A bundle of joy

*exits the slave room*
I... finished. @_@

-

Lloyd soon barged through the dark, empty halls of Welgaia. Nearly all the inhabitants had been moved now, with the exception of a few.

“I’ll show him. Yes, you bet I will.” The boy muttered to himself, rounding another corner.

The central Welgaian square soon came into view. Kratos was standing there, talking to one of the angels. He didn’t show any response to Lloyd’s arrival, but the boy knew Kratos had noticed him.

Lloyd crossed his arms, waiting for Kratos to round up the conversation. A truly boring conversation. And it was almost like Kratos was extending it on purpose. Eventually, it reached a conclusion.

“Then, I’ll contact you later, lord Kratos.” The angel said, turning to leave.

Kratos nodded curtly, thereby giving the angel permission to depart. It extended its wings, and sped off. Kratos sighed lightly, before turning to his son.

“What can I do for you, Lloyd?” he asked, sounding a bit business-like.

“Why are you here?” Lloyd demanded immediately.

“I live here.” Kratos replied, frowning.

“No, I mean, why aren’t you with Yuan?” Lloyd retorted angrily, clenching his fists. “You know he’s sick, don’t you?”

“Yes. But Yuan is a grown man. He doesn’t need me to hold his hand, like a child.” Kratos crossed his arms, giving Lloyd a blank glance.

“So? You love him, don’t you? Aren’t you worried?” Lloyd urged stubbornly.

“I know him well enough to conclude that he will be back on his feet in no time.” Kratos grunted, looking away.

“You’re hiding something.” Just like his father, Lloyd wasn’t one to give up without a fight.

“This doesn’t concern you Lloyd. Frankly, I’m surprised you care about Yuan’s wellbeing.” Kratos responded in his usual flair.

“He’s been asking about you. You should at least go tell him you’re too busy to have a heart.” Lloyd spat.

“Tch. Fine. I’ll see what I can do.” And with that, Kratos strode off, leaving a fuming swordsman behind.

-

A short while later, Kratos arrived at Yuan’s doorstep. The butlers allowed him to enter, and he found Yuan in his study, hard at work.

“Shouldn’t you be resting?” Kratos remarked, closing the door behind him with a snap.

“Shouldn’t you be abandoning me?” Yuan replied, not looking up.

“How could I, when you’ve sent Lloyd after me?” Kratos sighed mildly, and sat down in a chair across Yuan.

“Does that mean that you would not have returned, if I hadn’t asked Lloyd to go get you?” Yuan concluded, finally meeting the human’s eye.

“That’s not what I meant.” Kratos said shortly, crossing his arms.

“Then why did you run?” Yuan demanded.

“I had business to attend to.”

“Don’t give me that ****!” the half-elf snapped harshly. “You underestimate me if you expect me to believe that.”

“Yuan…” Kratos muttered.

“Something’s bothering you, and I want to find out what it is.” Yuan said crossly.

“It’s nothing.” Kratos stared stubbornly at the wall, a slight tint of red on his cheeks.

“F-Fine. If you don’t want to tell me, t-then…”

Kratos turned back, and was shocked to see tears running down Yuan’s cheeks.

“Whoah, Yuan, I didn’t mean it like that.” He stuttered.

“It’s because of mood swings, you moron.” Yuan sniffed, quickly wiping his face with the back of his arm.

Kratos sighed and walked over to the other side of the desk, leaning against it as he pulled Yuan off his chair and into a hug.

“Look, I’m sorry I ran. I was… scared.” The human said softly.

“Scared of a freak like me?” Yuan growled.

“No. Because I’m afraid to lose you.” Kratos explained. Yuan looked up at him, slightly confused. “After what happened with Anna… And I thought Lloyd had died too.” A painful expression was etched into Kratos’ features.

“But I’m not going anywhere.” Yuan whispered, clinging to him.

“She said the same thing.” Kratos replied shortly.

“Those were different circumstances. The world is united now, and Yggdrasill is dead. It’s actually a pretty good time to raise a child.” Yuan pondered.

“… Yes. You’re right.” The auburn-haired man admitted.

“Anyway, you think you’ve got it tough? How do you think I feel?” Yuan asked, finally releasing himself for Kratos’ embrace. “I have headaches, mood swings, morning sickness… You think I enjoy becoming a father?”

“Wouldn’t you be a mother?” Kratos inquired, suddenly smiling evilly.

“Oh goddess… That’s even worse.” Yuan groaned, hiding his face in his hands.

“So how did it happen, anyway?” Kratos asked. He’d left before Raine had explained her theory, afterall.

“Ask super ruin girl. She’ll probably try to barge in my house again soon, asking me needless questions and trying to examine me.” Yuan sighed. Raine had been tossed out the house by Yuan’s butlers several times now, but she refused to give up.

“She hasn’t told anyone, has she?” Kratos wondered nervously.

“No. Which leaves us with the glorious honour of telling your son.”

“Oh dear.” Kratos imagine the look on Lloyd’s face after telling him he was going to have a little brother or sister. It wasn’t very pretty at all.

“Do you think there’s any way we can have the baby in secret, and not tell anyone about it?” Yuan asked, smiling faintly.

“I’d say the possibility is about zero.” Kratos shrugged.

“Darn. I won’t be safe in my own home after this. Lloyd will probably break the door down, brutally murdering everyone who stands in his path.” Yuan sighed. “Oh, maybe I can change my name and move to a different town. How does Ruan Notsuspicious sound?”

Kratos gave a hearty laugh, running his fingers through Yuan’s hair.

“There will be no need for something that drastic. Now that the other angels have finished moving, I’ve decided to leave Derris-Kharlan as well.” He said, smiling.

“Are you saying…” Yuan stared at him, not sure if Kratos just said what he thought he’d said.

“You do have a bed large enough for two people, right? I’d hate to sleep on the floor.”

~~~~~~~

... Tadaah! ^^'