Disclaimer: not mine

All chapters are now on Eos, so I won't be labelling anymore. Interesting to see who liked Harry having a kid to carry on the family on Earth and who didn't. I won't be going back to Earth so you can assume what you want for how things go there. Personally, I think Hermione eventually finds love and re-marries while bringing the Ministry to the 20th century, and her son grows up happy, with his crazy uncles and loving family.

Chapter 16

Cor answered his phone without looking, anything to give him a break from paperwork.

"Hey kid, that package you've been waiting on finally arrived. Sorry it took so long; six years is a hell of a wait but blame the manufacturer."

Cor blinked and pulled the phone away; sure enough Cid's name was on the screen. A package? Six… was it possible? He knew of only one 'package' they had been waiting for word on for that long.

"I see, I suppose you want me to come and get it?"

"Well…I could send it, but who knows when it'd get there. Could take another six years. Bring the old girl and I'll install it myself."

"Right, I'll bring her. See you later old man," he hung up, heart pounding. He stood and forced himself to walk normally as he left his office, heading for Regis'. He couldn't run, couldn't let anyone suspect anything. There was a chance he was wrong, but what else had they been waiting six years for? He got in the elevator and rode it up five floors, nodding at the various Guards as he passed them, knocking on Regis' door.

"Enter."

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Regis looked up as Cor walked in, straightening as he saw…something in his expression. He watched as he locked the door, becoming concerned. "Cor?"

"Cid called, the package I've been waiting on for six years has arrived and he wants me to come pick it up."

Regis frowned in confusion, package? Cid hadn't talked to any of them since before Pax…six years…his eyes widened, hope taking root. "You think?"

"I don't know what else he could be talking about," Cor admitted.

"Take the Regalia, make it look like you're taking her to get some work done, just in case."

"Cid already suggested that."

"Bring him home," Regis whispered, and Cor nodded before leaving. Regis called down to the garage to have the Regalia brought around for him.

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Cor made sure he had everything he might need before heading for the garage. He drove the Regalia away from the Citadel, keeping an eye out for anyone paying too much attention. He took back and side streets for as long as possible before joining the freeway heading for the bridge into Leide. Getting through was quick due to the Regalia's plates and then his ID, he was practically waved through before he could stop. He picked up speed once away from the city, heading into the dry lands of Leide.

It was a three hour drive to Hammerhead and he mentally prepared himself for whatever he may find. Cid hadn't sounded stressed or panicked so Pax was unlikely to be badly wounded or anything, though he had plenty of curatives and a full medical kit, just in case. After six years, would he even recognise the boy? How much would he have changed?

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Pax sat in the loft above the garage, staring out at the road to Insomnia. So close to being home, it was hard to wait patiently. Cid had called Cor so he assumed it would be his uncle who was coming for him. He wasn't the kid who had been taken from them, he was an adult, how would that change things?

He had so much to tell them, he had several photo albums worth of pictures, some magical and some not to chronical his life on Earth. There was a separate album that was kept separate, its photos covered their wedding, some chronically Hermione's pregnancy, and then several of their son. He was torn over whether or not to tell anyone about that, how would Dad take knowing he had a grandson he would never see? Was it better to just not tell? Ramuh and Fawkes had made it clear, the paths between their worlds were now permanently sealed.

He straightened up as he saw a far fancier car approaching…a black car he had known all his life. He got up and made his way to the stairs, heading down but staying in the garage. He waited, hearing Cid speaking to someone. Cid hobbled in and then a black clad figure drove the Regalia inside, Cid hitting the door control to shut them. The driver got out and Pax stepped out of the shadows.

"Cor."

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Cor drove into Hammerhead, taking in the familiar buildings. Nothing seemed to have changed since the last time he'd passed the place. He'd stopped off briefly when he'd been on the way back with Prompto, the both of them utterly exhausted. Cid hadn't asked questions, just helped him clean the kid up and then dumped them both in a bed to sleep. He knew and understood the reasons Cid had never called Regis, even though he hated it. It had been Mors who brought the Wall in, not Regis. Regis didn't have the strength to return it to the old boundary though, not with Niflheim pushing the war the way they had been ever since he took the Throne. He just wished the two would reconcile. It was bad enough they'd had no choice but to leave Wesk behind in Altissia due to his injuries, but Cid had chosen to leave them.

He pulled in in front of the garage and Cid walked out, looking the car over.

"Bout time ya got here. Pull her in," he waved him forward, so Cor drove into the building and Cid shut the roller doors.

He turned the engine off, seeing movement in the shadows at the back. He got out of the car as a young man emerged, staring at him.

"Cor," the voice was deeper than he remembered but the last time he'd seen Pax he'd only been fourteen, his voice still breaking. He was taller and broader too, black hair falling to his shoulders, green eyes a little darker maybe, the childhood scar on his forehead even harder to see. He was dressed in worn blue jeans, a red t-shirt and denim jacket, nothing like he usually dressed, then again he was trying to keep from being noticed.

"Pax," Cor stepped forward and then Pax slammed into him, holding on tight, and Cor hugged back just as tightly. "You're home," he whispered. He was healthy looking, his grip strong, that was what mattered at the moment.

"Missed you," Pax murmured before stepping back, subtly wiping at his eyes.

"Everyone has missed you, your Highness."

Pax sighed. "I'm going to have to get used to that again. Does anyone know why you came?"

"Only your Father and it was only a strong suspicion thanks to the mention of six years. As far as anyone else would know, I brought the Regalia for Cid to place a new part and look her over. We'll drive back with the roof up, sneak you into the Citadel to give you some time to see everyone and settle in before your return is announced. Noctis was officially declared Crown Prince on his Birthday so you're down to second in line but that won't lower the press attention, especially after so long gone," he warned, and Pax nodded.

"What did Dad tell them?"

"That the Astrals had returned you to your birth home to take care of a task."

"So basically the truth, just minus Dumbledore kidnapping me," Pax nodded. In the background Cid got to work giving the Regalia a look over, leaving them to talk.

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Regis paced his study anxiously. It was nearly ten in the morning, which meant Cor could return at any time. It had been so hard to not give anything away last night, but he couldn't bare to get the boys hopes up if they had been wrong. He paused by the window as a familiar knock sounded, heart pounding. "Enter."

Cor walked in, hesitated a second, and then shut the door and Regis' heart plummeted but then he frowned, there was something…he glanced at the Ring, a slight tug on the family magic.

"Pax?" he whispered, looking around, and then a young man was standing a few feet from Cor.

"Dad," he took a hesitant step forward and Regis took in the sight of his eldest son, all grown up now. He opened his arms and then Pax was there, holding on tight. "Dad," this time it was choked out and Regis tightened his hold.

"Pax," he whispered. "My son." The hug was different, Pax taller now, though still shorter than him if only by an inch or two, he was broader as well. This Pax was an adult, not the teenager he had said good night to six years before. He forced himself to loosen his hold, to step back and take in how he had grown. He smiled as he looked him over. "You look well."

"Fully healthy, had a check-up last month to make sure I wouldn't bring any bugs back with me that no one here has any immunity against," Pax shrugged slightly, shifting nervously.

Regis couldn't stop himself from reach out again, resting a hand on his shoulder. He was really there; he was finally home and safe. It had begun to feel like this day would never come but now it had. Knowing he had recently been looked over health wise was a relief, though he would feel better if Pax was looked over by the Citadel doctors as well. It was strange, after dreaming of seeing his son again for so long…he now didn't know what to say.

"I…I don't know what to say," Pax whispered, and Regis chuckled, relaxing.

"We have time Pax," he promised. "Are you hungry? I was going to have lunch with Noctis today."

"Does he know?"

"No, I didn't want to get his hopes up without definite proof that Cid meant you," he explained, and Pax nodded.

"Cor said you named him Crown Prince on his Birthday, but I didn't think to ask, what's the date?"

"September third, Saturday," Regis told him.

"Huh," Pax sounded surprised.

"What is it?"

"It was May fifteenth when I left Earth," he explained. "There wasn't such a difference last trip. Maybe that's why the way between the words is shut now? The growing time difference."

"Perhaps."

"Do I still have my rooms? I should probably clean up a bit and change."

"Cor?" Regis looked at his friend and he nodded. He pulled Pax into another hug, kissing his forehead before letting him go, despite wanting to not let him out of his sight.

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Pax followed Cor through the emptiest halls and 'secret passages', coming out in a hallway that he still remembered. He looked at the door and then at Cor who went to the keypad and entered a code. That was new, they'd used actual keys before. The door opened and he took a deep breath before walking in.

The room was as he remembered it. The bed was bare, all linens and he assumed the towels had been removed at some point. The electronics were gone which made sense, they'd be outdated now. His books were still on the shelves, his photos, and knickknacks all in place.

"Is Noct still next door?"

"He took the option to get an apartment for high school. Prompto is sharing the apartment and Ignis has one in the same building but on another floor."

Pax nodded, he would have stayed because of Noct, with him gone his brother had no reason to stay in the Citadel. "Have the guys taken their Oaths to him yet?" With Noctis confirmed as Crown Prince then they would be his Retinue.

"Only Prompto has, the others have made the more general Oath to the family."

"What? Why? He's the Crown Prince, first in line to the Throne," he was confused.

"You'll all need to discuss it at some point. I'll arrange for bedding and such to be brought up discreetly and come back to take you to the dining room."

"Thanks," Pax smiled, and Cor nodded, leaving.

He looked around and sighed before getting to work unpacking his things from the Armiger. He put his clothing away since none of his local clothing would fit anymore. Some things, like one specific photo album, remained in the Armiger. A knock sounded and he went to the door to find a familiar woman at the door.

"Hello Monica," he greeted, stepping back to allow her in with her cart of bedding and towels.

"Your Highness," she said in awe. "Welcome home."

"Thanks."

She moved to the bed to make it and he joined her. They got it made and then she left so Pax headed into the bathroom to have a shower. He'd had one last night at Hammerhead but after hours in the car he decided to freshen up. He got dressed in a clean outfit, black slacks and shirt. He had another copy of his Raiment but that was far too formal for a family lunch. And he had another copy of his less formal clothing but that didn't feel right either. He finished sorting his room and by then Cor was there to take him to the dining room, handing over a brand new phone and the codes needed for various doors. It made Pax very glad he had practiced the mind arts with Sirius, it made memorisation very easy.

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Noctis walked into the dining room and froze as he saw someone sitting with his Dad, wasn't it meant to be a family lunch? The man looked up and smiled and Noctis stared with wide eyes, barely breathing.

"Hey little brother."

Noctis gasped and practically warped across the room, Pax catching him easily, hugging him tight. "Pax…" he choked out, trying not to cry as his big brother held him. "You're home."

"I missed you so much," Pax whispered. "Let me take a look at you kiddo," Pax pulled back, looking him over and Noct fought not to fidget as Pax looked him over, he knew he'd changed a lot since he was ten. Pax grinned at him and Noctis relaxed, grinning back as he looked Pax over. He had the sinking feeling he was going to be the shortest in the family.

"When did you get back?"

"Yesterday, landed in a bush in Leide, caught a ride to Hammerhead and then Dad's old friend Cid called Cor to come pick me up. It was too late to drive back so we came this morning. I would have called but my phone's still out of battery and probably won't work with the city phones after six years."

"Yeah, they've upgraded a lot since then," Noctis grinned and they sat at the table, their Dad happy to let them talk.

"Figured as much when Cor used a code to get into my suite and not a key. I hear you've got an apartment in the city? How do you like it?"

Noctis began telling him about the apartment and living with Prompto as well as what high school was like. Talking with his brother was as easy as he remembered, Dad chiming in, usually to embarrass him.

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"Hey Noct, how was…" Prompto trailing off got the others attention.

"Noctis?" Ignis asked in alarm and then Noctis grinned and hugged Prompto who squawked in shock.

"He's here! He's home!" Noctis babbled.

"Slow down kid, what are you going on about?" Gladio asked, chuckling at the sight of poor Prompto.

Noctis looked at them all, unable to stop smiling. "Pax! Cor brought him in this morning from Hammerhead."

Dead silence met his words as they stared at him. Pax was home? They'd known it should happen sometime this year, but it was still a shock. After so long, their missing Prince was home, their friend, their brother.

"He's home?" Prompto asked and Noct nodded. The blond sat down on the couch; blue eyes wide. Pax was home! He'd always looked up to him so much, it had been Pax to push his Dad into keeping him, who'd always stood up for him even when people said things about his past…it had hurt so much when he'd disappeared and now he was back.

"He's back in his old rooms, staying out of sight until Dad can make the announcement. Want to sleep over, for old times' sake?" he asked and then they were scrambling to get what they'd need for the night.

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Pax opened his door to find Noct and the others, letting them inside and then he was hit by a blond missile, Prompto clinging to him and he hugged him back just as tightly. "Hey kiddo."

"You're back, you're really back," Prom whispered and then all four of them were around him, hugging him.

"I'm back forever," he swore.

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Regis stepped up to the microphone and smiled out at the people. "Thank you all for coming," he told them and then looked at the cameras. "It is with great joy that I announce the safe return of my eldest son." He turned and held his hand out and the crowd went silent as Pax ascended the stairs to stand beside him, dressed in a black suit, hair as neatly styled as it would cooperate with.

He smiled at the crowd. "Hello," he greeted those there and everyone watching or listening. "I am very happy to be back home and am working to get settled in to Royal life again."

At his words the people cheered.

TBC…

Why is it that every Lego PS game I've ever played, I've gotten stuck? Aren't they made for kids to be able to beat? I can't save poor Tim from the car in the tree in Jurassic Park. Lex just won't jump to save her brother. Games like that should come with an option where once you've tried a certain amount of times, you can have the game do it and move on. It's like Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order where I spent over an hour trying to jump from one rope to the next.