6 chapters... I must say that I am very pleased with myself... normally I get bored really easily, but I'm fairly satisfied with the way this is turning out. So please, enjoy the fruit of my labours :)
Lucy really didn't know why she had suggested that they walk; truly she didn't. She would have much rather have preferred to stay in Erza's apartment and just catch up, but the girl's obvious distress at having her there had led to her suggesting an alternative venue.
And as a result, she now found herself seated beside the redhead on the banks of the river that flowed through the city, just outside the walls of Magnolia.
A strange silence had settled over the pair, yet it was comfortable, at least compared to their earlier one that had arisen due to Lucy's unexpected visit.
Turning her head slightly, all the better to observe her silent companion, she watched as the knight systematically tore up the grass around her, first plucking a single strand, before proceeding to reduce it to thin ribbons. Entranced by the neat work carried out by the sometimes-boarish mage, she couldn't help but feel drawn to this more contemplative side of her; she would never have picked that Erza was capable of such delicate work.
Or composed silence for that matter either.
Lucy longed for a topic that would disrupt the stillness between them, but nothing came to mind, at least, nothing that would prompt further conversation…
Turning away with a sigh, she felt, more than saw, the knight stop her meticulous destruction of the grass.
"Is something wrong, Lucy?"
Turning back to face her companion, Lucy felt the heat rush to her face as she beheld the frowning countenance that was the Titania.
"N-no… why would you think that something was wrong?"
"When you asked me to walk with you I presumed there was something you wished to discuss with me, yet you have said nothing since we exited my apartment…"
"Oh," she replied, turning to face the water, pulling at the few tuffs of grass that remained after Erza's destructive pass-time, "It's nothing, really. I just wanted to see how you were…" She sneaked a glance at her friend, but was surprised to see something akin to disappointment there.
Why does she have to look like that? Did I not say the right thing…?
"I'm fine, and you?"
The young celestial mage merely shrugged.
The frown turned to a look of concern as Erza beheld the saddened expression of the other girl, "Lucy… if something is bothering you, you can talk to me, if it would help…"
She tentatively reached out to the blonde mage, fingertips barely brushing against the exposed skin of her upper arm.
Her arm burned from the seemingly innocent contact, the soft warmth emanating from the knight catching her off guard, so much so, that without thinking she leaned into that warmth, until Erza's whole hand, no longer just her fingertips, was firmly pressed against her.
The sensation was unlike anything she had ever experienced, the rush, addictive, almost instantly. Eyes closed, revelling in the feeling of Erza's warm hand pushing on her arm, she failed to notice the steady blush that slowly spread across the redhead's face, gradually turning darker and darker, until there was little different between the colour of her hair and the exposed skin of her face and neck.
"Lucy…" the red-haired knight gasped out, trying to tame the heat in her cheeks, removed her hand from the girl's arm, "Are you sure you're okay?"
Eyes snapping open, a soft blush coloured Lucy's cheeks in response to Erza's question, a sad smile pulling at her lips. The absence of the knight's warmth was registered instantly; a bittersweet sigh escaped from between the spirit mage's pursed lips. I suppose it was nice while it lasted…
Though much to her surprise, the knight sidled closer, not stoping until the distance between them was completely removed. What on earth…?
Totally engulfed by a new, and more fulfilling warmth, Lucy felt as if each and every nerve in her body was on fire, melting her from the inside out; the sensation was more powerful than the previous contact, the heat of the normally distant and sometimes terrifying Titania had infiltrated her body, mind and soul, until she felt as if this simplest show of affection would be the end of her.
Eyes drifting shut once more, she responded in kind to the knight's slightly awkward hug, looping her own arm around her waist, pulling them flush against each other, a gentle silence settling over them.
You know, this is actually kinda nice…