This was requested by SailorMew4. I'm posting this separately because it's not exactly Heathlegs and it is too angsty to be in my fluffy Heathlegs drabble-collection.

"Not too shabby," Eret smirked at the raven haired woman in front of him. "For a Beserker."

"Shut up!" Heather was not amused and suddenly surprised him with an attack from behind.

Eret barely managed to dodge it.

"You were saying?" she shot back at him with a smile. "What? Cat's got your tongue now?"

Eret snorted and then swung his blade, and they started to spar again.

Heather almost held the upperhand this time around until Eret pulled a dirty maneuver that sent them both tumbling down on the ground.

"You cheated!" Heather hissed, brushing off the leaves and mud stuck on her.

Eret shrugged. "What can I say? All's fair in love and war, my queen."

Heather curled her fist. "Why you little-"

Her intention had been to tackle him down but now she found herself sprawled on top of him and felt a new, foreign feeling tugging at her heart.

Brown eyes stared back at her curiously, making her blush grow darker.

But then the cocky scoundrel had to ruin the moment by opening his mouth again.

"You know.. if all you wanted was to get on top of me, you could have simply asked." That earned him a punch on the arm but unfortunately didn't wipe the grin off his face.

Heather rolled off him and stood up. She started heading back to town when his hand stopped her.

"Where do you think you are going?" he smirked. "Our sparring session isn't over yet."

Heather sighed. "I'm feeling tired."

"Already?"

Heather snorted. "I'm not taking your bait, Eret." She folded her arms over herself stubbornly, raising her chin.

"Well two can play that game," he said and leaned against a tree across from her.

Heather averted her eyes, shyly.

-H-

"You like him."

Heather's head snapped up and she turned around to meet Fishlegs' soft gaze.

"I don't know what you mean," she tried to deny, her voice wavering slightly.

"Eret."

Her breath hitched and she felt her heart accelerate.

"Why would I like some cocky, stubborn good-for-nothing ex-pirate? It makes no sense!" she huffed in denial.

"You like him," Fishlegs repeated, this time a bit louder.

"Heather, it's okay."

The was a long pause of silence before Heather exhaled noisily, although still avoiding direct eye-contact with the man who used to her rock.

"You are not mad?" she murmured quietly.

Fishlegs stepped closer and took her hands in his. "I just want you to be happy, that's all. If he makes you happy then how could I be against it?"

Heather hugged him then, closing her eyes. "You were always too good to me."

Fishlegs smiled a sad smile.

The girl he loved had fallen for someone else and he couldn't do anything but stand by and watch.

-H-

Eret was walking past the familiar woods again when something, or rather someone, pulled him aside.

"What are y-"

"Just shut up and kiss me, you fool," Heather snapped, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Eret stared at her bewildered for one shocking moment before pulling her flush against him and capturing her lips. Heather quickly wrapped her arms around him and moaned as he flipped them around so her back met one of the trees behind them.

Unbeknownst to the pair, Fishlegs watched them from the shadows after having accidentally walked in on the scene. He sighed to himself before eventually retreating back to town.

No matter how hard he had tried to convince himself, a part of him still loved Heather and the sight of her with someone else was nothing short of painful.

He hoped with time he would be able to let her go. As for now, however, he would have to bear the heartbreak and bear it alone.

Wow this was hard to write :( Poor Fishlegs!