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"Y/N!"

The call of your name is the last thing you hear before your body is plunged into the icy water. Then all you can hear is your own heartbeat, loud and fast in your ears. Your skin hurts, hell, your whole body feels like it's being stabbed by millions of tiny needles. You register the cold that's beginning to numb your fingertips, the burning in your lungs from the lack of air, and your slipping consciousness.

In the dark, you can only chuckle internally. How you would like to pull Noctis by his collar and remind him why he shouldn't use Blizzaga near a body of water.

Your world of painful cold is disturbed by constant pressure on your chest. It feels urgent, rather annoying, that you have no choice but to return to the world of light. Eyelids fluttering, you make out the four blurry shadows looming above you. One is particularly close.

Then a pair of soft lips is pressed against yours, and warmth assaults your cold mouth, infiltrates the back of your throat, before lodging itself into your lungs. It hurts - you cough, feeling water filling your mouth from inside out. Someone is holding your head up and tilting your face aside. Whoever it is, you're glad for the assistance.

"That's it, that's it. Let it out, y/n." The familiar gruff voice of Gladio rings in your ear, yet it lacks its usual jovial tone. "Potion - give her a potion."

The familiar crackle in the air lets you know that someone is retrieving something out of the Armiger. "Here," now that sounds like Noctis, hesitant and tense.

Something definitely pierces your hand. It happens in a flash, and you blink. Once, you barely see them, then you blink again, and finally you see the four faces of your party members. Gladio is keeping your head up, Noctis is clutching your hand - oh, so it was him who used the potion in your hand - while Prompto and Ignis are by your feet, looming over with distressed looks on their faces.

"What -" you rasp, but suddenly you cough violently. Cold travels under your skin, sending an everlasting shiver that rocks your whole body, even with Gladio gripping under your chin and tilting your head to the ground.

"We should really get her to the camp." Prompto finally makes a sound. "How far is the nearest haven?"

"Thirty minutes from the main road, give or take. We still have a ten minutes hike back to the car." Ignis informs curtly.

Noctis retorts, "Give me the keys. I'll warp there in five and bring the Regalia closer."

Jingling of keys, then you hear the rustle as Noctis warps away, leaving a blue afterimage in his place.

Gladio grunts, "Then we better start running."

Just when you're getting used to taking in big gulps of air into your painful lungs, your world is shifted as the Shield lifts you in his arms. You grunt, mainly because the slightest touch of his skin hurts you. How warm he is compared to you. But you're unable to protest, not when you're still trying to process what your body is going through.

Then it all becomes a blur. The trees, the sky, the ground. You're being transported at a quick pace, being jostled around despite the tight grip under your knees and shoulders. A harsh cold wave implodes deep in your chest that renders you tensing, gasping in pain as you try to regulate the feeling. It hurts, it aches, your joints, your muscles. And when it ends, you're left with a throbbing headache at the back of your neck.

The engine of Regalia sounds near, now that it parks to a stop at the clearing. Noctis jumps out of the driver seat, "How's y/n?"

Gladio pants, "She keeps shivering. Gotta get her out of her clothes. The longer she stays wet, the worse she's gonna get. Pop open the trunk and give me my bag." He adds when Noctis hasn't made a move yet, "What?"

"No, nothing. Here." The Crown Prince immediately does as Gladio said. "I'll heat up the front seat. Just shout if you need help."

Gladio replies with a grunt. You look up at him, watching how stressed he looks right now, as he carries you away.

"Gladio…" you manage with a sigh.

His amber eyes look desperate as they lock onto yours, "You're gonna be okay. Just need you to hold on a little longer, alright?"

You nod, at the right time as he stops by a large tree. He gently sets you down onto your feet, you're facing the tree, too close that you can see the barks clearly.

"Hold onto the tree for me, y/n." Gladio mutters by your ear.

It takes all your strength to open your hands and grip onto the barks for dear life. Your fingertips barely register the texture, but your palms feel a bit hurting. Your legs are shaking on their own, that if Gladio isn't supporting your lower back, you might fall down.

A crackle of the Armiger comes from behind you, and soon you feel the dripping shirt you're wearing is being slashed open from the back.

"Guh!" You grunt aloud, feeling the air nipping your sensitive skin mercilessly. Gladio tears through the sleeves as well, cutting down to your wrists, before yanking the material off your shivering body.

You turn your head as best as you can, wanting to protest as he cuts your bra and tosses it aside. He must have caught the look on your face, "I'll buy you a new one."

He better be. Even in your state, you still remember undergarments are not cheap.

A thick towel is draped over your head, and you feel Gladio drying your hair off. It feels funny, how gentle he tries to be. Once your hair is not dripping anymore, the towel is dragged down to dry your face, then your neck and arms -

Then Gladio cups your breasts over the towel, big hands engulfing your humble sized tits, and your eyes widen at his brashness. But you're unable to reply as he pats down to your abdomen.

The next thing you feel is a warm shirt being put over your head. Gray in color, thick in material, and it is far bigger to be your own. Gladio helps you put your arms into the oversized sleeves. The warmth should ease your nerves, but no, it sends another powerful cold wave that makes your teeth chatter loudly.

Gladio spins you around to face him, and you immediately lean against the tree to stabilize yourself. He has a look that pierces your heart, a look of concern and flash of panic, hidden behind his clenching jaws and furrowed brows.

He suddenly squats down and begins to undo the lace of your left boot. One boot is done and tossed aside, then he pulls down your sock and it also gets tossed aside. He lifts your bare foot to rest on his thigh, before undoing your right boot.

Gladio looks up at you once your feet are bare against his leather clad thighs, and you know, you truly know, your pants will have to go as well.

You shake your head at him, "Don't… don't destroy them."

"Wasn't gonna." The Shield wraps the towel tightly around your waist. The length is covering down to your knees. "But you might hate me for this."

Your questioning look is answered as Gladio slides his hands under the towel, fingers undoing the button and the zipper. His eyes are staring at your face, trying to concentrate, and gods, you don't know where to look. He looks a bit flushed, and you're unsure on what to feel with his hands tugging your pants down your legs.

Pants off, but you're unable to breathe when he dives under the towel again. Warm palms gliding along your thighs, raising goosebumps in their path, before cupping around your hips. He hooks his fingers at the waistband of your underwear, a wry smile gracing his tensed face, "Gonna hate me for this?"

You rasp, "We did skip… a few steps…"

"I'll take you out on a date, that's a promise." Gladio lowers your underwear. Despite the towel, you still feel the air nipping down below, and it sends you closing your eyes, lips pursing to hold back any voice you're gonna make. But your throat betrays you by letting out a high-pitched mewling.

It gets louder when you feel Gladio trying to dry you off over the towel. His hand gets between your legs, patting between your thighs, trailing up to brush against your sex, then between your asscheeks - and your breath is hitched in your throat, loudly.

You open your eyes to find him sliding on a pair of gray sweatpants around your ankles, with a grin he's not even trying to hide. He looks at you, "Still not gonna hate me?"

"Never." You breathe out, feeling hazy all of the sudden. Is it because of him, or the cold, or the headache? You close your eyes and let your back rest against the tree. "It feels good…"

"Huh?" Gladio sputters as he pulls the oversized sweatpants up your legs.

"Resting. Feels good." You repeat incoherently. "Feels a bit… hurt. Here," you gesture at your chest, "and here," you point at your head.

"Are you in pain?" Gladio tightens the ties of the sweatpants.

Pain. The mention of pain makes you want to reply with the truth, that it hurts so much inside, that moving around feels like having sandpaper against your skin, that you wish to just close your eyes and sleep and let this feeling pass.

But you also don't want to tell Gladio the truth, because you know he would worry, everyone will. You don't want him to lose sleep because he thinks he fails to protect a member of the party. You don't want him going on another training with the Marshal to know that he's worthy of being a Shield. Because you know he is worthy, and he is worth more than just a Shield to the King.

Your brain is an incoherent jumble. Your silence must have worried Gladio so much by now, because he's not moving in front of you. His hands are holding around your waist, though, seems that he knows you might pass out any minute.

So you crack open your eyes as best as you can to show him that you're okay, you'll be okay. Instead, you find him looking at you with eyebrows raised and a gaze so soft that it is a stark contrast to his features.

"What?" You say almost inaudibly.

Hesitantly, Gladio shakes his head, "Nothing. You were just… mumbling a lot."

You blink at him slowly, "Gladio."

"Yeah?"

"You got my back, right?"

The giant of a man looks at you with all honesty, "Always."

"Good," you huff gladly, "'cause i'm - i'm gonna be… really selfish now…"

You remember the tightening in your chest, the sudden twist and turn of your world, and the last look on Gladio's face. Your name gets called out again for the second time in the same manner as the first. That's it, you're a wicked person, you've made your party members worried again.

The next thing you feel is an intense heat all around you, mainly from in front of you.

You open your eyes, and immediately you're tensing at the sight of the campfire burning, flame licking the air - why are you not in the tent? Then you register where you are, lying inside a sleeping bag that's being placed by the campfire. The sky has turned darker - how long has it been?

"Y/n?" The familiar voice of Prompto calls for you. You look up, finding the gunman sitting by your head, his camera in hand. He smiles so genuinely, with his eyes crinkling as you blink at him to regain your senses.

"Prom…" your voice comes out harshly. "How long was i out?"

"You've been out since Gladio changed your clothes, so i guess about an hour? No, not really an hour, you were in and out lots of time."

You try to look around the camp. The tent has been pitched, there's light coming from the inside, and a shadow of someone in the tent. The cooking station has been set up, but no one's around to man it. The chairs are empty. "Where's everyone?"

"Iggy's in the tent. Gladio and Noct left to gather more firewood." Prompto cocks his head aside, "You still look pale, y/n, how do you feel now?"

"Throat scratchy," you mutter, "still kinda cold… head dizzy."

"Want some water?"

You nod more enthusiastically than intended, "Please."

The blonde gunman springs up to his feet and heads towards the cooking station. You try to sit up as gingerly as you can, feeling your back somewhat hurting - did you hurt yourself, you wonder. It wasn't even a bad fall, right?

Prompto returns and sits beside you, handing you a steaming metallic cup, "Careful, it's kinda hot."

Despite the warning, you brave a sip from the cup, immediately feeling heat blooming in your chest as the warm water glides down your frozen throat. It feels good, better than tasting frost. You pause to breathe, to warm your fingertips against the warm metal. For a moment, breathing feels good, you feel good. The warmth is definitely welcomed by your body.

Until the heat disappears within moments, and you're back at square one. Cold grasping at your chest, scratching at your throat again, clenching your core, until you're coughing aloud, body rocking with the motion. Heat escaping your skin, leaving shivers that wreck you from the inside out.

Prompto is patting your back, "Y/n? Y/n, what's wrong? Do you need more water? I'll get more, okay?"

Your coughing fit finally ends with a violent wheeze that renders you trembling. There are tears at the corners of your eyes, being blinked away by you before the gunman notices. You inhale sharply, trying to remember how to breathe correctly.

The flap of the tent is zipped open. You flick your gaze to find Ignis exiting the tent, with damp hair and without his usual pair of glasses. "Awake at last?"

"She keeps coughing. I just gave her water like you said to." Prompto informs as the Advisor approaches.

"How are we?" Ignis kneels down beside you.

You look up, finding him approaching with brows knitted, "Just…fine…" you smile tightly, trying to hide the fact that your throat wants to cough itself out with each breath you take.

"Let me see," a gloved hand gesturing you to look at him, and you do. The green eyes observing your face. "Your lips are still blue." He states as a matter of factly. "Do you remember what happened?"

You shrug, "Noct used Blizzaga. I fell in the water. Someone did CPR on me."

"Summarized perfectly," Prompto laughs.

Ignis smiles tightly, "We were hunting Sahagins. All was well, we managed to thin down their numbers, when more suddenly emerged out of nowhere and pushed us towards the water. Never knew they could work in a group." He sighs, "And yes, Noct did use Blizzaga. It did stop them. We regained the upperhand. But one thawed itself out and lunged at you - do you remember?"

Honestly, you're glad you don't remember it.

You shake your head at the question.

"No matter," Ignis elaborates, "you were knocked into freezing water, y/n. Within minutes you should have been dead. You weren't breathing when Gladio retrieved you, so he had to resort to first aid - chest compression, mouth to mouth. You fell into hypothermia much quicker than expected."

"Ignis, i'll be fine…" you stop the Advisor before he begins his long apology of how he should anticipate this to happen. He would start it, you'd know it, when something goes out of plan, he'd be the first to constantly apologize. "I'm just glad to be alive and not buried under the ice. Besides, the campfire helps, see? I'll be warm in no time."

"You're trying not to cough - i can hear you wheezing, y/n." Ignis scowls. "You'll be much warmer the sooner Noctis and Gladio return with more firewood. Where are they anyway? Prompto, where did they say they're heading?"

The gunman straightens up, "Oh - uh - they didn't say, i guess? I mean, i heard Gladio said he would gather nearby, and Noct wanted to help, but i'm not sure where."

As if on cue, there comes a set of footsteps, alerting all three of you. The first thing you see is Gladio with a stack of logs on his shoulder.

"Hey!" Gladio has a grin at each of you, before it disappears as his eyes land on Ignis'.

Coming up behind him is Noctis, dragging along a giant fish behind him. Breathlessly, he greets the camp, "Finally - made it."

Ignis approaches them, "Have you been fishing all this time?"

"He was fishing, i was logging." Gladio puts the logs down. He glances at you, "How are you doing, y/n?"

You shrug, wanting to reply, but Ignis beats you to it. "She's still as frozen as before you left."

"I feel better - kinda." You protest. "Honestly, Ig-Ignis, it's just c-c-cold."

"Which is why we caught this," Noctis pats the gigantic fish on the ground, "i heard that soup made from this type of fish is perfect against cold. And i brought this too," the Prince pulls out a bundle of wild herbs and spices, the kinds usually found on the side of the road, "sooo, Iggy, could you make fish soup?"

The Advisor heaves a heavy sigh as he pinches the bridge of his nose, "Very well, fish soup for dinner it is. But i would require assistance with the fish -"

"I can help!" Prompto springs up in excitement.

Noctis scoffs, "Someone's eager."

"You caught it, it's only fair if I help with the cooking."

The blonde gunman approaches the fish giddily, all while Ignis heads to the cooking station to grab his knives. You watch them quietly, mainly because you need a distraction from the rush of cold that is determined on freezing your spine. Then your eyes flick towards Noctis, who plops down on one of the chairs with phone in hand. He glances at you, shoots down a smile, before returning his attention to his phone.

Before you can see what the fourth party member is doing, your vision is clouded by a thick blue fabric being draped across your front. An unbelievably warm pair of hands grab you around the waist, the heat seeping through your blanket and layers of clothes, and you register being manhandled by none other but the Shield, until you're sitting between his legs, back pressed against his chest - and gods, you're burning.

Your lips part to heave the breath you don't realize you've been holding. Senses slowly realizing that Gladio is wearing his long-sleeved jacket backwards, turning it into a makeshift blanket for your front, while he's acting as a furnace behind you. His arms wrapped over your own, hugging you around the waist tighter than you can. It's his beard that tickles you, sending you gasping as he tucks his chin on your shoulder.

"Ticklish -" your protest comes in a whimper as you turn your head to another side, trying to alleviate the brush of his beard against your jaw.

He fixes his position, his lips barely brushing your jawline now, and you shudder but for a different reason. "Better?" His breath tickles your already sensitive skin.

Not wanting to keep protesting, you nod. The heat is too intense against the cold you're experiencing. Too sudden, like a flash. Too painful, instead of relaxing. You close your eyes and try to focus on breathing. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale - that's it, work those lungs - inhale -

A sharp grip on your waist startles you, messes up your breathing pattern, and your eyes shoot open. "W-what?"

"Don't fall asleep." Gladio mutters. "You gotta stay awake, y/n, your body's too cold right now."

"I wasn't sleeping."

"Yeah, you were, almost."

You hiss, "Then, what would you…have me do?"

The Behemoth of a man hums, and it reverberates through his chest, through your back, and all it does is soothe you ever more. Your head luls back against his shoulder, only now realizing how strong and solid he is. Your eyelids flutter again, hard not to, when you're feeling his warm breath against the side of your face, and his thumping heartbeat, and the steady rising of his chest -

Gladio grabs your waist again, and you actually groan in protest.

"I said, don't fall asleep. Hypothermia is not to be messed with. You could die, y/n." He scolds you sternly, but soon changes his tone. "You know what will keep you awake?"

"What?" You rasp.

"Talking. C'mon, talk to me like you usually do."

Talking? Yeah, you can do that. Except not now when his lips are so close to your skin they're practically painting you a kiss.

Another shudder runs down your spine, shaking your whole body. But Gladio is keeping you steady, he's got you, caging you in his big arms and equally big hands. He shushes you as gently as he can, fingertips easing you from the discomfort, as you ride the freezing waves once, twice, until it dissipates in the form of goosebumps on your skin.

"F-f-fuck… i hate that…" you sniffle again, feeling how dry your throat is. "Talk, huh? What do you want me to talk about?"

"Anything. Hell, you can talk about hunting like you always do, or what about girl talks? I know you girls have your own topics, Iris does. I only understand some, but i'm willing to listen." Gladio rubs a circle on your sides, and though you'd like to say how ticklish it is, you rather enjoy the gesture that's keeping you awake.

There's a dull throbbing in the back of your head that has been there since the accident with the Blizzaga. You hum, "Uhh… okay, let's see…"

Your eyes flick over to the other three men. Noctis is back on his chair, phone in hand, probably playing King's Knight as usual. Ignis and Prompto are by the cooking station. The gunman is chopping a big chunk of fish meat, while the Advisor is stirring something in the pot.

"How long have you guys known each other?"

The question sends Gladio snorting, "That's what you wanna talk about?"

You shrug, "You said about anything."

"Good point. Uh… pretty much since we were kids. Not at the same time, actually, Iggy was six when he met Noct. Prompto went to the same school as Noct, so i guess he was about nine or ten -"

"We didn't talk until i was fifteen, though." Noctis comments from his seat, eyes still glued to the phone.

"Oh yeah? And you were already inseparable by that time." Gladio chuckles. "Me, well, i already knew who Noct is, but i only met him when i was thirteen."

"So you didn't know Ignis by then?" You ask again.

"I knew. In fact, i met him first before Noct, right, Iggy?"

The bespectacled man in question turns when called, "Right. Did you know, y/n, that at the age of thirteen, Gladio was as tall as Noctis now?"

Your eyes widen, a grin spreading on your face, "What?!"

"It's true, i've seen pictures." Prompto affirms enthusiastically. "I think i keep some in my phone, let me send them -"

"Wait - why are we talking about me now? C'mon!" Gladio's laughter is rumbling, shaking your body with him. You laugh in your own version, that is more of a huff of breath than actual laughter.

Another coughing fit alerts your body again, halting your laughter, and you instinctively tense up. Gladio senses your discomfort, and holds onto even tighter than before that you can actually feel the ridges of his abdominal muscle despite layers between you. This cough is painful, sending you gasping for air when it finally passes. Your teeth are chattering, body trembling, and you close your eyes in hopes that this will be the last.

When the chill continues, you sigh, almost feeling defeated. You want to close your eyes and just go to sleep, and perhaps wake up in a better condition, in the morning, so you can sunbathe all you want.

You tilt your head comfortably against Gladio's shoulder, relishing in the way he cradles your head, soothingly, fingertips rubbing against your scalp, and, and -

And fuck, you're blushing like mad, because this is intimate. This is more than just sleeping next to each other, or sharing the same tent, or patting in the back after a good fight. This is…

"That's it, baby, stay relaxed and breathe." He murmurs, no signs of playfulness in his tone. "You're gonna be okay, alright? Just lean on me. I got enough body heat to share."

You hum, feeling his free hand encasing your own from over the jacket, and you thoroughly melt in his embrace, feeling him nudging - kissing? - your temple with those soft lips.

You won't lie, the Prince and his royal retinue are fine looking gentlemen indeed, but Gladio, he is something else.

Handsome? Check.

Funny? Check.

Strong as fuck? Double check.

And always a gentleman, despite the playful nature.

You're not a part of royalty, not a member of the Crownsguard or the Glaives, hell, you're just a fulltime hunter who happened to know Marshall Leonis. After helping him with the refugees, he made you swear an oath to find and accompany Prince Noctis to Altissia - however it is. You know the wilderness like the back of your hand, of course you're going to help.

And now, to be here, the fifth member of the party, you're just glad they accept you despite your stand in society.

Gladio, well, your upbringing in nature seems to make you bond easily with the hunk of a man. He's treating you like he treats the other, letting you pick up your own slack, not babying you just because you're a girl. He's eager to learn from your experience in the wild, in exchange, you're eager to learn how to fight better (read: to accompany him training in the ungodly crack of dawn). Your shared interests only bring you closer, that by now you're used to any physical touches you share - a pat on the back, ruffling hair, a hug, accidental cuddle when asleep.

For now, though, you'd let him hold you and kiss you as soothingly as he wants.

"Soup's ready!"

Ignis' announcement is louder than usual, but it works in snapping you and Gladio from whatever trance you are in. You blink repeatedly to watch as the tactician prepares the soup in bowls, his eyes darting between you and the ladle in hand. Prompto takes a steaming bowl in hand, and carefully makes his way towards you.

"You first, y/n," he crouches beside you, but Gladio takes the bowl from him. Prompto lingers, brows shoot up to his forehead, and eyes wide like a puppy. "How are you feeling now?"

"Still cold." You mutter.

"Get eating and then you can rest." Gladio adds, stirring the bowl of fish soup in hand. You make a move to get out of the makeshift blanket, but the Shield shakes his head, "Nuh-uh, you're gonna stay here while i feed you. Not taking any chances with your body still as cold as the dead like this."

Not wanting to protest, or reply, you indulge the Shield in his order. You tuck the jacket under your chin, leaning forward to blow at a spoonful of fish and broth that Gladio is holding. When you're certain it's safe, you nudge the spoon with your lips, taking in all the food into your mouth.

There's no better cooking than Ignis', and this you can consider as one of his masterpieces. The fish melts with the broth, thick liquid gliding down your throat with ease. Your taste buds are in heaven, as you savor each and every bit of spice you can taste from that one spoonful.

"Mmm… taste so fucking good…" you finally speak once you swallow.

The expletive sends Gladio chuckling, "That good, huh? Let me have a bite," and he takes a spoonful into his own mouth, and you have to fight not to squirm as he lets out a satisfied grunt so close to your ear, shaking you down to your core. "Damn, Iggy, you really outdid yourself."

"I find that highly impossible, had the royal highness not fished to his heart's content," Ignis replies from his seat, "and please, extend your gratitude towards Prompto, he was more than useful with preparation."

"Thanks, guys." You croak from behind the second spoonful of soup. "This should get me better - really… it should be…"

Dinnertime is spent mostly in silence, spare for Prompto and Noctis' banters. You're starting to feel slightly warmer than before. Granted, the chill in your bones has decided to come at a longer interval, and every time it comes, you still feel your whole body being submerged in icy water. But for each wave, Gladio is there, still as warm as the first time he holds you.

It's nearing bedtime, this you know, because the cooking station is already cleaned up, and Noctis has yawned for the umpteenth time. Your eyelids grow heavier, your belly full of warm soup, and Gladio's grip seems to do nothing to keep you awake.

You blink, and Ignis is right in front of you, "How are you holding up, Gladio?"

Gladio scoffs, "Me? Pfft, i can handle this. She's not warm enough, though, i might have to share the sleeping bag with her."

The Advisor exchanges a glance with the Shield, "Is she still shivering?"

"Not as much. The coughing worries me. What do you think?"

"Sleep is the best medicine, they said. We already exhausted all options. The best thing to do is to wait and see her condition tomorrow. I think you should take her to bed now."

"Don't i get to take her out on a date first? I made a promise, y'know." Gladio chuckles, sending you smiling in response. He shakes you slightly, "You heard that, y/n? What do you have in mind? Kenny Crows? Picnic by the beach?"

Ignis groans, "Be serious, Gladio, this is hypothermia we're talking about. Keep her warm while i'm preparing the sleeping bags."

You don't know if Gladio ever replies to Ignis, or if Prompto and Noctis are still by the campfire, but you blink again, and this time you're not seeing the starry sky. You're thoroughly confused upon seeing the ceiling of the tent, illuminated by the electric lantern in the corner.

You realize you're in a sleeping bag, a much bigger sleeping bag that clearly belongs to Gladio. And the man himself is sitting beside you, in the same sleeping bag, and -

And your eyes widen as he peels off his tanktop, revealing his tattooed torso - the tail of the bird of prey, the feathers, the curve of the wings that hugs his back. His dark hair flows down to his nape, and he huffs as he chucks the top to the corner of the tent.

Then Gladio turns to you, an eyebrow rising, realizing that you've been watching him. "See something you like?"

You open your mouth to reply, but fail to muster the courage to do so. It's mesmerizing. He's still sitting there, so close to you, giving you a generous view of his torso, of the tattoo, of the necklace around his neck - that is now being removed by him, and your heart skips a beat upon watching his fingers tug along the glistening beads as he pulls it upwards over his head, and your mind is filled with thoughts of how he will react if you were to pull him by the necklace.

Thankfully, you're saved from replying, as somewhere from behind you, Prompto is fake gagging in response. "Ugh seriously?"

You turn to find the other three members of the party in their sleeping bags. Prompto is beside you, giving a weird look towards Gladio. Noctis is next to him, lying on his stomach still with phone in hand. Ignis is at the far end, in his usual spot by the lantern.

"What…" you clear your dry throat. "What is happening…?"

Ignis elaborates, "Gladio will warm you up."

You frown, hasn't he been warming you up all this time?

The Shield shifts, and you turn to look at him, all confused. He registers your expression, and he smiles reassuringly, "You know how all those shivering is your own body trying to warm you up? You've been falling in and out of consciousness too, it's dangerous at this point. I can help with the heat, but we need to be… minimally clothed."

Blink.

You blink again.

Did you hear him correctly? Or is it the cold that's poisoning your mind? Or is it the fish soup?

You must have taken your sweet time in replying that your invisible timer to answer finally runs out, and Gladio huffs, "Look, it's hard to take in, i know, but you need skin to skin contact to make this work. I swear to you i'm not doing this for myself -"

"Are you sure about that?" Noctis comments slyly.

Gladio stammers visibly, "H-hey, c'mon, don't make it harder than it should be, Noct."

You blink again, eyes not leaving Gladio, as your mind tries to wrap itself in reality. "Uh… what are we…doing…exactly?"

"Sleeping." Gladio replies quickly.

"Cuddling." Prompto snickers.

"Naked." Noctis adds.

"To raise your body temperature," Ignis rectifies, "you and Gladio must sleep with minimum clothing, bare, if you must. It should only take a few moments, but should you fall asleep in the action, well, none of us would complain. Gladio certainly won't, won't you, Gladio?" The Advisor adds with a smirk.

The Shield groans aloud, smacking his own forehead, "Damnit, you guys aren't making this easier, i swear."

You huff a chuckle, a weak one, honestly a pathetic one, but it turns into a dry cough that hurts your throat. The tent falls silent. When the wave has passed, you open your mouth to speak, or rasp, whichever your throat allows you right now, but your voice is halted.

The silence stretches a second too long to your liking, only broken as Prompto finally speaks, "That doesn't sound good."

"No, it's not." Gladio turns to you, "Y/n? You need to undress now. The longer you stay in your clothes, the worse you're gonna get. I'm going to help, okay?"

"Lights off, then." Ignis says, and immediately, the tent turns darker.

Your eyes adjust to the darkness, feeling Gladio grabbing ahold of the hem of your shirt - well, his shirt - and you feel aflame when his fingertips brush against your abdomen. You raise your arms gingerly over your head, back arching, and he tugs the material off of you swiftly. One of his big hands is supporting your back - so warm, too warm, too hot -

Gladio pauses, seeing your bare torso laid down in front of him. You close your eyes, feeling shy and self conscious all of the sudden. In the dark, you can feel the cage he's made for you, tucked you between his legs and arms, keeping you under his broad shoulders and chest.

You're not expecting him to be so close to you, so when he nudges the side of your head with his nose, you open your eyes in surprise. "Hey," he whispers, "tell me if it's too much, alright?"

You nod at the same time as Gladio's chest comes crashing down against your own, and he is burning, or is it you? Whichever, it's hurting. You feel like a sheet of ice being melted by a candle from the center, heat rapidly spreads from your breasts to your arms, to your abdomen, to your pounding head -

Then Gladio slides an arm under your neck, embracing you again for the second time tonight, that you're pressed against his front. Your lips graze his ear, sending him shuddering. Your hands are clenched in a fist, trying to stave off the painful heat. Teeth begin to chatter again, body shivering again, this time much harder, much stronger, uncontrollable.

"I got you, i got you, y/n, i got you." Gladio mutters, palm pressing against your back. The length of his arm almost completely covers you.

You're fighting to open your fists. When you finally win, you press your palms against his body. Fingers gripping at the tattooed feathers, downing his heat like it could satiate your thirst. Your whole body rocks as his warmth infiltrates your core, seeping under your skin, merging into your veins.

But it's not finished yet.

Gladio pulls the sleeping bag to close, pulling the zipper up until you're both almost completely engulfed inside. Hastily, less patiently, his hand fumbles with his belt. You can feel it, the metal is cold against your stomach. You feel him lowering the long zipper, and soon, he's trying to shuck off the leather pants. You try to help, pushing it down, fingers brushing against his hip bone as you do so. Thumbs unknowingly tracing the deep V of his sculpted abs.

Then comes your turn. Gladio's hand slithers to undo the ties of the sweatpants you're wearing. You stifle a moan as his fingers slip to your behind, cupping your bare ass in his palm, and he raises your hips slightly. His grip goes lower, and lower to the back of your thigh, bringing the pants along. His body slides down, but he raises his head to look at you, trying to ignore your breasts that are getting closer to his face.

He's blushing and so are you. His eyes are narrowing. You fight not to look at his lips, those beautiful full lips. The tension is forming between yourselves that you only realize he's taking his time in getting rid of your pants. You bend your knees to help him, until your pants are easily kicked off, and -

And you're naked, as he is naked, and you're still too close. Waaay to close.

He rolls over to his side, and tucks you under his chin. His long legs are tangled against your own. You're not sure what to feel with his certain length pressing against your stomach. But one thing you know is that he's radiating warmth. Your body wants it in a way you never know.

Eyes opening, in the darkness, you can make out the face of the eagle on his tattoo. Rising up and down with his breathing, as if it's heaving. Your eyes roam to the center of his chest, of his well defined muscle and fading scars. Your trembling lips are painting abstract kisses on his skin. Fuck, you can taste him at the tip of your tongue -

Fucking hell, what the fuck are you thinking?

Gladio is being considerate to you, kind even, and he lets you feed off his warmth. Yet you're acting like a horny bitch and taking advantage of the situation. Fuck - this is not good. You close your eyes, thighs tightening around one of his hairy leg - a bad move, as he flinches in response, hips jolting - you immediately let go -

"So-sorry…" your whisper bounces against his skin.

"What for?" His voice is low and quiet.

For indecent thoughts? For nearly breaking his leg with the strong grip of your thighs?

You lower your voice to a whisper, "I'm too weak… can't handle a little bit of Blizzaga."

Gladio shuffles backwards, and you can feel the pang of hurt forming in your once frozen core, feeling like he is going to reject you. But what you see damns you.

The amber eyes are fixated on you, such a beautiful color framed by the shape of his eyes, by his thick lashes and thicker eyebrows. A frown is forming on his forehead, tugging his two scars along. His lips turn downwards slightly, full lips parting to speak.

"None of that 'i'm too weak' bullshit. You're one of the strongest women i know. And this? You think it's a hassle for me to help you? C'mon, i have your back, don't i?" He smiles genuinely.

"I still feel bad, though."

"Why?"

Your cheeks are blazing now. Pretty sure he can see it clearly. "Uh… Just don't want you to get sick because of me."

"Hey, if i don't wanna do this, i won't be here."

You raise an eyebrow, "You want…this?"

Gladio looks lost for words as he opens and closes his mouth rapidly, almost like a fish gasping for air. The infamous Gladiolus Amicitia, reduced to a stuttering mess by your question.

"I uh… i just…" he clears his throat, "We make a good team, right? You got guts, y/n, you got my back and i got yours. And i love - i - i really like that in you."

You cock your head, "Why do i feel that you're not happy with that?"

Gladio smiles softly, "I hate seeing you in pain." His expression changes quickly, and his blush spreads across his nose, "Not only you - i mean, i'm the Shield, i should protect the party, right? It pains me when either of you get hurt."

Something is thrown in the dark from over your shoulder, but Gladio catches it in time - a dark blue pillow.

The Shield sits up to protest, body hunched over your own, "Hey, Noct, what the -"

"Just say you're worried about her and leave it at that." Noctis' voice replies. "For a ladies' man, you could be really dense, dude."

"I - who you're calling dense?"

"Yeah, it's kinda obvious you like each other. It's bad enough that even i can see it from a mile away." Prompto adds with a giggle.

Your face burns again, but not from his heat, now it burns internally. Even more so as the light turns on, and Gladio wraps a hand possessively over your bare back, forgetting that the sleeping bag covers most of your form.

Ignis sighs amusedly, "Well, i think that's as best as his confession goes. Don't take it to heart, y/n, Gladio always shows his feelings through his actions."

"I was gonna confess eventually, damnit, Iggy…" the Behemoth of a man lets out a grunt.

Your body rocks, this time with an incoming laughter. Giddy with excitement. Gladio seems to take your action as another wave of pain, and he turns his attention to you. Only now you're seeing him in the light, face flushed, brows knitted in worry, his lips ready to ask if something's wrong.

"If it's the same to you," you huff, pressing a smile against his arm, "you're not the only one who shows affection through action."

There's an audible gasp coming from Prompto, a sly snickering coming from Noctis, a chuckle from Ignis, and all because of the wide charming grin forming from the man above you.

The light is flicked off, and Gladio pulls the cover over you again, engulfing you completely. His hand cups your jaw gently, a contrast to you, pulling him closer by his bearded chin. The clash is long awaited. Full lips against your own, warming, blazing, pulling you in for more -

"That's all for now," he whispers against your parted lips, "rest up. We got one hell of a first date to catch."