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Ashes to Ashes	By : BurneHazard Category: S through Z > Sky High Views: 5389 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Sky High, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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As they walked along, Warren found himself beginning to enjoy the silence. It was rare that ever happened. Perhaps it was because even though they were not saying anything it was the exact same feeling he had become accustomed to the companionable quiet shared for the past few months around her and Gavin. He really did like it. With Freon he had always felt pressure to say something or do something so she could have something more than just company.

Crystal...he began to wonder. It was true that she did not demand he talk to her, but she did listen when he did speak. She also helped him without making a big deal of it, like tutoring him. Nothing she did ever made him feel stupid or lacking. In fact, she even asked him for help when she needed it. Freon was popular, demanding, rather pushy and actually rather inconsiderate. Crystal could be quite demanding but she was considerate and helpful.

"Did you have any actual plan when you asked to go on a walk?"

"Not really..."

She smiled again. "That's usually the best sort."

Looking at her, his confusion melted away when he saw the somewhat lop-sided smirk she had. Accepting that she was teasing him instead of scorning his lack of fore-sight, he shrugged.

"You looked like you needed a break from the party anyway."

"Yeah, I did. Thanks."

For a while they simply walked around despite the chill. Crystal did look great. With her hair curled it made her seem older somehow. She was no breath-taking beauty but Warren did admit she had her moments. Freon was beautiful on the outside. He decided he liked Crystal's beauty a lot better. At least that beauty was honest enough. The thought relaxed him.

"If you like Chinese, we could go to the Paper Lantern."

"Hm, I'm afraid I'm not that big on it really. That's all mother made me eat...during the divorce. Kinda ruined my liking for it to have it for lunch and supper every day for over a year."

Again, Warren supposed that he could understand. He liked the food but after spending so long working in the kitchen with the smells, he preferred other selections himself. Crystal was frowning a little, a sure sign she was thinking.

"There is an Italian place that stays open until eleven tonight."

"Not really in the mood for Italian..."

Apparently the way he trailed off made Crystal wonder because he saw her turn her head to look at him. "Yeah, so did Sparks."

Enough was said on that matter. They idly walked on. Once or twice they would stop to just study the lights on the houses. After a little while though they came to the playground outside the elementary school. Crystal slowed and stopped before stepping off the walk into the snow to approach the equipment. Slightly puzzled, Warren followed. The girl dusted snow off a swing and turned the simple plastic seat over to the dry side before sitting down.

Her skirt barely brushed over the surface of the snow. After a moment, he joined her on the next swing. The area around the school was rather dark save the street lights a distance away. Drifting back and forth, he found himself studying the snow and the way it just covered everything like a blanket. When he looked at Crystal, she was staring up at the sky. There were clouds out but glimpses of stars could be seen.

"What're you thinking about?" he asked before he was fully aware of it.

"Hm? Nothing really. Nice night. I don't like the cold, but...once in a while it's nice. The air is never really this crisp or fresh at any time during the summer."

Warren nodded at that. "I suppose."

"Now I'm wondering what you're thinking about."

He shrugged and glanced down at the snow. "A lot of things. Your dad's kinda..."

"Yeah, I think you're looking for over-protective. He always has been. He told me it's because of stuff he saw during the war...and stuff that happened before and during the divorce."

"Should I be...scared of him?"

"No. He means well. Of course you turn up at my house as much as Gavin and you better ready yourself for a full sit-down lecture about how a proper gentleman is to treat a lady as special as his little princess...and get the usual threats of being hunted down and bodily harmed should you ever hurt me, that sort of thing."

Groaning, he looked at her. "Gavin went through that?"

Laughing, Crystal shook her head. "No. Gavin's lucky, we basically grew up together. He's been my little brother for a long time. That'll never change."

Maybe he was looking at her too long or something because in a moment her eyes were on him again rather than the sky.

"What?"

"Um, are you and Gavin..."

Crystal looked surprised rather than offended. Suddenly, she burst out laughing. It was nice to hear since it was rare she did anything like that in school, but Warren felt a little upset.

"Oh lord, no! And Gavin doesn't see me that way either. He's got a crush on someone else. No, trust me when I say we'll always be like brother and sister."

"Are you sure?"

The smile was back as she nodded. "Yes. And I'll tell you why only if you swear you won't treat him any differently than you do now."

Puzzled, Warren raised both brows. "Um, sure. Why would I?"

He was suddenly under a heavy, intense Look. "Because he likes guys."

Now that was something he was not expecting at all. Blinking a few times, he had to consider that seriously. Gavin was all right. So...the guy liked guys. Of course, he did consider the possibilities of that very seriously. At last, he shrugged.

"Okay."

Crystal continued to stare at him for another moment and he leaned back a little. "What?"

"You're sure you're okay with that?"

"Yeah...um, the crush isn't me, is it?"

Surprisingly, Crystal flushed and shook her head. "No, his crush isn't on you."

"No problem with it then. I don't like guys in that way is all."

Nodding, Crystal started to look up again as she let the swing go back and forth slowly. He had to ask, "Why did you blush?"

She turned even more red and looked away, "No real reason...just kinda embarrassing talking about crushes is all."

"Why? Do you have one?"

"Well...sorta."

The comment gave him an odd sinking feeling. Looking away, he frowned. What was he thinking anyway? After Freon he did not want to bother with anyone like that again. Actually thinking of dating his friend that way...he was an idiot. He was so deep in sudden thoughts that he did not notice when Crystal left the swing to walk off. Thus the snowball that hit his chest took him by surprise and unbalanced him enough to send him toppling backward into the snow.

Crystal's laughter made him forget what he was thinking as he untangled his legs from the swing and got up. She was already scooping up more snow to pat into a ball as he got to his feet. There was a new look in her eyes that he could guess was mischief. Dodging the next, he scooped snow up in his own hands. It would be a pity to ruin her Christmas outfit but surely it could be cleaned and dried later.

It only lasted a few minutes, ducking around or racing under various playground equipment as they threw snowballs back and forth. Then, Crystal was caught under the play suspension bridge and Warren grinned. Before she knew what was happening, he leapt up onto it, sending a shower of snow down onto her. Yelping, she scrambled out into the clear. In a moment they went from snowballs to scooping snow off the ground in attempt to cover one another.

No one was outside to see them though, which somehow made it all the more fun. At last, both of them collapsed on the ground. Crystal was still chuckling though her clothes were nearly all soaked through. Warren was shivering though a little brush of his fires helped warm shivering skin enough that he would be fine. Rolling onto his side, he looked at the girl. Cold had made her face terribly red but while she was panting to catch her breath, that smile remained.

"So who won?"

Looking up at him, she blinked excess water from her eyes. "Dunno...call it a draw?"

Getting up and dusting himself off a little, he offered her one hand. As she brushed wet hair from her face, she grinned and took it to help get up. When the last clump of snow was brushed off, he paused to notice she was shivering. Not good. Before he even thought about it, he stepped up and slid his arms around her. Crystal tensed slightly in surprise before turning her head to look back at him over her shoulder.

"Hold still."

Very carefully, Warren focused on that fire inside. His temper was steady so it only took a little focus. Flame rose to dance up along his arms, spread out enough that it was not blatantly obvious. Caution was necessary. The heat spread up to his shoulders and across his chest then down. Her shivering eased and ceased. She actually relaxed against him and leaned back a little.

A wind rose, breeze really. He glanced at her but Crystal's eyes were closed, likely to better concentrate. The breeze warmed as it spiraled around them, drying their clothes and hair and helping to get rid of the lingering chill. It was really very nice.

"This is nice."

Crystal voiced the very thing he had been thinking. Opening his eyes, he looked back at her only to see she was studying him. During the fight, she had removed her glasses and put them in a pocket of her coat. Now, she slowly turned around in his arms to face him. Their powers continued the cycle, almost forgotten really. She was maybe an inch shorter than he was, even with the addition of the boot heels.

Leaning in a little, he hesitated. She made the decision for him by lifting her head just enough that their lips met. Her skin was a little cool compared to his but unlike Freon, she warmed almost instantly. Drawing her a little closer, he just let himself fall into the kiss. Her lips parted and he took the invitation without any hesitation to explore her mouth. She nipped at his tongue before meeting it and encouraging with strokes and little evasions.

Warren was barely aware that her hands were gripping the back of his coat and holding on. A shiver passed through her and his stomach flipped again as he tasted a bit of mint and chocolate, likely from candy at the party. The only thing that made him break back was the need for air. He opened his eyes and caught a glimpse of her with her eyes still closed. She really was beautiful the way the wind was making her hair dance and the lack of any guard on her face.

Hazel eyes opened and he found himself looking into twin storms. It was actually rather frightening and made his heart jump a little. There was no ice. The thought was completely random. Crystal caught a breath and blinked, just looking at him. Slowly, he became aware of their surroundings again. The wind circling them was summer-hot and quite strong really. The snow where they stood had melted away in a perfect circle.

"Who is your crush...Crystal?"

She blushed again but this time did not look away. He saw her lick her lips and swallow. Warren refused to let go until he heard her answer. The winds were dying down and he allowed the fire to gradually die as well since neither were in danger of catching cold from wet clothes now.

"Who?"

"Ask me again on Graduation day."
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Ashes to Ashes