Hey guys! I'm so sorry for the late update! I was gonna finish the chapter yesterday but then I ended up watching the new remake of Sailor Moon and yeah... Besides that, enjoy!
Looking around, Lucy could only feel awe through her nervousness.
They stood in a large mansion that looked quite a bit too much like the Heartfilia residence to be a coincidence.
The only difference, was that a gigantic forest with huge trees lay beyond the grounds, and there was a vast lake and waterfall.
Lucy could see little human-like creatures fluttering through the air, and more beastly seeming beings roaming the trees and forest.
Sweat clung to her skin although the air was fresh and the heat was perfect- not too hot and not too cold.
Desperately trying to calm herself down, she wrung her hands and chewed her lip in anticipation.
'Oh Mavis!' she thought.
'What am I doing?! I'm reuniting with my mother, not meeting my boyfriend's parents for the first time!'
Pink hair flashed in her vision, and Lucy felt her face go warm.
'Natsu…'
"Lucy-nee, we're here."
Her thoughts were interrupted and the blonde let her breath catch in her throat.
With shaking legs, she stepped up.
After this, there was no turning back.
Her hands shook as she reached for the doorknob, finally managing to get a grip on it after several tries.
'I could walk away.'
Her hands wouldn't stop trembling for some reason.
'Pretend this never happened.'
Panting out, she tried to lick her lips, only to find she couldn't move her mouth.
'Go back.'
Why did her eyes feel wet?
'Back into the arms of my nakama.'
The thoughts were seducing her, cradling her and slowly pulling her arm away from the door.
"My…nakama…?"
Go back.
Back to isolation?
An unrequited love?
Being dead weight on missions?
Right as her hand pulled away, she regained her grip, her teeth grit and eyes downcast.
Why was she running away?!
Didn't she come just for this?!
What was she scared of?!
Letting out a frustrated shriek, Lucy took hard breaths.
Yes, she was scared.
Terrified, really.
She was never the strong one, never the one who found the way.
She was just Lucy.
No longer Lucky Lucy of the Heartfilia.
And no longer Lucy of Fairy Tail.
Just Lucy.
A strangled sound made its way to her throat.
She didn't want to be disappointed again.
Her heart wouldn't be able to take it.
But… what did she have to lose?
"Lucy-nee…-"
"I am a coward."
Sniffing, Lucy gave a sad grin.
"I'm not strong, I always hold people back, I can't protect myself, my friends, or my guild. There are people in this world that are so much more smarter than me."
Why was she even here?
Silence.
"But… I'm going to make myself something out of that."
Michelle's eyes widened.
"Do fairies have tails…?"
The little girl blinked.
"U-um… I don't know…"
Lucy chuckled.
"It's an everlasting adventure! And I'm on one myself."
Her hand had stopped shaking.
"I'm going to find who Lucy really is."
Her back was straight.
"I'm… going to find myself."
The door was opening.
Light flooded through the door, but the mage held her place, looking forward with determined eyes.
No going back.
"I know."
And she stepped forward, making her way into the light.
Layla heard the door creak open, slowly standing up.
Was it Amadeus?
No, she thought, starting to turn around.
Amadeus didn't have such soft feet.
Her breath caught and eyes widened.
Could it possibly be…?
Gold hair shone in the bright light of her study.
Brown eyes the same shade of her own glistened, and Layla found it hard to breathe.
Tears pricked at her eyes and she let out a sob.
A beautiful young lady stood before here, her eyes set in a determined stare.
Something wet slid down the woman's cheek.
In the same place the young lady stood, Layla could see the shadow of a little girl.
Crash.
The glass photo she had been holding fell downwards, making hard contact with the smooth wooden floor of the study.
Layla rushed to the beauty, cries making their way out of her mouth.
Slender hands clutched back at hers and she held the girl to her, her hand stroking the smoothness of her tresses.
"L-Lucy…"
Her heart was filled with so much warmth, she thought she'd be torn into two.
A damp feeling was felt on her shoulder, created from the other female.
Something clutched at her heart, and she let out a shivering breath.
She held her daughter's face in her hands, cherishing the warmth that confirmed she was real.
This much happiness… was she allowed to have it?
Feeling the smooth skin of her daughters cheeks, she gave a sigh.
It didn't matter.
This time, she wouldn't make the same mistake.
This time, she would protect this child, no matter what the consequences were.
Alrighty! I'm sorry if that just wasn't good enough for you... the action or whatever officially starts in the next chapter, so be prepared for that! I'll try my best to get the update on time this week so wait for me! Please favorite, follow, and review! ;) Links are on my bio!
Bye for now then!