[They learned over time what worked and what didn't, with him. Repetition, constant criticism, a demand for perfection, yelling- none of those were effective at getting Noctis to rise to the occasion and do better. The stubbornness would kick in, he'd get angry or frustrated or retreat into himself. Back when Gladio finally gave him a chance, due to saving Iris, they'd tried alternate methods: encouragement, competition, realistic challenges and goals. That train ride, Cartanica... it was like they'd forgotten for a while how far they'd come together.
Gladio's different here. But it's a familiar kind of different, one that he can work with and depend on. He can only hope to meet Gladio in the middle and hold on to the changes he's found in himself, too.]
I wanna be able to do it, though. Trusting you guys, being honest... I don't want to end up regretting stuff, later.
["Later" could mean a lot of things, admittedly. Later here, with them all together but drifting because he's failed to hold them together by hiding how he feels. Later on Eos, when ten years apart could break their tight brotherhood and leave far too many things unsaid. Later when he's gone and can't tell them anything at all anymore.
He'd prefer not to carry any of it to his grave, but he still hasn't decided about the big one when it comes to Prompto and Gladio. Does he ask, if he knows all the way up to the Crystal anyway? Would that give it away? Gods, he doesn't know.]
no subject
[They learned over time what worked and what didn't, with him. Repetition, constant criticism, a demand for perfection, yelling- none of those were effective at getting Noctis to rise to the occasion and do better. The stubbornness would kick in, he'd get angry or frustrated or retreat into himself. Back when Gladio finally gave him a chance, due to saving Iris, they'd tried alternate methods: encouragement, competition, realistic challenges and goals. That train ride, Cartanica... it was like they'd forgotten for a while how far they'd come together.
Gladio's different here. But it's a familiar kind of different, one that he can work with and depend on. He can only hope to meet Gladio in the middle and hold on to the changes he's found in himself, too.]
I wanna be able to do it, though. Trusting you guys, being honest... I don't want to end up regretting stuff, later.
["Later" could mean a lot of things, admittedly. Later here, with them all together but drifting because he's failed to hold them together by hiding how he feels. Later on Eos, when ten years apart could break their tight brotherhood and leave far too many things unsaid. Later when he's gone and can't tell them anything at all anymore.
He'd prefer not to carry any of it to his grave, but he still hasn't decided about the big one when it comes to Prompto and Gladio. Does he ask, if he knows all the way up to the Crystal anyway? Would that give it away? Gods, he doesn't know.]