Notes: placeholder title because I am shit. The first installment of my pre-’worst bachelor party ever’ Gladnis saga. Those 2 just give me so many feels. And a big thank you to @tsunderegrumbling for proofreading for me when my brain was done with reading it.
3802 words. Gladnis. Pre-Roadtrip. (AO3 link will come when I post it)
Footsteps were quiet as perfectly polished shoes carried Ignis out of the crowded room that the festivities were taking place in, loosening the tie that hung decoratively around his collar just enough to relax a little. Hands settled on the balustrade that circled the outside balcony area of the grand hotel, enjoying the cool breeze that blew through tawny brown hair in contrast to the warmth he had just come from. A slow exhale had him relaxing property for the first time that evening. The view from his current position was, in lack of a better phrase, breathtaking. When you were constantly caught in the hustle and bustle of the city it was easy to become numb to its beauty, to stop even noticing the spectacle that it was. From his standpoint, you could see everything. The lights from the high rises twinkled in the dark, lighting up the night sky and drowning out the ever-present stars that looked over them, the shadows of people moving past windows as everyone continued to go about their business, each living out their own stories completely oblivious to the legacies that were being built around them. The skyscrapers soon gave way to smaller architecture, in the distance the suburbs could be glanced as men, women, families started turning in for the night, the quiet of these areas a stark contrast to the constant hive of activity that was the centre of insomnia.
As a finger rose, idly adjusting his glasses, green eyes looked out past the buildings that together made up Insomnia. Out there in the distance you could catch a glimpse of the stars that flecked across the sheet of pitch black. Out at the docks on the outskirts of the city they would be reflected in the still waters, like the eyes of a peacock feather watching but never seeing.
Having become quite preoccupied with his sightseeing, he didn’t notice the encroaching footsteps until they were a few paces away from him. Glancing over his shoulder he was surprised to see the tall presence of Gladiolus. If he was going to receive any company out in the fresh air he had been anticipating the notoriously sulky Prince who would no doubt be eager to escape the social side of the evenings event. And perhaps it would have been him had he not been whittled down into approving the attendance of his school friend. Ignis had had a very firm stance on not allowing Prompto to come along for the night. He didn’t have anything against the boy, he had brought a certain brightness back to Noctis that he had lost all those years ago, he just didn’t see him being able to have the required grace and composure that would be required at a royal event. The Prince has been persistent if nothing else and while promises had been made and deals brokered Ignis finally let up and granted him the chance to invite him along. Normally the jubilee celebrations were limited to those who worked in the citadel, that was excluding the true milestone years of course. King Regis’ silver jubilee had been a grand affair to say the least; the entire city had been invited to partake in the celebrations and it seemed hard to believe that had been 4 years ago. From what he had seen though, the blonde eighteen year old had been on his best behaviour so far in the evenings proceedings.
That didn’t matter now though, and Ignis had finally managed to drown out the niggling voice in the back of his head that it may not have been wise to leave the Prince and his friend on their own in there, mostly thanks to the sight of the tall, beautifully dressed man that was now stood next to him. Green eyes lingered a few moments too long, his expression not even changing from when he had been admiring the spectacle of the city from high atop the hotel. Both images after all were quite the sight to behold and he instantly recognised the work of the tailor that a few weeks previously he had recommended to the Prince’s Shield. Poor Gladio had been concerned about getting a suit that would fit him properly for the occasion; not surprising considering not only his extraordinary height but also his breadth, so the Advisor had been happy to do as his job title suggested and gave him the address to a particularly masterful gentleman who had contributed a lot to his own wardrobe.
"I saw you were empty.” Gaze was suddenly averted from admiring the ‘tailoring’ and a smile adorned handsome features as he took the champagne flute that was offered to him. Ignis had already had several that night (it would have been rude not too) but that didn’t stop him from extending a hand, taking the crystal delicately and trying his best to ignore the light brush against fingers that were calloused from years of weapons training. With a clear ‘ching’ echoing out into the night as the lips of glasses tapped together a synchronised sip was taken before Gladio turned to look out upon the landscape that had so absorbed Ignis while he had been out here on his own.
A silence stretched out between the pair but there was no awkwardness to it, it was comfortable as the contrasting city lights and pitch black night sky embraced them, their own significance paling in comparison to the utopia in which they lived. “Isn’t it beautiful?” Ignis’ words trailed off as he turned back to the skyline, finally pulling his attention away from the figure next to him that for so long he had admired from afar.
It had been nothing but sheer physical attraction at first. After all anybody who said that Gladio wasn’t a spectacular specimen of a man had to have been looking at the wrong person. It was impossible not to admire him even just a little bit even when they were teenagers learning their place and roles in both the Citadel and the world. They all had important parts to play after all; Gladio had spent his life training to protect the royal line while Ignis had been taught how to steer it in the right direction and how to make the right decisions. Intrinsically very different paths but ones that would undoubtedly be intertwined. It had been easy in those younger years after all both men in question had been able to form their first opinions on the other. A young teenage Ignis had been able to convince himself that while the swordsman was undisputedly nice to look at with his phenomenal physical condition and naturally so defined and handsome features he simply had to be just another jock type. All muscle and no talk, head strong and arrogant and most importantly the hostility and contempt that he clearly held for the Prince who since childhood had been like a brother to the brunette was something he couldn’t forgive. On the contrary, Gladio had perceived a much younger Ignis as just another uptight political type; book smart, up his own ass and probably with the bedside manner of a table lamp who was always defending and making excuses for the Prince. If this had been the case then maybe their lives would have been easier; working together because they had to but no. They just had to go and get to know each other and it had all gone downhill from there.
As they stood, mirror images of each other with one hand resting on the railing of the large balcony area, the other holding their respective champagne flute, both of the men were having such similar thoughts that, if they had actually voiced, would have made their lives so much easier. But alas, neither wanted to say the first word. Instead the silence grew, bodies edging slightly closer to each other. This was generally the state in which they went through their everyday business, and believe it or not they were both convinced that they must have been imagining it. For how intelligent they both were, they were undeniably dense about the whole scenario.
Once their first impressions of each other were shattered, brains had then constructed reasons as to why the other wouldn’t be interested. As far as Ignis was concerned, it was inconceivable that someone that looked like Gladio could be interested in someone like him. Sure he knew he wasn’t ugly but in his minds eye Ignis was nothing in comparison to the older man even though he had long since grown out of his lanky, awkward teenager phase. He was quite oblivious to how handsome he had become, attributing what attention he did get to simply being very good at presenting himself which he did take great pride in for his work. And Gladio was a fine specimen of a man; he would be able to get any person he so desired so the idea that he could be the target of his affections was incomprehensible. Those times when he had been convinced that the older male must have been flirting with him, the other part of his mind told him he must have acted that way around everyone, being just a naturally flirtatious and charming person. When in reality Gladio was targeting him. Ignis was always so composed and dignified and he was, well, not. He tried so hard to read the Advisor and just when he was convinced that he might have an in it was shot down. He had come so close, it wasn’t even a year ago and he thought he had him.
Since Ignis had first started training seriously four years ago Gladio had always offered to give him a hand; entirely for his own gain as this had been around the time he had begun to wonder if there was more to Ignis than he had primarily believed. He never trained exclusively with him, Ignis was quite fond of working on his own or with other members of the Crownsguard to get a good, solid knowledge but when they did, oh my. As their feelings unbeknownst to each other grew, so did the intensity of their sessions. It was the last time they ever worked in the room together and since that moment the younger male had politely declined every offer Gladio had made of assistance since which only fuelled his believe that the brunette couldn’t have been interested in him that way despite all the signs. It had been intense; it was hot, they were sweating, their muscles were burning and they were getting tired but finally Ignis had been able to catch the considerably stronger male off guard for a split second and pinned him to the ground. Gladio still remembered the coy ‘gotcha’ Ignis had panted out through heavy breathes as hands held the wooden pole arm across his shoulders to keep him down as he leant over assertively. Their faces had been so close and it would have taken practically no movement on his part to just close that gap and seal the deal and just as he was about too, when he was sure Ignis was about to do the same, the brunette instead stood up. He looked flustered, but it was hard to tell if that was the moment or all of the physical exertion beforehand. Gladio interpreted it as a rejection, meanwhile Ignis was trying to preserve some professionalism and decided from that point continuing to train with the delectable young man would only prove to be too much of a temptation. The brunette had since accepted his feelings and had also accepted that trying to follow them was out of the question.
That same feeling though that had been in that training room, that had flourished between them so many times, was rearing its head again, only amplified by the silence which allowed their thoughts to take precedence as the night surrounded them. Ignis was afraid to look away from the view to his company; the suit, the scenery, there was a high chance it would be too much for him to take and with the multiple glasses of champagne in his system he wasn’t entirely sure he would be able to remain professional this time. Even as the other man spoke he daren’t take green eyes off the landscape before him, but a part of him was relieved that the silence had broken thus taking him away from his thoughts.
“I don’t know what you said or did to Prompto but I’ve never seen him so well behaved.”
“I threatened him with death.”
Gladio couldn’t contain the laugh. If you’d told him this time 5 years ago that Ignis would be one of the people who would make him laugh the most in life he would never have believed you. It was hard on first getting to know him imagining him being the funny sort; he always had such a stony, serious demeanour when he was at work it was nigh on impossible picturing him cracking a joke, but behind that façade was a somewhat eclectic sense of humour. It was its sheer dryness that truly tickled the older man. “Well, it worked.” Words gave way to a relaxed exhale. “I never answered before…” With a tilt of his glass Gladio finished the last of his drink, tongue running over his lips slowly, savouring the taste before turning to look at Ignis who was so adamantly staring into the distance. He looked so stoic as he always did, features highlighted by the bright moonlight and city lights. He was so handsome and he didn’t even realise and it infuriated Gladio, he just wanted to try and shake some sense into him amongst several other things at that given moment in time. “It really is beautiful.”
He stole a glance, green eyes peered out the side of his eyes to catch the taller figure looking at him as he spoke. Gaze met and it was then that Ignis was positive that Gladio knew exactly what he was doing and the effect that it had on him. There was no saying as to what spurred him on in that moment; the wine lessening his inhibitions, their romantic setting, the years of romantic longing and sexual tension that had come to a peak the way beautiful amber eyes longingly looked at him as their owner spoke of beauty, or more realistically a combination of all of the above. No matter what it was, Gladiolus didn’t even get the chance to act.
Hand released the railing it had at some point started clutching for dear life. Reaching out, long fingers delicately coasted over the beautifully defined jawline of Gladio. His finger tips as light as feathers against the tanned skin trailed down, brushing over perfectly pressed collar before they slid round to the back of the other man’s neck before leaning his entire body up towards him to close the small gap between them. As lips met, it was everything Ignis had imagined it would ever be. There was a moment of relief when the older male didn’t pull away, slightly parted lips clinging to Gladio’s as hand held him firmly at the back of his neck. With his heart pounding against his chest, Ignis pulled back the smallest amount, his somewhat unsteady breath warm against the other man’s lips as his smile was reflected by Gladio’s own. “I’m sorry I just…” He didn’t know what he was going to continue the line with, but nor did it matter. Before he even had the chance to ponder where he intended to go with the sentence Gladio balanced his empty glass on the balustrade so both hands were free to firmly grasp Ignis’ face pulling him back towards him as lips collided passionately.
All it would take was somebody to glance out towards the balcony to see the two silhouettes pressed together but they were all far too occupied with the night’s celebration. Instead the only witness to this moment that they had both imagined for so long was the ever-present stars. After what felt like both an eternity and far from long enough lips parted and Gladio rested his forehead against Ignis’, fingers gently stroking over his cheek as they both basked in the moment. “I’ve wanted to do that for so long.” Gladio’s voice was a low grumble as he was unable to wipe the smile off of his face, and judging by the look he was receiving from the brunette Ignis was in the same boat.
“You could do it again if you so desired.” The way that green eyes looked at him, those bedroom eyes inviting him ever closer. It was a look Gladio had neither seen or even imagined the Advisor was capable of and who was he too deny the alluring gaze. He relished the feel of Ignis’ lips against his but this kiss was but a fleeting one; Gladio was more than aware that he could quite happily spend the entire night out there with the younger man and his mouth and while it was tempting it wasn’t the reason that they were here. A few more moments wouldn’t hurt though as that comfortable silence grew again, a hand mimicking the one that still resided at the back of his neck curling round to the back of Ignis’ as he listened to the other man confirm what he already knew. "I suppose we should head back inside.”
“Uuugh.” The grunt of disapproval didn’t fail to broaden Ignis’ smile as he shared the sentiment, however he had originally stepped out for a moments peace and some fresh air and that had been a considerable length of time ago.
“Well, you’re more than welcome to come back to mine when this is all over.” Neither man could quite believe the words that Ignis had whispered so seductively into Gladio’s ear, both for their own reasons. The words had spilled out of him before he had even had chance to think about them and already Ignis regretted them. God’s, what would Gladio think of him suggesting such a thing? With the alcohol clearly lowering his guard just enough to reduce his usual composure (and decorum as well apparently,) he had allowed himself to get caught up in the moment; he had wanted this for so long he had just got swept up in the romance and tenderness and had quite possibly inadvertently managed to screw it up already.
Meanwhile the taller male was having his own internal struggle about the whole thing. There was the primal urge that just said do it. In fact, it was actually declaring that they wouldn’t even need to go back to Ignis’ since they were technically at a hotel which had plenty of rooms better yet screw it there was a floor here that would suffice. That was the side he wanted to listen to but he knew he had to go with the rational perspective despite how much he didn’t want to. Gladio had imagined the whole thing so many times, more than he would like to have mentioned, and this wasn’t how it played out. “Unfortunately, we don’t all get to have tomorrow off.” There was of course more reasoning behind that, but Gladio never got the opportunity to explain what they were as Ignis was quick to interject.
“Of course. I’m sorry I sh-“ He still couldn’t believe what he had come out with, and if a chime from his pocket hadn’t interrupted him he might have realised that Gladio hadn’t taken it the way he was assuming as he leant in to try give the younger male another kiss, thwarted by the Advisor pulling out the phone that had interrupted his words. ‘Where are you? People keep trying to talk to me and I’m tired 😴 can we leave yet? 🤞’ Saved by the text message from the young Prince, Ignis breathed an internal sigh of relief. It reminded him just how much they shouldn’t have even kissed, let alone what he had suggested. The person at the other end of the text should be the one he was focusing his attention on, not getting distracted by his delectable colleague. It couldn’t happen and they had already gone too far, it couldn’t happen he continuously chanted to himself in his mind. But he was just so… No. Despite how he was feeling about what he had still perceived as the rejection, maybe it was really a blessing. Either way, Ignis feared if he was left out here any longer with Gladio he would require a shovel just so that he could dig himself deeper into the hole of awkwardness and regret he had landed the pair of them in. “It’s Noct, I should head back in.”
Gladio tried to get him to stay just a minute longer, to explain to the man who was clearly now trying his best to get away from him what he really meant. He should have said something different and he regretted every moment those words past his lips but if Ignis had just let him finish. A strong hand tried to pull the brunette back towards him as he stepped back from him, but he knew there was no stopping the man when he was getting to work and that was clearly the mind frame he had now put himself in. “Ignis…” Their eyes locked for a moment, saying so much more than words could but all it did was cause a slight, very seldom seen blush across Ignis’ cheeks. Picking up the empty glass Gladio had left on the railing the twenty-year-old turned swiftly on his heel. The longer he stood here with Gladio, the more he felt the embarrassment consume him and it wasn’t a feeling he was particularly fond of.
“I’ve got to call the driver, get him to bring the car around.” His voice was so controlled, so stern in contrast to that softness which had overcome him not long before, and as he heard it that was when Gladio knew he had lost for the night. It took all the control that he had to not just chase after Ignis as he quickly paced his way back inside to the crowds and festivities, to just hold him and have one more kiss but instead he just watched the man go. It would have been little consolation to know that he wasn’t alone in his feelings of shame and regret as he turned to look back into the night sky, replaying the nights’ events; the good and the bad as amber eyes stared out into the darkness that watched over them all.
Notes: Well this is longer than I had originally anticipated but OH WELL. i was planning on getting it up sooner but company came round and wine... but it is now finished and ready. I was hoping to get another birthday fic out so time will tell, I have wine fuel now to work with so i am unstoppaaaaable. If I didn’t have to sleep I would also be tempted to write the weekend following this buuuuut that may have to be a belated birthday thang.
But yes, some nice, pre-game in insomnia fluff because I am a sucker for cutes especially when it is Gladnis so I hope you all enjoy, and happy birthday once again Mr. Scientia.
Gladnis. 1463 words. Fluff. (AO3)
“You look stressed out.” As soon as he heard the words, Ignis had to refrain from stating how that was perhaps the understatement of the century. That however would have been the stress talking so he was sure to bite his tongue as he looked up from the computer screen to see the tall, dark haired male walk through the doorway, stopping as he approached the desk that Ignis was working at. It was intended to be just a quick glance since he had more work to get through than he had hours in the day, but even he agreed that the current statistical analysis that he was working through could wait a few moments so he could at least get to enjoy the post-training Gladio stood in front of him. It would be rude not too.
“Very perceptive Mr. Amicitia.” Long fingers hooked around the handle of the coffee mug that sat atop the desk, raising for a sip of the now lukewarm coffee causing Ignis to cringe momentarily at the unanticipated tepidness. “You look like you had a… productive training session with Noct.” Returning the mug to the table where it could no longer betray him with its too-cold contents, green eyes went back to the man before him and the slight sheen of sweat that adorned his muscular stature, the sign of a good workout. Leaning back in his chair in order to get a better look, it pained Ignis to say his next words when he had such a beautiful image before him, but he knew what had to be done. “But unless you actually need something, I have a lot of work that needs to be done.” Eyebrows rose almost apologetically, he didn’t want to send away Gladio but it was a scientific fact that the man was a pure distraction.
“Funny you should mention that, I did need something.” As the tall male wandered around the desk, Ignis raised an eyebrow in regards the smug smirk that adorned Gladio’s features as he leant on the edge of the table with arms crossed over his chest. There were a few moments of silence as eyes met before Gladio finally broke and was out with it. “Happy Birthday, Iggy.”
While he did try and remain as stony-faced as he always did when he was at work, even Ignis couldn’t hide the small smile that crept over his features. He hadn’t even realised that the older male had remembered after all it wasn’t like he had made a song and dance about it, it had just been mentioned briefly in passing some time ago. “Thank you, Gladio.” There was an honesty to his voice as he swung in the chair slightly so he could look properly up at the swordsman who was now stood mere inches away from him. “But if that’s everything I really do ha—“
Interrupted by the scoff of a laugh that Gladio let out, the younger male pursed his lips somewhat in anticipation. He should have known to expect more than just a simple well-wishing from the man in question and it wasn’t long until such suspicions were confirmed. “I know you don’t like to make a big deal out of it, but, you don’t get a choice in the matter and you deserve a treat.” If he was honest, Ignis had to admit that he liked this side of Gladio taking charge of the situation so much so that he didn’t even protest even the idea of somebody enforcing something for his birthday. Given the choice he would have just finished his day as normal, had a nice meal and relaxed with a glass of wine and the sofa for the evening. Especially with everything that he had on his plate right now just the idea of a night relaxing by himself was his heaven. But his curiosity was piqued.
Judging by the hesitation now with his words, Gladio was also clearly expecting some resistance in the matter. “You know I was expecting you to object…” Amber eyes narrowed as they looked down at the seated male, but the brunette simply shrugged in response as he leant back on the chair somewhat, his own arms crossing in front of his chest after smoothing down his shirt.
“I’m curious.”
“Well…” Seemingly spurred on again, Ignis looked on at Gladio intrigued as he stood up from his semi-sat on the table position just to lean over, large hands making themselves comfortable on the arms of his chair either side of the advisor. “I know that you have tomorrow and Sunday off, so you are going to get away from all this work you have that is stressing you out and we are going to get out of Insomnia for the weekend.” It was Ignis’ natural reaction to want to object but he refrained, holding his tongue as Gladio leant down closer to him so their faces were mere inches away.
“And where, pray tell, are you going to whisk me away to?” Sitting up straight in his chair once more, Ignis moved so their noses were practically touching, able to feel the others warm breath against his lips as green eyes looked over his face closely. Normally he wouldn’t have even dreamt of putting himself in this sort of situation with Gladio where anyone could waltz in, especially in the citadel. Whatever they had, it was to be kept to themselves and not to be flaunted but the distraction was well needed and he was going to embrace it even if only for a short while. Besides, it was a special day.
A hand rose from its position on the arm of the chair, fingers lightly coasting over Ignis’ jawline as the muscular man smiled warmly down at him clearly quite pleased to have not had his idea shot down in flames. He had after all spent quite some time trying to think of the perfect gift; it was hardly an easy feat trying to think of what to get someone who was so well within their means to get anything they both needed and wanted. It had forced him to be more creative with his approach to his lover’s birthday. “We’re going to spend the weekend at Galdin. It’s a quick enough drive, they have good food so you won’t have to cook, good wine, we can walk along the beach, watch the sunrise, enjoy each other’s company.” There was a quick wink with that last line before he finally closed what little gap was still between them, lips brushing together softly.
There was nothing that he could object to, so Ignis enjoyed those moments as he leant up into the kiss, his hands trailing over shoulders and settling at the back of Gladio’s neck tenderly. “It sounds wonderful.” Breaking apart ever so slightly, the soft smile that curved his lips being genuine and enough to draw one out of Gladio. “But right now, you’re sticky, sweaty and you smell like man, and this is a new suit.” A soft chuckle was shared between the two of them as he chose not to retort to Gladio’s ‘that’s never been a problem before’ that he uttered quietly. “Besides, you’ve already distracted me enough and I have got a lot to get done if I’m to be ready for these… escapades.”
Arms dropped from where they had been leisurely draped over Gladio’s shoulder, one hand lazily trailing down over a muscular arm as he placed one last, lingering kiss gently against his lips before sitting back in his chair. His usual work place expression adorned his features as he glanced back to the screen he had previously been working with, but as he glanced back to the taller man there was a definite sparkle to his eyes that wasn’t there when he’d been in the room on his own. “I will see you tomorrow morning then, bright and early.” The black haired male’s words were quiet, placing a gentle kiss to Ignis’ cheek before he stood up straight again.
“I’ll call you when I get home to organise times.” About to get back to work, one hand did detour to lightly pat Gladio on the backside as he turned to walk back around the desk to make his leave. “Now get out of here before someone see’s you, dirtying up the place.” Turning his chair back to face the work that had been abandoned, he was already visibly more relaxed than when the gentleman had come in and interrupted him. Glancing up to catch sight of an equally content Gladio who stopped in the doorway just for one last look, the coy little smile that pulled at one side of his lips didn’t go unnoticed. “Thank you, Gladio.”
Notes: well this turned out longer than anticipated. It was going to just be a short ‘ive not written smut for literal years so I'll ease my way in gently with a bit of leading into then fade to black’ but then I started thinking about location and plot and everything got out of hand and now it's three in the morning and I am dying of a massive caffeine drop. Leads on from the Gladnis mentality I set up in my older fic ‘under the stars’, does contain chapter 1 spoilers, I can't feel my face anymore.
Gladnis. 2025 words. NSFW. Implied explicitness.
“Slumber party!” The exalted cry that came from the blonde who threw himself on the bed was a quick answer to the posed conundrum. “It'll be just like back home.” There was a slightly wistful tone to Prompto’s voice as he laid down on the plush bed, arms and legs spread out. It was a beautiful hotel, much better in comparison to the other places they had stayed since leaving Insomnia, but of course they expected no less from Galdin Quay. The only issue was that with the limited number of rooms the party of four was split between two rooms. Not necessarily a bad thing considering they had very much been in each other's pockets since leaving the crown city. A bit of breathing space would probably do them all good. That and a nice rest in a comfortable bed and they would be set to head to Altissia.
“Well that's that settled.” Standing up from the far too comfortable arm chair he had been sat in, Ignis picked up the suit jacket he had slung over the back of the chair, rummaging into its inner pocket to pull out the key card to their room before tapping Gladio on the shoulder. It almost seemed a shame to interrupt him as he looked so peaceful and statuesque; elbow propped on the arm of his chair as chin rested on knuckles, book resting against a muscular thigh as fingers lightly tapped the edge of the page as they awaited when they would next need to turn.
No longer engrossed in his book, the eldest of the four gave a questioning ‘hmm’ as he looked from Ignis standing over him to Prompto making himself comfortable on the bed he had claimed for his own while Noctis tapped away on his mobile. “Do you want me to leave the door unlocked or are you coming to bed now?”
Awaiting the swordsman’s response a hand rested itself on hips when their eyes met. He knew that look, he knew it well and as he looked back at fiery amber eyes the tall young man found himself clearing his throat in order to try and remain composed. “I might as well come now.” Eyes remained locked as words were exchanged, Gladio's choice of phrasing being enough to warrant a small head shake from Ignis who honestly at this point didn't even know if it was intentional or not. Maybe he was just imagining it, reading into something because a part of him still longed for the relationship they couldn't have. He told himself that was it, combined with their exceptionally romantic surroundings and it all made sense. They said nothing could happen, so it wouldn't, and these imaginations of his mind were just his sunbonscios’ wishful thinking.
It didn't take long to do their good nights, Ignis reminding Noctis and Prompto to try and be up at a vaguely human time although he would believe that would happen when he saw it with his own eyes. As soon as he closed the door to his and Gladio's room, twisting the latch for the lock, all thoughts of morning and the next days events were gone from his mind as without a moments hesitation strong hands had grabbed him by the waist, pulling bodies together. Perhaps he hadn't been imagining it.
As lips met, a comforting sense of familiarity washed over the pair of them and as hands rose to cradle Gladio's bearded jawline Ignis couldn't stop thinking of how much he had missed this. Judging by the hands that gripped his hips tightly through his clothes he wasn't the only one.
Perhaps it was naïve of them to believe that they could have just gone about the entire trip just as servants of the crown and nothing more. Every time he had watched the specimen of a man before him exert his strength, every time he had woken up being accidentally hugged close against solid body in the close confines of the tent, every time he had gotten the content smile after cooking one of his favourite meals, every time he was the only one awake early enough to provide him company for preparing breakfast and watching the sunrise, every time he gave him that coy suggestive smirk when it was just them, every time it lit a fire within Ignis that he had to quell every single time.
Leaning back just enough to part lips the older male instinctively leant in to close the gap once again just to be thwarted by a finger softly pressing against his lips. “Gladio, you know how much I want this…” Ignis’ words trailed off somewhat as green eyes took in the face of the man before him, his voice barely above a whisper as fingertip stroked slowly over a slightly pouting lower lip. Even as he knew what he wanted to say, he lacked the conviction to believe the words let alone speak them outright. “We talked about it, we ca—“
“Fuck what we said.” Those words were like music to Ignis’ ears. Unable to even get a word in edgeways as lips were once again hungrily pressed against each other, fingers deftly unfastened the shirt buttons before shoulders shifted and with a few quick movements the strategist allowed his shirt to fall to the floor. Just the first of many garments that would soon find themselves strewn across the room in a flurry of passion.
The waves crashed gently against the sand, the gulls on the hunt for breakfast as the sun rose and new schools of fish came out to greet the day cawing to one and other as the muffled sounds of people taking a morning stroll across the shore drifted on the sea breeze. As the golden sunlight flooded the room the twenty two year old started to stir. While one hand rose to rub awake eyes, the first thing he saw was the man sleeping practically on top of him that he was currently entwined with.
There was no hiding the content smile that adorned Ignis’ features as he lay still on the plush bed, not wanting to move and wake up Gladio who was sleeping with his face buried into his neck, but at the same time he had noticed what had actually awoken him. He could ignore the soft chime that came from his phone that was somewhere in the room but he knew that the longer he ignored the alarm the louder it would get. If only he could just…
“No.” The familiar, somewhat hoarse morning tone of Gladio muffled against his skin managed to draw a soft chuckle from the brunette who felt both the legs and arms that were wrapped around him tighten as he had tried to sneak his way out from under the muscular limbs.
“I've just got to turn off my alarm.” Managing to shift himself slightly, fingers toyed idly with still damp black hair. He didn't even know at what time in the proceedings it was they had had the bath, it hadn't taken long for both of them to lose track of time. In fact he didn't even know if he had emptied it once they'd finished. All he remembered was the fact that by the time they had climbed out there was more water out of the tub than inside it.
“Or you could ignore the alarm.” It was tempting, so very tempting especially as his skin was now slowly being smothered in gentle kisses that gradually trailed over his neck. “And we can stay in bed a little longer.” An arm that had lazily draped over Ignis waist as he had slept shifted beneath the sheets that haphazardly covered the couple allowing hand to stroke down over every muscle of his hips before gliding up his inner thigh, stopping and settling itself torturingly close to his crotch. Two could play at that game.
When he was clothed it was easy to forget how strong Ignis was. He didn't have the same solid tank like build of Gladio but he still had considerable strength and the muscles to prove it. Just because he didn't choose to show it off didn't mean he wouldn't choose to use it. In a blink the swordsman found himself flipped onto his back, eyes locked together as Ignis leant over him straddling his thighs. “Or I can turn it off, and then we won't have any interruptions.” Thinking it was a fair suggestion, there was no hesitating as he completely removed himself from the man he left laying in the bed, stretching out aching muscles before he started following the sound of the now hardly quiet delicate chiming of the alarm to find what garment he had left his clothes in, picking up his glasses from the coffee table in the process and slipping them onto their rightful place.
As he looked down at the now silenced device that was when it all changed. When he no longer cared about what he could let the enticing figure of a man still laying in the bed do to him, when he didn't care about the miniature paradise they resided in and as soon as he opened his mouth again Gladio knew something had happened. He didn't even have to see his face to know as the younger males tone instantly switched into one he knew oh so well. “Gladio, take the spare key for Noct’s room and grab both their phones.”
Before he knew it, Gladio was catching the suit jacket that was flung at him as he sat upright in the bed, his look of utter bemusement going completely ignored as he rummaged in the suit pockets for the aforementioned key card. “Ignis, what's going on.” He was used to seeing the advisor in work mode, his work was practically his entire life that wasn't what confused him, what got to him was how quickly the brunette had shifted into it. One minute they'd been entangled with each other in the sheets, the next he was already half dressed and ignoring his question.
“Noct will still be sleeping, let him stay that way but get Prompto up.” Swiftly buttoning his shirt, Ignis picked up Gladio's clothes which had been just as scattered around the room but as he passed them over to him, a hand grabbed his wrist pulling him close. Unlike the previous night there was nothing coy about the gesture; this wasn't flirting, this was worry.
“Iggy.” Even though he was once again ignored, the way in which Ignis was frantically swiping and tapping on his phone was not to be taken lately and as brow furrowed, hand released the wrist that it had grabbed.
“Don't let them leave the room, they can't know anything until we have a better idea of what's going on.” Pulling his shirt and trousers on, Gladio once again opened his mouth to protest, to try and find out what the hell had happened but before he could even start to form the words Ignis reached out to him, in his hand the phone with the only information he could get too. “I can't get an updated article, nothing well load, I have no signal, I can't get through to anyone. I can't even get radio to come through, I only have what came through at some point last night...” While the black haired male glanced over the rather short article he sat back down on the bed, fingers laced together with the mans sat next to him, each providing the other with what was supposed to be a reassuring squeeze.
“I need to see if this is real, try and get some more information, a newspaper anything that can give us a better picture of what’s happened. It might be nothing…” He knew it wasn't, they both did. If it was nothing then they would have heard, they would have been able to get in contact with someone. The idea of it was earth shattering, incomprehensible. The thought that Insomnia could have fallen, the repercussions were endless, for all of them.
Notes: MAJOR SPOILERS HELLA SPOILERS. This is set after the events of chapter 8 in game so if you are not at that point be warned all ye who enter here! I had a random mental image of Gladio and Ignis’ first interaction after the incident and I kept thinking about it and then it became this.
I’ve been working on this for a while actually, rewriting etc trying to get it how i wanted and it is finally there. To do that I did however have to give it a singular PoV so I may rewrite the entire scenario from Ignis’ perspective. We will see, depends if I want to give myself all the angst again. Who am I kidding of course I will it’s just a matter of time.
Gladnis. 2025 words. angst. brief mention of violence/gore and canon character death.
All under read more due to spoilers
The dawn broke over Altissia, glowing red sunlight reflecting off of the now still waters that showed no sign of the turmoil that had arisen from them the day before. Amber eyes watched the sunrise intently, lost in the moment of pure serenity as for the first time that night Gladio’s mind was able to stop for a few moments to bask in the glory. While it currently was far from its former glory, the city on the sea was still a sight to behold as rays crept over buildings and structures casting away the shadows brought by the night.
Leaving the curtains open just a crack, the dark haired man looked to the still figure in the bed. There was still no sign of him awakening, and sadly nobody knew how long it would be until the prince awoke. All they knew was that harnessing the power of the Lucii drained the user and after the hell that Noctis has rained down on the Hydraen with the royal armiger there was no telling how long it would take for him to recover, coupled with the emotional trauma they were all now just playing a waiting game. Sadly, they didn't have all the time in the world so every minute was precious moments being thrown away.
The door to the current makeshift chambers in the hotel clicked, blonde head poking round the side to see if there was anybody else in the room. From the looks of it, Prompto seemed to have had about as much sleep as Gladio who stopped his slow pacing by the grand windows that looked out upon the devastation that had wrecked through parts of the city. “Anything?” Soft voice was barely above a whisper as Prompto stepped further in to the room. While he knew he could probably shout at Noct right now and he still wouldn't awaken it just seemed the right thing to do. A part of him was expecting the shake of a head that he got in response even if it wasn't what he wanted to see. “I stuck a head in on Ignis on the way…” Prompto’s trailing off spoke for itself as eyes met across the room. “Still asleep, aswell.”
Gladio breathed a quiet sigh of relief. The last thing he wanted was Ignis waking up on his own when they still didn't know the full extent of his injuries, however the duty that had brought him to Altissia had also brought him to ensure the state of the new king of Lucis. “You stay with Noct, I will go sit with Iggy.” Clearing his threat to try and clear some of the hoarseness that came out with his words, the pair smiled weakly at each other, a smile that didn't even reach the eyes as neither could get their heads around the situation and the gravity of it all. “I'm sure he'd much rather see your mug than mine when he ever wakes up.” Large hand clapped down reassuringly on the blond gunmans shoulder as he walked past, being sure to close the door quietly behind him as he entered the hallway.
As he walked into the room, all he wanted to do was climb under the sheets and wrap himself around Ignis’ sleeping figure and they could just stay like that, asleep and at peace pretending everything was still on track. While he did eye up the bed and the perfect amount of space there was for him on there, he instead opted for the comfortable looking chair that sat by the window, facing towards the bed. There was no predicting how the sleeping man would be when he woke up after all and he didn't want to run the risk of overdcrowding him so to speak. Slouching into the chair, one leg rose to rest ankle on opposite knee, soon finding himself dragged slowly into the light clutches of sleep.
He didn't know how long he was out, but it wasn't a peaceful rest. As soon as his dreams started going to a nice, serene place he heard it; the cry of leviathan piercing through the clash of metal, the imperials closing in on them, a shout, but no matter how quick he turned he couldn't stop it and then it came, the blood splashed across the cold stone floor, the pained cry of his partner.
Eyes snapped open as Gladio took a few moments to slow his breathing, trying to ignore the heavy feeling of dread that settled in as the reality that It wasn't just a dream sank back in. Rubbing awake eyes the first thing he looked at properly was the still body in the bed. Except he wasn't as he had left him. He was sat up? “Iggy?” Pushing himself up off the chair it only took a few strides and Gladio was at the bed, sitting carefully on the edge as a hand took that of the younger man who reached out to him as he sat down, fingers lacing together tightly, reassuringly. His lips parted, a sigh of relief tumbling from them before he was able to say anything more but somebody else got their before him.
“I didn’t know you were here.” While his voice was its usual, calm dulcet self the tightness with which Ignis gripped onto his hand gave the swordsman a somewhat truer glimpse as to how he may have actually been. Always one to keep up appearances. “How's Noct?” Gladio’s eye roll was practically audible as he questioned why he expected anything else out of Ignis’ mouth.
“How're you?” He didn't mean the retort to come out as sharp as it did, but he was in disbelief at how the strategist was still seemingly putting his duty before himself.
“I'm inconsequential, is he okay?” He already knew this wasn't anything worth arguing about; with everything that had happened it was the last thing they needed, but emotions were running high right now and he needed Ignis to think of himself and the situation that he was in.
“He's fine, as far as we can tell.” If it took putting his mind at rest to talk about other pressing matters such as the state of himself, Gladio would get the formalities out of the way first. “He's not woken but everything is stable, all things considered. Prompto is with him in case he wakes up.” Thumb gently stroked over the back of slender hand that still resided in his, his gaze watching Ignis tentatively. “Now again, how're you?”
“Luna?” For a moment Gladio forgot that he didn’t know about the outcome of the Oracle. There was nothing that they could have done for her and while she paid the ultimate price, she had in doing so given them a fighting chance to do what had to be done. The silence that filled the room said more than words could, the pair sitting still as the gravity of the situation sunk in.
Raising the hand in his, Gladio pressed a soft kiss to Ignis’ fingers before letting them go, scooting on the bed slightly so he was closer to the brunette. “Now can we talk about you?” Choosing to ignore the sigh that escaped the other man he brushed hair from forehead, hesitating as he loitered over the dressings that covered that handsome face that he adored so. The beautiful green eyes that he could get lost in for hours. The what-if’s were endless as he hesitated, but it was picked up on.
“It’s nothing I can’t handle.” Such softly spoken words, but it was enough to spur Gladio on as he gently removed the smaller of the two dressings, exposing the lesser of the two injuries. Compared to when it first happened, the older male had to restrain from the sigh of relief as to how much better it looked now it was cleaned and stitched up, the cosmetic side was one thing but the lasting damage was yet to be discovered. That and this was only one half of a greater whole. It wasn’t like those few years previously when the tables were turned, Ignis declaring with such gusto that he would be fine after taking an attack meant for the crown prince. He still remembered the exact tone to his words as he declared how lucky he would be if it did scar, it might make his face more interesting. The thought alone drew a shadow of a smile to Gladio’s face, a bittersweet smile as he watced Ignis wince slightly as he tried to blink open his now uncovered eye.
With a deep breathe he worked up the courage and slowly started peeling away the second dressing. He almost closed his own eyes as he did it, not wanting to see the true extent but the hand that found his leg, settling on his thigh softly reminded him that he had to. “Your silence is very reassuring.” The comment drew a nervous little chuckle from Gladio as he completely removed the second dressing, that sigh finally leaving him but it was not one of relief.
“Ignis…” Gently brushing finger tips over a part of soft skinned cheek that wasn’t dominated by the still tender injury that consumed that part of his face Gladio found himself blinking furiously as tears threatened to fall from his face. The last 24 hours had been too much for one man to handle and as he looked upon Ignis who was still so defiant in appearing strong and composed despite all this it was almost too much. “I’m so sorry…”
Voice threatening to crack as he spoke he swallowed the lump in his throat. He didn’t know what else he could say, as far as he could see he had failed; the state everything was in he couldn’t do anything to prevent it and it weighed on his mind like a ton of bricks. Before he could say anymore hands found him, taking him by the shoulders and pulling him close. Amber eyes closed as he let himself relax against Ignis’ chest, arms embracing him tightly.
“Gladiolus Amicitia, sworn shield of the king.” The words spoken to him were barely above a whisper as his own arms snaked their way around Ignis’ waist. “Your life is dedicated to protecting the king as your father did, as your grandfather did and everyone in your family has before them.” He should have been the one comforting the brunette now, not the other way around but he still found himself unable to interrupt Ignis as he spoke, his words being a comfort that he didn’t know he had needed, as well as the truth that he needed to hear. “And I, Ignis Scientia, am not the king. It isn’t your duty to protect me.”
Unburying his face from the advisors chest, he looked up into the scarred face that wore a soft smile on features, albeit haunted with a certain melancholy, the one eye that was able to be opened unfocused as he looked in Gladio’s direction. “I’ve known the risk that comes with my position from day one, my safety will never be a priority as long as the crown is at risk.” He didn’t understand how he could do it, how he could lay there and just accept what had happened but as silence once again grew between the two that’s when he heard it, the slight shake to Ignis’ breath as his hand searched for Gladio’s face, thumb softly stroking over his cheek and the swordsman’s own scar that he bore from doing his duty as Noct’s guard. It was the only indication that perhaps the advisor wasn’t dealing with this quite as solidly as his demeanour may have projected. Shifting slightly Gladio leant up, lips softly brushing against Ignis’ before letting his head rest on his shoulder, amber eyes closing as he relaxed for the first time that morning to the sound of soft whispers. “But I know I couldn’t, and will never, have better comrades to stand at arms with, than the people I left the crown city with.”
Notes: another quick instalment of Ignis and his utterly ridiculous puns to wind gladio up. This gets said at least 6384 times whenever I am camping so I couldn't resist. I am a terrible human being and I regret nothing (*￣▽￣)d
Gladnis. Language. 818 words.
As bellies filled and brains tired, the conversation around the campfire soon started to dwindle after Prompto put away his camera, all four of the boys having had a look over of the photos taken through out the day. Some were saved, some were laughed at, some were even marvelled at but now it was time to truly wind down. It was no surprise that Noct was the first to stand up to bid his good nights; it was a well known fact how much the boy liked his sleep and it was not uncommon for him to be the first one in to bed, and the last one out.
“Hey, Noct.” Jumping up out of his chair, almost sending it over in the process Prompto grabbed the prince on the shoulder but what was spoken between the two was lost to Ignis as he glanced up to see them chatting outside the tent from the other side of the campfire. Not paying it much more heed, he wished the blonde goodnight as he too disappeared into the tent after there little conversation. That was his cue to start clearing up for the night in preparation for the morning as it once again, like most nights, dissolved to him and Gladio around the campfire.
“Sounds like it’ll just be me, you and the tent tomorrow morning.” The older males voice broke the sounds of the crackling fire as a tired Ignis stood to gather the crockery from their evening meal, Gladio watching him intently as he leant back lazily on the back two legs of the camping chair. The quiet, questioning sound that he got in response clearly proved that he had been the only one of present company to hear the two tent-dwellers conversation. “Prompto is dragging him out of bed to take some photo’s first thing.” Voice trailed off somewhat, a somewhat coy yet suggestive smile toying at his features.
“An early morning will do Noct some good, I’ll have to make sure breakfast is ready for when they finish up.” The slight huff that escaped Gladio on hearing Ignis’ response didn’t go unnoticed as the younger of the two turned around to try and see what elicited such a response. The look that met him was one he had learnt to recognise all too well and given the fact that there two friends were only a few feet away and separated by only some cloth, he refused to acknowledge it. “If you keep leaning back on that chair you’re going to break it. Again.”
His words were met with silence, yet he was very aware that he had not won this round, it would not be that easy a task. While he was always accepting it the end, it didn’t stop Gladio trying his best to get his way. No more words were said as Ignis wiped down all of the washing made from the night, but he could feel those amber eyes watching his every move.
---
Everything was tidied, it was like they’d just arrived at the campsite once more and the tired cook was able to truly relax as he flopped into the chair next to Gladio who immediately took advantage of the proximity. “How often is it just you and me? It seems a shame to waste the opportunity.” Voice was dropped so nobody would be able to hear him over the quiet crackle of the campfire, especially not anyone in the tent who mar or may not have been asleep at that point. It didn’t help that the drop in volume added a certain huskiness, a hoarseness that could practically make Ignis internally moan as he heard it. He had to put an end to this or he would find himself caving.
“Breakfast won’t make itself, besides, I’m surprised you want to considering what they say about having sex while camping.” Turning in the chair so he could look at Gladio properly, admiring the somewhat perplexed expression that adorned his chiselled features an almost unnoticeable smile curved Ignis’ lips. He clearly couldn't get where he was going with this so he supposed it was only fair he put him out of his misery. “It’s fucking in-tents.”
There was a split second before the clattering thud of both Gladio and chair falling back on the floor broke through the night. Winded by the tumble, the twenty-three year old tried to get his breathe back between trying not to laugh, soon finding himself looking at Ignis who crouched down next to him.
“If you’ve broken that chair, I’m going to beat you with it.”
“You should know better than to threaten me with a good time, Iggy.” Words were somewhat exasperated as Gladio tried to get his equilibrium back, propping himself up on his elbows just in time to receive a somewhat chaste, but ever meaningful kiss on his forehead
