middleofsomewhere | Day Twelve, Conclusion

Day Twelve, Conclusion

All battles come to an end. Professor Chill and his henchpeople is defeated, the ice giant slain by the brave heroes of purple team. The townspeople led out of the tunnels and due to some extraordinary pun-hacking skills by Kaito the weather machine is de-powered.

Being a magical snowstorm the shutting down of the weather machine causes it to vanish, snow begins to melt and then evaporates into the air before it can become a larger problem in terms of a flood. The temperatures rise, going from dangerously cold to a warm spring day, warm enough that the voidtreckers will soon be too warm all bundled up as they are. The clouds disappear, the sun shines. Within a short period of time the streets are dry, the mountainsides are green and the trees are bright with flowers.

The streets are still a mess, property is damaged and the clean up operation is going to be intense but it doesn't look like there is any lasting ecological damage at least.

The ice labyrinth vanishes and those inside it will find themselves suddenly standing in the field below. For red team, the journey to the top of the mountain took four days in the blizzard but with the weather clear and going downhill they will reach the valley by the end of day eleven.

The army has arrived and mostly taken over gathering the injured and dealing with the more serious damage but there is plenty to do for those who still wish to help. Houses need put back to rights, streets and paths need sweeping of debris.

Help out, find your friends, swap stories. Celebrate a job well done.

Towards mid afternoon of day twelve a beeping from their SCA's should draw everyone's attention. The map leads them to a place just out of sight from the town and there is the Voidtrecker Express. It is time to leave.

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To be fair, because Madoka was Ignis' favorite and such a sweetheart helped Tony be extra nice to her. That and she hadn't figured out how often he tricked her into cleaning, although that wasn't necessarily a malicious thing so much as a 'she loves to help and I help her help' kind of thing.

Tony laughed as he saw how excited she'd gotten. He gestured toward the train. "Lead the way, Kitten." He looked at Ignis and decided to explain his ridiculous name as they followed the enthusiastic girl. "I know Tigers have cubs, but a lot of things can have cubs. Only cats have kittens, so we'll bend the rule a bit there, shall we?"

All Ignis could do was smile at the child like enthusiasm because it reminded him of Noct at times. "Of course. Our team will be hungry." This was his reply to Madoka, he'd give her anything she wanted if he could manage it. And he hadn't let go of her hand though she was pulling.

He could only laugh good naturedly at Tony's comments. "You always seem to have a delightful way of twisting things around to your advantage don't you?"

There may or may not be some admiration in that tone.

She's glad to lead the way back over to the train, still holding on to Ignis' hand since he isn't letting go - and it's nice to hold hands, anyway. She's trying to make sure to not pull too much since she doesn't want to be rude, but the excitement definitely is leading her to be a little on the fast side here.

The exchange between the two men makes her look back at them again though with a smile on her face. The nickname makes her look a tad bashful, but mostly just happy.

"Kittens are so cute.." Not that she's calling herself cute. Madoka would never. But it's her way of showing that she likes the nickname. "I've always dreamed of having one as a pet."

Kyuubey doesn't count. Screw Kyuubey.

It struck him as they followed after Madoka how similar this felt to when he would go for walks or shopping with Pepper and Morgan. Morgan would be tugging enthusiastically on either his or Pepper's hand and they'd follow, exchanging smiles and playful banter. By the time Morgan was walking well enough to pull on their hand like this, he'd been well enough to walk with her. It was bittersweet in ways and strangely peaceful in others to find these same feelings again in such a different place.

"Can't think of any better way to be," he answered, meaning more than just Ignis' remark. His eyes lingered on that pretty face and lovely emerald eyes, before they shifted to their pink 'daughter'. "Have you? I've never been that keen on the idea of pets. They get hair everywhere and chew up your things." Obviously, he hadn't had much experience with animals to know the perks of them. "Have you met Beedee though? He's the little android that follows Cal around. I'd love a pet like that. Although, are droids really 'pets'?" He asked that last question to Ignis. "I had one I named 'Dum-E' back home and he sure lived up to his name. He was always spraying me with the fire extinguisher when I wasn't even on fire."

He realized he might have dampened Mady's excitement over the name. "That was just me though. I hope we find you a kitten." Did that make it better? Please say that made it better.

Also if he ever heard her say 'screw' anyone, he might just die laughing.

He didn't know what that look was for but he really liked it and so Ignis turned away before he blushed. He wasn't completely sure what Tony meant either but that look was enough.

As Madoka and Tony went on about kittens, he wondered how it would survive a train full of children and all different types of people. As much as the advisor wanted to fulfill this wish, he wasn't sure how practical it was.

"I have to wonder how to make this adoption official. There has to be some sort of guidelines or something to make this happen. "

And then the robot who hosted Tony down without being on fire made Ignis laugh. "I shall have to follow in its steps, it must be quite a sight to see you all wet in your clothes." Tony got a blink and you'll miss it wink from the advisor.

Don't worry. Madoka may be a crybaby, but at least it's not that easy to make her cry. She's fine with Tony's opinion because she knows tastes differ! Instead the remark about the droid just makes her giggle as well, ~~and thank god she's too oblivious to realise what Ignis meant there.~~

"If you enjoy his company, then of course it can be a pet! And he's taking care of you too.. That sounds so cute." Granted, Madoka can find the cuteness in anything. But a droid named Dum-E just by name itself is adorable... Did Tony make that himself? She's pretty sure he could. He's so good at things like that.

She's thinking about it for a moment, probably trying to imagine what Tony's droid pal must look like, but then Ignis' other voiced thought draws her straight out of her own.

"Official?" It's not like she minds, but Madoka hadn't even considered that part of it herself. Then again, that's just like Ignis, wanting to make sure things are done properly. "Um, well.. I think I learned before that you often do important official stuff at city hall. But there's no city on the train.." A pause, and then she adds: "Or a hall, really.."

She may be thinking about this a little too hard.

"Really? That's the only designation that makes something a pet? What about you? You take care of Ignis and he takes care of you. Does that mean he's your new kitty?" He looked at Ignis as though considering his 'kitty-ness' before concluding with a nod, "I could see it."

Tony gave his boyfriend a sly smile at the innuendo. He was so amused (and a little proud) the other man had even attempted it. "I've been working on designs with Luke to make one but we just haven't found the right one yet."

The remark on the adoption has Tony's eyebrows rising sharply. That had been the question he would've asked earlier but had been unsure Ignis would want to address it in front of the girl. Huh, well, guess it was fair game now?

"We do have a city hall of sorts. We have the council. We could vote and/ or document things like that. If we ever come across a more official government, we could submit what has been done on the train." He grinned at Ignis. "I'll order a book we can keep records in. Perhaps we should be recording the important events on this train."

Tony got a look regarding the kitty part but nothing was said. He the nodded at Madoka talking about a city hall which was pretty formal. Back home he'd have to submit documentation to the council there or he could just cheat if things had gone the way they were supposed to. All it would take was a conversation with Noct and procuring documents but it wasn't that easy here.

"No one is voting about this." Ignis countered swiftly. But then he amended it as he looked at Tony. "However you can feel free to say something or not. "

It was an invitation and up to his knight to decline or not.

They'd gotten Madoka all set up with her cooking station and after the first batch is put in the oven, Tony suggests they get a few other things from the store room the kitchen was running low on.

He waited till the exact second the door to the kitchen shut before catching Ignis and pressing him up against a shelf, hard enough the bottles rattled. He kissed the younger man hard, wanting to make up for all the time they'd had to be apart.

Ignis had helped Madoka get set up of course and helped her as much as she allowed him to do. Everything looked good so far and when Tony suggested more supplies, Ignis thought that was a great idea. It would give him time to discuss the parenting topic he wanted to broach without her around to hear.

Suddenly though, he was up against a shelf and was being kissed rather forcefully. This wasn't a problem but he'd been waiting until later. Some bottles nearly fell but luckily they didn't.

Ignis knew they had to get back soon or Madoka would come looking for them and he'd promised he'd be right back. For right now though, he kissed Tony back with everything he had.

Edited 2020-01-31 04:30 (UTC)

Tony didn't need this to last very long. He knew they only had a short window. He'd be damned if he was going to take advantage of it, though. Closing his eyes, the edges of his lips curled as he felt Ignis kiss him back. It'd happened hundreds of times by now, but it was always his favorite part- feeling that same urgency and need echoing back to him from the other man. After a few long, lingering moments, he drew back and smiled at his lover.

"Hey gorgeous." He pressed one more kiss to Ignis' lips. "I'm so proud of you for taking that step with our kitten in there."

His mind was in a whirl. Tony was certainly a hurricane and Ignis found that he craved it when his knight got like this. Their kisses were hard, fierce and demanding and Ignis groaned in protest when his lover pulled away.

There was one more kiss and then he went and said that word. "I'm sorry..did I just hear you say our kitten?" And why was she a cat all of a sudden? But hearing the topic of Madoka get brought up, it doused his flames pretty damn fast.

Edited 2020-01-31 05:37 (UTC)

"Yeah, that was the plan right?" Tony asked. He ran a hand down Ignis' side, wishing they had more time. His gaze went back to Ignis' face.

Did Ignis forget the whole explanation about she was a tiger cub (because Ignis = Tiger) but Tony though 'cubs' could be used for too many things so decided they were going to call her a tiger kitten? It was very possible he hadn't been clear enough in his rambling nonsense earlier.

He was cautious about this though only to himself would he admit that he was hoping he'd heard correctly. "So..you still plan on adopting her with me to make her our daughter?" The tone was careful and deliberate. He knew Tony grieved the loss of his own daughter back home so Ignis was prepared to go through with this on his own though it would hurt. But he was more than willing to carry that until his knight felt ready enough, if that ever happened.

His hand caught the one at his side and held onto it. The advisor lifted his own hand and pressed it gently to his lover's face, searching the dark fathomless depths, waiting on an answer.

"If you'll have me, yes." He pressed his face against the hand on his cheek. "Didn't it feel earlier like we were a family out on a stroll or something atrociously domestic earlier?" Somehow 'atrocious' didn't sound like a negative word in the tone he used nor from the smile on his face.

"We also need to make sure we have a plan in place in case something were to happen to one of us. If one of us leaves or if something happens and we break up. It's not something I'd want to ever happen but when we have someone depending on us like this.. you understand right? Just in case. For her sake."

"Was there ever any doubt?" Ignis asked this gently but in the back of his mind he wondered if there was something he hadn't said or done to cause even a sliver of it.

He smiled at how his lover pressed his face into his own hand. And there was nothing but a smile on the advisor's face about the whole family scene that had played out earlier. That had been rather enjoyable.

The joy left his face as Tony spoke of more serious matters and Ignis nodded, professional armor and tone in place instead of what he really wanted to say..or ask. "Of course. Having a plan in place for Madoka would be the wisest course of action."

Edited 2020-01-31 15:20 (UTC)

"Some.." Tony admitted. He shouldn't have but he'd wondered if Ignis really wanted that or if it was a passing thought. "I wasn't going to hold it against you if you decided you wanted her as your very own only. I'm okay with things being less defined. But I also am happy to do this with you too."

He knew he'd killed the mood. It was something he hated doing, but he felt like Ignis needed to hear this. He wondered if it would ever not hurt to see that professional armor. "If something happens to us and we're still here, I think you should keep rights. She's important to me but I'd want you to have her."

Ignis was partially confused and lowered his hand. "You and I talked about that before this even came about. We had spoken of how I didn't want to be a single parent." He shifted a little uncomfortably. "However I wouldn't rush you or push you due to your circumstances."

There was no resistance nor was there much of a response other than a nod and a few words spoken in a soft professional tone. "Alright, I suppose we can put that in our official paperwork as well. So if that concludes our business here, we should return."

"Darling, you are the most honorable and true to your word man I know. I'm not questioning that. I just wanted you to have the chance to change your mind. The circumstances may have changed or the feelings. Those are valid reasons to revisit something just to be sure. It would be okay if that happened. But, of course, I'm honored you want to do this with me. I love you and I love her. And just for the record, you're always welcome to push me or ask me things."

He reached up and touched Ignis' cheek. "Talk to me love. What's going on?"

Ignis forced himself to stay still and not move away when Tony touched his cheek as questions tumbled in his head. He'd listened to everything that had been said but there was still an ache there. His voice came out a little stronger but it was cool and distant.

"Tell me, do you always discuss the end of things before you've had a chance to enjoy anything? Or is this simply because Madoka isn't a biological child of yours?" He couldn't imagine that Tony discussed divorce before marrying Pepper, nor could he quite picture them discussing custody before their daughter was born.

Of course it was a logical discussion to have given their circumstances and clarity was needed. But they hadn't even really had a chance much to even be happy at all.

But if this was the way it was, Ignis wouldn't be blindsided again. Next time if there was one, he'd be formidably prepared.

Tony watched as Ignis almost recoiled from his hand. Confused he watched the man's face for clues before he heard the words. Those made him flinch and look away. Wow.. the cut from those words was deep and went right through him. He let out a barely perceptible gasp, like Ignis had sucker punched him. He could hear the hurt in his boyfriend's tone and that only made the knife sting worse.

Slowly, he shook his head and tried to think of what he was supposed to say to that. "What am I supposed to say to that? Is that really something you'd think I would do?"

This was all wrong. They were supposed to be in the other room enjoying Madoka's company and coming up with some sort of celebration for formality adopting her. They weren't supposed to be at odds.

"It sounds as if that is what you're doing now. And while I completely understand your logic, if we need to look at end results before there are beginnings, then I shall indeed be more prepared in the future."

He knew damn well they were both in pain. Ignis really wanted to reach out and somehow make this all better, hurting as badly as he was.

Before he would say anything else, the advisor turned and headed for the exit. "I'm going to spend time with Madoka and pretend that this conversation didn't happen. I don't have the heart to dampen her bright spirit."

Tony was furious with himself for messing this up. Ignis was right. He shouldn't have said anything about that no matter how much he was afraid of it. It was wrong to push his insecurities on someone else. He hated that he'd hurt the man and would've given anything to redo this.

Before he could really recover from it, Ignis was heading for the door. A large part of him thought he should just let the man go. It would be better to distance himself from anything he could harm. But he couldn't.

"Hey, what a second.." He grabbed Ignis' arm and held on tight. "I screwed up. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that but don't shut me out. This is the closest I've felt to my family in three and a half months. Don't leave pretending the first part didn't happen just because I made a mistake."

Half surprised, Ignis turned and looked at Tony. His green eyes stared into those enchanting dark orbs and for a moment pondered saying something.

There really wasn't anything he could say. Coldly logically Tony was absolutely correct and plans should be in place. By that same logic, they shouldn't be together either.

On the other hand, he'd just gotten a family, something worth going on the missions to come back to. People who loved him and he loved in return. They'd just come back from devastation and destruction and to hear about splitting up before any happiness had occurred, it was really just bad timing.

Ignis was trying to take a page from Tony's book and let his heart speak more and Tony was being logical like Ignis. The advisor would never be Tony nor would he ever want to be. But he stared at Tony wordlessly and a small smile crossed his lips before he used the arm on his to pull his lover closer to kiss.

Edited 2020-02-01 02:49 (UTC)

He hadn't figured out yet if one of them was acting like the other or what had brought about what. He just knew he didn't want to lose... he didn't even know what. Just all of it. He didn't want to lose Ignis or Madoka or Joss or any of his friends here. He didn't want the family he was building to be for nothing. He didn't want something so precious and good to get tainted or harmed. It was a terrifying responsibility.

He waited impatiently, mentally pleading with Ignis to not pull out of his hand and leave like he should be doing. Everyone should. Tony ruined things and always would. That didn't mean he wouldn't try hard not to let it happen or be devastated with the smoke vanishing into thin air.

He could've cried when Ignis pulled him in and kissed him. He was far too aware of how much he didn't deserve this, but he would selfishly take it. He kissed the other man back with everything he had. Whenever their kiss broke, he kept Ignis in his arms and held him in a tight embrace, unwilling to let go.

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Jumping Ahead: Dads Talking and probably making out

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