[ Noctis is entirely silent as Markus speaks, brow knitting at the word "weak" but then he supplies the gentler follow-up. There's emotion in his voice, wholly human, subtle and unaffected but that's what sticks out to Noctis and that's what makes him want to smile, even if it tightens his chest.

His hand braces against the back of that couch as he finally slides forward onto one of the cushions as if he plans to reach out to him, moving closer--

--but he halts, out of his element and wondering if he's pushing too far. ]

... you sound really proud of him. We've both got a lot to live up to... so maybe that's why it feels like a long time ago. Because you're already starting to change to do that.