AN: This chapter took a bit longer to write since I got stuck a few times, but updates shall come quicker!
And many thanks to all who read, favorited, and followed my story. Special thanks goes to all who reviewed! Your reviews made my day and encouraged me to continue this.
Sooo... enjoy.
Chapter 2: What The Actual Heck Is Going On?
"Lucy! It's you!" Erza cried out, grabbing everyone's attention as she tackled Lucy onto the floor.
"Uh..." Lucy could do nothing but lay there, shocked, as Erza hugged her tightly.
"Oh Lucy, I missed you so much!" the redhead sighed, her arms still wrapped around Lucy tightly.
"I literally see you every day Erza."
"The last time we spoke was yesterday night, which was several hours ago," Erza pouted.
I don't... understand. But I'm pretty sure this wasn't supposed to happen, Lucy thought wryly.
She realized everyone's attention was still focused on her and Erza. Oddly enough, Lucy couldn't say she cared since the only important thing in that moment seemed to be that Erza's arms were tightly wrapped around her, even if it was a bit uncomfortable due to Erza's hard armor. Of course it wasn't the first time the redhead had hugged Lucy; they are close friends after all. But Lucy felt like there was something different to this hug, something she couldn't quite describe.
The blonde shook her head, clearing her thoughts and being brought back to reality as her initial shock at the whole situation wore off. Lucy chuckled, a bit surprised she wasn't in more pain since she was just tackled by a girl in armor. But Lucy sure wasn't complaining.
"Hey Erza, you're kinda hurting me with your armor."
Almost immediately, the redhead began apologizing profusely as she stood up and pulled Lucy up with her. "I'm sorry Lucy. I was careless. It's my fault. Please, hit me," she said, bowing her head.
Lucy, already used to Erza's unique way of apologizing, just shook her head. "No, it's fine Erza, don't worry about it."
Erza suddenly looked up, her expression troubled. "But I hurt you, Lucy."
"Erza, I already said it's okay."
"Oh thank you Lucy!" The redhead smiled, rushing to hug Lucy again.
"Erza… your armor…" Lucy muttered as Erza had pulled Lucy against her hard armor.
"Oh right," Erza said, requipping into her normal clothes before continuing to hug Lucy.
Well okay then…
Lucy was once again reminded of the fact that everyone was basically watching her when she glanced around and saw her fellow guild mates huddled around her with amused expressions.
"What's with Erza?" Natsu asked, breaking the silence as he pointed to the redhead who had yet to release her hold on Lucy.
"Yeah," Gray added, "she's not so... clingy. Like ever."
There were a few muttered agreements, as this really wasn't the Titania's usual behavior. Sure she hugged people, but this was a new level of clinginess.
"She..." Lucy trailed off, not knowing what to say or how to explain the situation without mentioning the love potion.
"Erza may or may not have drank something that is now affecting her," Cana interrupted, saving the blonde from having to answer.
"That's not suspicious at all," Levy said, frowning.
"Well you know Erza," Mira said cheerfully as she suddenly appeared in front of everyone, "She can be a bit dense and not realize things." Mira smiled brightly, as if this was something completely normal and bound to happen occasionally.
No one's gonna fall for that, Lucy internally scoffed, being dense and something like this happening? People can't seriously just accept that answer.
But apparently they could.
The crowd around her dispersed, all walking back to their tables to continue their usual activities except for Cana, Mira, and Erza of course.
"What the actual heck. How did they actually accept that explanation?" Lucy asked, confused.
"If that's what Mira says happened, then that's what happened," Cana grinned, while Mira just blushed.
"I guess." Lucy knew better than to question the evil S-class matchmaker, otherwise known as Mira.
"So when do you plan on letting go of Lucy, Erza?" Mira asked.
Lucy somehow forgot that Erza was still hugging her. The redhead was just so warm and soft that Lucy had gotten comfortable.
"Never," Erza answered, holding Lucy tighter as if to prove her statement.
Cana snorted at the answer. "Well we might as well go sit at the counter."
The other girls agreed, so while Cana and Mira started walking away, Lucy tried to get Erza off of her. She had finally pried the redhead off only for said redhead to cling onto Lucy's arm as they walked.
This is weird. She's suddenly all clingy and she hasn't even left my side since she tackled me...
Lucy sat at the counter beside Cana, while Erza sat on Lucy's other side. The blonde couldn't help but stare at Erza as she still clung to Lucy's arm, an expression of complete and utter content on her face.
She looks so cute, Lucy thought.
"That's nice," Cana smirked.
Apparently Lucy had accidentally spoken her thoughts.
The blonde blushed, but ignored the jibe. "Did you know this is what would happen?" She asked, looking at Cana.
"Well it is a love potion, really what'd you expect?" The brunette joked, shrugging nonchalantly.
Lucy opened her mouth to argue when Erza spoke up.
"What potion?" She asked curiously, looking to Lucy for an explanation.
"About that..." Lucy couldn't meet Erza's eyes, especially since the redhead was sitting quite close to her and still had their arms linked.
"It's nothing for you to worry about," Mira interrupted as she momentarily distracted the girls by offering them drinks. Mira shot Lucy a look, making sure Lucy didn't speak of the potion in front of Erza.
Lucy, having gotten the message, nodded and turned to Erza. "Maybe Cana and I should talk in private..." Lucy gestured to the redhead's hold on her, trying to get Erza to understand that she should let go.
Erza's eyes widened in realization. "Oh. I understand."
As Erza retracted her arm and stood up, Lucy sighed in relief. "Oh good, okay so-"
"I understand," Erza interrupted, "that you would rather spend time with Cana than me."
"What?" Lucy looked confusedly at Cana and Mira, who tried to hold back their laughter at Erza's completely serious face.
"Erza that's, that's not what I meant," Lucy stuttered, trying to explain.
"It sure seems that way," Erza replied, a dark aura surrounding her. "Cana, it seems you are my new love rival."
At that, Cana choked on her drink while Mira finally burst into laughter. "Um what?" Cana said between coughs.
This is not good, Lucy thought, watching the unfolding scene from between the two girls with apprehension.
"You, my new love rival, shall not be allowed to live and take away my Lucy."
Wait, what?! Her Lucy? I'm no one's Lucy! And love rivals?! This needs to stop.
Erza requipped her sword, her dark aura growing while Cana shrunk back in fear.
Okay, really not good!
"Erza!" Lucy jumped up, standing close to Erza to bring her back to reality. She hesitantly reached out to place her hand over the requip mage's sword, trying to stop her from doing anything crazy.
"Lucy?"
As soon as the blonde had stood up and yelled Erza's name, Erza's dark aura dissipated.
That was a close one, Lucy internally sighed, relieved.
"Look Erza, I just want to talk to Cana about-"
"You want to talk to her?!" Erza interrupted again, with tears welling up in her eyes, "why not me? Am I not good enough for you to talk to Lucy?"
"What?!" Lucy had no idea what was even going on anymore; first the redhead was incredibly mad and ready to kill Cana, and now she's crying?
Tears were flowing freely down Erza's cheeks as she turned to Lucy, grabbing her arm and leaning on her. "Why don't you want to talk to me?" She sobbed.
The blonde felt her shirt become wet with her friend's tears, so she hurriedly wrapped her arms around Erza.
"That's not it at all Erza. Of course I want to talk to you, I love talking to you. I was just gonna ask Cana some questions about... um, a mission. Yeah, a request she got."
She moved her hand on Erza's back reassuringly, forgetting everything else as she comforted Erza.
"That's it?" Erza asked, her tear-filled eyes looking up to Lucy's brown ones.
"Yes, that's it Erza." Lucy patted Erza's head, the same way you'd do to a child who'd been crying.
"Okay, I trust you Lucy," The older girl nodded before finally moving away from the blonde. She stopped beside Cana and glared at her a bit before walking away.
Lucy exhaled wearily at her friend's crazy emotions.
"Well wasn't that nice," Cana commented.
"Considering you're not dead, I think it turned out alright," Lucy said sarcastically.
"Well look on the bright side," Mira smiled, amused, "you, Lucy, have quite an effect on Erza."
"Ha, don't make me laugh," Lucy grumbled.