[There is an instant of silence after that statement, but no more since Regis has already made his decision, and he's never gone back on a decision once it's been made. The smile that crosses his face is tired--the soul-deep exhaustion he carries is not something that can be easily fixed if it can be fixed at all--but it is real, and matched with the appearance of that mischievous twinkle in his eyes--the one that Nyx has been looking for all night--it's clear this is no case of passive acceptance. There is a lot about his life and about the life Noctis will face that Regis has had to accept, but this is not something he will be adding to that list of things.]
I would certainly hope not. You're not going to find a better partner in crime than me, I'll have you know.
[Regis turns more fully toward Nyx, raising his hand as if he has every intention of resting it against the Glaive's cheek, but he stops just short of it when he feels that same stabbing guilt from before. The guilt that says he shouldn't be the one accepting or giving Nyx this kind of affection. The man deserves someone closer to his own age; someone who can put him first in everything; someone who can give him a family instead of having to send him off into battle time and time again.
But Nyx has made his heart's choice clear even if both of them lack understanding as to why the choice has been made, and it's that knowledge that lets Regis finally finish the action, brushing his fingertips over warm skin before letting his hand drop to rest on Nyx's shoulder.]
You'll have to forgive me. I'm terribly out of practice when it comes to this kind of thing.
[Somehow, that seems like a massive understatement when it hits Regis' ears. He hasn't even been able to keep his relationship with his own son strong. How will he keep something as complicated as this relationship is bound to be strong?
Then again, Nyx has knowledge of a great many of the things Regis is still doing his best to shield Noctis from. Not everything, but perhaps that knowledge will make the difference.]
no subject
I would certainly hope not. You're not going to find a better partner in crime than me, I'll have you know.
[Regis turns more fully toward Nyx, raising his hand as if he has every intention of resting it against the Glaive's cheek, but he stops just short of it when he feels that same stabbing guilt from before. The guilt that says he shouldn't be the one accepting or giving Nyx this kind of affection. The man deserves someone closer to his own age; someone who can put him first in everything; someone who can give him a family instead of having to send him off into battle time and time again.
But Nyx has made his heart's choice clear even if both of them lack understanding as to why the choice has been made, and it's that knowledge that lets Regis finally finish the action, brushing his fingertips over warm skin before letting his hand drop to rest on Nyx's shoulder.]
You'll have to forgive me. I'm terribly out of practice when it comes to this kind of thing.
[Somehow, that seems like a massive understatement when it hits Regis' ears. He hasn't even been able to keep his relationship with his own son strong. How will he keep something as complicated as this relationship is bound to be strong?
Then again, Nyx has knowledge of a great many of the things Regis is still doing his best to shield Noctis from. Not everything, but perhaps that knowledge will make the difference.]