A Love on the Sidelines
By: 4quintessence
Disclaimer: The characters belong to Square Enix, the fanfiction to me.
Pairing: CliffxFayt + MariaxFayt (sort of)
Rating: PG-13
Summary: What is up with Maria? She's acting very strangely and it's freaking Fayt out. After that interesting incident, Cliff and Fayt are in their meadow watching the stars come out. What starts as a romantic night turns sour after some impromptu swimming...
Shout Outs - Zelavril: Haha you're totally the one with the dress cuz u suggested it! I liked Maria in the game but I thought she was a bit of a bitch sometimes so you get to see that here! As for Albel...that's next ch. ;D And thank you so much for the compliment about my descriptive writing, it gives me some much needed confidence :D BTW, i saw ur profile and Haru's my fav. Furuba character, he's awesome (and I'm spaced out too)! And Kyo second! I'm gonna read Gravitation next. Chaotic Distortion: Ha, I used 'manhandled' in this chapter! Thanks for the inspiration! I agree, Mirage is the quiet genius. SpectralWings: I love the Mom tattoo, I'm so glad I came up with it. I'm so happy you liked my meadow! And Cliff is so hot. Yaoiboi13: Thanks for the favourite! I saw ur myspace and I laughed about the Cliff quote! I TOTALLY AGREE. so i put some more descriptions of him in this ch. for u!
Chapter 8:
"MARIA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" he shrieked, pushing her away from him like she had the plague.
"I told you. I'm straightening you out if it's the last thing I do!" she growled, trying to get her paws all over Fayt.
The bluenette was a little dumbfounded, to say the least. But he couldn't reply because Maria had pressed her hand over his mouth and managed to get close enough to start kissing his chest! This is ridiculous. Fayt tried to think of the easiest way to get out of the unfortunate position he found himself in. At first he thought of yelling 'RAPE!" and just throwing her off, but then he thought he might burst out laughing since he was being manhandled by a girl, and besides Maria would probably get hurt.
Maybe he could just indulge her fantasy and go along with it. I could imagine she was a hot guy...with man-boobs bigger than Cliff's...and a vagina. Okay maybe that won't work. But then again the only way I'm getting a kid with my hair colour is if I...
By this time Maria had slid upwards and she was kissing him up the side of his cheek and on his temple. He had to admit that it didn't feel terrible. The smell of her hair was intoxicating — a fruity fusion of scents that wavered between faint and intense as her hair brushed across his face. But then it started to tickle his naked chest and he knew he would have to do something soon. She rested a cold, clammy hand on Fayt's lean bicep, which sent ley lines of goose bumps shooting out in all directions. It felt as if she was reaching inside of him, violating the warmth that emanated from within. OH MY GOD, she's licking my nose! And she has her hand on my belt buckle…
In one foul swoop Maria flung the belt loose and tossed it onto the floor. All Fayt needed now was corny music from a porno to start playing to complete the zany scene unfolding in front of him. He grabbed the hand over his mouth.
"MARIA TRAYDOR! Stop molesting me! Now! Or I'm going to hit you with one of my more nasty symbology spells," the bluenette promised, matching her fiery eyes with his own.
At this Maria seemed to calm down ever so slightly, but she definitely hadn't given up yet.
"Fayt, I love you. You're the only one that has been through the same experiments as me, the only person who can understand what I've endured. I'm not losing you to my gross step-father!"
"He's not gross!! He's kind, loving, supportive...but that's beside the point. So what? You think that by sleeping with me you can turn me straight?" Fayt could feel his anger building up inside, looking for a way out.
"Anything's possible. You just need the touch of a woman to realize what you want. How can you say you like men if you haven't even been with a girl yet? This will work."
"NO, Maria. That's insane! IT WON'T WORK. I was born this way. You can't change who I'm attracted to, who turns me on, who I love. Really...I thought I was stubborn! Listen to yourself! Since when do you spout such irrational things: 'Anything's possible'. Ya right, snap out of it!" The bluenette shook the other and briefly thought that maybe splashing her with water might help. Water mixed with manure.
Luckily, Maria seemed to be slowly regaining her composure. She sighed heavily and stared out the window at the light rain straining down the window in narrow rivulets. "I guess you're right, Fayt. God I feel so stupid now. I was just so shocked that you and Cliff are actually a couple...my emotions took over. I thought we were building something special, but maybe it was really more one-sided than mutual."
"Maria, I think you're great, I mean you've taught me so much about myself and you're a natural leader and such a strong person. Although sometimes you just freak me out. Like now. But anyways, I seriously don't have any feelings for you, beyond our friendship."
She smiled sheepishly and got off Fayt to stand at the end of the bed. Fayt continued: "You really need to bring that passion I just saw into battle! Those eyes of a lion...I've never seen you like that before."
"Ya, well, once I get my mind on something there's nothing stopping me."
"Well, if you're looking to go out with someone who can understand you, there's always Sophia. She's been through it too," Fayt offered, smiling mischievously.
Maria made a funny giggling noise in her throat. "No thanks, I'd like to remain sane for the duration of this adventure."
The young man snickered in agreement. "By the way, do you know that Lieber has the biggest crush on you? Maybe you should focus your feelings elsewhere. Give him a chance."
"What!? Really? Lieber? I guess he's kind of cute, in an annoying sort of way..."
"...Is there any other way? I'm pretty sure Cliff would say the same about me." They both laughed, a cover for the true embarrassment they were both feeling right about now.
"I'm gonna go now," she said, pointing both hands towards the door.
"Ummm...okay so meet you at the bar after I get some clothes on?"
"Uh huh. I think we need to get very drunk to forget this whole incident."
"I think I'm gonna need a little more than that! Got any pot?" Fayt joked — at least Maria thought he did. As she walked out of the room, head lowered, she heard him yell after her: "If you and Sophia hook up I promise I won't try to jump you when you're changing and try to have sex with you!"
-------------------------------------------
After celebrating at the pub, the two lovers headed to the meadow and watched the sun go down…
Cliff was resting his head contentedly on Fayt's stomach beneath the wildgrasses as the first stars began to shimmer in the clear night sky. The bluenette affectionately stroked his lover's hair as he concentrated on the blackness in front of him.
"Look at that one!"
The earliest star to make an appearance was one that flashed different colours, like a crystal ornament spinning on a Christmas tree as the morning light filters through a snow-lined window. For some reason, Cliff liked those kind of stars the most. They were ever-changing, exciting, beautiful — just like the man he had fallen in love with. And for one millisecond at a time, it would shine a brilliant green, making it seem like Fayt's captivating eyes had been eternally etched into the cosmos.
All was quiet apart from the gentle hum of insects darting to and fro across the meadow. The ocean seemed to be watching as well as its waves gradually shrank and disappeared.
And suddenly the sky was alive with lights. Stars began to pop out here and there and everywhere. Fayt couldn't keep up his pointing at every new one. As the true darkness of the night approached, their luminance exploded as they turned from tiny crystals to sparkling diamonds. It was as if the couple had stumbled upon a hidden cave in the Bequerel Mines and they were marvelling at the roof of this cavern where precious jewels stuck out of the celestial dirt — a treasure trove waiting for someone to discover it. But Cliff and Fayt didn't feel constricted as if they were in a cave, rather they felt alive and free, the thin atmosphere the only barrier between them and the boundless universe beyond. The best part was, the stars above weren't out of reach. Somewhere up there the Diplo sat in waiting with Peppita, Roger, and Adray probably driving the crew crazy.
"AHHHHH!"
Cliff jumped at the bluenette's startling scream and his eyes followed Fayt's arm to where he was pointing. The Klausian caught sight of a shooting star in midstream, falling from the heavens in a fiery ball of fury.
The blond tilted his head to look up at his companion. "Y'know, an old friend once told me that shooting stars are lost souls searching for an escape from the emptiness of space. So when they find a planet, they streak across the sky in delight, one final goodbye to this world as we know it. Then they join the lifestream of the planet to be born again one day, so they too can wonder at the awe of the universe."
"Aww, that's deep Cliff," the young one said fondly. "Never forget things like that, no matter how silly they sound. I assume you don't believe any of that though?"
"Nah, you know I'm an atheist. Here and now, that's all we have. And I'm making good use of it," Cliff responded, turning back towards the stars.
Fayt actually liked the whole gaia theory of life. Returning to the planet after death, enjoying an afterlife before being reborn again through the lifestream. Yes, all evidence pointed against that, but looking up at the sky tonight gave him a far off feeling that this couldn't be it. There would be more, he would transcend the sands of time. All those scientist were looking up into the miracle of eternity when they should be looking down to what gave them life.
Now, Earth's galaxy wasn't the only one with a milky way. Indeed, as the stars became denser in the sky it appeared as if they were joining together in ritual dance to drink from a misty cloud of milk — the latter a white blanket tucking the tiny worlds below into bed. The resulting mix dazzled the onlookers' eyes like no human-made fireworks show ever possibly could.
But tell me, did the wind sweep you off your feet?
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back towards the Milky Way
And tell me, did you sail across the sun?
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated
Tell me, did you fall from a shooting star
One without a permanent scar
And then you missed me while you were lookin' for yourself out there
- Train 'Drops of Jupiter' (in Cliff's mind)
"Hey! I got an idea! Wanna go skinny dippin'?" Cliff said out of nowhere.
Skinny dipping? Where does he come up with these things.
"Come on...you gotta live a little. Seize the moment. Be spontaneous! All that shit," the blond declared, tugging at the waistline of Fayt's pants. The latter rolled his eyes.
"Okay...if you insist. I wouldn't mind seeing a bit of your hotness out here in the open."
"I bet ya wouldn't," the Klausian replied, grabbing Fayt's hand and rubbing it over his muscular chest.
Fayt laughed and heaved the big lug off him before pouncing to his feet and leaping across the pond from their tiny island to the main meadow. He sprinted through the wildflowers as they brushed across his legs and petals flew up behind him, flooding the air with a jumble of blossoms. Cliff had risen as well and was now chasing the bluenette to the beach. Fayt let out a girly scream as the blond caught up with him and tackled him to the sand: THUMP. Unfortunately, their play-fighting was getting sand where no sand should ever go. But Fayt was no wimp and he managed to get out from under Cliff and trip him up before piling on top of his back.
"I'm gonna strip now," the blond said matter-of-factly. He rolled over so Fayt was squashed into the sand and took off his shirt by stretching high into the air.
The bluenette's world went into slow motion as his eyes locked in on Cliff's upper body and followed his muscles as they went from strong and stretched to bulging and relaxed. Cliff tensed his right pec and gave his boyfriend a pouty smile. Peeling off the rest of his skin-tight leather clothing, he immediately ran for the ocean and all Fayt saw was his picture perfect ass disappearing beneath the mellow waves.
Fayt leisurely took off his clothes, taking a brief look around for prying eyes (like there would be any), and then he drew a little sketch in the sand: 'Fayt + Cliff forever' in the middle of a big heart.
He waded out into the shallows with his arms clutched to his chest for warmth and finally jumped in. Cliff was already out really far, swimming laps back and forth. He came closer though and proceeded to send a gigantic splash hurtling through the air towards Fayt's face. Inhaling deeply after being soaked, the latter frowned at the blond and swam over to return the favour. He then quickly swam back towards the shore.
"Hey...I found a warm spot here! Where ya going?" the Klausian yelled.
"I did that," the bluenette responded, chuckling to himself.
"Wha…? EWWW, awww. Gross man!" the blond whined, swimming away from the pee water. "I had a hunch that wasn't a natural hot spot."
"Shoulda followed that hunch, Cliff, shoulda followed that hunch."
After playing around a bit more, Cliff headed for shore. The handsome Klausian — a god in his own right — emerged from the depths as the sea poured over his shoulders and cascaded down his bulky arms, following the sweeping arc of his beautifully defined muscles. Streams of salt water dribbled down his chest, circled his erect nipples, and plunged through the deep curves of his abs as he ran his hands through his golden hair before shaking it as dry as he could. It was as if the droplets knew they had found something special since many still hung to his body, glistening under the canopy of stars.
As he waded through the shallows, Fayt followed behind and jumped onto him to get a piggyback out of the ocean. Cliff's skin felt slick and silky against the young man's own and the lingering moisture added another dimension of sensation that sent rousing tingles rushing to every corner of Fayt's body. Being this close to Cliff, his skin warm and satiny, tiny wet hairs spread across it, transported Fayt to a memory of the most divine thing he had ever touched: an unimaginably soft and huggable puppy his grandma used to have when he was little. Haha. That's what I'll call him, Clifford, the big blond dog! Then again...I think he would kill me if I ever suggested that. Clifford ran around on the beach trying to make the other dizzy as Fayt hung on for dear life while bouncing up and down. He felt a welcome stiffening in his groin as it rubbed against…
"SHIT! There's a monster coming down the beach! IT'S HUGE!" Cliff bellowed, letting Fayt down and running for his clothes.
They both scrambled to slip on their armor but didn't make it in time. Just as Cliff put on his gauntlets, but not yet his shirt, the creature ambled up to them — it was an irate blue dragon. Fayt's sword was up by the meadow so he would have to make do with his magic.
The dragon snarled and snapped its teeth, lunging at each of them. Cliff was infuriated. "You fuckin' ruined our moment, dumbass! You're gonna get a pounding!"
He raced towards it and managed a three piece combo attack. He flew at it in a burst of flames, FIERY TACKLE, then assailed it with all his rage, FISTS OF FURY, before leaping into the air and crushing it with his AERIAL ASSULT. The dragon stumbled back and was clearly hurt but still alive. Cliff glowered at it as he stood in his battle stance, legs apart.
"STONE RAIN," Fayt yelled as massive chunks of rock materialized in the air and tumbled onto the dragon, wounding it in several areas.
The creature was in critical condition and thus unleashed a desperate strike. It clawed Cliff in the chest as he ran towards it again, leaving a slit the length of a finger on his right pec. He stumbled back clutching it to stop the bleeding as the red liquid oozed through his fingers and splattered over the ground.
"FIRST AID! EXPLOSION!" the bluenette screamed, looking worriedly over at his love. The green sparkle of the cure spell washed over Cliff's body and stopped the bleeding. The dragon was then swallowed up in the destructive power of the second spell as smoke and sparks flew everywhere and the noise rumbled through the night. Unfortunately, just as it was destroyed by Explosion, the dragon sent out a spell that knocked Fayt to the ground and he hit his head on a small rock and went unconscious.
"FAYYYT!" the Klausian howled as an awful gut-wrenching feeling spread through his stomach.
He ran over and knelt down to hold Fayt in his lap. After seeing his sweetie was unharmed, just out cold, the blond sighed and went back to put on his shirt, grabbed the other's sword, and picked Fayt up in his arms, carrying him like a baby. Just our luck, he thought. Aww, he looks so sweet when he's sleeping. Stupid 'effin dragons. Now I guess I'll be pleasuring myself tonight (A/N: Ha! I'm not sure whether he is joking or not).
"You'll be just fine won't you," he said out loud as he ran along. He noticed the heart in the sand and a big smile spread across his face. He chuckled as it sent his heart a flutter, plus he was relieved it didn't say 'MOM' in the middle. Fayt was shivering ever so slightly since his hair was still soaking wet so the Klausian held him close to his body as he dashed across the meadow towards Aquios.
TO BE CONTINUED!