♥ - What does ‘love’ mean to them? / ♠ - What are they afraid of? / ☼ - Something that/Someone who makes them happy.
CHARACTER QUESTIONS █ ▌( ACCEPTING┊ @scientian )
♥ what does ‘love’ mean to them?
love means loyalty, devotion, trust above all else. there aren’t a lot of people gladio settles trust in, not only because of his job, but because of his habit of keeping most people at arm’s length. he may be mr. charisma, mr. people-person, mr. casanova, but that’s because it’s easy to dip into intimacy for a casual plunge to let off steam – just as easy as it is to play it chill and be a warm, welcoming presence even for the most aloof of strangers. that’s easy. something deeper, something with meaning and consequences? that’s much more difficult to hand out, so he’s much more careful with it. love, though, will always be simply that – trusting someone enough to drop the steeled guard he was born to build impenetrable around himself. it’s select softness, a place where he can relax and feel at peace for once in his life.
♠ what are they afraid of?
losing everyone he cares about – particularly noctis, ignis, prompto, & iris. they are his family, all he feels he has left after his father’s violent passing. he fears failure because it’s his job to be strong for everyone around him and if he falters, that’s more than one life in danger. there is little more important to him than his sense of honor and his pride in his duty. losing that along with those he loves? the worst.
☼ something that/someone who makes them happy.
1 person that makes him happy: ignis! since you're the one sending me the ask lmaobut seriously, ignis understands him in a way no one else does or can. both of them have been raised, groomed, and molded to dedicate their lives to the royal line. they can't live for themselves, but for the prince -- something they have accepted and perfected. gladio takes comfort in knowing that someone else does understand the burden, especially when that someone is such clever snark and useful strategy. he respects him as a fellow warrior and as one dutiful servant to another. which is why he's so comfortable teasing him -- he knows iggy can dish it back just as sharp with no hard feelings. also his cooking is amazing and gladio is always 110% prepared & willing to taste-test things for him.
