A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.

WARNING: SEMI-AU, OOC, LANGUAGE, SUGGESTIVE THEMES, WAFF, FLUFF

Chapter 7: Chicken Hearted

He shivered as he looked at himself. Those scabs were just begging to be popped. He had a tingly feeling all over his body that he found almost impossible to ignore.

He narrowed his eyes…

And there gave in to the silent seduction of the hives before him…

His hands slowly came up to his face…and there his thumbs inched together slowly, a big pimple in between the thumbs…A moment later, with a look of determination and unwavering spirit, began to squeeze…

He ignored the sharp stinging pain and there continued to squeeze…

"Gotcha you son of a bitch!" he cursed as the hive exploded and there spurted the thick yellow substance from within.

He laughed, 'Disgusting…'

He continued to laugh and sneer as he popped more of his hives. He didn't care though; he couldn't get enough of popping them! It was beginning to be more of a contest than a means of facial purification!

What contest?

'How many hives I can squeeze every ten seconds!' he thought with a laugh.

And there, as the seconds ticked by did he continue to squirt and squeeze, not knowing that the yellow liquid within was being spewed on to the mirror's surface, tarnishing it.

xxxxx

Sera knew that Argilla was right. She couldn't avoid Heat forever. She sighed; she knew that Heat was upset with her. She had been a nuisance to him hadn't she? Of course she had. She knew that Heat didn't like to be dotted over. And yet, she had done just that.

She had felt hurt when he had insinuated that she was trying to undermine his position as a male by subduing him, making him play the role of a patient; a role of lesser rank.

She didn't mean that at all!

She had nothing but…love and respect for him. Nothing but admiration dwelled in her heart for him…But it would seem that he wasn't aware of that fact.

She had not seen him in days. She worried about him immensely, yes, but she couldn't bring herself to be near him. He had said so himself. He did not wish to see her. And so, by that logic, there was no reason to stay.

And she really did not wish to invade any more of his personal space and time than she had already done.

But today, she deemed, was different.

She assumed that he was well enough today.

Perhaps…it would be nice to have a nice and quiet talk…

And maybe…just maybe, Heat might tell her something that she had been dying to hear. The dreams.

She could only wish, hope and pray that he had had them as well.

And if he didn't…?

'I don't know…'

No. She really didn't know.

She shook her head, 'There we go again!' Yes. There she went again. Thinking about the what-ifs of the situation! 'Forget it and talk to him first. Then…after that, we decide.'

With a small smile of optimism, she walked towards his room and knocked softly.

No response.

She knocked again.

Still nothing.

Taking a slightly deep breath, she opened the door and ventured within.

"Gotcha! Fucktard…" she heard him yell in triumph.

She raised an eyebrow. What was he doing…? Who was he talking to?

She walked within the room and looked left and right. Nope. He wasn't in bed and wasn't within the room. She blinked; the lavatory. That was where he was. She considered leaving as it was inappropriate to search for him in the bathroom.

But as she saw the opened door, gaping at her, asking her to come forward, she reconsidered her plans.

'You just want to see him naked…' a voice taunted her.

She blushed at that, 'No I don't! I…'

'Yea you do. He's got the body of a god and you know it!' it teased her naughtily.

She could feel her body grow hot at the voice's insinuations but still Sera maintained her ground, 'No. I don't. That's…that's not very nice…' she thought innocently, trying to block the images of Heat's nude body in her mind.

She closed her eyes and shook her head.

"Son of a-!"

That yell broke her out of her trance. She resumed her walk, ignoring the perverted thoughts her inner self was throwing her way.

'Hot…Sweaty…Muscled…'

Sera growled, 'That's enough! Heat is still ill!' she thought defiantly as she remembered his scabs.

At that moment, all of the desire that had been thus far building within her suddenly withered and died.

And at this, her inner self, who was usually very uncooperative, agreed with her, 'You're right. That's just not very nice…Eww…'

Sera sweat-dropped as she realized that she had just had an argument with herself that she had won.

She blinked.

Heavy.

She walked in and had her mouth suddenly agape. There he was, in front of a mirror, in nothing but a towel, removing the scabs from his face. She winced as she saw him squeeze the hives and there she bit her lip in disgust as she saw that the mirror had been tinged in yellow puss.

'Oh my god Heat! That…that's…'

She wanted to burst out laughing. It was…gross! She didn't know that he was this disgusting! She then remembered of how he played with his phlegm-filled tissue.

'Oh wait…Maybe I kinda did…' she admitted mentally.

xxxxx

"Hah! You lost assholes!" he said merrily as he successfully squeezed the last hive.

He suddenly stopped his actuations as he realized that something was off. Giving in to his instincts, he sharply turned around, ready to tear limb from limb the idiot who dared walk in on him in his very own lavatory!

His eyes widened, "S-sera…!"

Sera, who seemed to be in a trance, broke free from its spell and there smiled at him, "Hey Heat."

She blinked as she suddenly had the lavatory door slammed at her face. Well, that wasn't very nice.

She frowned; Heat could be such a child!

xxxxx

'Damn!'

She had caught him! Again!

Bloody hell. How does that girl do it!? She wasn't supposed to see that damn it!

He quickly washed his face and spoke haphazardly, "Gimme a minute Sera! You just keep barging in here!"

"I'm sorry Heat. Should I just go?" he heard her ask through the door.

Heat thought for a moment and there stole a look at his face. It was clear; no more puss-filled hives. Just a reddened face.

Well, it would have to do.

At least now, he could say that he was clean.

"I said to give me a minute!" he responded gruffly, "I didn't tell you to leave!" he finished with a slightly irritated voice.

xxxxx

Sera sighed; maybe she should come back at a better time…But then again, Heat had made it perfectly clear that he wanted her to stay. That he would join her in a minute or two.

And so, she had walked over to his chair and there sat and waited.

She wasn't disappointed as she heard the doors to the bathroom open, revealing to her, her best friend and partner, in his uniform.

Her eyes traveled to his face and saw that it was free from the clusters of hives but was red and swollen. She cringed at that thought. Squeezing puss from those things was painful. She was a female and as such had had her share of pimples and acne but never as rampant as Heat's hives.

And to think that he had burst them all in one day…

'It must have been an owwie…' she thought with sympathy.

Heat narrowed his eyes as he saw her silver eyes soften as she gazed not at him but on his face, more specifically, the part of his face where his hives used to be.

Typical resentful pity…

"Stop that. It's annoying." he told her, rousing her from her silent contemplation about his puss-free face.

"Oh! I'm sorry Heat. I didn't mean to stare…It was just that…"

Heat really didn't have time for this sort of bullshit. Couldn't she just hurry up with whatever it was she wanted to talk about and then get out? He didn't have all day!

'Sure you do! You're still off duty you know?' a voice snickered in his head, 'Got a few more days of that sick-leave crap.'

Heat made a sour face, '…'

That voice was just driving him crazy…But at the same time, it was right. He sweat-dropped; that wasn't the point! It didn't matter if he had the time or not to entertain her! He didn't want to entertain her any longer than necessary and that was that!

"Just get on with it." he sneered, as he crossed his arms.

Sera cast her head down, feeling embarrassed.

Heat rolled his eyes; what was up with this woman!? Couldn't she make this any faster?! What did she want!? For him to beg her and ask her, "Oh please Almighty Sera, do tell of whatever it is that plagues your heart and mind…Perhaps I would be able to appease them…"

Well, if that was what she thought, she had another thing coming!

He may be in love with her but that didn't mean that he was incapable of being annoyed with her. Like now. Especially now.

"Well?! Are you just going to lie there like a dead fish?!" he thundered impatiently.

Sera had had enough. She had taken his obnoxious and rude remarks enough! She had been patient with him enough! She had endured his sharp tongue and his condescending words enough.

Now it was his turn to be patient with her.

"Would you…just…shut up Heat!?" she screeched; her silver yes blazing in fury.

Heat was taken aback; she had never done this sort of thing to him…Ever…!

"Why do you always speak this way…?" she asked in a desperate tone, her face mirroring her tone and voice, her eyes saddened.

"Why?! Why do you always find fault in everything Heat!? Why is everything never enough for you?!"

"What the hell are you talking about woman?!" he asked, thundering. What the hell was she saying anyway!? What-she wanted to play charades?!

Sera sighed; he was doing it again!

"You always have to doubt everything Heat! Why do you have to be so cynical!? Why can't you just think for once, that maybe, no one is making fun of you?! That…people do care about you?" she finished, her voice steadily becoming lowered and softer as each of the questions left her lips.

"…!" Was she asking him what he thought…she was asking him…?

"C-cynical…?" he repeated, surprised.

Sera cast her face down and sighed before nodding and looking back at him, "Yes…Cynical…When…When I stayed with you…you acted as if you didn't want me around…" she said, her eyes penetrating his red orbs in a steady yet piercing gaze, "You made it appear as if I was…liking that you were sick. That I was enjoying it…"

Heat's eyes now narrowed into slits, replacing the initial expression of surprise and confusion and there scoffed, "Weren't you? Come on Sera…You've always been the weaker between the two of us…" he said mockingly as he sneered at her standing form, looking at her from top to bottom, "Don't tell me that you didn't enjoy, even in the slightest, that there I was, totally at your mercy. There was your partner and protector, in need of you." he finished; his tone totally mocking and bitter.

Time froze as Heat's face stung. He hissed. She had slapped him.

"How could you Heat…?" she asked in a low and sad tone, "How could you even…begin to think that way…about me…?" she finished in a whisper.

Heat gritted his teeth, "What the fuck are you doing!? Turning the tables at me!? What-are you going to use your feminine bullshit and cry!? What-you think that just because you're crying that I'll feel sorry for you?" he sneered.

Sera's breathing became labored as she processed his hurtful words. They penetrated her body like piercing bullets and there penetrated not just her flesh but her soul as well.

He was wrong.

She wouldn't cry.

No. Never. She would never, ever, give him that satisfaction.

"I don't want you to feel sorry for me Heat." she told him resolutely, her silver eyes ablaze, her tone and voice steadfast, "That is reserved only for you."

With that, she had turned from him and walked away.

Heat gritted his teeth in anger. How dare she!? How dare she waltz in his room, have the face to insult him in his room, and walk away from him, dismissing him, in his own room!?

He stomped over to where she was and grabbed her by the arm forcefully, yanking her, making her turn and face him, "We aren't finished Sera! Don't you walk away from me!" he growled angrily.

Sera returned his glare head on, "Oh I think we are Heat."

He growled at her, baring his teeth angrily; how dare she speak to him this way?!

"No." he said in a low and calm tone, leaning down, his eyes piercing hers, "You are going to tell me why you are here woman."

He then let go of her and took a step back. Sera's anger slowly subsided as she heard his words. Why she was there in the first place…

Yes. In the fit of her anger, she had nearly forgotten what she had wanted to tell him in the first place…And because of that…she felt guilty.

She sighed and turned her head to the side as she closed her eyes before opening them once more, "I came to see how you were feeling…But I guess, you're well enough huh…?"

He grunted and said nothing.

Sera nodded again, "That was all…Bye Heat…"

She walked away from him again but stopped right in front of the door, "I'm sorry if…if I made you feel…bad Heat. It was never my intention…" she trailed off as she stared at the metallic door in front of her.

"I never meant to make you feel as if I were…superior. I never meant to make you feel as if you were…weak. I never once thought that of you. Ever. I never wished to…" here, she paused, bringing her hand near her lips, trying to control the emotions attempting to wreak havoc within her system, "…to demean you. I did everything that I had done for you Heat. Just for you. I wanted nothing else than to see that you were okay…"

Heat's heart stopped as he heard the words that passed through her lips. She…did all of that…with his best interest in mind…? Not to best him…? Not to point out to him that he was…weak?

Was that true?

"And for the offense…I am sorry…" she finished in a soft and humble voice.

Hearing no response from him, she took her leave.

xxxxx

She bit her lip as she got farther and farther away from his room. Her tears were threatening to spill…

What he had said to her back there…was painful.

No. Painful wouldn't even begin to describe it. It was agonizing. It was agonizing because it was demeaning to her.

'Is that…the person I appear to be in his eyes…?' she thought sadly. She had wanted to tell him many things…

She had wanted to bridge the gap between them…and then perhaps talk to him about her dreams…But with what had happened back there, she doubted that she could talk to him any time soon.

She stopped suddenly as a sob escaped her lips.

Damn weakness!

'Oh Heat…' she thought painfully as her heart felt constricted. Her hand immediately flew to her chest, trying to relieve her heart of its suffering…to no avail.

She didn't mean for things to get out of hand…She didn't mean to hurt or insult him…She loved him…Couldn't he see that…?

What would it take for him to realize that she meant him no harm?

Another thought suddenly crossed her mind that made her suddenly stiffen. What if it wasn't meant to be…?

At that, at her shocked state, a renegade tear had escaped her spirit's vigilant guard and trickled down her cheek.

What if that was what the dream had been telling her…?

To move on without him. What if it had been telling her that her love for him now was indeed not her own but was Sera of the Past's?

xxxxx

Heat cursed, "Stupid!"

He didn't mean to sound like that…It was just…

He growled; he had lost her hadn't he? She had left him yet again. They weren't through talking damn it!

He blinked and there, gave in to his impulsiveness.

He dashed out of his room and sought hers.

He reached there a moment later and there inspected the metallic door. It was unlocked. He ventured inside, "Sera?" he called out.

He heard nothing but faint sobs within. He immediately felt guilty…

He had made her cry…He had said to her that he wouldn't feel sorry for her if she did…And she had proven him wrong. She had not cried in his presence and had held her feelings until she had reached the confines of her comforting room…

He sighed and walked over to her…

She was lying on her bed, on her side, her face in her hands, silently sobbing, "Sera…I'm sorry."

That was the first time he had said that to her.

He had never apologized…

Back then, whenever they would have their arguments, they would merely give one another time to breathe and then reunite, only to find the anger gone, the issue settled without having words to express them.

But now…he knew that his words were needed…

And he knew that much more than that was required.

She had heard him the moment he had entered her room. But she really didn't care. If he came there to gloat, then she would let him. Just so long as he felt happy again. If mocking her would make him happy, then so be it.

That was a small price to pay in her opinion…

But all of her perceptions and assumptions had been severely altered the moment she heard the words of apology fly out of his mouth.

He was…apologizing…

She forced a weak smile on her trembling lips and there forced herself to sit up. She knew Heat; she knew that those words that he had uttered had been done so with great effort. He wasn't one to apologize. And if he did, and he did, it would mean that he really was…desperate.

He was desperate for them to talk.

And so, putting pride aside, she had opened to him once more, "Heat…Forget it…" she said, "It was my fault…to begin with."

Heat's chest felt a pang of pain at that; she was apologizing to him…?

"No. It's mine Sera…As a man…I shouldn't have said those things…" he said in a low and ashamed tone, "I shouldn't have hurt you…I should've known better."

Sera smiled and there looked up at him, "Oh Heat…You're such a drama queen." she finished with a giggle.

He smirked, "Only for you Sera. Only for you."

She giggled at that, glad that the air around them was beginning to be free of unrest and turmoil. She patted the space next to him, "Please sit with me Heat…I want to tell you something…"

Heat smiled; it was their silent understanding. They had forgiven one another and had decided to leave the closed case closed…and forgotten.

"What is it?" he asked in a low and slow tone, his eyes fixed on the wall.

The woman beside him smiled languidly and scooted over to him, leaning her head on his shoulder, her arms embracing his arm, "Do you remember when we were kids…?"

He sneered, "When? When I saved your ass from those bitches at the academy?"

"Ow!" he hissed as she hit his arm. He winced; the rash was there too! She didn't have to hit him that hard!

She giggled, "Sorry Heat. But you kind of deserved it."

He grumbled something inaudible to her and she asked, "What was that Heat?"

He grunted, "Nothing. So what the heck is that you want to tell me when we were kids?"

"Well…It's about…um…the sport that you and I used to play." she trailed off cryptically.

He thought for a moment, "Sport…" he then laughed, "What sport!? You tire too easily Sera…!"

"Ow! You did it again!" he pouted childishly.

"I did not tire easily Heat!" she said.

Heat chuckled, "Sure you do." he said as he turned to look at her, a silly grin on his face in place with his red orbs twinkling in mischief.

"Remember when you had that ball of yours tumble over the fence and you were afraid of that dog? That rabid dog…? Hahahah…! I saved your ass back there! If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have had that ball back! And then, you would've cried your eyes out and probably had gone over that fence and looked for it! And if that dog went after you? What then? Hah! Admit it! You were such a girl!" he finished with a merry laugh, unaware that the girl beside him had become totally flaxen.

Sera had heard him perfectly.

Her heart stopped as she continued to listen to him…

No…

He was mistaken…

That…that wasn't a memory…That wasn't a memory of their childhood. At least, not this lifetime's childhood.

"Heat…?"

Heat frowned; worried. He looked at her and saw all the color from her face gone, "What's wrong?"

She gulped and shook her head, "T-tell me more…about that."

"About what?" he asked, confused.

"About me…being a girl…" she said with a small smile, trying her best to quell the mounting feelings of anticipation and trepidation.

He smirked, "That's it? Haha…Well…Let's see…" he trailed off as he put his finger on his chin in thought, "Yea. I saw you by the fence, looking stupid." he finished with a laugh.

Sera had the sudden urge to laugh but held it back. She didn't want to distract him…She wanted him to continue…

And so…she listened.

Her eyes began to water as she heard the words passed through his lips…His face had that faraway look in them that he hardly noticed the way he was making her feel.

"Remember that?" he asked, his face finally returning to face her.

Sera tried to smile but failed miserably and instead sighed, "I don't…I don't remember that…"

He pouted at her, "You don't? Oh man…You are lamer than you look…" he finished with a laugh.

"Heat…That…that's what I wanted to tell you…"

"Huh?" he asked, immediately ceasing his laughter, "What do you mean?"

Sera bit her lip and considered her words carefully. After a moment of pure thought, she turned to him, meeting his gaze and held his hands in hers, "Heat…I don't think that…what you told me is a memory."

"What?" he asked, confused, "Of course it is! Don't you remember the time when-"

"No it's not." she said gently, cutting him off effectively.

"I…I never knew of that memory…until a few months ago…"

"Huh?" he asked, totally lost.

She sighed, "Just listen…Please."

He nodded, calming himself, "Alright. The stage is all yours."

She smiled gratefully at him and squeezed his hands once more, "Thanks…Anyway, a few months ago…I had…had these dreams…"

xxxxx

A/N:

Having puss within the rash: This is considered a rare complication but it does happen. And because it is a complication on the illness, anyone who is having this is required to consult their doctor ASAP.

Heat's complication is relatively serious but was used for literary humor.