"Firefly" by Sister Hazel

Pairing: Freed x Lucy


Freed couldn't help following her around the room with his gaze. He was distantly aware of Laxus's amused gaze on him, but the rune mage just couldn't summon up the energy to pretend that he wasn't fascinated with the guild's resident celestial mage. Not today.

He had been distantly aware of the bubbly blonde since his battle against her and Cana during the S-Class trials. He admired her tenacity during the Grand Magic Games and the ensuing battle with the dragons. Yet, it had been nothing more than a minor interest in her rare magic, her bright smile, and the fact that she was a guildmate. Until yesterday.

Freed's mind drifted hazily back to the previous day as he continued watching the blonde interact with her teammates. A small smile lifted his lips as she chased the blue exceed around the room with a broom. Her yelling was actually rather similar to her mood the day before.

He really hadn't meant to knock her into the canal. He just wasn't paying attention to where he was going as he read through his newest literary acquisition. He'd thought walking along the edge would be safest to keep from bumping into anyone as no else would be foolish enough to walk so close to the water. But then, he hadn't counted on Lucy.

Even with water streaming down her face and her teeth chattering from the chill, she had the presence of mind to tear him to shreds with the most impressive vocabulary (not to mention insults) that he'd ever witnessed. Even as his face glowed red with embarrassment, he had felt another type of warmth alight in his chest. He had helped her from the canal and invited her into his home to dry off as it was closer than her apartment and the fall afternoon had been growing more frigid by the moment.

One evening in her company wasn't enough. He wanted to see more of her. To feel more of the spark she lit within him as she told stories that painted pictures in his mind, nearly broke his intellect with her sharp insights, or simply showed in a thousand little ways just how amazing her heart was.

And from some of their conversation that night (after she had calmed down) he thought that maybe… Maybe she could even embrace the darkness within him. Maybe he could even learn to shine the way she did. Maybe.