Fairy Tail: Falling Towards the Chaos

Chapter 15

It was almost a relief for Lucy to be back at the guild with everyone laughing and enjoying their time together.

"So you were a Celestial Spirit this whole time?" Gray asked in disbelief. It was still hard for everyone to come to terms with Loke — Leo's real identity, but she knew as much as they made a big deal out of it, everyone was just happy to have Loke back in the guild.

She sipped on her milkshake, content, while she watched everyone socialize.

"What kind of spirit are you anyway?" Happy asked. Loke crouched down to be eye-level with him, explaining to him the livelihood of the spirit world.

"A GIANT CAT THING?" Happy cried, completely misinterpreting the word lion. Lucy shook her head, sighing, as she watched Loke affirm his beliefs. Leo the Giant Cat Thing.

"It won't be the same as before though, Lucy's my wizard so it's my job to protect her and be her knight in shining armour," Loke stated, walking over to Lucy. He leaned on the bar, trying his best to give off that attractive vibe, as Lucy raised an eyebrow at his antics.

"Out of my face before I close your gate," Lucy sang, waving around her newest key.

"Hold up!" He raised an arm, fumbling around in his jacket for something. He pulled out a handful of tickets. "I can't really stay in this world anymore and I have these resort tickets for a group date with all my girlfriends but since I can't go," he smiled, "so, they're all yours! I already gave Erza one."

Lucy clapped in excitement, her eyes practically lighting up. Behind her, the boys cheered; namely Gray and Happy, while Natsu stared at the small piece of paper intensely. A vacation! A free one too.

The sound of footsteps drew her attention and the group gaped, watching as Erza walked to the bar with her wagon of luggage behind her. The redhead was dressed in a bikini and a button-up with a sun hat on and a pool float around her waist, Lucy almost giggled at her sudden appearance but decided to prioritize her life instead. It seemed everyone was super excited about their little getaway.

"Why are you guys just standing around? Let's get going!"

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Unlike Erza, Lucy couldn't really pack her luggage fast, and she quickly decided that the resort called for some new clothing to be added to her wardrobe. Plus, she figured Natsu and Happy needed a few things as well. After all, who could pass up an excuse to go shopping?

"Do we have to go shopping? I want to leave now!" Happy whined, following Lucy and Natsu who led the way to the shops.

"I just want to get a few swimsuits and some cute clothes! You guys can go ahead, just remember we're leaving here by noon," Lucy sighed, scoping out the windows for any items she liked, "do you or Natsu need swimsuits?" She asked and they both nodded, the blonde directing them towards the swim shop.

The owner greeted them as the door chimed, announcing their entrance. Lucy made a beeline to the bikini section, while Natsu and Happy wandered towards the swim trunks. She wanted something bright, more tropical vibe. The resort was a beach one, and she imagined the weather there would be amazing. She couldn't wait to tan and soak up the nice sun while swimming or taking a nap on the beach. She grabbed a brown tankini with a cute rhinestone design and a more skimpy pink one with a thong bottom. Cute and sexy, a combo she loved dearly. She grabbed a sun hat too before she made her way over to the boys.

Happy had found some orange trunks with a yellow design and a matching bandana that Lucy found simply adorable, while Natsu held up a black pair with a red design of flames.

"Let's try them on before we go," Lucy suggested. The owner showed them towards the back of the store where the fitting rooms were. It took a couple minutes before the boys came out with their swim trunks, Lucy squealing at Happy's cuteness while at the same time trying to contain her blush at the sight of Natsu.

Then, it was her turn. She walked out in the brown tankini, adjusting the bottoms and tank top as she spun in a circle for them to see.

"So, what do you think?" Lucy asked. Happy gave a thumbs up while Natsu grunted. She hummed, spinning around in the mirror before she deemed it worthy of buying. She tried on the pink one next, putting the sun hat on too as she walked out.

She turned to look at herself in the mirror, smiling. She posed playfully, hyped up by the sounds of Happy's cheers and whistles. This was a time that she could truly appreciate her body for what it was. She could admit that she looked good, and she knew it.

Lucy internally cheered, patting herself on the back. She turned around to face Natsu, Happy —and the shopkeeper?! She instantly recognized the look on the old man's face, his eyes said it all as they scoured her body without shame. It made her uncomfortable, but she felt resigned to it, shuffling closer to Natsu whose head was turned to pin the man with the most murderous glare he could muster.

"You look absolutely stunning, you should really consider modelling," the man said from the counter. Lucy laughed awkwardly in response. She took the opportunity to walk back into the change room to get the hell out of there. Seriously, could she not catch a break? It would have been a nice compliment if he wasn't being so damn creepy about it.

She was surprised to find Natsu waiting for her right outside, hand outstretched towards her as he looked off to the side.

"I'll pay for it, Happy is looking at snacks at the place across, go find him," Natsu instructed, almost demanding. His mind running through millions of ways he could destroy the man a few feet away from him. Lucy almost protested but thought better of it, she handed him her clothes and scurried out of the shop to find the blue cat. When Natsu joined them ten minutes later, she watched the same shop owner hurriedly close and lock his doors behind him.

She smiled, reaching up to pat Natsu's head as he does to her, watching his stunned face when she leaned towards him.

"Thank you," she whispered, finally relaxing as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

He looked away from her, pointedly, "so, where to next?"

She grinned, holding his hand that hung by her face. Happy flew past their faces in a frenzy, talking about some sweets he managed to find in the town square and just like that, she felt at peace again.

They shopped around a bit more. The blonde girl spent way more than she intended too, but she could worry about that at a later date.

"I've always wanted to try these! They're curry burgers, I heard so many good things about them!" Running back to Natsu and Happy, Lucy carried three burgers wrapped in foil. She spent a few jewels on them, but she couldn't pass up the chance to try it. She was having an amazing day so far, and she wanted to keep the good vibes going. Happy cheered, rushing forward to grab one as Natsu begrudgingly accepted the wrapped burger.

She counted down as they all unwrapped their own burger, and the scent that hit her smelled absolutely delicious. She scarfed down her burger but not as fast as the boys who seemed to beat her by devouring it in a mere five seconds. She laughed, looking at their faces covered in sauces and crumbs. She gave Happy a napkin as she rubbed her thumb on Natsu's face to get rid of the sauce spots around his mouth.

Yeah, everything was going just fine.

To be continued...