~3rd Person POV~

"Wow. So this is Lestallum?" Prompto asked in shock. Ignis nods as they all exit the Regalia. Numerous aromas welcomed them as they headed into the city. "Iris is staying at the Leville, right?" Noctis asked his bodyguard.

"Yeah, we shouldn't keep her waiting," Gladio replies. While walking through the dank alleyways, they heard running footsteps and yelling. "Stop her!" A man's voice shouts. The guys turned to see a girl being chased by a group of men heading straight in their direction. The girl wasn't paying attention and ran right into Gladio. Her body began to fall backwards, but Gladio caught her before she fell.

"Get back here!" Another man shouts.

"S-sorry!" She quickly apologizes and yanks herself free from Gladio. She pushed passed all of them and continued to run. Gladio's eyes were glued to the girl as her figure vanished into another alley.

"You let her get away!" The men come to a halt when they couldn't get passed. Gladio turned and sent a glare at the group of men. "Why the hell are you bastards chasing her?" He growls in a deep voice. They shrunk back at Gladio's demeanor. "S-she killed one of my men!" The leader of the group screeches.

"A bold accusation. Why would she do such a thing?" Ignis asked. The men went silent. Prompto's eyes widened as an idea popped into his head. "You assholes attacked her, didn't you?!" At Prompto's words, Gladio reaches out and grabs the leader by his collar. He yanks him close and glares into his fear-filled eyes. Before he could say a word, one man slipped around them.

"Bastard!" Gladio yells and tosses the man aside. "We'll handle these creeps. You go after him!" Noctis shouts. In a flash, Gladio was gone.

He went down the alley he saw the man run. Gladio heard a high-pitch scream not far away. He ran even faster at the distressed scream. With one last turn, Gladio had found the man he was chasing after. Before he could reach him, the girl knocked him out with a kick to the head. Gladio stared in amazement at her. "You're the person I ran into earlier," she murmurs.

"Damn, talk about a kick," he chuckles. The girl places a hand over her racing heart and leans against a nearby wall. Gladio made sure to approach her with caution. She allowed him to stand in front of her without a problem. "So, what did they tell you?" She asked.

"Said you killed one of his guys."

"Well, it's the truth. But I'm guessing they left the important details out."

Gladio looked down at her small frame. Her eyes were downcast as she told him what the men had done. "The group is known for illegal dealings around Duscae. None of them have been arrested because they always disappear beforehand. I wandered upon one of their deals and saw them kill a man. One of them spotted me and tried to push me into a car. I elbowed him and he... fell over the side of the overlook."

She placed her head in her hands with a groan. Gladio reached out and patted her on the head. "You've got guts, girly. Not many would've done what you did." He messed with her (h/c) hair as she began to laugh. "Thanks for earlier. I'm (Y/n)," she introduced. Gladio then smiled at her. "Just call me Gladio."

"Are you heading to the Leville?" She asked. Gladio was surprised that she got it right on the first try. He nods and lets his hand fall back to his side. "I was also heading there. The man who runs the front desk is my dad."

"How convenient," Gladio smirks. His phone suddenly went off and he pulled it out of his pocket. A text from Noctis lit up his screen.

Handled those assholes. Meet us at the hotel.

He shoved the phone back into his pocket. (Y/n) smiled and guided him to their destination. Once inside, Gladio was greeted by his sister, Iris. (Y/n) went over to her dad and chatted up a storm. The others heard from Gladio what (Y/n) had told him. He even began to laugh as he got to where she kicked the guy flat on his face and knocked him out cold. (Y/n) walked over and introduced herself properly to the others. She thanked them as they introduced themselves to her.

"I was able to strike up a deal with my dad. He said your room will only cost a hundred gil," she said with a smile. "Really? That's awesome!" Prompto cheers with his normal bubbly attitude. "Much appreciated, (Y/n)," Ignis said. She waved his small bow away with her hand. "Nah, don't worry about it. You did save my life today. Just... don't mention it to my dad. He would flip."

"Duly noted," Gladio laughs. (Y/n) smiled and showed them to their room. Iris followed close behind the group as they went up the stairs. They called it a night and welcomed the world of dreams.

-A Few Weeks Later-

The group was traveling in the car to head on a hunt. On the way, Gladio was constantly texting
(Y/n). Noctis saw her name glow in his screen and began to smirk. "So... you and (Y/n)?" Gladio sent a glare to the prince and turned his phone off. "His Highness needs to learn to mind his own business."

The prince rolled his eyes at the formality. He crossed his arms and wiped his smirk away. "Dude, you two would make the weirdest couple! I mean, she's so pretty and sweet. You're... well... a brute," Prompto states. Gladio flipped his glare from Noctis to Prompto. The blonde shrunk into his seat to hide from Gladio. Ignis just watched the exchange in silence. Gladio pulled up the message and read it with a smile.

Be careful, Gladio. I wouldn't want to find out you were hurt.

His smile widened as he placed his phone back into his pocket.

~(Y/n)'s POV~

After sending my last message, I helped my dad around the hotel. I dusted the furniture off and helped a few people check-in. Dad kept me busy until nightfall. When I finally was done with work, I found out Gladio had texted me. He said they were going to camp at a nearby haven and return in the morning. I sent him a goodnight and shut my phone off. I headed to my room and called it a night.

-Midnight-

The sound of scraping and rummaging made my eyes fly open. I quickly got out of bed and headed into the lobby. When I did, I saw the group of men who were chasing me a few weeks ago. They were questioning my dad with scary looks. I backed into my room and locked the door. Pulling out my phone, I texted Gladio in a heartbeat.

I've got a HUGE problem.

Gladio responded much quicker than I thought he would.

What's wrong?

I unlocked the door and peaked out the crack. The men had knocked my dad out. I gasp and quickly shut the door to lock it again.

They're back.

I held the phone to my chest as I heard the men walk by my door. I was about to sigh in relief, but my phone rang loudly. The loud ring caused me to jump, dropping my phone in the process. Footsteps rushed to my door as I picked my phone up to answer it.

"What's going on, (Y/n)?" Gladio asked, worry laced through his voice. I stepped away from the door so they couldn't hear my conversation. "T-the guys who were chasing me. They knocked my dad unconscious and now are searching for me."

The men started banging on my door in a furious rage. "Dammit-- we'll be there soon. Stay on the line," he said sternly. I nod and hide in the closet. Luckily, there was enough space for me to close the door. The banging grew louder as I heard their yelling voices.

"They're trying to break down the door," I whisper, fear taking over my tone.

"Just stay quiet. If you do, it'll buy us more time. We're almost to Lestallum."

"O-okay."

A few minutes pass and the men finally break down the door. I place a hand over my mouth so they couldn't hear my whimpers. Minutes felt like hours as they searched my room. "She's not here," one man grunts.

"Did you check the closet?" One man asked.

I gasp and shrink further back into the dark space. "Nah, it's too small. Now way in hell could someone fit in there."

"Just check."

I could feel someone's presence just outside the closet door. They jiggled the knob, trying to open the door. When the man almost pulled the door open, a familiar voice caused the men to freeze.

"You bastards back for round two?"

Relief washed over me as I heard Gladio's strong, deep voice. The men all shriek and try to slip passed the bodyguard. With no luck, all the men were knocked unconscious.

"(Y/n)?" Gladio called my name gently. I opened the closet door with shaky hands and gave him a weak smile. "H-hey! H-how's it g-going?" I mentally slap myself for not having any control over my voice. Gladio frowned and came over to me. He pulled me out of the closet and into his arms. I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head on his chest. Gladio weaved his fingers through my (h/c) locks to comfort me.

"Oh, gods, I was so scared," I meekly said.

"Sorry for being late," he apologizes. I shook my head and looked up into his eyes with a smile. "Late? You're right on time." Gladio chuckled and did the unexpected. He laid a soft and gentle kiss on my forehead. Heat rose to my cheeks as I tried to find anything to say.

"The others are taking care of your dad," he informed me. I nodded slowly and hid my face in his chest to hide my red cheeks. A rumble emitted from his chest, signaling he was enjoying my reaction. "What if I asked for a reward?" I pushed away from Gladio to meet his gaze.

"Like gil?" I ask with a tilt of my head. Another chuckle escaped Gladio as he shook his head. "Something that's worth more than all the gil on Eos combined."

"Oh-- and what's that?" I arched an eyebrow at him.

"It'll be better to show you," he said in a seductive tone. I was still confused at what he meant. When I went to a speak up, a soft sensation on my lips silenced me. Realization hit me as I finally absorbed what was happening. My eyes widened as Gladio deepened the kiss. Enjoying the moment, I closed my eyes in ecstasy.

"Well, you two are enjoying yourselves..."

We broke apart to see Noctis standing in the doorway, a smug look carved onto his face. Gladio groaned in annoyance as he sent a glare to the prince.

"I know, big guy. You want to be left alone. Wish granted." With those final words, Noctis left while still smirking.

"Finally..." He sighs in relief. Gladio leaned down to kiss me again, but I quickly covered my mouth with my hand. "Listen, Gladio. I enjoyed our ravishing kiss, but I need to check on my dad," I said as I pulled my hand away from my mouth. Gladio seemed to slump in despair at my word. "Forgot about that," he said. I giggle and kiss him on the cheek. "We'll finish this later," I whisper in his ear. He chuckles and grins down at me.

"I'll be looking forward to it."