It's a couple of days later and Prompto was deep in thought contemplating the twists and turns life could take in a moments notice. Well, deep in thought for him, anyway. Currently he was kind of just staring off into space while they walked, occasionally complaining about the desert heat and chattering aimlessly whenever he got too bored. But he couldn't be bothered by that really, not while his head was still spinning from a certain recent development beyond his wildest dreams. And believe him, his dreams got pretty wild. But it was nothing compared to his new reality.
Noctis? Was dating? HIM?
He still chuckled nervously every time the thought it, like, whoa, this was his life now. He didn't even freak out this much when Noct first became his friend. There was a difference between then and now thought; then, he had been psyching himself up for years. This just kind of happened out of nowhere! He never thought in a million years that his crush would be returned.
Prince Noctis.
Prince Noctis.
And every other form of stress on every syllable possible–was dating Prompto!
Honestly, thinking about their interactions in the last couple of days, though, it hadn't changed much. They'd been best friends for years and had a shorthand all their own. Since that first day in high school, Prompto had been stuck to Noctis' side to the point where he'd practically moved in with the guy, abandoning his parents' empty home in favor of more fulfilling company.
Heh. Full-filling company.
Prompto's eyes took on a faraway look as he bit his lip, thinking of their very first kiss, not two days ago. The way Noctis fit against him perfectly, their lips slotting together like lock and key, like it was always meant to be. And apparently they'd both felt that way about each other for ages, according to an exasperated Gladio who wouldn't stop teasing the life out of them both. So much wasted time! But it was hard to regret all the time they spent as best buds when the result was the both of them transitioning into this new facet of their relationship as easily as slipping into a warm bath–familiar, and satisfyingly hot.
Noctis' face, that tiny moan of surprise when Prompto kissed him...yeah, he would remember that for the rest of his life. After the kiss, Noctis had given him this goofy smile that Prompto never quite got the pleasure of seeing before, this sweet spot between his usual awkwardness and a bashful flush that would be burned into his memory for eternity. It made Prompto want to kiss him again. So he did.
Of course it had to come to an end though, the two of them teased mercilessly by the rest of their travel companions. Even Jason, who'd been standoffish at best, opened up and joined in the goading, a little more comfortable after their talk. Prompto couldn't find it in himself to be even slightly annoyed by his friends though, because Noctis' hand slipped into his, firm and sure even as he bemoaned the teasing. And all of Prompto's insecurities, his inferiority complex, and his propensity to take everything too close to heart melted away as even that simple act sent lightning bolts up and down Prompto's spine and a unprecedented heat in his belly.
After all of the depression and angst of the events in Keycatrich, Prompto was practically walking on air.
"Whatcha thinking about?" Noctis asked from his side with dry amusement, and Prompto came back down to earth, realizing he was walking around with this goofy grin on his face. Again.
"Oh, y'know…" Prompto rubbed the back of his neck, lightly skipping over a rock in his path. "Just you."
Immediately, the prince's eyes widened, clearly caught by surprise by Prompto's honest answer. "Uh."
Prompto laughed and punched Noctis in the arm playfully as the raven stumbled for an answer, the action as familiar as breathing. "Ha! Dude, you should see your face!"
"Shutup," Noctis mumbled, pouting ever so slightly and shoving him back. But then eyes crinkled at the sides as he attempted to hold back his smile.
"Why don't you two just get a room already?" Gladio called from a ways back.
"Good idea," Prompto quipped, tapping his chin in exaggerated thought. "Hey Iggy–"
"No."
Prompto groaned dramatically, whining in the back of his throat. "Buuuuut~"
"We've discussed this, Prompto. We cannot afford our next meal at the moment, let alone two rooms in a hotel."
"Iggyyyyyyy~"
Ignis sighed, running his hand through his hair. "Or another tent."
Tch. No privacy to be had then. Looks like the fun would just have to wait.
That was their current predicament in a nutshell, and one of the reasons they were still trudging around in this godforsaken desert. The Regalia was fixed, sure, but after their impromptu stay at the severely overpriced hotel room at Galdin Quay, the five of them couldn't afford a bag of peanuts, much less fuel. Which meant it was back to bounty hunting for them. They were on the hunt for a few overly aggressive spiracorns at the moment, but so far their prey had remained elusive.
Still, even if Prompto knew all that it wouldn't stop him from doing what he did best; getting as many smiles out of his companions as he could by being as annoying as possible!
Prompto pouted, but Ignis would not be moved no matter how he glistened his eyes. Prompto couldn't hold it for long anyway, a laugh bubbling out of his throat, especially when he caught sight of Noctis, the prince resolutely walking at the front of the group, the red tips of his ears poking out of his hair like tiny brake lights. Prompto couldn't believe how bashful Noctis was being about this whole thing. Sure, he'd kept stoic through the comments and jibes, but his prolific blushing gave him away every time. Which was absurd, because Noctis was hardly a blushing virgin.
The both of them had had their fair share of lovers. At least, they'd talked about sex and shared experiences on occasion over the years. Well, okay, Prompto talked about his experiences and Noctis just more or less listened, only telling of a few vague stories about some nameless retainers when Prompto was lucky enough to get him drunk. And man were those stories something, awkward as sin and positively golden– at least, those few details he could get out of his friend. A prince couldn't very well go around sleeping with just anyone, after all, and Noctis was pretty reluctant to talk about it.
Come to think of it, he'd been a blushing mess then too.
Prompto shook his head with a grin before he could get too deep in imagining just how far that blush went, dismissing the thought of past dalliances easily. To distract himself, he spun around and called out to his newest friend. "Hey, Jase! Do you think…?"
Prompto trailed off, smile falling slowly as he realized that Jason was nowhere in sight. Wait, not true. Prompto could see him about fifty paces behind the rest of them, chocolate eyes trained on the ground and steps slow, meandering things. Prompto's heart twinged a little as he saw the expression on the older man's face he'd found more and more familiar the past couple days; black brows drawn together and little wrinkles of worry around his strained lips, shoulders hunched as if awaiting a blow. He looked haunted.
It was the expression that only happened when he was left alone, when he thought no one was looking.
Prompto wasn't sure what brought it on, and didn't know the man well enough to really say, but he could guess. It was no more than what the rest of them had gone through, though; they were all in pretty much the same boat. And yet spirits had lifted greatly for the four Insomnians as they found purpose in their mission and resumed their comfortable camaraderie they'd been maintaining for years. Not so for Jason, it appeared. He still seemed so alone.
But things had gotten better for him, right? The four of them had stopped being suspicious, and little by little, Jason had started to open up to them. Right?
Guiltily, Prompto realized he didn't really know. He'd been pretty caught up in recent events and didn't even ask how Jason was doing. Every time he'd noticed Jason acting off he'd be distracted by Noctis' smile when the prince found another note that Prompto put in the armiger for him (Prompto was delighted about that little discovery), or helping Ignis cook, or running with Gladio, basically falling into the same role he always took. That and Jason was hiding it well, laughing on cue and participating in conversations when spoken to. Which. Wasn't that often, really. In fact, Prompto was the only person who really talked to him.
And he'd been.
Distracted.
Well. Now he felt bad.
Prompto cringed when he remembered how desperately Jason had hugged him when they'd been reunited. Like he'd been his only friend in the whole world, which he kind of had been? Sort of? At least, the only one who hadn't tried to kill him yet?
Okay. Time to fix this. Or at least try. Prompto was good at cheering people up, after all! Maybe he could ask Ignis and Gladio what was up. They'd spent that entire day and night with Jason while the group had been separated, and that made them the ones that have spent the most time with him.
"Hey, Iggy," Prompto said, turning back around and jogging to catch up with Ignis. "Do you have any idea why Jason's looking like that?" He jabbed his thumb over his shoulder and Ignis glanced back.
The brunette pushed his glasses up his nose thoughtfully. "It's hard to say. He's still pretty wary of us, so I doubt he would answer even if we asked."
Prompto winced guiltily. "But, like, have any of us asked?"
Ignis paused. "...No. I suppose not." He tilted his head. "You know, we did have a strange encounter while we were searching for you two. A man with a broken down vehicle." Ignis frowned and Prompto sensed that there was more to it than that, but Ignis didn't elaborate. He shook his head as if ridding himself of a irksome fly before continuing. "Jason seemed to be afraid of him. And then the most peculiar thing happened…" He shook his head again.
"What? What happened then?" Prompto asked, wondering why no one had mentioned this before. Who was Jason afraid of? Wasn't that kind of, he didn't know, important?
"I'm...not certain. My memory seems to be hazy in that respect." A wrinkle appeared between Ignis' brows, eyes narrowing. He blinked, and then it was as if he came out of a daze, hazels sharpening once more. He placed a hand on Prompto's shoulder. "Try talking to Jason. If anyone can find out what's bothering him, it's you."
"Huh? But what about the man with the broken down car? Did you help him?" Something unsettling fell heavy in Prompto's chest at the empty look in Ignis' eyes. He'd seen that look before. It was starting to feel a little off again.
Ignis lifted a brow. "What man?"
Prompto's heart stuttered. "The. Um. Man with the broken down car that you stopped to help," he clarified slowly.
"I don't recall. When did this happen?" And for the life of him, Prompto couldn't find any indication that Ignis could remember the conversation they'd just had at all.
He gulped. Juuust great. Prompto plastered on a smile. "Ahaha, nevermind, musta been someone else who told me that story." He shoved his hands into his pockets to hide the shaking. "Okay, I'll just go see what's up with Jase, h-he seems kind of down."
Prompto made a quick exit, backing away from Ignis like he'd caught fire and ignoring the brunettes concerned look. Soon enough, though, Ignis shrugged it off and resumed following Noctis and Gladio, who'd fallen into step with each other some distance ahead.
Prompto took a deep breath, trying in vain to calm his nerves. Okay. Okay. He bit his lip, hard, suddenly feeling as alone as the time leading up to Jason's arrival, his friends seeming miles away. Again. Why had he thought that everything was back to normal? Something was still messing with his friends and Prompto did not like it.
Prompto dropped back until he drew level with Jason, the man not noticing him at first. For a moment, Prompto just walked beside him, nervous. What if he didn't remember either? What if he knew something important about the mysterious man but his memory was erased too!?
He must have been staring longer than he realized because Jason finally looked up. For a second, all of the worry and fear in Jason's face remained frozen in place, but he arranged his features with marked effort to give Prompto a friendly smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Uh, Hey Prom, what's up?"
Prompto didn't return his smile it and Jason's false cheer faltered. "Who was the man with the broken down car?" he asked seriously. Jason's expression didn't change for a moment and Prompto's anxiety skyrocketed in the few second interim. And then Jason answered.
"They remembered?" Jason asked, disbelief coloring his tone, along with a dash of fruitless hope.
Prompto shook his head rapidly, nerves rising even though he was at least a little relieved that Jason remembered. Once again, it seemed like they were the only two that knew what was going on, and Prompto didn't feel quite so alone. "N-no! I mean, I asked Iggy what happened and all he said was that you guys had a 'strange encounter' and that you were afraid of the guy! And then he, like, blanked out or something and then it was like the conversation never even happened!"
Jason's shoulders dropped, crestfallen. "I was afraid of that." He brushed a black curl from his forehead, swiping a bead of sweat from his tanned brow with a deep sigh. "I tried talking about it with Ignis after we found you guys, but he didn't seem to know what I was talking about either…"
"And Gladio? Does he remember?"
A curious expression came over Jason, a nervous shift that was there and gone before Prompto could quite place it. "Um. I didn't ask. But I doubt it."
Prompto hummed. "Do you think it's the same thing that was messing with them before? I mean, the blank look, the memory problems..."
"No...I don't think so." Jason took a deep breath. "The guy that we ran into...his name is Ardyn Izunia." He paused as if expecting Prompto to know who that was.
"Okaay?"
Jason huffed, "He's the literal boss you guys have to beat." And then he winced.
But Prompto was too shocked to examine that reaction. He stopped dead in his tracks, Jason stumbling to a halt as well. "Wait, what? You ran into the boss already?!" He gasped, looking Jason up and down. "Are you okay? Did he do anything to you? Oh my Gods, does he have crazy evil powers of mind control?! Is that why the guys don't remember stuff?"
Jason just stood there, gaping as Prompto shifted from foot to foot in agitation. "You...you believe me?"
"Well, yeah! You've been right about everything else!" Prompto scoffed. But more importantly! "So like, what does he look like? Does he have a cape? Can he transform into a giant monster? Wait, what's his evil scheme? Is he with Nifelheim or just–Jase? ...Jason?"
Jason stood stock still, a hand covering his eyes and shoulders limp. Prompto couldn't see his expression, but his hand shook ever so slightly.
"Jase? Buddy? Did he hurt you?"
Jason nodded, then shook his head, dropping his hand. Prompto was taken aback by the smile he received, the guard Jason had held without anyone noticing falling apart like so much dry clay. There was slight glimmer at the corner of Jason's dark eyes, but the smile was filled with so much relief that it sent a pang through the blond. "You believe me."
And then Prompto realized just how much it must have been burdening Jason, the thought that no one believed a word he said, or hell, even remembering what happened before their very eyes. Guilt and empathy gnawed at Prompto's throat, knowing exactly how that felt. And there Prompto was, too damn distracted by his newfound happiness to realize Jason'd been struggling. "Hey, I'm–" he started, only for a hand to slap over his face. He blinked, bewildered.
"I swear, if you apologize one more time, I might have to resort to drastic measures." Mischievousness glinted in Prompto's eyes and Jason grimaced, snatching his hand back and rubbing it vigorously on his pants to get rid of the spit all over it. "Ugh! Prom!" But he laughed, swiping at Prompto and missing by a mile.
There! That's what Prompto liked to see. "But seriously. The boss of the game?"
Jason's smile faltered. "I don't want to talk about it…"
Prompto tilted his head in concern, noting the worn cast of Jason's brow, that look from earlier coming back in increments. "Yeah, okay. Whatever you need." He burned with curiosity and not a little bit of worry, but Prompto was already feeling loads better just knowing that someone else was on the same level as him, and Prompto wasn't going crazy. Jason would tell them if there was an immediate threat, so it didn't seem like they were in too much danger. The least he could do was be there for Jason and listen when he was ready to talk.
"I'll tell you guys about it soon, I just…" Jason rolled his shoulders before sighing. He cast his eyes about, looking for a new topic. "So, you and Noctis huh?"
Prompto brightened. "Uh, yeah, haven't you been paying attention?" He chuckled. "But yeah, I don't really believe it either. I mean, who woulda' thought!"
"Is he even allowed to be gay?"
"G-ay? What does that mean?"
It was Jason's turn to stumble in disbelief. "You're. You're kidding right?"
"Um, no?" Prompto rolled the foreign word around in his head, trying to place its odd cadence. Definitely a different language. It didn't sound Lucian at all.
"What, seriously…? Oh, you are serious. Wow. It um. Means someone who prefers the company of men." Jason rubbed the back of his head.
"Prefers…? Oh! Yeah, I don't know if he only likes dudes. I mean, he's had a crush on Luna, like forever. And there was that one girl in high school, whats-her-name." He stuck his tongue out, trying to remember.
"So he's bi?"
"Okay, now I know you're just making words up."
Jason raised his brows, opening his mouth a couple times to say something but only coughing out awkward laughs. "No, I–You know what, nevermind! The reason I ask is because I thought he had to produce an heir! And like, he wasn't allowed to be with a man?" he finished stiltedly, voice rising in pitch.
Prompto wasn't really following, but he could answer that easily enough. "Oh, okay. Yeah, I mean, but there are other ways to produce an heir! It's not like he was only marrying a woman so she could have his kid! That would be pretty sad, don't you think?"
Prompto didn't think he could quite describe the contortions Jason's face went through after that statement, kind of like he'd just gotten hit over the head with a stick or something. Prompto couldn't help but think he was missing something obvious. Or maybe Jason was just weird. Meh. Guy that pretty had to have some flaws. "Uh, anyway. Luna was chosen because of her status as heir to Tennebrie. She does have an older brother, Ravus, who would be heir if he hadn't defected to join Nifelheim." He wrinkled his nose. "I've never met him, but he sounds like a real jerk. I can't imagine King Regis would have agreed to that arrangement. At least Noct actually likes Luna."
But it didn't seem like Jason was really listening anymore. Rude. And here he was, answering his questions so nicely... Prompto waved his hand in front of Jason's face experimentally, just to see if he would break out of that far off look he was sporting. Jason jerked, blinking at Prompto's questioning gaze. "Er. Sorry. Just thinking how drastically different our histories must be." He mumbled something under his breath, almost too low for Prompto to hear, "...explains so much…"
The sound of battle interrupted the question Prompto was going to ask. Ahead–too far ahead, Prompto didn't even realize how far they'd fallen behind–Noctis, Gladio and Ignis faced a half dozen spiracorns, the beasts charging aggressively only to be rebuffed by blade and magic. "Crap! Nice chatting with you Jason, gotta go!" He started forward, only to pause when Jason made to follow. "Aaaah, you might want to stay back. We got this, no big."
Relief flooded Jason's expression as he relaxed back into a walk. "Hwooh. Okay. Yeah, go get'em."
Prompto grinned. "Prepare to be impressed by my awesomeness, hapless civilian," he shouted theatrically before he ran to jump into the fray.
"Lame!" Jason called, and Prompto punctuated his laugh with a bang.
-o0o-
They got the call just as they were finishing gathering their trophies from the spiracorns.
Jason grimaced as he wiped his hands on his jeans, brushing off dried flakes of monster blood and handing over the final horn for the tipster. Noctis took it easily, banishing the piece, seeming unconcerned with the fact that he'd had his hands all over animal carcass.
Eugh. This was why Jason never enjoyed hunting. And the things were freaking huge and the noises they made when Jason dug his knife in...eugh.
Noctis smirked, as if he knew exactly what Jason was thinking about. "Squeamish, huh?"
"Oh, don't even," Gladiolus joked, coming up behind the prince and jabbing him in the back. "The first hunt we went on, you nearly threw up."
"Yeah, but they were bugs."
"Hn. Sure, whatever you say."
A chatter of ringtone chirps interspersed with vibrations interrupted what might have become a full on argument, and Noctis shoved his hand into his pocket, grumbling. With a surely glance and a swipe of his finger, he put it up to his ear. "Cor."
Jason could hear Cor's dry rumble through the speaker, though he couldn't quite make out what he was saying. The other three gathered around, waiting patiently as Noctis listened. "Yeah, we got the second arms...Yeah? Is there a way around–Okay, gotcha. We'll get there as fast as we can." Noctis clicked his teeth in annoyance and raised a brow at his phone, shoving it back into his pocket. "Tch. Abrupt as ever."
"Like you're one to talk, princess."
"Yeah, dude! You hang up on people like it's going out of style!"
"Shadup."
Ignis crossed his arms, pointedly ending the argument. "What did the marshall have to say?"
"Looks like the rode to Lestallum is blocked by imperial troops. Cor's waiting for us at the crossroads."
Gladio frowned."That's not good. Puts a kink in our plans to meet up with Iris."
"Wait, what?" Jason asked, confused. "When did we decide to go to Lestallum?"
Gladio rolled his eyes. "She called while you were moping, baby face." Prompto guffawed, mouthing 'baby face' in disbelief.
"What? I wasn't–will you quit calling me that!" Jason squawked indignantly. With a heaving sigh, Jason let it go, willfully ignoring Prompto and Noctis' snickers. Okay, yeah, he had been kind of lost in thought lately. Can you blame a guy? But he knew they were heading there anyway, so whatever if he missed the decision.
Even if no one asked him his opinion on the matter. Not like they would listen if he provided one anyway.
Gladio raised an eyebrow. "Problem?"
Jason's heart skipped unpleasantly. "Uh, no. No problem." He cut his gaze away. "It's your sister. Of course we're going." Nerves jittered through him beneath Gladio's gaze involuntarily, body preparing for a fight against his will. His shoulders tightened and he winced internally, hoping no one noticed.
The several awkward seconds of silence while he examined a pebble resting on his shoe was thankfully interrupted by Prompto's nervous laughter. "A-haha, well! Better get those horns to the tipster so we can buy fuel! Gotta be able to actually get there, y'know! Let's get going!"
Jason let out a long, silent breath as the four of them moved out. He cursed himself for his reaction harshly, not knowing what the hell had him so jumpy around the larger man, but realizing that he couldn't control it. Gladio didn't have to so much as shift in his direction to get Jason's heart to stutter. And not in the good way. It was maddening, especially when the four of them were doing their best to be friendly.
He knew what it was, had been thinking about it for a while. Gladiolus was the first person to put his hands on Jason with aggression since he came to this world, and Jason's path had been nothing but violence and pain ever since. Now, no matter how justified Gladiolus' aggression was in that moment, every time he nudged or talked to Jason or even looked at him sideways, Jason could only remember that moment.
Jason knew it was dumb. He knew Gladio's character from the game, which had been at least mostly accurate when it came to personality and decision making. Not only that, ever since the ceasefire, Gladio had treated him with nothing but respect–his concern when Jason collapsed, his inclusive (if sometimes lewd) jokes, even listened to him when Jason was telling him Ardyn was dangerous. Even if he didn't remember it later because of Ardyn's meddling, it still meant something to Jason.
He got the feeling that if he tried to tell him about Ardyn again, Gladio would listen.
So why? Why couldn't Jason let it go? Why couldn't he relax around Gladio like he had Noctis and even Ignis, who'd literally put a knife against his throat?
Was it his strength? All of them were stronger than Jason with their abilities.
His size? Jason was around men his size every day in his profession, sparred with them, trained them.
The fact he flirted with him? Again, nothing new. Jason's favorite joint was a gay bar for God's sake! And Gladio hadn't done anything to suggest he would force the issue.
So WHAT?
It wasn't until he tripped badly over his own feet that Jason unclenched his eyes and looked up, realizing he'd been walking blindly. He saw the guys some distance ahead already, bunched together and sending looks back his way. Great, just what he needed, them thinking he was even more nuts. He picked up his pace with a sigh. This was a problem. He couldn't deal with the stress of being afraid of a man he would have to spend who knew how long with, one he'd have to trust if he wanted to get out of this situation alive and try and fix this messed up story.
He needed to deal with this. Soon. Before Lestallum, before Ardyn, hell, before he had a damn breakdown at the wrong moment and got someone killed.
–
Several hours later, the five of them climb onto a haven on weary limbs. They were just on the outskirts of the small town they'd gotten the bounty from, exhausted from a full day of stalking dangerous animals. And fighting them, but Jason got to sit this one out, thankfully. Loathe as Jason was to spend another night in a cramped tent in the freezing desert, he was just grateful they would be able to afford to eat tonight. There was only so many tough desert plants he could eat without getting sick, even if it was cooked by Ignis. And the toast. The motherfucking toast was real.
"Uuuuugh, I'm so hungry," Prompto whined, true to form.
"I'm starving to death," Noctis added unnecessarily, and Jason rolled his eyes. These two really were something. Jason was one to complain on occasion, but he hardly felt it necessary when the two youngest of the group could do enough for the five of them combined.
"Good then, you two can help me buy groceries," Ignis said dryly. Immediate protests flew forth loudly and obnoxiously but Ignis only had to cross his arms and threaten to not cook and it shut them up quickly. "Noct, I need you to come with me to deliver the bounty in any case. Unless you were going to make me carry them?" Ignis raised a brow.
"No, Ignis," Noctis said longsufferingly, as if long accustomed to acquiescing to Ignis. Which, he kind of was, Jason thought with amusement. The amusement fled completely a minute later, however, when Noctis dumped the camping gear on the ground and he, Ignis and Prompto prepared to move out.
Which would leave him alone. With Gladio.
Juuust great.
"Ah, Ignis–" Jason started, only to be steamrolled by Prompto's sudden enthusiasm.
"O-ooh! We need to get something good. I want meat! Meat, Iggy!"
Ignis nodded, and Prompto cheered. Then, "Jason, Gladio. Would you mind staying behind and setting up camp? We may be awhile."
"You got it, Iggy," Gladio answered, and Jason could only watch as the three of them wandered out of camp in the lengthening twilight. For a split second, Prompto turned back, concern coloring his features as if he'd forgotten something important, but Noctis pulled him around and Ignis distracted him with talk. They disappear around the hill.
Jason felt himself tensing again, aware that neither he nor Gladio had moved a muscle yet. He closed his eyes, steadying his nerves. Okay. Okay, he could do this. Gladio was a good guy. He wasn't going to jump him or anything. He took a deep breath and turned around, meeting Gladio head on. Immediately, he could sense by Gladio's stern stare that the man knew exactly what was going through Jason's head. There was a wariness in his golden gaze, a considering look. Jason hadn't gotten anything past Gladio, and that sent a stab of guilt through him, as the man hardly deserved it.
Jason rubbed the back of his head. "Look, I–"
"You want a drink?"
Jason blinked. "Uh. What?"
"I said," Gladio enunciated slowly, smirk growing on his face. "Do you want a drink?" He made a show of looking left and right before pulling out a sparkling bottle of ambre liquid from behind his back.
Jason gaped. "Is that. What I think it is?" Where had he even been hiding that thing? His pants were skintight and the mand didn't even wear a shirt most of the time.
Gladio winked saucily, and Jason almost laughed at the absurdity. "I might have pulled a few strings with the big boss to take care of the kids for a while."
This time Jason did laugh, gasping at the ridiculous image of Ignis holding Prompto and Noctis' hands and taking them to the market.
Gladio bent over and grabbed a couple of plastic shot glasses from his own black duffel before flicking his head to the edge of camp, a friendly smile lighting his hard features. He turned around and sat on the edge, towards the sunset, leaving it up to Jason to decide whether to follow or not.
For several moments, Jason just stood still, contemplating Gladio's broad back against the setting sun. With a plunk, Gladio set the bottle down beside him and it glinted brightly in the orange light, already having poured himself a drink. He lifted one above his shoulder without looking back, clearly for Jason to take.
That decided it. Gladio was trying, and had been for a while, to show Jason he wasn't dangerous. So Jase took a step forward and took the drink, lowering himself onto the edge of the haven and staring out into the sunset. He sniffed at the drink curiously and his mouth immediately watered. It smelled just like Crown Royal. His fucking favorite. He took a small sip and then hummed as the familiar burn slid down his throat, flushing his whole body with warmth. It was a little different from what he was used to, but damn it if it wasn't the best drink he's had in his whole life. So he took the shot, deciding then and there that he was going to let go of his stress, if only for a little bit.
With slow, careful movements, Gladio poured him another shot. A flash of annoyance sparked in Jason at how careful Gladio was being, like Jason was some kind of frightened animal or something, but then had to shake his head at himself. Jason's skittishness was the reason the larger man was acting this way in the first place. Let it go. "You trying to liquor me up, big guy?" Jason joked weakly, sipping at his second drink slowly.
"Hell yeah," Gladio laughed anyway. "How else am I going to get you to loosen up?"
Jason groaned. "That….might take a few more shots."
"Well, the night is young."
"Dunno about that. Once the guys get back, this liquor is going to disappear real quick."
"Tch. You're right about that. Prompto's drinks like a fish for someone his size." Gladio sobered a bit, looking at the countryside seriously. "They aren't coming back tonight. Iggy's getting them a hotel room."
Jason choked on his drink, spluttering. He wasn't sure what he was more alarmed by, the fact that he was stuck with Gladio by himself all night or the fact that he basically just told him that two of the guys he barely knew and had to share a tent with were going to fuck. "Wow," he gasped, trying to hide his own trepidation by pointing out the latter issue. "They're moving kinda quick, aren't they? They just started dating a couple days ago!"
Gladio snorted. "Are you kidding me? They've practically been together since they met! But I wouldn't worry about that. I think Prompto's gunna find it harder than he thought to get that far with Noctis just yet."
Jason cleared his throat roughly, getting rid of the remaining burn in his lungs. "Okay, TMI. I'm not interested in Prompto's sex life."
Gladio smirked, raising a knowing brow. "You sure about that?" Without giving the sputtering, and now flushed, man a moment to respond, he continued. "I asked 'em to stay in town so you and I could talk."
Jason's anxiety spiked a bit. "A-ah. About what?"
Gladiolus gave him a quick glance, long shadows casting his face in stark relief. "I get it, you know? Big, intimidating guy like me gets this a lot." He took a drink, breathing through the burn with a shift of his shoulders. "Some people take one look at me and only see all the ways I can hurt them."
Jason dragged a hand through his hair, grunting in frustration when it tangled. "Look, I don't–it's not–" Jason groaned. "Look, I'm not afraid of you, not really. I know you're not going to jump me or something. I've just. It's been a rough couple weeks." he cringed at that vast understatement. A soft chuckle of agreement from his drinking companion only punctuated the absurdity of it. Jason took another gulp of whiskey and tried again. "I...can't get that first night we met out of my head. It was more–I dunno–real than anything I've ever experienced. And I teach people self defense for a living! All I could think about in that moment was how many different ways I could break you before...well, before you broke me. For the first time in my life I was facing someone who not only could, but would, kill me. Everything since then is just icing on the cake." He stared into his empty shot glass, grimacing at the flood of memories and thankful for the buffer the alcohol was beginning to provide.
Gladiolus held out the bottle and Jason allowed him to pour another drink. With every sip he felt himself relaxing further, slumping against one knee and letting the other dangle over the edge. The sun was disappearing swiftly now, the glowing red orb only a sliver on the horizon. It wouldn't be long before it was too cold to endure without a fire. But Jason couldn't bring himself to care.
Eventually, Gladio began to talk, his low rumble almost soothing to Jason's buzzing mind. "You know, I was practically raised from birth with a sword in my hand. From day one, I knew that someday I would have to fight for the crown, just like every member of my line before me. I knew that I would have to kill in their service." Jason rolled his head to look at Gladio, listening. "I was taught so many ways to break a man, to destroy someone utterly, remorselessly if it meant defending crown and country. But, that's not who I am. All of that was so when the time came, I would be able to protect." He regarded Jason, gold eyes just catching the last of the day's light. "I'm an Amicitia. A shield. You are a part of our group now, Jason, and you'll always be safe with me."
And just like that, the remaining tension in Jason flooded out, leaving him limp and pliant and finally, blessedly, relaxed. Apparently that was all his treacherous body needed to hear to let go of his remaining trepidation. It struck him again just how little he actually knew about those four, every second finding a new depth to their characters than he'd ever considered.
And then with the memories of violence fading into the background, new memories, the ones that Gladio had been layering one after the other, whether intentionally or not, came to light. Safe. Safe like how he felt when Gladio spread his ridiculous wingspan over all of them when they slept, safe like when Gladio stands in front of any danger, taking on the bulk of the fight, or when he sweeps his eyes diligently over the countryside, everwatchful.
And dammit, Jason believed him.
"Gaaaaaaaay," Jason monotoned, cracking a genuine smile. At Gladiolus's blank look he remembered that that wasn't actually a thing here (will the oddities ever cease) and clarified. "If I didn't know any better I'd say you were trying to make me fall for you."
The roguish grin he got in response held an ease that hadn't been there before, and it raised Jase's spirits. "Is it working, baby face?"
Jason guffawed, raising his glass in salute. "Heck yeah, it is! I wanna have your babies now, bro."
"That can be arranged." Gladio leered.
Jason coughed, heat flooding his cheeks and burning his chest. "Ah-ha. Thanks, but I think I'll pass. I'm pretty sure Ignis would kill me."
Gladio shrugged. "I doubt it. Knowing Iggy, he'd probably want to watch."
The out of place man slumped dramatically, feeling distinctly that he wasn't drunk enough for this conversation. "I swear to God, all of you are completely insane." He thought maybe it might be another cultural difference, this whole complete disregard for monogamy thing, but frankly he was afraid to ask. Maybe they were just nuts. He shivered as a cold wind cut through his clothes like they weren't there and Gladio grumbled before heaving himself to his feet.
"Help me out with the tent. I don't think either of us have the energy to stay up any longer anyway."
"Aww," Jason complained, noticing that Gladio had swiped the remaining half bottle of liquor away. "We wasted a good buzz on serious talk." Despite his whining though, Jason felt good. Really good. Relaxed and warm and sleepy and–dare he say it–safe.
And when he was forced to cuddle up with Gladio to stay warm, and the larger man threw an arm across his chest, Jason didn't feel a damn thing other than contentment.
-o0o-
AN:
OMG where do I even start with this chapter? Maybe I can tell you about the ridiculous amount of trouble I went through to find out if they actually had bags of peanuts in FFXV universe (three hours of fruitless research) or maybe about my complete disregard for canon (my complete lack of research, or rather, willful ignorance) so I could make Lucius into the world I want it to be.
Or MAYBE I can talk about how much I'm looking forward to having the characters negotiating about their relationship because I live for reading (and now writing) conversations like that! And there will be so much negotiation. So much.
...and Ardyn's fuckery...Noctis embarrassing past!...Gladio's bad flirting!….the red underwear and Iggy's frying pan–!
I just. Loved writing this chapter. It's setting up so much cool stuff for later that I'm psyched.
UPDATE: I made art for Chapter 16 if you wanna check it out #hack. Now working on that scene where Prompto flips everyone off while kissing Noctis ;) Also, Ignis eating a bag of bbq chips. I dunno what I'm gunna do with it, but it's gunna be good. lynxrider