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

WARNING: OOC, LANGUAGE, FLUFF, WAFF, SUGGESTIVE THEMES

Chapter 12: Clustered Skies and Hearts

Heat growled as he stared at the grim horizon. The soft rain continued to pat the ground softly and him as well, making his hair soaked through. But he didn't care. There he was again. Correction, there they were again.

Once more, he, Serph and Cielo had been sent on another mission; another raid. He narrowed his eyes. This was the fifth consecutive mission that he had gone on without her.

'It's been…eighteen days…seventeen hours…and forty minutes.' he thought in growing anger and irritation. He wasn't being overdramatic. He had specifically counted the days and the time…It had been necessary.

He needed it in order to ascertain his allegations.

Granted that he trusted Gale's battle plans to be foolproof and utterly brilliant, but Heat trusted something else; his instincts. And right now, at that very moment, his instincts were screaming for him to sniff about.

He narrowed his eyes into slits, uncaring for the droplets of rain that had found his face and trickled on his skin deliberately.

His red orbs were ablaze…and his whole body tensed.

He did this. Didn't he? All of this…

'All of this shit…This crap…' he thought with sheer anger, clenching his fists tighter, grinding his teeth as his imagination ran amuck.

He could practically see it…

And hear it too.

He could see him…and her…alone…with their bodies screaming for consummation while his back was turned…

Heat's heart suddenly felt constricted as if an invisible hand had taken hold of it, squeezing it painfully.

'When I get to Muladhara…I'll tear his guts out and eat it.' he promised himself.

What-did the old goat think that he could get away with what he had done and what he was still doing? Heat wanted to laugh at him for his display of utter impudent boldness and sheer hypocrisy.

"What the fuck happened to the old 'clean' Gale?" he asked bitterly. He then frowned; it was because of his lover. She had changed him; she may not realize the depth or the severity of her actions, but he did.

Gale was completely changed; no longer the old man hidden within the youthful appearance, he was now as young as he, Serph or even Cielo.

Gale had taken Argilla's advice.

And what was that advice?

Live life the way he wanted it. Chase his dreams and aspirations. Work hard…and reap the fruits of his labor.

He frowned at that, 'And that just happens to be her.' he thought with a scoff.

Oh yes. This was what Gale had done, wasn't it? He had orchestrated all of these "missions" and deliberately sent them there…leaving him alone with Argilla. Heat wanted to puke right there.

How he had fallen. How bloody immature can he really be!? Heat shook his head, "To steal someone else's mate…? He's been given way too much credit in the brains department."

At first, it was something that he could deal with. A friendly crush never hurt anyone. But now, as he counted the days that he was without Argilla, he knew that there was something afoot.

"I smell a rat…And it smells like an old goat named Gale."

Now, it was all the more apparent. The events had finally unfolded and now, he saw the lengths that the old man was willing to go in order for a chance to woo Argilla.

'I'd tear you apart…' he thought malevolently.

Cielo looked at his brooding teammate from afar. He scratched his head, feeling slight worry. He turned to his leader, Serph, who was speaking to his lieutenant. He then poked the silver-haired man on his shoulder, "Oi, leader."

The silver-haired man looked at him questioningly and the younger man sweat-dropped and put his palm on the back of his neck, "Erm, does Heat seem…weird to you mon?" he asked.

Serph looked at Cielo for a moment longer before turning his gaze to the left, seeing the redheaded man a few feet away with his back towards them. He blinked and looked at him blankly, "He's always like that."

Cielo made a lame face and looked at his leader with half-lidded eyes, "Are you kiddin' brudda?! He's weird, ya, I know. But de last few days, he's gone cuckoo!" whispered the young man.

Serph chuckled and began to walk away, "Cielo, you think everything's weird."

Cielo was beginning to feel annoyed. No one was just taking him seriously! Even when his statements were valid!

With a growl, he jogged up to his leader and came in front of him, "Brudda, I think you better see wat happened to de oaf ja? Before he kills someone!" he then gulped, "And by dat I mean me!" he said nervously, tugging at his collar.

At that, Serph chuckled, "You're imagining things. Heat's…always like that."

"Ack!" choked Cielo, pulling at his cerulean locks, "Would you just listen to me for once!?" he exclaimed. "Dat guy," he hissed, pointing to the still oblivious redhead, "is nuts! He kept grumbling even at night! And today, he almost killed someone for bumping into him!"

Serph narrowed his eyes.

Hm. The expression on Cielo's face was what he deemed as priceless but…still, his statements did hold water and as leader, it was his job to avert crises, if possible.

And they both knew that Heat was a potential crisis. He was a volcano just waiting to erupt.

Having made up his mind, he shot the younger man a firm look, silencing him and left, walking over to Heat, who was still grumbling and mumbling to himself. He frowned; what was wrong? Their raid had been successful and they had thwarted another rebel plot.

Heat had the most frags.

It wasn't like him at all to be behaving this way…

"Heat."

Heat narrowed his eyes into slits. Who dared interrupt him!? What the hell did they want now?! The job had been done! What else could they want?!

He turned his head and looked at the man gravely, his ruby orbs promising imminent danger should the other person fail to provide a satisfactory justification as to why he had bothered him.

Serph looked back at him, unfazed. Well, it would seem that Cielo was right. But still, he maintained his demeanor. Heat's aura was raging with anger and lividness; he could tell. He really should listen to Cielo more often.

Well, that was beside the point!

The present issue was Heat.

Whatever it was that had the redhead furious would have to be rectified. They didn't need another bomb exploding on their faces.

xxxxx

"Gale…?" she asked unsurely as she giggled a bit, "W-what are we doing?" she asked, stammering a bit.

She froze as she heard his chuckle.

She smiled; he didn't used to do that before…

But now, he did. He had changed…hadn't he? No. That was a wrong term. He didn't change. He had evolved. No longer the dull and unfeeling man, he had become a man of the world; experienced…and wise. He was no longer timid to explore other things. And he was opened to more ideas outside his military life.

He did things simply because he wanted to…

Just like now.

That was why they were there, the both of them, standing. She didn't know where he had taken her. He had blindfolded her with a simple white handkerchief tied on her head, covering her eyes and told her that it would be a surprise.

She trusted him.

Even now, as he held her shoulders and ushered her forward, she felt at ease with him. Not a drop or a hint of nervousness could be perceived.

The last fortnight had been wonderful to her. She had been able to spend more time with Gale. She had gotten to know about him…and he had told her many things that she didn't know about him.

His favorite color for instance.

She giggled at that memory.

What was his favorite color?

"Pink…" she trailed off, her soft voice gentle and low…no lower than an angel's whisper.

But then again…he had heard her all the same.

Gale could always hear whatever it was she said.

At that, his lips tugged upwards and his heart swelled in pride…and warmth. He was proud that he had such an ability pertaining to her. It was as if he could hear her thoughts and her feelings…

Oh, couldn't she see that they melded so well together…?

They possessed a bond that surpassed all physical passion, although he knew that he felt erotic desire for her…

But no, erotic fantasies about her was something that he could always push at the back of his mind. At the forefront though, their sacred bond was apparent.

They were tied together by a different sort of passion.

The passion of the mind…and of the heart.

Not just of the flesh.

And that was why he knew that he would be able to care for her more than Heat ever could. Heat was crude…brash and bruising. He could never understand the simple complexities of his female counterpart.

Whereas he can.

And did.

He chuckled, "Yes. Pink. Surprising, wasn't it?" he replied, his voice having unexpected emotion.

She felt her lips beginning to widen its smile, turning it into a naughty grin, "Yes…You are an oddball Gale."

He smiled in return; an oddball perhaps, but he was truthful. He really…did like the color pink. He just didn't tell her the reason…Although it seemed pretty obvious why.

But then again, Argilla had the tendency to be…quite dense at times.

"Gale, where are we?"

"Just wait…for a little longer."

She nodded.

A moment later, she felt herself being stirred. And she complied. She was then lightly being pushed. Again she complied.

She then found herself seated. She perked up her ears, attempting to decipher those around her. She heard nothing save the crickets…

She then heard something else.

Him.

He had occupied the seat next to her.

She then felt his hands on the knot of her blindfold. She straightened up her posture, that warm smile still gracing her feminine features.

Gale slowly removed the piece of cloth from her eyes gently; a moment later, she was free. He looked at her, amused, as she refused to open her eyes…

"You can look now…"

Argilla slowly fluttered her eyes opened and there stared at the horizon in awe. Her magenta-colored eyes widened in delight and her breath passed from her parted lips gently…

"Oh Gale…Wow…" she trailed off as she stared at the evening skies…

Gale smiled at her and there nodded and turned at the horizon as well.

The skies were a midnight velvet, engulfing everything in sight. And yet, despite darkness' cruel reign, there still shone resistance. The twinkling stars.

There they were ornamenting the skies in audacious pride, showing the mortals below, their majesty, telling them to bow and be in astonishment…

And they weren't disappointed either.

Argilla's heart skipped a beat and she gasped, "Gale! A shooting star!!" she exclaimed happily, her gaze transfixed upon the skies.

Gale nodded as he continued to smile.

'A meteor…' he thought, still having that languid smile. It was funny, really. He called them meteors while she called them shooting stars. The same yet different. It was a wonder how different the same thing could be when perceived differently by different people…

But then again, may it be meteor or shooting star, there was…more to come…

He knew…All one needed in order to observe such renditions of the heavens was…

'Patience…' he thought knowingly.

He had merely taken time off to show her.

And there, as if they were performing upon an audience, the stars danced…The lights above their heads twinkled and shone…The skies seemed to come alive as more stars came their way…coming and going, leaving the two spectators in amazement.

The velvety skies were speckled with gold dust that they knew now to be stars…

'Or are they diamonds…?' Argilla thought to herself in awe.

Argilla's heart thumped uncontrollably; she had never seen so many shooting stars in all of her life.

There they were, one after another, burning away…

There they were, leaving behind them only a trail of their fairy stardust…

"Magical…" she breathed out.

Gale blinked at that.

'Magical…' he repeated mentally. He had used that word before when he thought of her but he dismissed it as stupid. He never really understood why his unconscious mind said that his time with her was magical.

But now, as he saw happiness and hope in her eyes, having only endless and untold wonder in their expression, he finally understood.

Yes. Now…he agreed…

She was…

"Magical…"

Argilla giggled and there she turned her gaze at the man beside her; her friend…her comrade…her Gale.

The two smiled at one another and she whispered, "Thanks."

He nodded in return, "You've…shown me the sunset before Argilla. I did not really comprehend at the time, but now, I do. I merely want to return the favor."

Her smile widened at that.

She leaned on him and he let her…

She sighed in contentment as her head rested on his shoulder.

"Thanks Gale. Really."

"You're welcome."

xxxxx

Argilla giggled. Gale raised an eyebrow.

There they were, in his room. There she was, staring at the wall.

"What's so funny?" he asked; bemused. She turned around to look at him and scrounged her nose, "Hm, Gale, now I see your problem."

He blinked. What?

She grinned, "Let's give your room a makeover."

He paled at that.

A few hours later, they were done.

She chuckled. She didn't do much. Not really. She just had to ensure that his room was spacious enough and provided that warm yet cool feeling so that the one occupying it would be relaxed.

She had added simply curtain by his windows…had gotten him more pillows…and decorated his room.

Gale looked around stoically.

His room looked so…different. But then, as he thought about it, he knew why. It was different because it had her touch.

At that, he looked at her, "Thank you."

She grinned, "Not a problem Gale." She then giggled, "Now, just don't be too uptight."

"Uptight?" he repeated.

She nodded, "Remember. This is your room. This is your personal space, your sanctuary, your haven. In this room, you can do no wrong."

"Do no wrong…?" he repeated.

She nodded again and this time, she reached for his hand, holding it and then proceeded to tug at him. He followed.

She had then sat on the floor.

Her eyes met his and she looked at him seriously, "In this room, you are the master. So, treasure this room and care for it. It should be your home. And not your house."

At that, Gale tilted his head to the side, "What's the difference between a home and a house? It is simply a place of dwelling is it not?"

She chuckled; he still had a lot to learn.

She smiled at him, "Gale, there is a difference. A house is, you're right, is a dwelling. It's where you store your stuff and sleep. Eat, sleep and then leave. That's it."

"And a home?" he prodded, curious to know what she would say next.

At that, her smile widened and her eyes dilated, "A home is where your heart is. And not where your stuff is."

"I…do not comprehend."

She giggled at that, "Oh hush Gale!"

He frowned as he found himself scolded. Why was that so anyway? Why did she scold him?

"Aww, Gale." she cooed, "It's not like that." she paused as she giggled, "What I mean is that, home is a place where you feel happy…and content. It's not merely a place of dwelling. It's that warm place you want to go to when you feel cold. It's the safe place you fall back on when you feel lost…or alone."

He blinked again, intently listening to her words.

She tilted her head to the side, "Do you understand?"

He nodded tentatively, "I…I believe that I can fathom the basic difference…But what you spoke of is completely abstract and intangible."

She giggled again, "Just like our sunset. Or our midnight skies, ne?"

At that, as she made the comparison, it all clicked.

He cast his face down, understanding. Home was a place he could run to when he was unsure or afraid. It was…his sanctuary.

He then looked up at her, "But then…how can it be warm, if you're alone?"

She smiled tightly at him, "That's why you should have someone Gale. So that this place could be a bit warmer than it is now…" she said with her voice low, almost like a whisper, with her eyes peering into his deeply, gazing at him with sheer honesty and belief.

At that, he snapped.

He lunged for her and kissed her.

xxxxx

"When the hell are we going to get out of this shithole!?" thundered Heat.

Serph sighed, "When the preparations are complete." he responded, "However-"

"Just get it done bastard!" yelled the redhead.

Serph sweat-dropped; it was a wonder, really, how and why he let those things slide by him.

He shook his head, "Why are you so eager to return to Muladhara?"

Heat narrowed his eyes at the shorter man and hissed, "None of your damn business, sir."

And with that, he stalked away.

Cielo slowly came to him and whispered, without taking his eyes of the redhead, "I told you so."

Serph shrugged his shoulders, "He's just a kid missing his mother."

Cielo chuckled at that.

xxxxx

Argilla's eyes widened as she found herself on her back, on the floor, with Gale on top of her, his hands on her face and neck, kissing her hungrily.

At her shock, she had had her mouth parted and there, his tongue probed and prodded at her wet cavern amorously. His heated tongue licked her lips slowly, deliberately, memorizing each and every contour that her wet cavern possessed.

She moaned into his mouth and there, she felt the all too familiar feeling of a male arousal, pressing at her thigh.

She growled and pushed him away but he would not let her.

Gale could feel the woman within his arms tightening her muscles, beginning to retaliate against him. No…He wouldn't let her do that. He couldn't let her do that…

This woman, this young woman, had ensnared his rational thought effectively that he no longer thought clearly. She had clouded his judgment enough that he could no longer decipher what made sense and didn't…

And now, his fragile thread of control…the last ounce of his inhibition had dissipated away…It had dissipated away as he peered into her alluring eyes…as he gazed upon her supple lips…and heard her kind and gentle words.

But now…all those tender feelings, he had transgressed. Now, more than ever, as he pressed himself against her, caging her lithe frame effectively within his larger and stronger body, he could feel the ever primordial scream of longing and need from within the bowels of his soul…

Now, no longer the tender and gentle feelings enveloping his countenance, there was just the shrill shriek of cannibalistic rapture…

There was just the primeval and savage yells and grunts of hunger…Hunger for flesh; her flesh.

Aa…

It was that seed in him that had been sowed long ago that had no name…

But no longer.

It had remained nameless and elusive…

But no longer.

Now, it had revealed itself to him.

It was the archaic feeling of lust…of longing…the scream of utter consummation.

And now that he had had her within his grasp, he wouldn't yield what little claim he had on her…No. Never.

Principle?

It was a luxury he couldn't afford…

Rationality…?

Nothing made sense…

Honor…?

Love transcended that…

She taught him that; didn't she?

She herself had told him that people did things without rational thought or conscious justification…Well, then, in his opinion, this…this feeling of craving for her flesh had been just one of those…wasn't it?

Yes it was.

And now…he wouldn't let go of her. She needed to realize something. She needed to feel what he felt…To hear the distant call of longing…To see the faint visage of lust…To feel the gentle caress of love…

He couldn't get enough of her…The way her lips felt against his was a sensation that nothing could surpass…The way her soft and creamy skin felt against his…His strong hands meandered all over her frame, all the while keeping her in place…holding her captive the way she did him.

His fluid tongue, fast and steady, stroked hers amorously, letting instincts be his guiding hand…His lips caressed hers protectively, lovingly…longingly, letting her know of how much he desired her…

She moaned into his mouth and at that, he felt another jolt of pleasure surge within him…trailing down over to his manhood.

She must've felt it too as he felt her stiffen all the more…

Was she as excited as he was…?

Was she beginning to want him the way he did her…?

He wondered; did she hear the distant call of longing as well? See the faint visage of lust…? Feel the gentle caress of love…?

He could only wonder.

He could only ponder.

Argilla shouted and yelled in his mouth but to no avail. She narrowed her eyes and bit him. That caught his attention.

He ceased his kiss and opened his eyes to look at her, "Why did you do that?" he asked innocently, letting the warm blood ooze from his lip's torn skin.

She blinked, shocked, "Gale! Get off me!"

"Why?"

She growled, "Because this isn't right! Let me up!"

He did as she asked.

When the two sat up, she glared at him, "Why did you do that?!"

He sighed, "You said that…my home would be warmer with someone else in it, correct?"

"Yes but-"

"Then it would be warmer with you in it." he deadpanned.

At that, her mind reeled and her jaw hung agape.

"W-what?"

Gale shifted closer to her and cupped her cheek affectionately in his calloused hand, "I want you to be a part of my home."

Shock and bewilderment graced her features and she continued to search his eyes, wanting nothing but to seek that sense of rational thought, realism in his eyes…and his heart.

She found it alright.

She found nothing but conviction and honesty.

"What are you saying…?" she asked nervously.

He blinked, "I want you to be with me."

She gasped but said nothing. So, Heat wasn't imagining things after all. Gale really did…like her.

At that, she swatted his hand away, "Gale, I don't…I mean, we can't!"

He tilted his head to the side, "Why not? Is it because of Heat? But…That is an illness easily cured." he reasoned.

She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat as she felt the feeling of sensitive uncomfortable sensation welling up within her gut, "Gale…It's not just about Heat…"

"Then…?" he asked, leaning in.

She leaned back, putting distance in between them, "Gale…I don't love you like that." was her casual yet truthful response, her eyes widened yet sad.

xxxxx