Chapter Text
As they approached the hotel in Lestallum, the ground shook and Noctis swayed as he was assaulted by flashing visions, each accompanied by a wave of pain.
“Whoa, did you just feel that?” Prompto braced against the movement.
“You mean the earthquake?” Gladiolus scanned the buildings around them for a place to take cover but the shaking was minor, and fading.
Noctis shook his head, raising a hand to press against his right eye with a surprised grunt. “What’s wrong?” Ignis looked to his prince, concern colouring his voice. Surprised, the other two turned back to find out what was happening.
“Nng… my head just started throbbing.” He shook it slightly to clear it, looking up at the other three,
Prompto frowned “You alright?”
The last of the tremors faded, and the throbbing with it. “Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s just get to the hotel and meet Iris.” Noctis pushed forward, resolutely ignoring the last of the ache.
The lobby was well appointed, gleaming hardwoods, rich carpets and polished brass. The young man behind the counter looked up as they entered, and gave a cool, professional smile. “Good evening, gentlemen. May I be of service?” His eyes flicked quickly between them before settling on Ignis.
Noctis gave a huff of relief. They had deliberately changed out of the Crownsguard wear and into casual clothes before entering town, and it seemed to have worked. Being recognized as the ‘dead’ prince would be complicated right now. He dropped his head and rubbed at the back of his neck absently while he listened to Ignis request the concierge call up to the Amicita room for Iris. A peek from under lowered lashes showed Prompto was already distracted, staring through his camera’s viewfinder at something to do with the architecture while Gladiolus stood, feet planted and arms crossed, eyes firmly on the staircase.
It wasn’t long at all before she came down the stairs, a little too fast to be casual. “Gladdy!” She stopped and waved at them all, before skipping the last few steps and turning towards them.
“Iris.” Noctis stumbled as Gladiolus brushed past him but didn’t stop. He crossed the lobby in three large steps.
“Look at you g…wha? Gladdy!” Iris exclaimed in surprise as her brother met her, and reached down. She automatically lifted her arms and placed them around his neck as he caught her up. She felt her feet leave the ground as he straightened and pulled her in tight against his chest, his head dropping down to hide his face in her shoulder and just, stopped.
There was a long moment of silence, the other three not sure where to look and not wanting to say anything to interrupt the private moment between brother and sister. Prompto shifted uncomfortably and looked side to side, half raising his camera before Ignis put a hand on his arm and gently pushed it back down with a small shake of his head.
The moment stretched on, and Iris’ legs twitched a little and her voice was a bit breathy. “Um, Gladdy? You’re hurting me…. It’s too tight.” Noctis could see the muscles in Gladiolus’ back shift under the tanktop as he relaxed his grip slightly, but made no move to do anything else. Not put Iris down, nor raise his head from her shoulder. The prince watched her expression shift to slightly annoyed, but there was something underneath it that made him uncomfortable and he glanced away. The concierge had discreetly disappeared he noted, and the doors to the street were closed unlike when they arrived. Other than their party, the lobby was empty.
“Aren’t you going to put me down?” Noctis looked back when Iris spoke again, seeing her shift her legs again as if searching for solid ground, but there was at least 18 inches between the soles of her shoes and the floor.
“No.” Gladiolus’ voice was still muffled by her neck as one arm shifted to around her waist to support her weight, and the other pressed between her shoulder blades, rubbing small circles.
Noctis was looking at her face over his Shield’s shoulder as whatever it was underneath her expression started to overpower her. This time, he found he couldn’t look away as her smile began to crumble slowly, collapsing in on itself as her eyes grew wet, and her lower lip began to tremble. He was forcibly reminded that she was just fifteen, and his wasn’t the only world destroyed in a night.
“G….gladio?” her voice wavered. Instead of trying to escape him and create some space, now her arms tightened around his neck. “Daddy’s dead.” the two words came out breathy and small, dragged out of her as the tears began to track down her cheeks.
His grip on her didn't change, although the muscles across his back twitched and flexed like he wanted to crush her closer again. Eventually his shoulders heaved and he sucked in a huge breath, like he was trying to breath for both of them. His voice when he spoke was a low rumble, more felt than heard. “I know Bug, I know.”
He didn’t tell her it was ok, or everything would be alright. He didn’t voice any platitudes, nor did he tell her it was the will of the Six. Instead he held her there in the lobby of the fanciest hotel in Lestallum as his baby sister fell apart in his arms.
Finally, he raised his head from her shoulder and turned to face the others. His eyes were dry but red, and Noctis thought he looked as if he’d aged thirty years since entering the lobby. “I’m going to take her up to her room. I’ll catch up with you in a bit.” Without waiting for an answer, he shifted his grip and slid an arm under her knees, cradling her close as he turned again and ascended the stairs while she sobbed into his chest.