A Dragon to Light the Way
Chapter 4
Sting hesitated a moment before gently tracing his thumb against Lucy's cheek, giving a small apologetic smile when she snapped her eyes open to stare at him. He hated that moment when she had reacted in fear after he had told her to stop smiling, and wished he knew how to ensure her that he meant her no harm.
"Lucy. I didn't mean that the way it sounded, I just don't like it when people act like everything is alright just so others wont worry about them. You have every right to put your emotions out there, so don't hold back on our account. If you want to cry, then cry. Anyone will lend you a shoulder if you need it. You want to throw something, then do so. Everyone should be smart enough to dodge. Don't worry about us, alright? Just do what you need to do to help yourself through this." He stated, watching as she looked at him for a moment and then gave him a true thankful smile. He returned it, and then offered his arm to her.
"Come on. Lets get you something to eat." He stated, watching closely as she slid her hand into the crook of his elbow and started to walk beside him.
"Ever the gentleman, aren't you Sting?" She stated, causing him to laugh and look over at her.
"Only to those who deserve it, or I am terrified of." He stated, watching as a curious look came over her and a teasing glance entered her eyes.
"Let me guess. Respect to Yukino, and fear of Erza?" She asked, and he nodded his head with a wounded look. Peeking at her when she allowed herself a small giggle, and then faced forward.
"Then what about me? What category do I fall under?" She asked, and he glanced at her. He knew that she was teasing him, but decided to give her a truthful answer anyway. He pulled them to a stop and faced her as he leaned toward her, stopping when she began to tense slightly.
"You, Lucy Heartfilia, fall into both categories." He growled, watching as her eyes widened slightly and then gave her a smile that seemed to take her breath away.
"What...What do you mean by that?" She asked, and he thought about it for a second before giving her a teasing grin.
"I think that it means you'll have to figure it out on your own." He stated, watching as she blinked for a moment and then a fire sparked to life in her eyes.
"Hey! That's no fair." She stated, crossing her arms and pouted at him. He tensed as his eyes narrowed onto her lower lip, that was stuck out in an invitation that was hard to resist. Swallowing, he leaned in closer and smirked.
"Nobody said that I played fair." He stated, then quickly straightened so he wouldn't be tempted to kiss that lower lip. He chuckled when she turned and started to march down the hallway and quickly caught up with her. Allowing an easy silence to pass between them as he walked with his arms crossed behind his head. Only to catch himself every now and then as his eyes started to stray down to stare at the swing of her hips. Then cursed himself for being a hip and ass man in the first place.
The poor woman had just left a terrible relationship, and already he was thinking of claiming her as his own. No doubt that if he even hinted at that she would be running for the hills, never to look back at him. No doubt thinking that he was nothing more than another Dragon Slayer who wanted to harm her just like her suppose mate had done. Just the thought of that both caused fear to enter his heart, and anger to course through his veins. Fear that she would see him as she saw Natsu, and anger at Natsu for causing that fear.
"You seem deep in thought. Is everything alright?" Lucy suddenly asked, causing him to blink and look down at her. He felt his mind start to drift as he stared into her deep chocolate gaze, and soon felt calmness wash over him as he relaxed and gave her a smile.
"Nothing to worry about. Merely daydreaming is all." He stated, offering her his elbow again and smiled when she slid her hand onto it. Then continued to lead them toward the main floor of the guild, and gave a sigh as he heard that it was already getting rowdy.
"Sounds just like Fairy Tail down there." She muttered, a smile pulling at her lips and he huffed.
"Only in noise. We are no where near as destructive as Fairy Tail." He gloated, causing a giggle to escape her and looked down at her. He was glad to see that she was enjoying herself, and figured that it was a sign that she would be alright. At least, he hoped so.
"Lucy! Over here, I already have a tray for you and Sting." Yukino called, and he carefully lead Lucy through the crowd. Grateful when no one gave her pitying looks, but actually acted like nothing had happened at all. He even took pride when Lucy replied back, but he could tell that she was being true to herself. She was truly happy to be there, and he wondered briefly if he could convince her to stay there after everything was settled.
"I'm so glad to see that you are doing okay, Lucy." Yukino stated, pushing their trays toward them as they eased onto two of the few stools left at the bar.
"Same here. By the way how are your Spirits doing?" She asked, and Sting decided to tune them out as they started talking about their magic and looked around the mess hall. It looked like most of his guild was there, meaning that all of them knew what was going on with the blonde Celestial Mage and he knew that none of them would question it. He focused beside him when Rogue suddenly appeared and blinked as the Shadow Dragon Slayer handed him a flyer.
"It's a mission specifically requesting our help along with Yukino and one other." Rogue stated, causing Sting to let out a sigh. He really didn't want to leave Lucy by herself yet, but this mission looked like he head no other choice.
"If you need one other person, can I tag along? I'll help in any way I can and promise not to get in the way." Lucy stated from behind him, causing him to turn and look at her in surprise. Blinking as he saw that she was serious in what she had just said. He thought about it for a moment, and then faced her.
"Do you think you'd be up for it? What with your hip and all?" He asked, watching as she shifted in her seat and had a focused look on her face.
"My hip is fine, there is only a twinge of pain and I've fought with worse before. Also, this will give me a chance to get right back into my training." She stated, and he thought about it. She did have a valid point. If Natsu abused her, then most likely she didn't get to go on missions much, and her training would be lacking some. Meaning this would also tell him what he and the others would have to work with. He smiled and leaned against the bar as he looked at Yukino, who was already eager about the idea, and then to Rogue, who gave a faint nod.
"Well. If you are certain that you can handle it, I wont stop you. Your more than welcomed to join in on this mission Lucy." He stated, watching as she smiled and clasped her hands.
"Excellent! What is the mission?" She asked, leaning over his shoulder as he looked down at it as well.
"Lets see. It looks pretty simple, a small guild is being bullied by a dark guild. They merely want an alliance established with us, that way the dark guild will back off." He stated, smiling before looking over to her.
"This will be perfect, especially since instead of one Celestial Mage, we'll be bringing two." He stated, watching as she beamed and turned to Yukino.
"We'll show them never to mess with our friends." She stated, and he huffed when Yukino agreed with her. He slid the flyer over the bar and tapped on it.
"Might as well go ahead and contact them, saying that we will be arriving by noon." He stated, and watched as she walked away. With that done he focused back on his meal, and when they were done he faced Lucy.
"Ready to talk to Makarov?" He asked, watching as she inhaled and gave a nod. Giving a nod himself, he stood and then lead the way to his office. Once there, he pulled out his chair and motioned for her to sit as he started the Lacrima. Blinking when Makaroov seemed to answer immediately, and gave a wave.
"Lucy says she's ready to talk to you." He stated, watching as the man nodded and then moved aside so the older guild master could see her.
"Lucy, my child. Are you alright?" He asked, and Sting watched as a small smile appeared on her face.
"I'm fine now. Sting told me that he filled you in on what happened." She stated, and Makarov nodded as he leaned back and crossed his arms.
"Yes. But if you can, I'd like to hear it straight from you." Makarov stated, and Sting glanced down at her when she seemed to shrink on the spot.
"I can leave if you want me to, Lucy." He stated, thinking that she might be more comfortable should she be talking to her master alone. Only to get a surprise when she inhaled and shook her head, straightening while she exhaled.
"It started a few weeks ago, he just came in one day and seemed...I don't know, different. Like something was agitating him, and he just started yelling at me. That was it for a few days, just yelling and verbal abuse, then he started to become more controlling. Refusing to let me out of the apartment, and he told me that no one at the guild wanted me there, and that you all were always saying bad things about me. Every time I asked to go, he would clench his fist and pull it back, but he never hit me. So, finally, I gave up on trying to go to the guild. Instead, I just took some walks around the city, but soon he didn't even allow that. It was then, one day I went out for a walk and didn't tell him. When I got home, he was furious and we got into an argument. That was the first time that he hit me, after that, it was just at random times. I moved in front of him, he'd push me roughly to the side. I say something he didn't like, he gave me a slap. It just continued for two weeks." She whispered, and Sting wanted to tell her to stop, but knew that this was a breakthrough for her. She had been able to put this to a stop quickly, where as most women put up with it for years before finally doing something. He glanced back at her when she inhaled again.
"After those two weeks, I was fed up with it all. He wasn't the same person as when he asked me to be his mate. So, I told him I was leaving and that he was never to speak to me again. That we could just tell everyone at the guild that we weren't as compatible as we had thought. I never thought that he would become so enraged. He struck me hard, but I saw it coming and dodged, but he managed to bring up a leg and kick me hard in the side. When I fell, he allowed fire to consume one of his hands, and grabbed my hip as he towered over me. He said that he wasn't just going to let me walk out on him like that. That if I somehow did manage to escape him, he would hunt me down and torture me until I begged for death. That was when Loke appeared, and when I ran." She stated, going silent as her eyes took on a far away look. The room was filled with a heavy silence, and it took everything Sting had within him not to go into a rage induced frenzy. No one, Dragon Slayer or not, should threaten or lay a hand on a woman like that, and if they did then they should be the one tortured.
"I see, and you figured that he would head straight for Fairy Tail first, that is why you ran somewhere else." Makarov stated, causing her to nod even though it wasn't a question.
"I ended up with Sabertooth, and I would like to stay a while until I feel like I am strong enough to face him again. Sting has already stated that I can stay, and is even willing to train me. We even have a mission this afternoon. So, would it be alright?" She asked, and Sting glanced into the crystal when Makarov raised an eyebrow at him. Sting gave a faint nod to the old man who gave a broad smile.
"If you want to stay then you can Lucy, just be sure to contact us every now and then to tell us how you are proceeding. Also, Sting. I am going to be sending Levy McGarden and Gajeel Redfox your way on a "group mission." Please allow them to see Lucy, because Levy is nearly out of her mind with worry." He stated, and Sting gave a nod.
"I'll make sure to prepare some rooms for them." He stated, blinking when Lucy giggled and shook her head.
"A room for them. They're mated now and there is no way Gajeel is letting Levy out of his sight unless she forces him away." Lucy stated, causing Sting to glance at Makarov who was nodding his head.
"She is correct. Well, you can expect them in two days, and Lucy. Good luck on your mission." Makarov stated with another broad smile that Lucy returned.
"Thank you Master." She stated, before Sting reached over and ended the communication. He looked over at her to see a small smile on her fae, but tears in her eyes as well.
"Do you need a shoulder to lean on?" He asked, kneeling beside her and looked up into her face as she rubbed at her eyes.
"No, but thank you. I'll be fine. I'm just...glad that they didn't think that way about me. That they are still my family." She stated, covering her face. He gave a smile and easily removed her hands.
"Silly woman. Of course they didn't see you that way, no one ever would. Now, lets go get ready for the mission, alright?" He asked, carefully wrapping his arms around her and bringing her into a hug. Smiling when she nodded against his shoulder and tightened the hold slightly before leaning away.
"I know that I've thanked you already, but I really mean it Sting. Thank you for everything." She whispered, and he smiled at her.
"No need to thank me Lucy. I would do this for you anytime." He stated, brushing his nose against hers and laughing when she giggled. He leaned back, thought a moment and then pressed a quick kiss to her temple. He watched as she blushed and stared up at him, her fingers tracing over the place that he kissed and he gave a smile.
"Lets go get ready." He stated, offering her his hand, and carefully held her smaller hand when she slid it into his. Helping her to her feet, he tugged her closer and slid an arm around her shoulder into a one sided hug.
"Forgive me for that." He stated, watching as she gave a small smile and a nod. Thankful that he hadn't pushed his luck, he lead them out of the room and then allowed her to go her own way to get ready for their mission. He smiled and gave a sigh as he figured that he had a decent chance of getting her as his mate. Of course, he wasn't going to push her into it, it was going to be her chance in the end. She was the one to choose, him or Fairy Tail.