All Lina and Zel had been searching for was the cure for Zel's condition. It had just been the two of them for almost two years now. The rest of their little group of adventurers had gone off and gotten married leaving them all alone. The first ones to go were Gourry and Shyphiel. They soon moved to Sairag after they got married, and are now preparing for a new arrival.
Xellos and Filia soon discovered their love at the wedding of Gourry and Shyphiel while they were in the middle of a petty fight. So when Filia caught the bouquet that Shyphiel threw it was inevitable that the two would get married.... And that is exactly what they did. Now after that it was only Lina, Zel and Amelia traveling together. It wasn't for too long though. Fate has a way of getting rid of annoyances; Amelia caught Filia's bouquet.
Two weeks after that a messenger was sent from Seyroon to inform Princess Amelia on her upcoming arranged marriage by her father. After a few hours...days...of her pitching a fit, she convinced herself that this was a marriage for justice and love, and for the sake of all that was good in the world she would do it. Sweatdrops and facefaults followed as they marched behind the once more enthusiastic princess.
Two months earlier
At Amelia's wedding Lina stood at the back of the church with Zel, like she had done at all the other weddings.
"Better be careful, Lina" Zel bent his head and whispered that in her ear.
"I know that. I have managed to avoid the bouquet this long. For some reason I am worried a little more this time. Call it a woman's intuition." Lina giggled a little before she spoke, as Zel's breath tickled the hairs on the base of her neck.
"Don't be. I'm sure even Amelia can't throw that far." It seemed that Zel had spoken too soon though. As Amelia threw the bouquet back she chanted a small spell, and it came flying strait back at Lina! No matter where Lina moved, the bouquet followed her. Finally with a groan of frustration, she grabbed the bouquet and stormed back over to the now smirking Zel.
"If I were you I would wipe that look off of your face."
"Why would I want to do that?" Zel crossed his arms over his chest and stared her down.
Lina put her hands on her hips and stared up at him.
"Because with the exception of Amelia, all the men in our group got married off to the women of our group. So unless you was to get stuck with me for L-sama knows how long, then I would suggest you shut up." Zel lost the look and got really quiet before speaking, then spoke five simple words that made Lina's jaw drop.
"Would that be so bad?" As soon as the words left his mouth the look on Lina's face made him realize that he head spoken those words out loud.
"Zel.....Did you mean that?" Lina could barely believe her ears.
"Only if you don't want me to have meant it..I mean it. I mean....well...." Zel shut his mouth and held his breath waiting for her to answer.
"No...I'm glad you meant it. For a minute I was almost afraid that this was a wonderful dream that I never wanted to wake up from." Lina said this and the two of them slowly moved towards each other and engaged in a passionate kiss.
The sound of five people clapping and whistling, made the two teenagers come up for air.
"It's about time you two got together." Was the basic statement spoken by their former traveling partners.
Both of them blushed brightly and the other just laughed and gave the two some time alone.
"Lina, I want to marry you, but not in this form. Will you wait till I find my cure?"
"I would wait until the end of time."
"Wake up sleepy head." Lina opened her eyes, only to see Zel's face looming over hers.
"G'mornin'." Lina mumbled her greeting a little and rolled over onto her side, pulling the blanket over her head as she did it.
"So we are playing this game again are we?" Zel picked up one end of the blanket and crawled under it with her.
"Do you have any new leads?" Lina said this her back still facing him.
"A few." Zel noticed the tension in her shoulders. "Lina, what's wrong?"
"I...It's nothing, Zel. Give me a few minutes and I'll meet you downstairs for breakfast, OK?" Lina was lying and they both knew it. Zel wasn't going to let her off the hook easily this time though.
"I don't buy that, and neither do you. Please tell me what is wrong, love." She rolled over to face him, and Zel placed a hand on her cheek, wiping away a tear with the pad of his thumb.
"It's been two years, Zel. I can only satisfy myself for so long. I am tired of waiting, Zel. One would think that after this long we could at least sleep in the same room. I'm just afraid that you aren't interested in me anymore, and can't find a way to tell me." Tears were falling harder now as she let out all of her fears of the past year.
"Lina, I am sorry. I was so use to this strict self-restraint. I didn't realize what it was doing to you. You should know by now that I would never get tired of you, but on the same not I guess I should tell you more often how much you mean to me. You are my reason for being. Let's get going, ok? The sooner we follow this lead hopefully will be the sooner we can be together. Zel's hand was now idly brushing the tresses of red off her face and planted a soft kiss on her lips.
"Give me a minute and we can go."
Later that Evening
"Well loon on the yawn bright side, Zel. At least there was something there, not just an empty cave. That has to count for something." Zel continues walking ahead of her, ignoring her attempts to cheer him up.
"Let's just get to the next town, before it gets to be too late." Zel's voice sounded depressed and tired. Lina decided it would be a waste of breath to keep talking, and followed behind Zel in silence.
After two hours of walking in complete silence, Lina was ready to fall asleep where she stood. Zel was feeling bas about making Lina walk all of this way, and stopped.
"What is it Zel?"
"Let me carry you the rest of the way."
"No, I'm ok."
"You are going to fall asleep on your feet. I promise if you are awake I will let you walk into town." Lina appeared to be considering his offer.
"I don't know, Zel."
"I like to carry you."
"How could I ever deny you something that you liked....Well except for eating your piece of cheesecake last night. I am sorry about that."
They both grinned at each other, and Zel picked her up. After about an hour of walking Lina had fallen asleep against his chest. as soon as they reached the town, Zel headed towards the first Inn he saw.
"What can I get for you two....travelers?" The Innkeeper looked up in shock to see a chimera holding a small redheaded woman.
"One room please." After a moment of shocked silence the Innkeeper recovered enough to speak to Zel.
"Yes sir, room 42." He handed Zel the key and shook his head in wonder as he walked towards the room.
Lina woke up with a start and looked around. Sitting up in the bed she looked over to her left and saw Zel sleeping uncomfortably in a chair. Lina softly walked over to him, and gently shook his shoulder.
"Zel."
"What?" Zel stood up quickly, grabbing his sword out of reflex.
"Come to bed, Zel. I'll sleep in the chair. I'm smaller."
"I won't let you sleep in the chair while I take the bed."
"Then why don't you share it with me?"
"I don't know..."
"It would make me happy. Please, Zel?"
"How could I turn down a request like that?"
Both of them climbed into the bed, unsure of how to sleep in the same bed together, they lay flat on their backs, arms straight by their sides.
Ten minutes after trying to get to sleep like this, Lina mumbled 'forget this' and rolled over to her right, draping her left arm over Zel's chest. She felt Zel's muscled stiffen when she did that, then relaxed. Lina smiled as she felt Zel's arms encircle her, and in that position the two fell asleep.
Next Morning
Zel, as usual was the first one to wake up. HE looked down at Lina and smiled, he then glanced down at his arm and did a double take. "Lina, Lina wake up." The urgency Zel's voice snapped Lina out of her early morning fog.
"What is it, Zel? What's wrong?"
"Look at my arm."
"Lina sat there looking at his arm for a few minutes.
"Weren't there more stones there yesterday?"
"Yes, there were." Zel said this still looking at his arm.
"Are there some missing everywhere?"
"I don't know."
"Take off your shirt." Lina's voice made it clear that it was a command not a request.
"Why?"
"I want to check your chest and back to see if it is clearer there too." Zel took a deep breath then nodded, taking off his shirt. Lina's hands were shaking slightly as they roamed over Zel's back and chest.
"Well?" Zel's voice had a slightly winded tone to it.
"I-It's clearer there too. What did you do differently yesterday?" Lina closed her eyes and slowed her breathing before facing Zel.
"That's the thing, we didn't do anything differently. We did the same thing we do every time. We woke up, ate, traveled, ate, checked into the Inn then went to bed. The only thing that was slightly different was..." Zel's voice trailed off, as he looked up at Lina.
"All we did was sleep in the same bed. Zel...What are you trying to say?"
"You have this effect over me, Lina. Whenever I am close to you it increases. I think you are the key to my cure."
"So you are saying what?" Lina's brow furrowed as she thought.
"Rezo knew I couldn't stand my new body, and that I would never do anything while in it. I think he used that as a way to seal in my curse." Now Zel was talking more to himself rather than to Lina.
"Zel, are you trying to say that sex is the key to your cure? I never thought you were one for corny pick-up lines." Lina pathetically attempted to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
"That is exactly what I am saying. I'll be back later." Zel threw on his sword, shoes, shirt then left a very confused Lina Inverse sitting alone in the room staring at the door.
Well I've done it again. Once again I am dividing my stories into parts in order to drive the reader crazy, but have no fear the second part is written, just not typed. Feedback is always welcome.
Part 2 | Fanfiction