Chapter 4

Green Light

It had been something close to exhilarating, of that Titus would admit.

The fact still stood, however, that Regis had far crossed bounds of decency and had made all but a fool of Titus by demanding him waltz there in front of his men. Titus was a warrior, not a dancer, had a reputation to maintain, and although he hadn't lied when he said he wasn't embarrassed to be seen with Ignis, he had been ever so slightly embarrassed to be seen there in the first place.

Ignis in his hands had been the only saving grace.

Thank the Six he had bothered taking lessons all those years ago with Regis and Clarus. To be fair, that was very likely the only reason that Regis had asked it of him. And, to be fair, if Titus hadn't really wanted to do it, he would have put up far more of a fuss than he had.

When Regis had said, 'Titus—dress nicely this year. That uniform at the gala is getting old,' Titus had just rolled his eyes and nodded.

When Regis had said, 'Titus—brush up on your waltzing skills. You may need them,' Titus had just sighed and nodded.

And when Regis had said, two hours before the gala, 'Titus—I want you to be Ignis' partner for one dance. Just one,' Titus had scoffed in disbelief, and yet had nodded.

Hadn't put up a fuss at all, come to think, because Titus couldn't say he had truly been annoyed. Didn't like the Glaives seeing him like that, no, but having an excuse to manhandle Ignis was pleasant.

All the same, Titus felt obligated to confront Regis, before Regis got too far ahead of himself, and it would reflect better upon Titus in the long run if he put his foot down now and pretended to have moral grievances.

So, as the gala was winding down and Titus found himself alone with Regis, Titus finally gathered his resolve, turned to Regis, puffed his chest to appear unfazed, and asked, softly, "Dare I ask what that was all about?"

As if he really didn't know.

Regis had never said it aloud, but it was very obvious to Titus that Regis and Clarus had long since noticed Ignis' flirting and seemed eager to insert themselves.

Regis merely quirked a brow, and easily replied, "Just having a bit of fun, Titus."

"At whose expense?" Titus griped, and Regis' airy look softened a bit into something slightly more sincere.

"Not at expense," Regis offered, "but I had rather hoped more at assistance. Come now, Titus, do you really think I'm that unobservant?"

No, not really, but Titus had hoped, all the same.

He hadn't heard the council's gossip—Titus had thought he was safe. Perhaps they had just clamped up when Titus was near, for fear of Titus summoning arms right there at the long table or having a councilman's leg broken.

"Ah, my old friend," Regis began, coming forward and clapping a hand on Titus' shoulder, "all these long years, and never once have I seen you pay attention to anyone. Did you really think I wouldn't notice your eyes suddenly following someone about?"

Titus stopped himself from rolling said eyes.

So Regis had noticed Titus, but never Cor? How was that fair?

Titus retorted, snippily, "Looking and acting are entirely different things, sire, and I expected you of all people to understand that. This entire situation is highly inappropriate. I expect you to chastise me, not push me. Where is your regard for Scientia? Haven't you claimed him as a second son?"

Pushing his bounds perhaps, being far too mouthy, but that was how he truly felt, and he was both astounded and offended that Regis wasn't giving him a verbal beatdown (or a physical one), for having the gall to eyeball a teenager, particularly one Regis claimed to love. Would Regis have said this same thing, had Regis known that Cor had been interested in Ignis while Ignis had been so much younger than he was now?

Titus hoped not, and wouldn't say he wasn't disappointed in some manner at Regis.

How easy it sometimes was for Regis to overlook another's wellbeing if it served Regis in some regard. In this instance, the regard seemed to be amusement, and Titus didn't think it was all that funny.

Wasn't funny that Cor had fallen in love with a teenager, and wasn't funny that Titus was interested in bedding that same teenager.

Regis' smile never faltered, as he peered up at Titus to tease, "The Captain's duty knows no bounds. That was what I always like about you, my friend. That you truly do hold yourself to your own standards. This time, however, I will have to insist that you set aside your concerns. I am not going to chastise you."

Of course not.

Regis had only used Ignis as a surrogate mother for Noctis. Ignis made Regis' life considerably easier, and that was as far as the old man cared about him, when all was said and done. Had Noctis been in the slightest bit of danger, Regis would have thrown Ignis in front of him without a second thought.

It seemed that when Regis claimed to 'love' something, that something was the first thing to come to harm or dismissal.

Somewhere in the north, behind now hostile lines, there was a little house in a village, where Titus had grown up and that was now under Imperial control. Regis hadn't looked back, and felt no loss.

"Sire, I am shocked. Has it truly never occurred to you that this could cause chaos? My own reputation could be stained, and moreover—have you so little thought for Scientia? When he becomes the Hand of the King, do you truly wish for the public to whisper that he only attained that position because he was sleeping with the Captain?"

Regis scoffed.

Regis seemed very unbothered by Titus' words, and merely offered, "Oh, stop it! Such dramatics are unnecessary. That position has been Ignis' since he was four; nothing could have ever changed it. And Titus, if ever I thought you insincere or harmful, I promise you, you would have already known. I see no reason to chastise you, when I don't feel worry at the thought of Ignis under your care. If I ever thought something illicit were occurring, I would have already given you a grand what for."

Titus furrowed his brow, and realized, then, that there had been a great miscommunication.

'Under your care'?

Regis had misunderstood Titus' intentions. Titus wanted Ignis in his bed, oh yes, but not as a serious partner, and when Regis said it like that, it sounded as if Regis thought Titus were in love. That Titus had long-term intentions for Ignis.

Supposed that explained it a bit more. Regis was far more open to Titus 'courting' Ignis, but Titus didn't think Regis would have looked so content had Titus said to him, 'I fully intend to hit it and quit it.'

Well.

The old romantic was dreaming, for sure, but Titus wasn't going to set him straight anymore than he was Ignis, because either way he would get what he wanted. Titus didn't need royal permission, no, but it would make his life simpler. Less chatter, less scandal. His reputation would remain spotless with a royal blessing.

Titus loosened up a bit, and Regis noticed.

Regis snorted again, and teased, "But might I say, you look quite becoming out of uniform! It's curious to see the fighter become a lover. So curious, in fact, that when you're gone it's all anyone can talk about."

Titus' eyes widened, and he heard himself snap, "What?"

Must have misheard—

Regis' look became rather smarmy, reminding Titus far too much of Luche, and he was quick to say, "Don't think I'm the only one that's noticed your staring. The council has become very invested in this as well. Clarus, in fact, has a wager with at least three separate councilmen."

In all his long years, Titus could never remember feeling true embarrassment, but he was very certain he was feeling it then, as apparently the entire world had noticed his staring. Hadn't thought he was staring that hard, really hadn't. He had been paying attention to the gossip, but supposed everyone really had just waited until Titus was gone.

"About what, pray tell?" Titus hissed, as Regis smiled away.

"Why, about who will be the first to pounce of course. You, or Ignis. Yes, we all noticed you, Captain, but perhaps we would have missed it if Ignis hadn't been so desperately trying to snare your attention. Seems it worked. If not for that, perhaps your glances would have gone over my head. Hard to miss Ignis, though, for he's not being very subtle, is he?"

Well, no. No he was not, and that boldness alone had been what had snared Titus, as Regis assumed.

Titus saw very clearly a way to what he wanted that involved no repercussions, and yet when Titus spoke again, all he asked was, "And the Marshal?"

Everyone might have missed Titus had it not been for Ignis' boldness, but it was only Titus who had never missed Cor.

Regis, apparently this time oblivious, shrugged a casual shoulder and said, "I haven't heard anything. I actually think he's the only one that simply hasn't noticed. You know Cor—he doesn't care for gossip."

No, but after tonight it would be unavoidable.

Titus had been so focused on Ignis during that dance that Titus hadn't even thought to glance up and see if Cor was having a meltdown somewhere in a corner. Cor had been blissfully unaware, because Cor hated gossip and only had eyes for Ignis. Cor had never even seen Titus creeping in, and it must have come upon him from absolute nowhere tonight.

Titus regretted that, but wouldn't apologize.

But it all seemed well and done, then, and so Titus took a step back to disengage himself from this conversation. Regis took the hint, and said, "Goodnight, Captain. Council tomorrow will be a joy for everyone, I'm sure."

"I'm sure."

They bowed their head and parted ways, but Titus looked over his shoulder as an afterthought.

"But, please, Highness," Titus grumbled at the last moment, "Less games in the future."

Regis smiled happily, and chirped, "No promises."

Titus rolled his eyes, and the night was over.

Titus lied in bed, stared up at the ceiling, and replayed the events over and over in his head. Yes, Regis' game had benefited Titus this time, but it wouldn't be like that every time, and the more Regis inserted himself the more chances there were of something going wrong. Like in everything else, Titus had a perfect plan before him, and didn't need any wrenches thrown into it.

It wasn't that Titus had never planned on pouncing on Ignis, no, it was that Titus liked to be fully in command of his own games. Regis meddling about took power out of Titus' hands, took away control, and Titus naturally found that disconcerting.

Had Regis not asked it of him, Titus was very certain that he could have gotten Ignis out onto the dance floor all on his own. ...had he wanted to. Really.

Come dawn, Titus was well ready for the stares, and that morning he decided to comb his hair as he had the day before, if only to tease the council a bit.

Distracting them would forever and always be a handy talent.

Sure enough, Titus noticed immediately that Regis was correct; the council was very invested indeed, staring at Titus without blinking as soon as he walked in and some of them blatantly whispering.

Nosy old bastards.

Sure had a lot to gossip about now, didn't they, after seeing Titus leading Ignis in a waltz.

Titus swept the room, and found Cor. When Titus' eyes fell upon him, Cor immediately looked away, and that was a first. Wouldn't lie and say that didn't sting just a little, but couldn't hold it against Cor, who must have felt quite wronged. How it must have hurt Cor, to see Ignis in the arms of another, and then to realize that this had been going on for a while now, so much so that everyone in council already knew. In gossip, Cor was usually three steps behind, and had been caught up rather cruelly.

Looked at Clarus then, who barely smirked and inclined his head.

Must have known that Titus knew now about his wager, smug as he looked, and Titus lifted his head in show and smirked right back to let Clarus know that he wasn't shaken up.

Thought Clarus might have snorted.

Clarus might have been amused, yes, but surely his child must not have been, if he knew at all. Gladiolus was as protective of Ignis as Iris, and if Cor didn't try to give Titus a what for, Gladiolus may have. These older men in council may have been titillated by Titus going after Ignis, because no doubt nearly every one of these bastards had a private teenage lover somewhere, but the younger crowd wouldn't be so enthusiastic. Noctis and Gladiolus surely would not be pleased.

That was one of the less insightful meetings Titus had ever had, as everyone seemed distracted and sometimes there would be a low burst of laughter.

After council ended, Clarus came saddling up to Titus, as Titus watched Cor stalk out as quickly as he could, and there was a gentle punch to his side.

Before Clarus could lay into him, Titus asked, so softly, "How, I wonder, are you to ever claim your winnings? Do you really think either of us will break in public? What, did you think I would suddenly waltz into a Crownsguard meeting with flowers? I'd never fess up to you just to make you some quick cash."

Clarus leered at him, quite happily, and retorted, "You completely misunderstand. My money has always been on Ignis. Between you both, he's far more brazen."

Titus scoffed, but conceded, because Clarus was usually right.

As Titus stared down the nosier members of council in turn, Clarus leaned in and whispered, quite happily, "Get ready, my friend. Regis is on the warpath. Think he expects a wedding by the end of the year. You don't stand a chance."

Titus pursed his lips, tried to keep his face blank, and nearly rolled his eyes at the absurdity of the entire situation.

Regis loved playing matchmaker, yes, but this time he was well off the mark. Titus would never be married, and if Regis thought this would be anything but a teenage fling he was completely mistaken. Titus couldn't afford to get attached to anyone. Ignis was going to be a fun pastime, a little reward for himself for working so hard.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Clarus, much less of a romantic than Regis, added in a much lower whisper, "I do suggest that if you're merely intending to hit it and quit it, then you make that fully clear from the start. Don't want any broken hearts, especially that one; you'll have an entire angry mob chasing after you."

Titus scoffed at that, and couldn't help but smile, because he and Clarus were often of the same mind.

"You'd be right in there, naturally."

"Naturally," Clarus confirmed, because if Gladiolus thought Ignis was his second little 'sister', then that really meant that Clarus had two daughters.

Hoped that Clarus wasn't expecting Titus to ask him for his permission.

"Which broken heart are you referring to, anyway?" Titus tossed out, as a tease, "Ignis' or Regis'?"

Clarus smiled, and drawled, "Both."

If Regis was planning a wedding, then it wasn't for Titus' benefit nor was it for Ignis'. Regis only set things into motion when they would have benefited himself or Noctis, and Titus wondered...

Sometimes, Titus wondered if Regis were able to sense somehow that Titus' loyalty was scattered. If perhaps Regis wanted Titus and Ignis to happen because it would give Titus a tighter tie to Insomnia. A reason to remain devoted. A reason to call Insomnia home at last. If Regis were attempting to tie up all loose ends.

Titus could only wonder, alas, for obviously he couldn't ask, and Regis didn't know. Regis was many things, but a patient martyr was not one of them. Had Regis known who Titus really was, then Titus would no longer be standing here.

Just a game, for now.

Clarus clapped Titus on the back as Titus took his leave, and he noticed, as he made his way out of the Citadel, that everyone was staring at him.

Good.

Now he had to face his men and their relentless teasing.

Titus hung before headquarters door for a moment, steeling himself and getting ready for the looks. Ah, how many legs would be broken in the coming weeks? Only one way to find out. When he opened the door and called all Glaives to assemble, it was immediately obvious to Titus how desperately they wanted to tease him. Could see their suppressed smiles, their flared nostrils, their fidgeting stances. They wanted to lay into Titus, and it was very clear that they were practically imploding.

Titus shook his head and glared a bit, but couldn't say he was annoyed.

Every so often, it was important for him to engage the Glaives, to play with them, to connect with them on a different level, because the Glaives having an emotional loyalty to Titus more than a professional one would one day soon prove absolutely vital.

Unlike Cor, who was stoic with every single person equally, Titus made sure to be personable and likeable to his men.

So Titus looked them all over in turn, grimaced, and finally griped, "If you have any smartass comments about last night, now is your one and only chance to get them off your chest without fear of having your legs broken."

The Glaives relaxed in a second, and of course it was Crowe who called out first, "You looked real good out there last night, sir!"

"Yeah," Pelna added, with a smile, "Didn't know you were so light on your feet!"

Titus rolled his eyes for the hundredth time that week, as he let them just get it done and over with.

Libertus teased, "The Captain almost looked like something close to a gentleman."

"Almost," Nyx drolled.

Tredd uttered, "Hey, Captain, can I hire you to dance at my sister's wedding in my stead? Since you got moves."

Luche rolled back his shoulders, and said, "Sir, you shouldn't have felt obligated. Next time let me step in. I'll gladly relieve you. Shoulda come straight to me."

Oh, Titus had no doubt of that. Luche loved pretty things, and Ignis had long since been on his radar, for about as long as Cor had been eyeballing him. Ignis didn't seem to catch too many people's attention, but it was Titus' luck that the only two people who seemed to notice Ignis were two people who were also extremely close to him.

Nothing for it.

Crowe looked around, slyly, and pried, "So, Captain! You, ah, got something to tell us? Never seen you dance, and you looked pretty happy to be there. If you know what I mean."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Titus drawled, as he stared her down. She nodded, shamelessly, and Titus lidded his eyes and looked them over again, before stating, plainly, "Let me make it perfectly clear that I was under orders from the King. I assure you."

Predictably, Crowe said, "Sure."

Just as predictably, Luche said, "So—! He's available."

Titus sighed inwardly at this remarkably audacious lot he had, and just said, vaguely, "I didn't say that."

Luche crinkled his brow, and pressed, "Is he or isn't he?"

Nyx scoffed, and grumbled, "You talking about Scientia or the Captain?"

A round of laughter, and Titus tried to distract Luche by teasing, in a very serious voice, "Luche. If you wanna ask me out, just do it. I ain't gettin' any younger."

Luche ducked his head, snorted, and said, with a smarmy shrug, "Let me gather up my nerve first, sir."

More laughter, and that was enough.

"At attention!" Titus barked, the Glaives straightened their faces, and the day began.

Titus' mind wandered, and it seemed to always wander right back to Ignis.

Now that the entire world seemed to know, there was no longer any need to hold back.

Titus had green lights on all ends, it seemed, the brightest coming from Ignis himself.