How to Play the Player
Months went by, and when Lucy noticed, Natsu and her were best friends.
She swore she'd tried to stick to plan, but oh, it was so difficult with him even to think. It was like her thoughts were pushed aside when he appeared randomly with that big, happy smile of his.
She'd learnt to have patience with him, to understand him, to love him. As a friend, of course.
Or that's what she wanted to believe, anyways.
She tried not to think of the way his dark eyes lit up anytime they were together, how he had a big smile that he used only when they were alone, or how he always clenched his jaw when he got furious. And oh, the way he licked his lips randomly as he stared into her eyes for forever.
Lucy shook her head, little snowflakes falling of her golden hair to the white floor. She shouldn't think that way about her best friend, and even less if she was supposed to play with him.
It's been months since she started to question it. Lisanna had recovered greatly, she was just fine now. Lucy even had the feel there was something between Lis and her friend Bickslow. So what was the point of it all now?
She didn't want to think of the face he would make if the plan succeeded.
Would he hate her? Would he not talk to her anymore?
Oh God, she couldn't live with it.
She couldn't live without him, damn it.
Lucy stopped walking, freezing. And not from the cold. The realization hit her as if bricks fell over her head, and tears itched in her eyes when she knew, in fact, that it was the pure truth. The idiot became unconditional to her in a short amount of time.
She sighed, watching the white path ahead of her. Winter this year had been essentially cold, the snow reaching her ankles. She hated this season.
Lucy started to walk again before freezing, her gloved hands in her pockets. December, Saturday 7th. She wondered if Natsu cooked the cookies he'd promised her after losing a bet. Of course Levy would be the one to kiss Gajeel; the poor idiot was too stubborn to do it, even if it was so obvious he was head over heels for her.
Lucy's eyes scanned the familiar house now standing in front of her. The light yellow walls and the brick red color of the roof. A Christmas wreath hang on the white door, colorful lights adorning the house for the holiday. It looked really pretty, cheerful and familiar.
The blonde knocked on the door. One second later, Wendy, Natsu's step sister, opened it, greeting her with the sweetest of smiles. Her blue hair was tied up on a cute ponytail, her brown eyes shining at the sight of Lucy, who was unable not to smile back.
"Lucy!" Wendy said. "Didn't know you were going to show up. I guess I should've know, you're always around."
Lucy blushed, "Hi there, Wendy. How're you doing?"
"I'm great," Wendy answered. "Grandeeney is making some cookies. I think you'll love them!"
"Yay!" Lucy cheered. The woman's cooking was absolutely delicious. She envied Natsu for having such a great step-mother. But, "Where's Natsu?"
Usually, he was the first one to show up and drag her inside, his childish attitude making everyone laugh.
Wendy's face changed completely, her happy mood suddenly dropping. Her little hands played nervously with the hem of her cat sweater."He… went to the graveyard this morning."
Her heart stopped. "W-What?"
Wendy sighed, looking at the blonde in the eyes with such seriousness that Lucy had to gulp. "Please. I think… you're the only one that can cheer him up a bit." The little girl took her hands on hers, pleading. "I beg you, Lucy. Go look for him. I think he needs you."
"What are you talking about?" Lucy squealed, her pulse going wild with worry.
"I think… you'll understand once you see him." Wendy smiled sadly.
So after Lucy demanded where exactly was him and Wendy told her the information, Lucy ran off as quickly as she could, trying not to slip and fall in the icy, heartless snow.
One thousand thoughts crossed her mind as she ran, worry filling her chest.
Was he okay?
Was he freezing? Wendy said he'd been there since morning, and it was around 4 p.m. now.
Was he starving?
Was he okay?
Lucy prayed to whoever was hearing her pleads, to let Natsu be okay. Emotionally, at least. He didn't want to see his tears fall, to see his broken heart.
Ah, the fucking irony.
She bit her lips and ordered her legs to move faster. Her boot slipped in the snow, and she fell hard to the cement floor. She was sure a bruise was going to appear in her elbows and her knees, but she stood up and kept running. There was no time to cry for the pain, Natsu needed her.
Blinking back the tears that threatened to fall, she kept going another five minutes before she found herself at the entrance of the city's graveyard. Hectic, she tried to normalize her breathing.
Lucy gulped down and pushed her own memories aside, and forced her feet to move again. The muscles screamed in pain. She wasn't used to running so much.
Her eyes scanned the place, looking around, searching for a unique pink mane. The place was rather empty, only grown up ladies placing flowers over someone's tomb.
Slowly and anxious, she wandered around. Sadness by her own experience threatened to bring her down, and she was tempted to fall to her knees and cry her eyes out right there. The feeling of nostalgia and sadness was overwhelming.
But she bottled it all up, for now, she had to be strong for his sake.
And there he was.
A kneeled figure in the snow. He was dressed black, from his beanie and his jacket to his sneakers. Except his loved, white scarf, wrapped around his neck tightly. As he told her one night, it was the only gift he had from his deceased father, Igneel. And-
Oh.
Oh shit.
Lucy put her hands over her mouth and gasped in the distance. Could it be, that he was in front of his father's grave? She could hear her own heart breaking.
His bangs covered his eyes, but as she walked closer, she noticed his body shaking. His gloved hands wiped furiously the tears away.
Lucy slowly made her way behind him. She kneeled and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. Biting her lip, she buried her face into his back. All of him was cold. He must've been there around hours, for him to be like this.
Feeling her own tears swell up in her eyes again, she grabbed him with more force. She wasn't letting him go anytime soon. Never.
"L-Lucy?" he asked, his voice barely a broken whisper.
"Shh," Lucy said, closing her eyes. "Don't worry."
He felt how he moved his hand until he held hers in his, squeezing it, as if testing if it was really her. She squeezed back reassuringly.
And so they laid there together, silence surrounding them. Lucy tried to ignore the cold wind that stabbed at her skin like daggers, scooting closer to him to save up some human heat, if there still reminded some. Snowflakes kept falling over them. Had he seriously been there since morning?
His hands were still playing absently with hers, drawing crazy patterns over her gloves.
She peeked over his shoulder to look at the grave's inscription.
Igneel Dragneel. 1955 - 2007.
There was a bouquet of flowers in the ground, covered in white snow. Lucy sighed and pressed her forehead against his back.
"Y-You know," Natsu started, his voice croaky.
"You don't have to," Lucy assured him.
"I want to." He said, more determined. "Please."
Who was she to deny him? "Okay."
"Igneel wasn't my dad."
Lucy opened her eyes widely, the statement so blunt it shocked her. "What?"
"He adopted me when I was five." He clarified, but it didn't calm her down in the very least. Why was he telling her all this so suddenly?
"Natsu…"
"Apparently, my biological parents disappeared without explanation. Nobody knows them. I don't mind, actually. I guess they had their own reasons," Oh, this boy always looked at the bright sides of things, didn't he?
"I think so, too." She said.
"So then I ended up at some orphan. I lived there until Igneel found me, you know?" He chuckled bitterly, humorless.
"He found me and he took me in. He taught me how to talk, about culture and even how to write. I loved him, Lucy. And one day he just… disappeared. He was gone." he said, and broke down in tears.
Lucy bit her lips as tears finally fell down her face, holding him tighter as he shook with sobs. He threw his head back and cried out loud, never letting go of her hand.
"Just because that bastard didn't hit the brakes in time… my dad…" He cried.
Lucy felt blood in her lips, but it was nothing. Even the cold seemed a minor priority now.
"The scar on my neck…" he hiccuped. "It's because that accident. W-We were coming back from my stupid football game. Who cares if we won the stupid tournament? I fucking lost everything."
Now both of them cried openly together. It was as if they shared the pain, the loss. And what more, Lucy was just grateful that he trusted her enough to share that with her. Was she really worth his absolute trust?
"Natsu…" she tried.
"He told me to talk about my future… because that's what makes me want to live."
"I see," Lucy smiled softly. It wasn't time to cry, she had to be his rock now. He was trusting her to gather up his broken little pieces. "He was very wise."
"Yeah," he nodded. He left her hands to clean his face again, and for a moment they felt so cold without his warmth.
"Then do it as he told you," Lucy said, rubbing circles in his back. "Live for your future."
He turned around to her, and for the first time that day she saw his face. His eyes were red and swollen, his nose and cheeks red from the icy air. His pink locks were wild were the beanie didn't cover them.
He looked at her in the eyes before throwing himself at her, his arms wrapping her. She did the same, feeling how he buried his face in her hair, trying not to cry.
"Now I'll tell you my story," Lucy said, caressing his hair between her fingers.
"Lucy?" he murmured in her ear. The motion tickled her.
"I grew up in a fancy, old, enormous mansion." Lucy started. "With my dad and my mom -and it was all perfect, you know. I loved them both. Until I turned six and and everything went from bad to worse."
Her story seemed like nothing compared to his, but she'd learned that comparing one stories didn't make one better nor worse than the other. There was pain and sadness in both of them, and she guessed it happened to everyone.
"My mom had told me she would go to buy me those little toy keys I loved so much, and… she never came back. Some bastard left her with a hole in her chest. I was so angry, you know. But overall, I was so sad…"
Now it was Natsu's turn to draw circles in her back as she cried.
"After that, my dad turned into the coldest, most heartless man I've known. He focused on work and left me aside. Her only daughter thrown into his own shadows. Maids raised me after that, since he didn't talk to me anymore. He even signed a contract to let me have my own apartment."
It was so weird to share it with him after so many years of bottling it up.
"I've lived alone since last year…" Lucy finished.
Natsu let out a humorless laugh. "Life's a bitch, uh?"
Lucy laughed bitterly along him. "You could say so."
"Lucy…"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Lucy?"
"Yes?"
"Aren't you freezing?"
"Heck yes."
He broke the hug and stared at her eyes. "Geez, we're a mess."
Lucy rolled her eyes, but she was rather happy now that he seemed a bit cheered up. "You think so?"
Natsu gave her a little smirk, "Nah, it's just you. I'm sure I look great."
"Go watch yourself in the mirror." Lucy joked, the corner of her lips lifting up a little too.
"You really are something." he murmured.
"Uh? What did you say?" Lucy asked, frowning.
"Nothing," Natsu said, before smiling. "Did I just hear you have an empty house?"
"What are you planning, Natsu Dragneel." Lucy narrowed her eyes.
"Movie night."
And so they did. They walked together towards her apartment.
Her stomach started to do weird things as they approached, but she must admit it wasn't all that awful. Yes, maybe it was the first time she invited a boy over to be alone, but she trusted him. And how could she say no to him after seeing him emotionally destroyed? She wanted to cheer up his spirits.
She put the key on her lock, slowly turning it over until the door cracked open. Taking a deep breath, she stepped on, Natsu following her close. It wasn't that she was ashamed of her little house; with pink curtains, cute furniture and home accessories. It was small, simple and cozy, and she liked it there.
"Nice," Natsu commented, rubbing his hands to create some friction.
Oh right, they were freezing. She went over and turned on the heater. Immediately warmth started to fill the apartment, and they both put their hands near it to receive as much hot as they could. Both of them sighed contently.
"It was cold outside," he said, burying his face in his scarf. The one Igneel gave him.
She rolled her eyes. "No kidding."
"Hey," He continued, ignoring her. "How… how did you know I was there?"
"Wendy told me," Lucy explained. "I went to your house."
"Why?"
"You still owe me those cookies!" She hit his arms playfully.
"Oh right." Natsu said. "Someday, probably."
Lucy scoffed, "I'll hold you to that."
He smirked. "I won't expect anything else from you."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Lucy narrowed her eyes.
"That you're a weirdo." Natsu stated, rather proud.
"One more word and I'll kick you out from my house." Lucy threatened.
"Aye,"
They stayed in the comfort of their silence, still warming up. Lucy was grateful they weren't in the outside anymore, but she was sure a long week of being sick was coming up for both of them. But she didn't regret a thing about today -not if it was with Natsu.
Suddenly, Natsu grabbed her right hand in his. She looked at him with shocked eyes, and she found his face blushing slightly. Really, his pinks matched with his hair and it was the most adorable thing ever.
"Thank you, Lucy."
She looked at their hands before drifting her gaze back at him. She smiled,
"Anytime,"
They stared into each other's eyes for who knows how long. It could've been seconds, minutes or ages. Lucy would never get tired of his eyes; so deep, piercing and mysterious, with his usual love and friendliness. Today they had a sad spark too, and it made her chest clench.
He didn't let go of her hand soon, either. It was so warm and protecting.
But Lucy knew all of it was wrong.
She shouldn't be like that with him. What about the plan? What about Lisanna? Damnit, he was her ex boyfriend. What kind of best friend would she be if something happened?
And besides, what was the point of doing it all if it was obvious he didn't feel the same for her? She knew her stupid crush had been inevitable, but it was that: stupid and impossible. She was already risking so much to carry on with the plan. Her friends were counting on her for making him pay back for Lisanna.
Her heart definitely shouldn't be beating faster than normal, nor her stomach should still be doing those weird flip flops, like stupid butterflies flying around. And her face shouldn't turn red when he looked at her.
Oh God she was so screwed.
"Lucyy!" Natsu yelled.
"Hey!" Lucy complained, "Don't yell at me. I'm right in front of you!"
Natsu frowned, "That's what I should say. I've been calling you since forever ago."
Her face got even redder. "S-Shut up."
"You weirdo…" he murmured.
Biting back her response, she sighed and continued, "What did you want?"
"I wanna see a movie."
"Right now?"
"Yeah."
"But I'm still cold."
He whined. "But! You're gonna be like this forever!"
"No!" She rolled her eyes. "Chill down."
"But I'm bored."
"Not my business."
"You're such a horrible host, Luce."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Watch the damned movie."
"No!"
"Why not?"
"I'm still cold!"
"Not my business," He mocked.
Lucy death glared at him, biting her tongue. "Don't you dare."
"But Lucy!" He whined again, looking at her with puppy dog eyes.
"I said don't you dare."
"I didn't say anything!" He complained.
"Doesn't matter. Can't you wait a little longer?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm dead bored."
"Go make a snowman or something."
"Lucy."
"What?"
"Do you want to build a snowman?" he sang, at the edge of laughter.
Lucy was torn between punching him or laughing along. So she did both.
She enjoyed watching him laugh like that, like a carefree guy who had no worries and no dark past. She would do anything to watch him like this every day. But she would make sure to hold and support all the faces Natsu showed her.
And she thought how controversial was it, when she was there to make him suffer.
"Can we watch the movie now, Lucy?"
She rolled her eyes, unable to stop the big smile forming in her lips. What a rollercoaster of a day.
"What do you want to watch?" she asked as gently as possible.
He grinned. "What do you tell me about Fro-"
"No." Lucy snapped.
"You're no fun Luce." He pouted.
"Oh, shut up." Lucy said.
"Let's go now!" He exclaimed eagerly, and before she could even register what was happening, she found herself in his arms, bridal style.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" she yelled, holding to his neck to save her life.
"You wouldn't listen to me!" He said as a spoiled kid, and then he winked at her.
She blushed all the short way up to her comfy sofa, where he carefully dropped her like a sack of potatoes. Instead of standing up, he stayed over her, with his arms still around her. His face was so close, Lucy forgot how to breath.
"So now you will," he said quietly.
Unable to answer, Lucy watched how he stood up and chuckled, before going over her TV and grabbing the remote control. He then proceeded to drop himself at her side, his long legs extended.
"Now, now," He mused, "What should be watch?"
"Whatever."
"Oh, and Lucy?"
"Yes?"
"I'm staying over the night."
"What-"
"So go calling to the pizza delivery,"
"I'm gonna kick you out."
Word Count= 3269. Ah, there is still one more chapter! I'll update it as quick as I can. Thank you everyone for reviewing, favoriting and following this story. It makes me smile all day and motivates me to write more and more! So yeah, thank you a lot. Forgive any grammar mistake, English isn't my first language!
Shout outs to: fanakatsuki - nicole143mb - NoraRabbit - Red-Velvet-Erza - Mystic Stars - MissyPlatina - Yuyui Hime - CelestialGoddess - KaUiA - JustLoverly - Guest - NaLu x Buckets - Leilaneko - fanakatsuki - perseus2760 - Reinaa-chan - Edition.