Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.
Author's Notes: This story comes from some serious personal experiences. If you have/know someone who is going through this. Be strong. Be by their side. Show you care and love them even when it gets to the point you want to give up, don't. Because you'll regret it and lose something you can never get back.
Lucy fidgeted, her fingers running up and down her exposed forearm. It had been several months since she learned a shocking truth. A truth that had left her in a very broken mental state of being. It was hard to swallow upon learning.
But Lucy was herself. Her moral compass seemed to have been reset. Though she was feeling guilty and nervous as fuck right now. She had been at the clinic for over six months. And she had finally cleared all things required of her. But it didn't mean she was ready to leave the clinic's safety now.
There was a lot that Lucy had to do after leaving; some of it was still within the twelve-step process. There were many apologies she had to make to those important to her. And there was one person in particular that she had to face. Since he'd exposed his secret, he hadn't returned to the 'group' meetings. Lucy had degraded herself over and over after learning about it.
She knew he understood the lash-out and anger she had felt. But what he had told them all was just shocking and horrifying. Lucy knew that Bickslow was a truly good person. She'd fought him a few times. Each time she could tell he wasn't out to harm. Even when faced with an enemy, he was more of a maim and disable than disable and kill type. Now she knew.
All addictions had a price. Each person paid it according to their own mental and emotional state. Was she perfect? No. Was she a fallible human? Yes. Did Lucy understand she'd royally fucked up? Yes.
"Stop that, Miss Heartfilia, or you'll leave open wounds again."
Flinching at the aide's voice, Lucy let her arms drop to hang limply at her sides.
"Good. We don't want any bandages on your graduation day from the Rehab clinic, do we?"
Lucy looked at the aide she called Mr. Rachet. He was a good man, really. But he had a somewhat intimidating aura and could easily coral even the worst patient here. And what made it truly scary was he had no magic. So, she shook her head slowly to show she agreed.
"Good, girl. Now let's go to the auditorium. You'll be surprised to see all who have shown up for this. You are loved."
Hanging her head, Lucy followed him. She didn't feel that she deserved that love he claimed she had. She'd done fucked up, big time. But it was a testament to know that those around her seemed to understand and cared enough to support her. Allow her to grow (again) as a human and mage. And it made her feel happy to see everyone after so long.
Lucy smiled softly as she was wrapped in several hugs. There weren't just people from her Guild there. She had Sabertooth, Mermaid Heel, Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and her spirits. Hell, Princess Hisui had also sent a knight with a gift for her. Her eyes burned with the unshed tear at all the love she was receiving.
Yet one person, in particular, was not there. She had expected it. She hurt him deeply enough that he had to open up a wound. Lucy knew she didn't deserve to be acknowledged by him. She was wrong and had wronged him.
"Miss Lucy, let's get you back to Magnolia and your apartment."
Blinking and nodding her head, Lucy let Freed wrap his arm around her as the rest of the people and spirits stepped back. His arm flicked out, rapier drawing runes in the air. Then before she could take another breath, the world shifted around them. It left her stomach feeling hollowed out as her vision blurred and a wave of nausea washed over her.
"Ah, I am sorry. Miss Lucy, I forgot others can feel vertigo when I teleport them."
Lifting her head weakly, she tried to glare at Freed, who just chuckled as he led her into her apartment building. The sight of her Landlady looking at her had Lucy flinching.
"I understand all too well. My late husband was a recovering heroin user. I am proud you have completed your rehab. And in the future, I think your assigned buddy to help you will make sure you don't have a relapse."
Blinking, Lucy watched as the short Lady walked down the stairs. She was confused as fuck, but still, let Freed guide her up the stairs. She knew she'd have a 'buddy' assigned to her to help keep her from making a certified asshole of herself. But no one had said anything of 'who' it was.
Swallowing, Lucy paused as she watched Freed open her apartment door. Then before she could say a word, he shoved her with a lot of strength into her home and slammed the door shut behind her. She was already disorientated from teleporting and confused about how her landlady knew who her assigned buddy was. But this was a bit too much.
Once Lucy steadied herself, she finally noticed she wasn't the only person in her (very) clean apartment.
"Hello."
Lucy felt her bottom lip begin to quiver as all her emotions surged again. Then her legs became soft, and she sank to the floor from shock. The one person she had so much to say to just greeted her. Then that burning sensation returned to her eyes, except the tears ran over this time.
000000
Bickslow had been really nervous about seeing Lucy. He hadn't gone back because he had started to relapse. Laxus knew the signs and had him sit down and talk briefly. They'd both agreed that he should go back and visit Levita for a few sessions to reign it back in.
After a few visits, Bickslow had heard the progress report that Lucy was doing much better after a mental breakdown. It had pained him to know that she'd been broken because of him. Yet it had inspired him to step forward and decide he should be her buddy.
That had taken a few attempts to get approval. But eventually, it was given. Bickslow knew what he had to do as someone who'd been through it.
Seeing Lucy sitting on her floor staring at him and crying, Bickslow was beside himself. He was never good with crying women. Hell, when Ever got emotional and tried to help, he was smacked repeatedly.
Still, he had a duty to do as her buddy, so he got up and went to her. Bickslow sat on the floor beside Lucy and rubbed her back in soothing circles. A part of him was glad that she wasn't pulling away or going stiff. He'd feared she'd thought he was some freak after sharing his painful past.
"Bickslow."
"Yes, Lucy?"
"Bickslow."
Looking down, he saw her tear-covered face turn to him. He couldn't help it; he lifted his free hand and did his best to wipe away those tears clumsily.
"Bickslow, I am so sorry."
He knew he'd be getting an apology as part of her finishing her steps outside of rehab. But he hadn't expected it to be like this. Then before he could respond, Lucy hugged him, face buried into his side as she began to sob rather loudly. It was somewhat awkward for him.
"Boy, just accept it."
"Papa?"
"She is being truthful, honest, and understands she has seriously hurt you."
"I know, papa. Just, not a real touchy feely person."
The loud laughter that echoed in his head had him frowning under his helmet. While the rest of his babies floated around, making crooning sounds in an attempt to soothe Lucy.
Bickslow eventually wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back. Hoping his mild case of Haphephobia(fear of being touched) didn't kick in. But yet, he had come in contact with Lucy many times before, and it hadn't triggered.
TBC!
