[ Leaving like he had to, that's all Noctis really hoped for. The guys spent so much time worrying about him, and not just them, either... That being gone would let them find some greater, nobler purpose than just glorified babysitting of an errant king.

And it did. For a while, they pulled together and worked to make the world better, just like they said they would. It was everything Noctis wanted. Except that it wasn't everything. It's not that he expected them to replace him after he was gone, he'd just hoped... There was just that sadness that was always with them, that he put there. Maybe if Ignis had gotten married, had kids, the times when he was alone wouldn't have seemed so... quiet. But it's not like he would want to force Ignis into a family he didn't want, and if he'd wanted it, he would've had one.

It means a lot, now, to hear that Ignis is happy. That at the end of everything, even with all he'd been through, he can look back and still agree with Noctis, that it was worth it, that the world is better than it was. His grin widens and he huffs a laugh at the idea of "doing this again." ]

No thanks. I'm all trained out after this one.

[ The sentiment, though... That's another story. His smile warms again, looking at Ignis looking at him, no scars, no wrinkles, smiling like he hasn't seen in a long time. ]

But something like it, yeah. You owe me a couple decades worth of pastries, for one. Don't think I won't hold you to that.