#unless your lucy heartfilia of course

[zuzu-fairys-tail]

@shiiro-arts I FINALLY DREW HIM IN THAT DAMN MINISKIRT MUAHAHA

terribly rushed because some rando named Henry fischel just had to create exams

also i kept thinking i kept thinking that i was drawing lucy cuz of the clothes and the reference i was using was of a girl so his proportions are kinda girly...

[akisunlovesnalu]

When the World Revolves Around You <3

By the time the calendar hits day 31, he’ll know her like the back of his hand. (Or: Lucy is extremely popular and widely known throughout all of Fiore thanks to her father. So why the hell doesn't this pink haired jerk have a clue about who she is?)

Chapter 5:

Lucy walks into classroom 777 completely prepared for the day ahead of her. She immediately has Natsu in her sights, his discernable pink hair shining in the glare of the open window beside him. Of course he was right next to Gray Fullbuster, the two of them butting heads over some stupid reason or another.

Lucy took a deep breath, stealing herself while gripping the strap of her school bag. “Levy.” She said darkly, a serious look in her eyes. “Wish me luck.”

Levy took a deep inhale as well, if only to prepare herself for whatever weird antics her best friend was getting ready to subject Natsu to. She held her hand up to her forehead in a salute, taking on a serious expression of her own.

“Godspeed, Heartfilia.”

Lucy nodded sharply, her target in sight, and her legs stiffly making their way over. After their conversation yesterday, the girl had decided that her plans with Natsu were too convoluted and that in order to succeed, she’d have to go the simpler route.

This plan was named: ‘I ask you and you ask me and eventually I’ll answer so many questions about myself that you will be forced to get to know me whether you like it or not’.

The name needed work. 

Levy had suggested naming it 20 questions but Lucy didn’t know what that was and honestly, it sounded boring.

She was too busy mulling over which conversation starter she would use to catch his attention today to notice when his eyes drifted over to her… That is until he raised a hand in greeting and a grin settled on his once irritated face.

The girl froze in her tracks, a lump forming in her throat at the sight.

“Hiya, Luce!” He animatedly waved her over.

Her breathing stuttered and an image of him sitting in the nurse's office, a kind smile on his face as the wind blew his hair away quickly came to mind. Luce? Were they already close enough to have nicknames for one another? Why weren't her feet moving? She had to get it together!

“Um-”

“Gray, my love!” A girl Lucy remembered to be Juvia barreled through their conversation, her light blue locks elegantly trailing behind her. She unsuccessfully tried to leap into Gray's arms, almost knocking Lucy over in the process.

“Mornin’ Juvia...” He mumbled, darting out of the way.

Juvia stumbled into a standing position, unfazed. A loving grin was plastered on her face. “Oh it is a wonderful morning now that Juvia has seen your face…”

Natsu didn’t allow this to distract him though, once again finding the blond girl's eyes and tilting his head. “You doing okay, Luce? Your face is lookin’ pretty red…”

“O-oh!” She slapped her hands against her steadily warming face, gritting her teeth at the amused snickers behind her. She shot Levy a glare and the girl quickly turned away, whistling to herself unsuspectingly.

“I’m okay…” She took a deep inhale, putting on her best smile. “Good morning, Natsu.” she beamed.

He slowly blinked back at her. “Yeah…”

While Juvia rambled on about her morning, Gray’s attention shifted to Natsu, his brows furrowed. His eyes flickered to Lucy and then back to his friend suspiciously.

“Cut it out.” Natsu hissed, shoving the dark haired boy aside. “I can feel ya breathing down my neck!”

“You cut it out!” Gray pried the other boy's hand away from his face. “You’re acting weird and it’s freaking me out!”

“Yeah well, your face is hideous and it’s grossing me out!”

“Yeah? Well-”

Lucy huffed in frustration while the two’s argument escalated. It seemed no matter how hard she tried and no matter how much she wished for it, it was impossible to catch a moment alone with Natsu. That was a fact that had been brought to her attention yesterday, and a fact that will remain infuriatingly true. 

Unless she could get Gray out of the picture…

The girl felt her eye twitch as Gray ascended on Natsu, threateningly taking a fist full of the boy’s shirt. 

Seriously you’d think they were a couple with how much time a day they spend together. The only moment Lucy managed to catch Natsu alone yesterday was because a teacher had forcefully separated him and his rival. Every other minute of the school day they were inseparable! Sure all they did was argue and bicker. And yes, occasionally a friend or two (or Juvia) would tag along- but the statement still stands. Those two were connected at the hip.

Were they enemies, or were they lovers? Anything remotely close to lovers would prove to be a roadblock in Lucy’s plans.

While too busy in thought, the blond failed to realize the death stare she had been receiving for the last few minutes. That is until a hand gripped her shoulder, nails digging dangerously into the fabric of her uniform.

“Enough is enough, Lucy Heartfilia!”

The girl whipped her head around and came face to face with a fuming Juvia.

“What?” She blinked cluelessly.

Juvia huffed in annoyance and shook her head. “Juvia does not care who Lucy’s father is, or how popular she may be! Lucy has no right!”

Oh, so even Juvia knew who she was without having to ask! That was a relief. The whole situation with Natsu had Lucy doubting her influence; but this only reassured her that her reputation was fine, and that Natsu was as rude and insensible as she originally assumed!

Watching the way Lucy’s face lit up as she spoke, Juvia narrowed her eyes further. “Juvia will not stand by while another woman attempts to steal her precious Gray.” The girl grit her teeth and reached into her bag for something that Lucy was not sticking around to find out.

She quickly threw her hands up defensively and attempted to convey the sincerity on her face. “Juvia, I'm not after Gray!”

“Do not lie, Lucy!” The blue haired girl hissed. Actually hissed like some sort of wild beast and Lucy found it was in her best interest to back away . 

“Juvia saw you yesterday!” The girl continued, jabbing a finger into Lucy’s chest and roughly shoving her up against a desk. “You couldn’t keep your eyes off of him! Juvia thought nothing of it because Lucy was new but today it’s the same! Well, sorry to break it to you but Lucy cannot have him. Gray belongs to-”

“Juvia please!” Lucy desperately grabbed her wrist. Her plan was failing horribly and though they were friends now, she couldn't help but blame it all on Natsu. Had he not smiled at her like.. Like that! Had he just called her Lucy instead of that stupid nickname, she would not be in this mess!

Lucy gently lifted Juvia’s hand, squeezing it to better get her point across. “It wasn’t Gray I was staring at! It was…”

Suddenly losing all of her confidence, the Heartfilia heir turned her face away, once again ignoring the heat rising to her cheeks. That was happening way too often for her liking. There had to be something wrong with her.

When her eyes focused she was staring at a mess of papers and books scattered on the floor. Gray had leapt on top of Natsu and was doing his best to grab at the other boy's tangle of pink hair.

“I was s-staring at…”

Again, Lucy wondered why words were failing her. Never, not once in her life had she been left so tongue tied. It was downright embarrassing! Her father would have her head if he knew just how much of a babbling fool his daughter had become after one day of public school!

By now, Natsu had gained the upper hand. He was busy childishly shoving his hand against his rival's face, kicking his feet around and shouting meaningless insults. The boy smiled a little as he fought and Lucy figured her current predicament had something to do with him…

“I was staring at Natsu…”

“Oh!” Juvia used her other hand to cover her mouth, a wide dazed expression on her face. Her own cheeks had turned a pretty pink color and her eyes sparkled with a new found understanding.

“Juvia understands now.” The girl pulled her hand out of Lucy’s grasp and bowed apologetically. “Please accept my sincerest apologies.”

Lucy felt herself physically deflate in relief. Happy that she was no longer on Juvia’s hit-list and even more thankful she didn’t have to figure out what was in her bag…

Juvia relaxed, folding her hands behind her back, and tilting her head curiously. “So, Lucy is looking to catch Natsu’s eye, correct?”

“Yes!” Lucy beamed. Juvia really did understand her situation. It was only a matter of time before Natsu was on his knees begging for forgiveness and embarrassed by his ignorance! A creepy smile crept onto the girl's lips as she imagined the scenario and Juvia took a cautious step backwards.

“W-well Juvia is looking to catch Gray’s eye.” She cleared her throat, narrowing a concentrated eye at Lucy. “We have no choice but to work together.”

Lucy blinked in shock and considered her options. The options varied from “act stupid in class and make him your tutor" to “Bewitch his family and worm your way into his weekly family dinners.”

…That last one wasn’t a horrible idea-

“Lucy?”

Right. Her only option was working with Juvia to separate Gray and Natsu long enough for her to sweep in and force him to realize his mistake and make up for it!

Lucy nodded to herself. Yes, this was definitely the only course of action.

“Alright Juvia.” She looked up, a dangerously greedy gleam in her eyes. “Let’s work together.”

Juvia met her eye with a gleam of her own, chuckling darkly to herself. “Yes. Lets.”

Only a few chairs away from the scheming girls was a petrified Levy, a hand doing its best to cover her wide gaping mouth. Her eyes felt like they would pop out of her head as she watched her best friend and Juvia high-five. She could swear she felt a shift in the air as soon as their palms touched. And it seems like she wasn’t the only one.

From the floor, both Natsu and Gray abruptly froze mid-punch, faces paling in unison.

“Did…” Natsu squeaked. “Did you feel that too?”

Gray, all too familiar with the feeling stiffly nodded, mentally preparing for a week of utter chaos.

CH 1 - CH 2 - CH 3 - Ch 4 - CH 5 -

Also posted on AO3 and Fanfiction.net!

[petri808]

Quarantine memories fic hoarding craze for @thenaluarchive

— thank you to @phoenix-before-the-flame for helping jump start this fic 💜

It was Natsu Dragneel’s absolute favorite time of the day. 1 pm for him, and 8 am for Lucy, his… well, right now they were just online friends separated by distance and priorities. But judging by how he talked about her to friends, you’d never know it. They’d met three years ago on Twitch through a random chat stream about an anime series, and he continued following Lucy on her writing streams. Three years ago, she was a sophomore in college while he was in his senior year. Lucy later moved on to a graduate program, but they stayed in touch, growing close. To Natsu, she wasn’t just some girl online but a real friend he cared very much about. His friends called Lucy his online girlfriend. Pfft. He wished he could call her that.

Roughly two thousand miles away, Lucy Heartfilia was hating life. Her curtains were drawn, and a blanket was pulled over her head to drown out the light. The air conditioner was down to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, working against the low-grade fever and pounding migraine born yesterday. Migraines… the bane of her otherwise healthy existence. It was her fault after all, the temptation of a chocolate dessert knowing full well it was one of her triggers brought on said migraine and all she could do was bear it.

Why?

���Stupid hoarders!” Lucy groaned to herself.

As if dealing with a pandemic wasn’t bad enough, people’s selfish reactions to it were worse. A government agency had claimed that acetaminophen products could help with the virus’s symptoms, so what did people do? Panic buying anything and everything they could find containing that drug! The problem for people like Lucy, is the one over the counter medication that helped with her migraines was Excedrine… an acetaminophen product! And she’d just. run. out.

Lucy’s phone rang and she knew exactly who it could be based on the time. So, she clicked the answer button without opening her eyes.

“Hey, Natsu,” she groaned out.

“Morning Lucy! Oh geez, you sound like a frog.”

“Thanks,” she retorted sarcastically. “I’ve got a migraine.”

“Ouch.” Natsu genuinely flinched. He rarely got headaches, but this wasn’t the first time he’d talked to Lucy when she was going through one, so he knew what she was going through. “The meds aren’t helping?”

Lucy sighed. “I ran out. And did you see the news about all the hoarding? Every store here is bought out. It… sucks.”

“I could check around here and send you any I find,” he offered.

“Aww, that’s sweet of you Natsu, but I don’t wanna trouble you.”

“Pfft. Nonsense. I’m sure you’d do the same for me.”

“Thanks, Natsu. I appreciate it.” Lucy smiled through the pain. There’s a good reason her feelings for the man had grown over the years. His sweet and caring, yet fun and goofy, positive personality was an easy drug to get hooked to.

“Anyway, I gotta get back to work.” Natsu whined. “Good morning again, stay hydrated, and I’ll check on you again when I’m finished for the day, okay Lucy? Get some rest.”

“Have a good day at work Natsu.”

“Will now, after hearing your voice. Talk to you later Luce.”

She giggled softly. “Bye, Natsu.”

Lucy shifted under her blanket as she clicked off the phone to lie on her back. His sexy voice did wonders for her mood despite the pain still ravaging it. Now all she had to do was drag herself out of bed to eat something and drink water. She never had an appetite when she got these migraines, but it was a necessary fuel to fight it. All Lucy had left were extra strength Tylenol, so she could only hope it would at least take the edge off until the migraine ran its course.

Like so many others, this pandemic had really taken a toll on Lucy’s psyche. It’s not as if she went out a lot before it took hold, but just the fact it made going out dangerous brought different emotions to the situation. School had moved online which sucked all its own, she missed casually hanging out with friends on campus, and simply longed for the freedom of leaving her apartment as she pleased. But she understood the precautions of a quarantine. Frankly, she agreed with the city’s efforts to keep them as safe as possible no matter how many grumbled about it. Did it make it easier? No. But it was a necessary evil.

They weren’t completely trapped, could shop for necessities, visit family or friends, just encouraged to limit such gatherings as a safety precaution. If you went out, wear a mask, and just don’t stand too close to other people. Well, unless Lucy knew the person, why would she want strangers in her personal bubble anyway? And the mask thing? Have you ever been out shopping, and someone just sneezes without covering their mouth? Yeah— seriously, would it kill people to use one?! Why were people so selfish during times like this? Not everyone, but too many. Just like with all the hoarding frenzies that swept through cities, it was frustrating and— “Ugh…” being in a pain-driven bad mood was sure bringing her down today.

But despite all the external frustrations, the feelings of isolation from being in a quarantine for months were probably the most mentally exhausting part. It was lonely being so far away from home during a pandemic. Lucy’s been in college for five years and while she’s made friends in the new city, she was starting to crave comfort instead of an empty apartment. Her life online was one of the few things that made her happy, like Natsu’s daily calls, and kept her sane.

Natsu… her face heated up every time she thought about the man. They didn’t have a lot of hobbies in common, but he was always so supportive and made her laugh like no other could. Where they lacked in commonality, was made up in ease of conversation. It hadn’t taken very long for their online chats to feel more like an old friend and less like a faceless stranger. Over the years they’d talked about meeting in person one day after she finished school. It also helped that he was from a city not too far from where she came from, so if she chose to move back it would be convenient. But she also loved the new city she called home. Oh well, Lucy sighed. It was a decision still a couple of years away to make.

The next morning, Lucy woke up to find her migraine had finally given up. She could still feel the little bastard hiding, simmering somewhere ready to strike, but if it stayed mellow, it was something she could tolerate. Throughout the day, Lucy wasted no time in catching up on the homework she couldn’t finish the day before and making sure to stay hydrated with food in her stomach.

Lucy’s phone rang around 2pm.

“Hi Natsu, how was work?”

“Same ole, same ole,” he chuckled. “And how are you? Still feeling, okay?”

“Yeah, it hasn’t come back.”

“That’s great!”

Lucy could hear a lot of background noise, so she asked about it. “Oh, you’re not home yet?”

“Nah, and the commuters are being extra noisy today,” he responded benignly. “Anyway, tonight I won’t have time to talk cause I got a project due for work I need to finish.”

“Oh, that’s okay. Yeah, I’m still catching up from yesterday too and Levy’s dropping by for dinner.”

They chat for a few minutes about their day as Natsu waited for transportation. Lucy knew he used the subway to and from work, but today it sounded a little different, noisier and she swore there were engines instead of the normal train sounds. Maybe it was static. Finally, Lucy caught the muffled words now boarding.

“Shucks, time for me to go,” Natsu cut through. “Sweet dreams Lucy! I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Natsu!”

Lucy spent the afternoon relaxing online, chatting with friends and gaming. Her friend Levy McGarden later dropped by with take-out food for dinner and the two women caught up on random topics while movies droned on the television. They were both in grad school, so during the semester there wasn’t a lot of time to hang out, but they made do. Lucy was also doing a paid internship at a local magazine 4 days out of the week as part of her master’s program. She really enjoyed working there under one of the senior editors. He made it a fun learning experience.

Life was almost perfect except for the background isolation of the pandemic. Lucy was glad she wasn’t one of the individuals affected by jobs cuts, but it still got under her skin to feel trapped in a way. It was nice with her friend over... ‘Maybe I should see if Levy wants to become roommates?’ She wondered as she drifted off to sleep. The apartment would sure feel a lot less empty.

A knock at the door roused Lucy from her sleep. She blinked and yawned, looking at the alarm clock and that said 9 am the next morning. ‘Natsu didn’t call,’ she thought how odd. Maybe he slept in after working late.

Lucy dragged herself out of bed, throwing on a robe to answer the front door. “Gimme a sec,” she called out as she neared it.

“UPS delivery, ma’am.” The male voice responded.

‘UPS?’ Lucy grew confused. She didn’t remember ordering anything through them, but maybe she’d forgotten?

She peaked out of the peep hole, but all she could see was the box being held up. Okay a little weird, but some of the delivery people did that to show they were legitimate service people. Lucy slowly opened the door but kept the chain lock on while peering through the gap. But what she saw next brought on instant tears.

“H-How?” Her voice stammered out as her fingers quickly undid the lock and opened the door wide.

There Natsu stood holding a small brown box, dressed in a uniform of sorts, with a mask hanging under his chin, and wearing a goofy grin.

Lucy snorted a laugh as her eyes crinkled in happiness. “Is that a Halloween costume?”

“Yeah,” his smile widened, and hand scratched his head. “Surprise delivery,” Natsu held out the box, “for Lucy Heartfilia.”

“What is it?” She asked as she took it from him.

“Oh, I um found you Excedrine.”

Lucy opened the box to find 4 bottles. “You certainly did,” she laughed. “But why’d you bring it yourself?”

“It was quicker than the mail and… I hoped…” Natsu’s mannerism grew sheepish and tentative, “it was about time we finally met in person?”

Her face softened with a smile. “It truly is.” Lucy gestured into the apartment. “Please, make yourself at home.”

[gruviafan-forever]

A/N: Hello everyone, Happy Gruvia Week to you. I didn't expect that I would be writing contents for this year's event too. But I'm really happy to be writing stories about my favourite anime couples.

   Hopefully, everyone likes it. This year the prompts were very similar to previous years. It had me in fix how to write content without making it a repetitive fashion.

   Finally got an idea and tried to merge all those 7 prompts into a storyline. Hopefully, it convinces you all.

   Thank you for reading and spending your time here.

----------------------------------------------

Main Pairing: GRUVIA

Summary:- Celebrity Gray x General Public Juvia, Modern AU

Words:- 2K

Currently, Fairy Tail Agency has arranged for a press meet to officially declare the facts of the new movie in which two of their most famous actors are going to be a part.

Gray Fullbuster, 25 years, tv artist turned actor and Lucy Heartfilia, 24 years, model turned actress, has signed up for this movie which is under the production of Straussl Inc.

As the reporters who out various questions regarding the details of this upcoming venture and some related to their personal life.

"So, Mr Fullbuster, tell us about how you feel knowing that you have been nominated for 3 categories of awards this year?" 

One of the reporters asked and was ready to note Gray's response.

"I'm sure that I will receive the awards for best actor and handsome face. Also, my last movie 'Icy Days' has been nominated for the best movie of the year. But not sure about the 'Gem of the decade' award." 

Gray confidently answered and smiled which made the female reporters squeal.

Lucy interrupted, "Not to ruin Gray's fantasy but my movie 'Starry Night At Stella' was a blockbuster hit. Myself and my co-actor Natsu Dragneel were praised by critics for our performance. So, Gray, don't forget that even we are on the race too." Lucy smiled which made everyone chuckle after hearing her opinions.

"Sure Lucy... All the best to you and Natsu" Gray told and looked at his manager, Erza Scarlet, who also happens to be Natsu's manager, to know when this press meet is going to end.

"Another 10 minutes" Erza gestured by hand signals. 

Suddenly, one of the reporters from Magnolia Times shot down a question that took Gray off guard.

"Recently, there was a photo of Mr Fullbuster with a child in his arms. Who does that child happen to be? And is it true that you are having an illicit affair with someone, Mr Fullbuster?" That reporter smirked. 

Gray remained indifferent and calmly answered him while his team members and staff panicked.

"Everyone in Fiore knows that it was a piece of fake news. In today's era of modern technology, it is easy to photoshop one's picture with anything and anyone, Mr Invel.

    Even my agency owner, Mr Makarov Dreyer and my manager, Ms Scarlet have clarified about it. So, don't go digging the old hoax rumours." 

Gray stood up and thanked everyone for their time and presence before dashing off to the exit where Lucy followed him back.

It was Erza and the production team who bid a farewell to the reporters before joining the actors in their cabin.

Once Erza reached Gray's cabin, she saw him tossing his coat and tie around the room while Lucy stood silently.

"Gray, I think you should disclose your relationship before it gets exposed in a bad way," Erza said calmly and patted his back.

"That's what I was thinking, Erza. I can't continue to hide this big news about my life for a long time from my fans. I will reveal this during the awards function." Gray looked determined and hoped that his fans would take it on a positive note.

"They will surely accept your relationship status just like how they received mine and Natsu's." Lucy encouraged him and patted his arms which seemed to make him calm down.

"Gray, tomorrow you have your day off then, on Wednesday, we will be going to Phoenix Mall for a fan meet up event where other actors of our agency will join us." Erza informed him and handed the invitation.

From the invitation, it was clear that this mall was quite near to his apartment complex. Moreover, it was arranged by Mr Makarov himself so there was no way of turning it down.

"Fine, I will get ready for this. Just send the car near the children's park no need to come in front of the complex." He informed Erza and thanked them both for their words of motive before he left them.

After half an hour, Gray reached the children's park and put on his disguise, cooling glass, mask and a cap to conceal his identity while he was dressed up in a simple t-shirt and jeans.

"Max, tomorrow's your day off. Pick me up here at 9 am on Wednesday. Bye."

"Yes, Mr Fullbuster. Bye, and Good night" The driver left him while Gray made his way towards his home.

The apartment complex in which he lived was one of the expensive housing in Magnolia. The higher the floor level, the higher is the cost and the higher is the security.

Till the 11th floor, the general public who did high order jobs lived while the next 10 floors were occupied by celebrities of various fields.

One of the perks of this housing agency was that their identity remains secret, not even their neighbours know about them until and unless the involved party discloses it.

Once Gray reached the 17th floor, which had two apartments where one was still vacant.

As he hit the doorbell of his apartment, Gray could hear voices coming from inside which brought a smile on his face.

The door opened and his eyes met the gorgeous lady who welcomed him with a beautiful smile that captivated him.

"Welcome home, Gray-sama"

"I'm home, Juvia," Gray said and got inside.

Soon, he removed the disguise and leaned forward to kiss her lips which she reciprocated back.

Once they broke off the kiss, Juvia hugged him and whispered, "I missed you, Gray-sama."

"Even, I missed you, Juvia. It's been a week since I last saw you and…." Before he could finish, both of them felt someone hugging their legs.

And it was none their 3-year-old daughter, Yuki Fullbuster, who resembled her mother but had father's hair and eye colour and his sharp nose.

"Papa"

Seeing his daughter's smile was enough for him to get distracted from his wife, then, have his undivided attention on his little munchkin.

Gray raised Yuki in his arms and kissed her cheeks and forehead who did the same to her papa.

"Yuki missed you, papa."

"Even, papa missed you, darling. Were you a good girl during papa's absence?" Gray asked her as they moved towards the living room.

Gray let her down who ran up to a table and tried to fetch her drawing notebook.

Juvia made her husband sit down and inquired him about his work as he looked tired and kinda depressed.

Gray convinced her everything was fine and told her about the press meet excluding the details of the rumours.

#

It had been 4 years since Gray started his acting career starting as an ad shoot model to tv artists then to movie star.

Gray, Natsu and Erza were childhood friends who did their schooling from the same institution till college.

It was during the 3rd year, Gray and Natsu got scouted to act as models for a tv commercial which they accepted readily as of then they needed some kind of part-time jobs to meet their ends.

Even, Erza thought that it was a good opportunity for them to succeed as the agency, Fairy Tail, was well known throughout Fiore and persuaded them to take up the offer.

Once, their commercials began to reach people mainly because of their handsome features and physique especially Gray got popular among the female fans.

It was during this time that Gray and Natsu had to move out of the college dorm so that they could work freely without time restrictions.

That's when Gray meets Juvia for the first time in his life. She was his neighbour whom he thought lived her boyfriend but it turned out to be her best friend, Gajeel Redfox, vocalist of Phantom Bands, an upcoming band.

Gray rarely started any kind of conversation with anyone. It was with the help of Natsu that they befriended Juvia and to date, Gray was thankful to his friend.

Until the moment he met Juvia, Gray was never keen on love or relationships. 

But to him, Juvia was way different from the girls he had met in his college. She was modest and shy but a kind person with a large helping tendency.

Gray knew her personality and beauty had beguiled his attention and wanting to know more about her made him fall for her head over heels.

Of course, they would exchange greetings whenever they met while leaving the house together. Slowly they deepened their connection and exchanged numbers.

Due to her friendly nature, Juvia would invite Gray and Natsu over to her place for small weekend parties which she would arrange for Gajeel to relieve his stress.

At first, he was reluctant to invade a party meant for Gajeel but the latter happily welcomed them.

That way, they got acquainted exchanged their work details and stress with each other.

It was after a few months of that weekend party that Gray had offered Juvia a dinner date which she accepted after a week of thinking.

By this time, Gray gained quite a lot of recognition. The reason he called her out on a dinner date was to reveal that he has signed up as the main lead for a tv drama which was produced by a well-known production house.

Juvia was elated and congratulated and wished him luck. It was during that time Gray confessed his love for her and waited for her answer.

To his surprise, Juvia readily accepted him. He still remembers her words from that time,

"Gray-sama, even I feel the same for you. I was afraid to convey my feelings to you as each day our world was getting apart. I was determined to tell you today after dinner.

     But to my surprise, I never expected even you would feel the same. I love you, Gray-sama."

After hearing her say those golden words, Gray got hold of her hand and kissed it lightly and asked Juvia to be his girlfriend which she agreed.

Once they reached their respective place, Gray kissed her lips and shared a hug before calling off that night.

The next day, both of them informed their friends about their relationship. Erza and Natsu were supportive.

But Gajeel was reluctant he wanted to tell Juvia how difficult it would be for her to date a celebrity.

She has to remain under the shadows. Moreover, if words go out then obsessive fans might harm her and she would be constantly under paparazzi's scrutiny if Gray's facing bad times.

But Juvia was ready to face any difficulties and wanted to support her boyfriend in his career.

#

Once the family had their dinner together, Gray tugged his daughter in her bed before planting a kiss on her forehead and wished her good night.

Juvia was washing the dishes when Gray snaked his arms around her waist and kissed her neck which made Juvia squeak.

Gray turned off the tap and turned his wife so that she could face him.

"Juvia, tomorrow's my day off. Even the night is still young. Moreover, I missed my wife…" He leaned forward and kissed her lips which made her moan against his lips.

"Gray-sama…."

"Juvia…." Both of their eyes were clouded with lust and decided to continue their passionate night inside their bedroom.

After an hour, both was them were under the blankets, Gray had his arm around his wife and hummed in her ears as she talked about her day with Yuki.

Juvia could sense her husband's hold around her waist getting tight. He did only when he felt insecure or paranoid.

Juvia turned around to face him who kept looking at her. She cupped his face with both of her hands which startled him.

"Gray-sama, what's on your mind? Spill it out. Don't go huddling up those stressful thoughts within you. Share it with your wife. I will help you lessen those burdens." Juvia conveyed her thoughts and smiled at him.

"This is what I'm beguiled about you, Juvia. You can easily find out my conflicting thoughts just by sensing my actions. I'm really lucky to have you as my soulmate, dear." Gray said earnestly and kissed her forehead which made Juvia feel special.

Then slowly Gray disclosed his fears about how the world will perceive his relationship and worried that this shouldn't cause any harm to either Juvia and Yuki especially.

After hearing his fears, Juvia cradled her husband and patted his back just like how she does it for her daughter whenever she has nightmares.

Gray seemed to relax from this action. Juvia assured him that nothing terrible is going to happen and just hope everything turns out well.

Suddenly Gray raised his head and questioned her, "What if things repeat? And this time to our Yuki."

Juvia's eyes grew wide, but she can't show her fear, at least, not in front of her husband for now, who himself was feeling paranoid.

"I'm sure nothing will happen. Let's have faith in ourselves and your fans, Gray-sama.

       I'm just worried that your fan number might get reduced once you reveal your married status." Juvia voiced her concern.

This time it was Gray's turn to convince her, "Nah! Just like you said let's hope for the best. I love you and Yuki. Remember that, okay"

Gray smiled and kissed her lips, "Juvia, you are still warm. Wanna continue from where we left?" He teased her.

It seemed her Gray-sama was back to normal for now.

A/N: Sorry for posting it bit late. Hope I will be able to update for the rest of the event.

[prettylittleheartfilia]

Secret Gardens and Starry Nights

Nalu Royal AU because I recently found out I have a light academia aesthetic and now everything makes sense in the world.

“Miss Heartfilia! Are you listening?”

“Huh? Uh, yes. I am.” The blonde turned her eyes to her instructor and straightened up in her seat. If she were to be honest, she hadn’t been listening to a word Madame Porlyusica had been saying. Not since a certain worker had shown up to work in the gardens. The room where Lucy had been getting her private lessons, one of the castle’s many ballrooms, provided the princess with a perfect view of the beautiful field of flowers outside, the one she was never to set foot in as per rules of her father, and a perfect view of the pink-haired gardener that had stolen her affection many moons ago. 

It always amazed her how he could be so brash and boisterous, yet so gentle and caring when it came to his plants and his loved one. It was one of the many attributes that had made Lucy fall in love with him. She smiled as she remembered all of the beautiful moments they had spent together, behind the eyes of everyone around them who would not approve of their close relationship.

“Miss Heartfilia!” Madame Porlyusica slammed a long ruler on Lucy’s desk to catch her attention once again. “Must I remind you of the importance of this Etiquette Course? You are a princess, for goodness’ sake. It is time you start acting like one.”

Lucy simply nodded absemindlely. This was the same speech she heard at least twice a week. She bit back any witty remarks as she fantasized about when she would be able to see her esteemed gardener again.

The sound of something hitting the glass on her balcony doors woke the princess up from her slumber. Although confused at first, once she had fully woken up she realized that this could only be the doing of one person. She stood up from her bed and all but ran to her balcony.

“Natsu!” She breathed as she saw the pink-haired young man smiling brightly up at her, holding a cluster of small rocks in his left hand. 

“Come with me!”

Without hesitation, Lucy bunched up her ivory nightgown and climbed down the balcony with some help from her lover. “Where are we going?” She whispered.

Natsu took her hand and started running towards the back of the castle. “You’ll see.”

Lucy happily followed until she realized where they were heading.

“Natsu, wait!” She halted her movements, which made him stop in his tracks as well. “I can’t go in there.” She muttered as she stared at the doors of the “secret” garden a few feet away from them. It was the only place in the palace where visitors were not allowed to roam around. And that included Lucy, simply because her father deemed it unnecessary and a waste of time for her to be placing her attention on anything other than her studies and her duties as a princess. Only Natsu the gardener and King Jude himself were allowed inside. Though the King never left the confines of his office unless he had business to attend to. Therefore, this place was more Natsu’s than anyone else’s. Her entire life, Lucy was left to admire the beautiful flowers and statues from the windows inside the residence. Always wondering what it would be like to smell the flowers and bask in their beauty. 

Seeing her troubled expression, Natsu took her hands in his and prompted her to look him in the eyes. “Luce, you’ve always wanted to come here, haven’t you?”

After hesitating for a few seconds, she looked down and nodded.

“Then, let’s go! There’s no one around anyway. You deserve it.”

At this, the blonde looked up with a fond smile. “Alright.”

She allowed herself to be dragged to the gate of the garden by Natsu. “Take off your shoes.” He commanded as he did the same. After seeing Lucy’s confused gaze, he explained sheepishly, “There’s a lot of grass and I don’t like it when it gets dirty… more work for me.”

Right, she thought, this garden is Natsu’s greatest and most precious accomplishment.

Lucy did what she was told and Natsu opened the gate. She gasped as the grass tickled the soles of her bare feet. Everything was beautiful. Being in there, instead of simply looking at it from afar, was a totally different experience. This garden was much smaller than the public garden at the front of the castle, which made it that much more intimate and special in her eyes. It was only when she felt Natsu’s hand on the small of her back that she realized she had been frozen in place for quite a while now. Natsu gave her a gentle, yet anxious smile. As if asking what she thought of the place.

“It’s beautiful.” She answered his unspoken question as she roamed around, touching and smelling all the different kinds of flowers. “You’ve put so much love and care into this. I can tell.” 

Natsu simply smiled as he walked up to her. He bowed in front of her and offered her his hand. “Care for a dance, Princess?”

She giggled. “There’s no music.”

“We have survived much bigger inconveniences to get what we want.” He winked as he got a hold of her hand and placed his other hand on the small of her back.

And so they danced the night away, basking in each other’s company, the starry night sky, and this secret place they now get to call theirs.

[adramaticbeauty]

Fairies and Dragonflies

Warning: If you didnt read the previous chapters you will be so fucking confused so best to go back with this link: https://my.w.tt/nw0KOnbfRcb

Now onto the trash dump!

Chapter 8: Trouble for Both

You gotta be kidding me." Gray grumbled in disbelief. He still tightly clutched the newspaper that headlined what could either make or break his career.

It was about 9 in the evening, and he just trudged through his door.  Gray flopped on the couch, his limbs sprawled any which way. He was the personification of a mess right now.

The talk with his manager, Mr. Kyoji was unusually awkward and gruesomely long.Gray wasn't usually one to formally apologize but if it saved his ass from punishment, it was worth it.

He never knew what the protocol was for this type of situation, fraternizing with a rival band. He guessed him and Juvia could always vouch they were just hanging out as friends. But either way rumors would start, considering it was just the two of them. Plus he didn't have the most squeaky clean record involving females.

Either way, it damaged Juvia's career the most however you looked at it. The public always seemed to target women the most when it came to romantic endeavors. Not that there ever would be one between them now.

Gray chuckled horsely as he thought back to 3 days ago. So much had happened in so little time, that he never even got to  process Juvia's rejection. Not that it was a proper one.

It seemed like everything was going great at first and then it was as if she completely changed into a different entity. She became snarky and he dare say bitter. It didn't make any sense to him. Why would anyone ever be bitter with him? Well he had a few reasons but its not like he even knew the girl for long. The scene kept replaying in his head, although he knew it was useless to think about it now.

The more he thought about it the more he got pissed. Who the heck did she think she was? He hadn't done a damn thing and he definitely didn't deserve to get verbally trashed like that. It all just left a sour taste in his mouth.

"That girl...whats with her." Gray mumbled to himself more than anyone.

Gray rested his eyes as he only took in the sound of his own breath. He hated when it got like this. So quiet. He honestly despised when it became so stilled, as if the world stopped spinning. He hated it, as it felt like there was a missing element. In his life, his home and even maybe his heart. Although Gray would never admit it , even to himself.

Gray's stomach grumbled ferociously and it reminded him of his lack of food from today. Gray's contemplation of whether to order pizza became meaningless, as a ring echoed throughout his apartment.

"Unknown number huh?"

Gray pressed reject and slouched back into his couch, again trying to create the somber mood once more. Once again the phone rung, and with the same unknown digits.

Probably some crazy fan found out his number, although he couldn't imagine how. Guess he had to change it once again. Unless it was...

He did give his actual phone number to Juvia, even if she didn't give hers. He picked up almost a little too quickly and tried to sound as natural as possible.

"Hello?" 

"Is this Gray Fullbuster?"

Anddd not Juvia. As he reached for the decline button, he couldn't help but recognize the voice in his subconscious.

"Who the hell is this?"

"Um Lucy Heartfilia? From 'Fairies'. We were introduced after our concert-"

" Wait which girl were you again?? The red haired hot one?"

"What- no! I'm the blond one! This is already irritating..." There was a discreet groan at the end of the line before she cleared her throat and took on a more stern tone.

" I'm calling because I wanted to ask about the day you went out with Juvia."

Well this was not what he was expecting.

"Oh thank god. Thought this call was because you wanted to hook up or some shit."

"I really want to hang up right now, but I need answers. Tell me what happened before you end up on my shit list please."

"How about this- you tell me who gave you my phone number. I deserve to at least know that much."

He could feel the girl roll her eyes even over the phone.

"Can't say."

" You can if you want answers. What's it gonna be blondie?"

" Fine. It was from the paper in Juvia's....purse."

"Wait. Don't tell me you stole her purse and took my phone number? The hell-"

"I didn't steal! It was just sitting there! And I remember you giving her yours on that tiny piece of paper."

"So...you stole it."

"ANYWAY! Can you answer my question today please?"

Gray scratched his head, contemplating on how much to tell her. The event was a bit embarrassing, even for him. Not like all his dates ended that badly.

" To be honest, not much. We went on a date and things were going well. Then she just freaked out and blew up at me when we were heading back. That's all really."

There was no answer on the other end.

" Hey are ya still there??"

"Yeah dummy, do you hear a beep? And wow. Juvia looked totally not into you when you guys first met. Surprised she even agreed to a date."

Gray could feel his cheeks burning in embarrassment.

" Well I sort of saved her life, so it would be nice if you just shut up."

Lucy frowned as she twisted her blond hair in between her fingers. A quirk known to all her closest friends when she was in deep thought.

" Another thing. I have only seen Juvia get pissed once in my entire life. And I've known her for 3 years."

"You known her for that long? Was she as difficult back then as she is now?"

"You must have said something really dickish. I swear to God if you said anything to hurt her feelings-"

"Of course not! If anything I'm the victim!"

" Yeah, well explain why Juvia hasnt come out of her room for 3 days, except for practice!?"

"How the hell would you know that?"

" Juvia, Levy and I all live in the same complex. So I know-"

"That's fucking weird, just saying. What are you, her babysitter?"

" You know what? I don't need to take this shit. I'm hanging up!" Lucy seethed.

"And make sure you give my number back to her so she can apologize whenever."

The only thing that met his voice was the sound of continuous beeping.

Great. That girl had to call him, demanding answers and make him remember the incident all over again. Gray frustratingly glided his fingers through his frazzled hair. Not like he wasn't already thinking about it, for some unexplainable reason.

What bugged him in the back of his mind though was a bit unsettling to him. Why did Juvia even keep his number if she really hated him that much? In fact, she could have threw it away as soon as she had gotten it from him.

He wondered if she would have called him first if he just did absolutely nothing. Gray cursed under his breath before he trudged up to the bedroom. Feeling the coolness of the newly washed sheets gave him temporary comfort to the ache in his heart.

At times like this, he could still hear the softness of his mother's voice. It plagued him so, but at times like this he appreciated the soothing voice setting his mind at ease. Hearing a voice that you knew you could never touch, felt eerie at times. But when he would try to recall the appearance of the voice which beckoned him so much, there was always nothing.

[moeruhoshi]

Never Hit a Girl

Never hit a girl. His father told him that as soon as he met Erza. But Igneel learned that soon after, he probably couldn’t even land a hit on her if he tried.

Never hit a girl unless they’re Erza. It was a much easier rule for the fledgling to understand. He had no will to hit Levy or Juvia, even if they hit him first. There probably wouldn’t be another girl in this world that he would want to hit.

Or so he thought for a few years. But there was a girl, Lucy Heartfilia. She came to live in Magnolia when they were about nine or so.

It’s not like he saw her in the park one day and wanted to outright tackle her. She didn’t really come anywhere near him, anyhow. She was Cana’s friend, and over the years got closer to the other girls in their friend group.

Lucy wasn’t all that used to guys and was kind of scared of them after she saw them play-fighting in the park. So they didn’t push it with her and lived just kind of knowing her for a little while. Erza took that time in between them meeting to strengthen her up, of course. Because the guys weren’t so scary once they were cowering under your fist, so she said.

Per the redhead’s rule, they didn’t even try talking to her until she was ready.

It was strange for her to be wary even as the years went on, but Levy summed up a large part of it for them.

Even if she were still scared, she would have approached them eventually. Not two or three years, she was probably fine after about a week of seeing them around. But she had a strict dad that didn’t want her stepping out of line, so she made it apparent not to gain any male friends. For their safety and her own.

If Lucy were really all that terrified, she wouldn’t have made sure the guys got chocolates on Valentine’s Day. Or gifts on their birthday. Indirect things that Cana passed along.

It was sweet in an odd way, Natsu’s smile always turned up halfway when he got something from her.

She knew he was a dragon, so his snacks were always overly spicy.

By then, they were all fourteen, still unable to speak casually together.

That’s when Natsu started noticing these strange voices. They were his own inner thoughts, but at the same time they felt separate from him. Like a mischievous voice trying to coax him into doing something dangerous. Which he couldn’t help really wanting to do.

Back to the main point at hand, he didn’t just want to hit Lucy. It was a little weird, but he really wanted to wrestle with her.

And no, that wasn’t just some replacement word for sex.

He had heard how strong she was, how Erza had secretly trained her to become almost as deadly as herself. So he was curious.

If she could pin him, if he could pin her. How he’d block a punch of hers, if she could block one of his.

He wanted to wrestle her to the ground and just...let her toss him back on his ass.

What the fuck was that though? He was upset with that kind of thinking, so he did his best to ignore it. He was glad at these times that there wasn’t much between them.

She continued to stick close to the girls for the next couple of years, baking sweets for them, giving giri chocolates to be passed through Erza. Both Gray and Gajeel could admit they had a soft spot for her at this point. They wished it hadn’t been so hard to just have a simple hang. 

But they did one year, at a summer festival. Lucy’s father was out of town for the week that lined up with the yearly event, one she had never been able to attend before. 

Her staff pretended like they didn’t know where she was going or what she was doing, that being with her staying at Cana’s for the night before and after. 

They had a group chat, one Lucy couldn’t be a part of as her dad consistently read her texts. But the brunette let them all know that night that Lucy would be there and making a picnic lunch for their day out. 

They were sixteen when he realized he was in love.

Natsu thought that maybe it was just her food, the fact that she cooked like a goddess was fooling him into thinking it was attraction.

But it was surprisingly easy to talk to her, it was fun even. He felt like he’d really known her for years after a few conversations. Her smile churned his stomach, her scent swam down into him, making him purr and bristle excitedly. He looked at her with a swooned gaze whenever she turned away. And under the boom of the fireworks, she was the only thing sparkling that day.

Although, she did begin to glow a little when the moon rose, as she was a star fallen from the sky.

It was unfair that he couldn’t see her like this again, that he felt as though his heart was walking away from him.

But then, the voice returned, reminding him of that twisted urge.

He went to bed with a frown, unfortunately. It was better for them to be apart.

When they were seventeen, much had changed. They were seniors, almost adults. Maybe her father had decided to put some trust in her, or maybe he was tired of being so demanding. But she was able to choose her friends, as long as she wasn’t out past nine.

Natsu kept his distance. He could see the pain in her eyes whenever he made up an excuse to ditch the group, but he had to. Sometimes he felt like he couldn’t really control those thoughts. Sometimes they got so bad when she was around, he had to run away.

He told Gray and Gajeel after he almost got the shit beaten out of him for being such a jerk. His cousin understood. Luckily he and Levy were practically married, so his inner dragon wasn’t as much of a hassle.

The girls had to, unfortunately, live in the dark about the whole situation. Which only made for the best rants during their sleepovers.

Lucy wasn’t that upset, the girls were for her. If she had to think about it, she was just disappointed because she really wanted to get to know Natsu. Because maybe she liked him a little too. He was pretty cute, after all.

So things were as they were for a good amount of time, until one day, their classes combined for a session during P.E.

Natsu gulped as he stood across from Lucy in the gym, both awkwardly trying to avoid eye contact. He wanted to run over and ask the teacher to switch partners, but that would probably come off the wrong way. It was likely that Lucy already hated him for what he decided.

But he was scared. Their class was having a spar session, god knows why. It was pretty well known that most girls at this school could throw a punch that would knock you out so...? They were unfortunately never given a reason why.

“Should we...?” Lucy raised her fists a bit, shrugging with a soft smile on her lips.

“U-Um, sure,” He breathed steadily, his eyes seeing that most had begun to participate.

They weren’t wearing gloves so it wasn’t a true sparring match; he was figuring at this point that the teachers were just bored and wanted some entertainment.

He held himself back, blocking her strikes easily as it didn’t seem like she put much effort forth.

But he wanted her to. Wasn’t this the exact right time, the best opportunity for her to unleash her anger on him? Wasn’t she upset that he wasn’t near her? Didn’t she feel the pain of being apart in her heart?

Natsu shoved her a bit, unknowingly, which caused Lucy to stumble back. She pursed her lips and steadied her loose stance now.

“What was that for?” She asked with a bit of a whine.

“I saw an opening,” He shrugged, still doing his best to avoid her eyes.

She maneuvered a kick, sweeping it to catch Natsu behind his knees. He made a small shout, Lucy giggling as he landed on his butt.

“I saw an opening,” She shrugged, smiling down at the pouty glare Natsu flashed.

“Alright, lets go again,”

They both got more serious as Natsu stood up, his fire starting to bloom in his stomach. He was finally dating his odd desires, though he didn’t pay much attention to what his body was doing at the moment.

His scales began to fleck out on his skin, his eyes shifting into a more golden and shimmering shade. He failed to notice his tail pop out of his shorts, or the canines in his mouth stretch out ever so slightly. 

Lucy was too heated as well to notice much else about him, her drive to pin him down now much more important. 

He met every palm strike with a block, every kick with a shin slowing down her strike. She did the same, neither able to one up the other. Their sweat began to build, their teeth began to grit, students began to turn their heads when the room got a tad warm. But no one said anything. They were too interested, wondering if Lucy had what it took to take the fire dragon down. 

He growled when her strong scent caught under his nose, fuck, he loved how she smelled. Getting all worked up because of him, showing off her strength and presenting herself to him like this. He was crazy turned on, if the boner in his pants hadn’t made it obvious. But they were moving too quickly for anyone to notice.

He was having fun, if anything. He loved this, could do it any day of the week. Especially if he got to show off for her like this as well. He was a formidable opponent, right? Someone who was clearly able to match her speed, who was good enough to be the one to stand by her side. 

Natsu’s dragon was a little impatient, wanting more than just this back and forth, than the teasing they were engaging in. 

His tail subtly slithered up from behind, Lucy not noticing it until it wrapped around her upper thigh.

“Eek!” She stifled a small shriek as it dragged her to the floor, Natsu following to pin her down. “Hey that’s chea–” 

The blonde cut herself off when she felt something poke at her hips, suddenly flushed with embarrassment. It didn’t allow her much time to process anything else as the dragon swiftly lowered his lips to meet her own.

It wasn’t a smug peck like someone would have expected. It was warm, deep, and sensual right off the bat. 

He had a hand holding the back of her head steady while the other curled up in her open hand. 

His lips moved to smother hers before coaxing them to follow his lead. She didn’t know how to kiss, obviously, but briefly followed his lead out of curiosity. And the warmth of his lips was absolutely soothing. Lucy’s mind instantly felt hazy rather than alert, like she was being subdued into slumber.

“I love you,” He breathed out in a brief parting from her reddened lips. 

His tongue barely made it past them when suddenly, a large water cannon collided with his body and flung him into the nearby wall.

Juvia was flustered and staring at Gray with swoony eyes and weak legs. The winter sprite pretended not to see her making that face at him. Erza stood beside her and aimed her hand, an intense blush on her cheeks and a fuming gaze pointed at the soaked dragon.

“Just what the hell did you––Natsu!” The valkyrie shouted as the pink-haired boy quickly booked his ass out of a nearby window. 

He shuddered and felt his stomach sink, running back to the locker room to quickly change. 

How could he, did he have no control?! To get so lost in his own desires that he rubbed himself up against her and stole a kiss like that? His heart felt sick, like the fire ran through his veins had now gone cold. 

He ran out of the room after quickly stripping from his wet clothes, heading towards the other end of campus before flying away. 

He’d be found at home, but would rather have Erza kill him in his own bedroom instead of in front of the entire school.

So he waited painfully for his death, not even bothering to have a last meal with his parents that night. They were concerned but didn’t push him for answers. They figured it was enough to know that he was okay if they let in an absolutely fuming and enraged Erza Scarlet. But he was sure that the whole gang would be coming after him this time. Lucy probably cried...

His ears caught the ringing of a doorbell in the middle of the night; he hadn’t the will to enjoy a peaceful sleep either. His stomach turned, but he forced himself out of bed, not wanting his parents to be bothered with this whole ordeal. 

They’d probably drag him out to the park, if they were here this late. Knock him the fuck out and hang him up in a tree with pervert written in calligraphy ink on his chest. 

He opened the door with his head hung low, expecting to be grabbed and manhandled right away. 

The light clearing of a throat surprised him, he knew that voice.

“L-Lucy? What’re you doing here this late?” He asked, quickly shutting the door behind him. He felt a little odd standing there in a zip up hoodie and loose sweatpants while she was in an oversized tee an practically nonexistent shorts. 

“I snuck out and had Cana drop me off,” She said, looking over her shoulder to the brunette parked down the street on her motorcycle. “She said I should come see you, and I really wanted to, actually.”

“Eh? Really?” He was surprised, but figured she just came to punch him out and to stay the hell away from her for the rest of her life. It pained him to think as much, but he deserved it. 

“I...well, I just,” She blushed and shuddered as the wind rolled over her arms. “I wanted to know if you meant what you said to me earlier.”

“What did I say?” He wasn’t really sure, since it hadn’t really been him that was there. He remembered what had gotten him riled up and the brief aftermath, but...

“You said that you loved me.” She said matter of factly, refusing to look away from his darting gaze.

“I––”

“Either you meant it or you didn’t, just tell me,” There was a twinge of sadness in her voice, the slightest but most audible octave she could have reached. His nose caught scent of starter tears, her eyes beginning to slowly wet. 

“I meant it!” He quickly confessed, afraid that he’d have to see her cry. “Since that summer festival we all went to. I love you, but I didn’t mean to do all that today, really I––”

“Then why have you been avoiding me? Wouldn’t you have wanted to be my friend?” She was now frustrated and stomped her foot a bit. He thought it was cute.

“I did, I mean it, Luce. But I couldn’t when I thought about such weird things about you. I didn’t want to freak you out,” He breathed out, embarrassed but he jumped over that hurdle to be honest. Natsu wasn’t sure why, but it felt like an instinct. He had to be upfront with her, absolutley no lies or she’d never trust him.

“Weird things?” Her cheeks were a bashful pink, lips pulled together as she grasped her hands against them.

“I don’t think I should go into too much detail,” He chuckled slightly. “But I was just scared of hurtin’ ya. Honest.”

“Well,” Lucy quickly leaned forward to peck him on the cheek. “You won’t so, I’ll see you at school tomorrow, okay?”

She started back down towards the street before he could answer, the dragon looking out into the night with a shocked expression on his face. He held his cheek and turned to look at her, his eyes fixated on her hands as they rubbed her goosebump covered arms. 

“Wait!” He called out and swiftly undid his jacket. Natsu handed it off as he jogged to catch up to her. “I don’t want ya to be cold,”

“Thank you,” They shared a shy smile before turning away to head home, their hearts both warm with resolve.

[doginshoe]

The Draconian Huntress XII

In a time where there is an impending war to come, Lucy sets forth to find the Draconian people in order to shift the tides against the demon King Zeref that threatens to take over Fiore. read on ff.net here part 12 of I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI

When Gajeel pushed forward, he hadn’t been prepared. The sudden strength weighing down on him as the armoured opponent dropped his wings and sent them tumbling towards the ground.

Natsu’s look of surprise didn’t last long as he gritted his teeth, his eyes darting to find an escape. His movements were quick. He dropped Gajeel’s fist and propelled himself upward, twisting his arm free as he maneuvered behind the large draco’s head and sent him falling with a whip of his tail.

Gajeel skidded along the dirt as he landed without his opponent, his feet slowly making his recovery as he sent Natsu a hard stare, excitement glazing over his red piercing eyes. The armoured draconian took in a heavy breath, rolling his shoulders before he took off from the ground.

Natsu charged with him.

It was a flurry of movement. Claws just barely scraping against skin, fists connecting over and over until they managed to land a blow. It was obvious that they were matched in skill, each blow being countered by another. Nothing was going to get through the other’s defenses unless they changed their tactic - their strengths showing through the longer they were locked in close combat. Gajeel had power on his side that was matched with a keen eye, whilst Natsu twisted and turned. His agility from his lighter armour letting him out maneuver his opponent.

The crowd roared as Natsu leaned backwards, the threatening fist of Gajeel just passing over his head by the fraction of an inch. He rolled in the air, flipping, and sent a fist upwards to his opponents chin. It cracked against the metal - the sound reverberating throughout the colosseum. The force sent fractures winding up the helmet, coursing up the steel like vulnerable veins that would surely shatter if it suffered another blow.

“I’ll admit Lucy,” Gray piqued up from beside the blonde who hadn’t moved an inch since the fight had begun, “it was a good idea to have them on our side. I mean this is-”

“The power of a dragon,” Laxus interjected, his stare on the dark haired winter sprite.

Gray looked towards the large draconian, his eyes hesitant to drift from the fight when the sounds of armour clashing and sickening thuds of hits landing on their target raged on - the screams of the crowd only growing as blood started to be drawn.

“That’s what it is. Succumbing to their basic instincts - the drake inside of them. They’re using that power to fight.” He looked back to the fight, Gray following suit to watch as Gajeel swung his fist into a surprised Natsu that sent him crashing into the large walls surrounding the pit - a wicked grin pulling up on the armoured draconian’s lips as the King broke through stone.

It wasn't hard to imagine how all those craters on the field got there now - the tremors from his landing shaking the platform where they stood.

“Though, I wouldn’t know if it’s a good idea to have called on us,” Laxus spoke as Natsu burst from dust and rubble, a roar so loud it seemed to silence the cheers of the people - his fist was glowing and he struck at Gajeel who blocked with his arms crossed. The steel melted beneath his fist and Gajeel smirked.

“I told you what would happen, Salamander.” The drums boomed as the crowd watched in eager anticipation. They knew what was happening and Laxus could only frown as Yajima shook his head.

Gray furrowed his brow.

Natsu let out another deafening roar as his other fist came down, the metal bubbling from the heat coming off his scales in waves.

“Ya never gonna defeat me with no control over your drake,” Gajeel threw his arms apart and sent the draco tumbling backwards. He didn't pause before he flapped his wings and propelled himself through the air and knocked a hit into his cheek - the curved metal slicing open the soft flesh until the pure force sent him back again.

“It’s going to be fun making you watch as I burn that girlie alive along with her friends.”

Gray turned to Laxus, his fists clenching by his sides. “Just what the hell is going on? What do you mean this wasn’t a good idea? Did you know-”

“No.” Laxus sent him an electric glare that had Gray freezing in place. “Having this power comes with… it’s own set of problems.”

Lucy kept her eyes trained on the fight as the men around her continued to discuss the fight that unfolded before them. She could sense it. The consequences that came with this power. Natsu was snarling - his scales growing further down his hands and covering his knuckles. He looked feral, with glowing eyes and attacks that become more predictable. Gajeel was beginning to take the upperhand, evading each blow with more ease unlike the matched skill that they shared in the beginning. He was landing hard hitting fists on Natsu’s sides and shoulders, which only fueled the rage that was taking over the King.

“Yes,” Yajima spoke from beside the tall Draconian, “The Draconians have the power of a dragon, but that power… If left uncontrolled can become strong enough to consume you. We’ve had many that have succumbed to their drake and slaughtered many before someone could put them down.”

“On a battlefield unsupervised… I couldn’t imagine the casualties of friend and foe that would ensue.” The advisor sighed, his eyes filling with a memory he wished to forget. “The power drives you to kill.”

“And that’s all you know,” Laxus added, his eyes on Natsu as he came at Gajeel with increasingly animalistic charge. He had no direction or thought - it was only attack. “And that will get you killed in a one on one. Especially with someone that has full control of their drake.”

His frown deepened. “It would be like sparring with a child.”

Gray opened his mouth to retort, but before he could utter a word his eyes caught Lucy. She had been silent since the fight had begun, not even moving a muscle, but now the archer was visibly shaking.

She fisted her hands by her side as she pulled her gaze from the fight. Her eyes were red and teary, her teeth gritted as a blaze of fury seemed to be spiraling out of control in her glare, the look of ferocity directed to the advisor and commander that stood beside her.

“How can you let this go ahead?” she hissed, the words laced with venom that had Gray feeling nervous. “Not only do you put your own comrades against each other to the death, but you willingly sent your king to be killed?”

The blonde was seething, her hands tightening hard enough that she could feel her nails cutting into her palms.

She could feel him.

It was strange. At first simmering along the surface, like the feeling in the back of one's mind when they had lost something or apart of themselves. Yet, as the fight continued it only continued to bubble - the heat rising within her and nearing almost suffocating. It was searing in her mind, a second embodiment that wasn’t her own. It was carnal and savage.

Yajima sighed. “Lady Heartfilia-”

“No! This is sick. How can your people find amusement in watching them tear each other apart?”

She turned back to the fight, her hands once again finding the rail as she tried to calm down. Yet, the sight only made her stomach sink.

They were fighting on the ground now, both their wings folded as they stared at each other with fury. Natsu’s lips were turned into a snarl, eyes glowing golden and growls bubbling from his throat. Blood was dripping from the large cut on his cheek and bruises were beginning to form on his skin - the purples looking like a painful mirage across his body.

Gajeel was fairing slightly better. His gauntlets melted were he had blocked Natsu’s searing fists and there was a cut on his brow. The armour that he adorned had served its purpose - there wasn’t a single bruise on his body and Natsu’s hands… Lucy had to swallow her tongue as she took in the hands that were bleeding. Scales had been ripped from where they were scattered across his skin, harsh bruises appearing on his knuckles.

His own armoured gauntlets had nearly been shattered.

“Ghi-hi, come on Salamander! I was hopin’ for more of a fight from the mighty Igneel’s son.” Gajeel dropped his fists to his side as he grinned. “Or was all that talk about yer dad just bullshit?”

Natsu roared as he readied himself into a fighting stance. “Gajeel!”

His opponent laughed, his gaze flicking up to Lucy on the royal stand, “It’s going to be fun ripping apart that bitch. Hell, I might even take her star-”

“Mea!”

Natsu shouted, fist raised as he came at Gajeel. The armoured draconian smirked.

It happened in the blink of an eye. Natsu charged and he moved his stance. He was ready and when Natsu came to land the attack, he moved. It was seamless. His body reacting out of instinct as he ducked under the on coming blow and then pushed up, grabbing the King by the throat.

The crowd gasped as he slammed the King into the ground that crumbled from the force. Natsu choked, blood pooling in his mouth from the damage it shocked through him. His eyes diluted back to a dull green, but there was no call for a white flag.

Gajeel pushed him further into the ground, his gaze serious and deadly before he raised his fist. The first blow hit before he could even catch his breath and from there the punches were relentless.

Gajeel’s fist came down again and again without reprieve. The metal on his gauntlets slicing his lip, brow and cutting deeper into the already existing wound on his cheek. The crowd was screaming for more as Natsu was pounded into cracked ground, blood spilling over his lips as his lungs burned for air.

He could not escape the assault.

Lucy couldn’t contain her horror. The pain was excruciating - her hands shaking as she stepped away from the railing, trying to get away from the feelings that were intruding her senses.

“Lucy,” Gray called from beside her, his hands catching her shoulders before she possibly fell. His dark eyes were filled with concern as he called out to her, but her eyes could only turn to the draconians that watched on as one of their own was about to be killed.

“This is madness!” Lucy shouted as she turned to Yajima. “You have to stop the fight or he’s going to die!”

The old man only shook his head. “It’s our way, Lady Heartfilia. You have no part in our traditions.” The words were cold but Lucy couldn’t form a response as the crowd suddenly went wild. The screams and shouts became deafening.

Lucy looked up as Gajeel lifted the nearly unconscious body of his opponent from the rubble on the ground, the sharp blades on his armour looking deadly as he rose the edge to the King’s throat.

The scream that left her lips was instinctive, her arms shaking free from Gray’s grasp as she called out to him. The adrenaline was pumping through her veins as she pulled herself back to the edge of the platform with trembling legs.

It was a moment of desperation - the feeling of a racing heartbeat thudding in her mind and tight lungs. She could barely breathe. Everything overwhelming her senses at once as tears welled up in her eyes. If only she could do something, but she felt hopeless, or was it Natsu’s feelings that was overriding her senses…

“Natsu!”

Lucy sunk to her knees but, again, she felt Gray gripping onto her before she could fall.

“Lucy!” He shouted, “are you alright?” He looped her arm over his shoulder to help her stand while the blonde tried to steady her breathing, but she couldn’t choke out a response. “What is happening to her?” The winter sprite narrowed his eyes onto the two beside them, but their eyes were trained on the pit.

There was a loud crack, the entire colosseum falling silent apart from a scream that had Gray turning to look back to the fight. Lucy also raising her head as she steadied herself in his arms.

The sight left them both wide eyed.

Natsu had grabbed hold of Gajeel’s arm, his tail snaking up the draconian’s arm and wrapping itself tightly around the limb that held itself close to his throat. His eyes were a fierce green, flecks of gold highlighting the olive colour that seemed to shine with his fury.

Gajeel’s arm had been snapped, the bone crushed from the power of Natsu’s red scaled tail. His face was pinched, teeth gritted in pain as his shoulder fell limp. There was no way he would be able to use the appendage now - the bone had been crushed.

“I won’t let you ever hurt Lucy,” Natsu seethed, his fist grabbing onto his opponent as heat seemed to roll off him in waves. “Ispa est lux mea!”

He threw Gajeel to the side - his body crashing into his broken arm causing him to growl as he pulled it close to his side.

Natsu pushed himself up, his legs shaking as he spat blood into the dirt - chest heaving. The cut on his cheek had split to the other side making a horrific sight as he opened his mouth to catch his breath. His gaze was locked on to the armoured draconian as he finally was crouched, one hand supporting his weary movements.

“Im ‘iens ut te perdere.”

The King had risen.

The crowd burst with energy - draconians coming to their feet to cheer and clap as the fight continued. Except for those on the royal stand.

“We told you, Lady Heartfilia.” Yajima spoke, “You are what would change the tides of this blood match.”

Gray furrowed his brow, anger taking over his features as he left Lucy’s side who grabbed hold of the rail for support.

“What the hell,” Gray shouted, “You knew that Lucy could get hurt in this fight? What is wrong with you-”

Laxus stepped forward. “Watch it. You may be the future Queen’s comrade but it won’t protect you from us.” His gaze pierced into him. “Natsu will win and you will be granted the army that you came here for. That is what you want, right?”

Gray’s gaze darkened as he raised his fist, the calm anger only being shown through his cold dark eyes. Yet, Lucy’s quiet voice brought him to stand down.

“Don’t Gray.” She wrapped her arms around herself as her eyes stayed focus on the standoff that unfolded in the pit. “We don’t need anymore blood shed here.”

His eyes softened as he turned towards the blonde - his logic telling him that she needed him more with her then fighting a battle that would only cause more problems. He sent one last icy glare to the tall draconians before he came to Lucy’s side.

“Are you alright?” He asked in a hushed voice and Lucy nodded curtly.

“This doesn’t feel right, Gray.”

“I know,” He replied as they both had their gazes on Natsu who was now standing alongside Gajeel. “But there’s nothing that we can do.”

“Maybe so,” Lucy spoke, a hint of mockery in her tone, but before Gray could question her further the crowd buzzed with another round of cheers and it drowned him out as the draconians were locked in battle again.

There was a noticeable difference in their attacks. Gajeel clutched one useless arm to his side, his body taking on a defensive position as he withheld making any powerful strikes. Natsu, however, had completely changed. He was quick, yet no longer tried to charge into Gajeel with no thought. His attacks were planned - some feigned and the real strike coming afterwards and others that had Gajeel twisting and turning before he landed a direct hit onto him that sent him crashing into the dirt.

When he tried to stand, Natsu was on him again - his strikes coming from above, the side and frontal assaults. Gajeel was knocked down again and again - his armour chipping and breaking with each hit.

It was the final blow from Natsu’s tail that shattered the steel. The metal smashing to pieces from the force of his swing and sending the draconian forward - crashing face first into the dirt.

Gajeel spat into the dirt, blood pouring from the previous cut on his brow as he tried to draw in steady breaths, but Natsu didn’t give him the chance. He kicked him and sent the draconian tumbling along the ground, his arm being struck by the hard surface and twisting that had him roaring in pain.

“Fuckin’ bastard,” Gajeel snarled as he clutched his useless arm. There was no way he could win and the whole colosseum knew it. It was just a matter of how their King was going to dispose of the person who had challenged his throne.

“Yer going to lead this place to ruin if you follow her.” Gajeel rose to his knees, his red piercing glare directed at Natsu who stood over him. “We don’t fight anybody’s battles! Do you think we made it this far by fighting wars that aren’t our own?”

Natsu grabbed hold of Gajeel, his gaze bright with gold embers. “It’s the deal we’ve made!”

“Bullshit! Yer an embarrassment to ya father by lettin’ this happen!” Gajeel spat. “Fuck, I’ll be glad to be gone so I don’t have to watch your miserable sack of shit drake chase around that bitch.”

Lucy watched as Gajeel screamed at Natsu. “The fights over. You can call it off now.”

“No one can leave the Sanguis Pit until one, or both, has died, Lady Heartfilia.” Yajima was stern with his words. “You best begin to learn your place.”

The archer gripped the railing, her eyes snapping to Yajima. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let this go on. As someone who will rule over this kingdom, I can’t condone what is being done here.”

“Lady Heartfilia,” Yajima shouted, but Lucy already jumped over the railing.

Natsu’s eyes flashed gold as he grabbed hold of the other draconians jaw as he roared in his rage. He forced Gajeel down, fingers prying his mouth apart as he sought to rip apart his skull.

The crowd cheered at the bloodlust in their King’s eyes - heat beginning to build up around Natsu. He was going to destroy him just as he vowed. The beast inside him rearing up and taking over as it made good on the promise to burn him to ash.

Yet, before he could pull Gajeel’s mouth further, he was knocked backwards - the air leaving his lungs as he tumbled across the pit. The colosseum erupted in fury as Lucy stood between the two drakes.

“Laxus!” Yajima shouted, “Stop her at once!”

The people screamed their protests as Lucy stared up at all of the draconian people, her hand raising for them to calm down.

They hated her. She knew that, but she couldn’t watch this anymore. If the Draconian Kingdom was to be hers to rule then she would not do so idly like the Heartfilia’s that came before her. She wouldn’t fear them as her mother had.

“My name is Lucy Heartfilia,” she shouted to the people up in their stands. “I am your future Queen, bonded to your King as his mate.”

The crowd hushed as she spoke to them - their attention forgetting the injured draconians as they now focused on the blonde star who stood in the blood pit.

“This battle does not need to end in bloodshed,” she called to the crowd, “May you stand with your King, in his victory as I do. For his win has been just and the fight ahead of us will need our strength in all our numbers.”

“I ask of you to stand with me, your Queen.”

[sassyhazelowl]

Title: Life is What You Bake It Rating: PG - a few swear words, comedic violence Pairing: Lyon x Erza Secondary Pairings: Lucy x Levy A/N: Silly, cute little idea that popped into my head while cruising titles on Netflix. Bakery AU.

Link to Google Docs - Comments welcome and appreciated :)

Chapter 3

Erza hadn’t been sure what to make of the gift Gray had dragged through her door. And dragged appeared to be the right word for it.

The two had been friends since junior high, and Gray always had an odd sense of humor. If she didn’t know better, she’d suspect some sort of trick. The man that sat in the doorway with his arms crossed hardly looked like he knew one end of a spatula from the other, and his clothing was way, way too expensive. Not that Erza didn’t approve; she loved clothing and knew all the brands. She had a whole closet dedicated to her love of clothing. And she could appreciate a well-dressed man. But it didn’t show a lot of common sense to come into the kitchen dressed like you were planning to eat in the dining room of the Ritz. 

Glancing around at the kitchen, she realized beggars couldn’t be choosers. It wasn’t like she was a baker by trade. Before inheriting the bakery, she worked part-time here and there at any outdoor job that would take her, as a jack-of-all-trades. Sometimes she’d work two or three jobs at once, just for the challenge. She loved learning new things and being outside in nature and most of the jobs around here were seasonal anyway.

There’d been nothing for it but to roll up her sleeves and learn on the job when the bakery fell in her lap, bequeathed by it’s very elderly owner Mr. Makarov, who retired and moved to Florida. She’d been a cashier and a waitress and a ski instructor and a camp counselor and park ranger and so many other things. How hard could it be to run a bakery?

Quite hard, it turned out.

There were so many things she needed to learn that had nothing to do with baking, and the baking part itself was something she struggled with. Eating her way through every treat she could get her hands on did not prepare her for how much work went into making those delicious morsels.

But quitting wasn’t in Erza’s nature, and she was certain with some hard work she could turn things around.

“Well, I suppose I will see you tomorrow?” she said, still skeptical of the man who spoke charmingly enough. Turning, she saw he’d acquired a cloth from somewhere, stripped off his jacket (and shirt!) and was making short work of all the splatter within arm’s reach. Surprised, she covered her awkward giggle with a cough and asked conversationally, “Do you have a place to stay?”

“The Heartfilia residence,” he answered, moving on to the nearest table, barely sparing her a glance. “Another of Gray’s friends. My brother seems to be quite the popular man.”

“It is a small town. Everyone knows everyone,” Erza bristled, sure he was making fun of her home.

He straightened up seriously, rag in hand absently, “I am sure I will too by the end of the summer. Miss Scarlett, you seem to have an impression of me I am not sure I deserve.”

Curse her wretched fair skin and freckles. Instead of answering in words, she spun to hide her burning face and to stop oogling his muscular chest. Of all the horrible habits to share with his brother, going topless did not have to be one of them! 

“Anyway,” she heard the rag flop down on the table, “I will come back tomorrow morning early. Be sure to either leave the door unlocked or be here to meet me.”

Well, dang it. She’d made him mad. How early was early to him anyway? 8 or 9? Would he even bother to show up tomorrow? It wasn’t any real loss if he didn’t. He probably was a fair baker but poor, struggling Fairy Tail Bakery needed more than mediocre tarts and muffins to survive. It had been flagging under Makarov’s expert hand, and under Erza’s inexperienced one it was drowning.

Without Fairy Heart she wasn’t sure it could go on that much longer.

Maybe that was for the better. 

She could say she gave it an honest try and go back to drifting between jobs. Of course, it’d be a shame. Fairy Tail had been in this town for generations, and there weren’t any good bakeries in the surrounding cluster of small towns either. A chain would probably move in or perhaps someone with more luck than Erza would give it a try. Ignoring the sinking, heavy feeling in her chest, she wondered what Magnolia would be like without it’s bakery. Once this had been a bustling, social hub where people came to gather during the day, the sun to the moon that was Mira’s bar.

“Girl, who was that hot, shirtless guy that just stalked out of here? And what did you do to drive away such a stud?”

Lucy Heartfilia, a charming and plucky blonde, grinned as Erza jumped out of her skin and her sad thoughts. Letting herself behind the counter, she leaned back against the display, looking through the open door to the kitchen.

“That,” Erza remarked stiffly, ignoring the hot and shirtless comment, “Is your new tenant for the summer.”

“That’s Gray’s brother?” Lucy whistled, impressed. “And here I thought it was a fluke Gray was so ripped after all those donuts and Mountain Dews. Guess those boys got some good genes.”

Erza frowned, trying not to think about it. Sure, she saw Gray half-naked all the time, but she thought of him like a dumb little brother. This was definitely different, and it felt very inappropriate. Especially since she had… someone else.

Sorry, Jellal, she said in her head.

Would he even care? Would he be jealous or disappointed she was looking at another guy? Erza wasn’t sure. It hadn’t come up before, and of course, he trusted her, but did she trust herself?

“Why were you looking?” Erza clicked her tongue, really questioning herself and not Lucy. “What would your girlfriend say?”

“She’d say go for it, babe; we need some more eye-candy around here. Not that she’d pay attention herself. Not unless said eye-candy had a well-stitched binding and some sweet, fresh off the press paper smell to it.” Lucy shrugged a my-girlfriend-is-a-bibliophile shrug and waved a book at Erza. “I was just bring over the latest and greatest erotica from our favorite author.”

“You?”

Lucy choked for a moment then laughed, “Our other favorite author. What makes you think I write erotica? I’ll just set this… okay, definitely not anywhere in here. Did you put the mixer on high again?”

“No.” 

Yes. Again. Because she hadn’t learned her lesson the last half dozen times. Why did it even have that setting, if all it did was cause chaos?

Lucy rolled up her sleeves, eyes twinkling with good humor, and snatched up the rag left by Gray’s brother. 

“First things first. You’re done destroying the kitchen for the day. We’re going to clean this mess up then you’re going to take the afternoon off to read this amazing novel and relax. I know you’re worried, but it’ll work out. Levy had a horrible time when she first opened her bookstore because she didn’t know how to order or stock or balance a budget, but now it’s thriving and hiring some employees to help out made a huge difference. Can you imagine Magnolia without it? Little mom’n’pops are Magnolia’s life blood and charm. The tourists don’t come here for Starbucks or Barnes and Noble after all.”

“No. No they do not,” Erza murmured to herself, thinking it a bit eerie Lucy had the same thoughts she had. 

The author was a transplant to the town, visiting on vacation and never leaving. It wasn’t entirely an unheard of thing, but Erza sometimes wondered if it was Magnolia or Levy her friend was in love with more. If anyone in town could be the authority on the charm the town held to outsiders, Lucy would be it.

Erza simply had to trust things would turn out alright. What else could go wrong after all?

[tuxiedjabberwock]

For What We’ve Lost - Fairy Tail one-shot

late af but my piece from @naluzine

1691

Rated K

Action/General

NaLu

The town of Hibisco was larger than most of the villages they’d passed through, but not too remarkable overall. It was built in a large forest clearing, so they had a lot of monster problems, as the bartender told them, but there was an especially troublesome breed of Vulcans about. Hence, Natsu and Lucy.

Grabbing her roughly by the hip, Natsu pinned Lucy against a nearby tree by her wrists, his hand moving against her torso along the curve of her armor. She smirked at the action and raised her leg, digging her boot into his muscled stomach. “Try a little harder than that next time and you might just do it.”

“Hrrngh,” he grumbled, pulling away and crossing his arms. Unlike any other human or wizard she knew, majority of his skin was decorated with ruby red scales, and curly black horns jutted from his temples. His ears were pointed, his knees and ankles bent oddly for a bipedal, and while he lacked wings, the bones of his shoulder blades were large yet elegant. She straightened and pulled a few pine needles free from her hair.

“You won’t get your scarf back unless I want to give it—unless you want to start a fight right now?” She went into a loose fighting stance with a gloved hand on her sword and he snorted, turning his head away. He was sulky when it came to his scarf, but she did it for the good of the people—and for their pay. Her and Natsu usually wouldn’t mess around like that, but the autumn forest was quiet and still, and she trusted Natsu to warn her if he smelled anything ami—

Natsu’s pose went rigid, then he took her by the hip again and yanked her against his body. She didn’t have time to be surprised before a massive figure dropped into the brush where she was standing moments ago. The tree next to them exploded as the trunk was split from a melee attack.

“Pretty woman,” a deep voice said, followed by echoed cackling. Lucy moved from his grip and drew her sword, facing off against the…very large…three Forest Vulcans. “Pretty woman, pretty woman,” they said to each other. (Natsu snorted with laughter, which she ignored.) The closest Vulcan, the largest one of the pack and with a white circle on its forehead, reared back and swung its arm faster than she could visually track. She raised her sword defensively, but the impact knocked her from her feet. She would’ve been stomped if not for Natsu rushing forward to grab its foot.

“Ngaah!” Digging his feet into the soft earth, Natsu hurled the Vulcan backwards into its friends, causing them to collapse into a pile.

“These Vulcans are stronger than usual.” He nodded in agreement, then his eyes narrowed as they began to rise again, now grumbling angrily. A growl built in his throat. “One of them might’ve taken over a wizard. Can you tell?”

He shook his head, a quick and abrupt movement, before raising an arm to block the largest Vulcan’s punch. He was forced to take a step back but otherwise held his ground. The other two caught Lucy’s attention as one tried to distract her with a swing, the other attempting to move behind her. She ducked beneath the first’s arm, causing it to strike its friend instead. She drove her sword into the first’s arm, right in the crease of the elbow. It roared in pain and stumbled backwards into a tree. It bellowed and slapped her sword away as she drew close before its fist drew near, but after almost a year on the road, Lucy was quick on her feet. She dodged the punch and kicked off from the tree to dodge the next, causing its hand to get stuck within the bark. No, she wasn’t as weak as she was before.

“Virgo…Capricorn…Sagittarius,” Lucy whispered, feeling tears make tracks through the smears of blood on her face. Her friends lay on the grass slowly fading back to the Celestial Realm, defeated. Her broken and injured arm ached, but it was nowhere close to the pain in her heart. She tried to make her way towards them, past the rubble that was once the Heartfilia estate, then a pale hand seized her Keys before she could get close. Rage quickly took the place of sadness, and she forgot her utter defeat of seconds ago to shout at the intruder. “Return my friends now!”

“Or what?” Zeref was as calm as a nighttime lake. He looked over the Keys with a critical eye as she made her way over, stumbling over debris with her bare, bruised feet.

“Give them back! Give them!” she yelled over and over, until she grew close enough to see the faint reflection of the sunset in Zeref’s dark eyes. But suddenly they weren’t dark anymore, glowing red like fresh blood. A chill ran through her body and she collapsed to her knees as if by some divine power. He turned to face her, black robes rustling faintly in the wind.

“If these Keys can help me attain Fairy Heart, they’ll be returned to you,” he said in a deceptively level voice. She had no clue what “Fairy Heart” was, but if Zeref wanted it, it couldn’t have meant good news. He turned towards the path leading to town and Lucy let out an angry noise, reaching towards the tail of his robes. He didn’t turn again. “You can find me and try to get them back anytime you want, but know that it will be your life.”

“I’m not that weak, not anymore,” she muttered as she dove to the ground, snatching her sword up. That moment where she removed her eyes from her opponents was a mistake: a foot collided into her back as she straightened, sending her in a rolling-skid across the dirt before she crashed into a tree trunk. Hard. The impact took her breath away and pain radiated through all her limbs. She lost her grip on her sword and struggled to her hands and knees as the two Vulcans advanced. From the corner of her eye, she saw Natsu wasn’t faring any better. He could take hits well enough, as displayed when he received the same punch-slam combo as she and simply brushed it off with a shake of his head, but his non-magical attacks were mainly chip damage.

I’m still weak. She squeezed her eyes shut. How can I beat Zeref like this…? Natsu’s furious noise dragged her from her loathing, and she looked up to see him being piled by two Vulcans now. The last one, the alpha, was rushing towards her. She glanced at Natsu again, fighting tirelessly despite the odds. I have him. I have Natsu to cover the chinks in my armor now. Maybe I’m not strong enough alone, but together, we’re…

She forced her arm to move to the straps of her armor, undoing the buckles and letting the dented plates fall to the earth. She untied the scaled fabric from her waist as the Vulcan caught her torso in a vise grip, pinning her against the tree. Her ribs ached in his grip but she refused to cry in pain; instead, she used her free arm to toss the scarf over. “Natsu!”

Natsu’s eyes snapped over and upon sighting his scarf, a maniacal grin crossed his face. Pushing away from his assailants, he tensed his legs and leapt into the air, snatching the bundle and winding it around his neck. Almost immediately, his scales faded entirely, his horns retracted, and his claws shrunk to broken nails. He hit the ground with a fanged grin and flaming fists.

“Lucy’s just given all the permission I need,” he said, voice a little hoarse. “I’m gonna roast you guys for dinner.” His fire blazed higher and hotter as he swung at the shocked Vulcans. The first was thrown backwards, plowing through twenty feet worth of trees before coming to a stop in a mini-crater. The other attempted a fight, feinting a kick before throwing a punch at Natsu’s side. He jumped onto its fist and used it as a springboard to drop a fire-powered axe kick on its head, burying it in the ground. He hit the ground and turned to face the alpha Vulcan, who released Lucy (with an undignified yelp on her part) to face Natsu. He cracked his neck, grin widening, and steadied his stance. “I’m fired up now. Gimme your best shot!”

“Die!” the Vulcan roared as it charged, locking its hands together to swing down, then to the side. Natsu jumped to dodge the first, then raised his arms as the second shredded a nearby tree, sending wooden shrapnel everywhere. He landed on his hand and propelled himself back in the air as the Vulcan’s next few attacks came faster, then it managed to land a punch in his face. Blood spurted from his nose but did nothing to deter him as he grabbed the Vulcan’s wrist and slammed his feet in its face. It stumbled, then Natsu put out a hand and jetted a whirlwind of gold and orange fire. The Vulcan screamed in agony before its voice gave out, and when the flames died, it hit the ground and didn’t rise. Natsu didn’t spare it another glance, rushing to Lucy’s side.

“You’re alright?” he asked with wide eyes. She waved off his concern.

“I’ll be fine.”

“Zeref was here, you know. I smell him.”

“Of course.” Her voice lowered with anger and she took a calming breath. “We should tell the mayor the Vulcans are dealt with.”

“Then we leave. Keep moving to Magnolia,” he said. “For Zeref.” She nodded and pushed herself up.

“And whatever awaits us along the way,” she added. He grinned in response.

“Whatever adventures await.”

It wasn’t easy, a Celestial Wizard without her Keys, but Natsu at her side, she felt hope. She would be strong enough and she would win. She nudged his arm around her side, helping support her weight, and smiled.

“Lead the way, my dragon.”

[petri808]

19 and 39. Nalu

“I think I’m in love with you, and that scares the crap out of me” + “Please come home, I miss you” @rougescribe

Fear is Our Worst Enemy

“Nope,” Levy crossed her arms as she barricaded the door frame with her body, “Lucy doesn’t want to talk to you Natsu.”

“Oh, come on!” He waved his arms exasperatedly. “You know I wouldn’t intentionally hurt her!”

“You don’t have to intend to hurt someone to still hurt them. Four years you’ve strung her along and when she finally pushed you for an answer, what did you do? Nothing! You literally stood there like a dead stick. That spoke volumes Natsu.”

Natsu’s body deflated. He knew she was right about everything, so he couldn’t fight it. Lucy and he had been together since junior year of high school, but even after four years, he just couldn’t bring himself to fully commit. Not saying he wasn’t loyal to Lucy, Natsu would never cheat on her. His problem was deeper and stemmed all the way back to childhood. As an adopted child, he always had a lingering fear of becoming unwanted, and that fear only intensified when his adoptive father died while he was still young. To Natsu, why love anyone when they might leave you in the end? So, when Lucy demanded to know exactly how he felt about her— he froze.

“You’re right…” Natsu sighed in defeat. “Lucy has every right to hate me because I haven’t been forthcoming about my feelings, but please, Levy, I’m begging you. I need to talk to her.” He’d thought a lot about everything in the two days she’d left the home they shared, and shed tears that were long overdue. Maybe yes, it would help if he went to counseling over his fears, but right now to lose Lucy would send him to a place he really didn’t want to go.

It was time to confront the pain or lose the best thing to ever enter his life no matter what came with it.

Natsu took a step forward with his hands clasped in front of him in a begging manner. “Lucy deserves to hear an apology from me, and I’m ready to give her one.”

Levy sighed… “I don’t know…”

“Please, just one chance, that’s all I’m asking for, and if she never wants to see me again, I’ll leave quietly.”

“Alright, fine. But I swear Dragneel, if you hurt my best friend again, you won’t just leave quietly,” Levy’s brows narrowed menacingly— “I’ll make sure no one finds your body.”

To think this tiny woman could evoke so much fear! It sent a shiver down Natsu’s spine because he believed every word. He held up his hands in a white flag gesture. “I won’t.”

At that moment, Levy simply nodded, then turned and shut the front door again, leaving Natsu alone on the front steps to wait. He could hear a lot of hushed back and forth voices, but nothing he could understand. Several agonizing minutes passed by as droning negative voices tortured his mind, and he began to unconsciously pace. ‘Was Lucy just too angry? She’s probably too angry. Of course, she was angry. She’s not gonna wanna talk. It was too late to fix this. They were over. Lucy’s never gonna take me back and I deserve it. I don’t deserve her…’ Natsu cradled his head. ‘You blew it man. You—’

His head whipped around instantly at the sound of the door opening, certain it would be Levy telling him Lucy would come out— But it wasn’t her.

“L-Lucy?” The pain in his hidden heart was nothing compared to pain she wore emblazoned on her face. Lucy’s eyes were bloodshot, skin muddled and worn as if she’d been crying for hours, and the light in her normally bright brown eyes were dulled and lifeless. This was all his fault.

Natsu dropped to his knees at the sight of the woman. “I’m sorry… I’m so, sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen!”

“Sorry won’t cut it anymore.” Lucy spat back and wrapped her arms around her body in protection mode. “You always say sorry, but nothing changed, and I— I can’t keep waiting on you Natsu.”

“I know, but—”

“No, you don’t know,” the level of anger in her voice was starting to raise. “There’s obviously something you’re hiding from me! Something that you need to figure out for yourself, and unless you come clean right here, right now, it’s—” Lucy’s voice cracked, almost unwilling to finish. “Then it’s over Natsu.”

Natsu hung his head at those stinging words. “You’re right. I haven’t told you everything because I was afraid.”

“Of what?” Her eyebrow raised.

He let out a long, centering exhale and his broken voice grew quiet. “I think I’m in love with you, and that scares the crap out of me”

“You think?!” Lucy’s arms flailed and eyes flashed with the biggest sign of life. “What do you mean you think?! After four years you should know by now and why the hell would it scare you so badly?!”

“Because everyone I loved always left me! First my birth parents, then my adoptive dad.” Natsu sank back onto his haunches. “After that, I told myself not to let anyone in. It’s why I was afraid to admit I love you too.”

Lucy sighed. “Natsu—” she knelt down and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I wish you would have just been honest with me, because I understand how much it hurts to lose someone close to you.”

“You’re right…”

“And it’s very scary to realize you love someone. I was scared when I started to feel that way about you…”

Natsu looked up in surprise. “You were?”

“You big idiot,” Lucy cracked a small smile. “Of course, I was! That’s why it hurt so much when you couldn’t say it back.”

“I’m so, sorry Lucy!” Natsu grabbed her hands and held them close. “I know I was an idiot, but I can change. Please come home, I miss you!”

Lucy frowned slightly. “How do you know that? You’re saying what I want to hear now, but how do I know you won’t shut me out or freak out the next time we have an argument?”

“I know I can, because losing you over these two days was worse than any fear I’d ever experienced before.” Natsu shuddered at the thought. “I never wanna go through that again...” He squeezed her hands. “I love you— I’ll shout it to the world how much I love you Lucy Heartfilia! I’m not afraid anymore.”

[beautifully-vain]

One-Sided

Ao3

Chapter 6

<Ch. 5, First Ch.

After so much time and anticipating, the next chapter of One-Sided is here!!! Please let me know what you think of it! Enjoy!

Lucy couldn’t help but get excited about her date with Natsu. She’d get to know him and see what he could bring to the table. She knew he was capable of being a gentleman, hero, and an asshole, but which one was the real him? For her own selfish ambitions, she really hoped he’d be an asshole.

Levy was curling Lucy’s hair into tight little ringlet curls before she raked her finger through them to give her hair a beach wave look. Her makeup was done to perfection. She went for a casual look with baby pink lipstick to complete her face.

“Where is he even taking you?” Levy asked as she finished the last few strands of Lucy’s hair.

“Not really sure. That’s why I’m not dressing up too much.” Lucy replied fixing her top. She sported a flowing white sleeveless top that she added a black leather jacket with white sleeves to give it a classier look. She wore a pair of black skinny jeans and finished the outfit off with a pair white low-top converse and some diamond earrings that belonged to her mother. If this didn’t get Natsu’s attention to stick around, Lucy would give up altogether.

“I think you can dress this up or down depending on the place, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, you’re right. You look great Lucy.”

“Thanks Levy. I love my hair by the way thank you so much for doing it.” Lucy reached out to hug her roommate who gladly returned her affection.

“Now since I’m ready, tell me why everything about Natsu ‘screams run’ like you put it,” she asked giggling.

Levy grew quiet for a second, like she was deep in thought. “I just remember all the times Gajeel would call or text me angry about something Natsu had done or was doing. It never affected him, just annoyed the hell out of him. I don’t think they got along that well. Gajeel used to live at the house we went to last night and Natsu lived in the room next to his. He’d always complain about what girls he had over and the pranks he’d pull to get people’s attention. After he moved out, the complaining stopped for the most part. But after every party he would have something to say about what or who Natsu had done. At a certain point, I got tired of his complaining and I told him enough was enough and he’s held his tongue ever since.”

Lucy pondered this. She could find any partying fuckboy anywhere, but something in her felt that there was something different about Natsu because of how he carried himself. There was an air of command around, that made people both respectful and wary of him.

“Just be careful. I don’t know his backstory, but from what I’ve heard, he’s bad news.”

“Is that from other people or just Gajeel?” Lucy giggled.

“Surprisingly, other people. And they all say the same thing – ‘don’t get involved’, they sound like parents being honest. How bad can the guy be? And how has he not been expelled or arrested yet, right?” The girls burst into a fit a of laughter then there was a knock at the door.

Lucy was almost giddy with excitement. She quickly answered the door and saw Natsu in a pair of ripped jeans, a black shirt and the same scarf he had on the night before. He looked Lucy up and down and smiled at her.

“You look nice.” He said kindly. Lucy blushed.

“Thank you. You do too.”

“Ready to go? The restaurant will charge my card if we don’t show up in time for the reservation.”

Reservation? How nice was this date supposed to be? Lucy didn’t try to think about it.

“I’m fucking with you, we do need to leave though. I don’t wanna get stuck in traffic on our way there.” He said chuckling.

Lucy nodded and followed Natsu out of the dorm, receiving dirty looks and heard terrible whispers about her choice of date. She smiled to herself happy to know that just spending time with him would ruin her reputation.

“Look everyone! Natsu’s got a new play thing! Shall we start taking bets now on how long this one will last?” shouted one of the girls in the lounge of the dorm. The words stung, but Lucy just rolled her eyes and kept walking.

“Mad it’s not you even after I let you suck my cock?” Natsu grinned apparently knowing who the girl was.

“Fuck you Dragneel!” she shouted at him with disgust.

“You did, don’t you remember?” he laughed wrapping his arm around Lucy and pulling her close. “I’m really sorry about that. It sorta comes with the territory. You don’t deserve this though.” He whispered into her hair, sending heat through her body.

“They’re just words from people who don’t matter. It’s fine.” It was something that she had been telling herself for years when people would talk about her and her family situation. She had taught herself to at least try not to care about what people said about her. Unfortunately, the pain of the words still stung her heart.

“We’ll have a good time and you’ll forget all about them and your problems. Sound like a plan?” he asked smirking.

“Sure, why not?” she giggled as he walked her to his car.

In the parking lot, Lucy was hoping to see a badass motorcycle or something of that cliché nature. Instead, she was met with a fiery red Camaro. Natsu unlocked it and led Lucy to the passenger side. He opened the door and smiled at her as she got into the car. He felt incredibly nervous because he needed to be on his best behavior, but he wanted to take her in the back seat and get her to scream his name while she came all over his dick. He checked his phone before he got in the car and saw a message from Lisanna.

“I’m not even with you right now, but you need to behave! This is Lucy fucking Heartfilia you're taking on a date.”

He rolled his eyes at the message and quickly typed his reply.

“I want to fuck Lucy Heartfilia Lisanna!” He put his phone on Do Not Disturb and got in the car with Lucy.

“So…” Lucy started.

“Before you ask me where we’re going, don’t. Just relax and enjoy. You won't be disappointed.”

“Okay.” She said feeling scared and excited all at once. She was more anxious to find out what tonight had in store for her and the kind a man Natsu would be.

The calm silence was interrupted by Natsu’s phone ringing. It annoyed Lucy but it also reminded her that she probably wasn’t the only girl he would take out.

“Yes Lisanna?”

Lisanna? Lucy knew that name, she just couldn’t remember who the girl was especially since the name Lisanna wasn’t on the list of the world’s most common girl names. She sat and strained to hear what was being said on the other end of the phone.

“Lisanna, I’m on a date right now. Please go bother Mira or Elfman.” He said obviously ignoring what Lisanna had said to him.

Of course, she knew who that was! Lisanna was Mirajane’s little sister who was probably a senior in high school by now. She was just as beautiful as Mira, but she never liked the popularity that came with her looks. Lucy remembered how Lisanna would intentionally not do her hair and makeup to make people leave her alone. Eventually the effort – or lack thereof – finally paid off and she was just like everyone else.

“Don’t you have homework? It’s a school day tomorrow, right? Lisa I’ll entertain you later, but big kids are busy. I’m gonna hang up now. Make good grades and behave!” She shouted something on the other end of the phone as he ended the call. Lucy raised her eyebrow at Natsu urging an explanation.

“She’s a friend of mine. You probably don’t know her. Trust me, we’re just friends.”

“I mean, I hope you're just friends since she’s still in high school. Unless you roll like that.” Lucy said off-handedly.

“Wait, how’d you know that?!” Natsu was shocked.

“I went to the same school as them. Actually, Elfman and I were in the same class.”

Natsu was still shocked about the news that he had just heard. Did that mean we would have to watch his back for Mira and Elfman even more than before?

“Were you all friends or something?” he asked casually.

“No, we just went to the same school. I knew more of them than I actually knew them.”

Natsu was so relieved to hear that and was glad to be at their destination. When he told Lucy, they might be late for a reservation, he wasn’t joking even though he told her he was. The look on her face was slight horror when he mentioned it so he wanted to play it off and still somehow surprise her. He was hoping she wouldn’t hate the place he chose. Well, Lisanna convinced him to pick the place. It had a semiformal dress code, menu items he couldn’t pronounce, and prices that he had to use the credit card he swore to himself that he’d never use. To put it simply, he hated the place already so Lucy better enjoy the damn restaurant.

He parked in the best place he could find and like a gentleman, got exited the car to get the door for his beautiful date. He gauged her reaction to the setting of the date and he was a bit confused. She almost looked like she was about to cry, and not the good kind. Had he completely fucked everything up by listening to Lisanna?! He was starting to become agitated with her response and he cleared his throat hoping that she would say something that would lead him to believe that he didn’t just waste his time and possible money.

“Natsu, w-where did you hear about this place?” Lucy asked in a daze.

“Lisanna told me about it. Why?” His response was curt and she felt slight joy in his behavior, but she was bothered that his tone was spoiling her complete and utter joy.

“It’s nothing. Are we gonna head inside? You did say you didn’t wanna be late for the reservation, didn’t you?” she smiled sweetly at him while taking his hand.

What Lucy wasn’t going to tell Natsu was that she would fall into bed with him just for bringing her to this very place. This restaurant wasn’t just some upscale pompous rich people restaurant, not to Lucy anyway. This place was her mother’s favorite when she was alive. Lucy remembered the many times that her mother would beg her father to take the three of them as a family for dinner. She began to remember one specific time that her mother had lied to her father about forgetting their anniversary just to take her there. Lucy could still hear the fake weeping her mother was doing while Lucy sat in the room playing with her doll. If she thought hard enough, she could even hear her father’s laugh, a deep throaty laugh that would warm the worst of moods, when he realized that he had been fooled by his wife.

“Layla, I rushed over as soon as the maids told me! How could I have forgotten one of the absolute best days of my life?”

“You didn’t Jude, but you did make me a promise to drop everything you were doing if I ever called for you. That wasn’t that case last time so I decided to get back at you Jude! By the way dear, when is our anniversary?”

Lucy remembered her father’s laugh echoing in the room as he lifted her mother and kissed her lovingly. Lucy knew that technique oh too well especially after her mother passed. He never answered the question, he only replied with gifts or affection. Nevertheless, he brought the family to the restaurant and they had a lovely evening.

“Lucy!” Natsu whispered sharply.

“What?!” she snapped sharply, drawing unwanted attention from other patrons of the restaurant.

“I was going to ask you if there was anything that you were interested in, but your thoughts seem to be elsewhere,” he said with a tight smile.

She glanced at the menu, but already knew what she was going to order.

“I’ll get the Asiago Chicken Pasta cooked witch red peppers instead of the sun-dried tomatoes and I’ll have a glass of Bramito del Cervo. What about you Natsu?”

He was dumbfounded by her response.

“Have you been here before?”

“A few times, is that a bad thing?”

“I was hoping that it would be your first time being here.” He said still trying to figure out what the fuck she said she was going to order.

“To be impressed when you ordered something off the fancy Italian menu? Natsu, if Lisanna is your friend she already told you that I have money. I’m sorry to disappoint but it’ll take more than this to blow me away.” She quickly realized that her words made hers sound as arrogant and pompous as the regulars the restaurant.

“But I’m very happy you brought me here. It’s a very impor–” she was cut off by someone calling her name.

It was some of her father’s associates. She’d known them her whole life. Who she didn’t know was the women she saw the two men with. No doubt they were their mistresses and the men were absolutely shameless to bring those women here knowing that they’re regulars at the dining establishment with their wives. Lucy was completely disgusted with them.

“Oh my, Lucy, how you’ve grown! It’s hard to believe you're in college already,” one said while placing a suggestive hand on her shoulder.

“Jude was just talking about how proud he was of you. I bet your mother is smiling down at you right now.” The other said patting her head innocently.

Lucy rolled her eyes at the two men in annoyance. She knew the only reason they approached her was to make her keep quiet about who they had come with. The one with the hand of her shoulder was making her uncomfortable. Ever since she was young, he would always watch her, but he wouldn’t dare try anything. Lucy knew that he would just be waiting for her in the wings until she become of age to try something then belittle and berate her when she would try to speak out about it. Flashes of the bathroom come to mind and she slightly flinches.

Natsu cleared his throat at the three of them.

“Excuse me, but the two of us were trying to enjoy our evening out. Is there any way that it could remain that way? I’m sure you two gentlemen have your dates to entertain as well.” He said with a tight calm tone.

“And who exactly are you?”

“I’m Lucy’s date. Unlike the two of you, I don’t have a woman at home wasting her worry on me while I’m just out fucking some lowlife whores that will do anything for attention. So, you can either leave now and act like you never saw us, or your wives will receive a phone call giving them anonymous tips about your affairs. Trust me, they’re already suspicious of you so they’ve believe me that you're having affairs. All in all, it’s your choice.” Natsu said with a sickly-sweet smile. Lucy’s blood ran cold with that look.

The men were at a loss for words as they angrily left with their dates, but not without shooting Natsu a dirty look. He let out an annoyed sigh.

“Lucy, I gotta tell ya, if the food isn’t as good as the names make it look, I’ll lose my shit.” He said with the same smile he gave her father’s colleagues but there was mischievous look in his eye.

“I promise most of it is. You have to know what to order.” She giggled while pointing out things on the menu that she enjoyed.

“Miss Heartfilia, it’s nice to see you. Shall I place an order for your usual?” asked the handsome waiter.

“No, I’ll order what my mother always got.” She said with a sad smile.

“Yes ma’am. And for you sir?”

Natsu struggled to pick what he wanted when Lucy reached over and pointed to one of the menu items that she thought he might like.

“He’ll have my father’s usual order.” She said to the waiter.

“Of course. Your food will be out in a moment.” He said walking away.

“Hey Lucy, does that man always touch you like that?” Natsu asked casually.

Lucy didn’t answer right away as flashes of last night. She didn’t want to ruin the night with her own personal issue, she also didn’t want Natsu to know all that much of her personal life.

“No, that was the first time it ever happened. It’s nothing to worry about. Anyway, how did you know those women weren’t their wives?”

“You didn’t recognize them and they didn’t wanna look you in the eye.”

Lucy was amazed by his observation skills. Their food arrived and they enjoyed their meal in comfortable silence as Lucy tried not to get too emotional over the meal she was eating. It was the meal her mother adored when she came to the restaurant. And she adored it just as much her.

The rest of the evening went on very uneventful and that slightly disappointed her. Natsu was still a gentleman and he even refused to answer his phone while he drove her home. When they got back to the dorm, he walked her through the lobby again only this time this girls that were heckling Lucy were silently sneering at the two of them. One girl was a childish enough to trip Lucy, Natsu quickly caught her and gave the girl a dirty look.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine,” Lucy said with an indifferent face.

They got to the door of her room and Natsu was starting to get uncomfortable because everything in him wanted to take her back to his house and fool around with her.

“I hope you had a good time tonight.” Natsu said nervously.

“I did Natsu. Thank you so much.” She said kissing him on the cheek.

Before she could pull away, Natsu grabbed her face and his lips met hers.

[serinity-love-child]

Me: hey here is my first chapter for my book guys:

The title is called:

The New Friend

Hey, I just want to let everyone know that this is my first book I do not own any of the Fairy Tail characters in this book. I Do Not Own Any of the Fairy Tail Pictures, Videos or Soundtracks. Please understand that this story just popped into my head and I had to write it down. I really hope that you enjoy it as much as I do. This will be the only time I interrupt this story so I want to be clear. That I don't own any of this even though it is my version of NaLu stories I want NO credits.

Thank you any other questions please post in the comments and I will reply when I see them. I should also like to tell you that this book contains violence and sexual graphics features do not read unless you are at least 15 years or older and you must have parental permission. Also, I have to say that all of this work belongs to Hiro Mashima as he is one of my favorite Authors!!! Okay, I can't find any good pics to use so those of you that know how to do it I would appreciate the drawings as it's not letting me. I would also like to say PLEASE DO NOT USE THE CHARACTER THAT I MADE: CLAIRA DRAGNEEL unless you ask for permission first. Thank you.

It was summertime at the Heartfilia's mansion, July 6th x 777 and young Lucy was playing with her doll Gazella. She was happily playing, her mother Layla was in the kitchen making her favorite snack, and her father Jude was in his study working hard on paperwork that needed to be done.

"Lucy, I got your favorite snack done, why don't you come inside? Layla said.

"Okay mom, I'm coming!" Lucy said with excitement.

Lucy loved her ice cream with banana slices and chocolate. When Lucy ran into the kitchen carrying Gazella, she noticed that her mother looked worried about something and that Mrs. Stelleto was not there so she asked, " mom, what is the matter and where is Mrs. Stelleto?"

Layla looked at her daughter's beautiful face and said: " nothing is wrong sweetheart and Mrs. Stelleto is running an errand for me."

"Oh," Lucy said as she devoured her ice cream.

Layla then said to Lucy " How about we take a nap? You will have friends coming over."Layla suggested.

This made Lucy very happy and she couldn't wait to see others her age so she agreed to take a nap.

While Layla laid on her bed she thought ' I wonder what is keeping Mrs. Stelleto? Did she find Aquarius's key yet?'

Layla was very worried and could not sleep so she got up and went to her own study. Giving a sigh she knew that without Aquarius's key that she would have to summon all of her power to open the gate of time she was saddened at the thought.

It had to be tonight just after midnight she was after all a celestial wizard.

Lucy woke up excited, she could not wait until tonight. I wonder how mom will get these kids to come over' she thought to herself and went to find her mother. 'Father is too busy working' and she missed the old times when her father would join them for supper.

Lucy found her mother in her study reading a book she caught the title upon a starry night and looked at her mom and said: "That is one of my favorite books!"

Layla glanced up at her daughter and smiled then said it was one of her favorites as well.

After reading for several hours Layla glanced at the clock and noticed that it was 10:30 pm and she began to worry more 'where on earth is Mrs. Stelleto? Has she found Aquarius yet? Oh boy I'm going to have to sacrifice myself' she thought as she looked at her beautiful daughter, Layla sat at her desk while Lucy was distracted and began to write a letter... this is what Layla wrote:

To my dear daughter, Lucy

I'm sorry that I'm no longer around for you, know that I will always be with you no matter what happens. I pray that you have found your friends and that you have found the one you are to marry, I know your father will try to force you into a marriage that is not for you. The one that is supposed to be with you will probably be your best friend and teammate and that is good he will be the one to protect you no matter what...

I would also like to tell you that like me you are a celestial wizard. I will leave you Aquarius's key she will help you on your journey through life. Be kind to her.

You will always be my princess.

Love,

Your mother

Lady Layla Heartfilia

After Layla had finished the letter, she stuck it into a white envelope with Lucy's name on the front. Layla glanced at the clock again which read 11:00 pm and there was still no sign of Mrs. Stelleto, Layla sighed.

Lucy had gone to her room to play with Gazella she was so excited that she was going to have new friends to play with soon.

' oh, where is Mrs. Stelleto is she having issues with getting Aquarius? We really should have the key by now and time is growing close' Layla thought.

Then her husband Jude knocked on her study door. "Layla dear may I come in?" He asked.

"Of course dear," Layla replied.

As Jude entered the room, he smiled and said: "Dear, I just wanted to tell you that I will be turning in for the night, it's been a long day filing those papers."

"Okay, sweetheart, I will join you in an hour or so I still have a few things to do," Layla said.

Giving Layla a kiss Jude left the bedroom.

Layla kept an eye on the time at exactly 12:01 am Layla used all of her strength to summon her power to make the door of time open. Five small bright lights floated out of the gate making Layla back up then they shot out in five different ways.

Then a younger version of Layla stepped out of the door with a young girl attached to her skirt. The young girl had Salmon colored hair, onyx-colored eyes, a red and golden dress and a sash from her right shoulder to her left hip, she was around Lucy's age.

Layla stared for a moment. "Oh, how rude of me, my name is Anna Heartfilia and this is Princess Claira Dragneel." Anna proclaimed.

Layla smiled.

"Thank you, Layla, for doing this it must have been really rough on you," Anna said.

"Claira, Lucy is upstairs in her room it's the second door on the right why not go say hello and play for a bit?" Layla said.

Claira smiled and left the room to leave Anna and Layla to talk.

"I should tell you about Claira," Anna said.

Layla was puzzled. "Is there anything wrong with her?"

"No, but her twin brother is Natsu Dragneel, they are both Dragon Slayers as they were raised by the dragon king Igneel, however, Claira has the second ability, she is a time wizard and can go back and even to the future," Anna explained.

"That is very interesting," said Layla.

Then Layla began to feel dizzy and started to collapse, Anna caught her before she fell and was really worried. "You overdid it just to bring us here. Anna whispered.

Just then Mrs. Stelleto ran into the room "I have the key Lady Layla..." Mrs. Stelleto froze as she saw Anna holding and unconscious Layla...

"LAYLA," Mrs. Stelleto yelled. "Why could you not wait for me to return?" Mrs. Stelleto covered her face and began to cry.

"Do you have somewhere I could lay her down?" Anna asked.

Mrs. Stelleto nodded her head and said: "there is a bedroom just down this hall."

Anna carried Layla to the bedroom and laid her on the bed while Mrs. Stelleto sat in the nearby chair and waited for Layla to awake.

-----------------------------------------------------------

This Chapter and Book was created by: Melinda Schwemm aka. Claira Bartholomew

[prettylittleheartfilia]

Day 2: Mischief

Word Count: 2,056

Rating: T (?)

Ninth period. The last one of the day, and the one Lucy hated the most. Well, hate is a strong word. However, it certainly wasn’t fun having to sit next to your year-long crush who didn’t even know about your existence.

It was her fault, really. If only she would’ve talked to him. It really wasn’t that hard. All she needed to do was turn her head to the right and introduce herself. Hi, I’m Lucy Heartfilia. Nice to meet you! And then they would talk and discover just how much they have in common, and they would fall in love and get married. See? Easy.

Except… he was the Natsu Dragneel. She could never go up to him and start a casual conversation! He was one of the cool kids. The type that everyone knew and everyone liked. The class clown. The jock. The hot guy. Everything Lucy was not.

Albeit she had a decent amount of friends, she was known as shy, and quiet. The type that people would go to for “help” on the test. The teacher’s pet. The bookworm. She didn’t believe someone as gregarious and confident as Natsu could ever be interested in someone as boring as her.

Which is why she was so shocked when she felt him put his hand on her shoulder to gain her attention.

“Hey.” He whispered. Lucy was speechless. She tried to play it cool, but was pretty sure she was failing. He had never talked to her in the entirety of the school year, unless they had to do a lab together. And even then, their conversations were short and strictly about the assignment. “Isn’t it stupid that we still have to do labs in the last week of school?”

Lucy chuckled nervously. “I guess.”

“My friend Gray told me they aren’t doing anything in Ms. Strauss’ class.” Gray Fullbuster. Natsu’s… best friend? Truthfully, Lucy wasn’t sure. They were always together but they always seemed to be yelling insults at each other. Juvia, one of her best friends, constantly tried, but failed, to flirt with him. Lucy admired her determination, and wished she had a bit of it herself. “But we had to be stuck with Mr. Dreyar” Natsu murmured. He and Mr. Dreyar were not the best of friends. Natsu was the class clown, always getting in trouble and never taking anything seriously. At least, those were Mr. Dreyar’s words, ones he repeated almost every day.

“Call it senioritis, but I don’t want to be here, and I have a way of getting us out of here. If you want to, of course.” He finished.

Lucy didn’t know how to respond. She was never one to cause problems. If anything, Mr. Dreyar always trusted her to solve the problems other students would cause. But, Natsu Dragneel wanted to skip class with her. When will an opportunity like this ever arise again?

“Ok.” She let out a shuddering breath. “What do you have in mind?”

He smirked mischievously. “Pass me that test tube.” He pointed to one of the test tubes standing on the test tube rack on her side of the desk.

“But that’s—”

“I know what it is. Just trust me, ‘kay?” And how could Lucy refuse when he looked at her with those dark green eyes and that cute little smirk? “Before I do the honors…” Natsu pinched Lucy’s nose to prepare her for what was to come, and Lucy hesitantly did the same to him, her cheeks painted with a dust of pink.

With his one available hand, he poured the contents of the test tube in the flask. It only took about two seconds before the chemical reacted with the substance already in the flask, instantly rising up and flooding the science classroom with an overwhelmingly bad odor.

Everyone started running out of the class, coughing and covering their noses with their lab coats, including Mr. Dreyar, who ran out of the class with his face cringed in disgust. The culprits weren’t far behind; Natsu grabbed Lucy’s hand and ran with her out of the classroom. Perhaps she was being delirious because of the smell, but she could swear she felt a spark the moment his hand came in contact with hers.

Everyone ran out to the end of the hallway, as far away from their classroom as possible, and once her adrenaline had died down, Lucy couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Natsu was startled by the sound, but soon after he accompanied her.

“That was the most exciting thing I think I’ve ever done… and all I did was hand you a test tube!”

“Really? You’re such a goody two shoes, I might need to corrupt you a little bit.” He winked teasingly, and Lucy felt her entire face heat up.

“You.” Their little bubble of joy was bursted by the growling of their teacher. “Natsu Dragneel. I can’t say I didn’t expect this from you, but Lucy?”

The aforementioned let her head fall forward in shame.

“Lucy didn’t have anything to do with this. I’m the one to blame.” Lucy looked up with wide eyes, taken aback by Natsu’s declaration. She would be lying if she said it didn’t make little butterflies flutter in her stomach.

“No. I helped him, Mr. Dreyar. I’m sorry.” Natsu opened his mouth, about to protest, but was interrupted by the blonde. “I’m ready to take responsibility for my actions.”

The young teacher looked at them sternly. “Very well. If both of you are so willing to take the blame, then I hope you won’t mind coming back after school to clean up the science lab.”

“But today is the wrestling team party. I can’t miss that! Can we just get detention tomorrow?” Whined Natsu.

“You should’ve thought of that before stinking up my working space. I’ll see you both at three.” With that, Mr. Dreyar headed downstairs, probably to discuss the matter at hand with the principal, who also happened to be his grandfather.

“I’m sorry, Lucy.”

“No, it’s okay. I’ve never gotten detention before, I wonder what it’s like.” If she was being honest, the idea of spending the afternoon alone with Natsu didn’t seem like such a bad thing.

****

“Here are your utensils.” Mr. Dreyar put down two buckets full of water, and handed each of them a toothbrush.

“Toothbrushes? You expect us to clean all of this with toothbrushes!? Is that even legal?”

“And I better be able to see my reflection on the floor after you’re done. I’ll be in the class next door with Ms. Strauss if you need anything.”

“This is child abuse!” Yelled Natsu as the chemistry teacher headed out.

“I’m sorry, Lucy. If you want you can go and I’ll take care of this.” He turned to the blonde with an apologetic smile.

“No! Really, Natsu, don’t worry about it. This could be… fun.” She stated sheepishly.

Natsu showed her a lopsided grin. Just like that, they started working, scrubbing all the desks and windows with the toothbrushes. After a few minutes of silence where Lucy tried to build up the courage to start a conversation, she heard music from the other side of the room, where Natsu was cleaning one of the windows.

“I love that song.” Lucy said before she could stop herself.

“Me too. I’m actually trying to learn it on the guitar.”

“Really? I didn’t know you played guitar… or that you liked 5 Seconds Of Summer.” She smirked.

“I like Amnesia, and a couple other songs I’ve heard.” He scratched the back of his neck, as if embarrassed to admit he liked the band. “And yes, I play the guitar. You would know if you actually talked to me.”

The comment was meant to be a lighthearted joke, but Lucy frowned, unbeknownst to Natsu. It was true. If only Lucy wouldn’t have been so wrapped up in her own head, she would’ve gotten to know her crush better— be friends with him at least. Now, they’re three days away from graduation and this is the first time they had actually talked.

They cleaned in silence for a few minutes, listening to Natsu’s playlist until an ad interrupted the music.

“This is boring.” Natsu drawled, startling Lucy slightly. “Can we take a break?”

“We’ve only been cleaning for like twenty minutes.” The girl smiled. It amused her how energetic Natsu was.

“Still.” He shrugged. “Let’s play a game or somethin’.”

“What game?”

“I don’t know…” He pondered for a few seconds, before an imaginary lightbulb turned on above his head. “What about truth or dare?”

“I don’t know… I don’t really like that game.”

“C’mon, Luce! Live a little! I promise I won’t make you do anything that could get you in trouble.”

Lucy was surprised by the nickname, but she didn’t mind. After thinking about it for a bit and looking at his cute little face she sighed. “Fine.” It was just a game of truth or dare with her year-long crush. Alone. No big deal.

Natsu grinned from ear to ear and Lucy thought she might melt for a second.

***

“Truth or dare?” Natsu grumbled from the corner of the classroom. Lucy had dared him to sit still in that corner for three rounds, which was almost impossible for someone as rambunctious as him. The game had gone on for way longer than anticipated, and they were getting more and more comfortable with each other as time went on.

“Truth.”

“Who’s your crush?” Lucy could swear she saw a dust of pink on his cheeks as he asked the question. A color that was more than likely also covering her face at the moment.

“No one.”

“Really? No one at all?”

“Nope.” Lucy was a bad liar, she knew it, but she still tried her best to hide her true feelings. “Truth or dare?” She added before he could question her any further.

“Considering I can’t do any dares while I’m sitting here: truth.”

She already knew what she wanted to ask. In fact, she had wondered about this for a very long time. It’s now or never, Lucy thought as she exhaled.

“Same question for you… do you like someone?” Lucy looked down while answering the question, scared of the answer.

“I do.” At this, Lucy looked up, trying to conceal her disappointment. “I think you know her. She’s short, blonde, really pretty, like gorgeous. She’s kind of weird, though. I mean, we’ve been lab partners for the whole year and she’s never even said ‘hi’ to me unless I say it first. But she’s very smart, and I like how she blushes at every little thing.” Natsu grinned, and Lucy blushed. “She also has big brown eyes. They’re pretty. Like her. She’s really pretty. Did I say that already?”

The blonde kept looking at the floor with wide eyes. Could it be that all this time, Natsu actually liked her too? It seemed impossible but, it was true. She couldn’t look up. She felt as if she looked up, she would see a mischievous glint in his eyes or something that would give away the fact that he was only joking, messing with her and with her feelings. But… Natsu wouldn’t do that. As much of a trouble maker as he was, Natsu was kind, and cared about other people. She knew it in her heart. So, Lucy looked up. She saw Natsu looking down at the floor, his face almost matching the color of his hair, with an expression of… disappointment? Fear? Regret? All of the above?

“Really?” Lucy let out in a tone that was barely above a whisper.

Natsu flinched, as if he had forgotten where he was for a moment. He looked at his lab partner and smiled softly. “Yeah. Figured I’d tell you before graduation.”

“I… I like you too.” Her face felt as if it was burning. Natsu’s smile widened as he looked into her eyes. “We should finish up.”

The pink-haired boy’s smile instantly fell.

“I forgot we had to finish cleaning.” He groaned.

“You got us into this mess with your mischief, mister. Assume the consequences.” Said the blonde with a firm voice, though her smirk gave away the fact she was only teasing.

Natsu grinned lopsidedly. “And I don’t regret any of it.”

[impracticaldemon]

Nalu Fluff Week 2017 Within the Law Chapter 3: Lawful Tresspass

fanfiction by impracticaldemon

Author's Note:

This is the final chapter for Within the Law. This chapter is packed with flirtation, love, lust, raw emotion and thwarted need. Also, legal terms.

Hope it's fun!   ~Impracticaldemon

Lawful Trespass Prompts: Texting; Fairy Tales (at least in concept if not final design)

Lucy's interview with Makarov & Vermilion—the law firm also known as Fairy Tail—had been on the Wednesday. When she'd gotten home that evening, she'd had no difficulty avoiding questions, since her father was at work, as usual, and the servants were all very much on her side and knew where she'd been. Not that they had a huge staff, but even four people seemed like an awful lot for a family of two adults and no small children.

That night, after eating a solitary dinner while trying to catch up on some reading for class, Lucy couldn't seem to focus on anything. The people at Fairy Tail had fully caught her attention, and they were far more interesting than what she was studying. She finally left her Trusts text book open at "constructive trusts"—the case law seemed to be all over the map, as the courts had gotten especially creative with this one—and threw herself down on her bed to stare at her comms lacrima.

You were speaking with him four hours ago. What on earth is wrong with you?

It was strange—she felt like she was fourteen crushing on a guy two grades up, not a competent young woman of twenty-three with one university degree already behind her. Her eyes traced a familiar pattern above her. When she was much younger, she and her mother had painted the stars making up the constellations of the Zodiac on her ceiling in phosphorescent paint. Lucy couldn't actually make out much right now, since she had lights on, but it didn't matter—she knew them all by heart.

The lacrima in her hands chimed, indicating a text message. Her eyes went wide when she saw the sender: Grand Moff Dragneel. She snickered at the name, but her stomach did an odd kind of squeeze-hop.

)Hey there! )Did you make it home okay? )So are you there or what?

Lucy scrambled to sit up and send back a quick affirmative.

)Great! Look there's something I've got to tell you. )Erza and Gray both reminded me. )Forgot you didn't know. Anyway I'm here now can I come in?

Lucy stared at the last few words.

)Lucy? Back window seemed best.

She ran to one of her two bedroom windows and looked out—and down. Now-familiar cotton-candy hair looked almost white in the intermittent light of the moon. Natsu raised an arm and waved. Lucy unbolted and opened the window. Then she shook her head and raised her lacrima in order to send another text.

)Natsu what are—

She never got to send her text. Somehow—she had no idea how—Natsu quickly scrambled up the fieldstone exterior of the house and swung himself in the window. He grinned at her as though guys climbed thirty-foot walls like that all the time.

"Hey cool—nice room!"

Lucy backed away slowly, lacrima clutched tightly in one hand.

"Natsu. What the hell?"

Something in the way she said his name got through to him. He stopped moving and stood awkwardly just inside the window. Lucy examined him closely, but there was nothing especially weird about him. Cargo pants hugged his hips and then fell loosely to meet black canvas sandals—and how on earth had he climbed in those? His tight navy t-shirt outlined a muscular chest and showed off a flat, well-defined stomach and strong arms. I should be freaking out right now, not… staring wistfully.

Natsu scrubbed the back of his head. "Right, right, sorry. Yeah, um… okay. This isn't usually my thing, you know?"

"Which part?" Lucy asked dryly. "The vertical ascent—and possible unlawful entry—or something else?"

Her guest (or possible trespasser), laughed. "Hey yeah, I guess I should've asked if I could come in, huh?" He looked thoughtful for a moment. "You know, it's nice to meet somebody who knows the difference between unlawful trespass and break-and-enter. People watch way too many American cop shows."

"Technically, you could be charged with home invasion," Lucy replied, "since you knew I was here."

"Maybe," Natsu conceded, "but you'd have a hell of a time showing that I entered with any intention to commit an indictable offence—"

"We still haven't even established whether you broke in, let alone your reason for breaking in. I mean, I opened the window voluntarily when you announced your presence. Though I'd argue that I didn't expect you to be able to scale the wall, so it's not the same as opening a door."

"But—no, never mind. Anyway, isn't the whole home invasion thing more of a factor in sentencing—like, it aggravates the crime?"

Lucy considered briefly, but her knowledge of criminal law was starting to fail her. Still, her memory was exceptional, and they'd covered the topic at some length at the end of first year. Murder might be more exciting, but a future client was a lot more likely to be charged with assault, or break-and-enter.

"I think you're right. But you may still be unlawfully in a dwelling-house."

"Still requires intent to commit an offence."

"Presumption of intention of commit an offence goes along with the break and enter …or just being there unlawfully."

"Rebuttable."

"Oh for crying out loud, Natsu!"

"Oh?" The pink-haired man took a step further into the room and put his hands on his hips. "Does this mean that you're conceding the case, counsel?"

"Give me a break! First—no. Second—what case? Third—you specialize in corporate law, which we both know isn't nearly as exciting as it sounds! You're an expert on voting rights for minor shareholders, not some kind of, of pink-haired Perry Mason! When is the last time you even opened the Criminal Code?"

"In reverse order, Ms. Heartfilia," purred Natsu, eyes gleaming, "just last week; don't mock Perry Mason—even if he's at least fifty years out of date, fictional, and American; so what?; your case against me for breaking and entering (or maybe unlawful trespass with intent); and finally, where's your proof beyond a reasonable doubt?"

Lucy stamped her foot, torn between annoyance and growing amusement. "What case?!" Then she added quickly—because she was a sucker for a debate—"But just to make it clear: please leave immediately. Ha! Now, if you stay, you will clearly be unlawfully within this dwelling, since you have no right to be here. And that means that you are now presumed to be here with intent to commit an offence."

"Aw, Lucy, no fair!" Natsu hopped up onto the window sill. "It was just getting fun. Do you really want me to leave?"

Lucy shook her head, set down her lacrima, and gestured him back inside. Was that some kind of weird flirting or something? Because… it was fun and just very slightly sexy, which makes no sense. She pulled her desk chair around and sat down. "I'm still confused, so don't get too much closer unless I tell you it's okay. Why are you so up on basic criminal law anyway?"

Natsu looked slightly sheepish, but snagged a handsome leather pouffe and perched on top of it like a very unusual Little Miss Muffett (though not one who would be afraid of spiders, and minus the curds and whey). "I'd rather not go into that right now," he said loftily.

Lucy rolled her eyes. "Is this the part where I say 'Curiouser and curiouser?'"

"Um, give me a minute." Natsu frowned slightly.

"You know Perry Mason but not Alice in Wonderland?!"

"I was getting there!"

"So you and Gray are both into old-time detectives and mysteries? I mean—Poirot? Isn't that what you called Gray earlier? How many people know Agatha Christie these days?"

"The shows were pretty popular for a while," muttered Natsu. "Besides, it's obvious that you know them too."

Lucy sighed. "I read… a lot." She wanted to ask, What's your excuse? Hot young lawyers don't sit at home reading the classics—do they?

Natsu had obviously lost track of the conversation. He was staring at a display case. "Wow… is that a—"

"Yes."

"Signed?"

"The card is. By George Lucas and Mark Hamill."

"You have an original, signed light-saber? I thought that was impossible!"

Lucy shifted uncomfortably. Her father was very, very wealthy. It had been an amazing gift, and she did treasure it—but she'd wanted something from Carrie Fischer. Princess Leia had been her idol, even though the original Star Wars movies had first aired long before Lucy was born. However, she was pretty sure that her father had delegated the purchase of a suitable eighteenth birthday present to one of his staff. She couldn't blame whoever it was for not knowing her very well, given their boss' temper when it came to "fraternizing" with his daughter. Besides, it was a light saber. Her father probably would have chosen jewelry.

"Just lucky I guess," she temporized.

Natsu started to look around the room with more interest than he had before. When he started skimming her book titles, she cleared her throat.

"Natsu—did you really come here to discuss Star Wars?"

"I would have if I'd known!"

"… Really not the point."

"Oh right." He turned and gave her a serious look. "Um, this is going to sound weird, okay? But Erza—"

"—and Gray—" murmured Lucy, remembering his original texts.

"—thought you might wonder."

This was getting annoying. "Natsu, spit it out. Is the firm a front for drug smuggling? Money laundering? Arms peddling? Cheating the tax system—well, any more than most?"

Natsu's eyes grew wider and rounder with each preposterous solution. "No! Of course not! And my clients know that although I set up, um, tax-efficient corporate structures, I'll never get them into tax avoidance problems, let alone tax evasion!" He paused, considering, and Lucy waited, her earlier annoyance having faded into a strong desire to giggle.

"The thing is," her odd visitor said slowly, "our clients find out pretty fast what we will and won't do. We're not afraid of a challenge, but if we think a client is screwing around with the law, then they become an ex-client pretty fast. Especially if they just want our firm's name on a few deals to make them look more like upstanding citizens. Anyway, not many people can stand up to Erza when she's mad." Natsu's grin suddenly returned. "She's had to deal with some pretty strange characters, but somehow we always keep our retainer, even when we cut them loose."

Lucy was intrigued. "You mean that when the drug dealers try to get M&V to set up a structure for their money laundering—or even for a legit deal just to get some credibility—you somehow find out who they are and send them packing? And keep the initial fee?"

"Well sure. Gray's gotta be good for something, even if he is a seriously nerdy guy."

"Says the man with a 'Type A' original release Star Wars poster," Lucy teased.

Natsu turned slightly pink, but laughed. "Well yeah, but Star Wars is cool, right? Gray's into computers and gaming and stuff."

"I've been known to play video games," Lucy told him haughtily.

"Okay, but I'll bet you play stuff like MarioKart and maybe some Legend of Zelda—you seem like you'd be into Link, somehow."

Lucy reddened. "What do you mean, 'into'? Yes, I like MarioKart and yes I like Legend of Zelda—so what? They're good games. I used to play a lot of the Fire Emblem stuff too, for that matter. I haven't actually played much of anything lately though because of my—" Lucy stopped short. She'd almost told Natsu about her book. What was it about this guy? "...Because of my courses."

Natsu had been nodding affably. There he was, sitting cross-legged on something that looked like somebody had turned a Jigglypuff into a soft, round footstool—an awful thought, but then again, at least Natsu matched!—and, and… Lucy cursed her brain. Normally she could be calm and logical when presented with strange situations. But an attractive guy with pink hair sitting on her favourite pink pouffe and talking law with her—apparently she had an unknown weakness. When was the last time she'd wanted to kiss somebody?

"The point is," her weakness said at that moment, since she'd stopped talking, "that you like Nintendo. See? I had you pegged for a Nintendo girl."

"Ugh. It's dumb to generalize like that."

"Okay, fine, but hear me out. I'm not saying that Gray doesn't play Nintendo, because he does—there isn't much he doesn't play, because he's a competitive bastard."

"Whereas you would never play any of his favourite games just so you could beat him," Lucy slid in smoothly.

"Right—what?" Natsu looked completely taken aback, and then shook his head at her. "That was—"

"Slick? Accurate? A brilliant character analysis?"

"Stop i!" Natsu put his hands over his ears and pretended to pout. It didn't last long. "Fine, okay? Maybe. But—"

"Look, are you ever going to tell me what Erza said to tell me? Because, you know, school tomorrow and… stuff."

"My point is that Gray plays those online multiplayer games where you pick some dorky fantasy or sci-fi guy and go beat on people. I mean, that's geeky, am I right?"

Lucy crossed over to Natsu and sat down in front of him. She was going to pretend that she'd done it on purpose to scold him, but the truth was that it had been half-unconscious.

"Natsu," she said, looking up into his green-grey eyes with a serious expression. "Look me in the face and tell me that you don't play Overwatch. Tell me that you have never spent hours figuring out exactly how to beat whatever character Gray likes best." She leaned closer to him and raised her eyebrows. "Well? On your honour as somebody who has collected all of the key Star Wars miniatures and probably has the AT-AT sitting in his living room on an end table instead a bowl of fruit."

There was a noticeable flush of red high on Natsu's cheekbones.

"Wow," he said, "you're good. And of course I can beat Gray at his dumb online games—sometimes, anyway. Maybe not at League of Legends unless I'm lucky and he has a lousy team. But did you see how much money those guys make these days?"

"Yeah, even my father's taken an interest—strictly from the perspective of exploiting the heck out of it of course. But now I want to know two things. One, what are you here to tell me?!" Natsu winced, and Lucy realized she'd spoken rather loudly. "And two, when do you guys ever, you know, work?"

"Oh it all sorts itself out," said Natsu airily. "Besides Gray had to agree to a percent—" he stopped abruptly.

"A percentage? Of what?"

Natsu waved his hands a little frantically, "Um, I wasn't supposed to mention that. So, about why I came?"

"A percentage? Come on Natsu… I'll die of curiosity… He looks so serious but it turns out he has a stripping habit and can play League like a pro—wait, that's not it is it? And is the Law Society okay with it?"

Lucy felt Natsu's warm hands on either cheek, and he lowered his face toward hers. She almost forgot to breathe. Why am I okay with this?

"You're really amazing Lucy. I've known it for a while now."

"For… a while?"

"Yeah. For example," the green-grey eyes flickered to her desk. "I know that you write late into the night, after you put your law books away. I know that you're always kind to people, even when you're having a bad day. I know that you forgive people, even when they hurt you."

Lucy pulled away from Natsu hands. She felt a combination of angry and afraid and… very confused.

"Natsu, what the hell? And it had better be good, because you're freaking me out and I'm seriously contemplating calling the police."

"Right, right… I'm sorry! I have personal space issues, according to Erza."

"Some people call it stalking, Natsu."

"No, no! Nothing like that! Honest! Argh - wait!"

He seemed genuinely upset, so Lucy stayed where she was.

"Make it good. Don't mention Star Wars, books, or games …or Gray, unless he's the one who told you to spy on me."

"No, that was gramps."

"The senior partner of M&V—Makarov Dreyar? He got you to spy on me?"

"Yeah. Well, he did say we'd been keeping an eye on you, right? See, supposedly your mum used to be pretty involved with the firm and its founding members—like, a protégée of Makarov's, you know?"

"No… I didn't know." Another thing her father hadn't told her?

"Oh. Okay then. Well, she gave it all up to marry your dad. According to gramps, they really might have, you know, loved each other, but it really wasn't a great fit. Unfortunately, their families were all for it, especially his. I think there must have been something funny about the whole set-up, but gramps won't talk about it. All I know is that he had Gray keep an eye on the Heartfilia companies—well, once Gray knew how. I mean, not even the Ice Princess was born knowing how to dig up the goods on a multinational organization that has limited partnerships holding shell companies holding blind trusts."

"I take it he's good at it now?" Lucy asked the question just to be polite. She disliked talking about her family, especially her parents. She was feeling… sad.

"Yeah. I'm no slouch either, of course. Took both of us—and some, um, judicious pressure by Erza on the right people—to get a good picture of things."

"And is any of that relevant right now?"

"Well, yeah… because, um, Fairy Tail has kind of an unusual structure."

"Uh-huh."

"We're all partners."

"Wait—seriously?! That just can't be financially viable! And why doesn't anybody know that? And what about the Law Society?"

Natsu shrugged, and Lucy could tell that he was honestly disinterested in what the Law Society thought. "Basically, profit is a factor for us, but it's not the main one. Whether a firm has all partners, or partners and associates is just a question of business model and profit-sharing, right? Thing is, when Makarov told you that we're like family, it was true. That's how it is. Some people work harder than others and earn more—that's no different from a regular firm that has the partners vote on bonuses, right? Some people are allowed more of the profits than others because of seniority, or special duties… Anyway, people don't leave too often."

Lucy was silent, still trying to get her head around a large firm with all partners and no associates. You'd really have to trust your partners, she decided.

"But my mother left?" she prodded at last, when Natsu didn't continue.

"Yeah, and that's the thing. She still had her share in the partnership when she left."

"But… there must have been a buy-out clause?" Lucy asked, puzzled.

Natsu shrugged again. "I think there was. I think they all hoped your mother would come back, or work part-time, or something. It's all a little weird."

You're all a little weird, Lucy thought.

"Is it resolved now?"

"I don't know. Maybe. But if you join us then gramps thinks we're vulnerable to your father's manipulation again. At the same time, he loves the idea."

"Why?"

Natsu gave her a strange look. "Because you're Layla Heartfilia's daughter dummy! I mean, didn't I just finish telling you about the whole 'family' thing?"

He had indeed. Lucy let her head drop softly against Natsu's knee. He was probably startled, but—just as she'd expected—a warm hand came down on her head to stroke her hair.

"So you came to tell me all this? They couldn't have told me all this sooner? And… that means you were lying earlier about not knowing who I was."

"Uh, well… kind of? I never said that I didn't know you. Anyway, gramps didn't want to get into it while you were still learning the ropes, you know. But there's a slight problem now."

"What's that?"

Natsu sat in silence for a while and Lucy was too comfortable—or had too much to think about—to move. Finally, Natsu gently tipped up her chin. His eyes were almost entirely grey now, and had lost their cheerful good humour.

"I kind of… like you." The blush on his cheeks darkened. "Um, a lot. You might have noticed."

I've only known him for about five hours, Lucy thought frantically to herself. What am I supposed to do now?

Natsu cleared his throat. "I totally understand that you can't feel the same way after, well, not very long, anyway. Plus…"

Lucy found her voice again. "Plus I'm pretty sure that a partner dating a summer student is frowned on by the Law Society."

"Probably—those guys don't like anything." Lucy saw him scowl and suspected that Natsu and the Law Society weren't always on the best of terms. "We totally have to watch our steps. But that's not the point. The point is that gramps and Erza are worried about it. We do have to follow the Law Society rule about not admitting you as a partner until you're qualified as a lawyer. And until you're a partner, you're an employee. And right now you're going to be mostly my employee."

"And you're telling me all this now?!"

Natsu looked away and scrubbed at his hair. "I, uh, didn't exactly tell them how I felt. They just figured it out."

"Especially after you said you'd be helping me find a place to live?" Despite being both flushed and flustered, Lucy was beginning to see the funny side of the situation. "Oh Natsu… You told them not to worry about me because we were getting together on the weekend to look at places, didn't you?"

"Well of course! They just took it wrong!" He frowned at floor. "Stupid Gray was laughing at me. But honestly—I didn't mean it to sound funny!"

"You just wanted to be friendly."

There was a long silence.

"I wasn't going to try anything, Luce, honest!"

"Luce?"

"It suits you."

Lucy pursed her lips, her analytical brain ticking over and fighting a losing battle with her heart and strangely overactive hormones. At length she said: "So, the burning question right now is whether I might like you back? And either way, am I willing to risk taking a job working for a firm in which you are a partner? Especially when both the senior partner and the managing partner are ambivalent about the situation…"

"They're not! They think it's hilarious—well, gramps does and Erza kept muttering 'how cute! how cute!' and then threatening to kill me if I hurt you."

"I still think it may be against the Code of Conduct somewhere," frowned Lucy.

"And… she's back to the Law Society!" Natsu looked frustrated now.

Lucy took a deep breath and put her hands on Natsu's face. His eyes—now mostly green—went very wide. "To hell with the Law Society!" With a strange, half-drunk feeling, Lucy closed her eyes and brought Natsu's lips against hers. It didn't surprise her at all to find them very warm and very sexy—just like the rest of him.

Natsu relaxed slowly against her, and his lips parted slightly, returning her kiss. Lucy moved her hands from his cheeks to his shoulders. Careful not to break the kiss, Natsu slid off his seat onto the floor so that he could wrap his arms around her. She could feel his solid chest against her breasts now, and his blunt-fingered hands on her back and in her hair. She couldn't believe what she was doing, but for once she told her cautious self to shut the fuck up.

Time passed, and the kiss deepened. They got better at it as they went along, until the first gentle pressure of lips was something entirely different and much more exciting. Lucy felt as though all the nerves in her skin had come alive at once. Somehow she'd ended up in Natsu's lap, and she was very good with that.

"Is this… okay?" Natsu mumbled at length, when they paused to breathe. He leaned his forehead against hers. "I hope it's okay."

"Me too," Lucy said vaguely. "It's all your fault for talking law to me."

"Torts."

"Not just for dessert anymore!" Lucy giggled at the old, old joke.

"Mens rea."

"I think so."

"What?"

"I think I understood and intended to commit the actus reus."

"So you are fully guilty of kissing me." Natsu tugged lightly on a lock of soft golden hair. "I don't think that's a crime though."

"I just figured that you couldn't take advantage of me if I took advantage of you first."

"What if I only want you for your lightsaber?"

"That's my line."

Natsu blushed. Lucy figured she'd been red from the start, so it was only fair. She took the opportunity to ask a question.

"So… did Gray really win millions by moonlighting in an online computer game tournament?"

Natsu eyed her warily. "Maybe. Why?"

"You're right, that's pretty geeky—or is it nerdy?" Lucy smiled at Natsu, for no other reason than that she was happy.

"I was on his team," Natsu muttered.

"Sorry? You'll have to speak up—I missed what you said over the sound of me laughing at you."

"Nintendo baby."

"Try me at MarioKart, Pepto B."

"Hey! What?! No—Luce!"

"Seriously though, when do you guys sleep?"

"When we can. Well, I do. As for Gray, well… the ice never rests…"

"So he does play hockey?"

"Of course. Fortunately, we figure that he was replaced with a robot years ago, so he doesn't pass out from exhaustion as crucial moments."

"So you don't play hockey?"

Natsu looked embarrassed. "They kicked me off the team partway through the first season, two years ago."

"Should I sue for wrongful dismissal?"

"Um… no. There may have been some—slight—cause." Natsu silenced her next question with a kiss. This time one hand slid under the back of Lucy's shirt to caress the soft skin of her back and waist, and there was no further conversation for quite a while.

They parted, very reluctantly, at midnight.

"You're a failure as a study partner," noted Lucy, examining various hickeys with a combination of embarrassment and satisfaction. "I still don't understand constructive trusts properly."

"Nobody does," Natsu assured her. "But if you're worried, gramps could talk to Prof Porly about it?"

"Prof… Porly?"

"Well, apparently she and Makarov go way back."

"I'll pass on the intervention. I'll bet Gray understands constructive trusts."

Natsu gave her a severe look. "You really know how to hurt a guy, don't you?"

Lucy sighed. "Sorry, Natsu. But… I've been trying to make a difficult decision…"

Natsu could sense that she was serious, and took her hand. "Tell me."

"I'm going to turn down M&V's offer."

"What?! No—Lucy, you belong with us!"

"Natsu." Lucy leaned up to kiss him quickly on the cheek. "It's just for the summer. I can find something else. Maybe work for one of the profs instead of at a firm."

"Because of me?"

"Because of us."

All pretence of joking had already dropped from Natsu's face, but now he looked especially unhappy. "I wish you wouldn't do this, Lucy. And it's not… it's not necessary."

"It is for me."

Natsu studied her. Two years of keeping an eye on her had given him insight into her moods. He'd classify this one as "smiling but stubborn".

"I feel like a total jerk. If I hadn't said anything… we could've at least been friends, you know? And you could've worked at Fairy Tail with a clear conscience."

"Until I ripped your shirt off…"

"Would you?"

Lucy laughed. "You look so hopeful!" Then she shrugged uncomfortably. "Which kind of proves my point. I just… can't have both, Natsu. Please don't make it harder."

Natsu looked down. After a short time, he nodded. "I understand. I'm sorry I messed things up for you."

"How? By existing and being the person that—gods know why—I want to be with?"

"Oi! That wasn't exactly flattering!"

"Your self-confidence can take it."

"Okay, Luce. So… you'll go out with me, then?"

"Yes."

"And you'll join the firm as soon as you're qualified?"

"As long as Erza and Mr. Makarov still want me, yes."

There was a longish interval that didn't involve words.

"Goodnight, Natsu."

"Night, Luce!" He swung himself onto the window ledge.

"Wait—Natsu!" When he paused, Lucy asked the one question she'd forgotten earlier. "How did you make it up here—and in sandals—and how are you going to manage a thirty-foot drop?"

Natsu smiled a little. "You'll find out when you join Fairy Tail, Lucy Heartfilia. Until then, well—you're the one who said she could be patient."

He was gone on the final word, and there was no terrible crunch of broken flesh and bones.

We'll see, Natsu Dragneel. I'll bet I figure it out before then. I've done a lot of reading about Fairy Tail. And at least one place mentioned "magic". Maybe it wasn't such a cracked theory after all.

Smiling to herself in a way that she hadn't in years, Lucy got ready for bed.

[END]

A/Note: I hope you've enjoyed this quirky little brain-child of mine. All comments and reviews are very much appreciated, and thank you for all your support through likes, kudos, follows and faves!

~Impracticaldemon

Tags: @nalufever  @shell-senji  @sabinasanfanfic  @walk-tall-my-fr1ends @kazama-hime @nalu-natic @naluloverforever @strawberrysweetlove35

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[duchessfraldarius]

i was wondering if you'd be willing to share your Rogue head canons? :> He's my favorite and I really like the idea of the one you mentioned earlier

ahaha ;; of course! Some of the headcanon’s kinda coincide with @theshadowdragonslayer‘s cause Ash was a huge inspiration to me when I roleplayed @future-rogue

I won’t really stretch it out in detail because i’m lazy af but if there is one in particular you want me to give more details on I’ll be glad to if you ask. This is a pretty lengthy list, just a warning ;;

1. Rogue knows plenty about plants and herbs and their effects on the body. Even though his memory was altered to believe that Skiadrum died of sickness, as a child Rogue thought if he knew more about medicines, Skiadrum wouldn’t have died plus figured it might be a good thing to know in case he got sick (since little bby Rogue did travel by himself before finding Gajeel and Phantom Lord)

2. Since Rogue was an orphan, he lived on the streets for a while. And with no money he was forced to steal to survive since he really couldn’t live on just wild plants alone.

3. Rogue, like Natsu and Wendy, found the exceed egg that Frosch hatched from. Thus he’s known Frosch her whole life. However when he found Phantom Lord, he made Frosch stay away from the guild because he was afraid she would get hurt there since not all of the guild members were friendly.

4. While he looked up to Gajeel, he was actually closer to Juvia. 

5. Juvia was actually the one who taught Rogue how to sew. Rogue made Frosch’s first frog suit thanks to Juvia.

6. Rogue went by Raios until the disbandment of Phantom Lord.

7. Rogue met Sting by chance when they were 9. They both happened to be headed in the same direction but we stuck in one town because of a storm. The two of them actually got along well as kids, mostly because they both found each other strangely extremely familiar but they were 100% sure at the time that they had never met. Sting already had Lector at the time.

8. Because the two of them got along so well, they decided it would be a wiser move to just stick with each other. The travels wouldn’t be so lonely and it would be safer with two dragon slayers. When they traveled they always shared a bed as getting rooms with two beds was much more expensive and they didn’t mind sharing space. They shared their bed until they were 14.

9. Eventually they heard rumors of a guild that only accepts the best and they made their way to join it. They joined Sabertooth when they were 13. There they officially formed “Team Twin Dragon Slayers”

10. Rogue didn’t take notice to any romantic feelings he might have had towards Sting until someone within the guild joked about it and how the two of them were always together. But he didn’t want to make things weird between them so he never brought it up.

11. When Yukino had first joined, she was the first person since he joined that had tried to make friends within the guild which was probably what brought his attention to her. While they weren’t extremely close at first, they did meet outside of guild duties and Rogue found her a close friend and confidant. Plus Frosch really liked Yukino.

12. When Rogue was a kid, he made a makeshift grave for Skiadrum in an isolated area in the mountains. Every July 7th, Rogue would go visit the grave. It would always be a 3 day trip. One day for travel there, one day spent there, and another day back to the guild. When he made Sabertooth his home, he would leave Frosch with Sting those 3 days.

13. Rogue always had frequent nightmares. When he was younger it was always of cruel dragons and silhouettes of people that would always die. Which were his real human parents but at the time he didn’t know that. As he got old, his nightmares changed to losing the people who were actually close to him, then when the grand magic games with Fairy Tail came around it was about his shadow and losing control to his shadow.

14. With Rogue’s nightmares, when morning comes he either a.) find himself in Sting’s bed or b.) finds Sting in his bed. When Sting has a nightmare, the same things happens. This habit followed them into adulthood.

15. When Rogue lost Frosch, he was overprotective of Lector. He didn’t want to have Sting go through the same thing as he did and in a way, he was using Lector as a way to cope.

16. Rogue is self conscious of his body which is why he’s always wears clothes from head to toe.

17. Rogue hates being touched unless it’s by Frosch, Sting or Lector. He especially hates his scars being touched.

*****Future Rogue Head Canons from here*****

18. After Future Rogue killed Sting, his relationship with most of the guild was very strained. Yukino, Rufus, and Orga had still accepted him with open arms but even they were wary of this new Rogue. Lector, while confused and hurt, knew Sting wouldn’t want him to hate Rogue, but Lector couldn’t easily forgive Rogue. Minerva was the only one who didn’t have a strained relationship with him simply because she understood the power darkness brings and the darkness of heart. She’s been there. So she knew just what Rogue was going through.

19. When Lucy had died at some point and Yukino was given care of her golden keys. Rogue had convinced her, Rufus, Orga, and Minerva of his plan to go into the past to defeat Acnologia. They’d first have to go back 400+ years into the past when dragon still existed to get dragons help to defeat Acnologia. Rufus, Orga, and Lector died by Acnologia before they could make it to the past.

20. When Rogue, Yukino, and Minerva went into the past, Rogue learned Dragon manipulation magic. When they battled the Acnologia of the past, he learned that dragon manipulation didn’t work on Acnologia and in the process lost Minerva.

21. Rogue and Yukino ended up meeting a young Anna Heartfilia and informed her of the situation to which she explained the best place in time to fight in Acnologia would be the years after July 7, X777.

And this is where my laziness is kicking in since I’ve already made it to 21 short head canons/head canoned time line. I wish I could say I was finished but I have a divergence in my head canon from this point about where Yukino dies and Rogue’s true intentions by bringing the dragons to the future. But I could honestly go all day about Rogue because I love this loser too.

Thank you for asking me this question though!! I actually had fun with it though I’m like 1000% sure you didn’t expect it to be this long either ;; oops.