meridio | (Awash & Hugtopia) IC contact

[The temptation of choice is powerful yet paralyzing. Somnus stares down at the ring again before meeting Noctis' gaze. Whatever happens, he resolves to refrain from passing judgment.

With circumstances being what they are, a willing ear would be akin to a peculiar blessing for the rulers of yore. They, too, must realize this from within the ring's vast emptiness, in which case Somnus has only one suggestion to impart.]

Listen, and they will speak.

[So... maybe it's less about learning, and more just putting the effort in. It sounds so outrageously simple, but isn't that a blessing, rather than whatever new burden he'd been trying to place on himself? It's so rare that anything in his life ever gets to be easy. He can listen. Or he can take the ring off and enjoy some semblance of peace for a while. With no immediate duty to attend to, only a lingering fear of what the future might bring, he has time.

It's like a weight shrugging off his back all over again, similar to before but with a risen intensity. That freedom, for once, is his. And twice in short succession, it's been Somnus who granted him this boon. The word of the Founder King, the one who's guided their line since its inception, means a great deal it turns out. Advice he can take to heart.

He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment, and stops fiddling with the ring. And then, before he can stop himself or change his mind, he strides forward and leans, winding his arms around Somnus and pulling him in.

Don't make it weird, don't make it weird, he begs silently. This is new for him, this whole... being allowed. But he'd promised to try.]

[His body is slack against Noctis as he processes the contact. They were speaking of the previous sovereigns just now. If anybody, it should be Somnus who holds Noctis' hands in his own out of gratitude for that kind, dutiful heart. Several beats pass before he raises a hand to hover over Noctis.

The burden of the ring and the prophecy it entails is heavy, and heavier still while the truth comes out one by one. Aellyn is a respite from this fate, but it ever looms over them. All of them have felt the stress pressing in on them over the course of their collective existence in the city—Noctis, most of all.

Warm affirmations have never been his strong suit. When he speaks as a leader, he seizes the faith of those who would follow him; as a person, he's clumsy and inspires little confidence, culturing only misunderstandings. But a thousand spoken words can accompany a single action, and so he turns to that familiar silence as he rests his hand on Noctis' head.]

[...Well. It's a little weird, initially, and he's a heartbeat away from pulling back before Somnus lifts a hand to his hair. It's enough to make him pause, remaining in place longer than he'd intended, just a few extra moments until he draws away once more.]

...Maybe don't tell Pyra.

[His voice is clumsy, a bit sheepish. It's not that he minds if she knows, but she'd smile and get that look on her face and- yeah.

Still, he's grateful, head ducked to conceal the little smile that betrays him.]

[His hand slides away with Noctis' withdrawal. They're rather close in height, so it's all too easy to spot the smile.]

Your actions are yours. I have no intention of sharing them with others.

[To start with, he doesn't tell her much even on days when he's feeling chattier than usual. Noctis' secrets, whether they're meant to be or not, are safe with him.]

Should've guessed that.

[Said with a wry half-smile, more open this time. Somnus keeping mum about anything isn't against the norm, so it isn't as if he had to ask... still, it's kind of nice to hear it out loud.

Maybe he'll tell her. Or at least think about it, if she gets on his case about his "homework".]

Well, I won't bug you. You can tell her I said hi, at least?

[He's seen an expression like that on Noctis before, he realizes. On Eos, that is. That was years ago.

Setting that thought aside, Somnus nods.]

I shall tell her.

[And he won't keep Noctis if he's got better places to be.]

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