Thank you @skystones for dropping Reks’ headcanons yesterday ! If we’re both sad about Reks and Vaan relationship, I’m going to make it 10x sadder with headcanons around Reks’ death. I’ll start with something we discussed last night, but it’s going to be a long and painful headcanon.
I’ve always imagined that Reks hates violence, fights and war. He promised Vaan he wouldn’t volunteer, he would never leave him alone, he’d wait to be called by the army. But after the Nalbina defeat, Reks wanted to protect his little brother at all cost and he ended up going willingly to war. That’s one reason of Vaan’s anger after Reks’ death. He wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place. He made a promise.
After Nalbina, Reks is brought back to Rabanastre as a traitor. The only survivor with Captain Basch. Reks is imprisoned and questioned by the Imperials. Reks is lost, he claims and yells he is innocent. His mission was to protect the King, not to kill him.
The Imperials violently questioned him about Basch and his involvement in the assassination of the King. Reks is too honest for its own good. He claims what he only knows : he didn’t see the Captain kill the King. The King and his fellow soldiers were already dead when he arrived. True, Basch stabbed Reks. But he can’t claim he stabbed the King too. Also, Reks is confused by what he heard when he was half conscious on the ground.
The Imperials can’t let Reks doubt the official version of the events. They offer Reks a deal : comply and testify against Basch, and the Empire would make him the sole responsible of the King’s death. Reks would go free, as long as he maintains this version. The Imperials’ intention is clear, Reks would still be kept under surveillance, and one faux pas and he, or his family would pay for it.
Reks finds it suspicious. Why his words would have such power, unless there is some truth in it ? He doubts the culpability of his Captain more and more. Maybe not completely innocent, but Reks thinks the Empire is certainly behind his King’s death.
As a consequence, Reks rejects the offer. He can’t state what he didn’t see.
The Empire doesn’t need him anymore, Reks is a burden more than anything. They charge him guilty.
After days of mental and physical torture, the poor boy can’t take it anymore. Staying true to himself, he lost the one and only hope to see his brother and his friends again.
–
When Vaan heard what happened in Nalbina, he couldn’t believe it. There’s no way his brother would be involved with such hideous political scheme.
The minute he learns Reks is back in the city, he tries to see him. Tomaj grabs as much information as he can. Migelo interferes with Imperials. But it is a dead end.
After weeks, Vaan suddenly gets the permission to visit him at the hospital. Penelo and Tomaj accompany him. They still hope they will understand the truth when they see him. Even if Reks would claim he’s guilty, they would know if he was forced to lie.
They arrive at the hospital, in this sickening white room. Reks wouldn’t speak, he is shaking with empty eyes, unresponsive.
Furious, Tomaj demands an explanation. The doctors are powerless, they can only tell them the official version : Reks’ mind broke under the weight of his guilt.
As the weeks pass, Vaan takes care of his brother the best he can. The psychiatric hospital is expensive. The younger brother barely eats, and decides to leave the Sandsea tavern where Reks and him were renting a room, to live in the streets for good. Tomaj was against it, he wanted to let Vaan live there for free but Vaan refused.
One day, Vaan comes to the hospital, but Reks passed away during the night. Barely no explanation. Reks stopped breathing and they couldn’t reanimate him.
As a traitor, Vaan was prohibited to give his brother decent funerals. No place in the cemetery for a King slayer.
Penelo suggested burrying him in the Estersand, where Galbana lilies grow. Assisted by Tomaj, Migelo, Penelo and a few friends, they dug the grave, smuggled Reks’ body during the night. Even the orphan kids came. The ceremony was small and painful, but at least Reks was free.
Final fantasy XII &co 