#uncle Ardyn

[ardynzunia]

@chosenbythecrystal from here The boy had been enjoying himself, dozing off under the shade of his favourite tree, when he was rudely startled awake by his uncle lifting him up. He let out a whine of protest, kicking his legs and squirming in the man's grip.

"C'mon, Ardyn," he pleaded, looking over his shoulder to give his uncle his best puppy dog eyes. "The weather's good and it's a Saturday. I don't wanna listen to some boring old tutor drone on about things that happened before I was born."

He'd known that skipping his history lesson was wrong, but he went to school all week! It wasn't fair that he had to have lessons at home, too.

"Don't make me go."

___

Regis had asked him to find the little prince. Because the boy liked the old immortal, and because the king trusted him more with finding the child then anyone else. He agreed easily enough, though he had no plans to actually return him to his responsibilities. Why should he when they can enjoy themselves instead?

"Well, fortunate on such a pretty day I found you!" He said with a mischievous grin. "How about we go to that little nature park on the edge of the city, there is some lovely hiking, and even lovelier fishing ponds."

[thedragonofmajima]

I think the key component missing from an "uncle ardyn" fic is that fact that he is also, technically, ignis' uncle as well.

[ardynzunia]

"eh eh eh! Don't run off yet," Ardyn said, quickly grabbing the boy by the scruff.

He indicated the direction of his boat.

"I've got plenty of materials where you can make one, if the cheaper options aren't to your taste. " he said. "it will be more special that way."

"A fishing lure!" Why hadn't he thought of that beforehand? "That's a great idea but...aren't those a lot of gil, especially for anniversary ones?" The boy dug into his pocket to pull out a few coins. "I don't think this is gonna be enough. Dad only gave me some money to buy stuff." That was a bummer.

"I guess I could always give him my allowance for the rest of my life or something to pay back for it." His uncle had such an excellent idea too! "And I don't think a game would work either since those are expensive too." Ugh! Why did being a kid have to be so frustrating when it came to buying things and finances?

With a soft sigh, Novus stood up pushing back his chair. "Thanks for your help though, Uncle Ardyn." With that, the boy slowly began heading towards the door attempting to wrack his brain for any other ideas in the process.

[sparklecryptid]

Imagine how fem!Regis would work in AtB verse.

What I mean is that there are some very confused women because sure they had sex with an LC but that was a woman so how did they get pregnant and also why is their kid sneezing fireballs.

(Uncle Ardyn will have to add a new and very embarrassing part of the Talk for his nieces.)

Ardor's mother: You know I only agreed to teach Regis how to *ahem* perform well because I was certain I would not get pregnant. It seems however that was not to be the case.

Thanatos' mother: If my son destroys the world with whatever invention he makes blame his other mother not me.

Persephone's mother: *vividly imagining setting Regis on fire*

Mercury's mother: ........My kid just set a scientist on fire. With her mind. Well. Guess I have to murder that guy now so he doesn't snitch on my kid.

Bard's mother: *stares at her child who makes images come to life through song* I KNEW something was up when the birth control failed - fucking princesses and their big eyes -

Jules mother: *comforting her crying child because Jules at the age of 6 just sent a bully into a wall.*

Jupiter's mother (who is a member of Clan Bellum and Sonitus' mother as well): Well if shit goes sideways we can always go get the Khara's, huh Kat?

Katrina: *pretending that she does not know about another Lucis Caelum wandering the islands* As long as they don't touch our kids they can do whatever they want with the Queen.

[a-world-in-grey]

In Nox verse, do you think Regis and the rest would be quicker to realise that Ardyn is a Lucis Caelum if it was female Ardyn verse? After all if Sola already resembles Ardyn strongly when he's a male, it might be more pronounced for female version.

@secret-engima

*grins*

Well, the resemblance between Ardyn and Sola that Sola picks up on is mostly the coloring. That same red-violet hair - which is downright rare - those same sky-blue eyes. From there, Sola notes the other familial features, features that she doesn't have or are softer or slimmer or more feminine, features that she's seen in the Hall of Kings in so many portraits.

Noctis is too young yet to really know about bastards and politics. Too enamoured with his new older brother and uncle. Still coming to terms with the attack, even if the injuries don't linger.

Regis, Cor, and Clarus are blinded by their perception of Ardyn. To them, Ardyn is Niflheim's Chancellor first, Nox's uncle second. They see the similar coloring to Sola, of course, they'd have to be literally blind to miss that. But that shade of red hair isn't unique for all that it's uncommon. Aulea had brown hair, but her grandfather had that shade of red and it's popped up in other families of Lucis' nobility.

(It's been two thousand years since Ardyn and Somnus' time. One of Somnus' children inherited Ardyn's red hair, and it's had over a hundred generations to spread throughout Lucis' population.)

It's not been said since Aulea's death, but underneath her coloring, Sola looks very much like her mother. That Sola still has Lucis Caelum features is due to Aulea (and many other Lucian nobles) having Lucis Caelum blood from a distant branch LC ancestor.

So a female Ardyn? With softer, feminine features?

Before Ardyn uses her magic, everyone, including Sola, assumes Ardyn is Aulea's relative.

[uncleardyn]

FFXV for the ask game :]

the main cast for this game is super strong and their friendship feels so genuine! there's a reason that despite the game's flaws, people still adore our boy band roadtrippers to this day, me included. i think the appeal of the game wouldn't be nearly as strong, nor the tragedy as great, if the four of them didn't have the energy of Guys Wanting To Hang Out.

also ARDYN IZUNIA THE GUY EVER HE IS IN THIS GAME AND I HAVE EXTREMELY NORMAL FEELINGS ABOUT HIM AND HIS ROLE AND HIS EVERYTHING I AM NORMAL ABOUT HIM. WHAT 5TH PARTY MEMBER UNCLE ARDYN AU I DONT HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THAT

[phoenix-flamed]

"And to every problem ever I say... 'YEET'."

And cue Elwin's head slamming against the palm of his hand. "For the last time, Uncle -- I am not launching Joshua across the sea, with a catapult, at the Iron Kingdom."

[ffxvreversebang2022]

Today’s team: @shea-parfait & @ezra-blue

The Prince, His Uncle, and The Dark Forest was written for the FFXV Reverse Bang 2022 and can be found on AO3 here.

Rating: Teen & Up

No Archive Warnings Apply

Description: Noctis has been warned all his life never to stray into the dark forest path past the boundaries of his kingdom.

When he stumbles in and meets a strange smiling man who lives within the gloom, he finds the truth may hit closer to home than he could have imagined.

[ardynzunia]

"Dad is taking this way too seriously," he mumbled as he flopped down on his couch. He was essentially under lockdown right now. He'd been allowed to stay at his apartment under the condition that his uncle remained with him, and even more Crownsguard patrolled the area than usual. "It was just a threat letter. Probably just people messing around."

"Your father worries about you, and even if it were just a threat letter, he wants to be careful," Ardyn said.

Ardyn was in the kitchen, watching the boy from across the room. He knew it was frustrating, no kid wanted to be cooped up for any reason. But this was much more than what Noctis put it down as, though the prince might not know it. Ardyn had seen enough stirrings in the wrong places to encourage the response. He'd even suggested just putting the boy in his own apartment, in case of a bomb.

He wasn't going to tell Noctis that though. No need to worry the prince if they managed to solve it without a fuss.

"How about we just try to enjoy ourselves hmm?" He added. "You can show me how to play one of those Television Games you like so much."

[ardynzunia]

Ardyn patted Noctis on the head as he saw the look on his face. He would comfort him about the safety of his father, but his plans were deicide couldn't be revealed 'til closer to time. Besides, he wasn't sure he could safe both generations yet. Better to simply be a supporting shoulder, to be the family Noctis would have even if Regis was gone.

"I offered I'll have you know," He laughed. "I'm your uncle, and I happen to like you! Not to mention, I feel better knowing you have blood nearby. Should everything go tits up at least."

He got comfortable on the couch beside Noctis, taking the controller and studying the device and how each of the buttons were labeled and functioned. Working as a team with Noctis on a little game shouldn't be too hard, yes? The screen was currently set to a list of people and a bonus "custom" option. There was a vicious little grin that graced his face for a brief moment as he listened to the elf reflect on his chance for revenge. How delightful.

"The white haired one rather reminds me of myself!" He laughed, "I think I'll play as that fellow."

@ardynzunia continued from here.

"I know he does."

Noctis worried about his father too, but he was powerless to act on that worry. He saw that damn ring take a little bit more of his father's life each day, and he couldn't do a thing to stop it. He just had to watch with the knowledge that one day it would be his responsibility to bear.

"So you're on babysitting duty. Did you draw the short straw or something?" Not that he was complaining. Ardyn was family which meant he'd actually interact with him without a string of honorifics. His father's reasoning was probably that he'd be more receptive with Ardyn there and it would distract him from the knowledge that there were guards watching patrolling the area.

"Television games?" He snorted and shook his head, but pushed himself up from the couch. His own controller was already on the coffee table from earlier that day, but he retrieved his second one for Ardyn and booted up the tv and console before sitting back down. He considered loading up a fighting game, but kicking his uncle's ass on a game he had no idea how to play would get boring pretty quickly.

A cooperative game then.

"You want to create a character or go with one of the pre-set characters?"

[ffocarchive]

he's taller than me and I am a simple man. don't click to keep reading.

I MAINTAIN, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘶𝘱, THAT 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐔𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐗 𝐅𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐓 is the only character who both cared about Lunafreya and actively tRIED to PROTECT HER over the course of the game. Everyone else was asleep at the wheel. Including Shiva.

If Lunafreya has 1 fan, it's Ravus. If she has 10 fans,

⭒⋆｡˚ It's R a v u s ˚｡⁺⭒

and 9 empty slots.

As an older sibling myself, I feel a camaraderie with him.

AND I appreciate that he disliked Noctis for solid reasons. If my sister was bent on some dinky little emo kid who has the gall to respond to her notebook messages the way you're allowed to in-game, I would simply. kill him. I love Noctis. Genuinely. But from Ravus's vantage point, that dreary walking mop is a menace. ᴬᴺᴰ ʸᴱᵀ, TO HIS OWN DETRIMENT, Ravus tries to honor Lunafreya's feelings and the prophecy she believed in by acquiescing to Noctis in the end. It's so sweet. He is ALL in. And then he's dead. Caelums are not trustworthy. I extend that criticism to every last Caelum ever, not just Ardyn — can't trust ♚Noctis♚ because if you are in danger he will find a chocobo and ride it. not toward you, just, in a big circle, meandering.

Ravus had an admirable little arc that's undoubtedly 80% happenstance and 20% purposeful character building, given the unequal force with which plot rewrites smacked Ravus specifically off a cliff, so he gets extra points for being such an underdog in this story. And then there was this book Squinex let happen because their company exists in some bizarro pocket dimension where All the Bravest was a good idea that deserved to stay on the app store for t͟e͟n͟ ͟y͟e͟a͟r͟s͟, and in this book Ravus is mentioned 13 times. These mentions are, in order:

Recalling that Ravus slept soundly when he was a kid

Recalling that Ravus didn't much care for the gods

Musing that Ravus might still live with his family if not for Ardyn

Just his name followed by a full stop.

Noting that Noctis is between Ignis and Ravus on the ground

The line from Episode Ignis where Ravus asks Luna not to leave

Noting that the above line was spoken in anguish

Recalling something Ravus said to Noctis at Aracheole

Remarking that Ravus watched Luna waste her energy on Noct

Remarking for emphasis that Ravus did not like Noctis

A passing insinuation that Ravus is good at five finger fillet

Musing that there's more to Ravus than Noctis knows

Regis wants to ask Ravus the identity of another character, but doesn't, so Ravus doesn't move or talk and that's the end of the book

Which is to say, in the longest way possible, that the book further compounds his underdog status, as does that concept art where everyone is hanging out with Luna's kids, including the man who backhanded her and killed her for fun, BUT RAVUS IS MISSING??? THEIR UNCLE??? THE UNCLE WHO HASn'T HIT A WOMAN ON-SCREEN FOR ALL OF US TO SEE??????????? THE UNCLE WHO DIDN'T KILL THEIR MOM????????

Also he looks hella good standing next to Ignis... 👀👍 i like ravnis

and that is why jaksndsjknawjklnesdfzxcd send post

[sparklecryptid]

Do I know who she is? No. Do I love her? Yes. Am I tempted to make her an official oc? Also yes.

[uncleardyn]

ardy,n :]

[phoenix-flamed]

inimiicus replied: "and inevitably i am...adopting him."

Miles's internal screaming intensifies.

[a-world-in-grey]

You might not need another au but do you want it?

Think of how much fun it would be, Sola and Ardyn snarking at each other in the middle of the throne room and before the entire court.

The resemblance is uncanny.

You can track which of the nobles noticed it by how much they pale, their polite masks turning a little bit tense.

You. Are an enabling gremlin.

Plopping this in the Combined Retinue Nox/Sola au, because this is what my brain finally decided to spit out at 2 in the morning.

@secret-engima have an early Christmas present, I guess?

.

“If I have to dress up, Uncle,” his niece tells him fiercely, “then so do you.”

Ardyn raises a brow from the bench he’s languidly lounging on, watching his Tailor circle Sola with sharp eyes as she tugs on the black fabric of the dress she’s wrangled Sola into wearing for her upcoming Coming of Age, unfazed by the equally black scowl on the princess’ face.

Beside him, Nox is firmly pretending to nap on his Shield’s shoulder. Axis has his gaze glued to the book in his hand.

It seems he’ll have no allies from that quarter.

Admittedly, Ardyn had perhaps been enjoying Sola’s irritation too much, and hadn’t bothered to smother his growing amusement with every dark mutter Sola had made about protocol and where the court could shove said protocol.

He gives Sola an indulgent smirk. “I highly doubt I’m on the guest list, my dear. Given the current state of international politics.”

Not that he’d let the lack of an invitation stop him from attending his niece and nephew’s birthday party.

From the glare Sola levels at the mirror, and the minute stiffening of Nox’s spine, Ardyn has the feeling his niblings will ensure he is invited, regardless of anyone else’s feelings on the matter.

Nox’s eyes actually open a sliver when Sola’s magic abruptly curls, all mischievous glee with an edge of bared teeth. His nephew warily eyes his twin and the grin growing on her face.

Ardyn does not share Nox’s apprehension. He rather thinks his niece should smile like that more often.

“A suit for your Uncle, then?” Penelopeia asks archly.

“If you would be so kind.” Sola replies before Ardyn can protest. Sola’s blue eyes narrow on him through the mirror. “Black for the shirt, instead of the suit, I think. Gold as an accent color, but otherwise I have full faith in your judgment.”

To Penelopeia’s credit, his Tailor pauses for but a moment. “Of course, Your Highness.”

Ardyn gives Sola a long look. His niece knows very well protocol prohibits him from wearing black. He is neither a (known) member of the royal family nor in sworn service to them. Sola cares little for protocol and tradition, especially when it gets in her way, but even she can’t get away with flouting such an old and respected tradition. Not like this. “Niece.” He warns.

Sola raises her chin, defiant. “Do you trust me?”

Ardyn sighs. Smiles reassuringly at the fierce girl who’s been Nox and Ardyn’s staunchest supporter these past near three years. “Yes.”

Sola nods, and that is that.

.

Copia Egestas adores her Queen.

Sola’s last minute changes to the twins’ Coming of Age gave her a solid week of extra work to do - with help from Ignis, who volunteered on account of her being nearly six months pregnant - hunting through the Archives and preparing her arguments before she and Sola sat down in front of the King and finally told him exactly who would be presenting his daughter at her Coming of Age. Presenting both his children, in fact.

Unsurprisingly, Regis was not pleased. But between Sola’s staunch refusal to change her mind and Copia’s presented precedents, he reluctantly conceded.

Now, eyeing everyone as they wait to enter the ballroom, Copia can only feel a vicious anticipation.

Nox and Sola make a striking pair in black and gold. Both of them have their hair carefully pulled back, decorated further with gold. Nox still wears his usual earrings, the only silver on him as he’d declined the offer for golden versions, and Sola has mirrored him with a set of earrings arranged in the opposite ears. Not the same earrings, but the studs and climber are similar enough in shape to achieve the desired effect.

Copia’s sleeveless black dress is cut to flatter her pregnant figure, a gold shawl for her shoulders because six months pregnant and she gets uncomfortably warm now that the summer months are upon them, which also why she’s elected for an updo instead of letting her thick curls tumble loose. Unlike Sola, Copia is in comfortable flats instead of heels, again on account of being pregnant.

Axis is in a black suit jacket with gold details, and his Clan’s purple and green tartan. His hair’s been styled back from his face, but otherwise remains free.

Axis isn’t the only one wearing purple and green. Nox has the shifting purple-green galahdite in his ears, hair, and decorating his cufflinks. Sola’s chosen a selection of amethysts and emeralds to decorate her gold jewelry, while Copia had been gifted a pair of ebony hair sticks topped with amethyst and emerald carved cabochons.

(Copia knows just enough about Galahdian culture to know to tell Penny the goal, and follow the woman’s instructions on how to support Axis without overstepping cultural boundaries. The result, she is told, is a careful blend of Lucian and Galahdian color codes, but Copia has never seen Axis struck speechless before so she makes a mental note to commend Penny and her recommended jewelers for their hard work.)

With Ardyn, however, Penny has evidently decided to take refuge in audacity.

The suit is a lovely shade of dark purple, decorated with an intricate pattern of - much to Copia’s amusement - peacock feathers. At a glance they could be mistaken for phoenix feathers, certainly, but Copia knows her birds, and those feathers belong to the phoenix’s non-magical dramatic cousins. Studded at the eye of each feather are small galahdite stones to match Nox and Axis.

Under the suit, Ardyn’s shirt is black, which will no doubt give the Court conniptions and the press a field day, despite them following protocol to a T. Instead of a traditional tie, Ardyn’s kept his usual scarf, but in a rich green. How it doesn’t clash with the purple, Copia doesn’t know, but she knows Ardyn’s vest is a matching shade of green. Ardyn has a gold and galahdite lapel pin, linked by a fine gold chain to a paired piece on the front of his breast pocket.

The master of ceremonies glances over at them, expression half-expectant, half-despairing.

It turns to resignation when Ardyn and Sola gift him identical smirks.

Nox sighs.

Copia hides a grin behind her hand. Oh yes, tonight is going to be so very entertaining, with uncle and niece actively working together.

She wonders how many people will notice the family resemblance before the end of the night?

[ardynzunia]

@chosenbythecrystal  from here 

Noctis didn't respond verbally – he wasn't able to just yet – but he had come out of himself enough to manage a small nod to show he'd at least registered his uncle's words. It wasn't much, but it was progress. He hadn't even seemed aware of Ardyn's presence ten minutes or so ago.

He doesn't know what Ardyn chose to put on in the end, he wasn't paying attention. He was too busy trying to keep himself grounded in reality. For now, he was focusing on the fabric of the couch beneath his hands.

The couch dips slightly, and after a slight delay, Noctis registered that Ardyn had taken a seat beside him. He moves automatically, slowly shifting until he's leaning against the man's side. He still couldn't bring himself to speak, but having his uncle close was helping to bring him back to reality.

Ardyn is careful about what he chooses to put on. Avoiding animal shows for fear of animal attacks, and many cartoons for adventurous battles. They might end well but he knew the sounds would be too similar. He finally landed on an old black and white movie he liked. A romantic thing called “Sabrina”, without a single loud noise to be found.

When Noctis moves to lean on him he doesn’t twitch. Letting the boy get comfortable at his own pace, again for fear of pushing the child further into his episode. After a moment he did place a gentle hand onto his shoulder, calloused fingers rubbing gentle circles into the sweater’s fabric.

“I always liked the cooking school bit,” He said conversationally. “All the jokes are slow but they still land quite nicely.”