I finally finished Chapter 2 for Astraphobia. I hope you enjoy it and please feel free to leave a review to let me know you thoughts :)
It hadn't taken her long to arrive at the guild and she couldn't help but smile at its usual chaos. Making her way around the fights she plopped herself down on a bar stool, ordering a strawberry smoothie from Mira. When she received it a few minutes later she took a long sip of the sweet refreshing drink, letting out a happy sigh but not missing the curious look she was given. "What?" She asked wondering what was going on in the barmaid's head but had a feeling she was going to ask something along the lines of her having a boyfriend.
"You seem rather happy." She commented casually as she picked up a mug, wiping it down. The blonde shrugged her shoulders and took another drink from her smoothie.
"Can't a girl be happy?" Mira nodded her head.
"Of course but your happiness –"She cut herself off with a small pause. "It seems you're happy for a specific reason." And there it was, discreet but obvious. Lucy shook her head at the barmaid, drinking some more of her smoothie before replying.
"I'm just happy." She told Mira before giving her a look. "For no specific reason" Mira pouted at her response and she could only shake her head at the she-demon before drinking more of her smoothie and soon finishing it off. Almost tempted to ask why the S-class mage insisted upon asking her frequently about whether or not she had a boyfriend.
"Luce!" Upon hearing her nickname the blonde turned in her seat, a smile coming to her face as she spotted her best friend and partner. Raising her hand in a small wave he quickly made his way toward her, his famous grin on his face as he wrapped an arm around her. "Where have you been? I've been looking all over the place for you." He said slightly pouting.
"Sorry Natsu I didn't mean to be so late but I ended up staying at –"She cut herself off as she noticed him sniffing around her. "What are you doing?" she asked uncomfortably.
"Trying to figure out why you smell so funny." Lucy felt her eye twitch at his insinuation half tempted to hit the idiot.
"I don't smell funny." She cried indignantly. "I had a shower last night so there's no way I could –"
"You smell like Gajeel." He made a face, disgusted with the scent and Lucy rolled her eyes at the slayer. "Why do you smell like Gajeel?"
"Because there was a storm last night and I ended up crashing at Gajeel's place since I didn't want to get caught in the storm, okay?" She bit out and he pouted. "Now, did you pick out a job for us or not?"
The topic change brought a grin to his face and she had a feeling their job wasn't going to be something she liked. "Yep, picked out a good one" He said with a familiar grin and she nearly groaned. Everyone on her team seemed to really enjoy fighting, she knew that but for once she'd like him to pick out a job without violence involved. Giving a slight nod of her head she turned back, smiling at the sight of a second smoothie. Taking a drink of it she then spoke.
"When are we leaving?"
"After, Erza and Gray get here."
"What is the job exactly?" She asked and he shrugged.
"Just an easy one. We're taking down a few bandits annoying some townspeople over in Clover." Well at least it was easier than their latest jobs.
The blonde had finished her second smoothie just as Gray arrived, greeting the ice mage with a smile and a small wave. He smiled at her in response giving her a half hug before taking a seat next to her. "Alright, so when are we leaving for this job?" He asked.
"It's a quick job in Clover, if we leave within the hour we should be back by the end of the day no later than tomorrow morning." Erza responded taking a bite of her strawberry cake.
"Sounds good, I've got a couple things to do first but I'll meet you at the train station by nine." Erza nodded her head before standing up.
"Very well; Lucy, Natsu let's go."
Standing up from her bar stool she followed the redhead with the fire breather beside her, making their way to the train station. Letting out a soft sigh she really hoped Natsu and Gray wouldn't get in a fight and Natsu would at least control himself a little so she'd have some extra money. It had been a while since she had the opportunity just to blow money on useless things or go on a shopping spree.
The ride to Clover had been as it usually was, she playing a couple games of cards with Gray as well as talking about the usual topics with Erza, all while Natsu lied next to the red-head completely unconscious. When the team arrived in the town they made their way to the requestor's home to inquire more information about the bandits before creating a plan that would ensure a quick capture and no damage – that is if Natsu could behave himself.
Erza began discussing their plan; which was mostly just head on taking out the group of bandits consisting of maybe ten or so people, all non-magical essentially making this a very simple job. When the time came to execute the plan things had actually gone pretty smoothly. They managed to take out the group easily, however things had suddenly taken a turn for the worst when Gray made a comment insulting Natsu which then resulted in the two fighting and escalating all too quickly resulting in Lucy's worst fear.
The blonde stood staring in horror at the sight of the destruction the duo had caused, and the knowledge that now their reward would all go to paying for damages yet again. Snapping her mouth closed the stellar mage whirled on the two her anger taking over as she leveled them with a glare. Just as she opened her mouth to scold them there was a loud cry.
"The town!" The constable shouted. "What have you done to our beautiful town?!"
"Our deepest apologies." Erza bowed, handing over the bandits. "Please forgive us; we will gladly pay for all damages." The man glared at them angrily.
"Oh you will. I intend to file a complaint with your guild and anything that the reward doesn't cover will come out of your pockets!" With that the constable and a couple other officers turned to take the bandits into custody causing Lucy to cringe glaring at Natsu and Gray once more.
Not bothering to waste her breath in yelling at the two moron twins for destroying things again Lucy turned and began making her way to the station, beginning to make plans to find another job when she got back hoping that maybe with this next job they wouldn't mess things up. Pausing in her step she realized that there was no way that was going to happen, this was Natsu and Gray she was thinking about the likely hood that they wouldn't destroy things was as likely as all the evil in the world suddenly vanishing.
Giving her head a shake the blonde purchased her ticket and boarded the train with the rest of her team, letting out a heavy sigh. Maybe a little break was in order before she jumped back into going out on a job. Smiling as she remembered that she and Levy were supposed to meet up to talk books. Hopefully her fellow book lover could give her some good advice for her latest chapters she was starting to hit a block. Adjusting in her seat the blonde waited patiently for the train to arrive back in Magnolia.
Letting out a sigh, the blonde relaxed into the warmth the water from her shower provided her, rinsing her hair free of the shampoo she had put in only moments ago before picking up her pink loofa and pouring her strawberry body wash on it before lathering it up followed by scrubbing herself clean. Reaching for her conditioner the blonde blinked upon hearing a faint rumble, peeking out of her curtain she frowned wondering if she was hearing things before giving her head a small shake and finishing up in the shower.
Wrapping her hair up in a towel, she dried herself off before making her way to her drawer pulling out her undergarments she slipped them on and moved on to her closet. Pulling down a black skirt she slid it on followed by grabbing a purple V-neck top along with her boots, she finished dressing and drying her hair, styling it in loose pigtails. The stellar mage put her belt on, checking to make sure everything was in place before grabbing her novels to make her way to her best friend's place over in Fairy Hills.
Humming to herself the blonde heard another soft rumble in the distance wondering if they were going to be getting another storm soon. At this she couldn't help but think of Pantherlily, wondering how the poor exceed was going to fare in all of this foul weather. Continuing her walk toward the girl's dormitory she arrived at the building thirty minutes later, grateful the storm hadn't come yet. Entering Fairy Hills Lucy made her way through the halls, searching for the right room, knocking softly.
"Coming!" She heard the muffled voice of the bluenette, cringing at the sound of books falling over. Seconds later the door was jerked open and she smiled at the sight of the disheveled solid script mage, smiling in return. "Lu-chan." She greeted happily, giving the blonde a tight hug before inviting her in.
"Evening Levy-chan." She stepped into the room, maneuvering her way through the books to her bed so they could sit and talk. "I brought my book and a notepad for notes." She sat down, bouncing slightly.
"Let me grab the chapters and my notes." The stellar mage nodded and watched her friend move about the room with ease, grabbing her latest chapters along with a notebook. Returning to the bed the two got comfortable before beginning their conversation.
"Okay, be totally honest with me Levy, how bad is it?"
The bluenette giggled. "It's actually not bad but this last chapter…" She trailed off and Lucy nodded her head, pulling out her pen ready for the critique. "It has me concerned. Lu-chan, are you hitting a writers block?" The stellar mage nodded solemnly.
"Yeah, it was coming on gradually. I've only been getting bouts of inspiration every now and again. I haven't been able to concentrate on it lately and I even started the next chapter – three times."
Levy nodded. "It's okay, maybe after we get done you'll find yourself suddenly enthralled in your writing that you'll be able to fix these as well as write more."
Lucy sighed. "Maybe. It'd be great to get out of this funk." Levy smiled at her.
"Alright let's begin with chapter fifteen." Lucy nodded readying herself again for anything her friend had to say about it.
By the time they had finished going through the three chapters Lucy could feel herself ease as she always did after talking with Levy, a smile coming to her face. Glancing at the clock she took in how late it was before turning to her friend with a grateful smile.
"Thank you so much for doing this with me. I think I'll be able to get chapter eighteen started once I go through these and make some necessary changes." Levy giggled.
"Anytime. I love reading your work – speaking of; did you bring that other one you promised me?" Lucy smiled nodding her head, handing her, her latest manuscript.
"This is the current finished one. If you have any thoughts on it feel free to write some notes and talk to me about it." Levy nodded her head and Lucy sighed, her ears picking up on the thunder sounding closer than before she looked to the window.
"Looks like we're going to get another storm." Levy pouted and Lucy giggled, briefly worrying about Pantherlily again and reminding her about Gajeel.
"Seems like it." She glanced at her friend. "So, just out of curiosity." She began. "Are you ever going to tell me what's going on between you and Gajeel?" Levy frowned in confusion.
"What are you talking about?"
Lucy gave her an annoyed look. "Come on, there has to be something going on between you two. There's no way there's not with the way he acts around you."
Levy frowned and let out a sort of half groan. "Lu-chan how many times do I have to tell you that there isn't anything going on between Gajeel and myself? We're good friends. Why can't you see that?" Lucy frowned.
"Because it's –"
"Don't tell me it's blatantly obvious. That's like saying there's something going on between you and Natsu." Lucy's frown deepened.
"Okay, first we both know that point is invalid." Levy opened her mouth tempted to argue but she noticed a look of defeat cross her eyes before she nodded in agreement.
"Either way, Gajeel and I are strictly platonic. Besides I like someone else." She murmured and Lucy's face split into a grin wanting to know everything.
"Tell me, tell me; tell me." She half begged excitedly but Levy shook her head.
"Maybe when I feel sure about it, but right now, can we just leave it alone?" Lucy eyed her friend wondering what was going on with her but she nodded her head not wanting to upset her friend or make her uncomfortable.
"Okay, when you feel sure I want to be the first person you talk to." Levy nodded her head and the blonde gave her friend a smile. "Good, now I should probably get going before it starts raining. You and I will talk more later." Standing up the blonde gave a stretch before picking up her novel and her notebook. Thanking her again with a hug she left her room and carefully descended the steps, reaching the door she let out a whine. It was raining heavily. Cursing her luck and reaching for her keys she summoned Virgo.
"Evening Princess." The pink haired shackled maid greeted her with a bow. "Punishment time?"
Lucy shook her head. "No just a couple favors if you don't mind. Could you hold my novel and bring me an umbrella?"
"Of course." The spirit took the novel, disappearing briefly before returning with an umbrella in hand. "Will there be anything else princess?"
"No, thank you Virgo."
"Anytime princess." With a bow, Virgo disappeared once more and Lucy stepped out, opening the umbrella as she did, dreading the idea of walking out into the storm.
She stood staring out into the rain for another moment before finally deciding that she might as well get a move on, Cana was waiting for her at the guild for drinks. Letting out a soft sigh she stepped out into the rain walking through the empty streets and making her way to the guild half contemplating a quick stop home to change when she spotted something standing underneath the trees. Stepping closer she realized it wasn't a something but someone, however she didn't know who it was. Closing the distance between them she soon realized that it was Gajeel she was seeing but why he was standing underneath the trees was beyond her.
"Gajeel." She called out and he opened his eyes, causing her to nearly gasp as his red eyes almost seemed to glow.
"Bunny girl." Smiling she took a few steps closer.
"What are you doing out here?"
"Waiting until the rain stops." She could easily hear the annoyance in his voice, making her smile.
"Oh. Where's Pantherlily?" The slayer let out a small growl before replying.
"He's at home." Biting her lip she glanced up at her umbrella.
"Want me to walk you home?" She asked, giggling at the expression on his face. "I only meant that, well I have an umbrella and it'd keep you dry."
"No, thanks. I'll wait."
She smiled. "Come on, you don't really want to stand here for who knows how long, while Lily is all by himself do you?" She could hear him growl in response before moving away from the tree to stand beside her. She smiled, lifting the umbrella before he took it from her and pulled her in closer, standing partially in front of him.
"Let's go." Nodding the two began walking to the slayer's home in silence.
When they arrived Lucy stood waiting patiently as he opened the door, stepping inside, he closed the umbrella followed by removing his boots, turning toward her.
"Do you want to come in?" She looked up at him, shaking her head.
"N-no, I'm okay, but thank –"She was cut off as the slayer pulled her into his place, closing the door behind her. "Gajeel I –"The blonde was cut off yet again, hearing the voice of Pantherlily followed by seeing the exceed flying into the living room.
"Gajeel?" He asked. "Ah, I was wondering where you were." Lucy felt her lips twitch as she could hear the fear in the exceed's voice. He was scared of the storm. "Oh, bunny girl, you're here too."
Blinking the blonde laughed at the usage of Gajeel's nickname for her. "Lucy." She informed him and he nodded. "Yes, I was just walking Gajeel home." She smiled at the look she received. "Just letting him use my umbrella, so he didn't end up soaked by the storm." She amended for him, suppressing the urge to giggle at the man.
Gajeel walked off into his home, leaving her to stand at his entrance, turning her attention to Pantherlily when he spoke. "I see." He paused briefly before speaking again. "By the way Lucy, I want to thank you for returning me to Gajeel and for allowing me to use your blanket."
"Oh, don't worry about it. I was glad to make sure you got home, I know how worried Gajeel gets about you." She replied nonchalantly, seeing him sit down on the arm of the couch.
"Regardless, I still appreciate it." The blonde smiled at him. "Would you care to sit down?" He offered and she shook her head.
"I actually have to get going, but thank you."
"You're not staying the night again?" The stellar mage shook her head again.
"No I –"
"Just stay the night again." Gajeel spoke as he came out, an annoyed look on his face. "The storm won't be letting up for a while so you might as well just stay again."
"I know but I –"
"Don't argue with me." He half growled at her and the blonde huffed in irritation before nodding her head.
"Fine." With that the slayer turned heading into another part of his house, returning with a pillow and blanket for her. Tossing them on the couch he looked at her briefly before leaving again.
"Good night."
Lucy opened her mouth to protest that it was too early for bed before letting out a sigh and removing her boots, making her way to the couch. Once settled she rubbed Lily behind his ears smiling at his purr before lying down for sleep. "Good night." She murmured.