(Re)building Bridges
[Closed Starter for @chosenbythecrystal, transition from @daaahd to @suitedfordark]
Regis had spent weeks with him alone. The media in an uproar that the Prince of Lucis was home and recovering, flowers and toys were lain at the gates to the citadel, on the walls of the city, petals tossed at the vehicles as they passed. The people of Lucis were alight with the heart of the crown returned. While they celebrated, on the other side of the wall the war brewed, roiling in anger; the boy had been stolen and now it would be public they not only knew they had the prince of a foreign country, but he was alive and could tell the tale. The people of Niflheim had floodlights turned upon them, their allies spilling with noise and opinions in the courts. As much as there was excitement, there was still trouble.
Trouble Regis still had to quell. Trouble that would not cater to the needs of a father freshly reunited with his lost son. His hours were limited with his boy, and the time left to make a stand limited further, still. Regardless, Regis broke rules once, and he would continue to do so for his boy, at any cost.
The boy was beaten, battered, stunted; but he was curious. Wide eyed as the people he had been forced to forget remembered him, flowers showering over their vehicle, colors blooming over gates covered with their tributes of flowers, toys, pictures, letters and wishes. Prayer envelopes flooded the round about some days, rice-paper thin sheets, written with wishes and prayers whipped about in the breeze. While it was beautiful, it was a pain to clean; but the help always managed to take in the offerings each day, minding every letter, every picture. They gave the boy anything child-friendly. Read to him as he met them in the halls. Noctis was not only well received, but dearly beloved.
None loved him so much, so intimately, but yet so unknown to Noctis than Regis, Ignis, Nyx and Gladio. For now, Gladio was still far overseas, training before he would go before his testing, too far to come see Noctis- too deep into training to pause now; but at home, Nyx, his savior, Ignis, his retainer. Today, Ignis sits, once more at the table. Quiet, eager, polite.
“-makes most of your meals, in fact.” Regis adds to his musings, his son on his knee as they eat. “He’s been studying your dietary needs, and has been tweaking it to help make you strong again.” The man is a bottomless pit; he seems to eat and eat, ever hungry, always tired, but never too much so for his boy. Regis motions to the strawberry blonde across the table, “Can you still recognize him?” he asks, smiling brightly, excited to give his son his friend back. Ignis nods his head politely at his old companion (as MANY a year old as they are), his mouth full of the ravioli he’s painstakingly made. His cheeks heat that he’d been caught eating at dinner mid way the king introducing him.
