Chapter Text
Iggy, keep your Saturday night clear, you're being kidnapped.
Ignis cocked an eyebrow at the text from his significant other.
Gladio, you can't kidnap the willing.
Fine then, stealing you.
Gladio, you can only steal what isn't already yours.
The three dots poked across his screen. He sat his phone down, and fiddled with the stack of reports on his desk. His phone buzzed quietly.
That was smooth as hell, Iggy. Damn. I'll see you at your place at three.
Very well. May I at least know where I'm being taken?
An immediate response.
Nope. It's a surprise.
Ugh. Ignis despised surprises. He picked up his planner, and flipped through it. Saturday...the lover's holiday, of course. It has slipped his mind. He and Gladio had been together nearly two years now, and they had only done a small gift exchange for the prior year's holiday. A special cooked meal for Gladio, roses and expensive brandy filled chocolates for Ignis.
Mulling it over, he was actually kind of relived that Gladio had taken the reins on this one.
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2 o'clock. Ignis' phone buzzed on his coffee table. He picked it up, and thumbed the text notification.
Pack an overnight bag. Bring something classy to wear to dinner.
Ignis squinted at his phone. An overnight bag? Gladio must have anticipated him immediately trying to figure out the surprise, and decided to tell him last minute. He brushed his flat hair out of his eyes, and wandered into the bedroom to pack.
He had barely finished when the doorbell rang.
Ignis placed the shirt he was folding onto the bed, and went to answer the door. Gladio was standing behind it, grinning madly. He immediately noticed the stuffed duffel bag over the man's shoulder.
"Have we finally decided to elope?"
Gladio laughed, and entered the apartment.
"Naw, I told you, I'm just gonna throw you over my shoulder for that one." He dropped his bag by the door.
"Please don't, I don't particularly enjoy looking like a damsel in distress."
Ignis retreated to his bedroom to retrieve his small rolling suitcase. Gladio took the suitcase from him, and rolled it to the door.
"You got everything?"
"I should hope so. It would have been easier to pack if I knew where we were headed."
"Tough. I'm not telling." Gladio stretched his hand out. "Car keys."
Ignis blinked at him. "You're serious."
"Yep, give 'em."
Ignis sighed, and pulled the keys from the glass bowl by the door. He handed them over to Gladio, who poked him in the nose.
"Cheer up, babe. You're gonna enjoy yourself, I promise."
Ignis swatted Gladio's hand.
"I have no doubt, it's time alone with you."
Gladio took both of their bags, as Ignis locked the apartment door behind him.
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Gladio plopped both of their bags in the trunk of Ignis' car, and both tried to sit in their respective seats. They shared a laugh as they both fidgeted with the seat adjustments. The driver's seat had been adjusted to Ignis, the passenger seat had been adjusted to Noct, resulting in both men crunched up against the dash when they tried to sit. Gladio buckled his seatbelt, and turned to smirk at Ignis. Ignis cocked an eyebrow in response.
"What?"
"Nothin', I had considered blindfolding you, keep the surprise going."
"Gladio, the only place I would ever let you blindfold me is the bedroom."
"I know, that's why I brought it anyway." Gladio grinned at his significant other, who sighed.
Ignis pinched the bridge of his nose, and groaned.
"Should have know that was coming."
The weather was clement as they departed, and Gladio not nearly as bad a driver as Ignis had anticipated. It was a bit of a relief to not be the one behind the wheel. It also gave Ignis full reign to watch Gladio. He let he head fall back on the headrest, and watched him with a loving gaze.
Gladio had started growing his hair out, and Ignis honestly loved how it looked on him. His thick brunette hair now had to be moussed back, instead of spiked into the faux hawk he sported in his youth. He kept the sides shaved, but the length was finally long enough for Ignis to grasp in his fingers and yank. After the first time he did, Gladio swore he would never cut it any shorter. Ignis reached over, and scratched the back of Gladio's head.
"Babe..."
"Yes?" Ignis replied innocently.
"You know I love how that feels..."
"My apologies. I couldn't help myself. Your hair has been so soft since you stopped using that horrid gel."
"Yeah, and who talked me into that?"
"Someone who loves you." Gladio shot Ignis a smirk, and glanced at the clock on the dash.
"Shouldn't be much farther. Maybe half an hour?"
Ignis ran his thumb down the back of Gladio's neck as he retracted his hand. Gladio shuddered slightly in reaction. He placed a hand on the top of the steering wheel, and held his right out. Ignis took his hand, running an absentminded finger over the calloused skin, and watching the scenery pass.
"It's so strange to see the countryside... This is pleasant, Gladio. Thank you."
"You're welcome. It is nice out here, huh?"
Gladio took his hand back, replacing it on the wheel, and slowing into a steep turn. Ignis saw the sign.
"Galdin Quay? Gladio, are you taking me to Galdin Quay?"
"Surprise."
Ignis' lips broke into a smile, as he saw the Quay over the cliff.
"How did you manage to...?"
"I'm not telling. But planning, mostly. Took a page out of your book and started prepping for this six months ago."
Ignis smiled at Gladio, who glanced and winked at him. He pulled the car into a parking spot, and stretched his arms.
"Iggy, It's all about us tonight. No responsibilities, no royalty. Relax, and enjoy yourself."
Ignis almost felt guilty. He hadn't thought about his responsibilities since they left the city. Noct would be fine without him for a night. He pulled his planner out of his vest pocket, and held it up to Gladio. Both of them knew that little book was law to him. He opened the glove box, and tossed it in, then cast Gladio a smile that almost looked relieved.
"Just us."