Chapter 56

Amaranth Cafè

Jessie and Alexis had very similar reactions when they were informed of Lzzy's powers. Firstly, they asked to retell the story more than once, only to be convinced when they saw Lzzy executing spells. Then they scolded both Lzzy and their respective husbands for keeping the secret until then, they forgave them and reassured them: they wouldn't tell anyone and were going to support them.

This allowed Lzzy to pack up for the European tour with a lighter heart and to enjoy the new level of her relationship with Icy. After their talk, in fact, Icy had begun not only to wear her hair loose and to steal her clothes, but also to let go around her. She wasn't as effusive as Stella was with Brandon, but she stopped dissimulating their kisses and hugs, she was more spontaneous, at least as long as they were around people Icy was comfortable with.

Lzzy liked that sweeter Icy who let her caress her hair while watching a movie, put her head on Lzzy's shoulder and inevitably fell asleep in a few minutes, who smiled and laughed and made jokes and pretended to pout. The more Lzzy knew her the more she fell in love, and everyone could tell. Joe had started mocking them calling them "teen lovebirds" and "married couple", followed by Arejay and Josh.

Icy and Arejay also got much closer in those few days, the witch spent as long as she could on Earth and he kept treating her like a sister. It was thanks to him that Lzzy knew that one night Icy woke up all sweaty and trembling, terrified from a nightmare where Lzzy wasn't able to contrast Valtor's attack, that after trying to go back to sleep she snuck out to Earth because she needed to make sure that Lzzy was fine, that they all were fine, and that she almost fell asleep there, on the moquette of the bus. Arejay prevented her from doing so by waking up for thirst and finding her by their bunks.

- How come you're here? - he had asked in a low voice.

- Nightmares wouldn't let me sleep. - she had answered in the same way, - I haven't slept a full night in days. If I don't wake up, I talk in my sleep and I'm extremely tired in the morning. I can only sleep well when she's with me. -

Arejay had looked at her, the pale face without makeup, the loose hair smelling of shampoo, the eyes that didn't leave Lzzy even for a second. That girl was incredibly strong and fragile at the same time, a rock that was impossible to break but that sometimes was scraped. The fact that she told him about it demonstrated it: even if they considered each other as siblings, the witch didn't often confide in Arejay and, to seem strong and not make her worry, she hadn't even wanted to tell Lzzy.

Lzzy didn't say anything to not make her mad at Arejay, but she was already trying to plan her days so that she could spend some nights in Magix. Probably Darcy wasn't going to love the news, or maybe she would have noticed it was good for Icy and wouldn't give them problems. It's not like she gave any problems actually, she was too busy with her own relationship and Xavier.

In a little time Darcy had made incredible progress, she could already perceive the spirit world for a few instants. Aisha's control over fluids was also widening and Tecna was helping Francesca to control electronic devices.

But that night they weren't up to any of that: it was October 31st and they were in Gardenia, all dressed up in costumes, much to Stella's joy since she took advantage of the event to try out a dozen new techniques and materials.

Besides Xavier's new pupils there was Andrea, they were seventeen in total. A large group that couldn't have been more heterogeneous when it came to costumes: Stormy and Aisha were pirates, Stella was a demon, Darcy a werewolf, Francesca the corpse bride, Flora a skeleton, Andrea a dragon, Desirè a cat, Maria a pumpkin, Musa a zombie, Icy a ghost, Tecna and Cassandra were two characters of a steampunk story...

They took Halloween as an excuse for a girls-only night, far away from any kind of problem. Although the suburban street they were traversing did look like it led to trouble: dark, less frequented than the city center...

- Are you sure the place is here? - Darcy asked at some point, more adorable than scary in her costume.

- Nothing in this world could make me forget this street. - replied Stella, - The Amaranth Cafè isn't meant to be downtown. -

- You guys keep being so mysterious, what makes this club so special? - asked Desirè, fixing the cap of the costume.

- Let's say the staff is one of a kind. - said Bloom.

Her voice was slightly modified from the pointy nose she wore to complete the costume of a character of some horror story from Earth, Laughing Jack.

- Yes, you go in and just free yourself of all negativity. You feel like a whole new person when you leave. - continued Tecna.

- That doesn't explain why it's in such a suburban area. - objected Francesca.

- The owners need a certain tranquility. - Flora explained enigmatically.

- It's here. - Stella interrupted them, stopping in front of a big door with an arc above it that had the club's name in red led in it, between semicolons and gargoyles.

Before anyone could comment, the fairy pushed the door and walked in the club. The group was welcomed by a lovely girl with black hair and blue eyes, she wore long pearl-colored gloves and a long sleeveless black dress split on her left leg.

- Welcome. - she cheered while walking around with trays in both hands, - Please take a seat, your table is over there. I'll be there in a minute. Nice costume Stella. - she continued before walking away.

As soon as the girl was out of reach Icy asked in a low voice:

- Girls, is this place run by vampires? -

- What?! - exclaimed Lzzy and Aire together while the Winx confirmed.

Icy took a deep breath and said, still in a low voice:

- You are completely crazy. You do know your powers don't work here, don't you? -

She was starting to think that her old doubts on the Winx's mental sanity were justified.

- Our instinctive powers work, - Bloom corrected her, - and anyway they're friends and we have protection spells all over Gardenia. Besides, you're here too. Witches aren't affected by legendary monsters. -

- How did you survive this long if you sneak into a vampires' lair to relax? - asked Stormy while they walked to their table.

- Why don't your powers work? - asked Lzzy.

- Legendary monsters nullify fairy magic. Maybe they'll have some effects on you too, come to think of it. - said Musa.

- Is that why the club is so far from downtown? - asked Cassandra sitting down, careful not to ruin her long brown skirt.

- Yes, they prefer not to get too much attention. - answered Flora.

- It's slightly embarrassing to be in a vampire club dressed up as a vampire. - said Aire, suddenly not really at ease in her mermaid cut dress.

- No worries, we see so many around and we're used to it. - said the vampire girl, arriving behind her.

Aire jumped on her seat and she continued:

- My name's Mina. Nice to meet you. I didn't think you had so many negative emotions, I have to admit it. I hope we can help. -

The sentence puzzled the other girls. Seeing their confusion, Flora explained:

- Mina's community is part of a minority of vampires that doesn't feed on blood, but on emotions. Especially negative emotions. -

- That's why we're here! Exceptions aside, - said Stella looking at Lzzy and Icy, - we do nothing but get stressed and see the negative side of anything. We'd need a break, but we can't have it and Mina and her community are the closest thing to a vacation we can afford. -

It was true, between Valtor, classes and the preparations for the Tournament they were under a lot of pressure and they all had a hard time finding some time to stop and rest. They were running a constant marathon, even Andrea since her time for conquering Sirenix was almost up. The only ones to have it easier were really Icy and Lzzy: they trained and worked just as much as the others, but they spent more time together and that helped them a lot.

- We weren't sure it was a good idea to come here after the attack in Alfea either, but we can't barricade in the school or in Magix City. A night out can only be good for us. - said Aisha.

- Me and my brothers will do our best to not make you regret it. - said Mina smiling.

- Mina! We need you over here! - another waiter called her.

- Of course they do. I'll be back to take the orders. - said the vampire girl.

Letting objections go in order to not ruin the night, the girls looked at the menu. But Icy just couldn't get her guard down. She didn't like feeling at a disadvantage and she didn't have much sympathy for vampires.

"Relax Icy, everything is alright" Lzzy said telepathically. "It is now" replied the witch, reading names she didn't know. "It will be later as well. And meanwhile. I wore this terrible makeup, the night can't get worse".

Icy giggled softly. Both Musa and Lzzy were dressed up as zombies, but Musa painted her skin green with a spell while Lzzy made her own makeup so that her face seemed covered in bleeding scars and bruises. She wasn't satisfied with the result, but at least it was unlikely that people would recognize her.

"It doesn't look that bad" "You only say that because it's me" "Or because I have weird taste. You'll never know" Lzzy turned a little, just enough to look at her. "I'll live with that weight. You're beautiful". Icy smiled without taking her eyes off the list of drinks.

- We should have picked up Lzzy and left Icy in Alfea. - joked Tecna, noticing their silent conversation.

- Maybe we can just have them seat at the two opposite sides of the table. - suggested Andrea.

- Try it. - replied Icy just as sarcastically.

- You really don't know what "under the radar" means. - giggled Stormy.

- That's how it goes, lovebirds don't care about the world. - said Rebecca.

- Come on, leave them be. - intervened Cassandra.

- They won't until they'll get a distraction. - sighed Icy, pretending to be annoyed.

- A distraction like your alter ego running in the club chased by dementors? - asked Cassandra.

- What's a dementor? - asked Icy.

Cassandra, Francesca and Lzzy replied together.

- You must read Harry Potter. -

- And once you do that, you'll be glad dementors don't exist. - added Rebecca.

- The name says they're up to no good, but what are they? - asked Darcy, just as curious.

- A sort of floating ghosts covered in a cloak that are able to absorb all the happiness a person has. Don't say they wouldn't have much to take from you Icy, I'd take that as an offense. - answered Lzzy, foretelling the witch's joke.

Icy shrugged.

- They use them as guards in a prison, bad choice if you ask me. - added Rebecca.

- How bad on a one to ten scale? - asked Stormy.

- "Having Mandragora guard Obsidian" bad. - replied Bloom.

- Wow. That's a solid ten. - commented Darcy.

Everything went well, despite the initial worries. No sudden interruptions, no poisonings, no dangers. The only magic they used was for teleporting back to Magix late at night. Under Cloudtower they said goodbye to the pumpkin, the cat and the vampire masks. Andrea left there too: Cloudtower was a little closer to the Wildlands. Then the others teleported again to Alfea.

Cassandra, Francesca and Rebecca slipped as quietly as possible towards their apartment. The others were resigned to the fact that it was going to take a while for all of them to go to sleep. Lzzy and Icy were among the first girls who conquered a bathroom and consequently among the first ones to get out, which allowed them to be alone for some time.

The girls had let Lzzy go first, she switched her costume with comfortable clothes and laid down on Icy's bed, waiting patiently. Icy arrived in a few minutes, without makeup but still dressed up.

- You should go Mae, it's late. - she told her.

Lzzy continued looking at the ceiling while answering.

- I can sleep in tomorrow. -

Icy didn't reply and sat on the bed by her side. Snapping her fingers, she swapped the long white dress with her blue pajama and laid down next to Lzzy.

- You were right after all, it was a fun night. - she said.

- You mean, the Winx were right to want to go there. I feel reborn, they took all my worries. -

- I must admit I feel better too. I'm much less paranoid right now, I hope it lasts. -

- How long would you want it to last? You know, maybe it's weird, but I don't wanna wear pink glasses for too long. -

Icy smiled.

- It's not weird. But I do wish it lasts long enough to find a moment for us, you know what I mean. -

Lzzy cursed in a low voice and said, half laughing:

- Did we have to have therapy with vampires for you to feel ready? -

Icy stopped smiling and Lzzy said sorry before she could speak.

- I'm sorry, I know it's not easy for you, it's just… look I'd be down for it right here and now, if we could lock Darcy out the door. I hope the effect lasts. -

- It's not like locking Darcy out would prevent her from teleporting inside. - remarked Icy, returning serene.

After a second of thinking she got up on her elbows and looked down at the other, asking:

- Lz, why did you fall in love with me? -

Lzzy looked at Icy like she had asked why she had two ears instead of three.

- What...? -

- Well, I'm a sea of problems for you, from any point of view. I wondered what it is that you see in me that makes all difficulties less important. -

Lzzy bought time.

- Well, I don't believe our relationship is that problematic after all. I've seen worse. But if you wanna know what made me fall in love, that's another thing. Let's say you give me safety, you understand me, you accept me. You make me feel like the truest me, and the fact that the feeling is reciprocal, that I am for you what you are for me, gives me a feeling I can't describe. Physically, you have fantastic legs... - she stopped when Icy laughed and laid down again, taking her hand.

- I love this. - Icy said, squeezing it.

-What do you mean? -

- The warmth. Do you remember the first time we slept together at the Headquarters and in the morning I wasn't cold as usual? -

- Yeah. -

- You made it become normal. It doesn't annoy me now, it makes me feel safe. I feel I'm where I'm meant to be when I'm with you. -

Lzzy squeezed her hand in return, not knowing what to say. She too felt at home with Icy, in a way she couldn't express, even though everyone thought she was so good with words. She decided to change the topic.

- How come such a question? - she asked.

- I've wanted to ask that for a while now, I just thought it was the right moment. That's it. -

- Okay. -

They stayed like that for a while, then Lzzy felt her eyes closing more and more. Falling asleep wasn't a good idea.

- I better leave, I'm about to fall asleep and Darcy wouldn't be too happy to find us together. - she said getting up, but Icy held her down, keeping her sitting by her side.

- Since when are you so reserved? - she asked amused.

- I am always reserved for what concerns my relationships... come on Icy, let me go. I don't want you two to argue. - insisted Lzzy moving away the arm that hugged her hips.

Icy stopped her again.

- Oh come on, she won't complain if she doesn't find us busy. It's true, she thinks this is one of the most stupid things I have ever done, but she won't stop me from going all the way. She's waiting, and I quote, that I get hurt if I must, so don't worry, you can sleep with me tonight. -

Lzzy sighed, discouraged from the witch's stubbornness. She couldn't resist her, she was so sweet all curled up on her shoulder, her hair loose in a soft river that sweetened her traits, the shirt wrinkled up on her body. It was that sweetness that won Lzzy over, it was really rare for Icy to act like that. Moreover, she also felt what Icy didn't say, and maybe she wasn't even able to: the witch didn't want company, she wanted love. Pure and simple love, and she wanted to feel it physically, with a closeness of their bodies that made her feel safe and calm like nothing else. How could she deny her such a little pleasure with everything that was happening? She sure couldn't, so Lzzy grumbled one last time before saying:

- Fine but let me go and let me get comfortable... snowflake. -

Icy frowned.

- What? -

- Let me get under the sheet. -

- No, the other thing. -

- Oh, I found you a nickname, snowflake. -

Finally, Icy sat up.

- I don't know if I like it or not, it sounds too sweet. If you call me that in public everyone will understand we have something more than a Bonding. -

- I have no intention of doing that, Icy, you can reassure your reputation. - joked the earthling getting under the covers.

- And what nickname should I give you? - Icy asked with a malicious smile.

- How should I know? - replied Lzzy smiling in the exact same way.

Icy laid down with her, careful not to make her long hair fall on the ground. She laid her head on Lzzy's chest and held her as close as possible. Lzzy hugged her back and Icy closed her eyes, feeling her warm arms around her.

- How do you make me feel so good? What's your secret? - she asked, part joking and part serious.

- I wouldn't know how to explain it, I think it's the same reason why you make me feel good. - Lzzy answered sweetly.

Icy raised her head and locked their eyes for a second, losing herself in that warm and loving brown before kissing her. Instinctively she moved her right hand from Lzzy's shoulder to her neck. Hypnotized by the witch's blue eyes, Lzzy needed a few seconds to adequately respond to such passion, but in the end it was Icy who backed up first.

Feeling air fill her lungs, the witch looked down, pensive.

- What? - asked Lzzy.

- Nothing, just... Every time I kiss you I'm afraid it'll be different from the other times, instead it's always great. -

Lzzy didn't reply, she was at a loss for words. She limited herself to smile to the fragile girl she was holding in her arms and to caress her face.

Finally, Darcy opened the door. She glanced at them, then she took the pajama from her wardrobe.

- I'll sleep with Stella. No, it's not because of you Lzzy, I'm in the mood for chatting. Good night. - she said, walking out of the room.

Icy and Lzzy stared at each other.

- Lock the door. - said Lzzy.

Icy didn't need to hear it twice.