The battle in the forest was over. The dark wizards had run off with their tails between their legs. Natsu, being Natsu, shouted smack at them, even though they were probably out of earshot. He bragged about kicking their ass, how they shouldn't have messed with Fairy Tail, fire puns, etc. Happy acted as his usual hype man with occasional "Aye, sir!" interjections and his own taunts. Gray, shirtless again for some reason, sat by himself while Wendy healed a burn mark on his arm that one of their opponents, a fire user, had caused because he thought he could match Natsu.
Lucy did not run over to Natsu for once. Her chest heaved as she caught her breath. This battle had not gone as she'd hoped, because a dark magic-using wizard picked her out of the crowd so to speak, and hit her with several attacks that really messed her up. Instead, she stood to the side, covered in soot, bruises and sweat, wondering how she was just barely strong enough to beat him using her Virgo star dress. She didn't wear it now, she stuck to her usual travel clothes.
Then she looked up at Erza, not for any special reason, but because she heard her teammate approaching. She used that sarashi armor, whatever it's called, to finally beat the enemy, but now she was clad in her default armor. Lucy didn't know her heart was still racing, because she felt it slow at the sight of Erza. The other wizard wore a slight, but soft smile and had a caring look in her eyes that allowed a silent conversation between them
'Are you okay?'
'Yes and no.'
Lucy once had a crush on the swordswoman, that turned into regular friendship. Now…
Erza re-quipped her armor away. Now she just wore her regular sleeveless blouse that emphasized her toned arms. Those arms opened, and Lucy ran into them without hesitation. Those strong arms enveloped her again as she buried her face in the soft fabric of Erza's blouse. She squeezed tightly, wanting to ease Erza's feelings, as well.
Nobody noticed them. Natsu and Gray were distracted by their usual comical arguments. Lucy could faintly hear Natsu bragging, and Gray reminding him that his opponent had him on the ropes. Only Wendy played referee.
It didn't matter. Lucy felt safe in Erza's arms. The other woman rubbed her back and gently ran her hands through her hair, while Lucy breathed in Erza's strawberry shampoo. A quiet realization came to Lucy. She belonged here, in Erza's arms, and Erza in her arms. Why chase a dragon when she had a knight in shining armor right here?
Lucy lifted her head up to meet Erza's eyes. Both women gently smiled, before leaning in and pressing their lips together. Closing her eyes, Lucy sighed through her nose, tasting Erza's strawberry cake-flavored lips.
They stood in that position for several minutes, lost in a little world of love.