I'm in Cali for two weeks, so I haven't been really thinking about this story, but I tried my best(:
Excuse the grammatical and spelling errors.
Please enjoy!
Rated M... Actually I don't know if you'd consider this part rated M, i'll just change my story to rated M... :D Blood
Chapter 5: Insane
"Is he going to be okay?"
Lucy stepped off of Gajeel's body, who was now sprawled flat onto the ground. Tuning out the applause and roaring from the crowd she glanced over her shoulder. The concerned voice made Lucy suppress the widening of her eyes from the familiarity, Levy. Joy erupting from her body, making her tap a finger wildly on her thigh, she turned and managed to restrain the shiver of delight that derived from the surprise and eyed the bluenette. The voice rattled in her head, for one year she'd heard it, but never once was it directed to her.
Levy clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. Her eyes never met the blonde but only stayed on Gajeel who was almost lifeless. The glowering gesture she had on nearly made Lucy jump. Though she couldn't tell if it was from the sudden approach of her former best friend or the rare facial expression.
Lucy gulped audibly, keep your cool, she's worried about Gajeel, not you. "Yea." An emotionless response that didn't break her facade.
Warm rain started to pour, that warmth gave way to her goosebumps and a slight chill that crawled down her spine. She titled her head up ignoring the bluenette for a second and opened her mouth, watching as the skies gave in to a storm, Rain kissed her face and drenched her to the bone, droplets tickled her tongue and she felt her skin tightening from the warmth.
A small yet loud groan interrupted her childish antic. Lucy flinched and turned around back to Gajeel. The audience had crowded around his body, un-tuning out the specific voices, she hesitated to even return to him. Most of those voices saying, "Damn… Is he okay…?" or "Is he even alive?"
Lightning struck nearby followed seconds later by a loud boom. Lucy cocked her head from the sound and turned back to Levy who's fists were practically red from clenching them. "No worries, he'll be okay!" The words of promise still didn't move her or avert her eyes to Lucy. "I'll take care of him! I promise!" There, she looked. Levy's gaze made her step back an inch, her emotionless mask slipped to the restrained smile that now covered her face. It made the bluenette jump back, Jet now behind her with a look of distress and maybe jealousy.
Lucy wanted to 'tsk' at this, instead she titled her head at what she thought was cute then sprinted through the crowd.
Gajeel was still laying down, obviously. His hands and legs spread out awkwardly. "Excuse me while I-" Lucy bent over and grabbed one of the Dragon Slayer's arm, then grunted at the dead weight against her. "-do this. Holy shit!" The body was heavier than it was before as it rested onto her, she toppled and tripped trying to gain back her balance. "Okay…." The eyes of Fairy Tail now looking at her, rain still pattering and slamming against the dir. She nervously hugged Gajeel's waist with a free hand for support. "…here I go."
The members only cleared a path for her, which she stumbled through. She gritted her teeth. The rain made his arm slip off from around her shoulder. Shifting with a jerk, she brought his hand back and gripped harder, making a groan or two slip from Gajeel's mouth. Rude, no one even offered a hand. "So… heavy…"
Familiar blue eyes clashed against hers, as she stood at the end of the path with his arms crossed. His face was thinly masked relief and equal parts irritation. Lucy growled at him, hoping the sound would somehow suppress the anger she knew he was feeling.
Snorting, he looked to the side. "I'll talk to you later. Better take care of him. Laxus chuckled, running his fingers into his now wet blonde spikes.
"Can you at least help me?"
"No." Laxus turned around, waving his hand to the side, and with that small gesture he was gone.
Lucy sighed heavily, muttering under her breath while she adjusted Gajeel. "Jerk."
Continuing towards the guild, the mud underneath her boots started to become more slippery at every step of heaving. "Why are you SO HEAVY!?" Lightning struck again accompanied shortly by a boom, Lucy jerked her whole body from the sound.
"Stop it…" Gajeel gave a familiar raspy tone, making her shudder. Boom! Stop it… The sounds echoed in her head, she halted cold at her feet, the rain still slapping her skin. She dropped Gajeel onto the floor, making him yelp.
"Dear Mavis, strike me now-" Lucy left the "dying" Dragon Slayer and followed through with the kick of her foot onto the guild doors. "Was it suppose to open this way… or… Ugh, doesn't matter." Turning around she bent over, grappling onto both of Gajeel's armpits she pulled the heavy body into the guild room, "-i'm so stupid."
The storm continued its feisty rant of lightning and thunder. It made the guild hall seem scary when it was empty. White flashing light, casting shadows form chairs and tables, followed by booming roars of an unhappy beast. The light hanging low from the ceiling swung slowly as the sound of thunder vibrated throughout the building. A buzzing sound accompanied with Lucy dragging Gajeel through the hall and the pitter patter of hard rain on the roof. The squeaking of her boots made all of it worse, and goosebumps prickled her arms.
She gritted her teeth, digging into the Dragon Slayer's armpits. He cursed at her and interrupted himself by groaning in pain.
"Shut up, will you! We're almost-" The back of her feet tripped over a stair, making her sit down on a step, surprised, she squeaked, causing Gajeel to thud back from slight leverage Lucy gave him. "Whoops, sorry! But dammit, why is the infirmary upstairs?"
Gajeel groaned lowly in pain, right, he's hurting, "I know, I know! I'm going, I'm going."
"Just my luck," Lucy grunted as she tried to pick Gajeel up again. Great, I have to stay in from the party and heal Gajeel. "Maybe this isn't so bad, right, Gajeel?" Lucy patted Gajeel's hard stomach. She cringed at the warmth of blood on her hand and looked down at the Dragon Slayer who groaned. "Sorry…"
Reaching the top, she half dragged half carried him over to the door to her right. Then balancing him as best as she could, she opened the door and dragged him in.
"Ah, Lucy!" She turned around at the sound, a heat warming her cheeks as she accidentally dropped Gajeel. "Glad to see you made it, you did really-"
"Master. Please don't tell me that you were following me the whole time?" Clenching her fists, she glared at the short, old man.
"W-What! Never!" He gave a toothy, sheepish grin. "Good spar, my child. Now take care of your mess."
His hand slapped her ass lightly and Master waggled an eyebrow up and down, merriment glinting in his blue eyes. Then he turned without another word, leaving Lucy alone with Gajeel. Rolling her eyes as the door closed, she couldn't but help the smile that twitched her lips. Lucy's world may be anything but peachy, but at least she could always count on Master Makarov never chaining. With the shake of her head, she dropped her chin, dipping it down to the ground, the events of that day replaying in her mind. The smile slipped. Maybe it hadn't been her greatest impulse to challenged Gajeel to spar. At least she proved she isn't a push over anymore to those of the Lost Team. But…
Biting the inside of her cheek, she hesitantly brought her gaze sideways to the man in her care. My mess, as Master said. She hadn't tried not to look at him, keeping her sight elsewhere as she moved him, but she couldn't ignore him anymore. He needed help and it was her responsibility, in more ways than one, that he got healed. the muscles in her face relaxed, appearing emotionless as she examined his battered and bruised body.
Starting at his face her eyes trailed over his left cheek that was puffed and purple, swelling his eyes closed. His nose, a darker shade of purple, almost blue, was fractured and blood smeared around his mouth. All along his tall muscular body, her whip infused with his irony dragon magic had sliced into his black clothing, flaying deep into his flesh than she had anticipated. There were four major wounds from the whip. His left shoulder and side, and right leg. The worse, however, was his right arm. His flesh shredded ad oozing blood that soaked in the off-white sheets.
Lucy blinked. In the past she could have flinched, looked away, and probably started to sob.
"I won't be doing that," huffing softly, she stomped to the medical supplies at the far wall. "Get a hold of yourself, Lucy. They are just scratches."
She knew they weren't just scratches but she refused to allow herself to fall so low. To become so weak as that again. She was Lucy of Fairy Tail, number one guild in all Fiore. I am stronger. Stronger than that pathetic girl she was two years ago. Wounds. Blood. Death. It was all part of life. No matter where you went you couldn't escape it. That was one of the many hard lesson she had been forced to learn. Life wasn't easy. Life wasn't fair. Just because she lost control of herself. Just because she was responsible for him being like this, just because she caused the blood that now stained those sheets did not mean she was going to turn back into that sniveling ignorant girl.
Readying a bowl with warm water and filling it with herbs that Poluchka left in the guild for such cases, she grabbed a few rags and tossed them into the bowl. She walked back. Then carefully placing the bowl to the table next to the unconscious Dragon Slayer. The emotionless gaze she had on fell on him once more, then to the crimson sheets. To ease herself she snorted and muttered, "Sorry, Mira. Don't think the stains will come out this time."
Dark humor. Never understood it before when used to be a writer and read about it in those books she had loved so much. Now it was one of her greatest weapons to ease the conflictions in her thoughts. She turned from Gajeel, hand seizing a rag and squeezing the excess water out before setting to cleaning his wounds. I could heal him. She nibbled on the inside of her cheek. Much like Wendy nd her air magic, but she wasn't a dragon slayer. But my magic will hurt when I heal him and due to how much it costs me it may better to take care of what I can without relying on it.
Dipping and ringing out the rag again, Lucy turned to finish his arm. There would be no helping it. At least for his arms she would have to use the air healing magic Capricorn had taught her. Taught me after… Lucy froze. Rag pressing into the flayed skin as her other hand graphed the bed. A moan from the Dragon Slayer saved her and she instantly lessened the pressure and continued dabbing the wound. She tried to keep her mind voice of thoughts. To concentrate solely on the work before her. But in silence, alone without anyone there to distract her… Those times were always the worst.
Instead, she let her mind wonder. First, to the lingering emotions of guilt. Examining them, she pulled them apart and tried to find the source. "I lost control, so what?!" Rinsing the rag, she moved to the wound on his hip, ripping the shirt away to get better access. "Who doesn't from time to time?" Her words didn't appease her or the guilt.
She paused when his stomach fluttered at her touch. With a glance up to confirm he was still asleep, Lucy finished wiping the wound. It's not like I'm a monster or anything. I gave him a fighting change. Was it my fault he underestimated me? "No, not at all. Those who take their opponents at face value are fools."
Gajeel is an ass, but he doesn't deserve to suffer as I had.
Lucy shuddered at the thought. Then her mind floundered for something else, anything else to think about other than that. Unfortunately, she didn't think that other thought was better as Natsu unwillingly entering her mind. He was back. Back after leaving her and setting off with Erza, Gajeel, and Wendy. Back with that same face consuming grin. Back with all his blusterous taunts. He was back. Lick nothing hadn't happened. Like he didn't betray their friendship. Like he didn't leave her alone in her greatest moment of need.
Another groan came from the patient and she blinked. The red hot race that turned her vision white, slipped away and freed her. Looking down, she found her fingers digging into Gajeel's bicep just beneath the cut as she leaned over him. hastily she let go and took a step away closing her eyes. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
Her muscles relaxed, easing with her regulating breathing. it was nothing. Nothing at all, Lucy. Opening her eyes slowly she took in the man before her. Concentrating solely on him so the thoughts wouldn't come back. The first thing her eyes found were his abs. Rippling, flawless eight pack abs. She exhaled, setting the bloody rag in the water and leaned a hip against the end table and for once really taking in the man in her care. With his running abs there were his pecks, his broad shoulders, and lean muscular arms. Dear Mavis, I didn't know how built he was… Her gaze went to hist ace, disappointed suddenly in his swollen cheek and eyes, and his broken nose. She looked back at the rest of his body. Even with the wounds all she could think was, Damn, he's yummy. No wonder levy had a thing for him.
She closed her eyes at the thought of the girl who used to be her best girlfriend and uncaring of the blood on her hands, she rubbed her forehead, smearing some. Levy's face. her fearful and angry face overwhelmed her mind…
"Okay, okay. I made a promise." Biting the inside of her cheek, Lucy fought the image of Levy back. It proved difficult as she found herself almost consumed by it. The bluenette gritting her teeth and clenching her fists so hard. The wrinkle between her eyebrows now creasing deeply, Levy kept her eyes on the Iron Dragon Slayer as she asked the blonde if he was going to be okay.
Lucy shook her head. "I have to keep that promise…" Maybe Levy would forgive her. "But what did I do?"
The door creaked open, giving an eerie sound, the background of rain and thunder making it worse, almost like… that. Lucy winced and opened her eyes, she snapped her neck towards the door, no one behind it. It's just the wind. "Yea, the wind." Goosebumps appeared on Lucy's arms as the door opened again, she sighed heavily, directing her attention back to Gajeel.
Gazing at the body once more, a scar caught her attention. It was on his left peck, measured about the size of her index finger, and a couple centimeters above his nipple. A sudden urge to trace it twitched her hand, but she pulled back and stepped away farther in case she did. Shaking the feeling away, she cocked an eyebrow. Did I do that? If it had been just a little lower, his life would have been done, over, finished. She gulped audibly at the possibility of killing Gajeel. No… There was no way this was from me. She was in fully control of her anger and frustration.
I can't kill. She could knock them unconscious, sedate them, sap, even paralyze, but never had she killed. She'd rather lock them up for the rest of their life only to have them escape and be placed under her grasp again, but never would she ever consider killing someone. Banishing? How about banishing, it sounded only fair and less gory, maybe even agonizing. Yea, banishing.
"I'll just banish people." Lucy threw her fist into the air and yelped at her own statement, "Makes me sound like a her." She giggled to herself, the sudden childish antic stopped, she caught it. The statement she said almost making her sound like Natsu. Just like of a hero? His face flooded her mind and her head jerked. There it was again! "Dammit, Lucy. He wasn't there for you… Get. A. Hold. Of. Yourself." her bloody hands slapped both of her cheeks, staining them with red, she hissed with frustration.
Turning around furiously, she headed for a medicine cabinet and closing the door on the way over. Gajeel kept her groaning, almost getting beneath Lucy's skin. The sound was annoying but she couldn't blame him, he was in pain. Another wave of guilt made her stumble. Her fists hit the counter.
"Not my fault." He accepted my challenge happily.
The medicine cabinet opened with another screechy creak, the sound made Lucy shudder, stopping to stare at the supplies, forgetting what she was here for. She scavenged through the many bottles of pills and boxes. The roll of bandages seemed right along with pain killer, maybe even the bottle of hydrogen peroxide. this should be enough, right?
She shrugged, gripping the supplies in her arms beneath her chest and closed the cabinet with her elbow. The pills rattled along with her as she walked back to the side of Gajeel. He was no longer moving, the rise and fall of his chest barely visible. At least he is breathing properly. Setting the applies next to the bowl, she sat back down, grabbing a clean rag.
The blood on her fingers stained the rag, she paused, hovering over the Dragon Slayer's arm. The hydrogen peroxide bottle in the other hand. With her mouth she opened it, spitting the cap to the floor carelessly. It clattered and hit something metal before coming to a rest. Pouring some of the clear liquid that smelt strong and bitter, she briskly began to rub a smaller cut on his chin. A sizzling sound came from the contact with his flesh. is that normal?
She swallowed, deciding to pour some of the clear liquid straight onto the wound. All she could do was watch as white bubbles fizzled on the wound. The sound, triggered the smell of burning flesh that to her seemed to fill the room. A disgusting sweat flesh burnt stench that made her head spin. She dropped the rag as blood trickled out of her nose. Stunned, she pulled her trembling hand back. Her blood mixing with his on her hand as more blood dripped down.
Hands shaking so much, it was a wonder how she managed to set the bottle on the table. Her mind swarmed with the smell. Not of her blood but the burnt flesh and charcoal pit. She gagged. Tears suddenly filled her eyes and she rain to the infirmary sink, fumbling with the faucet until steaming warmth flowed. Oh my GOD, PLEASE KILL ME.
Hastily, Lucy splashed the hot water onto her face. The water was so hot that it nearly burned her face and hands as she tried to scrub away the blood. "I-I don't need this. Not now. Not an…" gasping between each word, she continued to wash herself though no blood remained, "… episode now, dammit!"
Panting, she stopped herself and kept her eyes closed. Listening to the beating of her heart. Down stairs she could hear that the others had returned. Their excitement was a nice distraction.
After another minute Lucy turned off the faucet and sighed in relief. the water rolled off her face, tickling her cheeks alongside the unnoticed tears. "Just blood. It's just blood. A lot of it. And it smells like…"
Lucy shuddered, turning around back to the Dragon Slayer she took in every detail of him once more. The deep gaping cuts in his body were still swelling with blood, each of them almost the size of her forearm, and the bruises purple bulges. Plus with the sizzling hydrogen peroxide that caused her memories to bring forth that stench of charred dead bode. Her mind was betraying her. The stench wasn't here. Wasn't in this room. tugging her gaze forcefully to the side, she felt another baby barf crawl up her throat. Hold it in, hold it in! She gulped. The taste and uncomfortable feeling made her shiver.
"Lucy, you can do this. This is your responsibility."
Closing her eyes and nodding her head to herself, she faced forwards slowly and took a few steps. The stench of burnt flesh hit her another time. She jerked to a stop and covered her face. "Okay, I can't do this." Lucy felt a disperse of magic next to her, a shimmering light flashed from her key as the sound of clanking metal against each other.
"Punishment, Princess?" Virgo came to her rescue.
Shaking her head Lucy mumbled through her hands "Not today, Virgo…" With one shaky arm she pointed to Gajeel. "H-Help…?"
Virgo walked towards the Dragon Slayer, examining the body while taking out the certain supplies for preparation. "What was going through your head, Princess?" The pink haired maid stopped, turning to stare at Lucy.
She flinched at the question, the mere sound of 'Princess' making Lucy's stomach flip-flop worse. The guilt she felt just started to make everything sound so much worse. And irritating. She shook herself, hands falling to her sides as she walked to the end table. She dared not look at the dragon slayer as her fingers stretched to reach the roll of bandages.
The sudden coldness of metal chains and an unsure hug from Virgo brought Lucy out of her chaotic thoughts. Her eyes widened for a bit in shock, but didn't hesitate to hug her spirit back. Her keys jingled a little on her hip, indicating that maybe Loke had a say in this action. Virgo didn't open her mouth as she hugged her master with a blank expression. No explanation needed.
"We should start, Princess."The Celestial Mage stood a foot back from her as Virgo continued to clean up the minor she could do was follow orders, handing her spirit whatever she called for. Sometimes walking back to the other side of the room and searching cabins. Lucy's face twitched every now and then as the sizzling sound brought back more memories. Virgo had ordered her to leave a large bucket next to the bed in case Lucy's stomach revolted. The stench and sight were making her head and stomach sore, the yelps of pain and groaning coming from Gajeel's body only making it worse.
This was her fault. Handing Virgo a new rag, she crossed her arms and looked at the floor, making a 'Tch' sound. "Again, not my fault he accepted." He'll be okay, suck it up, Lucy.
"Does he need punishment, Princess?" the pink hair maid asked, not taking her eyes off of Gajeel, the minor wounds and surrounding blood almost clean.
"He doesn't need anymore." Lucy bit her lower lip from the guilt she was starting to feel yet again.No, Lucy!It was a fair spar. No one died.She shuddered, at least she hoped so.No, he'll be fine.The flash of Levy's face appeared for a second in Lucy's head.Yea…Finally building the courage to walk up next to the body, Lucy slowly paced herself, the smell getting worse at every step,death. No! It's all in your mind. Snap out of it.Another wave of guilt washed over her, his unmoving body seemed dead, but the uneven breathing from the rise and fall of his chest assured he that he wasn't. The swishing of pink hair hovering above his chest and left arm rose away to reveal his body. Blood wasn't oozing as much as before, but the cuts somehow appeared ten times worse. They were gaping open and the bruises were completely in sight, almost throbbing."We should bandage the lesser ones, Princess."
Gulping at the sight, Lucy nodded. "Right…"
Turning, her shaking fingers soon reached the roll of bandages, the cloth seeming rougher than usual under her touch. Glancing over her shoulder, she watched as Virgo picked up the hydrogen peroxide. Mind hazy, she numbly grasped the roll, unable to take her gaze from the dangerous fluid hidden in the black bottle. The pink haired maid poured the clear liquid onto another clean rag. Then she picked up her head and looked towards Lucy who was still standing at the nearby table. "Princess… You will need to come here in order to finish this."
Hesitating, Lucy walked over. Faster this is done, the sooner it'll be over."Here." She shoved the white roll of bandages towards Virgo, to only be shunned as the maiden poured the liquid onto one of the open cuts on his waist. The sizzling sound came again followed by an erupting growl from Gajeel. The smell of burning flesh basted her, causing Lucy to quickly cover her mouth and nose. Her stomach felt upset, almost leading her to the bucket. The sizzling stopped with the white bubbles stopping the blood.
"We'll have to lift his upper body forward."
Lucy's eyes never left that wound. "H-How are we going to do that without h-hurting him?" her muffled voice only made Virgo stepped closer, as if for comfort. The sight nor smell affecting the maid at again, the smell was all in her head. "I'll lift him."
"N-No, don't do that! I'll just heal it so we don't have to go through that struggle."
"Princess, with the magic you have left and while keeping me out, you definitely won't be able to heal all of him. I need you to focus on his right arm, it is very severe, the rest I will handle." The pink haired maid pushed Lucy aside, not giving her master a choice.She is right, I won't be able to heal him all the way.
The sound of body shifting caught her attention as Virgo had decided to start lifting his upper half forward, the cut on his weight closed as he leaned forward, flesh squishing together sounded horrible and disgusting. Lucy wanted to faint.
"Princess, please hurry."
Gajeel let out a series of yells, ringing Lucy's ears at how gruff and husky they were, she gulped as she crawled onto the bed. Unraveling the roll of bandages in her fingers, she straddled the Dragon Slayer's legs with her knees on both sides, the position quite uncomfortable as she began to wrap his waist with the cloth. Her chin now resting on his shoulder with her ears brushing his own, she tried to look behind him to see where she was rolling it but his black mane blocked the view.
"Let me just…" she whispered softly as he swept his locks to the side, now having a full view of his toned back. Mavis, he's built.She leaned more into him, his firm chest against her own. Perverted thoughts sprung up in her head and she felt her core heat. Stupid, stupid."Stupid." The sound of his groans made the actions more uncomfortable and probably even the view.
If Virgo says anything about this, Mavis only knows what I will do to her. "Punishment, Princess?" Oh, indeed my slave.
Finishing what was left of the roll, she tucked the end neatly. She wiped the bead of sweat she hadn't noticed formed and watched as Virgo returned him to his back. Gajeel's face was strained in pain causing Lucy to bite her lip. She stayed sitting on Gajeel's healed legs -asVirgo tending to his right lower left leg -and examined his half covered body.
"Good job, Princess…" Virgo said almost with a snicker.
Lucy turned to glare at her. "You should have done it instead."
"Mhhhm…." The pink haired maid pulled out a syringe from inside a cabinet.
"What do you need that for?" Virgo walked back over, her emotionless facade now in place as she jabbed the needle into the Dragon Slayer's skin, barely below the massive injury on his right arm.
"You are going to heal him, no? I think it's only fair to numb out the experience of your healing."
Ah, yes.The healing Capricorn had taught her, magic infused with wind that was supposed to heal. She shuddered then nodded, removing herself from Gajeel's body and standing next to Virgo. They both examined the right arm gaping wound in his arm sent Lucy's stomach in many different directions - the sight so revolting she couldn't help but baby barf and swallowing it. The flesh so red and pink and so...I should have never asked to spar out of anger.
"Princess?"
Snapping out of thought, Lucy adjusted herself into a chair next to Gajeel's right arm, the cut now up close and personal with her face. Before it made her face go green, she shut her eyes tightly, trying to calm her breathing. This is normal, completely normal.Opening her eyes again, she built a wall around her thoughts and memories. Needing her mind to be completely clear to work this difficult magic. Calm. Expressionless. Empty. She outstretched her fingers over the wound, feeling the intense body heat he was giving off from his cut. A smile crept onto her face.
The warmth almost resembled Natsu's body heat when he'd sleep next to her before he- "Lucy, stop it!"
"Something wrong?" Virgo leaned over Lucy's shoulder.
"Oh, just thinking out loud."
The little amount of his own magic that Gajeel had left inside him wasn't enough to cooperate with Lucy's. She dare didn't even try to add some of her own into his body, that would only lead to trouble. A faint blue glow surrounded his arm, then more to appease the lingering guilt, she stretched it to cover all his body. While the other deep wounds and bruises feinted away, Lucy worked on siphoning his magic back, trying not to give any trace of her own. A difficult take but it flowed out of her hand into the large cut, her body started to tremble and sweat started to seep down her forehead.
"Princess…"
Lucy acknowledged her by a slight head bob. She knew she was pushing herself. She didn't care. Sweat starting to sting her eyes and the urge to rub them was slowly breaking her concentration to healing. It made her put more magic into the process. The faster this is done, the sooner it'll be over. If not for the need to keep her mind quite she would have repeated this in her head over and over. It felt like she was hurting herself more than she was helping.
Virgo stood silently, hands clasped together before her. Her facial expression still emotionless as she stared at her master. The disperse of great magic in the air shimmered. Her body feeling weaker with each passing second. Lucy's magic was draining quickly and she knew that she couldn't keep the pink-haired maid's gate open much longer. Also knowing this, Virgo let a breath out, a troubled sigh.
Lucy was gritting her teeth and breathing heavily, the strain visible in her eyes and hands as golden hair clung to her master's forehead. Virgo patted her head softly with a cold cloth. Then without a word she bowed deeply with a look of concern and disappeared back to the spirit world.
A breath escaped Lucy's mouth as her spirit finally disappeared. If she kept her out any longer she might have fainted. The magic of holding the maid out and healing Gajeel all together pushing her too hard. Especially with what little she had left from the previous brawl. Yet she couldn't stop, whenever she thought of it, Levy's face would appear and make her stubbornly determined. I have to keep a promise.She let a pulse of magic into Gajeel's arm, causing him to grunt loudly. She sighed again, healing wasn't exactly something Lucy had mastered nor practiced on. Gah, I wish Wendy was here.
After what seemed like hours, the glow of her hands stopped. She wiped the sweat that was practically washing her forehead and drenched her eye closed and the other near, her pained breathing was the only sound beside the hints from the party in full swing down in the main hall. Looking down at her hands, she squinted her eyes, they were now red and almost beating. Damn it stings.Averting her attention, she glanced back up at the Dragon Slayer, she fought the small upwards tug at her lips. The cut was a fraction smaller and his skin was no longer covered in bruises and gaping with wounds, well except his face. The once throbbing purple bulge was smaller and it looked like he would be able to open his eyes wide. His chest was no longer rising and falling irregularly. A bigger smile took its place, happy that he looked healthier than he did two hours ago.
"Good job, Lucy." She jabbed a thumbs up in front of her, a piercing pain poking her ribs.
For some odd reason her mind ended back up to Natsu. The certain boy who had to have Mavis-damn pink hair she happened to love to ruffle her fingers through. The laugh that also made others want to laugh with him. And that toothy grin… That irresistible… "Ahh! Lucy, you are nothing but an idiot." The blonde slapped her face again lightly at both cheeks then puffed them, standing up to get another roll of bandages.Natsu, Natsu, Natsu.The only thing that seemed to run through her brain. Or worse, Why hasn't that damn idiot apologized yet?"Oh yea, because it takes more than an apology to apologize for that." If only he was here…
"He doesn't deserve to be in your head, and you don't need him." Roughly, she untwisted the roll, snapping it out straight between her finger tips to encase Gajeel's right bicep. She briskly sized his arm, wrapping the white cloth around him quickly, tightening it at each roll. The Dragon Slayer moaned again. She snapped, "Oh shut up, I've healed you already, you should be fine in a day or two." Blindly, she tucked the end away sloppily.
She spent the next minutes putting a few supplies away, and cleaning up before grabbing an ice pack. Pouncing back onto the chair, she leaned over, for her chest to rest on Gajeel's now healed arm, slightly digging her fingers in his shoulder to hold herself up and placed the ice pack onto his puffy cheek. The warmth of his body radiated heat onto Lucy's hovering face. It was comforting her, easing her tired body. Sighing in relief from the well done job, she rewarded herself by resting her face onto the Dragon Slayer's rising chest and fighting the drooping of her weary eyes. His heart thumped softly against her cheek and ear. Slowly, she lost the fight, eyes closing and drifting off into a slumber. Somehow keeping her hand on the ice pack.
Gajeel's eyes fluttered open from the sudden weight on his chest. Soft skin against his left peck and a cold plastic on his cheek. He didn't dare turn his head, but from the corner of his one usable eye, he could see blue messy hair on his chest, her legs draping against the bed as another hand dug into his shoulder. He shivered from the familiar scent and listened to small snores escape her lips.
Shrimp? he thought.
Avoiding the pain in his hand, Gajeel lifted and sprawled his fingers onto the soft hair, the urge of ruffling the tiny girl's head taking over him. A smile crept onto his sore face, the cold pack crinkling at his movement.Can't wake, Levy up... The small girl sleeping peacefully against him, made warmth suddenly fill his chest and twisted his stomach. Familiarity. He relaxed again... Letting his muscles relax underneath her.
Levy, back? He almost sneered at the ludicrous idea, she was with Jet and-
An abnormal groan left the girl's mouth, he looked up again, blonde now replacing the blue. What the-
His eyes widened from the remembrance. The pain all suddenly rushing towards him. He had nearly forgotten his embarrassing defeat in sparring against Bunny-girl. The feeling almost making him unable to face her. She was a monster while battling. The scary bull shit she had actually pulled off to beat him. She beat him?! A dragon slayer.Gajeel Redfox, a DRAGON SLAYER. THE IRON DRAGON SLAYER, beaten by a Celestial Spirit Mage?Lucy Heartfiddlewhateverthefuckitwas, bunny-girl, had beaten him? A dragon slayer…
At the same time, the intelligence she showed during the spar only made him want to respect her. Give her the respect she deserved and maybe even ask for a rematch. Hell no, no fucking way am I going through that shit again. She was just too smart… Far too smart using the sapping of magic to her advantage like that. Tch,lucky bitch caught me off guard.Hiding behind her spirits... Again the unwanted thought came, Maybe she could train me… What the- No! Just no. Training from a Celestial Spirit Mage? For a Dragon Slayer? Maybe the world was coming to an end.
Maybe it was just a dream… Lucy groaned. Not a dream.
Gulping - almost groaning from the pain in his throat - he looked back down at the figure that nearly lay on top of him. She was sleeping,peacefully.Two years ago nothing like this would have happened. Especially when she had decided to crawl over him, straddling his legs. She wouldn't even have dared to do that, even if her worn out body almost forced her. And the way she talked to herself. The bunny-girl he knew wasn't like this. Not that he stalked her, but by the things she always said and did at the guild hall. Shaking his head at the memories, Gajeel reconciled with the sight in front of him, she was practically insane now.
The side comments or self scolding she made were absolutely out of subject. And it made her seem one hundred percent ,crazy.Most of them were followed by slaps to the face or yelling at herself, saying it wasn't her fault or that he wasn't there to help her. Once telling herself she'd banish people, the high pitched voice she had put on almost made him want to turn on his side to suppress a laugh. Always stopping at a sudden thought Gajeel knew was stirring in her head, just not knowing what the thought exactly was.
If Gajeel hadn't passed out from holding in yells and gasps of agony, he probably would have heard who he was. But knowing Lucy's struggle now, it was most likely the dipshit,Natsu.The girl held a grudge only so little could see, it worried him, and knowing Natsu, he probably hadn't apologized. Gajeel almost snickered, the flame brain wasn't exactly as dense as everyone thought him to be. Natsu hadn't been able to shut up about the Bunny-girl during the whole two years. He was completely worried about her and at the looks of it, she seemed to be struggling too.
Grunting at the sudden thought - and regretting it - waves of pain screeched throughout his body, making him shudder and causing the blonde to shuffle a bit in her sleep. "Sorry…" he muttered. Gajeel's eyes widened at his sudden apology,oops.The concerned voice that had slipped out wasn't something he wanted others hearing.She's asleep, no biggy.
"It's not okay…" Lucy's voice was low and she sounded,scared?"N-No. It's not okay…" she repeated again. The Dragon Slayer now worried, he ruffled the hair beneath his hand he had forgotten was there.
"Hey." He moved his hand to her shoulder, trying to shake her.was she even awake?
"Don't touch me…" Her voice was now becoming harder to hear,thank Mavis for enhanced hearing."Let go of me!" Was she dreaming?
"Oi." Gajeel shook her again, her blonde locks entangling between each finger, the grip of the ice pack she held now loosened. "Lucy?"
The blonde only shivered underneath his touch, the palm of her hand resting on his right peck now, her head shaking a no as her nose started to bury into his chest. The weight of her palm only summoning more pain. Shit.He gritted his teeth, trying to moving his right arm but a harsher jolt seared up his bicep.Holy shit.It was hurting and he wasn't able to push the blonde off who was causing more pain to him. "O-Oi! Haven't y-you done enough pain to me?"
The scent of salt reached his nose and wetness soaked into his wraps.
"What about me!? What about my pain!?" The blonde raised her left hand into the air, clenching it into a tight fist. Gajeel watched it as it slammed onto his left peck, again and again, again. The pulses of ache hitting him.
"D-DAMMIT! B-BUNNY-GIRL!" His left hand seized her wrist before she could hit him again."STOP IT!"
The strain in his voice made him choke, causing the Celestial Spirit Mage to wake up. Her head shot straight up, the blonde's face red and her eyes .The petite nose wrinkled as she sniffed hard, trying to regain her breath. She only stared at the Dragon Slayer. The gaze of anguish, fear, and confusion she gave him caused a sudden great ache of emotional pain as he shivered.
"F-Finally."
The blonde blinked, realizing what had happened. Her fear and sadness remained in her dull brown eyes and she frowned. But did the last thing he ever expected - she rested her head back down onto his chest. Quietly, she slipped her hand away from his grasp, readjusting the ice pack on his face, and leaning her head onto his shoulder, her legs now bent next to his, almost in the fetus position.
Gajeel only laid there in surprise.What the fuck is going on here?
There ya go, all finished. How was it?
Reviews are encouraged, I just love Lucy here.
Been thinking about writing some one-shots about a handful of Fairy Tail shippings. Maybe in a couple days or in a week, might not even happen, idk.
Anyways, Thank you!
Ciao till next time!
Special thanks to lilpumpkingirl, :DD
-Crishalee