#[ basically this took hours to reply so --- i cba with editing aside from small text ]

[battleshot]

Kiss the tears right off your face, won’t get scared, that’s the old, old, old me.

Gladio awoke half past six in the morning. He slid out of bed with a silent ease and took a shower, leaving Prompto sleeping with nothing more than a kiss to the temple. 

He blow dried his hair, letting it fall in it’s natural waves to his shoulders. On one side, he strung a few metallic loops through the strands before braiding it together. A touch of cologne was put on his collarbone and he pulled on his Crownsguard training tank top and a pair of comfy sweats. 

There were still a lot of preparations to work with. He sat at the hotel room desk a moment and hastily scrawled a note to set on the bedside table. His writing was abysmal on a good day and with his shaky nerves today, it was worse but, he had full faith that Prompto would get the jist of it.

See you at the altar. Car’s coming for you at 5. Don’t keep me waiting, Chickadee. I love you

- Gladiolus

He took one more long, fond look at the hotel room. Lestaullum had really provided all the amenities. Had he planned it better, they could have stayed for days. Though, after the quick ceremony they’d likely have time to revisit it as something more than just partners.

He’d chosen Lestaullum for a multitude of reasons. For it’s aesthetics, for how much fun they’d had at the Assassin’s Festival, for how it was a place they’d always revisit and for how it was just far enough from the drama of their day to day lives but, close enough that if the King should need them, they could bolt guns blazing and return to continue. Every detail had been agonizingly thought through by the Shield despite it seeming so haphazard a thought of let’s elope. Let’s just go for it.

It was at an overlook of the Disc of Cauthess that Gladio worked creating a little place of their own with fairy lights that would accentuate the scenery behind them, lined flowers along the cliff’s edge: red gladiolus flowers and sunflowers. When the sun began to set when Prompto was to arrive… everything would be picturesque. And despite his partner being the one usually behind the camera, he had been sure to have someone on standby to capture this moment as well.

He got changed into something a little more formal– a hybrid between a proper suit and his Kingsglaive coat and awaited the other man with his nerves muddling in the pit of his stomach.

Prompto was a vision. And dare he say it– he cried instantly.

I thank the oceans for giving me you, you saved me once and now I’ll save you too… I won’t hesitate for you.

“All day, i’ve been antsy.” He took Prompto’s hands in his and gave them a squeeze. “Thinking today would be the best day of my life, but the thought of spending the rest of my days with you, makes me believe the best is yet to come.

I will be your loyal knight and your Prince Charming all in one. Today and every day. I promise to annoy the shit out of you and sweep you off your feet in the same breath. 

If you promise to love me, I will love you – hold me and I will hold you – follow me and I will follow you – let us love, follow and hold each other to the ends of the earth.

Let what is bound today never be broken, let the eternal be reflected in our matrimony.

Prompto Argentum, my chickadee, my sunshine.”

Gladio took the ring he’d been holding for what felt like forever out of his pocket and held it between two fingers, ready to slide it on the other’s finger.

“Do you promise to love me forever? To finally, after all the messes… become my husband?”

 He groans knowingly, as always when he knew Gladio left his side. His half of the bed still smells like him, he to smile, falling to his partner's side of the bed. Taking a moment to simply breathe, to simply be.  The realisation of his own wedding day ‘pon his thoughts. Eventually, he rolls over -- looking across the room, noticing a few items to be missing. Causing hum in thought as he prys himself to sitting position. And slowly, with curiosity, he moves from the comfort of the hotel bed. Had it of not been for a few items remaining, the blond might have worried -- Gladio bailing last minute. A note ‘pon the side draws attention. Lifting with one hand, squinting with one eye -- then the other, folding the paper in the light, angling to be able to read. He appreciated the effort, but he really didn’t have the best handwriting. 

       A rush of warmth, his heart beating noticeably louder in his chest, a wide smile stretching and accentuating facial features. Prompto clutches the note to his body, almost in a giddy like way. Shaking head with some disbelief, followed by a little happy jump for only him to witness. A short giggle may slip as he places the note down, dresses himself in casual clothing. Using the phone in the room, to order everything off the breakfast menu, ensuring this might help give some stability on this day that he is a bag of nerves. 

     After eating more than he could possibly believe, he showers, grooms himself and takes a moment to take out the suit bag he had with him, laying it on the bed, unzipping it just. He gasps. It was real. This day was real, it was here, nothing could stop either of them. They’d fight them both together if they so much as dare to try. Hours of pacing in between, reciting his vows again and again -- ensuring he knew them by heart -- he did, but anxiety was a bitch and could quite as easily grab him at an unwarranted moment. 

      But, soon came the time to prepare. Dressing himself, checking himself out in the mirror, fixing his hair and trying to restrain any tears that began to prick in the corner of his eyes. In a matter of time, he’d be Prompto Amicitia. And a last minute pinch to himself before he meets Cor at the car. As Ignis instructed, a box in the car. Though he was not a bride, Ignis, Noctis and Cor decided to help put together sentiments. The something old was simply a note that stated ‘ gladio is three years older than you ‘ to which he laughed, reading his name made him place his hand over his mouth, holding back tears and emotions. Placing the note to one side of the box, he takes out the something ‘new’ a boutonniere, ivory, matching with his suit -- a finishing touch. Something borrowed -- to which he notices a chain, lifting it delicately so -- Noct informs him the chain is something borrowed, but on it charms adorned that represent him and Gladio, a shield with a gun engraved ‘pon it. And finally, something blue -- he’d already covered that with the socks he wore that day. Simple, but it did the job.

     He brings his friends into a hug, tears now free falling. He couldn’t hold back his emotions any longer -- not that he ever did, but it all became apparent in one waterfall of emotion. Careful, he takes a tissue from his pocket, ensuring he doesn’t leave tear stains on his freshly ironed suit. And he hops into the car, dabbing his eyes just so. Breathing slow. Texting Gladio, making him aware he was on the way.  He probably should’ve left it, and known the other would expect him to arrive, but it was that last minute reassurance. A text back which simply read. ‘ I love you. ‘ and he holds his hands together, fiddling so as he attempts to calm himself. 

      And they arrive, the shakes begin. Noct gives him a reassuring pat on the arm, beginning to head forward -- alerting those awaiting for the ceremony to begin. Composing himself, he stands away from view -- and after a few moments, does he approach. Of course his eyes immediately search for his. And he is looking right back for the blond. Gods, he was a sight. Dressed formal, all the colours accentuating everything about him. -- He couldn’t be any more in love, lucky in love, than he was in that moment. 

        He stands beside Gladio, taking his hands in his, listening to words shared by the one who was to wed them, tears streaming down Prompto’s cheek -- through the biggest smile. Seeing Gladio had cried would only set him off also, he’d rarely seen him cry -- nothing like this. He places gentle reassuring kisses to Gladio’s knuckles -- even though he may  be shaking like a leaf, he attempted that caring little affection to help ease his soon to be husband. He was borderline gross sobbing, smiling and laughing through Gladio’s vows to him. And then, it was his turn to respond. 

 “ Gladio … I promise to be there to catch you if you should stumble, carry you over every threshold, and fall in love with you every day. Without you I am nothing - with you I am more than myself. I give you the best of me, my heart, my soul, forever. “ And he in return, slides the ring he kept safe -- saved for him. And he looks to him, truly as though a new light was ‘pon them both. And nobody, nothing, not a single thing in this world could stop him from nodding repeatedly, through sobs, to make those vows true. “ Yes, Gladio … Yes … I do… I will… Yes… “ Covering every base, every option of the answer. Lips meet to his as though t’was the first time, a new ignition, a spark for their burning fire -- taking him in his arms and making him his.. Officially. Now to be …. Prompto Amicitia.