Lucy sat on the chair to the right of him, setting down all that she'd gotten. Pushing one drink towards him, she caught his eye and tried for a smile. It was only a little awkward. "As an apology, if you'll accept it. Sorry about earlier. You know I wasn't trying to…"
"...It happens."
Her shoulders relaxed. "I'll get you a key tomorrow. I'm sure Mira wouldn't mind if I made a spare or two." She looked as if she wanted to say more. His ears itched at what bubbled up to the front of her mind. It took all his willpower not to rip it open and gobble up whatever juicy secrets it held. Instead, he waited as she put her hand to her face, elbows on the table. A soft sigh made all the louder by the silent room."You know, sometimes, it's just nice to be away from the guild for a little while." She didn't elaborate on that thought.
Even here with a psychopath like me? "You don't mind hearing people go on and on about their weird love lives instead?"
This made her laugh, actual laughter, he could tell. "Oh, some of them are wild all right, but none of them can top the guild stories I have. Even the crazy ones." She then looked at him, as if expecting him to comment on something. When Cobra paused to think a second too long, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Suddenly she perked up. "That reminds me, I don't think I've ever told you this story, but one time Juvia…" Lucy launched into a story about her guildmates, and the atmosphere grew a little warmer. He resumed his quick thinking and managed to sneak in a few witty remarks, Lucy somehow laughing at all of them. Despite the earlier mood, he found himself smiling.
She moved to another topic, and he talked with her for the next few hours. Cobra didn't mention any of the other things he knew were on her mind, and she elected not to share them with him. Everything was normal once more.