AN: This is my first FFXV fic. I hope that you all enjoy it. I love this game and I love these boys! More notes at the end.

Chapter 1

The tent was still dark, the patter of the ebbing rain hitting canvas broke the silence mingling with the heavy breathing of Prompto, Gladio, and Ignis.

A dull aching pain woke Noctis.

The Prince tried to shift into a comfortable position but this only sent further sparks of pain through his protesting muscles, biting his lip Noctis held back a moan of pain as he slowly sat up. He glanced around for the others - he had crashed hard when they finally finished setting up camp.

Prompto was the closest, sprawled on his stomach, the slim blonde had absently thrown an arm over Noctis in his sleep. The Prince took care to move his friend's arm before he sat up, doing his best not to disturb his sleeping friend.

Gladio was the closest to the entrance to the tent, his shield was next to him. The large man was lain on his side, facing the entrance to the tent.

Ignis was on his back between the two, his arms folded over his stomach, not a hair out of place even in sleep.

His three friends looked so peaceful, Noctis felt a slight stab of jealousy.

Noctis silently cursed himself now for not changing out of his damp clothes, he had no idea of how long they must have stood out in the rain that day.

All Noctis really remembered was the burning desperation to get back to Insomnia. A merciless need to get home, back to his father and his people. To do something!

In an instant, there was nothing to be done, nobody to help, nothing to save. Just a burning city, and the hill, and the rain. It had seemed like an eternity and a second all at once. Gladio's unanswered question hanging in the air around them.

'And the King?'

Noctis was unable to move, unable to think. The morning's events and the future possibilities swirling in his mind. He knew Cor was still speaking to him, but Noctis couldn't bring himself to care his hand slowly fell to his side, he didn't bother to hang up and he hadn't even registered Iggy's question.

His could only think of his father, of the King's face and his words on the day the left.

'Walk tall my Son.'

How was he supposed to walk tall?! How was he supposed to walk at all! He was not even remotely prepared for this! What about Luna? What about the Glaives and his school? His thoughts were a whirlwind of worry.

It was only when a tentative hand rested on his shoulder that he snapped out of his panicked trance. Dazed blue eyes met guarded green. Ignis then started talking to Noctis, frowning when there was no response, he started to usher the Prince back toward the Regalia and Noctis just let himself be guided.

Eventually, Ignis literally took Noctis by the hand and pulled him along. Noctis was vaguely aware of Prompto behind them, the blond was sniffling occasionally, obviously upset, but Noctis couldn't help with that right now. What about Prompto's parents? Ignis' Uncle? And Gladio's father. If King Regis was dead then that meant that Clarus would have also fallen, protecting his King until his final breath.

Noctis Suddenly stopped, surprising the others, he turned to find Gladio, opening his mouth to speak, but any words he would have spoken were lost. The Shield and the Prince simply stared at each other for a long moment, Noctis wanted to say how sorry he was, to ask Gladio how was doing but Gladio simply shook his head shortly, indicating that words were not needed.

That was all it took for Noctis to feel his eyes sting with tears, everything hitting him anew. Frustrated, he swiped them away furiously, and before any of his friends could react, he bolted ahead to the Regalia.

Noctis desperately wished that more Magiteck would emerge to fight and give him something to do, someone to blame and an enemy to focus some of his anger on, but none came. No words were exchanged between them as they trudged back through the muddy ruins in the rain.

It was a quiet drive back to Hammerhead too. Only a few brief words were exchanged. The group talked with Cindy briefly -who told them Cor had already moved on- and then with Cid. Noctis was prepared to press on and meet Cor, but the others wanted to stop for the night, downright ignoring Noctis' demands to push onward.

Dinner was sullen and quiet, none of them knowing what to say. Gladio threw himself into his workout, Ignis busied himself with making dinner and Prompto just fidgeted with his camera. Noctis trudged straight to the tent and was asleep in seconds.

Now Noctis was in pain, smothered by the thick silence which had taken over the tent. With some effort he escaped the confines of the tent, taking care to step over Gladio, and stepped out into the night letting his eyesight adjust, accommodating the soft blue light of the haven which gently illuminated the camp.

Drinking in the fresh night air Noctis quickly lowered himself into one of the folding chairs rubbing his legs and shoulders. Even his old scars seemed to be burning in protest. It was almost like every ache, pain and illness wanted to make itself known.

Noctis pulled out his phone and began absently scrolling through it, although he immediately realized what a stupid idea that had been. The screen lit up with news about his city. After a moment's hesitation, Noctis opened the articles, browsing through the web pages, videos and reports his heart aching with each fresh account of the horrors that his city had to face.

The temptation to wake the others and move on to Cor was so strong, but he knew that they had lost their home and families too – the looks on their faces… that thought was enough to make Noctis come undone.

All the pain and emotion of the day caught up with him and he felt a hot burning build in his throat. Glancing at the tent he saw no movement and turned his head away.

Noctis let himself cry - ugly sobs which clawed out of him. He lost all track of time. He just let the misery and raw pain take over.

After a while, Noctis felt a large, warm hand land on his shoulder, breaking him out of his thoughts. He jumped, automatically producing a dagger from the armiger and lunged out his chair, letting the chair clatter onto the damp ground behind him.

Gladio easily parried his quick swipe and lifted both hands in mock surrender.

'Calm down, Princess! I come in peace!'

A wet laugh bubbled out of Noctis but was quickly replaced by a sharp gasp as his movements took their toll.

'Glad to see your reflexes are sharp as always – whoever is training you must be pretty awesome!'

Noctis staggered, his vision blurring from the pain in his body. A steadying hand returned to his shoulder joined by a second hand on his other side. They guided him to another chair which he collapsed into gratefully. Gladio then pulled up a second seat to face Noctis.

Worried brown eyes met turbulent blue. Noct let out another chuckle - darker this time.

'Gladio – '

Noctis was cut off as his Shield pulled him into an unexpected hug.

'I'm sorry Kid,' he murmured softly 'I guess I can't protect you from everything.'

Temporarily startled by this rare show of affection, Noctis didn't have time to react before Gladiolus pulled back carefully and met his Prince's eyes.

Noctis blinked and looked away. Shame began to sink through him and found that he couldn't meet Gladio's eyes any longer. 'But, Claris…' he muttered, 'your father, Gladio, – he- '

'I can't think of a better way for him to have gone.' Gladio interrupted. 'He fulfilled his duty and shielded his King until the end.' Gladio nodded his head surely and he had such confidence in his voice that Noct couldn't help but believe him.

'What am I supposed to do?' Noctis waivered. 'Everything is ruined! Everything is gone! My d-dad, Luna – everything, everyone…'

Noctis trailed off, a fresh bout of tears clouding his eyes. The lump in his throat was growing with every breath. He bowed his head, slumping forwards and let out a hiss against the fresh wave of pain.

Gladio frowned.

'How bad is it?'

Noctis avoided his eyes and shook his head stubbornly.

'It's nothing!'

Then the large man's hands were on him again, one on his shoulder, another under his chin forcing him to look into Gladio's eyes.

'How bad?' His Shield asked firmly.

Noctis sighed. 'Pretty bad.'

'Where?'

'My shoulders, my back, my leg and… my scars.'

Gladio's frown deepened. He considered Noctis for a moment, and then he got to his feet.

'Well, let's check it out. We need you fighting fit for what's ahead.' He paused and looked back over his shoulder towards the tent. 'Although we should really get Iggy – He's always better with this stuff.'

Noctis pulled away from Gladio's grasp sharply, ignoring the pain.

'Don't you dare wake him!' He hissed, 'We've all had one hell of a day and the last thing any of us needs –'

'Is for our Prince to be out of commission due to his own stubbornness.' A familiar voice intoned from behind them.

Noctis scoffed and met Gladio's neutral stare.

'Was he awake when you came out?'

Gladio's expression remained stony and that was the only answer that Noctis needed. He felt a blush creeping into his cheeks. That meant that Ignis heard everything…

'Well, if Prom is awake then he may as well come out too – then we can all enjoy this shit show together.' Noctis stated coolly.

There was a small silence, a rustle from the tent and then Prompto's sheepish face emerged.

'...Heyaz…'

Ignis knelt beside Noctis. The Prince couldn't bring himself to meet his Advisor's gaze.

'It is a trying for all of us right now, Highness. Please do not feel embarrassed or ashamed for being emotional in front of myself, Gladiolus or Prompto.'

There was an affirming grunt and 'Yeah, dude.'

'It is only natural to be upset with the events which have transpired. The loss of a Parent, especially so unexpectedly -'

Noctis stood suddenly, ignoring his pain and cut Ignis off.

'I'm done here!'

'Highness, I-'

'Save it, Iggy, let's just go.'

'Noct, please!'

It was too late, Noctis was already moving, despite his joints and scars screaming in protest. The others exchanged glances but eventually joined Noctis in packing up and getting back into the car to continue on to meet Cor.

AN: Hello again all my lovely readers, I know it's been a while. I just can't stop playing this game! I love it so very much! Nothing has had me in its fangirl grip so tightly for a while! I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it. I originally posted it over on AO3 but I decided it's time to resurrect my account too! I hope you enjoy - please leave me any feedback/reviews/pointers you like.