Chapter Text
As a child, Lucy Heartfilia never had to worry about much. She was spoiled rotten, always getting what she wanted, but even at a young age, she understood the value of things and never took anything for granted. She was always grateful for everything she had.
The only thing she never had was a friend, well at least not since her mother passed away.
Lucy held onto the one piece of her mother she had left; a beautiful golden necklace, the pendant was shaped like a key. The necklace was Lucy's most priced possession, more precious than her own life. It was a silent reminder that no matter how far her mother was, she would always be close to Lucy’s heart.
Her father, on the other hand, was a distant figure, always away on business. Even when he was home, he was locked away in his office, absorbed in his work. His emotional and physical absence left Lucy feeling lonelier more than ever.
Some might have thought that in a mansion full of servants, she would never feel alone, but nothing could fill the void left by her mother or the distance from her father.
Her only friends were her stuffed toys, two in particular. A beautiful mermaid with long blue hair and a stern expression, which was strange for a doll but Lucy never questioned it. And a doll with luscious blonde curls and green buttons for eyes. It might have been her imagination, but sometimes, Lucy swore they talked back to her. And that was all the comfort her little child heart needed.
More than a decade had passed, and Lucy was now a college freshman, majoring in Literature and Astronomy. The golden key necklace still rested against her chest, a symbol that she would never be truly alone. And for the first time since her mother’s passing, Lucy had real friends.
Levy and Juvia, her bunkmates, quickly became the sisters she never had. Levy was a bookworm, introverted and incredibly smart, perhaps even on par with Lucy. And Juvia? Juvia was kind and bubbly, always bringing warmth to Lucy’s days.
But things changed when Juvia got a boyfriend.
At first, it was subtle. Juvia became distant, often sighing dreamily as she spoke about him. But soon, her bubbly demeanor began to fade. She started coming home later and later, and when Lucy and Levy asked about her day, Juvia would give vague answers, brushing off their concern with a forced smile.
Something about Juvia’s relationship didn’t sit right with Lucy. The more Juvia spoke of her boyfriend, the more it felt like she was hiding something. Neither Lucy nor Levy had ever met him, despite how serious things seemed. Every time they asked, Juvia always found an excuse for them to not meet this mystery man.
As time went on, her late nights grew more frequent. The once-radiant Juvia was now a shadow of herself. She would come home with red-rimmed eyes, her sleeves always pulled down to her wrists. Sometimes, she would lock herself in the bathroom, claiming that the water brought her comfort, but through the door, Lucy and Levy could hear her muffled sobs.
She skipped meals, withdrew from conversations, and avoided their attempts to reach out. No matter how much they tried to get through to her, Juvia pushed them away. She refused to talk about her boyfriend, and the more she pulled back, the more Lucy and Levy worried.
Despite everything, Juvia kept her struggles hidden, leaving Lucy feeling helpless. She didn’t know what was really going on, but she could see the girl she once knew slipping away and she had no idea how to save her.
Until one night.
Juvia came home late again, eyes swollen, sleeves pulled low. She smiled at Lucy and Levy before quickly excusing herself to the washroom.
Lucy and Levy exchanged a look. They didn’t need to say it aloud to know they were thinking the same thing.
They couldn’t keep pretending everything was fine.
When Juvia returned, her smile was strained, as if she were trying to convince herself more than them. She sat down, her sleeves still concealing whatever she was hiding beneath them, her red eyes a silent plea that she refused to voice.
And Lucy knew, right then and there, that something had to change.
Lucy placed a gentle hand on Juvia's shoulder, only to feel her flinch under the touch. That reaction alone sent a pang of worry through her chest, but she kept her voice soft but firm.
"Juvia," she began, "you don’t have to pretend around us."
Levy nodded in agreement. "We’re your friends, okay? And friends don’t let each other go through things alone."
Juvia’s eyes flickered nervously between them. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but Lucy spoke first.
"Juvia, we know things have changed," Lucy said, her voice trembling slightly but steady. "We’ve noticed. You’ve been… different. And we just want you to know that whatever it is, we’re here for you. You don’t have to hide it from us."
Levy took a deep breath, her usual calm now laced with concern. "We care about you, Juvia. And we can see you’re hurting. It’s obvious that something’s wrong, and you don’t deserve to go through this alone. Especially not with… him."
Juvia’s gaze dropped to her lap, her shoulders slumping as she tried to blink back tears. Her voice was small. "Juvia… Juvia doesn’t know what to do. He told Juvia she was too obsessive, too jealous. That Juvia should butt out and stop being so clingy. That Juvia should leave him alone."
Lucy and Levy exchanged a quick glance, their concern deepening.
"Juvia, that’s not love," Lucy said gently, but firmly. "What he’s saying is just manipulation. He’s trying to make you feel like your feelings are wrong, like you’re crazy for caring. That’s not okay. No one should ever make you feel like you’re too much just for loving them."
Levy nodded, her eyes serious. "He’s trying to control you, Juvia. That’s what this is. He wants you to doubt yourself, to feel small. But Juvia, that’s not your fault. You have every right to express your feelings, to care about someone you love. That’s normal. What he’s doing is twisting your love into something toxic."
Juvia wiped at her eyes, her hands trembling. "He makes Juvia feel like she’s wrong for caring too much. He says Juvia is always in his way, that Juvia needs to stop being so ‘obsessive.’ Sometimes, he doesn’t want Juvia around, and when Juvia asks him why… he just gets angry. Says Juvia should leave him alone."
Lucy’s eyes softened, but there was a quiet determination in them as she spoke. "Juvia, you are not obsessive for caring. And you are definitely not wrong for wanting communication and respect. What he’s doing isn’t out of love, he’s manipulating you. Real love means supporting each other, not making you feel guilty for wanting to be present in his life."
Levy’s voice was quiet but firm. "And if he can’t understand that? If he makes you feel bad just for being yourself? Then he’s not the person you need. Love isn’t supposed to make you feel like you have to shrink yourself down just to keep someone else happy."
Juvia’s lip quivered, her voice barely a whisper. "But… Juvia loves him. And Juvia doesn’t want to lose him. Juvia doesn’t know what to do…"
Lucy squeezed her shoulder, her voice soft but resolute. "Juvia, you don’t have to stay in a relationship that makes you feel small. You deserve so much more than that. Love should lift you up, not make you feel like you have to apologize for existing."
Levy leaned in, her expression warm but serious. “You’re not too much. Not for him, not for anyone. You're amazing just as you are. And if he can’t see that, then maybe it’s time to let him go."
Juvia sniffled, her tears threatening to spill as she spoke again, her voice breaking. "He says Juvia is too sensitive. That Juvia overreacts to everything. That all boyfriends playfully hit their girlfriends and Juvia should just get over it. He says Juvia is crazy for caring too much, that Juvia should just trust him and let him do what he wants. Juvia isn’t supposed to question him."
Lucy’s expression darkened, a fire burning in her eyes. "Juvia, that is not normal. No one should ever physically hurt their partner, he’s abusing you.. Sometimes love blinds you, but this is not okay and you need to leave him before it gets worse and you won’t have the choice anymore."
Levy’s voice was unwavering. "He’s manipulating you. Making you feel like your feelings aren’t valid, like you’re the one in the wrong. But you aren't. You have every right to feel upset, to feel hurt. His actions are not okay, and you need to stand up for yourself."
Juvia looked up at them, her heart pounding. "But… Juvia doesn’t know if she can leave him. Juvia is scared of being alone."
Lucy gave her a knowing look. "Juvia, I know what it’s like to be alone. And I would never let you be alone, and I know for a fact Levy won’t either. You don’t need someone who hurts you, Juvia. You deserve someone who lifts you up, who respects you. Not someone who makes you feel like you have to walk on eggshells just to keep them happy."
Levy placed a gentle hand over Juvia’s. "We’re not going anywhere, Juvia. You will never be alone. But we want you to see your worth, we want you to know that you’re beautiful, extremely smart, and so so so kind. You don’t deserve any of this, and you don’t need to be afraid of being alone, because Lucy and I? We will be with you, every step of the way.."
Juvia wiped at her eyes, her breath shaky but filled with newfound determination. For the first time, the weight of the truth settled in. She deserved better. She deserved love without fear. And maybe, just maybe, she could find the strength to let go.
She looked at Lucy and Levy, a small but genuine smile forming on her lips.
Lucy and Levy froze for a second, before their own smiles broke through. It had been so long since they had seen Juvia smile like that.
And at that moment, Juvia broke down into tears again. Not from sadness or fear, but from the overwhelming amount of love she just felt from the two girls sitting next to her. She pulled her best friends into a tight hug, clinging to them as if they were her lifeline, and to be honest, they were.
And for the first time in a long time, she didn’t feel alone.
The next day rolled around, and Juvia came home, for the first time in a while early and with a smile on her face. Lucy knew the second Juvia entered and jumped happily with joy, and didn't hesitate to jump Juvia with a hug. And when Levy came home late from her extra class, and when she saw Juvia and Lucy giggling while watching videos on their phone like they used to, Levy jumped in glee and congratulated Juvia on being free of that slimy scumbag.
"Oh my god!! We need to celebrate, do you guys want to go somewhere?" Levy exclaimed.
Lucy was a little hesitant, she knew her dad would find out somehow if she stepped a foot outside her dormitory after 10pm, but since Juvia was newly single and Levy all riled up she didn't want to down the party.
"Umm... I don't know, isn't it dangerous?" Lucy said quietly.
"Don't worry, your dad won't find out, I'll make sure of it." Levy said cheerfully.
"Maybe, a bar? Juvia feels like she hasn't drank in a while and Juvia could really use it."
Stubbornly, Lucy agreed.
The night was still young and all three of the girls stood in front of the same, small mirror doing their makeup while giggling at jokes and videos. Making sure their lashes were long, lips plump, and cheeks blushed. And since it was their first time going out together, they wanted to match their dresses, not only because it would be easy to spot each other, but also to let others know they came together.
Juvia, embracing her being single and with confidence she wants to gain after that man tore her down, chose to wear a dress that was a deep navy blue, with a plunging neckline and a short hem that showed off her legs. She twirled in front of the girls, while they cheered her on.
Lucy, still a little hesitant, chose to wear a long gown shimmered under the soft lighting, a beautiful shade of golden yellow that complimented her blonde hair perfectly. The dress was long and graceful, but it hugged her figure just enough to leave a little to the imagination.
And finally Levy wore a rich emerald green, sleeveless, and knee-length. It wasn’t too revealing, but was fun and flirty.
They left their dorm, confidence dripping from their skin.
As they walked down the street, they spotted a group of girls up ahead, their laughter floating through the air like a sweet melody. The girls were dressed to the nines, giggling and chatting as they made their way toward the entrance of a club.
Levy, as curious as ever, asked, "Guys, what if we followed them? They seem to know what they're doing and that does seem like a cool club, why don't we just sneak in behind them?"
Lucy, hesitance slowly wearing off, agreed.
And so, they snuck into the bar behind the group of girls.
As they follow the group of gorgeous girls into the bar, they don't notice the subtle differences from a typical club. The entrance is tucked into a side alley, guarded by a bouncer who barely glanced at them as they blended in with the VIP guests. The group of girls Lucy, Juvia and Levy were following, flashed their shiny, exclusive-looking wristbands, but in the dim lighting, the bouncer didn’t notice that Lucy, Levy, and Juvia weren't wearing any.
Once inside, the atmosphere is electric. The bass thrums through the floor, neon lights flicker overhead, and the crowd is different, it was less random clubgoers and more of industry elites children, influencers, and models sipping expensive liquor. But to Lucy, it just seemed like a high-end bar, nothing too unusual.
Levy is the first to notice the ridiculously extravagant setup, plush velvet seating? gold-rimmed glasses? a raised platform where a DJ mixes beats that blend seamlessly with the electric energy of the place?
"Damn, are we in some kind of elite nightclub?" Levy whisper-yells over the loud music.
The bass thrums through the air, making the floors vibrate beneath Lucy’s heels as she sips at her drink, eyes scanning the crowd with cautious curiosity. The music is good, so good that she finds herself subconsciously nodding along, the catchy guitar riffs and gravelly vocals pulling her in. Which was kind of shocking because Lucy was proud of her acquired taste in music, but there was something about this band that drew her in.
“Damn, this band is actually fire,” Levy shouts over the noise, swaying to the rhythm.
Juvia hums in agreement, twirling a strand of blue hair between her fingers. “Juvia likes the lead singer’s voice. It’s rough, but in a good way. Very… raw.”
Lucy grins, letting the beat settle into her bones. “Right? It’s got that gritty sound without being too much. Honestly, I’d add this to my playlist.”
She doesn’t think much of it as she loses herself in the atmosphere, the music wrapping around her like a familiar embrace. It’s exactly what she wanted tonight, she wanted to be free, to escape, to have fun and have no experiences.
But she’s also hyper-aware of her surroundings, avoiding every single person she recognizes from her past. She catches glimpses of her father’s business partners’ kids, some of her old private school classmates, all dressed to the nines and drinking top-shelf liquor like it’s water. Every time she spots someone familiar, she subtly shifts positions, keeping to the dimly lit areas of the club where the flashing lights don’t linger too long.
Levy notices and nudges her. “Relax, Lu. No one’s paying attention to you.”
Lucy scoffs. “That’s exactly what I want.”
And for a while, it works. She lets herself enjoy the night, moving with the music, sipping on her drink. Everything is perfect, until she noticeed a sudden shift in energy near the VIP section.
The crowd parts slightly, and that’s when she sees him.
A group of people, well mostly women, flock around a single figure, their voices a chorus of flirty giggles and sugary-sweet pleas for attention. And at the center of it all, lounging effortlessly on a plush leather couch, is Natsu Dragneel.
Lucy doesn’t know his name yet, but he’s impossible to miss.
Pink hair that somehow makes him look stupidly good, a cocky smirk that oozes confidence, and a posture so lazy yet commanding that it’s clear he’s used to this, used to being adored, fawned over, wanted. He’s wearing a fitted black shirt with the sleeves pushed up, revealing strong forearms littered with ink, his rings catching the light as he lifts a drink to his lips.
And the worst part? He’s eating it up.
One girl drapes herself over his shoulder, whispering something into his ear. Another boldly straddles his lap, twirling his necklace between her fingers. A third playfully tugs at his arm, pouting as if demanding his attention.
And he just grins, basking in all of it like a goddamn king.
Lucy scoffs, rolling her eyes as she turns away.
Great. Another one of those guys.
She’s seen his type a thousand times before. The type that are arrogant, playboy losers who think the world revolves around them just because they have talent, a pretty face or money. Ugh. She hopes she never has to interact with him.
But then her gaze flickers past him, landing on two other guys in the same VIP area.
One of them, a dark-haired man with sharp features, is on the dance floor, surrounded by women. He’s shirtless, sweat glistening under the club lights as he moves with effortless confidence. The girls around him are laughing, pressing closer, drawn in by his undeniable charm. He seems to be enjoying himself, smirking as he twirls one of them before pulling her back in.
The other man, however, is a stark contrast. Leaning against the bar, arms crossed, a drink in hand, he looks completely uninterested in the girls trying to flirt with him. His crimson eyes flick lazily over the room, his expression unreadable, like he’s just tolerating the scene rather than indulging in it. The girls beside him whisper and giggle, trying to get his attention, but he doesn’t seem to care.
Lucy doesn’t know who they are, and honestly? She doesn’t want to.
She came here to have fun, not to get involved with guys like them.
So with one last dismissive glance at the VIP section, she turns her attention back to her friends, determined to enjoy the night without any unnecessary distractions. But not before noticing, Natsu Dragneel looking right at her, her heart drops to her chest and her skin sizzles as if she's on fire. Unwilling to give in, she looked away and walked to the bar hoping to not bump into him again.