[He can't, because pinning this down into something or nothing means the risk of so much, and at least when it's a nebulous thing it doesn't carry the danger of being something he can lose. Or... is he just fooling himself? How long did he really think he could go on acting like there was nothing between them but the physical moments they shared?

But Gladio... always so sure of himself. Ignis smiles, very faintly, and rubs the heel of his hand along the line of his cheek bone, closing his eyes for a moment as they grow briefly hot. Not the searing burn that still disturbs his sleep but rather the gentle relief of a tension being lifted, something snapping.

He needed to be asked that question. They needed to talk about this.]

I've always been yours. [Ignis murmurs, sliding his hand back until it finds the other man's and inching his fingers over calloused knuckles.] There's never been any question of it.

[Over all the years, there has never been anyone else. Ignis' heart has belong to Gladiolus since they were teenagers.]

And... I'm sorry if I never made that clear. [He still isn't answering the question, but it's something.] There's only ever been you.

[And that, somehow, makes the thought of losing him all the more terrifying.]