Hiro Mashima – sensei is the rightful owner of Fairy Tail. And I am glad that he did.
Enjoy!
CHAPTER 9
They entered the Dragneel's Empire hand in hand in dashing mode with Natsu in the lead. They were late, super late for work. Well, it's because they spent the night watching a movie that Lucy never wants to remember again.
Greeted by the employers, the only greeting that they don't want to hear is Erza's greeting. They are almost near the elevator, just a few more steps away and they are safe from warnings.
"It's your fault. Why do you have to take 30 minutes in the bath?" He asked without turning around, his hand holding tightly on her wrist.
"At least I bath! Unlike someone I know…" She answered with a low voice, obviously teasing Natsu but the latter doesn't seem to mind and, instead said something that makes her roll her eyes.
"I don't have clothes in your place. Stock some next time."
"Like hell I'd do that."
They were about to push the button of the elevator when a voice from behind stopped them from doing so. Maybe, just maybe, it's better if Erza was the one who saw them and not Igneel. Igneel, who is a pushy father and has a grandson obsession, will surely pry them about what made them so late for work. He eyed them from head to toe. His gaze fell on Natsu who still has his clothes from yesterday, crumpled and tie loose. Seeing his messy hair and his hand holding Lucy, his beloved daughter-in-law, a sly grin make its way up his lips, widening each second passing by.
"I see. So, is it a boy? You know what, I don't mind having a girl. But still, it depends upon the two of you. Making a baby is not easy so whatever comes, we should shower him or her bounty of love and affection." He declaimed, so passionate 'words and way' of saying those things that the supposed to be receiver of the wonderful lecture just stood shock, their mouths hanging wide open.
"We're not! I'm not pregnant!" Lucy, who was the first to recover from the shock, defended herself for being verbally harassed, if you can call that verbal harassment.
"She's not yet pregnant! Sorry for being late, we kept up all night." He said casually, then turning on his side later on to hide a grin from her.
"We just watched movies!" Hitting the back of his head, she then rewarded his back with weak punches. He then turned to her and held her hand in the air.
"Yeah, movies that later on made you scream and shout, making you bury your face in the pillow and occasionally throw yourself onto me. And when the moment is so intense, that it is really hard to open your eyes from the feeling that crept in your chest, tears flow from your eyes. Squirming and letting out indecipherable phrases, let's watch it again some time. I can't believe that Lucie is so brutal. Whoo! And the doll is like woah!" He finished with a smirk while Lucy turned pale, not minding his pun.
After that, Natsu walked on to the elevator, leaving Lucy with the confused Igneel.
"Hey, what movie did you watch?" Lucy turned around with a dark look that scared the living daylights out of him.
"Martyrs and The Conjuring!"
"Here are your clothes." After handing him the stylish long sleeve shirt colored with white on the vertical half and black on the other and jeans, she made herself comfortable in the couch.
"Thanks."
"Yeah, yeah. Just do whatever you need to do. I'll go buy some breakfast later when you come back." She said with her eyes clothes while inwardly trying to fight her sleepiness.
He left the room and everything went silent.
"When he finds you, I'll just snatch you away from him. It's easy." She smiled at the thought.
It's really easy to say but will it be easy to do? She wants to believe in him but everyone has limits. Slowly, her world is starting to shake. Her secret identity was blown by no other done her best friend. What is next to getting blown up? Their fake relationship?
But now that she thinks about it, they have been deceiving Igneel for already four months. Not just Igneel but also her friends were being deceived. But it's not like she wants to do it. She just has to do it for Natsu. Oh boy was she wrong! As far as she can remember, she was forced to do it. It was supposed to be Lisanna.
"Lisanna."
The name left a bitter taste on her mouth. Has it always been like this when she will utter her name? She said her name again to try and she was not wrong. It really leaves a bitter taste on her mouth.
But she can care less for now. If only that Lisanna didn't got sick, then she will have less burdens. All she can think about now is her father and Michelle, and their company of course. That is if he will ever give her some share which she doubts.
"Are you asleep?" Her eyes opened up upon hearing his voice.
Right in front of her is Natsu. With the close distance given, not even allowing her to have her personal space, she looked up to meet his onyx eyes, looking intently at her. Then she closed her eyes.
She closed her eyes not because she wants Natsu to kiss her but because she is getting her eyes crossed. But unknown to her, behind that close eyes is a hovering form, ready to taste someone's lips.
"Could you back off a bit? You're too close."
Natsu blinked a few times before he finally had a grasp of what she said.
"Sorry." He uttered but deep in him, he was shouting out loud for missing a good chance. He sat on his chair and made half spins, stopping only when Lucy asked her something.
"No works today?"
"No works. Well, I hope so."
"Then I'll be going out now." She was about to get her purse when Natsu slammed his hands on his table while standing, much to her surprise.
"Huh? Going out? With who? Why didn't I know this?"
"Are you alright? I told you I'll buy us some food when you get back." She asked in mild confusion and slight worry. Scratching the back of his head, he gave her a grin before slumping back to his sit.
"I'm more than okay. Sorry, my bad. Do you want me to go with you?"
"No. Knowing you, you will buy every delicious thing you see so I'd rather be alone." She said while pointing a finger on him.
"Fine."
He sighed in relief when she went out. As much as he hates to admit it but he really got nervous in that one. She almost knew it and to top it all, he reacted in a very not cool way. He's getting paranoid and after what transpired yesterday, the feeling of being possessive grew stronger.
He doesn't want that. Above all, he wants her to be happy but why is it that when you love someone, you get selfish? He wants her to be with him in every passing time. Just the idea of her dating anybody but him is so unbearable. He wants to claim her as his; brag to everyone that will meddle in them that he already got her. But he wants Lucy to be happy.
His selfish desires are weighing more than what he wants for Lucy, weighing so much to the point that he, himself is thinking if it is still love. Love is not greedy, right?
He loves her, no doubt but, is his love and affection right? And foremost, will she accept those feelings?
His thoughts got disarrayed when Gray slammed the door opened.
"Natsu! It's Lucy!" He immediately stands from his sit and in a flash of time, he was already in front of Gray, fisting his shirt tight.
"What about Lucy? Its better not be a prank or else – "He's glaring at him, onyx eyes sending death glares to the already shaking but concerned Gray.
"It's Mr. Heartfilia. He is dragging Lucy out of the company, saying she is his –"His glares disappeared, changed into frightened ones. With no more words, he let go of Gray and dashed to where Lucy might be that time.
"At the main entrance!" Shouted Gray. He can thank him later but on that little time given to him, all he wants is to be there at once and fulfill his promise to her.
Running and running, he stopped by the elevator but fuck the common cliché! The elevator is loaded leaving him no choice but to use the stairs and that means he has to go back pass his office to go the other side of the floor.
"Damn it!" He hissed as he wasted no time to run.
Lucy.
Lucy.
Lucy.
Why is this floor so fucking big?! His steps are heavy, his pace is so fast, and his turns are swift. With that, he reached the stairs, skipping two to four steps at times.
His hands are running cold and he could hear his heart beating erratically, shouting and calling for her name, asking her to wait for him, telling her that he will come despite the circumstances, even if the elevator won't open up for him, even if the stairs are missing steps, he'll definitely come for her.
No matter what, he will come and so he was begging Lucy to wait for him, for just a little more while.
"Lucy." He whispered.
Just one more line of stairs and he's there. Stepping out of the last step, he can see everyone gathered in circle. Some of them are whispering, some are silent and shocked.
He feels more scared now. Why does it seem like there are so many things that keep on getting his way? Destiny. Fate. What the heck are those words? Something that Lucy uses on her novels to make the word love more appealing. But if he would lose Lucy now, he doesn't know if he can even believe in love after that.
First is the elevator, then the large building floor, the stairs and now, a massive pile of people on his way?! Did they really have that many employers? Now is not the right time to care. Pushing and yelling until the crowd made way for him, he saw Lucy, struggling from his father with tears brimming on her eyes, keeping them from falling in front of everyone.
"Lucy, my dear. Let's go home please."
"I don't want to go! Please let go!"
For what seems eternity, his extending hands that badly wants to reach her finally get a hold of her hand, pulling her with a lot of force making her turn and meet his warm hug.
Feeling her body close to his brings the both of them to happiness and relief. He can feel her tears wetting his shirt. Her frantic sobs that he didn't allow others to see is a noise in his ears. Tightening his hug on her, he leaned closer to her ear whispering words of comfort as his hand keeps on rubbing her back in an attempt to calm her. Her hands that were on his chest make its way to his back, hugging him as her sobs went on and on.
"I'm here."
On that very time, that very moment, all that matters is him and Lucy. Shifting his gaze at her father, he gave him a pleading look, a pleading look with traces of hurt and fear.
"Please don't take my fiancée away from me."
Jude, to tell, was shocked that he can't even utter a word nor can he make a step to get near them.
Natsu eyed everyone, still holding Lucy.
"Everyone! Get to work!" They obliged to his stern command, now only leaving the three of them, when Igneel came.
"Mr. Heartfilia, would you mind coming to my office for a moment?" Igneel asked in a somewhat merry tone.
"I'll take Lucy with me. Excuse us."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
His room is filled with sobs, sobs from the last person he wants to see crying. It hurts so much.
"Hey, sorry I'm late." He said while placing both his hands on her shaking shoulders. He took her hands covering her face and pulled her into a tight hug again. It didn't take too long before she wrapped her arms on his cold body.
"Are you scared?" He felt her nod against his chest.
"Me too." He buried his face on her neck, placing a slight kiss there before rising up.
He was really scared too but he doesn't want to show her that he is. He wants to be strong for her but maybe, there's just really no use in pretending. She is his weakness.
"I was scared that I might not see you again." He pulled back and cupped her cheeks, his thumb wiping the remnants of her tears.
"Y- You do?" She asked, her hands flew up to take a hold of his hands.
"Yeah. I'm so glad that I made it in time." His heart swells with joy when Lucy smiled, her thumb doing circles on his dead-like hands. Then she moved to hug him and he can do nothing that time but to return the hug, rub her hair and soothe her back.
"You don't have to cry now. At times like this, you should scold me for being slow. I – I don't want to see you crying. It hurts in the eyes, you know." He said and she just hugged him tighter in response, which in return made his heart skip a beat.
"Thanks for coming. Thank you, Natsu." She said before looking up to him.
He is smiling. She can see that smile clearly with their distance. Those lips that always smiles for him when she is down, those lips that gives her words that makes her happy, she can remember it as if it was only yesterday, she can remember that it was Natsu's lips which first talked to her in the middle of the busy town of Hargeon. And now, it was still Natsu who was by her side, smiling even though he said it himself that he was also scared.
She can't help but to smile, too. Seeing him is enough to make her feel safe and sound.
Unconsciously, without their consent, their lips keep on drawing closer like a magnet attracted to one another with no way of wavering. His hands that were on her back rose up to her cheeks as her hands fled to hold his wrist, just like a while ago. His eyes can only see her lips as Lucy can only hear her heart beating wild inside her chest. The time was agonizingly slow and up till now, she can only feel his breathing warming up her tear-stained face. It's just a mini-meter apart. In this kind of moment is where the 'so close yet so far' phrase should be use. Slowly, she closed her eyes, her lips waiting for his lips.
When her eyes were fully closed, she smiled. She felt it, his lips above hers. He was kissing her and up to now, he can't believe that she is actually permitting him to do this. Without waiting for any more time, he decided to let himself get drowned to her lips.
"AH! SORRY!" Erza slammed the door close and they, who were just about to get drowned to their adventure, immediately set apart in an awkward mood.
"Ah, I remember Father is speaking to your Father now Lucy. I'm sure he understands your situation and will help you out."
"Ah, really? Yes. Uhm, thank you for helping me and I want to thank your father, too."
"Okay. Do you want something? I can ask Macao for ice cream?"
"Really? Thank you. Do you want to go the comfort room? Ah! I mean I may want to go the comfort room. I mean – "
"Ah, yes, I want to go to the comfort room. I remembered my pee. I'll be back!"
When Natsu was gone, Lucy got her phone and frantically types a message there.
'Hi Erza. How are you? I'm fine now. I'm sorry if I made some of you worry.' – Lucy H.
She frowns after sending that. She wonders what will happen about her father.
And what was that now? Unlike before, she was not lusting over his lips now, right? So why?
She touched her lips. She can still feel his lips, the feeling of his lips touching her is still lingering on hers.
"What was that?"
"Woah! Is this girl really you?" Natsu said in awe while staring at the magazine wherein she was the cover. The magazine was years ago and she was not still fully developed that time. She was a pretty teen and no one will recognize her too because her name was not imprinted on the magazine.
"How many times should I tell you that I am really that girl?" She answered while typing important stuffs on her laptop. It's time to work again. After that incident, everyone knows now that she is Lucy of the Heartfilia but the best thing is that even though they already knew, they still treated her like before.
"Would you please stop staring at my pictures? I know I'm pretty but the fact that someone is actually staring at my pictures right in front of me is creepy!"
"As if. I'm staring at your shoes!" He said muffling his words into his hands.
"If you say." She chuckled before returning her attention to her work.
Her father, that day, also left leaving her a bye. She was guilty. It was like she was running away again. Maybe, she's still not ready to face him after all. But upon seeing him that day, she knows that she missed him. And with that feeling of missing him, her heart tells her that somehow, she loves him.
"Hey, you have pretty good designs. But why do you want to work here? I'm not telling you to leave though, just asking." She closed her laptop and turned to look at him with amusement. She clapped her hands before ranting.
"Because Dragneel's clothes are awesome! Did you see the dress I'm wearing in page 7? The dress was from here and I almost marry it! So soft and so comfy to wear! Actually, my sister and I are trying to kill each other just to have that dress. And Dragneel's –"
Dragneel here, Dragneel that. She was cute, making it impossible for Natsu to suppress a blush. He was watching her as he praises their company. From that eyes that were sparkling from happiness, her golden tresses that flows freely on her shoulder to her creamy skin. Her lips that he had kissed twice, if you call the previous one a kiss, that is. First, it was Gajeel then Erza. He wants to bang his head on the wall. Scratch that, he wants to bang Gajeel's head on the wall. About Erza, well, he will just tell her the fault in her timing. That will be all.
Looking at her again, she had this dreamy look etched on her face. Kiss forgotten, even though he can't kiss her everytime he wants, just seeing her smile is enough.
She is the embodiment of the word beautiful.
"Lucy…"
"Yes?"
"We're acting as fake lovers right?"
"Yes."
"Would you like to go out with me? I mean, isn't that what lovers do?" There was silence. He was about to take it back when she calls him first.
"Yes." His eyes widen. His hands flew to grip the edge of the desk and he was slightly leaning on it.
"Come again?"
"I said yes. Let's go out together."
DONE!
How is it? Is it good or bad?
Kyaaaah! I'm so kinikilig!
Sorry. Hehe. I don't know what the English term of kinikilig is. How should I put it?
Kinikilig – it is when your secret crush smiles at you, you are kinikilig. Hihi. Did you get it?
While writing this, I am listening to Kimi to Kare to Boku to Kanojo to by Breathe. You know that right? Fairy Tail's ending song 15. Kyaaaaaa! I'm dying of kilig here when I came to read the English translation of the song. Seriously, I am flopping on the bed like a fish, curling frantically like a salted Earthworm, I'm going crazy! Certified NaLu supporter here!
I love you minna for reviewing! If you would also please leave a kind review to this, I'll be really, really happy.
Have a good day minna! Jaa.
-A.L.-
