Noctis goes from bewildered and flustered to outright offended. That smirk earns Gladio a playful smack to one thick bicep, blue eyes narrowed to scowl up at him. The moment those arms are around him, though, Noctis doesn't stand a chance. Between Ignis and his father he's cried about all he can today.

Not that that changes how comforting Gladio's embrace is. Noctis melts against him, one hand coming up to curl into the fabric of his tank top, the other looped lazily around Gladio's waist. He gives up on the glare almost immediately, just burying his face against his shield's chest and clinging to him for a long moment before he even remembers he's supposed to be sassing him.

"Doesn't count as late if I didn't know I was supposed to be somewhere."