Wooow. Long time. This chapter isn't the best, but the next chapter will be better. Promise(:
Do enjoy this one. It's crappy, but I tried after not writing in a month. I love reviews. Keep reviewing.
Excuse grammatical/spelling errors.
Chapter 6: Worth it
Rated M: Language
Natsu stayed sitting down, his bottom glued to the seat as he watched the audience drift towards Gajeel and Lucy. "Damn…" The phrase slipped out of his mouth, muttering the curse word in shock of what just happened. Because Lucy just beat Gajeel. Was that right? Did he just see that right?
The blonde's foot was still on the Iron Dragon Slayer's head, her posture seeming victorious, yet her face said another story.
He unclenched his fists, looking down at the red throbbing skin from his nails and let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. A drop of water fell onto his pulsing palms, the feeling of warm rain soon fluttering around his body and onto his skin. The pouring of water soon stinging his chaffing body. As if tiny needles softly pricking his flesh.
He shuddered, weird, didn't smell the rain coming. Looking up at the skies, he opened his mouth, letting water drip onto his tongue and roll off his cheeks. The rain soon tickling his pecks and abs as his vest exposed him, giving way to goosebumps and sending a shiver down his spine. He wanted to chuckle at himself, bringing the thought of Lucy into his head at her childish antic he just tried. The clouds now giving into the hungry storm.
"Is he going to be okay?" The voice of Levy made Natsu snap his neck towards the distant sound. Okay? The question directing itself to Lucy even though she meant it for Gajeel. Shrugging off the small guilt, he averted his attention from the bluenette to the blonde. One foot now on the back of the Dragon Slayer, her face seemed like it had just been hit as she stared at her best friend, at least I think so.
Distant and vacant. The blonde's face washed up with many emotions, nearly drowning her along with rain. In her shadowed eyes glinted emotions he couldn't begin to name. Almost unseeing. Just so many. Too many. Chaotic emotions that dare to drown him himself. Natsu flinched. The urge to lunge off the stand, rush to her side, and ask what was wrong overwhelming. But he was frozen there. Unable to move or breath as she carefully veiled those emotions, answering with a detached, "Yea" that chilled him in spite of the warm rain that drenched his clothes.
He couldn't relax.
Not with relief. Nor joy. Because, while she appeared calm and indifferent, Natsu knew… Simply knew something was amiss. It suspended over him. Weighed down on his shoulder. Setting his heart to accelerate. To thud wildly against his ribs.
She didn't seem hurt, physically. And that was good. Yea, that's good. The beating in his chest still not coming to a calm. The way she handled Gajeel was obviously new for everyone in the audience. According to Juvia, this was a technique no one had seen, and the way she gave no mercy to the Iron Dragon Slayer meant something was really bugging her. After 2 years, Natsu could still see through the mask she wore in order to hide those emotions. The tapping of her thigh as she whipped her head towards Levy gave it all.
Glimpsing at the blonde, he felt a twitch at his cheeks. The muscles in his face threatening him. There it was. Rain slightly made it a little blurry as he watched his best friend tilt her head and open her mouth up for the rain to drop in. The sudden action sending him weird shivers as she stood there, hair becoming more wet and the tank top she wore starting to become drenched as it clung to her slim body.
"Damn… Is he okay…? "
"Is he even alive?"
The questions soon breaking his gaze, making him turn to see parts of Gajeel behind the crowd as he laid down, sprawled awkwardly onto the wet dirt. Motionless. The creasing between his eyebrows now becoming deeper, Natsu shuddered at the thought of answering the people's question. He's alive… It's Gajeel, The Iron Dragon Slayer, he's not dead… There's no way Lucy could have killed him. He's just tired, worn out… Exhausted…. Sleeping?
"Aye!" A familiar voice caused Natsu to jump in his seat, his hands clutching onto the bleachers as he recognized the blue cat. "Happy, you scared me." The calmed down heart beat now rushing.
"What did I miss?" Happy fluttered his wings, landing on his feet as he shook the rain out of him, a strained look came to his face as he realized he was still getting wet.
"Lucy fought Gajeel." Natsu turned his head back to Gajeel, he started to worry as the Iron Dragon Slayer lay there almost lifeless. Boom! Thunder struck, a buzzing noise ringing in Natsu's ear from the sound, "No worries! He'll be okay!"
"Eh?! I feel sorry for Lucy. Is she hurt?" The blue cat decided to fly again, slowly towards the crowd. Grabbing the cats tail, Natsu yanked the exceed back to his side, causing a squeak to release as the Dragon Slayer roughly placed a hand onto Happy's head to keep him in place, "Lucy won."
"EHH?! Gajeel lost?!" the Exceed squeaked as he tried to wiggle from Natsu's grasp.
It turned high pitched and airy as his partner's arms tightened around his small body at the sound of Lucy's ice voice, "I'll take care of him! I promise!"
"Nnnaaaa-t-ssuuu…" Happy wheezed, struggling in vain.
Natsu couldn't hear or see his blue friend, his onyx eyes frozen on Lucy as she tilted her head and closed her eyes. Then she smiled. If you could call it a smile. It was twisted, unnatural. Pained even as it stretched her lips thin. She opened eyer eyes, dull brown eyes that held no warmth. So unlike the tender happy ones he used to receive from the blonde mage. She turned on her heel a second later, moving to the downed Iron Dragon Slayer's side. But Lucy's warped smile persisted in his mind. His stomach plummeted, mind numb and unable to form any coherent thoughts. His arms relaxed slightly, with it giving Happy enough room to squirm out and fall, landing on the plank of wood by his feet. The blue cat gasped, then looked at his friend startled.
"N-Natsu?"
"Y-Yo?" Natsu turned his head, hesitating to even drop his gaze from the blonde. As her fragile body scooped one arm up around Gajeel. The grunting of her breath fading from his ears, "Sorry, Happy. I just-"
"-do this. Holy shit!" The Dragon Slayer's eyes widened at the sudden word. The foul language slipped off her tongue, hitting Natsu like a bullet. Since when did Lucy curse? Her voice making it as if it were normal. Only it wasn't. It was awkward, it was weird, it wasn't normal. It sounded… wrong coming from her reminded Natsu of the time Gajeel said he sounded like he had "turrets", something Wendy had to explain thoroughly. He suppressed the laugh. Lucy sounded weird.
"Natsu!" The Blue cat now flailing his arms a seat down.
"What?" Natsu muffled his voice with his breathe as he stood up, not even bothering to look back at his exceed. He instead insisted on watching as Lucy left slowly with the Iron Dragon slayer on her shoulder.
He listened closely, to her grunts and complaints, heaving and almost dragging Gajeel through the crowd that didn't even offer her help. They just stood in awe. Usually the guild would offer the blonde help, especially the men who lined up for her attention. Why weren't they?
An adrenaline suddenly took over his body at the thought. This time he didn't stop it. As soon as he could no longer see his best friend, he darted. Natsu stooped down onto the lowest bleacher, setting Happy to follow. Making sure attention wasn't drawn to him as he walked closer to the crowd. He peeked over the line to stare at the blonde's back and Gajeel's slumping body. I'll help her. Taking a few steps to the side of the cleared path, he watched again as Lucy tripped and struggled to carry him. Unconsciously, he started walking after her.
"Natsu," a sudden jerk at his wrist stopped him and he stumbled forward. He'd recognize cold fingers anywhere. A frown formed onto his face as he watched Lucy become more distant.
He noted the way the crowd had turned heads to stare at him. Multiple eyes making him shift his legs and become uncomfortable.
"Hey, come on." Natsu shook his wrist then scowled, gritting his teeth and quickly turning his head.
A weird glint shimmered in Gray's eyes. The laid back, level-headed ice mage had an off look in his facade, almost glaring, "I suppose you are going to follow her?"
"Well. Yea." Natsu could only raise an eyebrow as he stared at his former partner, was he being defensive?
The grip on Natsu's hand tightened from the lengthy stare down. A negative pit of warmth grew in his stomach. He looked down at the Ice-Mage's hand. The touch making him want to start a fight of his own. No, don't do that. You've changed a little bit too. He sighed. The little self-control he had ushered him to keep in the violence he would usually start.
"Juvia also thinks he is going to." The bluenette fiddled with her fingers, her body surprisingly a few inches father away from Ice-Mage. Another cold finger was placed atop of Gray's hand, Juvia's porcelain skin differing greatly from Gray's as she made his head turn to her, "I-I think it is also okay for him to follow." The slight head nod she gave the stripper for approval loosened the grip. Wait, did I just see that right too?
Gray gave out a 'Tch' as he let go. Quiet, but not quiet enough for Natsu to pick up. Juvia only sighed in relief, coming an inch closer to the Ice Mage, he whipped his head to stare at the girl. There was a tug at her lips, a frown. She brought her hand up and combed back a black tuft of his hair. Gray slightly blushed and turned back to Natsu. The glare never wiping away. A slight growl escaped Natsu's lips, he rubbed his wrist from the previous hold and turned around. Following slightly behind Happy as they made their way towards the guild.
"Aye-"
"Happy, be quiet!" Natsu placed a finger onto his mouth, the wet skin brushing against his chapped lips. "We don't want her to find us," He whispered softly as he peeked from the corner of the building.
Boom! Thunder struck hardly making the blonde jump in surprise. "Stop it…" Gajeel's raggedy breath muttered. "But Natsu!" The cat jumped up, his whisper not even a whisper, "SHH!" Placing a hand on Happy's face, Natsu peeked back over at the blonde who was now cold at her feet. Did she hear us?
The dropping of Gajeel's body made Natsu hide back into the side of the building, slipping back slowly next to a window. "Happy… I swear if she heard us…" He glared at the blue cat, his face now looking worried. "Just shush."
"Dear Mavis. Strike me now-" The murmuring of her breath was followed shortly by a kick of the door. Feisty. "Was it suppose to open this way… or… Ugh, doesn't matter." The attitude of his best friend now becoming more clear. Her forehead almost pulsing with a visible vein as she bent down to grapple Gajeel's armpits. The struggle to drag him was obvious with the sound of her teeth gritting and the squeaky boots whenever she slipped. The casual look over the shoulder to check if anyone saw her gave a bit of hope. Of course she still felt embarrassment. But it also seemed a bit off, this was the part when she would stop and whine to herself then summon out Taurus to help her.
"Except that she didn't…" Natsu murmured softly.
"What?" Happy flew onto Natsu's head, "She didn't what?"
"Just be-"
"Shut up will you?!" The blonde yelled, her voice directed as if she was saying it to him. Slipping from the window, he hid himself again behind the building wall. Rain still trickling as he sucked in a breath and felt his heart lurch, did she hear me? She doesn't have good hearing-
"We're almost-" A squeak escaped her lips followed by a thud. Natsu shuddered and quickly turned to see his best friend on her bottom. Legs opened as Gajeel's head laid between her feet. He sighed. Yea, she didn't hear us.
"Nnnatsu!" Again, Happy's whisper not a whisper. Not removing his gaze from the blonde, Natsu swatted his hand in what felt like was Happy. "Shhh."
Lucy was now wincing at every step she dragged Gajeel on. One eye closed as the heavy weight would try to slide back down the stairs. Another urge to help his best friend out made him shudder. He placed a hand on the sill of the window, raising the clear glass quietly.
"Natsu…" Happy said again, this time quieter.
"What, Ha-"
A slight tug shook Natsu. He watched as his own body backed away an inch from the window, the glass now slamming shut. What the- Being too caught up in his own thoughts, he didn't realize he was being lifted. His feet dangling while his toes tried to reach the floor again.
"I tried telling you." The Exceed spread his little wings, paws on his hips as both eyes were closed.
Before he got a word out, Natsu's body rotated, his eyes meeting blue. His jaw tightened and his fists clenched. The male blonde's eyes glaring. His mouth open slightly to show white as he carried the Dragon Slayer, "Tch." The facial expression of the bold man before him intimidating.
Shivering from the unwanted gaze, Natsu couldn't muster the words. The same face was put on that Laxus had given him during the fight. The look almost threatening. He blinked, "Let me down."
The blonde male only stared, vast blue eyes imitating the ocean. Almost drowning him. Natsu gulped. Knowing he wasn't going to put him down any-
Laxus dropped him, letting out a rough sigh as he turned around.
Without a word he walked a few paces, leaving Natsu to awkwardly stare at him. Then stopped a few yards away. The younger man could see the tension in his shoulders as if Laxus was struggling both mentally and physically with something. But hardly a minute later he sighed and glanced over his shoulder saying, "A lot has happened, Natsu…"
Natsu shuddered as he listened to the blonde. There was no teasing tone or nickname. Laxus was already turning around the corner and the instinct to ask him to fight was washing over him like the rain. But something was telling him not to, he sounded to serious.
Surprising himself, Natsu followed.
Natsu stood in front of the doors of the guild. He had waited at the corner for everyone else to go in before following after Laxus, the thought of being alone with him came across as weird and new. To both the guild mates and himself.
He cleared his throat and shrugged off the rain as he entered the hall. No one stopped to turn at him, if they did they would usually murmur something, which was bad, had they forgotten my hearing?
Taking a deep breath, Natsu inched towards the bar. A surge of nervousness clenched at his heart and he felt like he needed to go back outside for air. He had no idea as of why he wanted to run. Maybe even punch something or start a brawl just so he didn't need to talk to the blonde.
Natsu stopped walking at the thought and let his eyes roam over the guild. Gray wasn't here, Gajeel was injured, Erza was certainly no where to be found… and Laxus wanted to talk to him.
He unclenched a fist he didn't know he was making and stared back at the bar. Laxus was already slumped against the counter. Resting on his elbows as his figure seemed a wince too large for the stool.
It's been 2 years and it was the first time Natsu had a good look at Laxus. He seemed maybe a few inches taller, his hair was a smug longer and messier. Not to mention the way his jaw seemed chiseled and his muscles almost looked fake as ever. Was he always that built?
Maybe he got stronger too. Natsu started to jump up and down in place. A new habit he formed before starting a fight with Gajeel while being M.I.A. Laxus did seem tempting. Natsu, not now… He closed his eyes. A twitch poked at Natsu's cheek, you're a good boy now.
He began to roll his shoulders as he brought his boxing jump to a halt. Opening his eyes he felt his stomach drop. Laxus had straightened his back and was now looking over his shoulder towards Natsu. A blank expression painting his face.
Natsu gulped. Blue eyes pierced but seemed dull as he turned back to face Mira. He listened to him let a breath go and the atmosphere seemed to rise higher in tension.
Taking the action as an invitation to sit down, Natsu kept his head down. The room was feeling rather depressing now, something he wasn't accommodated to. He wanted to leave, but he also wanted to know what happened to Lucy. And he was planning on getting the answer now.
Silence stretched on longer than it shoulder have. At least between the guys. Other than that the guild was at it's normal state where everyone was loud and the music was playing. Yet it still didn't satisfy Natsu's liking.
"Laxus…" Natsu broke it. He watched as the blonde turned his head slowly, he had raised an eyebrow and Natsu was now wishing he didn't speak first.
A lump formed in his throat. He tried to swallow it, but failed tremendously when he spoke with a shake in his voice. Quivering his lips slightly, Natsu looked away. Am I about to cry?
"So, Lucy…"
The Fire Dragon Slayer turned back to look at Laxus. His gaze still on him. The sudden name of the blonde girl casted something on the older man. He had let a breath out and Natsu could see it in his eyes.
For some odd reason, Natsu was expecting love or an emotion relating to affection. Instead, what was swimming in those blue eyes were lurking feelings… As if Laxus himself had died slowly, why? Wasn't this the man who took care of Lucy and turned her into what she is now?
And why am I feeling so nervous?
"I kind of regret it." Laxus said.
"Regret what?" Natsu asked and he watched again as he brought the mug to his lips, taking a long sip, testing Natsu's patience.
Laxus didn't respond, his head was brought down and his eyes were tracing something on the table.
Another silence filled them and Natsu was trying to keep quiet, to wait for what the blonde had to say. It was long and tempting, you'd think 2 years of long hard training with Erza would have at least brought some respective sense into him.
Damn it. "Oi! Tell me!" The Fire Dragon Slayer snapped too quickly. He brought his hand up and tugged at the cup Laxus had been drinking with. Smashing it back onto the table enough to break it, Natsu huffed out and looked over his shoulder.
Another instinct Erza had taught them. About not fighting each other that is.
The re-equip mage was no where to be found.
"So you're still the same." Laxus didn't chuckle or stand to face him. He motioned Mira for another drink and the barmaid complied without a word.
Laxus looked back down at the table. His head was feeling heavier while the battle from earlier kept replaying from his head. The damn blondie. Lucy most of have been insane to have tried that tactic without Laxus's go.
It was forbidden. Words from me at least.
"Tell me!" The words Natsu had said echoed, but in Lucy's voice.
"No." Laxus gritted his teeth and placed both his hands into his pockets. He stared down at the blonde who was puffing out her cheeks. The blonde female was gripping her whip to where her knuckles had gone white and the sound of squeaking leather was heard.
"Laxus! I want you to punch me." Her feet were now shoulder length apart and she was getting ready in battle stance.
Laxus only snickered and took a step back. There was no way he was going to let her try it, better yet use it. Enduring hits, letting yourself fall into a defensive stance, and go completely still was risking your life. It could be the weakest opponent and with one wrong move of magic, you could possibly cut blood flow from point and...
"Using it in a real life situation can get you pretty beat up, Lucy." The dirt around him swept away as he dragged his left foot to turn around and walk away. The stubborn Celestial Mage was definitely not going to let him go.
"Please! I want to see how strong I got, besides! You said there was a healing factor at the end if I could handle it," Laxus felt a sting at his right wrist, he looked to see the enchanted whip with his lightning she had sapped earlier. "And I think I can handle it."
With that said, she tugged at him, making sure a bruise was to be found tomorrow after she was done.
The Blonde Mage had twirled him around, forcing him to look into her eyes as they filled with determination. "Punch me."
"No," Laxus stood back. She was biting the inside of her cheek and furrowing her eyebrows. She placed a palm on her hip and Laxus knew where this was going.
"I just want to get stronger…" She whispered.
"Don't do that." Laxus swallowed and watched as she brought the back of her hand to her eyes, playing the fake cry card.
Ever since 6 or 7 months ago, Lucy had become quite the Mage. She learned how to control her magic and survive in hand to hand combat. All with the motive of becoming strong enough to prove to the Lost Team, that she is no longer the Lucy they had left.
It was the typical story in every book and Laxus did not understand why she was striving this hard to own it. When she, herself was not even weak to begin with. Celestial Mages had a shit load of power just to summon out one, it wasn't quite fair, but it made sense. Connecting one world with another and something like that.
In all honesty, it was cool. Yet, Lucy didn't seem to grasp her own self-esteem to the extent on how others saw her.
"What's the point of all of this again?" Laxus raised an eyebrow and looked down at his trainee.
"You wouldn't understand." He mocked her words out loud.
"I bet I would." Natsu said.
Cana tilted her head as she brought the sake bottle to her lips. She kept one eye open and chugged down the liquid that made her throat burn and gasp for air. Though she refused to do so.
She could hear the guild filling up quickly and the music was quietly playing. It was a party for the Lost Team, yet they had one being nursed, another being given a talk, a small one playing Romeo and Juliet, and Titania being guild master's pet.
She smiled inwardly at her little summary. It was too perfect. Laughing out loud to herself, she got a couple stares and a confused look from Mira. Cana smiled sheepishly, "Another drink, please."
"She's been like that ever since you left. Ever since she's become stronger, mentally and physically." Laxus said in a small voice. Cana leaned forward and noted he sounded awfully depressed. She turned her head slightly to see both the dragon slayers talking.
Natsu and Laxus?
"Stronger? She didn't need to become stronger! She's always been strong!" Natsu yelled and it didn't seem to bother Laxus. The Fire Dragon had brought a fist onto the table and he was out of his seat, practically screaming into the blonde's ears.
That's right, Lucy. It's always Lucy. A frown came to Cana's lips at the thought of her former closer friend. After Natsu's departing she's been a complete mess. And he didn't seem to get it. She built barriers and walls high for everyone. Exceptionally low for the Thunder Tribe though.
If Cana could recall, Lucy had first ran into Gray's arms. It fulfilled the Ice Mage's dreams and all his wishes. It came true to him, for the first week or so he was so blinded. Sex with Lucy, kissing with Lucy, making Lucy feel better, loving Lucy, being loved by Lucy, being Lucy's. It was all the things Gray had told Cana. Something he wanted oh so very much.
He didn't see what others saw though. The loss of Natsu hurting Lucy so much, it drove her into the next closest guy. Poor Gray.
"She pushed herself through all sorts of limits. You'd be so surprised. Actions, looks, fighting, power, smarts, attitude, feelings… everything Natsu. Just… everything…" Laxus's voice touched Cana in a way. Where it hurt so much to listen any further because it was true.
Gradually growing and changing into something where old Lucy was gone Lucy.
"You should talk to her after." He said.
Gulping audibly, Cana took a swig of her beer, drowning herself from the sudden thoughts and heart breaking news. Filling herself with the liquor that was like water. No matter how many barrels of alcohol she drank, it probably wouldn't erase the hurt and pain she received from her best friend.
Lucy was right, no one does understand.
"So boys, talking about Lucy, are we?" Cana slowly sauntered in between the two dragon slayers, wrapping an arm around both of them and bringing them closer.
She decided to get rid of the serious.
"Cana, where is Lucy?" Natsu asked.
She pursed her lips and brought them to his ear, "Lucy, Lucy, Lucy. What about me? What about, Cana! Let's do, Cana, Cana, Cana. She's lonely too."
The depressing atmosphere around the two was completely shitty and it made her shitty. And feeling shitty was not on Cana's list of to-do's.
"Cana, seriously." Natsu gritted his teeth. She could feel his body heating up underneath her arms and she hissed.
"Fine. She's playing nurse with Gajeel upstairs," Cana smirked deviously and turned to Laxus, might as well have fun. "Laxus and Lucy always played nurse at his house. In fact, he's the next patient."
Laxus didn't say anything.
"P-Played nurse? What? Laxus you said you trained her everyday!" Natsu shot up from his seat and glared daggers.
Cana shook her shoulders with laughter and noted that Natsu was still clueless.
"Idiot, sit back down. Lucy's cleaning up her mess."
The sound of her name just seemed to bring her down today. She saw the blonde everywhere, everyday, why was it now that it began to ring in her head?
The two dragon slayers were staring at each other. The tension obvious for all to see. Oh, Mavis. What have you gotten yourself into Lucy?
"You're going to train with Laxus?" Cana furrowed her eyebrows and stared at the blonde in front of her.
Lucy's cheeks were red and her face flushed indicating that she was drunk. Her finger jabbed out in front of Cana with a thumbs up while she nodded her head too hard with a large smile, "Yup, yup, yup!"
"You know what I have to say to that," Cana asked. "You are…" She brought her drink up to her lips and drank a little bit more to see if she could get any close to where Lucy was.
"… fucking crazy."
Cana smiled inwardly. Lucy…
"Happy, do you know where Gajeel is?" Patherlily hopped up onto the second floor where he saw the blue fur ball eating what looked like a fish twice his size.
"Lussheee~!" Happy chimed with a mouthful of food in his mouth, his smile resembling much like his owner Natsu's.
Pantherlily cocked an eyebrow.
"Cana said Lucy was playing nurse with him."
Playing nurse? After a rough beat up by the blonde? Is that how girls do it now a days, beat them up and then… Lily shook his head, "Thanks, Happy."
Walking towards the second floor hall for the infirmary, Lily noted a couple of moans.
I'm so sorry. I know this chapter isn't as satisfying as the others. The ending for this one is pretty bad... But i'll do my best on the next one...
I just wanted to clear a little bit of the past up for you guys. Just to know where Laxus stands, where Natsu is, and bringing up Cana(:
I know it was boring... But do expect a surprise appearance in the next chapter(; Bet no one could guess.
Anyways, till next week, or so... maybe month... because school.