Soundtrack – The Best is Yet to Come by Sheppard
"Okay look...you're probably the only person I can tolerate in the guild, so hear me out..."
Juvia glanced up from her weary trudge to peer curiously at Gajeel's frowning face. Lily was silent, but his eyebrows were raised in mild puzzlement. Juvia chose instead to grace them both with a smile.
"Now, I know that's not true," she said. "What about Levy?"
The result was instantaneous and humorous. Gajeel grumbled something that she didn't quite catch, but the blush across his face was sign enough that she had struck a mark. A small giggle escaped her tired mouth as the Iron dragon rubbed the back of his neck with a gruff.
"Yeah, well..." He started stiffly. "That's beside the point..."
He was quiet for a long moment; so much so that the smile began to fade from Juvia's wondering face. They walked along slowly in still silence and when she glanced up – even in the deep of Crocus late evening, the air still flushed with bitter cold...noticed the snow had stopped.
"Here's the thing Juvia," he said. "You've been chasin' after that ice moron for a good couple of years now right? In the beginning – well I didn't consider it any of my business; even if guy was a complete poser or something..."
"Gray is neither one of those things Gajeel," Juvia suddenly snapped out. "He is intelligent and genuine. The most out of any of our guildmates!"
She didn't want to do this. Not after the evening they had just had. It was late; the wound on her right arm that she had acquired by a stray slicing spell by being so incredibly careless, throbbed and stung in the cold air. Besides all that – she wouldn't...she would never understand why people were so concerned with her affections towards Gray and his apparent lack there-of. She loved him. She loved him. It was enough for her.
"Are you going to tell me to give up?" She bristled. A part of her felt suddenly guilty – Juvia and Gajeel never fought. They had such a history built up with one another; one based on shared sins, hurts and forgiveness. But if he was going to push this...then she frowned heavily and pushed her falling hair out of her eyes. There was a quick huff and slight panic when her fingers became tangled. "Because if you are I won't..."
"No I'm not. That's not what I was going to say."
Juvia blinked and quickly turned to look at Gajeel. She wondered at the look he was giving her, one that she had never seen before. It seemed to be a mix of resolve and...pride? Pride in what? In her...? She blinked a few times again when he gave her a small smile. She titled her head because Gajeel grinning like that was both adorable – and terrifying.
"I'm not going to tell you to give up or let go. I know that Cana had been telling you to do that lately – overheard her right before we left. Not that you would listen you her anyways. No. Juvia...I'm going to tell you to keep fighting."
This - she had not expected. Her bright eyes widened just a bit, eyebrows disappearing into the hairline. "What...wait, what?"
He looked uncomfortable again; hands fisted and shoved into his pockets. "It's just...damn I'm no good at this..." He huffed out before continuing. "I've noticed this change in him. Ever since – what was that day that you went nuts about a present?"
"Day 413," she answered without dropping a step. Her eyes were still wide and wondering; but near their feet she noticed Lily was holding back his chuckles at Gajeel's attempts at a 'heart felt' conversation. He had both furry fists plastered across his mouth in heroic effort to maintain his silence. Thankfully, the Iron Dragon wasn't paying too close attention to his Exceed partner.
"Yeah, that one. Anyways – since then I've noticed the snow princess is...softer. It's changing, Juvia. One of us needs that. And damn it, it should be you. You deserve it the most. I just...jeez...I just thought you should know that maybe all of this won't be in vain. In the end anyways. That maybe he will get his shit together and..."
He trailed off and glanced to the side, face staining slightly red. Oh, she felt warm. He was right after all...he didn't do these kinds of conversations. Gajeel prided and protected his iron skinned image; it sometimes seemed one of his greatest treasures. But to open himself up here – to give her that hope when he didn't have to...Juvia wanted to giggle suddenly, because maybe Gray wasn't the only one that was changing.
Maybe she should talk with Levy when they arrived home.
"Thanks Gajeel," Juvia softly smiled – heart growing inside her chest. "But in the end even if Gray never returns..." She swallowed, but continued. "I just want to see him happy. In whatever way that turns out to be."
"Yeah, well I know that," he grumbled out. "But I'm your friend and I just want to see you happy. And even as stupid as ice brain is...I think he could that for you. And he could do it well."
The rest of their walk-through Crocus was silent. An easy quiet that was comfortable and still. Their boots echoed across the stone streets and the few people they passed swayed with an obvious lack of sobriety. Their faces cherry red and bursting with laughter. Silver plated soldiers, armor winking in the continual burning festival lights meandered about – rolling eyes and gently nudging the buzzing patrons to continue on home, but Juvia was slightly puzzled about their expressions as she and Gajeel moved on. Some were frowning, tense and whispering to one another in serious hushed tones. They moved in tight groups, never leaving another side and she wondered if something had happened later today – praying that it had nothing to do with their other rambunctious guild mate. Surely not...
The otherwise peacefulness of the city was soothing and Juvia decided that she liked the Flower City at deep night almost as much as during the afternoon. She felt the air settle around them, soothing almost like water; allowing the much needed time to try and mettle through her thoughts.
She felt drowsy and full. Full of so many emotions; ones that made her smile to herself and her chest vibrate. It was such a good feeling – this friendship, this hope...this realization that it really didn't matter. It hadn't since the very beginning and Juvia didn't think another moment on what Cana had advised her weeks ago, (not that she did anyways). If Gray was happy...
"Finally I can see the damn thing," Gajeel's voice broke through her wonderings. "I can't even tell you how much I'm looking forward to a drink and a nice plate of corkscrews."
"You do realize it's two in the morning?" Lily stated with a slight smirk and crossed paws.
"Yeah, I'm aware. I just need something to take the edge of that job. Who knew that security detail at a party could go so sour?"
"At least the job is completed," Juvia said. "And the client seemed very pleased."
"Yeah, that's putting it mildly," Gajeel snorted. "How did he put it? That we saved him from 'social pariah-hood?' Yeah, whatever."
The Golden Iris glowed warm and inviting in the cold air. The grand Inn still boasted a low hum of talking patrons, the smell of good food still curling in from the bar and they were bowed through the ornate entrance by a smiling bellhop in a suit and bright yellow tie.
Gajeel bit back a low groan while Juvia stared around, wide-eyed at the lobby with all its hanging irises and shimmering metaled wood. "Oh lord," he muttered. "They brought Salamander into this place? Idiots. We should get outta here before he demolishes the whole thing and we get slapped with half the bill."
Juvia smiled slightly and started with a shrug, but when her muscles pulled she suddenly winced. Her jaw snapped together in a hiss, the skin on her shoulder stinging violently in protest. She had forgotten for a moment about the nasty wound that blazed so vividly across her arm.
"You should have Wendy look at that and heal you Juvia," Gajeel suggested as they stopped near the Inn's gleaming massive mahogany bar. "That was a rather nasty spell that you got snagged on."
"I don't want to wake her," she replied quickly with a wave of her hand. "I shall merely ask her in the morning. It's nothing – truly..."
The grimace that flickered across her face protested otherwise. Gajeel could see the breaking stains of fresh blood pooling across the tattered pieces of her clothing; the once royal blue strands now staining with a wine red. Their quick makeshift bandage, the one she had so hurriedly slapped on to finish the job, had quickly lost its effectiveness. He opened his mouth to protest, but another voice beat him to it.
"That doesn't look like nothing at all. In fact, it looks like a pretty painful something instead."
A dark messy head was raising from a booth near the bar, hands tightly shoved into jean pockets and his red shirt completely undone. He looked like a mixture of emotions: tense, worry and the one that seemed to be winning the flicker across his handsome face...frustration.
"Gray?" Juvia stammered, her face heating up flushed and bright at once. "What are you...What are you doing? Why aren't you asleep?"
"I waited up for you, what does it look like?" He ground out with a frowning face. Juvia was confused...was he angry at her? He was coming closer to where she and Gajeel stood, each step pointed and steady, but his eyes wouldn't leave the mess that was strapped across her shoulder. "Midnight came and went – you guys still hadn't come back yet so I just..."
"Job took longer than we thought," Gajeel interjected with crossed arms. He stared down at the ice mage with mild annoyance, but there was also a curious expression saddled along with it. He wondered what had made the snow queen suddenly so prickly...and yet, there was a part of him that was developing a rather solid idea for that front...So he smiled instead and shoved Juvia's unmarred shoulder forward.
She squeaked out in protest and when the stumble came, (as Gajeel knew it would) Gray snapped forward to catch her. Now their faces made such a lovely little matching shade of blushed reds. Lily was covering his smirks again.
"Well see if you can convince her otherwise moron," he said as he left them standing there, awkward and with hands against bare skin. "I'm getting myself a night cap. Later losers." Gajeel rose his hand in a loose, easy wave and with Lily's soft pads near his own feet they disappeared around the bar.
Gray couldn't say enough curse words inside his head. Every inch of his skin...every arm that was full of Juvia was hot and cold, and...uncomfortable, but oh so comfortable...all at once. What the hell was he supposed to do with that? He didn't know – so he did the only thing that came to mind and pulled away.
Setting her out at arm's length, Gray gave out a quick huff. He knew that if he met her gaze that the strange feeling, the one that was annoyingly surfacing way too much lately; to pull her right back into his chest would warm up inside him. So he didn't look at her. He turned to that nasty looking cut on her shoulder instead.
"Shit Juvia," he said. "What the hell happened? You weren't involved with that thing that happened in town earlier? There are some rumors floating around about some fight in the Royal Gardens."
She shook her head, but didn't answer for a moment; afraid that her heart would just escape wildly from her chest. He had been holding her for Mavis's sake. Oh, she could just melt right there in the Inn's lobby – pooled wash over his feet. Instead she gulped down her sigh and willed herself to answer. It wouldn't do any good to soak him; not when his fingers were still wrapped around her forearms.
"Slicing spell at our job," she answered. "The castor had this odd wind magic that cut – what are you doing?"
He had taken her hand, the one attached to her uninjured limb and was pulling her away. Into the halls of the Inn, the dimming warm light making his hair shimmer with gold tones. Juvia's face flushed into deeper red shades, triple fold.
"We're getting Wendy," he said firmly still with his long fingers wrapped around her wrist. "You need that shoulder healed. Damn, Juvia...what if you had lost your arm? Or the wizard had pushed his spell just slightly closer? I mean what was Gajeel doing when..."
"I can take care of myself love," she replied, blinking a few times. Whatever she was...she was a Fairy Tail wizard. And a damn good one at that. She wanted him to remember that. Juvia watched as he ran his free hand through his hair.
"Fuck, I know that," he replied pulling at his already unbuttoned collar. "Hell, sometimes I think you could be stronger than Erza, please don't tell her I said that...but you just...you just have to be more careful."
They had reached an open hallway, the flickering of lamplight casting long, easy shadows across the floor. Bundles of ivy and irises hung from the high beamed ceiling and Juvia felt her head swim from the smell that cradled her. Between the feel of Gray's skin over her own and this hotel...this concern that he was showing...It was different from all the other times before. There was something hanging between them; the way he kept looking at her...Was he genuinely worried? Over something as small as this shoulder wound?
She wanted to stay in that thought - that blissful thought, but Gray had stopped near a wooden door, the numbers glittering gold and when he rose his hand to pound against its surface Juvia dug in her heels and pulled him back.
"Please my darling," she whispered. "Don't wake Wendy up. It's late – let her sleep. I'll be fine; it's only till the morning."
She saw him frown at her in the low light, eyes blazing and reflecting the lamps behind her. "No way," he replied. "You need that healed now and I..."
"No," she said suddenly and placed her injured hand over his own. Mavis...his skin..."No love. I refuse to disturb Wendy because of my own mistake. I will wait until morning."
Gray went silent, staring at her curiously. It was so rare that she argued against him on anything; not that there was ever much that they had to disagree about, (minus her overbearing attentiveness to him at times) but it caught him off guard. He searched her face suddenly, seeing her eyes resolved and set. Why hadn't he ever noticed just how incredibly blue they were? They crested and moved like the ocean – swells of deep color that made his chest do funny things.
Gray didn't move his hand away from hers. How could he when she was looking at him like that? Oh, Mavis. He was such an ignorant moron.
"Fine," he said at last. "Fine. But then I'm cleaning it up for you. I won't let you say no to this."
As if the thought even crossed her mind. Juvia hummed and tried to keep her heart from jumping from her throat. Instead she smiled at him, a sincere grin that seemed so incredibly soft.
"Okay," she whispered.
She let him lead her back to his room, fingers tangled together. The space was dark when Gray opened the door, save for a well lit and warming fire. The room held only a few things: a large white bed, a small table and chairs, a lamp and so forth, but the large balcony doors had been thrown open – the cold winter air filling the space, the view of Crocus glittering in yellows and golds below.
For the smallest of moments, Juvia hesitated at the door. She was going to go into his room. Alone. Alone with Gray. Alone with Gray in his room. Dear Mavis, her face felt like it was on fire heating all the way up from her neck. She wondered if that pounding inside her ears, that rushing light headed feeling...if he could hear it. If he could see it. Gray had left her there at his door frame, back to her as he absent-mindedly threw his shirt away to the bed, mumbling something about medical and first aid supplies.
Juvia thought she might faint. She watched the muscles in his back, highlighted by the fireplace, shift and pull with each movement he made. DIdn't he understand just how incredibly handsome he was? Just how much she was in love with him? Juvia couldn't pull her eyes away from him, not that she was trying very hard.
"Okay, I think it should be fine with what I have here, at least until morning and we can finally get Wendy to look at it."
Was he talking to her? Juvia blinked rapidly and glanced up from where she had been gazing at the planes of his stomach. Everything about him was a juxtaposition. How could he make her feel so incredibly warm when he was best ice wizard she had ever seen? When he looked at her and she thought that she might burn from it? Was water supposed to burn? Regardless, Juvia felt as if her very skin was crawling with fire.
"Juvia?"
He was holding out his hand, waiting for her to take those last few steps into his room. She willed herself not to tremble when she took it and the door shut behind them.
"Sit here and let me look at that thing," he said leading her further inwards. Yanking up the two chairs he placed them in front of the fireplace. She slowly sat in one; he in the other.
Gray was silent as he pulled forward, bending over her skin and pulling away the makeshift bandages. Juvia watched fascinated as he worked; face serious, eyebrows furrowed and eyes flickering with the light from the fire. He was so close. The scent of him was wonderfully overpowering – her head was swimming from it. It was cold, clean and fresh. Everything that was him.
His hair was brushing over her skin; she could feel the press of his fingertips against her shoulder and Juvia thought that this – this was her favorite moment. It wasn't enough that this boy had taken the rain away; that he had given her a home – hope with friends and people that had become her family. He had brought her to Fairy Tail. Now he was changing water to fire.
Gray, for his part was struggling to keep his head afloat. Juvia's cut had been rather deep, but nothing too drastic that would alarm him for further concern. The skin flaked with both fresh and dried blood; he tried to focus on it – to making her whole as best he could. The first aid was rather straightforward; easy enough to manage even with his rudimentary healing skills. Wash, clean, disinfect. Bandage. It didn't distract him as long as he'd hoped.
Instead his mind whirled with thoughts both confusing and frustrating. They were friends. Of course they were friends. Even in the beginning when her fanatical attentions were bordering on disturbing...she had always showered him with her friendship. They had just...grown together. She professed her love – her unwavering devotion...but then never expected anything more from him. Always free with her blinding smiles and soft blushing looks; the ones he knew were only his. He couldn't think around her anymore. Everything about their relationship was blurring around the edges, dipping into water colors and he was terrified.
Suddenly her soft laugh broke through their quiet, heavy stillness. Gray glanced up in confusion, wondering what he might have done now. Did he still have his...? Oh good. Pants still on.
"What is it?" He asked, silently groaning aloud at his voice. Why did he feel it necessary to whisper? For Mavis, sake – what the hell was wrong with him? He wasn't some stupid, idiotic teenager or some deranged love sick moron. He was resolved keep people at arm's length. It always seemed better that way.
But he couldn't help his surprised expression, nor the eyebrows lifting to the hairline when she giggled again quietly. Fingers pressed to her lips and cheeks flushed with both embarrassment and joyfulness. It was a good sound, Gray decided. It wasn't bubbly and airheaded like some other girls he knew. Juvia always sounded like the fluidness of water – in everything she did.
"Your hands," she replied.
He blinked again. "My hands? What about them?"
She smiled at him again; that one that he was beginning to like the best out of all the others she'd given him. One of the ones that was simply his. Her heart was always right there in the spaces of it.
"Your hands are warm," she said. "It surprises me every time."
He didn't have anything to say to that. Him? Warm? Nothing about him was supposed to be that way. He was an ice mage for shit's sake. He was supposed to be unmoving as glacial stone, hard and filled with ice. Hadn't the loss of Ur been enough? Ultear? What about his father? If he was cold...then he wouldn't lose anyone again. It wouldn't hurt like it did now. He didn't want to lose Juvia. His chest suddenly lurched at the thought – making him feel sick to his stomach.
Instead, Gray looked up at her again and laughed to himself. Warm. Fairy Tail's strongest maker magic user – melting from this woman and the words tumbling from her mouth. From the look she pieced him with all the time. From the sound of her heart that he could almost hear beating right there along with his own.
Who does that? Who is so selfless that they offer everything they are to someone – expecting nothing but a few glances...a few friendly smiles in return? Obviously she did. She does.
"Just don't tell anyone alright?" He tried to joke at long last, but his brain seemed a muddled, muffled mess. "I would lose my reputation."
Juvia smiled, her grin stretching ear to ear and Gray felt something. Something that had moments before seemed so solid...move inside his chest.
"Don't worry Gray," she said. "Your secrets are always safe with me."
He couldn't help but smile back at her then. It was quick, but Juvia felt her breath catch in her mouth when she watched. His eyes smoldered at her, and his lips tugged up along one cheek but...oh she loved him. And maybe...just maybe...when he looked at her like he was doing now...Juvia thought that Gajeel might be right. That perhaps there might be a chance.
She would take it. She would keep fighting for this perfectly imperfect man that was ghosting over her flesh and wrapping her arm. When he dropped his head to return to his work, they lapsed into silence. The air content and peaceful. Heavy and warm. Just like her heart swelling in her chest.
Oh so warm.
Soundtrack – Somebody Loved by the Weepies
He could see her from where he stood in the door frame; arms crossed and brows frowning. The shadows were heavy and filled the room – the light that stained the floor colored silver by the moon. Through his tall bedroom windows he could see that the night sky was clear again; blazen with the scatterings of thousands of stars. Not a glimpse of greying snow filled clouds; the creeping frost gone from the glass corners and only the winter air outside remained bitter and cold. The returning normalcy of Crocus winter.
Sting grunted low in his chest as he refused to tear his eyes away from the bed. Things would never be normal for him again. He could see her; the sheets outlined her long covered limbs...stretched out, dozing on her stomach – in his bed. She was here. Right in front of him...and yet he couldn't seem to cross through the door.
Sting ran his fingers through his hair, feeling the pressing weight of the last few hours sag against his shoulders. When Noel had collapsed, fading into the open pull of his arms Sting had nearly come undone. His magic had unleashed, chaotic and wild around him, fingers digging into her flesh and clutching her so tightly to himself...his screams had shattered the cold air.
It had taken shouts from Lector and the ultimate arrival of Commander Arcadios and his White Knights to shake him from the numbness to which Sting had been plunged through. Noel was still there with him; her breath low and shallow but still warm in his arms. Yet, there seemed to be nothing but melting ice...ice and blood. Sting had stood, carrying Noel in his arms and made to stride from that place as fast as he could. Back to the guild – to the safety of his home. He refused to let go of her.
It might have been from the look he had seen burning like white-hot rage across Sting's face; or perhaps he could clearly ascern the extent to the young woman's injuries, but whatever the reason Commander Arcadios made no move to stop the Dragon Slayer. Only calling to his back that he would come later...later for the full report.
That had been hours ago. Hours since Sting had kicked open the doors, shouting at his friends; the entire of the guild shocked and flabbergasted at his dramatic entrance. Yukino had been hot on his heels at once, Rogue just behind as Sting had rushed into his room. Their eyes became wide with confusion when they saw the blood that stained his shirt. The blood that wasn't his.
"She's my friend," was all he had said. He laid Noel down on his bed. His. He wanted her safe. "I can't lose her."
They hadn't needed anything more than that. Yukino had set to work immediately; her being the strongest in a medical background, while Sting and Rogue hovered about – assisting as best they could. Even Orga and Rufus had quickly offered their services if it was needed. He thought the minutes had suddenly morphed to drag into full hours, and now at last she seemed to be sleeping soundly. Lost in a haze of her own drugged and numb oblivion.
Sting sighed again, still leaning on the door frame – still feeling heavy and his body drained. He couldn't think; barely pulling solid thoughts to string together as his chest felt tight...and yet at the same time felt as if a mountain of stone had been lifted from his heart. He couldn't believe it. Noel was alive.
Yukino was still bent over her, the moon lighting across her pale hair, while Rogue had taken to pacing behind him; even his soft footfalls echoing in the quiet that covered over them. Sting could see Lector there too; cuddled and pooled in the crook of Noel's uninjured side. He hadn't left her since they returned to his room; worried and anxious, (though his face had maintained an expression of bravery as best he could) but the exhaustion must have finally caught up with the Exceed. His small little paws resting on the bare patches of Noel's shoulder. It made the corner of Sting's mouth pull upwards a bit.
His attention was pulled away though when he saw his guild mate crossing the room in quiet strides. Her face was a mixture of grim resolve, eyebrows drawn together and her bottom lip worried between her teeth. She sighed a bit when she neared them and Sting could see just how exhausted she was; reflected there in her eyes. He was suddenly struck by the selflessness of his friends, their willingness to help him without a moment's hesitation...or without an explanation. A little more of his humming weariness uncurled at the thought.
"How is she?" Sting asked in a whisper, while Rogue stopped to come up near his shoulder.
"She's stable now," Yukino answered. "But Sting...we should send for someone to fully heal her. The damage is extensive and my abilities aren't nearly strong enough. Maybe we can ask Wendy? I'm sure Fairy Tail would help us out..."
He nodded. The idea had already passed through his mind...back when they had pulled away the cloth covering her side and seen the massive bruising that the spear had created. It made Sting's stomach churn sick just thinking about it.
"It's strange," Yukino began under her breath, more to herself than anyone. "The piercing at her side; it's like it's been cauterized by fire or..."
"Sun."
Yukino blinked a few times before meeting his steady gaze. However, he wasn't looking at her. His eyes were focused on what lay just behind...to the woman on the bed.
"What?" Rogue asked in a murmur.
"Sun," he said again. "She has Sun magic. She burned it clean and closed it herself. Something about purging some sort of 'possession' out of her body."
Yukino suddenly sucked in a tight breath. "Sun magic," she said in a hollow whisper. She couldn't stop her eyebrows from raising. She met Rogue's eyes with a flicker before coming back to settle on the white wizard once more. "Sting...that's powerful magic. That's lost magic."
"I know."
They all were quiet again for a long time and Sting could see the hesitancy reflected in her face. He had expected the questions; confident that they would be whispered at him that night...but instead when Yukino spoke it came slow and soft. He wasn't expecting that.
"You seem like - like you care about her."
He sighed and even the sound of it made his chest hurt. The words seemed to swell in his mouth, hard to form and even harder to speak of. He hadn't talked to anyone...buried it away that day, five years ago.
"I'd known her since childhood. We grew up together. Every summer her family would come to my little run down ocean town and spend it there. I haven't..." He groaned aloud and ran his fingers over his eyes. "I haven't seen her in a long time."
There was more...oh gods, there was so much more, but Yukino didn't ask. He would tell them when he wished...and not a moment earlier. The wrenching look that passed over his face was something she had never seen on him before. His heart seemed to be stuck in the crest of his throat.
"I'm sorry Sting," she said. "I didn't mean to push you."
But he had to get this out – he had to shove it from his mouth before the folds of his chest collapsed right into his core. She was alive. And – oh – he ached to look at her...but the blurs of his anger were beginning to devour parts of him. He felt like his body was at war with itself – torn between tears of joy...and wanting to pull his hair out in utter rage. He almost choked on all of it.
"I thought she was dead," he suddenly ground out. His voice hissed in a whisper, but the equal parts of his turbulent emotions pushed through in each word. "They told me she was dead! I've lived with this for five years – this feeling that I could have done something to save her! The thought that I would never see her again, or hear her laugh or feel her with..."
But he stopped so abruptly Yukino was surprised he didn't sway forward. The frown grew on his face and his eyes turned hard. The betrayal that quickly flashed through his body was overwhelming. It almost bled over everything else.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Rogue asked.
"I haven't told anyone," Sting snapped back. "I didn't want to think about it – I didn't want to talk about it because it felt like someone had ripped my chest out! Lector is the only one that knows because he was fucking there! He was her friend too...before she..."
But then he stopped and sucked in a breath, mouth curling and teeth flashing.
"It doesn't matter," he said resoundingly. "She was alive – this whole time when I thought...She was breathing and living and away from me. And I was too stupid to even think..."
"Sting," Yukino interrupted softly, but she was hesitant and her voice wavered a bit at his name. "Sting, have you...have you seen her back?"
It was such an odd question that Sting snapped his mouth shut, blinking rapidly at her. His eyes drifted upwards, to where Noel lay still asleep in the bed. The folds of his sheets covered up to around her bare, slender shoulders. Nothing but shadows in the dark.
"No," he answered turning back to her. "Why?"
Yukino's gaze wavered, the sadness flickered like water as it pooled and clung to her lashes. Sting's face suddenly dropped his frown and it felt like a hand was wrenching around his chest.
"She's...She's got these scars," she mumbled gripping her arms to her chest. "Lots of them. It looks like – Sting, it looks like she's been flogged. Tortured. Whatever it is that you're thinking...I don't believe that's what happened."
Sting's eyes widened and the air seemed to slam out of his lungs. He wavered on his feet, but nothing seemed to be working. He couldn't seem to breathe properly. "What?" He ground out through a jaw that seemed cemented together. "Oh gods, Yukino...I...are you sure?"
The slow nod of her head was enough to make Sting's body feel numb. "Yes."
What the hell had happened? His hands began to fist at his sides, fingers digging painfully into his palms. He could see Rogue drop his eyes to the ground, the expression on his face filled with somber tones; while Yukino hadn't moved from where she stood, arms still wrapped around her own body - refusing to meet his faltering gaze. Sting couldn't seem to focus on either of them, rather feeling like a bucket of ice water had been dropped over his head; skin crawling and cold.
Enough. It was enough. Too much. Feeling so suddenly and utterly exhausted Sting simply pressed a hand around Yukino's own, his fingers giving hers the smallest of squeezes. "Thank you," he whispered and then turned over his shoulder to his dark haired, mirrored half. "For helping her. For helping me."
Then without wasted hesitation, Sting walked into the room. He didn't hear them leave, but he did hear the door close. The last of the light, streaming gold from the hallway disappearing with the soft snap. He made his way over to the side of the bed, dropping heavily into the seat left vacant by Yukino. His hands folded and his chin rested on top of them, propped against his elbows. He searched Noel's sleeping face; dozing on her stomach and thick lashes fluttering. He could see the curve of the sheets dipping just against the flesh of her shoulder; her back hidden from view. The temptation to pull it down – to see what it was that had made Yukino so somber...he almost followed through with it.
Her hair had fallen against the arch of her cheeks and he wanted to brush it away. To tuck it behind her ear and just fall...He heaved a slow sigh instead. His fingers instead dusted against her bare shoulder and Sting felt himself smile when he saw the spatter of light freckles over her skin. Some things about her...hadn't changed.
His sigh and the push of his elbows against the bed seemed to have roused Lector from his sleep. He saw the Exceed rub his eyes; raising his head slowly to look at his best friend.
"I heard what you said," Lector whispered and Sting blinked in surprise. "How could you think that? There had to be a reason, I'm sure of it! You know Noel, you know she wouldn't do that to you. Especially after..."
"I don't know Lector," Sting said, still drinking in the scene of her sleeping on his bed, cheek pressed against the mattress, pillows lost in her shuffle. "I don't know what to think right now."
Lector didn't answer, his eyes dropping with a small yawn. For a long moment, Noel's deep easy breathing was the only sound vibrating in the room. Sting was finally feeling a rolling sense of peace, his body slowing down from the tumultuous emotions that had blazed through his blood. He was still angry...gods he was still furious with her...but that lightness in his chest remained fixed there. The swelling that he could reach out and touch her. That he hadn't failed her...not like he thought.
"I missed her," Lector said suddenly. Sting smiled slightly and found the honest answer oddly easy to roll from his mouth.
"I did too."
"She keeps saying your name you know," Lector added and Sting's eyebrows rose slightly. The Exceed's grin was hard to miss – even in the moonlight. Sting felt his face heating up, the blush warm and odd on his cheeks.
"Yeah, whatever..." He mumbled which only made his friend smirk wider. Sting dropped his head, but he couldn't hide the flash of his smile from Lector. The cat covered his chuckles before snugging back into the folds of the blankets – satisfied that he had gotten the last word. Whatever would show up tomorrow, when Noel finally awoke...Sting didn't care about that. Not right now.
Sting took her hand into his; threading his fingers into the curve of hers. The warmth from her skin settled into his own. The smile didn't disappear from his mouth for a long time.
Soundtrack - On a Night Like This by Dave Barnes
She was dreaming; of course she was – but Lucy couldn't seem to shake this nightmare off her. It was seeping into the pores of her skin, crawling with cold and darkness. She could almost feel the fingers of it grasping, pulling and reaching for her. It seemed the same as before...when she had dropped into that alien feeling of forced sleeping; body ridged with bitterness. What she could remember of that night had been jostled and jumbled together and all that she could think about...were the memories of waking up wrapped up in Natsu. Natsu and the heat of his skin.
That same cold...that same magic was chasing her now; creeping and trailing after her like a wraith. In her dreams Lucy was running, but it never seemed to lead her anywhere. There was a faded, muted darkness that grew around her – filling the space and everywhere she looked it crawled across the floor. Misted fingers trying to curl around her feet. To drag her down...to cold and sleep. To somewhere she couldn't escape.
There was something behind her, creeping out of the shadows and the dark pits that were flooding up the walls. Lucy turned, heart slamming against the confines of her throat and she gave a muted scream when she saw what it was. Shouts that she couldn't seem to get out of her mouth. Stuck against her tongue and the fear that was squeezing her mute.
It was her father. And yet – it wasn't. Jude Heartfilia loomed at Lucy, his fingers outstretched towards her. He was covered in ice. Thin, glass crystals and fractured when he moved and made the air feel harsh against her skin. Pale blue magic curled from his mouth when he spoke; trailing away like mist and when his eyes fell on Lucy's trembling body they were black as coals. Hollow and lifeless in a spreading empty socket.
"Sleep my dearest," he coed and the sound echoed back in a deeper voice that Lucy didn't recognize. That voice was something she couldn't imagine. Cold. Cold and dark. Power and horror laced with every word. It was waiting for her. On the frayed edges of this dream...if she slept, if she fell...whatever it was...it would take her when she did.
"Just fall right it," it continued. "Easy and safe. Come with me daughter and then you can rest."
Lucy couldn't breathe – could feel her body slipping as this false Jude and this unseen voice drew closer. Ever closer. Why couldn't she wake up? Why couldn't she shout, or yell or scream?
Why couldn't she get warm?
Lucy felt her eyes drift shut, her arms wrapped around herself; shivers rippling across her skin. How did she get warm last time? How could she banish this thing and...how could she escape from this cold? She couldn't remember...couldn't think over the ice that was crawling outside and inside...
Jude Heartfilia – body trailing with a wraith that clung to his shoulders and trailed off his limbs had almost caught her. His hands inches from Lucy's shaking body when there was a sudden snap.
Natsu. Lucy found it. Warm and whole and safe. Her eyes blazed open and her lips finally shouted out his name. The sound was hoarse...but perfect. Her dreams suddenly warm and alive with fire.
Lucy woke up screaming – eyes wide and breathing so ragged she couldn't seem to fill her lungs. Her body was flushed with panic and for a brief moment she couldn't focus, couldn't think over the rolling fear that refused to leave.
Until her hotel door burst open.
Natsu was standing in room's threshold. His fists were burning with flames, they filled the space immediately with flickers of yellow gold light. Light and warmth.
"Lucy," he shouted out and thundered further into the room. Strangely...that little wolf, eyes lit alive in the shadows; followed right behind. "Lucy! Are you alright? What the hell...?"
Natsu blinked rapidly before his mouth ground out in anger. The ice was back.
Her windows had been flown open, curtains trailing and fluttering in a breeze that just didn't smell right. There was growing frost dusted along the floor – right in front of the open balcony and Natsu growled fiercely when he saw it, hands flaring further. There was a burning inside him – a hissing, rage that he couldn't, wouldn't shake. He would protect her. He would protect Lucy.
He strode across the room, banging the door shut behind him and setting a fire immediately in the hearth. The wolf trotted along the edges, small feet clicking on the floor as he searched for something. Nose along the room's edges and eyes focused – though for what...Natsu didn't know.
Instead he slammed the windows together with a lock, grunting and frowning. The heat that pulsed from his skin waved out along the room and the ice that had been creeping so steadily towards his best friend disappeared in a hissing melt. Glimmering little pools of water were all that remained of her nightmare when Natsu made his way to her side – where she sat up, shivering and trembling in her bed.
"Lucy," he said again, sinking slowly in front of her. Fists curling in her sheets. "What happened? Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
She shook her head back and forth, hands furiously wiping the tears from her face. Natsu's brow furrowed deeply, eyes drawing hard because he could smell it again. Faint and to anyone else it would be nothing...but there was a bitter magic scent that was radiating from Lucy's skin. A magic that wasn't hers. It was cold. But not like ice prick's. Gray's magic was natural – it always smelled like winter air during a snowfall; or the frosted breezes on a mountainside. This was different. Powerful and archaic. A magic that wasn't...well...human.
"It was my father," Lucy was crying, trying to say the words from her chattering teeth. "But...it wasn't. There was something else there – just along the fringes, something else I couldn't see. It spoke along with my dad."
"What did they say?" Natsu asked snarling. His eyes wouldn't still; they kept darting and dragging over her. Searching and watching as her flesh shivered and trembled. His fingers inched closer towards her.
"It wanted me to come with them," she said in a whisper. "They were reaching out and...he...they kept trying to get me to fall asleep." Lucy dropped her head into her fingers, tips clutching and weaving into her hair. Natsu felt something very painful lurch inside his chest as he watched her.
"It was awful," she mumbled through her hands.
"Something's going on Luce," Natsu said and found himself moving even closer to her again. She looked up at him, wide eyed and blinking. "We need to figure this out."
"It's just nightmares Natsu," she replied, though her voice was small. He was watching her; with his frown and his gaze and she felt her face flush slightly. "Nothing out of the ordinary."
The curve of his lips dropped further, the look on his face clearly flashed in a skeptical expression. "What about the cold?"
She didn't have an answer for that. Her body still wouldn't settle, heart hammering and skin pale. Her mind tried to race through her dream, but it was fading; disappearing from her waking memories leaving only feelings of fear behind. It was all that was left.
"I...I don't know."
They dropped into silence, the cracks of the fireplace filling the soft space. Natsu glanced down at his hands; calloused fingers rough with fire and blinked a bit to find that Lucy's own slender ones had found their place between them. It seemed odd at first, to see her skin against his own – the lighter flush of ivory sliding across shades of caramel...but damn it to hell...he liked it. He wanted her safe. He wanted to warm her. Her hands felt like ice within his own. Without another thought he drew closer to her, the pulse of his magic echoing out like a wave.
Natsu heard Lucy hum with contentment as it bled into her. His heat. There seemed to be something moving within his chest, curling and coiling towards the pit of his stomach. It snarled and growled in satisfaction at the noises that she made. The noises he was creating in her.
"What are you doing awake anyways?" Lucy's voice broke through his haze of his oddly appeased dragon magic. She was smiling at him, skin turning warmer and cheeks growing flush. Natsu couldn't seem to drag his eyes away from it. He didn't understand what was going on with his heart rapidly pounding in his veins; how his thoughts couldn't focus...or the fact that there seemed to be a completely different type of fire growing in the pit of his stomach. He wasn't hungry after all – he'd only eaten just a few hours ago.
"What?" He blinked and she laughed lightly.
"Where's Happy?"
Oh. That was an easy thought. He could answer that.
Natsu snorted, chuckling to himself as his eyes dropped to his lap. He absentmindly dusted his fingertips over the curve of Lucy's, fiddling and playing with her hands.
"He fell asleep visiting Wendy and Carla," he said. "Seemed pointless to wake him up for nothing so I just let him be. The little guy stayed with me instead."
Lucy glanced down at the foot of her bed, raising her eyebrows at the wolf that was curled there. Tightly coiled with its nose tucked into its tail, it snoozed easily. It seemed to blend along into the long shadows of the room, dark fur slick and highlighted from the fireplace.
"You never answered my first question though," Lucy started turning back to look at her best friend. Natsu dropped his head a bit to the side in confusion. "Why were you awake in the first place? You were right there...right when I needed..."
She trailed off, mumbles lost in her lips. He saw her flush; bright and glowing in his firelight and suddenly he felt his face doing the same. Mavis, why was he blushing? There was a small grumble that released from his mouth; one with frustration that she had remembered the harder question. The one he couldn't really explain.
Natsu was protective by nature; the dragon blood that rushed through his body only encouraged the way he felt about his friends...his family. It should only follow that Lucy, as his best friend, would be one of those he cherishly guarded. It shouldn't be any different from those times that he had rushed to Erza's defense or thrown himself into the fire (devoured it in his case) for Wendy. Hell, he'd even safeguarded Lisanna from the normalcy dangers that seemed to engulf Fairy Tail. Lucy shouldn't be any different from the other members of his cherished makeshift family. And yet...she was.
Since the very beginning; when he crash landed through that boat's ceiling, shattering planks and wood splinters through the air – her wink and reassured smile found him at once. She had always needed him...and not in that stupid, pathetic way that he knew that some people acted. Not in the sense that she was lacking...rather...Lucy made him always want to be better. So that his pieces – his strength, his power, his fire could fit into hers. To her faithfulness, her sincerity, her spirit.
Something strange was uncurling in Natsu's chest. The dragon side of his personality was slowly waking up - rousing and rumbling as he mulled over Lucy's question. He didn't understand it...he didn't understand any of the things his body was doing at the moment. Why was it that he couldn't seem to let go of her fingers? Why couldn't he get this fucking blush off his face? And why - Mavis help him, did he suddenly feel so warm? Natsu felt his head swim in confusion, while that fire lizard right in the crest of his heart hum constantly. He refused to focus on it; deciding to answer inquiries as he'd always done. With honesty. Lucy was his family. Family was to be treasured. Defended. Protected.
"I couldn't sleep," he answered with a shrug, still not quite meeting her eyes. "I was afraid...I was afraid that what happened the other night...that it might happen again. If I was asleep then I wouldn't know and you would...I would lose..." He swallowed the growing lump in his throat before continuing. "I had to be awake just in case I had to save you dummy."
Lucy's gaze dropped, but she smiled shyly...and suddenly everything was warmer than it was before. Especially when her heart hummed inside her chest; growing and stretching with the words that washed over her.
He made her feel safe. In fact...the moron had given himself over and over to keep his friends protected. To keep her protected. Lucy was reminded strongly of when he blazed in – all rage, magic and fire to rescue her during the Grand Magic Games. How he had given up something to save her, to ensure that she was safe. Like he did now. Like he always did; since the moment he crash landed (literally) into her life. Nothing had been the same sense. The memories made her smile again.
But something hung over her happiness...refusing to leave and let her body settle. These swirls of protection and heat and safety...All she wanted to do was sleep; her limbs sagging with exhaustion, but then - she couldn't. There was that fear crawling over the edges of her peace. When Natsu left...when he would disappear away to his own room again...she would be alone.
Alone with the hazy thoughts of her nightmares. With the trepidation of creeping frost and the idea of her father's wraith rimmed voice. She had tried to bolster up her courage earlier; to brush it away as simple dreams praying on the unconscious sadness of a lost father...but it didn't taste right to her tongue. It ghosted like invisible fingers wrapping around her chest and it was growing hard to breathe. Hard to think...if Natsu left her in this dark room.
"I...I...," she started and this time Natsu looked at her. Lucy's eyes were darting back and forth, lashes heavy against her cheeks.
"I'm afraid," she whispered at last. A confession that caused the tears to pool around the edges of her eyes. Natsu blinked and felt a growing panic at the sight of her cries. He should do something! He should get her some water or perhaps something to eat...
"Natsu," she mumbled and he froze to his name on her mouth. "Natsu I'm afraid to sleep alone. I know I said they were just nightmares...but...they...they seem real. And I'm scared. I'm so scared to be here by myself. Is it alright to admit it? Is it alright to admit how weak I am?"
Weak? Natsu stared at her a bit in surprise. She thought she was weak? That was the weirdest thing he heard roll from her mouth. There were so many different kinds of strengths – why did she think she needed to be strong in the ways that Mira was? Or Erza? Or like...him. He didn't need her to be strong like he was. They hadn't made such a perfect team with one another by being good at the same things after all. All those times she had saved them in her own special ways...it hadn't been through punching through a wall; winning in some grand match or even setting an enemy alive with fire.
He needed Lucy to be herself. Her strength in character. Her unwavering loyalty. Her bravery in the presence of every danger they faced together...Her absolute love for her friends.
Natsu snorted aloud. He didn't need her to be someone else. He needed her to be his Lucy.
"I don't think you're weak," he answered back at last. "In fact I think you're one of the strongest people I know."
She gave him a look that plainly stated she didn't agree. "Be serious Natsu," she grumbled. "I'm not nearly the wizard that some of the others are. I don't..."
"Bull shit," he interjected and lazily placed his hands behind his head. "You are a great wizard. The best Celestial one around. Besides...being good at magic isn't the only thing that makes you strong Luce."
She didn't know what to say to that. His words were doing funny things to her belly again, curling and fluttering all at the same time. There was a fleeting thought that she wished his hands would touch her own again. She missed it.
"Thanks Natsu," she whispered in the dark. "But it's still hard alright? Maybe for just this one night...I suppose I can wake Erza and ask if I can..."
She trailed off with a small sigh, and Natsu noticed that her bottom lip was worried between her teeth. She looked bare in the soft shadows; open and vulnerable. Drawing her knees up towards her chest she wrapped her arms around them. He watched her with a slanted head, thoughts slowly growing in his mind and suddenly the dragon inside of Natsu wouldn't still. The man that Natsu was wouldn't still. Because Lucy needed him. She needed the kind of strength that he could give her. He would do it for her. He would do anything for her.
"No."
Lucy blinked at his voice and snapped her head up at once to stare at his resolute face. His eyes were strong and serious; though the corner of his mouth was curved upwards in the smallest of smiles.
"I'll stay here with you."
The strange sensation in his chest swelled two fold at the brightness that crossed over his face at his words. There was another odd feeling of pride that rushed through him. He would protect her. He would always protect her.
Lucy began to settle down into her bed, fiddling with covers and pillows while Natsu began to look around the room; searching for his own place where he could curl up into. There were a few chairs, but their high backed, mahogany framed structure looked rather uncomfortable – so his eyes fell instead to the floor. At least that small patch in front of the fireplace looked warm. Truthfully it didn't matter – he had slept in far worse conditions and he would endure through anything to make sure that Lucy was okay. To make sure that she could sleep in peace.
However, at just the moment, when he had retrieved a small decorative pillow and was about to collapse at the foot of the bed Lucy's hesitant and whispered voice broke through the still air. Accompanied only by the snapping of embers in the hearth.
"I suppose...I suppose it's alright if you...if you stayed here with me."
Natsu wasn't sure he heard her right. His head turned slowly and when his hot gaze fell on her Lucy's cheeks flamed with a brilliant blush even deeper than it had been before. But she continued. She was resolved and nothing would change her mind.
"I mean...it's not like...it's not like we didn't the other night and I don't want you to sleep on the floor – especially since you're in here for me and you know since we're only friends and it's really no big deal but the bed is big so we'll have lots of space and..."
"Okay. I will."
The silence in the room was thick and heavy. Natsu slowly made his way back to the bed, even his light footsteps heard across the plush floor. Lucy – equal parts both satisfied and mortified gave him one last encouraging smile and then promptly flipped over. Natsu stared at the fall of her long hair, the curve of her bare shoulders and the rise and fall of her breathing as he slid into the bed.
Slowly. Slowly. Slowly.
He could feel her heat in the sheets. The ghosting of her flesh just inches from his own and strangely Natsu wanted to touch her. He wanted to pull her into his chest – the way he did the other night when she had been so incredibly cold. He hadn't focused on the feel of her body under his, too concerned for her life then...but now? Now he wanted to really know what it would be like...to feel her so soft and peaceful interwoven with him.
Shit. Fucking shit.
He was being ridiculous. And stupid. Stupidly ridiculous.
Lucy was his friend. His best friend and he was sure that all this was natural. To want to hold her. To cherish her. To protect her. Natsu felt that way with all his friends...
Except no. No he didn't. He loved them – of course he did...even grudgingly like the ice dick. So why did this feel different than Erza? Why did things rumble inside his chest with Lucy when they never did with Levy or Mira? Why did he want to share this bed with her when the thought of Lisanna here with him...didn't feel the same?
Mavis...he didn't need this. This job tomorrow...he needed to be focused and ready. He needed to be at his best game, not worried about whether he was coming down with the flu or caught food poisoning or suffering from some heart rhythm palpitations...or...
Lucy mumbled aloud in her sleep and Natsu's thoughts stilled at once. She was restless, and scared; confused and worn. Natsu blinked and decided that he would leave it. Instead, Natsu did what he did best. He released his inhibitions, his plans and anxieties. He dropped into the softness and stillness of the bed; the deepness of the shadows and the flickering of his gold fire. He freed all of it and let his instincts take over.
And just like the dragons that guarded their most prized possessions; the mounds of treasure that they would give their life for in silly fairy tales he read as a child...Natsu curled around her. He remained in his vigilance, quiet and stern; fingers and limbs and hands brushing, tangled and tousled with her, until Lucy's breathing slowed to a rhythmic serene motion.
At peace. And warm.
Oh my gosh...25 pages dear readers. 25 pages.
Short and sweet because my fingers hurt!
I would love to know what you guys think. I've had so many follows and favorites, but I've been disappointed with the reviews :( I love hearing what you guys think and your thoughts make this author's day. So please, if you have the time...drop me some little words! Haha!
Having said that I just want to say thank you to Treblemkr!
Dude, your encouragement kept me going to power through this ridiculous chapter. Thank you so much!
As always, Fairy Tail is copyrighted to Hiro Mashima. It's not mine. I know. You're all shocked.
Love to all of you,
Aulani