Chapter 11: Epilogue (part 1)

I don't own Tales of Symphonia.


Two weeks went by and the couple had settled into a comfortable routine: Zelos would go to the castle most days to work with the King on new legislation protecting half-elves, while Lloyd scoured the city in search of Exspheres.

While some minor details were being worked out, Zelos wasn't required at the castle and accompanied Lloyd on his searches. Every night, the two would cuddle and passionately make out, but Lloyd was hesitant to sleep with Zelos or to do more and Zelos respected that and was content to wait.

They decided to visit all of their friends and see what they were up to.

"Let's visit everyone tomorrow." Lloyd said, sitting on the couch with Zelos.

"Tomorrow? Sure, I don't have to go to the castle tomorrow." Zelos said.

"Great!" Lloyd said, smiling.

"Lloyd…" Zelos said.

"Yeah?" Lloyd asked.

"I think we should tell them." Zelos said.

"Tell them what?" Lloyd asked, confused.

"About us. About our relationship." Zelos said.

"Oh. Yeah, I guess you're right." Lloyd said.

Zelos grinned. "Okay, so we'll tell them tomorrow!"

The next day, they rose and readied for the trips they would make. They decided to head to Altamira first, to see Regal and Presea. Once there, they went to the Lezareno Company and found out that both Regal and Presea were at the Sky Terrace. They took the lift up, holding hands.

"Regal! Presea!" Lloyd yelled.

The two turned and grinned when they saw their friends.

"Lloyd! Zelos! What a nice surprise!" Regal said.

Lloyd and Zelos walked over to the other two.

"Yeah, we came to see how you guys are doing!" Lloyd said.

Presea smiled. "We are good, Lloyd. How goes your search?"

"It's tough but I'm working on it." Lloyd said.

"And Zelos? Any luck with the legislation?" Regal asked.

"The council is very resistant to change, but the King and I are slowly wearing them down." Zelos answered.

"That is great to hear." Regal said.

"Yup. By the way, Lloyd and I are a couple." Zelos said, shocking everyone.

"Zelos! You could've waited a little before saying that!" Lloyd said.

"Aw, don't be embarrassed, bud." Zelos said, giving Lloyd a quick kiss. Lloyd turned bright red, but took hold of Zelos' hand and faced Regal and Presea.

They were both grinning at them.

"I'm happy for you two." Regal said.

"Yes. I hope you are happy together." Presea said.

"You're… okay with it?" Lloyd asked.

"Of course. If you really like each other, I don't see a problem with you being together." Regal said, Presea nodding along.

"Guys… thanks!" Lloyd said. "So what's going on with you?"

After an hour of catching up with Regal and Presea, Lloyd and Zelos left and headed for Mizuho to visit Sheena. Landing on the outskirts of the village, Zelos fidgeted with his Rheaird, obviously stalling.

"What's the matter, Zelos?" Lloyd asked, going to him and taking his hand.

Zelos smiled weakly. "Just nervous, I guess. Sheena's one of my best friends…"

"Then she'll be glad that you're happy." Lloyd said matter-of-factly.

Zelos sighed, squeezing Lloyd's hand. "You're right. Let's go." He said.

The two walked into the village, greeting several of the ninjas they had come to know during their journey, and found out that Sheena was at her house.

They went to it and knocked on the front panel.

"Yeah, I'm coming!" Sheena yelled from inside. A few moments later, she opened the panel and grinned in surprise at her friends.

"Hey, Zelos, Lloyd! What're you guys doing here?" Sheena asked, ushering them inside.

As they were seated in her living area, Lloyd said: "We came to see how you were doing."

"I'm good, busy though. I've been helping the Chief with the logistics of moving the village. What about you guys?" Sheena said.

"I'm working with the King to pass some half-elf reforms. Progress is slow, but we'll get there." Zelos said, smiling.

"And I'm searching for the remaining Exspheres, like I said I would." Lloyd said.

"Way to go, guys." Sheena said, smiling.

"Heh. Thanks. Actually, we have something to tell you." Lloyd said.

"Oh yeah? Well, what is it?" Sheena asked.

Lloyd looked at Zelos, who was suddenly very interested with the floor. He smiled at his boyfriend, then turned to Sheena and answered, "Zelos and I are together."

"Together?" Sheena asked, looking between the two.

"Yeah. As in, a couple. We're dating." Lloyd said.

"No way! Zelos, the great Chosen, not with his hunnies?" Sheena said in disbelief.

Zelos finally looked up at her. "Believe it. I really care about him, Sheena, and I really hope you can accept that."

"Wow. I thought you guys were just friends... When did this happen?" Sheena asked.

"Um… well, I guess officially in Flanoir, but…" Lloyd said.

"We've felt something since we first met." Zelos finished.

Sheena shook her head, still in shock.

"Please Sheena, say something." Zelos begged.

"I'm just in shock. I never pictured you together. But if you're happy, then I'm okay with it." Sheena said.

"Really?" Zelos asked.

"Really. You guys are my best friends. Of course I want you to be happy!" Sheena said.

Zelos laughed, his face lighting up. "Thanks, Sheena." He said.

Lloyd grinned and reached over to claim Zelos' hand. Sheena blinked, then smiled at them.

"So, you two living together?" She asked.

Lloyd's grin widened. "Yeah." He said.

"That's great. I'll have to come visit you sometime." Sheena said. "I was just about to make myself some rice. Why don't you both stay?"

"Sure!" Lloyd said. Zelos nodded, knowing that Lloyd was a bottomless pit and would never pass up a meal.

"Great! I'll go whip some up real quick, be right back." Sheena said, getting up and going to her kitchen.

Zelos let out a breath. "I'm so glad she's okay with us." He said.

"What, you saying you'd break up with me if she disapproved?" Lloyd teased.

"No. I would have chosen you. I would always choose you. I just didn't want to have to make that choice." Zelos said seriously.

"Zelos…" Lloyd murmured, stroking the red-head's face. He leaned in and kissed Zelos just as Sheena reentered with three bowls of rice. She blinked at the sight, then smiled and cleared her throat.

Lloyd pulled away, blushing slightly. Sheena's grin widened and she gave the couple their rice, asking them about details of their lives in Meltokio. Zelos couldn't keep the grin off his face, and he stayed in Mizuho with his boyfriend for several hours.

"Well, if we're going to visit everyone else today, we should probably head out…" Lloyd said.

Sheena nodded and walked them out. "It was really great to see you both. I hope you're happy and together for a long time. Maybe I'll come visit you in Meltokio someday." She said.

Zelos smiled and hugged his favorite ninja. "That'd be great. Thanks." He said.

Sheena grinned and waved farewell. The couple went back to their Rheairds.

"Iselia next?" Zelos questioned.

Lloyd grinned. "Yup!"

They took off to the skies, headed to the village where Lloyd had grown up.


Happy! :)
I decided to split up these character-shots, so stay tuned for part 2 of the epilogue and the end of this fic!
Review?