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Happy didn't think of her as his mom at the beginning.
When Happy had first met Lucy, his first impression of her had been a mix of annoying yet kind.
She'd complain about anything and everything, but she'd still have fish ready for him. She'd kick them out of her apartment but still had her window open every night.
And she was just so fun to tease.
Lucy would have the funniest reactions whenever he'd tease her or push her buttons, never failing to get right back at him. Quick witted and a tough nut to crack, they'd bicker every chance they got, such was their relationship.
But Happy hadn't realized how quickly he'd gotten attached to her. He always looked forward to teasing her and having her threaten to pull his whiskers out. The epiphany came when he thought she'd left the guild after the phantom lord’s incident.
Happy and his partner in crime, Natsu, had sobbed then.
Natsu had been the one to hatch him, to Happy he was his father. He hadn't said it aloud though, but the fire mage knew, he knew him better than Happy knew himself.
And Happy never felt the need to have a mother, he figured whoever could put up with Natsu's antics and Happy's crude jokes would become a part of their small family, they were a packaged deal after all.
And one woman had come close, the wide eyed white haired Strauss sibling, Lisanna.
She would never get angry at Happy no matter what he said or how he behaved, always so nice and warm. They'd go fishing together, play games together and for a while Happy felt content.
Sadly, fate had different plans. Happiness really didn't last long and she was dead. Lisanna was gone.
And their family of three was no more.
Years passed and the blue feline didn't think anyone would be able to fill the void. He didn't want anyone to replace Lisanna; it felt wrong, like they were trying to replace her.
But then the blonde haired woman with chocolate eyes that rivaled the warmth of the sun came into their lives.
She would scold Natsu when he did something foolish but was the first one to worry when he was out of sight, she would pretend to be angry at Happy's snide remarks but would be the first one to hug him when he needed comfort.
Having hugged her so many times, Happy could confirm that Lucy Heartfilia gave the best hugs. He felt all her worries disappear whenever she'd gently pull him in his arms and perhaps that was what motherly love was, Happy didn't have anyone or anything to compare it to though.
Still, he had seen children around him hugging their mothers, basking in their warmth and he'd seen Asuka beem whenever Bisca would pick her up in her arms and it felt similar to that.
Seeing future Lucy dying right in front of their eyes had evoked the kind of pain Happy didn't know he was capable of experiencing. It didn't matter if it wasn't the Lucy from their time, Lucy was still Lucy.
After the Grand Magic Games ended and future Rogue was defeated, Natsu and Happy would not let Lucy be out of their sight for even a second, her death still fresh in their minds; Lucy had tried to assure them, to convince them she was fine and alive but it wasn't enough. Seeing her breathing, hearing her heartbeat was the only thing that mattered.
Leaving Lucy for a year had been Natsu's decision, Happy was against it at first but seeing the sorrow in his partner's eyes was enough to change his mind. It was a hard resolve for both of them but they needed this. Especially Natsu needed it to sort his emotions out, get over his loss and train his damn best to protect their family.
Despite that, leaving just a letter had been cruel.
And it was apparent in the way Lucy had behaved when they got back. She wasn't unwelcoming; no, she was as warm as ever. But there had been slight bitterness and hurt in her eyes and well, they deserved it, to say the least.
They'd both promised each other to make it up to her.
During the war with the Alvarez empire, Happy got to witness firsthand just how strong Lucy had become. Physically, emotionally and mentally. He saw her giving her all to save Natsu's life, he saw her rewrite the book despite getting burned by the flames and he saw her devising the whole plan to trap Acnologia in the fairy sphere. Happy was in complete awe of her.
Natsu, the most important person to him in the world, was alright and they had won the war. They were all safe and she had played a huge role in that. She had become a force to be reckoned with.
So suffice to say, Happy had started thinking of Lucy as his mom and Natsu as his dad. He was aware there was something brewing between the two, they still hadn't acknowledged it though but it was only a matter of time.
Anyone with eyes could see just how special the bond between the two was. But where did Happy fit in that?
“Why are you so quiet Happy, that's so unlike you,” Lucy murmured, patting the blue coloured cat.
“Lushii, you know, when you have a child, don't forget about me, promise?” Lucy stuttered indignantly at the sudden question.
“W-where did that come from suddenly?!”
“Promise me!”
Lucy looked at Happy's sad blue face, she understood he was being serious. Smiling at his antics, she took him in her arms and gave him a hug.
“Happy, no matter how many kids I have in the future, you will always be my first and I'd never ever forget you, I promise,” Happy's entire face brightened, mouth forming a grin and there was even a tear leaking out.
“Lushiiii” He snuggled closer to her as Lucy giggled.
“Oi, how dare you two go hugging without me huh?!” Natsu came up behind them, suddenly awake from his deep slumber, wrapping one arm around Lucy and one around Happy.
This was Happy's family and he wouldn't trade it for even hundreds of fishes. He might consider it for a thousand though.