cerezababy:

Ardyn x F!Reader Series

Listen, yall, I keep having this idea when I’m trying to write things and I just have to get it out so I can focus on other projects. This isn’t going to be a one shot because it’s too long to fit in one post and I wanted to give the reader the option to stop reading at any time because this thing is gonna get DARK.

I went a lot little off cannon here and rewrote the plot to fit the story so I hope you don’t mind! I’m willing to explain anything if you’re confused so just shoot me an ask. Also, if I don’t tag something correctly, please let me know and I’ll change it accordingly! Enjoy~

Tags/Warnings: NoctisxReader, BestFriend!Gladio, magiteks, dark themes, weapons, off-cannon, arguments, domestic violence, game typical violence, future noncon/dubcon

The sun peeked through the clouds and reflected off of the snow as the train continued its trek through Gralea. You were sat next to Noctis, who was sulking, and talked to Prompto who sat across from you. Gladio was sitting in the seat on the other side of the aisle with Ignis, but seemed to be brooding in his spot, as well. The tension was high after Iggy’s misfortune and losing Luna. Despite this, you and Prompto attempted to keep the atmosphere light.

“Hey, did you see the new gear on Kingsnight?” Asked Prompto.

“The gear you get from the anniversary event? Yeah! I’m still trying to level up enough to get the full armor suit from defeating the final boss,” you rave. Out of the corner of your vision, you see Gladio stand and stomp off down the car. Making a big show of leaving, the tension grew with each passing second. “Uh, so anyway, what about you? Did you get anything cool?”

Prompto chuckled half heartedly but still attempted to keep the conversation going. “Yeah, I actually got the new rev-”

“Can you two stop pretending everything’s okay?” Noctis interrupted. “Gods, it’s painful just listening to you two!” He yelled. With that, the prince stormed off in the direction Gladio did. The two of you sat, dumbfounded. Your chest ached at his reprimand and you’re sure Prompto felt the same guilt and sadness that you did.

“That was entirely uncalled for.” Ignis finally spoke after staying silent most of the ride. The sudden voice startled you and you jumped a bit in your seat. “You both did nothing wrong.”

“It’s alright, Ignis,” Prompto spoke meekly.

“No. It is unacceptable for him to take out his frustrations onyou. His pain does not designate a right to mistreat others.”

You and Prompto silently agree with Ignis and you all continue to wait quietly for something to happen, although none of you really had any idea what exactly you were waiting for. Noctis or Gladio to return? One of you to say something about the way the two of them left? Growing tired of sitting anxiously, you decided to get up and investigate. Prompto rose to follow, but you told him to stay with Iggy while you went to retrieve the angry prince and his shield. Making your way down the train car, you were tousled slightly by the rock of the vehicle. Two cars down, you ran into the two men arguing loudly in front of a few other riders and making a scene. You rushed over when you saw Gladio take a few steps toward Noctis with his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

“You can’t keep running away from your problems! Your people need you but you’re just sitting around and throwing yourself a pity party!” The larger man seethed.

“Yeah? Well you go through everything I have and then come talk to me! You honestly think I don’t know my people need me?” Noctis yelled back.

Stepping between them, you pushed your arms out on either side of yourself in an attempt to separate the two angry men. “Hey! Clam down!” The guys ignored you and kept pushing back against you as if you weren’t even there. The fighting was really beginning to escalate and you fully expected some hands to start flying. You looked to your boyfriend in an attempt to reason with him but he continued to glare up at Gladio. Grabbing Noctis by the arm, you tried to gain his attention but ended up sprawled on the floor instead. It took a moment for you to process what just happened while you stare up at your best friend shoving Noct backward and watching him push back. You hear Gladio yell about you being on the ground when you finally realised it was Noctis who shoved you out of the way and ultimately to the floor. Anger rose in your chest and you got to your feet before stepping in front of the shield and stood before Noctis.

A sharp slap rang through the room and your hand stung from the impact. “Asshole, will you get your shit together!” The prince looked completely shocked, his eyes wide and distant. “You’re too caught up in your own bullshit to realise you’re hurting people around you? Regardless of what happened to me, your friends and your people need your guidance now more than ever! So get your head out of your princely ass and be a King!”

Storming away from the two, now bewildered men, you left for the farthest car you could manage to find in order to cool down. Entering the farthest carriage possible, you were met with the sight of the Regalia. Rolling your eyes, you began to pace the room.

You couldn’t believe Noctis would be so engrossed in an argument to comepley ignore your existence and push you out of his way like that. You exploding on him was justified, that much was for sure. Gladio was right. Noct needs to grow up and lead his kingdom. Defeating Ardyn can wait, can’t it? Although a lot of Noct’s anger seems to stem from that man, You wondered why. In fact, you wondered a lot of things Noctis never told you about. You always thought that with him being your boyfriend he would open up more about his royal duties and such, but after his arranged marriage to Lunafreya, he seemed more closed off than ever.

Realising you needed to get out of your head for a bit, you began to make your way back to the bar. Still, as you walked, you couldn’t help thinking of him and how your lives seemed to be so pre-written for anguish.

A flash of burgundy passed by you in a blur and you turned to face the almost familiar sight only to come across nothing more than an empty carriage. The seats that held passengers moments ago were now empty and you feel a chill run down your spine. A rush of air hit the back of your neck and you pivoted quickly to look behind you. Again, nothing greeted your frantic eyes.

Suddenly, a hand gripped your shoulder. You summoned your weapons in a literal flash and held them to the flesh of the suspected enemy.

When your eyes focused and your mind cleared enough to comprehend anything other than the adrenaline rushing through you, you were met with the wide eyes of Gladiolus. Releasing the air you didn’t realise you were holding in, you dropped your weapons and stepped back.

“Geez, Princess, you’re on edge. Is everything alright?” He peered down at you with genuine concern.

You ran a hand over your face and sighed. “I’m fine. I just need a drink.”

“Yeah, alright.” Gladio lightly pushed your shoulder to lead you to the car that served the much needed alcohol. You began to apologise when you both felt the train abruptly rock. You braced yourself but the shield was there to catch your fall. “What the hell was that?”

“I don’t know, but we need to find the others and make sure everyone’s okay,” you replied in slight panic.

Rushing through the other cars, the two of you were met with terrified people and magitek troops on the sides of the train. Looking to Gladio, you both summoned your weapons and began to fight. Quickly, the machines were unlatched from the sides and you were continuing through the rest of the train to reach the rest of your entourage.

You could see Noctis rush out of the carriage you found Ignia in and went to go after him when you noticed Prompto was missing. You kept moving and attempted to follow Noct but he moved much faster than you and having to stop to fight off more magiteks wasn’t helping you catch up. Finally reaching the last carriage, Noct and Prompto were nowhere in sight. You had already been in every other car on the train when you made your way there, so where else could they be?

You looked around to see the last door opened to a ladder that led to the top of the rail car. That had to be it. You climbed up as best you could with the train still rocking sporadically with each hit to its body. You had to grip the handles tightly to keep from slipping off. When you made it to the top, you could barely see the figures standing there through the snowfall. Shielding your face from the harsh winds, you kept close to the ground in order to stay steady.

As you got closer to the figures, you could make out the auburn hair of Ardyn and his coats as well as the slim build of Noctis in his dark clothing. You called out to him but received no response. The wind must have been too loud for him to hear. You crept closer and closer until you could clearly see the two men fighting over something, Noct’s sword drawn and swinging. You called out again only to watch as your lover turned toward you and the butt of a gun hit him in the back of his head, Noct’s body falling in response.

“Noctis!” You screamed. You wanted to charge at his attacker but you couldn’t gain purchase on the roof from the snowfall. Instead, you moved as quickly as you could but your elbows and knees were soon groaning in protest from all of the falls you were taking. Ardyn grinned at you, amused at your struggle. You passively cursed your kingsglaive boots for being so slippery and continued to make your way to him with your weapons drawn. Once within swinging distance, you aimed for the side of his head first, only to be blocked by his arm coming up to prevent the blow. A quick fist to your abdomen knocked the air from your lungs but you continued to fight.

You positioned yourself to bring your knee up to his side but he blocked you again, this time grabbing the leg you were using to sweep your other one from underneath you. Your head impacted with the steel of the train and you felt the intense throb radiate through your entire body. Still, you moved to stand but Ardyn kept you down with his boot to your centre, effectively keeping your body from being able to lift.

“Such a waste of energy.” The low voice of the chancellor rang through your ears. “Now, what will I do with you?”