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His friends have never seen him during shedding season and when they do he's wearing a hoodie.
Gladio's usually on top of when it happens. Today it sprang on him earlier than usual and caught him and the younger two of their friend group in complete surprise.
They were just playing video games together, some racing game he's totally kicking their butts at if you ignore his placement. Noctis isn't leading at all.
Something lands with a thud across his lap and Prompto's causing the duo to look down.
Gladio's surprised to see it's one of his horns but not horrified like Prompto is. The carbuncle looks as white as a sheet more so when he notices another resting over the arm of the chair.
"H-Help." he stutters out.
Noctis glances over at his tone, looking confused until he follows his gaze down and his mouth goes dry.
"Iggy!"
Ignis heads over seeing Prompto holding one of the horns. The poor topaz carbuncle looks close to tears while their moth prince looks traumatised.
"...Is he dying?" Prompto asks.
Ignis shares a look with Gladio and sighs.
"No." the vampire says.
"It's happened earlier this year." Gladio adds, confusing the younger two.
"Behemoths shed their horns. It's natural and nothing to be alarmed of. It's like deer-like creatures." Ignis states.
"...They'll grow back right?" Noctis asks.
"Yeah. Don't worry kids." Gladio replies. He ruffles Prompto and Noctis' hair much to their dislike.
"You sure he's ok?" Prompto asks.
"Positive." Ignis picks up the horns. "There's marks on them."
"Got too rough in training." Gladio admits making Ignis pinch the bridge of his nose.
"This is probably why they've come off sooner than usual."
Gladio hums in agreement.
"Maybe."
He glances at Prompto and Noctis. The two still look pale after this ordeal.
"C'mere." he opens his arms.
The two boys drop their controllers and move closer. Gladio drags the pair into a hug and they grip onto him tightly.
"Don't do that again." Prompto mutters, making Gladio snort.
"Pretty sure I have no control over it."
"Then warn us next time." Noctis huffs.
The behemoth finds himself smiling a little.
"I'll try."