-6 months later-

Lucy's P.O.V

  I add another news article to my collection, this time I pin the torn paper in the centre of it all. An article with the heading explaining Fairytail's emergence back onto the Guild scene. That's right, Fairy tail is apparently an official Guild again. Part of me is happy, that all my comrades that I love so dearly are back together again, another part of me is scared.

  I flop back on my bed sighing, I guess my wall was pointless now. The news article was from a week ago, no one has bothered to contact me about it which is fine. I think I've made up my mind that I'd rather have my life here in Crocus now that everything's different for me. Luke is now 9 months old, and as stubborn as ever. 3 months ago his eyes had finally changed from a light blue to an onyx colour, like Natsu's. I'm glad Luke has inherited at least one or Natsu's features, in a weird way it reminds me I'm not alone.

I get up and head back into the small apartment's living room, seeing Hana watching television with Luke. I smile at the scene, they were just so cute with each other, she was like a second parental figure in the baby's life. Hana notices me in the room once I take a seat on the baby blue couch. Her dark blue eyes linger on me, Hana looked worried. She probably knew about the recent news concerning Fairytail.

"Why didn't you jump at the chance to rejoin the Guild?" The girl innocently asks breaking the silence between us, Luke in the background still wrapped up in his show.

I take a moment to answer, perhaps I didn't have one. I look down, fiddling with my fingers before looking down at my Guild mark. It was still visible on my right hand, still the vibrant pink it was when I first got it. My mark is a reminder that although I'm not officially part of Fairy tail anymore, it'll always be in my heart.

"Luke..." Was all I managed to say. I unintentionally called his name to which he looked over at us for a second before his attention was drawn away to focus on a toy.

Hana takes the spot next to me, holding my hand in a comforting way. "Lucy...I know Luke is the reason why you're living the life you do now but..." She trails off. "...I think it's time you reunite with your old friends."

I grimace at the thought. Last time I checked Natsu was talking so closely with his best friend Lisanna, and the next thing I know he left. By now I wouldn't be surprised if they realized their feelings for each other and they've all forgotten about me, the only people I regret leaving behind are the only ones who knew about the pregnancy.

"I don't know how they'll react..." I simply reply. 'Would they be ashamed of me if I had given birth before marriage? Out of a one night stand? It doesn't effect the way I feel about my son...but wouldn't it effect the others?'

Hana catches on that I've gotten deep in thought and pulls me in a warm hug. "Stop with all those silly thoughts in your head." She pulls the hug apart  and places her hands on my shoulder. "Fairytail would be ecstatic to meet Luke and have you as a member again. I'm sure they're worried sick."

I reluctantly nod, perhaps what Hana is true. Yet how can I be sure?

***

No one's P.O.V

Back in Magonolia, spirits were arise as the city's number one Guild was back together again, ready to protect the local citizens once more. The skies were blue and bright, and the streets were lit with smiles. The area where Fairy tail's building once stood was empty, destroyed and left alone after the incident during the time the building was left unguarded. Once the members of the the Guild were brought together with the help of mages or team Natsu, everyone right away got to work on rebuilding.

[I still wanted the Guild to be destroyed when the Guild is formed again—so during the 1year Fairytail was disbanded, an incident unrelated to Tartaros occurred, just to clear things up]

The bulldozed lot was encased with many unfinished walls with sea foam sheets and several crates littering the area. In the centre of it all was the requip mage Erza Scarlet, one of the mages who had helped in the revival of Fairy tail. "Freed, your doing it wrong! Put your back into it!" She hollers left and right, keeping in command of this entire process.

In the corner of the construction site was a picnic bench, where two familiar faces sat.

"Do you think she heard the news?" A girl with silver hair and ocean blue eyes asks another girl with baby blue hair which she was twirling the ends of in stress.

"Worse, do you think she saw him at the Grand Magic Games?" The bluenette responds. The other sighs. Both Mirajane and Levy were concerned about their blonde friend, whom they've lost contact with since her baby was born. It was in fact Natsu's appearance at the Games that had sparked everyone to come together, an effort mostly pushed by those of team Natsu. Although an important piece of their team was still missing and nowhere to be found, and that piece just so happened to be a celestial mage.

"You'd think Lucy would be the first person he contacts..." the take over mage whispers so no one else could hear.

"Perhaps Lu is just really good at being hidden, I'm sure he's looked for her at least once. Just look at him." Levy comments, taking pity at the fire dragon slayer at the make-shift bar. His hair was ruffled and messy, longer than before, his eyes had visible bags under them and he obviously had no care for his clothes.

"Poor Natsu...Lucy's really taken a toll on him." Mira continues to watch him sulk all by himself, probably unhappy that his best friend wasn't along side him. "Not even Happy can cheer him up."

"Well I mean Lucy's got us all worried, not just Natsu." Levy retorts, she herself was also sad that the blonde hasn't shown up as of yet.

Eventually Mirajane gets up and heads towards the temporary bar, to continue her work as a bartender. On her way she stops by the pink haired mage, who was still moping around. She puts her pale hand on his back in a soothing way, surprising him for a second.

"Don't worry, Natsu." The takeover mage softly speaks. "I'm sure our favourite celestial mage is just busy at the moment. I'm sure she'll find out about the Guild and come home soon."

Natsu looks down, his long worn out bangs that haven't been cut in ages fall over his eyes. Mira frowns. She and the others know full well he refuses to take care of himself until Lucy arrives.

"Yeah..." He finally replies weakly, gripping the cup he had in his hand so tightly. It sounded as if he was trying to convince himself of Mira's words, but failing miserably. Natsu had after all blamed himself for the disbandment of Fairy tail and had blamed himself for walking out on his friend like that.

Turning away, tears begin to streak his cheeks. Knowing the dragon slayer needed some space, Mira leaves him alone. She sighs as she walks behind the bar, if only everyone else truly knew why Lucy wouldn't come back. Alas it's not Mirajane's or Levy's secret to tell.

'Luce, why aren't you here?' He thinks bitterly to himself. Knowing her, the blonde would love to see her family, her home again. It could only make Natsu assume something had happened in the year he was gone, these worries only fuelled his determination further. He was going to find her.

***

Once again this chapter is shorter than I would like it to be, although the next chapter is gonna be very long! Thanks for reading ✌️
~NaLu4Lyfe03