D: ….here you go. xD I love angst but don’t know if I do it justice. 

Noctis:

Someone very dear to him had been left in Insomnia. And he was headed for Altissia. It wasn’t a good thing or a bad one. It just was. They both knew, when they had first started their relationship, that one day they’d have to depart from one another. Because he was a prince and they…he didn’t want to say they were common but that’s how everyone else saw them. No matter how much they cared, their bloodline, or rather their lack of one, would part them. And he did care. He cared almost too much. And the words Ignis had spoken crushed him. 

“There was an attack. The imperial army has taken the crown city.”

He felt sick at first. The king, his father, was confirmed dead. That alone was enough to upset him nearly to the point of tears. But then a moment later he recalled the person who he had left behind, and sheer panic flooded his system. When he had a moment alone, he dialed their number on their phone. But there was no answer. 

He was distraught to say the least. He’d lost his father. Had he lost them as well? He knew the answer. Considering that they had been a member of the Kingsglaive, and the king was dead…he knew the answer. That would be when they’d go to observe the city at a distance, and they’d see the devastation first hand. Prompto on his behalf would be calling their phone very 5 minutes during the car ride there, in the hope that they’d answer and prove they were alright. 

But upon arriving there’d still be no response. 

He’d want to fall to his knees and scream at the world upon seeing the crown city in the distance. At the devastation that befell it. Of the dead he could not reach. Lunafreya’s name was added to the list then, and even his own name. How could life take so much away from him in such a short time?

That would be when they all start calling anyone in the city they know, trying to find out who was alive and who was dead. Cor would pick up and Noctis would demand answers. He’d tell them where to meet him, and confirm the king’s death. Noctis would ask about his ‘friend’ and Cor would only say he’d explain more upon seeing Noctis in person. 

It’d give him hope. Maybe, just maybe, depending on what Cor said, they’d have made it out alright. Maybe there was one less name on the list of the dead. Finding Cor had been a challenge on it’s own, considering he had already moved on from Hammerhead by the time they reached there. Cindy would make sure they’re all right and give them directions on where to go. 

That’s when she’d mention that Cor had a companion with him. One that wasn’t doing too well.

They hurried onward after that, hope beating in Noctis’ chest. Please please please let it be them. And upon reaching the outpost, they’d point him in the direction Cor was. Upon meeting with him, he’d explain things. About the blades he’d have to find, about the king’s motivations, and that the entire Glaive had fallen for their king. 

But the the topic would then turn to the one he had managed to save. Most had died of their wounds, but this one? They had fought tooth and nail for their duty, even after being mortally wounded. It hadn’t been enough of course. Nothing would have been enough to stop the destruction of the city and death of the king. But they had held on for so long, long after their fellow glaives had succumbed to their wounds, that he couldn’t just leave them to die. So he brought them with. Did the best he could even after they went unconscious. And had hunters escort them to Lestallum to be taken care of by a friend of his. 

He wouldn’t be able to see them for a long time. Cor didn’t even know their name. But the potential for it to be them was what gave him strength to keep moving forward. And even if it wasn’t them…He felt he owed a thanks to this member of the Kingsglaive for fighting for his father until the end. 

And when he does get to Lestallum…It’s them. They’re in a wheelchair from how weakened they were, war torn, and despondent. But it’s them. And they’re expected to make a full physical recovery. They have a new scar along their forehead and along their neck from blades. He’s told they also have a few scars along their torso from bullets. It had been a very close call. 

But then, it’d be revealed that they don’t remember much of anything. The trauma to their head took their memories away from them, and he’d apologize to them. They’d state he had nothing to apologize for. And on top of that, they’d stand up from their wheelchair, with great difficulty, and kneel before him. They’d state the only thing they do remember is the oath they took to serve the king. And since the previous king had passed, they’d like to stay at his side to serve as soon as they were well enough. 

“A Kingsglaive has no purpose without a king to serve.” 

It’d hurt. But he wouldn’t want to leave them again. So he’d allow it, and pull them to their feet. 

“You stand as my equal now.” He’d mutter. You were always my equal.

How silly they’d been to allow something like bloodlines to part them. And it’d be uncertain if they’d ever be able to be together again with their missing memories. But they would stay by his side. Ifrit’s fire or Shiva’s wind, he wouldn’t let them leave his side ever again. 

The others, of course, wouldn’t object. An experienced member of the kingsglaive fighting beside them would be welcome. (Plus, who could bear parting Noctis from the one person he’d managed to recover from the fallen city?) And so, they’d fight beside him, and grow furious with him if he’d try to protect them. Which he would. A lot. He’d fear for them more than he did for himself. 

~

Bonus:

At the back of their mind, they’d felt like there was something important, something they knew they had lost, just within their reach… But they’d never strive to recover it. They pain they had felt every time they tried would keep them from it. And the pain they could see on Noctis’ face would cause them to keep him at arms length. 

They’d never recover their memories willingly.

Prompto:

No one but him knew of the person he left behind. He, surprisingly, is very shy about his lovers, past and present. He’d have dozens of photos of his S/O, but those photos would only be for him. Which wasn’t weird…right? He’s not ashamed of them or anything, but he’d be uncomfortable letting his friends know about them for fear of being fun of. And they wouldn’t mind. No, they were patient and kind and loved him unreservedly. And they were willing to wait until he was absolutely sure in their relationship to reveal it.

He came to regret his silly reason for hiding their relationship. 

When Insomnia falls, he’s pretty much alone in dealing with the fact they might be gone. The other don’t even KNOW about them after all. And Prompto is horrifyingly good at hiding what he’s feeling.

The other’s would have no clue about the turmoil he’d go through.

He’d still be the perfect best friend, letting Noctis lean on him and pretending he hadn’t lost anything. Which in truth, compared to the others he really had lost the least. And he let them assume that he hadn’t lost anyone important. Gods above it hurt to pretend as if his S/O didn’t exist, but he’d do it. For Noct’s sake.

They’d see the devastation for themselves, and upon seeing the others take out their phone to call those they cared about in the city. He’d subtly send a text to them, and hope for a response. 

‘Darling, please, please answer if you’re alright. Please.’

When days had passed and there was no sign that they had even seen the message, he’d finally break. Mentally and emotionally. The others would worry about him when suddenly, the bubbly gunner would just fall quiet. And stay that way. He’d still be as supportive as ever, but his humor would be almost nonexistent. And though they enjoyed the precision and how ruthless he had become in battle, they’d miss the playful way he used to fight, and the balance he had brought with his actions.

Eventually, they’d corner him and it wouldn’t take much for it to come bursting out. Because he loved them damn it, and they weren’t responding. He was scared, and he didn’t want them to know. He was being selfish by even telling them he’d say. He never wanted to bother any of them with this. And they’d understand. They’d scold him lightly for not telling them sooner, but they’d understand.

They’d let him rest and recover for a while, camping while he worked through his loss. But no matter what they did, he just wouldn’t be the same. Noctis had been supportive and welcoming, and though it would help it wouldn’t heal. Ignis would make an effort to talk more with the youngest of their group, but responses that were sharp, cutting, and to the point would be all he’d get in return. Gladio would try to, literally, smack some sense into him…if only he could get a grip on him. Prompto was a slippery uncatchable little shit when he wanted to be. 

Nothing would work and they’d eventually be forced to continue onward with Prompto in his current state. And that’s when suddenly there would be a phone call from their number, and he’d scramble to answer. 

“Hello?!” 

The voice on the other line was not theirs but he’d fall to his knees all the same. They were alive. Barely though. A coma had them in it’s grips. They had just been removed from the city by some of the few crownsguard left alive doing rescue work and were currently being housed at Lestallum in the hopes that they’d wake up. Apparently they had been caught in the crossfire of a battle. They weren’t sure if it was the MT’s or the city, but someone had set off blast charges. Which caused a building they had been near to implode, and the rubble to knock them into unconsciousness. 

From there, they had been taken to a small makeshift hospital where they had been recovering for the past weeks. It was only when they were moved outside the city and were near a power source that their phone reactivated and got their attention when a text notification had pinged. They had hoped there would be someone to contact about them, and Prompto’s number was the first number they tried. 

So after being fully updated, with his bros listening in so they knew what was going on, they’d agree to go to Lestallum for Prompto’s sake. To see if there was any hope for his S/O waking soon.

Unfortunately, there was no miraculous wake up. No, they were truly checked out of this world. Which made it easier for Prompto to leave their side to continue on with Noctis. Every time they were in Lestallum though, they’d make it a point to visit them. They were alive. And someday might wake up. That was enough for Prompto.

Bonus:

Their eyes would flutter open, and from their throat, a raspy voice would ask for Prompto. Luckily for them a nurse would be in their room and hurry and call their boyfriend for them. Hearing their voice would cause him to cry. And he’d FORCE everyone to return to Lestallum immediately. Because they’d woken up. And upon arriving he’d dive onto the bed with them and refuse to leave for a few days.

“You scared me, you scared me, I love you.” He’d whisper over and over to them, and they’d just hold onto him in response. 

Gladiolus:

Gladio would hold onto hope that they made it out. Even when the king is confirmed dead and they see the burning city with their own eyes, he hopes. Because it’s all he has for now. Iris had told him that she had gotten out of the city largely because of his S/O. They stayed behind to hold back the enemy while her, Talcott, and Jeremy escaped. They wouldn’t have made it out with out their sacrifice.

Don’t call it a sacrifice, they could still yet live.

They had been so close to safety, and yet chose to protect his family instead. Damn their bleeding heart to Ifrit’s flames and back. He loved and hated them for their choice. They knew that his family meant the world to him, but didn’t they realize they meant just as much? 

But after a few hours, knowing his father had died doing his duty put things into perspective. People died, and that was that. He’d kill his hope with his own hands and close his eyes. He moved on. With pain and a heaviness in his chest, he moved on. He would whisper prayers to the city, and say goodbye to all he knew. He would then turn his back on them, striding to Noctis’ side to fulfill his destiny. As his father did. 

Weeks would pass and the thought of them would still sting. But only barely. His grief is quiet, but he manages to keep going, keep smiling, and eventually he does find himself enjoying life again. He really does manage to move on after a month. But then…His phone rings with an unknown number.

“Did you miss me?” they’d ask, sounding breathless and almost manic. 

He’d absolutely demand to know where they’re at and want to see them. 

“Another time. Just know I love you-” they’d get cut off and he’d realize, holy shit they’re still in the city and fighting.

He’d be proud of them. Even though they’d hung up, he’d ask that they’d raise hell on his behalf. That would be when Iris would call days later. She let him know that they’re alive, but being escorted out of the city by hunters. They were hurt in their last fight, badly so. But Iris has arranged for them to recover under her care. He’d thank his baby sister for that and ask to make a detour in Lestallum. 

Of course, since they’re hurt they’re expected not to move around to much.

As if they cared.

Upon seeing him they’d literally fling themself out the second story window of the hotel and he’d be forced to catch them. They’d wince at the contact, but hang onto him all the same. He’d have to carry them back up to their room, and make them promise not to jump out of the window again. They would, and then they’d describe what happened.

The city, for the most part, is safe. The people there have started resuming their lives, going to work and what not. But others…others were prepared to fight and rage against the imperials until death. They were one of them. They weren’t letting anyone leave the city, even if you were just visiting, which made their fighting dangerous. But they had learned to pass the word on by word of mouth where civilians should stay away from. 

In one of the fights, their back had been lit on fire, and they’d have burn scars for the rest of their life. “But I think it just makes me look badass.” They’d joke. But Gladio would notice the slight tremor in their hands. Coming so close to dying had scared them. And he’d wordlessly pull them into a hug and they’d relax. He could see through them and that’s why they loved him.

“I’m useless like this. And you have a duty to do. Gladio, just promise me you’ll come back alive.”

He’d promise, though he wouldn’t know if he’d be able to keep it or not. 

Ignis:

He’d be so careful to betray nothing of his fears to the others. Especially not Noctis. Losing the one he left behind was nothing compared to losing everything the prince did. But it’d still hurt him. When he had woken up and first saw the news, he had immediately called them. And they had answered.

“Now’s not a good time Ig. Please….You have to know I love you.” 

But then there was a commotion in the background, people clamoring and sounding afraid. He ask what was going on and they’d just say goodbye. He’d do a little more research, and find out anyone in the city was had served the king was a target. As a retainer for the royal family, hat included them. 

He’d worry and try calling them again later, but there’d be no response this time. He’d go about his day after that, consoling Noctis and the others, and trying to think rationally. Seeing the city first hand was hard, but he’d still hold it together. 

It would be that night that it’d hit him. He might never see never see them again he’d realize. And while putting things away, he’d shed a tear or two. But that’s all he’d allow himself. And nothing would change in his relations with the others.

But then, oddly enough, he’d get a phone call from Iris. He’d ask if she meant to speak to Gladio, but she’d respond no. She’s volunteering at a local hospital in Lestallum and was sorting through some of the belongings of the residents and recognized the name of one of them. And found a note in their belonging adressed to them.

“I think it was to be sent to you if they died.” 

He’d make an excuse to go to Lesallum and see for himself, hope coursing through his veins. He’d request that Iris keep this to herself, and she would. And upon arriving he’d have no trouble in locating them. They’d be asleep, recovering from blood loss and some interior damage from a high impact collision. But when he’d take their hand, they’d wake up, and smile the brightest smile he’d ever seen on them.

They’d talk softly and he’d listen. They apologize for worrying him, but he wouldn’t allow them to finish. “You’re safe, and alive. That’s all I ask.”

They’d still have to stay in the hospital till they recovered, but after that they’d join Iris, Jeremy, and Talcott at the hotel, and stay with them until they could go home. It would be indefinite when they’d get to return, but they wouldn’t mind. And Iris would sort of adopt them as another sibling. It wouldn’t be until later they say just what happened. 

They’d been afraid when the imperials caught up to them, and brought their ship down in flames. They were one of the only survivors to escape the wreckage. The only reason they survived was that they had been found by hunters and taken to help right away. 

He’d be worried about how close they’d come to death, but all in all just thankful to the six they lived.