A/N: This is a fic that I started back in high school and I think it is time to le tit see the light of day. This is the first time I have written a first person narrator since I find this writing style the hardest to do well. I have stumbled across so many stories that had an amazing plot, but weren't written that well. What I have tried to do is to be very discriptive of what Lucy sees, thinks and feels, so I hope it will be okay. The first couple of chapters are kind of vague, but please give it a try. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.
My friend, my teammate... My husband?
"Well here you are, young man. I will be at my office the next few days if you two need anything." The man in the pinstripe suit, the realtor, nods his head and walks briskly out of the door after handing Gray the keys. He seems kind enough, but it is very clear that he isn't one to be messed with. I look over at Gray who is still standing by the door where the realtor left him.
"So what do you think?" He asks me and smiles a little. He looks tired, which doesn't surprise me. It has been a long couple of days. His hair is a mess, his clothes are wrinkled and his eyes bloodshot. I remind myself to let him sleep in tomorrow, he definitely needs it.
"It could have been a lot worse, actually." I tell him and look around the room again. It is pretty decently sized and the furniture is not too bad either, just a little dusty. It came with the house, but I might end up buying all new things.
"Yeah." He replies and stifles a yawn.
"Come on sleepy head. Let's check the rest of the house." I laugh a little as I walk over to him and tug at his arms. He just follows along with an irritated grunt in my direction. Gray and I have landed a pretty nice house, if I say so myself. I would have preferred to stay in my own apartment or in Gray's, but Master advised us to find a new house altogether, so here we are.
We walk into the kitchen from the door in the living room, and I immediately know that I will be spending a lot of time in here. It is one of the cleaner parts of the house, equipped with everything we could possibly need. I like the dark, wooden floor and the shiny marble of the counters, island and tiles. There is a lime backsplash and black cabinets that actually make the floor look lighter.
"Awesome!" I cheer much to Gray's amusement. He chuckles and pats my head, going around the island and over to the window.
"Nice view." He informs me and beckons me over. He is right, it is lovely. There is a clump of what looks like fruit trees not too far from the house, and if you look hard enough, a small stream is glistening in the sunlight. There are more trees further away and flowers pop up in the grass in all colors. I spot a few hills too. It will be perfect for strolls.
"A meadow. We have to check it out soon." I breathe, Gray nods in agreement. I can tell he will spend as much time outside as I will in this kitchen.
"Choosing the outskirts of town was pretty wise." Gray tells me and puts a hand on my shoulder to get me moving again. I'm still gazing outside. I can't believe I've never even heard of this place before.
"I didn't know Magnolia had meadows." I murmur when I turn to follow him, my mind still reeling. I shouldn't be so overwhelmed by the scenery surrounding us, but the beauty of the meadow is breathtaking. I can't wait to explore it.
"I had heard of it. It's my first time seeing it, though." Gray leads us to a second door in the kitchen that I hadn't noticed before. It leads into the hallway connected to the entrance. I'm mapping out the house as we go along. Front door leads to hallway and living room. Kitchen is connected to the two. We find a bathroom next to an empty room that is probably meant to be a study.
"I can just picture myself in here with a desk and a comfy chair, writing away on my novels." I tell Gray with a smile. He looks around the room and is most likely imagining how it will look when we bring in the furniture.
"Why not? We'll probably be here for a while." He tells me playfully and I can't help but feel sorry for him. I don't tell him, though. Gray hates being pitied. We decide to go upstairs and Gray points out a creaky step on the stairs. I like the sound of it.
The upper floor is in good shape. The master bedroom is pretty spacious, but sparsely furnished while the two guestrooms are smaller and completely empty. Across the hall is a bigger bathroom with a bath tub and shower, while the one downstairs only has a shower. We walk into the master bedroom again.
"Cozy." Gray grins at me and plops down on the bed. He lets out a sigh of relief and rolls over patting the space beside him. I smile at him and take a seat. I like the bedframe, but I am definitely getting a new mattress. Once my legs are stretched out and my back is against the headboard, I notice Gray looking at me. I can tell he wants to say something, but doesn't know how to word it. I decide to help him along.
"It feels weird, doesn't it?" I ask him. I can't help but laugh at the absurdity of the whole situation.
"Tell me about it." He laughs too. I'm glad we can still find things to laugh at, otherwise this would have been too hard to deal with.
"I'm sorry." I tell him with all the sincerity I can muster. He looks surprised for a second, before a tired expression crosses his face and he sighs loudly.
"Lucy, we've been over this already." I know we have, but I still feel guilty and I have to tell him how sorry I am.
"I asked you to marry me, because it was the right thing to do. I would never let you fend for yourself and leave you with that creep. I need you to understand that I chose to marry you, I didn't feel obligated to." He never breaks eye contact while speaking.
"I do understand, but how is this fair to you?" I huff and cross my arms. I find a point at the wall I can focus on, otherwise I might start crying. Gray lets out another deep sigh, and I can tell I'm wearing down his patience. So much for having a heart to heart.
"It's not your fault." He tells me and takes one of my hands. I can't remember how many times I've heard it in the past few days. It's starting to get on my nerves a little.
"Yes, but-" I begin, but he cuts me off.
"No buts. It was my decision and it still stands." He tells me with finality in his voice. I glare at him, but he holds my gaze calmly until I give up. I close my eyes and lean back a little. I know I don't stand a chance in a battle of wills. He's just too damn stubborn.
"If anyone is to blame, it's your old man and the creep." Gray adds softly and squeezes my hand.
'The creep' whom Gray so affectionately refers to is one of my many suitors that struck a deal with my father when I was a kid. He's a few years older than I am and the kind of guy I would have been married to, if I still lived my old life. You know, the rich and arrogant kind.
"I know… I just…" I don't finish the sentence. I'm pretty sure Gray knows what I'm trying to say. He has a knack for knowing what I feel. I know for sure when he reaches for me and hugs me tightly. He lies back down with me pressed to his chest. It's very comforting. I could get used to it.
"I get it. I'm sorry you had to go through that." He's stroking my back with one hand. My hands are bunched in his shirt, which is a miracle considering it is still on. He has been incredibly disciplined the past few days, and I actually can't remember the last time he was without a shirt.
"It doesn't surprise me, really. I thought I was done with my dad's crap the last time I confronted him." I swallow thickly. It's getting harder to talk without my voice cracking. I'm close to crying again. Damn it.
"So did I." His hold on me tightens.
"I just don't get it. I clearly cut off ties with him after I joined the guild. Why in the world did he expect me to marry someone he had promised me off to a decade ago? Was I not clear last time? When I told him I wouldn't marry for his political gain. How do I get through to him, Gray?" Somewhere along my ranting, tears started falling from my eyes and down on Gray's shirt. Either he doesn't notice or just doesn't care.
"You don't." He tells me and looks me straight in the eye.
"What?" I blink once.
"You don't get through to him. I don't think it's going to change anything, even if he realizes how despicable it is that he practically gave you away. If he didn't understand it the last time you spoke, don't expect him to now." There is such intensity in Gray's eyes that I actually move back an inch. I think he notices, because his expression softens. His hands stroke my back again.
"Besides, being married to me can't be that bad." His eyes are twinkling as he moves his hands and tickles my sides. I squeal like a little girl until he stops, and we both end up laughing anyway.
"Thank you." I hug him again, thanking him for everything he's done for me. He has practically thrown away his future to help me, and I am eternally grateful to him. He is my saviour. That's when I vow to do my best to make him Gray happy.
"No problem." His arms tighten around me for a second, before he lets go. "So, Mrs. Fullbuster, what are we having for dinner?" I laugh and punch his arm, before we get up and head downstairs. He's right, I think. Being married can't be too bad.
Honestly, I've considered rewriting the entire story to a third person narrator, but I won't grow as a writer unless I get out of my comfort zone. That being said, please do let me know if you have advice or find areas in which I have to improve. Constructive critisism is always welcome (=w=)/