"Finally!" Prompto crowed, practically leaping from his seat in the Regalia and stretching with glee when his feet touched the ground. They had been in the car all day without breaks and Prompto was half-convinced he was going to go insane. Being in the car was boring, and gave him too much time to think with no way to take the edge off his energy. But they had finally, finally stopped for the day, just shy of sundown and about half a day's drive from Lestallum.
Not that he was excited to get to Lestallum or anything. Anxious? Yes. Excited. Nope, not at all excited to face Ardyn and possibly get killed, or not do a good enough job distracting him and compromising their absent friends.
But being in the car for that long, without talking or music or Noctis, even if he would have just slept the whole time, had been unbearable. At least if Noctis was sleeping, he could have cuddled up with him in the back and napped. But no, he'd been stuck in the front seat in the place of their other missing companion and forced to sit still in silence as both Ignis and Gladio brooded about the future, none of them able to come up with any solid plan to confront Ardyn other than to...confront him.
Of course, Prompto could have brooded right along with them, about his possible possession, the danger ahead, the worry about Jason and Noctis, blah, blah, blah...but honestly, he was tired of thinking about it. He was tired of being afraid and worried and anxious about stuff outside of his control, especially things that hadn't even happened yet.
He'd much rather think about—
About the night he'd shared with Ignis and Noctis, how he'd been able to indulge in fantasies he'd never even allowed himself to have, much less ever actually act upon. How it felt to be with them, to be loved as he'd never thought he'd be or even deserved. How his lower back still ached, something he'd finally allowed himself to enjoy after the stress of the morning, and how wonderful his body felt to be satisfied both physically and emotionally for the first time in his life.
Or maybe about how Jason's innate magic finally mingled with theirs, how he could now feel his presence no matter how far away he got, how comforting that was, like another beating heart beside Prompto's own, truly making Jason apart of their family after too long as an outsider despite every effort to make him feel welcome.
Or about the way Jason smiled at him in his dream, as if Prompto held the moon in the sky. How much he liked the feeling of being the protector for once rather than the protected, and how much he liked the trust in Jason's gaze before it all went to hell—
No, nope, not thinking about that now, no sir. Pleasant things only, or he was going to lose his marbles. Besides, Ignis and Gladio were brooding enough for the three of them, thanks.
Speaking of.
The two older men exited the car as well, both still as grim-faced as ever, not having responded to Prompto's exclamation in the least. Prompto almost rolled his eyes. Yeah, he got it, this was serious stuff, but brooding about it wasn't going to make the future any easier and less worrisome. They could feel that both Noctis and Jason were still safe and for the moment, that was enough for Prompto.
So it was time to do what Prompto did best. He spied the perfect target.
Numb legs finally coming back to life as he stretched, Prompto sidled up to Gladio's side and elbowed the distracted man, earning a raised brow. "Hey big guy, I challenge you to Justice Monsters Five! Winner takes all!" He pointed dramatically to the Kenny's across the road, grin wide and bright.
Gladio followed his gaze, a small smirk signifying his interest in the challenge. "Oh yeah? And what are the stakes?" He looked down his nose at Prompto as if the thought of himself losing was ludicrous.
Ignoring the unsaid jibe, Prompto fondled his chin seriously, delighted that he'd piqued his largest friend's interest. He glanced up at Gladio through his lashes, before flicking his gaze away. Hm. This might be a good chance to test the waters. Prompto remembered what Iggy said, about waiting for Gladio to come to them, but…
...No. Noctis wasn't here. It wouldn't be right.
"Winner gets the shower first, and one of the beds all to himself!" He said instead of his more sordid idea. Considering these old hotels barely had enough hot water for one decent shower, it was quite the prize.
"You're on," Gladio chuckled.
"I rather feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick," Ignis said dryly.
"Well, you could always compete too," Prompto said quickly, jumping on the opening.
"Challenging me to a game of strategy, Prompto? Most unwise."
Prompto decided he definitely liked the look in his lover's eye and rose to the challenge, a little thrill running down his spine despite the innocence of their proposed activity. It made him think of all sorts of other, less innocent things. "I wouldn't bet on that winning so fast if I were you. You're looking at the number one champion of Justice Monsters in all of Insomnia's central district! You don't stand a chance!"
"Why don't you put your gil where your mouth is, blondie?" Gladio drawled teasingly. "Besides, I bet you were competing against a bunch of kids."
I can think of a couple of other uses for my mouth, Prompto thought, biting back the flirtatious remark with an audible click of his teeth. He frowned a little. It was kind of annoying actually, now that he thought about it. He was used to flirting with Gladio, in jest. It was just a part of how the four of them worked, a part of Gladio's nature and something the three of them had long become accustomed to. The man had stopped abruptly when Noctis and Prompto had gotten together, but Prompto hadn't really noticed at the time since Gladio had continued to make lewd comments–only to Jason, he now realized. Now that he'd actually noticed, it was kind of like walking on eggshells trying to be patient and not push, as Ignis suggested.
Prompto didn't like it but he knew he couldn't flirt casually anymore, because now it wouldn't be in jest. Not only was the desire for Gladio to belong to them there but the actual hope that he would. The dynamic of their group had changed forever and...and what if Gladio started to withdraw from them more than he already had? What if he didn't ever want to be with them and-and-
"Prompto?" Ignis said, and Prompto started, realizing that he'd been spacing out for a few seconds.
"Uh, right! It was in high school, so I guess it was against a bunch of kids. But! Me and Noct have been keeping up since we graduated, so I can still beat you guys!" Prompto plastered his grin back on, deciding that he would need to think about this later. Right now, he needed to focus on the task at hand, which was to lift his friend's worries for a while. He could totally trounce these clowns. Ignis probably hadn't even touched a pinball machine in his life. How hard could it be?
Ignis and Gladio exchanged an amused smirk behind the blond's back as he bounced across the street towards the diner before following him inside. How hard indeed.
"Uuuuugh," Prompto groaned in dismay, flopping back on the dingy bed closest to the door. It protested with a loud creak and he sulkily ignored the exposed wire poking into his back. "How? How did I lose to both of you?" He pointed dramatically, jabbing his finger between the two smug men with as much accusation as he could muster. "You, sirs, are sharks, I say. Sharks!"
Two pairs of flashing canines answered the allegation and Prompto groaned again.
"That's 'cause we don't play with the kiddies," Gladio rumbled teasingly, throwing his duffle over his shoulder before sauntering into the bathroom with a saucy wink. The old door clicked softly behind him, the sound of water hitting the tiles filtering through moments later.
"Hrmph," Prompto complained, mourning the loss of a hot shower with probably more dramatics than it was worth. "Okay, I get how Gladio might have played the game before, but you, Ignis? I'm shocked."
Ignis hummed, rifling through his own duffle for his night clothes. "I wouldn't have, except Noctis wanted to learn how to play arcade games when he was a child and we used to sneak out into the city to do so."
Prompto gasped, sitting up on the bed in excitement. "Really? You guys did that? How come Noctis never told me!?" He could almost see it now—an excited little Noctis urging Ignis to sneak out of the castle with him, their little hands locked together as the more sensible Ignis, unable to resist his prince's charms, lead them carefully through the dark. Prompto's eyes shown imagining it. He wondered how it was Ignis learned how to play. Was he as strict as a kid as he was now? Maybe he was awkward in his super formal upbringing but determined to give Noctis some happiness, becoming the best at it just to see him smile? Or maybe he had genuinely enjoyed the pastime, which could be possible considering the competitive gleam in his eye when they'd played today.
"Most likely because he was upset I was better at it than him and he didn't want to tell his crush so," Ignis chuckled, pulling off his button-down and slipping on a t-shirt. It mussed his hair on the way down, and Prompto kind of wanted to run his fingers through it.
"Figures," Prompto groused, flopping back down, only to yelp when that exposed spring jabbed him in the back again. He frowned at it before eyeing the other bed. Hm, no springs there. Gladio may have won by a few points on them both and was going to get a bed by himself, but that didn't mean Prompto couldn't claim the bed he and Ignis would share.
With a happy grin, he bounced off his bed and flopped on the other, sighing contently as no nasty metal poked his skin. He wiggled down into the covers, content despite his disgruntlement. It wasn't like it was a hardship to share the bed with Ignis anyway, and besides, he was warm, full of unhealthy fast food, and he got to play with Ignis and Gladio for a while without having to worry about anything at all.
Tomorrow was going to be rough once they hit Lestallum but right now was pretty awesome, even if he did miss Noctis and Jason. Perking up, Prompto pulled out his phone and shot a quick text to Noctis.
How you doing, buddy? Hug a chocobo for me!
Fingers moving rapidly, Prompto switched over to Gladio's number.
Jason! Take a pic of Noct hugging a chocobo!
He dropped the phone beside his head and let his arms flop against the sheets. He didn't know if he would actually get an answer or not, but it still felt good to know that he could send a message to them at any time. With a small sigh, he closed his eyes and sought out their bonds, comforted by the steady thrum of magic against his own. He'd never really paid much attention to it before since they'd never really been separated this long, but since they'd parted ways, he'd been checking in constantly.
"What are you smiling about?" Ignis said, idly flipping a page in his book from the small easy chair across the room. Prompto cracked open an eye and his smirk grew, remembering Ignis lounging in a different chair not too long ago, only a little less clothed.
"Just that I'm actually kind of glad I lost, 'cause that means I get to cuddle with you tonight," Prompto said casually, though inside he was giddy with excitement that he could openly admit the things he'd always been longing for now that they were together. Though that wasn't exactly what he had been thinking about, it didn't make it any less true.
Ignis' brow twitched in amusement. "We cuddle every night, Prompto."
"Yeah, but not on a bed, " Prompto insisted as if that made some sort of difference. In his mind, it kind of did, because now they were an item. Besides, he was still a little upset that their 'morning after' had been interrupted by a panic attack via terrible prophetic dream. Now he would get a do-over! He'd have to make it up to Noctis next time he saw him, but for now…
Sidling off the bed, Prompto gave the bathroom door, and the running water behind it, a quick assessment to determine how much time he had before deciding that a few minutes was all he needed. Ignis watched as Prompto slipped around the other bed and walked up to him, the blond stopping between his parted knees. Prompto, putting his hands behind his back and widening his eyes innocently, said, "So, any room for me on that chair?"
There were a few seconds after Prompto made his inquiry where his heart stuttered a little nervously, playful expression freezing on his face when Ignis merely lifted a brow and didn't answer right away. Maybe he was being too forward? Noctis wasn't here, after all, and Prompto and Ignis hadn't exactly spent any time alone together with their new status, so...was this too fast? Maybe he should have just settled for cuddling later, or–
But his fears were unfounded. Ignis huffed a laugh at the younger man's beguiling smile, seeing right through it, and set his book aside in clear invitation. "I suppose I could make room."
"Don't mind if I do!" Prompto said happily, heart eased by the quick acceptance. Wedging his knees between Ignis' hips and the threadbare armrests, Prompto settled onto Ignis' lap and threw his arms over the brunette's shoulders. The chair was pretty small and it was certainly a tight fit, but Prompto made himself comfortable as Ignis easily rested his hands on his hips, sending a small tingle of warmth up Prompto's spine.
Prompto didn't do anything just yet, a little unsure despite his bold actions. Ignis wasn't like his usual casual encounters, or even like Noctis who knew exactly what he wanted from Prompto. Ignis had only just started considering him as a romantic partner. Sex was one thing, with the three of them and in the heat of the moment when emotions were running high, but this wasn't one of those times. Both of them were relaxed, tired after a long day's drive and their interrupted sleep that morning, and despite the little kernel of heat between them, there was no urgency or any real need to do anything about it.
Prompto kind of just wanted to kiss him. Maybe nuzzle.
Before he could make up his mind, Ignis ran a slow hand up his lower back, a soothing gesture that made Prompto melt a little. "How is your back? I noticed you were moving a little uncomfortably this morning," Ignis said gently, voice lowered in deference to their rather intimate closeness. Prompto sighed, relaxing into Ignis' hold and dropping his head onto his shoulder. He turned his head slightly, breathing in the other man's earthy scent. He decided he would just let Ignis lead at this point, giving up control completely until he knew better where he stood and what Ignis wanted. After all, he had already told Ignis he loved him. Now it was up to Ignis to decide how to proceed.
Prompto hummed happily at the soothing touch. "A little sore, but! Only in the best ways!"
The shoulder against Prompto's skin shifted a little as Ignis seemed to absorb the news. "Hm. Perhaps we shouldn't have been so hasty…"
Prompto did prefer a little more prep if he was going to bottom, that was true. Especially since Ignis was nothing to sniff at, size-wise, and it had been a year or so since he'd been on the receiving end, but– "It's okay!" Especially if he was going to keep petting Prompto like that. "We were kinda worked up, anyway."
"Prompto," Ignis said, stiffening a little. Prompto froze in response to the slight warning in the other man's voice, heart dropping like a stone to settle somewhere in his navel. Ignis nudged Prompto back and for a split second, Prompto was afraid he was going to call the whole thing off and shove him onto the floor. Oh, jeez, he messed it up, he should have kept his stupid mouth shut!
Of course no such thing happened. Ignis kept a firm hold on Prompto's lower back as he lifted the younger man's chin with a gentle hand, looking him in the eyes seriously. "Did I hurt you last night?"
Prompto blinked, confused. Ignis thought he hurt him? Yeah, it was a little rough, a little faster than what he usually preferred, but he hadn't been hurt. He'd been so worked up that he'd barely registered the pain, and it didn't even really bother him till later.
Ignis frowned deeper at Prompto's hesitation.
Prompto scrambled, not liking the look on Ignis' face at all. This is not what he had in mind when he'd come over here. He hadn't meant to make Ignis feel bad! He wanted him to feel good! He opened his mouth, a hundred hastily shantied reassurances on his tongue.
"Prompto. The truth. Please." Ignis interrupted, putting a finger on his lips to silence him before he could start stuttering out platitudes. Prompto shut up, eyes wide. "What we discussed about open communication must transfer to the bedroom as well. If something makes you uncomfortable, or you don't like it, please don't hesitate to tell us."
Prompto nodded slowly and Ignis' hand fell away, allowing him to speak. He didn't at first though, carefully considering his words this time so that he wouldn't upset Ignis further.
This situation...it was new to him. He'd never really had a lover who seemed so concerned about a little soreness, or really, what he wanted in bed. That's not to say his past lovers had been abusive or inconsiderate or anything like that, but Prompto was a giver. Always had been. He'd never been overly bothered about what got him off so much as what made his partners feel good, because he'd always just felt blessed that they'd wanted him at all. Sometimes that meant he went a little outside of his comfort zone, but being adventurous for someone he liked wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Truth be told, he'd been pretty overwhelmed when Ignis and Noctis double-teamed him, but not because he couldn't handle it physically, or anything like that. It was simply because he wasn't used to being the center of attention. What was a little bit of discomfort when two men he loved miraculously wanted him?
Even now, his instincts were fighting with him to give Ignis what he wanted to hear, instead of what Prompto really thought. But Ignis wanted an honest answer, serious expression leaving no room for misdirection.
Prompto wanted this to work. He really wanted this to work!
So, swallowing nervously, Prompto told the truth, hands shaking a little against the back of the chair.
"Um. It was really good! But, um, well there's no but , it was totally awesome, but–" he forced himself to continue, "I-I don't usually bottom, and I like a lot of prep…" he petered off, flushing hotly under Ignis' unerring gaze.
"I see," Ignis said softly, hands once more rubbing down Prompto's back reassuringly. His brows pinched together and his voice was laced with regret as he continued. "I apologize for my roughness, then. Our first time should not have been so hastily conceived, and had I been in my right mind I would have checked in with you." He grimaced. "No. That's no excuse. Let me make it up to you?"
Prompto was pretty sure he wouldn't have said anything other than 'yes, please, more,' even if Ignis had asked. "Iggy, I think you're overthinking this! I'm fine, it was really, really hot, and the ache is pretty much gone! I definitely would have told you if I really hated something!" Probably. Then again...it was Ignis and Noctis. There probably wasn't a lot he wouldn't do for them if they asked.
Ignis quirked a smile. "Perhaps, but promise me you'll tell us next time?"
Oh, Ignis. Prompto really shouldn't have been all that surprised that the man was so insufferably attentive. It warmed him deeply that Ignis was putting so much care into this, into him. "Okay," he said, though he didn't really see himself actually following through on that. There was no way he was going to interrupt Ignis or Noctis' pleasure with something as silly as minor discomfort. As far as Prompto was concerned, they could do whatever they pleased as long as he could keep their love. Ignis must have read something in Prompto's eyes, but before he could say anything, Prompto interrupted. "Can I kiss you?"
Ignis, perhaps sensing that Prompto was done with this conversation, acquiesced, tilting his head slightly in invitation and Prompto melted against him, reveling in the warm, dry press of Ignis' lips against his own. They moved slowly, carefully, feeling each other out as if it were the first time all over again. Maybe like it should have been the first time, had they not been so impatient. The kiss remained chaste and without the heat it might have held before, the serious conversation calming Prompto effectively and leaving only warmth and the desire for comfort.
Suddenly, Prompto was exhausted. With a quiet sigh, he ended the kiss and flopped his head onto Ignis' shoulder again, closing his heavy eyes. "Hm, I think my shower can wait till morning. I could pass out right here."
Ignis' chuckle vibrated through him. "There would probably be warm water in the morning."
"I call dibs," Prompto mumbled playfully, nuzzling into Ignis' neck.
"Not if I wake up first," Ignis rejoined, breath hitching a little as Prompto's lips brushed the sensitive skin beneath his ear, still taking in the quiet delight of being able to touch. After a few more seconds, Prompto pulled off with a regretful sigh, knowing if he stayed in Ignis' lap any longer he really would fall asleep and trap the poor man there. With a back cracking stretch and a wide yawn, Prompto made his way back to the bed and flopped down on it, cuddling beneath the covers. Behind him, the dry rustle of pages could be heard, Ignis having picked up his book and opened it to where he left off.
"Goodnight, love," Ignis said quietly, and Prompto smiled happily into his pillow at the endearment.
"'Night, Iggy."
Just as he was nodding off, Prompto's phone buzzed. He forced his eyes open with the last of his energy, checking the notifications and flicking open the text app.
Noctis passed out the second we hit the camper, so we didn't get to play with the chocobos. I can do you one better though ;) –Jase
A picture was attached, and Prompto snorted as he opened it, taking in the sight of Noctis indeed passed out on some sort of pull out couch. Jason crouched beside him, grinning into the camera and pointing at a tiny purple hair clip that held back the prince's raven bangs. It looked like they were having fun, and at the very least, hadn't killed each other. They were both filthy, though, and Jason had a cut on his cheek. Prompto wondered what they had gotten up to to be so banged up, but before he could ponder it much longer, his phone slipped from his fingers and he was fast asleep.
Ignis closed his book as Prompto's quiet snores began to fill the room, dropping the pretense of reading. He was concerned, and more than a little upset with himself.
He had been too eager to be with Noctis again, and too intoxicated by Prompto's forward nature, to realize that it was probably unwise to rush into a physical relationship when their status was so new. Now, Ignis wasn't necessarily a traditionalist, didn't put much stock into things like virginity or first times–not that Prompto was anything short of experienced–but when lovers slept together for the first time, it should definitely be with the intention of learning the other's likes, dislikes, limits, and desires. Ignis and Noctis needed no such exploration, both knowing the other inside out already, knew exactly how to drive the other insane with desire and when to pull back when things became too much. Prompto and Ignis did not have such an advantage, and he regretted not taking his time.
Ignis hated ambiguity.
But more troubling than that, and certainly more harmful in the long run, was Prompto's obvious reluctance to communicate when he wanted something or didn't like what was happening. Admittedly, Ignis' tastes could be...assertive. Somewhat a byproduct of molding himself to Noctis' more masochistic nature, to be sure, but Ignis suspected he'd always had the inclination. If he couldn't trust that Prompto would speak out when he needed him to, then it could be problematic. More than their bodies could be harmed in that kind of play.
Ignis believed that lovers should be able to give themselves to each other fully, without reservation, and if Prompto never let him know what his limits were...then Ignis would always live in the fear that he might harm him without knowing. He would forever have to hold part of himself back.
With a deep sigh, Ignis pinched the bridge of his nose, removing his glasses and setting them atop his book, loose hair fluttering into his eyes. No one said this was going to be easy, and if it was, it probably wouldn't be worth pursuing. He would just have to keep trying and hope that he could get through to Prompto someday. Their new dynamic was a fledgling at best, something to be nurtured and allowed to grow. It would just take time.
"You can come out now," Ignis said lowly without bothering to stop massaging his temple. The bathroom door creaked open, and Gladio filled the doorway, leaning one shoulder on the frame and crossing his legs at the ankles. His upper half was bared, only a towel around his neck to obscure his painted torso, a pair of loose pants hanging low about his hips. His hair was fluffed, half dry already with the amount of time he'd been standing in the bathroom, eavesdropping. Or perhaps he just didn't want to interrupt. Gladio had been rather enigmatic in the last few days, and Ignis found it a bit disconcerting.
"How much did you hear?"
Gladiolus shrugged. "Pretty much all of it." The tone may have seemed casual, but the subtle concern in his golden eyes gave him away.
Ignis couldn't bring himself to respond other than to heave another weary sigh. Prompto shifted on the bed with an incoherent mumble, and both men observed him until he settled back down.
"C'mon," Gladio whispered, making his way to the door and opening it quietly. A rush of warm wind suffused the room, momentarily relieving the stale cigarette smell permeating every corner of the rundown motel, and Ignis followed his long time friend out into the night air, closing the door gently behind him. Gladio leaned against the paint chipped wall and stared out into the night, unbothered by the flickering porch light illuminating them in a sickly green. Ignis joined him, lightly bumping their shoulders together.
For several minutes, Ignis basked in the silence of their quiet companionship, absorbing Gladio's calming presence and allowing himself to be soothed by it. It had been some time since the two of them had shared a moment like this and Ignis found himself almost nostalgic for the many quiet nights they'd shared in Gladio's uptown apartment, both preferring the cozy loft over the palace's drafty rooms. It hadn't always been so easy between them.
But no. Not easy. Not anymore. And Ignis was man enough to admit that that might be his doing.
"Prompto and Noctis are getting impatient, you know," Ignis started, voice almost swallowed by the hum of the night insects.
Gladio didn't quite scoff, but it was a close thing. "You three can't even figure out your own shit. Don't get greedy."
Ignis winced at the rejection, the sting of Gladio's words settling in his chest, somewhat alarmed by the defensiveness in them. "I'm aware." To invite Gladio now into something so fragile would be nothing short of disastrous. Still. Ignis missed his long time lover. His best friend.
Gladio had insisted that their relationship was temporary from the very start, calling it an 'arrangement', convinced that Ignis would reconcile with Noctis in the end and leave him. Ignis had always thought that a somewhat cold assessment and never actually believed that he would do such a thing, even if Noctis' forgiveness had ever been possible. In the beginning, it was even understandable, because both of them had come from broken relationships that, at the time, neither thought they'd ever truly recover from. But they had. And though they'd never verbally assigned a label to it, Ignis thought their relationship had changed to something more concrete, something real.
But then Noctis had forgiven him and Ignis had done exactly as Gladio feared, even if it wasn't strictly intentional, proving Gladio right in keeping Ignis at arm's length from his heart.
Ignis grit his teeth in frustration. He didn't like how all this was going. It wasn't right. They should have had years to figure this all out, to come together naturally as Ignis was starting to see the potential for. And yet, they no longer truly had that choice, events, tragedies and unlikely prophecies making them feel as though they needed to rush about like fumbling fawns, treading on each other with sharp, clumsy hooves, heedless of the hurts they caused to keep themselves upright. The solid foundation of his and Gladio's relationship from which he'd accepted Prompto and Noctis' affections seemed to crumble beneath him, and Ignis was starting to realize that it may have never been there in the first place.
Suddenly, though their shoulders were touching, it felt as though a door of solid steel slammed shut between them, cutting Ignis off from Gladio's familiar warmth and leaving him bereft of the support he'd become so accustomed to in the past few years.
The support he had taken for granted.
Ignis had messed up. Badly. He had thought that their relationship was such that they didn't need words to communicate anymore, simply because he hadn't sensed any jealousy from Gladio. He had assumed that Gladio understood his intentions and approved of them.
How wrong he had been. Just because there was no jealousy didn't mean that something else wasn't driving Gladio away.
How could he just assume Gladio would be okay with all of this? What did he think, that Gladio would just accept that Ignis had reconciled with Noctis? But he had assumed that, hadn't he? Somewhere deep in his heart, he had thought that he wouldn't lose him because of it. He'd thought their friendship strong enough to survive anything. He'd also assumed, in his foolishness, that Gladio would simply accept the two new lovers in their dynamic, not step away. Even when that happened, he'd only thought that Gladio was giving Ignis space to figure out how they would all fit together.
But in Ignis' arrogance, he hadn't considered that when Gladio took that step, it meant he was leaving him. Something had changed, something Ignis had missed in his distraction. He needed to fix it. Now. Before it was too late.
"Gladio, I–"
"I asked Jason out last night," Gladio interrupted, his head resting against the wall with a solid thunk as he spoke to the sky.
The steel door between them locked with a click of finality, it's mournful echoes reverberating in the sudden cavern that opened up in Ignis' chest.
Several heavy moments passed between them as Ignis held perfectly still. Thoughts rushed through his head like a hurricane, an outward calm masking the maelstrom inside.
Gladio had asked Jason out.
A man he barely knew.
Why?
Ignis wasn't blind. He'd seen Gladio's attraction to the young man, seen the admiration for his strength and will and form. It was an attraction Ignis himself shared. But this was sudden, too sudden. Ignis had barely acknowledged that their relationship might be in danger, and Gladio hadn't even spoken about this with Ignis before going ahead with it.
But you did the same thing, didn't you, he thought, the notion stabbing him like a knife to the heart. His arms tightened imperceptibly across his chest as if he could physically hold himself together. Whether he'd actually slept with Noctis and Prompto that first night or not, he'd initiated a relationship behind Gladio's back. Was this his recompense? "I see," was all Ignis could manage, eyes locked on the cracked concrete beneath his bare feet, seeing, in fact, nothing at all.
Gladiolus finally moved away and Ignis was infused with ice, even as the warm air made sweat raise on his skin. "I'm sorry, Ignis," he said quietly, stepping around his former lover and heading for the room.
This had to be some cruel, twisted joke. Ignis gained back his first love, found another, only to lose his best friend and closest confidant because of his own blindness, and he hadn't even lost his eyes yet! All this talk about communication, a farce. Ignis had learned nothing. The same damn mistakes that had lost him Noctis were happening again, thinking he had understood what the other wanted without seeing the truth. And now he was letting Gladio walk away, just as he did back then.
NO.
Ignis grabbed Gladiolus' arm, stopping the man from taking one more step. Gladio's muscles were tense beneath Ignis' fingers, skin overly warm and slick to the touch, but Ignis did not let up on his grip in the slightest.
Gladiolus didn't look at him, staring resolutely forward with a deep growl in his voice. "Let me go."
"No." Ignis said just as coldly. "I refuse. I'm never letting you go again."
"You don't have that right anymore."
"Don't give me that bullshit," Ignis growled just as fiercely, the uncharacteristic curse word feeling bitter on his tongue, but satisfying in the way that Gladio's eyes widened. "I have tolerated this foolishness long enough. You were never just some sort of–of replacement to me, Gladiolus Amicitia, and you damn well know it." He spun Gladio around and got in his face, meeting his fiery gaze and matching the threat in those deep golds with his own. "I may have misstepped when I accepted Noctis and Prompto without speaking with you first, but you are not blameless in this."
"What the hell have I done?" Gladio snarled, ripping his arm from Ignis' grip.
Ignis would not be cowed, palms tingling at his sides, magic responding to his anger and fire licking at his fingertips. "From the beginning you've spouted nonsense about an 'arrangement' as if I were simply using you like a common whore to get over my broken heart. I let you have that delusion because I thought you needed that protection after the failure of your previous relationship, but that isn't it, is it? Something else has you tied up in knots, and so help me Gladiolus, you will tell me now or I will make you!"
Gladio's voice went deadly quiet. "What are you going to do, Ignis? Stab me? Set me on fire?"
"I just might!" When the steel bars behind Gladio's gaze refused to waver, Ignis took a step back, forcing himself to take a deep breath and dispel the sparks at his fingertips. In as reasonable a tone as he could manage, he said, "Gladio, I don't want to fight you. But I won't lose you over this either. I know you love Noctis, and more than likely Prompto as well. Whatever errors I have made, that has not changed." His hazel gaze softened. "Nor has my regard for you diminished. Please, tell me what it is that has broken us so I can–"
Ignis' voice cracked and he fell silent, gritting his teeth around the lump strangling his throat. He tried to keep his words steady, but losing Gladio wasn't an option and he feared what it would do to him if Gladio decided that he was no longer worth the trouble. This was the man who had pulled Ignis back from the brink of death, quite frankly, and the one who had pieced together all the broken edges of his heart so that he even could love again. It hadn't been easy to let Gladio make light of their relationship and watch him flirt with everyone that momentarily caught his fancy, but Ignis had done it because he'd thought that ultimately Gladio would choose him, just as Ignis had chosen Gladio. Now he saw that perhaps being patient and waiting might have allowed the chance for something real to slip through his fingers.
That small unintentional display of weakness more than anything else finally got through to Gladio, his shuttered eyes widening in alarm, then realization. He stepped down from his aggressive stance as if burned. "Ignis–fuck. I'm being a complete bastard, aren't I?" he said chagrined, running an exhausted hand over his face.
"To put it mildly," Ignis responded, words wavering even as he tried to control them. "Please, Gladio, I'm not her. It was never my intention to abandon you from the start, and I thought I'd proven that to you." He hadn't meant that at all. He'd fully intended to see the four of them together the second Noctis had forgiven him, and it was never his intention to leave Gladio in the dust, even if Gladio had never brought himself to verbally acknowledge what they shared. He should have been clearer but he thought it had been obvious. He'd thought Gladio had understood.
Gladio was already backpedaling, denying Ignis' words. "Shit–no, I...Ignis, I got over that a long time ago. This isn't about the past, or even you. It's about-fuck–it's about Noctis." He ran both his hands through his hair, refusing to look Ignis in the eye.
"Noctis," Ignis said flatly. He can't say he was expecting that, and quite suddenly he found himself thrown off once again. "What about Noctis?" He switched tracks, shifting his perspective entirely. Had he misread Gladio's affection? Did he not love Noctis that way after all? Or maybe he disapproved of Ignis pursuing Noctis in the first place. It wasn't forbidden for a prince or even a king to love his advisor, but it was certainly frowned upon in some circles.
No, that didn't seem right. He'd never expressed disapproval of this before now. What's changed? What was Ignis missing?
Something was truly distressing Gladio and Ignis was dismayed that Gladio had been letting whatever this was eat away inside of him without ever unburdening himself to his supposed best friend. But maybe he hadn't been that to Gladio lately, because how could he have missed this? He was starting to get the feeling that this wasn't about their romantic entanglements at all, rather something else entirely that was tearing the larger man apart.
"Gladio…"
Gladio took a deep breath. "He dies, Iggy. Noctis. Dies. And I live."
The night bugs chirped and buzzed as the dim porch light flickered above them. Neither man moved. Somewhere far away in the dark, a daemon roared, it's sorrowful cries echoing hauntingly through the hills.
"...That hasn't happened yet," Ignis said, finally.
Abruptly, Gladio burst into motion, spinning away from Ignis and glaring into the night, shoulders hunched against his fears. "But it might. And in some reality it already has. What if I'm not strong enough Iggy? What if I let it happen because I was too weak?"
With an imperceptible sigh, relief suffusing him even as it was tinged with empathy for Gladio's pain, Ignis stepped forward and rested his forehead against Gladio's shoulder blades. Gladio's hair, still damp from his shower, tickled his skin as he drew close. It was so unlike Gladio to show vulnerability like this, and it hurt to see him doubt himself this way, but Ignis couldn't help but be relieved that he hadn't been shut out, not really. "You aren't the only one who might fail him, Gladio. This isn't just on you." They all had this fear. In Jason's potential future, every one of them had to carry the burden of that failure. But Gladio seemed to be taking it the hardest of all, enough so that he would push them all away.
"I'm his Shield." Gladio's voice returned to normal, almost flat in the admission, but Ignis could feel his shoulders relax.
"...And you think that you can't allow yourself to love him because of what might come to pass?" It probably wasn't just Noctis they were speaking about anymore. Gladio had been the only one in their potential future that had come out unscathed. But he had to see that he couldn't take on this burden on his own. They were more than just individuals, fighting alone in the dark. They always had been, even before they'd met.
Gladio's silence was telling, so Ignis lightly tapped the back of his hand against Gladio's spine affectionately.
"Come now, Gladio. You and I both know that it is well beyond the point where professional detachment would have aided in protecting the prince. Whether you want to admit it or not, you've overstepped those bounds long ago. To pull away from him now would only harm him." It harm us all, went unsaid. "You can't blame yourself for what hasn't even happened and may never now that we are on the path to change our fates. You can't let fear hold you back in this now because it is much, much too late." Why deny themselves the comfort of companionship just because of what might happen, of something that they know is coming and have been given the chance to change? If Gladio believed that rejecting all of them would protect them somehow, then he was a fool. "Fool," he said, because it bore repeating as many times as it takes.
Surprisingly, Gladio grunted out a laugh, the sentiment morphing into a full-blown chuckle, finally easing the tension that had been festering between them for days. He leaned into Ignis' smaller frame, drawing strength from him, and the fist with a stranglehold around Ignis' lungs released ever so slightly. "You know, you're the second person who's told me that."
"Oh?" Ignis said, smiling into Gladio's shoulder. He hadn't lost his friend. Not this time.
"Hn. Yeah. I think his exact words were 'that is the biggest load of bullshit I've ever heard.'"
"At least one of us has some sense, then."
"He called me blind."
"Deservedly so, it would seem." Reluctantly, Ignis took a step back, allowing Gladio to face him again. "You really are serious about pursuing Jason, aren't you."
For a few moments, Gladio didn't answer, just resuming his position against the wall. Ignis waited patiently. "...Yeah. I am."
"This isn't because of your fears about the future, or because I went behind your back?"
"No, Iggy," Gladio sighed. "I like him. I know we've barely gotten to know each other, but...I'm just drawn to him, y'know?" A shadow of his usual wolfish grin graced his face for a moment. "And it ain't just because he's pretty."
Ignis' mouth twitched in amusement despite the aching disappointment growing behind his sternum. "No, I imagine not. I know what it is you see in him." He paused. "Gladio, I'm not going to give up on you, and you know as well as I that neither will Noctis and Prompto."
Gladio hummed and said again, "Greedy."
"It isn't greed. Whether you deny it or not, you have been a part of our hearts from the very beginning. I will not allow this to be the end."
"I'm not giving up on Jason, either," Gladio said firmly. "Things have changed whether we like it or not, Iggy. I'm not abandoning my King, I'm not abandoning you, and I will always be your friend. But for now, that's all I can give."
Gladio seemed unyielding in this and Ignis conceded with reluctance that this might not be the time to push. Gladio's attachment to Jason had complicated things and where he would have gotten through to him before Gladio made such an impulsive decision, it was now clear that the man would not be swayed.
That didn't mean that Ignis was going to give up. He could see it vividly in his mind's eye, the future he wanted, that they wanted, and he would do his damndest to see it through. He would figure this out, just as he would the dark fate that they fought to change.
But for right now, he held onto their friendship, and that would have to be enough in the coming days. With so much riding on how the next day would play out, Ignis would not risk fracturing them further, not until he was sure he could put them all back together in the proper order.
"...Alright. I understand. But Gladio–" Ignis grabbed his bicep again before he could retreat into the room. Gladio paused, avoiding his gaze. "When the others return and the Archeon still sleeps, we will speak of this again." He said it with absolute conviction. Ignis would prove to Gladio that his fears were unfounded, that they would succeed. They had to. And then he would see that his flimsy excuses wouldn't hold water.
"Goodnight, Ignis," Gladio merely said, gently breaking his hold and stepping back into the dark hotel room.
Ignis did not join him for a long time.
AN: Next Chapter: Ardyn greets and old friend and poor Prompto doesn't know what the hell's going on.
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