Hello! i hope everyone had a wonderful New Years!
No one POV
"Fire Dragon King BRILLIANT FLAME!" Natsu yelled as he sent a massive fire ball flying towards Akio striking him to the ground. The black liquid from his expanse started to evaporate as he fell.
"Gemini close-" Lucy said falling face first towards the forest floor.
"Natsu, get her out of here!" Jellal yelled, "Erza, Let's move!"
"Right!" Erza replied.
Sprinting forward they went to detain Akio, but black tendril started coming out of his back in all directions. The stringy black tentacles flailed, batting and slashing at Jellal and Erza. Natsu ran for Lucy. Picking her up he turned to move her away from Akio's unconscious assault. But a tendril wrapped around his ankle and yanked him to the ground. He turned as he fell so he could land on his back leaving Lucy on his chest.
"Argggh!" He said pained. Lucy was barley conscious herself, but she felt the warm liquid that was now between her and Natsu. Her eyes went wide looking down seeing a black tendril piercing Natsu in the abdomen, and grazing her side. Blood from both their bodies pooled on his shirt.
"Natsu-" she strained.
"What is going on? He's unconscious?!" Natsu yelled. Pulling Lucy closer unaware of her trying to speak to him.
"Jellal!" Erza shouted. She gasped as black and purple tentacle went clean through Jellal's left leg. It's barbs sank deep holding him in place as two more shot out of Akio's back sheathing themselves in Jellal's arm and left shoulder.
"Requip!" In a flash Erzas armor changed once again to her speed mode. She rushed the tendrils hacking and slashing until Jellal and Natsu were free.
"We have to contain him," Jellal said through gritted teeth. "Once the anti Ether cuffs on him his magic should cease".
Natsu slowly sat up wincing and placed Lucy on the ground beside him. "Yosh! lets do this!" He said putting his fists together, "I'm still fired up!" He exclaimed as he rushed Akio, dodging the tentacles left and right as Erza slashed and cut through the black tangled mobs.
"Jellal! Through the cuffs!" Erza yelled as she looked for him to toss them.
"...Akio" Lucy said faintly, "please stop this..." she said coughing blood as a second tendril pierced her through her back and punctured her left lung.
"LUCYYYYYYY" was the last thing heard before she blacked out...
Back to Magnolia...
"You are going away for probably the rest of your life," Jellal said. "If you just release your remaining splices maybe they'll be more inclined to allow a shorter sentence or maybe visitation".
Sometime had since passed since they capture Akio. After his capture a month ago, Jellal and Erza brought him back to the council for questioning. While they were lucky to get the cuffs on him, he had since calmed down from his erratic behavior. Jellal had hoped to met be talk to him like Erza did to save him. Maybe there was still hope for Akio., but weren't taking any risks so Jellal had him placed in a lacrima holding cell.
Slumped in his cell was Akio, repeatedly opening and closing his hands just staring at his palms. "There aren't any splices to release..." He whispered, then closed his fist. "Is Lucy alright?" He asked.
"Why would her condition concern you, you made it clear you wanted her dead." Erza spat back.
"I've never wanted her dead... I love her" he said letting out a sigh.
"You love her? Then why did you allow Jirmia to beat her, scared her, and rape her?" Erza yelled back slamming her fist in the lacrima that encased him.
"What Jirima did was without my knowledge. When I found her he had already took her clothes off and was attempting...I nearly killed him that alone. After I beat that sorry piece of trash to the brink of death, I put her clothes back on her, the ones that were still intact at least, and then left. Jirmia was no longer himself after that. I gave Explicit orders not to harm her in anyway, that Id return for her. In his rage he did all of the other things in my absence. I never let him take her for his own pleasure nor would I let anyone take her." He spat back.
"He beat her to a pulp... she had gashes, broken bones, bruises, she was out for days with that monster and you think none of it is your fault?" Erza yelled back.
"Erza, enough.." Jellal said hold Erza back
"You are a coward, a sick bastard, you don't know what love is..." Erza screamed more tears falling from her eyes. Jella reached up and cupped her face.
"Look at me..." he said as she fought to look up, "look at me..." her eyes met his and he smiled. "It's alright now.. go back to Fairytail and debrief your master. I'll stay here with Akio."
"Hai..." Erza said turning to leave. "If he gets the blade... I want to be the executioner"
"Real firecracker that one..." Akio chuckled, "I can see why you like her."
"Shut up." Jellal responded, "do you have any requests before the council?"
"Lucy. Let me see Lucy..." Akio standing up to look at Jellal his voice shifted lower and Akio's gaze suddenly seemed twisted.
"I doubt they will grant that after what you've done to her."
"I DIDNT DO ANYTHING! HE DID! HIM AND HIS SICK MIND GAMES ALWAYS TRYING TO TWIST AND BREAK OTHERS. WHO WAS THERE WHEN WE LOST OUR FATHER? WHO WAS THERE WHEN WE FUCKING HAD NO FOOD TO EAT?" Akio yelled standing and pounding on the Lacrima as a large crack appeared.
"We?" Jellal said stepping back.
"I DID WHAT I HAD TOO. I KEPT AKIO ALIVE, I TAUGHT HIM. I FED HIM, I CLOTHED HIM. " Akio's face even looked different. Like a shadow has crept across it. The crack in the larcrima grew. Smaller fissures grew off from the main segment weaning it further.
"Akio... are you listening to me" Jellal said putting his hands up ready for it to shatter.
"Akio isn't here right now... but if you'd like I could pass your message to him after your death..."
The glass lacrima shattered.
"There never were any splices were there...only hosts..." Jellal said.
"Yes fortunately this child I came across when he was young contained an immense power you see. But he couldn't contain it so out of fear for his little friend, Lucy as it? I made a bargain with Him. In exchanged for use of his body, periodically, I'd seal the uncontrollable portions of his magic then remove the seal when he was older and not hurt someone he called precious. I've always had Im in and out of his life. When you caught Jirmia who was an alternate Vessel I used, I just went back to Akio." He grinned.
"If that is so then you did those things to Lucy... you broke your agreement. Akio are you able to speak? Akio?" Jellal repeated as shadow Akio stepped forward.
"No I didn't, you see I said I'd never harm anyone he saw precious while I was with him. Inside Jirmia... well everyone is fair game. Besides, he can't hear you as I said, he's not in the driver seat. Darkness Embrace!" He shouted, "I have to say, I love his magic though, I kept a portion for myself. So when I swapped vessels I could still do this. It's no wonder he was desperate for help controlling it." Tendrils exploded from the ground forcing Jellal back. Erza ran back into the room.
"I heard the glass shatter and the alarms went off they've sealed this place." She said.
"I don't know what kind of magic this is it feels.. almost God like, but all I can think of is the God of death." The tendrils rose straight from the ground to a point Angled at both of them.
"Ice Make! Shield!" Gray shouted blocking the tendrils. They froze in contact and shattered. "Hmm ice seems to be a weakness for these things. Good to know. How is he out?" Gray asked.
"He isn't the render, we wrong... the Render is.." Jellal stopped.
"Arghhh!" Erza shouted, as a tendril pierced her through side and yanked her back.
" A Devil" the possessed Akio said. "You know, I bet she could be an even better host. I feel more power from her than this body I'm in now." He smiled clutching her close his tendrils snaked up her legs and across her chest.
"No!" Jellal said, "Meteor!" He burst into a golden light and raced towards Erza.
"Ice Devil! shiver!" Gray shouted his purple ice shot forward flash freezing The devils tendril, "unlucky for you I slay devils...ICE DEVIL Zeroth Destruction Sword!" Grays magic penetrated Akio's body. As the black tendrils separated from Akio's body he fell to the ground.
"Thank you..." he said falling forward
"Disappear." Gray murmured as his ice encased the black Smokey like figure then shattered it ending the Devil.
A few days later...
"What's your plan now Akio?" Lucy asked, staring at her old friend. He had come to visit her after everything the council recognized he was possessed. Unfortunately Lucy's wounds had not fully recovered and was currently being kept in her home until Wendy gave the all clear. She had been confined to her bed for nearly a month now.
"Well, I was going to try and join a mage guild, but I'm not sure if I would be able. " he said.
"You could always join fairytail?" She replied looking at him hopeful. Akio glanced back at her then his gaze adjusted to the pink haired man in the living room who locked eyes with him. The fire mage just smiled and waved but he knew he could hear their conversation.
"I don't think this place is the right fit for me", Akio said. " I was thinking about joining Jellal to be honest. He told me to meet him in Hargeon in 5 days so I might do that." Glancing from Natsu back to Lucy as he saw him half smile. I knew he could hear us...Akio thought.
"Oh. That's a wonderful idea!" Lucy said excitedly for him.
"What about you? Did you tell Natsu you're I love with him?" Akio asked. Lucy's face went red.
"Akio! Shhh, we haven't, I haven't... I've been busy" Lucy said shyly.
'You're welcome' was the look Akio gave Natsu when he locked gazes with him once more. The pink haired mages cheeks now matched his hair and his mouth dropped open. Then he calmed himself and nodded at Akio in thanks.
"You shouldn't wait forever, trust me." Akio said looking down.
"Did you lose someone you love?" Lucy asked.
"Yes and no, it's complicated. But what I do know is if I don't say this now I doubt I ever will. The person I always loved was you Lucy. Since we were children. I was lying when I came back for you. I did many times. When I passed you after you left at the time the I was only in the back seat, so I couldn't even tell you. He saved you that day from those bandits because of our deal, if not for that I doubt he would have blinked an eye. When you didn't recognize me I let it go. Then when I saw you here with Natsu, and on a honeymoon i though well it was for the best. She is happy. I understand all that was just for your mission, however I truly feel you aren't being honest with yourself. If you love him, that love is meant to be shared, that's why love isn't selfish. I'm not asking you to accept my feelings or be responsible for them, but I do know that I would regret not telling you. I hope Natsu brings you all the happiness in the world." He finished a light pink dusting his cheeks
"I loved you when we're little." Lucy said tearing up. Akio glanced up at her then back to the other room. Natsu shifted in his chair. "I don't think I knew what it was though. I never saw my mom and dad interact. I realize now what I felt for you was what I felt when I was with my mother. I assume now that was a familial love. Looking back now I know I loved you like my big brother."
Akio smiled, " As I said, I don't intend for you to take responsibility for these feelings, knowing you love me in any facet is enough, " he said then leaned forward and hugged her. "I think I'll be going now..
A small triumphant smile graced Natsu's face. He laid back on the couch, crossed his arms, and sighed. As Akio walked past him he whispered just enough for Natsu to hear him, "Take care of her... "
Smiling, Natsu responded, "Always..." getting up from the couch he stretched, and showed Akio out the door.
Lucy POV
"So, think he'll be alright?" I asked as Natsu came back in my room after closing my front door.
"Hard to say, but Jellal will take care of him if he decides take Jellal up on his offer. I think it'd be good for him." He replied sitting on my floor his back leaning against my bed. his pink head just to the left of mine. I scooted forward and placed my head on his right shoulder. Exhaustion hit me hard. Even thought Wendy had been coming periodically to hell me, I still felt exhausted. Yawning, I let sleep take me once more.
"Lulu, when we grow up, let's be together forever! I don't care if your dad yells at me" Young Akio said. He had held My hands after we had gone for a walk in the gardens.
"Hai!I always want to be with you Akio!" I said.
"Is she crying? Wendy is she in pain?" my partner asked concern evident in his tone.
"I don't know most of her wounds have completely recovered. To be honest I think tomorrow she should be fine to go on missions again." Wendy said smiling.
"Thanks Wendy! You're awesome!" Natsu said.
My eye lids were too heavy and it felt nearly impossible to open them.
"Natsu..." I said groggily.
"Yo!" He said with his same smiling face I had come to love.
"Are you-"
"Where is"
We both started at the same time. "You first", he grinned. Tears filled my eyes seeing his face, I was happy to see his face. Thinking back on what Akio said, I knew I had waited long enough to tell him how I felt. I was about to consume me. Tears streaked my cheeks as I looked up at him once more.
"Luce?" He said with concern. His hand cupped my cheek as his thumb wiped my tears. wI quickly wrapped my arms around his neck and fell into his shoulder crying as hard as I could.
"It's okay, shhh, shhh, " he said, "you're safe I've got you". he said putting his forehead to mine. He inhaled deeply as he closed his eyes. The warmth from his hands around me and his forehead mixed with his closeness sent my cheeks ablaze.
"Natsu..." I said leaning away from him.
"Hmm?" He replied opening his eyes to just stare at me.
"LUUUSSSHIIIIIII" a crying blue exceed said as he flew through my window landing on the bed next to me and Natsu.
"Happy! Hello!" I said, still struggling with my voice.
"Are you okay?" He asked Tears filling his eyes, " I brought you a fish. Natsu has been here everyday since you've been back. He's been worried sick over you. He never comes fishing with me anymore and I'm always staying with Wendy and Carla! I miss you.. GIVE NATSU BACK! WAAAAAAAA"
"I'm alright happy. I just need more rest" I said separating from Natsu and laying back down. Immediately I regretted my decision. The lack of his body warmth put me into full teeth chattering mode. " I-djdn't- st-st-steal Natsu from yo-yo-you" I replied.
"Here" he said. Gently he climbed over me, pulling the covers back and slid in next to me. I welcomed the immediate heat with a pleased sigh. "Happy go let everyone know she is alright, and Wendy gave her the seal of approval to go out on missions starting tomorrow. I'll bring her to the guild hall in the morning" he finished.
"Aye sir! Fufufu, Lucy is all red cause your staying the night with her. YOoouuuuu lllliiikkkeeeeeee eeeeaccchhhh ooottherrrr" he chuckled covering his mouth with his paws
"Stupid cat! Wait- I can go on missions?" I yelled excitedly. Oh yeah Wendy did say that before she left earlier...
"No one said I was staying the night Happy. Lucy did you want me to spend the night?" Natsu teased. "Happy just get going bud, I'll see you later or maybe not Lucy might hold me captive forever" Natsu chuckled as he pulled me more into his body. Happy looked concerned but then nodded, "FUfufufuf you loooooveeeeeeeeee eachhhhhhhh otherrr" he said one more time before flying out the window.
"I will kill that cat" I said as my heart rate was exploding.
"You warm enough?" Natsu asked. I turned slowly so I could face him. His onyx eyes locked in my brown ones. "What?" He asked confused.
Continuing my stare I moved from his eyes to his nose, then his lips. Stop thinking about the kiss. I was instantly reminded of the last time her kissed me. What was 3 months ago now seemed like ages ago. It was for the damn mission, I thought forcing my eyes to look lower at his neck and chest. I looked up at him again, placing my hand on the skin where the tendril went through back when he tried to get me away from the Devil controlling Akio.
"Your wound left a scar... I saw... I saw you take a tendril here" I said moving my hand to his right hip area. He stiffened at the contact.
" It's fine, I don't mind the scar." he coughed as a light pink dusted his cheeks as well. A long silence went on.
"Ahh chooo!" I sneezed, OH COME ON LUCY! COULD YOU BE ANYMORE AWKWARD. My inner monologue was not helping...
He grinned and pulled me in tighter to him, "Bless you" he said, "can't have you getting sick all over again. Wendy just fixed you" he chuckled. Staring at him I noticed his emotions seemed mixed I wasn't sure what was going on but what he looked almost... nervous. Natsu nervous? Yeah right.
"Luce, this isn't going to come out beautiful, or amazing in any way but, after everything that's happened, almost losing you, I'd rather get everything out in the open. Besides... I kinda over heard your talk with Akio the other day..." He said looking away.
I turned red and looked away. He's about to reject me...
Two warm hands pulled my face back towards him. Our eyes locked and then, he spoke. "I didn't know much about love and the various ways it can exist. It wasn't something Igneel talked about or even told me would happen as I got older. But, I've come to realize that, well I mean, for you I feel...more... more than just Nakama... Lucy I lo-"
Oh my god... My body reacted on its own. Without letting him finish the words my own feelings erupted. Leaning forward in an instance I placed my lips to his. It was short, but it felt as hot as the flames Natsu repeatedly created. Pulling back as my lips stung from the searing heat of his, I looked at him. His eyes were wide.
"I'm sorry I-" He cupped my cheek and silence me as his thumb brushed over my bottom lip. The feeling set my pulse racing. As his own shock subsided, a small smiled formed on his lips as he pressed his forehead back to mine. Wrapping my arms around him I pulled myself closer into him until we were flush with one another. He leaned down again and this time kissed me. Not because of a mission. Not because of an accident or whatever else, he kissed me because he wanted too. It was slow at first, and a little clumsy, but quickly became passionate. His heat engulfed me as my hands reached up and locked in his hair trying to close what little distance we had. His tongue danced around the entrance to my mouth and I reveled in it's soft movements. Parting my lips, I wanted him to have any and every part of me he wanted. My love for him burned like fire my chest. It was like my heart and body registered the man I was kissing was a fire dragon slayer who could consume me at any point.
"Mhmm" I moaned as he pulled me closer. Suddenly he broke the kiss.
"Wait..." he said breathlessly, "I need to say this, Lucy I love you... I have for a long time now, maybe even from the beginning. I don't know but either way, I love you" he said as his onyx eyes bore into mine as his breathing tamed.
"Baka..." I said pounding his chest lightly with my fist as tears fell uncontrollably, "I've always loved you..."
"Gomen... I'm sorry you waited so long for my dumbass self to figure it out..." He said as he hugged me closer, "wait... does this mean we're gonna have an egg like Gajeel and Levy now?"
I quickly shoved him to the floor my face deep crimson. " BAKA!" I shouted turning over.
"What was that for Luce?" He whined.
That's Natsu.. loving, sweet, fiercely loyal to his nakama, friends, and his love... me.. but still at the end of the day.. a little dense.
"So.. can I stay the night?" Natsu asked again tugging lightly on my shoulder so I'd face him. I turned and pulled back the covers, "Get in here.. I'm not making any dragon eggs with you tonight... I'm only allowing this because I'm cold." I said sternly.
"Hey.. I never said I wanted any eggs...and humans don't lay eggs silly. We would have to have sex to-"
"oh..my..god..." I said staring at him. I wanted to Lucy kick him all over. The crimson color in my face had spread from my cheeks to my neck and across my chest. He had done it now.
"I may be dense Lucy.. but I do know what sex is. After I found about Levy and Gajeel I pestered Cana to no end... she explained..all of it." He said winking at me, "gotta say, I def wouldn't mind doing that with you. I mean I've already see you plenty of times naked, and we've even laid together naked multiple times. I don't know why we don't have an egg yet maybe we aren't doing it right-"
SMACKKKK!
"OUCHHH! What was that for? why you gonna go and hit your boyfriend like that? I thought you loved me.." Natsu whined.
"Cana did not tell you what sex is.. and I ain't either. If you want to know go ask Gajeel!" I yelled and rolled back over. Boyfriend
"You're smiling at me using the word 'boyfriend' now aren't you..." he teased.
"Good night Natsu..." I said as a small giggle escaped my lips.
"Good night, my love" he responded and pulled me close to him. He placed a small kiss on my neck and we both dozed off to sleep.
MORE TO COME :) Akio story arch complete... on to the next adventure. How will Natsu and Lucy's relationship develop? How will it effect their partnership on missions? I'm excited! Thank you for all your reviews and encouragement it means a lot I hope you have enjoyed this so far. If you like my stories be sure to check out so of the other pairings I have wrote.
Sasuke and Sakura
Livius and Nike
Raphtalia and Naofumi
Have a great NEW YEAR!