Fighting Oblivion

Chapter Twenty Three

Chapter Twenty Three

We all stood on deck, watching the coastline grow larger and larger as this stupid fucking ship finally approached Fiore. We'd been stuck on this boat for nine miserable days. Sure, the effect of the troia lacrimas had lasted the whole trip, although Rogue was a little concerned his was wearing off this morning. But we made it back to Fiore! We beat the bad guys, saved the world, Lucy got her key back, and I got Lucy. It couldn't have worked out better even if I had stayed conscious the whole quest. Lucy and I still hadn't really been able to be alone together again. Except for once, with the help of Juvia of all people. I felt a smile on my face as I let my mind wander back to last night. It was just a taste, and all it did was make me want more.

We'd just finished dinner and Gray, Jellal and I had pretty much spent the entire time glaring sailors away from the girls. You'd think after over a week of traveling together they'd know not to try it. But I guess I couldn't really blame them, they were escorting some of the most beautiful women in Fiore back home. Luckily Erza and Minerva could pretty much skin a guy with nothing more than a look, so the sailors had been giving them a wide berth. The other girls were just a little too nice, especially sweet Yukino. All she really did was stutter and blush. Poor Rogue looked like he was going to explode. It was his own fault, I kept telling him not to wait anymore, he'd regret it. Like I almost did. Fucking pussy.

We headed back to the cargo hold, Lucy and I leading the way, both looking forward to finally, finally having a little privacy at the inn tomorrow. I didn't think she'd let me share a room with her, but I bet she wouldn't say no to a nice walk around town, maybe even a real meal. And if my hands happened to roam under the table I didn't think she'd mind that either. We reached the bottom of the stairs, ready to give a quick peck before going to our separate berths, when Juvia let out a scream.

"Aahhhh, Gray, My love!" She wailed. We all turned to see what happened to the water mage.

"Juvia!" Gray rushed to her side. "Juvia, what is it? Talk to me, baby!"

"I-I-I fear I saw someone get pulled over the side!" She pointed frantically to the rear deck of the ship. Lucy and I both rushed up to help, the others were closer so they were already up the stairs and past her. But Juvia stepped in front of us, blocking our path.

"It might have been a sea serpent!" She exclaimed, "Just there! He went over the back!"

"Listen, Oceania," I started, trying to move her out of the way. She shoved us back down the stairs, gave a knowing look to Lucy, flashed me a wink and whispered, "Juvia can buy you, twenty, use it wisely." Lucy looked at her for a second, mouth hanging open before she finally caught on.

"Thank you, Juvia!" She squealed and pulled me down the stairs.

"Uh, Lucy?" I asked as she led me through the mountains of crates littering the hold. "What the fuck was that about?"

"Well," she said, eyes searching the darkness. "We were talking last night and I told her how annoying it's been that we haven't had more than–ouch!" I rolled my eyes at the thump as she collided with a crate. I held up my hand, letting my light fill my palm, illuminating the crowded hold.

"Ooo! That's better, thanks!" she grabbed my other hand and started weaving through boxes, searching for what I had no fucking clue. "Anyway, I told her I hadn't had more than 5 minutes alone with you since the mountain and she said that wasn't romantic and she'd see what she could do."

"Huh," guess she had a wingman too. "So...where are we going?"

"Right...." she pulled me by the hands behind a stack of crates. "Here!" She said, giving a cute little hop to sit on top of a wooden box.