ACALYPHA TOWN, CLOVER
THREE YEARS AGO
★ ★ ★

Dear Mom,

I performed at the Love and Lucky stage for the first time today. It's been named the biggest stage in Clover, so the opportunity was a huge honour.

Father told me stories of how you and he first met, in this very town. Earlier tonight, I met someone too.

★ ★ ★

"Thank you so much for having me, tonight!" Young Lucy cheered, waving her arms happily and blowing kisses to the loving crowd as she walked off the stage.

She could still hear the applause as she left, biting back a smug smile as the cheers of her name continued past the show's closing announcement.

"Good job, Lady Lucy," Aquarius praised her, giving her a polite bow as another staff member handed the idol a water bottle and another took away her microphone.

Lucy huffed tiredly. "When will you stop being so formal with me, Aquarius?" she pouted. "You've known me for years."

"That's no excuse to be unprofessional," her manager replied, plainly.

They made their way to her dressing room, the seventeen-year-old's stride quick as she was eager to finally wipe the sweat off her brow and be done for the day.

When Lucy turned the corner, she collided with someone, sending her tumbling to the ground before she could catch herself.

"Hey!" she groaned in annoyance. She was ready to tell the stranger to watch where they were going, but her words caught in her throat when she saw his face.

The man was tall and strikingly beautiful, and he had blond hair that was styled in a casual yet perfect way. His perfect, sharp features were softened by the apologetic look in his eyes, his smile warm and disarming.

"Sorry about that!" he apologised quickly, extending his arm to her.

Blushing, she took his hand, letting him pull her to her feet. They held eye contact for a few lingering seconds before he nodded politely and walked away.

"Who... was that?" Lucy asked herself, still in a daze.

"That was Sting Eucliffe. He's a model at the Sabertooth Modeling Agency," Aquarius informed her dryly.

Lucy's blush deepened, only then realising that Aquarius had been right behind her the whole time.

From then on, Lucy kept running into that 'Sting Eucliffe'. They bumped into each other in corridors, at random events, and, most frequently, before and after her shows. It had become a routine, an unspoken expectation.

It was after her last performance in Clover that Sting finally made his move.

As they collided once again, he chuckled, helping her regain her balance. "We've got to stop bumping into each other like this," he grinned.

Lucy flushed and let out a giggle, twirling her hair like a schoolgirl. "I know, right?"

"You're leaving tonight right?" he asked. When she nodded, he continued. "Give me your number."

He handed her his phone, and she gladly took it, entering in her digits. "I'd like to take you out sometime, if that's okay?" he said with a smile, a hint of shyness in his voice.

Lucy's eyes widened in surprise, then she broke into a bright smile. "I'd love that!"

★ ★ ★

Their first date was at a movie theatre. The smell of buttered popcorn and the distant sounds of overhead movie trailers filled the air as Lucy and Sting entered the theatre lobby.

Sting handed their tickets to the usher. They were for 'Tower of Heaven', one of Erza Scarlet's latest hits.

"I've heard this movie is amazing," he said, glancing at her with a smile that made her heart flutter. "But then again, anything with Erza Scarlet in it is bound to be good."

Lucy grinned back, as sparkling as she beamed at him brightly. "Yes, she's fantastic," she agreed.

They found their seats, near the back where it was quieter, with only a few other people scattered across the aisle. As the lights dimmed and the previews started, Sting casually stretched his arm along the back of Lucy's seat. She leaned into him, contently.

The movie began, after a series of trailers, and for the first half hour, they watched in silence. Erza's character was fierce and commanding, a confident protagonist who took no bull from anyone. The average person wouldn't be able to take their eyes off her.

But Lucy soon found her gaze drifting away from the action, and making its way to Sting.

He was focused on the movie, but now and then his eyes would dart over to her too, as if he was checking to see if she was still there, making sure she was still interested.

She caught his eye and he smiled, leaning a little closer.

"Are you enjoying the movie?" he whispered, keeping his voice low enough to not disturb the people around them.

Lucy bit her lip to hide her smile. "I am," she replied. "...But I think I'd enjoy it more if someone wasn't distracting me."

Sting chuckled softly, the sound sending a pleasant shiver down her spine. "I can't help it," he murmured. "It's hard to focus on anything else with you here."

Her cheeks flushed at the compliment. She nudged him playfully with her shoulder. "You're such a flirt," she teased.

"You know you love it," he grinned, giving her a quick wink. His hand slid from the back of her seat to her shoulder, lightly resting there. The touch was gentle, yet it sent her pulse racing.

They pretended to turn their attention back to the screen, but the movie had been quickly forgotten.

Sting began whispering witty comments in her ear, making her giggle. She leaned closer to him, their faces almost touching. The rest of the theatre had suddenly gone dark, in her eyes, the man before was the only thing glowing. It felt as if they were in their own little world.

"What do you think Ezra would say if she saw us right now?" Lucy whispered, half-joking.

"Probably that we're the worst audience ever," Sting whispered back.

Lucy's giggle was interrupted by the sound of someone loudly clearing their throat from the seat above.

The pair turned to see an older woman glaring at them, her eyebrows downturned in irritation. "I'd agree with her," she shot at them, looking at the screen again, leaving them there with their mouths opened in shock.

Eyes widened, Lucy turned back to Sting, who turned to face her too. She suppressed a giggle. "She's right," she whispered. "Maybe we should go."

Sting grinned, clearly unbothered. "You're right," he said. He gently helped her up, and they quietly slipped out of their seats, trying not to disturb any other viewers.

As soon as they were out in the hallway, they burst into laughter, unable to contain it any longer. Lucy clutched her sides, laughing uncontrollably. And Sting was right there beside her, his laughter echoing through the theatre halls.

"Did you see her face?" Lucy managed between fits of laughter. "I thought she was going to climb over and shush us for good!"

Sting wiped a tear from his eye. "I know, right? Sorry, I didn't mean to get us kicked out of the theatre on our first date," he apologised, grinning.

"Well," Lucy said, still smiling. "It's a date to remember."

They exchanged a look, and for a moment, the rest of the world fell away. Then, hand in hand, they made their way out of the theatre.

She wrote all about her day to her mother that night.

★ ★ ★

They spent their fourth date hiding from the paparazzi. Lucy had initially planned a picnic for the two, so she took them to Strawberry Central Park, a popular site for couples.

It was a perfect day– clear skies, and a gentle breeze. Lucy was dressed in a light, flowy sundress, her hair pulled back in a loose side braid. Sting wore a casual t-shirt and jeans, a stark contrast to the flashy clothing his agency made him wear.

"I can't wait to just relax and have a normal date," Lucy said, squeezing his hand and taking in a breath of fresh air. "No cameras, no fans... Just us."

Sting smiled, leaning down to place a light kiss on her forehead. "You read my mind," he said. "I even brought your favourite– chocolate-covered strawberries."

Lucy grinned, her eyes sparkling. "You're the best."

They found a secluded spot under a large oak tree and began laying out the blanket. Lucy was setting down the plates when a flash from the bushes caught her eye. She froze, her smile faltering.

"Sting," she whispered, nudging him. "Did you feel that?"

He glanced up, his expression turning serious when he saw her face. "What is it?"

"I think..." she started, squinting her eyes to see better. "I think someone's taking pictures," she said, nervously.

As if on cue, another flash went off, this time followed by the sound of a camera shutter. Sting's eyes narrowed, and he moved in front of her, resting his right hand beside her left thigh as he shielded her with his body.

"Great," he muttered. "Just what we needed."

Lucy bit her lip, anxiety bubbling up inside her. "What should we do? Should we leave?"

Sting nodded. "We should before we end up on the front page." He grabbed the picnic basket and Lucy's hand, and they started walking briskly towards another part of the park.

But as they rounded a corner, they spotted another photographer hiding behind a tree, his camera poised and ready.

Geez. Had someone planned this? Lucy groaned internally.

"This way!" Sting pulled her in the opposite direction, and they broke into a run, laughing breathlessly as they jogged through the park.

They hid behind trees, bushes and hedges on their way to a suitable hiding spot. They finally reached a playground area, both of them panting.

The colourful jungle gym was mostly empty, save for a few small children running around and their guardians chatting away. Sting spotted a secluded spot by the tunnel slide and pulled Lucy towards it.

They slid into the spot and finally relaxed, panting heavily as they regained their breath. Lucy clutched the picnic basket to her chest, her lips curving into a small pout.

"So much for our date..." she sighed, disappointed that her plan had been blown into smithereens.

Sting patted her head, fondly, and gave her a reassuring smile. "Hey, it's not over yet," he said, glancing around the playground. "How about we have it here?"

Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Here? At the children's playground?"

Sting shrugged, his grin widening. "Why not? It's the last place they'd want to look for us," he pointed out. He gestured to a pair of kids chasing each other around the slide, their laughter echoing in the air. "Besides, they seem to be having a blast. Why can't we?"

Lucy gave him a mock-serious look, trying to suppress the smile tugging at her lips.

"You're impossible, you know that?"

Before she could say anything else, Sting gently but firmly nudged her toward the slide. "Ladies first," he said with a smirk, giving her a little push.

Lucy squealed in surprise as she slid down, landing in a heap at the bottom. She looked up at him in shock, half-laughing, half-annoyed. "I can't believe you just did that!"

Sting slid down after her, landing behind her with a mischievous grin. "Believe it, Heartfilia," he teased. "Now come on, let's see who can climb the rock wall faster!"

They spent the afternoon running around the playground, swinging on the monkey bars, and chasing each other up and down the slides. Laughter filled the air as they played like carefree kids, forgetting all about the paparazzi and the chaos that had previously interrupted their date.

Finally, they found themselves side by side on the swings, the soft creak of the chains was the only sound preventing them from complete silence as the sun began to set. A golden glow was cast over the empty park.

Lucy kicked her legs, gaining speed, while Sting swung gently beside her, his eyes never leaving her face.

As she slowed down, Sting reached over, taking her swing chain in his hand to steady it. "You know," he said softly when she turned to face him. "This turned out to be more fun than I expected."

Lucy smiled, her heart fluttering at the warmth in his eyes. "Yeah, it did," she agreed, cheeks blushing.

Sting leaned closer, his gaze dropping to her lips. Lucy's breath hitched as she leaned in as well, their swings swaying slightly. Then, in the middle of the playground, under the fading light of the setting sun, their lips met in a sweet, lingering kiss.

(so sorry, guys)

★ ★ ★

Lucy's eighteenth birthday arrived a few weeks later. She and Sting sat on a bench outside, holding hands beneath the starry sky. They had slipped away from the party, which was still going strong inside the Heartfilia mansion.

Sneaking out had been a challenge, considering Lucy was the guest of honour, but somehow, they always managed to find a way to steal a few moments alone.

Sting turned to face her, his expression unusually serious. "Lucy," he said softly, waiting until she met his eyes. "I want to ask you something."

She watched curiously as he stood up from the bench. He moved in front of her and, to her shock, dropped down on one knee. Her heart started to pound in her chest as he reached into his pocket.

He pulled out a small, black velvet box, and as he opened it to reveal a silver ring, Lucy's eyes widened.

'Oh my god. What is he doing?'

"Lucy Heartfilia," he began, nervously. Oh my god. What was he doing?

"Will you do me the honour..." he continued.

Her mind raced. She didn't think she was ready to hear the rest.

"...Of being my girlfriend?"

He did not– wait. Girlfriend? She blinked at him, then let out a big sigh as relief washed over her.

Sting noticed the tension leaving her shoulders and tilted his head. "Why do you look so tense?" he asked, and she noticed that he had been blushing, something that was rare for him.

"It's nothing," Lucy replied, smiling fondly at him. She reached for the ring, taking a few seconds to admire it before sliding it onto her finger. "Of course I will, Sting."

His face broke into a wide, triumphant grin, his eyes lighting up. "Really?"

Lucy nodded, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Yes, really."

Sting stood up and pulled her into a tight hug, his heart beating fast against hers. As Lucy held on to him, she couldn't help but glance up at the stars. A warm feeling spread through her, knowing that someone cared about her enough to make this moment special. Sting had a way of making her feel cherished, and she couldn't deny that it felt good to be wanted, and loved.

Though she knew she wasn't ready right now, she hoped that someday her true love would kneel in front of her, proposing under a starry sky that was even brighter than this one.

But for now, as she stood there with Sting's arms around her, she was happy. This moment was sweet, and it was theirs. The future could wait.

★ ★ ★

Dear Mom,

I turned 18 today. This marks my 13th birthday since you've been gone.

But I have truly been happy. Sting finally asked me to be his girlfriend. Today's the beginning of a new chapter for us. I hope we can last long, and that I can live a happy, loving life just as you did.

From, Lucy

★ ★ ★

Lucy paraded blissfully down the hallway of the Magnolia venue. She couldn't help occasionally giggling to herself, her cheeks turning pink as she recalled yesterday's events.

Sting had looked so beautiful, so genuine as his hands trembled slightly as he held the ring box, an earnest expression on his face.

"What has you so happy?" a voice called out, pulling her out of her daydream.

Lucy turned to see Mirajane, one of the other idols performing that night, leaning casually against the doorframe of her dressing room, blue eyes shining with curiosity.

Lucy's grin widened, glad she'd asked. "I officially have a boyfriend!" she declared, dreamily.

Mirajane's eyebrows shot up, her expression shifting to one of surprise and delight. "Oh, really? And is it who I think it is?"

Lucy nodded, feeling the blush deepen on her cheeks. "Yes, it's Sting! He asked me to be his girlfriend last night, and I said yes!"

Mirajane let out a small squeal of excitement and clapped her hands together. "That's wonderful, Lucy! I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed. "You two make such a cute couple."

Lucy beamed. "Thanks, Mira. He's really sweet. Last night, he gave me this ring and asked me out under the stars." She held out her hand, showing the delicate silver band that shimmered softly in the light.

Mirajane's eyes sparkled as she admired the ring. "How romantic!" she said with a sigh. "He really went all out, huh?"

Lucy nodded, biting her lip, attempting and failing to hide her smile. "Yeah, he did. It was perfect."

Mira chuckled at her fondly, giving her a genuinely contented smile. "You deserve it, Lucy. You've been working so hard, and it's about time you found someone who makes you feel special," she said, truthfully. "I'm happy for you."

Lucy's heart beat happily. "Thank you, Mira..."

"I truly am happy for you," she replied, warmly. With that, she gave the blonde a quick hug before heading down the hallway, her name having been called to the stage. Lucy was left standing there with an affectionate smile on her face.

As she continued to walk, her thoughts drifted back to Sting, and she found herself counting down the hours until she could see him again.

★ ★ ★

Of course, nothing ever truly stayed a secret for long.

Before they even knew it, the media had caught wind of their relationship. Headlines about her and Sting began spreading like wildfire, dominating every social media site and even making it into news broadcasts.

The public was deeply shocked. After years of maintaining a spotless reputation, the idol Lucy Heartfilia was now involved in her first major scandal, caught in a secret relationship.

Articles, blogs and videos about the revelation went viral, each one of them buzzing with speculation, trying to dissect every detail. Sting was quick to mobilize his team, trying to track down the original source of the leak and take down as many articles as possible. But the damage was done– the news was out, and there was no controlling it.

'STING EUCLIFFE AND LUCY HEARTFILIA CAUGHT IN SECRET ROMANCE!' was the headline of one of the most shared articles.

Lucy gulped as she read the title. She knew she shouldn't read the comments– her manager had strictly warned her against it– but curiosity got the best of her. Holding her breath, she clicked to open them, bracing herself for the worst.

To her pleasant surprise, the public's response was overwhelmingly positive. Instead of outrage or disappointment, their fans were positively thrilled about the news, and enthusiastically expressed their support. A few were even upset at the publishers, condemning them for invading their privacy.

USER #1: "Wow, I didn't see this coming, but honestly now that I see it, they look adorable together! I'm so happy for them! (≧▽≦)"
♥︎ 12.5K | 💬 143

USER #2: "Lucy and Sting are my favourite celebs! I'm so glad they found each other! Love them both!!! ♡♡ #StingLu"
♥︎ 7K | 💬 31

USER #3: "This is so wrong. Celebrities deserve their privacy too! Whoever leaked this should be ashamed!"
♥︎ 11.7K | 💬 207

Lucy felt a wave of relief wash over her as she scrolled through the comments. It was reassuring to know that despite the media being in a frenzy, most of the people out there were rooting for them.

She and Sting could finally exist as a couple in peace. No more sneaking around, secret dates or glances at social affairs. Now, they were free to hold hands in public, attend events together, and simply enjoy each other's company without the constant fear of being caught.

For the first time, Lucy felt a true sense of freedom and happiness– one that came from being able to love without hiding. Together, they could face whatever came next.

A few days later they were seated in a restaurant– a dinner date to celebrate going public with their relationship.

Lucy contently skimmed the menu as Sting went on about his last photo shoot. When she placed the card down, her decision made, she felt the flash of a camera.

She rolled her eyes, they'd found them once again. "Sting," she said, gesturing toward them with an exasperated sigh.

Sting turned around, watching as the photographers remained unmoving, clearly unbothered by their attention. Sting raised his hand, then made a peace sign as he gave them a large grin.

"Let them be," he said with a chuckle. "They've only been waiting for so long."

She laughed, agreeing with him, and gladly posed for the camera too, with a huge grin.

She had no idea about the hardships, and heartache that was soon to come.

★ ★ ★

trigger warning next chapter