Cold yet Warm

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A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

Right arm draped over her eyes and left hand clutched at the sheets, (f/n) was trying to block out the morning light. It streamed through the window as most of the cloud cover was at the top of the mountains. Down by the lake, it seemed more like a summer's day than an autumn one, but the cold still persisted. Groaning at the amount of light, she rolled onto her left side and pulled the sheets over. Her eyes snapped open, though, upon hearing that particular laugh.


An amused Will stood beside the bed. His hands rested on his hips before he crouched down in front of her. Instantly, she sat up and moved more towards the window. It was a pity that she couldn't remain asleep longer, but she did have a job ahead of her. "Still shy around me? Oh well if you stay here longer, you'll get used to me. Regardless," he stood back up and opened the wardrobe, "you should go ahead and take a bath."


Offended, she crossed her arms and huffed. Quickly realizing his implication, he apologized. "Not that you smell, but it might do you good after these past few days. The lake water is quite nice once heated a little."


It had been a few days since she had bathed, but she didn't want to be nude around him. "And, I take it that you'll be heating the water?" She received a nod, and, now, she definitely didn't wish to have one. (F/n) noted as well that he seemed to be taking out some attire for her.


Handing her one of the off shoulder undershirts, nearly see-through underwear and a questionable blue dress, she shook her head at him. "I'm not wearing these. I can just wash the clothes on me in the water while I take a bath. And, I don't need the water heated up."


"I'm not going to stare at you, Bluebell. I'm just going to heat the water towards the shore of the lake and turn my back to you afterwards. With your husband possibly still out there, I'll need to remain outside, though. As for the clothes, suit yourself, but those will get worn out if you keep washing them every day. And, my sister wouldn't want her dress ruined. So at least change into the new dress."


She wanted to tell him that the dress wasn't his sister's, but if she said such a thing, she would be out in the open. Perhaps, it really was his sister's. If that were the case, she felt terrible for the girl that had to call this man a sibling. Fighting back the urge to punch him, she handed back the undergarments and took the dress with her. To her relief, she still had her own undershirt, which would offset the very low cut of the dress.


"Fine, but if I catch you peeking at me, you're going to regret it." She truly did mean that, but she said it in such a way as though she were a little girl scolding a cute little animal. It would put him off guard and give her the upper hand if she did have to attack so soon in the game.


Another light chuckle left his lips. "I'll keep that in mind," he answered playfully before he signaled for her to follow. Getting up from the bed, she grabbed her boots and trailed behind him. When they reached the water, she watched him place his hands over the water's surface. Once again a pale red light emitted from his hands.


"Is your magic always that color?" she asked, wishing to learn a little more about how it worked. It wouldn't only help against him but also the other mage should she ever encounter them.


"No, it's only this color if I seek to use my magic to influence something. Last night, I wished to affect the healing rate of your wounds. Now, I desire to control the temperature of this small area of water. As long as I have a goal in mind and it deals with me impacting the nature of something, my magic will take on this color."


"Are there limitations? Or, can you perform really anything with that?"


"Someone's certainly interested in magic? Weren't you worried that I would trick you last night and use you to my benefit?"


"Yes to both of those. Even if I'm still concerned about that, it would be best to learn how magic is used. I also want to make sure that you know what you're doing should my husband be alive and find me. If you don't want to tell me anymore, though, I understand. You might want to keep your trades of magic a secret."


"Well, I'll keep it simple. A mage does like to keep their abilities somewhat a mystery to those around them. Granted, I doubt that you'll ever pose a threat to me. You're much too kind for that, and you need my help. Still, I'll say that every aspect of magic has its limitations. I can't hold my hands out to the sky and influence the season to change to winter for example."


"How does that work with a small area of water, though? The heat will travel through the liquid, and I doubt that I'll feel any effect."


"That's a good point, but if I hold my hands here for long enough, the water will be warm enough for a time. That's why you'll need to take a quick bath unless you'd rather bathe in freezing water. And, on that note, don't swim out too far. Even I don't know what lies out in the middle of this lake. If something does brush against your legs this close to the shore, don't panic. Only harmless fish swim around in this area."


Finishing up with his work, he stepped back and indicated that it was ready for her. She thanked him but also gave him the look to walk away and turn his back. He just shook his head in amusement before doing just that. Once she made sure that he wasn't looking, she quickly slipped out of her clothes and bathed. The water was a nice temperature, but she could feel the heat disappearing already.


There was a clear problem with her undergarment washing plan, though. They would be washed, but they would be wet when put on. To top it off, she couldn't stay in the water and let them dry. Cursing at her own failure, she went to washing them. She would have to wear them wet; she refused to call him back over.


While she was bathing, Will had his arms crossed over his chest and stared out at the pine forest. A grin wouldn't leave his lips. He would have to bite his lower lip sometimes to keep himself from laughing out loud. His glee extended from the fact that his flower would soon be realizing her mistake with her clothes. Any moment she would call him over, and he could catch a look at her more exposed form. Naturally, he would claim it as an accident. Her reluctance to wear the clothing that he desired on her would end up benefitting him in the end.


A yell and loud splash sounded, and he wondered what was going on back there. Being too curious, he turned. He did so in time to see her head come back up from the water. She was in a sitting position, most likely leaning on her arms for support. Water did well to cover her chest and lower region, but her left leg was lifted into the air. Will caught sight of something slimy looking attached to her leg.


The girl was about to lean forward to remove it until her head turned his way. Her eyes widened before she became rather embarrassed. "Turn around, you pervert!" It was as though the creature on her leg was no longer important; it could've been killing her, yet she no longer cared. This display caused him to chuckle before he did as she requested.


Holding his hands up in surrender, he called back, "I heard your shout. I thought that you were in trouble."


"I don't care! If I had asked for your assistance, then you could've turned around. Unless I ask for it, don't look my way! I have this handled," she countered before he heard a loud huff of irritation from her.


That was definitely a reaction that he wasn't expecting. Normally if something odd grabbed at one of the girls, they would usually cry for his help. There was the occasional one that would run out of the water and into the cabin. It was most entertaining. None of them stayed in the water, however, after something had latched onto them. Still, he had mentioned that the fish were harmless; he just always withheld the fact that some of them were grabbers. Regardless, this was a first for him. Will wondered how many more surprises there would be from her.


As if to answer him, something smacked him in the back of the head. The impact caused him to nearly fall forward before he stabilized himself and heard something slip to the ground. Backing up a little, he picked up the clinglob. Its slimy glob-like body clung to his hand, but it desperately wished for water.


Will broke into laughter before holding it up for her to see. "Thanks, Bluebell. You've caught us breakfast!" he called to her while looking to her in the process. He caught sight of her sitting fully up now, but before he could see anything, another one collided with his face. The male fell backwards, but he continued to laugh after he removed the second clinglob.


"Stop being a pervert already or I'll throw more at you!" she cried out as she lowered herself into the water. Only her head was above the water now.


"Then, we'll have lunch and dinner," he answered back with a smirk. The girl grew frustrated before she looked ready to aim at him again. This time, he obliged her and moved his gaze elsewhere. If she kept up this unexpected behavior, he might keep her around a little bit longer.

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