A/N: I suspect that this is something of an inversion of the prompt, but I also suspect it's one you'll like! I sort of meant for them to have a proper kiss but Ingus went all chaste and noble on me, dammit.
She finds him standing on the parapet of Castle Sasune, after they’ve returned from defeating the Djinn, together. After he’s agreed to leave with the heroes.
He waits for her to reproach him for his choice--- or worse, to wish him well in all seriousness, with no more regret for his absence than is... proper.
He knows his feelings for her are anything but.
But her first words are anything but what he expects. “Why did you come to the Sealed Cave?”
He turns in surprise to see her regarding him, intent and thoughtful. “I--- beg your pardon, princess?”
“Why did you come to the Sealed Cave, after me? I had the task well in hand.”
He regards her closely--- yes, there is a hint of reproach there, but also a hint of curiosity: she will at least wait to hear his answer before she rebukes him.
And if he is to receive the ultimate punishment that is the loss of her favor, he decides that he will at least receive it for nothing less than the truth. He goes to one knee where he stands, solemn and earnest. “I feared for your safety, my lady---“ oh, it is perhaps forward, to call her such and not “princess” or “highness”, but if he is to be censured it will be for the truth and nothing less--- “I could not stand by and risk harm coming to you.”
She regards him, still with that intent and considering look--- then, smoothly, comes toward him. “Silly,” she says gently, and tips his face up (he thrills to the touch of her hand). “I promised I would return.” Still holding his chin with the lightest touch of her fingertips that bind him more firmly than steel, she says, “And I expect the same of you, when you leave. And for the same reason.”
For a moment, he has no words, his breath caught by everything she has said in those few words, said without the vulgarity of speech; then he bows his head, even as, greatly daring, he turns his head to brush his lips against her fingers; she starts, then her hand lingers against his touch. “Gladly will I make this vow, my lady, or any other you should ask of me.”
“Come home, then, when your task is complete.” For a moment, he thinks that she is done, and that is enough--- then she adds, “And we shall see what other vows we may exchange,” and for him, that is all the world can hold.
Re: FFIII: Ingus/Sarah
She finds him standing on the parapet of Castle Sasune, after they’ve returned from defeating the Djinn, together. After he’s agreed to leave with the heroes.
He waits for her to reproach him for his choice--- or worse, to wish him well in all seriousness, with no more regret for his absence than is... proper.
He knows his feelings for her are anything but.
But her first words are anything but what he expects. “Why did you come to the Sealed Cave?”
He turns in surprise to see her regarding him, intent and thoughtful. “I--- beg your pardon, princess?”
“Why did you come to the Sealed Cave, after me? I had the task well in hand.”
He regards her closely--- yes, there is a hint of reproach there, but also a hint of curiosity: she will at least wait to hear his answer before she rebukes him.
And if he is to receive the ultimate punishment that is the loss of her favor, he decides that he will at least receive it for nothing less than the truth. He goes to one knee where he stands, solemn and earnest. “I feared for your safety, my lady---“ oh, it is perhaps forward, to call her such and not “princess” or “highness”, but if he is to be censured it will be for the truth and nothing less--- “I could not stand by and risk harm coming to you.”
She regards him, still with that intent and considering look--- then, smoothly, comes toward him. “Silly,” she says gently, and tips his face up (he thrills to the touch of her hand). “I promised I would return.” Still holding his chin with the lightest touch of her fingertips that bind him more firmly than steel, she says, “And I expect the same of you, when you leave. And for the same reason.”
For a moment, he has no words, his breath caught by everything she has said in those few words, said without the vulgarity of speech; then he bows his head, even as, greatly daring, he turns his head to brush his lips against her fingers; she starts, then her hand lingers against his touch. “Gladly will I make this vow, my lady, or any other you should ask of me.”
“Come home, then, when your task is complete.” For a moment, he thinks that she is done, and that is enough--- then she adds, “And we shall see what other vows we may exchange,” and for him, that is all the world can hold.