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The Thaw	By : Shaellin Category: +S through Z > Winx Club Views: 7501 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Winx Club, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
While Bloom and Sky were off checking on Darcy and Tecna and Stormy and Flora, Icy and Layla felt like they were in their own little world, a world just made for two. Layla felt a little thrill when Icy slipped an arm around her waist and turned that enigmatic smile upon her. She still couldn't understand the fascination the ice witch held for her, but tonight was not a night for questions. Unfortunately it seemed that Icy did not feel the same way. Her first question hit Layla right where it hurt.
"So Layla, how're you and that boyfriend of yours getting along?"
Layla was taken aback. Of all the topics Icy could have chosen to talk about why did it have to be that one? Nabu was not exactly at the top of the list of people she wanted to be thinking about while she was with Icy. Layla forced an awkward smile as she replied.
"Oh. We're doing fine. Just great. In fact Nabu is taking me out for a day on the town tomorrow. We're gonna wander around Magix and see the sights and spend the whole day together."
Icy couldn't help the smirk which formed on her face. Darcy's lessons on reading people were really paying off. She knew what that little hesitation at the start meant. There was trouble in paradise and Layla didn't want to talk about it. Of course that made Icy want to talk about it all the more.
"Oh really? The whole day? Well that's great. I guess this means that he's okay with what's going on between you and me?"
The way Layla turned her head away told the ice witch that nothing could be further from the truth. She knew practically word-for-word what the water fairy was going to say before she even opened her mouth.
"Well, he doesn't exactly know about us yet."
Icy's eyes lit up with mischief as she trailed a finger along Layla's collarbone.
"Aaah, I see. Keeping it a secret from him, eh?"
Layla's eyes opened wide and she shook her head in denial.
"No no. That's not it at all."
Icy trailed her finger up the black girl's throat and along her jaw to rest on her chin as she gazed into her eyes.
"If it's not a secret then why not tell him? He's your boyfriend, right? Shouldn't he know all about your new friend?"
Layla felt as though she were about to drown in those icy blue eyes. The chill sense of dread she felt at the prospect of telling Nabu about her relationship with Icy only intensified that feeling. As she tore her gaze away she tried to tell herself it was only because it was a very bad idea to skate while not watching where one was going that made her do so.
"Could we not talk about this please? I really don't want to think about it right now."
Icy considered pressing the issue, but in the end she decided it was better to let the matter rest for the moment and keep Layla's trust intact for the time being. She removed her hands from the water fairy and turned her gaze straight ahead.
"Fine. Let's just talk about something else then."
Layla was all for that. Unfortunately now that the subject had been raised she found that she couldn't dismiss it so easily. She found her thoughts returning to the subject at every turn, no matter how she tried to direct them elsewhere.
Icy couldn't think of another topic to talk about just yet either and didn't want to go to straight out flirting without some sort of cover to make it more acceptable to the water fairy, so she waited to see if the brown-skinned beauty would come up with something herself.
While Icy waited, Layla stewed silently over the issue of her own double-dealing between Icy and Nabu. Being perfectly honest with herself she realized that she had a great deal of difficulty reconciling her relationship with Nabu with her growing feelings for Icy. It wasn't something she wanted to think about but she couldn't help it. Thinking about Nabu while skating beside Icy made her feel guilty and ashamed. After a few moments she looked over at the ice witch.
"Mind if we sit out for a while? I really need to clear my head."
This was not what Icy wanted to hear. It didn't take much to realize what was weighing on Layla's mind. This was not the sort of thing she needed Layla to be seriously contemplating. She had only meant to get Layla a bit flustered and confused, not get her started seriously weighing the consequences of their relationship. Her first instinct was to derail this line of thinking fast, but then she reconsidered and realized that with some careful management this might possibly become an opportunity for her. Pausing only a few seconds while these thoughts flew through her mind, the white-haired witch nodded.
"Sure. No problem. Come on. Let's go find us a couple of seats."
As she started leading Layla off the floor she caught sight of Bloom and Sky heading their way. It must not have taken them as long to check on her sisters as she had hoped. The last thing she needed at the moment was those two playing chaperon. She caught Bloom's eye and gave a quick shake of her head to warn her off. Bloom's eyebrows rose, but she made a quick decision and skated on past with Sky. The prince of Eraklyon gave his girlfriend a confused look.
"What's going on? Why is Icy leading Layla off the floor? And why did we just skate on past?"
Bloom shook her head at him.
"I don't know. It kinda looked like Layla wasn't feeling well or something. Icy didn't seem to want us helping them for some reason."
Sky frowned at that.
"Do you think it's a good idea leaving Layla alone with her?"
Bloom shook her head.
"I don't know, but we're here to try to make friends with the Trix and showing a little bit of trust in Icy could go a long way. We'll just look in on them next time we come around."
A grim look settled on the blond-haired prince's face.
"I just hope this isn't a big mistake."
Bloom nodded worriedly.
"You and me both."
Meanwhile Icy got Layla settled in a chair and sat down beside her.
"You okay Layla? I hope it wasn't something I said."
Layla looked up and gave her a wan smile.
"I'm sorry. It's just this thing with you and me and Nabu. It's kinda stressing me out. I don't know what to do about it. I feel like I'm caught in the middle between the two of you somehow."
The ice witch gave her a perverted grin.
"That sounds like it could be fun. I'm up for it if he is."
Layla blinked and stared at Icy blankly for a moment while she worked out what she was talking about, then she shook her head and laughed.
"Ha ha! No, not like that! I don't know if Nabu would ever go for that. I'm worried enough about how he'll take it when he finds out about the two of us. I don't even really know what exactly it is between us, and I'm afraid if Nabu finds out he's gonna take it badly."
Icy cocked an eyebrow and downgraded her grin to lightly teasing.
"'If' he finds out, eh? So you're not planning on telling him then?"
Layla turned her head away in shame.
"I know I should. I want to. I need to. It's just that I don't know how he's going to react. How does a guy handle it when he finds out that his girlfriend is interested in another girl? I really care about Nabu. I don't want to lose him. If I tell him what's been going on between us... I don't even fully understand it myself. How am I gonna explain it to him? This is all such a mess."
Icy reached out to grasp Layla's chin lightly with her fingers and gently turned her face back toward her. Layla was stunned by the concerned, resolute look in the ice witch's eyes as she spoke.
"Listen Layla, I get that this whole thing isn't easy for you. People aren't going to understand what you and I have together, and your boyfriend will probably go ballistic when he finally finds out. Even if you and I broke up right now he's still going to have a cow when he hears about what we've meant to each other. There's no way of getting around that now. Too many people have seen too much for it not to make its way back to him eventually. The real question isn't how will he react but how will you handle it. Are you gonna go crawling to him for his understanding and forgiveness when you've done nothing wrong or are you gonna stand up for yourself? You care about him and you care about me. That's not exactly a crime. If anything that just proves how strong your heart is. If he can't handle that then maybe he's the one who's not worthy of you."
Layla shook her head, clearly upset by Icy's bold words.
"No. He is worthy of me. I know he is. He's everything I'm looking for in a guy."
Icy tilted the water fairy's chin upward and locked eyes with her.
"Is he, or do you only want to believe that he is? People don't always get it right on the first try you know. And why exactly are you looking for a guy anyway? Maybe that's not who you really are. Maybe your perfect man... is a woman."
Staring back into those cold blue eyes and seeing the intensity in her gaze made Layla feel weak and fluttery inside. What was this feeling? Was it fear? Desire? Perhaps both at once? She shuddered and laid a hand on the ice witch's arm.
"Icy, I don't... I don't know..."
The white-haired ice queen raised a deceptively delicate-seeming hand up to stroke the chocolate colored cheek of the princess of Tides gently.
"Look at me Layla. Take a deep breath and relax. You're confused right now. That's understandable. You're trying to answer too many questions at the same time. They're all getting tangled up in your head. What you need to do is take them one at a time. Forget everything else for now. The one question you need to answer first is 'What do you want?'. That's all. Not what you want most. Not what you should want. Not what will make other people happy. Not even what will make you happy. Just ask yourself what you want. You probably want a lot of different things, maybe even things that contradict each other. That's fine. You're allowed to want all sorts of things. Just start making yourself a list. Once you have a good solid idea of all the things you want you can start weighing your choices and making some decisions. But for right now just focus on knowing what you want. We can take things from there."
Layla nodded slowly. It sounded like good solid advice. Figure out what she wanted first, then start making choices about what options to pursue.
"Yeah. I guess that makes sense."
A curious look crossed her face.
"Icy, why are you being so nice to me?"
The ice witch gave a mild frown.
"Why shouldn't I be? I like you Layla, and I think you like me too. Isn't that enough reason to be nice to you?"
Layla gave her a troubled look.
"Yeah but, well I mean, you are a witch after all. Witches aren't exactly known for being nice, even to people they like."
Icy smiled at her slyly.
"Ah, I see. Well maybe it's all just a part of my nefarious plot to get you to like me. Or maybe I actually care about you. Just because I'm a witch doesn't mean I don't have real feelings."
*'Maybe I actually care about you.' Damn it! That can't be true, can it? She's a fairy. Worse, she's part of that stinking Winx Club who keep foiling all our schemes. I can't actually have feelings for her, can I?*
The uncomfortable frown and far-off look that crossed Icy's face drew Layla out of her own thoughts on the subject. She reached out to lay a hand on the ice witch's shoulder.
"Icy? Are you okay?"
Icy shot her a wary look, then forced herself to relax and gave a nod.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just... I kinda have my own issues with where this is all going."
Layla gave her an encouraging look.
"Wanna talk about it?"
Icy shook her head.
"No offense babe, but as you pointed out I am a witch. We don't exactly 'open up'."
Layla took both of Icy's hands in hers and smiled.
"Well, maybe that's something that could change. You never know. Talking to someone about your problems might help."
Icy gave her a skeptical smirk.
"Yeah, maybe later."
Layla's face fell.
"Yeah. Maybe."
Sensing the barrier starting to rise up between them Icy jammed her foot in it hard, giving Layla's hands a firm but gentle squeeze.
"Okay, definitely later. I don't guarantee you're gonna like what I have to say, but if it means that much to you I'll tell you. Just not right now, okay?"
Layla smiled at her with renewed hope.
"Okay. Thanks Icy. I promise to keep an open mind."
Icy silently snorted in mockery at that thought. *Right. An open mind. That's really gonna help when I tell you 'I've been playing you this whole time so I can split up you and your friends.' Fat chance.* On the outside she just smiled warmly.
"Thanks Layla. That means a lot to me."
She leaned forward and pressed her lips to Layla's, a bit more gently than was her wont. Layla put her arms around the ice witch and returned the kiss. Icy had just wrapped her arms around the water fairy in turn and was starting to deepen the kiss when the sound of a throat clearing interrupted them. Both girls broke off and turned their heads to see Stella looming over them with Brandon standing by her side. The blond princess planted her hands on her hips and scowled down at them.
"Enjoying ourselves, are we?"
Icy gave her a saucy smirk.
"I don't know about you but I'm having a great time, thanks for asking. How about you Layla?"
Layla's dark cheeks blushed a deep shade of reddish-brown as she hastily let go of the ice witch.
"Uh, yeah, just fine. Listen, Stella, I can explain."
Stella folded her arms, continuing to frown down at the pair.
"Explain why you were just kissing that witch? Oh, this oughta be good."
Icy placed a hand on Layla's arm.
"Forget it. You don't have to explain anything to her. This is just between us. Nosy busybodies should just learn to mind their own business."
Stella shifted her hands to her hips and leaned forward threateningly.
"Oh, is that so?"
Brandon placed his hands on her shoulders, gently trying to calm her down.
"Take it easy Stella."
Layla rose to her feet.
"No, Icy's right. This isn't any of your business Stella. You don't like my relationship with Icy. I get that. But I don't owe you any explanations. If you have a problem with that then tough."
Stella looked startled by this sudden change in Layla's behavior. "But Layla..." she whined. Icy seemed surprised and impressed by Layla's new attitude as she too stood up. "You go girl." Even Brandon seemed stunned. "Layla..."
Layla grabbed Icy's hand as she continued to stare down the Solarian princess.
"Come on Icy. Let's get out of here. I've had enough skating for tonight."
As Layla turned and towed Icy off toward the rental window to turn in the ice witch's skates the white-haired girl waved tauntingly at the shocked couple.
"See ya later. Tell the others not to wait up for us."
As Stella stood there stunned Brandon scratched at the back of his head.
"And I think maybe this is why we weren't partnered off with Icy and Layla to begin with."
- 20
- 21
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The Thaw