Title: I Know You Have That Wound
Day/Theme: July 12 - if I didn't know you, I'd rather not know
Series: Tales of Symphonia
Character/Pairing: Sheena, Zelos
Rating: PG
Note: Sheena talks with Zelos out in the snow. Kinda weird, since I was pressed for time.


If you didn't know the guy, you wouldn't care, Sheena constantly thought to herself. After all, who cared if that stupid Chosen was off sulking in some corner? Or looking rather down as he watched the snow fall? I mean, they had only just gotten to Flanoir, and here he was, already trailing behind the rest of the group. And why did those god awful rumors involving him and snow keep appearing in her mind? Why should she care?

Problem was, she did know the guy - a little more then she wanted to, but still. She knew him, probably the best out of the whole rag tag group they were in. And Sheena knew that Zelos Wilder did not mope. At least usually. Not to mention he didn't dare pass up hitting on pretty girls, which is what he was doing. Or miss a chance to complain. Oh, he had whined at first, but his talking had become more and more scarce, and he was becoming withdrawn almost. Sheena had to admit it was very weird to see him like that.

So, again, why should she care?

Because you know him.

Argh.

The rest of the group had gone to shop, leaving Sheena behind with the trailing Chosen. Grumbling, she went over to him, trying to think of something to say that wouldn't make him tease her like he usually did. Even if there was a fat chance of that happening.

"Are you okay?"

Zelos looked at her, his eyes suddenly coming back from being out of focus. Staring at her, he gave her a little smile. "Sheena, my dear. Come to check in on me?"

She sighed. "Considering you've been sulking since we gotten here, yes."

He shrugged, obviously not that concerned about it - and seemingly trying to tell her not to be either. "I'm fine. Snow just isn't my favourite kind of weather, I'm afraid."

Those old rumors were still ringing in her head. "I've always heard you travel south when winter hits Meltokio," she blurted out.

The look he gave her let her know she'd hit a bulls eye of sorts. "Aaah, been listening to the rumor mill, have you?" he said, his tone deceptively light and teasing. "Well, you needn't worry. I can handle a snow or two, even if I don't like it."

He was trying to push the topic aside, and she knew it. He may blow her off a lot, but Sheena had known the Chosen long enough to know a few of his twists and turns. And that look he had just given her made her know he was trying to cover something up again under that smile of his. "Doesn't mean you can't talk about it, at least," she mumbled, not even sure why she was bothering with him again. Other than she had some half-witted sense that this was her responsibility in a way.

Zelos was back to staring at her, although with a more serious edge to his eyes then before. "...I don't think even you'd want to listen to it," he said, after a long pause. "Besides, I'm not one to spill my guts, hunny."

"I'm not asking you to," she ground out, returning his gaze. "I..." she paused, fumbling for a second. He was going to take this wrong, and she knew it. "I may not like you much, but even I don't like seeing you sulking off in the corner, you stupid Chosen. You could at least tell me if anything is wrong."

At first, the look on his face confused her. He seemed contemplative almost, or maybe even a little confused himself. But, that stupid big grin of his was back in a flash, covering his face before she could say something in protest. "I'll tell you what's wrong - there's no decent women around here! They're all covered up and hiding, and it's so dreary," he whined. "Tell me, Sheena, would you spare me the night, hmm? That'd cheer me up-"

Sheena snapped - that was enough. "Ugh, do you always have to do that?! Anytime I try to be serious with you for once, you always pull this stupid routine!" He was probably pushing her buttons on purpose, like he usually did, but she was in no mood to deal with his stupidity either. She had half a mind to storm off.

Zelos just laughed though, waving his hands in apology. "My bad, my bad," he said, letting her stew, although she didn't walk off.

After another pause, he turned to her, his voice almost quiet. "....Maybe, at another time, I'll..." he trailed off.

"Maybe you'll what?" Sheena asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Ah, nothing, nothing. I'll tell you some other time," he said, patting her on the back and finally walking again. "Now, if you don't hurry up, we'll miss out on the shopping all together! Wouldn't want Lloyd to forget about how we need Apple Gels again, you know~"

Sheena sighed, knowing the battle was lost, yet again. But, she followed after him, berating him along the way. "Oh, wait up, you stupid Chosen! And it's your fault we're missing it anyway!"

It was later, after she caught him mumbling to himself in the snow by himself that she wished she had twisted it out of him. It was hard to trust him much during a change a heart that happened a little after that.