Surprise

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When I walked into my dorm room at the end of the day, dragging my feet, defeated, and honestly just stressed the fuck out, I knew I should have expected some weird event to be happening, given my roommate, but this one I can say had me taken by surprise. I had my book bag weighing me down to hell because little miss bookworm Levy decided to tutor me for finals and she literally gave me every single book she owned on the history of the world. So, needless to say, it was heavy. My back was killing and I honestly just wanted to lay in a pool of junk food and play video games until I passed out.

So when I opened that door, I nearly burst out laughing and/or crying. I should have known my day would be far from over. Cute.

I got half a step in before my eyes fell deeply into a pair of hazel ones, and my legs refused to continue on like a robot who needed an oil fix. I glanced away from her face and let my gaze travel down her body, her skin fair and smooth...and bare.

She was completely naked.

She was laid out on a thin bed sheet, resting on her side with her cheek in her palm, and her expression bored. She had blonde locks, curled at the very ends that draped over her shoulders, and a few, stray strands that fell over her eyes as if she had just woken up from a mid-day nap. Her lips were painted a scarlet red and her eyes smudged in an intimidating liner. Her body was great, amazing in fact, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from her.

I saw her eyes widen at the side of me and her lips part as if she were about to say something, but no words ever left her mouth. It seemed like she couldn't look away from me either, although I doubt we had the same reason as to why. She immediately sat up and snatched a blanket from a chair next to her and covered herself, though the small cloth of a thing didn't do much justice for her.

I couldn't tell if my jaw was hanging wide open, but I had a good feeling it was. I couldn't push any words out of my mouth, it was like it was all caught down in my throat. What would I even say first? 'I'm sorry?' But this was my room? 'Who are you? Why are you naked? You're really pretty?'

No. Don't tell her that, no.

That would make everything worse and I already felt guilty as it is. She actually looked sort of scared in a way, like I would do something bad to her. She clutched her blanket pretty tightly, but I could still see her trying to push away the fear and keep her head high.

"Hi." I said, trying to swallow the lump in my throat.

She didn't say anything, but I'm guessing she could tell how fidgety I was. Can you really blame me? My hands were sweaty, my stomach was knotting up, and my mind was grinding its gears to function at a sixth grade level.

Just then my roommate walked out of the bathroom, carrying her bag of chalk.

"Oh Natsu, hey. Didn't think you'd be here tonight." she said casually, sitting down in a chair and picking up her sketchbook from her art studio set-up that I honestly just noticed.

"Erza." The girl whispered, looking back and forth between me and her.

"Oh-close the door Natsu, whats the matter with you?" Erza admonished, waving a hand at me.

What's the matter with me? I wasn't the one having naked girls in our room without telling the other, and you know what, now that I think that out loud in my head I kind of just realized how sad that sounded.

I closed the door behind me, stepping in the room a little more towards Erza.

"What's happening here?" I finally asked.

"Art project." Erza answered happily, "Lucy here let me sketch her so that I could get my full 4.0 GPA. She's the most amazing person in the whole world and I love her."

Lucy, I'm assuming, only rolled her eyes with a smile.

"By the way, have you two met before? Lucy this is my roommate Natsu." Erza introduced, nodding towards me.

I felt her eyes on my again and I felt my brain processes slow down again.

"I didn't know you had a roommate," She said, her tone low. "And that he was a boy."

"Didn't I tell you?" Erza asked, scrunching up her nose down to her sketchbook. "Me and Natsu have been friends forever, he's an idiot but he's fine with stuff like this."

Lucy looked confused by her statement and a little uncomfortable, and I could only sigh at her choice of words before she looked over to me.

I shuffled on my feet, giving her a sheepish smile, "You're not the only she's manipulated into posing naked for her art class."

Lucy looked pleasantly surprised, but Erza only scoffed, "It wasn't like I'd never seen you naked before."

I internally sighed at her. Could she maybe not do this in front of a way out of my league naked girl that I haven't really met yet?

"We used to bathe together as children, he's seen me naked too." She shrugged, and I heard a laugh come from Lucy.

"Can you stop bringing that up all the time?" I huffed, dropping my bag next to my bed.

"Whatever, quit distracting me. I need to do three more poses by tomorrow. Go play video games or something," She said, getting her utensils ready.

"Wait, he's going to stay?" Lucy asked, drilling her eyes into Erza's, then to mine.

"The lounge is all filled up with freshman and Juvia came back to visit Gray so he's busy, and this was my last stop..." I drifted off, rubbing my nose.

"Oh come on Lucy, he's a good guy, I swear. I wouldn't let him stay if he weren't." Erza said, and I felt my chest swell with pride, "Plus I need him here to give me his opinion on these."

I saw her swallow and Erza wave me closer, "See, come look."

I was trying to keep my distance from her so that she didn't have to feel so uncomfortable, but Erza kept waving me closer so I just went along with it. I stepped next to her chair and she held up her first sketch of Lucy, in the same position she was in when I walked in.

"She's beautiful right?" Erza said, smudging the dark lines around the curves of her body with her finger.

I saw the detail Erza had put into this drawing, the expression she had Lucy wear and the way her body was positioned, I felt my stomach knot up again just looking at it.

"Yeah," I breathed, biting my lip shut as I glanced to her out of the corner of my eye. She had her knees pulled up to her chest, but I could distinctly see her staring at me through her eyelashes.

"That's really good," I complimented, rubbing my nose again to try and look at her again.

"Thanks. Speaking of which, Lucy? Who told you to move? Get back in position, c'mon this is due tomorrow!" Erza snapped her fingers, ignoring Lucy's dropped jaw.

I could see her embarrassment plain on her face. She actually didn't seem all that distressed about it, rather more annoyed than humiliated. I felt bad either way.

"I won't look." I assured, "Promise."

I gave her a smile, puffing my cheeks up so that it hopefully eased some of the tension between us. I saw her smile a little back and hide it behind her hand, rolling her eyes. Her really pretty eyes.

I left those two to themselves, as much as could anyways and fell onto the couch. I hooked up my X-Box and tried not to think about the girl getting naked right next to me, and the fact that if I looked to my right far enough I could probably see her.

"Okay, lay on your stomach now." I heard Erza say, "Point your toes a little too, great."

I could picture it. I really could, against my will in every way. I wanted so badly to look at her again. I know that sounded really pervy, but in all honesty, that's all I wanted to do. I didn't imagine kissing her and having sex with her when I saw her, I just saw her like a painting. Which, was really weird, I know, but that's how my mind always tended to work. She was beautiful, I will admit it, she by far one of the prettiest girls I have ever seen. How have I not seen her before? If she was close enough to Erza to be doing this favor, why haven't I noticed her before?

"Chin up a little."
"What?" I blurted subconsciously, whipping my head towards Erza.

Being roommates with the lady always had me on edge. She always got pissed when I ignored her or didn't answer, so I taught myself to keep talking even when I didn't hear what she said.

I didn't realize my error until my eyes connected with Lucy's again, and her head tilted with a raised eyebrow. Oops.

"Sorry-I uh, forgot." I blurted again, switching my eyes back and forth between them both, "Thinking about stuff."
Lucy was on her stomach now, her chest pressed up against the floor and her knees bent over the ridiculous curve in her back.

"Sure, Natsu." Erza sighed.

Her cheek was still in her palm when she went back to ignoring me and I couldn't bring myself to look away just yet. She was actually a really good model. She seemed much more relaxed now than when I first arrived. Her expression was sexy and classy, yet also mischievous and playful at the same time. Her eyebrow was arched, and her blood red lips pulled into a tight smirk, as if you couldn't tell if she were to kiss you madly or plunge a knife into your heart.

I loved it.

She glanced back to me, giving me a look right before I ducked back down into the sofa. I let out a big breath and forced myself to focus on my video game, trying to stop my heart from thudding against my chest. I heard a soft laugh moments after.

"Geez Natsu, you act like you've never seen a naked girl your age before." Erza commented, and I internally rolled my eyes. Were they whispering about me? "Oh wait, you haven't until just now."

She sounded a little ticked at me, so of course she would try and embarrass me in front of Lucy. Perfect, Erza, thanks a whole lot.

"Sounds a little unrealistic, Erza." Lucy said, she sounded honest though.
"Well he hasn't had a girlfriend since the seventh grade, so I'm assuming so." Erza sighed.

That wasn't entirely true. I've seen lots of naked girls before, and before you cringe at me I will say now that they were all by accident. I have a lot of friends that are girls and the amount of times I've walked in on them naked was kind of ridiculous, but I have seen girls naked. Not in the way Erza means I know, not in the way where a girl would be naked for me. But like she said, Lucy was the only girl I wasn't friends with that I have seen naked. Not that she was getting naked for me. Or that I wanted her too. What kind of question was that?

I wasn't playing my game again, but I actually meant to now. Was it weird that I felt her looking at me? I couldn't see her or anything but I just felt her eyes on me. I kept glancing out of the corner of my eye towards her but I always stopped before I could actually see her. I promised her I wouldn't look, and if I were naked posing in front of some stranger I didn't know, I know I wouldn't want them checking me out. I blew up my cheeks and exhaled.

"Oh shit," Erza groaned, "Are you serious?"

"What?" Lucy asked.

"I don't have any of the color pastel I want, shit, I have to go get some from the art room." She blurted, and I heard her stand up quickly and head towards the door, "I'll be right back Lucy, don't move. You look perfect right now."

Before Lucy could retort the door slammed shut, leaving me and her alone. Seriously?

I heard her sigh beside me and I pretended to keep playing my game. I couldn't focus on anything. Well, that was usual, my mind was always wanting to run around, it was hard to keep me in one place, but this time was definitely different. Maybe I could make it to the mini fridge? I rubbed my hands on my pants before I failed at making myself stand up. If I stood up then I would see her. If I went to the fridge there was no doubt I wouldn't see her. Just do it.

I stood up and kept my head low, glancing at her lowly as I passed by to beside my bed. I got a few soda's and snacks and turned back towards the couch, freezing in spot. She caught my eyes in hers.

I forced my feet to move, offering a smile and falling back onto the couch. She still held that expression on her face and I couldn't get it out of my head.

"Hey, is that pepsi?" I heard her ask from beside me.

I turned towards her and held up the can, "Yeah."

She scrunched up her nose with a nervous smile, "Do you think I could have one? I've been lying here for two hours and Erza doesn't allow breaks."

I laughed and nodded eagerly, "Yeah, totally."

Did I really just say 'totally'? I stood up and handed her the soda, forcing my eyes anywhere but her breasts being pressed up the floor. She sipped the bottle quietly, trying to keep her lips from touching it too much to keep her lipstick sharp. She looked to me expectantly then, as I stood saying nothing and nodded towards the floor, "Wanna sit?"

Okay...she was cool with me now? All it took was a soda?

I glanced back and slowly sat on the floor, my back pressed up against the side of the couch and her still a few feet from me. My eyes wandered everywhere except her, and I was pretty sure it looked like I was following a fly around the room.

I heard her laugh then, "You've really haven't been with many girls huh?"

Was it that obvious?

I scratched the back of my head, "Not all that into the whole thing I guess."

She nodded, listening, and raised an eyebrow, "Gay then?"

I shook my head, shrugging, "Nope."

She smiled then, glancing up from her bottle to me with her eyes gleaming. "Hm."

I smiled back, "Disappointed?"
She showed her teeth, giving me a mischievous look, "Oh quite the contrary."

I didn't really understand that, she liked to use big words, but I was like 90% sure that meant she was happy I was straight. That was something right?

"So how'd Erza manipulate you into posing for her?" I asked.

I didn't notice at first, but I was looking at her now. Just casually, not like she was stark naked wearing red lipstick and her very pretty eyes making it clear to stare straight back at me. I felt my stomach knot up again.

"Oh she was smart," Lucy nodded noticeably, "She caught me when I was vulnerable."

I grinned, "She'll do that. What did she do?"

She was hesitant to tell me, but her lips finally opened up and showed her pearly teeth, her face turning pink a little, "She walked in on me in the shower. Naked herself might I add, and refused to leave until I said yes."

I started laughing, I should've known no one would willingly do this. Especially for her. And Erza always had a thing with taking baths and showers with people, she was always weird like that. Confident, yes, though a little too eager for me to look past.

"Community bathroom?" I rose an eyebrow.

"No!" Lucy scoffed, "My personal one in my dorm! All the way across the campus where she never visits!"

She took another sip of her soda, trying to not spill it as she laughed and shook her head, "It was ten o'clock at night too, completely dark in my room and all the sudden I just hear her open up the door and force me back into the corner. I've never been so scared in my life, it was terrifying."

Lucy didn't have to tell me that Erza was terrifying, anyone's whose held a conversation with her could give you a ten page essay on that subject, Times New Roman, 12 point, MLA format, the whole deal. Imagine knowing her for ten years.

"She's a fucking demon. Have you seen her pissed?" I leaned forward, whispering.

Lucy burst out laughing at that, holding the back of her hand to her red lips and shook her head. She looked up, her expression guilty and frankly scared out of her mind. "I ate her cake once."

My jaw dropped, wrinkling my nose, "How are you still alive?"

She giggled, and felt my stomach flip again at the sound, "She doesn't really get all that mad at me, but I think she understood I didn't know any better. I've seen her pissed at others though, and it's definitely not pretty."

"She broke my arm once you know," I nodded, cringing at the memory, "We we're messing around as kids and she took it and snapped it like a twig."

Lucy grimaced at me, "Dear God, what did you do?"

I gawked, shaking my head in utter disappointment to her. "I ate her fucking cake."

She starting laughing loudly again, her mouth wide open, and I couldn't help but smile at it. The door opened then, and I saw Erza sighing as she walked in. I bit my lip, hoping to God she didn't hear me talking about her. She stopped on her toes then, staring at both of us, and I held my breath.

Lucy was still laughing, but she forced herself to quiet down a bit. She did a pretty awful job though, because she started giggling again like a kindergartener. Erza smiled then, and I felt my stomach swarming in nerves. What the hell was that face?

"Lucy?" She said, staring straight at her.

"Hm?" She answered, struggling down a smile.

"Why are you laughing?" Erza asked, stepping in and letting the door close.

She bit down on her plump lip then, glancing to me, and shrugged. "Just something Natsu said."

I stood up then, quickly, and shuffled a bit away from both of them. Erza wasn't very predictable, so keeping my distance from her was usually the best way to go.

"Keep laughing." She ordered.

Lucy rose an eyebrow, the corners of her lips still turned up, "Huh?"

Erza fell down in her seat again, picking up her sketchbook and getting comfortable. "Keep laughing like that, like when I walked in. I need to get that down, you looked perfect."

"Oh, I was just laughing," she said, getting herself adjusted again.

"I haven't seen you laugh like that before," Erza said softly, glancing to her, then to me.

I breathed in, holding down the swarm of warmth in my stomach and held it. What did she mean by that? Did I make her laugh differently? How did I do that?

"Natsu sit down, keep talking to her about whatever you two were when I walked in." Erza waved me back down to my seat, and I blew up my cheeks.

Lucy did the same, but more amused at this than me and I fell back in front of her, diverting my eyes again. She gave me a little smile, encouraging me to go on.

"Well? Make me laugh," She put her cheek in her palm, tapping her red nails on her skin and staring at me with those damned eyes I couldn't look away from. Why was she so...compelling? Enticing? I couldn't find the word to describe her, and I was beginning to think there wasn't one thought of yet.

I let my eyes wander around a bit, feeling my nerves get control of me again and I let out a small laugh. "Okay."

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I didn't go into the art gallery room during normal hours, because, let's face it, if I told my friends they would first: ask me why. And then I would have to reluctantly tell them that I was going to look at some pictures of this pretty naked girl I knew, and then they would make jokes of me actually having a sense of sexuality and want to tag along, and believe it or not, I really didn't want anyone else looking at those photo's. I just felt they wouldn't get it. They didn't know Lucy, they didn't know why she was laughing or what was going through her mind at that moment, or even how perfect of a person she was. It just didn't feel right.

I stared at Erza's four masterpieces, reading the labels of them each, and feeling a familiar warmth spread through me.

The process of falling in love.

I stared at the drawing of Lucy laughing, her lips parted and mouth wide open with her head thrown back. Her toes were curled and knees bent, as if trying to suppress the shivers running through her. I knew what that looked like because I was feeling that exact same thing at that time too.

"She's gifted huh?" I heard her voice say.

I looked to her walking up beside me, seeing her in a skirt and heels, her eyes still gleaming in that way I absolutely adored.

"She sure has an imagination," I countered, looking back to the photo's.

She noticed my gaze, keeping her eyes focused on the drawing. "I don't think she was that far off."

I looked back to her quickly, and I saw her eyebrow raised at me, shuffling on her feet. She didn't say anything though.

I glanced back to the drawings, looking at the one where her back was to Erza, looking over her shoulder with a blanket across her shoulders. She held that mischievous look that I loved so much and Erza captured perfectly. Like she would kiss you madly.

I shoved my hands in my pockets, swaying on my feet. I pushed my tongue up against my cheek, swallowing.

"You're pretty."

I saw her look to me, yet I kept my eyes trained in front of me. She scoffed, pushing her hair over her shoulder. "You're only saying that cause you saw my boobs."

I laughed then, shrugging a shoulder and looking to the board, amused. "It's a little more than that, but yeah, I did."

I glanced over to her, finally, and saw her cross her arms over her chest, "Keep your eyes to the drawings."

I smiled, doing as she said and swaying on my feet again. "Never as good as the real thing though," I joked.

She looked to me, raising a perfect eyebrow, her lips smirking, "I thought you weren't into that stuff?"

I shrugged, "I'm not really." I stared at her then, wrinkling my nose a bit, "I think I could make an exception though."

She glanced to me and looked away quickly, shuffling on her feet. I saw her hold back a smile.

"It won't be that easy to see me naked again."

I laughed a bit, "That's okay."

She smiled too, feeling my heart swarm with electricity and pump through me like blood. We stood there, quietly, and I felt her fingers touch mine. She slowly rose her hand, letting her nails dance on my skin before they closed around mine, holding it loosely between us. She didn't say anything, and neither did I. I didn't really think anything had to be said anyways. I think we both just knew.

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The process of falling in love.

I liked how this turned out, pretty sweet right? Going for a slight nudge in the whole 'asexual' nature of Natsu :))

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