"Boat!" the little voice piped, "Boat, Dada, boat!"
Kratos smiled at the little red shoes hanging over his shoulders and then shot a side glance at his son. The little boy clapped his hands excitedly as he sat on his father's shoulders staring at the large ship in front of him. He let out a giggle that resembled a shriek. Smiling, Kratos shook his head and looked away from his precious child. The kid was helpless. Everything was boats. Boat toys, boat shoes, boat books – boats! Kratos knew that his son would be delighted to explore the harbor of Palmacoasta. Lloyd had been gurgling and screaming in amusement the entire day. He could only imagine what the boy would think of the ships in Tete'alla.
"Boat!" the boy giggled again giving Kratos' red hair a sharp tug.
"Lloyd." Kratos said sternly, the boy released his deadly grip.
"Sawy." The boy murmured quietly before quickly clapping his hands again and swinging his feet. Kratos grabbed the small child's ankles to keep him from tumbling off of his shoulders.
"On!?" Lloyd questioned, pointing his chubby finger at the massive vessel before him.
Kratos let out a sigh and tilted his head towards his son.
"What do we say?" Kratos asked.
Kratos felt his heart melt as two little hands placed themselves on his cheeks. He felt the plump fingers begin to stroke his smooth face.
"Pwease, Dada?" Lloyd begged.
Kratos was grateful he could not see his son's large brown eyes – the only trait he seemed to have inherited from his father. Lloyd's brown hair, personality, and ability to make Kratos succumb to his almost every whim, well, that all came from Anna. At first, Kratos had been slightly disappointed that his son had not inherited his mother's deep green eyes as well, but the emotions was soon replaced with pride. He was proud Lloyd shared his eyes – it was proof that Lloyd belonged to him. Lloyd was his.
"Very well." Kratos said, as he began to walk towards the large ship.
"Yay!" Lloyd yelled into his father's ear. Kratos grimaced at the sudden noise then laughed quietly to himself as the young boy began to sing.
"Boat! Boat! Boat! Boat!"
Kratos was brought back out his memory by Lloyd calling his name; Lloyd had just finished telling him about his dream to sail the world on a ship after the World Regeneration. He recalled how the conversation had started: Lloyd had asked him how much mercenaries could make. He finally decided
"Good. That is a good dream." Kratos said, smiling at the boy. He earnestly hoped that the young, optimistic boy would have the chance to accomplish that dream. He wished it with all his heart.
Lloyd chuckled nervously and casually placed his hand behind his head and spoke again.
"Yeah, but in order to do that, the world needs to be at peace, right?"
Kratos nodded solemnly.
"But if the world is at peace, that means mercenaries will be out of a job, right?"
Kratos again nodded.
Lloyd let out small thinking hmm, then suddenly snapped his fingers and gave Kratos a knowing look, "Well, if that happens, then you can come on the boat I build!"
Kratos felt his lips twitch in surprise, he was grateful his shaggy hair could cover most of his features. He glanced over at his son, who was beaming at him. Kratos' felt a deep itching feeling scratch at his heart.
How desperately he wanted to say yes -but he couldn't.
How obligated he was to say no – but he couldn't.
"Boat!" the little voice called to him again through a memory. He smiled.
The words finally came to him, the fell from his mouth easily like water trickling down a stream.
He smirked back at the glowing boy, "I'll think about it."
And he did. Every day.