feral | sting eucliffe

IX | SITS

Episode 9: Secrets in the Stars!

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"HOLD ON, YOU'RE SAYING KING ANIMUS IS SONYA?" Erza said, blinking wildly. It was obvious that no one expected that plot twist. Chase looked towards Y/n, grabbing her hand and turning it over to inspect her arm. She quickly overlapped his hand with hers, giving him a look. I'm fine. He nodded, pulling back.

Natsu writhed on the ground, rolling around as he groaned. "Ah, this is so confusing! King Animus is Sonya and Sonya is King Animus? This makes my brain hurt." He mocked another sound of pain while Gray rolled his eyes, kicking the fire dragon slayer's head lightly. "What brain?" He teased, snickering.

Natsu lunged at Gray, "Why you—" He didn't finish his sentence as Erza hit their heads together, knocking them both to the ground instantaneously. "—enough." She stopped the both of them, watching them crumple to the ground. They soon recovered, sitting up again and returning to their usual positions.

Galena smiled, finding amusement in the entire display. "Is it something bipolar?" Nikos had easily countered that, a snake coiling around his finger as it did its usual scent thing. "Bipolar doesn't make you a whole different personality." Lucy tapped her chin with her finger thoughtfully, "Personality disorders do." 

Chase shook his head, letting out a sigh. "That's besides the point. If it's something mental or it isn't, we can't define it unless we have more information." Erza nodded, agreeing. Her armor clinked as she did so, the others glancing at each other silently. "He's right. I suggest we rest up and we prepare for tomorrow. We'll sleep in shifts."

As everyone headed to bed, Y/n and Lucy were the only ones left out. It was Lucy's shift and Y/n merely couldn't sleep. "Sorry about beating you before." Lucy looked over at her, blinking as she gave a warm smile. "N-No, it's alright! I mean, you were just protecting your family, right? That and you were following orders since you didn't have a choice." 

She looked up at the thick foliage, brown eyes sparkling. "I'm sure I would've done the same," The celestial mage paused, looking towards Y/n as her grin grew. "So, don't worry about it, 'kay?" Y/n slowly nodded. She wasn't used to this much openness and idea of being that forgivable. "How can you. . . ?" Y/n trailed off, causing Lucy to look at her.

"How can you forgive me like that?" She clarified, still not looking her in the eye. Lucy looked down, a soft look on her face. "Everyone has their reasons, don't they? I don't think bad people are necessarily bad. They just weren't able to grow up with enough love, y'know?" She blinked, her breath hitching at the idea of Lucy suddenly knowing her own background. 

"Y-Yeah," Y/n nodded slowly. Nikos's snake slithered its way over to Y/n, coiling around her arm and hissing softly. Y/n smiled, running a hand down its scaly back. "You all are like family, aren't you?" Lucy suddenly spoke up, watching Y/n handle the snake with an abnormal gentleness that most people wouldn't have.

Nikos appeared behind them, his black combat boots trekking in the dirt. "You could say that, but sometimes I get tired of this bitch." He boyishly grinned at the two, setting a hand over Y/n's head in a brotherly manner. Y/n rolled her eyes, looking over her shoulder to glare at him. "Oh, shut up. You were the one that doted on me from the start."

Nikos looked away, an embarrassed blush on his cheeks. "Did not." He countered, obviously lying. Lucy giggled, finding amusement in their sibling-like banter. He suddenly spoke up again, a more mature tone overtaking his voice. "Listen, Galena saw me awake and is now determined to help her climb the tree and see the stars—" He took in another breath, about to continue.

Y/n smiled at him. "—I got it. Go get your rest, you airhead." He didn't bother to counter with anything, smiling gratefully before replying to Galena and heading back to his tent. Galena skipped over happily, wrapping her arms around Y/n's neck from behind. Y/n looked towards Lucy, smiling. "Want to join?" 

Lucy nodded, still grinning like a child. Y/n, before transforming, nodded at the two girls. "Hold on to me," Transforming, she became the large h/c panther from before. Mewling and stretching briefly, she nodded and bent down slightly so Lucy could climb on top. However, before she could, Natsu ran forward from behind, grabbed Lucy's hand and sped up the tree.

"Keep your paws off of Lucy!" He shouted as a warning. Y/n rolled her eyes. It was obvious that something more than friendship ran between the celestial mage and fire dragon slayer. However, it wasn't in her position to question it. Letting out an animalistic snort, she scaled up the tree quickly, her claws digging into the thick bark as Galena shielded her eyes with her arm.

As the foliage brushed past the two, they had finally made it to the top. Natsu was already there with Lucy, their hands still holding onto each other, so Lucy didn't lose her grip on the tree. Galena opened her eyes when Y/n let out another catty meow, gasping as the stars glittered before her very eyes.

Galena froze for a moment, as if drinking in all of its galactic beauty. Y/n always knew that Galena had a thing for the stars. The young girl, even from the very age of two in which they met, had always been so fascinated by one of the ratty books they were given. It was one of constellations, talking about each and every single star sign out there.

She seemed absolutely mesmerized, finding the entire scenery breathtaking. Y/n would be lying if she said that she didn't find it breathtaking too. Blinking some more, Y/n could feel Galena's breath hitch as she buried her hands in her h/c fur. For a moment, time stopped for the little girl and she bent down, hugging Y/n's back tightly.

Although she couldn't speak, the words were clear.

Thank you, big sister.