Authors Note:

"You're gonna have to change the rating from Mature to Explicit now," said Prompto swallowing his popcorn. "You know that, right?"

CQ nods and sips her soda. "Noted."

Noctis walks into the room. "Here you guys are… what are you watching?"

Prompto reaches up, grabs Noct by the belt buckle, and drags him down to the couch beside him. "Shut up, we're getting to the good part."

"How are we watching this?" asked Noct "Are you filming shit again?"

"Shhhhhh!"

ANYTHING TO HELP YOU SLEEP

CHAPTER 4

Gladio and the rest of his training team were in the wilds just outside Insomnia. The ground was still littered with the husks of the Nif battle ships and rusted mech shells. He walked behind his newest recruits as they followed their maps and looked down at their compasses. Tonight's training was primarily night navigation, ending with matchless fire building when they eventually found the haven on the map. With the daemons gone there was little need for the runes to ward them away, but the havens still functioned as effective waypoints and camp locations.

They earned bonus points if they found wild edibles along the way. Gladio was proud that they'd already found some sweet peppers and a few mushrooms.

The sun had dipped down past the Disks to the west just over an hour ago, but there was still some lingering light as the sky took on the color of a new bruise. If Gladio had to guess he'd estimate they'd reach the haven in about twenty minutes and if the gods were with him they'd get a fire lit quick and they could all go back to the Citadel.

He'd been thinking of Ignis all day. It was difficult not to.

"It's a date."

The words clung to him a lot more than they should have. Ignis was always one to turn a phrase. Gladio was certain he didn't mean 'date' in the literal sense.

He really was worrying too much.

After a few more nights Ignis should be able to sleep normally again and they'd be back to their occasional meetings in the gym or at formal events. They'd both go back to their usual responsibilities and sleeping alone.

Gladio stopped walking.

That thought suddenly seemed so… hollow.

"Commander, we found the haven," called one of the rookies ahead.

The shield was pulled back to the here and now for the moment and ran ahead to catch up with his squad.

Ignis was his second glass of wine in as he sat in his room, trying to read.

This morning, after his shower he was so much more relaxed. That combined with the first good night sleep he'd had in a while he was downright jovial. Even his office assistant, Quistis, commented on his good mood.

Oh, the miracles of a good night sleep and rubbing one out first thing in the morning could do.

However, as the night crept closer Ignis became more and more anxious. He could no longer deny how attracted to Gladio he was. They'd been through so much together and he was going above and beyond to assist Ignis in his problem without complaint. In addition to the impropriety of the whole scenario, he didn't want to make things awkward between them, and he especially didn't want to drive him away. He would just have to settle for Gladio's friendship and indulge in fantasies in his own time. That was the plan, and he would stick to it.

His fingers must have grazed the same lines of text three times now. He was still not terribly proficient with reading brail compared to how fast he used to read traditionally and it was frustrating. Being distracted on top of everything didn't help. He sighed and closed the book, putting it aside just as there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," he said.

He heard the door open and the sound of boots being kicked off just inside it. "Hey, Iggs."

"You're earlier than you said you'd be."

"The new kids seem to have some decent heads on their shoulders. They found the haven and made a fire in record time." He could hear Gladio hanging up his glaive jacket. "They even found some foraged edibles. Is there any more wine?"

"The rest of the bottle is on the wet bar. Help yourself."

"Thanks," he said.

"Did they find anything good?" Ignis asked. He heard Gladio open the cork and pour a drink… for a long time. Ignis bit his tongue. That was a good bottle.

Gladio swallowed a mouthful. "Nothing really to your standards, but they did find something that I think you'll appreciate. Hold your hands out."

Ignis smirked. He put his glass down and stood up, palms up. He heard Gladio take another swig of wine before he put his glass down too. He heard Gladio rubbing his hands together quickly before a familiar scent hit him. Ignis inhaled deeply. "Is that lavender?"

"Yeah," said Gladio as Ignis felt his calloused fingers rubbing the plants oils into his wrists. The sudden contact made him flinch, but Gladio held his arms gently. "It's supposed to help people sleep." Gladio kept his hands around his wrists well after the smell was transferred. There was a lasting silence as Ignis' heartbeat became the dominant sound in his ears.

Gladio's hands traveled up Ignis' arms, then shoulders, stopping when they were on either side of his jaw. He would give anything in the world to see the look on the shields face at this moment.

The distance closed between them before the larger man's forehead touched his. "Iggy?" said Gladio. A thousand words being asked in one. Ignis dropped any hesitation that remained in his body and answered by leaning in and pressing their lips together.

Yes, was the answer.

The kiss went from gentle to intense in the matter of seconds. Any doubts they'd had about what the other one wanted was obliterated as the back of Ignis legs made contact with the edge of the bed and they fell down to the mattress.

Gladio sat up for an instant and shifted, returning back down on him minus his shirt. Ignis felt entirely too warm and soon his shirt was gone too. They kissed and ground into one another like teenagers before Ignis managed to flip Gladio over onto his back.

He leaned down and unbuttoned Gladio's pants, before hooking his fingers in his belt loops and pulled down.

"Are you sure, Iggs?" Gladio asked, breathlessly. "I don't want to go too fast if you don't want to."

Ignis leaned down and nipped the shields toned abdominals. "This would be the third night in a row you'd be spending in my bedroom. I believe we can skip the usual dating formalities," he said before he bit the waistband of the shields briefs. Gladio had no more objections as he lifted his hips and let Ignis pull the remainder of his clothes off.

Ignis reached out and took Gladio in his hand and gave a few slow strokes before giving him a lick from base to tip. The breathless groan he earned let Ignis know that his skills hadn't gotten rusty over the years of disuse. Fingers began to tighten in his hair, egging him on. Relenting he took as much of Gladio into his mouth as he could. Thankfully Gladio didn't push his head down too hard, he was already fighting his gag reflex as it was.

It wasn't long before he began to feel the larger man begin to quiver beneath him. He pulled away as Gladio groaned. "Not yet," he said standing up and removing his own pants. Some tiny part of him realized he would have to find where he'd tossed his clothes in the morning. Oh well.

The mattress shifted before Gladio wrapped his arms around him and flopped him down onto the bed. The shield lavished kisses down his body as he got lower. "I've never done this before, so tell me what you want."

An unrestrained moan exited Ignis as Gladio put him in his mouth. When he regained some semblance of composure he said, "I think you can figure it out. I'll let you know when to stop if you have to."

For someone who'd never given oral to a man before Gladio was doing a very good job. Perhaps he'd done some research ahead of time? Ignis would have to ask him later.

The spring of orgasm was winding its way through Ignis core as he reached down and tangled his hands in the glaive's mane. "Gladiolus…"

He lifted his head and Ignis felt him lean over him and open his end table drawer. He was curious for a moment before way too much lubricant was pressed against his entrance. Ignis felt a slight pressure before he abruptly pushed on Gladio's chest. "You need to build up to that. There's… There's a lot of you."

"Oh…" said Gladio with some realization. "Okay," he said, leaning back and inserting a finger instead. Gladio's mouth met Ignis' as he worked.

A few moments later Ignis broke the kiss and whispered, "more."

He felt another finger as Gladio pressed down into him, their members grinding together, the lube getting absolutely everywhere. "More," a third finger joined in. Ignis was on fire as Gladio lavished attention on him. It got to the point to where he couldn't take it anymore. "Now," he said, barely able to speak.

Gladio propped himself up slightly and lined up. He wrapped his hands around Ignis legs as he pushed in slowly. Tears stung the corner of Ignis right eye as he felt the shield bottom out. He took a few deep breaths as he adjusted, Gladio being patient as he did. After a moment he nodded and the event really began.

Gladio started out slow, thankfully, as Ignis adjusted and pleasure began to flood every corner of his body. After a few moments he bent over and kissed him, shifting his position inside as well and sending wave after wave of pleasure through him as he hit just the right spot. "Ignis, I'm close."

"Keep going," Ignis told him, reaching between the two of them and taking his member in his hand. He began to stroke himself in unison with what was becoming desperate thrusts from the shield. "Gladio," he panted as he came, wrapping his free arm around his lover. Gladio trembled as he clenched around him.

With a growl Gladio put his teeth around the space between Ignis neck and shoulder and bit down lightly. Ignis could tell he was holding back as he came. His hot breath wild and erratic against his skin before it eventually slowed.

Gladio lowered himself off to Ignis' side, kissing his shoulder as he did. "I think...*pant*… you should be able to sleep now. Right?"

Ignis chuckled and rolled over, giving Gladio a lazy post-coitus kiss. "I think so… for now. You still might need to check on me regularly."

A throaty grumble. "I think I can handle that."

They lay there together for a long moment before Ignis asked, "Gladio?"

"Hmm," he responded. Half asleep.

"How did you know which drawer my lube was in?"

Gladio tensed up. "….Ummmm."

X~X~X

**Prompto and Noctis sat there, mouths agape as the screen faded to black.

Noctis looked at them, face red. "How long have you had this?"

Prompto shook his head. "This is the first time I've seen it."

CQ held up a finger. "Shhhhh… There's a post credits scene."

And the screen brightens again.

X~X~X

Four years later…

Ignis rolled back onto the mattress, sweaty and disheveled, but intensely satisfied. Slowly he rolled out of bed and made his way to the bathroom to get some water.

Returning to the room with a full glass Gladio turned toward him. The shields hands were cuffed behind him onto the headboard and a black bandana covered his eyes. "You gonna unlock me anytime soon?"

Ignis sighed. "I suppose I should." He crawled over and slid the bandanna down until it was in Gladio's mouth. "That's better."

Gladio grumbled something back at him.

"What was that?" He moved the bandanna.

"Seriously, my shoulder is cramping."

Leaning over, Ignis found the key and unlocked the shield. He held the glass of water out and Gladio took it, handcuff still dangling from one wrist. He unlocked the other half and tucked it back in his end table drawer before closing it. They leaned into each other's shoulders like the casual lovers they'd become. "Are you looking forward to tomorrow evening? Noctis says he had a haven re-created on the roof for the anniversary."

"I heard. I'm looking forward to it. You should have seen the look on Prompto's face when Noct told him about it," said Gladio.

"Do you suppose those two will stop tip-toeing around one another finally?"

Gladio shook his head against Ignis' shoulder. "Probably not, unless they're pushed a little."

A grin creeped its way to Ignis' lips. "You have something in mind?"

Gladio grinned and sipped his water. "I might."

X~X~X

Okay, that's the end of one story and the beginning of another. I'm sorry if there's typo's, it's nearly 1am and I normally get up in 5 hrs. Goodnight everyone. Let me know what you think. Thank you all for the support!