Wassup? I've just realised that if Elate ever gets a DNA test, Regis and co will come to conclusion that Niflheim cloned Mors and then lost that clone.
Ohhhhhh
Hmm...
You know, there was at least on emeeting between Mors and Aldercapt in canon that we know of. So that assumption would not be impossible. Especially since Regis knows about the MTs being clones.
***
The hug came rather suddenly, though not without forewarning. Mors never had liked close physical contact. Especially after his marriage. So he could have dodged, taken step back, and Regis would have backed off. Mors knew he would have respected that boundary, because he had done so before. Multiple times.
It was the look on Regis's face however, that made him stay still and let himself be cradled in his arms. At least that was what Mors told himself.
Within moments warmth seeped into Mors's bones. All encompassing and protecting. He supressed a shudder. A large, aged hand carded through his hair and the sensation did make him shiver.
"Elate."
Something about the way Regis said his name made Mors look up, his cheek still pressed against Regis's chest.
"You know that you will alway be my son, no matter how you came to be, right?"
Mors... did not know what to say to that. So remained silent. The look of absolute anguish that crossed Regis's face made something within Mors whine.
"Why are you saying that?" he forced himself to ask.
Anything to get that look off of Regis's face. No matter what age Mors was now, which name he bore, that was still his son.
The hand was back in his hair and Mors felt himself go boneless. Everything was warm.
"Remember the blood test we had done? According to the test you have the exact same geneting makeup as my father."
Suddenly all the warmth that Mors had previously felt was gone. Muscles stiff and minf racing he tried to push Regis away. The act was up. He had thought he had more time. When he had been King blood and DNA tests had taken weeks not a mere two days. What would his son think of him now? What would happen now? What-?
Regis's arms did not yield. Instead, Regis seemed to pull Mors impossibly closer.
"Elate. It's alright. Everything is alright. Elate. Son, please. I'm so sorry. So sorry this happened to you."
The words reached dimly through Mors's racing thoughts, and when they registered, he stilled his struggle, surprised and tense. He stared at the rug covering the floor. His own breathing seemed unnaturally loud in the quiet room. Regis's steady heartbeat was a strangely grounding force. Mors's mind clung to it for all it was worth.
Regis sighed. Long and deep.
"Elate, you are still my son. You are still Noctis's brother, Hiemi's brother-in-law. Solaris is still your niece, Astra your nephew and Ardyn your uncle. That will never change, no matter what. Being my father's clone does not change that. We love you and you are part of this family."
Mors blinked. Regis thought... what? What was a clone? Mors looked up at his son, and had to look away again, not able to bear the tender look on his face.
Slowly, ever so slowly, he managed to relax. He would figure out what a clone was and work from there. But for now he would stay right here. Just for a little longer.