Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.
Author's Note: This chapter deals with some serious issues/topics. Hence, this story is rated mature; if you do not like that, I politely ask you to turn around and leave now because I don't see the point in wasting your time and mine.
Lucy sipped her tea as her eyes flicked from Gray to Juvia to Silver. The three of them looked a bit uncomfortable sitting next to each other. Though no words were spoken, Lucy could still tell a lot by their body language alone.
Juvia was into Gray, who didn't reciprocate the feeling. He physically leaned away from Juvia while constantly glancing at herself(Lucy). Silver was barely concealing his dislike as he glared openly at Juvia from the corner of his eye.
Lucy was sure there was a hell of a story there. Yet she felt no inclination to be pulled into their drama.
Setting her cup on the coast in front of her, Lucy cleared her throat.
"So, Silver and Gray, you can start if you'd like. Or we can reschedule," she said politely. "I can talk with Juvia."
Either way, she felt giving them an out was the best option.
The frown that appeared in unison on all threes faces had Lucy fighting not to roll her eyes and laugh.
"No, Gray and I will start opening up the attic stairs," Silver said. He stood quickly.
The dark look he shot Gray, who had begun to open his mouth to speak, had Gray grunting.
"Thank you, Silver," Lucy said, flashing him a smile to show her gratitude.
The silence that was broken by the two men's footsteps going upstairs fell in the living room. Lucy just observed Juvia, who watched Gray until he was out of sight.
The soft sigh of longing that escaped her lips had Lucy's heart aching for her friend. She knew about unrequited love—horrible relationships. And wanting to be loved by someone for who she was.
"Sorry, Lucy. Juvia did not mean to show up unannounced. But the weather was nice, and Juvia wanted to see her friend."
Smiling softly at Juvia, Lucy shook her head and replied, "It's okay. I've missed you too, Juvia."
The sound of an electric saw accompanied the dazzling smile she received. It caused Lucy to chuckle as Juvia glanced toward the second floor.
"So, you're going to open the attic back up?" Juvia asked, her dark blue eyes shining brightly, showing her happiness.
It struck Lucy as odd at how happy Juvia was by her choice. Yet, Juvia was eccentric, to begin with. And again, Lucy did not want to discuss those dreams (nightmares).
"Well, either way, Juvia's sure Lucy will have a lot to keep busy with up there," Juvia said.
Lucy found Juvia's words to come off as if she knew something but wasn't going to say more about the 'secret' she knew.
"Probably. I mean decades of dust to clean!" Lucy quipped, putting a look of horror on her face.
At her antics, Juvia burst out laughing. Though Lucy could tell, it didn't reach her eyes.
000000
Once more, he opened his eyes. The cold, dark depths of his prison seemed a bit lighter. His mind recalled his fiancee's new self had wanted to open the attic.
That thought brought him both comfort and pain. So much had happened to them then and now. The truth would be uncovered, and everything would culminate toward the end.
A deep chuckle resounded all around him before a deep, magnetic voice spoke, "Soon, I'll get what was promised to me."
Fear, overwhelming fear, had him opening his mouth. But no sound escaped as he began to reverently wish Lucinda(Lucy) would leave the town again.
TBC!