I'm terrible for not updating in the longest. I've just not really had time, and I can't seem to even write. To be honest, I don't even know what this chapter is. If y'all are still reading this fanfic, despite my horrible updating, then thank you. And hopefully you'll enjoy whatever this chapter is.
Chapter 4: Blushing? What, no
The setting sun made everything just the slightest bit darker, a reminder of the passing time. As Lucy walked along with Erza, a comfortable silence settled between the two. Lucy took the opportunity to let her thoughts wander, except they unfortunately wandered back to the moments before she'd begun the walk.
In retrospect, the blonde couldn't find a reason for Cana and Mira to react the way they did. Upon hearing that Erza would go to Lucy's place, Mira had squealed excitedly, a huge smile on her face. Cana had been mildly surprised and confused at first, but those emotions were soon overcome when she smirked and said a few, not-so-subtle sexual remarks. Lucy still didn't see what it was that warranted such reactions. Erza had visited her several times before, not to mention all those times she'd broken in with Natsu and Gray. Yet the redhead seemed unusually excited at the prospect of going home with the younger girl this time. But that was most likely due to the love potion, Lucy reasoned, quickly brushing that thought off.
Breaking out of her thoughts, she glanced at Erza, the older girl walking contentedly beside her. They'd been conversing for quite a while back at the guild, which was actually somewhat normal for the two friends, but the conversation itself had been different. There'd been an air of playfulness and teasing, as usual, but there was also some… tension? Lucy wasn't sure. There had been moments when it seemed that Erza had been flirting with her, saying such comments that Lucy couldn't even reply to, feeling too embarrassed or confused by Erza's words. But even the blonde knew that though she acted put off by the compliments her seemingly lovestruck friend told her, she couldn't say she didn't like it. Especially not when she was looking at Erza. The last rays of sunlight hit the older girl in such a way that she just seemed to glow, her own natural beauty further. She really is pretty…
"Lucy?"
Embarrassed at having been caught staring, said celestial mage quickly looked ahead before replying, "Yeah Erza?"
"… Never mind."
Lucy left it at that, not wanting to make the situation anymore awkward, or even worse, creep her friend out.
The two had nearly reached Lucy's apartment when the blonde felt a sudden warmth beside her as Erza took Lucy's arm and linked it with her own, bringing them closer together. This isn't so bad, she thought. Although Erza usually gave her hugs, they weren't the type of friends to hold hands or continually be close together for long periods of time before the whole potion thing. While some might find Erza's sudden clinginess annoying, the younger girl couldn't help but find it a bit endearing. Despite herself, she realized it felt nice being close to someone like that.
Gray's probably lying when he says he doesn't like Juvia getting all close to him, Lucy mused.
When she suddenly felt Erza pulling away, Lucy knew they must've arrived. She took out her key and soon they were entering her apartment, her holding the door open while Erza walked in, murmuring a quiet "thanks."
The blonde just watched as Erza made herself comfortable, an uneasy feeling rising within her. Why am I getting nervous? It's just Erza. Ugh, just calm down Lucy.
"So Erza," Lucy started, trying to act normal and ignore her racing heart, "would you like anything?"
A slight shake of the head was offered as an answer, which Lucy acknowledged before sitting beside Erza on her bed. The younger girl glanced at the redhead, wondering if she was the only one who felt like her heart would leap out of her chest. The situation seemed so ridiculous, especially considering the number of times the two girls had been alone together. Yet now somehow seemed completely different. Maybe it's the fact that I know she's being influenced by a love potion. I can't quite look at her the same way. I'm probably just nervous she'll try and do something she wouldn't normally do…
Of course, that thought only brought many more incredibly embarrassing thoughts to mind, resulting in Lucy's bright blush on her face.
In an attempt to dispel those, well, inappropriate thoughts from her mind, the blonde cleared her throat, trying to distract herself by striking up a conversation with her friend. "Uhm, well…"
At her words- which were a failure of a conversation starter- Lucy suddenly found her gaze met by piercing dark brown eyes, completely unreadable at that moment. Her breath seemed to be coming harder, as she felt herself falling into the darkness of the redhead's orbs.
"E-Erza."
A barely contained laugh, which Lucy embarrassingly noted was pretty cute. "Our faces are awfully close."
And with the amused tone of Erza's voice, Lucy snapped out of the trance the older girl had put her in. Quickly putting some distance between each other, Lucy felt the blood rush to her face for, what, the millionth time that day? Being with Erza just made her a blushing mess.
"I don't mind being that close to you, Lucy."
The blonde sighed resignedly upon hearing the teasing tone once more. If she'd been an observer instead of actually part of this whole love potion mess, the requip mage's behavior would be quite funny. This is gonna be a long night… of blushing.
After several more moments of suffering for Lucy, Erza finally stopped teasing her. Somewhat. The younger girl stood, walking towards her desk to take a seat there, farther away from the redhead. Lucy felt incredibly awkward, not knowing what to say or do. Usually she'd make idle chitchat with Erza, talking about anything and everything with the conversation flowing freely; that's the kind of friendship they had, after all. With Erza's weird behavior and unrestrained affection, however, Lucy felt unsure on how she was supposed to behave now; it'd been easier to talk back at the guild, to pretend that everything was normal, but now they were completely alone. Did she just ignore the teasing or go along with it? Was she supposed to also ignore the way Erza looked at her, with a genuine smile and bright eyes? Was she also supposed to pretend her heart didn't flutter in her chest at her friend's obvious love towards her?
No.
It was all just because of a stupid love potion. Nothing else.
So there was no reason to even think too much into the matter.
Shaking her head slightly, the blonde reached out and picked up a book she'd left on her desk earlier. She opened it to where the bookmark poked out, indicating the last page she'd read.
She heard the bed shift as Erza stood up, coming closer to her. "What're you reading, Lucy?" the redhead asked, peering over her shoulder at the open book on the celestial mage's lap.
Lucy felt herself tense just the slightest bit at Erza's close proximity before replying. "A book," she answered, relaxing since the conversation seemed safe enough.
She heard the requip mage chuckle. "Well, what's it about?"
"It's just a love story. Y'know, the usual girl meets boy, everything changes and she realizes she's fallen for him. It's pretty obvious that they'll end up together and live happily ever after, though." Lucy flipped through the pages mindlessly, comforted in the feeling of paper.
"If the plot and ending are that obvious, then why read it?"
The blonde looked up, her fingers stopping their movement as she considered her answer. Erza had posed an interesting question. Meeting her friend's gaze, Lucy felt the corners of her mouth pull up into a smile. "It's still interesting. The way they meet and end up falling for each other despite everything, their feelings which would make them do anything for each other, it's all so simple yet real." Chuckling, she added, "it also kinda gives me hope that someday I'll find that one person who's meant for me, however unrealistic that is."
Erza shook her head, eyes never leaving Lucy's. "It's not unrealistic. Everyone wants to find someone," she whispered.
Clearing her throat, Lucy realized how hot her body felt. "Uh, yeah." Wasting no time in turning away from the redhead, she placed the book back on her desk, then got up. "I'm just gonna get some water," she muttered, moving towards the kitchen.
In the safety of the empty kitchen, she inhaled deeply, exhaling as she leaned against the wall and felt her eyes shut. With her mind replaying the moment with Erza, who had been so close to her, with such an intense gaze, and her words, Lucy found it hard not to blush.