Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail, I wouldn't even want to actually.
GRAYLU WEEK 2015 NOTICE (SEE ENDING A/N FOR FURTHER DETAILS!)
A/N: Okaeri-nasai minna~! Before you all go gaga over me, I'd love to thank you all for all the best wishes and PMs full of encouragement for my exams. Your wishes and encouragements did me real good and I was able to bring back a PERFECT record-breaking result! xD So thanks for the support and for waiting patiently. I won't hold you back any longer! So here's the long awaited chapter 32 of D2L!
Previously on D2L: … So Lucy, I'd like you to meet Gray Fullbuster, my 'fiancé'" she said smiling, her fingers forming quotes in the air at the word 'fiancé' winking at Lucy.
"And Gray, I'd like you to meet Lucy, MY fiancé" Sting finished with a smirk.
…
The hurt they felt now could never have been greater, just like the love they had once shared.
Continue:
Lucy didn't even know what to say anymore. Her friend, Yukino, the one who she shared everything with, who even right now was supporting her, was 'seeing' her 'ex' whose arms she was about to run into only moments ago, if Sting hadn't shown up with the most screwed up yet relieving timing.
What was she supposed to say? She was already pissed at herself for the mistake she was about to make. If Sting hadn't shown up, she would have done what she had trusted herself never to do.
Maybe moments ago she was ready to pick up her heels and take a leap for the exit, but where would she have run to? Maybe over the years she had learnt to forgive and forget what had happened five years ago but was it for her to forgive or was it just a cruel truth she had to accept?
She felt her chest grow heavier by the second, her throat tying up – locking away her empty words…
She hated it – she hated this feeling…the same feeling she had had five years ago – that dreadful day that never seemed to leave her nightmares. She found herself breathing slightly heavier than usual, the rate escalating further.
It was no good… It was no good at all. The more her mind wandered into everything, the more she found herself in the sort of anguish she would never get out of. She raised her orbs, finally, to his, only to find them staring straight at her.
'Why, Gray?' she wanted to ask him, 'why after all this time?'
But she knew now… he wasn't here to see her. He never did come here to take her on his imaginary white stallion and run away into the woods somewhere… he was here not for her, but for Yukino – he was here to tie the knot with her best friend.
And that was it. The world around her blurred till the blueness of his orbs seemed to turn grey and soon, everything turned black as she hit the cool marble with a soft thud, having only strained glimpses of the raven head that was shouting her name…calling out to her…
"Luce!" was all she heard.
.
.
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It was with an aching body and a heavy head that Lucy found herself in a bed, her eyes squinting in response to the newly registering light. She had not yet noticed the people that surrounded her. In fact, she noticed nothing, other than the ceiling her eyes were slowly adjusting to.
Her mind ran back to that one call that had been the last thing she had heard, "Luce!" and she realized how much she had actually missed being called that, and more so with that deep, velvety tone that he wielded.
"Lucy-san? Are you okay?" were the first words that she heard. Lucy turned her attention to Yukino, finally returning to the present.
"U-um… yeah – I'm just a bit drowsy I guess" She replied.
"Oh you must, dear! You fainted!" Mrs. Agria, Yukino's mom, said to her, patting her head affectionately.
"It's nothing Aunt –"
"- Mom." Mrs. Agria corrected. Lucy had known the Agria family for as long as she could remember… At a time when her mother was no longer there to offer her the warmth of a mother's embrace, Mrs. Agria has been there. Their relationship was no less that of a mother and child.
" – mom" Lucy repeated, "I'm fine. I'm just a little…tired."
"Jude, you must take care of her. She seems to be prioritizing her studies over her health. No wonder she's feeling so weak" Mr. Agria suggested.
"So it would seem" Jude nodded in agreement, "Lucy, your uncle and I have decided a vacation is due."
"A vacation?" Lucy asked, bewildered. Her head was throbbing and she wanted nothing more than to be alone and embrace her solitude… she felt the need to let out the heavy burden she carried after her eyes caught those midnight blues and after her ears were forced to hear of how they were never there to look upon her, but Yukino.
"Indeed – a vacation. It should be a good way to get away from your studies for a while and also to spend some time together." Jude explained.
Lucy remained dumbfounded, "Spend time together with whom?"
"With Yukino, Gray-kun and Sting-kun of course!" Mrs. Agria declared.
Lucy didn't think her luck could get any worse than this.
"It'll be fun Lucy! We're going to Crocus! Remember how we've always wanted to go there? Oh, how I'm dying to see the royal palace!" Yukino rambled, but there was something about the glint shining in her eyes and how effortlessly she was smiling as she spoke, that left Lucy helpless. She knew what she was getting herself into – an entire month with him… it would probably be the most torturous month of her life. She didn't know what lay ahead of her decision but she knew – Yukino would never get a chance like this to truly get her mind off her sorrow of her fall-out with Rogue. As much as it would hurt her, she wouldn't take that away from Yukino.
Even if it mean an entire month of seeing him; of seeing Yukino with him; of realizing again, how he was and never would be hers; of remembering his deception and his dishonest folly she had thought was love.
"I'll go" Lucy stated and Yukino cheered happily giving the blonde a tight squeeze. Lucy knew what her words had promised and she knew the consequences she would bear to keep it.
"I've bought the tickets. The four of you can pack for tomorrow" Mr. Agria stated.
"Lucy-chan would need to rest some. Let us give her some space, should we not?" Mrs. Agria stated and Lucy couldn't have thanked her more for it.
The moment the door closed and the darkness came forth, Lucy felt herself finally give in. She wailed and wailed, till she knew there were no tears left – and like that, she cried herself to sleep, hoping that when she woke, this would all be a part of a very cruel nightmare.
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Lucy found herself distressed as she packed up her suitcase for Crocus. She had strengthened her resolve… she knew that if she couldn't face him now, she could never hope to do so in the future and she would do all it takes; for her sake, for Yukino's sake and most of all – for his sake. She would not be the burden he bore nor the guilt he carried.
She stared into her closet, eying the variety of black formal wear she had gathered over the years. She realized that she had carried a lot of habits back with her from the time she spent with him.
"You know…I like girls dressed in black" His voice seemed to creep up her skin.
"No black dresses" she said to herself as she ignored the rack and instead, gathered all the warm clothing she knew she would need in the snowy capital of Fiore. It was a baby-step, but it was a start…
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.
"You met WHO?" Lyon's voice screeched through the speaker of Gray's cell phone. Gray winced, and for once he felt grateful for having put the phone on speaker rather than at his ears.
"I'm not repeating myself, Lyon" He replied gruffly. Gray was in no mood for discussions or suggestions or sympathy or any other small talk his brother would have to offer. He couldn't think of one reason not to stop the car in the middle of the street and yell as loud as his lungs would allow him.
"You're telling me that you've met Lucy – as in OUR Lucy. Lucy Heartfilia?" Lyon urged on.
"Yes dimwit"
"How?! And don't call me that Gray"
Gray took a deep breath and tightened his grip on the wheel as he rounded a bend, "I met her last night – at the Eucliffe banquet"
"What could she possibly be doing at an event like that?" Lyon wondered aloud.
"She's a Heartfilia" Gray pointed out.
"So did you talk to her?" Lyon asked, his voice undeniably softer.
"Not really. We bumped into each other – literally. She looked shocked."
"I'd say! You've met her after five years! And she recognized you"
"Why wouldn't she?"
"Oh please. It took Juvia a while to realize it was you when you met her the last time she returned to Magnolia and if I recall, she was such a stalker – she knew your shadow better than you did" Lyon countered, "Lucy recognized you the moment she saw you from what you're telling me. Gray, you two were destined or something. It sounds cheesy…but I don't know, you two sort of clicked in a way I've never seen another couple click."
"There's no point going there Lyon, we –"
" – broke up five years ago and in a bad way if I remember." Lyon finished for him, "But Gray… something happened that day, five years back. You won't tell me but I know it hurt you and there's no way it didn't hurt Lucy. What made her leave Magnolia, Gray?"
"We've been through this." Gray stated as if closing the topic.
"But every time, all you say is 'it was my fault. I hurt her and I don't deserve her forgiveness'. But is it your choice Gray? Is it for you to decide whether or not she should forgive you?"
"Fine – it isn't. But she hasn't and she won't." Gray replied stubbornly.
"I know you wouldn't hurt her on purpose Gray. You just need to tell her what happened – to clear up your side of the story. Tie up the loose ends first, and then…let HER decide whether you're worth her forgiveness or not. Complete what was left incomplete five years ago." Lyon said and his words set alight a new determination within Gray.
Five years ago he had hurt Lucy; he had lied; he had betrayed her trust. But he had also loved her. For the sake of his feelings for her and for the feelings she probably had for him, he would clear up the misunderstanding she held. He would give her the truth and leave it for her to choose to forgive or not, to love him or not and to be with him once more…
Or not.
(A/N: The END! I'm really sorry for making you all wait so long! And I'm especially sorry to all those who specially requested this chapter be posted sooner. I'll do my best now that my exams are over.
Levy: This is so ironic. Gray makes his resolve to clear up the misunderstandings right when Lucy makes hers to move on?
Erza: *shakes head* there's no hope for them. They're resolves, actions and thoughts are like clashing swords. They never seem to agree.
(*Gray in the background – there she goes comparing everything to swords *chuckles*)
Lisanna: And they've both got someone else now…
Cana: I'd disagree. From how difficult it seems for Lucy to move on, it only makes it clear that she may still have feelings for Gray.
Ultear: Yeah, and once he clears up the misunderstandings… They might get together!
Erza: THERE'S NO HOPE
Cana: THERE IS!
Erza and Lisanna: IS NOT!
Cana and Ultear: IS TOO!
SDQueen (Itami): Um, Guys… I think that's my decision. *gets shoved aside*
Elfman: I'm on Lisanna's team. Having no hope is A MAN!
(*Carla/Charle in the background: *scoffs* At the end of the day he couldn't find a better excuse for just wanting to support his sister)
Evergreen: Shut up idiot. I'm on Cana's team. I believe in happy endings. Lucy and Gray still have a chance.
Lisanna; But it's less likely. Wouldn't you say so Mira-nee?
Mirajane: Uh… *lost*
Natsu: I think –
Sting: I believe there's no hope. Besides, my reason for being in this fanfic is to make sure of that *grins*
(*Loke in background: *laughs* He's just afraid if they get back together he'll have no role left)
Natsu: No wait, I say –
Wendy: There might be… I'm with Cana-san on this one
Natsu: But –
Gray: I'm on Cana's team *sits casually*
(*Lucy in background: there goes the shirt…)
Laxus: You don't get to pick a team
Gajeel: Yeah you're –
*Makarov walks in*
Natsu: YOU GUYS HAD BETTER LISTEN TO ME -
Makarov: - Natsu! It's not for you to decide. It's up to Itami, not what you think *lectures sternly*
Natsu: But I didn't even… *sulks*
SDQueen (Itami): So what do YOU readers think? Are you team Erza or team Cana? Don't forget to review!
UNTIL NEXT TIME,
JA'NE!
Mirajane: Hey have you guys heard? GrayLu week is coming up! From 1st to 7th September! Fanfics, Fan Art and Cosplays dedicated especially to our beloved Fairy couple Gray and Lucy! Do take part! For further information, check out the official tumblr blog – fyeahgrayluweek or simply PM Itami-chan!
Lisanna: There goes Mira-nee with her match making gossip *sigh* Don't forget to check out Itami's GrayLu community Celestial Ice and show your support by following it!