Wow, more chapters? I hope you guys appreciate the spamming I'm doing! Enjoy!
Drake wasn't sure why the whole group was so upbeat on the way back, it kind of disturbed him. Everyone was laughing and cracking jokes, and he didn't understand why. The most disturbing part was Drake knew it was the whole situations fault. Phantom Dove had changed him, it was a part of him, and it didn't matter if he didn't like that. The others from Blue Pegasus and Lamia Scale had parted with them already, telling them if they ever needed more help they knew who to call. As they reentered Magnolia, Damien fell in step with Drake.
"You alright, bud?" He asked. "You've looked upset since we started heading back"
"No, I'm okay" Drake replied. "I'm just...tired." Damien gave Drake a look that said he knew Drake was lying, but he dropped it, which Drake was grateful for. Ultear had already tried the night before too get a response out of him, but she hadn't gotten a word.
"If you're still worried about Nashi" Damien said all of the sudden, "It's going to be fine, Wendy and Chelia had it covered when I got back." Drake, for one, felt terrible his dying friend had slipped his mind, and he felt even worse when he realized she was that way because he'd failed to protect her. Her and Elise both, actually... Drake's train of thought was interrupted when they returned to the guild and Lucy ran out to her husband, who caught her.
"Thank Mavis you're all okay!" Lucy said happily. "We were worried when Laxus used Fairy Law, seeing as we knew it must've meant he was desperate."
"Yeah, of course" Laxus grumbled. "Desperate, right" Drake couldn't help but chuckle. No one told Lucy Laxus was just showing off.
"So," Natsu said, growing serious, "How's Nashi?" Not even Drake listened in on Lucy, fearing what he would hear. The Celestial Wizards expression terrified him, and the whole group was silent. Drake felt like the tension was stabbing him. Then, Lucy smiled.
"She's awake" That was all Drake needed to hear. He dashed past Lucy and into the guild, doing his best with his injuries to run up the stairs and into the infirmary. His heart was beating a million miles a minute, but he didn't care if he had a heart attack. He needed to see her, now. He burst through the infirmary door, and looked over at her bed, and his chest swelled up. She was awake all right. She was lying there staring at the roof, and she sighed, looked over at the doorway, and broke into a small smile.
"Drake" Drake felt tears stinging his eyes at the sound of her voice. He hadn't heard it for so long he was beginning to forget what it sounded like. He pulled up a chair next to her bed and grabbed her hand with both of his.
"Hey," He breathed, finally finding his own voice, "How are you feeling?" Drake watched as she shifted slightly on to her side, smiling even wider at him.
"Better," She replied. "I'm still pretty weak from the lack of food and water, but Wendy says I'll be okay" Drake nodded, rubbing a comforting circle with his thumb on her hand. He'd never felt so relieved in his entire life. He felt tears threatening to spill, so he put his head down on the bed.
"I'm so happy you're okay" He whispered. "I never would've forgiven myself if you weren't." Nashi chuckled quietly.
"It wasn't your fault, you did what you could" She replied, squeezing his hand. "You made sure I got home alive, and that Elise made it back. You kept your promise, so don't feel upset" Drake felt a few tears stinging his eyes as he nodded, weakly, not able to say anything. "So," Nashi said. "Did you kick their ass?"
"Yeah," Drake managed, looking up weakly. "I didn't get to do much though"
"It's enough knowing they got beat, really" Nashi shifted slightly. "Listen, Drake, I need to tell you something..." Drake felt his stomach drop.
"Yeah?"
"It's about Elise..." Drake felt his heart rate pick up again.
"Is she okay? Please tell me she didn't kill herself." Before Nashi could respond, the door opened again, and Drake had enough time to turn and look to catch a mop of black hair tackling him.
"Thank Mavis you're okay!" It shouted, wrapping him into a tight hug. "What the hell did you think you were doing?" Drake froze up. That voice, he knew it. He hadn't heard it actually speak in a long time. Elise took her face out of his chest and smiled at him.
"E-Elise?" Drake asked weakly, and she smiled even wider.
"So you still recognize me, huh?" She asked happily. "I was worried you wouldn't after everything you two went through"
"You... two...?" Elise nodded slowly, watching Drake carefully.
"Yes" She said slowly, "You and Nashi got captured, remember?" Drake knew that, what he was worried about was how she didn't place herself in the same situation.
"Right," He said slowly. "I know that, I was there"
'Then," Elise continued, crossing her arms over her chest. "You guys leave to deal with the bastards while I have a cold! Did you even thing for a minute I would've wanted to help?"
"Uh... sorry Elise..." Before he could say another word, the rest of the guild filed into the room. Levy said.
"Elise, why don't you go and find your dad?" She said weakly. "I'm sure he wants to see you"
"Alright!" Drake watched in astonishment as Elise ran happily from the room, and an awkward silence befell them.
"Doranbolt" Levy said, instantly clearing up the confusion. Drake recalled what he'd said to Levy after the whole shower incident. He nodded and Levy, who only stared back.
"Was it for the best?" Laxus asked. Drake found in strange Laxus had to ask that after Drake told everybody.
"Drake said it was for the best" Levy replied. "But he wouldn't say why" Silence came again, this time because the whole Phantom group knew what had happened, and it only made them feel worse. Drake hoped no one opened their mouth, Levy didn't need that kind of stress right now. Natsu stepped forward.
"Hey, Nashi" He said with a bright, pained smile. "You feeling better?"
"Yeah," Nashi replied, sitting up slightly. "I'm just glad you're all okay" Nashi scrunched up her face. "Damien? Is that you?" The fourth generation Dreyar chuckled as he stepped forward.
"Hey,Kiddo" He said softly. "It's been a while"
"It sure has," Nashi said, grinning even wider at him. Drake found in amazing how, even after all that had happened, Nashi could be so upbeat. "You're an old man now"
"Hey, hey, I'm not even 19 yet"
"Still, look at you" Damien chuckled as he ruffled her hair.
"Good to see you're in high spirits, Nashi" He replied. "I gave one of those bastards my compliments"
"That's how you compliment people?" Ultear asked from behind him, which made him flinch. "You destroyed him" A light laugh passed through the crowd as Damien rubbed the back of his neck. Drake couldn't help but laugh as well. He heard all that, after all.
"You should rest" Damien finally said. "I'm sure you're still pretty weak."
"Yeah," Nashi agreed, yawning. "I am pretty tired" With that, she rolled over and closed her eyes. No one objected, Drake was sure they were just happy she was okay. They all filed out, Drake being last in line.
"Well, that certainly makes me relieved." Master Laxus finally spoke. "She'll be okay in a week or so, right Wendy?" The healer nodded.
"Her recovery time is far above what I was expecting" Wendy replied. "If she eats and drinks enough, she may be okay enough to leave in a few days"
"Don't rush her," Lucy scolded. "She can leave when she's able"
Nashi wanted nothing more than for people to stop pitying her. People came all the time to visit her, and all they did was tell her they were sorry, Drake especially. Nashi wanted nothing more than to get out of this stupid bed and walk around, which she did a lot when her mother wasn't looking. One day, about a week and a half after she'd woken, up, Nashi wasn't having it anymore. Ignoring her mother, she got out of bed and walked downstairs. It was good too stretch her legs. She walked over to where her friends were sitting and sat down next to Damien.
"Hey Kiddo" He said, placing a hand on her head. "Feeling better?" Nashi nodded, not bothering to move his hand. She knew Damien acted like she was his little sister, even after what happened to Stephanie.
"I wanted to get out of that damn room." Nashi said, stretching. "I swear, if one more person tells me who sorry they are for me.."
"Oh, come off it" Elise said flatly, crossing her arms. "They just want to make sure you're okay" Nashi stared at her for longer than was necessary, trying to convince herself what had happened was actually real. Elise had such vivid memories of not coming with them that Nashi almost believed her, before she reminded herself that was what Doranbolt did best.
"Yeah, I know" She replied. "I just don't want their pity"
"So," Simon said, with a sneaky smirk on his face. "We were about to go on a job. Want to come with?" Nashi wasn't sure that was a good idea, but the sly look on the usual calm and reserved Simon's face was too much. She grinned.
"Yeah, I could use a vacation. Besides, getting out of here will do me some good" Nashi got up as the rest of them began to leave. She was about to walk out the door when her mother called for her.
"Nashi, where are you going?" Nashi flinched. Shit. She turned with a small smile.
"I'm just going with everyone!"
"On a job? Are you sure?" Nashi was about to reply when Damien appeared next to her.
"Don't worry Lucy" He told her, planting his hand on her head again. "I'll make sure she stays out of trouble" Nashi glared at him ,but noticed the relaxed look her mother had.
"Thank you, Damien, I appreciate it." As soon as Nashi left the door she ripped Damien's hand off her head.
"You're not going to do that, are you?" Damien shrugged.
"You can handle yourself, you'll be fine" He replied. "besides, you were inactive for practically a month, you'll need a lot of practice."
"Shit, you're right! I probably suck right now!"
Pretty laid back chapter, I know, but we have to relax a bit after the last arc. And, trust me, next chapter will be so laid back it'll be ridiculous. Hope you enjoyed, remember you leave a review!