A/N: Hey hey there internet it's me! I have had this written for awhile but finally had time to get it together and post it. I am thinking this story is going to round out to about 10ish chapters with maybe a bonus one or two. I have an idea for a Prompto x Sera bonus chapter so let me know if you are interested. As always thank you for reading :)
Peri frowned as she sent off another text message to Gladio. He had been gone for the last two months, something about keeping post at Hammerhead to help quell a daemon outbreak in the area. She had thought he would have been back by now but there seems to be no sign of him returning any time soon. She sighed as she rolled over in her bed, she could understand why girls previously had walked away from him, it's hard not knowing when the person you care about is going to return, if he will return.
Her eyes widened as she realized what she just ran through her head. She quickly shot up and grabbed her robe as she headed towards the bathroom. She didn't care for him…no not like that. They were….friends…new friends that was all. As she turned on the shower she let out a relieved breath as the water ran down through her long chestnut hair, she definitely didn't feel that way about him. And she most definitely didn't fall asleep to the thought of what his whole tattoo looked like, or how his well defined muscles shined Lestallum artificial light, or how gentle his amber eyes were, and how his smile alone was bright enough to power all of Cleigne. Peri shook the thoughts from head as she finished her shower. No, she most definitely did not think about Gladio like that…or at least that's what she keeps telling herself.
As she dried off and made her way back to her room she was surprised to see her sister getting dressed so early in the day…if one could even call it that anymore.
"Your up early…" Peri commented as she quickly changed into her work clothes.
Sera just smiled at her knowingly as she adjusted her blouse and smoothed her mini skirt "I get up early sometimes you know? Besides, Prompto is coming to get me for a day date before work."
Peri nodded with a smirk "And there in lies the answer. You guys have been hanging out a lot lately."
Sera shrugged "I guess…just when he is in town…which has been a lot lately. Have you heard from Gladio? Any word on when he is coming back?"
It was Peri's turn to shrug "No idea…he said he would let me know when he was on a caravan back. I guess there's been a lot of trouble out in Leide…"
"Well…I can't say I'm not happy about how much time Prompto stays out there…but he tells me not worry, that he's been training for a long time and won't let a daemon stop him. Can't say I don't believe him. Have you seen his aim? And you shouldn't worry about Gladio…he's built like a tank. Plus Prompto says he has been training since he could walk being the shield and all." Sera exclaimed.
Peri rolled her eyes "I know I'm not worried about him."
"Yes you are." Sera teased.
"Uh no…" Peri retorted.
Sera smirked "Then why have you looked down at your phone at least six times in the last five minuets?"
Peri blushed at her statement "I'm not waiting for his message back…just making sure I'm not late for work."
"Riiight…and I'm notwearing my good pair of panties because I'm not letting Prompto cop a feel during our date today." Sera winked.
"Ugh TMI sister…" Peri groaned.
It was that moment the two looked to the doorway to see Frank looking at them with a smile.
"Sera sweetie…that boy Prompto's here to see you." Frank said pointing towards the hallway.
"Right…thanks papa. See you later Peri, maybe stop by the tavern before going home and let off some steam." Sera winked as she grabbed her purse and headed out.
Frank chuckled as he slowly made his way over to Peri's bed, giving a groan as he sat down next to her.
"Tell me Peri girl…is that Prompto boy always like that?" Frank asked her as he rubbed his sore legs.
"Like what dad?" Peri said curiously.
"Like all jumpy and what not. Boy wouldn't sit still." Frank said shaking his head.
Peri smiled knowing what he was referring to "It's…just how he is. Umm, Gladio said he gets jumpy when he's nervous. He's not a bad guy or anything…and Sera seems to be really into him…"
"I know yer sister seems to have taken a liking to him…he seems kind…yer sister needs someone like that." Frank commented as they sat together.
There was a moment of silence between the two before Frank spoke up again.
"Speakin' of which, haven't seen your fella around in awhile. Everything ok in paradise?" Frank teased.
Peri rolled her eyes at his comment "He's not my fella dad, we are just friends. And he's been posted out in Hammerhead taking care of an influx of daemons out there. Not sure when he'll be back."
Frank sighed as he looked over at his eldest daughter "Peri girl…even though you may not admit it out loud…I know you feel differently than wut yer sayin'. The way you look at him is the same way you looked at Ollie when you first met him."
"Daddy trust me…it's nothing more. We are just friends…that's all." Peri insisted.
Frank reached over and gave her shoulder a squeeze "If you say so Peri girl. I just…don't want to see you stand in your own way towards happiness. Ollie's been gone along time…it's ok to open your heart to another."
Peri looked at him with a frown "What about you? You haven't dated at all since mom died."
Frank laughed "Got me there…but I was too busy raising you, Felix and Sera to bother datin'. Besides…I'm an old man now, and you…yer still a youngin' Peri girl. You have so much life ahead of you. I'd hate to see you waste your time in loneliness and sadness."
Peri sighed deeply as she looked over at the chain of dog tags on her night stand, the diamond ring on the end shined under her lamp light "I know daddy…I'm just…not sure if I'm ready yet."
"Well, the fact that yer willing to open up and become friends with Clarus's boy speaks mountains larger than Ravatough to me." Frank said with a smile.
Peri bit her lip when she heard her father mention Gladio's, remembering his revelation the night Gladio dropped her off at home "So umm…how did you know Gladio's dad anyways?"
Frank smiled as he leaned back, taking slight pressure off of his knees "Guess that's somethin' I'm over due to talk about huh? Well I guess now is as good of time as any…besides, I think it may do you some good to understand where that boy came from."
"What do you mean?" Peri asked curiously.
"Well…I'll leave some of that explain' to Gladio…but you know how I was originally from the Crown City." Frank began.
Peri nodded "Yeah…and then one day you moved out to become apart of he hunters."
"Well…that's true…but there's more to it." Frank continued.
Peri nodded as she continued to listen to him.
"I was born and raised in the Crown City…yer grandma and pop pop ran a hardware store in one of the outlyin' neighborhoods in the city. You could say we were barely apart of the Crown City. As long as I could remember I would walk by the gates of the Citadel and dream of one day being one of those Crownguards folk…protecting the king and fighting the good fight in the war. Once I graduated high school I immediately signed up as a new recruit. Your grandparents weren't too happy with my decision…what with us being in an active war with the Niff's and all, but I was determined. It was there I first met Clarus, he was helpin' out with training new recruits and lets just say we had an understanding. As my training progressed I was sent out on several missions…including a few with the Marshall…although he wasn't immortal then, just a young spit fire. Eventually I was inducted in as a Crownsguard, mainly staying within the city but occasionally going out to the Lucian outer lands when called for. Eventually I got word that they were to send the King…then Prince Regis and his entourage to Altissia in order to try and strengthen an alliance with them. Before they left Clarus came to me and divulged to me that there was word there may be a spy within the guard. He asked me to keep a look out and report anything suspicious. As time went on rumors spread, especially among the younger recruits. When the prince returned and it was announced that the wall would be pulled back, it was found that many strategic plans got into the hands of the enemy. Accusations flew within the guard as to who spilled the beans. Things were said, and being one of the few who knew of the mission with the prince and his retinue, I was called in to be questioned by the council, the ruling body of Insomnia. After their questioning they put me in a holding cell with others who were also accused." Frank explained.
"Dad…" Peri said in shock.
Frank smiled "It's amazing I remember all this…with it being almost forty years ago. When all was said and done I had been accused of letting out classified information. It wasn't true of course…I knew how to keep a secret. Normally a conviction like that not only would have kicked me out of the Crownsguard but I could have been sentenced to life or exiled from Lucis all together. But Clarus knew it was a set up…he knew I was wrongly accused so he worked out a deal for me, I would get off with just being discharged from my Crownsguard duties. Knowing it was my only option I accepted and moved on. I ain't gonna lie though Peri girl I was hurt, I worked so hard to make it that far only to have it ripped away in a matter of days. So I decided my time in the Crown City had come to an end, I packed up and moved out to Leide and joined up with the hunters…and well, you know the rest. I always appreciated what Clarus did though…he put his neck on the line for me when he didn't have to just so I wouldn't loose everything and I have always been thankful for it."
"Did you ever find out who framed you?" Peri asked curiously.
Frank shook his head "No but I had my suspicions…a young recruit named Titus Dratous. He was always in the the most opportune of places, always trying to get himself in on my missions, always in the room when I was talkin' to Clarus, Cor or Regis. Took my spot once I left and heard he ended up heading up a new organization called the Kingsglaive."
"The…Kingsglaive…" Peri gulped nervously.
"Yep, but I am sure you know more about them than I do…" Frank acknowledged.
Peri nodded before biting her lip nervously "So…how did Clarus have such a sway to the council?"
Frank smirked "He was the shield to the prince…his word held great weight with those old geezers. But deep down they knew too…they just needed a scapegoat to defend their decision to scale back the wall and their loosing position with Nifelheim. It was bull shit but I've had time to come to terms with it. Someone had to take the fall."
"Daddy…" Peri said reluctantly.
"It's alright Peri girl…I'm glad I could share this will you finally. But if you want to know more about Gladio and his family I suggest you ask 'em." Frank said patting her knee.
Peri sighed as she rolled her eyes "Ok daddy."
Frank chuckled as he leaned over and gave her a kiss on the temple "Always lookin' out for you kid."
"Did you….ever think about going back to Insomnia?" Peri asked suddenly.
Frank hummed for a moment before responding "Nah not really, 'specially after I met yer mom. Plus not long after yer grandparents left the city too, moved to Gladin Quay for retirement so I had no reason to move back."
Peri smiled "I wish I met them."
"I know Peri girl me too. Now if I were you I'd hurry up and get ready or you'll be late." Frank said urging his daughter on.
Peri jumped as she noticed the time and raced around the room to get ready as Frank looked on and laughed at his eldest daughters franticness.
"Some things will never change…" he said as he got up from his seat on her bed and made his way out.
About half way through her shift the evacuation alarm sounded throughout the plant. The only time Holly ever sounded that alarm was when there was a daemon infestation.
Everyone daemons have been detected in sector six…please proceed to the service elevator and evacuate immediately!
Holly's voice boomed over the speakers as the other workers made their way towards the service elevator. Peri sighed as she turned the other way and made her way towards the storage locker that held her sword.
Hey Lorenzi….think you're up to it? Holly said over the radio.
"Of course…when am I ever not?" She said as she grabbed her sword.
Good….listen, I know you said you could handle things on your own but…Holly began but Peri cut her off.
"You sent me in backup…right?" Peri said with a defeated sigh.
Yeah…these bastards keep getting stronger every time. Holly said as Peri entered the sector.
Peri looked over as she saw her 'partner' standing over by the freight elevator. They gave her a small waive as they both entered together. Peri couldn't help feel like she may have met this person before.
"Come on the faster we get rid of these guys the better it is for the plant and the city." the feminine voice said.
Peri nodded as she followed her back up right into the the congregating demons near one of the active through lines.
"Shit…if they cut off the main supply…" Peri said as she got her sword ready.
"Exactly….ready?" her partner said as they produced a a large lance and got into fighting stance.
Peri nodded slightly as the two began their decent on their targets, noticing how confidently the hunter next to her was handling the daemons.
"Doing ok there partner?" the voice said.
Peri smirked to herself under her suit "I can do this in my sleep."
"Well don't fall asleep on me yet because here comes the second wave!" the hunter next to her said as she quickly launched herself into the on coming daemon herd.
Peri quickly turned her attention to where her partner went and quickly followed suit, slicing and dicing her way through the daemon hoard. Eventually the pair finished off the last of the daemons and the two made their way back to the entrance of the power plant.
"You know you're pretty good…" Peri said as she took off her suit helmet.
"Thanks…I guess you could say I've had some practice." the hunter next to her said as they met up with Holly at the entrance.
"Well, well you two were quite the pair. Finished off those daemons in record time." Holly said with a proud smile.
Peri rolled her eyes "You know I can handle it."
Holly smirked back at her "Yeah, yeah I know Lorenzi…but sometimes it's good to let others have a little fun sometimes."
Peri looked over to see her partner slowly remove her helmet revealing their long wavy red hair that fell down to her shoulder blades. Her eyes went wide as she realized who her partner was.
"And I appreciate the practice." the hunter said as she finally revealed herself, giving Peri a knowing smile.
"Juliet…" Peri said in shock.
"In the flesh…partner." Juliet said with a smirk as she removed the rest of her protective suit.
"So you two know each other?" Holly said pointing between the two.
Juliet shrugged "Something like that. We met one day at the market. She helped me get my groceries back to my flat. You got a good one here Holl."
"Oh I know I do. What do you say you take off early? Astrals know you deserve it." Holly suggested.
Juliet turned to her with a friendly smile "Hey if you aren't busy maybe we could grab a coffee or something. I still have my sitter for another hour or so…"
"Uh…well…" Peri said hesitating.
"Oh come on Lorenzi…go before I have to start writing personal time into your contract." Holly said pushing her towards he red head.
"Holly we both know I don't have a contract…." Peri said with a heavy sigh.
"Exactly now go have fun kiddo, we can take it from here." Holly said waiving the two off.
Juliet waved back before turning to her companion "Hey I get it. With the darkness, it's all hands on deck to keep this place running relatively chaos free. But one thing I've learned these last seven or so years is even in an apocalypse you have to let loose sometimes."
Peri gave a small laugh as they continued walking "I guess I can't argue with that…."
Soon they arrived at a small cafe near Patella market, one that Peri herself hadn't been too since before the darkness. As they ordered their beverages of choice Peri went to pull out her wallet before Juliet stopped her.
"Don't worry about it, my treat." the young woman said with a smile.
"No, at least let me pay for myself…you have a baby at home…" Peri said declining.
Juliet placed her hand on the woman's wallet and pushed back "Trust me, we are doing fine…"
Peri reluctantly pulled away and let the other woman pay. Normally she would backed off sooner but in a world like they are living in today Gil was hard to come by and most residents trade goods and services instead of currency. Even her father accepts non-traditional forms of payments at the bar.
"Here yah go, one mint tea." Juliet said with a smile. Peri nodded as she took the drink and sat down on one of the near by benches.
Juliet was the first one to speak "So, you are pretty badass with a sword. It's nice to meet another female who can kick ass and take names."
"Thanks I guess…." Peri said as she sipped her drink.
"No really, you're great! I'm surprised you're not in the Glaive or at least hunting. I heard you and Gladio have been getting to know each other recently. Don't be surprised if he tries to convince you to join up." Juliet rambled on.
"He knows that won't ever happen." Peri said turning to her
Juliet frowned "Too bad…you're really good you know."
"You're one to talk. I had no idea you knew how to fight." Peri responded as she continued to drink her tea.
Juliet shrugged as she flipped a piece of her long red hair back "Well I am kind of a little late to the game, but I like to think I have gotten pretty good over these last few years."
"So were you in the Crownsguard before the darkness too?" Peri asked, assuming that was how she knew Gladio and the others.
"Mmmm not exactly…well…not officially at least. It's a long story really, but what I can say is I was apart of the Princes retinue after Insomnia's fall. Both Ignis and Gladio helped to train me and after the eternal night I pledged to help keep things in order like the others…well at least until Isabelle came along." Juliet explained.
Peri bit her lip "Oh I see…so you hung up your lance to be a stay at home mom?"
Juliet chuckled "Not exactly….obviously when I got pregnant I had to take a step back. Did a few small hunt jobs here and there around Lestallum, eventually having to step back completely in favor of something less…demanding on my body. So I became the Marshall's paper pusher for awhile."
Peri couldn't help but laugh at the woman's last comment. For a decorated warrior like the immortal she could only imagine how much he hated paperwork.
"But after Izzy was born I began training again as soon as I could, for safety reasons as well as hopefully returning to the field in some capacity. Even Aranea Highwind has taken time out to whip my ass back into shape. Hence why I came here today to help you guys out. I enjoy taking on smaller hunts here and there to keep me in shape until I'm cleared to go back outside the city." Juliet continued.
"You haven't been cleared? Why not? I never would have been able to guess you are fresh off of an almost one year break if you hadn't told me. You're as good..no…better than any senior hunters I knew back in the day." Peri said in shock.
Juliet shrugged "Beats me…you'd have to ask the head of the Crownsguard. He is the only one who can clear me to start taking on missions again."
Peri scoffed "The head of the Crownsguard? I don't know why the Marshall doesn't see that you are more than ready to go kick some daemon ass."
"The Marshall? Oh he is perfectly fine with me returning to my duties…with some restrictions of course." Juliet replied nonchalantly.
"Wait…you just said you need to be cleared by the head of the Crownguard but the Marshall is ok with you coming back?" Peri said confused.
Juliet looked back at the woman in surprise "Cor isn't the head of the Cownsguard…well…at least not anymore…"
"Then who?" Peri replied curiously.
"You mean you don't know? The head and Captain of the Crownsguard is Gladio, at least for the last year now." Juliet replied knowingly.
Peri looked back stunned, no she didn't know that. That is some pretty important information that has conveniently not come up in any of their conversations the last few months.
"I…I see…" Peri said stunned.
Juliet sighed as she finished her drink "I mean I know what he is doing, trying to protect me…trying to protect Izzy. He doesn't want something to happen to me or both me and Iggy leaving Izzy without her parents. But Ignis and I have put a lot of thought into it and came up with a system so that someone was always back here with Izzy and she would never be alone. But Gladio hasn't accepted this proposal. It's really just a matter of waiting it out at this point. I figured if all else fails I can still keep up my skills here behind the walls somehow. Case in point helping you today."
Peri frowned "He shouldn't stop you from duty you know…"
Juliet smiled "It's alright, like I said before, he'll come around. Besides, this is nothing compared to how he was when Iris told him she wanted to start hunting."
"Oh?" Peri said even more concerned.
Juliet gave a small laugh "When she told him he wouldn't talk to her for days. It wasn't until he saw her training with the Marshall one day that he saw how determined she was to help others and finally gave her his blessing. Like I said…I am sure he will come around eventually and his heart is in a good place." Juliet explained.
"Yeah…I guess…." Peri said reluctantly as she twirled the end of her long brown hair.
At that moment Juliet glanced down at her watch and quickly finished off her tea "Crap…I hate to cut this short but I gotta go back home. We should get together soon."
Peri gave her a small smile as she stood up to leave as well "Yeah…yeah I think I would like that."
Juliet smiled once more before giving her a small waive "Till next time then."
Peri nodded as she watched the young woman scurry away. As Juliet faded into the crowd Peri sighed with a frown as she thought about their conversation.
All this time he was the captain of the crownsguard. Why would he keep that from me? We definitely talked about his position before. Why would he keep Juliet from fighting and whatever her duty is to the crown?
Peri grabbed her empty container and threw it away as she made her way towards the tavern. She noticed a lot of hunters out and about tonight, the place must be packed.
As she walked she couldn't take her mind off of it. What else was he not sharing? All this time she thought she knew him but she didn't know anything about him. She was certain of one thing, she hated being out of the loop.
As if on queue she felt herself hit something hard, knocking her back a few paces and throwing off her balance.
"Whoa…careful there. Don't need Lestallum's best engineer out of commission." she heard a deep voice chuckle.
Peri's eye's traveled up slowly as she realized who she just ran into. It was like the Astral's enjoyed playing jokes on her, there right in front of her she literally ran into the man occupying her thoughts.
"Gladio…" she said stunned as she looked up into his amber eyes.
Gladio gave her a cheeky grin "In the flesh. I was just on my way to surprise you at the power plant and see if Holly would be willing to let you off early but it looks like she read my mind."
Peri, still stunned, barely answered back "You're….back…"
"Yeah, things finally settled down at Hammerhead and I was able to escape back here. I figured we could go get a drink and catch up and…" Gladio explained but Peri cut him off, snapping back to reality.
"Why didn't you tell me you were the captain of the Crownsguard?" she said looking him dead in the eyes with a frown.
Gladio looked back eyes wide at her statement "What…."
Peri took a deep breath and repeated her question "Why didn't you tell me you were the captain of the Crownguard?"
Gladio hesitated for a moment before rubbing the back of his neck nervously "I guess it just never came up…why does that matter anyways?"
Peri balled her fists, angry at his half assed answer "Because it does matter! We have been talking for months, texting back and forth. You know about my job but I know nothing about yours! Am I not good enough to be privy of that?!"
"Whoa hey! Look whose talking, you need to look at yourself before throwing accusations out like that!" Gladio fired back.
"And why won't you let Juliet start hunting aging?!" Peri yelled back angrily.
"Juliet? Is that what this is all about? You know nothing about her situation and…" Gladio started again but Peri stopped him.
"I know enough! And she said that she had a duty to fulfil and you were stopping her! Peri continued to yell.
Gladio frowned "It's not just as simple as that Peri."
"It is. You have no right stopping someone like that." Peri continued.
"Oh? And what makes you think you are the moral authority on this kind of shit?" Gladio barked back.
Peri glared back "What are you talking about?"
"Please Peri, you were a hunter and now you're hiding out in the power plant." Gladio said looking her dead in the eye.
Peri's eyes widened in shock at his statement to her "What?! That's what you think?! Take that back right now!"
Gladio folded his arms with a huff "Tell me I'm wrong then."
"It's not why I stopped! You have no idea…" Peri growled back.
"Then why?! I figured by now you would have stop hiding it and felt comfortable enough to share it with me!" Gladio yelled back, frustrated with her instance on remaining closed off to him.
Peri sighed "We barely know each other…"
"Because you refuse to open up to me! I have been pretty honest with you, sharing information with you yet you constantly close off yourself to me. So what if I didn't tell you I was captain? Would that have changed your opinion of me because it sure seems like it?! It's like nothing I do is good enough for you! Frankly Peri I am getting sick of it." Gladio fired back.
Taken back by his statement Peri shook her head and laughed to herself "Why am I even surprised. I thought you were different but you're just like all the rest. You know what? Goodbye Gladio I'm done."
Gladio growled as he watched her walk away "So you're just going to give up and walk away? You're just running Peri Lorenzi!"
Peri shook her head, ignoring his comment as she rounded the corner of the building at the end of the street. Out of sight she took a breath out that she hadn't realized she had been holding. That was something she was not expecting to happen. She leaned against the wall in the small alley way as she looked up to the darken sky. It was only then she began to feel the wetness that had begun to fall from her eyes.
