Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail
Chapter 13
Freed and Lucy went back to his house, and he made breakfast. They ate in a comfortable silence. Once they were done Lucy helped him was the dishes. She was feeling guilty for running away and she was worried that she hurt Freed's feelings. That wasn't her intention, she just didn't want to be a burden to anyone.
"Freed, I'm sorry about running away. The nightmare really got to me. I hope I didn't hurt your feelings." She said while looking down.
"It's okay Lucy. I hate that you had a nightmare. I understand that you were scared, you didn't hurt my feelings. Know that I am here for you. Please don't be afraid to talk to me about anything, I will always listen." Lucy smiled and gave him a hug.
"Would it be okay if I used your lacrima to call master?"
"Of course, let me grab it for you quick." He went to his room and grabbed it. She asked if he would sit next to her when she talked to master. She was nervous and hoped he wasn't upset that she hadn't been to the guild.
"Hello master, how are you? I'm sorry I haven't been to the guild yet."
"Lucy, my child! It's good to hear from you. You have nothing to apologize for. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing okay. Freed and the Raijinshuu have been a big help. Master, I would like to leave team Natsu though. I know I wouldn't be comfortable going on missions with them anymore."
"Okay child, I will file the paperwork. Do you want me to tell them, or do you want to let them know?"
"I should be the one to tell them master."
"Of course, are you going to join the Raijinshuu or stay solo?"
"Freed asked me if I would want to join the Raijinshuu, but I want to make sure the others would be okay with it first." Makarov smiled and nodded.
"Thank you for contacting me child. Would it be okay if I let the guild know how you are doing? Some members are getting antsy."
"Of course, master, tell them I'm sorry that I haven't been to the guild yet."
"You have nothing to apologize for. I'm glad you called." He ended the call. Lucy and Freed relaxed and talked. Lucy was excited and nervous about spending time with Freed's team.
Once the team got to Freed's, Lucy calmed down more. She enjoyed their company. The pizza was some of the best she ever had. She had a lot in common with Ever, and hoped they would become great friends. Bix was like a goofy older brother, and Laxus took her in as kin. They decided to watch a comedy movie. After dinner, they helped clean up and left so Lucy could get some sleep.
-One week later-
Lucy didn't go to the guild a lot, she still got nervous being around too many people. She is slowly getting more comfortable around the Raijinshuu, but still has days when she shies away and stays in her room. Freed has kept his word and has been there for her. He brings her meals when she doesn't want to come out and will sit in the room with her if she asks. She is no longer apart of team Natsu, which they weren't happy when they got the news. They had only seen her once since she was rescued.
Currently she is sitting in her room trying to decide what she was going to do about getting money for her rent. She can't take missions right now, and she won't ask anyone for a loan to pay it for her. She was brought out of her thoughts by Freed knocking on the door.
"Lucy, lunch is ready. The others are here as well. Do you want to eat here or come join us?"
"I would like to join you." Lucy said and she got up and followed Freed to the dining room. Lucy gave a small smile and waved to everyone. Everyone greeted her, then they started to eat. Lucy was quiet, which they were used to, but she was acting more distant than normal.
"Blondie, you okay? You seem lost in thought."
"I am trying to figure out how to get money for my rent. I don't want to lose my apartment."
"Lucy, I would be more than happy to help you."
"I can't accept money from you Freed, you are already letting me stay here." Suddenly Loke appeared.
"Princess, I want to go on a mission for you. I am still a member of Fairy Tail, and I have no use for the money. Any reward I would get would go to you."
"Lo-Loke, I couldn't ask that of you. I wouldn't be there to fight by your side."
Loke smiled and shook his head, "Princess I want to do this for you. As a friend let me help you this way." Lucy started to cry, getting up from the table and hugging Loke.
"Thank you so much. You are the best spirit a celestial mage could ask for." Loke just chuckled at her.
"Princess, you saved my life, this is the least that I could do for you." Loke left to go get a mission that would give Lucy enough money for at least two months' rent, and then some extra.
"Lucy, how did you save Loke?" Evergreen asked. Lucy told them how she had saved Loke, and the spirit king gave her his key. Everyone's jaws dropped after they heard what had happened.
"You opened the gates to all your spirits? That takes a lot of magic, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, normally I can do three and be fine. I meditate to make my magic containers grow. I have a question for you guys."
"What is your question, Lucy?"
"Would you all train me? I want to become stronger physically, so this won't happen again. Also, by training and becoming stronger, my spirits will get stronger as well."
They were shocked that she asked them to train her, but also it made them happy that she would ask them.
"Sure Blondie, we can train you. When would you like to start?"
"I'd like to wait a few more weeks please. I want to get myself comfortable to be at the guild. Even if I'm not ready to talk with Natsu and Gray, I want to start trying to go more and be around the others."
"That's cool Cosplayer. You could always sit at our table; we can help make sure people don't crowd you." Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Blo-Lucy I have a question for you. Would you want to join our team?" Lucy's eyes widened when Laxus asked her. She looked at everyone and they all had smiles on their faces.
"Really? You guys want me to join the team?" Lucy asked. They all nodded their heads.
"I'd love to join the team! I'm not ready to take missions just yet, if that's okay. I want to work on being okay around others, and then start training."
"Of course, Lucy, you don't have to rush back into missions." Freed said. They spent the rest of lunch time talking and saying they would go with Lucy to the guild in the morning. She helped Freed clean up the kitchen, and then went to take a nap.
-Next day-
Lucy was feeling nervous about going to the guild, she hoped that Natsu and Gray wouldn't try and confront her. She was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, since she didn't want her scars showing. Once she was ready, she went downstairs to eat breakfast and wait for the others to get there.
"Did you sleep well?" Freed asked.
"I did thank you. How did you sleep?"
"I slept well, thank you. The others should be here soon." Lucy nodded and started to fidget with her hands. She was trying her best to stay calm, and not show how nervous she really was. You'll be okay Lucy; they are your family. They won't hurt you. She kept saying silently in her head. She was lost in thought that she didn't hear that the others had arrived.
"Lucy, are you ready to go?" Freed asked.
"Yeah, I'm ready." She said and gave them a small smile. The walk to the guild was mostly a quiet one. They could tell how nervous she was. When the guild came into view Lucy froze.
"Lucy, it's okay we are here with you. We will be with you the whole time in the guild too." Evergreen said.
"No worries, Cosplayer, we got your back." Bix said. His babies mimicking "no worries."
Lucy nodded and stood between Freed and Laxus. Bix stood behind her and Evergreen in front of her. The whole guild went quiet when they saw Lucy was there and surrounded by the Raijinshuu.
"Luce! I need to talk to you." Natsu yelled as he ran towards her. Lucy's eyes widened and she moved closer to Freed. Laxus turned to look at Natsu and stopped him before he could get too close to her.
"You can't just run up to her Natsu."
"Luce is my best friend, and I want to see her. I also need to ask her why she doesn't want to be on my team anymore!"
"Natsu, I explained why, and so did gramps."
"Do you really think I would let something like that happen to you, again? I still feel horrible that you got kidnapped in the first place because of us. I know Gray does too."
"Natsu, you and Gray, are still my best friends and Nakama. I just can't keep being the damsel in distress or the one who gets kidnapped because you two argue. Please respect my wishes." Lucy whispered.
"You heard her, now back off before I make you Natsu. She needs time." Laxus said, and he turned, and they started to walk upstairs to their table. Lucy kept her head down, as she silently cried. Once they sat down a couple of quiet sobs could be heard from her.
"Lucy are you okay? Do you need to go?" Freed asked. Lucy just shook her head, not trusting her voice at the moment. It took her a couple minutes to finally start calming down.
"I'm okay."
"Lucy! You're here! I'm so glad to see you!" Mira said as she ran up the stairs and threw her arms around Lucy. She stiffened and quickly tried to pull herself out of Mira's arms. Once she was free, she quickly moved away from Mira. Mira looked hurt by how Lucy reacted.
"Mira you can't just run up and hug her like that. She needs to be aware of you being by her and wanting to touch her. Remember she was tortured for over a month before we finally got her." Freed said.
"I'm sorry Lucy, I have just been so worried about you that when I saw you, I was so happy. Could I get you anything?"
"A milkshake." Lucy whispered. Mira nodded and asked what everyone else wanted. They talked for a little bit and decided to eat dinner at the guild.
"Okay Blondie, we need to come up with a training schedule. I know it will be a few weeks before we start but let's get it planned out."
"Okay, I think I should meditate first thing in the morning, because it's the best time. Then I'm fine with how you guys want to set it up."
"Lucy, would it be okay if I called you Lulu?" Ever asked. Lucy nodded with a smile on her face.
"Of course, can I call you Ever then?" Ever nodded.
"I wanted to see if I could meditate with you in the mornings."
"Sure, I would like that. What time should we start meditation?"
"What time did you normally meditate?"
"Six in the morning until eight in the morning."
"That sounds good to me, Lulu." Ever smiled. Finally, I have a girlfriend I can talk with and go shopping with! Of course, we will do the shopping when she is feeling better.
"Okay after you two meditate, Blondie you will do hand to hand combat with me for a couple hours. Then Bix can help you learn some acrobatic shit. Freed can set up a rune obstacle course to run."
"That sounds good to me. But what about missions for guys? I don't want to keep you from missions, I know you guys will need the jewels."
"Blondie, we take S-Class missions, they pay well. We will be fine not taking missions for a bit, to be able to help you."
She nodded, surprised that they would be willing to do that for her. They ordered dinner and spent time getting to know each other better. When Lucy started yawning, Freed asked if she wanted to head back to his place to sleep. She nodded and told everyone good night. I'm glad I am getting to know them better. I wish I had taken the time before this happened. I feel happy around them, and I want to trust them. It will take time though, and they are all being understanding and patient with me. Lucy smiled her first true smile since everything happened.