A Little off the Top
Disclaimer: Namco owns Tales of Symphonia
The silence fell over the three for a few minutes. Kratos lifted his eyes to his wife, who once again sighed heavily in annoyance and her eyes narrowed at her husband. As if the problem was truly his fault.
Then...she smiled.
"No."
The commonly spoken word was once again vocalized by the small being, hiding behind his father's leg. Kratos gaze lifted from the tiny boy to his exasperated wife. He could see the frustration building on her face, the little huff of breath as she attempted to control her annoyance with their son.
"Lloyd, it's not that bad, I promise. It needs to be done."
"No." Was the muffled response, Kratos could feel the little hands gripping his pant leg desperately, the small face hidden behind his leg.
His wife sighed heavily and turned her exasperated expression towards him. "Stop letting him hide behind you."
Kratos blinked, feeling torn between the duty as a husband and as a father. Clearly, it was wisest to listen to Anna, but Lloyd also clearly wanted his protection.
"Kratos." The tone was now a warning.
"Lloyd..." The decision was made. "Listen to your mother."
"No!"
Kratos frowned slightly, looking down at the small pouting face. He didn't know how Lloyd managed to make his eyes so large when he was upset...
"Lloyd..." He tried again, a bit more firm.
"I want hair like daddy!"
The silence fell over the three for a few minutes. Kratos lifted his eyes to his wife, who once again sighed heavily in annoyance and her eyes narrowed at her husband. As if the problem was truly his fault.
Then...she smiled.
It was the smile that would cross her face when she had discovered a solution to her problem. This smile generally didn't bode well for Kratos.
"Oh? You want hair like your father?" Anna's tone softened; the pitch higher and more endearing as she continued to look at Kratos.
Kratos tensed, feeling defensive.
"Well, what if I give you and daddy matching haircuts? Then will you sit for mommy?"
Kratos locked his gaze with Anna, stone faced as she grinned back at him. Now he knew where Lloyd got it from.
"Yeah!" Lloyd chirped excitedly, looking up at his dad. "Like daddy!"
"Anna..." Kratos spoke low, but was quickly cut off as she reached out and grabbed his hand.
"Well that settles it then! Let's go, Kratos." Her tone carrying a sweet, but warning undertone to it.
Kratos hesitated, glancing down at his son, then at his wife.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, smiling. "It's so nice of you to show Lloyd that getting a haircut is not a scary thing."
Kratos could not resist as his wife led him and their son to the kitchen where she had a chair set up and scissors set out. Closing his eyes, he sighed in heavy resignation.
A rather short one-shot, but been on my mind for a while so decided to post it. May add to it later. Please Review