Chapter 30: Normal POV:
Lucy didn't remember passing out on top of Bickslow. But it was what Laxus had told her that happened. When she woke, Bickslow was still sound asleep next to her. She nearly panicked, thinking he was dead until she saw Natsu sitting on a barrel against the wall next to them. The pink haired man smiled at her, "Glad you're okay, Luce. You both had us worried. The noises you made in your sleep were concerning." He told her, and Lucy frowned. She would have thrown a pillow at him but there were none. "Do you always watch me when I'm sleeping, Natsu?" She asked, watching him shake his head. She couldn't remember what she dreamt of. "No. But you should eat, Luce. You look like you need it."
Physically, Lucy only felt tired. But she looked down at herself and could see how the time had messed with herself and Bickslow. Not just mentally. He looked skinnier, and so did she. The celestial wizard understood the food remark. She realized she never got hungry in all the time she was in the Anomaly's trap. She looked the same, but never needed food. Or water for that matter. She often felt lost, rejuvenated, and tired at times… But strangely enough, never hungry or thirsty. She knew it was easy for the Anomaly to manipulate time. As it had shown them so many times before. Perhaps it could manipulate the time of their bodies as well? Not just around them. The blonde went to put a hand on Bickslow's sleeping body but the sound of creaking stairs caught her attention and she quickly turned around. She didn't know what to trust anymore. Her friends, she knew that. She thought she had killed the Anomaly with her spirits. With Bickslow. But were they the same after that? She lightly put her hand on Bickslow's chest to feel a beat. Wanting to make sure he was alive and sleeping. Not just being told he was alive. Lucy didn't want to leave his side but as Laxus stepped beside Natsu, he offered his hand. "Laxus?" She asked, glancing at Natsu, the man still smiling. "We've got some food for you. Let him sleep. Natsu will look out for him while you're upstairs." He offered. Lucy took it and struggled to stand but was grateful for the Lightning dragon slayer's help. She made it up the stairs and seated down in a chair in front of a little table. She couldn't do much with her left hand, but she could still manage to eat the sandwich with her right. Her injured hand felt for the key's that still remained on her hip, attached to her belt. She could still feel them, all of them, happy as clams. It relieved her.
Every once and awhile, Lucy turned to Laxus or anyone that was around if Bickslow was awake yet. It was just before her sixth try that Laxus went back down to see his friend. The blonde managed to finish most of her sandwich before Wendy was in front of her, asking her how she was feeling. When Lucy didn't have much of an answer, she could see the concern from Wendy. From all of them. But it was true. She really wasn't sure how she felt aside from skeptical and afraid of everything that happened. She could hear Laxus' voice again and turned her head, watching Bickslow step forward. Then as he abruptly dropped to his knees. Lucy put down her food and got up, moving to sit in front of him, staring into his eyes. Whether searching for him, or what she knew inside of the Anomaly's deception. Either way, she understood him far better than she had before. She was glad to see the same look in his eyes as she had come to be comforted by in times of horror.
Lucy glanced up to see Natsu standing behind Laxus, his eyes on them too. The celestial wizard's gaze landed on Bickslow's once more and she could see that he was tearing up again. As he used his left arm to grab her right arm and pulled her slightly closer. "So…" He began. Lucy wondered what was next. Despite all of what happened, she still felt like Bickslow was a little bit unpredictable to her. "Still want that date vacation, Cosplayer?" He questioned her. There that nickname was again. She could hear him chuckle before she shook her head, laughing lightly. "Shut up, Bickslow." She told him, before she brought him into a hug anyway. She was relieved to have him back with her. Whether they had been to hell and back, they had done so together. Lucy wasn't sure she wanted to do anything else without him. The blonde was shaking, afraid to lose him again. To almost lose him. "I'm sorry…" Bickslow whispered to her. Lucy removed herself from the embrace and looked into the older man's eyes again, "It's not your fault, Bickslow." She insisted, tears rolling down her face. Bickslow didn't waste a second in gently wiping them away, keeping his hand on her cheeks. "And it's not yours." He affirmed. Lucy felt Bickslow bring her closer to him.
The celestial wizard smiled as she met his kiss for the third time. But this one felt different than the rest. This one was savoured, this one was telling her what she meant to him. Lucy returned the kiss until someone cleared their throat next to them. When Lucy opened her eyes, she could see small smiles around them, and Makarov, standing next to them. About eye level with them.
"I'm told you know what happened here. More than anyone else. Please explain to me." Master Makarov asked. Lucy tried to see how far they were from Hargeon. At least another hour if things went smoothly at all. But before she could open her mouth, Bickslow began to explain it.