Noctis - Swamp Birth WIP (Patreon)

I've been working on this one shot for a while now, and in part it's almost what I'd originally planned for the birth scene in "To Fight Alone" but obviously with more monsters and PTSD. This is just some good ol' Noct hiding his pregnancy and giving birth in an opportune time. It's not done just yet, but feel free to give any thoughts or improvements you find!

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"Are you a King or not?"

He always, always had to drag him down like this. Regardless of his obligation and sworn duty to protect Noctis as his shield, Gladio more often than not felt like he enjoyed tormenting the poor prince, now king, of Lucis more than he did protecting him. He always questioned his commitment, his drive to become King. Like he ever had a choice in the first place. It made it incredibly difficult to open up to him about any of the fears and concerns he had regarding his royal status. Which is why Ignis had always been a calming presence for him, reassuring and understanding. 

Until now that is. Noctis can hardly look him in the eyes now without the guilt suffocating him. Its undeniable whose fault it was when he knows Ignis has fought to protect him and suffered for it. Sacrificing his own sight for Noct's sake, and the fact only spurs on the rage inside Gladio more, because if anyone should have been risking life and limb for Noct it was him. They'd failed each other and lost too much.

And in all the loss and anger and fighting, Noctis had forgotten about something small, but so incredibly important. At first, he didn't even realise the change, until the bump became too firm to ignore. And then, with positive test in hand, he'd decided to keep the news to himself. There's no way Ignis would have let him on the boat to Altissia knowing he was several months pregnant. 

He could barely tell even now, somehow carrying so small that the bump was easy enough to conceal with a larger shirt and the cover of his jacket. The added stress and preparation for the ritual only made it easier to hide during the days leading up to Leviathan's summoning. And now since Ignis couldn't see him and Gladio couldn't care to look at him, the taut mound of his stomach was almost scarily easy to ignore. 

The train had pulled into the station creaking and groaning with the brakes grinding against the sun worn metal, but between the four of them there was only silence. Noctis sat separate from the others, blood still boiling from what Gladio had just said to him, and the way he so roughly tossed him aside. He slipped the ring back into his pocket, knowing he didn't have the strength or the right to even try putting it on. He was no King. Not like this.

A gentle bump on the left side of his stomach had his hand gently resting against it, smoothing over the fabric concealing his unborn child. What would Gladio have done if he'd known Noctis was pregnant? Would he blame him more, or less for what happened?

It didn't matter to Noct, the baby had nothing to do with what happened in Altissia and he knew it. He doubted it would have changed anything, especially not the sacrifices others had made on his behalf. And Noctis wouldn't dare place the blame of Luna's death and Ignis' injury on his unborn child, he had no reason to. The little life inside him only spurred him on harder to correct the corruption his life had befallen, to make right the wrongs of the world so that his child would grow up knowing peace and freedom.

He grumbled lowly as Gladio very intentionally kicked his leg on the way out of the carriage, making the effort of looking back at him expectantly, like Noctis might try to hit him right there. Noctis could only frown as he watched him exit the carriage, shortly followed by Prompto leading Ignis through the aisle and down the steps. He waited until he could no longer see them inside the train before heaving himself up, with a little more effort than usual, and making his way out of the train.

As he walked to the steps, he felt a sharp twinge of pain in his thighs that creeped up into his hips. It was dull and only made him pause in his steps because of how caught off guard he was to the pain, rather than how much it hurt. It passed quickly though, so he brushed it off as another one of the many strange aches and pains he felt throughout his pregnancy. He made his way down the remainder of the steps and onto the platform, taking in the vast dry sights of Cartanica.

It almost seemed unlikely that there would be a tomb in a place like this, but they had no reason to not believe the truth they'd been told. Noctis was eager for this journey to be over as well, so he made quick work of restocking their potions and curatives before trudging their way over to the elevator. It was a quiet and awkward ride down, no one able to even look at each other from the hurt feelings amongst them, so instead they quietly fell in line behind Noctis as they made their way into the swampy water. 

It didn't take long for Gladio's voice to become very grating on Noctis' nerves, shouting light insults at him anytime he strode more than five feet ahead. He couldn't stand the sound of it, and especially couldn't stand the sight of Prompto leading Ignis by the arm and picking him up whenever he stumbled. He wanted so badly to be the one to pick him up when he fell, to be the support he needed, but every moment he saw the healing scars over his eyes it was like Noctis' was watching Insomnia fall again right before his very eyes.

He could see several Gurangatchs up ahead, wading through the swamp water and he paused his movement to watch them. Gladio, Prompt, and Ignis were still behind him by a fair bit, and it only made sense for Noct to get a head start on the beasts before Ignis arrived. He was readying himself to warp in when a pain caught him off guard, making his body go rigid as he felt the pain grow from his stomach to his hips this time, creeping into his back and thighs. It lasted a few seconds before disappearing and it took Noct another moment to regain himself before he warped right into a Gurangatch and thrust his sword into its scaled flesh. He could distantly hear Gladio call to him to not be reckless, but he knew his strength enough to be able to take on a few beasts alone. 

They made quick work of the beasts, and before they knew it, they were heading towards the mouth of the swamp, overgrown with plants that seemed more alive than they should have. Noctis could just feel the last of another pain dying down as he slowly moved forward towards it, trying to mask his pinched expression as concern rather than pain. When Gladio's hand tugged him back and turned him around he thought maybe his acting had been subpar, but instead he was met with another frustrated scowl from Gladio.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

The words grate on Noctis’ nerves, only made worse by a new wave of pain growing inside him. His face pulls into an involuntary frown that Gladio matches tenfold, clearly unimpressed by Noctis’ reaction. He hisses, trying to bite back the noise as the pain becomes borderline unbearable.

“N-not like I have a choice” he forces out, and the dark look in Gladio’s eyes only proves his poor choice of words as well. He curses himself inwardly for that, knowing it’ll only lead to more arguing later, but for now Gladio seems to take it with some scarring words of disappointment before he treks on ahead. As much as Noctis would like to retort he can’t thanks to the pain somehow still gaining strength, making his knees bend as he tries to keep his posture as straight as possible before Ignis and Prompto’s backs are in sight. 

As soon as their eyes are off him Noctis nearly collapses, hands falling to his knees and back arching as he gasps in a shaky breath. Whatever these pains were, they seemed to be getting worse, but they were so close now he couldn’t turn back even if he begged to. Gladio wouldn’t let him live that down. So instead he picked himself back up and trudged behind them, trying to steal gentle touches to his stomach when he was sure the others weren’t looking, content to find the soft squirming inside him still strong as ever.

The four of them trudged on into the swamp, taking it slow and steady over the mossy tree roots. Noct was careful to not lose his own footing as he made his way through the foliage. The sharp pains continued on all the way into the heart of the swamp, seeming to gain on the last as they got closer together. A sharp, sudden pain would clench and hold him like a vice grip for several long moments before he could gasp in a breath. He had to pretend to be catching his breath when they hit as to not give away his pain to the others, though the more he felt it the more concerned he grew.

What if this was serious? There could be something wrong with the baby that Noctis hadn't even noticed. He'd definitely not had the time to go to a doctor for any kind of reassurance about his and the baby's health, so it was all guess work. Hell, he was only really guessing how far along he was as well and- oh god. What if this was labor?

No. No way, he couldn't possibly be in labor. He was too small, no way the baby was ready yet. He certainly wasn't ready yet. He wouldn't believe it until there was really proof, just some random pains didn’t have to mean labor.

He willed the panic inside him to calm down, moving forward through the marsh until he was wading through knee deep swamp water, to what he could only assume was the tomb of his ancestors. 

And what a dreary place to be buried it was. Clearly his ancestors had a knack for having their tombs be spread far and wide throughout the nation and in the most obscure, difficult to find locations imaginable. He just wanted to grab the weapon and get back on the train as quickly as possible. 

Just as another pain overtook him the ground started to rumble, and the water sloshed around his legs as something horrid appeared behind them. He was frozen in pain, but now the fear of this humongous monstrosity loomed over him, sending his stomach sinking in a pit of dread. It felt like it happened in slow motion, but within seconds the creature was rolling and thrashing around, tossing up swamp water and mud as its tentacles slammed into them.

Everyone jumped into action instantly, the act of fighting beasts had become second nature to them by now, but even this was daunting. The nightmarish plant creature was all teeth and tentacles, thrashing about madly in the murky waters and making it hard to get close enough to even land a hit with getting battered away. Everyone held their all as best they could against the creature’s fury.

That is, except for Noctis. Try as he might to keep up with his friends in the battle, the pains become unbearable and almost inseparable from one another, and it took all his strength just to stay upright and dodge the stray attacks that came too close. He could barely focus enough to swing the sword that felt heavy in his hands, only making him slower and an easier target. It wasn’t until he heard the shrill call of his name and then the heavy weight of someone’s body grabbing him and pushing him hard out of the way, making him stumble back before he caught himself from falling. 

Gladio shook his now damp hair as he pulled himself up from the muddy water and glared up at Noctis, anger evident on his face as he stands up again. 

“The fuck do you think you’re doing? Do you care so little about your life? About the people that protect you?!” Gladio says, voice rising from a low growl to a heavy shout that almost felt painful in Noctis’ ears as it rang through to open swamp. 

Sloshing to the side of them alerted them to the arrival of both Ignis and Prompto rushing over, huffing out of breath and messy from the fight. 

“Noct, you okay?” Prompto asks innocently, stepping closer to him to put a hand on his shoulder, and Noct tries to shove it off unsuccessfully.

“I’m fine, let’s just get this ov-” He freezes, eyes blowing wide before wincing shut and he cant stop himself from wrapping his arms around his stomach as he keels forward, whimpering pathetically.

“Noct!?” Prompto yelps, other arm coming to grab his shoulder so that he was supporting all of Noctis’ weight, “Noct, what’s wrong?” 

Noctis couldn’t speak through the shock, the pain had doubled so quickly, and the sensation of his water breaking was indescribable. He didn’t even have the luxury of pretending it was just swamp water as the hot fluids flooded from between his legs, soaking his pants and splattering into the water below. He choked on his words and he gripped Prompto tightly for support.

“M-my… water…” Noct manages to gasp out, pained and words caught in his tight throat.

“Water? You need a drink?” Prompto asked, eyebrows knitting quizzically together as he looked at Noctis’ crumpled form. 

“Can’t you do that later?” Gladio hissed, pulling his broadsword back out of the armiger to swat at an approaching malboro seedling as it tried to rush his side.

“N-no! My water… my water broke” Noctis says again in panted breaths, slowly regaining his posture as what was very obviously a contraction passes, “I’m pregnant.”

There is an awkward silence as glances are shared between them all before Gladio simply blurts out, “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

“I- I’m not…” Noctis whimpers again, trying and failing to stand by himself, instead simply allowed Prompto to support his weight as his legs still shake from the aftermath of the contraction and the budding pain of the next one growing. “Look.”

It’s a simple command, but it does the trick. Standing up as straight as he can, Noct tugs up the hem of his shirt revealing the small, but undeniable bump he’s been concealing for months. He hears a gasp from his best friend and a quiet curse from his shield at the realisation he’s telling the truth.

“Noct…” Ignis’ voice calls out, and Noctis’ flinches back at the sound of hurt that echos beneath it, “…you didn’t tell me.”

Noctis can’t do anything but lower his eyes in shame, even if he knows the gesture will not be seen. He can’t deny that. He knows he intentionally hid this from Ignis, and nothing he can do will change or make that better. He didn’t tell Ignis he was pregnant because he was afraid of what might happen. Of what it could do to their mission, to his life, or to their relationship.

“…I’m sorry…” Noctis bites out, managing to hold back the moan as another contraction reaches it’s worst, “I… w-was going to… but so much happened… I didn’t know how.”

Ignis lets out a shaky breath, hand coming up to adjust his glasses, and even now Noct can see the hurt in his eyes. There’s no forgiving what he’d done. He’d be lucky if Ignis even remained by his side after this.

“…We need to get out of here, it’s not safe enough like this, and there’s no way we can fight that beast right now. We need to regroup” Ignis says, somehow pushing past his pain to find a solution, quickly gathering all the information he needs to make a decision.

“W-we’re retreating?” Noctis winces, face rising from were he’d buried it in the crook of Prompto’s elbow to groan through a contraction.

“Of course, we are. You can’t fight in this condition” Ignis states simply before throwing out a few more instruction to Gladio and Prompto, who in turn begin moving. 

Noctis watches as Gladio throws his sword back up, fighting off the creature and its spawn alongside Ignis as Prompto heaves one of Noct’s arms over his shoulder and starts shuffling them towards the edge of the swamp.

“We can’t leave them” Noctis whines, looking back over his shoulder to see Ignis stumble as he takes a hit to his side. He almost scrambles free of Prompto’s hold to run back and help him, but the sudden pain hitting his pelvis freezes him in place, feet planting in the mud and pulling Prompto to a halt beside him.

“Noct, c’mon” Prompto urges with a worried look, “They’ll be right behind us, but we gotta get you safe first.”

The glance down to his stomach is as clear as day, and Prompto’s throat bobs with a nervous swallow, “…this whole time?” he mumbles out quietly, like there’s anyone but Noctis’ around to hear him.

“…yeah. Since just after Lestallum” Noctis groans again, legs threatening to fall out from beneath him as the pain ascends. He thinks it must’ve reached its peak by now, making his face contort in agony as he tugs on Prompto’s shoulder for support. He thinks it can’t possibly get any worse than this.

But how wrong he was.

He’s at least grateful that Prompto had waited for his pained expression to soften somewhat before he tried to make them walk again, but by then it was much too late. Noctis could already feel the solid mass pressing down further than he felt anything should go. The baby’s head felt so low he felt like it could drop out of him any second, but he knew it wouldn’t be so easy. As soon as Prompto had urged him to take a step forward he yelled out louder than he’d allowed himself this whole time, voice finally breaking as the searing pain became too much to contain. 

He can feel more than see Prompto jump in alarm at the noise, quickly stopping to whip his head back to look at Noctis’ agonized expression. 

“N-Noct!?” He all but cries, blue eyes wide with fear and panic as he stares at Noctis.

“I- I can’t, Prom… It’s too late…” Noctis gasps, feeling the new contraction tighten around his belly and push the baby further inside his birth canal. He feels his stance widen and legs spread more automatically, unable to stop himself as he grunts through the remainder of the contraction, body already trying to push the baby down more. 

“It’s coming” Noctis manages to wheeze out before the true need to push overtakes him. He’s completely unable to even find the words in his mind to speak anymore, mind numbed with pain and an ungodly need to push even with his pants still firmly blocking the baby’s exit.

He is vaguely aware that Prompto swears and calls out to Ignis and Gladio, but he can barely focus on his surroundings as he feels himself be split open by his child as it moves with each push and each contraction Noctis’ body seems to orchestrate on its own.

“Prompto, what’s wrong?” Ignis voice calls over, his cool voice like a salve for Noctis’ aching heart, and he all but paws for him just to feel his touch, but of course his hands only make contact with Prompto’s vest, which he clings to like a lifeforce.

“The- the baby’s coming now… I can’t move him.”

Ignis hisses, fingers coming up to his chin in thought. They all knew this was hardly the place for a child to be born, but by the sounds of it they didn’t have much choice. Ignis remained quiet and calculating for a few short moments before nodding to himself. 

“Prompto, swap with me, you’ll need to help Noct deliver, so I’ll keep him upright, Gladio, try keep us safe, please” Ignis says curtly, already trudging towards Prompto and Noctis, hand out until it bumps into Noct’s shoulder. 

Prompto takes Noctis’ wrists and guides them over until they’re resting on Ignis’ shoulders, were he promptly wraps them around his neck and buries his face into his chest. As much guilt as Noctis feels for everything that has happened up to this point, his pain addled mind can do nothing but crave Ignis’ touch and affection, and the warm hands pressing against the small of his back make him choke back a sob as he finally feels close to the man he cares most deeply about. 

A whine high and pain pitches in the air as Noctis strains in his pants, and Ignis quickly guides Prompto to stand behind the Prince and help him remove them. In any other situation, Noctis would be mortified at the action, but now all he finds is a great relief when the obstruction is removed and on the next push, he feels himself making real progress. Although the mounting pain quickly takes away that relief and turns it into panic. 

His hands claw deeper into Ignis’ shoulders as he moans pathetically, feeling the head finally start to reach his lips, parting them slowly as his pushes weaken with the fading contraction. He can feel the weight and size of the baby’s head resting just behind them, already feeling too big for Noctis to ever be able to push out. A hand rubs gentle circles into his back, and there’s a soft shushing near his head that makes his heart squeeze. Noctis pretends the tears in his eyes are just from the pain.

“How’s he doing, Prompto?” Ignis asks, sounding calmer than Noctis would expect from even him. 

“I- it’s just barely there, but I can see the head” Prompto says nervously from behind, and Noctis winces internally at the thought of him staring at him naked like this, but there’s little he can do about that now.