Chapter Text
Clarus was duty bound to the crown as the Kings Sworn Shield, ever since they were both young boys. He was his Prince's shield in his younger days and remained his shield as he ascended to the throne. His title was Shield to the King but Regis was not only his best friend, but his long time lover as well. He would do anything for Regis, duty sworn or otherwise.
Regis was under the weather today, and it made sense with how the past week went. The Council ran him ragged with meetings and trade arrangements. The man needed a day of rest. Clarus assured him he could handle anything the king needed to do for the day. And there wasn’t much to be done, the one thing Regis wanted to make sure he did was touch base with Ignis on Noctis’ progress. Regis had told the young advisor he’d touch base with him soon and he hadn’t the time the previous week.
Simple enough for Clarus. He was able to do his own duties as a father in the morning, getting Iris ready and off to school safely before reporting to the Citadel for his duties. He had his briefing with the Marshal and Drautos on the Guard and Glaives and stayed to review some combat training. After that he reported to one meeting in place of his majesty. The shield was aware he took terrible notes, and was glad to see Advisor Scientia across the table taking notes for a young Prince. Clarus would have to remember to request a copy of those notes when he met with Ignis later in the day.
After the meeting was lunch, and he left the citadel to pick up Iris from school and return to the Amicitia Household, Gladio already there and sitting at the table with a book in hand. He ate lunch with his family, everyone discussing their days, and they parted ways again, Iris returning to school, Gladio to training, and Clarus to bring some of Jared's chicken noodle soup to the King.
After he had stopped in with Regis for awhile he figured now would be a good time to touch base with Noctis’ advisor. Clarus didn’t have much most afternoons, he typically was standing beside the throne while Regis met with citizens and dignitaries and tradesmen and all sorts of people whom have requested an audience with him. Seeing as Regis was sick, he had the afternoon mostly freed up.
He made his way down the hallway towards Ignis’ office, reviewing files of his own on topics the king wished to touch base on. He stopped before the door and knocked lightly against it. Upon receiving no response he knocked again, and with no response again, he decided to make his way inside. He knew the advisor had the habit of becoming so engrossed in his work he blocked out the world around him. He was an admirable worker.
“Advisor Scientia, could I have a moment of,” Clarus paused halfway through the door, listening to the cussing and watching the frantic shifting of positions he was witnessing.
Before him a blur hit the floor as Ignis quickly slid off his desk where he had been perched, back to the door. He stood behind his desk, looking very disheveled; glasses askew on his nose, one suspender slipping down his arm, hair sticking up this way and that, finely pressed shirt a tad more wrinkled than he should be after a day of office work. His lips were red and definitely a tad swollen: Kiss-bitten. His eyes were wide, face red, and looking utterly horrified at being seen in such a state, no less by the King’s Shield.
Surprisingly, though, that wasn’t what caught Clarus’ attention most. No, what caught the Shields attention had been the much younger shield who had thrown himself onto the floor behind Ignis’ desk with a painful sounding thump , obviously hoping to get out of sight before he was seen.
“Gladiolus,” Clarus spoke, voice even. He didn’t sound mad or upset, and he schooled his voice. He was more confused and concerned at this point. What was his son doing with the Scientia boy? Were they an item? Casual? Gladiolus had never shown interest in men in front of Clarus before.
When his son didn’t rise from behind the desk, he noticed Ignis’ subtle gentle kick to the man behind the desk, and Gladio let out a grunt as he slowly rose, head peeking up over the desk almost comically before he slowly stood, slumping slightly as to keep his waist below the desk.
“H-Hey, Dad.” he said, trying to sound casual. He was in much a similar state to Ignis, hair a mess, tank top wrinkled and lips kiss-swollen. Very clearly hiding something behind the desk. Clarus was grateful for that, he didn’t need to see any form of boner his son had. No thank you.
“I am so sorry, Lord Amicitia,” Ignis said as he offered a low bow to the other. Clarus appreciated the gesture but it was surely not necessary.
“Rise, there's no need for formalities here,” he said, watching Ignis slowly stand up straight again, looking everywhere and anywhere except at the older shield. The poor kid looked like he wanted to vanish in thin air.
“Dad, look I’m sorry, this isn’t how I wanted you to find out,” he said, glancing at Ignis and frowning, then looking back to Clarus.
Clarus continued into the room and shut the door behind himself.
“Find out what, exactly? Because as it appears I’m finding out a lot,” he said, and again he didn’t sound upset or angry, he may have even sounded amused.
“Well, uh,” Gladio rubbed the back of his head then let his hand fall, looking at Ignis again. Ignis met his gaze and it appeared they had a silent conversation, Ignis’ panic residing as Gladio reached out and took his hand. Gladio looked back at his dad, but Ignis’ gaze remained downcast.
“Ignis and I are dating,” he said, and Clarus noticed how he squeezed the others hand in a reassuring gesture. It was very clear to Clarus his son cared dearly about this boy.
“How long have the two of you been together?” Clarus asked, glancing at Ignis for a moment. He wished the other wouldn’t act so ashamed, but he could understand it after what he had just interrupted. He was surprised when Ignis answered his question instead of Gladio.
“One year and nine months,” the advisor spoke, finally raising his gaze to look at the elder shield.
“So uh, yeah surprise I like guys?” Gladio said, and Clarus chuckled softly. Gladio furrowed his brows.
“What’s so funny? Aren’t you going to scold us and load on triple training duty for me for a month?” Gladio asked, confused as to why he wasn’t getting his ear chewed off by his father right now.
“While I will admit I’m disappointed,” he said, watching a look of hurt flash on Gladio’s face. “Let me finish,” Clarus spoke, giving his son a pointed look.
“Sorry,” Gladio mumbled.
“I’m disappointed in the fact you felt the need to hide Ignis from me.” he said softly, watching both boy’s shoulders relax. “And I’m disappointed you didn’t think to lock the door,” he added.
“I told you!” Ignis hissed under his breath at the shield at his side, and Gladio huffed.
“Okay okay,” he said, tension leaving his body. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you for so long, i did. And after I found out you liked guys too I thought maybe I’d be able to tell you but I just never found the right time,” Gladio rambled, and Clarus understood.
“It would be hypocritical of me to be upset with you, for either situation. Hiding your partner from me, or the act that was just taking place.” he said.
“Lord Amicitia, I promise you that is not a regular occurrence,” Ignis spoke and Clarus raised his hand.
“Please, Clarus is fine. And there’s no need to apologize this time. I suppose this makes us even then, hm, son?” Clarus spoke, and by the way Ignis’ cheeks colored he assumed Gladio had told him about what happened a few months back.
Gladio laughed slightly, nodding. “Yeah, I guess that's fair.” he said, finally releasing Ignis’ hand to adjust his clothing, standing up straighter as he adjusted his sweatpants. Ignis also took that time to adjust his own attire, finally fixing his glasses and suspenders, attempting to put his hair back in place.
“So first order of business, Ignis,” Clarus spoke, and Ignis tensed up. Clarus chuckled. “Please relax, I’m not upset with you. I want to invite you over for dinner with our family on Friday. I’d like to get to know the boy my son has kept secret from me.” He gave Gladio a pointed look and Gladio shrugged, glancing at Ignis.
“Of course, I’d be happy to join you.” Ignis said, seeming to relax now that he had been assured he wasn’t about to lose his job.
“Secondly, If I do catch you two like this again while at work there will be repercussions,” He said a little more sternly.
“Hey, that's not fair! You’re so not one to talk,” Gladio huffed, and he regretted it instantly when he saw Clarus’ face, ready with a comeback.
“Dating the King has its perks, one of which being he can’t punish himself for misbehaving therefore it would be hypocritical for him to punish me.” Gladio looked utterly disgusted and Ignis’ cheeks tinged red once more.
“Fine fine, spare me the details.” Gladio murmured, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“That being said, I remember what it’s like to be young and in love. I merely ask you not let myself, or anyone, catch you. What you do behind closed locked doors is none of my concern.” They both nodded, and Ignis cleared his throat.
“All this awkwardness aside,” he said, moving the stuff on his desk back into its proper place. “What brings you to my office today, Lor….Clarus?” he asked, having to stop himself from using his formal title. Clarus lifted the files in his hand, finally moving closer to the advisors desk.
“His Majesty requested I touch base with you on Noctis’ Progress.” He said. “He sends his apologies he couldn’t make it in person.” Clarus set the files on the others desk and took a seat in the chair across from his desk. Ignis pulled his chair back into place and sat down as well. Gladio gave him a quick peck then said goodbye to his father before he slipped from the office.
Well, that was not how Clarus thought his visit to Advisor Scientia’s office would go in the slightest, but awkwardness aside, he was glad it hat happened solely so Gladio didn’t feel the need to hide these things from him.