Ben stood in front of the request board, his eyes scanning the various job postings that adorned the weathered wooden surface. The Fairy Tail guild hall bustled with activity around him, the air filled with laughter, chatter, and the occasional clinking of mugs. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting a warm glow on the worn floorboards and illuminating the dust motes that danced in the air.
Ben's eyes scanned the request board, a faint crease forming between his brows. His gaze flitted from poster to poster, each one seemingly less appealing than the last, trying to keep his expression neutral.
His fingers brushed over a notice written in some kind of ancient script, the parchment yellowed with age. "Decipher an ancient tablet," he mumbled, shaking his head. The intricate symbols danced before his eyes, making him feel a bit dizzy. Next to it, a flyer with ominous-looking symbols caught his eye, the dark ink seeming to shimmer in the light. "Break a dark curse? Yeah, right." He suppressed a shudder, imagining the potential consequences of messing with such dangerous magic.
A particularly colorful poster stood out, its vibrant hues a stark contrast to the muted tones around it. "Test subjects needed for new potions..." he read aloud, his voice trailing off. A small shudder ran through him, barely noticeable. "Hard pass on that one." The mere thought of subjecting himself to unknown concoctions made his skin crawl.
Ben let out a quiet sigh, running a hand through his hair. The past couple of weeks had been... weird. Ever since they wrapped up the Everlue job, their little team had kind of fallen apart. Gone before it had even truly started. Natsu had run off chasing some dragon rumors, and he and Lucy had been flying solo.
But if Ben was honest with himself, he knew it wasn't just Natsu's absence that had caused the rift. He'd been taking solo gigs and staying busy on purpose, deliberately keeping his distance. The fight with the Vanish Brothers had shaken him more than he cared to admit. He'd managed to play it cool right after the battle, but inside, he was rattled. He'd come far too close to having his secrets spilled, and he wasn't ready for that. Not yet.
Lucy had promised not to dig, and Ben trusted her word. But he also knew how sharp she was. Her keen mind and natural curiosity were some of the things he respected the most about her. Now, those same qualities made him wary. He caught himself watching her sometimes, wondering if she was piecing things together, connecting dots he'd rather keep separate.
Ben stood in front of the request board, his eyes scanning the various job postings without really seeing them. His mind was elsewhere.
He reached out, his fingers brushing against a job posting about rare plant collection. It was right up his alley, something he could easily handle alone. Another excuse to keep his distance.
"Hey, Ben!" Lucy's cheerful voice cut through his brooding thoughts, making him start slightly. He turned to see her approaching, a warm smile on her face. "Find anything good up there?"
Ben felt a mixture of emotions wash over him - guilt at his recent avoidance, warmth at seeing her smile, and a lingering anxiety about his secrets. He forced a grin, hoping it looked more natural than it felt.
"Oh, you know, just browsing," he said, trying to keep his tone light. "How about you? Any exciting jobs catch your eye?"
Lucy perked up, seemingly oblivious to his internal struggle. "Oh yeah? How's that going?"
"Not too shabby," Ben grinned, grateful for her enthusiasm. "Turns out people really want rare plants and stuff. Who knew?" He felt another twinge of guilt at the omission, but pushed it down. "What about you? Still playing postman?"
Lucy laughed, the sound light and melodic, easing some of the tension in Ben's shoulders. "Hey, don't knock it! Those courier jobs might not be glamorous, but they pay the rent." She paused, her expression softening, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her brown eyes. "Though, I have to admit, I've kind of missed working as a team. It's been a while since we all went on a job together."
Ben felt a twinge of guilt twist in his gut. He'd been so focused on keeping his distance that he hadn't considered how his actions might be affecting Lucy. She'd been alone for so long at the Heartfilia estate, and here he was, inadvertently isolating her again.
"Yeah," he said softly, guilt coloring his voice. "I guess it has been a while, hasn't it?"
Lucy nodded, her smile turning a bit wistful. She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, a nervous habit Ben had noticed before. "I'm sorry about that, Ben. I feel like I've been so busy lately, running around on these solo jobs. I hope you haven't felt left out or anything."
Another shot of guilt coursed through Ben. Here she was, apologizing to him when he was the one who'd been purposefully avoiding her. He swallowed hard, forcing a reassuring smile onto his face. "No, no, it's fine. I've been okay, really. Don't worry about me."
Lucy's face brightened a bit, though there was still a hint of concern in her eyes. "I'm glad to hear that. I was a bit worried, you know? Given how shy you can be sometimes."
Ben blinked, his thoughts coming to an abrupt halt. He felt a strange mix of emotions swirling in his chest. "Shy? Me?" he said, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Lucy raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her expression. "Come on, Ben. Remember how long it took you to get comfortable talking to me when you first started working at the estate? You barely said two words to me for weeks!"
Ben opened his mouth to protest, then closed it again. He tried to think of a rebuttal, but found himself coming up short. "That's... that's different," he muttered weakly.
"Oh?" Lucy challenged, her brown eyes twinkling. "Alright then, besides Natsu - who, let's face it, kind of brute-forced his way into your life - who else here at the guild have you said more than just polite hellos and goodbyes to?"
Ben's brow furrowed as he scanned the guild hall, his eyes darting from table to table, person to person. He knew names, faces, and reputations, but when it came to actual friendships... His gaze finally landed on a familiar face behind the bar. "Oh! There's Mirajane. We talk just about every time I come to the guild."
Lucy's eyebrows shot up, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You talk to Mirajane," she said flatly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "My apologies, you social butterfly."
Ben couldn't help but chuckle at Lucy's teasing. "Okay, okay, I get your point," he conceded, running a hand through his hair. "I guess I haven't really gotten to know many people here."
Lucy's expression softened. "It wouldn't hurt for you to actually talk to people sometimes, you know. Beyond just me, Natsu, and Happy."
Ben felt a familiar tightness in his chest. He knew Lucy meant well, but she didn't understand. It wasn't about being shy. It was about survival, about protecting himself. The memory of the Vanish Brothers flashed through his mind, a stark reminder of why he kept his distance.
He thought about how quickly he'd grown attached to Lucy at the manor, how easily Natsu and Happy had wormed their way into his life. It scared him sometimes, how readily he could form connections when he let his guard down. But he couldn't afford that luxury, not with his past always looming over him.
"I appreciate the concern, Lucy," Ben said carefully, trying to keep his voice light. "But I'm not really the social butterfly type. I'm fine with things as they are."
Lucy looked like she wanted to press the issue, but something in Ben's expression made her pause. She sighed, giving him a small smile. "If you say so. But if you ever want to branch out, I'm always happy to introduce you to people."
Ben nodded, grateful she wasn't pushing further. "Thanks, Lucy. I'll keep that in mind."
She brightened up a bit, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Oh! I met this girl named Levy last week. She's really sweet and smart – I think you two would get along great. Her team is out on a job right now, or I'd introduce you. One of her teammates, Droy, even uses plant magic like you do!"
Ben raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. "Plant magic, huh? It might be interesting to compare notes sometime."
Lucy nodded eagerly. "Exactly! And there's Cana too. She's actually really fun to talk to... when she's a little more on the sober side, that is." She chuckled, shaking her head fondly.
Ben couldn't help but smile, feeling a warmth in his chest at Lucy's enthusiasm. It was good to see her making friends and settling into the guild so well. A small part of him, the part that still worried about the past catching up to him, felt relieved. If the worst were to happen and he had to leave, at least he knew Lucy would be okay.
"I'm glad you're making friends, Lucy," Ben said softly. "It sounds like you're really finding your place here."
Lucy's smile softened, her eyes meeting Ben's. "Thanks, Ben. It means a lot to hear you say that." She paused, tilting her head slightly. "You know, you're part of that too, right? You're not just some co-worker. You're my friend."
Ben felt a twinge of guilt as he saw the concern in Lucy's eyes. He knew she meant well, but the conversation had veered into territory that made him uncomfortable. Clearing his throat, he managed a quiet, "Thanks, Lucy. That... that means a lot." The warmth of their friendship was a comfort, but it also made the weight of his secrets feel even heavier.
Desperate to change the subject, Ben's eyes darted to the request board. "Hey, um, since we're both here, why don't we take a job together?" he suggested, his voice a bit too eager. "Might be fun to team up, just the two of us."
Lucy's expression brightened at the idea, the previous heaviness dissipating. "That's a great idea, Ben! We haven't done a job with just us before." She turned to examine the board, her finger tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Let's see what we've got here..."
As they scanned the various job postings, Ben felt himself relax. This was safer ground, familiar territory. He could focus on being a good friend and guildmate without the fear of revealing too much.
Lucy's brow furrowed as she read through the options. "Hmm, slim pickings today. Looks like all the good jobs got snatched up already."
A voice piped up from a nearby table. "Hey, don't overthink it. You two have been killing it on jobs lately."
Ben and Lucy turned toward the voice, and were met with a young man lounging casually at a nearby table. It took Ben a moment to place him - Gray Fullbuster, the ice mage. Ben had seen him around the guild a few times, but they'd never really talked. What stood out most was that Gray was, once again, shirtless, his well-defined muscles on full display. Ben wondered why the guy even owned shirts at this point.
Beside Gray sat another guild member Ben recognized but hadn't spoken to much - Loke. The orange-haired mage was dressed in his usual green coat with its distinctive fur-trimmed hood. His blue-tinted sunglasses sat perched on his nose, giving him an air of aloof coolness.
Ben nodded politely to both of them, still feeling a bit unsure how to interact. He knew Gray and Natsu had some kind of rivalry going on, but beyond that, Gray was mostly a mystery. And Loke... well, Ben had quickly learned about his reputation as a notorious playboy. It seemed like every time he saw Loke, the guy had a different girl - or girls - hanging off his arm.
"Thanks," Ben said, turning back to the request board. He felt Lucy shift beside him, clearly also a bit unsure how to respond.
Gray leaned back in his chair. "You two don't have to stick with flame-brain, you know. Heard you both did pretty good on that Everlue job, and you both have been knocking out your solo gigs, I'm sure plenty of people would want to team up with you guys."
Ben raised an eyebrow. "Flame-brain? You mean Natsu?"
Gray snorted. "Yeah, that idiot. Don't let him drag you down. There's plenty of work to go around without—"
Ben glanced back at Gray, he didn't know the whole story but he couldn't help but feel a twinge of defensiveness on Natsu's behalf. "Hey, Natsu's not so bad," Ben chimed in, trying to keep his tone light.
Gray raised an eyebrow at Ben, looking slightly amused. "Oh yeah? Just wait till you've known him longer. You'll see what I mean, that idiot-"
"Who are you calling an idiot, you perverted popsicle?" a familiar voice growled from behind Gray.
Gray turned to see Natsu standing there, as if summoned by the trash talk. His backpack still slung over his shoulder and a scowl on his face.
Gray jumped to his feet, his fists clenching. "Who are you calling a pervert, you fire-breathing moron?"
"You're the one sitting around half-naked, ice princess!" Natsu shot back, dropping his backpack and getting right in Gray's face.
The two immediately started snarling at each other, foreheads pressed together as they exchanged insults. Ben watched the scene unfold with a mixture of surprise and confusion. He'd heard rumors about Gray and Natsu's notorious rivalry, but seeing it in person was an entirely different experience.
Ben had only known Natsu for a short while, but in that time, the fire dragon slayer had been a pretty friendly guy, a bit single minded and over enthusiastic for a fight from time to time sure but now? Now, Natsu was glaring at Gray with such intensity that Ben half-expected flames to shoot from his eyes.
Loke on the other hand was completely unfazed. He smoothly rose from his seat, completely ignoring both Ben and the brewing fight between Gray and Natsu, adjusted his coat and sauntered over to Lucy. "Well, hello there, beautiful," he purred, reaching for her hand. "I don't believe we've had the pleasure of a proper introduction. I'm Loke, and you are-"
Ben couldn't help but roll his eyes at the playboy.
Lucy politely pulled her hand back, looking a bit uncomfortable. "Um, I'm Lucy. Nice to meet you?"
Loke wasn't deterred. He leaned in closer, his eyes twinkling behind his blue-tinted glasses. "Lucy... what a beautiful name. It suits you perfectly. You know, your radiance is so bright that without these shades, I might just shatter into a million pieces."
Ben couldn't help but roll his eyes at the cheesy line. He glanced at Lucy, wondering how she'd react to such an over-the-top attempt at flirtation.
To his amusement, Lucy simply fixed Loke with a flat stare. "Then take them off," she said drily, her tone making it clear she wasn't buying into his act.
Ben couldn't suppress a grin at Lucy's dismissal. He had to admit, he was impressed by her ability to shut down Loke's advances so effortlessly.
Loke, however, wasn't one to give up easily. He placed a hand over his heart, his expression a mix of mock hurt and determination. "Ah, you wound me! But I won't surrender that easily. A woman as captivating as you deserves to be cherished. Allow me to prove my devotion by-"
His words trailed off abruptly as his gaze fell on the ring of keys at Lucy's hip. The change in his demeanor was instant and startling. The color drained from his face, and he took an involuntary step backward, nearly stumbling in his haste.
"Are those... Celestial Spirit keys?" Loke asked, his voice barely above a whisper, all traces of his earlier confidence gone.
Lucy nodded, looking puzzled. "Yes, I'm a Celestial Spirit mage. Is that a problem?"
Loke's usual confident demeanor crumbled. He muttered something unintelligible, then turned on his heel and practically sprinted away, leaving Lucy and Ben staring after him in confusion.
Ben raised an eyebrow, glancing at Lucy. She looked as bewildered as he felt. "That was... odd," Ben said, turning back to the request board, deciding to file that mystery away for later.
Focusing back on the argument Ben winced as he saw Natsu send a haymaker into Gray's jaw just as he sent a kick into Natsu's back sending both of them to the ground were the two continued to fight.
As Gray and Natsu's argument escalated, Ben noticed Mirajane approaching a nearby table with a tray of drinks. Seizing the opportunity, he caught her eye and motioned her over, hoping to get some insight into this bizarre situation.
"Hey, Mira," Ben said in a low voice, nodding towards the bickering duo. "What's the deal with those two? They seem... intense."
Mirajane giggled softly, setting her tray down on an empty table. Her blue eyes twinkled with amusement, as if she was privy to some inside joke. "Oh, Gray and Natsu? They've been like this forever. It's their way of showing affection, I suppose."
Ben raised an eyebrow, his gaze darting between Mirajane's serene smile and the two mages who were now rolling around on the floor, throwing punches and kicks at each other. "Affection? Really?"
As if to prove Ben's point, Gray's voice rose above the general din of the guild. "Take that, you flame-brained idiot!" he growled, attempting to pin Natsu to the ground. Despite the aggression in his voice, Ben noticed that Gray's moves, while forceful, weren't aimed to cause serious harm.
Not to be outdone, Natsu roared back, managing to flip Gray over and lock him in a headlock. "Who're you calling an idiot, ice princess?" he yelled, his face red with exertion but his eyes gleaming with a strange mix of anger and excitement.
"So this is... normal?" he asked, still struggling to reconcile the friendly Natsu he knew with the whirlwind of fists and insults currently wrestling with Gray. He couldn't help but feel a mix of fascination and bewilderment as he watched the two mages trade increasingly creative insults, all while trying to get the upper hand in their scuffle.
Ben's trained eye could see that despite the aggressive display, neither mage was actually trying to seriously hurt the other. Their punches, while not pulled, weren't aimed at vulnerable areas, and their grappling seemed more about dominance than inflicting pain. It was a far cry from the brutal, life-or-death struggles he'd witnessed in his past. This was... different. Almost playful, in a rough, masculine sort of way.
Mirajane nodded, her smile never faltering. "Oh yes, quite normal. They've been rivals since they were children. But don't worry, they're actually very good friends." She leaned in conspiratorially, lowering her voice. "You should have seen them when they were younger. This is tame compared to some of their past antics."
Ben shook his head in disbelief, watching as the two continued to grapple on the floor. There were no ice formations or flames in sight, just good old-fashioned roughhousing. He turned back to Mirajane, who was watching the scene with that same serene smile, her blue eyes twinkling with fond amusement. It was the same calm expression she'd worn when Ben and Lucy first entered the guild hall, greeted by a full-blown brawl. Ben took a cue from her relaxed demeanor, realizing that this chaos was just another day at Fairy Tail.
He turned back to Mirajane, his curiosity getting the better of him. "So what started all this?"
Before Mira could answer, both Gray and Natsu whipped their heads around, speaking in perfect unison: "Because this idiot's a pain in the ass!"
There was a brief moment of silence, then, as if on cue, both Natsu and Gray bristled, their faces contorting with indignation. "What did you just call me?" they shouted simultaneously, their fists still tangled in each other's clothes.
Mirajane couldn't help but laugh, the sound light and musical as it cut through the tension. Her eyes twinkled with amusement, and she shook her head fondly. "See what I mean? They're more alike than they'd care to admit."
The effect was instantaneous. Gray and Natsu froze, their eyes widening in horror at the comparison. They quickly disentangled themselves, scrambling to their feet and putting as much distance between each other as possible.
"Me? Like him? No way!" Natsu huffed, crossing his arms and turning his back on Gray.
"As if I'd ever be anything like that flame-brain," Gray scoffed, mirroring Natsu's pose.
They stood there for a moment, tension crackling in the air between them. Then, as if by some unspoken agreement, Natsu and Gray suddenly turned on their heels and marched off in opposite directions. Natsu stomped towards the bar, his sandals slapping against the wooden floor, while Gray headed for a table in the far corner, his hands shoved deep in his pockets.
Ben watched, eyebrows raised, as the two mages put as much distance between themselves as possible. He couldn't help but notice how they both walked with the same purposeful stride, their shoulders set in identical lines of stubbornness.
"Well, that's one way to prove a point," Ben muttered, shaking his head. He glanced at Lucy, expecting to see the same mix of amusement and exasperation he felt.
Instead, Lucy was frowning slightly, her brown eyes darting between Natsu and Gray. She seemed to be trying to puzzle something out, her brow furrowed in concentration. After a moment, she shook her head, as if deciding it wasn't worth the effort to understand.
"Hey, Natsu!" she called out, making Natsu pause in his determined march away from Gray, turning to look at her. "Why don't you come tell us about your trip? Did you find any leads on Igneel?"
At the mention of his journey, Natsu's expression quickly morphed from one of anger into one of frustration. He let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping. "It was a total bust, guys," he grumbled, running a hand through his messy pink hair.
Lucy's face fell. "Oh no, what happened?"
Natsu's fists clenched at his sides, his voice rising with each word. "Those so-called 'dragons' from the rumors? They were just stupid red wyverns!" He threw his hands up in exasperation. "Who in their right mind confuses dragons with wyverns?!"
Ben felt a twinge of sympathy for his friend, He wracked his brain for something comforting to say, but came up short. Truth be told, Ben wasn't entirely sure about the difference between dragons and wyverns himself.
"That's... rough, buddy," Ben finally managed, patting Natsu awkwardly on the shoulder.
"Aw, Natsu," Mirajane's gentle voice cut through the tension. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, her blue eyes filled with sympathy. "I'm sorry it didn't work out. How about I make you some of that extra spicy chicken you like so much? On the house, of course."
The effect was almost instantaneous. Natsu's frustration seemed to deflate like a punctured balloon. His shoulders relaxed, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Really? Thanks, Mira. You're the best."
Happy, who had been hovering nearby, perked up at the mention of food. His large eyes sparkled as he flew over to Mirajane. "Hey, Mira! Can I get a fish too?" he asked eagerly, his tail swishing back and forth.
Mirajane's smile widened as she reached out to pat Happy on the head. "Of course you can, Happy. I'll bring you the juiciest fish we have." Happy let out a joyful "Aye sir!" as Mirajane headed towards the kitchen.
"Come on," Lucy said, patting Natsu on the shoulder and guiding him toward the bar to get a seat. "Let's go grab that chicken and fish."
Ben followed behind them, his mind already working on how to lift the mood. As they settled onto the barstools, he cleared his throat, ready to change the subject.
Before he could speak, Mirajane was somehow already back with a steaming plate of extra spicy chicken for Natsu and a large, glistening fish for Happy. The aroma of spices and grilled seafood filled the air, making everyone's mouths water.
Natsu and Happy didn't waste a second. They dove into their meals with gusto, barely pausing to breathe between bites. ben watched with a mix of amusement and disgust as Natsu stuffed his face, bits of chicken flying as he spoke.
"So," Natsu mumbled through a mouthful of food, "what have you guys been up to while I was gone?"
Lucy grimaced, leaning away slightly to avoid the spray of chicken bits. "Natsu, gross! Don't talk with your mouth full!"
Ben chuckled at their antics before answering Natsu's question. "Well, actually, Lucy and I were just talking about taking on a bigger job before you got back."
The effect on Natsu was almost immediate. His head snapped up, eyes wide with renewed interest. A piece of chicken fell from his mouth, forgotten. "Really? That's awesome!" He slammed his fist on the bar, a grin spreading across his face. "I'm all fired up now! I was gonna need to take a job anyway. I'm running low on jewel."
Ben couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Natsu's self-invitation. He glanced at Lucy, trying to gauge her reaction. She met his gaze with a small smile, an eye roll, and a subtle nod. The message was clear: she was fine with Natsu tagging along, even though they had initially planned for it to be just the two of them.
"Man, you bounce back fast," Ben said, impressed despite himself. He'd seen Natsu's enthusiasm before, but this was something else. To go from dejected to excited in the span of a few seconds was a feat Ben couldn't help but admire.
Natsu's grin widened, his sharp canines glinting in the guild hall's warm light. "Yeah, well, no use moping around, right? Besides, kicking monster butt sounds way more fun than just sitting around!" He punctuated his statement by tearing into another piece of chicken, barely pausing to chew.
Ben exchanged another glance with Lucy, both of them smiling at Natsu's infectious enthusiasm. There was something about his ability to shake off disappointment and throw himself into the next adventure that Ben found inspiring. It was a stark contrast to the rigid, often gloomy atmosphere he'd known when he was younger.
"So," Natsu mumbled through a mouthful of chicken, bits of food flying as he spoke, "which job are we taking?"
Lucy grimaced, leaning away slightly to avoid the spray again. "Natsu, again swallow then talk!"
Ben leaned on the bar counter, trying to hide his amusement. "Well, actually, we hadn't decided yet. To be honest, the pickings were pretty slim on the board today."
Lucy tapped her fingers on the bar, her eyes scanning the nearly empty job board. She turned to Natsu with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Hey, why don't you take a look? Maybe you'll spot something we missed."
Natsu's face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. He gulped down the last chunk of chicken, nearly choking in his haste. "You got it!" he yelled, springing from his seat and bounding towards the board.
Ben watched, amused, as Natsu's nose practically touched the board, his eyes darting from one flyer to another.
Lucy leaned in close to Ben, her voice low and playful. "You know, even if there's nothing good up there, I bet whatever Natsu picks will turn interesting pretty quick."
Ben chuckled, nodding in agreement. "No doubt about that." He paused, memories of their last job flashing through his mind. The Vanish Brothers, the intense battle, the narrow escapes - it had all been a bit too close for comfort. A small knot of tension formed in his stomach, and this time, he couldn't quite push it aside. "Though, uh, maybe we should aim for something a little less... intense this time?"
As they watched Natsu's animated search, Ben couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. His eyes followed Natsu's energetic movements, darting from one job posting to another. Part of him thrilled at the idea of another adventure alongside his friends. But another part, a quieter, more cautious voice, whispered warnings of danger and uncertainty.
Ben glanced at Lucy, noticing the eager sparkle in her eyes. She was practically bouncing in her seat, her enthusiasm palpable. He couldn't help but smile, her excitement infectious despite the knot of unease tightening in his stomach.
"You okay, Ben?" Lucy asked, her brow furrowing slightly as she noticed his conflicted expression.
Ben opened his mouth, ready to voice his concerns, but then he paused. He looked at Lucy's eager face, then at Natsu's animated figure by the job board. These were his friends, his new family. They were strong, capable, and most importantly, they had each other's backs. Yet, a part of him felt distant, separated by the weight of his secrets.
He forced a smile, pushing down the twinge of jealousy he felt at their carefree excitement. "Yeah," he said, his voice steadier than he felt. "Yeah, I'm good. Just thinking about what kind of job we might end up with."
Lucy's face brightened, oblivious to the turmoil behind his eyes. "Whatever it is, we'll handle it together, right?"
Ben nodded, feeling a mix of warmth and guilt at her words. He wanted to share in their enthusiasm, to feel that unbridled joy at the prospect of a new adventure. But his past, his secrets, they clung to him like a heavy cloak, dampening his spirits.
For a moment, he allowed himself to imagine what it would be like to truly let go. To set aside his fears and paranoia, even if just for one mission. To trust in his friends, in their strength, in their bond. The thought was both terrifying and exhilarating.
Taking a deep breath, Ben made a decision. He couldn't change his past, couldn't erase the weight of his secrets. But maybe, just maybe, he could set them aside for a little while. He could try to embrace the moment, to feel the excitement that came so naturally to his friends.
"Right," he agreed, his voice firmer this time, a glimmer of genuine enthusiasm breaking through. "Together. And you know what? I think I'm actually looking forward to it."
Lucy's smile widened, and Ben felt a small spark of joy ignite in his chest. It wasn't much, but it was a start. For this one mission, he would try to leave his baggage behind and simply enjoy the adventure with his friends.
Suddenly, the calm and peace Ben was feeling shattered like fragile glass. The large wooden guild doors burst open with a thunderous bang, causing everyone to jump in surprise. Loke stumbled through the entrance, his usual suave demeanor completely gone. He looked as if he had just run the entire length of Magnolia, his chest heaving and sweat pouring down his face.
Ben's eyes widened as he took in Loke's appearance. The celestial spirit mage looked even paler than he had when he first learned Lucy was a celestial wizard, which was saying something. His orange hair was disheveled, sticking up at odd angles, and his blue-tinted glasses sat askew on his nose. He bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for air like a fish out of water.
The entire guild fell silent, all eyes fixed on the exhausted mage. The only sound was Loke's ragged breathing echoing through the hall. Ben felt a chill run down his spine, his earlier resolve wavering in the face of Loke's obvious distress. Whatever had caused Loke to return in such a state, it couldn't be good news.
Lucy leaned towards Ben, her voice barely above a whisper. "What do you think happened? He only left a few minutes ago."
Ben shook his head, unable to tear his eyes away from Loke. "I don't know, but it can't be anything good."
The tension in the room was palpable as everyone waited for Loke to catch his breath. After what felt like an eternity, he finally straightened up, his chest still heaving. His eyes were wide with a mix of fear and excitement as he scanned the room, making sure he had everyone's attention.
Then, sucking in one last deep breath, Loke bellowed at the top of his lungs, his voice cracking slightly with the effort:
"SHE'S BACK! ERZA'S BACK!"