[ Gladio's on Noct's list to talk to. He's been concerned about Gladio, for a while now, and he thinks he has an idea of what's going on. Still, he wants to confirm it for sure--there's no use in jumping to conclusions. Confirm, then deal with what he founds out later. ]
[He's let a few minor heals happen but everything is so limited here he refuses to let anyone dump all of their magic on him. He's been much worse off and still powered through. It does mean that he's mostly stuck around the cottage for a few days though.
He's sitting outside the cottage, looking out over the sea, enjoying the breeze coming off the water. Sunshine and sea air and everything's so beautiful but so fucked up. Gladio glances up at Noctis, sighs, winces when his ribs protest but still tries to offer a smile he doesn't really feel.]
[ Noctis knows Gladio well enough that he knows something's really wrong. Incredibly wrong, and he's kicking himself for not coming to him sooner. Gladio's one of his best friends--he should be able to do this for him. Be there, steady, a comfort for the Shield who refuses such more often than he should.
It's with those thoughts in mind that he takes a seat next to his friend. ]
Whatever Ignis had started the afternoon doing he was soundly interrupted by a few hundred pounds of feline. Leopold was determined to get his attention, to pull him away from his task. Headbutts and a gentle tug on his wrist. He wouldn't take no for an answer and, possibly more concerning, Gladio seemed to be nowhere nearby to call off his beast. Eventually, how long was entirely up to Ignis, but eventually Ignis would find a note tied around Leopold's neck, a quote, a hint, something that would give Ignis hope and a clue aas to what he was playing at. Especially when Leopold would not let him be until he was standing beside the mana pool.
Crossing to Enso, the mana pool closest to the river, beside the Storyteller's temple will give him another clue. The soft tinkle of ceramic bells and low moans of hollow bamboo chimes litter the field of fruit trees to the East. And if he follows the sound until he can hear the rush of the river just past the orchards he'll hear Gladio, humming softly to himself. Waiting patiently for Leopold to complete his task, reading his book in the meantime.
As he approaches there's a thick scent of flowers in addition to the sweetness of the fruit trees. Then Gladio is snapping his book shut, climbing back to his feet and moving closer, reaching for Ignis' hand and drawing him close.
"Evenin, my spark. Hope I'm not interrupting~" He sounds smug enough that he clearly doesn't really care that much. Then he's guiding Ignis gently forward to a large stretch of lightly furred hide that Gladio has stretched out as a picnic blanket to protect them from the debris of the jungle floor. A pair of rough pillows are tossed onto the hide, a circular sheet of his new muslin hangs around the space to protect them from both bugs and the glare of the setting sun. And lined up along one side of the hide is a series of baskets and clay jars that Gladio had prepared earlier in the day.
This afternoon's task--like it is so many afternoons--is working in the garden. Weeding, watering, checking on the plants. It's all fairly simple work, requiring just enough extra focus because of his lack of vision to keep him from getting lost in his own head. After the way things ended with Ardyn at the Jormun party, not getting lost in his own head right now is a must. He's already beaten himself up about it a good deal. Doing it more is the least productive thing he can be doing.
At least, gardening is the task until Leopold appears and refuses to be ignored. His insistence is odd considering how lazy he tends to be when Gladio isn't around and he thinks he can get away from it. Eventually, in order to save all his work in the garden from being undone by the tigerlily, Ignis makes his way to the stoop in front of the cottage to give Leopold his full attention.
It's not long after that he finds the note.
After reading it with his bracelet, Ignis just sits there for a few moments, not acknowledging the dampness in the corners of his eyes. The message is sweet, hopeful, and he's not sure he deserves it after how much he messed up with Ardyn.
As if sensing the negative direction of Ignis' thoughts, Leopold once again starts insisting on being paid attention to. He's only accomplished part of his task so far. Time to move to step two!
When a particularly hard headbutt to his chest almost pushes Ignis back into the door frame, he snaps out of his thoughts and tilts a curious look down at the tigerlily.
"Gladio's behind this, isn't he? All right. Let me clean up and we'll see what his devious mind is up to."
Not that long later, man and tigerlily arrive near the Storyteller's temple. The sound of the bells and chimes immediately get his attention and he starts walking that direction even before Leopold can direct him. He's not surprised to find Gladio there, though he is confused as to the purpose behind all this. Both their birthdays passed a while ago, at least by the closest thing to a calendar this place has.
He keeps his questions to himself and lets Gladio guide him to where he wants him to sit. After they are both settled, though, he doesn't hesitate to let his confusion show, "This is amazing, Lovely Petal, but I don't understand. Why have you gone to so much trouble? Is there a special occasion I've forgotten?"
Gladio gets them settled, sprawled out on the hide, listening to the bells and he at least lays out in a languid sprawl. The questions make him chuckle, smiling and shifting to open a basket. He plucks a berry out of one bowl and rolls over to stuff it messily between Iggy's lips.
"Don't need a special occasion to look after you, babe." Leaning up to follow that berry with a kiss.
"Wanted to do something nice and we haven't had a proper date yet..." Soooo.... that's what this is. There might be the slightest hint of uncertainty in his voice but he's doing his best to sound utterly confident that this is something Ignis would want.
As much as he dislikes uncertainty, Ignis can't stay even a little tense in the face of that laugh. Not all surprises are bad, he reminds himself. Like the berry and most definitely like the kiss that follows. He leans into it so much he has to wrap an arm around Gladio to balance himself. For some reason, Ignis can't get enough of the way the taste of the berry lingers and then is shared between them.
When Gladio pulls back, Ignis tightens his arm slightly, not wanting to let the Shield go too far away. Ah, there is his answer, but it suddenly doesn't matter that much. He can be embarrassed about how much effort went into all this later.
"Do that again," his voice is low, soft, and a little wanting. "Please."
[ It might come as a shock that Noctis actually wakes at a decent hour. But he absolutely is, and with a grin, he goes to Gladio and taps his shoulder. ]
[Gladio wakes up fairly early but usually not until Ignis or Leopold haul him out of bed. It is entirely Leo's fault this morning that he's up so early. The big lug just demanded to be out in the sunshine. He's got a pillow tucked under one arm and a large, dark violet egg in his arms as he's coming out of the bedroom.]
A run? with you? [He grins and nods towards the outside of the cottage, carrying the egg out to lay it on what was formerly Leopold's bed in the sunshine where it will be nice and warm and well protected by a certain tigerlily.]
The hell you will. [A beat] Warping doesn't count.
[He flashes Noct a wry smile, holds up a finger and ducks back into the cottage, into the room he and Iggy are sharing, and returns with a second egg, this one a soft pale blue.]
Two, actually. [He drops down to one knee to settle the blue egg next to the purple one then holds a hand out and Leopold obediently slinks over to headbutt his hand, hard enough to nearly knock him over.]
Hey, be careful ya big lug. [a scritch under the chin and then Gladio stands and Leo sprawls out in front of the eggs, stretching out in t e sun and curling one paw protectively around the little makeshift nest.]
But at least it hadn't been her idea. It had been Gladio who'd showed up at CT's door - she hadn't even known he knew where she lived - Leo at his side, and announced that it was time for training.
Which would have been fine, if training had taken place on Enso, beside her cottage or even his. Instead they're alone on Nuidan, far from what passes for civilization, exploring.
Because that always goes so well.
And even that wouldn't have been so bad - except that the sky is heavy and grey, has been all day, and it's heading on towards evening, the dark threatening sooner than she'd expected. CT glances up at the sky, frowning, then back to Gladio. He doesn't seem inclined on turning back anytime soon, and even if they did, it's probably too late to make it back to the mana pool before nightfall.
Which means camping. All night. With Gladio.
It's fine.
There's still some time left before that happens, though, so she does her best to avoid thinking about it for now, her hand drifting down to the tigerlily at her side. Amitusha purrs, rubbing her head happily against CT's thigh. She's still young, but she's definitely grown in the month since CT found her. ]
You find anything?
[ This is directed at Gladio, who's been keeping an eye open for herbs. CT had tried to help at first, but had quickly given up after she'd reached toward a bright green vine that turned out to be poison ivy, or something like it, and he'd barely snatched her hand away in time. ]
[One trouble with the sky being so overcast was that it was making Leo grumpy. He was used to basking in the vibrant sunlight on Enso and the isles not this misty gloomy awfulness. It spoke to the difference in their ages that Amitusha is still contentedly walking at CT'a side while Leo throws himself dramatically to the ground every time Gladio stops to inspect a plant.
The air of 'kill me now' radiating off the lily is tangible.]
Drama queen. [Muttered under his breath as they keep moving, Leo flicking his tail in annoyance but eventually trotting after them.
Gladio is, for his part, so focused on the task at hand that he's hardly given a second thought to any awkwardness there might be between them. They're here to do a job. It's too bad the Aptonoth are too big and a bit too dangerous to start Amitusha on. Surely they'll find something.
A momentary pause, squinting out at the horizon.]
HA! [He turns back to CT, flashing a grin at her.] I found exactly what we're looking for.
[Because there on the horizon is the tell tale teal forms of cariborn. Now if only it weren't so late that they can't really start working yet.]
We can camp here, catch up with them in the morning, put these lazy bums to work.
[ She turns towards him hopefully at his cry of triumph, not really knowing what she's expecting to see - but it's not cariborn on the horizon, so far away she can't even hear them.
He's right, of course. There's no way they're going to get the tigerlilies to do anything this late, even if they did catch up with him. Still, she can't help looking disappointed, offering Gladio a weak smile. ]
Right.
[ She looks around them. It's an empty field, not so much as a tree around, much less anywhere to take shelter. ]
[By the time she's done looking around in confusion Gladio's already down on his knees, unstrapping two thick rolls from his pack. He takes a moment to determine the direction of the worst of the wind and then he's driving Hyperion into the ground.]
Yeah, why not? [One of the rolls unfurls into an oiled canvas sheet with loops sewn onto the edges at intervals. He takes the loop of one corner and hooks it over the hilt of his sword. Then, anchoring it with a series of metal spikes, he stretches the rest of it out to make a diamond tent. It's not a ton of space but it'll be good enough. An Anteka hide gets rolled out inside, thick dark fur serving as insulation from the harsh weather.
Seriously this takes a total of three minutes at most to set up.]
It's chilly enough we can try to start a fire but with how wet everything is I doubt we'll find much we can use. Mostly just gonna be us and the cats to keep warm.
[At least none of the food he brought needs heating?]
[It was hunting time! Mostly little things, because Prompto had to do most of the carrying. And maybe a bit more gathering than hunting. Basically, they were working around Gladio's current weakened state. At least Prompto had his gun, and if nothing else they could get Coco to help transport something big. The chocobo wasn't around now - not when Prompto might be sounding off his gun - but it wouldn't be hard to go get him.
But, for now, some gathering. Prompto was gathering up some roots in a back, quirking a brow at the little carrot-like things, and glancing at Gladio.]
Hey, Gladio? So... Remember before, when you thought me and Noct were a thing?
[If they got anything too big Gladio would stay with the kill while Prom went to collect Coco but Gladio had managed to adjust the straps on Leo's pack so if nothing else the lily would be able to carry some things too.
Weakened or not Gladio at least had a pair of slypers hanging from his belt to keep Leo and Prompto free and agile. He's actually appraising a couple potential fruit options, trying to decide if he can reach them without too much pain or if he really has to ask Prom when the question comes.
He turns to look at the blond, blinking in surprise.]
Uh... yeah? [Where did that come from and where was it going?]
[He cleared his throat a little bit, trying his best to hold back sounding awkward.]
Who did you think was on top?
[Because he knew how he viewed himself, and he knew how he viewed Noct, but he never thought of them together like that so he wondered how Gladio viewed them. It had left him wondering, because from what little he knew from erotica, he didn't think he or Noct were 'subs'.
He did, however, keep looking away as he collected what roots were there, and it was totally because he was busy being productive and not because he was a little embarrassed.]
[There's a moment there where he gives Prompto a look that clearly says it's a weird question. But he just sort of shrugs, abandoning the thought of hanging fruit for some of those berries Iggy's so fond of nearby.]
I dunno? Whoever wanted to be? I wasn't like... fantasizing about you guys or something dude. I just thought with how close you were there at least had to be some experimenting going on.
[ Things have been a mess lately, which is nothing new, of course. But even given that baseline, it's been a lot lately. The attacks. The trials.
Gladio hasn't stopped by, hasn't called to check in on her lately. Which also makes sense. He's got his own people to look after. He's got just as much shit to deal with as she does. It's fine. And if he'd been a little brusque the last time they'd talked, well. They'd all been stressed.
Still, she's a little surprised when things finally, finally settle down and she still doesn't hear anything from him. Shouldn't he be nagging her about Ami's training by now? Trying to teach her some new skill she'd never dreamed would ever be necessary for her to learn? Something?
She holds out for a few days, but she can't stop thinking about how he'd sounded the last time they'd talked. How dangerous things have been lately. If he's not okay -
And so she finds herself, inevitably, at the cottage, holding a hand out for the chocobos to inspect, smiling shyly at them, and peering hesitantly around corners in search of a certain Shield. ]
[She made it clear that she didn't want him worrying about her, didn't need his care, concern, or assistance. Between telling him off for stealing a hug and ripping his head off during the attacks he-
Well he's thought about it, considered all the uncertainties he's been chewing over since she'd told him how she really felt, and... he can't force his friendship on her. No matter how much he cares about her, no matter how much he wants to help. If trying to be her friend is just hurting her more then he has to accept that he needs to move on, give her the space she's all but demanded.
So he stays away. He tries not to worry too much, to fuss quietly at Ignis to distract himself from the fact that he can't go to her.
The last thing he expects is for her to come to him.
Tiana chirps excitedly when she sees CT, the last of her down gone, her feathers sleek and a deep plum color, taller and lankier and no longer a "chick". She leans over the fence of the small pen the birds bed down in and rubs against Cee's hand, nibbling playfully at the hem of her sleeve.
Gladio, for his part, is reloading the filter with river water. Just a few feet down from the house, the sound of spilling water, a few soft grunts of exertion as he heaves the rain barrel out of the wheelbarrow and onto his shoulder. Yeah, the entire 50 gallon, 400+lb rain barrel like it's nbd.]
[ She'd come to look for Gladio, but there's no way she can resist the lure of a chocobo eager for affection. CT pauses, smiling and extending her hand for Tiana's inspection. ]
You're all grown up, aren't you?
[ The bird chatters in response, and CT grins, ruffling the feathers on her neck before turning away. She spots Gladio nearby, and stops, the smile fading from her face as she gazes at him. He's down near the river, arms bare and muscles straining as he lifts the heavy barrel onto his shoulder, and CT swallows reflexively.
Fuck her life. ]
Gladio?
{ She calls out tentatively, not wanting to startle him when he's carrying something so heavy, and starts to walk closer. ]
[Of all the people he might have expected to hear from CT is pretty low on the list. He was all but certain he'd fucked things up irrevocably at this point.
So he turns abruptly to look at her, splashes some of the river water all over himself and then has a moment where he has to adjust his grip on the slick surface of the barrel to get it back to the ground without dumping it all over the damn place.]
Cee?!
[And damn if he doesn't look outright shocked to see her.]
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momijizukamori
post-bliss
Yo, big guy.
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He's sitting outside the cottage, looking out over the sea, enjoying the breeze coming off the water. Sunshine and sea air and everything's so beautiful but so fucked up. Gladio glances up at Noctis, sighs, winces when his ribs protest but still tries to offer a smile he doesn't really feel.]
Hey...
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It's with those thoughts in mind that he takes a seat next to his friend. ]
Healing alright?
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Now with a few considerations for the man behind the curse, perhaps, but he was trying not to think about Ardyn.]
Well enough. Don't worry about me.
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[ He looks at Gladio with raised eyebrows. ]
You're my friend. Of course I'm going to worry about you.
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From:July 1-ish for Iggy~
Crossing to Enso, the mana pool closest to the river, beside the Storyteller's temple will give him another clue. The soft tinkle of ceramic bells and low moans of hollow bamboo chimes litter the field of fruit trees to the East. And if he follows the sound until he can hear the rush of the river just past the orchards he'll hear Gladio, humming softly to himself. Waiting patiently for Leopold to complete his task, reading his book in the meantime.
As he approaches there's a thick scent of flowers in addition to the sweetness of the fruit trees. Then Gladio is snapping his book shut, climbing back to his feet and moving closer, reaching for Ignis' hand and drawing him close.
"Evenin, my spark. Hope I'm not interrupting~" He sounds smug enough that he clearly doesn't really care that much. Then he's guiding Ignis gently forward to a large stretch of lightly furred hide that Gladio has stretched out as a picnic blanket to protect them from the debris of the jungle floor. A pair of rough pillows are tossed onto the hide, a circular sheet of his new muslin hangs around the space to protect them from both bugs and the glare of the setting sun. And lined up along one side of the hide is a series of baskets and clay jars that Gladio had prepared earlier in the day.
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At least, gardening is the task until Leopold appears and refuses to be ignored. His insistence is odd considering how lazy he tends to be when Gladio isn't around and he thinks he can get away from it. Eventually, in order to save all his work in the garden from being undone by the tigerlily, Ignis makes his way to the stoop in front of the cottage to give Leopold his full attention.
It's not long after that he finds the note.
After reading it with his bracelet, Ignis just sits there for a few moments, not acknowledging the dampness in the corners of his eyes. The message is sweet, hopeful, and he's not sure he deserves it after how much he messed up with Ardyn.
As if sensing the negative direction of Ignis' thoughts, Leopold once again starts insisting on being paid attention to. He's only accomplished part of his task so far. Time to move to step two!
When a particularly hard headbutt to his chest almost pushes Ignis back into the door frame, he snaps out of his thoughts and tilts a curious look down at the tigerlily.
"Gladio's behind this, isn't he? All right. Let me clean up and we'll see what his devious mind is up to."
Not that long later, man and tigerlily arrive near the Storyteller's temple. The sound of the bells and chimes immediately get his attention and he starts walking that direction even before Leopold can direct him. He's not surprised to find Gladio there, though he is confused as to the purpose behind all this. Both their birthdays passed a while ago, at least by the closest thing to a calendar this place has.
He keeps his questions to himself and lets Gladio guide him to where he wants him to sit. After they are both settled, though, he doesn't hesitate to let his confusion show, "This is amazing, Lovely Petal, but I don't understand. Why have you gone to so much trouble? Is there a special occasion I've forgotten?"
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"Don't need a special occasion to look after you, babe." Leaning up to follow that berry with a kiss.
"Wanted to do something nice and we haven't had a proper date yet..." Soooo.... that's what this is. There might be the slightest hint of uncertainty in his voice but he's doing his best to sound utterly confident that this is something Ignis would want.
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When Gladio pulls back, Ignis tightens his arm slightly, not wanting to let the Shield go too far away. Ah, there is his answer, but it suddenly doesn't matter that much. He can be embarrassed about how much effort went into all this later.
"Do that again," his voice is low, soft, and a little wanting. "Please."
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From:CW: This is gonna get NSFW relatively quickly (apparently)
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From:WELP, then here we go! LOL!
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From:*Waves goodbye to Gladio's higher brain functions.*
From:He'll ruin Iggy's eventually dammit
From:He's a lot closer to doing it than Gladio thinks he is!
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From:early july
Hey, big guy, up for a run?
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A run? with you? [He grins and nods towards the outside of the cottage, carrying the egg out to lay it on what was formerly Leopold's bed in the sunshine where it will be nice and warm and well protected by a certain tigerlily.]
You know I'm gonna put you to work, yeah?
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[ He grins and puts his hands on his hips. His eyes rest on the egg. ]
Waiting for a friend to hatch?
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[He flashes Noct a wry smile, holds up a finger and ducks back into the cottage, into the room he and Iggy are sharing, and returns with a second egg, this one a soft pale blue.]
Two, actually. [He drops down to one knee to settle the blue egg next to the purple one then holds a hand out and Leopold obediently slinks over to headbutt his hand, hard enough to nearly knock him over.]
Hey, be careful ya big lug. [a scritch under the chin and then Gladio stands and Leo sprawls out in front of the eggs, stretching out in t e sun and curling one paw protectively around the little makeshift nest.]
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From:october 4
But at least it hadn't been her idea. It had been Gladio who'd showed up at CT's door - she hadn't even known he knew where she lived - Leo at his side, and announced that it was time for training.
Which would have been fine, if training had taken place on Enso, beside her cottage or even his. Instead they're alone on Nuidan, far from what passes for civilization, exploring.
Because that always goes so well.
And even that wouldn't have been so bad - except that the sky is heavy and grey, has been all day, and it's heading on towards evening, the dark threatening sooner than she'd expected. CT glances up at the sky, frowning, then back to Gladio. He doesn't seem inclined on turning back anytime soon, and even if they did, it's probably too late to make it back to the mana pool before nightfall.
Which means camping. All night. With Gladio.
It's fine.
There's still some time left before that happens, though, so she does her best to avoid thinking about it for now, her hand drifting down to the tigerlily at her side. Amitusha purrs, rubbing her head happily against CT's thigh. She's still young, but she's definitely grown in the month since CT found her. ]
You find anything?
[ This is directed at Gladio, who's been keeping an eye open for herbs. CT had tried to help at first, but had quickly given up after she'd reached toward a bright green vine that turned out to be poison ivy, or something like it, and he'd barely snatched her hand away in time. ]
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The air of 'kill me now' radiating off the lily is tangible.]
Drama queen. [Muttered under his breath as they keep moving, Leo flicking his tail in annoyance but eventually trotting after them.
Gladio is, for his part, so focused on the task at hand that he's hardly given a second thought to any awkwardness there might be between them. They're here to do a job. It's too bad the Aptonoth are too big and a bit too dangerous to start Amitusha on. Surely they'll find something.
A momentary pause, squinting out at the horizon.]
HA! [He turns back to CT, flashing a grin at her.] I found exactly what we're looking for.
[Because there on the horizon is the tell tale teal forms of cariborn. Now if only it weren't so late that they can't really start working yet.]
We can camp here, catch up with them in the morning, put these lazy bums to work.
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He's right, of course. There's no way they're going to get the tigerlilies to do anything this late, even if they did catch up with him. Still, she can't help looking disappointed, offering Gladio a weak smile. ]
Right.
[ She looks around them. It's an empty field, not so much as a tree around, much less anywhere to take shelter. ]
...You wanna camp...here?
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Yeah, why not? [One of the rolls unfurls into an oiled canvas sheet with loops sewn onto the edges at intervals. He takes the loop of one corner and hooks it over the hilt of his sword. Then, anchoring it with a series of metal spikes, he stretches the rest of it out to make a diamond tent. It's not a ton of space but it'll be good enough. An Anteka hide gets rolled out inside, thick dark fur serving as insulation from the harsh weather.
Seriously this takes a total of three minutes at most to set up.]
It's chilly enough we can try to start a fire but with how wet everything is I doubt we'll find much we can use. Mostly just gonna be us and the cats to keep warm.
[At least none of the food he brought needs heating?]
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From:LifeAfter Goodness
But, for now, some gathering. Prompto was gathering up some roots in a back, quirking a brow at the little carrot-like things, and glancing at Gladio.]
Hey, Gladio? So... Remember before, when you thought me and Noct were a thing?
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Weakened or not Gladio at least had a pair of slypers hanging from his belt to keep Leo and Prompto free and agile. He's actually appraising a couple potential fruit options, trying to decide if he can reach them without too much pain or if he really has to ask Prom when the question comes.
He turns to look at the blond, blinking in surprise.]
Uh... yeah? [Where did that come from and where was it going?]
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Who did you think was on top?
[Because he knew how he viewed himself, and he knew how he viewed Noct, but he never thought of them together like that so he wondered how Gladio viewed them. It had left him wondering, because from what little he knew from erotica, he didn't think he or Noct were 'subs'.
He did, however, keep looking away as he collected what roots were there, and it was totally because he was busy being productive and not because he was a little embarrassed.]
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I dunno? Whoever wanted to be? I wasn't like... fantasizing about you guys or something dude. I just thought with how close you were there at least had to be some experimenting going on.
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Gladio hasn't stopped by, hasn't called to check in on her lately. Which also makes sense. He's got his own people to look after. He's got just as much shit to deal with as she does. It's fine. And if he'd been a little brusque the last time they'd talked, well. They'd all been stressed.
Still, she's a little surprised when things finally, finally settle down and she still doesn't hear anything from him. Shouldn't he be nagging her about Ami's training by now? Trying to teach her some new skill she'd never dreamed would ever be necessary for her to learn? Something?
She holds out for a few days, but she can't stop thinking about how he'd sounded the last time they'd talked. How dangerous things have been lately. If he's not okay -
And so she finds herself, inevitably, at the cottage, holding a hand out for the chocobos to inspect, smiling shyly at them, and peering hesitantly around corners in search of a certain Shield. ]
...Gladio?
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Well he's thought about it, considered all the uncertainties he's been chewing over since she'd told him how she really felt, and... he can't force his friendship on her. No matter how much he cares about her, no matter how much he wants to help. If trying to be her friend is just hurting her more then he has to accept that he needs to move on, give her the space she's all but demanded.
So he stays away. He tries not to worry too much, to fuss quietly at Ignis to distract himself from the fact that he can't go to her.
The last thing he expects is for her to come to him.
Tiana chirps excitedly when she sees CT, the last of her down gone, her feathers sleek and a deep plum color, taller and lankier and no longer a "chick". She leans over the fence of the small pen the birds bed down in and rubs against Cee's hand, nibbling playfully at the hem of her sleeve.
Gladio, for his part, is reloading the filter with river water. Just a few feet down from the house, the sound of spilling water, a few soft grunts of exertion as he heaves the rain barrel out of the wheelbarrow and onto his shoulder. Yeah, the entire 50 gallon, 400+lb rain barrel like it's nbd.]
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[ She'd come to look for Gladio, but there's no way she can resist the lure of a chocobo eager for affection. CT pauses, smiling and extending her hand for Tiana's inspection. ]
You're all grown up, aren't you?
[ The bird chatters in response, and CT grins, ruffling the feathers on her neck before turning away. She spots Gladio nearby, and stops, the smile fading from her face as she gazes at him. He's down near the river, arms bare and muscles straining as he lifts the heavy barrel onto his shoulder, and CT swallows reflexively.
Fuck her life. ]
Gladio?
{ She calls out tentatively, not wanting to startle him when he's carrying something so heavy, and starts to walk closer. ]
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So he turns abruptly to look at her, splashes some of the river water all over himself and then has a moment where he has to adjust his grip on the slick surface of the barrel to get it back to the ground without dumping it all over the damn place.]
Cee?!
[And damn if he doesn't look outright shocked to see her.]
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