Alright, so he's definitely not happy with Lloyd, that much is obvious, but. Lloyd can't help the way excitement shapes his anxiety into something a little more bearable at the invitation in. There's a chance for Lloyd to fix this, for everything to go right for them for once, something that's seemed impossible ever since Mylene's death. It's with that optimistic determination to make it work that Lloyd pulls himself up the wall, clinging tight to the window frame as he strains, the movements familiar. He's done this hundreds of times, feels like, and the process lands itself somewhere between muscle memory and instinct.
Once he's got himself pulled up to the window, Lloyd lets go of the window frame with one hand and instead reaches for the bricks above, allowing him enough height to twist his body forward and into the room. For once, he realizes that maybe pull-ups weren't unnecessary adjustments to the workout schedule offered in his training, but he will never admit that aloud, because fuck pull-ups.
Jumping down from the window sill is easy, and once Lloyd's in the room, he makes sure to close the window and the blinds behind him, should anyone get suspicious and hear them. Then, he turns, facing Zelos, and it's like his words fail him entirely and all at once. The anxiety from earlier ramps back up, trepidation choking the words in his throat, and so Lloyd averts his eyes, clearing it. Normally all too aware of his tells and unable to let them show through his knight persona, Lloyd drops the formalities and the training, allowing Zelos to see the way he rubs at his wrist as he thinks. How to say this, how to say...
Just rip off the bandage, Lloyd.
"Zelos, I... Kratos told me three days ago that he's decided to have me take on the responsibilities of head knight," Lloyd starts, staunchly refusing to look at Zelos as he gives him context on his decision. "And I know it's supposed to be an honor, that I am supposed to be grateful, but - I. I can't, Zelos. It feels like if I say yes... If I stay... I'll just be forcing myself into a life without identity. Knights are to be seen, not heard. That's what we're taught. And I'm starting to lose my voice."
Lloyd looks back up at Zelos with a face as grim as it has ever been, desperation lining the circles under his eyes. "That's why I'm leaving. Tonight, I'm running away."
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Once he's got himself pulled up to the window, Lloyd lets go of the window frame with one hand and instead reaches for the bricks above, allowing him enough height to twist his body forward and into the room. For once, he realizes that maybe pull-ups weren't unnecessary adjustments to the workout schedule offered in his training, but he will never admit that aloud, because fuck pull-ups.
Jumping down from the window sill is easy, and once Lloyd's in the room, he makes sure to close the window and the blinds behind him, should anyone get suspicious and hear them. Then, he turns, facing Zelos, and it's like his words fail him entirely and all at once. The anxiety from earlier ramps back up, trepidation choking the words in his throat, and so Lloyd averts his eyes, clearing it. Normally all too aware of his tells and unable to let them show through his knight persona, Lloyd drops the formalities and the training, allowing Zelos to see the way he rubs at his wrist as he thinks. How to say this, how to say...
Just rip off the bandage, Lloyd.
"Zelos, I... Kratos told me three days ago that he's decided to have me take on the responsibilities of head knight," Lloyd starts, staunchly refusing to look at Zelos as he gives him context on his decision. "And I know it's supposed to be an honor, that I am supposed to be grateful, but - I. I can't, Zelos. It feels like if I say yes... If I stay... I'll just be forcing myself into a life without identity. Knights are to be seen, not heard. That's what we're taught. And I'm starting to lose my voice."
Lloyd looks back up at Zelos with a face as grim as it has ever been, desperation lining the circles under his eyes. "That's why I'm leaving. Tonight, I'm running away."