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(Scene) It is a Wednesday night in the Citadel and Regis has just returned home from a long day of being at meetings. His son, Noctis, is in his room and refuses to come out for supper. Being concerned for him, Regis steps inside and decides to investigate. Noctis speaks first, unable to hold back his concerns...
Noctis: “Dad?”
Regis: “Yes son…”
Noctis: “I think I’m gay…”
Regis: *pause* *happy laughter* “Well that’s good, son! Aren’t we all a little gay? Shouldn’t we all be gay?”
Noctis: *sighs* “Dad! I don’t mean ‘gay’ as in happy. I mean ‘gay’ as in liking other guys!”
Regis: *pause* *pats sons shoulder tenderly* “That’s just fine son.” *whispered gently* “But are you happy?”
Noctis: *looks up, astonished* “You mean… you aren’t mad?”
Regis: “Why would I be mad?” *incredulous stare*
Noctis: *stutters* “W-well… cuz… I mean… heirs, grandkids! All that stuff.” *shrugs and bows head wearily*
Regis: *sits down on the edge of the bed and pulls son into his arms* “Sweetheart, you are fifteen. I do not think that we are worrying about all of that yet. And there are plenty of methods
to ensure a new heir… but that’s beside the point. Why are you really worrying?”
Noctis: *shrugs* “What if my friends think I’m gross?”
Regis: *chuckles* “Oh, Noct. I highly doubt that. Gladio already came out as bi last year.”
Noctis: “Yeah but… I mean isn’t that more normal? And some people say its just a phase? Do you think maybe I’ll grow out of it? What…” *sniffs back his tears* “What will Iggy think of me?”
Regis: *frowns in quiet worry* “Who says it’s a phase? And I believe that Ignis will be very accepting."
Noctis: *shrugs in temperamental embarrassed teenager* “I dunno! Blogs and shit… stuff.” *correction made* *begins again* “I just feel so weird about it. I can’t really talk to people.” *wants
to talk to his friends*
Regis: *irritated at complicated society* “First of all… blogs are fine, but not always at face value. Some people peddle the world’s worst ideas!” *flails hands in the air* “Second, you have to
define this for yourself. Not what other people tell you to define it as. If you like boys, then you like boys. If you like girls and boys, then you like girls and boys. If you like a paper bag…”
Noctis: “Ok!” *hands up* “I get the point dad.” *visibly uncomfortable, but smiles past the blush* “What if I’m not sure? I mean girls are nice?” *is unsure* “I dunno… Gladio is just always
talking about girls and i’m just not interested. But when I look at his body builder magazines…”
Regis: “Ahhhhh.” *nods knowingly* “I see.” *clears throat and begins to ponder* “Well son, you’re learning about yourself and that takes time. Maybe right now you aren’t sure
how to label how you are feeling, and that’s okay. But you think boys are attractive… then that’s enough for now.” *drops his voice to a low tone* “But I do not believe that Iggy will think
you are gross. I think he’d be flattered you have a crush on him.”
Noctis: *BLUSHES* “D-d-dad!!! I-” *looks around frantically* “Nuh uh! I do not!” *beet red*
Regis: *says nothing on the matter and lets it go for now* “Alright. Alright.” *smiles* “Seriously though, Noctis. I believe you should tell your friends. They are going to be the most
important people to you in the future if they aren’t already. Secrets only hinder.”
Noctis” *looks up at his dad* “They are the most important people to me.” *says quietly, bashfully* “Thanks for listening, Dad.”
Regis: *fills up with pride* “I’ll always listen to you, my boy. Now…” *mischievous smile* “Do you want to go get ice cream?!”
Noctis: “Dad… I’m not a kid anymore…”
Regis: *looks saddened, voice arch* “Oh?” *stands up* “well then… I guess that means no arcade either…”
Noctis: “Well hold on. I didn’t say that!” *moves to get his jacket. “Come on old man, I’m going to beat you tonight!”
Regis: “Ha!” *hurries out of the room after his son* “You shall never defeat me! I am a pacman master!”
Noctis: *raises eyebrow* “We’ll see!” *feels lighter after the talk*
Regis and Noctis depart for the arcade in downtown Insomnia, just a few blocks away from the citadel, and spend a much needed father and son evening playing arcade games that Noctis does not win...
But Noctis does come clean to Ignis when he shows up later...
Stay tuned for next week's episode when we find out what Ignis thinks!