This is the time after the Edolas Arc and Lisanna RETURNED! Team Natsu wants to replace Lucy with Lisanna Strauss on the team, and that allows Lucy to think about her life. However, what most people don't know is that Lucy loves Natsu. What will she now do now and what is in store for her future love life?
Story By: RockCityGirl14
Chapter 13: The Departure and The Bet
Italics mean Thoughts or Flashback
Bold means Letters to Mom, Shouga, or Team Natsu
(Lucy's P.O.V)
I finally caught sight of Master Bob who is currently holding the guild stamp. It looked like the same exact one that Mira was holding when she first joined Fairy Tail however this had a different insignia design.
I excused myself from the mob of mages surrounding me who were bombarding me with questions and thus making my way over to a table and then taking a seat.
"Seems like you're making plenty of new friends, eh Lucy?" Master Bob asked with a gigantic smile plastered on his face and giggling like a fangirl who just had a fangirlasm from TOO MUCH MOE!
"Yeah, especially Austin…he seems super nice and cool." I added into the conversation.
"That is quite an unusual behavior for that child though…he is usually one of the quietest and most serious people in our entire guild. I mean the only people who he talks with include the Trimens, Team Austin, and myself obviously." Master Bob said while placing a finger on his chin.
"Well I guess that I unlocked a feeling within him." I said while slightly blushing. However, that did NOT go unnoticed by Master Bob because now he was grinning evilly…almost like Mira when she thinks of match making someone.
Then he said a comment that caught me off guard, "So…when are you guys gonna elope?"
I had literally fell off of my chair and prepared to hit the ground until I felt big, strong arms preventing me from falling. It was none other than Laxus Dreyar who rushed over to me from the entrance of the guild doors at the speed of light and caught me bridal style. (A/N…LOL, you guys get it? Cuz he is a lightning dragon slayer…ok, continuing on from the story.)
I blushed even harder as I noticed that I was in Laxus's arms, IN BRIDAL STYLE before he placed me back onto the chair and saw Master Bob now sulking in the corner muttering, "It is ALL my fault that Lucy-chan was almost hurt."
I looked back from Master Bob to Laxus and said, "Thank you very much Laxus!" Also including a big smile on my face to show my gratitude towards him.
"No problem Blondie…you ought to be more careful next time though, ok?" Laxus said with a worried voice.
Something is wrong…When I looked up and stared into Laxus's bright orange eyes, I saw sadness and disappointment. It makes me wonder what made him that way or what is wrong with him because I'm not used to strong guys having such soft, weak sides.
I then see Master Bob step away from the corner and say, "I'm not gonna do THAT with Austin, I just met the damn guy anyway."
"Im sooooooooo sooooorrrryyyy Luuuuucccyyy-chhhaaannn!" Master Bob said while wailing and sobbing from the incident before that he supposedly started. He then tackled me to the ground and started crying even harder.
"Master Bob, I think that you're gonna hurt Lucy even more with that kind of treatment." A guild member said with a sweat running down.
"It's alright now Master Bob." While placing a reassuring hand on his back and help him stop crying. When that was done I turned to the direction that Laxus was and asked him a question.
"Oh yeah Laxus, people are asking me if you're gonna join Blue Pegasus since you were excommunicated from Fairy Tail and you accompanied me here. So, wanna join?" I asked him excitedly like a 5 year old child.
Laxus then said, "I'm gonna have to think about that…I mean I've been in Fairy Tail since I was a little kid. I just feel as though I can't let go yet."
"Hmm…I understand Laxus. Fairy Tail is your home, it makes sense that you feel like not joining another guild." I said understandingly to the lightning dragon slayer.
"Thanks, however, Lucy, can I talk to you privately?" He then said with a hint of seriousness and importance in his voice.
"Uh sure…Can you excuse us for a minute Master Bob?" While bowing apologetically to him.
"Oh no problem deary, take as long as you two desire. The guild stamp will be here waiting here for you." While also winking at me with his right eye. That caused me to blush but Laxus didn't seem to notice.
When Laxus grabbed my left hand with his right and walked to the exit of the door, I immediately turn even more red while some of the guild members had their attention on us while whispering some messages to each other. As we were nearing the exit, I happen to see one person that caught my eye the most…Austin. He was wearing a confused and sorta hurt face.
'I will have to talk with Austin later about this later but what has gotten to Laxus lately? I mean he called me Lucy not Blondie. Well, that might be from the fact that I threatened him earlier, but I seriously don't think he is one to listen to a scolding girl. Also, this may be very important if he is talking with seriousness in his voice.' I thought over in my head.
We had finally reached to the exit and he lets go of my hand. I barely remembered reaching for my hand in the first place until he pulled my train of thought by abruptly putting both of his big hands on my shoulders. I try to look up at his face but it was completely covered by his bangs, just leaving a shadow there.
He started to speak, "Hey Lucy, I have a very serious question for you and don't try to lie…I'll know if you do."
I kept on looking at his face but still couldn't see his eyes. I even noticed that voice got more raspy and cracked when he spoke to me. 'What is goin on Laxus?' I thought in my head.
"Sure, just ask the question." I said in a sweet, yet quiet voice to him while placing a hand on his face. He flinched a bit at first but simply continued.
His grip on my shoulders started to intensify as he started his next sentence, "Well, do you…have feelings for that Austin guy?"
I felt my hand slide off his face and back to my side, I admit it…I was quite shocked at his question. But that was the beginning of it, when I looked up to meet his face with mine, I saw a single tear going down his face ever so slowly. It felt as though time had stopped for us and us alone. I then remembered that he asked a question and brought my head down low where now my bangs are covering my face.
All of a sudden, that question rang through my head. I can hear the cracking of his voice. The disappointment. The sadness. And most of all the confusion…
My body just felt paralyzed from my toes up to my head. It feels as though I cannot move my body or speak, but if I did manage to speak it was all stuttered.
"W-W-Well, I'm n-not entirely s-sure. I h-had my heart f-f-first broken by N-Nastsu. So I'm a-afraid if I ever fall in l-love with another b-boy, I might h-have my heart b-broken again."
I then lost all my will to stand and collapsed onto the ground outside of the guild and sobbed loudly. It was sorta humiliating since I was crying in front of Laxus, but right now it DOES NOT matter.
"Honestly, why can't I ever find true love in my life?! I have always been up for marriage when I lived with my father back at the mansion. However, all those times, guys only 'loved' me because of my MONEY and never ever for my personality or the real me! Somehow, the only love and compassion I ever felt in my life is from Fairy Tail and Blue Pegasus." I confessed to him while still sobbing.
He was still standing until he came closer to me and taking a seat on the ground. He placed a comforting arm around my shoulders and said, "I'm sorry, I never should have brought this up."
"No, it's ok, you are my nakama right?" I said with a smile on my face with tears stained on my cheeks.
He flinched, but I noticed. "We are nakama right Laxus?" I said with a worried expression.
He was now grumbling and stalling at the question. I quickly got up from the ground and his arm around me until I scream at the top of my lungs, "WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?! WHERE IS THE ANNOYING BASTARD THAT CALLS ME BLONDIE AND IRRITATES ME! ANSWER ME RIGHT NOW LAXUS DREYAR, ARE WE NAKAMA OR NOT?"
I felt tears rolling out of my eyes and noticed that he was in complete and utter shock from my raised voice. I raised my right hand to try and slap him in the face but I saw him also get up from the ground and just place one hand on my shoulder while the other held my hand in the air, "Yes, we are nakama Lucy. But, I have something important to tell you."
"Okay, spill the beans, tell me what has been on your mind lately." I said more calmly to him.
"I actually need to head back to Hargeon and Magnolia so I can handle some business and my train leaves tomorrow at noon. So before then, I'm gonna buy some supplies. This may be the last time we might contact each other for now, so I guess this means goodbye for now." Laxus said while exposing some teary eyes to me.
My pupils widened at his response. "Wait, so you are gonna leave me now?" With shock and ecstasy in my voice. 'I just can't believe this, he can't be serious.' I kept thinking over and over in my head.
"I'm serious Lucy and I'm serious about this too." As he started moving closer to me. I was thinking, did he read my mind or something?
Suddenly, I saw Laxus coming closer and he gave me a kiss on my forehead. I felt my body become much more flustered at this action. His lips were so rough yet soft and also so warm. It felt as though some electricity passed through and gave me the tingles throughout my body. He slowly took his lips away from my forehead and replaced it with a hand on my head.
I looked up at him for the last time before he said, "Guess I'll see ya when I see ya, right Blondie?" With that, electricity surrounded his whole body and he was gone in a flash. He probably used his magic to enhance his speed and disappear from the Blue Pegasus guild.
I was thinking about the current events and said, "Did he have feelings for me this long, but the question is will I be able to return them?
Now that I have thought it over, I realized that Laxus is gone…I lost a precious nakama in which I may or may not see in a quite a while…With that, I was sobbing in the front of the guild with my back up against the wall and my knees tucked in and my head burrowed in between.
(Meanwhile inside Blue Pegasus: Austin's P.O.V)
"God Damnit, WHAT WAS I THINKING?!" I had yelled out loud. That seemed to catch the attention of most of the guild members now and I immediately wham my head on the bar table.
'I just met her and was gonna make a move on her right away and ESPECIALLY in front of the whole guild?!' I thought angrily at myself.
I turn my head on its side but it's still on the table and sighed. 'Well, I really don't know why she is on my mind, I bet that she is already taken by that blonde guy that took her out earlier.' I thought back in my head.
"Now now, what seems to be the matter Aus?" A voice said to me.
I pick my head up a little bit and it seems to be one of my best friends, Manny Starry. Manny is a 19-year old S-class mage who is also our bartender. He has silver hair that goes a little above his shoulders. His eyes are goldish-yellow with a tint of brown in the middle. He wears a blue muscle tee with a black cloak, denim jeans, blue/white sneakers and a black guild mark on his left hand. Finally, he uses Angel Soul Transformation, but do NOT be fooled by his magic, he can be super deadly when he wants to be, how else could he be an S-class without that kind of strength.
"Eh…you know what's up Manny. Can I actually have a water right now?" I asked him kindly.
"Sure, no problem bro." He said while walking away into the kitchen and then coming back with an ice cold glass in his hand. "There you go, just how you like it." Manny said with a smile.
"Thanks Mann." I said while taking a long sip from the glass.
"Yeah Aus it's my job. Also, did you notice that all the members are talking about you and the new girl? Also, IS IT TRUE THAT YOU TWO ALMOST KISSED?!" Manny screeched the last part out.
I spat out my water into his face and then quickly reach over the counter to cover his mouth with my hand, I REALLY don't like having too much attention.
"Okay… first calm down and don't scream out anything unnecessary, GOT IT?!" I said to Manny. Honestly, this guy just loves to gossip about any kind of shit that he hears first to the others.
He simply said, "Uh-huh," through my hand that was still on his mouth.
"Okay then." I said, but before I could remove my hand off his face he licked my hand.
"The fuck Mann?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!" I scolded at him.
"Eh, cause I was bored." Manny said with a giant smirk on his face.
I groaned and slumped back into the bar stool until Manny starts the conversation once again, "Sooooo…you were really gonna kiss her?"
"I guess, I mean I felt a sudden connection with her that I can't really explain." I answered honestly to the Angel Soul mage.
"Wellllll, you know that a certain someone is gonna be pissed off at you." Manny said with some seriousness in his voice.
"Really? Wh-EHHHHH! Oh my fuckin god! I forgot all about Hibiki loving Lucy. Shit! I gotta go apologize to him now." I said while jumping out of my seat and locating the Archive mage. I finally located him at one of the tables with the rest of the Trimens and quickly hustled over there.
As soon as I got there I tapped Hibiki on the shoulder, in which he turned around and gave me a cold, dead eye look, STRAIGHT-ON.
"What do you want?" He answered to me harshly and coldly.
I shuddered but quietly so he wouldn't be able to notice. This is the first time since he has been hostile towards me. "Umm, can we talk outside of the guild real quick dude?" I asked him really nicely.
Ren and Eve gave a quick glance at Hibiki telling him to come with me and then looking back at me with a deadly glare before we walked towards the entrance of the guild.
However, as we were passing by the door of the guild, we saw Lucy come back inside, teary eyed and with no Laxus.
'I wonder what happened to her? Maybe I should talk to her when I arrive back inside.' Both of the boys thought while still walking outside.
(Third Person P.O.V)
Yet, what both of the boys failed to realize was that an anxious Ren and Eve were gonna eavesdrop on their conversation that was soon to take place right there.
(Austin's P.O.V)
Heyyy Hibiki, IM SOOOO SORRY about trying to kiss Lucy…I should've known and thought about your feelings at the time and how you LOVE her." I quickly explained.
"It's alright bro, but I DO have a proposition, only if you're interested in it." Hibiki had said with a grin on his face.
"Okay…give me the deets." I requested from him.
"Well basically both of us try to get attention from Lucy the most and whoever gets the most is considered the winner." He then said while also extending out his hand if I accept the offer.
I thought it over in my head and then said, "You're on. Best man WINS!" Thus, we shook hands and gave each other a friendly rivalry smile towards one another. Finally, we were able to become bros again as we walked back inside of the guild with a worried Eve and Ren at the door.
Hibiki had wide eyes and then said, "How much did you guys hear?"
"Whaaaaa…we didn't hear a thing about Hibiki-san or Austin-san making a rude bet about Lucy-san." Eve said while sweating bullets at the back of his head.
Ren immediately pounded Eve on the head and said, "You BAKA, now they know that we know about their shit that we aren't supposed to know you, BAAAAKA."
Eve then rushed to the corner and started to sulk, almost like Master Bob from earlier.
"Listen, you guys better had not tell anyone about this, ESPECIALLY Lucy." Hibiki then said to the rest of the Trimens.
"Whatever we'll keep your dirty little secret, just as long as you keep Eve away from Lucy, you of all people should know that he is not good at keeping secrets like that last time or the time before that." Ren said with seriousness all over his voice.
Hibiki shuddered at the memory and I was laughing hysterically. Apparently last year, Eve found a photo of Hibiki dressed up as bunny girl and running away from other male mages with giant hearts in their eyes, during the Easter time, who had all thought Hibiki was a girl. That photo was courtesy of Austin and was posted all over the guild the next day. (P.S, Austin made a bet with Hibiki of who is stronger…Austin won, OBVIOUSLY.)
"Okay, we'll take note of that, thanks a bunch Ren!" Hibiki said smiling.
"No problem, I'll take care of Eve right now since he is sulking, but I think you guys should check over Lucy…I don't think she is doing all that well." Ren said while going back to Eve.
Hibiki and I exchanged glances and finally decided…It's Rival Survival Time now and thus went separate way in the guild to find our wonderful blonde maiden.
Sooo, how was this chapter guys?! I hope you guys enjoyed this and the characters. I absolutely love Manny! He is just so awesome and also his magic, so I plan on using him more in the future as well as Austin and Hibiki. However, some of you may want to kill me because of the Laxus moment…but do not fear, he will try to be back as soon as possible, so SORRY FOR NOW! PLEASE REMEMBER TO REVIEW AND FAVORITE MY STORY, I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE EFFORT! Also, in the next chapter, I'll be sure to include Lucy getting her guild mark so please stay tuned for that. Until next time, I'll see y'all later!