hugtopia | [Text]

Thank you for realizing that much at least.

[For what it is worth, once he arrives at the arena a short time later, Regis does make an effort to stay out of the way. He even sets a faintly glowing shield around himself so Gladio doesn't feel the need to hold back just in case.

Nothing that is thrown, ricochets, or bounces in his direction is getting through that shield. Nothing.

So do your worst, Gladio. He'll be here to put you back together once you're done.]

[Gladio... is already a mess of blood and bruises, he doesn't even look over when Regis arrives. Doesn't seem to notice.

After having made his broadcast he'd thrown himself into the fight.

While he might not have been fighting to the death, he was clearly fighting to substitute one pain for another. Physical pain was easier to deal with than the ache in his heart, after all.]

[Someone should probably tell Gladio that masking emotional pain with physical isn't the right way to handle things, but that person won't be Regis. Not when he has done the same and would have continued to do so if he hadn't found people--and Pokemon--more stubborn than he here.

Of course, he wouldn't be much of a friend if he let things go too far.]

If you don't take a break soon, we may end up testing how well you fight and dodge potions at the same time.

[Oh, he knew it wasn't the right way of handling things. But it was either fight or drown himself in alcohol and he'd chosen to destroy things instead.

He only came to a stop when he heard Regis call out. Gladio was breathing hard, his arms dropped to his sides and he took a step back, ending the simulation. The nanobots returned to wherever they went when they weren't being punching bags. Taking a deep breath, he lifted a hand to wipe some blood from his chin before he turned around to approach Regis.]

... Fine. I'll take a break.

The good thing about the nanobots is they will be there when you come back; the bad thing is the anger and hurt will probably be there too.

[Regis drops the shield and pulls both a potion and a bottle of water from the Armiger for Gladio. There's plenty where that came from. His Armiger is rather empty these days aside from the few odds and ends he throws in it.]

Are you ready to talk or do you need a few more hours first?

[He'd not really been able to talk much about Cor leaving right away. Thanks to Will and the Pokemon, he spent the first few hours buried under a pile of fur, feathers, and friends.

Part of him had still wanted to do nothing more than scream and beat on things, though.]

[When he was close enough... he just dropped to the ground. First on his ass and then he fell onto his back. At the question he replied with a low, hollow laugh. Was he ready to talk? About what? Tony was gone. What was there to talk about?]

What'll talking do? He's gone. Talking won't change a thing.

[For just a moment Regis is concerned by how Gladio collapses, but as soon as he realizes it's not anything serious, he shakes his head, kneels down and gently taps the potion against the young Shield's forehead.]

Well, for one thing you know just how happy it makes Tony to know people are talking about him. He might not be here, but I do still like the idea of him being happy.

[Had he gone home to pass into whatever afterlife existed in his world? Had he been whisked off to yet another world? They have no way of knowing, so Regis is going to try and focus on the idea of his friend being happy. Somehow. Someway.]

[Except Gladio couldn't think about him being happy... Because he knew if home awaited Tony, that happiness would last mere seconds before he died. Because he knew the plans he'd barely set into motion before Tony had vanished... Happiness wasn't a word he needed to think about, or hear, right then.

But he dutifully lifted a bruised and cut up hand to grab the potion from Regis. Instead of drinking it, he dropped his hand onto his chest and just closed his eyes for a few moments.]

... What about my happiness?

[Once Gladio takes the potion, Regis settles cross-legged in the dirt beside him. While he tries to come up with some kind of real answer to the Shield's question, he sets the bottle of water near Gladio's head so he can easily reach it once he wants it.]

I don't have a really wise answer to that for you because I still wonder that myself some days. I know Cor would not have wanted me to linger in sadness; I know he would not have left me if he had any choice in the matter. The very same things are true of Aulea. These are facts, but facts pale in the face of pain and loneliness.

[A sad smile crosses his face.]

I suppose that is why it is easier for me to do what would make them happy. I know things that would make them happy even if they aren't here. Somehow, eventually, that became my happiness.

[Gladio is quiet for a little while. Eyes still closed, taking in what Regis has said... Eventually, when he speaks, his voice is low, quiet and devoid of emotion.]

... I'd planned to ask him to marry me.

Right now, I don't know what'd make him, them, happy.

[For a long moment, Regis feels like he's been kicked in the chest. Memories of how it felt to lose Cor after they got engaged rush back to his mind unbidden, and he struggles to push them back without making any outward sign of it. Eventually, he reaches out to rest a slightly shaking hand onto the one on Gladio's chest.]

Oh, Gladio...

[He doesn't really know what else to say. Perhaps later he will ask how far Gladio got into preparing for that proposal. Had he picked out rings? They might be good mementos in the future. It's why he still wears the ring Cor gave him. It's why he has continued to wear his wedding ring here when he doesn't back home. But not now. It's far too soon.]

They would want you happy. That is what they would want, but I know that's not possible right now so lets see if we can take a smaller step. They would not want you hurting yourself for any reason. Do you think you can do that?

[The touch was appreciated, but he regretted the sadness he heard in Regis' voice. It was bad enough he was hurting over this, he didn't need others doing the same.

His eyes opened and he glanced over to his King, thinking on what he'd asked. Maybe. Maybe they wouldn't want him hurting himself. But he also knew that if the roles were reversed Tony would probably be doing the same. He remembered a time, back on the train, where Tony had done just that. And that had only been a breakup...

But then he supposed Regis would have been here saying the same thing to Tony.]

Is that a request from my King. Or my friend?

[He would be saying almost the exact same thing.

The small quirk that tugs at the corner of Regis' mouth breaks up his solemn expression for a moment. It can't last, but it's a step in the right direction.]

My preference would be that it be a request from a friend, but if you need it to be a request from a King, I can make it that as well.

No. A friend will do.

[Gladio eased himself up then, sitting up he crossed one leg under the other and turned his attention to the bottle in hand. Moving had dislodged Regis' hand on his, but the warmth remained. It game him the strength to open the potion and drink it down, even though he didn't entirely want to.]

... A friend... is probably a good thing to have right about now.

[Because he knew what would happen if he left himself alone... And falling into a depression... was a dangerous possibility.]

Friends are the only thing that got me through here. I...

[Regis pauses a moment, watching as Gladio finally uses the potion. He then takes a deep breath and continues.]

Back home I didn't handle losing Aulea as well as I should have. Friends and time allowed me to do here what I couldn't at home.

[He could continue, but he doesn't want to pile his sadness on top of Gladio's. Not when he has moved down the healing path so much farther.]

It's important not to be alone with your own mind right now. Please know you are welcome at the house or the shop whenever you want.

[A small smile crosses his face.]

There is less Pokemon fur at the shop, but also less company, at least until I come in for the day.

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