CHAPTER 2: CUPID TIME
LUCY'S POV
1:00 PM WEDNESDAY. I'M TAKING A WALK WITH PLU. I'M SO HUNGRY. ALL OF MAGNOLIA SMELLS LIKE FLOWERS BUT ALSO VAGUELY LIKE THE INSIDE OF A PANDA EXPRESS AND IT IS TORTURE.
After getting myself some to-go orange chicken in one of those cardboard Chinese take-out boxes that you always see in movies, I sit down at a bench to enjoy my meal. Take my advice: NEVER eat and walk simultaneously. Or rather, never eat and trip over a rock and spill all your burning hot chicken soup all over yourself simultaneously. That was a hard lesson to learn. AND THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE YOU DON'T TRIP IS TO NOT WALK AT ALL.
Just kidding, I can probably manage a way to trip while sitting if I tried hard enough.
I look out at the river I'm sitting in front of. It's pretty awesome that Magnolia has a river running right through the middle of it. It really adds to the scenery of the city. Merchant stores and food stalls lining the edges, bridges every few blocks connecting the the two halves of the city, ahhh so pretty.
I remember one time me and Natsu came over to one of those bridges in the afternoon and he tried cotton candy for the first time. I commented on how his hair and the candy were the same colour, and he proclaimed that "THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!" and threw it in the river. I started whining that I lost my snack so he started swimming after it, not realizing how cotton candy actually works. When he finally figured it out, he pulled me in the river with him so that I could "feel one with the cotton". Crazy boy. He really is my best friend.
I look over at the bridge where he and I once sat in an overly-nostalgic way so that I can pretend I'm in a melodramatic music video from the '90s. To my surprise, the bridge isn't vacant at all.
OH MY GOSH IT'S ERZA AND JELLAL. THOSE TWO ARE SO CUTE. Well, in the most aggravating of ways.
Ever since they met at the beach during our training session for the Grand Magic Games, Jellal has been coming over to the guildhall more and more to visit everyone *cough cough* HE ONLY WANTS ERZA * cough cough*. Of course, the rest of us are more than happy about his visits. Anyone who can make Erza yelp and act like a 13 year-old schoolgirl who's head over heals in love is always welcome at the guild.
But unfortunately, they haven't really gotten anywhere romantically.
It's obvious he wants her, and it's more than obvious that the feelings are mutual. But from what Erza has told me, it's never going to happen because of his guilty conscience.
BUT THAT'S SO DUMB.
He's a super cool guy from what I can tell, and even Master Mavis said he has the heart of a member of Fairy Tail. SO WHAT'S THE BIG PROBLEM?
I watch as they laugh together about whatever joke Jellal just made (turns out he's quite the jokester and we get along really well. Who knew?), but eventually the laughter dies out.
Uh oh. Jellal "has to go".
Every once in awhile, Jellal tells Erza he has business to attend to, errands to run in other cities, or that he needs to go take care of Meredy. The rest of us, though, know that this is just him staying on the down-low so he can "resist giving into the temptation that is Erza".
Cute? Unnecessary? Good-willed? Demented? Even I don't know.
I see him walk away from her and turn around to give a small wave. I see her wave right back with a smile of her own. But then I see her frown as she watches him walk away. This happens every time. There are only a few select times I've seen Erza cry, but most of those times have been because of Jellal leaving her.
I can't imagine what it must be like for her… having to stay away from someone she loves despite how close he is…
OH WAIT I DO.
If you can't tell (which I'm pretty sure you can―everyone can), I LIKE NATSU A LOT.
He's just so kind, and smiley, and funny, and cute, and passionate, and AHHHHH. But he's about 7 leagues out of mine, and there's no way I'd risk telling him about my feelings if it could jeopardize our friendship.
And don't even get me started on his house… Living with him in the same space does 'things' to me that I can't keep up with. Exhibit A: YESTERDAY'S LITTLE "Let me just pee while Lucy is showering" THING.
UGHHH. YOU KNOW WHAT. I CAN'T DEAL WITH THIS. ERZA AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SUFFER LIKE THIS. IT'S SO NOT FAIR.
"We gotta do something about this."
"KYAAAAA," I yelp as I drop my Panda Express. "JESUS CHRIST, GRAY YOU SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME." I look down at my spilled rice and chicken with a crushed soul. NOT AGAINNN.
At least I've got my fortune cookie.
"Whoops. Sorry about that." THAT DIDN'T SOUND LIKE HE WAS SORRY AT ALL. "Lucy, we gotta do something about Jellal and Erza," he says as he hunches over on the park bench I'm sitting on from behind. "I've known Erza longer than anyone else at Fairy Tail and trust me when I say that she's never acted so pathetically helpless in her life before."
I think carefully about his words. You know, for a while there, I used to think that Gray had a crush on Erza. Turns out he's just a bomb-ass friend. You go Gray. "Yah you're right. This has to end. You know what this means right?"
I pick the fortune cookie up off the ground, taking it out of its packaging, and crush it, throwing the cookie itself on the ground for the birds to eat and unraveling the fortune. Hopefully it's something super appropriate like "All your plans will come to success".
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Wut. WELL WHAT THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THAT? Frowning at the cookie, I look up to see Erza still hunched over the bridge and declare, "It's time."
3:00 AM THURSDAY. I CRASHED SUPER EARLY AND NOW I'M AWAKE AT A TIME THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE AWAKE AT.
After making sure there was no monster hiding behind the shower curtain, I quietly use the bathroom and flush, shuddering at the memory of what happened this afternoon. Quickly washing my hands, I stealthily close the bathroom door (though it might as well not be there since APPARENTLY NO ONE CARES FOR LUCY'S PRIVACY) and tip-toe towards my room.
Wait why is it so quiet. I've been on enough missions with Natsu to know the inhumanely loud volume at which he snores.
Looking over at the door right across mine, I decide to quickly take a peek and make sure everything is okay.
I feel like I'm bordering on invasion of privacy. Is this what a peeping tom feels like? Then again, what if there's no snoring because he and Happy are secretly plotting a prank or something? This is purely self defense.
Bumping into several things at once on my way to Natsu's room, I peer through the crack in the doorway to find out what's going on. To my surprise however, only Happy is sprawled out in the top bunk with his stuffed animal version of Jerry.
Where's Natsu?
I look around the pitch black house and still no sign of Natsu or his nearly glow-in-the-dark hair. Uhh. Maybe he's one of those people who like to go for late night strolls? Well since I can't seem to sleep much myself, I might as well join him. Plus, looking at the stars at night always makes me feel somewhat better.
Heheh the thought of me and him walking together under the stars makes me giddy. I quickly put on my dragon Stompeez, wrap a blanket around myself for warmth, and head out for a walk myself.
Abruptly hit by the cold air, I secure the blanket around me and look up to see the stars. To my surprise, I see Natsu sitting on the roof, also looking at the stars.
"Hey Natsu!" I say, snapping him out of whatever daze he was in. "Mind if I join?"
He grins cheekily and shakes his head. "Not at all".
He bends over and offers me a hand up, allowing me to settle down on a spot next to him. For a while we don't say anything at all and sit in a comfortable silence. This is nice. Really nice. In fact, it's great.
Moments like this are literally what I live for. Since I joined Fairy Tail, I've had more of them then I could even wish for. All my friends, always with me. It's kind of the best feeling in the world. I look up at the constellations and remember my celestial spirits one by one.
"Do you think he's still out there Lucy?" Natsu's words bring me out of my thoughts. I look at him in confusion at first, but then notice his hand clutching his scarf. Igneel.
My eyes soften. The earnesty in Natsu's eyes and the hope in his heart may be the two qualities of his that I like most. SERIOUSLY, HOW CUTE. It pains me to think that after all these years of helping others, he still hasn't been able to reunite with his dad. Losing mine only made it even more obvious to me that a kid needs a father.
I move my gaze from Natsu's face to look at the stars that he's looking at, trying to understand what he's feeling and what type of answer he needs right now. Honestly, I'm not too sure. BUT HELL IF I'M DISCOURAGING NATSU FROM FINDING HIS FATHER.
I take his left hand and lead it to his chest. "I think he's right here Natsu. He's supported you in everything you've done till now and he will continue to be with you as long as you hold him in your heart. I'm no expert on family relationships, but if you ask me, then the fact that he's with you every step of the way is all that really matters."
He takes in my words slowly and turns to look at me.
WAS THAT TOO CHEESY? DID I SOUND TOO MUCH LIKE A DISNEY MOVIE? OR MAYBE SOMEONE OUT OF DOWNTON ABBEY? I really gotta stop watching all those soap dramas…
"You're right Lucy. Thanks."
THANK YOU LADY MARY CRAWLEY. YOU ALWAYS GOT MY BACK.
It may be because all I seem to be able to think of right now is how I want to hug Natsu and do other "things" to him, but the silence that follows his thanks is a LOT more awkward than the first.
Oh god I'm really bad with awkward silences. Natsu is too. What if this is what kills our relationship? It's probably in stupid, hormone-filled head. That's right it's alllll in my head. AHHH. I NEED TO SAY SOMETHING QUICK. FALAFEL. TURTLE. CHEESECAKE. TURTLE CHEESECAKE. ANYTHING.
"So Jellal and Erza huh?" I silently thank Mavis for Natsu's interruption of my thoughts. Last time this happened, I yelled out PURPLE TORTILLAS and caused a very heated debate in the guildhall about the colour of certain Mexican food.
"Jellal and Erza. By the time we're through with them, they're going to be jumping each other's bones every second they get. I can see it now: "A Love Story" STARring Jellal Fernandes and Erza Scarlet."
Hehe get it? Because we're looking at the stars right now? And Jellal's magic has to deal with space? It's funny. Hehe. Get it?
6:00 PM THURSDAY. IT'S CUPID TIME. WE HAVEN'T DONE THIS IN SO LONG. I'M SO EXCITED. IT'S BEEN SO LONG SINCE I LAST MEDDLED IN OTHER PEOPLE'S PRIVATE AFFAIRS.
"I'm glad everyone was able to make it here," says Gray, in a serious voice.
"Of course. We would never forget our sacred duty. However, it seems Mirajane has not joined us yet," I reply in an equally solemn tone.
"Yes, Lucy. She will join us shortly. So, let us commence," Natsu states with a very Erza-like tone.
"WOULD YOU GUYS CUT THE CRAP?!" yells Gajeel. "WHY AM I EVEN HERE?" Well aren't you rude.
Cupid Time is a little club we made back when Elfman and Evergreen seemed to be in need of a little assistance in their romantic life. Sure, it was just a circle of me, Nastu, Happy, Erza, and Gray at the time but I can proudly present our newest recruits: Mirajane, Gajeel, and Levy! We were all sitting in a circle on a rug in Natsu's house, as if we were some high-school kids about to play Spin the Bottle. Not that I would mind…
"BECAUSE GAJEEL, you somehow managed to rope in a girl like Levy, so you obviously have lots of tricks up your sleeve," says Happy in a very matter-of-fact manner. To be honest, I think all of us are a little surprised that they've been dating so long now.
"ARE YOU TRYING TO IMPLY THAT I TRICKED HER INTO DATING ME, CAT?"
"UHUM," I say, trying to resolve the conflict before it can begin. The guildhall is one thing, but there's no way I'm going to let them destroy my sleeping space, especially since it's not mine to begin with. "ANYWAY… onto business. I think we can all agree that Erza and Jellal ought to be together, yes?"
"Long live Jerza!" says Levy.
"Well yah, but they never seem to work out because of all the guilt Jellal carries with him. We can't help them unless we can first get through to Jellal," observes Happy.
I hear a knock on the door. "Well that's why," starts Natsu as he walks to his front door "...he's here!" he yells, acting in an entirely-too pompous way as if he were a game show host showing "What's behind door number 1!" He opens the door to reveal Mirajane holding Jellal with a bag on his head.
Wait what. "Uhm Mira… we said to talk to Jellal and bring him, not kidnap him," says Gray with a very wary tone.
"Yeah I know. But don't you think it's more exciting this way?" she says with an "innocent" smile. I SHOULD'VE KNOWN. MIRA'S FREAKY SIDE ALWAYS COMES UP IN THE WORST OF PLACES. She didn't get the name "She-Devil" from her powers alone.
Natsu leads Jellal into the middle of our little circle and dramatically takes/rips off the brown sack his head.
Jellal glares. "You know that thing's not soundproof right? I figured out what was going on the moment you put the bag on me. Oh and THANKS FOR THAT KICK IN THE STOMACH MIRA. It was just a BIT unnecessary." Dang we really need to reconsider bringing Mira into this thing.
Gray looks surprised. "So you know why you're here?"
"Well, I got everything except that part. Guessing it's got to do with Erza though." AHA. SO SHE'S ON HIS MIND ALL THE TIME. WE'RE ALREADY HALFWAY DONE.
"Right you are," says Mira.
"You need to come clean to her," says Happy.
6:45 PM THURSDAY. JELLAL HAS BEEN STARING HOLES INTO THE FLOOR FOR A DANGEROUS AMOUNT OF TIME NOW. SERIOUSLY HE HASN'T BLINKED I'M GETTING WORRIED.
After 3 eternities of dead silence, Jellal finally spoke up. "What could I have to come clean to her about?"
Rage.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DWERP. YOUR FEELINGS BOI. WE ALL KNOW YOU LOVE HER." Sure, leave it to Gray to be calm and collected. For an ice-mage, he really doesn't know how to keep his cool.
Jellal looks a little perplexed about what to say. "...I know not of what you speak."
Levy, usually on the sweeter side, quite harshly yells, "LOOK HERE JELLAL, WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO DISCUSS WHETHER OR NOT YOU EVEN HAVE FEELINGS FOR ERZA OKAY?" She must've caught herself screaming as she let out a deep breath to maintain her temper. Aww even when she's mad she's cute. "It isn't something to hide so if you could just accept it, then we could all move on."
We all wait for Jellal to think about what she said. I guess Levy's bluntness gets to him as he puts on a defeated look.
"Okay so maybe I do. But these are not feelings I intend to act upon, and that is final."
"But whyyy?" questions Mira in a slightly whiny manner.
"Because, Mira, I have taken too much from her. From all of you, in fact. The sins of my past are too great. I can't just forget about them and move on to the future as if nothing happened." He moves his gaze from Mira to his hands in his lap. "This is my punishment." A glum silence fell over the room.
I look down at my crossed legs to think about how I can't help but feel sorry for him. In his mind, whether or not he was possessed or not, whatever happened at the Tower of Heaven was his fault. I guess it's kind of noble of him if you think about it that way.
Maybe he's right. We can't force a relationship that was accursed to begin with.
"Nahhh, I don't buy it."
Surprised at the disruption of the quiet, I lift up my head to see Natsu looking nonchalantly at Jellal with his arms crossed behind his head. "You say that the only reason you're staying away from Erza is to punish your own self right? Well as far as I can tell, any type of relationship in this world is composed of two people, not one. So while you may think that you're punishing yourself, you seem to be punishing Erza just as much."
Gray catches drift of what Natsu's saying and joins in. "Jellal, we don't know what you've been through, and we can't do anything to change the past, but we do know Erza's tears. We see her smile waver just a little bit at the thought of you pushing her away. We see her long for you in her times of need. As much as she hates to admit it, she's quite obvious when it comes to this stuff."
"You need to go to her, Jellal," I say softly.
9:00 AM SATURDAY. WE'RE ALL GOING TO GO CONFRONT ERZA. I'M SO READY FOR THEM TO BE TOGETHER. JERZA 5-EVER.
Well technically I guess it's only Jellal going to confront Erza while the rest of us tail him from behind in broad daylight. Minor details.
Whatever the case, Jellal seems pretty shaken up by whatever we told him that evening and, after much brooding, has finally decided to talk to Erza about it. We continue following him in ninja-mode on the road that seems to be leading to the guildhall. If I had to guess, I would also think that Erza's at the guild, training to her heart's content.
Oh man oh man oh man I'm so pumped. I'm so ready to earn the Fairy Godmother status in my advice-giving. The final step in achieving this stage is matching two lovers. Yes, there ARE guidelines. I've been waiting for this da-"I'M HUNGRYYYY. Can the loverboy hurry it up or am I gonna hafta step in?"
"NO ONE ASKED YOU TO COME GAJEEL SO SHUT UP AND STOP TRAMPLING OVER MY HAPPINESS," I yell. So much for discretion.
Levy giggles. "Heheh, believe it or not Gajeel is actually really invested in their story. HE was the one telling ME to hurry up this morning so we could come meet you guys."
Oh. Well, what do you know?
"Shh shh shh, he stopped," urges Mira.
We all turn our attention back to Jellal to see him hesitate at the steps of the guild. What in god's name is he doing?
IS HE NERVOUS? I've never seen that man hesitate in anything in his entire life. Even when he's confused about his own identity, he seems so confident.
I turn to look so I can make sure that everyone is as appalled as I am and catch Natsu and Gray sharing a knowing look.
"Well if I were him and I was about to confess my feelings to Erza…" starts Natsu, "I would also be shitting my pants right now," finishes Gray. They even finish each other's sentences. Sometimes I feel like they would make a better couple than Natsu and I would.
If he keeps pacing at the rate that he is, Jellal is going to wear away the cobblestone. Thankfully, he stops after a few minutes, stands up straight, ruffles his hair, and walks in with the confidence of a lion. But like a proud lion. Not like Loke. Though I guess that's a type of confidence in itself.
We watch the guild entrance carefully from a distance, expecting either an armory worth of swords targeted at Jellal to fly out or a unanimous "AWWW!" from the members of the guild. In any case, something big is going to happen.
"Well I guess we should all take a seat since this will probably take a while." I don't understand why the cat with wings feels the need to sit so often but I'd rather not question it.
"Uhm…" I see Levy pointing at the guildhall and quickly whip around in case it was burning down or something. Much to Natsu's disappointment, I instead see Jellal standing outside the guildhall in a similar manner to the way he was previously. "He could've only been in there for two minutes tops."
"Maybe they're just really efficient?" questions Natsu as we approach Jellal to find out how it went.
Jellal looks kind of confused himself, piquing my interest further. Unless she spoke in Swahili, Erza's answer should've been a pretty clear "yes" or "no" and Jellal should either be jumping in joy or crying buckets right now.
"Uhm… Cana said she's not here today. But I know she hasn't taken on a job recently… Apparently she's at that ruined old bridge towards the gulf?" he looks to us questioningly searching for an explanation.
Generally, Erza isn't inclined to do much of anything if she doesn't have a solid reason to. NOW I'M WORRIED. THIS ISN'T GOING AT ALL HOW I PLANNED IT WOULD. All I wanted was to mind other people's business and this is what I get. So unfair. I blame the fortune cookie.
"Oh my god..." says Mira, bringing her hand to her mouth in a moment of realization. She looks like she's had the epiphany of the century or something. Her eyes soften as she looks to Jellal. "You must be really special."
Yayyy another chapter! So the plot thickens... Please please please review so that I can know whether or not anyone's even enjoying this or not. I really really wanna improve so help me out buddy. Thank ye :)