( He's sightlessly staring ahead, eyes losing focus when Noctis pillows his head on his chest. This close, he'll hear Kaladin's breaths and how quickly his heart is beating, won't he?

Rather than hear Noctis', Kaladin can feel them. Hot exhalations warm his shirt, and where his hands spread, he swears there's a pulse there. It could stem from his fingertips when they're so firm in their grasp of narrow hips... Storms, he should be embarrassed, maybe shier, but it's liberating in a way he can't describe. )

... No one? ( Whispered disbelievingly against the crown of Noctis' head. Lips move against soft hair. ) Because of your birthright, right? I understand somewhat. It was wise to tell me only when you were ready. I... I might not have been if it'd happened sooner.

Of course, ( he adds, ) that'd have made me a storming idiot.