Gladiolus

The training hall is wide, tall, and quiet, save for Gladio's grunts. "Where is that prince at anyway…" He sighed and sat down. Why was he inside? The weather is perfect outside.

"Heads up!" He looked up and a dagger was coming straight for him. He grabbed it and tossed it back.

"Ah man. I hoped that you would dodge or something, not catch it." Noctis faked a pout. "Oh please. You really think a dagger would scare me?"

"Yes. If it's poison." Noctis smirked and Gladio wasted no time in knocking him down. "Ow. No warning?"

"Enemies never give you a warning." Gladio was stern. "Yet they always shout before the attack." he helped him up. "Only in your comics." Gladio slapped his back. "Now ten laps running and teleporting."

"Are you mad?" Noctis sighed. He started the laps since Gladio wasn't budging. Once the long painful laps were done Noctis collapsed on the ground.

"Get up. You're not done yet." Gladio kicked his boot. "Ugh but I am." He stayed down. "Come on. At least battle me one time before you call it quits." Gladio grabbed his arm and pulled him up. Gladio wanted to go straight to the sparring match. He knew it was strange considering that he always wanted Noctis to have a full warm up. But something was telling him, since Noctis came into the hall, this is it. Final round.

"Fine fine." Noctis wasted no time in summoning his sword. He went in for the first attack, which was successfully blocked on Gladio's end. He striked again and landed a hit. "Alright!" Noctis' party was a second too long as Gladio knocked him into the wall. "Ow." He didn't get up.

"Oh come on I didn't even hit you that hard."

"I know I know." he sat up and heaved a heavy sigh.

"So. Think Iris will be mad at me?" Noctis asked after a long pause. "That's sort of random… Well depends." he answered.

"Think she'll be mad if I don't come home?" he asked. "Very." Gladio didn't hesitate. He knew what that was like first hand. One day he was late and forgot to phone home, and she was pissed. He slightly laughed at the memory. "That Bad?" Noctis turned to him. "For you yes. Me, hell." Gladio wasn't feeling the same aura as he usually felt around Noct. This one was somber.

"Tell her I'm sorry." He smiled.

"What for? You're home." Gladio gestured towards the hall, noticing last minute that is was dark. Noctis stood up and dusted himself off. When did it get so late?

"Thanks for a long sparring match, even though I lost and quit halfway through.

"Hang on. There's no way the day ended that fast." Gladio was getting suspicious, but Noct shrugged off everything. Gladio's strange looks, his questioning stares, and slurs of words.

"Hey Gladio. Do me a favor?" Noctis took out a small stuffed chocobo.

"Give this to Iris the next time you see her. Also." Noctis summoned a giant sword. He stumbled as he tried to catch it. When he straightened up he laughed sheepishly.

"I'm weak I know." he looked at the sword again.

"You know. I couldn't think of a gift for you… I knew it would've been terrible if everyone got a gift but you."

"What for? I don't need one."

"You do. You worked so hard, and in the end you couldn't keep me from dying. Take it was my apology." When Noctis lifted the sword Gladio saw him change. He matured, his hair shaggy, and his face full of stubble.

"I don't know what else to say to you. You've outdone yourself… Even found yourself a girlfriend before Prompto…" Noctis trailed off. "Can you promise me something Gladio?" giving him a thoughtful look, Gladio's heart sank.

"Take care of everyone for me. Give them hope. That's something you're good at." Gladio held out his hand and grasped the sword on tight, but didn't want to let go.

"Walk tall… Gladio and.. Thank you. For everything." Noctis faded away as everything changed. The tall room began to fall apart. Leaving Gladio in dust.

Gladio took his time sitting up. He sat in his bed for what felt like hours. Did he dream of Noct? Did he miss him that much? Getting out of bed, Gladio felt a heavy pull. It was familiar yet foreign. He held his arm out and the same giant sword from his dreams appeared. It was the usual two handed sword, but this one was engraved. In the the blade, the term, "Walk Tall" was there clear as day.

"Gladio! We need- whoa. Nice sword big guy." Prompto took note of Gladio's torn expression. "You ok?"

"Noct…"

"He visited you too? Funny. Iris said she heard him tell her to see you, but she's busy so she sent me." Gladio turned to his bed. In it was the small stuffed chocobo.

"Bro did he leave you this too?"

"Why…" Gladio glared at the sword. He didn't want it. It was a sign of failure. He didn't protect the King like he was supposed to. He let him die. He-

"Earth to Gladio!" Prompto waved a hand in front of his face. Gladio sighed and the sword vanished.

"Noct left everyone something y'know. He never seemed like the kind of guy, but.. I guess he thought it was better than what he left off with at the citadel." Prompto took out a picture. One of him and Noct.

"See here? I don't ever remember taking this pic. But a couple nights ago I dreamed of him. We were hangin out as always, but he decided to be me. He took a terrible picture, but that was to be expected. Eventually I caught him off guard and got this." Prompto handed him the picture.

"The other night Iggy said he saw Noct. He didn't go into detail, but somehow this ended up with him having a new recipe, and get this. Noct wrote it out! Iggy still doesn't believe me."

"That Fish and chips recipe?"

"Yep! Courtesy of Noct." Prompto couldn't hold his act for too long. Gladio patted his head, wanting to end this sad moment before he ends up having to comfort him.

"Alright alright. I guess he's just trying to be mushy." Gladio laughed. "Mushy? Really?"

"Yes mushy. Let's go before I miss out on more work. Can't be lazy when he asked me to take care of everyone."