Chapter 3

Fayt had avoided Albel for the past three days. They took Roger back to his parents, and Fayt was extremely grateful they would still have him. He didn't know what he'd do if they recommended that Roger stay with them. Peppita had asked him why they were still on Elicoor and he told her he wanted to see them all to their homes. Fayt never knew if it would the last time they all saw each other and he didn't want to take that chance. He wanted all their last memories to be pleasant ones and if he was honest with himself, he didn't want to part from any of them.

He suddenly looked wearily over to Albel, who strangely held a lead in front of everyone. Fayt really wondered what Albel thought about him. About him and Cliff to be precise, even though there wasn't even an him and Cliff. Fayt also wondered what happened to Albel for him to draw such conclusions. He knew the man would never say the things he did without something backing it.

"Can't wait to get away from him either, eh?"

Fayt turned to see Cliff's neck. He looked up. "Uh, well, Albel's not so bad."

Cliff's eyebrow rose skeptically. "You sure about that? He nearly killed you the other day when you both came in from the storm."

Fayt must've had an confused expression because Cliff then said, "Underneath the mud and blood, I saw bruises already begin to form, Fayt. You have delicate skin, you know that?" He mockingly ran a finger down Fayt's neck.

Fayt jerked and glared at him. "I do not! My skin is just more susceptible to broken blood vessels."

Cliff laughed, which caused a certain figure in Fayt peripheral vision to stop and turn. "Broken blood vessels? Hell, Fayt, that's the description of bruises."

Fayt restrained himself from looking at Albel. "Not necessarily."

Cliff raised another eyebrow at him. "We're not getting into technicalities now, are we?"

"Well…"

"My ears are fit to fall from my head if you two don't stop your foolish chattering!" Albel snapped, as he raged over the hill.

Everyone in the party stopped and looked after him.

"Jeeze, someone sounds cranky," Maria commented shrewdly.

"Well, I am tired," Peppita said, as she rubbed her eyes with a yawn.

"Aquaria can't be that far, right?" Mirage surveyed the land with her arms crossed.

"Fayt?" Cliff's gray eyes and everyone else's were on him.

He scratched his head. "Uh, the it'll be dark in a few minutes. I guess it would be safe to set up camp then."

"And him?" Nel looked over to the horizon where Albel went.

Fayt sighed. He couldn't put it off forever. "I'll go get him."

--

Fayt walked over the hill and didn't see Albel anywhere. The sun was already fading into the back as the moon came to pick up it's shift. He walked down by the stream and threw water over his face. He looked around again. No Albel. He'd have to call around for him. Fayt wasn't too concerned with any monsters following the sound. He could handle them easily.

"Albel!" Fayt shouted. "Are you there? Albel!"

"Giving away your position? Fool," came a low voice, from a tree a little ways from Fayt.

"I can handle myself," Fayt said curtly. "Where were you?"

Albel stepped into the dim light looking malevolent as ever. He glanced back at the trees and then back to Fayt. "Taking a piss, what's it to ya?"

Fayt blushed at his bluntness. He threw more water on his face to hide his blush even though it was dark Fayt was sure Albel could see it. "Sorry, to disturb you," he mumbled. Abruptly, he felt cold steel on his neck above the collar. All to familiar with the blade touching him, Fayt frowned irritably.

"I could kill you now, you know."

"Haven't we been over this before?" Fayt glared at his reflection because the blade was pressed against him in a way where it was a good idea not to move. He really wanted to glare at Albel. "If you wanted me dead, I would've been a long time ago."

There was silence for a little while, and Fayt could feel Albel's eyes burn into him. Then suddenly a snort and the sword was gone. Fayt sighed but it was short lived when a boot kicked him in his stomach and he got sent sprawled into the water, face first.

Fayt recovered fast and kicked Albel's leg out from under him. Fayt then quickly pulled out his blade and straddled Albel's lap leant over the older man with his blade pressed against his neck. Fayt had one palm on the ground beside Albel's head and the other held the sword horizontally across Albel's neck.

Fayt was assaulted by many feelings, emotions, and thoughts, but one thing did stand out. Anger. Albel's eyes had slightly widened but the expressionless mask was back and it irritated Fayt.

"Going to finish the job, maggot?" Albel taunted him, completely unaffected by Fayt's anger.

Fayt's sword arm shook with frustration and just for a moment he wanted to prove Albel wrong. To slit his neck and watch the blood flow. To sit back in satisfaction that he called Albel's bluff. To contemptuously look down at the dying man with the expression of 'I told you I could'. But he didn't, instead he leaned down and…

Wait.

Now Albel's eyes were really wide. Fayt had no doubt his were too. He'd quickly stood up with a shaky breath and backed up several feet. "We've set up camp over t-the hill, we'll complete o-our journey to A-Aquaria in the morning," he stuttered, as if drunk. He nodded curtly, turned, and awkwardly walked back over the hill.

Did I just… almost kiss him?

---

Did that maggot just almost kiss me? Albel thought confusedly, as he sat up.

He sat there for a moment and contemplated Fayt's actions. He was baffled by Fayt almost kissing him, but when the boy had caught him off guard, how miraculous is that, Albel thought with snort, and he'd seen the blood lust in Fayt's eyes… Now he knew for sure Fayt was as untainted as he thought him to be. If he was provoked the right way… Maybe Albel could get the most difficult fight out of the blue haired boy.

Albel lifted a finger to his neck and felt around.

"He didn't even cut me… He's way too soft for his own good." Albel looked at the hill and saw the glow from the firelight. He got up and walked to go keep watch over the ones who should be praising him for guarding them. Useless worms.

--

Fayt stretched and yawned while he rubbed his eyes. The heat was intense lately, and it appeared to be Summer in Elicoor. He wore the same outfit he had on a few days ago when he was sick. He didn't know how he recovered so fast from everything, but he had a feeling it had something to with the collar around his neck.

"You should get some rest," Cliff said, with concern lacing the statement.

Fayt looked down and was mildly shocked to see him shirtless. He must be really hot. Fayt saw the sweat droplets on Cliff's forehead and guessed that was the reason for the change of clothes. He vaguely wondered how someone could have so many muscles, when Cliff's voice broke into his thoughts.

"See something distasteful?" smiled Cliff, as he pretended to look himself over.

Fayt didn't even know that was staring. "Everything looks good." Fayt felt like he could have bitten his tongue off and was glad everyone else was out cold. He looked down at an interesting patch of grass at Cliff's feet, while he felt a blush creep up his neck.

"Gee Fayt, flattery gets you everywhere," Cliff chuckled, with mirth. "If you keep giving an old man like me compliments like that, I just might get an ego."

"Might get one? Too late for that," Fayt commented sarcastically. "Besides, you're not old. You were just born before others."

The humor in Cliff's face faded. "Is that right?" he asked quietly. "You don't think I'm old, eh?"

"No," Fayt said seriously, while he shook of his head. "Why should I?"

Cliff made a noise in the back of throat and regarded Fayt thoughtfully. "Since I know you're a truthful kind of guy, I know I won't have any trouble pulling the ladies when I get time."

Fayt rolled his eyes when he suddenly heard a snort.

"Not everyone wants you, worm." Albel loomed out the darkness, and reminded Fayt of a specific Executioner "Anyone who does must be dafter than a cow who thinks it can chew stone." He sat down half turned towards them.

Cliff scowled in Albel's direction. "What's that girly man? Got a draft up your skirt?"

"What worm?" Albel hissed, with his hand on his sword hilt.

"You heard me, bast-"

"Hey!" Fayt whispered fiercely. "Some people are trying to sleep."

Cliff and Albel had the most ridiculous stare down contest before Cliff turned away with a snort of disgust to lie down. Albel smirked with a triumphant, "Hmph." And apparently thought himself to be the victor of their 'stare down' contest. His red eyes briefly rested on Fayt before he turned his head towards the darkness.

Fayt sighed and hoped the next day wouldn't be so worrisome.

--

Hope was decidedly too much, Fayt thought as Cliff and Albel bickered about the monsters they encountered on the way. Cliff supposedly would hog all the fun and Albel would supposedly get the way. It was ridiculous and stupid.

"All right you two need to stop it now!" Nel said, in her authoritive voice. "You sound like little boys bickering over who can get covered in the most dirt!"

"I can handle him, Nel!"

"Quiet, you Aquarian wench!"

"You Airyglyhian –"

"That's it, the next person to speak will be silenced until I see fit to remove it from them." Sophia glared at the three daring them to say something.

All three took a good look at one another and strode off in the same direction evenly spaced apart. Adray's booming laugh startled Fayt and Maria while Mirage just looked bewilderedly at the huge man.

"I didn't think you had it in you, missy," Adray said approvingly, with eyes that twinkled with amusement in Sophia's direction.

Sophia blushed, but replied steadily. "Hell, someone had to do it."

Fayt figured he'd never stop being surprised by everyone around him no matter how long he knew them. Adray just continued to laugh while Mirage just ogled Sophia.

--

Upon their arrival at the castle, Albel had snapped at a few unlucky servants. Fayt had just about enough of the moody man and grabbed him while the others weren't around into an alcove.

"Just what the hell is wrong with you?"

Albel looked extremely angry at being handle in such a way and seemed tempted to act in some violence. However, he leaned back against the wall casually and glared at Fayt. "Come to molest my person again?"

Fayt opened and closed his mouth several times. He didn't expect that to come out Albel's mouth. However, he didn't back down, he glared determinedly at Albel.

"Have you?" Albel's tone grew playful and curious.

Fayt willed himself not to get red and replied tersely, "No. I came to see what's bothering you so much that you have to verbally attack everyone that comes within your sight."

Albel suddenly glared. "I don't need your useless concern. Mind your own business."

"It is my business!"

"How is that, maggot?"

"Because-"

"What? You feel sympathy for those I've slaughtered with my tongue?"

Fayt opened his mouth to answer when he closed it abruptly. Was he trying to imply something with is words?

"Would you like to be licked?"

In what way? Fayt's mind asked. However, the boy himself blinked and wondered was Albel coming on to him. "H-Huh?"

"Tsk, tsk," Albel clicked disapprovingly. "Cliff wouldn't appreciate you giving your wares away now would he?"

Fayt jerked back. "I have nothing to do with Cliff. We're just friends!"

"You sure?" A predatory glint had invaded red eyes and Fayt gulped.

"Of course!" Fayt said quickly.

Albel stepped a little too close for Fayt's comfort and he made to move back when Albel's bone crushing grip wrapped itself around his wrist. "Strange, I've seen otherwise."

Fayt shook his head. "There's nothing you could've have possibly seen to implicate-"

Albel disgustedly shook him loose. "Liar. I never thought you'd be one to lie, worm. Then again, as rare as it is, I am sometimes wrong."

"What?" Fayt blurted out. "I'm not lying!"

"Sure, worm."

Fayt didn't even know why he wanted to prove the point to Albel so much, but he didn't stop. "I'm not!"

"Stop lying, maggot! I don't want to hear anything you've got to say!" Albel's face had a red tint to it and he appeared to fix hatred on the collar he'd given Fayt.

"FINE!" Fayt glanced at Albel in revulsion and irritation then stalked out the castle.

He stopped outside the castle walls and paced while he took in deep breaths of air. He finally slumped against the wall and closed his eyes with a resigned sigh. Maybe seeing everyone home was a mistake.

"Hey kid, you okay?"

Fayt opened eyes and saw gray ones very close to own stare back at him. "Yeah, I just need to walk around. I'll see the queen later, I'm not in a good mood."

He walked off into the city to get his mind off he and Albel's argument. Maybe find out more about the collar around his neck.