A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.
WARNING: OOC, WAFF, FLUFF, LANGUAGE, LIME
Chapter 4: Consummation
The siege had begun. Heat and Gale had taken it upon themselves to oversee the arrest of the traitors. Serph was glad. With them out of the way, the Vanguards won't know what hit them.
They were in for a surprise.
Serph's heart beat wildly within as he could practically smell the aroma of battle. His muscles tightened in blind anticipation.
His eyes narrowed and his hand flew to his earpiece as he heard a transmission, "This is Echo One Alpha One. Preparations are complete."
"Stand By Echo One."
"Alpha One, this is Foxtrot One. What are your orders?"
Serph took a deep breath and then released it, "Echo One, Foxtrot One-Stand By. I repeat, Stand By. Do not move in. Do not reveal your positions until I give you the order."
"Roger that." the two platoon leaders said in unison.
A moment later, they had arrived at the sight. Sierra and Romeo were battering down the gates with heavy artillery. Serph grabbed the binoculars and put it on his eyes. His rocket launchers were in place and were doing away with the Vanguards' choppers. Of course, their side wasn't without loss either, tanks and their own choppers had also gone down.
He gritted his teeth and opened a transmission, "This is Alpha One. Echo and Foxtrot, move out! I repeat! Move out!"
Serph then turned to Cielo, "Cielo, we are going to infiltrate Svathisthana. I leave the placement and the command of the troops to you. I will override the chain of command; I appoint you. You know the drill. Good luck."
With a firm hit on the arm, Serph had left. He trusted Cielo, despite the other's doubts in his capabilities. Serph had no doubt that the army would be fine. He knew what to do.
And so, the four of them rode the jeep again.
xxxxx
The battle had gone the way they had planned it. The Vanguards had not expected Echo and Foxtrot to be at the east…and now, the place was unguarded.
The team snuck in within their HQ and now navigated through its deserted hallways. Serph frowned; where were their guards? The troops were outside, battling the Embryon, but where were the guards?
"It is possible that they sensed the infiltration and had backed all of their reserves in one spot…Most probably just at Harley's chambers."
"Or, they hightailed outta here and let us think that he's still here." Heat deduced pessimistically.
"Come on guys, whatever it is, we still have to ransack Harley's room right? So, it wouldn't make any difference. Not really. Right Serph?"
That was the first time she had actually spoken to him since their kiss. He was glad that she was talking to him again. He nodded, "Argilla's right. We have to move on. Let's get to it ladies."
xxxxx
As they had expected, the remainder of the guards had regrouped outside Harley's chamber. And so, the group had taken all of them out.
They had entered the chamber but were surprised to find it empty.
"Fuck! Where is that bastard?!" Heat yelled as he looked from left to right.
They had searched the entire chamber but found neither hair nor hide of Harley.
"There!" Argilla yelled, eyeing an uneven surface on the wall.
The group had found a secret escape passage. Serph gritted his teeth; they only had one shot at this invasion. They had come so far; too far. They had to take Harley down…! They just had to!
And so, they went through the passage.
It was a dark and dank place; like a maze. The group stuck together…But it was there, in there, that they were detected.
Arrows shot through the air.
Serph had deflected most of them but there was one that he failed to notice…He didn't get to see what had happened…except for a gray and pink blur in front of his eyes…
His breathing became erratic and labored as he fell on the ground, a female on him. He looked at her with tears in his eyes. Argilla had taken the hit for him.
He held her tight. She had sustained the wound on her left side. She looked at him with hopeful and grateful eyes, "Serph…your eyes…They're so beautiful…"
He stiffened; that was what she had said in his dream…He began to panic…What did this mean? Did this mean that no matter what he did, that he cannot undo what was to happen?
That he cannot change the future?
Did that mean that she was…destined to die?
'No…she's not…! She's not going to die…' he told himself with unyielding passion.
"Don't talk…Save your strength…"
That was what he was supposed to say…But…he didn't. He didn't want to. He didn't want to make that ominous prophecy come into fruition. No; not if he could help it.
She coughed again and shook her head, "I…I have to tell you…Serph…"
He didn't want to know what it was she was to say…He already knew…He put a finger on her lips, "Forget it…Like you said, there's plenty of time to talk when we get back to Muladhara…"
He looked at Gale, "Call the paramedics! Evacuate!"
"What about Harley?!" Heat asked darkly, finished with taking out the last of their elusive assailants. Serph's silver eyes narrowed, "You and I will go after him."
Heat smirked, "Right on." He looked at Argilla, "Stay alive Argilla! Come on Serph! Harley's getting away!"
Serph cursed himself. He wanted to stay with her…but he couldn't. And so, he leaned in and kissed her. And as quick as he leaned in did he pull away, "I'll see you at Muladhara Argilla…" he said, handing her gently within Gale's arms.
And then, he was gone.
xxxxx
Serph held her hand tight…
He sighed as he closed his eyes. They felt so heavy…his eyes felt hot as tears were pooling within them.
He had been sitting at her bedside for hours now…
He sighed; he had done everything he could to change the future…and change, it did. But, not in the way he expected it to.
But he was still thankful.
After he had Argilla taken from the tunnels, he and Heat tracked Harley down. It didn't take long until they had taken him down…
He had killed Harley with his bare hands. He didn't want to remember it. He had never felt that way before. Never had he felt so…motivated to kill someone.
It had all been about survival before…But after Argilla had fallen, his motivation had taken itself upon another level. Then, he just felt rage.
And when he saw Harley…all hell broke lose.
'That's enough…' Serph scolded himself, forcing the memory from his mind. What was really important was the fact that Argilla was alive and well. She was wounded yes, but her doctor had said that it wasn't fatal.
She'd recover after a month or so…
She would pull through…
Thinking of the scenario in that perspective brought a smile to his lips. He leaned in and kissed her forehead.
Dreams…
Sera had said that dreams couldn't hurt him…and yet they did. They did hurt him; in more ways than one. But still, he was glad to have seen such malevolent visions. If it weren't for them, he wouldn't have changed the future…
If it weren't for those dreams that he loathed, Embryon would have fallen and Argilla would've died.
From that angle, things weren't so bad…
'No. They aren't…' he told himself.
He traced her angelic face with his index finger. He wanted to be by her bedside when she awoke…He'd stay there all day and all night if he had to.
xxxxx
Argilla's eyelids felt heavy. She forced them to open. She couldn't really remember much of what happened…All that she remembered was finding the secret passageway within Harley's room…
She saw Serph…and then, all went black.
She forced her eyes to focus. She couldn't see very well.
"Good morning." a male voice said gently.
She stiffened as she heard the soothing voice near her ear. Moments later, she felt a pair of lips on her cheek. Blood hiked up to her face and she cleared her throat. She knew who it was.
"Hey Serph." she whispered groggily.
"You had me worried there for a second. You were sleeping for so long that I was beginning to think that you wouldn't wake up at all…" he replied with worry in his voice.
Argilla cast her face down.
"In the beginning, I wasn't planning to…" she stated regretfully.
Serph's heart stopped beating. He didn't know what to say. She didn't want to wake up?
"Then, what changed your mind?" he asked gently, running his slender fingers through her pink hair.
She forced her eyes to meet his, "Can we…talk about this some other time?"
Serph repressed the hurtful feeling that was threatening to overwhelm his system at hearing her words and just looked at her firmly, "Alright."
She smiled sadly at him, "Thanks Serph. I just want to be alone…"
Serph nodded and stood, "No problem. If you need me…you know where to find me."
She nodded. He stood and pressed a kiss on her forehead before leaving her room to grant her, her much awaited solitude.
xxxxx
Two days had now passed and Svathisthana was being converted. Their troops were being enlisted into Embryon. It had been like a whirlwind for Serph. There was so much to do. But then, it wasn't really a lot. They had only succeeded in defeating one tribe.
There were others…
And then, there were Thor and his group of traitors. Heat had been in charge of them. He winced as he thought about those "poor souls".
He sighed; he didn't really want to think about those things right now.
Now…?
Well, now, he just wanted to think about her. That was why he was heading to visit her. He knocked as he reached the door to her room.
He opened it and walked inside. She was sitting up and looking out the window.
He walked up to her and put a hand on her shoulder, "Hey…"
She turned and smiled at him. "Hello…"
"So…what's up? How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling much better. Thanks."
The two were surrounded in awkward silence. Serph wasn't really in the mood for elusive charades. He wanted to know why she had wanted to die that day. He wanted to know why she wanted to die when he was fighting with all of his might to keep her alive.
"Why didn't you want to wake up that day Argilla?" he blurted out, his silver eyes searching hers for any and every logical explanation.
The smile on her face faded and she now looked at him with a pained expression. Pained and shameful.
She was ashamed?
Why?
"Serph I…back there…I couldn't do anything for you. I was useless…" she said regretfully, her eyes leaving his to settle on her blanket, her eyebrows furrowed in anger and self disappointment.
Seeing her like this almost broke him. His fingers reached out for her face and they found her chin. Tilting her face up, he persuaded her to look at him. She followed his persuasive tug and looked at his deep silver pools, "Serph, I'm sorry."
Serph smiled sadly at her, "I should be the one apologizing…I didn't deflect that last arrow…You shouldn't feel this way Argilla. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have found Harley's secret escape route. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here now, would I?"
He saw the beginnings of a smile form on her face, only for it to face back and reform into a frown…a drooping face. She cast her face down again, "Thanks for trying to make me feel better though…I appreciate the effort."
Serph sighed, "I'm not trying to make you feel better. I'm telling you the truth."
Serph suddenly remembered; there was another question that he wanted to ask her. "Argilla," he began, "what changed your mind?"
Argilla looked at him; she knew what he meant. He wanted to know what changed her mind about waking up. She smiled at herself mentally. If he only knew…
But didn't he already?
'Serph!' she mentally screamed at him, 'Are you really this thick?!'
She let out a frustrated cry and looked sadly at him, "Serph…are you really that blind?"
He blinked.
She let out another cry and slapped her eyes with her palms, "Are you really going to make me spell it out for you?"
"No." he said curtly.
She immediately looked at him and he spoke again, "I…I know what you feel about me."
She blushed, "You…you knew?"
He nodded, "Yes."
"And you didn't say anything?!" she snarled angrily.
He sweat-dropped, "Well…I…I wanted to wait for the right time…"
Her face softened at hearing his lame excuse. It was lame, she knew, but she also knew that people of her kind were very protective and defensive about their own feelings and emotions…Knowing that, she forgave him.
"But Argilla…I want to know what changed your mind."
She blinked and looked deeply into his eyes, feeling all the more ashamed, "Serph…when I was asleep…it was…dark."
Serph raised an eyebrow; she actually remembered being asleep?
'But that would mean that she was conscious of her subconscious…That is just…'
He sweat-dropped; he really was stupid sometimes. It just meant that she was dreaming. He was amazed though…She was dreaming…But about what and about whom, he wondered. A nasty thought suddenly popped in his head.
What if she had dreamed about their sadistic but highly attractive redhead teammate? He tightened his chest at the thought; no, she couldn't really be dreaming of Heat, now could she?
"Dark?" he asked, egging her to continue. It must be hard for her he imagined…Her face was the epitome of concentration and willpower.
"Yes…dark…I was running through an endless dark corridor. I wanted to call out…I screamed for help…But no one heard me." she then paused and laughed, shaking her head, "I suppose I wasn't even screaming. Maybe I lost my voice…"
She sighed and looked at him, her pink eyes boring into his silver ones, "Then…after that, I just wanted to give up…I wanted to just die."
Serph's heart began to beat rapidly.
"Then…out of nowhere…I saw you…" she said, her body slightly trembling, "I forgot all about you Serph…But when I saw you again, I remembered…I remembered what we last spoke of…That we would talk when everything had calmed down. I also remembered…how…how I want…"
"To be with you…" he finished for her.
Her pink eyes widened, "How did you know that?"
He smiled at her tenderly and touched her face lightly, "I know…because…I dreamed about you too…"
Her breathing became constricted. Dreamed…Dreamed? Serph dreamed too? She wasn't alone? She wasn't the only one?
Serph dreamed of her…? Then, did that mean that…?
"Serph…I…" she stammered for words to say…She was practically grabbing them but they just simply slipped from her slender fingers and she found herself speechless, lost in his gentle silver eyes…
"I want to be with you…" he repeated, pulling himself closer to her bed. Then, with no words being spoken between them, he leaned in and captured her lips with his.
He kissed her tenderly, slowly, letting their lips become acquainted with one another…Slowly, every so slowly, he slanted his face to hers and pulled her tighter against his body, and then, with his agile tongue, he parted her lips and entered…
She moaned as she clung to him, her hands traveling from his shoulders to his face, caressing her cheeks lovingly.
His tongue then met hers and then, the two danced with the other. Argilla moaned in his mouth as their kiss became passionate…No longer gentle or tender, it soon became a contest for ardor.
A few minutes later, the two broke apart, out of breath.
"Serph…" she said as she looked at him, "Does this mean…that…?"
"That you're mine?" he asked, chuckling, "Yes. It does…"
She squealed and embraced him tightly.
xxxxx
A month later, Argilla had recovered and returned to her duties.
Night had fallen in and she continued to arrange her belongings properly when a voice lightly startled her, "Are you all settled in?"
"Serph!" she half yelped in surprise.
After they had talked about their issues, they had decided to live together. She had just moved in his quarters.
He smiled gently at her walked up to her, encircling her waist in his arms, "Hello there."
She giggled; she laughed every time he did that…He was so sweet…From her waist, his hand touched her cheek. He slowly leaned in and pressed his lips on hers. She moaned as she felt his soft and moist lips nibble on her own, asking for permission to enter her wet cavern…
She responded and parted her lips, granting him entry.
They kissed one another with outmost passion and ardor, neither hesitating…nor reluctant. He slowly backed her towards the wall. And there, he pinned her on the wall, his body weight imprisoning his lover…
His hand left her face and made for her wrists. He then pinned them both on her sides. He pulled back, allowing her bruised lips a moment's rest as he gazed at her form before him. He took in her flustered form and looked at her eyes that were glazed with desire…
She seemed to have noticed as well, as she now blushed under his intense gaze and turned her head sideways. Leaving both her wrists in the care of his one hand, the other left and turned her head back so that she looked at him in the eyes.
"Please look at me…" he said, his voice almost pleading.
Argilla felt a lump in her throat as she looked deep in his silver eyes, "Serph…"
"What is it?" he asked, his face a mere inch from hers, his breath on her face.
"What…what are we doing?" she asked, unsure of their actions…
Serph was taken aback by her question. What were they doing anyway?
"I don't know. But, all I know is that…I want to do this with you…" he said with a small smile.
Argilla smiled and nodded, "I want this too…"
Yes…they both wanted it. Whatever it was, that is. Both were unsure of how things were supposed to be…but something within their souls, their being, was somehow telling them that all would be well…
So, Serph kissed her again.
Argilla responded to his kiss passionately, her lips nipping and suckling on his. Serph grabbed her face and pulled her closer to him, all the while pressing his body tighter against his body…
His hands left her face and her bruised wrists, now running his fingers along her uniform, feeling for its straps and buttons…He unhooked, unlatched and unbuttoned them, freeing her voluptuous body from its confines…
It would seem that he was not the only one eager as she herself, unclothed him…
Argilla's heart beat wildly as she saw this scenario from her dreams…She pulled back and looked at him. He stopped kissing her and looked in her eyes, "What's wrong?"
"I…nothing. Nothing's wrong. I just…" she trailed off hesitantly.
"Just what?" he asked gently.
He was feeling all the more flustered as their bodies, both unclothed, were tightly pressed together…His manhood twitched in agony as it prayed for fulfillment. But he could do no such thing as his lover was hesitant.
And he wanted to find out why.
"I think I saw this…before…" she said slowly.
Serph nodded, "In your dream…"
She nodded, "Yeah…"
He grinned, "So, what now? Wanna stop?"
"Stop?! Why?!" she asked incredulously.
He leaned in closer to her and licked her earlobe mischievously, "Because maybe there was something in the future you'd rather change…"
"What?!"
"I did…" he said cryptically.
Argilla pushed him off of her and looked into his eyes, "You…your dreams…You dreamed of the future…?"
It was actually awkward to be speaking of things like this when they were both bare and when they were both on the verge of intimacy…But the look in her face told him that she was adamant to know.
She shook her head, "Serph." she said seriously, "Tell me about it later." she rasped, her voice husky.
He raised an eyebrow, "Don't you want to know about it now?"
She growled and pulled him roughly against her, "Listen, I'm getting restless! Let's finish up first and then let's talk."
"But…"
He was cut off as she kissed him again, shutting him up efficiently. He was glad though…He just thought that they would just end up talking all night…
Responding to her kiss, he grabbed her legs and lifted her off the ground. Argilla understood and wrapped her legs around his waist…
Then…like a passing daydream, the two lovers had crossed the threshold of innocence and now entered the very essence of manhood and womanhood…
He had been happy. He was happy that it had been him and he alone that had taken her there…He was the man that had made her into a woman…
She was happy…She was ecstatic. She was now a real woman…He made her into one…She had given him her innocence; her purity. And now, they were one…
Now, seeing that they had calmed down, Serph took her in his strong arms once more and gently laid her on their bed. She sighed as she got comfortable and patted the space beside her, smiling at him. He smiled in return and climbed in, getting within the covers. She giggled and scooted over to him, putting an arm over his waist, her head resting on his chest.
"So, what part of the future did you change?" asked Argilla, breaking the fragile silence that engulfed the room.
She felt him tense in her arms. She immediately felt bad…She cursed herself for her lack of common sense. Basic logic demanded that because he changed the future, it was very probable to deduce that the future that he had envisioned wasn't one that was favorable or desirable for him…And as to what that was…well, that she didn't know.
But seeing that it was Serph that she was talking about, it was safe to deduce that the future wasn't favorable for the tribe. That was Serph. He always thought of the tribe first, rather than his personal comfort or glory…
That was why she…wanted to be with this man…
"I'm sorry…" she immediately told him, "If you don't want to recall it, then, forget about it. I won't ask anymore."
She felt him relax and she was happy. She felt her lips tug up into a slow smile. It was fine with her if he didn't want to talk. Bad memories were best left in the past; buried and forgotten.
"No." he suddenly said, pulling her closer to him, "I want to talk about it. It's no bother."
"Are you sure?" she asked, raising her head so that their eyes met. He smiled gently at her, his silver eyes twinkling, "I'm sure."
"Okay…Go ahead." she told him.
He sighed, "The first night, I dreamed of being in a battlefield…I didn't recognize the location. It was too foggy…It was unclear. Then, I just saw our tribesmen falling, one by one. So, I had a feeling that whatever battle it was we were fighting…we lost. And then, in the same dream, I saw you. I saw you on the ground; you were hit by a sniper. I…" he took a deep breath, unsure whether to continue his monologue or not.
He felt a rush of energy enter his body as he felt her hand squeeze his as a sign of support. He smiled, "I took you with me…and there…you wanted to tell me something but you didn't get to. My dream ended. Then, the second night, it was all the same…but then, some details were changed. You told me about my eyes…"
"And then, on the third night, I saw myself kiss you…just before we left for the invasion."
Argilla's eyes widened and she raised her head again, this time, sitting up so that their eyes met. She looked at him with surprised eyes, "Serph…But…I kissed you…"
He smiled, "Yes…it wasn't me who kissed you. It was you who kissed me…The details were changed…"
She nodded in agreement, "The future was changed…But, Serph…I did tell you about your eyes…" she trailed off.
He nodded, "That was why…on the day of the invasion, after you kissed me…I was almost sure I changed the future…But hearing you say something about my eyes had me doubting again…and…for a while there, I thought that we would fail…that you would die." he finished, his voice laced his sadness and…despair.
He sighed, "Well…like I said, I wasn't sure at that time whether or not I really did change the future…I had to compare it to my dream. There, after I kissed you and we went for the invasion, I saw our platoons just…die out. Company after company fell under the Vanguards…And you…" he said sadly, grabbing her hand in his, "I lost you…but not before you can tell me what you had been wanting to tell me…You told me that you had wanted to be with me…"
She blinked and then laughed, "That's in my dream too…It was pestering me to tell you…"
He then brought her fingers to his lips. Closing his eyes and sighing a bit, he kissed her hand tenderly, "I would never lose you…Ever."
He opened his eyes again, "From the dream, I was able to deduce that our defeat was a result of systematic betrayal; defection or otherwise…Maybe espionage or sabotage…That was why…"
"That was why you had us investigate all personnel and troops." Argilla commented.
"Yes. And that was why I didn't tell you what I was planning…I want the Vanguards to think that I don't know…That way, they'd be playing right into my hands." Serph finished, his silver eyes no longer twinkling lovingly, but now, hard and steely…They were unfeeling.
"That dream saved our tribe…And it brought you back to me." he said, his eyes softening once more. She smiled back and touched his face, "Well, I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere…"
He pulled her closer to him and then, leaned his face close to hers and kissed her.
A moment later, he pulled back and whispered, "I won't let you go…Never again."
And so, they had made love for the second time that night…
"Serph?"
"What is it?" he asked as he held her naked body against his.
"In my dream…I dreamed about you a lot."
"Oh?" he felt his lips tug upwards in a grin. So, it had not been Heat whom she dreamed of. He was glad. And to think that he was beginning to get jealous of him!
"Yeah…I saw us…doing this."
As soon as her words left her lips, she suddenly found herself on her back, her wrists pinned at the sides of her face, with him straddling her, a silly grin in his face, "Did you dream of me doing this too?"
She blushed but said nothing.
Laughing, he slowly and gently let her go, "Sorry…I won't interrupt you again…Please continue."
She snorted, "Anyway, as I was saying, I saw us there. And then, I saw myself telling you how I felt…I spoke to Sera about it and she was the one who told me that sometimes, dreams serve as reminders, so that we may not forget the important things in our lives. And in my life, you are the most important thing Serph."
He chuckled, "Thank you. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you…I…"
What was he supposed to say again? He looked into her eyes, searching for that word that he had lost…
She looked and gazed deep within his eyes. He wanted to tell her something but nothing left his lips…
She chuckled; "I love you." she finished for him. Finally, she had been able to say it…Before, she would be afraid. She was afraid of saying it to the wrong person…at the wrong place at the wrong time.
But now, she was sure that he was the one. And she was sure now that it was indeed love that she felt for this man…Her leader…her friend…her comrade.
The one for her. The one she loved. The one she'd love for the rest of her life.
He blinked; yes. That was the word that he wanted to say; "love". Well, touché to her! She had managed to anticipate what he was to say…Wait…did she anticipate it using deductive reasoning or…?
'Did she feel it?' he thought.
"Yes…that's the word. I love you…" he said chuckling.
She grinned, "I know…"
She lunged herself at him and embraced him tightly, "I'm so happy to have dreams Serph…"
"Yeah." he concurred.
They didn't know it right then, but it was at the moment of that realization that they began to have souls…Souls were the purest essences of existence…and now, they had achieved it.
"Say," she suddenly blurted out, "what were you thinking leaving Cielo in charge of the army?" she finished, laughing.
He chuckled; like he said, there were many who doubted Cielo's capability.
"Cielo and I discussed that on our own. He knew what it was he was to do. I had complete faith in him. You should too." he said, telling her in a scolding voice.
Argilla began to feel heat burn her face. Yeah. She really should trust Cielo more. After all, the army was fine. The troops had been well managed and wasn't in disarray. Yes. She really needed to trust in Cielo more…
He deserved it.
"Sorry. I suppose I should cut Cielo some slack." she said finally, her hand touching her chin in thought.
Serph took a deep breath. Despite having been intimate with her, there was something else that had been bothering him for a while now…And he had been dying to ask her about it.
"Argilla," he began, touching her shoulder, getting her attention.
"Yeah? What is it?" she asked, curiosity written all over her face.
Serph swallowed; he didn't want to appear weak in her eyes…He didn't want her to think that he was the insecure type…But, he just had to know.
He took a deep breath, "Argilla…does…"
He was hesitant.
Argilla was beginning to feel annoyed; just what was it that he wanted to tell her? She cupped his face in her hands and assured him gently, "Serph…what is it?"
Seeing the resolution in her eyes gave him his much needed confidence. He nodded, "Does Heat really make coffee for you?"
Argilla was taken aback. She wanted to burst out laughing at his face. All that suspense for that sort of question? And it was about Heat to boot!
But seeing his face, filled with so much desperation, she immediately knew that laughing at him would be folly. He really, sincerely, earnestly, wanted to know.
She sighed, "Yes. He does make coffee for me." she responded curtly.
Serph felt a pang of pain in his heart and he immediately cast his face down, "Oh…"
She blinked; he was displeased? But it was he who wanted to know right? Unless…he was jealous?
She chuckled and he immediately looked up. She touched his face again but he turned away, not saying anything. She found this cute…Serph had always been stoic and almost unfeeling…Who would've thought that he had a jealous streak?
"Serph," she said in a soothing voice, "Heat does make coffee for me. But…it's only during our daily game."
"Game?" Serph asked, tilting his head to the side. So, now they had an everyday game? He repressed a growl that threatened to climb from his chest to his throat.
"Yeah. We have a sparring game everyday." she said, chuckling a bit, "Seriously, he could be a bit violent at times! That guy won't ever let anyone win!"
Sparring game? As in, full physical contact? The unpleasant feeling within his gut suddenly increased tenfold and he suddenly found the urge to leave…
"When we're done, we like to get a cup of coffee. He said that he wanted to practice that too, so, I let him brew some for me. That's it." She scrounged up her nose, "He was never really good at it though…I suppose he needs more practice."
More practice? Serph sighed but said nothing.
"Serph, what's wrong?" she asked, a bit worried now.
"Do you like him?" he suddenly blurted out.
Again, she wanted to laugh at him. Her? Like Heat? That uncouth, unrefined barbarian?
She chuckled, "Me? Like Heat?! No! Never!"
She saw his silver eyes look up at her with wonder and plea. He wanted to be assured…
She pressed herself closer to him, "Serph…I don't like Heat. Never did. He's a good friend. No more than that. In fact, he was the one who convinced me to…tell you what I feel about you."
His silver eyes widened, "R-really?"
She giggled and lightly kissed him on his lips for a moment before pulling back, "Yeah. You're the only one I want to ever be with…No one else…" she said, her voice a mere whisper.
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her passionately. She responded and let her tongue intermingle with his…
Minutes later, they pulled back, out of breath.
"I love you." he told her curtly, his face without emotion. But it was his silver eyes that betrayed his hidden feelings…
She smiled, "Me too. Well," she yawned, "I'm sleepy…" she drawled innocently, sleepiness evident in her voice.
He kissed the top of her head and embraced her, "Goodnight Argilla…sweet dreams…"
"You too Serph…"
Soon, the two fell asleep within one another's arms…And while they slept, they dreamed of only one another… Back then, when they first dreamed, they didn't realize that they gained more than just dreams and atmas. They had gained emotions and feelings…Their souls and spirits had always been within them, but remained hidden, and dormant. But now, they had awakened.
And now, as they had united their bodies, they didn't just unify their bodies, the mere shells of their consciousness, but their souls as well…
Their hearts and souls had found one another's. Neither of them had ever imagined that it would ever be a result haphazardly associative imagery…never because of phantasmagoria.
And so, they slept and dreamed on, without knowing that life, per se, and not just their lives were but mere a daydream, nothing but phantasm.
xxxxx
FIN
