He Didn't Have To Be Chapter 1, a fairy tail fanfic

He Didn't Have To Be

Chapter 1

Melody's POV

It was another normal day at the guild. Chatter between teams, Natsu and Gray having an all-out riot as Lucy tried to break it up before Erza interrupted, and Master Makarov watching with a smile on his face. Yes, it was another normal day, but not for me. Normally, I would be sitting with Laxus, Bickslow, Evergreen, and Freed (known as the Raijinshuu), talking about the patrons at the tavern I sing at as a side job or something with our most recent job. They hadn't officially invited me to be a party of their team, but without fail, I always attended a job with them. Despite the reputation the team had, they were a fun group to be around, and who would have thought that Laxus had a soft side?! Certainly not me.

"Melody," Mirajane Strauss, a well-known takeover mage, pulled me from my trance, "are you doing alright? You've barely touched your shake."

I shrugged at her and took a little bit of a sip. "Is there any way I can take this to-go?" I asked her as I shoved the shake away from me. "I'm not feeling like myself, so I'm thinking of going home to rest."

"Sure thing." When her back was turned to find me a cup, I felt as if someone, or something, was watching me. I turned around to see if I could see who was looking at me, but nothing was found. Not even the Raijinshuu was looking down at me either. "Here you are." Mira said as she placed a Styrofoam cup in front of me. "Are you sure everything else is alright?"

I smiled at the white-haired mage as I poured my shake in the cup. "I assure you, Mira, that everything else is alright. I'm just not feeling like myself today." Putting the lid on the cup and grabbing a straw, I looked at her. "If you are that concerned, you are more than welcome to check up on me later. Right now, I could just use some rest."

"Alright." She conceded. "I'll take you up on your offer and check on you later. I hope you feel better soon!" This is why I liked Mira. She was always positive no matter what.

Nothing like seven more months won't fix. I thought ironically in my head. "Thank you, Mira. I'll see you later." With that, I gave her a small smile and a wave as I walked out the door. The nagging feeling of someone, or something, watching me was back, but I decided to leave it be. If someone really wanted to grab my attention, they would have to come to me personally.

Magnolia was packed in the market area as it was a lovely day, so people were out and about. I just strolled and watched the children play with their parents. That'll be me, soon. I thought as I rubbed my belly. The tavern didn't need me today, which made today one of those rare days that I had off. Usually on those days, the Raijinshuu would be hanging around my place, and we would have a lovely dinner and have tea afterwards. Evergreen and Freed would occupy one couch, Laxus in my leather recliner, and Bickslow and I on my loveseat. Every now and then, I would catch Bickslow's arm around my waist and hold me tight, as if he was afraid I was going to disappear. I wonder what will happen when the little one is born.

When Bickslow found out I was dating this man from the tavern, he and I didn't talk for weeks. Come to find out that he had feelings for me, and I hurt him. He wouldn't give me a smile, wouldn't talk, or even recognize I existed. The last one hurt the most. I wouldn't ever admit this to him, but there would be nights where Evergreen would spend the night comforting me because of Bickslow. Things, now, are still awkward, but we are working on repairing our friendship.

"Hey, Mel." I heard his voice as his babies came out from behind me. "Hey, Mel! Hey, Mel." They repeated.

"Hey, Bickslow." I greeted as I turned around. "What are you doing here?"

"Mira said you weren't feeling well, and when I went to escort you home, you had already left the guild hall." He explained as he neared me. "What is going on with you?"

"What do you mean? I'm fine." I tried to play it cool, but of course, he could see right through me.

"Don't give me that crock of shit." As I turned to walk away, he grabbed my wrist with a harsh grip and wouldn't let go when I tried to shake him off. "You seemed off these last couple of weeks but always plaster a fake smile on your face. You don't want people to worry about you. I get it, but this fake crap will only get you so far."

"You know me so well, don't you?" I sarcastically sneered when I was still faced away. "You have no idea how much stress and worry I've been dealing with when I found out my situation. Nobody needs to worry about me."

"I worry about you." Bickslow said gently that I almost didn't hear it. "What has you so worked up?"

"Nothing. It's not important." I turned and twisted in his iron grip as I tried to free myself. "Now, let me go!"

"No!" He, then, yanked me to him and wrapped his arm around me. "You are not leaving this hold until you tell me what's going on! I'm your friend, and I'm worried about you! Hell, the whole team is worried about you, but you're being too damn selfish to let anyone help you!" Bickslow growled the last part as his face inched closer to mine. "Now, what the fuck is bothering you?"

"Is that all that I am to you?" I spat out in disappointment. "Just a friend?"

"What are you talking about? I thought you had a boyfriend." He wondered incredulously.

Shaking my head, I leaned my forehead on his chest, "He's gone and left me to deal with the aftermath." I could have sworn I heard Bickslow growl as he pressed me closer to him as much as physically possible.

"What an idiot." He said, and I nodded in agreement. "What aftermath are you talking about?"

Sighing, I lowered my head in defeat and mumbled lowly, "He didn't want to be a part of his child's life, so he left me alone and pregnant." His hand ran through my hair and let go of his iron grip on my wrist to properly embrace me. I clutched to him in despair. "I'm so scared, Bix. I'll be a single mother who can't use her magic nor go on jobs because of doctor's orders. I'll be judged by the whole town for being an unwed woman with a child. I'll be barely surviving on the money I make at the tavern because the pay isn't that well. I'll be known at the town whore, Bix! I'm so scared."

"I won't let that happen. Not if I can help it." Bickslow said with determination before he turned to his babies. "Babies, take us to Melody's place." "Mel's place! Mel's place!" They chanted as they picked up him and I and flew us to my place. My face was still shoved in his chest, so I didn't see when we arrived. "Do you have your key?" I nodded and dug it out of my pocket before I gave it to him. He unlocked my door, and as soon as he set me down, I ran straight to the bathroom to spill whatever was left in my stomach. Oh Mavis, I was pathetic in this state. "Oh, darling." I heard him say from the door.

"Bix." I moaned out before another round of nausea started. His hand ran up and down my back as the other one was holding back my hair.

"I'm right here." He cooed gently. "I'm not going anywhere." One of Bickslow's babies must have brought him a cold towel as he applied it to my neck. We stayed in that position I don't even know how long before I was sure all of the contents in my stomach were gone. His hand beat me to the knob to flush the toilet.

Leaning back against him and taking a couple deep breaths, I mumbled in a croaky voice, "I'm sorry, Bix."

"It's alright, Melody." He reassured as he pulled me closer to him when we were positioned against the wall, his chest against my back.

I shook my head weakly. "No, it's not. I hurt you when I was with him, Bix, but you hurt me, too." Tucking my head under his chin, I closed my eyes and breathed in his scent. "I missed you." I reached up behind me and gripped the straps of his visor to remove it. Feeling him tense, I gently asked him, "May I remove this? It's just us two, and I trust you not to hurt me."

He sighed and nodded as he tightened his grip on me. His metal visor fell to the floor with a clatter. "You know, you make it really hard for me to be mad at you. I'm still not happy that you dated him when you knew how I felt, but if you give me the chance, I would like to be a part of your child's life."

That perked my interest. "Bix?" I wondered as I pulled back to look at him.

His dark red eyes met my hazel ones as he petted my unruly red hair. "I would like to be a part of your child's life and raise it as my own with you. No child deserves to not have a father. I know you and I are not on the best terms right now, and I understand that, but I'm asking for a chance here. I want to be that man you come home to every day from a mission or from the tavern. I want to be the one you are in bed with every night and be the one who takes care of your child during the night when you deserve a night of rest. I want to be the one who makes you smile when you're sad, picks you up when you're blue, and calms you down when you're upset. Just, please, give me a chance." Bickslow rested his head against mine in desperation as he just confessed what he's been feeling.

Tears fell from my eyes during his confession. "You're right when you say we aren't on the best terms, because we aren't, but I would love nothing more than you to be the father to my child. However, we need to work on some things to rekindle our friendship. I think seven months would give you enough time do that."

"That's more than enough time for me, Mel." He said as he kissed my forehead. We sat in silence for a few more minutes before we both stood up. "I'm going to go make you some tea to settle your stomach. In the meantime, I would like you to freshen up. I'll be in living room when you're done." He kissed my forehead once more before he left me to my devices.

I looked in the mirror as I noticed the total mess that was portrayed on me. I do not look attractive like this. Scrubbing a hand down my face, I stripped off my clothing and started the shower. While it was heating up, I decided to brush my teeth to rid myself of the stench of vomit. I really couldn't wait for morning sickness to be done with. Once that was done, I rinsed out my mouth and stepped into the shower. A sigh of relief and contentment escaped me when my back hit the hot water. Next thing I knew, I hum the opening notes of a song I sing often at the tavern on regular demand.

Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay

There's always some reason
To feel not good enough
And it's hard, at the end of the day

I need some distraction
Oh, beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins

And maybe empty
Oh, and weightless, and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

So lost in the song as I did my normal routine, I didn't even notice Bickslow near the entrance as he listened to me sing.

So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back

The storm keeps on twisting
Keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack

It don't make no difference
Escape one last time
It's easier to believe in this sweet madness
Oh, this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees

You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

After I finished the song, I shut off the water and stepped out of the shower and wrapped myself in a towel. I sat on the edge of the bath and pondered what my life would be once the little one was born. I'm excited, but I'm also nervous and scared at the same time when I thought about it. Shaking my head, I dried myself with my towel and changed back into the same clothes I was in, except my shirt, since it had traces of my last episode. Deciding not to have Bickslow wait any longer, I walked into the living room and saw him sitting on the loveseat that I share with him when the Raijinshuu is here.

"Hey, Bix." I called to him. His head turned to me and took in my appearance. I blushed and covered my torso and looked elsewhere. "I can go change."

"Don't." Bickslow said as he approached me. "You're beautiful, Mel. Don't hide away your beauty." He grabbed my arms that covered my torso and led me to the loveseat. As we both sat down, he handed me my tea. "Here you go. Be careful, though. It's still hot." I nodded and blew on the heated drink before I took a careful sip. I couldn't help myself as I cuddled against Bickslow. I missed this feeling with him because he always made me feel safe. His arm snaked around my waist and held me closer. His hand rested on my belly as if he was already claiming the child as his. "The little one's soul is very active."

I hummed in content and snuggled against him as close as I could. Bickslow's head was resting on top of mine. We still had some roadblocks to figure out, but as long as he's willing to make it work, I could, too. We still have seven months to figure everything out.

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A.N. - Hello, Readers! Long time, no see! I do apologize I have been away for so long, but with me being on summer break now, I have time to write! The last few weeks have been very chaotic: I lost my job, my boyfriend (now ex) moved away and found out he had a side chick in his new location, and getting ready to move back home to take care of Mom since she needs psychiatric help. In the meantime, I have also lost my interest in writing "The Story of Lillith" universe, and I do apologize. I had hit a major writer's block, and I decided it would be best to move onto something new. Hopefully, this will kick me out of it, and I will be able to go back to TSOL universe. Enjoy, R&R, and PM me if you have any ideas for this fanfic!