• Soup •

The blonde sat still in the middle of the bed, eyes already swollen from spending almost a day crying her eyes out. She wrap the comforter tighter around her body despite the hot temperature in the room. Closing her eyes in hope of keeping the tears from streaming, she wish to scream at the top of her lungs in desperation of waking up from this nightmare. But that's the case, this isn't a nightmare.

She can clearly remember the events last night, of how she woke up crying from a nightmare again and decided to take a walk but unfortunately, things went unexpected.

" The anima was reopened "Lucy felt like her body went still, frozen, and all the remaining air inside her body was absorbed. Anima, an inter-dimensional gate that absorbs things such as magic from Earth land and deliver to Edolas. She thought Mystogan sealed it?" Someone opened it and closed at the same time you were absorbed "If she was absorbed, so do the town where she was staying or worse the whole Kingdom of Stella. Her heart beat faster than a thousand light-years, feeling her hand against the sheets of the bed shake and her whole body trembling. Someone opened it in order to store back magic to Edolas, someone like his father." What about the town? Are they turned into a lacrima? Where are they? Are they safe? " Four questions at a time, didn't even paused at every question. She swore to protect that town as long as she stay, the Mayor witnessed it and so do the townspeople in return to help her search for Aquarius' Key in their town. She promised them. But how can she be so careless and let her guard down? Now they are might be in danger." You were the only one Lucy "Hearing those words, she narrow her eyes towards the man in, shocked. She parted her lips and tried to ask him but she can't seem to find her voice. She watch as Mystogan look away and noticed how his jaw clenched. There is something he's still not telling by how he look away and the way his eyes hardened." The anima was weak at that time. It was sealed for a long time, resulting to weaken its power. It tried to absorb the whole town you were at but failed due to its small amount of power, but it still managed to absorb at least one wizard and Lucy, it is you "Mystogan abruptly stood and walk over the window, his back facing Lucy. It took him a moment standing there, seem debating wether he should tell her or not. It will shocked her and might break her but she needs to know the truth. She heard him sighed and put his hands behind his back before saying the next words that almost made her heart stopped beating." Like what I said, it opened and closed at same time you were absorbed. The anima sealed itself forcely because it surpass its limit of use of power when it absorbed you. It is sealed Lucy, and cannot open again, the possibility of you going back to Earthland is . . . small "To say that this words blew her mind would be an understatement. She felt her body weaken causing her to fall back in the bed. Tears start streaming down through her cheeks like a river.The only thing or person that entered her mind was Aquarius. How can she look for her key if she's stuck in this world without a possiblity of going back to where she came from?

She was pulled out of her thoughts when a soft knock echoed throughout the room and a small voice spoke.

" Miss Lucy, I brought you dinner "

She recognised the timid voice from the girl who had been delivering her food since breakfast, tried to persuade her to eat but in the end, the blonde will win. Lucy chuckle bitterly once her eyes found the moon shining above from the outside of the window, only the source of light of the dark room— she didn't even noticed the sun has already set.

" I don't want to eat "

Lucy could picture the girl slumping her shoulders with her famous sigh of defeat from the other side of the door. After a moment, retreating of heels clicking against the floor of the hall reach the blonde's ears. After what Mystogan said earlier in the morning, he decided to leave her and gave her time to think, assuming that's what she need at this very moment. But no, she needs comfort, she needs someone.

The blonde was about to curl herself when she heard a knock again, this time she know it's not the servant by how the knock is seem hard.

" Lucy, eat at least soup, will you? You haven't eaten since morning " she heard a man spoke from the other side of the door, despite the low voice, she can clearly recognise it.

" I don't want to eat, okay? Now leave me alone "

Silence erupted and thought for a moment he left but soon he knock again, louder than earlier, as if he's trying to break down the door.

" If you don't open this door this instant, I swear, I'll leave no choice but to barge in "

Convinced he's serious by his threat, Lucy immediately put the sheets aside and quickly wipe her tears before standing on her feet to open the door. Once accomplished, there standing Mystogan in a military uniform with his hands occupied with a tray of foods. The blonde sigh, accepting her defeat and step aside to let him enter. His heavy footsteps rang in her ears as he walk towards the bed and set down the tray of foods before turning on the lamp by the nightstand. Lucy dropped her gaze down at the floor and shut the door before following the King. Rolling her eyes, the blonde sit beside him and cross her arms in her chest.

" You're already thin and scrawny, and you don't want to eat? Seriously, you'll look like a stick "

Her eyes rose to him and raise her brow for a moment, wondering wether that is an insult or a compliment.

" Aren't you going to defend your frame? " Lucy nervously look away and rub the back of her neck.

" It's just that . . . uh nevermind "

It's just that you're the first one to say I'm not fat and overloaded like Natsu and Happy used to complain or have a curvaceous body like some pervert men drooled over.

And of coarse she's not going to admit that.

" Now eat " He commanded with those pair of cold blue eyes.

The blonde continue to raise her brow at Mystogan with her arms still crossed, " It's just because you're the King of this kingdom doesn't mean you have the right to order me every chance you get ". Lucy was suddenly caught off guard when his hand found its way towards her face causing her mouth to slid open and giving him full access to slid the spoon inside her mouth.

The Stellar Mage's cheeks fired as she swallow the soup with wide eyes, still stunned by his previous action.

" You're too noisy. Just eat, will you? "

Lucy nod and look away. Wondering for a moment why the air around her thickened.

" Why are you so flushed? "

She watch as Mystogan look at her with confusion, seem trying to figure out the reason and she could imagine mentally slapping herself.

" N-no! Really . . . am I? It's just . . . hot, I guess " The girl stammered and quickly drop her gaze on the floor once again before taking the spoon from Mystogan's hand.

The former Fairies stayed in an uncomfortable silence as Lucy continue eating the pumpkin soup and tuna sandwiches with Mystogan watching her to make sure she'll properly eat. When the blonde is finished, he called a servant to took out the tray of now empty plates. He stayed and the two remain silent for a short amount of time until he spoke.

" Don't worry, I'll do everything I can to bring you back "

Lucy look up and came in contact with his brown eyes. The blonde felt tears building at corner of her eyes again and caught a glimpse of his smile.

" For the time being, Edolas will be your home "

And finally, tears stream down and surprised him, even herself, when Lucy pull him in a hug.

" Thank you, Mystogan " It took time for Mystogan to register what's happening and soon snake his arms around her.

And for the time since Aquarius left, she feel safe.