CHAPTER FIFTEEN: AN ETERNAL BOND
I've been looking all over for you
but you were right next to me the whole time.
What if I can't help but hate you?
I take a step back and wait for you.
I can't control myself, but you don't know that.
I miss you. I keep missing you.
I try not to show it. I try to hide.
But it's so obvious; you're the only one who doesn't see.
I miss you.
"It's the same."
It took an eternity for the words to register in Lucy's mind. Alina's fingers closed around Aquarius's broken key, twirling the chain with more than curiosity. She studied intently, admiring the broken shaft, testing the weight in her hand. Blood rushed to Lucy's ears, pounding beneath hot cheeks. She took a shallow breath.
'My daughter is a huge fan.'
Alina withdrew a small key from her pocket, so familiar it stole what remained of Lucy's oxygen. Her knees buckled, legs crumpling like paper. She caught herself on one knee, stomach roiling, heart unraveling in violent breaths. Nausea burned with bile and bitter sorrow.
'Actually, she practices holder magic just like you.'
The pieces dropped into place like an elaborate puzzle created with the intention of fooling her. Lucy heaved, struggling for breath, desperately trying to see beyond the haze of disappointment. From the very beginning...
'I just spent a number of days in Clover Town.'
Aquarius had always been out of reach.
Natsu and Happy raced to Lucy's side. Both helped her stand, Natsu gently reassuring Alina that everything was okay. Lucy wobbled to her feet.
How could she do this to them? How could she feel so lonely when they stood beside her, caring for her, loving her so tenderly?
But she did. Dark and festering, the loneliness crept in from the very edges of Lucy's mind, from the deep shadows of harsh regrets and unspoken plights. She was suspended in that darkness. Lost. Alone.
"Is she all right?" Kaito asked.
"We walked a long way," Natsu deflected. "She must be tired."
"Lucy, can you stand?" Happy asked her.
Lucy straightened. "I'm okay. Sorry."
Alina pressed Aquarius's key gently into Lucy's palm. For just a fleeting moment, Lucy dared to imagine, dared to believe she'd been reunited with her friend. She closed her eyes, absorbed the cold smoothness of Aquarius's key, remembered the blissful warmth of their shared power. Whole. Brimming with magic. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
"Why are you crying, Lucy?" asked Alina.
Lucy forced a smile. "Did you sign a contract with her?"
"With the mermaid?" Alina beamed proudly. "Daddy brought her back from his long trip. She's my best friend in the whole world."
Alina tapped the keys together. Lucy showed her the broken key, barely managing to hold her fingers steady. Every inch of her body trembled with no regard for the little girl standing before her. She wanted to break down and cry. To scream about the unfairness of it all. Nothing about this seemed right.
Memories ravaged Lucy's mind. Flickers of hot baths and long battles. They'd been through so much together. Experienced so many things. Lucy had needed Aquarius back then, needed her so much it hurt to admit it. And now, Alina needed her too.
It was time to let her go.
"Do you want to know a secret?" Lucy asked.
Alina nodded, that former shyness creeping in. "Can I?"
Lucy dared to smile. "Actually, Aquarius and I used to be good friends," she said. "I'm sure she was very lonely until she met you."
"Really?" Alina's eyes glistened. "She was your friend, too?"
Lucy nodded, barely holding back tears. Natsu squeezed her shoulder, allowing her a moment to grieve. She told herself it was okay. That all of this would be okay.
"When I was small, Aquarius watched over me. She was family. And if you take care of each other, you'll grow stronger too. Together, I have no doubt that you'll be able to join Fairy Tail. So protect her, and she'll always protect you."
Alina's heart overflowed with clear joy. "Okay! I'll work hard to protect her!"
"Would you like to stay for breakfast?" Kaito asked them.
Natsu's stomach growled behind Lucy, a traitorous sound that, for just a fleeting moment, reminded her of the present. Of the things she needed to do right now.
"I would hate to intrude," she said, slowly rising to her feet.
"Please, I insist."
"Will you stay?" Alina pleaded.
"Okay," Lucy breathed. She could hardly say no.
They made it through a long, exhausting breakfast, with Alina asking no end of questions about Aquarius and Lucy's other keys. She deigned to answer them all, struggling through tales of childhood antics and dangerous battles. Once or twice Lucy had to stop herself from crying. And once or twice more Natsu cut in with a distraction.
After washing dishes, Lucy introduced Alina to little Plue, who reveled in all the fuss and attention. It was reassuring to see Alina care so much for her spirit. She had a big heart, perhaps even bigger than Lucy's. Aquarius would be fine in her care.
Giving Lucy a moment with Alina, Natsu and Happy helped Kaito move some of the heavier supplies, taking the time to view his vast collection of magical items along the way. Every now and then Lucy heard a faint wow or cool in the distant hallways.
"Thanks for playing with me," Alina said, rubbing Plue's belly. He mewled happily. "Mamma's too sick to play games with me right now."
Lucy's broken heart dissolved to dust. "I'm having lots of fun," she said.
"We don't know why she got so sick, but daddy's research is going to save her," Alina said.
So the puzzle was much greater than Kaito and his hobbies. He was searching for something to save his wife. Lucy placed a loving hand on Alina's head, wishing, longing, to be of comfort. Aquarius's key was more than a magical gift for Alina. It was a friend.
"Should we play outside?" Alina said.
"That would be nice."
They played long until sunset, eating and laughing under the warmth of a radiant sun. Happy carried Alina through the skies, Natsu chasing her through the garden at top speeds. Lucy watched in quiet contentment, listening to childish laughter and careless words. She would burn this memory into her mind. The memory of a lonely child who needed a friend. It would be a comfort to her on lonely nights.
As the sun set, Lucy prepared to give her farewells, with Kaito insisting they stay the night. Natsu was quick to save her, asking for directions to the inn—for which Kaito happily obliged. It was the least he could do, or so he said. They stood in the Sun's living room now, surrounded by lavish decor and heavy hearts.
"Do you have to leave?" Alina asked, squeezing Lucy tightly.
"I'm sorry. We have to continue our journey now." Lucy smoothed Alina's hair. "We'll see each other again soon, won't we? Keep working hard."
Alina nodded. "I'm going to join Fairy Tail for sure!"
Lucy's heart blossomed with new feelings. Gentle and soft. Despite everything, she wanted Alina to succeed.
"That's a promise," she said, offering her pinkie.
They sealed the promise.
"Lucy, it's time to go," Natsu called from the doorway.
Lucy stepped towards him. "Thank you for having us."
"You're welcome here anytime," Kaito said.
Alina pressed something into Lucy's hand. "Wait."
Lucy paused. Aquarius's key tingled with warmth in her palm, a reminder of everything she'd lost, and everything she'd worked so hard to achieve. She couldn't explain it, but it felt almost like Aquarius's heart was trying to reach her. So warm.
"Aquarius doesn't want you to be sad," Alina said quietly. "I can feel it. She misses you too."
Lucy barely suppressed her tears. She offered a quick smile and pushed the key back into Alina's hand.
"Take care of yourself," she said.
With goodbyes long behind them, Lucy all but sprinted across the beautiful garden, stumbling over flagstone paths and knots of bramble and weeds. She picked up speed, running away from her feelings, from her regrets, from her tears. She emerged in the plaza too quickly. Blurs of colour swam in ponds on either side of her, the soft gargle of streams rousing her pain in bursts of sharp breaths. Natsu's voice called after her, worried, afraid. Footsteps beat along the path behind her.
White noise filled Lucy's head, emotions returning like soft trickles of water dripping from a leak in her brain. She'd held it in for so long. In that moment, Lucy saw nothing. Felt nothing. And for the briefest heartbeat, she embraced the void, let it consume her entirely.
She couldn't outrun it anymore.
Tears burned hot on Lucy's face. She collapsed to her knees, breathless, defeated, selfish. And like the daughter who lost her mother, who resented her father, who ran away from a life of luxury, Lucy threw back her head and shrieked.
Footsteps closed in behind her. She felt their approach, heard it beneath hot beats of woeful tears.
Natsu placed a hand on Lucy's shoulder. "You did good," he whispered. "That must've been really hard for you."
She squeezed his hand. "I know. I know I did the right thing. But it hurts, Natsu. It hurts so much."
"Lucy!" Happy barreled into Lucy's arms.
"I love you," she sobbed.
"It's okay, Lucy. Just let it all out," Natsu said.
"Honestly, you're such a whiny brat."
Lucy's heart stopped. The group turned as one. Aquarius sat on the edge of a nearby pond, her back to Lucy, blue scales submerged in the crystal water. She cupped a handful and let it spill between her fingers. Lucy rubbed her eyes, blinking hot tears and disbelief. This was real. Aquarius was real.
Natsu helped Lucy stand and gave her the push she needed. She approached sheepishly, a little girl again. Unafraid but shy. Aquarius turned to face her, a hint of softness hidden behind those fiery blue eyes.
"Lucy," she greeted.
Aquarius opened her arms and beckoned with the softest of smiles. Time stopped. Lucy didn't move for the longest time, didn't breathe. And then she fell into Aquarius's arms, wailing. Aquarius smoothed her hair.
"Were you lonely?" she whispered.
Lucy couldn't even voice an answer. She simply wept, clinging to Aquarius like a long lost dream. Happy burst into tears behind them.
Aquarius touched a warm hand to Lucy's face. "You're still such a crybaby."
"I'm sorry," Lucy hiccuped.
Aquarius lifted Lucy's hand to inspect the ring on her finger. "I see you finally got yourself a man, Lucy. And here I thought you'd be single forever." Her gaze slid dangerously to Natsu, who took a noticeable step back. "Is he treating you well?"
"He is," Lucy said.
"Good, because I know where he lives," Aquarius said.
Natsu took another step backwards, Happy floating close behind him. Neither one said a word. Lucy giggled.
"I'm proud of you, Lucy," Aquarius said seriously.
Lucy swallowed more tears. Her broken pieces burned hot, moulding into a newer, bigger heart. Unbreakable. Everything seemed so perfect; exactly as it should be. It hurt to remind herself that all of this was only temporary.
"We were never supposed to meet like this," Aquarius confessed. "I didn't want to see you again. Holding you back was never my intention."
"We almost didn't," Lucy said.
"But know this, Lucy. No matter where you are, I'm always with you. That will always be true."
Aquarius traced Lucy's chain with deft fingers. Lucy removed the necklace, letting Aquarius's key fall into her upturned palm. She clasped the chain back into place, the lock falling light against her chest.
"What are you doing?"
Lucy set the broken key into Aquarius's hand. "It's yours. It belongs with you."
"You brat..."
"Walking away from you is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done," Lucy said. "But it's something I have to do."
Aquarius embraced Lucy once more, lingering just a fraction too long. Lucy's resolve melted like snow in summer, rippling in cold waves across her mending heart. She drowned in it. Suffocating.
"I love you, Aquarius," she whispered.
Aquarius cupped Lucy's face in her hands. "Right now, you look just like your mother."
Somehow, those words were enough.
Lucy took a cautionary step back, allowing herself a time of grief, to reflect on the past and long for a different future. For a world where Aquarius was still hers. Maybe it was selfish to dream. Maybe it was cruel. But Lucy wanted so badly for it to be true.
"When two hearts are connected by an eternal bond, they're destined to reunite with each other," Aquarius said. "This isn't goodbye, Lucy. We will meet again someday."
"It was good seeing you," Natsu said quietly.
Aquarius glowered. She curled a single finger, motioning him closer.
"Oh no, no," she threatened. "You and I aren't quite done yet."
Natsu audibly gulped.
"Lucy, give me a minute with your man. Alone."
The trio sat together in hushed darkness, welcoming the quiet, relishing the empty silence. Baskets of beautiful flowers hung from corners of their room, complimenting the wooden furnishings and luscious carpets. Lucy counted the swirls on the ceiling.
She fidgeted on the bed. Emotions flared under her skin, too wild to tame, too difficult to conquer. She'd cried so much already. She owed Natsu a sign of strength. She'd promised him a future.
But a future without Aquarius? It all seemed so surreal. So empty. She'd never imagined they'd return home without that key. It just didn't seem possible. And yet, Lucy knew she'd done the right thing. She had to let Aquarius go.
"Are you okay?" Natsu asked her. His gaze dropped to her chain.
Lucy twirled the lock around her finger. "I'm okay."
"You were really brave, Lucy," Happy praised.
Lucy suppressed a smile, afraid the slightest change of expression would bring on the tears buried deep down inside herself. She'd cried for the duration of their walk, offering Aquarius one last goodbye. She could still feel the warmth of their embrace.
"I'm sorry," Natsu said. His brow furrowed.
"Are you okay?" she asked him.
"Fine," he said.
He didn't look fine, but Lucy let is slide. She caressed his cheek.
"It's my fault this is happening," he said. "I promised we'd find Aquarius."
"And we did. Thanks to you, I got to see Aquarius one last time."
"That's not what I wanted."
Happy pushed between them. "We'll always be together."
They turned to him, all smiles.
"Of course," Lucy said.
"We promised," Natsu said, stealing an obvious glimpse of Lucy's ring.
Lucy didn't know what to say. What to think. It was only natural she missed Aquarius. After all, Lucy's spirits weren't magical tools. They were companions. Family. And walking away from family was difficult when all she'd ever wanted was to love and be loved in return. That kind of feeling, that kind of magic, could not be broken. Not by distance. Not ever.
"We should sleep," she said.
It had been an awfully long day. Lucy hadn't slept much during their travels, not that sleep would be attainable now. She didn't dare to dream of Aquarius. Or Zeref. She just wanted to be alone. To forget the things that plagued her. That made her human.
They curled up in the bed, Lucy's thoughts awake while the others slept. After a long while, Natsu rolled into her left side, his hand draping across her stomach. Lucy rolled into him, their faces close.
He was awake.
Natsu's hands found hers under the blankets. He pressed something cold into her hand. Something broken. Lucy's eyes widened. There was no mistaking the shape of the object in her hand.
"This belongs to you," he said.
Lucy gripped Aquarius's broken key too tightly, her knuckles white hot. Natsu cupped her fist, tracing her skin with soft thumbs.
"I'm so lucky to have you," she said.
"I'm sorry, Lucy."
"For what?"
Natsu pressed his forehead against hers. "I'm sorry we couldn't bring Aquarius home."
Lucy smiled, and this time it was so genuine her heart almost couldn't take it. She cupped his cheek in her empty hand.
"I don't think this journey was ever really about finding Aquarius," she whispered.
Natsu gazed into her eyes, searching for answers.
"I'd been holding onto so many painful feelings, Natsu. Being here with you, travelling with you, it allowed me to share those things. To heal what was broken. I needed to search in order to find what I had lost. I promised you forever. If that means giving a little girl somebody to love, I'm okay with that. Even though it hurts, I want to be stronger. I want to be someone who can do the right thing, no matter what."
Whether that meant saying goodbye to Aquarius, or stopping Natsu when the time comes. Lucy's heart needed to be sure.
"You are strong, Lucy."
She smiled. "Because of you."
"No." Natsu shook his head. "You've always been strong."
Lucy sat by the old well, twirling her fingers through the cool water. Zeref watched her from the darkness. No longer a child, he offered no words as she mourned the loss of Aquarius once more. He simply stood in silence. A soldier grieving the loss of another.
"What do you want to say?" Lucy asked him.
Zeref shook his head. "I fear you misunderstand me. I'm simply here to observe things as they unfold."
"What do you mean?"
The thread on Lucy's dress began to unravel. She held the material closed, surprised at the burning pain in her chest, as though each thread pricked skin and muscle. Blood pooled beneath the white cloth, clinging hot and heavy. She gasped a breath, steam blowing from her mouth into the cold.
"What is this?" she asked.
Zeref gestured to flames in the distance, moving closer as if they were alive. And they were. Natsu emerged from the shadows, crimson eyes burning from a scaled complexion. Flames licked his body, twisting like horns above his head. His gaze snapped to hers. Serpentine and wicked. Lost.
"Lucy," he said.
She dropped the bundle of thread. "Natsu?"
"It's almost time," Zeref whispered. "You have nothing left to lose."
Lucy rushed at him, through him, tumbling deep down into darkness. Natsu's flames rose up to meet her. Violent.
She woke with a start.
Sweat trickled between Lucy's breasts. She slowed her breathing. Talk about inopportune timing. It wasn't like Zeref to cut to the chase like that.
Lucy rolled into the middle of the bed, arms searching. She discovered Natsu's scarf, drawing the material close to her face. It came all too easily.
Wait.
Lucy shot upright, frantic. Her eyes scanned the darkness. She stared at the scarf in her hands, abandoned. Happy woke suddenly. They shared a panicked look.
Natsu was gone.
Song: I Miss You - Hyolyn.
COMING SOON—–
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: BROKEN THREADS