Lost and Found

notes: a longish chapter for you! sorry there's not actually a lot of nalu, haha, my oc ended up taking more attention than i had originally intended. but he's nice, right? tbh i'd love a guy like him, lol. also, i'm so sorry, but i will never be a frequent, consistent updater. i sincerely apologize but i just can't do it. sporadic-and-spontaneous is my middle name (jk i don't have a middle name lol) but i will do my best to finish this story in a timely manner! we're past the halfway point now (i think). i still haven't decided on an ending. it'll probably be ambiguous, though; that's what i'm leaning towards at this point. if enough of you want it (by which i mean tell me through a review or pm) i will add an extra chapter at the end, maybe a year after the final chapter, to give you a peek of how i think things would happen (probably happy. probably). but i would need a good amount of people to want that (like at least 10). otherwise i'll just let you guys imagine your own endings xD ok super sorry for the long ass a/n, enjoy!

/eyes

A month passes in the same blissfully happy manner. I have friends now and a part-time job (until I find a full-time one) and I haven't thought about my father at all.

But of course, it all goes to hell.

Because Natsu's just too damn nice for his own damn good.

It starts with a date.

"You're going on a date, Luce?" Natsu exclaims. "With who? Why didn't I know about this earlier?"

I throw him a look as I rummage through my closet. "Why do you need to know?"

"Because—because—what if he's a bad guy? I don't approve!"

"You don't even know who he is."

"Doesn't matter!"

I sigh, pulling out a dress, frowning at it, and stuffing it back before resuming my search. "You're not my father, Natsu. And even if you were, I don't need your permission to go on a date."

"But—but—"

An idea pops into my head and I grin. "If you're so worried, why don't you come? Since you're probably planning on stalking us anyway."

His gasp of "How did you know?" goes ignored.

"Bring Lisanna with you," I suggest.

"Lisanna? Why?"

"We're going to see a movie and I think she's been wanting to see it too. Might as well."

"Fine. But if he so much as looks at you in the wrong way—"

I interrupt him with a glare and a hiss, "Natsu. I can take care of myself, okay? This may be my first date, but that doesn't mean I'll give in to any guy who asks me out."

"I know, I know. Just be careful, yeah?"

"Of course," I snort, turning back to my closet, but he catches my hand and pulls me into a hug.

"Natsu! What—"

"Sorry, Luce," he mumbles into my hair. "But you know I'm just tryna look out for ya, right?"

Sighing, I nod and hug him back. "I know. Thanks, Natsu. I'll be careful."

We stand like that for a while. He's so comfortable and warm and I think I'm melting into him.

"Lucy! What's this I hear about a date?"

I shove him away faster than the speed of light and he lands on the bed with a loud "oof." I quickly turn back to my closet, forcing the color out of my cheeks before looking at Lisanna with a smile (and a silent apology). "Hey Lisanna! Yeah, I met this guy in the bookstore and we just really hit it off. We're going to see a movie." I rattle off a title and she brightens.

"Oh, I've been wanting to see that!"

I throw a pointed look at Natsu but he's not even looking at us. Sighing loudly, I say, "Hey Natsu, weren't you gonna ask Lisanna to see the movie with you since you're gonna be an overprotective father and follow me on my date?"

Lisanna laughs, a tinkling bell-like sound. "Oh Natsu, not this again."

"Did he do it to you too?" I ask her as I go back to my wardrobe.

She nods. "Yeah, but only for the first few. It gets too tedious."

"I'm sure," I mutter dryly. "But at least you get a date out of it," I smirk at her and she shushes me with a blush.

"What are you wearing? Have you decided yet?"

"No. Will you help me?"

"Of course!"

And I thought that was it.

"Lucy!"

I look up and smile at my date. "Hi Ben! I hope I'm not late."

"Oh no, I just came early, so you wouldn't have to wait," he explains, ducking his head shyly.

I smile at his thoughtfulness and latch onto his arm, leading the way into the theater. "I'm really excited for this movie. It looks interesting."

"Yeah! If it's even half as good as the book it's based on, I'm sure it'll be awesome," he agrees, and then we fall into an easy conversation about books.

We get in line for food because he's already bought the tickets when something pink catches my eye. I turn around and, lo and behold, it's Natsu and Lisanna. He waves frantically at me while Lisanna sheepishly smiles, so I roll my eyes and wave back.

Then he starts walking towards me.

And my gaze turns steely. I bare my teeth at him and mouth threats, telling him to leave now or else. I drag my finger slowly across my neck and he gulps, faltering for a step, before forging onwards. I'm about to shoot lasers out of my eyes when I feel Ben turn and immediately I smile and wave happily. Natsu looks adorably confused by the sudden change.

"Friends?" Ben asks when he sees them walking towards us.

"Yup," I confirm. "Looks like they're on a date too."

When they stop in front of us, I smile at Natsu with eyes that promise pain and suffering before looking back to Ben sweetly and introducing everyone.

"Ben, this is Natsu and that's Lisanna. Guys, this is Ben."

Natsu throws an arm around my shoulder. "I'm her best friend."

I roll my eyes. Lisanna gives him a strange look.

They exchange pleasantries and handshakes.

"So you guys are on a date too, huh?" I ask too innocently, inwardly laughing when Natsu looks confused. "Well then, you should go enjoy yourselves! I'll see you guys later."

"Wait!" Natsu shouts and I stare at him, a sense of foreboding in my heart. "Why don't we double date?"

And there it is.

Ben looks at me with an honest smile. "I don't mind. Lucy?"

"Are you sure?" I press him, wanting him to change his mind. "Natsu, don't you wanna just hang out with Lisanna?"

"I wanna hang out with both of you!" he replies stubbornly and I sigh.

"Lisanna?" I say hopefully, pleading to her, but she just shrugs apologetically and says, "Fine by me."

My shoulders slump over. "Alright."

Natsu cheers and Ben chuckles.

"Why don't we buy the food and you two can find us some seats?" Ben suggests. "Is there anything you would like to eat?"

Natsu crosses his arms over his chest and points out at least ten different items before Lisanna tugs on his arm and I hiss at him, "I will castrate you so painfully you'll wish you were born a girl if you don't shut up and leave right now."

Natsu shudders and practically runs off, though not without one last lingering glare at Ben.

I sigh heavily. "I'm so sorry, Ben. Don't buy all that, just get what you want."

Surprisingly, he laughs. "I don't really mind. I have to impress your best friend after all." He peers down at me, grinning.

I grin back, but my heart hurts. He's sweet and cute and thoughtful, and he likes books and stars and me (I assume) but my heart doesn't beat for him the way it does for Natsu. And I hate it.

We buy the food and find Natsu and Lisanna, who have saved us seats. Natsu looks like he was just scolded by Lisanna but he brightens up at the sight of food.

"Thanks," he says grudgingly to Ben before scarfing down half the food within minutes.

"Wow," Ben comments.

"I know," I sigh.

We laugh together.

I sit between Ben and Natsu, sharing a large bag of popcorn and Sour Patch with Ben. During the movie, Natsu keeps leaning over and grabbing our popcorn and candy, even though I admonish him several times.

"Natsu!" I hiss. "You don't even like Sour Patch!"

"Well, I do now!" he declares loudly and, ignoring the annoyed whispers from the people behind us, pops a piece of sour candy into his mouth. I watch in wry amusement as his face contorts into fifty shades of discomfort and raise an eyebrow when he looks at me after a few seconds and croaks weakly, "See? D-delicious."

I shake my head and focus on the movie.

It's an action thriller, with a side of steamy romance, which is a little embarrassing to watch with Ben and Natsu but I love it. Ben is engrossed as well and we whisper comments to each other as the movie plays on, comparing different details to the book. I ignore Natsu as best as I can and tell him to pay attention and bother Lisanna, who doesn't seem as excited about the movie as she was before.

When it's over, we get up and walk out, stretching our limbs. Ben and I immediately fall into heated conversation about the movie while Natsu and Lisanna trail behind us. Natsu tries to butt in several times but my glare and Lisanna's hand on his arm stop him.

Eventually, I turn to them and say, "Shouldn't we part ways? You guys can go have fun on your date." I try to send Lisanna a message with my eyes.

I think she understands because she hesitantly grabs onto Natsu's arm.

"What about you guys?" Natsu protests.

"We're gonna have fun too!" And then I grab Ben's arm and race away, trusting Lisanna to hold Natsu back and laughing at the sound of his indignant shouts behind us.

We finally stop and rest and Ben asks, smiling, "What was that?"

I giggle breathlessly and sit down on a bench. "He probably would've followed us everywhere if we didn't run away. He's being way too overprotective." I roll my eyes.

"Maybe," Ben agrees, "but I'm glad you have such caring friends around you."

I smile softly. "Yeah. I guess you're right."

We stare at each other as we catch our breaths and slowly, I see him lean in. My breath hitches and my mind is thrown into confusion. Is he going to kiss me? Should I let him? Am I leading him on? What should I—

My stomach growls.

We freeze and my face turns cherry red. I turn and bury my face in my hands in embarrassment. "Oh Mavis, I'm so sorry."

Ben laughs out loud, a hearty sound but somehow it doesn't fill me with as much warmth as Natsu's does. "Let's go get something to eat."

He stands and offers his hand and I let him pull me up and hold my hand as he leads me to a restaurant.

I look down at my feet as we walk. Ben is honestly a good guy, my ideal guy even, but I guess that's not enough anymore.

Maybe if I hadn't met Natsu...

But no. No matter what, I can never regret meeting Natsu. He's the best thing that ever happened to me.

So I know what I have to do when today is over.

We have a delicious dinner filled with delightful conversation, and when it's over I really hate myself for not being more attracted to him.

He walks me back to my hotel and we stand outside to say our goodbyes. He's holding my hand. His is warm...but not warm enough.

"I had a great time with you today, Lucy," he smiles.

"Me too," I reply, and it's the truth.

"I..." he hesitates. "Would you like to go out again sometime?"

I bite my lip. This is what I was dreading. "I..."

I think about it. Ben is great and I could be happy with him. I could see myself falling in love with him. But I could also see myself never letting go of Natsu. And I don't want to hurt Ben by leading him on.

So I sigh and say, "I'm sorry, Ben. I really like you as a friend but—"

"I understand." His voice is quiet, subdued, almost like he was expecting this. He drops my hand. "You like Natsu, don't you?"

My head whips up and my eyes clash with his. "Wh-what?"

He smiles gently. "There's something in the way you look at him..." He trails off and shakes his head. "I don't know. But I know you like him more than you let on."

My lips tremble because is it really that obvious? If Ben, a tantamount stranger, can see it then...

Oh my Mavis. I needed to lock myself up in my room forever, or run away, or something that would enable me to never see Natsu again—

"Lucy?" Ben prompts. "Are you...alright?"

I almost burst into tears at how kind he is and why won't my heart speed up for him? "I-I'm fine. I'm sorry, Ben, I didn't mean to lead you on or anything—"

"It's alright, Lucy. Really."

"No, but I'm so sorry because you're really an amazing guy and I wish my stupid heart would stop being unreasonable!" I cry, distraught. Feelings—feelings are too much to deal with. Life was much simpler when I didn't have to worry about them. Duller, true, but simpler.

He chuckles and pulls me into a hug. "Don't worry, Lucy," he murmurs into my hair. "I'll be fine. There are other fish in the sea, you know," he adds cheekily and I let out a shaky laugh before hugging him back tightly.

"You are so, so sweet and you are going to find a girl who is way better, way smarter than I am and you are going to be happy, okay?" I pull back and stare him in the eyes seriously.

He nods, one corner of his lips hitched up in a smile. "Yes, ma'am."

I smile. "We'll still be friends, right?"

"Of course. Who else would psychoanalyze trashy teen romances with me?"

I laugh and lean up to peck him on the cheek. "Thank you, Ben."

And just as we're about to let each other go, something comes flying at me and rips me out of Ben's hold. I scream, scrabbling for hold somewhere and finding it around a head covered in pink.

"Natsu?"

"Where d'ya think you're touching, huh?" Natsu snarls at Ben, who takes a surprised step back with his hands held up in front of him, the universal sign of "I mean no harm."

"Natsu, what the hell do you think you're doing?" I demand, smacking his head.

"Ow!" He practically drops me, but one of his arms stays wrapped around me. I try not to blush. I don't think I succeed, if Ben's smirk means anything.

"Lucy, I'm so sorry, I tried to hold him back but—" Lisanna comes bursting in, panting as she bends over in exhaustion.

I shove Natsu away, glaring at him. "It's okay, Lisanna. Ben and I were just saying good night anyway."

"With his hands on your ass?" Natsu sneers.

"Natsu!" I snap. "His hands were not on my ass! We were hugging! Now leave before I strangle you!"

"But Luce—"

"Now!"

He wilts and drags himself inside, Lisanna following behind him. We exchange apologies and unspoken agreements to talk later.

I sigh, wiping a hand over my face. "I'm so sorry, Ben. I...don't even know."

Surprisingly, he laughs. "I think that means you have more than a chance with him."

I look at him dryly. "No, he's just like that. I don't think he'd know what romance was even if it slapped him in the face. Mavis knows why I had to fall for someone like him." I shake my head. "You should go, it's getting late. Be careful on your way home."

"Thanks, Lucy. Good luck with Natsu." He winks and waves before taking off.

I smile wryly and make my way to my room. Unfortunately, no amount of luck in the world would help, in this case.

© Copyright 2015 by The Siege