Pairings: Natsu x Lucy, Gray x Juvia, Gajeel x Levy, Jellal x Erza and minor Gray x Lucy
Timeline: AU modern, highschool
Warnings: None other than mild cursing and violence…
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail
Authors Note: Hmm… Thanks so much for all the reviews from the last chapter! Anyway, here's the latest instalment.
XXX
My jaw falls open in shock, although really, I shouldn't have been that surprised. Bells are ringing, students are screaming and Erza is dialling the fire department. Loke's hand is on my lower back and I'm too dazed to notice his touch is palpable.
Natsu's feet hit the ground, pounding past the student body. It wasn't that hard, everyone leapt out of the way to avoid the pyromaniac. Makarov, the principal of the school shrieked after the rose haired male, chasing after him on stubby legs.
I couldn't tear my gaze away from the orange flames that licked the sky. Black puffs of smoke curled up, stroking the sun.
"Lucy!" Loke's voice boomed urgently, and that when I saw. Natsu was running towards me. My eyes grew wide. Gray barely stepped back in time for Natsu to scoop me up and toss me over his shoulder.
Loke ran after us, despite the fact he wasn't real. He was still laughing. Students were so distracted by the fire now, they didn't even see us run by.
"What did you do?" I scream, barely louder than the rest of the cries of my peers. Makarov still chased after him, demanding he put me down. Sirens screeched in the back ground and steadily grew closer to the school.
Natsu didn't answer me, his grip tightening on the backs of my thighs. He squealed around the corner, the rubble flying. I think I was still screaming, I was far too lightheaded to notice.
He set the school on fire. And now he's kidnapping me? What is going on?
Natsu ducked behind an alleyway when the cops drove by and put me down, clasping his warm, blistered palm against my mouth, silencing my screams. He pushed me against the brick wall, glancing out in the street. The fire trucks zoomed past, and the grin never faltered from his face.
"Isn't this exciting?" He says finally.
"What?" My reply comes out muffled, and he moves his hand. His black orbs meet mine, stealing my breath. The melting obsidian captures my stare completely.
Natsu laughs again, breathlessly, "The chase." He startles me by lifting me up again bridal style and leaps out from the alley way, running down the street.
"Won't you get expelled?" I loop my arms around his neck, blushing. I have a feeling I should be acting differently towards this whole ordeal, considering he just set the school on fire, but yet, I can't find it in myself to react. He's Natsu. I trust him with my life.
He's got that shit eating grin on his face, and slips past a gate up to a moderately sized house. "Welcome to Casa-Natsu." He twists the handle and the door swings open. Natsu sweeps in, closing the door.
Furniture is minimal. A brown suede couch with slashes in the cushions, revealing the cotton inside, a coffee table covered in stains, and a small box television in the corner. An arch way led to a kitchen, and I could only see a two seater table through the gateway, and to the right of the entrance is a hallway, probably where the bedrooms are. A potted plant here and there, not much going on in the house. It has a faint scent of smoke and perfume.
A blue cat trots out from the kitchen and notices our presence. He turns right around meowing. Natsu chuckles and mutters the cat's name. I didn't know he had a cat. Learning something new every day with Mr Dragneel.
It dons on me that I'm still in Natsu's arms. I pat his chest and his cheeks tinge pink from realization. He sets me down once again and scratches the back of his head.
"Sorry it's not much," he mutters, running his fingers over the window sill ledge.
"I like it," I tell him honestly. And I do. It's quaint, and something that's nicer than the estate I grew up in.
His eyes flicker to my face before he sighs, "Sorry I got you mixed up into this." He smirks. "But it is your fault."
I gape at him, "How is it my fault?" I'm bewildered and the fact that cops are probably prowling the street for Natsu and his impending arrest, I'm more focused on this conversation.
Natsu snorts, "Well duh. You let ice-prick feel you up and ask you out! If you hadn't agreed to tutoring, none of this would have happened."
"You were jealous?" I blurt. Natsu's face remains passive and I nervously touch my ear. Was he? That was more than extreme to be jealous over.
The world spun and when I blinked my back was on the wall under the window sill and Natsu crawled over me. I was hyper aware my heart was thundering and that my shirt had risen up. Sirens whirred and went past. Natsu's hands were splayed out next to my head, braced against the wall. He let one hand wonder, gripping my thigh, wrapping my legs around his waist.
"I was," he breathed, huskily. A darker look settled on Natsu's face.
"Won't you get in trouble?" I whispered, clenching my fingers into the cloth of Natsu's shirt. I could feel his hard muscles beneath my greedy palms.
His eyes closed, and his face was pressed against my neck. His breath fanned against my collarbone as he inhaled and exhaled gently. I was hot… "No, my jii-chan is the principal." Makarov was Natsu's grandfather?
All thoughts were thrown out the window when Natsu's teeth grazed my neck. I let out a shuddered breath, letting my eyes close. My stomach tightened with nerves and Natsu chuckled lightly. It rumbled through his body and my knuckles locked from how hard I gripped his shirt.
His lips were a ghost of a whisper as they moved up to hover above my lips. I chew mine in response, closing my eyes. He was going to kiss me…
The door to the house flew open and Makarov stormed in, huffing. Natsu stiffened, leaping away from me as if nothing happened. I quickly got to my feet, fixing my rumbled outfit. I don't think my face could have been redder.
"What you did was… so… argh!" Makarov growled, unable to form a coherent sentence. His dark eyes settled on me. "Heartfilia-san, would you kindly?" He pointed to the door.
Natsu shot me an encouraging look, but his face was just as red as mine felt. I nod, in a sort of daze and quickly scoot out past Makarov, wondering what in the hell just happened. And what Natsu's punishment would be.
XXX
I fiddled with the buttons on my cell phone. I can't remember exactly when we exchanged phone numbers, probably the day he came to my house, but we did at some point. I've messaged him every day, asking where he was, what happened, and nothing. It's been about a week since I heard from him. I pocket my phone.
My heart aches at the idea I've rolled around in my head. It's my fault Natsu's in trouble, I got him jealous. Then again, I'm crazy myself to be in love with a guy who would start a fire for something like what happened. It wasn't that big of a deal… But maybe it was to him.
I massage my temples, pinching my eye lids together, sighing. This was so confusing. I couldn't help myself. I wished he was here. I kind of reverted to my hidden corner in the library.
Loke refused to talk to me as I let 'Natsu take advantage of me' and my other friends seemed to be avoiding me like the plague. Except for Plue, good old Plue. He danced for me, in hopes to get my mind off the Natsu ordeal. It didn't work.
When my phone buzzes, I jump, and it clatters from the skirt pocket to the carpeted floor. It's Natsu…
1 message received
From: Natsu Dragneel
SMS: Hey Luce, sorry I haven't been in touch, my mom took away my phone and I only just got it back today. I got suspended, big surprise, but if Jii-chan wasn't principal I'd probably have been shipped off to military school or something. I have to do one hundred hours of community service though, gross. Anyways, I wanted to know if you're still up for the Sakura Blossom Festival tomorrow? I begged my mother to let me take you since she's so pissed and all. (Took away all my lighters!) If so, I'll pick you up at six!
Date: 26 / 04 / 13
Time: 1:45 PM
A moltenly lava type feeling seeped through my body and my stomach did a flip. I quickly texted back a reply that I'd love to go and couldn't wait to see him. I was relieved he wasn't gone for good or anything. Or even that I didn't get him sent to boot camp.
I kept thinking back to all the times we almost kissed. That's it, tonight; I'm determined to get him to kiss me. Hell, I'm determined to kiss him in general.
I speculate where the shy and timid me went, before thinking of what to wear.
XXX
I dressed in a simple tulle ruby red skirted dress with a sweet heart neckline. A black sash fitted my waist and a pair of black flats on my feet. I left my hair alone, really only curling it a tad. I looked pretty, with outlined dark brown eyes and full lips.
Tonight was my first date with Natsu. My stomach wouldn't stop flip flopping I was so anxious. It really felt like I was dreaming. How often does the love of your life ask you to the Sakura Blossom Festival? I heard it was so beautiful…
My anxiety turned more into that of excitement. Oh when would he be here? Just as that thought occurred, my phone buzzed from the dresser. I snatched it up and devoured the message. He was here!
I spared no time racing outside, only to stop dead in my tracks. Natsu peeled a helmet off his head, grinning impishly at me, tucking the helmet under his arm. The rose haired male straddled the seat to the sexiest—and most dangerous—looking motorcycle I've ever seen in my life. A black leather jacket was wrapped around his torso, hugging his body amazingly. He still wore his signature muffler and this time instead of school issued khakis, he had on dark jeans and combat boots. Natsu looked just about edible.
"Are you sure you know how to drive that?" I ask teasingly, finding my voice and feet as I hurry the rest of the way down the steps.
Natsu chuckles, getting off the bike to greet me. "Of course I can. What insane maniac can't drive a motorcycle?"
"Like that makes me feel any better climbing on that death trap with you," I say, and he takes the other helmet and fastens it on my head. His warm fingers brush my chin as the buckle clicks. Something clicks in my head, other than the fact he was touching me, Natsu promised to tell me why he liked fire so much.
"I'll keep you safe," Natsu declares then lowers his voice. "As long as you hold on tight and don't let go."
"I could never let you go." The confession easily came from mouth and his smile softened.
Natsu helped me on the bike, "I'll hold you too that." He swung his leg over bike once again. I squeezed my thighs around him, fearful. Natsu placed his own helmet on his head and revved the bike. I wrapped my arms around him for dear life as it jolted forward. We were off!
It was exhilarating! Pure adrenaline and euphoria pumped through my veins and I squealed with laughter. Natsu was laughing too; I could feel his body shaking.
I decided, when he told me why he liked fire, I'd tell him about my imaginary friends. That was that.
I was having so much fun on the once proclaimed death trap, that I was disappointed when we got to the parking lot. Although my joints were stiff from gripping so hard, it was a blast.
Hoping off as daintily as possible, I gave Natsu back his helmet.
"You have helmet hair," he commented and my eyes widened. Oh no! Flustered, I attempted to fix my hair and he just clicked his tongue, a beaming. "Stop, you look cute." My face felt hot.
I took his hand, "Idiot…" Natsu put away the helmets.
"Let's get some food first." He gestured to the rows of street venders. I squeeze his fingers, telling him I'm a go for the idea. Natsu leads me through the throng of people, retaining a firm grip on my hand so as not to lose me.
I'm giggling so much I don't even notice when I bump into people or when more things are shoved into my arms. Shish kebabs, cotton candy, cat ears, masks, ramen, whatever Natsu could get his hand on that he wanted.
At one point, I hand off our goods to him to go fishing. I hold the string like it was my life line, dipping the hook in the water. The goal was to hook a fish for two coins a person, you could keep that fish. In commemoration of the rainbow Sakura blossoms, all the fish were rainbow trout.
"Just… a… little… more!" I get the fish in the lip, lifting it from the shallow pool. "I did it!" I exclaim, and the vendor happily takes my prize and prepares its baggie.
Natsu clapped, or tried to at least, "You were amazing!" I proudly take the bag from the vender, poking at it tenderly. The trout swims around, smiling the world away.
"I know I was!" I boast, giggling. Natsu shifts everything to his one arm and takes my hand again.
"Time to sit and dig in! I'm starving." Natsu brings me to a bench, a bit away from the crowds of people. I carefully set Nemo down, in the safety of one of the masks we picked up, hoping he didn't roll away.
Natsu adjusted the pink cat ears on his head, spooning mouthfuls of ramen in his mouth. I tore off sections of meat from the kabob and glanced at Natsu from the corner of my eye. The butterfly mask I wore obscured some of my vision of him, but nothing too much.
"Natsu…?" I prompted and he paused in mid swallow. He forced the rest down.
"What's up?" I was so glad the mask hid the emotions that were swirling in my eyes. Concealed the blush on my cheeks, protecting me from what I was feeling. The words I love you thickly clung to my tongue.
"Why do you like fire? You promised you'd answer me," I announce, thankful for the poor lighting and mask.
Natsu's expression faltered a bit, as if he expected me to say something else. He opened his mouth to answer, taking my hand in his, leaning closer to my face…
"Natsu?" We jerked apart, immediately ceasing all contact. A girl with silver bobbed hair stood before us, her cerulean blue eyes large.
"L—Lisanna?" Natsu's expression suddenly became unreadable to me. The way he looked at her… it was different.
Tears welled in her eyes, "I've missed you so much…" Why did my heart hurt?
Natsu's mouth flopped open and closed. "I—me too," He finally said after moments of silence.
The girl, Lisanna, smiled at him, with the same love and adoration I felt towards the pyromaniac. I shook my head to clear the nasty thoughts creeping up in my mind.
"Oh Natsu… can we talk?" she inquires softly, clenching the folds of her kimono.
Natsu turns back to me, waiting to see what I have to say. "It's okay…" I whisper. Natsu's dark orbs searched my hidden face and pressed our foreheads together.
"I'll be right back," he murmurs so only I can hear and gets up to lead Lisanna over to the trees, out of my hearing range.
I sigh, swallowing my unnecessary jealousy and scooped up Nemo in my arms. It was going to be okay.
After all, he asked me on a date, right? He must have some feelings for me. But then there's the girl, the one I've never seen before…
I shake my head again, slapping my cheek lightly. It doesn't matter what they have to talk about. Natsu is mine.
Do. Not. Freak. Out. Lisanna will not do anything to ruin the relationship between Natsu and Lucy. She won't come between them. I promise, cross my heart. It is okay. She does actually have a purpose, I swear. She's not just here because I felt like throwing a wrench in the relationship. (Which I obviously won't because I already said I wasn't and there's only one chapter left.) Yup! One chapter left. Forever. So yeah… Alrighty, anything else I have left to explain and or say (or if I leave plot holes, please, point that out, I'm notorious for that) and thank you again for reading!
~Emerald~