Feelings?

I hit the floor with a grunt and gasped. Air left my lungs upon the impact. I panted heavily, sweat dripping down my body. My muscles screamed with fatigue. I slowly rolled on to my knees, my head spinning. The room wouldn't stop swaying. I trembled as I fought my way to my feet. A hand on my hip steadied me. I flinched at the touch, wanting to push it away, but the hand stayed firm. I shook my head, getting rid of the fog that presided over my brain on the impact of my fall. The room stopped swaying and my breath steadied.

"I think that's enough for one day." Drake stated as he cautiously let me go. I watched as he reached behind him, the counter not to far away and snatched a towel. He offered it to me with a tight lipped grim expression. Avoiding his gaze I thanked him and wiped the gross sticky sweat from my body. After making sure I was okay, he walked over to the other side of the room. His naked back muscles rolling in the moonlight. The dirty windows didn't justify how taught his muscles really where.

He snatched a towel up from the floor and like a moth to a flame, I watched him wipe the sweat from his abs. Each drop of sweat getting absorbed into the towel. What would it feel like if it was my hands instead on the smooth surface? What would it feel like if I pressed myself against him? I couldn't look away. He was like a tiger, his strides where long and powerful. Just his mere presence screamed leader. It was amazing that he wasn't the one leading the core.

He caught me watching. His eyes lit up in amusement as he finished toweling off. I quickly looked away as I pulled my tank top over my head, trying to avoid his gaze. I hope he didn't get the wrong idea. I was mesmerized by his power, not his looks. Although he really wasn't bad looking. Aria would you get your shit together. What was this man doing to my resolve? It was bad enough that I was getting soft around him. Of course I've never met someone who could literally sweep me off my feet as fast as he could either. Super observant and pointed out my flaws in my stance, and in my strikes. I never felt so tired and worn out after sparring. But then again, I really was to tired to focus on anything other then my drive for sleep. I was getting reckless.

Standing next to Drake I was small and pitiful. Petite and scrawny. I always had to crane my neck to meet him eye to eye. Sebastion would be the better fit for this mission. He was full of brawn and brains. Granted he can't keep his cool like I can, but it wasn't like there wasn't room for improvement. Although right now he was keeping it together better than I was. I was becoming unreliable, and there was nothing I could do about it. I wondered if this was how the other soldiers felt. Was this how they broke? Torturing themselves on top what they where already receiving? 'By the time this is over Aria, you will be a whole new person.' Drakos dark laughter filled my ears and I shut my eyes to block him out.

"Something on your mind?" I looked up startled. He was standing over me, his shirt balled up in his hands as concern washed over his face. He couldn't know. I wouldn't tell him.

"I can't say that you didn't totally destroy myself esteem. I built my reputation on my fast refluxes and unsurpassed skills. So yes, I am a little bit hurt." I grumbled as I wrung my sweat filled hair out into the towel. That would satisfy him.

"You did seem distracted. Tell me, why is that? When you spar with your brother you are ruthless." Drake leaned casually against the counter I normally sit on. My eyes wandered over to his bare chest through the towel. For starters, let's talk about the fact that you belong in every woman's fantasized wet dream. The girls back at the guild drooled over guys like this. Strong, muscled, and honestly had such a bad boy complex. Of course deep down Drake was compassionate, but it didn't stop the way he prowled around like he owned the place. Confidence was such a woman boner.

"Maybe put your shirt on," I mumbled under my breath as I pulled the towel over my face. Why did I say that, I hope he didn't hear me. The last thing I wanted was to give him fuel to rattle me again. But to my dismay, there was a sneer on his face when I pulled the towel off. I inwardly groaned as I tried to push past him. But he grabbed my wrist.

"So you can go topless and chastise poor Aspin for his distraction, but when I am it distracts you. Please do tell me why this bothers you now, and not when you are with anyone else." I could feel the wall being pressed up against my back. He was cornering me, but it didn't feel in a threatening way. But I still grew nervous with his close proximity. My heart pounded in my ears, my head slightly fogging.

"I-I'm not sure. Aspin reminds me of a little kid. He is still a puppy that needs training. You though, you're..." I trailed off, trying to find the right words. He leaned in close, almost getting in my face.

"A grown man with experience?" I swallowed nervously, a lump forming in my throat. All I cold think about now was how close our lips where. "I think you are falling for me." He teased, standing straight up. My eyes went wide. I laughed nervously, shaking my head. How cocky, how arrogant he was to just assume such things.

"Not in a million years. Nice try!" But my voice broke and I couldn't help but cringe. This was not good, he was going to endlessly tease me now. Why was my body going against me when I needed it to be strong? He let go of my wrist and placed the hand on the wall beside my head, still leaning in close. Just a few more inches and he would be right on top of me. My legs started to wobble, nervous and thrilled at the same time.

"Bantering aside, you did well today. Despite your 'distracted' mind set you posed a challenge. Surprisingly enough for a small person." That hit a nerve. For some reason, him viewing me as small bothered me. Did he find it unattractive that I was around average? Why did that matter to me so much? Not wanting to sit here any longer and here how I was to small, I said nothing to him as I pushed past him and towards the door. I was insulted and offended. I took a deep breath in to calm my nerves, and realized I stunk horribly. I needed a bath, that might calm me down.

I padded down the dark hallways until I reached the bath house. The lights where dim, giving it a calming feeling as you walked in. I noticed Drake had not followed me. At least I would bathe by myself for once. I love my brother but privacy would be nice. I stripped my shirt and bra off. I poked lightly at the bruise forming on my chest. It was a deep black and blue, with a tint of green around the sides. It wasn't broken, I just easily bruised and they always looked worse than they where. But this was another reminder that I needed to work harder. I finished pulling off the rest of my clothes and reached for a towel. Just as I was unfolding it the door opened. I yelped in surprise and quickly wrapped the towel around my body. Did he seriously have a death wish? Why couldn't I just bathe in peace?

"Opps, my apologies. I thought you where in the water already." He said sheepishly. Again, still not wearing a shirt. I glared at him and he chuckled as he hooked his fingers into the waist band of his pants. My eyes followed his fingers, going wide as I stared.

"I mean if you want to stand there and watch..." My face turned red, flustered and embarrassed. Who does this bastard think he is? I quickly ducked into the pool and sat down. Just put distance between the two of you and don't look at him. It was a fairly large bath, you could do it. At least the water was warm. It would provide a nice distraction as I cleansed my body. But my body still felt tense knowing he was here, and undressing behind me. I fought so hard not to take a quick peak.

It never bothered me before, why was it bothering me now? Its not like I haven't seen his chest before. I started scrubbing at my skin with a soap bar beside the pool, washing away the grime and dirt from the old mats. Just clean up Aria and then you can go to bed. Oh how I killed for Sebastion to be here and ease my nerves. At least he could fill the quiet uncomfortable void in the bath house. I tensed when I heard Drake enter the pool. My eyes wandering over to him. I turned red as I watched him wade into the pool, a loose towel around his waist. He had the most defined V I had ever seen! Why was I getting so worked up over this. I must truly be tired if I found him so utterly attractive I was practically drooling over him. Thankfully he sat very far away. He sighed and leaned against the wall, his eyes closing. He was so tall his upper chest wasn't completely submerged. The light danced off the water, making his chest glisten. So captivating.

I stared at him longer than I should have, the bar of soap still poised in the air. What was I doing? Men where evil! They did terrible things to me. So why was I having a hard time ignoring him? Was it because for the first time someone other than my brother actually showed me compassion?

"Are you alright Aria? You are extremely quiet over there." His soft voice echoed off the walls, almost luring me to him. What would it be like if he whispered my name? Held me tightly and...kissed me? Again?! What was I thinking. My face flushed. I couldn't be thinking like that, I was not falling for him. I would never fall for another man again. I wouldn't face the pain of having to bury someone I felt so deeply for.

"Aria, are you well?" I jumped, startled at his sudden presence beside me. I turned away from him, not wanting him to see my face. Why me? Just leave me alone already.

"J-just fine. A little sore is all." Even my voice sounded nervous. Maybe desperate?

"Aria, your face is absolutely red. Are you sure you aren't sick?" I maybe running a fever but it wasn't because I was sick. When I didn't answer he spun me around to face him. I avoided his eyes, not wanting him to see the truth. He placed a hand on my forehead, unbothered by my dodgy eyes looking everywhere but him. He pursed his lips together and cupped my face to look at him.

"Jeez Aria, does my presence bother you that much?" I laughed nervously. Shit, was he figuring me out? God this was so bad!

"What....do you mean by that?" Damn it! I needed to get myself under control! He brought his face closer to mine, chuckling seductively.

"I think you know exactly what I mean." He whispered. I froze, my body refusing to come to grip with reality. I watched as his lips came closer to mine. I wanted it so bad. I could feel my self shake under his touch. To my relief and dismay, he stopped. His crystal blue eyes turned dark as he stared down at me. Was he angry? Did I do something wrong? Clearing his throat he pushed himself away and waded out of the pool. Without grabbing his clothes he left the room. What was going on?