AN: Riku: Time for another chapter and another bit of a interlude as I might say!
Also thank you all who have come this far and have enjoyed the story! We hope you enjoy the new chapter.

On the same night that Regis and Clarus talked, somewhere else in the Citadel, Gladio paced vigorously. There was no stop for his restless mind, and he needed to use up his restly energy somehow.

Ignis stepped into the room he thought he might find his friend and sighed at the sight. He tried to get his attention through his name with little success. So, instead, he decided to get in the path of the pace to try and get his attention by just stopping the movement.

Gladio nearly crashed into Ignis, stopping a few inches away from him. "Huh? Ignis? What gives?"

"You've been in here for a few hours. I wanted to see how you were doing." Ignis confessed. "Plus to make sure you got something to eat and drink."

"I'm fine," Gladio replied. "Really. Nothing that you need to worry about."

"Yes, I see how fine you really are. Gladiolus, you're allowed to be worried and upset." Ignis replied flatly.

"I am worried!" Gladio snapped. "Isn't that obvious?!"

Ignis pushed his glasses up on his nose. "Of course it is. We're all worried. But are you taking care of yourself as well?"

"Doesn't matter," Gladio said dismissively. "Not as long as my mistake is still isn't fixed."

That made Ignis reach out and grab his friend and co-worker's arm gently. "Gladio, this isn't your mistake. A lot of things failed, but not you. We will get him back soon enough."

"No, I did fail. I am his shield! His goddamn shield!" Gladio growled. "I wasn't where I should have been! He's captured, and I could have stopped it."

Ignis reached out to grab the Shield's shoulder's tightly. "Gladiolus, you didn't fail. He was at an event we all thought was safe. There was a full security crew to help us to make sure he was okay. We couldn't have predicted this could have happened. Now we just have to focus on getting him back safe and sound."

"But I was still there! I was at that event too, you know! I just thought for a moment I could let him be with Prompto. The kid was enjoying himself, and the moment I turned my head away, all hell broke loose. So how can you say I didn't fail? I didn't do my job, I didn't... I couldn't make it to him in time."

"Gladio, do you think I failed?" Ignis asked harshly. "I helped arrange the security. I was part of the people who helped protect him and support you. Do you blame me for him being taken?"

"N-No..." Gladio faltered. "But you're not his shield. My responsibility is different, it's just..." he sighed deeply.

"It's just that you hold yourself at a different level. This isn't healthy, Gladio. You need some rest, so we are ready when they get a break. If you don't blame the people who planned the defenses who were broken, then don't blame yourself." Ignis tried to explain. "If anything, I'm to blame for being too lax on the security for the event."

"Igs..." Gladio whispered softly. "I don't want you to blame yourself though... You were doing your best to prepare for this too."

Ignis pressed himself closer to Gladiolus. "If you don't blame yourself, then don't blame yourself. We have equal parts to his safety, Gladio. I tried so hard to make sure nothing could happen tonight, and I failed."

In a quick moment of vulnerability, Gladio wrapped his arms around Ignis. "Thanks Igs. I just wish that Prompto didn't get captured along with Noct. You know he isn't trained for this stuff. I think besides Noct, that's what worries me the most."

Ignis was quick to wrap his arms around Gladiolus to return the hug as tight. "Prompto... I imagine he's stronger than we think. I just- I know he is. He has secret levels of strength he never showed us, I'm beginning to learn."

"I guess so. I just wish we could know more already... I know my dad knows something I don't, but he won't tell me."

"If he doesn't want to tell you, then perhaps he doesn't wish to bring more hurt to you. I know there was another video brought here from the kidnappers, but it's been suppressed as soon as it was brought into the Citadel." Ignis explained.

"Another video?!" Gladio asked suddenly. "I didn't even know there was a first one!"

Ignis reached out to squeeze Gladio's arms in some comfort. "We didn't want to stress you. They've been giving their demands. The usual nonsense. They're anti-royalists. That's what we're up against. A major anti-royalist group."

"And what about Noct? Don't beat around the bush, I know how these demand videos go. Noct was definitely shown in the videos, right?"

"He was shown in the videos. From what I've been told, there's been a mild amount of physical torment, but," Ignis took a breath at this, "but, it seems they are focusing on more emotional torment for the videos."

"Fuck. They're trying to break him down..."

"Unfortunately," Ignis gave Gladiolus's arm a squeeze, "it seems their efforts are working. The latest video has shown a deterioration in the prince's mental capacity. He was unable to speak to the camera on direct command by his captors, though there was no punishment for this inability."

Gladio cursed again. "They're going to have to deal with me when they're brought in. Shaking up Noctis... I can only imagine. Did... Did you actually see the video?"

"Only for a brief moment before his majesty locked it down. It isn't pleasant."

With a sigh, Gladio moved to sit down. "They're probably using Prompto as leverage. That's the only thing I could think of that could actually get through to Noctis. You can't even make him care about his vegetables, but Prompto convinced him to eat that carrot cake once."

"I fear though, if they discover the depth of feeling he has for Prompto, that leverage will get even stronger. No one has seen or heard anything about Prompto since he was taken."

Gladio sighed. "And I doubt they'll show him in any videos until it's dire."

Ignis sighed and cleaned his glasses for a moment. "I imagine you're right. We will simply hope for the best. I had better reorder those cufflinks in preparation then."

"Cufflinks?"

"Ah, yes, I got distracted and didn't tell you. Prompto had a rather interesting set of cufflinks on his suit at the gala. Small, black crystal skulls."

Gladio raised an eyebrow. "So the princess is trying to be a bit more forward. Didn't work though, did it?"

"It's possible Prompto doesn't quite understand what the gift represents. He didn't learn all of this like we did." Ignis replied with a shrug. "But, I'd like to have a replacement set ready, so he can try again."

Gladio laughed slightly. "Should have figured that the two of them are still as thick as bricks. But... let's hope there'll be a chance for that."

"I had a small plan of just locking them in a closet if they didn't have it figured out about a year after high school. I'll have to amend those plans now."

"Yeah... probably best to find some other solution that doesn't involve locking them in a room."

Ignis snapped his fingers together, pulled out his notebook to jot down a note to himself. "Yes, there is a lot we will have to keep in mind when we get them back."

"Yeah... until then..." Gladio paused before lowering his head. "Thanks Ignis, for stopping me from losing myself tonight."

"You're welcome. We'll get through this together." Ignis got up so he could go on to his next task. "I'll call you if I hear about another video."

"Thanks," Gladio nodded.

All that was left was to get ready for sleep that night. Gladio had finally let his thoughts out, and he could feel his tiredness draining him.

"Night Iggy."

"Good night Gladio. Rest well." Ignis said before he left the room to help with the search.

AN: GG: And the guilt train keeps on chugging.