Lloyd grinned. "So we have Colette and Sheena as sisters, you and I are like brothers. Raine is like a mom..."
"That just leaves Kratos." Colette chirped and the entire group looked towards the mercenary's back. He could feel all four sets of eyes on him. He refused to turn around to face them.
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Familial Roles
"So that would make Colette and Sheena..."
Kratos couldn't help but find himself drawn to the bizarre conversation the young teenagers were having behind him as they walked. It had started seemingly at random, the Chosen making a casual comment about Raine acting kind of like a mother to Genis. From there, it only snowballed...
"I've never had a sister before!" Colette smiled, clasping her hands together in excitement.
"Colette, it's just a comparison, it's not real." Genis rolled his eyes. Sheena's face had become pink as she struggled to ignore her younger companions.
"Hey, Dad says that families can be created, they don't have to be blood related." Lloyd pointed out and Genis' expression became thoughtful.
"Well, I guess you're right." Genis smiled, his childish nature peaking through. "So that would make us like brothers?"
"Sure!" Lloyd grinned. "So we have Colette and Sheena as sisters, you and I are like brothers. Raine is like a mom..."
"That just leaves Kratos." Colette chirped and the entire group looked towards the mercenary's back. He could feel all four sets of eyes on him. He refused to turn around to face them.
"It seems you've been drawn into the game as well." Raine smirked, speaking low from the corner of her mouth and Kratos huffed in response.
"I see him being like an older brother or something." Lloyd offered.
"He's too old for that." Genis shook his head. "Besides older brothers are more fun and easy going."
"I think Kratos is fun." Colette offered and the boys laughed.
Sheena, who had remained quiet up until this point, spoke up. "What about like...an uncle?"
The other trio fell quiet, pondering it and Kratos sighed for what felt like the hundredth time, hoping they'd just agree and then move on.
"No, I don't think so." Lloyd finally spoke up. "He's too serious for that. Uncles, I've heard are supposed to be more fun too. Help ya sneak around and get into trouble."
"How do you know?" Genis argued. "How many uncles have you met?"
"That's just what I've heard from others in school."
"It's kind of true..." Sheena nodded in agreement. "At least, from what I've heard too."
"Well what about the dad?" Colette offered. "I think he'd make a great dad!"
Kratos stiffened and Raine snorted beside him, as she tried to contain her amusement at his discomfort.
"A dad?" Lloyd and Genis almost spoke in unison.
"It does kind of make sense..." Sheena said. "Out of all the options at least."
"Right?" Colette smiled. "He's very strong and he's always watching out for us!"
"But that means him and Raine are- no way!" Genis exclaimed, cheeks burning red. "Besides he's too young."
"Oh..." Colette's face fell.
"Wait...how old is he anyway?" Lloyd frowned, and once more all 4 sets of eyes landed on his back and, once more, Kratos vehemently ignored them.
"I don't think he's going to tell us." Genis whispered.
"Well he's probably older than Raine right? So if does it matter if he's too young? It's just pretend anyway right?" Sheena countered, suddenly a lot more invested in the matter than she previously had been.
"Well I guess that's true, but then he could be the older brother by that logic too!" Lloyd argued.
"No, because his personality doesn't fit, remember?" Genis countered.
Kratos noticed Raine glancing in his direction, a small smile curled upon her lips as she spoke softly over the bickering children. "It seems they are struggling to find your role in this 'family' group."
"So it seems..." Kratos responded flatly before Lloyd's rose up much louder, drawing everyone's attention.
"That settles it. Kratos is the dad."
The four children froze as Kratos had stopped in his tracks and turned to stare at them, eyes narrowed slightly. Raine tilted her head in amusement. Sheena turned red and looked away as if suddenly trying to remove herself from being party to the strange little game they had been playing. Genis quickly averted his eyes, struggling to hide his smile, while Colette and Lloyd seemed to beam with pride.
"Heh. Sorry, Kratos. Didn't mean to shout like that, but we finally figured out your role in the family."
"I see... Is that all?" Kratos cleared his throat, giving them all a passing scan before letting his gaze settle back onto Lloyd. His tone was a bit more curt than he intended, though at this point, he very much wanted the conversation to move on.
Lloyd huffed. "Genis was right; you are definitely not fun older brother or uncle material."
Kratos ignored the comment, turning back around to continue walking. "You should be focusing on your surroundings, not playing around."
"Fine, fine," Lloyd muttered and then cheekily smiled, grinning mischievously. "Whatever you say...Dad."
Kratos stiffened, grateful that he had already moved ahead of Raine slightly so she was less likely to notice his tight expression. This was going to be a long journey.