Walk tall

@painedprince

The sudden contact is shocking. It’s shocking partly because Regis isn’t expecting it, and mostly because it’s from his son. He can’t recall the last time he and Noctis had ever hugged - perhaps many many years ago, when Noctis was still just a little boy.

An ache stirs in his chest, and he feels his heart physically stutter over a beat.

Oh, how he doesn’t deserve this affection from his son. And yet, how his scepter falls to the floor with a deafening bang as he wraps his arms around Noctis in turn and holds him tightly to his breast.

There will never be anything in the universe he could possibly love more than his boy.

“Another meeting?” Noct asked curiously. “It seems like that’s all you do lately. What about?” He assumed he’d get another vague reply, considering all past questions were brushed aside. He was given detail now and again, but only when it concerned minor issues. Not that it stopped Ignis from making sure he was constantly involved.

“You’re probably not as unoccupied as you say then,” he added slowly. He didn’t want to distract his father but missed getting to talk as much as they used to.

“Well, there are always important matters at hand now, aren’t they? I’m afraid these are confidential in nature, for the time being.” Regis knew the answer would disappoint his son, and oh, how he’d grown to loathe that look on his boy’s face. It seemed his talent lied within disappointing his son, rather than the opposite. 

Something stirred in his chest, and he cleared his throat to keep from getting emotional. He had a duty first and foremost - but his son was even more important than that. Just this once, he supposed, he could try and reschedule the meeting to appease Noctis.

“I was beginning to think your attention was permanently swayed,” Noct replied. It’s been a few days since he had the chance to speak to his father. “Are you busy?”

“Yes, well, running a Kingdom does busy a man.” He is, in fact, on his way to a very important meeting - but the fact that he simply cannot recall the last time he’s spoken more than a few sentences to his son keeps his feet rooted into the ground.