Chapter Text
Gladiolus squinted at the scrawny, trembling blond standing nervously before him.
While he had met Prompto a few times when at Noctis' apartment, he'd never actually gotten to know the kid. Gladio simply dismissed him as a civilian, and while he did seem like a decent person, he never thought he'd personally take the teen on as his personal trainer.
Gladio sized Prompto up, examining the boy's physique. He was...well, a tiny thing. He was fairly fit, true, but there was hardly any muscle on his body. Gladio loathed to think of what would happen if the kid got in a real fight.
He had his work cut out for him.
Prompto shifted nervously. "I-I'm not exactly used to fighting or...using weapons, or anything like that..b-but I promise to work hard and-"
"Easy there, kid," Gladio chuckled. "We'll toughen you right up in no time. Besides," he leaned in close to Prompto's ear, carefully out of Ignis' hearing, "its just a road trip. What's the worst that can happen?"
Prompto seemed to loosen up a little bit. "Ha.. You're right. But I want you both to know that I am more that willing to give my body to the prince's service, if need be."
(I'm sure you are, kid) Gladio thought to himself. He resisted the urge to vocalize his jab as Ignis stepped forward.
"We'll be there judges of that," the butler said, a cold calculation in his eyes. "Your basic training begins tomorrow. We depart for Altissia in three months' time. Whether you will be joining us," he pushed up his glasses,
"We will see for ourselves."
Prompto gulped.