Really short, which is odd for me. Oh well. I hope you enjoy it.
Summary: Kratos knew his son was young, but desperate times call for desperate measures, despite Anna's disagreement. He wanted his son to be able to protect himself and the sooner he learned, the better.
Teaching:
"No they aren't."
"Yes they are, Lloyd."
"They are?"
"Yes."
Kratos smiled gently as he watched his son's eyes grow wider around, full of anticipation and fear. His little fists clung to his little shorts, his little legs splayed out to either side. Noishe curled around the boy, his large head protectively close, but the indifferen protozoan only twitched an ear to Lloyd's shaky little voice.
"Daddy, you're lying."
The little pout, his large brown eyes furrowing slightly as he frowned uncertainly at his father. Kratos chuckled and shook his head, shifting his arm to his propped up knee, leaning towards him slightly. His hair moved slightly with his motion, passing over his eyes and he watched Lloyd squirm nervously, his little hands clutching at Noishe's tail, pulling it onto his lap. The protozoan wuffed softly, but kept his eyes close. He knew the boy was in no real danger.
"I am not, Lloyd," Kratos frowned. "Do you remember seeing it on my sword?"
Lloyd's face twisted a bit, his head tilting to the side in thought as he struggled to conjure up the memory. Kratos was patient. As long as he had the boy's attention, he didn't mind.
"The red stuff?" Lloyd hesitate, looking up at him with large eyes. He was so innocent, so naive. Kratos knew the truth would be hard for him to learn, but he'd have to learn it eventually. It was for his own good and in times like these, lessons were best learned easy.
Kratos nodded, smiling weakly. "Yes, Lloyd. The red stuff."
His little eyes looked up at him, imploringly. He was ready to learn, despite Anna's protests.
"Lloyd, do you know why it's on my sword?"
His son shifted a bit, his eyes moving to the sword laying on the ground, the stains still evident on the blade. "Cause it's...scary?"
Kratos nods seriously. "Yes, and evil. They are bad and swords are used to protect people from evil things. Do you understand?"
Lloyd nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Daddy."
Kratos smiled warmly, ruffling his son's head. "Alright, now why don't you try?"
He handed him a stick, helping his son to his feet. His little legs scuffed on the ground, looking at the foe. It was an easy target. Kratos had chosen it large and kept it steady, so it was simple for him to hit. As he grew older, he would find his own ways to eliminate them, but for now, Kratos just wanted to get the point across.
Lloyd gripped the stick and just about swung when Anna's shouts erupted, startling Lloyd and making him stumble back and plop onto the ground with a soft 'oof'.
Kratos stiffened and quickly gathered the evidence and slipped the stick out of Lloyd's hands, tossing them into the bush, ignoring the confused look on his son's face.
"Daddy?"
"Kratos Aurion!" Anna glared from the doorway of the house.
Kratos picked Lloyd up, glancing back at her, his mouth tight and Lloyd patted his cheek a bit, curious. "Daddy? What's wrong?"
"Your mother's mad, Lloyd." Kratos said anxiously, watching as Anna stormed over to them, wielding a wooden spoon.
"How come?" Lloyd looked up at him.
"Well—" he glanced over at the bush and his red stained sword.
"What have you done with all the tomatoes, Kratos!"
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