"We all live with our losses. We don't want to, but we can."
- Carrie Jones
Chapter One
The Past
For the next seven days the two mages were confined to their hospital rooms. The first day Lucy spent crying. However, she was a very social person and needed company. Otherwise she was going to drown in her grief. Since she was banned from using any magic for the next two weeks, and couldn't summon any of her spirits. Her second choice was a certain Slayer in the room next to her. At first all she got from Laxus were noncommittal grunts and lots of silence. But he didn't kick her out. Maybe he sensed that she needed this. Therefore, she started talking. She spent hours in his room. Lucy just talked about unimportant things. She was not ready to face the memories of her dear friends. Not without starting to cry again. So, she focused on the weather, how bad the hospital food was, that she hated not being able to summon her spirits and other rather unimportant things.
Lucy initially didn't mind that she was doing all the talking but after three days it did start to get kind of awkward for her to just blabber to a more or less silent partner. She decided to leave him alone. She had gotten at least a little bit of emotional relief by being able to just be in someone's company rather than being alone with lots of time to think. And Laxus had been kind enough to let her do that, so it was time to give him his space. Lucy felt a bit guilty about not having asked him if he was bothered by her presence and constant talking, but it wasn't as if the guy couldn't make himself be heard if he felt the need to. She sighed and got up, even after three days she was still a bit wobbly. Magical depletion was no joke.
"Sorry for pestering you. I'll leave you alone now." With that she left his room and returned to her own.
She sat on the bed and looked out the window. The room had a nice view of the ocean. As suspected, her thoughts started to wander to her friends. And she could already feel the pressure building behind her eyes. Lucy bit her lip and tried to will the sadness away. A knock on her door interrupted her inner struggle. When it turned out to be Laxus who was knocking she was surprised to say the least. She blinked. Then she opened her mouth, but before she could say something, Laxus said:
"I kinda like talking to you. Keeps me from thinking. So ... you didn't bother me." Now that was not something, she had ever pictured the famed Thunder God saying. Ever. And was he... blushing? She couldn't help herself. She started to smile.
"You know, talking to me would require you to, well, talk." Laxus scoffed.
"Not my problem you aren't privy to the subtler ways of conversation." Lucy rolled her eyes.
"Because grunts are so sophisticated." The Slayer shrugged.
"If it is so important to you, fine. I'll talk." He paused for a moment. "But I will not talk about the fucking weather or which nurse needs a haircut."
Lucy giggled. "Well, you weren't responding so I just said what came to mind." She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
"I worry about your mind Blondie." The celestial mage raised an elegant eyebrow and responded:
"As stated before, you're also blond so that really doesn't pull as an insult" Laxus made himself comfortable on the chair next to her bed.
"Maybe it's supposed to be a compliment." Now she actually snorted. How unladylike.
"In that case you should get some tutoring on what counts as a compliment." They continued to bicker and eventually started to have an actual conversation about themselves. Lucy was surprised at how much Laxus already knew about her. Apparently, he did pay attention in the guild and what everyone said after all. She had always admired his strength and was impressed by his skills, but she hadn't pegged him to be attentive. And he was quite witty. Even more surprising was his direct interest. He asked her questions and answered hers.
Before they realized how much time had passed, it was dinner time and a nurse brought their food. It was fun. They made jokes about the food and even managed to laugh. They continued their conversations until the nightshift ushered Laxus out of the room while berating them for not sleeping enough after their depletion. Laxus decided to give the poor woman a break and let himself be sent to his room like a naughty child. But not before wishing Lucy goodnight.
As Lucy laid there in the darkness of the night, she thought about Laxus. He was a lot different from what she expected. Then again, she only really got to know him during the whole Battle of Fairy Tail fiasco. The man she had talked to today was nowhere near the cold and cruel, power hungry guy from back then. Did getting banished change him so much? He seemed much more like the guy Mirajane had told her he had once been. The curious part of Lucy wanted to know why he had tried to take over the guild, why power was so important to him. And what exactly happened with his father. All she knew for certain was that he implanted Laxus with a Lacrima and was eventually kicked out and founded a dark Guild. There were tons of rumours flying around too, but Fairy Tail was notorious for overexaggerating. Lucy turned to her side. She wanted to know, but there was no way she would ask him. They weren't close friends and that was a sensitive issue. But she did want to get to know him better.
Although he was still banished from the Guild, she hoped he would come back to Magnolia with her. She wasn't sure she could face everyone on her own. How would she explain that she survived while powerhouses like Gildarts, Master, Erza and Mira perished? Once again, she could feel tears building up. Yeah, she definitely needed Laxus there. And if today was any indication, they got along well, so maybe they could be friends? And he did come back to help them. And he saved her life without any regard for his own. That had to count for something, right? But who would decide whether or not to let him back into the Guild? Master was gone. Every question Lucy asked herself led to more, so she decided to let it be for now and surrendered to the deep, dreamless sleep her exhausted body craved.
Until the day of their release from the hospital they kept talking with each other. And while Lucy learned a lot about Laxus, like his favourite food being meatloaf, his favourite colour being purple and other things, she still didn't find the courage to ask him if he wanted to return to the guild. Today the magical council would escort them back to Magnolia in a Magical Vehicle.
Lucy idly wondered if Laxus also had trouble with transportation. As she put on the new clothes someone had bought her as her old ones were shredded, she tried to build up her determination to just flat out ask him. They had gotten along really well and she was starting to consider him a real friend. She had considered him Nakama from the moment he came to help them against Grimoire Heart. With a last loving caress of her keys she clipped them back onto her belt and left the hospital room.
Laxus was already waiting for her outside. They made their way down the halls of the hospital to the main entrance. The salty ocean breeze hit Lucy's nostrils and she sighed.
"God this feels so good. I couldn't stand the stench of hospitals any longer." Laxus inhaled deeply.
"At least you don't have super senses. I swear if I had to stay any longer, I would have demolished something." Lucy giggled airily.
"Spoken like a true Fairy!" Then she stopped. He wasn't a member anymore. She cast a sideways glance to him. Laxus was staring at the ground.
"I'm no longer a Fairy." He sounded sad.
"Do you want to be?" At this he looked up at her, surprised.
"I was banished, remember?" Her eyes became soft.
"No one said the banishment was forever. And you came back. You didn't come to usurp power, but because you felt our need. In your heart you always were part of Fairy Tail." She hesitated. "And ... we lost so much. I... I would like it if you came back home." there. She said it. A blush crept onto her face. "Besides... we have no S-Class mages left anymore, so no one will turn you away if they want the guild to survive."
Laxus put his hand on her head. His hands were really big. And warm. And strong. Lucy smiled. Said smile turned into a frown as he ruffled her hair.
"Can't hurt to try, right Blondie?" The celestial mage huffed as she tried to resolve the mess, he had left her hair in. She had given up on trying to get him to stop with the nickname. It was starting to grow on her anyways. But she was happy. He was going to come with her. However, a closer look and she could see his nervousness. Hidden from everyone but her. She was good at reading people after all. Just before she could say something to reassure him the vehicle of the Council pulled up. Lucy took a deep breath and entered the car. She was going home. Without everyone else but Laxus.
She was right. Laxus did have the same problem with transportation as Natsu. Though there was a lot less whining and groaning, he was very much sick. He looked positively green and said not a single word for the whole ride from Hargeon to Magnolia. Every time they hit a bump in the road, he clenched his jaw. Lucy could've sworn she heard him whimper at one point. Mighty Thunder God Laxus Dreyar, being completely defeated by movement. It was somehow soothing to her. A motion sick dragon slayer was familiar after all.
And her amusement and pity for him kept her from thinking about what might await them in the guild. According to the councilmen with them the guild was already informed about what had happened and their return. Apparently, Macao had taken over as the Master. At least she didn't have to bring the bad news.
The car stopped. Laxus almost jumped out. His obvious relief at being back on solid ground ripped Lucy out of her depressing thoughts. He didn't kiss the ground and composed himself almost immediately, but it was enough to put a smile on her face. She thanked the councilmen before they took their leave. She looked up to see the familiar doors of the guild. Her second home. Her heart was beating erratically and she could feel her courage leave her. She wanted to run away. A large hand took hers and quickly squeezed it. Glistening brown eyes met stormy grey ones. Laxus managed a small smile.
"You aren't alone. We'll face them together." She smiled back.
"Together" she echoed. That's right. She may have lost so much on that island, but she wasn't alone. Laxus was beside her. And a sudden warmth on her hips reminded her, that even if she still could not summon them, her spirits were with her as well. She squared her shoulders; her eyes were set with fierce determination. Lucy put her hands on the wooden doors and pushed them open.
Depressing. That's what the atmosphere inside the guild was. It took the members inside a while to even react to the new arrivals. Lucy absently noticed that there were a lot less members than before the trials. The silence was crushing. No brawls, no Cana drinking herself to a stupor. Young Kinana was standing behind the bar where Mira normally illuminated the guild with nothing but her warm smile. Lucy felt like crying again. Finally, the others reacted.
"Lucy!" the scream of her name was all the warning she got before Bisca pounced on her and tackled her in a hug. "I am so glad you are back! When we got the news, we were devastated. But at least someone got back." The gunslinger was crying. Lucy hugged her back.
"I'm home". She whispered it, but it felt good saying it. Macao stood up and hugged her after Bisca finally let go.
"Welcome home. Don't worry, we won't force you to tell us anything." He looked a lot older than he had when they left for the trials.
"I heard you are the Master now." Macao got all embarrassed.
"Well, someone had to." He looked at Laxus. "I may not be the strongest, but I am willing to bear the responsibility." Laxus held his gaze.
"I don't care about that anymore. I was a complete jerk and had lost my way. I just want to come back home." A tense silence settled between them. Then Macao laughed.
"If that's the case you are more than welcome back! God knows we will need your strength. Many members left when they heard the news. Said they wanted to leave the sinking ship. Cowards. the whole lot of them."
Lucy was shocked. Fairy Tail was supposed to be a family. Seems not everyone shared that sentiment. Their return seemed to have sparked some life into the guild again. Laxus was welcomed home by most. (Some did send him scathing looks though). He got his Guild Mark back and Kinana got them some drinks. She was no Mira yet, but she was doing her best.
Despite Macao assuring her she didn't have to, she decided to tell them all what had happened. Laxus got some compliments once everyone heard about him coming to save the day. And some lewd joke about him saving Lucy from Wakaba which resulted in Wakaba being flung into a wall by a hefty Lucy Kick. Even without her magic she was now fully healed physically and her Kicks hurt. Her violent reaction to the usual perverseness of Wakaba sparked a full out brawl. Lucy would normally be embarrassed to be the cause behind it, but it just felt like the real Fairy Tail again that she could only laugh.
She did stop once she had to start dodging chairs and tables though. Brawling wasn't exactly something she normally took part in and she could not use her spirits, but she had her whip. And some exercise would be good after the week of rest she was forced to take.
So, she grabbed the next best chair that came flying by with her whip and smashed it into Laxus. Maybe hitting Laxus out of all people would mean a death sentence for anyone else, but they had really bonded over their traumatic experience and she was confident in him not killing her. Laxus remained frozen before slowly, oh so slowly turning around and smirking evilly.
"Now you've done it Blondie." He dashed towards her. She took a dive to her left and avoided him narrowly. But he was faster and grabbed her ankle. He was gracious enough to not fling her into the thick of things, but he did something far worse. He tickled her. Lucy was twisting and trying to escape his evil fingers but no luck. She was laughing so hard her ribs started to hurt.
"Don't start a fight you can't win" Laxus was enjoying this immensely. He was home again.
The Present
Lucy was braiding her long blonde hair. It was reaching the small of her back. She looked herself over in the mirror of her vanity. The past 7 years had been good to her. She had lost all the cuteness of her teenage years. She was still confident in her looks. Not that she had any reason to doubt them. She still turned heads and her husband made it very clear how beautiful she was. Inside and out. She put her wedding ring back on. She took it off to shower. Funny how not having the small gold band on makes you feel so naked.
Just then a loud crash from the living rooms downstairs interrupted her musings. She sighed. Never a quiet minute around here. As she got up, she could hear her husband scolding their 4-year-old daughter about respecting property or something. Lucy smiled to herself. She quickly threw on her thin, white wool jacket over her baby blue sundress and left the bedroom. On the end of the stairs sat her 2-year-old and looked up at her with her big round, grey eyes.
"Did Nadiya make daddy angry again?" She asked as she bent down to pick her up.
"Onee-chan made boom!" Little Layla giggled to herself. Lucy pressed a kiss to her golden hair and moved towards the shouting.
"I don't care if you were playing dragon, you can't climb up the cabinet because you feel like it!" Nadiya was pouting.
"Sorry." It was very insincere and very quiet but it was something.
"Yeah, yeah. You can play dragon outside you know?" The little girl lit up like a candle and raced out the room over the veranda into the wide garden. Laxus ran his hands through his hair.
"This kid is going to be the death of me." Lucy smiled cheekily.
"She is taking after her dad." Laxus sent her an offended look before giving her a quick kiss and taking Layla from her.
"You are becoming more exasperating every day Blondie." A quick chuckle was all the answer he got.
"I had the best teacher." She made her way to the kitchen to pack the picknick basket. "You ready?"
Laxus started to try and get Layla into her shoes. She found it awfully funny to snatch her feet back before he got the pink contraception onto them.
"I am- Stop that Layla!" With some wrestling he finally got the shoes on and put her back onto her feet. "Go get your sister. Mommy and I are ready to leave."
Layla speed out the door he held open for her screaming at the top of her lungs for her sister. Lucy heaved the basked off the counter and joined her husband at the door.
"Should I take that?" She slapped his hand away.
"I am an S-class mage, I think I can manage some old basket." Then she got on her tip toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek and whispered: "Besides, the one without the basket gets to keep the rascals in line."
With that she practically danced out the door of their beautiful two-story house and towards the road. Laxus shook his head and locked up before he was tackled by two blonde blurs. Family Picknicks were nice and all, but exhausting. Actually, being a parent was exhausting, period. And yet, neither of them would change it for the world. Laughter accompanied the Dreyar family as they walked towards the outside of the city to spend the day in the fields outside of Magnolia.
AN: And here is the first chapter. I have some chapters already ready so for now you get kinda regular updates. No promises for afterwards though. Also, I changed some small things from canon in regards to ages. Lucy for example is 19 in this instead of 17. Wendy is still 12 though. Also after the whole S-class arc stuff is original now. So no dragon invasion of crocus and so on. I might use somethings from canon but not the actual plotline.
As always, big thanks to my beta.