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"Always second best," Nero grumbled under his breath, his white teeth gleamed the slightest beneath his grimace as he focused his soft blue eyes upon the screen in front of him.
Gaius flashed Cid an approving look as he placed a fatherly hand against the man's well-toned shoulder. "You're always improving," he spoke, a hint of pride in his tone as he nodded in the man's direction. "Just look at how far you have come since I last saw your progress, my boy."
You brushed your hand softly against Nero's to garner his attention, sending him a soft, reassuring smile. "Don't tell me I see some doubt from our local genius," you teased under your breath, an attempt to lift the blond's spirits. "I ought prefer that cocky grin of yours."
It had been far more uncomfortable than you had expected to have the three Garlean men all in the same room, surrounded by Allagan technology. Wedge and Biggs were back at Ironworks with Jessie, while the two engineers tackled the next threat, Gaius by your side to prepare for battle. Unfortunately, it had not simply been the lingering competition between Cid and Nero that sprinkled discomfort upon the arrangement.
Nero's lips ticked upwards as he chuckled softly. "I'm simply allowing my old friend the busy work," he replied in a cocky tone, his mood clearly changed as his light blue eyes shifted to you. "Sit tight, Hero, and watch a genius at work."
"What are you patting on about over there, Nero?" Cid questioned, his deeper blue eyes shifting over to Nero, a hint of exasperation in his tone. Shortly after, his lips curled upwards as his blue eyes shifted over to catch your gaze. "Your patience is truly astounding, though it oughtn't be long now."
You smiled softly in reply, nodding in understanding.
Gaius chuckled softly as he strode over to you, a smile tugging upon the edges of his lips. "We ought leave them to their devices," he assured you as he placed a hand upon your shoulder, leading you towards the back of the room, where only a bench resided. "Had I told you our accomplishments in Werlyt since you left?" His light gray eyes met your own as he sat down with you, beginning to recount the rebuilding of Werlyt since you destroyed the last weapon. As he spoke, his slender hand lingered near your knee, a clear fondness in his tone.
No matter how hard you had attempted to hang upon the elder male's words, delve into his excitement, you could feel two sets of eyes upon you the entire time. It had nearly been a cruel joke, the vaunted Warrior of Light coveted by three Garlean men. Cid had been the first, the snow white locked male who had always been by your side, while you were unsure which of your previous enemies had caught their eyes upon you.
Before you knew it, you could hear the precise patter of boots upon the floor, echoing softly throughout the room. A thick hand rested upon your shoulder, shifting your attention to deep blue eyes, a kind smile against his lips. "Ready, old friend?" He questioned with a hint of triumph to his tone. "Your first trial awaits."
"Needn't you question it," you replied with a soft chuckle as you pushed yourself to your feet, the warmth of his hand leaving after another momentary linger. You signaled that you were ready by pounding your hand into your open palm, a grin against your lips. "You should know I'm always ready."
"Make quick work of it," Nero chimed in, a near tease to his tone, "otherwise I ought to send in my new invention to save the day."
Both Gaius and Cid rolled their eyes, though you could not help the chuckle that slipped across your lips as you readied yourself for battle, striding towards the entrance of your trial. You hadn't needed to question if the Black Wolf had been ready for battle, the elder male right at your side as you moved to enter the trial itself. Arduous as it would be, the two other Garlean males awaiting your arrival, you fought relentlessly by the Black Wolf's side.
Upon your return, the two Garlean males that awaited you quickly rushed to your side, though Nero attempted to be as relaxed about his concerns as he could. Gaius attempted to brush off the men's quick attention to the hero of the hour as he spoke in passing, "Pray the beast hardly compare to any eikon our vaunted hero has faced." With a pause, the man managed to catch your gaze as he had caught the two men's attention for a mere moment. "Still...your strength never ceases to amaze me." In that moment, Gaius's lips curled upwards, though he had taken his leave of the room itself to rest before the next battle, leaving you alone with the other two Garleans.
"No matter how many times I watch you dive headfirst into danger, it worries me no less," Cid spoke as he breathed a sigh of relief upon your return, his deep blue eyes fixated upon you as his lips curled upwards the slightest after his words. "Even so, it's always relieving to see you hale and whole after." His hand grazed your arm gently as he spoke, simply exemplifying his words.
"Had you any doubts in our precious hero?" Nero scoffs, his own hand lingered near your own, a simple, innocuous brush he could play off if you truly were to bring it to light. His lips curl to a grin, his teeth showing, as if he had brought home a prize from a fight he had not physically fought. Soft blue eyes left your own gaze for a moment as they land upon Cid. "Truly, Garlond, with my genius advice, Y/N remains utterly unscathed."
You attempted to steel your nerves, though even without the Black Wolf's doting in this moment, you still could feel the tension of the room, the rivalry between the two engineers who clipped at your heels. Wishing to relieve the tension of the three, you forced your lips upwards as one hand brushed Cid's arm, the other lingering around Nero's. "Aught I appreciate your concern, or lack thereof," you spoke, a hint of tease in your tone, "I plan to head off to respite as well. I trust you two will have my next trial prepared before I remain rested."
With your words, the slight brush of your hand upon the two, you headed off to the next room, sending Gaius a soft smile before getting yourself comfortable upon one of the feather beds. As you closed your eyes, you attempted to calm your buzzing heart. Between the three, you found yourself unsure which truly had won at your affections. The next trial dangled in wait for you as your breaths calmed in slumber. Nero, Gaius, or Cid was a question for another day.