There aren't many people who can give Ignis or Gladio a run for their money when it comes to training, but Prompto does give it the old college try. It's something Gladio's always respected about him - the focus and relentlessness with which Prompto pursues self-improvement.
Of course, while initially he'd just been impressed, having come to actually know the kid, Gladio now recognizes that the constant self-improvement is a symptom of never feeling like he's good enough, so he has slightly more mixed feelings about it now. Still, he never objects to the kid's efforts - as long as they're within reason - to keep himself sharp. Or to learn new things, which this world has forced them all to do a lot of. Whether he needs a sparring partner or just some company, Gladio's usually ready to buddy up with him - and only ever refuses when he's got other commitments, or, occasionally, when he thinks Prompto is pushing himself too hard.
Today, though, they're on the same page. They'd done some running, and then after cooling down they'd done more than a bit of sparring. Gladio's an ideal partner for Prompto when it comes to that, in his own opinion, because Prompto's just...never going to be particularly strong physically. The kid's too stick-thin and too dedicated to staying that way. (Too many salads, not enough protein.) Which means most of his opponents will be stronger than him...and Gladio's about as far on the opposite end of the physical strength scale from Prom as it's possible to get. While - and Gladio considers this critical, too - not being either slow or stupid, which some musclebound fighters (to say nothing of a number of daemons) are. Prompto having to contend with an opponent who could break him in half easily, especially having to figure out how to deal with one who manages to get in close quarters with him...doing that in practice means he'll be prepared for if, or more likely when, he's faced with that issue on the battlefield.
These training sessions always help Gladio rest a little easier. Of course he's a protector, will always watch out for Prom whenever they fight together, but...well, especially during the Long Night, they haven't always fought together. It means a lot to him to know Prompto's got the skills to look after himself, to see them for himself and help the kid shore up any weak areas.
Winding down afterwards feels almost as good, too. They're currently soaking in a hot spring, and while the fact that they're dating makes it feel a little more intimate, Gladio has to admit, he's always enjoyed these kinds of days with Prompto. Enough that the romantic aspect of it almost doesn't feel like it adds much that wasn't already there. He idly wonders if Prom has the same kind of feeling, but opts not to ask; he's not sure he could word it in a way that the kid's anxieties wouldn't take the wrong way.
"So," he drawls, "am I gonna have to carry you home?"
Sparring Cleaning, no you're not allowed to punish me for that
Of course, while initially he'd just been impressed, having come to actually know the kid, Gladio now recognizes that the constant self-improvement is a symptom of never feeling like he's good enough, so he has slightly more mixed feelings about it now. Still, he never objects to the kid's efforts - as long as they're within reason - to keep himself sharp. Or to learn new things, which this world has forced them all to do a lot of. Whether he needs a sparring partner or just some company, Gladio's usually ready to buddy up with him - and only ever refuses when he's got other commitments, or, occasionally, when he thinks Prompto is pushing himself too hard.
Today, though, they're on the same page. They'd done some running, and then after cooling down they'd done more than a bit of sparring. Gladio's an ideal partner for Prompto when it comes to that, in his own opinion, because Prompto's just...never going to be particularly strong physically. The kid's too stick-thin and too dedicated to staying that way. (Too many salads, not enough protein.) Which means most of his opponents will be stronger than him...and Gladio's about as far on the opposite end of the physical strength scale from Prom as it's possible to get. While - and Gladio considers this critical, too - not being either slow or stupid, which some musclebound fighters (to say nothing of a number of daemons) are. Prompto having to contend with an opponent who could break him in half easily, especially having to figure out how to deal with one who manages to get in close quarters with him...doing that in practice means he'll be prepared for if, or more likely when, he's faced with that issue on the battlefield.
These training sessions always help Gladio rest a little easier. Of course he's a protector, will always watch out for Prom whenever they fight together, but...well, especially during the Long Night, they haven't always fought together. It means a lot to him to know Prompto's got the skills to look after himself, to see them for himself and help the kid shore up any weak areas.
Winding down afterwards feels almost as good, too. They're currently soaking in a hot spring, and while the fact that they're dating makes it feel a little more intimate, Gladio has to admit, he's always enjoyed these kinds of days with Prompto. Enough that the romantic aspect of it almost doesn't feel like it adds much that wasn't already there. He idly wonders if Prom has the same kind of feeling, but opts not to ask; he's not sure he could word it in a way that the kid's anxieties wouldn't take the wrong way.
"So," he drawls, "am I gonna have to carry you home?"