wow so hi, it's been a few years. a lot of things have happened, but i recently read Terminal State and there were so many things I wanted to say. I can't guarantee I'll be consistent finishing up Athenacia's story over in Twisted By Design (which I still have yet to re read) but I do want to finish it. i want to finish all aspects of it, even these extras that i always think of when i go through the story. i'm oddly proud of her even though her character annoys the shit out of me most times. so essentially when i got time i'll be poking around at these. sorry its so few and far between
In the meantime, this was one of the "What If?" ideas I had. Just a small snippet that floated around in my head when I was writing the main story.
What if Cor had decided not to keep them separate growing up? (ver 1, pt 1)
...
Athenacia sighed, staring out the window of a gorgeous day in the Crown City. Sun high, clear skies, summer breeze, it was absolutely perfect! Seemed like such a waste to be stuck inside and not enjoying it. Head resting in her palm, her thoughts drifted as she noted the Crownsguard doing a training exercise outside. Lucky bastards. Her eye caught one in particular, watching as he looked around and then stood with his arms crossed. The Marshal was leading the class, only six of them but they were meant to be the Prince's personal guard. It was a special job and Athenacia sometimes wondered why Cor insisted that she stay away from it. Surely he would want her to follow in his footsteps, but no, he pushed her into the KIngsglaive. She supposed it was the better choice since she was able to leave the city and explore the outside world. Sighing again, her eyes followed the movements of the men below, specifically one of them still. Despite that she was a Kingsglaive, she still trained with a couple of them, Cor wanting to make sure they all had a well-rounded education.
Whatever thoughts she was drifting into stopped abruptly. A shirt was removed, the 19-year-old male once again showing her how extremely fit he was. The bareback would soon be covered in ink, she just wasn't sure when. In the meantime, Athenacia just stared, trying not to drool. She was so attracted to Gladiolus, much like the rest of the Citadel. It was hard not to be, the man sculpted into perfection. All that training really did well for him and Athenacia had moments where she itched to run her hands over it, to make sure it was real. Almost as if on cue, he looked up and those amber orbs managed to catch her staring at him. He gave a smug smirk, waving at her and she was reminded exactly why she wanted nothing to do with him. She knew that look, had seen it far too many times over the years. Man had an ego on him bigger than the sky and she couldn't stand that arrogance he exuded whenever she was around. She glared at him, pointedly looking back to her open book. What a jerk. She still couldn't focus, glancing over and catching a shine. It was Ignis, his glasses reflecting in the sun as he also looked up at Gladio's prompting. He was saying something to the young advisor and Athenacia scowled at the way he was laughing. Ignis's face remained unchanged as he locked eyes with her before they betrayed an exasperated sigh. Athenacia giggled quietly to herself.
"Miss Virum!"
Athenacia snapped her head back to her Instructor, who had been droning on this entire time about drills.
"I understand that you have the most field experience but you are still required by law to attend, this will be on your exam."
The girl smiled, nodding once and looking at her book. It was just filled with doodles besides medical notes from her internship at the clinic close to her house. Athenacia was very focused on becoming a doctor, already an extraordinary combat medic. But the war would be over one day, and it could definitely use another doctor. Anatomy fascinated her, ever since she was a small child. None of what she was forced to learn even mattered anyway. She wasn't going to be deployed until after the royal ball in the next few weeks, Cor noting that her presence was mandatory. It was mandatory every year, but this year felt different for some reason. Absently her eyes wandered back to Gladiolus, watching as he trained with Ignis. The way the bigger man moved was almost poetic, a skill Athenacia had to learn at a young age, but with much smaller weapons. She was, after all, particularly small. Cor informed her at a young age that she wasn't entirely human and as far as she knew only herself, the Marshal and King Regis knew about her genetic makeup.
"Virum!"
Again, the glaive snapped her head back to the instructor, appalled that she was once again caught looking at fucking Gladiolus. She smiled guiltily and was met with an exasperated sigh. Luckily, the lecture was over and there was nothing more to worry about - or so she thought.
"The Marshal will hear about this!" the instructor called out to her retreating back.
Athenacia cringed at those words but didn't look back, racing as fast as she could back to her locker. She wanted out of this suffocating uniform and to be outside, enjoying such a lovely day. Jean shorts and a fitting band T-shirt was her norm, putting on her shoes and sticking her phone and keys in her pocket. Purses were annoying and she protested them every chance she got. Lacing up her docs, she was ready for the rest of the day off. Immediately she found the elevator in the Citadel for visitors, hoping that she could get away before Cor found her. Everyone knew she was the adopted daughter of the Marshal, and he made sure no one tiptoed around her. Such a hard ass all the time when it came to her and she wished she knew why he hated her so much. They butted heads a lot but she still respected him, grateful he was paying for her to get her medical degree. Putting in her earbuds, she let the music wash over her as she stepped out of the elevator and out into the courtyard training ground where the Crownsguard she was definitely not watching just were. Of course, there was no one there and she knew better than to expect it, however, this was the fastest way to get to the east exit which would take her to the subway and get her where she wanted to go.
What she was not expecting was Gladiolus to be on the other side of the door. She screamed in surprise when he jumped out after she opened it, feeling like she was about to go into cardiac arrest. Athenacia ripped the earbuds out and groaned in frustration once she realized what was happening and swatted at the large man guffawing at not only her anger but the fact that he was able to sneak up on her.
"Gladio you jerk!" she yelled at him.
"Should always keep your guard up," he replied, still laughing.
"I swear to the Six I'm going to kill you one day when you do that."
"You're welcome to try."
Athenacia scoffed, returning her earbuds to their proper place - only to have him snatch one and put it in his ear instead. She glared at him but he ignored her, walking toward the exit she was headed to. As soon he was a few feet in front away he turned to look at her exasperated.
"Well, are we leaving or not? You're too far away for me to hear your shitty J-something music," he said.
The girl huffed, keeping that glare on her face and pushing past him.
"It's J. Flave, and you like her."
Gladio smirked, watching her walk away and noting she made no attempt to get her earbud back. Athenacia was Cor's adopted daughter, and he had known her his entire life - hard not to given how close Cor was to his own father. It seemed odd that the Marshal would take in a stray like that but there was just something about her that the young Shield but couldn't pinpoint. He was relentlessly teasing her, enjoying that she got so mad at him all the time, however, they were also very close. The three of them, Gladio, Athenacia and Ignis, got along well together. They trained together and her skill level was something he only wished he could accomplish one day. She was deadly with that gladius and her chains, avoiding warping. In fact, while training with Noctis she had proven how ineffective his warping really is when she's got a chain or two in him. But she was a glaive, been fighting the war since he was only 11. So young, but she had come far in the near decade that she had been out there and he was always relieved to know she was alive. Her field knowledge really helped shaped the training she did with them and Gladio suspected that was one reason Cor kept them together.
The song playing in one ear was the first one she showed him. While he wasn't overly fond of the artist, he knew that it was Athenacia's favourite and he liked sharing her interests with her. Except for medicine, all that doctor stuff was just not his thing. Ignis was the one she went to during that particular endeavor. Med school and the glaive, how she was juggling both he had no idea. His thoughts were interrupted when the subway they needed finally came, both of them walking in that direction and waiting without saying a word. They didn't need to talk to fill in the gaps, not always.
"When are they sending you back out?" asked Gladio, standing as she sat.
"Sometime after the ball," replied Athenacia, answering her messages.
"Pretty long relief."
She shrugged, "The ball is mandatory or I'm sure I'd be out sooner. A lot of the other glaives don't have to stay, just me."
"You're Cor's kid though, you're kinda stuck doing things the others don't have to."
Athenacia nodded, though it was clear her mind was elsewhere. The two of them rode the subway while conversing about the new maneuvers Cor was conducting to prepare them to go out in the field one day. Ignis and Gladiolus hadn't been out there yet and while she knew that the Shield desperately wanted to, her father insisted there was no need yet since Noctis would not be leaving the protection of the city. Insomnia wasn't really the type of place people wanted to leave anyway. It was perhaps the most advanced and beautiful city in Eos - save for Altissia but she hadn't ventured that far yet. One day she would use one of her relief periods to go as an ordinary citizen regardless of the war, and she knew there would be no way to stop her.
As the train pulled to their desired stop they squeezed past the overcrowding and toward the exit. Gladio was constantly turning around annoyed that he was getting too far away from her in order for the music to continue in his ear - to which Athenacia pointed out that he didn't have to listen. He teased her of course reminding her of just how small she was in comparison, lasting all the way to the noodle shop which was their final destination.
The two of them were well known in there. Gladio frequently dragged not only Athenacia in there after training, but Ignis and the others as well. Primarily though it was just the two of them in their usual booth talking shop. The Shield could never get over how much such a small person could eat and gain virtually nothing. The teasing started as it always did and soon they were joined by Ignis who did not look very impressed as he took the seat beside the Glaive trying desperately to stab the large man beside her with the utensils on the table.
"If you two are quite finished, the itinerary for the ball has been delivered," said Ignis, exasperated as always at their antics.
Athenacia groaned, "It's the same as it always is. Why even bother?"
"If you bothered to read it then you'd notice there have been some changes-"
"None that actually make a difference."
"Of course," Ignis smiled wryly, "Especially the one this year that requires all personnel in attendance to be accompanied."
"What?"
"This some kind of joke?" Gladio narrowed his eyes, grabbing the papers from Ignis.
"I'm afraid not. As this one marks a celebration in history, his Majesty requires the ceremonies of old to be upheld. This, of course, includes the traditional dances of old and as the Crownsguard we must present ourselves with our best foot forward."
"Oh, Crownsguard. So not my problem." the small girl breathed a sigh of relief.
"On the contrary, as you'll be one of the only Glaives in attendance on staff, you must follow our guidelines as well."
Athenacia stared at Ignis in disbelief, stopping the bite she was about to take of her food. The shock of what he said drowned out the sniggering of Gladio beside her as she nearly tore the document from his hands, searching for any error that would save her. Narrowing those hazel hues, the gears in her head already were turning. She absolutely was not going to be dancing. No way. Cor can push her to do a lot of things but this was a line she wasn't going to let him cross.
"Looks like you're gonna need a date Iggy," Gladio smirked, looking over the sheet again now that the girl beside him was seething.
Ignis sighed, "I'm sure I can just arrange to have someone to accompany me on the dance floor. I presume the rest of the night is business as usual."
He meant guarding the Prince, who at least was used to doing tedious things like dancing - no way she was going to do this, scowling at her food as her fist absently clenched. There was a way out of this, she was going to do it. Nothing was going to stop her. Athenacia was certain that Cor was doing this to punish her for something, why else would this happen like that? The Marshal was always on her ass about everything, as if there was nothing she could do to get him to just leave her alone. She can't even fight a war without him finding a way to ruin any form of fun she might have.
"It isn't that bad."
Athenacia was shaken out of her thoughts by a rather large nudge at her side, turning to find Gladio looking at her with amusement and noting that she hadn't been paying attention to the conversation at hand.
"What?"
"You didn't even get in Iggy on having to find a date."
"I'm not dancing," she huffed, crossing her arms and looking away.
"Don't worry Cia, I'll lead."
She looked at him incredulously, "Why would you lead?"
"Can't have you stealing my thunder."
"Stealing your... What makes you think I'll be doing that?"
"We're going together," he shrugged, "One of us will have to lead. Might as well be me."
Athenecia blinked, feeling as if she hit a wall. It sounded as if Gladiolus was telling her that they were going to the ball together and he was going to lead during the ceremonial dance. The man was arrogant sure but, was he for real right now? She was utterly speechless, trying to process his words and think of what exactly she was going to say - not that it was easy. Clearly, he was confused about her reaction based on the frown on his face as he not only waited for a response but the other member of the table had been forgotten during this exchange.
"I'm sorry, what the actual fuck makes you think that I'm going with you?" asked the girl in a dangerously even tone.
Gladio crossed his arms, confused, "What do you mean?"
The question caused her to sputter, completely dumbfounded that he wasn't seeing the error of his ways, "Well for one, you just decided I was going and I had no say in it."
"You're gonna be there anyway and we always end up together at these events. Figured it didn't make a difference. Saves the time of finding someone," he shrugged.
There were a million different emotions running through the Glaive right now. In fact, there were too many to pinpoint the exact one she felt at the blatant disregard for her person.
"Cor can't just tell me what to do, what makes you think you can?!" she rose from her seat, dumping noodles on his head, "Jerk!"
And with that she left in a huff, not looking back once. Gladio stared in her wake for longer than he intended to, completely stunned at what just happened. Ignis dared not speak a word, rather uncomfortable with the entire situation. It wasn't like the two of them didn't constantly get on each other's nerves, however, this was one of those times when the Shield pushed things a little too far. Heaving a sigh, the large man began to clean himself up a little bit before looking over at his oldest friend.
"Time of the month?"
"The time you are truly clueless? Early than usual," replied Ignis.
"Explain."
"Well for starters, you failed to extend an invitation to her."
"She's already going."
"Mandatory presence, correct. Accompanied by another is a different matter entirely. This is not some everyday event, Gladio. This is very formal, and as such the least you can do is be courteous enough to ask the young doctor in training before assuming she hasn't planned on making other arrangements."
"She and Ulric split months ago and Crino was barely even a fling."
Ignis sighed heavily, holding the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes. How could two of the smartest people in his inner circle be so hopelessly blind? Wordlessly, he rose from his seat and gathered up all his documents.
"Just give her some time and then ask," said Ignis, "You might find she's more receptive to your advances, much like your... other acquaintances. Except Cia will actually stick around for more than one night."
The Advisor left without waiting for a response. Deep in thought, Gladio took a drink from his beer and remained longer than he intended.
...
Athenacia slammed the door to her apartment, seething at the conversation she just had with Cor. The man was not relenting, in fact, he was going to be arranging dancing lessons so that she doesn't embarrass him - an argument she made that clearly backfired. If she had known she was going to be roped into this then she would have made sure she snuck on the convoy to the next destination like Crowe had suggested. But no, she wanted a little more freedom to enjoy the calm of the city first. Stupid, so stupid. Speaking of stupid, a text from Gladio coming through just infuriated her even more. How dare he just assume that she was going to be dancing with him? She didn't even like him like that and he just strut around like she drooled over him all the time.
Sighing heavily, her phone was tossed on her couch as she rummaged in her kitchen for food. Ignis made sure she was stocked all the time for when she was on relief and that man was a blessing. No one took care of her as well as he did, not even herself. Oftentimes she felt terrible, however, he insisted that he did not mind. The three of them grew up together, she knew that it was the same on her end as well as Gladio's. It was a bond no one could break, one that would last a lifetime. Calming her nerves, she thought about the implications of this dance. In the end, Athenacia always ended up being with Gladio and Ignis anyway, of course, it made logical sense that they would for this one too. But there was just something different about this. The ball was a milestone in Insomnian history and it was expected to have a partner. If she was seen by the entire Citadel dancing with Gladiolus then people were going to get ideas that she was already tired of hearing. Just because they spent so much time together didn't mean anything, it was like they never saw Ignis there as well. She spent as much time with him alone as she did Gladio, why couldn't anyone see that?
Grumbling to herself, she wolfed down her food before heading to the bathroom to wash off the events of today. Cor would pay for making her do this, she just didn't know how she was going to make it happen yet.
...
"A bit stiff."
A few days later Athenacia's free time was devoted to private dancing lessons via Ignis. If she was being forced to learn the steps at least she could do so with someone she knew wouldn't judge her clumsiness and be patient while teaching her. Unfortunately, Gladio felt that it was an open invitation and it was not helping matters at all. Athencaia was very self-conscious about her inability to dance in a formal setting, she didn't need those amused amber orbs following her every movement. It was the main reason she was having so much trouble relaxing. For some reason, he made her nervous and ordinarily that wasn't the case. Surely it was all the pressure being put on her to perform flawlessly in front of the Citadel getting to her. Can't really go a life so close to the Crown without gaining some form of recognition.
"It's how I like my drinks," she smirked, trying to avoid Gladio's gaze.
Ignis recognized the deflection, however, he didn't have a lot of time to fit this in with all his other preparations. Internally sighing, he motioned for her to begin again while ignoring her obvious disdain. Again she began the steps in sync with the music and again she was far too stiff. Gladio's presence was clearly a problem and the younger man wondered how exactly to get their friend to depart peacefully. That tactical mind was mulling it over until a thump interrupted everything. Raising a brow was the only way to suppress the laughter that the Shield made absolutely no attempt to hide. Athenacia had somehow managed to trip on her own feet and fall to the hard surface beneath. Pausing the music, Ignis kept his gaze on her.
"Don't think I can have one of those stiff drinks now huh?"
She couldn't even face him, red with embarrassment. There was no time answer, however, the door almost ripped off its hinges when it was forcefully opened.
"BITCH!"
The echo of Crowe Altius's voice rang louder than the door that slammed into the wall from being flung open, the young Glaive searching frantically for her friend and stopping dead in her tracks, confused.
"Why are you on the floor?"
"Uh-"
"Nevermind, you'll never guess what I just heard," she nearly tore off Athenacia's arm, impatient to get her off the ground, "J. FLAVE IS COMING TO TOWN!"
"WHAT?!"
Athenacia was on her feet in an instant, the room echoing with the screams and chatter of the two women talking too fast to comprehend real words, but the excitement was evident. Ignis put two fingers to the bridge of his nose, sighing heavily before pulling out his agenda and getting ready to leave the room.
"Same time tomorrow, Athenacia," he called to her.
"Yeah, yeah," she brushed him off.
Gladiolus raised a brow, keeping his arms crossed and a smirk on his face as he watched that familiar light shine in those hazel orbs. It was hard to look anywhere else, not even noticing that smirk turned into a crooked grin. The two women were oblivious to everything around them, Ignis leaving in a huff but not before giving them a disdained look they ignored.
"So," Gladio walked up to them, halting their chatter, "Did you want to go to the show?"
"Duh," replied Athenacia, laughing with her friend, "We're getting tickets as soon as they go on sale."
"I can pick them up, make sure we got front row."
"Well yeah, we were gonna- Ow!"
Crowe coughed into her hands, pretending like she didn't just elbow her friend in the ribs. Glaring at the Glaive, Athenacia turned back to Gladio.
"Anyway, we're going to be getting the- What the fuck?!"
Again Crowe coughed into her hands, much more vulgarly than the first time. Athenacia shoved her friend a few steps away, rubbing the point of contact and resisting the urge to summon a firestorm as punishment. The failed attempt at suppressing giggles was not helping either.
"We're getting the best tickets during the pre sale," said Athenacia uninterrupted this time.
Gladio shrugged, "Suit yourself," he grunted, turning to leave.
The young girl opened her mouth to reply, confused and feeling like she upset him. No words came out, however, and she just stood there confused.
"You fucking moron!"
Athenacia whipped her head toward her friend, forgetting that she was even there. Still stunned no reply came out, just a brain trying to process what she was feeling.
"He was trying to ask you out," Crowe elaborated further.
"That's stupid," scoffed Athenacia, "Why would he do that?"
"Wow you really are oblivious, Nyx was right."
Another scoff followed by an eye roll, an automatic response, "Not this again."
"Cia, you two are totally hot for each other. Gladio is finally trying to make a real move and you're too stupid to see it."
"He doesn't even like J. Flave."
"Exactly!" Crowe tapped her friend's forehead, "Why else would he ask you to go?"
The automatic response was to deny her of course, however, after the encounter with him just now and Crowe's logic sinking in, Athenacia found it hard to say no. Instead, she was left standing there alone even more confused than ever.
...
In the passing weeks, Athenacia found herself avoiding Gladio, however, it had nothing to do with their last encounter. The exams for her medical license to become a full doctor and not just a combat medic was fast approaching and no matter how many nights she was up pulling her hair out and being chided by Ignis - her go to for academics - she did not feel ready at all. On top of that, she had Cor breathing down her neck with new tactics for the field as well as getting ready for the upcoming ball. It was so overwhelming she was sure she looked haggard and dead.
"Damn, you look dead."
The voice that snapped her out of her thoughts belonged to Gladiolus, towering over her with a bowl of noodles in hand looking to sit down. It barely registered that she needed to move her things until he just plopped down and she noticed he had no space. Frantically she gathered her books, mildly annoyed he wasn't helping her - until he used a free hand to make room in front of her and place a sizable bowl of noodles in front of her. Again it took her a few moments to register what was happening, blinking in stunned silence before a giant weight just lifted off her. Releasing a sigh, she smiled at him in thanks before beginning to eat.
"When's the exam?" asked Gladio, observing as she basically swallowed her food in nearly the blink of an eye.
"Two days," she avoided eye contact.
"That's coming up quick. No wonder you haven't been around."
"Yeah sorry about that."
He shrugged, "Been busy myself."
"I guess that's a lot to get ready for."
"Don't deflect. You're gonna be the best doctor in Eos."
"You don't know that."
"I do."
"You can't."
"Ain't no one in Eos has even half the skill and drive you do. You got this, Cia, no doubt in my mind."
She shook her head, "I'm not ready."
"Iggy says you're beyond it."
"He's the dumbest smart guy I've ever met."
Gladio snorted which brought Athenacia's hazel gaze toward him. Those amber orbs, why did they look so different to her now? She knew there was always something more between them, they were platonic life mates. But a romantic relationship? No, that was absurd, no matter how cute that crooked grin he often wore was. The Shield had more than once shown that he wasn't interested in her, had never made a move even. Unless...
"Gladio?" she wasn't aware her voice could get so small.
"Hm?"
"Did you mean it?"
Athenacia had never felt her heart beat so rapidly, but Gladio had such a strange effect on her. As she gazed into his eyes, searching for the truth she absently wondered why his approval meant so much to her while no one else registered. The silence as she waited for his answer, fists clenching in her lap, it was enough to make her more afraid than any battle she ever faced.
"Doc you know I mean everything I say when it comes to you."
The sound of his voice was so soothing, so earnest and sincere. It melted her heart and she didn't even notice that tears started welling the bottom of her eyes. A slight movement on his end was all it took to release her from invisible bindings and throw herself into his arms - a gesture he wasn't prepared for but caught anyway.
This felt different than normal. It wasn't as if he had never hugged her before, had never been offering words of encouragement, had never seen her so emotional, however, the way she looked at him beforehand. Maybe there was something there he hadn't seen previously, something that Iggy said making the realization of his own desires come out in the open. This girl, this tiny woman in his arms really was a different breed of person and no one else could compare. Finally, he saw that.
Another sigh escaped her as she pulled away, nervously looking up and taken aback by the look in his eye. Why was he looking at her like that? She hadn't left his embrace, ensnared by his stare and wishing to get a closer look. Breathe caught in her throat and completely swept up in such an emotional mess, they both tentatively touched their lips to one another, the world around them completely lost and only this moment mattered. Athenacia had never been so intoxicated before, and Gladiolus was reluctant to let it end.
Fate had other ideas, like a very clumsy Prompto crashing into the table giggling like a fool with Prince Noctis behind him. The noise had Athenacia jump to the other end of the booth, white as a sheet.
"Sorry!"
Prompto and the Prince seemed oblivious to what happened mere seconds before they showed up, Ignis wearing his exasperated look as he too, missed the show and took his seat. Knowing she hadn't been caught, it was easier to relax as she gathered her things and enjoyed some downtime with her friends - all the while her and Gladiolus stealing glances at each other with shy smiles.
...
The irate sound of an alarm buzzing urgently in the ears of a young woman was not a welcomed one. Groaning, Athenacia pried her eyes open and searched lazily for her phone in order to silence the disturbance. After lazily dismissing the source of her current misery, she burrowed herself further into her blankets, releasing a content sigh and drifting on the edge of sleep and wake. Just as she was getting back to her dream another noise made itself known, making her eyes shoot open widely. This time she was more awake, again looking for her phone and taking a moment to remember that this alarm was plugged into the wall across the room. Moaning in displeasure, she threw the blankets off and padded over to shut off the alarm. And then she shrieked in panic once she noticed the time.
"Fuck!"
Scurrying into the bathroom, she had the quickest shower of her life before throwing clothes about trying to find something suitable for her exam - which she was going to be late for. This was why the alarm on the wall was set, she knew that she would need it.
"A bit tardy this morning are we?"
"WHAT THE FUCK?!"
So distracted by trying to find clothes she didn't even notice Ignis walking into her house unannounced and standing at her bedroom door. Thankfully she was wearing a bathrobe, having Gladiolus more than once just barge in without warning and learning a long time ago to stay covered no matter what, however, that did not stop the Advisor from scaring her out of her own skin.
"You left Noct's fairly late last night. I figured you'd overslept and have not only prepared breakfast but laid out clothes for you on your wardrobe. I left a message with instructions. You must not have seen it."
The man was so calm, collected, and completely unphased by her gaping at him while barely covered up. Without another word, he nodded before turning to leave - presumably to head back into her kitchen. Athenacia shook off her shock before exhaling deeply and changing her clothes. Ignis had picked out a grey, form fitting skirt stopping at mid thigh. The shirt that matched was black, looser but hugging her hips and long sleeved. She was certain he knew what shoes, musing that as she fixed her hair in the bathroom.
Breakfast smelled beyond amazing despite her stomach being in knots. The exam was in an hour and she wasn't ready, didn't feel ready. So lost in her thoughts she didn't even notice that all of her things were ready by the front door, including her breakfast to go. Ignis was patiently waiting with a smile on his face while pointing to the shoes he had picked out to complete her outfit. Athenacia didn't even shut the door as she rushed out to the elevator, feeling stressed as she kept pushing the button to call it. Ignis placed her breakfast in her hands, noting she at least was drinking the shake he had prepared. Better than nothing.
The drive was quiet, no attempts at eating the wrap, not even fully conscious of where in the city she was. All the information she needed for this exam seemed to have flown out of her head and she was unsure of how she was supposed to pass it. What was she thinking? As if she could actually get her degree and practice medicine in a real hospital and not just in the field. Combat medic was her forte, it was stupid to think that she could do anything else. Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, she was certain she was about to have a panic attack once the door opened for her. Exhaling deeply, she pushed back her tears and accepted the hand that was offered to help her out of the car, however, she didn't release it right away. This man, her childhood friend had gone through so much to just get her to this point and even though she hadn't eaten the food he prepared, she was grateful for everything. Gaining his attention, she hugged him tightly, kissing him on the cheek in thanks. It was a gesture she rarely did, and that said enough about how nervous she was.
Turning her back toward him, she still made no move. Something was amiss and she couldn't quite put her finger on what exactly the real issue was. Everything was in place and yet she still felt like there was something not quite where it was supposed to be. Time was running out, and just as she was about to take that first step a large hand stopped her in her tracks. Amber orbs greeted that calm hazel stare and everything fell into place.
"You got this, doc."
Gladiolus was grinning foolishly at her, making all those fears and doubts melt away. Athenacia returned his smile, placing her hand atop his own and letting it linger there. Of course she could do this, ace this exam and be one of the best physicians in the country. Hell, maybe even the entire world. She could do anything while he was looking at her like that, not even noticing the time she remained in place
Ignis was quick to clear his throat and she jumped back to reality, bolting into the building without another word.
...
Gladiolus rubbed his head as the alarm sounded off in his ears. The large man wasn't normally this groggy, however, the events of the night previous kept him awake far longer than normal. It wasn't even just that, lately, things seemed too complicated whenever he was around Athenacia. Ever since he finally realized how in love with her he was, he just wasn't sure how to act around her anymore. The medical exam she had to take kept her away which wasn't abnormal and made things easier to process, however, that meant she was spending more time with Iggy and for some reason, everything about that made him uneasy. Ignis was a real lady killer if he tried and thankfully he never did. Athenacia wasn't a floozy Gladio usually picked up, she was a whole different level and someone like Iggy was more worth her time than him. That didn't stop him from hoping she felt the same way about him, trying not to overanalyze all the signs.
The day of her exam came though, and he was late to show up to give her a ride. Gladio wanted to be there, knew that Ignis was going to regardless but he wanted to make sure that he was there for such a big day. After years of watching her study, he had to see it through to the end. But when he walked up he froze in his tracks once he saw her, in the arms of Iggy and kissing his cheek. Those uneasy knots of jealousy took over. It wasn't like she had never done that before - in fact, it was very rare that she did which meant she was very nervous - it was merely that she wasn't doing it to him. Athenacia looked so unsure of herself and Gladio knew that he had to make sure she knew that he was there. It was important. That look in her calm hazel stare, it filled him with such pride that he forgot all about being jealous and could only focus on her and that smile. The light in her eyes, it always attracted him and now it made such a difference when he saw it.
No one would know the results for a few days and Cor was there to pick her up and take her out. The three of them hadn't time to see each other much but the messages were still coming in. There was a lot to do with the ball but he wanted to take her out for breakfast first and that was the plan they had, which was why he was awake so early. Rolling out of bed, he hit the shower immediately to get ready for the day.
"GLADIO!"
The shriek of his name had him stop in his tracks. It wasn't so much that he wasn't used to yelling in the house, he just wasn't used to Athenacia barging into his room for once and nearly catching him completely naked about to walk to the bathroom. Thankfully his reflexes were quick and he was able to grab a towel to cover himself quickly. Athenacia didn't seem to notice, a wide smile on her face and that light in her eyes shining brightly, phone clutched in hand.
"The results are in!" she squealed.
The large man raised a brow, smirking at her and just enjoying the excitement on my face. The way she was just bursting to tell him the obvious good news was so adorable and he wanted to just drag this moment out as long as he could. Athenacia's excitement was often contagious and this was no exception.
"Well?" he asked finally.
"I'M OFFICIALLY A DOCTOR!"
There was no time to react, the new doctor was barely able to contain herself as she jumped into his arms and hugged him tightly. Gladio had seen this reaction before, was ready for it, and made sure she wasn't going to knock his towel off his hips as he wrapped an arm around her. Everything was different, her scent, her abnormal heat, her hair, literally everything. It was with regret that she started to pull away, lowering herself to the ground but remaining in their embrace. The temptation, he could no longer resist it. Without warning he crashed his lips onto hers, not even thinking twice about it. The response was exactly what he thought it would be, what it always was, shock at first and then that grip upon him tightening. That sweet taste was so intoxicating, he wasn't sure how he was holding himself up let alone he. All he knew was that there was no way she didn't feel the same if this was how she reacted to him.
The heavier tone in her breath was noted, warm upon his face that did not stray far, noses refusing to break contact. It was with shock that she pulled him back, seemingly more sure of herself, hungrily trying to take control of the situation now that she knew what was happening. Gladio held her close, a low growl at the base of his throat once he felt her hips grind against him on the third kiss. Everything was a blur after that. The door to his bedroom slamming shut, the towel he was wearing lost and discarded, the tatters of the shirt she was once wearing all over the floor - all of it. The only thing that mattered was the girl under him singing songs of approval in his ears and the pride that filled him knowing that he was the reason she was doing it.
Until it was over, the two of them gasping for breath, coated in sweat and still high from the unexpected but long overdue events that just occurred. Gladio had never felt that way before with anyone, absently reaching his arm over to bring her closer. A gentle kiss was placed to her forehead, salty taste and an undescribable feeling coursing through him at the content sigh she released at the gesture. There wasn't a time he could recall every feeling like this, whatever it was, and he knew that this is what he wanted. Gladio finally knew that he could no longer push back at people for saying anything about how he felt about Athenacia, and with the way she was lying with him just spoke volumes about her side of things.
"Will you go to the ball with me?"
The question neither of them were expecting out loud and hanging in the air. The audible gasp of surprise that followed made Gladio anxious, heart rate increasing as nerves tightened, waiting for an answer. This was so much easier before, when they didn't have to talk about it. When they were just friends in denial about their relationship. As that calm hazel stare met his eyes, the fear of rejection became more real. A warm smile greeted him after what felt like an eternity, lips meeting his once more in a lingering, chaste kiss filled with reassurances on both ends.
"Yes," she whispered, kissing him again
...
alright i'll finish part 2 hopefully before the end of the year. i wish i could be more consistent and i apologize for it