Apocalypse - Fairy Tail

7

After the meal together, the suggestion of a walk crossed her lips.

"Shall we go for a walk outside?" she asked him with a smile.

He replied, "I was about to suggest that, too," and her laughter filled the air. She gave thanks for the calming effect of the fresh air after dinner, a brief respite from the harsh reality that surrounded her. That night, the sky was adorned with stars that offered a breathtakingly clear and enchanting spectacle.

"You can see the stars tonight. It's been a while since the eruption," he remarked, letting his gaze wander to the sky.

"Yes, you're absolutely right," she agreed, noticing him looking at her.

Then he praised her clothes, the bright green dress that hugged her figure. She held the fabric gently and thanked him, their closeness seeming to grow with each word.

"Would you have dinner with me again tomorrow?" he asked with a hint of anticipation in his voice.

"I would be delighted. A reunion under these circumstances is a real blessing. I still owe you my-" she began, before her sentence was playfully interrupted by the warm pressure of his lips on hers.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then. Good night, Luce," he bid her farewell with a heartwarming gesture. She touched her lips lightly, a soft smile lingering as she retreated to her room. Natsu's kiss lingered, and her dreams that night were marked by his presence.

----

As the sun greeted the new day, it was her and Erza's turn to head out for scavenging. The plan for the day's outing was a topic of conversation.

"Where should we go exploring today?" she asked Erza, her fellow survivor.

Erza's eyes lit up with interest. "How about we visit my old house?" she tentatively suggested, betraying her longing for the place she hadn't seen since the outbreak. The chance to connect with her past had been an unfulfilled wish due to the difficult circumstances.

Lucy's response was quick and sincere. "Absolutely, I'd be happy to accompany you. If we have time today, it would be a wonderful opportunity," she agreed, her voice sounding full of enthusiasm.

And so the two companions made their way to Erza's former home, which was on her side of the divide. Memories and emotions undoubtedly awaited them as they embarked on this poignant journey of discovery.

They were in front of a large garden, and she stopped and pointed to a stately house in its midst.

"Here we are," she announced with a mixture of nostalgia and melancholy in her voice.

Astonished, her companion expressed her surprise, "Wait, this is your house?"

"Yes," Erza confirmed, and a faint smile played around her lips. "Although I didn't live here alone..."

Curious, Lucy continued, "Who shared this big house with you?"

"Allow me to tell the story," she began, her gaze wandering for a moment as if recalling the past. "About three weeks before the outbreak of the plague, I offered my help to a young girl wandering the streets. Unfortunately, I have not seen her since the chaos broke out. I fear that she may not have survived."

The absence of an "X" on the door caught their eye, a detail that had not escaped them.

"Before we go in, I think we should exercise caution. The lack of an 'X' on the door is disconcerting," Lucy cautioned, her experience urging her to be careful. Erza retrieved the keys from an inconspicuous place and unlocked the door with practiced ease. It swung open silently, revealing a world locked in time.