A/N: This is the big fighting chapter. Not a lot of gory stuff...because I was mainly focusing on fayt and Albel. And please do not get mad if I don't use the right miitary terms, phrases, etc. I'm trying my best. I even researched it a little. Bu yeah...war's fun to read about, but it's hard to write.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything...
"What do you mean I can't go out?" a loud voice demanded.
Albel growled irritably. He had a hangover and loud noises first thing in the morning made him want to strangle something. He rubbed sleep from his eyes and marched out of the tent to confront the issue.
Fayt and Colonel Vox were standing a few inches from each other, glaring heatedly as they continued their shouting match.
"All craft are grounded today, sergeant. Nobody flies in this weather."
"But it's perfectly clear right now. I can beat the storm. Just let me go."
"No, we can't risk it. Nobody goes out."
"But I have to deliver supplies to the other troops. I can't-"
"No one flies and that's an order, Sergeant."
Fayt scowled and turned to see Albel watching him with a smirk. "There's no way I'm staying here longer than I have to," Fayt declared. He raced past Albel muttering, "asshole."
Vox crossed his arm over his chest and frowned at Albel. "I don't know what history you two have, but you better solve your issues. If he has to stay through the battle, he better work with the team. I don't want any fragging."
Albel rolled his eyes. "I don't have to listen to you. You're not my mother."
Vox scowled. "Okay, but when your ass is in trouble don't come to me."
Albel snickered as Vox walked off to go through training exercises with his division. Albel already had a strategy for the battle. It didn't take Fayt into consideration, but Albel didn't want the boy to do much fighting anyway. He was a pilot, not a soldier and in Fayt's emotional state, he wouldn't be much use.
Albel went through his morning routine mindlessly. He bathed in the nearby lake and then sparred with Vox. After that, he cleaned his weapons and went over battle strategies with Woltar. Albel felt confident in his soldiers and in himself. They would surely win.
Albel could no longer walk out onto the ledge and keep track of the enemy. They were too close and he was liable to be shot. It was no big deal. He probably wouldn't have seen much with the heavy clouds and light rain.
As the day drew to a close, a scout reported back. "The enemy is in position. They've moved faster than we expected. They'll be here before daybreak."
"Ready the men," Albel ordered. "Clear out of camp. We need to lure the enemy close, but we're jot going to be there. Let 'em think we've been taken by surprises and then we'll surprise them."
The word was quickly spread throughout camp and everyone cleared out. Fayt looked disgruntled as Albel shoved him into the forest. "What's going on?" he demanded.
"Stay here and stay quiet until the fighting's over," Albel hissed. "My men will take care of the battle. I don't have time to brief you on what to do."
"Don't give me that," Fayt growled. "You just don't think I'm strong enough to fight."
"That's an order, sergeant. Stay right here."
"You're not my commanding officer."
"But I outrank you. Now, if someone spots you, by all means defend yourself. But stay here."
Fayt glowered at him as Albel moved off to set his soldiers in position. They ate a hasty dinner and then fell completely silent. A radio had been left on in a tent along with some small lanterns as bait for the enemy.
Albel's men were prepared with all their weapons, ammo, night-vision goggles. As soon as the enemy appeared, they would ambush them.
The sounds of heavy machine gun fire sliced through the silence. "Let's go!' Albel roared.
Albel's troops opened fire and began launching themselves out of the forest. Many of the enemies were immediately mown down, but there were still several left to return fire.
Fayt watched with wide-eyes horror. Men were dying all around him, soaking the camp in blood.
One man glanced towards the forest and Fayt ducked down behind a bush. The enemy soldier's mouth curved into a wicked smile. He stepped towards the forest ad raised his gun. Suddenly there was the sound of a shot and the man toppled over.
Albel stood behind him, grinning. "Careful, Fayt," he said cheerfully.
"Fuck you," Fayt growled, getting back up.
Albel smirked and whirled around, gunning down a man who was too close.
Fayt ground his teeth together. 'How dare that stupid bastard try to-Oh shit!" he ducked down as a spray of bullets flew over his head.
Fayt glared up from his crouched position. Soldiers were still casually shooting into the forest, hoping to hit someone.
Fayt was pissed. He refused to sit there helplessly like a cornered animal. He would fight back. However, Albel had hurried him out of camp before he had a chance to grab a weapon.
Fayt's fingers closed around a rock and he flung it as far as he could, smirking at the faint cry of pain.
"Who did that?" a man shouted.
"Someone over there, in the woods. Shoot a few rounds and that'll flush anyone out."
Another round of machine gun fire sliced into the tree above Fayt.
"Hit anything?"
"I dunno. I'll go check it out."
Fayt carefully backed up further into the forest and waited until the soldier got close before pouncing.
The soldier's muffled cry alerted his buddy. "Frank?" He hesitantly stood at the edge of the forest and peered into the shadows.
"Come on, come closer," Fayt hissed furiously. But the man would go no further.
Fayt looked around carefully. No one was around except the one soldier. Fayt gritted his teeth and jumped, tackling the man. Fayt struggled with him before getting his hands around the soldier's neck and choking the life out of him. Fayt let o and the limp body dropped to the ground.
"I told you to stay hidden,' Albel growled.
"I'm not going to be a sitting duck," Fayt snarled.
Albel was about to make a rude remark when his eyes suddenly widened. "Get back!" he shouted. He didn't even wait for Fayt to comply. He simply tackled the boy.
Fayt was startled. He tried to squirm out from under Albel. "Get off! Get off me!"
A grenade exploded behind them. Fayt stiffened.
Albel let him up so Fayt could see the crater in the ground where Fayt had been standing only moments before. Fayt shuddered. "You saved my life," he said softly. "How can I ever repay you?"
Albel smirked. "You can start by humoring my perverted mind."
Fayt's brow furrowed. "Sex?" he whispered. He nodded almost imperceptibly. "yes, I'll do it."
Albel looked surprised. "What? After all that yelling yesterday you're giving in this easily?"
Fayt looked at Albel with trusting eyes. "I won't have sex with just anyone. But you saved my life and that means you're a good man. You won't hurt me like so many have before."
"Ah, so you're not into one-night stands," Albel purred. "A good man wouldn't use you and toss you aside."
"Yes," Fayt said quietly.
"You're adorable, Fayt. I thought it would be a hardship for you to have sex with me more than once, so I wasn't going to push it. But you want a continuing relationship. I'd like that."
Fayt stepped forward and gently rested his head on Albel's shoulders. Albel wrapped his arms around Fayt's waist. "The battle's over," Albel said softly. "Let's go back to my tent and have some fun."
"Alright," Fayt said in a small voice.