A/N: Awwww, it's the fluffy chapter. Albel gets to be nice to Fayt and take care of him since Fayt is pretty messed up. Gratuitous hugging! XD

Disclaimer: Fayt is adorable, but he's not mine. Albel would kill me if I tried to take Fayt from him.

Albel said nothing to Fayt the entire ride to Peterny. He preferred to leave Fayt to the company of his conscience. He knew Fayt would torture himself far better than he ever could. And when they reached Peterny, Fayt would already be feeling guilty and it would be only too easy to get him to promise never to run off again.

The silent treatment was already working. Fayt would occasionally look back and give Albel a morose look which Albel returned with a stern glare. Fayt looked away, more miserable than before. Albel had to fight to keep from laughing at the fool's expense. Poor little Fayt. Oh well, it was good for him to suffer.

Neither did Albel speak immediately when they reached Peterny. Albel kicked the door open and half dragged, half carried Fayt inside.

Cliff and Nel eyed Albel. Albel scowled at them and dragged Fayt down the hallway to his room.

"Ha!" I told you he'd be back by tonight!" Cliff said triumphantly. Grudgingly, Mirage handed him a small pile of money.

"But you said before sunset," Nel reminded him.

"Aw crud," Cliff muttered, handing his winnings to Nel. He scowled and slid down farther into his seat.

Albel dumped Fayt on his bed and retreated to his own room. Fayt looked confused, so Albel returned a moment later. He pointed an accusing finger at Fayt. "Don't you dare run off during the night. That was the bloody stupidest thing you ever could have done. You almost got yourself killed! Does that make you happy?"

Fayt hung his head in shame and Albel softened slightly. "Well," he said gruffly. "I can see that you're injured so you need your rest. We'll talk more in the morning. Don't go anywhere!"

Fayt nodded, his eyes wide with worry. "I'm sorry, Albel. I just didn't want anybody else to die."

"Well, you almost did," Albel said shortly. He looked down at Fay, hesitated, moved closer hesitated again. Albel slowly lifted and almost shaking hand and awkwardly patter Fayt on the head. Fayt stared at him in amazement.

"Well, that means nothing," Albel growled. "You're still a fool and I-just go to sleep!" With a slight snarl under his breath, Albel stalked back to his own room.

It was barely five minutes later when Albel became aware of Fayt's footsteps. He wasn't asleep yet; he just had his eyes closed. He merely turned over and regarded Fayt calmly. "What do you want, fool?"

Fayt started, not realizing Albel was still awake, but he quickly regained his composure. Bowing his head humbly, Fayt whispered, "Please, Albel, if it's not too much trouble, may I spend the night in here with you?"

Albel eyed him warily. "Why?"

Fayt nervously shuffled his feet. "Well, I'm afraid of being alone tonight. Those townspeople are going to haunt me in my dreams."

Albel sighed. 'They attacked you, didn't they?" He mad a mental note to slaughter the maggots first thing in the morning.

"Yes," Fayt said hesitantly. "I let them get to me, and they're still getting to me now."

Albel closed his eyes, thinking for a moment. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather sleep with Cliff or Sophia?"

"No, I'd rather be with you."

Albel sighed heavily. "Alright then, as you wish."

Fayt hesitated. "Should I put my blankets on the floor or bring a mattress or something?"

Albel sighed. He was getting soft. "No, that's not necessary. I trust you, Fayt. Besides, if you try anything, I'll cut your lecherous hands off."

Fayt smiled. "I promise, Albel. I'll try not to be a bother."

Albel snorted. "Like it really matters, fool. I don't sleep much anyway. Your company will only keep me from boredom. Make as much noise as you want. It won't bother me."

"Okay," Fayt said softly. He carefully crawled onto the bed and lay down on top of the blankets on the edge, as far from Albel as possible, even though Albel had scooted over to allow Fayt plenty of room without actually touching him.

Fayt was silent for awhile and then he turned to Albel with a stricken look on his face. "Albel, may I ask you a question? It's really important."

Albel carefully studied his favorite fool's expression. This had to be a very serious question. "Fine, go ahead." Albel quickly searched his mind for any possible questions of such importance.

"Albel, have you ever-" Fayt began hesitantly.

Albel froze. Oh god. Not the love question! He really didn't want to answer that one, at least not right now. But if Fayt asked, he couldn't refuse him.

"-tripped?" Fayt finished, looking at Albel worriedly.

Albel was caught completely off guard by this new direction. He stared at Fayt in bewilderment and then he laughed in relief. "What kind of foolish question is that?"

Fayt looked hurt. "I was being serious."

Albel sighed and threw his head back to look at the ceiling. "Why would you ask such a thing?"

"I'm always getting into trouble and you seem so perfect. I was just-"

Albel cut him off. "You of all people should know I'm far from perfect. For you to even suggest such a thing-I'm flattered that you think so highly of me but I question your sanity."

"No, it's just-" Fayt looked away. "You're just so strong and you always seem to know what to do."

"Not with those dragons," Albel said bitterly.

"That didn't involve strength," Fayt protested.

"Yes it did: strength of character, which I still lack."

"You've changed since then," Fayt insisted. "You came to rescue me."

"It was for a selfish reason," Albel muttered.

"You saved me life! That's not selfish."

"It was only because-" Albel hesitated. "I enjoy your company," he finished with a scowl.

Fayt beamed. "Albel, that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me!"

"Oh, shut up," Albel growled. "I can't stand for that mushy stuff."

"Sorry," Fayt said sheepishly.

The two of them lapsed into companionable silence. Fayt stared off into space and Albel cautiously watched Fayt out of the corner of his eyes.

"I envy you," Fayt whispered. "You never lose a fight. You're confident and everyone respects your power. I have to hide mine. I'm scared to death I'll accidentally kill someone. That wouldn't bother you. You're always in control and you don't let emotions get in your way."

"Except anger," Albel said brusquely.

Fayt afforded him a small smile with tired eyes. "We can forgive that. You're only protecting other by keeping them for getting too close. You can survive on your own. But I can't. I depend too much on other. Nobody should be allowed to come close to me, but I don't have the courage to push them away."

"Fayt," Albel said earnestly. "You deserve to have someone get close to you."

Fayt looked puzzled. "Aren't you close to me?"

Albel smirked. "You don't want to know what my twisted version of close is."

"Yes I do. Show me."

Albel rolled over and pinned Fayt to the bed with one leg. He stared into the startled boy's face as he brought his face barely an inch from Fayt's. "Is this what you want?"

"N-n-no," Fayt said nervously.

"Hmph. I thought so." Albel drew back with a sigh.

"I don't mean I don't like you," Fayt said hurriedly. "It's just-I can't-not now-"

"Oh shut up," Albel muttered. He looked faintly amused. "I know what you mean and it's okay with me."

Fayt was relieved. "Thanks, Albel. I do like you, you know."

Albel raised an eyebrow. "Just like?"

Fayt blushed. "Okay, I love you."

"That's more like it," Albel said comfortably.

"Do you love me too?" Fayt asked anxiously.

Albel smirked. "Well, as close as a vicious, twisted creature like myself-"

"Albel," Fayt said warningly.

Albel scowled, annoyed at the interruption. "Well, I suppose so."

"You suppose so?" Fayt said incredulously.

"You know I'm not the type for all that useless romantic crud," Albel said dismissively. You've known that for a long time. Be content with 'I suppose so'."

Fayt smiled. "Okay, works for me."

"Good," Albel said shortly, shutting his eyes.

"Albel?"

"Yes?" Albel opened one eye.

"May I hug you?"

Albel sat back up. "Why in the world do you think you need to ask permission? You didn't ask the last time."

"That was a split-second thing," Fayt defended himself. "I didn't even think about it."

"Well, I wish you would think less. You worry too much. That's your problem. If you want to be more like me, you need to be carefree. You do what you need to do and don't worry about what might happen."

"Oh." Fayt hugged Albel happily. "Thanks for listening."

"It was nothing," Albel said gruffly, although he was secretly pleased.

"I'm getting some rest," Fayt said decisively. "I need plenty of energy for when you chew me out tomorrow."

"I don't think I need to do that anymore," Albel said softly. "I know you won't run away. You're staying right here with me."

Fayt smiled. "I'm glad. Well, good-night, Albel." The boy closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep almost immediately.

Albel nodded approvingly. They boy was exhausted. He had been though a lot.

Albel's hands hovered over Fayt indecisively, fearful of waking the tired boy, but at last he made up his mind. Albel carefully pulled the blankets from under Fayt and tucked them around the boy. Fayt shifted slightly and became still.

Satisfied, Albel lay back slightly closer to Fayt and closed his eyes. The boy's soft breathing was comforting. Fayt was so trusting. With a sigh, Albel threw the blankets over himself, turned his back to Fayt and dropped off to sleep.