Gladio leaned back against the door frame and once more turned his head to look out at the stormy sea. How did he know? That was an interesting question.

"No need to apologise, kiddo. You're fine." He smiled and glanced back. "But you sure know how to ask the hard questions."

"Look, I really think it's different for everyone. I can only give you my opinion, it might not apply to you." Gladio took a deep breath and then let it out on a slow sigh. "I fell for him long before he fell for me, I think." He started. "Didn't even realise it was happening until he was so far under my skin there was no way of shaking him." Except he had, in a way. He'd done his best to keep his distance. He'd tried hard to ignore his feelings, though no matter what he did sometimes they would bleed out without him realising.

"I realised I loved him the day he joined the Crownsguard. That day I saw a strength and determination in him that just spoke to me. It was when I kept going back and watching him that I realised. I couldn't keep lying to myself. I'd fallen for the guy. He wasn't the Princes annoying bestfriend anymore. All those things I thought I'd found annoying about him were suddenly the cutest damn things. I couldn't take my eyes off of him... He was on my mind constantly... That's how I knew."