vatheon | Death, so called, is a thing which makes men weep. And yet a third of life is passed in sleep.

Who: Lloyd and Zelos
Where: Zelos's room.
When: May 22nd
Style: Action/chat log
Status: Closed/completed log

Lloyd: [He didn't live there, but ever since the scare with Zelos's death and revival, Lloyd had been spending a lot more time at the house where Zelos lived. Whoever said you don't know what you have until you lose it was right, one hundred percent. Losing Zelos made Lloyd keenly aware of what his friend means to him. While he's lost some of the edge of worry , the fear that if he doesn't keep his eyes on the redhead, Zelos will die or disappear, he still just wants to spend time with him. They're friends, after all. They should hang out.

That's why he's here now. He's not sure what he wants to do, but he figures they'll figure that part out. Making his way through the house to Zelos's door, he knocks.]

Hey, Zelos. It's me. Can I come in?

Zelos: [Zelos, on the other hand, just feels sort of... done. All he'd been dealing with since he came back was person after person telling him how much they cared and how worried they were and it's frankly terrifying. How does he mean that much to so many people? Don't they know they'll just get hurt, caring about him like that? There are others far more deserving and yet he can't tell them off. He can't push that many people away, but he can't handle any more well wishes and encouragement anymore either. He just can't anymore.

So instead he wallows in bed, a cloud of self loathing as thick as soup hanging like a miasma over the room, not visible but palpable and low. Not for the first time he wishes he could just sleep whenever he wanted again, feel sleepy instead of that wakeful weariness that comes with having a crystal. He could ask Zelda, but the spell of hers will have him awake again in eight hours and the thought right now of only that long a respit is worse than none at all.

And there's Lloyd again at his door. His best friend...

He doesn't want Lloyd of all people to see him like this.]

Do you need something?

[He curses mentally at how tired his voice sounds, unable to hide even that much.]

Lloyd: [Lloyd pauses when he hears the weariness in that voice.]

Well, no, not really. I just wanted to, you know... See if you wanted to do something.

[Figuring that the fact that Zelos is talking to him means that he can open the door, he tries to turn the knob.]

You okay?

Zelos: [He hadn't locked it. He didn't think anyone would bother him since he'd finally professed tired to most. Have a Zelos, Lloyd; flopped out on the bed, face in the pillow, hair unkempt and clothing rumpled. What's the point?]

'Mfine, just tired.

Lloyd: [Definitely tired, if he's letting himself look like that. Lloyd lets himself inside the room, closing the door behind him. He offers an encouraging smile that's only partial protest.]

Come on, Zelos. It's too early to go to bed. Maybe if you got up and moved around, you'd feel a little better.

Zelos: [Ugh.

The redhead does move at that, but only to curl up on his side, pulling the blanket up to his shoulder.]

I doubt it. Bud, really, I'm just tired. It's not a big deal.

Lloyd: [Lloyd's voice takes on a note of friendly teasing.]

And here I thought you were kidding about that whole beauty sleep thing.

[But he won't push it, not when Zelos is sounding like that. Instead, the teen sits down on Zelos's bed.]

So what would happen if I tried it? Would I end up looking even more handsome than you?

Zelos: Never gonna happen.

[It's a half-hearted attempt to tease back, his tone flat and lifeless. If it were anyone else he wouldn't make the effort, but Lloyd, damnit, he doesn't want you to worry. He doesn't want anyone to worry, but they do anyway!

Again... what's the point?

He knows he'll get pushed now, sounding like that. Maybe he should just say how he's feeling, let Lloyd look aghast and panicked and try to make him feel better. It's what's going to happen eventually anyway...]

Lloyd: [Lloyd huffs, taking mock offense at that.]

Hey, just because I don't brush my hair every day doesn't mean I can't look good, too.

[He flops back on to the bed, lacing his fingers behind his neck.]

What's the point of me looking good? What's the point of YOU looking good?

Zelos: [His voice is a low grumble, resenting Lloyd's persistance almost as much as he hates himself for resenting it in the first place.]

I wonder.

[I give up.]

Lloyd: [That earns a concerned look from the younger man. The minute Zelos wonders what the point is in his good looks is the minute that something is very, very wrong. Lloyd rolls onto his side, facing Zelos. Or, well, facing his back. His voice is quiet.]

Are you really that tired?

Zelos: I really am. You should go.

[He doesn't know if that's what he wants. He doesn't know if he wants Lloyd to really go and leave him brooding in the dark or if he wants him to stay and be that reassuring light he always is. That terrifyingly insightful, disgustingly caring boy that he'll never be rid of and isn't sure he wants to be. It has him both scratching at the walls and sobbing in relief inwardly either way.

Outwardly he just closes his eyes and swallows hard. It's better for Lloyd if he goes, if he doesn't worry about Zelos and all his piles of issues and inevitable hurt that he'll cause. It's why he exists, right? To cause misery in himself and others. He'd noticed how quiet Zelda had been, been slapped by Guy for his morose attitude. What would happen to Lloyd?

Better to be left alone so Lloyd would be protected from him.]

Lloyd: [It was just too bad that Lloyd didn't WANT to be left alone. He stares at Zelos's back for a moment, then reaches up to rest a hand on his shoulder.]

All right, then. Go ahead and get some sleep. I just...

[He hesitates.]

...I don't want to be alone right now. Even if you're sleeping, can I stay?

Zelos: [Don't ask, don't ask, I don't care, I'm not going to ask...

He lifts his head a little, looking back over his shoulder]

Why don't you want to be alone? What's wrong?

[Damnit]

Lloyd: [Lloyd shrugs, not really sure he wants to talk about it himself. He hadn't meant to bring it up.]

Just stuff. I'm okay, I guess. I just don't want to think too much.

[He isn't lying. All of that is true. He's just... dodging the question, too.

He offers a half smile, expecting to be teased about not thinking.]

It's easier for me not to think when I'm around other people.

Zelos: [That's... not really like Lloyd. He's usually pretty forthcoming when something is bothering him. Zelos knows he could pry it out of him but as much as Lloyd makes him worry, he really doesn't have the energy.

Letting out a slow breath, Tethe'alla's Chosen rolls onto his back, one hand against his chest, and finally looks at his friend. His eyes are mildly bloodshot and the lack of headband has his hair all over the place, but he makes an attempt at a weak smile for Lloyd.]

Can't say I'm the best company right now but alright, you can stay.

[As if he could ever honestly turn Lloyd out.]

Lloyd: [Part of what was bother Lloyd was Zelos, but he wasn't about to say that to his friend, not when Zelos is like this. Part of it was Kratos, especially the older man's claims. He just didn't want to DEAL with that, though. No, it's easier to just let it rest.]

That's okay. I don't mind.

[He smiles, dropping his hand and rolling onto his back. Maybe he IS a little bit tired. It can't hurt to rest. Just close his eyes for a couple of minutes...

His breathing evens and slows.]

Zelos: [Heh. Figures Lloyd would zonk right out. Zelos has a pang of jealousy watching his friend nod off. It would be pretty great if he could just close his eyes like that and off to dreamland.

Maybe if he just..

tries to close his eyes...

...

Minutes later, both Aselians are fast asleep.]