Bickslow sat there wishing he could get Lucy away from his brother. It really didn't sit right with him that Kaleb had seen into her mind. Heaven knows what was going on in there. The girl's train of thought could give any normal man a headache. Honestly though he wouldn't have her any other way, he loved how her mind worked. She was incredibly smart and could pick up on things most people wouldn't even notice. He would wager that she was smarter than Freed with how much she researched. She often would curl up on her couch next to him with a book or two, looking into ways to increase her magic or help her friends research for a job. He tried to help as best he could, but the woman had a one track mind. He decided to sit on the floor in front of Lucy.
Lucy looked down at Bickslow and smiled "Hey Bixy".
Laying his head back and looking up at her, Bickslow answered, "Yeah Cosplayer?"
"Don't you know that you are suppose to introduce a lady to new people? I mean honestly, were you raised in a barn. I know you were raised better than that. Good for you I already know Kaleb and Farron. Or well I know Farron but not really Kaleb."
Bickslow stared at Lucy and then at his oldest brother "What? I know you ran into Kaleb but how do you know Farron?"
Sighing, Lucy pulled off Bickslow's helmet and pulled his head back into her lap "Well you remember how I was an heiress right? My father tried to get me to marry Farron before I joined Fairy Tail. It's the reason I ran away in the first place."
Bickslow looked at no one but Lucy as she started running her fingers through his hair. Everyone else saw what the two refused to acknowledge. They loved each other but they were both too scared to change what they currently had. Lucy had a hard time trusting anyone since the war with Tartaros. No one really knew what happened to her but she changed drastically. She was less innocent. She stopped wearing revealing clothes, now only pants or shorts. Bickslow on the other hand didn't really change, other than hanging out with Lucy a lot more. The first time his team saw the blonde at Bickslow's house, they assumed that the two got drunk and ended up having sex. It wasn't their fault said girl was in Bicks kitchen, wearing his shirt, and cooking breakfast while he was in the shower.
"I don't know how I feel about you almost marrying two people in this cabin Lucy" Bickslow huffed.
Kissing the man forehead Lucy whispered, "I'll only marry for love and nothing else. You know this." Seeing the man smile she continued, "Plus Freed left to join the guild and Farron wasn't interested in getting married to a silly girl."
"Damn right you wont get married for anything other than love. Plus he'd have to get through all of Fairy Tail and that will take someone special-"
"Or stupid" Laxus laughed.
Giggling Lucy looked out the window to see the train pulling into Magnolia. She really did not want to go back to her team, but she needed to get her bag. At that thought, a doorbell was heard throughout the cabin along with a bright light.
"I've retrieved your bag Princess. Punishment?" Virgo bowed
"Oh thank you Virgo! And no, no punishment." Lucy exclaimed
"Very well. If that is all, I shall go punish big brother for what he did during your mission." Virgo said with a evil gleam in her eyes as she disappeared.
Bickslow laughed, "Oh poor Loke"
"Oh no he deserves whatever she's going to do to him." Lucy said darkly
Before anyone could ask about what happened, the arrival message blared throughout the entire train. As the train came to a stop, everyone gathered their belongings and made for the exit. Bickslow quickly picked up Lucy's bag and reached for her hand.
"Milady" he bowed.
"Oh sir gallant knight, how kind of you!" Lucy gasped
Farron looked at Freed," Are they always like this?"
Freed smiled, "Oh no. This is Bickslow's way to getting Lucy's mind off of her problems."
Giggling Evergreen watched the couple walk away completely oblivious to everyone around them. Honestly a blind man could see the two were perfect for each other. Maybe she needed to have a girls night with Lucy and push her in the right direction. As Evergreen stepped off the train she saw Team Natsu running towards the guild not even caring that Lucy wasn't with them.
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Lucy saw her team and Bickslow's go towards the guild but she had other things to deal with. First off she had to get rid of Bickslow so she could go talk to her land lady. Second she needed to go pack her stuff and see what she needed to sale or give away. Maybe she could give some of her clothes to her land lady as partial payment. The old lady seemed to love most of what she had.
"Hey Bicks do you mind if I stay at your place tonight?" Lucy said suddenly.
Rubbing his neck he sighed "Any other time I wouldn't mind, but Farron and Kaleb are going to be staying there. I just don't have enough room in my small apartment. I'm sorry Cosplayer."
Smiling Lucy replied, "It's fine! I'll just lock my window so Natsu cant get in tonight. I'm tired of ending up on my couch because he doesn't understand boundaries."
"You sure Cosplayer? I'm sure Evergreen wouldn't mind coming to stay the night or you staying at her house. You know the woman enjoys having another girl to talk to."
"Oh no it's fine Bicks. Seriously, I'll just block my window or something," Lucy waved franticly, "Well look go spend time with your brothers. You haven't seen them in awhile. And I'm sure they really miss you!"
Sticking his tongue out in true Bickslow fashion he yelled, "I hate for ya to leave, but I love to watch ya walk away Cosplayer!"
Lucy blushed as she hurried to her apartment. Had she turned to look at the man she left behind, she would've seen a look of sadness and longing. Instead she started chewing on her bottom lip and walking to her home, thinking of all the places she might be able to stay until she got back on her feet. Erza was out of the question, she couldn't even look at the woman right now. She really didn't want to bother Wendy, and she knew Levy and Gajeel didn't have the room in their house. She honestly couldn't think of a place unless she got a room at an inn, but she knew they would require payment in advance.
As Lucy walked into her building, her land lady stepped out of her own apartment scowling.
"Do you have my rent money young lady?" the woman asked dryly
"Well no ma'am, but I can get it if you just give me a few days to go on a solo mission. I promise I can get it plus interest."
"No. I've let you slide by time and time again Ms. Heartfilia, but I cant do that anymore. Everyone else has to pay their rent on time. Didn't you just come back from a mission? Have you already blown the reward money?"
Lucy started to cry, "Yes ma'am I just got back, but my team destroyed a bunch of shops and we didn't get the reward money. I'm sorry. I'll go pack my stuff"
With that Lucy walked away truly defeated. She had no money and nowhere to go. As she opened her apartment door she saw that Virgo and Loke were already waiting for her with boxes. She quietly grabbed a box and began to pack up her house. After a few hours of working in silence, Loke cleared his throat.
"Lucy we will keep some of your stuff in the Spirit Realm. Maybe you should take a few solo jobs to try and get some money together."
"Your right Loke," Lucy sighed, "Soon as I'm done here ill go get a mission or two. Ill also give most of my clothes to Cana and Mira. Stars know how much those two enjoy my stuff."
The three set about working in silence once more. When it was all said and done Loke volunteered to help Lucy carry the boxes of clothes to the guild. She wondered how she was going to get away with going solo. Maybe she could talk to Master. Upon reaching the guild she saw that it was mostly empty.
"Hey Lulu" Cana yelled.
"Hey Cana. Hey Mira. Loke and I have a few things for ya." Lucy said as she and Loke set the boxes down.
"Well Princess I have a date so if you'll excuse me" Loke kissed Lucy's cheek and disappeared
"Soooo when are you two finally going to get together?" Mira smiled.
"Never" Lucy laughed, "anyways I was cleaning out my closet and thought you girls might want these. If not feel free to give them to whoever."
"Finally some of your sexy lingerie can be mine" Cana giggles.
As the girls went through the boxes, Lucy headed to the request board. She decided on getting two different request. One was to help translate some book and the other was to help entertain at a kids birthday party. The reward for both were quite large. Walking back to the bar, Lucy handed Mira the requests.
"Mira I need these approved please" Lucy said sweetly.
"Going by yourself I assume? Please be careful Lucy." Mira smiled.
"Oh I will! Its just after this last mission I need to get away for awhile but ill be sure to check in with you."
With that Lucy walked out of the guild and headed for the train only to realize she would have to walk all the way to Clover Town. At least when she finished at the birthday party she could catch the train to Oshibana.
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Thank you to everyone for your reviews. I'm sorry this chapter came out late but with my daughter's birthday party and having no power for a few days thanks to a storm, I have had no way or time to post. I plan on getting out another chapter here within the next few days just to make up for your waiting and wonder reviews. You honestly don't know what it means it me to see that amount of love for my work. Anyways RR everyone
