#ffxv angst

hHH, oKay this took forever to write and finish, bUt, it’s finally done~

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Noct ran.

He ran as fast as his trembling legs would take him, even after getting shot in the calf. The adrenaline making him almost completely immune to any sort of pain. He kept running, his hair matte from the blood dripping down his head. His ears rung almost painfully. This was supposed to be one of the best days for him and his dear comrades. He found prompto and smiled before stopping dead in his tracks. Someone was behind him. He widened his eyes when he realized who was behind him and sprinted to the oblivious blonde.

“PROMPTO!” The prince screamed, jolting off the bed and clutching his heart. His hair was covering his face, he was ghostly pale, eyes wide and glassy. Prompto ran into the room, tripping, “what? Are you okay?” The blonde yelled, worry slapping the sleep out of him. Noct looked around. He wasn’t in the citadel anymore. He was in bed. Safely. Noct shook as Prompto walked up to the traumatized prince and held him close, feeling Noctis shake uncontrollably. Noctis cried and clutched onto Prompto's shirt, afraid of letting him go, even for the slightest second. Prompto held Noct just as close, his heart pounding just as hard as his breathing.

“You’re okay… You- Iggy. Where’s Ignis? A-and Gladio?” The prince asked, jumping off the bed and tripping on his way out, desperate to find his fellow companions, hoping it was all just a dream and not another vision. ‘It can’t be.. Can it..?’ he thought to himself, his heart racing. “Ignis! Gladio! Where- Where are you guys?” He yelled as he ran around the main hallway. His head spinning with only the worst thoughts. He was abruptly brought back to reality when someone held his shoulders firmly, shaking it. The prince screamed, widening his eyes, tears streaming down his cheeks unknowingly. What the prince saw would surely haunt him for years. There, in that moment, he saw Ardyn, in his daemon form. That wasn’t what stuck fear to the young prince. What paralyzed the poor Noct, was his deformed face and mangled, ripped body. One of his amber eyes bloodshot, the other a pastel, almost grayish amber tone. His wretched sneer more twisted than ever. He wore a sneer only a mad, sane man would carry, a man so sane, that itself, caused him to go mad. Ardyn’s body was almost completely split in half, deep, deep gashes of his internal body showing, the smell of a dead corpse filling Nocts nose. He dropped to his knees at the sight of the daemon. ‘This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening. I killed hi-’ “Noct, what are you doing here? You have an announcement to make at the citadel later” Ignis said, the cursed daemon now gone. Noct looked around to find his fellow friends, looking down at him worriedly. What was happening? Didn’t they see Ardyn? “Wha- What? But Ardyn’s here- here” He stuttered. Gladio sighed and pressed his hand against the delusional prince, checking his temperature, “Seems fine. Maybe he hallucinated from jumping out of the bed right after he woke up.” The big man said quietly to Ignis. Prompto looked at Noct concerned, “A-Ardyn? Like evil spooky daemon relative Ardyn?” Prompto squeaked out, looking around on high alert, ready to summon his gun. Ignis shook his head, “if he was here, we would’ve all known. No one would be able to even resemble him, so we would know. We’ll look around to make sure everything’s clear if it’ll ease your nerves.” Ignis said, holding the princes shoulder. The prince tensed, the visual of his ancestor embedded into his brain, forever remaining there to haunt him. Noct nodded, tears silently rolling down his fair cheeks. He stood up and made his way outside the citadel to get some fresh air. He was still in a state of shock, numb to the core. Prompto followed the man before him, helping him walk out with small words of encouragement and reassurance, shaken up a bit as well, but nothing compared to what the prince had witnessed.

Once Noctis was settled and calm, he went to the citadel to discuss about the death of Ardyn and the new era of peace. He wore a dark blue suit with a pendant he had received from his father days before he was killed. He wore his casual boo-

“Noct, why are you wearing your boots..?”the advisor asked the prince, now king of Insomnia, “Yeah man, they don’t even match” Prompto pointed out, holding back a snicker, only to be hit in the back of his neck by gladio “No one’s gonna see his shoes, let the boy be.” Gladio laughed, his laugh sounding more like a roar than a laugh. Noctis sighed. He had a bad feeling something was gonna happen. Something that’s gonna have to do with that nightmare, or vision- whatever it was. The young king shook his head and walked out, cheers filling his ears, smiles all around him anywhere he looked.

‘Just like the way it was with dad..’ He thought to himself, a sad smile on his face. He took a deep breath, indicating the beginning of his speech. The crowd went silent.

“Today is the dawn of a new era.” He started, raising his posture up, a firm look in his eyes. “After ten years of my absence, Ardyn has stripped you all of light and peace. I will admit, we lost countless soldiers, but they will be remembered from now on. They did not die in vain. Ardyn is dead as of now to the end of days!” The crowd cheered, men throwing confetti, women throwing roses and beautifully colored petals. “From now to the end of days, we will have nothing but peace! No more having to fear of the daemons that haunt us or our children” he said, memories flashing before his eyes, making him widen them by just enough for it to go unnoticed by those other who didn’t know him as close as his fellow brothers. He smiled, dismissing the quick flashbacks and shaking his head, “And from now and so forth, I will protect insomnia with my life!” He stated finally before an earthquake-like rumble erupted. The king looked around furiously, his breath hitched. ‘No.. this isn’t what I think it is..’ he muttered to himself, shocked, his blood running cold. He didn’t wanna believe what was unraveling before his eyes. “Noct!” Ignis yelled, grabbing Nocts attention. There, laid an unconscious Gladio and an injured Prompto, coughing up some blood. Noct couldn’t believe his eyes. He ran towards the group, his heart racing. ‘Countless acts left you in vain~’ a voice said, clearly in his head. He stopped in his tracks. That voice was clear as day in his head. Only one person had a voice so sickly sweet and toxic.

“Ardyn..” The king muttered to himself. As he ran towards his team, he noticed them getting farther and farther away from him. “Noctis!” He heard Ignis scream out. He ran to the sound of Ignis, his heart and head pounding, his legs aching, his stamina reaching its limit. The king pushed forward, adrenaline pumping through his veins. Flames engulfed his lungs, causing Noctis’ eyes to sting, ash gray tears slipping out of his

eyes. He finally made it to Ignis, who looked just as bad as Noct, if not worse. “Where-Where’s Prompto and Gladio?” He stuttered out, his stomach churning to knots, his breath still heavy from the running and the smoke. Right at that moment, Noctis heard a gunshot. He turned behind him, only to hear a certain someone fall on him. “Ig… Ignis!” He screamed out, his eyes wide and glassy. Someone had shot him, someone had shot his advisor- no, his brother. The king frantically tried to cover his bleeding, breathing heavily, his thoughts racing, “I am not afraid to die” he heard Ignis strain out, holding the kings hand close to him, “Go find the rest… kill Ardyn once more..” His final words stuck to him. Noct shook his head furiously, “no, no no, don’t worry, I’m gonna find the rest, and- and I’m gonna make sure you’re- Ignis!” He screamed as his fellow companion started to glow and turn to dust. His eyes widened, shock coursing through his veins. Noct’s knees buckled underneath him and he dropped to the cold concrete floor. He couldn’t let this happen to the others. ‘I have to find the rest before something like this happens to the rest’ He thought to himself, slowly dragging himself up, suddenly feeling a wave of adrenaline pump through him. He went inside a building and found a cloak to disguise himself from whoever had been attacking. Noct warped to the top of the said building and heard a familiar cry. He smiled as he realized it was none other than Gladio. ‘Hm, he’s in a fight I guess. Better go check on him, he’s probably with Prompto.’ He thought to himself, dropping from the building and running, the grin on his face never leaving his bloody, cut face. The king didn’t know why, but a rush of excitement washed over him, the thought of fighting those who caused him so much pain and so much grief giving him joy. He let out a chuckle, seeing the soldiers falling, they’re last breath being taken before him as he slashed at them, nothing but happiness and pure adrenaline pumping in through his veins as he let out a loud laugh. A laugh some might think of as nothing but a happy man with those he loves, while others know that laugh. Oozing and dripping with nothing but pure insanity. So much insanity and just sanity, it could cause one to go insane with the laugh itself. It’s definitely a laugh that’ll scar those who hear it.

As Noct went after the magiteks with the grin of a mad man, Prompto was frozen in place, helping Gladio up. He started to tremble, feeling his knees buckle underneath his weight. “N-noct..?” He muttered, confusion and fear evident in his tone. He widened his eyes after hearing the laugh, collapsing, tears starting to stream down his dusty face. The laugh.. That laugh was the exact laugh that still haunts him. The laugh he heard when Ardyn had endlessly tortured him. Prompto started to sob, holding his head tightly, quietly begging for him to stop, praying it’s all in his head. Noctis slowly started to finish his spree, turning and running to Prompto and what seemed to be an unconscious Gladio, a small smile on his face “Are you guys- Prompto, what’s wrong?” He asked, the smile disappearing from his face almost instantly. Prompto hesitated, resting his hand on the kings shoulder, “You okay?” Noctis nodded, looking at him, a puzzled expression evident on his face, “Yeah, why?” He questioned, catching his breath. “Hm.. nothing..” he shrugged. Noctis nudged Gladio, shaking the amicitia, “Oi, Gladio, buddy, wake up.” He said, the big man not moving. Prompto laughed nervously, kneeling down to him and checking for a pulse, staying still for a moment before widening his eyes, “Gl..Gladio…? Come on man, get up big guy, you’re the shield!” Prompto choked out, holding back tears. Noctis watched as the blonde wailed for the Amicitia. Noct leaned down to the big man. He looked at peace, like nothing could harm him anymore. As if he was finally happy. His hand now cold and loose around his giant sword, an indicator that he wasn’t where Noctis and Prompto had hoped he would be.

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He felt water droplets slowly drip onto his face, soon beginning to engulf him. ‘It’s raining..’ He thought to himself, slowly looking up to the sky.

He let out a chuckle..

Then a small laugh..

The king let out a laugh, tears streaming down his now bloodshot eyes. He couldn’t hold back his laughter, a laugh that could scare even the strongest of them all. His laughter echoed through the new ruins of what once was the citadel and his home. “Is this all you’ve got?” He cackled to himself,dropping to his knees, “Killing my family? Killing my people, and destroying my kingdom? I should really thank you Ardyn!” He grinned. “You never seem to surprise me either! You coward, show yourself! Let me show you my gratitude you filthy daemon.” He chuckled, his eyes darkening to a sick maroon. His arms twitched once he held his sword, dragging it as he walked around his now broken down kingdom. “This place was always a dump you know.. always the same shit going on.. nothing ever changed here. It was an endless cycle.” His voice Projected through the place. He heard a twig split and turned towards the sound, only to see his dear friend. The blonde shook to his core, his eyes bewildered and wide, with fear clear in his eyes. “N-Noct..? Buddy? Oh thank six I found-.... you..?” He stopped himself as the king stared right through him, as if he was some sort of daemon. A corrupted animal, thirsty for blood, his breathing uneven. Prompto shook his head, ‘ It’s only Noct. He’s just shaken up.. right..?’ He inches closer to his best friend, slowly regaining confidence and reaching his hand to his shoulder, “Hey buddy, le-let’s go find Ardyn. I knew he was around he-” he stopped himself as Noct swung his sword upward and aiming right for the blonde. Prompto barely had time to comprehend what was happening before him and dodged Nocts swings. “Noct! Get a hold of yourself man! It’s me, you’re best friend, Prompto!” He yelled. Noct let out a frustrated grunt, starting to warp and swing around the blonde, only for the blonde to dodge. “Shut up..” Noctis muttered.

“Shut up… shut up shut up, SHUT UP!” he yelled out, his eyes strained and bloodshot. He recklessly swung at Prompto, his eyes a furious red, “You killed my FATHER, you killed my brothers! What’s next, huh?!” He screamed. Prompto widened his eyes, halting, letting out a small yell before dodging a swing right for his throat. “N-Noct, it’s me! Prompto!” He stuttered, his heart dropping. Noctis glared and let out a scoff, “You’ve got to be kidding me. Cut the shit out already, you pathetic scum.” He spat out, his eyes full of nothing but pure rage. Hatred. Prompto choked and looked down at his shaky hands. It didn’t look like his own hand..? He gasped at the realization and looked up at Noct, “n-no! Noct, p-please, buddy, it’s Prompto!” He cried out desperately, falling to his knees. Noctis shook his head and pointed the tip of his sword right below Ardyn’s heart. “Go back to hell you pathetic daemon.” He grumbled before digging his dagger deep into his chest. Noctis’ eyes widened at the sight of what he had previously seen as Ardyn, turn to his fellow brother, Prompto. His eyes furiously looked around before scampering to the dying blonde, “Prompto.,.Prompto, Prompto, please..” He cried out, desperation clear and strained. He killed his best friend. He heard a soft laugh. A familiar laugh. Why did he sound awfully like his mother..? He slowly turned and looked up, seeing his beloved mother facing away from him. He weakly smiled, defeated. “Mother…” He whispers. He slowly reaches out for his mother’s hand, “Mom, I’m sorry!” He cried, hugging her. “I’m so sorry mom, I should’ve been stronger, I should’ve controlled myself, I should’ve been stronger, I’m sorry mom, mother I’m-” he was interrupted when he felt his mother softly push his hair away from his face, showing the dirt and blood all over his face. She smiled “It’s okay Noctis.. Everything will be okay. Trust me” she whispered.

@xylianna asked:

“Writing prompt for ya: Promptis + ANGST + Noct struggling with balancing his duty and his relationship + Prom being anxious about taking up Noct’s time.”

Tagging: @vundis-scientia @dizzymoogle @its-lunafreya @kiroochuu @arcticblade @dianett-e

Prompto sat there on his couch twiddling his thumbs and shaking his leg while holding his phone. Here he was, attempting to text his boyfriend Noctis again, asking him if he had remembered about the plans they were supposed to have that day. Every other time, he had been shut down due to Noct’s royal duties keeping him chained at the citadel. He wondered if his plan to have a simple movie date at his house with tons of snacks would get him to finally come over. After all, it was everything he had liked so who could ever turn that down? Prompto could’ve easily gone to see Noct at the citadel but didn’t want to feel like a bother or interfere with his duties. With a sigh, he unlocked his phone and started to text him.

“Hey Noct, you coming over today?”, he asked.

The rush of anxiety that crept up his body kept him on edge. He thought that he had become an inconvenience to Noct for some time now but that feeling only intensified with every text. He bit down on his lip as he anxiously waited for a response. He knew not to keep his hopes up but somewhere deep inside of him, he hoped that Noct would come. When his phone lit up, he looked down and read the text.

“Crap, I forgot. I’m really sorry Prompto, my dad has me here all day attending these stupid meetings. Can we do it some other time?”

His head hung low as he looked away from his phone for a second while rubbing his face with his hand. Of course Noct had a meeting to go to today. Of course Noct blew him off again and he would have to spend another day at his house alone. He felt stupid and knew that he shouldn’t have made plans in the first place. He looked back at his phone and sent one last text.

“Sure”, he said before he put his phone down.

~

Two days later

~

Prompto heard a knock on his door assuming it was Noct since he hadn’t returned his texts or calls in two days. It wasn’t so much that he was upset but that he wanted to distance himself from getting in Noct’s way. He walked up to the door and took a deep breath before opening it and looked at the man he so desperately wanted in his arms.

“Prompto, where have you been? Why won’t you answer my calls?”, Noctis asked him, slightly annoyed that Prompto had went missing in action.

“Didn’t want to bother”, Prompto replied.

“And why would you think you’re a bother?”, Noctis said.

“Because you’re never here..”, Prompto answered, taking his gaze away from his boyfriend’s eyes.

Noctis could hear the sadness in his voice and bowed his head in frustration, only wanting to slap himself in the face for never being there for Prompto. He loved him so much and really wanted to fight for their relationship but his duties was keeping him away.

“Hey man, don’t be like that. Look… can we talk?”, he asked Prompto, gaining his attention.

“Yea”, Prompto replied and let him inside.

~~~

Prompto didn’t sit down but instead stood across from Noctis, waiting to hear what he had to say. It hurt Noctis seeing him this way and really wanted to make things right.

“Prompto look, I know I haven’t been there for you but it’s been hard for me too. You think I want to spend my day at stupid meetings instead of being here with you?”, he asked him.

Prompto was at a loss for words. Did he really want to spend time with him or was he just saying that? His insecurities ate him up inside but he couldn’t help the thought that lingered in his mind.

“You…want to be with me?”, Prompto asked, uncertain if what Noct was saying was true.

“Of course I do”, Noct said as he approached Prompto, closing the gap between them and grabbed his hands. “I always want to be with you. Which is why I asked my dad for a few days off just so I could be here with you.”

Prompto eyes litt up due to the shock. Did he really do that? No, he had to be lying. There was no way this was for real.

“R-really?”, Prompto asked with his voice now filled with sudden excitement which only cause Noctis to laugh.

“Yea really. Now c’mon, you gonna let me stay or what?, he asked.

Prompto didn’t respond but instead pulled Noctis into a tight embrace and a kiss. This was everything he had ever wanted and things were finally going to be right.

Noctis laughed again at Prompto’s sudden actions but he felt happy seeing that he was finally going to be able to spend time with the love of his life.

So this is what happens when I listen to sad music... Kit and Ignis and their brief fling together when they were 17.

It started with a kiss.

Kit had had a crush on Ignis ever since she’d first noticed boys in that way, but she’d always just chalked it up to their spending so much time together, and had kept it to herself. But after a particularly bad day where everything that could have gone wrong had, Ignis had come over and cooked her favorite meal, giving her a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. When the worst had passed, she’d gone to kiss Iggy on the cheek in silent thanks for always being there, but he’d turned his head, about to ask her something, so she’d kissed his lips instead. When she would have pulled back in embarrassment, Ignis had pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. At 17, neither of them had had any experience in making out, but they were both more than willing to practice.

The spring was a time of firsts. He called her his angel, because she had saved him so many times, in so many ways, since coming into his life. They spent every moment they could together, and soon that first kiss led to firsts of a more heated nature. As cautious exploration turned into heated passion, so to did the cool days of spring also bleed into the blistering heat of summer.

With summer came excuses. Not at first, but with Noctis out of school, Ignis’ workload tripled. Kit was busier as well, as her training intensified in preparation of her joining the crownsguard next spring. So when one made an excuse, the other accepted with grace and a “maybe next time.” They would still try to spend together, even if it was just lying in bed next to each other as the craziness of the day took its toll on them both.

But soon it was just Ignis that had to cancel, or leave in the middle of a date. Kit would smile, kiss him goodbye and send him on his way, but Ignis knew her to well. He saw the pain that would flash in her eyes, and hated that he was the cause. But despite the pain, she waited for him, determined to fight for the future she knew they could have.

Ignis hadn’t meant to ignore her. But he had been so busy that week, leaving work well after midnight and collapsing into his bed, just to wake up a few hours later to do it all again. It was easy to tell himself he’d reach out later, or do something to make it up to her, before focusing on his current task and putting her out of his mind for the moment. She’d texted once, jokingly reminding him to eat since he’d been missing their lunches together, but when he didn’t hear from her again, he figured she was just as busy as he was. He was going over the latest reports with a very bored Noctis, when the prince alerted him to just how wrong he was.

“Kit seems…off lately, have you noticed?”

Ignis looked up sharply. “What do you mean?”

Noct shrugged, not sure how to describe it. “Distracted I guess? She seemed pretty upset when she checked her phone at one point, and during training today Gladio managed to pin her to the mat twice, and it’s been years since he’s done that. He chewed into her pretty good and she just stormed off, didn’t even argue back.”

Ignis frowned. “I have tomorrow off. I’ll see if I can find out what’s bothering her.” But he had a feeling he already knew.

 Kit had smiled when he’d shown up on her door unannounced, and seeing her made Ignis realize just how much he’d missed her. But something felt off, and Ignis realized she was holding herself back, as if bracing for when he would inevitably rush off. It hurt, but he couldn’t blame her. As much as he wanted to tell her it would be better soon, he refused to make a promise he couldn’t keep. Noct and the kingdom would always have to come first, and it wasn’t fair to her. She deserved better. Swallowing past the sudden tightness in his throat, he sat on the couch next to Kit.

“Ray, can we talk?”

Kit smiled, but it was strained, revealing her nerves and apprehension. “Of course, Iggy. What’s up?”

Ignis sighed. “You probably hate me by now, with how I’ve been distant lately.”

Kit laughed. “Iggy I could never hate you. I know Noct is your top priority, and I’m fine with it. Truly. I’m willing to-“

“But I’m not.” Ignis interrupted. Kit snapped her mouth shut and closed her eyes as Ignis continued. “It’s not fair. To either of us. I’m sorry, my angel. I love you, truly. Our time together…I felt free, for the first time in my life. And as much as I want to be selfish and beg you to wait, I refuse to make you put your life on hold for me.” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. She didn’t open her eyes. “I don’t want to cause you any more pain than I already have. One day you’ll meet someone who will make you the center of their world-responsibilities be damned-but I can’t, as badly as I wish otherwise.” He took a breath, and his next sentence was barely above a whisper. “Maybe in another few years that could have been us, but the timing was off.”

Ignis rose, kissing Kit’s forehead gently as she sat frozen. “I hope in time…I hope we can still remain friends. But I will understand if you decide otherwise.” He turned and walked away, his heart shattering into thousands of pieces with every step away from Kit he took.

 Kit wasn’t sure how long she sat on the couch after Ignis left, but suddenly being in the apartment was just too much. She grabbed her keys and drove to the Citadel, determined to distract herself from the pain. She had just finished warming up when Gladio approached her. Knowing he was probably about to give her hell for the other day, she held up a hand.

“Leave me alone, Gladio. I’m not in the mood. Whatever it is can wait til our next session.”

Gladio raised an eyebrow. “Bad breakup?”

Kit laughed bitterly. “You’d actually have to date before you can break up. No this was ending a fling just as it was turning into…” Kit grit her teeth, refusing to shed a single tear. Gladio was silent for a moment as he watched her struggle with herself.

“Grab your scythe and get in the ring.”

Kit glared at Gladio. “I don’t need your pity, Amicitia.” Her voice was as sharp as the scythe she wielded, and was intended to cut him just as deep. Gladio just gave a slightly feral grin in response.

“This isn’t pity, Kitten. Now get your ass in the ring.”

Figuring that beating on Gladio was just as good as a training dummy, Kit finally nodded. She summoned her scythe as Gladio called on his greatsword, and they began to circle each other.

“When you get a squad of your own, they’ll want to know that you can keep a level head no matter what life throws at you. They don’t want a leader who will collapse at the first sign of trouble and get them all killed. So swallow the pain, or use it to help fuel you as you accomplish your objective.” Gladio grinned again. “You won’t like what I have in store if I put you on the mat again.”

Kit just nodded, harnessing her grief and pain the same way she had learned to harness her anger so long ago. She focused it all on Gladio, landing blow after blow and putting him immediately on the defensive. She was a force of nature as they sparred, and while Gladio gave it his all, he didn’t come anywhere near landing a blow, or pinning her. He finally called a halt when they were both covered in a fine sheen of sweat, and he saw the faint muscle tremors from exhaustion Kit was trying to hide. Without a word, Kit dismissed her scythe and started to leave the training room, freezing for only the briefest moment when Ignis walked in, before pushing past him.

 Gladio watched Kit leave, hands fisted in frustration and anger, though none of that was directed at her. He knew she was still hurting badly, but he knew channeling some of that pain into her attacks had definitely helped-though she might not think so at the moment. He watched as Ignis came up to him, nodding in greeting.

“Is she alright?” Ignis asked quietly. Gladio shook his head.

“Not yet, but she will be. And if I ever find out who caused her this much pain, I swear I’ll punch them so hard they won’t remember their own name, I don’t care who it is.”

Ignis gave a sardonic laugh. “Trust me Gladio, when I say they’re in enough pain as it is, giving up someone like her. Physical pain would just be a blessing, a way to drown out the hurt they caused themselves and her.” Ignis was quiet a moment as he looked over at Gladio, who was eyeing him skeptically. Part of him hoped Gladio realized he was talking about himself, but another part was curious at the big man’s reaction. “And since when do you care about Kit’s…wellbeing?”

Gladio grimaced, but finally shrugged and let out a little sigh. “From day one. She was so timid, but there was this…spark…in her, and when it finally ignited, it was an inferno. I saw the real her, the one not plagued by doubt, and I was lost…”

Ignis started at him in confusion. “Then why rile her up and provoke her at every opportunity? If that was your way of winning her over, you failed miserably.”

Gladio gave a self-depreciating laugh. “Because she forgets to be timid, or lost, when she’s angry. Even as upset as she was, I watched her harness what she needed to fight and shove the rest away as easy as breathing. And she was spectacular. So yeah, I would rather her hate me and stay alive, and be able to take on all comers, than to be my friend, or more, and die because she hesitated at the wrong moment.”

Both men were silent for a moment, until finally Gladio turned to face his friend. “And don’t you dare breathe a word of this to her or the others, Specs. I mean it.”

Ignis chuckled mirthlessly. “She won’t hear a word about it from me, I assure you. I doubt she’d even believe me if I did say something.” He cast a look over at Gladio. “You’ve done quite a good job of… keeping her alive.”

Gladio sighed. “Don’t I know it?”

 When they were done sparring, Ignis checked his phone as Gladio headed to the locker room. There was one message.

I still want to be friends. But that’s all we can ever be. I can’t go through this pain again. I just...need time to get over you first.

Ignis closed his eyes as both relief and pain ripped through him.

I understand. Just let me know when you’re ready.

Angsty story that takes place when Kit is 14. this is what happens when you’re feeling depressed and listening to sad music. I’d had every intention of writing some Gladio/Kit fluff...oops....

Snow swirled slowly through the air as a bitter wind cut through all of Kit’s layers. It was fitting, since she felt frozen inside, standing next to her father as the pallbearers carried the simple black and silver coffin into the Leonis family crypt. Kit had grown up knowing it could happen to either one of them, but she still blamed her for leaving.

Kit watched in the mirror as her mother braided her hair in the morning, blue-black hair down to the middle of her back. Kit knew she kept it long for her father, who always seemed to run his hands through it whenever they were both home together.

“Mommy what do you do?”

Alaria Leonis turned to look at six year old Kit. “Well, Ray-Ray, mommy fights daemons so that those who don’t live in the city can be safe. I’m what’s called a hunter.” She showed Kit the dog tags she wore, watching as her little girl traced her small fingers over her engraved name.

“Its dangerous work, baby girl, but I want you to know I will always do my best to come home to you and daddy. I plan on living until I’m old and gray.” When Kit looked at her with eyes to serious for her little face, Alaria placed a small kiss on her cheek. “I will never leave you, baby girl. I swear.”

 Snow painted an endless changing galaxy on her black dress as she placed a white rose on the coffin. She should be crying, but the cold had seeped in to deep. She couldn’t cry, even though inside she was screaming.

 “Mom, I don’t think you should go.”

“Don’t be silly Rayna. I’ve a responsibility to those who can’t protect themselves. One day it will be a responsibility that you have as well.”

“I know mom, but…” She hesitated, unsure how to express the dread she was feeling. “Please, just don’t go. Just this one time…”

Alaria smiled and kissed her daughter on the top of the head. “I’ll be back in a few days, I promise. And then you can tell me all about that boy you like.”

She’d grabbed her bag and walked out. Kit had wept though she had no idea why.  

 The wind howled through the open mausoleum door as the coffin slid into its resting place far too easily. It was a spot that shouldn’t have been filled for many years yet. A spot that she had promised would not be filled until her black hair had turned silver and she’d had a life well lived.

 Kit and Noctis were sitting at their usual table eating lunch; the only time they really got to hang out together since Kit was in the eighth grade and Noct was in sixth. Noct was complaining about his math teacher when he stopped mid-sentence, eyes wide.

“Your dad is here, Kit.”  He whispered. Kit turned to look and just knew something was wrong. She stood slowly and went over to him. She froze a few feet away when she saw what he held in his hands. She shook her head.

“No. Daddy, please. No, no, no, no…” Tears streamed unchecked down her face. When Cor took a step towards his daughter she stepped back, only to stumble into Noct who’d come up to stand behind her. He caught her and held her hand in silent support, even though he wasn’t sure what was going on. No one noticed just how quiet the cafeteria had gotten.

Cor knelt in front of his daughter, placing the tags around her head. “She would want you to have these. I’m sorry Kit…” Cor trailed off, voice hoarse from suppressed emotion.

“Mom…” Kit let go of Noct’s hand to throw her arms around her father’s neck. Noct watched helplessly as his friend fell apart in front of him. She sobbed as Cor lifted her in his arms with ease. He nodded at Noct in silent thanks before taking Kit out of school for the next few days.

 Kit clutched the dog tags around her neck. She hadn’t taken them off since her father had placed them around her neck. The cold metal bit into her skin as the tomb was sealed with a hollow clang. People spoke of her bravery and her selflessness, but Kit heard none of it. She only heard her voice, making a promise she’d had no right to make.

 “I will never leave you baby girl, I swear.”