iwillshieldhim | The World We Fought For [for fieryknowledge]

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The World We Fought For [for fieryknowledge]

It was oddly calm in those last moments, a peace that came over him as he fought purely on muscle memory against the massive giant trying to smash him. Somewhere behind him, he could hear Prompto, not just the sound of gun fire, but it sounded like he was screaming, over and over, as he fought. Wordless angry shouts that if he had the time to think, to care beyond second to second of just surviving, would have torn him apart. The sound of pain, of loss, of anger. He'd lost track of Ignis, always so silent, and he feared the worst. He tried to look anyway, find his love in the chaos. Make sure he was still-

Second to second, he shouldn't have looked away. The giant found its opening as Gladio's eyes scanned the wreckage, trying to spot Ignis in all of it. The fear in his heart settled when he spotted the other, still up, still fighting, even as the massive blade slammed under his guard and sent him flying to hit the ground hard. A spike of pain screamed in his shoulder, but he barely noticed.

They had turned their back on Noct to let him die, walking forward to their fates knowing they would do the same. All they had to do was hold on long enough, just long enough to let him truly become the Chosen King. Gladio had accepted what would come, and while he thought Ignis knew, in a way, he was content with this. He had protected Noct until the end. Ignis might still live.

The giant raised its blade, and try as he might, Gladio couldn't get his own blade to lift. It wouldn't be possible on that broken shoulder. He stared up at his death, then let out a breath. ...I kept my promise.

I love you, Iggy.

Let there be light.

It came across the skies like a needle thrust into the heart of the darkness itself, a shaft of light so brilliant and golden that it hurt the eyes. The giants roar hurt almost as much, stabbing into his head until he was forced to close his eyes.

unconscious

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"It doesn't change anything," came the eventual murmur, so quiet it was almost unheard. He let his eyes close but refused the tears behind them, the hang of his heart heavy in his chest. It had been so long now, something he had thought he put behind him, but it felt like it was crashing in against him, ringing blow after blow he should have been able to stand against but there was nothing left.

He wouldn't give up, not while Noct still lived, but to be what he needed to be it felt like he couldn't allow the dam to break even as it was. "...Let's-" a swallow, audible this close, "let's just get some sleep." That had to be why he was like this. Too hurt, too exhausted to keep fighting. In the morning - whatever that was despite the real time outside - he could handle it like he was supposed to.

There was a soft sigh from Ignis. He wouldn't force it even if he knew it best to lance a festering wound to let it drain. That would have to be when Gladio was ready, though. Until then, Ignis would do his best to keep him going. Noctis would have to face the same thing, though... he hoped they'd both be ready when it came to pass.

He was quiet as he shifted back a step at a time, the dust in the room tickling his nose as their steps disturbed it. It wasn't as bad as he imagined it would be, but the bed... that might be a bit of a mess to sleep in. Dust wasn't any good in still healing wounds so once he realized the bed was close, he let Gladio go long enough to pull back the blankets to reveal sheets that were still clean. Musty, but clean. It was clear that the rooms were mostly unused, even with Clarus in residence.

"All these years, we finally have a nice bed to use and you just want to sleep. I'm losing my touch."

The teasing was soft and quiet, but there. Something to maybe lift the spirits a bit since they both needed it so badly.

"Heh." The effort was appreciated, and Gladio tried to match it despite the somber feelings quietly simmering inside. "Not sure how far I'd get, with the shoulder and ribs. Still got my mouth, though." He moved over and sat on the bed, giving in and working to one handedly strip himself down with slow, careful movements, glad Noct hadn't realized the stupid outfits they were still wearing.

"How about this? ...In the morning." Because maybe then he'd have enough energy and strength to do anything properly beyond existing. Whatever they did for Noct... it had both given him something and taken something away, though he couldn't explain either and he wasn't entirely ready to talk about it.

He could still taste that potion on his lips, though how that was possible, he didn't know. He knew Prompto hadn't moved.

A moment later and Ignis' hands were there to help Gladio ease out of his clothing. His hands were gentle as he checked the shoulder again, then down to trace along his ribs before he leaned in to steal a quick, gentle kiss from his lover.

The weariness was heavy in his bones so once he'd made sure that Gladio was as comfortable as they could make him, he headed off to the other side of the bed, taking it slow since his muscles were still stiff and sore. The potion had worked wonders, but even that couldn't make up for blood loss and general weariness that was something they were all suffering from. He didn't bother to pull the robe off, though, choosing instead to settle into the bed with the thick brocade still tucked around him to help ward off the chill.

"The offer is appreciated, but let's see how we feel first. Agreed?"

"Agreed." Gladio carefully swung himself up onto the bed, having picked this side because it would leave his good arm in towards Ignis. He was glad the pillows had been covered by those top covers, because they looked more inviting than any pillow he could remember in years. How long had it been since they'd slept in a decent bed?

To hell with everything else... he reached over and pulled Ignis close, tucking himself in against his lover and sighing. Honestly, he doubted anything was going to wake him once he fell asleep, so it would fall on Prompto to keep an eye on everything.

He let out a slow breath, pressed his lips to Ignis' temple, just above those scars.

It wouldn't be two minutes before he was dead to the world.

It wouldn't be an hour before Prompto and Noct started to realize that something was very, very wrong with Noct's body.

The bed... was bliss. He didn't even bother to hide the groan as he settled into the once plush bedding. Ignis couldn't remember the last time he'd slept in a real bed and not the lumpy messes that passed for them in caravans or in Lestallum.

It wasn't a shock that even in such a big bed, they gravitated to each other. Just as Gladio was reaching for him, he was already shifting closer, easily tucking himself against that well known frame as if he'd always fit there just right. The kiss to his temple pulled a soft rumble from Ignis as he finally let himself drift off.

Prompto didn't sleep, but Noctis eventually did. Instead, he sat there, chin on his knees, trying to figure out what to do. Or say. They'd had several hours of both of them freaking out. To being angry. To a long silence because neither of them knew what to do. Everything they tried... they had looked him over, the horrible scar that had matching entrance and exit wound on Noct where the sword had gone straight through him. Straight through his spine. Noct couldn't feel anything beneath that scar properly. Not completely, there was some feeling in there, as they had carefully discovered, but his hips and legs just... wouldn't move under his command.

What were they supposed to do with that? So Prompto was waiting for the other two to wake up so at least he didn't have to be the strongest person to deal with this right now.

Gladio woke up slowly, eventually, but like hell he was moving. He only pulled Ignis a little closer and nosed in against him sleepily, not certain how long it had been since they'd passed out and frankly, he didn't give a damn. It was the first time he felt like he didn't immediately have to rush into whatever was awaiting him.

In his dreams, they were all back to when they were younger. The gentle nosing earned Gladio a mumbled protest as Ignis let himself doze a bit longer, enjoying the simple fact that there were no meetings that he needed to be at. No training. No early morning business save for-

Opening his eyes reminded him that all that was true. No meetings or training. No early morning business. No sight. No city. Just ruins and the constant aching in his back and thigh and the warm body he was pressed against. Frankly, he wanted to let himself drift back off into that pleasant world he remembered but something was nagging in the back of his mind. A sensation of something being wrong. Something off and it was enough to make Ignis stir again, groaning in protest.

"No." Like a five year old himself, Gladio grumbled the word against Ignis and held him closer, not wanting either of them to get up. Really, he knew the moment he really tried to move his entire body was going to be stiff, his ribs were going to scream, and his injured shoulder probably wouldn't even move.

So no. Stay. Even complete with a stubborn little bite.

He managed a low, rough chuckle at the bite and allowed himself to settle back down into that embrace. There was still something that was whispering in the back of his mind, something wrong, but Gladio's presence was enough to smother that little feeling for a bit longer. He didn't exactly go back to sleep, but he was content to doze a while longer, wrapped up in Gladio's warmth.

He couldn't do the kinds of things he normally liked to do when he had Ignis tucked up in bed like this, such as stroking his fingers through his hair, running them over Ignis' ribs, following the lines of his arms. Instead, he could only gently rub his thumb against Ignis' back where he couldn't feel the remains of the burns and sigh quietly. "...still daylight," Gladio murmured, able to see it in the room through the cracks in the curtains. "Think Prompto and Noct ended up going out to see it?"

Speaking required more effort than Ignis was really willing to put forth so Gladio got a yawn and a very careful stretch first before he leaned in and pressed a slow, sleepy kiss to his chest.

"I certainly hope so. They worked hard for it. It was so odd last night, not hearing daemon screams in the dark..."

The stretch gave Gladio a chance to shift his arm, which made him groan low as feeling started to come back to it, followed by a chuckle. Maybe a little pointed flex of a pectoral. "...Huh," the amusement turned thoughtful, thinking back. "I didn't even think about it, but you're right. It's been so long..." Since silence, since sunlight, since a lack of fear.

They had both passed out, deeper than he could remember sleeping in years. No cat-nap to get his energy back but a real healing sleep that only relief could have brought. ...Or... whatever the hell they had done last night with Noct because he still didn't know. "Did... we dream it all?"

There was a huff of protest from Ignis as he settled back down, his back shifting enough to disturb the still sensitive skin. He'd thought that the silence would've been too loud to sleep in thanks to ears and senses used to noisy things in the dark, but his sleep had been peaceful and deep...

And he woke up to Gladio still being by his side.

The question made him pause, then sigh.

"I... don't think we did. Today feels different."

"Something does," Gladio agreed, though what? He wasn't certain. Something felt different inside, but not... bad. Not understanding it wasn't encouraging. "What did we even do? Some damn weird trip..." His voice trailed off as he nosed against hair, his body already complaining and wanting to go find some kind of painkillers. It felt like being back in the depths of training, when he had first started getting his arse kicked up and down the training room by the Crownsguard.

"I'm not sure. I have an idea, but..."

He fell silent. It sounded ridiculous and honestly, he had to bite back a hint of 'I told you so'. He wouldn't tell his lover that, even if there was a vague sense of smug satisfaction.

"It's hard to explain and I'm not sure I have the words to do it, to be honest. I think we gave him something else to draw power from since the Crystal seems to be silent now."

"You, lost for words? Clearly the end times came," Gladio joked, but he could see that look on Ignis' face. That was why Ignis had to deal with the kiss to his nose because stop it. He still had no idea if what they did was right or not other than Noct had woken up. Eventually they'd have to get up and go check on the pair. Eventually.

"Hmm. I don't know if we did or not, but... he woke up. That's all that matters." That and Ignis' reaction to him nosing behind his ear a little.

There was no hint of retaliation at his cheeky words. Not when he was just.. so at peace. Their world might be in shambles around them, but they were still in it, with the sun shining outside.

The nuzzle earned a breathy chuckle and Ignis tipping his head was a clear sign that he didn't mind it one bit.

"I imagine he'll be hard to drag out of bed for a few days, not that I blame him. He's got Prompto with him and those two haven't had any real time together in years. We might not see them come up for air for days."

Mm, that chuckle was definitely encouraging. Gladio gave a quiet laugh of his own and turned his nosing into a nibble, rumbling quietly. They were both still sore, pretty hurt in some cases, but generally Gladio felt good. Better than he could remember in a long time, which perhaps was a little on the messed up side.

They had said they'd talk in the morning, right?

"Wouldn't blame either of them, honestly. ...Might as well let them have as long as they need."

"You're just looking to make excuses to stay in this bed all day."

Not that he sounded put out by that at all. He couldn't remember the last time he'd lazed around in bed with his lover and while he didn't exactly feel fantastic, he felt better than he had in quite some time. He felt whole and each little twinge from Gladio's tender mercies the day before were all worth it.

This time, it wasn't a chuckle. It was a pleased sigh and a moment later, there were slim fingers sliding into Gladio's hair.

"... it's gotten so long. You realize I'm going to have trouble keeping my hands out of it, don't you?"

"Are you complaining? Because maybe I am." How long had it been since they had been able to do this? How long had it been that he had been in the emotional or mental mindset to stay in one place that long? For the first time in so long, he felt... calm. Not perfect, not pain-free, not worried about the future, but calmer than he could remember. Plus he could slide a foot down Ignis' leg and press their toes together, so he did.

"Mmm, definitely not complaining about that." It was free around his face, long since pulled from the horseknot he usually kept it in, even if it did badly need to get washed. He flicked out his tongue, debating what they were even capable of.

Hells, he didn't mind the idea of just being able to slowly get Ignis off with his hand right now, but it also might be the extent of it.

With a snort, he tugged at that hair even as he smiled. There was the ease of the old days there and though their world was vastly different now, it was clear that some things stayed the same.

"... we should get up and get cleaned up. As tempting as staying in bed sounds, we really should make sure we can scrounge up something to eat for everyone."

Of course, for all his talk, he didn't move an inch.

Gurgle.

Gladio looked down at his traitor stomach and sighed slowly before pulling Ignis up into a proper kiss. Only then did he murmur against his lover's lips, "I wouldn't mind getting you off right here then finding a shower we can take together." That very low rumble that could be felt in his chest.

The chuckle on his lips at the grumbling stomach was stolen away by Gladio and it was all too easy to let that kiss linger between them. For all the years between them, there were moments when kisses between them still felt new and he was hard pressed to pull away when all he wanted to do was lean in and deepen that contact.

What his lover said against his lips was enough to make him want to dally around in bed even longer, even if he knew that they had things to do.

"You have no idea how good that sounds."

"It would be my pleasure." Sliding an arm around Ignis to be able to pull him up further, leaving their groins close together, he undid the robe's belt and left it on Ignis but opened the front. "A new challenge... see if I can get us off one-handed." Playful, though still full of aroused warmth.

He could ignore the faint uncertain feeling somewhere at the back of his mind that neither of them knew was coming from the awake Prompto, but Prompto was equally about to find out about their new connections'... changes.

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