Of Fire and Ice

C.23

I woke up in the hotel bed and very confused. Ari was napping on my stomach with her head on my chest, right over my heart. Grey was asleep beside me. I slowly reached over and brushed some hair out of his face.

One of his eyes slowly opened, and a soft smile broke out. "You're awake. That's good. You scared the crap out of us." He said, sitting up.

He got up, pressed a kiss to my forehead and walked out. "Hey Erza, guys, she's awake." He said and the room was full of people. "How are you feeling?" Erza asked. "Like shit." I said. "You scared us!" Lucy said. "Scared us terribly." Happy agreed. "What were you thinking, taking on an entire dark guild by yourself?" Natsu asked.

"Well I did it, didn't I?" I sighed. "Yes you did, but you drained almost all your magic energy in one go. That could've killed you!" Erza said. "Well, it didn't." I sighed. "Let's just be thankful that I'm not dead, and all of you are alive too." I sighed, transferring Ari to my pillow, and I got up.

"Where are you going?" Grey asked. "To take a bath. I feel disgusting." I said and walked into the bathroom and closed the door. I ran the water in the tub and started to undress.

I focused heat from my hands on the bottom of the tub to heat the water and start to boil. I slipped in and just sat there, staring at the wall. Before long, I slipped under, holding my breath and closing my eyes.

I don't know how long I stayed there, but the water lost some of its heat, so that must've been a while. I finally got out and dried off with a very fluffy towel and slipped on my underwear before going into the bedroom.

Gods know how long, but I sat there and stared at the wall for a very long time. Thoughts ran through my head, things I haven't thought in a very long time. I felt the urge to laugh, but I knew it would come out wrong, so I clamped my hand over my mouth.

I suddenly felt sick, so I got up and ran to still steamy bathroom and puked in the toilet. I felt my white hair being held back and someone rubbing circles on my back.

When I was done, I flushed the toilet and laid my head on the cold rim. I closed my eyes and sighed. "Hen, you okay?" Grey asked. "Tired." I said in a hoarse voice. "Let's get you in bed." He said and helped me up and under the covers.

"Don't know what's up with you, but I would bet that rest is the best option for you right now." He said and I smiled. "Only if you stay with me." I said and he smirked before taking his shirt off and joining me under the covers.

I wanted Grey here not only because he was my gentleman friend and could keep me busy, but also because I did not want to be alone with these thoughts going round my head.

"So... what do you want to do?" Grey asked and I cuddled up to him and hugged him round his middle, lying my head on his shoulder. His icy skin felt nice. "Don't really give a fuck." I said with a scratchy voice and shrugged.

"I really don't want to say this, but I kinda have to. I know you're not feeling well and all, but your voice sounds really..." Grey couldn't finish his sentence. I smirked up at him before laughing.

"Just go to sleep, I'll be right next to you." He rubbed my arm and I nodded, closing my eyes and drifting off.