Copyright: Suikoden belongs to Konami

Authors Note: I've never written a fanfiction before so the characterization is probably a little wrong and my writing is average at best, but I hope you enjoy nonetheless. Oh, I based Lazlo's actions/personality off thinking he'd be fairly disenchanted/messed up over the events in Suikoden IV.

He waited there on Razil's docks kicking a small stone back and forth. It was just one of many nervous habits Snowe Vingerhut had picked up since his days as a normal citizen. Well, truthfully, he'd always had those habits, hidden behind his mask along everything else he deemed unfit for the role of the 'inspiring, brave, blah blah, governor's son'. He figured he had good reasons for being nervous this time though. Lazlo could be due to come off that docked ship any minute now.

Snowe had been half joking when he invited Lazlo to dinner eight months ago during that crazy mess involving the rune canons. After the situation was resolved, Lazlo had went off to god knows where just as fast as fast as he had joined that unusual group. Where he had gone, Snowe did not know.

"He really has changed a lot since back when we were just knights..," Snowe muttered to himself.

Everything Lazlo did nowadays seemed to be based on fart in the wind whims. Supposedly, king Lino had been training him to assume the thrown, sending him on diplomatic missions and whatnot, but Lazlo soon shrugged that off and opted to hermit himself on an island, eating what he could kill, like some sort of wild man. No, he thought, not a wild man, Lazlo was just simply existing, without a care in the world: No one placing demands on him or telling him how to act or what to do, and most importantly, without the stress of responsibility. Snowe understood that desire all too well. He didn't think many of his former servant's acquaintances appreciated his new mysterious ways though. No, they probably found his current behavior strange, even ridiculous. After all, because of his lack of cooperation, Flare looked to be the next leader of the Island Nations, much to everyone's surprise.

That letter he received a little over a month ago was one of such whims, Snowe assumed. It had been short, to the point, and with no return address, "I'll take you up on your offer, old friend. Be expecting me sometime next month. I like sea food." He had felt relief, joy, and nervousness; along with the sudden urge to slam his head into the nearest wall from the sheer absurdity of it all. Lazlo had waltzed off without even a goodbye, only to send this poor excuse of a letter purely out of the blue?

He could just imagine Lazlo wearing that care free grin of his, writing it while waiting for some endangered monster to cook over the camp fire, and then leisurely carting it off to that nutty cat friend of his. Thankfully, he had bothered to be considerate enough to send another one with a more precise date of his arrival, which came as a surprise. Snowe's poor excuse for self esteem told him Lazlo wanted him to wait by the docks until night fall day after day, knowing guilt would stop him from just letting Lazlo find his residence on his own. B-but, T-that's all an irrational scenario in my head..He wouldn't really be screwing with me out of spite. Last time we saw each other, he didn't seem to hold any animosity toward me. He should, but that just isn't Lazlo, is it? Besides, he's coming all this way to see me. Still, I can't help but wonder if he secretly hates me for what I did..and that lazy smile of his covers all emo-

He was stopped mid-thought by a hand tapping the back of his shoulder and a familiar voice.

"Hey Snowe, I didn't expect to find you waiting for me here at the docks. Figured you'd be back holed up in that alley of yours," Lazlo said in a slightly teasing manner. And when Snowe turned around he saw just that unchanging, trademark grin on Lazlo's face.

"I-I don't spend all day there, you know! I-I was just passing by when I saw that passenger ship docked and thought you might be on it……..Er, anyway, it is nice to see you again. You look…well, the same as you always do." Snowe felt a slight tingle of heat rise to his cheeks as he finished his awkward 'greeting.'

He mentally slapped himself. This was not how he had planned to act when he saw Lazlo again, but here he was, being quite the smug twit and unintentionally so. No matter how much I mature or how much I've changed, try as I might, some traits I can never entirely suppress. But, based on Lazlo's slight laugh and changed expression, and not just that; the emotion showing on his usual glued on facade, it wasn't such a negative thing: not at all.

"It feels good to be home, Snowe."

End notes: I may or may not continue this. Comments and constructive criticism are welcome. ^.^