iwillshieldhim | What Stalks in the Night [for fieryknowledge]

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What Stalks in the Night [for fieryknowledge]

The day had started out like any other. The pinging of Ignis' phone alarm. The snuggle of Prompto because that kid turned out to be a snuggler at night and always tried to hide it in the morning. The grumbling from Noct. Breakfast. Clean up. Deciding what to do.

Today turned out to be a day for a hunt. Good. Gladio itched for a fight today and a hunt mean a fight and gil, even if the latter was the more necessary right now. Those damn energy drinks for Noct to turn into potions were annoyingly expensive; thank the Six they were popular enough to be absolutely everywhere even if the blasted things were pricey.

The hunt itself proved to be surprisingly elusive, though. Most of the afternoon was spent in just trying to track down the beast, perched on the backs of their chocobos with maps pulled out and a lot of cursing because this place proved to be a bit of a maze of canyons cut into the rock. Eventually, they found it, though, and Gladio had to admit... this wasn't going to be easy.

It was almost like a giant scorpion, except it had paws and a sort-of-face like a lion and it was furred. The tipster had called it a Chimera; Gladio called it ugly. By the end of the long, damn difficult fight, he had called it several far less appropriate names. It had managed to put the hurt on all of them, but only Gladio had taken a blow from its glowing tail, stabbing right into the muscle of his left arm. One of those expensive potions had taken care of that, or so they thought, and they had gone back to camp stinking, exhausted, and ready to just get some food in their stomachs and pass out.

But as they finally saw camp in the distance, Gladio was surprised at how the heat of the day was clinging to him because he felt even more sticky-sweaty under the leather. Fuck. Last thing he needed right now was to have to air-dry his fatigues, but he probably wasn't going to have a choice.

Little did he know.

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The potions had been a help, but there still wasn't a muscle in Ignis that wasn't aching after that fight. Their prey had been big and mean and fast and Ignis was glad it was over with. He could say they'd done the folks nearby a good deed, but they'd damn well earned the gil they had coming to them once they turned in evidence from the hunt.

The haven was a welcome sight, even to Ignis. He preferred hotels or caravans when they were all recovering from a rough hunt but there wasn't a single complaint from anyone while the trudged their way there and started to set up.

Their stock was a bit low, so cooking that evening would prove to be a bit of a challenge and the last thing Ignis wanted to do was end up eating toast. They deserved a better meal than that. A quick look up told him he still had a little daylight left. It should be enough time to scout around a little and see what he could scrounge for a decent dinner for everyone.

A few moments later and he told Noctis what he had planned, promising to call if he got into trouble and headed off south of their campsite.

Gladio grunted and gave a quick wave when he saw Ignis leaving, trusting the other to be able to handle himself where he wouldn't have let Noct or Prompto go out alone. He managed to get the tent halfway up before he realized something was wrong, and completely up before he had to admit it to himself something was really wrong. It was getting hard to concentrate because of the heat burning just under his skin. A fever?

When the tent was set up, he moved off behind it, sitting on the edge of the haven and letting his head drop into his hands. No, this was more than a fever. Something was definitely wrong. His mouth was watering, his body on fire, and it felt like with every passing second it was getting harder to think. He needed something, and his whole body felt like-

He didn't know the moment that he lost the firm grip on his superego and the ID took over.

The feeling of being watched. That would be the first hint that Ignis got, the instincts that sparring and time out here in the wild had started to hone. Something was nearby, but it was moving on silent feet, hidden in the brush. As the sun dipped closer to the horizon, it still wasn't time for daemons, but something was out there and watching him.

It was the prickle along the back of his neck that was the first sign. The sensation of eyes on him. That odd hyperawareness along his skin that quickened his breath and made his steps a little quicker, more agile.

Something was wrong.

Pausing, he glanced around, his hands loose but ready. There was the tingle of magic in his veins, ever ready to answer his call if needed and at the moment, he held that sensation close to him. Be it weapons or magic, he was ready for whatever was out there watching him, if it ever got the nerve to come at him.

Still keenly aware of the world around him, he bent to inspect something that looked promising for dinner, an herb he hadn't seen before. With some between his fingers, he lifted back up, smelling the fresh greenery in his hand before chancing a quick taste.

It was little more than a beast stalking after its prey, but this beast was very intelligent. More so, it was trained, sleek, and strong... and it had a scent. It breathed slowly on the wind, that scent coming straight to it with each faint blow of the window - now the crisp scent of broken greenery included - and everything in its body declared that it wanted this prey.

Gladio unconsciously licked his lips once, then moved to get closer. How long before his prey broke and ran? He wanted the rush, the run, the attack, the fight. This one was strong; it would be a good fight and an even better mate.

The venom had taken time to get to his mind to affect it, but now the delusions it was providing, the chemicals it was altering, was doing exactly what it was designed to do - to give the Chimera, a creature born of various creatures, the ability to mate with anything it so desired to - which also worked as an excellent defense.

And there it was again. That odd sensation sliding along his nerves. He remained as he was for a moment until there was a faint snap behind him. There was no hurry as he glanced around, but those green eyes were sharp as they scanned the area. If there was a predator around, running would just entice it to chase him and he was not about to be seen as an easy bit of prey.

Instead, he reached back down and tucked the new herbs into the little pouch he carried and pointedly turned away again, his eyes scanning the sky this time. Nope. Still too light for daemons and there wasn't that telltale thick ichor anywhere near him. He glanced back in the direction of the camp a moment later, quietly calculating the distance and how quickly he could get there without it seeming like he was in a hurry.

Too long.

Still, teeth gritted over a quiet curse, he started back toward camp, his steps quick. It wasn't a run, but it wasn't an easy stroll either.

It would do.

He moved slowly through the underbrush after his prey, saliva trickling down his jaw as his mouth watered more and more in the desire to have it under his hands, under his mouth, like the other was something to be devoured. He couldn't see how his pupils were all but gone and his eyes were glowing ever so faintly crimson, narrowed to slits as he moved on the hunt. The prey had not fully sensed him, he was certain, but it was aware that he was out there.

He only needed to get a little closer before he would strike.

The risk Ignis was running was bringing something dangerous - it had to be, didn't it? - closer to the haven and therefore, the others. Could he get to it before whatever it was got him?

It was getting closer. An unnatural shift of the brush somewhere to his back-left.

Another tremor behind him and Ignis took off, this time darting away from the haven and his charge. If he'd had some distance, he would've risked a call but with something actively stalking him, he wouldn't risk it. Not when he needed his focus and both hands free.

He had to get whatever it was away from the campsite. Once he'd drawn it away, then he'd handle it himself. Better to run the risk of fighting on his own close to dark than leading a hidden danger right to the man he was charged with protecting.

The prey RAN. Gladio's entire body tensed up before he took off, moving rapidly after Ignis without recognizing on a higher level at all that he was stalking his friend and brother with every intention of having him. Ignis had speed on his side, for certain, and he was more dexterous than Gladio by far, but Gladio had the strength and right now, the animal instinct that doesn't care if the other gets injured.

But as they come out of the brush, it'll be the first time Ignis actually sees what's chasing him. Gladio's hunched over with that faint glow in his eyes hidden in the brilliant colors of the sunset smeared across them both. There's bits of leaves in his hair from his movements in the underbrush but the expression on his face... looks like nothing Ignis would have ever seen in him before.

Once they'd cleared the underbrush, Ignis glanced back, ready to see what he would potentially be facing off against. The last thing he expected to see was Gladio chasing after him. The bigger man seemed intent on catching him and while Ignis had speed and agility on his side, Gladio had stamina and strength.

... was he out here trying to goad him into a spar? Really? This time of day?

Huffing under his breath, Ignis slowed down a bit, his body angling toward Gladio's and his face set with a frown. He was clearly about to start into a lecture about startling him.

He hadn't really noticed the expression on his partner's face and he hadn't quite gleaned his intent.

Gladio's speed didn't slow down. He had Ignis in his sights and he set his teeth hard as he came up fast. There was no weapon in his hands but he also wasn't approaching like he had ever before... nor was it like him to just come up and attack without warning. Not when they were people who could quite literally summon a weapon from nothing and had every right to be jumpy while the Empire was hunting their group.

He said nothing as he got within seconds of being able to pounce Ignis and he had every intention to, quite literally.

Something was really wrong...

The hesitation was a dangerous thing when dealing with a wild beast, but Ignis still had no idea exactly what he was dealing with. Three seconds, a breath, then he was off again and this time, he was trying to talk to Gladio, trying to get his attention, to tell him that chasing after him after a long day was not acceptable and damn it all, he was tired.

He still kept going, though. Instinct was driving him to keep those legs going, just in case something drastic had happened.

Something was most definitely wrong.

Gladio was reacting to none of it. No laugh, no teasing, no stupid smug grin, no words in return. Just an eerie silence from the bigger man as he ran. He knew he could outlast this one, even if it was faster than him. Just had to out think it, out last it. So he started driving it towards a rocky outcropping, knowing it might end up trapped because it kept looking back at him foolishly.

That was what tipped Ignis off to just how bad things were. By now, Gladio should be openly harassing him, teasing him and such. There was nothing. No chiding words about being caught off-guard or jokes about his ass. Nothing at all and that worried Ignis.

Teeth gritted as his lungs started to burn with exertion, he shifted his path, trying to avoid getting boxed in and trying to avoid being herded. He had to get some distance, some time, to try and figure out what was going on with Gladio.

Besides, why would Gladio leave Prompto and Noct alone? He knew Ignis was out in the field getting things for supper. It just wasn't in his stance as a Shield to leave his charge what to do.

However, he'd done what he wanted - he'd gotten his prey into the rocky area. He waited until the prey looked away... then slipped into the rocks to follow him at a different, unseen angle.

The predator was suddenly gone. That was exactly what Gladio had been acting like - a preadtor.

And just like that, he was gone.

Panting quietly, Ignis let himself slow down, then come to a stop as he looked around. His stance showed that he was ready for a fight if it came down to it, but he still hadn't called his daggers to his hands. Not until he knew he had no other options.

Each step was careful, almost silent as Ignis slowly swept the area as best he could.

"Gladio. Something's wrong with you. I want to help."

Letting himself stop let Gladio cover the distance he hadn't been able to make up due to Ignis' quicker pace, and calling out only told him exactly where his prey was. Gladio moved slowly, silently, in a way that Gladio himself would have said he wasn't capable of with that bulky body of his. Closer. Closer.

Then, showing his teeth in a silent snarl... he pounced from the shadows as soon as Ignis' gaze had swept past him. Ignis had a chance, but Gladio had surprise... and the weight and strength as long as he got a hand on him. Gladio never, ever bore his full strength against them in a spar because it could cause damage, and he wanted a mate not a meal, but it was still more than the typical.

Ignis' head snapped around the moment he heard Gladio coming after him again. He did his best to get himself back out of reach, but he wasn't as quick as he should've been. A single dagger popped into his hand but there was no attempt to turn the blade on him. Instead, Ignis aimed a quick pommel strike to Gladio's cheek, trying to get him away until he could figure out what in the hells was going on.

The blow was taken better than most would have guessed, but Gladio had always been their Shield in combat and he took the title well. His head snapped to the side - it was going to be a hell of a bruise at some point - but he didn't release his grip. Instead, he only growled, a low, dark sound that was anything but pleased at the sudden pain.

His grip on Ignis' shirt allowed for a better grip on his non-dagger arm (not what Gladio would have done in his right mind, for if you can control their weapon you control them), then worked to pull Ignis to the ground.

That growl made Ignis' blood run cold. He'd heard that sound before, usually reserved for Imperial troops or something that truly angered him. Never at him, though.

Teeth gritted, he lashed out again, trying to find a way to break his hold. Another slam with his pommel again, harder this time, as he twisted in Gladio's grip. The motion sent him to a knee but damn it all, he would not go down if he could help it and if he did, he wanted Gladio to pay for it.

No block, not even the attempt to block it which Gladio should have given his experience in hand-to-hand and the fact his other hand was still free. However, for him, pain would be paid for in pain. Blood trickled from the corner of Gladio's lips - a slice from teeth, damage done to them or skin it was hard to say - but he didn't let go. Instead, he snarled and twisted Ignis' arm hard, his other hand coming up and back handing Ignis brutally hard across the face.

His arm screamed in agony, but that wasn't what got to him. The dagger fell from his hand, disappearing into a flurry of sparks even as his head snapped to the side. He saw stars as pain scorched along his nerves. It left him barely conscious, groaning as he clung to stay awake, try and get Gladio to think. He tried to speak, but his tongue was slow and his words were thick with pain.

"Gladio... Gladio, why are you doing this? This isn't you..."

Now, this close, Ignis might notice the glow in Gladio's eyes that suggested that no, this wasn't him. There was nothing of recognition in his eyes, only a hunger, a need, a heat. One hand grasped cloth and it darkened his expression into a scowl, so he jerked hard on it. The cloth strained, then the buttons gave way in a series of pops that sent the buttons bouncing out of view, and a second jerk pulled down on the material in a try either to get him down to the ground or it off, hard to say.

The jerk sent Ignis to both knees only to end up in the dirt a moment later, but not before he'd seen those vicious eyes. There was no sign of Gladio in that crimson gaze and he still had no idea what had happened to him. Had the Empire compromised him somehow? Had they all missed something about the big man?

So many questions that needed answers and Ignis didn't have the time or brainpower to figure them out. Not when he absently tasted blood and dirt in his mouth as he struggled to get himself up again. Once he was up, he could run again. He could get to the haven. Noctis and Prompto would help him subdue Gladio, help him figure out what was wrong with him.

He just had to get up-

That suggested Gladio was going to let him up in any fashion. Yet if it was the Empire, they were used to robots, to weapons. Not this bare basic fighting Gladio was relying on. A daemon? Perhaps but that made almost less sense because it was still daytime and he'd been fine--

He'd been with Prompto and Noct. He'd never intentionally leave them alone but he had been with them? What state were they in if he had left and come after Ignis?

One big hand shifted and grasped the back of Ignis' neck in a brutal squeeze, pushing him down against the dirt as he shifted behind him and Ignis would learn two other terrifying facts. Gladio was pouring off body heat, even for him, like he was burning horribly up with a fever.

The other, as he pressed against Igis, was that he was hard.

Just as he'd lifted his head up enough to get some air into his lungs, he was shoved back down and held there, instinct pushing him to remain still. The hand holding him down was heavy and hard and in the back of his mind, he realized that Gladio could crush his neck if he wanted...

The body heat was something else entirely. Prompto often joked that Gladio was their personal space heater for cool nights spent camping, but this... this went far beyond that. The close press of his body would've been oppressive just for that reason alone. What made it infinitely worse was that he could feel just how... enthused he was about the current situation. That little tidbit was downright horrifying to Ignis.

Groaning under his breath, he tried to inch away from that intruding pressure but he knew he couldn't get far. Not with Gladio's hand holding him down so firmly.

"... please. You don't want to do this."

Stalk away!

/stalkstalk

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