Zelos lets Lloyd guide him through the manor, holding his hand and doing his part to stay quiet and well-hidden when it's required. They've done something like this before, back when they were younger and the world was still new and exciting, before responsibilities and reality crashed in and created this rift between them. It's easy to fall into old habits when Lloyd's giddiness is nearly palpable through their joined hands, but Zelos' nerves are the one thing that keeps him serious.
Once they're close by the trapdoor those nerves rise out of the ground and take a hold of his ankles to anchor him to the ground. It feels like the air around them freezes, grabbing a hold of Zelos' throat and drying it to dangerous levels. He swallows hard, keeps his eyes trained on the secret exit. His hand starts to shake. This is it, then. It's the end of the road. Do or die, run or hide.
And Lloyd still has a chance.
They've already made it so far for Zelos to be sure that he would cross this threshold with Lloyd so long as Lloyd didn't regret this, but a part of Zelos still doubts, still wonders if this is the right choice. All those thoughts and fears and worries he's left behind impulsively have caught up to him suddenly, whispering into his ears. This is stupid, they say. He's gonna get Lloyd killed. Thinking that, Zelos abruptly lets go of Lloyd's hand, waiting until he's got the other's attention before doing anything else. Once he's sure Lloyd's looking at him and him alone Zelos slowly takes a single step back, holding Lloyd's gaze, expression breaking just a little to make way for the very real fear that the whispers have stuffed down his throat.
Zelos takes a deep breath. Fighting back against the cacophonous sound of his own mind tearing itself apart, he carefully picks his words. "There's still time, you know," he mumbles privately for Lloyd, voice steady through sheer force of will alone. 'You still have time to leave me behind, Lloyd,' is the hidden message in those words. 'You can still go on your own, save yourself the hassle. You'll still be free. You'll be fine.'
In the silence of the night, surrounded by the darkness, Zelos waits for Lloyd to make a choice.
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Once they're close by the trapdoor those nerves rise out of the ground and take a hold of his ankles to anchor him to the ground. It feels like the air around them freezes, grabbing a hold of Zelos' throat and drying it to dangerous levels. He swallows hard, keeps his eyes trained on the secret exit. His hand starts to shake. This is it, then. It's the end of the road. Do or die, run or hide.
And Lloyd still has a chance.
They've already made it so far for Zelos to be sure that he would cross this threshold with Lloyd so long as Lloyd didn't regret this, but a part of Zelos still doubts, still wonders if this is the right choice. All those thoughts and fears and worries he's left behind impulsively have caught up to him suddenly, whispering into his ears. This is stupid, they say. He's gonna get Lloyd killed. Thinking that, Zelos abruptly lets go of Lloyd's hand, waiting until he's got the other's attention before doing anything else. Once he's sure Lloyd's looking at him and him alone Zelos slowly takes a single step back, holding Lloyd's gaze, expression breaking just a little to make way for the very real fear that the whispers have stuffed down his throat.
Zelos takes a deep breath. Fighting back against the cacophonous sound of his own mind tearing itself apart, he carefully picks his words. "There's still time, you know," he mumbles privately for Lloyd, voice steady through sheer force of will alone. 'You still have time to leave me behind, Lloyd,' is the hidden message in those words. 'You can still go on your own, save yourself the hassle. You'll still be free. You'll be fine.'
In the silence of the night, surrounded by the darkness, Zelos waits for Lloyd to make a choice.