Chapter 8! Hope that you enjoy!
Invitation
Chapter 7
Lucy froze as she stepped into the office, her gaze widening as she saw not only her father and Makarov, but another man that had her wanting to flee from the room. She had never met him, as far as she could remember, but there was just something about him that made her want to get far away from him as quickly as she could.
"Lucy, is everything alright, Child?" Makarov asked, and she looked down at the old man who was sitting on his desk. His gaze narrowing in on the stranger, all the while sitting a little straighter. She looked to her father, who was merely staring at her with what she could only describe as tolerance, and decided that things were not alright.
She was in a room with one man she wanted to have nothing to do with, and the other one intimidated the hell out of her. The only little comfort she had was Makarov, and while she knew that Laxus's grandfather could handle his own, that didn't mean she wanted him to risk himself for her.
"Well, I..."
"What the hell are you doing here, Bastard?" The snarl had her spinning around, her gaze widening as Cobra marched through the doors, passed right by her, and walked right up to the man she did not know.
"Cobra." Makarov growled a warning, but it was ignored as Cobra stood toe to toe with the man who was looking slightly pale now.
"This doesn't concern the likes of you." The man muttered, and Lucy felt her gaze widen as Cobra scoffed, apparently giving a fierce look because the man actually took a step back. If anyone was to tell her this, she wouldn't have believed them, but here it was right before her own eyes. Cobra was causing this intimidating man, who had a couple feet over him, to back down and tremor like a frightened dog!
"Anytime you get around me or Midnight, I make it my concern. Now especially since you have some connection to Lucy." Cobra growled, taking a few steps back so he was protectively at her side. She swallowed and risked glancing up at his face, nearly taking a step aside at the anger, hate, and fury that tightened his features. She had never known that a human was capable of this much raw fury, and it both made her curious about how Cobra knew the man, as well as what he had done to him!
"I see you've been making friends with the wrong kind, yet again Lucy." Her father muttered, causing her to stand straight and wince slightly. However, she didn't let her gaze waver as she met his cool stare. She had fought so hard to get away from him, she would be damned if she went back because of intimidation.
"Father, what are you doing here?" She asked, watching as he scowled before turning and looking out the side window.
"I must say Makarov, you have a fine institute here. It would be a shame if someone was to buy it out and bulldoze it over." He stated, causing her to gape at him before taking a step forward. Only to be held back as Cobra latched onto her bicep as the second man moved to intercept her.
"Father, you can't..."
"Well, if I was that easily bought out, this place wouldn't exist." Makarov interrupted, causing everyone to look at him. Even her father was surprised if the way he actually turned to look at the man said anything.
"What...What do you mean?"
"You see, Mister Heartfilia, you are not the only member who has...supported the school this far. We have other benefactors that could easily match your feeble threat. Now, if you have called a Child of mine into this office in an attempt to put her life off course, then I must say I wouldn't be to thrilled by that." Makarov ended, hopping down off the desk and strolled into the middle of the room. Not even concerned about how the two other men towered over him, and instead stood before Lucy and Cobra.
"I assure you Lucy, your father's threat is nothing to us. You've no need to even think about it, since I know you still wish to forget everything from your past. And with good reason now that I've met him." He whispered the last part so only she could hear and gave her a hand a few pats. She felt herself relax and give a nod before stepping back beside Cobra.
"And Cobra, the only reason he is even here is because...At least, I assume anyway, that he is Jude's newest bodyguard. A might cowardly one at that, since just one glare from you was able to phase him." Makarov announced, causing Lucy to look over at Cobra who glared once more at the man before crossing his arms and smirking.
"Oh, he has every right to be terrified of me." Cobra growled, and Lucy found herself thinking of the rumors that supposedly surrounded him, and about how Midnight had once said that they were somewhat true. She studied the man for a moment, taking in his dark complexion, dark eyes, and hair, trying to find anything to lead to a connection with Cobra.
"Don't strain too hard, Bright Eyes. That bastard is someone from my past." Cobra bit out, although he sounded like he was going to be sick by just admitting it out loud.
"Oh." She whispered, a shiver of terror sliding through her as the man smirked at her, only to snap his gaze back up as Cobra released an actual growl.
"If you two are done with your business here, these Children of mine need to get back on with their lives. They shouldn't have to waist precious time with old codgers like us. We can deal with everything else without them." He announced, waving them away. Lucy paused, taking one last look at her father, who looked like the rug had been pulled from beneath him. A small tug from Cobra had her following along, but paused as her father finally found his voice.
"I suggest you be careful, daughter. Not all is right with that man there. I have heard everything about him. From his father." When Jude motioned to his new bodyguard, she felt Cobra tense and merely turned away from them. She didn't need to hear anything more from them, was what she thought, even though more questions about the man leading her away arose. But, if she wanted to know them, they needed to come from Cobra himself, not from the men who were in that office.
She followed quietly along behind him, allowing his hand to slid from down her arm and to finally take hold of her hand. Unable to fight the blush that crossed her cheeks, she lowered her head and bit her bottom lip. A shiver running through her as his thumb rubbed lightly over her knuckles. It was obvious that something was bothering him, and no doubt it had to deal with his father on campus.
He finally had them walking a normal pace once they were outside the main building, but he had yet to release her hand. Not that she minded, but the action was causing her feelings for him to go on a rampage, and she had to argue within herself that he was doing it for comfort, it didn't mean anything else.
"You have questions." He whispered, causing her to blink before looking up at him. It was a simple statement, and from the looks of it, he would answer any question that she voiced. Licking her lips, she thought a moment, wanting nothing more than to ask why he was so estranged from his father, even more so than she was hers. However...
"Are you ready to answer them?" The relieved but shocked look that crossed his face was answer enough for her. He wasn't ready to talk about his past just yet, and she could accept that.
"But...He's associated with your father now..."
"And mines associated with yours. Do you have questions about my past?"
"If your not ready..."
"Same to you, Cobra. Don't think you have to force yourself to tell me about your past. You'll tell me when I earned the right to know. Just like you'll know my past when you earn it. Just because our fathers are working together now, means nothing. It effects nothing between us." She smiled, barely hiding her blush when his hand tightened on hers. Comfort, Lucy. He's only holding your hand for...
The thought flew from her mind when he suddenly jerked her forward and wrapped her in a tight hug. Cobra never did contact, not unless he was the one to initiate it. So for him to hug her like this...Was it possible that he cared for her deeper than she originally thought? That he could possibly see her more than a friend?
"C..Cobra?"
He had to get her away from those monsters. He had to protect her. Those had been the thoughts running through his mind as he practically dragged her away from the old man's office. Not caring that her father had announced that the bastard that had nearly been wetting himself in fear, had been his father.
He'd answer those questions if she asked, not caring if it took him back down that violent path. He'd gladly go back in there and beat him to an inch of his life, again. Not caring if he got thrown into jail, something that Jellal had just barely got him out of. With them showing up, it was an obvious challenge, and it was directed toward Lucy. He'd rot in hell with both of those bastards before they hurt her.
His thoughts kept spinning and taking him further and further into memories of his past. Causing him to finally seek out her hand, his light in all of this and the only thing that kept him moving forward. He wanted-no, needed to protect her. Just like he protected anything and everything he cherished. Regardless if she was frightened of him at the moment, she could scream, shout, and tell him to leave. He would always watch over her, because he had come to love her.
He knew that he was tainted, and saw no way that he could create a happy future for her. But, that wouldn't stop him from loving her, for doing everything he could possibly do so she would continue to light up his world.
Upon finally exiting that damn building, and the sun finally falling upon them, he slowed to a more normal pace. Finding his chest tight and his breathing shallow. Moving at a more docile pace, he steadied his breathing before looking over at the woman walking beside him. She looked deep in thought, but didn't seem to mind the fact that he had yet to release her hand. Something he truly didn't want to do, since it felt so soft and fragile within his. However, he knew that a little happy feeling like this wouldn't last once she started asking the questions no doubt swirling in her mind. So, he braced himself for as much as he could.
"You have questions." It wasn't a question to her, it was an invitation to start firing them. That he would answer her, even though his gut was already beginning to twist with the thought of allowing her to even glimpse into the world that he had been raised in. The world that he had done everything he could to protect Midnight and Kinana from, only to have them thrown into the midst of it. He had survived all of that, so he should be able to answer any question she threw at him. He was prepared!
"Are you ready to answer them?" Except that one! Cobra actually paused, looking down at her in shock. He practically saw the questions in her eyes, swirling in that perfect, smart mind. Yet, it was her kind soul that was speaking at the moment.
Of course, she saw as plain as day how much this troubled him. Even though she was most likely dying with curiosity, she wanted to make sure that he was one hundred percent certain that he could talk about this. It was one of the countless reasons he loved her so. However, he couldn't voice that.
"But...He's associated with your father now.."
"And mines associated with yours. Do you have questions about my past?"
"If your not ready..."
"Same to you, Cobra. Don't think you have to force yourself to tell me about your past. You'll tell me when I earned the right to know. Just like you'll know my past when you earn it. Just because our fathers are working together now, means nothing. It effects nothing between us." That smile that she gave him, it was his breaking point. That statement, that look...It was almost like a confirmation that she loved him in some way. And it was enough to have him wrapping his arms around her and drawing her close. Not caring about who might see, and not giving a damn if rumors started spreading like wildfire. For once, he would welcome the rumors that she belonged to him, and would easily encourage him if it meant that they could become true.
"C..Cobra?"
"Woman, what you do to me sometimes." He growled, giving a heavy sigh after a while, and smiling as he noticed that she had returned his hug. Pulling back slightly, he rested his forehead against hers and met her gaze head on.
"You're right. I'm not ready to tell just yet, but you will be one of the people I tell. And I hope that you'll come to trust me enough to let me know about your father. At the moment though, it might be best if I get as far away from this building at the moment." He muttered, straightening up and sliding his hand over her's again. Nearly breaking out in a grin when she easily turned her hand over and intertwined their fingers.
"Agree. How about the library?"
"Sounds like a good place. Even though some people will...Well, you know." He muttered, raising their joined hands up and waited as she smiled and blushed slightly.
"I have no problem with it, so long as you don't."
"None here. So long as you don't have a problem with this." He whispered, quickly leaning down and pressing their lips together gently. He remained still until she pressed back, and gave a hum before leaning back. He wasn't about to push it, especially since he sensed someone watching them.
"Cobra?"
"Hmm?"
"Please, don't make me regret this." She whispered, and he met her gaze. She knew exactly what he was offering, and she looked more than ready to offer the same, but it still frightened her. She wasn't used to these emotions, and neither was he.
"I wouldn't dare. You mean far to much for me to hurt you." He muttered, starting toward the path to the library, giving her a smile when she nodded and began to walk alongside him. He knew that this could be something grand between them, but also something dangerous.
A look over his shoulder caused a scowl to set on his features. Up near the top window, he could make out three silhouettes. The smallest was beaming like the idiot the Master Dean was. While the other two looked ready to cause trouble. And, if they had the balls for it, Cobra was more than willing to help them stir it up!
Hope that you enjoyed!