Chapter 28: Heartbreak
Struggling against the person who took her Lucy was panicking wondering if someone had found out that she was really Lucy Heartfilia, or maybe even knew that she was now END! No matter how hard she thrashed against her captor however Lucy just couldn't free herself, and she was wondering why her Curse power wasn't activating. Without her magic she had thought that the Curse power would manifest itself to protect her, or had she not fully become END yet?
Biting down on the hand holding her mouth closed Lucy prepared to scream, but a pair of lips quickly silenced her own swallowing the scream before they quickly broke away from her own. Feeling terrified Lucy opened her eyes not even realizing she had closed them and almost found herself sagging in relief as she was the blonde haired man in front of her. She quickly caught herself however and sent her fist flying towards his face, but he caught her hand before she was even close to breaking his nose like she had been aiming for. Pissed at him for trying to give her a heart attack after he had refused to talk to her for so long!
Glaring at him Lucy found herself wanting to claw his eyes out. Something in different circumstances she would have blamed on her new demon side, but she knew that it was really coming from the part of her that was in love with Laxus. She was mad at him for acting like this even though she could understand why he was starting to get fed up with all of her secrets.
"What do you want Dreyar-san?" she spit out at him with as much venom as she could muster. Feeling pleased at herself as he flinched at the overly formal title she had taken with him considering that he was so used to her calling him by a nickname.
"Lulu," seeing her glare at him he sighed, "Luciana-san I just don't think you should be involved in the games. I had been hoping you wouldn't make it through which is ridiculous with how much control you have over your magic, and the knowledge you have on your spirits strength. No matter how mad I am at you I don't want you hurt!"
"It's not your business anymore Dreyar-san. Now let me out, and trust me Freed is going to get an earful when I find him later on for helping you!"
Laxus just gave her a sad look, but didn't budge his eyes telling her that he wasn't going to allow her to leave until he had his say. Even if the way they were treating each other was tearing him up inside it seemed like he didn't truly want to resolve anything until she confided in him, and she just couldn't allow him to know what was eating at her heart daily. If he truly was her friend he would be standing beside her waiting until the day that she felt she was able to confide in him. Why couldn't he just wait for her instead of causing the both of them so much heartache?
"As long as you are in Fairy Tail Luciana it is my business, especially when you are doing something in our guild's name! What if you end up seriously hurt or worse because you have another attack? I just want to keep you safe! Why can't you understand that?"
"Yeah you really want to keep me safe when you drag me into a dark room, lock the door, and make it impossible for me to use magic! Don't you think if I thought there was any chance of an attack that I would be participating in the games? Haven't you noticed I haven't had one since we got back from Tenroujima? Oh sorry I forgot you're mad at me because I wouldn't tell you where I went after we got back. That the great Laxus Dreyar can't accept that I don't want to confide in him, and thinks I can't keep secrets from him without him acting like a child!"
"With how often you disappeared after we got back how could I have known! You could have been hiding again just like you did when you were younger because you can never rely on anyone can you Lulu! Mavis you never even told me you had an older brother and then I'm supposed to accept that he is suddenly joining our guild not questioning it or you. Not to mention you showed a magic no one even knew you had. Why can't you just let us in Lulu? Fairy Tail is like a family and yet you close yourself off from everyone, so even when you are right in front of us we have to wonder if you are really with us!"
Laxus's words stung just as badly as they had when he had told her that he didn't even feel like she was a fairy anymore. She had known of course that there were issues between them, but she hadn't realized that not explaining about Gajeel being her older brother had been one of them, or her water magic. Without knowing the full story telling them she had forgotten about it would seem odd and not make any sense. Mavis nothing since she had used that spell seemed to make sense as more time went on, especially not how close she and Laxus had ended up getting. How long had Laxus been holding in his feelings this way without allowing them out?
"You understand nothing Laxus Dreyar," she spat out trying to fight back the tears in her eyes. "Fairy Tail means more to me then my own life, no matter what happens to me I will do everything to protect this guild, even if you don't think so Fairy Tail is my family too. I would gladly give up my own life if it meant protecting even one life of a member of our guild!"
Her words made Laxus growl at her and his hands were suddenly on her arms his eyes flashing with rage. His next words however shocked her to the core especially with how animal like he sounded when he said them, "you will not give up your life for anything! Do you understand me Lulu there is always another way to protect our guild?! I swear if I even think you will do something that stupid I will lock you up for the rest of your life!"
"Careful there Laxus you actually sound like you might love me or something ridiculous like that," she told him scornfully allowing her voice to sound colder then Gray's ice. "I hope it's not anything like that because I'm fairly certain I have made my feelings on that subject quite clear over the years. Before I only saw you as my best friend, but with how you've acted towards me lately I don't think I can even see you as that anymore. If you ever want me to forgive you you'll have a lot of grovelling to do."
Before Laxus had a chance to respond a metal bar crashed into the door in front of them and an angry looking Gajeel was clutching Freed by his shirt. Freed was shaking as he looked at the dragon slayer who was in full out dragon force mood his eyes flashing red as he glared at Laxus. Lucy hadn't seen Gajeel looking like this since the previous timeline when they had first met, although she had heard from Levy that he had looked like that when he had fought Tartaros.
Lucy was grateful for the interruption, but she wished Gajeel had come sooner so she wouldn't have said those hateful words. It seemed that Laxus was still frozen in shock from her words because he was just looking at her with so much pain in her eyes that Lucy wondered for only a moment if she had been wrong about his feelings for her. That maybe he did love her, but she quickly pushed that thought down not wanting to think of that possibility, because surely her words now would have crushed any feelings if they had been there.
Really all Lucy wanted to do was throw herself at Laxus and cry into his shirt begging him for his forgiveness, but she held herself where she was keeping the cold expression on her face. It was better this way wasn't it if she broke Laxus's heart now instead of later when he found out he had fallen in love with a demon, not that he loved her now, but there was always the possibility that he could fall for her later on. No maybe she shouldn't even make up with him and just allow everything to follow this course even if her heart was screaming at her to make everything right with Laxus.
A grunt broke Lucy out of her thoughts and she was shocked to see that Gajeel had used his iron dragon's club and gotten Laxus right in the gut. The other dragon slayer not even making a move to stop Gajeel from harming him for whatever reason Gajeel thought he had. Freed was shaking so much by the doorway having been at some point been let go by Gajeel, so that Gajeel could attack Laxus.
"Lookie here Dreyar-sama," Gajeel spat with mockery despite the title he used; "if you ever try anything like this again you'll never be able to have any children. I've sat by and watched you hurt my sister with your cold actions towards her because she can't trust you with the shit the two of us went through before you even knew her. Yet the way you are acting with her keeping secrets from you that honestly have nothing to do with you I don't think anyone can actually blame her for not wanting to trust your ass!
"You will leave Luciana alone until she decides she is ready to talk to you, and if you seem to still be acting like a child towards her I'll take her far away from Fairy Tail even though I know she will hate me for it. I'm not going to sit by any longer and watch you tear and stomp all over her heart. People have always said the two of you are closer than anyone and that they envy the relationship you two had, honestly I wish I knew you when you weren't such an asshole. Leave Luciana alone!
"If she wants to participate in the games that's her choice and you should just support the choices she makes. Sure she will probably end up making mistakes, but being someone's friend means standing beside them despite those mistakes. It means picking them up when they fall. Maybe you should think about that and whether you are actually worthy as you are now to be Luciana's friend.
"As for you Freed I thought you saw my sister as a sister as well. A man would never allow his sister to be defenceless without her magic in this sort of situation. If I ever hear of you helping Dreyar-sama with something like this again I'll keep my sister away from you as well!"
It wasn't until a pair of hands gently picked her up that Lucy realized that she had somehow ended up on the floor during Gajeel's passionate speech. She thanked Mavis that Gajeel had come back with her because she didn't know what she would have done without his support. Finally allowing her mask to crumble Lucy found herself crying into his shoulder, silent tears that allowed all of her emotions about everything out, but didn't alert anyone other than Gajeel that she was crying. She hated that things had come to be this way, but she understood that it was best for now even if it didn't seem that way.
Lucy didn't know how long she had ended up crying for, but when she finally stopped it was too find herself in an unfamiliar room that only held a desk and a couple of chairs in it. Gajeel gently sitting her down on one of the chairs, as he plopped himself down into another one neither of them speaking right away instead just sitting in silence thinking over everything that had happened since they came back. The smile on Gajeel's face was bittersweet and Lucy wondered if she looked into a mirror right now if she would see that same bittersweet smile on her own face.
Her problems with Laxus had been keeping Lucy blind to the bigger picture and she knew that they had a lot of things they needed to do. Now with the games having started it would be best for the two of them to think on when Slayer and Shadow would be making their next appearance. There was no way that she was going to leave the Eclipse Gate alone for another year and risk watching another version of her future die in front of her. Not to mention that she wasn't going to watch Ultear sacrifice her time and become an old woman once again, not when Ultear finally had her mother back.
"Gaj when should we destroy it?" she asked quietly not daring to raise her voice too much. Afraid of voicing it out loud and having someone else hear what they were planning.
"Let's wait a few days until the games are really underway. Then we'll go out after an especially tiring day when security should be lax. I've already started thinking of how to destroy it and think using your Bull Spirit would be the best. Have him throw me towards the gate with metal gloves encasing my hands. I think if I make it before hand and mold it instead of completely use magic that it should work well enough, although it might take a few throws for us to destroy it all the way. Maybe use that grandfatherly spirit of yours to see if there is another way for us to destroy it. Are you ok though?"
"I'll be fine Gaj," she told him even though they both knew she was lying through her teeth. For some reason the longer she fought with Laxus the more it felt like part of her heart was breaking off from the rest and becoming a block of cold ice that would never unthaw.
He gave her a disbelieving look, but didn't contradict her on what she had said instead just giving her a tight hug. Lucy's tears were all gone, but she still appreciated just how much Gajeel cared for her, and was glad that he was her older brother even if it wasn't by blood.
"We better go before the girls start worrying about you. Just know Bunny girl if you need anything or need to talk I'll always be around. Don't forget I understand the most what you're going through," Gajeel offered before disappearing out of the room. It was uncharacteristically sappy for Gajeel to offer something like that, but it just went to show how much they both needed each other.
After their argument Lucy didn't see Laxus for the rest of the night, although she had seen Freed giving her concerned looks. Obviously afraid that she and Laxus would never end up talking to each other again, but maybe that was fate. Perhaps the timeline was trying to right itself realizing that Lucy and Laxus were never actually meant to be friends. Then again it could be that dratted family curse acting up again with her just like it had with her ancestor, Dreyars and her bloodline just seemed cursed to have their relationships end badly.
Luckily it seemed that no one knew about her argument with Laxus and everyone congratulated Lucy on making the cut for the team. Although Natsu was sulking in a corner sad that he wouldn't be allowed to beat up people from other guilds. A lot of concerned looks were sent her way, but no one other then Laxus had been brave enough to ask her if she was healthy enough to participate in the games. That could be because of the dark look on her face though that kept popping up whenever Lucy thought back to her argument with Laxus which was often.
She still found herself wanting to track him down and beg for his forgiveness because of her harsh words, but a quick glance at Gajeel convinced her that wouldn't be such a good idea. It seemed that he knew she was thinking of making amends with Laxus despite how much they both had hurt each other and his eyes hadn't left her since she had joined everyone for supper. No one seeming to put Laxus's disappearance and her bad mood together, she might have been spying on the conversations around the bar with her advanced hearing.
"Oi Luciana-chan come drink with me," Cana called from the bar a large barrel in her hands. Usually Lucy would have refused to drink with Cana, but her mood right now made her think it was actually a good idea.
"Why not," she told Cana jumping into the barstool beside her.
Lucy soon learned that unfortunately having a body that hosted a demon as well as being a devil slayer made it increasingly difficult for her to get drunk. Everyone was now surrounding her and Cana cheering her on considering that she had outlasted most of Cana's other challengers to date. Mavis Cana was even starting to show her drunkenness, and yet Lucy still couldn't get a good buzz despite the fact that she was no drinking barrels of it like Cana.
"Ugh," Lucy screamed as she emptied the next barrel, but still couldn't feel that emotionless state she was craving. Getting angry she threw the barrel she was drinking across the room her mood now being even worse than before, since she had been unable to lose herself like she had been wanting to.
"Where's you a going Luci-hic-anna?" Cana asked her looking like she was about to pass out any moment.
"I'm going to bed."
Everyone let out groans which quickly turned into gasps of amazement as they watched Lucy walk away. The gasps being caused by the fact that she wasn't wobbling at all or showing any signs of being drunk despite the amount they had just watched her drink with Cana. The bar they were in wasn't actually in the hotel Lucy was staying in, so she found herself outside in the fresh air feeling like nothing was ever going right.
Deciding that she didn't actually want to go to bed yet like she had told Cana, Lucy just found herself aimlessly wandering around. Wondering just how everything had came to be this way. Sure she had a temper before, but she had never been this badly tempered, and it seemed it was all Laxus's fault. Every time she had lost her temper since she came back in time seemed to have something to do with Laxus, almost like he had a hold on her emotions and heart that she didn't understand. Something that had existed even before she had ended up falling in love with Laxus, sure she had been attracted to the Laxus from her original timeline, but she never would have fallen for that Laxus. He had been too much of a jerk when she first met him, although maybe she might have fallen for him with how much he had changed after he had been excommunicated.
"What's a Fairy doing wondering around on her own at this time of night?" a very familiar voice leered.
"Oh does the pathetic little kitten think he can hurt me. Trust me kitty cat I'm not in the mood to play right now, so why don't you scurry on back to where you came from."
"Interesting the Fairy has claws. I'm Sting by the way, may I have your name lovely Fairy?"
"Luciana Redfox and sorry kitty cat this fairy is way too old for you," she told him before pushing passed him and trying to make her way back to her hotel deciding she had enough fresh air for the moment.
"Funny you don't look that much older than me, but I've heard you're taken. Too bad I'm certain we could have had fun together," he told her winking as he pulled her back around to face him.
"Look I'm not in the mood right now, so why don't you leave," she hissed at him feeling her eyes burn for a moment. Whatever the burning was though quickly made Sting drop her arm and he ran off fear in his eyes. Normally Lucy would have wondered exactly what had caused him to have a sudden one eighty, but she was just too pissed off right now to care.
Instead she just made her way back to her hotel where the room was not to her surprise empty. It just made it easier for her to fall asleep. Something she had thought would take her a few hours of mediation before she would be able to, but seemed to only take a couple of seconds after her head hit her pillow. Luckily having no painful dreams that night, almost like her mind realized she couldn't take any more strain after what had happened earlier that day. Whatever the reason Lucy was grateful for the dreamless sleep.
AN: I think the name of this chapter is quite fitting don't you agree. I honestly didn't think I would have another chapter of this story finished so soon, but it just kept begging me to write it, so I hope you guys enjoy the updates so closely together. Please tell me what you thought of this very emotional chapter, and I apologize for tears that may have happened because of this chapter.
