Happy finals week to me! Ha. Hope everyone else's week is going better than mine. Probably should be studying. I officially finished The Storm That Started it All. So now every Tuesday I'll be updating this one. I don't think I mentioned before the A: I don't own Fairy Tail, and B: this story gets darker as we go. I'll warn you on the chapters that are heavily dark, but most of it, so far, is just kinda dark. Does that make sense? Probably not. Anyways. This chapter hit home for me at the end. I sobbed so enjoy!
After an hour of silently brainstorm, they came together to share. Lucy having an advantage, due to growing up going with these things. She clearly had an upper-hand on Laxus. "I know we'll have opposite types of ideas, but I'm excited to see your ideas." She said with a spark in her eye that could turn even the coldest heart into mush. Even he went a little weak in the knees, it was a good thing he was sitting. He had a little bit of shock. She wanted his ideas? Why? She was the good one, the light. He was forced to do this, she chose to. In a way he was glad for this though, it'd make winning her over easier. He'd have to kick his matchmaking grandfather's ass later, while thanking him. "I'll say one than you, kay?" He nodded. "We could do the cliché dance scene. Usually they're balls, elegant and sophisticated. But we're Fairy Tail we party. So, we could hook up with a club for a night, or a series of weekends, whatever. We would split the money and do more of a club fundraiser. I'm sure I can convince Joe to let us use Midnight Rift. He owes me." The hell?! Did she sleep with him?!
"That's an amazing idea. My first one was an auction. We'd do two. Females one night, males the other." She's not allowed to enter though. She can do as she pleases. For now, he smirked. It might work in his favor.
"We should that one first!" Her excitement was thick in her voice, she was smiling wide. Her eyes lit up, but he still saw all the hurt in them.
"Great let's aim for this Thursday, females first. No doubt more will come to bid on Fairy Tail women, than men. You guys are Goddesses." No. She's a Goddess. And how do you plan no telling she's your mate, if she's in some other man's arms? You'll see, I've got this covered. She stood up from the floor, which he should get her a desk. He wanted her to be in here, comfortably. She was going to be working closely with him. He couldn't help the sudden feeling of giddiness. This damn woman made him feel like a boy. And, there's plenty of room in here.
"Give me a few minutes, I've got an idea!" She rushes out of the room to the observation deck on the second floor. She was looking down at everyone. Then she hollered, "Rain!" He was amazed to see all women drop what they were doing and follow her finger that pointing to the library. The men were left clueless and beerless. He was quickly learning that the women had a set of codewords. He watched his mate run down after them. He shook his head and leaned against the railing. Smiling genuinely to himself. He had this. This was the easiest thing he'd ever do with her. When he had mentioned the idea, he didn't thing that this would come of it. He knew damn well she'd enter. She was trying hard to forget him, he won't let here. He was going to make sure she knew that he was after her. If that meant pushing her to the absolute edge so be it. It was all going to be worth it. She'd be his. As scary as that was for him, he was more than happy to work through all of his shit, as long as she was right next to him.
In the basement the girls sat in a circle. Lucy was in the middle standing. "Good afternoon lovelies. As you know Laxus and I are planning charity events. He had an idea, and I need six of you to join me in being auctioned off." The girls stared blankly at her. "Listen, I know it's uncomfortable, and objectifying, but there will be rules. Each of you will fill out a questionnaire on what's acceptable and what will not be tolerated. There will be absolutely no sex! This isn't a prostitution type thing. You owe them nothing. If you feel the need to end early, so be it. You'll only be with that person a minimum of two hours. No dragon mates allowed. Sorry don't need that catastrophe." She winked at Levy, Lisanna, and Kinana. "Plus, I need two girls to run the bar. And one woman to auction us off. Also, Wendy, you're not allowed. Sorry. You're just too young." Wendy sighed in relief. "So, we'll have seven females. Who's in." Before she even had a chance to breath Cana jumped in the air.
"I'm so fucking in!" She cheered nursing her drink.
"Figured as much, bitch! This will the so fucking good!" She high-fived her best drinking buddy.
"Juvia will. I could make Gray-Sama jealous." Cheers erupted from the group. Hoots and hollers about bringing him to his knees, and showing him what he was losing. "Juvia also thinks Erza-San should do it too. A little fun is good for the heart." Erza went to protest, but nodded her head instead.
"Great!" Lucy said pumping her fist in the air. "I need three more!"
"I'll do it. I'm bored anyways." Lucy turned her head to see Laki, was the one who volunteered. The mage usually kept to herself. She thinks they all judge her for being kinky. Little did the girl know every girl in their guild had a kinky side. They just didn't parade it around. They were all a tiny bit jealous of her openness. This could be a good thing for all of them. This could get the girl involved more, and let the girls get to know her too.
"Mira! You're still holding out? This has you written all over it! You were Sorcerer Weekly's #1 hottest mage on Earthland! For ten years straight! Until we disappeared." Lucy said knowing Mira would take the bait. She may hate her title, but she knew her net worth. She also knew how desperate the guild was to make their quota.
"Oh, silly, of course I am!" She said sweetly. "Just thinking who I'm going to take down with me." The tension in the room was almost tangible. "Ever. Let's do this!" Mira sang, grabbing the brunettes hand. Evergreen knew fighting was a moot point, so she nodded submissively.
"Great! I've got my six. How about we go dress shopping tomorrow? I'll chip in some money for everyone's dresses. Thursday's our day. Kinana and Lis, can you do the bar?" They nodded. "Wendy need you and Bisca to help with hair and make-up." The two smiled at each other and nodded. "Levy, my dear, You're our speaker. You boost us up every day this is nothing different. Please also do the surveys. Do you mind?" Levy beamed at her.
"Of course, Lu!"
"You guys rock! We'll meet for shopping tomorrow at nine. Is that okay?" The six girls nodded. She made her way back to Laxus. She had a goofy grin on her face,
"You okay Blondie? That goofy grin will stick if you don't stop soon." He teased.
"I've got seven mages to auction. Seven of our best. I've got everything planned. Lis and Kinana at the bar. Wendy doing hair. Bisca make-up. And Levy as the auctioneer. She's also agreed to do the surveys. I've promised them, we'd have papers with their do's and don'ts. And no sex. Though Cana will break that one in a heartbeat if we don't find some way to contain her libido. A man who's willing to bet on her? He'll get special treatment. One that I'm sure I want no part of." She giggled. "I guess there should probably be some sort of background music. Gajeel would do nicely. Got the man around my finger. He owes me anyways." She smirked this was turning out nicely. This may be the greatest thing she's ever done. A nice night, with a buyer. A night of pampering and flirting was what she needed.
"So, Cana's one, who's the rest?" Laxus was trying to come up with seven mages who would do it, but to no avail.
"There's Cana, Erza, Mira, Juvia, Laki, Evergreen," how the hell did she pull that off? "And myself." Aw Hell no! It's fine, part of my plan. You damn well better have a good one!
"Okay, so we've got all of you females working, so what do us men do?"
"Bouncers, bidders. I know for sure Natsu and Gajeel won't bid, and they'd be perfect to be bouncers, unless I can convince Gaj to do me that favor. I imagine you won't either, since you have,"
"No more talk of mates. Don't be so sure, I will be bidding." He interrupted. She quickly shut her mouth. Head spinning. Why would he bid? Maybe the rumors were true, and he loved Mira. Yeah must be. And out of everyone in the world she would be able to accept it easier if it was her. The bee sting still hit her, a little harder this time. She had to quickly cover it up.
"Great! We've got to market this. After shopping for dresses tomorrow, we'll spread the word. You know how this town gets you tell one, you tell all. We'll make sure we've got guests. We are Goddesses after all." No, you are, not those pigs. Hey! That's my Nakama!
"So, we'll finish here quick and be done for the day?" He suggested. She nodded filling out paperwork at vast speed. You better not fuck this up! You need her. No one else will satisfy you ever again. You won't fall in love with another. This is it. She's it! No room to fuck up. You do, and you'll die alone, and she'll never love again. Could you stop! Damn. I've got this! I'm not stupid, trust me. Yeah cause you've earned that Sparky. Not you too. The dragon laughed mocking him.
"Sparky?" Her name choice was ironic.
"Yeah?" He grunted, trying to ignore her biting his pen again.
"Do you even want to run this guild?" He had to laugh. Such a loaded question.
"It's not about whether I want too or not. It's about If I deserve too or not. I think someone like you would be a better choice. He's got you on such a pedestal, I'll never compete. You're his favorite." He chuckled. "I'm only being asked to because he wants it in the Dreyar name. And I'm the only one not evil, well, okay. Yeah. I guess."
"No." She said flatly. It took him back a bit. What the Hell was that for? "People thought you were evil, after Fantasia." He cringed at the memory. "I never thought so, not even for a minute. I saw a lot of me in you, even though you're older. I ran away from home. I left my father alone, with a nasty goodbye slash I hate you note. I was "evil." Everyone in the upper-class thought that. Still do. I hurt my father. My only living relative. I let him down, I was supposed to be his care taker. I was supposed to be the daughter he and mom raised. Instead he died alone, while we were trapped on Tenrou. No, I'm sorry's were ever exchanged. No, I appreciate your sacrifices. No, I forgive you. He died broken and alone. In a house that mocked his existence. My mother died there, and I left him there. If you're evil, so am I. I made worse mistakes than you ever will. What the fuck kind of daughter am I? Who does that? I'm no different than you Laxus." She was holding her tears back. No one really knew the extent of her relationship with her father, and he understood why now. It's a complicated thing to explain. He could smell her tears. He pushed up from his desk and hugged her tightly. He knew that she should be able to tell he loved her by this motion. He didn't hug anyone. He couldn't help but look at her in his arms. She fit against him so well. She was made for him, he just couldn't bring himself to tell her now. He wanted to surprise her, but he'd drop her hints. This moment right here, her against him crying softly being vulnerable, was his favorite memory in the world. Nothing stirred him up quite like her.
"You never said anything. Why keep it in so long? You could've talked to anyone." He said stroking her hair softly. It felt so natural, as he held her into his chest. She was enjoying the closeness of him. He was comforting in ways she had never known. He smelled like a spring time thunderstorm. The best smell to her. She knew she was losing a battle with herself, her feelings. She wanted to kiss him, and tell him everything she's bottled up for too long. She'd tell him her whole life story in a heartbeat. Every mistake she's ever made. Everything that went on in her head. Her depression. Her struggle with an eating disorder and self-harm. All of it. She just wanted him, she wanted to spill her secrets to him. Just to show him that she struggles too. That it's okay to struggle. It's okay to fear the morning. It's okay to not want to sleep alone. Even though he had a mate, she wanted to be the one he loves forever. His everything, which was wishful thinking. This moment was her favorite memory she'll ever have.
"Who was I supposed to talk too? Natsu is still looking for his father. His father was his best friend, I hated mine. Levy was trying to sort out her issues with Gajeel. The rest of my team wouldn't understand they're all orphans. Everyone thinks he's evil for the Phantom Lord incident. He wasn't as evil as everyone believes. He tried in the beginning, but he couldn't after mom died. He was too lost, too scared to raise me alone." She pauses. "Your father may have done some terrible things, awful, but he's your father. You'll always care, and if he called tomorrow, and said he was dying you'd go there. You and Gramps both would, because at the end of the day he's family. You can hate and wish death upon them, but it's different hearing their sick. You can hate him, you can think everything he's done has been for Zeref, yet he's still your dad. And he always will be." He let go starring at her. Holy fuck? I take back what I said. How is she so smart?
"I've struggled with that." He was looking into her chocolate orbs. God she's gorgeous. "You're too good, ya know that? How could you even say that about him? He tried to kill you not even a month ago. You should be holding the biggest grudge. He doesn't deserve your forgiveness, or sympathy. You should be angry, and vengeful." She dried his cheeks with her hands. He'd never admit that it was tears, thank God she didn't ask.
"He didn't want to kill me per say. He wanted the guild to hurt. I was just the first person he could get too. I don't hate your father." He looked at her shocked. "I know odd, huh? I almost lost my life, but I lived. Gajeel wanted to hurt me too, but he's one of the sweetest humans, dragons rather, I've ever met. He's the one who taught me that evil people are just like the good. A memory fuels every evil person. One that hurts too much to think about. So instead of using that to lead them down a bright path, they get lead to a darker path. They use it to fuel their hate. Everyone has to pay, especially us happy people. Every person on Earthland has had awful memories, hell we've lived some together. We just have to choose the right path in the end. Making everyone pay won't help or solve anything." He was glad she wasn't a slayer. His tears were barely keeping from flooding out. The only thing he could say without breaking completely was,
"you're amazing." He let go of her and made his way back to his desk, before she really saw him sob.
"I've finished. I'll be in tomorrow afternoon, with the girls." She smiled brightly through her tears. He wanted to kiss her and apologize and tell her again how special she was, but he needed to wait just a little longer.
"Sure. Night Lucy." Her name on his lips was the sweetest sound, and she let out a few extra tears for her own heartbreak.
"Night Laxus."