Laxus peeked at Lucy's sleeping face, chuckling wickedly when he saw the tiny line of drool escaping the corner of her mouth. Her head was leaning against his shoulder and though the drop of drool was getting dangerously close to his shirt, he had to take a photograph of her first. He eased his phone out of his pocket, being careful to not jostle her, swiped open the camera and took a fast, sneaky picture of her. Then, with a wad of tissue, he dabbed at the corner of her mouth, wiping away the drool. Just then, the flight attendant's voice boomed over the microphone, announcing their imminent landing. Laxus gently shook Lucy.
"Babe? We're almost there. Time to wake up."
Lucy sat up groggily, rubbing her eyes. She felt the phantom line of drool marking her mouth and when she went to wipe it, the back of her hand came back dry. Her eyes zeroed in on the piece of tissue in Laxus's hand, and she instantly put two and two together.
"You better not have," she threatened, narrowing her eyes.
Feigning confusion, Laxus shrugged, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"If I look at your phone and there is a picture of me drooling, you are walking home."
"You don't know my passcode," Laxus shot back.
"1-5-7-0"
"Fuck you, how did you guess?"
"You told me, genius. You were very proud of the fact that the connected numbers looked like a bolt of lightning on your keypad."
"Fine there's a sleeping picture of you, but it's so cute and I swear I'll never show it to anyone. I physically cannot delete it, Lucy. It would hurt me to delete it."
Lucy rolled her eyes and threw her head back against the headrest of her seat. "You're so dramatic. Fine, don't delete it. But when I get an embarrassing picture of you, you can't make me delete it either. Deal?"
Confident she'd never get an embarrassing picture of him, Laxus firmly shook Lucy's outstretched hand. Then, with a laugh, he draped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head.
A flight attendant holding a basket of tiny water bottles walked down the aisle towards them.
"Water?" she asked, holding out two bottles. Laxus graciously accepted them, handing one to Lucy.
"And can I just say, you both make a beautiful couple. How long have you been married?" the kind-faced flight attendant continued.
"Actually-" Lucy began.
"A year," Laxus smoothly replied. The flight attendant gushed some more about the honeymoon period and how good they looked together before leaving them.
"We're married, huh?" Lucy asked when the woman was out of ear shot.
"We basically are."
"Why would she even think we're married though?" Lucy asked, confused.
"Babe," Laxus said, tapping Lucy's hand. Her ring finger was adorned by a simple silver ring that had a blue stone in the middle. Laxus then tapped his own hand, where his ring finger had a wide silver band.
"I got this in Greece and that's your granddad's. They aren't wedding rings," Lucy justified.
"She doesn't know that. And look at how happy it made her," Laxus flicked his gaze to the flight attendant who kept smiling at the couple.
"Oh well. At least my husband is the most incredible person ever, even if he is a stinking liar," Lucy snickered. When Laxus didn't say anything in response, Lucy turned to look at him. His eyes were blown wide and his breathing suddenly more ragged. "Babe? What happened?"
"Just…" Laxus cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his hair. "When you said my husband… I know I started this, but hearing you say it… Lucy, that was one of the most incredible moments ever. Just hearing you refer to me as your husband. I-" Laxus stumbled, unable to find the words.
Lucy's heart burst with love. Though very dramatic, not much actually left Laxus speechless, and his sudden wave of emotion made Lucy feel warm and happy. "I liked saying it," she whispered.
Laxus smiled at her, pecking her lips, before arranging his face back into his signature cocky grin. "Is that a proposal, Ms. Heartfilia? Does this mean I can finally start calling you Mrs. Heartfilia-Dreyar?"
"If you make me tell our children that we got engaged on a flight, I will beat you, Mr. Dreyar," Lucy warned.
Laxus just rolled his eyes and teasingly bopped her nose. Lucy began systematically packing away her things, and soon, the wheels of the plane glided down onto the tarmac.
In an hour, the couple pulled up to the modest house with the stunning white porch. It wasn't ostentatious, but it was elegant and beautiful, like Lucy. They took their bags and walked up to the front door, where Lucy rang the bell.
A moment later, a man with greying blond hair opened the door. Lucy flung herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Dad! I have missed you! How are you? Where's Mrs. Spetto?"
Mr. Hearfilia laughed and squeezed his daughter. "Missed you too, kiddo. And I am an adult man, I do not need Mrs. Spetto to babysit me, so I gave her the day off."
Lucy groaned. "We're gonna talk about how I am not happy with you."
"Later. First, let me say hi to Laxus."
Lucy stepped out of the way, allowing Laxus to approach her father.
"Hi, sir. It's good to see you! You look well," Laxus said, extending his hand. Mr. Heartfilia grasped it in a firm handshake before pulling the taller man in for a one-armed hug.
"It's good to see you, Laxus. And please, try convincing my daughter that I am fine. She worries unnecessarily."
Laxus chuckled. "I'll do my best, sir, but once she's put her mind to something, I don't think anyone can convince her otherwise."
Lucy's father pulled away from the hug, ushering the pair inside. "Her mother was like that too. Such is the luck of us men who fall in love with beautiful, stubborn, headstrong women, no?"
Laxus laughed ruefully, nodding his head.
Breaking up their moment, Lucy began towards the stairs. "I'm gonna hop in the shower real quick, and then we can do dinner. Laxus, do you need to wash the airplane smell off you too?"
"I've laid out a towel in the guest room downstairs if you want to bathe," Mr. Heartfilia quickly interjected.
"Dad." Lucy shook her head.
"What?"
"You know we're going to be sleeping in the same room, right?"
"Lucy, that is one sentence no father ever wants to hear. But yes, I know. That doesn't mean he needs to shower with you also. Give the man some space to unwind in peace," Mr. Heartfilia justified.
"Okay, sure. If that's how you're defending it. Well, I guess we will meet after our separate showers." And with that, Lucy bounced up the stairs.
"You're a stronger man than I am, sir," Laxus commended once Lucy was out of earshot. "I don't think I'd ever be able to let my daughter's boyfriend sleep in the same room as her."
Mr. Heartfilia laughed loudly. "Well, it's easier when her boyfriend is a man like you," he said, clapping Laxus on the shoulder before walking away.
A stunned and very touched Laxus took his bags to the guest room before treating himself to a nice, hot shower.
Laxus emerged from the guest room several minutes later, dressed in comfy sweats and a T-shirt. He navigated his way to the living room where Mr. Heartfilia was sipping on a glass of whiskey while skimming a novel.
"Ah, Laxus," he said, noticing the young man walk in. "Please, pour yourself a drink and join me."
Laxus found a glass, and after measuring out a large whiskey, Laxus took a seat on the couch across from Mr. Heartfilia.
"I assume Lucy isn't down yet," he commented, a small smile playing at his lips.
"My water bill triples when Lucy is here… I cannot fathom why her showers need to take over an hour."
"I ask myself the same question, sir. She may single handedly destroy the environment with her water wastage."
"Oh well, if all these years of lecturing her hasn't changed anything, it might be too late," Mr. Heartfilia chuckled.
"I'll love her all the same, sir," Laxus reassured.
"Speaking of," Mr. Heartfilia adjusted himself in his chair so he was sitting straighter. "Is there a wedding on the horizon?"
"Ou-our wedding, sir?" Laxus stuttered.
"Yes. Do you intend to marry my daughter, Laxus?"
Without skipping a beat, Laxus looked at Mr. Heartfilia dead in the eye. "Yes, sir. She is the love of my life, and one day I want to marry her."
"You're sure? You're not going to do to her what that fool Natsu did?"
"No sir, I won't. Lucy is the single most important person in my life and I cannot imagine an existence without her. She has changed my whole world, and I would do anything for her. I have never been more sure of anything as I am of the fact that I want to marry your daughter and be with her for as long as we're alive. And if I can find a way to be with her even after that, I'll find it." Laxus drew in a breath, waiting for Mr. Heartfilia's response.
Lucy's father observed him for several moments before wordlessly getting up and going to the mantle. He opened the top drawer and pulled out a small, satin covered box. He carefully placed the box in Laxus's hand before returning to his armchair.
Laxus opened the box and found a beautiful platinum band, inlaid with a simple, beautifully cut diamond. Smaller diamonds flanked the central one, glinting gently in the dim evening light.
"That was Layla's engagement ring. Lucy loved it growing up, and I told her I'd give it to the man she was going to marry. When you both are ready, give her this ring. She'll know you both have my blessing," Mr. Heartfilia said softly.
For the second time that day, Laxus was rendered speechless.
"I often wondered if Natsu was the man I'd give this ring to, but it never felt right. I never saw him putting the ring on my daughter's finger. But I see you doing it. In this one year, I know how you've changed her life. And it's plain as day that you're madly in love with her. The last time I saw a man as besotted with a woman as you are with Lucy, it was the day I met Layla. I never thought there would be a love to rival the love Layla and I had together, but I suspect you and Lucy may give us a run for our money. And I also know Layla would have liked you. She would have said you have kind eyes. And I see it too. I see it in the way you look at my daughter. It's like she's the sun and you're just a planet orbiting her. But Laxus, that's how she looks at you too. You're her sun. In all my life, I can't remember seeing my daughter as happy as she is now. You make her happy, and I trust that you will continue making her happy."
"Yes, sir," Laxus choked.
"You're already a part of my family, Laxus. In my eyes, you're like a son to me. And I know that you did not have the best relationship with your father, but in time, I hope you will begin to see me as one. I'm not saying you need to call me 'Dad', but you certainly don't need to call me 'Sir'."
"Thank you… Jude. I'm honoured to have been welcomed into your family, and I promise to be a good man and a good husband to Lucy," Laxus whispered. His chest was tight with emotion and he was worried he was going to start crying.
"You're a good man, son," Mr. Heartfilia smiled gently. He stood up, prompting Laxus to stand up as well. Then, crossing the distance between them, Mr. Heartfilia embraced Laxus in a warm hug. The tall blond gently wrapped his arms around the older man's shoulders. Jude hugging him reminded Laxus of his grandfather hugging him, and of Makarov hugging him, and suddenly, Laxus felt like he was home. After a couple seconds, the men broke apart with chuckles and shoulder pats. Laxus slipped the ring box into his pocket, determined to go hide it in his bag as soon as he could. He wanted it to be a surprise for Lucy when he finally gave it to her.
A few minutes of idle conversation passed before Lucy came traipsing down the stairs, looking entirely at peace after her lengthy shower.
"Did you guys already start drinking? Rude," she commented, sitting down next to Laxus. She reached out to gently comb her fingers through his hair and he smiled at her, squeezing her thigh. Jude watched the small exchange and he felt like he could explode from happiness. His cheeks were beginning to hurt from how broadly he was grinning, and, with some effort, he brought his expression under control.
"Can I pour you a whiskey, darling?" he addressed Lucy. She nodded enthusiastically. "And a top up for you, son?" Jude asked, gesturing to Laxus's empty glass.
"Oh, yeah, sure. Thanks, Jude," Laxus said, handing the glass over. Lucy eyed them suspiciously.
"Son? Jude? What the hell happened?" she demanded.
"What? What happened?" Jude asked, eyes twinkling.
"When did you two get so… buddy-buddy? None of my boyfriends have ever called you Jude," Lucy accused.
"Can't two men bond over whiskey?" Laxus jumped to Jude's defence.
"Plus, Lulu, none of your boyfriends have ever been a patch on Laxus," the patriarch said with a tone of finality that could only be understood as his unwavering approval of the man.
Lucy no longer had witty quips or sarcastic remarks. The fracture from last week felt fully healed as she took Laxus's hand in hers. He placed a quick kiss against her knuckles before accepting his glass from Jude. When her father's back was turned, Lucy quickly pressed a chaste kiss to Laxus's lips, mouthing a silent I love you. Laxus whispered a "love you too" in response before clinking his glass against Lucy's.
Jude sat down heavily in his armchair, shifting about until he was comfortable. He raised his glass towards the couple before taking a sip.
"Dad. We need to talk about you giving Mrs. Spetto days off," Lucy cut to the chase.
"Lulu, please. I've raised a child. I think I am competent enough to take care of myself, a grown man. You didn't need to burden Mrs. Spetto. You know, she was telling me how she's ready to retire. She's only a few years younger than me, Lucy. It's like the blind leading the blind," he said obstinately, refusing to cave.
"Dad," Lucy groaned. "You're not thirty-five anymore. You need help. I know your back hurts when you do the laundry and I see you limping. Your knee is acting up again, isn't it? Yet you insist on doing the lawn by yourself. I'm not asking Mrs. Spetto to spoon-feed you and bathe you. But let her help with the laundry, and the dishes, and trimming the hedges. It's not much, dad, and I know you could use the help."
"I don't see why you're paying someone to do what I can still do. Sure, I'm slower, and things hurt, but that's a part of life!" he countered.
"You wouldn't say no if I offered to help you!" Lucy protested.
"Because I wouldn't be paying you! It's a waste of money, Lucy!"
Suddenly, Lucy froze. "Dad… Are you in financial trouble?" she asked carefully. "Do I need to be looking for last minute loans? The scholarship only covers fifty percent…"
"What? No, not at all! We're fine, Lucy. I can send you to college and continue to live a comfortable life. But when something is an unnecessary expense, why do it simply for the sake of doing it?"
"It's not unnecessary, dad! Ugh! How do I explain this to you?!" Lucy was starting to get agitated and Jude was progressively becoming more stubborn.
"Uh, sorry, excuse me. This may not be my place…" Laxus began, before looking at Lucy and then at Jude. When the duelling father-daughter pair both nodded, Laxus continued. "Jude, Lucy is just worried. Just like you're gonna be worried when she's at University. But you know she'll have friends and classmates and professors around. I'm worried too, but knowing she'll have a support system is keeping me sane. She's doing the same thing by hiring Mrs. Spetto. Just ensuring that you have a support system near you. And Lucy," Laxus said, turning to face his girlfriend, "your father is an adult. You may be worried, but also trust him when he says he can take care of himself. He's not old, he's not sick. He may pull a muscle every now and then, but so do the rest of us. It's okay to worry, but have some faith in him. So… Just come to a compromise," Laxus finished, sitting back with a satisfied grin.
"Problem solver, huh?" Jude asked Lucy with a snort.
"Oh, god, the biggest problem solver. If he could, he'd take it upon himself to resolve every dispute in the world. It's a wonder he didn't become a lawyer," Lucy laughed.
"Ha ha," Laxus said sarcastically. "I'm serious. Just come to a middle ground."
"Fine. Once a week. Half a day," Jude offered.
"Twice a week, full day," Lucy countered.
"Twice a week, half a day," Jude negotiated.
"Fine, deal. I'll call Mrs. Spetto later today and let her know."
"Make sure she comes on boring days. Like Monday and Wednesday. I don't want her here on a Friday or the weekend," Jude insisted.
"Why? The boys coming over for poker? Or maybe a special lady friend?" Lucy said, wagging her eyebrows.
Jude threw a small cushion at his daughter. "You're ridiculous, Lulu."
"Why not? Get on a dating app, dad! Laxus can even take some nice photographs of you!"
Jude sighed, put down his glass, and stood up. "I'm leaving to put dinner on the table, and I am absolutely never getting on a dating app." With a firm look thrown at his daughter, Jude shuffled out towards the kitchen as his daughter and her boyfriend snickered.
The pair had been living in Lucy's house for nearly two weeks, and their days were filled with cleaning and sorting and putting into boxes and printing forms and signing rental agreements. Lucy was so grateful Laxus was around to help her get ready for college, because with his attention to detail and organisational skills, the entire process was flying by smoothly. They were running around town buying things Lucy needed, they were talking to potential landlords, and Laxus even spent an entire day on the phone with the Student Office fixing a mistake in one of Lucy's documents.
After a particularly grueling day of finding suitcases large enough to house her things, the pair tumbled into bed after a quiet dinner. Immediately, Lucy rolled onto Laxus, slipping her fingers into his hair and kissing him deeply. Her hands trailed down his body, over his gorgeous abs, and to his waistband. She slid her fingers under it, reaching for his cock.
"Uh, maybe we shouldn't, Blondie," Laxus whispered as he pulled away from her. "I'm pretty sure your dad heard us last night."
"What? How?" Lucy sat up, straddling his hips.
"You were really loud yesterday, love."
"That doesn't mean he heard us."
"I don't know… He gave me a look this morning."
"A look? Laxus, he knows we have sex," Lucy rolled her eyes.
"Knowing is one thing. Hearing is another."
"And you know he heard us because he gave you a look?" Lucy confirmed incredulously.
"Yes. He heard us, for sure. He may have actually heard us on multiple occasions," Laxus said with a wince.
"We're not teenagers, Laxus! C'mon!" Lucy pouted before kissing him again. She began grinding herself against him as soft gasps of pleasure left her lips.
Laxus teetered on the edge before finally giving in. He pushed Lucy's shirt up, pulling it off her and throwing it to the side. His hands skimmed her waist as he kissed down her neck towards her chest. When he reached her breasts, he gently peppered the white skin with kisses before clamping his lips around her nipple and tugging. Lucy moaned deliciously, tightening her grip in Laxus's hair and arching her back. Suddenly, Laxus let her tit go.
"Nope. Nope. You're sexy as fuck moans are way too loud, and that's okay when we're in your house or my house, but not when we're in your dad's house and he's twenty feet away," Laxus shook his head violently pushing Lucy off him.
"I can't control how loud I'm being!" Lucy hissed.
"Exactly! And normally, there's no sound more sexy than you moaning. I swear, baby, your moans are the hottest thing in the world, and I love when you're loud, so never stop doing that, but let's not do it when your dad is in earshot," Laxus pleaded.
"Laxus, you're being ridiculous," Lucy said rolling her eyes.
"Shhh, let's just cuddle. You can even be the little spoon."
Lucy's eyes widened. "You love being the little spoon," she said, shocked.
"It's okay, you be the little spoon today. Consider it my apology for no sex."
Lucy grinned broadly. She kissed Laxus before curling up on her side. He wrapped himself around her, draping an arm over her body. She was still shirtless, and Laxus couldn't help but slide his hand to cup her breast. He kneaded it gently, and in response, Lucy began bucking her hips, pushing her ass into his crotch. Laxus felt his dick come to life and he knew it was a matter of seconds before he had Lucy face down in the mattress while he railed her from the back.
"Please put your shirt back on before I go insane," he choked out, struggling to make his erection go away.
Lucy sat up with a groan. "Ugh! You're no fun," she whined, reaching down to pick up her top. She pulled it on and lay back down with a huff.
Laxus pressed himself into her back and kissed the side of her neck. "I love you, Heartfilia," he whispered with a short chuckle.
And that's all it took to melt Lucy. "I love you, Dreyar, she responded dreamily. Eventually, Laxus's even breath and familiar heartbeat lulled her into a blissful sleep.
A/N: Just some sweet moments to soothe the drama from the last couple chapters. I mean, I love these two and I hate writing drama between them but that being said there will be more drama shortly. I'll still give you a couple fluffy chapters first, because, as is standard with me, I get nervous writing intense drama, so we're gonna continue to delay it with plot building! Yay! Hope you liked this chapter, and whether you were rooting for Lucy or rooting for Laxus in their last fight, I hope you're happy that there is not longer trouble in paradise! Also feel free to leave your story predictions. I know where this is going but it'll be fun to read where you think it's going, based on how I've set it up so far!