Chapter 2: Getting to know Each Other

Previously....

Natsu stepped back, his expression unreadable. "Come on," he said, his tone softer.

As they walked back in silence, Lucy hesitated. "I'm not usually quiet," she admitted with a shy smile.

"Then don't be," Natsu teased, smirking for the first time in years.

Lucy blushed, playfully slapping his arm. His chuckle, low and genuine, caught her off guard—and for a moment, everything felt a little lighter.

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Third Person

As the wolves returned to Fairy Tail Academy, Levy sprinted toward Lucy, pulling her into a tight hug. "Lu, don't do that again!" she scolded gently, wagging her finger for emphasis.

Lucy chuckled softly, her expression reassuring. "I'm fine, really," she said, offering a warm smile.

The group sighed in collective relief just as the school bell rang.

"See you later!" Lucy called out, waving before heading to her next class.

Natsu silently followed her, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

Lucy, unaware of his presence, hummed a cheerful tune, skipping lightly down the hallway. A tap on her shoulder made her stop abruptly. Turning to look, a large, warm hand suddenly covered her mouth. Her eyes widened in panic as she tried to scream, but a voice whispered softly in her ear.

"Shh..."

The whisper sent shivers down her spine. Lucy's breath hitched, and she squeezed her eyes shut. The grip loosened, and she felt the presence behind her retreat. Slowly opening her eyes, she was met with a breathtaking scene.

The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of blue, purple, pink, orange, and gold. A warm breeze tousled her hair as the shimmering ocean reflected the kaleidoscope of colors above. Lucy's lips parted in awe, her heart momentarily calmed by the serene beauty.

But her tranquility didn't last. She felt someone standing behind her. Spinning around, she met onyx eyes staring directly into her own.

"Natsu!" she gasped, clutching her chest. "You scared me!"

"...Sorry," he muttered, his tone unusually soft.

He took a step closer, his hands still buried in his pockets.

"Why did you bring me here? We're going to be late for class!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with irritation.

"I talked to the teacher. It's fine," Natsu replied, shrugging. "I just... wanted to get to know you."

Lucy blinked in surprise before her expression softened. "Oh."

Nodding, she followed him onto the beach. The warmth of the sand beneath their feet contrasted with the cool breeze brushing past them.

"So... any questions?" she asked, her tone lighter now.

"Favorite color?" he asked, his voice steady but quieter than usual.

"Blue and pink," Lucy replied with a smile, sitting down on the sand.

Natsu sat beside her, nodding. "Your turn."

"Okay. Favorite movie?" she asked.

"...Fast and Furious," he answered after a moment's thought.

Lucy giggled. "Interesting choice."

"Favorite person in the world?" he asked suddenly.

Lucy froze, her cheeks turning a vivid shade of red. She hesitated before replying, "A boy."

Natsu raised a brow. "Huh?"

"When I was young," Lucy began, "I fell in love with a boy. But... I don't remember his name or what he looked like."

Natsu's expression softened ever so slightly. "That's a shame," he said, glancing at the horizon.

Lucy sighed deeply, her frustration evident. "Yeah... it is."

They sat in silence for a moment, the gentle lapping of the waves filling the void. The sunset bathed them in golden light, casting long shadows on the sand.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Lucy murmured, more to herself than to him.

Natsu stood abruptly, brushing sand off his pants. "Alright. We're done here," he said, his voice cold and emotionless once more.

Lucy rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "And the ice wall returns..."

She stood and followed him back toward the school. Despite his detached demeanor, she couldn't help but glance at him, a mixture of curiosity and frustration swirling within her.

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Lucy walked home with her belongings. She was in her phone texting Levy,

Lucyyyy!!!! Help me...😣

What's wrong?

Gajeel.

What about him?

He ask me on a date!!! Ik I'm his mate but it's my first time he asked me out!!! 😭😍

Really?! I'll help u then...

Omfg! Than-

Lucy walked briskly down the school hallway, her thoughts still lingering on the strange encounter with Natsu at the beach. Suddenly, she collided with someone.

"Watch where you're going, wh*re!" a sharp, whiny voice sneered.

Lucy's head snapped up, her gaze locking onto the last person she wanted to see.

"Rebecca..." she growled, her voice low and filled with venom.

"Blondie," Rebecca spat back, her tone dripping with disdain.

For a full ten seconds, they stood frozen, locked in a deadly glare. Neither moved, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

Finally, Rebecca huffed and stomped away, flipping her hair as she went. "Hmph!"

Lucy rolled her eyes in frustration, muttering, "Drama queen," under her breath. She adjusted her bag and continued her walk home, her mood sour.

"Tadaima!" Lucy called out as she stepped through the door of her house, her voice echoing in the quiet.

She slipped off her shoes and wandered into the living room. "Mom? Mom?" she called again, her voice tinged with confusion.

The house was eerily quiet until she heard the soft creak of a door opening and footsteps approaching. Her heart pounded in her chest. Is someone in the house?

A cold, slender hand landed on her shoulder. Lucy's breath hitched as she turned her head slowly.

Her eyes widened in horror. The face behind her was grotesque, green-skinned with huge, dark eyes, and wild, matted hair sticking up in odd directions.

Lucy screamed, throwing her hands up in defense.

"Lucy, honey! Are you alright?" her mother's familiar voice broke through her panic.

Lucy blinked, the terrifying vision fading. Standing before her was her mother, Layla, looking concerned but amused. She exhaled shakily, lowering her hands. "Mom! Don't scare me like that!" she scolded, stomping her foot.

Her mom chuckled softly. "Sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to startle you," she said, brushing off the incident. "So... how was your first day at school?"

Lucy hesitated, her heart still racing. "U-uh... It was great?" she replied, though the answer came out more like a question. Layla raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Is something wrong?" she asked, taking a step closer.

She sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "I... didn't find him," she admitted, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Layla's expression softened. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Lucy in a comforting hug. "It's alright, sweetheart—wait."

Her mom pulled back slightly, her nose twitching. She sniffed the air, her brow furrowing. "Honey, you smell... different."

Lucy stiffened, her cheeks burning. "W-what? No, I don't!" she stammered, laughing nervously and inching toward the stairs.

Layla's eyes narrowed. "Is there something you need to tell me, Lucy?"

Her heart sank. Her mother rarely used her full name unless she meant business.

"No," she lied, taking another step back.

Her mom sniffed again, her eyes widening in realization. A slow smile spread across her face. "You found your mate," she teased, her tone full of delight.

Lucy's face turned crimson. She bit her lip, her eyes darting away. "I-I didn't—he's... also the Alpha," she admitted reluctantly. Layla gasped, clapping her hands over her mouth to stifle a scream of excitement. "YOU'RE GOING TO BE A LUNA!" she squealed, pulling Lucy into a tight hug.

Lucy squirmed in her mother's embrace, laughing nervously. "M-Mom, you can let go now."

Layla released her, still grinning from ear to ear. "I'm so happy for you! I would love to meet him!"

Lucy nodded awkwardly, muttering something about homework as she escaped upstairs. Closing her bedroom door behind her, she sighed and leaned against it.

"Luna," she whispered to herself. The word felt heavy, almost foreign, as it lingered in the air.

To Be Continued....

*Not Edited* UNTIL NEXT TIME BYE!! 💗💗