hiiiii I'm back already, it's bc I don't have a job and i really need a job rn ahdhkhs hoping I get one by the end of the week!
I think I'm liking updating with shorter chapters, it makes writing feel not as chore like lol
Lucy was torn from Natsu's side as soon as Mirajane got her hands on her, tearing a path through the crowd and toward the extensive bar.
"We heard it was just your birthday, Lucy! So welcome home, and happy birthday!"
The stunned silence of those around them finally grew into a murmur as other members of the guild joined in on Mira's greeting.
"You must be hungry, hm? Let's get you something to eat and I'll introduce you around!"
"S-Sure," Lucy wanted to turn around and find Natsu's eyes, but couldn't find it in herself to face what she had done just yet. That kiss... oh it'd been everything she was dreaming of for years. To actually share a kiss with her first love…
There wasn't much time for her to dwell on those feelings, Mira quickly dragging her back and forth between almost everyone in the guild.
There was Lisanna and Elfman, her siblings that Lucy knew well from her book.
Wendy and Charle, another dragon and exceed pair that Lucy thought were absolutely adorable. She reminded her of MMichelle, her younger cousin that she was hesitant to leave behind. But as Natsu had said, it was now or never. Michelle had kind parents, so she would be okay.
Juvia ran up to her on her own volition, hugging Lucy with a bright and adoring smile. Something which Lucy knew was very uncharacteristic of a mermaid.
"Oh, Lucy-san! Junia'S just so excited to meet you! Lucy-san must tell Juvia all about Natsu-san later! Juvia is really happy that she doesn't have a love rival in you!"
"Love rival?" Lucy asked Mira as Juvia skipped off.
"She's in love with Gray," Mirajane pointed to the other end of the guild where a couple of chairs began to fly in opposite directions. "He and Natsu always get into fights, but it's all in good fun!"
She met Jet, Droy, and Levy; three members of a small team that often went on jobs together.
"I love the way your skin glows! Do you know anything about your powers yet?" Levy asked, holding Lucy's hand close to her face for observation.
"N-No, should I?" Mira shook her head in reassurance.
"Sometimes people figure it out right away, but you just got here! That's tomorrow's problem, hm? Today is for enjoying the party and getting to know everyone."
There was Laki, Kinana, Max, and Reedus. There was Laki, Kinana, Max, and Reedus. Wakaba, Macao, and his young son Romeo. Plus Bisca, Alzack, and their daughter Asuka.
So many faces and personalities flashed in front of her that Lucy began to steadily put her kiss with Natsu at the back of her mind.
Her nervous smile turned into a comfortable one the more Mirajane showed her around. Lucy recognized more and more faces from her book, similarly with the guild the more she lifted her eyes from the ground. The windows, the tapestries, the bar, the tables.
And the half-crazed smirk of the guildmasters grandson right before he cornered Lucy against the wall and stole a kiss for himself.
.
.
.
What?
With the party in full swing and her belly stuffed with flavorful food, Lucy was finding the atmosphere easy to fit in. Levy came up to her and promised a tour of the library tomorrow, Lucy more than excited to finally have a collection of something that wasn't academic.
Cana, one of the girls sitting at the bar, asked Lucy in a drunken slur to join her, Lucy politely declining at the present moment.
Gray managed to introduce himself for a moment before he threw himself back into the fray, continuing his fight with Natsu that Gajeel also joined in on.
Erza finally introduced herself to Lucy as well, after a much needed rest in the infirmary. Her second-hand embarrassment could put her out of commission if it got too bad.
Lucy didn't mind if it was too hard for her to make eye contact, Erza swearing she would have a more suitable attitude in the morning.
The party continued for a few hours, the early afternoon quickly becoming the late evening. When Charle took Wendy off for bed a couple of hours ago, Lucy knew it would only be a matter of time before she would start yawning.
But if she fell asleep, Lucy might wake up to find all of this a dream. The guild, the kiss, the harrowing pirate attack, Natsu. She would stay awake until the absolute last second.
Standing at the bar to get another cream soda, Lucy watched as four people began to descend from the second story stairs.
"Oh, that's Laxus and the Raijinshuu. The master's grandson." Mira said as she set down her glass, Lucy felt the hairs on her neck stand up. Laxus was staring daggers at her, or maybe he just had a natural glare?
She attempted to pay him no mind, walking back to her table where Levy waited, her drink in hand.
But Laxus had other plans, moving in a lightning quick second to block her path. A couple of hairs stuck up and dung to the static in the air, Laxus' hard stare accompanied by an impish grin.
"You made out with Natsu?" He asked, his gruff voice vibrating against the loud voices of the crowd. Laxus took her drink and handed it back to the scary-looking guy who hid half his face underneath a mask. She gulped as he chugged it with a grin, Laxus stealing her attention again.
"U-Um, I guess," Lucy was glad the lowlights of the guild hid her blush, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I didn't mean to..."
"Oh?" Her words made him chuckle, Lucy wanting to take a precautionary step back. There wasn't much about Laxus in the novel, no more than an introduction, so she didn't know him well. But was getting enough of a vibe that he greatly intended to mess with her in these next coming moments. "So he's the one who put the moves on you?"
Lucy felt her stomach swim as she thought back to the moment in question, of how she kissed Natsu first.
It was only meant to be a quick peck on the lips, one done in haste to save herself from any oncoming embarrassment. Lucy always imagined giving Natsu her first kiss when she was young, and while they were alone, she braved herself for it.
When Lucy pulled back, Natsu followed her lips, lips accompanied by his hands. Hands that had just held her as they'd flown. And, of course, she'd let him smother her in such a passioned response.
One that she wished she could have the time to properly fangirl over.
In her silence as Lucy continued to think to herself, Laxus took a few steps forward, making her instinctively take a couple back.
She didn't notice how far they'd walked until her back bumped into the wall. Laxus' broad back hid them from the rest of the party, Lucy blinking absentmindedly as he tilted her chin upward.
"I haven't pissed off that pink-haired asshole in a while. Just think of this as a welcome present."
Her eyes were wide as Laxus pressed her lips to his, the touch sinking in for a brief moment before a flurry fire knocked Laxus across the room.
hope you like!
I have the next couple of chapters planned, but I still need to write a map, eek