Salty Erryday

“Noctis-sama!” Talcott exclaimed as he looked up at the man “I’ve been helping Uncle Dustin with the kitchen lately! And Auntie Monica has been teaching me how to protect myself!”

“Noct? Wake up, darling…”

It was horrifying that she hadn’t even realized anything was wrong until he’d suddenly keeled over. Now, having checked him over, she realized he was absolutely boiling.

“Umbra, go find someone! Get help, boy!”

The loyal messenger whuffed and nudged the prince, then dashed off down the hall.Luna, meanwhile, was gathering her magic into her hands and urgently channeling it into Noctis.

If Noctis was actually honest with himself, he would have said he hadn’t been feeling well all day. But he proceeded to lie to himself and continue with his day. One moment he was up and the next he was lying down with a thrumming headache.

A soft groan escaped his lips and tried to pull his eyes open, blinking sluggishly as Luna’s visage finally cleared somewhat.

“Luna...”

Ask My Muse About Death

Ask My Muse About Death

Regis frowned at Noctis’ words. What was he trying to say? What was he trying to imply? “What do you mean, son?” He asked as he squeezed his child’s shoulder “Your mom is a touchy subject, that is true, but it is a subject we should talk about. It is not specially hard around anyone or anything”

The older man then sighed as stared at the sky rather than her grave “She was. But that was not the most important trait she had. She was kind” He then turned his eyes to look at Noctis “And most importantly, she loved you very much. I am sure she is really proud of you right now. Wherever she may be”

“N-nothing.” Noctis barely caught himself flinching. His dad didn’t deserve to suffer. Not because of him. Just keep breathing, Noct. He rested his head into Regis’ chest in an effort to ground himself and keep his composure.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips as his wrapped a hand around to his arm. The prince had to close his eyes as his composure was melting away exponentially. He didn’t need this. This is why he always came here alone. Small damp tracks paved paths down his cheeks and he had to give a shaky breath. He couldn’t do this anymore. He looked up at his dad with that sad, desolate look he tried desperately to contain. He dearly hoped his mother never pulled that face.

Prompto gave him a ‘Sure, Jan’ look as he left the room. The blond quickly returned with a pillow, blanket and an empty heat pad. Without consideration, he threw the pillow and blanket at the prince’s face.

“I’m gonna heat up some water for your pad. You can turn on whatever game you want, dude,” Promtpo chuckled at the other’s face when Noctis glared at him.

Noctis grunted, barely managing to catch what was thrown at him. He threw a glare back in return and turned around to begin arranging everything on the sofa.

“Hey... Prom?” The prince carefully shuffled himself around to face his best friend. He contemplated telling the truth but ultimately decided against it. Another time.

Prompto didn’t say anything but saw that those supposed painkillers didn’t do anything good for the prince. The boy sighed and got up. It was obvious that Noctis practically ran from home so that he could just spend some time with him.

“You stay here, buddy,” the blond tried to smile at his best friend. “I’m gonna get you a pillow and a blanket.”

Noctis let out a small laugh and smiled at his best friend. Placing a hand on the arm rest and the other on the back of the sofa, he pushed himself up with a grunt. He’d need to reposition himself later anyway.

Regis smiled at his son’s words and after sighing, he wrapped an arm around Noctis’ shoulders and looked at the grave with him.

“I am sorry. I should have spoke more of her to you. You were so little when it happened, it is surprising you would remember her” Even at the brink of death, she hadn’t care about her destiny, and had asked him, begged him, to take care of Noctis, to love him and to protect him.

“I do not know if I ever told you, but you have her eyes, and her kind heart”

Noctis swallowed thickly and leaned into his dad. He just had to keep his emotions at bay. No vulnerabilities.

“N-no, it’s all right. I know mom’s... a touchy subject. Especially around...” He couldn’t finish that sentence. Never in a million years would he ever be able to say it out loud. It was his fault. It could only ever be his fault. But still he longed to be selfish and remember her; get to know her before he came along.

The King sighed as he finally stood up from where he was previously kneeling. He stared some more time at the grave, even when he had promised himself to only remain for five minutes to leave the roses and then go back to the palace. But, as always, he had remained at her grave, not being able to turn around.

At least, until he felt someone else’s presence, which had him turning in only some seconds.

“Noctis?” He asked as his eyes landed on his boy “What are you doing here?”

It had been so many years since his mother died, a blur of her existence imprinted upon his memory. But the blur was beginning to blur more. As the years went by, Noctis started being unable to recall her voice and now... now he was scared of completely forgetting her face.

He knew where her grave was, never guessed his dad would be there though. So to round the corner and find his father standing in front of the memorial was... a bit of a shock to be honest. Regis wasn’t supposed to know he still occasionally visited.