I don't own Fairy Tail
Song of the Chapter: Do You Miss Me at All, Bridgit Mendler & Black Magic, Jaymes Young
Recap: Lucy was given the mission to stop Acnologia. She now has traveled Fiore destroying dark guilds that work under the dragon. This work has put her on the wanted list which has both Doranbolt and Sting searching for her. Fairy Tail is entering the nearing Grand Magic Games after most their guild being frozen in time for 4 years. Sting is also attending those games, and it is at those games that Acnologia promised Lucy he would begin his destruction of the world. It has now been 4 years since Lucy left Sting...
Chapter 20: Distance
Narrator POV
Sting gazed out the window of the train with searching eyes. It was as if he believed that, somehow, the wanted girl, on the poster and in his heart, would suddenly appear. Very likely, he thought with a scowl at his own stupid optimism, but in spite of all of it, he still believed.
His eyes lost focus for a second, and the passing scenery blurred into the reflection of his face. The shining eyes and soft smile that met his gaze took him aback. He certainly had a reason for a self-loathing scowl, but a smile? It felt like it had been forever.
He glanced up in an attempt to snap out of it. In doing so he saw a girl staring at him from her seat further up the cart. She had see his weakness; that was the only explanation for the stupid smile she wore. He gave the woman a mean glare and whipped his head back to the window.
The last time he showed that kind of weakness was when Lucy was still with him, and the only explanation for the sudden reappearance of it once again. She manages to be insufferable even when she's not by my side, Sting thought fondly. Just this small—not even solid—lead managed to set his mind back to before he swore to never be weak again. He swore he wouldn't let himself get hurt ever again, and yet here he was charging straight into the place—no, person—that had hurt him so much. But even as he did, he came to terms that since it was her, he would charge in a million times.
Despite this, he was worried. Lucy had somehow managed to disappear without a trace, and he had never been able to find her. Now suddenly he had a lead, and in the form of a wanted poster? It made no sense. The Lucy he knew wouldn't harm anyone. She was the single sweetest person in his life. What had happened in those few years to lead up to this? This left Sting extremely worried.
He focused back on the world in front of him, looking back out the window at the bright green foliage of summer.
Suddenly mummers spread throughout the train car:
"Did you see that—"
"I can't believe they—"
"A girl!"
"Wow, imagine how long the walk—"
Sting focused out the window with a confused quirk in his brow. What could they be talking about? he thought to himself. When, suddenly, one could say that everything became clear…
Lucy POV
This situation I found myself in was truly new level of troublesome. It started off as just another extermination. I was to get rid of some guild that was too insignificant to possibly name, and it ended with me being stuck in the middle of nowhere.
I was down to only the guild master, and the rest could hardly be regarded as flies. This master however, had a pesky cursing power. When I realized he had got me, the man was already dead and my vision had begun to fade.
The next thing I knew I was lying face up looking at a clear blue sky with something sharp digging into my back.
"Ugh, what the hell?" I muttered to myself, while I sat up. My head pounded in protest; it seemed like I had been lying there a while because the pain of whatever was digging into my back persisted. I looked around to somehow figure out my whereabouts only to see unfamiliar trees and train tracks that went as far as I could see. The pain was a sharp rock at the small of my back.
There was only one way to find my way: "Open Gate of the Compass! Pyxis!"
The spirit appeared in a flash of light with its wings outstretched, it lets out an excited coo at the sight of its master. I couldn't help but grin at the sight of the energetic spirit, and somehow just its presence managed to lift my mood.
"Pyxis, could you please point me to Décisif City?" I asked sweetly. The bird cooed happily and pointed both wings to the train tracks heading to the right. "Thanks Pyxis!"
I walked past the sparkles that dispersed once Pyxis disappeared towards the direction that it had pointed. The only sound I heard was the crunch of gravel beneath my feet as I put one foot in front of the other reluctantly. I knew what they were bringing me towards, and it felt like a weight on my shoulders increasing with every step.
After who knows how long, a second crunch of gravel brought me back to reality, and my head snapped up. The hot heat blurred the horizon where I squinted, making the figure's shape melt and fade. But as it moved closer and my hand felt for the dagger still dried with blood on my belt, one could say that everything became clear…
Sting POV
Tucking and rolling out of a moving train may not have been the best idea I had come up with, but if the mysterious girl walking along the tracks was who I thought it was, even ditching my luggage would be worth it. Though I would never let her know that, I thought.
I begun with a slow walk, the train had taken me far from where the girl was last seen, so I had a lot of back-tracking to do. But anticipation began to bubble and overflow inside of me, spurring me into a full out run.
It was like magic as a figure in the distant horizon began to materialize. The dark shadow warped in the hot summer sun, and each passing second revealed more color and detail of the figure ahead. I knew immediately it was Lucy. She appeared like an angel with a lovely scent I could never forget.
At that point every centimeter between us felt agonizing. I needed to see more: from the highlights in her hair, the pink flesh of the scar that ran along her eye, the chapping on her lips, to the flecks of gold in her eyes. Each detail that materialized was a drop of water, and I was a man stranded in the desert.
Her eyes connected with mine. At that instant I could see them widen at the sight of me, and my stomach clenched from the feeling.
"Sting… Is that you?" She asked, her lips parting in a tantalizing way. I realized as she spoke that I had forgotten the sound of her voice, it was sweet even as it quivered forming my name.
"Lucy," I whispered. Four years of feelings had built up inside me, and with the source of them right in front of me, I could no longer push them down.
I finally closed the distance and with arms outstretched, pulled her close. It felt as if our bodies melded together, the blood in me roared like a dragon, rushing to my face as I allowed myself to smile. It had been so long, too long.
"Lucy, Lucy, Lucy," I couldn't stop myself, "It's been so long. Where have you been?" I unconsciously inhaled her scent, a lovely vanilla, and something else… I froze in shock then pulled away from her, holding her at arm's length.
"Why do you smell like blood?" I asked. It had taken me that long to realize what was wrong. Lucy had the scar to match the girl on the poster, and that meant...
Lucy didn't said anything, she just stood there arms limp at her sides and looking down so her face was shadowed from my sight. I opened my to speak again but at that moment Lucy finally looked up.
The eyes that looked up at me were not Lucy's, and I felt a chill up my spine when they met mine. Gold. Solid gold irises replaced the brown that I had come to love. Then they became glossy until the tears overflowed and streamed down he cheeks. I was speechless. Suddenly I too felt the prick of tears forming in my eyes.
Her trembling hand lifted up and cupped the side of my face, and suddenly she was leaning towards me.
"Wait Lucy what's hap-"
When she leaned in and her lips brushed the corner of my mouth. I had no time to process what had happened because my energy left me and the world faded into black.
Lucy POV
Sting slumped and I quickly caught him. I knelt down slowly, holding him in my arms close to my chest. I felt something inside me shatter as a tear rolled down his cheek from beneath closed eyes. I hugged him even closer, something that I had been yearned to do for years.
I was despicable, yet I knew I had to do it, but knowing that didn't make it hurt any less. I didn't want to leave Sting again, I didn't want to kill anymore people, good or bad, and I most of all didn't want to be the one that had to face Acnologia. If Sting was in the picture, I know that I would lose my resolve. That was not an option when I only had one more guild left to get rid of to ensure that the people of Crocus would at least be safe from dark guild members, if not totally safe from the apocalypse dragon.
Why now of all times did he have to show up? I was so ready to arrive in Crocus before the Grand Magic Games and surprise him, he would go wide eyed, and I would simply smile and say: "I'm back."
It was going to be perfect.
I let out a long sigh, wiping my tears away and then fondly wiping the tear off Sting's cheek. I reached to the ring of keys on my belt and felt for a familiar one, "Open Gate of The Lion! Leo!"
Loke materialized in a burst of light, causally adjusting his glasses. "Lucy, my love, what can I do for you?" He asked with a smirk. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him, it was reassuring to know that some things never change.
"Would you mind carrying him?" I asked sheepishly, looking down at Sting in my arms.
Loke pouted at this, "Ahh, Lucy. You're with that man again… My heart is hurt." He leaned back dramatically, the back of his hand pressed to his forehead and a rose somehow ended up between his teeth.
I giggled at his antics, but then frowned remembering my circumstances, "Well, not exactly."
He sobered at this, letting out a sigh, he bent down to put Sting on his back without complaint.
I lifted Sting up and situated him on Loke's back. Once sure that he was secure, I resumed walking in the direction that I had before. Sting's train was moving in that direction so I hoped to drop him off at the nearest station.
"Thank you, really."
Loke who walked beside me looked from the corner of his eye to try to read my expression. "You're more than welcome," he replied.
There was a long torturous silence that followed, although Loke didn't seemed to be bothered by it. Maybe he was waiting for me to say something. I had an increasing feeling of guilt building up inside of me at the pit of my gut. Finally, I couldn't take it.
"I'm sorry." I blurted out. Immediately after I felt dumb, saying something so half-heartedly.
His eyebrow raised in question. "For what?" He asked.
I paused at that. Why did I feel so guilty? But deep down I knew, and finally I gathered my courage.
"I'm sorry for abandoning you and the others. I stupid and selfish, and I didn't know how good I had it. You guys were there for me and on my side, and somehow managed to make it all about myself. I didn't take your feelings into consideration. But even worse, after everything happened, I continued to neglect you guys," At this point I was crying, "I once again acted like I was on my own, I didn't learn a thing. I decided on my own to take on this mission, doing things that I know made everyone horrified. But somehow I still can't bring myself to regret them, and I know that I would do the same if I was given the option. Even knowing the fact that it hurts you and all my spirits. I'm a bad master, but even more than that a bad friend."
Loke stops and looks at me with the saddest eyes I have ever seen. This makes me sob even harder. He begins to speak, "Lucy, listen-"
I looked through blurry tears to see that Draco had appeared by Loke's side. He locked eyes with the other spirit and the two had a silent exchange. After a moment Loke slid Sting off his back and handed him over. Draco took him and walked down the tracks away from us, silently giving us privacy.
Loke then focused back on me. I felt so much self loathing, everything I had done that hurt my friends, and Sting, now weighed down on me making me tremble with quiet sobs.
"The thing is Loke, I hate myself. I hate killing people, and I hate the rush that doing it makes me feel. I hate that I stopped feeling guilt for the people I killed. I hate that I have to do it. I don't know any other way. I know every life I take is a betrayal, to you, Sting, and everyone else, but I can't stop until it's finished. For that, I hate myself." I finished out of breath, my chest heaving as I looked up to Loke, expecting the worst.
"You know Lucy, none of us blame you." He said with a small smile of reassurance.
"But-"
"Lucy, we know that you love us. We love you too."
Suddenly all the tension left my body and it gave way. Loke reacted quickly to catch me, then he hugged me close. I felt so safe, the safest I've felt in what felt like ages. Since I laughed with Nan and Ronan, Sting, or my guildmates. My tears became tears of happiness.
"I love you Lucy. I'll always be by your side," Loke whispered softly in my ear. I felt an immense relief hearing those words. They were all I ever wanted to hear. I wrapped my arms around him, clinging to his coat with all my strength.
"Thank you Loke!" I cried, "I love you too."
He continued to hold me in silence as I cried. His hand rubbed my back comfortingly, and after a while I was able to calm down. My sobs were reduced to hiccups, and my tears had long dried. I pulled from Loke with a smile.
"Go catch up with Draco," Loke said nodding in the direction the other spirit went, "I think I did my part, my love," he finished with a wink.
I rolled my eyes, feeling myself again. "See you," I said softly.
"Until next time Juliet, I have good news to tell the others!" He disappeared in a shimmer of light with a flashy wave.
I chuckled with a smile that he didn't see. "I truly don't deserve a friend like him," I said to myself. I turned to walk down the tracks in the direction Draco left.
Narrator POV
Draco looked at the girl beside him with pity as she tried to hold in quiet hiccups.
Lucy had run to catch up with the dragon after Loke left, and now they walked down the tracks side by side. She didn't say anything, probably to play it cool, but he knew otherwise. The poor girl had swollen, red-rimmed eyes from an exchange that could only be described as "feeling vomit". Sure Draco had left to give them privacy, but he couldn't help his excellent hearing.
I should probably cheer her up, Draco thought to himself.
He paused to carefully think of what to say, then decided on saying, "You know I think you're a spectacular lady, Princess."
Lucy looked up at Draco surprised, her brown eyes resembling a doe. "Oh, you don't have to flatter me…" She replied, eyes traveling to her feet once again.
"Oh I'm not just flattering you, you really are one of the most beautifully complex masters I have had the pleasure to work for," He stated simply.
"Oh," Lucy replied with a blush.
Draco continued, "I mean, never have I had the pleasure to work under a person able to taken the darkness to bring other light like you do. I really admire you for being able to get done what needs to be done, even if it means causing suffering for some and yourself."
Lucy was silent as be thought about what Draco had said, she never thought about herself like that, he really managed to paint her in a better light.
"Thank you, sometimes I forget that there is a greater evil than me…" She replied with a weak chuckle.
His eyes hardened at that, "That's for sure."
Lucy wasn't used to Draco being that serious, and the weight of his words sent a chill down her spine. She didn't know what to say in response, but she didn't have to.
"Well there's the station!"
Lucy looked up, the station standing tall in the distance. "Thanks Draco, I'll take it from here."
"Sure thing," He chirped. Sting was transferred to Lucy's back and Draco prepared to return to the Spirit World.
Lucy was ready to turn to continue to her destination when Draco blurted on last thing out:
"Hey Lucy, if there is one thing you don't want to mess up, it's what's between you and this guy. I've never seen even Loke bring out the emotions that man brought out in you with such a small exchange. You two are meant to be together. Trust me, dragons has a sense for these things…"
He paused and furrowed his eyebrows, trying to decide if he should say what he was thinking. Then he relaxed and left one last message.
"Tell him you love him, before it's too late," He finished and then disappeared.
Lucy was blown away by his words, and she was so terribly aware of the truth in them.
"I know," She said aloud, with no one to hear her answer.
She walked the rest of the way to the station with her heart pounding from of the warmth of Sting pressed against her back.
Sting POV
When I wake up, my body feels so drained, I can hardly lift it up. Once my eyes are open, I realize I am at a train station. I can't quite piece together what lead to being here, I lay there for a while before the small pieces are gathered together and reveal what happened:
I finally found Lucy, and she left me again.
The reunion was so perfect, everything about her in my arms was right, and I love her…. So why did she leave me again?
I sat up quickly, horrible thoughts spinning through my heads as to what I could have possible done. I can back to reality when I realized that there was a paper placed carefully in my hand. I unfold it and couldn't help but read it eagerly.
Sting,
I'm so sorry. The timing just isn't right. I will find you in Crocus during the Grand Magic games, before July 7th. I look forward to that day.
Love always,
Lucy Heartfilia
I tremble reading the letter. I have never felt so… Angry.
"I DON'T WANT YOUR FUCKING LETTER!" I yell. Everyone at the station turned to stare, but I didn't care.
I crumple the paper in my hand and began to throw it, but I stop myself halfway, opting to shove it angrily in my pocket. My own weakness made me even more mad. I begin to mutter curses. Instead, I took out my anger on an unsuspecting trash can. I kick it with all the force anger would give me, causing it to fly across the platform. The whispers of the people at the station all silenced in fear. I could only feel numb pain pulsing in my foot from my foolishness.
"That fucking bitch! Dammit. SHIT," I yelled once again, stomping towards the exit of the station.
She had left me again. I was so fucking STUPID. Here I am, caring so much I could die, and there she is leaving me again without so much as a goodbye. Was my being happy to see her again that one-sided? I didn't want the same fucking letter as last time. I didn't want to feel this way.
I hate myself for being worried. Last time she left a letter I didn't see her for another 4 years, and now this. I couldn't stand another 4 years. I was so hurt and worried by her, and I hated myself for it. Why should I feel anything about that bitch, when she obviously could care less about me.
Because you're in love with her, and she's your mate, said a small voice in my head.
That made me angrier, because it was true.
"FUCK!" This time a recycling can went flying.
I'm not mad at Lucy, I'm mad at the fact I was head over heals for someone who could obviously care less. The only one I could blame was myself.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
I would never allow her to hurt me again, even if it meant never feeling again. At that moment, I pushed down the last parts of me that ached for her down to the deepest part of my soul, where it couldn't hurt me. I would never allow myself to be weak again.
"I don't want another letter Lucy. I want you," I whispered so low, I could barely hear myself, it was practically a whimper. That would be the last time I feel for her.
"So if I can't love you, then I'll hate you," I resolved.
To be continued….
A/N: Posting this from Switzerland! I'm really happy to finally be posting again, I wanted to get this out to you, there was no beta, so tell me if there are any mistakes. I revised a lot but I'm still not quite happy with it. On a more serious note, I didn't update for a while because I'm not a big fan of Fairy Tail anymore. I got the inspiration over the summer solely because I like the story I have going, and these two character's dynamics and relationship. Updates won't be regular, but I have a desire to finish the story, as I have already planned it out to the end. I hope you will continue to read, thank you for your continuing support. I am really happy with the feedback I've gotten, and I'm glad people like it.
Writing may be a little different for here on out just because I'd like to think that I'm older and more mature, and I no longer want an unrealistic fluffy story. That doesn't mean that it will be gone forever, I just believe it's reasonable that Sting would be very hurt, and thus lose his trust in Lucy. I want their finally coming together to feel real and highly anticipated (though there is more in store). Anyways, I hope you can see my motives for turning each character darker, they were both pushed to the brink, and then they snapped in their respective ways. And the most horribly romantic part to me is that they changed each other, in both bad (Sting) and good (Lucy) ways. It shows how much they love and influence the other.
Again I hope you enjoy where I'm taking this story, and please show your support with a review, favorite, and follow. Tschüss!
Song of the Chapter: Do You Miss Me at All, Bridgit Mendler & Black Magic, Jaymes Young
~Pug