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[callmegladio]

"Hi. I'm home right now but can't find the damn phone. Leave a message and I'll call you back soon as I find it... Probably."


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[iustaegis]

[ Sometime after a certain someone's birthday party, she happens to find Gladio outside. What he had been doing-- training alone, perhaps? or coming back from a store?-- she's not so certain, but he's alone, and his expression seems somewhat... distant. Melancholy, even.

She had been worried when he had left the party early. Specifically, she had been worried that he had felt out of place, alone, even amongst company.

" I don't feel judged by you. There was someone like that, before. But she was so young..." He had lost some friendships in his previous world. A world that-- "That darkness destroyed that planet... I know well and good we wouldn't have been able to do a thing."-- haunts him, perhaps, for what it may have put him through. And then--

"All you can do is make sure that what happens in the light counts for something. So there are no regrets."

She had taken this as him moving forward. Still, that doesn't mean he hasn't been hurt. ]

....Gladio? [ Pyra approaches him, calling out to him softly where he happens to sit overlooking the city. ] Do mind some company?

[callmegladio]

[Gladio had been out for a run when Pyra found him. At least for the most part he'd been out for a run. At least he'd started... but he'd ended up sat on a low wall just staring up at the sky. Somewhere off in the distance he could see it was snowing. It was strange to look at knowing it wasn't snowing where he was but over there it looked heavy and dense. He'd actually skirted the whole weather formation before he'd stopped.

He didn't get it. Wasn't sure how or why the weather was so weird, but he was just glad there was weather.

For months he'd been without the simplicity of sunlight. Except for that one planet... Glorfindel had been nice enough to shine on him a few times but it hadn't been the same, though it had been funny to try.

Even though it was cold, just feeling the wind on his skin was a joy.

He was still adjusting though. And knew it would take a little more time. Maybe even more... now...

A voice called to him and Gladio was shaken from his thoughts and his attention pulled toward the voice. He smiled and lifted a gloved hand in a brief wave.]

Pyra. No, don't mind. [He patted the wall beside him] Come sit down.

February 15th/ 16th Hugtopia thread continued

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony slept a couple hours without moving a muscle. He opened his eyes to find a strange place with no idea how he got there. He got up and found his hoodie clammy and uncomfortable. He stripped it off and haphazardly tossed it on the ground.

Slowly, he made it around the downstairs before braving the next floor. He needed something to drink and somewhere to piss bad. After he washed his hands and drank some water out of his cupped hands, he lifted his gaze to a dark mirror. He could barely make out his reflection but somehow that brought it all back.

He saw the chaos of the last few weeks, getting 'attacked' when he first arrived here, learning about some painful truths. He was here and he was almost entirely alone. One would think after spending.. however long it was, he couldn't recall, in a cramped train he would be eager to sleep somewhere alone. As he stepped out in the hall and spotted Gladio's sleeping form he realized how eerie it felt without three other warm bodies sleeping mere feet from him in a cramped sleeper carriage.

With a heavy sigh, he came closer and slid out of his red, dirty cargo pants. He prayed no one would ever find out about this and he pulled Gladio's covers back.]

Scoot over.

[He didn't give his friend much time before he was sliding into bed with him and curling against his warm side.]

Tell anyone about this and I'll kill you.

[callmegladio]

[Gladio had started to doze in the chair after an hour or so. In the end he pulled himself to his feet and trudged his way upstairs to first grab a shower and then bed.

He'd taken to enjoying baths since arriving at Havenwell. Not having access to baths on the Trecker had driven him insane. Which was funny, back home it had never bothered him. Not until he'd been denied them. But this time he really just wanted a quick shower, mainly to get the smell of chocolate off of him and afterwards he fell into bed.

He'd taken one of the beds from the other rooms to make his bed bigger. He'd had to lash the legs of the beds together so he didn't end up rolling and falling between the two beds and it had worked pretty well. He could spread out when he wanted to. It was glorious after so many months on a tiny cot, made all the smaller by sharing that cot with one, and sometimes two, others.

Once in bed, Gladio rolled onto his side and was drifting off when he heard movement behind him. Tony was awake. He thought about getting up and helping him out, but it wouldn't be too hard for Tony to find a room with a bed.

Though what Gladio didn't expect was for the bed his friend found was his own. He frowned and scooted before he even realised what he was doing.]

Wait... Tony, why're you... there's a room down the hall.

Hugs: Nalom 20 morning

[runs_on_batteries]

As with everything about the train, Tony didn't know exactly how long ago his heart attack was. With the help of his friends and family, he'd started to recover. Coming here had abruptly changed all that. He was stressed again from all the changes and drinking way too much alcohol and coffee. It was inevitable that kind of disregard for his health again would bite him in the ass. This morning? It chomped.

He'd gone for a run. It was nice to be free of the train and be outdoors. He didn't even care that it was raining chocolate. Gladio hadn't been too pleased with it, but he wasn't still in that post-train euphoria Tony was having. Fortunately, it was only lightly 'chocolating'. They were debating over the healthiest breakfast dish. Tony said protein shakes and Gladio said something with actual real food like eggs.

As they rounded a curve in the road that would take them back toward their house, Tony interjected, "Yeah but with a protein shake you can control things like cholesterol and extra vitamins and if you want to add something you can just toss it in there with it. Pepper used to like to add spinach to hers. Morgan thought it was gross though so.. uh.. she um.. quit." They hadn't been doing this for that long. Why was he winded already?

[callmegladio]

Coming out was a bad idea. He loved to run, had done it almost every morning since his arrival. Sometimes even with Prompto if he timed it right. The snow had been a ball ache to deal with and run in but he'd not let it deter him. The chocolate, however... That could fuck right off. It was in his hair. It was on his clothes. It was in his beard. All he could smell was chocolate. And he liked chocolate. But after almost a week of it he was starting to get sick of it.

But he'd gone out anyway, to keep Tony company if nothing else. And now they were 'arguing'. Gladio wasn't entirely sure why or how they'd gotten onto the subject. It might have been his suggestion of what to have for breakfast when they got back, but whatever the reason they were now in a strange place. Because Tony was arguing about the benefits of protein shakes to a guy who worked out on the regular... when he wasn't trapped on a train.

"They're good for after a workout, sure. But sometimes you can't beat gettin protein the good old fashioned way. With food." Gladio grinned. "But if you wanna sit there and drink one of your nasty creations while I eat my amazing breakfast, go right ahead!" He totally wouldn't sit there making yummy noises and groaning at how good the fake eggs and fake bacon tasted. Nope. That would be way too cruel...

text;

[carbungle]

[During this-]

u ok?

[callmegladio]

[It takes a minute to answer, mostly because he'd had to run to get away from bears. But once he's home and he's dropped down onto his sofa...

... He feels sufficiently idiotic.

Then checks the communicator.]

yeah. just needed to not be where i could throttle tony

sorry

Feb. 24th [Voice; In-Person Later]

[blindedbyloyalty]

[ Admittedly, he's been keeping inside cause of the rain and the bears, both annoying things, but at least people are out of danger. He hasn't spoken to Gladio proper in a while, the Shield had shown up for his birthday, given him his gift and left almost right away. That wasn't the best place to talk about things. And after a couple of run-ins with Tony, he's had time to think a little, especially what he heard about the train and Gladio's disappearance there.

So, have the phone going off on your end, Gladio. ]

[callmegladio]

[Gladio had just gotten out of the shower and was sat on the edge of his bed, towelling his hair dry when his communicator began to ring and buzz. He glanced at it, debated leaving it and calling back whoever it was, but in the end he sighed and dropped the towel around his shoulders and picked the thing up.

He blinked when the name that came up was Ignis'.

Answering the call, he lifted the device to his ear.]

Iggy. What's up?

Hugs: March 5

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony had his feet up on the railing in front of an abandoned nightclub that may have had a cowboy theme at one point. He lounged in a metal, squeaky, rocking chair (hence why his feet were up and he wasn't moving). He had a lit cigar in his hand away from Gladio. It had been far too long since he'd been able to enjoy a cigarette or cigar. He didn't do it often even when he could, but they'd passed a shop while walking around the shopping district and found a place to sit and chat for a while. It was always interesting to see the natives and occasional 'porn start' walk by too.]

Any idea how warm it gets here in the spring and summer time? We could get a mechanic set up like a garage door where one wall can be opened and people would then get to feel like they were eating outside.

[callmegladio]

[Gladio sat upwind from Tony, not at all interested in getting a face full of smoke nor too impressed Tony was smoking at all with his heart. But he'd kept his mouth shut, Tony was a grown man who could do what he wanted. And he seemed to be enjoying himself enough that Gladio let it go.

He was sat looking up at the dome above them. It wasn't unlike home, though the shield around Insomnia had been prettier to look at. His legs where stretched out, crossed at the ankles, his arms crossed over his chest as relaxed as could be.]

No idea, but I'm guessing warm. Could work. Gives the place more space to work with if we use outside too.

Might cost us though.

text;

[carbungle]

[Hi Gladio, it's very early in the morning and very Not Noct O'Clock when this arrives, and yet.]

hey

train w/ me today

[callmegladio]

[Luckily Gladio is typically awake at Not Noct O'Clock so he catches the text almost immediately and then laughs to himself.]

sure. when and where?

on the 11th!

[iustaegis]

[ It just so happens that along one of her walks while allowing her falcon to soar the skies, she finds him lounging upon one of the benches, relaxing and seemingly enjoying the spring come into the city.

Smiling when she sees him, she approaches as she slings a small bag over her shoulder, calling his name happily. ] Ah, Gladio...! Good afternoon!

Enjoying the flowers?

[callmegladio]

[He was enjoying the flowers. But mostly the light. There might have been a dome around the city but he could still see and feel the sun on his face and that gave him life. Gladio's eyes had been closed until a voice called to him. His smile widened when he recognised the voice.]

Pyra. I sure am.

[The scent of the flowers reminded him of home, of the greenhouse on the Trecker, of happier memories. His eyes opened and his head turned to look over at her and all out grinned.]

Weather's great today. Out for a walk?

text • march 12th

[astralera]

Hello, Gladio.

My apologies for bothering you, but did the wine and schematics reach your residence safely on the tenth?

Carbuncle is not as familiar with you, so I am not sure if it left the items at your door or delivered them to your person.

pls pretend I'm not fail and he replied to this on the same day

[callmegladio]

Hey, Era.

yeah we got them alright. thanks. but what's it for? is there a holiday i don't know about?

text;

[carbungle]

[After he's talked to Ardyn-]

hey so

shot in the dark and no pressure or anything if u wanna keep it on the down-low

but if u ever want your shoulder looked @ ardyn is rly good at healing stuff like that

[callmegladio]

ardyn, huh? and he'd help me?

March 17: CW: Flashback nightmares/ PTSD

[runs_on_batteries]

The last few days had been unusual around the Amicitia-Stark household. Tony had been in bed before Gladio got back from whatever he'd been doing on the 14th, which was a little odd. He slept late on the 15th and then mostly kept to himself while he worked on some project in his study. Being absorbed in work wasn't too out of the ordinary as he could get downright obsessive when inspiration hit the right nerve. (He was actually dosing in his office chair or playing very low sensory games on his tablet).

It wasn't until 17th, Tony left the house again. Whether he'd remembered to put away the concealer that had been hiding the ugly bruise on his brow was anyone's guess. He'd returned in pretty high spirits after using food bugs for target practice. Some of the positive mood was perhaps a bit exaggerated, but he'd at least been friendly.

Continuing with the weird streak though, he went to bed early, mumbling something about a headache. (You can blame that excuse on Noct).

Anyway, it had been a couple hours since he'd gone to bed when the pain from his head started messing with his dreams. He clutched his hand and groaned. Thanos' army may have food-bug features, but he remembered the terror. He remembered the stench of burnt flesh and alien innards. He remembered the bright blasts from Carol and his own lasers had looked against the darkness that surrounded them. His groans were getting louder and he gagged, trying to breath.

As he looked around the battlefield, he was watching the portals that had just brought all their loved ones back getting sucked back in like the hose from a vacuum cleaner. "No!" He screamed. What the hell had Bruce done?! No wait, the glove was on his hand. He kept trying to make the stupid glove obey him but it hurt so bad. Those bug-alien-food things were crawling up his body, making him thrash about. "No! Stop! Make it stop! Get off of me! Get off!"

[callmegladio]

The screams soon had Tony's door slamming open and Gladio running in to find that somehow those weird food creatures had managed to get in through Tony's open window and were just hanging out on his friends chest. Before he dealt with Tony's thrashing, Gladio grabbed the creatures and launched them back out the window with a choice few expletives to send them on their way. The nasty little things had worn out their welcome.

He slammed the window shut and turned to round the other side of the bed and sat down to reach for Tony's shoulders, shaking him.

"Tony? Tony! You're dreaming, wake up!" He called out urgently, voice as firm as the grip on Tony's shoulders.

Things had been weird the last few days. He'd barely seen much of the man. Between his working and going to bed early, Gladio had... missed him. But he'd said nothing. What could he say? Tony was doing his thing and it seemed to be important to him. This was worrying though. What had caused this? Was he having these more often and Gladio hadn't noticed?

[iustaegis]

[ After making arrangements for when she'd show him the modifications to the Regalia, he'll receive a text as soon as she pulls up on their street. Two friendly honks of the horn of the car accompany the message. ]

Gladio!! I'm here outside, come see!

[ She intends to make this flight as easy as possible for him, for after having taken a couple different people who have varying levels of comfort of speed and height, she's come to learn that the easiest trip would be to start with a cruise.

As for the Regalia itself, its top is down, and Pyra sits patiently in the driver's seat, grinning as she spots him emerge from his townhouse.

Nothing much seems to be too different in terms of the aesthetics of the car: it still retains that classic, luxurious look, it's still painted black, and its engine still purrs that same wild sound. Except, should he approach, there's an additional console between the driver's and passenger's seat, its holographic surface facing the diver herself, and more plating seems to decorate just above the rear wheels. ]

[callmegladio]

[Gladio got the text and soon left the house, shrugging into a jacket as he did. While the weather was warming up, he wasn't sure just how warm it would be in the air.

He was grinning as he approached, it had been so long since he'd seen the Regalia that he couldn't help smooth a hand along her side before he reached the passenger side door.]

Looking as sweet as ever. [His grin widened and he winked.] Cars not too bad either. How're you doin, Pyra?

Forward Date- Lasai/ April 1st

[runs_on_batteries]

Tony was groggy as he went about his wake up routine. He put the kettle on the stove for Gladio's tea and got a coffee from the replicator. He sipped the drink as he shuffled back upstairs in his bathrobe. Setting the mug down on the bathroom counter, he got out the supplies for trimming his beard. His dark brown eyes glanced up at the mirror and almost missed something different.

Wait, what?

He stared, razor in hand and faucet running. The lines on his face had receded, the gray in his hair gone, his skin was more firm in certain areas, and he couldn't understand what he was seeing.

"What the.. Gladio!" He dropped the razor and quickly turned off the water. He swiftly went down the hall to his roommate's bedroom and entered without knocking. "Gladio? Wake up! D- do you see..?" He couldn't find the words to describe it, mostly too scared to do so.

[callmegladio]

Gladio had been having a lazy morning. He didn't have training, he could have gotten up for a run, but had decided sleeping in was a better idea. It didn't happen often so when it did he usually enjoyed it.

Unless someone woke him up.

Tony woke him up.

So he fully deserved the pillow that went sailing his way as Gladio grunted and pulled his blanket up over his head.

April 5th

[runs_on_batteries]

Tony had gone to work solo today after placing an insulated travel mug of tea quietly next to Gladio's bed. He'd gone to bed early the night before, though he'd gotten up briefly to welcome his roommate home. Secretly, he'd also been dying to know if the boys had liked the game and their goodie bags too.

After that, he left it was back to rewiring the building. It was a slow process but with talented help and a steady stream of good music, he was making progress.

It was late afternoon when he was finishing with one of the circuits and heard a beep from his phone. His eyebrow rose seeing Gladio's message that more or less said to come home now. How was he supposed to say no to that? Checking with someone to make sure they'd lock up when they left, he opted to fly back to his townhouse.

[callmegladio]

Gladio had begged off going to the bar that day. He'd needed some time to himself. The last few days had been so hectic and gogogo that he just didn't feel like he'd had a chance to think. He hadn't had a second to himself.

So when Tony left, that's exactly what Gladio did.

He finished his sleep then got up shower, then spent the rest of the morning and into the afternoon sat on his couch lost in thought. Gladio might have drifted off at one point, but when he woke and he was still alone, he knew that it needed to change. He knew what it was he needed to do.

Grabbing his phone he shot off a text. It was simple and to the point.

"Come home. Now."

Once it was sent, Gladio sat up, dropped his feet on the ground and leaned forward, arms resting on his knees. How was he going to do this...?

April 9~ First Official Date!

[runs_on_batteries]

[A few days earlier, Tony had slipped a small surprise in Gladio's gym bag before he'd left to work out at the arena with Noctis or Ignis or someone (he hadn't been paying attention). Inside was a small plastic box with one of the gladiolus blossoms, a metal cuff, and an invitation to a date that Friday night. All Gladio had to do was send back the what color underwear he was wearing and Tony would consider that a 'yes'.

Whatever the initial response, Tony had inevitably gotten the answer he wanted. Similar to how things had gone with Gladio's birthday party, Tony had left earlier in the evening only to show up in a taxi at the time he'd asked his partner to be ready.

He hopped out and strolled up to the front door. With a smirk on his face, he knocked, like this wasn't his house. Whenever Gladio opened the door, he'd find Tony in a suit with a heart-shaped box in hand.]

I feel like I'm taking you to a school dance.

[callmegladio]

[Gladio was more than a little surprised to find the box in his bag after his training session with Noct. He blinked at the flower and pushed down on the annoyance at Tony having killed the poor flower but he could also see it as the romantic gesture the silly man was trying to make. The cuff made him laugh. He examined it for a moment before he put it on, then finally looked at the note.

He rolled his eyes.

He was tempted to send back that he wasn't wearing any, but Tony would know that was a lie. So he answered with black and went about the rest of his day.

When he returned home it was to find Tony on his way out. A few kisses and a promise to be ready later and Gladio headed for a shower and to change. Luckily he had clothes for the occasion, he'd ordered some before the party, just in case. He still wore the cuff.

Gladio was just making sure his tie was straight when someone knocked on the door and he went to answer it only to be surprised to find Tony there.]

... You have a key. [He pointed out with a laugh, then noted the box Tony carried, followed by the outfit, and smiled slowly.] You look good.

Backdated to April 24: Evening

[runs_on_batteries]

April had started off as such a good month. There had been some really amazing memories made and positive steps taken. However, the last week- hell, not even that long- the last four days, had taken a dramatic turn. The first few times Tony had found himself trapped in someone's memory hadn't been so bad. It had been interesting and it hadn't been too hard to get out of.

Then he'd witnessed the battle that had changed his life in so many ways. Then he saw it again. Last night had been a bad nightmare. This morning he'd seen an even worse memory and ended up fighting with Gladio over. And then he saw it again. He'd cracked. Right in front of Katsuki too.

He needed the memories to stop! They were all he saw, over and over again. From that first battle to his very last, his mind replayed the highlights of his screwed up life
and all the mistakes he'd made along the way.

Tony took another swallow from the bottle in his hand and rolled his head back against the back of the couch. The lights were off in the empty townhouse and he had a glass he'd been using but as the evening had grown darker and he'd gotten more drunk, he'd given up on that middle step.

[callmegladio]

Gladio had been out for most of the day, caught in a memory that had been unexpected in the extreme. He felt exhausted, emotionally. All these memories, reliving some of his own, dealing with other people's, it was a stress he'd never experienced before. But there was something else there too, a strange sense of accomplishment hidden within all the pain. He felt like maybe, just maybe, he'd gotten a little closer to some... And maybe even allowed others to see a little snippet of what made him him. Those weren't bad things, he supposed.

What it meant was that Gladio was late getting home. As he walked up to the townhouse he began to frown. There were no lights on. He checked the time on his communicator and then glanced at the house again before he shrugged, Tony might have gone to bed early. Maybe he was out too? In the bath? Maybe he could join him...?

Gladio walked on in and shrugged out of his jacket as he did. Then he turned and almost had a heart attack on finding Tony, not in the tub, but sat in the dark of their living room. He made a quiet sound of surprise before frowning again. "... Tony? Why the hell're you sittin in the dark?"

[runs_on_batteries]

Tony was standing precariously on a chair, leaning a bit to one side, holding one of the pictures Aerith had given Gladio for his birthday. "He'e?" He asked around a nail in between his lips. The hammer hung from his belt and in between two fingers he held a pencil. He glanced over his shoulder toward his partner, hoping he'd hurry up.

They'd been in their new house for four whole days now. It had been a surreal experience to leave their townhouse for something they'd selected together. After how many decisions had been made for them since being taken from their world, building a life here was incredible. They had their house, their business, and with Azure, it felt like their little family too. He wasn't as sappy as Ignis used to get about those things, but it did make him smile.

[callmegladio]

"There's fine." Gladio said as he came up beside Tony to help keep him steady. Last thing either of them needed was for one of them to go and break their leg in a stupid way.

Their home was still on the bare side but they were making it their own little-by-little. Things like these pictures. Gladio grinned up at them, remembering how excited Aerith had been when she'd explained the flowers to him. It had reminded him of Madoka in a way. He was glad to have a place to put them now.

Date Night at the Hot Springs~ (Forward dated to 7/26)

[runs_on_batteries]

It was a Monday night and it hadn't been hard to get someone else to cover the bar. After a quick trip home to freshen up, Tony had whisked Gladio away to the hot springs with a couple bottles of wine, picnic dinner, and a few other surprises up his sleeve- it just wouldn't be Tony without them.

As they settled in with a cooler on the side of one of the secluded pools, Tony poured a glass of wine for Gladio as he sat on the edge with a towel wrapped around his waist. "Here's to making it through our first busy weekend since.. well.. you know. We knew people couldn't stay away from their booze forever."

[callmegladio]

Gladio wasn't sure what had gotten into Tony but a date night sounded pretty nice after... everything. He'd only put up token resistance to the idea before he, laughing, had let Tony drag him wherever he wanted. Which was how he found himself sat in the hot springs sipping a glass of wine and watching his boyfriend with a warm smile upon his lips.

"There's that at least. It was good to see the place bustling again." As bustling as it ever got, given how small their community really was. Gladio took another sip of the wine and sighed, relaxing back as he did. "But this? This was a good idea."

backdated to mid july? or whatever works!!

[iustaegis]

[ Have a video call from Pyra. ]

Gladio...? Do you want to join me for a car ride...? Or flight?

Sorry for the late reply!

[callmegladio]

[Gladio was a bit surprised by the sudden call, but he smiled when he answered.]

Pyra. Is somethin... A car ride, eh? I think I can free up some time in my busy schedule for a drive.