Dark Cloud mentioned!!!!

Eh, you deal with the embarrassment. It's what I do.
Told my mom about Final Fantasy 14's fanfest and how I plan on going a city over to see my friends since I didn't get a ticket but they did and she just told me to have fun.

Right, and the final boss of 7.3 was a primal as well. Signs pointing to him being an ascian are highly likely, but if he's the same one is unknown. Does fit their usual modus operandi.

If he was found earlier by Oriri, she might've offered to take him in, or at least care for the lad more than he's done for himself. Could probably get him to show some emotion to something outside of his soldier duties. Make him a bit softer and kinder.

I don't think there would be as big of an emotional boil-over as he's had in my current canon. Working with the Scions at a young age would take his mind off things and help him grieve among others who've known loss among the calamity.