Chapter 4
Theme: Rumors
Lucy
It started out just like any other day. Lucy awoke to the sunlight streaming through a small crack in her pink ruffled curtains. She welcomed the day with a light smile. Climbing out of the comfort of her soft bed, she stood up and stretched. Grabbing her clothes, she made her way into the bathroom and closed the door with a soft click of the lock.
She watched as the steam rose from her bathtub as the sweet scent of lavender filled her senses. A thin layer of bubbles formed on top of the water from the soap she added. Dipping herself into the hot water that immediately set to work on the soreness in her muscles.
She closed her eyes as she let her mind roam freely, letting the warmth relax her. Recently she has found herself thinking more and more of her pinkette of a best friend. His carefree attitude, face splitting grin and playful eyes haunted her dreams at night and filled her thoughts during the day.
And everytime she found herself thinking of him, a smile was always present on her face. Even at the moments where she found him annoying, she couldn't stay mad at him for long. He always seemed so innocent, like he had no idea what he was doing was wrong. Like a kid who was punished for just trying to help. His intentions always were for the best but the results...not so much.
Draining the water, she stepped out and wrapped the soft towel around her slender body. Dressing, she then stepped out of the steam filled bathroom as she felt her feet land on the plush carpet that spread through out her room. She has been wearing even more revealing clothes than normal in an attempt to catch a certain someones deep charcoal eyes.
She wanted him to look at her, see her for the woman that she is. Now at the age of 23, her figure is even more striking than when they first met. Her body more fit and toned thanks to all the missions they have completed. Natsu of course is the same, now with muscles even more pronounced and a few inches added to his height.
There isn't a girl around who wouldn't stop and stare when a man like Natsu walked past, he just never seemed to notice the looks that followed him. Lucy's hair now reached down to the middle of her back, as she no longer puts it into the side pony tail like she used to. She would normally just let it fall freely or pull all her hair back into a pony tail when she is writting or just feeling lazy that day.
Grabbing her keys, she made her way out the door heading in the direction of her favorite place. Like usual, Lucy balanced herself along the wall of the canal as the boatmen passed by.
"Be careful Lucy, your boyfriend will be upset if you fall in!" they warned her from a distance but Lucy stopped in her tracks as her mind tried to wrap itself around what the man had just said. Boyfriend? Where did they hear such a thing? Finally snapping out of her thoughts, she wanted to ask the man where he got the idea from but they were officially out of earshot.
Sighing, Lucy went about her way thinking that maybe they were just teasing her like Mirajane always does. She started to notice that people around her were whispering and some were even pointing at her. She felt uneasy under all the looks they were giving her. Quickening her pace, she wanted to get to the guild faster to see what was going on.
Lucy pushed the double doors open as she was greeted a little more enthusiastically than normal. She greeted everyone in return but what really bothered her was the devilish smirk that lay across the face of the beautiful barmaid. With sweat running down, she approached the said woman with caution.
"Hello Mirajane, did something happen?" the blond mage asked. She watched as Mirajane's smile grew larger, which Lucy didn't think was possible. There was only one person Lucy ever saw smile that big, and that was Natsu.
"Well Lucy, why don't you tell me," Mirajane bit back, her smile no longer present and instead was replaced with a frown.
"What are you talking about Mirajane?"
Right before Mirajane could say anything Gray and Erza walked over to her as Gray gave her the same kind of smile Mirajane did when she first came. Gray was currently missing his shirt but managed to keep his pants.
"Hey there Lucy," Gray greeted and Lucy shifted nervously as she wondered what has gotten into everyone.
"Hey Gray, Erza,"
"Lucy, I would like you to know that I fully support you but I will be here for you whenever I am needed and if he makes you cry, he will receive a punishment 100 times worse then he has ever felt before,"
Lucy shivered as she pictured Erza dealing such a punishment to someone, but wondered who she was talking about.
"So Lucy, why didn't you tell us?" Gray asked.
"Tell you what?"
"This," he pulled a rolled magazine out of his pants pocket and handed it to her. Lucy unrolled the magazine to see that it was the newest addition of Sorcerers Weekly. She almost fell out of her seat when she read the headline.
Fairy Tails dream couple, now official!
Lucy's eyes were wide as they scanned a photo that had been taken about a year ago. It was of her and Natsu, after Fairy Tail had won the Grand Magic Games. Her and Natsu had given each other a celebratory hug and a large smile was present on their faces. But who wouldn't be happy, they had won!
Lucy allowed herself to open the book to the said page where the article continued.
Lucy Heartfilia, aire to the Heartfilia fortune and Fairy Tails own celestial spirit mage has just became officially involved with Salamander, the famous fire dragon slayer of Fairy Tail known as Natsu Dragneel.
Lucy gulped in fear of continuing but braced herself for whatever was going to come next.
It has been known for quite some time that these two were inseparable, you could never find one without the other.
What do they expect? They are partners and best friends.
Our sources say that the two have clearly been in a relationship for several years now but have kept it hidden. They say that the only reason they are exposing it now is because they are ready to take it to the next level. Do we hear wedding bells in the future?
Who could their source be? Obviously its not someone present now since they all seem surprised, so who could it be? Lucy took a deep breath as she tightly clenched the magazine in her sweaty palms.
We asked a few members of Fairy Tail to tell us what they think of this new development and they were more than eager to give their opinion.
Oh no.
I always knew that this was going to happen, it was clear the two liked each other from day one. Mirajane Strauss
Day one? Really Mirajane?
Honestly, I say good luck. Young love is a sweet thing to have. Master Makarov Dreyar
She smiled at this, the master was right.
It's about time, those two have been sending secret glances at one another for so long, I think I speak for everyone when I say that their sexual tension was driving us insane. Macao Conbolt
WHAT?!
I am happy for them and I will support their decision. Erza Scarlet
Typical Erza.
All I can say is congrats to them and to warn Natsu that he will have an entire guild after him if he messes up. Plus a lot of men waiting in line for him to do just that. Gray Fullbuster
Lucy couldn't say anything. She couldn't believe the things she had just read. Day one? Young love? Even sexual tension, is everyone in this guild crazy? That was a stupid question.
"Hello, Earthland to Lucy. Are you there?" Gray asked waving his hand in front of her.
"You guys actually believe this?" Lucy said finally snapping out of her thoughts.
"Well, yeah. Why wouldn't we?" Gray questioned.
"Because it's not true!" Lucy defended. She watched as everyones face twisted in confusion. "Like I have said over and over again there is nothing going on between me and Natsu!"
Lucy felt the frustration building as no one responded, thinking over what she just said. Does everyone really think that for one, she would lie about something like this. Two, that Natsu was even capable of settling down. Where do they get such idea's? This must have been what the boatmen were talking about.
"Lucy, is this the truth? You know you can trust us." Erza said placing an armor clad hand upon her shouler.
"Of course Erza, I have no reason to lie," Lucy explained. Erza nodded in response.
"Okay, we must find out who is the cause of this. They need to be severaly punished."
For once Lucy actually agreed, but the only way they could figure it out would be to talk to Jason, the reporter who wrote the story. And he was a pain in the ass to deal with. Lucy sighed to herself as she thought of how much damage control this was going to take to put things back to the way it was.
"Don't worry Lucy, we will definitely settle this matter," Erza assured. Lucy nodded but still didn't feel that much better. She took a seat at the bar as Gray and Erza sat on each side of her.
"It's alright Lucy, everything will turn out fine," Gray added as he rubbed her back just slightly in hopes of making her feel better.
"Thanks Gray, thanks Erza,"
At that moment Natsu came into the guild, as he flashed his friends a huge grin. He strolled over to his team as he noticed his best friends bad mood.
"What's wrong Lucy?" He shoved Gray out of the way, causing him to crash onto the floor and took his seat on the left side of Lucy.
"What the hell was that for you jackass?" Gray shouted. Natsu just ignored him as he waited for Lucy to answer. Gray smirked to himself as he watched Natsu being overly concerned about her.
"Did you see today's Sorcerer Weekly?" Lucy asked him. He shook his head but his smirk somehow grew larger. She passed the magazine over to him. He glanced over the front page and read it, then turned to the inside and read the article it contained.
Lucy wondered why he seemed so happy about it. She just figured that maybe he didn't understand the meaning of what it said.
"Is this what your so upset about?" he asked her and she nodded. "What's the problem with it?"
"Natsu this claims that me and you are dating and have been for years. It even says that we plan to take it to the next level. That means marriage." she explained but it didn't seem like Natsu was understanding.
"So,"
Gray started laughing as he tumbled to the floor, Erza watched in silent amusement while Lucy was shocked.
"Natsu do you understand what that means?"
"Of course I do," he defended.
"Then what does it mean?" she leaned in closer as she narrowed her eyes at him.
"It means that we will always be together,"
"Well that's one way of putting it but you do realize that you have to actually date before getting married. At least that's what I would prefer."
He put his finger on his chin deep in thought for a second. He then turned to Lucy with a questioning look.
"Lucy, I thought we were dating,"
Gray's laughter intensified, as Erza started to chuckle.
"No Natsu, we were not. In order for us to have been dating, one of us would have had to ask the other and both us would have to agree to it then you have to actually date."
"But we did date. How many times did we go out to eat together and things like that?"
Lucy had to admit that he had a point, they did sorta act like a couple when it was just them but they never kissed nor held hands or anything like that.
"Natsu, that was as friends, we are not in a relationship, we have never even held hands."
"We have held hands, how many times did I grab your hand and take you somewhere with me?"
"That doesn't count, you didn't hold my hand in a way that a boyfriend would, you just used it to drag me where ever you wanted to. Besides you forgot that you actually have to ask the other person if they want to date you."
"Didn't we promise each other never to leave the other?" Natsu was starting to get annoyed that everything he said was getting shot down.
"We didn't mean it in that way Natsu. That was meant as friends once again."
"Well fine then. I want you to date me," he said crossing his arms.
"W-what!"
"Date me, that way no other man looks at you. No one else will be the cause of that blush thats currently on your cheeks. That way I can kiss you, call you mine, marry you, and eventually have a family with you,"
Lucy was stunned. Where was this coming from? Natsu was never this serious about anything other than fighting. Lucy's face was beyong red and her mouth just hung open as she looked at this guy who she thought was Natsu.
"Your not Natsu."
"What?" Now it was Natsu's turn to be shocked.
"You heard me, what have you done with my best friend?" Natsu felt his heart ache when her heard her say best friend. He just confessed and told her that he wanted her all to himself yet she still calls him that. His hopes of being with Lucy were crushed,
"But Lucy it's me,"
"I don't believe you, Natsu is never this serious about anything other than fighting and food. I refuse to believe that you are him,"
He racked his brain for a way to prove that he is Natsu. Was it really that hard for her to believe? Why was he even thinking about this? He should just listen to his instincts and act like himself. Act then think. Natsu then grabbed Lucy's wrist as he pulled her into him.
His arms wrapped themselves around her shoulders as her scent reached his senses.
"I am Natsu, can anyone else warm you the way I can?" He pulled back slightly, he lifted his hand and trailed his thumb across her cheek. "Can anyone else touch you the way I do? Cause you shiver with just a touch?" He lifted her chin to look him in the eyes. "Make you feel the way that I do?"
"Can any other man, make you blush the way I do?" He placed his hand on top of her chest, right above her heart. "Can any other man make your heart race like this? Make you feel like your head is spinning, and there are wicked little dragons doing flips inside your stomach?"
"Can any other man kiss you as I can?" At the moment, he pushed himself forward, closing the distance between the two. Lucy's eyes were wide with surprise but soon she closed them as she wrapped her arms around him. Natsu was elated when he felt her kiss him back. The sensations that this woman was putting him through, he couldn't even begin to describe.
"This is all the things that I feel when I am with you, all I want to know is that you feel the same too," Natsu said after he pulled back. "No one else will ever love you the way that I do, I love you so much, Lucy."
Lucy couldn't believe what she was feeling. The moment she felt his hand on her wrist she knew it was him, the feel of his rough callused hands were the same as always. When he pulled her in and held her, she could smell him. This smell that is unique and can only belong to Natsu. His voice as it rumbled through his chest, the feeling of his hand on her cheek and on her chest. The kiss, everything was like a dream, so perfect.
She couldn't even dream that this could have went any better than it did. Her eyes filled with silent tears, as she smiled up at him.
"I love you too," she threw herself onto him, as she planted another kiss on his lips. This time she let it go further. She deepened the kiss as she parted her plump lips just slightly and Natsu took full advantage of it. Even though this was his first kiss, he was letting his instincts guide him and so far they have yet to fail him. Lucy melted into the kiss that was inexperienced yet so perfect.
The lips formed together as if they were made for one another. They both felt like they had found their missing peice, and finished the puzzle. Interlocking two halves and making it into a whole.
As they pulled away, they smiled at each other once more. They both loved the feeling of being in each others arms.
"I still wonder who the magazines source was," Gray stated ruining their moment.
"Yeah, same here," Lucy added.
"Um, well...let's not worry about that okay?" Natsu asked nervously as all eyes turned to him.
"Natsu, you didn't?"
"Let us celebrate!" Master shouted holding his beer mug high as the guild cheered. Natsu was happy that it took the attention off him and no one asked again about him telling the magazine about them.
The end
A/N: Hey it's me again. I hope you guys liked the latest chapter. The word count for this chapter was 3,062. Still working on the other chapters. Someone suggested a theme to me and I will definitely add it. It was great idea! I will make sure to post who recommended it when it's posted. Always accepting idea's if you have any. Also the theme for the next chapter is 'Joke'. Can you guess whats going to happen? As always, i wish for you to drop me a PM or Review letting me know what you think. More reviews = More updates. Thanks so much to everyone who has reviewed especially to those who I was not able to PM my thanks to because they were listed as a guest so here is my thanks and I hope that you continue to read and enjoy my series! Love always Angel!
