*peeks around corner, carefully starts pushing a mountain of boxes of tissues into the open, then hides again* please remember to review!
Lucy had collected her reward, and waited for far too long, when the final train heading back to Magnolia was called, she went back to the inn and stayed there for a week waiting for Zen to return to her, fighting back her bitter angry tears the entire time.
She took her meals at the streetside cafe outside the inn, watched the stars at night and begged them to send him back to her. Mostly she kicked herself repeatedly for even mentioning Lokes lack of information regarding her being the mate of a Celestial Dragon Slayer and Archangel.
It was devastating really, not just finding her dream lover was real, and beyond real, he was meant to be hers, born to belong to her just like she was born to be his if she understood at least Dragon Slayers right. She had Crux deliver books on the subject, had him looking for information on the Archangels too.
The reading and research helped a little, kept her busy until she finally gave up and went home, but the hurt was terrible. It wasn't just that she had found her dream lover and he'd gone, it was what Loke had done, or not done. Why hadn't he told her?
She would have drowned him in questions, demanded to know when her mate would finally come for her, so yes, she would have definitely pestered the hell out of him over it, but was that so bad she deserved to just suffer in lonely depression?
She felt betrayed by her own spirit and friend, and she ached, painfully for Zen. She'd felt his body against her, had her hands on his skin, tasted the wonderful cinnamon spice of his mouth and been surrounded by the stardust and fire scent of him. She rubbed her fingers together and could feel the softness of his long hair, her body burned, empty and miserable with need for him. He was real, not just a dream or fantasy, real, and supposed to be hers.
She was the mate of a tall, handsome, blood boiling panty soaking piece of walking sex with eyes like a sunset and she was still fucking…alone. He'd told her he could feel her loneliness, that he came to her as fast as he could, yet he'd left her pretty damn fast.
Great job Gods. Give her an angel and send him chasing after her pervy fucking spirit because Loke was an ass that needed kicking. The thing was she didn't want Zen kicking any ass, she wanted his body pressed against hers, kissing her, holding her like he had for those precious minutes she'd been in his arms. She was a Dragon Slayers mate, she knew what that meant, it meant toe curling, bone melting, hours upon hours leading into days of glorious sex while he claimed her, set a mark into her neck and fostered the crucial building of that bond by staying in bed with her.
It meant affection, being cherished, held, damn it it meant sitting in the guild in his damn lap like Levy did every fucking day and having those tanned thickly muscled arms around her.
Cobra and Kaleb had been holed up for several days when they had mated. Cristoff and Natsu had taken three days Xally and Sting three, Laxus and Emzadi almost two weeks, Vander and Rogue three days then they emerged but only long enough to get a house then they disappeared again for more than a damn week.
Wendy and Farron, who knew? She'd left before that was all done but those two, Gods Farron couldn't keep his hands off Wendy and the young slayer was endlessly pulling her tall handsome mate down for long kisses.
Fuck! She knew it was too good to be true! Levy had gotten TWO mates! TWO! Fucking Wendy had been riding her man through a whole night then the next two damn days after finishing the weddings, they hadn't seen the little blue haired Dragon emerge from that mans bedroom and she'd left her mate, all six plus healthy young feet of him exhausted but still smiling and looking at her like she was the only woman on Earthland anymore.
Damnit, she wanted to wear that look! She wanted to get laid, have that Godlike beast with the black wings fuck her until she couldn't walk then spend days cuddling and fucking and talking and just…Gods…why was nothing ever good and easy for her?! Except strawberry daiquiris , they were always soo sooo good. She drained the one in her hand and waved at Mira for another.
Where was he?! Why wasn't he coming back?! Did he decide he'd just stay up there, had a look at her been unimpressed and decided not to come back for her?!
What if that was it…
She choked back tears again, sucking hard on the strawberry daiquiri she had through the pink straw Mira had given her. Listening to the boisterous guild around her.
Cana sat heavily next to her, glaring toward the table where the Raijinshu sat, where Levy was currently occupying the laps of not one, but two handsome men. A ridiculously handsome blonde man was straddling the bench, Cobra leaned back against his chest while he was playing chess with Freed and idly running his free hand through the Poison slayers maroon locks.
Natsu was laying on a bench, head in the lap of the black haired big handsome thing he had landed as a mate…she narrowed her eyes as they passed over the two shadow mages, Rogue leaning on Vander much like Cobra was doing to Kaleb, the difference there being Rogue had Vanders full attention and was smiling languidly while his mate nuzzled his neck and whispered things that made the Shadow Dragon Slayer alternate between chuckling and blushing.
"Way too many fuckable men getting snatched up into relationships…this is so depressing." Cana sighed, waving at Mira who brought over a tall tankard of beer for her.
"You want depressing? Try getting told you're a very fuckable mans mate only to have him vanish, chasing after your pervert of a spirit." Lucy grumbled miserably.
Cana blinked, exchanging looks with Mira, before Lucy immediately had their undivided attention.
"You have a mate?! Lucy! Who is he?! I thought all the slayers were…taken?" Mira blinked.
Lucy shook her head. "Nope, there was one left, he's been training in the celestial realm since he was a baby. Celestial! A Celestial Dragon Slayer Cana! As in perfect for me! Another Bickslow brother too so you can imagine how completely handsome, no...fucking gorgeous, he is. You know he's got wings! Real ones! Feathers and fucking all that shit! Purple and gold eyes, this sun streaked hair…his body…Gods the man filled a pair of jeans in front and behind, body like fucking Adonis. Sexy voice, did I mention he could kiss? Gods the man curled my toes and his ass! Cana it was hard as rock and round and perfect! Fuck and a Celestial Dragon Slayer, the first one in fuck I don't know, Loke kept saying how unique he fucking was, then Loke just didn't bother to tell me I had a fucking mate you know? Pervy asshole just all teasing and pervy, says he just does it to cheer me up! Yeah, well, my sexy dreamboat Dragon Slayer hears Lokes bullshit and goes all jealous Dragon Ass and poof, they're both gone to the Celestial realm so my sexy…handsome…Gods…damn it I don't want to fucking cry anymore!" She wailed.
Cana wrapped her arms around her and Mira bit her lip glaring toward the table occupied by the apparent siblings of the man in question.
Cobra and Kaleb both winced. "Fuck…the fuck is…" Cobra turned his head, he was completely relaxed, thoroughly enjoying the feel of Kalebs body behind him and his fingers gliding through his hair, drifting nicely through plans for dinner that included Kaleb on his knees, when Miras demon broadcasted angry deathglares right through him.
Both he and Kaleb were trying to sort out the riot all around then while Bickslow ducked his head. "Shit Lucys at the bar crying and Miras giving us all the look of death…the fuck did we do?!"
Kaleb exchanged a look with Cobra and the pair stood, heading to the bar. Mira was easy, Kaleb gave her a small push reminding her she had customers and a simple smile at Cana had her detaching from Lucy and moving toward Kaleb. Cobra rolled his eye, he hated using his mate to bait Cana away but this was serious and Kaleb could get Cana to forget she'd been consoling her friend. Hell, Kaleb could get Cana to forget her damn name...he could do it to Cobra too sometimes…
Tearing his mind off his sexy mate who looked very good in those jeans….he shook his head and focused on the crying blonde.
"Tink...tell me what's going on." He prodded, glancing back for Kaleb, not wanting to do this alone because Kaleb was the gentle one good at getting people to talk willingly, Cobra was the one that beat them bloody until they talked.
"I...I don't know.." Lucy hiccuped and Cobra was narrowly saved then by Kalebs arrival as the tears started flowing again.
"Ohhh, Lucy...it's alright sh'dah." Kaleb was immediately wrapped in a sobbing drunken Lucy, the big blonde wrapping his arms around the small one exchanging a glance with Cobra.
Her drunken state made it take a bit but within the next 30 minutes the pair were both frowning at each other, Lucy cuddled into Kalebs chest, he'd sat on her stool and she was in his lap wrapped around him needing comfort.
Rising without a word said between them Kaleb shifted Lucy in his arms and carried her out of the guild, ducking his head as rain fell, he smiled faintly when Cobras beloved white coat wa immediately slung over the blonde woman and they hurried through the rain drenched streets to their house.
They had moved out of the small studio Cobra had when they met, now living in a comfortable townhouse only a few blocks from the guild and only one block down from Cobras old home.
They had bought the place instead of getting a rental, Kaleb reasoning it made more financial sense in the long run. It had 3 large bedrooms and baths upstairs, the first floor an open concept with a large gourmet kitchen, living and dining rooms and a den at the back.
Cobra had loved the large bay window with what equated to a full sized bed worth of seat space that overlooked the street like he'd had in his old apartment only better and Kaleb had liked having a small yard where he could raise some herbs, vegetables, and poisonous plants for his cooking experiments trying to keep up with his mates fascinating tastes.
Setting Lucy on their lounge in the den Cobra started the fire in the fireplace and went to get them something to eat while Lucy curled up into Kaleb.
"You feel a little like him…" She whimpered and Kaleb drew a careful breath. "He's my brother, so that makes sense. Lucy, he'll be back...I know he will, Zen came to Archipelago the same day you left...while he was there getting to his mate was his top priority...he knew you were sad, lonely...said he had to hurry, got our father to accept not getting a long visit with him, insisting he had to leave as soon as he could, jumped right out a window on the 15th story of the palace. I know he desperately wants to be with you." Kaleb said.
"Then why did he leave?! Not just that..why hasn't he come back?!" She demanded.
"I don't know, but I know he wouldn't stay away, he wants you, needs you, he's a Dragon Slayer and you're his mate Lucy, being with you is as important as breathing." He said firmly.
"People don't stay with me...even if they want to...they leave…" she whispered miserably. Kaleb frowned, looking up as Cobra came in with a tea kettle and every manner of snack food they had in the pantry.
They spent the next several hours calming Lucy, eating all the chocolate they had in the house, all the ice cream, and drinking three kettles of tea before Lucy finally passed out on the lounge.
"I'll put her in one of the guest rooms...I'd rather she wasn't alone." Kaleb said firmly, scooping her up and carrying her upstairs, settling her in the room across the hall from his and Cobras room.
Cobra looked at him after he'd tucked the blonde in. "She made us swear not to tell anyone...why the fuck did I agree to that?!" He growled. Kaleb smiled, stepping into his mates arms and kissing him.
"Because you're a good man and Lucy Heartfilia has the most mesmerizing big brown eyes I've ever seen and her tears had a terrible effect on both of us." Kaleb murmured softly threading his fingers through Cobras hair.
"We should call the market, order a shit ton more chocolate and shit if she's going to stay with us for a bit." He said trailing kisses down Kalebs throat and pressing into him more, teeth teasing his skin.
"Mmm, after you get naked and I make you cum." His mate growled and Cobras eye flashed, meeting Kalebs half lidded lavender gaze.
"You're insatiable, Tinks ordeal made you horny?" He asked, growling softly when Kaleb undid his belt and slid a hand down his pants.
"No...you kissing me made me horny, now move it, I want a quick one before you call the market and I start dinner…" He grinned, and Cobra staggered with him from the room to their bedroom though they didn't reach the bed before Kaleb had him slammed against a wall his pants around his ankles as he gripped their large dresser and they had their quick rough fuck that Cobra quickly decided he'd needed every bit as bad as Kaleb had. What Lucy was going through, the feelings she was broadcasting, made them both desperate to affirm their own powerful bond.
Lucy slept peacefully tucked up in the queen sized bed in their guest room, a shower of gold heralded Virgos arrival, the maid frowning over her mistress, fussing with the blankets and closing the door to the muffled sounds of the couple across the hall.
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It had been three months.
Three months of heartache, of mental anguish, of the strain of the bond between her and Zen growing ever thinner. This was so much worse than what she'd felt before she met him.
She wasn't an idiot, she knew time passed differently in the celestial realm...but an entire day for them...three months for her...didn't he realize? Couldn't he feel it too?
Letting out a tired sigh, Lucy rested her head on folded arms on top of the bar, staring blankly at the full glass of her favorite strawberry shake that was so cold, drops of condensation was rolling down the sides. But she had no desire for it.
Food had lost a great deal of appeal for her. As did her writing. She wasn't even able to really read any more. Every time she turned around, something she did made her think of him. What it would've been like to cuddle into his arms, watch endless movies, create meals together, sleep in together. What was his favorite food? Did he love stargazing as much as she did?
She wanted that, to lay on the grass on a clear night with him and stargaze, touch, tease, kiss...make love under the stars and make each other see their own stars.
She wanted him, needed him, ached more after meeting him than ever. Kaleb and Cobra were her only comfort, the only ones who knew really what was happening. They rarely left her alone and she had now lost count of how many times she had fallen asleep in either Kaleb or Cobras arms and woken up in the bed in their guest room, or even tucked in between them in their own bed.
What would it be like to wake with him instead? To feel his naked body pressed against hers, slick with sweat, their bodies joined but for real, not just in hazy dreams. To feel his fangs sink into her skin, his magic rush into her body, to know he would always, forever be hers...
But she would never know now, because he had left her. Maybe there was something about her that was just defective and she would be forever alone. She should've known better than to believe that she was a dragon slayers mate, especially such a unique one.
So steady her decline had been that she didn't notice how her eyes became dull, or the pallor to her skin grayed, or even how her once gleaming hair became limp and lifeless. She came to the guild every day, afraid to hope that maybe, just maybe he would come back.
The day she'd come back she'd tried to drown her sorrows in alcohol and it hadn't helped at all.
Erik and Cobra had been there that day, and quick to join her at the bar when they both kept catching snippets of what had happened to her after Miras glares had caught their attention. It had been a huge blessing to the miserable blonde because they were there for her, understanding without her explaining. They wanted to tell Makarov, wanted to get help.
But they had refrained from doing that. Because of Lucy. She had begged, pleaded with them that day they had first taken her to their home, to keep what she knew they knew to themselves. She didn't want to be a burden to anyone else, or bring anyone down with her. As it was, she tried to apologize that they were bearing witness to her pain. All they gave were quick shakes of their heads, brushing her apologies aside. As far as they were concerned, she had nothing to be sorry for.
They were there, keeping an eye on her, every day, intercepted her some days when she stumbled from the guild toward her empty apartment and taking her home with them instead. They knew when her misery had gotten too much for her to bear and were quick to act.
Twice she had wrapped around Kaleb, who was similar in size to Zen and fisted her hands in his hair in her sleep and started kissing him. Both times he'd gently detached her from him, Cobra pulling her into his own arms, both men assuring her as she cried in shame it was fine, they knew...and she was so grateful at least somebody understood what she was going through.
Their care and understanding though didn't slow her decline. She still dropped weight, had all but stopped eating. Cobra and Kaleb did all they could for her. but the steady weakening, crumbling of her link with Zen was tearing her apart with it.
But now, it had been three months, and still no sign of him. Her dragon slayer.
She was getting weaker every day. And everyone was noticing. Brawls didn't happen nearly as often, people walked around her carefully, hesitant to say anything, and the other mated slayers watched her with worried gazes.
And when Erik and Kaleb were approached about the fury that filled their eyes any time they looked at her, they could only wince and shake their heads. They had promised.
The little blue haired bookworm, however, had not.
Three months had passed, as had the last of her patience, and with a decided huff of breath, Levy closed and set her book down before sliding from her own mates laps, and heading for the stairs to the upper floors, ultimately to Markarovs office. It didn't take more than a moment before Gajeel and Bixlow were following her, and pushing a quick thought to Kaleb and Erik, Bix was able to have them following.
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'Knockknockknock'
Looking up from the pile of papers that Markarov could only cringe over, he took delight in the distraction at his office door, and with a call to enter, he sat back in his chair, watching in curiosity as Levy, Gajeel, Bixlow, Erik and Kaleb filed into his office.
"What can I do for you children?" Markarov asked, lacing his fingers over his torso, eyes ever watchful as he eyed each of them in turn. He was aware of a great many things that happened in his guild, and the tension radiating off of these five members had his eyes narrowing.
"Master...I don't know what to do...I'm worried about Lucy, and I've been doing endless research, but something is wrong. She's sick, and even Wendy and Cristoff can't heal her." Levy whimpered, her fingers twisting in front of her.
Furrowing his brows, Markarov cast a look at Erik and Kaleb, noting the eyes that were cast to the floor, the clenched hands at their sides. Narrowing his eyes further at them, he turned back to Bix, Gajeel, and Levy.
"How so?"
"She won't eat, she hardly drinks anything, unless it's alcoholic, her skin has become grayish, her eyes don't light up anymore, she doesn't read or write, and she doesn't even touch the strawberry shakes that Mira makes for her any more." Gajeel growled, crossing his arms, his own worry over the woman he had claimed as kin pumping off him in waves.
"When did this start?"
"About three months ago." Bix spoke up softly, reaching out to play with the ends of Levy's hair while resting a hand on Gajeels shoulder.
"Three months...wasn't that when she took that spider job?" Markarov asked, leaning forward to open a drawer and shift through the papers stacked there. He remembered that one, it had stood out to him, much as many others had. After the file that had been brought back by Vander when he'd gone after Rogue, he was keeping a closer eye on some jobs, taking note of ones that seemed a bit off. Pulling out the job notice, he took note of the information, frowning slightly.
"Yes it was. We weren't here when she got back, but we were back shortly after, and we noticed the change in her right away." Levy explained, biting her lip. Lifting his eyes, he could see the shine in them, knew that she was scared, but trying to be strong for her friend from the tears she was managing to keep at bay.
Casting another look at Erik and Kaleb who were now eyeing each other, Markarov looked back to the others. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Gajeel, Levy, you may both go."
"But Master-" Levy whimpered, taking a step closer to his desk.
"I said you are dismissed!" Markarov stated firmly, not letting his gaze cave under the tears that started to spill from Levy's eyes before she spun and ran out of the room with Gajeel on her heels, a narrow eyed glare sent back over his shoulder.
"Gramps, was that really-" Bix began, fighting the urge to go after his mates, feeling Levy's pain clearly through their bond.
"Yes it was. Don't worry Bix, I may have a way to make this up to her later." Markarov sighed, turning his eyes on the other mated couple in the room. "Alright you two, explain yourselves, you know what happened, I can see that you do."
"We may know what happened but we can't say anything." Kaleb stated softly, looking at his brother and master with regret filled eyes even as Erik crossed his arms next to him.
"What the fuck do you mean you can't say anything?!" Bix growled, stepping forward to grip his brothers shirt in an unyielding fist. "What do you know about what's happening to Cosplayer?" Bix demanded.
"Exactly that, we can't say anything! We made a promise to her that we wouldn't Bix, so back the fuck off!" Erik snapped, throwing out a hand to rip away Bix's grip on Kalebs clothes.
"Enough, all of you!" Markarov shouted, stepping onto his desk, letting his aura pulse out, and forcing the other mages to their knees with groans.
Gritting his teeth, Erik fought to remain on his feet. He had already known that getting on Markarovs bad side would be a bad idea, hell, he knew his own mate was unbelievably powerful, but Markarov? It was obvious from the power pulsing off of him was such that to call him a wizard saint was like calling him a still learning mage. No wonder no other dark guilds had ever fully managed to bring Fairy Tail down, not with this power behind it. If this was the power that Markarov held, he knew he would never think less of the man ever again.
"We have a member, our nakama, who is suffering, and you would keep the answer to those problems from us?" Markarov demanded, his eyes full of fury.
"We don't want to master!" Kaleb panted, his eyes wide in shock. He had known great power, harnessed some of his own, but what he was feeling now made his own power feel like it was still a training puppy that wasn't even house broken yet. To know that this was the kind of power Markarov controlled, had him bowing his head humbly, almost afraid to meet the other mans gaze.
"After everything we've done to her, after everything that she has gone through, the last thing we want to do is lose the hard earned trust that we've gained!" Erik snarled, landing hard on his knees finally, his own memories of what he had done to her flashing vividly through his head, and even now, with Kaleb's cool soothing presence reaching out to help calm him, it was proving difficult.
But his words proved useful, as the pressure disappeared, and Erik collapsed to his hands, panting, closing his eye tight against the burning in it, even as he felt his mates arms wrap around him. Hearing a tired sigh, the three mages looked up to see Markarov now sitting on the edge of his desk, pinching the bridge of his nose in consideration.
"Let's start with this then. Erik, Kaleb, because of the current situation, I am ordering you, as master, to tell me what you know. Any anger that Lucy has I will handle, as I am the one forcing your hand. And Bix, I know you've been peeking at her soul the last few months. It's to be expected the moment Levy became increasingly worried about her. Fair enough?" Markarov offered, looking at them carefully. Seeing their hesitant nods, he gave a nod in return.
"Good. Bix let's start with you. What have you noticed?"
"Um...well...over the last few months, I've noticed her soul is dimming, and honestly it's scaring the hell of me. Especially since she has a gold soul, which is so rare, it's hard to explain. The fact that it's fading, and being drowned out by a pulsing red edge, isn't good. Red is anger, and it's about swallowing her soul whole. But...there's something more..." Bix pause, uncertain as to how to explain. Getting another nod from the master, and seeing the watchful gaze from Kaleb and Erik, he continued.
"Every soul has a particular signature, certain colors, certain feels to them, etc. For example, Kaleb's soul is white, reflecting his time in the immaculate light, and within it, he has a seed of purple, which is a part of Eriks soul, and his dragon soul. Within Eriks soul is a seed of Kalebs. The said could be said about any of the other slayer couples, even Gajeel, Levy and I." Bix explained, beginning to pace, and rub his chin in thought.
"Ok, we're following." Markarov stated, crossing his arms.
"Well, with practice, and enough exposure to it, those who can actually see souls, can see if it's an animals soul, a human soul, how long they've been around, etc. Well, I can read the signature so to speak to identify what a soul is was. Growing up with two slayer siblings myself, I can identify a slayer soul, and...well...the pure silver seed at the middle of Lucy's gold soul belongs to a dragon slayer. I'm not sure who it is, but it's a dragon soul, I know that much." Bix explained.
Blinking, throwing a glance at the two other mages who refused to meet his gaze, he realized he knew exactly who the slayer was.
"Alright Bix, thank you, you're are excused." Markarov muttered, waiting until Bix was actually away from the door before turning back to the others with a hard look, ignoring the gulps of trepidation they took.
"Your turn boys, what do you know?" He asked quietly, gaining a small bit of glee from the hard gulps he saw both of them take.
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A short time later, after excusing a slightly shaken Kaleb and Erik, Markarov sat back at his desk, brows furrowed as he considered what he was about to do. They didn't contact each other often, their own lives taken up a great deal of their time, but they did consider each other great friends. So to know that he was about to piss one of his more powerful friends off was not something he actively wanted to do.
Letting out one more tired sigh, Markarov picked up his comlink, and pushed a bit of his magic into it, waiting as it pulsed. When it was finally picked up on the other end, he was quick to give a charming smile to the woman on the other end who simply lifted an eyebrow at him. Behind her, he could see lavish chambers, and heard the clink of dishes, and knew that the manager of his old friends castle was eating.
"Cornelia my dear, you're looking lovely." Markarov tried to be charming, knowing from personal experience as to just how...venomous... the woman could be when needed.
"What do you want Maki? This had better be important." The woman spoke sternly, cutting to the chase. Of course, when running a castle, it was a good idea to do so.
Chuckling a bit nervously, he rubbed a hand across the back of his neck before clearing his throat. "Is he around my dear? I need to speak with him."
"He's busy right now, and you know he doesn't like to be interrupted." She answered with a sniff and glare, her phrasing being the only thing to hint at just what his friend was doing.
"Unfortunately this time he needs to be."
"Oh no, I'm not interrupting him, not for all of the gold in the kingdom." She glared.
"You will when you hear why." He had to fight not to roll his eyes when she snorted at him.
"Not likely." She smirked.
"He made it here, and found her." Markarov stated with a firm tone. When he saw her face freeze as she stared at him, he nodded at the question he saw in her eyes. Without another word she stood from where she had been sitting, enjoying her meal, to make her way through the endless halls, the comlink showing Markarov her progress before stopping before a large set of heavily hewn wooden doors. Thick, and scribed with protective runes galore, she had to reach up and use the heavy knocker on the door in order for it to be heard in the room beyond.
"I'm busy!" A shouted snarl could just barely be heard on the other side, and from his end of the call, he could see her gulp before stiffening her shoulders. Once more she knocked on the door and waited. A few moments passed, and as the doors swung open with a snarled "what" escaping from the person standing there, she shoved the comlink into the mans decidedly naked chest, turned and hurried away without saying a single word.
Blinking after the only woman in the entire castle who could get away with interrupting him when he was busy, the man looked down at the comlink in his hands, and seeing the face of an old friend proceeded to turn and slam his forehead into the heavy wood door repeatedly, groaning in frustration. He knew, he just knew, the moment he saw that troublesome yet charming smile, he wasn't going to be doing anything else but helping the man for the rest of the night.
Letting out a tired sigh, the man stepped back into the room, comfortable in his naked state, and with barely a glance at the woman in his bed, his mind already on whatever Markarov wanted to talk about, he pointed out the door. When he began to hear protests, he turned and glared lightly at the woman.
"We are done for the night, I am sorry but something to do with my family has come up. Please see yourself out." He bit out firmly before continuing to the office that was attached to his chambers. Closing the door behind him, and activating the silencing runes, he flopped into his desk chair, dropping the comlink onto the desk in front of him.
"Alright Maki, what did you need?"
"It's good to see you too Arman, you know normally I wouldn't interrupt you."
"I'm aware, which is the only reason you're not being yelled at right now." Arman agreed, propping an elbow on the desk, and his chin on a fist.
"I appreciate that. Getting to the point, were you aware that Zen had made it to Fiore a number of months ago?"
"Yes, I watched him contract the spirits to help him go look for her. He came here first Maki, I was hoping he'd have returned by now."
"Were you also aware that he met Lucy, our resident celestial mage, and informed her that she is his mate without completing the bond?"
"Wait, what?! He found her? It's Lucy?!"
"Yes Arman, he did. But there's a problem."
"How can that be a problem?! That's wonderful news!" Arman exclaimed, grinning happily. He loved Lucy Heartfilia, the girl was extraordinary, the idea of his son being mated, married to her thrilled him to the bone.
"Yes, but at the same time no."
"Uh...why?"
"Because he told her of this a number of months ago, about three to be exact, and then disappeared, chasing after Loke. Apparently Loke had not deemed it worthwhile to mention to Lucy that Zen was on his way, and flirted with her. Needless to say, Zen didn't take it well, and when Loke escaped into the celestial realm, Zen was quick to follow. They haven't been back since, and the strain on the bond that had started to form is literally killing Lucy." Markarov explained solemnly.
It took a moment for what the old guild master said to sink in, and when it did, to say that Arman was pissed, would be an understatement.
"So let me get this straight...my son, managed to make it to Fiore, found his mate, Lucy Heartfilia no less, a girl I really, truly do deeply like, told her she was his mate thus confirming the bond, and then left before completing it?"
"Yep."
"And he left, chasing Loke back to the celestial realm because Loke was the flirtatious spirit that he tends to be, and had flirted with Lucy?"
"I'm sure there was a bit more to it than that, but yes, that is what I just said."
Taking a deep breath, Arman abruptly stood from his desk and stormed over to a side table by the small fireplace, yanking open a small, padded drawer. Looking down at the single, gleaming object inside, glaring, he picked it up with a silent snarl, reaching out his magic, forming it similar to that of a large hand, and wrapping it around the spirit the key was attached to, yanked the spirit towards him...hard.
The sound of cursing filled the air before Draco did, and he landed with a thud on his ass with a wince before looking up and feeling his face drain of all blood. There, standing before him, fury pumping off of him in waves, was his long time friend, Arman, King of Archipelago, and a little known fact to the rest of Earthland, actually King to all of Earthland by a very ancient bloodline.
It didn't matter that he had not a single stitch of clothing on, all that mattered to Draco in that moment was that the last time he had seen his friend this mad was the day he had had to hand Zen over to Draco for training so very long ago. Being a generational key, he was tied to this family for always after having originally belonging to Armans great great great grandmother, then again to his grandfather, Draco knew the power that Arman came from.
So he knew that he was in trouble for something, didn't matter what, either way, he was fucked.
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In the celestial realm, an archangel celestial dragon slayer, and the spirit of Leo paused in their pursuit to sneeze, hard, as a wave of trepidation washed over them before Zen chased after Loke anew, still snarling, and Loke still yelping as he barely managed to dodge some of the less friendly swipes aimed at him.
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Gulping hard, Draco rose to his feet, but kept his head bowed. He may have been facing his friend, but he also knew he was at that moment facing his earthland king. But dammit he would not let his worry cause him to shiver in trepidation before Arman!
"Look at me Draco."
Shit. Shit. Fuck. Shit. He was so screwed. He knew that tone. He was going to be walking away limping, or with a massive headache, he just knew it. But still he raised his eyes, meeting Armans glare straight on.
"Were you aware that Zen made it to Fiore?"
One quick nod. He wasn't going to actually say anything until he knew what the hell he was in trouble for.
"Were you aware that Zen found his mate?"
Tilting his head in slight confusion, he nodded again.
"Then would you mind telling me why the FUCK you haven't already sent him back?!" Arman roared, his hands clenching, and the walls around the room shaking under the power of his voice alone.
Cringing and ducking his head, Draco fought hard to not cover his ears from that power, in spite of the ringing his ears were now doing. But then the words sunk in.
"Send him back? What the hell are you talking about?"
"I thought I gave you a specific, SHORT list of instructions on how Zen was to be raised Draco, and instead he pulls this?! Why didn't you kick his ass back to Fiore as soon as he was back in the celestial realm?!"
"Hold-hold on! The last time I saw him, he was on his way to Fiore, I was standing right next to you Arman!. To find his mate, yes, because he's felt her pull getting stronger and stronger, more desperate for him, you heard the same things I did. As far as I know, he's still there!" Draco yelped, taking a step back for every one that Arman took towards him.
"Apparently he's not. Apparently, he found Lucy, started the process by telling her she's his mate, then up and left, chasing Loke back to the celestial realm because Loke decided flirting with her was a good idea, and he hasn't been back since! By being gone for so long, he's killing her with the bond!"
Pausing, Draco narrowed his eyes in thought, before standing up straight.
"When did this happen?" Draco demanded.
"He left three months ago." Arman stated carefully, finally seeing how Draco was reacting. When Draco snarled in response, he only lifted a brow.
"Goddammit! I'll handle this!" Draco snarled, and with continued curses he disappeared in an explosion of light.
Taking another deep breath, Arman turned back to the comlink still activated with Markarov seen clearly on the other end.
"You should be seeing results soon, if not within the next couple of days."
"Thank you Arman. We can't lose Lucy, she's brought too much light to our guild."
"I understand, and she's still going to do great things. Let me know please how it goes Maki, I want Lucy to be ok. I don't want my son harming that sweet girl any more than he already has."
"Of course. Oh and Arman?"
"What?"
"Put some clothes on."
"Oh fuck off Maki!" Arman snarled, cutting the connection to the comlink before storming back to his room.
The only thing that saved the com lacrima from destruction was the fact the elegant woman he'd been entertaining before the call came was just belting a robe and preparing to leave. Letting out a breath Arman cleared his throat. The woman turned, and eyes that had been full of disappointment, lit up immediately.
"Are you…done with business sire?" She asked hopefully. He smiled.
"For now…so…where were we?"
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Zen snapped his wings down, folding them right after they propelled him forward and finally skidding in front of Loke right in front of where Capricorn and Virgo were seated together by Virgos cozy house. Capricorn looked up only mildly surprised as the Dragon Slayer decked Leo and sent him flying. The Lion spirit scrambled to his feet, jumped over Capricorn and Virgo as Zen was standing back up, brought to his knee by the follow through of his own powerful swing. When he looked questioningly at Capricorn the spirit smiled faintly and hooked a thumb in the direction Loke had just gone, watching the Celestial Dragon Slayer race after him for a moment before returning to painting Virgos toenails and affectionately rubbing her feet.
A few seconds later a tall spirit with long midnight hair appeared right where Zen had been standing and cursed, glaring at Capricorn.
"Where did they go?!" He demanded. Capricorn blinked, hooking the same thumb as before in the same direction as before. Draco took off at a run.
Virgo twirled her fingers through Capricorns goatee. "Should we offer assistance?" She asked.
"To who? No, we stay out of this, concentrate on feeding magic through our bond to the Princess, if things get worse…we will step in…" He said, kissing her toe.
Loke was growling under his breath, trying to keep the sound from carrying back to the pissed off Dragon Slayer behind him. He should have told her, it had even crossed his damn mind to do so….he just couldn't help himself, his nature was just what it was, he was a damned Lion after all and Lucy was like the ultimate lioness.
"Please, your majesty! I swear I would never have done a thing, Lucy and I have been like this since before I became her spirit, she saved my very existence! I would never do anything to disrespect that or violate the laws of this realm!" Loke was calling over his shoulder as he ran.
He could turn and fight, he'd sparred with Zen since he was a child, stood a good chance against him too…maybe…if he weren't using that particular sword…and had Lucys help and magic supporting him…
He should have told her, it was just so easy to fall into the comfortable normalcy of teasing her to try and cheer her up, it usually worked too, she had laughed, he distinctly remembered her laughing.
"You should have told her I was coming! You FLIRT with her! Fuck Leo, I know that mirror, as her spirit, means you can watch her wherever she is, whatever she's doing at any time…how many times have you seen her showering? Naked?" Zen demanded furiously.
Loke darted between His house and Capricorns. "Not many!" He called.
"So you've seen her then! Damn you fucking Lion!" Zen snarled and Loke whimpered, probably shouldn't have admitted that, definitely wouldn't be telling Zen he'd seen her have sex with her last boyfriend, watched her touch herself in said shower…bathtub…while laying in her bed…his princess was a very passionate woman…
Zens wings came to bear again and Loke was tackled to the ground, the sword at least vanished, Zen so angry he preferred his fists. The two were wrestling on the ground cursing and throwing punches when both men were snatched by their belts and yanked apart by strong hands.
"What the FUCK are you two thinking?!" Roared a new infuriated voice. Loke groaned as his eyes managed to focus around his broken blue sunglasses that dangled precariously on his face. Wonderful…Draco, he fucking hated Draco.
"Fucking Lion has been propositioning my mate and probably jerking off watching her take baths!" Zen snarled back, making a grab for Loke but Draco held them effectively apart.
Loke still shrank back from the slayers fury, completely unwilling to admit how right he was.
"ZEN! You left Lucy, you realize that?! You told her she was your mate, touched her, kissed her, started the whole process and then left her, how long have you been here?!" Draco snarled. Zen stilled, eyes widening as his anger calmed and feelings other than fury got past his snarling snapping inner dragon.
He clutched his chest and Draco released him, letting him fall to his knees. "After you argued with your father and I about how desperately you needed to get to her, how you could handle your draconic drives you did this, GO! Get back to her! Fix this! You need to mate, restore and complete the bond before she fucking dies!" Draco roared and Zen staggered to his feet, waves of despair, loneliness, misery and pain crashing over him through the shredded, weak, barely there bond he still had with his mate…his beautiful mate… she was abandoned, alone, dying of despair…
In a flash of gold and purple light Zen was gone and Draco flung Leo to the ground.
"You fucking idiot! He's mortal, you know time moves differently for him here than it does in the area we created for him! Your Princess, didn't you feel her fading?!" He snarled.
Loke was on his knees, staring at the ground, now clutching his chest like Zen had been moments before, gasping as it all reached him.
"I…we were…" He stammered.
"You were being an ass, you should have TOLD her Leo, you could have told her as soon as we knew! But you…you filthy Lion, always looking for more pussy to add to your pride aren't you?! She is his mate! His soulmate! She didn't need to worry, to wonder, to feel like she was going to remain alone! There is a hole in her where a piece of his soul will reside, they NEED each other to be complete! Yet you didn't tell her, and on top of that you pull all the typical Lion crap you always pull with anything that has a set of tits! Look what has happened! Three months have passed for her, while you were running around up here fighting with her mate she was dying and you didn't even notice! YOU should have, you have no excuse! Zen is mortal, and the feelings coming through the bond are dulled by the distance, he needed to focus to feel them but YOU, you should have known! You need to work on your connection, you've harmed that womans trust in you, her belief in your real commitment and integrity and all for what? So you could make lewd comments at her!" Draco raged.
Nearby members of the Zodiac had come to their leader, feeling their princess fading, feeling her pain, seeking his guidance, they had been unable to so much as catch his attention before and he groaned, hanging his head. Once again he had made a painful mistake, this one almost costing his Princess everything.
"If she dies…" Draco snarled "He will die too, within seconds, and do you have any idea what that will do if we lose them? Think about it Leo the Lion, the next time you follow your dick instead of your brain, remember this."
The Dragon snarled at the deflated spirit before him, he wasn't done with Zen either, he just couldn't keep the man from his mate a second longer than he had to or Zen would have been facing his wrath right alongside the Lion.
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Sooo yea...uh...please don't kill us! there'll be another chapter posted this weekend, so you won't be left wanting for long! *ducks thrown empty boxes and used tissues*