Disclaimer: I don't own Star Ocean, McDonald's, Gravitation, Toyota, Samoas, Wendy's or Christmas. But maybe Santa (who I don't own) will bring them.

Date Posted: December 21, 2005

Author's Note: Ah, the Christmas fic. I loved writing it. I can only hope you enjoy reading it half as much. Before/after you read, pay tribute to the wonderful, sexy Rexion99, who took up my mighty lemon challenge. Yes, he wrote it, then let me rip it to shreds and piece it back together mostly the same (he aslo seduced…er, convinced me to break this down into chapters so you wouldn't have to read it all at once. It's still sort of a one-shot though….heh). I feel much tribute should also be paid to my sister, who haveth no internet name. She enjoys Albel's possesive makey-out ness very much. And thanks to her, they make out more. So yes, thank those two for all the delicousness in this.

Note: The parts in this have Albel and Fayt's names by them. The name by the part number is the one who's point of viewish the story is from. Though I never use first person, you do see thoughts and your knowledge shall be limited to the knowledge of whoever's name is by the part number. With that explained, read!

Dead by Christmas Part I (Fayt)

Fayt dashed out of the school, only to be blocked by something tall. Tall, thin, dressed in faded blue jeans and a long sleeved black shirt...he looked up into the crimson eyes of Albel Nox- his lover. "Albel!" Fayt cried, tugging on the other boy's arm. "Let's get out of here."

Albel smirked and replied, "I thought you were going to church?"

"Not alone- you're going down with me!" Fayt tugged on his lover's arm again and the couple set off.

"I really don't get why you put up with them." By them Albel meant Fayt's family. They lived a strictly Christian life- church almost every day, an insane amount of missions and retreats and, much to Fayt's horror, protests. Most of these meant anti-gay rights marches, which Fayt pretended to be enthusiastic about. His brother Peter, on the other hand, was overly enthusiastic. He and Fayt's father, Fayt had decided, were extremists of a sort.

Sighing, he answered Albel, "I've got nowhere else to go. Anyway," he added, "you're one to talk."

Albel's living situation was decidedly different. He was crammed into a two room apartment with a drunk, abusive uncle. That was all Fayt knew- Albel refused to allow his uncle to go anywhere near Fayt, and didn't want to talk about him. If nothing else, Fayt thought as Albel wrapped an arm around his waist, he won't let me get hurt. Overprotective. He smirked inwardly. Not that I mind.

They arrived at Fayt's door. His house was an average middle-class one, with deep green paneling and a tall, black front door. "Let go of me," he whispered to Albel, who let his arm drop. Fayt cheerily flung open the door and was greeted with a wave from Peter, who sat at the kitchen table studying busily.

"Oh, Albel's coming? Great!" Albel crossed his arms and made no attempt to talk to the blonde-haired blue-eyed football player. Fayt quickly yanked Albel upstairs, muttering to his brother about church clothes. Reaching his bedroom, Fayt slammed the door shut.

"Nowhere else to go, hm?" Albel remarked. "I'd say anywhere is better than with Ken." Ken was Albel's nickname for Peter- insisting he was too perfect to be real.

"I know," Fayt grumbled, tossing off the blue shirt he wore, and reaching out to put on another. "I really do hate him," he continued, tossing off his dark jeans.

Albel, being a teenage boy with raging hormones, couldn't hold an idle conversation while his lover undressed. He swiftly grabbed Fayt's wrists and pinned him to the large bed in the corner. Fayt sighed and protested, "You know we don't have time for this?"

Albel responded by laying on top of him, whispering, "Then don't change in front of me. Besides," Albel yanked off his own shirt and kissed Fayt, "are you saying you don't want me?"

Fayt frowned and answered, "You're cruel." The other boy smirked and attacked Fayt's neck with his mouth. "Nnh, Albelll…" Albel ignored him entirely. Fayt weakly attempted to free his legs, but Albel gladly trapped the boy's legs between his own. "Very cruel," Fayt muttered before giving in and unzipping Albel's jeans, pulling them off.

Their lips met, but the taller boy pulled away, flipping Fayt over onto all fours. Fayt moaned slightly as Albel's slender fingers ran down his back. A loud slam distracted him. He looked up for it's source and found Peter standing in the doorway.

"Fayt!" he yelled, shaking. Fayt froze with fear, and Albel took control. He leapt off Fayt, who regained enough sense to sit up and back away, further from Peter's punching range. He watched, intrigued as Albel slowly approached Peter.

"Yeah," the black-haired boy said softly, "is there a problem?" Peter didn't answer with words. Instead, he stepped forward and swung a large fist at Albel, who grabbed his arm. "Pathetic." Fayt watched more intently as his lover punched Peter in the jaw, causing the boy to stumble, holding his jaw in pain. Albel had time to hastily dress and kiss Fayt quickly, whispering, "I'm going to leave before someone gets killed. You're less violent- handle it, ok?"

Fayt searched Albel's eyes, finding only trust, and faith in him. He nodded, and Albel kissed him again before walking to the window and throw it open, leaping out. Peter sat up, looking pained. He glared angrily at Fayt. "Fayt…you traitor. You disgusting traitor. You can't get away with this, you know that?' He stood, towering over Fayt, who sat motionless. Slowly, the blue haired boy opened his mouth to speak, but his brother was quick to shove him to the floor. "Dirty gay scum. You don't deserve to be here. You don't even deserve to live, you know that?" He kicked Fayt, who whimpered slightly, doing his best to hold in pained screams as his brother's foot drove into his ribcage again and again.

As Peter raised his foot and Fayt prepared to be kicked again, their parents entered the room. "Fayt!" His mother looked instantly to Peter for an answer.

"I found him in here with that Albel guy. You know, the tall, quiet one? Anyway, Fayt would have slept with him until, thank God, I found them."

"What! You're…gay?" Fayt's father looked heartbroken, voice filled with contempt. Fayt couldn't stand his disgust. He had to stand up for himself, for Albel.

"Yes. I am gay." He stood up, glaring angrily. "And you know what? I love Albel! Even better," he smirked slightly, "You didn't do any good Peter. I've already slept with him." A fist flew at Fayt's face, and his vision went black.

Slowly Fayt opened his eyes. Everything was blurry. What happened to me? He blinked several times and found himself lying on familiar gray carpet. My room…why? Fayt suddenly remembered the whole afternoon. He slowly sat up, his left side screaming in pain where Peter had kicked him. Glancing at the clock, which read 6:00 AM, he tried to recall the date. Thursday? Yes, Thursday…school. Fayt stood up slowly and walked, wincing, into the bathroom, staring at his reflection in the mirror. A large purple bruise spread over most of his right cheek. Turning, he found a matching one over his left ribcage.

"Dammit, Albel's going to ask questions." He ran one finger down his cheek. Pain. Oh well. I can say it was….a drug dealer? No, there aren't drug dealers on this side of town. Not to mention I don't even do drugs. I fell. Yes, I fell. Right on a rock. He sighed aloud. I can't worry Albel, he'll go ballistic. Poor guy has enough to deal with…it's going to be a long day.

Fayt met Albel at their usual secluded corner of the building before school started. The other boy was already there, leaning on a wall. Only Fayt, who had known him so well for so long, could tell he was nervous. Here goes nothing. He casually turned his face, concealing the bruise that had formed from Albel.

"Fayt! What did they do? Are you ok? They wouldn't hurt you, would they?"

"No, I'm fine. They're really upset though." Albel looked relieved, until he reached out to pull Fayt closer and the blue-haired boy pulled away. Can't let Albel worry, no matter what. Hell, this probably happens to him every day.

"Fayt? What's wrong?"

"Ah….uh…shouldn't we be going?" Albel gave up, for the moment at least.

Fayt continued like that for the rest of the day, mostly avoiding Albel. He knew the boy would find out sooner or later, Albel knew him too well, but he did his best to hide the bruises anyway. As he was hurrying home though, his lover snuck up and grabbed him by the wrists.

"Fayt, you're being weird. Now, do you want to spend the night somewhere else with me?"

Thank you Albel! "Yes! I don't wanna go home!"

Albel laughed lightly. "McDonald's."

"Huh?" Fayt raised an eyebrow. This is going to be one of those crazy Albel ideas.

"I know a girl who works the last shift at McDonald's. Me and her have pulled off loads of crimes together- I'm sure she'll let us spend the night there."

Fayt smiled and nodded, relieved. Well, that's not too crazy.

"Great," Albel continued, "It's the one right down the street." The taller boy took Fayt's hand and lead him to the McDonald's.

I wonder how often he doesn't go home. They arrived at a typical McDonald's, Albel throwing open the glass doors and stepping onto the dirty, brown floor tile. Plastic toys and paper cups littered the place. Only a few late lunch eaters sat at the tables, most of them fat.

"Well, we're pretty early." Albel sat on a table, and Fayt instantly took a seat on his lap. "Now, tell me what's been going on with you today."

Fayt bit his lip, carefully planning his words. They were mad and Peter doesn't want me back, so I was running down the stairs, when-

Albel swiftly twisted his lover's head, interrupting his thoughts and revealing the bruise on his cheek. Fayt could feel his fingers tense up in anger. "They hit you!" Albel's voice was angry, yet quiet enough not to make a scene. His hands were instantly on Fayt, searching for more bruises. Albel, who probably knew Fayt's body better than Fayt himself did, didn't take long to find the larger one where Peter had kicked. Fayt sat in silent shame. "Damn them all," Albel muttered, his voice dripping with hatred. Fayt felt the other boy's thin arms wrap tightly around him. "I won't let them do this to you! Fayt, be careful ok?" He nodded. "If it gets bad, come to me. After all, this is my fault."

"Your fault! Albel, I didn't know what I was getting into when I fell in love with you, but it didn't take me long. And I'm still with you. I can handle this. In fact, they can hit me all they want- you're worth it." Fayt stared up at Albel. The other boy's crimson eyes spoke of guilt, anger and depression all at once. He grabbed the back of Fayt's head and passionately kissed him, tongue gently massaging his lover's. Fayt pulled away first, gasping for air. "Warn me before you attack like that!" he breathed out. Though Albel was prone to sudden, passionate attacks it was always surprising.

He laughed and answered, "You should expect to mauled when you look so damn cute." Fayt leaned in to silence Albel, but a fry hit the other boy.

"Albel!" Both boys looked up to find a pale girl with long, red hair in a McDonald's uniform standing next to them. "I take it this is Fayt?" Albel nodded. "Well, that's all fine and dandy, but do you realize you're making out in a McDonald's?" She stopped and dramatically sighed. "I forgot. You're Albel. This is normal."

She's awfully strange for a criminal. Fayt had expected someone more like Albel- tough and quiet.

Albel smirked and answered the girl, "Yeah, he's Fayt. Cute, isn't he?"

She tilted her head, looking at Fayt with a broad smile. "Definitely adorable."

"So you seem to be working until 9," Albel remarked.

"Such is the life of a lowly McDonald's employee."

"Mind letting us stay the night here?"

She glanced slyly at Fayt. "You poor boy. Albel has no better place to screw your brains out than McDonald's." She turned back to Albel. "I don't care if you stay. But if you completely maul him and ruin the place, I expect no one to ever find out about it."

Albel pulled Fayt in closer and nodded. "Of course."

She smiled. "Good!" There was a loud beeping from the kitchen and the girl ran back, screaming about burning fries.

Albel sighed. "Don't mind her strangeness. No one expects her to be a criminal. Not to mentioned she doesn't leave any evidence." Fayt nodded and looked up into Albel's eyes.

"Do you do this often?"

"Nah. But I don't imagine you'll want to go back to those bastards. Even if you did, I wouldn't let you." Albel had Fayt pinned to the table and was kissing him before the blue-haired boy could answer.

The afternoon passed much like that, with the exceptions of a few people staring, yelling, or attempting to have the couple thrown out. Fayt could have sworn he saw a girl watching them intently and drooling slightly from behind a volume of Gravitation.

By closing time, few people were left. The women Albel was friends with reminded him. "Don't ruin the place, yes?" and hurried out into the cold, shivering as she locked the door.

Fayt leaned back, sighing. "Finally, just us and the Big Macs." He hopped off the table and dashed to the drink machines. "I've ALWAYS wanted to raid a McDonald's."

Albel tossed a knife idly into the air, catching it easily. "I used to hide out here all the time," he informed Fayt, who was filling a cup with Coke. "A few weeks before I met you. I was….13? I tried to kill myself here." Albel smirked nostalgically as Fayt sat on the counter, listening intently.

His lover only occasionally shared stories about the years when he was suicidal. Protecting Fayt, Albel would say, was what gave purpose to his life. The blue-haired boy could clearly recall, though he had been fourteen and Albel fifteen, the day Albel had promised he would live so long as Fayt was alive.

"It was a foolish attempt. I was found half-dead in the bathroom. I ran away without giving a name so they couldn't find me and send me away. The blood stains are probably still on the walls."

Fayt nodded silently, and Albel hopped off his table, approaching his lover. He yanked off the black arm warmers covering his wrists and held out his arms. Deep scars ran straight down his wrists. Emerald and ruby eyes locked. Slowly Fayt traced the deep scars over Albel's wrists with one careful finger. The taller boy stepped closer. Fayt could feel Albel's warm breath on his ear.

"It's only thanks to you I'm alive." He kissed Fayt's lips softly.

He's really been through a lot. Will I end up like Albel? Albel smirked and ran a finger down Fayt's cheek.

"I love you," he whispered. Fayt smiled and slid off the counter. Albel wrapped his arms around the boy gently. Fayt leaned on him, sighing.

"Albel."

"Yeah?"

"Are we going to starve in the McDonald's?"

Albel smirked and replied, "Can you cook fries?"

"Of course. I'm great at cooking fries," Fayt answered sarcastically.

Albel raised an eyebrow and slipped his hands under Fayt's shirt, hands running up the boy. "You're great at plenty of other things," he whispered.

Fayt looked up and Albel's lips attacked his passionately, their tongues wrestling fiercely. Fayt submitted to the need to breathe first, panting slightly as he pulled away. "You're…possessive tonight," he breathed out.

The black-haired boy kissed Fayt's forehead lightly and replied, "It's just seeing you so beat up. I don't want to let you get hurt." He wrapped his arms firmly around Fayt.

"Mm, Albel," he whispered, "I promise they won't keep us apart. I'm not stupid enough to let them brainwash me. I'll love you, even if it kills me."

"Fayt, look outside." Fayt lifted his head off Albel's chest and stared out the window. It was snowing lightly, dusting the ground and buildings with white flakes, sparkling in the moonlight.

"Beautiful," Fayt whispered.

"Even from the McDonald's we're hiding in?" Albel asked sarcastically. There was a silence as both watched the snow fall. Cars whizzed by, sending tiny white specks of snow flying into the air.

Fayt spoke first. "Well, we've got a whole McDonald's to ourselves!"

Albel smirked and added, "McDonald's has no alcohol."

"No need to get me drunk, I'm willing."

The taller boy grabbed his lover's hand and dragged him down to the floor, muttering "Should've said so sooner."