~(Y/n)'s POV~

"Cold, cold, cold!" Prompto repeated over and over again. Our destination had taken us to Glacial Grotto in search of one of the Royal Arms. The place was covered in ice. We've already slipped a countless number of times searching for a way to the tomb.

I glanced at Gladio and huffed. He must've heard me because a smirk crept upon his face. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" I felt my eye twitching from his tone of voice. "You spend most of the year half-naked. Aren't you freezing right now?" My comment made Noctis and Prompto snort in laughter. He walked next to me and slung and arm over my shoulders.

"Worried?" He raised an eyebrow as he gazed down at me. I roll my eyes and shrug his arm off. "Nope, you're fine," I quickly retort. Gladio chuckled and patted the top of my head. As we continued through the dungeon, a horde of Flans came out of nowhere. We easily rid the dungeon of them and continued on.

"Why can't the sword be in a warm, tropical place?" Prompto asked as he tried to warm himself. "You say that now. Wait until we have to search for one in a volcano. Then this place will feel like paradise," Noctis said while grinning at his best friend. Prompto tried to create friction to keep warm. In the end, he still kept complaining about the cold.

We stopped for a short break when we began to walk in circles. I stood at the edge of what looked like ice we could slide down. I crossed my arms and rubbed my palms up and down them to keep myself warm. "Before we walk blindly again, we need to learn where we've already been," Ignis said.

Suddenly Prompto screamed and knocked into me. I yelped as my body fell forward and I began to slide down the ice. As my body slid, I hit multiple bumps that scraped my skin. Once I reached the bottom, I had skidded and landed on my face. I groan in pain as I slowly try to get to my feet. My body was now covered in scrapes and bruises from the unpleasant sliding.

I decided to stay on the ground as I searched if I had a potion on me. Unfortunately, I didn't have one. "Great..." Suddenly I heard my name being shouted. When I turned around, I saw the others sliding down the ice. At least all of them landed on their feet. None of them skipped a beat as they ran to me. Gladio was the first one to reach me.

"You okay?" He asked as he kneeled next to me. I nodded with a reassuring smile. Ignis noticed I was in pain and gave me a potion. I thanked him and he nodded. In a quick gulp, the potion was gone. I felt the pain slowly fade away and my wounds were gone.

"I'm so sorry, (Y/n)!" Prompto said with a devastated look on his face. I waved it off. "Don't worry about it, Prom. What scared you?" I changed the subject to make him calm down. He told me an ice shard had fallen in front of him, causing him to jump at the sudden noise of it shattering on the ground. That's when he accidentally bumped into me.

I began to laugh at him. Everyone was relieved once they heard me laughing. "If she can laugh like that, I'm positive she's fine," Noctis said while smiling at me. "I was going to point this way out, but I fell before I could say anything."

"I believe we have yet to go this way," Ignis states. Gladio suddenly picked me up and placed me on his back. "Whoa! Gladio, I can walk," I told the brute. His grip on me tightened. "This is so I don't get another heart attack," he told me. I rested my head on his shoulder and poked his cheek.

"Awe, were you worried?" I cheekily asked. I poked his cheek with every word. I saw him roll his eyes, but he also was smirking. Gladio suddenly moved one of his hands and caressed my side. I gasp in shock and squirm on his back. "H-hey! No tickling!" I scold him. A deep chuckle rumbles from his throat.

"I'll hold myself back... for now." I began to blush at his words. In order to hide my red cheeks, I nuzzled my head in the crook of his neck. He was still laughing at my embarrassed state. As we continued forward, Gladio refused to let me go. Once we reached what we thought was a dead end, Noctis spotted a ledge we could use to cross to the other side.

"Now you're going to have to put me down, big guy," I triumphantly said. Gladio clicked his tongue and reluctantly put me down. I decided to go first since everyone seemed hesitant to go. Once I made it safely across, Gladio went next followed by Noctis and Ignis. The last one to cross was Prompto. His legs were shaking and both eyes were brimming with fear. Before he could make it across, he slipped.

"Prom!" I was the first one to react. I reached out and caught one of Prompto's wrist with both of my hands. With all my strength, I pulled him to safety. Once he had solid ground under his feet, he hugged me. "Thank you, (Y/n)!" He arms crushed me even more.

"Hey, Prom, too much affection," Gladio said as he peeled the boy off of me. "What? I can't hug my friend?" Prompto began to pout like a child. I giggle and gave him a quick hug. "I'm glad you're safe, Prom." He smiled brightly and gave me a quick squeeze. After our short hug, we headed deeper into the dungeon. We then entered an area that was vastly open. I felt a presence and stopped in my tracks.

Everyone noticed I stopped and faced me with worried expressions. "What's wrong, (Y/n)?" Noctis asked. I place a finger over my lips to signal him to be quiet. A chill ran down my spine as I looked up. "Noct, move!" I ran and pushed him out of the way. As soon as I did, an Arachne came out of nowhere. I didn't have time move and created a barrier to deflect the monster.

As it landed on the top of my barrier, it kept striking it over and over again. I was running low on magic and gritted my teeth. Gladio was the first to reach me and strike the enemy. I dispel my barrier and sigh in relief. "Thanks, Gladio." He gazed at me over his shoulder with a smile. "Anytime, buttercup."

I rolled my eyes at the nickname as I summoned my bow. Prompto stood next to me with his pistol in hand. Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis kept in close proximity to deliver some heavy damage. "I hate these things!" Prompto shouts as a bullet flies through the monster's leg. It screeched in pain and Noctis delivered a heavy blow to the wounded leg.

I grip my bow when an idea comes to mind. "Everybody, get away!" I shout. They all listen and I began to chant a powerful spell. "Radiant Arrow!" I finish the incantation and fire my arrow. It impales the Arachne through the head. Without a sound, the monster crumbles to the ground. They all turned to me with wide eyes.

"What?" I ask with a small shrug. "Don't "what" us! What the hell was that?!" Gladio yells in shock. He must be talking about the spell I just used. "I've been practicing. What's wrong with that?"

"You killed it with one shot to the head!" Noctis shouts. I sigh and dispel my bow. I place my hands on my hips and just glance at everyone. "I'm impressed by how much your powers have grown, (Y/n)," Ignis compliments. "Thank you, Iggy." I smile at the advisor. I was suddenly spun around by my shoulders. Prompto stared into my (e/c) eyes with his blue ones. "You're (Y/n), right?" He asked very unsurely.

"Okay! Instead of staring at me, let's find that sword!" I tried to sound cheery and began to walk away. I was suddenly grabbed by strong arms and lifted off the ground. I squirmed in Gladio's grip, but I couldn't break free. I slump in his arms, knowing I wouldn't be able to escape. "You've been staying up at night practicing, haven't you?"

"... Maybe."

"You're going to get sick of you keep doing it."

"But I was useful. What's wrong with practicing?"

"He's right, (Y/n). You could get sick. You are already helpful enough as you are," Ignis said, defending Gladio's statement. I sigh and give in. "Alright. No more late-night practicing." Gladio smiled at my reply and kissed me on the cheek.

"Good girl."