The First Sin
Summary: "My, my… She has such delicious thoughts… So envious. So much hate. It's the best thing I've ever tasted!" He ran his fingers through her hair, cradling her to his chest, "All alone. Abandoned. Your family stayed with you. While her family left." – Sent during the Guilds disbandment. LaLu and other couples.
Authors note: Here is the next chapter! Back on track with it. This chapter can count as a filler / intro to the next Arc. Hope you enjoy it because things are about to heat up!
Disclaimer: I in no way own Fairy Tail! I do however own my own characters.
Arc: Envy
Chapter 5: Next Step
Laxus stared in disbelief, his mind sluggish as the spell finally wore off. His magic still sparks along his skin, but his senses hit him full force, staggering him and sending him to his knees. The smell of scorched skin and burned hair entered his nose, making him gag. It was only the quiet moan he heard that had him back on his feet and swallowing down the bile in his throat.
Staggering, the hulking man made his way across the room, ignoring everything except the blonde against the far wall.
"Lucy." His voice was husky and he licked his lips to try again, "Lucy."
The woman hissed as she opened her eyes, squinting to see him. Her arms cradled her waist and her clothes were charred, barely hiding her most intimate areas from him, "You're... okay..." Her whisper only pulled at his heart and he knelt down, hands hovering just above her, unsure where to touch her.
"Of course I am. But you- Why did you do that? I could have killed you!" His voice was raw, his throat tightening as he took in her injuries. Surprisingly the worst seemed to be the reddened skin on her waist, but for all he knew, even if her clothing protected her, she could have had internal injuries and he would have been none the wiser.
"Virgo... Virgo said that clothes were insulated." A shuddering gasp left the blondes lips and she slumped forward, one lithe hand reaching up to grab his.
Laxus held his breath, his hand dwarfing hers. He could feel her shaking and his eyes widened at the scar on her now exposed side. White skin snaked up her waist, lightning burned into her flesh forever immortalised, a symbol and testament to having survived his lightning.
"Lucy..." He couldn't find the words to say he was sorry. Couldn't even hold her and make sure she was ok for fear of hurting her more. But when she turned her head, her smile made his heart stutter. It was strained, and her eyes gave away her pain, and yet she wanted him to feel better. No matter what state she was in.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine." And just like that her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she fell forward, colliding with his chest with a dull thump.
"Stupid woman..." Laxus huffed before readjusting her, cradling her gently to him as he stood, "Of all the dumb things you could have done..."
He scoffed, but his eyes were drawn down to her face, the pain having fled her while she rested. His heart clenched, the image of her being struck, him being unable to call off his magic, watching through his own eyes like a movie... He shivered at the memory, careful of how frail she was.
The rest of the opium den remained unconscious and Laxus swallowed heavily. His hands were numb, remembering all the hits he had landed. Disgust welled up in him but he ignored it, a more important task at hand.
xXx The First Sin xXx
"Lucy..."
She moaned, barely opening her eyes to look around. But what she saw shocked her and she bolted upright, her body numb.
"Whe-where am I?" Wide brown eyes took in the stars all around her, the invisible ground she sat on bewildering and terrifying at the same time.
"Relax. You're fine here." The voice was achingly familiar and Lucy turn to face the speaker, a sharp sting burning her eyes.
"Aquarius?" The whisper barely left her mouth, afraid if she spoke to loudly than she would realise that none of what she was seeing was real.
"Yes Lucy. It's me." A gentle hand landed in her blonde hair and pulled her into an affectionate hug, "And you're so stupid..."
"How..." Lucy swallowed, feeling the tears fall down her cheeks, "How are you here?"
Aquarius sighed above her before leaning back, hands cupping Lucy face, "You're asleep. But the King let me have the time to connect with you this way. Being asleep is the closest you can be the the Spirit Realm without actually crossing through a gate. And he said you needed it... Loke... He said you'd been stupid and Taurus was angry when he came back. I can only assume you had something to do with that." The amused look in the water spirits eyes made Lucy laugh, the hole in her chest closing a little bit.
"Ah... well. I'm on a mission right now. I guess. And I sent Taurus away because I knew he would stop me from doing what I did." A faint blush coated Lucy's cheeks and she looked away, unable to take the accusing gaze the mermaid pinned her with.
"And what, exactly, did you do?" Aquarius huffed, turning Lucy to face her again.
"I um, Iusedmyselfasalightningrod!" The jumbled words still made sense to Aquarius and the spirit bulked at her previous master, disbelief and horror making the colour drain from her face.
"You did what!" She quickly pulled the blonde up from the ground, hands flying to make sure she wasn't injured in any life-threatening way.
"I'm ok! I'm fine." Lucy batted the fluttering hands away, "I think Laxus managed to pull back some of his magic. I think he's taking care of me now… my body, at least."
She placed a hand to her heart, feeling it beat under her palm.
"Tch. Yeah, well you gotta be more careful." Aquarius glared at the blonde before making sure she was really alright, "Now listen here."
Lucy snapped to attention, eyes alert as she drank in the sight of her oldest friend and spirit.
"I'm not allowed to say too much. But the Spirit King is worried. About you... About what's happening on Earthland. Leo brought something back that Crux is looking into. So stay sharp out there. And be ready for anything."
Lucy cried out as something pushed on her, mind reeling as darkness consumed her.
She jolted awake with a start, half upright when her side flared with pain. She could barely groan as she tried to catch her breath, her lungs contracting. Sweat covered her, a large shirt clung to her pale skin as she tried to take everything in.
"Woah. Calm down blondie!" The familiar voice sent a wave of comfort through her and Lucy squinted through the light of the room to see Laxus next to her, his hair messy and his eyes hollow. He looked as though he hadn't eaten or slept in days.
"Laxus..." She croaked, her mouth dry.
"Here. Drink this." Gently, he placed a straw in her mouth and held up a glass for her to drink from. Slowly, she took in small mouthfuls of the liquid, surprised by the sweetness that greeted her.
"Thank you." Lucy sat back when she had her fill, the pain subsiding from her body, "What was that?"
Laxus looked away, ruffling her hair, "I took you to a healer. They said there was no permanent damage so they made medicine that you could drink. Your clothes did a lot to save your ass."
"Guess I should thank Virgo for that then." Lucy smiled, ignoring the way he glared at her. He sat down on the bed heavily, his eyes conveying his worry and agitation for her.
"And just what the hell were you thinking back there?" His voice rose drastically, his arms caging her on either side, her back flush against the headboard, "I could have killed you!"
Lucy huffed, crossing her arms and trying not to shiver as their breath mingled, "But you didn't kill me. I'm still here."
Laxus growled, leaning forward till their noses touched, "That isn't the point."
"Of course it is." She rolled her eyes, ignoring the tinge of orange that appeared in his eyes.
"I won't... I can't have your death on my conscience! I won't be the reason you die!" His voice cracked, eyes glossier than ever as he looked down at her.
Lucy held her breath as he moved closer, leaning closer and closer. She closed her eyes, not daring to move an inch. She felt his arms wrap around her and felt her heart stop, his heart pounding next to her ear as he pulled her close, "Thank you... Lucy."
"What did I do?" Lucy tried to talk but his shirt muffled her voice and she wrapped her own arms around his waist, relishing in his heat.
"You helped me. You saved me. You... Just..." Laxus growled and Lucy felt him lift his head from hers, "Thank you."
Her cheeks flushed when he pressed his lips onto the crown of her head, cradling her to him.
"I won't lose you." His words sent fire through her veins and she gasped. The feelings that suddenly raged through her were confusing but she subconsciously acknowledged his promise.
"I'm alright Laxus. I swear. But... what happened?" Lucy finally managed to push away, wincing as her wound pulled.
"I don't know. When the spell wore off, you were there, unconscious. And Luxuria was gone." He hissed when he met her wide eyes, "I'm hoping you didn't go through all that pain for nothing."
The regret in his eyes pulled at her heart and she grabbed his hand and held it tightly, "If she survived like I did, we'll find her. If she didn't survive... the ball is in your court."
The Dragon Slayer took a deep breath, calming himself, "I was originally ordered to find out what they were up to. Considering we haven't figured that out, we look for the next Infernos sibling."
"And do you know where to start?" Lucy stared deep into his eyes, seeing his commitment shine in them.
"No. But I figured we could work it out together." His toothy grin made her heart pound and she smiled back, still holding his hand.
"Together." She whispered, ignoring the words Aquarius had spoken to her.
xXx The First Sin xXx
And there is the next chapter! Hope you enjoyed!
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