Well, that took time... actually, it's been written for over a week, but it wasn't typed... (I usually type directly, but this one was written at university...), and I was way too tired to do it, because I've been having both university and health issues. But tonight I'm alone at home, and i took my courage and typed it, ebcause some people, including Harmony-chan, have been patiently waiting for it... and actually NOT pestering me but just giving encouragement... so to all my reviewers, I LOVE YA ALL, you saved my day more than once.

Actually, this is a present to you reviewers, since it's a prompt that was given to me in one of the early reviews... I have to check out who it was, but thanks a lot to that person! I will use more of them if you do give me ideas

So, now to the fic itself...

This is the longest yet... thought the "evil Sheena "one might be as long, if not longer... (the ones who talk with me a lot will know what "evil Sheena" is... the others will see when it's up). ANd it's the first time I do an actual scene. Thought it'd be a nice change, and anyways, it's always good to have variety, otherwise it becomes too easy if you always stick to a style.

The title is "cookies", but to be more accurate, it should be "expensive pastries out of Meltokio's most fancy bakery"... But that was a bit long '

And yeah, I decided that with his mind and who his sister is, Genis understands Zelos's jokes, unlike Lloyd. I wasn't sure about it, but it was necessary to get the atmosphere I wanted, and admit it, he probably DOES understand them.

So, here comes the disclaimer... I do not own ToS.

Warning: shonen ai, large age difference... And several rather... Zelosish jokes. Good thing I rated this T in the first place :p

Good reading

Cookies

"Sis, please!"

"No, Genis, you're noticeable enough without having to lean against someone, and you need to let that ankle heal. Tomorrow we set out again, and you'll need to be able to walk and fight. I've healed you as much as possible, now you need rest."

Genis was totally downcast. They had decided to rest for a day in Meltokio before setting out again to go fight Volt. Under Genis and Lloyd's constant pestering, Raine had agreed to a sightseeing trip around the royal city, as long as they stayed out of sight of the palace. Unfortunately for Genis, thought, he had been too happy about it and had been careless enough to let a snake come from behind. It had bitten him on the ankle, slicing right through the Achilles' tendon.

Which was why he was now doomed to stay in Zelos's mansion while Lloyd urged a slightly reluctant Sheena and an unreacting Presea out of the door. Genis was mad at missing the fun. But the real reason for his desperate insistence was elsewhere.

"Sis…" he asked again, using his last resort technique of what Lloyd called 'the puppy eyes of doom' to try and move her. "Don't leave me with him!"

"Why, but you should be happy to stay with such a gorgeous specimen as me!" drawled the Chosen as he entered the room from a side door. He put one arm around one of Genis's shoulders and leant above the other, obviously intent on making him mad. "Or is it you're scared you won't stand the comparison?"

"Behave, Zelos", called Raine as Genis clenched teeth and fists. The Chosen released him and moved back a step, smirking.

"As much as I'd love to rid you of him, he's way too conspicuous to come with us. He can't move around without being recognised. Besides… "she paused," having you here is a good idea… at least you can check he doesn't slip out while we're away."

"And since when am I the idiot Chosen's babysitter?" asked a truly desperate Genis. "Why don't you ask Regal?"

"I still don't completely trust him…" she sighed. "Genis, I'm sorry but this decision is final."

She hugged him briefly and walked towards the door, calling "Zelos, you'd better behave or I'll take care of you myself!" as she left.

ooooo

" 'Take care of me', huh? Coming from the Professor, that should be interesting", leered Zelos's voice from behind him. Genis turned and cast him a glare that made the Chosen recoil and go sit on one of the sofas, trying to relax and look unaffected by the aura of hate that radiated off the half-elf.

Guess there's nothing I can do against it… Might as well keep myself occupied…

With a last glare in the Chosen's general direction, Genis went to the room he shared with Raine, grabbed a book and let himself fall on his bed, leaving the door open so he could hear what Zelos was up to. To his great dismay, however, he needn't have bothered. He had been reading blissfully for five minutes, leaning on his stomach and propped on his elbows, when the redhead invaded the room.

"What the hell are you doing here?" sighed the mage, not moving his eyes from the book.

"I was bored", complained Zelos, sitting on the side of the bed.

"Oh woe, how are we going to survive?" leered Genis, still ignoring him. "Either grab a book of your own or make yourself useful, for once, for example by preparing something to eat for tomorrow…"

"Awww, won't you talk to me?"

Silence.

"Oh, come on, Genis, why do you have to be so cold?" he asked, this time with a more honest tone.

Surprised at being called by his actual name, Genis leaned on his left side to face the Chosen, finally acknowledging his presence. The redhead was looking at him with a rather convincing imitation of his puppy eyes technique. He sighed.

"Look here, Zelos…" he started with a more patient tone. "It's been hectic these last days and I've never had the chance to read… So since I can't run around the city, I'd at least like to be able to finish this…"

"What's it about?"

Genis shrugged.

"Random novel… I need the distraction."

Zelos nodded in understanding. Though they didn't let it show, he knew being on Tethe'alla, where they were considered less than human, was hard on Raine and Genis's nerves. Raine was always tense and alert, and as for Genis, Lloyd had told Zelos that he felt cut out since that arrest in Sybac, as if the half-elf rejected him to keep both of them safe.

Genis, encouraged by the silence, had turned back to his novel, dutifully ignoring the Chosen once more. Zelos stayed for a few minutes, but when it became obvious he would get nothing more out of the half-elf, he sighed and stood up, heading back downstairs.

ooooo

An hour later, in which the only sound coming from Genis's room was the turning of pages, Zelos started to be thoroughly depressed. He was bored to death, mostly, but he had to admit that the cold indifference he got from Genis hurt. Zelos thrived on attention, he needed it as much as he needed air to breathe. While fighting with Genis was all right with him, even enjoyable, being totally ignored was something he didn't like in the least. Thinking of a way to make his day worthwhile, he suddenly smirked as an idea struck him. He stood up and went off to find Sebastian, whistling at having found a way to both get Genis's attention and his revenge on the others for keeping him cooped up while they were having fun.

ooooo

It had been quite some time since he'd had time to read, reflected Genis as he devoured his novel. In Iselia, I'd read whenever I wasn't at school or playing with Lloyd and Colette… Or over at the ranch to see Marble, he conceded darkly. Maybe I should have stayed and read that first day… Then she wouldn't have died and we wouldn't have been banished… But then, what would have happened to Colette and Raine…

He was deep in thought, his book forgotten, when Zelos's voice called from downstairs.

"Geniiiiiiiiiiiiis! You might want to come down!"

He hesitated. It would be better to ignore the redhead, but he wouldn't put it past him to come up to make sure he'd heard.

"No, thanks!" he shouted back.

"Too bad for you!"

Genis rolled his eyes and went back to his book, but within two minutes his mouth was watering with the smell of hot pastry that was drifting through the open door. Finally dropping his efforts to stay concentrated, he closed his book rather harshly and set for the downstairs living room.

ooooo

"Oh, I thought you didn't want any…" leered Zelos, who was half-sitting, half-lying on the sofa.

"Oh, shut up", said Genis, reaching for a small cherry pie. He never caught it, however, since when his hand was only centimetres away, Zelos whipped the box from under his fingers.

Genis crossed his arms and sighed.

"All right, what do you want?"

"A lot of things, actually, but I doubt you could take away my title, so if we stick to the matter at hand… sit down and listen to me, ok? I have an idea that I think you'll like."

Cursing his sweet tooth and despising himself for allowing himself to be bribed by cakes, Genis sat on the armchair opposite the Chosen and took the now reachable cherry pie, taking a small bite before whistling in awe.

"Wow, I don't know who baked this, but it's awesome! Adding ginger to enhance the taste of the cherry…"

Zelos chuckled, a laugh rather close to a giggle, which would have made Genis smirk and comment if he hadn't been too busy glaring at the Chosen instead.

"What's so funny?"

"You reacted just like your sister when she finds a new ruin."

Genis looked at him blankly for a few seconds, before bursting out laughing, a clear laugh that Zelos had never heard before.

"It seems I'm doomed, then… Do me a favour, if I ever hug an oven like she did with that vase back in Balacruf, kill me to put me out of my misery, ok?"

This time it was Zelos's turn to laugh. Genis smiled, and helped himself to a toffee and nut tartlet.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

"Oh, yeah… I guess you're as mad as me at being left behind while the others are having fun, right?"

"You bet!"

"Well, here's the plan… the way things are going, I bet sooner or later we'll end up in Al Tamira, so what I suggest is… when we do, we give Cold Beauty the slip and I use my knowledge of the place to get us both to the theme park. This way you go get some fresh air on the roller coaster while I flirt with those cute bunny girls in peace."

Genis looked at him, disbelief clear in his eyes.

"Let me get this straight… you are treating me to a theme park ride?"

Zelos smirked, which caused Genis to look away, whispering "How sick can you get". Then he coughed lightly and continued.

"Well, it'd be a dream occasion to piss off your sister, wouldn't it? But mostly, yeah, I just want to make it even. Plus, it never hurts to have a bit of fun. So, are you with me?"

Genis stayed silent for a second, before suddenly smiling.

"Done. A day in the theme park is worth being hit by Raine when I come back. I warn you, though, I will probably blame the whole idea on you."

"Go ahead… I'm very interested in the Professor's reaction."

Genis scowled.

"Honestly, will you ever take that perverted mind of yours out of the gutter?"

"Nope!" claimed the Chosen with a large smile.

To tell the truth, I'd have preferred to have Harmony-chan beta this one, but time was kinda short... So tell me if there are any mistakes. nearly wrote "concuspicious" instead of "conspicuous", which ALSO applies to Zelos but doesn't really fit int he context... '

Review if you liked it