Chapter 3: Happy

Previously...

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 l-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.

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

Lucy's P.O.V

I walked to school with my bag slung over my shoulder, sighing softly as the morning breeze tousled my hair. Muttering something under my breath, I stepped through the school gates.

The halls buzzed with energy as students greeted me with smiles and waves. I returned the gestures awkwardly, still adjusting to the attention. Is this what being a Luna feels like? Weird...

"Mew."

I paused mid-step, my ears straining to catch the soft sound.

"Meeew."

There it was again. I glanced around, frowning, until I felt a light scratching at my shoe. Looking down, I saw a small cat with impossibly big eyes, a green collar, and silky blue fur.

My lips parted in awe as I crouched to pick him up. "Well, aren't you adorable?" I cooed, holding him gently. My fingers brushed over the collar, where a small tag read Happy.

I giggled. "Happy, huh? Alright, let's find your owner," I said, cradling the tiny creature in my arms.

Happy's eyes fluttered closed, his breathing soft and steady as he relaxed. Smiling, I made my way toward my homeroom, glancing around for anyone who might be looking for him.

As soon as I stepped inside, the chatter stopped. All eyes turned toward me, and I felt a wave of discomfort settle in.

"Lucy, uh... why do you have Happy?" Mira's voice broke the silence, her finger pointing at the snoozing feline in my arms.

"I, um, found him near my locker," I replied, shifting awkwardly under everyone's gaze.

Mira giggled knowingly before turning toward a desk. "Natsu! Wake up!" she called, her voice sharp and commanding.

At her shout, Natsu jolted awake with a start, toppling backward out of his chair. The class burst into stifled laughter, and I couldn't help but chuckle along.

Rubbing the back of his head, Natsu shot everyone a glare, silencing them instantly. His onyx eyes landed on me—and then on the little ball of fur in my arms.

"Happy," he muttered, his tone softening.

At the sound of his voice, Happy's eyes snapped open. He let out a delighted meow before leaping from my arms and into Natsu's.

"O-Oh, he's yours?" I asked, pointing at the now-purring cat nestled in Natsu's hold.

He nodded, his expression neutral but his grip on Happy protective.

Mira clapped her hands to regain the class's attention. "Alright, Lucy, why don't you take your seat so we can get started?"

"Sure," I said, quickly walking to my desk. Sliding into my chair, I glanced back at Natsu and Hap

••••••••••••••••

After school, my friends begged me to join them at the carnival. At first, their pleading was more annoying than convincing, but I eventually gave in. Who wouldn't want to go? Staying home and doing nothing was the worst—going out was always better. Even the boys were coming along.

When we got there, Mira revealed her master plan: pairing everyone with their mates. Of course, that meant Natsu and I were stuck together. I didn't mind, really, but the issue was... him. His cold, unreadable eyes and perpetually tense demeanor made it impossible to relax.

As we walked, I tore off a piece of my cotton candy and held it up to him. "Natsu, you want some?"

He glanced at it, then shook his head. My smile faltered. "C'mon, please? Have you even tried sweets?"

He gave a curt nod, but still refused. I sighed, disappointed. "Natsu?"

"Hm?"

"Can we at least try to have fun?"

"I don't do fun," he replied flatly.

His response stung, and I dropped my gaze to the ground. "Okay..." I whispered, nibbling on my cotton candy as I trudged ahead.

Around us, the carnival was alive with laughter and lights. I caught glimpses of my friends enjoying themselves—Erza arguing with a booth operator about a prize, and Levy clinging to a green-faced Gajeel on a ride. I smiled at their antics, but the weight of Natsu's silence pressed down on me again.

Suddenly, a firm grip tugged me backward. I stumbled and collided with a solid chest. "Oomph!" I squeaked, looking up to find Natsu's intense gaze locked on mine.

Before I could question him, he loosened his grip on my wrist, reached down, and bit into my cotton candy. "Happy?" he muttered, his voice low.

A smile spread across my face. "Very much."

"Good."

"Natsu?"

"Yeah?"

"I want to go on a ride!"

"Then go," he said, his tone as cold as ever.

I glared at him. "I meant with you."

"I can't," he whispered, avoiding my eyes.

"Why not?" I crossed my arms, refusing to let it go.

He hesitated. "I just can't."

"Be more specific!"

A pause.

"Well?"

"I have motion sickness, okay?"

I blinked, then burst into giggles.

"Don't laugh at me," he warned, his glare icy but tinged with embarrassment.

I clutched my stomach, laughing harder. "Y-You were afraid to tell me that? That's ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!"

He grumbled, clearly annoyed, but it only made me laugh more. After a moment, I rummaged through my bag and pulled out a small packet. "Here," I said, handing him some Gravol.

He raised an eyebrow but took it from me. "I have water, too," I added, offering him my bottle.

He swallowed the pill and handed the bottle back. I took it and, without thinking, drank from it. The realization hit me instantly. My eyes widened, and I spat the water out in a panic.

Natsu stared at me, utterly bewildered. "What the hell?"

I wiped my mouth, feeling heat rush to my face. Snap out of it, Lucy! He's your mate—it's fine to share a water bottle! Forcing a nervous laugh, I said, "Hehe... sorry."

He rolled his eyes and walked off. "H-Hey! Wait for me!" I called, hurrying to catch up.

"Natsu, can we go on the carousel?"

"Sure."

I started humming absentmindedly but stopped abruptly, shaking my head. "Never mind. I don't want to go."

He stopped in his tracks, looking at me curiously. "Why?"

I hesitated, swallowing a lump in my throat. "That song... Carousel by Melanie Martinez. It creeps me out."

"Hm."

Without another word, Natsu grabbed my wrist and led me to a basketball shooting booth. He stepped up, his eyes narrowing in focus. Shot after shot swished through the net with precision.

"Congrats! You win! Pick a prize," the booth operator said, clearly impressed.

Natsu grabbed a stuffed white bear with a heart that read Hug Me and handed it to me. "Here."

I stared at him, touched. "Thank you."

"Natsu?"

"Hm?"

"My mom wants to meet you."

"Okay."

"Can you come... now?"

He paused, then nodded. "Alright."To Be Continued....

*Not Edited*