Warning: Mentions of sexual abuse/rape. Does not go into detail.
*Chapter Twenty-Six: Tough conversations
(December 10, 2017, Sunday Morning)
Natsu leaned heavily against a locker as he waited for the verdict. He thought forty-eight hours had been a long time, but the minutes ticking down until Lucy was released seemed to wear him down more than the last two days had.
He perked up when he saw Makarov and Laxus rounding the corner, along with the guard who had been watching Lucy that morning. While the other two went on ahead, Makarov stopped in front of Natsu, offering him a kind smile. "She's cleared. No signs of infection."
Despite how angry he had been over the entire situation, Natsu couldn't help but grin. "Yeah?" He didn't wait for an answer, stepping aside so he could make his way to Lucy's room.
"Remember what we talked about," Makarov called, earning a thumbs up from Natsu before he disappeared down the hall.
The door was closed, but the lock on the outside was gone. Natsu peeked in before opening the door, his heart lighter than it had been all weekend as he walked inside.
Lucy was in the corner, folding a blanket with her back turned to him. Her head snapped to the side to see who was at the door, body relaxing when she saw it was just Natsu. As she faced him, she said, "H-Hi Na—"
Lucy let out a yelp when his arms wrapped around her, pulling her against his chest. His heartbeat accelerated in seconds, his heart constricting as he held her. Natsu hadn't expected himself to do that, so he knew it surprised the hell out of Lucy. She tensed in his hold, jerking once before hearing his whispered voice.
"I'm not gonna hurt you. I promise, Lucy." He waited until she relaxed in his hold before taking a shaky breath. "I'm so glad you're safe," he murmured, loosening his grip enough to allow her to breathe, but he wasn't willing to let her go just yet. Natsu hadn't realized how much he wanted to hug her, to feel that she was truly alright and unharmed. "You scared the shit outta me."
While Lucy didn't hug him back, she did eventually lean against his chest. It was enough to make him swallow past the lump forming in his throat, wondering if she needed the hug just as much as he did. He knew she was sensitive about touching, but he didn't want to move away. He had spent every waking hour thinking about her and Happy, wanting them to be free so he could be with them again.
Natsu's shoulders started shaking as he shut his eyes, happy part of it was over. Lucy was free, and she hadn't withdrawn on him. Every time he visited yesterday she had talked back with him, though not as much as he liked. It was better than nothing, showing she wasn't willing to lose her progress.
"Wh... What's wrong?" she whispered, voice muffled by his chest.
He thought she might push on him to get him away, but she did no such thing, allowing him to embrace her.
"I thought you were gonna die," he mumbled, eyes widening when he heard his own voice. He hadn't realized how true those words rang until he said them, but the uncertainty terrified him. He thought he was going to lose her, all because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"What?" Lucy jolted back, able to escape his grasp since he didn't put up a fight. It was probably time to let go anyway. "Y-you said I was g-going to make it." Panic flooded her eyes, her teeth chattering as she wrapped her arms around herself. He didn't know if she was cold or scared, but judging by the way she clung to the hoodie she wore, he guessed it was the former.
"I meant," he started, hearing and feeling the strain in his voice. He cleared his throat, but it didn't help. "I mean when Warcry had you on the ground. I..." His heart felt heavy as his stomach dropped. He bit his inner cheek, preventing himself from tearing up. He needed to be strong for her. Now wasn't the time to get emotional.
Despite knowing that, he couldn't help but take a shaky breath as he confessed, "I thought that was gonna be it." Lucy was his friend, and he almost lost her. He was done losing friends, tired of burying their bodies. He knew then and there he didn't see her as his responsibility anymore. He wasn't being nice to her because he made some promise two months ago. He wanted Lucy safe because she was his friend.
He didn't feel obligated to help her.
He wanted to help her. It just took almost losing her to realize that.
Natsu's fingers twitched, but he remained rooted in his spot. He wanted to hug her again, to show her she had a friend, but he didn't move an inch. Instead he let his words express how he felt, even if he knew that wasn't his strong suit.
Natsu stared into her eyes, searching for answers to a question he hadn't asked. He took a deep breath, eyes softening as he whispered, "Where did that come from anyways? When you hit him?"
He was still amazed she was able to defend herself, even for a moment. From how she reacted the first time he saw her near a zombie, he thought she would have freaked out and gotten killed, but she stood her ground.
Well, she wasn't standing, but she didn't let the zombie take a bite out of her either.
Lucy averted her eyes, the softest flush spreading over her face. He worried he had embarrassed her by putting her on the spot, but she answered anyway, voice barely a mumble as she said, "You've... you've been f-fighting so hard... to keep... to keep me alive."
Natsu's lips parted, hearing a hint of determination in her voice. He wished he could see more of that, wanting her to rise above what happened to her and be a stronger person. He waited with bated breath, not daring to interrupt her, even if she needed a moment to gather herself.
"I f-figured... it was about time I... I did the same."
"Lucy," he whispered, his shoulders relaxing as he smiled. Natsu lifted a hand, letting her see it before slowly reaching towards her. He didn't miss the way she tensed, but that didn't stop him from gently placing his hand on her shoulder. "I won't let you get hurt again. I promise." He was sure of himself, feeling more determined than ever to keep her safe.
However, his words only made Lucy frown as she looked away. "I-I don't think th-that's your... your call, Na... Natsu."
His mood fell, just like his hand, dropping back to his side. He wanted to assure her he could do it, but before he got a word out, Lucy looked up at him again, causing him to lose his voice.
"H-how are we going to... to get H-Happy back?"
Natsu's heart constricted at the mention of Happy. He was still locked up, but in all honesty, Natsu wasn't as worried about his cat's well-being as he was Lucy's. Aside from meowing excessively one of the times he visited yesterday, Happy seemed to be doing okay. Of course, Happy didn't have the issues Lucy did, and he was being taken care of by Levy and Eve. They treated the animals with respect and kindness. As much as Natsu wanted Happy released, and he wanted it badly, that mission had to be put on hold for the moment.
"I want to," Natsu mumbled, taking a deep breath to prepare himself. He doubted Lucy would want to go along with his plan, but he told Makarov he would at least try. If telling her story was going to help in the long run, he needed to try to convince her to do it, even if he knew there could be consequences for pushing.
"But, there's actually..." Natsu paused, his heart beginning to hammer again as he said, "There's something else we gotta do first... But, I don't think you're gonna like it."
Natsu managed to convince Lucy to talk to Grandeeney, but only after she went back to their room to take a break. He could see the relief in her eyes when she entered their room, the familiar space causing her tense body to relax.
There weren't many people in the halls on their way back. Lucy was already sticking closer to him than normal, and he didn't want to know what she would do if there was a crowd around. He kept his mouth shut on the subject, not wanting her to feel more uncomfortable than she already felt.
She was safe, and that was all that mattered.
"Welcome back," Natsu said, shutting the door behind them. He watched as Lucy walked to her bed, placing some of her things on the mattress. He thought she might try to rest, but she turned, a few beads of tears watering her eyes.
Flinching, Natsu expected her to start crying. His heartbeat sped up, preparing himself for the tears, but they didn't come. Instead, Lucy brushed them away with the sleeve of his jacket before taking a deep breath.
"Thanks."
When Lucy turned to the bookcase, Natsu released his breath, thankful she didn't cry. He knew with the conversation they were going to have later, she would surely be a sobbing mess, and he didn't want to upset her beforehand. It was already going to be difficult to get her to tell her story, so he needed her as comfortable as possible before they began.
Makarov was on the same page, making some arrangements to accommodate Lucy. Not only was Makarov allowing Natsu and Lucy to take the day off despite it not being a Wednesday, he had brought Happy to Grandeeney's office for Lucy. Of course, the cat was under quarantine, so he was in his cage. Still, Natsu thought it would be a good way to calm Lucy down, even if she couldn't pet him.
"Do you wanna get changed or anything?" Natsu asked, knowing she hadn't changed clothes in a few days. When Lucy nodded, he headed to the door. "I'll be outside. Just knock when you're done."
He didn't stick around to see her reaction, instead giving her privacy so she could get into some fresh clothes. 'Fresh' was a term he used loosely. The clean clothes they had felt anything but fresh, the material stiff and itchy since they couldn't use fabric softener or dryer sheets. Drip-drying clothes made them feel awful, but they didn't have many options, especially with laundry detail put on hold until it got warmer.
'When the fuck is that supposed to happen?'
Despite living in Magnolia his whole life, Natsu always struggled to remember when the weather changed. It didn't help that the weather in Magnolia could be fickle at times, like today. Most days it was cold, but today it had warmed up some due to the rain yesterday. He knew it was the humidity that kept them warm, and it would leave them soon enough.
Natsu smiled softly to himself when he heard a knock on the door. He opened it, finding Lucy in a new pair of sweats. She was still wearing his jacket, even if the air was a bit warmer than usual.
He entered, unsure if he should bring up talking to Grandeeney again or let her relax for a moment before they went through with it. He knew it was going to be tough on her. Hell, he was dreading the conversation that was soon to take place too.
However, there was something he feared more.
'What if Lucy still won't talk?'
Natsu needed her to know she had to give them something. He couldn't help her anymore than he already was, and even that didn't feel like enough. She had layers of issues surrounding her, but if she just opened up, he was sure there was something they could do to help, even if it wasn't a lot. Anything was better than nothing.
"Hey Lucy," he started, chest constricting as he closed the door behind him. 'This is it. You gotta do it.' He didn't bother denying he was nervous, but if it helped Lucy in the long run, he was willing to push through his trepidation. "You up to talking to Grandeeney now?"
He watched as Lucy went to the windows, oblivious to his question. Either that, or she was ignoring him. She gazed out, hands resting on the windowsill.
"Lucy?" Natsu tried, walking towards her. He stopped beside her, studying her face. He couldn't tell if she was hiding her emotions or if she didn't feel anything in that moment. Her eyes were calm as she stared outside, her face soft yet dim. He didn't know what she was thinking, and he doubted she would offer any explanations. "Hey, you okay?"
He knew he asked a stupid question when she turned to him, one brow raising as she cocked her head. Of course she wasn't okay. Who would be after going through that? He didn't want to be locked up for any period of time, especially two whole days. He opened his mouth to take back his question, but his voice died in his throat when he heard Lucy sigh.
"No."
Natsu frowned, now preferring silence over her answer. At least then he could pretend she was neutral to the whole thing, but she said it herself. She wasn't okay. "I'm sorry that happened to ya," he offered, knowing it wouldn't soothe her.
She nodded slowly, turning back to the window. "N-not your... fault."
"I know," he whispered, but that didn't make him feel better. She was his friend, and he didn't like seeing his friends hurt. "Is there anything I can do?"
Lucy shook her head, causing his shoulders to fall. He didn't know how else to help her on his own, and... he needed to tell her that. However, he didn't know how to without making her feel worse. 'What if I make her feel like a burden? She's not, but I... I can't keep this up.'
It was hard enough surviving on his own. Taking care of Lucy by himself was etching away at him slowly. He thought he could handle it, but he was only one person.
Natsu took a deep breath, steeling his nerves as he faced her. "Lucy, I, I need your help."
He didn't expect her to perk up, her head snapping to his as she raised her chin. "With... what?"
Natsu hesitated, caught off guard as he collected his thoughts. He didn't want to be harsh with her, but he needed to be direct. "I uh..." He swallowed, clearing his throat before standing straighter. "I really need you to talk with Grandeeney... and, Makarov."
When Natsu said their leader's name, he saw Lucy tense. He expected that much. He had convinced her to talk with the doctor without mentioning Makarov's name. He thought it would be better to ease her into the idea, otherwise he feared she would shut down on him. "Just, if you tell them what happened, they can work to help you too."
Before she could turn away, Natsu said, "Please?" She paused, giving him some hope she would hear him out. "You don't gotta tell them everything. Just tell them what you told me. I... I think that'd be enough."
His brows pinched together as a thought popped into his head, but he debated saying it out loud. After taking a deep breath, he whispered, "And if you can tell them any more, I know it would help us all. We just wanna help Lucy. We're not gonna hurt you. You have my word." He wasn't sure how much his word was worth, but judging by the way Lucy relaxed in front of him, he guessed it was worth something to her.
"Please?" he asked again, heart sinking when she didn't answer him. He didn't know what to do. He couldn't force her. He didn't want to force her even if he could. Natsu offered her a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I just want to help Lucy, and so do they. We're not gonna hurt ya, and we're not gonna judge ya."
He let that sink in, seeing the confliction in her eyes. He didn't know if she was debating what she should do, but he hoped she was considering it. "I know you couldn't stop what happened to you. I don't think less of you. I really don't, and neither do they."
It was true, he didn't think what happened to her reflected who she was as a person. He had seen small glimpses of her personality over the months, small signs of her tru self. She was just trapped in her mind, trapped in those awful memories. He hoped she would let them help, that way she could break free and actually start living without so much fear.
Everyone feared for their lives because of the zombies, but Lucy's fear was of everything and everyone. She needed to see there was still good in the world, but it would probably hurt her to get to that point. "I know it's not gonna be easy openin' up. I get that, but I think you'll feel better if you do."
When she didn't immediately respond, Natsu sighed. "Lucy, I think—"
"Okay," she whispered, head falling towards the floor before she was able to meet his gaze again. He paused, afraid saying something might change her mind. "I'll... I-I'll do... it."
Her voice was small, like a timid mouse. Natsu watched her, looking for any sign of discomfort. It was easy to see she didn't want to do it, but there was an underlying determination in her eyes he couldn't ignore. She was willing to try, and that was enough to make him smile.
"Thanks." He made sure he was quiet, his soft, warm smile sliding across his face. Gesturing towards the door, he asked, "Do you think you can do it now?"
Hesitation was written all over her face, so Natsu shook his head. "You can rest first. Do you wanna take a nap?"
Natsu barely got the last word out before she nodded, relief flashing through her eyes. He frowned, concern lacing his voice. "Did you sleep well last night?"
She shook her head, fiddling with the sleeves of his jacket as she made her way to her bed. Lucy didn't bother looking at him as she spoke, but that only made Natsu feel better. She was able to turn her back on him without freaking out. That had to say something about how much she trusted him.
"N-no. Didn't sleep... much."
"Yeah," Natsu started, walking to the front door to lock it before heading to his own bed. "Me either."
A nap wouldn't hurt. Makarov already told him Lucy could wait until she was ready to talk, as long as she didn't wait too long. They both needed to rest, and Natsu felt better knowing one of his roommates was safe and sound in their room. He wished Happy was with them, but he couldn't do much about that for now.
"I'll set an alarm for two hours. How's that sound?" he asked, happy when she nodded.
After messing with his watch, Natsu curled under his blankets. He watched as Lucy did the same, falling asleep within a minute after she set her head on her pillow. It wasn't long before he was passing out too, his eyes and heart heavy as he let go.
'Maybe some sleep will help give Lucy strength to talk?' He didn't know, but he sure hoped so.
Natsu smiled as Lucy waved at Happy. They were in Grandeeney's office, a place he felt Lucy would be comfortable in since she had spent some time in there before. Wendy was nowhere to be seen, but in her place, Makarov stood. He kept his distance as Lucy adjusted, acting as a fly on the wall so he wouldn't spook her.
Of course, Lucy knew of his presence. Natsu didn't want her feeling surprised, so he told her who all would be in attendance to hear her story, or whatever part of her story she was willing to share. Natsu hoped she would tell them what she had told him, but honestly, the more she said, the better it would help them understand.
After five minutes of Lucy staring at Happy, she was ready to talk. She sat on the middle bed with Happy's cage to her left, Natsu sitting on her right. Grandeeney sat across from them on another bed, no pen or paper accompanying her. Whatever Lucy said wasn't going to be written down. It was a show of good faith, wanting her to feel more secure.
"Would it be easier for you to tell us what you want, or for us to ask questions?" Grandeeney asked, voice calm and collected. Natsu could tell she was in no rush, and that was sure to help soothe Lucy.
Lucy bit at her bottom lip before shrugging, her hands fisting her sweatpants before smoothing the material against her leg. She pulled the sleeves of Natsu's jacket past her hands before shifting in place, the reality of what was about to happen making her fidgety.
"I-I don't c-care," Lucy whispered, eyes dancing around the room.
Natsu stayed quiet beside her, offering moral support. He was just glad she agreed to try to talk. It had been a struggle to get information out of her, but if they took their time and didn't press too hard, there was a good chance she would cooperate.
"Okay," Grandeeney said, nodding. "Can you tell me if the scars you received were from before or after the outbreak."
Natsu didn't miss the way Lucy flinched, clearly not liking the start to their questioning. He paled, wondering if Lucy even knew the whole school found out about her scars. Maybe it was a shock to Lucy?
He was ready to ask the doctor if she could start with something easier, but thankfully Lucy didn't withdraw. After swallowing, Lucy managed to answer, her voice a little shaky as she mumbled, "A-after."
"What did you do before the outbreak?"
That question didn't seem to bother Lucy as much. Natsu wondered if Grandeeney was going to switch up the questions to even Lucy out, but he wasn't willing to ask out loud. He just hoped the doctor knew what she was doing.
Lucy took a short breath before whispering, "Sc-school. I-I was going... to... to Cro-Crocus Uni—"
"Crocus University," Grandeeney finished, allowing Lucy to stop. "That sounds fun. Were you from Crocus?"
Instead of answering with words, Lucy simply nodded.
"What were you majoring in?"
The questions about Lucy's school lasted for a few minutes. Natsu found himself smiling the more Lucy spoke. She slowly gained some confidence while also revealing parts of her personal life from before the outbreak. However, Grandeeney had to get back on topic, shifting the conversation to a darker one.
"Where were you when the outbreak started?"
When Lucy said the hospital, Grandeeney's eyes widened. "Which hospital?"
"The Magnolia one," Natsu answered, giving Lucy a break. He tensed, wondering if that was a bad idea. Lucy was supposed to be telling them what happened to her, not him.
He glanced at her, murmuring under his breath, "Sorry."
Lucy shook her head, not looking upset he answered for her. "It's o-okay."
Natsu didn't get a chance to ask if she was just saying that, Grandeeney cutting in by asking, "Why were you there?"
Lucy grimaced before shaking her head, refusing to answer that question. Natsu could see the curiosity eating away at Grandeeney, but instead of pressing the issue, Grandeeney let it slide.
"I guess it would be pointless to ask if you made it out safely," Grandeeney whispered, more to herself than Lucy. She looked up, that calmness from before slowly sinking back in. "Where did you go after you left the hospital?"
Natsu saw Lucy's hands clenching at her sweatpants again, twisting the fabric as she stared beside Grandeeney, unable to meet her gaze. They waited patiently, allowing Lucy to sort through her thoughts until she was ready to talk. "I... M-my dad..." Lucy's cheek twitched, her eyes glossing over as unshed tears surfaced. "And o-our fr-friend... W-we... we went t-to the h-house."
Natsu furrowed his brows, confused by that answer. He thought Lucy lived in Crocus. 'How did she get home and then back here, unless—'
"Did you make it home?" Natsu asked, surprised to hear his own voice. He hadn't planned on asking any questions, but it slipped out before he could stop himself.
Luckily for him, Lucy didn't look upset he was joining in. Instead, she let out a slow breath before shaking her head. "W-we went t-to the lake h-house. We were on v-vacation."
Natsu paused, recalling Lucy told him she was on vacation when they met at the gas station. She had been a little off then, but it was obvious to him the majority of her damage happened after they parted ways. It wasn't long after that incident that the outbreak started, leading to her being captured and hurt.
He wished he could just tell Grandeeney and Makarov himself without putting Lucy through that, but he figured if she wanted him to tell, she would have said something already.
"How was the vacation going before the outbreak," Grandeeney asked, obviously trying to even Lucy out again.
Natsu thought the question was innocent enough, but they had been wrong. Lucy squeezed her eyes shut, taking a few shaky breaths before shaking her head. "B-bad."
Natsu's shoulders fell, eyeing Lucy as she worked to control her emotions. He glanced at Grandeeney, seeing her just as confused as he was. "It was bad?" he asked, earning a weak nod. "Why?"
"My... my d-dad..."
Natsu paled, wondering if her dad was the reason she seemed off that day he met her. 'Did he hurt her? Is he the reason she was crying?' He shook the thought from his head, remembering Lucy was on the phone with a man. That lady, the one with the pink hair, mentioned her parents and Lucy hadn't reacted badly then. That alone made Natsu doubt her dad had been the cause of her pain, and after Grandeeney asked her next question, Lucy confirmed his theory.
"Did he do something to hurt you? Emotionally or physically?"
Lucy swallowed hard, shaking her head. "He..." She took a deep breath, one sleeved-hand scrubbing at her face while the other wrapped tightly around her waist. "He w-wanted a qu-quiet f-family va... vacation."
Lucy paused to catch her breath, and no one dared to make a sound. "I... I..." She clenched her teeth, anger lacing with her voice as she mumbled, "I f-fucked up."
Natsu blinked, shocked to hear Lucy cuss. He couldn't remember if she had done it before, but he knew one thing. It sounded weird coming from her, especially when she was using it in a negative way towards herself.
"Why do you think you messed up?" Grandeeney asked, trying to move the conversation along.
"I-I don't think," Lucy started, slowly relaxing her jaw before looking up at Grandeeney. "I did. I m-messed up bad." She gave no further details, and Natsu was too afraid to ask. Whatever it was, it was enough to make Lucy angry, which was an emotion he didn't see often from her. "H-he j-just brought it... it up... a lot."
Lucy took a ragged breath, her body shaking out of anger or fear, Natsu couldn't tell. "W-we didn't t-talk much there. And then..." Her voice trailed off, her eyes falling to the ground. "Then m-mom... she... she got... sick."
After a moment of silence, Grandeeney asked, "Was that why you went to the hospital."
Lucy only nodded, her eyes dull. Natsu thought about putting a hand on her shoulder to comfort her, but he kept his hands to himself. He didn't know if touching her would make things worse, even if he had good intentions.
Grandeeney asked no more questions about Lucy's mom or the hospital, instead skipping ahead in Lucy's story. "Did you make it back to the lake house?"
Lucy gulped, offering another nod.
"Who was with you when you made it back?"
"M-my dad," she whispered, fingers picking at her sweatpants. Natsu watched her carefully, ready to stop her if she started hurting herself, whether it was on purpose or an accident. "And... our fr-friend."
"What's your friend's name?" Grandeeney asked, causing Lucy to flinch. "Are you okay?"
Lucy didn't answer the second question, too busy focusing on her breathing as she squirmed in place. "Vi..." She paused, lips staying parted for a few seconds before she forced the word out. "Virgo."
She sucked in a sharp breath, much to Natsu and Grandeeney's surprise. He didn't understand why saying a friend's name was so hard for her, but he hoped she would reveal that information soon enough.
"Did you stay at the lake house until Natsu found you?" Grandeeney asked, changing the subject for Lucy's sake. There was no point in dwelling on the family friend, seeing as it only made Lucy upset.
Lucy hadn't calmed herself down yet, needing a moment to collect her thoughts. She covered her face with her hands, taking deep breaths before she sucked in a shaky breath. "I... was there th-the whole time, until the day b-before he found m-me."
Lucy dropped her hands, but her head stayed down. Natsu didn't expect her to keep going, but she did, her voice almost hollow as she spoke. "It was a few weeks, maybe a... a month before it h-happened. One day, I was out... When... when I came back—" She took a few shallow breaths, her eyes unfocused and hands slightly shaking.
"Take all the time you need," Natsu said, hesitating before putting a hand on her shoulder. Her eye twitched, but she didn't flinch away from his touch, nor did she shake his hand loose. He gave her a soft rub before releasing her, waiting for her to speak again.
"Would it be easier for you to write it down?" Grandeeney asked, but Lucy shook her head.
"I... I can handle it," she whispered, but Natsu wasn't so sure she could. Still, he didn't try to stop her, wanting to hear for himself.
Lucy closed her eyes before shrinking in on herself, arms wrapping tightly around her waist as she leaned forward. "I w-walked inside the k-kitchen... and I... I s-saw—"
Lucy tensed, her brows furrowing as if caught in a memory. "Blood." She swallowed, voice small as she whispered. "It was everywhere... O-on the floor... The walls. I... I g-got scared."
Natsu was frozen in place, terrified of moving in case it made her stop. He hadn't heard that part of her story, trepidation creeping up on him as a little voice in his head told him to stop Lucy. He feared revealing too much would hurt her progress, but he stayed quiet. Part of him wanted to hear, to know what Lucy went through. Honestly, he didn't know if she would ever open up like she was again.
"My d-dad and... They were t-tied up," Lucy mumbled, bringing her legs up on the bed before burying her face into her knees. Grandeeney didn't stop her, instead listening carefully to what Lucy had to say.
Lucy sucked in a sharp breath. She was trembling, Natsu's heart aching as he imagined what she went through. When she said she found her dad tied up on the ground, covered in blood, his stomach sank. He didn't want to think about that type of pain, scared his own father was out there, dead and unreachable.
However, Lucy's next sentence made Natsu forget about Igneel for the time being, stunned to find out her dad's condition.
"I-I thought he was d-dead, but... when I went to him... I saw he... he was still alive."
"I..." Lucy shook her head, letting out what sounded like a growl as she clenched her teeth. Her eyes snapped open before she turned to Natsu, speaking only to him. "I-I don't want to t-talk about this... anymore." She had tears running down her cheeks, her face red while her eyes pleaded for him to let her stop.
He nodded without hesitation, accepting her limits. If she couldn't say anymore, he wasn't going to make her, and he knew Grandeeney and Makarov wouldn't either. Natsu looked down at her arms, coiled tightly around her legs. He hesitated before reaching out, setting a hand over hers. "It's okay," he whispered, unable to conjure a sad smile. He could only frown, but it didn't seem to bother Lucy. "You don't gotta keep going."
Lucy's lower lip trembled before she nodded, a sob breaking loose as she dropped her head. He couldn't imagine the type of pain she was in. She had lost so much and too much was taken from her. She deserved better.
"M-my dad," Lucy mumbled, eyes slowly sliding shut as she took deep, ragged breaths. "Th-they killed h-him."
Natsu bit his inner cheek, stopping himself from asking how her father was killed. That must have been the reason she didn't want to talk about it anymore. It had to be traumatizing for her.
"They?" Grandeeney asked, causing Lucy to jolt.
Natsu wondered if Lucy forgot she was there, but he didn't comment. "Can I tell them what you've already told me?" He paused, letting her think about it. "I think it'd be easier for you?"
Instead of answering his question, Lucy buried her head in her knees. Natsu was about to pull his hand away from her, but she caught him by surprise when she grabbed his hand, her fingers trembling as she held it.
"M-men... and a... a woman." Lucy sucked in a sharp breath. "Th-they sh-shot..." Her voice took on an angry tone out of nowhere, startling Natsu. "They shot my dad, th-then they hurt me, and h-hurt Vir... Virgo."
Lucy shook her head against her knees, her bangs getting messy as she struggled to speak. "A-and they t-touched..."
Natsu anticipated Lucy to say the people touched her, but he never expected what came out of her mouth.
"Virgo."
It took Natsu a second to comprehend that, caught off guard. 'They touched her friend?' He blinked, trying to paint the story in his head, but he didn't get far. He didn't want to imagine anyone sexually assaulting another person, no matter what the case.
"Wh-when... she d-d—" Lucy squeezed Natsu's hand, hard enough to make him wince. "Af-after she d-died, th-they... He t... touched m-me."
The room fell silent after that, no one knowing what to say. Lucy kept her head down while Natsu and Grandeeney looked at each other, both waiting for the other to say something. They turned to Makarov, seeing the red tint to his eyes where he kept himself from crying. The old man put up a tough front, but he had a soft heart. Natsu knew without asking their leader felt awful for Lucy.
They all did.
After a solid two minutes of hesitating, Grandeeney finally spoke, though she sounded like she didn't want to. "Lucy, you don't have to answer if you don't want to. I'll completely understand. Just know that we won't think any different of you no matter what, and whatever did happen, know it wasn't your fault." She took a long, heavy breath before asking, "Did someone rape you?"
Natsu saw how much more Lucy shook after she heard that word. She didn't answer right away, her muffled sobs filling the room. His heart hurt for her. She didn't deserve that.
"I-I... I think so."
It took a few seconds for Natsu to realize what she said. 'She thinks she was raped?' His brows furrowed as he looked over the trembling woman. 'What happened to her?'
"You think?" Grandeeney asked, her voice cautious, as if afraid she might set Lucy off.
After gulping, Lucy nodded against her knees. "I..." She sounded exhausted, drained mentally and physically. Natsu couldn't blame her. She had been through a lot, and recounting what happened to her didn't make it any easier. "I was passed... out r-right before he—"
Lucy cut herself off as she raised her head, strands of blonde hair sticking to her face. She kept her grip on Natsu's hand while the other rubbed at her face, making her watery eyes more red and puffy. She kept her eyes on the floor between the beds, staring at Grandeeney's feet.
When she dried her tears, Lucy lowered her hand a bit before carefully touching her fingertips to her neck, barely applying any pressure. "H-he..." Her hand shook badly, her voice small as her eyes watered once more. She gulped before whispering, "He ch-choked... me."
Her nails raked against her neck, but Natsu didn't stop her. She didn't do it hard enough to leave marks, so he let her be while keeping his mouth shut.
Grandeeney tilted her head a bit, trying to make eye contact with Lucy. It didn't work, the woman stubborn as she glared at the ground as anger seemed to fill her eyes again.
"Someone choked you until you passed out?"
Natsu's stomach twisted painfully when Lucy nodded, confirming Grandeeney's theory. He didn't know which was worse. Being awake and violated, or knowing it happened when she was asleep. Judging by the cracks in Lucy's voice, it didn't matter how it happened. It was horrifying either way.
"Wh-when I... when I woke up I-I was..." Lucy shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut as tears sprang loose. "It hurt... all... over." She slumped down, as if everything was weighing on her shoulders.
Natsu swallowed thickly as tears filled his own eyes. He wished he could take her pain away, knowing no one deserved to go through that. No one deserved to be violated, except maybe the vile people who did it themselves, just to get a taste of their own medicine.
Fire burned through Natsu's veins as he struggled to contain his anger, his hand squeezing hers in a pitiful attempt to comfort her. The people who hurt her deserved to die. If Natsu had those disgusting people in front of him, he would be tempted to take revenge for what they did to Lucy, but even he wasn't so sure he could take a life.
Killing a zombie was one thing, but Natsu had never killed a living, breathing, human being, and he hoped he never had to. He didn't think he could kill someone, but taking a hammer to each of their kneecaps and fingers was another thing. He could already see himself harming the people who hurt his friend.
His teeth clenched at the thought, but he quickly cast it away, afraid it would consume and taint him. Natsu didn't know how he would react if put in that situation, but while him and Lucy were safe from those creeps, he could somewhat control his thoughts.
Lucy looked at Natsu, his eyes widening when he saw how much pain she held inside. Her eyes were slowly losing emotion, her voice a broken whisper as she spoke. "I-I wanna g-go back... to the room?" She sounded unsure of herself, like there was a chance he would say no. That wasn't the case.
Natsu nodded without thinking, ready to give her whatever she wanted. "Okay." He turned to Grandeeney, then Makarov, his throat tight as he asked, "Is that enough?"
Makarov met Natsu's gaze before nodding once. "Yes," he started, voice thick with emotion. "You're free to leave." He looked at Lucy, but she kept her eyes on the space between Natsu and herself, refusing to budge. "Go rest. I think we have enough here."
Natsu was ready to take off and bring Lucy to the safety of their room, but hesitated when his eyes landed on the cage beside her. "Can... Is it too much to ask if we can pet Happy? Please?" His heart ached to touch his cat, to feel the soft vibrations from his purr.
He didn't know if Makarov would agree, but he felt now was the best time to ask, seeing as he was emotional as well.
"I honestly don't think the pets are infected," Grandeeney chimed in, helping Natsu's case.
Makarov let out a long sigh, shaking his head. "I don't either." He looked between Grandeeney and Natsu before glancing at the closed door, making sure whatever he said stayed between them. "I'll give you one minute with Happy, but that's it."
Natsu and Lucy used that minute to their full advantage. Lucy released Natsu's hand as soon as he tugged on it, allowing him to open the cage and pull their feline friend out. He set Happy on Lucy's lap when she dropped her legs, deciding she needed more comfort than him.
He stroked Happy's back while Lucy wrapped her arms around his body, the two feeling those vibrations within seconds. It seemed Happy had been touch starved, loving every physical contact he could get. He rubbed his face against Lucy's hands, his purrs growing louder with every second they were with him.
Natsu suspected Makarov gave them more than a minute, but he wasn't counting. It didn't matter if they were with Happy for a second or an hour, when they parted, it didn't feel like enough.
However, Natsu wasn't going to fight Makarov on his decision. Not only was Natsu being allowed more privileges than most, he was tired of fighting. He just wanted to go back to his room with Lucy and rest. They both needed it.
"Come on," Natsu whispered, gently placing his hand on Lucy's shoulder to steer her away from Happy. "We can see him again later." He didn't know when later was, but luckily for him, Lucy didn't ask.
She swallowed before nodding, following him out of the room without another word.
The walk to the hall seemed uneventful at first. Natsu stayed close to the wall, and Lucy stayed close to Natsu. As they made their way up the stairs, Natsu felt Lucy bump against his arm, trying to get away from the women going down. He didn't think anything of it, but once he heard their hushed whispers, his anger from earlier returned like it had never left.
"That's her. The one with the sc—"
The two women shut up immediately when Natsu jerked his head towards them, giving them a deadly glare. He made them jump, but it did nothing to satisfy him. He only hoped Lucy didn't hear them, but one glance at her face told him she had, her lower lip trembling as she wrapped her arms around her body.
"Why don't you learn some fucking respect," Natsu growled, one arm slinging around Lucy before moving her forward, trying to get her far away from the women. He didn't bother listening to their conversation that followed. He wouldn't be able to hear even if he wanted to, his blood roaring in his ears from his rage.
Lucy was shaking by the time they got to their door. He figured part of the reason she was so scared was because he was touching her, so he mumbled an apology as he unlocked the door. She said nothing as she entered their room, but that only made his stomach sink, hoping he hadn't made things worse. He just wanted to remove them from the situation before it got ugly.
"Ignore what she said," Natsu started, gritting his teeth as he locked the door behind them. "She was just being an idiot."
He watched as Lucy walked to the desk, turning before resting her weight against it. She shook her head, arms grabbing the edge of the desk as she looked at the ground. "I-I know I'm a... a freak."
Natsu's breath hitched as his eyes widened. He stepped forward, a hint of anger coloring his tone. "Don't say that. You're not a freak." He never liked when people put themselves down, and Lucy was no exception.
Her voice shook as her eyes flitted up to his for a brief second. "It's... fine. I'm—" She dropped her hands by her sides before they coiled into fists. She took a few ragged breaths as she shook her head, her nose scrunching up. "Actually... It's... it's not..."
Natsu watched, unsure what she was saying until she looked up again, rage flashing in her eyes. She trembled, but it wasn't out of fear.
She was pissed.
"It's not f-fine at all!" she seethed, her brows pinching together.
"Lucy?" he breathed, not knowing what to say.
She pushed off from the desk, her chest heaving as she shook in place. "I-I already know... what they're s-saying about me."
"What?" Natsu's jaw dropped, hoping no one told her about what was being said around base. However, he wasn't that fortunate.
"I... I overheard," she said, as if that was supposed to tell him everything. When he raised a brow, Lucy added, "L-last night... They thought... I was a... asleep."
Natsu's shoulders fell, filling in the missing pieces to her story. Last night the guards must have been talking about her scars, and she heard it all. He didn't know what to think or do. He could only clench his teeth as his hands balled into fists, muttering, "I'm sorry, Lucy." It seemed like she was never going to get a break. It was just one shitshow after another, with no end in sight.
Natsu swore he heard Lucy let out a sigh, but that didn't make sense to him. 'Wasn't she just angry?'
Lucy slowly loosened her fists until her hands dangled by her sides. Her whole body seemed to slump down, including her head. "I'm... I'm so tired. I-I didn't ask for these," she whispered, weakly holding up her arms before they fell again. It didn't take a genius to know she was referring to her scars. "I-I hate them too. I... I want them gone."
She leaned against the desk again, hands coming up to cover her face. Natsu thought she might start crying again, but she didn't. Lucy dragged her hands against her face, taking a few deep breaths before facing her roommate.
"Natsu," she whispered, startling him. Her voice was soft but sure, though her eyes looked conflicted. "I... I want... I want to get... better."
"You do?" he asked, feeling dumb as soon as the words left his mouth. Of course she wanted to get better. Who wouldn't? It was just reassuring hearing her say it out loud.
Lucy nodded, her hands gripping her arms as she tried controlling her shaking. "I'm tired... I don't want to... to be this way. I—" An unexpected sob racked her body, but that didn't stop her. She clenched her teeth, pushing forward. "I wasn't like this... b-before. I promise. I-I wasn't."
Natsu stared at her in silence for a moment before his face softened. He could see how much she was trying. She wanted to get better, and for the first time, he felt she actually could with that attitude. "I believe you."
"Please," she mumbled, her eyes watering with more tears that hadn't fallen yet. "D-don't give up... on me. Please."
Natsu swallowed, his chest constricting as he whispered, "I wasn't planning on it." Giving up wasn't something Natsu typically did, especially when it came to his friends.
Lucy took a shaky breath, a hint of confidence slipping into her voice. "I'll g-get better. I promise."
Natsu wanted to give her a reassuring smile, but it wouldn't form on his face. He unclenched his fists, releasing the last bit of anger he felt towards the people who had done Lucy wrong, at least for now.
"Lucy, you don't gotta keep promising. Just, just keep trying. That's all I want. Just keep doing your best, and you'll get there."
Lucy nodded, a few tears rolling down her reddened cheeks. "Th-thanks."
Before he could tell her she didn't need to thank him, Lucy opened her mouth, causing him to stay quiet. He waited with bated breath, wondering what she wanted to say.
"Can..." Lucy stopped herself, her eyes falling to the side as she bit her lower lip.
"What?" Natsu asked, frowning when she shook her head. She obviously wanted to say something, and he didn't want her to feel like she had to keep it in. "Lucy, what is it?"
Lucy's shoulders shook as she looked near Natsu, unable to meet his gaze. "Can I... Th-this morning, you..."
Natsu wanted to tell her to just say it, but he remained patient, letting her work up the courage to ask for what she needed.
"Can I get... a... a h-hug?" Lucy squeezed her eyes shut, her face burning bright red with a blush.
Natsu tensed for a moment, wondering if that was even a good idea. Lucy didn't do well with physical contact, but he had to admit, that hug earlier felt comforting to him. She had let him hug her that morning, so he could repay that kindness by giving her the same thing. If there was any chance it could help her, he thought it would be worth the risk.
Not only that, Lucy had pushed past her comfort zone and actually asked for something so personal. That alone made Natsu's decision easy.
"Yeah," he breathed, waiting until she opened her eyes before taking a step closer. He opened his arms to her, letting her make the next move.
Lucy only hesitated for a few seconds before walking to him, stepping into his embrace. She rested the side of her face against his chest before wrapping her arms around him.
Natsu felt his heart beat faster as she held on. He didn't expect her grip to be so tight, her hands fisting his shirt as she started sobbing. He slowly put his hands on her back, feeling her shake against him.
He hugged her, hoping she could draw comfort from him. She was colder than him, her frame so small yet not as fragile as he thought she would be. He held her close, letting her get all her negative emotions out, one tear at a time.
"It's okay," he whispered, smoothing his hand against her back. "Just let it out. It's okay."
Natsu closed his eyes, wondering how they were going to get through everything. He had to have faith in Lucy and himself. They weren't in it alone though. He had Grandeeney and Makarov on his side now, both willing to help Lucy get better. He didn't know how long it would take, but he felt like she had a fighting chance now.
"You'll get better, Lucy. I know you will."
Lucy didn't respond with words, only holding him tighter as she cried. Natsu couldn't count how many times she had cried since she got to Fairy Tail, but something about that time felt different from all the others.
For the first time, Natsu felt like they hit a real turning point in her recovery.
.
.
.
So, what'd you think of this chapter? Lots of tough conversations and lots of physical contact. This is the first turning point in the story. Natsu has realized he doesn't look at Lucy as his responsibility, she's his friend. Lucy is trying to get better, but it's going to take some effort.
Thank you for all the favorites, follows, messages, and reviews! I seriously can't thank you enough! Shout out to those incredible people who reviewed last time: stranger1999, MnMAllyn, Lodemai04, sofiesticated, AcidRain1698, TheUniqueFangirl, CodenameMise, TheLylaRin, naluloverr, Animeforlife1412, Guest, ElementalMiko12, Satyrykal, aracelibojorquez2, Tohka123, AngelicAlix, ManderNaner, cOokIe-MOnzTa, Sarah Wolfang, WriterzBlock12, Gigi-San28, ThayetJade, Flameboy's girl, Duchixx, AlycePixi, Guest, Mady, Sam, sonikastalker, Firefly9917, Burritokirito, sarahelle04, isabelangelica. guerraallemant, DeoDei, firelover11, ArtemisRavenTerraFan, An Amber Pen, Screeney, Terra of Life, itsxoi(x2), Nana, LoveroftheWord, veryinnocentusername, Plshelpmemytacofell, annmarie. 08, GreyRey, Animenerdd8, Nightside14(x2), Guest, Guest, Guest, Hailsbelles, Guest, o0vicarious-living0o, Nalu-Nerd13(x5), xXxMysticBeastxXx, and Guest!
We got to see more into what happened to Lucy. More will be revealed throughout the story. Also, I think I've told some people this, but I don't think I made a note about it. Eventually (way later in the story) I will write from Lucy's POV what happened to her before, during, and after the outbreak. No idea how many chapters that'll take up, but it will show you her story. I will NOT write the rape/sexual assault scenes. Not only was Lucy passed out during, I don't feel comfortable with that. If you read my other story "Home Alone Tonight" you know I don't describe rape scenes anyways. This will be less descriptive than that when I get to it. I will post warnings before those parts come, so you can skip/skim if you want.
Up next, Chapter Twenty-Seven: Evidence