Nyctophilia

Chapter 2

WARNING: This chapter was not beta read; I merely proofread this.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail, Hiro Mashima does.

The first few steps out of the inn felt amazing for him, because even though he couldn't see anything, he could hear and feel everything. He heard the voices of other people, and could feel the fresh air out in town. He could smell cookies, fruits, food—goodness, everything smelled delicious. And the girl's scent beside him, whose hand was holding his arm, washed away with the aroma of the town. He could no longer spot that fresh smell of flowers and water.

"Are you glad that you've made it out?" he heard her ask, her voice reassuring amidst the chaos ensuing inside him. Absentmindedly, he nodded his head, unsure of what to say. He was speechless, really. The world was different to him now that he had only four senses left. It was saddening, but also exciting.

He swallowed the lump in his throat and turned his head to where he thought she was. "Haru?" he called out hesitantly, worried that she left him.

"Yes?"

He released a sigh of relief and closed his eyes (although it made no difference). "Are you going to be by my side for the whole day?"

He waited for an answer, but she was quiet. He could feel her though, standing quietly beside him. He guessed she was thinking of what to say, or was pondering over his stupid question. Why did he ask such a thing anyway? But he wanted to know if she was going to help him walk around town. Because if she wasn't going to, then he was just going back inside the inn and lie down.

He heard her suck in a deep breath and felt her grip on his arm tighten. "Of course I'll be by your side for the whole day," she told him, her voice shaky. "I'll be by your side for as long as you need me."

He froze at her words. He couldn't think of anything but her—why was she helping him? Why was she spending so much time on him when she could spend her time on someone else? Why?

"Why?"

She giggled. It sounded beautiful to him. She sounded so sad a while ago and he didn't know why. But now that she's laughed, it felt like perfection—like some kind of cure. She then started to tug him towards the streets. "I don't think I really need a reason why," she said, her voice sending spikes down his spine.

"Haru… you…" he trailed off, unable to come up with words. She was amazing. "Thank you…"

He heard her laugh once more, and he savored the sound. Why did the gods even give him this girl when he could've just died alone inside that room, waiting for a miracle to happen? And why her? Why not someone else?

"You don't have to thank me," she whispered, her voice so soft that he barely heard her if not for the fact that his sense of hearing was sharper now. "I just… wanted to help you."

He held his breath and at that moment, he wished he could see her. He wanted see her face, if she was smiling or frowning, if her eyes were blue, green, or brown. If her hair was long or short. He wanted to look her in the eye and tell her that if it wasn't for her, he'd already be dead.

He felt her hand gripping him gently, and he swore he could hear the smile in her voice. "Well then, shall we?"

When they resumed walking, he already felt how hard it must've been for her to guide him through the busy streets of Amari. He hadn't bumped into a single shoulder, but he could hear her sharp intake of breath, and the voices of other people cursing at her to watch where she was going. He heard her apologize numerous of times, but not once did she tell them that she was bumping into them because of him.

He fisted his hands in shame and desperately tried to pry her hands away from his arm, but they got a hold of him all the time. He felt her presence beside him, aiding him, comforting him. He wished he could just walk on his own, but even he knew that it was impossible. Especially since this was the first time he left the inn since he lost his sight.

But even though he wanted to tell her that he was fine, that she didn't need to guide him, he couldn't bring himself to do so. He clenched his fists tighter and walked silently beside her.

Lucy watched the emotions flicker on Jellal's face. She knew it must've been painfully embarrassing for him to be guided by a woman when he used to be one of the strongest mages in Fiore. But they didn't have any choice left, and she liked being of use.

"To your left is a park," she said softly, turning her head towards the said direction. She smiled and spotted a few children running around, probably playing a game of tag. "And to your right," she turned once more, "is a ramen stall."

"Wait…" he told her, slowing into a stop. "Can you describe the park?"

Lucy cocked her head to the side, finding the question odd. Nevertheless, she looked back at the park and admired the view. "Right now we are standing on the entrance, which is a long pathway that is lined with cherry trees. To the left of the park is a long slide, probably 6 feet tall, with a matching swing set next to it. To the right is a fish pond and a small house. There are three small children playing there at the moment, and all are girls."

She stared at his face and saw that he was trying to picture the park. Her smile widened. "There's a huge tree as well with a rope ladder leading to a treehouse. There is no one there, but a young boy is starting to climb up.

The park stretches on and stops just before another inn, similar to the one you stayed in except bigger. To the left, again, is nothing more than trees. Although I see a place where you can play ball with your friends," she described diligently, taking hold of his wrist once more.

This time, he followed her eagerly, a small smile beginning to emerge from his lips. She found herself awaiting for a grin, or a laugh. They walked once again. She was dealt with people looking at them, wondering why she was pulling a man who couldn't do anything else but be dragged away. She locked eyes with a guy who smirked at her, gesturing for her to come closer. She drew in a sharp breath and steered clear of him, turning around the corner.

"Haru?" she heard him ask. "What's wrong?"

She bit her lip and slowed down, her chest heaving in deep breaths. "I—It's nothing," she assured, once again grateful that he couldn't see her apprehension. But she knew he was sharper than what she had taken him for.

"I can hear your heartbeat," he murmured in worry. "And your breathing has gotten faster. Did something happen?"

She laughed nervously and dragged him away to the shopping district, looking at the clothing stores. "It was just some guy who looked at me. Don't worry about it."

"What look did he give you?"

She didn't respond at first, pretending to be preoccupied with everything around her. But in reality, she was just too ashamed to say anything. After a while, she said, "A look most girls should avoid."

He was quiet but she didn't notice this and continued on. "Right now, we're in the shopping district. There are a lot of people but we'll get through this," she said with a smile. True to her words, there were a lot of people. She made sure that Jellal never bumped into anyone though and bore the glares they gave at her whenever her shoulders brushed against someone else's.

She didn't mind protecting him though. It made her feel important, like she was finally of use. She knew he probably felt bad about this whole ordeal but she didn't want to hear it. Because if he said that, then she'd have to give him some space. That meant watching him struggle on his own and she would never allow that. He was her responsibility now. There was no turning back.

She tightened her grip on him and frowned. His wrist was so thin that she could encase her whole hand around it. It'd take a while before he could return to his old self. Three meals a day would do. "Hey, where do you want to go next?" she said softly for only him to hear.

He turned his head away from her and didn't answer. She blinked. "Hey, are you okay? Is something wrong?"

"I'm sorry," he whispered. His voice was so low that she almost missed it. But she heard him anyway.

"What are you sorry for?"

"For being useless," he told her, trembling. "I wasn't able to glare or do anything else to the man who looked at you wrongly. I would've, but I didn't."

Lucy frowned and looked around. People were starting to stare at them. She pulled him over to a bench by the sidewalk and sat with him. "Jellal, you wouldn't have been able to glare at him because you didn't see him."

"Exactly." His voice sounded rough, like sandpaper. "I can't see anymore. What if something happens to you? I wouldn't be able to do anything."

"I'll be fine." Although she said that, her heart sped up at his concern for her. She felt slightly hurt though that he thought she couldn't handle herself. She could take care of herself just fine.

"You're a woman, Haru," he said quietly. She spotted his hands curling into fists on his lap. "And I'm a man. It's my duty to protect you, not the other way around."

Lucy sighed and laid a hand on his shoulder. "This is an exception."

"No, it's not an exception," he spat, angry all of a sudden. "You're telling me I'm weak. You're telling me I can't handle myself—that I need to be protected. You're rubbing the fact that I'm blind. I appreciate your help but you need to stop making me feel like a big burden."

She gritted her teeth and allowed her hand to fall from his shoulder. "I'm not telling you that. If that's what you feel, then suit yourself. But I like doing this. I like protecting you. When I look at you and your head is turned to me, your eyes never find mine. I want your sight to return, Jellal. I know there's a way and I will find it for you."

He lowered his head and clenched his jaw. "Why are you so kind to me? We are strangers. I do not know you, but you seem to know me. Why waste your time and help me?"

"Because I know that you will save me."

He shook his head in confusion. "How could I ever save you? I could barely save you from that man."

She looked at him from the corner of her eye and the tension eased off her shoulders. She leaned back and stared at the sky. "With you, I'll be saved from myself. Just… trust me. I need you more than you need me."

He passed a hand over his eyes and swallowed hard. "I don't understand," he mumbled, turning his head towards her. "Why rely on me? I'm useless."

"Someday, I'll tell you why," she told him, smiling sadly. "For now, just accept my hand. The more I help you, the more you help me. Okay?"

He blinked once and released a shaky breath. "Okay."

She took his hand and stood up, bringing him with her. She knew they were off to a bad start, and things would be difficult once they left town to search for a cure. But for now, she was going to help him get used to functioning like a human again—like walking, for example. He was going to need a lot of practice with walking and running if he wanted to walk side by side with her without her hand around his wrist all the time.

He stumbled forward and she hurried to steady him. She laughed softly while he cursed, mumbling a low apology. "It's okay," she told him, smiling widely.

She knew he still didn't like being treated like some charity case, but she couldn't resist the delight she felt every time he called for her even though he was calling her with the wrong name.

A/N: A chapter at last! I'm really bad at updating, so please forgive me. School has been hectic, but hey, I've been writing a lot. Except that they're in pieces and I can't manage to finish a chapter quickly. This is really short so I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you with the next one. I've also been wondering how Jellal got his eyesight back in the recent chapter in FT. THAT'S GOOD THOUGH. But anyways, I hope you liked the chapter.

If you saw any mistakes, if you would like to share your thoughts or if you liked the chapter, then please leave a review below!

"From which stars have we fallen to meet each other here?" — Friedrich Nietzsche, "Letter to Lou Salomé," 1882.

Byee! -Anne :D

- Please support/read my other stories: Celebrity Issues, The Devil and the Assassin, Fragile, Life's Challenges, Forgotten Memories, Queen of Stars, A Love That Lasts Forever and Going Against The Current.