Hiya All! Sorry for taking my sweet time, inspiration is a two timing floozy who hasn't been knocking at my door often... but yeah here is chapter 17! Woohoo! (Throws confetti at the readers)... anyway, I the maiden that has been eclipsed by her dark desires, acknowledges and proclaims that Hiro Mashima is the owner of Fairy Tail!
P.S. I also want to give a big shout out to the followers and those who have favorite this story.
Reviewers, you guys give my life :)
ChristieAmanda thanks for enjoying the roller coaster ride of my perplexed mind.
Love Crimson Red Ray88 its been a pleasure reading your reviews for almost each chapter :)
Adelene900, BlackRose851, AiMila, Ashanta87, and Illustre thank you so much for all your reviews, they have been motivating me to do my very best!
Chapter 17: Just Tell Me
Sometimes, obtaining peace becomes quite the difficult ordeal; rights are questioned, revoked and compromised. The boisterous cries of liberty, equality and fairness must be muted for the greater good, but as the guild master of Sabertooth witnessed, sometimes obtaining peace can be questionable.
Navy blue eyes witnessed amongst the shadows as his best friend suffered for the blonde temptress that dragged them into this chaos. As time passed on, Rogue seemed to succumb his fragile will to his inner demons.
'What am I doing? I should be helping you, protecting you and instead I side with another guild to lock you up as Blondie potentially makes up with the iron-head jerk.' Sting thought deeply as his face was frozen in a scowl.
Silver shackles adorned Rogue's pale wrists and covered ankles, as anxiety and fear resided on his once calculated face. Desperately the shadow dragon slayer struggled amongst the magic canceling chains. For three torturous hours, Sting painfully watched as his fellow dragon slayer pulled and fought against his entrapment, screaming for freedom like a caged animal.
"So we've come to this? I thought you cared for me, but the shadows were right... you just want Lucy all to yourself." Rogue whispered quietly.
Rolling his eyes in disbelief, he stayed masked in darkness where he could not be seen. The light dragon slayer wanted to rebuttal, wanted to explain that this was only a request from Makarov, but the murderous glint in his exposed eye and his elongated fangs were the proof that Rogue was falling deeper and deeper into the deceptive arms of lunacy.
"Show yourself you pathetic dirt-bag!" The raven-haired man shouted into the abyss as the shackles shook vigorously.
Poor pathetic Rogue, can't even get your friends to listen to you. What are the chances of that wench remaining loyal? That harlot is probably in the arms of the child's father at this very moment. Enjoying the advances of a passionate man who knows what he's doing, instead of a clueless kid.
"Shut up, shut up, shut up! She wouldn't!" Rogue screamed at the swirling shadows who took great pleasure in mocking and tormenting him, while deceiving others in their invisibility that he was going crazy.
Worried for his friend, Sting activated a recording lacrima to later show Makarov the thin thread that adhered sanity to Rogue.
Sighing quietly to himself, his mind wondered to Blondie. The golden haired mage was someone he stalked for months after her humiliating loss at the Grand Magic games, and ever since she had been getting under his skin and it drove him mad to think that she had ended giving herself to Rogue. The only thing his counterpart wanted from the blonde was her bastard, nothing more nothing less. Bored with watching his friend argue at the wind, Sting pulled out a small knife and began to carve a flute out of an ebony branch, recalling when he first met Lucy and how he thought she was some ditzy wannabe wizard. Chuckling to himself, he laughed at how screwed up everything had turned out to be.
Ever since he ease dropped on Lucy and Rogue in the forest, her bare body imprinted itself on his mind. 'She should have been mine.' The Sabertooth master thought as he violently stabbed the knife through the thick branch, making a mouth hole.
While jealousy, insanity and desperation were enclosed in a nearby secluded prison in the woods, Lucy was in the clutches of the man who made her into the horrible person she was becoming.
Dim scarlet eyes, stared at her for what seemed hours, and after Gajeel said that they should talk, not one word was exchanged. Grunting for her to help him get up, Lucy without Rogue to give her strength, complied to the Iron Dragon Slayer's demands. Awkwardly he placed his arm around her trembling shoulder, smelling her alluring aroma he tore through all the lies she fed him until now. She still didn't smell right to his nose, but one thing was in his favor this time: he wasn't fighting a hangover, and for the first time in days he was completely sober.
Breathing in her ever-changing scent, gave away all of her dirty secrets, but his mouth was stumbling to ask the questions his guilty conscience ached to voice. Lucy opened her apartment door and let him in, nervously she helped him take a seat on her only sofa, which faced her bed, but she could not relax and sit. She wanted him out of her room, out of her life, her feet wanted to run and never been seen again, but her loyalty to Fairy Tail was the only thing that brought her back to Magnolia. Looking at the quiet man made her uncomfortable, was he ever going to talk? Was he just going to play mind games until she broke?
"Hey Bunny." Gajeel addressed her quietly.
"Ye...s?" Her voice trembled.
This was finally happening, she was going to confront Gajeel. Her mother didn't raise a liar, she should have been infuriated and demand for justice, but the thought of hurting Levy drove her down the path of lies.
"About what happened a few months ago, you lied to me." The raven haired slayer finally said, as he felt a couple thousand pounds being lifted off his burden-laden shoulders.
Shivering, her scent completely changed, sweat trickled down her brow and she hugged her chest as she looked out the window hopping Rogue would return and save her from this situation. Her breathing grew rapid, he could hear her heart beat violently as she held back tears.
"Huh? What.. are you talking about ? I don't lie." The blonde woman stuttered nervously, never once making eye contact.
Slowly Gajeel picked himself up from the couch and slowly made his way to his trembling friend. She was so close yet she felt unreachable, but this time he wouldn't let her run away.
"Yes you did and still are. I took advantage of you when I was drunk didn't I?" He said grasping onto her shoulders and staring into her watering eyes.
The usually happy room, fell silent. Lucy couldn't confess her pain, he wanted to rectify his actions, but as noble as he was, Levy stood in between them. Her chocolate eyes were consumed in water, she wanted to cry out and tell him his faults. Her hands balled into tight fist wanting to punch his chest, she wanted to accuse him of her tragedies, her heart ached to confess how she had fallen in love with him, but it was too late. Now she had to lie her way through life and let others be happy. Tears trickled down her face on their own, causing Gajeel to get a little agitated.
"Stop yer crying and just tell me, damn it!" Gajeel shook her violently unable to take her lies, unable to just cave in and leave her alone. He needed answers, he wanted to hear it from her. Everyone else around him could say whatever they wanted, but until Lucy spoke he was in denial.
"Yes, you did! Happy? I ran away because you couldn't tell the difference between Levy and I. You stole my virginity screaming out her name through the entire ordeal. You saw me the next day, touched me, saw my desperation and couldn't even remember what you did to me. If you would have remembered, if you would have noticed me, maybe everything would have been easier, but since you didn't, I ran away as soon as I could. Eventually I met Rogue, we clicked, we became mates and..." Lucy confessed.
Scarlet eyes widened in horror. So everything his body was telling him was true, he had hurt his beloved bunny girl and now all the scents she emanated made sense. She smelled of his earth, Rogue's darkness and Wendy's healing care, and then there was the mixture of strawberries mingled with earth.
Tenderly he took the blonde into his arms, she had been suffocating by herself. Subconsciously his hand held her chin tenderly as he caressed his thumb against her puffy red cheek. The gentleness confused the blonde as her chocolate eyes looked at him questioningly.
Entranced by her beauty, he brushed his thumb against her bottom lip, causing her to let out a small moan. Her eyes closed and the distance between their mouths lessened.
"I think not." Loke emerged from his gate and pulled his master away from Gajeel.
Letting out an agitated growl, he glared at the orange haired leader of the zodiac sign. He was thankful for his intrusion, but the possessive way he held her, infuriated him. Ruby eyes glared as Loke encircled an arm around his master and stood between them.
"Sorry Mr. Redfox, but Lucy here belongs to Rogue, and I have sworn loyalty to my master's mate." Loke lied through his teeth like a pro, not wanting his princess anywhere near the neanderthal that destroyed his precious master's life.
Ever since the brute of a man attacked Lucy those many years ago, Loke wanted nothing to do with Gajeel, let alone his dirty spawn. Clenching his fist, the leader of the Zodiac constellation contemplated the possibilities of his master's present if those twins would have kept their talkative mouths bolted and explain the situation to him.
'I could have rigorously train her, take her out drinking or even get her to change kitty litter... anything to ensure an abortion promptly.' Loke thought in anger.
Right now the lion spirit was just appalled that her former aggressor would take advantage of his weaken master while she seemed to be alone. While cursing Gajeel in his mind, Loke was furious that he was even in the same room with the man who violated his innocent master.
Lucy's loyal lion tried to put an optimistic front, but the idea of his master breeding so young scared him. Aquarius had informed him long ago that Layla's death was unnatural. She died from magical exhaustion, not only because she didn't have a second magical container, but because she bore a child with limitless magical potential, that she had to feed until she was completely drained. Apparently Celestial mages don't live long unless they turn to a life of celibacy, where they can monopolize their magic.
Feeling protected in Loke's comforting arms, brown eyes peeked at Gajeel who seemed to be pacing and wondering what to do next. Suddenly her guilt came to smack her in the face, she became weak in his presence, she wanted the strong man before her, while she had become Rogue's mate. Lies and more lies seemed to consume her current life, and all she wanted to do was protect her precious friendship with Levy and runaway with her child.
"Lucy." Gajeel's husky voice commanded her attention.
Loke felt her body shift in his hold, trying to break free and run to the voice who called her. Firmly he held her tightly as she stared into his ruby eyes.
"This is all bull. Your covered in so many lies, that the Lucy I know died. When you want to be honest and cut all the crap you know where I live. Oh and before I forget..." Gajeel said he approached Loke.
Raising a questioning eyebrow, Loke watched as Gajeel with lightning speed grabbed the arm that was encircled around Lucy's waist.
"Never get in my again, or I'll tear off your ears and eat 'em for supper." Gajeel threatened Loke as he twisted the spirit's arm until it bent unnaturally, causing him to fall on his knees.
Chocolate eyes stared in horror as Gajeel caused her dearest friend pain, she forced his gate closed and told Gajeel to take a hike and to never again touch any of her beloved spirits.
"Whatever, I'm going home, but I will be waiting. Oi and Bunny-girl, this time if you run away, I'll come and chase you down and make you mine so many times that you'll forget you ever met Rogue." Gajeel said as he smirked deviously as he closed her door and exited her quiet apartment.
Hugging herself, guilt continue to build. How many people had she cause to suffer? Levy was going to be devastated when she hears the truth, Gajeel was slowly breaking, Loke got hurt protecting her, and on top of it all. Sting and Rogue are involved in another guild's inner war. Everything she was trying to resolve and mend was bursting at the seams. What frustrated the blonde mage most, that instead of confronting her fears all she did was hide everything in tears and lies. She felt pathetic, weak and frustrated. Running away wasn't an option, lying had always been difficult and Gajeel gave her the option to tell the truth. Biting her bottom lip she looked perplexed.
"Just follow him." Evergreen said seated upon her windowsill.
"How long have you been here?" Lucy question the Medusa of Fairy Tail.
The older woman laughed as she collapsed her fan and tucked it down her bra. Entering her apartment, Evergreen explained that she had followed Gajeel from the guild to her apartment and stayed by Lucy's window as the two men fought. She also explained that her relationship with Levy regardless of what was happening with Gajeel was as good as over. Everything she was trying to mask or lie about, was exploding in her face and Lucy only had two options: 1. Tell the truth and face the consequences as a full fledged adult, or 2. Lie and destroy everything she had built up until now.
Sighing Lucy got up and nodded her head knowing exactly what to do.
"I'll talk to Gajeel." Lucy said defeated.
Smiling, Evergreen gave the younger mage a thumbs up as she back-flipped off the windowsill to a nearby lamp post.
Overwhelm with the realization of his actions, Gajeel swore in frustration. How could one night do so much damage, why was Lucy such an idiot and not tell him with time? There were too many afflicted variables involved now; his engagement to Levy, Lucy's new relationship with Rogue and that's just the small stuff. Laxus was now dead set on getting those two married or starting a guild war, there was also the accusations of Sabertooth guild kidnapping Lucy, Wendy and Evergreen, but most of all, his heart ached to confess to Lucy that he had always been in love with her and not Levy.
Passing the library, he never noticed Levy crying at the entrance. It was Sunday and apparently her haven was close, but right now the world was ever-consuming and ever-destroying him from both the inside out and the outside in. His world was upside down and right side up at the same time, he was in two dimensions at the same time and whatever Lucy did and said next would force him into one of the realities. If she continues to lie, he was going to force the truth out of her and become a villain, but if she came with the truth he would shatter and destroy everything around him.
Shortly after Gajeel disappeared from eyesight, Lucy came down the street and passed by Levy who this time was hopping her fiancee would return to comfort her, but instead her ex-friend going to her lover's house. Picking herself up from the steps of the building, she placed a cloak over her blue head and took the popular route to Gajeel's house.
Grinding her teeth together in frustration, Evergreen stared down from Kardia Cathedral at the mysterious woman following Lucy. 'Should I continue to intervene? Those two need to talk and she would misunderstand.' The gossip of Magnolia contemplated her actions as she jumped down from the cathedral's tall spire. 'This is for Lucy, sorry Levy.' Evergreen thought as she landed in front of the small script mage who fell on the hard cobblestone floor. Removing her glasses she stared directly at her guild mate, thus turning her to stone.
While Evergreen continued to converse with statues, Gajeel finally arrived home, but he was well aware that a certain Bunny girl was tailing him, so he held the door open for the surprised woman.
"How did -"
Laughing lightly, he pointed to his nose, reminding the Celestial mage of his ever knowing nose.
Feeling a little stupid, she smiled.
"So Bunny what brings you here?" Gajeel asked as he closed and locked the door to his dark and secluded home.
Fiddling with her fingers she seemed to be lost at what to do, she didn't know if she wanted to continue down the path of a liar or be relieved from the chaos she had built.
Placing a hand on her stiff shoulder, he told her to loosen up and take a seat. Quietly she did as he suggested.
"Bunny I suggest you tell me the whole truth cause I can smell all your secrets. I'm not some 3rd generation dragon slayer whelp." He stated as he leaned against the wall next to her as she sat on his sofa.
Gulping down, she had anticipated that he could smell her out, but instead of relieving her, she felt worse. Everything she worked so hard to shelter from the world had become completely apparent to the one person she had tried to deceive.
"I will tell you the truth but you must promise me-"
Lucy stopped herself trying to phrase the words right in her head, what did she want from him? To disregard his own child, to ignore her, to act like nothing happened? She thought quietly when he coughed lightly to get her attention.
Watching his hand descend from his mouth, she met his fierce eyes. "I won't promise anything until I hear the truth."
Nodding her head in defeat she complied to his request and told her story.
"Before I start, please don't interrupt or comfort me if it gets difficult." Lucy asked Gajeel who signaled her to start her tale.
"After the incident, you left me shattered and lost. I wanted to tell you off, to call you a rapist and a drunk, but instead I went home and cried to Loke. You betrayed me, and what was worst of all I couldn't bring myself to accuse you or to even resent you. The Phantom Lord Gajeel that did me so much harm in the past died long ago and my friend Gajeel, whose always had my back, had a little too much to drink and made a mistake. I couldn't bring myself to hurt you, so I remained quiet. When you came after me the next day, relief brushed through my soul, I thought you remembered, I thought you came to apologize and make everything right like you always do, but when I saw you so broken at the thought of harming me, how could I destroy you? So instead I was dead set to forgive and forget-" Lucy said trying to hold back tears.
Gajeel just stood there feeling horrible, he wanted to tell her that he felt so like a corpse in the world of the living when she left, it would have been preferable to know, break Levy's heart and take responsibility for his actions, instead all living with so many doubts that drove him to the bottle. A low growl informed her to continue, cause he really wanted to give her a piece of his tormented mind.
Squirming a little, Lucy tried to give him only the bare facts, she didn't want to confess that she had fallen in love with him.
"But I couldn't forget, so I ran off on a string of missions. Immersing myself in training and work, but that only helped me for a month and a half; actually I was about to return home, when a magical parasite emerged. My celestial spirits worked diligently trying to cure me, but the disturbance in my magic was so detrimental and slowly killing me. Food was repugnant, sleeping was my only escape and then Evergreen told Gemini what should have been my first conclusion: I was pregnant. When my spirits finally confirmed it, they all insisted that I abort, but I couldn't. It was and is my family, I could care less who the father was. I was going to be mother and regain my stolen family. My initial plan was to runaway with my child and never return to Fairy Tail, but when does plan A really ever work? Instead of being independent, my child who I was dying to protect rejected my magic, so I needed a magical donor or we would both die. Thankfully, Evergreen was making rumors left and right and that's when Loke out of desperation headed to Sabertooth. On our way there we met Sting and Rogue. They both decided to adopt the child and be its donors, but it ended up doing worse. I was bed ridden and apparently none of the healers in Sabertooth could restore me, that's when Wendy was contacted. I'm better now and mated with Rogue." Lucy concluded truthfully to Gajeel who was fuming red.
Crouching down, he held her trembling hands tenderly. Scarlet eyes stared angrily at her apologetic chocolate orbs, but instead of calming down, she irritated him even more. So he stood up and made some distance from the woman who had literally destroyed his life. All he wanted to do was smack her and call her a f-ed up idiot, but what was done was done and regardless how he felt, it was still his fault.
After calming down by pacing the whole house at least eight times, he returned to quiet living room.
"Gajeel I just came to tell you the truth, you don't have anything to do, I solved everything!" Lucy yelled nervously.
Frustrated at her resolution, he hissed lightly and combed his fingers through his dark spiky hair.
"Look Bunny girl, I appreciate you trying to protect me and all, but I ain't a child. The only thing you've done 'til now is screw everything and everyone!" Gajeel scolded at Lucy who could only cast down her head in shame. She was very well aware that everything was starting to unravel in the worst way possible.
Taking a seat on the couch he placed a comforting arm around Lucy's quivering shoulder. Pulling her unto his chest, Gajeel kissed her blonde head as he stared up at the his tin ceiling.
"Were you ever going to tell me about my child?" Gajeel whispered into the atmosphere.
Tears fell on their own as she clutched onto his inviting chest. Wailing like a child, Lucy wanted to reveal her heart, but it was too late, she was now with Rogue and he had Levy.
Staring at the ceiling scarlet eyes closed as he let his friend empty the dams of her eyes, and relax.
"Bunny girl please don't cry, what's done is unfortunately done." Gajeel tried his best to comfort the shattered girl, who stared up at him with a sad smile and nodded.
Brushing her tears with his thumb, Lucy closed her eyes enjoying the contact of the man who moved her heart. Gajeel let out a small feral growl as Lucy's eyes shot back open. He held her wrists above her head, as his other hand hungrily trailed up her bare cold leg.
"Lucy, Lucy." Gajeel whispered her name into her ear as he stole licks at her exposed marked neck.
Being engulfed by the protective weight and warmth of Gajeel's body, Lucy's guilt continued to grow. She dreamt of him calling her name over and over again, but this was wrong. He had Levy and she promised her life to Rogue. Regretfully she looked into his passion filled ruby eyes and kneed his gut, pushing him off her.
"I won't have others have what is mine!" Gajeel slammed her knees back down and forced a desperate kiss.
So you're gonna rape her again? Seems like we had the wrong impression of you.