A LAWFUL WASTELAND

[counterattack]

[ it's December 8. Law turns 18 today. at this point, he's been living in Copalli for over a year. during the final relic fiasco, he achieved trance within about five seconds (because it's basically overlimit) and faced Tiamat in her castle because he had a score to settle with dragons (dragons, wyverns, same shit) and had enough taking shit from these mother fucking guardians in this mother fucking jungle. it was epic.

anyway, it's a few months later and Law lives in Tikal again, down at the bottom of the crater. they've built bridges and pulleys aboveground, as well as created a system to keep the crater from filling with water when it rains. although most of his farm was lost during Tikal's fall, he's rebuilt it bigger and better than ever and repopulated it with even more chickens, hogs, cows and even a few semi-domesticated mist monsters. there's also proper crops, probably due in part to at least one friend or another planting on the huge expanse of land he's set up there. he also rebuilt the inn that collapsed on top of him back then, and this time it's actually finished. he got a local business manager to help run the place and they export animal products and crops all over Copalli. the inn is booming. it's great.

all is well.

except now it's his birthday and Law is just trying to go about his business like he doesn't know that, strapping on his fancy wolf gauntlets and shouldering a big pack of supplies to go make some delivery trips to the other cities. nothin' to see here, not ya lil dude all growed up, a solid 5'9" (and a half) with some cool tribal tats done over his wyvern scars and something of a more mature countenance, buuuuuttt still the dweebo dorkus doofus meathead he's always been.

ANYWAY, THIS IS #LATERGRAM INCENSEDVERSE. medallion him, meet him at any of the cities, fight monsters together on the road, pretend there was a party planned that he's trying to sneak out of showing up to, WHATEVER WORKS. ]

Comments

[counterattack]

[ Ah, c'mon. How is it that even that gets his ears burning? Look, they haven't had that much time to spend together in person since his birthday (not none, but not as much as he, uh, wishes they'd had), but that hasn't stopped the banter from carrying on, and it's just never gonna get old, apparently. He can't help it, man. Even "no I'm not flirting," handwritten, still sounds like flirting when it's coming from Gladio. ]

i wouldn't mind if you were buuuuuut
yeah of course you can come over! just watch the front gate. fang's on chicken duty.

[ which means he's likely to have a dust cloud of feathers and slobbering monster dog ba-gawking its way outta here. It wouldn't be the first time. Those chickens are opportunistic little shits. ]

[indeferent]

<sub>[ He'll take a flock of chickens over chocobos, but nobody tell Prompto that. Not that he's got anything against the trusty steeds, it's just harder to shoo them away when they start crowding around his boots to peck at the laces. At least when they're only shin high he can give 'em a gentle nudge-and-toss, you know? And with Fang, well... Dogs, man. Gladio can't say he's ever had one, but as far as 'Animals That Try To Eat You And Are Now A Pet' go, he's not half bad.

Definitely more preferable than a spiracorn at any rate. ]</sub>

one the effect is lost without the entire emoji dictionary at my fingertips. peach + eggplant kinda loses its charm when you gotta draw it.
two, so long as he doesn't jump up on me this time? I got something fragile

_{[ Well. ]}

k maybe not fragile but it's uh
precious cargo?
might wanna clear your schedule for the day bcause of reasons
be there in 10? think they're gettin the lid on in a sec

_{[ They definitely are, and just before it slides into place Gladio catches a glimpse of it. He doesn't have history with the thing and he already feels a vague twisting sensation in his chest. ]}

unless you want/need me to pick something up on the way?

[counterattack]

what's an eggplant? and a peach?

[ Listen. They don't have those here, and he's seen some food, but he hasn't seen every food. ]

uh... wait, fragile? what the heck are you bringing me?
it's not a baby animal, is it? i've got room, but i might need to know what it is in advance so i can clear a space or something

[ Amazing that's where his mind automatically goes these days. It wouldn't be the first time someone had a creature to dump into his lap, and he's sure it won't be the last. Between "we've got this ornery farm animal that needs wrangling," "we've got a bunch of newborn something-or-others that we don't have space for" and "we've got this half-sane incense monster that needs taming," Law's place is the go-to for wayward beasts. Like, is this a farm, or a sanctuary?

Yes. The answer to that is yes.

Anyway, the clues are all there: something fragile in a box, might need to clear his schedule, don't want the dog jumping on him... it's a good guess, brent. ]

i'll bring fang inside... i just got done shoeing the spiracorns and that was the last thing on my list for awhile, so i'm free
and i just sat down with lunch so if you're hungry, there's food

[indeferent]

normally? food. but

🍑🍆

also no its not an animal I know better than that trust me
surprise pets aren't fun unless its agreed upon by both people but mostly the person getting it

_{[ He may have never had pets but by god he has seen and read enough things about it!! Safe to say there's a pretty good chance he'd have flipped a little if someone tried to foist an animal on him while he was working to become a Shield purely because he didn't have time for one, and even after being a Shield was a full-time gig. But maybe someday he'll get Law another hen or two seeing as he's already got a couple. Who doesn't like more eggs, really? ]}

tbh you should know me by now I'll eat just about anything
esp if you wound up cooking it ;)
see you soon?

[counterattack]

???? looks gross

[ "Eggplant" sounds horrific honestly, like why would you take an egg and make it a plant? He's assuming that's the one on the left because it's round. The purple one... look. He's not trained in the modern art of "haha that looks like a dick."

Anyway, it not being an animal absolutely stumps him, and he's officially out of guesses. Something he'd near to clear his whole day for that's fragile and in some kind of box or container with a lid... food, maybe? More of that fancy liquor? But that would probably, uh, fall somewhere within the realm of flirting, considering.

At least he doesn't have long to wait before he finds out. ]

yeah, i cooked. steak and eggs

[ For lunch? You betcha. ]

see you soon!

[ Guess he's gotta go drag Fang in by the scruff and corral those chickens. It takes him nearly the entire ten minutes to do it, cramming the dog in the dog pen and hustling the last clucker into the henhouse by the time Gladio walks up. ]

[indeferent]

<sub>[ And Law had doubts about being a catch. Despite his own nerves Gladio finds himself laughing right in the shop and earning A Look from both the gal at the counter and Migel as the man hauls the crate on out after sheepishly explaining "My, uh..." and a gesture to the journal. Yeah, they get it. Migel especially. He knows Law pretty well by this point and if this means the older man can tease him just a little? Then it's a win-win. So long as he stays happy, you know? They help Gladio load it up onto his shoulder, offer a few words of encouragement, and off he goes.

He could jog there and turn the ten minute into maybe a five, but he also makes a quick stop to pick up a little baggie of those cinnamon-adjacent bites that he knows Law likes so ten it is. When he finally makes it to Law's place he doesn't bother knocking at the gate like he might when trying to ham it up, only at the door. Sure he could probably just walk on in but manners. Gladio wasn't raised in a barn despite how much of an animal he was as a kid, okay? ]</sub>

Oi, I'm here.

_{[ Alright, Amicitia. Relax. This'll be fine. ]}

[counterattack]

[ Here comes The Boy: with an errant chicken feather stuck to his cheek. Did he hug that chicken before he put it in the henhouse with the rest? Maybe. Okay actually yes. But before you judge him, just remember those emotional support chickens that got fucking nerfed when Tikal fell, all of which were named after friends from home. He has to hug the chickens, man. Even if they're gonna get eaten someday.

Law appears not in the doorway, but from around the side of the house, letting himself out through the gate and shutting it securely behind him. Unaware of himself as usual, he smiles as he gestures toward the house. ]

Hey! Go ahead in, you can set that wherever there's space.

[ On the bed, probably. His house is a mess and this time he didn't have time to clean, but for once he hasn't overthought it very much. He's eyeing that box curiously, but trying not to be too obvious about it. ]

Food's on the table, too. Should still be warm.

[indeferent]

You-

_{[ He starts as he ducks under the door and moves to set it where he's indicated to. The table was definitely out so the bed'll have to do, and the number of blankets piled on it makes for an extra safe "barrier" of sorts. Not that he's worried about it actually breaking, it just seems more... respectful that he treat it with as much care as he can. His fingers linger over the wooden surface for a few moments, then when he finally pulls away he reaches out to loop an arm around Law instead to pull him in with a quiet laugh and a short kiss. ]}

-are amazing. Have I told you that lately?

<sub>[ You know, besides every morning in the journals. No matter how early or late, Gladio does try to leave messages of a similar vein for him to see at least once throughout the day. It's the little things that have always carried a bigger message to him versus the bigger things, you know?

Now, let him at those eggs. Don't tell Ignis but these ones are very quickly becoming his favorite. ]</sub>

So amazing.

[counterattack]

[ As it would turn out, Law without his, uh, insanely copious amounts of liquid courage is, in fact, a Blushy Little Dude. No surprises there, really, but there's a bashfulness that he'd managed to overcome present now that honestly? He's better off with than without. You could make a case for either version, but the one that flushes pink and smiles extra wide, shy but too charmed to completely succumb to it? It has its merits. Law looks at Gladio like the sun shines out his ass, leaning into his arm while it's there with a little laugh of his own. ]

You might'a mentioned, but I dunno what I did to deserve that...

[ It might, slowly but surely, be progressively dawning on him that he doesn't have to do anything in particular. He might actually get that someday. In the meantime, Law takes a seat at the second of the two chairs at his tiny little table. Like most things Law makes, those steak'n eggs are simplistic, greasy, a little salty, and absolutely devoid of any nutritional value besides straight protein. Just how he likes it. ]

You're the one bringing me some kinda present, as usual. Besides yourself, I mean.

[ ohoho the kid's got game ]

How long've you been in town?

[indeferent]

I'm hoping you'll like that one more than me, 'specially since I might've done one of the big things you're always tellin' me not to do.

_{[ Going out into the incense without any face coverings was one thing, but going out alone? That's something Gladio had promised to not do. Even having another Viper along was better than running solo out there no matter how much things have calmed down since The Great Relic Fuckening, but that's neither here nor there as he digs into those eggs with the gusto of a starving man. ]}

Don' 'e 'ad or anythin', m'fine— _{[ Obviously. He swallows, and uses a chunk of steak to wipe up the yolk that had splattered over the plate. ]} —been here since last night. I was kinda bouncin' between here 'n Coba for the last couple weeks though, jus' not long enough to stay for more than a couple hours. I, uh...

_{[ One leg stretches out under the table, foot hooking around Law's ankle as if Gladio were worried that if he wasn't touching him he might disappear. See, he's really just that big on PDA and ever since that "little" ice breaker in Coba, this is something he's just come to instinctively seek out with Law. It's good contact, brent. ]}

...think I wound up with some of your handiwork on one of my trips, by the way. We had a Spiracorn haulin' the wagon and for once it didn't try to kick me in the ass when I was unloadin'. And again on the trip over last night.

[counterattack]

Something I'm always telling you not to do...

[ Make those painful dad jokes? But how would that translate into a present? Law takes a moment or two to consider while he's forking up some bits of steak for himself, but quickly swerves a different way with that train of thought: ]

Eh, I dunno. I doubt there's any present I could like more than you.

[ It's too matter-of-fact to even be flirting; he just means it sincerely. Both because, yeah, he just really likes Gladio, and also because he's never considered himself to be particularly material. He's never had many material things to care much about in the first place. Mostly just heirlooms and keepsakes from people who aren't around anymore, which... yeah, about that.

Law's calf rests against Gladio's, comfortable with the contact. ]

Was it the one with the swirly-looking horn? Lollipop? I've been working on training that one up, yeah. She hasn't been taking to tack, but it seems like she kinda likes pulling the wagons. Think it makes her feel important. Not so constrained, y'know? Plus they keep her with Horse at the barn. I wrangled her back when I first got here and she's got a good attitude, so it's probably rubbing off on the younger ones.

[ yeah the horse is named Horse. he got more creative as he went along. sort of. ]

[indeferent]

_{[ The swirly-looking horn? Gladio snorts around his next mouthful, the back of his hand moving to cover his mouth as he tries to stifle a gods-awful grin. This was the sort of normalcy he'd been craving from Eos and he's ashamed to see that this was where it was hiding all along. There's no weight of the world, no threat of any relics, nothing but two people just being people and losing it over a spiracorn of all things. ]}

'abe, I dunno if you've noticed but they all have swirly-lookin' horns. S'why they're called Spiracorns, ain't it?

_{[ At least that's what Gladio always assumed, just like how Behemoths earned their name by being the biggest damned thing within Eos' ecosystem. Swallowing the chunk in his mouth he shakes his head and gestures to one of his ears with the end of his fork before diving into another piece, this time taking the time to actually savor it. ]}

S'one that had part of its ear missing and the tips of its horns were busted, but I think yours was with it too. Real big 'n has a couple scars on the ass-end, right? Not the one you picked Prompto up on but the other one.

_{[ The date-night horse had murder in its eyes, Gladio remembers that much. ]}

You still won't catch me sittin' on the back of one though, not even for a thousand gil.

[counterattack]

Well, yeah, but that one's extra swirly! Not every horn looks the same, y'know. Some have swirls that go this way [ twirling his finger ] and some go the other way, or there's kind of a criss-cross pattern... and don't get me started on how different the ends can look!

[ Never set foot on Eos a day in his life, and he's already got a burgeoning career in Cleigneian ecology. Or, like, at least Spiracornology. The real twist is that he's like this with any animal he has experience being around; he can tell a clutch of freshly-hatched, nigh identical baby chicks apart, knows all the cows' names, and knows exactly which Fangs are which when he's helping the transportation committees put together their sled teams. ]

Oh, no, Trompeta works out of Coatepec now. The plant geeks needed an easy ride for their soft little wussy butts. Part of its ear missing... oh. That's gotta be Dragan. Probably one of the toughest ones we ever broke in, but he still doesn't get on so good with his own kind.

[ Nudging Gladio's leg under the table, Law points with his fork before he takes his bite. ]

I'll get you on one someday. I hang around with chickens all day as it is, I don't need an even bigger one.

[ Lest we forget about Beary Manilow and that little girl scream Law insists he heard. ]

[indeferent]

You want a bigger chicken, I'll ask the dragon for a 'bo egg 'cause I ain't one.

<sub>[ Would a chicken go toe-to-toe with not one but several Behemoths? Maybe a red one would but that's beyond the point. Gladio winds up nudging Law's leg right back with a gentleness that says despite his "tone" he's not actually that defensive about it. After the first nudge he lets his foot rest against Law's ankle and chooses to run the side of his boot up and down the inside of it a few times, his head tilting with another good bite. Something tells him that if Gladio ever manages to get Law back to his world he might wind up losing track of him in Cleigne or Duscae. Maybe not for good, but good enough that he'll have to scour the countrysides for the guy himself.

(In actuallity he's going to wind up glued to Law's side.) ]</sub>

Remind me to introduce you to Sania if I take you home with me. Or, uh... I can also ask the statue for a bunch of the books she's written too. That's a woman who'd give you a run for your gold if she ever set foot on this world - hell, I'd probably lose both of you in the wilderness now that I think about it.

_{[ There's a pause as he seems to consider something, then Gladio shakes his head to himself. ]}

Tell you what: You manage to get a harness 'n bridle on me when I'm all... monstered out? Then I'll think about getting on your kick-happy horses with sharp teeth.

[counterattack]

You should do that anyway! I wanna see one in real life. I'll pass on the books, though.

[ Seeing the photos wasn't enough. Prompto really did manage to impress chocomania on him, if nothing else, although honestly, he's more curious about it than obsessed with how cute and fluffy they might be. The farmer life had been thrust unexpectedly upon him, and he'd never had the time to really lean into it back home enough to take a real, proper interest in it, but now? Turns out he does actually have a vested interest in animals.

Reading, on the other hand? Nope.

Anyway, look what you've done, Gladio. Just look at what you've done. Law stops with the fork still in his mouth, and then those gears start turning in his head. He's never seen Gladio monstered out, and he's still not completely positive what a Behemoth even is, but he knows that it's big, dangerous, and, uh, apparently edible. Not any different than any other monster-turned-livestock he's dealt with, right? Except this one's a person, actually.

Law considers. And considers some more. And then his lips curl into a devious little grin as he pulls the fork from his mouth. ]

Challenge accepted. But just so you know...

[ Leaning forward. ]

I don't use saddles or bridles when I ride. Don't need 'em for the Spiracorns, and I won't need 'em with you, either.

[ i mean he sure didn't need them before— ]

[indeferent]

<sub>[ As always its his ears that give him away. While his face remains mostly neutral save for a curious raising of an eyebrow, his ears go from the easy, relaxed droop to perking up in complete and utter attention. No matter how much he tries he can't stop it, but has there really been a need to around Law? Not that he can think of. He doesn't even try to restrict them around Noctis, not anymore at least. It's a slow process but he's slowly becoming more and more comfortable with the damned things no matter how much they ruin that Too Cool And Tough To Care image he puts on.

And really, can anyone blame him when that comes out of Law's mouth? Gladio swallows, digesting that little nugget of information for a long minute, then he's grabbing another piece and sticking the fork out to Law. Brat. ]</sub>

Then you're gonna have to find a way to wear me out 'cause I might try and throw you off twice as hard. 'least I can promise to not try and eat you this time.

_{[ Probably. He's... Look, Gladio's getting better about that, okay? He might posture and show off his teeth when he's halfway out of his mind but he hasn't tried to eat anyone in awhile. Then again the people he'd been around had alway smelled familiar to him so that prrooooooooooooobably helped more than he (or any of them) realize. ]}

Now open up.

[counterattack]

[ As if all the ear-scratchies and horn grabbing didn't give him away before, Law happens to find those goofy ears of Gladio's kinda cute. And if anyone understands those less-than-human signals, guess it'd have to be him, huh? As soon as they perk up, he laughs. ]

Hehe, I'm not afraid of getting eaten.

[ Been there, did that, he lived bitch. And also the, uh, less literal eating thing, also not a problem. Evidently he just has a propensity for getting all chewed up and walking it off like it's nothing.

His nose wrinkles, caught between a silent laugh and a seriously? but opens his mouth to admit that fork in the end, anyway. He's pretty sure nobody's ever fed him anything by hand, at least not since he was a baby, so that's kind of a first. Like most firsts Gladio's introduced him to, though, he's pretty alright with this one. And of course he talks with his mouth full afterward like a heathen. ]

It can't be that hard. I carried people around on my back when I was a monster and I've got way less space to work with in that form. And no free handlebars.

[indeferent]

They're only handlebars if you can reach 'em. There's a sail you gotta worry 'bout on my back too which is why I'd go for some sort of saddle, but it ain't gonna be my ass gettin' stabbed.

<sub>[ Unless?? Come to think of it Gladio isn't entirely sure what the purpose of it is on himself save for a way to make himself look bigger, but if it's anything like an actual behemoth then maybe it's meant to help out in the water. That'll be something to experiment with another day, he thinks. For now, he's got Law and this apparent rodeo to prepare himself for, and the thought makes him snort a little. Hunters used to pull stunts like that with Magnanir, but he's pretty sure Law is going to be the first person to try the same thing with something bigger and ten times more lethal on account of the horses only having hooves and smaller teeth.

Pulling his fork back, Gladio lets his hand drift to the table and after a few moments, he moves it over to cover one of Law's for no particular reason. He just... He wanted to, okay? It's nice. ]</sub>

When am I gonna be able to see this Other You, anyway? I've only heard about it in pieces. Would...

_{[ He turns their hands over so he can effectively slide his palm across Law's, his fingertips teasing at the inside of a wrist. ]}

I have to worry 'bout getting chewed on too? Or could I get you to melt by scratching that spot just behind your jaw like some sort of big dog? Where would you take me if I managed to get up on your back?

[counterattack]

[ Behemoth rodeo sounds fun as hell, and a lot less scary than dealing with wyverns. He'd like to think he has a cheat button for getting through to Gladio, but he's also never really tried to break through the effects of someone screwed up on incense before, really. Anytime he encountered someone else that was all monstered out, he had just tried to kill them right back. And, uh... in Alphen's case, succeeded at doing exactly that. That memory never fails to send an uncomfortable, sickening pang straight to the pit of his stomach, and Gladio taking his hand comes at the best possible time. Law sets his fork down, expression mostly unchanged, but his appetite briefly lost. ]

Don't think you'd want to see me in that form, honestly. Almost every time I've changed, I was out of my mind and I attacked everybody in sight. I can't see very well when I'm like that, but I can sort of... sense feelings? I guess? The more I picked up on, the more I wanted to attack. Especially if they ran. Guess I have a high prey drive.

[ Ngh. It's been over a year and he can still remember all too well the sound of his own voice, deep down in those ruins, stumbling through the labyrinth and growling at everyone he ran into: Don't run.

His fingers curl against Gladio's hand, parting to lace their hands together. At first, his gaze wants to wander every which way, but eventually he meets Gladio's eye and stays there. There's not much point in being ashamed about it, especially not after that little moment he had in his Trance state. And it's not like he can go around preaching how it's a part of you and then act like there's a double standard when it's him. (Oh wait, he can do that. And he does it all the time. And he doesn't intend to ever stop, because while he doesn't have the right to judge others, the impossibly high standard he holds himself to is something he doesn't want to ever let go of.) ]

I think I might be able to control it a little better now, though. After that big thing with the relics and that dragon, it was... different. But I know it's not anything nice to look at, either. My face gets all screwed up. Nobody's ever tried to pet me or anything like that before either, so I dunno how I'd react. And, uh... I'm not that big. Just kinda... long? So you'd probably squash me. But if I could carry you around, I'd take you as far as I could go. I've got a lot of stamina for running already, but I basically never get tired when I'm like that, so we wouldn't have to stop.

[indeferent]

<sub>[ Gladio hums softly as Law speaks, his expression softening as he tries to imagine it while finishing the last couple bites. Changing like that? It's scary. He knows it. When he'd first transformed with all of those strange bubbles he had been terrified out of his gourd that he'd wind up hurting someone, then he'd wound up with an arrow practically right in his asscheek and he'd been in control of himself at the time. The second incident with Noctis... He didn't recognize him until Gladio had his teeth inches from Noct's face and ready to bite. The relics were a blur, but he swears he remembers flying but... That didn't make sense because he didn't have wings, right? But he remembers Noctis. He remembers being in control of himself albeit unable to speak unlike the last time when he'd snapped out of it.

But everything Law describes... Gods, it's terrifying to think about and also something he can't quite put his thumb on. He keeps listening, Gladio's thumb stroking over the back of Law's hand and knuckles whenever his voice trails off. Those moments of hesitance seems to solidify his own decision- ]</sub>

Well... If it helps any, I don't run.

_{[ Not unless he truly has to, and even then he'll be stubborn about it if he's on his own. ]}

You're not afraid of what I turn into and you haven't even seen it yet. You're down to try wrangling me 'n everything else that comes with it, so why should I be afraid of what you turn into? I, uh... I don't think you'd actually hurt me. Not on purpose. And if you're really not "that big" then I'm willing to bet I could wrestle you into submission 'til you calmed down.

_{[ At least there's one thing to be said about Amicitias; they're stupidly stubborn and loyal and the history books have enough stories on their relationship with the Caelum line to prove it. It's only natural that the same loyalty extends to everyone else they love, right? Even if they're meant to die for their monarch in the end. ]}

Then you could take me wherever you'd wanna go. There's gotta be places here that we can only get to when we're changed like that, yeah? It could... I dunno. It could be our thing. Just for the two of us.

[counterattack]

"Not on purpose"...

[ But does that make it okay? Of course all of those things weren't on purpose. He'd never attack anybody for no good reason, least of all the people he loves the most. But he killed his best friend in the whole world. Alphen's the strongest person he knows, how the hell does something like that just happen? Of course his friends were quick to say that it wasn't his fault, it was the incense, that they didn't blame him, but that answer's never been good enough for him. There's no excuse for hurting the people you love. All it takes is one "I didn't know any better, it wasn't my fault, I made a mistake" to ruin everything and lose someone completely.

Law chews the inside of his cheek, grappling with his feelings and trying not to let the worst of them show. He wants Gladio's confidence in him, and in himself, to pierce through that veil, but it's still going to take a little work. Still, it's a little easier not to be so afraid of what he might do after the last time, when instead of feeling like a monster, it had been more like... like he was becoming something he was meant to be and finding synergy with it. If he can manage something more like that the next time, maybe he won't need to worry. ]

You probably could, yeah. Just gotta watch the face. I could fit your whole upper half in my mouth if I tried hard enough.

[ Okay maybe not, like, the whole upper half, but... y'know. A good bit. Those jaws have real loose hinges, man. In spite of that super uncomfortable comment, though, Law smiles weakly, glancing down at their hands. ]

What, like some kinda monster den? I'm a pretty good climber in that form, so maybe we could dig out a cavern in the mountains or something. Start a treasure hoard? I'd probably just bring back bones and stuff to chew on, but... y'know. Who says treasure has to be shiny?

[indeferent]

<sub>[ There's a hint of something in Law's eyes that puts Gladio on the defensive - not regarding himself, but for Law's feelings. He's never been the best at diffusing situations (obviously), but it never stopped him from trying when the situation really called for it. So what if he lacks the silver tongue Ignis has in his mouth or the natural cheer that Prompto has? So he's not Noctis who can - against all odds - inspire confidence in half the damn world just by being him. He's an Amicitia. He's Gladio, and he still sticks by what he'd told Prompto during their idle banter one day while trekking through the fields of Duscae.

If you could be reborn as anything, what would you choose? ]</sub>

Sounds kinky.

_{[ Easy. I'd wanna be me. For better or worse, shitty humor included. ]}

'n why not? Noct hooked me up with a place outside Kiichpan to hunker down in for whenever I get... y'know. Me 'n him got a place like that, so why can't we? We could carve out our own space and go there if we lose our minds so we'd know where to find each other, or... we could use it to get away from everything for a little bit. People can't complain 'bout a couple animals roughhousing if they're not in the cities, right? It'd be safe too so when we came out of it we could take time to recoup on our own terms instead of that cramped, creepy room back in Coatepec.

_{[ Not that he knows what Gay Baby Jail is like, nope. Shh. ]}

Annnnnnnd if you just so happened to start kickin' your leg after I scratched you behind the ears, nobody but me could tease you for it. How's that sound?

[counterattack]

[ Gladio may not have all those traits, but he sure is Gladio, and that's good enough for Law. More than good enough. Some of the tension breaks, and he laughs, squeezing Gladio's hand in his appreciatively. Not taking it too seriously, while still having that big I believe in you energy, is really all it takes to get Law feeling more confident in himself. That's all he ever needed to be his best self, when all's said and done: knowing someone's got his back, unconditionally. Even when they're both going through it—hell, especially when they're both going through it, knowing he's not alone makes all the difference.

It won't heal all wounds in one snap of their fingers, but just like when he first left Cyslodia, that you can still come back from this makes it a little easier to face his mistakes and not let them define him. ]

I like the sound of that. Someplace safe. A no-judgment zone. I've never been in Salamander's monster jail, but my dad has a few times. He always got along with her, but I never wanted to come down like that, 'specially not now that she's gone.

[ He doesn't even know who's on scratchies duty anymore. Is there even anyone? Who knows. Last place he ever wanted to be when the shit hit the fan was at the coterie leaders' mercy, but at least his dad turned out okay, from what he heard. His nose wrinkles at that last bit, half in a suppressed laugh and half with fake disgust. ]

You better not tease me about it! I know what happens when you get scratched behind the ears, and between the two of us, you're the one with the disadvantage.

[ For now. ]

[indeferent]

I don't want to come down like that again if I can help it. It wasn't bad or anything, but it was...

_{[ Gladio finds himself squeezing Law's fingers right back, his brows furrowing as he tries to form the right words without sounding like too much of a Weenie. He made a promise to try and be more open with his feelings after keeping them bottled up for as long as he did and letting them fester until he lost his temper on the train. After that he vowed never again. At least with Law he doesn't have to worry about any real judgment on that part. ]}

I had my head back on straight after I found what I did, but that didn't mean I was any less scared while I was in there. I asked to be put in it just in case, y'know? But I wanted... someone to tell me that it'd be okay, I guess? I wanted someone I knew to be there if something went wrong.

_{[ If he had to be put down like a rabid dog he'd rather someone he trust do it versus a stranger. Shaking his head to rid himself of that particular thought, Gladio flashes a crooked grin and knocks his boot against Law's. Don't make that stink-face at him, young man. ]}

Don't judge me for it, Firecracker. Just you wait 'til I get my hands on yours and then we'll see who's got the disadvantage. Think if I scratched your belly I could get both legs goin'? Or that spot on your ass just above your tail? I heard dogs love havin' their ass scratched 'n I can't say I blame 'em.

[counterattack]

Mm... well, now I can be. If you need me to be.

[ He'd never really had the benefit of it, himself. Every time he'd transformed, he'd found his way home on his own, or he'd woken up fully back to normal by the time he opened his eyes again. Whether that was from unconsciousness or... death. Something he still hasn't told a soul about, and why change that now? It's just always been easier to contend with it on his own. But being there for others? That he can do. That he can definitely do. He fears no man or monster, especially not when his feelings for them transcend any sort of hesitation that might otherwise keep him from them.

Never again.

Also jesus christ the whiplash here. Grimacing, Law reaches with his free hand to swat Gladio in the arm. ]

D—Don't talk about scratching my ass, you freak! It's already weird enough when I'm not a monster, I don't even wanna think about what that's gonna feel like as a screwed-up wolf. I can't even picture anything feeling... good at all in that state. Not to mention what a freak I look like. I've only seen a little bit of my reflection and had other people describe it, but it's pretty bad. Not a lovable, scratchable puppy, that's for sure.

[ local sad animal who has never seen a scrap of affection in his life inadvertently says something pathetic: news at 11. But also, the absolute gall of him to think all these other hideous monsters are fine and then drag a perfectly decent abomination like that?? Outrageous. ]