The Thaw

Getting flown around was a new experience for Layla. She had flown under her own power often enough, using her own set of wings, but being carried in someone else's arm as they flew, especially someone who flew without the use of wings, was a totally different experience. When that person also happens to be someone you find rather attractive and who you have reason to believe sees you the same way, it becomes the kind of experience one doesn't soon forget. Layla was glad that her dark skin made it hard to tell when she was blushing, because she was pretty sure she was blushing pretty hard most of the trip back.

She was rather impressed that Icy had picked her up without any sign of visible strain. Was she using some sort of magical assist or was she simply that strong? Watching the ice witch's face as she flew gave her no clues, but it wasn't without its own benefits. When Icy caught her looking she gave her a frown.

"What?"

Layla shook her head and smiled.

"Nothing. I just like looking at you, that's all."

The look Icy gave her in return was a curious cross between a smirk and a genuine smile.

"Well I'll admit, you're not exactly hard on the eyes yourself."

From the heat on her cheeks Layla had a feeling even her dark skin wasn't hiding her blush anymore. She looked away to conceal her embarrassment and caught sight of the campus coming into view through the trees up ahead. She smiled brightly.

"There's Alfea! We're almost there!"

The smile faded from Icy's face as she realized their little flight was almost over. She slowed her pace and looked intently at the princess in her arms.

"You know, we don't have to go straight back. We could make a quick stop if you wanted to stretch your legs, or do... other things."

Layla looked at her in confusion.

"No, I'm fine. We'll be there in a minute anyway. But if you're getting tired..."

Icy scowled. Her subtle invitation had evidently sailed right over the water fairy's head. She looked straight ahead as she resumed her previous pace.

"Forget it. Let's just get this over with."

Layla wondered what she had done wrong. Icy had looked particularly beautiful while she was smiling, but now her smile was gone, like a frost flower melted by the heat of the sun. Did she miss something?

A moment later they flew over the walls of Alfea, the protective barrier that had been in near-constant use last year having been taken down once Baltor was defeated. Layla was a little surprised. She had expected Icy to drop her off outside the campus proper. For the ice witch to deliver her right into the midst of the school grounds was a pretty bold move on her part.

Naturally their arrival did not go unnoticed. Several fairies were out enjoying the early evening sunlight, and the arrival of the infamous ice witch caused a good deal of excitement and commotion. Layla felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach as she recognized Musa and Mirta among them. This wasn't going to go well. Icy touched down just a couple yards from the pair, setting Layla on her feet a moment later. Musa came running up to them with a worried look.

"Layla! Are you alright? What happened?"

She turned an accusing look on the ice witch.

"What'd you do to her?"

Icy folded her arms and stared back at her.

"I brought her home, that's what I did to her."

Layla placed a reassuring hand on the agitated music fairy's shoulder.

"Musa, I'm fine. Icy just wanted to make sure I got home safely after I almost ran into Gloomywood forest without watching where I was going."

Mirta stepped up beside Musa and gave Layla a look of concern.

"Gloomywood forest? That's a dangerous place. Why were you going there?"

Layla looked away, embarrassment clearly written on her face.

"I wasn't really, that's just where I ended up. I wasn't exactly paying attention to where I was going after, well, you know, what happened earlier."

Musa placed both hands on the water fairy's shoulders with a look of clear distress on her face.

"Oh Layla! I knew I should have gone after you."

She looked over at Icy with a strained expression.

"As for you, I guess I should thank you for looking after Layla like that. That was... unexpectedly considerate of you."

Icy turned to the side and closed her eyes with an 'I don't care' expression on her face, waving her hand in the air dismissively.

"Don't even bother. I didn't do it for you."

She stepped closer to Layla and gave her possessive grin.

"I just didn't want to see anything bad happen to my favorite fairy."

Layla placed a grateful hand on Icy's shoulder and smiled.

"Thank you Icy. I really appreciate all that you did for me today."

Icy leaned in and placed a quick kiss on Layla's cheek.

"Feel free to repay the favor any time."

With a mischievous smirk and a wave, the ice witch rose up in the air, turned and flew away, leaving behind a couple of dozen gaping fairies. Layla waved back happily, then turned to find Mirta and Musa staring at her with identical looks of concern. Musa shook her head.

"We really need to have a serious talk."