~Notes: This is the only one-shot that's not angst. And, it's inspired by that "Raine's Sick" side quest…because Mithos is so gawd-dang weird. I'll show what I mean in another fic I'll post soon that's my interpretation of how strange and obsessive I think he is (OMG, fic-whoring in another fic!!!11!!).
~Disclaimer: ಠ_ಠ Don't. Own. Tales of Symphonia.
Enjoy!
~"Bellum"~
-War-
Eerie.
That was the best word Lloyd could think of to describe the odd and sudden silence that followed when amber eyes met beryl ones. The leaves rustling in the faint breeze seemed to have halted, for the wind had stilled. And Lloyd would swear --if anyone asked-- that even the birds that were previously chirping merrily had stopped their hymns mid-melody.
It was a simple conversation that started this quiet conflict, one that didn't even include his "combatant". Genis had only asked Lloyd if it was he who helped rescue him and Mithos on the path to Raine's cure. He tried to play it off as if he had been by his teacher's side the entire time, but his best friend could tell what really happened. It was obvious that Genis would know; he knew Lloyd like the back of his hand since they had been friends for so long. It was a plain fact that Lloyd would never let any of his companions go anywhere by themselves --even after he was asked not to go along-- because he cared far too much. In conclusion, the brunet had no choice but to admit to assisting the half elves. Satisfied with that, the silver-haired boy thanked his best friend for his help with a cheery smile before going on his way outdoors. It was there where he was greeted warmly by a gently smiling Mithos. Genis chatted away as the two turned around and prepared to leave. Lloyd, wanting to give his teacher time to recover, followed the two outside to relax and wander around aimlessly, but was not greeted in the same way.
Mithos undoubtedly witnessed the two whispering and smiling at something he must have interpreted as a secret. As soon as he caught Lloyd's gaze, Mithos narrowed his eyes at the brunet, specks of irritation and envy glinting in them. His previously childlike features transformed into that of an angry cobra's when a mysteriously familiar look of disapproval and disgust crossed his frowning face. Mithos snaked a possessive arm behind Genis' back and around the boy's shoulders, his fingers curling around the bone like coils of steel. A million and one things seemed to be going through his mind as he coldly stared Lloyd down, and none of them could possibly have been good. The hairs on the back of the older teen's neck stood on end like porcupine quills while tingles of discomfort ran through his body. Lloyd already overheard that the younger boy was slightly uncomfortable with the relationship Genis shared with him. However, he had no idea he would take part in such a strange silent confrontation because of it.
Then, suddenly, it was over; in the blink of an eye, the snap of a finger, the transfixion was broken and the stagnant atmosphere of spite lost its tension. As if nothing happened, the blonde turned his head away and the pair started to slowly depart. Genis didn't glance back once, being innocent of the brief ordeal.
A firm hand put upon Lloyd's own shoulder broke into his thoughts. He looked over to see that the hand belonged to none other than Zelos, whose face was very close to Lloyd's at that point.
"Y'know what this means, right, Bud?" he whispered, his syrupy words swirling around Lloyd's ear. When the red-clad teen shook his head in response, he continued sharply. "'War'."
The monosyllabic word echoed in Lloyd's head as turned it back to face forward. He watched the fleeting figures of Mithos and Genis as his facial features morphing into a dumbfounded expression.
Quickly letting go, Zelos laughed loudly, straight into Lloyd's eardrum, causing him to wince and smack his hand over his potentially damaged eardrum. He groaned and gritted his teeth as his ears rang painfully.
War? He pondered. How…fitting.
~End Notes: Very short, but if it were any longer, it'd seem like I'm constantly shoving my point in your face.
*And yes, I know the third sentence in the second paragraph is technically wrong in terms of events* --that is if you remember every detail of that sidequest. If not, ignore me. Still, I hope you enjoyed this little one-shot (yeah, I say that a lot, but it's only the truth). Thank you for reading! Please review, too...
