Lucy's head spun as she gingerly made her way off the carriage. When they had arrived at the town that morning they found the diner they ate at when first starting off on their trip and ate their fill once more scaring patrons. After that they found a driver who looked relatively harmless. She was a short older woman with wispy grey hair, a kind smile and soft spoken. Not seeing any harm the trio agreed to her price since she was willing to take them the rest of the distance to Magnolia.
Little had they known the woman was crazed. She was far worse of a driver than Erza could ever hope to be. She made the normal day and half trip turn into seven hours. That was the only positive as Lucy and Happy now shared in their partner's motion sickness from the ordeal. As for poor Natsu, Lucy was of little condolence to his plight thanks to the fast, jagged turning and bumps. Needless to say all three were glad to be on solid ground.
After gaining her balance and equilibrium once more Lucy looked to the coach noticing Happy attempting to pull a completely out of it Natsu. Turning around and making her way over she took the human burden herself and told Happy to retrieve their belongings. Setting Natsu on the ground as gently as she could she went to talk to the driver and pay their bill. "Uhhh... Thank you for the ride. You made quite good time." She joked nervously at the situation while handing over the payment.
The driver looked to her taking her pay and cackled. "Oi! No problem deary! You need a ride somewhere again you call on ol' Speedy here, ya hear?" she said motioning to the poor horse that looked dead tired.
Laughing a bit Lucy nodded, "Hai! We will thank you again!" and took her leave of the woman. Noticing Natsu was now standing, a bit wobbly, Lucy went and gathered her belongings and started heading from the stables to town with her partners. Something caught the corner of her eye and she laughed. When both Happy and Natsu looked to her questioning she discreetly pointed out what caused her chuckles.
At the sight Happy giggled behind his paws pretending to hide his mirth while Natsu outright gaffed and slung an arm around Lucy. There sitting in the driver seat of one of the carriages was the pervy driver from before covered in bandages from head to toe still. Sending a menacing look as well as evil smile to the man looking at them Natsu continued to laugh at the reaction.
At the sight of the dragon slayer the man visibly trembled and looked down weakly calling out, "Afrenoon cat, Miss Lucy, Mister Dragneel." before finding something in the opposite direction of them interesting.
Lucy, feeling slightly responsible for the man's unease as well as injuries, elbowed Natsu and whispered, "You should apologize. Poor man scared is shitless of you." Although she meant it she still couldn't hold back her giggles.
At this both Natsu and Happy looked at her like she gained a second head. However it was Natsu that gave her a response, "I'll apologize to him the same day I tell the stripping ice pole he's better than me in a fight."
Lucy just rolled her eyes and sighed at his antics. That was until Happy chose to call out, "He llliiiiikes you!"
Fuming and red faced she yelled out, "GAAAAAA Get back here so I can pluck out your wings!" while attempting to chase after him only to be held back by Natsu.
"WAAAAAAA You'll never win over Charla!" Happy cried as he sped his way to the guild that was making its appearance in the distance.
Pouting at Natsu for keeping her from her prey she asked, "Since when don't I get to chase him down?"
Natsu opened him mouth then snapped it shut and decided to shrug instead. There were too many people looking at them for him to openly admit why she shouldn't chase their partner. Seeing that his lack of answer hadn't won her over enough to drop the subject he smiled and said, "Since I don't want to walk all alone weirdo! You can chase him around the guild when we get there."
Huffing Lucy accepted this and continued on noticing Happy waiting for them at the entrance. Smiling brightly at the sight of their guild she cheered, "It's good to be back!"
Natsu and Happy both cheered along with her adding in an, "AYE!" as they all walked through the gate and to the doors. Kicking open the doors in his normal fashion Natsu called out, "WE'RE BACK!" as loud as he could.
The normal noise and ruckus of the guild stopped in that moment as they all stared wide eyed at the sight of the three smiling mages. Tears welled in many eyes as a sudden rush of people made their way to them.
"You're alive!"
"Welcome home!"
"We're so happy you're safe!"
Those were just some of the cheers and cries of the guild as they ambushed their friends. Eventually the group started to pull away and drag their preferred mage with them. "Lu-chan!" Levi squealed. "I missed you SO much!"
"I'm glad to see you in better spirits." Erza added.
"It's nice to see you smiling again Lucy-san." Wendy chimed in smiling.
Lucy couldn't stop the smile that seemed permanently stuck on her face as they made their way to the bar. "Thanks you guys! And I missed you too Levi-chan!" As she took her seat at the bar she couldn't help but notice the interaction between Happy and Charla.
"Are you glad I'm back too Charla?" Happy asked shyly.
"I suppose it wasn't as irritating here without you." Charla responded showing no interest.
This was the closest that Happy had ever come to hearing that she missed him and it filled him with joy. Pulling out a fish and holding it out to her he asked, "Would you like a fish?"
Charla huffed for a moment and eyed the fish. Looking back to Happy she hummed before turning her nose up but quietly said, "I guess I haven't eaten in a while. If you have that thing cooked I could take a bite or two from it."
"AYE SIR!" Happy said excitedly as he flew off calling, "MIRA I NEED THE KITCHEN!"
The women at the bar all giggled and fawned over the interaction.
On the other side of the guild Grey and Natsu picked up as if the two weeks hadn't past. "Nice job almost getting yourself killed flamer."
"Pft, I'd like to see you not get injured stripper!"
"I wouldn't because I'm not an idiot!"
"Who you calling an idiot mister icy no pants?"
"What's that supposed to mean ashy?"
"Just what I said frozen fucker!"
"You trying to start something?"
"You started it!"
That was the last sentence that was understandable as a tangle of limbs attacked one another dragging in anyone close enough and causing a typical afternoon brawl.
Master Makarov shook his head but smiled at the boys. Looking down to the women talking he hopped off the bar top and made his way to Lucy. Stretching his arm he tapped her shoulder and then had to cough when she looked everywhere but down. "Down here," he grumbled a bit.
"Oh," she said startled, "What can I do for you master?"
Smiling brightly he reached out and patted her ass, "I just wanted to tell you good job on bringing Natsu back!"
Lucy scowled at the old man, "Why is he patting my ass?" she grumbled to herself. Chuckling nervously she said, "No problem!"
"MASTER!" Mira scolded.
"Ehh... haha…" the master smiled awkwardly and retracted his hand eyeing the bar maid. "Well have a drink on me Lucy! Mira if you would!" he rattled out as he scrambled away.
"Honestly that man," Mira groaned as she rolled her eyes. Placing a drink in front of Lucy she leaned forward. "So… Lucy-chan," she began innocently. Seeing her targets focus on herself she smiled, "You and Natsu seem, closer." She finished with a tad bit of a smirk.
Lucy blinked as the other women chuckled. With the three of them safely home and looking healthy the women felt no remorse in teasing Lucy. Erza chuckled, "It seems that when I was informing everyone of Natsu's condition I might have mentioned a new found closeness between the two of you."
Lucy looked horrified. Not Erza, no not her too. Erza was her go to girl. She was the one person she thought would listen to her plight emotionless and give her a shoulder to cry on not shove her into the lion's den dressed in a bacon suit. Stumbling to respond she sputtered, "Well… You see… I umm…." Huffing in annoyance she finally blurted out, "It's not like that I was worried that's all!"
To this the women just smiled knowingly. It was Levi's turn though to continue, "Say Lu-chan, I get you were worried and all but… You two did just come in with his arm over you."
"He does stuff like that all the time! He doesn't know what personal space means!" Lucy cried indignantly.
"Hmmm," Mira butted in tapping her chin in thought, "What was it Happy mentioned before you left?" continuing to pretend to think she perked up with an evil smile, "Oh! I remember, he said you three were sleeping in the same bed now! And if memory serves according to Grey, Natsu confirmed that."
Erza nodded, "That's what the situation looked like to me as well."
A chorus of "OH REALLY?" as well as matching evil smiles was heard from the women.
Lucy's eyes grew large and she began to sweat, this was not good. These women were evil for sure! Red faced she realized she would rather be facing that damn wyvern again. "It's not what it looks like! It's because…" she stopped and slumped. She really didn't want to admit her own fears and she felt it wasn't right to give away her partners fears.
"Because?" Cana egged on.
Lucy shook her head, "I can't say, it's just not what it looks like." she mumbled out.
"I don't know Lucy," Lissiana said appearing from nowhere, "I've known him a long time and the only one he's ever been this close with is Happy and you. Even Happy's been clinging to you more. Whatever the reason was, that started this sort of thing, I don't think it's their only reason. At least not Natsu's." She finished while nodding sagely.
Lucy sighed, "It's all about nakama with him and nothing more. You are all blowing this out of proportion."
Cana snorted causing the group to look to her, "You say that, and I guess I can see it, but it's not like that for you. That's something you can't deny."
Mira, seeing Lucy's face heat further, chose to drop the meddling and evil smile and replace it with a kind motherly one, "You should tell him, you know? Even if you feel it's one sided he has a right to know Lucy."
Lucy let her head drop to the bar. There was no use denying all of this anymore. They had all found out the details and figured out her own thoughts. "Say I do just that. Then what? I lose the friendship we've built." Sitting up and seeing the surprised looks on her friend's faces she shook her head, "I'm going home." and with that she headed to the doors only to be stopped just before she got there by Wendy.
Wendy fidgeted for a few moments and looked to the floor before speaking, "Lucy-san, forgive me I didn't mean to listen to your conversation but…" the girl stopped debating if she should say something or not.
Lucy smiled slightly at the girl. Placing a gentile hand on her head she said, "It's ok, it's not your fault you can hear so well."
Wendy smiled herself and lifted her gaze to meet the woman's eyes. "You should read your story again." she said giggling and skipping off, leaving Lucy confused.
Shaking her head and rubbing her temples Lucy made her way out the door not seeing the two pair of eyes that trailed after her.
There you go! They made it home thanks to ol speedy LMFAO Was it everything you hoped it would be? Did anyone else spot how happy Happy is? I had to give the lil guy SOMETHING. It only seemed fair!
What was with that last chapter though?! Lucy you naughty girl you! Wonder if I'll let Natsu and Lucy have any alone time...
Well guys YUR AMAZING! All of you! From the constant lurkers, reviewers, viewers, favers, and followers I LOVE YOU! *blushes* Sorry did that come out to strong?
Just keep doin what yur doin and keep that love comin my way!
~Gemi