—i watch the roses of the day grow deep
Do you, do you know, do you know what you mean to me
Do you, do you know, do you know what you make me feel
Every, every time that you smile, I can hardly breathe
Baby, do you see, do you see you're my summer
"...interviews, so what made you change your mind?"
"As you know, my family struggled with publicity in the past, so I was wary, to say the least. But then I met my best friends. They showed me that hiding from people won't solve my problems. Also, my company has been looking for opportunities to advertise my music more, so I thought, why not?"
"Well, we sure are glad you did. We received many questions from your fans about your fashion, especially your jewelry. Let's see—glass, are they? How gorgeous! Wherever did you find these?"
"Actually, my friend and his sister make them by hand. He's a very talented glassblower, and his sister has an eye for jewelry."
"Handmade! No wonder they're so unique and difficult to find!"
"Yes, I keep telling my friend to open up a shop, maybe online, so that more people will know about him but he's strangely unreceptive to the idea. It's not a bad idea, is it?"
"That's a fantastic idea! You must convince him and be sure to let us know when it happens!"
"I'll try my best!"
"Alright, Lucy, let's get down to business. Now you're no rookie singer, but you were quite unknown in the past. However, your recent single has launched you into stardom! How are you feeling about your newfound popularity?"
"It's crazy! I have so many fans now and people recognize me on the streets...it's definitely strange. I suppose I'll have to get used to it."
"You sure will, because your voice is unforgettable. It's astounding that you've gone undiscovered for so long. Tell us about this new song of yours."
"So it's called 'Summer,' as you probably know, and it's, um, it's a love song. It's very different from my usual style. My songs in the past have mostly been about loss and identity, much more melancholic than 'Summer.' But this song is very important to me and I'm both nervous and excited to share it with the world."
"It's a beautiful song, and the lyrics are so sweet. Is it, perhaps, inspired by real life?"
"I do write all of my music, so naturally all my songs are based on my personal experiences and, yes, 'Summer' is no different."
"I see! So who's the lucky guy? Anyone we know?"
"Oh...I really can't say but...nothing's official. That's all I can tell you."
"Aw, well, I wish you the best of luck with your 'summer.'"
"Thank you."
"So, Lucy, tell me..."
"Oh no, why are you watching that? Stop, stop, turn it off! It's embarrassing to see myself on TV."
Levy turns around to smirk at a blushing Lucy, leaning over the back of the couch to wiggle her eyebrows and say slyly, "So, Lu. Nothing's official, huh?"
"I-I-I—"
"I guess you and Natsu are gettin' pretty cozy, hmm?"
"W-well, what about you and Gajeel, huh?"
It's Levy's turn to blush.
Gajeel is Natsu's cousin. He's tall, dark, and punk, with numerous body piercings and a wild mane of black hair. He looks huge next to Levy, and is overly protective of her. Anyone can tell how they feel about each other. He seems kind and well-meaning, albeit harsh and blunt and crude. Apparently, he'd been an asshole to Levy and her friends when they'd first met, due to some personal issues, but has long since apologized and has been trying to make it up to her since.
Lucy wonders if anyone has told him yet that the best way to make it up to Levy is to ask her out. She'll have to mention it to him sometime, just to make sure.
"This isn't about me, this is about you!" Levy tosses the remote and flops down onto the cushions, beckoning Lucy to join her. "Is the song really about Natsu? I mean, I know it's called 'Summer' but..."
Lucy giggles dreamily as she sits down beside Levy. "Yes. We wrote it together...he's credited under an alias. And he even recorded it with me! Of course that version will never be released but...I listen to it all the time..."
Levy shoots up and squeals loudly."Natsu sang it with you!? Oh my goodness, I have to hear it!"
"Oh..." Lucy bites her lip. "You'll have to ask Natsu if he's okay with that. He's really shy about his voice. I have no idea why. I think it's beautiful." She shivers lightly just thinking about it.
Levy rolls her eyes. "Well, of course you do. Alright, I'll ask him then."
"What do you mean, of course I do? He has a nice voice!"
"Lucy, you literally wrote a love song about him. I think it's safe to say there's not much you don't like about him."
Lucy splutters incoherently.
"So!" Levy sits up with a mischievous grin. "Something must have happened between you two. Gimme all the details!"
Girl talk! Lucy almost screams girlishly. She's never had a friend to talk about boys with before. She'ss embarrassed but even more excited.
"Well," she begins bashfully, "we met up at the Strauss cafe as usual. Lisanna came back that day so I met her and agreed to do my first interview with her—"
"I remember watching that!" Levy interrupts. "I was so surprised to see you on TV!"
"Yes, but it was fun! Um, and then we went to my studio and Natsu was looking around when he found my lyric notebook. It's where I write all my songs but it also has a ton of dumb, embarrassing lyrics from forever ago and I didn't want him to see them so we fought for it—"
"You fought with Natsu!?"
"I was desperate, okay! They're really embarrassing!" Lucy covers her flaming cheeks. "Of course, we ended up falling, and I landed on top of him—"
Levy shrieks in anticipation.
"—and then...we kissed. It was...perfect." Lucy sighs, melting into the couch as she remembers. "And then we wrote the song and recorded it and we held hands the whole time."
Levy gapes at her. "You mean to tell me that you and Natsu were together, alone, for an extended period of time, and all you did was kiss? Once!?"
Lucy squirms. "W-well, what else would we do?"
"Oh, Lucy. You innocent child."
"Levy!" Lucy pouts. "Don't you think that would be moving way too fast? Plus...I mean, we haven't actually talked about, you know, the kiss."
Levy's eyebrows shoot up to her hairline. "Wait, you haven't? No one's asked anyone out?"
"No..."
"What! Do you guys still see each other?"
"Of course we do!" Lucy replies indignantly. "We hang out all the time!"
"And nothing's...different?"
"Well...I mean, we always hold hands now...and um, sometimes we, um, we kiss a little, um..."
Levy throws her hands up in exasperation. "So you're basically dating."
"But—officially—"
"Right, right, not 'officially.'" Levy sighs and looks at Lucy seriously. "Well, why not? What's stopping you from asking him out? You know he likes you."
Lucy bites her lip. "I don't know...what if he's not looking for a relationship? Natsu's so...well, you know! Honest? I mean, I expected him to say something by now if he really wanted it..."
"This is all new to him. I've known him since we were in diapers and I can tell you with complete certainty that he's never felt like this about anyone before. He's pretty clueless about romance, so he probably just doesn't know what to do," Levy explains with a shrug. "It really might be up to you to make a move."
"But...but this is all new for me too! I barely know how to be a friend, let alone a girlfriend!" Lucy worries her lips between her teeth and tugs at her hair. "Sure, I've read books, but that's not the same! I don't know, Levy...what if neither of us do anything? Would it really be so bad to be ambiguous for a while? I mean...we're pretty happy right now..."
Levy shakes her head fervently. "I wouldn't recommend it, Lu. Ambiguity spawns misunderstanding. You might both get hurt. Of course, I can't tell you guys what to do but...I think you should talk to him."
Lucy looks away uncertainly.
Levy sighs. "You two have something real, Lucy, and I don't wanna see either of you get hurt and mess up a good thing."
"But...I'm scared, Levy." Lucy looks at her friend with wide, frightened eyes. "I...growing up, I wasn't really allowed to make friends. I learned how to get rich old people to like me, but I didn't learn how to socialize with people my age. Like right now, I'm still worried that I might scare you and Natsu and Erza and Gray and everyone away! I'm terrified of m-messing up and losing th-the only real f-friends I've ever known..."
"Oh, Lucy." Levy launches herself forward and hugs Lucy tightly. "I'm so sorry. But that's not something you ever have to worry about, I swear."
Lucy sniffles as her eyes well up with tears, and she hugs Levy back just as tightly.
"You're a good person, Lucy, and none of us would stop being your friend just because you made a mistake. Maybe we'll get angry, maybe we'll fight, but that's normal. Do you really think so little of us?" Levy teases gently, easing back to smile at Lucy.
Lucy hastily shakes her head, wiping her eyes in mortification. "No, no, of course not! Never, I would never think that—"
"Kidding! I was kidding, don't worry." Levy grins and scoots closer so she can lean her head on Lucy's shoulder. "I promise, Lu, being friends with us is the easiest thing. In fact, there's nothing you can do to make us not want to be your friends. Even if you didn't want us, we'd probably still be your friends! We're forceful like that."
"Actually, I can believe that." Lucy giggles and leans her head on top of Levy's. "Thanks, Levy."
"Hey, what are friends for?"
Lucy hums as she browses the shelves of the library, looking for her new victim. When she was young, she had aspired to be an author—and in a way, she is. After all, every song she writes tells a story. Unfortunately, writing a full-length novel is beyond her patience.
She meanders through the maze of shelves, building a respectable stack in her arms. Making her way through the nonfiction shelves, she glances around and freezes when she spies a familiar silhouette.
A familiar shirtless silhouette.
"Um, Gray?" Lucy calls hesitantly.
She has spent some time with him before, but always with a group of others, never alone. She still doesn't know him very well, but she likes him and he's kind to her.
His head jerks up and he stares at her with huge, shocked eyes. "L-L-Lu-Lucy?"
"Hey. Sorry if I startled you," she adds, noting the tension in his stance.
He sighs and relaxes, rolling his shoulders before approaching her with an embarrassed smile. "Nah, it's not your fault. I just wasn't expectin' anyone to recognize me at the library 'cause all my friends are dumb."
Lucy frowns disapprovingly. "Gray, don't be mean."
He rolls his eyes. "C'mon Lucy, you can't tell me you could imagine Natsu steppin' inside a library of his own will."
"Well, no," she admits, "but more because he's loud and disruptive than anything else."
"Exactly. Dumb."
Lucy smiles grudgingly. "But you do know walking around shirtless isn't allowed in a library either?"
"Wha—shit, again?" Gray groans. "It's just so hot wearin' clothes."
Lucy frowns in confusion. "It—it is? But the air conditioner...it's like sixty degrees in here."
He looks at her pointedly.
She can't help but giggle. "Okay, if you say so. Anyway, what are you doing here?"
"Just pickin' up some art books." He holds up a large, heavy-looking book. "I get my sculpting inspiration from the old masters. Natsu and Erza seem to think I pull all my ideas outta my ass or somethin'."
She laughs out loud at that, immediately slapping a hand over her mouth to silence her mirth. "W-well, you have to admit that'd be impressive!"
Gray snorts. "Impressive that I shit all my sculptures? I guess, if you're into that kinda thing."
Lucy dissolves into suppressed laughter.
"So what brings you here? I thought you'd be with Natsu, like always."
"What do you mean, like always?" She narrows her eyes at him. "We're not joined at the hip, you know!"
"Coulda fooled me," he coughs unconvincingly, then grins and reaches a hand forward to ruffle her hair.
She makes a noise and swats at his arm. "Don't mess with my hair! I'll tell Juvia you're cheating on her."
"We're not even together!" he hisses, quickly snatching his hand back.
"She's not gonna be happy," Lucy sings, grinning slyly when he slaps his face. "Just kidding. In all seriousness, why aren't you two dating yet? You clearly like each other."
His face fills with an alarming shade of red. "I—I don't—we're not—she can't—it's complicated! Yeah!"
Lucy sighs. "It always is, isn't it."
Gray frowns. "What? Somethin' happen between you and the idiot?"
"Yes...no? I don't really know...it's complicated," she echoes.
He eyes her for a second. "Things are gettin' real for you two, huh?"
She bites her lip. "I guess? I just—he won't—I can't—I don't know!"
"Hey, whoa, it's okay. You don't have to tell me. Just—don't hurt 'im, okay? He's an idiot but...he's a good guy." Gray looks away, bashfully scratching his head.
Lucy's glad Natsu has such a good best friend, and she understands his warning isn't personal, though she still can't help but feel a little sting in her chest. Does he think she would hurt Natsu? Is that how people see her?
"I won't. Natsu's lucky to have your friendship, Gray." She ducks her head, staring blankly at the books in her arms.
"And...if that idiot hurts you in any way, let me know and I'll beat 'im up for you." He coughs awkwardly but smirks and ruffles her hair again.
She can't find it in herself to care this time. Instead, she sets her books down and flings her arms around his neck and hugs him tight. He stumbles back but holds onto her, patting her back stiffly.
"Thanks, Gray." You're the brother I've never had.
"Anytime."
Lucy's eyes light up as she catches sight of Natsu and Wendy waiting for her outside of her apartment.
"Hey! Sorry, did you wait long?" Lucy hurries to them, greeting Wendy with a warm hug and Natsu with a shy smile.
He grins and reaches for her hand, which she willingly submits, easily drawing her close. "Been out here for hours, Luce. What took ya so long?"
Lucy pouts, admiring the way her fingers fit between his. "No, you didn't."
"No, we didn't," Wendy confirms, playfully elbowing her brother in the side. He doubles over in mock pain. "We've only been here for a few minutes, but to Natsu, a minute without you is like an hour."
"Wha—Wendy, don't—"
"O-oh, wow, um—"
Wendy snickers as the two adults blush and stammer. They can't meet each other's eyes, but she notices that their hands never part.
"So!" Lucy clears her throat and smiles at Wendy, her cheeks still tickle-me-pink. "What are we doing today?"
Wendy latches onto Lucy's free arm and begins leading them away. "We're going to the aquarium! Natsu says you've never been. It's tragic!"
"Tragic," Natsu agrees, nodding seriously.
Lucy rolls her eyes at him. "That sounds awesome, Wendy. I'm so excited! Yes, my father didn't really let me out of the house when I was young and after I left home, I didn't really have any friends to hang out with, so I never went."
Natsu clenches his jaw. "Luce, yer dad sounds like an ass."
"Natsu!" Wendy cries, feeling insulted on Lucy's behalf.
"What? It's true," he grumbles.
Lucy smiles gently. "It's fine, Wendy. Natsu's right. My father wasn't much of a father to me after Mother died."
"I'm sorry," Wendy murmurs, stopping to hug Lucy around the waist. "You have us now!"
Laughing, Lucy hugs her back. "You're right! And I'm very grateful."
They eventually make it to the aquarium. There's a bit of a fuss over the tickets—Natsu insists on buying, though Lucy is adamant about paying for her own, and in the end, Wendy buys all the tickets while they're arguing—but they soon step into the first exhibit and Lucy loses her breath.
The tank is huge and the water is so clear and the fish are so colorful. The exhibit itself is very quiet, and Lucy feels like she's entered a whole new world.
"Wow," she whispers, eyes wide, mouth open. "It's so pretty. And peaceful."
Wendy whips out her phone and begins taking pictures of some of the fish. Natsu smiles down at Lucy and places his hand on her back, urging her to walk through the room.
It's such a strangely calming place, Lucy muses to herself.
They come across a hallway in which the ceiling is a glass dome and fish swim all over and around them.
Lucy leans forward, staring raptly at a group of floating turtles.
"Pretty cool, huh?" Natsu says as he stands behind her, sliding his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.
She hums happily and leans back, turning to smile at him. He leans forward and kisses her softly before nipping at her neck, making her giggle and squirm.
Neither notice Wendy sneakily taking picture after picture of them.
They also don't notice a small gathering of young girls whispering amongst themselves and pointing at Lucy.
Pulling back, Natsu grabs her hand and begins leading her to the next room, but suddenly there's squealing and gasping and the group of preteen girls converge on them.
"O-M-G, hi! You're Lucy, right? You're, like, my favorite singer ever! I love 'Summer'!"
"Omigosh, this is so cool! Can I get an autograph?"
"You're sooo pretty! Can I get a picture?"
"This is the coolest!"
"Is he your boyfriend?"
"Omigosh, he's hot!"
Lucy can't keep up with all their requests, but she does her best to give out autographs and keep smiling politely for all the camera flashes. She has never been mobbed by fans before so she doesn't really know what to do; it's overwhelming. She just wants to get away and spend time with Natsu and Wendy.
Natsu forces his way into the center of the small crowd and grabs her waist. He speaks into her ear, "Finish this one, and I'll get you outta here."
Nodding, she scribbles her name onto someone's arm and shoves the pen away. Smiling around her, she says, "I'm sorry, but I have to leave now. Thank you all for your love and support!"
Then she and Natsu push their way through the bodies, grab a stunned Wendy, and run like hell out of the aquarium, not bothering to turn around when they hear people chasing after them.
It's a pity they only got to see a bit of the aquarium, Lucy thinks, but she supposes there will be plenty more chances in the future.
They run and run until their chests heave and their legs ache and their pursuers have long given up. They run and laugh and it's freedom.
It's a warmth in Lucy's chest that she hasn't felt in years, a melody in her ears that she thought was lost to her forever.
It's Natsu and Wendy and all the other friends she has found. They make her soul sing again, the way it used to sing for her mother. She knows that she has finally found the family she's been searching for all her life.
notes: sorry this took so long! i wanted a lot of stuff to happen lol and it's about the same length as the previous chapter. but i don't really like how this turned out...still i think i've sat on it long enough so have at it!
i've been swamped with projects and nano so everything is slow going right now. don't expect the next chapter for a while! it's pretty much planned out, so i just have to find time to write it. :D
not much to say this time; i have to hurry and get back to my homework, ughhhh. enjoy!
OH btw if you catch any errors, let me know!
Soul-of-glass: thank you! omg if the fanart ever happens let me know for sure! but you don't have to of course. xD
Aviend: yeah, i personally prefer time skips to a ton of filler chapters where nothing much happens. i like writing longer chapters because they make me feel more accomplished! but it doesn't always happen. i try my best!
zElliexmagic: haha thank you and here's more! lololol all good, as writers we gotta self-plug sometimes!
brooke315: i hope not...thanks!
BatheMeInSprinkles: you have no idea how happy you made me when i read your review! it totally made my day because it's everything i've ever wanted to hear about my writing/characters. i am so so flattered! thank you so much! hopefully i can keep the characters realistic and relatable haha
edit 4.28.2017: just realized this chap was all in past tense while the rest of the story was in present...smh i need help lol. also i'll try to post up a new chap soon!
© Copyright 2016 by The Siege