Title: Absolute Zero
Author: CreateElements
Rating: T-rated for mentions of war and pregnancy.
Summary: Where a couple try to hold onto each other as long as possible.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.
Hope
"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don't give up." - Anne Lamott
The Dark clouds overhead hid the sun; preventing any light from shining through. Cold, light raindrops showered down on Magnolia.
On a normal summer morning shop keepers would have their stores open for business. But today was not a normal day. Instead, the streets were empty and shops closed; creating a somber and unpleasant feeling all around Magnolia.
Outside of Magnolia's train station the infamous guild, Fairy Tail gathered. A few days ago, a message went out requesting all Fairy Tail members to come home immediately. For the first time in history, every Fairy Tail member was home.
On a normal day this would have been cause for concern to the people of Magnolia and a celebration for Fairy Tail. However, everyone knew this wasn't a normal day. Today was anything but normal. Today marked the day Fiore went to war.
Lucy took in a deep breath as she heard heavy footsteps that halted behind her. The celestial mage paused before turning around to face him; with tears in her eyes.
He looked so much like the young man she had met so many years ago. He was still the same height, but his face had aged. His features had become more defined than they were at eighteen. He lost the naivety he once held; back when he fought over everything.
Much to her dismay he had shaved that goatee she'd fallen in love with. He wore a white coat that looked very familiar to the one he used to have so many years ago. Swallowing the lump in her throat Lucy noticed the black bag slung over his shoulder. His dark blue eyes held a look of determination. So he hadn't changed his mind. He's leaving.
The celestial mages bottom lip quivered. Lucy looked down at the ground; she didn't want him to see her cry. The man in front of her dropped his bag as he strode up to her and embraced her. He held her close to him, refusing to let her go. She gripped onto his tee shirt, as if her life depended on it. In some way it did. What if he doesn't come back?
'Don't,' she scolded herself.
Lucy leaned into him and buried her face in his chest, like she had done in the past. The celestial mage inhaled his familiar minty scent enjoying his warmth. His warmth made her feel safe and happy, for the moment.
The couple sat in silence holding onto one another, wishing and hoping for a way out. However, both knew there would be no salvation.
The sun had long since vanished beneath clouds, and the iridescence of the morning had faded into the grey hours ago. The sky never once flashed or cracked. It was just a simple cold rain that poured down from the heavens. Dirt formed into mud, and the river flooded. Lucy didn't have to ask; she knew Juvia was the cause of this weather.
"Lucy… I'm sor-"
"Don't…" Lucy demanded, her soft brown eyes snapping up to meet his. Apologies and excuses were something she didn't need to hear. The blonde mage was angry with her husband.
For better or for worse; words the couple lived by until now he was leaving her. This was something she did not want. She knew it was selfish but right now she wanted to be selfish. Lucy stared at him willing herself to say something. Her lips parted, but words failed her.
"Idiot," she mumbled as she lifted her hands to cup his cheeks bringing his head down, kissing him hard. Each kiss grew more and more urgent. Underneath her own lips she felt him smirk. For now he knew he had avoided his wife's anger.
Stay. The word threatened to leave her lips. She wanted to utter it so badly.
Stay here and protect Magnolia.
But she didn't utter the phrase. She couldn't because she understood. He had to leave. He couldn't just sit by and let Fiore fall. He would protect his country and everyone in it - including her. The moment Master had uttered the words she knew his decision.
Never before had Lucy pondered life without him. In this very moment Lucy knew she couldn't live without him; period, plain and simple.
Behind her a loud whistle sounded. The world around her started spinning faster. The blonde felt as if it was going to crashing down. All around the couple she could hear the others. Many of them were guild members; most of the towns' people had already left. Everyone said goodbye.
Most of the goodbyes were between those that would stay and those that would go fight. Already Lucy had said her goodbyes to many of her nakama.
She looked back up at Gray, her Gray.
After Master had told them he was one of the first to volunteer, right alongside Natsu. Her eyes briefly glanced over to her side, were Natsu stood with Lisanna and Happy. They were kissing and smiling, as Natsu rubbed his wife's very pregnant belly. He would miss the birth of his first born. The thought saddened the celestial mage.
Her eyes flickered back up to her husband. She remembered the first time she felt something for him; just a few months after the Grand Magic Games. Team Natsu had gone on a mission, and Gray ran into her. Both of them fell to the ground, their faces only inches from each other. After that Lucy's whole world seemed to shift. Even to this day she could recall how odd it was. Gray had asked her out. Their first date had been filled with so much awkwardness that looking back on it now made Lucy smile.
She saw the confusion in his eyes, and she just shook her head. By now he knew not to question his wife's odd antics.
Another whistle blew. It was time for them to go. Her heart raced as silent tears fell from her eyes. He buried his head into her neck, pinning her body close to his. He didn't want to forget how she felt under his fingertips.
"Don't say it," She whispered as she clung to him. And he didn't. He couldn't say goodbye. If he said goodbye that meant he was planning on not coming back. He would be damned if he didn't. He had a family to come back to.
"I love you," Gray whispered quietly against her neck. He kissed her neck a few more times, as if he was trying to leave a visible, lasting mark on her. Lucy shivered, at the contact.
"I love you," Lucy spoke softly, cupping his left cheek. He leaned his head into her touch. Only when he felt a tap on his shoulder did he move. Beside him Natsu approached giving Lucy a hug goodbye.
He made her promise to take care of Lisanna, the baby and Happy, before he disappeared onto the train. As she watched him Lucy couldn't help but remember the Natsu that begged his team to avoid transportation. Now he willingly boarded it. She supposed things were different this time around.
Gray bent down to pick up his black bag, and before he turned to leave, he planted a deep and passionate kiss on her lips. She ran her fingers over her tingling lips as tears threatened to cascade down her face. Please don't go.
His boots hit the ground hard and his footsteps sounded loud around him. He was one of the last in line to board the train. He turned around to look at his beloved giving her his famous smirk which in turn made her smile. He was glad he could make her smile. Gray didn't want to forget her smile. With one last look Gray boarded the train.
As Lucy watched him board the train she felt two people reach for her hands; to her left stood Levy and her right Lisanna with Happy on her shoulder sniffling. She smiled at both of them, turning her attention back to the train.
Her eyes locked onto the compartment were her friends sat. When Grey entered the compartment he placed his bag up above them. She smiled as he picked a window seat across from Natsu, Gajeel and Erza. Natsu and Gajeel both looked to be getting sick from the train. A young teen with blue hair appeared before both of them, rolling her eyes with a smile on her face. As Gray sat down Lyon and Juvia appeared next to him, taking a seat.
Lucy had no doubt that Fiore would win this war. They had the strongest mages in all of Earthland.
When the train pulled out of the station the rain stopped and the sun shone through. Together the three mages watched as it became increasingly smaller and smaller, until it disappeared around the hills.
A/N: And there it is! Day 4 Hope. I think I am just going to go cry in a corner now. I didn't want to separate them but I absolutely love this chapter. It's a short chapter but I think it's very powerful. Overall I think this chapter and the first are my favorites so far. Let me know what you think!
Until tomorrow!
- CE