A Bacchus X Lucy? That's crazy, but I can't lie, I love them haha! While this a short story-ish, chapters will be long, meaning it could take a while for them to come out! Now, let's all ride the bachlu train!
All rights go to Hiro Mashima, the creator and lord of Fairy Tail.
Golden amber lit up the shadowy street. Coming from a building that was quaint in comparison to the rugged buildings surrounding it, it was as if the golden hue was a beckoning for those wandering without cause. Deep, brown oak with sturdy pillars that held engravings of greeting held the place upright. The loosely bolted door was open for the outside world to hear the shrills of laughter and rowdy patrons, the same light more prominent on the cobblestone paving. It looked warm, inviting, and everything Lucy needed.
As she took a look around her, with herself being the only one outside at the late hour, her uncertainty was answered with a twitching street lamp that had her scurrying to the pub.
Lucy grimaced at the boisterous sounds coming from the bar, but against her better judgment trudged forward into the wooden establishment. It was crowded, with groups and couples littering around the tables and tv's that were sporting news about the latest destruction of the harbor in the town over. It was relatively empty besides the few that littered around seemingly to themselves or joining in with the fray for another round of drinks. With a quick glance around, in the shadow of the bar was a singular bar stool that she made her way towards.
The cool rubber against her bare thighs caused a sigh of relief from the blond, quickly put her purse onto the side of her chair as she waited for the bartender's attention. She needed a drink and a good one at that. Her night went terrible in her opinion, more or less another failed date set up by Mira. For some reason, the sweetheart had horrible taste in men if that's who she thought was a perfect match for Lucy.
He was sweet at first, gentlemanly even as they both met up with each other at the park. It seemed to be going so well, they both got a scoop of ice cream and just talked about anything and everything that came to mind. It was perfect till he opened his big mouth about her modeling pictures and how he was such a big fan of hers, to where he brought out his wallet and showed her some of her more famous snapshots. The hibbie-jibbies made her book it.
The thought of dating someone who idolized her wasn't what creeped her out, more of the fact that he had pictures she knew were not a part of the magazine issues. At least, she hoped not.
Heaving a sigh at the failure of her pitiful love life, she signaled again at the bartender who came rushing to her side.
"I am so sorry about the wait! For some reason, it's so rowdy!" The girl squeaked, rightening her top, "What can I get you, miss?"
"A bourbon on the rocks will do, thank you," She gave her best smile, letting it fall as the girl made haste in making her drink. Wrapping her faux-fur coat securely around her, Lucy let herself embrace the heater the bar had over her head.
It didn't take long for two clinks to land on the wooden bar in front of her as the brunette gave a kind smile, "Here you go miss!"
Lucy paused, eyeing wearily at the second drink, "Why are there two?"
"Oh! The guy over there ordered it for you," the girl pointed towards a few seats over to Lucy's left only to feel shock. There he was, Bacchus Groh sat there with a suggestive smirk directed towards her. Seeing the man made her brain freeze, and as if Gray's ice somehow got a hold of her, made it to where the only thing that crossed her mind was wow… when he gave a slight wave. The man was incredibly hot when he looked like he wanted to devour her.
Feeling a slight blush coat her already pink cheeks, she gave a hesitant wave back. Maybe he was just trying to be nice, their guilds were allies and both had mutual friends in both guilds. Yes, that had to be it. So, turning her attention back to the awaiting bartender and with a gentle smile, said, "Can you tell him thank you for the drinks Miss…?"
"My name is Jade, call me over if you need anything!" Jade chirped with a saucy wink before the girl was gone off to the next customer. Shrugging off the girl who went from shy as a butterfly to possibly having a confidence that could rival her lion spirit, she let herself eye the two drinks warily.
One was her original order, the amber liquid with a circular ice cube as the other was a sickening pink with a sliced strawberry topped on the rim as decoration. Blanching, she slowly moved the possible fruity concoction away from her in favor of the bourbon.
A squeak in the chair beside her had her turning over, surprised to see Bacchus taking a seat in the once-occupied chair. Where did the guy next to her go?
A strangled grunt came from the floor that answered her question, seeing a rather drunk but sober enough to tell he quite literally got chopped in the neck man who stared blankly up at the ceiling. The man looked relatively okay, only a bit disorientated but she chose to ignore the man in favor of berating the drunk, "Really Bacchus?"
"Hey, I needed this seat," he soothed, taking a sip of his beer, "The guy was in my way."
"Sure, whatever you say," she quipped, rolling her eyes. She chose to ignore the scene and drink the bourbon that waited patiently on her. The fiery taste that was left in her throat felt like a relief from the otherwise horrible day. Letting her body untense and thrum in warmth as the alcohol settled in her, Lucy let the day be swept away to let herself enjoy the bar. It was quaint, rustic even. To the small bar she sat at, to the dining tables that were topped with little paper-mache hearts laid scattered around the room, it brought a sense of home. Maybe it was the decorations or the way the atmosphere felt like her guild, either way, this bar became a possible forever favorite.
"So, beautiful", Bacchus crooned to her, "why are you so far away from your precious little guild?"
Lucy felt her eyes roll at his quip towards her guild and held her tongue from any mention of Quatro Puppies in favor of sourly glaring towards her drink. He was being fairly nice from what she could tell, even if it was as if he was eating her alive with his eyes. Instead, she choose to give him a somewhat answer to appease him.
"Well … I had a date tonight," she answered with a cringe, letting her hands fiddle with the now almost empty glass as she turned to look at him. He had his hair slicked back in his traditional bun and the same piercing red gaze from when they last saw each other at the Grand Magic Games, but what threw her off was his clothes. Instead of his usual get-up was a winter coat and sweats. He looked good, too good if she had to be honest. Who knew that sweats could sculpt his legs even more?
"And? You seem to be lacking any date from what I can tell," he drawled, letting his face rest on his palm to look at her. Gazing down at her glass, she pondered if she should tell him. In reality, they were acquaintances at best, should she really tell him about something so embarrassing? Would he tease her about her miserable love life, or be the opposite who would try to make her feel better? The man was a mystery to her, an intriguing mystery, but a mystery no less. Gulping, she took a swing and thought, fuck it, can't be worse than seeing those pictures.
"Well I sorta jumped the boat and ended it early," she started, playing with the now empty glass that had tiny bits of melted ice scattered in it, "He wasn't the one." She sighed.
"Gorg- Lucy, you believe in that shit?" He chuckled, a playful smirk rising on his lips. Embarrassment crawled up her body in waves as she tried to ignore how haughty he looked. So much for thinking he might console her.
"Yes I do, I think everyone has someone special out there meant for them," she paused when he still looked at her amused, "Do you not believe in love? Or, like I don't know, soul mates?"
The grin he had turned into his shit-eating one, she could tell by the mirth that shone brightly in his eyes. "Blondie, you're the only one who I would humbly oblige to if you wanted to try out your little soulmate's idea."
Snorting, she quipped, "Yeah right, like that'll ever happen."
None noticed the piqued interest of the bartender or the whispering that happened between patrons at the sight of the dou.
"Never say never Blondie, you never know, we could be soulmates for all we know," he shrugged, taking another long sip from his beer.
The thought of them being together made her giggle. Her and Bacchus? Ha! As if that would ever happen or work out. They were two ends of a pod that was either burning in the deepest pits of hell or worse, Cana's betting pool, so different that most would think they were insane to try it out. She had a somewhat stable life at Fairy Tail while he was out doing missions as a S-class mage, the long distance would never work.
But what if they did make it work? What if those differences were not enough to stop them?
The startling thought didn't go past her body to react, and squirming in her seat as an uncomfortable heat made her body burn. Taking the drink Bacchus ordered for her and gulping it down, letting the sugar drink attempt at cooling her down was in vain. All that was left was the feeling of cavities eating at her teeth and her questioning what was in the drink for it to be that sugary.
The thought didn't go away though, neither did the uncomfortable heat that made her begin to sweat. Quickly taking off her jacket and setting it on her purse, she waved the bartender down for another drink. If she was going to continue dealing with Bacchus, a drink was needed. For some reason, he knew how to get under her skin in ways no one else did. Maybe it was the beyond shitty day she had, or how he looked as smug as a fox at her reaction, whichever it was going to be the doom of her. She knew it, and so did he.
"You're something else," she grumbled as Jade made her way back over, eyeing the two suspiciously. Turning towards Jade, she asked, "Can I get a refill please?"
"Of course!" Jade said, grabbing onto the glass bottle and pouring the bourbon into it. Soon, Lucy had her refill and so did Bachhus, who looked more than pleased as he guzzled down his beer.
"Thank you, Jade," she mumbled on the rim of her drink, sipping on it slowly as the bartender once again walked away. Neither of them noticed the green shine that was in Jade's eyes or the almost sadistic smirk that tilted her lips when she handed over the drinks.
Silence ensued between Lucy and Bacchus, the two drinking their respective drinks all the while lost in thought. Lucy was overthinking about what Bacchus suggested and the what ifs while he chose to think about the way her blond hair twisted in soft curls of strands was somehow majestic in an oddly sappy way that it made him want to get even more wasted.
To Lucy Heartfilla, Bacchus wasn't horrible. In fact, he distracted her. Maybe that was his plan all along once he saw her gloomily walk into the bar. It possibly wasn't his main intention to suggest they actually get together and all he wanted to do was talk to a familiar face, whatever the reasoning was, she was happy that he made the first move. It took her mind off the things that had been eating at her, and no matter how difficult it was to figure the man out; she appreciated the non-thought of effort.
"Bacchus…" she hesitantly said, "you're not so bad."
"Huh?" he dumbly answered, looking at her curiously.
"You made my night," she spoke softly, turning so she faced him. Taking a hold of his free hand so he looked directly at her, she continued, "Thank you".
"Pleasures all mine," Bacchus smiled, and her stomach did a flip at the sight. He was gorgeous, even more so close up, but overall gorgeous as he gave her a genuine smile. Bacchus didn't smile at anyone, maybe smirk or his trademark grin that had his fangirls squeal in delight at the look, but he did not smile. Blinking once, then twice, she still saw that he gazed down at her with the same smile.
He seems so relaxed when he smiles… she thought, giving him her own smile. Maybe for tonight, she was the girl he would entertain in amusement and flirtatious banter, and somehow the thought did not bother her. A once in a lifetime chance he was giving her, a memory she knew she would treasure in secret. Because Bacchus Groh was known to never smile, he wasn't supposed to be kind or gentle. But here he was, defying the odds he once made.
Keeping a hand still in his, she turned and grabbed a hold of the bourbon and sipped at it, letting their hands stay connected as time seemed to pass by. The warmth in his hands was her excuse, how soft it surprisingly was a mystery to her as she let herself memorize the feeling. Lucy Heartfilla did not hold hands with just anyone, and neither did Bacchus. But as she continued to sip at the bitter drink, both were defying their odds with one another. And she knew deep down, both did not mind the feeling.
It was nearing 3 o'clock when she began to feel tired, and on her sixth drink when she decided to call it quits. Putting down her glass and grabbing a hold of her purse and jacket did she stand up from her chair. Giving a gentle squeeze on Bacchus's hand and feeling him lose his grip to see it go limp had her giggling at his sleeping form. The bar had cleared out by now, and he passed out only a few minutes before she decided the rubber barstool was beginning to hurt enough to head for the train station.
She paused, noting just how cute he looked as a pool of drool slipped out of his mouth from his snoring. A small smile graced her lips at the sigh before she tucked in her chair.
Looking through her purse did she found a piece of paper and pen before scribbling out her number and placing it under his arm. A quick wave to Jade who was cleaning up glasses to signal her departure was when she noticed something wasn't right. The Tv now seemed blurry, almost so blurry she couldn't tell what was what besides blobs of colors. The once heart-folded papers seemed to become darker in color as she walked by the doors, from pink to a bloody red that it became noticeable. Lucy knew she wasn't that drunk, that nothing was coherent, and she was almost overwhelmed with anxiety as she drew nearer to the doors. As her hands connected with the door to push it open, a sudden pressure overtook her body.
"What the fuck?!" She squawked, her body being thrown to the ground harshly. That seemed to wake Bacchus up as he groaned out profanities till he saw her crumbled form. He groggily got up with a shout of surprise before he rushed towards her body. When his body was only a few steps away from her, the same pressure threw him down, crushing his body beside hers.
Gasping, she tried reaching for her keys in desperation, only to feel a heel crush into it.
"Lucy Heartfilla and Bacchus Groh, what a lovely pair," Jade spoke above Lucy, the once sweet smile replaced with a smirk. If Lucy wasn't so busy trying to free her hand then she would have clocked the bitch, especially when her eyes laid on the now knocked-out man. She internally screamed at her body to do something, at her keys to summon themselves, for this stupid pressure that kept her down to somehow fade away so she could escape with Bacchus.
Lucy felt a scream whelmed up in her throat when Jade pressed her heel harder into her hand as if testing her with how she curiously stared at her.
"Fuck…you…" Lucy sneered up at the woman. The feeling of fear became almost overbearing when Jade's laugh tittered at the sight.
"Now that is very improper language coming from a runaway heiress, how would your mother feel if she heard her daughter speaking like that, hmm?" Jade chuckled at the stunned blond.
Lucy snarled at her in anger, almost blinded by the rage that she even brought up her mother. She tried thrashing in her hold in a desperate attempt to escape.
Grunting, she kicked her foot out at the brunette in an attempt to get her heel from digging a hole in her hand. Connecting with Jade's stomach, the pressure immediately intensified on her as she screamed out. It felt as if gravity went against her, and even more so on the leg that connected with the bartender.
Biting her lip as she felt her leg beginning to crack from the pressure, she felt lost. She had to save them both, but as she heard the loud snap from her leg as it finally succumbed from the force bearing down on them, she knew any hope of escape was gone. The scream that she couldn't hold back came out as Jade walked around her to Bacchus, a frown marrying her lips when she tutted at Bacchus's unconscious form. "You two are too much trouble…"
"Please," Lucy choked out, "Leave him alone!"
"While that reaction is fitting my dear Lucy," Jade snorted, "I'm afraid I can't leave without you two."
Dread clawed at her heart when the girl hefted Bacchus over her shoulder and walked towards the back, the two disappearing from sight. Looking down at her leg in disdain at the clear shiftage in bones, she chose to reach out for her keys again. She only needed one to save Bacchus or a star dress that could heal up her leg and give her strength to help them get away.
Her fingers fiddled with her belt, finally feeling the cool surface of her keys. Grasping onto one and chanting out Capricorn's summoning, nothing happened even as she tried twice more had her realizing her magic was gone. The connection with her spirits felt as if they were miles away.
She tried chanting out her star dress, begging for any of them to work. Cancer, Leo, Aries, any of them would work if only her magic wasn't gone. She knew it was there, but as she kept trying to pull it there were no results. Nothing happened. The separation from her magic caused her to let out a whimper, the feeling of being so alone when she couldn't move her body frightened her.
Footsteps made their way to her limp form, the clicking of heels on the wooden bar flooring causing her to freeze. Fear crept in as it stopped a hair's breadth away from her.
"Tut tut, you're not supposed to be able to do that," Jade scowled, picking up the once again shaking girl. "You're supposed to have been knocked out by now."
As Lucy's body was thrown onto the girl's shoulder was when saw the red tail begin to form, along with Jade's legs changing colors from her once pale skin to a deep red. As if her skin turned into scales, she knew deep down that she wasn't a mage. No, this woman felt otherworldly now that the once-human facade washed away. She sobbed in despair at the sight before the feeling of darkness consumed her.