Once again, Lucy was draped over the counter top of the bar, gazing absentmindedly at her glass, a soft smile gracing her features, as thoughts of her girlfriend flittered through her mind.
Mira watched the prone form of the celestial mage with idle curiosity, acutely aware of the sighs and giggles emanating from the young blonde.
"Ne~ Lucy-chan, has something good happened to you recently?" The white-haired barmaid enquired, noting the distracted look that came over Lucy as she returned her attention to the present.
"Hmm?" She murmured groggily, as if having just woken up from a deep sleep.
Mira chuckled at the dazed expression that occupied the girl's face, a goofy grin firmly in place despite the inattentive look in her eyes.
The older girl's laughter seemed to have some sort of effect on the spirit mage, as a dark blush suddenly filled her cheeks, her eyes suddenly very focused on the girl behind the bar.
"Something good, eh?" She turned away thoughtfully, a bashful smile pulling at her lips, "I guess you could say that…" She trailed off, once again lost in thought of a certain redheaded knight.
Mira nodded in understanding, she knew young love when she saw it. I wonder if Lucy's good mood has anything to do with Erza-chan's?
Oblivious to the older girl's astute instincts, the blonde mage let out another sigh,
I hope Erza gets back soon… I miss her…
The day before Erza had left on a request with Gray and Cana, they had been sitting in the redhead's apartment, chatting about nothing of any consequence while Erza packed in preparation for her trip.
The mood had been light and comfortable, until Erza suddenly turned towards her, cheeks tinged a light pink, and pulled something out of her pocket.
With an embarrassed sigh, she extended her arm shakily towards the confused blonde, "Here." She had whispered huskily, dropping a silver key into the celestial mage's open palm.
Lucy felt her cheeks heat up just remembering the incident. The red-haired knight had mumbled some explanation or other, but Lucy hadn't been able to focus on the words, I can't believe she gave me the key to her apartment… it's almost like a proposal…
Mira looked on in concern as she witnessed the blonde's cheeks turn several successive shades darker, once again oblivious to her surroundings. I wonder if Erza managed to confess yet?
Shrugging off the younger girl's strange behaviour, she turned her attention to the rest of the guild, unsure of what to do with herself now that Cana wasn't there to clean up after.
The scrapping of a chair recaptured Mira's attention, she noticed the blonde moving away from the bar, heading for the guild entrance, "Leaving already, Lucy-chan?" She called after the girl's retreating figure.
Lucy turned to wave towards the mother-figure of Fairy Tail, "Yeah, Erza and the others won't be back till tomorrow, so I was hoping to get a good night's sleep before they do."
Slightly confused, Mira waved back, wondering at the younger girl's haste, it was still pretty early… and it's not like Natsu was with them…
Closing the door behind her, Lucy pulled the key from her pocket, blushing as she did. Erza shouldn't mind if I wait for her, should she? She did give this to me to use, right?
Touching the key to her lips, she smiled at her own boldness. Casting a furtive glance around the front of the guild, she took off in the direction of Fairy Hills, a slight tingling of warmth spreading throughout her stomach.
I can't wait till Erza gets home.