Here's a second part for Eien's "Coming Home" prompt. I don't have the heart to post the angsty one just yet. So have vaguely humorous fluff.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.


Title: Home At Last - part 2

Pairing: Cobra x Lucy

Requester: Eien ni Touko

Prompt: "Coming Home"


"Is he alright?"

A voice permeated the Poison Dragon Slayer's mind, full of concern and its possessor's soul full of music. What was that? Who…?

"For the most part. I healed what injuries he had, but they were superficial at worst."

"So then…"

"Seems it was malnutrition. He also has a minor fever, from being in the canal for too long. Honestly, it's amazing he didn't drown."

Cobra furrowed his brow, fighting his way into consciousness. Was that the Sky Dragon Slayer he heard? He still didn't recognize the other voice, and he felt strange. Like the world was made of molasses and he was an insect caught within it. His eye was not obeying his commands to open, either.

"I can't believe Snakeface was stupid enough to faint from hunger!" Shrieking laughter shattered what little tranquility his sleeping state had gifted him with.

For the love of fuck, make that sound stop!

A clear smack reached Cobra's ears. "Natsu," hissed the lyrical one, "he's still resting! Be quiet!"

"Yes, Natsu," said a fourth voice, deep and even. "Let him rest." This soul. Cobra recognized this one as well. The psychotic, hammer-wielding redhead. Oh, joy.

"But he ain't sleeping anymore!" protested the Fire Dragon Slayer.

"Goddamn, Flame Brain. Way to break the sound barrier."

With a groan, Cobra groggily muttered, "How could I sleep with you making a racket?"

Another smack. "Natsu! I told you!"

"Stop hitting me, Lucy!"

Smack. "Then stop screaming!"

"I will if you stop hitting me!"

Cobra forced his body to turn into whatever surface he was laying on, his face full of fabric. A couch, maybe? "Shut the fuck up," he grumbled.

"I think everyone should leave for a bit," the Sky Dragon Slayer said. "Lucy, I left you some notes on the table. Let me know if you need anything."

"Wait, you're leaving him here?"

"Best not to move him for now. I need to get a couple of things for him from Granny Porly, so I'll be back in a couple of hours. Make sure he stays hydrated in the meantime."

A heavy sigh. "Okay. Thanks, Wendy."

"And I shall speak to Jellal about you finding him, Lucy," the Titania asserted. "He's probably quite worried. After all, he did mention that Erik seemed out of it lately when I last spoke with him."

That damned gossipy blueberry!

"I'll make certain Jellal understands the situation. Natsu, Gray, you're both coming with me."

"Sure."

"Aw, man!" the Salamander protested. "I wanted to tease Cobra some more!"

"Hey, Lucy… I left a bowl with cold water and washcloths on the kitchen counter. I bet he has a wicked headache."

Cobra made a mental note to pay the Ice Make Mage back somehow.

"Thanks, Gray. Bye, guys."

"Bye, Lucy! I'll let Happy know you're okay! He's probably spreading weird rumors right now."

"Lucy-san, do you need anything from Granny Porly while I'm over there?"

"Nope," Lucy replied. "I'm good, thanks."

"I shall return this evening as well, with news from Jellal," Erza informed her. "Erik, behave yourself."

The Poison Dragon Slayer released an incoherent scream into the couch cushions.

"…I'll take that as an affirmative. Goodbye, you two."

The door shut soon thereafter, and blessed silence descended. Well… almost silence. There was still the Celestial Mage, though she was at least attempting to be unobtrusive.

Soft footsteps padded along the carpet. "Hey, Cobra," the girl said quietly. "I have a washcloth for your head here, and more blankets if you would like them? Also, I can make you something to eat if you give me a few minutes to take stock of what Natsu and Happy left me after their latest food raid."

Cobra turned onto his back once more, and cracked his eye open. The lights in the small space were dimmed, but still bright enough to worsen the pounding in his head. He blinked furiously, and then rotated his head to view Lucy properly. "…I fell in a canal?" he croaked out.

The blonde woman regarded him, her brown eyes somber. "Yeah, I found you. You'd been in there a while, I think. Taurus pulled you out for me, and now you're on my couch in my apartment."

Flopping an arm over his face, Cobra shut his eye again. "I wasn't anywhere near Magnolia," he muttered. "How did I end up in the city?"

"The currents are strong in some places. You're lucky you didn't drown."

"…I'll take those blankets and the washcloth." Any food he tried to eat right now would just come back up, he was certain.

"Got it." A moment later, heavy warmth settled around him. "I had Natsu heat them, just in case."

As a cool cloth met with his forehead, Cobra felt something odd welling up inside of him. He wasn't used to someone taking care of him. It was strange in the extreme for someone to do it now.

"Hey," he said.

"Hmm?"

"…Thanks."

Cobra didn't need to see Lucy's smile to know it shone like the sun. "You're welcome."

Weird it may be, but Cobra thought that maybe he could get used to this.


Still having way too much fun with this prompt. I may write more.