Whatever.

Somnus rolled his eyes, sighing. 

“Ah yes. So I can embarrass myself. In front of all those people and my… Father.” He paused. “What’s the meeting about today?”

“…”

Fine. If he wanted to believe he was Noctis? Then he was going to play it up. 

“No. I refuse. I’m not going to sit in on some boring meeting listening to some boring council members..”

Curses. How was he supposed to know that Noctis would like to nap too? He ruffled his hair, sighing. 

“Do you have any other questions for me? Maybe a different one to prove that I’m not Noctis?”

Somnus narrowed his eyes before sighing. 

“I like to nap. And, more than anything, I like to hunt.”

“Hm. What a fuckin’ coincidence. Noctis, too, likes to nap and hunt.” Well, fish more like it, but maybe he way just trying to throw him off.

“….”

He heaved a long, long sigh. This was irritating. 

“How am I supposed to prove that? I told you who I was. Would I have reason to lie to you? I’m not Noctis.”

“…..”

He groaned, rubbing his behind. Sons of a.. He hissed in pain before getting himself up onto his feet. Prince Charmless? Please… He ruffled his hair, leveling a glare at the man. 

“I’m not Noctis.”

He could feel his eyebrow twitching. So, he wasn’t going to believe him was he? He snorted as his mind went into overdrive on how to kill this big lug. He deserved it. After doing this to him. After humiliating him. How dare he…?! How DARE this man make a mockery of him. 

“You will let me down now or you will not escape today with your life.”

Gladiolus simply lifts him up higher before flat out dropping him on the ground. He was tired of this. But if he didn’t at least try, he’d get in trouble, too.

“Whoops. Sorry, Prince Charmless, my hand slipped.” He didn’t even bother to hide the grin that grew on his face. His shoulders shook slightly as he chuckled, and leaned down, looming over his assumed King.

Somnus gritted his teeth, anger filling him each and every moment that passed. Would this idiot realize who he was if he found out? Maybe he should just kill him? No. He was the Chosen’s shield. That wouldn’t be a good idea. He’d have to tell the man the truth. 

Somnus smirked, turning his head over his shoulder. “I’m Somnus Lucis Caelum, the Founder King. I command you to put me down this instant.”

“Of course you are.” The words dripped sarcasm, annoyance blatant in Gladio’s voice. Were all princes such a pain in the ass? Or just this one? He’d have to ask later. 

“I’m not being stupid!” he spat, jerking his arm free from the man’s grasp. Finally. He clenched his arm, glaring at the large man in front of him. “I am NOT Noctis! Stop calling me that!”

Somnus huffed. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, SIR, I have business to attend to.”

“We don’t have time to play these games!” Gladiolus snaps back, turning back to the smaller man and squaring his shoulders. “Get off your damn high horse, Princess, you got a seat to fill in thirty minutes.” 

Ow. What was this man’s issue here? How…Did he really look like the Chosen King that much? He wasn’t lounging around. He was…Oh, he could already feel the other Lucii laughing at him right now. He narrowed his gaze at the large hand around his arm before pulling on it. 

“I think you need to let me go, sir. I don’t even know who Ignis is.”

“You’re takin’ this joke a bit too far. Stop bein’ stupid, and stop callin’ me Sir. It’s my job to keep you safe and on your feet. Ignis is a ‘sir’. I ain’t.” Ugh. It’s was gonna be one of THOSE days. He’d just have to power through like he used to. 

“?!?!?!?”

What was this man doing?! Did he not realize who he was talking to?! Oh Gods. Bahamut, save him. What had he done to deserve this?!

“Duties?” he murmured. “I’m not shirking my duties? What duties?”

He groaned at the hand on his hand. 

“Could you unhand me, please?”

“Ugh. I really gotta deal with this every day? And what’s with you talkin’ like an old man? Your dad wouldn’t be happy to know you’re loungin’ around like this.” Gladio rolls his eyes and instead, grabs ‘Noctis’ by the upper arm and begins to drag him off.