194
Lucy
The sun was just beginning its ascent as I joined the group of supernaturals gathered at the edge of the woods. The air was crisp and carried the promise of a new day. We were here for a Habitat Restoration event organized by Helping Hands. I wasn’t sure what sort of habitat we were going to be working on, but I was kind of excited.
Duke was beside me, his expression bright as he released Hunter into the sky. It circled overhead, cawing happily.
"Don’t go too far,” Duke said, looking up at him. “And don’t pick up anything shiny.”
I grinned at the magpie's antics, watching as it darted and swooped through the air. "He's quite the show-off, isn't he?"
Duke chuckled. "He likes to be the center of attention."
The leaders of the event started to divide us up for the minor work. As we began our work, I focused on the task at hand. I could feel the energy of the earth beneath my fingers as I planted saplings and pulled the tangled brush apart.
Throughout the morning, we worked together under the growing sunlight. Hunter continued to flit around, sometimes perching on a branch to observe our efforts before taking off again. Duke whistled at him every once in a while, and Hunter whistled back.
“Maggie says we’ll be able to actually talk one day,” Duke said, hauling a bunch of twigs. “I have a feeling that Hunter is a chatterbox.”
I snickered. “I could see that.”
“Break time!” Someone called, handing out water. “Reinforcements are headed our way, so sit and take a break. They’re bringing lunch.”
Duke and I sat on a fallen log and watched as others chatted and laughed around us. Hunter darted around, seemingly greeting everyone. They cooed at him.
“You’re a bird, not a ham,” Duke called. Hunter chirped at him and caused someone to laugh.
“You two have hit it off.”
“He’s a little jerk,” Duke said and grinned. “But he’s not so bad.”
Duke sighed and took another drink. He glanced at me, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You know, I never really thought I'd be so into this whole nature thing. But being here, doing this... it feels right."
I nodded, understanding exactly what he meant. "It feels different than when we were up there with Lucian.”
He smiled at me. “You think I might… be able to talk to my parents if we go back?”
“Probably,” I said and worried my lip. “Do you think I could find mine?”
“So long as the crazy moon lady isn’t interfering, I don’t see why not.”
I laughed as the rev of an engine filled the air.
“We brought food!” David cried. Everyone cheered as he broke through the brush, hauling tall bags of lunch boxes. “Don’t litter.
They laughed as he set them down. He turned and looked at us with a smile before bringing three boxes towards us.
“Good to have you,” he said. “Mind if I join you?”
My heart skipped a beat. I shook my head, and he sat on the other side of Duke. I tried not to be disappointed even as I appreciated it.
“I should go collect my wayward familiar,” Duke said, getting up. “And I’d hate to get between you two.”
“Duke!”
David laughed as Duke wandered away towards where Hunter was trying to steal someone’s bread.
“Pretend like you have manners!”
“They’re getting along,” David said gently.
I nodded and ate quietly beside him. Soon, it was time to get back to work.
“Pair up,” the leader said. “The more ground we cover, the better.”
Before I realized it, I found myself walking along a secluded path with David. The tranquility of the woods seemed to envelop us. David walked beside me, his hand brushing against mine every now and then as if by accident. I couldn't help but steal glances at him, his strong profile bathed in the soft light. The events of the past weeks had brought us closer, and despite my initial hesitations, I was starting to feel more confident in hoping for something with him.
“The air feels different,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between us.
He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "If you’re lucky, you’ll find out why.”
“That sounds like you know something.”
He smirked, and his eyes twinkled. “I guess we’ll see.”
“It’s not nice to keep secrets.”
“What do I get if I tell you?”
His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt a warmth spreading through me. I felt something pulling at me, a gentle tug that seemed to be growing stronger with every moment we spent together. I turned to face him, my heart racing as I met his gaze.
Before I could say anything, he reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face, his touch sending a shock of electricity through me. His fingers lingered on my cheek, and the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us in that quiet forest.
"Lucy," he whispered, his voice husky.
“Y-Yeah?”
“I—”
Before he could finish his sentence, a voice interrupted us, cutting through the moment like a sharp blade. "David, there you are."
We turned to see a woman stepping out from behind a tree, her expression a mix of surprise and annoyance. She was beautiful, with sleek black hair and a beautiful face, even though she looked upset.
"Amelia," David said, his tone guarded. "What are you doing here?"
Who was she to David? My heart sank as I wondered about the history between them. Was she anything like the women that I kept running into from Tony and Matt’s pasts?
"I heard about the Habitat Restoration event. They needed extra hands, and I had the afternoon off. I thought I'd find you here," she replied, her eyes flickering between David and me. "Who's this?"
I felt a sudden surge of insecurity, but David’s voice was steady.
"This is Lucy. Lucy, this is Amelia. We had a few classes together last year."
I managed a polite smile, though inside, I was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. I suddenly felt like an outsider. Amelia's gaze lingered on me for a moment before she turned back to David.
"We should catch up, David. It's been a while."
“It has been, but now’s hardly the time.” He nodded down the path. “We’re heading further north.”
He caught my eyes with a slightly apologetic smile, but he didn’t drift away from me. Amelia walked just behind us, then shuffled around to David’s other side. Amelia's unexpected presence brought an unexpected tension in the air. As we walked together through the woods, I didn’t know what to do. David seemed polite and composed, but there was an underlying tension that I couldn't ignore.
Amelia seemed determined to engage David in conversation, recounting stories from their past classes as we walked.
Then, there was a rustle in the trees. David stopped and grinned before pressing his hand to a tree and letting out a low whistle. Lights flickered around us, and I gasped as a group of little lights came floating out of the trees. David opened his hand, and one settled into his palm. He turned and waved me over.
Upon a closer look, I realized it was more like a tiny person.
“This is Xoron of Green Valley,” David said and nodded into the forest. “The valley is that way. He’s a duke of this area.”
I blinked at the little person and nodded my head. “An honor to meet you, Your Grace?”
The light shimmered, and David’s eyes flickered with light. They seemed to be talking as more fairies came out. It was obvious that the fairies liked him as they fluttered around us. Then, Xoron fluttered away.
“Let’s go,” David said, following him. “Watch your step. Follow the stone path.”
I followed after David, amazed at his natural ease and charm with them.
“How are you talking to them?” I asked.
He hummed. “Practice. You’ll be able to do it too when you’ve got a better hold on your magic.”
An irritated sound came from behind me. I looked back to see Amelia struggling through the bushes. Leaves and petals seemed to find their way into her hair, and her attempts to shoo away the fairies were met with flickers of light and mischief.
I couldn't help but smile at the sight. I turned back as he reached the edge of a pool, and a bunch of them flew around him in excited circles. I stared in awe. It was as if they were drawn to his energy, his connection to the magical world. He seemed so at peace.
“We’ll start by weeding the pond,” David said. He turned and cast a spell on me. It settled over my feet and legs before he walked into the pond waist-deep and seemed not to get wet. I followed, marveling at not getting wet either.
“That’s so cool.”
He grinned. Amelia joined us, and soon, a soft song filled the air. David started to sing along. As we worked alongside the fairies, David's attention occasionally shifted towards me. His eyes held a mixture of reassurance and apology. I appreciated his efforts to make me feel included, but a part of me couldn't help feeling a pang of insecurity.
Eventually, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, Amelia excused herself, citing prior commitments.
“I’ll get you back to the main path,” David said, climbing out. “No telling what these troublemakers will do.”
She looked pleased as he turned back. His gaze met mine briefly.
“Look after her for me,” he whispered. A group of fairies started to hover around me. My heart sped up as he turned and led her away. As they disappeared from sight, I found myself standing amidst the fairies, a swirl of emotions inside me.
The fairies seemed to sense my mood, their delicate wings brushing against my skin as if offering comfort.
With a sigh, I refocused my attention on weeding the pond.
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