A/N: ToS is not mine. I thought I'd have some dumb-Lloyd fun. Enjoy - and please review if you like it.
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"Sybak, Ozette, Meltokio, and now here, in Altamira?" Lloyd stared incredulously at the auburn-haired Seraph. The young swordsman stood a few feet from the entrance to the garish hotel of the resort. The rest of his ragtag group must have been inside, no doubt asleep, since he was alone. The boy's right hand twitched towards the hilt of the sword on his left hip, then clenched into a fist instead. "Why are you here? Why do you keep following us?"
Kratos folded his arms across his chest with a 'humph'. "You assume too much, Lloyd. Our meetings, here and otherwise, have been nothing more than coincidences. Now, if you'll excuse me…"
He made to leave, but this time Lloyd did draw – both swords. The blades gleamed in the bright moonlight, and for a moment Kratos contemplated letting him use them.
"Don't you dare leave! Not before telling me–"
On a sudden impulse, Kratos began babbling. "You want to know the truth? Very well. I have been travelling all over Tethe'alla to track down certain materials needed to forge a mystical ring that will allow a human to wield the legendary sword in Yggdrasill's possession, so that when you and the summoner make the pact with Origin, you will be able to defeat Cruxis and save the world." Why stop there? "I am doing this because I am your long-lost father, and would like nothing more than to see you living a happy, peaceful life – the one I was never able to give you myself." He drew a deep breath. "Does that satisfy you?"
Lloyd gazed at him wonderingly. Kratos shifted awkwardly, itching to break free from that stare.
"You're…" the swordsman said disbelievingly. "You're joking!" His face exploded with violent laughter. Dropping his swords, he collapsed onto the stone street and convulsed with mirth. The Seraph didn't know what to make of the boy, rolling around, trying to clutch his ribs and wipe away tears, all the while still laughing. Several minutes passed this way before Lloyd calmed down enough to gather his swords and stand up. "That was a good one, Kratos. I know I'm not as smart as Genis, but did you really think I'd fall for that?" He chuckled. "Mystical ring… My father… I think you're starting to lose your edge."
"So it would seem," Kratos replied blandly. "It was foolish of me to think I could deceive such a cunning foe."
Lloyd narrowed his eyebrows. "Did you just make a joke?" he asked tentatively. "'Cause I don't think you'll ever be able to top that first one." He grinned. "You know, if you can still joke around and stuff, I can't believe you really are…" His face fell. "…our enemy. I almost forgot." he confessed sadly.
"You would do well to remember," the Seraph informed him. "Good-bye, Lloyd." He walked away from the boy, towards the tall arch that marked the Altamira's main entrance.
As he left the resort, his angel senses picked up Lloyd's footsteps moving back to the hotel doors, steady thumps dotted with the occasional faint chuckle. After it faded, Kratos replayed the sound in his mind. The swordsman's reaction was a welcome relief. He had no idea what he'd have done, if Lloyd had actually... if he'd even considered…
Did you honestly think he might believe you? Kratos asked himself accusingly, as he spread his shimmering wings, ready to take off to his next destination. Did you really want him to?