Terrible Lies

The Question

The day was cool and sunny as they drove to Lestallum.  Prompto looked back at Gladio, who he saw was no longer reading his novel. His eyes had that troubled, far away look he got when he was worried. 

"Hey, Big guy, you ok?" 

Prompto felt Gladio jerk when he put a hand on top of his own. He withdrew with an apologetic smile and said, "sorry, just worried about you is all....almost there. We'll get to see Iris soon!"

While the blond never had any real family to worry about, he considered the three other men as good as any. He hated to see them worried or scared.

"Yeah...I can't help but worry about her...this peace treaty is...real fragile. I'd rather she stay home but..." Gladio trailed off, focusing on the scenery now more than anything else.

Prompto nodded, and with a sigh, turned in his seat to watch the scenery go by as well. 

Once they were in Lestallem, Gladio seemed to relax more, despite the humidity. 

"Gods this place! Can it be any hotter?" Noctis complained as they trudged across the street. 

"Perhaps, but lets not chance it." Ignis said weakly, the heat getting to him as well. 

The small city was bustling with life, as night approached.  They decided to get food first, then find Iris. They found an open air restaurant  that offered little help in beating the heat, but gave a good selection of meats. Prompto sighed as he looked through the menu. He loved all of this but he also remembered a comment Gladio had made about overeating and being dead weight. He chose a salad with some chicken. It hadn't looked the best but he would be the first to admit that maybe he could stand to lose some pounds. 

He fanned himself with the menu after their orders were taken and complained, "Its waaaay too hot here!" 

He leaned back in his chair with a pout and heard Gladio say gruffly, " Then lose the jacket..." 

he was slurping on some steaming cup noodles, a feat in this heat Prompto would never be able to fathom. The bigger man hadn't waited on regular food but had stopped instantly at a cup noodle stand. Sighing, Prompto took his vest off, feeling a little cooler now, but also like he was being eyed. He looked around the table and saw Gladio's eyes flit away, back to his food. 

Prompto shivered despite the heat and looked down at his freckled shoulders...are they that ugly?  He almost put the garment back on, but the heat out won his insecurities. 

They suffered in silence until their food came, which they all ate happily. Prompto, admittedly, had to keep his eyes from wandering to the others' food, and resignedly ate his greens. The chicken was good, but there wasn't much of it. 

After their meal, they made it to the hotel Gladio's sister was staying at. She greeted them warmly, running to her brother and jumping into his arms. He hugged her tight and she gave each of them a smile. 

"Thanks for visiting before you guys go to Altissia! I was worried you all had forgotten about me." Iris pouted, but her eyes gleamed happily.

Noctis put a hand on her shoulder and Prompto could see a physical crush manifest in her face. 

"We would never...you're busy but still our friend."

As Noctis said this, something dulled a little in Iris's face. Prompto hoped he was the only one to notice. He felt a pang for her, because he felt that way anytime Gladio flirted with a random woman. It was stupid he knew, because the giant of a man didn't even know his feelings towards him, but it would normally shoot through him regardless.