"Where is it located, Fayt?"
Fayt had been sitting at the computers the moment Luther returned from speaking with his sister. He did not need to ask what his lover was doing. A theory had formed and, upon a glance at the screens, his theory was proven correct. His lithe, young lover stared at the anomaly once yet again. It seemed as if Fayt were trying to discern the anomaly's location and composition, and Luther thought he saw a faint hint of yearning upon his lover's features. To Luther, it was as if Fayt wanted to do more than simply stare at the anomaly through a computer monitor. He wanted to be where the anomaly was located, and Luther found he could not blame his lover.
That had been upon his return from his realm. Since then, Luther had shut both consoles down twenty minutes earlier, and he now held his lover in his arms. Fayt's head rested against his shoulder, and his breathing was steady and deep. He wanted them to stay this way for a long while. Luther felt content when Fayt was near, content and safe and sane. It would quite possibly a long while before they could have more time like this to themselves. For a moment, his lover did not reply, and Luther believed the younger man had fallen asleep. He tired far too easily, in the blond's estimation, but the feel of Fayt shifting next to him dismissed the notion of sleep. Fayt's revelation still rattled Luther, and he sensed he was starting to tremble from the inside out.
"I don't know," Fayt replied. "I didn't recognize the system it's coming from at all. The Federation never made it that far out. It could take a while to reach it."
"But it is spiraling out and entering other systems," Luther murmured. "It could turn into a threat."
As they sat there, Luther noticed Fayt radiated an aura of calm. He was at peace, and Luther found himself latching onto the emotion like a lifeline. He was no fool. He knew Fayt had saved him from himself and his crazy actions. Fayt had succeeded where no other could succeed. Then again, Fayt had been the entire reason for the Eternal Sphere's creation. Luther knew this, accepted it, and enjoyed the happiness this knowledge gave him. It still disturbed him that another anomaly had appeared. Fayt's calm entered Luther, and it helped to center and calm him. He could think a little more rationally when Fayt stayed close.
"It isn't dangerous," the younger man said. His fingers brushed along Luther's collarbone, and he buried his nose into Fayt's hair. It smelled of the ocean, clean and crisp on a sunny day. "It won't become a threat to anyone or anything."
"I believe you. I would like to actually see what this anomaly looks like, though," Luther replied. "A monitor hardly does it any justice."
"You think so?"
"I know so." Their eyes met, and Luther allowed himself to smile. "You are a perfect example, after all."
Fayt returned his smile, and their lips met in a soft kiss. It was a simple gesture, one anyone could give to another soul, but, for Luther, it said more than what a thousand words could ever accomplish. He loved Fayt with everything he had and beyond. The kiss told Luther he was loved in the same manner by this gentle and noble soul. He felt unworthy of that love, but Luther promised himself he would be one day. He would make Fayt proud of him. They pulled away from each other, and Luther could not help noticing the faint glow in Fayt's eyes. Oh, how he loved such a sight and what he would not give to see it there always! His smile grew a little wider and a little warmer.
"Let us go see what we have created, shall we?"
To this, Fayt could only nod. His eyes spoke of his excitement, and Luther knew he would never find anyone like Fayt Leingod in his lifetime.
* * *
The scents of gardenias, lilacs, lavender, mint, and honeysuckle filled the air, creating an unusual kind of musk. It was not an entirely unpleasant group of scents, and Fayt's senses felt as if they were truly starting to awaken to his surroundings. Luther had stirred some kind of new awareness within him, one where he could not only identify what he was seeing, smelling, hearing, touching, and tasting but also truly appreciate the gifts given to him. He was alive, truly alive for the first time since his dreams started. Fayt inhaled another deep breath of air from the garden, and giddiness surged throughout his body. He wanted to laugh and shout for joy and twirl around like a dancer, and it was all because of Luther and their creation.
In less than five hours, he and Luther would be on their way to an uncharted system. Their journey would take them a great deal of time, and it promised to be an adventure beyond Fayt's wildest imagination for them. Who knew how long their journey would truly last and what would lay in store for them along the way?
"You're rather excited for some reason," Albel commented, walking up behind Fayt. He turned to face his friend and fellow swordsman. Albel looked out of place amongst the exotic flora and plants of Moonbase, the Crimson Scourge at his side. Then again, in some ways, Albel looked out of place no matter where he went so it really hardly mattered in the end. To his comment, Fayt simply smiled and shrugged. How could he not be excited? He finally found the one person in the entire world (and beyond, it seemed) who had haunted his dreams for the last three years. They shared a connection like no one else in the universe, and they had somehow created something, in spite of the fact they were both men. In his mind, he possessed every right to be both excited and happy. Fayt only wished his friends could feel the same way for him.
"Guess I am," he said, nodding his head a little after a second or so of silence. Fayt hesitated a second before continuing, "Luther and I are going to be leaving in a few hours. I have no idea when we'll be returning."
'Or if we'll even be returning at all,' he added silently to himself.
"Leaving?" Albel echoed. "And where are you going?"
"Don't know," Fayt replied. "I mean, I do know where we're going at the same time I don't know where we're going. I'll just . . . know when we get there. It doesn't make any sense, I know, but . . ."
"It doesn't make any sense," Albel agreed. "And you're a fool for thinking it does." He then folded his arms and regarded Fayt, his eyes like two red points of light. "Are you going to drag everyone along on this aimless adventure of yours?"
"It isn't aimless. Luther and I know what we're looking for," Fayt retorted in a good-natured tone. "And, no . . . we're not going to drag everyone along for this, especially if none of them wants to go with us. It isn't fair for us to ask everyone to give up anything for us at all. This is just something we have to do for ourselves."
"Don't you want us to go with you?" the swordsman inquired.
"Of course I do!" Fayt exclaimed. "I would love it if everyone could come with us, but I know that's asking a lot out of them. Most of them aren't even all that fond of Luther, and they do have their own lives to return to. I can't ask them to give that up. It wouldn't be right for me to do that."
"Hmph, pathetic," Albel said, his scowl becoming even more pronounced than before. "Pathetic and pointless, as usual."
"You would think so." Fayt let out a soft sigh. He felt a little disappointed and hurt by Albel's words. He truly cared for his friends, he truly did, but if Albel's reactions were anything to go by . . . Well, he knew he needed to embrace himself for a little more heartache before he and Luther left. "I guess that means you're not going to wish Luther and me any luck on this."
"No, fool, it means I'm going with you," the Glyphian retorted. To this revelation, Fayt blinked and looked sharply at his friend.
"You're . . . going with us . . ."
"That's just what I said, isn't it?" Albel sounded annoyed, as if he could not believe Fayt's reaction to his announcement.
"You also said it was pathetic and pointless," Fayt said. Albel sighed in exasperation to this, and he shook his head.
"Unbelievable," he muttered. "Yes, it is pathetic and pointless yet no less interesting. I am going with you and Luther, whether you and Luther like it or not."