(Y/n)'s POV
"Uh Gladio, why do you not have shirt on?" Noctis asks awkwardly, looking at Gladio's bare chest.
"I just feel like it, it's a hot day." Gladio responds nonchalantly.
"Not like the big guy ever wears much anyway." Prompto adds jokingly.
I tried joking along with them, but couldn't say anything.
I've had a crush on Gladio for as long as I can remember, and this was not helping me conceal it.
I could feel myself staring but was unable to look away, absolutely petrified.
How could I focus on anything else?
"Uh (n/n), you ok there?" Prompto questions me.
I hadn't realized my staring was so obvious. I look away, blushing. Hoping no one else noticed.
"Is everybody ready?" Ignis asks, finally finished packing our stuff back into the Regalia from the campsite.
"Yeah, lets go." Noctis says, and we all walk to the car.
***
I sit awkwardly in the Regalia. Usually I could handle sitting next to Gladio without feeling awkward, but this time was different.
Since there wasn't much space in the car, I had to squeeze in between Noctis and Gladio. My arm was touching his and I couldn't move.
"Everything alright (n/n)? You seem a little stiff." Gladio remarks, glancing at me worriedly.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I guess I'm just a little sore from our last battle." I say, not being able to stop my blush.
"Ok, do you need to take the day off?"
"No no, I'm fine. Thanks though." I say, blushing a darker shade of red.
"Alright, if you say so." He responds and starts reading his book.
I hide my face with my (h/c) hair so no one can see the blush.
Glad that's over.
***
"Ah, we're here." Remarks Ignis happily.
"Where are we?" Noctis asks, just waking up from a nap.
"We're at a hotel to rest for the night before we head to Galdin." Prompto responds, happiness evident in his voice. More than likely because we aren't camping.
"We shall continue our trip in the morning. Driving when there's daemons is not the best idea." Ignis states, fixing his glasses.
"Glad to have a chance to stretch my legs." Gladio responds, putting away his book.
Yes, a chance to get out of this car. I hope I didn't seem too obvious about my crush.
I step out of the car and stretch. Only realizing now how much I needed to.
"Did staying in the car all day help with your soreness?" Gladio questions me.
I look at his face and make the mistake of looking into his beautiful brown eyes and find myself speechless.
"(Y/n)?"
"Oh yeah, s-sorry. Yeah I'm f-fine." I stutter, a feel my cheeks get hot and hope the darkness can conceal my blush.
"I'm glad then, you should be ready for battle in the morning. And besides, if you're not, we still have a bit of a drive to Galdin.
I nod in response, not being able to do much else.
We all head to the Crow's Nest to eat dinner.
"I'm so hungry it feels like there's a hole in my tummy." Prompto whines, walking slowly, far behind us.
"Then walk faster so we can get there sooner." I reply, laughing.
"Good point." He responds, picking up his pace.
"Welcome to the Crow's Nest, what can I get for ya?" The waiter asks, holding her notepad ready.
"5 Kenny's Salmons please." Ignis answers putting down the menu he was just reading.
She finishes writing our order down and walks away.
She returns shortly with our meals. "Enjoy!" She says, before walking away to help another customer.
We start eating our meals. No one talks for what seems like forever. I'd start a conversation but I don't want to start blushing again.
"So are you going to wear no shirt forever or...?" Prompto asks, breaking the silence. Asking the question that was on everyone's minds.
"Nah, just today. I really like my jacket. Besides, being shirtless isn't as fun as it seems."
I exhale in relief before catching myself and pretending to cough.
Everyone looks at me strangely before going back to their meals.
I feel my cheeks heat up again. Great, just what I need.
***
When we finish our food, Ignis books a few hotel rooms and we go inside one. We always hang out a bit before going to sleep.
When it's finally time to sleep, I head for my room.
I then decide I wanted to spend a bit of time outside first, and head to a bench near the motel, hoping I could gather my thoughts.
"Mind if I sit here?" A familiar voice questions.
Great.
"No, not at all Gladio." I say, making room for him.
We sit in silence for a while, none of us saying a word.
"So (y/n), you've been acting pretty strange today. Are you weirded out because I wore no shirt?"
"N-no, of course not." I respond, blushing for what felt like the millionth time today.
"Then what is it. You've been acting like a teenager with a crush all day." He says laughing slightly to lighten the mood.
I freeze. Petrified. Not being able to say a word.
"Wait, (y/n), do you have crush on me?" He asks, realization dawning on him about why I'd been acting strangely all day.
"I-I, um I," I stutter, completely mortified, taking a large interest in my shoes.
"So you like me." He says, more telling than asking.
"Um, I-I guess so..." I say, my blush deepening as I looked down at my hands.
"Well what a strange coincidence, I like you too."
"You-you do?" I question finally looking up into his eyes.
"Yeah, I have for a long time now. Although I'm surprised you haven't noticed, I've made it pretty obvious at times." He says chuckling.
I then recall all the times he would do kind things for me. Giving me special treatment at times. Prompto has even whined about it sometimes, always earning a stern glance from Gladio.
I smile, knowing my feelings are returned.
He then grabs my chin gently and presses his soft lips against mine. He kisses me passionately and I kiss back. Equally as passionate.
We have to stop too soon when breathing becomes necessity.
We both pant heavily from the lack of air. I still can't believe what just happened.
"I love you Gladio!" I say smiling happily.
"I love you too." Gladio says before locking his lips with mine again. Kissing me as passionately as before. Our lips lock together like two pieces of a puzzle. As if they were made for each other.
I kiss back, never wanting this moment to end.