Laxus' shifted behind Lucy. His hands came to her shoulders and he shook her softly. She groaned, squeezing her eyelids further shut. She nuzzled into his arm, her mind hazy from sleep. His muscles flexed.
"Oy," Laxus said, his chest rumbling beneath Lucy. "Wake up, Blondie."
He shook her shoulders again.
She groaned, her head rolling off Laxus' arm, her body slipping. She startled, her body straightening and her eyes flashed open. The horse snorted and Lucy remembered where she was. She grabbed onto the saddle, steadying herself.
"How long was I sleeping for?" she asked, rubbing her eyes with the back of her fist.
Laxus dismounted the horse, his warmth leaving Lucy's back and she shivered. He chuckled, as he held onto the horse's saddle. His hand brushed against Lucy's leg and she unconsciously leaned into his touch.
"Long enough for you to drool," he drawled. He wiped the corner of her mouth with his thumb. Her jaw dropped as her cheeks tinted pink. Laxus smirked.
She struggled on her words, her mouth gaping. Her hand reached for her hip and her fingers grazed her keys. She found Horologium's key and the silver key warmed underneath her fingertips, revealing the time. She frowned.
"It's only been twenty minutes!" she shrieked.
"Maybe you were drooling over something else," he said his tone suggestive. His hands went around her waist and she held her breath. "You were mumbling my name," he said grinning.
"I- I was not!" Lucy sputtered, mortified.
The Lightning Dragon Slayer chuckled as he lifted her off the horse, his hands firm on her hips. She gripped his shoulders for balance, her heart quickening. She bit her lip as he gently lowered her to the ground. Her eyes flashed up to meet his.
"And I don't drool!" she said, swatting at his broad muscular chest. His hands lingered on her hips for a moment before he stepped away.
Lucy shivered and she drew the heavy blanket around her shoulders. Snow continued to fall, piling up on the trail and forest floor. Her mini boots crunched in the freshly fallen snow and her breath billowed out before her.
They had reached the mountain's summit. Lucy's eyes widened and her mouth opened in awe. Towering upon the summit, was a medieval style castle plastered with modern neon lights.
"Where are we?" Lucy asked, her jaw unhinged.
Laxus untied their bags from the mule and slung their packs over his shoulder. He led the horse and mule by their reins and walked towards the flashing castle.
He looked over his shoulder at Lucy. "Welcome to Bosco," he said.
Lucy ran to catch up to the hulking Dragon Slayer. She clutched at the blanket around her shoulders as she looked down the path ahead. They headed towards the stables that stood before the castle gate.
A scruffy man with gold, gapped teeth sat beneath the shelter of the stables' overhanging roof. The man, whiskey in hand, watched the blonds closely as they approached with their horses. The man's hollowed eyes trailed over Lucy and she shuttered, a sickening feeling settling in the pit of her stomach. She unconsciously shuffled closer to Laxus.
"How much to stable our horses for the night?" Laxus asked the scruffy man.
The scruffy man spit into a tin can before grumbling his answer. The scruffy man stuck his hand out, his eyes lingering on Lucy.
Laxus' eyes narrowed. He stuck his hand into his pants' pocket and pulled out a stack of Jewel notes. He counted the money before placing the stack of Jewels in the scruffy man's outstretched hand.
The scruffy man grumbled again as he counted the Jewels. He looked up at Lucy as he counted and his eyes raked over her body. The man's leer sent chills up Lucy's spine and she leaned closer to Laxus.
The scruffy man nodded at Laxus as he continued to grumble incoherently.
Laxus adjusted the strap to their bags on his shoulder. He glared at the scruffy man.
"Not for sale," Laxus growled at the scruffy man. He placed his hand on Lucy's lower back. "Come on, Blondie," he said.
Lucy frowned, looking back at the scruffy man who continued to leer at her.
"Could you understand what that man was saying?" Lucy asked as they walked away from the stables and through the castle gates.
Laxus' hand tensed against her lower back. He gritted his teeth. "Stay close," he warned, his voice low. "This place is full of fucking creeps."
"You still haven't told me what this place is," Lucy said. She wrapped the blanket tighter around herself.
"Devil's Peak Casino," Laxus said as he pushed open the heavy double doors of the castle's' entrance.
They stepped inside and Lucy's eyes widened.
The interior was medieval with a modern twist. Cold, stone brick walls were lined with fading tapestries and smoldering candelabras. Neon lights flashed out of place amongst the dated walls. Electronic game sounds echoed off the worn, cobblestone flooring as colorful slot machines beeped, chimed and cheered.
The air was heavy with cigar smoke. Lucy coughed.
"What are we doing here?" Lucy whispered. She clutched Laxus' sleeve. She shivered, not from the cold but from the leers and stares of the shady men they passed.
Laxus leaned over, his hand firm on her lower back as they walked. "There are three reasons to come here," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear. "Gambling, girls and information."
Lucy swallowed. "And what is your reason?" she asked, looking up at him from underneath her lashes.
He grinned but didn't answered. He clapped Lucy on the back and she startled, jumping.
"You hungry?" Laxus asked, changing the subject.
Lucy's stomach growled in response.
The Lightning Dragon Slayer smirked. "I'll take that as a yes."
Lucy leaned against the bar counter of the casino's bar and grill. She bit her lower lip as her eyes focused forward. She could feel the gaze of every man in the room and she shivered, wrapping the blanket tighter around herself. She could hear the men mumbling as they smirked and leered at her. She swallowed hard.
Laxus sat in the bar stool next to her. He signaled for the barkeep with a nod of his chin. His jaw was clenched.
"Two bowls of Devil's Curry over Rice," Laxus ordered as the barkeep approached them. He handed the barkeep a folded up piece of paper and made a signal with his hands, an act Lucy failed to see.
The barkeep nodded before nonchalantly putting the piece of paper into his pocket. "And to drink?" he asked, casually.
"A beer and-" Laxus turned to Lucy.
Her eyes stared blankly forward, her brow knitted. Why would Laxus come to a place like this? She thought, biting her lower lip. Laxus nudged her with his elbow. She quickly shook herself out of her daze.
"Wh- what? Sorry," Lucy said.
The corner of Laxus' mouth tugged up into a slight smile. "What would you like to drink, Princess?" he asked her.
"Oh," Lucy started. She waved her hands before her. "Nothing, just water is fine."
The barkeep's eyes traveled down Lucy's body. She wrapped the blanket tighter around herself.
Laxus' smile faded. His eyes narrowed. He clicked his tongue and the barkeep walked away to get their drinks.
"So- some place this is," Lucy said, her voice faltering. She quickly scanned the dark, smokey room. Majority of the patrons wore heavy hooded cloaks, and though their faces were shadowed, Lucy could still make out their eyes as they all stared at her. A shiver ran up her spine. "Do- do you come here- ah!" Lucy screamed as a hand grabbed her ass. She turned to Laxus but both his hands were on the bar counter.
An older man stood behind them. His hood was lowered. He leered at Lucy with a sleazy grin, before turning to Laxus.
"You looking to sell, boy?" the old man asked. "I'll pay you fifty thousand jewels for that woman."
Laxus' hands balled into fists. His jaw clenched and a low growl vibrated through his chest. "Fuck off, old man," Laxus warned.
The old man ignored the Dragon Slayer's warning and reached for the hem of Lucy's skirt.
Laxus swatted the old man's hand away, his eyes flashing golden. He growled, eyes narrowed, before grabbing Lucy off her bar stool and placing the petite blonde onto his lap. Lucy eeped, her eyes widening. She grabbed onto Laxus' shirt to steady herself.
The old man pulled a stack of jewels out of his pocket. He placed the money on the counter before Laxus. "One hundred thousand jewels," the old man offered. He reached to touch Lucy's leg.
Sparks flew off Laxus shoulders as his anger rose. He snatched the old man's hand before the man could touch Lucy. The old man hollered in pain as Laxus bent back his fingers.
"You try touching her again and I'll break your fucking fingers," Laxus spat, his voice low and dangerous.
"Throw an old man a bone," the old man pleaded. "A handsome lad like yourself could have any girl he wants."
"Laxus, please," Lucy said, her grip on his shirt tightening, her voice shaking. "Let the man go."
Laxus turned to face Lucy. He flinched when he saw the fear in her eyes. He clicked his tongue before releasing his hold on the old man.
The old man staggered backwards. He clutched his hand to his chest. "How about two hundred thousand jewels?"
"What part of fuck off don't you understand?" Laxus hollered. His right arm wrapped protectively around Lucy's waist. "She's not for fucking sale!" His eyes flashed golden once again.
Lucy held her breath, anticipating a fight, but the old man finally backed off.
"I swear, I'm going to rip the dick off the next asshole who asks me that fucking question one more time," Laxus spat through gritted teeth.
Lucy wrapped her arms around Laxus and buried her nose in his neck. She could feel his tense muscles begin to relax and she hugged him tighter. She giggled into his neck.
"What the fuck is so funny?" He said, his voice still gruff and moody.
She pulled herself closer still. She could feel his pulse hammering in his throat.
"Nothing, I'm just happy," Lucy said, smiling against his neck.
"About what?" Laxus blinked. "You're happy creepy fuckers want you as their slave?" he asked. His jaw clenched.
Lucy shuttered. "Eww no!" she said quickly, shaking her head. She hugged Laxus tighter. "That was just your opportunity to get rid of me and you didn't," she whispered into his ear and Laxus stiffened. "So, thank you." She smiled.
Laxus cleared his throat. The tension in his shoulders faded. "Yeah well, don't push it. I can still sniff that guy out," Laxus said. He smirked, before giving Lucy's backside a playful little squeeze. "Maybe he'll pay me four hundred thousand jewels for your ass?"
Lucy squirmed as she pulled back, her arms leaving his neck.
"Hey!" she shrieked. "Watch your hands!"
A patron whistled and another yelled, "Get a room!"
Lucy blushed, her cheeks red hot. She sputtered, lost for words. Her heart thundered in her chest.
A throat cleared and Lucy turned to see the barkeep return with their bowls of curry.
Laxus chuckled as Lucy scampered off his lap. She climbed back up onto her own bar stool, her face an even deeper shade of red.
She cupped her hands around the hot bowl of curry set before her. "Thank you for the meal," she said softly.
As Lucy brought a bite of rice and curry to her lips, the barkeep slipped Laxus a piece of paper. The Lightning Dragon Slayer nodded his head before placing the piece of paper into his pocket. Lucy noticed the exchange, but she kept silent and quickly turned her eyes away.
Laxus had told her there were three reasons to come to this place. Gambling, girls and information. Lucy frowned.
What is on that piece of paper?
A/N Hi everyone! Thank you so much for reading and also for your patience 3 I know it's been a long time, but I'm back to finish this story.