness had been relinquished in favor of being as PERFECT at his job as possible.

Thus, when marriage, and then, talk of a FAMILY had arisen, he'd begun to think he'd been transported to another world . . . mayhap, placed into another person's shoes. That this was not Ignis Scientia's--- no, Ignis Stupeo Scientia Amicitia's life, but someone less weighed down by overwhelming expectations and trauma. From waging war with the rivaling Niflheim, to opening up a Pandora's box of issues that expanded beyond political rivalries . . . when, and how, would he have managed it ? Yet, here he lay, dragged from the depths of sleep by a tiny palm that held more strength within in than any infant should. She gets it from her father, for sure--- the OTHER one, who was allowing this adorable assault.

" H u h ? " Though he cannot see beyond the dim light of the room and the terribly blurred figures afront him, he knows, immediately, who it is. The giggles were telling enough, which he ENCOURAGES with playful noises of faux pain as their sweet daughter continued to smack her palm to his cheek. " Good morning, my dearest . . . " he whispers affectionately, finally pulling himself up into a sitting position to properly greet the day. The scent of coffee at his bedside hits strong--- delightfully routine, at this point, thanks to his husband, whom he leans towards in search of a kiss. Better, he has learned over his years of limited eyesight, that Gladio come to HIM for these things, lest they bump foreheads and send their daughter into a louder fit of giggles, and eventually, he would reach out to pull her into his arms, where she would receive just as much, if not MORE affection.

" Up earlier than me once more, I see ? " Comes an affectionate whisper, now towards his life partner. If anyone could wake up earlier than Ignis and still be functional, it was Gladio, and goodness, did it come in handy on the days he needed just a few extra minutes of rest. Having to use the senses that remained after the loss of his eyesight had become much easier, especially after they'd retired and settled down, but it still took more energy compared to when he'd still been able to see. Beyond that, they're getting OLDER now . . . graying, if his sister's jokes are anything to go by ( even though she, too, has voiced a complaint about her hair beginning to lose its sunshiny luster. ) It isn't as easy keeping UP with everything, but . . . he wouldn't give it up for the world or more.

As their daughter curls her tiny fingers into the collar of his silk pajama shirt, Ignis beams over in Gladio's direction. " Plans for today ? " They could do that now . . . PLAN things that didn't involve work. Cute little outings to the bakery or the library just to sit and talk for hours on end, a visit to Charlotte and Atlas or Iris, even just a simple roadtrip to feel the rush of a breeze against their faces. Time for THEMSELVES that they couldn't make for what felt like most of their lives, up until now. " I was thinking we may visit my sister and see how she is doing. With the arrival of our son imminent, I would like to ensure she will not have another of her weekly breakdowns. " Thank goodness she had Iris, who had been through this once before with their daughter, for support where Gladio and Ignis could not provide it. He's certain she would have long since lost her mind otherwise. " --- and then, a trip to the bookstore for a few more baby books. I do believe the little one is getting tired of our current selection and--- ah! Are we still low on coffee, or have you already addressed that matter ? "

Regardless, he was looking forward to the day, made evident by the lighter tone in his voice, and the way he sank against Gladio, with the aforementioned ' little one ' bundled securely within his arms.

Bliss. True, well deserved bliss.

@strictomiles ;; ♥

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Birthdays weren't something Gladio fussed over. In all honesty he didn't know many people's. It was something that slipped from his mind easily for, in his mind more important things. He didn't enjoy his birthday and such, didn't want to put the attention he didn't want on other people. But, of course. Ignis was a special case. A kindred spirit that also didn't want too much fuss or unnecessary splendour. And that's why he made to do a few simple but, meaningful things before the waking hours where Ignis could protest. The perks of having a spare key to his apartment and a little bit of spare time.

Fresh flowers were placed in a vase upon the kitchen table, where he knew better than to make breakfast and mess up that pristine place where Ignis felt at peace. But, coffee and bakery bought pastries he could manage. After all this time, he knew exactly how he liked it. And, so it was delivered to his bedside, fresh and steaming. The bed sinking a little as he sat on the edge and bent to kiss his cheek.

"Mornin' Sunshine." He mutters. "Got us the day off..." Then a pause as his lips curl up into a cheeky smirk. "You feel like an old man yet?"

If there was anyone who could successfully rise earlier than Ignis, AND arrange a number of things in a way that would not risk complete and utter disdain, it was Gladio. The unsuspecting Advisor is comfortably knocked out still, bundled up within his blanket and sleeping off the exhaustion from the day prior. His alarm wasn't set to go off for another half hour, and it's just as his beloved is coming to rouse him awake that he begins to stir, as he normally does just before it's set to go off.

Humming, happily, into Gladio's touch, it's a moment before the fog of sleepiness wears off and he's able to register Gladio's words. " Mm . . . special occasion ? --- ah ! The 7th . . . well, I retract my prior statement. "

That it's his birthday is a delayed afterthought. After all, it isn't unlike Gladio to arrange something for just the two of them, when time allowed ( and time, very rarely, allowed, which made these little pockets of quality time all the more cherished. ) Sitting up, he stretches both his arms and his backside, giving himself a moment to well and TRULY wake up, before he leans against the comfort of Gladio's form. The pleasant scent of STRONG coffee is quick to tempt him, affection and appreciation evident in his expression as he eyes the nearby tray of breakfast. It was something so simple, but so necessary. No resources wasted, no needless pomp and circumstance. He needn't a party, or extravagant gifts, to bring in yet another year of age.

Just . . . a chance to breathe, and a reminder that his ( thankfully ) continued existence in this world was appreciated by someone.

" My body feels old, yes . . . but, you do well to keep me feeling somewhat youthful. Thank you, my love. Allow me to preface this by saying I am feeling JUST fine, but . . . " Cheek presses to the warmth of Gladio's arm, eyes slowly fluttering shut, " . . . may we start this day off merely existing in bed, sharing these delectable looking pastries you have brought me ? You may have the least sugary one amongst the collection, just so I may ensure you are eating something this morning, and then, I shall prepare us breakfast when we choose to rise. "

Even on his own, SPECIAL day, he cannot help but to prioritize the well being of everyone else.

He pulls him down, gently, for a kiss, and falls back against the safety of his body once again, more than content enough to stay here forever, were such possible.

" I love you. "

@strictomiles ;; ♥

[tenebriism]

@strictomiles ♥

i will offer you all gladnis in these trying times