Lucy had only crossed paths with two people who exuded an intimidating presence: her estranged father, Jude Heartfilia, and her boyfriend, Laxus Dreyar.
Both men shared almost the same kind of confidence that bordered arrogance, capable of commanding silence with a mere glance. Their actions conveyed precision and intent, never shying away from voicing their opinions or confronting anyone who challenged them.
Yet, seeing Erza now, witnessing the unshakable intensity in her brown eyes as they bore into her, not to mention her startling attractiveness, made Lucy veraciously grasp the unease Natsu and Gray probably felt in her presence.
Lucy swallowed hard as she watched the redhead cross her arms over her impressive chest, a silent challenge in her stance.
Okay, stay focused and keep your story straight, Lucy coached herself sternly. You were hiking with a group, got separated, took a tumble—though I can't recall it, but what else could it be, right?
Yeah, Erza might sympathize with that.
Maybe thank her for bringing you back to her camp? And as for the tree incident—well, it beats waking up alone in the middle of nowhere with no hope of survival, doesn't it?
Even in her own thoughts, Lucy struggled to maintain coherence, causing her anxiety to mount.
"My name is Erza Scarlet," came the formidable woman's imposing voice, making Lucy flinch.
"Y-Yes, ma'am," Lucy stuttered, feeling the weight of the moment. "I-I mean, I'm Lucy Heartfilia. It's nice to meet you."
"So, Lucy," Erza began with deliberate slowness.
"Y-Yes?" Lucy braced herself for the interrogation. This is it. She was about to face the firing squad of questions, and she hoped she wouldn't crumble.
"Welcome to our camp."
Erza's abrupt words hung in the air like a punchline waiting to land before she swiveled on her heels and exited the tent.
Lucy blinked, baffled. Huh?
A loud snort, followed by a snicker, drew her attention to Natsu, who was sprawled on the tent floor, grinning like a sly imp, his boyish features lighting up with unabashed amusement.
Lucy's jaw dropped. "Is this supposed to be funny?" she blurted out.
"You shoulda seen your face!" Natsu guffawed, wiping his eyes, unable to contain his enjoyment. "Man, that was classic!"
"But Gray said..." Lucy started, her mind replaying the warning from the dark-haired pretty boy about Erza being furious because Natsu had freed her from the tree.
Just as Lucy thought things couldn't get any more absurd, Gray sauntered back into the tent, grinning lazily at her. "Hey, Blondie," he drawled. "Sorry about that. Couldn't resist. I'm Gray Fullbuster. It's nice to meet you."
Jerks. "Lucy Heartfilia," Lucy said shortly. "I can't say the same though."
"Aw, lighten up," Natsu chortled. "It's just our way of welcoming you to our camp."
"So Erza was in on this too?" Lucy asked incredulously, looking from Natsu to Gray.
Natsu and Gray shared a knowing glance.
"Nah, that's just Erza being Erza," Gray said fondly.
"Gray!" Erza's voice boomed from outside, startling everyone. "Get over here and help me with the skewers."
"Yes, ma'am," Gray called back, his cheeks coloring slightly.
Natsu smirked. "Whipped."
"Shut it," Gray shot back before turning to Lucy. "Make yourself at home, Lucy," he said with a nod, then hurried out.
The atmosphere inside the tent shifted as Gray left, leaving Natsu and Lucy in an awkward silence.
"Hey," Natsu spoke up, his voice breaking through the tension.
Lucy turned to face him, meeting his uncertain smile with a raised eyebrow. "What?" she muttered, her tone guarded.
"Are you still upset?" he asked tentatively.
"I'm not upset," Lucy replied tersely.
To her surprise, Natsu rose from the tent floor and positioned himself directly in front of her, then settled down, crossing his legs.
Lucy instinctively leaned back, aware of the proximity between them. His dark eyes locked onto hers, his usual lighthearted demeanor replaced by a serious expression.
"I don't want you to be upset," Natsu asserted firmly.
Narrowing her eyes, Lucy asked curiously, "Why do you care?"
"Because I want us to be friends," he stated simply.
"Why? You barely know me," she countered, her tone skeptical.
"Well, I think you're a nice person," Natsu insisted, scratching his chin, looking thoughtful.
Flustered, Lucy regarded him carefully. "You're quite forward, aren't you?" she remarked.
"So what?"
Lucy shrugged. "It's just..." she hesitated, grappling for the right expression. It's new, is all. Yeah, that's probably it. "Nevermind."
Natsu fell silent for a moment before abruptly changing the subject. "Is your head still hurting?" he asked, concern evident in his tone.
Lucy hesitated, the dull ache at the back of her head returning to her awareness. "Yeah, it's still bothering me," she admitted reluctantly.
"Erza probably has some ice packs in her cooler," Natsu suggested, already getting to his feet. "I'll go grab 'em for ya." With that, he hastily exited the tent, leaving her completely flustered.
Seriously. What's his deal?
But before she could dwell on it any longer, a loud rumble erupted from her stomach, breaking the spell of tension. "Oh, fuck," she muttered to herself, realizing just how hungry she was.
Not just hungry. Famished.
The last time she had eaten was early that morning before she and Laxus began their ascent up the mountain. She had skipped lunch entirely, feeling too nauseous from the strain of hiking.
Thinking about Laxus again suddenly made Lucy sad and angry at the same time. She couldn't help but wish he was wracked with worry, blaming himself for her disappearance.
Ha. Knowing Laxus, he had a talent for absolving himself of any responsibility. He would probably concoct a convincing excuse, effortlessly deflecting blame onto her.
And as for the hiking group? Well, they were more Laxus' friends than hers. They would totally take his side.
For four years, Lucy had put up with Laxus' selfish tendencies, beguiled by his charms, which often blinded her to his faults.
Lavish gifts and dinners funded by his grandfather's credit card. Sweet compliments and hollow promises of a shared future. The incredible sex, albeit without any aftercare…
Yet, the instant she inconvenienced him, even in the slightest, he would always unleash his unbridled ire on her, as if flipping a switch.
A small part of Lucy clung to the hope that Laxus might change. After all, he was her first boyfriend, and with him came all her other first experiences. But deep down, she knew she deserved better treatment than what he offered.
With the weight of Laxus' abandonment on the mountain heavy on her mind, Lucy couldn't shake the feeling of being utterly alone. The realization hit her hard: she could've died today, and he probably wouldn't have cared.
The thought of his callous disregard for her well-being filled her with disgust and resentment. That heartless jerk.
As Lucy fought to contain the tears threatening to spill, she steeled herself, determined to regain control of her emotions. For now, her sole focus was getting through the night with these newfound companions.
Despite everything, they seemed like a decent bunch. Maybe sticking with them until the end of the camping trip would ensure her safe return home, bidding farewell to outdoor adventures for good.
"Lucy?" Natsu's voice interrupted her thoughts from outside the tent.
"Yeah?" Lucy replied, her tone subdued.
"Nah, just checking," Natsu reassured her as he entered the tent, carrying an ice pack and a bottle of water.
"Here," he said, handing her the drink. "Gotta stay hydrated, ya know."
Lucy managed a faint smile. "Thanks."
Before Lucy could react, Natsu had settled behind her, gently applying the ice pack to her bump.
"Natsu, I can manage the ice pack," Lucy protested feebly, shivering slightly from the sudden chill. "You really don't have to..."
"Ah, quit fussing and let me take care of it," Natsu interrupted firmly.
"Seriously, I can manage," she insisted, though she had a sinking feeling her protests would be ignored.
"Don't be stubborn," he chided, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Natsu—"
"Nope."
Lucy couldn't help but sigh as she relented, allowing the pink-haired rascal to tend to her. With each passing moment, the cool relief of the ice pack gradually eased the throbbing ache in her head, and she closed her eyes contentedly.
"Thanks, Natsu," she murmured softly.
"Mhm. Make sure you drink that water," he replied.
"Jeez, you're so pushy."
"Heh."
Twisting off the bottle cap, Lucy brought the drink to her lips, taking several refreshing sips to quench her thirst.
Then she and Natsu lapsed into silence again, but this time it felt different—a charged stillness hung between them, lingering.
Lucy shifted uneasily, her senses heightened by Natsu's proximity behind her. She could practically feel the warmth radiating from his body. Every instinct urged her to lean back just a fraction, to feel the solidness of him against her. But she resisted, keeping herself rigidly in place.
With hesitant curiosity, she stole a glance at him, only to find his gaze fixed on her with a mirrored intensity. In that moment, it was as if they were suspended in time, teetering on the edge of something obscure yet unquestionably potent…
"Hey, you two," Gray's impatient voice sliced through the tent, "get your asses out here already. Dinner is—"
There was an audible smack on the tent floor, and Lucy realized the ice pack had slipped from Natsu's hand.
Turning to see Gray peering into the tent, Lucy's cheeks flushed with embarrassment under his surprised gaze. His usually laid-back demeanor seemed momentarily thrown off.
"Uh, right, dinner," Natsu muttered, his voice strained as he scrambled to his feet, heading for the tent flap.
But Gray didn't budge from his spot. "I saw that, Pinky," he said with a sly grin.
"Move, Droopy Eyes," Natsu shot back, his tone tense.
With a snicker, Gray pivoted and walked away.
Turning to Lucy, Natsu's demeanor relaxed. "You coming?"
"Yeah, okay," Lucy replied quietly, pushing herself up from the ground, relieved to have escaped the awkward encounter unscathed.
Emerging from the tent beside Natsu, Lucy was met with a spectacular sight. The moon loomed large and luminous against the glittering array of stars, bathing the campsite with an ethereal glow. She gasped in awe, eagerly taking in the celestial display.
Watching the night sky from the mountainside for the first time was a different kind of experience. It was exhilarating! And she regretted ever thinking about saying goodbye to outdoor adventures forever.
The bubbling excitement overwhelmed Lucy to the point where she couldn't contain herself. Eager to share her giddiness, she turned to Natsu with a smile, only to be met with his stumped expression.
"What's with that creepy smile?" Natsu asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
"Ugh, nevermind," Lucy huffed, side-stepping Natsu and making a beeline for the campfire where Erza and Gray awaited.
As they gathered around the campfire, Erza distributed paper plates while Gray skillfully served up the food using a pair of tongs. The brisk evening air now carried the mouthwatering aroma of grilled food: pork chops, venison skewers, corn on the cob, and potatoes, all sizzling and tempting.
Natsu briefly wandered away from the campfire, saying he wanted to grab a few beer cans from the cooler by the grill. Upon his return, he carelessly plopped down cross-legged beside Lucy, his movements casual yet somehow deliberate, causing their knees to brush against each other. The contact sent a strange but not unwelcome flutter through her.
"D'you drink?" Natsu asked eagerly, flashing Lucy a boyish grin.
Lucy hesitated, conscious of her status as a lightweight drinker. But under the weight of two additional sets of eyes fixated on her, she succumbed to the pressure.
"Yeah, sometimes," she replied finally, aiming for an air of nonchalance. Just one beer.
Natsu passed her a beer can before effortlessly tossing a couple to Gray and Erza, who caught them with practiced ease.
Lucy suddenly noticed Natsu's body subtly shifting closer to hers, his presence a source of warmth against the chill of the mountain air, amplified by the crackling flames of the campfire. She couldn't help but admire the rugged lines of his handsome face, so boyish yet full of character, a realization that left her momentarily flustered. I swear, she thought, this is just my hunger talking.
"Cheers!" Erza exclaimed, lifting her beer.
In response, everyone else lifted their cans, the soft sound of aluminum meeting aluminum filling the air, accompanied by the echo of their collective toast.
As the group finally dug into their dinner, the fun conversation started with Natsu recalling their childhood camping trips. Lucy listened intently as he revealed the close bond the trio had formed since then.
Then Gray began joking about Natsu's tendency to get into trouble, resulting in hospital visits. In response, Natsu loudly recounted stories of Gray's own mishaps, like the time he cried after getting stung by a bee.
"It was an angry yellow jacket, you moron," Gray said defensively.
"Oh, yeah?" taunted Natsu. "I wouldn't get all weepy over a bee sting."
"Have you ever been stung by a yellow jacket before?" Lucy asked, raising an eyebrow at Natsu.
"Well, no, but—"
"But my ass, moron," Gray spat.
"Stop calling me 'moron', you freaking stripper."
Erza choked on her beer. "Excuse me."
"Stripper?" Lucy echoed, confused.
"Oh, oh! I got this, I got this," Natsu exclaimed, his excitement escalating. "When Gray was still a little booger, he preferred to swim butt naked, and somehow the habit stuck into our teen years. And one summer—"
"Shut your trap, Natsu," Gray warned, shooting daggers at him.
"And one summer," Natsu continued, grinning devilishly at Gray, "when we had a school summer camp at Lake Sciliora, Gray terrified everyone by strutting around butt naked—"
Lucy bit her lip to suppress a grin. Gray, the epitome of the suave pretty boy, strutting around butt naked? Oh, the mental image was too good to resist. It was just… Mm.
"If you don't shut it—," Gray began, his arm tensed and ready to launch his empty beer can at his friend.
"Go ahead. Throw it, I dare ya," Natsu sneered, though he eyed the beer can warily. "But seriously, Gray, learn to cover up before you freeze something important off."
"Fuck you, man," Gray retorted.
"Right back at ya," responded Natsu with a cheeky grin, cocking his index finger like a gun then blowing on it.
Turning to Lucy, Gray smirked. "Say, Lucy," he drawled, "did you know that Natsu once decided to snack on some questionable mushrooms during one of our camping trips?"
Natsu's smug expression morphed into alarm. "Hey, wait a second, Gray!" he interjected, his cheeks turning crimson.
But Gray went on, "It gave him the runs. I swear, the entire mountain smelled like Natsu's crap—"
Lucy gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth.
"Fuck you, Snowflake!"
"—and he even used up all of Erza's toiletries, so Erza beat him up with his pants still stuck on his feet—"
Lucy couldn't contain herself. She burst out laughing, and Natsu regarded her with a look of betrayal. "I-I'm sorry," she gasped, wiping her eyes and giggling. "It's just too funny."
"No, it ain't!" Turning back to Gray, Natsu raised his hand and gave him the middle finger.
Gray snickered. "What? Can't take the heat, Flame Brain?"
The banter about embarrassing mishaps carried on for about half an hour until Gray, probably sensing Natsu's growing aggression, deftly shifted the conversation toward outdoor competitions.
And Lucy, her cheeks and stomach now hurting from laughter, was silently glad he did. Sitting next to Natsu had begun to feel like being next to a fire-breathing dragon, with his face turning redder by the second and his colorful language filling the air. Where does he get all this energy?
"Gray and I could never beat Erza in rock climbing," Natsu remarked to Lucy between bites of meat, his words slightly muffled. "But I definitely had the edge over Gray."
Gray let out a resigned sigh. "Well, if you count that one time when you conveniently knocked me off, and I had to start over. Otherwise, we would've been tied at 7-7."
Natsu abruptly stopped chewing. "What was that, Droopy Eyes?" he snapped.
And just like that, they were off again. They're like a pair of kids, Lucy thought, as she polished off her third can of beer, feeling the familiar light-headedness of her low alcohol tolerance setting in. Oops, I guess I got carried away.
Shifting her gaze to Erza, Lucy observed the redhead's serene demeanor, calmly sipping her beer while gazing up at the moon, a soft smile gracing her pretty mouth. She's really beautiful.
Unable to suppress her own smile, Lucy realized she was actually having a blast. So, this is what camping is all about... It's... so much fun... My head is spinning, but... I'm having such a great time...
With a contented sigh, Lucy leaned her head against Natsu's shoulder, prompting the loudmouth to stop in mid-tirade.
Closing her eyes, she finally let herself drift off to sleep.