Wow. I was really surprised by the positive reception this fic got. 175 views and counting; thank you for taking the time to even look at this story. I know this chapter is short, but i thought that if i made it any longer it would kill it, so yeah, enjoy chapter two.
Draped over the bar, gazing soulfully at her glass, drawing pictures in the condensation, Lucy could do little to prevent the sigh escaping from between her lips. Turning her gaze to the ever present, chronic drinker, Cana, her new companion in the guildhall, amazement washed over her as she witnessed the girl finish her fourth barrel of beer for that morning.
Mira stood behind the bar as always, cleaning glasses, watching the blonde mage with idle curiosity.
"Lucy-chan, you've been sighing an awful lot since you got back, is something wrong?" The white haired girl cocked her head to the side, observing the younger mage as she resumed her tracing on the surface of her glass.
The celestial mage huffed quietly, pushing out her cheeks, avoiding the older girl's eyes.
"It's just…" She trailed off, wiping the wetness from her fingers onto the bench top, "Erza hasn't come back yet, and she's been gone for almost two weeks now…" she mumbled, averting her gaze in embarrassment.
Mira merely laughed at the girl's response. Lucy looked up sharply, pouting as she did, a soft blush colouring her cheeks.
"I don't see what's so funny…" She murmured, returning her gaze to the tabletop.
The older girl paused in her cleaning to wipe a tear from her eye, "Erza-chan is an S-Class mage, and she used to complete requests by herself all the time, there's no need for you to worry; she's a big girl and can take care of herself."
Reaching over to pat the top of the blonde girl's head gently, she continued to smile softly at the pouting mage, "Why don't you accept another request?" She suggested.
Lucy looked up, meeting the white haired girl's gaze, frowning as she did, "Why?"
The older girl just shrugged, "It could help pass the time, and you never know, Erza-chan might have finished her job by the time you get back, and then you can spend some time together."
Lucy looked away, blushing harder as she did. I guess it would take my mind off of her, but what if she comes back before I finish, and accepts another quest? She wondered to herself, a strange pang of longing rising in her chest, her throat constricting as she remembered how she had run off on Erza while she was in the middle of saying something, I didn't even say goodbye…
Shaking her head stiffly, to try and expel the thoughts that threatened to overwhelm her, she replied, "Nah, I think I'll just wait here; it's not often I get some time off. Natsu is always so excitable, constantly accepting jobs and dragging me off with him. It'll make a nice change of pace."
The older girl smiled knowingly, but said nothing, choosing instead to resume cleaning the ever-growing pile of glasses as Cana continued to down every drink with astounding gusto.