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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.

Not bad. It was more like a penthouse than what I'd call an apartment then. I wouldn't know though, I was from one of the wealthiest families in the world too.

Why did you want to live away from the citadel?

[Not quite a penthouse - comparable, and he'd looked at a few - but close enough that he shrugs.]

Just... I dunno. Citadel was too stifling. Dad was always busy, I had to sit through like five layers of security to come and go, I couldn't have friends over.

[Not that he had friends, but being so isolated didn't help.]

I hated being reminded of what my life would eventually be. Wanted to live a little, figure out who the hell I was before destiny or whatever forced me to be what it needed.

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