~(Y/n)'s POV~

"Torture..." The word echoed in my mind over and over again. The man who captured me, Bredock, took me to his hideout and chained me to the wall. He was trying to break me, but he still couldn't do it. My will is too strong and I won't give in to a man as dirty as him. Everyday he would get his men to whip me and cut me with their daggers. After they were done with me, they would throw cold water and it would burn. My screams of terror and pain went unheard or they were just ignored.

"Let's head out. We'll be back before sundown, sweetheart," he whispered in my ear. I flinched as he unchained me from the wall and threw me into a dark cell. I crawled to the corner and hugged my knees. I began shivering from the cold and pain I was in. It's been a whole month since I've been missing. "I guess... I'm not needed anymore." I give up and cry into my knees.

Hours pass and I'm numb to the bone. I'm starving and my throat is dry. Blood covered my body and formed a puddle around me. I didn't care and waited for my capturer and his cronies to return. If I could, I would kill myself and end this unbearable pain. Suddenly I heard an unfamiliar voice. It didn't belong to any of Bredock's men. "It's a cave full of cool stuff~!" A voice cheered. I flinched and made myself smaller in the shadows. A group of four men entered the cave and were looking around curiously.

"It doesn't look abandoned," a man with glasses says. "Yeah, it just looks like they left and will return," the man with a scar running down the left side of his face said. They weren't dressed like gang members or killers. 'Maybe they can help me?' I shook that thought out of my head. "What is this?" The blonde man picks up the dagger that Bredock uses to cut me. I gasp unconsciously and quickly cover my mouth. "Did you hear that?" A man with raven colored hair spoke. They all nodded and looked around. "It came from over here," the man with the scar pointed directly at me. I backed up more and ran out of room.

"It's a cell..." The man with glasses sounded confused. "Maybe we could open it?" The blonde suggested. "Yeah. Let's open it," the man with tattoos said. They found the key with ease and I wanted to run away as fast as I could from them. The man with the tattoos entered and told the others to stay behind. He scanned the opposite side of the cell I was in and quickly pulled out a light source. He scanned the cell slowly to make sure he didn't miss anything. I started to breathe heavy and I tried to stand up. I fell back down and yelped in pain. This got everyones attention. The man in the cell flicked his light source over and found me with ease. His eyes widened and he tried to approach me.

"P-please don't hurt me..." I beg. I side back down to the ground and hugged myself tightly. "N-no, we're not going to hurt you." The man took another step towards me and I couldn't bear it. I started crying and couldn't control myself. "T-that's what h-he said," I stutter. "Who's he?" The man asked. "B-Bredock..." I answer quietly. All there eyes widen. "We've been searching for that murderer for months," the glasses man said. "Guys, let's get her out of here," the blonde said.

"N-no, if I leave he'll get mad."

"We're not going to let him hurt you anymore," the man in front of me said with a confident expression. "We can take you away from here!" The blonde entered the cell and tried to help his friend convince me. "We'll take you back to Insomnia and get you fixed up," the raven haired man said. "I'm Gladio. That's Prompto, Ignis, and Noctis." He greeted me warmly. I couldn't believe someone was actually being nice to me. "I-I'm (Y/n)," I introduce myself. "Wait, (Y/n)... You're the girl that's been missing for over a month!" Prompto shouted.

I nodded and they couldn't believe I was still alive. I couldn't blame them. I can't believe I'm alive either. "Let's get you out of here, (Y/n)." Gladio easily picked me up in his arms. He took me into the light and they noticed my condition. "What did they do to you?" Noctis asked. "They tortured me for the past month. They whipped my back and cut my whole body. After they had fun torturing me, they would always throw cold water all over me." Gladio held me tighter after he heard what I said.

"Let's take her back to the Palace," Ignis said. They all nodded and Gladio carried me out of the dark cave. I was greeted by the bright sun that I haven't seen in a month. "Wow..." I whisper. Gladio looked down at me with sad filled eyes. He carried me to a black car and he got in with me still in his arms. I didn't mind that I was being held closely. It's been awhile since I've felt human warmth. Ignis got behind the wheel and Prompto got in the back. Noctis joined Ignis in the front. I started to feel tired and leaned my head against Gladio's chest.

I realized what I was doing and stopped. "S-sorry..." I apologize. He chuckled and put a gentle hand on my head. He brought my head back to his chest and gently rubbed my head. "Just sleep. We'll be back in Insomnia before you know it," he said. I sighed in relief and fell asleep easily.

~3rd Person POV~

Gladio stroked (Y/n)'s soft (h/c) hair. "How could someone do this to her?" Prompto asked in disbelief. "A sick bastard who enjoys seeing people in pain," Gladio growls lowly. "We won't stop until Bredock is caught and pays for what he did to her," Noctis said. The rest of the car ride was silent until they reached the Palace. Gladio got out quickly and asked for help. He immediately took (Y/n) to a vacant room and laid her down on the bed. Maids entered the room and began patching the poor, beated up girl. "How did this happen?" A maid asked who was fixing up a would on (Y/n)'s left cheek. "She was tortured for a whole month," Gladio responded.

"Poor girl. I'm surprised she isn't dead. She's lost so much blood that she has a faint pulse. But her heart is beating strong," the maid said. Gladio stood in the corner of the room and watched as maids patched (Y/n) up. "Sir Gladiolus, could you inform the Prince that your friend will be okay?" The head nurse asked. He nodded and left to tell Noctis.

~(Y/n)'s POV~

I woke up and saw I was in an unfamiliar room. I sat up and noticed I was bandaged up and I was wearing a white sleeping gown. I decided to stay still so that my cuts wouldn't hurt. A plate of food and water was left for me and I ate it all. The door to the room suddenly opened and I saw a familiar face. "Gladio." He smiles at the sound of his name. "How are you feeling?" He asked. "Much better. I want to thank you for saving me. I don't how much longer I could've survived." He pulls up a chair and sits next to my bed. "Hey, I could never leave a pretty girl behind. Especially when she needs help."

I blushed at his words and hid my face in my hands.  "T-that's not fair..." I stutter. 'Curse you!' I shout in my mind. Gladio started chuckling and I peaked through my hands. He pulled my hands away from my face to reveal my red cheeks. I playfully stuck my tongue out at him and we started making funny faces at each other. We laughed together and talked for hours. The moon replaced the sun and Gladio had to leave. "Will I see you tomorrow?" I ask. "Of course, (Y/n). Get some rest." He left and I did as I was told.

-2 Weeks Later-

For the past two weeks, Gladio has visited me everyday. Sometimes Prompto, Ignis, or Noctis would visit with him. We got closer and I believe I've started developing feelings for him. It was the day I was ready to leave the castle and head back home. All the guys were with me in front of the palace. "I want to thank you all for saving me. Who knows how long I would've been there if you didn't show up."

"If you're ever around, don't be a stranger, (Y/n)," Noctis said. "Yeah! Come see us sometime," Prompto added. I smiled and Ignis patted my shoulder. "You would be a good influence for his highness." Noctis groaned and ran a hand through his hair. They all left except for Gladio. Sadness filled how eyes. "Gladio, what's wrong?" I ask worriedly. He doesn't answer and just hugs me. "Too bad you can't stay," he spoke. I rest my hands on his back. "Hey, I'll come and visit. Don't worry," I reassure him. He chuckled and we broke the hug. "I should get going. It'll be nice to be home."

I was about to walk away, but I jumped up a kissed him on the cheek. I giggle as his face turns red. "See you soon, Gladio." I wave and head down the steps of the palace. The streets of Lucis were packed and laughter filled the air. I smiled and had a skip in my stride. Before long, a black car pulled next to me. I knew that car from anywhere. Gladio hopped out and approached me. "How did you...?"

"I've been following you since you left the palace. You forgot something," he said. I checked everywhere and couldn't figure out what I was missing. "What did I forget?" He chuckles and kisses me on the lips. I was too shocked to kiss back and stood there, dumbfounded. Gladio waved a hand in front of my eyes and I shook my head. "No fair! That was a dirty trick!" I point a finger at him. He crosses his arms and towers over me.

"Says the girl who kissed me on the cheek and just walked off like it was nothing," he fired back. "I thought you didn't like me like that. I kissed your cheek to give myself closure. Now you follow me and steal my first kiss," I huff. "First kiss, huh?" He teased. I playfully shoved him and began walking off. I didn't get far until I was picked up and my feet couldn't reach the ground. "Hey!" I shout. He carried me over to the car and sits me in the passenger seat. "I'll take you home. It'll be faster and much safer." He started the car up and I gave him directions.

"Finally!" I cheer and get out of the car. Gladio joins me and gasps at the sight of my house. "What?" I ask. "It's huge!" I laugh and walk to the front door. "I live all by myself. Since you stalked me and got me home safely, you can spend the night," I announce. He nods and enters my house. "If you'd like, I could make dinner for both of us," I suggested. "I am starving," he said and laid a hand on his stomach. I enter the kitchen and prepare (favorite dish). We eat together and I clean the dishes.

"I think I might head to bed early. It's nice to be able to sleep in my own bed." I stretch towards the ceiling and a small yawn escapes my lips. I peck him on the lips and I head up to bed. I got ready and tucked myself into bed. Not long after I get in bed, Gladio joins me and pulls me into his warm arms. He lulls me to sleep and we fall into the dream world.
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A/n: I keep ending these almost the same. I need to change it up a bit. Hope you all enjoyed!!! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~