The king took him by surprise with the head resting against his shoulder and his fists clenched at his sides, unsure as to what to do. Obviously Noct was in pain and very slowly his hands clenched.

Slowly and hesitantly Ignis put his arms around the king, holding him close. He hoped against hope he was doing the right thing, but he knew precisely what that squeaky tone meant.

His tone lowered a little more when he spoke next and he briefly thought back to their childhood together. "You've always been worth it Noct."

And obviously the man now in his arms had definitely matured some.