Chapter 21
It had been a week since the incident and Lucy still lay comatose. Laxus had been sitting next to Lucy day and night, his gaze fixed on her and never leaving her side. Over the course of week, Laxus was still and silent and refused to move an inch away from where he sat beside Lucy. Only when his grandfather forced him would he move to quietly eat a little and shower but his mind never registering his surroundings or the people around him. He was in his own world; his face was blank, showing no emotions but his mind was in turmoil. Laxus was holding back all his emotions. He feared if he let it surface, everything would fall apart. He prayed for his girl to wake up soon so he could tell her how much he loves her and to never leave him.
Everyone was worried about Laxus but they couldn't do anything. They tried talking to him but it was like talking to a brick wall. He was like a dead man walking, his eyes were dull and lifeless, his skin pale. Everyday Porlyusica and Wendy would examine Lucy, hoping for any progress, not only for her sake but Laxus' as well. However, the result would be same. All they could do was wait.
Some days after the incident, Sting had rushed to Fairy Tail after hearing about Lucy's condition but no one would allow him to even enter the hall. He would trash around, destroying the guild in anger for not letting him see her. Rogue, who had followed his friend, knew the girl's friends and family had every right to be angry at Sting and be cautious of him since all of it had somehow started because of the guy but he felt sad for his partner. He had never seen Sting so vulnerable and desperate but he could do nothing. He wanted to help him, get him to see Lucy once but he knew Laxus would be with her and things could get worse if the girl's boyfriend sees the ex there. Rogue had then somehow managed to calm the guy down and take him back to their guild.
A week and two days had gone by without Lucy's warm presence, her cheerful voice and laughter. The guild was unusually quiet; the passerby would wonder and question about the rowdy guild being eerily silent. On the third day, Laxus was, as usual, sitting beside Lucy with his head hanging down when he hears a low groan. He snaps his head up just in time to see his girl groggily opening her eyes one at a time. Laxus stared at Lucy in surprise for what felt like eternity and finally snaps from his stupor when Lucy tilted her head and stared back at him in confusion, blinking repeatedly.
"Lucy!" Laxus exclaims with happiness, leaping at the girl. "Oh thank God!" He carefully holds her in an embrace as his tears threatened to fall.
Down at the hall, Natsu, Gajeel and Wendy, having heard Laxus, stands up abruptly confusing everyone. Then all of a sudden, they could see a pink blur followed by blue running up the stairs while the former began shouting with relief and glee.
"SHE'S AWAKE!" Natsu's announcement had made everyone leap from their seat and follow the duo towards the infirmary.
Lucy was still in Laxus' hold when all the members enters the room. Everyone could see the content look on Laxus' face while Lucy seemed totally lost and confused. Upon seeing his girl's bestfriend dashing towards them, Laxus reluctantly releases her. Natsu then throws himself at Lucy and hugs her tightly.
"Luce, you're okay." Natsu breathes out a long sigh of relief. Lucy winces a little at the impact but returns the hug while nodding.
Laxus had seen her pained expression on her face and hits Natsu's on top of his head, "Idiot! Don't hold her too tight. You're hurting her." Everyone was extremely happy; Lucy was finally awake and Laxus was back to his usual self.
Natsu loosens his grip while Happy flies towards them, joining in the hug, "Lushee, I missed you." whines Happy as he forcefully squeezes in between the two. Lucy lets out a soft giggle and pats Happy on his head.
Laxus then pushes Natsu away, the latter who looked like he didn't plan on releasing the girl from his deadly grip anytime soon much to Laxus' annoyance. Glancing down at his girl, he sees her staring up at him in confusion.
"Everything okay?" He asks with concern.
Lucy stares at him, blinking owlishly then scans the room, searching for someone. "Where's Sting?"
There was pin-drop silence inside the room for a whole minute; everyone gaping at Lucy. Laxus stares at his girl in shock. He felt hurt, sad, angry and jealous, all at the same time. And why shouldn't he? His girl was searching for someone else instead of him.
Natsu was the first one to speak, breaking the silence. "Sting?" He asks in confusion.
Lucy nods, "Where is he?" She looks at everyone with furrowed eyebrows, "What's going on?"
"Lucy, why are you looking for him?" Erza questions.
"What do you mean?"
Everyone then started making a fuss about it expect for Laxus, Team Natsu, Makarov and Porlyusica. Laxus stood speechless, unable to find words to say while Team Natsu wondered and suspected something wrong with the girl. Wendy was trying and failing miserably to stop the rest from pressuring Lucy and making her condition worse. Makarov stood beside Porlyusica in silence as he too had noticed something different while the pink-haired woman shook in anger.
Lucy tugs her hair roughly as tears welled in her eyes. Gritting her teeth, she could feel the pain throbbing inside her skull from all the noises and shouts. Her team mates then rush towards her in panic seeing her pain-filled scrunched face.
Noticing the girl in pain, Natsu felt his anger rapidly rising and yells at the members, "SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
Terrified, everyone backs away from the furious boy who had his nose flared and eyes turned into slits in pure rage. Satisfied with the silence, he turns to Lucy with a comforting look in his eyes who was looking back at him with unshed tears and trembling lips.
"Lucy!" Laxus lifts his hands to hold her when Lucy yanks it away and panics, losing her control again.
"No. Get away from me. Where's Sting? Natsu, where's he? Erza..please call him." Lucy clings to her best friend as she sobbed uncontrollably. She was trying to hold on to the few things familiar to her now and that was Sting, Natsu and the rest of her team mates since everyone was making things more complicated for her. But why were they talking ill about Sting like he had done something wrong? And where was he when she needed him?
Laxus stumbles back as he watched his girl break down all the while asking for Sting. Everyone was staring at Lucy with wide eyes in shock and worry when Porlyusica rushes towards the girl and holds her gently.
"Lucy..honey, it's alright! Sting will be here soon. He just went to change his clothes." The elder woman assures her and calms her down a little. She then carefully sedates her and lays her back on the bed as Lucy falls asleep. She turns towards the crowd who were all gawking at her; it was the first time they had ever seen her act so motherly, it was a revelation.
"All of you, out!" She orders while glaring daggers at the members, "Wendy, stay here with her." She then points at Team Natsu, "You guys be here too. I'll be right back."
Not wanting to anger the scary woman any more, everyone rushes out the room and down to the hall like obedient children, along with Makarov and a lost-looking Laxus. Porlyusica stomps her way towards the crowd furiously.
"You imbeciles!" She yells in rage, "The girl hit her head and her skull cracked open. You should be happy she's even awake now, let alone alive. And you all go ganging up on her the second you get a chance? Has the thought ever occurred to you that she might not remember anything?"
Levy gasps, "You don't mean..."
"What I'm saying is, the girl may have lost some of her memories. So for God's sake, don't push her. You idiots will end up worsening her condition." She then lets out a sigh, "Now someone call the boy she's been asking for. And don't even think about going up there, you smelly beings." She glares at them making them flinch. "Makarov, come with me!"
Without uttering a word, Laxus silently follows the two to the infirmary. Porlyusica notices him behind and shakes her head, "Stupid humans!" She mutters to herself.
Upon entering the infirmary, they notice the girl asleep and her team by her side, whispering among themselves worriedly. Makarov then explains to them about the situation while Laxus slowly approaches Lucy and sits beside her. Everyone inside the room stares at him, feeling sad for the guy.
"She hasn't lost all her memories since she recognized everyone. After she wakes up, we have to try and get her to tell us what she remembers doing last. But no forcing. We can't risk her breaking down again. It'll affect her brain greatly. If we pressure her to remember everything at once, there are chances she might lose her mind. We will try and help her regain the memories she has lost but slowly." Porlyusica explains to which everyone inside the room agrees.
Natsu notices the depression and sadness written all over Laxus' face. Sighing, he slowly walks up to him and puts a hand on his shoulder in a comforting manner.
"Don't worry, Laxus. She's gonna be alright. Let's just give her sometime. She'll come around. I know we've had our differences but I promise we'll help you make her remember." He assures while the rest of Team Natsu nods and smiles at him.
"And don't worry about Sting either. We'll keep him in line. Can't have him messing things up." Erza speaks up.
Laxus chokes back his sobs and nods. He was thankful for their help and support. Now all her had to do was make his girl remember their times together. Even if it takes him months or years. He won't give up on her...on them!
A/N: There you have it... Chapter 21 done!
Okay..first off, I apologize for the previous cliffhanger, guys. Don't hate me! Heh..
Now, I know the 'amnesia' idea is too common but please bear with me. I have the next chapter all planned out in my head and I promise it won't be like all those mainstream ones.
Oh and before I forget, I would love to hear your ideas.. Laxus1994 :)
Hm...well, that's all for now!
Thank you so much to all who reviewed, followed and fav'd my story. I love you guys...
*Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail*
~Mrs Dreyar