What they didn't know was that someone had been watching on the security camera. Regis sighed, smiling lightly as he leaned back in his chair.

Clarus was by his side, still trying to make sense of it. "So, do you care to explain what it is that's happening?"

Regis gave a little laugh at that. "You mean beyond young love?" He teased.

"Regis, I know there is more to it. These were audio after all."

"I do believe Noctis managed to create something I've only read about when he brought Prompto into his magic." Regis mused and stroked his beard.

"And that being some soul level magic bonding?"

"I believe so. There are legends about soul bonds and such, and how powerful and special they could be, but no one ever claimed to have managed one."

"I suppose it will make our situation harder then? What else can you tell me about it?"

Regis hummed at that. "Depending on how the soul bond works, this could help us. They can sense each other's states, so that might allow them to be parted for longer without problem."

"If it works that way then let's hope for the best. We will see what the future holds."

"We will. It will be interesting to see if the more they rely on that bond, the more it deepens between the two of them."

"I'm sure it will deepen knowing those two," Clarus smiled.

"Yes, I imagine they'll find plenty of ways to deepen their bond," Regis laughed.

"For now we'll let them have their time together. It is sweet seeing Noctis so happy. I'm sure that puts you at ease."

"Seeing them this happy does put me at ease. Though, I wish he would feel confident enough to tell me about wanting to add Prompto to his magic."

"You know Noctis. His social skills still need a bit of work, except around Prompto."

Regis sighed a little bit. "Yes, I had hoped him being part of public school would help with those social skills. It seems, instead, I just gave him one person to focus on."

"I would say it's better than nothing. Before Prompto he would barely say a word to anyone that wasn't in his close circle. Half the servants didn't even get a thank you from him."

"Well if he can improve a little bit, even with the staff, that would be great. Do you know if they're now getting more interaction with either of them?"

"Some of the kitchen staff and the tutors as far as I know, but mostly with Noctis. Usually if Prompto is around, Noctis will take a defensive stance in front of him."

Regis sighed. "I don't know how to fix all of this. I wish him to be more comfortable here. But it seems there's a fine balance for it all."

"We can't just fix it right away, Reggie," Clarus spoke gently. "Both of the boys have a bit of PTSD, and that isn't something we can pretend didn't happen. You know that."

"I do know that. Doesn't take away my desire to make things easier for them."

"We'll find a way, don't worry," Clarus said as reassuringly as he could. "Now how about we get something to eat?"

"Yes, I believe that sounds like a great idea." Regis replied as he got up to let Clarus guide him to dinner.

Weeks passed and there was clear progress being shown with Noctis and Prompto. While they did spend as much time as they could together, they were starting to show that they could be apart for longer. Prompto would enjoy the day with Noctis, but return to the Amicitia manor in the evenings. Their new pace and schedule seemed to be working fairly well on top of the magic.

Besides texting each other good night, they had worked hard enough that they could still sense the other's presence even from far away. That sense of comfort knowing the other was okay was what made sleeping separately much easier. Though there was still a lot of progress they had to do. Prompto still had yet to learn how to warp or store items in his armiger, but his awareness of magic was better than ever.

One day while the two were enjoying lunch out in the gardens, they heard footsteps. Turning to look, they saw that it was Regis who was approaching them.

Noctis frowned a little bit when he noticed who was approaching them and shoved another carrot over to Prompto's plate. "Hey Dad, what brings you here?"

"I wanted to see how you two were doing. It's quite the lovely day to be eating outside isn't it?" Regis asked as he neared where they sat.

"Yeah, it is. The weather's been behaving. Thought about showing Prom some of the gardens later."

"We've been enjoying them this far though. I'd really like to see more," Prompto added.

"That sounds very nice. But I did want to ask you boys a question. If you don't mind me taking up some of your time."

Noctis narrowed his eyes at that. "We've been behaving. What is it now?" He asked in his more usual petulant teenage tone.

Regis shook his head. "It's nothing to be concerned over. But, I wanted to talk to you about that special bond that has formed."

"What?" He asked quickly. "What are you talking about?"

"Noct, I am connected to the crystal's magic just the same as you are," Regis said as he managed to sit down in the grass in front of them. "I could tell how deeply bonded you and Prompto have become since you let him access your magic."

"You can sense that? Why didn't you mention anything before now?"

"I wanted to let it ease in for you two before I brought it up."

"You're... not mad or anything are you?" Prompto asked

"Rest assured that I have nothing against what you did," Regis replied. "I am more impressed by the effect it has had on you two."

"Is that so?" Noctis asked curiously. "Has this happened before? A bond like this?"

"Not in any recent time of history. There had been old records, but never anything concrete. But I've been impressed with the progress you two have been having."

Noctis narrowed his eyes at that. "You have?" he asked curiously. "How much have you been paying attention to the two of us?"

Prompto shifted closer to Noctis quietly.

Regis sighed. "As much as I can as your father. Noct, please know I do this only because I love you, and I only want to make sure that you and Prompto are safe."

"I can keep Prompto safe. We've been practicing and everything, nothing has gone wrong." Noctis protested.

"I never said there was anything wrong. But I only wish to know more about your connection. It's deepened your bond towards one another hasn't it?"

Noctis looked over at Prompto for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, it has. I think we're closer for it, which I didn't think was possible."

"It's because of that connection. You brought him into your magic, connected him to your soul in a sense. We could call it a Soul Bond if you wish."

"A Soul Bond. I guess that does make sense. Could this hurt him? I know my magic has been a bit weak since the accident. Is that why he's struggling with the other parts? Am I pulling him down?"

Regis looked at Prompto, who was still silently watching. He then looked back to Noctis and shook his head. "No, your own magic wouldn't be dragging him down. It takes a long while to get used to and work with the magic. Prompto has come a long way and seeing the progress he has has been quite impressive."

"I'm trying," Prompto said, speaking up. "It's gotten easier to tap into the magic."

Noctis sighed and leaned over his knees. "Why do the Glaive have to make it look so easy? Is there anything I should be watching out for?"

"Just keep training as you do. Together your strengths will help you through everything else," Regis answered.

"You alright with that Prom? I guess, we're doing this a bit differently than usual."

"Yeah I guess so," Prompto answered. "It's still new to me, but I want to keep trying."

"Then we'll keep trying. I think you're doing great, and apparently so does Dad."

"Yes, I'm proud of both of you."

Noctis knew he could feel a bit of heat on his cheeks from that, but he did his best to ignore it. "Dad, do you think, since you know what I did, we could get some help? I don't know if I'm explaining warping and such right."

"Well, warping still takes a lot of time. But what it comes down to is all focus. Focus on your target and feel one with the item that you are throwing."

He sighed and leaned a bit into Prompto's side. "Focus is what I was saying, but it seems harder than that."

"Well tell me Prompto," Regis said as he looked at the blond. "Do you believe in the magic you feel?"

"What?" Prompto asked.

Noctis looked over at Prompto to look at him carefully. He opened up their bond to see what he was feeling with that kind of question. He never expected belief to be part of the problem.

"You need to believe in yourself, not just the magic," Regis replied.

"Ooh... well I guess I could try again with that." Prompto muttered. "Could we try now?"

"Did you eat enough for lunch? And has it settled alright?" Noctis fussed. He remembered the number of lectures both of them got about getting to a proper weight, and Prompto seemed to be struggling more than him with it.

"Yeah, I think I feel okay," Prompto said as he stood up. "Might as well give it another try."

"Okay, then sure, this seems like a good time and place. And you have Dad to help out."

"Yes, just keep that focus and believe in yourself," Regis replied.

"Okay... I'll try..." Prompto said as he breathed in. "Oh! Don't I like, need an item to throw?"

"Not necessarily. You can eventually learn to do it without an item, but for now I would use that as a focus point," Regis replied.

"I'm still learning how to warp without a focus point. It's hard." Noctis confessed.

"You'll get there Noct. It took me years to perfect it after all," Regis explained.

Noctis groaned at that. "Why does magic have to be so complicated?"

Regis laughed. "Magic has always been that way. I could tell you many stories of my younger years, all the mistakes and troubles I went through when training. Perhaps after Prompto gives this a try, I will tell you one."

Prompto nodded as he held out a bouncy ball in his hand. "Guess I'll finally give this a try."

Closing his eyes, he breathed in before throwing it. He exhaled sharply and looked as if he was trying to move. The blue, crystallized magic flowed over him before he ended up stumbling forward.

"Prom! You're getting it!" Noctis cheered. "That's amazing."

Prompto sat back down and hugged Noctis. "I guess I'll be warping in no time!"

"Thank you Dad. I guess that was the hint we needed." Noctis said as he hugged Prompto close.

"Always happy to help you two out, now, I suppose I should let you two go back to your alone time."

"Alright. Have a good day, Dad. Don't let the council give you too much hassle."

"I'll try my best." Regis nodded, pushing himself up as carefully as he could. "Oh by the way, would you two care to have dinner tonight?"

Noctis got to his feet to take his fathers arm to help him stand. "I think... dinner should be good. Right Prom?"

"Yeah! We could have dinner! We got nothing else planned."

Regis smiled warmly. "Well then I shall see you two later, and thank you Noct."

"You're welcome dad." Noctis said softly as he let his dad go off to another meeting.