disclaimer: Fairy Tail? no. disclaimed.
author's note: i'm trying a new format for my fanfictions; they'll range based on the type. anyway, i know i'm a little late because was down for a few days, but i hope to catch up soon.
summary: he's been a hunter of the paranormal for years, but never once did he come across something even remotely more tempting than she.
other info: GrayLu; prompt is legend/myth (day one); monster hunter!au.
o1. one for the birds
by levy mcgardens
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"Sometimes beautiful things come into our lives out of nowhere.
We can't always understand them, but we have to trust in them...
... sometimes it pays to just have a little faith."
—Lauren Kate, Torment
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The sky was streaked with crimson and burnt sienna and tasted of imminent nightfall. With the setting sun burning an image behind his eyelids, Gray held up a hand to shield his eyes from the scintillating rays. Leaning against a tree trunk, he sighed.
The forest was soulful, teeming with supernatural wildlife in all forms: fairies, werewolves—heck, even vampires were possible.
To specialized A-level monster hunter Gray Fullbuster, this place was barely a step below a Garden of Eden.
He readjusted the strap on his gloves as he trekked through the foliage. A light breeze whistled through the trees; it sounded like a melody passed down through lore and centuries. Around him, the forest hummed with life; it almost seemed alive itself.
If, Gray couldn't help but think to himself, I hunt with enough efficiency, my game rate will shoot so high I'll definitely get promoted to an S-Class Hunter.
He just needed something the right size, with compatibly strong horsepower—
"Kyaaah!"
Huh? He whipped his head around. Someone's in trouble...!
As the scream resounded through the trees and wrought forth residue echoes, Gray's acute senses instantly powered up his system. Poising himself, he patted his belt, where his trusty revolver—in case his other weapons didn't work—lay toxic and loaded.
A series of tremors shook the ground, and as the vibrations coursed through his leg the brunet sprang into action.
Immensely heavy footsteps rocked the earth beneath his feet, and the bouts of shaking almost brought him to his knees as he leapt through the undergrowth. Such practices were in Gray's field of expertise—as he ran he was nimble and agile, and seemed to barely touch the ground as he weaved his way in and out between the trees.
Sunlight from the clearing caught his attention, and he sprinted to the entrance.
The rumbling was growing heavier by the second, and a series of bone-chilling roars emanated through the forest. At the terrifying sounds, flocks of birds fled from the trees. What once was a delightful breeze suddenly became a violent, torpid gale.
"Help!" a feminine voice shrieked over the rumbling, and in response Gray ran even faster. He fumbled for the stash of lacrima ninja daggers dangling from his belt—hey, it was handy to have these kinds of weapons in times of need—and broke through the vegetation.
The clearing was bathed pink and amber in the sunset. In front of him was a large waterfall with shimmering precious stones submerged in the shallow water—
And one of the most enormous monsters he had ever seen ruthlessly pursuing a girl.
Time seemed to come to a stop for Gray as he noticed the victim, and his eyes widened. Her face was angelic in a more evangelical sense, with large doe eyes and a countenance to kill for. The female's long blonde hair brushed against her shoulders and tumbled down her back like a golden curtain.
Even while fleeing a predator, he couldn't help but notice how graceful her movements were—oh Mavis, what was he thinking? Gray was snapped out of his reverie as she tripped and collapsed, issuing an exclamation and landing bodily in the stream.
Gray furrowed a brow in concern, a plethora of emotions surging through his mind.
"Ah!" the maiden cried out. Whipping her head around, the blonde flinched when the elongated shadow of her relentless pursuer fell over her, encasing her in darkness. Behind her, the monster reached out a meaty claw and wrapped it around her delicate form. "No, let go!" the blonde thrashed around valiantly.
Fury lit up within Gray's eyes as he watched the scene unfold. "Hey!" he yelled, diverting the hideous beast's attention before he knew what he was doing. "Let go of her, you Grendel!"
With a flick of his wrist he sent the daggers soaring through the air at breakneck speed, and skidded to a stop at the bank of the lake. The blades gleamed as sparks of the sun reflected off them, effectively catching the demon's attention. Without a second's hesitation, Gray yanked his whip from his belt and thrust it forward. The serrated edges seared into the leathery skin as it coiled around the creature's arm, and the monster released an earsplitting screech.
The blonde maiden gasped when Gray swung atop the beast's head. Intrigued, her eyes widened, and Gray swore he could see curiosity alight in her rich brown irises.
"W-Who are you?" she called, cupping her hands around her mouth. She leaned on her elbows against the monster's large hairy fist, suddenly unaware of the danger she was in.
Gray didn't answer, his mind preoccupied with ridding the vicinity of the gargantuan, rancid-smelling gargoyle, but her presence made him uneasy. He didn't necessarily want to kill anything; his job was simply to capture. His gaze darted to that of the blonde girl's, with her wide eyes and gorgeous smile, and back to the bulbous head of the monster.
After all, if he did anything else, she would probably get hurt, no?
The brunet bit his lip.
Well, here goes nothing.
Reaching for his belt with one hand, he maneuvered his other skillfully and jerked the creature's head so violently to the side it teetered dangerously. Around them, droplets of water began splaying everywhere.
As she rocked violently, the blonde held her hair back to prevent it from falling over her face. "B-Be careful!" she warned, concerned. She squeezed her eyes shut in worry and hunched up, covering her ears. "Un..."
Flicking his wrist once more, Gray waited until the whip wrapped securely around the monster's wrist before he swung towards the blonde. With his spare hand, he hurled a stink bomb at its single, gaping eye.
The creature toppled over, its grip on the girl loosening; as the ginormous beast rocked with the force of Gray's attack, the hunter snatched the opportunity and reached for the blonde, who let out a short, shrill cry as she dropped from the sky. Wrapping his arms firmly around her waist, Gray cradled her to his chest as he collided with the grassy banks of the lake and dropped into a roll. Lakewater soared into the air with a thunderous splash upon contact with his frighteningly large adversary.
The two slowly rolled to a stop with the lush green grass tickling their skin. Blood flooded into Gray's ears when he finally opened his eyes, only to find himself face to face with the blonde maiden, his two arms on both sides. His breath hitched at their proximity.
She was even more majestic up close, with flowers flung astray in her hair and her cheeks flushed with color.
"I," she finally started, breathless, and let a hand flop to the ground beside her head. She blushed even redder when she realized how the handsome stranger was literally right on top of her, his raven black hair flopping over his forehead. Regaining his composure, Gray cleared his throat and instead kneeled on the ground beside her. He held out his hand and helped the girl up into a sitting position wordlessly.
"Are you alright?" he said, noticing how her hand was still clasped in his.
"Yes," she answered self-consciously, and her eyes seemingly found interest in the ground. Shyly, the blonde tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and glanced back at him. Her other hand cradled his cheek as she leaned closer, entranced.
"What's your name, handsome stranger?" she inquired softly, her hair falling over her shoulders. "Why did you risk your own life to save me?"
"Fair maiden," Gray responded, his voice deep and dulcet. "My name is Gray Fullbuster. And you are? Why were you out so late?"
A smile tickled her lips. "My name is Lucy," she laughed, the sound of her giggling like chiming bells, "and I live in this forest."
Alarm klaxons immediately went off in Gray's head as he finally noticed her peculiar getup. Her hair was adorned with blooming flowers, and her dress couldn't possibly have been anything man-made—
"Y-You..." His eyes narrowed slightly in confusion.
"I am an Oracle of the stars," Lucy explained, eyes twinkling, and Gray wracked his brain.
"I've heard of that before."
"I know." The blonde's tone was wistful. "I recently escaped from my prison with the twelve golden Zodiac keys, and—" She swiveled around, eyes landing on the defeated beast lying asunder in the lake. "—you just incapacitated the Gatekeeper."
Gray's mind ran amok as memories began resurfacing. He could almost hear his former master Ur's lilting voice speaking to him once more, telling him about the myth of an oracle who was trapped in the mountains in a prison of fire and who had the ability to consult the celestial heavens.
Could it be her?
He was pulled out of his reverie when Lucy offered him a flower crown. With a euphonious laugh bubbling from her lips, she stepped forward and placed it upon his head, before wrapping her arms around his abdomen.
"Huh?" was all Gray could muster. Spellbound, his cheeks flared red upon seeing her sweet smile and feeling the warmth of her embrace, and returned the gesture after a moment of stupor.
The blonde girl gazed back up at him and opened her mouth to say something, when a roar suddenly pierced through the air, shaking the ground. Warily, Gray pivoted around, only to see the monster begin to stagger back up. Lucy's eyes widened, and she began panicking.
"Oh no, I—I—" she said frantically, trembling. Gray suddenly felt the urge to protect her and shield her away from any and all danger.
Instead, he placed his palms on her bare shoulders and willed himself not to think about their contact. "Lucy," he began solemnly, the rays of the setting sun reflecting in his navy blue irises, "come with me. I'll protect you and bring you back to Fairy Tail."
"Fairy Tail?" Lucy was starry-eyed, and blood rushed to her face as she considered the offer. Traveling with Gray? Having more adventures with Gray? Possibly going on what could be the most daring escapade of her life?
Finally being able to escape her fate... with him?
Lucy hid a smile in her hair, her eyes stinging. "Okay," she muttered, eyes brimming with joy.
Gray smiled encouragingly, leaning closer, and held out his hand once more. "Come on, Lucy," he smirked reassuringly as another roar reverberated through the trees right behind them, and the gargantuan footsteps began thundering towards them.
Seeing the oncoming danger, the brunet reached forward and scooped the blonde up into his arms, despite her squeak of protest.
"G-Gray?" Her eyes were befuddled, but she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck anyway. Gray winked.
"Don't worry, I'm right by your side," he assured her, and broke into a sprint.
This, he mused, was definitely going to be one for the birds.
"Let the adventure begin!"
endnote: the first excerpt was kind of inspired by that one Disney Hercules scene, but mashed up with a bunch of other stuff. hehe.
