~(Y/n)'s POV~

I was in the training room with Gladio. He was doing push-ups with me sitting on his back. My eyes traveled through a book Ignis gave me. "How interesting..." I mumble unconsciously. "What is?" Gladio asked as he continued his push-ups. I told him about what caught my eye and he chuckled. "You're fascinated by the weirdest things." I closed the book and poked his cheek. "That must make you a weirdo then if I find you fascinating."

The door to the training room opened and Prompto entered. I waved at the blonde with a huge smile on my face. He jumped happily and waved back. "I finally found you two!" He shouts as he runs over. "Is there a problem?" I ask. He shook his head in response. "No, Noct was just wondering where you both were. He couldn't find you in your rooms," Prompto said. He pulled out his phone and texted Noctis where we were. "If he has time to worry about us, he has plenty of time to fill out that paperwork I gave him yesterday," I said, annoyance filling my voice. Gladio chuckled but agreed with me. Prompto sighed and leaned against the wall.

"Oh! I've been wanting to ask you all something," I say and perk up. Gladio doesn't stop his workout, but I knew he was listening. "What is it?" Prompto asked excitedly. I grinned while pulling out a small piece of paper from inside the book. I handed it to Prompto so he could read it. His eyes lit up and he couldn't stand still. "(Y/n), you're amazing!" He cheers. "I knew you'd be excited to read it. All five of us are going on a trip to Lestallum. We'll spend three days there and then we'll head over to Galdin Quay. That's where the real fun will begin."

Gladio stopped in mid push-up and looked over his shoulder at me. I smirked and messed with his hair. "We haven't seen Iris in awhile. I thought it would be a good time for her to hang out with us." Gladio grins and pushes up fast. My body goes flying along with my book. Gladio quickly stood up and caught me in his arms. I placed a hand over my racing heart to try and calm it down. I smack him on the shoulder and he doesn't even flinch. "You gave me a heart attack!" I shout. He just smirks and pecks me on the cheek. I puff my cheeks out like a pouting child. Gladio begins pulling on them and I pinch his in return. He pinched harder which made my eyes water.

"Owowowow!" I shout in pain. He lets go, but his smirk doesn't leave his face. Prompto just stood on the sidelines. He didn't do anything but watch with his famous goofy grin. Suddenly the doors fly open and Noctis runs in, out of breath. "We've got trouble!" He shouts. We all exchanged worried looks. "What kind of problem?" Prompto asked. "A big one that's made of iron," Noctis replies. Gladio turns to me and puts a hand on my shoulder. "(Y/n), stay here," he demanded. I wanted to protest but couldn't find my voice. The three run out of the training room and the door slams behind them. An idea popped into my head and I ran to my room. I opened the drawer of my vanity and pulled out a spell book.

"Where's the knife?" I search for the decorative knife my father gave me before he passed. My eyes scanned the drawer one more time and found it under my journal. I slid it in my pocket and ran to the palace doors. Maids were running around frantically as I headed to the front door. "Lady
(Y/n)!" I stop at the sound of a familiar voice. Nyx Ulric, one of the Kingsglaive members, called out to me. "Please, head to your room. It's not safe until the giant is dealt with."

He tried to grab my arm but I dodged him. "I'm going to help his majesty," I announce. Nyx's eyes grow wide with shock. I push past him and run out of the palace. Noctis, Gladio, Prompto, and Ignis were fighting against the iron giant by themselves. I casted a small fire spell and got the monster's attention. It also got the attention of the others. My eyes met Gladio's shocked filled ones. I broke eye contact and pulled out my father's knife. I raised the knife to my hand and slid the blade across my palm. "(Y/n), stop!" Gladio shouts. Blood dripped from the wound and I held my hand over the jewel on the book. The jewel began glowing an eerie red that looked like the color of blood.

The book flew open with a brilliant white light that surrounded me. I ran a hand over one of the spells and chanted in ancient scripture. After finishing the incantation, a sphere of fire, water, earth, and air formed in front of me. I fired the sphere at the iron giant and it consumed the monster. After a few seconds, the sphere shatters along with the iron giant. The only thing left of it is its sword. I close the spell book with a sigh and place the knife back in my pocket. Gladio ran over to me and grabbed my wounded hand. I flinch and try to free my hand. He doesn't let go and drags me into the palace.

"G-Gladio, I'm fine!" I shout. He ignores my shout and drags me to my room. Once we reach my room, Gladio sits me down on my bed. He pulls out the first aid kit I had kept under my bed for emergencies. He pulled out the bandages, cloth, and alcohol and tended to my wound. Once he applied the alcohol to my wound, I yelped in pain. When he heard my yelp of pain, Gladio looked in more pain than me. "I told you to stay inside." His tone wasn't harsh. It was more worried than anything else.

"Glad, you should know by now that I can't sit still while you face danger. I knew I could help and decided to fight along side you," I defended. He finishes wrapping my wound with the bandage and kisses the top of my hand. "Even though you did something careless, I'm glad you did. I'm not sure how much longer we could've stood against the giant." I kissed his cheek gently.

"I may be short, but I do pack a punch." I grin at him and a smirk spreads across his face as he chuckles. "You know... Instead of leaving me behind, you could... Oh, I don't know... Take me with you?" Gladio raised an eyebrow at me. I gave him my best puppy dog eyes and he cracked. "Alright, alright. You can come with us," he said. I jumped up and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" I shout happily. Gladio wraps his arms around my smaller form. "Just don't cause too much trouble." I giggled and kissed him on the lips. "No promises."