Candlelight...or not.
The seventh in the series of Yuan x Lloyd oneshots, Lovelight
A/N: This one has also been changed quite a bit because my outline draft was bad and I think I involuntarily stole it from another story I read a while back. So to prevent any plaigerism, I changed the chapterline quite a bit. Does anybody even read these author notes I take time to put up here? Sometimes I wonder, they can be pretty entertaining. Well, I hope you like this chapter. 1 more to go after this!
A/N: Dec. 5 - Okay, there was an enormous change of plans in this, but you'll see! . Not many of you will like this outcome, but it'll save you one more story to keep up with! Enjoy the first part anyway. (Totally confused? Just wait and see...) Beware spoilers.
Disclaimer: Is it really necessary to put one on each chapter? I'm in a pondering mood today. I do not own ToS.
A sallow moon hovered over a picturesque landscape of glacial snow and glowing lamposts. The city of Flanoir was asleep and mesmerizing snowflakes cascaded down to a blanket over the town. The snow had an almost ashen appearance in the darkness of night and the arctic area was as silent as death. A sorrowful draft blew white powder from the iced sidewalks and swirled around a lonely windchime, who's sound tinkled hesitantly across the village. Somewhere in the distance, that sound was heard.
A brown-haired figure stirred restlessly in his bed and he sat up before long. Ivory sheets were twisted around his legs as a reminder of his nightmarish sleep. Rubbing his eyes, the boy moved over to the foggy window kissed with frost. His indolent sigh blurred the window until it was opaque with a grayish-white cover. Nothing was seen except an illuminating orb, the lonesome moon floating in absolute quiet.
"Lloyd..." came a murmur from behind him. Whirling around with alert, Lloyd froze to find the source of his name being said. He realized it was Yuan, who was probably talking in his sleep since the man had his back to him. However, he was wrong. "Why are you up?"
"Uhm..." Lloyd could think of no real reason and simply shrugged. "I was cold, thought I'd turn the heat up."
Yuan rolled over in bed to look up at the ceiling, his eyes a deep jade in the dim lighting. "You're lying. Why can't you sleep?" he said bluntly, causing Lloyd to sigh again and meander back to the low-set bed. The tawdry comforter sank under his form as he sat next to Yuan. Their eyes met and Lloyd nearly pulled his gaze away until something in the other man's eyes caught him. A look of concern that seemed to captivate him and beckon him to tell. Something just as strong in Lloyd's head told him not to tell though.
"It's just that..." Lloyd couldn't form words fast enough or think of an excuse. It's too early to tell him the truth, and I didn't plan to tell him in the middle of the night. Something might distract him.
Yuan remained patient as well as stubborn. "It's just that what? I'm listening." Another affectionate glance from the half-elf brought Lloyd even closer to telling. Before he could say anything, Yuan sat up and reached off the bed and onto the floor. Picking up a matchbox, he took a match out and lifted the pallid candle from the nightstand. The fevered dance of the small orange flame cast frenzied shadows across the room until it calmed down and Yuan set it back down.
"Yuan, if you're tired, just go to sleep. It's late." Lloyd looked at his watch and stifled a yawn. "I can tell you tomorrow." The older angel looked away for a moment before turning back and shurgging, his silken hair slipping off his shoulders elegantly.
"I can't sleep either, so we can talk for a while if you want." Lloyd again found it hard to resist Yuan's beseeching smile and finally turned to him completely.
"Yuan...you're going to think I'm really weird for bringing this stuff up, especially to lose sleep over it..." he rambled on and could feel the way he was evading the situation. Yuan continued to look at him expectantly.
"I know you have things on your mind and I'm asking you to explain them. I think I can understand."
Lloyd ran his fingers through his mop of hair that held a bronze sheen in the candlelight. "Okay...I just want you to know that...I love you." He bit his lip nervously and closed his eyes. "I can't tell you that enough." There was a small silence.
"Is that it?" Yuan said a little too harshly. "You always tell me that, and...if this is about the night at the beach, I want you to know it'll be okay." He placed a comforting hand on Lloyd's shoulder and looked at him deeply. "You worry too much. I'm not going to let you go or let anything happen to you...to us."
While the brunette struggled for control, Yuan hugged the boy close and kissed him on the cheek. "Are you going to be okay?" he asked with empathy.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. I'm just a little unsure about-"
"Unsure?" Yun pulled back and looked at Lloyd in bewilderment. "Are you saying you don't want to continue this relationship?"
"No, I just feel scared about keeping it a secret from everyone and I think that no matter what happens you should know how I feel about you. That's why I tell you I love you so much."
"I told you...nothing will happen to us. You're such a pessimist."
Lloyd smiled calmly and heaved a sigh. "I guess you're right. Sorry for worrying you."
"You don't have to apologize," Yuan said quickly, starting to sound scolding. Looking at the candle, it had almost burned to the wood of the table. "I suppose we should get some sleep now." He turned once more to his lover and gave him a comforting look. "Try not to think about obstacles so much. You know I love you too."
Without a word more, Yuan extinguished the candle's radiant flame and searched for sleep. Lloyd too lied down and stared at the ceiling for a few minutes. When he heard Yuan's slow breathing, he closed his eyes.
How can you be so calm about all this? I can't shake the feeling something will happen to me...and to you. Can't you see I'm trying to protect you?
----------------------------- The change of the plAns
The next morning, Yuan was combing his hair, Lloyd sitting on his bed. They were having a normal conversation when someone suddenly burst through the window! In fact, there was more than one person!
"Hey, what's up you guys?" A strange boy asked. He had bright red hair and blue green eyes. Totally unfamiliar to anyone.
Yuan and Lloyd tore their eyes from the boy and exchanged baffled glanced. "Uhm..."
A woman who looked about twenty stepped forward, still brushing broken glass of her shoulders. "We're taking over," she said adamantly, giving them each a hard stare. The redhead nodded in the back. "So...scurry your way out of here. You're done."
Yuan and Lloyd were not convinced, and they continued to stare in amazement. Zelos and Kratos walked in with the same thoughts. "Who are you people?"
"Oh, right. How rude of us not to introduce ourselves," another young woman stepped forward, tossing her short blonde hair back. "I'm Princess Natalia of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear," she said in a practiced tone. Kratos, Yuan, and Lloyd said nothing, and Zelos waved flirtatiously. The girl stepped back in fear.
"I'm Luke Fon Fabre," the redhead boy said, then he saw Zelos. "Ugh, you look like me too!"
"My name is Tear Grants. I was a soldier of the Order of Lorelei." The Symphonia people scooted back, fearing their lives.
"Jade Curtiss, Malkuth Military Imperial Forces," another man said. They scooted back further.
"Anise Tatlin, Guardian of the Fon Master of the Order of Lorelei," a little girl said proudly. They scooted back further. Lloyd fell off the bed.
"Guy Cecil. I'm a servant for House Fabre, but I could still kick your ass anyday." They paused, then scooted back more.
The woman named Tear stepped forward again. "Anyway, your reign of power is over, Tales of Symphonia! We're here to take over!" She did a quick ghetto woman snap action, and Luke flashed a gang sign.
Kratos knew they were all in trouble, but he stepped forward confidently, hand on his sword. "We're not surrendering without a fight. Four on four."
"Yo, V.I.P. ...Let's kick it!"
Guy and Natalia sat out while the rest duked it out in Yuan's bedroom.
Luke and Lloyd exchanged sword blows, almost equally matched, both being amatuer swordsmen in training. "You're...pretty good," Lloyd said, jumping back in defense. "But I've got killer Techs that'll cream you! Demon Fang!"
"What in the world is a 'Tech'?" Luke asked, sidestepping the attack. Lloyd frowned and looked up. "Fang Blade!" He flew back against a wall. "And dont' even get me started on Over Limit!"
Tear held her staff in defense, but Zelos didn't move. "Come on, fight me!" She demanded, lowering her guard.
Zelos shurgged, examining his sword boredly. "I don't fight girls. Sorry!" He winked at her, and she cringed.
Closing her eyes, Tear held her staff up. "O Seal of Fire, strike down my enemy..."
Zelos's eyes widened. "Oh shi-!"
"Flamme Rouge!"
Kratos kept his sword steadily in front of him, thinking of a plan. The colonel grew impatient. "Are you just going to stand there?"
"Are you?" Kratos bit back, buying himself time to think. Crap, I can't think of anything. And...did Zelos just get torched over there?
"I suppose I will..." Jade closed his eyes and a fonic glyph appeared on the floor beneath him. "Rest in the merciless silver embrace..."
Kratos blinked and looked up. He was too late.
"Absolute!"
Anise stared Yuan in the eyes warily. "You'd better watch your back. If you aren't careful, I'll call Ion here to beat you up." Looking around, she added. "He knows some pretty violent Daathic Fonic Artes. You'd be wishing you were dead if you caught one of those."
Yuan faltered, but held his ground. "I'm not letting you talk me out of this. Thunder Explosion!" He leapt into the air, but the girl jumped back, dodging it closely. "You little brat!"
"Not so fast!" she shouted, and the doll on her back grew seven times its size. "Burn baby! Cyclone Blaze!"
Yuan narrowly avoided the attack, hitting the ground as the monstrosity soared over him. His cape caught fire, but he took it off and threw it aside. Spinning his saber above his head, and looked over to see the girl casting a spell. "O twisted door of distortion! Open wide! Negative Gate!"
"Thunder Blade!" They were both hit, and both fell to their knees. Anise was stronger in speed and accuracy, but lacked defense, while Yuan's 4,000 years of experience gave him a better offense and defense. Their eyes met again, and they knew they were just getting started.
Guy and Natalia sat against the wall, yawning in boredom. "Let's go beat some people up," Guy offered simply. Natalia shrugged and they walked out of the chaotic room quietly.
In the main room, Sheena and Genis were playing chess, totally oblivious to the constant explosions in the bedroom. "King me," Sheena said bluntly.
Genis frowned, looking at her closely. "Sheena, that's a rook, and this is chess." He gasped at the sight of the man and woman walking towards them. "Ah, strangers! Raine, someone help!" Sheena whirled around, holding Genis by the wrist.
Natalia and Guy exchanged glances, then nodded. Drawing his sword, Guy explained, "Leave peacefully, or we'll remove you by force."
The impetuous Sheena smirked and drew out her cards, pulling Genis closer. "Not a chance." Natalia drew an arrow and Sheena and her went head to head. Guy turned to Genis, who trembled in fear.
"There's always the option of running," Guy said, pointing his sword at the boy. "If you want to live." A distant explosion from Yuan's room sent Genis for the hills. Presea walked in moments later, saw Guy's sword, and drew her ax.
"It's over," she said emptily, and they began fighting.
To be continued...