Disclaimer - Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima & all things Pradesh belong to DESNA
"You came." Lucy whispered as her eyes opened to see Natsu's face.
"Of course I did." Natsu smiled softly at the blonde mage. Everyone in the room let out a breath they didn't know they were holding.
"You left me." The fire slayer frowned and sat back letting his hand fall from her face.
"I know. I had to get stronger Luce so I can kill Acnologia. I couldn't take you with me."
"You didn't even say goodbye, you just left a note." Natsu cringed seeing the tears in her eyes. He knew he hurt his best friend, at the time it seemed the only way though. Several of the slayers growled.
"I wanted to see you, but…" Natsu started, "I wouldn't have been able to leave if I saw you. I went to your apartment to meet you there, but the more I thought about it I knew I'd never be able to go. I'm sorry Luce." He looked around and other than the Raijinshuu and slayers, no one else from the guild was there. "Where are Gray and Erza? Why aren't they here?"
The tears building in her eyes began to fall. "They left too. Everyone left." Comprehension came crashing down on the slayer and he pulled her up into his arms hugging her.
"I'm so sorry Luce, I never would have left if… If I had known…" Laxus clamped a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"None of us would have."
Cristoff moved towards the group, "I hate to break up the reunion but I'd like to check how she's doing." He smiled gently to her, "Lucy, I'm Cristoff. One of Bickslow and Zen's brothers. I'm also a healer and I've been checking on you throughout this. You've been asleep for several days now, can you tell me how you are feeling?"
She looked up and gave him a small smile, "I've definitely felt better. Every part of me aches and it feels like I was run over by a train. My chest aches something fierce and it's a little hard to breathe. Aurora warned me this would hurt but..."
"We definitely want to hear about Aurora, we only know what Zen saw. I'm going to put my hand on you, is that alright?"
She nodded and looked around the room to see all of her friends and a few strangers, but no Zen. She panicked, "Where is he? Where is Zen? Is he okay?" Cristoff was about to answer when a door slammed open and his brother rushed to the girl, practically shoving Natsu out of his way. Instinct kicked in and Natsu started to go on of the offense, but was held back by Gajeel, Laxus and Cobra. All three growling at him to stand down.
"Zen!" He lifted her into his arms and kissed her softly. Laxus and Gajeel were having a hard time holding Natsu back. Cobra blew poison in the slayer's face to knock him out for a bit.
Kaleb, I've lost Zen, he just took off suddenly… their father's voice sounded through the link. We've got him. Kaleb replied and sent the visual of him holding Lucy. She woke up. His father sighed in relief and promised to be back shortly.
There was a deep rumble from the celestial mage's stomach and she blushed in embarrassment. "I guess I should eat. How did you get us out?" she asked the man holding her gently.
He smiled and pressed his forehead to hers, feeling an intense relief that she was awake. "My family showed up right after you collapsed. They brought us here to Bosco."
"It's nice to see you wearing something other than a toga." Zen grinned while two of his brothers raised a curious brow.
"It is good to see you awake Princess." Lucy smiled at Virgo who appeared next to them. She thanked Zen for keeping her keys safe. "Please allow me to take my Princess so that I can assist her to bathe and change archangel." Zen allowed Virgo to pull her into her arms, a little surprised at the ease in which she carried her. Lucy protested, claiming she could walk. Virgo ignored her demands, determined to take care of her key holder. Loke flashed into the room as well, grinning at the scene as he watched Virgo carry her up the stairs. He turned and looked at the fire slayer face down and snoring. Laxus and Gajeel just pointed at Cobra, who merely shrugged.
"Naaatsu!" A blue blur flew into the room and crashed onto the slayer. "What happened Natsu? Why are you taking a nap? Where is Lushie?" Wendy pulled Happy to her chest and told him what he missed, a little tear falling down the Exceed's face. He sniffled and let Wendy comfort him and take him from the room so that Natsu could "rest".
"Hey Cobra! How long is he gonna be out?" Sting asked. "I want to fight him when he wakes up!" Rogue groaned.
"Well, I suppose that could have gone worse. Let's get lunch going while Lucy gets ready and Dad comes home." Cristoff suggested. Food was always a powerful motivator of dragon slayers and their enormous appetites. They all started shuffling out towards the dining room leaving the fire slayer behind. "Does anyone know if she has a favorite?"
"Strawberries," came the instant reply from every Fioran.
Loke and Virgo helped Lucy walk back down the stairs, she was adamant she would not be carried. Her breathing was harder than it should be and it was slow going, she really did ache all over but she was happy to be moving mostly on her own. She could hear the sound of lively conversation coming from the dining room and she smiled. It had been so long since she was surrounded by friends and family. She had missed it terribly. The conversation halted when she walked into the room, everyone turning to her and smiling. Everyone started greeting her at once.
"Good to have you back Blondie!" "I always wanted to bring you to Bosco Cosplayer!" "Hey Tink." "Yo Bunny Girl." "It is good to see you again, Miss Lucy." "Luuuushie!"
The celestial mage smiled and a few joyous tears slid down her cheeks while a sobbing blue ball of fur flew into her chest. Hugging Happy, she slowly made her way to where Zen was holding a chair for her. She was halted on the way by an older man, who looked a lot like Zen but with pale jade green eyes and silver peppered throughout his hair. "It is an honor to meet you, Ms. Heartfilia. Although Zen has yet to explain, he informed us that you saved him. Thank you for helping keep him safe so he could come home." Arman kissed her on the forehead and moved back to allow her to sit. Zen helped her into the chair while Bickslow brought her a strawberry smoothie and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Her eyes widened when she smelled her favorite fruit and she greedily started slurping it down. Realizing her etiquette was horrible, she set it down and blushed, mumbling an apology.
"Don't worry about it Blondie. We all know better than to get between you and your smoothies." Laxus laughed.
She smiled brightly at everyone and turned to Arman. "You must be Zen's father. I am a huge fan of your humanitarian work, Ambassador."
He smiled gently. "Please call me Arman. You already know Zen and Bickslow, let me introduce the rest of my children." Someone slid a plate of food in front of her and she picked at it while meeting each Pradesh, one by one. "Farron is my oldest and also works for the embassy."
Farron stepped forward and took her hand, giving it a quick kiss. "Thank you for saving my brother." He and Zen were definitely brothers, although Farron was much softer and polished.
"I didn't do much. Thank you for finding us." She was starting to wonder if someone could pass out from blushing too supposed she would find out.
"Kaleb." A tall man with platinum blonde hair stepped forward and bowed slightly. Holy hell he is gorgeous! She thought to herself. His eyes sparkled as he thanked her for the compliment. "Kaleb is a mindbender mage, wizard saint and guild master of White Sea." Fuck, he can read my thoughts! Ummm… think about something else Lucy. I know! She started humming a tune her mother used to sing to her mentally. Both Kaleb and Cobra laughed, causing her to scowl at the poison slayer. "E tu Erik?" He shrugged and continued to eat.
Arman cleared his throat, "Cristoff is the lunar dragon slayer and he is a healer." Lucy smiled at him and thanked him for everything he had done for her. "Emzadi is the solar dragon slayer and my oldest daughter." A drop dead gorgeous blonde amazon of a woman stepped forward.
"It's nice to meet you Lucy. I look forward to taking you shopping when you are feeling better." Lucy nodded excitedly.
"Xally is my youngest daughter, water mage and pediatrician. She was also helping to ensure your health." Lucy thanked her for everything she had done to help.
Zen put his hand on her shoulder as the last Pradesh came forward. He was dark and devastatingly handsome, his wine colored eyes glittered with mischief. His leather pants seemed painted on, he was the embodiment of sin. "Saving the best for last eh Dad? Vander Jerico Pradesh at your service Starlight." He swept into her personal space and gave her a quick peck on the lips before Zen shoved his face away. Blushing yet again, she thanked him for all he had done to help them.
Arman sighed. "That is my youngest boy, shadowquip mage and professional troublemaker." She laughed at that and Vander smirked and winked at her. "My dear, if you are up to it we would like to hear how you met with Zen and Aurora. Zen wasn't able to say much in regards to how you ended up hosting a dragon soul. Even your spirits weren't able to fill in the gaps."
Lucy looked around the room, at Zen's family, her former guild mates, the slayers and Loke. They had done so much for her and Zen already, they deserved to know. She took a deep breath and looked around the room once more when she noticed.
"Where is Natsu?"