Like Father, Like Son

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Title: Bedtime Story

Summary: Bedtime story chronicles: Bear the Lion.

Rating: K

A/N: Idea suggested by Ranchdressing through chapter eight's poll prize. Inspired by the song, "We Are One" from the Lion King: Return to Pride Rock, sung by, ironically, Cam Clarke, the same VA for Kratos. I highly suggest it for anyone in the oyako mood, especially imagining Charity Sanoy as a young Lloyd singing back to his father. It's wonderful. I wish I could make a flash for it, but I don't know how to work flash… Anyway. Bedtime Story; short and sweet. :)

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"Settle down, Lloyd. You won't get your story unless you settle down."

"Story? You gonna tell me a bedtime story, Daddy?"

"If you lie down in your bed and be quiet, then yes, I'll tell you a story."

The conditional of his father's offer entirely ignored, Lloyd let out a shrill, happy scream before racing down the hall of their rented Izoold home. Kratos cringed as his son landed a flying jump kick straight into the door to his bedroom. Damage to the house could seriously cost them, and at this point, money was one of the things they could barely hold onto. Moreover, Lloyd was horribly small for his age, both in height and weight. A move like that could deal more damage to the boy than the door.

With a boisterous triumphant cackle, Lloyd dashed off into his room, where other disconcerting thuds and slams could be heard. Kratos sighed, following him in. "Lloyd, I've told you time and time again not to do that." His voice hardened, flat lining into a dangerous monotone. "Lloyd, I said stop. Now."

He practically froze, looking at his father timidly with wide, petrified eyes. His voice couldn't have been louder than a whisper as he said, "…I'sorry, Daddy..."

Kratos gritted his teeth together. He had made the mistake of using the same tone of voice with Lloyd as he would use in more difficult situations—horrifying situations of which Lloyd had unwillingly been a part. He regretted his choice of tone immediately and was quick to change it to a warmer, softer pitch. "It's alright. Come here, Lloyd."

Hesitant at first, the boy ran to his father's side in an instant, the tips of his brown hair barely surpassing his father's knee. Kratos picked him up, carrying him to his toddler sized bed where he sat down with him as Lloyd clung tightly around his neck. He was shaking quietly, still haunted by the memories surfaced by the sound of his father's voice.

For a moment, the two sat in silence. Lloyd finding refuge in his father's arms from the unforgettable scenes replaying in his three-year-old memory. Kratos, weary from a long day, unable to forgive himself for the tone he had used with his son, praying the terrible memories would fade away as the years went on.

Gently, he pulled Lloyd away from him, still holding him at the boy's arm length. "Lloyd, do you know where your lion is?"

"…Bear…" He repeated wistfully, crawling over to the other side of his bed to grab Bear by the tail. He dragged it back with him into his father's lap where he snuggled the stuffed lion against Kratos' chest.

"Lloyd, do you remember what Bear the Lion stands for?" Kratos asked, gently moving the boy's head to look up at him.

"Bear is brave," Lloyd murmured, tucking his head back into the soft plush lion, "and strong and courage…"

Kratos nodded. "Do you want me to tell you a story about Bear?"

Lloyd nodded.

He paused, piecing together a story in his mind. "…Once upon a time, there existed a small bear cub who roamed the world in search of—"

"But Bear's a lion, Daddy…" Lloyd interrupted shyly.

Kratos paused once more. "…That's right. Thank you, Lloyd." Why Lloyd had chosen to name his stuffed lion "Bear" after a stray dog Anna had nicknamed "Bearington" was beyond him. "...Once upon a time, there existed a small lion cub named Bear who roamed the world in search of a family… A war, however, caused Bear to be seen as a wild monster, and he was chased out of every town in order to keep the townspeople safe.

" Grieving over his exile, Bear disappeared deep into a forest. He cried out to anyone who would listen, 'You must not fear me, for if I should grow up without love, I shall turn into the monster you so fear.' A brave boy heard his cries and courageously headed deep into the forest where he found the Bear the lion cub alone. And that marked the beginning of Bear's new life… with his new friend and family.

"Do you know what the boy's name was?" Kratos asked him softly.

Chocolate eyes peeking over the stuffed lion's fluffy mane, Lloyd shook his head.

"His name… was Lloyd," he answered, tousling the boy's hair. "And Bear's very happy to be here with you. He's very grateful that you were brave enough to come and save him from being sad and lonely."

Lloyd beamed, squeezing Bear tightly. He crawled off his father's lap and over to his spot on the bed, trying to cover himself with the blankets while keeping his hold on Bear. Kratos stood and helped him, tucking him under the quilts and tousling his hair a final time before he extinguished the candle illuminating the toddler's room.

"…Daddy?" he heard Lloyd mumble sleepily as he made his way to the door.

"Yes, Lloyd?"

"Can you tell me a story 'bout Noishy too?"

"Tomorrow. Good night, Lloyd."

"Good night, Daddy."

He dreamed wonderful dreams that night.