Fighting Oblivion

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

The next morning we decided to split up and ask around town if anyone had noticed anything unusual. The boys' investigation yesterday yielded little results. Although they were able to sense some residual magic power they couldn't figure out how long ago it had been left there or where the owner went after. I had summoned Virgo and had her equip our new traveling companions with Celestial clothes of their own. Not only would it keep them warm but it might help with the target on their backs.

Virgo had really outdone herself again. Wendy was given a beautiful light blue jacket that fell to just below her knees. The fur lining it and wrapping around the extra high collar was the perfect match to her deep blue hair. Looking closer I could see little swirl patterns throughout the fabric, reminiscent of blowing wind. Juvia and Gray got matching ones, of course. Hers was a lovely aqua blue with shining silver fur. His was the opposite. Water and ice. Erza and Jellal were probably the most stunning. For him, Virgo gifted a dark blue almost black cape lined in blood red, or scarlet, fur. The back of the cape was decorated in seven magnificent star-like shapes. Erza was given a beautiful capelet in red as bright as her hair. The deep blue black fur on the shoulders coupled with the intricate pattern looked like shoulder plates. Virgo loved shipping via clothing.

Wendy and Carla volunteered to team up with me and Sting would not hear of us going off on our own. He insisted on accompanying us and nothing I said could convince him I'd be fine on my own, so while everyone else went off in twos and threes I stormed off, fuming, with the rest of my group rushing to keep up.

"Lucy," Sting was calling after me but I ignored him. I thought we had settled this! I thought he saw me fight and trusted I could take care of myself. I didn't think he thought I was so...helpless. Where could this thing with us even go if he thought I was so fucking weak?!

"Lucy!" I felt his hand close lightly on my wrist. His grip was loose enough that I could break free if I wanted but I didn't really want to cause even more of a scene. I stopped, keeping my back to him.

"What?"

"Why are you so pissed at me?" He asked. Gods men were so clueless! Especially stupid dragon slayers.

"Oh," I threw up my hands, then tapped my chin in mock thought. "Gee I don't know, Sting," my voice dripped with sarcasm. "Could it possibly be because you clearly still think I'm weak and can't take care of myself?" Then he did probably the absolute worst thing he could have; he laughed. I swear I saw red. The only thing keeping me from kicking his ass right then and there were the looks of fear on the faces of Wendy and the exceeds in her arms.

"Wait," he said, his voice still laced with laughter. "Wait. That's not why I want to go with you."

"It's not?"

"No," he shook his head smiling. "I just wanted to spend some time with you, that's all." He held his hands up, palms out trying to placate me. Well, now I was just embarrassed.

"Oh," my cheeks turned red. "Well, ok then."

"Ok, then," he held his arm out to me and after a beat I laced my arm through his.

Honestly, I was surprised at how much I was enjoying myself. While Sting and I had had a few...intimate moments and the first few days crossing the Blast Sea we had a few good conversations, there was always this little bit of underlying tension. Ok, so sometimes there was a lot of underlying tension. But as we explored our assigned section of the town it felt...comfortable. Like we were old friends out for a stroll. Or lovers. I felt my cheeks heat up at the thought. Wendy, Carla and Lector were the perfect teammates for this little excursion. Lector was obsessed with Sting normally, hanging on his every word. But not when Carla was around.