Well, there's GraLu moments in here x3

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I don't own Fairy Tail or any of its characters.

~Remedy~

Chapter 9

"If our love is a tragedy, why are you my remedy?"

Lucy and her team entered the giant doors of the Fullbuster Palace, also known as Mercurius. The giant, intricate doors creaked open to show a bustling hall filled with hunters and maids. It was packed and the maids and butlers hurriedly walked and set up accommodations and some hunters were being carried to the clinic on stretchers.

"What the hell?" Natsu said, voicing all of their thoughts.

"What's going on?" Lucy asked.

"Welcome back," a bandaged Levy jogged up to them. She stopped in front of them. "You guys are the last team to arrive."

"Really?" Erza arched an eyebrow.

"Yeah, my team just arrived before you guys," Levy explained. "I bet you're wondering why there are a lot of hunters here."

Gray's eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me they were attacked." Levy gave a grave nod.

"What guilds?" Natsu asked.

"Lamia Scale, Mermaid Heel, Quatro Cerberus, and Blue Pegasus," Levy counted on her fingers.

"So many..." Lucy looked around one more time. Many were in crucial condition and were being carried out to the clinic as quickly as possible. "When did they arrive?"

"When all of us were on our missions," Levy replied with a sad frown. "There were many that didn't make it and there are still many that are being treated. Wendy, Chelia, and Porlyusica are doing their best."

Erza nodded. "I'm guessing the accommodations are going to change with many more people staying."

"That's right," Ultear said, walking up to them. "Many are being cramped into rooms and there may be more hunter guilds coming. You guys should freshen up and head to the clinic to clean your wounds again."

"That's a good idea," Natsu said, stretching his tight muscles. "A bath would be great."

"I have to report the mission to Queen Ur first," Erza stated. "Where is she?"

"She's in her study as always," Ultear replied.

"Thank you," Erza bowed her head and stalked off.

"Well, honestly," Ultear began, "the clinic is so full right now, so I'll send in some extra nurses to each of your rooms to treat you. How does that sound?"

"Sounds fine to me," Natsu said.

Lucy gave another content sigh as she soaked in the hot bath. Her breathing lightened to save her cracked rib anymore trouble. She winced as she sneezed, foamy bubbles erupting into the air.

"Ow, ow, ow," Lucy whined, grabbing her side. She then settled into the bath with rhythmic breathing and closed her eyes.

The first image that appeared in her mind was Midnight.

Lucy clenched her jaw. That despicable man kissed her without her consent. She had to remind herself to get used to it because that's how her life was going to be if she was going to be with him. To think she'd find a reason to live. Lucy laughed dryly and sighed, playing with a long strand of her golden hair.

She thought her friends were enough. They should've been, but...they're not. What was she missing?

Lucy snapped her head to the door when she heard someone rapping on it.

"Yes?" she asked, confused. Who was in her room?

"Miss Lucy, I'm a nurse that Princess Ultear called up to take care of your wounds," a light feminine voice said.

"Oh alright. I'll be out in a few!" Lucy lifted herself up, water dripping down her curvaceous body. She grabbed a towel and quickly dried herself and dressed into pajamas since it was so late. It consisted of a light blue tank top with white shorts. She quickly dried her hair and brushed it. Lucy pondered whether she should keep it down or braid it.

Lucy tapped her foot in thought. She'd braid it. Her hair was long enough that it could be a drag. It reached her mid-back. Should she cut it? Nah, she liked the length even though it pestered her when she had it down on some occassions.

Lucy's fingers nimbly did her hair in a side braid and she thoroughly brushed her teeth since she wasn't hungry.

She opened the door of the bathroom to see a nurse with jet black hair in a bun and crystal blue eyes sitting patiently with medical equipment on a table with a chair by it. She looked slightly familiar in a way. This is the first time Lucy had ever seen her, but the features looked the same as...

"Do you happen to be related to Damian?" Lucy asked, curious. The nurse blinked, taken aback by the question.

"Yes," she nodded. "I'm his younger sister, Ravena."

"Oh really? That's nice," Lucy commented, sitting on the chair that Ravena pulled out for her.

"Is it alright if I start with the small cuts? Those won't take long," the black-haired beauty said.

"Sure," Lucy nodded.

Ravena dabbed disinfectant on her scraped and cut skin causing a stinging sensation. Even though Erza cleaned it earlier the cuts were still fresh. Lucy hissed when Ravena got a certain deep cut.

"Sorry," she mumbled, continuing her work without a second thought. She then starting wrapping them after she applied some ointment. "This ointment Miss Porlyusica made is very efficient. It heals the cuts within a few hours like it has never been there. She is quite a remarkable old woman."

"Yeah, I know," Lucy said absently. She stared as Ravena's hands as she skillfully bandaged her up. Lucy's left leg, left wrist, and right forearm were then covered in bandages.

"Now, I heard from Prince Gray that your rib cracked," Ravena informed. "So I told Porlyusica and she made this." She grabbed a glass that smelled like herbal tea. "It's a special drink that will help heal your bones back to normal. Drink it." Lucy cradled the cup in her hands when Ravena handed it over to her.

"Thank you," Lucy said earnestly. Ravena smiled, delighted to see that she helped.

"It's my job. Anything else?"

"Well... Oh! Yes, actually. Um...I just wanted to know that since there are a lot more hunters here, do I have to move somewhere else or am I rooming with someone?

"I'm sorry," Ravena apologized, bowing. "I know nothing of that. Lynn does though. If there are any different arrangements she would inform you."

"Okay, thank you again," Lucy waved as Ravena left the room with her medical supplies and dirty clothes. She sighed as the door closed and she slumped back into the chair. Lucy stared at the swirling contents that were in her mug. It was warm. She could feel it through her palms. She took an experimental sip and almost gagged. It smelled great, but tasted horrible. Well, that's herbal medicine for you.

She glared at the mug and took a deep breath. She lifted the mug to her lips and gulped it all down and slammed it on the table, almost breaking it in half. Lucy's face scrunched up in disgust. She immediately went to the bathroom and scrubbed her mouth again.

Another knock at her door made her come running to her bedroom.

"Who is it?" Lucy asked.

"It's me, Gray."

Lucy froze mid-step, her heart skipping a beat. Why was she nervous all of a sudden?

"Come in," she said. She grabbed her rib in pain as it mended together rapidly. "Good Lord," she hissed. Her rib felt like it was being forced together. She gasped as the pain spread to her shoulder blade.

"What happened?" Gray asked, opening the double doors. He wore black pants and shoes, a white short sleeved button up shirt, and of course...his necklace. Still attractive as ever.

"Damn medicine." Lucy blanched, suddenly on the ground lying on her stomach. She then curled herself in a ball and screwed her eyes shut.

Gray sweat-dropped and hoisted her up in a chair. His eyes softened seeing her fragile form. His eyes drifted from her face to her hair. He stared at it for a while, memorizing her in a braid. He involuntarily tugged it, drawing her attention.

"What?" She glared at him weakly.

"Take it out." She raised her eyebrows in bewilderment.

"What?"

"Your braid. Take it out." His voice was firm and almost demanding in a way.

Lucy was about to ask why, but with the set look he had in his eyes, he would do it himself if she wouldn't comply. She hesitantly slid her rubber band off and shook her head a little, undoing her braid. Her hair cascaded down in beautiful waves and fell over her shoulders. She winced as she ran her hand through her hair.

"You alright?" Gray asked. He was...amazed to say the least. Her flowing hair, accentuated her soft features and made her look innocent.

"Yeah," she croaked, causing him to arch a brow. "Hold on a sec." She slowly breathed in and out, her chest heaving up in down. A few seconds later, she sighed in relief as she felt the sharp pain retrieve altogether.

Gray watched her with concerned eyes and asked, "Feeling any better now?"

"A whole lot," Lucy replied. She got up and stretched her limbs, making sure her rib healed, which it did. "What about your forehead?"

Gray scowled, unconsciously rubbing it."It's healed. It just left a scar."

"What?!" Lucy spun around in astonishment. Usually when vampires gained cuts and scratches, they healed instantly. "Why?!"

"Usually it heals, but sometimes when it's deep enough it leaves a scar," Gray explained, wondering why she cared. "Immortals give each other wounds and it can either be fatal or minor. It was just bad luck really."

"Was it the alpha male?" Lucy asked. Gray nodded, confirming her guess. "Can I see?"

"Yeah, sure. Go ahead," he said nonchalantly, sitting on her bed. Lucy walked over and bent down to his eye level examining his scar under his bangs.

Gray froze when he felt one of her warm hands cup his right cheek, tilting it at an angle. As soon as it was there it was gone, already traveling to his scar. Her left hand lifted his raven locks that were concealing his scar and her right hand touched it, her fingers delicately tracing it.

Her scent filled Gray's nose and her touch sent shivers down his spine. He closed his eyes, enjoying this moment as long as it would last.

"I'm sorry," Lucy apologized softly. It was her fault that he had that scar. She sighed, upset with herself for not being able to do anything.

Her hand fell from his scar to cup his cheek and make him look at her. Gray looked at her eyes with his own surprised ones. Hers were gentle but upset at the same time.

"For what?"

"I could've-"

"Lucy, it's fine." He cut her off easily with his deep voice.

"It's on your face, you know," Lucy informed with a weak smile.

"That's no big deal to me. I don't care where I get scars. Well...the kind you can see anyway."

"Well put." She smiled and let go of his cheek. Gray almost groaned as her warmth left him. His gaze darkened as he watched her walk away. He couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed her wrist and roughly pulled her to him and pushed her down on the bed. Her loose hair sprawled across the bed around her, giving her a golden halo.

Lucy gasped as she was suddenly under Gray. She blinked, not fully understanding what was going on. She felt her cheeks burn as his eyes bore into hers. She couldn't decipher what emotions they held and she couldn't even describe what she was feeling right now.

"Gray," she breathed. Her heart beat started escalating and she felt like her chest was about to explode. She tried getting up only to be forcefully pushed back down again with both her wrists pinned by her head. She squirmed underneath him, trying desperately to escape his hold.

He didn't know what was wrong with him, but Lucy's scent was driving him mad. It was calling to him. Even though they just recently met, he was already extremely attached to her. His question was finally answered at his sudden epiphany.

Everything about her, her scent, her smile, her lips... It explained why he cared about her so much. He couldn't draw himself away from her.

He was infatuated with her.

She was his mate.

Lucy stiffened as he buried his head in the crook of her neck, sighing contently. His nose tickled her throat as he skimmed it down to her shoulder. He repeated this action and suddenly stopped. She felt his grip tighten on her wrists.

"G-Gray? What's wrong?" His whole body was tense. He lifted his head, his eyes filled with unbelievable rage.

"Lucy," he growled. "Did he touch you? Did he...kiss you?"

"H-He?" she stuttered. What was with Gray? He was acting all possessive.

"I can smell that bastard on you."

"M-Midnight?" Gray only stared at her. She looked away suddenly feeling ashamed. Gray released one of her wrists and grabbed her chin and turned her head, so he could see her face.

"He did, didn't he?"

Lucy's lips quivered, but she remained silent. Gray let go of her chin and his hand trailed down her waist then back up again. His fingers brushed against her neck making Lucy blush even more. His cold touch sent jolts of electricity through her body. She wasn't supposed to feel like this. They weren't supposed to be crossing into this territory.

"I can smell him here," Gray said huskily, trailing his fingers up and down her neck, "and here." He grabbed her chin again and stroked her bottom lip.

"I-I don-" Lucy stopped. What was she going to say? Did he think she let Midnight do that to her because she liked it and was actually against her own family? His eyes didn't show any sign of betrayal or hurt or anything. He knew she didn't. She didn't understand how she came up with that thought, but it was like he could see right through her. His smoldering eyes were now locked on her lips.

Before she knew it, their lips were centimeters away, almost touching. Her lips tingled when he felt his lips brush against hers experimentally. She felt his free arm snake around her waist, bringing her closer to him.

No! She couldn't get distracted. She couldn't allow him to- Her defiant thoughts stopped when the barely existing gap between them closed. Gray's other arm let go of her other wrist and pressed against the middle of her back to deepen the kiss. Lucy shut her eyes, surrendering herself into pure bliss. She wrapped her arms around Gray's neck to bring him closer. The kiss was gentle at first, but then Lucy's forgot all about her troubles, all about her pain, and poured her hidden feelings into the kiss.

The kiss became more intense with unyielding passion. Their tongues clashed, battling for dominance.

Gray reluctantly pulled back, so Lucy could catch her breath. Lucy panted and her eyes were half-lidded and her face was still red.

Lucy looked at Gray through her half-lidded eyes. Why? Why did her heart skip a beat? Why was she feeling so light and warm being with him? Lucy never felt so safe in such a long time. And the only reason she felt like that was because she was in his embrace. She had such mixed emotions, she didn't know what to feel.

Suddenly, a knocking sound snapped their heads in the direction of the door. In an instant, Gray was already off her and sitting in the chair. Lucy quickly laid herself on the bed and faced away from the door, her face still hot.

"Come in," Lucy said. The doors opened and Lynn walked in. Gray then stood up with his hands shoved in his pockets.

"I'll take my leave then," he said as if they were having a conversation before Lynn happened to interrupt them. "Take care of yourself." Gray walked past Lynn and disappeared into the long hallway behind her.

Gray's bangs shadowed his eyes as he walked. He gritted his teeth. Damn Lynn and her bad timing.

He licked his lips, tasting Lucy's fruity lip gloss. His revelation of his attraction to Lucy made everything much harder. No, not revelation. Acknowledgement. Her scent attracted them when they first met, but it was because she was human that he ignored it. There was that saying, "Ignorance is a bliss," but Gray was happy to know that Lucy was his mate. He wasn't going let her slip through his fingers.

"Midnight," Gray silently growled. He had a feeling that the rogue leader was scheming something. And he didn't like it one bit that he touched and kissed her so intimately when they were taking down Eisenwald.

Gray's eyes narrowed as he recalled what Midnight said when they encountered each other.

"I just wanted to remind her of a small bargain."

So they made a deal? Of what exactly? Lucy was hurting deep inside. He felt it, her emotions in that kiss. Her longing for someone. Gray decided he'd ask her about it later.

"Gray," Lyon called as the said boy was about to open the door to his room.

Gray stopped. "What do you want?"

"We need to talk."

"Yes Lynn," Lucy said, eyeing the pretty maid with a questioning stare.

She bowed. "I'm sorry to bother you, but we're going to have to move you to another room. There's an overload of hunters and survivors from destroyed villages are also showing up."

Lucy shook her head with a small smile. "That's all right. I understand. So where am I going to be moved to?"

"Well," Lynn pursed her lips, "there's a possibility that you could bunk with your friends. But your friend Miss Juvia is having the same problem and she just asked Miss Erza and some others and there's no room already. So it's either Prince Gray's or Prince Lyon's."

"Can't those two sleep in the same room, so Juvia and I can have a room?" Lucy asked.

"No, you see..."

Gray's eyebrow twitched as Lyon finished explaining about the accommodations. He glanced at the nervous blue-haired girl beside Lyon. She played with a strand of her hair to keep herself occupied.

"Let me get this straight..." Gray said. "Ultear's sharing her room with Meredy. Lucy and Juvia have to be moved somewhere else and there friends have no more space in their rooms."

Lyon nodded. "That's right."

"So Juvia wants us to room together, so she can room with Lucy?"

Lyon nodded again.

"Lyon, I can't stand being in the same room as you," Gray said. "You already know this."

"The feeling's mutual," Lyon replied bitterly. "We'd be at each other's throats in the first five minutes."

The two Princes looked at Juvia, who held a hopeful look on her face.

"No," they answered simultaneously, glaring at one another. Juvia deadpanned.

Gray opened the door to his room and slammed the door shut with a bang.

"So Juvia has to room with Prince Lyon and Lucy with Prince Gray?" Juvia asked with an arched brow.

"Pretty much," Lyon sighed, walking away to his room with Juvia in tow. When Juvia really thought about it, she didn't really mind.

"You can't be serious?!" Lucy exclaimed, her eyes wide. "Are they really that bad?!"

Lynn grimly nodded. "Yes, but," she paused, staring off into space. "Not as bad as when Prince Gray met Natsu..." She shivered and grabbed her head to steady herself. Lucy looked at her with sympathy. She knew how Natsu could be, but Gray? If you put the two together it seemed like the world was ending... They always insulted each other, but to Lucy it seemed like denial in their friendship or just plain rivalry.

"Anyway," Lynn chirped, latching onto Lucy's arm, "I'll take you to Prince Gray's quarters and I'll bring your things over."

"Wait a second!" Lucy protested while being easily dragged to where she didn't want to be at the moment. It would just be incredibly awkward if she faced Gray again. "I didn't agree to any of this! I can't sleep in the same room as Gray!" Lucy harshly whispered. Lynn just smiled and continued dragging the resistant blonde.

"And why not?" Lynn asked.

"B-Because!"

"Because what?"

Lucy's face reddened. She wasn't going to say anything about what just happened. "Just because!"

Lynn rolled her eyes and happily knocked on giant double doors. Shuffling was heard behind it and then it clicked open showing a pissed off Gray.

"What do you-" He paused, seeing a cheerful Lynn and a scowling Lucy. He blinked before raising an eyebrow. "Is this about the sleeping arrangements?" Gray asked, recalling his conversation with Lyon not too long ago.

"Yes," Lynn affirmed with a nod. She pushed Lucy in the room and disappeared, bringing back all the blonde's things and hurriedly placing them in Gray's room without further ado. The door then slammed shut, leaving the two alone.

Gray stared at her, waiting for some reaction - good or bad. Lucy only gulped as the silence that enveloped the air became tense. They remained unmoving, patiently waiting for the other to be the first to talk or do anything.

Lucy avoided his intense gaze and darted her eyes around the room. Big room, way bigger than the one she was recently in, more furniture, including a couch, writing desk, coffee table... Her eyes went back to the comfy looking couch.

"I'll sleep on the couch," Lucy blurted, stiffly walking toward her destination.

"You could just take the bed, you know," Gray responded. Seeing her evasive attitude, he wasn't going to ask her to just sleep with him in the same bed.

"No," Lucy dismissed. "I'll take the couch." Gray watched as she stole a pillow from his bed and conveniently found extra blankets on the coffee table. He sighed irately at her stubbornness, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Whatever you say," he said, stripping of his shirt. Lucy abruptly turned away and set up her sleeping area, muttering curses under her breath.

It was going to be a long night. She just knew it.

Lucy laid there for what seemed like hours staring at the ceiling with a blank expression. She tried sleeping, but she just couldn't. It wasn't because of Gray. It was because every time she closed her eyes to sleep for a few minutes her nightmare would immediately start. Midnight was torturing her. He was waiting for her to break.

Her constant nightmare was more vivid this time. Seeing Midnight again happened to freshen it and even if she blinked she could see him coated in blood.

She was immensely tired. Her eyes felt like they would close any second, but she just couldn't. Lucy was aware that she eventually would fall asleep, but then she would wake up in a few hours. The scariest part about this particular night was that she was so tired that she would fall asleep and never wake up. She'd be in a never ending nightmare. And her life already was.

Well, it would become like that in a few weeks.

Lucy lifted herself up slowly. The fatigue washed over her like a disease. Lucy decided she might as well do something if she wanted to stay awake.

She groggily got to her feet and trudged to Gray's writing desk. She stopped in front of his bookcase filled with various books and plucked a random one off the shelf. Lucy slumped in the wooden seat and opened the book carelessly. She flicked a lamp on, her eyes squinting at the sudden brightness. Lucy read the small, black printed words, losing herself easily.

She didn't know how much time passed by, but when she flipped another page she noticed that she was already a third way through reading it.

"Lucy, what are you doing?"

The blonde squeaked and fell off the chair sideways. She hit the floor with a thud and glared at her 'disturbance'.

"Don't do that!" Lucy hissed at Gray. "I was reading, gee."

"Reading?" Gray asked, incredulous. "At this hour?"

"Yes, now leave me alone." She stood up cradling her right arm. "I happen to find history very interesting, mind you."

"Do you always do this?"

Lucy blinked rapidly and asked, unsure, "Read?"

"Stay up."

"Yeah, I'm somewhat of an insomniac." Lucy wasn't sure being disturbed by nightmares really would be called that. But they did cause insomnia anyway.

"You should sleep," Gray said.

"Don't tell me what to do! Besides, you're up too!" Lucy protested, pointing an accusing finger.

A vein on Gray's forehead throbbed. "That's because I don't need it like you do."

"No." The word came out of Lucy's mouth calm yet firm.

Gray frowned at her. Was she testing his patience? "Stop being difficult."

"I said no."

"Why?" The question slapped Lucy across the face. Should she tell him everything?

"Because."

"Because what?"

"Why do you care?" Lucy whispered, her bangs shadowing her eyes.

"Because you're my mate," Gray whispered back, his voice gentle.

Lucy's eyes widened. She gripped her arm as swirling emotions built up inside her. How was she supposed to respond to that? His eyes were soft, withholding nothing. She stared into them, losing herself like she usually did. His navy blue orbs suddenly became sharp and snapped to her...arm?

"You're bleeding," he stated. Lucy glanced down at the arm she was cradling. Her breath stopped at the sight of her bandaged forearm. The pure white bandage was now stained with blood.

"Wh-what?!" Her wound must've reopened when she fell on it. But the ointment Porlyusica made was supposed to heal it completely by now. Before Lucy could further investigate her wound, she was pulled into toward the lamp she flicked on. Her bloody bandages already littered the floor and she clenched her jaw as her wound was exposed to the air. Gray keenly inspected it and grunted, obviously displeased.

Lucy glanced at it and her eyebrows lifted. Her cut was seeping blood and it was outlined with an angry red. She was confused as to why it didn't heal.

"Who gave you this?" Gray asked.

"But it's-"

"Lucy, who or what gave you this?" he demanded, cutting her off. His eyes bored into her with such intensity that she couldn't even feel her cut.

"Uh...um...ah...a werewolf," Lucy stumbled with her words. Her breathing became slightly rapid, appalled by the amount of blood.

"Just as I thought," Gray said with dismay. "This is going to hurt."

"What is? Hey!" Lucy's face flushed, feeling Gray's breath on her skin before his tongue slithered over her wound. It was cold at first, but then it started burning. It was searing hot. The heat spread from her wound to her stomach.

"Ah...stop...it-it hurts," she gasped at the sensation. Her arm was hurting like hell, but the warmth in her stomach was a queasy, pleasurable feeling that she didn't quite understand.

"I know," Gray murmured. He gave one final lick, relishing the taste of her blood. She did taste as good as she smelled. Her blood was so sweet and unbearably delicious that he almost lost himself.

Gray withdrew immediately and dropped Lucy's arm. He turned away, his hair shadowing his face and slightly panting. It was difficult enough to be around her, but this was just overloading his senses. He couldn't think straight.

"It gone," Lucy said in amazement. Her skin where the wound should've still been was unblemished. It was like she never got it in the first place.

"Be more careful," Gray said.

"I'll try."

There was a brief pause before Gray asked, "How do you know Midnight?"

Lucy froze, her mind freaking out asking the same thing over again. Should I tell him? Should I say anything?

"He...he killed my parents," Lucy whispered. She glowered at the her hand. That's all she was going to say. Nothing else.

"There's more to it," Gray stated more than questioned. He could sense it. She was hiding something. He knew it ever since he met her.

Another silence crept in the air.

"How do you know him?" Lucy asked, throwing the question back at him. Now it was his turn to be tense. To her surprise, he wasn't. Gray was just deathly calm. Maybe she shouldn't have asked... She inwardly chided herself for feeling guilty.

"Did it have anything to do with Grimoire Heart?" she pressed on.

"Yes, he was a part of it," Gray said, acid dripping from his voice. Lucy could tell that Gray despised Midnight with every fiber of his being. "He influenced my sister. Ultear was part of the Seven Kin of Purgatory. She was the strongest. I honestly don't know how we convinced her to come back," he trailed off, remembering all the events that happened years ago.

Lucy was shocked to say the least. Not only at the piece of information but with Gray actually telling her some of his past.

"What...what happened to her powers?" Lucy asked. She couldn't help it. Ultear would have been a great help at Eisenwald.

"They were sealed off by my mother. It's fading though."

"So she'll regain all of it soon then?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure whether she's with us or against us."

Silence once again filled the room. Lucy could even hear herself breathing.

"You should sleep," Gray suggested again, turning around to face her.

"This again?" Lucy exclaimed. Gray glared at her. She sweat-dropped. He wasn't going to let it go. Plus, he didn't seem to be in a very good mood. So she might as well please him.

"Fine," she groaned submissively. But how could she? "Uh Gray," Lucy began. She played with the hem of her shirt, embarrassed.

"What?"

"Nightmares. It's nightmares," Lucy confessed. She was happy that she at least told someone. But what would his reaction be?

"What does-" Gray stopped, realization dawning on his face. "That's why you can't sleep?"

Lucy nodded, swallowing thickly. "I-I..." She sighed with exasperation. "I have them...all the time."

Gray's eyes widened. She was suffering from nightmares? He took notice of the bags under her eyes and recalled how she usually appeared tired.

"Dream anxiety disorder?" he asked. If that was the case, she had frequent nightmares where her safety or life is on the line. From what?

"You could call it that," Lucy shrugged. "But I just can't sleep." Gray frowned. It's not that she couldn't, she was too scared to... Maybe she was asking if...

"I was wondering if I could...sleep with you," Lucy finished. "It would help me feel better to know that someone's there."

"Yeah, that's fine," Gray said. Lucy flopped down in the middle off the bed, closing her eyes. "I didn't say take the whole bed," he chuckled. She rolled over beneath the covers and sighed tiredly as her head hit the pillow.

Lucy felt the bed shift as Gray slid right beside her. She twisted and turned, trying to find a perfect position. She heard Gray sigh and suddenly her face was pressed against his chest.

"What are you-" Lucy started. She could hear her heartbeat thumping in her ears.

"So you can stop moving," Gray replied.

Lucy remained tense for several minutes before relaxing into his arms. There was nothing to worry about. She was safe. She let her eyes close and for the first time in years she finally had a dreamless sleep.

Gray studied her peaceful face. His fingers gently stroked her cheek.

Soon enough she'd be his wholly and completely.

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