Lucy was running out of magic. All evening every thug, crook and brute seemed to be after her package. She had just completed a mission with Natsu and Happy and she was returning to the client with his request (to retake stolen expensive magical items from the client's private collection by a group of thieving mages). The reason she was returning by herself was because Natsu had been urgently summoned back to Fairy Tail. So they decided it would be quicker if Lucy gave the client his booty and collected the reward whilst Natsu rushed back to Fairy Tail to deal with his summons, where Lucy would split the reward with him there. Lucy wasn't too worried about him, it was probably about someplace he destroyed or some important official he unintentionally (or maybe just idiotically) insulted. If it wasn't Lucy was sure he could handle it, nothing could keep him down. Right now Lucy was more concerned about herself. It seemed almost for every 5 meters she walked she was attacked by more criminals than the last attack. Her keys had already been stolen twice and so she ah dot rely on her magic whip to get them back. Her hands now stayed warily by her keys.
Suddenly a hand was wrapped around her throat and a sickening voice whispered in her ear, "Don't struggle, just give in and I'll just take the treasure". Of course Lucy struggled like hell as she strained to reach her keys. Jangle, jangle. Her attacker jiggled her keys in front of her face but out of reach.
One of her hands fought hard against the attacker to stop him strangling her whilst the over reached out in vain to snatch back her keys.
Her vision started to blacken and spots started to dance in front of her eyes. Then her attacker suddenly stopped. She saw her keys fall but she could do nothing as she too fell to her knees gasping for air. A hand reached out and deftly caught the falling keys "Here" a voice said. It was different nicer and safer sounding. The keys were offered to the side of her and Lucy readily grabbed them as readily as she gulped down the air.
"Thank You" she said as she turned around to see who the voice of her savior belonged to.
It was a boy around her age, maybe slightly older. Like his voice he seemed warm and strong with a hint of a cheeky or sly sort of humor He was well built muscular, short wavy hair that was spiky in some areas that framed his gorgeous face and twinkling green eyes. It was safe to say that her savior was a hottie.
He offered his hand and Lucy took it getting up. Then he picked up the riches and shoved it into her hand, "Here, you know you should really block its aura, especially in this part of town."
Lucy creased her forehead, "What do you mean?" The boy gave her an incredulous look like seriously!
"Nearly 95% of the people in this part of town are aura readers to various degrees and with the amount you're holding in that sack even a 2 year old can sense it."
Lucy didn't like his tone it was if he was talking to an idiot or a slow toddler.
"Well you're clearly a Mage what Guild do you belong to?" Lucy asked miffed.
The boy smiled an odd sort of smile, "I'm an odd type of Mage," he answered cryptically. Too right, thought Lucy, the way you snuck up on that bastard and dealt with him, it was ninja like.
"What do you mean?" The boy dodged the question, "What about you, I assume you're a Mage on the way on finishing her job."
"Err yeah," Lucy started slightly surprised that she was on the answering end, "Yeah I've just finished taking back the treasures of Maxwell Stephenson from this band of thieves, the Scarlet Thieves."
The boy nodded, "I heard about that so you took up the job"
"Yeah, the reward money was good."
In fact it was the main reason she hadn't dropped the sack in the gutter after her 15th attack.
The thought of how many months of rent she could pay with that money kept her going.
"Maxwell Mansion is still quite a distance away and you're running low on magic," he noted. "How did you know my magic was running low?" Lucy asked.
"So I could go with you till you reach his house as extra protection, you know?" he continued as if Lucy didn't say anything.
"Um sure" Lucy agreed. She didn't know what do make of her mysterious saviour who dodged any question pertaining to him. At least she knew he was strong and informed on magical matters. The pair walked off in the direction of the Maxwell Mansion.
"Hey what's your name I'm Lucy Heartfillia,"
"From Fairy Tail," the boy said in disbelief.
"Well yeah" she said defensively.
"The Fairy Tail" he repeated.
Heat rose on her cheeks, "Yes I am Lucy Heartfillia the Celestial Wizard from Fairy Tail, so what?!"
"Nothing" he answered quickly but he sneaked a peek at her before looking away.
Lucy felt slightly infuriated as she asked (well more ordered this time) his name. The boy smiled cheekily before answering "Arthur Nighthawks" as he walked ahead. Lucy was about to jog up to catch up before he suddenly turned at demanded, "Pass over the bag". Lucy warily handed over the sack of goodies. Arthur took it. He waved his hand over and mumbled some words, "Magus Aurora Reducus Granda." Lucy looked in surprise, she had seen many types of magic but this was the first time she'd seen an actual spell said aloud. Then he shoved it back in her hand "There now we won't be attacked as often." "Thanks" Lucy said.
Arthur shrugged, "Think nothing of it, I just did it so I wouldn't have to exert myself so much" then he walked away.
"That's no fair" Lucy was moaning to Arthur. The two had gone to Maxwell Mansion and had picked up the reward with no trouble at all.
Maxwell was surprised to find that one young man had been swapped for another. But he didn't mind this one seemed far more mature.
"Ever since you came with me and put that spell of the goodies, not one single attack, not even ONE!" Lucy was really angry now.
The two were in a bar, Maxwell's Magpies. It was all shine and chrome. Next to the counter and sitting on high up swivel chairs near the door the two sat side by side. Arthur carefully sipped his drink whilst Lucy smashed her cup onto the table still yelling at him. There was red hue to her cheeks and now Lucy was starting to slur her words. Arthur looked suspiciously at her drink, clear and near colourless, Lucy had ordered flavoured water. Then he sniffed it.
"What the, this isn't flavoured water, this is rice wine!" Arthur stared furiously at the bartender and he shouted at him to come over,
"What is this?!" he said shouting shoving the glass in his drink. The bartender was old and wrinkly and looked more than ready to hit the knocker's yard. "
It's the flavoured water the young miss asked for" he answered. Arthur couldn't believe it, "Smell it, taste it does it seem to be flavoured water to you."
The old man smiled sadly, "my senses are disappearing day by day. Taste and Smell are the first to go" Arthur groaned. "Old man," he said with more calm then he felt, "this isn't flavoured water this is rice wine and it seems the young miss here is unaccustomed to any form of alcohol."
The bartender looked over at Lucy who was now sleeping across the counter still muttering Not Fair.
"Oh dear, I'm dreadfully sorry" he apologised meaningfully. Arthur rubbed his neck, "Look if you don't bill us the drink she didn't want I won't say anything to Maxwell, who I'm very acquainted with." A stretch of the truth but it did the trick. The Old man bid them farewell and didn't bill them the drinks. He went to the back of the bar leaving Arthur with the drunk Lucy. "Lucy we're going now" he said to her in her ear. "Fuck off" was her reply as she turned over to block him out.
Arthur sighed, what a drag. "Lucy" he whispered in her ear as he lifted locks of her silky golden hair out of the way "Lucy if we leave now I will give you some rent money." This stirred her up, Lucy looked blearily at him and mumbled, "Ren money,"
"Yes Rent Money" Arthur agreed nodding his head as if he was talking to three year old.
"Erm K, money" she slurred, as she gave out her hand as if she was expecting a big pile of dosh to land in it.
Instead Arthur took the hand and from the swung her onto his back and lifted her up. He was giving her a piggy back.
The technique was one that his friends showed him how to safely carry someone who is unable to travel by themselves but stable enough to move. It was intended for injured people but Lucy was no fit state to travel unassisted. He was going to give her a piggy back. Although it was far away, Lucy took a train, running long distances were nothing he just didn't do it because he was too lazy to do it most of the time. In fact his friends that trained with were amazing long distance runners, it was their main way of getting round.
Arthur carefully adjusted her so she lent nicely on him. Her head rolled next to his cheek and she muttered, "You bad boy, there was no money". Arthur felt his cheeks blush as he realised just what type of situation he was in. He could feel Lucy's breasts against his back, her silky golden hair tickling his neck, her soft plump lips grazing his cheek, her firm legs around his waist, "Yeah sorry it was time to go, stay on my back."
"Your back, your back warm" she purred in his ear.
Arthur smiled as he walked out the pub, a slow applause in the background.
"Hey do you know where the Fairy Tail guild is?" Arthur asked some men on a boat in the canal. "Hey is that Lucy, is she alright." Arthur took a backwards glance of the girl on his back he smiled fondly, "Yeah she's fine, just asleep," and it was true, Lucy had fallen sound asleep and peacefully to the rocking movement of Arthur's steady jog. One of the men answered, "Her place is just down this canal and then its inside that block of apartments, you can ask the landlady for her room." Arthur nodded as he listened to the directions, "Thanks man" and he continued jogging.
"You want Lucy Heartfilla's room number?"
"Yes please" Arthur said politely. The short hag scowled at him, "What business do you have with her" Arthur stared at her incredulously what was with all the old people. "Lucy is asleep on back. I want to take her to her room so that she can sleep on her bed. Look I'm just being a Good Samaritan here" Arthur talked down at her as if she was a bit senile which Arthur was starting to suspect she was. The old lady gave him one more look over before she rudely croaked, "Follow me".
The old lady opened the door with her set of keys and they went into her room. It was girly and nice Arthur thought. He noticed the stack of papers on her table, he peered at it, 'so she wants to be a writer, cool'. Carefully he laid Lucy onto her bed and pulled the covers over her. He closed the window curtains. Looking down at her, sleeping peacefully he wanted to kiss her forehead, but the old lady was staring standing in the doorway. So he grabbed a sheet of paper from her steady supply and took a pen writing her a note. U. O. ME: 1 Favour= a piggy back ride from Fyorne to Fiore. Then as an afterthought I'll be in town for a while, see you around Lucy. Then he signed off from Arthur Nighthawks.He placed the note slap bang in the middle of the table in plain sight. He went out of the room and gave Lucy one more backward glance. She was sleeping like an angel.