DISCLAIMER: Fairy Tail is owned by Hiro Mashima

Chapter 9:

Axel was talking about something and I did listen, but then I found myself tuning him out, and only catching his last words. So now I was feeling like an idiot just looking at him and letting out an awkward laugh, nodding as if I fully understood him.

We were on our way to this small gallery that I found here in Magnolia. Not a lot of people go there since not really many people knew that it even exists.

"Are you feeling alright?" Axel asked. "I could tell that you're bothered with something."

So, he's also perceptive. I gave him a small smile. "I'm fine, Axel. And you're right, I am a little bit bothered about something. But I don't want to let that ruin our tour. So, I'm sorry if I'm being such a lousy companion."

This was supposed to be a great day. I already planned everything that was supposed to happen. And I literally threw all my plans out the window the moment my friends made me realized how stupid it was. For a moment I forgot about the necklace. I only thought about taking Axel around Magnolia and having fun. For a moment everything felt normal for me.

"On the contrary, I think you're a great companion." He smiled warmly. "Don't feel bad, Lucy. I am enjoying my time with you, more than you think."

I felt lighter and relieved. Axel was a great companion too. We never seem to run out of topics to talk about and that was because Axel was very knowledgeable about a lot of things. And it was refreshing to talk to him about certain topics and voicing out our own opinions and ideas.

I was thankful that the gallery was almost empty when Axel and I arrived. We checked out a few exhibits, admired the paintings, and when a few people started to arrive, I dragged him out of there right away. That was our routine. I would show him around a new location, and would manage to get out before we catch too much attention. I had a difficult time choosing where we could have our lunch, but I remembered a small café near the gallery that I usually go to whenever I wanted to enjoy and read a new book. I insisted on sitting near the back and away from the entrance or any window. I knew Axel was starting to get confused but he still followed me without saying anything.

"So you've been to a lot of places already?" I asked. We were digging into our food now, so I decided to loosen up a bit and get to know him.

He let out a small smile. "My father owns a few ships so we usually go with him on his trips."

"I wish I could travel like that."

"If you want, I can take you," Axel offered which made me turn to him, surprised with the seriousness on his face. "There are a lot of things to see, delicious cuisines to eat, and more experiences to enjoy. And I know you will enjoy it, Lucy."

I smiled at the eagerness in his voice. "Yeah, I think I will enjoy that too."

It had always been a dream of mine to travel. I always thought that if I wasn't a wizard, I would be a travel writer. Always visiting a new place and meeting new people. I would write about my experiences and compile all of them in a book. I would enjoy that kind of life. And the normalcy of it all seemed…nice.

It all sounded great in my head, but I knew that no matter how many places I see and how many sights would take my breath away. I would always feel something missing.

I turned to Axel. "But I would enjoy it more if I had my friends with me."

His eyes widened, before he smiled. "I understand. Moments are more fulfilling and memorable when you share it with the people that are precious to you."

My lips stretched into a wide smile. "Exactly."

We talked more about the places he visited until we finished our food. He insisted on paying for it as a thank you for accompanying him today.

"So, where are we going next?" Axel asked as we were about to go out of the café.

"I heard about this new-

"Excuse me, miss?"

I turned around and saw a teenage girl looking at me with a smile on her face. Her pink hair was styled in a braid and her blue eyes were looking up at me curiously.

"You're a Fairy Tail wizard, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, can I help you with anything?"

She clapped her hands together, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "This is really amazing. I've always wanted to join Fairy Tail, but I'm not sure if they'll take anyone like me. I mean, I know my magic is weak and I don't really have anything spectacular to show. But I will work hard and become stronger." She stopped and offered a shy smile. "I'm sorry for my ranting. I'm Mei."

"It's nice to meet you, my name's Lucy. And you don't have to worry, Fairy Tail is a place for all wizards. I'm sure we'll be lucky to have you as a part of our guild."

"You're so nice, Lucy." I could feel my face flushing after hearing her say that. "Anyway, I'm new in town and I've been walking around for hours now trying to find the guild. I believe it was fate that had brought me here and created a chance for us to meet. So, can you please help me get to the guild?"

I suppressed an urge to laugh. This girl reminded me so much of myself when I first started out as a wizard and eager to join a guild, especially Fairy Tail. I turned to Axel, only to find him already nodding.

"It would be no problem at all."

So that was how I found myself walking back to the guild, hiding behind my companions whenever we passed by a crowded part of the street. They were both looking at me funny everytime I would do that, yet they didn't comment on it as we continued on our way. We were halfway through the guild when Mei stopped.

"It was right here. All this time the guild was practically a 15 minute walk from where I'm staying," she cried. "Why am I so stupid?"

I patted her head. "It's fine. I mean, look at it this way. If you hadn't walked around and ended up in that café, you would have never met me and I would've never gained a new friend."

She finally calmed down. "You really are nice, Lucy. Thank you for that." She grinned at me. "So you believe in fate then?"

I could feel Axel and Mei's curious gazes on me that I started feeling conscious. "Well, I guess-

I felt my knees unbuckling beneath me as I doubled-over. There was a scorching heat on my neck and it was travelling all over my body. I gritted my teeth, enduring the fire that was consuming me. I could hear a roaring in my ears, drowning out the voices of my worried companions. I began to take deep breaths. Clenching and unclenching my fists as I steady my racing heart.

"Lucy, hang in there," I hear Axel say. He pulled me up and carried me in his arms. I was still too weak to refuse him, so I just closed my eyes.

I felt softness beneath me and when I opened my eyes, I was lying down on a bed. Axel was beside me, wiping the sweat on my forehead. "Hey."

He let out a breath of relief. "Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"

"You're doing fine right now," I answered, giving him a small smile. "I'm sorry for ruining our tour."

"You should really worry about yourself more." He wiped my brow again. "You caught us by surprise. Mei was frantic and I didn't know what was happening. Anyway, we decided to bring you to Mei's apartment so you could rest for a while. It was a lot closer than the guild."

"Thank you." I looked around. "Where's Mei?"

"She said she's going to the guild to get your friends," Axel answered.

I sat upright, my pulse suddenly racing with nervousness. "No, she can't tell them about what happened."

Axel drew his eyebrows together. "Lucy, they're your friends. They should know about what happened to you. I'm sure they're worried."

"That's exactly why I don't want to tell them," I explained. "I don't want them to worry about me." Then it dawned on me. "Oh no, I'm sure I would never hear the end of this once that over-protective ice mage gets wind of what happened."

"Ice mage?"

I turned to Axel. "Yeah, Gray. You met him at the train station when you first met me."

"Oh, so that was Gray. He's really protective of you, isn't he?"

"He is protective towards the people he cares about," I stated. "On the outside he may look cold, but he's actually a really nice person. He teases me a lot, but I find it more fun if he's around. You remind me of him, to be honest."

"How so?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "I guess because I feel comfortable when I'm around you."

Axel nodded. "So you feel comfortable when you're with Gray?"

I laughed softly. "Most of the time, yes. But these days, I don't even know what's happening anymore. There would be moments when I would feel a tension between the two of us but then it would instantly vanish, as if it never occurred. And I know I shouldn't be bothered, but it's confusing me."

"Does Gray know that you feel this way?"

"No, and I don't plan on telling him." I don't know why but my cheeks started to feel hot. "And I'm pretty sure he would only make fun of me and won't even care about it."

Axel chuckled. "Alright, that's what you think."

What does he mean by that exactly? But I ignored that thought, shifting our conversation. "I apologize again for-

I stiffened when he reached for my hand. "Didn't I tell you to worry about yourself more?"

"I'm sorry," I repeated as my heart started to pound. "If you want, we can do this again. I mean, if you ever plan to go back and visit Magnolia."

"You want to tour me around again?"

I nodded. "There are still a lot of places we can go and I promise that there won't be another incident like this one happening. It would be a proper date."

His eyes lit up. "So then, this was a date?"

My face turned into a bright shade of red, suddenly losing the ability to voice out my thoughts. Axel was smiling, his eyes glowing with mirth. I felt the warmth of his hand, still holding mine. I could practically hear my heart pounding the moment he gave my hand a soft squeeze. He moved closer that when I looked at his eyes, I could see a tint of gold, mixed within his brown irises.

"Alright, let's go on a proper date next time," he said. "And no more surprises like fainting in the middle of the street. I admit it was thrilling to play hero and save you, but it wasn't fun to worry."

I laughed, letting myself relax. "I get it. And I'm sorry if I couldn't tell you why this is happening to me. Even I don't know why."

"I know and I understand." His gaze was warm and it was directed at me. "I'm just relieved that you're feeling alright now. That's all that matters."

He's really kind, I thought. Axel was the epitome of the perfect guy. He was attractive, kind and intelligent. He always sounds so sincere and genuine in everything that he says. I was truly grateful that he took care of me after that incident and didn't freak out and ran.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

I didn't answer as I leaned closer to him and wrapped my arms around his body. I felt him relaxing so I let out a breath of relief.

"Thank you," I whispered.

He nodded. "I'm just glad you're alright."

"Lucy, are you-

I pulled away from Axel away and turned to the door, facing the person whom I dreaded seeing right now. His mouth was slightly opened as his wide eyes looked back and forth between me and Axel. I could feel the tension rising as no one was still saying anything.

"I'm alright," I finally said. "I'm alright, Gray."

But he wasn't listening to me. He wasn't even looking at me anymore. His gaze was solely focused on one thing. He was looking at my hand, which was still intertwined with Axel's.

...

Happy New Year everyone! I didn't get to update because I was quite busy for the holidays, I always make sure to dedicate my time to family.

Anyway, I hope you got to spend your holidays with your family. Let's look forward to a (hopefully!) fruitful new year!