I'm cold, wet, and beyond pissed. Being woken up by blaring alarms at three o'clock in the morning is not something I recommend. I also don't recommend wearing your favorite fuzzy socks outside when there's so much rain you can hardly see. Basically, I advise everyone to not be in the situation I am currently in.
The two fire trucks lined outside my apartment building and the people scurrying around like frightened mice aren't helping with my mood much either. Obviously, the building is not on fire, so calm your tits.
Why the smoke alarms went off this early in the morning is something that is completely beyond me, but it can't be anything too serious if all the firemen are doing is standing and waiting for the one guy who walked inside about fifteen minutes ago.
I'm about to barge in there myself, giving zero fucks about anyone who may try to stop me, because I am exhausted and miss the sensation of being dry. Don't get me wrong; looking like I spend my days pretending I'm a mermaid and searching the ocean blue for Nemo isn't necessarily a terrible look, but the feeling of wet clothing sticking to my skin has become rather unpleasant.
I'm not always this bratty and impatient, but I am completely 100% done with this day, and if any more shit happens to me, I might just explode.
Right when I'm about to go through with my plan of storming the building, the superintendent, Makarov, walks out the front doors. He's a short man, probably in his late seventies with a balding head and a very pronounced mustache. His face can only be described as jolly, and he has a strange welcoming presence about him. I've only known him for about three days, having just moved into the building, but from those three days, I can tell that people generally like him and that he generally likes most people. As he makes his way out into the street, the large group of people starts to cluster around him in a circle, making it appear as if they are gathering around to watch the cool kid at the playground beat someone up.
Makarov clears his throat, and says in a half bored half annoyed voice, "The building is clear to go in. Apparently, it was only cigarette smoke that caused the alarms to go off. I must advise you that smoking in these apartments is off limits, and to please use the balconies or just simply walk outside if the urge is really that strong. Now that all of your time has been wasted by some idiot's decision, have a good night." With his last sentence, he marches back into the building, completely ignoring the chorus of frustrated sighs and shouts of 'are you kidding me?!' echoing across the street.
I can't argue with them really because seriously, are you fucking kidding me right now?!
I had to wake up to the sound of obnoxious alarms, wait outside in the pouring rain for about half an hour, and become completely soaked to the bone just because some dickhead couldn't be bothered to walk outside to light one up.
Gosh, people suck sometimes.
All at once, every single resident starts making their way back inside. I would rather not be trampled, so instead of sprinting up the entrance steps like everyone else, I hang back and let the crowd mellow out a little. While I'm waiting, I notice the rain has slowed down vastly and is only at a light drizzle now.
I'm literally about to go inside, and now is when the rain decides to calm down?
I'm already done with this week, and it's only Monday.
When I think it's safe to walk in without being sandwiched between strangers, I finally start dragging my feet towards the front steps.
Now when I say today was the equivalent of being poked repeatedly in the eye while loosely strapped to the roof of a car as it drives over speed bumps, I'm making the understatement of the century.
So obviously, the main thing I want to do is just go to sleep. Preferably forever.
But of course, the universe hates me and decided that my day of hell needed to be dragged out a little longer. So it's no surprise when I slip on the second step and fall on my ass right into a puddle.
I give up. I might as well sit in the middle of the street and wait for a truck to run over me because nothing seems to be on my side today.
"Um excuse me, do you need some help?" A deep voice says behind me. Startled, I turn my head too quickly, sending a quick burning pain up my neck.
Seriously, can I just get a break?
When the heat in my neck dulls, I finally focus on the person attached to that voice.
Damn. Well, my day isn't as bad now. Thank you, universe for this break. This tall, dark, and handsome break.
"Hello?" Tall dark and handsome says in and amused tone, waving a hand in front of my face. I would say something back, but I'd rather just stare at him for a little longer. He's tall, I can tell even though I'm still stuck on my ass, and from the dim light, I can tell he isn't at all bad looking.
His hair is a strange pinkish color, and his skin is nicely tanned. His eyes seem to be pure black, but it's also dark so that could just be the light. He's also quite built. Not like to the point where his muscles are trying to escape the confines of his shirt, but enough to the point where you can tell he spends time on his physique.
In the midst of me openly checking him out, I forget that he's still waiting for me to respond.
"Uhm, yeah, help would be great," I mumble, still gawking at this beautiful human being. He reaches his hand out to me, intending for me to take it, and I grab it immediately. This small act makes his face break out into a wide grin, showing off all of his teeth. I hesitate a second, not sure if I will be able to stand up without falling because holy fuck balls even his teeth are perfect.
I shake that thought out of my head and let him hoist me out of the puddle. I barely notice just how soaked my ass is because my attention is entirely focused on the feeling of his hand. It engulfs mine easily, being so much bigger, and I can easily feel the callouses on his fingertips. However, there is a certain softness to his touch as well, balancing out the roughness.
I think I held on to his hand a little too long because I hear him clear his throat. In response, I promptly let go, trying to act like I wasn't just molesting his hand.
"So, please tell me you didn't see me slip walking up the stairs and only saw the aftermath which was the embarrassment of me sitting in a puddle." Great job Lucy. If he didn't see you fall, now he's just going to think you suck at walking up stairs.
He chuckles lightly. "Well, at least it was a graceful fall. And it is better than you just sitting in a puddle for no reason," He responds, the smile on his face never faltering.
Well, I can't argue with that.
When I fail to respond, he continues with, "And anyway, shouldn't you be thanking me? I mean, I did technically just save you from drowning." He says it sarcastically, motioning towards the puddle for emphasis.
I roll my eyes, "Why thank you, good sir, how can I ever repay you for this humble deed?" I respond with the same level of sarcasm, curtsying for dramatic effect.
He steps in closer to me, wasting no time. The closer he gets, the more I realize that he actually isn't super tall. I am not necessarily short, probably around 5'6 or 5'7, but I can tell he's only a few inches taller than me.
"Well, you could start by giving me your number." The smirk on his face is practically oozing confidence. "Or, at the very least, your name." He's flirting with me, and he's letting me know it too.
Hm. I won't deny that he's attractive. Annoyingly attractive actually. But I don't know how I feel about him yet. He seems too confident that I'll just give him what he wants.
I could do that. Or, I could have some fun and drag this confrontation out a little.
I smile shyly at him, move my lips so their right next to his ear, and whisper, "Or, I could start by getting out of this rain." And with that, I sprint up the stairs (carefully this time) leaving tall dark and handsome staring wide-eyed in my wake.
Once inside I wring out my clothes, which is only a long gray sweater that reaches to my mid-thigh and my socks, that I imagine will never know the feeling of dryness again. I also embrace my inner dog and shake out my soaked blonde hair, but all that does is make my head resemble a bird's nest.
I'm trying to flatten my mess of a hair when I hear the click of the doors opening. I turn just in time to see tall dark and handsome staring at me curiously.
"That was unexpected." He shakes his head in disbelief; the curious look still gleaming in his dark eyes.
I smile sweetly at him, "Well, I am full of surprises." I give a little wink at the end for good measure. With that, I turn in the direction of the elevator, testing to see if he would stop me. It would be much easier to just turn around and start sucking face with the hot guy that helped me out of a puddle, but I kind of want to see how persistent he really is.
I only get about three steps before a feel a rough hand wrap around my wrist.
"Wait a second, how about giving me that name first?" His confident aura is back, and he is still looking at me like getting my name and number is simply child's play to him.
I pivot slowly toward him.
"And why do you need my name that badly?" I ask with a slight tilt of my head.
"So I know what to call you when I ask you out on a date." He states matter of fact, not hesitating a single second.
Okay, I have to admit, that was pretty smooth. Too smooth. Rehearsed smooth.
"And why do you need my number?" I question, addressing the first thing he asked me out in the rain.
"So I know how to get a hold of you when we aren't on our date." Again, he responds without hesitation, like he practices these lines in front of the mirror.
"What if I don't want to give you my name, or my number?" I say with a flirtatious smirk of my own.
"And why wouldn't you want to do that?" The confidence is still in his voice, but I can detect a hint of bewilderment as well.
"Oh you know, stranger danger and all that bullshit." I smile innocently up at him.
He chuckles, "Well if it's bullshit, I don't see wh-"
"Listen up brat!" Makarov bellows out, stomping into the lobby. Tall dark and handsome turns abruptly, facing the superintendent completely. "Next time you feel the need to huff and puff, please just take it outside. I swear the next time it happens, you're outta here."
Wait, what?
"Oh come on gramps, you love me too much to kick me out." Tall dark and handsome responds like that annoying kid in high school who got away with everything.
Again, what?
"This time I mean it. This is your last warning!" Makarov says shaking his head, although I can see a small smile emerging on his lips.
"Uh-huh sure gramps. Have a good night." He chuckles again, a carefree sound.
Makarov rolls his eyes and trudges away, grumbling under his breath the entire time.
The flirt swivels back to me, the smirk plastered on his face again. "So, where were w-"
"You were the one who set off the smoke alarms?!" It comes out harsher than I mean it too, but I am a tad peeved off right now.
In response, he smiles sheepishly and shrugs his shoulders, indicating that I am right about my accusation.
Ugh. The universe truly is testing me today. First, it gives me a shitty day, then a shitty night, but oh wait! Here's a hot guy to make up for that. Haha, psych! He's the one that caused the shitty night. And now my perfect image of him is shattered, which is extra shitty.
I sigh, rather dramatically I might add, and turn back around to go up to my room. Once again, I only make it a few steps before feeling a hand wrapped around my wrist.
"Hey, what's the rush now? Things were just getting interesting." He says the grip on my wrist sending a spark up my arm. In response, I just roll my eyes, my objective returning to going to bed because bed sounds so nice right now. I yank my hand away from his, and head towards the stairs, not bothering to wait for the elevator.
"Wait, wait a second. Seriously, you were completely into it a second ago, so what happened?" He continues, the sound of footsteps telling me that he decided to follow my trail. Great.
"Look, it's not really your fault, I've just had a bad day and all I want to do is slip into some cozy pajamas and go to la la land. Can you just let me do that?" I don't even bother with turning my head around, hoping he'll get the hint and just go back to his apartment. Instead of my wishes being granted, the footsteps behind me never cease, but the talking does. He doesn't make a peep the entire twelve-story hike up the stairs, and I'm starting to wonder if he's just following me or lives near me.
That'd be a real treat, having to see the guy that changed my mood in four seconds flat twice in one night every single day.
I finally reach my floor and turn towards my door, again not bothering to look behind me to see the look on my pursuers face.
Once I'm a key turn away from ending the day, that grip on my wrist returns, and I don't think I've ever sighed harder in my entire life.
"Okay, okay, just hear me out. I'm sorry for whatever it was I did, I'm still not completely sure what made you do a complete 360 on me, but whatever it was it wasn't intentional. I was just trying to have some fun 'cause I think you're absolutely gorgeous and from the little we've talked I think we'd get along. I can't really bear the thought of leaving things like this, especially since I want to talk to you again. So, uh, please can we just start over real quick?" He was rambling, and he sounded like a nervous schoolboy confessing to his crush. It was a sharp left turn from the guy down in the lobby who was all arrogance and suave.
And in all honesty, it made him about 100x more attractive.
Since his little speech made me giddy in a way that I'm a tad embarrassed to admit, I turn around, only to be greeted with the most hopeful eyes I've ever seen. I keep my face pretty neutral because if I didn't I'd probably end up blushing so hard scientists wouldn't be able to tell the difference between me and a tomato, and I reach my hand out for a handshake.
"Lucy. Lucy Heartfilia."
His whole face breaks into a grin as he says, "Nice to meet you, Lucy. Call me Natsu." He reaches for my hand, and instead of shaking it, he brings it to his mouth and lightly presses a kiss to my skin.
Great, now I'm definitely blushing.
"So, since we've got the names down, how about that number?" His little smirk is back, and the cute little innocent boy that was just in front of me dissipates in an instant. His arrogant aura is back, and I'm a little shell-shocked at how easy it was for him to just change like that. Almost as if he flipped a switch. He's still smirking down at me, and I've read enough books and seen enough movies to know a small smirk on a handsome boy equals trouble.
"Why we only just met, how can I trust giving you my number?" I smirk back at him, challenging him at his own game. He stares at me uncertainly, and I know I've stumped him. Or not, as his face starts morphing from a smirk into the smile of an evil genius.
He steps closer to me and leans down to my ear as I did earlier to him, and whispers, "If you feel that uncomfortable, we could head over to my place and," He leans back just enough to look me in the eyes, "get to know each other a little better." He gives a cheeky wink at the end, and for some reason, I find it much more difficult to breathe.
You know that little voice in your head that usually tells you not do stupid stuff that you'll regret in the future? Well my little voice seems to have taken a vacation, because all that's going through my head is, 'Yeah, today couldn't get any worse so I might as well follow this stranger back to his place, and maybe it's nothing like he's insinuating, maybe he just wants to talk over some late night cappuccinos, I mean of course he only means coffee because late night coffees are good and anything other than that would just be absurd and this is all good, yeah, good good good.'
This is not at all true because no one just wanting to chat over some dessert coffee looks at you the way this man is looking at me. But sometimes lying to myself makes me feel less like an idiot, so why not?
I'm about to cave in; his gaze alone sending shivers down my spine, when the door right across from us slams open. I jump a little, completely brought out of my hazy fantasy of the ways that this guy wanted to get to know me.
In the doorway stands a slender woman with curly raven hair that goes down to her waist. She's more on the petite side, but her entire presence screams 'pay attention to me'. Her clear blue eyes shift over me, in a sort of bored manner, and land on Natsu. Once their eyes met, her face breaks into a seductive grin. She sashays over to him, sliding her hand across his shoulders and back, having it stop around his waist.
"Baby," She drawls out, her voice much raspier than I expected, "I was getting worried about you. After our little incident with the smoke, I thought maybe the old man finally kicked you out." Her mouth forms a pout, and the realization of what's happening makes me want to slam my head in the door.
He doesn't skip a beat, not even seeming fazed by the situation, "I'll be there in a sec, wait up a little longer, and maybe you'll get to meet my new friend here." His eyes slide over to me and I almost choke on my own spit.
The girl looks me up and down, and says with what sounds like approval, "She's cute."
I'm completely stunned into silence, having lost all ability to function in the unfathomably surreal situation that is unfolding around me.
After a quick wink towards Natsu, she walks away, swaying her hips with each step whilst having him focused in on her perfect ass.
Once the door is closed, Natsu faces me again and opens his mouth to speak, "So how ab-"
His speech is cut off by the impact of my palm against his cheek.
So this is quite different from the other story I'm writing. (which you should also check out ;;))
But yeah, this is kind of a rom-com type story I guess and it's just supposed to be cute and nothing too heavy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of the character mentioned in this story, I only own the story itself.
I hope you enjoy and please leave a review as long as you aren't a dick about it.
Follow if you want to continue reading and thanks for clicking on this story
XoxoAsh