(no subject)

[callmegladio]

Who: Gladio and the bros.
What: Gladio's confusing return
When: Fiddlesticks 5, early hours of the morning
Where: Luggage Carriage
Warnings: I'm not sure... Crying? Mild-panic attacks. Smooching?




The last thing Gladio remembered was a voice and something about a control coach. He remembered wanting to ask Ignis where the hell that was. He remembered thinking it was strange...

And then he didn't remember much of anything else.

Until now.

Awareness came to him all of a sudden, and instead of the mysterious control coach or even his cabin, Gladio only knew darkness. Darkness and... he couldn't move. He tried to bring his arms up but it he didn't get them moved further than an inch. His legs were pulled up near to his chest and he couldn't stretch them...

Gladio sore under his breath and tried to throw his body, tried to gain purchase enough to buck and push at what he realised were hard walls all around him. When those walls didn't give... panic set in. He started to shake, his breathing came faster and he tried to throw himself to the side, yelling out for help, any help, as he did.

... The world shifted and Gladio damn near screamed as whatever he was trapped within toppled and gravity did the rest.

Comments

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis was walking by the luggage carriage when he heard a loud noise. He was on his way to the quiet carriage but once he heard what sounded like a crash he stopped. Opening the door, his green eyes widened at the sight and went to go help. Moving the debris aside revealed Gladio and the advisor smiled so much that he laughed.

"Wait..there's something that's pinned to your shirt.." And with a little bit of rummaging, the strategist was able to move the heavier object. After that was moved, Ignis grabbed onto his fellow Crownsguard member and long time friend, holding on tightly. The first thought that went through him was relief. The next was that Noct and Prompto would be really happy too.

The family was now reunited.

[callmegladio]

Gladio wasn't laughing. He was, for lack of a better word, freaking the fuck out. Ignis was suddenly there and helping him get the broken crate off of him, but Gladio was damn near throwing the pieces away from himself and would have bolted the second that he was free... If it wasn't for arms that were holding him in place.

The arms were both comfort and terrifying and for a moment Gladio tried to get free. He was breathing hard, eyes wide and not quite seeing the man in front of him, though knew his voice...

[faithfulsupport]

The only reason Ignis had laughed was being happy to see the man but that had only lasted a moment as he now had a fight on his hands so to speak. Why was he thrashing...Keeping the shield in place wasn't easy and then it dawned on him what was going on.

This was familiar now that his mind kicked in, because he'd gone through this very thing with Tony. With a resolute face, Ignis kept Gladio with him and spoke in a gentle tone. "You're alright. I'm here with you and I'm going to keep you safe."

He was going to hold on and wait as long as it took and as he promised, he would keep the shield safe. Then he would ask those questions that Tony had taught him.

[callmegladio]

It didn't take much more than that. A calming voice to break through the rising panic that made his chest ache and his need to run strong. He hated confined spaces. Wherever he had been had been too small for him. Much too small. It was his worst fear realised. It was everything that haunted his nightmares, and he knew would haunt them more now that he actually had real life experience to back them up!

It took a few more seconds for Ignis' words to sink through the terror clouding his mind.

And once they had, once Gladio realised that there were arms around him anchoring him more than restraining him, he damn near broke down.

Gladio threw his arms around Ignis with a strangled sob and clung to the other man like his damn life depended on it. Later he might have worried he would bruise Ignis, but at that moment in time he couldn't care. He just clung.

[faithfulsupport]

Suddenly something seemed to work breaking through to the shield. And that's when Gladio's strong arms went around him, clinging to him for dear life it seemed. Ignis wouldn't admit a tear came out of his eyes at the hug, but he couldn't even recall the last time this had happened between them. So when he spoke his voice was thick with emotion. "I've got you and I'm not letting go." If he got bruised he wouldn't care and he'd rather have been the one to try and keep the other man calm. And he was here to reassure and soothe the other as long as it took.

If the shield was simply holding on, then that's what would be returned. The advisor didn't want to talk or try to initiate conversation right now. Making sure Gladio felt safe was his top priority and that's exactly what was going to happen until the other man moved away first.

[callmegladio]

Oh, there were tears. Gladio couldn't seem to get them stopped, though barely realised they were there at all. His main focus was on trying to breathe. He was panting hard, gasping sobs mixed between, his heart was racing and he feared it would burst out of his chest and he would die amidst a sea of debris that had attempted to be his final resting place.

A harsh shudder ran through the larger man's body at the image his rebellious mind threw up at him and for a brief second his arms went tighter around Ignis.

But that level of panic was hard to maintain. He was making himself dizzy panting and gasping for breath. Ignis' shoulder was already wet from tears that Gladio just didn't give a damn about...

He slumped. His arms around the advisor loosened some, through Gladio had managed to grab fistfuls of the back of Ignis' shirt and he was loath to actually let go of that. His head dropped, face pressed into the others shoulder. And then low... voice gravelly and rough... he spoke a single word...

"... Fuck."

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis rubbed Gladio's back soothingly, trying to just be a presence and a reassuring one at that. He heard the gasps and sobs and held on tighter. "I'm here." If there was anything he was trying to get across, it was that the man was safe and no harm would come to him. He could feel how wet his shoulder was and the advisor's heart ached for the shield in his arms. What happened he couldn't know, but questions would come later.

Feeling the dark head move against his shoulder, the fistfuls of his shirt were welcome. At least it seemed the worst had passed. Ignis gently rested the side of his head against the dark hair and he continued his hold. At this point he couldn't remove the tears from beneath his glasses but there was a gentle smile and tone.

"Welcome back."

[callmegladio]

It helped, strangely, Ignis talking him down. Gladio did his best to focus on the words. And soon the panicked panting started to settle down and the tension in his shoulders eased.

But then he just felt shaky and so damn weak he couldn't even lift his head from where it rested upon Ignis' shoulder. Though he did have enough presence of mind to loosen his hold upon the other man more, enough that he wasn't about to break bones or cause any more bruises than he already had.

"T-thanks..." Gladio replied after a moments silence to work through the dizziness to find the word he needed. And even then it came out shaky and weak and rough from his tears.

[faithfulsupport]

When Gladio let go a little, Ignis breathed a sigh of relief because that really meant whatever had a hold of the shield was slipping away. He was more than sure there would be bruises but he really didn't care. This wasn't going to be the norm between them and while he knew it and why, it was something he would always remember.

Being let go of allowed Ignis to finally get a hand up to gently rub down the dark locks of hair just to try and be more of a comfort. "You're quite welcome." was the soft reply. There was more he wanted to get into and say, but here the shield was going to set the pace with conversation. So he just kept up with smoothing down Gladio's hair which he'd noted was getting longer. But that could wait too.

[bethereprompto]

Prompto had been trying to figure out how to take pictures of the void. It wasn't easy and the whole thing was giving him an awful headache. As he sat up and rubbed his eyes, he groaned softly. Going over to the train store, he considered buying something as a treat when he flipped over to the roster instead.

Wait..

Wait..

Gladio's name wasn't gold. It wasn't gold!

"Gladio?" He called, immediately jumping up and dashing through the train frantically looking everywhere. Was he in the medical room? His bedroom? Prompto or Noct's bedroom? He wouldn't already be in the gym, would he?

As he burst into the car with their cabins, he spotted the gorgeous, extremely missed man. "Gladio! Gladio!" He cried ecstatic beyond words. He ran faster and only barely managed to not break his camera as he threw his arms around the large man and held on tight.

[callmegladio]

Gladio needed sleep. He felt drained, physically and mentally. He'd promised Ignis he would be find getting back to his room on his own. And for the most part he had been. Though outside of his room he'd just stood there for a long moment, looking at the names and realising with a heavy heart that one was missing. Prim was gone... He hadn't even had the chance to say goodbye.

He was about to enter his room when he heard the shout of his name. His head was throbbing so for a brief moment he didn't register who had shouted. But the second one was clearer and he turned toward the sound.

And just in time to catch Prompto as the blonde came flying at him.

Gladio stumbled back a few steps until his back hit the wall beside the door, near knocking the wind out of him. But he didn't care. His arms went around the younger man tight and pulled him off his feet, though this time he did his best not to bruise.

"Prompto..." The name left Gladio's lips with a near pained groan and just when he thought he was over the tears he could feel more prickling at the backs of his eyes. "... Prom..." Gods but he had missed him. It felt like it had been both minutes since he had last seen his love and years.

[bethereprompto]

It hadn't been that long ago Gladio had asked him to not run in the halls anymore, but he couldn't help it. He was so excited to see his beautiful, beautiful boyfriend. He clung tightly to the large man and let out a peal of happy laughter when he was lifted right off the ground. Everything was right with the world again!

Hearing his name triggered the tears. They were happy ones, but that didn't keep the sob from bubbling up. "Glads.. I thought- I'm so happy you're back! I missed you so much! T- they said you might not and Noct and I were going to find out who they were and cut off their head but we didn't know where to start- but you're back! You really, really are back! I love you! I won't ever take you for granted again!"

[callmegladio]

Prompto was talking and, despite his best efforts, Gladio was struggling to keep up with what was being said. He was catching every other word or two and in the end all he could really do was hold his blonde tight and just ride it out.

His head dropped, eyes closing as he pressed his face into the crook of Prompto's neck and just breathed him in.

There was a word he caught though. And hearing it was like a balm upon his poor, battered soul... And without quite meaning to, without realising it was happening until it had, his knees buckled and Gladio slid down the wall to the ground. And brought Prompto down with him.

[bethereprompto]

They were already going down before Prompto knew what was happening. He hadn't been prepared enough to withstand it, so he went right onto down with the Shield.

"Whoa.." He squawked, worried Gladio was passing out on him. He drew back and put his hands gently on either side of his face and then moved one to his forehead. "Hey, are you okay? You're home." Gladio had to be okay. He just had to. The large man didn't get a choice in this matter. Prompto needed him to be okay- at least eventually. Gladio could be weak in this moment. "What do you need me to do?"

[callmegladio]

"... Sorry..." Gladio had his eyes closed even as Prompto did his best to fuss as if he thought it was sickness that had brought him to his knees... and not relief. No matter what Ignis had said to him and how much he had hoped and wished for those words to be the truth, there had been fear inside of him, gripping at his heart.

What if?

What if they had given up on him?
What if they had taken his disappearance as him leaving them?
What if they hated him and never wanted to speak to him again?
What if... they hadn't cared?
What if he had ruined his one chance of happiness?
What if he had broken something beyond repair?

So many 'what ifs' all wrapped together into a hard, painful noose around his heart and with each step toward his cabin the noose had gotten tighter and tighter until it had threatened to strangle him.

And then Prompto had appeared. And while there had been a lot of chatter before and after, Gladio had caught the words his heart had needed to hear. "I love you..." He gasped out, needing very desperately to return those words before Prompto thought he hadn't heard, or heard and hadn't wanted to return them. And then he pulled the blonde in, clinging to him tightly. "I love you... I'm sorry... I won't, I won't ever do this again..."

[bethereprompto]

"No, no no, don't be sorry," Prompto urged him as gently as he could. He brushed some hair from the man's brow. Gladio had always seemed so invincible growing up and even the very few times he'd been weak, Prompto believed in his strength. There was no one he trusted or believed in more. No one.

He was stunned at hearing what words Gladio said next, but blown away at the sweetness. He half laughed, half sobbed and went right along with hugging Gladio was tight as possible. "I know! I knew you'd come back. I knew it!" Okay so the first night when he'd figured out Gladio was gone he hadn't believed it, but after that he'd found that conviction. "I knew you didn't have any control over it either. It's okay. Really! If you're here, then everything is okay again."

[callmegladio]

He hadn't wanted to leave them at all. Yeah, part of him had wanted to go home. But he wouldn't have wanted to go on his own. He wanted them all to be together. Without Prompto and Noct and Ignis what would be the point? No. No he hadn't left deliberately. And he was so damn glad that Prompto hadn't thought he had.

Much like how he had slipped to the ground, tears began to roll down Gladio's cheeks without him meaning for them to. He didn't even realise and he certainly didn't care. Not when he had Prompto there and holding him back and saying all the things his soul needed to hear.

"You promise...?" Gladio heard himself say, the words falling from his lips before he could stop them. "... Everything's okay?"

The next day, early morning

[sonoflucis]

Noct hadn't been told that Gladio had returned, and he had spent most of the day in the quiet carriage, just sleeping. He was confused and scared, the longer Gladio was gone. Part of him even wondered if he had caused this. Still, he did make it a daily routine to wake up as soon as possible and check Gladio's name on his cabin.

He stared, wide-eyed, when he saw it was it's normal blue. He tried to get in, but he didn't have clearance for this door, so he knocked, hoping Gladio was inside. He honestly didn't care about waking the other people inside up. He needed to see Gladio.

[callmegladio]

The problem was that Gladio had been exhausted. Drained in every way. It hadn't taken him long at all to crash and fall into a deep sleep once he had finally been urged to lie down.

It was knocking that woke him. But it took a half minute to get himself eased off of the bed and up to his feet. Prompto had long since gone, the train taking him away in early hours. So that left him alone with his roommates, who seemed to be asleep. Not that he paid them much mind as he stumbled to the door, still in his wrinkled cargo pants, feet and chest bare, hair an absolute mess... and opened the door just as more knocking could be heard outside and inside of his head.

He had half a mind to tell whoever was knocking to take a hike.

But when he opened it to see Noct standing there, those words didn't come, the irritation of being woken faded.

"Noct..." The name was a breath upon his lips, for a long few seconds all he could do was stare... And then he stepped forward, out of the room and toward Noct.

[sonoflucis]

Noct was breathless as Gladio stepped toward him. Tears immediately fell as he reached his hands up to touch Gladio's face. He had to make sure this wasn't a dream. "You're back..." He squeaked. "You're really back...?" He was so worried that even though he could feel Gladio, he would wake up the minute he tried to hug him.

[callmegladio]

He lifted a hand of his own to softly brush tears from Nocts cheeks. "Yeah... I guess I am." Gladio still didn't know where he'd been, how he'd gotten there or how he'd gotten back. But he was definitely back.

Gladio didn't share Nocts fear.

He stepped closer and gathered the younger man up into his arms and pulled him into an embrace that he had to fight with himself not to crush his love. "Noct... I'm so sorry..."

[sonoflucis]

Noct held on tight, finally letting himself shed the tears he had been holding back these five long days. "It's not your fault, but I'm so glad you're back!" He sobbed. "Ignis explained it the best he could, but I was so worried you wouldn't come back!" Not that he thought Gladio would leave them on purpose, but he was worried that the train would keep them apart.

[callmegladio]

In a move eerily similar to his encounter with Prompto, Gladio found himself with his back to the wall and his arms wrapped around a crying man. And damn did that hurt, seeing Noct crying.

He held him tighter, clutching the other man to his chest, one hand cupped the back of Nocts head as he dropped his own to press into his loves shoulder. "Never..." He gasped out, shaken by the idea that he would leave them. "... I wouldn't leave you, Noct. Never."

[sonoflucis]

"I know you wouldn't on purpose..." Noct said shakily. "But I was scared the train took you away..." He could hear Gladio's heart and it made him relax enough to catch his breath. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"

[callmegladio]

Gladio wasn't sure how to reply to Noct. Did he lie? Did he tell the truth? Ignis and Prompto were bound to say something...

"... Can we go somewhere else?" He finally asked, knowing he would have to explain himself, but really not wanting to do it in the middle of the hallway. Nor in his room, since it wasn't exactly empty.