[ Of all the things he expected as a response-- Seriously, that... isn't what he thought the younger man would say. Not even close. Gladio's chest feels a little tighter for a moment, and he actually has to force his breaths to come in and out at a normal pace. His gaze is planted so firmly on the floor, face tense in his efforts to steel his expression, body not moving beyond those breaths...
Finally, there's a crack; a tense exhale is given as he nods. Just barely before it turns into something less of a nod, more of just a simple movement of the head that expresses acknowledgment, but... also a bit of doubt. There's doubt. He doesn't want to openly express it, however, because there's no way he's ready to explain why. This day has been rough. Exhausting. He's been fighting for so long to remain strong for his mother, for the staff who are always there to take care of her, for his team, for those he fights for on a daily basis... He refuses to let that get to him, no matter how tired or worn down he starts to feel.
Even if he can't manage a smile, he does manage to give a genuine response: ] That's a nice way to look at it. You've got... a good head on your shoulders, kid. Your mother -- she must be proud.
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Finally, there's a crack; a tense exhale is given as he nods. Just barely before it turns into something less of a nod, more of just a simple movement of the head that expresses acknowledgment, but... also a bit of doubt. There's doubt. He doesn't want to openly express it, however, because there's no way he's ready to explain why. This day has been rough. Exhausting. He's been fighting for so long to remain strong for his mother, for the staff who are always there to take care of her, for his team, for those he fights for on a daily basis... He refuses to let that get to him, no matter how tired or worn down he starts to feel.
Even if he can't manage a smile, he does manage to give a genuine response: ] That's a nice way to look at it. You've got... a good head on your shoulders, kid. Your mother -- she must be proud.