A/N: We've passed the halfway point for the story. Whoo…For those of you who noticed, each of the chapters are named after one of the lines in the prologue…I might do an epilogue too, but we'll think about that later. Anyway…this chapter was supposed to be entirely humorous..and it is, to some extent, but the angst invaded at the end. Darn it!

Disclaimer: Star Ocean is not mine. What? You thought I would give you a plain disclaimer like that? Don't underestimate the creative mind, fool. Oh dear…I seem to have swallowed Albel…and unfortunately, he does not belong to me so I have to give him up.

Albel was in a very good mood. He had been grinning wickedly nonstop for a whole week, looking like he was plotting something evil. Cliff did not like the look of that at all and he told Fayt so. Fayt shrugged it off, chalking it up as normal for Albel. Secretly, fayt suspected that Albel was planning on getting even with him for the unexpected hug. Fayt imagined that Albel would be very embarrassed by any show of emotion. However, after a few days had passed without Albel doing anything, Fayt was slowly beginning to be less wary.

Albel had made just as many sarcastic comments as usual, maybe even more than usual, but they were just a façade. All the sting was gone from them. It was more like teasing than the taunting it had once been. So gentle was this teasing that everyone noticed. Cliff and Nel were no longer angered by his words. They just endured his "maggot" and "worm" titles with a smile. Fayt was already used to Albel's stern language and without the stern tone with it, Fayt was beginning to enjoy being around Albel. He was lulled into a false sense of friendly security.

Albel struck when Fayt was least expecting it. He had been calmly walking around Peterny when he spotted Albel gesturing angrily to a few of his soldiers standing near a wall. Curious, Fayt walked closer.

"Don't give me that crud," Albel growled. "I've been traveling with him for weeks and I'm not dead yet."

"But you're Lord Albel," a soldier protested. "No one can kill you."

Albel threw up his hands in frustration, but at that moment his eyes fastened on Fayt. A vicious grin spread across his face as he slowly lowered his hands. He crooked a finger in his direction. "Come here, fool," he said quietly.

Albel's expression and dangerously quiet voice terrified Fayt. He briefly considered running for his life, wondering whether or not Albel could catch up to him and then kill him.

"I said get over here!" Albel roared. Fayt froze and then reluctantly walked towards Albel.

Albel smirked at Fayt and then addressed one of his soldiers. "I want you to treat this worm as if he was one of your buddies."

"No, this isn't neces-" Fayt began, as soon as he realized what Albel was doing, but Albel silenced him with a cold glare.

The soldier started forward meekly, gave Fayt a careful pat on the back and said nervously. "How's it going?"

"You make me sick," Albel growled, giving the soldier a hard thump on the head with his sword hilt and then kicking him to the ground.

Albel pointed at another soldier with his sword. "You, do it right this time."

The soldier stepped forward, gently elbowed Fayt in the side and in an exaggerated happy voice said, "Nice to see you!'

Albel rolled his eyes. "Exactly as you would treat your comrades. Is hat too difficult a concept for you to grasp?"

A slightly portly soldier waddled forward. "Hey, mate!" he yelled delightedly, slapping Fayt on the back so hard that the Earthling nearly fell over. Fayt winced, sure he would fine a huge red handprint on his back in the morning.

Albel chuckled. "See? He's perfectly harmless." Albel gave Fayt a hard shove that knocked him onto his back. Albel stood over Fayt, giving him a sharp glare that promised death if he moved. Fayt gave Albel an exasperated look, but he stayed put to help Albel prove his point.

Albel nudged Fayt with his foot and then turned back to his men. "You see this powerful airship destroyer now? He's nothing but a common worm."

A tall soldier spoke up. "I've heard that he is only dangerous under emotional distress."

Albel chuckled. "Then try not to piss him off."

"But, sir, isn't that what you're doing right now?"

"No, I find him remarkably tolerant." Albel glanced down at Fayt with an expression of almost pride.

"It's not anger that does it," a small man spoke up importantly. "It's grief."

Albel looked intrigued. "Then I suggest you try not to kill any of his friends, even that Aquarian wench, Nel." Albel spat her name with contempt. "But it would be wise to be on his good side because he would avenge your death nicely."

"Are you one of his friends?" a soldier queried.

Albel's face tightened. "No," he said shortly. "I am nobody's friend." But fayt caught the slight hint of regret in Albel's words.

"Alright," enough for today," Albel growled. "Dunbar will get compensation for being less dense than the rest of you." The jovial soldier beamed. "Get moving, back to your quarters!" Albel snapped.

As soon as his soldiers were gone, Albel spun around and offered Fayt a hand to pull him up. Albel yanked so hard that Fayt nearly fell forward. Albel chuckled softly. "Such a clumsy boy, you are." Fayt sighed. It was typical of Albel to be cruel even when he was being kind.

"You're alright?" Albel asked gruffly.

"My back's a little sore," Fayt admitted.

Albel laughed mercilessly. "Learn to live with pain, fool."

"What about you, Albel?"

Albel looked surprised. "Me? What about me?"

"Are you alright?"

Albel looked at Fayt sharply and he stopped when he saw the sympathy in the boy's eyes. He smiled sadly. "So you know. I'm sorry you had to see my weakness, fool. I need to learn to hide my feelings better."

"It's not weak to want friends."

"So you say, Fayt," Albel said gruffly. "But I know better. From now on I am keeping my distance. This cannot go any further."

Fayt watched Albel walk away with his mouth open. He didn't know what surprised him more, the fact that Albel admitted he wanted friends, or the fact that he called him by name.