Take a look in the mirror

[piercetheheart]

Who: Gladio & the people he needs to Talk to
What: The storm was rough but some conversations need to be had out of earshot of the others.
Where: Around the entrance areas
When: 5/21&22 directly after the storm.
Warnings: These are likely to be some pretty intense Talks but will warn in subject lines if anything gets into CW territory.


Immediately following the storm anyone that wants to talk to Gladio can find him in the locker room, the room he and the other chocobros share, fighting with thread made from unwound strips of muslin bandages and a suture needle from one of the first aid kits making another couple pairs of the same wrap shorts he'd been using for months on the islands. As little sewing as possible while still being light weight and effective. It's actually easier with the cut down sheets than it was with muslin, the tighter weave allowing him to sew closer to the edge than the loose muslin had.

Comments

[shatteredlenses]

Even the strongest person's back can break under too many straws, and this was the last one for Ignis. It's not only Lunafreya's death and the emotions he never faced, but everything else that happened in Altissia. All of it is tied together and examining one aspect brings all of them up. He may love Ardyn dearly now, but nothing will ever erase the trauma of that day.

Ignis curls closer to Gladio and lets his tears fall while he focuses his mind completely on the gentle rocking motion and the feeling of the strong, steady arms around him. He's allowed to fall apart while Gladio is here to pick up the pieces, or at the very least hold those pieces together a while longer.

Even though the Shield is gentle when he pulls Ignis' head up, the advisor almost resists. He wants more time to hide where he knows nothing will harm him, but Gladio's words are so heartfelt that he can't ignore them.

He leans forward so he can press a tear-dampened kiss to Gladio's lips, "I know you won't and I love you for it." His fingers trail gently along the side of his lover's face, "You keep me pointed in the right direction even when I'm not sure what that is."

[piercetheheart]

It kills him to see Ignis so upset but he's determined to do whatever he can to ease his suffering. He accepts that kiss but lets Ignis go back to hiding once he has acknowledged both his words and his conviction.

"Dunno it's always the right direction..." Sheepish and vaguely apologetic as he tucks Ignis in under his chin, dropping a kiss to his hair before settling his cheek heavily against the top of his head. Subtle grounding with the weight of his arms around the advisor again.

"We'll always find the right way forward, though. Long as we've got each other, babe." He might not trust either one of them one hundred percent but they balanced each other so well that he believed in them as a unit more than he'd ever trusted anything. Maybe even more than he'd trusted his Dad and Regis. It had been so long now it was hard to say.

[shatteredlenses]

"Yes." The word is soft, almost lost as Ignis hasn't resisted being tucked under Gladio's chin at all. He lets himself drift, not like he did sometimes back on the islands when he was desperately trying to run away from things that were too much, but just to let his mind rest while the last of his tears fall and then dry. He's tired suddenly, exhausted, but in a good way he can't help but think. This needed to happen.

Ignis lets himself loose track of time for a while, but about the time he feels himself in real danger of falling asleep in Gladio's embrace, he leans forward to press a kiss to the Shield's neck and then smiles up at him sleepily, "Thank you."

[piercetheheart]

Ignis isn't the only one halfway to sleep. It's honestly a miracle no one's banged on the door to get them out of the fucking bathroom but they were both naturally early risers. Gladio hums softly in appreciation of that kiss, smiles down at Ignis and drops a matching one to his boyfriend's cheek.

"You wanna go back to bed?" Because he will carry you out of here in a full on bridal carry and put you back to bed if that's what you want babe.

[shatteredlenses]

"We shouldn't." The words are no more than a halfhearted attempt at denial, though. Instead of getting up, Ignis just snuggles further into Gladio, arms tightening around him.

That is about the clearest permission you are going to get, Gladio. Carry that man back to bed and cuddle with him until you both fall asleep!