"Oh, no, Ardyn earned that," Gladio says immediately. "More than earned it. You've had enough life-shattering news dropped on you in one day, so we're not gonna get into it right now, but trust me that what you did to him was kinder than anything he deserves."

His arms go around Noct again, and a hand actually cradles the back of his head. "But listen. I know how tough you are. I've seen you be tougher than you've ever even had to be yet at this age, actually. If today's your emotional health cheat day, you're allowed. And we'll straighten things out with Iggy, although probably he's not gonna hold anything against you anyway. You know he understands. And King Regis...he knows better than just about anyone what you've gone through. You're acting like it's a bad thing that you went to your support network for support. And it's not like you had an argument with your dad because you blew off a meeting. This is exactly the kind of thing you need a support network for."

He strokes Noct's hair. "If you want unreasonable, unfair expectations placed on you, leave them to me. I'm here now. You trying to put me out of a job?" He tries to make it light, but a touch of guilt and the heaviness of the circumstances only half-carries it.