sweetestsurrender

Gladio nodded. "Whatever you say, Your Highness." He grinned, shooting a quick glance over.

Just driving was fine. He'd trust Noct would know where to go and call direction changes as needed.

It had been a while since he'd just driven. So he wound down the window, settled his arm on it and relaxed. This would be an interesting trip.

For a while, Noct just enjoyed the ride. Tension he didn't even realize was building up in his body eased away. He watched the landscape go by, content in silence for a good long while.

It wasn't too long before he spotted a small fishing spot off the road.

"There! Let's stop there!"

Gladio was quiet too, other than the rhythmic tapping against the door and the occasional hum under his breath. He could have put the radio on, but the quiet was easy and comfortable. It was fine the way it was.

When Noct called out, Gladio moved his hand, both on the wheel now and turned without question in the direction the Prince pointed.

"This is the spot you want?" It seemed good enough. And even from a cursory glance he could see a place to set up camp. This could work.

"Yes." Noct smiled. "It's perfect." And it really was. Just enough cover, a good place to camp. He couldn't ask for a better spot.

Gladio slowed the car down as they approached and found a good enough spot to park before he stopped and leaned forward a bit, arms folded across the wheel.

"Yeah, not bad. Quiet too. Doesn't look like many people come by here." Other than the area that was clearly designed as a camp ground there didn't seem to be much in the way of human traffic. Noct was right. It was perfect.

Noct nodded. "It's perfect for fishing." He shifted in his seat and then opened the door."Do you need help setting up or...?" He would help if needed but he really wanted to get fishing.

He gave it some thought, but in the end shook his head and lifted a hand from the wheel to wave Noct away.

"Go fish. I'll set us up. You catch our dinner." Besides, the tent would get set up faster if he did it himself. Then maybe he'd wander over and sit with Noct for a bit.

"You got it!" Noct grabbed his tackle box and headed to the shore. After baiting his hook, he casted his line and relaxed. This was definitely better than a keychain.

Gladio waited for Noct to get his shit together and head off before he climbed out of the car and did the same. Only instead of the waters edge, he made his way to the camp area.

Within 20 minutes a tent was set up. Along with seating and what would be a camp fire once night fell. Gladio didn't bother lighting it yet. What he did do, though, was grab two tans from a cooler before he wandered down to where Noct was and dropped himself down beside him. A can was offered.

"All set up. Caught anythin yet?"

Noct took the can with a smile and motioned at the small cooler next to him. "A few. Decent enough for a meal." Now it was time to try and catch a prize. Or not. It didn't really matter.

He peered over and nodded approvingly. Good enough for grilling, that was fine.

"You did good." Gladio carefully popped the tab of his can, doing his best not to make too much noise. Scaring the fish was a great way to get Noct to lose his cool.

Normally, maybe, but Noct was feeling too chill to mind a bit of noise. He opened his own can and sipped as he watched his line.

"Hey, Gladio?"

"Yeah?" Gladio tilted his head, showing he was listening, even if his eyes were on the lake before him.

Aside from the little lure bobbing, the water was amazingly still and calm.

"Thank you." Noct said softly. "Really. This means a lot to me." And it did. Even if it spawned from a dare over a Keychain.

"No sweat, kiddo. It's good to get away now an' again. Could do with some relaxation myself." He grinned and took a deep drink from his can... and regretted not just bringing the whole cooler over. But it'd be fine. One now, the rest later when the sun went down.

Noct offered a bashful smile and returned his eyes to the water. "I wish every day could be like this."

"Lazy." He teased, even as he stretched out his legs and dropped a hand behind himself, relaxing and being just as lazy as his comment.

"You'd get bored after a while. Doin nothing seems fun when you've so much to do. But as soon as you stop... You'll last a few days and then start to go mad with nothing to do." There were only so many fish Noct could catch, after all.

"Not that...I wish everyday could be this quiet." He could deal with being busy if he could just get the world to queit down.

"Ah." Gladio took another drink of his beer and looked thoughtfully up at the sky. "Yeah. Suppose the world could do with a little peace and quiet now and again."

"It's all so noisy." Noct grumbled. "So many voices, always pulling me in different directions." He sighed. "Not here, though."

Gladio was still gazing up at the sky contemplatively. He was quiet, but he'd heard Nocts words. He understood where he was coming from. So... maybe he could work with it?

"... How bout we make a deal?" He asked and finally moved his gaze from the clouds to Noct. "No more skipping training. And once a month we'll take a long weekend out and I'll take you anywhere you want." Sadly he didn't think he could get away with every week. But a weekend a month was doable.

Noct looked at Gladio for a moment before shifting his focus to his own hands. "I would like that. Could I..." He stopped himself before he finished his thought, berating himself for asking too much.

"Could you...?" No way was Gladio letting that slide. You couldn't start to ask a question and then just leave it alone or expect him not to demand an answer. Even if Gladio's tone was more curious than demanding. He was open to negotiation.

Noct bit his lip. This wasn't even something he had talked to Ignis about. "Could we have like a code or something I can use if...if the world gets too much?" It was hard to explain. He wasn't trying to get out of work, honestly, but sometimes the world was too much for him.

Gladio as quiet for a long moment. He watched Noct, brows knitting slightly. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and deep.

"... That bad, huh?" The tone was near gentle. They weren't 'on the job' right now. They were away from it all, a day of relaxing just the two of them. Gladio had already decided he would take it easy, on both himself and Noct. Without the pressure of obligation and duty, it was easier.

So part of him did understand. He just hadn't realised how bad it was.

"Alright. What code do you wanna use?" See? He was open. He was listening.

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