Dual Desire

By: 4quintessence

Disclaimer: The characters belong to Square Enix, the fanfiction to me.

Pairing: CliffxFayt

Rating: PG

Introduction: Okay so this is a sorta sequel to my first story: A Love on the Sidelines. It takes place literally RIGHT after the FaytxCliff ending in the game. Some of the character qualities from my last story are being continued in this one, such as Cliff's age being 31 and his painful past. This story will feature a linked Star Ocean & Star Wars universe with a LukexHan pairing (they are just too cute!), but it will be very much focused on the Star Ocean side of things - I'm pretty much plopping Han & Luke into the Star Ocean post-game world. Luke and Fayt are gonna work together to seduce their respective love interests and a new enemy unlike any other will threaten the galaxy's rebuilding efforts. We'll be visiting Mars, Midgard (mentioned in the Cliff game ending), Klaus III, Titan (Saturn's moon), Elicoor II, and two secret planets. Mirage, Albel, Sophia, Maria, & Nel join Fayt and Cliff on this fantastical journey, plus there will also be Fayt & Cliff's relatives... Lemons are chapters 6, 7, 15, a little FaytxAlbel in 18, plus the Epilogue.

Chapter Summary: So in this chapter there's a fiesty goodbye with the rest of the SO3 crew, then Cliff has a surprise for a frustrated Fayt, who also has something sneaky up his arm. Needless to say, he gets way more than he bargained for. There is implied AlbelxSophia and NelxClair. Thanks to Spectralwings for pointing out that I didn't mention Fayt and Cliff arn't together yet! They're just friends. Onto the show!

Prologue (actual FaytxCliff game ending with insightful thoughts):

Inside the bridge of their ship, Fayt sits in his summer outfit beside Cliff as they cruise at a fast speed. A sweet and gentle love song plays in the background.

Fayt: Our ship is currently cruising smoothly at warp 15.2. Whew… At this rate, we'll arrive in the Sol System in several hours.

Cliff: Roger. At this speed, we should make it in time. But even if they form a new Pangalactic Congress, it'll turn out to be the same old thing: a bunch of self-important people isolated from the rest of the Federation. Nothing's really changed. It's ridiculous.

Fayt: Speaking of which, I heard some of the factions are searching for Maria behind the scenes.

Cliff: Yeah. I heard the same rumor. I guess that means that until they contact us there's no way we can meet up. Anyway, I doubt Maria will be found so easily. You see, it's basically an internal power struggle. As long as you're on Klaus (A/N: they're living together! XD), they'll concentrate all their energies on tracking Maria down. I mean, now that our universe is completely cut off from the 4D universe, Sophia can be nothing more than a figurehead. Maria, on the other hand, would be able to exercise some power. That's the way it goes.

Fayt: You know, Maria and me, we didn't fight for the fun of it. Why is it that people won't just leave us alone?

Cliff: Don't be silly. Do you really think they'd let you go your merry way after you defeated the Executioners bare-handed, when even the Federation fleet couldn't handle them? As far as they're concerned… You're just too dangerous to leave uncollared (A/N: Who's doing the collaring huh? ;D). The politicians have a job to do, too. They're responsible for providing those who elected them with a safer and more affluent life. I understand how you feel, but you really can't complain about this.

Fayt: Well, yeah. At least everyone seems to be working really hard to improve things. I guess I have to appreciate that.

Cliff: Anyway, don't worry so much. Those guys will do just fine.

Fayt: Yeah. Those two… I bet…

Fayt goes silent and starts to think about his friends but ends up musing about how glad he is that he stayed with Cliff — he'd probably be a total wreck if he hadn't. The Klausian, as usual, is generally worried about Fayt since he's been awfully quiet lately, and he notices the kid's fetching forest green gaze seems dim and tired. After getting lost in each other's eyes for a good 5 seconds, Cliff suddenly feels awkward and looks away.

Cliff: Hey! Don't worry about other people now. Worry about yourself. Be careful! Ever since the fall of the Federation, Ophelia has been leading the remnants of Federation forces very well, in spite of her youth.

Fayt: Gotcha. I won't forget that.

Cliff: And get this… They say she's really h-o-t!

Fayt: I look forward to checking her out!

Cliff: You do? You know, heh, how should I say this… You've really changed, you're totally different from when we first met.

Fayt: It's all your fault! When I'm hanging out with you there's no point in trying to be serious!

The camera zooms out of the ship they are riding in. A boosting sound can be heard and the camera blacks out. Cliff is thankful Fayt's mood has lightened up but the fact that he responded positively to checking out Ophelia actually irks him a bit. But Fayt not being so serious...that's a good thing in the Klausian's eyes. He supposes it is his fault though.

Cliff: Er… Sorry, kid.

--

Chapter 1:

The bridge went quiet again as Cliff tapped away at some buttons on the console in front of him, doing a routine systems check. With a gentle sigh, Fayt pressed his whole upper body into the comfortable molding of his chair and it responded by hugging him back and relaxing his overly tense muscles. He gave into the dual desires of his heavy eyelids and let them flutter downwards as he sat deep in thought.

Did I make the right decision? he briefly wondered to himself. Yes...of course I did. Who do I feel most comfortable being around? Cliff. Who cheers me up when I'm down? Not Maria, not Nel, not Sophia, definitely not Albel. Who treats me the best and looks out for my needs, even when I don't? Cliff. And who do I…who makes me…who saved me from…? Cliff, Cliff, Cliff...

Suddenly his eyelids shot open and he remembered to breathe again. His thoughts surged fluidly into words. "...Cliff! Can I ask you for some advice?"

The blond stopped what he was doing and turned towards his companion. "Well of course ya can Fayt, that's what I'm here for isn't it? Shoot."

The bluenette paused for a moment, formulating the question in his mind so it wouldn't be too direct. "Hmm, since you seem to have vast experience in dating and such, I was wondering if you could give me some tips on what to do if you're interested in someone and they don't really know about it. How would you break it to them and how would you show them that they mean everything to you?"

"You mean how would you seduce them?" Cliff clarified as he wagged his finger, let out a short snicker, and shook his head. Tingly gushes of warmth spread up through Fayt's neck and across his face like he was submerging into a hot spring. He quickly turned away and stared at the passing stars through the front screen.

Cliff stretched out his legs and brought his hands up behind his head before continuing: "Anyways, ya got it all wrong, kid. I'm probably not the best person to come to for relationship and dating advice. If ya wanna know the truth, I haven't had that much luck with the ladies in the past; especially with keeping a relationship goin'. Why do ya think I haven't hooked up with anyone yet?"

It may have been rhetorical, but it was a good question and Fayt didn't have an answer. So Cliff went on. "I actually got a dinner date invitation from Ally, a fine young woman from Midgard, but I bet it'll turn out even worse than the fan letters I keep getting from old men. I never was any good at figurin' out what these women are really thinking. Just more ulcers for me, as always. All I want is a nice, relaxing dinner." (A/N: Cliff actually says this in his solo ending).

Fayt's lips curved skyward as Cliff expressed his bottled up frustrations. The bluenette saw it as a good thing that Cliff hadn't found anyone yet even though he was coming on 31. Maybe he's looking in the wrong place…

The blond leaned onto the armrest closest to Fayt and rested his chin on his palm. "So who's the lucky lady then, Fayt?"

Shit. Umm… He shifted around nervously in his seat, feeling the Klausian's gaze burn into him. "I can't say yet," he offered, hoping naively this would be enough to silence an overly inquisitive Cliff.

"It's Maria isn't it?! That's why you were askin' about her earlier...What no? Well it must be Nel then? What!? Someone else? Hmmm…" The blond paused in thought for a moment and then shrugged it off. "Oh ya, advice...right, that's what ya want. I'd say to break it to them gently, take 'em someplace they enjoy to truly show tha'cha care. Really tell them what they mean to ya, make them something special like a dinner...or write a song maybe. I know that's what I'd want someone to do to me in that situation."

The bluenette's eyes suddenly widened in a mishmash of excitement and anxiety and he blinked speedily a few times before reading his companion's face and realizing that they weren't on the same level. Relaxing his shoulders, a little sad, he replied: "Those are some good ideas, Cliff. I'll keep that in mind."

"Ya really should talk to Mirage about it when we get back to Klaus." The blond turned back in his seat and remembered something important at that moment but Fayt soon interrupted.

"Speaking of Mirage, how is it not travelling with her anymore now that she's taken over the dojo? I hope I can make up for her not being around anymore."

Cliff immediately rolled his eyes in exaggeration and exhaled loudly. "Jeez Fayt, don't think so lowly of yourself. You're the best thing that's happened to me in a long time. You're an awesome friend, I wan'cha to know that. I wouldn't let ya stay with me if I didn't think the world of ya…speaking of which..."

The blond jumped out of his seat like a bee had stung his bum and raced down the corridor to the lounge yelling behind him: "I have a surprise for you! Come back 'ere in a minute after I set it up."

Curling an eyebrow at Cliff's sudden departure, Fayt pondered what the Klausian had just said. 'You're an awesome friend…'. He was spacing out again, his face somber and sullen. Suddenly, he felt a bout of frustration welling up within him and coming to a crescendo as he crossed his arms and sent his bottom lip inching outwards in a concerted pout. Well what if I want more than that!

--

A flashback to the farewell after defeating Luther…

Fayt, Cliff, Albel, Sophia, Nel, Maria, and Mirage had gathered in a circle in a grassy field to decide where they should each head off to now that their journey together was finally over.

Crossing her arms, Nel was the first to speak. "So Fayt, you first. What are you going to do now?"

"Well, I really want to help out in reestablishing a pangalactic government after this mess," he began with an idealistic air, casually scratching at some invisible itchy spot on his arm. "I think I might be able to help build something better, something that would really help people — like those who have been traditionally marginalized by the old Federation." At this he glanced over at Cliff with emerald eyes that dazzled in the tempting sunlight.

The blond flashed his teeth and replied: "Looks like we've got the same ideas in mind, Fayt. You're welcome to come with me and get involved in the nitty-gritty of the new politics of the galaxy if ya want. You'd definitely have major clout after wha'cha pulled off."

A spectacular sensation spilled through the bluenette's skin as he contemplated Cliff's words for all of one second. "Thanks Cliff, I'll take you up on your offer."

"YOU'RE GOING WITH CLIFF!? JUST LIKE THAT?" Sophia and Albel exclaimed at the same time before swiftly regaining their composure and waiting for an explanation. The blond glared at them with super evil puppy eyes of death.

"Don't rag on him guys," Maria broke in, masking her disappointment with her usual expressionless face. "I can understand why Fayt wants to travel with Cliff; I should know since he had the heart to rescue me and raise me along with Mirage. As for me, I don't want any part in the craziness that will surround us as the 'saviours of the universe' so..."

"...I'm going to stay on Elicoor with Albel!" Sophia suddenly announced, cutting Maria off like the turn of a radio dial.

"WHAT!?" everyone shouted, this time truly shocked.

"Ya, he offered to give me personalized training so I can improve my battle skills so I'm not just sitting on the sidelines healing others all the time," she explained glowingly as Albel hid his slight embarrassment by pretending to see something interesting off in the distance. Fayt found himself staring at Sophia with a worried look — he hadn't expected her to leave his side so easily. Cliff did his best horrified face.

"Don't worry, she'll be fine. I'll keep an eye on him," Nel teased. "I think I'll stay with Clair for a while and help in the rebuilding of Arias. What about you Mirage?"

"I've gotta go back to Klaus and see how my father is doing. But now that I think about it, maybe it would be better for me to hide somewhere remote like the rest of you — minus Fayt and Cliff of course, the soon to be superstar heroes of the universe." She ran some fingers through the end of her long hair and grinned knowingly at the two.

"Hmph...he's too dangerous for you Fittir. You better keep him on a short leash," Albel jeered out of the blue before snatching Sophia by the arm and turning to march off. "That's how I like him."

--

Fayt sauntered cautiously down the hallway from the bridge, curious about what the crazy/beautiful Klausian had waiting for him in the next room. He did have an inkling, but Cliff wasn't the type to prepare for that sort of thing. As the door swished open before him he entered the lounge and stopped dead in his tracks. The spacious room was occupied by four circular tables surrounded by curved seats, but that wasn't what was unusual about the place. The normally bland, sterile design and decoration pervasive on starships was bursting with balloons of every colour in the rainbow and there were vases of vibrant violet snapdragons scattered around the room. There were long, curly green streamers hanging from the ceiling and a giant paper banner arced across one wall that screamed 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY FAYT!'. Each letter on the banner had arms and legs and was in a playful dancing pose and in the two spaces between the words were a miniature Cliff (in one) and Fayt (in the other) also caught in an enthusiastic dance stance.

Cliff was sitting contently on one of the cushioned benches with his long legs crossed on the table beside a decadent looking chocolate fudge cake shaped into sword.

"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAN! You're the big 2-0 now. Heh, someone's over the hill…" he bellowed with a cheerful wink.

Fayt quickly closed his gaping mouth and replied: "Thanks Cliff! I wasn't sure if you remembered 'cause you hadn't said anything all morning. I heard there was going to be some big thing for me once we got to Mars, but this...wow…this is much better..."

Thank god Mirage reminded me June the 15th was Fayt's birthday before we left Klaus, the blond mused with a sheepish smile brightening his face. "Me!? Forget? Of course not Fayt, don't be silly. Look, I even took the time to make this awesome cake for ya!"

"You made the cake?" Fayt questioned hesitantly, eyeing it with sudden suspicion. "I figured you just whipped it up with the replicator…"

Cliff crossed his bulky arms, his face beaming with pride. "It's not the same like that, it's not special. I actually made it from scratch with a little help from Mirage...okay maybe a lot."

The bluenette breathed sweet relief and started grinning like the Klausian hadn't seen in a long time — Fayt hadn't smiled much on their journey, especially near the end. But now wasn't the time for reminiscing on a painful past.

"Come 'ere you," Cliff gestured softly. "Time for yer birthday hug!" Fayt waded through the sea of balloons and slid down the seat to receive his friend's warm and strong embrace. The blond's silky-smooth hair smelled of luscious fruits from a recent wash, transporting the bluenette to an era of idle daydreams among the wild orchards near his home. He hadn't known what he had wanted then, but he did now. As Cliff patted him on the back, Fayt went limp in those muscular arms just for a moment as he savoured the rare, intimate touch of the person he secretly loved. He felt embarrassed though as the brush of the blond's chiseled chest against his own sent rousing rushes to certain sensitive areas of his body. He finally pulled back and stared mindlessly at the gooey cake.

"You okay, kid?" the Klausian asked, having sensed the brief breakdown.

"Of course I am!" the bluenette responded tersely and deceivingly. "This is great Cliff, thanks for putting it all together. It's just too bad none of our friends are here right now."

"Well, look at it this way," Cliff began as he grabbed the champagne bottle beside him and started pouring a glass. "We just saved the galaxy and it's a zany time for everyone...but look at the bright side — for what it's worth, I'm here. Besides, isn't it true that the people who really matter make time to show up on your birthday?"

As Cliff passed him the glass and poured his own, Fayt felt like he was being teased even though that wasn't the intention. If only you knew how much you really matter to me… Right then and there, the bluenette impulsively made up his mind and let his teenage urges take over. He couldn't stand this anymore; this pretending that he was happy with the present relationship between them. But he still couldn't work up the courage to say it outright. So he decided to be sneaky about it.

They clanked their glasses together and Cliff toasted Fayt: "To the greatest person in the universe." That was it. After taking a long sip of the bubbly pleasure, the bluenette slid off the side of the bench and collapsed onto the floor, shaking all over like he was having a seizure and then closing his eyes, laying still, and holding his breath. If I can't kiss you outright…

This provoked the exact response he was hoping for from Cliff. The Klausian shot out of his seat and was kneeling over Fayt in an instant, gently tapping his face and feeling his pulse. Come on… Fayt hoped to himself. After mumbling the bluenette's name a few times, Cliff finally leaned down and touched his thick lips — moist from the champagne — to Fayt's own to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Fayt's eyes rolled up in their sockets as he savoured the warm, soft feel of the semi-kiss he had been dying for so long to have. He didn't kiss back though, lest his furtive plan be figured out, and then he felt the unworldly sensation of Cliff breathing two full breaths down his throat which made him cough and forced him to started breathing again.

Then something happened which he didn't intend at all. Strange supersensory images flashed through his mind, beginning with Earth exploding at the mercy of the Executioners and shifting to his father collapsing after being shot right in front of him. Pitch black memories from the depths of hell throbbed through his veins and seized control of his body: Ameena and Dion came up next, all the people he had met on the Aquaelie, then all the souls who had died in the war on Elicoor II, Hyda IV, the other Federation and Vendeeni spaceships, and in 4-D space...it went on and on until it ended with a vision of Fayt's serene neighbourhood on Earth and his home and college friends that no longer existed…all because of him.

Cliff jumped back from Fayt who had begun to glow ivory white as he lay on the ground.

"UH OH!" the blond shouted, shielding himself with his hands.

The bluenette unveiled his eyes and they suddenly pulsed with an unknown energy that rippled through his irises and burst out his forehead as a rune symbol. He screamed in pain and pressed both hands to his head, immediately recognizing what was happening but unable to do jack shit about it. The esoteric arts of the ethereal exploded from his forehead in a beam of blinding brightness that shot straight out of the ship and manifested itself in the cosmos outside, knocking the ship out of gravitic warp. A gargantuan, majestic rune materialized in the blackness of space surrounded by spiraling necromancy and the outer rim began rotating around a ring of symbols that each represented a quintessential physical law of the universe. It stopped on the symbol of a wall with four layers and thus one of the 4-D walls between the Eternal Sphere universe and another was destroyed, merging and connecting the two together across the three dimensions and time with unknown consequences. He had caused one segment of the multiverse to miraculously coalesce, but of course Fayt and Cliff knew nothing of this from their vantage point.

Fayt shone iridescently like the falling sun's rays on a prized oyster's pearl before the eerie radiance faded and the blond sped over again and knelt down beside him. "Fayt! You scared the crap out of me! This is bad...are you okay now?" The bluenette nodded his head and steadied himself to focus his eyes. He felt like he had been hit by a truck which had then backed up and rolled over his body a few times for good measure. Cliff continued: "I wonder what happened...ya must've destroyed something with yer power...but the ship seems okay…"

Suddenly, the alert system sprung to life. "Warning! There is an unidentified object heading straight for the ship at high speed."

"WHAT?!" the blond roared, jumping to his feet. "Well, what is it?"

"Please hold...scanning...it appears to be a giant asteroid that appeared out of nowhere."

"Appeared out of nowhere?"

"Yes, please get to the bridge, it will make contact in 30 seconds."

"SHIT!"

Cliff sprinted to the bridge and Fayt followed behind slowly, occasionally bumping into the walls because he couldn't walk straight. They both vaulted into their seats and the Klausian began jabbing away at his console, preparing an evasive maneuver. Fayt stared out the front screen in horror.

"CLIFF! We're in the middle of an asteroid field! My power must of knocked us out of warp...but the computer says there shouldn't be any asteroids in this part of space…"

"Fuck! It's too late, the ship's too big and it's not as nimble as the Diplo, we won't be able to get out of the asteroid's path in time!"

"You're giving up!?" Fayt cried, glancing at the blond's strained face. "...Hey wait a second...what's that over there…" he suddenly queried, pointing at an object on the screen that definitely wasn't a space rock.

TO BE CONTINUED!