“How on Eos did you do that?” Ignis asked as he walked over to embrace his husband.  

“I saw a bag of marshmallows.” Gladio could feel Ignis stiffen in his hold; he clearly didn’t know how to respond.  “They reminded me of my dad.” Gladio offered to spare Ignis any confusion.

“Ah I think understand.” Ignis murmured quietly. “What did you and your dad do with marshmallows exactly. I didn’t take either of you for the fancy dessert types.”

Gladio snorted at that reply.  “Nope, we aren’t, but you can make s’mores with them.”

“Oh.”

“You like s’mores don’t you?”

“I suppose.” Ignis offered with a slight shrug.  

Picking up on the subtle tell Gladio pushed Ignis back by his shoulders.  “You’ve never had one had you?  I can’t believe you’ve never eaten a s’more.”      

“I didn’t say that!” Ignis huffed.  

“But it’s true! I can tell by your body language.” Gladio pushed.  “We have to make them tonight!”

Ignis smiled finally but still looked confused.  “Don’t you need an open fire for such an activity?”

“We can cook using the grill on the patio, and then after dinner I’ll craft a makeshift fire.”  He replied excitedly.  Gladio was very much looking forward to making his childhood snack. He was even more enthusiastic about it, since he was going to share it with his husband.  

Ignis agreed to the hair brained scheme and started preparing the side dishes for dinner, while Gladio cooked the meat.  Opting to eat on the patio to enjoy the pleasant cool evening air, Gladio was able to relax.  The memories that had bombarded him in the supermarket had lessened.  He had plenty of distractions during dinner, his handsome husband, good food, and teasing talk of what dessert would entail.  

Finally after the all the dishes had been cleaned and put away, it was time to make s’mores.   Gladio was struck with a horrible thought, once the fire in the grill was big enough to roast the marshmallow.   “Babe – uh – you know the process right? You remember the basics of s’mores don’t cha?” He asked worriedly.  He was prepared to instruct Ignis on the finer techniques of roasting the small round fluff of sugar, but he’d been assuming Ignis knew at least that much.  Otherwise, teaching a literal blind man the whole process was slightly daunting.  

“I do remember there is some art to getting the marshmallow not to burn.”  He replied reaching out his hands for the long skewer they were using. “Instruct me.”  He requested.  

Gladio was eternally grateful he’d bought the big bag of marshmallows as Ignis had set at least seven of them aflame.  “I know you like fire, but they don’t taste good all burnt.” Gladio laughed.  

“I’m going on smell love, I can only smell them when they catch fire.”

That made Gladio pause, how the heck was going to figure that out. “Uh – well then you will have to listen to me when I tell you take it out of the fire.”  Ignis shrugged and focused his attention back on his task. His tongue was sticking out slightly as he worked and marshmallow number seven, or was it eight – caught fire.  An idea blossomed in Gladio’s head and he got up to grab something.  “Ok this might work.” He announced upon his return.  

The marshmallow burning thankfully died down after that.  Gladio had grabbed a griddle pan and was using it as a shield to prevent the spread of fire.  When he deemed the fluffy treat to be perfectly roasted, he blocked the fire by placing the pan underneath the marshmallow.  Then by Gladio’s instruction Ignis gently guided it over to the s’more creation station.  Which in reality was a bucket flipped upside down covered in plates with graham crackers and chocolate.

“So they are really messy.” Gladio warned as he handed over the plate.  “Please be careful.”

“How messy?” He asked with a narrowed eye.  

“Sticky fingers, chocolate on your face.  That kinda messy.” He admitted fondly.  “It’s great, it’s all part of the process.”  

Ignis didn’t answer but took the plate and attempted to take a bite. He did fairly well but soon enough the gooey marshmallow and melted chocolate was dripping down his chin.  “This is yummy but very hard to eat.” He offered somewhat in defeat.  

“Hey babe, don’t get discouraged.  You’re in luck; you have a willing husband right here who wants nothing more than to feed you that delicious treat.”  

Laughing Ignis leaned in closer to Gladio.  “I, for once, am more than happy to let you help me.”

“You just don’t want sticky fingers, I’m onto you!” Gladio exclaimed, though he was happy about Ignis’ willingness to let him assist.  He was going to cherish this memory, and the activity had lessened the pain from his earlier feelings.  

Ignis throat clearing brought him back to the present.  “We need to roast more, where’s my stick?”

“Astrals, you want to burn more stuff!”

Ignis merely dissolved in to a fit of giggles as they sat around the tiny fire.  “It’s fun!” He defended.

“Yes it is.”  Gladio replied with a grin.  “You’re the best babe.”

“Thank you for letting me share this with you, I’ve had a delightful evening.”