At the edges of Lute, nestled amidst a luxuriant sea of emerald and sage trees was a serene, untouched lake far from and free of human disturbance. Or, it would have been untouched by humans if it hadn't been for the youthful pair who were bathing in the cool water as a way to wash off their acquired impurities. One— a boy, with thick, black hair that curled and clung to his ivory skin, and eyes so rich in green that the color was alike a showered jungle— and the other— a girl, with long, soft and golden hair like hand-spun straw, porcelain skin, chocolate brown eyes that hid hints of caramel brown deep within its mold.
They sat some feet apart, not daring to look at each other as they chattered, for the fact that, of course, both were nude and had the respect for one another not to peek.
Naturally, they were Naofumi Iwatani and Lucy Heartfilia; Shield and Key Heroes of the country Melromarc. After their courageous efforts in the first wave, they both felt too mucky and exhausted to yet sleep. The battle in Lute proved challenging, and the village itself was too far from Castle Town. The trip back would take upwards of a day or two depending on their speed; which was far too long without a bath for Lucy's comfort. Thus, a quick conversation with a local directed them to a nearby lake where they could wash up before heading back.
A small wooden crate lay on the grass rim of the lake— courtesy of Virgo— containing toiletries such as: two bars of soap, two fluffy rolled towels, and miniature perfumes that smelled of turmeric and strawberry. The turmeric for Naofumi and strawberry for Lucy, respectively.
"This feels amazing! I knew we should have come here." Lucy said with a giant smile, stretching to ease her bones of the day's hardships.
Naofumi chuckled. "Yeah, definitely. Maybe we can find something cool here to let my shield absorb, too..." He trailed off, scanning the nearby surroundings for said cool things. His partner sighed begrudgingly. He could never appreciate a bath like she could.
Naofumi plunged deep in thought. The more he absorbed, the more expansive the abilities of his shield would be and, as a result, more versatile. The capabilities were, in a way, endless, promised flexibility in the battles he would no doubt have to strategize in as time passed. The waves were a major threat, but there were also much smaller battles to be won, such as the one in the mine. He knew he and Lucy had to grow stronger to ensure their safety and growth. He didn't want to be weak forever.
He fought the urge to glance at her. Not because he was a degenerate, but just to remind himself of what he was fighting for. There was a time when all he wanted was revenge. The want to see everyone begging for his forgiveness. Begging for his mercy. A part of him still wanted it. To show them all, to make them regret everything they've done to him. But another part of him just wanted to protect Lucy. To not make the same mistakes he already has. And yet, something else in him thought he wasn't good enough for the task, the commitment of being her teammate— that she was better off with a stronger hero. Someone who wasn't him.
He shuddered. It finally dawned on him that as time passed, the more time he spent with her, the less he cared for himself and his own revenge. The idea that one day it would all be for her scared him.
'It can't all be for her. I hate everything. The world hates me. I have to get revenge, don't I? Or do I just isolate with Lucy? After all of this is over, maybe...' Again with the trailing off. He blinked.
"Lucy," he mumbled.
"Yeah?"
"They told us that once we defeated all the waves, we'd all get to go home, right?" He asked her.
"They did. Why?" She questioned, sinking lower into the soothing water of the lake like a wilting flower.
There was a momentary pause as Naofumi began to collect his thoughts. Remember things that she said, how the features of her face softened when she spoke of people who once were there for her, before him. He had always been alone. She hadn't. What was worse, to have lost love or never felt it at all?
Trying not to make her too uncomfortable, he worded his next question carefully. "Will you stay here? In this world, I mean." No implying that her world was destroyed, that she couldn't possibly ever go back even if she wanted to, that there was nothing for her to go back to. A considerate inquiry.
"I will be staying. You're going home, right?"
"About that," he shifted from his reclined position to sit up straight. Curious, Lucy glanced at him from the side. The water had soaked deep within his hair, making it ravenous with twisted ribbons dark hair framing his face.
'It suits him.' She thought. She'd even dare to say that it was bewitching; the perfect hair for his dark archetype.
Without explanation, Naofumi turned to face her in a rush of water— an unusual earnest look in his eyes. He was always rather carefree, at least around the sole company of Lucy, but isn't that how it was now?
She squeaked at his sudden initiative, blushing and covering her most private parts in an attempt to preserve her modesty. He wasn't looking, nor planning to, but even with that knowledge, she wouldn't have had much of a different reaction.
"Hey, what did I tell you about loo-!"
"Do you want to come home with me?"
Silence. A blink.
"Excuse me?"
"Do you want to come home with me? I mean, to my original world. It doesn't have magic or anything too cool, really, but I thought maybe you'd like to come with me instead of staying here when everything is over." It came out more sheepish than he intended. A wave of embarrassment washed over him, not sated by the stare she wouldn't stop giving him. Her eyes searched deep into his and bore into his soul. Embarrassment began to mix with regret. He never thought it was possible for it to be difficult to look at her. It was easy, welcoming, and covet. Now, as he looked at those same beloved, sweet brown eyes, he felt like a moron.
'She thinks I'm stupid, doesn't she?' A blush of his own crept onto his cheeks— although light— burned with the need to be seen by her yet his desire to disappear at the same time. He darted his gaze away from her, but his attention never shifted to anything beyond her.
"Listen, Lucy, I-"
"Why don't we stay here?" It was her time to cut him off. "You don't like your home very much, do you? When we're done, let's leave Melromarc and go somewhere new. Go on adventures. Use and practice magic. Be with each other." It sounded too much of a subtle declaration of love than she had intended, but they both were having their blunders. This was, after all, a very heartfelt, awkward moment they were sharing. They were both too shy for something so intimate and serious. But Lucy knew in her heart what she wanted, and that was to never lose anyone again. She had lost too many people in her life, and she wanted that number to stop, even if for just a few years. Her mother, her father, Michelle, Eclair, Aquarius, her entire guild— no, her entire world; when would it end? She wanted it to end with him. With her the rest of her spirits. She wanted to grow old with them like she had always dreamed with everyone before. This time, she begged, hoped, pleaded, to whichever god was listening, to let her keep the remaining ones she cherished. Just this once.
Thus, her conviction was to stay with Naofumi, continue with the adventures that she was once supposed to share with Fairy Tail and let them live on within them, to be happy like they would have wanted her to be. It was hard, readjusting without the people she considered family gone in the blink of an eye. She still longed for them as strongly as the second she lost them, and she was content with the fact that would never change. But she had a new friend now, right in front of her, who cared for her the way she did him, albeit more subtly. With him and her precious celestial spirits, she believed she could be whole again in a new type of way. No one could ever replace Fiore, but there was plenty of room in her heart for something more.
Naofumi, still abashed, turned to look at her again. She was as sincere with her suggestion as he was. A breath he hadn't known he was holding escaped him. His shoulders visibly relaxed, and his eyes twinkled as he looked down at her.
"You want to stay here? Why?" He asked of her, wanting to understand her reasoning. He would have been against the idea had she not mentioned leaving Melromarc. He hated this country with every fiber of his being. He wouldn't stay here any longer than his welcome, but he was open to exploring the rest of what this world had to offer. Maybe it was much more appreciative than Melromarc could ever hope to be.
"I remember you and the others talking about how your worlds were without magic. I have already experienced that before, and I never want to again. I want to keep being a celestial mage and seeing my friends." She explained.
He mulled it over. He had never had magic until he was summoned here, but Lucy had grown up with it her entire life. Her magic meant more to her than it ever would him, especially since hers was alive, sentient, and heavenly. Her friends were beings of the stars, pledging to defend her with all their might and immortality. And although his magic was not one of life, it made him feel alive. The air was dancing with the exuberant presence of magic clinging to every particle to be. It felt vibrant, right, like second nature. He was still not to terms with his shield, but the hum of wizardry was undoubtedly blissful in a way he never imagined the atmosphere could possess.
"Sure, we can stay here." He agreed, not putting up much of a fight as the blonde had anticipated. Grateful, she beamed in the way only she could, a sincere smile lacing her lips. A soft smile graced him as well. Her happiness was truly contagious.
After a comfortable pause, the stellar girl shooed him away with a tiny head motion.
"Okay, now look away, I'm starting to prune." She ushered.
"Okay, okay, I'm not looking." He turned away, hands up in surrender.
"No peeking!" Lucy warned, rising from the water into the chill air and retreated to begin her post-bath care process.
"Seriously, this again? I'm not gonna look!" The emerald-eyed boy glowered. He heard her burst into a peal of laughter behind him, and he sighed, his smile never leaving his face.
Lucy Heartfilia had become his solace.
The morning after, dew had glittered on the glass, the breeze was a perfect warm embrace, birds chirped their merry songs, small creatures wandered about, and flowers yearned for the sun's daily kisses.
It was a peaceful morning, or it would have been if they hadn't been awakened by the sound of heavy footsteps and clinking metal. A small platoon of soldiers had disturbed them to deliver an official summoning by the King himself. How they had found them, the duo wasn't sure. The royally mandated request came in the form of a wax-stamped envelope, dainty and elegant. Lucy thought it looked cute. After handing it to them, the soldiers wasted no time to leave like they had not been there to begin with. It would have been odd if the men hadn't worn the same tired expression they themselves carried. Naofumi supposed they had had an earlier morning than them. Poor them.
"What does it say?" Lucy asked, leaning closer to him as he tore the envelope off to reveal the folded letter inside.
They sat at the edge of the lake, Naofumi crossed-legged and Lucy kicking her bare feet in the water.
His eyes narrowed as he skimmed the contents of the letter and then tossed it aside after understanding the gist.
"The King is hosting a celebration since we beat the first wave. He's inviting all of us." He explained, not all too pleased. The blonde had a similar feeling to the news, but then perked up after a few seconds of thinking.
"We should go. We won't have to spend money on food today if we do, right? And maybe they'll pay us again!" Excitement overtook her at the idea of not having to spend money they didn't have to. Between tavern spending, previous upgrades, and food, they were practically broke. Naofumi's large pay cut due to the allegations against him and lingering negative reputation didn't help. Some people flat out refused to serve them or tried to overcharge them!
Said boy sighed deeply, knowing that they really hadn't had much of a choice to begin with, and he likewise wished to benefit their financial situation.
"Unfortunately, we do have to go. Hopefully it isn't some trash formal get-together." He said dreadfully. The thought of seeing the other three heroes and Myne made his blood boil. He hated it when they invaded his space, let alone his mind. He frowned deeply, recalling his memories of them as he sat in silence and stared off into the trees.
Noticing his evident distaste, she placed a hand on his shoulder and offered him a meek smile.
"Calm down, Naofumi. We'll be going together. I won't let them pick on you." Her will to protect burned passionately within her heart as she assured him. He looked at her somewhat defeated, knowing that her word was true, but also aware that not even she could stop them from making his life a living hell completely. Still, it was the effort that counted, right?
"Yeah, thanks, Lucy." He whispered, placing his opposite hand above her own that was still on his shoulder. The contact didn't seem to fluster her, as she understood it as a touch of comfort rather than romantics.
"Oh, and before we go, maybe we should introduce your clothes to the enchanting mysteries of soap and water." She teased him, lightening the mood.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He looked at her with an arched eyebrow. She stood up, letting both of their hands slip away and pat down her skirt of any dirt.
"You haven't washed your clothes since we arrived at Lute." Lucy pointed out, wagging her index finger in disapproval.
"But you haven't either?" He refuted.
"I changed clothes! Virgo brings me celestial garments to wear," she puffed her cheeks and pulled out the maid's key from her pouch, "and speaking of. Open, gate of The Maiden! Virgo!" She chanted. The magenta pink haired maid spawned in a burst of stardust and immediately bowed.
"Punishment, Princess?" The stellar mage facepalmed at her spirit's masochist greeting.
"You know I'm never gonna do that, Virgo." She muttered. Naofumi chuckled beside her. The maid glanced at him and nodded at him in acknowledgment, which he returned. "I need celestial garments for a maybe formal event tonight," she turned to Naofumi, "do you want something?" She asked. He shook his head, and she once again looked to Virgo.
"Only for me, please. And please ask Capricorn if he's any good with a sword. If he isn't, please ask Crux if he knows a spirit who is. Thank you." She expressed her wishes, and the earth spirit nodded in understanding.
"I'm on it, Princess. Please allow me a moment to retrieve your clothing, and I'll return to you with news as soon as possible." The maid responded, and then disappeared back to her realm to carry out her master's requests.
"Why didn't you tell her to wash my clothes?" The black haired boy questioned, and his partner again turned to face him.
"We can take care of that. I already gave her enough to do. Now, take it all off." She ordered him, and he stood up to do her bidding, but not without his own teasing.
"Well, aren't you excited? Who's the pervert now?" He sneered, beginning to remove his cloak. She blushed furiously at his comment.
"Don't get the wrong idea! Lucy kick" She shrieked, and kicked him half heartedly. The attack landed him in the water, drenched and erupting in laughter despite the pain running through his body.
A/N: Editing this was an absolute pain. I can't italicize or bold in my notes app, so I have to do it in the FFN editor, which for some reason loves to do it to random parts of the story instead of just the text I had highlighted...truly awful. Does anyone how to fix this?
Anyways, if you see any mistakes, I'm sorry. This is proofread by only me and Grammarly. And again, editing makes all bunch of weird stuff happen, even erasing some edits I make for some reason.
Anyways x2, I don't intend to make this the slowest burn ever, but I don't want to make these two fall in love immediately. I'm a huge slow burn and angst fan, so I need to incorporate them or I'll go insane. I like to show them being affectionate, and expressing their infatuation with each other with just how much they're on each other's mind and constantly considering each other in every choice they make.