A/n: Muh. Dudes. We got GladNoct Week coming up and I am excited as fuck. Stay tuned for fics relating to that! Or follow me on Tumblr for first-hand posting. I am taking a hiatus for most of September to really focus on that.

Warnings: Same as always. Angst.

A/U Final Fantasy XV. GladiolusxNoctis. I don't own, at all, I'd like to think I'd have found a way to give Prompto a Chocobro. *Winku*


"Keep breathing, my angel, if you go do I go with you
May I say I loved you more?
Keep breathing, just keep breathing."
- Mayday Parade, One Man Drinking Games


You are the King Noctis you write your own ending.

The words were haunting him, practically every waking second of his day was spent with those words running through his head and sleeping was a mistake. It was all he could focus on, just what had Luna meant when she said it? You write your own ending. He didn't know what that meant, what ending could he write? And why did he have all these dreams? Why were they flooding his mind?

Noctis hovered in the air a second, he had just phased over a crowd of people and was taking a second to appreciate the sights of Altissia before he flipped and landed on Gladio's back. He wrapped one arm loosely around the large man he was resting against and propped his chin up on his shoulder, letting out a quiet and tired sigh.

"Didn't sleep well?" Gladiolus' voice washed over him and he rubbed his arm as if to express he was there for him.

"I slept fine," Noct answered though he shut his eyes and stayed wrapped around Gladio's back.

"That's no way for a King to walk," Ignis said from beside the two, smirking when Noct glanced at him, "perhaps act the part?"

"No." Noctis grabbed a fistful of Gladio's shirt, "I'm no King, not right now." He added the last part quietly and it seemed the only person that heard was Gladio who kept his mouth shut rather than running it.

Tomorrow they would all wake and defend the city, they could have one day of normality. At least. Gladio realized after their extremely long and rather tipsy bath last night that was the point in their whole thing last night and, now, today. Prompto was running around the three with his camera in hand snapping picture, after picture, of the city and people. Ignis was tasting everything that was offered to him and Gladio had his Noct. What more could he ask for?

"Noct can we get some?!" Prompto asked with a point at a yellow feathered hat.

"Sure," Noctis didn't even bother really studying the item and felt it pushed down on his head. From the one that Prompto pushed on Gladio's head, he saw there were two 'wings' on the side, and a large, puffy, feathered 'tail' in the back. Noct chuckled when Gladio scowled and jumped off his back so he could look up at him, "that's cute." He muttered, letting Gladio pull him closer, "how do I look?"

"Adorable," Gladio answered softly and leaned forward, the orange beak of the hat hit Noct's forehead rather than Gladio's lips on his own. Causing the man to laugh loudly, throwing his head back with it. "Shut up." Gladio growled and jerked the stupid hat off, "I don't want this shit."

"No," Noct called through his laughter, "put it on!" He grabbed the hat and reached up putting it back into place. "Okay, Prompto, pictures."

Gladio grumbled, "this is stupid."

Noct slapped at his chest, "get over it, big guy," he winked, "I like it."

Ignis looked at the Shield as he not only blushed but fell quiet, "yeah, I spoil him."

"You're still wearing yours."

Ignis shook his head with a smile, falling quiet when he heard Prompto calling the group to order. "Alright, ready or not!" He ran over quickly, and the four posed. Prompto was just as quick to pick the camera back up and look at the digital picture, "oh, love the lighting!"

Noctis grinned to himself, "I can't want to see all the pictures tonight." He said quietly before looking up across the street, a large statue over a fountain caught his attention and he walked over to it looking up at the creature it was crafted from.

"Wish birds," Ignis said following his gaze, then he pointed at a basket of paper folded birds. "You write your wish down and then aim at the mouth of the Tidemother. If it lands in the mouth it's said your wish will come true."

Noctis turned to eye the basket before tilting his head and plucking one from it, "let's do it." He said quietly grabbing a pencil from the holder and unfolding a wing slowly. Then he wrote his wish on the wing before folding it closed again.

"You doing it Glads?" Prompto asked, having followed suit.

"Nah," Gladio shook his head as he just barely met Noctis' eyes. It's childish. He wanted to say but didn't dare risk it as Noctis gave him a hard look.

"Too mature for a wish, big guy?" Noct smirked at his boyfriend, and looked up at the statue, he reeled back making to throw when Prompto cut him off.

"No phasing Noct!" He demanded, "that's cheating!"

"I won't phase," The King rolled his eyes and looked over his best friend before throwing the bird at the statue's opened mouth. The small bird sailed upwards but rather shortly it started sinking, getting nowhere near the mouth before it fell to the water. Noctis frowned as the bird sank to the water and the other three looked at him, quietly, "maybe you're right Glads."

The Shield frowned and reached out grabbing for Noctis, who stepped out of his reach and pointed to the gondolas that would get them to Maagho's, "who's ready for dinner?"

"Me!" Prompto practically yelled and took off running to the small boat, Ignis following him closely.

"Hey, you okay?" Gladio asked reaching out and taking Noct's hand with his own now that they were alone.

"I am," Noct noticed he was still wearing the ridiculous hat and reached up giving the beak a small poke, "a little hungry, let's eat."

"Okay." Gladio nodded slowly in response and followed after his boyfriend, his King, his Noctis. He watched him step forward and walk away. His mind on the wishing bird. If it hadn't been a real wish, a real want for Noct he wouldn't have gotten so downtrodden from it not making its mark. Gladio looked into the fountain with a frown as he saw all the white birds floating on the surface.

The four were sitting in the hotel room that Prompto and Ignis had been sat up in, Noctis lounging across the couch and looking through the pictures that Prompto had run off before they got back to the room. He had a large stack of about 200 from their trips through the tombs and wild lands, and while Noctis hadn't been anywhere near as excited to look through them over and over again like Prompto was throughout the whole trip, right now it was all he wanted.

It was all he wanted while Gladio sat at his feet reading, Prompto laid on a bed playing a video game and Ignis sat across from him in a chair flipping through a magazine. Noct sorted through picture after picture of the group and their companions. Cindy with them and Cid and, of course, Talcott made many appearances. Just as did Aranea, Noct found and held up a picture of Aranea sitting next to Gladio at a campfire.

His Shield looking less than pleased as he eyed her, and she was smiling at the camera holding up a bowl of food.

"Specs," Noct said quietly and held it out to the man who looked at him instantly, "what is this?"

"Oh," Ignis took the picture and looked at it a moment before frowning, "we ran into her when we went to find you." He said quietly, "she helped us rescue you from the castle."

"Oh," Noct nodded and took it back, looking at the next few. They were of himself half asleep and in Gladio's lap. He glanced down at the Shield instantly spotting the extreme difference, Gladio's smile. He could remember that day vaguely, the way he had yelled at the man in the middle of that dark castle room. He could remember telling his Shield to get someone else or to fuck off.

Noct laid the pictures down on the coffee table and got up, dropping to his knees and crawling into Gladio's lap quickly before the other could even respond. "Noct?"

"I love you," he whispered and nuzzled against him, folding himself up against his chest and into the cradle of his lap.

Gladio blinked, clearing his throat before looking around the room. Ignis was making it a point to avoid his eyes while Prompto was too busy with his game to notice, "I love you too, Noct."

The King mewed softly and rubbed his cheek against his chest, "I'm getting tired."

"Then let's get you to bed." Gladio pushed himself to his feet, holding Noct close before heading out of the room with just a wave at the other two and a promise to see them in the morning. "Want to take a bath?"

"No." Noct shook his head, "I just want to sleep, baby."

Gladiolus made quick work to get through the door and into their room laying the man on the bed. He bent down and took off his boots tossing them across the room. Then reached up and undressed him carefully concerned he was being so quiet and still, "scared about tomorrow, Noct?" He asked as he stripped him of his pants.

Noct shook his head, shutting his eyes before lifting his arms, "nah, not really. It's just another battle."

Gladio wanted to believe him but he didn't. Not at all. It was in the way his mouth sat, he didn't see Noctis serious very often. The man took things rather lightly, the last time he saw him this serious was after his father was announced dead.

"Turn it off!" Noctis screamed back at Prompto who had turned on the news, as the four looked out across Insomnia.
"No, leave it on," Ignis replied smoothly, deflecting the glare that Noct gave over his shoulder.

Gladio dropped his shirt to the floor and pulled the messy covers up around him, before he got himself undressed and joined him in the bed next to him, "you're strong." He whispered and wrapped his arm around Noct, "and amazing, and wonderful, and honest, and truthful and the greatest thing that has ever entered my life."

"What are you doing?"

"Reminding you," Gladiolus whispered, "that you are the best person for this job, that you are the best for anything."

"What happened to forgetting all of this?" Noct asked, shutting his eyes and burrowing into Gladio's hold. It reminded him of the tents, all the times the two of them burrowed together and Gladio talked him out of a meltdown. "I want the beach and shirtless you, and t-tw-twe..." his voice tapered off and before Gladio could offer anything else he realized Noctis was crying.

"Twenty cats?" He finished for him, kissing his hair. He didn't understand the tears, but he didn't have to. It wasn't required that he understood everything his boyfriend was going through. It was required that he stood by his side though, as his Shield and his boyfriend. Noctis was his reason to live, he was his reason to support the kingdom, he was who he protected and being the King's Shield came before anything else. It came before being his boyfriend, being his friend, being his bed mate, or even all the things he was annoyed with him. He protected him that was it. Plain and simple. There was no other explanation to who Gladiolus Amicitia was. Who he would become one day, he was the Shield, forever. Until the day he died.

He rubbed his back as if he was helping him sob the tears out and rocked him slowly, nuzzling into his neck and swaying the two slowly. Noctis fell asleep in the warm comfort that Gladio offered and the man stayed there holding him until he fell asleep as well. He couldn't imagine a better way to spend the night, every night in the world paled in comparison to this one and would forever.

When Noctis woke hours later, still too early to get up, it was from a dream. A dream he forced himself to work through.

He woke far calmer than he ever had from one of his prophetic dreams. His eyes flashed open with a small gasp as he watched it over in his mind, while it was still fresh. He felt a dull ache in his side and realized just how true his dream had been, it was all true. His dreams had never lied to him before and they weren't now. He felt the fire growing, it was intense, it made his whole side ache with a throb down deep into his muscles and bones. The fire spread down his hip to his leg and right back up to his spine, it was everywhere. He grabbed to Gladio tightly, holding him, pressing him hard against his chest protecting him once again from the world, the demons, himself.

"Oh, I love you," Noct whispered quietly, shutting his eyes and brushing his hair back, "oh, Gods, how I love you."


The ringing sound was dying down as Noct was flung backward. He had dropped rather quickly, his eyes locked with Gladio's and he smiled before being thrown back towards the water. It was cold as it wrapped around him and pulled him under almost as if it was sucking him into the dark abyss. His arm shot out, fingers brushed through Gladio's hair and then he was flying back, the last thing he felt out of his grasp.

Before he could realize this was the dream he freaked out, frantically grasping at his Shield, frantically splashing in the water.

Noctis wanted to scream but all that came out was a quiet gasp, his back hit the sea water hard. He felt like he had been shot and might have been but he didn't know, all he knew was that Gladio was screaming his name, Gladio was reaching him. Noct was reaching for him frantically until he realized he didn't need to. He was only mere seconds from being pulled out of the water, and sure enough, Gladio's large hand jerked him up and out of the water. He fell against his chest and the Shield grasped at him, holding him tightly, screaming his name.

It was falling on deaf ears. Noct couldn't hear anything but himself breathing, the realization of what was happening washed over him and pulled him from his stupor.

Noctis stared up at the man, blinking slowly a few times and then he reached up and took Gladio by the chin, "right here." He said staring up at his eyes, the dark hints of purple against the dark brown made him think of a nebulous and he smiled, proud of himself for finally having a word for the way Glad's eyes looked. "Right here, baby," he whispered again. He knew the world was falling apart, but he didn't care. He'd relive this every day of forever if he had this chance.

He wasn't anything right then, he was just Noctis being held by just Gladiolus. He was just Noctis staring up at his boyfriend, smiling and committing the picture to memory. He was just Noctis with Prompto calling out a, "woohoo!" behind him and Ignis cockily saying, "it's nothing," next to him.

That's all he was. For one short moment, he was nothing more than just a man with everything in the world.

"Noctis," Gladio whispered, dragging him from his happiness, "get up."

Noctis realized then what it was that had sent him flying into the water, a hole in his chest. A bullet. An MP getting off a lucky shot as Noctis phased too far of a distance to get to his Shield. To get to his Gladio, to protect his Glads. Noctis smiled again and raised a hand pressing it to his chest, "I did it," he whispered as he looked down at the blood on his fingers. "I saved you."

"You idiot." Gladio shook his head watching him closely, "you're an absolute idiot."

"That's no way to thank someone."

"I'm not thanking you!" Gladio growled out and moved to stand, their absence from the battle caught Prompto's and Ignis' attention. The two of them froze, after clearing the wave, and turned to look.

Noctis laughed again, he knew it was coming, "remember what I told you, Glads?"

"No, don't do this."

"I need you to remember it," Noct said falling serious again.

The fire was starting down in his side and rising up against his chest. He felt it as Gladio was pulling him close to his chest and then Noct was screaming out in agony. It was loud and rang out through the fight, right to Ardyn's ears. Ardyn who was halfway across Altissia and making quick work to get to Noctis. Ardyn who was ready.

"You promised." Noct gasped out after another scream ripped through his body and he pushed Gladio away before the darkness encased his mind. He didn't want to hurt him.

A dark purple light erupted from within Noctis and wrapped around his whole body, the bullet wound pulsed and then the dark purple, glowing, tangles from inside escaped through the opening that should have been bleeding and instead was filled with the daemon essence. Noct's eyes hollowed out and were soon blackened and dripping the dark ooze from their sockets, his mouth twisted into a dark smile, the same black ooze dribbling down his chin.

He looked at his three companions and before anyone could do anything Ardyn dropped from the sky between them.

"Ah, Prince." He cooed softly as he watched the daemon form in front of him, "how's it feel to be the bad guy for once?" Noctis roared his response, his body shaking, "it's cute you're trying to fight it." Ardyn whispered, holding up a hand and a spear shot through the air towards the other three.

"Noct!" Gladio yelled, catching the spear and throwing it behind him as he called out for the other, "it's me! Focus!"

Noct jerked his head to the screaming, his mind going blank. All he wanted was the fight that was it. It was singing in his veins, he wanted to shoot across the sky and tear the men in front of him apart, he wanted to win. He didn't know them any longer.

"Noct?" Prompto called, but his attention had not wavered from Gladiolus. "Don't make him do this."

Gladiolus who was the biggest threat, with his ultra-great sword thrown over his shoulder and coming flying right at him. Noct phased away from the sword but Gladio didn't stop. Even as Ignis yelled at him, and Prompto screamed in shock. Gladio went for him again.

And again, and again and again.

It didn't seem to be ending, Noctis was just as nimble as he had been before this happened. He was faster, sure and he was pure darkness. He moved like a shadow that Gladio couldn't hear or feel, but he knew where he was and was on the defense. Part of him just knew and as he fought to hold on, fought to maintain his stamina he felt himself having a little fun. He couldn't remember the last time he had a challenge like this. The dead king?

Ardyn didn't stop it and the boys didn't try to interfere, Luna was tucked behind Prompto and Ignis, watching in horror. She wanted to help but it was too late, she couldn't get her hands on the King, he had given himself up to save his Shield, to save the man he loved. That's what it came down to, that was his choice no matter how much she had tried to warn against it.

Noct grabbed Gladio throwing him across the stone floor and finally, he spoke. "Come on, big guy." His voice sounded like a broken hiss, the words hollow as his voice, "think you can do it, Glads?"

Gladio was pushing off the ground, staring at him and he realized this was almost a rehash of the boat. Except this was real. "No," he whispered, leaning heavily against his sword. He was tired, worn down, and hurt. His heart and his head weren't in this at all, not anymore, not with the daemon speaking to him like Noctis, talking to him as if it was his King before him. Noctis laughed, hands on his hips and he tilted his head with that smile. That smile that broke Gladio into a million pieces. "Oh Noct," he whispered.

Luna grabbed on to the two in front of her for support, her eyes shutting, "blessed stars of light and life, deliver us from darkness blight." Her lips moved slowly as she said the words, her eyes tightly shut and she felt herself sway as she focused on Noctis. Ignis reached out catching her and trying to hold her up, the words leaving her lips again, "blessed stars of light and life, deliver us from darkness blight."

Prompto watched his best friend as he held Luna's hands, shutting his own eyes after that one last look and he focused saying the prayer as well, "blessed stars of light and life, deliver us from darkness blight." Ignis watched as the aura pulsed wide before he too shut his eyes, whispering the words and giving his energy and faith to Luna.

"Go ahead," Noct answered and stood there, the dark purple aura wrapped around him tightly as if he was trying to pull it back in. And for a split second Gladio and him locked eyes, and he saw his Noctis standing before him. Holding it back, all the darkness that was inside of him. A struggle of a smile on his face, "twenty cats, baby?"

Gladio wanted to answer but he couldn't. He just stared, standing as tall as he could. The sea stilled, all of Accordo was silent and for a second the world was at peace.

"I love you," Noct added, and shut his eyes. He knew the outcome. It was just like his dream last night, after accepting his fate. After deciding he would never let Gladio die.

"Now," Luna whispered to the boys, letting go of them. Ardyn shot forward for him suddenly, realizing what was happening, a gunshot rang out and the sound of a dagger flying through the air trailed. It sliced through the purple aura of his own daemon defense, and across his throat. Ardyn sprawled on the stone wall, the sea erupting again and practically swallowed him whole.

Then Gladio came rushing forward and with a heave and slice his sword cut through Noctis' chest. He stumbled backward feeling his chest wall practically cave in.

He gasped out for a breath, it hurt more than in his dream, dropping to his knees. With a sag, he laid on the ground, breathing out a heavy breath and on instinct trying to drag another one that hurt more than the blow and much more than the blow that followed. The blunt end of the sword came rushing into his body and sending Noctis laying back with the weight of it. He breathed out a shudder of a cry, and something erupted from deep within. Something sent a wave coursing through all of Accordo.

The sea settled, the ground stopped shaking and as Ardyn disintegrated, Ignis, Prompto, and Luna were scrambling to their feet. Luna gripping on Prompto's hand watching Gladiolus closely.

"This is the destiny." She said quietly, "he chose this."

Gladio looked over, he could barely focus and quickly found his eyes back on Noctis falling to his knees before the man. He wanted to reach out and grab him close, he wanted to fix him, he wanted to die. How could I be the one that has to do this, I swore an oath.

"He chose this ending, he picked this himself," Luna said and took a slow step forward, gripping Prompto's hand tightly for support, "help him, Gladio."

"I can't."

Luna shut her eyes and took a deep breath, "you are strong." She said quietly as a bright, intense light filled her body and a warmth fell over the five of them, "and amazing, and wonderful, and honest, and truthful."

Gladio shook his head, it hung down against his chest and he reached out cradling his face, "and the greatest thing that has ever entered my life." They finished together before Luna collapsed back against Prompto with a tired breath, the light and warmth fading from them.

"Oh, baby," Gladio whispered with his eyes closed. Noctis still and fading back to normal before his very eyes, his skin becoming human, his wounds bleeding and as he took a gasping breath the black daemon ooze was soon replaced with blood. "I'm so sorry, I wasn't enough." He brushed his thumb over his lip and picked Noctis up holding him tightly.

"I did it," Noctis whispered and Gladio shook his head. He didn't want the last thing they said to each other to be something of a fight. Gladio was begging him to shut up but there it was the follow-up, "I saved you."

Gladio's heart ached, his head shaking back and forth, and Noctis fell quiet. Taking a moment to look past Gladio to the other three. His eyes moved over them slowly and when they fell on Luna he smiled. She returned the smile, and it was almost as if everything that ever mattered was okay. Noctis was just Noct. He was just a young man in the arms of his boyfriend, with his best friends surrounding him. For a minute everything was okay, the world was at peace. Gladio nuzzled his hair and dragged his lips across his forehead and Noctis shut his eyes.

His breath came out with a heave every part of him hurt and he found he couldn't drag in another. It was gone, his chest was crushed by how tight Gladio was holding him. He had nothing left, he'd had rather took another blow to the head or chest, anything to end it but it was too late. It was over. He was done.

"Twenty cats," he heard Gladio whisper and smiled the unnoticed smile to himself, "and the beach and no one allowed over unless it is Saturday night. And, damnit, we're going to have at least one dog, you brat." Noct wanted to laugh, he wanted to smile at him, he wanted to do anything but let that silent tear roll down his cheek. "And we'll never need those swords again, you'll be just Noctis." He wanted to give anything but that silent tear on his cheek as he stopped trying to hold on.