Gladiolus stared at you with his usual straight face, silent for a moment before speaking in his calm, even tone. “You’re funny for no reason.”

You paused mid-laugh, tilting your head. “Is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?”

He didn’t answer right away. His eyes shifted slightly away, as if the question required more thought than he wanted to admit. “…I don’t know yet.” He said at last.

That should’ve been the end of it, but you laughed again anyway—soft and effortless, like it came too naturally to stop.

Gladiolus didn’t react like he usually did. He just stayed there a little longer than necessary, quiet and observant, as if your laughter was something he couldn’t quite understand… but also didn’t want to walk away from.