While the silence stretches on again, this time, it's at least less oppressive than the rest they've subjected themselves to. It's pensive, purposeful. Zelos is still anxious, tapping a rhythm against his forearm as he waits for Lloyd and fights back the shame of having said anything at all. What the hell is he doing, really. Lloyd has more important matters to take care of than babysitting some ex-lord with doubts in his mind--

'If you say that you killed me and ran, I'm sure they'll take you back without question.'

Zelos freezes at that, the rhythm coming to a stop, fingers gripping tightly at the cloth of his shirt's sleeve instead. There's-- Lloyd just--

What the fuck?

A sickening, hot fury begins to boil at the pit of Zelos' gut, something that leaves him breathing harshly as he combats the rising smoke. What does he even begin to unpack here? The fact that Lloyd's willing to give up just like that, after all they've traveled? That out of everything Zelos just said, he chooses to ignore it all, and abandon him? That he missed the point? That he's willing to put Zelos back in the cage he just pulled him out of? Is he fucking serious?

Thoughts swirling in a messy, destructive force like the storm outside, Zelos finally turns to look at Lloyd, glaring daggers and growling under his breath, "Are you fucking kidding me right now, Lloyd?"