Disclaimer #1: I don't own Fairy Tail, Hiro Mashima does.
Disclaimer #2: The art for my title pic was done by artist AS Daminitri.
Chapter 12: Magic doesn't lie
While Erza sleeps at the guild…
Gajeel, Natsu, Jellal, Mira and Gray track down the mercenaries who have tried to destroy Magnolia and the guild. The mercenaries are restless after seeing Etherion neutralised and begin to argue among themselves.
"Did you see that? A yellow dome covered the whole town! Etherion did nothing!"
"I knew we should have tested this weapon first"
"Maybe we didn't assemble it right?"
"No the weapon works. It was that guild that stopped it. The red head Master used some spell!"
"Well send some people down to take her out and then we'll fire Etherion once more"
Natsu shouts so all the mercenaries can hear him, "Master is not someone you guys could ever defeat!" He pauses and cracks his knuckles, "besides we're gonna put you down!"
"Gihehe, there's only a few hundred here. Wanna make this a contest, Salamander?" says Gajeel.
"I'm all fired up!" Natsu yells as flames surround his fists.
"Leave Etherion to me" suggests Jellal.
"Okay" says Gray; Mira nods while donning her Satan Soul. Gray takes his shirt off and tosses it to the side, initiating his Ice Devil Slayer magic as black marks cover his left side.
The Fairy Tail quartet lay siege to the mercenaries. Fire, ice, iron and dark blasts scatter dozens of the enemy at a time. Some try to escape but are frozen solid by Gray's magic. Gajeel and Mira guard Jellal as several of the enemy try to interfere with the blue haired wizard as he sets on destroying Etherion. Natsu unleashes a roar that engulfs nearly half of the mercenaries, while Gray takes out the remaining few.
Jellal activates a self-destruction spell on Etherion, the same one he wanted to cast upon Nirvana. He warns the Fairy Tail wizards to stand back from the weapon, informing them that there will be a small blast before an implosion. The Lacrima then explodes, releasing a bright white light which causes the wizards to shield their eyes with their arms. Then the power falls in on itself, crushing the crystal and the weapon.
"It's over" states Jellal.
The wizards round up the mercenaries'. Jellal places a rune around them so that the Magic Council can arrest them. The 5 mages then return to Fairy Tail.
A few hours later…
I wake up to the familiar sound of music, laughter and fighting; and the smell of wood, beer and food. Fairy Tail's guild hall can be summed up by those three sounds and aromas. I open my eyes to survey the room; everyone seems to be here, Laxus and Gildarts the notable absentees.
A beer mug slides along the table where I'm not facing, "You're finally awake, Erza"
I turn my head to find Jellal sitting next to me. Then I sit up and take a sip of the beer. "How long have I been out?"
"For a few hours"
"A few hours huh?" I take another sip of the beer as I collect myself. "Etherion! What happened?"
"It's over now, Etherion is destroyed and the mercenaries near Magnolia have been taken care of"
I sigh with relief, "Thank goodness". Jellal smiles at me. "And thank you, Jellal"
"It was no problem Erza"
"Well you saved us. I must thank your guild mates too"
"It's fine we are glad to help. We leave tonight to chase another lead"
"Is that so…"
I feel a little awkward talking to Jellal, and expect he is the same with me. All I can think about is our last time together, when I confessed to him. When he burst into my office today I didn't have the time to think about anything. But as we sit here it's like there's an elephant in the room.
My feelings for Laxus make talking to Jellal even more difficult. I don't know how I should tell Jellal that Laxus and I are together. How would telling Jellal make him feel? Should it matter? Being honest with one another is what friends do. But I haven't even told my guild mates.
At any rate the silence we are sharing is deafening. I sigh, knowing that the subsequent words I say won't make for great conversation. "The last time we spoke Jellal… I am not hurting anymore. I was a bit down for a while but in time I accepted it. I don't want my confession to ruin what we have. You're a very important person to me, Jellal"
Since I started to speak Jellal didn't move, and he still hasn't. "Erza… I am sorry"
"It's okay Jellal. You don't have to apologise to me"
"I turned you down because of my situation. But I don't deserve to be with you"
I expected he might say something like that and I expected to be hurt from it, but I'm not. If anything I am disappointed in him.
"Jellal, you really need to stop that. I understand you feel responsible for past actions and you want to atone for them. And I would never make light of that, or the core values of Crime Sorciere. But that doesn't mean you don't deserve anyone. You'd be a great man for a woman. And you'd be a great father. Being in a relationship is not just for yourself, your partner and others also benefit; happiness is shared"
A dumbfounded Jellal is a rare sight. His eyes flicker, searching for the right response. He then smiles as he shakes his head. "That was quite profound. You've become wise as a Master"
"Well it's because…" I hesitate momentarily before steeling myself, "I am in a relationship, Jellal".
He pauses as he sips his beer. "Really? I see, that does explain a bit. Is it Laxus?"
"What- ?"
"Sorry, I shouldn't have said it like that. Who is the lucky guy?"
How did he figure it out? My mouth struggles to move before I finally force out, "It's Laxus! H-how did you know?"
"I guessed"
"How?"
"Laxus said a few nice things about you while we were tracking Serena. And when you were using Fairy Sphere you needed to concentrate on someone's word, and Gray confirmed that to be Laxus"
Jellal is a very intelligent man but he's taken a leap of faith there. He must have been thinking about this while I was asleep, and uncharacteristically he blurted out his assumption rather than waiting for more information. Is he rattled by me being with another man?
"Erza, congratulations. I'm happy for you. You will always have my support"
"Thank you Jellal. You don't know how much it means to me to hear you say that". Jellal is someone I care about greatly, I would never want to lose him.
"No worries, Erza" he murmurs.
I sit back, smiling partially, "you know I feel like a hypocrite. I said to you that happiness is shared, but I haven't told most of my guild mates"
"Well when you tell them it will be the right time. No need to worry about it"
"You're probably right"
We sit and chat, enjoying each other's company just like good friends do. I am thankful that Jellal said the things he did. I know it couldn't have been easy. Kindness was always his strongest virtue, and he did me a kindness today by affirming the bond between us.
It is in these moments that I realise what I've feared for Laxus, since Crocus, and it's an upsetting discovery. I suppress the distress for the moment as I converse with my friend, but I know later, when I am alone, that I will be at my conscience' mercy.
The next day
The second we touch down in Fiore I nod quickly at Jura to let him know I'm off. I shake my Dragon Slayer side effects and use lightning body to fast track to Magnolia. Our shitty communications Lacrima don't seem to be working, another thing the Council couldn't get right.
As I approach Magnolia I don't seem to notice anything out of the norm, which soothes my anxiety somewhat. I pull up at the guild and quickly enter the hall. I breathe out a huge sigh of relief, it looks like nothing happened in the end. "Phew"
"Laxus!" Several of my guild mates shout.
"Hello everyone! It's so good to see you!" I pant.
People swarm in to see me and say hello. It's really nice to come home to the guild, to receive a warm welcome after a long time away. I don't see Erza or my team though.
"Laxus! You should have been here! These guys attacked us and we got to kick their ass! It was fun"
"Natsu! You guys were attacked? Mercenaries"
"Yea, but it was over too quickly"
Mira walks in next to me. "Erza saved everyone, Laxus"
"Erza?"
"She stopped them when they fired Etherion at us"
"Etherion!?" I yell.
"Yes Laxus-san. Jellal-san and Crime Sorciere came here to warn us about the attack" offers Juvia.
"Jellal huh? Thankfully he came"
Gray speaks, "yea they arrived just in time. They left soon after, the Raijinshuu went with them and will return in the afternoon"
"I was wondering where they were, I haven't seen them in so long. And how did Erza stop Etherion?"
"Fairy Sphere! Erza was awesome!" Lucy answers.
"I see. So she mastered it, huh?" I let out a chuckle, but I can't help but feel proud for her. "So, where is she?"
Mira replies, "Erza went home this morning to get some rest. She said the spell took a lot from her and is still tired. But, Laxus, I think it's something more personal. She didn't say what though". Mira knows Erza better than anyone, so I take the hint that it's something to do with me.
"I just went to her home but she wasn't there, she might be out at the moment" says Wendy.
"Maybe those jerks came back! I'll go hunt em down!" declares Natsu.
"You think they're back and after Erza?" an anxious Lisanna asks.
I hold a hand up to stop any potential panic, "calm down. Erza is fine. I should go alone, right Mira?"
"Yes Laxus"
After Mira's confirmation I turn to the doors and leave the hall. On my way out I hear a few whines from Natsu, and others mumbling about what's going on, and why I am going alone. When I come back with Erza I'll make sure we announce our relationship.
I guess my worries while away weren't for naught – she must be doubting something. I have to talk to her to know for sure. If she isn't at home, where could she be? If she's ruminating about us then she's might be somewhere that we've been together: the training fields or Grassy Peak.
I make my way to the training fields as they're closer. From a distance I can see Erza. She is sitting in the middle of the fields, her knees tucked up so that her head can rest on them. She is wearing my coat. I hold myself back from running to her like a fool; I am the cool one after all.
"You look good in my coat, Erza" I say nonchalantly despite my urge to leap at her.
Erza's head pops up, "Laxus?" She blinks a few times blankly. Her mouth morphs into a smile as she jumps to her feet and launches herself at me. "Laxus!" she happily screams while tackling me to the ground. She kisses my lips before pressing quick kisses randomly over my face in neck. Was Mira wrong?
I laugh at her friskiness before bringing her to my lips for a passionate kiss. She relaxes on me and moans deeply as our tongues collide and I paddle her hair. My mouth explodes at the taste of her, while my olfactory senses overload with her scent. I interrupt the kiss for a quick "Hey", and then give my lips back to her. Erza controls our mingling and doesn't relent for some time. The heat from her ample chest leaches into my own, a refreshing change for my body compared to the colds of the mission. I reach in to grab a hold of her breasts prompting Erza to squeal as I squeeze.
"Laxus!" She shrieks as she tears her mouth from mine. "You always have to spoil the moment, jerk"
I smirk at her pouting, "Sorry. I missed them" I say while striking a wink at her.
She glares down at me, "You missed my breasts? Not me?"
I bite the inside of my lip to stifle my laughter, "I missed you. All of you" I say, and then give her bust another cheeky squeeze.
"Give it a rest" she whines, though her eyes defy her words as she scans me seductively.
I let go of her chest to place my hands on her waist. "It's been a while, huh?"
She hums a yes. Still lying on top of me she brings her hand to lightly stroke the side of my face sending a wave of tingles from my cheeks to all the way down my back. I exhale loudly as her touch possesses me, being away for so long has me hypersensitive.
She giggles, "Laxus, I didn't realise you were so playful"
"I'm not, but I know the next place you can put your hands on"
"Tsk, again you ruin another nice moment"
I laugh at her and then ask, "What are you doing out here in the middle of the training grounds, Erza?"
Her vibrant manner recedes… I guess Mira was right. She moves off me and sits up, in a similar position that I found her in. I sit next to her, facing in opposite directions so that I am able to look at her face. She is sombre as she speaks, "I came out here to think".
"What about?"
"Just things"
"What things?"
"The guild. You being away. The attack yesterday"
"I heard you saved everyone with Fairy Sphere. You can thank me later" I say jokingly.
"Hmph, and here I was thinking you've become a humble man"
I give her a little kiss on her nose and re-assume my spot beside her. I ask seriously, "Erza, you didn't come here to think about anything else? Nothing else is bothering you"
She doesn't answer, and if her body language is anything to go by there certainly is something bothering her.
I sigh, "We need to be able to speak about our feelings"
"I know, but it's hard" she whimpers.
"Yea, it is. Even so, not talking about it is worse"
"I know what you're saying Laxus, but I can't. I need time to think things through"
"You've had a couple months, do you really need time?"
"I only realised it all yesterday"
"Like an epiphany?"
"Well, kind of" she says, then looks down at the ground and remains silent.
I ponder my options. She asked for time, and I should respect that. Erza could very well come up with the solution to her problems on her own and be appreciative of me for giving her space. But if it took her 2 months to come to a realisation then maybe what she really needs is a different perspective. She struggles with these types of emotions in my opinion. I decide to gamble on that.
"Well I'd like to hear it anyway"
"Please, Laxus –"
"When it comes to the physical stuff- touching, hugging, kissing - you have no problem expressing how you feel. But words give detail, there's only so much I can interpret without them. I know you're a physical person by nature and I wouldn't want that to change. And you don't have to tell me every little thing in your life. But the important stuff, like something that is weighing heavily on your mind, those are the things we should definitely speak on"
"I get it Laxus. And I don't disagree. I do want you to know things about me, and I want to know things about you… stuff that only we know. But I'm just not sure about this"
"Well if you not telling me makes things awkward between us it'll be all your fault" I whine, trying to trick her.
"Laxus!"
"Come on Erza. Just tell me. No matter what it is"
"Jeez Laxus. Since when did you become the relationships authority? You told me you've never been in a serious relationship so what do you know?"
"Are you debunking what I've said?"
"No but still -"
"I'm trying my best to be objective here. Plus, I'm older than you"
"Fine! But that's a poor excuse of a reason" she snaps. "Do you want the short story or the long?"
"When it's about you, the long, always"
She twinkles a quick smile, and then takes a little while to think about what she will say. "Okay. At the train station in Crocus I thought about my feelings for you. I was thinking to myself that I was falling in love with you. And as I was leaving I began to feel afraid, a fear I had not felt before. Until yesterday I couldn't figure out what it was. But after I talked to Jellal, indirectly, I realised what had been troubling me. I, uh… Laxus this really hard to say"
"It's okay, take your time" I say, though I might need some time myself, after she said she was falling in love with me... that took me off-guard.
"But, I feel terrible. Because what I was afraid of is… is that my love for you is not real". Her face cracks threatening to cry; while I contain my own surprise to her words. "We got together so quickly, I mean how is it possible that we can go from being casual guild mates for years to lovers in very little time? Don't you think it's weird?..." she begins to cry slowly, speaking through tears she continues, "Then I began to think that I was using you, as a rebound for my rejection from Jellal…"
I fail to suppress my shock as I gasp, that last part was hard to hear. She registers my reaction and begins to cry louder. I want to console her but if I do it'll probably make her feel guilty. The best I can do now is think about her words to try and makes sense of her feelings.
"See Laxus, I shouldn't have told you this. I'm just… no good to you"
"That's not true"
"Well tell me how can anything I just said be good? How can talking about this be good for us?" she pleads.
I wipe away her tears to try and calm her. "You're just having doubts. They're completely natural to have"
"Doubts? How can something like this be simply doubts?"
"In Crocus, at that time, it was new for you, to have feelings for someone and have those feelings reciprocated. It's normal to be a sceptical of everything when you're in unchartered territory, because you feel so inexperienced. You look for anything that might not be considered 'ordinary'. Like with how fast we were moving… there isn't a temporal basis for relationships, if they happen - they happen. As long as the feeling is there it shouldn't matter how fast or slow things go, right?"
"I guess…"
"And as for the Jellal rebound; I just think that you came to that conclusion to justify your unknown angst"
"How do you figure that?"
"You were searching for reasons for why you were having doubts about your feelings. Me being a rebound from Jellal is a hypothetical possibility"
Her expression changes from sadness to focussed, concentrating on what I'd said. "So you're saying that I just made a poor correlation?"
"Well, you made a correlation. Whether or not it's a poor one depends on how you feel. I hope it is a poor one though"
"I really am sorry, Laxus"
"It's okay"
"Do you think my doubts will continue?"
"They'll be gone in time, once you confirm or disprove them"
"I really wish they'd go, I hate feeling like this" she says, sorrow apparent in her form.
I'd love to be able to cheer her up. When she's down, or apprehensive, I enjoy finding a way to comfort her. The looks she gives me when I do are priceless. And right now she's as down as I've ever seen her… but I rack my brain for any kind of reason other than what I've said and I come up empty.
Then it hits me, though it's another considerable gamble. "You used Fairy Sphere, right?"
"Hmm, yes"
"When you use it, any of the Fairy Magics for that matter, you summon emotions deep within you. Your magic doesn't lie to you. You know this. Feelings and magic are intertwined. When you cast Fairy Sphere, what did you feel? Specifically, did you have any feelings for me at the time?"
I nervously await her response. This is a gamble in the sense that I'm betting that she thought about me. If she hadn't then it might make her problems greater.
She smiles cheerfully, "I felt a lot of different emotions, but the strongest were for you. I remember when I was summoning my power I was calling for you to help me. And when I got into the spells' position, I imagined your hands guiding my body like in training when you molested me". I laugh as quietly as I can; while a few tears start to spill down her cheeks. "And as I initiated the spell I wanted to protect our future. I wanted to hold your hand again, kiss you whenever I want, go to sleep resting on your chest, flirt with you, boss you around… and other things we've not yet done. All of that flashed through me as the magic reached its peak. And for a while after I couldn't shake those feelings"
I barely hold back my own tears. Once again she's made me feel extremely vulnerable. I pull her in for a hug, we both need it.
"Magic doesn't lie" she whispers into my ear.
"No, thankfully"
"My doubts, are just in my head? Not real?"
"Yea"
She releases the hug to put her forehead to mine. "Sorry for being a big dummy"
"Well it's tough dealing with something you're born with" I quip.
She laughs heartedly, a little more than usual to make herself feel a little better. Erza pulls my chin toward hers for a kiss. Her tears still flow and they moisten my cheeks, so I bring my hands to her face and allow my thumbs to wipe the drops away.
She giggles in our kiss and says, "you're such a gentle guy, Laxus"
"You act surprised"
She nods, "yea, and I like you this way. And thank you, for talking to me"
"It's my job. Plus you did all the work. None of this could have been easy for you. I am proud of you, and will listen to you anytime"
"Thanks. I will talk to you, but can you hang around a bit more instead of going on long missions?"
"Yea I'll be around"
"Good". She wiggles her nose against mine which is really cute. "Should we head back to the guild?"
"Yea". I stand and hold my hand out to assist her up. She pulls herself up to me and grabbing onto my body as she stands. I smile at her when she doesn't let go, and I put my arm over her shoulder as we walk to the guild.
"Erza, maybe we should stop off at your place first"
"Why?"
I tickle her ribs, "I think you know why"
She laughs while shimmying away from my hand, "No. We're going to the guild"
"Come on, it's been so long"
"I'm sure you'll manage"
I sigh, "well I'll just use that picture I guess"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
I answer sordidly, "the one I took of you in black lingerie, I'll use that to manage"
"Urgh!" she spits in disapproval, but blushes all the same. "That's disgusting!"
"You don't even know the half of it. How many times I –"
"Just shut up! You're such a perverted jerk!"
"Oh? I thought I was a gentle guy?" I tease.
"I take that back!" she huffs.
I chuckle, "you have no control over it, do you?"
"Huh?"
"Your cuteness. You're so damn cute at times I bet you don't even know how to turn it off"
Her faint blush spreads to a sea of crimson. She hides her face in my body to conceal the evidence. "And you have no control over being a jerk" she grumbles into me.
"Thank you for proving my point". I kiss her on the top her head as I admire how adorable she is – something I'll never get used to. She's as fierce as any warrior but in my arms she's like this. We walk to the guild in each other's embrace, comfortable in silence. I'm really happy to hear that she is falling for me. I don't think I'm quite at the stage of being in love, but man, I must be pretty damn close.
A/N - Thanks for reading! This chapter was tougher to write as I could have went down a few paths. I know some might have been expecting Jellal to make a play for Erza, but felt that if he denied her already then I'd let him keep that resolve. Kinda rushed Laxus back into it so I could get some fluff happening again.
A/N #2 - I will be taking a little break from writing (I do have this fic planned out so don't worry) and will have something out hopefully in a fortnight's time. Thanks!
