"Ouchie!"

"What's wrong?"

I don't necessarily ignore the perked chime of Midnight, I just don't want to express that my fetus has ninja kicked me in the spleen. I mean, it's nothing to worry about, or at least I don't think so. The baby has been an active baby since we left Magnolia. I'm glad the baby is okay, but I don't exactly appreciate the sudden jabs and pokes at my organs.

I catch eye contact with him as he peers lazily at me.

"Just be glad you don't have a uterus," I say, tenderly pressing my bump.

A grimace twists his features, nose crinkling. "Ugh...I'm better off not being told that."

I roll my eyes and smile lightly. At least he didn't give me some piss-faced, dismayed insult. It's an improvement.

My child has been active since we left the train station--leaving an emotional Makarov behind. I feel terrible for the old man, really. My heart tugs painfully knowing I've caused confusion and sorrow. Maybe I should've stayed longer? Remincsed a little more? D'oh, why do I feel so bad for my misfortunes?

"Yer doin' it again, Blondie, " Cobra grumbles irritably beside me. "Quit givin' me a headache."

I sigh out, "It's good to be back in Crocus!" I grin.

"Hn." That is what I get from my companions.

"Don't call me that," Cobra grumbles ever-so moodily.

Scoffing, I roll my eyes. I still forget Cobra can read—excuse me—hear thoughts. I nearly snort when catching Cobra's face twist up a little. Poor kid, all of this must be so difficult for him, unable to control his sound magic. See my sarcasm? No? Well, whatever.

"...Heartfilia?!!"

It was far away, but I can hear someone calling for me. I don't recognize the voice, not at all.

Who...?

"Is that Lucy Heartfilia?!"

"Oh, great..." Cobra coldly grunts, averting his eye to the side.

I look for the voice that seemed to be chanting my name like worship or something. It truly did have me confused. Most people seemed more amazed and fascinated by Erza and Gray and Happy. My popularity barely dented the shiny name of Titania. Not that it mattered, but still. I mean, I've gotten some recognition for my Sorcerer Weekly pin-ups, but that is, like, the most I get praised for.

"Who is it?" I try to look around Cobra, who is blocking the view of the culprit almost purposely, especially as he moves when I move.

"Don't get yer panties in a twist, Blondie. Just some lowlife."

My brows knit together at the inferior insult, "Hey, now, don't get all high and mighty— "

"Oh my Heavens, it is her!!"

I can see one or two people dash our way, just barely because Cobra's shoulder is all broad and blocking my line of sight. I do get a glimpse of someone furiously flipping through a magazine as they approach.

"Lucy Heartfilia, I have to say you're more beautiful in person!" The person gushes flirtatiously.

Ah, there it is. That recognition I was talking about. The recognition left millions of eyes on my once hidden body. I suppose I can consider them fans, I mean, after all, they just love my spreadsheets. Creepy, or not.

"I'm Rino and this is my friend Randell, " The first one says. "We're such big fans!"

He doesn't look too bad at all. Mostly, he's scrawny, and almost as tall as Cobra. He has pooling inky hair and cat-like green eyes. He holds the Sorcerer Weekly magazine in his long fingers, the pages printed with my bikini shots, and might I say, they are more scandalous than I remember. So scandalous, I have to force myself not to cringe.

The second guy, Randell, steps up. He had full-on round glasses that glinted over in the sun. He's shorter than his friend, but can still be considered a bean pole.

"This is the best day of my life! I've been wanting to meet you for so long—eh?" His overjoyed expression suddenly vanishes, his eyes raking over me, studying me. "You're not Lucy Heartfilia." He declares after a long pause, holding a hand to cradle his chin.

A shock goes through me and I think I make some kind of noise. My blood begins to boil at their accusation.

"Ex-excuse me?!" I sputter.

"Well, obviously, Lucy Heartfilia is a Celestial Mage, " Randell smarts off, crossing his arms. "She's never seen without her keys! And the last time I checked, Lucy Heartfilia isn't fat!"

Fat.

Fat.

Fat.

FAT....??!!!

"I'm pregnant, jerkface!" I howl out in fury despite the pang of hurt that resided in my chest.

Who does this overconfident punk think he is?! How rude!

"Randell..." Rino's expression twists almost darkly. "That's enough⁠—"

"Lucy wouldn't allow herself to get pregnant...especially not when she's just begun modeling! Not to mention, she wouldn't hang out with shady characters." This guy didn't see the danger he is in, especially as he now targeted Midnight and Cobra.

I can just feel their irritation, Cobra and Midnight, that is. This guy is as annoying to them as he is to me. Did he actually think he knew so much about me? Tch!

"Listen, pal, " Cobra forces himself to be calm as he swings an arm around Randell's shoulders. "This lady is the real Lucy Heartfilia, and you'd better respect her."

"Eh? Who are you?" Randell grunts half-glaring at the maroon-haired man.

Cobra's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. "Yer pissin' me off, ya goddamn worm. "

The man acts as if the cold glare doesn't faze him, but I can tell by the not-so-discreet trembling that it did. His complexion loses pigmentation and sweat rolls down his temple. He pulls away from Cobra quickly and nearly jumps on his friend.

"L-let's go, Rino....seems this woman isn't who we thought she was."

And they left without another word said. It honestly had my mind blank and confused.

"Oh, thank Kami, " Midnight twiddled with his braid, sounding as bored as ever, "I thought they'd never leave."

I wanted to say something that equaled Midnight's relief, but somehow, I couldn't find the words or my voice for that matter. I'm not sure if I'm just stunned by what happened or if I'm completely mystified. Do Sorcerer Weekly readers and fans usually expect the topic of wizards to stay fit and strong and agile?

I frown watching the disappointed men disappear through the crowd. Only briefly did I feel recognized, but that soured as sour as spoiled milk. I always wanted fans who loved me for me, not my looks or the fact I'm a part of Fairy Tail.

Sigh.

"Oi, " Cobra nearly growled. "Quit bein' so damn depressing. It's givin' me a headache."

My eyes fly to the maroon-haired convict, narrowing them.

"Can we just get going? I wanna longe on the couch and pig out on snacks." Midnight folds his arms behind his head and continues forward.

"Oh, sorry, Your Highness, we're all out of snacks from your last couch resort stay!" I focus my glare at Midnight feeling irked, remembering just walking into the living room just to see Midnight munching down nearly every snack food I had packed into the pantry.

"Seriously? You chowed down too!" Midnight spared me no glance as we approach the train station's exit.

"Yeah, what was left!"

"Will you two just shut the hell up?!" Cobra growled, glaring at us with his eye.

Childishly, and simultaneously, Midnight and I blow jeering raspberries at the Dragon Slayer, making him radiate with irritation.

"I'm so glad we made it in time!"

The tension is sliced apart by that familiar voice, which is panting and out of breath. We, well I, turn to look at Yukino, who bends forward, hands on her knees, and trying to regain the air in her lungs.

Soon after Yukino, appears the Twin Dragon Slayers Rogue and Sting, with their exceeds. The men weren't panting as badly as Yukino, but that might be because Dragon Slayers have lots of stamina.

"What you doing here? I thought we'd meet you back at my apartment?" I ponder as I approach the white-haired woman who finally stands straight up.

"Yuki was really abundant about meeting you," Rogue answered for the Celestial Mage, who nods in agreement.

"Thanks for coming, " I smile shuffling toward Yukino. "I say we get home. I need the comfort of my recliner."

I really do miss my recliner. I wanna sit, read, and have a nice warm cup of tea.

"But—" Yukino goes to say, but Sting cuts her off almost immediately.

"Yeah, absolutely! I bet you're exhausted after the train ride, " He said in his best attempt to be inconspicuous (totally not working because their reactions were fishy), placing his hands on Yukino's shoulders, ready to steer her in the direction they came. "And hungry." He added.

Now that he mentioned it, my inner black hole began to ache at the word hungry. By the time this baby is born, I'd have put on thirty pounds, and I'm pretty sure that means I won't be able to "snap back", as I hear other women say.

A grin splits across my face in vast excitement, an excitement I never thought I'd have toward food. It almost worried me for a minute.

"Yes, finally you say the right words! What are we having?"