Azalea P.O.V
I smile happily, taking in a deep breath, the smell of cherry blossoms fill my nose. The wind blows softly, tousling my Mohawk slightly. It's so beautiful here. I lean my back against the trunk of one of the many cherry blossom trees in the park in Magnolia. I turn my face to the left, taking in the man sitting next me. His blond hair, moving ever so slightly in the wind, blue eyes closed, one with a lightning shaped scar running through it. He has a small smile on his face. I'm kind of glad he decided to show me around Magnolia after I got my stamp. He showed me where different shops were and where his and Bickslow's houses are incase of emergencies. Which, that was a very thoughtful idea. Now, we're sitting at the park, just relaxing. We didn't really talk when he was showing me around. I wonder if we will now that we're both pretty relaxed.
"Why are you staring at me?" His voice enters my ears. His eyes are closed how does he know I was staring?
I turn my gaze away from him. "I..I wasn't." I stutter nervously.
He chuckles. "I could feel you looking at me." I blush a bright red. I could feel my face heat up even more when he opens his eyes and looks at me. Oh Mavis is he handsome.
"You know," He starts speaking. "I know a lot about your magic, from Bickslow." I smile at that.
"Really? Does it weird you out? It weirds most people out! When I was younger and would do odd jobs for people to make money, they would treat me so terribly. I even had rocks thrown at me by a bunch of kids in one of the villages I was helping out." I speak very nonchalantly, but inside, the memories of the way people treated me, sting. I hear Laxus growl, his muscles are tense again. Why does he do that?
"Well, I think it's a pretty awesome magic. Not as cool as mine, but then again you can't really beat the magic of a lightening dragon slayer." My eyes widen. He's a dragon slayer? Oh no, what if he has a mate? Go figure this would happen and he probably already has a damn mate. I sigh.
"I think it's interesting that dragon slayers, god slayers and seith mages all have something in common." Laxus speaks softly. "God Slayers have inamoratos or inamoratas, their god or goddess in simple terms. It's they're other half and from what I've been told that bond is as strong as a dragon slayers mate. Bix told me that the only bond stronger than that is that of a soul mate. A seith mages other half. He says that it's the only bond that lasts after death." I look at him wide eyed. Why is he bringing this up? "From what Bickslow has said, you feel your soul shift instantly when you meet your soul mate, it happened to him when he met Lucy. How he's managed to hold off on telling her is beyond me. The moment I laid eyes on my mate I wanted nothing more then to mark her. My dragon instincts were trying to take me over." As he spoke about his mate I felt my heart shatter into thousands of tiny pieces. I'm thankful he isn't looking at me, I can already feel the tears start to pour down my face. My soul mate already found his other half.
"It's weird. Bickslow described what happened when he saw Lucy, as his soul shifting. When we were in the guild, and you looked at me, he said your soul shifted. He seemed pretty pissed. I wonder why?" He speaks softly and looks at me. His eyes are soft. He knows. He knows, and he feels guilty. Bickslow must have told him that seith mages only ever have one soul mate. That's the point of a soul mate. You don't get another one. If you meet them and they don't want you, you never get a chance to be happy like you would with your soul mate. Your whole world feels empty. Oh Mavis, I don't want to be empty. I don't want a lonely life.
His thumb brushes over my cheeks wiping away the tears. "I…I…I'm sorry Laxus. Soul mates aren't something we can control." I whisper, my voice choked with tears. "I'm…so…happy you have a mate though." I try and suck it up and give him the signature smile. He frowns slightly.
He slowly moves closer to me. "Your soul may have shifted when our eyes met, but my inner dragon roared to claim you when you opened the guild doors."
My eyes widen as his hands cup my face and his lips press against mine.
Bickslow P.O.V
Lucy hasn't let go of my hand since we left the guildhall. We're just walking hands intertwined. She's got her signature smile on her face. She's always smiling. I watch her closely as she interacts with my babies. They're flying around her head. Saying simple sentences. Papa call's her pretty, causing a slight red tint to spread across her cheeks.
She waves her hand at papa, trying to brush of the comment. "No. No. I'm not but thank you for saying so." I feel a twitch in my eye, how could she not think she's pretty?
"Don't act so humble, Cosplayer. You're beautiful and you know it." I mutter, causing the gorgeous blond to look at me in shock.
"You really think so, Bickslow? Happy and Natsu always call me fat…" She looks at her feet sadly. "Actually so does one of my spirits. Capricorn always says that I need to diet."
I clench the hand she isn't holding into a fist. My anger getting the best of me. "Well, don't listen to them, Cosplayer! They have no clue what they're talking about. You're not fat. You're beautiful and…and perfect."
"You don't have to lie to me Bickslow. I know you're just trying to make me feel better."
What? I can feel my anger boil inside me. How can she have such a low self esteem.
I hear her start to sniffle a few tears running down her face. "I'm not beautiful Bickslow, I'm not perfect. I'm fat, and ugly…and I'm so weak. They don't say it, but I can see it on everyones faces, every time I get hurt on a mission or kidnapped. I'm so weak. I don't even deserve to be a mage. So please. Please don't lie to me when I know the truth." She looks at me with so much pain radiating from her eyes.
All I feel is rage. I stop walking and push her into the wall of a building. We're on a pretty deserted street. She gasps, as I hold her by the shoulders, my body keeping hers pressed against the wall. I let anger fuel my actions, not even trying to reign it back in.
"Stop it Lucy! Stop saying things like that! I refuse to let my soul-mate think that she's weak! I refuse. You are strong Lucy. So very strong. You beat me at Fantasia. You never give up! I will not have anyone say otherwise!"
I'm breathing heavy as I look at her. Her eyes are widened. I scared her didn't I? I didn't mean to.
"S…soul-mate?" Her voice quivers.
Oh no. Mavis, did I really say that? Shit, she's never going to talk to me again. What have I done?
"I'm sorry, Cosplayer. Seith mages have soul-mates just like dragon slayers have mates. It's instantaneous. I knew the moment I saw you at Fantasia. I'm so sorry, Cosplayer. I never meant to tell you."
Her brown eyes narrow at me, the term Scary Lucy comes to mind. Before I can even blink she moves so our positions are reversed and she has me pinned to the wall. "What do you mean you weren't going to tell me?" Her voice is low. I look nervously away from her. The instant my eyes leave her face, her hand grips my chin, forcing me to look at her again.
"I just…" I clear my throat. "After everything I did to you, I didn't want you to know. I didn't want you to feel like you had to do anything once I told you the extent of what a soul-mate is."
"So you took away my choice by not informing me?" She mumbles. Her eyes flash with renewed anger. "That wasn't your decision to make, Bickslow! So, tell me now. Inform me on what a soul mate is!"
I shake my head viciously. "No." I say lowly, so low that I'm surprised she heard me.
"Tell me now!" She yells. My babies are behind Lucy, as if telling me that they agree with her.
"It's…It's not something we can control, just like Dragon Slayers can't control who their mates are. It's something inside of us, that knows who our perfect half is. It's a predestined match for a Seith Mage. We will only ever have one soul mate. If our soul mate denies us, we'll never be happy with another person, we are denied that, along with a family. We can't reproduce with anyone other then our predestined soul-mate. It's a lonely life Lucy, when your other half denies you. You have a big heart, Lucy. I didn't want you to feel like you had to be with me, just so I wouldn't be left to an eternity of misery." My body slouches against the wall. I feel a pain in my heart, knowing that she's going to deny the bond.
"You should have told me after Fantasia, Bickslow. We would have had a year of happiness together before we went to Tenrou."
Her voice is so soft, filled with sorrow. I knew it she doesn't want…wait, what? "A year of happiness?" I ask lowly.
Lucy smiles at me and nods. "Yeah Bix, we would have been together for a year, had you told me."
It's pity, it has to be. "You don't need to force yourself to be with me, Lucy."
A look of determination crosses her face, then I feel her lips against mine. Without thinking I kiss her back deepening it. I could feel my soul reach out to hers, my entire body shivered at our contact with each other. I swear I could see fireworks.
Sooner then I would have liked her lips leave mine. "I've liked you sense Fantasia Bix. I noticed just how handsome you were, and strong. Afterwards, when things settled down. You always made me laugh. We didn't talk much, but I always kept an eye on you. Sometimes I would sit closer to you and the thunder tribe just to hear your voice, and your laugh." Lucy smiles at me.
"You…really?" I'm stunned. I just don't understand it.
"Yeah Bickslow, really."
Azalea P.O.V
Laxus pulls his lips from mine, "Wow." He breathes out, resting his forehead against mine. All I can do is nod my head. I can't find any words. When he kissed me, it was like being struck by lightening, but not in a bad way. My entire body tingled. I wonder if he felt it too?
I feel my body move as Laxus pulls me onto his lap and kisses the top of my head. "You know," He starts. "I never thought I'd find a mate. With the things that I've done…I figured the fates or whoever pre-destines a mate, would find me unworthy."
I frown at what he says. What exactly has he done? "What do you mean?" I voice my thoughts.
He sighs loudly and pulls me closer to him. I can feel him sniff my hair. "You smell like orchids." He mumbles.
"Laxus," I whisper. "Tell me what you meant."
He pulls away from me slightly. "I tried to kill my guild mates. I wanted to take over the guild. Wanted it to be filled with only powerful mages. I didn't want to be seen as weak. My father was a very powerful man, and all he wanted was power. He was kicked out of the guild because of it. In some sick way, I felt like I had to prove to him I wasn't weak. I almost destroyed everything. I even brought Bickslow into it. The first time he met Lucy, was when he was fighting her, because of my plan to destroy them."
I look at his face. I can see the shame. "Well, obviously everyone forgave you because you're in the guild still. You didn't succeed so you shouldn't beat yourself up because of it." I give him a reassuring smile.
"There's more to it than that, but…"He trails off.
"You don't need to tell me. I get it. You can tell me when you're ready too." He nods his head.
We sit there in silence for a little while. Just enjoying being in each others presence. It's wonderful. His strong arms wrapped around me, makes me feel so, safe and complete. I'm so glad I found Bickslow. If I hadn't I never would have found Laxus either.
He breaks the silence. "I wonder just how strong our bond will be once we secure it." I giggle a little at his way of saying 'have sex'.
"Well, it's bound to be really strong. As my soul-mate, there's a lot of nifty things that will happen! Like me and Bickslow, we have special abilities because of us being twins. We can communicate telepathically and share our memories with each other. I don't know if you and I will be able to do that, but I'm sure it'll be something. It'll hurt though, when we aren't near each other."
Laxus sighs. "Will it hurt doubly so, since you're my dragon slayer mate as well? I've never heard of a double mating before, so I don't really know what would happen with the bond. Because you're my mate, I already know my dragon instincts will go haywire when it comes to you. I wasn't raised by a dragon, so Gajeel, He's an Iron Dragon Slayer, told me about it. He figured there were things I needed to know."
"We'll just have to find out for ourselves what will happen. It'll be fun!" I giggle at the last part.
"We should get back to the guild. I'm sure your brother wants some time with you." Laxus stands up bringing me with him, he quickly moves me so that I'm clinging to his back with my arms wrapped around his neck, and he hooks his arms under my legs.
"L..Laxus, what are you doing?"
He chuckle. "You're short and your little legs can't keep up with me." I grumble at his answer.
"I prefer the term vertically challenged."
Bickslow P.O.V
Lucy and I were sitting at the thunder tribe table, with Freed and Evergreen. After our kiss on our walk, and clearing a few things up, we decided we would go back to Fairy Tale. I had told Lucy about Azalea, and about how her soul-mate was Laxus. She agreed that it would be wise if the four of us got together in order to talk. I just got my sister back, and Lucy could sense my fear of losing her. Plus Lucy really wants to meet Azalea. She said she was happy to have new nakama. It made me smile.
Needless to say that when we came back to the guild and I had my arm wrapped around Lucy's shoulder and her arm around my waist, the guild was in shock. Thankfully the rest of Lucy's team wasn't in the guild, they decided to go looking for Lucy.
Freed and Evergreen weren't bothered by the Lucy and I situation. They, like Laxus, new what had happened during Fantasia. So, here we sit. Waiting for Azalea and Laxus to come back.
"Why did Natsu and the other go looking for me?" Lucy asked Evergreen. She shared a sad look with Freed.
"Well, Natsu said something about not trusting you with Bickslow." Evergreen said softly.
As soon as those words left Ever, all I could feel was shame. So much shame. Of course they don't trust me. Why would they? This isn't going to work. Lucy is going to leave me for her team. She's going to agree with all of them. I'm not trustworthy.
"Natsu said what?" Lucy asked. A dark aurora surrounding her. Why is she going Scary Lucy?
Ever and Freed both looked slightly startled at the way Lucy was looking.
"Cosplayer…it's okay." I say softly placing my hand on her shoulder and pulling her into me.
"No, Bickslow! It's not okay! It's not okay at all! They have no right to say that about you!"
"Lucy…"Ever speaks softly. "We all know the guild doesn't trust us…so it really is okay. We're used to it."
Ever's words only seem to anger Lucy more.
"No. I won't stand for it. All of you are nakama. It doesn't matter what you did in the past. It's just that. The past. They forgave Gajeel and Juvia for the Phantom Lord incident. It makes no sense as to how they don't forgive you. I won't let that continue."
Freed, Ever, and I look at Lucy in surprise. No one has ever stuck up for us like that. We fucked up, we don't deserve to be trusted. But here Lucy is, defending us, as if nothing even happened. As if I didn't hurt her.
"We'll worry about that later, Lucy." I tell her softly. She looks at me, and slowly her anger and frustration disappears.
Within seconds I can feel my bond with Azalea. She's near the guild hall. I look at the doors, and sure enough, they're busted open. My mouth drops at what I see. There they are. Azalea on Laxus's back. "You're such an oaf spark plug!" She shouts, gaining the attention of everyone.
"Who are calling an oaf, ya imp!" Laxus shouts back. A small smile on his face.
"Imp?! She yells. "I'll show you spark plug!" There's a collective gasp in the guild as we watch in terror as Azalea clamps her teeth around the top of Laxus's ear.
I can hear a loud growl coming from Laxus. Oh Mavis, why are you such a dumbass azalea?
He whisper's something to Azalea that no one can hear and I watch as her face turns bright red. "Gihi." I can hear Gajeel's laugh from across the hall, he must have heard Laxus.
Beside me Lucy giggles. "They're adorable. Mira is going to have a field day planning their babies and wedding." My jaw drops and I whip my head around to see her so fast, I'm surprised I don't give myself whiplash.
"B..babies? She…never!" She's my little sister…by five minutes, but still.
Lucy giggles again. "Oh stop it. Laxus is a good guy he'll take care of her just fine."
A shadow covers the table. "You think I'm a good guy Blondie?" Laxus voice rumbles.
We look at Laxus, as he lets Azalea off his back.
"We'll yeah Laxus! You went against Grimore Heart with us! You helped with Acrologia! Of course you're a good guy!" Lucy smiles at the three of us. Then her eyes land on Azalea.
Azalea P.O.V
The beautiful busty blond looks at me after fully shocking Laxus into a stupor with her words. Her smile widens. "You're so beautiful!" She squeals getting up from her seat next to Bickslow. She comes up to me and immediately pulls me into a hug. I can't help but to let her excitement and happiness transfer to me and I hug her back.
"So are you!"
She pulls back, still smiling, "I'm Lucy! Bickslow's…hmmm girlfriend sounds so lame because of the soul-mate thing, but yeah, I suppose I'm his girlfriend!" She says excitedly, causing Bickslow's jaw to drop and the green haired man at the table to fall from his seat. The pretty brunette just giggles at the men. Laxus is still standing there in his stupor.
I give Lucy the signature Bickslow and Azalea grin. "Oh gosh you really are twins!" Lucy squeals in delight.
I nod happily at her. "I'm so happy to meet you Lucy!" I pull her into another hug. "You know that since you're Bixy-nii's soul mate you're my sister now! We're going to have so much fun together!"
Laxus growls. "We're never going to get to spend time with our ladies are we, Bix?"
Bickslow sighs and shakes his head, "Nope. They stole each other." Lucy and I look at each other and start to giggle.
She keeps a hold of my hand and makes me sit beside her, while she sits next to Bickslow. I watch with a small smile as Laxus tips the pretty brunette out of her chair beside me so he could sit there. He takes the hand that Lucy isn't holding onto and gives it a soft squeeze. "Azalea," He speaks. "This is Freed and Evergreen they're apart of mine and Bickslow's team. Freed, Evergreen. Azalea is my mate, and I'm her soul-mate. So don't ask questions that's all I'm saying on the matter."
Lucy smiles at me again, "Do you have anywhere to stay, Azalea?" She questions me softly.
Stay? Shit I never thought about that. I don't even have any jewels to get a hotel room crap. "I…umm I actually never thought about a place to stay. I'm so used to just sleeping out in the woods." I mumble. How could I have been so stupid? I run a hand over my Mohawk in exasperation.
I hear Lucy let out another giggle. She does that a lot it seems. "Then you can stay with me! It'll be fun, we'll have a lot of girl time! Bickslow and of course Laxus are welcome over any time they want. Same with you Freed, Evergreen." Lucy smiles at the brunette and green haired mages. "You don't mind sharing a bed until we can get you one of your own right?" I smile at her and shake my head.
"Ugh…I can't even say anything perverted because she's my sister!" Lucy and I just ignore him, but I hear a sizzle and Bickslow yelping. I look at Laxus and see a small smirk on his face.
"You really don't mind me staying with you, Lucy?" I ask her quietly. I don't want to be a burden. I hate having to rely on other people.
"Of course I don't mind!"
I frown slightly. "Lucy, you know how Bickslow has those tiki dolls following him around?" She nods. "Well we have the same magic and I have something similar. I have two marionettes with lost souls in them. You won't mind them being around will you?"
Her grin gets larger. "Of course not! They're like your babies right?" I nod. "Well then they're pretty much my nieces or nephews! So it'll be fine!"
I widen my eyes, and without really thinking throw my arms around the blond mage. "Thank you so much Lucy!"