A Moment Before Our Destruction
Summary:
Flames from the torches flickered in their depths, captivating and reminding him how far he had fallen for this woman. Brushing back some escaped strains of her hair behind an ear, he let his fingertips trail over her skin. "Every Lucy I have ever met has gained my trust over any Rogue that might try to convince me otherwise."
A moment of time before the Eclipse Gate was opened. Where Gray had gone with the rescue team to find Lucy, and stood by Lucy in those fateful moments.
Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Established Relationship, Mentions of Canonical Character Death, Communication, Thoughts of Self-Sacrifice, Tender Moments, The Guild Awards Secret Santa Gift Exchange 2024, Artwork, Not Beta Read
Notes: Merry Christmas, @classysassy9791!
The idea for this went from really wild to just…a short almost character introspect, but I am pleased where it went, even if it is not as epic as I originally hoped. I purposefully did not re-watch the anime around this scene so I was able to mold it how I thought it could be.
Hopefully, you enjoy it and the feels between GrayLu.
BTW, Btw, the picture also changed quite a bit due to how the story turned out, and it took me forever to get it to actually show up. The image link kept breaking.
AO3
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Lucy Heartfilia was dead.
Not his Lucy, no, but a different Gray's from a future that they could still possibly find themselves in. Where all hope for humanity had come down to a woman traveling back in time to give warning.
A woman who died when someone else from the future delighted in that wretched antagonism that they could revel in. It took a sick freak to think the destruction of civilization and the death of their friends was worth a future of self-importance.
Yet, as he had watched the blood clog Lucy's mouth—not his Lucy's—and pool under her, he vowed that no one would get passed him to harm his Lucy. Whatever happened to the Gray of the future, if he still lived or not, he promised that version of himself not to let anything else happen to the women they loved.
That was how he found himself standing next to Lucy and Wendy, surrounded by the military of the capital, with Princess Hisui and her personal guard standing before the gate that would bring their salvation. Their friends and the other guilds who had all gathered for the Grand Magic Games were off preparing themselves for the coming onslaught of dragons elsewhere in the city, while the civilians were evacuated.
Everything had begun to work like clockwork. A well oiled machine with enough Ethernano to run each part without flaw. But something nagged at the back of Gray's mind about the whole thing: The games had been being used to power the gate for the last four years or so, but neither Lucy nor Rogue from the future had mentioned being arriving any earlier than the current games.
Why had the royal family been using the games for the last few years as a means to power the gate? Had they suspected something would happen during the eclipse? Had they wanted to use the gate for nefarious reasons themselves?
He frowned, tuning out the orders being shouted around him, the metal clanking of guards rushing to their positions, the scent of torches being lit for better lighting. Nothing was making sense, and he hated when that happened. Cold logic suited him better than standing around trying to understand the motives of everyone else. At least Natsu wasn't there to say stupid shit that would just piss him off further.
"Lucy—" he started, wanting to warn her of the growing doubts settling heavily in his gut.
"Yeah, I know."
Still, Lucy did not turn to face him, focused entirely on the massive gate, shoulders tense. If they survived—no, Lucy would survive tonight—he would make certain to massage her neck and shoulder muscles.
"What's wrong?" Wendy asked, voice quiet enough that only the three of them heard.
"Something's off about this whole thing. How is a gate supposed to be a weapon, unless something comes out of it. Kinda like Lucy's gate keys," Gray said. "All of this reeks of manipulation, or some darker purpose. If the Lucy from the future did try to stop this from happening, then she had a good reason to."
"Gray?" Lucy turned, soft, brown eyes gazed up at him.
Flames from the torches flickered in their depths, captivating and reminding him how far he had fallen for this woman. Brushing back some escaped strains of her hair behind an ear, he let his fingertips trail over her skin. "Every Lucy I have ever met has gained my trust over any Rogue that might try to convince me otherwise."
"Guys…!" Wendy's voice strained, higher in pitch.
"Don't worry, Wendy," he said, turning to look at the young Dragon Slayer who he considered a little sister. "I doubt any of us will be able to convince them to stop this madness, but we will do our best to keep everyone safe."
"We should at least try to stop them," Lucy argued, lips pursed tight.
They all turned to look at the young Princess Hisui, dressed in military armor that shone like the stars her powers commanded. A cloak with fur-lining stretched over her shoulders and over the back of the horse she sat astride on, giving her a better advantage over the soldiers she commanded. Beside her, on a much larger horse with armor plating of his own, Arcadios, Chief Holy Knight of the Cherry Blossom Squadron, gave his own orders, not once undermining his princess'.
Neither of them were incompetent, both highly skilled in matters of state and military, but Gray could not help but feel that there was some sort of darker play going on. Similar to watching a play with puppets and knowing someone pulled the strings. Who that person was, he didn't know, but he could feel the tugs. The gentle hints to go this way or that without being given a reason why.
No, there would be no way they could tell them to stop this madness. Instead, Gray felt a compulsory draw from deep within himself to take Wendy and Lucy far away from this place. The others could catch up if they could get a message out. If they were willing to abandon the capital, but knowing their friends, they would stay and fight to the death.
Gray took a glance at Lucy and sighed. There would be no way he could drag her away, either. Their guild was nothing if not filled with a thick-headedness that rivaled the fabled legendary creatures of ages past, and the sheer stubbornness of confident drunks. Both things their guild were well known for—or had been, seven years past. They'd make quick work of regaining that reputation if they managed to survive whatever was going to happen.
"We should find someplace safer—"
"No," Lucy cut him off, stubborn as the goat she held the key of. "The Princess has all of our keys and will use them to open the gate. I won't leave my spirits."
"Lucy—"
"No, Gray." Her eyes narrowed, and he felt the need to swallow. This woman had no idea the effect she had on him. It was a good thing he hadn’t stripped himself of his pants—a small pat against his leg confirmed he still wore them.
Little miracles. Now they just needed a large-scale one.
"What's the plan, then? We can't take on the whole royal army, and unlike Natsu, I rather not attempt it while so heavily outnumbered."
"I don't know if there is anything we can do," Wendy admitted, voicing what they both knew. "If a gate can only be a gate, then when they open it, something will come from the other side."
"And eho knows what could be on the other side," Lucy added, crossing her arms. "Unfortunately, fear will make anyone unreasonable, so they won't listen to us. This whole situation could have been avoided if I hadn't been captured."
"Don't do that to yourself, Lucy," Gray said. "That leads down way too many what-ifs and blame games, trust me on that. The crown wanted your keys, and they were going to take them one way or another. Force or otherwise."
"Gray's right, Lucy, and none of us would ever blame you for something out of your control." Wendy took Lucy's hand, squeezing it, "And I never want to see you the way I did earlier…"
"Agreed."
Lucy glanced between them, worrying her lower lip gently with a hint of hesitancy Gray hadn't seen in her since Phantom Lord attacked. It pissed him off. Any celebrations they should have been celebrating had been turned into this, and witnessing a Lucy, who had risked everything to warn them, bleed to death.
Would they even be able to make it back home, he wondered, frowning. After sleeping for over seven years and struggling to find their place in the world again, they had to solve another issue when they should have been able to relax. How pissed off would the old man be if they weren't able to receive the winnings depending on how everything played out?
A red hue crept over the city like a blanket as the lunar eclipse moved into place.
"The time has come!" Arcadios' voice bellowed over the courtyard and the sound of armor clinking together as soldiers readied themselves followed. "Keep prepared for any signs of dragons that might appear and sound the alert immediately once spotted! Our Princess will ensure the weapon is ready to be used."
Cries of acknowledgment sounded. Chain mail shifted and rubbed against plate mail, leather boots pounded the once immaculate grass into mud and tracked it into the brick foundation.
Gray watched both Princess Hisui and her knight dismount from their horses and moved to stand in front of the Eclipse Gate, both of their capes dragged behind them and added to the importance of the moment. The one that would change everything.
If Lucy or any of them tried to bring a halt to this, they would be silenced—either by command or force. The Rogue that Natsu stayed behind to fight had claimed the Lucy of his timeline had kept them from opening the gate and the dragons had still attacked, but it didn't make sense. Where would an army of ten thousand dragons come from if not from the gate itself?
Scenarios and ideas ran over and over in his head, trying to find a solution to this predicament. Somewhere for him to keep his Lucy and family safe. Then, a single idea came forth, one he hated immediately, but—
If Princess Hisui, with all the golden celestial keys, were encased in a block of ice like Deliora had been, no one would be able to open the gate unless they were able to gather the power of the moon drip. And even if they did, both Gray and Princess Hisui would be dead, and the current threat—hopefully—would be eliminated.
Maybe, after going through his effects afterwards, Lucy would finally received the necklace he had bought for her the night before they left for Tenrou Island. The one he had been too coward to give her.
Lucy would be without her golden gate keys, sure, but she would be alive. Let her be pissed, it wouldn't be like he would be around to listen to her yell at him. And Natsu, Erza, Wendy, and the rest of the guild would be there to keep her safe.
Now, if only he could get into position to cast it—
"Whatever you are thinking," Lucy's voice fell an octave, a clear indication of her anger, "you better stop that train of thought right now."
"Ha, Lucy, I wasn't thinking—"
"I know you weren't. Now, put your pants back on."
"What the hell?!" Lucy shoved the discarded garment into his chest and led Wendy ahead as he hurried to put them back on. "Wait, Lucy!"
"I don't want to hear it, Gray!"
"Just hear me out, will you!"
"No!" She spun around on him faster than he had expected and shoved a finger into his bare chest. "You listen to me: I watched myself die earlier today. I have my own blood on my hands, under my fingernails. I can feel it flaking off my clothes every time I move. I will not watch you die, too!"
"How do you know what I was thinking?"
"Any time you think about using that horrible spell your teacher used, you get this look in your eyes. Like your soul has frozen over and you are backed into a corner," she cried, eyes glossy and red with tears swimming. Behind her, Princess Hisui's voice rang out, but he couldn't pull out any of the words issued. Couldn't comprehend the spell she was casting to open the gate.
"You are always ready to throw away your life, Gray!" Lucy continued, the world around them narrowed down to this moment. "Have you thought about how the rest of us would feel if you did that? How did you feel when you watched Ur shatter and dissolve into ice? Have you ever been able to move on from that night?"
Memories of Ur standing there, one leg missing and replaced by bloodied ice, a fissure splitting through her frozen eye and spreading down her face even as she smiled. Always chasing that last bit of ice shards that formed around Deliora, both figuratively and literally.
The sad truth, he knew, was that he had never been able to move on. Not even after beating the truth of the situation into Lyon and watching the ice that had once been their teacher melt away. He had always felt that her ultimate spell would be his doom one day, as well. A right of passage for all those who dealt with ice maker-magic.
If he was able to save Lucy and everyone in the city by sacrificing himself, why shouldn't he? One versus however many mages and—
"You're doing it even now!" Lucy accused, rightfully, her finger turning into fists that beat against his flesh. "How can you expect me to accept your death when you haven't kept any of the promises you've made? After I lost my father? Are you this heartless, Gray?!"
No, harming the woman he came to love had never been his goal, desire, or even a want. Doing any of that to his Lucy especially hurt.
The other Lucy never said what happened to her Gray, never really said what happened to anyone expect that most, if not all of them, were dead. Had the other him tried to do something similar? Could he have actually gone through with his plan, had frozen the princess, which left them unprotected and vulnerable?
All he wanted was a future for his Lucy. To keep her safe from the other Rogue that had already tried to kill her, and from whatever threats coming their way. That included a murderous wave of thousands of dragons that were set to appear out of nowhere. Whatever he could do to save her, he had to try.
"Don't." Lucy leveled a look at him, and once more, he felt his entire body heat up. Another pat ensured his pants had not gone flying off again. "I know that look, and I will tell you now, mister, I am not some princess that needs saving. I am a member of Fairy Tail, just like you, and I will fight with you, side by side. Wendy and I will stand by you, but we need you to stand with us."
A roar of sound and a slow caress of light billowed from the gate and filled the courtyard, enveloping all the troops and everyone nearby. The illustrious golden zodiac keys had done their job of opening the gate and all eyes were on it, waiting. All eyes except for two pairs that stayed on each other.
They both knew what the future might hold for them. Neither were guaranteed a sunrise in the coming hours. Nor were they promised that everything would turn out how they wanted it.
How many times had he doubted others due to their lack of capabilities, he wondered, thinking about how useless he thought being in a guild was when they couldn't help him get stronger overnight. He had thought the same of Ur when she first took him on to train. Looking back on everything, patience had never been his strong suit. Recklessness had always been the word he would pin on Natsu—and most of the guild, but if he were honest with himself, it also describe him. Reckless to a fault, and never wanting to let others push him where he didn't want to go.
Bullheaded. A head made of ice.
Since the gate was open now, if he took the easy way out and used Iceshell on it, there was no guarantee that it would work, or that Lucy wouldn't die in a different way. A sacrifice actually had to amount to something of worth to mean something. He didn't even know if inanimate objects could be blocked with ice. Even Ur didn't know exactly if a demon like Deliora could be encased before she cast it. The most he might have given those in the courtyard would have been a minute more. A mere minute to escape and change the fate their princess pushed them towards.
It wouldn't be enough.
And then he'd have to rely on others to keep Lucy safe. Not happening.
"I'll stand by you, Lucy," he said. The space between them disappeared with a single step. "And I'll stop trying to force myself to use Iceshell until all of us have exhausted every possible option, as long as you promise to stand by me, always."
Fingers tangled easily between them even as the ground rumbled, the soldiers around them began to quake, and loud, monstrous lungs bellowed out roars of fury. Their time before destruction quickly ran out, but still they stood, smiling.
"I'll stand by you, Gray," Lucy promised, loud enough for him to hear, but whisper soft in the chaos. "And in the morning, we'll watch the sunrise together."
Gray nodded, kissing her softly. "Sounds good to me."
