Welcome back! Just an FYI- I don't have an upload schedule. I just write and post whenever my college schedule allows for it. My current school project is lots of fun, but time-consuming. I'm an Architecture major, and it's pretty hectic lol.
Anyway, enjoy!
Lucy's sleep was restless that night as she tossed and turned, mulling over Cana's words. She hated how obvious she was and hoped Gildarts hadn't caught on. God, that would be so incredibly embarrassing, Lucy might have Virgo dig her a hole and bury her alive. She just had to act normal for the duration of the mission tomorrow. She could do that, right? Probably... maybe... Lucy groaned and buried her face in her pillow before letting out a muffled scream. She was tired and frustrated, and she wished she could just sleep. But, it was too late for any type of sleep aid unless she wanted to be extra groggy tomorrow. As a last ditch effort, she tensed all the muscles in her body and slowly relaxed them one by one, focusing on her breathing until she finally started drifting off. That night, she dreamt of being tangled in bed with a man with a metal arm.
The next morning, Lucy trudged to the guild with her suitcase. Though the bags under her eyes were so large, she could pack those instead. She would ask Mira for a protein shake and a coffee so she could wake up, and hope that no one noticed how exhausted she was. Not likely. When she pushed the doors open, at 8am sharp, she was greeted cheerfully by Mira and Cana from the bar.
"Mornin' Luce!" Cana called out.
"Good morning, Lucy," Mira said sweetly.
Lucy smiled as best as she could, "Hey guys, good morning."
Cana and Mira both looked worried and the barmaid asked, "Are you ok, Lucy?"
Lucy nodded, "Yeah, just didn't sleep well last night. Can I have a protein shake and a coffee please, Mira?"
The woman nodded and got to work on it as Lucy sat next to Cana who poked her cheek, "What's up, girly?"
Lucy sighed, "I told you, just tired."
Cana huffed a little, "No, you said you couldn't sleep and I want to know the reason."
Lucy lay her head on the table and blushed a little, "What you said last night kinda messed with me," she mumbled.
Cana laughed loudly and Lucy blushed more as Mira glanced curiously over at them.
"I meant it, Luce," Cana said, thankfully quieter, "If you're not gonna act on your feelings, then just forget about it, ok? I want you to be happy."
Lucy raised her head and smiled softly at her friend, grateful for her concern, even if it was a bit awkward.
"Thank you, Cana," she said quietly as Mira dropped her breakfast by.
The barmaid quirked her brow at Lucy and Cana, "What was so funny?"
Cana chuckled and slapped Lucy's back, "This girl stayed up too late writing, right before a mission! Figures."
Lucy silently thanked her friend as she pretended to huff in annoyance, "Yeah, yeah."
Mira giggled, "Oh, Lucy. How very you."
Lucy just grunted an affirmative and started drinking her coffee. She chugged half the mug before setting it down, causing Cana to snicker.
"Maybe my dad will let you nap on his lap on the train," she whispered into Lucy's ear with a grin.
Lucy promptly fell off her stool.
"Cana!" she screeched as she fumbled back upright.
The card mage was cackling, having a field day at her friend's expense, "Sorry, Luce! I gotta tease you."
Lucy rolled her eyes as she sat back down, muttering into her mug, "No you don't."
Cana just shrugged, mirth in her eyes as she watched Lucy finish her coffee before moving onto her shake.
"Did you already eat?" Lucy asked as she set her shake down.
Cana nodded, "Yup. No alcohol either, promised Pops."
She said the last part with slight annoyance, but Lucy smiled. Gildarts loved Cana and was looking out for her health now that he was back in her life. And, in all honesty, Cana was a grown woman and could simply refuse to listen, but she listened to his advice. Lucy knew Gildarts appreciated it, too, even if he didn't say anything. He and Cana did things for each other, not always using words to show they cared. She thought about their relationship as she sipped on her shake and wondered if her relationship with her dad could've been different if she hadn't been locked on Tenrou for seven years. She was so deep in thought that she didn't realize she was sucking on her straw and pulling nothing up until she heard the slurping sound and looked down.
"I'm too tired for this," she sighed and pushed the cup away, though she felt a bit more refreshed with coffee and protein working into her system.
Cana was giggling a little at her friend and Lucy ignored her, turning her attention to the guild doors as they opened and Gildarts walked in. Her breath caught in her throat a little, as it always did when she saw him. His strong, muscular frame and long hair called to Lucy as he approached her and Cana. Gildarts caught her stare and grinned at her, waving in greeting.
"Mornin' girls! You ready to go?" he asked cheerfully.
Cana grinned back and threw an arm around Lucy's shoulders, "You bet, Pops!"
Gildarts looked questioningly at Lucy, who just smiled and got up to go.
"Well, we better get goin'," Gildarts urged, hoisting his sack higher on his shoulder.
"Good luck you three!" Mira shouted as they made their way out of the guild.
Lucy waved her hand, eyes focused on the expanse of Gildarts's back, both grateful and annoyed that his cape covered the view of his skintight shirt and ass. Cana nudged Lucy with her elbow and smirked knowingly at her and Lucy blushed. This was going to be... interesting, to say the least.
Gildarts really didn't know whether to think he was in heaven or hell. When they had boarded the train, Cana sat him next to Lucy who had fallen asleep quickly, body slumped against his. Her soft hair was caressing his arm, and he was immensely happy she was leaning against his good arm. Her face was peaceful and beautiful when she was sleeping, pretty pink lips opened slightly as her jaw slacked.
"Wow, dad, way to be subtle," Cana teased, rolling her eyes.
Gildarts sighed and looked at Cana who was sitting across from him, "Yeah, I know."
"I've never seen you hung up on a woman before," Cana said, "You seem to really like her."
Gildarts gave Cana a worried look, "So, you're not... mad?"
Cana shook her head, "Nah. I want you two to be happy."
"Do you think I have a chance?" Gildarts asked quietly, eyes falling back to look at Lucy again.
"I'm not tellin'," Cana scoffed, "That's for you to figure out. You're a grown man, have some balls."
Gildarts groaned in defeat and his head fell back against the wall, "Yeah, fine."
Cana sighed, "Look, Pops, I'll tell you one thing. Lucy's eyes are so open, they never hide what she feels, even if she tries. You should pay more attention to them."
Gildarts nodded, that was better than nothing at least.
The rest of the train ride was quiet, Cana and Gildarts played cards as Lucy continued to sleep, her head resting on Gildarts's lap as he used his arms. They chatted, too, about the guild mainly. Gildarts was still adamant about not being guild master, and he was very happy that Laxus's new girlfriend seemed to keep him in line well. He would make a great guild master some day. Levy and Gajeel were off on their anniversary trip, Elfman and Evergreen were public about their relationship now, and Cana confessed that she had been seeing Bickslow. Gildarts had simply nodded and hummed thoughtfully when she told him, mentally creating a list of all the ways to kill a man.
When the train stopped after a couple hours, Gildarts shook Lucy awake, sitting her upright before she realized where she had been sleeping, "C'mon, Lucy, we're here."
The woman scrunched her nose cutely and woke up, eyelashes fluttering as she blinked awake.
"Hey, Gildarts," she mumbled tiredly.
"How you feelin', Sleeping Beauty?" Cana teased.
"Better," Lucy said, and Gildarts was glad to see that the bags under her eyes had dissipated.
"Well, ladies," he said, "Let's get going and meet the client."
Cana and Lucy nodded and followed the man off the train and over to the city hall to meet the mayor. As soon as they walked in, Gildarts felt uneasy about the mayor. He was giving Lucy and Cana not-so-discreet perverted looks and Gildarts had to restrain himself from smashing the man through the ceiling.
"Hello, I'm mayor Ato. You must be the Fairy Tail mages that accepted the request to defeat the monsters in the forest."
"Yes, sir," Lucy said, "I am Lucy, and this is my friend Cana and her father, Gildarts."
The mayor paled, "The Gildarts?"
"Is that a problem?" Lucy questioned, quirking a brow challengingly.
Hot.
The mayor shook his head profusely, "No, of course not! I just wasn't expecting one such as him to be on a mission that wasn't S-Class."
"Well, I'm just here to be with my favorite girls while they kick some ass."
"Yes, well," the mayor gulped, "Thank you for your help. You will each be given 100,000 jewel for your efforts when you successfully get rid of the monsters that have been terrorizing my town."
Cana slung an arm over Lucy's shoulders, "You ready to kick some ass?"
"You bet!"