[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.
[ 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.
[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.]
[ 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.
Well, there's always fire magic... I'll probably be okay. [A hut sounds like work, though maybe it's worth trying to do at least once. His head tilts, not immediately getting her phrasing.] You're not into it?
[He's noticed that her feet are always warm in bed, like the rest of her, but he's not really held them for a substantial duration. She is warm enough, but to melt a frozen lake... hmm. Worth experimenting with?]
I-I'm just worried that staying put for a long time would weaken the ice. [ She admits, nervous. ] The last thing I'd want is for you to fall through and... you know.
[ Be hurt. Have another near-death experience of being hypothermic. ]
[He winds his arm around her, settling in comfortably. He's had the past several months to get used to this... addition to his body, and while it still catches him off guard sometimes when he sees himself unclothed in the mirror, the protective trade-off is well worth any lingering discomfort. This is another side effect they've discovered, if it's actually true. Another side effect that isn't bad. Maybe it's a sign that he should keep leaning into it- that this truly is a good thing like he'd hoped and believed since she saved him. Life, protection, now warmth... the crystal she shared has granted him many rewards, and he's grateful.
Well. I dunno if I'd go that far. [She can fish, or not fish! He's done it on his own plenty of times.] I just think you should be able to do whatever you wanna do.
[His responding noise is quiet but pleased, both with himself and her answer. He loves fishing, that much is certain, and could do it all day by himself, but... it is more fun with good company.]
[ A date, and she won't say no to that, now that he's thought of a solution to a potential ice-melting situation.
Pyra settles against him, lifting her mug of hot cocoa to her lips to take another sip. All the marshmallows have melted into the chocolate at this point, making the drink creamer than before.
She glances at him, something on her mind. The next topic, she fears, might put a damper on the cozy mood, but she'd rather check in on him than not at all, and he's so good as masking how he feels and whatever struggles he may have. ]
Mm, Noct? I wanted to ask sooner but...
How are you feeling? Is everything okay with you and Regis?
[The quiet between them is so comfortable and cozy that he'd be content to sit like that for a while without a word spoken; there is a certain satisfaction to be found in silence, sometimes. When she breaks it her voice is welcome, of course, and while the topic is less jovial and his smile softens a little, he doesn't lose it.]
I'm fine. [Ah, wait.] I mean, I'm okay. We talked, and... things are a little more complicated than they were before, but it's... I don't know. [He exhales heavily, a little tired, a little relieved.] It's kinda nice to not have to hide it anymore.
[He knows he doesn't have to express what "it" is. Maybe it's a selfish relief, but... he feels it, nonetheless.]
[ Pyra sets down her mug as he answers her, and when he's done speaking, her arm links with his.
He sounds sincere, relieved. That's a good thing. All that worrying over hiding his fate has been lifted from his shoulders. While telling his father the truth would have given him control, perhaps allowing that control to stay out of one's hands is a blessing in disguise, so as to not make such a difficult choice.
Now Regis knows. Now Noctis is relieved. Now they can build something new together, without such a wall between them. ] ....Mm.
[ She nods, quiet. ]
I see so much of you and him in both of you. Your care for others, I mean.
Really... [He thinks for a moment, musing over those words.] Someone back home said something like that to me, too. "You're just like your father."
[There'd been moments where he'd wondered if that should sting or be a point of pride; his first true act as king, without one of his retainers to "babysit" so to speak, and he was being compared to the man he'd wished could be here to negotiate instead. But Regis wasn't around, and he'd failed negotiations with Accordo decades before. Whatever his strengths and failings may be, Noctis had succeeded- and to be a king like his father is something he takes pride in, undeniably.]
Mm. [ She continues to smile at him, admiring him as usual. She had meant her words, comparing them to each other not through some kingship, but for their compassion, and she hopes he sees that, too. The both of them are more than the crown on their heads. ]
Well, I wouldn't call you exactly like but... Your deep want to protect others-- [ Whether that's protecting others from physical harm or an unpleasant truth, they exercise that trait. ] that's something you two have in common.
Pretty sure everyone knows we're not exactly alike in many categories.
[Her words are taken in good faith, at least. He is and is not like his father in many ways; they're both kind, yes, but in him is a temper and impatience that he's never witnessed in Regis, and the king possessed selflessness that he'd struggled to come to terms with. He's not sure he could have kept this secret to protect his father for 15 years, considering he'd barely managed to endure less than two.
Surely there must be other successes he could boast that his father could not have done, if he were to think about it. The menacing dungeons beneath the tombs, full of ancient daemons. Collecting so many Royal Arms. Technically defeating Niflheim, though most of that was Ardyn and the country eating itself alive. Mastering the ring eventually and claiming its power. Even through his failures, there was success to be found. He's... similar, but different enough, and although his heart will always put his father on a pedestal of strength and kingly wisdom, he knows he's doing them both a disservice to do that too much. He's... done okay, hasn't he? Come into his own. He's working on it, anyway.]
I was so mad at him, for so long... he lied about the treaty, the proposal... acted like everything was fine. Then I found out he lied my whole life about my future and what I'd end up doing. I thought, "he should have told me! Wouldn't that be better?" ...But then I went and did the exact same thing, for the same reasons. This whole thing... it helped me understand why he did it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
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.
no subject
That's a kind of fishing I've never tried before.
[And this world has a pond now... with fish...]
no subject
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.
no subject
no subject
[ Unless that ice be really thicc ]
But maybe for a half hour at a time?
no subject
[He's noticed that her feet are always warm in bed, like the rest of her, but he's not really held them for a substantial duration. She is warm enough, but to melt a frozen lake... hmm. Worth experimenting with?]
no subject
[ Be hurt. Have another near-death experience of being hypothermic. ]
no subject
[He gives his chest a light tap, (mostly) joking.]
no subject
She does not know the answer to that question, even if it's obvious that he's joking around. ]
Erm, does it?
no subject
Oh, uh... I don't know. Maybe? [He has felt less cold this year...] I thought the weather was just tamer than usual.
no subject
If it's true-- that he's naturally warmer because of her crystal-- that means he has an extra layer of protection against the cold.
That means that she's helping him, and that he now has a piece of her warmth with him, always. ]
It's... not.
But I think that this means you've got a little extra defense from any chills. [ Pyra snuggles her arm against his. ]
no subject
[He winds his arm around her, settling in comfortably. He's had the past several months to get used to this... addition to his body, and while it still catches him off guard sometimes when he sees himself unclothed in the mirror, the protective trade-off is well worth any lingering discomfort. This is another side effect they've discovered, if it's actually true. Another side effect that isn't bad. Maybe it's a sign that he should keep leaning into it- that this truly is a good thing like he'd hoped and believed since she saved him. Life, protection, now warmth... the crystal she shared has granted him many rewards, and he's grateful.
His brows furrow, the thought occurring to him.]
Hey, what if I used blizzard magic on the ice?
no subject
[ She appears thoughtful for a moment, and then nods. ]
I think that'd work.
[ Then, a smile, a bit coy. ]
You really want me to go ice-fishing with you, don't you?
no subject
no subject
You really are too sweet.
[ Leaning him, she give him a peck on the cheek. ] Sweeter than my chocolate....
Okay, let's do that. Ice fishing this week.
no subject
It's a date.
no subject
Pyra settles against him, lifting her mug of hot cocoa to her lips to take another sip. All the marshmallows have melted into the chocolate at this point, making the drink creamer than before.
She glances at him, something on her mind. The next topic, she fears, might put a damper on the cozy mood, but she'd rather check in on him than not at all, and he's so good as masking how he feels and whatever struggles he may have. ]
Mm, Noct? I wanted to ask sooner but...
How are you feeling? Is everything okay with you and Regis?
no subject
I'm fine. [Ah, wait.] I mean, I'm okay. We talked, and... things are a little more complicated than they were before, but it's... I don't know. [He exhales heavily, a little tired, a little relieved.] It's kinda nice to not have to hide it anymore.
[He knows he doesn't have to express what "it" is. Maybe it's a selfish relief, but... he feels it, nonetheless.]
no subject
He sounds sincere, relieved. That's a good thing. All that worrying over hiding his fate has been lifted from his shoulders. While telling his father the truth would have given him control, perhaps allowing that control to stay out of one's hands is a blessing in disguise, so as to not make such a difficult choice.
Now Regis knows. Now Noctis is relieved. Now they can build something new together, without such a wall between them. ] ....Mm.
[ She nods, quiet. ]
I see so much of you and him in both of you. Your care for others, I mean.
no subject
[There'd been moments where he'd wondered if that should sting or be a point of pride; his first true act as king, without one of his retainers to "babysit" so to speak, and he was being compared to the man he'd wished could be here to negotiate instead. But Regis wasn't around, and he'd failed negotiations with Accordo decades before. Whatever his strengths and failings may be, Noctis had succeeded- and to be a king like his father is something he takes pride in, undeniably.]
no subject
Well, I wouldn't call you exactly like but... Your deep want to protect others-- [ Whether that's protecting others from physical harm or an unpleasant truth, they exercise that trait. ] that's something you two have in common.
no subject
[Her words are taken in good faith, at least. He is and is not like his father in many ways; they're both kind, yes, but in him is a temper and impatience that he's never witnessed in Regis, and the king possessed selflessness that he'd struggled to come to terms with. He's not sure he could have kept this secret to protect his father for 15 years, considering he'd barely managed to endure less than two.
Surely there must be other successes he could boast that his father could not have done, if he were to think about it. The menacing dungeons beneath the tombs, full of ancient daemons. Collecting so many Royal Arms. Technically defeating Niflheim, though most of that was Ardyn and the country eating itself alive. Mastering the ring eventually and claiming its power. Even through his failures, there was success to be found. He's... similar, but different enough, and although his heart will always put his father on a pedestal of strength and kingly wisdom, he knows he's doing them both a disservice to do that too much. He's... done okay, hasn't he? Come into his own. He's working on it, anyway.]
I was so mad at him, for so long... he lied about the treaty, the proposal... acted like everything was fine. Then I found out he lied my whole life about my future and what I'd end up doing. I thought, "he should have told me! Wouldn't that be better?" ...But then I went and did the exact same thing, for the same reasons. This whole thing... it helped me understand why he did it.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)