Ok guys, Hiro Mashima-sensei still owns Fairy Tail...sadly. Buuuut...! This is the latest chapter. Thank you again for all of your wonderful support and kind reviews.
Special thanks to westerngoddess, swallowmysoul, andy24amk, and leoslady4ever.
This chapter is 4561 words long. It tried to beat out chapter 2. It got close, but didn't quite make it. Chapter 2 is still the champion.
I hope you've enjoyed the craziness!
Happy reading! :)
Closing her eyes, Lucy let her head fall forward, slamming her face into the desk. Papers scattered, some fluttering to the floor. "Is everything alright?" Turning her head to the side, she glared at him, her eyes narrowed and filled with hatred. Her arm shot out as her middle finger stood tall and proud.
"Go fuck yourself. I am a mage, not your fucking secretary!" She watched as his violet eyes narrowed before he opened his mouth to speak. "Don't bother. I need a break. I'll be back whenever." Her chair scraped across the floor as she stood. Pausing at the door, she put her cloak on as she spoke, not bothering to look in his direction. "Better yet, I don't feel good. I'm going home for the rest of the day." With that said, she left, slamming the door behind her.
Spring had finally arrived in Crocus. It was still a bit chilly, but a light cloak would do. The ends of her regulation cloak flapped in the light breeze as she marched home. Fuck you Gran Doma. Fuck you Lahar. Fuck the council, the Rune Knights, the royal family...everyone. Fuck all of you! Her rage filled charge led her to a small café. The wonderful smells pulled a loud growl from her stomach.
Her feet pulled her through the door of their own accord. Guess I'm eating before I go home. Spying a small table in the corner, she sat down and waited for her server to arrive. After she placed her order, her head hung with weariness. It had been six long months since that day in the forest. She hadn't seen her friends, the guildhall, or her apartment in six months. She had ended up selling her apartment when they blackmailed her into moving to the capital.
Her food arrived with a smile as the waitress cheerily asked if she needed anything else. Shaking her head, Lucy thanked the waitress before saying a quick 'itadakimasu' and digging into her rather plain udon. Loke. Virgo. Aries. Aquarius. Taurus. Mina… It had been even longer since she had seen her spirits. She missed them. She felt especially lost and alone without them here in Crocus.
Lahar watched from across the restaurant as she picked and pushed at her noodles. He felt terrible. Gran Doma hadn't delivered on his part of the agreement. Her dainty hand came up to play with the collar under her scarf. The weather had started getting cold enough that she didn't have to wear fashion scarves anymore, she could just wear regular scarves now.
When she had moved in with him, she had rushed out to purchase a ton of the little wisps of fabric. She had an entire drawer dedicated to the little hoops of fabric. Infinity scarves. He reminded himself. Ever since Gran Doma had told her she'd need to work a year as a magicless Rune Knight, she had become steadily more depressed.
She doesn't write anymore or really read much. We've stopped really having sex, or talking, and she doesn't even really acknowledge my existence, no matter how hard I try. This has to stop! He followed her until she entered their small brownstone and the front door fully closed. Turning, he headed back to council headquarters. He had a personal mission to complete.
It had taken Lucy nearly two hours, but she finally managed to pick up the almost immaculate house before she crawled under the covers. Hiding won't solve anything. Neither will refusing to work, or leaving early. This isn't working! Tears had started to roll down her face, soaking into the cotton pillowcase that smelled like him. It was comforting as well as devastating. His scent reminded her of the things they'd taken from her, the things they could still take from her.
Closing her eyes, Lucy napped. She wasn't sure how long she was out for, but she woke to Lahar crawling into bed behind her and spooning her with an arm over her waist. "I have a surprise for you. But you need to get up if you want it." He kissed the back of her neck, sending shivers down her spine. She whimpered as he started to move away. "Then come with me."
Rolling over, she saw him standing in the door, arms crossed, hip leaning against the wooden frame. His violet eyes sparkled with joy and his smirk was the tiniest bit devious. "Come with me. I promise you'll love your surprise." Groaning, she curled up and pulled the covers over her head.
The only thing I want is to see my family again. I miss my spirits. My guild mates. Fairy Tail. It's not like he has permission to remove the collar. Fucking Gran Doma. Rolling over, she threw the covers back and sat on the edge of the bed with her back to him. "Do I have to get dressed?" She really didn't even want to get out of bed. Her cocoon was warm and safe. She could delude herself into believing that she could hear her spirits, smell the sweat and stale ale of Fairy Tail. She didn't want to face reality. Not yet anyway.
Head hung in defeat, she stood and slowly shuffled to Lahar's side. His warm hand enveloped hers before he gently pulled her to his chest. Strong arms surrounded her as they stood in the doorway. Her resolve cracked as his arms tightened reassuringly around her, and her hot tears soaked into his pale blue and black shirt. The sobs she struggled to hold back broke free every now and then as she clung to him, grounding herself in his presence.
Her body shook as she cried against him. This ends today! Loosening his arms, he leaned back and waited until she looked up at him. "Come with me, Pet. Your surprise awaits." His arms loosened further, allowing his hands to gently glide down her arms and grasp her hands. Leaning forward, he kissed her forehead before releasing one hand and leading her through the house.
The short walk to the bathroom had him on edge. He had set up, and lit, candles, filled the tub with steaming water and rose petals. The room smelled of the eucalyptus oil he had mixed with the water, creating a refreshing atmosphere. Stepping aside, he watched as her eyes widened before tears began to roll down her cheeks.
He quickly gathered her up in his arms as he laid his cheek against the crown of her head. "I love you, Lucy. I would die for you. I would even kill to protect you. I would give you the world on a silver platter. All I want is to see you smile again. I want you to be happy. Tell me how I can help you. Please, my love." His arms tightened around her as he spoke against her hair. His eyes had fallen closed as he professed his love. A single tear slipped, unbidden, from his clenched eyes, to fall silently into her golden tresses.
Her words were so softly spoken, he was scarce sure he heard them. "Take it off. Free me." His heart broke as she pleaded with him. Hugging her close, he kissed her head before pulling back and nodding his understanding. Stepping away, he removed his overcoat before he started truly undressing. He watched as her head canted to the side.
"Are you going to join me for a nice soak?" At his suggestion, she stepped out of her pajama shorts and shed her tank top. Smiling, he folded his clothes neatly, setting them on the end table by the tub before slipping into the torrid water. Holding his hand out, he helped her into the tub, where she settled between his legs, leaning against his chest. Her head came to rest just below his collarbone.
Closing her eyes, she enjoyed the slow massage he was giving her shoulders. The tension started to flow away with the gently lapping water and his strong, circling fingers. As she started to drift away, her mind slowly blanking out, simply experiencing the sensations, a dam broke free.
Gasping, she sat bolt upright, sending water and rose petals sloshing over the side of the tub. Gripping the sides, she felt the warmth and light of her magic crashing through her as the thick collar fell away. Her magic quivered and rippled as it started to settle into the deepest parts of her soul. Tears of joy flowed freely down her face as chest-heaving sobs wracked her body.
Before she knew what was happening, Aquarius appeared before her, her angry scowl slightly softer. Loke and Aries appeared together in a shower of pink and gold stardust. Virgo brought Capricorn through as her keys started humming with life and excitement. Crying, Lucy reached for her keys and summoned as many spirits as she could. Cancer, Gemini, Plue, Lyra, and Crux all popped into the now packed bathroom.
Standing, dripping and naked, she threw herself into the crowd of spirits, arms open, tears still streaming down her face, joyous laugh/sobs filling the small room. Before she could blink, she was clad in a soft, pink robe. Smiling brighter, she turned to Aries. "Arigatou!" Pulling the apologizing ram to her bust, Lucy was suddenly surrounded by spirits. Arms overlapped as everyone hugged her at once. Plus clung to her leg, shaking with joy, as Lyra sat on the stool in the corner, playing a jubilant tune that echoed off the tiled walls.
Lahar remained seated in the tub, hoping beyond all hope that the rose petals covered his manhood at least moderately well. Smiling, he watched as Lucy moved among her spirits. Giving each one her time as she listened to their tales. Even the little snowman got her time. With grand gestures and loud, excited 'Punn-Punn!' 's, he told her of….whatever he was talking about. Lahar hadn't figured out his unique way of communicating yet.
A small jet of water hit him right in the hollow of his throat. Coughing, he grabbed his throat as he looked at the angry mermaid before him. "You released her." He nodded, even though he knew it wasn't a question. "Why?" Her scowl hardened as she waited for her answer. He thought the answer had been obvious and didn't need explaining, but when she clutched her jug handle just a little tighter, he raised his hand, begging for a moment more as he pointed to his throat.
Clearing his throat, he looked the seemingly enraged mermaid in the eye. "Because it was killing her. She could not see, speak to, touch, or interact with her family in any way. That is cruel and unjust. I could not watch any longer as she faded before my eyes. Not when I could do something about it. So I did it. I freed a caged bird. It is her choice if she stays or goes from this dwelling. It is her choice who she spends her time with. Who are we, as Rune Knights, to say who she can and cannot interact with when she has done nothing more than know and team up with a dragon slayer? How is it fair to punish her so harshly for crimes she didn't commit? I saw no logical reason for her to suffer so. I simply did what was right."
He watched as the mermaid scrutinized his every word. Swallowing around the lump in his throat, he watched as she lowered her jug and sank into the water between his feet. "All that to tell me that you love her. Tch. I'm not sure how she managed to trick you into dating her-" Sitting up straighter, he gripped the sides of the tub as he leaned over the infuriating mermaid before him.
"You will not speak of her in such an unbefitting manner. Ever. You have been with her the longest, yes?" He watched her infuriated, scowling face nod before he continued. "Then that means you have the most knowledge of her heart and soul. You know every corner, every nook and cranny." Again she nodded. "Then you know your degrading comments cut her to the quick. It affects her deeply. You know she cries as you humiliate and demean her. Maybe not where everyone can see, but she still cries."
Aqua orbs softened for a moment before becoming hard once more. "I will not stand for it. She has made great strides in accepting her own beauty and talents in the last six months. You will not ruin that. You will not set her back or wound her over it. Do I make myself clear?" The gruff mermaid nodded before closing her eyes and leaning back into the water. Sighing, Lahar did the same, releasing his death grip on the edge of the tub as he leaned his head back and listened to the ecstatic blond bouncing around the room.
After a time, her voice became weary as the drain on her magic came to a critical point. Her spirits realized this at the same time he did. Cancer, Gemini, and Lyra all excused themselves in short succession before Leo and Virgo took their ridealongs and headed back to the Celestial realm. The only ones to remain were Plue, Crux, and Aquarius. She sat with Plue in her lap as Crux told her of all that was going on at Fairy Tail. Aquarius watched with hard eyes.
As her lids started to get heavy, she thanked Crux and Plue before they also returned to the Celestial realm. Looking over, she spotted Lahar and Aquarius in the tub together. Smiling at the sight of him relaxing with one of her spirits, she rose and padded her way to them. Slipping into the luke-warm water, she settled between Lahar's legs. Leaning back, she closed her eyes and began to drift. "Ne, Aquarius?" She knew the spirit was listening and wouldn't verbally respond, so she just continued on. "How's Scorpio?"
The water gently lapped as the mermaid sat up. "My boyfriend is wonderful. We went on an amazing date the other day. He took me to a wonderful restaurant before we went home and made love for hours!" Lucy smiled at the fact that her spirits were happy. "I see you've managed to get a boyfriend." Lucy tensed against Lahar. What she didn't see was his hard gaze boring into the obstinate mermaid.
"Nn. I did." Snuggling deeper into his chest, his arms wrapped around her shoulders, crossing above her breasts. "He's wonderful. Hot baths, great sex, wonderful companionship. The works." With her eyes still closed and her head leaned back, she missed the soft smile that graced Aquarius' face. When no cutting comments spewed from the Blunette's mouth, Lucy relaxed once more.
"Tch. Of course he treats you like an insipid princess." Before Lucy knew what was happening, Lahar had stood, her in his arms, as a mute, bound, Aquarius glared at them from her awkward position at the bottom of the tub. "Lahar! Stop! Let her go!" Struggling to free herself, Lucy reached out and snatched his Light Pen from his hand. Throwing it across the room, she continued to struggle for her freedom.
His booming voice resounded around the small bathroom. "I told you to watch your tongue, mermaid." Lucy trembled at the power his growling voice held. "There will be no more of that sort of degradation. Do I make myself clear?" Lucy watched as the mermaids hard gaze softened for a moment before she glared and nodded at the naked man before her. "You will beg Lucy's forgiveness before you return to the Celestial Realm. She is tired and needs to rest and regain her magic."
With a heavy sigh, he released the mermaid from her bonds before stepping out of the tub. To Lucy's surprise, Aquarius didn't try and drown them when he turned his back on the enraged spirit. Her feet touched the chilly tiles before he wrapped his overly large bathrobe around her. Her brow pinched as she questioned him with her eyes. "You wear it more than I do. Besides, it will keep you warmer than that...hand towel you call a bathrobe." His smile warmed her heart as he wrapped a towel around his own waist, crossed his arms, and waited for Aquarius to begin her apology.
His hard gaze never left the spirit as she floated free of the tub. Several long minutes passed as the mermaid alternated between glaring at him and glaring at the wall, head turned away. When she looked at him once more, he gestured to Lucy with an expectant look on his face. "Tch!" He watched as her face softened the slightest as she turned her attention fully on her key holder.
"Look….I…" She huffed as she crossed her arms and looked away. "Imsorry." Her mumbled words were not good enough for Lahar. Clearing his throat, he raised a brow when she looked at him. Sighing, she uncrossed her arms. "Look...I'm sorry. I didn't mean that you were insipid. I meant that he treats you like a typical princess. Yes, Hime-sama! Right away, Hime-sama! He gives you everything and…." Sensing it was about to get into some very personal girl talk, Lahar scooped Lucy up. Grabbing a cup, he scooped some bath water up and handed it to Lucy. Carrying her to bed, he laid her under the covers, still in his robe, as the mermaid floated in the doorway.
Walking into the closet, he put on some boxer briefs and a baggy pair of sweatpants before emerging once more. "Do you need anything?" His question was directed at both women, but only Lucy answered. Her soft, liting, voice was heavy with sleep. Nodding, he walked past the mermaid with a quiet "Take your time. Say what needs to be said. But so help me, if I hear of even one paper cut of a comment, you will never see her again."
After bringing in the portable lacrima DVD player and a tub of chocolate cherry frozen yogurt with two spoons, Lahar gently closed the door and made his way to the bathroom. His mind wandered back to the mermaid. Why does she feel the incessant need to hurt Lucy so? How many stories has she told me where Aquarius tried to drown her? Made her cry? Forced Lucy to apologize after the mermaid left because of something the spirit did or said? As he scrubbed the tub, he heard Lucy's beautiful laugh drifting through the house. It brought a smile to his face. What makes Aquarius so angry all the time?
A few hours passed as he finished cleaning and disinfecting the bathroom. Putting the cleaning supplies back under the sink, he washed his hands before returning to stand outside the bedroom door. Not hearing any voices, he knocked softly. When no reply came, he cracked the door and peeked inside. The sight before him stilled his breath in his chest as his heart clenched.
Lucy lay with her head in Aquarius' lap as the mermaid ran her fingers through her golden lock, a loving smile lifted the corners of her ever-frowning mouth. Her usually pinched brow was smooth as her peaceful gaze studied soft, sleeping features. Quietly, he made his way to the edge of the bed, where he sat before folding his hands in his lap. His own mesmerized gaze drank in the sleeping Venus that lay so peacefully with her oldest friend.
"She's so different. She's strong and confident now. I don't know how you did it, but thank you." There was a small hitch in her voice as she quietly acknowledged his part in Lucy's growth. Nodding, he prepared to speak. "Look, I'm not saying I owe you or anything, but...if either of you needs help, call me. I will draw from your power if I have to. Spit on the ground if there's not water really. Just...not pee. Never pee." Chuckling, he nodded once more.
Standing, he gestured for her to follow him into the living room. As he relaxed into the corner of the large sectional, the mermaid floated through the door. Gesturing to the sofa, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "May I ask you a personal question?" He felt the sofa dip before she acquiesced. "Why do you feel the need to hurt Lucy so? She is such a beautiful, kind person. I don't understand." His brow pinched as he ran through scenario after scenario in his mind.
Her heavy sigh eased the wrinkles from his brow. "Lucy… She has everything she's ever wanted. Family, friends, and now...you." Lifting his head his brow pinched as he studied the bluenette. "I...don't." At his confused look, she smiled sadly. "Scorpio is unfaithful. He's...not great in bed, and he's...cruel. His heart closed off after…" Her voice cracked, causing him to sit up and scoot a few millimeters closer to her.
He waited as she gathered her courage. His hand gently covered hers as his face softened. He had been there for Lucy when she felt the need to tell him of her past endeavors. Gajeel had been the hardest to speak of for her. He had mentally abused her over and over. He's a bad Dom for someone like Lucy. His mind focused when she cleared her throat. "...after...Andromeda...left him." She squeezed his hand as she fought her tears.
"Andromeda did a number on him. She cheated on him as flagrantly as he does on me. She told him how useless he was, how stupid he was. He believed her. God did he believe her. So, he built this...shell...to make himself feel better. Feel stronger, smarter, more wanted." She leaned closer to him as small tears began falling. They rolled down her cheeks, only to be sucked into her jug when they broke free and began falling through space.
"Deep down, he's still that sweet, loving guy I remember. He shows it sometimes. When he takes me on dates, or when we make love. Most of the time we just fuck, and that's when I know he's feeling the pressure of her words. But when we make love, I see the man I know is buried beneath his insecurities, begging to be released. And so, for centuries, I've been trying to bring that man back to the surface." She sighed as she laid her head on his shoulder.
It was odd. She was cool to the touch, but her skin was so soft, almost as if she was made of light. "I don't know how you did it. But I've been fighting for so long; much longer than Lucy knows; and my frustrations with my failures came out on Lucy." She sniffled. "I knew it was wrong, but she never yelled back, she never said anything. It made me angrier. I just wanted someone to yell with. But she never did yell back. I wanted her to have a voice. After what Jude did to her as a kid, she lost her fight."
The mermaid sighed as she wiped her eyes. "Once she found Fairy Tail, I figured she'd start fighting back. She let that pig of a Dragon Slayer and the exhibitionist trash her house and leave her scrambling for Jewel and food. She never said anything. Then, after the Phantom incident, where that sick, twisted, blade-crazy Dragon Slayer beat the shit out of her, she still didn't say anything or fight back. Shit! She went and let him cut her to ribbons. She only started saying something when he got too close to her bits with his bladed fingers." She sighed once more.
Sitting up, she pulled her hand free, wiped her face, and looked him dead in the eye. "I just wanted her to have a voice. To use her voice for herself. She uses her voice for everyone but herself. I just…" placing his arm over her shoulder, he gently squeezed as she dropped her head into her hands and began crying. Her tears continued to flow into her jug as she cried out her own insecurities; her own fears and failures. Lahar held her until her tears slowed and she sat straight and on her own. "How did you do it?"
Sighing, he folded his hands in his lap as he thought how best to word his answer. After several minutes of careful contemplation, he spoke. "I am her Dom. Not all aspects carry over into everyday life. I simply told her she was not to speak of herself in such a disparaging manner. It took some time, and it is something we are still working. I believe we will continue to work on it for a long time to come. There are very deep scars there that will not heal overnight." He watched her face fall.
After several seconds, he dared speak again. "I take it you are not the one in control?" She shook her head as she watched her fingers nervously tangle together in her lap. "May I make a suggestion?" He waited until she nodded before he continued. "Suggest a one-time role reversal. If he agrees, and he starts degrading himself, or you, plant the seed that he is never to speak like that again, or there will be severe punishment. Though you may never get the chance to punish him for it, that part of him, the submissive part, will remember that punishment is coming. He may slowly start to change." The watery smile that graced her downturned face brought a small smile to his own. "Who knows, you just may get to punish him one day."
Suddenly, her arms were wrapping around his shoulders as she buried her face in his neck. His arms instinctively wrapped around her before his brain had caught up. "Thank you." Her whispered words cracked as she cried against his shoulder. "Thank you." Smiling, he patted her back before she pulled away. Wiping her face, he watched as she put on her usual face and her voice morphed into that of their first meeting. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a boyfr-"
He had grabbed her wrist before she could disappear. "Be a good Dom. Don't be a Gajeel. If you push him too far, you'll only make it worse. Watch his reactions and adjust your activity, forcefulness, whatever, to what he finds pleasurable. If you don't, you may lose him forever." Her hard gaze met his own, very firm, one before she nodded curtly. Releasing her wrist, she vanished in a shower blue sparks as a bell tolled loudly.
Sighing, he flopped back onto the couch. Closing his eyes, his head fell back as he scrubbed his face. Chaos. My life of peace and quiet; routine; is no more. He sighed once more before he made his way to his beautiful girlfriend. Curling up behind her, he fell into a fitful sleep where he dreamed of crying mermaids, rose petals falling from the sky like snow, and a beautiful, blond, queen. She sat amongst lions, cattle, rams, crabs, maids and butlers, judges, twins, snowmen, clocks and crosses, harp players, horses, scorpions, penguins, and crying mermaids.
AN: Ok guys, I can leave it here or I can add it to the rotation...that has been suffering lately because...the muses have abandoned me. This was a struggle. Her Dark Shadow has been fighting me tooth and nail for...3 months now, and Apep's Quest has been even longer.
I'm going to put a poll up for this, just like I did for Apep's Quest
The title means: That is past. (I was going for Living in the past, but Latin is wierd like that.)
