A/N: I thank everyone for voting, here I was gonna put a sad ending instead. Pfft, will so many people get angsty over that. xD See how much you saved the ending? Well, on with the fic~ As always … read, review, and enjoy! :D And for the record, no Vox has been mentioned afterwards. Pure Fayt and Albel goodness. And I'm getting the sense of making a new story soon (after I'm done with this). You may all squeal now. -w-
Summary: What are the odds of a noble swordsman with a self-absorbed egoism to be swayed by such a frail boy in the cold streets of Airyglyph? .:Albel/Fayt:.
Extra Notes: 'Thoughts' are gonna be written in italics. Sigh, nobody answered me about the beaches. Dammit, guess now I'm gonna make one up. Even if it actually does exist, screw it! Like I remember every exact detail. .3. So, at least a made-up place doesn't seem as bad as an OC for a fic - in my opinion. But I won't lie. I did make an OC…You'll see. It's a surprise –wink, wink– You don't even have to think hard to try to visualize it. ;D Pretty lengthy chapter, might I add. Slightly rushed was on purpose. Honestly, no means to bore ya 'cause this is so long, I actually didn't expect it to get up to pg 14 on my word thingy. Seriously, it was like, 'zomfg...'
Dedication: Maiyoko Iwagashi. Seriously, go on and read her fics!
Disclaimer: I think I'm starting to get a tea addiction. o.e But I sustain a rule of no more than 6 cups … Hey, it's delicious without anything, no sugar or honey or lemon. Yummm~ No own. -gulps tea-
Song of choice/Playlist: I have two in store for each chapter, one 'instrumental/classical', and one that is 'normal'. Go ahead; you're free to choose which one~! Just in case you have different preferences! Artist first, song next. Got it? Good.
~.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.~
Poets of the fall - Lift
Gundam Seed Destiny – Reason (piano)
~.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.~
.:●●●●●●x●●●●●●:.
Serendipity
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One
.:●●●●●●x●●●●●●:.
Fayt couldn't understand why Albel had to make him wait for a moment and reason out his sudden silent laughing fit - of course the blunette thought it was wonderful that the swordsman was actually capable of laughing to tears, yet it was such a bizarre experience that Fayt almost put on a smile. However, Fayt felt like a complete fool without a basis - here he is, trying to be serious and really letting his heart out into his questions to at least know he did have a chance against Vox. Meekly, Fayt struggled and desperately pleaded for Albel to answer, only for his voice to crack and stutter on every word.
Albel wiped the tear out of his eye with his finger, finally settled after such a good laugh. How could he start with the absurd ideas Fayt had to begin with? Instantly the swordsman frowned and shuddered violently, cursing the scarring image of him ever getting along—no less love—Duke Vox. Speaking of which, where did the blunette get these random assumptions from?
For some reason, the gossipy maids gave Albel an idea. They just live off prying into other people's lives and making up stories. Yes, they were pretty loud and blunt about it, which is the only reason Albel is aware of their existence, mind you.
"First off, how did this all start?" Albel said, crossing his legs and kept away at least an arms length away from Fayt: force of habit, it was the only explanation. While the swordsman waited for the answer, he can automatically murder the maids without hesitation—even Vox would join too because of the true detestation—and actually have a reason for killing if they were the source of the cause.
Fayt didn't mind the distance, the teen was already aware everyone wants their space, especially after attacking Albel would give him a reason to stay away. The blunette sighed, sulking from what he heard that day, "Remember when you injured your hand at the King's celebration? Then Duke Vox covered it up with the table cloth…?"
Albel looked at his hand glumly, 'I need to stop re-opening this or it will never heal.'
Fayt fiddled with his own fingers, nervously saying the rest, "And then I heard you say 'Touch me again, Vox.' As well as 'Or don't you understand how much I love you?'"
The swordsman scrunched up his face in revulsion, his red eyes almost look like they died in color and expression from shock entwined with a cold sensation creeping on his creamy-white skin to a sickly pale color. For the first few moments, Albel regained back his composure—slightly—and loudly groaned in pure hatred and the same twinge of disgust, "Leingod, you have issues. Never in the right mind will I ever say something that nauseating towards that pest of a man. If there's anybody I hate more in this world and would love to exterminate, it would be Vox."
The emerald hues widened in size, his stomach felt so light with a new trace of hope, except he hasn't cleared up one matter: "Then…why did you keep avoiding me…?"
"I would never hear the end of it from that foolish mouth of his." Albel looked away, making sure his fringes cover up his eyes as swordsman clamped one hand on his mouth to muffle his voice, "I-I didn't want Vox to know how close I am with you. This is why I decided it was better to give an impression that you were just another worm bugging me in this castle."
Fayt's eyes softened, the glowing smile came back on his lips as he felt his heart skip a beat - clichéd for every in-love individual, but right on the point to the strange feeling of satisfaction of the nice quietness. Fayt realized all along he was just wrong to assume, this pang of guilt could have been resolved much earlier without the awkwardness, without the tension, without Fayt trying so hard to win back at this attention. Rather now, he felt at ease that Vox was nothing but a captain Albel highly loathed to the very core.
Why?
Fayt shrugged it off - for all he knows, it must really not matter after all. Now that everything seems back to normal, the blue haired teen can finally just plant himself on the pile of gravel—the comfort never even crossed his mind—and just take a nice nap with hopes of happy dreams. And yet, Fayt couldn't be any happier for assuming the worse towards these events, it made him feel this tension only got them closer: finding just how much Albel grew onto him, how much Albel felt just so precious.
'All this time, he was just looking out for me… Hey, wait a second…'
"Albel, did you just say 'close'?"
Albel's red eyes gazed into Fayt's emerald orbs, only now he realized what a beautiful green could match a perfectly wonderful person like Fayt. On the other hand, Albel's momentary daze was snapped and grasped how much Fayt caught on by that sentence.
Albel gulped and shook his head, "No, I didn't."
"Yes, you so did!"
Albel's mouth quivered, he was actually almost at lost for words. Weakly, Albel retorted back, "You should honestly not read into every single detail."
Fayt shook his head, it was already pretty obvious that Albel was trying to cover-up the subject through it all, but unfortunately it wasn't going so well. Fayt felt too happy at the moment, he couldn't hold back suddenly hugging Albel tightly—innocently, too. There were no perverted or teasing intentions behind it—his arms wrapped around Albel's neck, the blunette couldn't suppress the feeling of warmth between their bodies in touch. It felt – comforting. Although Albel was completely thrown off guard, his whole body twitched to the excess snuggling when Fayt managed to lay Albel's body, again.
Besides it all, the warmth was actually applying wonderfully for the pair, the rustling winds past through the thin opening from the base of the oak door, letting the room turn very chilly due to the weather. On the other hand, Albel felt a little sicken that he hasn't been his self in awhile - his old self where he just grew cold, distant, serious, uncaring to most, nor would he even let someone ever dare embrace him: the Wicked One. But here was, wrapped in the arms of a blue haired teen that is the complete opposite of him: cheerful, optimistic, wonderful, helpful, charming.
Albel faintly put on a smile, 'The list can go on.'
No matter how awkward this was for Albel, it was nice and relaxing enough for Albel's eyelids to grow heavy with each passing second.
Fayt crawled a little further, their noses already touching.
"Albel, can I please kiss you?"
This is a first, to say the least.
Albel cheeks tinted to a pink, it might've been nice for Fayt to finally ask for permission, but it was also embarrassing, too. If he were to say 'no,' it would just devastate Fayt in a way and Albel would just feel like a bastard – that is normal in some ways, though. Then again, saying 'yes' would just prove his attachment to the blunette and that would just ruin his pride.
"Y-your choice." Albel mumbled out feebly, definitely with this trapped position the swordsman will not be able to turn away or escape.
Although the answer was enough for Fayt to throw away any uncertainty, the teen—apparently still on top of Albel—spread his legs just in case Albel felt uncomfortable and could give Fayt a hint to get off of him. And without losing any more valuable time, Fayt locked his lips with Albel passionately and tenderly. With only two days and already aware how the swordsman could be awkward with love or affections, Fayt wanted to make sure this opportunity could happen during the remanding two days.
Two days.
How in the world can he plan out something for Albel within two days, something special until he leaves? There is nothing left to find in Airyglyph that the scarlet hued isn't already aware of. And showing anything in 'enemy' territory is just out of the question, although it was a beautiful land with so much light, purity, friendliness, and less of a death rate when comparing to the harsh and snowy Airyglyph of its starving youths and cocky nobles.
'Speaking of nobles, Luther needs to be dealt with soon.'
Albel's eyes shot open as he felt Fayt's tongue toying with his, the lingering taste disappeared as Fayt moved below to Albel's abdominal, planting butterfly kisses all around. His tongue then licked around the area, but Fayt found it odd Albel wasn't squirming like he usually would. Besides the swirling winds from outside, the blunette could only hear audible breathing.
Fayt raised his body to see Albel's face - his eye twitched.
Albel fell asleep.
'Spectacular, I felt that we could actually go somewhere and he falls asleep mid-way…'
Fayt shuffled his body to the side; getting Albel more suited on his bed and covering his thin body with the blanket. Picking up Albel's head must've been most difficult, but Fayt managed to get Albel's head on the pillow.
The blunette laughed, silently.
"How cute."
The teen trotted back to the corner, giving the large heap of gravel a look of exasperation, his body began to tense if he had to sleep on such a mound. For now, sleeping in the other corner without anything doesn't seem to be a bad idea. He walked away from the heap of rocks and let his body slide down the cold wall and at last sitting down.
"Just don't get attached."
"What then? Don't tell me you actually fell in love with that man…? Fayt, no! This is the worst mistake you can make!"
Fayt felt his eyes grew watery, he couldn't control his emotions at this point and keeping them closed up didn't do him any better for all the anxiety dwelling up inside him. The teen drew in his legs and hugged them tightly, "How can you guys expect me to just flip a switch and not love him anymore…?"
---
It was the brink of night—after midnight, so it does count as the next day—and sunrise is less than a few hours away, but Fayt decided it was best to make these two days count. No matter how early he had to wake up, he wanted to make things, well…fun for the both of them. Although it would be a difficult task – Fayt didn't exactly know the full landscape of Airyglyph, there is always a possibility there are even some places not yet found or not recorded in maps sold in local shops. Fayt set on the direction of the Traum Mountains, absolutely unaware whether the course was safe or not with some monsters lurking around in every corner, or bandits.
The snow pounded hard on Fayt's body, he shivered violently as he breathed. His feet were dragged within in depth of the snow, making his movements awfully sluggish. 'Dammit,' the blue haired thought, 'I should've brought some extra clothing.'
Besides it all, Fayt was glad enough that he brought his sword along in case of an emergency. All across the winter storm where monsters scattered everywhere and Fayt finally slashed the head of axe-wielding, cryptic beast – just taller by a few inches compared to Fayt.
'How's that for pin-pointing the degree of the body!'
Although all the swinging made him more vulnerable as the crispy cold winds harshly swept past his arms – at this rate, he might as well die in the weather. Fayt retreated to a small cavern between the dead demonic trees that the blunette just barely killed alone. The emerald hued sat himself in the corner of the cave, watching the winds making a drifting and loud noise.
The teen sighed heavily; the cavern didn't provide much heat—much to his disappointment—although it beats the terrible condition outside. From the looks of it, the emerald hued might not find anything at all.
"This sucks!" he wearily said, leaning on the oddly disfigured wall of the cavern, it felt unsteady and easily breakable. He leaned further and his whole body stumbled backwards with some small rocks piling on his body. Apparently there was more to this alcove—Fayt examined his surroundings and noticing a long trail to be used for delivering and hauling carts—much more.
Fayt picked his body up and dusted off all the rocks, and then he carefully rubbed the back of his head with one hand, wincing to the small bruise that injured his noggin. Letting his hand rest back in place, he detected that in the far off corners of the trail the torches lead the way of the passage. Fayt followed said trail and growled when large boulders and rocks blocked the passage, unbreakable with a lone individual at hand. He frowned immensely; he felt there was something important – something worth seeing beyond these rocks.
He had to let it go, his hand slid down the minerals depressingly.
Fayt decided to walk back to the entrance of the alcove, but a rumbling made him stumble throughout his pace. The emerald hues glared towards a large shadowy figure approaching, his hand was placed on his blade's handle, soon sheathing it out of place when the figure looked to big to annihilate by himself.
But he slumped back his arms to his side, eyes blinking absentmindedly at the figure now fully visible: a Hauler, a lime-green giant turtle-like creature with vibrant ebony eyes.
"Uh, hi?"
The Hauler came closer to Fayt, oddly poking Fayt's stomach with its snout and having fun attempting to get the lad to fall over.
Fayt carefully rubbed the snout, warmly smiling at the turtle-creature, "Friendly, aren't 'cha?"
He squinted at the dark trail behind the Hauler, was it all alone? And how does it survive just living in this abandoned tunnel?
The Hauler sniffed Fayt's pockets, trying to pick out the wonderful faint aroma.
"H-hey! Easy there!" Fayt said, backing away as stuffed his hand inside his pocket. What he brought out were just blueberries and peanuts.
The turtle ate out of Fayt's hand, the blunette dejectedly thought: 'I still never got any food and there goes the hope of getting any at all.'
Fayt noticed the Hauler turned extremely happy munching the peanuts instead of the blueberries, but ate it anyway.
"Thanks for leaving me nothing." The teen said jokingly, rubbing the snout again, "I'm not creative with pet names – no less a giant hauler…how 'bout I call you Peanut?"
Oddly enough, the Hauler did not mind the name.
"Can you get me through this wall?"
Peanut budged Fayt to go on its cart, and Fayt did so when he lost his footing on the ledge and just slid inside, hitting his chin on the dirty gelid metal. He felt Peanut begin to walk backwards, and then increasing its speed hastily when finally razing the large boulders and rocks out of the way with ease.
Fayt scrambled to his feet, holding the ledge for dear life as Peanut increased in speed, going further into the trail of covered entrances consisted of large rocks. A fork in the road made the Hauler stop, the wooden post inscribed bold—slightly faded, but still noticeable—letters: 'SECRET ENTRANCE – PETERNEY.'
'That's informative…'
"But needs to go."
Fayt hopped off the cart, breaking the post with his sword. He returned back to the crate, and silently asked out, "Peanut, remember this path: Pet-er-ney - right side, I believe I might need you again."
The Hauler nodded, and went on the left route. It rammed down all the boulders in the way until there was nothing more, only the sight of the night sky with a collection of white dots of the cool night sky glimmering brightly to shine down upon the pair.
Looking back at what he knew, mountains always had a dry side and wet side. Despite being in the snowy range, it can be considered the dry-side of the mountain: the rain shadow.
This being the wet side, the grassy area was luscious with dew clinging on the green—snow only captures this much of the land by a few centimeters—with bushes of a wonderful green tone. The scent enthralled his lungs with the aroma of nature. Fayt removed the cart from Peanut's back and motioned the turtle to follow him for a quick walk.
Peanut hesitated, but felt so liberated walking on grass instead of rocks all life long.
Fayt smiled broadly at the medium-average sized lake reflecting the night sky, radiantly exposing the moon with a rippled grace.
"Peanut--" Fayt patted the Hauler's snout, "--thank you, for everything. I hope something like this can make him happy."
Fayt gathered an arm-full amount of safe berries from the bushes, bringing them over to Peanut for a little feast, to say the least. Fayt sat down on the grass—not caring how the fabric of his pants absorbed the dew—over the water danced little lights that could match Peanut's hue of green: fireflies.
Strangely enough they looked like normal fireflies instead of a colossal bug that reaps on humans – like the killer wasps found higher in the Traum Mountains. Just thinking about those stinging killers gave him a quiver, especially when they continue to chase around their prey. Fayt stood up, feeling a cool wetness on his pants and cursing the dew for drenching his article of clothing.
Peanut was content finally eating the palatable berries.
Fayt pushed the crate on the grass, letting the Hauler pass first, and then wait for the crate to be placed again around its back. And the blunette did so; it was hard work and better for Peanut to not just walk backwards the whole way. Along the trail and leaving this grassy land, they came back to the fork.
"Let's cover this entrance to Peterney for now. Come help me, Peanut."
Fayt groggily unhooked the cart so the Hauler can make a turn without having too much trouble putting back the cart. Its large mouth was able to carry one large rock at a time, as for the blunette, he carried average-sized rocks and it took a while to construct the wall that blocks the trail to Peterney.
With the wall done, Peanut returned pointing south on the middle route of the fork, it walked forward for Fayt to be able to clip on the cart back. Once Fayt did, he climbed back on the cart and waited for Peanut to make the stop. The torch lights seemed dimmer, and the passage was colder than it ever was.
Peanut stopped, making Fayt poked his head from his comfortable laying-down position in the cart as he then hopped off and hugged the Hauler's neck.
"Thank you. I'm going to come back in the morning, 'kay?" He let go, patting the snout of the Hauler, "I'll call your name. Make sure you come, Peanut."
Peanut nodded and Fayt took a step back, letting the Hauler go further into the trail of darkness.
"Bye!"
Fayt walked out of the cavern, biting his lips with the rapid and violent winds of the snow sweep past his body. He took large steps in the snow, thus his pace might be a little faster than when he came. The blunette had to slay a few monsters to reach the bridge to Airyglyph.
'No soldiers, good…'
Fayt picked up his speed across the bridge, finally entering the large snowy city.
---
Albel walked through the hallways, taking the stairs down to reach the dining hall—and or meeting hall—but came across a body sleeping soundly in the entrance of the castle. He examine closer, only seeing a head of blue and the same garments as Fayt—he just wanted to make sure it was no imposter since many peasants of Airygylph always sneak in—so he lifted the head of the body with his foot. It was truly Fayt, a long drool line on his mouth slid down to his chin; he even had a goofy grin to prove it all truly him.
Albel thought just how the blunette ended up here – sleepwalking, perhaps? He slid back his foot, uncaring how hard Fayt's head hit back the lumpy floor. The swordsman walked inside the hall, taking his usual seat in the corner with a large fruit bowl prepared for him. Some maids that took an early shift stopped and curiously looked at the sleeping body, most of them were teenage or mid-twenties women.
Fayt laughed to himself during his snooze, making most of the maids giggled and poked his head or cheeks. Nevertheless, Fayt never hesitated to befriend most of the women, being the whimsical and good-natured lad he is.
Albel's scarlet eyes twitched at one of the maids toying with Fayt's hair, whilst some of them mentioned how 'cute he is.' The bi-colored haired stood from his chair, taking his fruit bowl with them. The maids never noticed the Wicked One until they heard a firm cough.
"Resume your chores or suffer the consequences. I assure you, I never want to see any one of you pitiful worms slacking off ever again."
Why, yes. He did address maids by insects of the sorts, they were inferior – the whole lot of them.
The maids squeaked, busily gathering their cleaning supplies and running off to their particular task.
"Leingod, wake up."
Nothing.
"Stupid maggot, wake up!" Albel said, he placed one foot on Fayt's head and tried to wake up the blunette by pressuring and turning his foot.
"Nngh…" the blue-haired moaned to the twinge of pain on his head, "Alright already! I'm awake, I'm awake!"
Albel took his foot off Fayt's head, watching the teen slowly rise from the floor and soothe the pain on his head with his hand. The blunette groggily thought: 'First hitting my head on rocks and now getting crushed with Albel's foot…do I need to suffer that much?'
Albel brought a berry to his mouth half-way, yet he was shaken violently on his shoulders by Fayt, "Wait here!" the blunette ordered.
His scarlet eyes became dizzy from the sudden stir.
---
The maids provided everything he needed: towels, two nets, a large boxed lunch, a jar, a brush, medical herbs just in case of an emergency, pants recently cut at least to Fayt's knees so they can be suited for shorts, and an ample of peanuts all stored in a bag—the peanuts were stored in the jar for now—that last thing he needed was extra clothing for a certain swordsman.
A maid was also able to provide that thanks to her laundry duties, so that was also added into the bag. Fayt clumsily tripped down the stairs, happily smiling that the swordsman was still in place and nibbling on a banana.
Albel boredly looked back and saw Fayt panting, but wondering why the lad had a little devious smirk.
"Aww, now why can't you do the same to me?" said Fayt, pointing towards the banana.
Albel looked at the banana, examining the shape with confusion. He scrunched up his face, throwing the yellow fruit at Fayt's face, "You're disgusting."
Fayt snickered, looking inside the fruit bowl and glad to see there were plenty of fruits left. Fayt took the jar out, dumping the peanuts inside the bowl.
"Maggot, what the hell is your problem?! This is my breakfast you just ruined!"
'That explains the thinness…'
"You'll see…"
'And stop complaining, I haven't eaten since yesterday!'
Fayt clamped on Albel's wrist, dragging the man with him outside him as the soldiers guarding the front entrance just looked at them with bewilderment. Albel occasionally badgered Fayt to explain where the he was being lead to, but Fayt ignored Albel and relieved the Traum Mountains has settled down with its violent snowstorm thus leading to a perfectly warm, sunny day.
No monsters around made the teen more up-lifted in spirit.
It took a while to find the cavern now covered partially in snow, yet both of them entered and Albel yanked back his wrist.
"Why did you take me here?"
No less with the fruit bowl.
"Just wait." Fayt said, coming close to the tracks but far enough for a certain Hauler to come and pass. "Peanut! C'mon out!"
Albel instantly thought Fayt hit the brink on insanity as he yelled out to particularly nothing, especially screaming out the name of plant. That is when Albel felt a shake beneath his feet, his scarlet hues widened to a large Hauler excited to see Fayt. Fayt took the bowl from Albel, lifting it close to Peanut's snout.
"Albel, meet Peanut."
Peanut, from what the lad has mentioned, was to busy eating Albel's breakfast to even look at him.
Fayt scrambled inside the cart, letting the bag rest right beside him. "C'mon, Albel."
Albel shook his head, backing away a few steps behind, "If you think I'm going to get in the filthy cart, you are sorely mist--h-hey! Put me down, f-fool!"
Fayt had no other reason to sigh and to jump off from the cart, picking Albel up in his arms. Just to tease the scarlet hued, Fayt swayed the man's body left and right, that meant rocking Albel's body, "Here comes the bride!" Fayt playfully sang to, he then dumped Albel's body in the cart and jumped inside as well, "Not dressed in white."
Albel soothed his head, glaring deeply at the blunette, "You little bastard."
"Psh pawsh, you adore me." And quickly Fayt advert his attention to Peanut, "Let's go. Remember, left."
Albel rolled his eyes and patiently waited for the Hauler beast to make that turn, so the pair waited in a comforting silence. The trail seemed endless and Albel's patience grew thin, the moment he opened his mouth to complain, Peanut stopped in its tracks. Fayt was the first one to jump off the cart, unlatching the cart for Peanut to join them. Albel also got off the cart, eyeing the strange bag Fayt carried around.
Peanut exit the cavern first, seeing as it was the largest and needed the fresh air and the nice feeling of wet grass. Fayt came second, and Albel last when his scarlet hues examined the spectacular surrounding of luscious greenness. Never did he or his soldiers detect this part of the mountain, even with dragons that can fly high – most likely because there is no need to go over the mountain.
Peanut went to the bushes, munching off the berries to fill its stomach. As for the blunette, he dragged the bag near the lake. Albel followed behind, wordless how can there ever be so many trees near a year-round winter storm nation.
"Beautiful, right?"
Albel snapped out of his daze, he looked back at Fayt's busily kicking the water with his feet. "Yeah…"
But Albel wasn't addressing the location or the nature.
---
Albel could admit this: no matter how long both decided to spend here, not even a minute was ever boring. One way or another, they always found ways to amuse themselves. A while when they came to their present location, Fayt opened the boxed meals for breakfast and found it definitely appetizing and will have to thank the old senior cook for her hard effort.
Fayt wasted no more time and just ate; after all, he hasn't got a one bite of food since yesterday. His emerald orbs glanced over to Albel, his scarlet hues kept staring at the food – it wasn't even touched. The blunette sighed, placing down his fork on his boxed breakfast, "Albel, I'm only saying this because I damn well can."
Pause.
Fayt lifted his fork, letting it point to Albel, "Eat. Your. Freakin'. Food."
Albel furrowed his brows, "I already ate."
"Correction, Peanut ate it. And just fruits are nothing, you need food."
"I'm full."
Fayt's eye twitched, he attacked Albel in an attempt to stuff the swordsman's mouth with a large portion of an omelet.
---
If it wasn't food that happened to amuse their time, it was always something else. This time was just to talk about this morning as Fayt asked why Albel decided crush his head. Albel really couldn't mention that he felt a little anger how close those pesky females were and just how attached they seemed - thinking they can easily touch the blunette as they please – it pissed Albel off.
But, of course, Albel didn't have the chance to explain when Fayt decided to joke on the topic.
"If you wanted me to see what's up that skirt of yours, you should've just asked. No need to get rough about it."
Albel twitched, 'It's not a skirt, maggot.'
"-like right now." Fayt took a hold of the purple cloth, "Just say the magic word and I can lift this up and so wonderfully please you."
Albel cringed; he formed his gauntlet hand into a fist and harshly clunked the teen's head.
Fayt didn't miss it; he saw the rosy color on Albel's cheek. Regardless of the pain, that was a little victory for the blunette to get Albel to blush – only a little, but that still counts.
---
Right around the afternoon, Fayt stripped off his clothing and slid on the shorts. One foot sunk in the water - it wasn't too cold, nor too warm, just perfect. Finally the blunette submerged his whole body in the water, relaxing his body whilst keeping his head above the surface. His legs swung up and down, splashing the water around the grassy patches saved for having fun all the while. His emerald hues looked all around the surrounding area, Peanut was sleeping underneath the shade of large tree, berry juice smother all around its snout. Fayt smiled, his orbs caught a glimpse of a rustling bush, Albel's body popped out from nowhere near the bushes. In both hands held a large collection of berries - safe and edible.
Albel approached the lake, submerging the berries—still held together in his hands—and made sure to wash any dirt collection.
"Albel, you should try it in here! The water is perfect!"
The swordsman scoffed, rising up from his kneeling position from cleaning the berries and turned his heel. Before he could take another step, Albel felt something latch on his ankle. The swordsman couldn't even look back when his whole body was pulled into the water, all the berries he had scattered on the grass. At this, Peanut woke up from its nap and decided to claim the berries for its own.
"You already ate my food once, beast! Get away from rest!"
Peanut disregarded Albel, in search for the berries that were hidden in the blades of grass.
Albel growled, now messily sitting on the damp ground while the rest of his body was just in water. Why? The swordsman craned his head to the giggly blunette, laughing at the aftermath and for victory sake.
"Leingod, you're dead."
Fayt instantly stopped laughing, backing away from Albel menacingly approaching the teen, seems like the bi-colored haired was also a good swimmer.
Sure, he could've just walked over, but the farther Albel reached the other the end of the lake, it just got deeper and deeper – thus making it no other choice but to swim.
"You gotta be faster if you want to get your hands on me." Fayt jokingly said. He then picked up his speed in the water to at least avoid Albel's deathly aura and menacing claws.
They lost the track of time, eventually they just started splashing water and actually playing games—though it was Fayt that happen to convince the older male to always go along with his ideas—in the lake.
It can be identified as…
Fun?
Yeah, that's the word.
Fayt grinned at his success, Albel smiled—or a light smirk occasionally—more than he ever did in one day, or for as long as they were together. The sun began to set, leaving the two panting from chasing, to playing games, and all other activities – both were still cheery although their tired legs could not move at the very moment. The blunette forced Albel to just share a towel with him—it worked, oddly enough—and both sets of eyes just watch the passing clouds as it soon turned to night.
Fayt changed into his clothing, dumping the wet shorts somewhere far from his current spot – he won't need it, so why not just leave it? Albel didn't ask how he got the same exact clothing stored in the bag, but nevertheless changed into the spare. Fayt explained to just wait a while longer for a 'pretty surprise,' the teen already stuck his hand inside the bag and took out a brush, two nets, and a jar.
In the meantime as Albel waited for this so-called 'surprise,' he let the emerald hued brush his long bi-colored hair. The hair wrappings formed a long white-clothed spiral on the grass—giving off the appearance of an albino's snake skin—the brown strands dripped of cold water, although it's easier to brush down to the very tip.
If brushing wasn't hard enough, it was also wrapping the hair back with white cloth. It took a long amount of time, but Albel was at least patient. As for the second one, it took a little while longer with some persistent knots, then putting it all back together in the wrappings. Fayt tiredly slump his arms back to his sides, they felt weary and weak after keeping them up so long.
It grew darker and the little bright green lights made their appearance, they gathered on the lake which reflected the dancing lights marvelously. Fayt grabbed his net, the other one plummeted on Albel's legs.
Albel held the net up in confusion.
"Look at them, they're really pretty…We're going to catch some! This is the last game of the night."
"You don't expect me to partake in something as childish as this?"
Fayt twirled the net in his hand, "Do it. Unless you want to engage from night to morning in hot, steamy se-"
"Enough, I agree!" Albel said quickly, he didn't want to even begin to think of the last word coming out of Fayt's mouth. The blunette took the jar in one hand, and the other hand was to hold the net.
Either way, they got a few fireflies in their nets – well, Fayt did. Albel kept cursing at the flying insects and rambling how much they kept avoided getting caught by him. In the end, few fireflies were in the jar and illuminated said jar with their wondrous light, from far away they looked like glowing specks of light.
Fayt freed them when it was time to go, Albel fell sleep in the cart by the time the Hauler reached the fork.
"Stop for a sec."
The Hauler stopped in command.
Fayt hopped off, his fingers running down the blockade to Peterney.
Soon he will have to go through here.
Just with Nel.
And leaving Airyglyph.
Fayt solemnly got back in the cart; Peanut was just as worried but continue walking the trail. Fayt's finger twirled Albel's bi-colored locks, a large frown plastered on his face.
'It's all because of Luther…'
Once Peanut made the last stop, Fayt had the strap of the bag clinging on his wrist; he held Albel in his arms bridal-style and walked slowly out of the cavern to not stir the man of his sleep. Fayt looked back, smiling sadly at the Hauler beast, "G'night, I'll see you tomorrow night. Come when I call you. Alright, Peanut?"
The giant turtle nodded, going on its own path for sleep.
Fayt stepped out of the cavern, thanking everything in his will that it wasn't snowing or any monsters wandering about. He thought back, holding Albel even closer.
"Tomorrow night, huh…"
Fayt sunk his head between Albel's neck and shoulder, the blunette bit his lip until it bled to prevent the tears escaping his emerald pools.
'I never even got to prove how much you mean to me…'
.:●●●●●●x●●●●●●:.
A/N: -sighs- That took a while…finally done with this chapter. Slightly rushed, but it's all intended. ;D I'm having a trouble with the ending; it's pretty hard to think of happy scenarios in the midst of a war. Stupid brain, think of something! RAWR~! Again, thank you for voting! :3 Excuse all my mistakes 'cause I'm just as normal as the rest of ya'll's that also make a mistake. Review this chapter, please. o//w//o;; Peace. It's about to be one in the morning and I'm tried. D: