Defrost my Heart Part One: Enter the Lady!

Standing in my prison cell with a twisted smirk, Master Elements waved at me from the otherside of the steel door of my cryogenic chamber. Dusting off his emerald designer suit, his matching slicked back hair shimmered in the light of my cell. Watching his emerald eyes glitter with adventure, my white prisoner suit fought against its anti freezing nature. A Victorian number enticing me, the high low skirt and corset top being made of the same material. Noticing a frilly coat and the ruffles on the other hand, he cleared his throat. What was his game?

“I am looking to hire you.” He spoke concisely, the power of all four elements swirling around him. “We could really use someone to put out fires. Who wants to rot away in this shithole?” Playing with my ankle length waves, my bangs hid the frozen tears forming in my eyes. Fluttering my ivory eyelashes to hide my tears, the feeling of being wanted was an odd one. Scratching a few ice crystals off of my face, my blue lips parted to speak several times. Running his hand through his hair, anxiety dulled the twinkle in his eyes. His dark green lips pressed into a thin line, my quivering eyes refusing to meet his. 

“I know you didn’t rob the bank.” He confessed with a friendly smile, his hand pressing a card onto an electronic lock. Staring numbly at my sixteen year old hands, the outside had to be better than this. Mumbling a broken okay, his face brightened up in a single moment. Shoving the full uniform through the slot, my nimble fingers peeled off my prison suit. Tugging on the new outfit, the light rubber material hugged my hourglass figure. Adjusting the corset, it showed off how tiny my waist was. Sliding my feet into the rubber boots as I pulled on my jacket. Confusion twisted my features, a pair of ivory rubber gloves and a silver mask skidded over to the front of my boots. 

“Not to be rude but this is a little bit ridiculous.” I complained irritably while tugging on the gloves. “If I breathe on anyone in the slightest, they freeze to death.  What is this mask going to accomplish?" Ignoring his explanation, the silver did match my eyes wonderfully. Tying it around my head, the comfort shocked me. The door groaned open, his hand waiting for mine. Curling my fingers around mine, he tied the ruffle bowtie around my neck. Guiding me out of my cell, an unfamiliar warmth washed over me. Hearing a bell in the distance, a hand shook me awake. 

The doctor cleared his throat as a groggy yawn poured from my lips, his fingers tapping a file incessantly. Shooting him a death glare, my costume felt ridiculous in his office. His words faded in and out, the word pregnant snapping me awake. Curse that one night, the images of a handsome navy haired man giving me the night of my life caused my heart to skip a beat. Unable to speak, his barrage of questions were freaking me out.  The five years I had been a hero seemed about to go down the drain, a polite thank you was all I could muster as I stumbled out the door. Making my way to my favorite noodle shop, the stool squeaked in protest as I plopped onto it. 

“The usual?” An elderly voice inquired calmly, my eyes meeting the elderly noodle guy. Shooting him a shaky thumbs up, the burners hissed in his worn scarlet shack. Staring at the paper paintings of cherry blossoms, a hand on my shoulder had me leaping into the air. The man whom I slept with after too much sake took the stool next to me, his eyes scanning the endless sea of skyscrapers. Netropolis had been my home for way too long, his pale blue eyes glistening with hunger. His lips were moving, his wild navy bounced away with every word. Forgetting that my soup had been set down in front of me, the awkwardness of the moment had all the heat leaving my soup. Grimacing underneath my mask, the shock of him untying my mask had me blushing a deep scarlet. 

“Do you mind if I kiss the one I dream about?” He asked politely, his finger lifting up my chin. Steam curled into the air, my breath hitching at how he was able to touch me. Kissing my lips hungrily, I was all set to be his once more. Time slowed, this man being my dream soulmate. Pulling me onto his lap, he tied my mask around his wrist. Heating up my soup for me, his hand lingered on the small bump for a minute. Every breath shortened, my heart seconds from beating out of my chest. Snatching my mask off of his wrists, I hopped off of his lap. His life was about to be ruined, my boots slipping on the uncontrollable discs of ice forming underneath my boots. Sliding into Elements, the shimmering skyscraper was the place I called home. Brushing past Elements, the sleek emerald green elevator doors slammed shut the moment I squeezed my way through. Tying my mask back around my face, a wave of relief washed over me the moment my card key unlocked my door. Crossing into the cryogenic chamber, my bed called for me. Sliding down the side of my bed, the rubber casing around all of my items had me hissing in annoyance. Clapping my hand twice, my heavy metal playlist roared to life. How could I bring another life into this world when I could barely raise myself? Counting on my fingers, my child would be due around September. Resting my head on my knees, a knock had me grumbling to myself. Popping to my feet, a concerned Elements let himself in. Donning thick green winter gear, he took a seat onto my bed, the layer of ice cracking as he plopped down. Patting the bed next to him, a huff poured from my lips the moment I sat down next to him. Now wasn't the time for him to be my father figure.

“The doctor called me. Who the hell did you sleep with?” He inquired in a fatherly tone, my fingers scrunching up the hem of my dress. “You aren’t in trouble. I will have you on the field until it isn’t safe and then you give birth. After your recovery, my childcare staff will take care of your child when you go to work. The other heroes that work underneath me use those services. If you thought I was going to be mad, you clearly thought wrong. I encourage families so you guys have something to home to.” Swallowing the lump in my throat, scarlet painted my cheeks. Why didn't I see that right away?

“Emberox.” I answered simply, curiosity twinkling in his eyes. “What is so amusing to you?” Narrowing my eyes in his direction, the door opened again. Emberox made his way into the room, the usual flush on his cheeks dying down to the normal level. Elements rose to his feet, his palms pressing together. Shoving him forward, neither of our eyes couldn’t meet. Why did he have to be in my room at the moment?

“Good news or bad news, he is your new partner!” He announced with a big smile, his hands resting on his hips. “He burns too hot and you run a little frigid. I couldn’t help but to pair the two of you together. Make me proud.” Leaving us in the privacy of my room, he held out a to-go container of noodle soup. Blushing a deep crimson, his fingers drummed on the bottom. Anxiety built within me, my fingers playing with the hem of my dress a bit faster.

“I heard everything. If you need me to be a father, I will be there. If you need me to be a husband down the road, I will be there.” He promised lovingly, my heart falling for him all over again. “Please eat so our child can grow strong.” Rising to my feet, his eyes followed me sauntering up to him. Dropping my coat to the floor, his arms rubbed my bare arms. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, all of me wanting him to be my husband. How could a playful guy like him be so sweet? Untying my mask with his hands, the loud crack of ice had me leaping into his arms. Spinning me around to embrace me from behind, he raised my hand into the air. Basking in his warmth, my heart knew what I wanted. Sliding his hands down to my bump, we swayed back and forth.  The system had chewed us up and spit us out, only for us to be drafted to serve them. Fate could be quite cruel sometimes, a shrill alarm screaming in my room destroying the moment. Our names were called, his hands placing the soup on the table closest to him. Kicking up my mask and coat, his muscular hands slid on my coat while I tied on my mask. Feeling around his back pocket, he lowered a navy phoenix mask over his face. Dragging me out of the room, his arms curled around my waist. Jumping onto the exit chute, his arms clutched me close to his chest. Shooting into the air, a ring of ice caught us. Skidding across with me, the big dust clouds told us where to go. Skating over the discs of ice, Emberox kept up with super speed. Skating to a rough stop outside of an unstable building, one touch of my palm froze it in its stage of destruction. Following my partner, families were gathered in the pockets of safety. A deep voice sent chills up my spine, frozen tears shattering upon impact with the floor. So Murphy's law was at play today.

“Nice to see my sister doing well.” A sadistic voice taunted, debris crunching as I spun on my heels. “Look at you doing good for the community.” His ivory waves floated up, his silver eyes glittering with malice. Fluttering his ivory lashes sarcastically, ivory flames crackled to life all over his body. Charging at him, our fists met with equal strength. Punch after punch was thrown, neither of us getting any closer to the end result. Checking to see if Emberox was helping people out, the relieved cries of the family gave me my answer as they scurried off. Something distracted my brother, a swift kick sending him into the sky. Tracking where he was going to fall, the park seemed to be it. Skating over my discs of ice, Emberox seemed trapped with the duties of helping the cops find more survivors. Skidding into the park, patches of burnt grass gave him away. Scanning the trees towering over me, something seemed off. Popping up behind me, a wave of my hand created a shield of ice. His hot fist shattered it, the pond catching my eyes. Water had to be his weakness, a wet match never lighting. Catching his fist, I tossed him over me. A loud splash along with a hiss announced his crash landing into the pond, a sly grin dancing across my lips. Dragging himself out of the water, his fireproof designer suit had mud all over it. Feeling quite proud of myself, he popped to his feet. Snapping his fingers, no flames would ignite. Objective reached! Did he not recall all the training we did together? Growling under his breath, an armored vehicle squealed into place. One of his villains yanked him into the vehicle, a rain of bullets coming my way. Ducking behind a tree, a little girl nearly stumbled into the path of the bullets. Sprinting from my hiding spot, I pushed her out of the way. The bullets froze to the point of the crumbling, the dark haired girl shivered away by the tree. Approaching her cautiously, ice manipulated itself into a rose. Crouching down to her level, her quivering violet eyes met mine. What lovely blossom was this?

“Run away before you get hurt by me.” She warned me in a broken tone, her white uniform looking familiar. A befuddled what escaped my lips, everything around me floating up in a violet glow. Every breath grew shorter, her hand clutching her chest. The items whipped around me dangerously, my rose shattering. Footfalls echoed behind, the stern shouts called for her to come out of hiding. Glancing around, I couldn't hold her. Humming a lullaby, everything crashed to the soft grass. Offering her my hand, she had no reason to go back to the villains who led to me being in a damn jail cell. Even if I couldn’t hold her, my hand was the safest bet. Dragging her back into the city, her protests fell on deaf ears as we entered a large crowd. The men in white gave up, the huffing girl getting closer to another panic attack. Guiding her into a fast food restaurant, her eager eyes lit up at the sight of the options. Her stomach rumbled audibly, embarrassment painting her cheeks. Assuring her that it was okay with a kind gaze, her fingers slid down to the hem of my dress. Making my way to the register, a commotion roared to life at the sight of me ordering chicken nuggets and french fries. A crowd gathered around us, several people asking for an autograph. Addressing them while waiting for my order, the little girl watched with wonder. Finishing up the last interaction, the bag of food was ready. Asking her if she wanted to eat outside, her tiny hand grabbed mine. Yanking me into the darkest corner, she took her time to arrange the nuggets and french fries. Eating slowly, her big eyes wouldn’t leave mine. The bell rang, Emberox walking up to us. Taking a seat next to her, he scooted closer to her. Smiling kindly in her direction, her fear was disarmed. Passing him a fry, a joke had them laughing together. Rising to my feet, frozen tears threatened to cascade from my eyes at her grabbing my wrist. My blood was too cold for a kid to be attached to me.

“Please don’t leave. You saved me and I don’t want to leave your side.” She pleaded adorably, pressing her palms together. “Thank you for being my hero.” Choking back tears, those were words I had spoken to my own hero back then. Promising that I would be right back, I needed to make a phone call. Yanking me back into my chair, it would have to wait. Offering me a fry, I had to wave it away politely. 

“If I eat that, it will freeze before I put it in my mouth. Maybe we can ice cream together another day.” I refused her with a pleasant smile underneath my mask, an adorable okay tumbling from her lips. Moving her chair as close as she could to me, a quiet fear lingered in my eyes. This girl had attached herself to me, guilt ate at me. Hugs would never be an option, her hand holding mine tighter. Something felt nice about this, the unfamiliar feeling warming up my core a couple of degrees.

“That’s okay. I have been watching you my whole life.” She giggled freely, her finger tucking a piece of hair behind her ears. “Sometimes our heroes need comfort.” Commotion had people running, Emberox scooping her up with his food. Her masked attendants had us running out of the restaurant, a crowd providing us safety. Skating home next to him, the attendants backed off the moment we skidded through the front door. Losing control, I smashed into the wall. Sliding down the wall in response, Elements ran up to me. Fretting over me, a shaky thumbs up did little to ease his fraying nerves. 

“Worry about her, not me. She needs your help.” I spoke while taking off my mask for a minute, his dress shoes clicking over to the little girl. “That rotten organization had control of her. Do you have a spot for her?” Popping to my feet, the girl brushed past everyone.Smashing into my legs, sheer panic rounded my eyes. A thick layer of violet energy kept her from hugging me, her face snuggling into the soft energy. Damn, she was a sweetheart.

“I want to sleep with you.” She demanded stubbornly, Elements crouched down to her level. Explaining to her why she couldn’t sleep in the same room, she settled with the one next door. Mentioning something about coloring books and other kids her age, she was bouncing away with him. Emberox made his way to me, his arms yanking me close to his hips. Swaying back and forth, everything about this felt right. 

“Nothing could outshine your beauty.” He flirted with a crooked grin, cupping my cheek with a loving gaze. Steam curled into the air, relief showing on his face. Mixed emotions flashed in my eyes, his passionate kiss stopping time. All other sounds died out, our heartbeats pounding to the same beat. Releasing me from his spell, his goofy grin melted my heart. Life might actually look up for once in my life.