There's too many questions swirling around in his head and not nearly enough answers. He's pissed off. Unbelievably so. Part of him feels like ripping every last shred of this place apart. It's not fair! Not...that anything has been fair, really. Not lately. Just chalk it up to one more unfortunate, rage inducing thing. Some days, he feels like he can get a better handle on his temper. Some days, he just knows that he can't. Doesn't.

Whatever. It doesn't matter. This is someone else's fault and he's pissed off he's getting empty responses. He's just about had it, his temper reaching near catastrophic levels when --

A voice cuts through his fury fog like a dagger through flesh. Quick and sharp, right to the bone. Gladio nearly trips over his own feet to whip around to find where it's coming from. Is this all some stupid trick? Some mind game that's funny to everyone else but him? His heart double beats. His chest feels like it's being squeezed by a vice. This can't be happening. Maybe this is some weird dream? Or some horrible nightmare.

But, no. There's his father standing there like nothing ever happened. Like he's --

Gladio's jaw clenches tight. His teeth grind hard together as he fists his hands by his sides. He takes a halting step closer, forcing a normalcy to his tone that claws its way from his throat. "Dad?"