BlackLynx17: SORRY! LATE UPDATES ARE GOING TO CONTINUE THOUGH! BEEN BUSY WITH REAL LIFE THAT I HAVE NO TIMES WITH MY FANDOMS! SO SORRY!
Fairy Tail Hotel
Late Night Secrets
Lucy sighs in the shower, letting all of her worries and cares wash away. It is tough being her, it really is. Sometimes she can handle the responsibility no problem, but other times... it was hard. Today is one of those times. She wants to be able to help her boss so much because she loves Zeref, she really does and wants him to be happy, but she doesn't know how when it comes to Mavis. Talking is their only problem! If only the two of them could communicate and just... be honest! Then things would be better!
But Zeref's problem last night is because he was too honest.
Lucy groans as she turns off the shower, wrapping a towel around herself as she steps out. She needs to get ready. She promised to accompany Zeref to dinner tonight, his way of thanking her, but she's sure he's going to mope the entire time. She also needs to apologize to Natsu for kicking him out, and that's sure going to be a joy to explain in front of Lisanna. She doesn't want an outsider to know about their inside problems... but Lisanna isn't going to be an outsider for long...
"This would be so much easier if I actually hated the girl," Lucy tells herself in the mirror.
"But I don't, I like her. She's sweet, and funny, and kind, and intelligent. Someone Natsu would never get in a million years, and yet he got her. Like winning the lottery," she continues talking to herself as she fixes her hair.
Maybe the problem between Zeref and Mavis was Lucy. She shouldn't be giving advice when she herself doesn't really have a love life. Maybe she doesn't have all the answers, especially when it comes to love.
"God, I wish I could just stay in my room and continue working!" She groans picking up her final things before heading down to the lobby.
As soon as Zeref finished kicking himself he mopped back to his room leaving Lucy to throw herself into her work so she wouldn't have to focus on the damage she's done. Now, with nothing to do as she takes the limo ride to the fancy restaurant... she really needs to find other hobbies that isn't working.
"Hi, reservation for Dragneel." Lucy tells the host.
"Yes, your guest has already arrived. Follow me." The server says leading her to one of the back tables under a chandelier.
It's beautiful, but deadly. What if that thing fell on her? She would die instantly. Zeref has a chandelier in his house like this, and Lucy's always sure to walk around it whenever she entered. She doesn't think the risk of dying is worth the beauty of staring at it.
"Here you are Miss."
"Thank you si- Natsu?" Lucy asks, looking down at the table.
He's sitting there with a spoon on his nose, dressed up in a classy business suit he normally wears when he's going out for dinner with clients. His spoon falls from his nose and he grins, standing up to greet her.
"Lucy! Wow, you look amazing! I haven't seen you this nice since our last office party." Natsu says reaching over to kiss her cheek and hug her.
"Thanks. I'm surprised you're here so early. Where's Zeref? And Lisanna? I know she was probably the one who kicked your butt into gear."
"Lisanna said she couldn't make it, had some plans face-timing her brother over her phone, and when I went to check on Zeref he said he wasn't feeling too well."
"I wish you would have told me sooner, we could have skipped this."
"No, of course not! Zeref told me he promised you a fancy dinner! So I'm here instead to keep that promise!"
Lucy looks at him, "you heard about this place's famous prime rib, didn't you?"
"Oh my God I already ordered it while waiting for you, I hope you don't mind. I also got you a salad on the side, hehehehe." Natsu chuckles scratching the back of his head.
Lucy lets out a long sigh and shakes her head, "I can't believe you Natsu."
"I know, I'm unbelievable. It's what makes me so special."
She giggles at that while Natsu walks around the table to pull out her seat.
"If you would."
"Thanks Natsu," Lucy says sitting down.
He pushes her back in and then goes back over to his chair, passing over the beer he ordered towards her.
"So, do you mind telling me what was going on this morning with my brother?"
Lucy takes a small sip, "well, I can't go into all the details, but Zeref is having some problems with Mavis."
"What? What's happening? What's wrong?"
"They have a hard time communicating and I'm afraid I just made things worse. I told Zeref something, and apparently it didn't go well with Mavis. Ugh, I'm such a failure." Lucy moans covering her face.
"Hey, stop that. You're the smartest person I know Luce. You aren't a failure," Natsu tells her and then grabs her hand, "whatever happened between those two is Zeref's fault and his alone, because Mavis is a sweetheart. You had nothing to do with it Lucy, you're just helping."
"Exactly, I'm helping with their love life with nothing to go on with since I don't have one. Why am I giving him advice? Zeref should be giving me advice."
"Stop beating yourself about it. Zeref is an idiot, that's the problem, and you... I wouldn't worry too much about you Lucy. You're beautiful and intelligent, any guy would be lucky to have you, and I've seen men act like a fool around you, especially at work."
Lucy starts giggling to herself, "I can't believe Jacob accidentally lit himself on fire lighting his cigarette because one of my buttons broke off my shirt."
"See?! That's exactly what I mean! You have men dying at your feet, all you have to do is pick one you like."
"Thanks Natsu. Normally I'm the one helping you out-"
"Well it's about time that I start helping you back... you aren't seriously lonely, are you?"
"No, of course not. My work keeps me busy, and my family and friends give me all the love I need. I'm not worried about finding a significant other until I turn at least 27. The problem was just me giving love advice where I don't have a lot of love experience."
Natsu wants to continue this conversation, but the waiter comes with the food he ordered. Lucy orders a couple of more drinks before the two of them start digging in.
"So, not a big love life, huh?"
"Nope," Lucy moans out in delight. This prime rib is so delicious! "I dated a couple of guys in middle school and high school. Had a couple of one night stands in college, haven't had anything serious since working for Zeref though." Lucy says, taking another bite.
"You've had one night stands before Lucy?"
Lucy chokes a little and blush, "yeah, I mean! In my defense-!"
"No Lucy, I'm not judging! I just think it's funny!" Natsu laughs, "I never saw you as that type of girl."
"I'm not that type of girl! I was in college! I was dumb, naive, and wanted to experience what everyone was so hyped about."
"And so, was it worth the hype?" Natsu asks.
Lucy blushes, "some guys were, others... not so much."
Natsu snorts.
"It must be easy for you though Natsu. If we're being completely honest I'm kind of jealous of how you and Lisanna got together. Childhood sweethearts, that's every girl's dream." Lucy hums.
"Yeah, well, complete honesty, I'm nervous about the wedding."
"I know, Zeref told me. He noticed you have been acting a little stranger."
"Stranger, don't you mean strange?"
"Sure Natsu," Lucy says rolling her eyes.
She takes a swing of her drink while Natsu waves the waiter down for another plate.
"Zeref told me I had nothing to be nervous about because I've known Lisanna basically my whole life, but... that nervousness is still there."
Lucy listens to his voice and furrows her eyebrows, "Natsu, maybe that nervousness isn't nervousness at all, but instead doubt."
"Doubt? But that can't be right. We've been together since... forever. I know who I'm marrying."
Lucy thinks about telling him about Zeref's theory, but she decides to keep it to herself. It isn't her place to meddle in his love life, especially after all the meddling she's done to Zeref's. She thinks she's going to be done with giving love advice from now on.
"I guess so. Mavis is really excited about the wedding, I heard from Zeref," before she ruined everything between them, "she's going to be coming next week hopefully."
"Yeah, I can't believe Zeref found a girl like Mavis on his first try! She's such an amazing person, and she doesn't think I'm an idiot at all!" Natsu boasts.
Lucy rolls her eyes, "sure Natsu, I'm sure she doesn't think that at all. What do you mean on the first try though? Zeref dated tons of women before he found Mavis."
Natsu tilts his head to the side, "what? Really?"
"Yeah, he told me. He went on all these dinner dates with client's daughters until he decided to marry Mavis, so he just stayed with her. Wow, that sounded bad. There's more to the story, you should ask your brother though. I don't feel right sharing it."
Natsu blinks, "I didn't know that at all... so Zeref dated other people before figuring out Mavis was his one..."
"That's what everyone does though Natsu, which makes you and Lisanna so lucky. You didn't have to go through the trial and error and heartbreak of giving your love to someone who isn't worthy of it at the end. You two found each other."
"Still, I would have liked to experience it just one. Falling in love with a girl, going out together, then breaking up. That's something I'll never experience."
"Which is a good thing! You've seen it on TV and movies right, heartbreak is no joke! It really... hurts."
"Have you had your heartbroken Lucy?" Natsu asks looking at her.
Lucy flinches a bit, "yeah, dozens of times."
"And yet you still try to find love?"
"Well I can't give up, can I? I know there's someone out there who's going to cherish me and take care of my heart. I won't find him though unless I go out looking."
"See, that's an adventure. An adventure I never got to experience."
It seems Lucy didn't need to tell him Zeref's theory at all because he had come to the conclusion all on his own.
"It's probably a good thing though! I wouldn't be able to stand hurting someone I loved! Especially Lisanna! What would she think if I asked her if we could see other people just before our wedding, hahahaha!" Natsu starts laughing out loud.
"Yeah, that would make you a terrible husband right off the bat." Lucy tries to join in, but her heart isn't in it.
"I've had crushes before though-"
"And admired women, don't think I forgot that Mister. I'm using that as leverage over you next time you want to do something stupid that I have to clean up. I'll run and tell Lisanna on you."
"Aw Luce, don't be so mean. I'm allowed to look-"
"Not admire!"
"Anyways, I've had a couple of crushes, so I know the beginning stages of love before it actually turns into love. I had a crush on you for a while when you first started working with us, which is exactly why Zeref claimed you as his secretary! Hahahahaha! I wonder what would have happened if you would have been mine?"
Lucy tries not to let her heart show on her sleeves, "nothing at all Natsu. I know you're not that type of guy. You would have stayed faithful to Lisanna, and I never would have gone for you anyway. Too much of a baby for me, always cleaning up your messes."
Natsu looks over at Lucy with a pout while Lucy looks right back at him with an emotionless smile. They just continue to stare at each other, neither or them backing down as... nothing crosses their minds. They were both lying to each other, but neither one of them knew it. Finally, Lucy is the first one who looks away as she takes a sip of her drink.
"You're going to stand next to Lisanna on that alter, lift the veil from her face, look at her and just realize... there is no other place you rather be at right now than with her. That feeling of wanting to cherish and love her is going to be so overbearing and overwhelming that all that nervousness and doubt is going to disappear. Trust me, I may not have a lot of good love advice, but that is what it means when you want to be with someone forever."
"Thanks Lucy, that's really good advice. I'll try to remember that."
"Yeah, right," Lucy snorts under her breath.
"Hey!"
The light mood comes back to the table and the two of them quickly finish their dinners before heading back to the hotel. Natsu walks her towards the lobby and ruffles up her hair a bit.
"This look is nice and all, but I prefer the pantsuit look."
"Shut up Natsu and go to bed, I forgot I have some calls to make and the service in my room sucks. I'll catch you tomorrow, I think we have a rehearsal for something, I can't remember for what though. My head is a little foggy from the drive. I could use some fresh air." She's blabbering and explaining herself too much.
Natsu doesn't notice anything though, "alright, I'll see you tomorrow morning! Not quite so bright and early though, night!"
Lucy waits until she sees him disappear inside the elevator before heading straight over to the bar. It's not her fault, really it's not. She's usually not much of a drinker, but after tonight... sometimes one needs to let loose and live a little before getting themselves back together.
"Excuse me, strongest drink you have please." Lucy calls out waving her hand as she sat at the bar.
"Rough night?" A light voice asks next to her.
"Rough life, but I'm getting it together." Lucy answers back.
"Sounds to me like you're a little drunk already, so something crazy must have happened. Don't tell me it involved that pink dude I saw earlier, excuse me for spying."
"I don't care, I'm too drunk to care." Lucy says, tapping her finger on the bar waiting for her drink.
"Here, my name is Cana. Allow me to be your designated drinking partner." Cana introduces herself.
Lucy looks at the woman beside her and deems her nice-looking enough to have a couple of drinks with her.
"Lucy, nice to meet you as well."
Cana grins brightly as she moves over one seat.
"I'm telling you right now Lucy that we are going to have a fun time tonight!"
"Thank you, that's exactly what I need right now."
The bartender comes back with the drinks and Cana holds one up to Lucy.
"To men! You can't live with them!"
"And you can't live without them!" Lucy finishes.
"But you can certainly make them your slave and have them do your bidding!"
Lucy snorts out her laughter and cheers with her, "I'll definitely drink to that."
How did Zeref find himself in this position?
"Yes, I don't know how or why, but Lucy's here at the bar passed out drunk. I figured I should tell you over Natsu."
"Thanks Mirajane, I'm on my way."
What in the world happened to her? Why would she drink so much? Ugh, she smells like a liquor store.
"You are in deep trouble tomorrow Lucy," Zeref warns her.
Lucy just mumbles some words to herself, "but I don't wanna."
"Ugh, please try and help me."
"Mhmmn not heavy!" She screams out of nowhere.
Zeref jumps and drops her, that shock of pain waking her up a bit.
"Ow." She mumbles.
"Sorry, I'm so sorry Lucy! Ugh, I thought my drunk body dragging days were over once Natsu got out of college," Zeref groans picking her back up.
"Zeref? Hi Zeref, where are we going?" Lucy asks.
"To my room to sleep."
"Sleep? But I don't wanna sleep. I wanna par-tah!" Lucy cheers.
"Shhhh, it's one a clock in the morning Lucy! You're going to wake up the other guests here!"
Lucy shushes and giggles behind her hand. Zeref struggles with dragging her, making a note to join a gym soon. He finally reaches his door and digs in his pocket for his card-key before opening the door.
"Zeref, can I tell you a secret?"
"No, go to sleep." He warns her.
"I think I'm going to quit this job after the wedding."
Zeref drops her again, but this time luckily she lands on his bed. Lucy sighs at the softness that overwhelms her senses and is able to drag herself on it, wrapping herself in blankets.
"I thought I could do it, I really thought I could, but after tonight. Seeing him so happy, seeing him doubt himself and having to do the right thing and reassure him... it hurts. I'm not that tough. I don't want to put myself through seeing his happiness while I continue to suffer and hurt. I thought I would get over it but... it seems... it seems I'm only falling deeper."
Zeref reaches out for Lucy and spins her around, "who Lucy? Who are you talking about?"
Lucy hums to herself, "good night."
"Lucy, I'm talking to you. Lucy, Lucy! Is it Natsu? You went to dinner with Natsu, right?"
Lucy opens her hazy misty eyes and sees eyes of charcoal staring right at her, exactly the same color as the love of her life. She smiles brightly and snuggles into his arm, letting out a sigh of peace.
"I love you Natsu."
Zeref just looks down at her...