Again sorry for any OOCness. I wrote this mostly for stress relief so there's probably a bit of that in here.

When there's nothing but the long way round,

I will be beside you

-"Beside You", Phildel

Zelos had been through many terrifying things in his life-when he and his friends had learned that the two worlds were ending. When he had to betray those said friends and try everything to regain their trust. When Mithos had overtaken his body, and having to watch Lloyd's horrified and furious face when he disappeared.

And now, he found himself in a brand new kind of worrisome situation, when he stood in a room at the castle in Meltokio, nervously tossing a small square black box in between his hands, two of his friends standing in front of him and trying to drag him out of the room and back down to the new year's party down in the ballroom. They were all dressed in formal wear, Sheena wore a fitting purple dress, her hair pulled into a bun, and Colette wore a lovely frilly shirt and skirt looking light and summery as she always did. Zelos had hardly even gotten himself ready, he was wearing a suit—or, rather, what was left to be fixed into one. His vest and jacket were lying on a nearby chair and he hadn't fixed his shirt yet, too focused on the tiny box in his hand that would ultimately determine his future with the most important person in his life. The girls waited on him.

There was silence for a moment, he froze and stared at the box in his hand.

"Maybe I should just wait." He said suddenly, earning an exaggerated groan from Sheena. "Look, there's so many other things going on right now, and it's a little too soon—" Zelos' tone was nervously dismissive, laughing a little anxiously and waving a hand. Sheena glared, she wasn't having any of it.

"Zelos, we've talked about this." She snapped. "You've been planning this for weeks."

"I—" He stammered. "There's too many people and it's only—"

"Zelos," Colette stepped in, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "It'll be okay. Are you afraid of something going wrong?"

He swallowed, thinning his lips. I'm afraid of him saying no, Zelos thought, which was accompanied with a soft laugh. Me, Zelos Wilder, afraid of rejection? What a thought. "...Yeah."

"It's okay, Zelos, it's natural to be worried over something like this." She said.

Sheena's demeanor seemed to soften, and she approached him as well, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I know you're afraid, Zelos." She began, "But you're the one who decided to take this risk, you gotta own up to it. Besides, it's Lloyd. What do you think could happen?"

Colette lowered her hands and took one of Zelos' own into hers, smiling up at him, her blue eyes offering reassurance and comfort. The more he looked at her, he saw that she indeed looked a bit more mature, now a young, beautiful woman. She squeezed his hand.

"Lloyd loves you, Zelos." She said with a gentle firmness. "He loves you very much. Whatever happens, I don't think it will be bad. It'll be fine. I know you're feeling insecure about this, but I think it'll all work out for the better." She smiled again.

"Hey," Sheena piped up, regaining his attention. "you love Lloyd, right?"

"Of course I do."

"You guys have been together for at least 3 years now, which I am still pleasantly surprised at." He made an exasperated face at her and she waved a hand at him, still smiling. "He's the most important person in the world to you, right?"

He nodded. "Yeah, he is."

"And everything that's happened so far, you changing for the better, has all been because of Lloyd, right?"

"Yeah..."

"And," She raised a finger. "you want to spend the rest of your life with him?"

He could feel himself sweating nervously at this question, his face full of anxiety and apprehension. She watched him expectantly, knew he was weighing things over in his head. He had come this far and had been pulled out of the swamp of his own bitterness, she didn't want to see him hesitating now, of all times.

She watched him closely, seeing his gaze avert to the floor. She knew exactly what he was thinking—he deserves someone better, I shouldn't be the one to do this, I don't want to fuck this up. Luckily Lloyd had long since driven out such thoughts from the former casanova, but he still had small moments like this that crept their way back into his mind. She waited.

"Yes." He said, nodding to himself with finality.

The summoner smiled at him. "Then that's all you need. Look, Zelos," he lifted his eyes again to look at her. "you should really...give yourself more credit here, you know." He blinked at her, minor surprise on his face. She pouted a little—what, did he not expect to hear that from her? "Someone like you, asking a guy like Lloyd to marry him? Do you have any idea how huge of a step that is? You've...really surprised me, in a lot of good ways these past few years." She gave him a little shy smile and felt one of his own tugging at his lips at her words. "You've changed a lot. Lloyd did good on you."

He scoffed a little, looking between her and Colette fondly, sighing through his nose and still smiling. "Lloyd did most of the work, yeah. But...I guess you guys helped some too. It doesn't..." He glanced away. "...feel as lonely, now, I suppose."

The summoner folded her arms and nodded, proud grin on her face. Colette's smile widened significantly, showing off her teeth and briefly hugged his arm before stepping back. "You'll be fine, Zelos. Everything will turn out okay."

He was going to say something else, but a knock at the door and then Lloyd's voice, "Hey, guys? Are you still getting ready?" snapped them to attention instantly and everyone stared wide eyed at one another.

"Oh sh—"

"He's going to see—"

"Quick! Hide the thing! Here!" Sheena hissed in a whisper, held out her hand and Zelos slapped the ring box in her hand and she immediately stuffed it into a wedge in the waist of her dress, hidden from view, spinning around to face the door as soon as it opened.

Lloyd had peeked his head in and found the three of them standing stiffly, like something had just happened, and his brows furrowed suspiciously.

"Sheena? Colette? What are you guys doing?"

"Nothing!" The two girls replied in unison, looking at each other awkwardly before turning back to Lloyd and smiling. "We were just...telling Zelos not to get too plastered, even though it's a new year's party." Sheena laughed, walking up to the open door with Colette and playfully slapping Lloyd on the back. "Wouldn't want you to have to carry him all the way home, now would we?"

"Hey, I don't get that drunk at parties," Zelos defended, folding his arms and pouting a little.

Sheena rolled her eyes. "Do you even know how much of a lightweight you are?" She ignored his humorous annoyance and waved, linking arms with Colette and heading out the door. "We'll see you guys downstairs."

"Bye!" Colette waved.

Lloyd entered the room, his back turned to the summoner and angel, and Zelos and Sheena shared a look as she patted the area on her hip, signaling that she'd look after it until they went downstairs. He nodded at her, swallowing nervously as Lloyd shut the door behind him.

"Well that was weird," Lloyd commented, turning to Zelos and looking him up and down, Zelos mimicking him.

Lloyd was dressed in a gray suit, light gray vest and wore a pink tie (Zelos could almost hear Colette going 'awww'), cocked his hip to the side and put a hand in his pocket while observing Zelos, a warm smile on his face, which Zelos met with a grin.

"Look at you," Zelos spoke, as the brunette made his way over to the other and leaned in, pressing his lips to the redhead's in a loving kiss. They lingered like that for a moment before slowly parting, Zelos raising a hand to rest it at the crook of Lloyd's neck.

To most people Lloyd probably looked really plain, but for Zelos, he was anything but. He cleaned up pretty nice. There was something, he decided, about seeing Lloyd in a fine suit that made him fall in love all over again. He wound an arm around Lloyd's waist and pulled him closer. "You look...amazing."

A faint blush spread across Lloyd's cheeks, and he loved that look on Lloyd: the fond dorky smile that grew and how he'd glance away slightly out of minor shyness, giving a soft 'thanks' in return.

"You look good too." Lloyd replied, earning a small chuckle from the redhead.

"I haven't even gotten my jacket on."

Lloyd shrugged. "You look good no matter what." Zelos felt something in him flutter at those words.

He gave Lloyd a peck on the cheek and pulled back, moving to retrieve his vest. "You wanna help me out then?"

Zelos actually surprised himself then, he felt his hands begin to tremble while pulling on a dark gray vest over his button up shirt and allowing Lloyd to grab the nearby maroon tie and wrap it around his neck, while Zelos pulled his cascade of long hair out from behind it, brushing it off his shoulders, Lloyd finished fastening the tie and began to button the vest for him. He could feel the tremors start to creep through him. He was nervous. Goddess, he was nervous, and they hadn't even left the room yet.

"There's a lot of people down there." Lloyd commented. "Genis, Raine, Regal and Presea are here too. Everyone's together. Seles showed up not too long ago also."

Oh goddess. Everyone's going to be watching.

"It's been a while since we've taken a break from exsphere hunting." Lloyd said, helping Zelos fit his arms into his black suit jacket, allowing him to button it himself while Lloyd smoothed out the edges near his waist and shoulder-blades. Zelos turned around to face him; Lloyd took a step back to look at him as he fussed with the cuffs on the jacket, dusting himself off. Lloyd felt himself grinning like an idiot at the sight of Zelos in a regular suit like this, it complimented him so much better than the fancy and gaudy outfit he'd worn several years ago. Lloyd was right, he looked good in just about anything, but seeing him tone it down and wearing something so simple made him stand out in a much more different manner. It was nice.

"Let me braid your hair." The brunette said.

"Hm?" Zelos looked up at him. "Why for?"

Lloyd shrugged, finding his hand working its way to run up one of Zelos' arms and settling around the nape of his neck. "It'll look good with the suit."

Zelos grinned at him. "Any excuse to put your hands in my hair, huh?"

"Pretty much."

The ex-Chosen chuckled at him, but agreed and turned around, allowing the brunette to slip his fingers into the long red locks and twist and twine them through his touch to form a braid, closing his eyes. Zelos loved feeling Lloyd's hands on his scalp, loved how much it relaxed him, loved how at home it felt. He knew Lloyd had always been enraptured with his long hair, loved everything about it and paid special attention to it always during their quiet moments; his favorite ones being having his head in the boy's lap and he casually pet his head, other times...well, those were better left to the bedroom when it was locked. Both were equally his favorite, though.

He felt one particular stray bunch of hair being lifted up and away from the braid—he knew Lloyd brought it up to his lips to kiss gently, and damned if he was going to admit that made him flush a little at how sappy and romantic it was. Lloyd loved everything about him, everything, and he showed it with every touch, caress and word spoken to him.

Another spike of anxiety.

For once in my entire life I've begun to question how much of a considerate lover I've been. He thought, feeling like I can never give back enough what he's given me.

Sheena's voice immediately interrupted his thoughts, as though she heard him: Shut up, you idiot ex-Chosen. Quit doubting yourself.

He swallowed again.

The motions stopped and his eyes, begrudgingly so, opened again. He felt Lloyd gently place his fingers against the small of Zelos' back and moved to face him, one strong arm wrapped around the waist. He was still incredibly nervous. Though, looking back up into deep brown eyes gave him the strength to inhale and exhale; Lloyd had the ability to untangle him and ease his nerves in a way no one else could.

Unfortunately, Lloyd was also incredibly perceptive, and could see through Zelos like glass.

"Are you okay? You got really tense there for a second. I didn't snag a hair did I?" He said.

Zelos shook his head, "Nah, it's okay. Just got a lot on my mind. We can talk later, after the party, okay?"

Lloyd seemed unconvinced, but let it slide. He stood back a little to get a better look at Zelos, and his face bore a surprised expression as Zelos reached behind him and pulled the braid over his shoulder, Lloyd's cheeks going a little red again as if he'd just realized something. Zelos watched him, saw that huge, dumb grin show up on him again, and he stepped forward again and leaned in to give him another kiss. Warm, soft, smelling like the woods and nature and everything Zelos fell in love with. The boy pulled back and smiled at him.

"You're gorgeous."

Oh, goddess help him he had fallen way too hard now that he was stuck with this wonderful, sappy, idealistic hero that saved the world, and had saved him. He never, ever, ever, imagined himself, the great Zelos Wilder, to be so absolutely smitten with a boy, who was a country hick that had a fire inside him fierce and bright enough to illuminate the city, that every time he complimented him he felt like thrice the man he was before.

It was probably because Lloyd was so genuine, so real, that he often had a hard time believing it. Lloyd wasn't like all the hunnies that he'd drowned himself in before, didn't hide behind a status and lie to him with sweet, yet sour words. He was honest. He was true. Everything Zelos wished he had been.

Sheena was right.

He laughed a little, nudging Lloyd slightly and linking their arms together. He flipped his bangs. "Of course I am. I always look my best." Lloyd rolled his eyes, still grinning. They left the room together and headed downstairs.

Sheena could tell Zelos was starting to panic. She saw it in every move he made. It was getting close to counting down the new year, and Zelos was readying himself for the big moment. During the party he had slipped away so Sheena could discreetly hand him the box back, allowing him to stash it in his coat pocket and make his way back towards Lloyd. Colette watched them too, she had noticed that Lloyd seemed to look tense as well. The group had gathered near where the two men stood, waiting for the moment that Zelos would request everyone's attention. Genis was surprisingly supportive, even though it took him ages to get used to it.

Eventually, the two were led to the ballroom floor to join the other party-goers in a dance. Zelos remembered trying to teach Lloyd how to waltz, it was amusing on its own, but he had gotten the hang of it pretty quickly with a teacher like Zelos. Sheena and the others watched intently, their eyes all focused on the boys.

Zelos had his eyes on nothing else but Lloyd as they danced, like they were in their own little world and when they found themselves coming to a stop, he was surprised to see Lloyd following his motions rather easily, like he knew what the redhead's movements were already. He had stared into chocolate eyes longer than he'd thought, realizing a lump was gathering in his throat, trying to remember how he was going to even start and oh damn it everyone was watching everyone would see whether or not this would work. He was unaware of the other dancing couples in the room had seemingly stopped, all turning to look at the two of them.

This was it. It was now or never.

"Lloyd, I—"

"Zelos—"

"Oh."

"Um."

Zelos felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. His nerves were about to fry, could feel himself start to sweat anxiously, and he was suddenly aware of how tense and awkward Lloyd looked, brown eyes averting to the ground, and shit, shit did he know? Why did he look like that? What was going on? He had the oddest feeling in his gut as they remained silent for a few seconds before he opened his mouth to speak again, but Lloyd beat him to the punch, much to his dismay.

"Zelos, I have something important to say." Zelos gulped at Lloyd's words, and why was he talking so loudly? The room was deathly silent. He felt sick. This had thrown him completely off course with how he had planned the night out.

"Okay." Was all he said.

Lloyd inhaled deeply, his expression firm, confident, but had layers and layers of nervousness underneath it. "Zelos," He began, and Zelos saw him gulp. "you and I have been together for a long time—" Zelos felt a squeak of surprise in his head, those first few words already sounding familiar and what was happening, "—and we've been through a lot together. I mean...moreso than what most people would consider a 'lot'. And I..."

Lloyd had lowered his hands to take both of Zelos' own, grasping them tightly and Zelos could feel the strain in his hands, both of them were shaking that he couldn't tell if it was coming from him or Lloyd but the more Lloyd spoke the more panic rose within him and the way Lloyd spoke and the way he looked at him and his mind completely went blank.

"Well, I never thought I'd end up with someone like you. You've seen me at my worst, and you stayed. And I've seen you at your worst, and I stayed. And no matter what you think, I'll always want to be by you, no matter how many times you stumble, I'll be there to help you back on your feet. And, well, I..." Panicking. Zelos was panicking, his eyes wide, shit, he wondered if this was going where he thought it was going oh goddess what was going on why is Lloyd looking at him like that and talking this way what is happening.

"I want to keep doing that. I want us to keep looking towards the future together. That is...what I mean is, I..." Lloyd rubbed the back of his neck aggravatingly and Zelos couldn't tell if he was whining or not but his face had grown hot with embarrassment and tangled nerves and he didn't know what to say or do because he was frozen in place and felt everything spike when he saw Lloyd's hand move from his neck and down into his coat pocket.

Oh sweet Martel. Do not.

"Augh, I'm not good at explaining things, damn it," He sounded frustrated and jittery. "Look, Zelos, what I'm trying to say is, you're one of the most important people in my life, probably the most important one, and I love you more than anything." Zelos felt like he was going to faint. Did he just pull out a—? What was that look—? Was he—was he getting on one knee—? Why was he—

Oh NO.

Lloyd had gotten down on one knee in front of him, had Zelos' left hand in his, Lloyd's free hand outstretched and holding a ring with a blue gem on it, and could hear the people around them gasp and murmur and he didn't have to look up to know that Colette was bouncing up and down excitedly while Sheena bit her lip to refrain from yelling and was sure the others bore equal surprise but Zelos was far beyond any of them in that area.

"Zelos Wilder, will you marry me?"

I am going to DIE.

Zelos stood there displaying a comical amount of shock and awe that it took him a moment to process everything that Lloyd had just done in a matter of seconds. He was no longer concerned about his fear of rejection, but was now frozen in place in astonishment that Lloyd had the same idea as him, that Lloyd had actually been one step ahead of him, and most of all, that he felt the same way. An entirely new range of emotions welled up inside him and seemed to ease his shaken up nerves, though he still felt himself shaking, couldn't bring himself to stop he had been startled horribly and the lead up to this night had worn him down in more ways than one.

He focused back on Lloyd's deep brown eyes, and felt something from long ago ghost across the back of his mind, something that he had nestled deep within his heart and that could make his heart soar every time he thought of it or heard it.

'I trust you.'

A giddy laugh bubbled up into his throat. "Yes," He nodded, growing laughter seeping from him and into Lloyd, "Yeah, I will. Of course I will." As soon as he saw the brunette's face lighten up he could swear he looked brighter than the sun in that moment, not even wasting a second as he shot up from the floor and wrapped his arms around Zelos' waist, bringing him into a crushing hug and nearly knocking the two of them over. Zelos only let his laughter mingle with Lloyd's own, wrapping his arms around Lloyd's shoulders and almost missing the soft applause from the people around them and the little cheers from the others.

Before they knew it, the new year had rung through, all the guests cheering. The two boys had gotten lost among the crowd as everyone had gone back to party, as they were too wrapped up in each other and Zelos now had the ring on his hand while they kept close to each other, flush against the other and refusing to leave the small bubble they encased themselves in.

"I can't believe you made that ring." He said, his voice almost going unheard among the noise of the crowd.

"Why wouldn't I? I stressed over that thing so much, too." Lloyd replied, earning a snicker from Zelos.

"And you," Zelos began, looking straight into Lloyd's eyes and poking him gently on the chest. "you stole my thunder, damn you."

Lloyd blinked at him. "Eh?"

Zelos reached into his coat and pulled out the box that he had prepared for when he was going to propose to Lloyd, opened it with one hand to show him the ring inside, and the brunette took one look at it before looking at a grinning ex-Chosen, the surprise on his face was worth it.

"You were going to—Zelos you—"

"Hey, don't worry about it," The redhead shook his head. "Besides, I...seeing that you had the same idea, now, makes it all the better. I'm still happy. More than happy."

A wide, ecstatic grin broke out over Lloyd's face as he clasped his hand around the one that held the box, and leaned in to give Zelos another kiss.

Their first night of the new year was starting off well.