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[ She remains quiet as she watches his expression. What he brings up isn't easy, but... ]
If it feels right or wrong... I think you have your answer. [ She emphasizes: ] Not anyone else's.
[ If it feels wrong, it's good to admit it, and it's only a matter of tolerating the guilt. If it feels right, it's a matter of justifying it to oneself. ]
But either-or... I know you mean well, and I know you love him. To tell him or not, you do so out of love. For him, I imagine he's not going to love you less if you do.
If it feels right or wrong... I think you have your answer. [ She emphasizes: ] Not anyone else's.
[ If it feels wrong, it's good to admit it, and it's only a matter of tolerating the guilt. If it feels right, it's a matter of justifying it to oneself. ]
But either-or... I know you mean well, and I know you love him. To tell him or not, you do so out of love. For him, I imagine he's not going to love you less if you do.
No, that's never been what I worry about.
[He's worried about plenty of things, but he hasn't felt afraid that his father didn't love him for a long, long time. Must've been years now. There were sparse moments of course, waves of doubt that Regis didn't care about him as much as Noctis wanted, didn't want to spare the time (and flat out wasn't able to, regardless of want) to get to know him. Father and son, yet somehow almost strangers. Yet, at the same time, so alike. He loved his father, and his father loved him. Here, they're able to openly show it, share the same space and learn more about one another, their lives and shared histories. There's always been love, now it's just stronger.]
Maybe... that's part of the problem. I know he kept his distance sometimes, after Mom died. It had to have been hard on him. But then, whenever he found out I was going to die someday, too... things changed. He let me do what I wanted more, live in the public eye, away from all the royal stuff... away from him. I know it was for me, but- what if it was for him, too? What if... he didn't want to see me as much, because it would hurt him to remember?
[And if he finds all of that out here-]
[He's worried about plenty of things, but he hasn't felt afraid that his father didn't love him for a long, long time. Must've been years now. There were sparse moments of course, waves of doubt that Regis didn't care about him as much as Noctis wanted, didn't want to spare the time (and flat out wasn't able to, regardless of want) to get to know him. Father and son, yet somehow almost strangers. Yet, at the same time, so alike. He loved his father, and his father loved him. Here, they're able to openly show it, share the same space and learn more about one another, their lives and shared histories. There's always been love, now it's just stronger.]
Maybe... that's part of the problem. I know he kept his distance sometimes, after Mom died. It had to have been hard on him. But then, whenever he found out I was going to die someday, too... things changed. He let me do what I wanted more, live in the public eye, away from all the royal stuff... away from him. I know it was for me, but- what if it was for him, too? What if... he didn't want to see me as much, because it would hurt him to remember?
[And if he finds all of that out here-]
[ It’d seem almost ridiculous for someone to think that their own father might grow more distant, but for someone who has actually lived it, it’s not just a possibility at all. For Noctis, it was a lived reality, one of which he still feels the ripples to this day.
Pyra releases his hand and scoots closer, instead leaning forward and reaching for his shoulders to bring him into an embrace. ]
Oh, Noct…
[ Unfortunately, while she’d like to believe that Regis isn’t someone to be distant with his son after knowing the truth because it hurt too much, she doesn’t actually know the answer. Noctis knows his father better than she does. Perhaps he is right to be cautious, or perhaps this is only how his insecurity colors his perception of his father.
She wonders if it was ever too much for Noctis to be around his father in Havenwell, knowing that he is already gone. But even knowing that truth, Noctis decided to spend more time with his father, not push him away. Similarly, even for all of those who she may guess knows Noctis will die, she knows not one who became more distant. ]
Whatever you choose… he loves you. You love him. If he’s anything like you, or anything like all of us who love you…. he’ll want to spend more time with you.
Pyra releases his hand and scoots closer, instead leaning forward and reaching for his shoulders to bring him into an embrace. ]
Oh, Noct…
[ Unfortunately, while she’d like to believe that Regis isn’t someone to be distant with his son after knowing the truth because it hurt too much, she doesn’t actually know the answer. Noctis knows his father better than she does. Perhaps he is right to be cautious, or perhaps this is only how his insecurity colors his perception of his father.
She wonders if it was ever too much for Noctis to be around his father in Havenwell, knowing that he is already gone. But even knowing that truth, Noctis decided to spend more time with his father, not push him away. Similarly, even for all of those who she may guess knows Noctis will die, she knows not one who became more distant. ]
Whatever you choose… he loves you. You love him. If he’s anything like you, or anything like all of us who love you…. he’ll want to spend more time with you.
[He leans into the embrace gladly, quietly, his eyes closing as he holds her back and rests his chin on her shoulder. She's right, surely. Knowing his fate, knowing this is borrowed time and that the eyes of the world aren't on them the way they were back home, what reason would he have to stay distant? It makes sense, logically. But hearts aren't logical, and neither is fear. He can't shake the idea that telling Regis anything more, or hinting at his final duty as king, would only make their lives worse, not better.
He's not sure if he could bring himself to say it, even if he wanted to.]
Knowing our luck, and this place... I dunno if it'll be my choice in the end.
[The world so often chooses for them, what they do or do not know.]
He's not sure if he could bring himself to say it, even if he wanted to.]
Knowing our luck, and this place... I dunno if it'll be my choice in the end.
[The world so often chooses for them, what they do or do not know.]
Indeed, I'm back.
[ He pauses at her question, unsure how to answer, but regardless. ]
Prompto told me that I was gone for two months, no time passed by for me back home.
[ He pauses at her question, unsure how to answer, but regardless. ]
Prompto told me that I was gone for two months, no time passed by for me back home.
[ It's the worst part of this world, that ability to choose when such sensitive, personal information is shared or not. She wishes it will be his choice, whether or not to tell Regis more. She hopes it will be.
Pyra kisses him upon his cheek, pulling back to look at him. ]
Well... We know that you don't have to make a decision now. And this isn't an easy topic.
Pyra kisses him upon his cheek, pulling back to look at him. ]
Well... We know that you don't have to make a decision now. And this isn't an easy topic.
Mm... you're right.
[He looks cautiously up at her, his lips twitching in an attempt to smile. Just like always, she's managed to reassure him, even if the issue isn't resolved. She helps him realize it doesn't have to be- that even thinking about it is progress. And-]
Thinking about it is at least better than pretending it's not a problem.
[He looks cautiously up at her, his lips twitching in an attempt to smile. Just like always, she's managed to reassure him, even if the issue isn't resolved. She helps him realize it doesn't have to be- that even thinking about it is progress. And-]
Thinking about it is at least better than pretending it's not a problem.
See? There you go, a start.
[ She smiles in a way that she hopes is encouraging. Talking about it is a beginning, and she feels that if he's anything like her, he's mostly kept most of this to himself. ]
...And, whatever you decide. You have my support. Okay?
[ She smiles in a way that she hopes is encouraging. Talking about it is a beginning, and she feels that if he's anything like her, he's mostly kept most of this to himself. ]
...And, whatever you decide. You have my support. Okay?
Is it bad that I just kind of assume that most of the time, and work backwards from there? I like hearing it, though.
[Doesn't stop him from appreciating it, either, which is why he tugs her in for a hug and a proper kiss, drawing back after a long moment.]
...Wasn't I the one checking up on you? [No wonder she gets caught off guard when he does this.]
[Doesn't stop him from appreciating it, either, which is why he tugs her in for a hug and a proper kiss, drawing back after a long moment.]
...Wasn't I the one checking up on you? [No wonder she gets caught off guard when he does this.]
[ She looks at him curiously at that, but no-- she can't discern any physical change at all upon him. He appears just as he had last been here. ]
This world truly is mysterious.... [ She whispers, almost as an afterthought. ]
W-well, how do you feel to be back? Or, ah, if no time at all has passed for you-- I suppose it must be weird for me to say welcome back.
This world truly is mysterious.... [ She whispers, almost as an afterthought. ]
W-well, how do you feel to be back? Or, ah, if no time at all has passed for you-- I suppose it must be weird for me to say welcome back.
[ After he pulls back from the kiss and hug, both of which she gratefully accepts, he nudges him affectionately. ]
Mm... Maybe. But you know, I feel reassured already.
[ She an only hope the half of the conversation dedicated to inquiring about him did the same. ]
Mm... Maybe. But you know, I feel reassured already.
[ She an only hope the half of the conversation dedicated to inquiring about him did the same. ]
If it helped any, then I'm glad. And I'll be here for you, too.
[He doesn't know what his goal here was beyond be helpful, and to check if she's okay. As much as anyone can be okay this particular week, at least. If that was successful, then for the moment, he's content. The rest can wait.]
You want to finish up here then get some lunch? We should get a decent bite when we can.
[He reaches for the trowel again, ready to lend a hand again.]
[He doesn't know what his goal here was beyond be helpful, and to check if she's okay. As much as anyone can be okay this particular week, at least. If that was successful, then for the moment, he's content. The rest can wait.]
You want to finish up here then get some lunch? We should get a decent bite when we can.
[He reaches for the trowel again, ready to lend a hand again.]
Indeed it is.
[ Ignis laughs quietly at her comment. ]
It isn't weird at all, Pyra.
[ He goes quiet for a moment, squeezing her hands in his. ]
I... heard what you did for Noct, he told me. Thank you, for saving him.
[ Ignis laughs quietly at her comment. ]
It isn't weird at all, Pyra.
[ He goes quiet for a moment, squeezing her hands in his. ]
I... heard what you did for Noct, he told me. Thank you, for saving him.
[ 'Trying to save him is what any of us would do, I think.'
Pyra isn't wrong, Ignis already paid a hefty price when he'd rescued Noctis himself back home on Altissia. And she gave up a part of herself too from the sound of it. ]
... Pyra.
[ That's twice now that's she's saved Noctis like that. Ignis is forever grateful for it. ]
He's alive, cause of what you did.
Pyra isn't wrong, Ignis already paid a hefty price when he'd rescued Noctis himself back home on Altissia. And she gave up a part of herself too from the sound of it. ]
... Pyra.
[ That's twice now that's she's saved Noctis like that. Ignis is forever grateful for it. ]
He's alive, cause of what you did.
I...
[ Her head lowers, her voice quiets. She only's done what others would do for him, or what he would do for others. She wishes that it didn't have to come to it, but it seems that Noctis' life is filled with dangerous events. ]
And I'd do it again. [ She concludes, looking back up at Ignis. ]
How much has he told you, about what was effecting him?
[ Her head lowers, her voice quiets. She only's done what others would do for him, or what he would do for others. She wishes that it didn't have to come to it, but it seems that Noctis' life is filled with dangerous events. ]
And I'd do it again. [ She concludes, looking back up at Ignis. ]
How much has he told you, about what was effecting him?
[ It’s been a week or so since his father had reawakened.
Outside their porch window, snow flutters lightly down from above, dancing in the breeze before settling upon a thin sheet of white upon the ground. It is cold but soft, the kind of weather that makes one want to bundle up in fleece and cashmere and cuddle by the fire (or some other source of warmth).
Pyra tops off two mugs of hot chocolate with marshmallows, and then picks them up from the counter to make her way over to the living room where Noctis sits. Waiting until he sets down his communication device, tablet, paint, or something else that he holds, she presses the mug into his hand. ]
Here… Something sweet for the sweetest person I know.
[ They’ve haven’t started a fire for themselves, but she hopes her body warmth will suffice as she leans her shoulder against his. ]
Outside their porch window, snow flutters lightly down from above, dancing in the breeze before settling upon a thin sheet of white upon the ground. It is cold but soft, the kind of weather that makes one want to bundle up in fleece and cashmere and cuddle by the fire (or some other source of warmth).
Pyra tops off two mugs of hot chocolate with marshmallows, and then picks them up from the counter to make her way over to the living room where Noctis sits. Waiting until he sets down his communication device, tablet, paint, or something else that he holds, she presses the mug into his hand. ]
Here… Something sweet for the sweetest person I know.
[ They’ve haven’t started a fire for themselves, but she hopes her body warmth will suffice as she leans her shoulder against his. ]
[It's been a weird couple of weeks, but the shift between one to the other (aka the week where Regis slept versus after he woke) are like night and day. His tension has gradually eased, he's felt less glued to his communicator than before in case a message arrived about his father's awakening, and normalcy has begun to return in the household and his life in general. More than that, the underlying fear of Regis discovering the truth of all his lies is finally gone- those lies can be ended, now, because Regis knows of his fate. He's not thrilled that Regis had to find out, but it's a bittersweet feeling for sure. Carrying it, hiding it the way he had... even with everyone else who knew supporting him, that guilt was hard to live with, and he'd been getting overwhelmed by it ever since Pyra shared her crystal with him and he'd been forced to basically lie to his father's face. Now, he can tell the man anything that he might tell the others, and that makes it his choice. It's... freeing.
When Pyra arrives he's in the middle of sorting and moving photos from his old phone to the new communicator, nothing important, just something to keep his hands busy. It's easy to set aside and accept her offer with a smile.]
Aww. Bet it's extra sweet made by you, then. [Sap. What a sappy thing to say. He leans into her warmth, bodies pressed close.] It's getting pretty chilly now, looks like. I hadn't noticed.
When Pyra arrives he's in the middle of sorting and moving photos from his old phone to the new communicator, nothing important, just something to keep his hands busy. It's easy to set aside and accept her offer with a smile.]
Aww. Bet it's extra sweet made by you, then. [Sap. What a sappy thing to say. He leans into her warmth, bodies pressed close.] It's getting pretty chilly now, looks like. I hadn't noticed.
[ Sappy it may be, she started it, and it's not going to stop. Pyra clinks her mug against his, careful of the marshmallows on top of both of their drinks. After taking a sip of the comforting, warm chocolate, she smiles at him. ]
Me neither. [ She giggles, and it's a joke at her own expense, too: she wouldn't notice such a chance. The cold doesn't effect her. ]
I like it, though. The snow... There's something so charming and magical about it.
Me neither. [ She giggles, and it's a joke at her own expense, too: she wouldn't notice such a chance. The cold doesn't effect her. ]
I like it, though. The snow... There's something so charming and magical about it.
[He sips his own chocolate, making a noise of quiet approval. She always makes everything so tasty.]
It started out that way for me, too. I'd never really seen it growing up, and back home it showed up at the worst times. Here it's kinda... I dunno, peaceful. Though it helps I can just stay inside and don't have to go adventuring in the stuff.
[Cold is still cold, and he doesn't like too many layers. But a sparkly sprinkle is fine by him.]
It started out that way for me, too. I'd never really seen it growing up, and back home it showed up at the worst times. Here it's kinda... I dunno, peaceful. Though it helps I can just stay inside and don't have to go adventuring in the stuff.
[Cold is still cold, and he doesn't like too many layers. But a sparkly sprinkle is fine by him.]
[ She takes another sit of her hot chocolate, her expression thoughtful. In her world, the axis of the earth determines the seasons to some extent, but overall the climate greatly varies by Titan to Titan. Some Titans are permanently covered in snow.
Not that she had the opportunity to stay in such Titans for long, back when she had been in her world. ]
I know there are other things to do in the snow besides adventuring. Sledding, snowman-building... Trying to catch snowflakes on one's tongue. Ice skating.
[ Her voice drifts, and she glances at him. ] Ice fishing.
Not that she had the opportunity to stay in such Titans for long, back when she had been in her world. ]
I know there are other things to do in the snow besides adventuring. Sledding, snowman-building... Trying to catch snowflakes on one's tongue. Ice skating.
[ Her voice drifts, and she glances at him. ] Ice fishing.
[ Just as planned. ]
Sounds like an activity you should plan for!
[ She would probably melt the ice if she stood on it... no bueno. So she'll have to pass. But Noctis should enjoy himself why he can. ]
I've heard there little huts you can set up while ice fishing, so you're not completely freezing yourself while waiting for a catch.
Sounds like an activity you should plan for!
[ She would probably melt the ice if she stood on it... no bueno. So she'll have to pass. But Noctis should enjoy himself why he can. ]
I've heard there little huts you can set up while ice fishing, so you're not completely freezing yourself while waiting for a catch.
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