A/N: Sorry, again, for not updating. In the middle of national exams, yuck. I do not own Fairy Tail, but I certainly hope I like this chapter. I love you, everyone who has reviewed, hugs. (Thank you for your support, minna! You have made writing this story a very pleasant experience.)

19. Tender, sweet, tender

She had hard time remembering. She remembered fiery flames licking her, an image of a raged man flashed in front of her eyes, she remembered the smell of gunpowder and ash, it was the man's face again, she recognized the streets, the hidden alleyways, her own house. She didn't remember the man.

With a jolt, she awoke from her slumber. The air was light and although she could sense protective wards, written by Freed or Levy, she didn't understand. Struggling, she sat up, her back itching. She stretched out to scratch it, but her attention was caught by a man squatting at the edge of the trees. His blond hair was flying in the gentle breeze.

Lucy touched her temples, trying to put the pieces back together. Everything in her memory felt far too fragmented to be real. The chirping birds made it hard to remember. Her gaze wandered to the blooming flowerbed she was laying on.

"Laxus?" She asked, turning her eyes back to the man in shadows. The protective wards collapsed, causing a loud boom around them. Wings fluttering, the birds flew away. Her hand immediately went to her keys and she gripped them tightly. Everyone was there. Curious to know, if she could still summon them, she called for Plue. The spirit appeared, shivering as per usual. The young woman smiled warmly.

The man stalked forward and Lucy confirmed it was the lightening dragon slayer. He looked serious and stiff, and with every step he took towards her, her heart threatened to skip a beat. He was beautiful.

"So you're awake," he said, but there was no hint of teasing in his voice. He sounded tired and relieved, but mostly it made her wonder if he had stayed with her the whole time.

"I am," she stated the obvious. She felt at peace. The whole place oozed of the magic power she had given up, the white flowers bloomed. The sun warming her face made his hair sparkle and although she knew she was covered with days worth of sweat, she knew she must have looked somewhat nice, because of the look in his eyes.

"You should go then." His words cut into her heart, as he turned around. Lucy stood up, confused. As his back faded into the forest, she had sense to follow him. She stumbled over the roots and fallen branches, never quite catching up to him. From the sound, she knew they were nearing a waterfall. Was this where he was going? The trees didn't grow as thickly anymore and he was nearing the light. Lucy was trying hard to reach him, before he disappeared into it. For some reason, she was terribly scared she might never see him again, if that happened.

"Luuuuusshhiii!" she was tackled to the ground in a hug. Someone, with pink hair, was nuzzling her neck. Natsu, she thought, trying to shake him off of her. "You woke up! We've been so worried!"

"Let go of me, you pervert!" she squealed much like her self and Natsu let go of her, rubbing his ears. He was grinning widely, before enveloping her in a tight hug again. She gave a weak laugh and patted him on his back, until he willingly let go of her.

"Come on, let's go!" He rambled on cheerfully. "Everyone has been waiting for you to wake up. We're going to throw a party for your revival!" Lucy nodded, but straightened her neck to look into where Laxus had disappeared. For the first time, she felt like she really shouldn't go with Natsu. Not before..

"Wait," she smiled, freeing her wrist from his friendly grip. "There is something I need to check first.." She took one of her golden keys, Aquarius, and wrapped her fingers tightly around it, before walking towards the light.

There was certainly a waterfall. It was surrounded by rocks of all sizes and on one of them was him, the one she had hoped to see. She stepped forward and the face of the man in her memory flashed in her eyes again. Frowning, she rolled up her pants and stepped into the water. It was cold as ice, but refreshing.

"I told you to go, didn't I?" the man said without turning around. "Stop following me."

"Who said I was following you?" she asked calmly, starting to roll up her shirt. Getting it over her head, she placed it on a nearby rock on which she climbed to take off her pants. Their edges got wet, as she wiggled her toes out. Left in her underwear, she walked a little deeper, before diving into the stream, key of Aquarius still in her hand.

The sudden splash got Laxus' attention. He turned his head, barely, and saw her surface like a mermaid. She combed her wet hair with her fingers, staring into the sky. He noticed her golden hair sparkling under the hot sunlight and tried hard to hide his smirk, as the crystal clear water got soggy with the mud from the riverbank on the other side, as she finally put her feet down into the underwater ground.

"You'll catch a cold!" He called to her, clearly amused. Lucy ignored him, until a sudden splash of water flew towards him. It landed on his left cheek.

"Hey, mage!" she called back to him. "Cuckoo, mage, show me your magic!"

"I can't," he replied, looking smug, as she splashed more water towards him. "You'll get hurt." Humpfing, she pouted at him, swimming slightly closer, where the water was clearer. She laughed, for the world was so intoxicating now that she was not bound to anything, anyone.

Laxus smirked, freeing his cape from his shoulders and letting it drop onto the huge rock above him. Then, as she looked away, he removed his shirt and pants, before joining her in the water. But instead of diving, he went in slowly, holding her glance.

When he reached her, she took a deep breath and pulled herself underwater. Laxus followed her actions. Lucy's eyes were open underwater and she was staring at him. Air bubbles escaped from her mouth, as a smile crossed her face. Her hair had a life of their own, for a moment, and his did too. She reached her hand out to touch them.

Laxus grabbed it and pulled her to him, his lips crashing onto hers, as the force made them surface again. Water dripped from their half-naked bodies, but it was not enough to stop him from devouring her. It was the lack of oxygen that made them separate, but even so, he rested his forehead against hers, lips merely inches away from the girl's.

"Following me, eh?" she teased, breathless and red-cheeked. Laxus' lips crashed fiercely on hers once more.