hugtopia_logs | Catch-all: March

[As soon as they manage the finishing touches on the mews, Somnus insists that they're not yet finished. Cleaning up the equipment and supplies come next. It's only once everything has been stored away and the yard, spick and span, that he takes his brother and Noctis inside for a well-earned drink.

The decor of the house is sparse still, though there's a homey air about the interior (courtesy of Pyra, if one were to ask Somnus) that invites the trio to relax after a long day's labor. He informs them that they're free to help themselves to the food replicator, then partakes of a glass of water that he nurses for some time.

Refreshed thus, Somnus slides out of his seat.]

I've something for you and the others.

[Expecting that they'll follow, he turns around and heads for the garage.]

Oh? This is a surprise from you, brother.

[Ardyn didn't eat or drink anything because of course he didn't. If anything he almost seemed a bit less tired than usual.]

Whatever is it?

[Noctis is equally curious, in part because Somnus? Giving them something? That's a bold new concept. But also because of the destination. He honestly just sort of forgets that the garages exist in the larger houses, mostly due to the lack of vehicles in town.]

Hope it's not another project.

[His hands hurt. Manual labour is not his calling at all.]

[The location will answer that questio for him.

It doesn't take long to reach the garage from the inside. Stepping in first, the lights flicker on while Somnus moves to grab something off to the side. This gives his guests an unobstructed view of the Regalia, sitting in an otherwise very empty parking space.

That's one of several things. Please hold for the rest.]

[There's a long moment of stunned silence as Noctis follows him in and just... stops in the doorway, staring at it, looking like his mind is a million miles away. And in a sense, it is: he's back in Lucis, with the top down, sitting on the back, the wind in his hair and the world at his feet. Gladio with his book, Prompto chatting and snapping photos, Ignis at the wheel asking for another can of Ebony to keep him going for the next few hours until they reach whatever remote destination next awaits them. A sound off to the side signalling the crossing of a herd of Anak down the road-

He breaks away from the door to step down and brush his hands across the smooth, cool panelling of the Regalia, his voice little more than a shaky exhale at first.]

How... how did you... why is it here?

[It looks- perfect. Just the way it should. He's memorized every inch of this car, his only home for months after Insomnia fell. The door isn't even open yet and he can already smell the leather, or hear that smooth purr of her engine.]

[It was probably lucky Ardyn had a moderate understanding of what a car even was, or he'd have been very confused. As it was, he looked from Noctis' reaction to his brother, in slight confusion as to why it was here or why Noctis clearly found it so significant. Mostly the former, because that was a hell of a thing to just come out of thin air.]

[Somnus emerges from the side with a small amphora in each hand. Neither looks as ancient as its origin would imply. Ardyn is sure to recognize both as receptacles for wine from their era.]

A gift from the gods.

[Keeping his answer simple to give Noctis time with the Regalia, he turns to his brother and holds an amphora out.]

One that I now pass onto you.

Wh-...

[Ardyn was clearly thrown off by the offer, reaching out to take it with uncertain hands.]

What's...whatever is the occasion, exactly?

[There's no resisting it now; with Ardyn and Somnus busy with whatever they're talking about, Noctis clicks open the front door of the car, sliding into the driver's seat and running his hands almost reverently over the steering wheel with the door still open. He didn't sit there often, Ignis was always the better driver, but the days where he did were always such a thrill. The Regalia was a beautiful beast of a car, an engine that hummed like a dream. It's no wonder Cindy was so obsessed with it. He'd never been car-crazy, even with his own, but the Regalia... he loved the Regalia. His safe place, indeed.

He starts fishing around for the keys.]

[The keys are there, somewhere. Somnus wasn’t the one who drove the Regalia here. (He doesn't even have a license to drive.)

He fixes his attention on his brother.]

Consider them tokens of gratitude.

[For what, they can conclude on their own. As for whom said tokens are from, they can decide the exact answer themselves, too.

And now: the second amphora of wine. That one also goes to his brother.]

Brother, I don't-...you didn't have t-...

[Words utterly failed him, Ardyn almost reverently placing both in the Armiger in favor of...]

[...throwing his arms around his little brother for a hug.]

[Aha, success! He finds the keys!

....

And snaps a photo of those two during that, while they're distracted, because holy shit.]

[It’s not the first time that this has happened. Still, there’s a moment’s delay before Somnus returns the gesture.

He gives Noctis a sidelong glance when he hears the snap of the camera app, and there his gaze lingers. The Regalia is for all of them, if Regis most of all. There’s something else in store for Noctis that his stare promises.

Then it's back to his beloved brother. Slowly, he withdraws his arms as if to make the most of the hug before it's over.]

[Ardyn didn't pay any attention to the camera--his brother had thought of him, and done something for him. That was worth more than all the gil in Lucis and Niflheim alike, and when Ardyn drew back it was with his hands on Somnus' shoulders and a bright, heartfelt smile the likes of which was rarely ever seen from him.]

Thank you.

[Did you enjoy that moment, brothers? That nice moment of silence that Noctis gave you, to hug and offer thanks and enjoy one another's company?

Because the moment is over now and he's turning the key in the ignition, letting the Regalia gently thrum to life, settling into an idle engine purr that is practically a lullaby to him. He even melts into the seat a little, exhaling, closing his eyes. Feels perfect, just like it should. It feels like home.]

Catch-all: March

Ardyn & Noctis

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