Somehow on AO3 yesterday's fic got like 60 hits overnight which is wild because the other three also had around that amount but not in a single amount, so I take it y'all like seeing Noct suffer, which, well, bon appetit, hope you enjoy this one too!

This is set before Noct goes to high school, I imagine him to be a tween in this one, maybe around 12.

Also, enjoy Nyx :)

Prompts:

No. 5:"You better pray I don't get up this time around."
Debris | Pinned Down | "It's broken."

Warnings: None

Trying to teach Noct how to warp is like pulling teeth. Ignis thinks it's because Gladio can't warp himself and therefore doesn't know how to explain it properly. Gladio thinks it's because Noct refuses to listen to him.

In reality, it's probably a bit of both, so after a few gruelling weeks of no progress and a lot more screaming matches than he cares to admit, Gladio finally bites the bullet and asks Nyx Ulric, Hero of the Glaives, to come teach Noct how to warp.

Watching them now, Gladio curses himself for not agreeing to it sooner. It stings a bit, the way Noct behaves for Nyx and actually takes his advice, unlike with Gladio where he seems to block any and all attempts at helpful tips. The kid is clearly mooning over Ulric and Gladio gets it - Nyx is a cool guy and Gladio likes him too, and it is pretty fascinating to watch him flit around the training room like it doesn't take any effort at all. Besides, the little puppy crush is kind of funny, and Gladio is definitely filing that away under Things To Make Fun Of Noct For When He's Older.

Still. After trying so hard to get Noct to stop messing around only for some smartass to immediately make progress - it wounds Gladio's pride a little is all he's saying.

But his injured pride is immediately forgotten when something suddenly flashes blue, and, shit, it wasn't Nyx, he's still standing in the same spot, but Noct-

Noct is hanging from his sword high up on the wall, grinning down at them more brightly than Gladio has ever seen.

Nyx whoops and hollers praise up at him, and Gladio, chest full of pride, does the same.

"This is so cool! " Noct yells, and then, more quietly, "Uh. How do I get down?"

"Pull your sword free then throw it towards the ground and warp after it," Nyx tells him, but it's clear from the look on Noct's face that he's doubtful.

"You promise?" The wide-eyed look Noct gives them has Nyx faltering just a little before the encouraging grin is back on his lips.

"I promise! Just warp again, you can do it!"

Noct doesn't move, and Gladio can see his stamina steadily running out. If he falls down from that height…

"Ulric…" he growls, a warning, and Nyx immediately raises his hands to placate him.

"It's fine, I'll go get him, just-" he starts but before he's pulled his own weapon from the Armiger, Noct suddenly yanks his sword free and hurls it toward the ground.

For a moment, Gladio breathes a sigh of relief because it looks like he's going to make it, but then Noct warps, too soon, the sword hasn't reached the ground yet and he's still a good distance from the floor.

Nyx curses next to him and Gladio hurries forward out of reflex even though he's too far away to catch him.

With a crashing sound that makes him wince, Noct crumples to the ground - thankfully he's managed to dismiss his sword into the Armiger before he skewers himself on it - and Gladio expects immediate wailing to set in, but to his surprise, Noct curls up in a ball and groans in agony.

Gladio drops to his knees, gently taking Noct's shoulder. "Noct, hey, talk to me, what hurts?"

Noct's breathing comes out in short gasps and he's clearly in pain. He opens his mouth but no words come out, so he shakes his head and screws his eyes shut.

Fuck.

"Noct, I know it hurts but you gotta tell me where you're injured," Gladio coaxes, hand still on Noct's shoulder, hoping the touch is grounding and reassuring.

"Leg!" Noct finally manages to choke out between clenched teeth.

Gladio moves down to Noct's lower half and, shit, yeah, he sees it, it's clearly broken.

"Anything else?" he asks before he even attempts to uncurl Noct from his ball. A fall from that height wouldn't kill him, but if the landing is particularly unlucky, you can still shatter your spine from it. "Noct, does anything else hurt? Back? Head? Arms?"

Noct shakes his head. "Just my leg."

More gentle than he's ever been with the kid, Gladio talks him into straightening himself and lying down on his back so he can get a better look at his leg.

It's the left one, the one that already gives him trouble, and Gladio fervently hopes he hasn't done any more permanent damage to it - he'll never forgive himself if he has.

Gladio examines the leg for a bit - he's no doctor, but he's still got some experience - and notes with relief that it's probably a clean break that won't leave any lasting damage once they've doused him in potions. He'll still have to take him to the medic to confirm it with an x-ray before he can give him any curatives, though, or he'll risk the bone healing badly.

"It's broken," he says, because Noct has a history of bad medical experiences and needs the truth, no sugarcoating or white lies. "Looks clean, though, nothing complicated. I think you'll be fine in no time."

"Sorry, kid," Nyx says, coming up to crouch on Noct's other side. At least he has the decency to sound sheepish.

"'S fine," Noct tells him unsteadily. His breathing is still laboured, he's pale and he looks like he's seconds away from bursting into tears, but for some reason, he's doing his best to pull himself together.

It's kind of a surprise - whenever Noct hurts himself during practice with Gladio, he likes to milk it to get out of training for as long as he can, but then Noct's eyes flick up to Nyx for a split second and suddenly Gladio gets it - kid is still trying to impress the guy.

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Gladio straightens and looks at Nyx.

"I got it from here, I'll just take him to the medic and get him all fixed up. Thanks for your help today," he says, and then, to convey that there's no bad blood between them - it was an accident, after all, and Noct's made more progress with him in one day than in weeks with Gladio - he adds, "Gonna call you up for more practice soon, if you're free."

Nyx, thankfully quick enough to understand the concealed hint to get out and leave them alone, salutes playfully and clasps Noct's shoulder in a friendly gesture.

"Sure thing. Get better soon, kid, you did great."

Pretty much the moment Nyx is out the door and out of earshot, Noct's facade crumbles and he looks up at Gladio with tears in his eyes, a silent plea to take the pain away, and Gladio finally sees the agony he's in. And shit if that doesn't tug at his heartstrings.

"Aw, kid," he murmurs, sympathetic. "Let's get you to the medic, yeah? I'll carry you, just hold on tight."

Noct wraps his hands around Gladio's neck and lets himself be swept up without protest. As soon as he's settled, he turns his head to bury his face in Gladio's chest, and within seconds, Gladio feels wetness soaking into his shirt as Noct's shoulders start to shake.

When he goes to set Noct down on the gurney, Noct seems reluctant to let go of him, so after a brief moment of consideration, Gladio just hops up beside him and lets Noct lean into his side while they wait for the medic to finish preparing her stuff.

"You did well today, kid," Gladio says, because it's true and he deserves to hear it - Noct's progress today is remarkable and Gladio's actually looking forward to working on it with him more once Ulric's done teaching him the basics.

"Thanks," Noct says, voice hoarse from crying. He sniffs, quietly, and presses himself tighter against Gladio.

Suddenly, Gladio doesn't mind at all anymore that Noct listens to some Glaive but not to him because he's got something better - he gets to be a shoulder to cry on rather than someone Noct feels obligated to impress.

And that, Gladio thinks, is something he'll take pride in.

Noct just thinks Nyx is the coolest person ever which is fair honestly.

And good lord I'm so weak for sweet, caring big brother Gladio, I love him so much ;_;

Speaking of Gladio, tomorrow it's his turn again for Sad Hours and spoiler, that one is one of my favourites in this series so far. Stay tuned!