Chapter 1

▂▃▄▅▆▇█▓▒░░N░o░c░t░i░s░░L░u░c░i░s░░C░a░e░l░u░m░░▒▓█▇▆▅▄▃▂

9:31 pm Insomnia - 5 days later

The rain stopped. Finally. Streams flowed down the sides of the street and in between rubble. The smell of brick and sulfur arose with the sun. Except the trickling dirt-filled water, silence replaced what was once a city full of noise and booming with life. His city. The only thing familiar anymore were the streets, but even they seemed deceiving. Seeing the damage in daylight for the first time shook Noctis to his core. It was nothing short of shocking.

In front of him a ways was the Citadel. What was left of it, anyway. Next to him, Prompto forced out a sigh that broke through the dead air as they walked along.

"Hard to believe this is really the Crown City," he muttered with his next breath.

With a heavy heart, Noct looked to the skyline that bordered mangled and salvageable buildings alike. Pillars of smoke billowed high into the atmosphere, blending in with the lingering clouds from the storm. ". . .Yeah."

It was a living nightmare. His entire kingdom was reduced to piles of brash and debris. Blood-stained pavement and charred trees lined their way to the Citadel's gates. How many other Kings had begun their reign to this? Probably more than the number of ones that were brought back from the dead, that much was sure. He didn't know how, but he'd rebuild Lucis. And It would be better than before.

A chirp from Prompto's cell trilled from beside him, bringing his thoughts back to the present.

"Iggy just messaged. Gladio's back. Guess he's here with him and Cor," he said after glancing at its screen, then pushed it back into his pocket.

"Good. Can't believe I still haven't seen him yet. Has anyone even told him I'm back?"

Seeing past the bars of the entrance was difficult, even as they approached. Maybe they were inside the building. Noct peered over to Prompto. There was a pause before he answered, which was an answer in itself. He tried to hide his telling eyes behind a chunk of blonde hair. As much as Prompto liked to keep the peace between everyone, he hated being stuck in the middle. Guess this was the end of his warm welcome. . .

"We thought it would be better if he found out for himself," he finally replied once Noct's hand came up to push the barrier open.

It stilled on the cold iron. No one wanted to talk about Gladio for the five days he'd been back. It felt like they were over exaggerating, but what if they weren't?

"You don't really think he'll be upset to see me, do you?"

Prompto pressed his lips together, looking straight ahead. Of course he wasn't going to answer that. He was a terrible liar. But, what they all thought and how Gladio would really react didn't have to be the same thing. It wouldn't be. Noct knew him better than that.

Gladio was more than just his shield. More than his friend. He was a father when Regis couldn't be; always strong, pushing Noct forward through the rough times when he wanted to do nothing more than give up. He was never short on tough love and kept Noct's mind and heart where they needed to be. He hoped he didn't have to, but maybe it was time he returned the favor. They'd all lost someone. Every last person left in Lucis had, and he felt Gladio's loss like it was his own. He had no right to put that on him. Noct grit his teeth as he shoved the gates open. They screeched and whined when they gave way, then sat crooked on their hinges.

The street that once lead to the royal skyscraper ended at its crossing, blocked by a mountain of wreckage. There, standing in front of it, was Gladio. The ruins, the smoke, the rain-soaked sediment - it all faded away as Noct stared at his back. His spine was straight and stiff, like bracing for one last missile to come finish the job. Noctis's gut tied in knots. What was going through his mind?

If only he could see his expression. Everything inside Noct screamed for him to turn around, to shout out that he never would have been able to return the Light without him. He wanted Gladio to look him in the eye and say he was proud.

Noctis drew closer, boots crunching over bits of remnants and debris. His wish was granted when Gladio finally moved. It was as though someone's hands grabbed around Noct's throat and ankles the moment Gladio's stare locked with his. Now it made sense. He didn't have to say a word to show the change in him. The hate was written all over his face. It was a punch to the chest. After Noctis lurched and opened his mouth to speak, all emotion swept from Gladio. Like some late reaction to realizing he was really there.

"Gladio. . . I- I'm so sorry-"

"Don't," he snapped in a low growl, then butted Noct's shoulder as he passed by.

He stood motionless for a moment, still fixed on the place Gladio had been. Hurt filled his lungs and anger rushed through his veins. Had nothing from before meant a single thing? He turned on his heel and phased, grabbing Gladio's arm. Half expecting him to jerk it away and keep walking, Noct's eyes widened when he spun around instead.

"Did you make a choice?" Gladio spat out.

Noctis's face contorted in disbelief. ". . .What?"

Was he really asking what he thought? The others weren't being dramatic at all. Gladio did blame him.

"Did-you-make-a-choice," he repeated bitterly, the fire Noctis seen in him a minute ago coming back.

"Did I choose to sacrifice ten years to live again? No. I wasn't given any choice, Gladio."

Noctis already accepted what was supposed to happen. Gladio, of all people, should have known that. The tattoos on his arms flinched with each clench of the fist but he didn't say a word. Wouldn't look him in the eye, either. It felt as if Gladio was cutting him from his life. . . Maybe he had long before this. "Why didn't you tell me about your family?"

"Same reason they didn't tell me you were alive." He rolled his eyes and turned away, his next words huffed under his breath. ". . .bound to make things difficult."

He felt hollow while Gladio trudged off toward the gates with strong, deliberate steps - the stride of a man that knew what he was doing. They both had run out of civil things to say and apparently, that's what Gladio wanted. Noctis meant to say more. Hadn't thought talking to him would sting so much. Thought they'd both be more receptive. He wanted to leave? Fine. Maybe time was all he needed. Right now, Noctis had other things to worry about. The awareness of his fallen city returned, along with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

▂▃▄▅▆▇█▓▒░░G░l░a░d░i░o░l░u░s░░A░m░i░c░i░t░i░a░░▒▓█▇▆▅▄▃▂

9:40am Insomnia

Gladio set his sights past the open doors of the barrier, ignoring the stares of the others. He was walking far too fast for someone who had no idea where they were going. He just had to get away from here. Nothing here made sense. His head was throbbing and the skin on his knuckles felt as though it might split. Nothing anywhere made sense.

Noct's footsteps thudded softly against the road behind him, making his blood boil. It wasn't fair. Unlike Noct's death, he never saw it coming. His children, his marriage. Their house. Their life. Seven years they had built together, just. . . deleted. As if it were all a mistake. Never had the chance to prepare. Now, Noct was back and Amber hadn't even recognized him? Everything was flipped upside down and backwards.

The faces of the three that waited at the entrance were so solemn. So serious. That just made him more angry. It was a reminder of yet another injustice. He'd just rolled his eyes and turned his back on his King. Unfair or not, he had a duty to uphold and he was doing one helluva job at it so far. He wasn't ready for any of this. Gladio breezed by them, tuning out their voices. He couldn't even be sure who, if anyone, was attempting to speak to him. At the moment, he didn't care.

Past the gates and past the blackened trees, he carried on at the same speed. Nothing would've been able to slow him down. Even if he reached the cities limits, he'd keep going. Straight into the ocean.

The sun's light sliced through the clouds and smoke, pouring between what remained of the buildings along the street. It flashed on and off his peripheral view as his boots clumped across irregular patterns of shadows. Gladio had gone on for some time, blocking out the demons in his mind with the steady rhythm of his pace until that rhythm was echoed by another.

Goddammit, Prompto. . . just don't know when to leave it alone.

He looked up to turn his head when it became clear that the second set of footsteps weren't approaching from behind. There she was in front of him, about half a block away. Waves of hair spilled over her shoulders, bouncing with each confident step. His heart nearly stopped. She actually came!

Though he'd just seen her yesterday, it still surprised him how little she had changed; the subtle, yet sexy sway of her hips, her bold poise and long legs, her athletic body. It took everything in him to not run up to Amber and wrap her in his arms. The realization that she remembered nothing from their entire relationship was a hard pill to swallow. The reason she was here couldn't have been for him. Even if it were, he really shouldn't make himself look like an idiot. He'd done enough of that already.

An involuntary grin spread across Gladio's face as the distance between them closed. He didn't care. It was impossible to stay completely reserved around her. "Aren't we eager?" he said in a smooth voice, "You're early." He was being presumptuous, but hey. Nothing wrong with a little ego, even if he wasn't cool headed. Truth was, he was scared to death that she wanted nothing to do with him. His stomach fluttered when her mouth cracked with a smile.

"What can I say. . . Hard to turn down a hunk of a man like yourself." She curled a tawny lock behind her ear then squinted eyes of the same color. "Especially since we'd already started a life together."

Amber always had tucked her hair back like that. She hated wearing it down. Only ever left it down when she had "someone to impress". Her words, not his. And the only time she squinted was when suspicious. His grin grew bigger. "Thought I was "crazy"." He stopped in front of her, standing in the sunlight. Her hair and face almost seemed to glow in it. A short giggle escaped her lips, tugging at his heart. If only she knew how much he loved her rich laughter..

"I still don't doubt it. But, you were pretty convincing." She lowered her eyes so that long lashes fanned on top her lightly freckled cheeks. "So. . . I looked up you guys's numbers at Hammerhead. Talked to each of men you mentioned."

He couldn't say he was surprised. She was meticulous without fail, most of all with things that caught her curiosity. But, he hadn't known Noct was alive yesterday and was sure to lose trust points from that. He dug a thumb into his palm. "Find out everything you needed to know?"

Amber looked up again, her eyes narrow slits, yet a smile remained. She'd play it off, but he had definitely lost trust points. "You told me the King was dead." A laugh grated from her teeth. "It's a good thing I didn't go spreading the news."

Even though simply standing in front of her brought him comfort, he couldn't break away from the anger when it came to Noctis. Everything about that topic infuriated him. "I really thought he was. Didn't find out he wasn't until just a few minutes ago."

A furrow appeared between Amber's brow and her lips twitched with uncertainty. She was at war with herself for allowing any type of investment in him, he knew. But, he certainly was glad she had decided to.

"Gladio. . ." She reached out a hand and he felt it slide down his arm until finally resting at his wrist. "You know him better than I, so forgive me for saying so. From what little you told me about him and what the others said, I don't think you should hold him responsible."

He turned his head and heaved out a sigh. She was probably right. It was easier to blame Noct when he thought he was dead. The way he'd accused him earlier cut deep. Not just Noctis, either. He hated even the thought of putting that kind of weight on him, but. . . "Who else is there to blame."

"Might sound terrible to say, but what if no one is?" Amber said candidly.

Gladio's temper flashed. How the hell could she say that?! He yanked his arm away from her and growled. "If you remembered, you wouldn't be saying that. You'd want to understand like I do. Things like that don't just happen, Amber."

She took a step back, astonished. Shit. He'd just yelled at her like she was his to scold. He was screwing everything up with everyone he had left. He shut his eyes, dropped his chin to his chest, and blew out another resigned breath. "I'm sorry."

"N-no, you're right. And I'm trying to understand it. All of it." Her voice drew closer, making him shudder. "I just don't think throwing accusations is helping."

She didn't leave. Not only that, she was still willing to try. He heard the trinkets on her bracelet chime by his ear; smelled the perfume from her wrist. He swallowed, waiting to feel fingertips on his skin, yet her touch never came. Dammit, not even her scent had changed. His entire being ached. He needed her steadfast suggestions. Her guidance and support. He longed for things to be the way they once were. He longed for her. I miss you, Freckles. . .

"I can tell that you do," she said in a low voice, "I wish I remembered."

Gladio's eyelids flew open. Did he really say that out loud? It didn't matter. She needed to hear it. His gaze locked with hers. "Can we start over? So I can show you what it was like?"

Amber froze, a slight panic in her eyes at the sudden, bold question. It was asking a lot. He couldn't bear the silence. "Please."

After a few more beats of his racing heart, her alarm faded and was replaced with a medley of other things. And then, she answered at last. "That is why I'm here, you know."

▂▃▄▅▆▇█▓▒░░P░r░o░m░p░t░o░ ░A░r░g░e░n░t░u░m░░▒▓█▇▆▅▄▃▂

1:23pm Insomnia

He jumped around, pointing and clicking. Up close. Further away. Left and right. Twisting in the silliest ways possible, then snap! Flash after flash from his camera lit the shaded area of the canvas pavilion.

"Lookin' good!" he crooned while refocusing the lense, "Love it! Love-"

"Prompto. . ."

He ignored the King's calm, almost sleepy attempt to stop him and flung himself into another ridiculous stance. Noct's stoic expression went unchanged. He'd get him to cheer up one way or another. "Maybe if you could just. . ."

He hopped forward and shoved the arm Noct propped his head with. Mr. Pouty-pants lifted his chin just in time to catch his ultimate picture taking pose and - success! His lips curled upward. It was about damn time.

"Prompto," Noctis called, nearly laughing, "you're wasting gigabytes. Go away."

"Fiiinally!" Prompto exaggerated, dropping from the absurd position he was in and sprawled out on the ground. "I was beginning to think you'd never smile!"

"I didn't. I just wanted you to stop." Noctis smirked, returning his cheek to his knuckles.

Prompto rolled to his feet and sat at the long folding table across from Noct. "Riiight. You've been moping all morning. Admit it - I just made your day."

He looked down at his camera with a smug smile, zipping through the pictures to see if any were worth keeping. He'd done good. And Iggy said it was best to leave him alone. Ha!

"Yeah, I'll admit it. After I claim all the gil that fell out of your pockets," Noct mumbled against his hand, staring at the coins scattered here and there.

"And buy what? A candy bar?" Prompto chuckled, amused by the mini money shower he had rained to the ground. He got back up to go retrieve the gil to give to Noct. Probably half of it was originally his, after all.

"Well, my birthday is coming up," Noctis teased.

Oh! It really was! Prompto peered up from the random coin hunt, his mouth pulling up at its corners. It had been a long time since they had celebrated his birthday. "And mine, too!"

"I'll buy two, then."

"Make it a Lucian Star bar and you got a deal." Prompto picked up the last few silver pieces, then clattered the handful onto the table in front of Noctis. "How old you think we should say we are, anyway?"

"Prooobably gonna stick with twenty-two. I don't really feel that much older." Noct spread the coins out and started stacking them according to size. Counting in his head, no doubt.

"Ch-yeah, says the guy that's been floating around in a crystal for ten years," he laughed, then sobered. "It is weird being back to our old- I mean young selves again. For me, at least."

Noctis stopped mid-stack and looked him in the eye. Man. This probably wasn't the best topic to get back on. Now he was going to get all broody again. Noct flipped the coin he held in between his fingers a couple times before speaking again.

". . .Did. . . you have anything going for you that you're gonna miss?"

"Me? Nah. Nothing serious. Just hunting and helping out." Prompto waved a hand and shook his head, sending Noct back to his sorting.

It was pretty much the truth. More or less. He had gotten his own place, which he'd miss in a way, but it wasn't anything to cry over. Didn't have any meaningful relationships. Friends were more like acquaintances because you never knew when they'd just disappear. Lending outposts a hand was what kept him going. And his faith that Noctis would cure the scourge.

"Still never found a girl to put up with you?" Noctis joked.

Prompto dropped his face and scratched the back of his head. "Heh. No, never the same one."

"Eck, you're just as bad as Gladio, now." Noctis turned up his lip then chuckled, shaking his head.

"Nuh-uh, wait a minute! Time's gone back, so now I'm pure again." He grinned. "Like you are. Still."

"Shut up." Noct rolled his eyes with a lopsided smile and pelted him with a coin.

Prompto snickered, rubbing his arm that was probably welted, and glanced up when Ignis and Cor re-entered the pavilion. They murmured back and forth, walking between the two rows of portable tables until reaching the last.

"Doesn't look as though Gladio will be joining us." Iggy sighed, gripping the back of the chair beside Noctis.

Noct glowered. "Did he say so?"

"No. Just isn't answering his phone. We all were to meet here at 1:00." Ignis pulled the chair back and took a seat, pushing the gil aside when he rested his arms on the table.

"Guess he'll just have to catch up later," Noct uttered after drawing in a slow breath, then glanced up at all the empty seats as if only noticing them now. "Why all the tables?"

Cor, who must've been standing behind Prompto, finally slid into the chair beside him. "We'll not only be having royal council meetings here. For now, this is were public meetings will be held as well. I apologize for the inconvenience, your Majesty. It'll just be until the Citadel is presentable again."

Noctis leaned back in his seat, crossing his legs with a nod. He more than likely wasn't concerned with the comforts of royalty. They had spent most of their journey outdoors. Still, Prompto was worried that they wouldn't have the means to fix all this mess.

"Speaking of. . . How are we going to find enough people to help rebuild?" He said, pulling a foot over his knee then folding his arms.

"First thing's first." Iggy turned toward Noctis. "Before we can gather workers, you'll need to address the people. It's long past due, I'd say."

Prompto held back a smile as Noct's eyes shifted across the table top. It was going to be great seeing him stand in front of everyone and talk. Speeches always made him nervous. They'd better find him a powerful microphone.

Cor cleared his throat and spoke up. "I've already scheduled meetings and started broadcasting. Everyone is expecting to hear from you soon. It would be good for morale if you go to each region and say your piece. The people want to hear from you, and not just over a broadcast. Bear in mind for when you speak - no one recalls when Eos fell in complete darkness."

"Yeah, that would be embarrassing," Prompto blurted, humor in his voice, "How exactly does everyone else remember it?"

"From my own experience and what I've gathered from others, there was no noticeable change," Cor offered. "We, of course, were aware of when the days became long again and the absence of the daemons. No time shift, though. Shortly after the news of Lunafreya spread, the scourge ended. That was about two and a half weeks ago, as you already know."

Iggy shifted in his seat and adjusted his glasses. "I think it's safe to assume that time started back from the moment Noct first entered the Crystal."

Prompto dragged his thumb between his teeth. Was the Crystal responsible for the Reverse? That couldn't be right. Something else must've caused it. But it also made him wonder. . . "Do you think anything else was affected that we haven't noticed yet?"

"There doesn't seem to be any immediate danger as far as I can see. I say we keep it to ourselves and tend to the other matters at hand," Iggy deduced.

Noctis leaned forward with his elbows on the table. "What about Gladio?"

"Yeah, what about him?" Gladio's voice boomed out of nowhere, causing everyone's head to twist toward the west side of the tent.

Thank the Six. Even if things were sure to be awkward between everyone for a while, it was a relief that he decided to show up. Gladio strolled into the pavilion with sunshine on his face and Amber at his side. It'd been a long time since he last saw her. Prompto offered her a welcoming smile and a wave as she claimed the chair by Cor. Noct's unreadable stare followed Gladio until he sat next to Ignis.

"So all of us are gonna head off together to Lucis, huh?" Gladio said, scratching his goatee. "Just like old times."

For the first time in a long time, the four traded looks of fondness and nostalgia in silence. Maybe everything wouldn't be as bad as he thought. Maybe they'd rebuild Lucis together without a hitch. One could only hope. Nothing was ever always sugarplums and sand castles.

A/N: Thank you for the favs and follows! :) Happy Holidays to you all!

-Jenn XOXO