Warning: slight spoilers. Read only if you don't mind or are about to return to Hima after a visit to the unicorn.

Disclaimer: Rallalon does not own Tales of Symphonia or any of its characters, places, or items.

………

"Genis…"

There was no reply from the sleeping elf.

Oh well, it had been worth a shot. "Can't sleep…" Lloyd muttered, irritated. Maybe it was the thought of Colette being unable to that made him as well. But he didn't really want to think about that.

But there was nothing else to do! His mind was unusually crowded as he stared up at the stars. Well, they were on their way back to Hima, where Raine could heal… what was his name again? And then after that, they would depart for the Tower of Salvation. It was almost all over…

Giving up the fight for sleep, Lloyd took a peek at the Mercenary on watch duty. Maybe he should ask if Kratos wanted a break…

The words refused to come, leaving Lloyd studying the other man. Things had been strange with him lately. Knowing about summon spirits and unicorns, having Desians know his name… He wondered about that. Kratos was loyal to them; that was a given. Kratos was mysterious; that was also a given.

"What is it, Lloyd?"

How had he known he was awake? "Uh, nothing really."

Kratos gave a sleeping Noishe a pat and turned his gaze on the younger swordsman. "Then go to sleep."

"Can't." And all this talking was only making him more awake. "You want me to take the rest of the watch for you?"

Wordlessly, Kratos shook his head.

Silence filled the air, broken only by the sound of the fire eating away at its fuel. As the fire died down and Kratos rose to fetch more wood, Lloyd could stand the quiet no longer.

"Kratos?"

The other turned to face him, arms crossed and his head tilted slightly to the side, as was his wont when listening to someone. "What is it, Lloyd?" he asked for the second time that night.

"What are you going to do after this?"

If that wasn't what Kratos was expecting, he showed no sign. "Depends. What are you planning on?"

"Well, I was thinking…" Lloyd began, well aware that Genis would take a crack at those words when coming from him, "if I can't get back in Iselia after this…" He paused, half hoping Kratos would interrupt.

He didn't.

"Maybe, uh, I could be a mercenary too. And, um, if you didn't mind…" Working with Kratos would be cool, beyond cool. The man was a teacher that Lloyd actually wanted to learn from and an older brother in addition. He could be a bit annoying at times, but wasn't that the way older brothers were? Despite his few quirks, like his reaction to anyone standing behind him, he was worthy of being admired, and admire him Lloyd did.

Kratos let out something that could've either been a sigh or a soft laugh. "If that is the way you feel, after all of this is over, then perhaps…"

"But won't Lloyd be able to return to Iselia?"

"Oh, hey, Colette," Lloyd greeted her as the Chosen floated back into camp, having taken the task of firewood for herself. "I was just planning for… in case."

"But Lloyd will be able to return to Iselia, right?" she asked Kratos. "I mean, after assisting me, they should let him and Genis come back."

He shrugged. "It's probable they'll allow them," Kratos admitted. "But going back is a decision Lloyd has to make for himself. No matter what choices a person makes, he'll always be letting something go."

"I know…" Colette echoed sadly.

Lloyd frowned. Was she getting upset about losing her humanity again? Maybe with wasn't the best topic for Colette.

"But what do you mean, if that's how I feel?"

Kratos seemed to hesitate for a moment, but it might've been Lloyd's imagination. "To put it bluntly, your enthusiasm has a tendency to dwindle half way through."

"Don't worry, Kratos. It won't."

Kratos didn't seem too assured.