ME: Okay. Here I go. Second ToS fic. No killing (me) please. I thought there weren't enough GenisXPresea fics so I made one! And now I have muses. MUAHAHA! I mean; that should be fun. Oh, and I decided that Crying Shoulder is going to be a one-shot until the end of time.
Genis: Aw…I was hoping to get to see Presea in that one…
ME: You will in this one!
Genis: -grins- Yay!
ME: Now…who's doing the disclaimer?
Everyone: Not me!
ME: Why is the disclaimer so dreaded anyway? Zelos, you do it.
Zelos: Aw man…-sighs- MidnightEclipse713 does not own Tales of Symphonia. If she did, there wouldn't be any cuss words.
ME: Well said. And yes, there are spoilers in this story, so don't read this unless you have beaten the game. Now, onto the story!
Chapter 1: Five Years and a Carnation
Things had changed since the regeneration of the world. Genis got taller, Regal became more successful, Lloyd gained some smarts, and Presea now lived in Altamira. Things happened as well. Kratos had come back down to earth after being on Derris-Kharlan for three years, Colette and Lloyd finished their journey to collect all the exspheres, and Genis and Raine had finished their journey to end half-elf discrimination. Yet some things had not and would not ever change. Lloyd was still somewhat dumb, Colette was still clumsy, Raine still went crazy whenever she saw a ruin, Zelos still went crazy when he saw a woman, Sheena would still slap him every time…and Genis still had a crush on Presea. Even after five years, his love never wavered. He'd still stammer and blush whenever he saw her even though he was seventeen. He always wanted to tell her how he felt, but would always stop once he reached her door and walk away, saddened by his bashfulness. Today though, is different…
You can do it, Genis. Genis thought, pacing back and forth. What's the worst that can happen?
She'll reject me and make fun of me, that's what.
It seemed as though two voices were arguing in Genis' head.
Don't think so negatively.
But it could happen!
It's not likely!
But it could still happen!
Ugh…you're hopeless! Just do it! Even if she does reject you, you'll recover! You can do it!
Genis took a deep breath and knocked on her door then put his hands behind his back along with the gift he had found for Presea.
"Who is it?" she replied.
Genis managed to swallow the lump that had magically appeared in his throat long enough to say,
"I-It's Genis."
After a few seconds, the door opened and there stood Presea. Her appearance hadn't changed much, except her hair had grown longer, and she had gotten taller. Wow, she's pretty. Genis thought. He was brought back to reality when he heard her voice say,
"It's good to see you again, Genis."
"You too." He managed to croak out, his cheeks turning a light red.
"Are you okay, Genis? You sound a little strange." Presea asked, tilting her head slightly to one side.
You're blowing it! His mind warned him.
"I-I'm f-f-fine." Genis said.
"Good." Presea replied. "So, what brings you here today?"
Genis pulled his hand out from behind his back and in his sweaty palm, there was a flower.
"H-here." He stuttered.
"Thank you, Genis." Presea said, taking the pink flower from his hand.
Genis felt her hand brush the slightest bit against his and his cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red. Presea examined the flower, turning it over in her hand.
"This is a carnation, correct?" Presea asked, looking back up at Genis.
She has such pretty eyes…
Genis zoned out.
Hello! Earth to Genis! She's talking to you!
"Y-yes. I-it is." Genis said.
"It's pretty." Presea said, turning her eyes back to the flower.
So are you… he thought, but ended up saying something different.
"It matches your hair!" Genis said on accident.
He mentally kicked himself in the head. Well that was stupid… He thought.
"Yes it does." Presea replied. "I like it. Thank you. Is there anything else you need?"
Presea looked back up at Genis and he froze on the spot.
Yes!
No!
YES!
NO!
Do it!
Don't do it!
"I…uh…eh…er…" Genis tried to say.
Genis bit his lip and turned away.
"N-no." Genis replied.
Hello! That was not what I meant to say! Why does that always happen to me? I try to say something and end up saying something else. I'm-
"All right. Thank you for the carnation." Presea replied, interrupting Genis' thoughts. "Goodbye, Genis."
She shut the door. Well, Genis thought. You got farther than you do usually…but you didn't tell her how you felt. Genis sighed and walked away, half happy and half sad.
ME: I don't really like how this one turned out very much…
Genis: I stuttered too much.
ME: Deal with it. Anyways, please review and thanks for reading.