Author's Notes: Celsius009 doesn't own Tales of Symphonia. Pass it on.

Also, this takes place towards the end of the game, but before the final battle and all that jazz.

Lover's Day

Chapter 1: Lover's Eve

The morning's sun bathed the sleeping party in a golden light that sprawled across the plains, warming all it touched. While Raine normally opposed resting in such open grounds, the others convinced her that this close to Meltokio there was almost no danger of being attacked by any real threat.

Zelos' eyes snapped open when he sensed light. He had been night watch (beginning to doze), but was suddenly most awake and active due to unknown forces.

"Wake up bumpkins and beauties!" he shouted, "Let my luscious voice guide you to another glorious day with the greatest, most handsome, sexiest–"

"Shut up, idiot!" Sheena had been the first awake, being a light sleeper. And the last thing she wished to start her day with, or any day for that matter, was anything that remotely reminded her of her least favorite person. Unfortunately nothing quite embodied the essence of Zelos more than…well, Zelos. Slowly getting to her feet, she was immediately embraced by him.

"Aww, I just knew my hottest hunny would be the first to come to my voice. You really–"

The embrace lasted about as long as it took for her to realize it was happening. This was not long.

Lloyd was next to awaken to the sounds of violence and the unmistakable cry of a woman in distress. Standing quickly, shaking the grogginess from his mind and ignoring the gray fuzz surrounding his vision from rising too hastily, he looked around to see who was in trouble. His mind relaxing when he saw it was only Zelos, being thoroughly trounced by an infuriated Sheena. He chuckled as he walked over, doubting very much the Chosen didn't have it coming.

"Sheena, are you alright? I thought I heard screaming." Lloyd asked, throwing a quick glance at the hand that just grasped his ankle.

"L-Lloyd…Hel…p!" Zelos cried as he attempted to crawl away.

Sheena performed an acrobatic jump, landing in perfect form, feet planting themselves into the back of Zelos' head, driving him into the ground. She then looked at Lloyd, confused. "Huh? I don't think I – Oh…That was him." She giggled.

"I only wanted to show my affection for my Lover on this glorious day." Zelos said, muffled slightly through the grass. This earned him a hard kick to the side.

"I am not, your Lover!!" Sheena screamed. "Nor will…I ever…be your…'hunny'!" she added between kicks.

"But, it's Lover's Day tomorrow! I didn't want you to be alone! I was looking out for you!" Zelos yelled, cringing for another attack only to have it miss completely.

"Lover's Day? What's that?" Lloyd asked curiously, looking from Zelos, eyes shut tight to brace himself, to Sheena, who had gone slightly red and was avoiding his eyes.

"Oh um…I guess they don't have it in Sylvarant. It is a Tethe'allan holiday after all…" Sheena said, still not looking at him. Focusing instead on glaring at Zelos, she continued, "It's a day for couples and…well Lovers – hence the name. I don't remember when or how it started, but it's celebrated once every year. In the bigger places like Meltokio, the whole city gets into it."

"So what about the people without a lover? What do they do all day? Can they pair off with another non-coupled-person?" Lloyd asked. He had many questions regarding this matter.

Sheena could feel her face growing redder just by talking about this with him. She was about to think of an excuse to leave when Zelos spoke.

"Are you kidding Lloyd?" He seemed to make an instantaneous full recovery, uncurling from his ball form to lie on the grass, resting his head on a forearm. "Everybody celebrates it! And the only bit of history you need concern yourself with is that of love..." he said, closing his eyes, "There's nothing like seeing that one lonely hunny without anyone else all by herself. So vulnerable…so insecure…Ah! Not that I'm doing that this year. This year, I only belong to you, Sheena…Sheena?"

Lloyd looked around to see where the ninja had slipped off to, only to hear a crack behind him. Turning quickly, he saw Zelos again in a fetal position as Sheena clubbed him repeatedly with a large branch from a nearby tree.

Stupid, Stupid, Idiot Chosen!! If there's one thing I don't need it's you giving Lloyd the wrong idea! She thought angrily, determined to beat him within an inch of his life this time.

Deciding it might be best if he wasn't anywhere near an angry woman swinging wildly at the man on the ground with a heavy blunt instrument, Lloyd made a quiet exit back to the camp. By now the others had awoken, a few throwing a short gaze at the commotion before returning to their morning activities.

Presea and Colette talked about something in hushed voices while collecting wood for a small cooking fire. Colette giggling from time to time while Presea sported a rare smile.

Raine completely ignored the noise, choosing instead to read up on Tethe'alla holidays and their histories.

Regal and Genis went about preparing a breakfast, gathering ingredients and making small talk.

"Did you hear what Zelos said, about Lover's Day?" the young boy asked unabashedly. He immediately regretted bringing it up after seeing the look of sadness that entered the grown man's eyes. "I'm sorry," He muttered quickly. "We can talk about something else."

"No, it's fine Genis. It was a long time ago, and I must be able to talk about such things without a heavy heart…" Regal spoke with a far off look in his eyes, but consolidated and turned his attention to the young half-elf. "Yes, I did hear. It's an important holiday and significant to Tethe'alla culture. Though it's not a day of coincidence."

Genis was now puzzled. "Aren't all holidays based around specific events or seasons?"

"For most, that is indeed the case. However there really is something magical about this one. Many have searched their entire lives for love, given up the search, and then found it on this very day. Some unexplainable force that comes once a year, that day, brings people together to find happiness with one another. It truly is a mystery…" Regal closed his eyes and brought his hands up so one could thoughtfully stroke his chin.

"Wow, is that really true?" Colette had joined them, Presea in tow carrying all the wood, her emerald green eyes barely peeking over the stack.

"Yes, indeed it is. I know, because it was the day I met Alicia." Regal said with a faint smile. "Now if you would help Presea start a fire, Colette. I don't think she can very well strike a flint in her current position...Colette."

Colette squeaked and rushed to help Presea. She had been distracted watching Lloyd training some distance away.

Another effeminate cry rang through the camp.

"Sounds like Zelos is still getting it…" Genis said, taking a break from washing vegetables to watch the wooden club splinter in two at the last blow, turning the shorter half (still being wielded by Sheena) into a lighter, but considerably faster weapon.

"If he would cease giving her fuel for her fire, he wouldn't find himself in this situation so frequently." Regal commented, closing his eyes with an irritated look on his face.

"But I think…she might really like him deep down." Genis contemplated out loud. "Y'know, like the whole: Opposites attract, sorta thing."

At this Regal gave a real smile. "No…I believe she has eyes for another man…" he said, following her gaze from where she stood taking a breather to the training swordsman, swiping and slashing the air in front of him. And it's likely he feels the same towards her…he just can't place his feelings yet…He sighed. It was only a matter of time.

They get longer, I promise hehe.

Hope you enjoyed , until next time!