TFLN

[ancientflower]

 

you know what to do

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[callmegladio]

"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...

[sonoflucis]

"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."

[callmegladio]

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?"

[sonoflucis]

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.

[callmegladio]

"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.

[sonoflucis]

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

[callmegladio]

"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?"

[sonoflucis]

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?"

[callmegladio]

"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.

[sonoflucis]

"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..."

[callmegladio]

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.

[sonoflucis]

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

[callmegladio]

"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.

[sonoflucis]

"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."

[callmegladio]

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.

[sonoflucis]

"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.

[callmegladio]

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?"

[sonoflucis]

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

[callmegladio]

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."

[sonoflucis]

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."

[callmegladio]

"Why not? I've got the time. You grab that. I'll grab my campin gear. We can make a day of it." They both got something they wanted. It seemed a win win situation to Gladio.

[sonoflucis]

Noct grinned and ran off to get his tackle box. It didn't take him long to get all of his stuff together and meet back with Gladio. "I can't believe Specs is letting me go..."

[callmegladio]

Gladio went ahead and did the same. Even going so far as to procure a car for the journey. He was parked out front and waiting for Noct, just leaning against the side of the car with his arms crossed over his chest and a wide grin.

"Maybe if it was with someone else. But you're goin with me. Course he'd say yes."

[sonoflucis]

"I guess, but usually I have to ask in advance." Not that he was complaining. If Ignis wanted to let him fish, he would take it.

[callmegladio]

"Don't look a gift chocobo in the mouth, kid. Get in before he changes his mind." Still grinning, Gladio stepped to the side and opened the passenger side door.