Mutual Understanding

Author’s Note: Seeing as the latest chapter of my other story has been eaten TWO freaking times, I felt the need to divert my attention to another smaller project. So I decided to give a one shot a try. YES! I am a Cliff/Albel fan!

Mutual Understandings

The next step of their journey appeared to be cut and dry; return to the shrine of Kaddan and retrieve the sacred orb in order to defeat the Creator. Time was of the essence, yet after fleeing from the 4D world, facing three incredibly strong enemies as they attempted to use the deprogrammer, and then facing the daunting task of navigating the jagged remains of the planet Styx to get to the Diplo, the traveling crew was thoroughly exhausted. The rest they had gotten on the ship as they returned to Elicoor was insufficient to let them catch their wind and restore their energy.

After being set down on Elicoor once more, the small party hiked to Peterny. They had simply gone too far and experienced too much to continue on without a sufficient night of rest. Shortly after checking into the Inn they retired to their respected rooms. Many of the party members decided to go to bed early, but for some reason sleep did not come easy for Cliff. After lying in his bed for an hour with sleep evading him, he decided a walk about town might help to calm the adrenaline in his veins and put him at ease. Ease enough to rest at least, he would not be able to truly rest at ease knowing that there was some power crazed person trying to delete the entire universe.

The town was quiet, even though it was only a few minutes past eleven; well, it didn‘t seem late to him. The air was chilly and sweet in his lungs; just breathing it in for a few minutes brought him some peace. Cliff wandered around until he came to the pub in town and decided to while some time away in there. The drinks weren’t as strong as he liked, but they did their job in raising his spirits and helping him forget some of his worries.

When the moon was at its nightly zenith Cliff thought it wise to head back to the inn and attempt sleep once more. It wouldn’t do to be the only member of the party who had not gotten rest. Just as he was entering the center of the town with the paths that branched off to the different sectors and gates, the Klausian thought he heard the light swish of cloth. He picked his head up just in time to see a familiar silhouette walking towards the gate that would take them to Aquios the next day. Cliff was just tipsy enough to be colored intrigued.

He followed shortly behind the figure, watching the violet fabric swish back and forth, attempting to keep quiet enough to see just where the young swordsman was going; surely Albel was not going to abandoned the mission. The further they went, the more the man pondered the idea. Albel did not seem the sort to abandoned any mission once he had started, no matter the possible danger. And had the youth not opted to go himself?

Albel stopped at the gate. For several minutes Cliff stood behind a pillar, watching the young man closely. The Glyphian did nothing more than stare out the gate at the expanse of land that led to Aquios. When it seemed Albel had nothing more in mind than standing and musing about the world, the Klausian decided to risk his luck and approach the swordsman.

“Awfully late to be out for a stroll” he said, casually walking up to Albel.

The youth cast a look at him over his shoulder. “What do you want, worm?”

Cliff shrugged. “Nothing, just wondering what you were doing up and about so late. I thought maybe you were leaving but…that just doesn’t seem to be your style.”

“It’s not and I’m almost offended that you thought that.”

“Almost?”

“It’s not like I care about your opinion.”

The man laughed, slapping the boy on the back good-naturedly. Albel hunched over for a moment then sent a withering glare at the burly man.

“Don’t. Touch. Me.” The youth bit out.

“Ha ha, right, no physical contact.” The playfulness melted from his face. “But in all seriousness, what are you doing out here?”

They stared at one another for a moment. Albel swung his eyes away to look back out the gate, gaze fixating upon the shining lights from the royal city that could be seen from at a distance.

A soft sound escaped the youth. “I was thinking over all that has happened. It’s not important.”

Albel turned away from the gate. He nodded civilly at the Klausian and started to walk back down the street. Cliff watched him for a moment, marveling a bit over the nod of acknowledgement; for a guy who claimed to hate the world, that nod seemed to speak volumes about how Albel truly felt. Dare he think that Albel actually considered him human enough to be recognized? Dare he think that Albel might even…like him?

It was such an astonishing thought that he had to find out the truth of. Cliff jogged after the swordsman, quickly catching up to him and taking a hold of the boy’s upper arm. Albel spun to look at him, a dark scowl on his features.

“Unhand me.”

“I want to ask you something.”

“You can do that without touching me.”

Cliff loosened his grip enough for the youth to pull away. “Follow me to the pub, I think our conversation is better suited there than out here in the streets.”

It was an odd request. The Glyphian tipped his head up a bit, considering the request, then nodded. He let Cliff lead the way, though his suspicions were high.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A bar maid brought them two tall mugs of beer. Once the girl had sauntered off, mostly due to Albel’s snarling at her when she leaned in too close and showed them some of her cleavage, Cliff spoke up.

“Let me first say that I know you don’t like people, not like normal people at least. You have your own…unique way of showing that you like someone.” He had hesitated to say that Albel had a ‘special’ way of showing affection; it did not seem a wise thing to say. “I just want to know once and for all…that nod you made at me back there, does it mean you actually regard me as something more than a worm or maggot? Having friends isn’t such a bad thing, you know.”

Albel stared at him quietly for a moment. “Why do you care what I think?”

“I don’t particularly, but for someone who hates everyone it would be quite a feat to be held in esteem in your eyes. And if I was, I just wondered why. It’s not like I’ve done anything special after all.”

Again Albel stared at him. He leaned forward then. “Why do you care, Fittir?”

“Wow, you even know my last name! Impressive!” The man laughed pleasantly, taking a deep drink from his mug.

The young captain shook his head as he let out a soft laugh. “Idiot. If you want the truth…” He looked over at his blonde companion and received an enthusiastic nod, “Of all these fools we’re traveling with, you seem to be the only one worthy of my attention.”

Cliff sat back, floored by that revelation. Albel watched him with a small grin.

The Klausian looked back, a curious expression painted on his face. “But why?” It was a loaded question, he knew, but since Albel was being so forthright he thought he would push his luck and try to get specifics.

To his surprise Albel frowned, his lip beginning to curl into a scowl. “You--you’re the most powerful person I have met.”

Cliff was uncertain if that was a compliment; red eyes flicked his way and narrowed slightly, as if the youth were angry--which would not be a farfetched notion when dealing with Albel.

The captain continued, his voice beginning to rise ever so slightly. “I haven’t been defeated in combat in years, much less had my ass knocked to the floor and then had my carcass kicked around in the dirt. And I have you to blame for that.”

“Whoa, hold on there a minute--”

“That’s a compliment, fool.”

“How is THAT a compliment?”

“You bested me in combat. I am the best swordsman in Airyglyph, possibly on all of Elicoor, and you defeated me. Your strength is…formidable and…enthralling.”

Cliff mulled this revelation over in his head. “Fayt is more powerful than I am.”

“Fayt, ha! He has no control of his power and he is easily swayed by emotions. I respect him for no reason other than he was one of you three who bested me at the mines and he has managed to get us to this point, though without you I doubt I would have been brought so low.”

“I’m not sure I really get it but--”

“What’s to understand,--you’re capable of beating someone in hand to hand combat. It’s admirable. Fayt relies on a power that he cannot control, and I only respect people for their power.”

“That seems like a narrow way of viewing people.”

“Shut up, maggot.”

Holding his hands up in surrender, Cliff went back to nursing his drink, once again contemplating the boy’s words. It was flattering to be considered of consequence to the famed Wicked one. Being a hulking mass of muscle, as he had heard himself referred to before, had its benefits then, which included garnering the respect from one who gave his respect out stiffly.

“I think I like that you consider me enough of a threat to matter.”

Albel scowled, “Who said I thought you were a threat? I said I admired your battle prowess and your ability to defeat an opponent single-handedly.”

Cliff grinned. “Yeah, but if I’m that good then you’re either jealous or you recognize that I’m so strong that you’ll have to watch your back.”

A flash of anger streaked across dangerously narrow scarlet eyes. “Keep talking, worm.”

For another hour the two of them held what could have almost been described as a civil conversation. Granted Albel brandied around several insults and threats, he did not make a move to grab his sword however.

“We should get back now.” Cliff eventually said as he thought about how late it was.

Albel nodded, already getting to his feet.

Walking back to the inn, the Klausian cast several glances at his evening company. Every now and then the Glyphian would look back at him. Cliff swore he saw the barest hint of a grin curve the boy’s lips each time they caught eyes. When the door to the inn came in sight Cliff paused and took hold of Albel’s elbow, effectively stopping the youth.

“All right, what the hell is going on? You’re being civil.”

This time he was certain Albel was grinning. The boy flashed him a toothy smirk. “I simply find it amusing you’ve been chasing after my tail and yet you haven’t made one move. You’re not as ballsy as I took you for.”

To say that Cliff was stunned would be an understatement. He recovered quickly though. “You think I’m after your tail, huh? What makes you think that? I would think you’d be angered by that.”

“Why would I be angry? As I was telling you before, I appreciate the power you have. I wouldn’t mind submitting to you.”

“Is that an offer? I don’t nail guys all too often, but you’re one of those few exceptions.”

Albel snorted and began to saunter away; if he had to guess, Cliff would say the young captain was intentionally swaying his hips, for a bit more bare flesh seemed to be visible from beneath his sarong. The Glyphian paused and looked over his shoulder.

“It was an offer.”


Cliff slammed the slender body against the door as soon as they had stepped over the threshold of Albel’s room. Given the boy’s snappish nature, the group decided it was best to give Albel his own room; they were both very grateful for that decision now. Cold metal was running down the man’s back and fingers were threaded into his hair before tugging harshly at the golden locks.

Their lips smashed together, tongues eagerly slipping into each other’s mouth to battle. Cliff hoisted the small body up, crushing it between himself and the bedroom door. Without breaking the kiss, Albel wrapped his legs around the man’s waist and secured his arms around the Klausian’s neck. They only parted lips when the need for air demanded them to stop; Albel leaned his head back against the door and panted harshly as Cliff dipped his head to kiss and then nip at the soft flesh of the youth’s neck. The damn collar was in his way and without thought the man pulled it off and tossed it to the floor with a loud thud.

Securing his hold on the young captain, Cliff stumbled over to the bed and dropped the boy onto the mattress. He was immediately on the bed as well, kissing down the younger male’s softly toned stomach and then pushing aside the sarong that was in his way. The body beneath him arched as he took hold of the sides of the boy’s underwear and pulled it down slim thighs. It was on the tip of his tongue to tease Albel about how he matched his panties with the rest of his wardrobe, but his attention was invested elsewhere; he kissed the insides of the Glyphian’s thighs while simultaneously tugging the violet leggings down to the boy’s calves.

Albel leaned up onto his elbows. “Why don’t you get out of your clothes and let me worry about my own?”

The logical part of his brain told Cliff that it would save time and they would get to the fucking part sooner; he was swayed. He quickly rid himself of his shirt, but the chaps gave him a bit of trouble. He was over eager; he tripped onto the floor once as he struggled to get both pants and chaps off. When he had successfully undressed and turned back to the bed he found Albel staring at him with amusement shining in those bright vermillion eyes. The young captain had opted not to get completely naked; he was still wearing his gloves and stockings, but it was an alluring sight that rushed blood to the Klausian’s groin none the less.

Before he joined the feisty Elicoorian on the bed Cliff forced himself to ask, “Are you sure? I can’t guarantee that I’ll stop after this point.” He thought he ought to give the youth fair warning.

Albel scoffed and sat up. “Stop being courteous and get your ass over here.”


As Cliff approached, eyes filled with the hunger of a predator, Albel reached forward to grab the man and pull him on top of himself. The Klausian had enough sense to catch himself with an elbow before he crushed his full weight against the thinner male. The captain’s enthusiasm was intoxicating though. Bedding a Klausian was no light matter; the size and weight difference as well as stamina difference had to be taken into account but when Albel took two of his large fingers in his mouth and sucked on them before guiding them to his waiting passage, Cliff was damn certain the Elicoorian had considered all of that and knew what he was doing.

The warm suction on his fingers only made him harder. As soon as his fingers were free, Cliff lunged forward and covered that sweet mouth with his own, ravishing the soft walls with his tongue. As he kissed Albel, he gently prodded at the youth’s hole with his saliva slicked finger. He was uncertain whether it would be enough lubrication, but he pressed the digit in regardless. The body underneath quivered and arched and he heard the young captain take in a harsh breath through clenched teeth. Cliff pulled back to look at Albel’s face, to judge whether he should stop and approach some other way, but when he saw that the youth’s lips were curved into a satisfied grin his hesitation evaporated.

Crimson eyes slit open and Albel stared at him for a moment. “Well? Fuck me, idiot.”

It was a tempting offer, but Cliff knew better than to lose control of himself and potentially damage his lover. With amazing patience—for him at least—he worked a second finger into Albel’s tight passage. He worked his fingers around, stretching the flesh with a scissoring of his fingers, then forced a third digit in. Albel clenched around the intruding fingers, letting out an animalistic growl as he did.

Cliff snaked an arm around the youth’s arched back, pulling the slender body against his own. He slipped his fingers from the boy and placed his hand at the small of Albel’s back, lifting the youth and pressing his stiff cock to the boy’s loosened hole. Slim arms twined around his neck, pulling him even closer to that slick, sexy body. Teeth sunk into his neck, biting at his flesh then lapping up what he assumed was blood. A tongue ran across the green lines on his throat then.

“You’re a rough bastard, even during sex, huh?”

Albel laughed, soft and low, responding by licking at the Klausian’s neck more.

The man pulled back a moment, grasping the Elicoorian by the chin and kissing him harshly. He leaned back as they kissed, pulling Albel into him, straightening his back and letting his erection begin to slowly enter into that hot, tight passage he desperately wanted to be buried in. Worry was still sitting at the back of his mind though, whispering to him that he should stop before he hurt the youth. Albel did not take kindly to his hesitation.

The young captain shifted upwards, reaching a hand behind him to take Cliff’s cock in hand, and then lowered himself onto the man’s throbbing erection. Cliff hissed, his entire body tensing as that most sensitive part of him was held tightly in wonderful soft heat.

“Man, you’re impatient.”

“Just get on with it, worm.”

Once Albel was sitting in his lap, his cock buried as far as it could go within the youth’s body, Cliff let his hands drop, running them down Albel’s back and then over the firm muscles of the boy’s backside and thighs. He received an appreciative growl at the contact and the muscles around him fluttered, sending a spark of pleasure through his body.

For several minutes the man endured the playful clenching of muscles, the soft touches meant to arouse him—and be certain that those touches did their job—the pinpricks of pain was Albel bit his neck and shoulders over and over again. He returned the touches, caressing the young captain’s oddly soft skin, teasing a soft pink nipple with his fingertips before leaning the boy back and taking it into his mouth and sucking.

Had he been with another Klausian, Cliff would have thrown his bedmate down and commenced the fucking immediately; as it was, he didn’t often practice interracial mating—one could never be too careful screwing with people from other planets, whether they were humanoid or not. And regardless of the fact that Albel was the best swordsman in Airyglyph and an impressive fighter…he seemed so slight and breakable.

Foreplay was a relatively new experience for Albel; he had had partners who had tried to excite him, but he was too impatient to ever have a taste for it. He knew very well that Cliff was allowing his body to grow accustomed to the size of the cock buried inside of him. Under normal circumstances he would have given his mate a verbal lashing for being so slow, but he had enough presence of mind to realize that, with the Klausian’s impressive size and strength, damage could be done were they not careful. Cliff’s teasing touches were pleasurable enough to humor.

Albel was getting eager, Cliff could tell from the way the youth was arching in his arms, pressing his dripping cock against the man’s stomach. He lifted the younger male up a few inches then dropped him back down. Albel leaned his head back and let out a pleased sound. The man’s eyes lit up; they could start. Large arms circled around the youth’s waist, laying the Elicoorian back into the blankets.

“What gentle treatment.” Albel chided, his cock hard and throbbing against his stomach.

Cliff grinned. “Enjoy it while it lasts, I’m going to fuck you so hard your eyes are going to roll into the back of your head.”

“Promises, promises.”

It took him a moment to get into a position that would not crush his weight against the boy’s body. Albel spread his thighs all too willingly and he settled between them, taking the boy by the hips and pulling his lower body into his lap. Cliff grinned down at the Glyphian, earning a grin in return as he lifted the boy’s legs onto his shoulders.

The lust was clear in Albel’s eyes; he wanted to be fucked and fucked hard. It had been too long since he’d had a lover, much less one that satisfied him. Cliff was still buried deep inside of him, the man’s large cock pressing against a sinfully pleasurable spot that made him squirm. He pushed his body further down that rod and fucked himself for several minutes, leaning up to watch as his body took Cliff inside and swallowed that large organ.

Cliff leaned his head back and groaned, the muscles in his body going lax as his young lover took control. He enjoyed the sensation for a moment before taking hold of Albel’s hips and thrusting forward to meet the young captain’s bucking. They moved together, sweat mingling, hands pawing over the other’s body, panting as they approached their climax. But having Albel in his bed was too good of a situation to pass up. Cliff stopped and grabbed hold of the Elicoorian. They struggled for a moment, but he eventually worked the youth onto his stomach.

“Let me take you this way.” He panted to Albel, his breath stirring some of the golden hair by the boy’s ear.

The captain growled. “Do it.”

He had slipped out of Albel’s body as they had wrestled, and Cliff eagerly slid back in once he had hauled the boy up onto all fours. Now that they had set up a rhythm and the youth’s body was slick and open, he hesitated not one bit in slamming into that tight heat that drove him mad with pleasure. He pounded into that supple body, listening to the sound of flesh striking flesh and the short breathy moans that Albel let out at each thrust. Those soft sounds only drove him madder until he could no longer think and was driven by animal instinct alone.

Albel cast a look back at him once, red eyes hooded, dark, and lusty. Cliff had shut his eyes, losing himself in the pleasure that he took from the slender body pressed tightly against his own. Fingers were running up and down the captain’s sides. Albel reached up to bring a hand to his mouth and bite it.

“Ouch!”

Cliff laughed good-naturedly, leaning down to kiss at the base of the Elicoorian’s neck then nibbling the flesh. He had been remiss in forgetting about Albel. He reached a hand around and took the young captain’s cock in hand and pumped it slowly; a teasing caress compared to the quick pace of his thrusts.

The feel of the Klausian’s large, rough hand wrapped tightly around his erection, along with the electrifying pleasure of being stretched and filled and having his sweet spot hit over and over made the usually stoic captain quiver in ecstasy.

Cliff could feel his end approaching; he wrapped an arm around Albel’s middle and drew the smaller body flush against his own, as close as they could possibly be. He pounded into Albel’s body, forcing out grunts and gasps of pleasure from them both. When he reached his end, spurting his seed deep into his lover’s body, Cliff let out a rough growl, almost like a battle cry. When he was empty he reached and grabbed Albel’s chest, fondling the youth’s nipple roughly.

Albel cried out at the grip on his chest. He could feel Cliff’s semen begin to drip out of his body even though the man was still inside of him. The hand on his cock pumped fervently, stroking him to his orgasm. He tried to hold out as long as he could, to drag the pleasure out, but the feel of Cliff’s body pressed against his own and the Klausian’s quick hand were too much. The muscles in his body tightened, clamping down on the member still buried inside of him. Cliff let out another pleased sound as he pulled his hand away, covered in Albel’s seed. The man slipped out, allowing the young captain to collapse onto his belly. After taking several deep breathes to slow his thrumming heart, Cliff collapsed onto his back. When he turned his head to look at his bedmate he found Albel looking at him through thin slits of his eyes.

The Klausian grinned. “I think I’m ready to sleep now.”

Albel grunted. “Do that in your own room.”

The grin fell. “Don’t feel like sharing your bed any more tonight, huh?”

“Let’s wait until we’re certain we won’t be deleted before we discuss further bed sharing.”

“Sounds logical.” Cliff said as he sat up and started the search for his clothes.

“I’m glad we have a mutual understanding.”

Cliff nodded again, getting up and beginning to pull his clothes back on. As he headed for the door he looked back to the bed; Albel looked at him, the barest hint of the whites of eyes telling him that the youth was still awake. At the very least they had tired one another out and would be able to rest now. He gave a salute, to which Albel only grunted, and left the room.

As he lay down to finally rest, Cliff grinned to himself. If he had gained nothing else that evening, he had found a new reason to fight against deletion; Albel was a feisty bedmate and another night with the Elicoorian would be welcome. He had been a fool to not try and jump the captain earlier. It was too late for regrets but with luck there would be a future evening to look forward to.

It would be a good night of rest. What was left of it at any rate.

~END

Just to clear something up, that was not Fayt bashing. That was Albel explaining why he respected Cliff. Albel even said he respected Fayt! Let’s not get into it. Maybe I will write more Cliff/Albel later, after I finish my other project. I could go on a tangent and explain my theories and defend my liking of his relationship, but I’ll save that for a later day. Uhm…that’s about it. REVIEW!