Tango

Writer's note: I wrote this story because I got tired of reading the fan-fictions of Fayt being this virginal, shy, ditz no better the Sophia. You may not like it if you enjoy that type of writing XD


Chapter 1: Back to Civilization

Fayt was busy packing up the camp. Albel had gone Gods knows where doing Gods know what at this hour so early in the morning. Fayt was halfway grateful that Albel was had left in the middle of the night. The conversation was brief as Fayt half-way woke up as Albel snuck out. The crimson-eyed male refused to say where he was going and Fayt was too tired to force out an answer. If anyone could take care of himself, it was Albel...and like a stray dog, he always came back for food and shelter. Fayt had managed to get a halfway decent sleep that night as well, and hummed lightly as he folded up the tarp of the tent into a cartable sack. Fayt was starting to get a hang of this camping thing and learning how to tie up the tenting equipment properly...of course, learning wasn't good enough for Albel. It didn't take long for Fayt's sunny morning to be ruined by the Dark Cloud, himself.

"What are you doing, fool?" Albel asked, looming over Fayt's body with bodies of 2 giant birds in the grasp of his claw. Fayt sighed, not even bothering to look behind him. "What does it look like I'm doing?" he said, matter of factly tone to his voice and tightly tried the nylon rope over the rolled up tarp and blankets. "We're heading back to Peterny today, you said, and I'm cleaning up camp." Albel huffed a bit, going to the fire pit and kicked at the ashes. "You even put out the fire...maggot..." he grumbled, tossing the birds into the pit and started to pick up sticks, attempting to rebuild the fire. It was obvious he was hungry and still a bit tired. He squatted down, pilling up the sticks and started to use two flint stones to attempt to light a spark. Fayt turned when he heard the rocks clicking together and smirked. He was amused to have primitive Albel still was, even after their adventures together. Albel, squatting there with his two stones, starting a fire...it was like something Fayt would read out of one of his histories books. Albel looked so concentrated and serious, Fayt couldn't help but smile when the sparks finally took to the dead leaves and started to smoke then flame. The picture only turned more perfect with Albel smiled at his accomplishment and started to lightly blow, using his hands to hold his hair out of the way, his hair tail tips on the the ground behind him.

Albel suddenly felt the hair on the back of his neck stand and turned to see Fayt staring at him with a playful smile on his face. Albel blinked a bit then glared. "What?" "Nothing..." Fayt smiled more, having to turn away to giggle lightly, making sure to cover his mouth. "WHAT?" Again, Fayt said nothing, putting his rolled up blanket down closer to Albel and laid on his back, using it as a pillow. He shut his eyes and kept his light smile on. Albel glared at him more, then snorted, turning his attention back to his cooking. Despite appearances, Albel was a great cook who took pride in things he did. He plucked the birds, their heads and feet already chopped off neatly, then gutted them before bringing them back to the camp. "....Fayt?" he asked, looking down at the resting boy. "Hmm?" Fayt asked, opening up one eye and looked up. "What is it?" he said sweetly, laughing a bit. "Where are the cooking kits?" "...oh..." Fayt sat up a bit and looked around. He crawled over on all four's to his backpack and dug through it. "...Here..." he smiled again, handing one of them to Albel.

Albel turned to take it, eyeing the kit and Fayt's light colored hand. He stared for a moment, then reached over with his fingers to touch on Fayt's new hardened blisters. Fayt looked down as Albel touched his hand. "Don't look so surprised. With you picking fights with everything that moves, that sword fighting really takes it's toll...." he gave a nervous bit of laugh, bracing himself for sarcasm. Albel's face went solemn for moment, disappointed about the marks on Fayt's hands. He just gave a nod and took the cooking kit. Fayt looked at Albel, not really sure what was going on, then looked down at both of his hands. "What's the big deal...it's just calluses..."Fayt looked, opening and shutting his palms. He looked back at Albel, but Albel was now back into cooking, staring only at the food in front of him. "..H..Hey, are you alright?" he asked, sitting on his knees and leaned over Albel's shoulder to get a better view of what he was doing. Albel eyed him, sighing lightly. With a little annoyed look, he reached over and grabbed Fayt's noses with the knuckles of his index and middle finger, giving it a light tug. "Mind your business." Fayt went cross-eyed then laughed a bit, batting Albel's hand away. "Oh come on. You're more solemn then usual, Albel. What's bothering you? You've been on edge...more so then usual...since we've been heading back to town...What? You owe someone money or something?" Albel snickered lightly, actually cracking somewhat of a smile as he turned back to his breakfest, rotating the birds slowly with his clawed hand. "Get the cider" he ordered, but now out of his slump, his words weren't as threatening.

Fayt just sighed, laughing a bit as well and stood up. He dusted off his knees and went digging through his bag for that bottle he stole off the last thief that tried to rob his camp. He pulled it out, popping the cork and took a swig before handing it off to Albel, tapping the bottle on the man's shoulder lightly to get his attention. Albel took it with his unscarred arm, not taking his eyes off the fire, and took a swig as well before handing it back to Fayt. Fayt took it, taking another swig before recorking the bottle. "Spill it."

Albel pulled the now finely smoked birds from the fire, holding out of the sticks out to Fayt. "Fool, That was the last of our stock...eh?" he looked at the bottle of unspilled cider in Fayt's hand and then as Fayt's confused face. "What did you spill then?" Fayt blinked a moment at the large roasted bird on the large stick that was being handed to him, then looked at Albel. "I didn't mean I spilt anything, I meant for you to tell me what's on your mind... I can't possibly eat all of that!" Albel looked at the food, then back at Fayt. "Then eat what you can! You complain too much!" he nearly thrusted the food in Fayt's hand then grumbled as he sat back down, gnawing at his own.

Fayt sighed, sitting down at well and leaned the bottle of cider against his thigh. He picked a bit at the bird, blowing some of the heat off, then chewed lightly at it. "So are you going to tell me?" he asked, his big green eyes peering over at Albel. Albel's red eyes peered right back at him. "Tell you what?" he grumbled, his mouth and teeth busy tearing off pieces of cooked flesh. Fayt sighed, licking his own lips. "Tell me why you're so on edge lately? Aren't you glad we get to sleep in actual beds tonight? Get a bath in? Restock that wine you drink so much..." Albel rolled his eyes and ripped off more meat with his canines. He slurped down the meaty juices then reached over, stealing the cider resting on Fayt's thigh, using it to wash down his breakfest. He wiped his mouth of on his uncovered shoulder and looked away. "When we get to town, You can take care of the restocking and the rooms. I have business to take care of." Fayt looked at Albel, raising his eyebrows. "Business? What kind?" he asked, smiling a bit. "The None of your damn business Kind...." Albel rolled his eyebrows, taking another swig then handed the almost empty bottle to Fayt before he killed it.

"Hurry up and eat." Fayt took the bottle, drinking the last of the bitter liquid as he watched Albel stand. It was rare that Albel ever really finished his food, but he usually ate more then a few bites...Fayt was a bit worried as to what was going on. After he finished drinking, he took the left over food, tossing it out to the field away from them, knowing some beast or bird would finish it off sooner or later. With the fire out, he grabbed his bags and nodded that he was ready.