A/N: This is it guys! The last chapter. I want to thank everyone for favoriting, following, and reviewing this story. It means the world to me. And I can't appreciate enough how patient all of you were. The truth about my delay in this story was because I was upset how it all began as time passed. I really considered rewriting it, and thought hard about it for a while. But, in the end, I decided to just stick to what I had. Anyway, thank you so much! :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or any of its characters. If I did, GraLu would so totally be a thing.

~Remedy~

Chapter 16

If our love is a tragedy, then why are you my remedy?

Lucy was on sensory overload, and she had no idea how to handle it, as well as the burn in her throat. There were so many delicious scents in the air, and she could hear the pump of blood in their hearts. She found herself licking her lips and that scared her. Immensely. Especially when she felt fangs that shouldn't be there. There was a faint "get out," but Lucy paid no heed and sat up from the bed to stare at her trembling hands. She was already pale, but she was a tone lighter than she remembered.

"Oh god," her voice trembled, tears prickling her eyes in fright.

She was a vampire. The very thing she used to hunt down.

"Lucy."

The huntress tore her gaze away from her hands and stared at the one person who could've changed her. He was sitting on a chair next to her, and he looked tired, extremely tired, but most of all, guilty. Her eyes widened when she took in unfamiliar red eyes and markings covering part of his face. Just like in her vision.

"I'm sorry," he said, voice cracking. "But I just couldn't–"

Before she could control herself, Lucy reached for him and held his face in between her hands. She noted how he no longer felt cold: they were the same temperature now. With fascination, she watched as Gray's markings slowly receded from his face back to the tattoo on his arm, and the redness of his eyes faded to the dark blue that she fell in love with.

"It's okay," she whispered, weakly smiling. "It's okay."

Gray still looked unsure, but she knew in her heart that everything was going to be okay.

"Look," she mumbled, dropping her hands from his face and looking away. "I'm scared. I'm...something that I used to kill."

"Yeah," he sighed, "yeah, I know."

"But..." she met his eyes again. "It's with you. The rest of my life is with you, and...I trust you. If there's anything I want more in the world right now - it's for us to be together."

The pained expression on his face lightened, but his eyes regarded her carefully. They searched her own, as if peering into her very soul, understanding that she really wanted to be a part of his world. It wasn't until a moment later that he fully relaxed, letting out a deep breath.

"Okay," his lips twitching upwards in what seemed to be relief.

Lucy felt a smile on her lips too.

It wasn't until a week later that she was finally let out of bedrest. There had been several attempts to escape, but even though she succeeded, Porlyusica just happened to be where she was. Despite the pink-haired woman's old age, she was a force to be reckoned with. But now Lucy was free, and boy, did it feel nice. The only thing that bothered her was that she wasn't allowed to see her friends since she was a new vampire and her control for blood wasn't that fantastic yet. So she kept herself busy with Ultear, well, more like Ultear kept her busy because Gray was out with his brother, the Queen, the guildmasters, and some of the Ten Hunter Saints at some summit meeting for about a month.

"How come you didn't tag along?" Lucy had asked.

"Someone's got to watch you," she had replied.

"I don't need to be babysat."

"Do I need to remind you the last time you tried to be with your human friends?"

Lucy had shrunk back. "No..."

Her days were mostly spent with the stoic, yet compassionate Princess. It was about everything. How to control her strength, how to control her thirst for human blood, how to be a princess/queen (Lucy really hated this one), vampire customs and politics, and how to track prey since they fed off animals. It was maybe about a month in where Lucy's senses finally began to settle, and she was able to distinguish scents and sounds very clearly. It was then that she really noticed Gray's scent. It smelled like pines and something woodsy, and just Gray.

Lucy found herself pining because he wasn't there, and it would be some time before he came back. She didn't know what exactly was happening, but she wanted him here. So, for about a day or two, she found herself curled up on his bed within his sheets, soaking in his scent to relieve this–this sudden craving and aching for him.

That was how Ultear found her.

Lucy was a sobbing mess, but she didn't care. She didn't cry that easily, but damn, all these emotions were rolling through her in waves.

Ultear sat on the edge of the bed and cradled Lucy's head on her lap, humming and playing with her hair. It took a good five minutes to calm her down, and Lucy couldn't be more grateful.

"Wh–What's happening to me?" Lucy rasped.

"Because your senses have settled, you've recognized Gray as your mate," Ultear explained softly. "The only reason you're feeling it this intensely is because of separation anxiety. He's been gone for a while, but he'll be back soon."

"Will it go away when he comes back?"

"Yes, but if you mark him the separation anxiety permanently goes away. You will feel longing, yes, but the anxiety will go away because you will be able to feel him, his emotions, and the bond you both have."

There was a brief silence as Lucy took this all in.

"So...I just have to bite him?"

Ultear chuckled. "Yes, pretty much."

"Is there some other vampire thing I should know about, so I don't freak out as much next time?"

"Well, female vampires sometimes have the inexplicable need to have sex with their mates."

Lucy bolted upright with a flustered face. "What?!"

Ultear ignored her. "How do the werewolves call it? Um, I believe heat is a good term to use for a lack of a better word."

"I'm not an animal!" Lucy whined.

"Please," Ultear rolled her eyes. "It's just how the vampire female body works. It's just really hard to conceive, so when you feel the 'heat', it'll be way easier. Also, Gray will be able to pick up on it because your scent will drive him crazy. The heat will eventually stop after some time. It really depends on the vampire. For example, it may not look like it, but I'm thirty-five years older than Lyon while he's twenty-three years older than Gray. The smallest gap I've heard was about six to seven years while the longest was a century. Make sense?"

The blonde blinked twice before nodding numbly.

Ultear smirked and pinched Lucy's cheeks. "You better give me some cute nieces and nephews, got it?"

"H-Huh?!

"And I want a lot of them."

"Ultear!"

The month of May came around faster than Lucy could blink. It was exactly a month since Gray and his entourage left. To keep her busy, Ultear made sure Lucy tagged along when she made trips outside the palace to help reconstruct towns and cities from the destruction the rogues had cost. Lucy thought nothing of it when she agreed, but she was internally thankful because it kept her mind off of Gray. Despite the fact Lucy really wasn't much help with the rebuilding aspect (Ultear's Arc of Time magic was really handy), she talked to the townsfolk, or rather they came up and talked to her.

"It was unnerving at first since they were vampires. She was having friendly conversations with vampires. Apparently news traveled fast, and they knew she was Prince Gray's mate. A lot of the older woman gushed and flowered her with gifts, telling her stories of the next King of Vampires and all the trouble and mischief he caused as a little one. Lucy's laugh slowly died when she realized that Gray had lived a long life. A life she didn't understand. It didn't bother her because she was now part of his life as he was part of hers.

"They really loved you," Ultear commented on the way back.

"Yeah?" Lucy asked. "I hope so."

"Of course!"

"I'm just really happy we were able to help."

Ultear smiled. "Next stop: Magnolia!"

Lucy matched her smile.

It went on like this for another two weeks when Ultear finally finished reconstructing all the towns, cities, and ports that were affected by rogues. Lucy was a nice PR on the side, keeping the townsfolk positive and sharing ideas to help them restart economically. It wasn't long until they returned home.

Home, Lucy mused.

She watched the Fullbuster Palace come into view on the horizon, the setting sun outlining the castle and giving it an ethereal glow. Lucy couldn't help but wonder if this was all real. She never thought she would have called this place home. But then again, she never thought a lot of things.

Like wearing a dress.

"Um, Lynn," Lucy hesitated. "This dress is beautiful, but is it really necessary?"

The blonde was currently standing on a pedestal in front of a lot of mirrors in an elegant, ruby red gown that hugged her nicely. When they had arrived back home, neither Ultear nor Lucy had the time to settle when they were pulled away by their servants to do a dress fitting. Lucy vaguely remembered Ultear laughing at her and mentioning that she looked like a cat in drowned water as she was dragged away.

Lynn hummed, doing small adjustments here and there. "Of course it's necessary, Milady. The Queen scheduled a celebration for the defeat of Oracion Seis. All the guilds and other vampire nobles are coming to celebrate this special occasion, also the official acknowledgement as Prince Gray's mate and equal."

Lucy sighed. "Does it really have to be off the shoulder?"

Lynn next to Lucy in the mirror with a smile. "Yes, it'll help show your mark."

"I feel like I'm a prize being shown off."

Lynn chuckled, shaking her head. "No, Milady. The mark is."

"The difference?"

"It tells everyone that you are Prince Gray's and his equal."

Lucy bit her lip. "...I suppose."

"Also, Prince Gray won't be able to keep his hands off of you."

Lucy blushed. "Lynn!"

The maid only smiled. "Now, as for your hair..."

Lightning streaked the sky and thunder broke the stillness of the quivering night. It was oddly humid, and the smell of fresh earth was evident. The grand doors of the Fullbuster Palace slowly creaked opened, and the palace guards and servants around the area bowed/curtsied.

"Rise," Queen Ur commanded, stepping into the dim light. "Please set up rooms for our guests this evening. They'll be leaving by first light tomorrow."

The servants and maids immediately scattered while a few stayed behind to take care of the guildmasters and Ten Hunter Saints.

"Thank you for your hospitality," Jura bowed his bald head.

"Of course," Queen Ur smiled.

Makarov set to follow the rest of the guildmasters, but he stopped and turned to the future King of Vampires. The eyes of wise hunter saint pierced through Gray's. They were regarding him in a way, and Gray couldn't help but think that maybe he was having second thoughts about giving his "blessing" or permission of sorts. Gray let out a short breath when the contemplative look eased into a crinkled smile.

"Take good care of her."

He smiled back. "I will."

Gray watched as everyone disappeared into the darkness of the castle. He sighed, running a hand through his wet raven hair. He was excited to see Lucy after a while, but he was also excited to get some rest after being on the road for about a month and half. He really didn't want to leave her, but duty called. He could feel her emotions through the bond, the longing, the aching. He had wanted so badly to be with her, hold her, comfort her, make her smile, whisper sweet nothings in her ear...

Before Gray even reached his quarters, he could smell her sweet scent. It was more than the fruity scent he encountered when he first met her. It was home.

He quietly slipped into his room, his dark blue eyes immediately landing on the head of golden hair splayed across the pillows. The streaks of lightning breaking the sky illuminated her angelic face. He was somewhat surprised she was able to sleep through this storm, but then again, from what his mother told him, she and Ultear were busy reconstructing demolished towns, villages, and cities affected by the war with Oracion Seis and the rogues. A flush of pride rushed through his chest.

Gray sat at the edge of the bed, his fingers delicately tracing her face before brushing a strand away from her face. Her face scrunched cutely, burrowing her head further into the pillows and sheets. He huffed a laugh, a fond smile lifting the corners of his lips. He wanted to continue tracing her delicate features, but he hesitated. The images of her bloody and broken flashed before him. Gritting his teeth, Gray hesitantly retrieved his hand, curling it into a white-knuckled fist.

He knew what happened. It haunted him every day. The fact that if he was a little faster, a little stronger, Lucy wouldn't have had to suffer. It also bothered Gray that he took away her choice, but she would have died otherwise. Everything about the ordeal bothered him, but Lucy still assured that she wanted to be with him. Despite everything, this woman still wanted to be with him.

Gray sighed, standing up to leave, but a soft hand grasped his wrist.

"Lucy?"

"You're home."

It was a statement, but it almost sounded like a question, like maybe she was dreaming. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, most likely in case if she was seeing things.

"Yeah, I'm home."

She launched herself off the bed and wrapped her arms around his neck. The action was so surprising, Gray almost fell backwards if it wasn't for his quick reflexes. The way she clutched onto him was almost like he'd disappear any second. Her euphoria was contagious, so he couldn't help but smile. She surprised him with a soft kiss to the lips, her hands brushing the nape of his neck. His hands automatically draped along her waist. She pulled away, a bright smile on her face. He so badly wanted more, but he didn't want to press her, not after everything she's been through. They still needed to talk.

"About damn time, Fullbuster," she sniffled, eyes slightly teary. "Making me wait like that."

He brushed a tear away from her face with his thumb. "I'm sorry."

She puffed her cheeks angrily.

He raised a brow.

"Why do you have to be so tall?"

Gray blinked. "What?"

"You're not going to make this easy."

"What are you-"

She grabbed him by the lapels of his coat, and with her newfound strength, Gray suddenly found his back to the bed with Lucy straddling him, fangs slightly extended.

"You smell really...good," she said with a lick of her lips.

Well, damn, Gray thought, his mind spiraling. Teetering between pleasure and logic, Gray realized this was a natural response to his absence because Lucy usually wasn't so forward. With everything she'd been through, he didn't think she'd want to mark him. To complete the bond, the commitment, and give herself completely to him as he will to her. Also, the fact he kind of prematurely marked her based on his emotions didn't sit well with him as he looked back. So, he gave her a chance to think about what she was doing rather than act purely on instinct like he had done.

"What do you want, Lucy?"

There was a brief silence.

"I want you, silly."

And just like that, Gray bared his neck to the only person the future King of Vampires would bare his neck to: his mate, his other half, his future Queen.

"You're all set to go, Milady," Lynn smiled at her through the mirror.

Lucy nervously smiled in return.

"Whenever you're ready," Lynn bowed and left.

The future Queen of Vampires stared back at herself in the mirror. If someone told her six months ago that she'd be the mate of none other than the Gray Fullbuster, she would've laughed in their face. But here she was. All prettied up. Her hair was slightly curled and pulled back into a half-do to show off her mark. Lucy had to admit that she did love the red rose hairpins holding her hair back. A smile lit up her face.

Now that was something she thought she never see again or be able to do again with such ease.

She was...happy.

There was on knock on the door.

"One moment!" Lucy called out.

Lucy looked at herself in the mirror one last time, took a deep, calming breath. She was ready.

The dress felt foreign on her skin, the shoes confined her feet, her neck exposed, throat dry, as she walked toward the ballroom staircase. She could feel all eyes on her, but she kept hers solely focused on Gray waiting at the end of the staircase for her. Their eyes met. It was like tunnel vision, like they were the only two people there. The way he looked at her, Lucy couldn't decipher, but she felt her insides squirm as she lost herself in his eyes.

As she reached the end of the staircase, Gray offered his hand with a slight bow, and Lucy easily placed her hand in his. He kissed the back of her knuckles to ease her nerves. With the mark she gave him the other night, Lucy could feel his nerves too, so she squeezed his hand.

"Together?"

"Together."

Fin.

And that's a wrap.

...That's it guys. That's Remedy. Officially done. Thanks for all the support. Sorry for the wait. Hope you guys enjoyed it for what it was worth.