A/N Hi, hi everyone! This Christmas story takes place post Alverez Empire and follows canon up to chapter 506. This is also a sequel to my LaLu short "A Christmas Wish," so be sure to read/review that story as well though reading it prior isn't necessary to understanding this story. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Last Christmas
The bells of Kardia Cathedral tolled midnight as Lucy entered Magnolia's northern cemetery. She walked down the tightly packed rows of tombstones, her boots crunching in the freshly fallen snow. Her breath plumed before her as she let out a shivered sigh. She was here, in the cemetery, at midnight, because she wanted to be the first to wish him Merry Christmas. Also because she couldn't sleep.
She stopped before one of the newer grave markers. A statue of a nude fairy, with erect nipples, pouty lips and smoldering eyes, stood on top of a cubed, marbled base. The tombstone was eccentric but it was also perfect. Lucy gazed up at the fairy statue, and though her lips formed a small smile, her eyes were sad.
She kneeled down, her stocking covered knees hovering above the snow covered ground. She reached her hand out and touched the freezing stone. She traced the name carved in the marbled base with her fingers.
MAKAROV DREYAR
"Merry Christmas, Master," Lucy said, her voice a whisper.
Dark clouds covered the night sky above. A breeze blew in from the north, causing snowflakes to dance and twirl around her.
"I know Christmas was always your favorite holiday," she said to the grave. She sighed. "You'd dress up as Santa and ask us girls to sit on your lap." A short giggle escaped her lips. "You know Christmas isn't the same without you." Her face fell and her gaze lowered to the snow covered ground.
"Fairy Tail isn't the same."
The wind picked up and the snowfall thickened. Lucy shivered, her toes curling in her calf high boots. She crossed her arms and wrapped her wool coat tighter around herself.
She raised her head. "We voted on a new master," she continued. She smiled. "Can you guess who?"
A memory of strong hands, of crashing lips and exploring tongues flashed through Lucy's mind. Her cheeks warmed at the memory and she quickly shook her head to clear her mind.
"But he rejected the offer," she said softly. Her chest felt heavy and she sighed. "He's been distant and I," her voice broke as tears filled her eyes. "I don't know how to help him."
A gust of wind whipped her hair about her face. She lifted the hood to her red wool coat and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The wind calmed and she noticed something move from behind Master's tombstone. She opened her coat and her hand moved to her hip. She grabbed her keys and held one out before her.
"Hello?" she asked out loud as she sneaked around the large tombstone.
A large hand laid palm up in the snow. Lucy jumped at the sight, her grasp on her key tightening. She rushed around to the other side of the tombstone. Her breath caught in her throat and her heart thundered.
Laxus was slumped over, his back against the marbled base of the late Master's tombstone. His skin was pale and his body was dusted with snow. Empty bottles of whiskey were littered about his feet.
She ran to him. She kneeled beside him and her hands cupped his freezing cheeks.
"Laxus?" she said her voice strained. She put her ear to his chest and listened. His heartbeat was weak and faint.
"Virgo!" Lucy called and the pink haired Spirit appeared in a flash of golden light. Lucy lifted Laxus' limp arm over her own slender shoulders. "We need to get him inside!"
Virgo nodded her head and mirrored Lucy's action, taking Laxus' other arm. "Should we carry him to the Guild, Princess?"
Lucy shook her head. "No, the Guild is already locked up for the night," Lucy said as she rose to her feet. She staggered under Laxus' weight.
"Then shall we take him home?"
Lucy hesitated in answering. She looked down at the numerous empty bottles of whiskey. Having drunk that much, Laxus might not wake up in time for Christmas dinner. He has no one to care for him at home, Lucy thought.
"I understand, Princess," Virgo said as she hoisted Laxus onto her back. "I'll carry him to your chambers, then."
Lucy's face flushed, her mouth opening in surprise. "It sounds weird when you say it like that!"
Virgo's expression remained neutral. "Is that not what you want?" the spirit asked.
"Le- let's just hurry home," Lucy stuttered, and her face grew even hotter.
…
Lucy filled several hot water bottles with boiling water from her stove top. She fiddled with the rubber stopper of the last bottle before gathering the hot water bottles in her arms. She turned around and desperately tried to avert her eyes from the scene behind her.
"Princess," Virgo said as she tried to pull Laxus snow soaked shirt over his head. "I'm in need of some assistance."
Lucy placed the hot water bottles down on the bed side table. Her eyes fluttered to Laxus' exposed abdomen and the soft trail of hair that disappeared into his jeans. Her eyes skirted away.
"You have to unbutton his shirt first," Lucy said taking Laxus' shirt into her hands.
She pulled his shirt back down before her fingers went to work unbuttoning the small buttons. Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened his shirt and rolled the wet fabric off his broad, muscular shoulders.
She placed a hot water bottle on his bare chest before she started to loosen his belt.
"Remove your clothes as well, Princess," Virgo said as she lifted Lucy's shirt, flashing her lacy bra. "You must use your body heat to rise his temperature."
"Virgo!" Lucy shrieked as she adjusted her shirt. "The hot water bottles will do just fine!"
With a flushed face, Lucy finished removing Laxus' wet clothing. She left his boxers on against Virgo's suggestion to remove them and placed hot water bottles on his chilled body. She tucked several blankets over and around him before she removed the thermometer from his mouth. She let out a breath and her shoulders relaxed. His temperature was rising.
"Thank you for your help, Virgo," Lucy said. She smiled at the spirit.
"Good night, Princess." Virgo bowed before disappearing in a dazzling light.
Lucy's eyes returned to Laxus as she sat on the edge of her bed. She brushed his hair off his forehead with her fingertips. Her fingers lingered.
"Merry Christmas, Laxus," Lucy said. Her fingers traced his jaw line. She ran her finger along his lower lip and his lips parted. She drew her hand back.
She remembered his warmth. The feel of his lips on hers, hot and sure. She remembered the way her body fit against his. The way her heart threatened to hammer out of her chest.
"Why did you do it?" she whispered. "Why did you kiss me last Christmas?"
She watched the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he slept. His body warmed and color returned to his face. She sighed.
I'll probably never know, she thought as she yawned and stretched.
She thought about moving to the couch but sleep overcame her. Laxus' steady breathing and warmth relaxed her and she curled up next to him and fell sound asleep.
A/N More chapters to come! We'll get Laxus' perspective next, so look forward to it. Please remember to fav, follow and review! Guys, your reviews motivate and encourage me to write more, so thank you! See you next time!
