#i never sweared as much as the time i had to defeat Cor in gladiolus' episode

[ginsakatoki]

September is coming and I genuinely want to replay this game every single day... So here are the certificates of completions I got and I must say, I'm extremely proud :>

[elemyah]

Link: Ao3 Title: Wearing Thin Rating: Teen+ Pairings: Gladiolus Amicitia/Ignis Scientia Warnings: - Summary: After Noctis entered the crystal, Ignis’ obsession with defeating Ardyn becomes worse than ever, to the point Gladio isn’t just worried about his health, but also about their relationship.

@gladnis2018

Few things on Eos annoyed Gladio as much as Ignis Scientia.

No, it wasn’t because of his sarcastic sense of humor, or his stupidly sexy accent, or that perfect ass, or even how gorgeous his eyes were behind his glasses. No, he was way over his teenage days of hating Ignis over those details and just accepted that some people were blessed by nature. Furthermore, he was grateful that all of that goodness was his goodness, and loved each and every aspect of that man…

But he couldn’t stand how he never seemed to take a break.

It only became worse after his confrontation with Ardyn. As if almost killing himself with the ring of Lucii hadn’t been enough, he was now obsessed with preparing the world for the battle they would inevitably face as soon as Noctis came back.

Noct… His absence made everything harder. Ignis avoided touching the subject, but Gladio knew how much he missed the brat — and, to be honest, he did too. After such a long time with the four of them spending almost every moment of every passing day together, being suddenly reduced to three had been a shock. And Ignis, who had acted as an older brother to him since childhood, had it worse than anyone.

Gladio entered the room without knocking, because he knew that would piss him off — serves him right for being stubborn. As expected, Ignis was sitting in front of his desk, surrounded by an intimidating pile of documents, and pretended not to notice him. Gladio approached him, standing behind his chair, glancing at the detailed report from Lestallum he was reading. Looking at it was enough to make him feel exhausted.

“Iggy…” he said in his sweetest tone, placing his hands on Ignis’ shoulders. “Don’t you think you should take a break?”

“There’s no need,” the answer didn’t surprise him. “But I’ll gladly accept a cup of coffee.”

Gladio furrowed his brow. It wasn’t unusual for Ignis to drink coffee, but…

“You’ll end up dying like this,” he said. “I’m serious, this much caffeine can’t be good for your health. Are you sure you still have blood in your veins, by this point?”

“I certainly hope so.”

For someone who was always fussing over them, he sure was good at neglecting his own needs.

“C’mon, just rest for a few hours.”

“I’m fine, don’t worry.”

That stubbornness was starting to get on his nerves.

“Ignis, I swear…” his tone became more serious. “If you don’t take a damn break, I will tie you to the bed.”

“Isn’t it a bit early to be having kinky thoughts, Gladiolus?”

“Don’t you start being sassy on me.” He leaned forward, taking that report from Ignis’ hands, proceeding in a softer voice: “Just for a few hours, it’s all I’m asking.”

Ignis stayed silent for a moment, considering his options.

“Fair enough,” he said. “It’s not like I’ll get anything done with you distracting me, anyway.”

Gladio smiled, giving him a brief kiss on the face.

“Good,” he said. “Just sleep, I’ll come wake you later.”

Ignis didn’t answer, walking to his bed. Gladio waited until he lay down and closed the door. When he came back, an hour later, Ignis was already back at his desk. He considered starting another discussion about that behavior, but gave up, leaving the room in silence.

For the next months, Gladio tried to keep it to himself, respect Ignis’ way of doing things and avoiding a possible confront. But, instead of it getting better, Ignis started to neglect his own health even more. He had lost weight, and slept just the bare minimum during the night. Gladio thought that, if they weren’t living together, it would be even worse, since many times he was the one insisting that Ignis took a short break, or even reminding him that he hadn’t eaten in almost ten hours. He feared that, at such rate, he would end up sick, or worse.

And, honestly, he couldn’t take that situation anymore.

“Iggy,” he said, standing beside his chair.

“Yes?” Ignis raised his eyes to him.

Gladio took a deep breath. He knew it wouldn’t be easy.

“This needs to stop,” he said.

“What are you talking about?”

“You know what I’m talking about. I let you do whatever you wanted, and, as a result, you’ve been getting more and more careless about yourself.”

“Gladio, please…”

“No, I won’t back down this time, because I’m tired of seeing you act like this. You don’t even look like yourself anymore!”

Ignis didn’t answer for a while, and when he did, his voice was low.

“Are you breaking up with me?”

That question hurt Gladio more than he thought possible.

“Of course not,” he said. “I’m just worried about—”

“Gladio…” Ignis interrupted him, not looking at his face. “I’ll understand if you’re tired of this. I know it’s not being easy for you to be with me, and I won’t blame you if you think it’s… better like this.”

Gladio just looked at him, unable to believe he had just heard those words. It made him feel a sudden anger grow within himself: was it that simple to him? Could he just end it, as easily as that?

“Is this what you want?” he asked in a low, serious tone.

“This is bigger than what I want,” answered Ignis. “Bigger than me, or you, or anything else.”

He took a deep breath, looking Gladio in the eyes.

“Sorry, but this isn’t something that will change.”

Gladio slammed his fist against the table.

“And I’m supposed to just leave and wait until someone tells me you went and killed yourself while I was away?” he asked in a loud tone. “Do you really think I’d do something like that? It might mean nothing to you Ignis, but it’s important to me! You’re important to me!”

Ignis closed his eyes, clenching his teeth. His silence just made Gladio angrier.

“You keep saying this to yourself,” proceeded Gladio, “that you’re doing this for the greater good, or any bullshit like that. And I’ll stay here, making sure you don’t cross the fucking line, because apparently you can’t do it yourself! Do you think Noct would’ve wanted any of this?”

Ignis stood up, facing Gladio with enraged eyes.

“Noctis is not here!” he screamed at him. “Am I supposed to do nothing until he comes back? And then just watch as we lose him again?”

“I never said that,” retorted Gladio. “But do you think driving yourself to the limit will help Noct in any way?”

“I saw him dying, Gladio! I can’t let this happen! I can’t—”

Ignis voice cracked, and it was like something he had been concealing within himself had finally broken free. He covered his mouth with his hand but couldn’t hold back a loud sob. Tears left his eyes, and he sat on the floor, burying his face in both hands, weeping. Gladio just watched for a moment, taken aback. He never saw Ignis crying so much, not even after what he went through in Altissia. All the anger vanished from his chest as he knelt down beside his partner.

“Iggy…”

Gladio first touched his shoulder, and seeing that Ignis didn’t reject his touch, hugged him, holding him against his chest.

“I know it’s hard,” he whispered. “I miss him too, every single day. But Noct needs you, alive and well. We all do,” he made a brief pause. “Especially me.”

“But what if this isn’t enough?” asked Ignis. “What if I don’t do everything I can, and I lose him for that? I can’t, Gladio… I can’t.”

“But you don’t have to carry all this burden yourself,” he said. “That’s why I’m here. And Prompto, and Iris, and Cor, and everyone. We’re all fighting for Noct. We won’t let anything bad happen to him. You’re not alone in this, Iggy, so, please, stop acting like you are.”

Ignis didn’t answer for a long time, and Gladio didn’t rush him.

“I’m sorry…” he finally said. “It seems I’m not dealing with this as well as I thought.”

“It’s alright,” Gladio placed a light kiss on his forehead. “Just let us help you.”

Ignis agreed with a nod. He didn’t move away from Gladio, who stayed there, comforting him as he could, reminding him that, no matter what happened, he would be there for him. For everything he needed, until the very end.

And, if Ignis didn’t believe him, he’d just have to prove him wrong.

[alia-turin]

Title: Broken Bonds [Chapter IV] Previous chapters: Chapter I, Chapter II, Chapter III AO3

Characters:

OC, Libertus Ostium, Cor Leonis,  Luche Lazarus (mentioned), Titus Drautos | Glauca (mentioned), Nyx Ulric (mentioned), Gladiolus Amicitia, Crowe Altius (mentioned), Iris Amicitia, Prompto, Ignis

Warning:

SFW. probably minor Comrades spoilers

Notes

Too much angst in the previous 4 chapters so now is time for something slightly more relaxing. I needed to write that because the angst was getting too much even for me. Next couple of chapters would be a bit more cheerful. Special mention of @birdsandivory for allowing me to use her AMZING tinder edits for inspiration. Please go check them here and laugh your asses off: http://birdsandivory.tumblr.com/kingsglaive

Tagging: @birdsandivory  @yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy @jojopitcher @fromunseeliecourt @xanxusthot @lazarustrashpit (I promise Luche wasn’t always a dick) @littlestfangirl

This dream, as many of her dreams, was just an old memory.

She woke up from the sound of somebody entering her apartment. Ada got up, knife in hand and wrapped straight to the intruder.

“Easy now. It’s just me.” Luche was holding his hand in the air and she let go.

“Why…how did you get in.”

“I broke in.” he showed her his tools. “You didn’t s how up yesterday or today and you didn’t answer your phone or respond to any of my text messages.”

Her eyes fell on the phone lying lonely on the coffee table, the light for missed call blinking angrily.

“I didn’t hear it.” She didn’t even remember leaving her phone there. “I told the captain I will be away.”

“He is gone for some business. You should have told me as well.” He was getting to his bossy self but raised an eyebrow teasingly. “What’s with the dress?”

She had to look at herself to realize she was still wearing the black dress from yesterday.

“I was at a funeral.” She answered.

“Somebody I know?” his sounded concerned.

“My dad.”

“I’m sorry to hear that” he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You should have told me, I would have come with you, you shouldn’t be alone.”

She stared at him not sure what to say. It didn’t even cross her mind to ask anyone to come with her. She had told Drautos she needed leave and the reason, he told her to take a week off and that was it. Truth was that her father has been sick for such a long time that it was expected and she didn’t feel like there is a need to ask someone to come with her.

“Come on change in something more comfortable. I will make you breakfast.” He pushed her gently toward her bedroom.

“You don’t have to…” she started but he interrupted her.

“Yes, I do. Come on, I promise I won’t poison you.”

As she was changing her clothes she could hear him going through her pans, pots, plates and swearing as he dropped something on the ground.

“Do you need help?” she shouted from the bedroom.

“I will not be defeated by a pan, don’t worry.”

When she walked back in the kitchen he was frying eggs and bacon. Smelling the food made her realize how hungry she was.

“Thank you.” Ada said, but that was when the dream went out of hand. In her memories what he did then was turn around and ask her if she wanted him to stay for the day. Her dream had chosen different course of actions. Instead as Luche turned he was holding his gun and shot her in the chest.

Ada woke up sweating and shaking. These dreams never stopped. Ever since she left Insomnia she was having these dreams, memories turning into nightmares. Sometimes they weren’t memories, but close enough, small details were different, but essentially it was her previous life ending with everyone dying.

There was no chance she would be able to sleep more so she just got out of the bed. She went through her backpack in attempt to unpack and make this place a bit more ‘hers’ but there was nothing in that backpack that could help. The only item that was somehow related to her old life was her phone and it had died on her months ago. She made a mental note to find someone to fix it.

Since there was nothing better to do, Ada walked out. The town was sleeping excluding few guards on the wall and around the entrances. The demons roaming outside the barricades could be heard but by now she was so used to their sound that it didn’t bother her. Walking down the streets, she found her way to the hotel where she saw the Marshal. He was alone, just standing there like a statue. Ada wondered if interrupting him would be a good idea, but apparently, they both had issues sleeping so why not kill time till breakfast.

“Cannot sleep?” The Marshal offered her the bottle he was holding and Ada was going to question his senses for drinking alone in the middle of the night but as she touched the liquid with her lips she realized it was water.

“Nightmares. I used to have them now and then while I was in Insomnia but since the city fell it has been every night.”

“You want to share?” he sounded somehow different. Not like the Marshal but friendlier.

“Not much to share. I dream mostly memories. Things that happened and it all ends messed up. Hanging out with friends, having fun and then suddenly they all die or I die.” Her brain had managed to ruin every single good memory she had and turn them all into parade of broken or burned bodies.

“Oh those.” He agreed as if he was an expert on nightmares. “It ruins everything, doesn’t it? Every single memory you have, good or bad ends up being just a graveyard.”

Ada didn’t answer at first. She didn’t know what to say exactly. He was right of course, everything and everyone she ever loved had turned into zombie trying to kill her.

“You need to let go.” Cor continued since she didn’t answer. “If you don’t let go, it just kills you.” Another pause then he continued again. “If you couldn’t help the people you love, you can help them.” He made a gesture with his hand toward the dark buildings in Lestallum.  

Ada opened her mouth to argue with him, but what Libertus told her last night also hit her at the same time. It wasn’t hear fault, and regardless how much guilt she felt about everything, rationally there was nothing she could have done.

“How do you let go?” she asked after they both stood in silence.

“You cannot let go because you had a purpose. Protect the king, win the war, protect your home, protect your friends, make sure they all come home alive. Now the king is dead, the kingdom is gone and there is nothing left. You are wrong. The kingdom is here and needs people with skills, people who can stop them.” He pointed with his head toward the demons roaring outside. “Trust me, I am an expert on the topic of letting go and not letting go.” He gave her a friendly smile and for some reason Ada felt like a massive weight had fallen off her chest. What he was saying wasn’t solving any of her problems of course. Her brain wasn’t going to completely forget everything just because Cor the Immortal said so, although he did manage to hit a spot.

“Thank you, Marshal.” Ada smiled back at him and for first time in months it was an honest smile. Not a sad one or forced one, she was truly feeling better.

“Now you need to do something for me. I promised someone I will train with them before breakfast, but something came up and I will be leaving Lestallum probably until tomorrow or the day after. If you go to the power station, just next to the bridge he should be there around sunrise. His name is Gladio, hard to miss him, bug guy, scars across his face…”

“I met him yesterday.” Ada interrupted the description.

She spent the time before sunrise going around town and chatting with some of the hunters. Ada wondered if she shouldn’t talk with Libertus but common sense won and she decided he won’t like her more for waking him up so early. Instead she just walked up to the power station and waited for Gladio to appear. The man was exactly on time which honestly surprised her. The people around town have complained about the prince’s retainers and she expected him to be fashionably late. He was just on time, probably a bit early.

“You are way too good looking to be Cor.” He was carrying a massive sword with himself, the weapon was probably larger and heavier than Ada.

“He is busy. Told me to keep you company.” Ada pulled one of her knives and tossed it in her hand.

“If I win, you are having breakfast with me.” Gladio chuckled and walked toward the bridge that was between the city and the power station.

Ada laughed, she was sure she would lose, but on the other hand breakfast sounded amazing.

They started slow. Gladio made one attack which Ada hoped is not his best because it honestly was too easy to see. She wrapped once aiming for his throat but he threw her flying away towards the wall.

“If that’s what the glaive is made of, I’m honestly disappointed.” Gladio taunted her, but she ignored him. Taunting each other was what the Glaives did in their free time, that wasn’t going to ruin her concentration.

They fought for probably fifteen minutes, neither of them getting an upper hand. Gladio wasn’t very fast but he was hellishly strong and was good at avoiding her magic attacks. She was trying to find an opening, but it was hard when her opponent was twice her size and every attack was counter attacked with strength she could barely stop. Eventually Ada decided to play dirty. She stopped attacking him and was focusing only on building a spell and avoiding his attacks. Once she was done with the spell she unleashed it on him. The weather around Gladio suddenly changed, snow and wind wrapped around him blocking his visibility.

She could hear him cursing and wrapped towards the storm. She hated this spell because it affected everyone, friend or foe, herself included. For her surprise he still had pretty good instinct where to find her, but this time she was faster. She tripped him making him lose his balance, wrapped again, on top of him as he was falling, her thighs squeezing hard his neck.

As the storm cleared Gladio just stared at her, his head between her legs.

“I’m not sure if I’m aroused right now or scared.” He tapped on the ground. “I will give you that one.”

“Whoaaa that was so good!” they had managed to collect small audience which made Ada feel a bit uncomfortable. She let go of Gladio and gave him a hand to stand up.

“It’s not every day that Gladio falls on his ass.” A bubbly blond boy with camera in his hand came towards them. “Can’t wait to show you the pictures.”

“Prompto, shut up or you are next.” Gladio roared at the younger man.

“Gladi, you are such a bad loser. She won fair and square.” Iris had joined them as well, she seemed in very good spirits for someone who just saw their brother falling flat on his ass.

“Crownsguard zero, Kingsglaive one.” Ada looked confused at Libertus as he said that. She was sure he was too upset with her, but nothing like that was visible on his face. “Even the Marshal was impressed.” He continued.

“I thought he left town?” Ada asked.

“He did but he watched for a bit.” Libertus answered and gave her friendly punch on her shoulder.

“Come on big guy, Iggy made breakfast.” Prompro didn’t seemed concerned with the larger man’s threats. “You guys should join us.”

Ada followed Libertus and the rest in silence. Iris was walking next to her telling her how much she loved to see her fighting and she wanted to learn to fight like that which earned her a disapproving look from Gladio but Ada just winked at the girl.

They didn’t go back to the canteen, but one of the calmer places in town. She hasn’t been there, but for her surprise she saw there were some tables and chairs left. Probably there used to be a restaurant around here or something.

“You are finally here.” A very well-dressed man was standing next to one of the tables, with few baskets which Ada hoped were filled with food.

“Iggy you should have been there to see Gladio getting his as kicked.” Prompto seemed way to happy by the fact his friend lost the fight.

“Even if I was there I can’t exactly see it, Prom.” Just now Ada noticed his eyes. He was wearing glasses but that wasn’t unusual so it didn’t raise her suspicion, but under the glasses she could see heavily scared tissue. “Help me with the food.”

The blond man seemed a bit ashamed of what he said and without protesting helped setting the table. Iris proceeded to introduce the two guys Ada didn’t know. Ignis and Prompto turned out to be two of the prince’s retainers. They had just arrived in Lestallum and were helping with the rebuilding efforts.

“You should open a restaurant.” Ada said as soon as she tried the food. “Honestly that is the best thing I have eaten in my life.”

“I second that.” Prompto added. “There is so much free space around Lestallum now, people will love to try your food!”

“And will be good for moral.” Libertus added.

“It would be hard to find the ingredients.” Ignis objected but nobody else was buying it.

“Make it exclusive! Ignis’ special for the day.” Gladio suggested. “Only the best meats and spices brought to you by the hunters and cooked by chef Ignis. That should be your tag line.”

“It’s too long for a tag line.” Ignis corrected him.

Gladio proceeded to offer even more ridiculous tag lines which the other man just denied.

“Libertus.” Ada turned towards her fellow glaive. “Do you know where I can fix my phone?” she pulled the device from her pocket and showed it to the man.

“I can fix it!” Promto said and pulled the phone from her hand. Ada just stared at the blond as he started dissembling the phone and looking at various parts inside. Couple of minutes later he put it back together and turned it on.

“How did you…” Ada had tried everything she could in order to get it up and running, but she never could. The phone vibrated as all the missed calls and text messages started arriving.

“Hey who are these guys?” Prompto smiled showing her the home screen of her phone. It was an old picture of Ada with Luche, Nyx and Crowe. She opened her mouth to say something but couldn’t.

“Hey didn’t I take this one, when Crowe almost killed me?” Libertus managed to come to her rescue and Ada was once again surprised how much he had changed. He had grown up, he was dealing with things.

“Yeah it was after you and Nyx made that dating site profile for her.” They both laughed.

“Wish I knew she had dating site profile.” Gladio was looking at the picture since everyone was occupied with that now. Libertus gave him a slightly angry look and Ada had to hold her laughter. Crowe would have smacked both of them.

“It was a game we used to play.” Libertus explained. “We would steal each other’s phone and make absolutely ridiculous dating profiles. Crowe almost killed me when we did one for her. In my defense I just had lunch and I couldn’t wrap very fast.”

Ada laughed almost with tears, remembering Libertus and Nyx screaming and wrapping and Crowe shouting after them. Those were good memories. Bitter sweet right now, but she preferred to remember her friends laughing rather than dying.

“Nyx,” Ada pointed at him on the picture since technically only she and Libertus knew who Nyx was, “He stole the captain’s phone and created a profile. It had few hits, but then that guy” she pointed at Luche “Changed it to something of the sort the captain can do anything in under 2 minutes. The messages he started receiving were…terrible.”

“Nyx ended up cleaning shoes for a month and I was made to clean the locker rooms. Somehow Crowe didn’t get a punishment and Luche managed to get your ass out if it.” Libertus explained while laughing very hard. “Somehow Nyx and myself were the only people punished.”

“No that is not true. The captain created a profile for Tredd and honestly I think Tredd would have gladly cleaned shoes.” She wished she had screenshot of what the captain wrote because Tredd had been grumpy for a week after that. It was so hard to believe the Captain was General Glauca given how he treated them.

It was strange feeling, one that she had forgotten completely. Yes, Crowe, Nyx and Luche were gone, one of them probably deserving, but she didn’t feel sad for first time in months. There was nostalgia and she missed them all more than anything, but maybe she had started to move on. She had to find the Marshal to thank him one for the advice and two for setting her up to train with Gladio since none of that would have happened if it wasn’t for Cor the Immortal.