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Nope, just restocking. [He shrugs his shoulders.] They take a lot of energy to make, so sometimes I'll do a run of ethers for a while and then boost myself up so I can go nuts on the other stuff all at once.

Ah, I see. I talked to your dad a while ago about experimenting with concentrated potions in test tubes so they were much smaller and easier to carry around.

[He pulled a flask from his back pocket.]

We found a lazier solution for the time being, but I'd still be interested in testing that theory.

[Noctis lifts a brow at that, as it's all news to him.]

What's the lazier solution? Smaller potions?

[He's done this long enough that from his experience, smaller sizes make for weaker potions, but if it's an emergency needed to keep someone alive long enough to escape a bad situation, it doesn't have to do that much, anyway.]

[He flashed a grin at Noctis.]

How should I know? I don't use magic but when your dad says 'here use this' I listen to him.

[So the chances are, it was just a smaller portion and they hadn't gotten as far past the theory stage as Tony had thought. He didn't have a way to verify that yet though and it hadn't been a priority so far.]

Anyway, about the design.. it's a surprise.

[Noctis pauses for a long moment, his back turned as he's focusing on the tea. Finally he exhales a breath and glances over his shoulder, lips pursed.]

That's a pretty personal thing to surprise somebody with.

[Tony smiled thoughtfully, looking off to the side.]

It is. So is a proposal.

[His gaze returned to the prince and his smile faded as his expression became more serious.]

I love him, Noctis. If something happens to him and he vanishes I want- I need- a piece of him to remain with me.

[Another pause. That's more serious.]

...A proposal takes two people. Last I heard you don't just shove a ring on your finger and surprise someone by saying you're engaged now.

[At least, not in most cases. He's never had this experience himself, but he knows how it's supposed to go in non-arranged corners.]

Well.. that's one way to look at this..

[Huh, wow. That was quite an image.]

I get that you're being protective of him and I appreciate that. He'd appreciate it if he knew about this. You don't have to protect him from me, though.

It's not about protecting him. It's about respect for his title and what that tattoo represents. That isn't something you can take for yourself because you love him.

[He's grown up around this stuff, seen the pride that the whole Amicitia family takes in those wings. If he were to guess, he'd fully believe that Gladio being sworn in as official Crownsguard and Shield to the crown prince, and getting that tattoo, would be among his most cherished moments.]

Look, I'm not saying I won't help you. If you're gonna do it anyway, you may as well do it right. But was your plan to surprise him with a design, or with a tattoo already done?

[He opened his mouth, all ready to argue, when he stopped himself. Tony considered what was being said and realized he was possibly (likely) being stubborn.]

I was thinking it'd be more romantic to already have the tattoo done but.. how would you suggest presenting the design?

The romance is in the gesture. If you make the wrong call and he gets pissed that you took it without checking in first, it won't be very romantic.

[He's failed to be romantic before, and he's pissed Gladio off a lot over the years. Some calls are just safer to make by communicating.]

Come up with something you like first. Do the design. That bit's safe- if he says no, it isn't permanent. Surprise him with that- that you wanna do this, but you need him to be part of it. Tell him what you told me, and then some. Bet you that it'll mean more to him that you cared enough to ask than if you'd surprised him with a done deal.

[He pauses again, his voice going a bit quiet, glancing away.]

...Listen. He's the last Shield of Lucis, for the last king, and duty meant a lot to him even before everything went to hell. It's never just a tattoo, it's the weight it all represents. It should be his call, whether he shares that part of himself with anybody, and whatever his answer is, you gotta respect it.

[His tone softened too.]

I hear you and I do. I respect it. This isn't me just wanting something I think is 'cool' or I'm taking lightly. If it was, I wouldn't have bothered to be here.

Cards on the table, I actually already have an artist would could do this for me, but.. it was more important I talk to you.

[That comes as a surprise, and Noctis lifts his eyes again, brows furrowed in confusion.]

Why?

You're family. You're important to us. I'd rather have you involved than a native with no connection to Insomnia.

[Noctis makes a quiet, acknowledging noise, leaning back against the counter. He can't refute that; he's felt the same way about a few things already, and he'd feel this way if he was planning something similar, too. There's bound to be details in this that a native wouldn't know to replicate.]

...Yeah. [He exhales, idly tugging the steaming kettle off the stove.] Prompto told you, huh?

About the tattoo artist and your design? Yeah. We talked the other day for a while.

[About that and several other things. He really hoped he'd done enough to support the young man. What he was dealing with.. Tony understood and it was rough.]

He still can't figure out why I call him a puppy.

[Noctis snorts a half-laugh.]

He knows, he just doesn't want to agree with you.

Kid's cute.

[He laughed and shook his head.]

You know, it's strange. Since shortly after being taken from my home, I've had a strong connection to Insomnia one way or another. I've learned your world's stories, heard about it's magic, been taught about the people and the politics. I've seen quite a few pictures of it and then Gladio had a memory I witnessed of his house. Hell, our replicator has game meat from there. So even though, I'm not technically from there, it's still special to me.

You might wanna stop calling him that one. We're only a few years behind Gladio.

[If Tony's going to profess undying love to their Shield he probably shouldn't consider his peers 'kids', even for a joke.]

Insomnia's a city of refugees, not just Lucians. For decades, it became a safe haven for people from all over the world who'd lost their homes to the Niffs. We weren't perfect, but we didn't turn people away, either. Taking in folks who don't belong anywhere else is kind of what it does best.

[The city had limits, conflict, instability. It struggled, people fought and grieved and took things for granted. The wall was little more than a pause button that held off the worst that their world had to offer as long as his father stood tall enough to support it. Still, it did so much good, and it saved so many people. He's seen the best and worst of it, over the years, but not once was he ever not proud to call it home.]

Aww, why did you have to go and make things weird?

[He half-groaned, half-whined and dragged his hands over his face. Noctis ruined everything! First his lovely romantic gesture and now being able to call Prompto 'kid'.]

I'm going to rename you Captain Buzzkill!

[It's not his fault you're contrary, Tony! Gosh.]

I'm not a captain, I'm a king.

[If you're gonna give him a dumb title at least have it be accurate.]

And way to ignore my welcoming monologue! Geez, who's the buzzkill now.

[Tony laughed harder at that. Nice comeback! When he was able to speak again, he held up a hand defensively.]

I'm sorry! Haha! You're right. *snicker* That was a lovely speech. Thank you!

[Noctis smirks briefly and fills the pot, setting it to steep.]

I mean it, though. Call me biased, but I can't blame you for liking Insomnia. It... was a good place to grow up.

I certainly cannot. Tell me more about it.

[He sat back with a warm smile, interested to hear from Noctis' point of view.]

I heard you got sick of the high life and got an apartment.

[Noctis shakes his head, hands braced on the counter behind him.]

Like the apartment life wasn't high, too? My place was huge. Guards at the door and everything. [No way he could've afforded that as a fifteen-year-old kid in the heart of Insomnia without the Crown's money paying for it all.] That wasn't why.

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