it makes him feel both relieved and terrified that gladio is the one that came out of the tent and followed him here. he wants to feel strong in front of him, wants him to think that he can handle himself. now he just felt weak and kind of embarrassed. crying wasnât manly, at least not his definition. crying in front of gladio wasnât exactly gaining him brownie points for strength, either. but thereâs a sudden softness, subtle as it is in gladioâs features, he sees it and he knows.Â
    prompto had always picked up on the fact that the shield seemed to be sweeter around him, at least when the two were alone anyway. they had their quiet moments, stolen glances, soft words of affirmation. gladio makes comments here and there about how far heâs come, how well he did that day, and it makes him feel like heâs not messing anything up. tired eyes look up at his friend once more when he grabs his chin, gaze forced to meet the otherâs. for once, prompto doesnât feel ashamed of his emotions. for this split second he convinces himself that itâs okay to cry, to crumble to the point of another having to pick up the pieces. he doesnât mind being broken so long as itâs gladio to piece him back together.
    a soft chuckle passes his lips, nodding his head while he brings his arm up to wipe at his tear stained cheeks. slowly, his palms meet the gravel beneath them and he crawls forward until he reaches gladio. he settles between the muscular manâs legs, his own winding around gladioâs waist. â still, â he mumbles, more to himself than the other, â i shouldâve asked first. itâs just ⌠â he cuts himself off, mentally making a note to stop talking. gladio likes him, it was okay. he rubs his hands against his jeans and hesitantly one arm comes up to wrap around his shoulders, the other allowing his hand to tangle his fingers into the shieldâs hair.Â
    his eyes rake over every detail of gladioâs face, taking all of him within the few moments he gets to be this close to him. itâs a privilege to see the older man like this, something that he doesnât take lightly. â iâm sorry for waking you, â prompto frowns, his own nose brushing against gladioâs before his eyes flutter shut and he leans in to close the distance between their lips. he kisses him softly, more sure of himself this time, and a lot slower. he wants to savor the taste of him, the feeling of their lips pressed together, all of him.
Gladiolus waits patiently as Prompto readies himself, wipes away his tears. Heâs being more patient than usual, more willing to wait. If anything, Prompto inspires him to be a better person, and thatâs definitely a good thing, isnât it? Gladiolusâ gaze is warm as he watches Prompto speak. âItâs fine, Prom. You were caught up in the heat of the moment. Itâs okay.âÂ
He lets out a soft hum when Prompto tangles his fingers in his hair. Lets himself close his eyes for a moment and simply enjoy the close contact. Sure, he has had flings on their journey, but they donât mean anything. This kissâhell, Promto has always meant something to Gladiolus.Â
âAgain, itâs fine. Geez, Prompto, if you keep apologizing Iâm gonna shut you up with a kiss.â That doesnât happen though. Instead, Prompto kisses him, and itâs the most perfect thing in the worldâsoft, tender, glorious. Gladiolus pulls Prompto flush against his chest. He wants him to feel the way his hear this hammering in his chestâwants him to feel the warmth of his skin.
When their lips part, Gladiolus smiles. âShiva help me, Iâve wanted this for a really long time. . .I sure am glad you worked up the courage to kiss me.â He pauses. Presses a line of kisses along Promptoâs neck. âIâm not that great parsing my own emotions, but know this: you make me happy. Iâm happy to be here with you, in this moment, and Iâm grateful you worked up the courage to kiss me.âÂ