He was still recovering from the fight you both got caught up in with your group. His eye was injured and covered with a bandage, and he sat quietly on his bed, back resting against the frame, looking more tired than usual.

You walked in holding food and water, then sat down beside him near the edge of the bed. For a moment, you just stared at him before softly asking. “Does it still hurt?”

Gladiolus hesitated, his hand lifting slightly toward his eye before dropping again. “…A little.” He admitted.

You nodded and moved closer, carefully cleaning around his eye and replacing the bandage with steady hands. He stayed still, letting you take care of him without a word.

When you finished, you didn’t move away right away. You just looked at him for a long moment.

“What a pretty boy.” You said quietly.

Gladiolus blinked. “…What?”