Believe in Me, O Dancer Girl

by Aina Song

It was a secret he had protected for as long as he could remember. And, without even realizing it, she was a part of it.

5. Lost On You

Title: Believe in Me, O Dancer Girl

By: Aina Song

Fandom(s): Star Ocean 3: Till the End of Time

Genre: Yaoi

Rating: NC-17

Warning(s): Language; Direct & Altered Quotes; Spoiler Alert; Slight OOC; Much Angst; Mention of past-NCS (Hell, where'd I put that Fluff? This one's gonna need some Fluff…)

Pairing(s): Albel(Peppita) x Fayt (Not the way it sounds, I swear!)

Reviews: Yes, please.

Author's Note: Standard Disclaimer. This story was not written for money.

Another Note: Hate me for this all you want, but in my own little world, Adray does not exist. Useless old coot in battle, and socially inadequate everywhere else. And, even after he joins the party, he's never included in any of the major movie scenes - you don't even see him hanging around in the background! *blows raspberry* Italics = dreams, sword telepathy, and flashbacks. Do tell.

Teaser: It was a secret he had protected for as long as he could remember. And, without even realizing it, she was a part of it.

Chapter Five - Lost On You

Peppita was already awake when he quietly stormed into their room, and Albel shut the door behind him with a sigh as he strove for the patience she deserved. "Angel," he softly reprimanded. "You should rest while you can. The hike down the mountain will be just as demanding as it was coming up."

"I will," she promised, pushing up on her elbow as she watched him sit upon the other bed. "But… I thought I heard a noise. And now you look upset about something."

The dark warrior tossed a cold glare toward the door, "I nearly came to fists with that fool."

"With Fayt?" She guessed. "But, why?"

Albel suspected that at fourteen, the dancer girl was far more knowledgeable than she let on. He had seen proof of this. And so, with only a moment's hesitation, he answered, "The idiot actually had the audacity to presume I had impure intentions toward you."

The quiet peace in the room suddenly grew stonily heavy in the wake of those words, and after another minute he chanced a glance her way. Peppita's brow had creased in contemplation, and her silvery blue eyes were gazing down at her hand. "I thought he would know better," she finally whispered.

Knowing some relief that his assumptions had been correct, Albel confessed, "So did I. Even were I not a decade your senior, there are three very real factors that prevent me from ever attempting such an atrocity."

"I'm underage," Peppita nodded. "And you prefer men."

After all that, it seemed he had still managed to underestimate her. "I never told you…"

"You didn't need to," she smiled, not unkindly. "You're not obvious, but I saw the way you reacted when Sophia tried to drown her worries in drink a few weeks ago and then couldn't seem to leave you alone."

Albel grimaced, remembering. "The wench wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. It was all I could do to keep from striking at her."

"Honestly, I didn't think she had it in her." Peppita giggled, "Now Cliff and Mirage make it a point to keep an eye on her whenever they stop by another bar."

He rolled his eyes at her mirth at his expense, shaking his head. When she'd done, the girl took a long breath to calm herself, and she brought their conversation back to subject. "You're too honorable to take advantage of me while I'm underage and unable to defend myself against you. So there's one. And I hardly think I could pass for a man, no matter how much either of us had to drink. But what's the third reason?"

Because you're family. It was on the very tip of his tongue; all he had to do was to spit it out and let it be known at last. But it was far too much to reveal at once, and he found himself reluctant to destroy her trust in him so swiftly as that. Yet he could not lie to her. "I made a promise," he carefully replied. "To protect you. To keep you safe, and to see the both of us through this alive."

Her silvery blue eyes widened, and she slowly sat the rest of the way up. "Who would ask that?"

"… Your brother."

She stared for a long while, her face a blank. But then it seemed she had at last absorbed his words, for her face became a kaleidoscope of warring emotions - from disbelief, to wonder, to… hurt. And Albel knew such guilt as never before that he had given away even that much. Her dainty hand lifted up to catch the golden bell dangling from her neck. "I… I have a brother?"

He sighed, "Two. You have two brothers."

"But I don't understand," she whispered. "Why didn't my mother tell me? How did you find out?"

"I can't guess why you weren't told before now," Albel apologized, coming to sit with her on her bed. "But you look so much like your mother. That is how I knew."

She gasped, tears brimming her eyes as she stared up at him. "You knew my mother?"

He nodded, "Your circus takes their performance from one world to another, yes? But before she reunited with them, Elayne spent twelve years here on Elicoor. I think I was about ten years old when last I saw her. She… left, rather unexpectedly. But if you mention her name in this city, especially within the walls of the castle…" He shook his head, "Outwardly, they won't react, but in their eyes you would see that they remember."

"She really left that much of an impression?"

"She touched the hearts of all who were graced by her smile," Albel assured the girl. "And she smiled often." Sighing, he went on. "One of your brothers knew you straightaway, and the other wrangled from me my word toward your safety, that one day they might see you again and tell you the truth."

Closing her eyes, she turned her head away. But the dark warrior could see the tears streaking down the sides of her face. "Are you angry with me?"

After a long moment, she gave a small shake of her head. "No, Albel. I understand what you're telling me. None of this is your fault."

Cursing under his breath, he swung his gaze away from the sincerity of her faith in him. But then he knew great surprise when he felt her hand clasp over his, and he turned back to find her trying to smile at him through her tears. "Can you… Do you know their names? The names of my brothers?"

He bit at the inside of his cheek with indecision, something he had not done since he was a child. But he knew he had revealed too much already, and so one thing more to keep her going would not matter now. Finally, he nodded. "One is… reluctant, to have you learn about him until the time is right. But the elder one. His name is Mackwell. He's a scholar, and an alchemist."

~o~

Two mornings later, they set out upon their return journey to Kirlsa, and it was not so very difficult for Albel to take note of the change in the behaviors of the other two. Peppita had grown just slightly quieter, though she never failed to smile at him as though their new secret was just one of many they already shared. But Fayt had very discreetly begun distancing himself from the dark warrior, and Albel was not so discreetly growing frustrated with the whole ordeal. By the time they arrived to the mining town, Fayt barely spoke two words together to him outside the exchange of tactical orders necessary in battle. Then they reunited with the rest of their party, and Fayt's behavior shifted yet again. He was pleasant, amiable, as though nothing had occurred - while they were around to witness it. But there was always that closed look in those otherwise unguarded green eyes that would spur Albel to swear under his breath when directed at him, and when chance caught them alone…

Well.

It was as though Fayt was determined that they should never be left alone again.

Cliff and Maria kept their word, and asked nothing of their quest to the mountain city. Likewise, Albel told them nothing they had no right to know. Yet it surprised him when Fayt offered no information as well. The younger swordsman would have had every right to use what he knew to get back at Albel for what the dark warrior had done. But Fayt only revealed that he had wanted to speak with Airyglyph's king, and then would say no more.

They left Kirlsa some days later, and began their return through Aries. Fayt's behavior toward him grew slowly colder as they descended into the warmer climates of the continent, though the others were apparently far too dense to notice.

All, it seemed, except one. When at last they entered the walls of Peterny once more, Peppita pulled him aside and led him down an alley where they would not be followed. The moment they reached the alley's end, she rounded on her heel and set her fists to her hips. Her glare was not of anger or suspicion, but of a sad disappointment that gave him pause. "I know what he thought in Airyglyph was terrible," she sighed. "But I really don't think he meant anything by it. After all, I must be the only female the others have witnessed you practicing some patience around, so what else was Fayt to think?"

"That I have morals," he growled.

"What morals, Albel?" She shook her head, the white strands of her hair swaying about her shoulders with the movement. "I know you have them. But when was the last time you let any of them see that about you?" Dropping her hands from her hips, she offered a small smile and stepped closer, delicate fingers of one hand resting upon his good arm. "I'm not asking you to change who you are for them. I'm just… suggesting that you not be so surprised and frustrated when their blissful ignorance yields more results close to what's going on now with Fayt."

He sighed, his annoyance now directed at himself. "What do you suggest I do?"

Peppita gave another smile, "Find Fayt. Get him alone somewhere, and make him understand."

~o~

Ever since the last time he had startled the blue-haired youth awake to ask that all-important question, Fayt had become quite the light sleeper. It was almost as though he had been preparing for the moment the dark warrior would invade his room again. Standing beside the other's bed late that night, Albel knew that he would have to time this very precisely.

Bracing one hand upon the frame of the bed, he lifted one foot up to the lower end and then swung his other leg up and over to support his weight on the other side of the frame. Catching his other hand to the opposite side of the single pillow, Albel hovered there and waited. After a moment, Fayt frowned in his sleep, clear indication that he sensed something amiss. Smirking, Albel lightly blew across the younger warrior's face. Fayt's frown deepened, and his eyes blinked open.

"… Albel?"

"Fool," he greeted.

Those eyes shifted their green gaze south, widened, and flew back up again. Fayt licked dry lips, drawing in an audibly shaky breath. "W-What are you doing here?"

"I should think that was obvious," he returned. "Or do you suddenly deem me unworthy of you?"

"I-I…" Clamping his mouth shut, the other silently shook his head.

"Good," Albel smirked. "Now. Get rid of that blanket."

Hesitating only a moment, Fayt slowly complied, kicking the thing to the floor. Albel knew quiet satisfaction that the blue-haired youth was once again clad only in a pair of night pants. Some few beads of perspiration had already formed on his bare throat and collarbones, proof that Fayt tended to sweat a little in his sleep. Fayt gave a tenuous smile, "So… What now?"

Instead of the countless smart-lipped remarks he could have given in answer to that one, the dark warrior merely stated, "Now, fool, the game begins." Muscles straining, he lowered himself just enough so that their mouths brushed in the merest kiss. The broken chain of his metal collar swept over Fayt's bare chest, and the blue-haired youth flinched at its cold touch. "As you can see," Albel went on, pushing back up. "My hands are… occupied, at the moment. And so the first move is yours."

Just a bit of color fled from the other's face, and Fayt swallowed. "What do you want me to do?"

"Touch me, fool," he growled, a fevered plea slipping into the low hiss of his voice. "Touch your fill."

Fayt's dark green eyes closed in the face of such a request, and his hands fisted at his sides. But after a long minute or two, he opened his eyes again with a careful breath. Slowly reaching up, he let his fingers brush lightly down the center of Albel's bare chest. The darker warrior shivered at the burning contact, but his fiery eyes never left Fayt's as those fingers pressed more confidently against his skin. The other let his hands roam where they willed, over shoulders, across pectorals and their pebbled nubs; sliding down the sides of strong ribs, then sweeping inward to feel firm abdominal muscles.

Fayt glanced up. Albel's gaze never wavered, though those eyes were swiftly clouding over in the wake of his caresses. Something reminiscent of his old smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, the blue-haired youth swept his hands over Albel's sides and then let them slide up over the other's flexed back. Then his hands slid south, passed over an unclothed waist and caught the taut globes of Albel's ass. The older warrior's jaw clenched, and those fiery eyes darkened even more. Fayt let his hands explore their newest discovery, admiring the raw emotion playing across a face that normally was so stoic or patronizing.

Finally, he let his touch move once more. Albel's next breath came on a swift hiss between clenched teeth. Bringing one hand down, the blue-haired youth pushed up on his elbow and lightly nibbled at Albel's collarbone, licking and tasting beneath the metallic collar, his other hand slowly working the prize he had found. He could feel the dark warrior tremble against him.

"Fayt…"

The younger warrior paused upon hearing his name being uttered by one who made a habit of neglecting such niceties. "Yeah?"

"Aren't you going to let me down?"

Fayt swept his tongue once more over the skin his teeth and kisses had already bruised, then moved his head away to gaze thoughtfully at the arms straining so to keep the other leveled above him as long as they had. Reclining once more against his pillow, he gave one last squeeze of his hand before letting it drop at his side. Licking his lips, he gave the barest nod of his head.

It seemed that was all the consent Albel had the patience for. Dropping his knees to either side of Fayt's legs, he lowered himself until the length of his body cocooned the one beneath him. Pushing his muscles to take his weight for so long during Fayt's exploration had taxed even him, causing him to shudder spasmodically as those same muscles tried to reassert themselves. Feeling this, Fayt let his arms circle over the other's back, holding him as they waited the moment out.

After several gasps, the dark warrior pushed up on his elbows, letting his mouth find and capture Fayt's in a gentle but thorough kiss that swiftly crackled down both their spines. He was about to nip at the other's lower lip, seeking entrance, but Fayt had gotten used to this and was one step ahead of him. Those lips parted, and a wet tongue brushed against his own, coaxing, inviting him out to play. Albel tried to remember his patience; he recalled what he had done the last time he had kissed the other like this. But it seemed Fayt was not to be pampered. The younger warrior caught at the broken chain of Albel's collar, pulling down in a clear demand for more.

Smirking against the other's mouth, he withdrew his tongue a bit, forcing the other to chase after it. He let it just barely brush against his own, before shying away to another part of his mouth. And Fayt would single-mindedly seek it out once more. The evasive dance lasted for several seconds, until the blue-haired youth was nearly growling his frustration. Not without some sense of victory, Albel abandoned the game and drove his own tongue forth.

Fayt hummed appreciatively as the dark warrior devoured that mouth as though searching for the elixir of life. The hand tugging his metallic collar rejoined the other at the small of his back, and Albel knew it was time to give them something they both wanted. His mouth and tongue never ceasing in what they were doing, he shifted his hips and brought his groin down upon the body stretched out beneath him. A surprisingly guttural cry escaped from within Fayt's throat - and Albel decided very swiftly that sound would one day be the death of him. Moving again, he let his hips grind against the other's, the thin fabric of Fayt's night pants providing the only barrier. The blue-haired youth rocked his hips up to increase the friction, and they moved against each other, their mouths breaking apart with heated gasps for air before colliding together to continue their play.

Eventually Fayt's control cracked, hands sliding down to grasp desperately at Albel's ass, and the dark warrior knew his young lover needed more. Sucking at the other's lower lip, he moved his mouth down and nibbled a path along Fayt's throat. He marked his way down the younger warrior's chest, finding and tormenting one caramel nub before giving its twin the same torturous treatment. Then he moved on, shifting along the mattress as his mouth chartered its southern route. He paused, glancing up to find that Fayt had risen up on his elbows, those glass-green eyes watching him very intently. Smirking, Albel held that gaze as he lowered his mouth and caught the waistline of Fayt's night pants with his teeth. The blue-haired youth flinched as his teeth grazed lightly over taut, sensitive skin, and his own teeth caught at his lower lip. Albel waited patiently, his jaw working playfully at the cloth-covered elastic band in his mouth as though he might bite clean through it, and he smirked again to see the spark that passed over those eyes in response.

When at last the other nodded, he tugged back. Fayt lifted his hips, making it easier for Albel to work the night pants down to his knees. The dark warrior let the cloth slip from between his teeth and sat back on his heels, grabbing the pants with his hands and sliding them the rest of the way off. He tossed them aside. Fayt's eyes followed them to the floor, then swung back up and watched for Albel's next move. Albel lowered his hands to the mattress and leaned forward once more, moving like a panther on the prowl as he very slowly crept the short distance toward his goal. He met his lover's heated stare, making a show of licking his lips before…

Fayt let out a sharp cry and threw his head back to his pillow. The dark warrior had immediately swallowed him whole, right down to the base. Albel slowly constricted his throat, surrounding Fayt's tip in a way that left the blue-haired youth squeezing his eyes shut, panting in effort to keep his hips from jerking up and choking his fiery-eyed lover. At his sides, his hands fisted the sheets. At last Albel eased off, sucking as the slick insides of his mouth slid up along Fayt's length. One hand moved up between the blue-haired youth's legs, fingers massaging the pucker of Fayt's entrance before slowly pressing a single digit in. Fayt thumped his head against his pillow once, twice, struggling for that last bit of control that was swiftly escaping his grasp. Albel's tongue was like a snake's, flicking out and tasting the prize before him before wrapping around it and pulling it back into that wet mouth. It was an insistent distraction from the unusual pressure of another man's finger moving inside him.

Soon that finger was joined by another; Fayt squeezed his eyes shut. They carefully pumped and then scissored, and then there was a third. Now Fayt was biting at his lower lip, the tiny pricks of pain bursting into miniscule floods of pleasure that were gradually multiplying. His muscles must have finally relaxed, for the fingers were pumping easily into him now, and with steadily growing speed. Soon the blue-haired youth could not help it; his hips tried to move, needing more. But Albel quickly pinned him down, deep-throating him a second time so swiftly that it tore at the last shred of Fayt's control. Uttering a sound that resembled both a moan and a whimper, he shuddered and released his seed into that talented mouth.

Albel removed his fingers and took it all, swallowing most and leaving just a bit on the tip of his tongue. Then he slithered up and captured Fayt's mouth with his own, letting the other taste himself. After, he lifted his head and gazed steadily down into the glass-green eyes staring back at him. "I should warn you," he growled. "I won't be able to hold myself back."

Pausing only for a second, Fayt reached up and snagged the broken chain of his metal collar, pulling down until their faces were nearly touching. "I don't care," he whispered hotly. "If it's with you… I want it."

With another louder growl, the darker warrior caught that mouth yet again. He nudged his knee up between the other's legs, spreading them even wider as he sank down between them. "Wrap them around my waist," he commanded against the other's lips, waiting until Fayt had done so before adding, "and hold on."

He thrust forth, all at once. Fayt gave a sharp cry, quickly clenching his jaw together so that the only sounds to follow were grunts and whimpers which escaped through his teeth. Despite his warning, Albel did consider backing off in the face of Fayt's obvious pain. But the blue-haired youth swiftly grappled his arms above the elbows, eyes shut tight as his mouth stumbled around two simple syllables that took their sweet time working past his lips.

"H-he-" He gasped in a stronger breath, and finally chanted, "Healing!"

Albel froze as a brief flash of blue suddenly lit where they were joined, and the next moment Fayt's muscles had loosened just enough around him. He glanced down, glimpsing the last tendrils of symbology as they faded, and he looked up again to stare at his young lover. The wince of pain was slowly leaving Fayt's brow, and those glass-green eyes blinked open, clouded over with much passion as he panted to steady his breathing. "Come on, Albel," he grated through still-clenched teeth. "Move… Move that ass!"

Shaking his head in mild disbelief at the language, the dark warrior kissed that smart mouth and then nibbled down to the side of the other's throat as at last his hips moved. Fayt moaned, his nails digging into Albel's arms as he lifted his own hips to meet him. It was a warning, a reminder that he would not break and definitely did not have the patience for anything gentle. And so Albel moved faster, pushed harder, and together they found their rhythm. Soon he was driving into that hot tightness with everything he had, and Fayt had no trouble keeping up with him, still moaning for more. It was not long before the last of Albel's fraying control withered, and growling a single syllable he pumped his seed into the young body beneath him.

Fayt took it all into him, feeling it pulse against that bundle of nerves that could drive a man crazy. But then he drove his nails harder into Albel's arms with a soft whimper. The dark warrior caught that mouth with his own, knowing the problem. Shifting, he freed one arm from his lover's grasp and slid his hand down between their sweat-dampened stomachs. He reached his goal, moving his hips in a slow rocking motion as he pumped the prize in his palm. Fayt threw his head back with a relieved soft cry, burning tears escaping tightly shut eyes. Albel watched him as he worked, enjoying the other's acute responsiveness. "Come for me," he growled. "Do it. Let me see you surrender."

His hand jerked the other fast and furious, not giving his young lover much choice in the matter. He kept it up until… A jolt, a tremor, and Fayt's seed came in spurts that drenched Albel's hand. The blue-haired youth's lips parted in a silent cry - so intense was his release this time, that any sound he would utter caught in his throat.

When he had done, Albel wiped his hand on the sheets and finally slipped free. Yet he did not go far, stretching out atop his young lover and burying his face into the cove of Fayt's neck. Fayt's arms automatically circled his shoulders, and they lay there as the very last swirls of heat from their play hovered over them.

A long silence filled the room, but was shattered by Fayt's eventual whisper. "I'm sorry…"

The dark warrior gave an inquiring grunt.

"About Peppita," he clarified. "I'm sorry. I know now that there's a difference between protectiveness, and lust."

Albel lifted his head and frowned down at the blue-haired swordsman. "Is that what you think this was?" He shook his head with a dangerous growl, "I suppose now you expect I plan on making you my toy."

Those glass-cut green eyes glanced aside. "I expect nothing. I'm not even certain why you came to me, when Sophia or even Maria-"

"Silence," the other snarled, pushing up until he sat back on his heels, straddling Fayt's knees. He glared down at his young lover, furious and just a little disappointed. "Your precious Sophia tried once already to sell herself to me. And I can barely stand to look at a clothed Maria, so bedding her would be out of the question." He bit off a torrid profanity, grabbing the other's arm and pulling him up so that they were at level with one another. "I kissed you, I came to your bed… I fucking called your name! What more proof do you need?"

Fayt stared, "You really prefer men? Even Cliff?"

"Don't think for a minute that I would ever go for that blond oaf! I don't mind taking the bottom role once in a while, but the thought of submitting to him is like poison on my tongue."

That startled a shaky chuckle from the blue-haired swordsman, and just a bit more of the tension fled the room. "I can't see you letting Cliff hold that over your head, anyway." He took a slow breath, "So… it's just me?"

"Yes," Albel smirked, some anger deflating in the face of Fayt's lingering naiveté. He leaned forth to nip at the other's lower lip. "Losing to you outside the Bequerel mines should have planted the seed of hatred in me, and a need for revenge. But when Vox's charges had me imprisoned… Do you know how I survived so many days and nights of that dismal solitude?"

Numbly, the other shook his head.

"It was you," he confessed at last. "Your image was - is burned into my mind, so that every time I close my eyes, you're there. In that dungeon… I did question my sanity. To be so obsessed with the enemy… That is why I asked you that night whether you hated me. I thought, if you still held a grudge against me, I would know my obsession futile."

"But I don't hate you," Fayt timidly reminded.

"I know," he smirked again. "And I fought like a man starved to keep my obsession from destroying your trust in me. When you left, I felt… relieved, that I would not have to go on pretending. But then you had to return, getting yourself into trouble no less, and I couldn't help but get involved."

"You called us worms. You said we were your prey, and that no one else could have us."

Albel rolled his eyes, "Think. I was losing consciousness, and could barely focus enough to give a response. It took all my concentration not to say that you were my prey, and that I would not allow you to go to anyone else." Grabbing the other by the shoulders, he pushed down until Fayt was again pinned beneath him. "I followed you, leaving my world and everything I knew behind. And then we were at Moonbase, and you agreed to let the dancer girl tag along. My title may name me wicked, but I am human. I knew, with you three distracted with your new mission and those two Klausians distracted with each other, someone should keep an eye on the newbie. Just in case."

"But Peppita can fight," Fayt argued, arching his back as Albel trailed the fingers of one hand over his chest. "And she's a quick study, even teaching herself symbology and medicinal skills in case the battle itself was too much for her."

Albel nodded, letting his touch roam down and then across his young lover's abdomen. "I know. But I kept to my self-assigned role, because it provided its own distraction. From you." He swept his fingers back up.

The blue-haired youth gasped as those fingers brushed lightly over the pebbled flesh of his pectoral. "D-didn't know I was being… s-such a nuisance…"

"Yes you were," the dark warrior taunted, renewed passion playing in the low hiss of his voice. He lowered his head, sweeping his tongue over the nipple he had been torturing. "You drove me crazy."

"Anything… I can do… to-to make it up to you?"

"I can think of a few things," came in a heated breath that blew across his skin.

Fayt's hands flew up, fingers twining in those bleach tipped strands of black. He let the dark warrior move on to his other nipple, then clutched, pressing down until the graze of teeth caused him to gasp a second time. Albel got the hint, sucking the sensitive flesh into his mouth and lightly biting down. The younger swordsman let out a small cry, but arched his back higher for more. But then a sudden thought chose a very inopportune moment to let itself be heard, and Fayt moaned, "W-wait. One more thing…"

The dark warrior glanced up, fiery eyes questioning.

"When I pissed you off just now," he panted. "You pointed out that you called my name. Y-you made it sound…"

"Significant? Because it is," Albel assured, moving up and capturing that mouth with his own in a brief kiss. "I won't deny that I've had my share of lovers. But it was never anything more than sex. And none of them had ever driven me so far as to speak their name when I came."

There was a small pause, and then Fayt's glass-green eyes grew wide.

"Finally," the dark warrior smirked. "Something that wasn't lost on you."