The end of their last day at the cabin was winding down. Ignis and Gladio had woken up in each other's arms. Warm and pleasant until they tried to move and realized that the massage oil gets a bit sticky if left unattended.

And there was a lot of it after all.

After some shuffling and tossing the sheets into the washing machine they'd shared a shower again. This time the light scrubs had turned into light kisses, then fondling. Under the shower head they'd stroked each other to completion.

Gladio suggested they try for another full event, but Ignis suggested that he still needed to recover a bit after their first session. Especially if they were going to be in the car all day. Gladio sighed, but admitted defeat in the face of logic and they finished their actual shower before getting dressed.

Snow finally melted to a decent level the two of them went out for a walk around the property in the bright, late-morning light. They repeated Gladio's initial path from their first night there and the shield recanted what he could remember. They even found a few remaining turkey feathers and what was left of the havocfang pack. From the looks of it something had been eating one of them. Something that left pawprints the size of dinner plates in the hard-packed snow.

After seeing that Ignis and Gladio gave each other a meaningful look before walking quickly back to the safety of the cabin. Hey hadn't packed enough potions to take on whatever was making a snack out of Gladio's assailants.

The rest of the day passed fairly lazily and by late afternoon the sun was already starting to dip below the horizon once more. They'd turned on the television again and Ignis had settled on some historical special about kings past. Gladio finished the book "Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck" and placed it down on the coffee table as Ignis lounged, his back into his chest. The position was cutting off the circulation to Gladio's leg slightly, but the gains outweighed the faults as he ran his fingers through Ignis' bangs.

Some random historical photo on the television reminded Gladio of the journal he'd been reading earlier that week. He reached behind him into the couch cushion where he'd stashed it and found it. The page was still marked where he'd left off reading.

Surprisingly the book spoke little of Alphonse's family and more about his actual time in the cabin. Gladio thought it a bit odd, but an entertaining read none the less.

'Thank the Six the new generator is installed. We had a few precarious nights there while the new one was going in. Thankfully there seem to be plenty of easier pray in the area for the beasts that roam these woods than a few stubborn pioneers.

Jerald broke his leg last night though trying to move the generator down the stairs. So, Richard will have to take him back to Lestallum in the morning. He'll be back in a few days to get Ven and I.

I feel much better knowing the new generator's up and don't mind spending a few nights with an old friend while we wait. It's been a while since we had some one-on-one time and we've many things to catch up on.'

Gladio switched to the next page. Dated two days later.

'I write this as a confession, knowing full well that my wife, Elaria, might come upon it. But she hasn't come down to the cabin in years. Not since the boys were born, so I feel my written words might be safe. Even if nobody reads this, I need to let it out.

I'm in love with Ven.'

Gladio paused and re-read the previous page to make sure he'd read correctly.

'I've suspected he's felt the same for some time, but we've never had the opportunity to express it. This sort of behavior is frowned upon in the cities, especiallyto a married man, but… I can not help it. He was at my side and believed in this ridiculous endeavor long before I swayed Elaria to my cause. Before we found this plot of land. Before we pooled our Gil to buy it. Before everything. He's always been there and when we finally had some time alone… he expressed it.

I was shocked at first, but not entirely. I really must have known it for years, but I was afraid to admit it to anyone. Even myself.

He kissed me out of the blue when we were repairing a hole in the siding of the cabin and it avalanched from there. We started this trip as two men, but last night we became one. While my heart is pained deeply for the betrayal of Elaria and my sons this… this is real.

I know that we can not expose ourselves to the world. Perhaps not even to Richard and Jerald. It would ruin our reputation… No, let me be frank. I don't much care for myreputation, but that of my family… I would not bring shame upon them for my weakness.

However, when Ven and I are here, at the cabin, we are but men.

And be damned what the beasts outside these walls hear.'

A faded, blurry photo slipped from the pages. The face was a bit older, but Gladio recognized it as the dark haired young man from earlier in the journal. He was sleeping peacefully and sprawled out on one of the beds in the cabin. The blankets covered him from the waist down but his hair indicated a night of activity despite his blissful expression. Gladio supposed it might be considered risqué 60 years ago. He flipped it over, but there was nothing written other than the year it was taken. He tucked it back into the journal and laid it on the table.

Looking down at Ignis he ran his fingers through his mousy brown-blonde hair. He looked awake, but content and peaceful. "Noctis was wrong," he said.

Ignis took a deep breath, seeming to creep closer to consciousness. "Hmmm? How's that?"

"You do know how to relax."

Ignis mused and leaned his head further back into Gladio's chest. "It has been known to happen on rare occasion."

"Apparently all it takes is being locked away for a few days and a couple orgasms."

Ignis sighed, "So it would seem."

There was a long, peaceful silence between them before Gladio decided to say, "So, who's this 'Ven' character?"

"Ven," Ignis repeated. "Why do I know that name?" He tilted his head and saw his grandfather's journal on the coffee table. "Oh… that Ven. What about him?"

"You didn't, by chance, lure me here under false pretenses. Did you?"

Ignis sighed heavily. He'd been caught. "I would be lying if I said I wasn't trying to get you alone. It's always so egregiously busy at the Citadel and Insomnia is full of crowds and prying eyes. I honestly just wanted to get to know you better outside of work, and… well it appears I've succeeded well beyond my expectations."

"I'll say."

Ignis crossed his arms, but didn't upright himself from the shields chest. "I must admit I did take some slight inspiration from the journal. And I didn't lie when I said my uncle and the others were busy elsewhere."

"Okay, but what about the BS story about taking me hunting?"

"There are plenty of game to be hunted in the area."

"True, but I suspect that if actually caught anything you might be a bit squeamish about the field dressing process. Have you ever even been hunting before?"

"Well no… but I was hoping to learn. I've butchered animals in the kitchen before so I assumed it wouldn't be terribly different. I needed to learn it anyway if we ever planned on spending time away from Insomnia with His Highness in the future. Hunting isn't exactly a skill one learns within the confines of the walls." He tipped his head up toward Gladio, green eyes met amber. "Besides, even if we didn't get any real hunting in, it seems to be an educational experience regardless."

"Well I can't argue that logic."

There was a pause, then Ignis said. "I'm fairly certain there's another hunting season in late autumn."

"Is that an invitation?" Gladio said, raising an eyebrow.

"If you'll accept it."

"It's a date. But let's check the weather a bit better next time. Deal?"

"Certainly."

Following a restful night sleep and a half a day of driving, Gladio and Ignis sat at the bus stop just inside Insomnia's entrance. Gladio checked his phone for the time and yawned. Driving for that long took it out of him.

"You're in charge of driving next time, Iggs."

"Very well. Keep in mind His Highness has been learning quite well. Should we go on the road together I might be inclined to let him take the wheel for a spell."

Gladio grimaced. "Fine, but I think I'll stay in the back seat. Ya know, for safety."

"Ye of little faith. I'm the one teaching him to drive, mind you."

"Oh I'm not questioning your skills as a teacher. Believe me."

As they quibbled an oversized bus appeared at the south gate and approached.

"Ah, speak of the devil." Ignis said.

The large vehicle rolled to a stop and engaged its brakes with an audible hiss before the doors opened and the passengers disembarked. The first two dozen passenger were various other crown citizens, roughly Noct and Prompto's age. Many looking intensely sunburnt and hungover. Finally they saw the familiar faces of Crowe, Libertus, and Pelna before Noctis and Prompto stepped off. Gladio took Libertus' arm in a firm grip. "Thanks for keeping an eye on the kiddo's for the long weekend. They didn't wear you down too hard, did they?"

Libertus tilted his head. "Eh, not too bad. Especially when we caved and let them cut loose a bit. They'll have a headache for a bit and maybe a bit of sun burn, but nothing some time and plenty of liquids won't cure."

Ignis nodded to the three of them as they grabbed their bags and headed to their parked car. Gladio was taking the Prince and his friend the rest of the way in the truck. "Thank you for your efforts," said Ignis as the Glaives departed.

Now that the two younger men had retrieved their bags the advisor and shield were able to give them a thorough once over. They did look a bit worn out, but not nearly as bad as some of the other young adults that practically crawled off the bus. "So, how was the vacation? Do anything exciting?"

Prompto looked like he was blushing, but it was probably more from the sunburn. "Eh, ya know. Beach, babes, a few drinks, lots of photos."

Noctis looked like he'd missed out on his usual naps, but otherwise seemed in high spirits. "Got some good fishing in too. Might have had a bit more fun without the Glaives there though."

"You know the rules." Ignis offered.

Noctis huffed. "Yeah, I know I know. How was your trip. Hard to believe you guys got any snow at all with the weather we had. Do anything fun?"

Gladio crossed his arms. "We found ways to kill time in between snow shoveling."

Prompto perked up. "Gladio, your arm. What happened?"

Gladio glanced down at his bandages. They were probably about ready to come off right about now. "Oh, the usual. Just some havocfangs. No big deal."

The two younger men perked up. "Really? What happened?" asked Prompto eagerly.

"Throw your bags in the back of the truck. I'll tell you on the way to the Citadel."

Ignis and Gladio crawled in the front seat of the cab first while the younger men loaded up their bags. "Hey Iggs."

"Yes?"

"Am I imagining things or are they both covered in hickies?"

Ignis adjusted his glasses. "I did notice that."

"Maybe we weren't the only ones who had some fun on vacation."

Ignis gave a smirk. "Perhaps. But that's their own story to tell."

X~X~X

Indeed Ignis… Indeed it is.

Keep your eye's out for the next Promnis Fic, 'Spring Quay'