"Whatever, man. Do what you like."
Despite the nonchalant answer, Lloyd is wearing a small smile as Zelos puffs out his chest.
"Okay then, it's settled!" the redhead exclaims, "It's gonna be awesome traveling around with me, just you wait!"
"Yeah, yeah."
Lloyd closes his eyes, shutting out the silver moonlight and his companion's bright, albeit not completely sincere, smile. The sounds of nature surround him - the chirp of crickets, the gurgle of the nearby river, the occasional rustle of leaves as the wind blows through them. It's calming, and it allows him to draw away from the painful idea of having to face his father in battle the next day.
He takes a seat on the bench by the river. The water moves at a leisurely pace, the uneven surface highlighted by the moon. Shadows by his feet indicate that Zelos has joined him, as well as the comforting and familiar warmth of his body heat.
"You're gonna win, you know," Zelos says softly.
Lloyd doesn't look up as he replies, "I have to."
As silence falls between them, Lloyd feels strong arms wrap around his shoulders. The swordsman lets his eyes fall shut again as he moves in to lean against Zelos' chest.
"I know something that'll take your mind off the whole thing," Zelos murmurs into his hair after a moment, combing through the wild brown locks with his fingers. His tone is level, though he speaks under his breath as if he were telling a secret. Lloyd can tell that he's offering for the sake of offering, not to take advantage of the situation.
Nonetheless, the brunet can't help but flush at the idea. This isn't the first time the subject has come up - considering Zelos, this particular proposition has been tossed around often. While it has never been taken very seriously, there have been instances where Lloyd took the idea to heart.
However, this is the first time he has ever made a verbal response.
"That might actually..." Lloyd trails off, pausing to bite the inside of his cheek. "You know. I think we could- try, at least."
Zelos pulls away, putting distance between them. He examines Lloyd's expression with wide eyes.
"Are you sure?"
Lloyd holds his gaze and nods. "I think I'd like that."
Color seeps up Zelos' neck as he averts his eyes. "Wow. Alright, then. I guess it's time to head back."
Zelos' fingers skim over Lloyd's chest on their path to claim one of the swordsman's hands. A smirk pulls at his lips as he feels a shudder run through Lloyd's body. He laces his fingers through his companion's, pulling the brunet to his feet.
The sleepy sounds of nature around them keep them company as they make their way back to the inn. Lloyd holds Zelos' hand in a death grip, his body thrumming with a mix of anticipation and jumpy nerves. In response, the redhead just smiles and rubs the back of Lloyd's hand with his thumb.
Once they reach Lloyd's room, the swordsman moves to stand in front of the bed. Zelos watches him with a small smile, locking the door before leaning on it.
"If you're having any doubts," Zelos says, still smiling, "Feel free to say them now."
Lloyd keeps his back to the Chosen and slowly climbs on to the covers. When he turns to face Zelos, his face is bright red. He shakes his head.
Zelos nods. "Alright. Don't be afraid to say anything at any time."
With that said, Zelos approaches his companion, following him on to the bed. Firstly, the pair removes their weapons and lays them on the floor.
Zelos brushes dark hair out of Lloyd's eyes. The swordsman's breathing is loud in the quiet room, a steady reminder of the life pulsing through his veins, the life that urges Zelos to continue on this mad path. Those thoughts stir Zelos' resolve, and he moves to claim Lloyd's lips in a firm kiss.
This definitely isn't their first make out session, but Lloyd is still fairly new to the subject. However, the two have already built up a rhythm, a routine, and they meet each other with every nip, lick, and bite.
Lloyd groans in the back of his throat. His fingers scrabble at the waistband of Zelos' pants, searching for his belt. Somewhere in their frantic kissing, the pink vest had been removed, leaving the Chosen in his black shirt and pants.
Zelos swats away Lloyd's hands and quickly shimmies out of his pants. Despite his state of undress, the swordsman's hands resume their pawing, pulling at Zelos' undergarments.
"Patience is a virtue, honey," the redhead breathes, smirking. He slips off the underwear anyway. "Now it's your turn."
Sitting up, Lloyd wastes no time in stripping. He removes his clothes with practised ease; suspenders first, then shirt, undershirt, and pants. Before Lloyd can register what's happening, Zelos has hooked his thumbs into Lloyd's final piece of clothing. It's gone in a matter of seconds.
The two take a moment to examine the other, their eyes hungry, greedy. Immediately, Lloyd picks out every scar on Zelos' body, his fingers soon following his eyes.
"Hey, hey, hey, let's not get carried away here," Zelos says quietly, nudging Lloyd's hands off their path.
Nodding, Lloyd repositions his hands on Zelos' shoulders. It's too much, too much. The smell of him, the sight of him, his warmth and weight and the pressure of his touch against his- Lloyd can barely stand it. It takes a considerable amount of effort to suppress a shudder, and it's all undone once Zelos sweeps his hands over his body.
"Zelos-!" Lloyd's head jerks back as Zelos' firm hands press down his skin from his chest to his hips.
"Hush now, love, or else you'll wake everyone up."
Lloyd bites down a moan as Zelos brushes his fingers over his erection. Slowly his eyes fall shut, any coherent thought going out as well. A constant stream of "more, more, more" fills up his head, the words tumbling out of his mouth along with his shallow breath.
Zelos takes Lloyd into his hand and starts with a steady rhythm, sliding from base to tip. In a matter of seconds Lloyd is melting into the sheets. His hips buck every time Zelos grips the head of his cock, pressing into the sensitive skin under the tip.
Though his brain is foggy, Lloyd realizes that this session is rather one-sided. Blindly, he reaches for Zelos, but he's stopped halfway through.
"I got this, honey," Zelos whispers into his ear.
He lets go of Lloyd. The loss of contact draws a whimper out of the swordsman, but the sound of complaint transforms into one of pleasure as he feels Zelos' matching hardness against his. Cracking his eyes open, he takes a look a Zelos' face. Another moan falls out of his mouth at the sight.
Zelos' hair spills over his back and shoulders, some of it obscursing his face. Lloyd grabs a fistful of it as he continues to rake his eyes over his companion's face. His skin is colored in a deep flush, sweat on his brow, mouth open to allow quick breaths in and out of his lungs.
Lloyd can't help but arch his back when Zelos closes his hand over both of their cocks, rubbing them together to create a delicious friction. When the brunet pulls Zelos' hair, a stray moan escapes the Chosen's lips. Delighted by the sound, Lloyd pulls again, slowly drawing Zelos' head to his chest.
As he pants against Lloyd's chest, Zelos speeds up the pace of his hand. He swallows his moans the best that he can, but as his partner continues to writhe, breathing his own moans, Zelos finds it increasingly difficult to hold back.
With one hand at the roots of Zelos' hair and the other one clamped on to Zelos' shoulder, Lloyd starts to buck his hips sporadically. His breath comes out in broken whimpers and moans. "Zelos," he starts, the train of thought breaking into curses. He tries again, "Zelos, Z-Zelos, I- Please, I'm-"
"Me too, honey," Zelos replies. Groaning, he presses his face against the swordsman's hot skin. "So close."
Again, Zelos increases the speed of his hand, muffling moans against Lloyd's chest. He can feel Lloyd gasp for breath beneath him, desperate and oh so close. Lloyd's legs wrap around his waist just before the brunet tenses and bites Zelos' neck.
The burn in his neck and the warm wetness of Lloyd's come pushes Zelos off the edge. He milks them both for what they're worth, falling into the warmth of Lloyd's body. All he knows is the harsh sounds of Lloyd's breathing, the nails in his back and in his scalp, the tight pressure around his hips and back. Everything feels so surreal, but he embraces it nonetheless.
It takes Lloyd a while to catch his breath. Once he does, he has the mind to unwrap his limbs from Zelos' body, allowing the redhead to roll over to his side.
They lay there and breathe. It's the only sound that pierces the air, their mingled pants. Soon enough it evens out, and by then Lloyd is thinking well enough to grin at Zelos.
"I'm glad you had fun, honey," Zelos says, returning the grin.
Lloyd laughs. "I... I really don't know what I was expecting, but that definitely wasn't it. That was a lot better than anything I could have dreamt of."
Zelos ducks his head for a moment. "We haven't even gotten to the good stuff yet. This is just the beginning." Humming, the redhead drags a sheet over to wipe the wetness from their bodies. "Do you think you can handle that, honey?"
"I sure hope so."
Once he decides they're clean enough, Zelos moves in to slide his arms around his companion's waist. "Good."
Lloyd kisses his cheek. "Night, Zelos. And... thanks."
"Don't mention it. G'night."
Sheena's face lights up in a bright blush once Zelos crosses her path. "You do realize that my room was the one right beside Lloyd's, right?!"
The redhead shrugs. "What of it?"
Scowling, she shakes her head. "Don't make me say it, you Idiot Chosen. I know you're a total pervert, but this is Lloyd! You could at least be a bit more considerate!"
Zelos remains quiet for a while longer. With his chin, he directs Sheena's gaze to Lloyd. The swordsman is grinning brightly, an arm slung over Genis' shoulder as they converse animatedly.
"I could try next time, sure," Zelos says, "But last night, Lloyd was my top priority, not you, or Colette, or even myself." He turns to face her. "Do you understand?"
Sheena stares at Lloyd for a moment longer, then sighs in defeat. "Yeah," she replies, "Yeah, I getcha."
"Good." Spinning on his heel, he holds up a hand to wave goodbye. "Glad to have this chat."
It doesn't take him long to catch up with Lloyd and claim his usual territory of the swordsman's shoulders.