A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.
WARNING: SEMI-AU, OOC, LANGUAGE
Chapter 2: Misery Breeds Company
Argilla had waited until he was out of sight and was within the warm comforts of her dull, but familiar room, when she had decided to dismiss her ever cheerful façade. She fell on her bed with great force, face first, and sobbed uncontrollably.
She had just poured her heart out to the man that she most trusted…But he broke her heart and shattered it in a million pieces.
"He had told me to take a chance…" she whispered sadly, shutting her eyes tightly.
He did tell her to take a chance; to take the deep plunge…But like she feared, it was the plunge of the dark abyss. The dark abyss of sorrow, pain and humiliation was all that awaited her falling body.
Her tears trickled down her face uncontrollably and onto her pillows. She wanted to calm herself but nothing would work. Her body simply refused to cooperate and willed her mind to comply and let it mourn…
She hated herself right there; not only had she told her leader her most fragile secret but…she had also made an utter and complete fool of herself.
What would he say to her now? What would she say to him? How would they look at each other tomorrow? The day after that? When they were together on a mission; how would she face him then?
She sighed, feeling the halting of her tears. She flipped herself over so that she lay on her back and stared blankly at the ceiling. She groaned, "Stupid…! I shouldn't have said anything…" she whined to herself.
Of course he wouldn't love her. She should've known better. Serph had always put the tribe first rather than his own sense of pleasure or comfort. Why would he love her? Why should he? He probably thought of her as nothing more than just a comrade…
"As a friend…" she choked out.
Or as a sister.
She paled at that thought.
Argilla clutched her heart as she felt a searing pain deep within. It hurt. It hurt too much. He was the only one that she had ever loved…She had offered him her heart and had asked nothing in return…But he had refused her and had given it back to her without a moment's hesitation…
She sighed again.
'Maybe I've been blind…' she told herself. Maybe she had chosen the wrong person to love…She gritted her teeth as she felt frustrated. It mattered not whether he was the wrong person or the right one. It didn't change the fact that he was the one that she loved.
Serph was the one that her heart and body screamed for. He was the one that she had longed for, for a long time. Him and no one else…
But still, it was over. He didn't love her.
She growled at herself as she sat up, seeing her pitiable self at the mirror. She was wallowing in self pity; self pity that she vowed never to feel.
Hypocrite.
That was the word that floated on her self consciousness.
She frowned and looked away, feeling angry at herself. She didn't feel angry at him; no, she reserved that feeling for herself. She hated herself for blinding herself into thinking that he could ever love someone like her. She hated herself for believing him; she hated herself for being taken with his advice.
Take a chance.
'Well, that's the last time I make a fool out of myself…' she thought to herself with burning resolution. Without another thought, she forced herself to leave her bed. She looked from left to right; the four walls of her dull and small room beginning to suffocate her.
She needed some air.
xxxxx
Heat didn't know how long that he had been there on that bench. He neither knew nor did he care. His heart was steady and his breathing, even. No tears formed within his eyes. There was no pain, no unpleasant feeling within his gut or his body.
There were no protesting voices within his mind; there were no voices that shouted, yelled, growled or snarled. There was only absolute calmness and eerie silence within his consciousness…
The only thing that he could hear was the soft whispering of the breeze and the soft trickle of the rain…
He straightened his body and leaned back on the bench, not caring that his hair, once damped, was now soaked through with rain. He didn't want to move from that spot.
It was the spot where she had sealed his fate.
He furrowed his eyebrows, confused. She had not even told him the reason for her refusing him. He laughed bitterly; he had been there for her for as long as he could remember…She and he had been friends ever since their childhood. When their parents had died, they had wandered the earth together, not knowing what they were to do or where they were to go…
That was when they had been found by their tribe, Embryon. That was ten years prior. Sera had grown up into a beautiful young woman; she was now a reliable soldier…But even as she had changed so much, so drastically, the essence of her soul had remained untainted from all the bloody battles that they had fought…
That was what he loved about her.
In the midst of all the fighting, of all the corpses and of the sea of blood, his Sera remained to shine as bright and pure. She was the epitome of uncorrupted strength…And throughout her victories and defeats, he had always been there. He had caught her back when she was on the verge of falling.
He had held her soft hand in his every step of the way, being her mother, father, brother, friend…
He smiled a bit as he remembered her warm smile and her sparkling silver eyes when she used to hold his hand, urging him to accompany her at the tribe social gatherings…He had never really been much of a social person but she had always encouraged him…
He smiled weakly.
It was all in the past now.
He sighed and closed his eyes; she had refused him yet again. Yes. This wasn't the first time that he had professed his love for her…And it wasn't the first time that she had refused him either.
He always used to ask her why…He used to tell her that he was the strongest within their tribe; more than capable of protecting her and providing her of all the things that she would need…
But she would always tell him the same thing, over and over again.
"Strength isn't everything Heat…"
He suddenly narrowed his eyes and let a breath of anguish escape his quivering lips. What did she mean? What did that mean? In their world, the strong survived and the weak perished.
He had done everything that he could to be with her. He had been a boy of promise when they had first arrived at the tribe. He quickly proved himself as a powerful warrior and had risen quickly through the ranks…
There was even a time that he had aspired to become the leader of their tribe; but that position had already been occupied. He wasn't bitter about that though…All that he had ever cared about was her.
Even as his career soared, he always had her as his top priority, never letting her be forsaken…And over time, his love for her evolved. He had wanted to take care of her for the rest of his life…
He saw her…not as a needy girl…but as a woman.
He stiffened as he recalled another memory. He had been her whole family. That was why she couldn't love him as anything else but.
He sighed; the first time he had confessed, she had been shocked but knowing her innocence, she had merely laughed at it. When he asked why, she told him what had damned him from the beginning.
"You're my brother Heat! Stop being silly!" she laughed heartily.
'A brother…That's all I'm ever going to be to her…' he thought with utter sadness.
He growled again at the memory. It was all in the past.
She was independent now; she didn't need him…Not anymore.
Suddenly, a sharp prick of pain penetrated his heart and he could have sworn that it was a sharp arrow that had struck him; a physical wound rather than an emotional one. He really should just move on…But it was just damn difficult.
"She doesn't need me anymore…" he repeated, aloud, "She'll be fine on her own."
Suddenly, he heard a noise. He perked up his ears. It was the sound of soft footsteps beating against the wet ground. He gave no attention to it, thinking that whoever it was could just go to hell for all he cared.
He really wasn't interested in who it might be anyway…And he knew, with a hundred percent accuracy and confidence that whoever that person was, wasn't his Sera. No. His Sera's footsteps were lighter than those that he was hearing.
And so, he allowed himself to revel in the memory of his beloved…
His visions of her were suddenly interrupted as the sound of the footsteps came closer. He waited until the footsteps were near enough and then, he turned his head and saw a pink-haired woman.
He raised an eyebrow. It was quite late at Muladhara. Rare did he see anyone to be out and about at that grave hour. And a woman at that. She was a tall woman with pink hair that was put on two Chinese buns.
He really couldn't care any less about what she did though. That was her own business…He turned from looking at her and let his ruby eyes meet the ground once more and thought not of the pink-haired woman but of his ebony-haired princess.
He sighed.
A long silence thus ensued.
A moment later, there. He heard it.
It was a sigh…But it came not from his lips, but from his estranged companion; if she could even be called that…
Distracted from his thoughts, he turned to look at her again. She was seated on one of the benches, a few feet away from his, her eyes having that faraway look in them. He forced his ruby eyes to focus on her again and there, he knew that he had recognized her. She was part of the leader's elite team; their master sniper.
He had heard of her. Sera had often mentioned of her, as she herself had idolized the pink-haired woman, wanting to be like her.
Heat raised a curious eyebrow; why was she there in the first place?
He then shrugged, 'Who the fuck cares?' Deciding that her presence was distracting him, he stood up and began to walk away.
xxxxx
Argilla blinked as she saw a man within their park. Well, it wasn't even a park. It was just a place for soldiers to relax and sit…
It was late; way past midnight.
She didn't expect anyone to be awake. But, as plain as day, there was someone else. Not caring, she sat down, her thoughts still within their leader.
'Why can't he love me?' she asked herself.
Was she really that hard to love?
She furrowed her eyebrows; perhaps it wasn't her. Perhaps her leader had already found someone else to love…
Her heart stopped at that and she stiffened. No. It couldn't be…
But then, she sighed; maybe…
She stole a glance at the man again as she heard a rustling noise coming from his direction.
He was leaving.
'Yeah…another man who is leaving you.' a voice spoke snidely from the back of her head.
She blinked, 'I don't even know him!' she mentally protested.
The voice snorted, 'That's exactly the point! He doesn't even know you and already he's repulsed by you!'
'…'
She couldn't argue with that…
Still looking at him from the corner of her eyes, she noticed him take steps further and further away.
And once more, she was alone.
xxxxx
It was the third night now since Heat had been sitting on that bench. He knew that he should move on but he just couldn't. It was something that was easier said than done…
He still saw her though…
'Every damn day…' he thought sadly.
Suddenly, he heard a noise. Arching an eyebrow, he turned to his left and again, there sat his "companion" of sorts. He looked at his watch. It was half past midnight. He stole a glance at her. Now, with the help of the streetlights and his own motivation, he got a more detailed look at his "companion" of sorts.
Her eyes were fixed at the horizon, never moving but occasionally blinking. She had that faraway look; her body was physically there, with him, but her mind was elsewhere.
It wasn't that he cared…it was just that her facial expression, the one that she was having at that moment seemed so familiar to him…
He had seen it before. But where?
'Where else you bonehead?' his inner self snorted. Heat narrowed his eyes. Of course he knew. He had seen it in himself, within his own face and eyes countless of times…
Whenever he would get rejected.
He cast his face downwards and frowned; so, he wasn't alone. There was someone else like him who was foolish enough to fall in love and have her heart broken…
He stole a glance at her again, and there, he saw a lone tear slowly trickle down her cheek. He empathized with her, to be sure. But her business was her own. And his was his. So, standing, he began to walk away. He needed to turn in for the night. He had a special assignment that he needed to do and an important briefing that he needed to prepare for.
xxxxx
Argilla walked through the halls of their HQ. Serph had called them all in, their elite team, for a special announcement. She groaned; she really couldn't care any less. As of late, she hadn't had a night's decent sleep.
Whenever she would close her eyes, she would see his smiling face. That would always force her up and out of her bed and into the empty streets of Muladhara, wandering aimlessly, until she'd tire and sit on one of benches.
She raised an eyebrow; every time that she would be there, she'd always find a man sitting there, as alone as she was.
Yes; the red-haired man.
Night after night, at the same time, at the same place and at the same bench, she would always find him sitting there. Alone. And like always, after half an hour of sitting there together, he would always stand and walk away.
It was the same routine over and over.
Oh well.
But, this was hardly the time to be contemplating on such things.
Sighing at her own exhaustion and lack of interest, she dragged herself through the hallway and into the Strategy Room. She walked in lazily, seeing that it was just Serph and she. She looked around and saw that her other teammates had yet to arrive.
She blinked in surprise; and here she thought that she was going to arrive there, late.
Serph looked at his female friend with a worried expression. She wasn't looking at him but had her face looking from left to right, probably wondering where the others were. He sighed; she looked too weary. Her eyes were bloodshot and the skin around the eyes were dark; a definite sign of insomnia.
Her cheeks were drooping and her lips set on a pouting countenance. He wanted to smile at that; her cheeks and lips looked cute…It was just her eyes that made the difference.
She had been like this everyday for the last three days now.
Three days. He nodded in understanding. She was still sore about that issue; she had still to get over it. He felt ashamed at that moment; after all, it was he who had driven her to be in this state.
Feeling his paternal instincts surface, his silver eyes blazed in determination. He would help her in any way possible.
Argilla could feel herself become increasingly uncomfortable. It was just Serph and her within the room. She could feel sweat beginning to form by her temples…Couldn't the others get there any faster?
Serph would do anything to get her smile back. His thoughts were suddenly rudely interrupted as the doors slid open, letting the others walk in.
Argilla turned herself around and saw her salvation walk in; her teammates. Gale and Cielo. She looked at Gale and saw his lazy and expressionless face. She smiled; it was still one of her personal missions to get that man to smile…
She then looked at Cielo, still ever amazed at his never-tiring upbeat countenance. He would always bounce within the room, bringing with him more energy than anyone could ever really need. She sweat-dropped. If Gale needed a stimulant, a drug that elevated mood, Cielo needed a tranquilizer.
"Serph," Gale's voice calmly spoke, "what is going on?"
Cielo took a seat and crossed his arms, "Ya brudda. Wat's happenin'?"
Serph looked at each of them and then nodded, his face serious, "I've called you all here to make an announcement."
The three straightened up; an announcement. What could it be?
"I've decided to add another member to our team."
Argilla blinked; another member? Well, it was fine by her. The more the merrier. Serph always had an excellent choice of character. She trusted him then and she trusted him now. Whoever the rookie was, he or she would definitely be one of the best.
The doors suddenly slid open and the three turned to see who it was.
Argilla's eyes almost popped out of their sockets as she beheld the person in front of her. It was the read-haired man from the park!
She took in his features, now fully illuminated by the lights. She arched an eyebrow; he was handsome. His fiery red hair was quite messy yet in place; framing his carefully carved face handsomely. His blazing eyes were as hot as fire, shining and glowing fiercely, conveying the inner strength of a warrior within.
His body was built, only hinting at his physical prowess. She nodded in approval; he was even more built that the three men in the room!
She had to admit; he did look pretty good.
He walked closer to her and there, she saw him narrow his eyes slightly as he beheld her from the corner of his eyes. No doubt about it; he recognized her as well.
She was thrown out of her reminiscing as she heard Serph's voice, "Everyone, this is Heat. He is our new member."
"Great! Another member! Dis is so cool ja?" chirped Cielo convivially.
Gale smiled and crossed his arms, "I agree. Another member is an advantage."
The rest of the world blurred for Argilla as she looked at Heat's eyes. They were looking at hers as well. This was the depressed man that she had been seeing for the last three nights? It seemed so impossible for him…but, her eyes did not lie.
Serph raised an eyebrow as he saw Heat and Argilla. They were transfixed on one another…He could only speculate…
xxxxx
Heat followed the female in front of him casually. He wasn't surprised at seeing her that morning. He knew from the beginning who she was…But what he didn't count on was seeing her up close and personal.
Being within the crowds before, he never really got a good look at her…
Until that morning, that is.
She had transgressed his earlier expectance of her. She was indeed as the rumors suggest; beautiful yet deadly. She was after all, the master of espionage within the tribe and a deadly-accurate sniper.
But, despite her beauty, he did not find her attractive.
Not really. How could he when his heart and mind were still preoccupied with his black-haired angel?
He sighed, 'Not now damn it!'
Yes. He may be head over heels in love with Sera, but his priorities clearly told him to set it aside and focus at the matters currently at hand. Argilla had been assigned by Serph to show him his new quarters and had been asked to brief him about the info of their new team as well as new training exercises schedules.
Needless to say, Heat was not all that excited. Although he knew he should be; this was a drastic change in his career.
But still, he really didn't appreciate being treated like a new student at the local prep school. He didn't mind Argilla showing him his new quarters, but actually having her as a partner?
Yup.
She wasn't just his guide. She had been assigned as his new partner and coach. Serph usually remained within Muladhara and only ventured out with the team when the missions were of outmost importance or when he led the entire army for battle. Otherwise, the team was on its own.
Argilla had told him that Gale and Cielo had always been partners while she did missions with Serph or, at rare occasions, by herself.
"Heat? Are you listening to me?"
Heat forced his eyes to focus; oh. She had already stopped walking and was now looking at him.
"Huh?"
Argilla rolled her eyes, "We're here."
Heat nodded and walked past her, not sparing her another glance. He just wanted to be alone. He really didn't need her useless companionship. Besides, with things still being equal, he'd probably see her again that night anyway.
"Oh, and you and I are to assemble at the Strategy Room at 0500 hours." she told him.
He stopped, "Alright." he replied curtly before stepping into the room altogether, letting the sliding doors slide shut.
"Well, that went well." Argilla commented casually, to no one in particular.
xxxxx
The sun had set, and the rain had began to drop on the bricked streets of Muladhara. The rest of the world had already turned in for the night. Argilla was well aware of what she had told Heat…
Assemble at the Strategy Room at 0500 hours. She should be asleep; but once again, she found herself unable. Slowly, she left her room and walked out of the barrack. Again, she trudged the empty streets and again found herself walking towards the park.
Her heart was feeling heavy once more the more steps she took towards her now favorite spot. Throughout the days, she had continued to act nonchalant whenever she would be around Serph…which was pretty much, much of the day.
She still loved him; there was no doubt about that…And looking at him only hurt her…That was why she used the night to be alone; to let loose all of the feelings of fatigue and anguish and let them seep out of her body…being washed away in the rain…
She looked to the night as the time that she could finally be herself again…her hurting self. As a soldier, it was expected of them to hold their emotions and follow orders without question…Before, she could do that in a heartbeat; but as of late, she had found herself to be emotionally battered for obvious reasons that she had to wait for the darkness to come in order to free her raging emotions of sadness and self loathing…
So, again, she found herself walking towards her bench.
She sat herself there easily and closed her eyes, sighing. A moment later, she opened them again, feeling a strange sensation within her chest. She looked up and blinked in surprise as she found Heat's bench to be empty.
She laughed bitterly; he probably left because they now knew of one another's identities and deemed to it be too awkward…
People usually act the way they did or say what they said audaciously because they hide behind the mask of anonymity…
But now, that was no longer a fact as their identities had already been revealed.
She sighed again; it wasn't that she cared for Heat in the least…But, over the past few nights, his presence had been…comforting. She didn't feel all that alone when he was there with her at night.
She snorted at that, 'Misery breeds company…'
"I knew you'd be here tonight." a deep male voice spoke from behind her.
Argilla sharply turned around, "Heat!" she said, startled.
He quirked an eyebrow as he walked in front of her, peering into her pink eyes, "I thought you were the mistress of stealth."
Argilla blushed; she was. Well, she was supposed to be…
Wanting to divert the attention away from herself, she looked at him, "And what about you soldier? Why are you still awake? I told you that we have to assemble by 0500 hours." It was a cheap shot and she knew it; using her rank of seniority to box him in.
Heat smirked within; he saw right through her pathetic attempt to draw attention away from herself, "The same could be said about you ma'am." he drawled. They were practically the same rank now, seeing that they were on the same team. The only thing that she had on him was that she had been on the team longer than he had.
A year ahead to be more precise.
Argilla sighed and patted the space next to her, "Make yourself at ease soldier."
Heat didn't know why, he really wasn't interested on sitting or hearing her woes, but he found himself taking her offer. He had gotten used to seeing her there and so, her presence had become…familiar.
The two didn't look at each other and spoke no words.
Argilla could feel the heat radiating from her silent companion and for the first time in days, she allowed herself a weak but genuine smile.
Heat said nothing and did not look at her, but he felt strange. He could feel her aura intermingle with his. It was a curious sensation, really. He didn't know how to express it…but somehow, her presence alleviated his suffering…even if just in a small percentage.
There were no comforting words or touches, no profound realizations about life…No…
There were just he and she…alone, sitting beside one another on that bench, each struggling with his and her own conundrum…neither asking for the other for aid…
But for some elusive reason or justification, they simply felt content.
It was just that each knew that the other realized and comprehended what it was that they were going through…There was no need to ask for confirmation; a look within the other's eyes would suffice.
That; that sense of empathy was what made all the difference.
So, the two looked onwards, each within their own little worlds…reaching a newfound sense of friendship and camaraderie…
In the end, misery did breed company.
xxxxx