[It's such a painfully familiar gesture that Noctis recognizes it before the words even leave Ardyn's mouth; how many times has he had this moment in the last month, or even beyond that? How many times had he struggled, faltered, had to try again? He feels it, that palpable dread, but whatever this is, it's probably inevitable. Important. It wouldn't be so difficult otherwise.
Another exhale, and he scuffs a hand through his hair, shifting in his seat to find a more comfortable position. He pushes past his dread and opts to just... get it out there. Better now than later, when it would be more cruel to say.]
I'll stay. There's... something I need to talk about with you, too.
[Whatever he decides when it comes to telling his other friends, or his father- of all the people here, Ardyn has the most right to know about their fates, how their lives are meant to intertwine. Just as Ardyn didn't force Noctis to interact with the one who'd put him through so much torment, he won't force Ardyn to unknowingly be kind to the one who was born to kill him.]
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Another exhale, and he scuffs a hand through his hair, shifting in his seat to find a more comfortable position. He pushes past his dread and opts to just... get it out there. Better now than later, when it would be more cruel to say.]
I'll stay. There's... something I need to talk about with you, too.
[Whatever he decides when it comes to telling his other friends, or his father- of all the people here, Ardyn has the most right to know about their fates, how their lives are meant to intertwine. Just as Ardyn didn't force Noctis to interact with the one who'd put him through so much torment, he won't force Ardyn to unknowingly be kind to the one who was born to kill him.]