The finger to the lips means nothing to Gladio who just wants to play but with his playmate going still and looking off into a specific direction, the pup turns and looks that way, ears cocking as they listened carefully to what might be out there.

There's silence, at first, then a near-silent shift of foliage. Gladio's one ear lays back before he crouches down, very slowly moving back into a shadow and nearly disappearing into it with the coloration of his fur. Now he knows someone, something, is in the nearby bushes and it doesn't feel right. Noctis had smelled familiar and he hadn't tried to sneak up, managing to spare himself being mauled by the person who will one day protect him full time, but whatever is out there--

Something leaps from the greenery and in a heartbeat, has Noctis. One arm around the middle, one hand going over his mouth to prevent screaming.