Erosion 10-1 A/N: A two parter! Also the ending is separate so that means two more segments to go and the ride ends!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Separated from Noctis, his two retainers ventured the streets. They needed to find a way in. Most of Gralea was dark save for the occasional flaming junk on the ground. However, lights flickered on overhead, one after the other. Gladio stopped to a halt, watching.
“He's leading us right into a trap.”
“I know.” Ignis agreed. “We don't have a choice. Let's show the Chancellor the error of his ways...violently.”
“Heh, you're god-damned right.” All mirth drained from his face when Ignis' stumbled. The man regained his balance but they both knew the hazards. “Gonna run ahead and clear us a path.”
“Don't be opaque just to salvage my pride.” Ignis retorted. “We both know I can't see shit.”
“Language, Iggy.” Gladio teased. They both chuckled.
“I will fall behind with curatives.” Ignis placed a hand on his shoulder. “Lead the way.”
Gladio crept towards the keep, making sure to keep an eye on Ignis. Though he struggled a bit with some of the debris, the strategist remained adept at protecting himself. With his senses on high alert, the bodyguard braced himself for a wave of Magitek as they drew closer to a possible entrance into Zegnatus.
The King's shield spotted an open door and even though he new it was a trap, he made his way to it. As he drew closer, the path was littered with destroyed Magitek soldiers, some of them still twitching on the ground. While he was relieved someone cleaned out their welcome party, it made him dread whatever came next-
A shower of gunshots scattered across the ground before the pair could get closer. Only Gladio's sharp instincts kept him from getting hit. His muscles locked and he ground to a halt, throwing back an arm to stop Ignis.
“What happened?” Ignis asked, gripping his cane.
“Hey guys! Long time no see!” Standing over them was Prompto, wielding his pistols. He hopped down, walking towards them with a casual gait, tapping a pistol to his side. A quick glance around and Gladio pieced together what happened.
“You did all this?” His eyes narrowed at the gunner. Something didn't seem right.
“Yeah,” Prompto grinned, his eyes hinting at something dark and cold. “I guess I just wanted you all to myself.”
The incoming shots forced Gladio to push Ignis away from him so neither would get hit. However, they were now separated. With no way to summon weapons, things didn't look good. The duo both hid behind piles of debris, Gladio keeping a bead on both of them.
“I missed you guys!” Prompto said. Another Magitek stumbled up behind him, but Prompto didn't even look when he shot it down. His voice lowered an octave. “I won't miss again.”
“This some kind of trick? Prompto's lost it!” Gladio dreaded this. Whatever happened to him here, turned him against them. Gladio knew he was prepared to do anything to protect his king but this...this was just ugly. “We might have to put him out of his misery-”
“No!” Ignis listened to the next wave of gunfire. “He's telegraphing his shots. I suspect the real Prompto is in there somewhere-”
A wayward gunshot tore through Ignis' body and the shock made him crumble without so much as a noise.
“Iggy!” Gladio growled, scooping up a discarded ax. Ignoring Prompto's next attack, he scrambled over to him. He helped Ignis into an upright position eyeing the wound. He'd been shot through the shoulder but the bullet went right though.
“...'m fine.” Ignis rasped. “I can manage. You need...to go save Prompto from whatever madness has taken him.”
Gladio patted his leg, nodding. He would save the little gunman but he wouldn't make it painless.
“Hey! I'm comin' out!” Gladio screamed. Slowly, he rose to his full height. “Iggy, stay under cover.”
“...very well.”
He then charged at the gunner, weapon ready to strike. Prompto was light on his feet and kept his distance. He couldn't avoid the handle of the ax when it slammed into his chest. Coughing, the smaller man tried to get his wind back when Gladio struck him again, across the face. The force sent Prompto careening to the ground. He raised the ax, preparing to execute his opponent...but he froze.
Beaten, Prompto stared up at him with bleary eyes. “Do it...please...”
For the first time in a while, Gladio's hand's trembled. Prompto was fighting, too. Just in a different way. He steadied himself, his eyes growing hot and brought the ax down with a tortured scream.
Ignis climbed to his feet, the tense silence making him concerned. He'd heard Prompto ask for death, followed by a scream that dripped with pain. “Gladio? Prompto?” He couldn't stop the fear from cracking his voice. “Are you alright?” “Why?” Prompto croaked, looking up at Gladio. The blade of the ax was buried partially in the asphalt beside his head. “It would have been easy...”
“Not for me.” said Gladio. “Never for me.”
Ignis joined Gladio's side.
“Iggy...I didn't kill you?” Prompto barked out a relieved sob. “I'm...so glad...”
Sirens went off, and the blond stood up.
“More will be coming. Get inside. Noct needs you.” His blue eyes focused with steely resolve. “They're going to collect me and take me back to...to him.”
They were already protesting, even as a massive wave of soldiers descended on them.
Neither of them wanted to abandon him. He didn't stand a chance alone...but they had a duty to fulfill. Sacrifices for the king had to be made. Gladio felt a pang of guilt. Prompto was making that sacrifice...because he was too weak to do what what needed. There was no time to be consumed. He patted Ignis on the shoulder and the strategist nodded in agreement.
“We'll come back for you.” said Gladio before leading Ignis away.
Prompto watched them enter, the door closing and locking behind them. He was sure they wouldn't...but he was okay with that, now. He wiped his eyes dry and then nodded, steadying himself. He then barreled into the wave of soldiers, head on.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“...I really thought that brute was more like his father. It would have been easy for Clarus to kill you. A spoilt prince with a soft shield. How pathetic.” Stirred by Ardyn's voice, Prompto woke. He was restrained again, his arms and legs tied down on a metal device. The bitter taste of a potion coated his tongue and his skin tingled with healing magic. The Magitek outside didn't kill him. He felt relieved...and then guilty.
That changed when Ardyn grabbed his face, forcing the gunner to look at him.
"I can honestly say I'm disappointed." Ardyn sighed. "I thought we had a connection but instead, you just lied. I just wanted to show you you were wanted. Useful. Things your so-called friends failed to instill in you. I had such high hopes for you before you indiscriminately started killing your brothers and sisters. I guess you can't be honest with anyone, can you?"
"Fuck you." Prompto hissed through clenched teeth, trembling all over. "You've already decided to do what you want to me. Kill me....whatever...” His lip trembled and he tried not to cry.
“Just end it. You'll get the same result whether I'm dead or alive."
"No." He gently placed his hand on the gunner's chest. "I want you alive and healthy. I want the prince to find you. I want you to tell him about all the nasty, horrible things I've done to you. I want him to know what transpired between us." Prompto went from shocked to furious. Ardyn's face lit up. “Now you're starting to understand.”
"You sick son of a bitch." His blue eyes burned with fury. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"There it is." Ardyn lightly slapped his face. "That's what I wanted. Delightfully entertaining until the very end."
Ardyn gripped his throat, crushing his windpipe. He pressed his lips to the blond's forehead, humming with satisfaction when the convulsions began. He allowed the gunner to breathe once he's slipped into unconsciousness. He carefully tilted Prompto's head, admiring the bruise he left behind. He decided he'd let him keep that one. A parting gift before the main event...he laughed.
“I pray your beloved prince finds you soon.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ After the three reunited, they managed to find Prompto. To Gladio's relief, the gunman was still alive. In fact, he looked to be in better condition than ever. He refrained from speaking about it as Noctis released him from the device. What started out as a blessing was revealing itself to be a message.
The prince didn't care. He was just happy to have Prompto back—even if he wouldn't look directly at him. Of course he was worried about him. Noctis found it upsetting that Prompto had to even ask. He didn't care about his best friend being Magitek, in fact, it was going to help. He wanted to ask his retainers why they seemed uncomfortable around Prompto. They knew something he didn't. He hated it.
After destroying the machine, they sought out a place to rest. Fried nerves would do no good if they were to recover the crystal. Things were back to normal. They were back together, clearing hallways. Prompto lagged behind somewhat and Noctis spotted a broken ax-man crawling towards him.
“Hey, be careful.” Noctis tugged his shirt to get his attention. Prompto flinched but swiftly apologized with a feigned laugh and shot the Magitek soldier. The prince frowned and distanced himself from the gunner. When Noct wasn't looking, Prompto shot him a pained look, struggling with internal turmoil.
When they found sleeping quarters, Ignis focused his attention on him. He picked up the jackhammer of Prompto's heartbeat. From what he could tell, Prompto seemed physically fine albeit a rather exhausted. However, he reeked of fear and shame—obvious markers of more sinister abuse. All it took was a sympathetic tilt of the head and Prompto cringed.
"You need to calm down before you crash from the adrenaline." He advised.
"I don't know if I can, I-" He snapped his head towards the door. Gladio and Noctis returned with packaged food. Silent, they placed it on the table. With wide, frightened eyes, Prompto watched Noctis' every move before averting his gaze.
"Ah, Noct." said Ignis. "Can Gladio and I have a moment in private with Prompto?"
Confused, Noctis agreed. "I'll...be right outside."
The prince exited and the door slid shut behind him. Gladio cast a worried look at Prompto and the gunner shuddered. Tears on his cheeks were already cold. He didn't even realize he'd been crying.
"Actually, I think Noct and I will do a perimeter check." The king's shield headed for the door without looking back. It opened and he passed the prince. "C'mon. We're doing rounds."
Noctis looked between his shield and his two friends. Prompto watched him sadly. Despondent, the prince turned and followed Gladio, letting the door close behind him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The furious prince followed behind Gladio. Soon, he went from huffy to passive-aggressive. Noctis dragged his feet until his shield had enough. The man slammed him into the wall.
“You wanna pick a better time to have a tantrum, princess?”
“You're separating us...like I'm the one who hurt him...” He clenched his teeth. “I did hurt him when I knocked him off the train—“
“Wasn't your fault—“
“Bullshit.” Noctis shoved him away. “I gave him right to Ardyn.”
“Don't...” Gladio raked a hand back through his hair, trying to handle something so delicate. Delicate wasn't exactly his specialty. “Y'know, he had Prompto here for a while. When we got near the keep, he even attacked us...”
“I'm not an idiot. I know why he has trouble looking at me.” Noctis frowned, leaving the rest unsaid.
“Then you know he's trying his best to protect you.” Gladio hurt for the prince. He knew Noct took anything the Crownsguard suffered personally. He'd already seen it after Altissa. At least now, it prepared help him for this.
“I know of the horrors of war. What people do just because they can. The Chancellor turned Prompto into a weapon against you but he failed. He's strong and he was willing to sacrifice a lot to keep you safe.”
“I know. I know he would do that for me.” Despair bled into the prince's words. “I just wish he didn't have to.”
“I know it's hard to move forward, especially since things have gotten so heavy.” Gladio leaned against the cool metal surface. “Did you know Prompto was from Niflheim?”
“He never told me.” Noctis raged. “Why was he so afraid? Did he think I'd just leave him here to rot—“
“Yes. After all the Empire has done, all they've taken, that's exactly what he thought. ” The King's shield popped his neck. “The Chancellor preyed on that fear but he underestimated him. Underestimated us.”
Gladio worried that the prince's gentle nature would prove to be his undoing. In fact, he was sure that's what Ardyn counted on. Weeks ago, he wasn't even sure the prince would wear the ring, and now brandished it with his late father's blade. Maybe they could get past this.
“Will continue on to the crystal?” Gladio asked, uncertain.
“Of course.” Noctis growled. “I need to move forward...for everyone's sake.”
“...and if one of us stays behind?”
“Then...” Noctis swallowed. “Then I'll come back for you.”
Gladio didn't believe the prince was willing to leave Prompto behind. He would have come to the keep for any of them. As ugly as this conversation was, he did not want to be in Ignis' place right now.
“...Do you think he's gonna be okay?” Noct asked.
Gladio tried to answer but couldn't come up with one, so he remained silent. Noctis watched him before walking ahead. In silence, they continued their patrol.
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timeasmymeasure
Fill: 10.1/10 Ardyn/Prompto (eventual Noctis/Prompto) Sexual Harassment/Non-con
Date: 2017-01-06 11:56 am (UTC)A/N: A two parter! Also the ending is separate so that means two more segments to go and the ride ends!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Separated from Noctis, his two retainers ventured the streets. They needed to find a way in. Most of Gralea was dark save for the occasional flaming junk on the ground. However, lights flickered on overhead, one after the other. Gladio stopped to a halt, watching.
“He's leading us right into a trap.”
“I know.” Ignis agreed. “We don't have a choice. Let's show the Chancellor the error of his ways...violently.”
“Heh, you're god-damned right.” All mirth drained from his face when Ignis' stumbled. The man regained his balance but they both knew the hazards. “Gonna run ahead and clear us a path.”
“Don't be opaque just to salvage my pride.” Ignis retorted. “We both know I can't see shit.”
“Language, Iggy.” Gladio teased. They both chuckled.
“I will fall behind with curatives.” Ignis placed a hand on his shoulder. “Lead the way.”
Gladio crept towards the keep, making sure to keep an eye on Ignis. Though he struggled a bit with some of the debris, the strategist remained adept at protecting himself. With his senses on high alert, the bodyguard braced himself for a wave of Magitek as they drew closer to a possible entrance into Zegnatus.
The King's shield spotted an open door and even though he new it was a trap, he made his way to it. As he drew closer, the path was littered with destroyed Magitek soldiers, some of them still twitching on the ground. While he was relieved someone cleaned out their welcome party, it made him dread whatever came next-
A shower of gunshots scattered across the ground before the pair could get closer. Only Gladio's sharp instincts kept him from getting hit. His muscles locked and he ground to a halt, throwing back an arm to stop Ignis.
“What happened?” Ignis asked, gripping his cane.
“Hey guys! Long time no see!” Standing over them was Prompto, wielding his pistols. He hopped down, walking towards them with a casual gait, tapping a pistol to his side. A quick glance around and Gladio pieced together what happened.
“You did all this?” His eyes narrowed at the gunner. Something didn't seem right.
“Yeah,” Prompto grinned, his eyes hinting at something dark and cold. “I guess I just wanted you all to myself.”
The incoming shots forced Gladio to push Ignis away from him so neither would get hit. However, they were now separated. With no way to summon weapons, things didn't look good. The duo both hid behind piles of debris, Gladio keeping a bead on both of them.
“I missed you guys!” Prompto said. Another Magitek stumbled up behind him, but Prompto didn't even look when he shot it down. His voice lowered an octave. “I won't miss again.”
“This some kind of trick? Prompto's lost it!” Gladio dreaded this. Whatever happened to him here, turned him against them. Gladio knew he was prepared to do anything to protect his king but this...this was just ugly. “We might have to put him out of his misery-”
“No!” Ignis listened to the next wave of gunfire. “He's telegraphing his shots. I suspect the real Prompto is in there somewhere-”
A wayward gunshot tore through Ignis' body and the shock made him crumble without so much as a noise.
“Iggy!” Gladio growled, scooping up a discarded ax. Ignoring Prompto's next attack, he scrambled over to him. He helped Ignis into an upright position eyeing the wound. He'd been shot through the shoulder but the bullet went right though.
“...'m fine.” Ignis rasped. “I can manage. You need...to go save Prompto from whatever madness has taken him.”
Gladio patted his leg, nodding. He would save the little gunman but he wouldn't make it painless.
“Hey! I'm comin' out!” Gladio screamed. Slowly, he rose to his full height. “Iggy, stay under cover.”
“...very well.”
He then charged at the gunner, weapon ready to strike. Prompto was light on his feet and kept his distance. He couldn't avoid the handle of the ax when it slammed into his chest. Coughing, the smaller man tried to get his wind back when Gladio struck him again, across the face. The force sent Prompto careening to the ground. He raised the ax, preparing to execute his opponent...but he froze.
Beaten, Prompto stared up at him with bleary eyes. “Do it...please...”
For the first time in a while, Gladio's hand's trembled. Prompto was fighting, too. Just in a different way. He steadied himself, his eyes growing hot and brought the ax down with a tortured scream.
Ignis climbed to his feet, the tense silence making him concerned. He'd heard Prompto ask for death, followed by a scream that dripped with pain.
“Gladio? Prompto?” He couldn't stop the fear from cracking his voice. “Are you alright?”
“Why?” Prompto croaked, looking up at Gladio. The blade of the ax was buried partially in the asphalt beside his head. “It would have been easy...”
“Not for me.” said Gladio. “Never for me.”
Ignis joined Gladio's side.
“Iggy...I didn't kill you?” Prompto barked out a relieved sob. “I'm...so glad...”
Sirens went off, and the blond stood up.
“More will be coming. Get inside. Noct needs you.” His blue eyes focused with steely resolve.
“They're going to collect me and take me back to...to him.”
They were already protesting, even as a massive wave of soldiers descended on them.
Neither of them wanted to abandon him. He didn't stand a chance alone...but they had a duty to fulfill. Sacrifices for the king had to be made. Gladio felt a pang of guilt. Prompto was making that sacrifice...because he was too weak to do what what needed. There was no time to be consumed. He patted Ignis on the shoulder and the strategist nodded in agreement.
“We'll come back for you.” said Gladio before leading Ignis away.
Prompto watched them enter, the door closing and locking behind them. He was sure they wouldn't...but he was okay with that, now. He wiped his eyes dry and then nodded, steadying himself. He then barreled into the wave of soldiers, head on.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“...I really thought that brute was more like his father. It would have been easy for Clarus to kill you. A spoilt prince with a soft shield. How pathetic.” Stirred by Ardyn's voice, Prompto woke. He was restrained again, his arms and legs tied down on a metal device. The bitter taste of a potion coated his tongue and his skin tingled with healing magic. The Magitek outside didn't kill him. He felt relieved...and then guilty.
That changed when Ardyn grabbed his face, forcing the gunner to look at him.
"I can honestly say I'm disappointed." Ardyn sighed. "I thought we had a connection but instead, you just lied. I just wanted to show you you were wanted. Useful. Things your so-called friends failed to instill in you. I had such high hopes for you before you indiscriminately started killing your brothers and sisters. I guess you can't be honest with anyone, can you?"
"Fuck you." Prompto hissed through clenched teeth, trembling all over. "You've already decided to do what you want to me. Kill me....whatever...” His lip trembled and he tried not to cry.
“Just end it. You'll get the same result whether I'm dead or alive."
"No." He gently placed his hand on the gunner's chest. "I want you alive and healthy. I want the prince to find you. I want you to tell him about all the nasty, horrible things I've done to you. I want him to know what transpired between us." Prompto went from shocked to furious. Ardyn's face lit up. “Now you're starting to understand.”
"You sick son of a bitch." His blue eyes burned with fury. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"There it is." Ardyn lightly slapped his face. "That's what I wanted. Delightfully entertaining until the very end."
Ardyn gripped his throat, crushing his windpipe. He pressed his lips to the blond's forehead, humming with satisfaction when the convulsions began. He allowed the gunner to breathe once he's slipped into unconsciousness. He carefully tilted Prompto's head, admiring the bruise he left behind. He decided he'd let him keep that one. A parting gift before the main event...he laughed.
“I pray your beloved prince finds you soon.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After the three reunited, they managed to find Prompto. To Gladio's relief, the gunman was still alive. In fact, he looked to be in better condition than ever. He refrained from speaking about it as Noctis released him from the device. What started out as a blessing was revealing itself to be a message.
The prince didn't care. He was just happy to have Prompto back—even if he wouldn't look directly at him. Of course he was worried about him. Noctis found it upsetting that Prompto had to even ask. He didn't care about his best friend being Magitek, in fact, it was going to help. He wanted to ask his retainers why they seemed uncomfortable around Prompto. They knew something he didn't. He hated it.
After destroying the machine, they sought out a place to rest. Fried nerves would do no good if they were to recover the crystal. Things were back to normal. They were back together, clearing hallways. Prompto lagged behind somewhat and Noctis spotted a broken ax-man crawling towards him.
“Hey, be careful.” Noctis tugged his shirt to get his attention. Prompto flinched but swiftly apologized with a feigned laugh and shot the Magitek soldier. The prince frowned and distanced himself from the gunner. When Noct wasn't looking, Prompto shot him a pained look, struggling with internal turmoil.
When they found sleeping quarters, Ignis focused his attention on him. He picked up the jackhammer of Prompto's heartbeat. From what he could tell, Prompto seemed physically fine albeit a rather exhausted. However, he reeked of fear and shame—obvious markers of more sinister abuse. All it took was a sympathetic tilt of the head and Prompto cringed.
"You need to calm down before you crash from the adrenaline." He advised.
"I don't know if I can, I-" He snapped his head towards the door. Gladio and Noctis returned with packaged food. Silent, they placed it on the table. With wide, frightened eyes, Prompto watched Noctis' every move before averting his gaze.
"Ah, Noct." said Ignis. "Can Gladio and I have a moment in private with Prompto?"
Confused, Noctis agreed. "I'll...be right outside."
The prince exited and the door slid shut behind him. Gladio cast a worried look at Prompto and the gunner shuddered. Tears on his cheeks were already cold. He didn't even realize he'd been crying.
"Actually, I think Noct and I will do a perimeter check." The king's shield headed for the door without looking back. It opened and he passed the prince. "C'mon. We're doing rounds."
Noctis looked between his shield and his two friends. Prompto watched him sadly. Despondent, the prince turned and followed Gladio, letting the door close behind him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The furious prince followed behind Gladio. Soon, he went from huffy to passive-aggressive. Noctis dragged his feet until his shield had enough. The man slammed him into the wall.
“You wanna pick a better time to have a tantrum, princess?”
“You're separating us...like I'm the one who hurt him...” He clenched his teeth. “I did hurt him when I knocked him off the train—“
“Wasn't your fault—“
“Bullshit.” Noctis shoved him away. “I gave him right to Ardyn.”
“Don't...” Gladio raked a hand back through his hair, trying to handle something so delicate. Delicate wasn't exactly his specialty. “Y'know, he had Prompto here for a while. When we got near the keep, he even attacked us...”
“I'm not an idiot. I know why he has trouble looking at me.” Noctis frowned, leaving the rest unsaid.
“Then you know he's trying his best to protect you.” Gladio hurt for the prince. He knew Noct took anything the Crownsguard suffered personally. He'd already seen it after Altissa. At least now, it prepared help him for this.
“I know of the horrors of war. What people do just because they can. The Chancellor turned Prompto into a weapon against you but he failed. He's strong and he was willing to sacrifice a lot to keep you safe.”
“I know. I know he would do that for me.” Despair bled into the prince's words. “I just wish he didn't have to.”
“I know it's hard to move forward, especially since things have gotten so heavy.” Gladio leaned against the cool metal surface. “Did you know Prompto was from Niflheim?”
“He never told me.” Noctis raged. “Why was he so afraid? Did he think I'd just leave him here to rot—“
“Yes. After all the Empire has done, all they've taken, that's exactly what he thought. ” The King's shield popped his neck. “The Chancellor preyed on that fear but he underestimated him. Underestimated us.”
Gladio worried that the prince's gentle nature would prove to be his undoing. In fact, he was sure that's what Ardyn counted on. Weeks ago, he wasn't even sure the prince would wear the ring, and now brandished it with his late father's blade. Maybe they could get past this.
“Will continue on to the crystal?” Gladio asked, uncertain.
“Of course.” Noctis growled. “I need to move forward...for everyone's sake.”
“...and if one of us stays behind?”
“Then...” Noctis swallowed. “Then I'll come back for you.”
Gladio didn't believe the prince was willing to leave Prompto behind. He would have come to the keep for any of them. As ugly as this conversation was, he did not want to be in Ignis' place right now.
“...Do you think he's gonna be okay?” Noct asked.
Gladio tried to answer but couldn't come up with one, so he remained silent. Noctis watched him before walking ahead. In silence, they continued their patrol.