Grimoire was concerned now a days. Even if now a days was roughly a week or more. The subject for such concern was his son.
How his face hardly moved for any emotion. Only for speaking and eating; or blinking and sleeping. The bare minimum really.
How he was moving unnaturally, yet also clumsy. As if learning all over again to do so.
How he delayed his reaction to hearing his name. Calling himself Chaos.
It was like his son was… buried.
If his son was even still there.
No. No he had to be. He was still calling Grimoire 'father.' Hence 'buried.'
The walks around town and the trails were doing him well. Although it seemed the younger populace were attracted to Vincent.
More than once Grimoire caught the children and young teens staring at Vincent. More than once amusement briefly colored over the concern when he saw the faint pink blushes.
Ah, puppy love. Shame for them they wouldn't see his son again.
After all, today was the day they left Nibelheim. (He could see the disappointment in their tiny shiny eyes.)
Which brought to the concern for the moment. Seeing how Vincent reacted to a car.
They were, thankfully, outside of the little town.
Vincent had, for the most part, okay when they went up to the vehicle. In fact he looked a bit curious. (If the slight tilt to the head indicated anything.)
Grimoire used the keys to unlock the doors.
Still good.
The man opened up the passenger door. And… Vincent stopped.
Vincent stared.
Vincent cocked his head to the side just like he did when he was younger and it tug on Grimoire's heartstrings.
"As I said earlier, we're going back home in a car. This is the car." He said. "I'll help you in, if you need it."
He then paused, instincts from back when Vincent was young kicking in once more. He needed it to sink in.
"This will get us to where we're going much faster than walking. But if we're going to fast I can drive slow." He stopped again.
A beat.
His son nodded.
Good. Good.
It was a bit heart pounding, helping Vincent into the car. But there was no incident. Vincent even copied Grimoire with putting the seat belt on.
Nodding in satisfaction, Grimoire narrated what he was doing. As to not surprise Vincent.
There was a blink when the engine jumped to life, and another blink when the car moved forward. However that was it.
So far so good.
One must always be thankful for the small mercies.
And so, was the start of their journey back. Grimoire kept an eye on the road and an eye on Vincent.
Vincent… Grimoire wasn't sure if Vincent was looking at the scenery outside, or his reflection in the window.
It was the second option when he saw how Vincent was starting to claw at his chest.
It hurt the older man's heart to see his son do this every time in the mirror. It always hurt even more when he gently laid a hand on his son's stilling them. And it hurt even more when two red eyes, once brown, turn to stare at him, unknowingly. As if a stranger.
It will take a while, but Grimoire will help bring his son back. He promises that.
:)