Trust

A/N: Thanks to my beta, Rane! You’ve improved my writing a lot, hope it doesn’t get too boring beta-ing these chapters. And thanks for the title on this chapter! You’re a lifesaver.

Rane? Any comments? =P

Rane: Hmm…is that a challenge? Ok! Here goes. I’m a badass. You know why? I’m really bad! See, during the Wellness fair at school today I kept coming back and taking fireballs, earplugs, and dental floss. And the sign only said “Please take one!” Oh! I’m bad to da bone! And look! Impropers grammer!! Tadars!~! :D

Trust
Chapter 6: Muddled Alliances

The rest of the group left the room, talking about the various preparations to be made. As Lloyd followed, Zelos grabbed his arm.

“I’ll see you tonight, bud,” the redhead whispered in his ear. “Count on it.”

~~~

“I’ll send a servant over with the pass in the morning.”

“Thank you, Princess. We are in your debt.”

Zelos bowed deeply to the Princess, kissed her hand lightly, and took his leave. As he walked to his mansion, his thoughts turned to the swordsman. Just that morning, he’d thought Lloyd liked him. Maybe even more. But now—

I’m not imagining it. He was mad at me.

After Raine had interrupted them that morning, he’d tried to get away from her. By the time they were in the sewers it was obvious she was keeping him away from Lloyd.

And Regal was talking to Lloyd. Probably telling him that I was playing some weird game. Or just to stay away from me.

He couldn’t blame the older man. The Chosen had spent his entire life doing everything he could to be as un-Chosen as possible.

If I’d known this would happen, I’d have been different.

He sighed. It was too late for “if only”s.

I should never have agreed to work for Cruxis. When he wins, it won’t matter if I’m the Chosen or not.

When he wins…

Zelos paused at the door to his mansion.

No matter how powerful Cruxis was, he believed Lloyd would win. It made no sense – one young man and a few friends, up against the force that had created the dual worlds. Only an idiot would side with them.

Then again, everyone calls me an idiot anyway. Heh. Time to prove them right.

-----

Lloyd tossed his red jacket and gloves on the floor and lay on his back in an opulent guest room. Now that they had a plan for saving Colette, he had nothing to distract him from Zelos. At least he had his own room. He could be alone with his thoughts.

It was stupid of me to think last night meant anything to him. Regal even said it; Zelos is into girls. Not me…

I just can’t believe he would play with me like that! Although he was happy enough to run off with Raine this morning. And he didn’t mind staying behind to flirt with the Princess. Maybe everyone’s right – he’s a good friend, but I shouldn’t get involved beyond that.

His stomach grumbled.

So now I sulk up here without getting dinner first. This is stupid. I should really just go eat.

The swordsman swung his legs off the canopied bed and walked to the door. As he put his hand on the knob, a quiet knock came from the other side. Lloyd froze.

“Hey,” Zelos said from behind the door. “Can I come in?”

Should I say yes? If I say no, would he leave?

The knob turned under his hand.

Guess it doesn’t matter.

Lloyd took a few steps back as the door opened. He glared at Zelos. The Chosen just smiled confidently at him, closing the door behind him as he walked into the room.

“I really just want to be alone right now,” Lloyd said.

“Aw, c’mon, bud. We haven’t gotten to talk all day. Too much serious stuff going on. Let’s hang out now!”

Lloyd backed up again as Zelos walked towards him. He stopped when the backs of his knees bumped into the bed.

“Zelos—” he started.

“I’ve wanted to do this all day,” the redhead said. He pushed Lloyd back onto the bed, then climbed up beside him and kissed the younger man.

Lloyd almost gave in. He’d never wanted anything as much as he wanted to let Zelos take him down this path.

Would it really be so bad if he’s just playing with me?

Angrily, Lloyd shoved Zelos away and scrambled backwards. Zelos fell off the bed and bounced to his feet, looking confused.

“Hey, what gives?”

“Stop playing with me!” Lloyd shouted.

“Playing with you?” Blue eyes flashed. “In what way am I playing with you?”

Uh-oh. I think I made him mad.

“I—”

Zelos cut him off again. “Did you forget last night?”

Lloyd felt tears fill his eyes, and blinked them back. Of course he hadn’t forgotten.

How could I? I’ve never felt like that before.

The Chosen sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You said you trusted me last night.”

“I do!” Lloyd said.

“Then why would you think I’m playing with you?” Not giving the young man a chance to answer, he continued. “Don’t get me wrong, last night was fun. But it was not a game to me.”

The redhead sat beside Lloyd. “I wouldn’t do that to a friend.” He lapsed into silence.

Lloyd sat in shock.

He was serious? I’ve been upset over nothing? Because I didn’t trust him enough…

He snuck a glance at Zelos. The anger seemed to have drained from the Chosen, leaving him pensive.

I love him. I will never doubt him again. Even if he doesn’t love me, he cares for me. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says – I know I can trust him.

Lloyd reached out and brushed the redhead’s fingers lightly. Zelos looked at him, startled.

“I… I’m sorry,” Lloyd whispered. He met the Chosen’s eyes, flushing slightly.

Don’t think, just act.

Leaning over, Lloyd kissed the other man. For a long moment, neither man moved. The only contact was through lips and fingers. Unsure of what to do next, Lloyd pulled back slightly.

Zelos was smiling at him. The swordsman smiled back, then yelped in surprise when Zelos pulled him into his lap. He found himself straddling the redhead, hands resting on the Chosen’s toned chest. Growing bolder, Lloyd unfastened the long pink vest and pushed it down Zelos’ arms. He ran his hands back up the Chosen’s arms and around his back, leaning in to embrace him.

Citrus-scented hair surrounded his face. He felt Zelos slide his hands up his back, pushing his shirt up, and raised his arms so the redhead could pull his shirt off.

Lloyd gasped when Zelos nuzzled his neck, nipping softly at his collarbone. The older man’s hands traced over the muscles of his back leaving trails of fire. The sensations were overwhelming. He felt his pants tighten as Zelos trailed his fingers just under the waistband, teasing a moan from his lips.

Was that… was that me?

The swordsman opened his eyes. Zelos’ smile promised that this was just the beginning. He pushed Lloyd onto his back, crushing the younger man’s mouth with his own and pressing hard against him. The Chosen’s hand slid down the brunet’s stomach and dipped into his pants. Lloyd moaned again, clutching tightly to Zelos as the older man stroked him.

There was a knock on the door. “Lloyd?” said Sheena. “I brought you some dinner. Are you awake?”

“Uh, yeah,” he replied without thinking.

Zelos swore softly and dove behind the bed as Sheena came in carrying a tray. Lloyd scrambled to grab the blanket and pulled it up to his chin. Sheena looked at him strangely.

“I’ll just… leave this on the table.” She paused. “Are you sick?”

“No! Why?”

“You look a little flushed…”

She doesn’t know, she can’t know…

I spend more time worrying about whether people know about me and Zelos lately…

“It’s just warm in here.”

“Alright.” Sheena turned to leave, then added, “If you see Zelos, could you tell him Raine’s looking for him?”

Raine knows! No, don’t be stupid. She couldn’t know…

“Sure. I’ll tell him if I see him.” Lloyd tried not to panic.

“Right…” Sheena stared at him for a moment, then left, shaking her head.

~~~

It was past midnight when Zelos finally got away from Raine. Incredibly, she’d managed to come up with yet more questions about the Church of Martel.

He looked in on Lloyd, but the swordsman was sleeping. They wouldn’t have many opportunities for peaceful sleep in the future. He left and went to his own room.

“Zelos.”

He jumped, startled. “Lord Yuan, what can I do for you?”

“Why are you investigating the Kharlan War?”

So, he’s still keeping tabs on us.

“Colette is sick. Chronic Angelus Crystallus Inofficium. We’re looking for a cure.”

Yuan went silent. Finally he said, “Very well. That suits my plans. Now, the reason I’m here…”

It wasn’t for a report? How very odd…

Should he tell Yuan about Mithos? If he did, would that mean he was siding with the Renegades?

I only want to side with Lloyd…

Yuan held out a cup filled with a strange liquid.

“What the hell is that?”

“You must drink this. It is essential to my plan.”

“I’m not drinking until you tell me what it is and what is does.”

“It’s a solution containing Aionis. It won’t harm you,” the Renegade leader added as an afterthought.

Zelos took the cup. The liquid was silver and steaming slightly in the cool night air.

Not something I want inside me.

He sighed, and drank the solution. It burned down his throat and hit his stomach hard. His eyes watered in pain. A moment later, the pain was gone. Every nerve in his body tingled. He looked around.

Yuan was gone.

“Won’t hurt me? I’d hate to see what you call pain…”