Ryker was seated at a far table in the guild. He had thought about what Wendy had told to him. He was watching the redhead in another corner and admiring her deeply, not letting her or anyone else notice.
She was beautiful, she is beautiful, he knew it. He watched her fussing with her hair, always tucking a few strands behind her ear, so gently, when she read something or feasted on her strawberry cake. Her hair, in that shade of red, was perfect for her, soft and silky, he felt it when he touched it.
He loved her manner, her imposing presence, her strength and intelligence, her bravery and determination in combat. She was amazing. But he also loved how loving and friendly she could be, a guardian in every way. No one could see behind his armor, but he did. The sweet, feminine and sexy girl, she was perfect. Even her guild mark on her left arm gave her a special charm, which he adored. She was so innocent sometimes, and he didn't want her to lose that side of her, ever. She was everything.
He smiled when someone, for some reason, bumped into her and she gave him her annoyed look. For everyone it was scary, for him it was one of the most beautiful things he could see. He might piss her off just to see her angry face, but do what? She was too beautiful, delicate, fragile, strong, all at the same time.
Ryker looked at the mission paper in his hands. A hunt for a Fenrir, whatever that is. Wendy was maybe right, he should go out with Erza Scarlet. Erza Scarlet, there could be no better name for her, Erza... He smiled.
The magician got up from where he was and went to where the redhead was sitting, with her cake. Without her noticing, he settled down beside her on the bench.
"Hi Erza," she called to her. She turned her face a little surprised by his presence, but smiled slightly at him.
"Ryker. How have you been?"
"Well, I guess", he looked nervous.
"It's all right? You seem bothered about something," she observed.
"It's nothing," he replied.
"Damn, I never get nervous, but now, in her presence, I shit myself! This is going to be harder than it sounds. Breathe your idiot! Breathe!" he thought. Erza was looking at him strangely, as if suspecting something.
Ryker passed the mission paper to the mage Requip, who took it and read it. "I was thinking, if you don't have anything scheduled for the next few days, if you don't want to go on this one. With me," he was sweating nervously. What the fuck was going on with him!?
Erza thought for a moment, considering. "I was really thinking about doing a job. This one fell at a good time," she said with awe.
"We can leave whenever you want," he said.
"Meet me at the station in two hours," she said. "Do you know what a Fenrir is?" she said as she got up from the table.
"I'm sure you'll fill me in on this," he said with a smirk.
The job was easier than it looked. Despite the beast, which by the way was a giant black wolf with big red eyes and that only came out at night, it was difficult to keep. Erza finished him off by driving a sword into her skull when Ryker wounded him in the stomach.
It was late at night and the forest where they were was closed and difficult to walk during the day, worse still in the dark starless night. The village was far away and it would not be worth risking a walk through the dense undergrowth. They decided to camp and build a fire to relieve the night's chill.
"Another job done successfully," Ryker said, smiling out of the corner of his mouth, leaning against a tree.
"In fact. That beast was raging, it's a good thing we broke up with him before he hurt anyone else," Erza said in front of the fire and sitting on the side of the fire.
"Did you bring anything to eat in the midst of all that stuff of yours?" he asked, a little jokingly.
"It's not junk!", she said a little annoyed. "These are my precious mission essentials," she said rather proudly.
"You bring your entire apartment in that luggage," Ryker replied.
"Is there a problem with that?" she asked him, looking at him seriously – the vision of heaven for him that she actually knew.
"Never mind," he said with a wave of his hand. "Did you bring something to eat or not?"
"No, I thought you would," she said nonchalantly.
"I didn't bring anything, thinking there was an entire supermarket in your stuff," said the indignant wizard. "Does this steroid dog taste good?"
"I wouldn't eat it, the meat tastes like rot," she said making Ryker look suspicious. "That's what I heard," she shrugged, justifying.
"So the way is to wait until tomorrow and eat something in the village. I'm not going out into this forest to hunt."
"Wise decision," she said, crossing her arms. She looked like a deity lit by the flickering firelight, which matched her face, her hair, perfectly. Ryker looked at her, mesmerized by the image.
Erza noticed him looking at her as if he had frozen to something, impossible to move. She looked around to see if there was anything behind and around her that caught his attention. There was nothing but…her. When the redhead realized that she was the one catching his attention she blushed and smiled, a little shy.
"What is it?" she said awkwardly to the paralyzed man.
Ryker collected himself immediately upon hearing her. "It's nothing it's just that...I... remembered when we stayed in the cave."
"I remember," she said, looking contemplatively at the fire, a blush on her cheeks. He saw that redness and it snapped in her mind of what she could be remembering to look like this, and he blushed too.
"Was Wendy right? Does she feel something for me? Does that blush mean something?", he thought, but left his thoughts behind. It wasn't time for that, he just wanted to rest, but Erza by his side always got the better of him and he always found himself admiring her beauty.
Erza, too, found herself looking at him whenever she could. He wasn't the most handsome man she'd ever seen, he was pretty ordinary actually, but something about him caught her eye. He was easy to get along with, and even though he had been through a lot, he kept fighting, however hard it was, he moved on, he would need help, but he accepted and went on. She admired that about him, he was strong and wouldn't let any of his friends get hurt and he would be there for them, even if he didn't show it, he clung to the guild members, she knew.
He wasn't one to talk much, but he always listened to her when they talked, and somehow she liked having someone to talk to besides the usual members, someone different, with a different outlook. He was a companion on their missions. They were in a few, it was true, but she knew he would never leave her and would always be there for her.
Their complicated past brought them together, but that wasn't what made them friends, it was just an initial impulse. What made them friends was that she enjoyed being with him. He always made her have fun in his own way, he was kind, loyal and friendly. Even though they didn't exchange many words at times, she knew he would always be there, somehow. It gave her security and tranquility, a safe haven.
He teased, the times, and challenging, but not afraid. She liked their smiles, it was like a window opened and a breath of fresh air came in she liked it a lot. To her, he was amazing.
Her thought was shattered by her mate's speech. "This is the second time you and I have camped. Although the first one was not voluntary".
Erza looked at him and turned her attention to the fire with a slight blush on her face. "Yes".
Ryker looked at her, she had a nostalgic look and a blush on her cheeks. She was fixated on the fire staring at him and immediately he blushed slightly at the memory she probably had in his mind.
The two talked until they fell asleep. The next day they returned to the village and were greeted with great celebration. They saved countless lives by killing the beast. After the festivities and solemn things they received their reward, being ready to leave the place and return to Magnolia. Ryker, however, had other plans.
They were getting ready to leave, when the wizard started a conversation. "E…Erza?" he called out awkwardly.
She turned to him. "Yes, what is it?"
"You know, it's been a while since I've had time off. I mean, there's more than one year I don't take a break from. Well I don't think I ever took it off, to tell you the truth", he spoke without being able to meet the redhead's eyes, looking from side to side.
"Yes, I understand. You want time just for yourself. You don't need to appear in the guild for a few days if that's what you're asking for. Get some rest," she said.
Ryker looked at her in disbelief. "No, that's not it!" he exclaimed. "I, I have reservations at a hotel or spa or something. It is not far from here and has thermal waters".
"Of course, why didn't you say it before. You don't need to go back to Magnolia with me, I'll let they know you're resting."
Ryker sighed in disbelief. "Can I finish!?" Erza nodded.
"Like I said, I have reservations at this place. I need to relax a little and some company would be fine. So I... was wondering if... if you... you would want to go, too," he said blushing and looking away from Erza.
She just stood there without saying anything, looking up at him with red cheeks. Ryker felt annoyed, maybe she didn't like it or was offended by his invitation. An hell ran through his head, he began to agonize over the silence and the delay in the response. If she were going to deny it, she could deny it soon and end the anguish.
After a while, which felt like hours, Erza spoke. "Do you want me to go to this spa, with…with you?", she said quite surprised and stunned.
"Only if you want. Of course, you…you don't have to go if you don't want to", he said looking at the ground, and biting himself inside for being so nervous.
Erza didn't know what to think, she was redder than her own hair and was behaving in an unconventional way for her. To be alone for a few days, not on a mission, with him? Should she?
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…", he broke the awkward silence that formed between them, but was interrupted.
"No, it's okay!" she said, not knowing where to look and very blushed. "I think I…I need a break too. Since the war against Alvarez we haven't stopped. A time to relax would be nice," she said shyly.
Ryker listened and smiled as he looked at Erza, who looked up and looked back with a shy smile. She looked beautiful that way, he noticed. Well she was beautiful anyway. To Erza, he looked radiant with a slight smile, the one he always gave but which she found adorable.
They smiled at each other and decided that instead of going back to the guild, they would go there to relax for a few days and enjoy each other's company. What bad could happen anyway? Two friends enjoying a stay in hot springs, eating the best, massages and relaxing baths.
Thanks for the comments guys. Keep letting me know what you're thinking about this story.
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