For Crystal Adept, because she asked me politely to build a bridge over the cliff before she fell over the edge because of the anticipation.

Chapter five, fluff's abound. Love K+L oyako

Because I feel bound to do this

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD, MILD AND TASTEFUL DONE, BUT SPOILERS NONE THE LESS, YOU HAVE NOW ENTERED THE DANGER ZONE AND THE SPOILERS WILL BE GETTING HEAVIER AS THIS CONTINUES ON. DEAL WITH IT.

Now that's done, on with the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia, if I did this chapter would have been reality.

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Thanks again to Mr. Eck, Selene and Shallan for their help w/ editing and constructive criticism, without them, this would have never been posted.

They were halfway through the door of the inn before Lloyd realized what was going on. He was oddly surprised that his current state didn't really allow him to care what was happening. He felt far too defeated to worry about what Kratos was going to do to him. He simply let himself be led along the corridors of the Inn. He felt the surprised gazes of many of the patrons and staff on his back as Kratos led him wherever. He shrunk further down into his shell.

Kratos gently led the distressed boy to the room he was staying in. When they reached their destination he pulled Lloyd through the door, shut it behind him and locked it with a click. Lloyd instinctively flinched at the sound. The movement did not go unnoticed by Kratos as he sized up Lloyd's condition. He was a downright mess. He led Lloyd over to a chair by the bathroom, sat him down and started doing a routine check up of his health. Good, Lloyd evidently had not been out long enough to get frostbite. True Gods bless his luck. His sweatshirt was soaked through though. The boots he had thankfully remembered to put on had stopped the same from happening to his pants.

Kratos moved to peel off the sweatshirt. Lloyd flinched again but Kratos tactfully ignored it as he pulled the offending article off the boy. If it was possible, Lloyd looked worse than before. He was a lot thinner than Kratos remembered and far more submissive too. Kratos hung the shirt near the fire to dry out. Lloyd was still wet and his face was dirty and stained with tears. Kratos picked up a towel and dipped a facecloth in warm water. Then he started to clean off Lloyd's face as he had once done for his child so long ago.

Lloyd couldn't quite comprehend what was going on. Kratos was…taking care of him? It was a totally unexpected move by the sombre and unfeeling angel. However, Kratos had never done what he expected him too in the past, why would he start now? Lloyd still wasn't sure what to make of this though. Surely this wasn't Cruxis friendly conduct? But Kratos seemed genuinely concerned for him, maybe there was more here than met the eye Lloyd thought as Kratos was drying his hair off. 'Maybe I'm right and they're wrong. Ju…Just this once.'

Kratos finished towelling off Lloyd. He looked a bit better now that he was dried off but he was till shivering violently. Kratos fought of the urge to sweep the boy up in a crushing embrace as he led Lloyd over to the fire and draped a fuzzy blanket over his shoulders. Kratos then walked off to change into more comfortable clothing.

Lloyd sat on the couch and stared into the fire listlessly. He was so tired… He didn't even register Kratos coming back and sitting down beside him.

'I'm so pathetic,' he thought.

Lloyd felt his eyes grow wet again. He couldn't start crying again, not here in front of Kratos he thought as he vainly struggled to hold back the cascade of tears that was threatening to fall.

Kratos noticed Lloyd's internal battle, but he didn't care what was causing it right now. He swept Lloyd into a tight embrace and just sat there holding him, finally giving over to his baser parental instincts. (He'd been fighting a losing battle all along and he knew it too.) Lloyd struggled a moment in his arms before giving up and breaking down completely. It would be awhile before he stopped crying. Kratos just offered what comfort he could to the distressed cherub until he calmed down.

It was amazing, thought Lloyd, how Kratos seemed to know what he both wanted and desperately needed without Lloyd having to even tell him. His tears had stopped now as he shifted into a more comfortable position. He felt better now that he had let the stress go. If this is what having a good cry did than his female companions were more than welcome to one. He started slightly as he felt a hand rub his back but quieted down when it started to stroke his hair. This is nice he thought as he felt his body relax.

Kratos felt his eyebrows rise when Lloyd started from his touch on his back. But, he remembered that Lloyd had never really liked having his back rubbed so he switched to petting his hair. He noticed Lloyd calmed right down and relaxed. Kratos briefly wondered if he should really be doing this, considering the circumstances surrounding the two, he really shouldn't be getting attached to the boy. He shifted slightly and looked down at the half-asleep child. No that wasn't right, Lloyd wasn't a child anymore. Well he supposed Lloyd would always be a child to him. No he probably shouldn't but he'd let himself indulge in this pleasure a little longer.

'After all," he thought, " I'm not completely heartless.'

Lloyd was more comfortable than he'd been in ages he decided as he nuzzled against Kratos' chest and let some happy content noises escape his throat. He was warm, comfortable and surprisingly content. Kratos felt dare he even think it? safe. Safe. That word sounded odd to Lloyd even in his head. He had long since forgotten the true meaning of the word. Iselia was a hard place to grow up when you were different, but it was the only word he could think of to describe his situation.

'This is okay,' he thought, 'This feels right.'

That was Lloyd's last thought as he drifted into dreamland.

It was odd, thought Kratos that Lloyd was so averse to being touched. Lloyd, if he remembered correctly, had always loved to be held and petted. He had always been affectionate. Maybe it was his imagination but something seemed very off in Lloyd's current behaviour. He glanced down at the boy and was startled to see he had fallen asleep. Damn, he hadn't meant for that to happen. How was he supposed to find out what was wrong now? He felt a small smile grow on his face. Lloyd looked absolutely adorable when he was asleep. He kissed Lloyd on the forehead and shifted into a more comfortable position.

"Goodnight Lloyd." He whispered as he draped a blanket over both of them and started to drift off. Lloyd just smiled in his sleep and nuzzled into his neck.

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The Fluff and Cuteness And Waff!

Try to tell me that wasn't absolutely adorable just try to tell me. I dare you.

I heart oyako between those two.

If anyone tries to take this in any way other than what it is I will seriously try to hurt you.

R&R

Owari