"I think this will be a good spot to set up camp," Gray announced when they entered the clearing.
The others looked around, taking in the scenery. It was a small clearing, bracelets by tall trees. The clearing had soft grass with some place eroded, leaving it exposed. The dimming sun had stained the sky bright pinks and orange, casting an ethereal glow into the clearing and making the leaves glow with a soft orange light. "We can use the exposed parts to have a fire pit," Lucy added, making everyone look at her in surprise.
"What? What do you think I did before I bumped into Natsu and Happy? I had to avoid towns otherwise my dad would find me,: Lucy said, shrugging despite the small sting the word dad left.
Natsu and Gray just nodded, neither wanting to push her when they saw the wistful expression cross her face. Loke had vanished into the spirit world a few hours ago, claiming he had things to do. Before he vanished however, he gave Natsu and Gray a stern look, ensuring they knew they had to protect her while he was gone. Natsu didn't even notice but Gray just rolled his eyes at his friend's over protectiveness, before giving him an imperceptible nod so he knew he would.
Lucy went straight to a boulder that stuck out of the earth near the far end of the clearing, perching on it. She pulled off her hiking shoe, internally thanking past her for forgoing the heels. She began to rub her foot, massaging out the ache. The boys decided to go get some firewood to build a fire, leaving her to her thoughts.
She had loved having Cancer out, he was a lot of fun to speak too. She didn't realise that he styles all the other Spirits, which was what he did when he wasn't able to be with her. It didn't surprise her really, he always did a fantastic job with her own hair, so it made sense others would go to him as well. The only downer was that she wasn't able to keep her out with her forever, about 25 minutes Loke estimated. He said it was good, her original time was about 25 minutes. She was glad she improved, and after spending some of the day with Cancer made her more determined than ever to improve even further so she could extend her time with them.
"Hurry up Flame Brain, I wanna get the fire going," she heard Gray snap as the who returned laden with firewood.
"What do you mean you want to get it going Ice Stripper? I'm the one who will be setting the fire up!" Natsu hissed back, his temper raring under Gray's prodding.
"Oh yea? Well since you are being so difficult you can get the water ash-for-brains," Gray snapped back, dumping the logs so he could turn and glare at Natsu.
"You want to fight, you stupid popsicle? Careful or I'll melt you!" Natsu yelled back, dropping the firewood and pressing his forehead against Gray's, electricity sparking between both of them.
"I'd like to see you try!" Gray snarled, pressing against the other guy as he ground his teeth.
"Stop fighting you idiots! Natsu, get the fire going. I'll call Virgo to bring us our stuff and Gray can make some ice in one of the pots which we can melt over the fire." Lucy instructed, glaring at the boys, visibly daring them to object.
"Fine," Natsu pouted, his glare losing some of its heat.
"Sounds good Lucy," Gray said, cooling his anger and giving the girl a small smile.
Lucy smiled before returning her feet to her hiking boots. She deftly tied the laces before pulling out Virgo's key. Quickly doing her chant, the familiar doorbell rang through the air and Virgo appeared in a shower of stardust, holding all their luggage.
"How can you carry all of that?" Gray asked, his eyebrows bugging out slightly.
"A maid always does what she can to please her princess, where would you like me to place them and would you like me to set up the tents, princess?" Virgo replied to Gray before turning to look at Lucy.
"That would be great Virgo, thanks. Do you have a pot in there as well that we could use" Lucy asked, smiling kindly as Virgo discarded the luggage and began emptying the bags.
She didn't reply, just pulled out a metallic pot and handed it to Lucy. "Will this work princess?" she asked, and Lucy quickly nodded, thanking her spirit before walking over to Gray.
"Here you go, just fill it as much as you think we need," she said, smiling at him.
Gray nodded, before getting into the familiar stance. "Ice-Make: Cubes!" he called, coming developed in an icy aura as cubes of ice began to fall into the pot, landing with a tinkling side.
It didn't matter how many times she saw him using his magic, it always enthralled her. From the very first moment on the train she had found it beautiful; completely agreeing with Erza on the fact. If was being honest with herself as well, she had to admit that surrounded by the light of his magic he looked attractive, and privately in her own mind had to admit that she could see why Juvia was attracted to him, though she did think she went a little too overboard with her admiration. She smiled sheepishly when she noticed Gray caught her staring, though luckily for her he just smiled and raised an eyebrow curiously, but thankfully dropping it when she shook her head and returned to the area Virgo had set up.
"Err, Virgo?" Lucy asked, her voice cracking when she noticed what the Spirit had done.
Sure, she had done as she requested and set up the sleeping area, though she wasn't expecting just one tent. Her question made the guys look over from where they were hunching over the fire, watching the ice melt presumably. They walked over after placing the meta; pot on a bare patch of dirt. They stopped, flanking her on each side, watching curiously to see what was going on.
"Yes princess, do you not like your arrangements?" she asked, poking her head out of the sparkly black tent, courtesy of the celestial world.
"Um the tent is great Virgo but I was expecting… maybe three tents?" Lucy said, fighting back the flush on her cheeks.
"This tent has sufficient room for all of you and being in close proximity will eliminate any risk of danger that being in the forest may pose. Besides, I hear cuddling is something humans enjoy doing, which this will give you an excuse to do." she said., making Lucy's face resemble a tomato more than anything, "If you are not impressed, may I suggest a punishment?" she finished off her explanation with her typical question, making all three sweat drop.
"Um, no, no punishment Virgo," Lucy said, moving her hands in front of her in a no gesture. She sighed before turning to face both boys, trying to ensure she didn't flush. "You guys okay with sharing a tent?" she asked, averting her eyes.
She didn't get why she felt uncomfortable, but she just did. It would be the first time she shared any sleeping quarters with them without Erza, well, except for when Natsu snuck in. It just felt weirdly intimate despite there being zero reason for that. Though, If Virgo hadn't added that stupid cuddling comment she assumed it would have been fine and the awkwardness would have disappeared easily. It seemed Gray realised the precarious situation as he has a light blush dusting his cheeks, like a light layer of snow. It calmed her to know that he could understand the situation as well, because she knew that Natsu would not understand any undertones or awkwardness that lingered due to the cuddling comment.
"Um, I can sleep outside, if you'd prefer Lucy?" He said, clearing his throat at the end of the sentence and staring at his feet as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.
"Nah guys no need for that. I may not wanna share with the Ice-prick but that tent looks super comfy. No need to make it weird you weirdos," Natsu added, giving them both a weird look.
"Yes Lushy, no need to make it weird." happy teased, making kissy faces at the end of his comment that made her blush deepen.
"I think I have dinner sorted, we'll just cook Happy," Lucy grumbled, making Natsu yell indignantly and Gray smirk at the thought.
"Natsu!" Happy yelled, flying into his chest. "She wants to eat me!" he yelled, shaking and sobbing at the thought of being eaten by the weird blonde girl.
"You are not cooking Happy! Don't worry buddy I'll protect you," Natsu assured him, glaring at Lucy suspiciously.
"I dunno Natsu, he looks pretty tasty," Gray added, making Happy shriek and cry all over again.
Just like that the tension dissipated, something that Lucy was extremely grateful the commotion Vurgo had disappeared, leaving them dinner she had cooked before she went. Lucy noticed the thermos and container and skipped over, leaving a bickering Gray and Natsu. She opened the container, seeing a bunch of dumplings and pork buns that immediately made her start salivating. She opened the thermos and almost moaned, the scent of the vegetable soup overwhelming. Looking around, she found the bowls and plates and took them over to the fire, smiling when she noticed Virgo had set up chairs for them. After dishing up, she looked back and saw the boys still embroiled in their play fighting, the sight making her smile fondly.
"You guys coming?" she called making them immediately freeze as if Gray had hit them with an ice spell.
"Food!" Natsu cheered, racing over.
"Yay, and it's not me!" Happy yelled flying over to grab the tinned fish that Virgo had packed as well.
Gray came over at a more leisurely pace, his hands deep in his pockets. When he reached them Lucy passed him a place, and he smiled in thanks. For a while they just chattered in between bites, telling stories and play-fighting until all the food was gone.
"Man, that was so good!" Natsu declared, rubbing his stomach as Happy copied his actions.
"Aye, sir,!: Happy replied sleepily, mimicking his best friends actions.
"Lucy, are you going to call Virgo back to take them back to her world?" Gray asked, just as full as the others.
Lucy sighed, in a food induced daze. "I will, but right now I'm too full to summon," she said, rubbing her flat stomach.
"We can tell Lucy, you look so heavy," Happy said, immediately making Lucy growl and snarl at him, threatening to turn him into a blue scarf.
"Natsu!" He cried, flying to his friend again and making Lucy roll her eyes at his attitude.
"Whatever, I'll call Virgo then I might do a workout," Lucy said, standing up and stretching.
"Why would you bother Luce?" Natsu asked, after finally calming down Happy.
"This is a training journey, I need to start training," She replied primly, pulling out her key and performing her summon in the process.
"I hope you enjoyed your meal, princess. I took the liberty of bringing you some more clothing for your work out," Virgo said, bowing before grabbing the plates and passing the clothes to her.
Not even bothering to ask how she knew she was going to workout, Lucy took the clothes and thanked her. Virgo gave another bow before she vanished in a shower of sparkles. Natsu yawned and snuggled ore into his chair, enjoying the warmth of the fire. Gray glanced at Lucy as she made her way to the tent, before looking back at Natsu. When he was sure Lucy had gone, he began to form his question.
"Natsu, do you think we should go with her?" He asked, growing slightly.
"You can if you want Ice-Stripper, but I'm way too full. Besides, Luce will be fine. She has her whip, spirits and not to mention her Lucy Kick is fierce." he replied, wincing slightly as he remembered being on the receiving end of her strong legs.
After a few moments of thought, Gray realised he was right. She was a big girl and had come so far since her first days at the guild. He didn't need to baby her and she wouldn't want him to. She was here to get stronger and he didn't want to diminish her process just because Loke had gotten into his head. Nodding to himself as if that steeled his decision, he settled back into the chair, grateful he couldn't feel the full force of the flame.
Just as he had shut his eyes he heard the sound of fabric on fabric. He opened his eyes and saw Lucy walking over, her hair in a pair of pigtails and her body clad in a black sports bar and hot pink and black tie dye pants, with small black and white trainers on her feet. She hummed to herself as she came over, a content smile on her face.
"Okay, I'll be back in about an hour and a half, catch you guys later!" she said cheerfully, getting smiles in return.
Without another word she began to jog, letting her powerful muscles push her forward. The boys watched her until she was swallowed by the thicket, leaving the three of them in a companionable silence.
Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. A little bit of Graylu here, though it stemmed mostly from Virgo's comment. I'll try to update again soon, though I need to plan out a bit more of this story. Which spirits do you think Lucy should obtain? I have a few definite's but am always interested to know what others think! Keep in mind she doesn't have Aries, Capricorn, Gemini or Scorpio.
Once again, I hope you enjoyed it and catch you next time!