~3rd Person POV~

"You want me to do what?" Gladio asked, stunned at Ignis' sudden request.

The tactician pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose before meeting the brute's amber gaze. "Keep Asran away from (Y/n). His infatuation with her is most concerning."

"Wait, your cousin's visiting today?"

"Yes, and I have a meeting to attend. Until I return, you must remain at her side in my stead."

Gladio crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. "How bad has it gotten to the point I have to protect her?"

Ignis sighs, his eyes shutting as he seemed to reminisce in an old memory. "During his last visit, he forced (Y/n) into his car and departed the Crown City. I could not find her for a week for he seized her phone."

Gladio couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Basically, your cousin is tryin' to steal your girlfriend?"

"In more simpler terms, yes."

Gladio bursted from the seams with laughter. He hadn't realize how protective of (Y/n) he was until now. The man was begging him for his help while he wasn't able to protect her himself during the meeting. "I'll do it. When is he-"

"Cousin, I'm here! Where's the lovely (Y/n)?"

Gladio and Ignis looked towards the person who had shoved the shield out of the way to storm into the royal advisor's office.

Asran grinned at Ignis, picking up a small picture frame from his desk. Inside the frame was a picture of a smiling (Y/n) with her (h/c) hair pulled up in a ponytail. She held an adorable puppy in her arms as she nuzzled her cheek into its black and white fur. Ignis snatched the memento away from Asran, glaring daggers at his cousin. "I have a meeting to attend. I shall deal with you later."

"Oh, come on, Iggy! Tell me where the beautiful maiden is and you won't see me for the rest of my visit."

Ignis' hands balled into fists at his cousin's behavior. It took all he had to hold himself back from summoning his daggers. "If you dare so as lay a hand on her-"

Gladio cleared his throat, signaling the tactician of his wavering temper. Ignis gritted his teeth and held his tongue. Without another word, he left the office to attend the meeting. Asran smirked victoriously before spinning on his heels. Before he could make it to the door, Gladio blocked his way. Asran's playful expression was washed away with an intense glare. "If you'll so politely move out of my way, I have a goddess to find."

"I don't think so. Heard what you did last time you were here. Talk about an ass of a move. Draggin' (Y/n) away just to steal her from Iggy. You've got some nerve," Gladio scoffs. Asran clicks his tongue in annoyance before shoving past Gladio. The shield quickly pulled out his phone and called (Y/n). She picked up after the second ring. "Hello?"

"Tell me where you are, now. Asran just arrived at the Citadel."

She groaned in vexation at the news. "I'm with Noctis and Prompto right now. We're in the garden."

"I'll be there in a few minutes. If Asran does find you before I get there, call me."

"Will do, Gladio."

He hung up and placed the device back into his pocket. With a brisk stride, Gladio made his way to the garden. Luckily, he didn't receive a call from (Y/n) before he reached his destination. Spotting the three of them in the garden, he walked out and sighed in relief. It was short lived as the daemon himself stormed out the door just after Gladio and passed him.

"(Y/n)!" Asran shouts as he runs towards the girl. When she heard his voice, (Y/n) jumped to her feet and hid behind Noctis and Prompto. The two boys were confused at her sudden behavior and looked towards the man who called her name. Gladio cursed under his breath as he swiftly ran after Ignis' cousin.

When Noctis and Prompto felt (Y/n) tense behind them, they quickly blocked the man from touching her. "Who the hell are you?" Noctis growls.

"Asran Terrathorne. He's Iggy's cousin," Gladio announced as he grabbed Asran by the shoulder, pulling him away from the trio.

"What do you want with (Y/n)?" Prompto asked, his eyes ripping through Asran's being.

"Can I not kiss my future wife?" He spat.

"Like hell she's your future wife. She's Iggy's girlfriend, not yours," Gladio snarls harshly. Asran tried to free himself from the shield's death grip on his shoulder but failed. The muscular man then looked between Noctis and Prompto. "Take (Y/n) somewhere else. I'll deal with this bastard myself."

The two younger boys nod and Prompto grabs (Y/n)'s hand. They take her out of the Citadel and into the city to a small café that wasn't far from Prompto's place. The three had a tasty meal and decided to chat for awhile until (Y/n)'s phone rang. She picked it up and heard a worried Ignis on the other end.

"Where are you?"

"I'm at the small café near Prompto's place. Why? What's wrong?"

"We cannot locate Asran. Stay put until I arrive."

"A-Alright, we'll be here waiting."

(Y/n) hung up and placed her phone on the table. Noctis and Prompto gave her worried looks as she began messing with strands of her (h/c) hair. "What's wrong?" The prince asked.

The girl sighs before answering. "Ignis can't find Asran and he's headin' here as we speak."

"What did Asran do During his last visit that caused Iggy to get so angry? He never told us why," Prompto said.

"The bastard lured me into his car sayin' Ignis wasn't feeling well and needed me. Before I could call him, Asran snatched my phone, took out the SIM card, and destroyed it. He dragged me all the way out to Galdin Quay. I couldn't contact anyone until he had left me alone. When I finally was, I snuck to the restaurant and asked to use their phone."

"And that's when Specs bolted out of the Citadel. That explains his strange behavior," Noctis said.

"He didn't say where he was goin'?" She asked in surprise. Her friends shook their heads. "I thought he would've at least told you that much."

"He was really worried. None of us had seen you in days and you're not someone who would just up and leave, not telling anyone where you're going," Prompto exclaims.

Just then, the door to the café opened to reveal Ignis. Once his emerald irises met (e/c) ones, he sighed in relief and made his way over to their table. (Y/n) scooter over and made room for him to sit.

"Any luck on finding your bastard of a cousin?" Noctis asked.

Ignis nodded slowly. "Gladio spotted him near (Y/n)'s apartment a few moments ago." Then, he grabbed (Y/n)'s hand and laced his fingers with hers. "As of now, you shall be spending your nights with me."

(Y/n) smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. "Even if you didn't say that, I'd still be at your doorstep tonight because of that creep."

Ignis smiled and leaned his head against hers. "I have the remainder of the day off. Shall we gather your things and transfer them to my abode?" (Y/n) nods with her usual beautiful smile before leaving the café with Ignis. Noctis and Prompto decided to have some fun once the couple was gone.

With all her things now in Ignis' apartment, (Y/n) went to change while the tactician prepared dinner. As she was now dressed more comfortably, she heard the sound of the window opening behind her. When she glanced towards now pried open window, only the faint breeze was present. Before she could close it, a person jumped through the window and tackled her to the floor. When she tried to scream out, a hand was clamped over her mouth. Once she was able to see who was on top of her, she glared daggers at the man.

"I've been looking for you all day, my princess," Asran cooed.

(Y/n) struggles underneath him, but he was too strong for her. Her screams were muffled as she tried to pry his hand away from her mouth.

"Now, don't struggle, (Y/n). I'll make sure that you won't be able to contact your sweet Iggy at all," he chuckled lowly. Her face warps into fear as Asran pulled out some rope and tied her hands together tightly. She winced at the pain as he tightened it even further. When he was done, he stared into her terrified (e/c) eyes with his menacing onyx ones. She tried one more attempt to shout for Ignis and bit his palm. He gasped in pain and removed his hand just enough for her to scream out. "Ignis!"

She heard him running down the hall and Asran tried to escape. He didn't make it far before the bedroom door flew open and revealed Ignis. Once he saw (Y/n)'s bound hands and Asran, rage filled the tactician. He summoned a single dagger and threw it with precision. The blade embedded itself into Asran's arm, causing the boy to scream out in pain and collapse.

Ignis ignored his cousin's wails and gave his full attention to (Y/n). He kneeled next to her and summoned another dagger, cutting her free of the rope. Pulling her body protectively towards his, Ignis pulled out his phone and dialed Gladio's number. The shield picked up right away and already knew what it was about. As he talked to the brute, his glare never left Asran.

Wrapping up his conversation, Ignis placed his phone back into his pocket. "I will be informing the Terrathornes of this heinous act."

"All I tried to do was claim what's mine!" He defends sharply. Ignis gritted his teeth, using his remaining dagger to target the boy's leg. The blade embedded into his thigh, causing Asran to scream even more. The silent anger radiating from Ignis' being was enough to frighten the boy into complete and utter silence.

A few minutes later, Gladio arrived and drags Asran away to be dealt with properly. Ignis scooped (Y/n) into his arms and placed her on the bed. He kneeled in front of her, holding her trembling hands in his own. "Are you injured?"

"I-I'm okay, Ignis," She meekly responds, her grip tightening on his gloved hands.

Sighing in complete relief, Ignis sat down next to her and enveloped her small frame in his arms. (Y/n) shrunk against him, clutching onto his blazer for dear life. The man rested his chin atop her head, gently stroking her (h/c) locks. The warm sensation of tears soaked through his dress shirt, but he didn't care one bit. Her body wracked with sobs and sniffles, shaking slightly in his warm embrace.

"I must apologize for this incident, (Y/n)," he whispers.

She lightly shook her head. "Don't apologize. None of this is your fault."

"Asran will be placed in incarceration 'til the Terrathornes have been notified. From there, he will be their predicament."

"Does that mean he won't be making any more visits?" She asked eagerly.

"Yes, my dear."

She sighs in content. "That's the best news I've heard in awhile." A few tears lingered on her cheeks as she rested her head against his chest. From her sudden relaxation, Ignis could decipher she was exhausted and ready to collapse into the arms of the sandman.

After a prolonged silence, Ignis felt her lean further into him. Glancing downwards, he saw she had fallen asleep after her tirade of tears. A smile crept across his face as he cradled her head against his chest and allowed her to sleep peacefully.

Another few minutes pass and Gladio returns. When he sees the position Ignis is in, a grin adorned his face. "Need some help?"

Ignis shook his head. "Unnecessary. Let her rest, Gladio."

"Glad she's alright."

"As am I."