Chapter 1

The night was cold, much to cold for this summers eve as rain came cascading down from the blackened sky. Salt was in the air, carried on the sea wind and Water rushed against rock as waves came crushing up against the alter nearly drowning out the hollow sound of staggered steps on stone. Ignis was alone, swaying as he walked, steps wavering and and slow. Noctis, where was Noctis? He had to get back to him, Iggy thought as he felt blindly in the dark for a wall for anything to guid him, pressing the other hand to his burning face. Gods how it hurt, like tinny tendrils of fire in his veins. What had he been thinking putting on that ring? Had it even helped? Ardyn's voice still rang bitter in his ear. The image of the crimson haired man kneeling beside him, blade drawn as guards pinned him face to wet ground would haunt Ignis for years to come.

"Come now, why not follow your liege's lead and stop resisting."

"Never!"

"You risk that precious life you carry to safeguard the 'King of Kings' only to witness him fail so spectacularly. You must be so disappointed."

How angry Ignis had been as he was made to watch helpless as Ardyn stood, moving to kneel beside Noctis unconscious beside him. Ardyn stroked the black hair almost lovingly. Noctis didn't stir and an ever growing fear that death had won the day chilled Ignis to the bone.

"What good is a world that only lets you down? What would you lover think if he knew your secret, have you told him yet? Your friends? And what of our dear king to be. What he say if he knew the unholy forces you've been dabbling in? Might as well just end it all now before they find out."

What secret had Ardyn been talking about? Dark forces? Well there was one… but how could he possibly know about that? He couldn't think about that now.

The crashing of waves grew louder and a salty spray from the sea now mingled with the rain, he had reached the bridge, ahead he knew lay the altar of the Tidemother and somewhere between lay Noctis. Blind and in pain, Ignis stepped even more vigilantly now, careful not to get to close to the edge. His foot struck a stray rock and his body slammed down hard onto the stone, there he lay unable to will his body to move.

"That was rather reckless." A familiar voice said from somewhere to his right. Ravis, so he'd made it out ok after all. Ignis had been so caught up with Ardyn he'd hardly noticed what became of him or of the guards for that matter.

"Where is Noct? Is he…. is he alright?" Ignis asked, groaning, speaking was hard but then so was breathing. He was relieved when the other man assured him of Noct's condition. Alive, he's alive! Thank god. A coughing fit drowned out his reply as he struggled for breath. In the distance he could hear Prompto and Gladio calling out his name and of Noctis. Ignis wanted to cry out to them, he wanted to stand.

"Lay still, conserve your strength. You've a calling to fulfill," Ravis said, speaking to him in a shockingly calm and kind voice. "As do I."

At last the voices grew nearer and footsteps came running towards them, two men, one larger than the other. The smaller ran past Ignis, but the other stopped dead in his tracks, the spray off his boots hitting his outstretched hand.

Gladio let out a sharp breath as he took in the sight of his lovers broken body before him. He knelt down stoking Iggy's face, letting his hand drop to his chest. "Iggy. Iggy! God no. Not you." He whispered, over and over, tears making his vision blurr. His eyes fell to Iggy's outstretched hand, so close it almost brushed Noctis, between the, the accursed ring of Lucis. Gladio understood at once what had happened, anguish sapping the strength from his body. "Damn it Iggy, what were you thinking."

"Noct. Please… please forgive me," Ignis said, choking on his words. He could feel himself slipping into black, disoriented, confused. He felt Gladio's arms around him, could hear Prompto somewhere behind, rambling in forced cheery tones followed by the blissful nothingness of unconsciousness.

A pounding in his skull woke Ignis from sleep, slowly, groggily. He felt hot, tendrils of pain still in his blood. He tried to move but heavy limbs like led weighed him down, sinking his burning body into the soft mattress. Muffled voices spoke in hushed tones near by his bed but he couldn't make out any of the words. Where was Noctis? Was her okay.

"Thank you Doctor. For everything." This was Gladio talking, gods how good it was to hear his voice. He wanted to call out for him but his tongue was led to, refusing to make a sound. The door closed and Ignis heard the distinct sound of Gladios footsteps as he crossed the room, followed by the sound of his body falling into an armchair to left of his bed. "Six Iggy."

The bed sagged as Galdio hunched over the side of the bed, elbows digging into the mattress. Ignis knew this expression even without seeing him. Gladio rubbed his face in his hands, expressi laiden with concern, brow furrowed as he watched Ignis silently.

The end of the bed moved as Prompto sat down, elbows propped up on his knees. He glanced over at Gladio seeing the same concern reflected back. He reached out and placed a firm, supportive hand on the larger mans forearm. "He'll be okay, we just…" His words trailed off as Ignis let out a groan.

"Prom. Gl...Gladio." Ignis stammered, his voice horse, his throat parched. He repeated the name a little louder this time, opening his eyes to slits as he tilted his head towards the man. He heard Gladio stand taking a few steps away from the bed.

Prompto let out a frustrated sign and scooted closer to Ignis, taking his hand in his. "Hey Iggy." His voice full of forced positivity and poorly masked concern. "How ya feelin?"

"A little nauseous to be honest, everything hurts. Where is Noct? Is he alright?" Ignis asked. What he really wanted was Gladio, why was he acting this way?

"Oh you know Noct, he sure can sleep. He's alive thanks to you."

A loud thud echoed through the room as Gladio pounded his fist hard against the wall. Something tumbled to the floor sending glass flying everywhere. His heavy steps came closer until the giant of a man was towering over Ignis where he lay. Gladio roughly pushed Prompto aside and grabbed hold of Iggys shirt. "Damn it Iggy, what were you thinking?!"

"Gods not this again." Prompto hissed.

A sharp intake of breath as Ignis stifled a groan brought Gladio to his senses who quickly released his hold. He stepped back but Ignis grabbed hold of his arm, holding him there. "Prompto would you check on his highness for me and give him my regards please." Prompto agreed and Ignis waited until the door had latched behind the blonde before speaking again, grip still on Gladios arm. "I know there is something on your mind so you might as well tell me." He regretted the bitterness in his voice almost at once.

"Ignis," Gladio said, voice sad, sinking into the side of the bed. He rarely used the his full name and Ignis knew it had to be serious. Gladio took a long shaky breath. "It should have been me. I should have been there. You're hurt…. because of me. I'm the King's shield."

"That's foolish and you know it," Ignis replied. He felt around until he found Gladios hand. Reaching up Ignis used the muscular arm to pull himself into a sitting position, resting his forehead on Gladios rounded shoulder. "Thank six it wasn't you. Gladio, there is nothing you could have done, none of this was your fault." Gladio grumbled under his breath and Ignis grabbed his chin, pulling him into a deep kiss, working his lips with his own. At last Ignis released him, tracing the scars on Gladios face. "We all have scars now Gladio. I couldn't have lived if it had been you. It's a sacrifice I was more than willing to make." He was silent for a painfully long moment, as he traced the scar on his own face. "How… how does it look?"

Gladio looked at Ignis, really looked at him for the first time since he'd been wounded, the red skin distorting the left side of his face, the eyes milky white where once there was green, the cut over the bridge of his nose. It all seemed strange to him, to see Ignis so broken after he had been so strong. Yet despite the damage he was still so handsome if not even more so now, of course Gladio refused to admit that. He stroked the side of Iggy's face stopping at his neck, pulling him into his chest. "You're still beautiful to me Iggs. I thought I'd lost you. I thought…. Ignis don't ever pull a stunt like that again or I'll kill you double."

"Noted," Ignis replied breaking Gladios hold. He placed a hand over his mouth feeling the nausea return.

"Still not feeling well? Iggy, you've been sick for days even before your fight with Ardyn, maybe you should tell the doctor," Gladio suggested.

"I'll be fine, it's nothing I'm sure, exhaustion maybe, Nocts cooking…. Remind me never to let him try…," he lurched forward, holding in his sick.

Gladio lay Ignis on his side, pulling the blankets up over his shoulder. "Rest Iggy." He kissed Ignis then shut out the light."No, stay. Please Gladio," Ignis pleaded.

Gladio did, crawling onto the other side of the bed, pulling Ignis into his chest. There they lay, Gladio softly running his fingers through brunette hair, soothing Ignis as he began to doze off. When Prompto finally returned, both men were fast asleep.