#f3s

“Come now, I know you are still well within your faculties to tell me,” Ignis chided, though he could already feel his slightly annoyed temper dissolving with each sniffle he heard coming from the living room. “Was it because you wanted to prove me wrong? Couldn’t let me be right about there being a storm even though the day started out sunny? You’re a camper, Gladiolus! You know how fickle weather is!”

Another miserable sniffle met him and as he looked over he could see a flush appearing over the man's cheeks that he hoped had nothing to do with the cold he was already coming down with.

Sighing deeply he finished putting the frozen stock in the pot, covering it and setting it to simmer before making his way to the living room.

As he reached the sofa, arms folded over his chest he found Gladio stubbornly attempting to not look at him, keeping his eyes somewhere in the vicinity of Ignis’s kneecaps.

“Gladiolus. Just… give me one good reason why you decided to forego all of my warnings. Especially when all I was trying to do was look out for your well being. You could at least give me that,” he asked, watching as Gladios fingers lightly picked at the fabric of the pillow he was nestled in, a nervous tick he knew Gladio displayed when he well and truly knew he’d done a bit of a dumb.

“... cos… Mfror dodn’t pdortit,” Gladio mumbled unintelligibly into the blanket, muffling his words even more than his stuffy nose was already causing.

Ignis closed his eyes, bringing a hand up to lift his glasses to rub at his eyes tiredly. “Come again?” he asked, looking back down at Gladio and watching as the man took a quick, sheepish glance up at him before locking back onto his knees and uncovering his mouth.

“Cos Cor doesn’t do it,” Gladio finally answered, his eyes glancing up at Ignis as he waited for judgement.

And oh… judgement was coming.

“That… is why you are now running a fever and look like you have just been dragged through every body of water from here to Altissia?” Ignis said quietly, narrowing his eyes at his darling.

“...... yeah. Dorry Igdis,” Gladio mumbled, looking up at the man miserably before a weak sneeze made him curl into himself more with a little shiver.

Whatever sort of scolding Ignis had been working himself up for instantly faded away, shaking his head as he knelt down next to the sofa.

“Thank you for apologizing. Though I would’ve much preferred you listening to me in the first place, love,” Ignis murmured softly, bringing a hand up to gently sweep away a few strands of Gladio’s damp hair away from his face. “It’s not like I was asking you to wear a moogle themed poncho with a chocobo handled umbrella to match. I just wanted to make sure this didn’t happen.”

“I dow… and I’m dorry,” Gladio mumbled, sniffling again as he closed his eyes and nuzzled weakly against Ignis’s palm where it had come to rest on his cheek.

“I know, love. I know. But there’s nothing for it now, but to warm you up and try to get you back on your feet. If you can survive a world of darkness for a few years then you can survive a bit of rain.”

The soft whistling from the kitchen alerted Ignis to the kettle and he pressed a quick kiss to Gladio’s head before standing. “I’ll be right back. I’m gonna fix you a cup of tea with some honey and then we’re going to settle on the sofa for a bit.”

“Oday. That dound’s nice,” Gladio murmured, sneezing again in what sounded like someone squeezing the life out of a carbuncle.

Ignis chuckled a bit and quickly made his way to the kitchen, finishing up the mug of tea and checking on the broth. It looked as though it had finally unthawed and after taking it off the burner he covered it for later. First he wanted to make sure he got at least a little tea in Gladio’s belly before trying to ply him with more.

Soon he was back at the sofa, mug of tea in hand and looking down at his poor partner who looked like he had already nodded off.

“Come on, love. Gotta get up. We need to get something warm in you to try and get you feeling a bit better,” Ignis murmured gently, setting the tea on the coffee table as he readied himself to attempt to rouse the man. Gladio’s eyes easily blinked open as he spoke. Apparently a nap wasn’t on the schedule just yet. However, Ignis’s comment did have him quirking an eyebrow and giving as playful a smile as a sick man can.

Ignis snorted at the reaction, easily reading his partner's mind as he swatted at his shoulder. “Not happening anytime soon, Sniffles. Now up you get,” he murmured, helping his giant of a husband finally sit up on the sofa before taking a seat beside him. Making sure to sit on the other side where there wasn’t a soggy shaped shadow from Gladio.

However, it wasn’t long before he felt a heavy weight settling against his side and pushing him over, a slightly damp and sniffly Gladio wrapping his arms around him to keep him in place.

“Gladio! Gladio you have to let me up! You need to drink your tea so you can warm up,” Ignis huffed, from under the bulk of the man, his glasses askew from where his face was partially smushed into the throw pillow.

“Mmm… warm,” Gladio rumbled, nuzzling into Ignis’s chest as his strong arms wrapped themselves around his middle.

Ignis only just managed to turn onto his back before Gladio seemed to settle into place, resting his head against Ignis’s chest while his hands tucked themselves against the curve of his back.

The cool touch made Ignis shiver slightly, feeling the cold still coming off of him, but hearing the little sigh of content that escaped Gladio easily had him pushing aside any discomfort.

“There’s no way I’m moving you right now is there?” he murmured with a fond, if slightly exasperated, little smile.

A small shake of Gladio’s head was the only answer he got as he let out a soft chuckle. “Alright, alright. I suppose tea can wait for now,” he whispered, bringing a hand up to pull the throw blanket up a little higher on the both of them as his other hand soothed through Gladio’s damp hair.

“Mmm… yer bedder than dea,” Gladio’s groggy and snuffled voice murmured, making Ignis’s heart melt just a bit more.

“You’re lucky you're cute when you're sick. But don’t think I’m going to forget this,” he warned gently, lightly scratching over Gladio’s scalp as he felt the man melting against him, their legs easily entwining under the blankets. “I’m going to order you the most ridiculous poncho I can find and you will wear it the next time there’s weather. It’ll teach you to mind me when I look after your safety. And if you think I’m not going to send a strongly worded letter to Cor about looking after his own safety too then you are sadly mistak-... Gladio? Gladio, are you still listening to me?” Ignis asked, only to be met with a snore only rivaled by a behometh’s growl.

“Astrals, you really are lucky you’re cute,” Ignis whispered fondly, leaning up a bit to press a soft kiss to the top of Gladio’s head. Reaching over to the table he carefully picked up his phone, a little smile on his lips.

“Perhaps while I wait I’ll start looking for that poncho for you, hmm? Oh… looky here. One with a cute chocobo print on it. And what’s this? Why yes… I do think I’ll add the matching umbrella for a small additional fee.”

A small snuffle and the soft nuzzle of Gladio’s cheek against his chest was his only answer as he soothed his free hand between his shoulder blades.

The sensible thing to do would be to fess up and tell Cor he was not his intended valentine.   But the more Gladio listened to him pour his heart out the less that option sounded like the right one.  He didn’t want to hurt Cor’s feelings by rejecting him so unceremoniously.

Gladio could feel his face turning all shades of red.  Why did these things have to happen to him!  Finally tramping his mortification down enough to actually be a part of the conversation he realized Cor was turning him down.  Astrals!  This was actually worse.

“Listen Gladio, I love you as a friend but don’t really think this would work out if we tried.  We work together too much and I just think it would make things more complicated.  Our ages are really different and I feel like we just wouldn’t be compatible as partners.”

It took a full 15 seconds for Gladio’s brain to catch up and produce words out of his mouth.  “Uh – I understand – so we are good? Please tell me things aren’t going to get super weird now.”

Cor’s shoulders relaxed a little and he flashed a smile for the first time since they started this awkward ass conversation.  “Nah I have a feeling we will both eventually laugh about this.”

Suddenly Gladio was hit with a terrifying thought.  “You’re not going to tell my dad are you!?” He asked nervously.

“Wasn’t planning on it.”

Thank the six he had made it to the end of the talk.  Now what? Should he try and grab the gift back or leave it?  Gods, good thing he didn’t include a super sappy note.  He’d only bought a super nice box of fancy chocolates and managed to scribble ‘Will you be my valentine?’ on the small card it came with.

Cor beat him to the punch.  “I’m keeping those chocolates but you can take that card back.”

“You eat candy?” Gladio asked before he could stop himself.

“Of course, but I never buy any for myself and no one ever gives me any so thanks!” Cor announced as he grabbed the box and stood up to leave.   “Now get out of my office so I can lock up and go home.” He finished with the biggest shit eating grin Gladio had seen in a long time.

Not having to be told twice he snatched the unwanted card from the desk and bolted from the office.  Okay so he’d managed to survive the most humiliating thing to happen to him since grade school but he still had a problem.  Cor had just taken his gift for Ignis.

He was due to meet up with Ignis in the next fifteen minutes so there really wasn’t time to buy a replacement. Sighing at his own bad luck Gladio began the trek over to the advisors apartment.  Even after the ten minute walk he still hadn’t come up with a good excuse as to why he had a card and no gift.  The idea to tell Ignis everything that had occurred was far too embarrassing.

Expecting disaster Gladio continued on and eventually found himself staring at the front of Ignis’ door. Taking a deep breath he knocked and waited.

It became apparent that Gladio was terrible at keeping something secret.  He’d been sitting on Ignis’ couch for all of five minutes and his boyfriend had already called him out for seeming out of sorts.    

“Honestly Iggy everything is fine.” Gladio lied when Ignis prompted him again as to what was bothering him.

“I don’t think so.”  The nineteen year old responded with a frown.   “You’re not overwhelmed since this is our first valentines together are you?” He questioned.

“Nah not at all, I’m super excited we get to hang out.” Gladio really was happy; Ignis had planned the whole evening for them complete with a home cooked meal.  That of which, was currently in the oven roasting away.  He was more worried for the moment when they would exchange gifts.  He knew Ignis would have gotten him one and Gladio had made an effort only to have it go to waste.   Cor did say he would enjoy them but that still didn't change the situation.

“You are a terrible liar Gladiolus.” Ignis chided.

Shit. The full name.

“If this isn’t something you are comfortable with then maybe we need to talk about this relationship.” The younger man added with a pout.

“What! No. no. no.  That is not what’s making me act so strange.  Iggy I’m really happy we are together please don’t say that.”

“Then what pray tell is bothering you?” He asked again.

Sighing heavily Gladio realized he would have to fess up.  “So I’m upset because I bought you a really nice box of chocolates.  I wrapped the box and used the in house mailing department so they could deliver it to your office today.”

Ignis interrupted him. “I didn’t receive anything; do you think it got delivered after I left the office today?”

“No, the person who filled out the label for me transposed your office numbers.  My gift for you went to the wrong office.”

“Well if that’s the case then we can simply pick it up tomorrow.  There is no need to fret over that Gladio.”

“Um – there’s more.” Gladio paused as Ignis narrowed his eyes waiting for the rest of the story.  “So I’m not sure if you are aware but you and Cor have similar office numbers.  Yours is 419 and Cor’s is 149.”

Astrals --.” Ignis murmered.  “Do you mean to tell me you sent Cor the Immortal a valentine’s gift?”

“Oh yeah I did.” Gladio hummed in response.  “With a signed card and everything.”  

“He knows we are dating doesn’t he, I can’t imagine he gave you too much grief over it.”

“No, he didn’t give me grief Iggy, he thought I was asking him to be my valentine.” Gladio frowned when he noticed the smirk that Ignis was desperately trying to hide.  “It’s not funny Ignis.   I had to sit in his office for ten minutes while he turned me down!” Gladio whined.

“You were rejected by the immortal?” Ignis asked as he barely managed to contain his snickering.  “What did he tell you?”

“He loved me as a friend but because of our age difference and the fact that we work together a lot it probably wouldn’t work out.” Gladio scowled at Ignis when he let out a genuine squeal.  “Ignis, it was really embarrassing to have to sit in his office and listen to that.”

“Why on eos didn’t you tell him it was a mistake!”

“I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.” Gladio pouted.

“Aww my gentle giant, Gladio you truly are the sweetest man to exist on this planet.” Ignis responded with a small smile.  “So what happened to my chocolate?”

“He took it!”  Gladio exclaimed.  “He claimed no one ever bought him chocolate but he loves it so he seriously just stole your gift.”

Ignis couldn’t contain his snort as he laughed out loud.  “He didn’t know he was stealing dear, he thought it was his to take.”

“I at least got the card back.” Gladio huffed.  “He didn’t want that.”

“Gimme, gimme –.”   Ignis said quickly making grabby hands like a three year hold.

Gladio knew this was a mistake but he fished the card out of his pocket and handed it over.  Watching the emotions pour over his boyfriends face was fun and terrifying all at the same time.  First Ignis displayed a sappy smile at the little note and then that quickly morphed into howling laughter.  Prim and proper Ignis was laughing so hard he couldn’t sit upright in his chair.

“You –you gave Cor a card that said be my valentine!” He gasped in between breaths.  

Having no choice but to look on with dismay, Ignis lost his godsdamned mind while he laughed himself silly.  Normally getting Ignis to let loose in this fashion would require a lot of work.  But apparently making an ass out of himself in front of Cor the immortal did the trick.  He would have to remember this for next year.

Waiting for what felt like an eternity Ignis finally calmed down enough to form complete sentences.   “Will you buy me the chocolates again?” He asked with a smile that was framed by red cheeks and tear tracks down his handsome face.    

“Of course Iggy, if that’s what would make you happy.”  Gladio responded seriously.

“Oh my dear wonderful boyfriend, your presence alone makes me happy.  I was only kidding, though I do love chocolate.”   He said while getting up and relocating to sit next to the shield. “I’m sorry you had to go through that dear but it really is funny.”

“I suppose I can understand why you laughed.  I mean of all the people why did it have to be Cor.” Gladio sighed.

“He is handsome; perhaps you really do fancy him instead of me.” Ignis chided with mischievous glint in his eyes.

Gladio knew Ignis was teasing him but he couldn’t quite control himself as he tackled the advisor and began tickling him. “You are such a troublemaker!” he shouted as he dug is fingers into his boyfriend’s ribs.

Ignis was breathless again in less than a minute and pinned under the shield on the couch.  Gladio was content to listen to his giggling and watch as his smile grew bright.  

Once Ignis had caught his breath he spoke up. “Happy valentine’s day Gladio.”

“Happy valentine’s day to you to Iggy, my gift to you this year is laughter.”

Ignis smiled even wider which didn’t seem possible and tugged Gladio down into a fierce hug.  “And what a wonderful gift it is.  Thank you dear.”

“So what did you get me?” Gladio questioned since he’d survived the retelling of his misadventure.

“Oh well you see, I fear it got sent to the wro--.” Ignis couldn’t finish his thought as he was squealing and laughing again.

Gladio relentlessly resumed his tickle attack until Ignis was crying and gasping for breath.  “Now, now Iggy, I believe you were telling me about the nice gift you bought me.” Rolling his eyes at the fit of giggles that erupted from underneath him he sighed.   “Are you seriously gonna be like this all night?”

“I really like your gift dear, besides my plan worked anyway.” Ignis finished as he captured Gladio’s mouth for a kiss.

With a quiet groan and a little bit of heartache at having to leave the warmth of their bed, Gladio sat up and rolled his shoulders before standing.

Quietly he opened the bedroom door the rest of the way, letting in more light from the hallway and trying his best not to look like some sort of mole person as he hobbled his way toward the kitchen.

The closer he got the more he could hear the movement of his partner.  Ignis was stealth incarnate so to hear things bumping, clinking and sloshing, regardless of how quiet, was still slightly unsettling to him.

As he finally made it into the living room he turned to look into the small attached kitchen, Ignis’s back greeting him where he stood by the stove.  The man seemed to be in his own little world as he reached for the cupboard and pulled out a box of what looked like cocoa. That immediately sent a wave of worry though Gladio.  Ignis was a creature of habit and that included his drinks.

Coffee was usually there for Ignis when he needed to wake up or de-stress.

Tea was always at hand when he needed to think.

Cocoa… that was reserved for comfort.  A childish creature comfort that Ignis had told him about years ago.  When things would get to be a little too much he would gravitate toward a small prepackaged mix of cocoa and milk to try and quell whatever was troubling him.

So to see Ignis standing there in the dead of night, shoulders tense and a little packet of cocoa in hand, Gladio knew that something was definitely wrong.

“It’s impolite to stare, Gladio,” Ignis’s voice murmured, making the Shield startle slightly from his spot near the kitchen’s peninsula.

“Oh uh… I didn’t… I mean… I wasn’t…,” he fumbled a bit, his sleep addled and concerned mind trying desperately to figure out what exactly he wanted to say or what he was supposed to say.

“You did.  You were.  It’s okay,” Ignis said with a small smile as he turned to regard Gladio over his shoulder, the smile not quite reaching his eyes and his features looking so tired and tense before he turned back to the small saucepan of milk he was heating.

Gladio felt his chest ache at the sight and he moved closer, carefully wrapping his arms around Ignis’s middle and cuddling his head onto the man’s shoulder.

“Okay.  You got me.  But I mean… can you blame me?  I know you’re an early riser but this is a new record, Iggy,” Gladio murmured softly, his thumb lightly soothing over the side of Ignis’s stomach, feeling the softness of the old t-shirt he was wearing.  One he would never be caught dead in outside of the safety of their apartment.

Ignis gave a little huff of laughter as he stirred the milk heating up in the saucepan.  “I must admit that waking you wasn’t part of the plan,” he murmured as he adjusted the temperature of the stove burner before going back to gently whisk at the milk.  “I just… it’s… nothing.  Not really.”

Gladio quirked an eyebrow at that and shook his head, his arms hugging Ignis a little closer around his middle.  “Nuh uh.  You know we don’t play the ‘stoic’ game anymore,” he reminded gently.  His expression softened once more and he gently nudged the side of his partner’s head with his own.  “Talk to me?  What’s got you reaching for the hard stuff this evening?”

That definitely got a laugh out of Ignis as they both glanced at the packet of cocoa powder on the counter.  “Fine.  You’ve caught me,” Ignis said, giving a little sigh as he finally turned off the burner.  “I um… I had a nightmare.”

Now that was something Gladio really hadn’t been expecting.  Apparently his silence voiced his thoughts a bit too easily.

“Surprised to find out your husband suffers nightmares, love?” Ignis asked, though there was no malice or embarrassment in his voice.  In fact, a small smile was even on his lips as he spoke and Gladio couldn’t help returning it.

“Yeah, a bit.  I guess I thought with you having such a rational mind that… nightmares really weren’t something you suffered from.  Not like Prompto… or Noct even after he plays those alien space invader games.”

“Mm yes… though you’d think the ruler of a kingdom who is in his near thirties would be able to handle a little gaming,” Ignis chuckled as he reached to grab a second mug out of the side cupboard along with another cocoa packet.  Gladio smiled as he pressed a soft kiss to the side of Ignis’s neck causing the man’s smile to grow.  “Come now.  Like I wouldn’t offer you some of my cocoa,” Ignis chided though a soft blush appeared on his cheeks.

“Still wanted to show my appreciation,” Gladio murmured fondly.  “But… did you want to talk about it?  The nightmare?  You’ve always listened to mine when I’ve had trouble sleeping.  Seems only fair that I return the favor.”

Ignis stiffened slightly at the question, carefully pouring the packets of powder into the empty mugs before reaching for the saucepan of heated milk.  “It’s… ridiculous.  I don’t know why it bothered me.  Really nothing to talk about,” he said quietly.

“Hey… if it’s enough to wake you and rattle you to the point of needing cocoa, I think it definitely fits the bill for something to talk about,” Gladio prompted, pressing another kiss to the side of Ignis’s neck before letting go of the man so he wouldn’t be jostled as he poured the milk into their cups.

Ignis seemed to be warring with himself for a moment and Gladio could see that he was measuring and weighing the pros and cons of telling him, but eventually, as the milk was poured and the two cups stirred, Ignis finally seemed to come to a decision.

“Okay,” he murmured, picking up both mugs and passing one to Gladio.  “Lets go settle on the sofa first.  Then you can be comfortable as you judge me.”

Gladio, who had been blowing over his hot cocoa, paused at that particular statement.  “Judge you?” he said as Ignis moved past him and toward the living room.  “You should know me better than that.”

Sitting down on the sofa, Ignis ran a hand through his slightly disheveled hair and nodded.  “I do.  But I also know how you are going to react when you hear this particular nightmare,” he said with a furrowed brow.

Gladio huffed as he sat down beside the man, setting his cup of cocoa on the coffee table before wrapping an arm around Ignis and drawing him close to his side.

“Iggy, I swear on my honor as Shield that I won’t judge you,” Gladio murmured before giving a little smile.  “And I swear on my vows as your husband that I will always listen to what troubles you no matter what it may be.”

Those words seemed to do the trick as Gladio soon felt Ignis relaxing against him, a soft smile playing over the man’s lips.  “What did I do to deserve you?” Ignis murmured, resting his head on Gladio’s shoulder as he let the warmth of the hot cocoa seep into his hands from the mug and the warmth of his husband settle some of the chill in his bones.

“Oh… you were definitely born under a lucky star to get me,” Gladio replied cheekily, getting a snort out of Ignis who gently nudged his foot with his own.

“Ridiculous,” the advisor teased, earning himself a soft kiss to his slightly messy hair for his trouble.

“And you love it.”

“Astrals help me, I do,” Ignis chuckled before letting out a little sigh.  “But… if you do happen to judge me even against your best intentions, I hold nothing against you.”

Gladio shook his head, gently nuzzling against Ignis’s soft hair.  “Why don’t you tell me and then we’ll see,” he prompted softly.

After a moment Ignis found his same resolve from earlier and gave a little nod before clearing his throat.  “As you already know, it was a nightmare, but it’s one that reoccurs constantly.  It has to do with… something that happened on our travels to Altissia all those years ago.”

Gladio felt his brow furrow at that, his chest aching to think of what it could be.  So many things had happened to them on that trip and some of them well worth being considered nightmare material and beyond.

“Ignis... ,” he began, but the man held up his hand.

“It’s… not what you’re thinking.  It… gods, this is so silly,” he said with a little chuckle and Gladio noticed his cheeks starting to go a little pink.  “It starts the same.  We are all somewhere picturesque, something truly worthy of one of Prompto’s impromptu photo ops.  And then… he appears….”

The venom that appeared in Ignis’s voice sent a chill down Gladio’s spine and he felt his arm tighten slightly around his poor partner.  His mind instantly went to an ancient king with eyes of black.

He was horribly mistaken.

“... that gods damned Chocobo that took my glasses.  And he’s just… just standing there, Gladio!  Staring at me with those soulless black eyes!”

Gladio’s entire line of thought immediately halted as he heard the reason for his husband’s nightmares.  For a moment he actually thought this was a joke until he glanced down to see the absolute intensity in Ignis’s gaze.

“And then… then as I continue staring at him my eyes start to get blurry until finally I’m squinting at this… this abomination of a bird and do you know why I’m squinting, Gladiolus?  Because that spawn of Ifrit is wearing my glasses!  Snatching them away from me like some sort of sorcerer of evil!”

The more Ignis spoke, the more Gladio’s mind had a chance to play catch up with what was being told to him… and oh… oh he was well past judging the man now.

He was looking at judgemental in the rearview mirror as he quickly sped toward what was going to be the Eos’s most ugly and hysterical laughing fit this world had ever seen.

But he tried, damn it.

Astrals help him he really did try and when historians would look back on this day, the fact that Gladio lasted even this small monologue without cracking up would be seen as a miracle.

“Do you think he still thinks of me too, Gladio?”

That did it.

Gladio’s laughter was absolutely unstoppable.  He was laughing so hard that for a brief moment he actually went silent, having to bend forward and wrap his arms around his stomach for fear something was going to sprain.  He may have heard a rib or two creak under the force of his laughter.

“OHOHOH M-MY GAHAHAHADS!” Gladio howled, tears of mirth on his cheeks as he continued to work his way through his laughing fit.  At some point he felt Ignis’s hand soothing over his back as he covered his face with his own hands to try and bring back some good and kind husband decorum that he had promised the man.

And he almost got to it too.

Until…

“I bet he does still think of me… sadistic little bastard.”

And just like that, any ground Gladio had gained in calming himself was tossed out the window.

“WHYHEHEHE?!” he wheezed through his laughter.

Ignis chuckled beside him and he felt his partners hand still trying to soothe his back.  “I’m sorry, love.  Honestly, seeing you laugh over this is making me feel better about the whole thing,” he answered honestly, and if Gladio wasn’t caught up in trying to stop himself from snorting and waking up the whole apartment complex he would’ve felt a little proud to have been able to help in some way.

Eventually, though, the laughter did subside into a few hiccuped giggles, making it damn near impossible to drink his now lukewarm cocoa as Ignis cuddle up against his side.

“O-oh… oh astrals sahahave me,” Gladio wheezed, breathless from laughter as he wiped away his tears with the palms of his hands, feeling Ignis chuckle beside him.

“I told you, you would judge me,” Ignis murmured, though the sleepy smile he gave the man held no contempt.

“To be fair… I didn’t judge.  I just laughed so hard I think I bruised a few internal organs,” Gladio said, sitting back against the sofa and finally getting in some lungful’s of much needed air.

“You have me there,” Ignis murmured, nuzzling into Gladio’s shoulder and closing his eyes.  “I will say though… your reaction, while surprising… does make me feel a little better about the whole thing.”

“Glad I could help… even though I really, really didn’t intend to um…,” Gladio said honestly.

“Laugh so hard you cried?” Ignis supplied for him and Gladio felt his cheeks flush even as he chuckled, wincing at the burn in his muscles.

“Yeah… sorry, Iggy,” he murmured, feeling the weight of the Advisor slowly grow more and more heavy against his side.

“S’okay.  Made it seem… not so scary a’tall…,” Ignis mumbled as a little yawn escaped him. Gladio’s smile softened as he watched Ignis not even trying to battle the sleep that was slowly starting to claim him.

Reaching to the side he grabbed the little throw blanket they kept on the end of the sofa and brought it over to wrap around them, carefully shifting so they could lay down with Ignis cradled over his chest.

“Anything to help, Iggy,” Gladio murmured softly, soothing his hand over the man’s back as he felt Ignis’s breaths evening out.

He may not have been as stoic, understanding and empathetic as he had hoped to be when he heard Ignis’s troublesome dreams.  But to see Ignis looking so relaxed and worry free in his sleep, he thought perhaps he really had helped him in some small way.

But astrals above was his stomach going to hurt tomorrow morning.

Another win for that god’s damned chocobo.

It didn’t take long for Gladio to notice that he was being watched, however, and as he turned around Ignis felt his cheeks instantly heat up.  Quickly he looked away, taking off his glasses and putting them on top of his shirt which he had folded and set nearby.

“Enjoying the show, Iggy?” Gladio murmured, walking closer and making Ignis feel butterflies bloom in his stomach.

“Don’t be smug.  Smugness doesn’t suit you,” Ignis lied because oh how it suited the man.

Gladio’s wicked smile proved that he knew it as well and he gave a little chuckle before turning back around.  “Uh huh.  Your blush says different,” he teased and Ignis could feel his cheeks growing redder.  “But you better hurry up before the terror twins show back up and wonder where we went.” Ignis gave a little snort at the nickname he had for the two and shook his head.  “We literally left them a note saying that we were going for a swim.  They’ll know to come down here regardless,” he said, taking off his belt and shoes.

Glancing over he saw Gladio scowling at him as he stood as brazen as ever in just his moogle print boxers.  “Yeah, but they don’t know that this little dip is extra rebellious… and what would the kids think if they saw mama Ignis in all his glory?” he teased, making Ignis growl and throw one of his socks at the man who ducked with a laugh.

“First of all, do not refer to me as mama Ignis.  That is for Prompto and Prompto alone.  He is exempt,” Ignis warned before tucking his other sock into one of his shoes.  “And they wouldn’t think anything.  We’ve all had to bathe at least once out here as we’ve roughed it and honestly, if they can look at your hairy arse and not be scarred for li-IFE!”

Ignis had only just stepped out of his trousers and boxers when he felt himself hoisted into the air and unceremoniously tossed into the less then warm waters of their little pond.

Upon resurfacing with a splutter, Ignis only had a moment to try and right himself before he found his rather large and immature partner rushing toward the water.  With a manic grin, moogle print boxers fluttering in the breeze as he tossed them behind himself, Gladio lept toward the water.

“Cannonball!!!” he shouted, launching himself in Ignis direction.  The man couldn’t suppress a  shout of surprise as his darling's ridiculousness sent a massive tidal wave crashing over him.

After resurfacing for a second time, Ignis spat out whatever water had made its way into his windpipe when he’d shouted and wiped the water from his eyes.  Blinking blearily he found Gladio’s smug and smiling face a few inches from his own, a lily pad resting atop his head.

“You were sayin’?” he asked and Ignis reacted on pure, feral instinct and adrenaline.

With a growl and shout he launched himself at Gladio, trying to push the behemoth of a man under water though Gladio was absolutely unphased.

“You are a terrible human being!  How could you just toss me in!?” Ignis growled, still attempting to push Gladio under, but only managing to make the Shield wobble slightly as all he was really accomplishing was climbing him.

“I’m terrible?” Gladio chuckled, wrapping his arms around Ignis and hugging him close as the man struggled half-heartedly to get away.  “You said I had a hairy butt.  That is being terrible.”

“Then use your words to tell me that… don’t toss me into a pond!” Ignis grumbled, attempting to pout before finding his cheeks under a barrage of soft pecks and kisses.  His lips instantly started to quirk up into a smile and he brought his hands up, gently pushing at Gladio’s stubbly face.  “St-stahpit!  I’m… I’m trying to be dihihifficult!”

“Yeah well… this is me apologizing so deal with it,” Gladio chuckled, continuing to pepper kisses against Ignis cheeks until the poor Adviser could barely utter a word through his ridiculous giggles and snorts.

“So… do you forgive me?” Gladio asked as he finally stopped the barrage of kisses, giving Ignis his best puppy dog eyes as the retainer slowly calmed down from the loving attention.

“Astrals save me… yes.  I forgive you.  Now unhand me you lovable brute,” Ignis chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to Gladio’s brow and reaching up to remove the lily pad from his partners head.  After tossing it aside like a frisbee he looked back to his partner, a light smile on his lips.  “So… I’m afraid I’m not sure what a true rebellious skinny dipping experience should entail.”

Gladio chuckled at that, leaning back slightly and doing a little backstroke away from Ignis.  “The rebellious part is that we aren’t wearing swim trunks.  Apart from that it’s just… enjoying a little swim and a little naked solitude away from the other two,” he said lightly, closing his eyes and floating on his back.

Ignis felt his cheeks heating up again, but decided to follow his partner’s example and try to enjoy their ‘naked solitude’ as Gladio had so eloquently put it.

However, as he was debating whether to swim toward the low hanging branches of a nearby willow or toward some black rocks near the edge of the pond he felt something slimy touch or rather slither against his leg…

… and the normally stoic man lost it.

Ignis shouted, instantly kicking his legs and swimming quickly away from the spot, turning back to stare at it with a look of abject horror.

“Something just brushed up against my leg!” he rasped, reaching down to touch said leg to see if there were any traces left of what it might have been.  Glancing up he saw Gladio seven feet away from him, smirking and giving a little quirk of his eyebrow.

Ignis glared daggers at him.

“Don’t flatter yourself, darling…. I love you, but I wouldn’t let you near me with a ten foot pole if that were the case.”

Gladio’s shit eating grin only grew at that.  “I mean…”

“I heard it as soon as I said it!  Don’t you dare say anything else!” Ignis amended quickly, knowing that keeping up with this line of banter would only lead to Gladio becoming insufferable.  “But I’m being serious, Gladiolus!  Something… something is in here and it touched me.”

Gladio lost the smugness when he heard his full name being used, his expression softening as he made his way closer.  “Could it have been a fish?  Some reeds or stems from the lily pads?” he offered, looking down into the water, trying to pinpoint what it was that would have made his normally unflappable partner react like that.

Ignis felt his cheeks heating up as he heard that, wondering if perhaps it had been in his imagination that something slithered against him when it could’ve been as simple as a reed.

At least that’s what he had started to try and tell himself until Gladio turned his back toward him… and Ignis saw the man’s tattoo move.

Ignis stood stock still for a moment, eyes unblinking as he stared at the expanse of Gladio’s back.  He knew every plain of muscle and had traced every feather imprinted on his skin.  There was nothing there that would ever or should ever surprise him.  Blinking rapidly he ran a hand over his face and as he focused on Gladio’s shoulder he saw it again, a little wobble… and then all hell broke loose.

“LEECHES!  IT’S FUCKING LEECHES, GLADIO!” Ignis bellowed, making a mad swim for the edge of the pond as Gladio looked at an Ignis shaped streak race toward shore.

“What?!” Gladio called back, bringing his arm out of the water and finding three of the mother suckers attached to his forearm.

“AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!”

--------------------

“I can’t believe mama Ignis and Gladio would just leave us to fend for ourselves!” Prompto gasped dramatically, fighting a smile as he and Noct looked over the note the Adviser had left at his cook station.

“Right?  How will we ever survive?” Noct deadpanned, rolling his eyes and laughing as Prompto nudged his shoulder lightly.

“No, but honestly.  It’s cool that Gladio got Ignis to go and have a little fun,” Prompto said as he moved away, setting aside his camera on a small table near their camp chairs.

“What makes you think it was Gla-... nevermind, I heard it as soon as I sa-...,” Noct instantly stopped talking.  His eyes turned toward the treeline of their haven as blood curdling screams could be heard echoing in the distance.

Prompto was by Nocts side in an instant, his pistols already drawn as Noct called forth his sword from the armiger.  Both men braced themselves as the sounds of snapping twigs and underbrush could be heard getting louder and closer.

“W-was that…?” Prompto stammered, as Nocts hands tightened on his sword, fear taking over his heart in an icy grip.

“Get ready, Prompto… it’s almost here,” Noct grit out, knowing that whatever was hurtling toward them at breakneck speed had to be dealt with first before they could get into the words and search for their missing friends.

However, nothing could’ve prepared him for what came out into the clearing.

“I CAN FEEL THEM IN MY HAIR!” Gladio shouted, dropping to the ground as he and Ignis burst from the trees, naked as the day they were born.  The Shield instantly began rolling around like a  man possessed as Ignis ruffled his own hair like a maniac, kicking his legs and swatting at them in turn.

“YOU DESERVE IT!  YOU TERRIBLE MAN!” Ignis shouted back, picking something off of himself and throwing it at Gladio with all the accuracy his years of daggers training allowed.  Even in the midst of madness his aim was perfect.

“IT WASN’T MY FAULT!”

“YOU FOUND THE LOCATION!?”

“AND I WAS SUPPOSED TO KNOW SWIMMING VAMPIRES LIVED THERE?!”

Prompto and Noct watched the chaos unfolding before them, their weapons now held limply at their sides.

“Uh… Prom?” Noct whispered, watching as Ignis swatted at his back, picking off another little something and sending it flying toward the Shield.  The larger man still doing an impeccable job of imitating a floundering garula.

“On it!” Prompto shouted, dismissing his pistols and rushing behind Noct.  He returned only a few moments later, camera in hand and snapping as many pictures as his trigger finger could manage.

Noct dismissed his sword as well, watching as Gladio and Ignis continued to shout and rave like crazy swamp people.

“So,” Prompto asked, pausing in his pictures to look over at Noct, his voice strained in an effort to not laugh outright at the sight.  “Do you think we should go and help them?”

Noct glanced from Prompto back to his two retainers.

“HOLD STILL, GLADIOLUS!”

“I CAN’T!”

“YOU HAVE TO IF YOU DON’T WANT TO WALK AROUND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WITH A LEECH ATTACHED TO YOUR ARSE!”

Looking back at Prompto with a quirked eyebrow, Prompto finally couldn’t stop himself from falling into a giggle fit and nodded.  “Good point,” he giggled, turning his camera lens back on the mayhem.

“And whose fault is that, hmm?” Cor asked as he finally stepped closer and truly got a good look at the idiot.

For as brilliant as Ardyn was, the man could also be amazingly inept.

Like the time he thought adding regular dish soap to the dishwasher would work just as well.  “Well we didn’t have dishwashers when I was growing up centuries ago!”

Or the time he decided to wash his red scarf with Cor’s white shirts.  “What?  If we didn’t have dishwashers do you honestly think we had washing machines?”

But this… this had to take the cake for the most idiotic thing he’d ever bore witness to.

Ardyn had taken it upon himself to try and fit into Cor’s old Crownsguard fatigues.  Whether it was because he thought it would be funny, sexy or simply because he thought he’d look good in them, Cor couldn’t even pretend to hazard a guess.  Now the man lay on their bed all but busting at the seams.  The trousers kept his legs sticking almost straight out and the jacket was hugging his chest so tightly a button was more than likely going to bust and put someone's eye out if he took a deep breath. Luckily his chest was so constricted that it didn’t seem to be a problem at the moment.

“Ya know… I really don’t think that’s your size, love,” Cor said, trying hard to fight back the amused smile attempting to take over his features.

Ardyn glared up at him and Cor’s smile finally won out.

“Such wit… such banter… remind me to seek your… your sharp tongue during the… next council meeting,” Ardyn gasped out, making an abortive attempt at moving his hands while he spoke.  The fact that he couldn’t making him scowl much to Cors amusement as he knew how expressive Ardyn liked to be.

Cor snorted at the ridiculous display and shook his head.  “Really?  You’re still gonna attempt to act all high brow when you’re like… this?” he asked, moving closer and sending a little poke to Ardyn's stomach, listening to the man grumble.

“Ooooh... just you wait until I’m... free of these earthly bonds,” Ardyn growled in his sonorous voice, eyes narrowed up at his smirking darling. “You will be... in so much trouble.”

“I think I can handle a man who got stuck in a pair of trousers three times too small for him,” Cor chuckled, walking around the bed and surveying the situation to try and figure out the best way to extricate his darling.

Ardyn huffed at the comment, his glare morphing into a look of resignation.  “Fair enough,” he acquiesced, watching the way Cor circled him like a bird of prey. “You know… you always look handsome with… your thinking face on,” Ardyn said with a charming smile quirking up the corners of his lips.

Cor rolled his eyes at that and moved to kneel on the bed, shuffling closer as he began to try and undo the buttons of his former Crownsguard jacket.  “This isn’t my thinking face.  This is my ‘my husband makes me question my sanity’ face,” he said as he began the careful process of trying to undo the tightly fastened buttons so that nothing would spring free and bean him in the forehead.  “How did you manage this?!  You can’t even move your arms!”  Cor growled in frustration after a few minutes, managing to undo at least one button before moving on to fumble with the next.

Ardyn’s smile grew and he wiggled his fingers.  “A miracle, my dear,” he said, looking so pleased with himself.

Cor paused, looking up at the man with the most bored expression he could muster..  “... a miracle?”

Ardyn nodded, puffing his chest out proudly… or rather trying to, though the stretch of fabric had Cor wincing in sympathy for his poor uniform. “Yes.  A miracle... that my arms didn’t lose feeling in them... until... I was able to do up the last button,” he said with a cheeky smile.

Cor hung his head, heaving a deep sigh.  “Ridiculous.”

“Resilient,” Ardyn shot back, the smirk on his lips looking far too good there.

Cor looked up, narrowing his eyes.  “Impossible.”

“Impressive.”

“Foolish.”

“Fetching,” Ardyn offered in reply, giving the saddest little shimmy of his hips and that’s when it happened.

The sound of ripping fabric… the pop of a thread breaking away from its mortal coil… and finally the resounding plink of a vengeful trouser button making contact with the forehead of the Immortal.

“SHIVA’S TITS!” Cor shouted, his hands flying up to cover his poor stinging head and blocking out the room as it fell into absolute silence following the mini chaos.

Everything seemed to come to a halt, like time itself was afraid to move forward for fear of Cor’s wrath.

And then, just as quickly, the silence was broken by a snort and quickly followed by deep, unrestrained laughter. Ardyn tried desperately to keep himself in check, but it was no use.

“Ahahastral’s above!” he laughed whole-heartedly, tears of mirth in his eyes as Cor peeked out from his hands, wishing he was more upset with the laughter then he was.

“Stop it!  You’re going to pop another button!” Cor growled as he watched the remaining buttons all but crying out for help. His hands lowered, hovering over his husband’s chest in the hopes his reflexes could save him from another battle scar. The comment mixed with the look of horror on Cor’s face only seemed to egg on his poor sweetheart.  Ardyn’s laughter had reached the wheezing stage and  was going into a higher pitch that always surprised Cor considering how deep his husband’s voice normally was.

“Ihihihit s-sounded so stuhuhuhpihihihid!” Ardyn tried to say, giggling ridiculously and making Cor smile despite the stinging on his forehead and in his pride.  “Plink!” Ardyn squeaked before laughing so hard he went silent, shoulders and chest still shaking with the force of it.  Sadly Cor couldn’t help finding himself joining in.

“Y-you are such a prihihick,” Cor chuckled, getting a whine from his husband who was trying and failing to get himself under control.

“Stahahap… my… my sihihides,” Ardyn wheezed before another fit of giggles escaped him.

Cor rolled his eyes fondly, shaking his head as his poor husband continued to try and fail to calm from the ridiculous accident.  “I hope this will teach you a lesson then.  Your actions have consequences,” Cor said with mock sternness, pointing to his forehead.

Ardyn’s bright gold eyes turned to his husband then, gaze flicking up to the small welt with four perfect little button holes now starting to rise on the man's forehead.

And any ground he’d gained in trying to calm himself was tossed out the window as his laughter picked up again.

Cor sighed at the reaction though a smile remained on his face.

Eventually, Ardyn was able to calm himself, though a few bubbling giggles would manage to work their way free as Cor once again began to try and free him.

“I… promise to think my actions through next time,” Ardyn said, finally taking in a proper lungful of breath as Cor managed to get the last button of his old coat undone on his husband's chest.

“Next time?” Cor asked, helping to maneuver Ardyn’s arms out of the sleeves.  “If you think I’m not putting this outfit under lock and key so you can’t get to it again, you’re wrong.”

Ardyn chuckled, giving a happy little sigh as his arms were finally free and wiggling his fingers to get some blood flowing back in them.  “I meant in general, Lion Heart.  Lest I manage to hurt you again,” Ardyn said, and though mirth remained in his eyes, Cor could hear the underlying regret.  Regret that something he had done had hurt someone he loved.

“Don’t even think about it,” Cor said, smiling a bit more at the slightly surprised expression he got from his husband.  He let his eyes move to meet Arydn’s ducking down to press a chaste kiss to his brow.  “You’re ridiculous, curious and absolutely perfect the way you are.  If you weren’t getting into trouble one way or another I’d think something was wrong,” he teased gently.

Arydn’s ears flushed slightly at the comments, the only tell he really had that the words had found their mark perfectly.  “Does… this mean that I’m not in trouble for the button to the forehead incident?” he asked, giving a little yelp as Cor flicked the center of his own forehead before sitting up.

“I think we’re even now.  And I think losing feeling to your limbs is punishment enough.  Now… lift your hips while I try to shuck these pants off you,” Cor said simply, getting up to stand at the end of the bed.

Ardyn threw an arm over his forehead dramatically, the other clutched over his chest. “You really know how to speak to a man, don’t you?  Who says romance is dead?  My heart beats madly!  My insides all a quiver!” he said, pretending to swoon.

“Ridiculous.”

“And you love it.”

Cor couldn’t stop from smiling at that, reaching down to grab the bottoms of his former trousers.  “I do… now… hang on tight.”

“Oooh~ I haven’t heard you talk like this since our honeymo-AH!!”

Sadly the yank may have had a bit too much force behind it... and Ardyn may or may not have completely disregarded the warning as he was all but pulled from the bed and the pair ended up in a pile on the floor.  

“There could be fish in there!” Noct tried to argue, looking out into the murky water only to watch as a giant bubble of swamp gas burbled up and belched into the air.

“... if there’s a fish living in that then he is a monster and should probably be left alone,” Prompto said honestly before gagging and covering his nose as the scent of the rancid swamp gas finally wafted over to them.  “Blegh!  Scratch that!  If a fish is living in there it’s probably a daemon and we definitely need to leave it alone!”

Noct nodded quickly as his own hands came up to cover his nose, his eyes watering from the smell now surrounding them.  “Oh… oh my gods… did the swamp just die?!” he gasped, waving one hand in the air to hopefully dispel some of the smell and succeeding in sending it back toward Prompto.

“Dude!  Not cool!” Prompto cried, retching slightly as he turned tail and fled from the smell.

“It’s not like I did it!” Noct argued, trying to get away quickly as well, only to find himself listing forward as his upper half moved but his legs refused.

Arms wheeling in the air like a windmill, Noct failed to keep his balance and fell forward regardless of his valiant attempts.  His hands sank into the squishy swamp mud, the force of which sent a good few glops splattering onto his face.  “UGH!”

Prompto turned just in time to see the almost faceplant and honestly after getting bog gas wafted at him he found himself giggling at the swampy vengeance.

“That’s what you get for being terrible!” Prompto called from the firmer footing near the edge of the swamp.  “Now come on!  I think I heard something croaking over by that willow!”  Turning on his heel Prompto began to walk away, leaving a glowering Noct to try and stand up.

“Hey!  Wait for me!” he called, pausing a moment as he realized what Prompto had implied about his fate.  “And I didn’t do anything!”  When all he got back was a cackle Noct decided that as soon as he caught up with his friend he was going to give him the swampiest hug of his life!  Once more he made to step forward and almost immediately repeated what he’d just done.  His body tipping forward as his legs stayed firmly cemented in the…

“Uuuugh!” Noct groaned, looking down at the mud now encasing his boots and around his shins.  He only just stopped himself from running his hands through his hair in agitation considering they were covered in mud, dead plants and whatever else the bog had claimed as its victim.  “Prompto!  Hey Prom!  Come back!  I… I think I’m stuck!”

“What?” Prompto’s voice called from somewhere in the thicket of the surrounding forest.

“I’m stuck!” Noct shouted back, reaching down to try and somehow yank his own leg out of the muck and mire. It wasn’t until he heard a shuttering click that he knew Prompto was back and he groaned, looking up to find his friend with the biggest smile on his face and his camera in hand. “.... really?”

“What?  You know that I have to document our adventures no matter what!” he teased, only just keeping a giggle out of his voice.

Noct was less than impressed.  “Is that so?  Where was this camera when you got poison ivy on your butt?  Or the time you spilled curry on your pants?  Or the time you kissed your Chocobo?” “That was one time!  And I was asleep!” Prompto squawked back, his cheeks going pink at the memory. “And don’t think I don’t know that Gladio took a picture of that moment!”

This time Noct did laugh, smiling innocently.  “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about?  Gladio?  Do something like that?  Oh what will the Shield of Lucis think when I tell him what you think of him?”

Prompto squeaked at that and shook his head, waving his arms wildly in front of him  “Nonono!  Don’t say anything!  Then he’ll definitely be on the hunt for more embarrassing photos!”

Shaking his head at his Prompto’s reaction, Noct pretended to give a deep hum of thought.  “Well… if you can stop taking embarrassing photos of me and help me get out of here, I’ll consider it,” he said with a nod, causing Prompto to grumble even as he dismissed his camera back into the armiger.  

“You’re a real stick in the mud, you know that?” Prompto mumbled though he smiled at the word play and glanced around for some sort of vine or stick for Noct to grab a hold of.

“Oh my god!  You’ve been hanging out with Specs too much,” Noct said with a light smile making Prompto chuckle as he knocked a stick against a rock to test its strength.

“More like not enough. He would’ve had at least seven bog and mud induced puns at the ready,” the gunner joked, trying to carefully make his way closer to Prince, picking his way along the more sturdy edges of the swamp.  

Noct contemplated that as he tried to twist a little to better face Prompto as he moved.  “I mean… you’re not wrong.  He would’ve been having a field day here,” he said, imagining Ignis with that look of slight disapproval at his mistake mixed with delight at such an easy target to tease.  For all that people thought they knew about Ignis, no one ever pegged him for having a wicked teasing streak.

“Yeah.  He probably would’ve said something like… ‘Oh Noct… I do hope you aren’t feeling ‘bogged’ down.’” Prompto said, pitching his voice a little lower and trying to go for Tenebrean, but hitting something that sounded more like the worlds most obnoxious snobbish royal.

Noct instantly snorted into a ridiculous laugh and shook his head. “A-Astrals that’s terrible!” Noct laughed, shaking his head.  “Besides you didn’t add enough Iggy into it.”

“Oh?  Well then go ahead, master of impressions.  How would Ignis respond?” Prompto chuckled, looking down at his feet as he finally found what he considered to be as a good a place as any to brace himself.

Noct hummed in thought for a moment before puffing his chest out a bit and putting his hands on his hips, one of his hands coming up to push up non-existent glasses.  “Noctis, do you know how terribly terrible those stains are going to be to get out?” he spoke, his own voice tipped into a deeper Tenebrean accent that sounded like a drunk version of Ignis.

Prompto instantly burst into a cackle at the sound, the force of his laughter making him hunch over and needing the support of his rescue stick to keep him upright.  “O-Oh my gahahads!  What was thahat?!  It w-wasn’t even a pun!  You were j-just berating yourself!” Prompto wheezed.

Noct couldn’t help laughing a bit as well and smiled over at his best friend.  “What?!  Tell me I’m wrong!” he called over Prompto’s laughter.  “And you know that’s what I’m gonna hear when I get out of here!  ‘Oh Noctis, what am I going to do with these socks?  That’s it!  Vegetables for a week!  Beans and shame for you!’”

Prompto was crying he was laughing so hard, sending Noctis into a giggle fit of his own, though once he had enough breath he couldn’t help adding to the banter.

“Noctis Lucis Caelum!  How dare you ‘swamp’ me with all this cleaning?”

“Noctis, this is ‘moss’ unbecoming of a royal!”

“Oh Noct, I can only ‘lichen’ you to a bog monster right now!”

“‘Marsh’ you be so messy?”

“Come now, surely I don’t sound that harsh?” a cool and accented voice broke through the laughing fit the two younger men were having and it was like they had been visited by Shiva herself and frozen in time.

Turning to look up at a small incline that led to the swamp, Prompto and Noct were both met with a rather unamused looking Adviser and a slightly smirking Shield.

Quickly, Noct ducked down, starting to dig his hands into the muck around his legs and startling Prompto.  “Noct?!  Dude, what are you doing!?”

“Digging my own grave, obviously!” he shouted, getting a snort from Gladio which was quickly silenced by another look from Ignis.

“That’s enough,“ Ignis’s voice spoke calmly, but with enough behind the words to still the motion of the other two.  “Would someone care to explain what is going on here?”

Prompto turned his head back to Ignis, feeling the color drain from his face as those green eyes locked on him like a Coeurl ready to pounce.  “N-Noct’s stuck,” he squeaked, feeling just a little stupid now for holding onto the stick he’d found to rescue the prince.

Ignis arched an eyebrow at this and turned his attention back to the young Prince who had finally stopped digging in the mud and was looking anywhere but at them with his arms crossed over his chest.  “Is that true, Noct?” he asked.

“..... maybe,” Noct mumbled petulantly, mostly a front to hide how embarrassed he was over the fact that he really was stuck and also how he felt a bit of guilt for making fun of Ignis without him knowing.

“I see.  Well.  While I’m sure you both have an extensive knowledge of what I would say in a time like this, let me impart a bit of advice.  Just three simple words,” he said, his voice eerily calm in a way that had Prompto and Noct shrinking back a little.  “Noct can warp.”

And with that, the Adviser turned on his heel and headed back towards the direction of the haven, leaving Gladio still standing on the small hill.  The man looked down at the both of them and shook his head.

“And let me impart three little words as well,” the Shield said, lifting his hand and counting off the words on his fingers.  “You. Fucked. Up.”  With that he turned and followed the same path the Adviser had just taken.

Noct stood there for a moment, watching his two advisers… his friends… leave.  In that moment he felt more gross than any swamp gas bubble.

“You made Mama Ignis mad at me!” Prompto shouted from the sidelines, snapping Noct out of his thoughts as he turned to see a flushed and angry looking Prompto glaring at him.

“What?!  You’re literally the one who started it!” Noct shouted back, narrowing his own eyes and watching as Prompto huffed at that.

“I was joking about his puns!  You were making him sound mean!”

Noct opened, closed then opened his mouth again only to close it for a second time.  After a moment he sighed, letting his shoulders droop.  “I was,” Noct said after a moment, rubbing a hand on his arm and shaking his head.

Prompto’s glare slowly fell at that and he ran a hand through his blond hair.  “Yeah well… so was I.  I just… don’t like upsetting Iggy.  He doesn’t deserve that.  And… we really do have terrible Tenebrean accents, dude.”

Noct winced at that, realizing that not only had they both teased Ignis behind his back, but they’d also made him sound like that.  Oh god, did Ignis think that’s how they saw him?!

Noct groaned and ran two muddy hands over his face, not really caring anymore what he looked like.  “We gotta make this right.  We will make this right.”

Prompto gave a little smile at that and nodded. “Yeah.  We will.  But uh… you might want to get out of there first.  I can’t believe we didn’t think about you warping out.”

This time Noct groaned for a different reason and dropped his hands.  “That’s because we were too busy being idiots.  Specs always has our backs… even when we mess up.”

That knowledge only strengthened his resolve as he picked up a glob of mud, readying it to lob toward the edge of the bog.

Once he was free… they were going to make this right.

 ---------------------------------

“I thought your clothes were supposed to warp with you?” Prompto said as they made their way back toward camp.  Nocts boots, trousers and one sock now trophies to the swamp.

“Yeah well… so did I.  I wasn’t focusing properly,” Noct grumbled a little as Prompto giggled, but soon he felt a soft bump to his shoulder and he glanced over to see the gunner smiling gently at him.

“It’ll be okay, Noct.  We can right this with Iggy,” he promised, making the Prince give him a small smile in return.

However, as they got closer to the camp, both of them could hear Gladio and Ignis talking.  It looked like they were both facing Ignis’s camp stove, their backs turned to them as they neared and unaware of their presence.

“Iggy?  It’s okay,” Gladio said, his voice soft making Noct and Prompto frown as they glanced at each other.

”No.  It’s not,” Ignis’s clipped tone answered back, shoulders hunching a little.  “It’s not okay.  It’s not alright.  It’s not fine.”

Prompto and Noctis paused as they watched Gladio frown, his hand coming up to rest against the Adviser’s back.  “It is.  Or… at least it will be, right?”

Noct definitely frowned at that.  Of course it was going to be okay!

Ignis’s shoulders slumped and he shook his head.  “I don’t think so.  I’ve ruined it.”

What?!  Their friendship?!  No, no!  Noct couldn’t believe what he was hearing!  He was the one that had ruined everything!

Gladio ducked his head a little, his hand coming up to hold onto Ignis’s shoulder and gently moved him so the man would look him in the eyes.  “Hey.  None of that.  You haven’t ruined anything, I promise,” he tried to reassure, but the way Ignis turned his head away showed how little he believed in Gladio’s words.

“It appears I can’t do anything right today,” the Adviser whispered and then… and then, to Noct and Prompto’s horror they watched as he brought his hand up, wiping at his eyes.

They.

Fucked. Up.

“Iggy NO!” Prompto shouted, darting ahead and startling Noct, Gladio and Ignis, the latter two both turning to look with bewilderment as Prompto raced toward the haven.

Noct watched for another second before his mind caught up and he took off as well, his chest feeling heavier than he’d ever felt it before.  “Ignis please, I’m sorry!” he shouted, quickly clambering up the rocky face of the haven to get to where Gladio and Ignis still stood stock still.

Prompto was the first to get to him and quickly wrapped his arms around Ignis, burying his face against the man’s chest.  “I’m so-OOF!”  His words died on his lips as he soon felt Noct running into them as well.  Sadly, Prompto’s first attack had left Ignis unbalanced and so with Nocts extra force there was no stopping them tumbling back and into a giant heap on the haven floor.

“Wh-what’s gotten into you tw-!” Ignis began before being silenced by a litany of apologies.

“Ignis I am so, so sorry for what I was saying back there and it wasn’t fair or funny of me to make fun of you like that!” Noct spoke quickly.

“Yeah!  What he said, Iggy!  I never meant to upset you and you know we don’t think of you like that!”

“Guys?” Gladio began, but paused as Ignis shot him a look before glancing back at the two still hovering over him with the most earnest faces he’s ever seen.

“You really mean that?” the Adviser asked and Prompto and Noct instantly nodded.

“You’re the best, Specs.  I’d literally still be in the swamp if you hadn’t showed up!” Noct tried to explain.

“Exactly!  Did you see what I was trying to use to save him?  A stick, Iggy.  A stick!!!” Prompto lamented, covering his face with his hands.

“I hope you know that you haven’t ruined anything,” Noct spoke up again, leaning back a little and nudging Prompto to do the same so that they weren’t crushing Ignis.  “We… we were just being stupid, ya know?  Teasing and joking, but it was unfair to do that and about those things.  You are only ever looking out for me.”

Prompto nodded as well, giving Ignis a small smile. “Not to mention you also have some of the best puns.  We  never meant to make you feel bad or like you ruined anything.  I’m sorry we made you feel that way, Iggy.”

Ignis looked between the two of them, the equal looks of uncertainty and worry still in their eyes and as they moved back he slowly sat up as well, rubbing his lower back a little.  “While it definitely isn’t fun to walk up on two people whom I consider to be my friends talking about me in such a fashion, I can assure you that it would take harsher words then that to truly hurt me.  I have had to deal with the Council since I was sixteen, remember?” he asked, looking between the two as they ducked their heads a little.

“Still… you shouldn’t have to compare us to the Council in terms of how much we hurt you,” Noct mumbled, still unable to look up at Ignis, Prompto nodding from the other side of Ignis where he still knelt.

With a little shake of his head, Ignis leaned forward, resting his hands on both of their shoulders, giving them a soft squeeze.  “What I was trying to say is that I’m fine.  I promise.  And I really did find some of those puns to be good, though the accent was a bit offensive,” he conceded, watching as they both turned their heads so quickly toward him he thought they were going to snap something in their necks.

“But… but you… you said that things weren’t alright?!” Noct quickly tried to explain.

“You looked so sad!  And… and you were crying!” Prompto pointed out before jumping as he heard Gladio let out a bark of laughter from behind them.  “What’s so funny?!  We hurt Ignis!”

The man in question shook his head with an almost fond sort of exasperation on his face.  “While I appreciate that you two were so quick and so willing to right your wrong, I’m afraid to say that my lamenting was over what we are having for dinner.” “... what?!” Ignis chuckled a little and brought a hand up to cover his mouth.  “My apologies.  I was working on a new recipe before we realized you two had been gone too long.  By the time we got back it had already overcooked and needless to say after trying it again it just… wasn’t coming together quite how I wanted,” he explained, watching as dismay appeared over their faces.  “As for the tears you can attribute those to some rather pungent wild onions.  As I said before it would take more than what you two sa-..!” Ignis was knocked back once more as Noct and Prompto launched at him, enveloping him into the biggest hug he could remember.

“I’m sorry if I made you two worry,” he said quietly, but was instantly silenced by two pairs of eyes looking up at him with slight annoyance.

“No… you don’t get to apologize. We messed up.  And we’re sorry,” Noct reassured and Prompto followed it up with a nod before hugging him a little tighter.

“Can you ever forgive us, Mama Ignis?” Prompto asked, and Ignis really couldn’t stop a snort of laughter from escaping, making the other two relax a little at such an honest reaction.

“Of course.  I forgave you both before I even made it back here,” he said with a nod.  “Now, while I really do appreciate the hugs I think it’s best if I get up and get cleaned up considering Noct has decided to honor me with a bog hug.”

Noct instantly squawked as he sat back in horror, realizing that he had indeed coated the Adviser in mud and schmutz.  “Oh Astrals, I’m so sorry, Specs,” he apologized again, only stopping as Ignis sat up with another chuckle.

“It’s fine, Noctis.  I assure you,” he said, carefully getting back to his feet as Prompto and Noct followed suit.  “It’s nothing a little soak in some... ,”  His words stalled out as he finally took in the other two.  “Noct… where… how… what..,”

Gladio snickered a little at the look of confusion, walking over to Ignis and wrapping an arm around his waist as he looked at the Prince. “I think what Ignis is trying to ask is… what happened to your pants?” Noct looked down, face turning red as he remembered where they now resided.

“... the bog ate them,” he said quietly, the campsite quiet for only a few beats before a snort from Ignis shattered the silence.

The poor Adviser was laughing so hard he was squeaking, having to take off his glasses to wipe tears of mirth from his eyes.

Gladio, meanwhile, was chuckling beside his partner and turned to look back at the other two.  “I think you broke him,” he teased, getting a small swat from Ignis who still was trying desperately to stop laughing, but was failing miserably.  One look at Noctis had him wheezing again and turning away with an apology as he continued to laugh.

Noctis couldn’t help smiling at that and shook his head.  No.  If anything he felt he had finally fixed things.  And if that meant standing like a pantless bog monster to get his friend to laugh then it was worth it. Click “Prom!”

“I told you I have to document everything!  And Ignis cry laughing over you in your underpants is top tier material!”

The last thing he remembered doing was coming back from a four hour meeting with some of the Council.  It was a meeting in preparation of another meeting and if that wasn’t the most tedious thing, he had to write up the minutes of the meeting about a meeting.

Apparently, while in the process of doing so he had managed to nod off at his desk, his cheek firmly pressed into the keys of his laptop and his back hunched over rather uncomfortable.

“M’fine…,” he grumbled, voice hoarse as he tiredly tried to swat at the hand on his forehead, regardless of how nice it felt.

“Yeah, and I’m the Queen of Niflheim,” Gladio countered, though Ignis could hear the smirk in his voice.

Blinking one tired eye open he was proven right about that smirk, though perhaps it was a trick of the light that made him see a bit of worry in those amber eyes as well.

Closing his eyes for a moment and taking a deep breath, Ignis sat up from his ill timed nap place, his back crackling in ways that no 19 year olds back should.

“Oh my god, grandpa, what is happening to you?” he heard Noct ask as he finally got himself situated, only to hear a small ‘oof’ follow shortly after.  Looking up he saw Gladio’s hand hovering over the young Prince’s head from a well placed smack and Prompto’s elbow digging into his side.  Both had disapproving looks on their faces and honestly, Ignis did appreciate the gesture on his part.

“I think what his majesty is trying to say is… are you alright, Iggy?” Gladio asked, turning to look back at his friend.  This time there was no mistaking the worry etched over his features and Ignis offered up a tired smile.

“I’m fine, Gladio.  Truly.  A busy week has merely caught up with me.  I was just… resting my eyes,” he said, though his statement lost its effect as he had to cover his mouth to smother a jaw cracking yawn.

“Dude, you were snoring so loud we could hear you from the hall.  We thought a garula had gotten into your office!” Prompto offered up and this time Ignis felt his cheeks flush up.

“And that is the most color I’ve seen  on your face in awhile,” Gladio pointed out as well, crossing his arms over his chest.  “Listen.  I know we pester you about this about once a week, but you need to take some time for yourself.  What would you do if you walked in on Noct sleeping in the middle of… the… ya know what, bad example.”

“Hey!”

Ignis bit his lower lip to stifle a chuckle, causing the other three to turn and look at him.

“I appreciate your concern, but I promise I’m doing just fine.  I can look after myself,” he offered, standing up from his desk and closing his laptop.  “But… judging by you three being here, I assume you needed me for something?”

“Tweedle dee and Tweedle Prom here wanted to head over to the arcade and I was going to escort them.  But… I wanted to check in with you first and make sure his Majesty wasn’t trying to skive off of anything first.”

Ignis smiled at that and shook his head.  “No.  If memory serves Noct finished up his English essay last night and I was going to revise it this evening.  I see no harm in them going out for a few hours.”

“Oh my god, I’m not seven!  It literally sounds like parents setting up a playdate for me!” Noct grumbled, causing Prompto to giggle beside him despite his best efforts.

“Well if you behaved like a good child your mother and I wouldn’t have to do this,” Gladio teased causing Prompto to laugh harder as Ignis rolled his eyes fondly.

“You all are ridiculous.  But you better get going.  I do hope you’ll be back at a reasonable time, however.  I’m making anak steak kebabs this evening,” Ignis said as he began pulling together his notes into a folder to take with him.

“There is absolutely no way I’m missing out on that.  You can bet I’ll have the kids back in time,” Gladio said lightly before turning to Noct and Prompto.  “Gods help you if we miss dinner,” he warned, already starting to herd them out the door.

Ignis chuckled as he watched the trio leaving.  If setting a time rarely kept them on track, then using Gladio’s appetite as an alarm usually worked.  Before long he had all of his papers and his laptop squared away in his carry case and was heading to the Prince’s apartment to start on his evening tasks.

He’d gotten in a nice little cat nap so hopefully he’d be able to have a productive rest of the evening.

-----------------------------

“I’m such an idiot!”

“Dude, no you’re not!  Noct tell him!”

“No because we were both idiots!”

What was going on?

Where… OH NO!

Ignis sat up so fast he almost sent himself flying backwards in the kitchen chair he’d been seated in.  The only thing saving him from a freefall backwards being Gladio’s quick reflexes and impressive strength.

The Shield in training and reached out in time to brace the back of the chair, causing Ignis to remain half tipped back and looking up at the upside down face of his friend.

“... uh… hello…,” Ignis said sheepishly, his head feeling slightly dizzy from the sudden shift in perspective.  “If you would be so kind as to set me down I think I may have to go check on our dinner.”

“What dinner?  There’s a package of thawed anak steaks on the counter and a couple peppers on the cutting board.  Dinner never happened, Specs,” Noct tried to explain carefully, watching his friend with far more concern than Ignis wanted to see on his face.  Though honestly, hearing that he hadn’t even started on their meal made guilt start bubbling up in his chest.

“I… I’m sorry.  I was just resting my eyes for a mo-...,”  The sudden jolt of being tipped back farther had Ignis flailing slightly as a rather unbecoming yelp escaped him.  Soon he was refocused on Gladio and the look the man was giving him was thunderous.

“Don’t you dare apologize, Ignis.  Not for being exhausted.  And that’s what this is.  Exhaustion.  It’s not just resting your eyes,” Gladio stated, slowly lowering Ignis back to the floor before stepping to the side.  He kept his eyes leveled with the Adviser who, for once, didn’t have a rebuttal ready on the tip of his tongue.  Without anything forthcoming, Gladio took it as a sign to continue.  “We’re worried about you, Ignis.  I knew I shouldn’t have just let this go back at your office.  You need to take a break and get some rest.”

“But…,”

“No.  No buts, Specs,” Noct spoke up, looking just as angry as Gladio and doing a fine job of looking the part of a future monarch.  “I’m ordering you to take time off.  I swear I’ll get my Dad involved if I have to.”

“And I’ll get my Dad to step in as well,” Gladio said matter-of-factly, crossing his arms over his chest and standing up taller.

“Yeah!  And… um…,” Prompto paused a moment, trying to figure out his own master stroke before a smug smile finally appeared.  “Sure would be a shame if Cor found out that you were overworking yourself like this.  Remember how he almost had that Councilman’s head when the dick made those comments about you?  How do you think he’ll react knowing that you’re the one running yourself ragged?”

Ignis paused as he heard that, looking between the three of them.  Each one with an absolute look of determination in their eyes.

“So… you three are willing to bother the three most important figureheads of Insomnia against me to make sure I get some rest?” Ignis asked quietly, watching as they all nodded in unison.

“Think about that, Ignis.  We are literally planning on turning a King, a Shield and a Marshal on you to make sure you sleep.  And what’s more… is that you know they’ll make sure you do,” Gladio said simply, this time allowing a small smile to appear.  “And I mean… you’re due for a vacation, right?  We could all go camping for the weekend.  Get you out of the Citadel just to do nothing.  You deserve it.”

There really did seem to be no way of getting out of this and honestly, the last thing he wanted to do was to pull King Regis, Clarus and Cor into this so with a little shake of his head he finally relented.

“Alright.  You three win,” he offered, giving them a tired smile and watching as the trio relaxed in front of him.  “But I swear if this really is an easy going camping trip then that means I don’t have to gut the fish or do the dishes, correct?  I’ll happily cook, but I’m not doing the manual labor.”

“Nah.  That’s what we’ve got Dad for,” Prompto teased, giving Gladio a nudge before finding himself in a headlock, letting out a surprised squeak and flailing against the man's side.

“That’s it… you’re on fish cleaning duty,” Gladio growled playfully, ruffling Prompto’s hair and making him sputter.

Ignis had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing at the ridiculous sight.

Perhaps he really could do with a nice little vacation.  A chance to catch up on some nothingness and just… take a break?

-----------------------------

“I mean… we did say that he should use the time to catch up on rest.  Right, guys?”

“Well.. yeah, but I was betting it would be reading in the shade or… I don’t know… reading not in the shade.”

“Shh… if you two don’t keep it down you’ll wake him up,” Gladio whispered as they all took in the sight before them.

After their mini intervention at Noct’s apartment it had been agreed that they would all go on a small camping trip to get out of the Citadel.  Get Ignis away from the hustle and bustle and let him get a chance to relax.

And to be fair everything had been going as planned.  They’d made it to the haven in good time and Gladio had already set up the tent while Noct and Prompto scouted out the best places to go fishing and to get firewood.

Ignis had mentioned leaving his new book in the backseat of the car and they hadn’t thought anything of it.  

Until fifteen minutes had passed and no Adviser had returned.

Fearing foul play they had all taken off in a mad dash back to the car only to come across something they had all become far too accustomed to as of late.

Sprawled out in the backseat of the car, hand loosely holding onto the missing book, mouth slightly agape and glasses askew, Ignis was out like a light.  The soft snoring coming from the young Adviser was a testament that he was definitely not disturbed by their arrival and that spoke volumes of just how tired he had been.

Click.

“You know that when he finds out you took a picture of him like that you’re a dead man, right?” Noct asked Prompto, the blond only chuckling and looking at the picture on his camera.

“What?  He looks so peaceful right now!  I couldn’t help myself.  When do we get to see a peaceful, Iggy?  Never!”

“If you two are done maybe you could help me?” Gladio said, arms already full of the sleeping Adviser who, even after being shifted around, still slept on completely oblivious to the world around him.  Though Gladio did have to fight a blush when the man nuzzled against his chest slightly.

“Oh my gods, please let me take another picture?  Please!  He’s literally being adorable right now and that’s even more rare than a peaceful Iggy!” Prompto asked even as they all began to make their way back to the tent.

“Heck, it’s even more rare then a sleeping Ignis,” Noct teased, making Gladio chuckle.

“What are you talkin’ about?” Gladio said lightly, looking down at Ignis as the poor guy slept on, completely unawares of their conversation.  Gods he needed this and Gladio was more than ready to make sure that he got to enjoy as much rest as he needed.   

Snorting a bit and trying to play it off as a cough, Gladio turned his head to the side to try and catch a glance of his boyfriend.  “I think you’re safe, love,” Gladio tried to reassure, watching as the butterfly began to lazily make its way to a patch of flowers nearby.

“LIES!  Everytime you turn your back it comes for me!” Ravus grumbled, his eyes still narrowed at the small insect.  “I don’t like flutterby’s,” he mumbled and oh that was the most precious thing Gladio had ever heard.

“What did you call it?” Gladio asked, chuckling softly as Ravus finally stopped his glaring to look at him.

“A flutterby?  Like everyone else?” he said again and Gladio could’ve cooed at the sweetness of it.

“Butterfly.”

“That’s what I said!”

“No you didn’t.  Say it again.”

“Flutterby!”

“See?!”

“I said it just like you!”

“Butterfly!”

“Flutterb-.... Oh…,”

When recognition lit up Ravus’s expression followed by that adorable blush, Gladio finally couldn’t help himself.  Laughing softly he turned around and wrapped his arms around the flustered man.  Ravus instantly hid himself against his chest and shook his head.

Pressing a soft kiss to the top of his head, Gladio smiled all the more and soothed a hand over his back.  “Would it help if I said that was adorable?” he murmured, earning a little groan from his darling.

“No.  Makes it worse,” Ravus grumbled, causing Gladio to chuckle a bit more before pressing one last kiss to his head.  Stepping back he looked down at the shorter man, still noticing the blush that stayed over his nose and cheeks.

“Well I’m afraid you’ll have to deal with it… because it really was adorable.  But I have to go and grab some kindling for our fire tonight so I trust I can leave you to fend our territory from the… flutterbies?” he teased, earning him a little swat to his chest and making him laugh as he shied away.

Ravus, regardless of the blush, was smiling and shook his head.  “I’ll do my best.  But I make no promises you won’t find me in the car when you get back,” he warned and honestly, Gladio wasn’t sure he was joking.

“I mean… if they really are giving you that much trouble you can always come with me?” he offered, glancing behind Ravus and noticing a few more butterflies slowly drifting their way.  “I think they’re attracted to your shampoo.”

Turning to follow Gladio’s line of sight, Ravus noticed the incoming monsters and gasped, quickly scurrying to once more stand behind Gladio.  “Well what would you have me do?!  Roll around in a mudpit like some sort of ruffian?!” he growled.

Gladio put on a contemplative expression, soon feeling a little pinch to his side making him squawk and jump to the side with a loud laugh.  “O-okay!  Okahay!  I was only joking,” he said lightly, turning to look at the man.  “So do you want to come with me?  At least then I can protect you.”

It seemed that the prospect of staying behind with the flutterby troubles was more than Ravus could stand and after a moment he nodded.  “I’ll come along.  But I swear if I don’t start to see the magic of camping soon we are sleeping in the car with the air conditioning and the lack of creepy crawlies.”

“Fair enough,” Gladio conceded.  He knew it had taken moving heaven and hell to get Ravus to leave the comfort of their apartment to try and experience the fun and relaxation of the outdoors and he refused to give in just yet to showing him how good it could be.  “Come on then.  While we still have the light working with us,” he said softly, grabbing his gear pack from his camp chair and standing at the edge of the haven, waiting for Ravus to follow.

The white haired man bit his lip nervously, still looking slightly uncertain, but one quick glance to the impending butterflies easily sent him moving forward to follow Gladio into the surrounding woods.

As soon as they entered the forest Gladio couldn’t help taking in a deep breath.  There was something so soothing about the smell of the trees and ferns that just made him feel relaxed in a way the everyday humdrum of the city couldn’t.  He loved what they had in Insomnia.  He loved their bookstore and what they had built together, but sometimes it was nice to recharge in a setting like this. “Oh!  Look at this, Gladio!” Ravus murmured from behind him.  Pausing, Gladio turned around to find Ravus stepping off the path and glancing up into a tree.  It really was impressive.  The base of the tree was wide enough that he and Ravus combined wouldn’t be able to wrap their arms around it.  Moss and ivy intertwined with some of the roots that were bent up out of the earth and the light that filtered in from the canopy sent dappled green hues over everything below.

Trying to find out what it was that had drawn Ravus’ attention, Gladio tried to follow his line of sight and instantly spotted what had caught his eye.

The tree was flowering in anticipation of the fruits it would bear.  The flowers were a soft white with fluffy yellow centers that seemed to sparkle almost ethereally.  They grew in bunches and the scent that came from them was absolutely intoxicating.

“It’s a Duscaen Orange tree,” Gladio explained as he came to stand beside his partner.  “The flowers are used to make perfumes around the Eos and have medicinal purposes, but the best part is the fruit.  You can thank this tree for your morning glass of orange juice.”

Ravus gave a little hum of acknowledgement and turned to Gladio.  “While I highly doubt this particular tree has helped in my daily dose of vitamin c… I definitely appreciate it a bit more,” he said with a soft smile, turning back and moving closer to touch the trunk of the tree.  “And… I suppose I can also appreciate your proclivity for nature.  It’s… rather beautiful at times.  When it’s not trying to nest in your hair.”

Gladio snorted at that and shook his head, setting down his backpack and moving closer to the tree as well.  “I’m glad you’re starting to see it,” he said lightly, looking up at the monster of a tree and getting a mischievous little smile.  “But to really appreciate nature… you gotta really embrace it.  Become one with it, ya know?”

This time it was Ravus’ turn to snort in amusement.  “Is that so?  And how exactly do you do th-... Gladio?” Ravus glanced next to him where the man had been standing and found nothing but foliage.  “Gladio?  Gladiolus?”  Blossoms slowly began to drift down from the canopy, landing in Ravus’s hair and making him look up.  What he saw instantly made his eyes widen with fear.

“Gladiolus Amicitia get your arse back down here this instant!  Are you crazy?!” he shouted, watching as his titan of a boyfriend acted as some sort of jacked squirrel, climbing his way up the branches and sending even more petals raining down upon him.

Gladio chuckled and looked down at his sweetheart.  “Why don’t you come up here and join me?  The view is amazing and you really feel like you’re one with nature,” he called back down and could practically feel the glare he was being given.  Really it only served to make him laugh more and he shook his head.  “Alright, alright.  I’ll be right down.  Give me a sec.”

Ravus huffed as he watched Gladio shimmy back across the branch before sitting down on it halfway and then… he tipped back.

As soon as he saw his partner falling backwards, Ravus instantly shouted and rushed forward arms out ready to catch his behemoth of a partner.

“Gladiolus!  Look ou-mmmh!”

In an instant his words were paused by soft lips meeting his own, the arms he had extended to attempt to catch the man frozen in midair.

Gladio couldn’t help smiling against Ravus’s lips, leaning back a little where he hung upside down and giving him a roguish little smile.  “Everything okay, Ravus?” he asked softly, looking at the slightly dazed expression on his partners face, the soft blush of his cheeks and the way his arms still stretched out ahead of him.

That all changed in an instant.

“What is wrong with you?!  Are you crazy?!  Are you part squirrel?!?  You’re worse than the flutt-… butt-… fluttubberblies!” Ravus began to chide, obviously worked up from Gladio’s little display of bravado if his attempt to say butterflies again.

“How on Eos could I be worse than a fluttubberbly?” Gladio chuckled, watching as Ravus scowled and swatted at his chest making him laugh a little more.

“Incorrigible!  Absolutely incorrigib-!,” once more his words were cut off as Gladio leaned forward, just so, to capture his lips.  The smile on his face almost matched the pout on his partners.  However, it wasn’t long before the kiss was being reciprocated and Gladio happily lost himself in the moment, the scent of the orange blossoms making the moment all the sweeter.

Slowly, the kiss came to its end and Ravus helped to lower his hulking partner from the tree and back onto the ground where he belonged.

“I still can’t believe you did that,” Ravus murmured, the two of them already starting back on the trail to find a few pieces of kindling for the fire.

Gladio smiled softly, reaching over and wrapping an arm around his shoulders, drawing in the silver-haired man who easily followed.  “I promise I wasn’t trying to scare you, though seeing you rush to save me was really sweet,” he teased softly, making Ravus grumble and elbow him lightly even as he smiled.

“What can I say?  I’m chivalrous like that,” he teased back making Gladio’s own smile grow.

“Chilvary doesn’t have you running behind your significant other to escape bugs,” he teased and Ravus sputtered in indignation.

“Have you seen them?!  Monsters, Gladio.  MONSTERS!”

As Ravus began to list off all the qualities that made the butterflies beasts of the sky, Gladio couldn’t help the way his heart fluttered and his smile grew.