[ See, the second part, Ignis knows how to deal with. He has been doing this since Noctis was about six and realized that he could make people do things for him. Never too much. Never just on a whim. But always very good at it. And Ignis had to make the call, whether to indulge or get him to change his mind, and never, ever has it been this difficult to tell which one it should be.

The first part, though. The small voice, the tears in his eyes. Ignis leaned his head back again, but only so he could wrap his arms around Noctis, and hold him tight. Hold him as though he could squeeze away that ache and make it all right.

Hold him as though it can fix anything. Or hide Ignis's tears. ]

I am, [ he manages eventually, ] and have always endeavored to be completely honest, Noct. But before you ask. Before you ask, think of waking up tomorrow morning. Ask yourself if you can live with knowing that the person who you should always be able to rely on forwent his judgment and was weak and failed you. Think if you can live with despising me for it.

If you can't, then don't ask.