A/N, Ok 12 is already dang near done, I just realized I hadn't posted this yet, life has been hectic. I won't bore you with a huge note, just an ongoing THANK YOU, to the reviewers and their feedback/observations that help me so much...DESNA
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It was one of the longest searches they'd had since the first ones in Fiore. 6 days before finally, out on an equestrian course, Evergreen had found it in the crown of a statue of Nike in the middle of nothing but grass and trees. Getting it had been easy, just prying it out of its place on the statue and then the long walk back to the others.
Everyone had been stunned, no Gods, no vicious creature, no warzones to run through. Renauld had been elated, the final three were all tracked to locations now. One in Pergrande outside a small City called Iesla in the mountains north of Bellum somewhere in a cave. Another in Iceburg just south of Grestol, the second largest city in that country, and the final one somewhere within the abandoned town of Hujan in Stella, 60 miles east of its Capital of Bules.
So the rest of their mission was now mapped. The difficult parts would be travel in Pergrande, which was hard to arrange. Bosco did not fly airships into Pergrande because of the shaky relationship they had with the country. So they would be flown to the Bellum city of Drustag near the border and would have to work out their own travel from there and back.
They would also have to figure out getting from Bules in Stella to the abandoned town 60 miles east of it since there were no trains and the known road had not been maintained for years. It didn't worry Laxus though, travel had usually been up to them to figure out for jobs, the organization and help from their client through this job had been highly out of the ordinary.
So they boarded a cargo ship to Drustag, Bellum and spent 8 days crossing over Sin, the inlet, and then Bellum.
"Bellum is pretty harsh, they have industry, logging, farming, steel and iron, heavily forested we're going to be heading north through the foothills on the south eastern edge of what are called the Starskimmer mountains then we'll cut North west along the mountain range until we reach Iesla. It's likely to be cold, this is the rainy early fall for them, there may even be some snow. The trek should take us about 5 days one way from Drustag." Freed said.
"It would be better if nobody tries to go out shopping or anything here, slavery is legal in Bellum and there are a lot of dark guilds in this country, they're legal here too. Renauld has us booked into a hotel called the Iron Guard, it has a good restaurant and is close to the edge of Drustag, we should be fine if we stick together and don't leave the hotel until morning. The Iron Guard maintains its own force of guards to protect those staying there so they can have restful stays. The slavers don't bother it, it belongs to Kings younger brother." Freed explained.
Everyone agreed and after walking the somewhat dank, more than a little intimidating streets of Durstag from the skyport to the hotel, nobody even considered leaving once they were safe inside behind large terrifying heavily armed guards.
Lucy and Erza got the most attention, their hair seemed to attract it to the point Cristoff actually walked past one man leaving him passed out asleep though he had dearly wanted to punch his face in, and would have, but they didn't need the trouble, didn't need to draw that much attention.
The guy near their hotel though got Cristoff frustrated wrath, first a comment toward Erza, then he tried to grab Lucy.
Cristoff had been blindingly fast, one moment at Lucys side the next behind the man, kicked his knee in and when the man jerked backwards punched him in the face slamming him down unconscious and bleeding the crack of bone making Laxus smirk as Cristoff had stepped over the mans unmoving body to rejoin Lucy and get to the hotel a few yards away.
He'd gotten approving smiles from the guards by the door. Though Lucy had given him a hard look for going so far. "I wouldn't have let him touch me." She said and Cristoff had shrugged "Not really the point, Love. You could have handled it, but I'm already a little…testy and that felt good so let me have it." He replied and she'd stifled a smile, refusing to let him see she was actually a little pleased he was so protective. She'd not really gotten to see him fight much, she knew he could, but had never really witnessed it, now she'd had a little taste. She'd be lying if she said seeing him move that fast, take someone down that hard and that completely, wasn't thrilling.
They retired early and dressed warm the following morning. Lucy soaked long that night in the tub, they were in for a 5 day trek through unknown territory, she wanted a hot bath, and besides, she had a hot Boscan who was always willing to help her with them.
It was foggy when they left the hotel, and Lucy had her cloak on, the hood pulled over her head so her blonde hair wasn't visible, most of the group was well covered. The grey cobblestone streets were empty, the street lights still lit though the sun had just risen.
In spite of the unknown they were heading into, it was still a relief to get out of the city. There had been too many eyes on them, too much of a feeling of being gauged, measured, almost like they were on display for sale somehow.
It was doubtful much of anything could really attack them and fair well, the two combined teams represented a huge amount of power and fighting ability. Still, as Freed had said, dark magic and guilds were legal as was slavery in Bellum. It was best to be careful.
Pergrande wasn't much better, a military juggernaut, people were often taken, enslaved, turned into soldiers or worse, berserks were created in Pergrande, they had mastered the magic manipulation of the human body to where they could infuse animal tendencies and behaviors into them, turn human beings into monsters purely to fight for Pergrande.
Women were seen as property in Pergrande, they had no value other than for sex, housework and producing children and were traded for those things in the same markets cattle and horses were traded in. They had discussed it all at length on the flight to Bellum. Erza and Lucy would be in danger because of their looks, Evergreen slightly less so because of her hair color, Wendy would be because of her age, and Laxus and Cristoff because of their size and clear strength. Their group held a lot of potential profit for a slaver, but taking it on with all the strength and power they clearly had among them was also a powerful deterrent. Slavers weren't paid for getting themselves killed.
A few hours out of the city, as they were about to gross into Pergrande, Laxus signaled they had company. They had expected it, someone along their ways in Durstag was likely to decide the risk was worth the potential for profit. Nobody had seen them before, they were not dressed like military or noble types, just commoners, and thus, prey.
Cristoff scented them, heard them, his sharp eyes picking out shapes trying to move quickly a ways from the road in the dense trees and he growled low, spreading his senses, Natsu was less than 5 feet from Lucy and she had her hand on her keys, she'd be fine. In an instant he vanished and when he appeared it was directly behind a tall man with greying hair and pinched eyes. Cristoff caught him by the collar and slammed him into a tree so hard the trunk cracked. Spinning and knocking aside a sword swung by the next man before grabbing him, teleporting about 500 feet up and releasing him before teleporting back to the ground behind another whose neck he snapped with one swift grab and twist.
He was back at Lucys side a moment later as men started rushing, shouts coming from the trees and the screams of the man he'd dropped finally getting loud before with a thud, they stopped abruptly and a man who was close when the other dropped from the sky screamed "Fucking mage! They have at least one mage!"
Laxus shot Cristoff a smirk and the Lunar slayer nodded at him, gave him a challenging look and Laxus growled, Cristoff was not the only one who could fight nasty and fast. Lightning arcing along him Laxus shot forward and caught the two men in front so hard on his arms their knees hit them in their faces, bones cracked, all of the air was driven out of them and the Lightning mage stopped abruptly, just letting the men fly with the momentum he'd piled into their guts into the trees until they finally hit enough things they fell to the ground in unmoving lumps.
It was far from a fair fight, and by the time the slavers realized there wasn't just one mage, that the entire group of 11 was all mages, all incredibly powerful, and each capable of probably handling all of the slavers combined by themselves. It was too late.
Only a couple of them could possibly walk under their own power from the area and those were running for their lives, one smelling strongly of pissing himself.
Lucy thanked Virgo, who bowed and vanished and gave Cristoff a wry smile, he winked at her before smiling at Natsu, the fire slayer was somewhat content, he'd gotten three, and had enjoyed the fight.
"Next time I'll have to flip you for who gets to dig in first…" Laxus said and Cristoff shrugged "Just setting the mood."
"Show off." Lucy snorted as they resumed their walking.
"I am not, I really was just testing them to see what we were up against real quick, that's all that was." Cristoff defended himself.
"Uh huh, how far up did you take that guy who's a little greasy spot now back there?" She asked and he shrugged "I don't know…maybe 4…500 feet? Not far, showing off would have been a couple thousand so he'd have Ice on him when he hit the ground." He smirked.
She snickered in spite of herself, she really wouldn't have found it funny at all if she didn't know those men were slave runners, and had horrible plans for them, had probably ruined hundreds of lives and would ruin hundreds more if not stopped.
Years ago using death as a way to stop an enemy would have been unthinkable to her, but Lucy had been through too much now for it not to be practical in situations like they were in. They had no authorities to call, no guild that could come rescue them, they couldn't leave people to chase after them later, they had to keep problems from following them.
It was maybe odd to joke about it, but she was surrounded by people she cared deeply for, and the man beside her she loved with her whole heart and desperately wanted the future they had ahead of them. If horrible people had to die for them all to finish this mission safely? Then they were going to die, making light of it somehow made it easier to let go.
They encountered nothing else the entire day, passed into Pergrande and started along the mountains, Laxus calling them to make camp a little before dark so they moved well off the road into the deep trees and put up their tents.
It was damp, trying to rain, and Lucy had always had trouble with wet cold weather so she was chilled by the time the tents were all up and the fire was built. Freed went all around the area setting up careful barriers and traps, Cristoff set out one of his moonwells so they had fresh water since there wasn't a nearby source and as everyone gathered around the fire to get their dinner from Bickslow, who had done the cooking for the night, Lucy gladly sat down between Cristoffs long legs and leaned back against him, his heavy cloak getting pulled around her, covering their legs and keeping them off the damp grass beneath them.
He was the Lunar Dragon Slayer, and his magic was cool temperature in general, but he still had a warm body and Lucy was smiling slightly wrapped up against him while she ate, remembering how cold she had been back in Fiore when they had been after the first keypiece of this adventure.
She hadn't even known the man behind her existed then, and now, she was warm, comfortable, and wouldn't be sleeping alone in a cold bedroll tonight. Once everyone was finished with their food, Virgo appeared, helping clean dishes and provide everyone with their bags like she had the tents and bedding earlier.
A short while later, smiling, Lucy wiggled in tightly against Cristoff, sighing as his warm skin touched hers, his lips slanting over her own and instead of shivering and wishing she was sleeping next to the fire, she happily had a long make out session with her dragon that warmed her up very nicely and eased her into a comfortable sleep in his arms, secure knowing they had 5 dragon slayers, nothing could sneak up on them.
It remained cold and wet, and while they luckily didn't have to deal with full on deluges of rain, the never ending fog and drizzle meant nobody was ever fully dry.
They made Iesla in the 5 days they'd expected. The city was a small one, about the same size as Durstag but without the dark forboding air about it.
Iesla was a sort of crossroads city nestled along the mountain range in between two major trade routes, one heading into Bellum, the other into Iceburg.
So there were a lot of travelers, merchants heading here or there, and they didn't stick out or attract attention at all. They checked into the inn Renauld had booked for them and everyone wanted hot showers, or in Lucys case a hot bath and to get dry before they would all meet at the Tavern across from the inn for dinner and to discuss plans for the following day.
Lucy emerged from the bath smiling, finding Cristoff lounging in the small couch wearing dark blue jeans and a dark blue sweater that fit him like a glove and looked wonderfully soft like she could bury her face in it and be happy. He was studying one of the new books from Crux, Pergrande religions were…dark, as hard and harsh as the country itself.
It wasn't that Pergrande was harsh as an environment either, not like Atla was, the country was very large, had extensive forests, hills, mountains, lakes, every type of industry. Slavery was legal, women were without value or rights, dark magic and dark guilds were regulated but legal and the country had a terrifying military but it's might was centered far in the northeast of the country, there were countries beyond it that nobody in the outlying peninsulas of Earthland had seen, though they were mentioned in older texts, there had been no contact because of Pergrande for over a thousand years.
It seemed Pergrande kept its eyes, it's sword, pointed toward those places too, and while it was rumored there might be some kind of alliance with Seven, and Bellum and Sin had sort of been unofficially absorbed by it, their royal families kissing Pergrandes feet enough it was clear who ran things. There had been no open hostility toward the countries to its south west in centuries, but there weren't friendships either.
"Aries is big here, the God of war…not surprising." Cristoff scoffed softly but set the book down smiling, Lucy wrapped in nothing but a towel was more of a distraction than he could resist.
"I'm hoping for no more giant spiders….that's all I ask for." Lucy said firmly shaking out a fluffy dusty pink sweater and soft khaki colored pants.
"and no more Natsu created backdrafts of poison laced fire." Cristoff added.
"That would be nice too." She smiled, dropping her towel, she'd pulled on her panties already but needed to wriggle into her bra and smirked when she heard a growl from the couch.
"You stay over there, we have to get to the tavern and meet everyone for dinner." Lucy warned, knowing full well if he came over and started teasing her she would have no hope of resisting him as badly as she was constantly aching for him anymore and they would end up naked and needing fresh showers and be terribly late to dinner.
"What if I promise to keep my hands to myself?" His voice was close and she bit her lip, pulling her sweater on. "Then fine, but no touching…well…teasing type touching…" She amended, because she really did want those thick arms around her, and fully intended to be in his damn lap if she could get away with it while they ate depending on how the Tavern was laid out.
She pulled on her pants and he hugged her into him from behind, reaching around her and smoothing his hands across her belly before sliding them to rest on her hips. She couldn't help the soft moan he pulled out of her. "You're so warm." She hummed, already wanting to just snuggle into him.
"Dragon slayer, our bodies are always warmer than normal, makes us easy to cuddle with." He was smiling against her neck and she leaned back into him, not sure how many times she could thank Gods before they tired of hearing her, but she seemed to do it a lot every day since Cristoff had come into her life.
Tilting her head back she caught his lips and the kiss about melted her knees, making her sag against him, when he turned from it she kissed his neck and he growled "What was that about teasing touches?" He chided and she huffed, pulling from him to put on her boots and grab her cloak.
"When we get back to the room I'm kissing you everywhere I want." She declared firmly and he smirked "You can't expect me to argue that…"
The Tavern was no different from the probably hundreds Lucy had been in at that point in her life. Booths were large, but not large enough for 11 mages so they pushed a couple tables together with a barmaids help and sat down, Lucy happy to push in close to Cristoff, he'd ordered a spiced warm apple wine she fully intended to steal some of, she was getting fond of being able to try things at meals because Cristoff wasn't possessive or bothered by her tendency to "taste" things.
Natsu narrowed his eyes across from them when he saw Lucy take Cristoffs mug and drink from it, removing it right from the mans hand and he didn't react, just let her.
"Why do you let her do that? I've been fending her off of my French fries and stuff for years." Natsu asked. Cristoff was a Dragon Slayer, he should be possessive, protective of things as valuable as food, Natsu knew he sure was and that he'd been slapping Lucys hands away from his plates as long as he'd known her, so had Gray.
Lucy gave him a dark look and Cristoff shrugged "I really don't care, she's my mate…she can have whatever she wants." He replied calmly and Lucy reached down and squeezed his thigh, taking another drink of his wine with a defiant smirk at Natsu and wishing she'd ordered one herself, her tea was kind of boring by comparison.
"Anything?" She gave Cristoff a smile and he narrowed his eyes "Within reason. I don't mind if you want to drink what I'm drinking or try things off my plate, I can get more and I think it's cute." He replied and Lucy grinned, sticking her tongue out at Natsu who rolled his eyes.
"I think it's annoying and weird." He returned. Cristoff shrugged, reclaiming his mug to hold it out to the waitress who smiled and took it to refill it "Well she's not your mate, you can think what you want."
He narrowed his eyes on Natsus, suddenly giving the Fire slayer a harder look and nodding past him. The almost imperceptible gesture made the slayer instantly sharpen his senses and stretch them behind him.
"…think the redhead would probably fetch over a million, I'd keep the blonde for myself though, see those tits? Man I'll be using them as a pillow tonight. Just make sure Enda is in place, we can't let them get back to the inn, I won't piss Ruchard off by fighting in his inn he'd have my ass but I want those women, all four of em will bring nice prices on Tallisfell next week even if none of em are virgins." A man was saying.
"Blonde looks to be with the big guy with the black hair Trence, he looks like a fucking beast, him and the big blonde guy, we get them down either one would bring more than all four girls combined sold to the Berserk labs." Another said, low, quiet voices brimming with greed.
"No, I told ya, I aint getting into gladiator or berserk selling, just women, it's safer, people who trade in big guys like those two end up dead or so crippled they can't fuck a good woman anymore, I plan to be healthy enough to be fucking whores into my 70s, so we're just taking the women, kill the men." The other replied. Natus eyes narrowed on Cristoffs and he saw Cristoff look over at Laxus, who met his gaze and nodded.
Cobra stood suddenly, pretending to stagger a bit as if what he'd been drinking had gotten to him and Cristoff watched intently as the Poison slayer brushed a hand over one of the mens bare necks and laid his other on the other mans arm before stepping back quick "Oh! Ssssorry bou that, heh, I'll buy ya both a round huh? Hey sweetheart, I'll pay for these guys drinks huh?" He took the two tankards the barmaid had been bringing and Natsu smirked slightly seeing the slayers claws tip into the rims before he set them down in front of the men "Yeah…just be careful there man." One grunted. Cobra grinned and followed the barmaid to the bar to pay for the drinks.
When he walked back to sit back down between Laxus and Bickslow, he nodded at Cristoff then exchanged a look with Laxus and returned to his drink while the Barmaid returned with their meals.
A little while later, while Cristoff was enjoying seeing Natsu cringe at Lucy reaching with her fork and nabbing potatoes off Cristoffs plate, something she was doing much more since it was bothering Natsu so much, usually she'd just take a bite or two, she just wanted to taste what he had, she was curious and loved food so it was a great way to sample things without ordering them and being a total pig.
She had taken to asking him what he was ordering on purpose anymore just because he so often got things she wanted to try and she didn't want to order the same thing and miss out on new things.
With Natsu making faces she'd probably eaten half of what was in front of Cristoff and he was silently enjoying it as much as she was, they even deliberately ordered some apple pie to share and Cristoff snickered.
"I really don't see why it bothers you so much." He shook his head and Natsu narrowed his eyes "It's food man, you're a Dragon Slayer, you hoard valuable things…what's more valuable than food?!" He demanded incredulously and Cristoff leaned over and kissed Lucy, took his time with it to make his point and looked at Natsu when he pulled back, the pink haired slayer had a surprised look on his face, but there was no missing the hint of longing "That, is worth more…no contest…when you find your mate, if she does little things like this, you really won't care, not that it would have bothered me before I knew she was my mate, I'm not really as into food as you are, but trust me, there isn't much I wouldn't give Lucy if she asked." He said.
"That is so sweet…" Evergreen sighed and smiled at Lucy "I would so make him go shopping with me if he were mine." She said wickedly and Lucy smirked "He already does, you should see all the things he's let me buy." Evergreens eyes widened and Cristoff leaned over "You always pay for your own things even when I've offered…" He pointed out in a whisper. Lucy grinned, kissing him "She doesn't need to know who paid, just that you're a willing shopping partner, believe me, in Evers book…" Lucy said back.
As far as Evergreen was concerned the ultimate man would trail along with her while she shopped without complaint, carry her purchases, pay for them and encourage her to buy more.
Elfman did a decent job of at least being sort of willing, and carrying things but as a member of the Raijinshuu Evergreen made substantially more money than Elfman did. She often drug Bickslow or Freed shopping with her too since they were always with her while travelling on jobs. So, whoever landed either of them as a boyfriend would have her to thank for their shopping skills.
It was just after their apple pie came that one of the two men got up and left, Cristoff narrowed his eyes when it happened, the man looked a little unstable and he knew it wasn't because of the beer. The other man was leaning on his hand, Cristoff could smell him sweating, and glanced at Cobra who smiled faintly, happily eating his own slice of pie.
When the second man collapsed, passed out and fell out of his chair the bartender groaned and sent two men to haul him outside "Let the fresh air bring him to, I don't want him puking in here, fucking idiot, he only had four beers, Trence is getting to be a lightweight." The bartender snorted.
The men hauled "Trence" outside and left him somewhere to sleep it off returning laughing because they'd found his friend passed out in the street. "We put em together, wrapped their arms around each other, Trence is gonna shit himself when he wakes up!" One laughed and Laxus called the barmaid over so everyone could pay their bills and the group headed back to the inn across the street, none of them looking much at the two unconscious men laying by the ally wrapped in each others arms.
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The next day they ate breakfast at a café a few doors down from the Tavern, none of them looking over at the town authorities gathered around the lump under a white cloth by the tavern ally, the bartender from the night before frowning down at the lump rubbing the back of his head talking with the men gathered.
Cobra gave Laxus and Cristoff a smug look and both rolled their eyes.
"So we're searching caves, which the barmaid said last night there are a lot of in the area. We'll divide into two teams. Laxus, Wendy, Myself, Natsu and Erza in one, Cristoff, Cobra, Lucy,Bix Gray and Evergreen in the other. Gives both teams healers. Lets get going, there's a lot of ground to cover, come back to the inn tonight but we may have to take overnight searches to reach everything." Freed said, passing out maps of the immediate area and they all headed out.
The caves gave Lucy a distinct feeling of déjà vu, not helped by the drizzle of rain though the heavy fog was a new thing it made the forest feel too close, too quiet, but she trusted the Dragon Slayers, and knew not much could hope to sneak up on them especially with Cobra present.
It was nice to have Gray close, she wasn't as close to him as she was with Natsu, but close enough his presence was a comfort in such an eerie setting. "Man the vibe in this cave is something…" Bix commented quietly.
"It's not unoccupied…" Cobra said and Lucys skin crawled as she saw a small spider creeping up the wall. There was no way she could get that unlucky that there would be two fucking spider things to deal with on one mission, no way.
"Not spiders Bright Eyes, not sure exactly what's in here, but the spiders aren't an issue." Cobra said quietly and she glared at him. She refused to control her damn thoughts just because he could hear them. He chuckled quietly but didn't comment, and they continued deeper, Bickslow producing a flashlight.
"Yeah well, they're a fucking issue for me, I hate spiders." Evergreen said and Lucy gave her an agreeing nod.
"Snakes…holy shit that's a lot of them too…" Bickslow said and Cristoff frowned. There were hundreds of them. "Mating…they're just about to hibernate for the winter, the females are in season." Cobra said, smiling faintly "Venomous too, cave doesn't go deeper, let me get in there and look around a bit, they'll figure out quick not to bite me and I know how to handle them…" he volunteered and strode past Bickslow and Cristoff, literally wading into the writhing mass of snakes. Cobra searched around through the small chamber and came back, carefully removing some snakes from his clothing that had slithered under sleeves, then couldn't get up pant legs because he had his pants tucked into his boots but the sleeves were enough to have both Lucy and Evergreen and even Gray shuddering.
They left the cave, marked it off on their map and found another, it consumed the rest of their day and they returned to town frowning, aside from the snakes and entirely too many spiders, they'd turned up nothing. They were walking into the inn when Freed jumped up from where he'd been sitting by the stairs "Cristoff, Cobra…we need you, it's Erza…" He said in a rush and everyone hurried after the man upstairs to the room Erza was sharing with Wendy.
The requip mage was laying on the bed soaked in sweat, Laxus pacing on the far side of the bed, Wendy hovering over her frowning and almost in tears.
"There was this huge weird lizard thing…it had the keypiece…we killed it but Erza got bit…" Laxus ground out. Natsu was sitting on the far side of the room watching Laxus and when Cristoff and Cobra moved forward Laxus snarled. Cobra glared at him "You best shove that shit aside Boss, if the brat can't handle the toxin I'm your best bet."
Laxus looked miserable, grit his teeth and nodded. "You get the poison, that bite can't be healed until its gone, Wendy, stop, you're throwing magic away." Cristoff snapped and Wendy made a frustrated sound but backed away and let Cobra move in over Erzas gasping sweat soaked form.
"Holy shit…" Cobra breathed, the bite was bad, whatever the thing had been it was big and had torn up Erzas left leg and her shoulder, the fact neither was bleeding, just oozing a little deep purple ooze that reeked horribly was a very bad sign.
He bent and drew in some of the venom, almost gagging on it, it was thick, heavy, and incredibly potent, that Erza wasn't already dead was a serious testament to how strong she really was.
Closing his eyes he could feel his magic go into overdrive, breaking the venom down, producing an antivenin that started flooding through him while it converted the toxins into magic energy. He sank his fangs into Erzas shoulder above and below the wound, pushing the antivenin through his fangs right into her veins, bit into her neck, ignoring Laxus' growl and pumping more still right into an artery then he went to her leg and did the same above and below the wounds.
Once that was done he waited a few moments "Got antivenin into her, gotta give it a sec to move through her and start hitting the heavier spots of venom then I'll draw the shit out." He explained at Cristoffs look.
The Lunar slayer nodded and waited. Cobra finally moved again a few minutes later and bit into the shoulder wound, Erza convulsed, groaning in pain and Laxus made an angry noise but remained where he was, glaring furiously at the Poison slayer.
The venom was nasty, thick and rank but it converted at a high level for Cobra and he was already feeling it buzzing through him before he finished pulling it from Erzas shoulder and moved to her leg, shifting so Cristoff could get past him and start closing up the shoulder injury.
He twitched a bit, felt Cristoffs magic flow into the woman and a sort of purification flood her system that suddenly have the venom tasting better but he didn't stop what he was doing to ask about it, instead focusing on pulling out every drop of the stuff then staggering back and wiping the blood from his mouth while Cristoff finished closing Erzas injuries, pulling Wendy to his side and having her place her hands on the backs of his own so she could be reminded about how much magic energy she was supposed to channel.
The two healers started bickering mildly, Cristoff chiding Wendy for being careless about her magic consumption and Wendy being a teenager that knew everything and refused to admit he was right.
Laxus slumped down on the bed beside Erza, Wendy storming over to start telling Lucy what an ass her boyfriend was the Lunar Slayer watched the older slayer closely.
"She's the one for you…you know that." He said in a low voice that wouldn't carry or get through Wendy having a teenaged fit.
Laxus growled at him, refusing to look at him, staring down at Erza. "I'm the leader of this mission, I'm responsible…I'd be upset if it was anyone." He said roughly.
"Bullshit. I'm going to repeat your own advice to you. Figure this out, do what's right by her or I'll tell Lucy what's going on and she'll kick your ass." He said, Laxus snorted at that, his glare turning softer. "I'll respect your right to handle her your way, you gave me that…sort of…but only for so long. I won't lie to Lucy for you either, if she asks me…I'll tell her." He said quietly and Laxus met his gaze, Cristoff a little shaken seeing fear in the older mans eyes.
"If she rejects me?" He whispered.
"Then you suffer, live on and stay away from her, respect it. Or just fucking take her, whichever you can live with but there's no negotiating. Make peace with it whatever you decide." Cristoff replied and turned to go wash the blood off his hands, leaving Laxus sitting by Erza and making an offhanded comment to Wendy that had her growling at him.
"He feels responsible for her getting hurt." He told Lucy as they went into their room, hoping that would satisfy the curiosity she had in her eyes. Lucky for both him and Laxus it worked.
Lucy rolled her eyes "Like anyone could ever stop Erza from rushing into a fight, the womans almost as bad as Natsu. She'll be ok though right? Cobra got it all and you healed it?" She asked.
"Yeah, she'll sleep hard, Laxus said we might stay an extra night to let her recover before we head back to Durstag, it wont mess our timeline up, he was figuring we might be here a week or more searching caves, we got lucky…well…sort of." He sighed.
"Wendy was about ready to go Dragon on you." Lucy chuckled and Cristoff smirked "She'd get all sorts of lessons she wouldn't enjoy if she did."
"Oh? More to teach her huh?" Lucy was smiling, removing her clothes planning on a long hot bath to clear away the heebie jeebies and bone chilling fog and damp she'd been in all day. Cristoff pulled his shirt off, clearly planning to join her.
"Yeah the one involving pulling her over my damn knee is about in order. Fucking teenager….I've drilled her endlessly on her control, it's her biggest damn issue and she acts like I'm unreasonable when I see her pouring three times the magic energy a spell needs into it because she's too damn emotional." He sighed. Lucy smiled, watching him remove the last of his clothes.
He still took her breath away, she knew his body so well now, but she doubted she'd ever reach a point when Cristoff standing naked in front of her didn't make her bones go soft and her center boil. It wasn't just that though, it was the sudden unexpected idea that popped into her head, the realization he was going to be a wonderful father.
Firm, patient, loving, she could so easily see him in the role, he could be complaining about their own teenager like this one day and the thought made her heart warm and tighten in her chest to the point tears brightened her eyes.
Never in her life had she imagined having children with someone, she'd barely thought about having children at all, she was still young, still wanted to do so many things, but she could see it, and the idea felt shockingly good.
So when Cristoff turned around he met a watery eyed Lucy whose expression made his own chest tighten, He had no idea what was going through her mind right then but he hoped she looked at him like that a lot more in the future.
He smiled, moving close and helping her remove the last of her clothes. He was curious, but content to let her tell him if she wanted to and right now she looked almost ready to cry over something so he'd let her sort it out.
They sat on the edge of the tub and he started kissing her while the bath filled and when he pulled her back against his chest in the steaming water, he took her body to a slow building peak and whispered things to her, some that made her blood boil more, others that made her heart pound.
He bent her over the edge of the tub, fingers pushing into her, his hip adding force to each thrust and she was consumed, aching, her body knew there was more, all of her knew and yearned for it so badly.
Cristoff pressed against Lucys body, his hard length rubbing along the inside of her silky thigh and it was torture, one shift of his hips and he'd plunge into the hot wet tightness his fingers were being clenched by, his dragon knew it, and he'd started growing accustomed to letting it rage, he couldn't separate himself from the pain of the need anymore, that ability had left him in the tent in Lapsida. All he could do now was fix his will, drive toward completion, knowing when she came he would and he'd get little satisfaction from it, just more need.
He couldn't deny her though, it eased the frustration for her still, and he could enjoy knowing he'd given her that at least, though he knew she was coming to where he was, that it was as much pain as pleasure, it drove the need higher instead of helping it ease.
2 more keypieces. Then he was tearing down his own vault doors.
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They stayed an extra two days, letting Erza get back on her feet, Laxus deciding he wasn't letting them trek in the cold fog and drizzle until there was a familiar impatient spark in the requip mages dark brown eyes.
Cristoffs words hung heavy on the Lightning Slayer. No negotiating, no wondering either, the other slayers knew just like he'd known Cristoff was Lucys, he just hadn't known how much Cristoff belonged to Lucy because he had, until then, no idea how that all came together.
He knew Cristoff and Lucy still hadn't completely been together, their frustration was becoming palpable but he honestly wished he hadn't slept with Erza already because his dragon haunted him with it. Made him remember every touch, sound, taste and smell, flooded every dream and it was maddening.
At least Cristoff had no knowledge of how it felt to be with his mate only to have it out of his reach by the necessities of where they were and what they were doing. There was no way half crazed dragon slayers in a mating frenzy could be handled so far from home. They'd be dangerous, as likely to turn on the men in their teams as strangers in their mating haze of lust and jealous protectiveness.
Ironically they wouldn't see each other as threats, when Cristoff and Cobra had approached the injured Erza, it had been Cobra, the unmated male Laxus' dragon had wanted to attack and drive back, Cristoff was seen as no threat because he was bonded to Lucy.
So they wouldn't bother each other, but any of the rest of the men, particularly Natsu and Cobra, they would be at serious risk. Of course, that was all assuming Erza even wanted him. It wasn't like they were close, or he even knew any way to get that way. He wasn't Cristoff, and he envied the Lunar Slayers easy social skills. He'd struck up a friendship with Lucy and had her falling for him before he'd even known she was his mate.
Laxus had always struggled with getting close to people, trust came slowly for him, and relaxing around people was also a painful process, the Raijinshuu were exceptional, each one fit into his personal world like puzzle pieces, even Cobra, who he'd been comfortable with quickly because the man was so damn blunt and plain spoken it was simple to know where you stood with him.
The other dragon slayers were simple too, he had things in common with them, understood them and they understood him. Lucy had slid in easily because of her open gregarious nature, sweetness, her "light" that even he hadn't been able to turn from.
Erza though, powerful strong, fearless and commanding Erza, tougher than most men but still giggled, shopped, had her nails done and was, from her lustrous red hair to her lusciously curved body she was so very much woman.
No blubbering, no squeaking, no girlie bullshit unless she was among other women, certainly alone with a man, naked, riding him relentlessly, she was all the woman any man alive could ever pray for. All Laxus had ever wanted, from her ease in handling things, to her lack of need for conversation. Erza he knew from pleasant experience could sit peacefully silent for hours without needing to start chattering, most women just couldn't handle that, but Erza was naturally self contained.
She didn't mind getting rough, dirty, violent, didn't shy away from pain, hard travel or being outdoors, she was so wonderfully strong. Her passion for Fairy Tail matched his own, her loyalty, devotion and then her ability to get even the rowdiest wildest members in line, all of it just appealed so much to him.
She could fight, contain a guild brawl, organize things all day…and then rock a mans world all night. Perfection, with that silky long deep red hair that smelled like roses. Gods help him.
He had to talk to her, tell her what was happening, she'd been looking his way, watching him, he'd seen everything from worry and pain, that made him feel terrible, to lust, that thrilled him and his dragon in those dark brown eyes. Cristoff said to make his choices and make peace with them, whether it be telling her and accepting whatever she decided, or just going full Dragon on the whole thing, claiming her and letting things sort themselves out afterward.
He was currently leaning more toward the later, he wasn't entirely proud of it, but it was more his style. Kick the fucking door in, and fight whatever came at him. Ultimately though, he had to wait no matter what he decided, so he grit his teeth and focused on just getting up the cold wet road.
Erza followed stoically. She didn't regret ripping into the beast that had nearly killed her, it had lunged for Wendy and gotten too close for Laxus to safely use his lighting to stop it so she had rushed in, killed it, they had the Keypiece, only needed two more.
She tried to be subtle, watched Laxus ahead of her, she couldn't figure out why she was so drawn to him, it made no sense. Power for power they matched up, he'd changed a lot since his exile, was a good man now, strong, loyal and passionate about the guild. His dedication was just plain sexy to Erza, who admired that quality so much, the grandson of the Master, tall strong, powerful and handsome. He wasn't one to waste words, wasn't careless or reckless, he was a born leader and that too, appealed intensely to her.
She'd mentioned it among the other women, that fighting him had been almost too hot for her, it turned her on watching him fight, seeing him take command of things. Even more so when she knew, in the tent, he had allowed her some control over him, let her ride him, he could have stopped her that night, could have walked away and she would have been ashamed but he no doubt would have forgotten it. Instead he'd accepted her, had sex with her repeatedly through the night and it had all been so incredibly good.
She had a hard time dismissing it as he had always wanted to fuck her, now he had, it was done. She felt more than that, but did she really? She'd thought there was a connection between her and Jellal too but she'd been wrong, there had been too little for the heavenly body mage, after a few stolen trysts he'd ended their little affair, he'd married Meredy, told her that while she was beautiful, there was too much, too many painful memories when he looked at her, he couldn't get past that, and they were through.
Laxus had been both fierce and gentle that whole night in Lapsida, they had gone at each other like animals, but also, at the end he'd held her, been slow, soft, tender. She awakened wrapped up in his arms legs tangled with his, that glorious body of his pressed against hers and they'd started again, kissing, hands sliding over each other until he'd heard something, people wondering where they were, and he'd suddenly seemed embarrassed, uncertain, pulled on his clothes and left her to get her own, she'd barely gotten out of the tent behind him.
It didn't make sense and Erza knew if things made no sense there was more to be learned she just didn't know who to turn to. Lucy was probably her best resource where Laxus was concerned, the two had become close after the guild disbanded, Laxus had taken her as kin, become protective of her, like a big brother while Erza had been away, making her mistakes with Jellal.
She was allright with being single, alone. It warmed her heart seeing Lucy fall in love, watching a good man fall in love with her and treat her with such care. Cristoff had shocked Erza, it was clear he was going to stay with Lucy, clear he loved her and had only good intentions.
She was all right…she just wouldn't be happy, watching Lucy snuggle down in Cristoffs arms each night, leaning back against him during their meals, climbing into the tent she shared with him to sleep in those same arms. The couple was always talking quietly, or just touching somehow, kissing randomly just whenever they felt like it, even watching Lucy annoy Natsu but taking food off Cristoffs plate, watching the ease with which they shared everything, she knew a lot of it was their personalities, both mages were compassionate people, naturally affectionate, but that bond that was growing steadily between them played its part too.
She had watched Cristoff suffer being separated from Lucy, his lack of energy, pained expression , loss of interest in eating all of it, just because he was separated from Lucy. They weren't even mated yet, once they were…well, she knew she would never be going bar hopping and dancing with random men with Lucy anymore. Cana was going to flip. Erza snapped her head up.
Cana! The list! She narrowed her eyes waiting until they were making camp the third night to approach Lucy.
"So I have been thinking about what you said, about Canas list and making certain it was accurate and included all the best men we know/" She said. Lucy blinked a moment then grinned "The best ass list?"
Erza nodded seriously. "Yes, and since we have three of the top five present I feel I am obligated to give your assertions a chance. Cristoff should be considered since he's a part of your life and you did, like the rest of us, suggest people for the list." Erza said calmly.
It was true, when Cana had started talking about rating butts they had all nominated possibilities and Lucy had, since she sparred with both, nominated Laxus and Gajeel, Levy of course seconding the Iron Slayers nomination and also being the one who got the man to stand still and let Cana feel his ass.
No small thing, nobody knew what Levy had agreed to in exchange for Gajeels cooperation there, but she'd seemed pretty happy after he'd collected.
Laxus had been easy, the offer of a bottle of Gold label and he'd played right along, let Cana handle him all she'd wanted to.
Bickslow had been as simple as Laxus, just a bottle of spiced Boscan wine that had proven a little pricey but they had all pitched in and the Seith mage had been laughing while Cana had wrapped her arms around him and grabbed his ass.
Gray had taken some serious work, Erza finally had gotten something on him and just blackmailed him into it. He'd glared daggers at them all when Cana had "graded" him.
Bickslow and Gajeel and both teased him about being a good sport. After all, Laxus had a boob list and several of the women were on it. Not Lucy, who you would expect to see on it though, the Lightning slayer had told Bickslow if he tried to "grade" Lucy he'd shock him until he pissed himself and the Seith had let Lucys nomination drop, though he had seemed to consider if it was worth it for a moment.
"So…" Lucy prompted, smiling and glancing over to where Cristoff was helping Bickslow assemble the tents for the night with Gray and Laxus.
"Have Cristoff agree to my evaluation and I will second the motion if I feel he is as competitive as I admit he looks like he would be. Cana of course being the final judge. I may also need Bickslows consent, I have already gotten a "feel" of Gray what with all of the times we have fought side by side over the years." She said, making it sound oh so practical.
"You two are serious…out here?" Evergreen was grinning, listening in, she'd nominated Bickslow, knowing how hard the man trained that tall body of his and also knowing what all of his armor and padding hid because she'd seen him in swim trunks so many times over the years.
"Yes of course, why not? We've little to do…" Erza shrugged "Cana would likely enjoy re-evaluating the list if Cristoff should be included, and Lucy seems fine with letting him be."
Evergreen snickered. "Well I'm sure Bickslow will cooperate, can you get your man to agree Lucy?"
Lucy smiled "He's not shy, it's all in good fun, why not?"
Erza nodded at her "Well then, go get him." She prodded and Lucy smiled, crossing the camp and biting her lip for a moment, Cristoff was a good sport about things but this was sort of pushing limits. Still, he was Boscan and she was sure his rear was her favorite of all the men.
She beckoned him and he exchanged glances with the other dragon slayer and gave her a "really? You think they wont hear anyway?" sort of look so she sighed and stalked right up to them.
"Ok, so…Cana has a list, all of the guilds women participated in putting it together, nominating who they thought should be on it and all." Lucy started, Gray groaned "Not the best ass list…or…Gods tell me she doesn't have others…" His semi-panicked look made Lucy grin "She does, and Juvia wants you considered but those aren't important, I'm nominating you." She said, poking Cristoff in the chest.
The Lunar slayer frowned but his lips were curled up at the edges. "For best ass…really?"
Lucy nodded and Laxus frowned "Wait I thought that was just guild." He protested. Lucy shook her head.
"Nope, Bacchus is on it and so is Orga." She added the last because it was true, and she knew it would instantly annoy Laxus who hated Orga Nanagear with a passion.
"Bacchus? Where's he rank?" Bickslow asked curiously. Gray frowned at him "What the hell do you care?" The Ice Make wizard asked incredulously.
"Because, I know I'm top five somewhere and want to be sure I outrank non-guild dudes, pride is pride man." Bickslow said with a solemn nod. Laxus just looked annoyed. "Nanagear shouldn't even be on the list, guys a wus, bet he doesn't even lift." He growled.
"Bacchus is 6th just above Natsu." Lucy replied and Bix snorted "Hah! Natsus ass loses to a dog!"
"The fuck you say Bickslow?!" Natsu called from where he was gathering wood for the fire.
"That you have a scrawny ass!" Bickslow called back cackling.
"I am not scrawny!" Natsu snarled.
Bickslow was laughing now "No, just your ass man, Bacchus from Quatro puppy dog has his butt cheeks ranked on Cana and the guild ladies best ass list above yours. Don't get lippy with me about it either, not like I was asked to do the judging, I just had to stand and get judged and I'm top 5 thank you very much."
Natsu frowned, looking at Lucy "Luce…is that true?"
"I'm afraid it is Natsu, I wasn't a judge but Erza was, you'd have to talk to her, Mira and Cana. They're the judges." Lucy replied.
"So you want little brother on the list huh Cosplayer?" Bickslow smirked and Lucy nodded "I do, I like his ass better than any of yours." She said and even Laxus snorted at that.
"Ok so wait, what's it mean then?" Cristoff asked, smiling now.
"You need to come over here and let Erza feel you up." Evergreen called.
"I got a bottle of 782 Spiced Boscan Burgandy for cooperating." Bickslow told him.
"Bottle of Gold label for me." Laxus added.
"I got to burn something that shouldn't have existed…" Gray muttered.
Cristoffs brows went up and he smiled at Lucy "So wait…I let Erza cop a feel and I get a bottle of spiced Boscan wine? Show me the wine." He demanded.
Lucy glared at him.
"I don't have any spiced wine on me, I just want you to agree to do this because….I want you to." She said.
"And you'll let Lucy have just about anything she wants right Cristoff? I mean, you said so while she was eating half your damn dinner." Natsu sneered. "Or was that just bullshit?"
Lucy gave Natsu a huge grin and he winked at her, Gods he was the best friend ever.
Called out the Lunar Slayer shook his head. Getting jeers from Laxus and Bickslow as he let Lucy pull him over to Erza.
"I really fucking love you…this is proof." He chuckled and she grinned at him, kissing his chin. "Yes it is." She agreed.
"Allright, stand still." Erza told him seriously.
"Take his cloak off! I want to make sure you really grab that ass!" Bickslow called earning a hard look from Cristoff that made the Seith laugh.
Lucy, smirking, unclipped Cristoffs heavy black cloak and happily wrapped it around herself to the approving whistles of the men, now joined by a grinning Cobra and chuckling Freed.
Cristoff started to cross his arms over his chest but Erza stopped him "Hold them out to the sides please." She said seriously, stepping up to him. Cristoff looked skyward praying for patience and possibly lightning strikes to all the men except Laxus, because that shit would like it.
He then fixed his amused eyes on Lucy who was nibbling her bottom lip, eyes alight with humor as Erza thoroughly felt up her boyfriend and he stood for it while the men hooted and whistled.
Yep, she adored the man.
"I expect a bottle of spiced wine, circa 780 burgundy Solseer label." Cristoff said firmly.
"Solseer….Gods….what I wouldn't give…" Bickslow groaned.
Erza stepped back and looked at Lucy "I'll second the nomination." She agreed and Lucy grinned.
She met Cristoffs humor filled eyes again and slid her arms around him, letting him grab his cloak and us it to pull her tight against him.
"So I have two more woman who will do that to me huh? And you want them to, are just fine with it…." He was smiling at her and she nodded "Of course! It's for purely academic reasons." She said.
"Yeah like Laxus and Is best tits list…purely academic, meant completely just to assert which guild members are doing the best at uh…staying healthy." Bickslow said as he came over to help Natsu set the fire pit up.
Cristoffs brow went up "And where are you ranked on that?" He asked her.
"She's not on it." Laxus growled.
"Yeah I totally nominated her and was willing to do the judging and all but Laxus threatened me with immense bodily harm." Bickslow said. Cristoff narrowed his eyes on his brother.
"Good." He said, sweeping his cloak away from Lucy who protested the sudden loss of the wonderful warmth it provided.
"You'll be sitting in it with me in a little bit." He growled at her with a warm smile, turning to help finish getting the camp set so they could all relax.