Gladio was so tall and Noct was tempted to stretch up but those big arms were around him and he was locked into place.

Well, he could move a little and so he did.

Noct reached a hand up as high as he could and patted Gladio on the back, still hoping to reassure him. "Don't need to thank me, it's what I'm here for."

Or at least he liked to think so.