A/N: *boop*
I've taken the liberty of adding a side ship ;) hehe. It gets.. hawt.
Ever since she had escaped the confounds of her prison, and embraced the freedom the moment she stepped into the fresh air, Lucy knew she would never get to visit her mother again. She felt impossibly alone as she lived through the days, trying to forget the past. She tried so hard to accept the reality, to accept the fact that she won't be able to visit her mother. She really did tried.
But now, after all of these years, she was finally able to visit her mother without fear.
When she held the piece of paper in her hands that revealed the location, she had hope. And the only thing she wanted to do was just visit her mother again. As her so called father walked away, Lucy quickly carried herself to the location of the grave. It wasn't long till she arrived at which the statue stood proudly and still.
The statue was in its pristine condition, making Lucy relieved.
She fell to the ground and just sat there, already feeling the cold warmth of her mother's spirit. But she still felt lonely. Her mother was still gone. But...the silence was comforting to say the least. It was just her and the statue in front of her. A silent reconciliation between the ghost of the statue and a young girl.
She missed her. Her silent smiles, and her gentle touches. Lucy was almost tempted to talk to the statue about the things she had been through. Like a closure, though it would be one-sided. Even then, there wasn't anything worth mentioning. Other than Fairy Tail. And...
She really felt confused at this point. What's more to life than just eating and sleeping? What's more to than just surviving, only to just suffer another day of deadly reminders from her past? Lucy already had figured out her answer. In fact, it had been right under her nose for the longest time. So painfully clear and so dangerously close.
It was as if this statue had finally opened her eyes, prying them open to the unseen forces that had always been there. How could Lucy been so blind? And stupid? A selfish childish girl she was.
Emotions of all levels started crashing. And tears broke through, falling down the blonde's cheeks. She missed her mother. She hated her father with a passion. She felt so awkward with her friends. And she had been so mean to them. Especially Erza. Tears came down harder, and Lucy couldn't contain her sniffles. What had she done?
She then heard faint noises of armor clanking against each other behind her. It wasn't hard to figure that it was Erza. The noises stopped however, and she knew that she was just standing there. Contemplating perhaps?
... Lucy's mind then went to Erza. Thinking about the sacrifices the older girl has done for her. And she silently wondered why she would sacrifice so much of her time making sure she was safe. Even when Lucy was so hostile toward the redhead, she didn't leave. She kept trying to find a reason for a few moments, until she had a faint idea. Her conservation with Mira has given her some clues.
At her moment of silent clarity, Lucy understood. She was alive. Her tears were real. Her faint aching pain in her arms was real. She was real. Erza and the others were real. This statue in front of her were real. Even her wretched father were real.
"Erza?" Lucy suddenly called out, her voice a little croaked from crying. She needed to apologize.
Erza visibly tensed at her name suddenly being called, but responded nonetheless. "Yes Lucy?"
"Can you sit with me?"
Erza couldn't help but tense even more, an awkward smile forming on her lips. She anxiously forced her legs to move and sat next to the young blonde. She couldn't say no when she had asked that.
Feeling a presence right next to her, Lucy somehow felt safer compared to when she was just sitting alone. She couldn't quite understand why. But she had a slight faint idea. Subconsciously, the blonde leaned against the redhead. The redhead tensed a little at the touch, wasn't prepared for such contact, especially front the blonde. But she didn't mind it. Not one bit. In fact she loved it. A small smile was formed on her lips.
After a moment, Lucy needed to say it. "I'm sorry."
Erza's smile morphed into a confusing look as she turned to the blonde. "For what?"
"For being so mean to you."
Erza honestly could not recall any moments of her being hostile toward her. But she could tell it was bugging Lucy for such implications. "No hard feelings Lucy."
"I said some mean things."
"Yes... But I know you were going through some things. It's okay Lucy. It doesn't make you any less of a friend."
"Even so... I'm sorry."
"You're a wonderful person Lucy. A smart, strong, dependent, and strong-willed mage that had I've met. And your beauty doesn't rival against anyone. And you have an amazing family that supports you back at the guild. We'll always be with you and on your side."
"T-Thank you..."
...
[Earlier in the day]
In another existing scenery stood a certain barmaid and a drunken mage in the guild. Both of these particular girls had a certain mindset that agreed on most things. And they all resolved on the yet blossomed romantics of a certain redhead and blonde. Granted, they didn't expect Erza to develop such feelings. But Mira and Cana immediately shipped the two girls, seeing how smitten Erza was being, and teased the poor redhead while the blonde remained oblivious to such antics.
Whenever Cana got drunk senseless, Mira had learned from the hard way that the brunette does not know how to shut her mouth.
"What you think Erza is doing? All alone. With the blondie. Think that they're-" Cana began asking while drunk to the max (as usual). But was interrupted by a barmaid.
"Cana. It is rude to talk like that." Mira said, as she could sense that the brunette was getting a little sexual with the conservation. Even though she is interested in what's happening behind the door, it's their privacy.
"Come on Mirajaney. Don't tell me you aren't interested in whether they're doing something sinful." She added with a seductive like wink and wriggly eyebrows.
"All they need is a little nudge in the right direction." Mira smirked in a friendly fashion while cleaning the cups.
"Oh? Got something in mind?"
"Hmm. You could say that." Mira's smirk widened.
"You know, it never occurred to me before. But when you get all matchmaking mode, it creeps me out a lot. But that turns me on so much." Cana grinned and bent over the bar, to get a little closer to the barmaid as she said each word.
"Oh my, is that so?" The girl wasn't fazed by the reducing distance between her and the drunken mage.
"I got an idea. An win-win for the both of us!"
"Care to let me in on your plans?"
"Naw, I'll keep ya in dark hehe." Cana smirked and went back to her seat to gulp down another shot of her sinful drink. "Now, for my plan to work... I need you to help me."
"What help do you need?"
"It's very simple. Just go on a date with me."
"A date?"
Cana leaned toward the table. "You know, kiss kiss, grope grope. Get naked here and there."
Mira only sweatdropped at Cana's description of a simple date. But it amused her so, so she decided to go along with it. "With that wonderful description of that date you just described, how can I say no to that?"
"Perfect! Now. Go home and get dressed for something nice and frilly. Something that screams 'I want to get fucked'. Got it?"
"A simple dress should be more than enough though."
Cana pouted, seeing that Mira won't dress as 'wanting to get fucked'. "Fine fine. Now shoo."
"I'm still working though." Mira frowned as she looked at the sink, seemingly to be a never ending display of dirty plates and cups.
"Ah! Lemme help ya then." Cana grinned, wanting to do her plan as soon as possible, plus go on a date with a hot barmaid.
"You're going to help? Thank you Cana." An oblivious girl as always.
"Now listen here. Now since we'll be dating, I'm giving you a nickname of devil in the sheets. Now you need to give me one." Cana said, as if something clicked, struck with realization.
"H-Huh. That's a long nickname isn't it? And since when did we start dating?" Mira frowned, not remembering about agreeing to that.
"It's sexy tho hehe. And don't worry about the details babe."
Mira sighed at that. "Let just get this dishes done."
"Right! Devil in the sheets! Stand back and relax!"
She hesitantly sat in a chair.
Cana turned to the huge pile of dishes and grabbed a black trash bag and literally threw them all in the bag. One after another. Glass by glass. And Mira was so shocked by this she couldn't even say anything to stop her. After the last cup was in the bag, she shoved in the nearest trash bag, and turned to the barmaid with a smirk. As if she had really accomplished something great. "Done! Now lets get ready for our date!"
Mira stood and glared at the girl with a smile. A deadly smile. "I appreciate your help. But you will be paying for them right?"
"Of course! Just get your butt to your place and wear something sexy!" The brunette was unaware of the deadly glare she was receiving, she was just too excited for what's to come.
Mira only sighed. But it couldn't hurt to follow through with her plan right? What's the worst that can happen?
One hour later, Mira was at her place, already having her more-than-usual sexy dresses and was about to do her hair. But her door knocked loudly, and was opened without any further ado.
"Devil in the sheets! I am here to collect your soul for our glorious date!" Cana smirked, wearing her usual get up.
"Cana, I expected you to wear som-"
"I told you to find a suitable nickname for me!"
"You're still drunk aren't you? About a drunk?"
"Someone else claimed that already choose something else."
"Annoying drunk?"
"Taken. Try another."
"Shitfaced fancypants?"
"Eh don't like it. Choose another."
"Would you rather argue about nicknames or do you want to go out?" Mira crossed her arms, seeing that the drunk mage is quite picky about her nickname.
"Hmm?" Cana looked at her imaginary watch and contemplated something. "Should be the time."
"..."
"Alright fine. I'll let you off the hook for now. Now, I must say, you look very smashing."
As much as annoying Cana can be, Mira couldn't help but enjoy it.
"Let's go before it's too late!"
"Late for what?"
"You'll see!"
...
It was getting late out, and Cana had no fucking clue on where the blonde was. She may or may not had stalked the blonde when she realized that Lucy had been sneaking out at night. Lucy seemed to like this one particular spot, under a massive beautiful tree. Cana had also managed to spot a certain redhead stalking the blonde as well. Oh ho. Cana had been feeling so devishly itching to do a prank on them.
But it still doesn't change the fact that she can't find either of the damned girls. Did something happened?
Mira, on the other hand, only looked around, wondering why she was under this particular tree. Cana had still not yet told her of her plans. So she was left in the dark still. "Was something supposed to happen here?"
"Lucy should've been here. And Erza should've been stalking in the shadows like a hawk."
Mira sighed, not particular surprised that Cana stalked Lucy. "Maybe they're sleeping at the moment, considering how late it is."
"No, that's not it." Cana frowned before taking out one of her cards. "I'll just use my magic to track them."
"You can do that?"
"It's something I've practiced for a while. I was worried all that practice would've be wasted." The brunette grinned before unleashing her mystic powers onto the card. Moments later, a small map appeared on the card. And it revealed exactly what Cana wanted to see. "I knew it. They're out here."
"That's impressive." Mira commented, looking at the mystic card with a detailed map, dotted with lines that seems to lined exactly like the streets of Magnolia.
"Let's go."
The two young troublemakers followed the map that Cana had conjured, and it didn't take them long to end up in the cemetery. But they were treated with a nice sight of Lucy and Erza sitting side by side in front of a new beautiful statue. As a bonus, they were even cuddling. Cana and Mira thought it was so adorable.
Mira couldn't even in her excitement when she saw the cuteness in front of her. She literally squealed and skipped ahead toward the two oblivious lovebirds. "What's my two favorite girls doing?"
Lucy jumped away from Erza in shock from the sudden voice and turned to see who it was. Erza merely turned around in annoyance. She was enjoying the snuggly moment with the blonde. Now that moment was destroyed by a drunk bitch and a creepy barmaid. How dare they interrupt them! Couple of insensitive arrogant bastards! Tch.
"Ya'll are making out yet? 'Bout time man. Otherwise I would've stole your girlfriend Erza. Hehe." Cana joked.
"She's not-... Just what do you want Cana?" Erza did a terrible job at hiding her massive blush that was painted on her cheeks. And the two girls were determined to make Erza more embarrassed.
"Since you're here, I guess we can do a double date." Cana grinned, wrapping her arm around Mira's waist.
"A double date?" Lucy asked, feeling a bit confused.
"It's late out. Doubt there's any store open at this hour."
"You forget who you're talking to?" Cana frowned, then made a evil grin. "I practically own this town. I know all of the stores and restaurants, especially their hours. There's couple of stores that are still open. It's the perfect restaurant for a double date"
"How about you two just go and f**k each other elsewhere." Erza muttered with annoyance.
"Now now." Cana wrapped her arm around Erza's shoulders. "It'll just be a simple date. But of course, there'll definitely be some smooching." She gave Erza a knowing look with a grin.
Lucy watched Cana and Erza bicker while Mira closed in on her. "What you two cuties doing out here in the cemetery?"
"Ah... uh you know..." Lucy didn't know what to really say. All of this felt really personal that only Erza seems to know. Knowing how talkative Mira could be, she hesitated on telling her about it.
"Are things going well?"
"I guess. Why are you guys out here?"
"I honestly don't know."
"Really?"
"But it's clear to see that you two were having a moment." Mira smirked and nudged the blonde knowingly.
Lucy's response to her words was a small tint of blush on her cheeks. "It's wasn't like that."
Mira smirked wider and wrapped her arm around the blonde and guided her to the two bickering girls.
"-grope here and pinch there-"
"What the hell are you talking about!?"
"And bring her in for a big-"
"Cana, seriously stop."
"What? Shyness doesn't suit ya Erza."
"That has nothing to do with it you drunk bish."
"Now now." Mira joined in, stopping any further arguments. While it was amusing for Cana and Erza o to be in a fight, she rather it not take place in a dark cemetery in the middle of the night. "Since we're all here, it wouldn't hurt to visit a restaurant."
The barmaid finished her sentence with a smirk that was directed toward the redhead. Erza herself suddenly realized what their plan was. She was about to decline the offer and head to bed with Lucy, but the blonde was hungry and thought it would be a good idea to go.
Erza clearly remembers that she has food at her place, but Lucy seems to be addicted to the idea of spending some time at some shady restaurant with the devils. That or she just wanted out of the house. Nonetheless, she ain't letting the blonde go alone. So she reluctantly tagged along.
Here they are, in a surprisingly clean restaurant called the Dancing Dragon. Erza hated to agree that it was nice. But the moment that Mira had mention 'cake', she was more than willing to stay longer than intended.
Cana and Mira sat on one side of the booth, while making Erza and Lucy sit on the other side.
Lucy, on the other had, could legit feel the intimidating aura from the redhead, glaring murderously at the two pairs in front of them. Weirdly enough, they were smirking, unfazed by Erza's action. She figured that these two girls had a plan... and it involved the redhead.
Then Erza spoke for the first time since arriving at the place. "Since Cana had so kindly invited us to this place, it's safe to assume that you'll pay for the bill?"
Cana visibly froze, haven't thought of it that far. Then she quickly improvised and wrapped her arm around the barmaid. "Mira offered actually. She's a kind girlfriend isn't she?"
"Excuse me?" Mira wasn't consulted with this. Not in the slightest. The silver-haired mage turned to the drunken mage and gave her the famous intimidating smile that she was so famous for.
Lucy sat quietly as Cana whispered something in Mira's ear. After a couple of nod from the old girl, she pulled back, wearing her gentle smile of reassurance.
Then a waitress came and began taking our orders of drinks and food. After she left, the four girls was left in a awkward silence. Well... Cana seems to be having fun, getting a little too close to the barmaid. Mira didn't mind the lack of personal space.
Lucy was just to curious to not ask the $1 million question. "So how did you guys get together?"
"Simple, I wore a tuxedo with horrible makeup, stole roses from people's gardens and stormed Mira's place while she was still sleeping, and confessed my undying love for her." Cana said, grinning, while Mira faked a smile (before you get any ideas, its her evil masterplan grin).
"You were drunk, weren't you." Erza deadpanned at the pair in front of them. They were definitely a pair of oddballs.
"I'm always drunk, you gay lesbian."
Mira snickered at that, and Lucy couldn't help but smile and giggle at that. Erza blushed and turned to the side, crossing her arm to her chest. She was smart enough to not destroy a building over something so trivial. "I-I'm not!"
...
The four girls ended up staying at that restaurant for almost three hours. Cana and Mira ended up teasing Erza ruthlessly, and Lucy couldn't help but enjoy it. But Erza loosened up and went along with it (for the sake of her blonde crush ofc). They all have fun in the end.
The girls walked in the dark quiet street, and made their way to Fairy Hill. They walked in pairs, and Cana and Mira walked ahead, with Lucy and Erza lagging behind.
Cana smirked at Mira, signaling that their plan starts now. Mira grinned back.
The celestial mage and the knight mage walked awkwardly, choosing to watch the girls in front of them.
From their perspective, Cana got all handsy with Mira and kissed her neck. Mira responded by slapping her butt, resulting in a loud 'smack'. Cana frowned and spanked her back. Then they started muttering 'I love you' and other stuff. (you get the idea)
It was to the point that Lucy and Erza started feeling uncomfortable with these two. The redhead leaned into the blonde's ear and whispered. "Let's ditch them and go to your apartment?"
Lucy perked up. "Please." She hadn't been back to her apartment and she wants to be back in the familiar room that she grew accustomed to.
Erza grabbed Lucy's hands and quietly and carefully guided her into the alleyway.
Meanwhile, Cana sneaked a peek to see the reactions of the girls, only to see that they are nowhere to be found. She pulled away from a slightly horny barmaid. "Where are they?"
Mira frowned when the kissing stopped, almost sexually frustrated. "Why are you concerned?"
"I need Lucy and Erza together damn it! Lets go and find them!"
Mira grabbed the girl's arm, preventing her from running ahead. "Not tonight."
"Eh?" Cana turned to Mira, who had an unreadable expression that she never saw before.
"Finish what you started." Mira leaned in with a smirk.
Cana silently gulped, silently cheering at the fact that she might have something special with the barmaid. But the look the girl was giving her... It'll be a long night, an enjoyable long night.
...
She was finally back in her apartment, and everything was just the way to was before... Lucy leaped into her bed and snuggled against her comforter. It really is good to be back in her own bed. Though Erza's bed was a lot more softer.
Erza smiled at the sight, and couldn't help but think how adorable the blonde was being.
Now... where can she sleep? She made movement to the couch, but then Lucy called out.
"You can sleep with me."
Erza's heart almost leapt out of her chest. Heart beating fast, she turned her head to the blonde, looking for any signs that she was being serious. And she was. Erza would be damned if she doesn't take an offer to sleep with her blonde crush.
Hesitantly and shyly, Erza slipped under with the blonde, and Lucy immediately cuddled with her. The redhead could feel her how fast her heart was beating, and all she can feel is the warmth of the blonde. It felt so amazing.
She noted how cuddly Lucy was. Perhaps it was because of what happened while they were at the cemetery? But she isn't complaining.
"Good night Lucy." Erza muttered with a massive blush, and held the blonde protectively in her arms.
"Night Erza."
Soon they were both fast asleep, basked in the warmth of the body that they cuddled against. Sweet dreams and hope followed them into their deep slumber, and a smile could be found on both of the girls.
A/N: The second half was a lot harder for me to write. But I've managed ;p
If you know where I got the name 'Dancing Dragon' from, I'll give you a cookie :P