Trust

A/N: I forgot to mention last time: Thanks, Rane, for titling Chapter 3 for me!!! As well as continuing to be an excellent beta! Also: this chapter was really hard to write. It’s long!

Trust
Chapter 4: Troubled Thoughts

When Regal woke, he took a moment to pray that the previous night had been a dream.

I did not follow Lloyd and Zelos to the beach.

Because if it wasn’t a dream, he would have to say something to someone.

I did not see Zelos seducing Lloyd.

And he really, really didn’t want to have to do that.

I will stand up, put on my shoes, and go have breakfast. I will not look at Lloyd and Zelos – I do not need to because there is nothing unusual. This is a normal morning.

Steeling himself, Regal sat up. The first thing he noticed was sand on the floor.

I went sleepwalking to the beach. Everything else was a dream.

Reassured, he prepared for the day. He was feeling fairly cheerful until he happened to glance at the other bed.

The two were cuddled close together, Zelos’ arms wrapped around the younger man. They were both sound asleep.

Regal felt his face growing hot. He practically ran out of the room.

Handcuffs are not convenient for opening doors. Alicia… Who should I talk to? Perhaps Raine – she’s the boy’s teacher, after all. And she’s the one who’s thrown them together at each inn.

Walking down the hallway, the blue-haired man pondered the possible outcomes of that conversation.

She’d stop having them room together. And then Lloyd would room with Genis, leaving me with that idiot.

No. That was unacceptable. Genis, Colette, and Sheena were clearly too young to know, and wouldn’t be able to help if they did.

Perhaps I should approach Zelos directly. Appeal to his decency.

No. That would only work if the idiot had any, and if he was seducing Lloyd he clearly didn’t. Of course, if the Chosen wasn’t just playing with the younger man, it would be different.

I should speak with Lloyd. If I get a feel for the situation, I can decide where to proceed from there.

He greeted Raine absently as he walked into the dining room.

“Oh! Regal, good. I wanted to apologize to you.” Raine beckoned him over to the table she sat at. He helped himself to a light breakfast from the dishes laid out and sat beside the healer.

Perhaps she could help me; I need someone to distract Zelos while I speak to Lloyd.

“I know of nothing to be apologized for. But I would like your help with something,” he said as he began to eat.

“Of course. Anything.” She paused. “I am sorry you had to room with Lloyd and Zelos. I hope they didn’t bother you too much.”

Regal almost choked on his food.

“They did, didn’t they?” Raine asked. The woman looked at him in concern.

“No. They were very quiet.”

He remembered their whispers after they came back to the room and quickly steered his thoughts away from it.

They looked quite comfortable together this morning. Like they’re used to sleeping… like that.

He stared blindly forward as a new idea presented itself.

Maybe they are used to it. Maybe they got lost the other day on purpose. His mind reeled at the thought. It makes sense. Even in the dark, it shouldn’t have been hard to follow the path to Sybak.

A blur of motion caught his attention.

“Regal,” Raine said, waving her hand in front of his face. “Are you sure you got enough sleep?”

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry.” How to put this… “I need to speak with Lloyd privately. Could you distract Zelos for me? Not immediately, but sometime today would be best.”

She looked at him quizzically. “What do you need to talk to Lloyd about?”

“As I said, it is a private matter. It would be… difficult with Zelos there.”

Please don’t ask me more about this, I cannot tell you. I can’t share a room with the Chosen.

Raine gave him the look he’d seen her turn on Lloyd and Genis when they acted up. He steeled his resolve, refusing to be cowed by the young woman. Finally, she nodded.

“I’ll do what I can.”

~~~

For the second day in a row, Zelos woke up with Lloyd in his arms. He glanced at the other bed; Regal had already left the room. Good. The Chosen relaxed and enjoyed lying with Lloyd in his arms.

I could get used to this.

The swordsman stirred slightly, and Zelos looked down at him. He ran a hand over the youth’s sleep-tousled hair, marveling at the softness.

I can’t believe how passionate he was last night, although I should have expected it. He does everything else passionately enough. Zelos chuckled at his own thoughts.

I shouldn’t have let it happen.

The swordsman was already in his thoughts constantly. Acting on his desires would only make betrayal that much harder. How had things gotten so out of control?

When the Renegades first approached him, it had all seemed so simple. Follow the hicks from Sylvarant, tell Yuan where they were headed, and don’t let them learn too much. What Cruxis wanted was even easier. All he had to do for them was make sure the Chosen of Sylvarant fulfilled her duty, and then Cruxis would remove the burden of being Tethe’alla’s Chosen from him.

He hadn’t expected to meet anyone like Lloyd.

I didn’t even think people like him existed. And last night…

He’d dreamed of having the younger man in his arms. He’d never thought it was really possible, until he’d seen Lloyd’s face on the beach.

Clearly I wasn’t the only one with confusing feelings.

Maybe that’s why he had tried to warn Lloyd about Mithos. Maybe that’s why he’d been so vague.

He obviously didn’t understand my warning. I suppose I could have tried harder to make him get it, but… No one could blame me for getting distracted.

He couldn’t afford to get distracted like that again.

Lloyd shifted in his arms. Zelos looked back at the younger man’s face. Lloyd opened his eyes, and smiled sweetly.

He’s so cute!

Unable to help himself, Zelos rolled over and pinned Lloyd beneath his body. He kissed the teen lightly.

“Morning, sleepy.”

He smiled at the blush that spread over the swordsman’s face.

Might as well get this straight.

“About last night—”

A knock on the door cut him off.

“Zelos? Are you awake yet?” the Professor called through the door.

This is epically bad timing. He sighed.

“Yes, my beautiful Professor?” He gave Lloyd a rueful smile and whispered, “We’ll continue this later.”

Dressing quickly, he hurried out before Lloyd could reply.

~~~

The journey from Sybak to Meltokio took mere minutes with the Rheairds. As soon as they landed outside the capital city, Raine grabbed Zelos. She’d been questioning him about the history of the Church of Martel since morning, effectively monopolizing his time.

Strange, thought Sheena. Usually, he’d be happy to have a beautiful woman’s undivided attention.

Instead of flirting and flattering, the Chosen had been curt, trying to answer Raine’s questions and get away. It was not his usual behavior.

Every time it seemed like there was nothing left to ask, the Professor would ask for a minor clarification or even repeat a question he’d already answered. By the time they got to the sewer entrance, Zelos was scowling.

Lloyd had run ahead, as always. Regal had followed him, saying they’d take the forward position. Raine insisted that Zelos stay with her as the rear guard.

Are they trying to separate Lloyd and Zelos? The young Summoner couldn’t imagine why. Zelos had gotten a lot more bearable since meeting the swordsman; Lloyd was clearly a good influence on him. I think he’s the first real friend Zelos has ever had.

Colette and Genis were talking in soft, worried tones. This whole day was weird, and everyone knew it.

Lloyd had been quiet and withdrawn all day, and that was just not like him. Now, Regal had engaged him in a conversation. From the look of it, neither man was happy with it.

Everything’s off. I wish Corrine was here; he always helped me clear things up.

“Hey, Sheena,” Genis said, interrupting her thoughts.

“Yes?”

“Do you think something’s going on with Lloyd and Zelos?”

“What?” Sheena yelled. Everyone stared at her. She flushed.

“Well,” Colette said. “It’s just that… Lloyd’s been acting different. And it started when he started spending so much time alone with Zelos.”

“Yeah,” Genis said. “We think he’s a bad influence.”

“Lloyd’s a bad influence?” asked Sheena. This is what happens when I ignore the conversation.

“No!” Colette clenched her fists, hopping in outrage. “Zelos is a bad influence on Lloyd.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Well,” Genis said, looking to Colette for confirmation. “He doesn’t spend as much time with us. He’s always with that idiot.”

Colette nodded emphatically.

“It makes sense; your sister told them to stick together.”

Genis squirmed uncomfortably.

“And just because you don’t like Zelos, that doesn’t mean Lloyd can’t be friends with him.”

Colette and Genis whispered furiously to each other.

‘Do you think there’s something going on with Lloyd and Zelos?’ She hadn’t even considered that the kid might be right; was she dismissing the idea too soon?

Sheena glanced between Zelos and Lloyd. The Chosen was looking forward anxiously, not even pretending to answer Raine’s questions now. Lloyd looked dejected, dragging his feet and staring at the ground. While Sheena watched, Zelos tried to run ahead to Lloyd. Raine caught his arm and dug her heels in, refusing to let him go.

“But I have more questions!” the healer wailed while the redhead tried in vain to break free.

Zelos had certainly never shown any sign that he wasn’t interested in women. Maybe that was just an act? Maybe he just doesn’t care if it’s man or woman.

Thinking about it, Sheena decided it fit. An opportunistic lover. Makes me even happier we’ve only ever been ‘just friends.’

She looked back. Zelos was struggling with the Professor, and she had given up any pretense of questioning him to hold him back.

Looks like he’ll need a friend.

~~~

Lloyd looked back over as he entered the sewers with Regal. All morning, he’d been trying to get some time alone with Zelos.

I have to find out what he meant. What about last night?

Unfortunately, Raine seemed to have decided that she was the only one who would speak to Zelos today.

How can he just go from kissing me to flirting with Professor Raine? Did… did last night mean nothing to him?

No. I trust him. He wouldn’t treat me like that.

But what did he really know about the Chosen? He was rich, women adored him…

He acts shallow, but he’s really very serious.

“Lloyd.”

He looked up at Regal. The older man was giving him a strange look.

What could he— Lloyd froze as a terrible thought occurred to him.

We were sharing a room with him! He woke up first! He saw us!

Regal sighed, drawing the teen’s attention back. “I wanted to talk to you about—”

“Talk? There’s nothing to talk about. Hey, look, a rat!” Lloyd quickly dispatched the beast. The brief battle did nothing to distract the other man.

“Lloyd, I need to know… Have you…” Regal trailed off, looking decidedly uncomfortable.

“Have I what?” Lloyd asked cautiously.

“You should know; the Chosen’s infamous for his liaisons.”

“He’s huh for his what?”

It doesn’t mean what I think it means. It can’t.

“He is known for having casual relationships with many women.”

Lloyd sighed. Maybe it can.

He was vaguely aware of Regal watching him with concern, but the swordsman couldn’t think of any response. He was far too wrapped up in his own troubles.

Am I just another conquest?

“What?”

Lloyd jumped at Sheena’s shout. He turned to see what was wrong. Sheena was turning bright red, and Colette and Genis were shushing her. He turned to Regal.

“I’ve heard that. What does it have to do with me?”

“You should be cautious with him.”

“We’re just—”

Regal cut him off. “I know. Just – be careful. Don’t get hurt.”

They continued through the sewer in strained silence. Lloyd’s shoulders slumped morosely.

I knew it was foolish. Zelos wanted to tell me that last night was… what? Fun? Nothing?

Each step drilled it into his head.

Nothing. It was nothing. I’m a fool.

~~~

Regal walked beside Lloyd in silence.

I know it was my responsibility to warn him, but…

The young swordsman was lost in his thoughts. He hadn’t even noticed Zelos’ scuffle with Raine a moment earlier, although the woman had wailed loudly in her attempt to keep the Chosen occupied.

I never thought he’d react like this. If I knew more I could help him, but…

He couldn’t ask. From what he’d seen, he truly didn’t want to know.

As Regal tried to think of something – anything – to say, he heard voices from up ahead. He grabbed Lloyd’s arm and signaled to the rest for silence. The party caught up and they listened intently.

“This is the money.”

“Yup. It’s all there.” The voice was familiar. The speaker laughed.

That laugh…

It’s Vharley!