Alternative route: pull a detective Conan situation where Nyx is violently poisoned, but instead of dying he’s shrunken to a child age. So real smol, but with his memories and identity intact
although, Tifa can technically lure you in with delicious food and then strong arm you into being a helpful delinquent by asking if he'd help her with the dishes
I also had an achingly cute thought of Nyx going back in time and in his younger body, coming across a pregnant Queen Aulea in her garden and her asking him to help tend to it. She just can't bend the way she used to with this stomach and the flowers seem so sad, she hasn't been able to take care of them...
Headcanoning that maybe one reason Nyx was into having and running that bar when he and Lib grew up was cuz his father (maybe partnered with Lib's) brewed mead or some other similar alcoholic beverage. Pure Galahdin made. And when he was old enough, decided to start taking Nyx on some of his deliveries.
Mainly this one time he made a delivery to the Capital and the King, himself, for some banquet. Because rare brews doesn't make them any less delicious and something that the King must indulge in. And, well. Ulric brew is the best in Galahd, fight me.
But Nyx is an adventurer and likes to wander. And misses the plants and trees and forest, and he hasn't seen much of it since entering the city. But oh, hey. There's a garden here, wow.
He might be a little hesitant at first cuz young kid being around strange capital people. But she seemed like a nice lady. And maybe she needed help like mom did.
Hesitant around capital people, was probably getting a bit uneasy cause he wandered pretty far and has no idea where his dad is, but the flowers are pretty and the lady is nice, and when she asks if he can grab a small pot with new buds to plant he hops to pretty eagerly
And she lets him drop the root knots into the holes she’s made, and he covers them up for her to water, little green shoots just poking up out of their new home
And it’s like an hour later a Guard comes running in, a little out of breath, apologizing for the intrusion but a guest’s child has gone missing and they can’t find him anywhere, have you seen-
And there’s this earnest little shit, with dirty knees and arms, and streaks of it across his face, just hanging out with the Queen like she’s his aunt or something
Depends on how old Nyx is, cause he’s got a good ten years on Gladio. If he’s like...eight then the only bitty Clarus has experience with is Cor and dear god what an experience
No one realizes what happened to Nyx yet and it’s assumed he’s some kind of accidental kid at first because who the fuck automatically thinks of a youth curse??
Bonus points if bitty Nyx actually doesn't know he's been spending the afternoon with the Queen until she walks over and gets a kiss on the cheek from Regis, after they find Nyx's dad. Cuz what Queen plays around in the dirt.
would it be too much if she gave him a gift to bring back to his mother for raising such a good son? Cuz I'm sure he talked about his mom while they worked.
He mentioned how his mother liked gardening too while they were working. So the Queen gives him a clipping, pot, or sapling from her garden to bring back to her. Maybe a Sylleblossom from Tenebrae or a blooming bush so that her garden can look even nicer.
although, Tifa can technically lure you in with delicious food and then strong arm you into being a helpful delinquent by asking if he'd help her with the dishesLife goals