I can tell you right now.. this story will be pretty long.. i still have a lot more story line to get through.. hope you guys like that :D
Let me know how I did! :D
Hiro Mashima owns FairyTail
He slammed his front door open and ran to his couch. He put Lucy in front of the fireplace and quickly zapped the firewood on fire. He ran upstairs and came down with a towel. Wrapping it around Lucy completely, he checked her face and forehead. She looked so weak and she was freezing.
She was trembling.. her face pale..
He went into the kitchen to warm her up some tea. Not saying a word.
Lucy herself remained silent.. when the water had boiled enough, he brought her the cup of tea.
Taking it with shaking hands, she slowly sipped at it and let out a breath of relief.
Laxus was frowning down at her as he stood.
Lucy glanced up and saw his frowning face... her eyes widened..
those eyes… those aren't the same eyes.. his warm engulfing eyes..
She averted her eyes away.. and stared at the fire before her.
Laxus turned around and gazed forward.
"What.. were you doing?" he said in a low voice.
The fire crackled..
She tugged at the towel closer to her body..
"I... It was hurting too much…" she said softly..
He froze… Laxus' eyes widened.. he looked at her at the corner of his eyes.
She was holding her knees to her chest.. trembling….
Then it hit him.. it made sense now… her senses.. the lacrima itself.. was still too powerful for her body to handle. Yes her body had accepted it.. but the overwhelming power of the lacrima was still causing strain to her. Her new found senses… were probably too much for her to handle all at once.. and in the water… sound was dulled.. smell was nonessential… and touch.. the cool gentle water must have been heaven to her sensitive skin. And letting out her magic.. must have eased the pain… She was going through everything he had.. he knew too well the pain and torture the lacrima would cause her body in the months to come.
He frowned as he closed his eyes in frustration.. he walked over to Lucy and took her by her shoulders. Lifting her up onto her feet, he pushed her to the bathroom. He put the hot water on in the tub and went out of the bathroom. He stood with his back facing the bathroom door.. He waited to hear for any movements inside. Hearing her step into the tub, he walked to the couch and plopped himself onto it. He rubbed the bridge of his nose… frustrated and guilt-ridden..
"And you will do whatever it takes so that she does….. you don't want to live in a future where doesn't exist"
He had forgotten what his future self had said.. he had been too busy dealing with his own problems that he avoided her at all costs.. her face.. her presence reminded him too much of what had to be done for her to survive.. and what his father had done to try and get her..
Laying back on his back, he closed his eyes. As he took in deep breaths.. he inhaled her scent.. it was oddly soothing for someone he didn't particularly know.. and the day's toll finally overtook him.. a veil of exhaustion swept over him.
After lying in the warm water for over an hour, her body temperature finally stabilized. Her magic finally recovered and she was as back to normal as she could be. She could smell Laxus in the living room.. and a sense of guilt over came her.
She decided that she needed to get out. A deep sense of fatigue hit her as she stood up and got dressed in the robe he had hanging on the door.
Opening the bathroom door, she saw him lying so peacefully on the couch. She knelt next to him and admired his sleeping face.
"Why have you been ignoring me?" She thought to herself.
"Be patient with me…" his voice echoed in her head.
"I know we don't know each other very well.. but.. please tell me if I did something wrong.. will you look at me.. with those eyes again.. do you see me?"
"Don't be scared of me…"
Softly.. she leaned her head onto his chest.. right over his heart.. she closed her eyes.
bathump… bathump…. bathump…
It was soothing… like every time he had held her.. It was like a soft lullaby to her aching ears..
He opened his eyes.. and watched Lucy silently. Her head on his chest.. her chest rising up and down slowly.. she was so calm around him.. did she not fear him? After everything? After the thunder palace incident? After his future self… did that? After she got to see how ruthless his father was.. and that his father's own blood ran in his veins.. and how he had done nothing less different to Lucy than what was done to himself? How…
Trying to keep his breathing and heartbeat normal.. he watched Lucy silently.. he was in awe of her.. what made her, this beautiful princess of a girl, beat all odds and survive.. despite everything she had gone through, she had maintained her innocence, her sanity, her optimism, her light.
He knew that she had been kidnapped countless times and beaten.. been the center of many major threats to the guild.. she even survived a rare disease.. and just like him she survived the implantation of a dragon lacrima.. and through it all, she rose up even stronger than before.
Her breathing evened out and he could tell he had fallen asleep. Knowing full well that she would wake up with an aching neck, he gently nudged Lucy on the shoulder.
"Yo.. blondie.."
She raised her head up slowly and looked at him with half open eyes..
"Go sleep in the bed."
She nodded sleepily and put her head back down on his chest.
The edges of his mouth curled up slightly at how sleepy Lucy.. was actually pretty cute. He pushed himself up using his arms.. Lucy's head remained leaning on his chest and was lifted up as well. He gently put his arm under her head and with a swift motion, he carried Lucy up bridal style. He walked to the stairs and began ascending when he felt Lucy nudge closer to him.
He walked down the hallway of the second floor and arrived at his bedroom. Gently getting on the bed on his knees, he put Lucy softly onto the bed. He was about to let her go.
"I'm sorry…." She mumbled.
Laxus stared at her.. she was still in his arms partially and her hair was covering part of her face.
"For…. What?" he said softly.
"Don't…. be mad…" she nudged her head onto Laxus' arms.
Lifting his hand.. he brushed her hair away from her face. She was certainly sleeping now. He gently removed his arm away from her head and put the blanket snuggly up to her neck. He got up and went to his bedroom door.. with one last look at sleeping Lucy.. he closed the door with a soft click.
Morning..
Her eyes adjusted to the sunlight in the room.. her eyes widened and she shot up noticing that the bedroom.. was indeed NOT her bedroom. She looked at the bedsheets and the furniture around her… it looked familiar…
LAXUS
Shooting out of bed, she looked around frantically for her clothes. Finding it dry and neatly folded on the side table, she quickly changed. After getting ready, she gently opened the bedroom door and walked down the hall silently. She had tried looking for her keys in the room but found her belt gone. Slowly and cautiously.. she walked down the stairs and found Laxus lying on the couch… shirtless. He was eating some toast with coffee.
"So you've finally decided to wake up."
"Heh… Good morning." Lucy said as she walked closer to Laxus slowly. She spotted her belt and keys on the kitchen counter. Laxus saw her at the corner of his eyes.
"Nice belt. Who gave it to you?" he asked sitting up now. He looked at her with a blank face.
"uhm…" Lucy said as she walked up to the counter and took the belt. "you did actually."
Laxus froze… Lucy examined his face to see his reaction.. he looked to be in deep thought.
"Well.. your future self… I mean." She said as she put the belt around her waist.
"Thank you Laxus… for taking care of me… and letting me spend the night.."
In the midst of putting on the belt, her hand touched against her keys.. and she saw a two spiritual signature approaching them. Her eyes widened..
Laxus noticed her shock at the front door. He rose an eyebrow in confusion and looked towards the door. And within seconds, he smelled them. He was shocked as well. Shocked that they were here.. but more importantly.. how had she sensed them before he did..
Within seconds..
BANG BANG BANG.
Laxus got up from the couch and walked over to the front door. He opened it and was face to face with Gajeel and Lily.
"Hello Laxus." Lily said.
"Where's bunnygirl?" Gajeel said with a serious face.
Laxus frowned a little in annoyance and stepped aside to show Lucy standing a few feet away.
"Hi Gajeel.. Lily." Lucy said walking up to them slowly.
"Hello Lucy." Lily waved from Gajeel's shoulder. "It's good to see you healed and well."
"Thank you… I'm sorry but.. what are you doing here?" Lucy asked confused. She was standing in front of Gajeel and Lily now.
"What are you doing here with him?" Gajeel growled as he crossed his arms. He looked at Laxus with his red eyes and Laxus in return glared back at Gajeel..
"What if she's here with me…. You've got a problem with it?" Laxus said in a dark low voice.
Gajeel growled.. he was not happy to not find Lucy at her own apartment.. he was not happy to have to smell Lucy out and find her at Laxus' place of all places.. and he was NOT happy to find her smelling like Laxus… and why the heck was Laxus shirtless.. the two had been alone.. together.. for who knows how long.
The two commenced in a stare down.. Lucy looked at the two with nervous eyes.
"Ahem…." Lily said ignoring the two dragon slayers and the obvious tension between them. "Metallicana wants to meet you."
"Me?" Lucy said surprised. Laxus and Gajeel continued to stare at each other, both refusing to back down.
"Yes." Lily said
"Why?" Lucy said
"He didn't say. But we should get going as soon as possible. I've learned that Gajeel got his patience from Metallicana… and its not in a good way." Lily sweatdropped.
"Oh…. Okay." Lucy sweatdropped and looked towards Laxus. "Thanks again Laxus.. I'll make it up to you sometime."
Laxus didn't acknowledge Lucy.. he only continued to glare at Gajeel. Seeing that he was not going to give her a response, she looked away a little upset and began walking past him, Gajeel and Lily.. and out the door.
"Bye Laxus.. C'mon Gajeel.. let's go." Lily said flying off from his shoulder.
Gajeel growled and walked away… a brilliant idea popped in his mind. He caught up with Lucy and hoisted her up over his shoulder.
"KYA! GAJEEL~!" Lucy yelled.
Gajeel looked at Laxus from the corner of his eyes.. and Laxus' reaction was exactly what he wanted to see. Laxus was clenching his fists and was death glaring Gajeel down.
With that, Gajeel smiled widely and began running.
"KYYAAA! GAJEEL PUT ME DOWN!" Lucy yelled. Lily flew after Gajeel.
In his fury.. Laxus slammed his front door shut.
They were deep in a forest.. Lucy was clenching onto Gajeel's shirt and tried her best to keep herself from swaying too much.. Yes.. she was still being carried by Gajeel over his shoulder.
Gajeel and Lucy had remained painfully and awkwardly silent the entire 6 hour trip.. Lucy was mad at Gajeel for man handling her.. and Gajeel.. was not a talkative man. Lily had flown along side nervously.. waiting for either parties to make a move.. but now he could not take it anymore.
"It's good to see you recovered and well Lucy-san" Lily said land on Gajeel's other shoulder.
Lucy smiled.. "Thank you Lily… but I'm not fully recovered… almost there though.."
Gajeel frowned to her confession.
"Are you still hurting?" Lily said alarmed and concerned..
Lucy just kept smiling.. she didn't reply.. Lily looked at her more closely and found her clenching her fists quite hard.
Gajeel stopped walking and he gently put Lucy's feet on the ground. He examined her face closely.. he had noticed that she was tense but he had thought it was cuz she didn't like being carried over his shoulder or even that she didn't like his touch..
As he gazed at her face with a frown.. he noticed her forehead wet with a slight sweat… her face was pale… and she looked like she could fall over.. She was gazing at the ground.
"Bunnygirl…" Gajeel said shocked.. "you.. are you hurting?"
"No… I'm fine.. let's keep going.." Lucy said with a smile as she looked up at him.
Gajeel took a hold of her left shoulder and gripped it tightly. Lucy's eyes widened from his sudden change in attitude.. she noticed that Gajeel kept his bandaged right hand clenched and by his side.
"Don't lie to me." Gajeel glared at her.
"Gajeel… is something wrong with your right hand?" Lucy asked ignoring his question.
"You better answer me.. I'm not going to ask again." Gajeel growled… his jaw clenched..
"I asked you if something was wrong with your right hand." Lucy growled back.. her staring right back into his glaring eyes.
"WHY CAN'T YOU JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION? IF YOU'RE IN PAIN.. JUST SAY YOU'RE IN PAIN.. WHY DO YOU HAVE TO ALWAYS KEEP IT TO YOURSELF." Gajeel yelled.
"WHY DO I HAVE TO ANSWER YOU WHEN YOU DON'T ANSWER ANY OF MY QUESTIONS? I SAID I'M FINE. NOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR RIGHT HAND!?" Lucy yelled back.
"NOTHING! ARE YOU HAPPY? AND I KNOW YOU'RE NOT FINE.. WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM WITH ADMITTING THAT YOU'RE IN PAIN! YOU'RE ALWAYS RUNNING AWAY.. ALWAYS HIDING NOW.. "
"NOW LOOK WHO'S LYING NOW! AND ITS MY OWN PROBLEM! AND IM NOT RUNNING FROM ANYONE."
"GGGRRRRRRRAAAAA!" Gajeel lifted both his hands up towards her face and was cringing to do something to her.. but just clenched his fists in frustration. "WHO WAS THE ONE WHO RAN AWAY IN THE FIRST PLACE.. WHO WAS THE ONE WHO HID THAT SHE WAS DDDYIINNNGG!" He roared.
Lucy flinched.. her face fell…
"YEA YOU KNOW I'M RIGHT.. " Gajeel yelled at her.
"Gajeel.." Lily tried to stop him.. he was really worried for Lucy now.. he had watched the two yell at each other.. he was surprised that Lucy held her ground against Gajeel.. it was amazing actually.
"No Lily… bunnygirl doesn't care about us.. or anyone in Fairytail…"
Lucy's eyes widened..
"If she cared.. she wouldn't have been so selfish in the first place.. you should have told us." Gajeel growled..
Silence….
Yes.. Gajeel was furious with Lucy.. he hadn't realized until he and Lucy began to fight.. he was furious that she hadn't told him that she was sick.. that she didn't tell anyone in FairyTail.. that she didn't trust that her friends could help her.. that they had a right to know as her loved ones.. and most importantly.. he was furious with himself that he had not caught onto it when she was in his care.. he should have known.. he should have seen it.. and deep inside.. he didn't want to admit that he honestly was afraid to touch her with the very hand…he had beaten her.. and cut into her stomach with. It felt stained.. stained with her blood.. he could still feel it.. the feeling… his right hand clenched trembling..
"I just…." Tears rolled down her face..
Lily smacked Gajeel's head with his paw and glared at Gajeel… for making Lucy cry.
Gajeel looked at Lily with a shock and anger… he cautiously looked back at Lucy..
"Wanted to prove that I didn't need saving… that I.. could save myself…"
Gajeel and Lily stared at her with wide eyes..
"What are you talking about…" Gajeel said angry. "What.. you're saying you're weak? That you needed to prove yourself?"
Lucy looked up at him with watery eyes..
"WHAT THE…." Gajeel let out a deep breath.. "Look.. you are not weak.. aren't you the one that beat that chick at Mount Goyang all by yourself? Even with the future guys with you?"
"Yes… but—"
"Trust me bunny.. no one thinks you're weak.. it's your own mind that's making you weaker than you are. You are strong.. I know it.. everyone knows it.. "
"Gajeel…" Lucy said softly as she cried..
"So don't you dare lie to my face.. think those stupid ideas.. or hide anything from me like that again…" Gajeel said frowning. "Cuz the next time you do…. I won't forgive you."
"Okay…" Lucy said wiping her tears away. "You can't either."
"Tch.. we'll see."
"Gajeel.. that's not fair."
"Well life ain't fair. Deal with it. C'mon.. dad's waiting." Gajeel said trying to walk around Lucy..
In the process, Lucy gently grabbed a hold of his right hand..
Gajeel looked at his hand with wide-eyes.. She gently weaved her fingers in between his and used her other hand to cover the back of his hand.
He looked up at her face.. and she did the same.
"Thank you…" She said softly.
Lucy and Gajeel stared into each other's eyes.. Gajeel's red stern eyes at Lucy's beautiful brown watery eyes… Lily looked between Lucy.. Gajeel… and knew that something was growing between the two dragon slayers.. something new and exciting.. just one thing bothered him… what about Levy? What about Natsu?
Gajeel tried to take his hand away.. but Lucy held on tightly. In frustration, Gajeel began walking again and tugged Lucy along with his hand. He made sure not to go to fast but not too slow to show that he was being a softy.
"Levy… Natsu…. What are you going to do?" Lily thought to himself.