Hey guys. I can see y'all want more of "Ice Devil's Angel," which makes me happy to hear. However, to get back into the groove of things, I've been given a golden opportunity by none other than the famous GraLu author, LadySVI, to take on her story "Bride of the Ice God," which originally belongs to the author writer4everr.
Anyway! Hope everyone is doing well!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its character. I do not own this plot. This plot belongs to writer4everr.
Bride of the Ice God
Chapter Nineteen
The Spying Adventures of the Wine Goddess
19 19 19
Gray - FLASHBACK
"Lucy is being courted," Cana's voice informed me in a clipped tone.
I let out a bitter laugh and shook my head at her weak attempt to get me emotionally riled up. It did bother me, but the attempt was so obvious that I knew better than to respond angrily. I turned around to face her and saw that she had a small smirk on her face. "So?" I shrugged. The words rang out hollow and empty.
She stood up straight and laughed aloud, "You're not curious?" She tilted her head to the side. "Well, let me take the opportunity to educate you. Let me warn you I'm not exactly pleased at what I saw down there so if I start ranting—"
I cut in sharply. "You visited the human world? Why would you do that?" I demanded angrily, my blood boiling. What if she had been recognized or put in danger because of her reckless visit?
Cana rolled her eyes. "Please don't bring out Grumpy Gray. I hate that side of you," she whined. "I wanted to go down there for you. I'm helping you by updating you on what's going on with Lucy!"
I sighed in exasperation. "I told you to leave this whole thing alone. The bond is severed between us," I swore angrily, but Cana seemed unfazed by my use of crude language.
"That's quite impossible," she replied with a grin. "Bonds can never be severed. Anyways, there's this boy named Hibiki." I grew irritated at the name. "He's got this sick puppy crush on Lucy." A scowl crossed her face, and I was pretty sure my face held a similar expression.
"Hibiki?" I repeated with a small growl. I tried to shake the thought away of Lucy marrying another man.
She nodded and crossed her arms. "She's unhappy there, Gray. Her parents... Her mother passed away from grief when she was sacrificed by her village. Did you know?"
My blood ran cold, and I turned to face Cana directly. "No," my voice cracked out in a whisper. "She wanted to go back home. I was certain that she missed her family. I-"
"Nobody knew," Cana reassured me. "But when I was down there, I did some investigating. It looks like her father is wasting away by the day. Mira told me his time is coming. But Lucy's just so confused by herself. She gets flashbacks, but she's so terrified of them. She doesn't know what they mean. She needs to see you again!" she pleaded.
I got up shaking with agitation. "See her?" My voice was strained. "The implications—"
"—Gray, she needs somebody now more than ever to take care of her. The only one who can do that is you. The bond between you two still retains its powers. I tried to examine the markings, but it burned me, you know what that means…"
I nodded, realization coming to me, the bond was trying to protect itself from Cana's powers. It perceived her powers as a threat, and it was trying to defend itself. The bond was still strong between us. I still had a chance…
She grabbed me urgently, "So? Will you go see her?"
I hesitated and straightened up. "Maybe," I replied shortly and left the room without glancing back at her.
Cana let out a irritated huff and called after me. "Don't try to act all dark and mysterious! I know that you'll go see her!" she shrilled out.
I merely smirked because she was right, like always.
Lucy- Present
I trudged slowly through the dry, crackling leaves and mused quietly to myself. The man, Gray, he kept coming to my mind, and it irritated the hell out of me. I didn't get it. I swear I had never seen him before, yet he seemed so familiar. The whole thing was so cliché, yet it felt so real to me. "Seriously" I growled aloud. "Get the hell out of my mind."
"You talk to yourself?" a light laugh emitted from the once silent air. I whipped around to face the person that I had just been thinking about. I reddened as I came face to face with the good-looking man. He wore a blue kimono and had the same smirk upon his face.
"Geez, you need to stop popping out of nowhere!" I hissed. It had been nearly two weeks since I had first seen him. I hadn't seen him in between and I was starting to wonder where he stayed at.
"Aw, you're jumpy," he teased. "Here." He threw something at me, and I caught it with a little bit of fumble. I looked at what was in my hand, and I saw a jade hair piece. I picked it up cautiously and let out an exhilarated breath of air,
"What's this?" I gazed at it with childlike wonder and looked back up at him with confusion.
"Just a little something to brighten up your dull appearance."
My heart gave a little thud, but annoyance overrode my stupid crush.
"Dull?" I echoed with a glare, I tossed the hairpin back at his chest and stomped away.
He caught my arm. "H-Hey! You know I didn't mean that! I was talking about your mood, Lucy." He took my hand and placed the hairpin back into my palm. "I'm sorry," he offered genuinely.
I took the hairpiece and let out a petulant sigh. "I suppose I'll have to forgive you. I maybe over-reacted," I replied dramatically and smiled while placing the hairpin in my golden tresses. "Aside from the rude comment, thank you." I nodded in gratuity. "But-what's with the sudden present, my birthday's not until another few months." I grinned.
He just shrugged, "Just something I thought would like good on you. Plus, you were a bit sad the last time we saw each other. I thought I'd give you something to cheer you up." He wouldn't meet my eyes, and I was surprised that his cheeks reddened.
"Thanks," I whispered. "Really, thanks." I smiled happily.
Gray cleared his throat gruffly. "It's nothing."
I took his hands and squeezed it warmly. "I really appreciate it. I feel a lot better. This week has been pretty crappy, but you managed to make my day." I smiled softly.
"Lucy?" a shocked voice came from behind me and with dread I instantly recognized the voice. "Is that you Lucy?"
I dropped Gray's hands and whirled around. "Hibiki? What are you doing here?" My voice shook as I caught sight of Hibiki's face that showed a mixture of annoyance and irritation.
Hibiki hesitated as he replied. "I-I was just walking around. Who's he?" Bitterness and jealousy was embedded in his tone, and I groaned inwardly, really?
"I'm Gray, her friend," Gray interrupted smoothly, eyes narrowing. "Who are you? She never really mentions other people, so I'm not really familiar with you." He smirked and I glared at him exasperatedly for stringing Hibiki along and taunting him.
Hibiki cleared his throat, "I-uh-I'm Hibiki. I'm helping Lucy take care of her father," he said casually, but there was a tone of smugness. I cringed and turned back to Gray, who had a carefully blank face. "She might be living with me soon," he blurted.
A little snarl ripped out of Gray's throat and my eyes widened in surprise at his over protectiveness, as well as the dark look in his eyes. "I-uh-look, I'll see you later Gray," I added hastily trying to calm him down and avoid a confrontation.
Hibiki smirked. "That's right. We have to be heading back now." He moved forward to grab my arm, but I moved back hesitantly.
"Just a second, Hibiki," I muttered. "I'll see you soon?" I asked, turning back to Gray with slight desperation creeping into my tone.
Gray's expression eased and he smiled. "Yeah, of course."
Relief flowed through me, and I nodded moving away now back to Hibiki. "All right, I'll see you later." Hibiki made a small face, but I ignored him and just starting walking back to the village. Hibiki attempted to catch up to me, but I just kept trudging forward.
"Hey, hey! Who was that?" he demanded.
"Like he said. His name is Gray," I answered flatly.
"How do you know him?" He grabbed me by the shoulder to whirl him around. "Answer me!"
"Why does it matter?" I hissed out. "Am I supposed to bring my friends to you for a background check? I don't have to get your freaking approval!" I yelled out with my jaw clenched tight.
He was speechless, and I just rolled my eyes. "Are we done here?" I hissed. "Good, 'cause I am. I'll see you later," I muttered out angrily and strolled away.
Anger burst up into little flames within me, but I glanced back once. Not to glance at Hibiki but Gray's faint figure in the distance.
I shook my head and laughed at myself. How the hell was it possible to feel so strongly about one person after meeting them for only two times? The thought struck me, and I just laughed it off once more, and a question popped up in my mind.
Gray, did I know you in another life?
Lisanna - Present
Cana snorted with laughter as she finished watching Hibiki and Gray have at each other. She let out another gleeful snort and watched the drama unfold in front of her.
We were sitting in her cottage where Cana had brewed a wine, so that we could see what was going on between Gray and Lucy. "Don't you feel just the tad bit guilty?" I asked apprehensively.
Cana turned back to me with an are-you-serious look. "Uh, NO," she blurted out bluntly. "This is pure gold. Who cares about dramatic plays? Just watch this and you'll be set for life? This is real drama!" she waved a hand at the large, ornamented wine chalice with a flourish.
Cana picked up the chalice and drank from it heartily. I gave her a dry look.
She shrugged. "I'm just drinking to pass the time. I'm waiting for Gray to finally give me the go-ahead."
"The go-ahead?" I repeated quizzically.
Cana nodded and tucked a brown strand of hair behind her ear. "Yup, I'm waiting him for me to tell me when to make the potion."
My eyebrow rose, "He's agreed to change her?"
Cana scoffed, "Well not entirely yet. He said he would 'think' about it and give him some time." She made a face as she imitated his voice.
"Ah, I see." I put the extra alcohol bottle on the table and sighed rolling my shoulders tiredly.
Cana looked at me with concern. "If you're tired just drink!" she crowed out in a happy tone. I sighed, yup, she had had way too much to drink tonight.
I glared at her. "Really?" I pointed at my stomach and the growing bulge.
The Wine Goddess's lips formed an O. "Oh yeah, so what were you planning to name that baby?"
I just shrugged. "I really don't know yet. We're still on edge about the whole 'bonding' issue thing. We haven't really decided on a name yet," I replied shortly.
Cana's eyes lit up as she heard Lisanna's admission. "You could name it after me," she laughed to herself.
"Cana? I don't know-" The door slammed open. Both of us turned around to face Gray. He looked out of breath and his face was flushed, panting heavily.
"Gray?" I moved forward with concern. "Are you all right?"
He nodded hastily, "I-I'm fine. Cana…"
Cana's head instantly shot up to hear what her friend had to say. "What is it?" she demanded.
He gripped her arm. "I-I've made my choice." He paused and drew in a deep breath.
"I know if I want to change Lucy or not."
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