It's... not that I think you would. It's that... I want you to know I'm not obligating you to it. To... me, or anything.
[that's what he thinks, and what he believes in. he's pretty honest about this. of course—milla saying she'll wait for him does soften his expression a bit.
but he wants milla to understand where he's coming from wholly, because... she's not the sole motivator here.]
I just want to have one choice I make in this life that's mine. That I can do because I want to, and not because... someone or something else decided it for me. I can't—and won't—look away from what I have to do as a king. But I didn't choose it.
Being the king of Lucis meaning protecting the people of Lucis and the Crystal. And doing that... takes life energy. My dad—I saw what it did to him. How he looked twenty years old than he really was, how... he had to walk with a cane, and couldn't summon his weapons as it drained him. And I know... that is coming for me one day too.
[except for the part where it's not because he's going to do something Totally Different, but he doesn't actually know this yet.]
Luna... made me want to accept my place as king, twelve years ago when she explained to me why I needed to. But... you...
[he hesitates, a bit nervously.] Inspired me. To keep moving and do what I must, because it's my duty. That was something that before I got here... I was having a hard time with.
[he definitely seems to be caught between being kingly and still being that hapless prince, but he's trying.
the truth of the matter is that much like with luna, noct is completely taken with her because of her convictions, and she really makes him want to do better.
but he also wants to prove to her that he can.
his gaze shifts to meet hers, and then away—because apparently, neither one of them is very good at figuring out this commitment thing.]
no subject
[that's what he thinks, and what he believes in. he's pretty honest about this. of course—milla saying she'll wait for him does soften his expression a bit.
but he wants milla to understand where he's coming from wholly, because... she's not the sole motivator here.]
I just want to have one choice I make in this life that's mine. That I can do because I want to, and not because... someone or something else decided it for me. I can't—and won't—look away from what I have to do as a king. But I didn't choose it.
Being the king of Lucis meaning protecting the people of Lucis and the Crystal. And doing that... takes life energy. My dad—I saw what it did to him. How he looked twenty years old than he really was, how... he had to walk with a cane, and couldn't summon his weapons as it drained him. And I know... that is coming for me one day too.
[except for the part where it's not because he's going to do something Totally Different, but he doesn't actually know this yet.]
Luna... made me want to accept my place as king, twelve years ago when she explained to me why I needed to. But... you...
[he hesitates, a bit nervously.] Inspired me. To keep moving and do what I must, because it's my duty. That was something that before I got here... I was having a hard time with.
[he definitely seems to be caught between being kingly and still being that hapless prince, but he's trying.
the truth of the matter is that much like with luna, noct is completely taken with her because of her convictions, and she really makes him want to do better.
but he also wants to prove to her that he can.
his gaze shifts to meet hers, and then away—because apparently, neither one of them is very good at figuring out this commitment thing.]
...I'll be a better man by then.
[someone far more worthy of her time and energy.]