yin and yang ― ɴᴀᴛꜱᴜ ᴅʀᴀɢɴᴇᴇʟ

➷ EPISODE SIXTEEN.

[ EPISODE SIXTEEN ]

✮

"how could phantom do this?" lucy mumbled, her hands clenched into fists as she sat on the chair by levy's bed. i was sat by the window, the two of us in magnolia hospital as we stayed back to look after team shadow gear after finding them on display at the park. the three of them had faced significant injuries that left them unconscious, as they were bolted to the trees with melded pieces of metal.

"gajeel." my jaw clenched as i glared out the window, my hands tightening around the window sill as i grew more and more frustrated that i couldn't do more to help fight back. "if only i told master earlier, they wouldn't have gotten hurt." i scolded myself, reaching up to the wound on the nape of my neck that was still bruised and scabbed over. 

"it isn't your fault, maya-chan." lucy assured, knowing that i was beating myself up over it. the others had found out earlier that morning when natsu had stormed off, seeking revenge against gajeel for me too which caught everyone's attention as they wondered what had happened to me. i had no choice but to reveal the wound i had gotten that night, only fuelling their anger further as they stormed off.

i sighed, glancing over at the team who laid unconscious on the beds, probably also taken by surprise like i had been. "i'm gonna go out." i mumbled, lifting myself off the window sill as i headed for the door.

"where are you going?" lucy questioned in concern, following after me.

"i should get some groceries, they'll probably wake up hungry." i answered, sending her a reassuring smile to let her know that i was fine.

"i'll come with." the celestial mage invited herself, walking up to the door before i could. "its best to stick together, there's no telling what phantom could be up to." she added with her own smile, looping her arm through mine as she pulled me along. my eyes widened in surprise, stumbling over my feet as i caught up to match her pace. the two of us walked in silence through magnolia, life continued as we suffered our turmoil in silence.

"how can you still be so friendly to me?" i suddenly asked, taking the blonde by surprise as she glanced back at me. "you know what i did... back then." i quietly mumbled, avoiding her gaze as i awkwardly rubbed my arm. her eyes seemed to widen briefly before they softened, a sad smile on her lips as she nodded her head.

"it wasn't your fault." i looked up in surprise, not expecting those words to come out of her mouth. "we've known each other our whole lives, i know the real you, maya-chan." i felt the tears well up as i pursed my lips, dropping my gaze again so she didn't see me about to cry. 

"thank you." i quietly whispered, catching her attention as a smile spread across her lips. our tension over phantom's attack eased a little as we allowed ourselves to become vulnerable again whilst shopping ― the two of us joking around and laughing as we bought ingredients.