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♥ Who: Gladio and OTA.
♥ Where: Everywhere.
♥ When: January 3rd.
♥ What: Gladio finding his feet and meeting the locals.
♥ Rating: PG-13

Another Strange Place:
[Gladio had been walking toward a small group of children, smiling as disarmingly as a man as large and seemingly intimidating as he could. The adults were nowhere to be seen, aside from some of the elderly. He'd hoped to gain some information. Anything, to help...

But between one step and the next... everything went dark. Not not a bad kind of dark. It felt... strange...

... When Gladio opened his eyes to see sky above him, white clouds, blue, clear sky... He turned his head slightly to see... nothing he expected. Instead of rustic houses, dirt paths, wooden fences and children at play, he saw white. White pillars and columns shaped like trees. Red and white ornaments. Strange looking birds. And he was laying down in the centre of it all.

He rose slowly, turned and dropped his legs over the edge of slab of carved stone he lay upon. When Gladio looked down he still wore the same clothes he'd been wearing (black leather pants, dark brown tunic, black cloak), so at least that hadn't changed. There was a sigh as he lifted a hand to scrub across his face.]

Damn train's done it again...

[Was this a side mission? Why had he been pulled away? And where was everyone else? When Gladio looked at his wrist he frowned, his SCA was gone. That didn't bode well. He was just contemplating calling out when a strange robot approached him... and that's where Gladio found out that he wasn't in Irivar anymore.

He was lead from the stone slab into another area to find more robots... he was handed a tablet, some local currency... and sent him on his way.

Gladio stepped out of the, what was it? He looked back and up. Temple... definitely a temple. He stepped out... and immediately sat himself down on the steps in the snow to try and work his head around what the hell he'd gotten himself into this time.]

A Teeny Tiny Fortune:
[Having noticed the strange booth, Gladio approached curiously. These robots were a strange thing, but so was the box that he was handed. He shook it as directed, a small, amused smile on his lips.

Then he was given a piece of paper.]

"The smallest things can bring the biggest rewards." Huh... good things in small packages, right? Thanks.

[Still looking very amused, Gladio shoved the paper in his pocket and turned to go.]

Stuck On You:
[Apparently he needed to look for a place to live. This was a big step up from a small room with a smaller bed shared between four people.

Gladio had taken his cloak off and had it wrapped over one hand. The laces of his leather tunic had been loosened and he was considering just taking that off as well, but figured near stripping in the middle of the street could be frowned upon.

He was so distracted by his surroundings that he wasn't paying attention to where he was going. Gladio bumped into someone. Automatically he reached out to stop whoever he ran into from hitting the ground... except that never happened. Wait, why couldn't he let go?]

Sorry! You okay?

Taking Stock:
[He'd found his way to the centre of the city it seemed. He'd found a fountain, an interesting structure that Gladio stood for a while, just looking at. He moved around it slowly, looking at all angles, before he sat himself down on the edge.

He stretched his legs out in front of himself and sighed.

So far this place didn't seem to have anything in common with where he had been before... He was starting to get a sinking feeling.

It was cold, there was snow everywhere, but nothing that was going to bother him so much that he was rushing to get indoors. He'd spent so much time inside over the last few months, even the snow was welcome.]

Home Away From Home:
[Houses... Small houses bunched together... And he was supposed to find one.]

Right... so how the hell does this work?

[Gladio walked up the street, then down it again, before he stopped in front of a house that appeared to be vacant. The tablet thing claimed it was unoccupied, so he walked on in.

After having a look around, he laughed to himself and did what was necessary to become the new owner... and then dropped himself down on sofa. Well and truly done.]

Wildcard:
[If you have another idea for a prompt, have at it, I'll run with anything. Though if you'd like to contact me I can be found on plurk and discord:

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Ignis does jump a little at the touch, partly because he wasn't expecting it. But he's getting used to people touching him just from how this place works.

Gladio must know what he said to Ignis too, about leaving him behind. Yet, this Gladio just saved him and that means a lot more than he's letting on. They had to put their differences aside to work together and never got a chance to talk things out. There was always some part of him afraid that Gladio might leave him behind, but the Shield wouldn't do that, even he knows that. ]

I know I'm lucky to be alive from that, Gladio.

[ His shoulders slump a bit, a tired sigh coming out of him. ]

... We really could've used you here last week.

We're lucky you're alive. Not sure what we'd all do without you, Igs.

[When the hands weren't immediately pulled away, Gladio took another risk and curled his fingers around them and gave a little squeeze.]

Sorry about that. I'd no control. If I had...

[ He turns his hand over, grabbing onto Gladio's, it's honestly a comfort to feel his touch right now. That also means a lot to him, to know that he's needed, it's something that he's been working on here. Finding his footing into helping people again. ]

It's alright, no one faults you for that. People come and go whenever the Gods choose to.

Ain't that the truth...

[He was a bit surprised when Ignis went ahead and actually held his hand, but Gladio's smile softened. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all?]

It'll be alright now, Iggy.

[Even if all he could do was support, he would be there.]

I... thank you.

[ Gladio had described Noctis being guarded, but he can see why, Noct probably hadn't wanted to scare the Shield first thing. ]

... Noct's hurt and Prompto got sick.

Yeah, I was told.

[He have a low laugh and a fond little smile.]

Met Noct's girlfriend. She explained. Noct... didn't.

[ Well, now he's curious. ]

What all did she tell you?

[ Pyra had seemed.... hesitant at first to tell Ignis what she did to save Noctis, but she did tell him at the end of it. In no way does he blame her at all though, she saved his life. ]

She said an item came from her world corrupted. They put it in the armiger and it hurt Noct. She said they'd fixed it, and him, and he's getting better.

When I saw him he was tryin, but he's still weak from it. He was hiding it.

[And part of him got that, it just damn well hurt... because he knew what it could be liked without those walls around them all. And he hated seeing them there again.]

Didn't ask any more. It wasn't done deliberately and the thing was neutralised. Noct's getting better. That's all I needed to know.

[If it HADN'T been dealt with there would have been a LOT more questions. But as it was, he had wanted to reassure Pyra more than anything. Gladio had no idea what she'd really been told about him, but she'd feared judgment. Only Gladio hadn't judged her in the slightest.

Shit happened. And with magical things, it seemed to happen a lot more than it had any right to.]

[ A-ah, Pyra left out a key detail here. He grips onto Gladio's hand before he speaks, his voice giving off a slight tremble to it. ]

She saved his life, Gladio.

[ almost died she said. ]

She wasn't alone in that, she brought him to his dad's house, but ran into Ardyn instead. Together, they saved him.

[ Hearing that, Noctis almost died, had most certainly rattled his cage in a big way. Not with he knows about Noctis' fate. ]

I don't doubt it.

[Don't worry, Ignis. He'd read between the lines of what she hadn't been telling him. Her guilt and worry were more than 'just hurt' had warranted. Gladio had assumed it was much worse, though hadn't realised Ardyn had played any part of it.]

And that's the key point. They saved him. He's alive and... on his way to being well.

Indeed he is.

[ He inhales a shaky breath, hadn't realizing how hard he was gripping onto Gladio's hand. He doesn't let up though. ]

It frightened me to hear that he almost died.

[ Another tremulous breath comes out of him almost as if he's struggling to hold on himself. ]

You're right, he's safe and alive.

[ But it had been so hard for him to stop worrying, not until he heard Noctis' voice a few days after he'd found out. He told Pyra a few things, that to keep in mind that Noctis is in one piece, that's he alive and breathing, that she can hear, touch and feel him and it should be enough. While it is enough, it hadn't stopped Ignis from worrying himself. The talk that Noctis and Ignis had was rough on them too. ]

[The grip didn't bother him. Ignis could hold onto his hand as tight as he damn well pleased. But it was that tremble that had Gladio taking the biggest risk he had so far.

He reached with his other hand and pulled Ignis across to him.]

C'mere.

[The free arm went around Ignis, pulling him into a gently hug.

He understood. He knew the fear of potentially losing their King. He knew the fear of losing Noct. He understood why it hit Ignis harder.]

He is. He's safe. And he's getting better because you've been there with him, Iggy.

[ The hug surprises him completely, but he doesn't protest against it at all. Ignis must be in bad shape if the Shield is hugging him, feeling the tug. Ignis goes with it, slumping a little against Gladio, head resting on his shoulder, wrapping his free arm back around him.

Gladio's not a huger, but perhaps the short time he'd spent on the train changed him too. ]

... Pyra's been watching out for him too, not just Noct, but Prompto.

[ He's not alone, Pyra even forced him into bed after he'd pushed himself too hard to take care of the pair. ]

[Gladio was a hugger... he just didn't get the chance to do it with so many prickly men around him, and the visual he had to present, he didn't.

Iris had always been the subject of his hugs. He'd store them up and lavish them on her.

But it pleased him when Ignis didn't immediately pull back. He curled his arm around him a bit tighter, he remembered he'd needed that same thing when he'd had his little wobble.]

She's good, wouldn't have expected less. She seemed just as mother-henish as you.

[That last had been said teasingly, even if it was true.]

[ Have a huff of embarrassment on your shoulder, Gladio.

Though he's not going to deny that. A hero, Pyra called him. She's the one to talk. But he knows what he's done for both Noctis and Prompto and he won't deny it, hell, Ignis knows his role in the group quite well.

We'll be lost without you. He's heard from Prompto and Gladio now. ]

Gladio.

[ What's that? A small sign of laughter? ]

Pyra's a good person and from the interactions I've had of her, she's a good influence on Noct.

[He grinned. Laughter? Score one for the Shield. He hadn't expected it, but he'd take it.]

Yeah, she's cute. Just what he needed.

[Someone who could wrap him around their little finger and get him to do what they wanted. Not that he felt for even a second Pyra was that manipulative, but she at least had Noct on the right track. He'd done good here, there was no denying that.]

[ If it's one thing he's learned here, especially after his talk with Noctis not that long ago, is not to keep stuff locked in. Ignis grows quiet again, then he shifts his face to bury himself onto Gladio's shoulder, shaking their joined hands free to wrap his arm around Gladio properly. ]

I don't fault you, [ a quiet murmur into Gladio's shoulder, but loud enough so Gladio understands. ] but if you know everything past Altissia then you know what you said to me. Not you, you, but you know what I mean.

[ It's not about us looking out for him, the words hurting him once more, but this Gladio hasn't done that to him. There's nothing for the Shield to apologize for here. ]

I've haven't been here that long, but I've missed having you around.

[ Ignis grows quiet for a few moments, before he speaks up again. ]

I am afraid of what's to become of us back home with Noct in the crystal. The three of us need to stick together.

[He let go of the hand, half expecting Ignis to want it freed so he could pull away, but instead he was gifted to a hug. One he returned. He curled his other arm around Ignis, he would have teased him then. Had the comment ready to go and on the tip of his tongue... But Ignis beat him to it.

And Gladio went very still. There was an odd ringing in his ears for a moment, he almost missed the rest of what Ignis said to him.

He took a deep breath, not even aware there was a slight hitch to it, and when he spoke his voice was low, trying desperately to stay calm.]

I don't know what I said to you, Iggy... All I know is what Prom and Noct told me. And they... I said something bad to you, didn't I?

[Gods, but he hated himself. Maybe it hadn't been him, but it was him enough. He remembered the looks in Prompto's and Nocts eyes when they'd seen him, it'd made him feel sick. He'd spent his days doing what he could to make up for that, to make up for the wrongs his future self had done.

But he'd hurt Ignis as well?

Something so bad Ignis felt he needed to, what? Forgive him? Remove blame? Too damn late.]

Whatever it was... I was outta line. I'm an asshole. You don't have to forgive that, Iggy. I'll make it up to you.

[ Ignis breath hitches in his throat for a moment, giving himself space to gather his thoughts together. ]

"It's not about us looking out for him," - you... wanted to leave me behind after I became blind. I can't fight anymore, Gladio.

[ Why had Gladio said that to him? He doesn't know. ]

.... But it made me feel like I couldn't protect the ones that I care about anymore. [ Noctis, Prompto. It's something that he's been recovering from and working on here. He's saved Prompto already and he knows what he's capable of without his eyesight. ]

I don't wish to be a burden and I will stand with all of you. I refuse to be left behind.

[ He gives Gladio a squeeze, tightening his grip. ]

I vowed to step down if I slowed you all down, but it didn't come to that.

I said... [His eyes closed, he huffed a sigh and couldn't help but hug Ignis tighter as well. Whatever he'd said, the way he'd said it, had weighed heavy on Ignis. It'd had an impact, and not one that Gladio liked.]

Listen... Can't speak for what future me said to you. But the me right now... Maybe I would've wanted the same. [Honesty. Gladio had learned over the months that honesty was more valued over holding things back. But these guys here, on this world, weren't the same as back on the Trecker. His being honest could backfire.

But he'd try it anyway.]

Think you guys forget you're my friends, sometimes. It's my job to protect you, just as much as it's to protect Noct. So maybe my first instinct would be keepin you safe. But the second one would be you're safer with me.

And who the hell said you can't fight? You can hear, can't you? You'd have to train a different way, but there's nothin you can't do.

And I'd never leave you behind. Need you guys where I can see you.

[He gave a little quirk of a smile then.]

Even if I had to carry you on my damn back, Iggy. No steppin down. Not until yor're ready.

[ Ignis had already broken down on Noctis' shoulder, though that was for different reasons. They cried together; Noctis almost died, the hard talk they had about the future, his fate. How Ignis can't accept it and never will. Noctis doesn't want him to.

He exhales a shaky breath as he listens to Gladio talk, only tightening his own grip further. ]

I need you by my side, Gladio.

[ Together, they're Noct's protectors, Ignis has felt Gladio's absence since he's been here too. Another shaken inhale as he struggles to hold on for a bit longer. ]

Gladio... thank you.

I can't fight the way how I used to, but I can still save those that I love. Prompto... [ a small pause ] I found him sleepwalking out in the cold one day, the fault of this place, but it was quite frighting. I saved him, Gladio.

[ It was by luck he'd found Prompto too, otherwise... he doesn't want to think what would've became of his friend. ]

He's lucky to walk away from that with a simple illness.

[ Just like with his hard talk with Noctis, this is a start to a healing process that's much needed here. ]

You better not leave us behind. [ Despite what he's feeling, he gives off a tiny smile. ]

[Gladio was thinking. He wouldn't offer it now, Ignis sounded and felt too raw for it, but maybe some time later he could broach the subject of training with him. Because Gladio had seen a lot, the last few months. And he had no doubts if Ignis wanted to learn, he could fight again.

He wanted to offer him that, if he could. If it would be welcome. But it could wait for another time.

Right now it was about Ignis and Gladio listened to him. He smiled.]

Nothin can stop you, Iggy. You're more stubborn than me. I'm glad you found him though.

And don't worry. I'm not going anywhere. Least, not willingly.

The four of us are together again, we need to stick together. I know this place can take one of us away one day.

[ But he'll take it, the four of them in one place again? They're brothers all of them, to him. ]

My apologizes for sounding like a sap, but I've been learning what it means to have a family here. You have to hang on to that.

[ And he'll never forget it either. He's always known who his family was, but the crystal taking Noct had deeply rattled him to the core. Knowing that he's gone for a long while makes his family that one member short, but here? They're together again, but on borrowed time. It's welcomed. ]

Don't apologise if you've not done anything wrong, Iggy.

[He hugged him tighter then, because this was what he'd been missing. He'd never understood why, but back on the Trecker Ignis had kept him at arms length. Even when he'd sorted through things with the others, Ignis had been... a stranger. And it had killed him a little. Each time it had chipped away at him. He'd felt like his friendship had been rejected, no matter how many times he'd reached out.

But it wasn't now. Ignis was right there wanting the same thing he did.]

And we will. Like I said, I'm not going anywhere, Iggy. I'll be here when you guys need me.

[ Ignis finds himself being squeezed tighter, but it's after Gladio says something, not him. ]

We'll always need you, Gladio.

[ Why does he get the feeling that Gladio needs this just as much as he does? What happened on that train? He tables that one for later, letting Gladio speak up about it if he wants to. ]

I'm here if you ever need me, I hope you know that.