Here it is-the last chapter. I hope you all enjoy.

And if you're wondering where the shonen ai part comes in, well…you'll just have to find out. I won't tell you exactly where, but you can find out. It gets pretty explicit, but I tried to use euphemisms where I could. You have been warned.

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I don't think that they'd understand-chapter 3

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Piers fought with all his might to remain in his chair and not pounce on his best friend-his love. Here he was, in the flesh! After all of those nights of wanting to see him, all of the times he'd dreamed about them, all of the long Senate meetings he survived by thinking of Felix, here he was!

"Felix, I'm sorry, I thought you were a courier for the king. I would've let you in otherwise. Please, sit down. Would you like anything to drink?"

Felix marveled at Piers, the ever-gracious host. He acted as though it were no surprise at all that Felix had, quite literally, appeared out of thin air. He studied Piers- his golden eyes, his long, aquamarine hair that so often fell in his face, and his strong body. He struggled to keep thoughts of staring deep into those eyes and touching that hair out of his mind.

He finally had to speak up. "Piers, aren't you just the tiniest bit surprised to see me?"

"What? Oh, yes, I am. Where'd you learn how to sail a ship?" asked Piers with just a hint of a smirk.

Felix rolled his eyes. "Oh, I don't know, the ten months we spent sailing all over the Eastern and Western Seas."

Piers laughed freely. Felix smiled deeply, happy to see his friend relaxing. From the looks of it, Lemuria had not been the most relaxing place for Piers lately. He had a vague feeling it had something to do with nightmarish Senate meetings.

"So, old friend, do you miss those days out at sea, long nights, and constantly fighting off bloodthirsty monsters?"

Felix was a bit surprised by this question, but he answered honestly. "I do, actually. I liked spending time with my closest friends. I think….I think I was happier then."

Piers was troubled by this. "Happier? Why? What's wrong?"

Felix sighed heavily, releasing a thousand pent-up emotions flying into the air. "It's…..it's complicated. I don't know how to say it. I don't even know if I can."

Piers moved closer to where Felix sat at the edge of the bed. "Please, tell me. You know you can tell me anything, no matter how horrible it is."

Felix didn't look at him. Instead, he stared at his boots, the floor, the window, anywhere but the Lemurian's golden eyes. He said nothing.

Piers' voice was barely a whisper now. "Please?"

Felix tried to speak. "I….it's…well…I just…I just feel so lonely sometimes."

The Lemurian looked at him intently. "I do, too."

"Really?"

"Believe me. All the time I've been spending in the Senate recently is enough to make anyone unbearably lonely."

Felix laughed, albeit nervously. "You're in the Senate? With those old hacks?"

Piers nodded gravely. "Yeah. Those old hacks. Obliviously blind to the truth."

They fell back to silence. "So, Felix, why were you so lonely? Where have Isaac, Mia, Jenna, Garet, Ivan, and Sheba been recently?"

"Oh, they're all in Vale, and everyone's safe, but, you know, I can't see them all the time. And my parents visit often, too, but I….want…something…more….."

Piers was closer to him now. Close enough for Felix to smell him. He smelled of salt water, leather, the pure essence of water, and something else…something that was just Piers.

"What else do you want?"

Piers wished he hadn't moved so close to Felix. He was close enough to feel his warm breath, to smell him….earth, leather, and something he couldn't quite place his finger on…something pleasant, though….

"I want…..I….oh, gods, I don't know! I don't know how to say it!"

Felix looked into Piers' eyes. What a mistake. He was soon lost in the golden hues-hues of concern and warmth. All he wanted to do was stare into his eyes, for the rest of eternity. Stop staring at his eyes, you moron! He's going to notice.

Piers felt like he couldn't breathe. Is it me, or is the room getting hotter? It's definitely getting hotter. But the sun is going down…..

Felix accidentally moved his hand so that, just for a moment, his fingers brushed against Piers'. A jolt of electricity shot through his spine, and he lost all composure he had. He stared once again into Piers' beautiful golden eyes and began to weep.

Piers gathered Felix into his arms as his friend fell against his chest, crying. Through muffled sobs, he could barely make out the words, "I missed you. I've wanted to see you again since you left but I couldn't…and you never wrote….and I thought…I thought you'd forgotten me."

Piers gently stroked Felix's chocolate-colored hair. "Felix, oh dear Felix, I would never forget you. I wanted to write but no ships go outside the Sea of time….I wanted to visit but the Kind needed me for Senate meetings…but why didn't you visit me?"

Felix knew this question was coming, and yet he was unprepared. He didn't want to answer it; he just wanted to lay there against Piers' chest, feeling how warm he was and how good he smelled. "I don't know. I think I was afraid."

"Afraid? Of what? You're the mighty Felix, who battled all kinds of monsters across Weyard. What could you be afraid of?"

Felix gulped and managed to say, "That you'd reject me."

Piers laughed lightly, saying, "My dear Felix, why would I reject you?"

He almost wished he hadn't asked. He knew it was incredibly hard for Felix to say, but he was too scared himself. "It's okay. I'm sorry I asked. Just forget--"

"Because I love you."

Felix couldn't believe he'd said it. As soon as the words left his mouth he wished to take them back again and keep them there, forever. They flew from his mouth and into Piers' head, then out the window where they would be lost. But he couldn't take the words back. He could only look at Piers, mouth agape, and wish he could die.

I blew it. My best friend, and my love…I had a chance to hold onto someone and I lost it. I'll be lonely forever now….

He was vaguely aware of Piers stroking his hair. He'd said nothing. His hands felt comforting, like a blanket to keep him warm from a bitter wind.

"Felix…"

"I'm an idiot. I'm so sorry."

"I love you, too."

Felix couldn't believe what he was hearing. Did he just say, "I love you"? What he not being rejected? Was he finally escaping his loneliness?

"You do? Really? You're not just saying that because I'm a moron?"

"Fe, you're not a moron, and I would never just say something. I really do love you. I have for a long time, and that's why I've wanted to see you so badly."

"Since when?"

"Since one of those nights on the ship. We were gazing at the stars in the sky, finding constellations and telling their stories."

"And then the boat jerked and I fell overboard, and you pulled me out...then you wrapped me in one of your winter robes and held me against you."

"It was to keep you warm at first, but after a while it wasn't just to warm you. I didn't want you to leave."

Felix smiled, knowing that they fell in love with each other at the same time. He had savored the feeling of being held so close to Piers' chest-closer than was necessary.

Piers pulled Felix closer to him. He wanted as much of him to touch Felix as possible. He wrapped his arms protectively around his love, leaning back against the wall and stroking him. He was so warm, he wanted to hold him forever.

Felix shyly wrapped his arms around Piers and snuggled closer to him. He could feel his warm breath in his hair, his calloused but gentle fingers caressing his arms and neck. Suddenly, he felt something warm and wet on his forehead, only to melt against Piers as he kissed his forehead and his cheek.

Piers wanted to kiss every inch of Felix, but he didn't want to startle the Venus adept. He adjusted himself so that he was lying on his side, his arms wrapped tightly around his waist. He started by planting slow, soft kisses along his neck and collarbone.

"Piers."

"Yes, Fe?"

"I know you love me, but….you're not doing a very good job of showing it."

Piers was a bit puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Felix smirked mischievously. "I'll show you what I mean." With that, he put his hands on either side of Piers head and kissed him on the lips.

Piers never wanted to leave Felix's lips. They were so soft, and warm, and wet-full of passion. His kiss was tentative, exploratory at first, but after a minute or so he began to get into it. He wrapped his arms strongly around Piers and put more passion into his kiss. His lips moved more confidently now, caressing Piers' mouth. Felix maneuvered so he was on top of Piers and found himself wrapping his legs around him. He became even more stimulated and began to massage Piers' back with his hands.

"Felix…"

"Mmmhm?" murmured his lover in between kissing Piers.

"I want to kiss you all over, but…"

"But what?"

"It's hard to do while you have all these clothes on."

Felix looked up from his work and gazed into Piers' eyes. "oh? Is that an invitation into your bed?"

"Fe, dear, you're already in it."

"You clever little smartass. Speaking of which…"

"Speaking of-what! Oh! Stop! Oh…wait…no, don't stop…"

Felix had moved one of the hands massaging Piers' back down to his butt and was now groping him, and Piers didn't seem to mind a bit.

"Fe? Please, make my job a little bit easier."

"Fine, but only if you do it too."

"You first, my lovely. I want to watch you."

Felix smirked at him and climbed off of his lover. Though he hadn't worn heavy armor to Lemuria, he still had a few tunics and his cape. As he cast off his layers of clothing, he saw Piers' eyes widen in anticipation. Soon, Felix was down to his cotton shirt and a light pair of dark green pants. "Alright. You next."

Piers rose from the bed. "I thought you were taking it all off."

"I was thinking you could do that."

"Oh, Fe, don't tease me." Piers groaned as he began to shed his robes. He had worn fewer clothes than Felix, but took more time in removing them. He liked to tease; he couldn't help himself.

"Come on, Piers, you're killing me. Just take them off already!"

"Everything?"

In Felix's mind, in his utopia, they had gotten down to the bare essentials of clothing and were kissing passionately, but the details of what happened next were foggy. He realized now that Piers had drawn a line for him, and dared him to step across it.

"….Take it off."

It was the answer Piers wanted. Barely able to contain the giddiness within his heart, he took off the last of his clothes.

Felix gasped slightly and felt something within him stir. His eyes drank in Piers' naked body, colored slightly silver by the newly risen moon. He felt primal, his emotions slowly dropping away like the robes now lying on the floor. Suddenly his mind, which for the past year had hidden behind layers and layers of grief, despair, and pain, was naked as his lover. And he wanted his Water adept to wash him clean.

Make me forget everything.

The last of Felix's restraint washed away like footprints on a beach. He had wept out all of his sadness and bitterness, and was ready to begin again. Not as though it had never happened, but healed.

The thing within him stirred again, a beast awakening from hibernation. He had last felt this way when he saw Piers half-submerged in a steaming bath. Then, he had been frightened of being caught, and somewhat ashamed. That was over two years ago. Now, the feeling of arousal was welcome, no longer so terrifying. He ran head-on to meet it.

"Fe? Fe? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Felix stood up from the bed. In his eyes was a hungry look.

"I want you right now. Everywhere. I don't care what you do to me. If you abused me I wouldn't care…in fact, I think I'd like it. All I want is for you to touch me everywhere. Oh, please, Piers! Please!"

Piers had never seen Felix like this. He was more often than not quiet and pensive-but he often had his animated moments. But now, he was seeing a whole new side of Felix- an incredible passionate side. The side of total love without restraint.

Felix rushed into Piers' embrace, and they kissed wildly. The two lovers fell back onto the bed, and Piers barely had time to cover their bodies with his bed cover before a gust of cool night air came to meet them. Piers pressed every inch of his body against Felix, wanted every inch of his skin to touch his beloved. His hands played at the hem of Felix's shirt, all the while feeling his gently ridged stomach. He finally became bold enough to slide a hand along his chest, feeling along the smooth skin and gently pinching one of his nipples. Felix shivered at Piers' touch, drawing even closer to him if possible.

Felix adored having Piers touch him. The water adept ran his hands through Felix's hair, felt along his chest, and seemed to electrify every inch of his skin. He began to sweat in the heat of their passion, even though the night was relatively cool. However, the little room felt hotter than a steel forge. He barely realized that Piers was pulling-no, ripping his shirt from his body until a cool blast of air touched his sweaty chest.

Piers began to moan as he planted kisses all along Felix's neck and shoulder. His muscles rippled under his lips, adding to the sensuality. He felt hands running through his hair, lips on his neck accompanied by little bites, tiny little flicks of Felix's tongue just behind his ear. Piers moved his hands down to Felix's hips, grasping them tightly and slowly pulling his pants down. As he did this, he ran a hand up Felix's thigh and up to his nether region. A sharp groan of ecstasy showed that his lover took great pleasure in his touch.

He ran his left hand up and down………faster, tighter………gripping, stimulating………bringing him closer and closer to the edge of pure pleasure………and then he stopped.

He looked up at Felix. His head was thrown back in the pleasure he had been receiving, his breathing heavy. He glared at Piers. "Why did you stop? I was so close………argh, Piers, why do you tease me so much?"

Piers smirked. "Because it's fun."

Felix laughed bitterly. "Oh yes, it's fun. Wait until I do it to you and then stop. You'll see how much fun it is then."

"You'd never do that to me."

"Don't put it past me."

"You wouldn't, not after what I'm going to do."

"I don't want to ask."

"Don't. It's better that you find out. It won't be long though, dearest. I'd hate to keep you waiting."

Dearest………my lovely………Fe………Felix loved the little pet names Piers had given him. Each one reminded him that he wasn't being rejected, that he was not alone, that his past was being healed.

Wash me clean. Make me forget everything.

And so far, he had forgotten.

Piers climbed back up to settle on Felix's chest. He wrapped his arms around his beautiful lover and sighed. Everything he had gone through………those seemingly endless years, watching other Lemurians get married, their wedding ceremonies………and how lonely he had been. How he had always dreamed of finding love but never believing it could happen.

But now I believe. I see what is true. My faith was shaken, but you have rooted me.

The small quiet in their passion was broken by Felix's kiss. He felt the flames of passion return, stronger, reminding him of what he wanted.

Physical, unbounded love.

Soon, Piers too had had enough of playing around. He felt pure arousal, a need for Felix, a need to love him.

Piers grasped Felix by the hips and turned him over onto his stomach. He straddled his hips and readied himself, positioning. He stroked his lover tenderly on the back and kissed the back of his neck. "This is going to hurt at first," Piers said.

Felix nodded. "Closer." He purred. "Come closer to me."

Piers stroked him again. "I will, dearest. Once I'm inside………"

Felix gasped as Piers slowly slid into him, but was soon accustomed to the feeling. His lover settled back on top of him and embraced him once again. He began to move his hips. Felix moaned, moving back against Piers, reaching around to touch him wherever he could. Piers' long, aquamarine hair fell around Felix's face, and he ran his fingers through it. His hands ran over Felix's chest, lovingly, softly.

Piers moved within him for hours. They gasped each time they came to the zenith of pleasure, crying out each others' names. Felix held on to Piers' thighs, as though he feared he would slip far away from him. Piers remained wrapped around Felix's chest, refusing to let go.

It was the last hours of darkness when they finished. Extremely satisfied, Felix snuggled close to Piers' chest and sighed happily. Piers stroked the earth adept's hair.

"So, do you feel loved now? Are you happy?"

"Oh, Piers, I'm happier than I've been in two years. Thank you."

"Felix, thinking of you made those Senate meetings bearable. I think I've thought about you every single day for the past two years."

"Since we met?"

"Pretty much. Once I got to know you."

"Piers, I have to ask you something."

"Anything, my lovely."

"Where are we going to live? Our kind of love is forbidden in Vale and Lemuria. Where can we go?"

Piers frowned. He hadn't thought about where they would live. "I think it would have to be a city. Small towns like Vale or very old cities like Lemuria tend to have stricter laws. I think a decent-sized city where no one really looks into people's personal lives would be best."

Felix thought about the matter. He couldn't live in Vale, or he'd be banished, and he certainly couldn't live in Lemuria. Plus, he still wanted to be close to Jenna, Garet, Isaac, Mia, Ivan, and Sheba. "How about Kalay? That's only a day's journey from Vale, and it's big enough where people won't look into our personal lives too much."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Trust me. I saw several couples of two men or two women and no one paid any attention at all."

"Kalay it is then. We'll leave tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? That soon?"

"It has to be. In fact, I should probably lock my door in case someone knocks early in the morning. If anyone saw you and me in the same bed………"

Felix understood. Things were the same in Vale.

As Piers got up to lock his front door, Felix lay back in bed, thinking. He'd sacrificed a life in Vale for Piers.

A life of what? Watching people through a telescope every day while it rains?

It was all worth it. The scars of his past, the empty loneliness, the tears, the fear, everything had evaporated when Piers told him, "I love you."

He wished he could hide away from the rest of the world and live with Piers, forever, away from the prying, narrow eyes of their socially rigid societies. He knew they wouldn't approve of the relationship he and Piers had.

People fear what they do not understand.

Piers returned from locking the door, climbed back into bed, and pulled Felix back onto his chest. "A new life in Kalay." Piers mused. "What will we tell the others?"

"How about the truth?" suggested Felix.

"You think they'll go along with it?"

"I don't think it would bother them terribly. Jenna was always wondering why I wasn't trying to find a girlfriend. I think she's known for a while."

"That you love me?"

"Well, that I don't love girls."

"That's how a sister should be."

Felix chuckled. If Jenna had a little less venomous rage within her, then she'd be the perfect sister. But nobody's perfect.

"I'm glad you came, Felix."

"I'm glad I did, too. I had no idea you were as lonely as I was."

"Perhaps I did not have such a painful past, but remember, my past was longer."

"Indeed. Say, exactly how old are you?"

Piers sulked. "Why does everyone ask me that? Does it make a difference?"

Felix shrugged. "I guess not. But one day, I'm gonna find out." He tickled Piers.

"Oh yeah? How?" he giggled.

"I'll find a way. I'll weasel it out of you somehow."

"Fine. One day I'll tell you. But not tonight. It's late, and if we're traveling tomorrow, we should get some sleep."

"Good night, Piers."

"Good night, Felix."

Without intending to, simultaneously, they said, "I love you."

Felix closed his eyes and snuggled deep against his lover. You have washed me clean of my past. From your water, I am born anew.

Piers embraced Felix more tightly. I had my doubts, but you rooted me in your faith. You are steadfast, like the earth, and have showed me what is real.

Before Felix fell asleep, he had a final thought. The elders of Vale and Lemuria cling to the old ways, and fear change. They both opposed the illumination of the lighthouses, but may possibly see the light of the decision one day. They fear what they do not understand. They'd fear us, no matter what we said.

I don't think that they'd understand.

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Aaaaaah………finally done! Hope you enjoyed! Please read, review, and constructive criticism only, please! If you have flames, you can bring it up with my muses.

Felix: (draws Sol Blade)

Piers: (brandishes Excalibur)

Felix and Piers: (kiss)

happy trails, everyone! And please forgive me for any spelling mistakes/grammatical errors I may have made. I love you all!

Final note: If anyone could tell me where to find some good GS yaoi fics, please tell me! I think I've read everything on this site ;;