She’d wake up before the sun rose. She’d have been sleeping by Gladio in their hotel bed. Normally, they’d wake up together and go and spar, or maybe go for a run together. But the night before, perhaps, had been a trial. Maybe they’d simply been outside late, or maybe they’d been a large fight the night before. Point is, no one would be alert enough to notice her slipping out and getting her jacket. Even Gladio would be dead to the world.

But not her surprisingly. She’d be good at functioning on little sleep, and lately she was the one who’d wake up the other. But they needed the rest. Plus, it’d worry her endlessly that they were starting to run low on gil. So she’d have made the decision to go on a bounty herself. After dressing for the day and before leaving she’d press a kiss to Gladio’s forehead and whisper that she’d be back soon. Not that he’d hear her of course. 

She’d leave and go to the nearby diner and speak to the tipster there. After picking which bounty she was going to go after, she’d remember to take her tags out of her pocket and put them around her neck. Just in case. Perhaps she used to be a hunter before meeting Gladio and used to do this on her own all the time. Perhaps this was her first hunt alone. Either way, she’d want a way to identify her if anything went wrong. 

So she’d go, and one by one she’d lure her bounty away from their group and take them out. She knew if she fought them as a whole, as the boys often did, she’d be overwhelmed in seconds. But she worked though them all slowly, and though there were a few moments where she’d been nearly hurt, she made it through alright. She’d notice at some point during her hunt the beasts had managed to claw off her tags and a piece of her jacket. She’d figured she’d find them later and continue with her hunt.

It is during this time that the other woke up. Of course, Gladio is slightly startled when he sees her missing. But he accepts the other’s explanations. Perhaps she was hungry and went for breakfast? Or maybe she’s just exploring around outside waiting for them. Though you can imagine he’d be a little distraught when they get to the diner and find out where she went. But she could take care of herself right? 

But that’s when news of some possible tags laying on the ground. Right in the location she was hunting. The boys would then kind of hurry out there and look for her. And of course they’d find them right where they were rumored to be. With no other sign of her, Gladio would just sort of shut down. But then she’d come around a corner, a bit bruised but otherwise perfectly fine. It’d be noon by then, and she’d smile at them all not seeing anything wrong with all of them there. Then she’d notice her tags in Gladio’s hands, the expression on his face, and dart over to him.

Generally, at the sight of how scared he looked, she’d panic and try to reassure him, ‘No, love, I’m right here, I just dropped my tags earlier.’

He’d wrap her in a hug and would refuse to let go. Even when she’d try pulling away. Recognizing that she’d scared him, she ask the others to give her a minute with him. She’d sigh after they left and ask if he was alright. 

‘Of course not,’ he’d say, ‘I thought…your tags…What were you thinking coming out here alone!?’

She’d actually feel a little offended by that statement. ‘Gladie, I can take care of myself out here. I’m not hurt, look.’ 

Eventually, this would dissolve into a heated argument, all while Gladio refused to let her go. Which, would start to irritate her since she, when angry, the last thing she wants is a hug. She’d hold her own point that he should have more faith in her abilities. He’d argue that if her enemies got close enough to take a swipe at her neck, she’d needed someone there to watch her back. Which would dissolve into even more fighting. She’d manage to pull away to arms length during this, but no further. She’d be about to launch right back into the argument, but Gladio would cut her off with a kiss. Which would surprise her into being quiet. 

‘Just let me worry alright?’ he’d whisper against her mouth. ‘You scared me when I found your tags.’

She sigh and finally nod. “Fine, worry all you want. But it doesn’t change that you’re overreacting. I’m not dead.”

This unfortunately for her, would lead to him throwing her over his shoulder and going to rejoin the rest of the group. She’d squawk indignantly and demand to be put down, her face burning. But her demand would be ruined by her laughing. They’d find the others and he still wouldn’t put her down. 

Revenge for making him worry he’d say, and she’d go dead weight in retaliation. (Not that it helped.) He’d get back to the car and finally put her down. She’d grab his hand and finally whisper to him that she was sorry for scaring him. 

It’d be relatively peaceful until the tipster reveals that the bounty was for 5 Albinogins. They’d start arguing again, and he’d be having some serious doubts about her judgement. She’d point out she knew what she could handle, and restate the fact that she WASN’T hurt. They’d argue into the night, but stay holding hands.