Disclaimer: Why do I have to do this again? Oh yea, that's right, it's because I'm only 13 and therefore can't afford to be sued… sigh… I don't own Tales of Symphonia, or any of its characters. But my birthday is August 15th, so can I have Zelos? Pretty please?

Chapter 4: Blurred Reality

Lloyd's POV

When I come to consciousness, I am unaware of my current whereabouts. I realize that I'm burning up. My cheeks feel like they're on fire, and my vision is clouded. I see only blotches of light and dark, hazy squares forming abstract pictures.

I blink several times trying to make a clear path for my eyes to the image in front of me, and make out professor Raine standing over me. I'm apparently on the bed, however I got there.

"Well, it looks like you're finally awake," she says quietly.

I open my mouth to speak, but all that comes out is a strange gargling noise from the back of my throat. At this, Raine smiles lightly, seeming mildly amused.

"You're sick, though I'm sure you have already realized that. We've extended our stay here for another day, though we can rest longer if you need to," she tells me.

I moan quietly, feeling slightly guilty for holding everyone back. But there's nothing I can do right now.

The professor walks over to the nightstand where several small white bottles are sitting. She checks the labels and opens one of them, tipping it over so it dispenses a round yellow pill.

"Lloyd, you just have a cold, nothing serious, so I'm going to go ahead and start giving you cold medicine." She tips the pill into my hand, and I swallow it with some water she grabs from next to the bottles. Raine then bids me a 'good night,' even though it's actually morning, and walks out the door.

"You gonna be okay there, Lloyd?" I jump at this voice, having not noticed anyone else in the room. I turn my head and spot Zelos sitting in an armchair across the room.

"Oi, you startled me…" I reply groggily. Stupid cold. "But I'll be fine. A little bed rest, and then we can continue on our way!"

The redhead simply nods, and then rises from his seat. He walks casually over to the bed, and sits down on the edge with one of his mischievous grins. I toss a suspicious glance at him and scoot away slightly. What could he possibly be up to this time?

Still grinning, the Chosen leans over me to the point where his face is mere inches from my own, and… places his lips on mine.

My eyes widen hugely, and see that his are closed softly. I feel my heart skip a beat as it quickens, and my cheeks burn furiously. But it's over as soon as it starts. What the hell is going on? In that one instant, my brain stopped functioning. It took only one instant to completely destroy any barriers that I have carefully sculpted over the years. And after that one instant, I'm left breathless.

He pulls away from me slowly, and I can feel my lips still tangling. My eyes return to an almost normal size at a tantalizingly slow pace, still filled with surprise, disbelief, and something else… a faint hint of… joy? No, I must be mistaking this feeling for something else.

The Chosen smirks. "Now maybe I'll get sick too, and then I'll be able to lay around all day like you are. Right now, though, I have to go out to town and buy more medicine for poor little you." He sounds as careless as usual, as if nothing happened.

So… he kissed me in hopes of getting sick? Yes, that must be it. That would explain everything. Nothing more… But somehow I can't shake the feeling that I might have actually enjoyed it, might have wanted it to mean more. I'm still utterly speechless.

Zelos pushes himself off of the bed, waves to me with a small smile on his face, and disappears behind the door. I can't help letting out a sigh of relief, as if a burden has just been lifted, and lay back, allowing my eyes to close.

My mind is gleefully cleared, currently unperturbed by the events of the day, and I drift off into a slightly pained sleep.

TBC

Nya, everyone has got to love shonen-ai! Zelos and Lloyd are so cute together… I hope you all agree! Please let me know what you think of this so far. My muse, Kage, and I need lots of reviews to feed the insatiable hunger of an authoress!