Heart of Stone: A Fanfic by Gyppy
Timeline: 10 years after Tales of Symphonia
Summary: Colette is left alone in the tragic world that surrounds her, and she seeks help from all her friends and former companions. However, no one wishes to turn to her... so instead, she relies on the one who protected her ten long years ago.
At the time she was traveling, any relationship with this guardian would've been considered despicable. But now, at the age she's reached, her bond with another angel may just deepen even more...
Pairings: KratosxColette, with references to GenisxPresea, LloydxColette and LloydxSheena, and possible hints at ZelosxSheena.
Author's Note: Now, don't get me wrong, I love Colloyd, Sheelos and Kraine, but this time I'm straying way out of the norm. This fanfic follows the Kratos path of the game, in which Zelos is killed.
There are a few reasons I didn't pick Genis for this fic instead of Kratos: one, he's not my favorite character of that respective gender, two, I don't particularly like it when the girl is older than the guy, and three, I am a strict Gesea shipper. I will not ship any pairings involving Genis or Presea outside Gesea. The only reason I'm shipping Sheeloyd in this fic is because of the Kralette and the fact that Zelos is dead.
Don't ask me why I was inspired to write this fic.
Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia or Namco.
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Chapter 3: Once Hated, Now Enjoyed
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Cleanup work had already started in Iselia, and Lloyd and Sheena had gone out together to clear away the destroyed forest with the help of a few friends. Kratos and Colette, as usual, were left in isolation, sitting on the outskirts of the Iselia Forest, that which had avoided the wrath of the storms.
Kratos was contemplating something, and Colette was pacing back and forth restlessly.
After a while, Kratos noticed Colette's restlessness.
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"What's wrong, Colette?" the seraph asked, his tone worried.
"I've been thinking," Colette replied. "You seem like a nice enough guy, but I'm not entirely sure I can love you. I mean, everyone else I've loved in the past has lost their life or their respect for me in some way or another, and I'm afraid it'll happen again with you."
"Do not fear," Kratos said, standing up and walking over to Colette. "If anything happens, I'll protect you... I swear."
Colette had to force a smile; she was feeling very unhappy, despite Kratos' soothing aura and gentle eyes. She knew something else would probably happen to him or to her that would force them apart, but she didn't wish to dwell on that fact.
And more than anything else, Colette was surprised when Kratos took her head in his hands and gazed into her eyes, moving his face ever closer by the second.
"I apologize for all the trouble I've put you through," Kratos said, remembering their journey ten years ago. "I'll make up for it... I promise."
"Thank you," Colette whispered, blinking away tears.
Kratos drew her face closer and closer to his, and eventually their lips met in a sublime kiss, one that seemed to relieve all the tension and anxiety that Colette was feeling. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled his body even closer as he moved to wrap his arms around her neck.
Then, Colette had an idea. She moved to deepen the kiss, and Kratos allowed, knowing full well that she'd be surprised by what would happen next. The two made out like this for a while, then parted to take breath and rest.
"You're incredible," Colette whispered.
"I've had a lot of experience," Kratos said simply. "But then again, you're not so bad yourself."
"Why, thank you," Colette said quietly.
They moved to kiss again, closing their eyes as they did so-
"What the hell are you two doing over there?"
Kratos quickly broke away and looked around, demanding to know where the voice came from. He knew it sounded like Lloyd, but he wasn't aware of the fact that Lloyd, Sheena, Genis and Raine were all standing there watching the two make out.
Oh crap, Kratos thought as he caught sight of Lloyd. Busted... by my own son nonetheless.
Sensing danger, Colette quickly let go of Kratos, turning and fleeing. Kratos turned to face Lloyd, his classic cold mask covering his face again.
"What the hell were you two doing?" Lloyd questioned, stepping closer to Kratos.
"You saw us," Kratos said. "Don't fool yourself."
"Yeah," Sheena said, her tone annoyed. "We saw you two making out."
"And what's wrong with that?" Kratos questioned, glaring at Lloyd and practically daring him to say a negative word about it.
"You know what's wrong with it, my dearest father," Lloyd said annoyedly. "You were making out with Colette of all people. I'd think you'd at least have enough decency not to go after her as soon as I broke up with her."
"Leave it be," Kratos stated. "You're not going to change anything by saying that. You're not with Colette anymore... remember, you married Sheena rather selflessly. And if there's anyone you want to be angry with, it's her - Colette was the one that started this in the first place."
Colette had taken note of the situation and decided to walk over to the group.
"Colette," Lloyd said, turning to his first love. "What the hell made you think you could be with Kratos when you damned well know he's my father?"
"You brought it on yourself by leaving me," Colette said angrily, which shocked Lloyd. "You made the decision to leave me and marry Sheena, and Kratos was the only other person that would accept me, let alone be with me!"
"It's best we leave it be," Raine said. "I don't want her getting violent-"
"It's not your place to speak," Lloyd interrupted. "You sure as hell know I'm not going to simply let this slide like I would any other crazy activity my father engages in."
"Still, she has a point," Sheena said. "Arguing like this isn't going to get us anywhere."
Lloyd glared back at Colette. "You have some explaining to do when we get back to Iselia. Got that?"
With that, the four others left, leaving Kratos and Colette alone in the field again.
"I'm sorry," Colette said as she turned to Kratos. "It's my fault Lloyd got mad at you."
"There's no need to apologize," Kratos said. "I admit I have made a terrible mistake..."
"It's okay," Colette said. Then, her tone darkened. "But we have to stay away from them, no matter what... Lloyd is angry with both of us, and I don't want you to get hurt."
"I won't get hurt," Kratos said, fingering his sword's hilt. "It's you I'm worried about. You're not yet strong enough to take on Lloyd."
Colette turned her head to the southeastern sky. "Let's go to Palmacosta."
"Are you sure?" Kratos asked. "It'd take a long time to fly there by wing, and I doubt that we could get our hands on the Rheairds again at this point."
"We can fly to Izoold," Colette said. "Then we can take a boat the rest of the way. That should cut our flying time in half."
"That's a good idea," Kratos said. "But first, I want to go back and make sure everyone's okay. We can head out after that."
"I'd be careful about returning to Iselia," Colette said nervously. "Lloyd would be scouting for us everywhere if we went back. I doubt we could head out again safely."
"You have a point," Kratos said after a brief pause. Then, he turned. "We'll go to Palmacosta. If they catch up with us... we'll have to move again. Got it?"
"Damn straight," Colette said.
The two angels summoned their wings and started to head to Izoold.
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Author's Note: Wooh, a little fluff and a bit of a fight there. Now they're running away from Lloyd and the others. Wonder why... hmmm...