Chapter 3

"So," the blond started, "We probably need some introductions the more I think about it. What's your name, big guy?"

Gladio let out a huff of air. "First, don't call me 'big guy'. Second. It's Gladio."

"Gladio, got it," the blond nodded with a smile. "Well I'm Prompto! And that's Noctis."

Noctis waved slightly. "And it seems you've already been acquainted with Ignis."

"Yeah I have," Gladio replied. "Quite the charmer too."

Ignis scoffed. "No amount of flattery is going to get you anywhere."

"It was worth a shot at least."

The rest of the walk was met with silence. They headed to the edge of town but turned down an alleyway at the last moment. When reaching the end, Noctis stepped forward and muttered something under his breath. Some of the bricks faded away, and a secret passage was now revealed.

Ignis turned around to glare at Gladio. "I think our guest should go first. That way we can make sure there will be no attacks from behind."

"Me? Attack? You are the one who attacked me first!"

"You stepped over the line!"

"I was saving your ass from those other werewolves!"

"I never asked for your help!"

Prompto was suddenly standing in between the two of them. He held up his hands and shook his head. "Okay whoa, slow down there. We can all talk about this when we get back to the house. But please do not kill each other right now!"

"I'm not the one trying to kill anyone…" Gladio muttered as he crossed his arms.

"I think just to make sure Ignis doesn't get knife happy again, you should go first. We can keep a better eye on him that way," Noctis replied.

"Fine," Gladio replied bluntly, not wanting to let the argument draw out any farther. "I assume it's just a straight path?"

"Yeah, so just keep moving forward," Ignis whispered quietly.

Gladio hummed before he pressed forward, not trying to get too annoyed by the soured attitude that had filtered between all of them. He kept on walking though, trying to keep his mind on other things. Eventually they did come out the other side of the tunnel, and Gladio could see a house surrounded by plenty of trees. It was a good secluded place for vampires to live.

From his side, he saw Noctis move up beside him and then proceed further towards the house. "Okay first things first. We get you inside and tend to that wound. And like I said before, Ignis, you are going to be the one to do it. And no arguing or complaining, you got that?"

Ignis sighed and nodded. "Understood."

The four headed inside, and Gladio took in the sights. Never having been to a vampire's house, this was quite a lot to take in all at once. But it was what he expected with the windows covered in black drapes to block out any sunlight, and a rather old fashioned feel to the layout and furniture.

Gladio turned around once he heard the door close. "So where are we doing this?"

"Kitchen," Noctis answered. "You go and sit down with Ignis and Prompto and I will get the supplies."

"Noct are you sure? Leaving Ignis alone with him again could-"

"We took his knife already," Noctis cut in. "And besides Ignis already agreed to what I told him. You know what would happen if he disobeyed my orders."

"True true," Prompto replied as he went to follow Noctis down the hallway.

Now left alone with Ignis, Gladio moved slowly to the kitchen, his eyes locked on Ignis the entire time. Ignis, though, never said a word and just followed closely until they arrived and he took his own seat at the table.

Gladio decided to sit across from him. "So don't mind me asking, but you take orders from the kid? Unless of course he's the older one."

Ignis sent a quick glare to Gladio before he closed his eyes. His expression loosened, and he let out another sigh. "It is not that. He is the prince of vampires, and I swore loyalty to his clan. Therefore I am under his orders when he chooses to give them."

"Whoa wait a minute, that kid is the prince of vampires? Like the prince?"

"Is there some other prince you've heard of?"

"Nah, I know some history about vampires and the royal family, just not details like their ages or what they look like. Stuff like that."

Ignis huffed. "I wouldn't expect you to know anything about my kind."

"Well I don't see you spouting knowledge about werewolf packs," Gladio grumbly, still sore from the insult that Ignis had given to him before.

Ignis pushed up his shades and leaned back in his chair. "Just like you, I know the very basics. I have actually heard of your last name and…" Ignis held his breath for a moment, letting the silence past by before he exhaled. "I apologize for my choice of words before. Your family name is well known, even to vampires… and they are an honorable pack."

"Thanks…" Gladio replied as he let out a long breath of air.

Gladio mulled over what he wanted to say next, but Noctis and Prompto came back a moment later with a small med kit in hand. Noctis placed it at the table and took a step away. "Okay there are the supplies… now you deal with that… Prom and I will be in the next room playing video games."

Once again the two walked off without another word. Gladio stared until they left the room and then he turned his attention back to Ignis. He saw the man slowly taking out the supplies needed to clean and check the wound.

"So," Gladio started, wanting to not let the air become awkward again. "You ready to take care of this then?"

"It's only a minor wound … Now please, do not squirm. This may sting a little."

Gladio smiled softly. "Well, I think the only one who would squirm here is you."

Ignis's shoulders tensed up. His eye darted away as he let out a sharp breath. "No, I will not. Do not try and insulate such things.

"I'm just thinking of you. Shouldn't I be concerned for you? Isn't the blood setting any of you off?"

"A good vampire is trained to resist the urges from just smelling blood. It doesn't affect me at all."

"If you say so," Gladio replied as he sat up straight. "Go ahead then. But if I can ask, if that kid is the vampire prince, who's the other kid?"

"First of all, do not refer to Noct as 'that kid' and secondly, Prompto is his significant other," Ignis replied simply as he took a step forward. He held a cloth now that had been dipped in the disinfectant. "Now hush, I need my focus."

"Sure sure," Gladio grinned. "Take in all the focus you can get."

Ignis scoffed, rolling his eye before he finally leaned in close. Now his face was much closer to Gladio's, and he could almost feel the heavy exhales from the man. He stayed still though, taking in Ignis's features now that he was close and not in the middle of a fight with him.

Everything about Ignis was beautiful, even the scar hidden under his shades. Sure, Gladio had the thought to question it, but he really didn't want to upset Ignis when he was, once again, face to face with him.

Even with the scar that was hidden under the shades, Gladio found beauty.

"And just what do you think you are staring at?" Ignis huffed as he dapped the cloth against Gladio's forehead.

"What do you think? There's only one good looking sight around for me to look at."

With an exasperated sigh Ignis whipped the cloth onto the table. "You're insufferable."

"Hey, a man's gotta try."

"Even if you know that I completely despise you?"

"You don't even know me. Would you at least give me a chance?" Gladio asked, almost coming close to pleading. Even if Ignis had given him the cold shoulder since the moment they met, he had the feeling there was more to him than that. There was something perhaps kinder underneath the hard outer shell.

"I'm afraid not. I have no interest in getting to know any werewolves," Ignis replied as he went to clean up around Gladio's forehead where some of the blood had dripped.

For a moment the two of them went quiet, with Gladio watching how Ignis looked down at him. He felt a quick tingling sensation as Ignis's fingers traced over his forehead. But the moment didn't last long and Ignis pulled away.

"Not even me?" Gladio replied. "I promise I am not like the others. What happened before… I was only defending my family's name."

"I understand that, but that still won't change my mind."

"What, you think you're too old for me or something?" Gladio laughed, trying his best to lighten up the situation.

Ignis scowled at him before moving back to sit in his chair to close up the medical kit. "I am not that old, thank you very much."

"Well I don't know how vampire ages work, so…" Gladio leaned forward. "Care to indulge me?"

Ignis stared at him before closing his eye. He shook his head, showing that he still seemed to not care all too much about conversation. But for whatever reason he actually gave an answer. "Three hundred and fourteen. Still very young in terms of vampires."

Gladio grinned, stretching his lips into a wide smile. "So you could say that you might be as sweet as pi?"

Ignis choked over nothing, pressing a hand to his face afterwards. "You really don't like to give up do you?"

"I do what I can."

"Well, I am still not giving you a chance," Ignis replied before abruptly getting up from his chair and storming down the hallway.

Now that Gladio was alone he could let out his own series of long sighs. He never could have imagined he would have gotten roped into this. But here he was, at a vampire's house and still having strong feelings towards him. It was the first time he had ever felt so strong to get to know someone, and he wasn't ready to back down. If he could just get to know Ignis more, it would help in the overall view he had. There were still so many questions and thoughts he had, but there was the thought that he wouldn't get any of them based on how Ignis acted towards him.

Gladio sighed as he stood up. "Maybe it is a loss cause after all…"

He turned to head to the door when he heard footsteps behind him. "I wouldn't say it's all lost."

Looking behind, he saw that Noctis was standing there. "Oh? And what makes you say that? He already showed that it was clear he doesn't like me. He said it himself that he despises me.."

"That's just how he is on the outside," Noctis replied as he moved closer. "Ignis he… he's had a rough past. He was around when the tension between werewolves and vampires were much more severe."

"I got that much," Gladio said. "Was it really that bad?"

"You probably have noticed that… uh well you know…" Noctis pointed to his left eye. "Werewolves were the cause of that during one of the many battles. Both the claw marks and the burn."

"Shit… I figured werewolves had some involvement but I never would have guessed… Makes sense why he is so hostile though."

"There's more than that. I know I shouldn't be saying anything, as it is his story, but he's been acting differently ever since he encountered you. Not like how he normally acts around other werewolves."

Gladio crossed his arms. "And is that supposed to be a good thing?"

"I want to hope it is," Noctis stepped closer and lowered his voice. "I only want to see the best for him as he has taken care of me since I was younger. But… how do I begin this?"

Noctis breathed in deeply as he closed his eyes. There was silence between the two of them for only a moment before he spoke again. "Ignis used to have someone else. Someone he loved. But they died in the same battle that cost him his eye. With losing someone he loved, and the cause being werewolves, he hardened himself to be more stubborn than the rest of us."

Now everything was making a whole lot more sense. The cold and harsh attitude whenever he tried to be flirty, it all was connected. Ignis had closed off that side of him most likely when he lost that other person years ago. It was the only way Gladio could see it from what Noctis was saying.

"I see… I had no idea it was something like that. And he still hasn't gotten over it?"

"Ignis is stubborn… it's hard for him to get over something even if it did happen centuries ago. But with you, I think there may be a chance. Help him, please." Nocits placed a hand over his heart, looking at Gladio with a pleading gaze. "I ask you this as his friend. I only want to see him happy again. Like truly happy. He's been suffering with a broken heart for so long. He just needs someone that will care for him."

"Well that all depends on him. You think he really is going to turn around that easily?"

Noctis smirked. "You were the one that was flirting with him, you tell me."

Gladio smirked in return. "You have a point. I'll give it another shot."

"He's out in the back, just follow the hallway and you'll find the door."

Gladio nodded and started to make his way back there when Noctis reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Good luck, don't let his stubborn attitude stop you."

"Oh I won't let that stop me. I got this. Trust me." Gladio gave a thumbs up before he continued walking.

He passed down various doorways, one of which was open, and he caught a glance of Prompto laying on the couch, presumably waiting for Noctis to return. He kept on going through until he reached the end, and to his left he saw that one door led to the outside.

Slowly he opened the door and looked around the backyard patio. He saw Ignis there, his back to the house as he stared out at the nighttime sky. His arms were wrapped around himself as he stood almost perfectly still.

Gladio stepped a bit closer before he made the effort to clear his throat.

Ignis whipped around, and his eyes were wide and glaring again. "What is it with you? Can't you take a hint!?"

"Hey… I just want to talk. Can't we just do that?" Gladio asked as gently as he could.

"Don't know what we would have to talk about? I cleaned your wound and that's all there is to it. I see no reason to talk any further."

"Can a guy just get to know another guy? That's all I'm asking for. No need to be so stubborn about it."

"I'm not stubborn!" Ignis snapped.

"Suuure you aren't," Gladio purred. "Come on, just take a little talk, that's all I am asking."

"I still see no reason to. I have nothing more to say. I gave you my apologies over my actions before, and that was all that was needed."

Gladio stepped forward again. "I still want to get to know you. The you that's hiding under all that cold."

Ignis turned away. "I don't know what you are trying to insinuate. This is who I am, and there's nothing more you need to know."

"I can tell there is more to you. I didn't pay attention to it before, but I can see that you're hurting underneath."

Ignis's shoulders tensed up. For a moment he looked back at Gladio, but soon enough he stepped backwards. "Don't say such things. It's rude to assume that about someone else."

"Ignis…" Gladio started. "You seem like a really nice guy, all I want to do is get to know you. There isn't anything wrong with that."

"I just…" Ignis started, his voice breaking for the first time in all of their conversations. "I can't."

"And why can't you?" Gladio asked.

"I'm not doing this. If Noct put you up to this, just forget all about that. He has no right to pry into my personal feelings."

"He's just being a good friend. It would be good if you saw that," Gladio replied.

Ignis turned away from Gladio, rubbing his hands slowly up and down on his arms. He started to pace slowly but didn't come around close to Gladio. He could already sense the tension in the air coming from Ignis. Somehow, he was managing to break down the wall, and he was getting closer to reaching what could be the real Ignis. He just had to tread carefully and choose his words wisely.

"Ignis, I know how it feels to feel like you couldn't do enough. The regret of loss-"

"How in the bloody hell would you even know about a thing like that?!" Ignis snapped, his eyes furiously swirling with anger and sadness.

"How do you think I got this other scar?" Gladio pointed to the one that was over his eye. "It wasn't from some skilled knife wielding vampire if that's what you are wondering."

It was hard, but he could have sworn he saw Ignis's mouth twitch slightly. There was a smile that almost happened! If that wasn't progress then he didn't know what else was.

"Humans?" Ignis asked after a beat.

Gladio nodded. "Damn hunters had the jump on us, lost my mother in the process, and this is what I have to remember the event."

"I see then… I apologize again for my assumptions."

"It's cool, but you see I understand."

Stepping closer to Ignis he watched carefully as the man came to a stop, actually letting him get near. "You don't have to keep your pain to yourself. I'm here if you want someone to share that pain."

"Why…" Ignis breathed out slowly. He shook his head in disbelief. "I don't understand why you would. I've treated you terribly and been hostile this entire time. I don't know why you want to keep at this."

"Because I was always told to not judge a book by its cover. And I can see you got a pretty thick cover, but I am willing to move past that to see the contents inside."

A small broken sound escaped from Ignis's lips, and Gladio took his chance. He reached out and put an arm around Ignis and pulled him in close. He could feel Ignis shudder initially, but he didn't resist this time. He stayed there against Gladio, trying to not let his breathing become too ragged.

"Thank you…" Ignis whispered, his voice nearly cracking.

"Welcome," Gladio replied gently. "Thanks for giving me a chance."

Ignis nodded without a word and kept on resting against Gladio. The two of them stood there, waiting in the silence until Ignis finally stood back up and wiped at his good eye. "Forgive me for my actions. I don't know what came over me."

"You don't gotta hide it. We all get emotional from time to time. But like I said, I'm here for you."

"Again thank you… Gladio," Ignis replied with the nod of his head. "I have misjudged you… your soul is full of kindness and compassion, something I thought I would never need again in my life.

"It's no problem. I'm glad we had this talk." Gladio then wrapped an arm around Ignis and grinned at him. "So how about I get a piece of that sweet pi?"

Ignis snorted, and now that Gladio was right by him, he could see how red Ignis's cheeks were becoming. But this time he didn't look angered or annoyed, instead he looked as if he was trying not to laugh.

"Insufferable," he said with the slightest smirk. "Completely insufferable."