Work Text:
Fearing the worst, Gladio hurried along the citadel corridors trying to remain calm. It wasn’t every day the king sent him a text message requesting his presence. There was no context and Gladio worried that he’d done something wrong. His father hadn’t reached out, which was good, but Regis’ message had been so cryptic.
Regis Lucis Caelum: 2:47PM Please come to my private office immediately, text me when you arrive, DO NOT KNOCK.
What kind of instruction was that? Feeling his palms turn clammy at the anticipation, Gladio could only go through one horrid scenario at a time trying to think of what awaited him.
Finally arriving at the door to the king’s private office, Gladio followed Regis’ instructions and sent a text. The guards outside the door looked puzzled by his actions but didn’t comment. Less than thirty seconds later the doorknob turned slowly and clicked. Regis leaned out from the side of the partial opening, and held a finger up to his mouth, indicating silence. Motioning Gladio inside the king quietly walked back toward his desk.
Still very much concerned with the nature of the requested visit Gladio was focused on the king. Regis had made it back to his desk and appeared relaxed. After a moment he made a face, similar to the one his own father would make when he was being teased. Okay, now Gladio was very confused. Regis took pity on him and pointed to something else in the vast, well-appointed room.
Turning slowly, Gladio was stunned to see what he’d missed earlier. Ignis was there. However, he was fast asleep on the plush leather couch. Too shocked to believe his own eyes Gladio spun around to stare at Regis. Opening his mouth to speak made the king shake his head and, again, put his finger up to his lips.
Okay, so they couldn’t talk, was the king worried about waking Ignis up? That didn’t seem right. It was only three in the afternoon and Ignis wasn’t done for the day, not by a long shot. Taking out his phone Gladio attempted to get clarification on what the heck was actually going on.
Regis beat him to the punch and was feverously typing away before Gladio could formulate a proper question to ask. The undulating dots in this message window were quickly replaced with an explanation.
Regis Lucis Caelum: 3:02PM He literally fell asleep mid-sentence. The poor boy never rests enough so I didn’t wake him, and I thought you needed to see it. You are his boyfriend after all. It’s picture-worthy.
Gladio re-read the message twice before could formulate an answer.
Gladio Amicitia: 3:05PM He will murder me if I have photographic evidence of him sleeping at work.
Regis knowingly smiled from behind his desk before he typed a quick reply.
Regis Lucis Caelum: 3:07PM You are a trained shield Gladio, I expect you can evade Ignis’ efforts at ending your life just for a quick photo.
The king was goading him on, and despite knowing that Ignis wouldn’t be happy he took a deep breath and slowly approached the couch. Ignis and he had just completed a crownsguard retreat a few days before, and Ignis had foolishly decided to not take any comp time that was offered. His boyfriend had waved Gladio off and assured him that he could handle himself just fine. Well, now it appears that two days of hard training in the woods followed by several days of overtime, and meetings didn’t mix well.
Shuffling closer Gladio opened the camera app on his phone. However, as he lined up the shot Gladio became instantly distracted. Ignis looked so peaceful, sure he was sporting dark smudges under his eyes for not sleeping enough, but he still looked so handsome. Caught in the moment Gladio forgot what he was doing and simply stared at the sleeping beauty on the couch.
The sound of an imitation shutter broke his revere, looking to the side revealed Regis with his own phone out. The king was smirking and even rolled his eyes for good measure. When had he even approached? Six, Gladio was out of it.
“What?” Regis mouthed with a shrug, followed by a wave of his hand that was meant to explain his actions. He pointed at Ignis once more and then to Gladio’s phone, the king still thought he should take a picture.
Sighing in defeat Gladio turned his attentions back to Ignis and got his phone in position. Trying to find the best angle was hard, if Ignis was going to let him keep this picture it had to be perfect. Then, the sun broke through the clouds and lite the room up with warm golden rays. One of which was cast softly across Ignis’ face. Snapping the photo quickly before the sun became obscured once more Gladio smiled at his success.
Unsure of what to do next Gladio typed out another message to Regis.
Gladio Amicitia 3:25PM Should I wake him up? I don’t know what to do next, I’m assuming you don’t want him here sleeping anymore it’s not exactly professional.
Regis made a face when he read the message, he looked slightly pained, but Gladio couldn’t tell since it was replaced by an intense thinking face a second later when he worked on a reply.
Regis Lucis Caelum 3:27PM He’s welcome to stay until he wakes, as I said earlier he’s always working, the boy needs a break. That sofa is notorious for taking people to dreamland. It should have a warning label.
Stifling a snort at the joke Gladio relaxed. Thinking of what Ignis would want, he decided that needed sleep aside, his boyfriend would probably prefer sleeping at home.
Gladio Amicitia 3:28PM I’m going to wake him up, and take him home, he’ll really skewer me if I leave him to sleep here all evening. I do have to think of my health.
This time Regis laughed and couldn’t keep silent. Nodding in agreement he walked away and began messing with paperwork on his desk. The king had his back to them, most likely to allow for some modicum of privacy. Regis knew Ignis well.
Turning back to Ignis, Gladio knelt down on the rug and went with his first impulse. Leaning in Gladio swiftly maneuvered himself in between Ignis’ legs and gathered the man in his arms. Ignis groaned softly and after a moment he hugged back.
“Iggy, babe, you fainted and I’m taking you home, by order of the king,” he added in case Ignis tried to fight him.
“He did not faint,” Regis threw in with a laugh.
Surprisingly, Ignis only minimally flinched at the sound of the king’s voice and didn’t pull away. “I – maybe I did faint,” he offered groggily.
“So are you admitting defeat and you’ll willingly go home and take tomorrow off?” Gladio asked hopefully.
Ignis simply hummed in agreement before releasing his hold.
Keeping his arms in place around Ignis’ waist Gladio easily hauled him upright off the sofa. The man protested a little but didn’t try and escape his grip.
Once they were standing Ignis seemed to find his wits, “I do apologize majesty, I didn’t realize how tired I was until it was too late.”
“Nonsense Ignis, I’ve been through the same training regime as you back in the day, I remember how grueling it can be. I may have also been warned by Cor to keep an eye on you so don’t feel bad.”
“He did what – oh – I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised he was scowling at me when I declined my comp time.”
“Go home Ignis and get some rest. The world won’t end tomorrow if you don’t come in.”
“Thank you majesty, my sincerest apolog--.”
“Yes, yes, sorry this and sorry that, get out of my office and go home,” Regis countered with a wild look; he was clearly enjoying teasing Ignis.
Thankful that Ignis had known the king since he was seven, Gladio didn’t have to worry about Ignis misreading Regis’ tone. Ignis knew he was extended family at this point and was used to being in the rounds of verbal crossfire that erupted between Regis and his own friends.
“Yes, majesty,” Ignis replied with a smile. “Though, I must ask, what price will I have to pay to ensure you don’t tell Noct about this?”
“Oh that’s easy; have my one and only son sit in for me during that mind-numbingly boring meeting next week on road maintenance.”
Gladio couldn’t help but bark out a laugh when Ignis grimaced.
“Consider it done,” Ignis sighed.
“Good man, now go home, leave me be, you’re cutting into my own nap time.”
This time Ignis snorted and attempted to bow, the movement was stunted because Gladio was still clinging to him.
“Think you can walk on your own?”
“Of course, I only fell asleep, I’m not injured.”
Pouting, Gladio let go and took his hand instead, “You heard the king, let’s go home.”
After a proper bow from them both, Gladio ushered Ignis out of the office and down to the parking garage.
It wasn’t until they were halfway home, did Ignis pipe up from the passenger seat, “So, when do I get to see the picture you took?”
“What picture?” Gladio asked innocently.
“I know there was one, there has to be one. I know you.”
“If you can get the king to send you the one he took first, then I’ll show you the one I took.”
“I’m sure he’ll send it to Clarus, so why don’t you ask your father for me so I don’t have to add another bloody boring meeting to my docket as payment.”
“Okay, deal, but only if you stay home tomorrow and rest.”
Ignis shot him a scathing look but nodded eventually. “Fine, I cede, but you have to cook me dinner tonight.”
“Sounds like a plan, think you can stay awake long enough to eat?” jested Gladio.
“Absolutely not, we can eat in bed. Now, stop dawdling and use the gas pedal, I need to go back to bed,” Ignis chided right before he yawned loudly.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in relative quiet, Ignis had gone to bed and Gladio cooked dinner as agreed. Much later that night when they were both in bed ready for a real rest Gladio’s phone pinged with a message notification.
Even in Ignis’ state of half slumber, he rolled over and lightly punched Gladio in the arm. “S’my photo right?”
“Yeah babe it is,” Gladio admitted while staring at the photo from his father. Angling the phone for his boyfriend to see Gladio had the pleasure of seeing Ignis smile softly.
“I can see why Regis took it,” Ignis offered. “You look positively besotted.”
“Thanks,” Gladio chuckled, “so you want to see mine?”
“Yes, please,” Ignis enthused with grabby hands towards his phone.
Handing the device over Gladio had the pleasure of watching Ignis turn slightly pink in the cheeks. “It’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” he said seriously.
“I know but, I was so out of it I didn’t even wake up with you two blabbering about me.”
“Oh, we didn’t talk, we texted.”
“What, let me see,” Ignis ordered shoving the phone back into his hands and scooting closer. “How did you even know I was in there?” he wondered aloud as Gladio opened his message app.
“Regis tattled on you, said I should come to his office and to not knock.”
Once he’d read through the message chain Ignis groaned loudly. “I’ve been had by the king of Lucis. He set me up so he could get out of that meeting.”
“My dad is always warning me to watch out for Regis, he’s a trickster.”
“I know that,” Ignis lamented, “but he still gets me from time to time.”
“At least Noct won’t tease you about the nap; Regis is good on his word, at least.”
“True, but Gladio those road meetings are hell, Noct will fall asleep and I’ll have to figure out how to wake him up without making a scene.”
“Spill your water on him, the scene you make will be unrelated to Noct falling asleep. Problem solved.”
Ignis sighed but couldn’t help laughing a moment later. “You should come to the meeting and record it all so we can laugh about it later.”
“Oh no, don’t you try and trick me into going to that meeting too!” Gladio chided. “I’m not gonna fall for that. I love you, but you get to suffer through that with Noct and Noct alone.”
“Fine, but you have to cook me dinner again that night, it’s the least you can do.”
“Deal, now let’s go to bed I have to go to work tomorrow unlike you.”
Ignis nodded and settled further into the blankets, Gladio knew the man would pass out in minutes, it was a surprise he’d lasted this long. Grateful that Ignis had decided to take his comp day, Gladio hoped it would be enough to catch up on his rest; Ignis really did need all the sleep he could get to prepare for the upcoming meeting next week. Road maintenance meetings really were the worst!