A/n: I promised Rwby1576az a surprise one shot with Gladio! I present you your surprise! I hope it turned out well. Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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~3rd Person POV~

"Um... what?" Prompto asked, completely baffled at Cid's request.

"I want y'all to check it out. Give ya a pretty amount of gil if ya find out more about her."

All wore shocked expression. No one was able to say a word as they left. The group decided to have a quick lunch before starting Cid's request. While eating, Gladio spoke up. "How the hell are we supposed to find a girl accompanied by walking armor?"

"Now that you say it out loud, it sound ridiculous. How can armor walk around? There's gotta be something behind it," Noctis said.

"Maybe the girl is friendly?" Prompto asked, taking a munch of his sandwich.

"We cannot rule out her being a threat," Ignis said.

They all finish their lunch and head out. Walking around Hammerhead, they asked countless of people about the mysterious girl and armor. After asking for a few hours, one man said he spotted her not far down the road. He even told them details about the towering armor that accompanied her.

"We've found our destination. Let's go," Noctis said. The group departed in the Regalia and headed down the road a little ways. Ignis pulled over when he heard the sound of shouting.

"You can't keep doing that!"

They followed the shout and hid behind a small rock formation. Gladio peeked from behind the rocks to see a girl standing in front of armor.

"Well, we've found our girl," he whispers to them. Curiosity taking over, the others take a look. The girl was shouting at the armor with her hands on her hips. A small smirk came to Gladio's face as she continued to scold the armor.

"Maybe one of us should talk to her?" Prompto suggests. All eyes fell on Gladio, making him sigh in annoyance. "Fine, I'll do it." He emerged from his hiding spot and tried to grab the girl's attention.

"Never seen someone shout at armor before," he chuckled. The girl spun on her heels with wide eyes. "U-um..." She then looked back at the armor. It began to move towards Gladio with its sword raised high. Before Gladio could summon his broadsword, the girl jumped in between him and the approaching armor.

"Stop it! He hasn't done anything!"

The armor stops and looks down at the girl.

"You need to learn not all people are bad, Xeo."

The armor listens, backing away from her. She took a deep breath and faced Gladio. She placed her hands together with a worried look. "I'm so sorry about this."

Gladio was surprised by her sudden apology. He shook his head and waved it off. "Not the first weird thing I've seen."

Those words made the girl calm down significantly. She smiled and fiddled with her fingers. "That's... a very refreshing thing to hear. Also--" Her eyes travel to the rocks. "-- You all can come out."

The other three were flabbergasted as they came into view. Even Gladio shared the same expression as his friends. Before one of them could ask, she answered for them. "I heard the car and Xeo pointed you out. I was a little shocked one of you actually approached me. Most people... avoid me." Her eyes fell to the ground in despair.

Gladio saw her crestfallen features. His chest aches for the girl even though he has only known her for a few minutes.

Suddenly the sound of something falling caught everyone's attention. "Oh, oops," she bashfully says as she picked up the armor's arm. Placing back into place, the armor nodded to her.

"If you don't mind me asking; how is he standing?" Prompto curiously puzzled.

"I used an animation spell on him. As long as the fire in his eyes is burning, he stays animated. Once out, he crumbles to the ground. When that happens, I use the same spell to get him back on his feet."

Ignis, being the curious person he is, stepped forward and examined the armor from a safe distance. "These markings are ancient," he states. The girl nods meekly. "Yes, I found the armor in old ruins not far from Tenebrae. The civilization was wiped out centuries before Niflheim or Insomnia were built."

After more questions for her, Gladio saw the girl was getting exhausted. He shoved Prompto back to silence the loud boy. "That's enough."

"Can we at least get a name?" Prompto asked, peering passed Gladio's towering form. The girl smiled and nodded. "I'm (Y/n) and this is Xeo."

"Would you care for a lift to Hammerhead?" Ignis offered. (Y/n) looked at Xeo then back at him. "Thank you, but I don't think all of us would fit in a car. I'll meet you all there. Even though it is a short distance, do drive safely."

"We're more worried about you," Gladio spoke up.

"No need. I've got Xeo," she responds in reassurance. With those words, the armor picks up the girl and sits her on his shoulder. She sends them a gentle smile and waves. They all watched as
(Y/n) and Xeo headed off.

"Whelp, we definitely know she isn't a threat," Prompto said. Gladio couldn't tear his eyes and thoughts away from the duo. His curiosity kept growing as thousands of questions crossed his mind.

"We should not keep a lady waiting," Ignis said. Back in the car, they head to Hammerhead. The group had found (Y/n) while Xeo was sitting on a bench not far. She ran over to them, Xeo's flaming eyes following her. Gladio chatted with (Y/n) while the others informed Cid of the successful quest.

As Gladio talked, he felt numerous eyes fall upon him and (Y/n). When he saw most of them were glares directed towards her, he sent a much sharper glare to the people. They flinch and return to their normal behavior. When the others joined, they talked until it was time for them to depart.

When Gladio turned his back to (Y/n), he felt someone grab his vest. Stopping in his tracks, he glanced over his shoulder to see (Y/n) clinging on with shaky hands. Her expression drastically changes and she releases him. He was shocked at her sudden behavior change. "S-sorry, I just hope you will come and visit every now and then."

Gladio smiles and pats her on the head. "Of course we will." (Y/n) smiles and does the unexpected. She hugs him while giggling like a child. A little hesitant, Gladio hugs the small girl in return.

~(Y/n)'s POV~

-A Month Later-

Currently sitting in the garage with Xeo next to me, I was waiting for Cindy. When she and her grandfather left for awhile, a group of men who knew about me attacked. My arms, legs, and cheeks were scathed, blood seeping through the cuts.

The sound of my phone made me jolt up. Pulling it out of my pocket, I saw a text from Gladio.

We'll be at Hammerhead soon.

"Oh, no... Cindy!" I shout. She returns with a first-aid kit and a confused expression. "What's wrong, Darlin'?"

I showed her the text, making her grin. "Let me guess; you don't want him to see ya like this?" I frantically nod my head. Her expression suddenly turned serious. Cindy snatched my phone away and began calling Gladio. "Cindy, stop!" I beg, trying to get my phone back. When I was about to grab my phone, Xeo suddenly grabbed me and locked his arms around my body.

"He needs to know, (Y/n)."

Before I could say anything, Gladio picked up. Cindy told him of what happened and I could hear the worry in his voice from where I stood. Xeo still held me while I listened to them wrap up the conversation. Once the call ended, Cindy handed me my phone. Xeo let go of me so I could take the device.

"I think he likes ya more than a friend," Cindy smirks. Heat rushes to my cheeks as I looked away from her. She laughs and pats me on the back. "I'll leave ya in his care." Her eyes suddenly trailed to behind me. She smiled and walked out of the garage. When I turned around, I was met with a well-toned chest. I gasp, taking a step back.

"G-Gladio, y-you're already here?"

He didn't say a word as he picked me up with no effort. He sat me on a nearby bench and opened the first-aid kit. As he tended to my wounds, he finally spoke. "Why didn't you tell me?" His gruff voice made my body tense up.

Fiddling with my fingers, I sigh sadly. "Ever since I found Xeo, people have ignored me. I was alone and had no one to go to. When you and your friends talked to me like a normal person, I was completely surprised. Most people who've seen me with Xeo call me weird and dangerous. I've been attacked countless of times and thought this was just another incident."

Gladio suddenly stopped what he was doing and placed his hands on my cheeks, making sure not to touch any of my cuts. I tried to look away, but he turned my face directly towards his so I couldn't. The look on is face was brimming with affection. I was confused at why he was looking at me so passionately.

"Gladio, are you oka--"

I was silenced as Gladio's lips found mine. Completely taken by surprise, my eyes widen at his actions. He moved one of his hands from my cheek to the back of my neck. Deepening the kiss, I began losing oxygen more quickly. I pinch him on the arm so he would break the kiss. Gladio pulls away, allowing me to breathe properly.

"W-w-what was that?!" I shout while pointing at him. My flustered state made him smirk ear to ear. Gladio ran a hand through my (h/c) hair as our eyes were locked with one another's.

"You're so slow, (Y/n)."

"N-no, you're just moving too quick!"

I jumped off the bench and tried to escape. Before I could make it out of the garage, two strong arms wrapped around my body and pinned my arms to my side.

"M-my poor heart can't handle this!"

I squirmed in his grip as he chuckled. Xeo was just looking at me with no sign of helping. I glare at the armor and he leaves the garage.

"Traitor!" I shout, squirming even harder. Gladio's grip on my tightens and makes me squeal. After minutes of trying to free myself, I had finally worn myself out. With a sigh, I slump back against Gladio's chest in defeat.

"You done?" He asked.

"... Yes..."

When I said that, he placed me back on the bench. He leaned in close, wrapping a strand of my hair around his finger. "Now, can I say it properly without you running?" I nod with a faint blush. He smiles and rests his forehead against mine.

"I love you, (Y/n)."

I relax and finally rid my cheeks of my embarrassment.

"I love you, too. Even though we've only known each other for a month and you were only able to visit for a short time, I did fall in love with you. Now, I have someone to rely on."

Gladio kissed me gently on the cheek.

"I'll always be here for you."