Thank you all for the amazing support, you're the best!

25/09/2017 an update. I included some new elements and basically had to rewrite some fragments. Love you and thank you for the motivation!

Arts Topic: Nudity

Chapter VI

For the next month, Lucy and Sting were meeting on the established days and, quite presumably, Saturday became a day they would hang out. Even though they opted for the usual pastimes like watching films all night, playing video games, or one introducing the other to new things, it was fine. The bond was still forming, and growing with each encounter. The deep and philosophical conversations they were having, Sting asking about some women stuff and how to read it and Lucy pleading for him to explain things she could not comprehend about men were more bonding than jumping out of their clothes. Which did not change the fact that Lucy was becoming more and more at ease with the man. Moreover, she was getting used to his humor, his company, and his commentaries, usually arrogant or teasing. Of course, it did not mean that she had let go of her fear… She did not. But she got better at handling it.

Yes. He was there every single week. And it was what constantly surprised her. The man always chose to spend the Saturday with her. His friends had to be cross with him, did they not? After all, he was choosing her in a way… Which made her heart swell a little. She felt only a tiny bit important, and it was refreshing. The acceptance he offered and the enjoyment of the meetings were like a balm to her solitude. Lucy was beyond grateful.

Still, the following Saturday was Halloween and she forgot to ask him about it. After all, he had to have plans already. Or if not yet, then he would. So it was a well-timed coincidence when, the next day, she was talking to Levy on Skype and she invited her friend over for the night. They agreed that Friday was a good day since on Saturday the blonde was meeting with Sting again. And the posing session could be postponed to another day. Or simply called off. It was Halloween, after all. Thus, Lucy wrote to the man immediately.

Hey, Sting! This Saturday is Halloween, so I guess we won't meet as we usually do. Also, my friend's coming over on Friday, so can we cancel our session? Is that okay?

Sure, no prob. Say hi from me and have fun.

"He said yes!" Lucy squealed into the microphone, making Levy grimace because of the loud sound. "And says hi."

"Awesome! So, what do I bring? And hey, thanks. I guess."

"Yourself… And whatever you like to drink or eat." The blonde grinned. "I can't wait to see you, Lev! I've missed you so much."

"I feel you, Lu." Levy sighed, then smirked. "And I think you'd be pretty excited to hear that I'm staying for the next week, too! We can go party sometime."

"That's amazing news! But the party… U-uh, really?" She frowned. "Partying equals looking nice, and that equals anxiety… I don't know."

"Okay, we'll see." McGarden rolled her eyes. "But you know I can get you round."

Lucy sighed. She was right. "Yeah, I know."

All in all, Levy relented and agreed to spending time at the blonde's apartment. When Lucy finished cleaning the house, she texted Levy.

Okay, Lev. I'm done so you can move your tiny ass and come over.

Cool, be there in 10.

Lucy smiled. It was great to have a best friend having a place so close. She could come over whenever she liked, and even though Levy needed three hours to drive to the town, she never complained about travelling. If she had time to come, that is. Waiting for her best friend, the blonde sat down and relaxed in front of the TV, watching some soap opera. Suddenly, her phone beeped. Thinking that Levy probably forgot the number of her apartment, she grabbed it and read the text; she was more than surprised to find that Sting messaged her.

Hey, having fun?

Lucy smiled and shook her head with disbelief. Really?

Not yet, she's coming in five.

I see. Well then, I just wanted to say hi since I got used to keep in touch with you.

The woman frowned. Again, really? Yet, before she could reply, a second text came.

Sorry, it turned out stranger than I thought it would!

She started typing, but right then the doorbell rang. Excited, she texted Sting that she got to go and jumped to the door.

"Lu!" A short bluenette standing outside exclaimed, throwing herself at her friend.

"Levy!"

The women hugged each other tightly, laughing. "Oh gods, I missed you so much!"

"Me, too. It's been a while."

"Lemme look at you." Levy backed away and eyed her critically before breaking into a grin. "Pf! Gorgeous as ever. Nothing's changed!"

"And you've lost weight again. I take it you're still keeping the diet?" The blonde smiled widely. She knew her friend's obsession with healthy food and diets.

"I'm trying. I haven't dropped out yet. For the whole week!" She stated proudly. "Ahh, I brought some beer and snacks."

"In the name of the diet?"

"Hush, we see each other so rarely that a diet can wait."

"Great." Lucy snickered and led her friend to the kitchen. "Just put the snacks in some bowls and—"

"Hell, you drank the whole bottle of tequila?!" Levy exclaimed when she opened the garbage cabinet. "And whiskey? And wine? Chick, you weren't dawdling around…"

"I-it wasn't me! At least not alone." She blushed. "Sting—"

"You've drank that much and he still hasn't put his hands on you?"

"Well, he respects me and my… phobia."

"Maybe for now. Till one day, Lu." Levy warned her and began taking the snacks out into the bowls and on the plates.

"N-no. I hope not…"

"Y'know, that wouldn't be too surprising. You stimulate his senses, and he's a man. Unless he's gay."

"Oh, definitely not!" Heartfilia denied quickly, then blushed and added: "There's nothing wrong with being gay, it's just that he… reacts… to me."

Levy eyed her with seriousness and whistled. "Wow. I am impressed. There's a small chance he'll change you back to normal."

"W-what?"

"You don't want him to prefer men because you want him to prefer you. Oh WOW."

Lucy shook her head lamely, then made a step ahead, crossing her arms and admitting. "I don't know. All I know is that… I think he already changed me a little…"

The bluenette turned back to the snacks and continued taking them out. "This conversation has to wait a second. It's too important to discuss it over crisps. When we're seated, we'll continue."

"Sure. Hey, wanna listen to a new jazz album I've bought?"

"Sure, I love jazz."

The women quickly gathered and brought everything they would need to the living room. Lucy played the album and hurried on the sofa, her steps light. Levy was observing her best friend with a small smile. Lucy noticed that and stopped, eyeing the petite woman suspiciously.

"What?"

"Nothing. Good to see that you're more normal than I thought."

Lucy pouted. "Would you stop already? I handled it, y'know."

"Not entirely."

"No, but it's only normal, isn't it? You can't expect me to simply move on."

Inside, Levy thanked the heavens above for the blonde's project and the necessity to work with that male friend of hers, then nodded eagerly, agreeing. "Absolutely."

The blonde shifted awkwardly, then smirked. "And Lev, how's that guy who was around you for the last year?" She sat beside her friend and took a cookie.

"U-um, he's nowhere near me anymore…" She sighed and made a sad face. "Turned out he was a multi-timer… And I wasn't even the first one on his list."

"Oh my God, I'm sorry." Lucy's mouth fell open, then she embraced the other woman. "I didn't know, I… H-how?"

McGarden grabbed a bottle with her beer and raised it. "To the whole night of gossiping and talking shit about scums like Droy!"

"To secrets being secrets no more." Intonated Lucy and grasped her own beer just to clash it with Levy's and drink a few sips. She hummed and gulped the liquid down her throat. "Now, tell me more. What happened? I thought he was crazy about you."

"You know, the usual." Levy sniffled. "It's so ironic! I met a man of my dreams… And then I met his beautiful fiancée, then stumbled upon his girlfriends… It was all a complete coincidence. The dickhead did not even mean to inform me. So I made a small hell for him…" Levy sneered. "Okay. Not so small."

"Good. Care to elaborate?"

"Oh, you know, Lu, I'm not called a little devil for nothing. Obviously, after I was done, I told all of the poor women the truth and that's it, I don't wanna see that asshole ever again. And I'm not planning on getting a man for longer now. Nor do I want something more serious… Not after another failure. You know. I just need a man who could take care of my small caprices and sexual necessities."

"Levy, I know you have your reasons, but it's not gonna work on a long term basis." Lucy shook her head. "Sure it would be nice to you, but it's just… You'd have to be heartless."

"I'm aware." She rolled her eyes. "I'm close."

"Levy!"

"Don't start, Lu. You should understand. You're the one who shut all the others out."

Heartfilia flinched. "You are the one who knows everything about it. How can you imply…"

"I imply nothing. I just stated the fact. That's why I'm twice as glad about your project." Levy winked, jumping to another topic.

Lucy sighed. She saw that coming. "Really…"

"Do you have anything yet? Can I see it?"

"Not yet, honey. It's absolutely not ready." She mused, then huffed. "But I have a sketch I did on the first meeting… Wanna see it?"

"Oh gosh, hell yeah!"

Lucy stood to open her folder and take out the sketch of Sting she had done. Levy snatched it out of her hands and brought the paper to her eyes. Inspecting the drawing took her a few long, silent minutes during which a pleased smile appeared on her lips.

"Damn, he's hot."

"I guess."

"And so muscled!"

"Yeah, well…"

"And has dreamy features… Of course, from what I see here and my imagination tells me." Levy quickly added, seeing Lucy's opening mouth. "And… Oh."

"What?"

"His—"

"Yeah. Well. Anyway, I'll show you the real thing the next time we see each other, sunshine, because I'll have half of it done, I suppose."

"How can you be so cool about it?" McGarden shook her head. "I mean, you pose all naked. Both of you. It's just… Uh! Asking for something. You're opposite sex. Nature demands action. So, hello? Is there even chemistry?"

"I don't know how to sense it." Lucy sat down next to her and covered her face. "Nor do I want to… But I think there is. Levy, I'm scared. He's joking about it all the time, plus we have very fun and daring Saturdays—"

"You're moving fast." The bluenette smirked.

"Not like that! On the first one, we were playing strip games and talking… And he simply went home. And now, we meet every Saturday to just hang out."

Lucy decided to keep his drunken offers to herself, knowing her best friend would read them as she pleases.

"Strange that he didn't suggest anything after the first meeting. But since you meet every week… it explains the bottles now."

"Yeah."

"And he's not making any move on you? Are you sure he isn't gay?" Levy asked with reproach.

"He's not."

"And how would you know?"

"Because…" Lucy's eyes widened. "B-because…"

"You assumed it. But you know that a naked woman, of your form particularly, would be a turn on to a blind. Hell, even to a straight woman!"

"Stop joking around."

"Oh, Lu. Be a little more realistic, would you?"

"It's… Not that easy after those years." She laughed forcefully. "Still, you know, we're so similar in some aspects… I wonder if I could really treat him with distance."

"Like you did with other guys who tried to do as much as talk to you?"

"Exactly." She sent Levy a half-hearted glare.

"But, Lu, seems to me that you already let him come closer than you thought."

Lucy only sighed and shrugged weakly. "Anyway, tomorrow's Halloween. Any plans?"

"Well. In the morning, we start making all the muffins and sweets for later. Then! We're going out, scaring people, of course! And after that we're watching horror movies till we fall asleep—"

"Or not." The blonde snickered. "I remember how scared you were in junior year, we had to keep reassuring you there wasn't any maniac with an ax behind your door and that there was no monster with eighteen tentacles and a head of a clown under your bed."

"Shut up." Levy scowled, but blushed. "And should I remind you that you refused to step into a museum because there was a doll that looked like Chucky in the entrance?"

"Because I hate Chucky!" She cried. "And you were trying to push me in—"

"And there came Natsu, who—"

Abruptly, silence fell and Levy looked terrified of what she had said. Lucy, on the other hand, felt nauseous and paled significantly. Her eyes widened and she seemed to shrink in herself.

"I, I am so, s-so sorry, Lucy…" McGarden stuttered. "So freaking sorry! I-I didn't think, I—"

"Enough." She said in a faint voice. "Just… talk to me about anything."

The bluenette did not question it and changed the topic completely, describing Erza's last date with Jellal and why it was so funny. It diverted her attention well enough. Yet, when Levy mentioned Mirajane Strauss, Heartfilia mused and thought about asking about the whitehead's boyfriend. Should she do it? At last, she could not help herself and cleared her throat.

"Say, Levy, does a name Laxus tell you something?" Lucy frowned.

"Why, yeah. He's with Mirajane since forever." The bluenette clicked her tongue. "Why do you ask?"

"Ah! Never mind." The blonde blushed and averted her sight. "Do you happen to know if he has a brother? Or where he's from?"

"How would I know? But, more importantly, why do you wanna know?"

"Ah, you see… I've got a small suspicion and I want to confirm it before I decide to help S— er, someone." Lucy smiled lightly. "I'll talk to Mira later on, then."

"Lu, does it concern Sting?" Levy grinned teasingly.

"Not necessarily." She replied coldly and looked away. "And how's Lisanna?"

After several hours, when Levy left, Lucy cleaned the mess they had created and finally took her phone to check the hour. Yet, she bit her lip and decided to write to Sting—after all, he was nice enough to text her earlier and ask about the meeting. So, she typed quickly.

Levy said hi back, but I couldn't send it to you earlier.

The reply came pretty soon and she smiled.

Oh, thanks. Yeah, I thought so, that you forgot about me.

Of course not. We were having a VSTC.

A what?

Lucy giggled and could imagine the guy chuckling on the other end of the conversation.

A Very Serious Topics Conversation.

Mm. Sounds fascinating… Did any of those Serious Topics involve me?

"Really, now…" She muttered. He was simply self-centered at times!

Maybe.

Flattering.

Hey, I never said in what context we talked about or even badmouthed you.

Aw, you wouldn't.

Who knows.

Anyway, had a good time? Did you make plans for Halloween?

Lucy blinked. Why, did he think about inviting her? He had tried to take her out with his friends, but never succeeded. Did he think that Halloween would be any different? The phone beeped again and she raised her brows, seeing he was asking if everything was alright; apparently, she spaced out.

Yes, thank you, Sting. I just… I'm just thinking about a few matters I touched with my friend.

What can two girls your age talk about with each other? Boys, cocks, partying, clothes?

Damn, Sting. Really? And what's up with those cocks, interested?

I'm not gay, Lucy Heartfilia.

Before she could think, she wrote:

I know.

"Crap." Lucy muttered. He would question it, no doubt.

And she was right about it.

Oh? You say you know. How, if I may?

Sting… Don't take it wrong. I just… assumed.

Chill, I was kidding.

Aww, you're such a teaser.

Also a skilled pleaser.

You just have to say that stuff…

Of course. I'm a teaser, after all.

Out of the blue, she tapped her fingers and allowed her hands to type the following words:

Sting, have you heard from your brother at some point after… You know?

Before second thoughts invaded her, she sent it. Realizing what she had done, Lucy swore. She really did not mean to say that so abruptly… She knew it was a difficult topic for him. The silence that replied her was a proof enough. Only after several minutes did he answer.

What?

The blonde swore again and face-palmed. Stupid, stupid girl! She should have not touched that topic… Sting said it himself, he did not want to have anything to do with his brother. His brother, who abandoned him, left with an abusive father… That was nothing like a brother. That had no other traits apart from a name. All that was left after his sorry ass. Thus, trying to fix the situation, she decided to take it back.

Don't be upset. I'm sorry. I don't know why I said it so abruptly… Sting. Sorry.

It's alright, I think… But it was rather sudden… Why?

Lucy wondered whether she should answer that; however, Sting directly asked about it. That she could not ignore, so she replied.

Ah. You see, I was wondering… His name was Laxus, right?

What are you getting at?

Do you want to meet him?

Damn, woman, start talking.

Um… Don't get mad, but I think I know where he is. And who he is.

…

Lucy was waiting, staring at the last message from him, the three dots. She was nervous and a strand of guilt was sewing its way through her. It was a mistake. She could not take it back. The damage was done. She made him ponder the topic which hurt him. At last, not able to bear the guilt, she decided to call him.

Fortunately, he answered.

"Yeah?"

Lucy felt a cold, unpleasant shiver crawling down her spine. His voice was different; it was not right. He sounded like he was tired, or exhausted, or simply extremely sad…

"S-Sting… I'm s-sorry, forget it. I'll never mention any of it again if you don't want me to—"

"No, it's—"

"I promise. Just, please, don't sound like this." Lucy sniffled. Great, just what she needed. To tear up on the phone with him.

"What?"

"You sound like the unhappiest person in the world. Please. You don't deserve it." She whispered and thumbed off her tears. "It was so reckless, so stupid of me. I'm an idiot, I shouldn't have—"

"Hold it, Heartfilia. I'm not mad at you."

"N-no?" She blinked. "But I made you sad."

"It's okay." Sting said quietly. "It's just… You know. It hurts a little."

Lucy remained silent and waited. She knew that in such moments, one should listen to the other without any complaint. Even though she felt like she was not the right person to confide in, she had no heart to tell him to stop.

"You know, I used to admire him for having guts to leave our lovely household…" Sting told her bitterly, softly. "I mean, he broke free! Laxus had his own life! Yeah…"

"Yeah?" She whispered.

"I just thought that… He would have a place for me in his new, fantastic life. Granted, we were not best friends, but we were brothers by blood. Well… He did not. Just like there were no traces of Laxus after he left."

"This is terrible. Must've been terrible for a little boy…" The woman sighed comfortingly.

"Yeah. And you know, Lucy, it still lives within me. The bitterness, the anger. I-I don't know if I want to see him."

"I completely understand." She admitted. "No wonder, you're still indignant and feel betrayed… But consider it. Mainly for yourself."

"For myself?" The man repeated in thoughtfulness.

"Exactly. You'd stop feeling so damn sad, resentful… guilty."

"Who said I was feeling guilty?" Instantly, he replied. His tone was cold and wry.

"Come on…" She whispered. "It is kind of obvious…"

"I-I gotta go. Have no idea what you're trying to achieve, but stop. I know you want best, but… Don't. Just don't, Lucy."

The woman widened her eyes and took a sharp breath in, her heart falling. He did not want her help. He did not appreciate it, not that it was anything shocking. He also did not want to meet with his brother. She understood. Despite them being family in blood, they were never one on the outside. And even though she had expected such an answer, it did not please her.

"Sorry."

"Don't be."

"Sting?"

There was a moment of silence before a wry: "Yeah?"

Lucy bit her lips and wanted to slap herself. He sounded frustrated and lost, and it was her fault. "T-take care."

And she quickly hung up before she started crying while still on the line.

Thoughts? :)