Characters: Zelos, Lloyd
Rating/Warnings: K+; mild spoilers, angst
"Hey, Bud -"
The redhead speaking was met with a slap, his so-called "Bud" glaring and utterly pissed.
"Don't call me that, Zelos," he snapped. He was gripping his twin swords so tightly that his knuckles faded to white.
Regardless, Zelos didn't seem to notice. "Bud, what's wrong -"
"Idiot!" Lloyd cried. "Such an idiot..."
Zelos reached out and grabbed Lloyd's shoulder, trying to get the swordsman to face him. Instead the brunette just shrugged him off, a faint growl rising in his throat.
"Just... no. Don't touch me," he muttered, his tone promising much pain if he was to be disobeyed.
The ex-Chosen stared dumbly as Lloyd turned even farther away, back rigid and hands still clasped tightly around his blades.
"...Lloyd," Zelos said hesitantly, "this wouldn't have anything to do with, ah, Kratos, would it?"
"What do you care?" was the reply.
The redhead thought for a moment. "What if I told you I was worried about you?"
This was met with silence.
"Look, Lloyd." Zelos paused for a brief moment, thinking about how to phrase the next part. "I know you... trusted him. I know you did. And I know how hard it is to... to realize your father isn't -"
"My chest hurts," Lloyd interrupted.
"I - what?"
"My chest... hurts. My heart. My brain."
Zelos had nothing to say, overwhelmed by the sudden remembrance of watching his mother die. He knew what Lloyd meant, about his chest hurting. He also knew that the feeling wouldn't go away anytime soon.
He said nothing, and Lloyd walked away.
Both were left with a pain in their hearts and a burning hatred for the monster they used to call Lloyd's father.