A/N: Geez, It's been awhile since I've updated…I feel so guilty. Yes, to me a few days is awhile. XD After all, I am on fanfiction every day looking at reviews and reading stories so I feel bad for skipping out without leaving another chapter…but I do have an excuse, not a very good one, but an excuse nonetheless. There is a really awkward part in this chapter…no, not sex because I can't write that…but it is an awkward part. And since it was awkward for me to write, it'll be awkward for you to read. Seriously, it took me 3 days just to get past that one little paragraph…but once I was past it I could write again. Well, I'm not going to give away what happens...you'll have to read it for yourselves!
Disclaimer: I do not own star ocean. I'm just a starry-eyed fangirl who writes lame love plots between two very hot characters. XD Here's a heaping helping of lamey-lame fluffiness followed by oh so angsty angst. Bon appetite!
Albel woke up to loud obnoxious laughter. He scowled and squinted against the bright light streaming in the window. It wasn't like him to sleep until morning. He barely slept and was usually up long before the sun. Albel took pride that his body needed only an hour of sleep a night to function. It was just as well since most of the time he couldn't sleep even if he tried. But somehow, having Fayt nearby eased his troubled mind enough to sleep through the whole night.
Albel was displeased when he tried to get up and discovered Fayt latched onto him. The boy had rolled over close to Albel in his sleep and was resting his head against Albel's shoulder while clinging to his shirt. With a disgusted look, Albel pried Fayt off him and pushed him away. Fayt made a small whimpering noise at the loss of warmth, but he burrowed further into the pillow and settled down.
Albel turned his attention to the other annoyance and found Cliff and Maria standing at the foot of the bed. "Do you have something to say to me, worm, since you so rudely barged into my room?" Albel glared at Cliff until he stopped laughing.
"Er, yeah. What's Fayt doing in here? I thought you hated company."
Albel rolled his eyes. "The fool was having nightmares so I let him in here. He said he couldn't sleep with you, you stupid oaf." Albel stuck out his tongue at Cliff, determined to make him pay for disturbing his sleep.
"Aww, you guys are so cute!" Maria gushed. "Have you been cuddling all night?"
"No," Albel snapped. "He was supposed to stay on his own side, not touching me."
"You're not very nice to Fayt," Cliff grumbled. "I should think you'd be nicer after he told you."
"Told me what?" Albel asked suspiciously.
Cliff froze. "Aw crud. He didn't tell you anything? Nothing's going to happen unless he tells you."
Albel paused. "He told me that he loves me."
Cliff beamed. "Yes, that's it. I'm glad he finally told you."
Albel rolled his eyes. "I've known for some time. The way he was-" Albel broke off and stared at cliff suspiciously. "How'd you find out?"
Cliff grinned. "He wrote it in his note."
"What are you going on about, maggot? I read that thing and there was nothing about love."
"We managed to erase the scribbles," Cliff said apologetically. "We're sorry for not telling you sooner."
Albel glanced from Fayt, who was still sleeping contentedly, back to Cliff. "How many of you know about this?"
"Everyone," Cliff said proudly. "Maria and Peppita think you two are adorable."
Albel groaned. "Fayt is going to be displeased. He keeps worrying what Sophia will think. She's going to be angry with Fayt, isn't she?"
"Don't worry, we didn't tell her," Cliff said quickly. "Everyone except Sophia. I already know how she'll react and it's not going to be pretty. Even if Fayt doesn't love her, she's still his friend and he'll be really upset if she doesn't approve. You guys need to get closer before we drop the bomb on her. Then you can cheer Fayt up after she yells at him."
Albel rolled is eyes. "Whatever, worm. If all you want to talk about is my love life, you had better get out now."
"Err, no. Nel thinks we should go clear the dragons out of Kirlsa."
"So, they're back." Albel looked amused. "You fools didn't kill enough last time. No matter. Are we ready to go then?"
"No, we're leaving at 8. It's only 6. You still have a little time to sleep if you want. We were just checking up on you."
Fayt rolled over and grabbed onto Albel's arm. Albel gave him a sour look. "Well, it seems I have no choice. Be gone, maggots, or I'll kill you!"
Cliff edged out of the room but Maria only got to the door and stopped. Albel was no longer paying attention to her. He studied Fayt with a curious look and then sighed wearily, wrapping a protective arm around him. Maria smiled to herself and quietly eased out of the room.
Oblivious to the world, Fayt and Albel slept on for another hour, closely intertwined. Occasionally, Fayt would make a soft sigh and nestle further into Albel's chest and then Albel's hand would tighten reflexively around Fayt's shoulder.
Albel twitched slightly in his sleep, causing his lips to brush against Fayt's. Fayt squeaked, waking Albel immediately. Albel's heart nearly stopped when he saw what was going on. He jerked away from Fayt and then eyed the boy suspiciously. Fayt was still sleeping peacefully so it hadn't been on purpose. Fayt looked so calm. Albel raised a hand to gently stroke Fayt's cheek.
Fayt stirred slightly and Albel dropped his hand. Fayt yawned and blinked open his eyes. "Good morning, Albel."
"Bah, go back to sleep, fool. You're still tired. You'll be useless in this condition."
"No I'm no," Fayt said sleepily. "I want to stay up with you. We can just talk if you want."
Albel smirked. "I don't want to talk."
Albel brought his mouth down to Fayt's. Fayt looked startled, but he didn't resist. Red eyes met green, asking for permission. Fayt trusted that Albel wouldn't hurt him so he nodded almost imperceptibly. Albel chuckled softly and pulled Fayt closer. Albel pinned Fayt to the bed with his body and placed both hands on Fayt's chest. Albel kissed Fayt firmly, his hands starting to tighten around Fayt's shirt. Fayt awkwardly tried to kiss him back, but Albel didn't notice. He was too busy claiming Fayt as his. At last, Fayt needed air and he feebly pushed against Albel. Albel immediately sensed what was wrong and released Fayt, rolling away from him.
Albel smirked at the blush on Fayt's face. "What's the matter? Am I a good kisser?"
Fayt buried his face in his hands. "No. I mean, yes…but besides that. Why'd you do that?"
Albel shrugged. "I am a man of action, not words. You were upset last night that I couldn't say I loved you so I'm showing you."
Fayt's cheeks were still bright red. "I thought you didn't like romantic stuff."
"Bah. I'll do what I want. Now, stop blushing or Sophia will see and find out about us."
"I can't help it," Fayt complained.
"Stop being so immature, fool. It was just a kiss."
"It wasn't just a kiss," Fayt muttered, putting his hands over his burning cheeks.
Albel's eyes widened. "Sophia has never kissed you, has she?"
"No," Fayt whispered.
"I wish you had told me it would be your first kiss. I would have done it some other time."
"Oh, I don't mind," Fayt said quickly.
"Well, I do. We're going to hunt dragons and I can't have your head in the clouds all day. I'll fix that." Albel snatched Fayt's arm and cut into him until he started to bleed.
Fayt yanked his arm back. "Ouch! You're mean! I'm sure there were plenty of nicer ways to stop me from blushing." He socked Albel's shoulder.
Albel grinned. "You hit like a girl, fool."
Fayt scowled. "I don't like you." Fayt slammed out the door shouting, "Let's go hunt dragons!"
Albel smiled to himself. "It won't be the first time." He waited a moment before following after Fayt.
Cliff, Maria and Nel stood in the hallway. Everyone else was already gone.
"Hey, what's eating Fayt?" Cliff asked.
Albel shrugged. "All I did was kiss him," he said innocently.
Maria's eyes bugged out. "You did? Awww!"
"But why's he angry?" Cliff persisted.
Albel smirked. "Oh, nothing. I just gave him an A on his arm. He can keep it covered if it irks him."
Cliff sighed. "You're really pushing your luck. Good thing he likes you. Well, I'm sure he'll come around. I'll got talk to him. Maria, come with me and keep Sophia out of the way.
Maria nodded. "I'm on it."
As soon as they left, Nel uncrossed her arms and walked over to Albel. "I know about you and Fayt. I don't know why, but I do know you better not hurt him or you'll answer to a long painful death."
Albel shrugged. "I know nothing about this, worm. Perhaps fighting will clear you head."
Nel narrowed her eyes. "If that's how you want it, fine. Let's go fight."
The party trooped back to Kirlsa and headed up towards the mines. Albel noticed Cliff run up to Fayt and begin talking to him. Sophia frowned and started towards them but Maria quickly stepped in and began talking to her. Albel couldn't hear what was being said but it involved big, dramatic hand gestures. Albel scowled and glanced at Cliff who was for once keeping his voice down. He shot Albel a glance which caused Fayt to look as well. Albel quickly turned his gaze back to the road, pretending he hadn't been watching.
Cliff trotted back to Albel with a proud smile on his face. "He says he'll talk to you again."
"Hmph," Albel muttered. "Finally, a task even you can't mess up."
Cliff scowled. "Hey, I was doing you a favor. You could be a little-"
Albel quickly shushed him and stared concernedly up at the sky. Dragons were flying down the path from the mine.
"Everybody on your toes!" Cliff shouted. "They're coming right for us."
Everyone drew their weapons and began attacking. The air was split with battle cries and the horrible squeals of dying dragons. Albel's mood soared with each kill. His sword was already stained with blood from the beasts. Each time he stabbed with his sword brought the group closer and closer to finishing the task of wiping out the dragons. The thought brought a small smile to Albel's face.
Suddenly the moment of intense concentrated battle was broken by a human scream. "Man down!" Cliff cried. "Err, I mean…woman down! We've got to get back to the inn. Everybody retreat!"
Cliff and Fay scooped up Sophia and began carrying her back down the path as Albel walked backwards, giving them cover. The dragons wheeled in the air above them, almost taunting him with their cries. Retreat was cowardly. It rankled in Albel's soul. His happy moment of killing was ruined thanks to Sophia's weakness. He gave the prostrate girl a frosty glare out of the corner of his eye.
Luckily, Sophia's wound had not been deep. It was merely a surface injury with a lot of messy bleeding. She had been bandaged up and was expected to be recovered enough to accompany the party again the next day when they set out again.
Albel paced his room angrily. He yearned to go out by himself and face the dragons. There would be none of this useless passing out and getting oneself cut up that Sophia seemed fond of doing. However, Cliff had insisted that they fight as a team and whenever one of them was incapable of continuing to fight, they would carry that person back to the inn and wait for them to recover.
After three days of running back to the inn when either Sophia, Peppita or roger had gotten gravely injured. Albel had finally had enough. He slammed his fist on the desk, causing the innkeeper to dive to the floor and put her hands over her head.
"This is ridiculous!" Albel snarled. "We can't keep running back here every time someone gets slightly injured. That doesn't even take fifteen minutes, and that's on a good day. At this rate, we'll kill a dragon a day and then the next day, a new dragon will be born."
"But it'll be a baby dragon and easier to kill," Cliff said cheerfully.
Albel stared at him. "Your logic blinds me." He shook himself. "Well, do we have to come running back all the time?"
"Albel, if someone is injured, we need to get them taken care of. We can't just leave them on the battlefield."
"Can't we at least wait until two people are injured?" Albel said hopefully. "We can easily carry both Sophia and Peppita."
"Hey!" Sophia said indignantly. "I'm not always the first one to get injured."
"Yes you are," Fayt said softly.
Sophia looked outraged. "Why are you taking his side? You're supposed to agree with me."
Fayt said nothing and she looked at him suspiciously and then glared at Albel. Albel starred back at her impassively.
Sophia stomped towards the door. "Well, I'm going to fight dragons and I'm NOT going to get injured first."
Albel waited until Fayt ran after her to try to calmer down to speak to Cliff. "I know you mean well, trying to look after the weaklings and make allowances for them, but you're a fighter, not a leader. You worry too much. You should focus on your strength, which is fighting, and leave the worrying to Fayt. It's what he's best at."
Cliff stared at Albel. "Did you just say I'm a good fighter?"
"I suppose so," Albel said tiredly. "You're a much better fighter than a thinker. This little running away plan was a stupid idea."
Cliff laughed lightly. "I'm beginning to like you, Albel. I think Fayt's a good influence on you."
"Hmph," Albel muttered. "Let's go, maggot, or that wretched girl will find a way to gravely injure herself if we aren't there to protect her."
"Right. Come on, gang!"
They caught up with Fayt and Sophia further up the trail. Fayt had his arms around Sophia, trying to calm her down. Sophia's back was to the rest of the group and Fayt shot Albel an embarrassed look over her shoulder. Albel shrugged. If Fayt needed to hug Sophia to stop her whining, so be it. It didn't mean anything anyway.
Suddenly, Fayt looked horrified. He pushed Sophia aside. "Albel, behind you!"
Albel turned in time to catch the dragon's claws raking across his face. The blood dripped from his forehead into his eyes, and Albel slashed blindly at the dragon. The dragon bellowed with rage as Albel's sword cut into its chest. It was wounded, but not gravely wounded. It curled a claw around Albel's body and took off into the air.
Albel writhed in the dragon's grip. He could finally see again although his vision was still a little blurry. He positioned himself to strike, ignoring the dragon's claws biting into his shoulders. With a snarl, Albel plunged his sword deep into the dragon's body.
The dragon let out a shriek of pain and released the swordsman. It flapped painfully a few feet and crashed into the side of the mine. Albel fell several feet through the air and landed hard on the ground, his body twisted. Everyone looked stunned.
"How many more people have to die because of me?" Fayt whispered.
Cliff put an arm on Fayt's shoulder. "Fayt, it wasn't your fault…"
Fayt pushed him away. "Yes it was! He was looking at me and not paying attention to what was going on. I killed him."
Cliff looked at Maria for support, but she just shook her head. "Let him grieve."
Everyone stood a safe distance from the body, not wishing to see the blood, but Fayt walked right up to Albel and knelt by him. "I kill so many people," Fayt whispered, looking at the pained look frozen on Albel's face. "I shouldn't have let you get so close to me. Even you weren't strong enough." A single tear rolled down Fayt's cheek. "Why did this have to happen?" He rested his head on Albel's chest and sobbed.
Everyone looked deeply saddened by the loss but fear flickered in Sophia's eyes as she looked at how Fayt reacted to Albel's death. She was finally realizing that she lost her best friend to someone else.
Albel regained consciousness to find Fayt crying his eyes out on his shirt. Albel rolled his eyes. "Oh, for the love of-" Albel paused. What was he going to say? For the love of god? No, he didn't believe in god. For the love of Fayt? No, now was not the time for dramatic love declarations. What was he going to say?
Fayt didn't care that Albel didn't finish the sentence. "Albel!" he cried joyfully, throwing his arms around Albel's neck.
"Fayt, get off me…you're crushing me."
"I'm just so happy you're alive-"
"I SAID GET OFF ME! YOU'RE CRUSHING MY LUNGS!"
"Sorry, sorry," Fayt said sheepishly, backing away from Albel. "I thought you were dead."
"Well, I'm not. It takes a lot more than that to kill me. Help me up, fool."
Fayt grabbed Albel's hand and pulled him to his feet. Albel staggered a few feet and dropped to sitting on a rock, clutching a hand over his chest. "I think I've broken something," he muttered.
Sophia's lips curled into a snarl. "Shall we go back to the inn just because of Albel?" she taunted.
"Oh no," Albel said casually. "I'll wait for you to injure yourself and then we can go."
"Why you-" Sophia began. She started towards Albel but got her ankle caught in a hole and tripped.
"Well, that was fast. Let's go then."
"I can still fight!" Sophia shrieked, jumping back up.
Albel put a hand to his throbbing forehead and looked surprised when he came away with blood. "I think you're more injured than you think," Fayt said quietly.
"Mhmn," Albel muttered, pitching forward off the rock.
Fayt caught him and eased him to the ground. He drew his sword and sliced into his wrist. "There, I'm injured too. Now we can go."
Sophia stood and watched as Cliff escorted Fayt down the path, holding a cloth to his wrist to slow the bleeding. Maria, Peppita and Nel carefully bore the unconscious Albel back down the path with Roger skipping along beside them shouting directions. Her eyes burned with hate. She couldn't stand that Albel had taken Fayt away from her.
