Thorn in his Side

Chapter 25 - The S-Class Trials, Day Three

Lucy dropped her device on the table as her face went pale and her eyes wide open.

"Lucy?" Meredy asked as she picked up the device.

"L-l-l-l-l-l-axus-s-s-s-s-s," she stuttered still hearing his baritone voice in his head.

"Oh no...." Levy said before she sighed. Lucy felt her slender fingers wrap around her shaking hand.

"What's going on?" Meredy asked as she put her arm around Lucy's shoulders.

"Laxus has a thing for her...." Levy's voice trailed off as Lucy decided to bolt for any quiet room in the guild she could find.

Once inside the small storage room, Lucy locked the door and curled up into a little ball. She was having a hard time breathing, not after the power of Laxus' voice.

...don't give a fuck Blondie, I said you were mine. We'll figure out the rest when I get there.

How could he say that to her? Didn't he understand that she was happy? Didn't he realize that she was in love?

"Fuck you Laxus..." she breathed out loud and on that note, Loke appeared.

He didn't waste a heartbeat but slunk down next her pulling Lucy into his lap. She cried, let it all out of her system as Loke held her silently. How long she was there, Lucy had no idea but it didn't matter, all that mattered was this moment. His heartbeat and his soothing hand on her back.

"He found out didn't he?" Loke said his voice soft.

"Yes." she whimpered.

"What did he say?"

"I'm his and he didn't care but he was coming for me." Lucy sobbed harder into Loke. She was so mixed up, her hormones weren't helping and all the nightmares of Laxus hurting her hadn't been a thought in a few months.

Loke let out a sigh, "okay, just cry Princess. Cry as much as you and your little girl want."

After a good long cry there was a knock on the door. "Go away."

"Mard is going to be on the lacrimavision, I thought Lucy...." Meredy said and Lucy's head picked up.

"Thank you." She said as she bolted out the door not caring about her appearance. Loke wasted no effort in following her into the large guild hall.

Lucy got into the room and looked up at the big screen, there was Mard. He smiled at her. "Rosebud, what happened?"

"Laxus called her. Your pregnancy and marriage made the news." Levy said and Lucy couldn't stop the tears as his words still played in her head.

"Rosebud?" He sounded heartbroken and she wanted to talk to him but Lucy was was just a mess.

"Laxus threatened to come and get her, didn't care if she's happy. She's been crying since." Loke said as he held her hand. Lucy felt so awful, this should have been a happy call.

"Rosebud, it's alright. If I could I'd hold you right now." Mard said, his voice was soothing to her very little upset soul.

"I miss you." Lucy said as she tried to smile. "I'm so proud of you. Love you."

"I love you Rosebud." Everyone watched as Natsu pulled Mard out of the frame for a moment. Lucy wasn't certain what they were talking about only that it was hushed.

Natsu popped up in the screen with a grin an excitable wave. "Hi cutie! Hey Luce!"

Meredy waved back, "miss you hot stuff!" Lucy noticed how Natsu smiled even wider.