When compared to how fun the morning was for Noct the evening was a little anticlimactic. When they returned to camp, breakfast/lunch in hand, Gladio showed the kids how to set up a fire. Iris had done this a few times so she showed Noct how to pile the rocks in a circle that was just the right size for a cooking fire. It was still fun but hard to pay attention with the adrenaline still coursing in his veins from fishing.
Fishing was something the prince could do all day, every day if he was permitted. It was a little embarrassing how caught up in his activity he got. He could not even tell the others were there until they were right there! He still went pink thinking about it. He loved it but maybe he shouldn't do it again out here.
His stomach turned sour at just the thought of what if it wasn't his fellow campers that had stumbled on him but kidnappers. It would not be the first time someone tried their luck at kidnapping the young prince. They usually bit off more than they could chew and he escaped but that was not the point.
Since Gladio is his teacher, maybe he had some advice. By the time he had made his mental declaration to ask, him and Iris had already set up the camp fire. It was mostly Iris but he helped some. A merry little fire was lit and burning in front of them. Next lesson was how to gut the fish but Noct already knew this.
He did not know if he should say anything though. Noct does not believe he's ever seen Gladio so happy to teach. Maybe he did not like combat as much as he thought he did. Gladio showed them on the one of the smaller ones and Noct got the catch of the day. Gladio said it had something to do with pride or something like that.
Anyway, while Gladio showed Iris, Noct got straight to work scaling and cleaning his fish. Ignis was ok with him fishing on occasion but would not cook it unless it was already prepared for him to do so. Noct could do everything except fillet the fish. He was finished with his before Gladio had finished his explanation to Iris and moved on to the next one.
It did not look like this skill would be one Iris would pursue later. She did not get through the first fish before storming off. Gladio gave a shrug and a comment about blood and finished her task. Noct did not think that completely fair but she did do most of the firepit so he was not going to complain out loud.
Small talk was bound to happen while they worked. Gladio realized quick that the young boy knew what he was doing and moved the conversation on to other topics until he could figure out what was bothering his temporary ward. Never one for patience, he finally asked "So what's bothering your highness today" figuring a small joke you help.
Noct's hands stopped and he chewed his lower lip for a moment. Another habit he would need to break soon. He would not know if he did not ask "maybe I shouldn't fish anymore this trip" he almost whispered. Concerned now because of how the boy loved it "did something happen".
Noct almost exploded with the force of his words "No! b-but it could have. I was completely unaware a-and what if it had not been you guys a-and if something happened to me it might ruin the trip a-and"
"hey calm down" Gladio interrupted the distraught young one. It dawned on him what the problem was and the easiest way to fix it. "Let's Go get some more water to clean these fish" he said simply. Unsure, Noct stood there while Gladio yelled at Iris to stay close to the camp and silently the two walked back to the lake with a couple of buckets.
When they got to the water, Gladio walked over to the side and beckoned Noct to follow. He then pointed at the water. It took Noct a moment to realize he was pointing at their reflections. Noct could barely recognize himself in his new clothes. Let alone the fact he was covered in dirt, grass, and fish guts. "Does that look like a prince to you?" Gladio questioned.
The realization that he was being silly hit as Gladio explained further "nobody knows where you are right now. Your subjects still think your at home. Even if, and that's a big if, someone came by do you think they would recognize you right now" "probably not" Noct whispered, still engrossed by his reflection.
"Righto" Gladio said as he heaved his bucket in the water. "So your allowed to get lost in the experience and have fun. I take good care of my sister on these trips, so trust me to watch you as well, Okay, your highness." Gladio stated. Both waited by the water until Noct responded. "Okay" he said simply.
With that, they headed back to camp with their water. Noct was more engaged in conversation now that his fears were addressed. Gladio knew better than to brush them off without a good reason and he is the type to face problems head on. When they arrived back to camp, Gladio could already tell that something else was on his charge's mind but it was not as heavy so he decided to wait.
When the fish were finished and Iris had returned because of the smell, the three were waiting patiently for the fire to cook their food. Noct took a deep breath and gathered his courage to ask. "could you guys not call me that while we're here". "Call you what, your highness?" Iris asked but Gladio had an idea. "That" Noct pointed to her "your highness or prince or anything like that."
He did not like that he was the one intruding and they were treating him with such respect. He also was not going to admit it but he was having a lot of fun. He did not want the reminder of what he was going home to. Now he knew his place was to eventually become the king. He was not ashamed of this fact but it did get in the way of making friends or doing things like this.
Noct would always question who he could trust and if people just liked him for the crown. Understanding why, Gladio agreed to Noct's request immediately. Not understanding but still wanting to please her prince, Iris did the same. The food was cooked to perfection and the trio finally ate. A pressure lifted of Noct he did not even know was lifted.
He felt so light and the siblings continued to include him in their joking. After eating, They finished setting up camp and Iris took Noct into the surrounding woods. She showed him some really pretty spots near camp and the best spots to hide in. By the time they returned, they were both laughing and running back. Red faced, they caught their breath and saw Gladio lying down in a hammock near the wood line.
The remainder of the day was spent like this and they had the left over fish for dinner. Not long after the sun went down. Gladio took Noct off to the side and asked if he wanted to talk with Ignis before bed. A little stiffly, Noct told him about his day and rejoined Iris by the fire while Gladio finished giving his report.
Not long after that, both children were just about asleep by the fire. All three went to bed full of fish that night.