(F)AN: Again, thank you so much Elillierose for beta reading this! ^^ Everyone, you should check Elillierose's stories out! That's some awesome writing right there, I'm a fan. And what a great beta!

Oh goshes, guys! You've made me so happy! All your kind feedback and likes - I've been smiling like crazy reading them. I'm so happy you're liking my story so far. :3

Oh, and listen to that Dynazty song! I find the lyrics to be a cherry topping to this... disaster-ready-to-unfold.

Join in on a grand expedition

A trip through my contradiction

Complex, diverse I guarantee

Your chance to be all you can be

I'm letting my nature talk

It's the only way I will walk

Life roars when given room to breathe

Let's break the laws of you and me

. .

Can you really tell me what is right or wrong

When they're two sides of the same coin

Viewed in different ways

The Human Paradox

Step right into pandemonium

Welcome to my delirium

My Human Paradox

The Human Paradox

~ Dynazty - Human Paradox

Noctis' world crystallized for a fraction of a second as he reappeared a good distance from his friends. He glanced behind him, and saw Prompto's figure moving in the distance, and regret blossomed to bloom alongside his rage. Prompto hadn't deserved that. 'Just my luck, huh?'

He watched as the figure retreated out of his sight and sighed. He would apologize to him, later. And Noct knew Prompto would accept it, he always did, no matter how wrongly he had been treated. Sometimes Noct wanted to tell him he should value himself more. He shouldn't just take everything people threw at him. He deserved to be treated with more respect than that.

With a frustrated sigh and a shake of his head Noctis went to slump down at the bank of a small pond. The cloudy bluish green surface was tinted in reds and oranges as the setting sun painted the world in autumn colors. Smirking to himself, the young man snatched a small stone and flung it. It made three beautiful jumps before it went under with a small splosh. He gazed mindlessly how the ripples collided on the surface, two opposing energies, clashing and pushing through one another.

Ironic.

'You left him an easy target. Tell me how this isn't your fault.' The words Gladio had spat at him rang in his head like a broken record, and he couldn't shake the image of Ignis' torn shoulder. 'Your fault.'

A bile rose to his mouth at the vision and he tried to gulp it down. Nevertheless it left his mouth tasting like acid and the disgust of it brought water behind his eyes.

Why of all people did it have to be Ignis?! Watching the man as he was now, a shadow of himself, was prolonged torture in itself. The Ignis he knew was, and always had been his one true mainstay. Now seeing him so helpless and yet striving to appear in control left behind an unsettlement Noctis wasn't ready to deal with. He had already lost so much: his father, his home, his love... It was now if ever that Noctis would have needed the adviser's support. But instead he felt like he had lost Ignis, too. The way he was now… Noct breathed a shaking gasp of mortification. It was a horrible thing to admit, but the tables had turned. He couldn't count on Ignis anymore. Now it was Ignis who was counting on him. Counting on the prince to rise up to meet his fate, reclaim what was rightfully his and bring the balance back to the world. 'No pressure,' Noctis thought with a mirthless chuckle.

Blindly feeling about the ground around him he picked up another small piece and tossed it across the pond. It didn't bounce, not even close; it sunk with a small plop, a few drops splashing to his face. He wiped it off with a disgusted grimace.

The same disgust he had seen on Gladio's face as the shield had told him to scram. His fist clenched. How could Gladio do this to him?! He felt like a captain with a mutinous first mate. And simultaneously he knew he deserved nothing less. He had failed them, and he had failed himself. Gladio might have been a bastard about it, but he was right. Some" king" he was. Defiled and cast aside, incapable of protecting even the few who really mattered to him, so how was he supposed to protect the masses? It felt like such a joke.

And yet it was the only road he had to walk. There was no-one else. And he wanted to! Heavens, he wanted to. The rage and loathe towards the Empire, towards the men who had taken everything from him burned inside like an inferno. He wanted nothing more than to see them perish, deliver his justice in crimson rivers.

But he couldn't do it alone.

He needed them. He needed to know they stood beside him, no matter what. But what exactly were they fighting for? The young man had never realized it but all his life he had taken them for granted. His friends were in this for him. 'For their king,' he thought with a gulp. They were his Kingsglaive now. But would they still follow a king that would lead them on a one-way trip?

He knew he had no choice. There was only one fate for him. Take back his throne, or die trying. But – the young man breathed a shaky sob – it was so hard! He felt like the weight of it all was crushing him. He was rising against an entire empire. Just the mere thought seemed inconceivable. And yet here he was. He chuckled darkly as he called a dagger and twirled it around. The gods' blessing, huh? 'Blessing my ass!' he thought. 'The returns counter, please. I'd like to file a complaint.'

Shaking his head sadly he let the dagger vanish and cast his eyes at the darkening sky. He wondered if Ignis was alright. His anger had subsided into grief and regret, and the iron band was firmly in place around his heart again. He felt so guilty. As he gazed upon the first evening stars, he promised himself never again. Never again would anyone dear to him suffer because of his poor judgment. Because of his stupidity. He didn't dare let the 'what ifs' enter his mind. He couldn't live with himself if Ignis died of his wound. Because then it would have been the same as if Noctis had killed him himself.

He was snapped out of it as he felt a lone tear streaking down his cheek. Gulping back the treacherous moisture behind his eyes, he went to hastily wipe it off and begrudgingly pushed himself up. His eyes again went over the small water and he gazed at it with dark seriousness in his expression. He would have to get back eventually. Might as well try and catch something for dinner. He gulped a little at the idea of facing Gladio. It wouldn't hurt to have a peace offering.

With a swish the lure plunged deep into the murky waters and Noct started to reel it with a slow pace. Soon the small weight was back and he cast it again, slightly to the side from his first try. After a few wasted attempts he huffed a little in frustration. "C'mon! All I'm asking for is one bite," he chuckled humorlessly. Maybe these grown and stale waters didn't even have fish in them. Or if they did, the scale thingies sure were picky. After a couple of dozen wasted attempts he was about ready to call it quits, but then he heard the distinctive splash of a fish from amongst the reeds in the low water.

"Found you," he smirked in the thickening darkness. He cast the lure close to the reedy low, and this time the third time was the charm. The fish did put up a little bit of a fight, but with a genuine smile Noct soon pulled out a decent-sized bass. Encouraged, he cast again but for the longest while he didn't get even a nibble.

Suddenly he froze and a cold shiver ran down his spine as he heard rustling of the ground approaching him. Shit! It had been a sucky idea to stay alone after dark! Spinning around in a whirl he dismissed his rod and called out his daggers instead, ready to fight and flee. He relaxed his posture and let the daggers disappear immediately as the familiar face greeted him with a shy smirk.

"Prom?"

Prompto stretched his arms up over his head as he casually stepped closer. However, the blond glanced around restlessly, and Noctis noted that he seemed reluctant to look at him. The shame for shouting at him stung him again.

"So he's alive," Prompto smirked at him, but it was a little timid. Noctis hated how his friend felt like he had to tiptoe around him.

"Yeah." Feeling awkward, Noctis, too, averted his gaze and scratched the back of his neck.

"That's good. I wouldn't have wanted to come and find a corpse."

"I guess I forgot about the time."

Prompto's eyebrows rose in silent question, then he noted the fish in the grass, and his expression brightened as he dropped to crouch to inspect his catch. "Nice work, dude! You caught dinner!" Not knowing what to say, the prince simply smiled shyly.

"Yeah, thanks, I guess." Hesitantly, Noctis glanced around a little. He had to say it, and he had to say it now. But the words again refused to come to him. Why was this so difficult?! "Listen, Prompto…I..." Not rising, the blond simply looked at him, question and expectation in his eyes. To Noctis, the gesture seemed almost vulnerable. "Sorry for shouting at you."

The sky blue of Prompto's eyes brightened and an inkling of a smile rose to his face. He pushed himself up. "Nah, no worries," he said with a grin in his voice. Noctis shook his head in shame. He was let off too easy. Again.

"I'm a douche," the prince chuckled in shame and shook his head.

"Dude. Word," Prompto grinned at him and offered his fist. "So, we cool?"

"Definitely!" They fist-bumped and joked around a little before Noctis got serious again.

"How is he?" There was no need to specify.

"He's good, he's awake. And judging from the earful he gave Gladio just now, I'd say he's pretty much his good ol' grumpy self. He gave the big guy's ass a living hell!" The other chuckled at the mental image as immense relief washed over him.

"We should probably head back."

"Dude, no kiddin'! Don't know about you but I don't wanna spend another minute here as a walking buffet. No, sir! Nuh-uh!" Prompto heralded as he spun around to get back.

As he watched his friend's distancing back, Noctis couldn't help but smile. He was so lucky to have a friend like Prompto. He was one of those people who bring out the best in others. He had brought Noctis around in less than ten words and a smile, just by being there. He needed Ignis and he needed Gladio, but he also needed Prompto. He'd lose himself if it wasn't for all of them.

"The last at the camp is a scabby imp!" Prompto hollered at him over his shoulder and sprinted. Smirking, Noctis let him enjoy his short lead – before warping to appear ten yards ahead of him and dashing off ahead. "Hey! Not fair!"

"Better run faster, scabby imp," he laughed as he neared the campfire ahead of them.

The big man was sitting shirtless by the flames with a piece of wood in his hand. Ignis was laying on a camping mattress, seemingly asleep, his injured shoulder propped to rest on Gladio's folded jacket. Noctis noted with a grimace that he looked pained in his rest, and the sweat-sheened face was pale.

Gladiolus only glanced at their direction as Noctis trotted into the light, followed not far behind by a lightly panting Prompto. He didn't say anything, but the deepening frown on his face told Noctis enough. He needed to tread carefully.

"Hey." The brunet simply grunted as an answer and gave a small jerk of his head. Prompto moved to stand somewhat to the side but still between them, arms crossed over his chest, eyeing them both expectantly. The young man hesitated for a moment before he put the fish out to offer. "We should cook it before it spoils."

Dark eyebrows rose a little and the amber eyes shifted between the prince and the fish. After an eternity he grunted, "Good job. Put it on a stick and let it roast. We'll share." He said no more as he turned his eyes back to the fire, but to Noctis even that felt like a way point. Gladio's voice had been sincere if a bit awkward, but to him, that was enough. For now they had a truce. With a nod he went to do as he was told – summoning a spear and sticking the fish into it he supported his makeshift roasting stick over the fire. He noticed Gladio eyeing him with a mixed expression of amusement and disapproval.

"You really have no respect for weaponry, do you?" the big man grunted with a small smirk. Noctis simply shrugged.

"It always comes back anew."

"Is everything a game to you?"

"Not everything," he stated as he sat down onto a log by the fire. "How is he?"

"What do you think? He damn near had his tendons severed," the disapproval was back in the dark man's tone. Noctis wasn't willing to put up with that anymore.

"Don't talk to me like a child. Tell me straight," he demanded, his tone turning into a near-snarl again.

Snorting, Gladio gave him a look but sighed in frustration and said, "He's in a lot more pain than he lets out, alright. There's only so much potions can do for him. It's probably gonna be at least another day or two before he walks."

The others' eyes widened, and Prompto let out a small gasp. "But he was just fine!" the gunslinger burst.

"Yeah well, just count on Iggy to always put up the brave front."

They all fell silent, looking everywhere but at each other as the words sunk in. Prompto fidgeted in the ground, nervously shifting his position. Noctis had his eyes glued onto the fire and his hair hid his expression. Gladiolus grunted as he got up to wander further from the camp, muttering something about taking a leak as he went. The tension was so thick they all could taste it. It tasted like copper and rot.

Noctis was so deep in his thoughts it didn't immediately register that Prompto was muttering to himself. Glancing at his direction, the storm eyes widened slightly. Prompto was hugging his knees to his chest, had his eyes downcast and was rocking himself back and forth a little. From the midst of it, Noctis could make out "gonna be alright". For some reason it made him feel anxious.

"Prompto?"

It was like the blond had snapped out of it. His back straightened with a startled gasp, he let his legs unfold and, realizing he had been caught, went to scratch his head in embarrassment. "Uh, sorry." Noctis simply shook his head.

"Don't be. What's up, Prom?"

The blond looked uncomfortable. "Oh, nothing. Don't worry about me." Noctis made a face.

"It's obviously not nothing. Talk to me, man. What's wrong?"

Prompto shook his head and avoided his eyes. "It's… it's stupid. I just..." He fell silent, reluctant to continue. The sky blue glanced at the storm tone, saw the expectation, and Prompto's voice was hesitant. "I'm just scared. You know, for Iggy. You guys are pretty much all I've ever had."

It was obviously difficult for Prompto to say these things, and Noctis' face softened. "Iggy's gonna be fine."

"No, he isn't." Noctis blinked at the gravity of his tone. "He's never gonna be the same, Noct."

Noctis felt his heart plummet. He was about to say something but it caught into his throat as Gladiolus' sturdy figure and inquisitor-like eyes strayed back into the circle of light.

"What's going on?" the shield asked as his eyes went from the flushed and fidgeting blond to the prince.

Ignoring the tone, Noctis rose to challenge him. "You took your time."

"Excuse me for wanting to take care of my business in private."

"Too much info!"

"Then stop asking."

Shaking his head Noctis went to check on the fish. He stole a glance at Prompto, who had his eyes downcast and a faint blush on his face, but the traces of panic were gone. Secretly happy about that he took a look at their small meal. The fish was done, and they split it up and ate in uncomfortable silence. Every once in a while someone tried to start up a conversation or make a comment about the meal – "Tastes like parched leather." – but each attempt died quickly. Occasionally someone played King's Knight or trained with his weapons a little, but it was painfully clear that everybody was just trying to kill time. Waiting for the night to be able to escape the tension into sleep.

The fire had reduced into embers when Gladiolus finally stretched and said,

"You two should head for bed. I'm taking the first watch." Without another word he gestured them to go and went to gather their potions.

"No, you go," Noctis offered. "I'll take the watch."

Gladio cast him a stern glare. "Iggy's wound has to be tended to. Do you have any idea about that?" Taken aback by the tone, the younger man hesitated. "That's what I thought. You go to bed. I'll take the watch." Almost like a calculated killing blow, Gladio added insult to injury, "You've done enough for today."

It hit him, hit and sank. Struck speechless at the sheer cruelty of Gladio's words, he was left staring in mortified awe. He felt a hand on his shoulder and Prompto urging him to never mind Gladio and coming to bed. Seeing he had already lost, he gave up and turned to follow Prompto to get settled for some sleep.

Later he laid awake, listening to the steady puffs of the gunslinger's breaths. He had heard Gladio moving around outside, and he heard murmured voices, one low and resentful, the other pained and intermittent. Every now and then he heard clearly the pained sounds leaving the adviser. He made out his name, could guess what was being said. With a sad sigh he was left staring at the tent's roof and wondering if Gladio would ever forgive him.

AN2: Btw, did anyone else go like, "Ooooh, burn!" when Noctis is like "no-one is never going to suffer because of my stupidity ever again"?! :D Like, one week later... :D