Well, thanks to some reviews now I shall update!

To Understand: Part Two

A Confession and a Doubt

By Harmony283

Reviews (Good): 2

Hiranieas-Thanks for being the first reviewer! And yeah, I'm an obsessive Gethos Fan girl too. This was the first pairing that I found an immediate liking to. My fav. Parts though, is when Mithos says (during the earthquake at the end of Disk One) 'I thought I heard Genis' voice. Hmm, I wonder why?

DraNKa-Wow…thanks for the great review! I'm glad that you thought it was great (this is, like I said in the beginning, my first time writing shonen-ai/angst). I also got tired of the ones about his betrayal (though some of them are written very well) so I decided to do something different. But as for it being fan-girl approved—wow! That's still a major compliment since this is my first fan-fic with this pairing!

Reviews (Bad): NONE

Disclaimer-Me, own ToS? Sadly, no I do not. Namco does. Anyways I don't own anything, so don't sue me because you won't get anything! The only thing I do own is the plot!

Authors Note: Well this chapter has mostly Mithos' POV with some Kratos POV but it's mostly on him giving Mithos advice. This is basically what happened in the last chapter--only Mithos' POV. Sorry in advance for making Kratos sound OOC, I try and I try but I can never get his character in character.

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Mithos POV

It was dark. It was reasonably cold. Or at least I assumed it would be…if I could feel. I sighed and looked out the library window in my castle. I had a book open in my lap filled with all sorts of evil spells. But that didn't keep me from being bored. In fact, I wanted a certain someone to be here—

"Lord Yggdrasill."

I turned to face the voice, and nodded my head. It was Kratos. Oh how I wish I could ask him to—

"Yes?"

"Sir, everything is ready. But you…don't look so well."

"Hnn, really?"

"Yes, really. Is something wrong? You've been…staying in your child form longer and longer now."

I just sighed at this, "Well I just so happen to be fond of this shorter body. You do remember that children have it easy in the world. Besides, why do you even care?"

Kratos seemed slightly surprised by my sudden cold attitude, but masked it away easily like he had always done.

"I care because how can you be focused on your mission when you seem so worried about something else…so regretful of something that happened."

I mulled over those words in my head, well yes, I was worried about quite a number of things such as:

Would this really work?

Would it really be worth it?

Would Martel be happy in her new body?

…Would he forgive me?

Would he…would I…still be able to see him?

Would one of us die?

Kratos obviously noticed my paling complexion and asked once more, "Is everything okay…Mithos?" I wanted so badly just to tell him what was wrong. But could I really trust him? He had been leaking all sorts of information to Lloyds group. But then again, the boy was his son for heavens sake, I guess he'd want to do something to help him. But…the information he gave to them…it was inexcusable.

Then again, he didn't do as badly as Yuan did. The double agent—my sisters fiancée.

"Mithos," Kratos sighed, "Listen, I can understand if you don't trust me as much as you would like to, but—from mentor to student—please tell me what's wrong because it's obviously something that has been bugging you for a while."

I nodded my head, "Yes, I suppose it has been going on for a while now. And yes it has been bugging me for a while. It…has to do with a number of things."

Kratos just nodded his head, taking a seat next to me.

"First off, I'm starting to doubt things like-will this even work? Out of every time we failed…I never held such doubt before."

"Hmm."

"And then there's the factor of would it even be worth it."

Kratos seemed shocked at this, "Worth it? What…made you think that? You have always been so sure of that…why now?"

"Because of him."

"Him?"

"My…friend…"

"Ah, you mean Genis?"

I nodded my head, "Yes, Genis. He made me doubt it."

Kratos, ironically enough, seemed to think that this was a well enough answer. Did he know something about Genis I didn't know?

"And you'll just accept that answer without question?"

"Yes, I would. That boy…is wise beyond his years, as I'm sure you've figured out. He is, along with his sister, the voice of reason in the group. Though it slightly worries me that he would say that our efforts have been futile. He, like his sister, is hardly ever wrong."

I nodded my head. Yes I had known Genis was smart. At one point I even half-heartedly hoped that he would side with me in the end. But then…it happened.

I fell in love with him.

And that changed things for me.

Yes, ever since I met the boy, I had been fond of him. But I didn't think I had a chance because he seemed so…hooked on that girl…Presea. But imagine my surprise that time when Zelos…that stupid, stupid fool, said that Genis could stay behind.

I believe the reason was because of their going to make a pact with Luna and Aska, who were, supposedly, resistant to all types of magic. Meaning Genis would only get in the way. I wanted to hit him so hard for saying that. But I restrained myself because we were in the audience of the rest of their friends. Heh, but Genis sure did get mad at him.

'Isn't Aska immune to all types of Magic?'

'Huhn, I wonder. Where'd you find that out?' Sheena asked, seemingly surprised at Zelos' sudden bout of intelligence.

'I do read books deary. I read one about the summon spirits. I believe you were the one to suggest it to me.'

'Oh yeah that's right. I guess it's true then.'

'Yup! That means we won't need the brat—I mean Genis—to come along, unless you want to of course.'

'Are you calling me useless?'

'No! no! you misinterpret my meaning! I'm just saying that, since it'd do no good for you to fight—then you should stay here with Mithos! You two are good friends aren't you?'

Genis' face lit up immediately, and he turned to face me, 'Really? I can stay here?'

I smiled softly, also glad, 'Well if you aren't going with them then yes I'd like to spend more time with you.'

'Is that okay, Raine?'

'Well, I suppose so. Just don't wander around too much! And don't fight against any monsters!'

'Eh, Raine, I know you're worried about me an' all, but shouldn't I be the one telling that to you? I mean, come on! You're going up against not one, but two Summon Spirits! I should be telling you to be careful!'

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Kratos POV

"Mithos?"

"Huh?"

"Are you…okay? You spaced out there for a second."

Mithos laughed half-heartedly, his turquoise eyes still distant, his expression a mix of worry and embarrassment, "Um, no, it's nothing. I was just…remembering something."

Now I was suspicious. If this had been any other situation I wouldn't have been so worried but something told me that something just wasn't right.

"Ah, remembering something?"

Mithos stuck his tongue out in disgust, "You're starting to sound like Lloyd."

"Well he is my son after all. Now answer the question, what were you remembering?"

Why did I have the sneaking suspicion it had to do with Genis? They were just friends, right?

"I was remembering—you remember the time they made the pact with Luna?"

"Yes, I do believe I heard of it."

"Well, did you know that Genis didn't go with them?"

I feigned interest, "Oh really?" Of course I had known that, Raine had been worried sick about him when I mentioned earthquakes in Tethe'alla.

Mithos seemed slightly suspicious, but continued, "Yeah, well, he stayed with me at Altessas."

Warning bells were going off in my head.

"He did?"

Mithos smiled then, something I never, for the life of me, could see him doing since his sister died.

"Yeah, we had so much fun…that's when he told me about Cruxis and what they were trying to do and how he said it wasn't worth it."

Now he seemed sad. How could Genis' words have such an effect on him? How could Genis, in general have so much of an impact on him? I wasn't stupid, I had heard about what happened when Lloyd was trying to take the Eternal Blade. Mithos had gone so far as to get hit by Genis' attack, then he blocked an attack from Pronyma aimed at Genis.

But why?

The bells in my head were getting louder.

Then it hit me.

"You…like him don't you?"

Mithos' face turned scarlet, "Wha—ah! No—I mean, wait, how did you…?"

"I'm not stupid, Lord Yggdrasill—Mithos."

"I know that, Kratos. But what makes you think I like him like that?"

Now I just had to smirk, "You honestly don't think I heard anything about how you helped Genis? How you went so far as to get hit by one of his attacks and then block Lady Pronymas attack for him?"

His face just got ten times redder than a tomato…ugh, tomatoes.

"I-I-I that was…shut up!"

"Mithos, there's nothing wrong with liking someone. I was just wondering."

"I don't think it'll affect anything so please don't bring it up again!"

"Actually it does have an affect on everything. You may very well kill him." His face showed horror and yet, understanding at the same time, "And you know that, don't you?"

"Y-Yes…I do."

My eyes softened, "Don't you think it would be nice if you could see him once more before the fight?"

Mithos' eyes widened considerably, "Wha—I…I'd love to! But he probably hates me now."

Then it dawned on me, "Does he know you care for him…that way?"

He blushed and nodded his head lightly, "Y-Yeah, I-I…he knows."

"And did he accept those feelings?"

Mithos nodded his head once more, "He did."

"Does he…care for you in the same way?"

Mithos shook his head, "I don't know. He never outright said it, but he…let me hold him on more than one occasion."

"I see. Then wouldn't you want a straight answer from him?"

Mithos nodded his head, suddenly getting up from off the couch and revealing his wings, "Yeah actually, I would. Thanks Kratos. And if Pronyma asks where I am…make something up."

I nodded my head and watched him open the huge bay window, taking off into the night air.

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Mithos POV

I floated down to the ground. It was snowing here, and I knew I couldn't be too far away from Flanoir. But because of the accursed snow, I couldn't see anything. I guess I should be thankful now that I can't feel the cold. If I did, traveling through it would be unbearable. But that reminds me, Genis always wore shorts and short sleeves. Was he naturally warm blooded?

Hmm, I guess I'll just have to ask him that when I meet up with him. Hopefully he's staying in his own room in Flanoir. Actually, yes, I'm sure he is. With Altessas' wounds, and his sister being the healer that she is, I'm sure she went with that doctor to his house.

I sighed and trudged through the snow. Almost instantly I see the outline of Flanoir, what luck.

I hurriedly made my way into the small town, and, yet again, have to hide myself. There, under the only lit street lamp, is Zelos and he's…

Kissing Lloyd.

'So he really is gay.' I think to myself humorously. How ironic since he always flirts with women. Then I remember: he's supposed to be working for me! If he, for all the gods above, loves Lloyd then…then he could possibly not—no, if he loved Lloyd then he would want his title as Chosen removed.

Then something catches my eye in the window of the inn. I focus my vision and see…white hair.

Not just any white hair.

Genis' hair.

So he sees this as well? I wonder what he thinks of it. Knowing him, he must already know that Zelos is a traitor.

And he also must know that he will hurt Lloyd. I wonder…what will he do? Will he confront him, or not? Suddenly the two break their kiss and Lloyd asks him something…I can tell from here that Zelos is tense. Lloyd must have said how much he trusted him.

How much…he trusted him…

'We're friends aren't we, Mithos?'

'Yeah…we are…why?'

'I…I trust you, okay?'

I shook my head, I couldn't let thoughts--memories--like that lead me away from what I wanted. What I came here for.

I wanted a confession.

I watched as the two new lovebirds walked away…and saw my chance. I hurried towards the window. I opened it stealthily. Ironically Genis wasn't paying attention. He was standing in front of a mirror with his head bowed.

"I…hate…him. I hate him for making me feel this way!" I froze as I heard those words. A particularly cold blast of wind came in through the window then, causing Genis to look over at it. But by now I was standing behind him.

"So, you hate me? Then I guess I'll leave."

He gasped and turned to face me. His face showing a mixture of surprise, confusion, and…no, not that emotion. I turned away and released my wings, preparing to leave and never come back.

"Mithos!"

His voice made me stop. I turned to look at him slowly. He was staring at me, almost in shock. I looked at where his gaze was. It was on my back.

"Your wings…"

"My wings?" I asked, confused. I then look back at my wings, then I realize it. I turn my gaze back to him, "Oh, right. You've never seen my wings before, have you?"

He shakes his head, "No…I haven't. They're…really, um, they suit you." He says this almost with a hint of curiosity in his voice.

This makes me smile. I turn back around to face him, "Oh really now? Do they? Yeah, I guess they would."

I noticed that he seemed…nervous, "Um…why are you…?"

"Here? I--" then I blushed, remembering exactly why I'm here. Oh gods, how can I ask him that after he said he hated me?

"You?" he proded.

"I wanted to see you."

"…Me?" he seemed shocked. But then again, why wouldn't he be? He must think that I, the evil warlord of the entire world, have taken some time out of his busy schedule to come and see him.

What an honor.

Oh wait, that's right. He hates me. I guess I should leave now, shouldn't I?

"…But I guess since you said you hated me I'll leave. I was just hoping to see you one last time before we have to fight." I know that, as hard as I try, I can't mask the sadness on my face. I know Genis sees it. But what will he do?

He seems to be debating over that now.

"I…Mithos…I don't hate you."

"Then why did you say it?" I couldn't keep the bitterness from my voice. I could also tell that he saw anger in my eyes, he seemed scared. I sighed, "I'm sorry, Genis. Now tell me. Why did you say it?"

"I…don't like…the way you…made me feel. I, well, it…hurt. It hurt when you said those words yesterday." He mumbled, looking extremely hurt and yet embarrassed at the same time. But this just led me to more confusion.

What did he mean?

"It did? How so?"

He looked annoyed, as if I shouldn't be asking that.

"It…um…how could you say that?" That wasn't the answer I was looking for.

"How did it hurt? What did it feel like?"

Genis blinked, his hand moving absentmindedly to his chest, to cover his heart. He closed his eyes, obviously trying to think clearly.

"It felt…like my heart…was shattering into many different pieces. Like…glass. You had held my heart for a while and then, just like that, you dropped it and it broke." He said this so truthfully, so…so…painfully. How could I have done that to him? Did this mean…he felt the same?

He opened his eyes slowly and stared at me, his eyes portraying his true emotions. He…really…loved me…

My eyes had glazed over, my face had softened. I moved forwards slowly, though not by walking. By floating. Now I was floating right in front of him.

"Hey…no fair, you're already taller than me without floating two inches off the ground!" He joked, he then looked uncertain. But then again, this really wasn't the time for joking.

I smiled then, lifting my hand and placing it on the boys cheek, "I know, but I like being taller than you." I then pulled him closer to me, wrapping him in a tight embrace to which he replied, "M-Mithos?" I thought it cute how he stuttered.

Then I remembered a particular piece of information I found out. Oh gods, this was going to be fun.

Now if only you were wearing that Katz costume." Even though I couldn't feel anything I could tell he was blushing madly.

"Wha--?"

I smiled at this; he was so cute some times. I look absentmindedly at the bed then back at Genis. I picked him gently, startling him, and carried him, placing him on the still-made bed.

"Mithos?" he asked with confusion in his voice. I retracted my wings and climbed on the bed as well.

"Yes?"

"When did you find out about the Katz Costume?"

"I have spies everywhere." I smirked, pulling the boy closer to me in a tight embrace. We lay there, on the bed in each others arms, for what felt like an hour before Genis spoke again.

"Mithos?"

"Hmm?"

"Um…" his face turned red and I sat up, looking at him, "What?"

"Ah…I…um…"

"You…?"

Genis looked down at the bed covers, his face turning a deeper shade of crimson, "Genis…what is it?" I placed a hand gingerly on his cheek, turning his face towards mine.

Genis' eyes met mine, but they were filled with confusion.

"What's wrong? Please, tell me. I'm your friend Genis. You can tell me anything."

"W-Well."

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Genis POV

What was I supposed to say to him? Gods this was harder than it seemed. But yes, he was my friend so yeah, I could tell him anything. But…ugh…

"W-Well I was just um…wondering…you're here to see me right?"

Mithos nodded his head, smiling a soft smile in my direction, his eyes full of some emotion that made my stomach do cartwheels.

"Yes, I am. What about it?"

"Um, wh-what about…everything else…?"

"Oh, them? Well, Kratos said that he'd cover for me if Pronyma asked where I was."

"K-Kratos knows…?"

Mithos blushed lightly, realizing what he had just said, "Ah…um…yeah, he does. But, you…I told you before how I felt about you…right?"

I nodded my head.

"A-And…he asked me about it, I told him that I told you how I felt and he…asked me how you felt in return."

"A-And…wh-what did you…s-say…?"

"I wasn't sure. That's part of the reason I came here. I want to know if you hold the same feelings for me as I do you."

"You…mean…if…I…you want…to find out if I…like you…like…that?" Now I was blushing madly.

'Oh my, how cute. He really loves you doesn't he?'

I flushed even more from the voice in my head. I wanted so badly to tell it to stop but Mithos would obviously think something was wrong with me if I did.

"Ah…y-yes. That's what he wanted to know…and, Genis?"

"H…Yes?"

"Your face…are you okay? What's…wrong?" A smirk played across his face, making me blush harder.

"ah, no, it's nothing…just, um, thinking." Mithos moved so that he was now sitting, on his knees, in front of my. He ran his fingers through my hair and says, "Thinking? About what?"

"Nothing in particular."

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Mithos' POV

"Nothing in particular."

"Hmm…" I stare at him, though he's now avoiding my gaze.

"Look at me, Genis."

He looks up at me, his purple-blue eyes showing innocence but his expression showing embarrassment. Now I'm really curious.

"About what?"

"I…no…just…um, you…are my enemy still a-and…"

"And? Does it really bother you that much?" I pull my hand away slowly, knowing that, if this conversation is going the way he was implying, then I couldn't stay here for long.

"Wha—no!" Genis moves forwards, grabbing the front of my shirt, "I didn't—I don't want…I don't want…you to go…I didn't mean to say it like that!"

"But does it bother you?"

"N-No I-it d-doesn't…" he whispered, looking down at the bedspread.

I look down at him, "Say it again. Say it again while looking me in the eye and not stuttering." My voice is cold and harsh, I see him flinch and feel a pang of guilt. But I need to know how he feels. And the only way I can know for certain is if he looks me in the eyes and says it.

Albeit slowly, he looks up; shyly. An uncertain smile graces his lips…but it turns into a confident one as he straightens up. His eyes meet mine and I smile, "Good. Now…I'll ask you again, does it really bother you that I'm your enemy?"

"No, Mithos. It doesn't." Good. No stuttering. No faltering.

I lean down and press my lips to his forehead in a chaste kiss. I know this is all I can do for now. He is still a child. I do not want to be like Zelos and kiss the one I love before turning on them.

Genis, after I let him go, snuggles closer to me. He seems content.

Very content.

"But…you know…I still wish you were in your Katz costume. I'd like to see you in it."

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Heh, I made Mithos have a Katz fetish. Darn all that fanart that has them together as Katz! Oh well, like the last chapter I hope you like this one. As always R&R, CC's welcome too. And, also like the last chapter I won't post up until I get at least three reviews (for the last one I got two but they were VERY GOOD reviews). So if you do review and you know someone else on this site that likes MithosXGenis (Gethos) then let them read and review it too!