After all the thought about what camping could be like, Noct was not expecting it to get off to such a problematic start. As the group of three took their second break from hiking to their camping spot. It was not so much a hot day as it was humid. The air seemed like it was getting caught in the back of the boys throat with every breath.
At least Iris, Gladio's younger sister, was having as much problems keeping up with the older male as Noct was. Otherwise he may start feeling worse about the break. Ignis had dropped them off a few miles away where the woods started and the grassy meadow ended. He would pick them up at the same place on the last day.
Both children were sipping on some water and sitting under a shade tree and chatting as Gladio looked around the trail they were on. Calling it a hiking trail was definitely being generous. With the wild plants and limbs in the path, it would barely qualify as a game trail in the prince's humble opinion. Animal sounds were coming from every direction. Even though he was covered in sweat and forest grime, he could admit he was having some fun.
Gladio was just about an expert when it came to the area they were walking in. He was not exaggerating when he said he did this often. He only brought Iris once a year but came out several times by himself to train a few other times. Gladio also kept a close eye on the two children so as not to set the pace to high. After all, it was the prince's first trip and he wanted it to be a good one.
Gladio never put much thought in the prince's age while training him. After all, Gladio himself decided to start training while he was young as well. The other day when he was talking to the librarian about Noct's reading, an epiphany hit. Yes, Gladio DECIDED to start training young, but did the prince decide as well or was it decided for him. Putting too much thought into that idea was upsetting but Gladio had decided to make this camping trip one that both of them would remember.
The whole trip would probably last about a week. The first and last day was to be spent getting to and from the campground. Iris was telling Noct there was a lake near where they would put up the tent and telling him stories about their previous years to pass the time. Noct was so invested in the stories that he did not even realized when they started walking again.
When Iris finished the story about how Gladio fell into the lake trying to catch dinner "you should have seen his face" she giggled. Gladio began chiming in as well. He told them about the plants and wildlife in the area. About what animals and plants to avoid because of poison and venom. He was getting into full blown teacher mode as he described more things as they went deeper.
They arrived at their spot in the early afternoon, sweaty but happy to have made such great time. "Alright you two, we'll grab a quick bite to eat before we begin setting up" Gladio announced. Tired but excited, they sat down and Noct questioned "so what do we need to do after we eat". Iris just giggled at the serious expression on the young man's face while Gladio thought of what they can do.
"I can get started setting up the tent while you two can begin cleaning up the clearing" Gladio decided, looking around at how many rocks and tree limbs had gotten into the campground. He and Iris had cleared it the year before but looks like it needed it again. "You guys can stack the rocks and wood into separate piles so we can use them if we need them" Gladio continued.
"What would we use them for" Noct questioned further. Gladio let Iris answer this question, "for the firepit later tonight and so we don't have to gather as much". Noct's eyes lit up in understanding as the three finished the sandwiches Ignis had packed that morning. Iris began chattering away at the boy as they carried out their assigned task.
Noct was not sure exactly how to respond to Iris. She was his age but she was so odd compared to the people that normally surrounded the prince. For starters she talked a lot more and she did not seem to pay attention to what she was saying. Some of the things she said could be seen as insults and sometimes she did not speak clearly or finish her sentences.
Noct kept looking at Gladio when they started hiking, expecting him to correct he but all he did was add comments of his own. About halfway through the hike, Noct figured that was just how girls were and decided not to worry too much about it. Besides it was kinda fun listening to her compare rocks and sticks to shapes that she sees. She even pulled a few out explaining "These will make perfect weapons later".
They did not look like much more then sticks to Noct but he did not think it would be wise to correct to girl. Gladio's task did not look like it was going as smoothly to Noct. "Is he ok" he asked Iris as her brother cursed another rod he was holding. She just giggled again, girls do that a lot he guessed, "he does this every year and can never remember how to put the tent up".
Noct noticed both siblings looking at him oddly when they thought he was not looking. He did not think he was doing anything odd though. He was working very diligently on the task he was given. Iris finally addressed her and her brother concern "you sure don't talk much do you, prince". Noct gave a hmmm in response and continued the task, not sure if they wanted him to answer or not.
It felt weird to say the least. When he was at the palace, everything was routine. He had a set time to eat, learn, train, and even some relaxation time. Beyond his tutors and staff at the palace, there was not much socializing so he did not feel the need to talk so much. When he did spend time with his father, it was mostly silent then as well. Both of them were so busy during the day that these silent moments were heaven for the two royals.
Did the brother/sister combo want him to talk more? Guess there was one way to find out "does it bother you that I don't talk much?" The reply was quick from girl "N-no!" she stuttered "you can do w-what you w-ant b-b-but..." Gladio continued his sisters thought "you don't have to worry about the way you talk out here" he began thoughtfully "neither the trees nor us care about all that princly proper stuff."
Noct looked at him in confusion so Gladio stated a little more bluntly "Out here it does not matter that you are a prince, so you might as well relax a little". Noct pondered this thought a minute and then his shoulders relaxed just a touch. A little sarcastically, as if tasting the words for the first time "then would you like some help, I don't want to sleep on the ground tonight."
Gladio and Iris both looked at Noct a second to long. Noct began to look away and mumble an apology about his rudeness but before he could, Gladio booming laugh rang out in the clearing. The birds in the nearby tree took flight and so nearly did the prince of the nation. He felt his body jerk as if to run and his eyes found Gladio's again.
"That's perfect" Gladio laughed "just what we need to lighten this trip up. I knew I was a genius". It became more difficult to set up the poles with two of the three laughing uncontrollably. Every time they would get close to stopping, they would look at Noct and start laughing again.
Flushing red each time, Noct had no clue why they kept laughing but Gladio's words felt warm to him. They made him feel included and not like Gladio was forced to take him. He knew it was a childish concern he never voiced but it still bothered him. With his father as the king, sometimes it's hard to decide if people were being friendly with him or being friendly because of who his father is.
Just when they were finishing up, a miracle happened. Some would also consider it a disaster. As Gladio was setting the last pole, he looked again at the prince and began laughing. The pole slipped from his hand and bumped the support they had already set up. Trying to catch the pole, Gladio was just standing there, pole in hand, staring bewildered at the mess that was where they were going to sleep.
A bell like sound snapped him out of his spiraling thoughts and caused both siblings to stare. The royal was on the other side of the tent when it fell, so he got a full view of Gladio's face. He finally cracked and began laughing. Gladio did not think in all the time he knew him he ever heard him laugh and certainly never like this.
He actually sounded exactly like he was, a young boy. That started them all up again. Eventually they did manage to get the tent up but by then it was starting to get late. They rushed to get their supplies in the tent and their food cooler tied in the tree. "to keep the bears out of it" Gladio explained to two skeptical faces.
It was a warm night and they were all ready to collapse. Gladio as the responsible adult decided it was time for bed. They would work on the fire pit tomorrow and they still had enough food for a quick dinner, bless Ignis and his foresight. Both kids passed out the moment they hit their sleeping bags. Noct did not even have time to think about what had happened during the day. He had never felt so tired and content.
Gladio did a quick perimeter check to make sure the monsters were not close by and then went to the shared tent. It was decided the three would share a tent for protection. The kids were to young to be without supervision and even though precautions were taken so the prince could be out here, anything could happen.
A quick call to the palace to comfort the worried king and retainer was all it took to put everyone at ease. Gladio did apologize that Noct would not be able to talk with Ignis himself but everyone understood. After assurances were finished, Gladio went to tuck in his sleeping bag for the night. With little thought to tomorrow's activities, Gladio allowed sleep to claim him.