chauffeuring | ic inbox for the pines

HEY IG,

Remembered something today.

Either I'm going nuts or it's your birthday.

So that's a thing I guess.

Be back around 5. ~~You should be here~~

❰ that last bit's mostly illegible. ❱

[ What the-

Ignis isn't sure if he's flattered his roomie remembered that or not. Gladio has something up his sleeve and Ignis takes that thought to work with him, actually declining the offer of overtime to get back for 5pm. He's not excited, not at all, simply curious to know what's going on.

It's 16:59pm when Ignis gets back to his house and for now he lounges in the kitchen, brewing himself a coffee and trying not to be too suspicious. There's been weird things going on recently and he hopes this doesn't wind up on that list too.]

❰ gladio doesn't quite realize the 'be back around 5' could be read as a request rather than an 'i'll be back around 5'. either way, he'll be heading in the front door at 5:07 with what sounds like at least a couple of paper bags. ❱

Hey, ❰ he offers as he ducks into the kitchen, setting what looks like two grocery bags on the counter, then a third that appears to be lying on its side with the opening folded and stapled up over the top. that one he opens, pulling out a flat container with a plastic protective dome. the bag's discarded on the floor to make room on the counter (he'll pick it up, relax), and he pops open the plastic to set it aside.

it's a cake. white with a hint of yellow, clearly homemade (well. baker-made, as opposed to mass produced) and smelling distinctly of lemon. no writing or candles, but he feels like iggy would prefer it this way, anyway.

and now, finally, he glances up at ignis. partly to get a read on his reaction, but also to say: ❱ Happy birthday, Ig. I think, anyway. ❰ a beat, then he offers: ❱ I can get you a fork?

[ it's probably for the best that gladio had put down "around" 5 and not "at" 5. it means that ignis isn't ruffled when the other comes back in seven minutes late and he sips his coffee, head tilting to try and figure out what all the noise is. multiple bags? they're eyed a little suspiciously as ignis wonders what gladiolus is up to. it isn't often that the other talks about being back at a certain time and then comes back bearing bags of who knew what.

despite gladio's thoughts on picking the back up, ignis can't help but lean down to do it instead, running on automatic when it comes to decluttering the kitchen. at least he doesn't give his roomie any kind of grief over it as he places the bag out of the way and pausing when he sees what's being offered.]

Is that — [ ignis pauses in what he's saying, leaning in a little closer to get a good look. the cake is just the perfect shade of white and he can already smell the lemon from where he's standing. gladio is getting a reaction alright, ignis is almost lost for words when he realizes what exactly is going on and there's a few seconds of silence before he clears his throat and adjusts his glasses.] It looks like a very good lemon cake. Make it two forks, please.

❰ yep, gladio definitely knows better than to say at a time. iggy's way too precise compared to gladio's imprecision; it'd end in frustration more often than not.

fortunately, the unofficial lateness seems largely forgiven thanks to the cake he's brought with him. in fact, words seem to escape ignis altogether, which is probably a first in his recollection and he's definitely going to count it as positive.

but then he's recomposing, with the glasses-push and the clearing of his throat, and that's much more familiar. happens every time gladio catches him off guard, and that solidifies his notion that this surprise was a good one. he'd figured it would be, but something about ignis and his complexities always gives gladio room to second-guess.

'make it two forks, please.' gladio can't help but grin. ❱

Not gonna say no to that. ❰ as he steps over to open a drawer and nab a couple of forks. ❱

ic inbox for the pines

feb 8th, morning, note on kitchen table

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