#whoopps

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So waking up in a morgue in the clothes he died in is not where Ace expected to wind up. But Ramuh has apparently decided Ace has to go and stop his fathers from attempting to murder each other and shoved his soul back into his body.

Fantastic.

Ace grimaces at the dried blood that trails down the front of his shirt and shoves himself off the - hm - is this an autopsy table or just storage? Ace spends a moment wondering about it before he decides it doesn’t matter and begins to drag himself through the Citadel.

Which is predictably in chaos.

Which means that he runs into Luche and a bunch of other Glaives he knows before he even gets to the fucking throne room.

Luche stares at Ace with a complicated expression on his face as Ace uses the wall to help himself stand.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Luche finally asks as Sonitus finally realizes Ace is there and does a double take.

“What the fuck happened?” Sonitus says and automatically moves to help Ace stand. Ace appreciates it and makes a note to bake Sonitus so many cookies if they all survive this.

“My dad killed me,” Ace says blandly, “And now my uncle is trying to kill my dad for killing me. Don’t ask how I came back. Ramuh pulled some bullshit God Move. Point is that I need to go stop my uncle from killing the king and turning this kingdom into a fucking ruin.”

“You said it was your father that killed you. Your father is the fucking king?”

“Yes. Did I not make that clear?”

“You did not!” Luche sounds like he’s about to set everything in a three mile radius on fire. Ace does not blame him.

Then Luche sighs and stares at Sonitus. “Get him to the throne room and for Ramuh’s sake do NOT let Nyx or Libertus see you.”

Sonitus smiles.

It is not a nice smile.

“You’re not allowed to commit regicide,” Ace says and turns his gaze to Luche, “Neither are you.”

“We will talk about it later,” Luche says and Ace doesn’t get another word in before Sonitus is picking Ace up and hauling him away.

-

“Uncle you asshole,” Ace calls from his spot in Sonitus’ arms as the doors to the throne room open easily under the pressure of Ace’s magic.

Sonitus walks in with Ace still in his arms and Ace is treated to the shitty sight of Noctis attempting to gouge out Ardyn’s throat while Clarus and Regis are heaving on the ground.

Ace debates setting his brother on fire. He doesn’t because it Regis went after Ardyn the way Ardyn assuredly went after Regis Ace would also attempt to rip out Regis’ throat.

Ah, family.

“Your family is fucked up,” Sonitus says and everyone’s gaze turns to the two of them.

Ardyn shoves Noctis into a wall and is hovering over Ace in moments.

Sonitus grins at Ardyn - all sharp teeth and silent threat.

“Careful,” he says, “Sparky here just woke up.”

“Fuck you,” Ace hisses and makes an effort to wiggle out of Sonitus arms. It does not work. Sonitus merely tightens his grip on Ace.

Ace stops wiggling.

“At least pass me to him dumbass.”

“Will he hurt you?”

“He’s the one attempting to destroy a kingdom for me so no Sonitus I don’t think he will.”

Ace is handed over to Ardyn who handles Ace like he is a particularly heavy but fragile piece of glass.

“You’re alive.” A statement uttered in disbelief. “You’re alive.” Said again more fiercely with an undercurrent of desperation.

“Yes, Ramuh got pissed at Bahamut for poaching me so he shoved my soul back into the mortal realm. Surprise.”

“Are you hurt?”

“The wound has healed but healing from rigor mortis is a bitch.”

Ardyn laughs.

“It always is.”

“Right. I’m ignoring the implications there because if I think about anything serious I am going to lose it.” Ace peeks over Ardyn’s shoulder at Regis who is now standing with Clarus and Noctis by his side.

Regis looks devastated.

Ace is satisfied at that.

“You’re an asshole,” Ace tells him, “That fucking hurt.” He turns his attention back to Ardyn without waiting for a response. “Hey can you take me back home? I need to shower and change before anyone -especially Nyx and Lib - finds out.”

“Oh,” Sonitus says cheerfully, “Luche already told them that you were severely injured by the King and Libertus is threatening treason.”