The Academe Celestine had been spared. There were places on Earthland so powerfully protected by magic that the Universe One spell had not harmed them. The Academe Celestine was one such place. It was a haven for all Celestial, Holy and Light magics, where professors that were immensely knowledgeable in the magics taught young mages to be the best they could be. It was also the greatest protector of Celestial Keys in all the world. Celestial Mages had an open invitation there, to study, to visit the great vault where keys rescued from the world were kept safe so they could reach out and draw the mages they wanted to carry them.
Documenting the keys, handling them, was honored work, so was going out into the world when scholars at the Academe sensed a key had fallen from the heavens and could be rescued, collecting it and bringing it back to the Academe, so long as the trial for the key wasn't tied up in the process of finding and reaching it.
Hestor Kedanza was 24, half Stellan, Half Boscan. His mother a revered priestess of Stella who had been in a tragic accident at sea and washed ashore at Eventide Bay in Bosco…where a tall soft mannered Boscan man who made his living diving for rare clams in that bay had found her, nursed her back to health, fallen in love with her and married her. Hestor was their son, a Celestial Summoner like his mother.
Ammit, a key of the Hall of Two Truths had been his second key, his first the silver one of Ermine…the spirit currently draped across his shoulders snoozing. He'd grown up going through the horrific trials of the dark keys of the Hall. There had been times…darkness had nearly consumed him, but he had found ways to keep his head above that threshold…and…he had been blessed when Farron Pradesh had come into his life…carrying the key of Raphael…one of the Angels of the 7 Ivory keys of Enoch.
Two sets had then started pulling the man, the light of the Enochian Angels combating the Darkness of so many of the Hall. Raphael had reached for him…brought a 14 year old Farron Pradesh right up to him, smiling, and Hestors life had been changed forever. Antisocial because of his keys…he had suddenly found himself enfolded in the large Pardesh family, Farron and all of his siblings just…ran right over him with acceptance, friendship…loyalty, and he had been involved with the family since. He cared for them, he'd never admit that…no…fuck that. He never admitted shit when it came to feelings, as far as the world knew Hestor Adom Kedanza was a cold ass bitch of a man and he rather prefered people kept their distance.
Something had grown strong as he had gathered the keys of Enoch though. His feelings for the Pradesh siblings…Kaleb and Farron in particular…until one day he had completed an especially unpleasant trial…deep in the abandoned "Fields of Temples" in southern Minstrel, where Temples and battlefields of the Holy Wars were left alone, abandoned tombs of a long lost age. He had gotten the key of Gabriel that day…and…he had felt the presence of an Archangel Mage.
That feeling had led him to research, had gotten him to go with Vander and his partner Presca into Pergrand itself…and they had found Zen Ralkier Pradesh…The Dark Eagle…the most lethal gladiator in Pergrands history…son of Arman Pradesh thought dead…and Ganier Pradesh, who had been the last mage to hold the 7 Ivory Keys of Enoch.
What had happened then had been...months of planning, and nearly a war between Bosco and Pergrand…but White Sea, with help from Boscos Citadel Knights. Had rescued Zen from Pergrand. Hestor hadn't had all 7 keys at that time, still missing Samyaza and Raziel of the set, so his "immunity" to the pull of an Archangel Mage hadn't been in place yet…and he had made a mistake…gotten too close. He'd been helping Zen learn to read, to speak Boscan and Stellan, and…he had succumbed to the draw.
One minute they had been going over Stellan literature choices for Zen to start working through…the next…they had been naked having just…wild sex right there in the guilds library. It had been the spirits of the Hall…Hestor mated to an Archangel…it would mean power beyond anything Hestor could hold himself, his third origin open…and they had pushed, and it hadn't taken much pushing. Hestor was…devotedly gay and Zen was…gorgeous. Add in the magic compulsions and well..Kaleb and Vander had gotten them separated before anything serious could happen, Kaleb picking up the minds gone out of control and Ariss, the Tomic Dragonslayer who called the Library home had been affronted and had about broken Kalebs office door off its hinges running to him to stop the pair.
It had…worked out. Zen didn't blame him and he didn't blame Zen, platinum bands to dampen the way Zens magic radiated had been made that were similar to the Lacrima choker Kaleb always wore. Hestor was more careful…and Hestor had secured the final two keys of the 7…once he had the full set…Zen's magic no longer was an issue, Hestor was immune to it…he had become "The Keeper of Angels" through gathering that set and now felt Zen…the only Archangel currently alive…knew where he was and how he was whenever he reached out a little through one of the keys. After the spell had torn the world into chaos, he'd been comforted knowing Zen was alright, he'd felt that…reached immediately to check.
For a couple of weeks, everything had been fine, Zen was with Kaleb, how he knew that before Kaleb had reached out and informed the Guild and all it's mages he was safe…Hestor wasn't sure but he had always "felt" Kaleb and Farron after he'd gotten Raphaels key. He didn't question it, one day he'd find out, researching the keys, the Archangel mages and all around them…was complicated. Information had been suppressed by the Church of Apollo that had been the dominant religion back during the Holy Wars. The Church had "owned" the Archangel Mages of that era, the original Triad spoken of like they were objects and not people.
Kayliss, the first Evening Star. Jacamar, the first Morning Star, and Galasfriel, the first Mid-Day Star. Blessed with their magic by the Gods to help in the fight against the demonic hordes.
Jacamar had been the first to disappear, believed dead after he had, with Kayliss' help, fled from a duel where his current mate had fallen, before the winner could force their claim on him…he'd died his mates death within hours and Kayliss had never revealed where Jacamars body was. Kayliss had…killed himself about 150 years later, toward the end of the wars, taking a suicide run and never returning. Galasfriel had just…never been seen again after that. The fall of the first triad made no sense, what had happened…made no sense, and Hestor was trying to piece it all together, studying at the Academe because nobody bothered him there…and…he was safe from everything happening.
Until he felt Zen…break. FELT someone overwhelm his will and rend his soul. It had happened so damned fast..one minute the man was a soft presence in Hestors usual assortment of "pressences" that were the spirits of his keys…the next? Hestor was in armor grabbing weapons trying to rush from the school. Before he'd reached the door though…it was over…he felt it. Raphael had appeared for him, held him as he stood shaking.
"It's too late…he's been taken. He's been forcefully mated to someone. If you attack them, kill them, you will only hurt Zen." Raphael had said and Hestor had felt tears running down his face unbidden. He was the Keeper of Angels, the first in a thousand years with a living breathing Archangel mage to watch over, waiting, praying for the other two to emerge at some point. To complete the triad, to open the magics path to Earthland fully, something that would benefit every mage who used a magic type based in the celestial realms. His own life, he had stopped aging…for as long as one of HIS Archangels lived…he would live, his fate, his life, tied to theirs. He wielded the Hall, that brought justice…cold harsh, merciless justice down on those who defied the Makers, and he…held the Archangels, the living embodiments of the Kingdom of Heavens magics. He bore the Title of Starblade because of the Hall, and Keeper because of the 7, and…his Archangel…a man he cared deeply for and who he had promised to protect..was taken.
"Universe One…the chaos upon the world, you could not account for it." Raphael soothed and Hestor had pressed his face into the spirits shoulder, gripping the spirit as his tears fell.
"I should have left the school, I should have gone to him, to them…White Sea lost its home, the city I became a true mage in is gone, and I stayed here safe in the Academe." Hestor hissed.
"Kaleb begged you to, they all did, even Zen begged you to stay here until things calmed down." Raphael said softly.
"That was before they were ripped away to where they ended up…before the spell went off." Hestor growled but he stayed as he was, trying to compose himself.
"Find out for me, Raphael…find out how to undo this, how to…" Hestor had started to work on the issue…sent messages to Kaleb demanding to know what was happening and he'd barely regained his composure when…Zen was suddenly just…gone. He felt it…the man was there one moment, recovering from what had happened to him, angry, upset, confused and then…gone, a void left within Hestor where the mans presence had been.
"He's ok. He was taught to open interplanar gates by a spirit the woman who…bound him…holds. Leo the Lion of the Golden Zodiac according to Laxus and some of the mages here who know her. They insist she's a good person…" Kalebs mental touch had been all that had stopped Hestor from rushing out and stealing an airship…going to where he felt Kaleb and Farron were as fast as possible.
"FUCK that! Stars Damn the woman! He wasn't willing! I FELT it Kaleb! He was overwhelmed, begging for it to stop through the process! You know he can't control himself around summoners! Why did you let him get near one?!" Hestor had mentally shouted through the link, gratified a little when he felt the other wince mentally.
"I didn't let it happen Hestor, we saved her and her friend, came across them as we were making our way to regroup with everybody..it just happened and YOU try and stop Zen from doing what he wants to some time, he's bigger than me…hits about as fucking hard as I do too, I didn't let it happen, it just…did." Kaleb responded "I feel…terrible about it, I really do, Gods Hes we all do."
"He was a slave his whole life Kaleb, we all promised we would protect his freedom…this can't happen, not to him, he deserves so much better after all he's been through…" Hestors emotions came through that time, he'd always struggled to hide them well from Kaleb and his siblings.
"I know, Vander offered to kill her in her sleep…but we know that would hurt Zen..possibly kill him. She didn't ask…her and another woman and an exceed along with Leo the Lion, they came up with this, binding Zen to Lucy so he could open a gate into Hell." Kaleb said.
"HE WHAT?!" Hestors shout even made Hestor wince a little…it came out vocally as well as mentally.
"There's a man, a good man, named Gajeel Redfox, who was dragged there by one of the Spriggan, a wizard named Bradman, they fought, and the mage dragged Gajeel down with him as he passed into Hell…Gajeel was alive, the woman he loved..she was a friend of Lucys, guildmate named Levy McGarden. She and Lucy and Leo the Lion came up with this…binding Zen to Lucy made him able to open a gate into the first plane of Hell where Gajeel was taken…they went to rescue Gajeel, a full team Hestor, Vander, Cris and Bickslow are with Zen and Lucy and some people from Fairy Tail...Bickslow insisted…Lucy isn't a terrible person." Kaleb explained.
"She just enslaved Zen to use him to rescue one of her friends…tell me how that makes her a good person." Hestor snapped.
"No argument, we're all angry, this was a betrayal, especially after Zen and I helped her and her guildmate get back to their guild safely, they were in the process of being murdered by a spriggan when we came across them. Not exactly a great thank you." Kaleb agreed
"I want to see him…I want to know he's ok." Hestor said firmly
"He's left Hes…to rescue that man. I'm watching the return point he'll use, I'll let you know when he's back…but I know you'll feel it before I can tell you." Kaleb responded and Hestor had…no choice, he couldn't do more.
So he had waited. Two weeks spent waiting, relentlessly looking for ways to break Zen free, he had even called his Aunt in Stella, asked her to look into it. He would find a way to give Zen back what had been stolen from him.
He'd found precious little when he felt it, Zens presence restored to his consciousness, warm and strong, and so tired, Gods above the level of exhaustion had Hestor groaning and holding his head in his hands. Kaleb was wise this time, linked Hestor right into the family link so Hestor could join the Pradesh family in demanding to know how Zen was, what had happened…all of it…and he'd recoiled at how…tired Zen was, how angry, frustrated and confused he was. He was happy they had rescued the man, Gajeel, insisted it was worth it, the mission was well warranted, but Zen couldn't defend Lucy, Hestor felt it…Zen didn't know how to defend her because he himself was so…hurt…by what she had done.
It made the rage in Hestor build more, the anger, and Kaleb had known, tried to soothe the Celestial mage. Zen had demanded all of them…
"Just STOP. It's done. I haven't slept more than a couple of hours a night in two weeks, I've eaten next to nothing, barely enough to stay alive, I'm TIRED and all I want is to sleep and FUCK if I can't because she's not next to me! I feel like…just stop, all of you, stop. Please." Zens plea stopped them. His family quieted, even Arman, becoming soothing, urging Zen to please try to rest.
"Kaleb, have Cristoff put Zen to sleep, he shouldn't have to go to that woman in order to rest damn it." Hestor had hissed, knowing Kaleb would keep the family from hearing him and…not fully caring even if he didnt.
He felt it then…when Zens conscious turmoil abated, eased when Cristoff knocked him out.
"I want to see him." Hestor said firmly.
"Airships are hard to come by Hes…there's a war." Kaleb responded
"Then I'll fucking walk, just don't leave Crocus until I get there." Hestor said
"I'll do what I can Hes, but…war." Kaleb had responded "We will be part of the fighting."
"I know, and I'll be there to fight alongside you all as soon as I can." With that, Hestor had stood and started packing his things. He wasn't going to sit out the whole damned war, and right now, his Archangel needed him…to do what the Keeper of Angels was meant to do. Train and watch over the magic gifted to human kind by the Gods of Light. And…to possibly slap a bitch for hurting his friend.
Lucy couldn't sleep, not for long anyway. She woke with a gasp, Zens name on her lips eyes wide, the nightmare that had gripped her had been horrific. They had been alone in the underworld, just her and Zen, and she had tied him up in chains so he wouldn't leave her, even though he promised he wouldn't.
They were attacked by Juliet and Heine, Brandish was choking Lucy to death while Juliet and Heine thanked her for binding the Archangel so well and had him on the ground, tearing his clothes off, Zen unable to fight them off because of the chains Lucy had bound him in.
A little ways away Levy and Gajeel were making out, Levy refusing to help and Gajeel seeming oblivious, totally lost in Levy. Lucy couldn't even scream because Brandish was choking her as Heine and Juliet tortured Zen to death.
She sat breathing hard, the images fading but the fear, the loss, the misery and guilt still very strong inside of her. She rubbed at her chest, her soft Pajama shirt rumpling in her hand, she could feel Zen...too far away, so far it was uncomfortable...but there was nothing she could do, she couldn't go to him as much as she wanted to because...she had no right. He'd said he'd be back after he had cleaned up and slept...she had to give him however much time he wanted.
She looked down, smiling faintly at Lily who was sound asleep on the pillow. Sighing she drew a breath and slid from the bed, it was useless, she couldn't sleep, not without his arms around her...without Zen, nightmares just...haunted her.
She decided she needed some clothes, underwear, socks, maybe a couple of outfits. She had savings, Gods knew she wouldn't be worrying about rent. Laxus was covering their stay in the inn and the food, so...she had some lee way. It was only a little after 5am, too early for the stores to be open but the little tavern downstairs would be and she could get an early breakfast.
Once down the stairs she almost burst into tears when she saw a familiar head full of red hair. "Erza!" She almost sobbed, the knight jumped up and ran to her, crushing her against her breastplate as usual. "Lucy! I was so worried...Max told me you guys had to go rescue Gajeel...have you seen Natsu or Gray?" She asked and Lucy shook her head. "No, not yet, Levy said Gray was with Juvia though before that spell hit…" She said and Erza nodded "Indeed, I encountered the woman who cast it, was trying to run her down but she eluded me. I believe if we can bring that woman down, we can end the chaos of her spell and perhaps restore the country." She said. They chatted then, catching up some for a couple of hours before Erza grew somber again.
"I need someone to come with me quickly to try and find Irene Belserion, will you go with me Lucy?" She asked then.
"I'll go Erza… Lucy can't, she can't leave Zen." Wendy said, coming down the stairs with a small smile. She had gotten a little too accustomed to sleeping curled up against somebody and while she'd managed some sleep, she found herself antsy, and was happy to see Erza.
While Erza hugged the younger mage she leveled a curious look at Lucy. "Who is Zen?" She asked. Lucy drew a breath "It's a long story...but Wendy's right, I...I can't leave him, you should really talk to Laxus before you go anywhere Erza...He's trying to gather everyone."
Erza shook her head "This can not wait...and...Zen...is a man? Why can't you leave him?" She asked suspiciously "He doesn't have some nefarious blackmail or something he's bound you with does he?!" She demanded, Lucy shook her head "No..nothing like that...if anyone did any "binding" it was me not him. " She said.
Wendy squeezed Erza's hand "I'll explain it as we go Erza, so...who is this person we're after?" She asked and Erza hugged Lucy once more "I shall return as soon as I can, and then...I want to meet this man…" She said firmly and Lucy nodded, watching Wendy lead Erza outside. She hesitated for a bit, getting a hot coffee before going out herself, it was early morning, and cold outside, so she pulled her jacket around her, resolving to buy herself a warmer coat while she was out.
The shopping, as usual, did help her mood and she returned to the inn bearing several bags, Laxus looked up from the table he was sitting at "Lucy...been shopping huh...hate to say it but I probably need to as well...hey, the innkeeper said Erza was in here this morning?" He asked and Lucy nodded as Laxus took some of her bags to help her to her room with it all.
The big mage settled in the wingchair across from her bed and she noted Lily wasn't there, though there was still a Lily sized indent in her pillow that made her smile faintly. He'd probably decided to brave intruding on Levy and Gajeel.
"She said she had a lead on the woman who cast the spell, Irene I think I remember it being, Brandish said that was who did it, cast some spell called Universe One. Erza thinks if they take the caster down maybe it will restore things…" Lucy said "She took Wendy with her, she hadn't seen Gray or Natsu…" She sighed, putting her few purchases away. Ignoring Laxus' raised brow as she unloaded a bag from the lingerie shop.
"Don't give me that look, lingerie is a comfort thing for me and I lost all I had to Magnolia being leveled so I got some new stuff!" She said defensively and Laxus held his hands up "I'm not judging...I bet Zen appreciates them." He smirked at her and Lucy had no idea why, but the mention of her mate...especially in connection with lingerie, something that was so...intimate...really got to her and tears spilled down her face.
Laxus' eyes flew wide "Uh...hey..I...look Blondie I didn't mean anything by that...he hasn't hurt you has he I mean...where is he? I expected him to be with you…" He said and Lucy cried harder making the Lightning mage jump up and hurry to her, gripping her shoulders and Lucy bypassed his pending pep talk to hug the man who had become like a brother to her over the last couple of years.
"He...needs time to think and...and I don't want to...bother him but I...I miss him...it hurts when he's so far away…" She cried tears quickly dampening Laxus' shirt.
"Laxus I heard you in here and I...oh dear...what did you say to Miss Lucy?" Freed said the door had been left open to Lucys room and hearing his leader Freed had honed right in and come through the door to find Lucy sobbing all over a very uncomfortable looking Laxus.
"I don't know...she started crying and...Blondie...he didn't stay here with you last night?" Laxus asked and Lucy shook her head "That's why I couldn't sleep so I just got up and went downstairs and ran into Erza then I went shopping…" She explained between sniffles, accepting the handkerchief Freed handed her.
Laxus frowned "I knew he went over to the Honeybone last night but I figured that was just to grab some clothes or something...didn't know he had stayed there...I...I don't know how these things work…"
Freed smiled, pulling Lucy gently from Laxus and guiding her to sit on the bed "I read the book Crux gave Levy so I would understand it all better...you should read it Miss Lucy, it's one of only two texts in existence that has any information on Archangel mages, the other is locked away somewhere in Stella." He said gently. Waving at Laxus while Lucy blew her nose and signaling him to go get tea.
The big mage gave his friend a grateful look and rushed from the room to fetch tea, glad to pass the weepy woman off. He loved Lucy dearly but he couldn't handle crying women.
"The two of you shouldn't sleep apart for a while yet...it is unfortunate we had to dive right into literal Hell right after the two of you mated...according to the book when an Archangel is bound and mated, they need a little time, a couple of weeks staying in very close proximity to their new mate, distance can cause actual physical pain...did you know it's similar for Dragon Slayers? In their case it's because the dragon magic needs time to balance inside the new mate and the new mate is vulnerable during the first week after mating so the Dragon Slayer becomes very protective." Freed was telling her, all while making certain she had a fresh handkerchief and opening the book in question to the section on Archangels, he held it open for her, showing her a picture of Galasfriel, the last known Archangel.
He was tall, devastatingly handsome too, with blonde hair and deep blue eyes, his wings were gold, not black like Zens, wearing shining white metal armor.
"The Archangels bond to their mate is all about the two magics coming together, and the mage who has bound the Archangel will feel unsafe, unwell and miserable when their Guardian is not near because when you gave up part of your soul to him, it was a piece you usually protected...a soft sensitive part of yourself, the Holy magic takes it from you just as you took that part of him when you bound him. Because he's the guardian...made to protect and defend, he doesn't feel the same level of discomfort you do, though he will be restless, and want to be close to you until it all balances and the two of you are comfortable with each other." He explained.
Lucy nodded, Freeds gentle tone and soft smile helped, how such a usually stiff man could be so...sweet...she wasn't sure, but she understood a little more why Laxus and his team loved Freed so much.
"Thank you Freed, understanding it helps me deal with it." She said.
"You know...maybe we should both sit down and read through that book…." A deep voice drew both of them to look to the door and Lucy's breath caught seeing Zen standing there.
"Perhaps you should, then you would know better than to try and stay distant from our Miss Lucy." Freed said, frowning at the taller mage and standing to his full height...he still only came to maybe where the top of his head was near Zens chin.
Zen smiled "Point taken Freed, I didn't want to sleep across the street, my brothers sort of forced me too, had Cristoff knock me out...I knocked both Kaleb and Farron on their asses first thing this morning about it when I got up but somebody had already left shopping…" He said, turning amethyst eyes to Lucy who nibbled her lower lip.
"I...lost all of my clothes when Magnolia was destroyed and didn't want to keep asking Virgo to make things for me…" She said quietly.
Freed handed the book to Lucy "It probably would help you both to read it." He said. Then looked between Lucy and zen, turning and heading for the door. "I'll leave you two to talk...you need to." He added the last with a narrow eyed look at Zen who sighed, stepping out of the way so the Rune mage could leave the room and close the door behind himself.
"I have been catching hell from every angle today…" Zen sighed, crossing the room. The closer he got the faster Lucys heart beat in her chest, when he dropped down to sit beside her on the foot of the bed it took all of her self control not to jump into his feeling was just so overwhelming, and she hated it, she really did.
Gods she was pathetic, she just...needed him...so badly. Zen plucked the book from her hands, holding it open to where freed had it. "You know Kaleb had a thing about Galasfriel, hearing about how I'd been killed and what kind of mage I was when he was a kid, back when my Dad thought I had died with my Mom, he even had that earing he wears made when he was 13. Told me once that he felt like he had to try to be sort of like what Dad had lost for a long time, it was why he embraced the light like he does…" He said softly.
"I'm...so sorry.." Lucy said quietly and Zen sighed again. Puting the book down and pulling the woman into his arms, the moment he turned toward her Lucy willingly went to him too, eagerly climbing into his lap, straddling him, wrapping her arms around him, feeling all the discomfort, the stress, and worry flow away at the feel of him against her.
"I don't want you to keep apologizing...what's done is...done. You and I are mated, bound...I want that to not be a miserable thing...I need it to be because I spent half my life as a slave Lucy and I really don't want to feel like I'm back to that…" He said quietly. She stiffened in his arms, a stab of guilt hitting her so hard it took her breath away and his hand rubbed a circle on her back soothing her.
"I really don't want you to feel like that either." She said quietly and drew in deep breaths, he smelled impossibly good, like a mixture of spices and citrus...masculine...it was one of the reasons she so liked his cloak...it smelled like him.
"Then stop apologizing...I would have said yes so really...me being an ass about it is a waste of energy and I told my brothers to relax about it, after I decked their asses and made Cristoff promise not to heal them right away." He said. Lucy smiled faintly, it wasn't easy imagining Kaleb getting knocked on his ass, the man was so intimidating, or Farron for that matter, but she managed.
"Besides, them taking my right to choose where the fuck I wanted to be and with who away sure as hell wasn't any better than what you did." He said quietly and Lucy stiffened again. Zen didn't make a move to sooth her that time. He wasn't going to torture her over her choice, making her miserable wasn't going to help them develop a relationship. He wanted one, he wanted her, yes part of that was simply he had no choice now, she was his only option, he could feel that much easily. So, unless he wanted to be miserable, he needed his new mate to be happy.
It didn't mean he couldn't take a few jabs here and there though, remind her so she didn't get complacent too quickly. He was still angry, still bitter about it, and was sure she could feel that…because he felt her guilt. He also wasn't sure when or even if he could forgive her for what she'd done…but he wasn't going to be had a lot to work on, the biggest he felt was how easily Lucy caved to her friends asking her for things. His mate needed to think for her damn self and not let even her love for her friends sway her decisions when she damn well knew right from wrong. She was still a touch too naive...a bit too easy to push around...as his mate, he swore she wouldn't stay that way. She felt guilt over what she'd done to him, remorse...good, he could help her learn from it. He needed a strong woman at his side...especially now with the world in chaos.
Lucy was the one fate had dealt him and as he felt her curvy body press into his he smiled faintly, he sure as hell could have ended up with worse...Gods help him as taken as he was with Celestial Magic users he was just lucky she was a she. He so prefered women, gods he loved soft curves and Lucy had them in abundance.
"So...we're mated, I'm not unhappy about that and you...you sacrificed too for the whole thing...I'm looking forward to getting to know Gajeel, the guy must really be something to inspire his guildmates to be willing to go right into Hell itself to rescue him." He said and Lucy smiled.
"He is a pretty awesome guy." She said with conviction. Zen pulled back so he could look at her, smiling "I don't doubt it. Bickslow says you have a pink haired Dragon Slayer team mate I'll have to learn to like too, says it won't be easy." He gave her a narrow eyed look but his tone was light, his eyes were dripping with humor too and Lucy grinned at him.
"Natsu, he's not bad...just...immature, impulsive...able to destroy whole towns with a single roar…" She giggled as Zen looked heavenward, shaking his head. "Gods help me."
He smiled at her, eyes gaining a spark that took her breath away "I belong to you now, you've taken me, triggered magic in me I didn't know was there or even could be. I'm a fighter Lucy...a warrior to the bone, I held my first sword when I was 6 and killed my first man when I was 8. I won't let you be pushed again...like you were when you took me the way you did…" He said and the humor in her eyes was gone, pain, remorse filling them again and he drew a breath, he didn't mean to toy with her, it wasn't his intention, but he had to be straight and honest with her, for the rest of their lives they had to trust and believe in each other and he already...did not trust her and had little faith in her ability to stand up to difficult things.
That couldn't continue.
"I'm going to work on forgiving you, for taking me against my will, and I never want you to say "sorry" for it again, we can talk about it…we should…but no more hollow words…" He said and she sucked in a breath, it wasn't hollow…she meant it…before she could speak though he put a finger to her lips, his eyes fierce "No…this isn't the time to argue over who feels what and why…I can't lie Lucy, that's something you have to understand because I can hurt you…my magic WILL hurt you if you lie near me…even if it's a lie you believe is true…I'm an Evening Star…the last line where darkness will not pass, the truth aura is a passive part of my magic…so…don't keep saying things like you're sorry without telling me why…because "sorry" is a hollow fucking word without some conviction and work to repair damage behind it. You've said it…now prove it, promise me." He said, knowing full well what a promise meant to her because they meant the same thing to him.
Lucy blinked at him, nodding slowly and he kissed her, it was a chaste kiss, simple, his eyes were back on hers a moment later "Alright, we have to work on things...I don't trust you to think of me before your friends, before your guild...I don't believe that you value me because you've proven...clearly...that you don't, not as much as Levy, Gajeel...your guild friends. I think if Natsu comes and snaps his fingers you'll kick me aside in a heartbeat because he means more to you than I do." He said, it was harsh, he knew it was.
"That means I'm in a pretty…fucked up position with you and I won't let it continue, I won't be some fucking dog that follows you around carrying your shopping and helping you do things with and for your friends…am I clear? Promise me you won't expect that of me." He demanded.
Lucy winced as he spoke, the truth behind what he was saying driving home the price of what she had done to him. He shouldn't feel that way...Gods...he was her mate now, they would be together for the rest of their lives and guild or no guild...her future was in the man holding her and his was in her. It was a huge thing...something she had not been ready to take on, but something she had...to save Gajeel, Levy...to snatch a tragedy away and turn it around. But it had caused something terrible to happen in her life, she had hurt a good man and not just any man, she couldn't walk away from Zen, they were together for good now.
An apology swelled in her and he pushed a finger to her lips "Don't apologize, you promised me you wouldn't, I don't want an apology, I want my mate to value me, to think of me before she makes a decision, to think of how it will effect me and take that impact into consideration, not brush it aside...brush me aside. I promise you right now...no matter what...I will think of you first...my promise to you Lucy, from this moment on, you, my mate, will always be the first thing I think of." He said firmly, a hand coming to cup her face.
"I hope you'll do the same for me...I won't demand anything of you...you are not my property, you are...my willful...teary eyed mate who I know I'm being hard on right now...but...we need to work all of these things out so we can start…fixing things…" His lips were on hers then,a soft simple kiss...his arms slid around her pulling her firmly against him for a hug and her mind about went blank.
Zen meant it platonically…he really did. He was angry…frustrated over this situation, and the last thing he wanted was sex or any intimacy beyond some basic closeness with the woman who had stollen his freedom from him.
Lucy's mind though rarely could be fully stopped, and her heart surged with determination. This man was her future, handsome, strong, smart, loyal...when she thought about it...it was like Levy had said...Zen was her ideal...he really was. He was everything she had ever wanted in a man, right down to his appreciation of her own magic and the basics...he was sexy, made her body just burn...they had been together in their rushed and heated mating but she wanted more…she really did. Her body…her magic…just hungered for him.
She needed to rebuild what she had damaged, and show Zen she did value him, would value him, would think of him and not make more choices that...so terribly disregarded his feelings, his needs. She needed his trust, needed him to believe in her, she had never been one who could sit by when someone had no trust in her, no faith in her, she proved herself, with her actions...she would do it for Zen because...she needed him...needed his trust, his faith...and a part of her was already yearning for... his love. Hungrily craving being loved, because he was now the only one who ever could in a meaningful way.
He had promised to put her first. It had really struck something deep inside of her when he had, so she pulled back, breathless, knowing her face was probably flushed, Gods knew her whole body was just on fire needing him. "I promise you the same thing Zen...I'll prove to you you can trust me...I won't ever push you aside again...I will think of you...I promise it." She said and his eyes warmed, a hand coming to the back of her neck and bringing her back to him so he could renew the kiss, this time though he didn't pull back quickly.
He felt so good, she'd never felt anything like it. Safe, yet just blazing with desire, need and each touch, scent, taste was exactly what she needed to feel even better. The more his lips moved on hers, when his tongue slid past her lips and invaded her mouth, gliding against hers in this sensual tangle it felt amazing.
Lucy was arching into him, eagerly pulling him to her when there was a knock on the door. Zen was abruptly restored to his senses and backed off immediately and Lucy could have hurt someone, she really could...was it too much to ask, after she had gone against her own feelings, completely disregarded Zens, bonded the man, become his mate, robbed them both of the freedom to fall in love like normal people, had sex with the man...not that she regretted that part at all because that part? Oh sweet Gods had that been good for her even as rushed as it had been.
She wanted...needed time alone with him, they needed to damn well get comfortable with each other and for Mavis' sake...she wanted to have sex with him again and it had felt like that might have been on the table for a moment there! Take her time, actually get him naked instead of just push his pants out of the way because damn it...she hadn't even had a good look at the body of the man who was her mate now and she fucking wanted to see!
She loved her friends...but damn it they fucking OWED her some privacy!
Lucy was a red blooded woman, young, healthy, she loved the male body and had a strong feeling her mate had one that was drool worthy. She was a chest woman too, arms and chest and she felt he had muscle, definition...a hefty set of pecs on him and she'd run her fingers over his abs...knew those were toned...rigid...growling internally she slid from the bed almost whimpering as she caught sight of Zen as he stood and turned to look out the window…his jeans hugging a fine well sculpted ass…an ass that her hands could have maybe been exploring right now….
She threw open the door to see Laxus, who peered suspiciously past her, narrowed blue eyes on Zen "Hey blondie...I brought you guys tea...Freed added some things, said you'd probably be hungry or some shit...everything ok?" He asked.
Lucy tried not to roll her eyes, Laxus was trying to be helpful, supportive...he was concerned for her, she had been crying all over him just a short while ago.
"Thank you Laxus...we're working things out...I..need privacy...we have so much to talk about...tell Freed I said that please." She said as sweetly as her frustrated..oversexed self could manage. He eyed her and she saw his nose twitch, eyes widening as sudden realization hit him. "Shit...I'm...yeah...ok...you're off limits, I'll spread the word...shit two rooms to keep people away from huh?" He asked.
"No...no it's fine, we're going out to get something to eat, don't worry about it Laxus, come on Lucy." Zen said, he'd come up behind her and took the tray, putting it back into Laxus' hands and taking her hand, pulling her after him and she could have cried...she really could have, watching her bed...where moments before she had been laying with her mate right there holding her, the man returning her kisses…they had talked and while a lot of what he'd said had stung…it was progress, she would take it, and after a night of no sleep spent missing him, wanting to be in his arms all she'd wanted was quiet and time with him, on the bed..while she was trying to decide which article of his clothing she was going to remove first, instead she watched that bed vanish from her line of sight.
Now, now he was handing her her coat and pulling her from the warm Inn back out into the cold streets. She didn't argue...she might have whined a little, but she fell in beside him. It was approaching dinner time now…the day had just…escaped her. The streets were crowded while the city wasn't at its best for obvious reasons, Crocus was still busy. Refugees were filling in, she knew many had nowhere else to go and Gods only knew if any other cities were still standing.
The parks had been converted into camping areas, tents were all over them with portable restrooms brought to keep things clean. They were lucky, had gotten to Crocus before the heavy waves of refugees had really started making their ways there. The train lines had been mostly destroyed though, while they walked they learned the line to Autumn City and the one to Rose Garden were still intact and running and that both of those cities were still standing. Zen kept her hand in his, not wanting to get separated from her in the crowds and grateful of his height since with all the people it was difficult to see.
Both Guilds had taken over the inns they were staying in, both lucky to have the funds to pay for their impromptu "Guild Halls" but many others hadn't been so lucky. It was Lucy that spotted the blonde slayer, cuddling his cat while he was trying to help a limping Rogue through the crowds. Sabertooth had lost everything, like Fairy Tail had, their guild hall destroyed and many of their members killed. Levy had described seeing Rogue and Sting both nailed onto crosses being carried like banners of pride over the Alvarez army. Her heart wrenched in her chest at the state of the twin dragons, clothes dirty, still bloody and torn, neither looked like they had recovered yet.
Her hand tightened on Zens and she looked up at him, tugging him toward the edge of the street where the slayers were trying to make their way along. Zen gave Lucy a curious look, catching the twinge of pain from her when she saw the twin slayers and followed her, eyes settling on her clear goal, two battered looking mages who looked like they had seen more than their share of fighting and not come out of it well.
"Sting! Rogue!" Lucy called as they reached the two men and both slayers looked up in surprise, Sting smiling. "Lucy! Hey...um...you're looking good." The blonde said and she smiled, seeing Zens eyes scanning the two men and not missing the look of concern or how his magic started building. "They let you guys out of the hospital so soon?" She asked and Sting sighed "Yeah...well...there are more hurt far more than us, we just got out actually, we're starting to look for a place to stay." He admitted.
The truth was he was desperate, they had stopped at every inn and hotel they had come across and everything was full. He would probably be ok to sleep outside in the cold but Rogue still had bones that hadn't knit yet and was already suffering being out of bed.
"Do they not have healers in the hospital?" Zen frowned, noting Rogue was almost head to toe bandages under his clothes and one leg was cast along with an arm from wrist to shoulder and the hospital had put these men out in their condition?!
"They just have regular doctors, healers are rare Zen." Lucy said softly, smiling at him. He narrowed his eyes "Come on, lets get you two to the Honeybone...there's a room there you can have." He said firmly and tipped Rogues chin up "Alright for me to carry you? No offense, but I happen to be the brother of two healers, I have some healing magic myself too… and after seeing your injuries? I don't want you walking." He said firmly and Rogue nodded, Zen then swept the smaller man up with ease while Lucy took Stings hand and turned, smiling watching her mate carry Rogue ahead of them back to the Honeybone.
When they walked in she was very happy to see Cristoff bolt to his feet the moment his dark blue eyes fell on Sting. The big slayer was at their side immediately and Lucy smiled brightly at him "Sting Eucliffe, Rogue Cheney, this is Cristoff Pradesh, the Lunar Dragon Slayer of White Sea, and...their senior healer." She said and saw the relief, hope and flood of gratitude wash over Stings face.
Rogues eyes fell shut at hearing it, when Zen had said he was a healer they had both about fallen to their knees but now they had two, and both looked like they were powerhouses, their magic energy easy to sense. They needed them...any healer...the Alvarez soldiers had taken immense pleasure in torturing them...the Spriggan had not been gentle, it was amazing either of them had survived at all, many of their guild hadn't.
"They're taking my room." Zen told Cristoff firmly and his brother gave him a half smile "This way then." He said, and when Sting managed a few painful looking steps, like Rogue, he was swept off his feet, the Lunar slayer carrying him to the stairs and up them.
"No stairs for you till I'm done with you." He said firmly.
Lucy followed behind Zen and Cristoff, noting Bickslow giving her a smile and wink, raising his glass to her from the bar and she smiled back before heading up the stairs, sneaking a glance toward where Kaleb and Farron sat and biting the inside of her cheek at seeing them both in fact sporting bruised jaws.
There were two full sized beds in Zens room and the two big Boscans separated, Zen taking Rogue to the one near the balcony while Cristoff settled Sting on the other.
"You're about Vanders size...he never wears all the clothes he packs anyway since he tends to stick to wearing his shadow made stuff, I'll get him to bring something for you to change into...send him out to pick up some more maybe." Cristoff told Sting as he started undoing the man's beat up shirt.
Sting shifted uncomfortably "You don't need to do that...just having a place to rest is more than we could ask for…" He said. It pained the blonde…a lot…but he'd had no clue what to do, he'd been desperate, terrified. They had nothing, Sabertooth was just gone, and the guilds resources…well, nobody could access much right now, money was hard to come by and neither he nor Rogue were in any shape to work. They both had internal injuries, he knew it, and their slayer magic was all that was keeping them going, he'd been so…painfully afraid…they would end up sleeping outside in the cold and he'd wake up to find Rogue dead. Cristoff raised a brow at him "You're not Fairy Tail then?" He asked, eyes moving to the symbol on Sting's shoulder. "Sting is with the Sabertooth guild." Lucy supplied.
"It's gone...wiped out...there's only a handful of us left and...most are gone, went to find their families...Rogue and I are the only one's here..I don't even know where any of the others are, Yukino...she went to look for her sister…" He said unhappily.
"You're a friend Sting, so is Rogue, and you're welcome in Fairy Tail, Master Laxus would happily take you." Lucy said.
"Lightning rod is the guild master now?!...damn…" Sting sat up, finally helping Cristoff get his clothes out of the way. The Lunar Slayer started removing bandages then, only a small frown furrowing his brow. He'd worked enough in battlefields the work of magicless doctors no longer upset him.
Zen on the other hand was growling, dragging a thin dagger down the cast over Rogues arm. His magic told him it wasn't set well, and the bones had been jostled by Rogue being forced to move before he should have. He understood the hospitals were under a heavy burden...but tossing still injured people into the streets…
He gently broke the thing away from Rogues arm and grit his teeth at the black and green bruising he saw, the messy stitches...the smell of oncoming infection. "Hey Cris...Sting have a lot of broken bones?" He asked.
Cristoff looked over at him, eyes narrowing, lighting silver and running over Rogue. "Not as many as Rogue, wanna trade?" He offered, knowing where Zen was heading. Of the two, Cristoff was far more experienced and masterful with his healing magic, so it made sense he should take the person with the worse injuries.
"I'm thinking...maybe I should take you and Wendy to one of the hospitals...do some work ya know? You guys need the practice and clearly the hospitals need the help…" Cristoff said as he settled on the bed beside Rogue. Zen smiled, golden eyes running down Sting, locating the injuries and getting to work.
"I'd like some help with bone setting...I think Rogue deserves to just get fucking healed right, but I do need practice…" Zen admitted. His offensive abilities had been his focus the last couple of years, and he was grateful he'd done that now, they had come in very handy, but his healing magic required a lot more practice and wasn't as "fun" to work on.
Sting groaned, making no apologies for it as pain left him, the dull sickening aches were cleared from his body, his ankles mended and the nail points in his arms that had been magically cursed to resist healing, finally healed as Zens holy based magic cleared away the curses.
Rogue actually passed out, he hadn't slept well since the fighting began, and not at all unless drugged in the hospital, too much pain, too much guilt and noise and too many scents, now, in a soft bed in a quiet room, with his injuries healed, the dull terrible pains, the burning ones, the aching ones all of them gone, he started to try and thank the midnight eyed slayer smiling down at him but consciousness left him.
"They need sleep, I'll make sure to bring some food up for them in a few hours." Cristoff said, standing and tucking the blankets around Rogue.
Zen was doing the same for Sting, nodding to his brother. "Good. Lucy and I can go find them some clothes and such, Thanks Cris." He said, his brother fist bumped him on his way from the room and Zen turned back to Lucy "Ready for more shopping?" He asked with a smirk and she grinned at him, feeling…truly good about this on more than one level. First…Sting and Rogue were safe, healed, under the care now of Cristoff, who she knew was a very experienced healer, and…Zen had just given up his room…he'd need to stay with her now. She was all hopeful smiles, Stings soft snore following them as they left the room and closed the door behind them.