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

WARNING: OOC, LEMON

Chapter 4: Homo Nudus Cum Nuda Iacebat

The room was lonesome. No light was present. The room was deathly still…There was no creaking, no shuffling…All was quiet. And yet amidst all of that, a sob had penetrated the cool air. There, on the corner of the room, sat a girl, crying.

She wiped her tears with the back of her hand, trying to catch her breath. Heat's words had hurt. They penetrated her skin and pierced her all the way into her bones. They had hurt because they were partially true.

Was she just using him?

'No…I-!' she thought but then gasped and stopped, covering her mouth.

Yes…it was partially true…

It wasn't a secret that she had felt something for Heat…but what was it in comparison to Serph? What was she feeling for Serph now? Did she still love him?

'I…feel…Oh Serph…'

She was at a loss of what to think. In all of the while that she had been with Heat and the children, thoughts of Serph failed to enter her mind. Granted, that since their group had been scattered, that she worried for them, but she had focused more on Heat and the children.

Her heart lightened at the thought and a small smile graced her lips. Heat had been very sweet to the children. Well, sweet was a strong word. She chuckled as she sweat-dropped, hiccupping a bit as she did. She had watched from afar how he treated the children…how he tended to Marty's leg…and how he tried his best to entertain Sandra's questions.

She smiled. It was a side of him that she had never seen before. And now that she had seen it…she had the strong urge…to see more of it.

He had protected both her and the children with everything that he had. She sighed. How was it that she had never seen it before? Was she too blind to see it? Or was he too afraid to show it?

"Maybe it's a bit of both…" she thought sadly.

She stood, picking herself up from the floor and felt her way through the room, taking every step as slow and careful as possible, seeing that there was no light. She reached her bed and she sat down.

What she had just shared with Heat…was something that she couldn't quite fathom. His kiss was different from the one at the Junkland. Here…it was sweet and passionate. Back then, she had been afraid to touch him…She had been afraid of his kiss. But then, as they stood there, in his room, on this night…she was beyond herself to realize that there was no feeling of fear or doubt between them.

There was only passion.

Her heart skipped a beat. She had felt passion…for him. It was as if her body, her mind and her heart had suddenly craved for him and his touch. She sat there, on her bed, agape at her own discovery.

Was is that…?

Was is that…she was in love with him? Her hand flew to her mouth, "I…I…" she stammered. Her silver eyes widened at her discovery. "But what about Serph?"

She sat there… and waited. She waited for a few more seconds for her heart to ache. She waited there for her heart to protest and tell her that she had been mistaken and that her heart still yearned for their silver-haired leader.

But, it did not come.

Her heart did not protest. She blinked; her heart did not protest. It was at ease…it was at peace. She really was in love with him.

"Heat…" she let his name roll off her tongue. She blushed; it had felt particularly good when she had said it; not that she expected it too either.

Her heart sunk as she thought more of Heat. She was again reminded of what had transpired between the two of them just a few hours prior.

'He must really hate me now…' she thought, shaking her head. It had been her fault to begin with anyway. It wasn't Heat's fault that he reacted that way…

He was just afraid…He was afraid to get hurt.

"I…won't…" she said to herself. "I won't…hurt him…"

She was roused from her thoughts as she heard a soft knock on her door. Slightly startled, she lightly squeaked and then quickly wiped any and every sign of tears from her face and spoke slowly, "Who is it?"

"It's me." a gruff and deep voice came through the door.

Sera gulped; she had been thinking immensely of him, and now, he was here. He was right outside her door. What was she to do? What was she to say? Well, she'd better think of something, otherwise, knowing Heat, he'd probably break down the door, and come barging in.

Well, at least it would be for a good cause. He would be barging in because of suspected foul play and strictly no hanky-panky.

"Come in." she said just as slowly. She turned her gaze from the door and stared into the darkness in front of her. She said nothing. She felt the door slowly creak open, and heard his heavy footsteps on the floor, "Why is it so dark in here?"

She smiled; although it was unseen by Heat, "Well…I thought I could use the darkness for a while…"

Heat moved over to her and sat down beside her, staring at the darkness before him the way she did. She blinked; how did he know where she was? Oh well…

He reached for her hand. Sera felt her heart race. He was holding her hand in his in the most gentlest of manners. He gave it a light squeeze, "Sera…I…"

He hesitated.

Sera turned to face him and squeezed back, "Heat…What's wrong?"

She heard him sigh. Worry constricted her heart; had something happened?

He took a deep breath, "I just wanted to say…I'm sorry."

Sera felt her lips tug up to a smile, "Oh Heat…forget about it…It was…"

He cut her off, "No…you don't understand. I didn't mean to lash out on you…I just wanted you to know that…I am not Serph. I just wanted to tell you that…you can't keep pretending with me like this Sera…It…it hurts. I know what you feel for both me and Serph…and well…uh…if you really love him…then…choose him…but I don't want to be your substitute."

Tears began to gather within each of her eyes. She had no idea that she had hurt him this bad. Without warning she pressed herself on his chest, holding him tight to her. Heat was taken aback. What was she doing?

Was she crying?

Damn. It was his fault again. His hands went to her back and slid it up and down her spine, "I'm sorry…Sera…don't cry…"

She sobbed and then stopped, her face still buried in his chest, "Heat…I…I should be the one apologizing…I didn't mean to cause any harm like this…I…I wanted to tell you something…but I…I don't know if it would make any difference now…"

Heat's heart raced; she wanted to tell him something? What was it?

"Sera," he began, pulling her away from him so that he could peer into her silver pools, "what is it? You can trust me."

She once again felt a heavy sensation as she looked at him. His eyes were mesmerizing her that she began to feel lightheaded. "Heat…" she breathed out.

Heat felt blood run furiously through his veins; her voice just sent pleasurable shivers down his spine. He focused on her eyes once more, "Tell me…"

"Heat…I…I wanted to tell you that…I know that you're not Serph."

"…" Heat remained quiet and Sera nodded, continuing, "I just wanted to tell you that…I'm sorry as well…All throughout those times that you protected me, all I ever thought of was how Serph was doing. I…never thought of you…but…when we spent a lot of time together…even if it hasn't been long…I've seen the real you Heat…and not even once did I compare you to Serph…or thought of you as a substitute for him. When…when…when we kissed…I didn't imagine Serph…I imagined you…kissing me on a whiff of cloud…somewhere far away from here…I didn't think of Serph. Not even once. So please…don't hate me…"

Heat was dumbstruck. Sera had been true to him. He felt so many emotions at that moment. He felt so many that he didn't know which to feel first.

He smiled and pulled her to him once more, "Sera…I am grateful…"

Sera held him to her and breathed in his masculine scent…

"Heat?" she asked shyly.

"Hm…?"

"We…we never…we never got to finish…" she insinuated timidly.

Heat smirked; was she saying that they finish what they started in his room? His hands stopped stroking her back and went to her neck, massaging it. She moaned lightly. He chuckled; she was too pure.

"Sera…"

"Please Heat…" she whispered.

"What?" he asked, still quite unsure what she wanted.

"I want…you to kiss me again…" she said shyly.

He complied. He drew her face closer to his and then…their lips met. Heat cupped her face and nibbled on her lower lip. He felt her shudder in his arms…ah…the inexperience of youth…He slowly parted her lips and slowly invaded her mouth with his tongue.

Heat chuckled as he felt her be hesitant. She did not know what to do. He slowly searched her mouth for her tongue. When he found it, he gently flicked his tongue on hers, teasing her painfully. She moaned and he snickered against her lips. He flicked his tongue against hers once more and this time she responded shyly.

Heat's hand went from her neck to her jacket. Sera's heart quickened. He chuckled once more but nonetheless continued to kiss her; not too quick but not too slow. His pace was just right. He wanted to take it slow and gentle with her.

As the seconds and minutes went slowly by, the moon slowly peeked through the window, slightly illuminating the lovers.

His fingers worked their way through her gray jacket and slowly slid it off her. She shivered as she felt the cool air glaze her neck and arms. He felt her shiver and drew her closer to him. He pulled back from her and looked into her shining silver eyes, his hands once more on her neck, "Hey…you alright…?"

She smiled weakly, "I'm alright…really…"

Heat closed his eyes and embraced her tightly. Sera leaned in to his touch and embraced him just as tight. Sera then pulled away and looked into his eyes, "Heat…"

"Sera?" he asked.

She kissed him.

Heat was taken aback. Was this the same timid girl he was kissing just a while ago? She changed. No longer timid, she bravely explored his mouth, her lips suckling on his, her tongue teasing his. He grinned inwardly. He grabbed her forearms firmly, but gently and pulled her closer, slanting his face and lips to hers, giving him a better angle. She moaned in his mouth.

Her hands, slightly trembling, went for his cloak and fumbled for its fastener. She unfastened it from him and let it drop on the bed.

Heat raised an eyebrow mentally; she was straightforward. Leaving her lips, he kissed her cheeks, then her chin, all the while trailing wet kisses. His lips settled on her jugular and suckled on the sweet smooth skin. She threw her head back, to give him better access to her flesh. She opened her mouth and let out a low moan. Heat felt his member wake from her melodic sounds.

He pressed himself closer to her and the two fell on the bed, with him on top of her. She gasped as she felt Heat feeling her torso through the white fabric of her white Embryon uniform. Her small hands went around his neck as he continued to kiss her neck and collarbone. She closed her eyes in sheer pleasure; she had never felt like this before.

Heat slowly pulled the top from her, along with her strapless bra, releasing her ample breasts from their bondage. She immediately shot open her eyes, her body jolting awake. Heat got off of her and looked into her eyes once more, "What is it?" he whispered.

She crossed her arms on her chest, "I…I look…"

He smiled adoringly at her and pecked her on her lips, "You look absolutely beautiful…"

She smiled. He nodded at her and kissed her once more. She removed her arms from her chest and went for his uniform, unhooking and unfastening it from him. Heat shrugged his uniform from him and flung it in some random corner within the dark room. He felt lightning jolts course through his manhood as he pressed his bare chest against her breasts. She was heaving…up and down…her breasts erect.

Heat let his hands meander to her chest, fondling the peaks appreciatively. He moved from her mouth and let his lips travel to her chest, fumbling in the dark with his eyes closed for her erect peak. He found it and gently took it in his mouth, suckling it gently.

The room became darker once more as the clouds blocked the moon.

"Oh Heat…!" Sera cried. His teeth and tongue bit and suckled her without reserve. Her eyes opened wide. She remained wordless, too taken in by the pleasurable feelings that his mouth provided.

Heat's hand left her breast and went for her skirt. He tugged at the garment persuasively and Sera understood. Her hand aided his and pulled it from her completely, leaving her in her white panties. She shivered again.

Heat pulled away from her and looked at her. He blinked; the room was no longer pitch dark. The clouds had moved away. The moon peaked enviously from the window and its light fell on them gently. Heat took in the woman before him. She half-sat up, supporting herself on her elbows, her breasts all exposed to his greedy eyes and her legs drawn together, shy. She was only in her white panties and her knee socks were still on her legs.

He was inwardly drooling. She was an oxymoron. Her silver eyes peeked at his from behind her lashes shyly while a light pink tinge adorned her cheeks. She was oozing of purity and yet here she was, playful and wanting…

"Heat…what…?" she asked, bashful.

He chuckled again and tackled her on the bed. His hands went for her underwear and were pleasantly surprised to find that she was wet. Her panties were soaked. He touched its edges and slowly pulled downwards. Sera's eyes widened and her hand flew to stop his.

He persisted and soon, she complied, letting him do as he pleased. Her panties were off. She was now completely bare to him. Her heart quickened more than ever; she had never been in this sort of position before; neither had she ever contemplated on being in this position…ever.

Her breath became labored as her body began to heat up. His hands meandered to her exposed inner lips and she gasped as she felt his fingers by her entrance, "No…! Not…not in there!" she meekly said.

He pulled away from her and looked into her eyes. She gulped as she saw that his blood-red eyes were half-lidded with desire. He opened his mouth and slowly spoke, "Calm down…" he said huskily. Looking deeply into his crimson eyes, she nodded. She believed him. She lay back and closed her eyes, anticipating the uncertain. She herself did not know what was to come.

She shot open her eyes again as she felt an intruder within her folds. She let out a choked cry. His fingers were within her…She gritted her teeth and tried to be quiet…but the feel of the intruders within her was anything but pleasurable. It was a strange sensation. Soon, his fingers were moving in and out of her. She bucked her hips towards his fingers on instinct.

She cried out as she came. "Aaahhh…! Heat…!"

He chuckled as she fell limp on the bed, sweating and panting. He took her time of quick recovery in order to fully undress himself as well. Soon, he too had bared his all. His manhood, now free, visibly stood up and awaited release. He loomed over her and cupped her face in his hands, "Sera…I love you…" he whispered. She smiled, "I love you too…"

Never taking his eyes off hers, he touched her knees and spread her legs wide apart. Sera sucked in the cool air. Heat positioned himself by her entrance and entered. Her whole body stiffened as she felt another intruder within her. But this time, the intruder was bigger and thicker than the previous ones. He moved in slowly, and then, he felt her barrier.

This was it.

Her barrier was the representation of her purity…of her chastity. Once he had broken through…she would belong to him.

Her breathing was becoming all the more ragged. He stood still for a moment and looked into her eyes, "Sera…do you want me to stop?"

She blinked her eyes in bewilderment, "W-what?"

His heart raced and his body tingled the more they procrastinated from his much-needed release that it was becoming quite painful for his body. He didn't know how long he could last but he was determined to hold himself back until he was certain that this was what she wanted as well.

"I…if you want…I can stop now…but…once I go through…I won't be able to. So…you have to tell me now…Please…" he said through gritted teeth.

Sera smiled, "Heat…please…I want…you…"

He smiled; her words had saved him. He let himself slide further within, slowly tearing her barrier. She cried out and he kissed her on her mouth, to muffle her. His lips and tongue danced with hers, attempting to distract her from the searing pain.

Heat felt her warm crimson blood flow effortlessly from her torn barrier, trickling on their entangled limbs.

Giving her the ample time to adjust, he received her go signal when she smiled lovingly at him, her silver eyes twinkling, and nodded. He moved within her fluidly, gritting his teeth as he received an all-new high pleasure as her tight walls clenched and unclenched around his engorged member.

The bed moved and creaked in accordance to their dance of passion. The cool air around them dissolved and became stale and heavy with moisture from their body heat. Heat sped up his pace and Sera bucked her hips, matching his speed and his fervor. Heat's eyes looked into hers, his breath labored.

He was close now…

She was close now…

He suddenly grabbed her legs, grazing her knee socks, and pummeled within her furiously. She was close…she was coming…Knowing that he was at his limit, he thrust into her deeply and spilled his seed within her. She came with him…They had reached their nirvana…

Heat, panting heavily, landed on her, unable to support himself on his elbows any longer. She received him with open arms and held him to her. After a moment of catching their breaths, he slowly pulled himself out of her and rolled beside her. He put an arm around her waist and turned her around to face him, "Sera…"

"Heat…I love you…"

He felt ecstatic. He had taken her…She was his. She had given herself to him…He would never forget this night…no…never. It was the happiest moment of his life. She had accepted him into her life…She loved him…That was the most important thing. She loved him. And he loved her. He embraced her passionately; nothing was ever going to happen to this woman…nothing…He was going to protect the woman whom he held in his arms…

"I love you…more than anything…" he whispered.

She said nothing and smiled. He returned her smile and kissed her forehead. He knew she was exhausted. He looked at her again and saw that her eyes were now closed. She had fallen asleep in his arms.

He took the blanket and draped it over their sweaty and naked bodies, fighting his best to thwart sleep. Soon, he too succumbed and relinquished his consciousness onto the arms of heavy slumber.

xxxxx

Heat opened his eyes that night and felt for the body beside his and immediately bolted upright as he discovered that he was alone. Was it all a dream? His eyes snapped into attention and turned sharply at the window. His eyes softened and the constricting feeling of worry that gripped his chest was relieved.

She was there, standing by the window, gazing at the moon, the sheets around her petite body. Heat let his eyes roam over her exposed back. He grinned and scratched his head sheepishly.

He wondered what she was thinking of.

'Probably regretting you…' his inner self grumbled.

Worry within his system heightened once more. Was that true? Well, there was one way to find out. Mustering all of his courage, he forced himself to stand. He slowly and soundlessly made his way towards her. She gave a startled gasp as she felt his hand on her shoulder. She turned to face him and smiled, "Heat…! Why are you still up?"

He narrowed his eyes slightly, "I should be asking you that. You should get some rest…" She shook her head, smiling, "I'm fine…"

He embraced her, taking in her scent…

'Fresh flowers…' he mused. He blinked…He had never smelt fresh flowers before…or much less seen them. But for some reason, he just knew what they were and what they smelled like…and he knew that she did smell like them.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked; half curious and half afraid of the answer.

"…Just…us…"

He raised an eyebrow; what did she mean?

"Us?" he repeated.

"Yes…"

"What do you mean?" Heat persisted; slightly annoyed that she seemed to be leading him around by the nose. Why can't she just give him a damn straight answer?

She smiled at him, "Well…Heat…I…I just wanted to tell you…" she stammered. Heat felt horrible. She was probably scared of him. He sighed, "You can trust me…"

She nodded weakly, "I just wanted to tell you…that tonight was the best night of my life…" she said, tears brimming in her eyes. "That's all…"

Heat embraced her once more, "Ssshh…that's enough…" he chuckled, "If that was all then you could have just waited in the morning to tell me."

She laughed, wiping her tears away and looked into his red eyes, "Well…that's the whole point. I couldn't get to sleep until I told you…Silly huh?"

He chuckled, "Not really…Besides, you could have just woken me…Hit me or something and then tell me…"

She chuckled, "No…I couldn't do that…you looked to adorable in your sleep for me to disturb. Hahahaha…you were too adorable."

Heat blushed; him? Adorable?

He chuckled and put an arm around her, "Okay…you win. Come on…let's get some sleep…"

She didn't budge. He looked at her with confused eyes, "What is it?"

She bit her bottom lip, clutching the sheet around her naked body tighter, "I'm worried about our comrades…"

Heat blinked, and cast his head down, frowning, "I know. I am too. Don't worry…I'll find them."

She lunged at him, letting out a strangled cry and buried herself into his bare chest, "Thank you…"

He smiled, stroking her black hair, "Why thank me?"

She giggled, and whispered, "I love you…"

"I love you…Sera…" he whispered back.

xxxxx