Lucy's eyes sparkled with excitement as she settled onto Pegasus's back. "Ready, Ben?" she called over her shoulder.

Ben gulped, his arms already wrapped tightly around Lucy's waist. "As ready as I'll ever be," he muttered.

With a gentle nudge from Lucy, Pegasus spread his magnificent wings and took off from the library balcony. The sudden rush of wind made Ben's stomach lurch.

"Woohooo!" Lucy whooped, throwing her arms up in the air. "This is amazing!"

Ben, on the other hand, had his eyes squeezed shut. "Tell me when it's over," he groaned.

Lucy laughed, the sound carried away by the wind. "Open your eyes, Ben! You're missing everything!"

Reluctantly, Ben cracked one eye open. The sight that greeted him was breathtaking. The estate sprawled out beneath them, a patchwork of moonlit gardens and shadowy buildings.

"Wow," he breathed, momentarily forgetting his fear.

"I know, right?" Lucy grinned. "Look, there's the rose garden!"

As they soared higher, the summer night air grew cooler. Ben found himself relaxing, bit by bit. Lucy's infectious joy was hard to resist.

"Want to try something fun?" Lucy asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Before Ben could answer, she leaned forward, whispering something to Pegasus. The spirit neighed in response and suddenly dipped into a steep dive.

"Lucy!" Ben yelped, clinging to her for dear life.

Lucy just laughed, the wind whipping through her hair. At the last second, Pegasus pulled up, skimming low over a moonlit lake.

"That was terrifying," Ben gasped, his heart racing. But he couldn't help the smile tugging at his lips.

As they climbed back into the sky, Lucy turned to look at him. "See? Flying isn't so bad after all, is it?"

Ben chuckled, shaking his head. "I guess not. But next time, a little warning before the stunts, okay?"

Lucy grinned. "Deal. Now, ready to see what Pegasus can really do?"

As they zoomed off into the star-studded sky, Ben realized he was actually looking forward to it. Who knew flying could be this fun?

Their laughter echoed through the night air as Pegasus swooped and soared. But as they circled back towards the manor, Lucy's smile faded.

"Oh no," she whispered, her grip on Pegasus tightening.

Ben followed her gaze and his stomach dropped. There, on the library balcony, stood Jude Heartfilia. Even from a distance, Ben could see the man's face was red with anger.

"Lucy, we should-" Ben started, but Pegasus was already descending.

As they landed, Jude's voice boomed across the balcony. "Lucy Heartfilia! What on earth do you think you're doing?"

Lucy slid off Pegasus, her shoulders slumping. "Father, I-"

"And you!" Jude pointed at Ben, who was trying to make himself as small as possible. "I expected better from my staff!"

Ben opened his mouth to defend himself, but Lucy stepped in front of him. "It was my idea, Father. Don't blame Ben."

Jude's nostrils flared. "Inside. Now. Both of you."

As they followed Jude into the library, Ben caught Lucy's eye. She gave him a small, apologetic smile. Whatever happened next, they were in this together.

Jude whirled around, his face still flushed with anger. "Lucy, return to the party at once. Your absence has been noted."

Lucy opened her mouth to argue, but Ben gave her a subtle nod. It's okay, his eyes seemed to say. Lucy hesitated, then reluctantly headed for the door, throwing one last concerned glance over her shoulder.

As soon as Lucy was gone, Jude rounded on Ben. "You," he spat, jabbing a finger at Ben's chest. "How dare you sneak off with my daughter?"

Ben tried to explain, "Mr. Heartfilia, I—"

"Silence!" Jude roared. "I know your type. You think you can worm your way into my daughter's good graces? After her money, are you?"

Ben's eyes widened. "No, sir, that's not—"

"You should know your place, boy," Jude sneered. "You're nothing but a gardener. Did you really think you could be friends with someone like Lucy?"

Each word felt like a slap. Ben's shoulders slumped, his earlier joy from the flight completely evaporating.

"You're fired," Jude said coldly. "Pack your things and be gone by morning. And if I ever catch you near my daughter again..."

He left the threat hanging in the air. Ben nodded mutely, his mind reeling. As he turned to leave, he couldn't help but wonder how he was going to break the news to Lucy.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Ben sighed, folding his last shirt and tucking it into his beat-up duffel bag. Last night's party felt like a dream - one minute, he and Lucy were laughing on Pegasus, the next, Jude was yelling at them.

Lucy sat on Ben's bed, watching him pack with red eyes. "I can't believe he's making you go," she sniffled.

Ben zipped up his bag and turned to her. "Hey, it's not your fault, okay?"

Lucy shook her head. "But it is! If I hadn't wanted that stupid midnight flight-"

"Lucy," Ben cut in gently, plopping down next to her. "I wanted to go too, remember?"

She wiped her eyes. "You're losing your job because of me. My only friend, and now you have to leave."

Ben nudged her shoulder. "Come on, I'm not dying. We'll figure something out."

"But how?" Lucy looked miserable.

Ben thought for a second, then grinned. "Well, your dad can't stop you from hiring a gardener when you're a big-time guild mage with your own mansion, right?"

That got a little laugh out of Lucy. "I guess not. Maybe I'll need someone to tend to my prize-winning rose garden."

"Exactly!" Ben chuckled. "I'll be there, pruning shears at the ready."

Lucy's smile faded a bit. "But how will we keep in touch until then?"

Ben snapped his fingers. "I've got it! I'll get some communication lacrima. We can talk whenever we want."

"Really?" Lucy's eyes lit up.

"Really," Ben nodded. "Promise."

They hugged tightly, neither wanting to let go. Finally, Lucy pulled back, wiping her eyes.

"I should go," she said softly. "Dad will be looking for me soon."

Ben nodded, watching her leave. His heart felt heavy as the door closed behind her.

Ben slumped against the train window, his eyes fixed on the shrinking silhouette of the Heartfilia estate. The gentle rumble of the train did nothing to soothe the ache in his chest.

"It's just a job," he muttered, trying to convince himself. "You've left plenty of places before."

But even as the words left his lips, he knew it wasn't true. This time was different.

Ben closed his eyes, memories flooding in. Mrs. Spetto's warm smile as she snuck him extra treats when her husband wasn't looking. The estate's head chef Aed, a grumpy old man with an impressively large nose, begrudgingly teaching him secret recipes while muttering about "youngsters these days."

Mrs. Spetto had been a constant source of warmth in the manor. She'd often intervene when her husband, the stern head butler, was being particularly strict with the staff. Ben recalled one instance when Mr. Spetto had caught him napping during his break. The man had been about to launch into a lecture when Mrs. Spetto appeared, gently reminding her husband that "even the most diligent workers need rest, dear."

These memories brought a bittersweet smile to Ben's face. But it was thoughts of Lucy that made his heart ache the most...

A lump formed in his throat. Lucy, with her bright laugh and endless curiosity.

"Stupid," he chided himself. "You knew it was temporary."

But he couldn't shake the hollow feeling in his gut. The manor had become more than just a paycheck. It had become... home.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "Home. Huh. Didn't think I'd ever use that word again."

He pulled out a small, worn photo from his pocket. The edges were slightly frayed, but the image remained clear. It showed a group of people gathered around a table in the manor's kitchen, all wearing party hats and beaming at the camera. In the center was Mrs. Spetto, the head maid, her weathered face creased with laughter as she leaned over a homemade birthday cake.

Ben's eyes lingered on the figures flanking Mrs. Spetto. On one side was Lucy, her golden hair tied back with a ribbon, eyes sparkling with mischief as she held up a hastily-made 'Happy Birthday' banner. On the other side was Ben himself, looking slightly awkward but genuinely happy, a smudge of frosting on his cheek.

The rest of the staff crowded around them - the jovial librarian, her arms wrapped around Mrs. Spetto's shoulders; the chef aed, his usual stern expression softened by a rare smile; even some of the younger maids, giggling in the background.

Ben's thumb traced over the image, remembering that day. It had been his idea to surprise Mrs. Spetto, and Lucy had thrown herself into the planning with enthusiasm. They'd spent days sneaking around, planning decorations and baking the cake in secret.

A bittersweet smile tugged at his lips as he recalled Mrs. Spetto's face when they'd all jumped out to surprise her. For a moment, the strict head maid had been speechless, before bursting into tears of joy.

"Guess this is goodbye to all of you," he whispered, his thumb lingering over Lucy's smiling face. "Thanks for making me feel like part of the family, even if it was just for a little while."

"Goodbye, Luce," he whispered, his thumb tracing her smiling face. "Hope you find that adventure you're looking for."

Sighing, he tucked the photo away and tried to focus on what lay ahead. The train's rhythmic clatter seemed to echo his jumbled thoughts as Ben pondered his next move. Hargeon wasn't far now, but what then? He'd need to find work quickly - his meager savings wouldn't last long. Maybe he could pick up odd jobs at the docks, or look for another estate in need of a groundskeeper.

A fleeting thought of leaving Fiore altogether crossed his mind. It wouldn't be the first time he'd crossed borders, after all. There were always opportunities for someone with his particular skill set, especially in less... stable regions.

But even as he considered these options, his mind kept drifting back to Magnolia. To the Heartfilia estate. To Lucy.

He could picture her face so clearly - those warm brown eyes brimming with unshed tears as he'd said goodbye. The way her lower lip had trembled, even as she'd tried to put on a brave face for him.

"She'll be fine," he muttered to himself, not quite believing it. "She's got her whole life ahead of her. Probably better off without me complicating things."

But the words rang hollow, even in his own ears. He couldn't shake the image of Lucy sitting alone in that vast library, or wandering the immaculate gardens with no one to share her thoughts with.

Ben ran a hand through his hair, frustration building. This wasn't like him. He'd left plenty of places before, never looking back. Why was this time so different?

"Because you care about her, you idiot," a small voice in his head chided.

He did care. More than he wanted to admit. The thought of Lucy's sadness if he simply disappeared, as he'd done so many times before, made his chest ache.

"Maybe..." he mused aloud, surprising himself. "Maybe I could send her a letter once I'm settled. Let her know I'm okay."

It wasn't much, but it was something. A small lifeline to the friend he was leaving behind.

As the train rumbled on towards Hargeon, Ben found himself torn between his instinct to keep moving and the unexpected pull of the connections he'd made. For the first time in years, he wasn't sure which path to take.

"Come on, Ben," he muttered under his breath. "Lucy's got her whole life ahead of her. You're just..."

He sighed, his forehead bumping against the cool window. "She'll be fine without you. Probably better off, really."

The words felt hollow, even to his own ears.

Just then, someone flopped into the seat across from him. Ben looked up, ready to politely ask for some space.

His eyes went wide.

There was Lucy, beaming at him. She had a ratty old backpack slung over her shoulder and was dressed in a light blue sleeveless shirt that complemented her eyes. A comfortable-looking brown skirt swished around her knees, and on her feet were sturdy, well-worn boots that seemed perfect for long walks. Ben's eyes widened as he noticed a coiled leather whip hanging from her hip, opposite a ring of jangling silver and gold keys. The whole ensemble looked like it had been carefully chosen for practicality and adventure, a far cry from the fancy dresses she usually wore around the estate.

Lucy twirled, her skirt flaring out. "You like it? I've been planning this for a while. These clothes are much better for traveling than those stuffy gowns."

"Ta-da!" she sang, spreading her arms wide. "Bet you didn't see this coming, huh?"

Ben's mouth opened and closed like a fish. "Lucy? What... how... your dad?"

Lucy waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, I left him a note. He'll figure it out eventually."

"But... but..." Ben stammered.

"No buts!" Lucy cut him off. "I'm coming with you, and that's final."

Ben blinked, still trying to process the situation. "But Lucy, what about-"

"Nope!" Lucy grinned, wagging her finger. "I told you, no buts. We're in this together now."

Ben sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Lucy, come on. Think about what you're giving up here. Your home, your family..."

"You mean that cold, empty mansion?" Lucy's smile faltered slightly. "And a dad who barely notices I exist?"

"But still," Ben pressed, "it's a lot to walk away from. Are you sure about this?"

Lucy's eyes flashed with determination. "Ben, I've never been more sure of anything in my life. That place... it wasn't a home. It was a cage."

"I get that, but-"

"No buts!" Lucy cut him off. "You don't know what it was like, day after day, feeling so alone. Dad was always too busy for me. The staff were nice, but..." She trailed off, then met Ben's gaze. "You were the first real friend I've had in years."

Ben felt a lump form in his throat. "Lucy, I..."

"So yeah," she continued, her voice softer now. "I'm giving up a big house and fancy clothes. But I'm gaining something way more important - freedom. A chance to live my own life."

Ben studied her face, seeing the mix of hope and determination there. He knew that look - he'd seen it in the mirror years ago.

Finally, he threw up his hands in defeat. "Alright, alright. I can see there's no talking you out of this."

Lucy's grin returned in full force. "Nope! Face it, Ben. You're stuck with me now."

"Heaven help me," Ben groaned, but there was a smile tugging at his lips.

Lucy bounced in her seat. "This is going to be amazing! Just you wait and see!"

Ben couldn't help but chuckle. "I guess we'll find out together, huh?"

Lucy's eyes lit up. "Great! Now, tell me everything about Magnolia. Is it true they have a cake shop that's open 24 hours?"

"Well, I've heard rumors," Ben said, scratching his head. "But I'm not sure about-"

"Oh! And Fairy Tail!" Lucy bounced in her seat. "We're both going there, right?"

Ben raised an eyebrow. "We are?"

"Of course!" Lucy nodded enthusiastically. "If I'm going to become a mage big enough to afford a gardener, I need to start soon. And where better than Fairy Tail?"

"I guess that makes sense," Ben admitted, a smile tugging at his lips.

Lucy leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Plus, I hear they're always looking for new members. Maybe they'll even let us join together!"

Ben laughed. "You've got it all figured out, huh?"

"Well, someone has to," Lucy teased. "Now come on, spill. What else do you know about Magnolia?"

As the train chugged along, Ben found himself caught up in Lucy's excitement. Maybe this adventure wouldn't be so bad after all.

As Lucy chattered excitedly, Ben felt a grin spreading across his face. Maybe he'd been wrong after all. This wasn't an ending.

It was just the beginning.