Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1. I do own Herman and Rose.
A/N: This isn't based on the game. There had been changes.
1: Sera and Jenna are members of Embryon.
2: This isn't the Demon Virus experiment although they posses their atmas. But it's not a disease or a curse and is considered normal.
PAIRING: Heat x Sera
WARNING: AU, OOC, SUGGESTIVE THEMES, WAFF, FLUFF, LANGUAGE
Chapter V
Theme 22: Plushie
Heat looked at his three comrades with a bored look on his face. He sighed as he crossed his arms, looking at them with half-lidded eyes…coupled with enthusiasm one had when watching paint dry.
No. There was no war going on…
The other tribes still existed; yes…but for now, every tribe was focusing in its own internal…personal affairs.
Just like his tribe. The proud and powerful Embryon.
He rolled his eyes at that. Oh they were attending to the need of the tribe alright. They were doing a lot for the betterment of their society.
But more specifically, they were doing a lot for the female population of their city. That was right; this "law" was intended to solely focus on female need. He sneered at that. And the most annoying thing was, rather than get insulted at the blow to their pride as men, the male population seemed to be…basking in enjoyment from this eccentric, almost macabre law.
He snapped out of his daze as he heard a soft feminine giggle from a few feet away. He looked at his comrades and saw that they were unfazed, still absorbed in whatever it was they were discussing which was…oh yeah, that macabre law.
He shivered at that.
He looked at the giggling females and narrowed his eyes.
Yup. They were definitely happy.
Why?
Because that law benefited them.
'And undermined us!' he thought with fury and a bit of embarrassment. Why…?
Well…
He looked from the females and onto their hands; there…he saw the fruit of the law…
"Ey Heat! Brudda! You alright?"
He snapped out of his daze yet again and looked at his comrade, who was none other than Cielo.
"What?" he snapped; irritated.
Three pairs of eyes looked at him. Gale and Serph looked at him. Gale shook his head, "You weren't paying attention." he deadpanned.
Gale had caught him red-handed. But, who cares? There was no way that he would concede to defeat; the defeat in an argument. So, there was only one thing left to do.
He shrugged his shoulders, "So fucking what? Did you really expect me to listen to this bullshit?"
Serph frowned at him, "This isn't that Heat."
Cielo agreed, "Ya brudda! Dis is important!"
Gale nodded in concurrence, "Heat. This is crucial for the stability of our tribe's sense of peace and harmony. If we do not concede to this phenomenon, there would only be chaos."
Serph, who had been looking at Gale the whole time, now turned to Heat with steadfast eyes, "Gale and Cielo are correct. This is of outmost pertinence. You should be paying more attention."
Heat growled, "Why?! What on earth for!? This doesn't concern me!"
The three opened their mouths to speak but stopped and took a moment to gather their thoughts before resuming their talk.
"Hm…" that was all that Serph could say.
Cielo stuck his tongue out, "Your loss brudda!"
Gale touched his forehead, "I suppose so…But…"
Heat crossed his arms and looked away defiantly, "There are no buts. I don't need to know about this crap because I am not involved."
Serph arched an eyebrow, "On the contrary, as long as you remain here, you need to know these things."
Heat hated Serph; and as soon as he said those words, he felt his anger towards the silver-haired man rise. Serph had been right of course. But there was no way that Heat was going to let him have this argument; or any argument for that matter.
Heat's red eyes blazed angrily at him that he gritted his teeth, trying to control it and said in a stressed voice, "I got it alright. You get those females of yours your…your fucktard plush-fuckers for the sake of fucking harmony! I got it…! Alright?!"
The three were taken aback by his "colorful" and "entrancing" words and sweat-dropped. Serph shrugged his shoulders, "As long as you are aware of its importance…whatever you do, is fine."
Heat rolled his eyes; that was what he had been telling them for the last few minutes! Damn it, were these men really this clueless!?
How the hell did this silver-haired hollow-head become leader was beyond him.
Plushies…
He shivered at that thought.
He would never again want to touch or much less, see one of those things ever again. He glared at the three and spoke once more, "If that's all that we are to discuss, then I'll leave you three to settle your bullshit."
Serph blinked, unfazed, "You are dismissed."
'Finally.' Without so much as a salute, he turned his heels and walked away, glad that the misunderstanding and the crappy session was over.
The plush trend had spread like wildfire within Muladhara. What one discovered became a necessity. What one male did for the female of his choice became a population-wide fashion. The plush doll was discovered in one of Embryon's excavations. The aforesaid doll was taken and given to the female, to which she expressed outmost affection towards the male.
Thus, began the disease.
Females had heard of the "love doll" and had either demanded it from the males or had indirectly insinuated of wanting one.
Wanting to woo their females, the males had scoured the excavation site and others near it for the plush dolls. That was where Heat had first encountered the dreaded plush fucktards.
He swore that he would never again want to have anything to do with them…But he was wrong as he saw that the plush fucktards had captured every female heart…and every male attention.
He lived…in the Age of Plush Fucktards.
Soon, the "love dolls" had run out and he had been relieved. But…that was when he started to hate Serph even more.
Serph, to quell the growing childish behavior of his female soldiers had decided, instead, to make the "love dolls" rather than just digging the earth for them.
Yup; now, plush dolls were manufactured.
It wasn't a big plant though; after all, where would they get the military funds for it? No…It was just quaint but apparently enough to subdue the growing female restlessness.
'The Age of the Plush Fucktards…' he thought, shivering with disdain.
Heat lazily walked along the streets still quite uncertain on where to go. He was too wrapped in his thoughts about the horrible plush dolls. He shuddered at that thought, 'I don't care what ever the hell they say…Handing crap like that…is just showing weakness…Nothing more…!'
He stopped as he noticed that he was at the female barrack.
He blinked; 'What the fuck am I doing here?'
His thoughts were interrupted as he heard the distant sound of giggling. He rolled his eyes and turned his heel to walk away when he suddenly froze in his tracks as his ears picked up a name.
Her name.
He immediately blushed as he thought of her.
Her.
Oh yeah.
He almost forgot about her…
He didn't mean to. She had always been the only woman that he had ever thought of. She was the only woman whom he had taken interest in. She was the only one to whom he had ever felt…attracted to.
He blushed a deeper shade of red as he thought about it.
But as the new law…or should he say, "trend" had spread throughout the entire tribe, his thoughts and attention had been focused on how instead to remove such a curse from the tribe's main bloodstream.
And now, within his subconscious mind, his feet had led him to the female barrack, he was glad. He was glad because he may not think of her consciously, his mind and heart never ceased to think of her…
He smiled as he imagined her visage…
'Sera…'
He froze again as he heard another giggle. There was someone with her.
He turned and walked towards where the sounds were coming from. At the side of the building. He pressed himself against the wall, casually leaning on the wall by the edge so that he may not be branded as an eavesdropper with his ears perked up so that he may be able to hear what it was the two females were saying.
"Oh…!" Sera exclaimed, "That's…that's just wonderful Argilla…!"
Heat raised an eyebrow; what was wonderful…?
She was speaking to Argilla? He sneered at that. Oh well. Who else would she talk to? She was practically stuck to Argilla. The pink-haired woman was the only true friend that his love really had.
He narrowed his eyes suddenly. What were they talking about?
If Sera said that something was "wonderful", then he knew that whatever it was, she must really like it.
But still, he couldn't help but scoff at that. Whatever Sera liked was influenced mainly by the aforesaid sister-figure, Argilla.
And whatever Argilla had…well, it had to come only from one person.
He narrowed his eyes even thinner still.
The bastard. Serph.
His thoughts were once more interrupted as the women resumed their talk.
"I'm so happy for you…"
"Yeah." That was definitely Argilla. "I am. Serph is…"
Heat raised an eyebrow as the voices faded. He perked up his ears intently, hell-bent on hearing them when all of a sudden, loud laughter was heard. He scratched his head; what were those women talking about?!
"It's so cute Argilla…!"
"I know…" the pink-haired woman giggled, "Isn't it…?" She sighed as she paused, "I'm really happy that he gave him to me…"
"What did you name him?"
'Him!?' Heat thought in curiosity. 'Who the fuck are they talking about!?'
"Promise not to tell?"
"I promise!"
"I named him Serph Junior." Argilla said in a giggle.
Heat wanted to burst out laughing at that. Serph Junior? What horrible creature spat out from the depths of hell and rejected from the gates of heaven received such a horrendous name?
"Serph made him himself…I never knew he had talent in this…"
"Ooh…How romantic…"
Heat raised an eyebrow; Serph made something…? Whatever or whoever Serph Junior was, was his leader's creation?
"May I hold him Argilla…?"
"Sure."
'Hold him…?' Heat asked, his temper beginning to rise. Hold Serph Junior? What was Serph Junior anyway!?
There was a large part of him that wanted to just go over there and break up their cozy little rendezvous and yell "Who the hell is Serph Junior!?"
And then, there was the part of him that kept him calm, reminding him that harsh temper did not always prevail. Often, cunning and patience were the key.
He decided, that in this situation, the latter rather than the former was required.
And so, he decided to listen more.
"Oh…He's so cuddly…And just the right size too…Oh…! Let me shake him!"
Heat froze as he heard her giggle…Oh, such a heavenly sound it was. How he wished that he may hear it everyday…Everyday for the rest of his life.
"Oh Argilla…! He's the cutest ever! And the jingles at his bottom make him extra adorable! He's so cute and fluffy!"
Argilla laughed, "I guess so."
Heat's heart skipped a beat with his eyes widening a bit.
Now it was starting to make sense.
Serph Junior. Made by Serph. Right size. Adorable. Cute and fluffy. Jingles at the bottom…
'It must be…'
All the color from his face drained.
'Not her too…!'
No. He didn't think that she could ever be swayed by such underhanded tactics! By such phony propaganda!
'She…she…'
"I'm surprised he didn't give you a pink plushie Argilla."
"No…he said that he wanted to give me a plushie that would remind me of him…So…he made Serph Junior."
"Aa…"
Yup. There was no denying it. His angel, his Sera…had been…lured to the dark side. The dark side of whinny and clingy women.
His angel, his Sera, wanted a plushie.
xxxxx
He sat by his bedside, awake even as the night grew ever late. He couldn't sleep. All that he could think of were Sera and plush dolls.
He felt his stomach churn at that. He had sworn never to touch or look at another plush doll as long as he lived. But now…with his beloved wanting one…
He was faced with the most difficult of choices.
On one hand, there was his manly pride. He had prided himself in being strong, unyielding and totally steadfast.
He had long aspired to be the upholder of strength. And he had.
But on the other hand, the happiness as well as the acceptance of his angel laid shining. He sighed. No. He had never told her of how he felt…He had always remained within the shadows, watching her…protecting her without her even knowing it.
They were friends, yes…But nothing more.
She did not suspect anything else from him.
He sighed; that was why Gale and the others had wanted him to pay attention that day about those damned plush fucktards.
It had been the trend now in Muladhara…Males would give any female of their choice a plush doll…
And if they accepted it…
It would mean their acceptance of the males' feelings.
Heat let out a quivering breath and ran a trembling hand through his fiery red hair. His Sera…wanted a plush doll.
And if he gave her one…there was a good chance that she would accept it. Or there was always the chance of being rejected. He shut his eyes as tight as he could. No. He shouldn't think that way.
Positive thoughts.
Nothing but optimistic thoughts.
No matter how deluded and misguided.
He sweat-dropped at that.
'Damn it! There's no other choice!'
He knew that he had made his decision as soon as the thought had landed in his head. It was clear now.
He would win Sera's heart.
She would accept him.
He would get her that damn fucktard of a plush doll.
xxxxx
He was on the way to the store when he suddenly stopped. There was Gale, Serph and Cielo. Gale was holding something…a doll.
"What happened?"
That was Serph, asking Gale.
He watched as Gale touched his forehead and then sighed, "She didn't like it. She said…it looked…scary."
Heat heard Cielo and Serph cough at that. He would too. And he did. Jenna found Gale's plush doll to be…scary…?
But why…? Wasn't it her…her…
"But…isn't dat her atma?" Cielo asked, scratching his head.
Yes; that was what Heat wanted to ask. Jenna found her own…atma…scary?
Gale shrugged his shoulders, "Thankfully, she hasn't rejected me…However she had requested that I present a different doll to her; something that…reflected not her physical appearance…but her…inner self."
Heat couldn't help but snicker at that.
If Jenna wanted that, then, Gale might as well give her a bucket of ice.
'Cold-hearted bitch…' he thought.
"Ey guys. Do you tink she'll like dis?"
Heat was torn from his reverie as he heard the question. That was Cielo. He turned to look at them once more from the wall and looked intently at the three.
He raised an eyebrow. With his sharp eyes, he saw that Cielo was holding something.
A plush doll.
He blinked; to whom was he planning on giving it to?
His answer was questioned as he heard Gale reply, "I suppose so Cielo…But be careful. It would seem that you would have opposition."
Serph nodded, "Heat can be dangerous when provoked."
Heat's color drained from his body as he heard it. So they knew. They all knew.
That meant that…Cielo was going to give it to Sera.
"Ja…I know. But he said so himself ja? He wasn't going to go and touch another doll. So, dat would mean dat he wouldn't mind ja?"
Gale and Serph shrugged their shoulders.
Cielo beamed, "I hope Sera likes dis!"
Heat's heart pounded like a jackhammer against his ribcage. It was a quaint looking doll…It was blue…It was his atma Dyaus.
He growled; he didn't have any more time. He needed to get Sera that doll. Now. He turned his heels from his hiding spot and walked away.
A few minutes later, he stood in front of the gates of the plush doll vendor. He gulped and clenched his hands into fists. He didn't want to go in there, but he had no choice.
'I'm not doing this for anything else but for Sera.' he told himself with outmost dignity and pride. Yes. For Sera.
'For Sera. For Sera.'
With that mantra in mind, he took a deep breath and let his stubborn male pride plummet and entered.
He blinked; there were no female customers…
Only male.
Well, that would make it easier. At least he didn't have stupid women teasing him about it. He suddenly paled. Yes; but now he would have stupid males teasing him about it.
No.
He would just have to avoid his teammates if they decided to visit the vendor after their little talk. That was all. The rest of the male population wouldn't dare "tease" him.
He narrowed his eyes, 'No…Because if they did, their entrails would be the stuffing in their plush fucktards!' he seethed angrily.
Bah!
But enough of this nonsense. He needed to get Sera the doll and that was that. He needed to do this as fast as he could. And so, he walked the aisles and scanned through shelves. Nothing held his interest.
He groaned at that.
So, he kept looking.
It had been almost an hour now, but he still couldn't find the doll that would catch his Sera's heart. 'Damn it! I didn't think that if would be this hard!' he thought with a low growl.
He sighed and continued to look when suddenly, something caught his eye. A few feet from him, on the shelf on the other aisle was a cute pink plush doll. He smiled as he saw the marking on it.
It…resembled Sera's Varnani form…
Heck, it was Sera's Varnani form!
He willed his feet to walk and there jogged to take it. His eyes widened as he saw the doll be swiped from the shelf by another male. His heart stopped and anger swept through his system like a maelstrom.
"Hey you!" he yelled, freezing the male in his tracks.
"Yeah?" the green-haired man spoke with lazy eyes.
Heat nodded and pointed at the Varnani plush doll, "That doll is mine. Cough it up." he demanded pompously, holding out his hand.
The other male hid the doll behind his back and shook his head, "No. I had it first. I was the one who took it from the shelf."
Heat growled; maybe he should just beat the crap out of him? And being within that fucktard store for over an hour now, being sick to his gut about it…Well, he would say that beating the crap out of this guy wasn't such a bad idea. No. It was brilliant.
A brilliant activity to release tension and frustration.
"Give it to me or I'll have to kill you." he threatened nonchalantly, his voice masking what his eyes really conveyed.
The man glared at him but unheeded his words and walked passed him. Heat was taken aback. Didn't this "boy" know who he was talking to!? Didn't he know that he was Embryon's strongest fighter?! A member of Embryon's elite group!?
Heat grabbed the man by the arm and yanked him back, "Hey! I wasn't through with you! Now give me the doll!"
The man yanked his arm back, "No!"
And so, it began…
The two men wrestled for the pink Varnani doll.
With the other man disabled, Heat reached out for the doll on the floor and took it.
'Finally! Victory!' he told himself, totally forgetting that he was on the floor; on the floor of a plush doll vendor…with many males looking at him as he had created quite a spectacle.
He began to stand from the position when the other man had rolled in front of him and grabbed the doll from below.
"No you don't!" he yelled.
Heat growled, "Let go!"
Neither relented.
Neither stopped pulling…
Until…
A shrill ripping sound was heard.
Heat and the other man froze and looked at the doll that they held. Heat's heart stopped; it had been completely torn apart…
And from the looks of it, with its stuffing "leaking out"…it was beyond repair.
"Alright! What's going on here!?"
The males made way and there walked in the store manager.
The other male had explained to him that Heat had forcibly taken the doll and Heat had explained that he had seen the doll first.
Well, there was no question. Heat had been at fault.
The store manager, a purple-haired man glared at Heat, "If you cause another riot like that in here, I would have you thrown out and banned."
Heat sneered at that, "Do you have any idea of who you're dealing with?"
The store manager shook his head, "I don't care who you are. I report directly to the leader. One more transgression and he shall hear of it."
Heat paled at that. Serph would know…?
He could just imagine the guffaws of laughter that his teammates would give him once they knew that their stubborn and manly friend had been caught red-handed within the plush doll vendor and wrestled another man for a plush doll.
It would make him look like a total hypocrite…and embarrass him to no end.
No. Serph and the others should never find out.
Ever!
"He ripped my doll! What am I suppose to do now?!" the green-haired man yelled angrily, dangling the ripped doll for all to see.
Heat sneered and crossed his arms, "Well…if you just gave it to me, none of this would have happened…bitch." he cursed under his breath.
"Well I saw it first dickwad!" the other man retorted rightfully.
"What did you say!?" Heat thundered.
The store manager got in between the two and pushed them apart, "Enough." He then turned to the green-haired man and sighed, "Give me the doll's serial number sir. There is probably another copy."
Heat's heart leapt. Another copy…? Of the doll?! He had to have it!
He opened his mouth to speak when the purple-haired man, whose name turned out to be "Herman", turned to face him, "And you, sir, are requested to leave immediately."
"The hell I will!" Heat growled.
He shook his head, "Leave now or I'll be forced to call the Military Police."
Heat glared at the man, his eyes glowing dangerously, as if to tell the man "You set one foot outside and I'll gut you".
With clenched fists, and gritted teeth, he stomped out of the vendor angrily.
xxxxx
He sighed in disappointment as he sat on a bench. His plan to get Sera that damned doll proved to be more difficult than he had first anticipated.
He groaned; if only that green-haired man hadn't interfered…He would've already gotten Sera her doll…
And now, with the way things had turned out, he would most probably be denied access to the plush doll vendor for at least a few days…or a week…possibly a month or even…year…and maybe…forever.
He paled at that.
'Forever…?'
"Forever?" a gentle female voice repeated.
He whipped around to follow the source of the voice and immediately paled further than he previously did, if that was even possible and looked with widened eyes, "Sera." he said nonchalantly, concealing his embarrassment.
No matter how off guard he had been caught, he would never allow the other party to realize that.
She smiled warmly at him, "This seat taken?"
He blushed at that; he hadn't even offered her to sit.
He abruptly stood and scratched his head and apologetically looked at her, "Errr…sorry about that…Please…sit." he told her, berating himself as he listened to his lame self and even lamer dialogue.
Sera giggled as she watched him be conflicted within himself…He was just so…adorable.
She nodded and sat and there noticed that he had not. He still stood and looked as if he were self-absorbed. She sweat-dropped at that.
"Heat?" she asked.
He blinked as her voice penetrated his thoughts and he turned to face her, "Yeah?"
She patted the space beside her, "Now, you sit."
He repressed a blush and with all of the willpower he had, took her offer. He commended himself mentally as he resisted the sudden and powerful urge to shake at the feel of her warmth…
Yes. Even if they did not touch physically, he could feel her. He could feel her aura…her warmth.
"Heat?"
"What?" he asked gruffly. He didn't mean to…it was just the way he was…
She giggled again. He looked at her with a puzzled expression on his face. Didn't this woman ever do anything else than giggle?
Forget that!
Why was she giggling!? Was there something on his face? Had he said something stupid!?
"Heat…Why are you spacing out on me…?"
He was?
He blushed as he realized that she was right. He had been too preoccupied with his own thoughts to notice her…Even if they were about her.
"Sorry…"
She smiled, "It's okay…I just want to know if you're alright…"
She did?
His heart skipped a beat at that warming thought…
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well," she began, bringing her curled index finger up to her lips as she bit her bottom lip in thought, "I saw you from afar," she paused again, and this time bringing her eyes to meet his, and continued, "I saw that you looked…troubled."
She saw eh?
But the fact that she was concerned about him…made him feel…nice.
Feeling his hope return and his enthusiasm rekindled at getting her plush doll, he merely smiled albeit tightly, "Don't worry about me. It's nothing."
"Are you sure? Maybe I can help…" she said hopefully, sincerity floating within her silver orbs.
If only she knew how much she already had.
'You already did Sera.'
He shook his head, "Nah. I'm fine. So," he paused, changing the subject, "errr…how are you?"
Dumb question.
"I'm okay Heat…So…um…well, I…I guess…I have to go now…" she slowly stood up and so did he. She was going to go? Now?
But…
Had he said something wrong…?
She smiled, "I'll see you later Heat. Cielo and I have something to do."
"Bye…"
He nodded and there she turned and walked away. Cielo…and she…had something to do? Them? Together…?
His blood boiled. Cielo. His rival.
'He would probably give her that damn doll…!'
He clenched his hands into fists once more. He was definitely motivated now.
xxxxx
He buried his face in his hands. It had been three days and three nights…And still, he had no luck in finding her a doll.
He was still refused entry within the vendor. He couldn't care any less though. "Herman" can shove his dumb dolls up his ass.
After that, he had opted for excavating for the dolls…But the sites had been closed. There was nothing else to be found there, he had been told.
And now…
He was nearly running out of options.
Well, he could ask someone else to purchase the dolls in his stead. But…he wouldn't be able to choose the doll himself, and then, there was the fact that he would never, ever lower his pride low enough to ask someone.
Besides, he knew that it was just plain wrong.
The plush dolls were the symbol of acceptance from the female for the male. It wouldn't be right if Heat just gave her a doll that was randomly picked by some schmo.
No…Sera was…everything to him.
She deserved only the best.
He would get her the best doll.
He would.
And then, there was Cielo. Thank goodness that there had been no reported mating ceremonies as yet. That would mean that Sera had either rejected him, to which, Heat couldn't help but hope, or that he hadn't given her the doll yet.
But no matter; his luck wouldn't hold out for very long. He needed to get her that doll! Cielo wouldn't be procrastinating forever!
"Heat. A word."
He turned and saw his leader. He frowned, "What the hell do you want?"
"You could just make her one." he deadpanned.
"What?" Heat asked, growling.
Serph shrugged his shoulders and walked in front of him, "Make her a doll. You don't have to buy one. Just make her one. She'd appreciate it better."
Before he could respond, the silver-haired man had already walked away.
Heat touched his chin in thought; actually…that wouldn't be a bad idea. He blinked; actually, it was brilliant.
But now, the next question arose within his mind; how.
xxxxx
Another two days and nights had passed. He looked at the horrible thing in his hands. It was another failed doll. He had been hurrying at making and finishing the doll by the next day…The next day was the day that the gods had bestowed to them as the preordained day in which couples could "fuse their souls" so to speak.
He really didn't believe in crap like that…but to the females, it meant the world to them. Tomorrow was the day in which they could spend all of their time with their partners in life…and just…be plainly in love.
That was why he had been hurrying and hurrying.
He wanted to exact the day in which he would give her the doll…He wanted it to be…special…memorable…meaningful.
He glared at the horrendous object within his hands with disgust.
It was supposed to be a cat…
But it had turned out to be a monstrosity resembling instead a potato sack. Its shape was bloated and out of proportion. The head was too small for the body…and its belly looked…lumpy. The legs were totally undefined and disproportionate with the other legs. Some were longer or shorter than the other.
In short, it was unattractive.
He then remembered Sera's comments about Argilla's plush doll.
"He's the cutest ever! And the jingles at his bottom make him extra adorable! He's so cute and fluffy!"
No. None of the descriptive words that she had used matched his "creation".
He growled; he couldn't do this right.
But no! He couldn't give up!
He was going to make her a doll even if it killed him.
xxxxx
The sun had risen. Heat's vision was spinning; he had been diligently at work for the entirety of the night and hadn't a wink of sleep.
He sighed; it wasn't the most…"cutest" thing in the world…But…this was the best he could do. He had been trained in stitch-work, yes, but he wasn't a professional. Hence, it had resulted in several pricks on his fingers. But he had decided long ago that he would brave whatever danger there was just so that he may please his Sera…
His heart sank.
He looked at the doll again, holding it close to his face. He had decided to follow Serph's main example. He wanted to make a doll that would remind her of him…
That was why he had decided to make her a doll modeled after his own atma, Agni.
He looked at it with sad and hopeless eyes. This was the best he could do. Agni's heads weren't of equal size. The left was smaller than the other; way smaller…
And the body wasn't firm and muscular. It was…bulgy. Its tummy looked more like a beer-belly more than anything else…His stitch-work wasn't the best quality either and he had to poke some of its stuffing back in with his finger whenever it would pour out slightly from the small openings…
But…there wasn't any more time.
He needed to give this to her…
It was now or never.
The only thing that he liked about Agni…were its mouths. They were both wide open and ready for feeding!
He laughed bitterly at that; it wasn't a laughing matter. This was a matter of life and death. If he gave this to her…and confessed what he felt…there was a chance of her rejecting him. And then there was Cielo.
And if she rejected him, he just…didn't know what he would do.
He snapped his head awake; this was no time to feel sorry for himself.
'If she takes it it's fine. If she didn't, to hell with her.'
That was a lie and he knew it. He thought that it would bring him comfort…no matter how false. But he realized that it didn't.
xxxxx
He found her by the bench, at the park…She was there, reading a book. He looked around and noticed that there was no one else around. Good. It would make this…easier.
He took a deep breath, mustering all of his courage and walked over to her, the doll kept behind his back.
She noticed his presence and smiled at him, "Hey Heat. Fancy seeing you here. Sit."
He shook his head, "Sera. I…I have something to tell you."
Sera saw the serious look in his face…and what was more…was the pained expression and emotions within his fiery red eyes…
This was such a turnaround for him…
She had…never seen him this way…
Ever. And now, seeing him this way, made her worry…
She stood, closing her book, "What is it? You look…Are you okay Heat?"
His heart raced as she looked deep within his eyes…And there, he found himself drowning within her gaze…Now, more than ever, he hoped and prayed…that she would accept him; that she would have him as her significant other…her other half…
"I'm fine…"
He could feel fear beginning to rear its ugly head within his spine…
"Erm…where's Argilla…? You're usually with her, right?" he asked, buying himself time to recollect his courage.
Sera giggled, "Oh! Her? She's with Serph…Come on Heat. You know what today is right…? They're…busy." she finished with a hint of a small blush on her face.
"Oh…" he replied absentmindedly.
She blinked, "But that's…not what you wanted to tell me. What is it?"
He closed his eyes and sighed; there was no getting around this. He just had to be a man and bite the bullet; no matter the outcome.
He slowly moved his hand from his back and there presented her the doll, "Here." he told her in a low and sad tone, "You…keep him."
Sera's silver eyes widened as she looked at the doll. It was his atma…complete with two heads and everything…
She blushed; did that mean that Heat…liked her?
Wordless, she slowly took the doll in her hands.
He felt his heart crumble as the seconds ticked by without her saying anything. He had been rejected…hadn't he?
Well, he really didn't need to hear it from her. He could take a hint.
He really didn't need to feel any more devastated than he already did. With a curt nod, he turned and walked away.
Sera, absorbed in her thoughts, blinked as she saw Heat walk away. She followed him, "Wait Heat…!"
He stopped as he heard her voice. He turned and saw, with surprise, the painful expression on her face, "Please…don't go."
"Sera…"
She said nothing and walked over to him. His heart pounded; what was she doing?
She smiled weakly at him and there, hugged the doll to her chest, "Heat…Thank you for him…" she said, looking at the pot-bellied doll.
Heat blushed, "It's nothing." he replied, trying to hide his trembling feeling. "It's…the best I could do. I know that he looks…pathetic."
"I mean it Heat…Thank you. I…I love him. And he doesn't look pathetic…He's…cute and fluffy…" she told him truthfully, nuzzling her face against the doll's soft faces.
He felt happy…that she liked Agni but…what did she mean that she "loved" him?
"Sera…?" he asked, unsure, "Do you…I mean…ugh…you and me…erm…are we…?" he stammered, not knowing how to phrase his question without sounding like a sappy idiot.
She nodded and took his hand in hers, "Uh huh…"
She saw the uncertainty in his eyes…And there, she tiptoed and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips, "There." she said with a smile.
Heat was stupefied. He had…he had just been kissed…
His dreams did her little justice…Oh how many nights had he pondered and fantasized about her…And now…as she had planted a small kiss against his lips…He realized that the dreams were pathetic…They were nothing like the real thing.
Simply put, her kiss was the most…rejuvenating thing that he had ever felt in his whole life…
Her lips were the softest that he had ever felt…He licked his lips and tasted her on him. She was…the sweetest that he had ever tasted…
And now that she had assured him…that she had accepted him…he felt nothing but pure and untold happiness.
"You gave him to me Heat. That's all that matters…" she said with her silver eyes twinkling.
Sera took his hand in hers, "Come on Heat. Let's go."
Heat blinked, "Go? Where?"
She giggled, "Aren't you going to walk me to my room? I need to get Agni home…"
He smiled and squeezed her hand, "Alright. Come on…I'll walk you…"
She squeezed his hand back and there, he remembered something, "Did…Cielo give you a doll?"
She laughed, "Cielo? No. Why?"
He frowned, "I…I thought he did. I saw him having a doll…"
She giggled, "Oh Heat. It wasn't for me!"
It wasn't?
Then…
"It was for your cousin! He had his eyes on her for a while now…He just showed it to me and asked me what I thought of it!" she giggled as she paused, "He just didn't know how to tell you. He was afraid that you might…well, hurt him."
His cousin!?
He growled, "Why that-!"
She stopped and playfully pouted at him, "Now, now Heat! Don't be mean! She likes him too!"
"Rose likes that…that idiot?! Why wasn't I told!?" he thundered.
Suddenly, he felt her warm lips against his own, silencing him. He relaxed and there moaned. Their kiss, that had begun gentle, soon turned passionate…
But, remembering that they were still outside…Heat pulled back and smiled, "Come on. Let's get inside."
She giggled; it seemed that he had forgotten all about the issue about Cielo and Rose. Ah…men; they were so easy to distract.
"Say…Heat?"
"Yeah?"
"I think…I'll call Agni…Pookey Bear instead. What do you think?" Sera asked happily.
Heat blanched at that. His powerful atma, Agni…being degraded to have such a…name. His insides churned painfully at the thought. But he shook his head; no. He must endure…
His angel wanted it.
And if he could make her that doll…then god damn it, he could endure that horrible name. But despite his newly found vigor, he couldn't help but shiver.
"It's fine…I guess…" he trailed off.
"I knew you'd like it!" the female beamed, pecking him on the cheek as they continued to walk. He blushed; already, he was reaping the fruits of his labor.
But then, another thought came to his mind.
"Erm, Sera?"
"Yes Heat?"
"Let's just keep Pookey Bear's name between you and me…alright?" he asked blushing crazily, cringing as he said the aforesaid horrendous name.
"Aaaww…But I want him to play with Serph Junior!" she complained, pouting, ceasing her walk.
He stopped as well.
Heat bit his lip, controlling his laughter. Oh yes…Serph Junior. He almost forgot about that. Well, he supposed that there was no harm in that…Besides, Argilla would have to keep the secret of Serph Junior and Pookey Bear's names for their sakes, won't she?
"Alright." he conceded finally, "Just no one else. Okay…?"
She smiled again, "Okay!" she paused and then resumed her speech, "But wait…I might have to tell…"
Heat sighed; there really was no end to this, was there? There was no point in him telling her to not expose Pookey Bear, or, erm, Agni.
He should just keep nodding. And so, wanting to spare himself the stress of thinking of future humiliation, he kept on nodding away as Sera continued to talk, doting over Pookey Bear.
xxxxx
FIN