After learning more about his parents from Kvar, Lloyd finds himself opening up a bit to Kratos about his conflicted feelings regarding the loss of family.
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Like an Older Brother
Lloyd lowered himself to the ground with a groan, his limbs aching and weak. He leaned his head back, casting a withering glare at Kratos who appeared completely unaffected by the training session they had just had.
"I hate you." Lloyd huffed, brushing his sweaty hair back. "At least pretend to be a little tired."
Kratos cocked an eyebrow, but remained silent, sheathing his sword. Lloyd watched him find his own seat and then looked down at the blade in his hand with a slight frown. "I'm getting better right? Since we started training?"
"You still have a long way to go," Kratos answered. "But yes, you have shown some improvement."
Lloyd frowned at that, resting his head on the tree behind him with a sigh. "It feels like I'm not making any progress at all."
Kratos glanced at side as if contemplating the comment and Lloyd felt a bit of panic rising up.
"It's not like you aren't a good teacher or anything! I'm just more frustrated with myself is all." Lloyd rubbed his neck, feeling his ears burning slightly. "In fact, it makes me happy to be able to train with you."
Lloyd could feel the mercenary's gaze on him and he picked at the grass beside him. It was a bit embarrassing, but it was difficult to stop the flow of thoughts that had been eating away at him over the past few weeks.
"Being an only child...dad being more of a blacksmith, I had to teach myself how to fight. I always wanted someone to practice swords with...even something like a big brother." He glanced at Kratos, sheepishly. "Dad could craft me the swords, but he couldn't train with me."
Kratos tilted his head, his expression as always betraying little emotion. "I see." He responded quietly.
Lloyd rubbed his arm, the faint throbbing telling him it was most likely bruised. "Though, I guess you are kind of old to be a brother."
Something akin to amusement seemed to cross Kratos' face briefly and Lloyd smirked back for a moment before his expression fell serious. "I have been thinking about it a lot lately, but we all have a lot in common in this group."
He noticed Kratos tilt his head in curiosity and Lloyd quickly struggled to find a way to express himself. "I mean we kind of all come from broken families. Genis and Raine live on their own and Colette lost her mother when she was little." Lloyd scratched the side of his face, his eyes shifting from Kratos' face and then to the ground. "And the desians killed my mom and...well, probably my dad too. And you've lost your family too, right?"
Lloyd met Kratos' piercing gaze, suddenly feeling guilty that he brought it up. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..." Lloyd hesitated frowning as he glanced down at his exsphere, his thumb brushing across the smooth stone. "The idea of family has been on my mind for a while now. Ever since Remiel came down and Colette got to meet her father...well her other father, I couldn't help but think about it all. About family and I couldn't help but think about what my other dad was like."
Lloyd didn't expect a response from the mercenary, who seemed like a statue. It was a very sombre subject after all and Lloyd could feel embarrassment flood his face. "Sorry..."
"I'm sure he'd be proud." Kratos cut him off.
Lloyd glanced at him, his eyes widening slightly. Kratos held his gaze, his expression softer for a change and Lloyd couldn't help but smile a bit.
"You think?" Lloyd looked back at the exsphere. "After everything that happened at the Asgard Ranch, with Kvar...I couldn't stop thinking about what he said about my parents and how they—Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you."
"For what?" Kratos asked.
"For defending my mom. And for helping me avenge her." Lloyd fidgeted. "I was so angry that I couldn't think. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't spoken up. It made me feel not so alone, you know? Like, I wasn't facing it alone, that you were right there behind me." He smiled awkwardly, followed with a small laugh. "Kind of like an older brother."
Kratos responded with a weak smirk, his eyes closing. "I see."
Lloyd went back to picking at the grass, cursing himself for saying it again. Kratos probably thought him so childish for it. It was so hard to read the man and it made Lloyd feel like whatever he said was stupid or naive. Lloyd pushed up from his seat. "Well I guess we should get back to the others, they'll be worried."
"I understand lost." Kratos spoke up suddenly and Lloyd looked over at him. "I did lose my family and I know the void that it leaves behind. It's not unusual for someone to seek others to fill those roles."
Lloyd noticed the mercenary's hand moving to his collar before lowering back to his lap after a moment. Kratos continued. "I may not be your brother, but you have my support when you need it, Lloyd."
Lloyd couldn't help but grin, rubbing the back of his head with a laugh. "Thanks, Kratos." He sheathed his swords and then glanced back at him. "And hey, if you ever need me to support you in that way, you can count on me!"
"Right..." Kratos coughed and cleared his throat as he also rose from the ground, causing Lloyd to tilt his head. "Anyway, we should head back."
"Do you need some water?" Lloyd tapped his canteen.
"No. I'm fine. Let's go."
Short, but sweet? Just played through the training scene again and this little idea wouldn't leave me alone. Hope you enjoyed it!
