Author's Note: Written for the Speechless Challenge hosted by ftfanfics on Tumblr! Decided to post it here too, because why the heck not. I actually had a lot of fun writing this, even though I'm not sure it's as 'tranquil' as it is 'relief', haha. If you're interested in this challenge, go check them out on tumblr! They're really cool.
Prompt: Tranquil; free from commotion of tumult; peaceful; quiet; calm.
It was finally over.
Lucy laid on the ground, arms stretched out and her golden hair sprawled out beneath her. Her hands were still quivering from that last moment, her grip on her keys impossibly tight. It was as if her body couldn't believe it. It still thought that another enemy would appear to threaten their happiness, that the fighting would begin again, and this safety was a lie.
She forced herself to close her eyes, inhaling slowly and deeply. The fresh air invaded her lungs, spreading a calm throughout her body she hadn't felt in weeks. No, over a year.
In the past 13 months, she had been left behind, thrown about, beaten up, and pushed to the brink of death. She had been so alone that she was now afraid of it, and she had gotten so used to the war zone that she didn't dare imagine a life without it.
If she were honest, part of her was too afraid. She could still hear the screams of pain, her comrade's strangled pleas resonating between her ears; feel every single wound she gained, every inch of flesh that was cut open and broken.
Sure, she had hurt them back, but they had their revenge; embedded within her a fear she would never forget.
Lucy exhaled slowly. But right now, for the first time in weeks, she felt calm.
A sudden warmth enveloped her hand and she turned her head to see Natsu lying down on the ground beside her. He looked even more beat up than she was, with yellow and purple bruises decorating his skin, patterned by fresh scars that left trails of blood across his entire body. It looked excruciatingly painful, but he was smiling as if it were the best day of his life.
He squeezed her hand, the roughness of his palm scraping against her skin. The small gesture of affection set off a smile on her own face.
It was amazing how much a person's priorities could shift. They were lying in a pile of rubble and the city was in shambles, but it only mattered that they were alive... and together. They could live to see another day; to laugh, to eat, to get into a hot bath.
Lucy closed her eyes, the smile on her face widening when she realised. They still had more days to go on more adventures.
A gust of wind blew through the city, caressing their cheeks and running through their hair. The two laid in silence watching the clouds roll by; wispy strands of water vapour blending in with the crimson sky. Its edges were tinged with orange, announcing the coming sunrise.
Then came the birds.
They chirped playfully as they flew overhead. Two black silhouettes against a sea of clouds, probably returning home to nest after avoiding the war. Her eyes followed them as they ducked in and out of the clouds.
Swallows. How apt.
She had read it in a book once. They were a symbol of freedom, of hope, and the safe end of a long journey. Lucy laced her fingers between her partner's, her eyes slowly closing in bliss.
That, indeed, they were.