Flashback
Construction sprawled throughout the city of Magnolia, a testament to the aftermath of the devastating Tartaros incident. The scars of destruction were visible, with only a handful of homes left untouched. It had been two weeks since the Fairy Tail guild had defeated the demon guild and anyone had laid eyes on Lucy Heartfilia. They understood her need for solitude and grieving after the loss of one of her spirit keys, so her best friends, the pink-haired dragon slayer and his exceed partner, had refrained from disturbing her. Lucy believed that the day would proceed like any other as she stirred from her bed, unaware of the impending interruption at her apartment door.
"Lu-Chan! I know you're in there. Everyone is worried sick about you." Lucy recognized the voice instantly—it belonged to Levy McGarden, her bookworm friend. Concealing her true reasons for secluding herself, Lucy feigned sleep as she heard Levy entering the apartment complex.
"Lu-Chan?" Levy's voice resonated through the room, devoid of any response. Determined, she approached Lucy's bed and forcefully pulled the blankets off her.
"Levy-Chan, I won't be going to the guild today. I-I'm not feeling well," Lucy uttered, partially speaking the truth. Though she indeed felt unwell, there were deeper reasons she didn't want Levy to uncover. A queasiness churned in her stomach, but she tried to dismiss it, hoping to swiftly send Levy away before her condition worsened. However, Levy shook her head resolutely.
"No way, Lu-Chan. It's been two weeks, and everyone misses you. Natsu and Happy won't stop complaining." Lucy's control faltered, unable to contain the rising sensation any longer.
Ignoring her friend's presence, Lucy hastily leaped out of bed and dashed to the bathroom. Levy could hear the retching sounds as her friend expelled whatever she had consumed the previous night. Filled with empathy, Levy entered the restroom and held back Lucy's blonde hair. The two of them sat there, Lucy vomiting and Levy providing comforting gestures, for another couple of minutes. Once Lucy had finally finished, she wiped her lips clean and rose unsteadily from the floor. Levy was about to do the same when something in the wastebasket caught her eye. Her brown eyes widened at the sight of the object. Lucy had already left the room, preparing tea for both of them. When Lucy glanced up and noticed Levy exiting the bathroom, her gaze locked onto the small item in her friend's hands. Levy raised the object, presenting it for Lucy to see.
"Lu-Chan, what is this?" Lucy trembled with fear, terrified of her secret being exposed.
Anxious that her trembling hands might shatter something, Lucy carefully placed the teapot on the counter. "Please, don't tell anyone," she whispered. Levy held up the little stick accusingly.
"How could you keep it a secret that you're pregnant?"
This was not the outcome Levy had expected when she made her way to Lucy's apartment. She had anticipated coaxing a reluctant Lucy out of bed and dragging her to the new guildhall. Instead, she had discovered that her best friend was pregnant. Now, only one question remained.
"Who's the father?"
Lucy contemplated fabricating a lie, claiming it was the result of an encounter with a random stranger. However, she knew Levy wouldn't buy such a flimsy story, and Levy understood Lucy well enough to know she wouldn't engage in such reckless behavior with a stranger off the street. With a trembling breath, Lucy responded.
"It's Natsu."
Levy had half expected this revelation. Lucy and Natsu had been inseparable since the day Natsu brought Lucy to Fairy Tail, so it was only a matter of time before Lucy developed feelings for him. Levy approached the counter where Lucy stood and placed the small object she had been holding on top.
