Year X780 — Late Summer
Location: Magnolia → Fairy Tail Guild Hall → Heartfilia Estate
Age: Ren (15) | Lucy (13)
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Ren
Fairy Tail was already loud before they even opened the door.
Laughter spilled out first. Then shouting. Then something crashing—followed by cheering, like that was normal.
Lucy froze beside him.
"…Is it under attack?" she whispered.
Ren smiled. "No."
The doors burst open.
Chaos exploded outward.
Natsu was standing on a table, yelling about something incomprehensible. Gray was halfway undressed, again. Erza sat calmly with a terrifying smile while holding two people by the collars. Cana was laughing so hard she nearly spilled her drink. Someone was already repairing a wall.
Lucy stared.
Her mouth opened.
No sound came out.
"…This," Ren said gently, "is Fairy Tail."
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Lucy
It was impossible.
Too loud. Too messy. Too alive.
People argued and laughed at the same time. Magic sparked casually. No one flinched. No one hid.
A pink-haired boy nearly collided with her. "Whoa! New girl?"
"Don't scare her," a white-haired girl said cheerfully, pulling Lucy aside. "I'm Lisanna."
Before Lucy could answer, a woman with long brown hair and a knowing smile leaned in. "Cana. You look like you belong here."
"…I do?" Lucy asked weakly.
Cana laughed. "Trust me. I can tell."
Ren watched from a short distance as Lucy was absorbed.
Lisanna took her hand, dragging her toward the bar. Cana shoved a drink into her hands—non-alcoholic, thankfully. Lucy sputtered, laughed, protested, then relaxed.
"…They're fast," Lucy murmured to Ren later.
"…Fairy Tail is efficient at friendship," he replied.
Lisanna showed her around. Cana told exaggerated stories. Lucy listened, eyes shining, asking questions nonstop.
Happy floated over, staring. "…She smells rich."
Lucy blinked. "…Excuse me?!"
Ren snorted.
---
Ren
Lucy fit frighteningly well.
She bantered easily—laughing when Cana teased her, pushing back just enough. Lisanna adored her within minutes. Even Erza gave her an approving nod, which Lucy somehow survived.
At one point, Natsu leaned over. "Hey Ren, is she strong?"
Lucy straightened. "I can summon spirits!"
Natsu grinned. "Cool! Wanna fight?"
"No!"
Ren stepped in. "…Later."
Happy giggled. "She's fun!"
Lucy puffed her cheeks. "I am standing right here."
Cana slung an arm around her shoulders. "You should stay."
Lucy froze.
The noise seemed to dim for just a moment.
"…I can't," Lucy said softly. "But… thank you."
Ren noticed her fingers tighten around her keys.
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Lucy
The afternoon passed too fast.
Too much laughter. Too much warmth.
It felt dangerous—in the best way.
By evening, Ren guided her back through Magnolia. The sun dipped low, painting the streets gold.
"…I don't want to leave," Lucy admitted quietly.
Ren nodded. "…That means it worked."
They stopped at the edge of her estate grounds—iron gates tall and cold compared to the guild's warmth.
Ren reached into his pocket.
He handed her a small box.
"…What's this?"
"…Open it."
Inside lay a delicate pendant—two flowers intertwined. One yellow. One blue. Tiny, perfectly carved.
"…Cosmos flowers," Lucy breathed.
"…Yellow for hope," Ren said. "…Blue for trust."
Her eyes filled instantly.
"…Ren…"
"…Not a contract," he added quickly. "…Just a reminder."
She clutched it to her chest. "…I'll treasure it."
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Ren
They stood there, reluctant.
Ren broke the silence first.
"…Hey."
Lucy looked up.
"…Next time you run," he said lightly—but his eyes were serious, "…run for real. And come join Fairy Tail."
For a heartbeat—
Lucy's composure shattered.
Her breath hitched. Her hands shook. Tears welled up despite her trying to blink them away.
"…You really think I could?"
"…I know you can."
She laughed through tears, pressing the pendant to her heart.
"…Then I promise," she said softly, "…I won't run alone next time."
Ren smiled—warm, proud.
"…I'll be waiting."
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Lucy
She watched him walk away.
The pendant felt warm.
The gate behind her felt a little less like a prison.
And for the first time—
Home didn't feel like the only option.
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End of Chapter 56 🌼💙