"…and then Vijeeter did this contortion act and bent backwards almost all the way down to the floor and waddled under the pole!" Lucy's voice rises at the end in disbelief.
Laxus hums before taking a deep chug of his stein.
"I still don't know how he did it!"
"He's flexible." Laxus offers in a flat tone.
Lucy deadpans. "No shit."
"You know," Laxus chuckles briefly behind his smirk, "if you didn't talk so much your drink wouldn't be warm."
Lucy looks down at her glass of wine before narrowing her eyes at her partner. "I do not talk too much!" she protests indignantly. "If anything, you drink too much!"
Thick eyebrows and green eyes rise in thought as Laxus hums to himself. "I wonder which one's more: you talking or me drinking?"
Annoyance puffs out Lucy's cheeks while a prominent pout develops along her lips.
"I guess we'll never know," Laxus trials off in a taunting voice with a smile to match as he takes another long gulp. Lucy watches him finish his drink and set it down with a refreshing sigh.
"Sometimes, I really wonder why I agreed to be your partner," she sighs to herself, voice full of bubbling irritation.
"Hey, buddy!" a sudden voice yells from nearby.
Both blondes look over to see a man with a scar across his nose walking toward their table carrying a stein of beer in one hand and two in the other.
"You look like the kind of guy who can give me a good run for my money! Let's have a drinking contest!" he claims as he sets a drink in front of Laxus and Lucy. "I'll even pay for your friend's drinks while she waits."
Green eyes shift between the alcohol, Lucy, and the grinning stranger. A tentative scowl spreads over Laxus' features. Something about this guy seems off. Strangers don't typically come up to him, period. Better yet, to have a drinking contest. So what's this guy's angle?
"Why would you want to challenge Laxus?" Lucy pipes up, sensing Laxus' internal doubt.
"Why?" the stranger scoffs. "Can't a guy want some competition in a good old fashion man's game of drinking?"
Lucy's lips pull into a frown. Cana could drink anyone under the table and she wasn't a man, she thinks sourly.
"Tell you what," a devious smirk spreads over the stranger's face. "I've got some money to spend. You win and I'll pay for an all-inclusive week at the resort for both of ya."
Both blondes perk up.
"What?! Really!?" Lucy nearly jumps out of her seat in excitement, eyes glistening like stars.
"As true as the world spins," the stranger nods strongly.
"Just like that?" Laxus asks skeptically.
"Yep, no questions asked."
An uncertain hum leaves Laxus; that nagging feeling still prodding at the back of his conscious.
"I mean," the stranger says slowly, "if you're not too much of a coward, that is."
Narrowing his eyes, Laxus menacingly asks the other scarred man. "The hell you just say?"
Lucy sighs in exasperation.
"You heard me. Prove me wrong," the stranger shoves the beer at Laxus before grabbing a seat and sitting himself between the two blondes.
Annoyance rips into Laxus' chest, effectively silencing the prodding voice. Glancing over at Lucy, he finds the gleam in her eyes from before has dulled but he can't still see the simmering hope. Would staying another week be that bad? If it was anything like the past week, hell no. Lucy is obviously excited about the prospect too. She would probably backflip around the whole mountain in excitement if he was able to extend their stay by another week. The only problem would be that he would have to go back to Magnolia to get some more of his mother's journals if they did stay. Just like Lucy told him he would have to.
But all in all…
"Fine, let's go," Laxus declares as he grabs ahold of the full stein in front of him.
The stranger grins wildly. "That's what I like to hear."
Meanwhile, Kenan watches the trio from the bar. Sighing to himself, he grabs the two "special" drinks from the bartender—the boss really needs to pay him more—and heads over to the two lovely ladies near the window. Introducing himself as a traveling photographer on the quest for new models, the brunette quickly takes to him and invites him to drink with them. The pinkette is more resistant to his presence but doesn't speak against her friend' wishes, much to his favor.
Every now and then he glances over to Judas' table. The beast is chugging glass after glass like it's nothing. Not entirely surprising in his opinion. The beauty is taking dainty sips of her glass between encouraging her friend. Judas must have used the old resort-trip-trap; it's an oldie but it's a goodie.
"So, is there any particular type your company is looking for?" Camila bats her eyelashes at the slender man.
Kenan turns back to young lady. "Oh, no my dear. We deal with all kinds of women."
"Hey, hey, Laxus," Lucy pokes his thick arm. "I wanna play."
Laxus tips the large glass away from his lips. "No."
"I wanna play."
"I've already said no."
"But Laxus…!" Lucy whines, tossing her head away while shaking his arm.
"I'm trying to focus," he frowns at her, ignoring how her form splits into two before haphazardly rejoining.
"You're being mean!" she sniffles.
"And you're being a pest. Don't you wanna stay for another week?" he asks, his desired intimidation slipping under the deep slur.
Another sniffle. "Yes…"
"Then be quiet and finish your beer. It's been hours and you haven't even finished your first one!" Laxus glances at the small amount of leftover liquid sloshing around in the woman's stein.
Lucy squints at the stranger across the table before leaning toward Laxus with a hand cup around to her mouth. "But it tastes gross," she announces loudly without a hint of restraint or shame.
Judas deadpans, resisting the urge to snap at the bodacious blonde.
Shifting his eyes to the side, Judas can see the pinkette and brunette leaning against Kenan for support. He can't hear what they are saying but can imagine the mess of incoherent words pouring out of their mouths.
Good. Three down, one to go, he congratulates himself internally. Turning back to his "competition", he finds the woman hugging the man's arm while the man reprimands her for acting so crazy.
Honestly speaking, Judas is impressed at the sheer alcohol tolerance of the oaf. Not only has the man been drowning drink after drink with barely any break in between, but he's barely showing any outward symptoms of being sloshed. If this had been a fair contest, Judas would have lost long ago. Luckily for him, the barkeep has been kind enough to make his drinks the House Special: a special drink that looks exactly like beer but has the same alcohol level as fruit juice.
The bartender stops by the table and deposits a few more rounds for the men. Glancing warily at the now moping woman and the annoyed man, he gives Judas a small nod as he takes his leave.
"Gotta say, you really do know how to make a man work for his money," Judas tells Laxus, his voice full of cheer but his eyes scathing.
"You ain't half-baked shit either," Laxus drawls before beginning to chug his next drink.
Lucy frowns at the duo as the scarred stranger follows Laxus' lead. Sighing to herself, she looks down at her glass before crinkling her nose at the foul liquid. The unpleasant aftertaste of her last drink still lingers in her mouth.
Pulling her head up she glances around the bar. Images meld and separate in sways of motion as lines sharpen and dull. People continue to chat and mingling, their voices and laughter ebbing in and out. Feet stomp against the floor in harmony as music plays its energetic rhythm. Glasses clink and chairs screech against the wooden floors.
"Yo'e su coot!"
Familiarity rings throughout Lucy's head. Snapping her head around—and regretting it slightly from how the room spins at the sudden motion—Lucy watches the hazy forms of Camila and Gianna be led across the room by a weird man.
"Why yo'e so coot?" Camila asks her guide before giggling to herself.
The man gives the woman a half smile before tugging on her arm toward the door. Moments later, the trio disappears into the street.
A disturbing feeling buries itself inside Lucy's stomach and mixes with her growing curiosity. Lucy decides to throw caution to the wind and follow the women. Once her vision half-stabilizes, Lucy carefully slides out of her seat, drink still in hand, and sneaks out of the bar while Laxus chugs another round.
Once outside, a rush of cold autumn wind slams into her whole body. A shiver runs through her being, almost causing her to drop the small amount of her remaining beer.
Camila's sharp laugh off to the side grabs Lucy's attention. The unsettling feeling hardens to a rock as she finds Camila and Giana surrounded by a circle of thuggish men with the weird slender standing away from the group with a man with a square jaw.
Giana tries to leave with Camila but one man grabs onto her arm and roughly shoves her into the body of another man.
"Hey!" Lucy yells out, her volume loader than even she anticipated.
The men turn to see the voluptuous blonde behind them, her stance solid and eyes fierce. Kenan's eyes grow wide in surprise while Belial grins lecherously.
"Let them go or else!" her slurry voice announces confidently.
Briefly glancing at one another, the men erupt into howls of laughter. Sentences blend into one another as taunts are thrown against Lucy.
"That's funny!"
"What is a pretty thing like you going to do?"
"Is that a beer?!"
"Is she drunk too?!"
"Oh, I'm so scared!"
Kenan looks between his men and the woman in uncertainty. The warning voice in the back of his mind screaming at him to leave while the other part presses how they should grab the beauty while they have the chance.
A scowl pulls on Lucy's lips and deepens with each word. Unbridled irritation seeps into her veins, fanning the already burning flame to a bristling anger. "Alright, you asked for it!" she declares as she slips her hand into her key pouch. Shaky fingers graze over the edges of her celestial keys, seeking a particular curve of metal. Finding the correct spirit, her fingers clumsily grasp at the metal and accidently grab two instead of one.
Swiping her keys across her body for dramatic effect, she dunks what she thinks to be one into what is left of her beer. "Aquarius!" she shouts as her lack of control pools excessive amounts of magic into the golden metals.
Two sharp bells ring through the air, each almost laying over the other. A small whirlpool swirls in the glass before surging forth as watery column to leave behind a mermaid with long, blue hair floating on one side of the blonde woman while, simultaneously, a portion of the street cracks and lifts into a mound before a pink-haired maid burrows up from the ground on the other side of the blonde.
All of the men choke on their laughter as horror and surprise grip their insides. Belial and Kenan gawk at the woman.
"I knew she was trouble," Kenan whispers to himself.
Hazy thoughts turn upside down as Lucy looks over at her maiden spirit in surprise. "Why are you here, Virgo? And why are you all wet?"
Without pulling the damp hair out of her eyes, Virgo looks over to her Master. "I was summoned. Am I being punished?"
"Summoned?" Lucy wonders in confusion. Looking down to her keys it takes her muddled mind several moments to realize her accident. "Oops! Sorry, Virgo!" she laughs as she slaps a hand to her forehead.
Virgo bows, her soaked clothes squelching under the movement. "I found my bath quite refreshing, Princess."
"Anyway!" Lucy spins around to the previously forgotten group of thugs. "Take these guys down, Aquarius!" Lucy commands while thrusting a proud finger outward.
Suddenly, the air begins to tremble with dread. Shivers erupt down the thugs' spines as they sense the clouds of murder rolling off the mermaid in waves. Some even take steps backwards in fear.
"Did. You," Aquarius, her voice dripping with wrathful anger, pronounces each word slowly, "Just. Summon. Me. From. A. GLASS!" she screams as her eyes turn red in comical fury and her hair flairs up to stand on end.
"And in alcohol," Virgo offers blandly.
Aquarius looks over and is visibly shocked to see the other spirit present. Briefly forgetting her fury, the mermaid wonders how Virgo is able to be there. Mindlessly reaching across her connection to her key owner, Aquarius feels the surge of magical energy brimming within the mage's body. The sudden boost of power and Virgo's words startles Aquarius into a rude realization. Snapping her head back to the confident blonde, the mermaid fumes in disgust as the murderous aura returns full force, "ARE YOU DRUNK!?"
Choked laughter erupts from the celestial spirts user. "No," she jokes, "I'm Lucy."
Aquarius' fury skyrockets. "How dare you, Brat!" she screams. "I'm going to make you wish you were never born!"
Aquarius gathers her magic into her urn. Swinging it overheard, a trail of water marking its path, she aims it the sky. Moments later, a jet stream shoots out toward sky before gathhering into a swelling giant sphere of water that hangs above the street.
Belial, seeing the situation growing more and more out of hand, quickly turns to his men. "Grab the women! Hurry!"
The thugs look at each other in a fluster, some even telling Belial that they're not going anywhere near the angry mermaid. Belial angrily commands them to shut the fuck up and grab the girl before she can get away.
Virgo notices how two broad men begin to run toward Lucy while the others grab onto two other women. Keeping her arms close to her core, she tightly spins to tunnel into the ground. The remaining part of the group is hustling away with Camila and Gianna when Virgo shoots up from the ground before them. Words of shock pauses on their lips as they look over their shoulders to the spirit's previous location. But as they turn back Virgo punches each thug in rapid succession. The men whirl away from the sudden force, their grips on the girls immediately slipping. Crashing into the stony pavement and sliding down the street each one is rendered unconscious.
"GO DROWN!" Aquarius yells in bristling fury. Sweeping her arms toward the ground, she hurls the giant water ball at her master.
"Drown?" Lucy mumbles, eyes blinking in confusion, as she watches the sphere hurdle towards her. Cold drops of stray water splash onto her face as the ball plummets toward the ground. Finally realizing what the word means, Lucy shrinks back in panic.
Virgo, thinking quickly, grabs the brunette and pinkette under of her arms. Burrowing under the street she glides through the dirt until she is directly below her Master. Carelessly dropping the other women, Virgo bursts her upper body out of the ground to grab onto Lucy's frame. Before Lucy even registers her spirit's presence, the maiden tugs the mage below while simultaneously covering her makeshift hole for protection. Seconds later, the sphere crashes into the bricks of the street, splashing in all directions before tumbling into tall waves.
All of the conscious thugs stop in their tracks as a shadow of a giant tidal wave appears overhead. They try to run away but are swept away by the raging waves as it tumbles and cascades through the streets, effectively knocking them unconscious as they are rammed into the surrounding buildings.
"Idiots, the whole lot," Aquarius grumbles before removing herself from Earthland with a fade of bubbles.
Laxus slams down his stein, a sigh escaping his lips. Across from him, his competitor is still chugging what remains of his own glass but shows no sign of being close to his limit. Irritation stumbles haphazardly through his ever-growing jumble of a mind. What's this guy's deal? Laxus hasn't seen anyone drink so much without showing even a hint of being tipsy since Cana. And that's fucking saying something. If he can't beat this guy, not only will he have to admit that his drinking skills have gone to shit, but they won't get to stay for another week and Lucy won't be happ—
Time seems to slow as a sudden thought strikes. Furrowing his brows, Laxus glances around the room. All around him are other bar-goers singing, dancing, or partying without care. Each figure fading between pristine to fuzzy and back once more.
She's not here, he realizes as he looks around once more, just to make sure he hadn't missed her. Worry worms into Laxus' heart at his partner's absence. Where did she go? He could have sworn she was right there a minute ago. It's not like her to leave without letting him kno—
"Hey," Judas beckons to the blonde man. "Another round."
More concerned about Lucy's whereabouts, Laxus turns to tell the guy to fuck off until he finds the blonde woman but is interrupted by the building beginning to tremble. Everyone glances around them, drunken words of confusion tumbling out of their mouths. Trembles grow into rumbles as the tables, glasses, and floor begin shaking.
"What the hel—" Laxus slurs before his instincts, softened under pools and pools of alcohol, flare to life. Snapping his neck to the window, his eyes widen as he sees water rushing toward the glass. Gathering and spreading his magic evenly throughout his body, Laxus' form transforms into a bolt of electricity before shooting through the roof into the sky.
Judas' eyes widen in shock at the sudden departure. His mouth drops open to curse his bad luck but is cut short as water tramples the walls and windows. Fearful screams of patrons are muffled instantly by the onslaught of water.
Materializing on top of the building, Laxus watches as the water bursts through the back, dragging everyone caught in its tide onto the narrow back street. Turning back to the main street, a thoughtful scowl pulls at his lips as he notices how the water all but destroys the lower levels of the nearby buildings but begins to lose its ferocity and height with the rapid spread. Then, suddenly, a wide whirlpool begins to develop in the middle of street. Its swirls growing rapid and thick, pulling water away from the buildings it destroyed only minutes earlier.
Disbelief rattles his brain and shocks his body. Baffled, his sluggish thoughts churn in wonder at the sight instead of trying to figure out why a tidal wave—which crashed into a bar in the middle of a town on a mountain surrounded by land—is now being sucked into the street.
Beneath the destroyed bar, the earth splits and cracks as a hefty hole tears away at the wooden flooring. Twirling upwards, Virgo lands daintly on the edge of her pit with the barely conscious Camila and Giana under her arms. "It is safe to come out now, Princess," Virgo says as she looks over her shoulder.
An arm reaches out of the hole to leverage itself against the edge, a hand quickly joining. Golden hair lifts out of the hole as Lucy yanks her upper half onto the edge. "Thank you, Virgo," she tells her faithful maid between haggard breaths. "I thought I was going to die." Arms shaking under her weight, Lucy teeters and sways the rest of her body until a knee catches the rim and is able to haul the rest of her body to safety.
"It was my pleasure, Princess. I've also dug a hole in the middle of the street so the water will be directed into the sewers," Virgo explains as she gently lays the two girls on the floor, both of their heads tilting back and forth while mumbling incoherent sentences.
Sitting up, Lucy is taken aback to find herself back in the bar. Peering around, the room begins to spin. Pieces of furniture and glass are scattered amongst the damaged walls and cleaved bartop. Gashes along the floor give proof of how such a powerful and unexpected force ripped through the room. No living soul lingers where she remembers music and dancing and drinki—
"Laxus!" she screams in realization, panic highlighting itself through the mist of her senses. "Where's Laxus!?"
"Shall I find him?" Virgo offers in her normal monotone.
"Yes!" Lucy spins her head toward her loyal spirit. "I need to make sure he's alright! He can't dig like you can! What if he's hurt?" A look of fear crosses her face. "What if he's been washed off the mountain!? He's not good with directions, he'll never find his way back! And he doesn't have his luggage either! How can he take a bath—"
Virgo deadpans at the babbling woman. Deciding to leave the woman be, Virgo turns toward the front door.
As the last of the water disappears below the pavement, Laxus scowls to himself. What the fuck just happened? he wonders. Then he sees Virgo appear below him.
"Virgo?" he utters in surprise. Wait, does that mean—
The spirit in question raises her head at the sound of her name. Squeezing her arms across her chest, one foot delicately lifts before her entire body spins into the ground.
A noise of confusion escapes Laxus as he blinks in stupefaction. Where'd she go…?
"Master Blondie?"
Laxus jerks his head around, his eyes wide in amazement, to find Virgo standing behind him. Looking between the street and the maid, his drunken mind swirling at the trick. "How'd you do that?"
"Princess is worried about you," Virgo tells him, completely ignoring his question.
"Lucy?" Laxus' voice rises in concern as his focus shifts into a singular point. "Is she alright?"
"Yes, she is safe. For now."
"For now? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Aquarius and I were summoned to save two women from being abducted by a group of men. I believe the men also planned to kidnap Princess; however, Aquarius' fury was far greater than their scheme," Virgo explains coolly.
Shock registers through the clutter of Laxus' mind before twisting into anger. Sparks erupt into short sparks along his skin. "Where are they?" he demands, green eyes lighting under the flashes.
"Wherever Aquarius splashed them."
"Damn mermaid," Laxus sneers. Those assholes could be anywhere around here now. "These men," he bites out, threads of electricity beginning to arc off his clothes, "do you know who they are?"
"Common thugs by their appearance. Although, I suspect there are missing members of the group since Princess was already intoxicated by the time Aquarius and I arrived."
Realization crashes upon Laxus. Remembering how Judas insisted Lucy drink to her heart's content twists Laxus' guts. And how he became so focused on the contest, he doesn't remember Lucy leaving. If it hadn't been for her celestial spirits then…
"Thanks, Virgo," Laxus says, his voice thick with resolute anger. "I'll take care of it."
"What are you going to do?" Virgo asks, her wet hair sticking to her face as she tilts her head in curiosity.
"Teach that fucker a lesson," the slayer growls, a deadly glare darkening his features.
Sensing the bloodlust rolling off the man, Virgo feels a pang of comfort. Virgo bows neatly, more squelching of her wet clothes erupting from the movement. "Please, take care of Princess." She asks before poofing back into the Spirit World.
Looking below to the backstreet, fierce green eyes land on the tattered, limping form of Judas reaching the back door of the bar. A crack of electricity splits the starry sky, the once occupied roof now bare.
Throwing the door open, Judas hobbles inside. He stops short as he finds the blonde woman sitting on the ground on the other side of a hole talking to herself about needing to read someone something.
Anger rises within the scarred man. Taking single step toward the blonde, he pauses once more as a bright light appears overhead. A second later, a column of lightning magic strikes down mere inches from his body and throws him backwards from its sheer force. Slamming into the ground, Judas' breath and anger is knocked out his chest. Wincing at the stinging pain in his back, he tries to desperately suck in some much-needed air but chokes as a thick hand grabs his neck and lifts his entire body into the air.
"You won't take her from me," Laxus growls lowly, his grip tightening as Judas gasps and chokes.
"Laxus?" Lucy wonders as she spins her head around at the loud bang behind her. Her eyes go wide as she finds her best friend choking the man from the bar. "Laxus!" she screams in horror as she jumps up, the world turning on its side from the sudden motion, and staggers around the hole toward him. "Laxus!" Lucy yells as she reaches his side. "Laxus, please stop!" she pleads, her weakened arms begin pulling haplessly against his much stronger frame. "You're going to kill him!"
"It's what he deserves!" Laxus bites back, his eyes glowing with electricity and fury. "He tried to take you away from me!"
"But he didn't!"
"I don't care!"
Tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, Lucy buries her face in his side while firmly wrapping her arms around his bulky core. "Please, Laxus," she whispers. "Put him down."
Laxus peers down at the small blonde with a deep scowl, his anger and irritation bristling under his skin. At the end of outstretched palm, he feels the scarred man meekly twist his wrist. "Lucy—"
"I'm right here," Lucy interrupts with a soft voice. "I'm right here with you."
Laxus' whole being come to a standstill. The anger brimming within his heart cools to a calm concern as his body registers her warm embrace. With a heavy sigh, he glances at the purple-faced man with a scowl. Tossing the thug into the broken nearby bar with a sickening crack, Laxus turns in Lucy's arms to grab her upper arms.
"I'm sorry," he whispers. "I just—" he stops, pulling her away slightly to look into her face. "I can't lose you."
"You won't," she whispers as she smiles gently up at him. "I'll always be with you."
Laxus' powerful green eyes met Lucy's caring brown ones. Neither pulls away, the invisible string casting itself between them, its threads growing thicker and stronger.
The unknown tenderness blossoms within their chests as they stare into each other's eyes. Time slows with each passing moment, the tenderness growing and flaring to life. All their surroundings fade away, forgotten and unimportant. The flare continues to grow until it begins to warm their souls. Knots form in their guts while slow-beating hearts pound heavily against their rib cage. Redness creeps unnoticed upon their cheeks.
The tender warmth begins to surround them, their souls urging their bodies to reach out.
To connect.
To be one.
Without though, Lucy and Laxus push together in a desperate kiss.
Previously unknown desire ripples through their bodies and souls. While overwhelmed with explosions of pleasure, their instincts urgently beg for more.
Inhaling deep breaths through their noses, Laxus and Lucy force their lips tighter. Strong arms wrap tightly around her petite frame while nimble elbows lock around his thick neck. Lips roll, press, and open in wet dances of desire. Blushes redden their cheeks even deeper. Soft flesh molds into hard planes, their instincts only yearning for more and more.
Unknown pleasure rolls through Lucy's body. Every piece of her skin urges her to touch Laxus' body, needing the contact and feeling of his moist flesh. Desire wraps itself through her guts, making them heavy and tight. As the tingling sensation begins to pool between her legs, immediate selfish desire and pleasure overshadows any consequential thoughts. Surrendering herself to the overwhelming sensations, a hum of unabashed delight rolls through her throat.
The vibrations reach Laxus' lips and rolls through his body in a wave of approval. Spurred onwards with her obvious want, desire burns his blood hotly. Both hands greedily pull against her back until they reach her elbow and run against the skin of her arms as satisfaction deepens his ever-growing lust. It ascends into his mind, growing into a haze that begins to consume all else.
I never cared about you, the memory of the woman sneers inside Laxus' mind.
Laxus' eyes fling open, a waterfall of ice pours throughout his body. Gripping Lucy's upper arms, he pushes her to arm's length as dread and shame begin to slither through his body. Laxus pants heavily, his veins coursing with adrenaline and pleasure, as his hands tighten around her narrow but strong upper arms. Lucy looks up at his panicked face with wide doe eyes brimming with innocent confusion and worry but shadowed with desire.
"Laxus?" she asks softly and wistfully.
Laxus' mouth runs dry and his breath becomes shallow at those enchanting eyes. Those eyes beg for him. They beg he return to her arms. They beg for him to kiss those lips. They beg for him to run his hands over her body. They beg for so much more.
Oh, how he wishes he could answer her.
He swallows thickly and turns away to break the spell.
"I'm sorry," he whispers and shakes his head in small motions, "I…I can't give you what you want."
Lucy's eyes widen as her body prickles in innate disbelief and rejection. Laxus gently pushes Lucy back and turns his face away.
A loud shrill whistle cleaves through the air in the distance followed by yelling and trampling footsteps. The clamor grows louder with each passing moment until it becomes a blaring storm of noise as squads of policemen and policewoman arrive on the street outside the bar
"Look everywhere for those boys! I want every one of those bastards behind bars!" a gruff man yells as he points in all directions. As the police begin to arrest the thugs lying in the street, others dart between the battered buildings to help the injured.
Looking around, he sees the two blondes standing in the remains of a bar. "Hey! You there!" the man yells at them, stepping over piles of rubble and broken glass as he gets closer. "Did you do this?" he demands, gesturing to destruction around him.
Laxus looks over to see the man marching towards him and Lucy. Groggily recognizing the badge on the front of the blue shirt of the man as a captain, Laxus frowns at him before unconsciously glancing at Lucy from the corner of his eye.
Lucy's breath catches in her throat as her large, pleading eyes finally notice those steadfast defenses hidden behind his longing green orbs. Sadness, worry, and doubt gather in her heart as Lucy pulls her arms to her chest and her face drops.
Guilt fills his heart and makes his chest ache. He wishes he could have never seen those brown eyes dim so much. Pushing aside his torment, Laxus focuses on the captain. "Yeah, what about it?" he lies.
"You destroyed every goddamn building on the goddamn block!" he spits furiously.
"We were attacked. We were defending ourselves."
The captain glances at the immobile blonde woman before scoffing. "And who attacked you?"
"That dipshit," Laxus looks over to the destroyed bar where an unconscious Judas is bent against the broken wood.
The captain's face falls. "Son of a bitch," he whispers to himself in amazement. "We finally got him." He runs over to the limp body while simultaneously screaming at the officers outside to get some rope.
As Judas is being tightly bound by the officers, the captain walks back over to Laxus with a complicated frown. "I've been after that guy for years. He's nearly cost me my job half-a-dozen times over. He and his band of goons steal women and sell them off."
Lucy slightly flinches while Laxus scowls at the man.
"And as a thank you, I'm going to overlook all this damage," the captain states begrudgingly. "Insurance and all that shit. But just this once."
Laxus and Lucy both nod in understanding.
"One of my officers will take you back to your room," the captain waves over a young policeman. "Don't let me catch you destroying my town again."
Have given his orders, the captain leaves to attend to Judas as the mages are led off the scene. As the two mages walk through the stone streets, neither speak to one another as they keep their eyes down or turned away. Tension bleeds off of them in a thick haze, enough for the policeman to look between the two in apprehensive silence.
Stone gives way to pristine marble tile after an eternity of walking. They stand stiffly in front of the door to their suite for a few moments before the policeman awkwardly coughs.
"I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening," he blurts with a tight-lipped smile before spinning on his heel and scurrying down the stairs.
Laxus pats his pants pockets for the key as he can't remember which one he put it in. Unable to find the key and his mind too foggy to logical think about going to the front desk and getting another one, Laxus scowls and swears before he puts a hand on each door and pushes with unrestrained strength. The doors fling open with a powerful bang as they slam into walls with full force.
Still keeping her face down, Lucy sneaks around him and silently slips towards her room. Laxus watches her pass with solemn eyes, wishing more than anything to hold her again. Denial and sorrow surge through his veins in the attempt to squash his sudden yearning for her touch.
It fails.
He slams the doors shut in frustration.
Lucy pauses at her door once it lightly clicks shut. She takes a sniveling breath as she limply holds onto the door handle.
Laxus pushed me away, she thinks for hundredth time. Why did he push me away? Did I do something wrong? Is he mad at me? Does…does he hate me? But he felt like he liked it. But then he pushed me away…
Never have experienced emotions like this, Lucy's addled mind continues to circle in perpetual confusion and dejection as her body unconsciously moves to undress. She tugs her shirt overhead and pulls down her skirt and panties. Finding the white robe in her closet, she turns it over and around to find the sleeves and accidently puts it on inside out before righting the cloth. Haphazardly tying her belt around her waist her robe droops around her upper arms, baring her shoulders and most of her prominent breasts. But she pays no mind to this.
Lucy slowly opens her door to the living room. Wide, muscular shoulders sit on the couch, hunched over and turned away. Thoughts of hate reappear, causing her stomach to knot in regret.
With careful methodical steps, she pads around the couch to his side. Laxus has his elbows on his knees with his face scrunched up in aggravation.
"Laxus?" she asks hesitantly.
Silence answers the celestial maiden as Laxus remains still at her words.
Her mouth opens but fear strangles the words in her throat. Expanding her lungs, she tries to force them out; even unclenching her jaw doesn't free the words from their prison. Dread settles deeper and deeper into her stomach as each moment of silence passes between them, spreading the fear farther into her being.
"Do you," she finally breathes out in a low whisper, each word tearing at her heart, "hate me?"
Laxus doesn't answer quickly. "No," he sighs quietly.
Minor relief is overshadowed with worry as Lucy drops down to his side on the couch. The motion is enough to make her sway but she quickly rights herself. She wraps her hand underneath his bicep while gently laying her other on his forearm.
"I'm sorry," she quickly mutters, looking down at the floor in shame. "I didn't mean to hurt you before. It just felt really nice and—"
Laxus chokes on a breath as his eyes pop open. "What?" he sputters as he looks over at her in disbelief.
Lucy looks up and feels her breath catch at the drastic emotions dancing in his eyes.
"I'm sorry," she repeats softly.
Disbelief turns into guilt as Laxus closes his mouth. He drops his eyes to her knees as he reaches across his body to grab the hand resting on his forearm.
"No," he tells her seriously. "I'm sorry. I…I just can't make you happy."
"But you do make me happy," Lucy insists as she leans forwards, pressing against him more prominently.
Laxus' eyes soften and he looks back at the floor. "Not in the way you want." he tells her solemnly.
"What way is that?" she asks innocently.
Laxus tenses at in her voice. His eyes hesitantly lift over her luscious form: the pale skin of her sculpted leg before it disappears underneath the thin robe, wonderfully round and thick hips draw into a tight stomach barely cinched by the loose knot, how the edge of the robe's neckline seems to barely hang against her broad breasts, then curious eyes waiting expectantly for an answer.
Creeping thoughts of running his hands up her legs and down her chest warm his veins. He turns away uneasily as he thickly swallows.
Lucy frowns as worry slips into her mind once again at his lack of response.
"Because I can't just be…with you," his voice strained with shame.
Lucy leans back in quiet shock. Looking around anxiously she finally returns her gaze to the side of his handsome face. "Is there something wrong with me?" she whispers.
"No!" he snaps, his eyes wide and frantic. "No! It's not you!"
"Then what—?"
"It's…it's me! I can't…I won't…" he stumbles off awkwardly. Shaking his head, he clenches his fists in aggravation. Dropping his head low, he feels the beginnings of frustrated tears begin to itch his eyes. "I promised myself," he explains in a strained whisper, afraid to raise his voice any higher in fear of letting tears appear, "that I would wait for someone who loves me."
"But I do love you." Lucy says with quiet sincerity.
Laxus' heart stops beating. All thoughts perish within his mind and the sound of the room quietens to a still silence. He slowly lifts his head and turns his stunned gaze onto Lucy.
"You…love me?" he asks hesitantly, fearfully.
"Of course, I love you," her eyes soften as she hugs herself back against his arm. "You're my best friend."
Laxus stares at her in shock. A beat of his heart deafens his eardrums, pushing a single thought to the forefront of his mind. Despite himself, Laxus can't help the brush of pink from spreading over his cheeks. Afraid to breathe, Laxus slowly turns his body. Never turning away from those beautiful eyes, he asks, "You want…to be with me?"
Lucy gently grasps his hands and whispers softly, "I don't ever want to be without you."
A tremble rumbles through his body into his heart and echoes into his soul. Warmth and eagerness erupt from that isolated place and begin to tumble forth in torrents against his skin, muscles, and mind. Frozen heartbeats surge back into life at full speed and drum in his ears.
But one question still lingers in the back of his mind, snarling its doubt and rejection.
Feeling the tension and desire thicken between them, Lucy leans forward cautiously. This elicits a gasp of excitement from Laxus as he watches her with rapt attention, never prying his gaze away from hers. Slowly and carefully, she raises her chin while he lowers his own. As the tip of their noses graze each other, they halt with heavy breaths.
Nose to nose, he watches as her eyes shift over his face in thoughtful consideration. The lights shining in her eyes becoming hypnotizing as he examines how the golden specks littering her orbs sway fluidly.
An instinctive graze from the side of his nose tilts Lucy's eyes to his own. Laxus' burning eyes search her slightly hooded glimmering ones; a silent and desperate plea of sincerity throttles the air in his lungs but he forces past the barrier.
"Tell me one thing," he urges in a begging tone.
"Anything," Lucy agrees, her eyelids barely open.
"Will you ever hurt me?" he mutters softly against her lips.
"Never," the motion of her lips as faint as the sigh of her breath.
Raging emotions from moments before slow to a quiet stillness. The distrustful voice is squashed into silence as a single heartbeat resonates from Laxus' core outwards through his mind and soul. Warmth freezes behind his skin. Tingles shimmy into his muscles.
Lucy's eyes flutter close as she timidly touches her soft lips to his parted ones.
Laxus surrenders as his eyes roll into his head and his eyelids drop. All his pent-up emotions and desires roar back into life as he presses firmly into the kiss. Pink dusting along his cheeks turns to a deeper red.
Warmth and tenderness penetrate layers of iron-clad defenses to surround and envelop the fragile, delicate heart deep within the man's chest which greedily and desperately drowns in the torrent of affection.
Suddenly short of breath, Lucy breaks away in a pant. Laxus sucks in a gulp of air before pressing forward to connect his lips to her soft ones. Thick hands slide up her arms to encircle her back and embrace her body. Nimble but strong arms wrap around his shoulders as she readily and firmly presses back and tilts her head off to the side.
A low moan vibrates in Lucy's throat at the feeling of strong muscular arm wrapping around her frame once more. The desire from before surges through her body again. Tingles and warmth erupt along her skin and dive into her muscles. They begin to consume her body and pool in the apex between her legs. Pushed further and deeper into the haze of lust, she moans her delight against Laxus' lips.
Immediately, his body is driven into excitement overload as his mind is struck with a barrage of overwhelming sensations: large, tender breasts pressing into his hot skin, sturdy thighs poised elegantly to the side, wet lips smothering and parting his panting mouth for her curious tongue to explore, maddening moans of lust echoing down his throat, and instinctual shifts against his body drives his mind into a blur of excitement.
Pulling away from her back, his hands drag themselves to her heavy breasts. Filling his palms and fingers, he squeezes them firmly; eliciting a fully gratifying groan from the slayer and satisfying his long-time desire to handle her delicious tits. Squeezing them again and again rouses his excitement to heightened levels and he feels himself harden.
The sensation of her globes being rolled and squeezed has Lucy gasping at the barrage of unknown pleasure trembling down her body. Not wanting to be separated from her for even a moment, Laxus eagerly kisses her smooth neck as his hands continue to play with her chest. Lucy moans his name unashamedly as her hands run over his shoulders before slipping inside of his shirt to massage his back muscles.
Hearing his name dripping with such want, Laxus' rough hands drop to fumble with the woman's belt but stumble over the oddly tied knot. Pulling away from her neck Laxus looks down at the damn contraption but doesn't immediately see how to undo it.
So—in his lust induced impatience—he rips apart the belt fabric, leaving the knot hanging off one side by a limp thread.
Without thought, he spreads her robe apart and feels his heart and dick thrum in excitement. Below his eyes, he admires the rich, creamy skin of her ample chest with small areas of pink and hardened nipples at the peaks. More skin graces his view as her tight stomach and heavenly hips lead to strong, smooth legs.
And tucked away between those thighs is a leading trail of blonde hair.
Fervor erupts within his veins and he feels his breath become labored.
Feeling the crisp air and the freedom from the lack of clothes, Lucy sighs happily. Her skin complains of the lack of contact it so desperately desires so she pulls Laxus away from his examination and slants her mouth over his in feverish delight. Her small hands drag down his collar to the exposed part of his chest where they slid inside to rub against his chiseled chest.
A wicked moan vibrates in her throat and echoes into Laxus' mind.
Lost in the mania of lust, Laxus grips his shirt and tears it open, buttons popping off and landing on the ground with sharp clinks. His arms wrap around Lucy's frame and yanks her skin against his own, needing to feel her glorious skin against his own hot, demanding body. Groans of pure bliss erupt from both of their mouths as they briefly pull apart.
Moving on instinct, Laxus pulls Lucy's figure across his lap to lay her on the other side of the couch while also turning his own body to kneel at her bent knees. Slipping his hands around the backs of her calves, he separates her legs to lay them around his thighs.
His eyes roam down her figure, displayed for him openly and brazenly. Her robe is trapped beneath her body, bunched in different areas. A beautiful blush has appeared over her cheeks and flushes her porcelain skin. Both of her breasts float up and down with each ragged breath. And at the base, his eyes drop to her womanhood. His heartrate picks up to breakneck pace and his dick throbs urgently when he sees the pretty, glistening pink folds surrounded by the light blonde hair.
Brown hooded eyes watch in hazy wonder as Laxus scrambles with his belt, curses falling from his lips. The clink of metal against leather is followed by a speedy zip of his zipper. She leans up on her elbows and watches him pull the hem of his jeans and underwear down enough to pull out his thick erection.
A gasp falls from her lips as a wave of pleasure ripples through her and her womanhood clenches in want. Her view of his cock is quickly blocked as Laxus lays himself on top of her and forces his lips onto her own, pushing her back into the couch.
Laxus slightly pulls away with ragged breathes and feels a surge of passion run down his spine at the soft curves pressed into his hard muscles. Reaching between them, he runs his dick's head up and down her sensitive folds trying to find her entrance.
Lucy's head falls back and she gasps at sharp pleasure of him trailing himself over her sensitive clit and flesh. Instinctively, her legs spread farther to give him more access.
The head finds a dip in her folds, his tip slipping between her lips. Teasing pleasure shots up Laxus' spine but he holds the position as he brings his hand beside Lucy's face. Looking down at the woman, he feels his body throb in desire at the sexual need in her face.
Her hands reach up for him and pull him into a deep kiss while wrapping her arms around his shoulders and back in a tight embrace.
Thrusting his hips forward, Laxus settles inside of her tight pussy.
Both peel apart and release guttural groans of each other's names and curses of ecstasy. Removing all but the head, he thrusts into her warmth again and releases another string of curses as she grips at his biceps. Mind-bending pleasure overwhelms their bodies as Laxus pulls away only to rejoin himself to Lucy.
Lucy's eyes roll around in her head while her head spins wildly. Bliss spreads from her pussy when he pushes himself inside of her, filling her up so deliciously. Wet noises sloshes between them as he slathers himself in her juices again and again.
Laxus' mind blanks as his body moves on its own. Deepening waves of ecstasy flood his body as his cock is massaged by wrapping himself in the warm, wet, rippled flesh with each thrust. Need pushes his body to go faster, wanting to feel that sweet grip and release again and again.
The pleasure builds between them at a quickened pace with Laxus' growing speed. Moans and groans fill the air as Laxus continues to thrust himself to the wanting Lucy. Her hands move up and down his shoulders and arms as he holds himself above her.
She feels herself tightening more and more as he drives himself harder inside of her. Sometimes he pauses for split moment, relishing in her tight confines before pulling back and repeating. Lucy notes absentmindedly how she loves how he pushes all the way inside of her and stops so she can feel the intense pleasure of squeezing his thickening length.
"Oh, Lucy," he groans as he lobs his head back, a thick flush burning his face.
"L-Laxus…" Lucy calls out, her legs spreading and narrowing around his waist as she writhes in desire.
He tries to speed up again but finds himself too overwhelmed by the luscious pleasure from her body. Too far gone, the strong grip of her walls tips Laxus over his peek. His body shifts as his cum begins to rush from his balls and up his shaft. "Oh, oh!" he chokes out as he stills himself deep inside of her.
Lucy gasps as her body tingles with the sheer bliss of gripping his dick at its hardest and thickest.
"Fuck, yes!" a guttural groan spills from his throat as hot cum shoots out his tightly wrapped cock. Sheer bliss and ecstasy wipe his mind and causes convulsions to tremble through his body as he keeps himself buried until the last drop of cum drips out of him.
Just as quickly as it came, the soaring high dwindles to shudders and labored moans. Laxus leans forward to rest his forehead in the crook of Lucy's neck while catching his breath. Pants, heavy and thick, escape in uneven groans as his body calms from the explosion of pleasure.
Lucy wiggles underneath him as she wraps her arms under his shoulders. She nuzzles against him, burying half of her face in his pointy hair, and lovingly whispers his name into his ear.
After a few moments, the sound of his name and the indescribable pleasure spreading up and down his spine and throughout his body causes Laxus to jolt backwards in realization.
He peers down at Lucy with wide eyes as she stares back at him with flushed cheeks and swollen parted lips. Her own shallow pants heave her bountiful breasts in a beautiful rhythm against his chest. Their conjoined bodies held together between weak knees and his softened manhood.
"I-I'm…" he chokes up in panic. "I-I'm sorry. I came too early. You're disappointed. I…I—"
Lucy hugs Laxus' shoulders tighter so his face drops closer to her own. His worried eyes stare down in shock as hers soften.
"Laxus," a tender smile lifts her lips, "you make me so happy."
Tears pool behind Laxus eyes and his lip quivers in joy. Without thinking, he crashes his lips to Lucy's as elation and relief releases his doubts and worries. Lucy's blood surges within her veins, bliss and peace swirling together as she pulls him closer still. Tears drip down his cheeks before being washed away between wet lips, dancing tongues, and lustful moans.
Desire heats their bodies again as the blondes writhe, caress, kiss, and hold one another. Lucy unlocks her arms around his shoulders so she can run her hands over the muscles lining his back in pleasurable delight. Inside of her, Laxus feels his dick begin to swell again, needing long craved attention.
Lucy pulls away and pushes Laxus to sit up. He leans back automatically, pulling his growing manhood from her warmth, as she pushes herself up on her elbows. A sultry grin pulls at her cheeks as she tugs on his pants. Getting the message, Laxus adjusts and bends so he can fully relieve himself of his clothes and tosses them away. For a moment, she allows her eyes to digest his fully naked form. As her womanhood begins to tingle in anticipation, she lifts herself to her knees and wraps her arms around his shoulders once more.
Tongues quickly strike against one another as heady moans fill the air. Falling against him, Lucy awkwardly pushes Laxus backwards to sit against the couch, her body twisting to the side since she refuses to let him go.
Their lips part as Lucy eagerly kisses across his cheek before nibbling on his earlobe. Playfulness getting the better of her, her tongue slips out the trace the edges of her ear before swirling inside. Goosebumps erupt on his skin and he jerks away from the spike of pleasure.
Laxus turns his face to witness how the curves of her body are laid out to him. One hand reaches out to grab her breasts and he can't help but moan at the soft, malleable globes of flesh in his hand. Heat rises to his face once again as excitement buries itself within his chest. Tweaking her nipple, he receives a gratifying moan of his name from his lover. With the sudden urge to hear that response again, the hand slides down her soft skin and over her curves in relentless appreciation.
The half-lying, half-bent position slowly becomes uncomfortable to the blonde woman. Before long, Lucy forcible pulls herself away to lift herself upwards; Laxus watches her every move with rapt attention. With a questioning gaze, Lucy leans toward him and steadies herself before swinging her leg over his hips. Laxus begins to pant in excitement as Lucy's deliciously curvy form is displayed before him. And his desire is only heightened as she slips the untied robe from her body, leaving her fully, beautifully, and wonderfully exposed. His now thick, prominent manhood twitches between them with eagerness.
With a mischievous smile, Lucy plants a deep kiss full of want, desire, and lust upon his lips. One Laxus eagerly returns.
Reluctantly, she pulls away her lips sticking to Laxus', and sits up against his thighs. She reaches between them to grab his base and he lets out a choked groan at the wonderous feeling. Guiding him to her entrance, his tip prods the lips as she lowers herself enough to catch him so she can remove her hand. She bounces slowly and carefully so she presses him slightly further into herself the second time. Even further the third time. And the fourth.
Pure pleasure ripples outwards from her hips as she spreads herself around the thick man, causing her head to loll backwards as she moans his name.
Laxus tightly grasps onto her thighs as he clenches his abdomen and groans in exhilaration. Labored breathes accompany hazy internal demands of not orgasming at the mere sight of Lucy mounting him, the tightness of the newfound position, and the overwhelming pleasure lighting his blood on fire.
Fully seated, Lucy tries rocking, bouncing, and rolling as varying levels of pleasure transcend her body. Some positions push his cock in the wrong direction, making it uncomfortable for Lucy, while others drive a spike of pleasure through her with each thrust. But trying her best to remember which ones are which is difficult because of how the pleasure seems to wipe away any standing attention. Instead, her body moves on its own accord, finding multiple ways of bringing itself ecstasy.
Laxus finds his mind entranced between how beautifully her body moves against him and how the new position brings a different but wonderful type of pleasure. He watches with engrossed attention as her tits bounce back and forth in wonderous fluidity. If he looks down, he can watch his dick glide in and out of her and sometimes catch a glimpse of her clit between her lips. Unable and far too unwilling to stop her fervent movements, he reaches backwards to grip the back of the couch for support to stop himself from cumming too soon. Ragged breaths force his muscled chest into a feverish speed. Spikes of bliss force his head back against the top of the couch as he wildly moans out Lucy's name. Riding the growing waves of emotional exhilaration, slivers of electricity occasionally spark along his flushed skin.
The view of Laxus' muscular abdomen, from his toned hips leading to defined abs and a chiseled chest with his swirling tattoo decorating one side, his arms above his head in makeshift surrender, and his head back with his eyes shut tight and mouth agape in pleasure sets Lucy's mind reeling and her body tightening in sight-induced pleasure. Lucy leans forward, pressing her heavy bosom into his panting chest, and holds his hands against the couch as she forces her lips against his own. Where her skin braces against his, lightning gently shocks her nerves causing delicious vibrations to pass through her body.
Without opening his eyes, he pushes against her lips in urgency. The feeling of her smooth, sweaty skin against his flushed skin pushes his body closer to the edge.
The position slows her bouncing but deepens the impact of each plunge. One particular movement cause Lucy to throw her head back and moan.
"Please, don't stop," Laxus begs as his hips surge forth in want. He then moans as a wave of pleasure rolls through him
Lucy gasps. "Ah, do that again," she pleas as her starry eyes meet his lively ones.
Laxus complies and forces his hips upwards to meet hers and she cries out in ecstasy. Laxus begins to thrust as she continues to bounce on him. Ever growing, her pleasure becomes greater and greater with each bounce and thrust.
Nearing her body's peak, desperation for the ultimate release seeps into her will. Trailing her hand down her body, her fingers begin to rub at her clit. Almost instantly, sharper pleasure rolls through her body as her walls clench harder around the cock buried in her and brings a wonderful burning sensation tingling throughout her hips.
"Oh, god, yes" she raggedly chokes out between carnal huffs and pants.
Laxus watches the nimble fingers make their descent and nearly loses his control by the new sight and feeling. Nimble fingers circle her small bit of flesh, making her delightfully tighter than before, while just below his slick dick appears and reappears at a maddening pace. The pleasure of the sight and feeling bringing him close to his end.
"Lucy, please cum for me," Laxus begs, needing her to finish before she makes him lose his mind and blows his load prematurely.
With one hand against the back of the couch, Lucy's breathing becomes ragged as she continues to bounce and rub her clit while enjoying how hard Laxus had become. Tightness spreads through the muscles in her limbs and core, signaling how close she is to her edge. Those burning tingles spread out to her feet and fingertips and up to her shoulders, lighting afire the other nerves in the pathway.
Pressing harder onto her clit, Lucy moans loudly as tips herself over the edge. All her nerves flare to life as her walls pulse against the hard shaft. Lucy pushes herself against Laxus' body, burying her face into his shoulder, needing to feel something against her breasts to push her further into ecstasy. Her body locks up as mind-bending pleasure shoots through her veins. The name of her lover pours from her lips in screams of elation.
The new level of tightness and yelling of his name overwhelms Laxus' mind and body. Electricity spears through his veins, his mind blanking once more as his body also tightens up at the height of pleasure. With select curses, he tightly wraps his arms around her still frame as he bathes in the ecstasy of his rock-hard dick spurting cum against her pulsating walls. Unbeknownst to him, he also injects small amounts of his lightning into his unsuspecting blonde lover.
As the pleasure ebbs away, both mages release their strong grips to limply hold one another while trying to catch their breath. Heartbeats pound in their chest, blood rushing past their ears. Pants slowly turn to shallow breathing. Shadows of their lust are left behind as they drink in the satisfaction and the delight of the other's lingering touch in the following moments.
"Hey, Laxus?" Lucy's quiet voice whispers into his ear after a few minutes.
He hums in question, his mind both acutely aware of her presence and dazed by their activities.
"Are you hungry?"
Silence is her only answer. Confused by the lack of response, Lucy leans back to look at him questioningly. But is pleasantly surprised to find him staring at the ceiling with a smile.
"You okay?" she asks as she pokes him lightly in the chest.
Laxus pulls his head forward to catch Lucy's eye. He pulls her tighter, relishing in how incredible it feels to hold her so close.
"Yeah," he whispers in astonishment. His eyes skim over her face as he tries to memorize everything about this moment for all of eternity. "I've just…never been this happy."
Supple lips rise as a delicate hand lifts to touch Laxus' cheek so he may look into her soft doe eyes. "I want to make you happy," she tells him just as quietly, her fingers gently tracing his cheekbone.
Laxus' smile deepens, his soul cheering in joyous appreciation. Muscular hands reach up to cup her head, long blonde hair slipping through his fingers as he holds her tight.
Leaning together, two sets of lips join in gentle contact. Their hearts and souls dive into the warm abyss of each other's affection, trust, and comfort.
Forgetting the worry, forgetting the gang members, forgetting the alcohol, forgetting tomorrow's plans, forgetting all else, Lucy and Laxus lose themselves to their happiness and desire.
Sunshine breaks through the windows. Two birds sing merrily on the balcony rail.
Blackness breaks away to reality as pain sears through Laxus' head. Birdsong gradually fades into the background as he arouses from his slumber. Refusing to wake, he twists his head away from the light but another string of pain rings through his head. Forcing himself to open his eyes, he initially cringes from the harsh light but it slowly dulls to show shapes and clear lines.
Taking in his surroundings he notices he is laying naked in his bed. Clothes and pillows are scattered around the floor. The bathroom door hangs open, a slight trickle of water from a faucet resounding past the door. Fuck, I drank too much, he swears internally.
Suddenly, something behind him shifts. A ball drops in Laxus' stomach. Jerking his head around instinctually to confront the unknown threat, he jolts to a shrieking halt as his heart nearly stops.
Laying next to him is a naked sleeping Lucy Heartfilia.
"What the fuc—" he stops as the memories of the drinking contest, the thugs, kissing her, touching her body, and claiming her over and over again flash in rapid succession.
Brown eyes flutter open as Lucy groans from the ache in her head and across her body. Reality slowly bleeds into place until a familiar figure lays directly in front of her. For a brief moment, she wonders why Laxus is in bed with her.
Then her eyes bulge in horror, the memories of the previous night flooding back.
Quickly sitting up, her eyes meet Laxus' as she hurriedly yanking the covers around her body. Lucy's mouth drops open to say something, anything, but nothing comes out. Nausea rises in her stomach as she turns her head away in shame.
Anger suddenly rises within Laxus. Throwing the covers away, he grabs a pair of nearby pants to cover himself. Quickly grabbing his coat, he tosses it over his thick shoulders as he begins to soak his self in his magic.
Just as his lightning nearly transforms his body into his element, a voice urges him to look at his partner. To say something. To stay. But the anger roars above the voice, demanding to leave.
So, without a word or glance, he flies away.
And now, all alone, Lucy cries. Her heart broken and soul heavy with guilt.
By noon, Lucy drags herself to the train station. Everything passes in a blur. The last thing she remembers is the receptionist asking her if everything is alright since Laxus apparently appeared suddenly in the front lobby, paid for their trip, and left hours beforehand.
Or something like that. She really doesn't care.
How did this happen? She wonders to herself, the ever-present nausea threatening to rise. Vivid memories of the previous night push to the forefront of mind. Shame grips her insides as shivers erupt along her skin as phantoms of muscular hands circle her waist and trail up the back of her arms. Clenching her eyes shut, she tries to push the memories and emotions back into the recesses of her mind.
"Next!"
Lucy is snapped out of her tumultuous thoughts at the loud voice of the nearby train clerk selling tickets. Blinking in confusion, Lucy looks around and suddenly realizes that she is now standing in the train station. Sunlight from the large skylights highlight all of the rambunctious life traipsing through the train station. Whistles announcing the trains' departures rings through the vast building. Sighing wearily to herself, she trudges over to the line.
As she waits to purchase her ticket, the memories begin to creep up on her once more. Shaking her head—tears pricking at the corners of her eyes—she wishes she was already in Magnolia, in her house where she can snuggle under her sheets and pretend that none of this ever happened.
A horrifying realization then occurs to her: Laxus is in Magnolia. At the guild hall.
Blood rushes to her head as her heart creeps into her limbs, leaving her unable to feel the trembling in her muscles. The air becomes heavy and thick and her lungs struggle to find enough oxygen. Darkness encroaches the edges of her vision as it surrounds and consumes everything around her, leaving her stranded in the black wasteland.
What do I do…!? her loud voice screams in her head. Where can I go…!? I-I can't go back to the guild! Laxus will be there. Then where can I go? Magnolia is my home…my only home…I don't have anywhere else to go! …Wait…Wait…There is one other place…maybe…
Pulling herself out of that dark place but still dazed by her previous thoughts, Lucy looks the other way and suddenly realizes how far away the line has gotten. Embarrassed, she lowers her head before jogging to close the distance.
Minutes tick by as one-by-one passengers buy their tickets and make their way to their respective trains. Finally, Lucy hears the clerk call out her to step up to the podium.
"Good morning," the clerk greets Lucy. "Where is your destination?"
"Onibus," Lucy answers, a knot forming in her stomach alongside the feeling of hopeful reassurance. The celestial wizard pulls out some jewel to lay on the counter.
"Very well," the clerk takes the money before shuffling different papers around; marking some and tearing others before handing Lucy a ticket and several maps with full details of where to switch rails and time details. "Here is everything you need. Please have a safe journey home and I hope you have had a wonderful stay here at Eden's Garden."
Only a complicated frown is offered before she takes her things and heads for the train.
Stars glitter overhead as the moon shines from somewhere beyond the wide building in front of her. The domed pinnacle and cement columns of the Love and Lucky Guild stand idly by as the glowing lights in the row of windows showcase business dealings and meetings led by the members within.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Lucy feels anything but stable.
During the past two and half days on the train ride to Onibus and the half a day's walk to Acalypha, Lucy has felt her anxiety and dismay eating away her insides. Not sure if she was doing the right thing but too afraid to do anything else, she constantly reminded herself how she had nowhere else to go. More than ever, she just wants someone to tell her what to do.
And how to be okay again.
Pulling open the doors, Lucy slips inside and is greeted by the rush of warm air. Spread amongst the table are members leaned over books, writing paper after paper, and signing packets of forms. Off to the side is a receptionist filing paperwork.
"Pardon, me?" Lucy interrupts the woman. "Do you know where Jude Heartfilia is?"
"Oh?" she cocks her head to the side curiously. "Yes, of course. He's down the north hallway."
"Thank you."
As she walks down the long hallway, she checks the names on each of the passing doors; her anxiety growing with each step. By the time she reaches the door with her father's name Lucy feels as if she is about to burst with tears and vomit.
For a split second, she considers running away. But what is left of her pride reminds her that she would never be able to face herself again if she did so and that as a Fairy Tail member she has to be strong.
Timidly, knocking on the wood, she wrings her hands as she waits for permission to enter.
"Come in," her father's muffled voice calls out from beyond the wood.
Taking one last breath, she pushes the door open to slip inside. Waiting behind the desk, with his attention turned toward some papers, is Jude Heartfilia. Silently closing the door, she watches him work for several moments.
"Hi, Dad," she greets weakly.
Snapping his head up, Jude's face brightens into a smile. "Lucy. This is a pleasant surprise."
Lucy' lips pull into a disheartened frown.
"Is everything alright?" Jude's face falls in worry.
"No." Lucy's voice quivers as tears begin to sprout forth. "Nothing's all right."
Dropping her head, streams of tears roll down her cheeks and onto the floor. All of the pent-up emotions, sadness, humiliation, shame, worry, anger, frustration, anxiety, guilt, and self-hate crash through the walls in her heart. Unable to hold herself up any longer she lets her body fall against the hard door and her head into her hands.
Jude rushes around the desk to his sobbing daughter's side. Unsure of what to say, Jude lays a comforting hand on her back.
"I'm sorry," Lucy chokes through the tears. "I'm so sorry."
"Come on, Lucy," Jude tries to gently guide her toward the chair in front of his desk. Lucy allows herself to follow his motions and sits herself down in the plush seat. "Now," Jude states firmly, taking a seat in his chair on the other side of the desk. "Tell me what happened."
Lucy snorts loudly before wiping at her face with her hands. Gathering the remains of her courage while letting go of her vanity, she tells her father the entire story through mumbled words and choked sobs. The only parts she refuses to speak of are the details regarding her and Laxus' night together because she can't bring herself to think of her actions without feeling sick with shame.
Jude listens quietly, his face gradually falling throughout the story. At the end, he stares at his daughter in pensive worry. Eventually, Jude raises from his chair and approaches Lucy, whom has calmed down considerably since she first arrived.
Jude kneels in front of his daughter. "Lucy." He lightly grabs her upper arms.
Surprised at the sudden contact, Lucy looks down at her father through teary eyes.
Jude's face softens. "Lucy," he says gently. "I know it's late and you are probably exhausted but there is something important you have to do."
"What?" Lucy asks dumbly.
"You need to go see a doctor."
The sound of knocking pounds through the house.
Laxus jerks in his sleep, his dazed mind yanking itself away from the half-remembered dream. Silence fills the air around him as he listens. Hope begins to grow that he was just imagining the noise but is snapped away as he hears more accursed knocking. Groaning, he rolls out of bed and slowly treads towards his front door.
Wondering who in the hell would wake him at this time of day as he descends down the stairs, Laxus instinctively looks out the window in the other room to see the how a deep gold and hints of pink pours through the panes. Sunrise? He thinks to himself in disbelief. Who the hell gets up before sunrise to come and bother me? I'm not in the fucking mood for this shit right now.
Another series of knocks begins.
"Knock it the fuck off—" Laxus begins as he rips the door open but feels his voice torn away when he sees golden hair and brown eyes. Hand dangling on the knob, eyes wide, and jaw hanging open, every aspect of his body, mind, and soul drop the center of Earthland in dread.
"Good morning, Laxus," Jude Heartfilia greets.