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"Laxus." The girl smiled.
Afternoon came after Lucy's sudden revival from death. When they saw her beaten and weak yet fully alive, they can't believe their own eyes that those tears they were having a hard time stopping broke again. She was finally home with them, not home with her parents in heaven. But when they were about to start a welcoming party that involves a lot of those punching, table-throwing and most definitely shouting the Master intervened. He said that they should let Lucy peacefully rest in their guild's infirmary while they cleaned the mess they have made during their fight. Makarov ordered his grandson to take Lucy in the infirmary to be healed by their resident doctor, Wendy. Yes, he did order him to bring the girl to a place she could rest but when Laxus did what his Gramps thought he won't do, and by that, it means, carry Lucy like a newly-wed couple, he could now see those great-grandchildren running happily along the guild, causing, ahem, destruction and mayhem he will be taking care of. He didn't know if it was a happy thing or a stress to be reckoned with. He could just sigh.
When Laxus carried Lucy like one of those bridal styles, Lisanna could have sworn that she heard her sister's mental gears working. She looked at her face. Uh, oh, she knew that face and considering Mirajane was crying moments ago, her Matchmaking Magic, would be increased tenfold. She didn't know that her sister too had undergone that Second Origin thing and she also didn't know if Matchmaking Magic really exists or it's just her sister. She could only sigh.
When Team Natsu was about to follow Lucy, the Master stopped them and restated that she needs to peacefully rest in the infirmary and by that, he means, be alone. Of course, missing and protective of her, they put up a fight and said that they should be with her wherever, whenever and however she is and questioned why Laxus gets to be with her and not her own friends. The Master replied with a fixed glare that silenced them and merely stated that he will join them momentarily. Without anything left to do, Team Natsu said their apologies to Mavis for their inappropriate actions in which the child didn't accepted because she has much more at fault in Lucy's condition than them. And just like that, they were again a one big, solid guild. But surprises are yet to end.
Team Natsu were at the bar talking to Mirajane and Laxus. The blonde man was recounting Lucy and his one month adventure. There were actually two reasons why he did that. One was to inform them of Lucy's progress and previous condition because obviously, they were her teammates. They were shocked at how true it is of the danger she posed for herself and ecstatic to hear that she has undergone a rigid training method to keep her promise, her vow to them, to be an S-Class like them. The second reason was just to rub it in Natsu's face how they have grown closer. He could see it in Salamander's face. Ha! The jealousy. There is no way Laxus would discard a chance to inflate his already colossal ego.
A mailman came at the bar and gave the barmaid a magazine. She was surprised by what she saw and her already working mental gears were given a boost. Laxus saw these too and in that second, he knew who on Earthland was following them and it wasn't Mnemosyne or his men. It was Jason of Sorcerer Magazine. Erza noticed it, followed by her teammates. They saw the kiss they shared before Lucy passed out but they were still astonished on what they saw. In the cover was Laxus carrying Lucy. She was leaning into him that it looked like she was really enjoying the feel of the man's hard chest and muscles against her body. In that moment, all of them blushed the same shade of red that even Titania's scarlet hair would be called pink. In her moment of glee and excitement caused by her Take Over: Fangirl Soul, Mirajane furiously scanned the pages, almost ripping the whole paper to shreds. When they reached the article, they saw the first picture in the cover page as Mirajane read the text.
"Blondes and Blushes, The Perfect Color and Fairy Combination: Laxus Dreyar and Lucy Heartfilia!"
"June 14 of year X794, Laxus Dreyar was seen at the morning streets of Oak Town together with Lucy Heartfilia. Rumors by the townsfolk said that the two mages were really involved seeing as Laxus carried the girl with no hesitation. An elderly woman who the two asked where the train station was situated stated that the two might actually be in the stage of elopement. When asked on how can be she sure of it, she added that the two looked like they were too hasty in such an early morning."
Mirajane paused and then looked back again at the article. Laxus saw the following pictures of them around Clover Town. One was the one where they he was sleeping on Lucy's lap, the second was when they fought the bandits, the other was at the hospital Lucy's ankle needed medical attention and the next one was at the hotel where they stayed at. He silently backed away from the preoccupied readers and exited the building so that they won't notice him. Those people would definitely squeeze every ounce of information from him, especially that Demon barmaid. He then activated his Lightning Body Spell and went to a nearby forest. The people of Magnolia Town probably knew about the whole ordeal and when that Jason hears of him, he'll surely never gonna stop bugging him.
Mirajane noticed that the man involved was nowhere to be found. She was disappointed that she can't extract those juicy details right from him but then again, there is always Lucy. 'Oh, that's it! Lucy will definitely help me.' She internally smiled her devious and scheming grin. She then continued to the next paragraph.
"Following their 'alleged' elopement, the couple went to Clover Town. The picture on the right put more evidence at the elder woman's claims at Oak Town was indeed true. They apparently put up another spectacle of public display of affection on their way to the next town. The picture shows how much Laxus 'enjoyed' Lucy's tender loving care or in this case, her lap as his pillow."
"At their arrival at the station of Clover Town, bandits soon attacked the passengers and ransacked the whole train and people of their loots. Word has it that these thieves have been going their way for almost a month. Thanks to these Fairy Tail mages, the town was saved. The picture on the left side proved that their teamwork was indeed unbeatable. Due to their heroic acts, the couple has been given epithet that tied them to their local legend, The Thunder God and his wife, The Celestial Maiden."
"Wait." Erza intervened. Mirajane paused and looked at the team in front of her.
"What is it?" Gray asked.
"That legend. We've heard it before, right?"
"Yeah. Why?" Natsu answered for Gray.
"It's Clover Town, right, Mira?" Erza turned her head to the barmaid.
"Yes, it seems so."
"Natsu, Gray, how long has it been since we defeated Lullaby?" Erza turned to her teammates. She's finally figuring out the pieces of the puzzle.
"Well, adding the years we spent at Tenrou Island, that would be ten years." Gray answered. Suddenly, he understood what Titania means.
"Oh no, Lucy was actually there. She was the Celestial Maiden the mayor has been talking about." Natsu surprised the people around him with his quick perception. He was an S-Class now, after all.
"And those Imperial things that he said? I remembered I used Ice Make: Lance against that demon." Gray finally remembered.
"And I remember now. I used two armors. One was Heaven's Wheel and the other was Black Wing. Those two have wings. The other was white and the one was black."
"And then he said dragons and fire!" Natsu was also shocked by what they all learned.
They were both proud and disappointed. Proud that they figure it out and there's a whole new legend made around their fight against Lullaby but disappointed that they just realized it now. They could have had their reunion long time ago and spared Lucy of her near-death experience.
"Hey, guys! Can I continue now?" Mirajane said. She was very impatient when it comes to matchmaking her guild mates.
"Y-Yes, M-Mira-s-san." Natsu stuttered. Well, it's not just Titania they are afraid of, after all.
"On the same day, the two were then seen to be entering a hospital. Rumors said that, due to the relationship the blonde shared, the Heartfilia is currently pregnant and is undergoing her test to ensure the safety of their child…"
Mirajane paused and looked at the people listening to her. They were livid to hear the news. Natsu pounded the counter which caused their drinks to spill. As for Erza and Gray, both were emitting large amount of magical aura. 'So this was the reason the magazine was quite late.' She thought.
"LAXUS!" Natsu growled.
"YOU BASTARD!" Erza bellowed.
"That son of a…" Gray seethed.
"Um, guys, calm down. We really don't know what happened. It's Jason, right? His articles are always sensationalized." At this, the team seemed to calm a bit. It was indeed true and the outrageous articles about them were a proof. They motioned for the barmaid to continue.
"After leaving the hospital, both blondes went to a nearby hotel. A receptionist, whom insisted that her identity remain in anonymity, testified that the two shared a bedroom for about a week. Occupants of the same building said that Lucy only left once. The reason for this is unknown however words said that it may be to get another check-up from her doctor. On the same day, the alleged father, Laxus, left earlier than the girl, probably to buy her needs. He came back to the building at dusk, carrying flowers for probably the mother of her child."
The article ended and Mirajane can only look at Team Natsu with a sweat drop on her head and mouth agape. They were once again furious.
"This, I cannot forgive! An exaggerated check-up is one thing but sleeping together?!" Erza was the first to speak, anger emanating from her.
"And there were even witnesses! That bastard! What the hell is he planning?!" Gray barked.
"LAXUS!" Natsu shouted. But before they could leave to find that bastard of a culprit, the infirmary door opened and there stood the 'pregnant' woman the news has been talking about.
"Lushy!" Happy called out to her.
A/N: I am very sorry everyone for updating late. I had this killer headache and I really need to rest for quite a while. I am sorry I won't be able to reply to your reviews because I just sneaked in to type and upload this chapter. Special thanks to the following for their reviews:
Paname, mromero18, R3iga1004, Immortal Horse, Kesuna, Lightningeye, Miss Jester61, xxxLucyxharemfanxxx, ftftramenluvr, babymunkhcin. :D