Unknown : 12:12am : 175 days

Sweat dripped off the tip of your nose. You were absolutely sweltering. Your black shirt top clung to your skin from the profuse sweating. Your bandage wrapped hands rested on each knee as you panted for air. You had the compound bow strapped to your back, and it felt like 1000 pounds in the state you were in.

You grunted as you stood up. Your teeth grit as you held your ribs. "Gaah!" You tiredly screamed, "I can't do this!"

"Pick up the arrows, and start again." The black garbed person stared at you with unphased eyes.

The person stood just a few feet away from you. Their eyes were intimidating, and as much as you wanted nothing more than to throw in the towel, you knew that you couldn't.

You staggered to each target and pulled out the arrows. It wasn't the first time you trained this rigorously, but it'd been a while and you weren't prepared.

The band aid's around your fingers filled with blood as you pulled the last arrow.

You stand back in the center of the space and take the bow off your back. "I'm ready now."

There is no indication of when to go, you just do. Swiftly you pull the arrows one by one from the hoist on your back. You tug back to the full draw point and release at the targets. There is no time to see where they land, but you instead move on quickly. You bloody the arrows with your sore hands as you loose them. You've been up to this for several straight hours with no break. Pain was temporary, and you had to remind yourself of that.

"Time!" You shout as you drop the bow from your hands.

You hit each target with a precise bullseye. You squint your eyes as you look around and you smirk from your success.

"20 targets in 44.95 seconds. Good, but not good enough. It should not take you over 4 hours to cease such a rudimentary request. Improve your stamina. Go on a run. When I see you again I expect you not to flounder after a few hours of instruction."

For the first time you see a tiny shred of remorse in those eyes. "I am not doing this out of barbarity. The wall of Insomnia will not heed everlasting refuge, and the empires assessment of you will not be as generous as mine. Get it together."

You were free to go, and that you would. You were ready to leave after the first few minutes, let alone over 4 hours of torment. It wasn't the time that made things torturous, but the intensity. There was a reason for this insanity, and at the end of your days it would all make sense. But for now, you were a girl with needs, and that need was to take a long hot bath.

As much as you wanted to go back to Noct's place and explain everything, you couldn't. You were in too bad of shape to meet up with anyone right now.

Your hands were so damaged and stiff, it felt like rigor mortis was setting in. The blood from your newly blistered fingers smeared on your phone as you sent a group text to the guys.

'Sorry I bailed. I dropped by my house for a minute to pick up Benedict's leash and just barfed everywhere, so I just went to sleep. Gross, I know. Anyway, I owe Noct and Prompt a rematch.'

Every time you lied to Noctis you felt like it took a year off your life. It was the worst feeling ever, but you would do anything to protect him from your dealings.

You felt your phone vibrate, and you looked at it once again. Noctis was quick to respond, and it only made you feel worse. 'It's cool squirt. Now what did we learn about eating Prompto's food?'

The blond immediately replied with a picture of his sad face. 'SORRY!'

Your eyes teared up again as you read the texts. These were your boys, and oh mercy you loved them. 'It's not your fault Prompto! I had some obviously bad fruit in the morning and it just caught up with me. I'll be okay.'

Just as you lowered your hand you felt your phone vibrate again. It was Ignis this time. His text was separate from the group. 'Did you need soup or tea to help alleviate your pain? It's no trouble.'

Oh right, you forgot how you told him that you hated your own house. He was probably riddled with guilt thinking you were in a place you loathed all by yourself and sick. You had half a mind to text him, no on the soup, but yes to a bath bomb.

'I'll be fine. Thanks Iggy!'

It was a simple response, and as much as you wanted to truly thank him for his kindness, you knew if you said what you really wanted, he'd know you were in fact not okay.

Speaking of not okay, why was Gladio not texting you? Maybe the others told him you were fine, but you figured some kind of text would be nice. Whatever, didn't matter anyway. Your priority was you, and getting better. Still, it made you feel some type of way.

.

Home : 1:19am : 175 days

There you were, just a few houses away from sweet salvation... sort of. You needed some serious rest, and although your house made you feel like crap on the inside, right now it was about healing your outsides. You had a small plastic bag in your hand. You made a pit stop at the convenience store, and despite the stares from your disheveled appearance you needed to pick up some medicine to ease your pain.

You put a hand on your neighbor's front fence just a few houses down from your own. Your muscles were tightening, and the pain was becoming unbearable. You were so close, yet so far. You were too tired to continue walking. It was all you ever did.

Your grip slowly loosened on the aluminum fence, and you gradually slipped down until you were in a squatting position with your head slumped over. Your dried bloody hand was still held its place to keep yourself balanced. If you just dosed off here for a minute, you'd be good to walk the rest of the way.

The bite of the snow was only worsening your condition, and locking your limbs in place. The gentle snowflakes began to lightly blanket your backside, and you were too drained to think about its frigidness.

Just as your eyes briefly shut you saw bright lights flash on you. You slackly turned your head to see what it was. Goodness you must've looked like hell in the brilliance of that light. Your head turned back, and you pulled yourself back up to your feet. No rest for the weary. You'd just have to keep pushing until you made it home.

As you took the first step you felt yourself get significantly lighter; weightless actually. The arms of one had scooped you up bridal style and held you close. Your sleepy eyes widened upon seeing Gladio... again.

"You stalking me?" You jokingly muttered.

"I was dropping by to give you some soup. Good thing too. What the hell are you doing out here?" He sounded almost angry with you for not taking care of yourself.

You held up the little black bag, "Meds."

It was a good thing you bought them, or else it'd look very suspicious with you being out here. If you were at home sick, there shouldn't have been any reason for you to leave.

"How do you know where I live?" Your brows furrow almost like you're getting ready to grill the man.

"I took you home last week, remember?"

Right, you did. But he took you to the end of your block. There was no way he saw you enter your house. You specifically waited until he left. Maybe he was much more cunning than you thought. If Noctis and Prompto weren't going to question your residence, he certainly was. If he planned on investing time into you, you better believe he was going to leave no stone unturned.

"You sneaky bastard!" You shook your head.

It kind of worried you that he knew where you lived. That meant he could pop up at any time. Maybe it was time for you to invite people in? Well, you had to do some remodeling first.

"Come on." He opened the door of his car and placed you in the passenger seat.

"Where are we going?" You were too tired to care, but you figured someone responsible might ask.

"Home. My home. You are too sick to be by yourself." He took a seat and rose his eyebrows as to dare you to protest.

Some things you could slither out of with Gladio, but this was not one of them. You hid your sore hands in your pockets. That was a dead giveaway that your 'illness' was more than just a stomach flu.

"Sure, sure. I've been dying to see what the Amicitia manor looks like anyway." You always had to suggest something as if it were your idea. You couldn't let him have all the power just like that.

Your head leaned back in the seat, and you just enjoyed the heat inside the car. It was nice. Nice enough to put you to sleep, that is. You twisted the cap off you medicine and took two capsules. That should do it for the long term pain. For right now, sleep was your only deliverance, so that you did.

.

Amicitia Manor : 1:42am : 175 days

Your eyes crack open as you pull up to Gladio's house. You should have suspected it with his occupation and all, but damn he was living in high style. It was such a beautiful residence. He'd pull into the garage and you were honestly wondering how impressive it must have been on the inside.

Upon parking the car he'd look over at you, "I'm gonna run you a bath in the guest room. You can sleep in there, okay?"

Speaking of being impressed, you were kind of allured by his way of hospitality. He didn't suggest you sleep in his room, and he was going to draw you a bath? Oh he was working up to something wasn't he?

"That sounds good, thank you." You lifted from the seat and opened the car door. You were more well to walk now that your bones defrosted. Didn't mean there weren't bruises and pulled muscles that would prevent you from walking with a slight limp.

"Stop being a brat." He looked down at you.

"About what?" You followed him to the entrance of his house, and honestly it seemed as if things got more grand along the way.

"About asking for help. Damn near killed yourself over some medicine when you could have just asked any of us to get some for you."

He opened the door to his house, and honestly you felt kind of under dressed. His house was so nice, and you wished that your first time seeing it wasn't under these circumstances. There was an immaculate fireplace with beautiful pink potted flowers beside it, and family photos on the mantle. Nice lush couches, and festive decorations up. Unlike Noctis' place, this one was ready for Christmas in a few days. He didn't let you bask in the glory of his residence for too long. It was late, and you needed to clean up and go to bed. Both of you.

He walked you upstairs and straight away into the guest room. You couldn't wait to flop onto that nice fluffy bed after a long soothing bath. You stood there in awe of the magnificent room. It was so detailed. Nice wood flooring, fresh flowers by the bedside. Hand carved wooden bed frame. Soft rug beneath your feet. There was no way he decorated this place.

You peeked into the bathroom as he ran your bath and set out some essentials for you. It was like clockwork. He sure knew how to make a gal feel welcomed, that's for sure.

"Alright, it's ready." He gestured to the brown cast iron bathtub. "Get some rest."

He was too kind. It almost felt fatherly in a sense.

"Thanks daddy." You apathetically babbled.

Your voice didn't change at all, and dammit you had a habit of saying things that sounded way more erotic out loud than it did in your head.

"Sorry, I meant that because you're being kind of parental right now. Not like 'ooh daddy I've been naughty.' You know mom's do this stuff too. I could have just called you mommy and it would have been all the same. Even uncle would have sufficed, really." Mhmm, if your face wasn't red before it definitely was now.

This was way too embarrassing. Why him of all people too? You've done this twice already, and you feared your quick tongue would only get worse.

He gave you a gentle kiss on the forehead, "No problem baby doll." Those words just rolled out like second nature.

Damn him; the butterflies were back. You were already down the rabbit hole, and it looked like he was jumping with you.

Okay, great, thanks, bye; you wanted to scream out. You'd hold it in this time as you didn't want to accidentally say anything else stupid. Instead you grinned widely as you closed him out the room.

You looked back at the tub and you couldn't wait to feel that heat on your skin already. Stripping your clothes, you put them inside the black hamper to the side. Part of you didn't even want to get in the bath, you wanted to get inside that gorgeous shower. Well, you figured screw it, if someone spent the time to build that shower then you should do them a favor by using it. Right?

You opened the wide glass door to the shower and turned on the water. You stepped out of the way to let the rain shower head adjust to the set temperature. It felt so nice to rinse a hard days work off yourself. More like a hard few hours work, but still all the same. The dried blood washed down to the chocolate brown tiles and into the drain. As nice as this felt, it didn't mean you weren't gonna get a piece of that bath as well. Turning off the water, you tip toed to the bath trying to make as little wet spots as possible.

You didn't wait to adjust to this temperature, you just sunk into the hot water and let the aches of your muscles simmer away. The bubbles reached up to your chin, and it was now that you remembered the joy of such a bath. There was something about this bath, the dimmed lights, and the darkness of the bathroom that made it all the more soothing.

You could spend the rest of the night in this tub. Actually, that wasn't a bad idea at all. Your body needed serious rehabilitation.

You shut your eyes and you let the essential oils do their damnest. A low sob entranced your emotional state as you thought of your life and what was to become of it. Crying yourself to sleep was not the best way to start a nap, but it happened. You didn't wipe away your tears, but just hope that the sleep would take you soon and you didn't have to think anymore.

.

Amicitia Manor : 6:21am : 175 days

Time passed as you slept, and not normal nap time, more like hours. When your eyes opened again you were just a mere raisin in an ice cold tub. At least the cuts on your hands were completely closed. Closed, but not healed. The bathroom was dark from the sensor lights turning off, and you could see the still rising orange sun rays pierce through a slit in the curtain from the cracked open toilet room.

It was time to get out of the bath for a long time now, and that's what you were going to do before you froze from the frostiness of the tub. You didn't go for the towel, but instead head to the shower again for some warmth, and to clean up a bit.

The hot water felt so good on your skin, but as you looked at your hands, you saw that they were even more shriveled than normal. You were in that bath for a long time though. Your shower was quick, and now you'd put on your white towel to dry off. You wrapped it around once and pull your hair into a ponytail.

You walked over to the large wall mirror and looked at yourself. Not too shabby. That's not what you were looking for though. You picked up the unopened toothbrush Gladio left out for you and began to brush your teeth. You couldn't pay for generosity like that.

Once you were done you made your way back into the bedroom. All that lusting over such a nice bed, and you didn't even get to sleep in it. What a shame.

You looked around to see if he set out something to wear, and there was nothing. Great! You lay back on the cushy bed with your arms and legs sprawled out. You couldn't just walk around his house in a towel. You didn't mind moseying around in Noct's drawers for clothes because you knew he wouldn't care. But it was your first time here. You should be respectful.

Your eyes rolled from left to right as you thought about it. "Whatever, he can sue me."

You sprung up from the bed and walked over to the armoire opposite you. You opened it and there was nothing but a bunch of Gladio's clothes in there. Pffft, some guest room. You picked up one of his navy blue shirts and threw it over your head. You could get away with wearing it as a dress if you so pleased. You didn't though. Going commando in a flowing shirt was not the greatest feeling in the world. You pulled out a pair of his black jogging pants and pulled the draw string to fit your waist.

Okay, now you were just being nosy, but you wanted to see what was in the bottom drawer. Slowly you pulled it out and it was a bunch of hats. He didn't seem like a hat guy, but to each is own. You pulled out a black snap back and put it on. There was something fun about playing dress up in Gladio's clothes, even if none of it fit properly. You went to sit on the bed again and check your phone. If anything, it was to see any unread emails. Not that you were expecting any.

The door cracked open and your eyes shot up from your phone. In walked Clarus Amicitia, father of Gladiolus. How would you explain being in this man's house, sleeping in his guest room, and wearing his son's clothes? He wasn't your boyfriend, so what the hell? Damn this was going to be awkward! Dead... yes, dead is what you would rather be. Well the good news was that you woke up from the tub before this happened.

The man was dressed in his Lucian uniform, ready to leave the house. He didn't sleep at home last night, but was merely dropping in this morning. This was not something he was expecting, and neither were you.

"Hello." You gave your best award winning smile to the man.

"Gladiolus' girlfriend I presume?" There was no specific context behind his voice.

You wish he said it with some kind of happiness or even disdain. That way you could at least know where to go with this. This could sway one way or another. If you said yes, then he would probably press you for questions. If you said no then who the hell were you?

"I am not, actually." Lying for a first impression was probably not the right choice, so you decided against it. "Just a friend who likes to feel really tiny in your son's clothes. Forgive me, but I'll take the ego boost wherever I can get it."

Whatever. The damage of you being in his house was already done. May as well unleash your personality too.

Clarus cleft the most minuscule of laughs, and that alone lifted a huge weight off your shoulders. Like for instance, him not killing you, or kicking you out of his home.

"You like tea?" He suggested.

"Love." Your eyes lit up as you replied.

Without saying a word, he beckoned you to join him downstairs. He was being too kind to a stranger. Maybe this was where the real interrogation would begin. Dammit! Were you falling into some Q and A trap?

The two of you walked until you reached the living room again. On the coffee table was a glass tea kettle and two cups. Maybe the other cup was intended for someone else originally, but now it was yours. You took a seat and he poured you a cup.

Graciously you nodded. "Thank you, sir."

"Of course." He sat on the couch left of yours.

His eyes noticed your war beaten hands. A fighter of his caliber picked up on it immediately. He knew what that meant.

"So you're an archer?" He took a sip of his mint green tea while maintaining eye contact.

He was good. That was scary. Almost too perfect of a guess. Actually, it wasn't a guess at all. He knew from time and experience around weapons.

"I am. Fun as it may be, it leaves my hands looking like dry them with sandpaper."

"Blisters, bruises, and scars are a minor price to pay."

You nodded your head fiercely, "Oh I agree. It's all worth it."

"So, when did you meet my son?"

Oh boy, here came the questions.

"We met a few weeks ago at the park. He helped me find my dog. Now after meeting you I can see that 'knight in shining armor' runs in the family."

Anyone else in Insomnia would freeze up during a conversation with the kings sworn shield, but not you. You looked at him as Gladio's dad, and that's why you didn't hold back on your wise cracks. Hell, if he didn't like you for who you were, then maybe this wasn't the right family to hang around.

"I see." He'd again take another sip. "You know his occupation, correct?"

"Mhmm." You nodded in the middle of taking a drink. "Gone all the time. Only has about two seconds in the day to play King's Knight with me. It's fine."

Why was he asking you these questions? You told him you WEREN'T Gladio's girlfriend. Maybe this was for future reference.

"So what are your intentions?" His cup lowered and his eyes stayed dead on you.

Now you felt really uncomfortable. You knew that offer for tea was a little too polite. Best to keep doing what you were doing; answering honestly.

"Sir, I know it hasn't been that long, but I care about your son. We're only friends; that I didn't lie about. If it remains that way, that's more than enough for me. He's a tremendously delightful person, and I've got his back."

You spoke as if you'd known him for years. Sometimes there were people like that in this life. People you've only met for a single day, but your wave length was so kindred that you knew you could be yourself without judgment. That was Gladio... the second time you met. Still you tried to resist until you just gave in to it.

Clarus' eyes looked at a small clock sitting on the end table beside him. He stood up from the couch and set his tea cup down on the coffee table. "I beg your pardon, but I must get going."

Why? Why did he have to leave after you just wore your heart on your sleeve? You wanted to fade away into the couch. He didn't even acknowledge what you just said. You wondered if he thought you were being dishonest. Or worse, he knew you were being honest and just didn't care. Perfect, everything was falling right into place.

You were neck deep into the royal circle anyway. It didn't need to go any further than this. Stopping it with Clarus would cause less heartache. Your eyes followed the man as he walked to the door.

He turned the knob and looked back at you, "I am pleased to meet your acquaintance. I appreciate your honesty. Will you be coming by for the holiday?"

"If I'm invited, of course. I'd love to stop by." Was that his way of extending an invitation? You were going to take it that way even if it wasn't.

You planned on hanging out with Prompto this Christmas, just like last. You two never had any plans on the holiday, so you just decided to hang together. Far be it from you to just ditch the boy, so he was going to come too. After making your rounds at Noctis' apartment you'd stop by the Amicitia manor to say hello.

He gave you a light grin, "Watch my son."

"With all my eye strength sir!" You regained your perkiness upon hearing his parting words.

The man left the house and you sighed in relief. No more questioning! Still, it was really early in the morning and you had no idea what time Gladio would wake up. Would it be rude to leave? Would it be rude to stay? Who even knew?

You set your tea cup down before you sat back on the couch thinking about what to do. Your hand reaches up to smooth your hair back and... did you have this hat on the whole time you were speaking to Clarus?! Yes, you did, and now you felt incredibly disrespectful. No turning back time now. Your head turned as you heard a door close. No telling where that came from.

"Those are my clothes."

You turned back to see Gladio approaching you. "Yeah, I feel better this morning. Thanks for asking. And since you're so curious, there wasn't anything else to wear so I just grabbed these."

He smiled as he saw the entire getup. If the clothes weren't cute enough on you, the hat damn near sent him over the edge. The big man took a seat next to you and noted the used cups of tea on the coffee table.

"You and Jared have a drink or something?"

"Me and who?" You lifted the bill of the hat a bit to see him better.

"Wait, did you have tea?" He questioned with a look of slight concern.

"Yup, with daddy dearest. He's a cool guy. He invited me over for Christmas."

He wasn't really concerned that you met his father, but he would liked to have been there when you two first introduced yourselves.

"He told me all your embarrassing secrets." You leaned in closer with a tantalizing look in your eyes. "Told me about your porn stash."

Gladio was not buying it. He pulled you by your hips so that you were in his lap. His arms wrapped around yours so that you were stagnant in this position. Why did he love doing that to you? He knew you were powerless to stop it too.

He gave a long kiss to the crook of your neck. "Tell me the truth and I'll let you go. What did he say to you?"

"No!" You attempted to break free knowing full well you couldn't. "He said I shouldn't waste my time with you because you're just a flirt."

"Wrong answer." He shifted to the other side of your neck and sunk his teeth in.

There were no holds barred for him this time. It wasn't like yesterday when he just gave a light nibble. No, he went IN! Why were you two so bitey with one another? You were just bitey in general, but the fact that he could match you was kind of appealing... and terrifying.

"Okay! Okay! He just asked who I was, and he told me to watch over you because you're a bad boy who needs eyes on you at all times."

Your head leaned back to his right shoulder, "It's the truth. Don't believe me?"

He didn't say anything, but look at you. His eyes trailed from yours to your lips. He released his grip and closed in; pressing his lips against yours. Your left arm lifted until you had your hand gently placed on the back of his neck.

You opened your mouth just slightly giving him permission to enter yours. He'd take that invitation and feel out your tempo. You could taste the mint on his tongue, and it was kind of refreshing. Not too far in and he could already tell you were going to fight him for control.

He wasn't gonna take your shit if that's what you thought. His hand placed now on the back of your head to force you in even closer. If this was a battle for power, you weren't going to shy away. You kept your lips against his as you turned your body to face him; straddling the man now.

Your bruised hands grabbed each side of his face and you talked on his lips. "Sorry if you're used to girls just handing you all the power." You gave another peck to his lips, "I'm not that girl."

Gladio grabbed the back of your arms and pulled you closer to him. Your tongues collided once more to see who in fact was in control. His hands moved from your arms to your thighs. Just one little squeeze wouldn't hurt, right?

"Gladio!" You broke the kiss as you backed away. "Don't you fucking dare!"

His arm pulled you back onto the couch next to him, and he'd clench your thigh again. This was cheating! Your legs kicked around as he clasped your thigh. You were beginning to tear up from laughter. It was too much, and you were going to be even more sore today from flailing around if he kept this up.

"I h-have to g-go home and f-feed Benedict!" You somehow formed a sentence through your cackling.

You didn't really need to feed Benedict, but more so pick her up from the dog sitter she'd been at all night.

He'd stop after one last squeeze. You pursed your lips and shook your head at the man. Damn him! You were way too ticklish of a person to be with someone so handsy.

"Hate you!" You gave a light punch to his arm.

"Right." Gladio rolled his eyes ever so charmingly.

He began to walk you over to the door, "Did my dad really invite you over for Christmas?"

"Yes!" You spoke slightly offended that he didn't believe you. "Didn't you know? He loves me more than you now."

You saw him reach for the keys on top of the fireplace. "Stop it. I can walk home, seriously. I need to rehabilitate my body. If I'm really feeling sick I'll call, okay?"

Against his better judgment, he set the keys back down. "I don't know why I'm letting you do this."

"Oh, you think your LETTING me?" You grinned widely.

You didn't say anything else, because next thing you knew he'd be driving you home. He allowed you to believe you were a dominant being, but if and when it really came down to a test, you'd be singing a whole other tune.

"See you on Christmas." You stepped out of the doorway.

The man pulled you back momentarily to give you a parting kiss.

Your nose scrunched up as you backed away, "Ew, you're making me like you. It's disgusting."

"You didn't like me before?" He crossed his arms and leaned in the doorway.

"Nope." You shook your head.

There was still one last Amicitia you had to meet; Iris. Gladio often told you about her, but now was not the time to meet. She was sleeping, and disturbing her for a first encounter was probably a bad idea. You wondered how it would play out. The two of them were very close. Would she be kind to you, or would the two of you clash? Now wasn't the time to ponder these questions. You needed to head home, mend your body, and prepare for the days to come.