( He glanced up when he heard Noctis, the gratefulness of his friend coming clear on his face. He rested his head against the top of Noct's after he had settled against Gladio's side. It was an odd feeling, sitting there with Noctis after all these years. Adults as opposed to the kids pretending to be so. And he couldn't help but think of what it would have been like, had things gone the way they were supposed. Would they have sat out here, talking among themselves as their kids ran around the yard the way they had.
Who would they have been if things hadn't gotten so completely derailed.
Gladio gave Noctis' hand a soft squeeze. )
I never thought I'd see this again. ( He let out a slow exhale as he glanced around. The idea of moving further in the house from here still felt far too daunting - but like Noctis had said, they had time. ) Took me nearly six months to start picking through what was left after - everything.