Day 3: Here we go! Please read! Thank you so much for reading the previous chapters. To think that anyone would stick around this long is a mystery to me. I promise they will get together at Day 5! I can't keep them apart much longer!
Day 3: Ribbon
Natsu opened his eyes, the light fighting through the curtains. A small open spot between sent a streak of light across Lucy and him. He had snuck into her bed last night, Happy deciding to stay at Wendy's with Charle for the night. Natsu needed to be with Lucy. Close to her. Just being friends was killing him, now that he realised his feelings but how was he going to get her to say yes to going out with him? A soft nudge at the base of his chin broke through his train of thought.
Lucy's head was nestled against his neck, fitting it perfectly, her hand resting on his chest. It was cute, to say the least. Smiling, he wrapped an arm around her, enjoying the comfort she provided. Before long, she shifted and yawned, her bottom lip brushing against his throat. Man, that felt good. She yawned again, this time opening her eyes, before blearily asking, "Natsu?"
He smiled, leaned his head downward before quietly replying, "The one and only." Her eyes widened slightly, taking in the intimacy of their position. She blushed fiercely and moved her hand away to Natsu's dismay, before putting it back onto his chest, this time with a little pressure.
"Do you mind moving? I kinda want to get up now." A red fire spread across before his cheeks before he got out of bed. The bed creaked as Lucy climbed out and stumbled towards her bathroom. He was stiff from a night of staying rigid so he started walking around the room. Her table, drawers, her vanity set. He stopped in front of her dressing mirror and started to stretch, all the while, wondering why Lucy hadn't kicked him out the minute she woke up. A collection of ribbons caught his eye. She had all sorts of colours: red, purple, blue. But no pink, he noticed. The sound of the stopped running water alerted him to Lucy's presence in the room.
"You can use the bathroom," she paused for a moment, "if you want." Lucy blushed viciously, and it went by unnoticed; Natsu had turned his back as he went into the bathroom. Oh wow, was he hot. He looked so crazy hot when he did those stretches. She turned and stared at the bathroom door. Hopefully, he hadn't noticed that pause… She would be a friend. That's all. A gift of a friend, she reminded herself. She needed a distraction. Away from those thoughts of Natsu stretching.
Sitting down at her desk, she reached out for the papers in front of her to complete her story. She was just at the part where the lead male protagonist was just about to make a move on his dream girl. As she tried to write, pictures of Natsu… She shoved the papers away. She couldn't do this. Not while she's in the middle of a crush crisis. Or was it more than a crush? Oh, it was way more: it was-
"Luce?" She turned around, to find Natsu standing right behind her. When did he get so close? Remembering his question, she replied, "Yeah?"
"Are you going to cook breakfast?" Natsu asked. When did he asked? Didn't he usually just insist? He wasn't usually this caring.
"Well, actually, no. I was thinking we could get some at the guild." If he was shocked he didn't show it.
"Let's go then!" There was that goofy grin that she knew and loved. She beamed and they set off.
The sun had risen; it wasn't exactly early. Most of the shops were open and the shopkeepers wished her a good day to which, she wished them a good day back. Unbeknownst to her, a watchful eye was following her every move: Natsu's. He softly smiled as he watched her greet everyone. As he turned to watch her greet yet another shopkeeper, one of the goods in the shop caught his eye. A salmon ribbon, the exact shade of his hair. Just what he needed.
"Hey, Luce. How about you go on first? I'll meet you at the guild!" Lucy's eyes widened. He was waiting on food? Since when?
"A-Alright," she stuttered, not completely over her shock. "Do you want me to stay and help you bu-?"
"No need," he cut off, brushing her away. "I can handle it." With a nod, she staggered towards the guild, sometimes tripping in her preoccupation with Natsu.
After he was sure Lucy was gone, he turned towards that shopkeeper. She was a middle-aged female who sold hair accessories.
"Hi, can I please have two of these pink ribbons?"
"Sure, are they for your girlfriend?" Natsu blushed scarlet.
"She isn't." He turned his head to the direction Lucy had headed off, and muttered, "But she will be soon, hopefully."
The shopkeeper smiled and nodded in agreement, "Don't worry. She will be." Natsu raised an eyebrow. The shopkeeper laughed lightly.
"She bought some meat from my sister the other day. Let's just say a few words were exchanged and her feelings for a certain 'Natsu' extend way beyond friendly," she smiled. "You wouldn't happen to be the one and only Natsu the Salamander of Fairy Tail, would you?" She chuckled, handing him the plastic bag with the two ribbons in it.
"Now you go get these to her and win her over!" she urged. Natsu smiled, thanking her and ran like the wind to the guild.
Before long, he reached the front doors, slamming them open. He looked around. The guild was completely normal: Levy, Jet and Droy sitting in a corner with Gajeel watching them, Cana with a barrel of wine, Mira serving drinks at the bar. But where was Lucy? She said she was going to be here…
"Oi! Mira!" Natsu called out. In return, Mira looked up.
"Yes?"
"Have you seen Lucy? She said she was going to be here for breakfast." She was supposed to be here… Why was Mira smiling so happily?
"She was here but then she decided to go out back. There's a river there. She sometimes sits by the river." She didn't eat her food? Why would anyone do that? "You should go talk to her," Mira continued.
"Sure…" Natsu made his way to the back of the guild hall and pushed the back door open, still holding the bag of ribbons. He walked on the soft green grass over to Lucy, who sat there, staring into the distance, a hand nonchalantly pulling at the grass.
"Lucy?" She jumped and spun around. A strained smile stretched across her face.
"Natsu, hey there!" She turned back to the river as Natsu sat down next to her. Leaning back on his arms, he turned to her.
"So, what are you doing out here?" Natsu asked. There was that weird smile again.
"I don't know. I just needed to get away, I guess." Lucy said, slowly, carefully.
"Without breakfast?"
Her stomach grumbled.
"Okay," she laughed. "Bad idea." Natsu was completely mesmerised by her laugh: the way her eyes closed slightly when her smile grew wider, the way her laugh sounded like it was the melodic chime of bells. A melodic chime that would put any instrument to shame. A sudden gust of wind brought his attention back to the products in the crinkling plastic bag.
"Oh, hey. Here." He turned to Lucy, the plastic bag in hand, to be greeted by a confused look. Oh man, how on earth did she make a confused look pretty as well? "I found these on the street." Her hand rummaged inside the bag to find two salmon ribbons - the exact shade of Natsu's hair.
"You got me some ribbons you picked up off the street?"
"No, no, no! I didn't. I meant I bought it in the street side shops. You don't really wear ribbons anymore, so I thought, maybe you needed some new ones." He explained. A look of delight lit up Lucy's face. She was clearly touched by his gesture. Score one for Natsu! It died down quickly though, and was replaced by a conflicted look. Didn't that shopkeeper say she liked him? Why was she conflicted?
"Thanks," Lucy said to him. "I really like it." She smiled. Finally a genuine smile. But still, there was that hint of strain, the signs of an internal conflict. He brushed it away and stood up. Lucy's curious eyes followed him as he offered her a hand.
"Come on, let's go back to the guild." Her eyes mellowed and she took his hand, helping herself up. He hadn't expected that surge of sadness that came up once she released his hand.
"Alright, let's go get breakfast." That completely washed away all other thoughts.
"ALRIGHT! Time for breakfast!" Natsu had already rushed off.
"MIRA! One order of flaming fire chicken!" Lucy smiled behind his back. She had wanted to kiss him so badly when he gave her the ribbons but… Lisanna. It had been difficult but she had remained just a friend. Just a friend who had received ribbons.
They're getting longer: 1,512 words. Please review! :) And to get you started: do we need to put in any disclaimers or so?
