Fire and Ice Ch. 08
Icy sits at the lunch table next to Bloom along with the rest of the Winx.
Not long, Mirta joins them. "Hey, girls!" and she takes a seat across from Icy.
With the exception of Bloom, the Winx stare between the Illusion Fairy and the Ice Witch.
This did not go unnoticed by Icy. "What?"
"Um…" Flora is not sure how she should go about this. "We're just surprised that Mirta is sitting so close to you."
"Yeah!" Musa starts in. "She was so traumatized after what you did to her."
Mirta shivers at the reminder. "I still can't go to Earth during autumn."
The Winx look upon the poor girl out of sympathy. Bloom nudges Icy, getting her attention. The fire fairy then gestures her head towards Mirta.
"Ugh!" with a sigh, the witch says. "Look, Mirta. I'm sorry that I turned you into a pumpkin. It was a messed-up thing to do. And I'm sorry."
Mirta smiles at the witch. "Friends?" she hopefully asks holding out her hand.
"Sure," Icy smiles back and accepts the offer. "Friends."
Stella grins as she turns to Bloom. "Seems like you got this one Whipped, Bloom."
"Stella!" the Winx shout at the blond.
This confused the Ice Witch. "Whipped?"
Tecna explains. "It's a term often used when one's romantic partner has a greater control over them."
"Basically, Bloom tamed you," Stella dumbs it down for her.
"Oh, heck no!" Icy jumps out of her seat. "I don't have to put up with this! Any of this! Any of you!"
Bloom tries calming her partner down. "Icy, they're just teasing—"
"Especially you!"
"Geeze, Icy," Stella starts. "Just ch—"
The witch snaps at the Solarian Princess. "Finish that sentence and you'll find out how cold I can be!" with that, she leaves the table.
The Winx girls watch as she leaves and once she was out of sight. Aisha turns to Bloom. "Are you going after her?"
"No," the redhead shakes her head. "When she gets like this I've learned that it be best to let her calm down on her own."
"But aren't you worried that she'll cause trouble?" Stella asks.
"I trust Icy just as I want her to trust me. She may be upset, but I have faith that she won't do anything wrong."
.oOo.
Icy wanders through the streets of Magix. "Stupid Bloom and her stupid friends," she mumbles. "I don't need her."
As the Ice Witch passes an alley, two sets of arms pull her in. Out of instinct, she pushes whoever snatched her away, creates an ice shard, and prepares to stab them. Only to stop once she sees them. Standing there are her two coven sisters glaring at Icy.
"You have some explaining to do," the long brown haired Darcy scolds while the frizzy purple haired Stormy nods in agreement.
Icy drops the ice shard and pulls her sisters into a hug. "I missed you, girls," she tells them before getting pushed away by them.
"Okay?" Stormy raised a brow. "Don't do that. It's just freaky."
The white-haired witch shrugs. "Sorry. It's gotten harder to keep emotions in check. But I did miss you. The Winx just aren't as fun."
Darcy narrows her eyes. "So, it's true. You've been hanging out with the fairies! What about the rumors that you married one?"
"They're not so bad once you get to know them. Besides, it's not like I had much of a choice," Icy starts walking out of the alley. "Not to mention what I get out of it."
The other two reach out, trying to bring their sister back into hiding. However, they got caught themselves.
"Halt!" Standing there is a group of Specialists. "You three!" one of them points at the Trix. "Come with us quietly. Otherwise, I'll have to use force." A few others walk up from behind.
Darcy prepares an energy ball as Stormy's hands spark with electricity. They stop once Icy holds an arm out in front of them.
"You really don't want to do that," the Ice Witch walks up to the main Specialist.
"Oh, I think I do," he pulls out a set of handcuffs.
Icy examines her nails. "I figured you guys had gotten the memo by now. I'm a personal guest at Alfea. Therefore, am protected by not just that school, but all three schools of Magix," she smirks at him.
The Specialist then glares at Icy before glancing behind her at the other two Trix. "Then we'll settle for those two," he tries walking past the witch only to be stopped by her poking his chest.
"My protection extends to them!"
"It doesn't work like that!"
Icy chuckles. "Do you want to test that?" she steps back with her arms out. "I'll tell you this, there's no way I'll let you arrest them without getting past me. I won't put up a fight," she then makes it a point to show off her ring. "But the moment you lay a hand on me, my dear wife will know and the Winx will be on top of you. You know what happened to the last people who went against the protection? They were kicked out of Red Fountain and are currently awaiting trial. So, what are you waiting for? Bring it!"
The lead Specialist sneers before turning away. "Let's go. They're not worth it," with that the Specialists leave the most wanted criminals in all the Magical Dimension.
Icy smiles at her victory before Stormy approaches her.
"So, it's true. You married a fairy."
"Why?" Darcy stares at her in disbelief.
"It's a long story," Icy walks past them. "One I rather not discuss right now. I came the city to get away from that," she then turns back to them. "I know what we could use. A little shopping trip."
Her sisters glance at one another before Darcy asks, "With what money?"
And Stormy points out, "In case you've forgotten, we're broke."
The Ice witch grins. "Well, there are perks to being married to a princess," Icy pulls out a credit card. "Everything is taken care of in courtesy of the Domino Royal Treasury."
.oOo.
A Couple Hours Later.
Bloom feels weak. Like, she had all her energy taken from her.
"Bloom?" Flora walks up to her friend. "Are you alright?" she places a hand on the redhead's forehead. "You don't look so good."
"I'm fine, Flora. Just a little tired," Bloom insists. "I'm also a little worried about Icy. Earlier, I felt that she was scared for a moment, then happy, a little annoyed, and then nothing."
"You two sure have grown close lately," the Nature Fairy smiles. "It's so nice that you found someone," she starts walking past her friend. "I thought that you would be too broken after you and Sky…" Flora then hears a sudden thump. Turning around, she finds that her friend has collapsed on the floor. "Bloom! Bloom!"
.oOo.
The Trix had just walked out of a spa in the Magix Mall carrying many bags.
Darcy stretches. "It's been so long since I've been treated so well."
"I know, right," Stormy agrees. "Not to mention, we finally have new outfits after how long? Thanks, Icy. Or should we thank the Missus?" the Storm Witch laughs.
"Don't… mention it," Icy huffs, dragging behind her sisters.
"You ok?" the Illusion Witch asks. "You look a little pale. Paler than usual anyway."
"Yeah, I'm fine," the Ice Witch waves it off. "I think I need to rest for a while."
The two Trix look upon their sister in worry. Stormy then gets an idea. "How about your dear wife treat us to dinner," she wraps an arm over the white-haired woman's shoulder. "I've heard of this fine restaurant. Always wanted to go there. The Enchanted Dominion."
Icy lets out a small, tired laugh. "Kinda late for that. They lost too much business after Bloom called out the owner for ruining our date. A shame. That ice cream cake was delicious."
Stormy's temper raises. "Seriously!?" she was both annoyed and intrigued that a fairy would have done such a thing.
Darcy places a hand on the frizzy haired girl's shoulder. "We'll settle for something here. This'll give you some time to think about a new place you always wanted to go."
The Storm Witch crosses her arms. "Fine!"
The trio eventually makes their way to the food court and Icy tells her sisters. "I'm not hungry. I'll just go and find our seats," she hands the credit card to Darcy. "Just get whatever you want," and with that she was off.
A few minutes later, Darcy and Stormy search for any sign of their sister.
Stormy eventually points, "There she is!" Icy is at a table near the end of the court with her head laid down on the table. The two approach her and sets their trays down.
"I knew you were tired, Ice but I didn't think you'd fall asleep," Darcy comments. She expected some sort of snark remark from their leader. "Icy?"
"Come on, Icy!" Stormy shakes the slumbering witch. "Get up!" but nothing. "Icy!"
.oOo.
Ofelia checks the results from Bloom's test and grimaces. The woman looks down at the Winx girl. Bloom is laying on a bed, near lifeless. Were it not for the short shallow breaths, the nurse would have thought the poor girl was already dead before she arrived.
"Is she going to be alright?" Flora asks, sitting at the redhead's bedside.
"I honestly don't know. I need to know the reason behind her ailment. Can you tell me anything?"
Before the Nature Fairy could answer, the door flies open and in walks Faragonda along with the remaining Winx. The Winx girls voice their concerns and worries only to be silenced by the headmistress.
Faragonda walks up to Bloom's bed and places a hand on the girl's head. "She's cold to the touch," the woman then looks among everyone present and notices someone missing. "Where's Icy?"
The Winx looks at one another.
"We're not sure," Musa tells her.
Stella steps up, rubbing her arm. "I might have joked about something and wasn't nice about it. She stormed off," she looks down like a child getting scolded by their parents. "I'm sorry."
Faragonda sighs and looks back at Bloom. "I was afraid of this. We need to find Icy now!"
At that declaration, thunder and lightning struck outside. Going to investigate, they discover Stormy and Darcy descending onto Alfea school grounds. The Illusion Witch carrying an unconscious Icy.
Stormy glares at them, "What have you done to our sister!?"
Instead of answering, Faragonda rushes up to Darcy and places a hand on the Ice Witch's forehead. "She's in the same state as Bloom. Bring her in! Quickly!"
They rush back into the infirmary and Faragonda orders Ofelia. "Scoot her over!" and the nurse carefully moves Bloom over to the edge of the bed, creating more room. The headmistress then turns to the Trix. "Lay her down!" she receives hesitant glances from the witches. "Now! Before it's too late!" with that, the witches comply and rests their sister beside the fairy. Faragonda then takes the unconscious women hands and moves them to clasp one another.
It took a moment but as the girls' rings glowed, color returned to their faces. With a gasp both sit up with a start. They look around, confused as to where they are and what's going on. The two then noticed that they are holding hands. Bloom gives her partner a sad smile, only to receive a glare from Icy who turns away, taking her hand with her.
The Ice Witch looks at everyone present and asks. "So, what happened?"
"We, we," Stormy tightens her eyes, trying to prevent herself from crying. "We thought you died?"
"They nearly did," Faragonda looks at the two in worry. "We were lucky to get you two back together. I told you that you to never be apart for more than an hour!" she scolds them.
"Faragonda," Bloom looks up at her mentor in worry. "What's wrong with us?"
The headmistress sighs. "It seems your bond goes so deep that the two of you don't only share pain and emotion, you share the same lifeforce."
The Winx and Trix look at the older woman and Darcy asks, "What?"
"It's like this. Imagine a generator that's used to powering one machine. Now, think about what would happen if you were to hook up another machine to that same generator."
Tecna thinks for a moment. "The generator would still be capable of doing its job as long as it's well maintained. But if the two machines are pulled away suddenly after maintaining both for so long and not properly adjusted," she looks at the couple in realization. "The generator becomes incapable of doing its job."
"So, we're the machines," Bloom looks at her ring.
Icy snaps at the older woman, "Why didn't you say anything before!?"
Wishing to calm her partner down, Bloom places a hand on the witch's shoulder, "Icy, please calm down."
Icy shrugs her off and snaps, "I don't have to do anything you tell me to do!" This saddens the redhead.
Faragonda looks between the two. "You have every right to be upset with me, Icy. I set the rule to never be apart without explanation because I did not want either of you to test it as I was unsure you had that kind of bond," the headmistress looks down in shame. "I… had actually hoped that we would never find out. For that, girls. I am truly sorry," she looks back up at them. "I would like for you two to rest here for the night. Just to make sure there are no lingering effects."
Faragonda nods to Ofelia and the two leave the infirmary as the Winx and Trix surround Bloom and Icy. Voicing their concerns.
"You know as well as I what such bond means," Ofelia turns to the headmistress. "Are you going to tell them?"
At that, Faragonda shakes her head. "Not yet. Those two still have trouble sorting out their emotions. To tell them now will only make things difficult and confusing. Especially with Icy testifying soon."
.oOo.
After a while, both the remainder of the Winx and Trix were escorted out of the infirmary to allow Bloom and Icy to rest.
The two now sit in separate beds. Icy has a magazine she had gotten from the mall and Bloom is reading a book one of her friends left for her. Or at least the redhead was pretending to read while trying to figure out how to reach out to her partner. She often turns to the witch with her mouth opened to say something, only to close it unsure that what she would say would be the right thing.
Icy lets out an irritating growl. "You might as well say something and get it off your chest. Otherwise, you'll just annoy me."
"Icy, I…" the fire fairy sighs as she closes her book. "I should have stood up for you rather than just try and calm you down." The witch sets her magazine down as she did not expect that. She figured that her partner would just apologize and make an excuse for her friend. The fairy continues. "Me calming you down just became my first instinct whenever you get upset. I never considered that sometimes you need to let it out. Not hold it in."
Icy glares at Bloom, wanting to be mad. Instead, she lets out her own sigh. "I'm sorry, Bloom. I knew that Stella was only teasing. But at that moment, I realized that I'd gone soft. In case you haven't noticed, I don't do soft."
"You, soft? Ha!" the fairy laughs. "Cuddlable? Yes," that statement made the witch blush. "but not soft. Remember how you stood up to my dad? That should be enough evidence that, that Icy is still in there. You're just more…" how should she word this. "…reasonable. You still don't let anyone push you around. Killing them is just no longer your first instinct."
"Yeah," Icy grins at her partner. "It's much more fun to ruin their careers with cold-hearted honesty. Seeing you tear into that guy while in a calm manner. I must say, was kinda hot." The witch cackles as it is now Bloom's turn to blush.
.oOo.
Late At Night.
Bloom was sound asleep in the infirmary bed when she felt the weight of the mattress shifting. Turning around, she finds a mess of white hair. "Icy?"
"It was weird," the witch says. "Sleeping alone after, you know?"
The fairy smiles "Will you turn around so I can your eyes as they droop into sleep?" at the request, the witch turns to face her partner revealing her face has taken a shade of red. Bloom giggles. "You're cute when you blush."
"Sh-shut up!" Icy says as her blush reddens. "Your laugh. It's adorable at times," she lets out a small chuckle. "I remember when that did nothing but annoy me," she then gets sad. "Bloom, I would like to say that I'm sorry for everything I've done in the past. But I can't"
"Huh?"
"All those things. As regrettable as they may be, I will not apologize for any of it. If I could go back in time, I would not change a thing. Because I know that it will lead me here."
Bloom stares into her eyes and soon she kisses Icy. The witch returns the kiss as Bloom does the same. With each kiss, it gets deeper and deeper. Icy then pushes Bloom away. "Perhaps we shouldn't do that in a school infirmary?"
"Yeah," the fairy blushes. "Hey, Icy!"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
Icy's eyes widen for a moment before smiling. "I know."
There was a few quiet moments before Icy starts again. "There is one thing I do have to apologize for."
"Icy," Bloom shakes her head. "You don't have—"
"Actually, I do," the witch bites her lower lip. "I took Darcy and Stormy on a shopping spree. I, uh, had your credit card and I may have maxed it out."
"Icy!"
"Look, I'm sorry. I'll pay you back somehow. I'll even get a job. That is, if I can find a place that'll take me."
Bloom hugs her partner. "We'll figure it out in the morning. For now, let's sleep."
Icy smiles as she returns the embrace and with that, the couple soon drift off to sleep. Wondering what tomorrow will bring them.