Lucy laid comfortably on top of the exquisite body of the man beneath her tracing the runes tattooed on his skin idly. Zen was everything she could ever hope for as far as looks went and the way he moved his body…like a dangerous predator ready to pounce on her if she dared to look away. Hell, he'd hypnotized her with his eyes so she couldn't look away and before she knew it she had been most thoroughly pounced on. He was obviously Boscan with his caramel tanned skin, long hair and identifiable clan markings but outside of that she didn't know anything about him. Well, that wasn't 100 percent true, she knew his name was Zen and the way he made her feel loved, fulfilled, safe and happy from the second he'd uttered "They". In the throes of rapture there was such a feeling of finally being whole, she wasn't sure she could just walk away from him and go home with Aquarius like she'd initially intended. It was almost as if there had been a part of her missing that she didn't know about until she'd found it in his arms and deep down she knew if she left him it would hurt like hell. If this is how she felt after having extraordinary sex with a stranger she no longer blamed Bickslow and Erik for refusing to help her when she was just looking to get laid. She got attached, fast!
It's not like she could have known before now though. With all her friends back at the guild making regular dating almost impossible for her, she'd never had the opportunity to randomly hook up with guys so this was knew territory. She'd always had to have a plan and even then the patience of a saint. Before Zen she'd only been with four men, all of them she'd known in some way or another for a while before sleeping with them, and those encounters only happened because Bickslow and Erik agreed to keep her old teammates busy so she could go on the occasional date with them first. Although, Loke was an exception and hadn't been planned. He had been her first too after a very close call she'd had on her first dangerous solo mission. They'd both needed the life affirming comfort after that experience and she would never regret their frantic sex under the stars near the cliff she almost went over. It made their bond stronger and friendship more comfortable now that she'd gotten over her crazy virgin mentality and his flirting mellowed. They still had sex too but never on missions since it drained either Lucy or Loke magically for them to be together. They decided it was safer for them to stay at peak power in those possible dangerous situations since you could never know what would happen. The next two men she tried dating were fun to hang out with but there hadn't been any chemistry in the sac with Rogue and Lyon. Something there just didn't click with either mage and both parties agreed it was better to be friends and forget their foray into the bedroom. After them she finally gave the ever persistent playboy Hibiki a chance and wasn't totally disappointed. He wasn't as good as Loke but at least he'd gotten her to cum during sex. They met up a few times to see if anything was there other than animal attraction but his roving eyes and her trust issues really didn't make for anything lasting. Since then she'd stuck with her loyal lion when she felt the need and he was more than willing indulge his master and friend.
That's why it had been so long for her though. She wasted two months trying to get one or both of Bickslow's brothers in bed when they last visited Magnolia. She should have known Bix and thus Erik wouldn't help her out there because as much as she denied it then, she really was looking for love and a potential relationship while his brothers either were not, Vander, or had a mate out there somewhere and could not, Cristoff. She knew now though and when she got home she'd have to go straight to their place and try to apologize between gasping sobs from the pain of having to leave Zen. She was not looking forward to that at all.
She been a down right bitch to them about it then though and was glad when the tracking spell her spirit Sirius had cast finally got a hit on where Aquarius' key was. Without so much as a by your leave she had set out immediately still fuming at them. At the time it was completely lost on her that the only reason she'd even had a key for Canis Major and an opportunity to find her oldest friend again was because they'd gotten it for her on her last birthday. It took 2 weeks of following the trading and selling of Aquarius' key all over Earthland before she'd cooled down enough to call them to apologize for taking out her frustration on them and to thank them again for her newest friend that made her trip possible. Now, after 8 months, finding Aquarius' key around the thick neck of Capresa's Mayor and what promised to be a broken heart later, she can finally tell them they were fucking completely correct as usual. Maybe hit up some sweet shops or plant stores and come baring rare delicacies as gifts so they won't rub that shit in forever.
Dealing with the Mayor, and incidentally the mermaid spirit she was trying to get from him, should be punishment enough for her youthful idiocy and ignorance. The mayor wasn't even a mage; just thought it gold celestial key looked pretty dangling against his always exposed hairy chest. The hair wouldn't be so bad had the man showered more often than once a month. He stank and the wretched idiot was going to get Lucy killed because of how he treated that key if she didn't get it away from him soon. Stars above would Aquarius be livid.
Zen watched as Lucy's expressions cycled through happy, content, sad, anxious, angry, contrition, angry then fear. It was making him a little dizzy trying to piece together what she could possibly be thinking about all the while running her fingers up and down his side in a sweet caress. His own mind was racing from what had just happened unintentionally but he had a good reason. He knew they were soulmates and that the very lives they were living were about to be turned upside down. It's not like she could even begin to suspect that more happened than amazing sex with a complete stranger in a foreign country. He didn't know where she was from, she spoke Minstrellian well but with a slight accent he wasn't familiar with and she'd yet to say anything in her native language to give him a clue. Stars, how do you even begin to start this conversation?
Clearing his throat suddenly very nervous Zen started, "So…you're my soulmate." Shit, Zen internally cursed. He'd meant to ease her into that not just blurt it out! What kind of idiot was he? He has never been that socially ignorant even growing up as a medical experiment then gladiator. Naturally Lucy's body tensed on his which was equal parts terrifying and arousing since his dick was still pressed in her and those muscles had clamped hard onto him. For the life of him he couldn't hold back his groan at the feeling letting his head drop back to his mattress as he mentally tried to stop his blood rushing to his groin handicapping his ability to think clearly even more.
Lucy, however, was not so distracted by the exceptionally pleasant feeling of his cock hardening in sex. No, she was wonderfully distracted trying to discern what Zen meant by what he said. There were really only 2 options. Either he was a hopelessly crazy romantic (like her) proclaiming his undying love for her (could have easily been the other way around) after a mere few hours after meeting (not like the short time had stopped her from getting attached) just because they had amazing sex (Gods the best). She knew she was crazy but she wasn't stupid enough to wave that flag around quite so soon thus scaring off the object of her affection. Or he was talking along the lines of actual magic based mates on the soul level like Erik's poison slayer-self found in Bix. She knew he was a mage at least since they'd flown here but he didn't strike her as a dragon slayer. If this was the first, great sex and however much she reciprocated his crazy feelings aside, she needed to get out and away fast. If things ever went wrong between them the world probably wouldn't survive the fallout. Plus she'd probably get fat after from eating so much damn ice cream and she couldn't afford an entire new wardrobe. If this was the second option, which her crazy-ass-self super secretly (at least from everyone else) wished for, it would mean they had some serious need to talk about where they go from here because separating could not happen. Whether he lived here permanently or was visiting from Bosco, the distance from her home might as well been the same. They needed to talk which meant she should not indulge in him again…
Zen was fighting his need to move. He was so hard now. This wonderfully torturous woman could not stop clenching those all-important muscles and wriggling around as she continued to lay on his body thinking. Stars above Lucy was now straddling his body as she used her small lightly callous hands probably from her whip work to brace against his shoulders as she sat up letting her breasts hang temptingly close. This seriously was not fucking helping him. Gods he just wanted to reach up and weight her bountiful breasts in his hands as she rode him so hard he couldn't breathe. The images in his mind had his hips flexing subconsciously and it felt so good but he had to wait just a little longer - she finally looked ready to speak.
Their eyes locked in that moment and both thought Fuck it. Immediately Zen's hands were on her pale wide hips as Lucy used her legs to lift up her arms acting as a fulcrum in her movements before slamming back down as hard as she could. Questions and concerns flew straight out Zen's open balcony when he started meeting her downward thrusts going as fast and as hard as their first time was slow and soft.
ABS
Loke looked down at the large viewing basin watching as Lucy took her large Pradesh man to task arms crossed over his chest with a smug smirk. Zen may be Boscan and have formal training in the arts of pleasure from any number of Sudepah but his Lucy has the benefits of his knowledge from centuries of pleasing all sorts of people and spirits. Plus Lucy was, as she'd always been, an incredible study, quick learner and creative in her application of knowledge. She could probably give as good of a blow job as he could himself now and he couldn't wait to see her eventually turn that skill onto her new soulmate.
Imagine his little Lucy having a soulmate! He and all her other spirits were thrilled for her. The only real downside meant that –
"Spying on my family to see how a real man pleases a woman Pussy?" A deep smooth voice like velvet rumbled in the room.
Him…Gods he hated that cocky lizard so much his voice was like claws on concrete. Just because he used to be the leader of the Zodiacs before becoming the first and now the only active generational key did not mean he was the greatest gift to man and spirit. It just meant he'd been lucky falling into the hands of a Pradesh hundreds of years ago.
Smirking at the image in the basin Loke fixed his blue shades and gestured for the other male to approach to get a better view. The basin was wide and shallow set on the ground to make it easy for a large group to view the happenings on Earthland. He knew Draco must have come here to check things out after feeling the soulmate bond form from Zen's side.
For centuries Loke had kept an eye on the Pradesh family because he'd wanted to get his key into their hands. They had a powerful and ancient bloodline and were known to be great masters for celestial spirits to have. Way back when, Draco and Leo used to be great friends, like brothers, until the day Draco made a contract into that family and refused to ask for their help in freeing Loke from his exceptionally abusive one. Yes, it had the potential to break the very same law Loke had broken to protect Aries from Karen, still, in a similar situation he had acted directly to help a friend while Draco refused to even think about it. The strain on their friendship was too much and it hadn't lasted long after that. But as much as he denied it, the lion spirit still cared for his friend even though he hated him too. He had continued to keep an eye on Draco and the Pradesh line even thought he'd long since given up any hope of having a Pradesh key holder since it had been decades since a celestial mage was born to them. He was happy where he was now anyway. More so than he would have been, actually, since he was forever life bound to Lucy - a Heartfilia, an equally old and ancient line that still bore true to celestial magic.
Draco, taller and broader than Loke and always had been much to the lion spirit's chagrin, wore his smooth blue/black hair long and favored wearing black tailored suits like Loke which he adjusted while he walked closer. Draco typically wore it with a dark blue dress shirt, no tie and the top unbuttoned. His key passed from one generation to the next in the Pradesh family, usually to the child whose powers had the most to do with the heavens since it fostered a stronger bond to with him. But even those without that connection, as long as they were in the direct bloodline could summon him. Zen, as an archangel mage, was the first child born to their family in generations that had any tie to celestial magic so he should be holding Draco's key even now though Arman still held it in trust waiting until Zen settled more after his ordeal before passing it on officially. Unofficially the bond was already there so he felt the soulmate joining and was almost desperate to see who was going to be the one to bare the next generation holder for his key. He had no clue why Loke was watching Zen in the basin but he really could not just walk away.
The dragon constellation continued to approach the basin warily as Loke's grin widened with every step he took nearer. Finally looking down he saw a voluptuous beauty dominating Zen in his large bed. He now understood why Loke was so smug. This woman was giving herself a hell of a ride not the other way around. As a dragon it made his ass twitch watching this. Males were supposed to dominate the females, damn it! He only once let Nurem dominate him and that was so their mating could be completed. It had not happened a single time since.
"Draco, may I introduce you to one and only Lucy Heartfilia, also known as Starbringer, The Celestial Princess, adopted daughter of our Spirit King and my life bound key holder." Draco just stood there for a second taking it all in. He hadn't spent a lot of time out in the common areas in the spirit world in a long time given his status so he wasn't up to date on all the news.
"Fuck!" No wonder the cat looked like he'd gotten into the cream. The Heartfilias were the family line to be tied to now for celestial spirits. Had always been really, but they never accepted generational binds because they refused to potentially subject any celestial spirit into a contract that might get them abused in the future. It had been a huge deal when a human had gotten that unfair horrid law that made them helpless slaves changed to help protect every spirit in the future. He knew that a celestial mage had done it but not which. Knew she had gone so far as to enamor the Spirit King and was now recognized as his daughter and one of them. Once she passed from her mortal life she would join them in the Spirit World as their Princess. He hadn't known that Loke was the spirit that the mage saved though, just that his once best friend felt the benefits of the law change before he died as had a handful of others spirits. He also didn't know that she'd accepted the spirit she saved, fucking Loke, as hers for life in doing so. Being life bound meant there was no actual contract between them. The normal rules didn't apply. They were equals and could refuse their key holder's requests if they chose to. It only lasted for the life of the mage but it was the most freedom any spirit could ever hope for. As good as his situation is, not even he had that. He'd so far been very lucky with his choice in tying himself to his family. Knew from the start that the benefit of growth and the increase of power from a bloodline bond with the Pradesh family significantly outweighed the slight risk of one of them using him as a tool for dark means. They've been a good upstanding family since their start but it only takes one descendant to ruin the whole line for who knows how long. There would always be a risk he'd be forced to do things for his key holder one day that he couldn't stomach. He'd been insanely happy when Zen was born as an archangel mage because that magic would extend his life exponentially meaning they could really grow together for once and he could help keep the boy grounded so he turned out well. Eventually he would die though like all mortal beings and Draco's key would move on. Loke, the lucky son of a bitch, would never again have to worry about falling into the wrong hands. His bond would last through Lucy's transition into a spirit because her essence would be preserved. That tom cat had an eternity with Lucy and real freedom to act on Earthland whenever he wanted.
"Yes that is what she is doing. I taught her well." Loke taunted. He had finally one upped that cold-blooded lizard and was enjoying every second of it.
Draco's lip curled in a sneer but then a wide grin of his own spread. "You forget, little kitten, my key will go to Lucy since she's soul bound to Zen and will be the only celestial mage in the Pradesh line." Oh yes, he most definitely could enjoy pissing off Loke in the following years, possibly centuries. Plus, if he were very lucky he might get Lucy to bind with him too. Then he'd have the freedom to see his mate Nurem down on Earthland all the time. Zen was the brother of Nurem's, and consequently his, son so Lucy could technically be considered his daughter-in-law. They could be on large happy family…It was worth the effort to try and he would have plenty of time to convince Lucy of his plan.
"Shiiiiiiiit!" Loke's head dropped thinking along the same lines. Why could he never win?!
"Big brother?" Virgo placed a gentle had on Loke's shoulder in hopes of getting his attention.
"Is it important Virgo because I'm really not in the mood?" Virgo looked over at Draco with a slight smile. She was seeing one of his stars and was happy that she would now get more time to spend with him but could understand Leo's reservations of their connection now. Still, she did need his opinion.
"Princess has stopped taking her monthly potion since she was only seeing you. Should I prepare one for Princess to take now?" Her furtive glance towards the basin, where her Princess was still having unprotected coitus, then back up to Leo had the lion spirit's eyes widening.
Not having an actual mortal body, his seed could not impregnate Lucy unless she became a spirit herself so she hadn't bothered to take an infertility potion in quite a while. It had been a bit of a fantasy he'd think about on occasion; her being unattached still when she transitioned over into the spirit realm. Them actually being together and her getting swollen with his child. She had a soul mate now so that fantasy died hard but he'd always been a realist. The likelihood of them even being together was always miniscule. Still images of a heavily pregnant Lucy, or Lucy teaching her children magic, of her playing and caring for her young family even if it wasn't his too was still a beautiful dream come true. He loved children and would love being Uncle Loke even more. Seeing the mischievous glint in Virgo's eyes he could tell she would be more than ok with that too.
Loke's eyes locked with Draco's next and they finally found something that they both agreed on for the first time in years. The sooner Lucy started having babies the better. "Not unless Lucy specifically asks you to Virgo." Maybe their friendship could still be healed and their past grievances forgotten through their time with Lucy?
ABS
Arman was excited, giddy even. This was the first time in years all of his children would be home for Christmas and to top it all off his precious little Bixy was bringing home his mate! Arman had only met Erik once shortly after the two finished mating but he was excited to have such a wonderful addition to his family. He'd finally get some time to get to know the young man. Maybe he could convince them to get married over the holiday or hire a surrogate and have a child. He could finally start getting grandbabies!
Everything for the next month was set. He had made sure he and Farron would not get called into the office unless someone was declaring war on Bosco. Even then it would have to be a serious threat not like Caelum or somewhere like that. Kaleb had passed the reigns of his guild to his assistant Thane, whose family live in White Sea, for the week of Christmas. He'd work from Pelerno with reduced hours for the rest of his stay. Farron and Kaleb had gotten into town 2 days ago. Bickslow and Erik had flown in from Crocus late last night and their plans extended well into the New Year. Xally had just finished her residency and was waiting until after the holidays before starting her yearlong world tour. Cristoff, Emzadi and Vander were all here already too and didn't plan on taking any jobs until after New Years. He had their Uncle Tesso sworn to not assign Cris anything do to with the knights until after the holidays. Zen was flying in from Minstrel for his Christmas break from University. He'd said he had a surprise for him but no matter how he tried Arman could get nothing from the boy. Arman's excitement skyrocketed as he saw the luxury cruise liner his son was on dock.
ABS
"You're sure it's ok to surprise your family like this?" Lucy stood on the open deck watching their airship pull into port.
Zen wrapped his arms around Lucy and leaned down to kiss her cheek. "They'll love the surprise. You said most of them know you already because of Bix so there's nothing to worry about."
"I just, I'm not good at this! Arman won't be expecting me. I should have at least told Bickslow that I was coming so Arman knew to expect me. That way he could plan for an extra head."
"With 3 dragon slayers and 6 other people Mr. Elan will hardly blink at having one additional mouth to feed. I'm just glad you were already planning on coming to my Dad's for Christmas because of Bix. Made our immediate plans easy and gives us a month to work out our next steps." As Lucy continued to worry her lower lip Zen turned her around and gently held her face. Using one of his thumbs he freed her abused lip. "It will make Dad's Christmas. You'll see. I promise." His warm purple eyes held her own brown until the tension released from her body.
Lucy would have to trust Zen. If worst came to worst she would hide out with Erik for as long as possible. Erik liked her, he'd bring her food.
With nothing but a quiet, "Hold on," whispered in her ear Zen took them to the sky. He'd already made arrangements with one of the ship's attendants to make sure their luggage got to his father with the message to meet them at home. Let the old man stew over the additional pink duffle bag for a while. It'll make his presenting Lucy that much more fun.
ABS
"Mr. Pradesh?" a young man with light green hair called out getting Arman's attention. He'd been watching the people disembarking for his son so intently that he'd missed the attendant's approach.
"Yes?" he turned and immediately noticed his son's luggage. Pale green eyes narrowed as he looked back up already knowing what was coming. That boy was robbing him of his hallmark moment!
"Mr. Pradesh asked me to inform you that he would meet you at home and requested you bring his bags with you. He'll have your surprise ready by then." The young man shifted nervously. The Pradesh family was well known all over the country and even in some others. He'd originally not wanted to risk upsetting the head of their family by participating in this "surprise" but Zen had said his father would be very happy in the end so he agreed. Well, he agreed after he secured a promise from him that he'd introduce him to his brother Kaleb. The White Sea guild master was more beautiful than most women and he'd had a serious thing for him ever since he'd done the interview for Seer's Word with a full photo spread a couple of years back. He'd risk a lot to meet that man and he was.
Arman looked down at the young man. It really wasn't his fault his son was wily. "Follow me. My car is right over here." Leading the way Arman took a few deep calming breaths after his brief disappointment. His son was still alive and well and home. That was what was important. Watching Zen's bags get loaded in the back he was already planning payback for his ungrateful son if his surprise wasn't satisfactory when he caught a glimpse of a very pink bag he knew did not belong to his son.
"Excuse me," he got the attendant's attention. "That pink duffle doesn't belong to my son."
"No but it belongs to the young lady he was with," the young man said before returning to unloading all the presents for the driver to secure in the trunk.
Arman's eyes went wide. His little angel was bringing home a young lady? Was that his surprise? His eyes narrowed again in suspicion. He could very well imagine Zen buying that bag to pull a prank on him - Bickslow and Vander were seriously bad influences on that front. Arman could imagine Zen waiting for him to get home excitedly searching for the woman that would soon be his newest daughter before crushing his dreams mocking him when it turns out to be nothing. Probably bribed the attendant to set this up too. Well, he was the father here and would not be caught up in this joke, no sir. And so like it or not Arman spent the next half hour on his ride home thinking about whether or not Zen would actually do something so cruel. Vander he wouldn't doubt but Zen? He'd have to wait and just play it cool.
ABS
"All I'm saying is that it's a stupid joke! Now, if there wasn't actually a girl you brought home…That would be hilarious to watch!" Vander chuckled darkly just imaging his father's disappointment.
Zen rolled his eyes. "I'm not getting rid of my soulmate just to make the joke funnier." He was sitting with his brother at the counter in the kitchen watching Lucy charm the moustache right off of Mr. Elan while he taught her how to make chocolate spice cookies, his favorite. She was just so sweet and unassuming at times it was disarming.
"I'm not saying get rid of her. Just hide her from Dad until dinner and then bam! Have her pop out of a cake or something?"
That got the attention of the whole room and the only one who didn't look excited about the idea was Lucy. Even Mr. Elan was eyeing her with calculating eyes. You could practically see him doing the equations in his head on whether he had enough ingredients on hand or enough time to execute such a feat.
"Stop looking at me like that, all of you." Lucy huffed and glared at everyone wanting to put her hands on her hips but was wrist deep in cookie dough so she couldn't without dirtying her blouse. Chocolate fingers really didn't aid her petite self to look fierce either. She was the shortest person here by a long shot at only 5'2. Even sweet unassuming Xally had five inches on her at least!
"Can you make that happen?" Xally out of all people asked Mr. Elan first. She was so kind and soft spoken it honestly took Lucy aback. Her eyes narrowed on the sable haired beauty. Vander and now Xally were on her naughty list this Christmas and would rue the day they ever crossed her. Mr. Elan slowly nodded his head yes.
It would be close and he'd have to keep the cake simple and construct the vessel she would sit in until the surprise but doable.
Erik, catching Lucy's thoughts, nudged Bickslow and gave a subtle shake of his head in warning. Only once had he pushed Lucy too far and he'd never wanted to cross Scary Lucy again. If they made her come out of a cake after hiding all day? He shuttered at her thoughts.
Kaleb also listened in on the various plans of retribution the young blond was cooking up. Until now she'd been just as sweet and innocent as she looked but there was something dark that lived deep in her that he promptly decided he did not want to poke with a proverbial stick.
"She would look really cute with bunny ears too." Dear sweet Xally was just digging herself in deeper.
A flash of a memory of Lucy in six-inch black stilettos, black latex tights, a bright pink strapless sweetheart low back latex leotard, short white collar with a matching pink bow tie and bunny eyes hit Erik and Kaleb hard causing Erik to choke on the cookie he'd been very focused nibbling on to avoid gaining Lucy's attention and Kaleb to snort into his drink with enough force we was wearing part of it. Their eyes both went wide to the lady in question who was now bright red realizing what they just saw. She suffered from mild PTSD concerning that particular costume especially after Ichiya's parfume incident and often found herself reliving one of the many harrowing experiences she'd gone through when dressed as a bunny when the costume was mentioned.
Damn their invasive powers, she swore.
"Was it the black, white, red or pink one?" Bickslow chuckled seeing the looks on their faces. "I think the red is the sexiest but the white one was pretty cute."
"Pink!" "Cosplayer" "Black!" "Super Hot!" "White! White!" "Bunny Girl dance!" Bickslow's babies all chimed in with their votes.
Everyone else froze with their mouths open. Wearing a bunny costume once was explainable but four separate costumes? They were all starting to understand why Bickslow called her Cosplayer.
"It's not what you think!" Lucy tried to defend herself. "In order: accidental spell and friend torture, degrading job forced on me by my team, punishment at the hands of a guild mate and forced into against my will as a disguise with no other option but nudity since she disappeared my regular clothes!"
Her explanation was hardly helping her case but Zen was now very interested to see his little bunny as a little bunny as long as she didn't go all Monty Python bunny, which she was prone to do if she got really angry. He'd only seen it once and thankfully it wasn't directed at him but the unfortunate soul who spilled their coffee on her manuscript... He'd faced hideous lab created nightmares, that would make the most stalwart of knights soil themselves, without flinching. Angry Lucy? Nope, he preferred her cute and cuddly.
"Oh there was also that really risqué kitty costume. Meow!" That was it. Bickslow just didn't know when to shut up. She didn't even know how he'd learned about that one since she'd worn it exclusively at the girl's dormitory. Maybe Evergreen took a picture? Lucy was on him faster than any of them could blink. She had him hog tied in rope no one even knew she had, hanging upside down from the exposed beams on the ceiling with a ball gag in his mouth. She was standing under him with swords that looked like giant haircutting sheers.
Bickslow's eyes glowed briefly as Vander said, "I haven't seen this one before. Hot little number Cosplayer."
"Shit what the hell Bix?" Vander yelled at his brother now fleeing from a very determined and fast as hell woman after she'd made Bix look not unlike a cue ball.
Bickslow's babies were cheering her on as the two chased about the room somehow pulling in everyone else on their way. Teams soon formed and chaos followed. When Arman walked calmly into his living room where all the noise was coming from he bit his tongue trying not to laugh. He was an adult and this should not be funny but as he looked around he couldn't help it. Somehow three of his most evasive children were hanging upside down from his ceiling, tied up and gaged completely bald with bits of what looked like chocolate cookie dough covering them. Bickslow had trained seriously in acrobatics since a very young boy and continued to this day, Vander always dropped into and out of shadows faster than most could move and Xally could turn into mist because of her magic. Now though, they were truly caught and looked absolutely ridiculous. Kaleb, Erik and Zen had feathers and were torturing those three while Emzadi and another blond whose back was to him were forcing Cristoff into what could only be a bunny costume judging by the ears as his son struggled futilely.
All in all he'd come home to worse messes…but not much funnier.
Chuckling quietly he was just glad Farron hadn't left the office yet. Who knows what sort of mischief he would have added to this scene.
"Was this my surprise that you had to ditch me at the airport to setup?" He kept his voice flat but couldn't quiet hide the humor in his expression. Everyone froze hearing his voice and those who were capable turned and looked at him sheepishly like the children they all still were apparently judging by their actions. All in their 20's and acting like they were 5 still.
Lucy had been trying to fix the fluffy tail on Cristoff's butt while Emi held him down as best she could but he was struggling hard trying to make eye contact so he could put her to sleep when the oh so familiar voice of Arman Pradesh cut across the screams and laughter with ease. This was the moment, and not a proud one for the celestial mage, that she'd been dreading as she turned around. Her eyes met his pale green for a second before she found herself wrapped up in a hug spinning in a circle. All her nerves disappeared in an instant and he had her giggling in no time at all.
"I'm so glad you made it my dear! You should have called so I have a room setup for you. I take it my children's new looks are your handiwork?" Lucy just blushed nodding her head bashfully. "I'm sure they deserved it. Now come with me and I'll get you settled in a room while the rest of my children free their siblings so they can all get this room cleaned up." He said that last part to his children giving them each the Dad look that meant business arm around Lucy's shoulders as he started leading her out of the room.
"Oh I have a room already," Lucy added shyly trying to make eye contact with Zen so he could help her out and explain things.
"Oh good! Then join me for some hot chocolate. Mr. Elan makes the best hot chocolate you'll ever have." Arman just continued. He wasn't stupid. By this time he'd associated Lucy's presence with the pink (her favorite color) bag that came in with Zen's luggage. Somehow, someway, Zen must had found his soulmate while in Minstrel and brought him home the best Christmas gift ever. A new daughter. He'd just let the couple sweat until they came out and told him. Hah! He would definitely have the last laugh!
ABS
Arman looked around his dinner table. It was Christmas and Mr. Elan had really out done himself with the beautiful meal that was laid out. The last week had been the most amazing he'd had in a long time full with laugher and smiles. Lucy had returned his children's hair back to normal, after taking lots of photos first. There were some playful fights but children would always be children. Thank you my dear Ganier for blessing me with such a wonderful family.
"Lucy you really should try the mulled wine," Emzadi said passing Lucy a small crystal cut glass over the table only for Cristoff to put his hand over the top when she went to take a sip.
She was sitting between Zen and Cristoff so she was already feeling like a little girl. Him refusing to let her drink a glass of the holiday drink like that just added to that feeling and she didn't like it at all. Glaring up at him she addressed the situation calmly and quietly so as not to disturb anyone else.
"I am an adult Cris. One small glass is not going to get me drunk."
Cris leaned down and whispered something softly in her ear but with two intrigued sound mages, a mind bender, a soul reader, and 2 dragon slayers all wanting to listen in he might as well have just spoken normally. Bix and Xally were the only ones at the table who hadn't heard but they would soon.
Lucy's face went pale and Zen fell out of his chair. Arman stood at the head of the table glass raised huge grin spread across his face.
"To my favorite children Zen and Lucy for the best Christmas gift ever. Making me a grandpa!"
In the Spirit World Loke and Draco gave each other a high-five at such quick results of a well laid plan. Pun intended.
ABS
"That is the story of how Zen, just Zen, met Lucy, just Lucy, and how I became an uncle," Loke said rubbing his nose against the infant's in his arms. All of Lucy's spirits were gathered in the special place the Spirit King had formed in the Celestial Realm just for Lucy, Zen and their baby. It was a pocket in space that matched Earthland's time flow so the small mortal family could often visit with their spirit family without serious time loss and was setup especially so the Spirit King could see his grandchild. Virgo, Loke or Draco used it to baby sit the child when Zen and Lucy needed a break or a job when Arman was away for work. Ganier Layla was the spitting image of Lucy and all the spirits had wanted to see her, some for the first time, so they gathered together.
"Big brother, the story was supposed to be about the Princess's soulmate not you," Virgo said taking the now sleeping little girl from Loke to tuck her into her crib.
"And it was," Loke defended. The entire beginning was dedicated to Zen so he didn't know why Virgo was complaining. He just thought to make the story a little more interesting.
"And did you really need to describe their physical relations so explicitly?" Virgo continued, switching on the magic mobile that cycled through all the constellations to a tinkling lullaby.
"That was merely to show the depth and instant connection of their bond," Draco defended. He'd help telling the story in parts, that part included.
Virgo rolled her eyes before placing a gentle kiss on the 3 month old.
"Merry Christmas little star."
End of Story...or is it? I may write a 3rd part if there is enough interest.
