Morning finally came, light shining through the windows of the infirmary. Skylar stirred awake, breathing deeply through her nose trying to prepare herself for the day to come. As she pulled her hand towards her face she noticed that there was a weight in her hand. Cracking an eye open she glanced towards where her hand lay she noticed that her hand was wrapped in another. Long blonde hair resting on the side of her bed, noticing quickly who's blonde hair it was Skylar's eyes went wide.
What is she doing!? She's supposed to be with Laxus!
Attempting to pull her hand away, Lucy begins to stir, stopping all motion Skylar holds in her breath praying she hasn't woken the key holder.
"She stayed with you all night you know." A voice came from the corner of the room.
Midnight eyes shooting towards the voice, Bickslow stepped out of the shadow of the room into Skylar's view. Eyebrows furrow, "Why? She doesn't know me…" Lucy squeezed Skylar's hand, slowly coming to from her deep sleep. Breathing deep, filling her lungs with air, her eyes first open to see Bickslow standing at the end of the bed.
"How is she doing? Is she awake? Is she going to be okay?" Voice gravely due to sleep. Yawning Lucy swung her gaze to the bed laid dragon slayer, taking in the sight before her. Deep midnight eyes staring back at her with confusion and interest. "Hey, you're awake."
"Uhh, yeah. I guess I am," Skylar brought her gaze back to Bickslow questioning him what she should do.
"I'm sorry!" Lucy blurted out, midnight eyes shooting back to hers. "I had no idea -"
"Can you tell me why I feel funny, my dragon won't tell me?" Skylar questioned. Bickslow took a seat on the other side of the bed facing Skylar, "Sky. You almost died. The only way to save you want to call you father. He broke your mating bond with Laxus…"
"What?!"
"Your dragon was taking your rejection hard, she was rebelling it was taking a tole on your body… You almost didn't make it."
The three sat there as Skylar processed this new information, searching in her own soul for the link to her mate that she had always felt since meeting him. The lack of the static charge in her aura confirmed what Bickslow said was true, her father had broken her mating bond.
"We were so scared." Lucy said with tears in her eyes, "I know we don't know each other, but I hope maybe if you don't mind I would like to become friends."
Skylar stared at the key holder in shock, "you want to be friends with me?" Eyes shifting towards Bickslow and back to Lucy, "I… uh… I -"
"You can say no! I totally understand, I just hoped with everything going on we could process it together."
Sitting up Sky cleared her throat, "No, actually that would be really nice. It's just not what I expected."
Smiling at each other knowing that there was mutual respect and understanding was a relief for both. The door to the room cracked open and Mira poked her head in, "Oh! You're awake! Good! Everyone has been super worried." Making her way through the threshold Mira noticed the two girls were comfortable with one another, accepting each others presence.
"I missed something didn't I?" Mira questions, cocking her head to the side eye both of the blondes.
"Uh, yeah. Um, Mira — I know this whole situation is a mess, but I don't want anyone to be upset with anyone. We all know who has things to answer for and clearly neither Lucy nor I are that party. So, I guess what I'm asking is if we can start having our girls nights again but start including Lucy?" Skylar asked as if testing the waters, searching Mira's face for an answer before she spoke. Sighing, Mira glanced from Skylar to Lucy and nodded, "Yes, of course! The past day has been very trying on each one of us, I'm sorry if I've let my emotions get the best of me. Lucy I truly apologize for how I have treated you." Mira blushed looking away from the key holder. Skylar and Lucy exchanged a look before Lucy stood from her seat to make her way towards Mira.
"Mira, you are one of my best friends, one of the first that greeted me when I came to join Fairy Tail — of course I forgive you, I'm sorry for not heeding your warning about entering into a relationship with Laxus, I should have trusted your judgement. He and I have a lot to discuss, first things first, I need to return this ring I need to do right by my friend." Making her way through the door of Skylar's room she made her way down the hall.
Skylar stared shocked at the open doorway, "Did she… Did she really just say that?!" Throwing off the covers Skylar went to stand. Bickslow stepped in front of Skylar to stop her, "She is going to do what she feels is right, let Cosplayer do her thing."
"Cosplayer?" Skylar made face at the nickname. "Please tell me you do not call her that…"
Mira giggled sitting no the bed next to the dragon slayer. Skylar stared at Mira for confirmation — Mira nodded. "BICKS! You can't call someone that!" Red faced and embarrassed for her new friend Skylar huffed. Smiling at the pouting blonde, Bickslow ruffled her hair. "It's all good Sky, we'll find you a grown up nickname too."
Falling back on the bed Skylar stare at the ceiling,"Please no… I don't even want to imagine what you could come up with…"
Mira smiled at the two, "Maybe we should check on Lucy, make sure she's okay. I think it's been long enough."
Sighing, Skylar nodded and rolling to her side to look at Mira, "Mee I don't know if I can face him yet. Not feeling the bond is really weird as it is, but actually seeing him and not feeling him I don't know if I can do that." Mira laid down next to the dragon slayer, "Sky, you don't have to come in the room but I think it would be good for you to see that Lucy values your friendship no matter the fact it just started, I think you should witness the kind of person she is."
Bickslow chimed in as he pulled Skylar to her feet, "Cosplayer is a spitfire Sky, she's scary when she's angry."
Hugging the petite girl to his side he helped Mira off the bed and made his way to the room in which Laxus was staying in. Neither he nor Mira had gone to check on him since he passed out after the breaking of the bond, they were not sure how his dragon was going to react. Standing outside the closed door to the room, the three stood there as if silently asking each other if they should open the door.
"How could you… You gave up on her!" Both Mira and Skylar looked at each other in shock, "that's what pisses me off the most about this Laxus… You gave her up for me… Laxus… Do you know how serious that is?! The King came to save his daughter… to save your sorry ass! Because of you he probably hates me! Because YOU didn't tell me the truth!"
Skylar's eyes went wide at the seriousness in Lucy's voice, her heart was hurt but it warmed with the fight her new friend fought with.
"You hurt my celestial sister… You hurt me. You hurt the entire guild with your decision and now… Now you have to apologize to everyone and make things right."
The sound of the door latch opening caused Lucy to turn her head to see Skylar standing the door way with a look of shock on her face, " Lucy…" rushing to the key holder Skylar threw her arms around Lucy. Bickslow and Mira poked their heads in through the door frame to look at the scene in front of them. The two celestial blondes embracing as the lightning dragon slayer stared at them in utter confusion. Laxus's eyes made their way to the two mages peering in through the door frame only to see Mira shake her head at him turn away, "Lucy, dear. I think Sky and Lax need to have a conversation. If you're finished pulverizing him why don't we go to the bar and I'll make you a strawberry milkshake?" Peering through Skylar's blonde hair Lucy nodded, "you going to be okay? We can do this together if you want." Lucy asked wanting to reassure her new friend that she wasn't alone. Skylar looked up to meet the dark amber eyes, "yeah, I think I'll be okay. I'll call for you if I need you, thank you." Skylar smiled at her new friend, knowing that because of their new friendship and their celestial magic the two shared a bond in which they could call one another. Lucy reluctantly let the petite dragon slayer pull away from her to sit down next to the bed in which Laxus inhabited. Making her way towards Mira she pulled the door shut to give the two dragon slayers privacy.
Sitting there, Skylar started questioning if she was ready for what she was doing. Picking at the skin around her thumb nail in nervousness her mind being to spiral. Watching her and her nervous tick, Laxus stared at her begging her to begin the conversation both parties knew they had to have. Watching her pick her thumb raw Laxus began to worry, knowing Skylar and her struggle with anxiety. As soon as he saw her draw her own blood he lost it, "Sky knock that off!" Jumping back out of shock Skylar sent the chair to the floor as she shot out of it. Tears brimming in her eyes as she tried to look anywhere but him.
"Say something please…" Laxus begged as he watching her fidget. Tears sparkled with the light that shown through the window.
In a barely audible voice, "I found them…"
"What?" The eyebrows of the lightning slayer bunched together, "Found who?"
Turning away from her former bond, Skylar sighed. Shoulders sagging, head falling — standing there in complete and utter defeat.
"Laxus.." Skylar's voice cracked, tears falling from her midnight eyes, "why?"
Eyes locked on the prone form of his former bond, he finally realized how much he had truly hurt his now former mate. He had thought she had moved on long ago, found someone to care and provide for her. Leaning back against the pillow Laxus stared at the ceiling trying to put his thoughts into words.
"I fucked up. I know that…"
A snort came from the petite dragon slayer, "yeah, of course, you would start with that… you always start with that…" Turning towards the lightning dragon slayer, "you've always started with that. 'Sky I fucked up.' And 'Sky I'm sorry.' It's clear to me now Laxus, it's abundantly clear." Clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth she continued, "Laxus you are so unbelievably selfish." Tears freely running down soft cheeks, midnight eyes staring into those that are sea blue. Laxus shifted uncomfortably,"Sky -".
"No! It's my turn to talk, MY turn. How could you?! You ignorant asshole!" Skylar paced back and forth at the foot of the bed. "I gave you everything! Everything…" Throwing her hands up in the air in frustration. "What do you want me to say Laxus?! That I forgive you? That I understand why you did this? Because I can't, I can't wrap my head around this, the only thing I can even positively say is that I have a new friend because of you. But you even fucked her over with this as well." Slumping in the chair next to the bed Skylar stared at the ceiling, "If I see you after this conversation it will be too soon… You seriously need to do some soul searching and figure out what the hell you want because as of right now, I want nothing to do with you. Mate or not, you're the reason this happened. You and your selfishness."
Finally looking into his eyes, the normal heart stopping butterflies she used to get were not there — only disappointment. "Just answer me this one thing… What were you wanting out of this, a warm bed and a place to keep your dick or just to hurt me and Lucy?"
Blinking, Laxus could only look at Skylar. Noticing the changes time had on her, her once shoulder length bob now long and flowing past her breasts, her full lips still held their naturally pouty shape, with age her normally innocent midnight blue eyes now held vast wisdom and experience. She was truly more beautiful than he remembered.
"I want an answer that isn't 'I don't know' Laxus…"
"I know. I still can't believe you're back. You were gone for so long you started feeling like a figment of my imagination. Is it wrong for me to want to look at you for a few minutes?"
"Yes, yes it's wrong. I'm not here right now for your pleasure of looking at me, I'm here for the closure I need."
"Oh… I thought that you were worried about me…"
"No, Laxus — you are so unbelievably self-centered. For once think about how Lucy feels, think about I feel. Use that brain we all know you have rather than your dick." Standing Skylar made her way to the door, "I'll take my answer now."
Staring at her back in shock, "You're just going to leave?! Sky we're mates."
"No, we're no longer mates. You made sure of that. My answer please."
"I… I -"
"I don't know Sky, bullshit. You know Laxus, you know very well why."
"I got tired of waiting for you, I got tired of being unhappy, watching everyone around me fall in love and be able to see their person every day it got to me. I always noticed Lucy, ever since she came to join the guild…"
"So you used her as a replacement…"
"I guess I did…"
"You're disgusting. But thank you for me answer. I hope you come to terms that now, you are in fact alone…" Walking through the door frame, Skylar turned to give the lightning dragon slayer one last look. "Think about your actions Laxus, when you feel like you have a good apology for us let me know, I'll listen."
Closing the door behind her, Skylar made her way down the hall towards the guild hall in search for her friends.