sin & sorcery

chapter 15

Earthland

Lucy lay at the bottom of the hill, eyes closed and face tipped up to the late afternoon sun. A soft autumn breeze ruffled her hair and she sighed, reaching out and running her fingers through the grass around her. Her arms felt heavy, and she let a gentle wave of grief run over her, feeling like it was pulling her down into the earth.

A shadow passed over her and Lucy opened her eyes to see Sting standing above her, looking pensive. She sighed, sitting up and patting the ground next to her.

"Time to head up?" she asked as Sting slumped down next to her. "Erza should be here soon."

"Mm." Sting ran a hand over his face and sighed. Lucy could see the lines of grief by his eyes, the sadness pulling him inward. Sting had never been the same after Gray and Natsu's deaths, and anniversaries were always hard.

"Hard to believe Gray would have been twenty-two today," Lucy said quietly. "He'd probably laugh at us for celebrating his birthday, he always said it was a silly thing to get worked up over."

Sting let out a breath that might have been a half-hearted laugh. He reached down and grabbed a clump of grass, tugging it out of the earth and tossing it away.

"I miss them," he said quietly. "Can't believe it's been three years." His voice was shaky and Lucy reached over, grabbing his hand and squeezing. "I wish I could have..."

"It wasn't your fault," Lucy insisted, shuffling over and resting her head on Sting's shoulder. She wished there was some way she could convince him that he wasn't at fault – no matter how many times everyone told him that he wasn't to blame, he insisted that if he'd fought harder, hadn't been knocked out, it wouldn't have happened.

"Just..." Sting's shoulders shook and he wiped his face with the back of his hand, shaking his head. "Fuck, I just miss them so much."

Lucy sighed, swallowing her own tears. She was grateful when the bright red of Erza's hair came into view.

"Ready?" Erza asked, offering a hand to both of them and pulling them to their feet, then into a hug. Sting slumped into the embrace, nodding against her shoulder.

"Rogue's already up there with Lyon," he said quietly.

The walk to the top of the hill was heavy with grief despite the beautiful day – the sky was cloudless and blue, and the wind rustled the grass around them. As they approached the plateau and the shattered ruins, Lucy could see Rogue talking quietly with Lyon, hand on Lyon's shoulder.

"Hey," Sting said softly, reaching out to touch Rogue's arm. Rogue pulled Sting in between him and Lyon, and they all rested against each other, sharing their heartache.

Lucy stepped past them, crouching down next to two small stones, side by side next to the broken pedestal.

Gray Fullbuster, one read. Beloved brother and friend.

Natsu Dragneel, said the other. We miss your warmth and passion.

"Hey, you two," Lucy said, voice thick. She felt tears pushing at her eyes and she wiped them away, sniffling. "Can't believe it's been three years." She trailed her finger over Gray's stone, wiping some moss away from the letters. "Happy birthday."

Erza came up behind Lucy and rested a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. Lucy reached up and slid their fingers together.

"The guild isn't the same without you," Erza said after a moment. "It's... it's quiet. Things don't get broken too often anymore."

Lucy let out a half-sob, half-laugh, and stood up, letting Erza wrap an arm around her.

"I wish..." Erza's voice was thick, and Lucy could see tears spilling from her eyes. "I've wished so many times- I'd n-never threaten you again, if y-you—"