Fighting Oblivion

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Two

We were able to secure passage to Fiore when we got to Reino. We got train tickets to Ermina, returned the cart and booked passage on a merchant freight scheduled to leave Ermina the next day. By the time we got to the inn we were all too tired to explore the town, instead going straight to the welcoming beds waiting in our rooms. We left early the next day, arriving in Ermina before our noon departure. It seemed like everything was going smoothly for us for once. Erza was even able to fit all her luggage on the ship under the weight limit. She and Jellal only had four bags with them when they met us in Bargo, the fact that they now had five times that amount was a real testament to that girl's commitment to shopping.

The captain had told us the voyage to Fiore would take 8 days, apparently the ship was heavier and more cumbersome than the passenger ship we took at the start of our trip. He assured us he'd do what he could to speed the trip along, Jellal's somber expression probably encouraged him to do everything he could to shorten the length of the trip. So here we were on day 3 and what had been a cramped and uncomfortable journey, hanging hammocks in the cargo hold to sleep, eating meals with the smelly sailors, huddling in designated areas of the ship so we were out of everyone's way. We could all hardly wait to get back to Fiore, back to home. It had been over 2 months, almost 80 full days since we left Iceberg, and I couldn't stop thinking about my bed back in Crocus.

It was getting kind of late and I knew I should try to get some sleep, but I was too busy enjoying the fresh air and open space, for once not feeling suffocated or like I was in the way. I was leaning on the deck railing, watching the waves gently rock the ship and I couldn't help but remember that night on deck with Sting. When we were doused in that freezing cold wave. I felt like we had come a long way since then. Since we first gave into that mutual attraction. Talking to Aquarius, and even to Loke, actually made me feel better about trying to let go of Natsu. If he ever came back I still wasn't sure what I'd do. If I would want to be partner's again, if I would be able to even be around him. But I knew that I wouldn't leave Sting. Not if he still wanted me...if he meant what he said back on that mountain, back in the hospital. When he said...when he said he loved me.

I'd noticed over time that my heart was letting go of Natsu little by little. The more time I spent talking to Sting, the more I learned about who he was and the more he learned about me, I could feel us growing closer, feel my heart opening up to him. Loke was right, I couldn't close myself off to the potential because I was holding out for Natsu, what had Natsu ever done to earn that and would he even want me too? Would he notice? He was my best friend, that wouldn't change. But at the end of the day, he chose to leave, he chose not to take me with him. He chose not to share his grief with me. He chose not to get stronger together. While he may love me I now realized he may never love me the way I wanted him too, and even if he did it may not even be the way I needed.

Yeah, the more time I spent with Sting, the less time I thought about Natsu. The more time I just enjoyed being in the moment with the blond slayer, the less often my heart ached for my best friend. It was strange to me, it wasn't like my feelings for Natsu lessened, more like they...shifted? I could confidently say that I loved Natsu, as a best friend, as a team mate, as a member of Fairy Tail. But I wasn't in love with him...I was in love with Sting. I hope he always deserves you, Aquarius had said. And I truly thought he always would. Besides, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to seeing what else those lips could do without a damn interruption. The thought brought a heat to my cheeks and a smile to my lips.

"I could get used to a sight like that," I felt two warm arms wrap around my waist and lean into me.

"A sight like what?" I leaned into him too, resting my head on his collar bone, enjoying the feeling of his fingers stroking my stomach through my open jacket.