sweetestsurrender

"I just warped up there. I figured it would be the easiest dare ever. Just stand on a roof for four hours." He shrugged. "No big deal."

"Never asked how you got up there. Just why. If he'd asked you to jump off a bridge would you do that too?" Even as Gladio asked he suddenly really didn't want to know the answer. He could almost feel the grey hairs popping up out of his scalp and the years shaving off of his life. It was a big deal. Noct was the Prince. Pulling stunts like this could get him killed. Gladio sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Be more careful."

"I already told you why. A dare is a dare." Noct said, as if it was the most obvious thing ever. "And yeah. I mean, I would cheat and warp, but yeah."

He playfully punched Gladio in the shoulder. "Chill, Big Guy. I know you've got my back."

Gladio just grunted. After dropping his hand and receiving a punch, he debated returning the favour, but wasn't sure he could modulate his strength enough to not send Noctis flying. So decided, in his wisdom, to refrain.

Being Nocts Shield could be rewarding. But most often than not it was a pain in his ass. But yes, he had the Princes back. He just wished sometimes the little shit would consider the ulcer he was cultivating due to his antics.

Noct was pretty damned pleased with himself. It used to be he could never get the best of Gladio, but he was finding his own ways.

"What's the worst that could have happened, really?" He laughed.

"You fall to your death and I have to explain to my dad and the King why it was a mistake not puttin you on a leash." Gladio grumbled, holding back the sigh that was building.

He shot a quick glance Noct's way. The smug look was driving him crazy, but... he seemed happy enough. And he was alright. He just wished Noct would actually think. Trusting in him to always be there was nice and all. But what if, one day, he wasn't there to catch him when he fell? It didn't bear thinking about really. Gladio knew he would move the heavens to get to Noct to catch him. Only death would stop him...

"If I started to fall, I would just warp. But if it really bothers you that much, I won't do it again."

He walked along in silence for a moment. He wondered if Gladio really stressed out about his safety. If that was the case, he was starting to feel a bit guilty.

"Sorry if I really worried you."

Was that so hard? Just a small apology was all it took to forgive the grey hairs and the ulcer. It let Gladio know that, even if Noct didn't have any self-preservation instincts, he at least realised how hard a job Gladio had in having one for him.

He gave him a smile then, a small one, and threw an arm around the shorter man's shoulders.

"I just want you to take care, that's all. Have fun all you want." His smile widened a little. "Forgiven. Now, where the hell's this gatcha game you've got a hardon for?"

Noct laughed. "Luckily, it's just a coin machine. If we had to rely on your gaming skills, we would be doomed." He grinned playfully.

"Even better." A pause. "Oi! Brat." He moved his hand to the top of Noct's head and ruffled his hair. His gaming skills weren't bad... He just didn't have as much free time as some to hone them.

Noct flailed, but he was laughing. "Stop, stop!!" He snorted. "Okay, okay. You're better than Ignis!"

"Good enough." He relented and removed his hand, now that Noct's hair was sufficiently fluffed. Not that anyone would be able to tell the difference. It was always fluffy like that.

"There somewhere to get change around this coin machine?"

Noct blinked. "Yes. It's an arcade." He hoped it wasn't a question of inexperience, considering Gladio's caught him at the arcade a few times. "... You really gonna keep trying until you get it?"

"Don't look at me like that. They've got those things outside of stores and all sorts of places." And okay, even as he said the words he realised he'd mentioned stores. But given how much he was probably about the fork out for a dumb keychain, he didn't think a store would be happy (or even able) to give him that much change.

"Well yeah, but the King's Knight one is an arcade exclusive." Noct said. Not that Gladio would probably know that. "Hopefully they have more than one rare one..."

No, he would not have known that. It was new information to him! But it was fine. An arcade was better than standing out on the street emptying one of those things.

"Think if I just ask to buy the whole machine they'd hand it over?" He asked conversationally.

Noct shrugged. "I don't know. I've never asked." He honestly hadn't thought about that. "Takes the fun out..."

"So it'll be fun just watchin me shove money in and pop these things out, huh? Alright. We'll do it your way." Though Gladio secretly thought buying the whole thing and just shattering it would also be a great way of getting what they wanted. But if his Prince wanted him to do it a coin at a time then so be it.

"Well... Yeah. It's kinda like fishing. You never know when the bite you have will be the big one." Noct shrugged. "I guess the find is more rewarding if you do it one at a time... Or something."

So that's why. If Noct could liken a thing to fishing then it all made sense. It was amazing the things Noct could find the patience for, but other things he would rather hide away from than deal with.

"So it's just like fishin. Got it." He still didn't know why throwing some explosives in a lake killing many at once was frowned upon. But if Noct wanted to be patient, they could be.

"Yeah. I mean... If you would rather, you could just take me fishing." Now that he was talking about it, a fishing trip would be way better than a plastic Keychain.

Gladio laughed and again looked over, a brow raised. "Fishing, huh. Could do that. Sure you wouldn't cry over missin out on that keychain?"

"I'm sure...especially if you make a trip out of it." Noct grinned. Fishing would always win.

Gladio thought about it. Thought about what he had going on the rest of the day, or for the next few days since he had a feeling this might be an overnight kind of thing.

In the end he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. A quick dial and he lifted it to his ear.

"Hey." He spoke once the phone was answered. "Taking the rest of the day off. Nocts with me. We're heading out. If you need us... it'll have to wait until tomorrow." Gladio nodded, listened and smiled. "We'll bring you something back. Thanks, Iggy." He hung up and smirked. "Fishing it is then."

Noct was brimming with excitement. "No way. For real? Right now?" This was way better than a Keychain. "I've gotta get my tackle box."

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