Of Fire and Ice

C.15

I stayed at home the next two days. I've been questioning Ari's loyalty to me. She sometimes hung around, and sometimes she went with Natsu and Happy to Fairy Tail to hang out.

I actually got dressed and stepped out today to get some food or something. I don't know. Just to go outside.

Then I bumped into Grey. "Hey Henley. I was actually on my way over to yours just now. I haven't seen you in two days. Wanted to make sure you were okay." He said and I smiled. "That's sweet, and thanks. But I'm fine." I said, turning back and leading him to my place. Lucy was at the guild and Ari is with Natsu.

We got to the kitchen and I started to make tea. "So what's up? You haven't been at the guild for a while." He asked. "Yeah, I just haven't really been feeling my best these past few days. But I'm fine now. I actually went outside." I smiled.

"Yeah, that's good." He seemed awkward. "Are you okay, Grey?" I asked, leaning forward a little, but he caught my face in his hands.

"No. I'm not okay. You've been driving me insane." His eyes bore into mine. "Uh, sorry?" I apologised. "Lucy told me about your argument with Ari and why you don't date. Monsters don't get happy endings? Bullshit." He said and my eyes widened.

"Listen to me. You're not a monster." He said and I nodded. "Okay." "You're a beautiful girl with amazing talent and a few flaws. You're perfect. And I find you very attractive and very very interesting. And I've happened to develop some feelings for you." He admitted and my cheeks fired up.

"Oh my god, really?!" I asked. Grey nodded and brushed our lips together. "Please don't fucking tease." I sighed. Grey chuckled and fit them together in a kiss.

I kissed back happily, smiling, but not too widely or it would ruin the kiss. Grey pulled back and smiled at me shyly, pushing my hair back behind my ear. I knew I was blushing for sure, just as pink tinted his cheeks.

"Oh! The tea!" I suddenly remembered, and got up, but Grey stood as well and caught my waist, turning me towards him to kiss me again.

This one was slower, a little more heartfelt. I still smiled as happy as could be.

"Traitor!" I heard Ari yell and we jumped apart to see our team in the doorway. Lucy, Ari, Natsu, Happy, and Erza.

"We came to see how you were doing, but it seems Grey got here first." Natsu grinned. "Shut up, Ari! I'm not a traitor!" I huffed. "I'll go get the tea." Lucy spoke up and slipped away.

"Dishonour on you! Dishonour on your family! Dishonour on your cow!" Ari was yelling. "Ariadne, shut up!" I yelled and silenced her.

"Look, sorry you're mad and all, but this is kinda human tradition. And I'm about three years late on it thanks to our agreement. I should be engaged by now if I were normal. Or at least in a few years. Anyway, I'm eighteen. I should've had at least two boyfriends by now. But no!" I pointed to Grey. "He is the first and if you fuck it up for me I will gut you and roast you rotisserie style!" I swore.

Everyone was starting at me in shock. I cleared my throat and changed my composure. "Lucy! You need help with that tea?" I asked, going into the kitchen. "No, it's fine." She stuttered.

We sat down at the table and drank tea, until Natsu conjured little flames in his hand. "Hey Henley. Do this." He said so I held my hand out and a little flame danced softly on my palm. "Why?" I asked. "Cos I'm curious about what your flame tastes like." He said and I raised my eyebrow.

"I'll let you try it if you can make it sound not so weird." I said and he rolled his eyes. He held his hand out to me and I looked at it cautiously. "I don't want to eat that." I said.

"C'mon please. I don't know what mine taste like! I thought we could try each other's and share!" Natsu huffed. "Okay, fine! But this has got to be the weirdest thing I've ever done." I sighed.

I cautiously took a bite of his and he ate mine whole. "I taste smoked fish... Black pepper, ew. I hate black pepper. Ooh! And fried eggs! I like fried eggs! Not bad, Natsu." I hummed.

"You're delicious!" Natsu exclaimed. "There's peaches and strawberries and butter and sugar and caramel and it's amazing! I want more!" He said and I shook my head.

"No way." "Why not?" "Cos it's weird!" "C'mon please?" He begged, and an idea popped in my head.

"Sure. I'll give you some fire once a week on Friday if you're nice to me and do some favors for me." I smiled sweetly. "Are you blackmailing me?" He asked. "You bet, pyromaniac." I grinned.

"Just be nice and do small favors when I ask and you'll get some of my fire every Friday." I smiled. "It's not that bad of a deal, Natsu." Grey smirked.

"Okay, fine. I'll do it." Natsu said and I grinned evilly.