X792 – 2 Weeks Post Alvarez War
Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail
KEY TO HIS SOUL
Brown eyes were impossibly wide as she followed her parents, holding each of their hands, and the two adults exchanged worried expressions; they weren't sure how long Layla's health would hold out and this was their last chance to see this particular event together until next year, the circus was something Lucy had never seen before and they wanted to make sure she got to attend. "Lucy, wait with your mother." Since they were at a circus Jude had abandoned his suit and Layla had dressed Lucy in a comfortable sun dress that matched her own, Jude purchased their tickets and the child looked around nervously; she had never seen this many kids her age before and none of them seemed to want to talk with her, her hand tightened on her mother's and Layla glanced down to see that Lucy seemed nervous.
"Sweetie? What's wrong?" Layla asked softly as she crouched down, looking at the girl, and Lucy shook her head.
"N-nothing, Mama."
Layla's eyes softened as she patted the little girl on the head. "When your father comes back with our tickets we can get something to snack on." Lucy blinked and nodded.
"Okay." Snacks usually meant carrot sticks or celery so the girl wasn't thrilled but Layla wanted to surprise her with either cotton candy or honey roasted peanuts, Lucy was a good child and Layla wanted to see her have fun today.
As the woman stood back up Jude handed each of them a wrist band to wear, signifying their entrance, and Layla quickly whispered in his ear about Lucy's treat. The man smiled and nodded. "I think I know just the thing." He led the two women to a chocolate stand and purchased something, Lucy couldn't tell what, and they handed her the stick. "They're chocolate covered strawberries, Lucy, go ahead and try one."
Jude explained as the girl looked at it. "O-okay." She took a small bite and blinked as the taste of rich chocolate and sweet fruity flavor hit her tongue, it was delicious, and she made sure to swallow everything as she looked up at her mama and papa. "It's delicious."
Layla smiled. "They're yours, dear, go ahead and finish them and we can play some games before the show starts." Her eyes went wide with wonder and the child nodded.
Brown eyes opened slowly, her body was sore and she felt exhausted, but Lucy knew that the price of her comfort was little compared to the fact that they had won. The door to the infirmary opened and Freed entered, carrying a tray of hot oatmeal with strawberries, and the blond mage smiled at him as he set the tray down. "Good morning, Lucy, I've brought breakfast."
The blond grinned and he helped her into a sitting position. "Good morning Freed, and thank you. What does everyone have planned for today?" The green haired man offered a smile.
"Laxus-sama has invited the members of other guilds to the hall for an appreciation party in their honor, as it wouldn't have been possible to win without their help, and the Master needs to continue resting of course." Lucy blinked and then sighed gently. "Yes." Freed noticed the immediate change and held her hand gently.
"He made the choice, Lucy." The blond raised her eyes and nodded to him, but her eyes still were showing her nervousness, it was adorable that she was so humble.
"I know but why me? Why not Erza or even Laxus?" Freed looked at the Ninth Master of Fairy Tail and smiled.
"You care Lucy, this guild is more than just a building or even more than nakama to you. You were prepared to lay your life on the line in the war with Tartaros and once more in the war with Alvarez. You were the one who came up with the plan that ended everything, having Bickslow rip Zeref and Mavis' souls from their bodies…sealing the black magic within the Fairy Heart crystal…and then to keep it safe you gave it to the Celestial Spirit King so he could destroy it by throwing it into a void zone in their world…Lucy you saved all of our lives." Lucy knew that was why she was so sore, she'd forced a blank gate open to the Spirit World (since Hige-oyaji would investigate) and essentially found a loophole in the law, the amount of magic it required had been vast.
"Mavarov will stay by your side as your advisor, Lucy, you know that; but for now we need you to focus on healing." The woman nodded and Freed watched her begin to eat, she'd come a very long way from the naive blond that had joined them so many years ago; he opened his mouth to say something when the door shot open.
"Master Lucy!" Nab, Warren, and Max shouted as they ran into the room; each wearing matching expressions of nervousness.
"Yes?" Her tone was soft but it was easy to see she was exhausted, that she didn't want to deal with whatever it was.
"Sabertooth has arrived…along with Mermaid Heel and Crime Sorciere. Natsu is…" Lucy held up a hand.
"I get it. Freed, help me up?" He glared at her but relented at her expression, the girl leaned most of her weight on him and strode out into the main room.
Natsu was trying to goad Sting into a match, the White Dragon wasn't exactly saying no either. "Master Sting! Natsu!" The pair snapped their gazes up to her, the blonde's expression was a baleful one as she watched them, and Natsu knew that expression well.
"H-hi Luce! You're up!"
The Fire Dragon Slayer ran for the stairs, wanting to make sure she was alright since he hadn't seen her in a few days, and she sighed as she leaned her weight on the railing. "Yes, for now, I'm still sore but I don't need you starting a brawl that'll destroy the building. We just managed to rebuild, ya know." He blushed as he came to a halt before her.
"Aye sir!" He saluted, making her roll her eyes, and he pulled her in for a hug.
"Lushy!" Happy flew toward her, letting her pull him into her arms, and she giggled as she snuggled him.
"Hey Happy. Welcome home."
He raised his head and beamed. "Aye, we caught lots of fish. Can you cook them for us since Natsu isn't as good at cooking fish as you?" He asked, earning a laugh, and the blond let him go.
"What about Mira or Lisanna?" The feline pouted. "B-but Lushy…yours are the best in the whole world." The blond sighed.
"Not this week, I'm still sore, but maybe next week when I'm feeling better. That sound good?"
He lost his pout. "Aye!" The feline rested on her shoulder and Freed joined Natsu in helping her downstairs.
"I'll go fetch your breakfast." The Rune Mage had almost forgotten that he'd had Mira prepare her food, and the blond was seated at the bar when he set the still steaming bowl down.
"So, Master Lucy, any plans for Fantasia?" It wasn't any time soon, thankfully, but Lucy did want to make sure it was just as good this year as the others.
"Not yet but I know for sure I'd be honored if everyone would join in, all the guilds, and that way we can make it a parade that nobody would forget."
Sting smiled. "Of course Sabertooth would participate, any chance we get to show up how good we are compared to you Fairies is-" He was silenced as Rogue's hand covered his mouth.
"It would be an honor, Master Lucy." The blond smiled. "Excellent, thank you Rogue." He nodded in reply and Lucy blinked as she heard the door open.
Lucy beamed as she saw who had entered and waved enthusiastically. "Master Bob! Hello, welcome!" The man waved as he walked in with most of his guild in tow.
"Hello Master Lucy, how are you feeling dear?"
Bob took a seat beside her, his question lingering in the air between them, and the blond smiled as he accepted a glass of wine from Kinana before turning to look at her. "I'm a little sore still but otherwise I'm better than ever." It was hard not to smile since she was surrounded by friends and Lucy finished up her breakfast with a smile.
"Wonderful news, and Blue Pegasus would love to participate in Fantasia." Lucy was about to reply when she heard a sound she'd become familiar with.
"Ku ku, ku. Amazing parfum Master Lucy. The parfum of recovery." Brown eyes closed before Lucy glanced back at Ichiya and waved politely.
"Hello, Ichiya-san. It's been a rather slow recovery but I did use some pretty strong magic. Actually…you don't happen to have your painkiller parfum?"
It was convenient and less stress to Wendy, Lucy had been wanting some relief from her pains, and the man smiled. "Of course, Master Lucy, behold." He opened the vial and she smiled as the soft lavender scent relaxed her, her muscles relaxing, and the young woman smiled as the door opened again.
"We're home!" Bickslow called, his Babies echoing him, as Laxus strode in beside him.
"Hello dears!" Bob greeted, earning a wave, and Evergreen ran over and hugged the man.
"Hello Master Bob! Lucy what are you doing out of bed?"
The blond chuckled. "Natsu." Stormy blue eyes shifted to the Fire Dragon, who was sitting rather tame on Lucy's other side.
"Tch." The Lightning Dragon patted Lucy on the head, earning a soft smile, and the blond felt a pair of arms slide around her shoulders before a chin rested on her head.
"Bicks…" He hummed, the sound traveling through his chest as he stood behind her, and Lucy leaned into him. "I'm okay." Her whisper was gentle, barely loud enough to be heard without straining.
"I know. Just wanted to hold you." He answered as he felt her relax against him.
Cana, who was across the bar, raised a brow. "Are you two dating or something?" The Card Mage asked, suddenly suspicious, and Lucy blinked before a red blush covered her face.
"W-well…" Bickslow smirked. "Yes. I had asked right before the war, actually, and I've been so busy I haven't been able to see her." Lucy nodded to confirm what he said and Mira's eyes widened.
"How could you hide that from us?" Her tone was shocked but she shouldn't have been so surprised, her face forming into a lovely pout, and Freed held her hand and smiled.
"They didn't want you sticking them in a group together in the war, dear, any distractions could risk their lives and the lives of the others." Mirajane nodded, her royal blue eyes falling to Lucy's face, and she watched as Makarov harrumphed from his seat.
"I still think you would be a good match for my brat of a grandson." Lucy sighed as Laxus rolled his eyes and glanced at Lucy and Bickslow.
"Tch. I got Flare, old man, I'm fine. Blondie's a special case anyway." The older man blinked and looked around, watching the redhead peek out from behind a pillar, and Lucy waved to the woman.
"Hello Flare. Why are you hiding?" As usual Flare seemed nervous as the gazes of the room settled onto her.
"We-well…I just…" Lucy stepped out of her seat and hobbled over to the redhead.
"Welcome home, Flare." As she hugged the Crimson Hair Mage the guild went silent, it was amazing that someone as forgiving as Lucy existed; they all remembered when Flare had trashed her and cheated to beat her and now the duo were good friends.
"Master Lucy, why are you in such boring pajamas?" Sting asked suddenly, making the blond roll her eyes, and she glanced over her shoulder.
"Not my fault you missed all the incidents in which my clothing got ruined." Natsu laughed as Levy turned bright red before losing it, the bluenette was laughing so hard she fell out of her chair, and the Seith mage grumbled.
"What did I miss?" Sting asked and Cobra snickered from his seat.
"During the dragon fight the jade dragon, Zirconis, sent Bright Eyes careening across the sky as naked as the day she was born." Sting turned to look at her and immediately jumped to his feet.
"No fair!" Lucy's expression was unamused at his outburst and Yukino cleared her throat, everyone laughed as Sting froze in place and turned to look at Yukino with a wide grin.
"H-hey baby."
The woman rolled her eyes. "Master Sting…grow up." He ducked his head and Bickslow crossed the room, scooping Lucy into his arms.
"I'm gonna take you back home to get a bath and change. We'll be back later." Mira giggled.
"Make sure you're on time, Freed and I have a special announcement." Lucy nodded and the blond glanced at Mira.
"I already know, and congrats."
Lisanna looked between them. "Know? Know what?" Laxus smirked and Evergreen laughed. "Why do they all know and not us?!" Lisanna asked, motioning to her and Elfman, and Mira giggled.
"Freed told them, with my permission." The Take-Over mage pouted and Lucy decided to spoil the fun.
"You better make sure my god child is intelligent, Freed." A few faces went red before Elfman fainted.
"You're pregnant?!"
Bickslow high tailed it out of the guild and Lucy looked up at him with a mischievous look. "Nice deflecting." He praised softly. "But it will be harder to hide your scent soon." Lucy shrugged.
"They're not paying attention to me anymore though." The Seith Mage laughed and ignored the odd looks he was getting from anyone watching them, him in his baggy pantaloons and mask while he carried the busty blond in her plain pink pajamas. The war was over, he had the girl of his dreams, and they were going to have a family.
"How the hell did we manage to hide that from Laxus?"
This chapter obviously takes place well after the war, after Lucy recovers from her grief, and I've taken my own spin on the Alvarez war. For a mage that possesses human souls I've always wondered what the limit on Bixy's powers are, part of me imagined that with enough power he could separate soul and body...so that's what I did. His magic has so many things that he could do and we never really see it. So he helped Lucy end the war, SHAZAM!