Chapter 4
As expected, the Tenebraen pastries went down a treat.
Ignis had made sure to bake an appropriately large batch for the three of them, knowing full well that both Gladio and Noctis were particularly fond of his desserts.
The shield had enjoyed watching him cook, amused to see the advisor so serious and thoughtful. He made sure each pastry was perfectly finished with an appropriately sized dash of icing sugar and a serving of ulwaat berry compote - hardly Ignis's usual choice for a nutritious, healthy meal - but a start.
A member of staff had brought Noctis some breakfast, but apart from that the prince had eaten very little. Ignis wouldn't normally let the prince fill up on sweet dishes but in this instance he was concerned with him having at least a little energy. After all, it was the very thing the advisor found himself to be lacking.
Much to Gladio's concern, he had discovered that Ignis had himself eaten very little, too busy managing his work and caring for the prince. Such responsibilities played havoc on his appetite despite the shield forcing him to eat something.
Nonetheless the cooking worked well as an intended distraction, Noctis finding himself too loved up on the food to notice that a Doctor had been called.
Ignis had even allowed him to remain in bed, bringing him the pastries on a tray with appropriate silver cutlery and some tea. It had been a source of amusement for the shield to say the least, surprised that the prince had not become suspicious at receiving such treatment.
To the relief of the increasingly tired advisor, it didn't take long for the Doctor to arrive, sent in and escorted by the guards at the door.
Ignis recognised him immediately as the King's physician, a serious, straightforward individual with a dark leather briefcase and stethoscope around his neck. Regis must have sent him, he thought a little nervously.
"Good evening."
"Thank you for coming so quickly." The advisor replied, dismissing the guards with a nod of acknowledgement.
Both shield and advisor lead the older man along the corridor to the bedroom, uneasy at the prospect of the unsuspecting prince.
"His majesty was quite concerned," the Doctor explained. "Am I to understand that the prince has a fever?"
"Yes, since last night."
What are the current symptoms?"
"A temperature and dizziness, he was quite sick this morning," the advisor explained, lowering his voice as the three men came to the bedroom door. "I have treated him with several potions but there appears to be no immediate recovery."
The Doctor nodded, eyes studying the door as they stood beside it.
"Is his highness awake?"
"Yes, however..." Ignis replied, cautiously. "I did not inform him of your appointment."
The Doctor nodded, briefly catching a glance from the shield who said very little but loomed over.
"I think I understand." He said, quieter this time.
Ignis adjusted his glasses, a little nervous. He hoped no one had noticed, but of course, Gladio had noticed.
"I have treated the prince before," the Doctor continued, sighing slightly. "Some years back."
"The prince can be difficult." Gladio suddenly spoke up.
"Yes, quite." The Doctor replied, as serious as ever. "I remember well."
Gladio nodded, looking to the shield at his side.
"Don't think that I'm abandoning you, but..."
"Where are you going?"
"Nowhere." the shield said, calmly. "I'll wait outside."
Ignis frowned, mouth open to speak but without words.
"I think my presence in this instance will only rile the prince..."
Ignis exhaled to himself, knowing full well Gladio was correct. He felt the Doctors eyes upon him.
"You are welcome to leave me to it, if you so wish." The Doctor suggested.
"Thank you but that won't be necessary," Ignis replied with polite dread.
Gladio smiled, and placed a reassuring hand on the advisors shoulder. Ignis looked to the amber eyes at his side, feeling a little lost at the prospect of dealing with an unruly prince alone in the presence of the King's physician. Gladio released his hold on him.
With a final, slightly anxious glance, Ignis pulled himself together and twisted the doorknob, gesturing to the Doctor to follow without so much as a word.
The prince was sat up in bed, propped up comfortably by an array of pillows with the final pastry in one hand.
It took him a moment to look up, focused busily on eating and drinking tea. He looked the perfect picture of calm in this moment - a shame to spoil it, Ignis thought.
"Hey."
"Your highness."
Noctis frowned at the sudden formalities of his advisor and friend, looking up at him as he entered the room. He blinked hard, uncomfortable with such formalities and went to open his mouth to remind him it was Noct, not highness...
A second figure came in through the doorway - not Gladiolus - someone else, someone who frightened him considerably more than the shield.
He paused, mind going into an uncomfortable spasm.
"You have a visitor.."
Noct said nothing, moving only to place the half eaten pastry back down on his plate, his stomach suddenly doing somersaults inside of him. The door shut softly behind them.
"Prince Noctis,"
Noct swallowed, uncomfortable at the nostalgic sound of the Doctor's voice. He knew this man well, too well in fact, despite his brains attempt to block out all memory of him and the pain that came with such memories. He looked to his advisor, who walked to his side and wordlessly removed the tray from his lap, placing it elsewhere on the bedside table. Of course, he thought furiously, it had been a well planned, delicious ploy...
"Ignis..."
"How are you feeling today?"
"Uh..."
The Doctor ignored the tone of boy's seeming distress and took no time in approaching the opposite bedside. He placed the briefcase on the armchair. Ignis stood by, feigning a sort of calmness. He hoped his presence would reassure the prince. To Noct, he appeared utterly expressionless - all the more Magitek.
"Your advisor tells me you are rather unwell."
Noct returned his attention to the intruder, caught off guard momentarily. The Doctors words resounded in his head, a delayed reaction. He nodded, hesitantly.
"It's been quite some time since our last appointment." The Doctor said, standing at the boy's side. "I believe you were 12 the last time I saw you."
Ignis tore his line of sight away from the uncomfortable expression of the prince to meet the Doctor; a face he knew better than first thought, having recognised him as more than just the King's physician. This had been the man to treat Noct as a child following his life threatening injury from the Marilith.
"You must be near enough 18 years old,"
Noctis exhaled to himself, anxiously. He watched the Doctor place the briefcase at the side of the armchair before sitting down at the bedside.
"Your arm, please, your highness,"
With reluctance the prince adhered, allowing the older man to check his pulse.
Ignis watched closely, Noct no longer choosing to point death stares in his direction, but instead at the man measuring his pulse. The Doctor appeared not to notice.
"Thank you," the Doctor murmured, comparing each passing beat to the second hand on his watch. "Now if you will, please unbutton your shirt."
"Why?"
"To check your heartbeat."
Again, the boy hesitated, pressured into obedience. He dreaded to think of his father concerned and worried, a reflection of the last time he had encountered this man. He took a moment to adjust the slightly difficult buttons on his pyjama shirt, trying to put all thoughts of his father out of his head.
The Doctor pressed the end of the stethoscope just inside the opening of the shirt against his chest, and listened. He waited longer this time, frowning a little harder than before. He briefly looked up to the advisor, aware of the man watching profusely.
"As I thought, heartbeat is mildly raised," he repeated, to the advisor. "With some irregularity..."
Ignis paused, brows furrowed in thought.
"What does that mean?" Noctis asked abruptly.
The Doctor sighed, gathering his patience as he briefly met the eyes of the prince.
"Could be a number of things, possible infection, a virus," the Doctor suggested, retrieving the stethoscope. "Please lie back."
Noct paused uncomfortably, eyes looking to his advisor standing on the opposite side of the bed, seeking some sort of childish reassurance. Ignis gave him a brief nod of approval and watched the prince lie back obediently.
Afraid of the racing heart in his chest beating hard against his will, he froze as the Doctor loomed over, a small torch at hand from the briefcase. He waited until Noct was comfortable with his head against the pillow.
"If you can look at the wall behind me please," he spoke softer now, shining the light carefully into his eyes.
Ignis watched on, intently.
"Are you suffering from headaches? Migraine?"
"Yes,"
The Doctor nodded, adjusting the angle of the light.
"Pupils are dilated," he spoke, presumably to the advisor. "A little more so than I would expect with a normal fever..."
He pulled back from his grip on the prince to retrieve something from his briefcase.
"I am to understand your advisor has given you some potion medication. Is that correct?"
"Yes." Noct spoke briefly, watching the man return from his briefcase with a thermometer.
"And for how long did they provide some sort of relief?"
"Uh, an hour or so." He replied, frightened eyes intent on the thermometer looming closer. "Maybe more..."
The Doctor gestured for the boy to open his mouth, before placing the sensor gently in under his tongue.
"This will only take a moment." He explained, turning his attention back to the advisor. "Have you checked the potions are in date?"
"One moment.."
Ignis walked over to his chest of drawers, retrieving the few he had left. He was aware they had a long shelf life, several years in fact, having only bought them few mere weeks before. A clutch at straws, he thought silently to himself. He checked the little numbers printed on the side of one, and then another.
"I have just under two years left on this batch." He replied, eyes intent on the date. "22 months to be precise."
The Doctor nodded, expressionless and thinking.
"It's unusual for a brand new potion to fail." He replied, the thermometer beeping suddenly. "If of course they have failed at all."
He carefully removed it from the boy's mouth.
"39 degrees." He informed them both. "It's no surprise you feel unwell."
Noctis looked to his advisor, studying the serious intensity on his face. It made him nervous.
"Is that bad?" Noct asked, resting his head back against the pillow as a wave of dizziness washed over him.
The Doctor ignored the boy.
"You have a high fever, Noctis." Ignis spoke, calmer than his expression let on.
"May I suggest a blood test is taken," the Doctor suggested to the advisor. "As soon as possible, to be safe."
"Of course." Ignis responded, returning his stare to the prince.
"This may take some time, I'll need to take a few vials for testing,"
"Very well."
Noct froze, blinking a little harder than normal.
"Don't answer for me."
Ignis raised an eyebrow.
"Pardon?"
The prince narrowed his eyes in return of the advisors stare.
"I said, don't answer for me," he replied, sharper this time. "Ignis."
The man in question sighed inwardly, adjusting his glasses out of nervous habit. He took a moment to think carefully about a response, aware of the little nuances the prince had in times of distress. He had after all, gone as white as a sheet at the instance of a needle.
"Would you like something else to eat, or drink, your highness?" He offered, attempting to distract the boy from the sharp object looming in the background.
"No." The prince blurted out, watching the Doctor retrieve something else from the dreaded briefcase.
"Are you sure?"
"Uh..." he replied, his voice wavering. "No,"
Ignis frowned, pausing to think momentarily. The boy appeared to tremble slightly.
"Ignis,"
"Yes your highness."
"Could you, please..."
"Would you like me to go?"
"No, don't." He said abruptly. "Don't do that."
The Doctor retrieved a needle and several vials, portraying an indifference to the trauma taking place at his side.
"You will need to remove your shirt, your highness." The Doctor spoke, unaffected. "I need access to your arm,"
Noct paused, seemingly for good this time.
"Uh..."
"It won't hurt particularly but you may feel dizzy afterwards," he continued, nonchalantly. "I'll need to fill several vials,"
A terrifying dizziness threatened to overwhelm the prince, until of course, his advisor sat down on the bed at his side.
"Noctis is not fond of needles."
The Doctor sighed, a little callously for the advisors taste.
"Yes I quite remember." He uttered, removing the cover for the needle. "His highness had to have rather a few the last time we had an appointment.."
Noct shivered at the memory, dizzied and sickened at the mere thought. He felt his advisor place a reassuring squeeze on his arm.
"Noctis."
He slowly met the comforting gaze of his advisor.
"Your shirt,"
The prince nodded, frozen to the spot. He forced himself into action, attempting to finish unbuttoning it from earlier but to no avail. He trembled, his fingers stiff with fear and fumbling over the tiniest motion of movement.
"Would you like some help?"
He paused, sort of feeling himself nod without much thought or consideration. He sat up slightly from his position against the pillows, shaken to say the least, allowing his advisor to unbutton the remaining buttons on his pyjama shirt.
Neither party spoke, the advisor a little concerned by the paler shade of white the boy had turned upon sight of the needle. He quietly unbuttoned the shirt down over his stomach, slipping it carefully off his shoulders. It felt rather awkward, not to be watched but to be in the motion of undressing another person, particularly after having spent the night together in his bed.
He avoided the stare of the prince, focusing his own eyes elsewhere. His gaze fell over the slim, pale arms and his exposed chest, a pair of blue eyes staring over his shoulder anxiously. Ignis removed the shirt, slipping it down to his waist along with the duvet. He caught sight of a dark, yellowing bruise plastered down his side, pausing uncomfortably at its sudden appearance.
"However did you get a bruise like that?" The Doctor spoke first, noticing the blemish.
Noct swallowed uncomfortably.
"Training."
The Doctor leaned closer, needle in hand and eyes on the bruise to the boy's side.
"How long have you had that?"
Noct hesitated - he didn't want to drop Gladio in any sort of trouble for taking him out of the city to fight daemons and all sorts. He was certain both his father and Ignis would be furious, even more so the latter.
"Since yesterday." The advisor spoke for him, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
The Doctor frowned, placing the needle down onto the briefcase for a moment.
He placed a gentle hand on the princes side, prodding the area as carefully as he could in the short amount of time before Noct reacted, wincing and pushing the hand away.
"Does that hurt?"
"Fuck of course it does..." Noctis spoke abruptly, shockwaves of pain residing even after the hand had been removed.
"Is that the only one you have on your body?"
The prince sighed, attempting to pull himself together.
"Yeah...I think so."
The Doctor looked to the advisor, cautiously.
"I suggest you keep an eye on that," he spoke, sincerely. "Please inform me should that get any worse or spread."
He retrieved the needle from its momentary resting place on the briefcase.
"I'll take a blood test today, and I will let you know the results within 48 hours." He explained, turning his stare to the bruise once again. "Any nasties will show up in the tests, including that, if it's a cause for concern..."
Ignis nodded.
"And what will you have me treat the prince with until then?" The advisor asked, aware of the set of slightly pained, blue eyes studying him carefully.
"Elixir, twice a day."
##
Gladio checked on the prince, concluding for the second or third time in as many hours that Noct was ok. He thought he had heard something, concerned Noct had got out of bed and was causing trouble again, but upon inspection he found nothing to indicate anything was wrong. The boy was fast asleep, tucked up in Ignis's warm bed as the shield and the advisor had left him several hours ago.
It had taken Noct quite some time to eventually fall asleep, his phone glued to his side. He seemed to get withdrawal symptoms when apart from Prompto and the real world, despite having been ill for only a total of 24 hours.
Gladio had acquired some patience for him at least, a fraction of what the advisor had, but enough to stay put for the night. He did all the things he knew Ignis would do - made sure the prince was comfortable in his bed, not on the floor, still breathing and not sneaking Prompto in through the window. It was a relief to tick all the boxes.
He shut the door to the bedroom as softly as he could on his way out. Hoping that he wouldn't be disturbed by the prince again, he gave up on the documentary he had been watching in the living area and made his way to the guest bedroom down the hallway.
Gladio had persuaded the advisor to have a rest, assuring him he would keep an eye on Noct. Ignis was not one for resting as such - he had been awake and working on some reports every single time the shield had walked past the open door to the bedroom.
This time however was different, the door half open and the bedside light still on, but the advisor now very much asleep.
Gladio paused in the doorway, studying the man who slept on top of the covers, fully dressed with a report on the pillow beside him. He smiled, a little taken aback to find his lover asleep for a change. As quietly as he could he walked in and shut the door behind him, careful not to wake Ignis.
He approached the bedside, perching on the edge of the bed. The advisor lay on his back, legs crossed and head tilted toward the reports next to him on the pillow. He was still in his clothes with his glasses firmly attached to his face, if a little skewed to one side. Ignis would not be particularly happy if he managed to damage them in his sleep, Gladio thought, gently removing them and placing them on the bedside table.
The shield studied the face of the advisor, calm and without the intensity of continuous, calculating thought. Ignis looked quite different without his spectacles, a little less studious but handsome all the same. In all the years Gladio had known him, he was sure he could count on one hand how many times he had seen the advisor truly asleep. It was a rare encounter indeed.
The shield pondered the thought, carefully removing the papers from the pillow and reaching over to switch off the lamp on the bedside table.
Despite his best efforts, the clicking of the light seemed to jolt the advisor into action.
Ignis blinked a little nervously, eyes intent on the silhouette sitting at his side in the darkness.
"Highness?"
Gladio hesitated, placing a reassuring hand on the arm of the advisor as he stirred.
"It's me," he whispered. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"Gladio.."
Ignis sat up slightly on his elbows, eyes narrowed at the man by his side. His vision had never been very strong in the dark, the shield thought protectively.
"What time is it?" The advisor asked sleepily, rubbing his tired eyes as they adjusted to the darkness.
"Just past 11," Gladio replied, quietly.
He watched the younger man reach for the glasses he correctly presumed to be at his side with his papers.
"I thought you were Noct..." Ignis spoke, exhaling slightly from tiredness.
"Just me, I'm afraid..."
"How is he?"
"He's fine, he's asleep," the shield reassured. "I just checked on him."
Ignis sighed with somewhat relief, the brief panic and guilt he had felt for falling asleep quickly faded into the backdrop of his mind.
"Thank you..."
He sat up fully, realising he was still dressed and a little cold from the lack of duvet. Clothes are likely be creased, he thought, much to his annoyance.
"Will you be staying the night?"
"Of course," Gladio replied. "I'll stay as long as you need me."
"You'll need quite a lot of patience.."
"I'll try."
"Much appreciated." Ignis spoke politely, despite the sleepiness in his voice. "I'm very grateful for you being here."
"Like I said, I'll stay as long as you need me, Ignis."
The advisor nodded, a hint of a smile gracing his face just briefly before fading away.
"The sooner we get the test results back, the better," the younger man informed, stifling a yawn. "Regis will only worry."
"Did you call him?"
"I tried, I could only reach his secretary," Ignis replied. "I trust that they will pass on the message but I would rather know for myself that the King is aware."
"Seems a little strange, don't you think?" Gladio asked, frowning. "Knowing that Noct is unwell.."
Ignis sighed.
"I will try again tomorrow." He said. "I just hope that Noct's condition improves by morning."
Gladio nodded, squeezing the advisors hand at his side.
"We'll make sure of it." He replied, eyes studying the younger man. "If he's no better by tomorrow evening and the Doctor hasn't called, we'll take him to the hospital."
Ignis rubbed his tired eyes under his glasses.
"I hope it doesn't come to that.." he spoke, quieter this time.
"Well don't fret just yet..." Gladio assured him, concerned. "You've done all you can. You had the King's own physician marched down here to check up on him, what else can you do?"
The advisor sighed, seemingly for the umpteenth time.
"I am ultimately responsible, should anything happen to the prince."
"We won't let anything happen," the shield replied. "I won't leave his side. Nor yours."
Ignis nodded, feigning a small sense of reassurance.
"I am grateful for your assistance, Gladio."
Gladio smiled a little.
"You look like you need it..."
Ignis frowned, thoughtfully.
"Now, now.."
"Well its not like you to fall asleep," Gladio remarked, eyes intent on the slight dishevelled look of the advisor. "Not mid report at least.."
"Quite." He replied, with a sigh. "Let this be our little secret."
Gladio smiled, leaning a little closer to place a kiss on the advisor's mouth.
"Well, don't worry, I won't keep you awake any longer," The shield spoke, feeling the advisor sit up to reach him.
Ignis looked up to meet the amber eyes studying him closely.
"Where are you going?"
"To sleep."
"But where?"
"Noct's room?" He said with a shrug. "It's empty."
Ignis hesitated.
"Please stay."
Gladio paused.
"In here, with you?"
The advisor nodded, pushing his glasses a little further up the bridge of his nose.
"I sleep better," he explained, quietly. "In your company."
"Are you sure?"
"I am."
Gladio sighed, hesitating.
"There's more than enough room for the two of us." Ignis insisted, calmly. "And a lock on the door."
Gladio raised an eyebrow.
"In the mood for citadel sex are we?"
It was Ignis's turn to pause, tilting his head to the side as he pondered a response.
"I'd appreciate the gesture." He replied, in a matter of fact tone.
The shield sighed, again. He looked up to meet the eyes of the man at his side, intense with thought and seemingly a little bloodshot.
"You're tired, Iggy." Gladio spoke, lifting the advisors chin to place a small kiss.
He felt the younger man weaken under his grip, exhaustion setting in now that he had the shield reassuringly at his side, sharing the burden of responsibility.
"That may be the case, however," The advisor insisted, proceeding to pull the shield toward him, willing. "I'm quite fine."
Without much effort, Gladio took the advisor by the wrists as they had proceeded to pull him closer defiantly.
"You're a terrible liar."
Ignis frowned.
"Is that so?"
Gladiolus nodded, tightening the grip he held on the smaller wrists. He felt the advisor resist, only slightly.
"If it helps you relax," Gladio spoke, quieter now. "I will sleep in Noct's room."
"No," he replied, a little more abruptly than he had meant to. "There's no need."
"You seem anything but relaxed."
"I won't sleep at all if I am left to my own devices."
Gladio paused, his mouth open to speak. He thought better of it, reminding himself of the incomplete reports on the side table.
"As long as you're sure."
He gently loosened his grip on the advisor.
"Quite sure."
Gladio nodded, catching a glimpse of very serious, green eyes at his side glimmering in the darkness. The advisor watched him closely, just for a few moments longer than was usual.
Defiant of the shield's momentary reluctance, Ignis pulled him closer by the hand, gently and firmly at the same time, until their faces were mere centimetres apart.
As soon as he did so he paused suddenly, wanting to speak but somehow struggling to find the words he wanted to say. Gladiolus stared back in return, half expecting the man to say something witty and clever, unsure how to read his expression in the darkness.
"Something wrong?"
"No."
Gladio opened his mouth to speak and was cut off by the advisor who found it easier just to kiss him.
He paused, a little caught off guard by the smaller man. Despite the jolt of electricity the shield felt, he ignored the need to take control, concerned at just how tired his lover seemed despite willingness. He allowed himself to be led by the advisor, gentle but intent, a free hand finding its way into the shield's hair, pulling, gripping in the way that he liked.
Ignis was most definitely tired, exhausted even, and yet this felt far more comfortingly than sleep. Time alone with Gladiolus was rare, particularly when his schedule was utterly overloaded with work and the prince. Even by his slightly reclusive standards, it tended to leave him feeling quite isolated, if a little deprived of human contact that didn't involve tending to the prince.
"You surprised me earlier.."
Ignis frowned, cut off from his thoughts and the small kisses that had crept over his jaw. He felt the amber eyes on him, studying closely as they so often did.
"After training..." the shield continued, finally meeting the smaller mans gaze.
He moved a hand up to the top button of the advisors shirt, unfastening it.
"I see..." Ignis murmured, his heart picking up the pace. "Was it not to your liking?"
Gladio smirked quietly to himself, fingers intent on the second button. He refused to answer such a question, instead focusing on unbuttoning, slowly and deliberately.
"Gladiolus?"
"Yeah?"
"Care to elaborate?..."
Gladio sighed, a little distracted by his attempts to undress the man at his side.
"It was good."
Ignis paused, thoughtfully watching the hands removing his shirt at a very frustratingly slow pace.
"Good?"
"Mhmm."
"Well, I'm glad to hear it.."
Gladio nodded.
"I think I like you being spontaneous." He spoke, quieter now.
He paused his undressing of the advisor, gently stroking the bare skin inside the opening of the shirt.
"Well, I'll try to be more spontaneous in the future." Ignis replied, eyes downwardly focused on the hand against his chest. "If you can promise to up your game in training."
The shield finally looked up from his concentration.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes," the advisor spoke. "I'd like to be a bit more challenged..."
He felt Ignis move against him, pressing his mouth against his gently.
Gladio returned the gesture, one hand on the advisors shirt, the other leading over and around his waist.
He pulled away momentarily, enticingly close still.
"Am I not challenging you enough?"
"Well, I didn't expect to beat you quite so easily."
Gladio pushed the younger man back against the pillow, gentle but intent.
"Say that again."
Ignis smiled to himself, staring up at the shield. He took a moment to adjust his glasses which had slipped from their position at the bridge of his nose.
"Say that again, please." The advisor informed him, in the special tone of voice he reserved for the prince.
"I don't know if you've realised yet but..." Gladio replied calmly, his hand managing to undo the last button of the advisors shirt. "I went easy on you."
Gladio watched the advisor think intently as his brain caught up with his mind, his shirt undone but left around his arms and shoulders.
"Petty excuses."
"You fight like the prince."
He felt the advisors eyes intent on him, burning holes through his skin in the darkness. Without much time to consider his words, the shield was pushed hard in the chest, the breath knocked out of him as he was rolled over and onto his back. He winced slightly as the smaller man used his weight against him, pinning him to the bed.
"Hey-"
"I assume that was supposed to be an insult..." the advisor murmured, digging his knee hard into the groin of the man beneath him. "A slightly treasonous insult, coming from the shield himself..."
Gladio sighed a little breathlessly, crushed under the strength of the man holding him.
"I'm not sure I'd go as far as treason, specs..."
He stared up, hands held down by the grip of his lover, who of course was staring straight back at him.
"...You're just not as strong as you think you are."
"Am I not?" Ignis questioned him, digging his knee a little deeper into the sensitive area.
"No, you're not." Gladio replied, wincing under the pressure of the man torturing him. "You just know my weak spots."
"Ah, yes." Ignis said, lowering himself a little closer to the face of the shield. "One might suggest that to be a strength in itself..."
He felt Gladio lean up as best as he could, despite restraint, to meet the mouth tantalising close to his. Ignis broke the small distance between them, gentle this time in his handling of the shield.
He carefully, slowly, released his grip on the man beneath him, using his free hand to cup the face just inches from his own. His knee remained in its threatening position, assurance in a moment of weakness.
Gladio permitted it, leaning in to the kisses that made their way over his jaw and down his throat, despite the knee resting against his groin.
"Ignis..."
"Yes?"
"Are you sure you're up to this?" He asked softly, closing his eyes.
He immediately regretted his words when he felt Ignis pull away.
"Would you like me to stop?"
Gladio sighed, reaching up to grasp the advisors arm gently.
"No, not at all, specs," Gladio replied, calmly. "I'm just aware that you're tired..."
He felt the hand on the side of his face reach up to clasp his chin.
"Please don't worry about me." Ignis replied, tilting the face in his grip up to his line of sight.
The shield frowned.
"Why the hell not?"
"Because I can take quite good care of myself." Ignis said, pressing a small kiss on the mouth opposite his own.
Gladio thought better than to question the words of a man with a knee strategically placed over his nether regions. However it didn't stop him sighing a little uncomfortably.
"If you say so, specs."
He felt Ignis return the kiss he had briefly started moments ago, cupping the shields face once more. This time it felt more urgent.
Gladio pulled the advisor closer, hands finding their way to his hips. He felt the younger man writhe against his touch, knee no longer in an awkward area but legs now entwined more comfortably.
"Promise me that you'll sleep after this?" Gladio asked a little breathlessly between kisses. "If you get sick, I'm going to have to take care of both of you..."
"Of course."
With some sort of reassurance, Gladio slipped the shirt he had previously unbuttoned down over the advisors arms and shoulders, allowing it to fall to his waist. He felt the older man stroke the bare skin, gentle, admiring. He said nothing, instead staring, rough hands leading downward over the softer skin to his stomach.
The advisor shivered slightly.
He felt the shield move upwards, shifting him along with his movements, placing kisses down over his neck and chest. It proved difficult not to react when he felt teeth nibble teasingly over a nipple, licking the surface until they became hard. The shield couldn't help but smile at the small gasp that escaped his lovers mouth as he did so.
He felt Ignis's hands upon him, willing himself to undress the older man beneath him, quicker, much quicker than the shield had been with him. Ignis smiled to himself as he removed the shirt, pulled down by the shield to kiss him more urgently this time.
"In a hurry?" Gladio asked, cut off by the feel of a hand unbuckling his belt and zip.
The shield gasped at the feel of his clothes being yanked down over his hips and thighs, utterly exposed to the cold air of the room.
He felt the urge to order the man between his thighs to slow down, to stop even, until of course he felt the mouth of the advisor.
Fighting the impulse to stare, he closed his eyes, head arching back against the pillow. Despite already doing this once today he knew it would be a struggle to hold out for too long.
Staring only made it last a short while, he thought, from experience. Instead he focused on the chandelier hanging above the bed, its crystals twinkling even in the darkness.
It was proving difficult not to react to the feel of his lovers mouth pleasuring him. He tried desperately not to think and yet every movement in his lap triggered off shockwaves that ran down his spine and legs.
His hands made their way down, fingers running through the advisors hair and grasping tightly. He felt the man between his legs moan quietly, almost inaudibly against him, his deep voice reverberating over his skin. It only made the shield pull tighter on his hair, grasping at some pitiful leverage of control.
Against his brain willing him to slow down, he felt his lower half arch against the mattress of the bed, shuddering at the feel of the younger mans mouth taking him in completely. He couldn't help but watch this time.
"Slow down. Please."
Gripping tightly at the light brown hair, he fought terribly not to thrust against the movements of the advisor. He realised it was a losing battle.
"Ignis."
The man who's name rolled so easily off his tongue paused, knowing that nearing tone in the older mans voice. Despite his own protest, the shields grip betrayed him. He held the advisor in place, continuing to thrust slowly into his mouth until hitting the back of his throat, unable to maintain any sort of control he usually held. Ignis winced, pained at the reaction. His eyes watered.
The shield finally released his hold at the sound of his lover choking beneath him. He allowed him to catch his breath.
"Sorry.."
Ignis shook his head, assuring the man that he was fine.
"You know, I didn't bring anything..." Gladio spoke, noticing the advisors glasses had steamed up a little.
Ignis paused, thoughtfully. His face appeared a little flushed.
"Pardon?" He asked, attempting to catch his breath.
"I don't have any condoms with me. Or anything else."
The advisor sighed, sitting up a little from his position.
"I'm afraid neither do I." He replied, still rather short of breath.
"Really?"
Ignis shook his head.
"We have never stayed in the citadel, together." The advisor stated, calmly. "So of course, I have nothing of the sort to hand."
It was Gladio's turn to hesitate. He swallowed a little nervously.
"What do you want to do?"
He watched Ignis adjust his glasses - typically still wearing them.
"Do you mind going without?"
Gladio hesitated once again.
"Are you sure?"
"Quite." Ignis replied, bluntly.
He watched the advisor sit up slightly to unbuckle his belt.
"I trust you implicitly."
It took the shield a moment to think, eyes drawn to the man undressing before him. His heart had started to beat a little faster.
"Glad to hear it, specs..."
He felt Ignis shift on the bed next to him, watching closely. Gladio had paused and he was sure it seemed a little odd. He nodded at the man beside him, thankful for the darkness covering the shade of red his face had turned.
Gladio forced himself into action, removing the remainder of his clothes as they clung around his thighs, throwing them aside.
He sat up from the position under Ignis's hold to kiss him. It was awkward to taste himself on the advisors mouth, not unpleasant as such, but awkward nonetheless. He slid one hand downward over the toned stomach of his lover, down to his lower half, tantalisingly slow. The younger man hardened instantly under his touch, a soft, almost inaudible moan escaping his lips.
Without much thought Gladio urged his lover backward against the sheets. The bed creaked beneath them, a subtle warning that they had to be quiet: Noct was only a door or two down the hallway.
He wasted no time in stroking him, nibbling gently down the younger man's neck as he did so. He felt the advisor writhe into his hand, eyes closed, glasses still intact. It made the shield smile to have his lover like this, completely and utterly engaged with him. Their time together was always sparsely laid out, their roles to the King and the prince taking central focus at all times. He knew the toll it had taken on himself, and of course, to Ignis, a man who gave everything and thought little of it. It was painful to watch at times, particularly when the advisor neglected himself for the sake of the prince and his every whim.
In turn Gladio tried at every opportunity to care for Ignis, an attempt to counteract the neglect he inflicted upon himself. The man didn't always make it easy.
His eyes remained closed behind his glasses, mouth open, soft little gasps warming the shields neck. Gladio turned to him, placing a gentle kiss against the advisors jaw.
"Are you sure you don't have anything at all?" The shield spoke, quieter this time.
"Gladio."
He paused at the urgency in his lovers voice.
"This will hurt if we don't use anything..."
Ignis opened his eyes.
"Ah."
"Yeah..."
A pair of green eyes turned to the direction of the bedside table a little hesitantly.
"There's some lotion in the drawer.." the advisor murmured, quietly.
The shield wasted no time in retrieving the bottle from the drawer at the bedside table, taking a moment to check for anything else.
"It's not the most ideal stuff but it will do..." Ignis said, watching the man at his side. "However there are definitely no condoms in that drawer..."
Gladio nodded, halting his search and shutting the drawer quietly. He returned to the side of the younger man.
"As long as you're still up for this." He replied, applying some lotion to his fingers. "Is this yours?"
"No,"
"I hope this doesn't belong to -"
"It's not Noct's either." Ignis insisted, rolling his eyes. "It's part of the guest room."
"Right." Gladio murmured, amused at the scent of strawberries. "It's nobody's then.."
"Precisely."
He returned to his position over the advisor, a hand stroking the hard length with greater pleasure.
"That's much better..."
"Quite..." Ignis said, a little shakily.
Gladio returned to kiss him, tongue gracing his own with increasing friction. His own hardness pressed ever greatly into the leg beneath it - he couldn't help but whimper quietly to himself.
He felt Ignis grip him suddenly, a sensation threatening to send him closer to the edge, prematurely. It was all he could do to bite his lower lip, focus all tension on something else. Somehow it worked, until he felt the man beneath him bite gently on his neck, the warmth of his lovers mouth tickling the skin.
"Ignis.."
"Yes?"
He felt the advisors hand creep over his hip.
"Stop." He spoke gruffly, much to the advisors pleasure.
Ignis sighed again, a little more frustrated this time.
"A little sensitive tonight, Gladio?"
The man in question ignored his teasing, instead pulling back.
"You seem to have forgotten that we usually only do this after a bottle of wine at my place..."
"There are those excuses again."
Gladio narrowed his eyes.
"On your front." He instructed, a hand firmly on the smaller man's thigh. "Now, please."
He urged the advisor to do so, despite the small laugh that came from his lovers mouth at the urgency in his command. Lotion in hand, he wasted no time in preparing them both, carefully. It seemed odd not to wrap up, Gladio thought, hardening a little at the thought. They had never done this without after all.
He took a moment to calm his nerves, overly aroused at the situation and fearing it, or rather he, would not last particularly long.
"We'll have to be quiet..." Ignis reminded him, a little more serious than before.
The shield nodded, mounting the smaller man waiting patiently on his hands and knees. He sighed at the feel of skin on skin, leaning over to place a gentle kiss on his shoulder.
"Tell me if I hurt you..."
"You won't."
He felt Ignis tense beneath him as he slipped slowly, gently inside, a small gasp from his own lips at the feel of his lover beneath him.
"Fuck..." the shield uttered, taking him carefully by the hip.
He waited a moment, closing his eyes and attempting to block out overpowering sensation that threatened to push him over the edge. His lover moved gently against him, biting his lower lip as the pain intensified with the lack of movement from the shield.
"Stop.."
Ignis did, reluctantly, but of course it hurt to stop and stay so still, the advisor thought, and yet he did so anyway for Gladio. Whilst he had always been good at maintaining his composure, this always was the difficult part. Alcohol usually helped.
The shield took a moment to calm himself before continuing, slower this time, inch by inch. The advisor gripped the sheets of the bed, knuckles whitening, closing his eyes to block out any uncomfortable sensation.
He heard the older man exhale, hands gripping tightly onto his lover.
"Are you ok?" He whispered.
Ignis swallowed a little uncomfortably.
"Yes." He replied, wincing as he felt Gladio pull back.
The younger man breathed deeply, attempting to refocus all sensation. He gasped again at the feel of his older lover gently, slowly sliding in, and out.
The lotion helped to make this easier but of course, so did the alcohol they usually drank during their rare evenings together.
It took a few minutes for the pain to subside, discomfort continually eased by the slow movement of the shield. As the pain ebbed away, Ignis leaned on one elbow, a free hand making its way down to touch himself, hardening with increasing pleasure that had begun to drown out any other sensation.
Gladio picked up the pace a little, closing his eyes in an attempt to control the flow of adrenaline that pushed him closer and closer to the edge. He held the advisor by the hips, entering him over and over, fingers gripping tightly at the flesh until it whitened beneath. He felt the smaller man push back against him, adding to the overwhelm of the shield. He moaned at the feel of his lover beneath his grip, breathing ragged as he moved a little faster.
"You feel, wonderful..." He murmured, struggling to maintain himself in the silence of the building.
He heard the man beneath him laugh a little.
"Is it better without ?" Ignis asked, a little breathless.
"Its more intense..." Gladio replied under his breath, slamming harder into the man beneath him.
The advisor felt his grip on the bed slipping, his position faltering. Gladio continued, ruthlessly.
He enjoyed the stifled cries of the advisor, attempting desperately to remain quiet. Ignis bit his lower lip, struggling.
"I want to hear you..."
Gladio watched the advisor turn to look over his should briefly, a little flushed in the face.
"Don't be foolish..."
The older man said nothing, pushing his younger lover down against the sheets until he was smothered by the pillows.
"Gladio-"
Ignis gasped at the sudden movement, pained to be so crushed uncomfortably, his glasses skewed over his face. He tensed at the feel of his arm being pulled behind him, used as leverage to fuck him.
Gladio held it tightly- gripping until the skin whitened under his hands, thrusting hard against the man at his mercy. His mouth opened, panting with a hint of his voice. He utterly refused to let up the hurried, rough pace.
The advisor whimpered unwillingly into the sheets, his protest strangled quickly under the pleasure of the shield, dying away on his tongue despite his lack of control.
His arm twisted behind his back by the shield, he struggled to stroke himself as he had been doing, instead using his free arm to reduce the impact of being squashed into the pillow. His lower half throbbed; he was desperately close and yet held back from the edge by his inability to touch himself.
Against his wishes, Ignis groaned deeply, hoping, praying that the walls would not carry such a sound. He trembled as the shield buried himself to the hilt, twisting his arm with increased, hardened pace.
"I'm close, Gladio..." the advisor spoke, voice breaking under strain. "I would quite like my arm back..."
The shield ignored the request.
"Gladio-" Ignis growled, struggling under the weight and strength of the older man.
He felt the shield pull tighter on his arm, a move that caused him to wince. At the same time he felt the man lean over, chest against his back, a hand creep round his hip to his lower half, stroking the length of him.
"Does that help?"
Ignis nodded, struggling to string a sentence together. His lover knew exactly what he liked, how to please every part of him - he wasted no time in doing so. The advisor squeezed his eyes shut again, glasses slipping down awkwardly over his nose.
Against the soreness of his twisted arm and the tingling pleasure of being stroked, Ignis gasped into the pillow, a strangled sound of pleasure. It only took a moment for him to be pushed, completely and utterly so, over the edge into the abyss. Overwhelmed he cried out, coming into the hand of the shield, his voice shaken as he tried desperately to silence himself and failed.
Gladio slowed his pace momentarily, hand wet with the advisor's seed. He had little time to think of it.
His vision had started to blur.
"Ignis.."
The advisor did not reply, weak and breathless beneath him.
The feel of his lover had been the limit, enough to bring the shield to climax, knuckles whitening as he gripped the flesh of the man beneath him. His knee gave way, sending him down into a heap on top of the body of the smaller man, crushing his twisted arm that he had held behind his back.
Ignis writhed beneath him.
"Gladio.."
The shield opened his eyes, alerted by the tone in his lovers voice and the feel of an arm between them.
He moved quickly onto his side, the room spinning still from adrenaline.
"I'm sorry.."
Gladio placed a nervous hand on the arm of the advisor, as it returned to his side.
"Ignis.."
The man in question turned onto his back, slowly of course, exhaling painfully. His glasses glimmered in the darkness, no longer on his face but on the bed beside them.
Gladio sighed, guiltily. The advisor lay back against the pillow, eyes closed, eyebrows furrowed as he dealt with the stabbing sensation in his arm.
"However did you get to be so heavy..." he murmured under his breath, his free hand clutching at his arm.
"I'm sorry, Iggy."
Gladio pulled the duvet around them, the pair shivering slightly. He found Ignis's glasses and placed them on the bedside table, returning himself to the younger man's side. He was thankful not to have damaged them along with the advisors arm - a fate worse than death, he thought nervously.
He felt the younger man move against him, adjusting the position of his elbow, twisting his wrist a few times, testing the movement of his fingers under the sheets, a move that only added to the shields guilt.
"Don't fret," Ignis spoke softly, opening his eyes to look at the man at his side. "I'm quite alright..."
"I should hope so." Gladio said, frowning. "I'm sorry.."
He pulled the advisor, gently, into him, arms around him protectively. He felt Ignis relax slightly, with a sigh.
"It will make for an interesting bruise, I'm sure," the younger man whispered, snuggling a little closer to his lover. "However you may have to help me in the morning if Noct has decided to sleep on the floor again..."
Gladio nodded.
"Of course," he said, calmer now. "Anything you need."
He gently stroked the sore arm of his lover, reassuringly.
"Want a potion?"
Ignis shook his head.
"I'll man up," he replied, with a small sigh.
Gladio smiled, weakly. He placed a small kiss on his lips.
"I'll make it up to you, in the morning."
"Of course.."
The pair said nothing more, the room filling with silence once again. Ignis thought little more of his injury, closed his eyes and allowed the darkness to engulf him for a brief while. He had promised the shield he would sleep and so he did.
He convinced himself however, it would only be a short rest. And yet, a short rest in turn had been many hours. It was a sensation the advisor could never get used to.
When he finally woke up to daylight, Gladio was no longer at his side. However it wasn't the lack of warmth at his side that had roused him. Someone was shouting.