Noctis lets Gladio pull him in close again, lets those strong arms wrap around him and distance him from all the things he's had to deal with today. Maybe it's weak, letting himself ignore the obvious question there about that chancellor dude. Maybe he shouldn't be letting Gladio protect him now just as his father had before. There's so much he feels like he doesn't understand and so much he knows he needs to.

But Gladio points out how reasonable what he's done is, actually, and as much as part of him still hates it... he accepts the reasoning for now. At least long enough to let himself savor the warmth and safety of Gladio's embrace, the soothing comfort of strong fingers in his hair. He doesn't stay that way for long, though, reaching up one hand to poke Gladio in the side. Noct may not look up at him but that's because he's too warm and comfortable to will himself into extracting himself from the embrace again, not because there's any less weight to his words.

"Your expectations haven't been unreasonable in years. Shut up." Nor have they been unfair, at least... no more than have been required for the utterly unfair circumstances Noctis has to face.