...:chapter 10:...

"Nathan?" she whispered hoarsely, feeling the worry spread through her quicker than the adrenaline did. She almost fell while hurrying the last few meters to the Elementor's side. It was certainly him. His red robes were flecked with green from the grass around, and his glasses were lopsided. She could see his eyes closed, long black lashes brushing against his darker skin. Even though he was hurt, obviously, she could feel a blush appear on her face. She sat down next to him, pulling him a bit so he wasn't in the uncomfortable position he was in first, half sitting, half lying down against the trunk.

'Nathan...' she thought, shakily running the tips of her fingers over his cheek. He didn't move. Then she took out her stick, wondering if it even would work. She started to feel the healing magic rise in her, and she touched his hand to strengthen the effect. She held her breath for a second when her magic entered his body. It flowed through his blood and she could feel him waking up. She pulled back slowly, not to shock him. She smiled sleepily (it takes a lot of energy to heal a high level person), and looked at his face. His eyes slowly opened, and he flexed his hands. He didn't move for about a minute. Then he sat up quickly, looking around him with a freaked expression on his face."
" What? I fell asleep in such an important fight? I was sure that I was about to.. What to do..." he muttered, staring at the ground.
"Um..." Caitlyn started, blinking. He looked at her, shocked. "Caitlyn...?" he started, before the situation occurred to him. He looked deep in thought for a second. Then he smiled.
"I'm sorry... I passed out, didn't I..." he mumbled quietly. Caitlyn blinked, trying to keep track with his switching moods.

"Well, I think your team mates went to get help... I tried to heal you, I guess it worked a bit.. And I wasn't coming to look for you, I was looking for leaves, okay?" she said, feeling her face become red, looking away from his face. When she looked at him again after a short silence, she saw that his eyes had changed from the mixture of colors to a brilliant blue.
"You're still as silly as you were before, weren't you..." he said, smiling. He straightened himself, and tested his muscles. "You saved me, I guess. I owe you now..." he said, looking at her. Caitlyn wasn't sure what to say, she smiled sheepishly.

"Yeah, I guess..." she said. "I'm.. glad to see you again..

she muttered, looking away again, a blush on her face. She felt small suddenly, next to such a powerful person. Now he had recovered again, she could feel his energy come out in waves that made her dizzy. He seemed to have noticed and smiled slightly. Then he suddenly took his staff, picked her up with one arm, and then teleported straight into the tree. Caitlyn gasped, clinging to him when she saw at what height they were. The tree monsters suddenly were very small!

"I kind of need to talk to you... Sorry for not meeting you for such a long time." he said, keeping his arm around her waist. He took off his huge hat with one hand and set it next to him. "I haven't trained enough lately, my guild mates were complaining that they were catching up with me. And they woke me up too early, so I wasn't in best states today." he mumbled awkwardly. Caitlyn wasn't used to seeing him awkward, and smiled slightly. The blush was still evident on her face though, most likely because his arm was around her in such a way. A part of her, though, wanted him to never let go again. She realized how sad she had felt without him around for such a long time. She didn't really want to tell him, though. Wouldn't it upset him? She wasn't sure how to act around him... Her head couldn't think normally anymore.

"... You really should take better care of yourself, you know..." she started, trailing off as his gaze lingered on her. He looked at her with a half-amused half-curious expression. She sighed.
"I missed you, you know.. ..." she mumbled. She felt his arm tighten around her for a second. Mixed emotions showed on her face. She wrinkled her nose. "I'm being strange, aren't I... Sorry for that... It's your fault though!" she mumbled, staring down at the ground, all fear of heights seeming ineffective on her.
Even though she was regretting every strange word she was saying, he looked amused. She jumped from her thoughts when he took his gloves off and turned her face to face him. His blue eyes looked into hers with a burning intensity.
"No, I don't think so. And.. Why would it be my fault?" he said quietly, serious. Her face turned even pinker than it already had been. "Um..." she started. She didn't know what to say seriously this time, and her hand made its way to his, the one he had on her cheek. She felt braver than usual as she laced her fingers with his. Her heart was beating so hard now, she was sure that he could hear it. She forgot the height, everything. She looked up at his face, and saw that his expression had changed; it looked half confused, half happy, and a lot more that she couldn't explain. His eyes turned into a rainbow of colors, and he leaned a bit closer, running his thumb over her cheek. She could feel his warmth, even closer, and she almost panicked, no idea what to do.

She almost froze when he pressed his lips against hers, pulled her face closer to his. But after a second or two, her eyes fluttered shut, her other arm went up to circle his neck, and she forgot everything around her. He moved against her a bit, pulling her a bit closer as well. His movements weren't as certain as they usually were, they were shy and uncertain in stead. She felt like the world was ending when he leaned back from her, his face red as well, his eyes looking everywhere except her. Suddenly a huge smile bloomed on his face.
"Oh." he said, at a loss of words. A smile spread over his face. His smile was contagious and she found herself smiling uncontrollably.
Caitlyn hushed him after a few moments, laughing softly.

"Ssh.." she said quietly. He looked into her eyes for a second, a small smile twisting the corners of his lips up. The sounds of the forest filled their ears. It was comforting. Birds chirped quietly, as if not to bother them by being too loud, and the stream of water nearby formed a comfortable background buzz. Caitlyn smiled. Nathan looked at her.

"What does this mean, Caitlyn?" he said quietly. Caitlyn bit her lip.

"I'm not sure..." she said quietly. She leaned her head against his shoulder.