After a restful night, Lucy woke up feeling her body rhythm finally settle into normalcy. While it was still earlier than usual, she took advantage of the rising sun and decided to take a quick dip in the sea. She knew the beach would be relatively empty, save for the occasional fisherman or jogger. She slipped into a bikini, and threw a sheer kaftan over it.
The beach was a five minute walk from Lucy's home, and when she got there, she confirmed her suspicions. It was empty.
Most people stay in bed at 6:30am, not jump into the ocean, Lucy thought as she discarded her kaftan, flip flops, and bag, carefully placing them under a beach chair, and praying that no one decided to pick it up. Satisfied, now that her bag was safely hidden, she strolled to the shore line. A shiver ran through her as the cold waters lapped against her toes.
Maybe this is a bad idea. The water hasn't warmed up yet. Lucy stood a moment as the waves kissed her feet before resolutely marching into the water. Once hip deep, Lucy quickly submerged herself and broke out into a vigorous swim. Lucy swam out into the ocean for a few minutes, before flipping around and swimming back. When it was shallow enough for her to stand, Lucy righted herself, letting the chest deep water ebb and flow around her. The sudden burst of energy had warmed up her muscles enough that the water just had a slight chill to it. Lucy let her legs float off the ground as she lay on her back, watching the sky change colours.
She must have stayed like that for a long while, appreciating the morning, when a shrill whistle startled her. Lucy snapped her head up, standing to see where the offending sound came from. At the shoreline she noticed a muscular lifeguard waving at her.
"Miss, are you okay?" He called in a heavily accented voice.
"I'm okay!" Lucy called back. The sun was starting to climb up into the sky and Lucy decided it was as good a time as any to move on with her day.
She slowly swam back to shore, before walking to the lifeguard.
"Sorry! Was I not allowed to be in the water?" She asked him. Up close, Lucy noticed that like the waiter yesterday, this man was absolutely stunning. With dark brown hair and honey eyes, this Greek God gazed down at Lucy.
Greek God is right. Holy shit. What is in the water? How is every person on this island so good looking? Lucy stared up into his eyes, momentarily forgetting how to breathe.
"Not at all, Miss. It's okay for you to swim. I was worried when I saw you floating and not moving." He smiled at her.
Lucy laughed politely. "Well, thank you for your concern. I should get going now anyway. Have a good day!" She smiled brightly at the beautiful man.
"You too, Miss," he waved as she walked away.
Lucy picked up her bag and kaftan from below the beach chair, ecstatic when she found everything exactly where she had left it. She pulled her kaftan on, and it immediately clung to her damp body. Slipping her feet into her flip flops, Lucy made her way back home.
A warm bath and a bowl of fruit later, Lucy felt ready to take on the day. She stood in her bathrobe, eyeing her closet.
I wonder what Laxus has planned. I have no idea what to wear. Lucy scratched her head. She pulled out multiple options, before settling on a simple, knee length, white cotton dress. It hugged her at her waist before gently flaring out around her legs. The round neck fell low enough to reveal some cleavage, but retained her modesty entirely. Thin straps on her shoulders held the whole affair up. Lucy wondered if her dress was too plain, but when she peeped outside her window and saw a bright sun, she decided that this dress would be the most comfortable thing on a hot day. Lucy checked the clock and noted that she still had an hour before Laxus was scheduled to arrive.
Making herself a cup of coffee, Lucy went out to her porch and sat on the low chair that rested outside her door. She sipped her coffee and absent-mindedly flipped through her book as she took in the sights and sounds of the small island town rousing.
Shortly before 11, Lucy picked up her book and empty mug, depositing one on her counter, and the other in her sink. She clasped a pretty, gold chain around her neck, with a small key shaped pendant falling just above her cleavage. A small pair of gold hooped earrings and a swipe of red lipstick later, Lucy was satisfied with how she looked. In less than 4 days of being under the Mediterranean sun, Lucy's skin had taken on a warm, golden bronze hue that complimented her jewelry perfectly.
Lucy glanced at her clock just in time to see 10:59 change to 11:00. Lucy slipped her feet into white sandals and was pulling a hair tie onto her wrist when she heard a knock at the door.
The clock hadn't even turned to 11:01 yet.
Talk about punctual, Lucy snorted. One last check to make sure she was decent, and Lucy headed for the door, grabbing her bag and pulling the strap onto her shoulder. She opened the door and saw no one. She stepped out and looked to her right, noticing Laxus lounge in the same chair she'd been sitting in only minutes prior.
"Good morning, Laxus," she greeted him cheerfully. When he stood up, she wrapped an arm around his chest in a friendly hug. This time, Laxus didn't return her hug with an awkward shoulder pat, but instead wrapped his arm around her shoulders and squeezed gently. They broke apart, and Laxus gave Lucy an appraising look.
"You look good," he said.
"As do you," Lucy returned the compliment with sincerity. His pale blue cotton shirt was unbuttoned at the top, exposing some of his chest, and his white linen pants were beautifully tailored and crisp.
"You ready to go?" He asked her, handing her a yellow helmet.
"Are we taking a scooter somewhere?" Lucy asked, pulling the helmet on and fixing the clasp under her chin.
"As if," Laxus let out a scornful snort. "Lucy, I don't ride a scooter." Laxus's gaze flitted to the street.
That's when Lucy saw it. A sleek motorcycle parked outside her door. Laxus walked towards it, camera bag swinging from hand and black helmet swinging from the other. He securely strapped his camera bag onto the carrier at the back of the bike, before kicking it off the stand and swinging himself on. He sat perched on his bike as Lucy quickly made sure her front door was locked. She walked up to the bike and placed her hands on the seat. And then she paused. Laxus looked at her curiously, wondering why she wasn't getting on.
"Uh, Laxus. I've never actually been on a bike before. How exactly do I get on? And can I get on in a dress?" Lucy's face was flooded with confusion and worry.
Laxus let out a chortle. "You're quite the character, Heartfilia," he laughed. "Okay, put your right foot over there," he pointed at the foot rest. "Now grab my shoulders and push yourself up, before swinging your left leg over and putting your left foot over there," he pointed to the identical foot rest on the other side.
Lucy followed his instructions, carefully hoisting herself up and swinging her leg over. Laxus held the bike steady as Lucy shakily adjusted herself onto the seat. She glanced back to make sure her dress was covering her butt before saying, "Alright. I'm good to go!"
Laxus let out another chuckle and pulled his helmet on before starting the bike. With a rumble, the bike jetted off. Lucy lurched forward, and suddenly feared for her life. Her hands tightened on Laxus's shoulders and her face bore a mask of terror. Laxus felt her vice-like grip and looked into his rearview mirror to see her fear stricken face. He slowed down considerably, the bike barely ambling by, and spoke over his shoulder, "Hold on tight. And don't be scared. There's no way either of us are falling off this bike, I promise." He looked at Lucy through the mirror, and something in his grey-blue eyes gave Lucy a sense of ease. She lifted her hands off his shoulders and wrapped them around his chest. She leaned into his back and nodded.
With a smirk, Laxus took off again, urging the bike to move faster and faster. As the speed ticked up, Lucy's grip around his chest tightened to the point that Laxus choked out, "Lucy. Can't breathe." His voice was muffled by the wind whistling by, but Lucy managed to hear him and loosened her hold.
A terrifying 15 minutes later, Laxus turned off onto a dirt road. At the end of the road, Lucy saw a white house, identical to every other white house on the island, except in one respect. Large floor length windows lined every wall, and the sunlight glinting off of them made Lucy squint. Laxus brought his bike to a stop. Lucy tumbled off most ungracefully and removed her helmet. Laxus got off and kicked the stand into place. She handed him her helmet which he placed on the seat next to his.
"What is this place?" Lucy asked as Laxus unbuckled his camera bag and swung it over his shoulder.
"It's a winery. They get their grapes from an island close by, and the wine is made here. They heard that I was on the island and got in touch with me a few days ago, asking if I'd take some photographs for their website." Laxus explained as he and Lucy walked towards the glass door.
"They're pretty small, and certainly cannot afford my rates, but I know the owner. Plus he promised a free wine tasting and lunch for me and anyone I brought along. He did specify that my plus one had to be a beautiful woman," Laxus winked, laughing as Lucy lightly smacked his arm.
Walking through the door, Lucy was blessed with the delicious smell of wine swirling around her. The walls were covered in paintings and photographs of the island, and two large wine racks stood in a corner, housing multiple corked bottles.
Lucy hadn't noticed the older man who walked in until Laxus cheerfully greeted him.
"Maki!" He embraced the shorter man warmly, and they clapped each other on the back, as men do.
"Laxus, my boy. How are you?" Lucy got a look at this Greek man smiling up at Laxus.
He was significantly shorter than the blond, maybe Lucy's height at most. He had a round, protruding belly and his white hair was thin at the crown. He sported an impressive mustache that did nothing to obscure his bright smile. His eyes twinkled and he had laugh lines decorating the corners of his eyes and lips. Lucy smiled warmly as a wave affection rushed over her. She instantly took a liking to this old man and his infectious smile.
"You brought along a beautiful woman like I specified!" the man looked past Laxus at Lucy, beckoning her over. Laxus threw Lucy a 'I-wasn't-lying' look.
"Lucy, Makarov. Maki, this is Ms. Lucy Heartfilia," Laxus gestured between the two of them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you my dear," Makarov said warmly. He held Lucy by her shoulders and pulled her close, air kissing both cheeks.
"The pleasure is mine," Lucy replied warmly.
"Tell me, Lucy. What are you doing with a brute like this one?" Makarov laughed as Laxus threw him a glare.
"He's an old friend," Lucy maintained eye contact with Makarov, but reached over to place a hand on Laxus's arm.
"Well I can tell you right now that you're too good for him," Makarov wagged his finger jovially before turning away.
"Come on, boy. Let's put you to work." Laxus began following him. Lucy stood there awkwardly, not sure what to do.
"You too, Miss Heartfilia. Join me for a glass of wine while he does his thing," Makarov called to her. Lucy quickly scampered behind the pair.
A/N: Okay so this was more of a transitional chapter, hence the lack of significant plot development.
The next chapter will delve deeper into the story!
Also yes, I am aware that my Makarov does not look like he does canonically, but his spirit is the same. I wanted to physically model him after the sweet, older Greek men I met on my travels there. Apologies if it threw you off!