Lucy slammed the door shut and Juvia slapped Natsu's back of the head, he let out a shriek.
- What was that all about? – Juvia asked angrily.
- How the hell am I supposed to know? – Natsu said surprised, patting his hurting head, - that hurt...
- Did you really kiss her?
- No! I swear! I have no idea what she was yelling about. "But I wish I knew..."
- Well, I don't think we both overheard her saying the word "kiss". – Juvia had her hands on her waist, still looking angrily at Natsu.
Natsu let out a sigh and shrugged his shoulders. He looked at Juvia walking to Lucy's door and knocking.
- Lucy, can I come in?
- No! – Lucy shouted back, - I'm getting ready for work. "It doesn't matter that it starts only in three hours..."
Juvia didn't say anything else and walked to the kitchen to unpack the bags with food, on her way she glared at Natsu.
- If you're lying to me, I will kick your ass Natsu.
- But I didn't do anything. Geez. – He started to get irritated too. He followed her to the kitchen.
When Lucy had closed her door, she realised what she had said. "There's no way they didn't hear what I said. Stupid dream, getting me into awkward situations again with Natsu..." Lucy freaked out and decided to go to cafeteria early to work extra hours just to avoid seeing Natsu. She quickly dried her hair, got dressed and quietly opened the door. She heard Juvia and Natsu talking in the kitchen and snuck out of the apartment.
Natsu heard a door closing and run to see if it's Lucy, he wanted to what was going on in her mind. "I KNOW I haven't kissed her. I don't even remember the last time I hugged her." He went to her room and decided to open it without knocking. He needed to know what's going on. Her room was empty and he concluded it was the front door he heard closing.
The spiky haired boy walked back to the kitchen and continued to argue with Juvia about being innocent. In the end, Juvia calmed down and they decided to talk to Lucy when she's back.
Meanwhile Lucy was walking to the tram stop and kept thinking about her dream and yelling at Natsu. "How could I be so stupid. To shout at Natsu for things he did in my dream. In THAT dream. Why am I having dreams about Natsu?!" She blushed remembering the dream yet again, while riding the tram.
She got out at her stop and saw Gajeel walking across the street from her. "Maybe I should concentrate on other people wishes and forgot my dream for the time being. Or else I'm going to jump off a bridge trying to understand the reasons for having..." she stopped and blushed even redder, "... yes, for having wet dreams... STOP THINKING ABOUT THAT DREAM!" She shook her head, trying to get rid of the memories and saw Gajeel crossing the street. "Thought so, he's coming to see Levy. But she should be here in two hours. How did he even know she's working today?"
- Hey, Lucy! Are coming early as well? – The blonde heard a familiar voice behind her and turned to see Levy.
- Levy! Yes, I thought I could need extra cash. "Maybe I'll need to move pretty soon... Just for the sake of avoiding Natsu."
- Yeah, me too. – Levy smiled, - hey can I ask you a question?
- Shoot!
- Does.. emm... Does Gajeel have a girlfriend? – Levy blurted out. She looked at Lucy slightly blushing.
- So, you like Gajeel, - Lucy smiled, - Nope, he's single.
Levy just smiled back and a light bulb started to glow in Lucy's mind. They went to their workplace, the cafeteria "Fairy Tail" and started their extra hours. Couple of minutes later, Gajeel came in and sat down in his usual spot.
He was always sitting in one corner, drinking the strongest coffee they were serving and reading a book. He didn't know that Lucy had noticed him glimpsing at Levy when the short bluenette wasn't looking. And when Levy was serving him his order he sat there like he was completely alone in the universe. Barely saying "thank you" to Levy. Lucy thought it was time to change that.
This time she hurried before Levy could to take an order from Gajeel. Lucy knew Levy wanted to do it herself, but she was busy with other customers what made Lucy even eager to go further with her plan.
- Hey, Gajeel! What's up? – Lucy asked, smiling her most mischievous smile that Gajeel didn't seem to notice.
- Hi, Lucy. Nothing much, reading a book. Are you here to take my order? – He said trying not to sound disappointed.
- Yes, let me guess – strong and black coffee?
- Yes. I didn't know you are working today? – Gajeel stated, but it sounded more like a question. "He's making it so easy!" Lucy almost couldn't keep the grin off her face. "He is making me to carry out my plan so easy!" She repeated to herself.
- Well, you see, two of our co-workers had plans, so Levy and I stepped in for them. Although I didn't want to. I don't like having to stay late on weekends. You never know what kind of creeps can stalk around in the evening. – She started with her made out scenario. The light-bulb plan. Yes, she was making it all dramatic to Gajeel. Lucy had to struggle not to start laugh and stay with a serious face.
- Yeah, you're probably right. – He agreed, scratching his pierced eyebrow.
- To be honest, I'm not worried about myself. I had my training in aikido and for a girl my size I think I could handle some pervs out there. But Levy is smaller and shorter than me and hasn't trained in aikido or any other martial arts what so ever.
Lucy made a worried face, doing her best not to burst out laughing. She could see a shadow of worry sliding over Gajeel's face. "Yes, it's working. He's falling for it. Lucy you're a genius!"
– And she's living in a different direction and taking a different transport than I. And since we have the night shift today and we close at midnight we'll be very tired and make it easier for someone to take advantage.
The blonde stood there with a serious face and turned to see where Gajeel was looking. He was looking at Levy.
- But what am I talking about. Maybe I'm just overreacting after reading that article about crime rates rising. Ok, I'm going after your coffee. Enjoy your book! – Lucy smiled at Gajeel, who just sat at his table and stared at Levy for so long that she even noticed and blushed.
Levy walked at the cashier's desk and asked Lucy why she was grinning like a lunatic. Lucy felt Levy was a bit sad for not being able to take Gajeels order. Lucy just answered that she had set something amazing in motion and that sooner or later Levy will understand. Levy just shrugged her shoulders.
- Here, take the coffee to Gajeel.
Levy just smiled and did as Lucy said. She walked to Gajeel's table and Lucy saw them behaving awkward as always. Then some clients distracted her and when she had attended them, she saw Levy coming back smiling and blushing redder than usual. Lucy raised an eyebrow and waited for Levy to come closer.
- Lucy! Imagine, Gajeel smiled at me and asked how my day was. He had never done that before. – She was almost dancing from joy. Then her expression changed and she looked at Lucy embarrassed and asked – You said him something about me?
- What? No, we were just talking about his book and discussing the crime rates. – Lucy replied, playing the innocent one. Levy smiled again.
- Lucyyyy, he smiled at me! – Levy was happy. Lucy was content with how her plan was unwrapping slowly.
At the end of Lucy's shift, Levy and Gajeel have spoken more than in the last few weeks and just half an hour before they had to close up, Gajeel had asked Levy if he could walk her home. When she told that to Lucy, Levy tried hard not to show how excited and overjoyed she was. "It went better than expected," Lucy thought and felt happy for both of them. She watched them walking together after closing "Fairy Tail" and turned to go home herself. Then she remembered the shouting earlier today in the apartment and moved slower than a snail to home. "Please! Somebody kidnap me?!"
Lucy unlocked the door and hoped Natsu and Juvia were asleep. But she couldn't be more wrong. She stepped in the hallway and heard the TV, Lucy walked further and saw Juvia watching a movie about dolphins. She didn't see Natsu and hoped that at least he's sleeping.
- Welcome home Lucy. – Juvia said.
- Hi, Juvia. – Lucy stood in the hallway for a moment and then started to slowly move to her room.
Unfortunately, she had to pass Natsu's room and she saw his door was open and that he was lying in bed and listening to his IPod. Lucy could see him turning in his bed and opening his eyes. "Shit...Run Lucy!" But she stayed put. He noticed Lucy and stood up, taking out his earphones.
- Can we talk? – He asked.
- About what? – Lucy tried to smile. She failed. Lucy still stood outside his room.
- You shouting things nobody understood. – He said sternly.
- What was it exactly you didn't understand? – Lucy didn't like Natsu's tone.
- Everything. – He said firmly. Now his tone was slightly getting on Lucy's nerves. Juvia was sitting on the couch and listening to their conversation.
- I told you to don't leave you towel lying on the floor and wipe all the puddles you leave after showering. – Lucy said calmly. She had an idea.
- And? – Natsu went on.
- And also to not piss me off again. "It does sound similar to kiss, doesn't it? Please believe it. Pretty please?"
She stood there, Natsu was lying in his bed. The only sound was the one coming from TV and Juvia finally spoke:
- And I thought we heard you say something about a kiss.
Lucy turned pale and hoped none of them noticed it. Natsu noticed, but didn't show it."I don't buy it. I still think she said "kiss"... I'll find out the truth. Eventually." He laid down on his bed, hinting he's done talking.
- Then you must've heard wrong. – Lucy managed to say, trying to stay calm and turning away from Natsu to face Juvia.
- Probably... So how was your work? – Juvia asked.
- Fine. You remember Levy and that course mate of mine Gajeel? Well I sort of made a couple out of them, I think. – Lucy was happy to change the subject and started to retell her plan and how it ended up in success.
Natsu was lying in his bed, his hands under his head and heard everything Lucy was telling. The door to his room was still open and they didn't tried to talk quietly. Minutes later Natsu felt thirsty and walked to the kitchen to grab a drink. He noticed Lucy resting her head on Juvia's shoulder and they talked and watched dolphins swimming with children. "Why does she always avoid touching me like that? In fact she doesn't even hug me..." He thought sulky. He grabbed his drink, went back to his room, and closed the door behind him. Lucy and Juvia watched the movie till the end and went to bed. Lucy fell asleep right away.
His hand was reaching down Lucy's panties, while the other one held her waist and pulled her closer to him. Lucy was standing her back to Natsu, her head resting on his naked chest. She was breathing hard and deep. Natsu nibbled Lucy's ear and whispered how much she turned him on. She felt hot and wanted, Lucy started to feel her panties getting wet under his gentle and teasing touch.
Lucy sat up in the bed once again having a wet dream about Natsu. She was panting and frantically looked around in her room. "It was just a dream..." Lucy started to calm down.
- Two days in a row... Why? – She whispered desperately. – I need to take my mind off it.
Lucy got up and dressed in her running outfit, put her hair in high ponytail and after putting on her trainer in the hallway turned on her player. She didn't notice Natsu coming out of the kitchen and didn't hear him saying her name. She left the apartment with a stressed look on her face. Natsu looked in the clock showing it's 7 AM. "Well, she got up early..." He yawned and got to his room to finish getting dressed. He as well was up for an early run, but with a different intent.
Lucy has been running in the park for thirty minutes now, when she stopped to take short break and do some exercise. Lucy was in the part of the park that was the most secluded from other main trails and pathways. The blonde enjoyed running by herself, alone in the world.
She liked that a part of the park could be called more like a forest than a park. Having some trails going crisscross the land, Lucy found them just a week after moving in. She turned to take the trail closer to her and disappeared behind the trees and bushes.
She didn't notice a man coming towards her, with a vain look at his face. He called her name but she did not hear. Lucy started to walk towards a path that was a part of her favourite route and the man followed her. Lucy started to jog and the man kept trailing her. He called Lucy's name again. He thought she was ignoring him on purpose and started to run faster and grabbed Lucy's arms harshly making her stop and flinch from the pain. She turned to hit the stranger but saw who it was and her face became pale.
- D-D-an? – She stammered.
Out of all the people she didn't want to see, her ex-boyfriend was standing in front of her. In a place where nobody could hear her if she would scream. Lucy saw him mouthing something while the only thing she could hear was Eat You Alive by Limp Bizkit. She wanted to run away but instead she stood there and looked at the person who broke her heart. The surprise of seeing him in the place she had never seen anyone when running made her just paralyzed.
Lucy saw him still trying saying to her, shaking her hand. But she just continued to stare at him with her face pale and full with fright. She saw him raising his hand and taking the earphones off.
- Hi, Lucy. It's nice to see you and your fit body. – He said, sounding self-confident, eying her.
- What are you doing here? – She let out a whisper.
- What? I don't hear you, what did you say? – He slowly stepped closer to her.
Lucy finally broke from her paralysis and stepped away from him, but he pulled her closer, still holding her arm roughly. Lucy to tried to shake his grip, but he just squeezed her arm harder.
- Let go of me! – Lucy yelled as loud as she could. She tried to free herself from his grip again and this time he let her go, but stepped closer. She had to look up to see his eyes.
- You know, I never wanted to be your boyfriend; I just wanted you in my bed. After every date we had, I walked you home and went to club afterwards to get me girl to sleep with. It was a nice game I played with you. Too bad, I didn't have the chance to fuck you.
He smiled and she could see only coldness in his eyes. "Natsu's eyes are warm, even if he's angry..." Lucy wanted to run away but the fear made her freeze again.
- Well, I don't see anyone here now. Maybe we should play, what do you think?
Lucy's eyes widened in terror and fear, tears started to roll. She stepped back and watched him staying few steps away from her. Lucy kept on slowly stepping back, she wanted to flee from the man that was in front of her, looking at her like she's just a mere toy for him. Lucy stepped one more step back and tripped on a branch, she fell down and now was crawling backwards away from Dan, still looking in his cold and vicious eyes. She closed her eyes.
- LEAVE ME ALONE! – She screamed and when opened her eyes she saw him lying on ground and struggling with someone.
Lucy didn't wait, she stood up, no looking back, and ran in the forest. Not knowing where to and her vision blurry from the tears. She ran stumbling, head over heels, feeling something scratch her cheeks. The earphones hitting against her thighs, for the player was still fixed on her shorts. Lucy stumbled and fell on the ground. She quickly got up continued to run.
She run, crying and panting, her heart filled with despair, fright and pain. Someone grabbed her arm and Lucy screamed in fear. Someone turned her around and she could see something pinkish, she looked closer and saw Natsu's eyes looking at her. The blonde stopped screaming and clanged in Natsu's shirt, burying her Nails in his arms. She let him hug her and she started to cry harder, barely catching her breath. She let the comfort of Natsu's warm hands and pats take over her. They kneeled to the ground.
When Lucy fell on her butt and closed her eyes screaming, she didn't see Natsu tackling Dan to the ground. When Lucy got up and run away, she didn't see Natsu punching Dan few times in the face; she didn't see Natsu got up and kick Dan in the ribs. She didn't see Natsu looking after Lucy and running after her in the woods. She didn't see the expression on Natsu's face conveying the fear he had – what if he would came too late? What if the battery of his player wouldn't died and he wouldn't heard someone scream, what if he didn't got up today for a run and slept till noon again? Lucy didn't see his face when Natsu saw her crawling, pale and terrified, and a guy sneering at her.
Lucy let Natsu pull her closer, she hugged him back with all her strength, fearing it's just an illusion, that maybe she's still alone with Dan. Natsu didn't feel the pain from her nails sinking in his skin. He held her gently, his one hand around her, and the other patting her head.
She heard him say him the same he said that night one month ago. She was in his arms crying again. And again because of her ex. She slowly calmed down. They didn't know for how long they were kneeling down in the woods. The shock if the moment got to her.
- He almost raped me... – she whispered, - he told me everything. He said he was only playing with me.
- Hush, Luce. Don't... It's over now, don't think about again. – Natsu said, his voice breaking.
- It's all my fault. – She pushed Natsu away and started to crawl back.
- Lucy, it's not your fault. He was just a creep, looking for another pray. – Natsu tried to take her in his hold.
- No, no... Don't come near me. It's all my fault. I'm a bad person. Only bad people would date people like him. – Lucy wasn't thinking straight from the shock he had.
- Luce. It's not your fault. – Natsu saw Lucy scared and in shock. He was desperate to help her.
- I'm a bad person. I'm a bad person. Only bad people's exes would try to rape them... – Lucy kept chanting, still in shock and still moving away from Natsu.
- Luce, calm down. You didn't know the guy. Luce, take a deep breath. – Natsu tried to calm her down.
- My ex-boyfriend tried to rape me. I'm a bad person... – Lucy whispered.
Natsu tried to understand what she's saying. He recalled her chanting and it hit him. "That asshole was Lucy's ex!"
- I'm going to kill him. – Natsu rose to his feet, anger filling every part of him. He turned to go after the guy but Lucy stopped.
- NATSU, DON'T LEAVE ME! – She cried at him and started to sob uncontrollably.
Natsu suppressed his anger and picked up Lucy. She wrapped her hands around his neck and hold onto him tightly. Natsu carried her all the way home. He felt relieved that it was Sunday and there were only some people on their way back home. They were smeared with dirt, dry leaves; Natsu's knuckles and Lucy's knees covered in bruises.
When Natsu opened the apartment's door he hoped Juvia was still sleeping. He didn't want her to see them like this, she would freak out and call the police and everything else. Lucy needed peaceful and quiet place right now. She was sobbing all the way.
Natsu was lucky, considering that this situation wasn't one where one should feel happy, that Juvia was still sleeping. He saw the clock showed it was past nine. He carried Lucy to her room put her in the bed. Lucy let him and whispered a quiet "thank you".
- You should change and take a shower. – Natsu spoke and walked towards the door.
- No, don't leave! – She got up and hugged him from behind.
- Ok, I won't. – He patted her hands and turned around.
He guided her to the bed and once again, they were lying in Lucy's bed. She in his arms, sobbing.
- It's ok Luce. Sleep, Lucy. – Natsu kissed her forehead and patted her head as she slowly drifted to sleep.