A/N: haha, I told everyone that I cutted the chap in half, and well, due to my corrupted files, I had to retype this other half. After I finished typing it, I found it…bleh…and so I had to do some revising…until I got this chapter. I don't really like it much but just to give you something, so here it is~! :DDD
I very much appreciate everyone who are still there reading this story,, thanks a lot for the reviews, faves, alerts and subscription! HONTO NI ARIGATOU GUZAIMASU! Author-chan wa minna o daisuki! (Author-chan loves everyone!)
English is my second language and I'm not that good of a writer so I beg for forgiveness if there are wrong spellings or grammar...thank you.
Summary: Did you ever find someone cute but at the same time irritating? Because I had! And I can't shake her off me if I wouldn't wish three times! But what will I wish for if I can have everything I need and wanted. In short I don't need her! Right?
Genre: Friendship, Romance, Drama, Humor, Hurt/comfort.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its characters. I am NOT Hiro Mashima! Standard disclaimer applied for my inspiration, Disney's Aladdin.
Please enjoy the chapter! ^_^
CHAPTER 11:
Gray was shuffling from bed, unable to sleep. He just couldn't take his mind off of what happened at the Dragneel's today and, for some unknown reason, the look on Lucy's face after her "talk" with the eldest Dragneel.
He, once again, stirred until he finally couldn't take it and sat up. Gray glanced at his long sofa to see whether a certain blonde is asleep or not. Yes, you heard it right. Lucy is by the sofa, not in her bed because "it just so happens" that the bed Gray bought wasn't sturdy enough to hold the blonde for a long time. It's either the bed was so cheap or Lucy is just heavy. Well, he did decide to buy that just for Lucy to get out of her lamp. Remember the time when she was so stubborn to lock herself on her lamp for three days? Yea, but that's another story. Right now, the main point is to see if Lucy is asleep or not.
Nodding, Gray decided to check.
"L-Lucy? Are you asleep?" he asked, rather hesitantly.
And as what he expected, he didn't hear any reply so he supposed that the blonde is sleeping. And why the hell ask that stupid question? Are you asleep? How could a person answer it if he/she is already asleep?
Ge'ez, Gray. You're so smart. He told himself sarcastically.
He was about to get back to sleep— well, more like he was about to get some sleep— when he caught something moving on his peripheral vision: Lucy sat up from the couch.
"N-no…" she answered after a long moment.
Basing on her trembling voice and slouching position, Gray concluded that she, indeed, didn't get some sleep either, and it's almost 3 am mind you.
The brunette stood up, taking his comforter with him as he strode towards his couch.
He was having a metal war with himself if whether he will sit beside Lucy. And his mind won as he found himself sitting just a few feet away from the blonde.
And a long awkward moment passed. Neither of them is saying anything.
Why the hell am I here anyways? Gray asked himself.
He took another side-long glance at Lucy and absently scowled at how she looked.
Why was she sad? Gray thought that brought his mind back a few hours ago.
FLASHBACK
"I'm glad to finally meet you…Lucy Heartfilia."
To say that Gray was dumbfounded was an understatement. He was completely, seriously, and intensely surprised when the red-headed man, Igneel, hugged the blonde while uttering those words. He couldn't even comprehend about how he looked after what happened and only found himself sitting just beside Lucy on his own futon, with Natsu on the other side, while the three of them are facing the surprisingly smiling Mr. Igneel Dragneel. He assumed Grandine was the one who ushered them inside and seated them down.
He was snapped out of his thought when Igneel broke the silence.
"Sorry for my rudeness…my name is Igneel, Igneel Dragneel. Natsu Dragneel's father."
Lucy immediately bowed to pay respect, but the look on her face told Gray that she was curious about why Igneel know who she is. Well, who wouldn't? Even Gray is interested to know.
"You must be curious why I know you, huh? Well…" the three teenagers looked expectantly at the man across them, waiting patiently at his next words.
The eldest Dragneel sighed before looking directly at Lucy's eyes, "A legacy had been passed down to me by my father. And that legacy concerns you, Lucy Heartfilia." He said as he brought his hands together, clasping them tightly in front of him while he let his elbows rest on top of his knees.
Gray felt Lucy stiffened at the said words and he felt that this night wasn't gonna end right for her.
"I know who and what you are."
Lucy and Gray's eyes widen. Both their heads snapped at the rose-haired friend beside them, wanting for an answer. Their sudden action just made it clear that what was said earlier is true.
Flinching, Natsu waved his hands frantically. "I didn't tell them! Honest!"
"He never told us anything." Grandine said, intervening the conversation, with her cheerful personality long gone and was replaced by pure seriousness. "As soon as I hear him say your name, Lucy, I immediately know who and what you are."
Lucy looked down on her lap while her hands trembled. Her eyes were still as wide as before but her lips were now quivering, apprehension building up inside her. A sweat can be seen running down from her forehead due to the information she just acquired.
Gray didn't know why he's concerned and why he's even there, sitting beside her, listening how Natsu's family told them they know her, and looking at every reaction Lucy produces. Why did he even go with her? He shouldn't worry for her. She can handle herself and he doesn't care on whatever happens to her!
But, the way his eyes were transfixed on Lucy, it only shows the opposite.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about." Lucy muttered in opposition, loud enough for everyone to hear. She raised her head and continued her statement while forcing herself to look convincing, but failed miserably. "Th-there are so many Lucy Heartfilia in the world. You must've been mistaken. I-I don't know—"
"We're the direct descendants of Natsu Dragneel, your first master outside the Corona Family."
Gray's eyes that were glued on Lucy snapped at the person who cut the blonde's disputes.
It shouldn't be that surprising considering that they were the Dragneel's but the sudden revelation made it too shocking for the teenagers to take.
"I think you know this by now, but the way my son, Natsu, looked a lot like the Natsu you knew only proves that what I said is true." Mr. Dragneel continued.
The raven haired lad found his eyes once again seeking the sight of the blonde girl beside him. And as soon as he does, he regretted coming along with her— rather, regretted giving her permission to accept Natsu's offer to visit their place.
She was at a loss of words. From Gray's point of view, the look she's been giving off shows how her questions are being clarified by that single phrase, direct descendant of Natsu Dragneel.
As for Lucy who was still in shock, she kept her eyes from watering. She did ponder a while ago how Natsu looked so much, or rather looked EXACTLY like the Natsu she once knew. She thought he was his reincarnation, but what Mr. Dragneel said made it clear for her.
So that's why? She thought. She would've smiled once she heard it, screaming in joy that she finally met him again, hugging him tightly in her arms, but…
But still, he's not him.
And this thought torn her heart into pieces. She will never see him again. Even if she did, like what is happening now, he doesn't remember anything and that's the sad part; or rather, he was not him.
Believe her when she tried to hide her pain but it was a futile attempt for Gray saw right through her and all he wanted to do that time is to take her hand and drag her outside, because he knows that she wanted to cry but she can't when she's in front of other people.
After that thought, he wasn't expecting what he did.
Gray stood up and looked at Mr. Dragneel with keen eyes while bringing his hands deep within his pants' pockets. Lucy and the others looked at him quizzically before he started speaking. "I know you what to know more about each other but, I think I had enough for the night." Is what he said, as rude as it may seem, but it was all he could think of after seeing Lucy's face. It sounded like he was only concerned of getting his self out there but the reason he did that is because of a certain someone.
He bowed to Mr. and to Mrs. Dragneel before walking out of the room. Gray stopped just by the door before looking at Lucy, his eyes were saying something like 'are-you-coming-or-not?'
As if understanding the look, Lucy stood up and thanked Gray mentally. She knew exactly what he's doing and she really appreciates the gesture even though he's a bit impolite.
She wanted to run out earlier but she's scared that Natsu and his family will yell and announce to everyone that she's a genie. Yea, that was a stupid thought, but what can she do? She's scared.
She faced the Dragneel family and bowed. She was about to follow Gray, who's still by the door, but Mr. Dragneel stopped her.
"Wait! Before you go, I have something to give you." He looked at his wife and nodded. Grandine took something behind her, a box Lucy noted, and gave it to the blonde who took it with curiosity and confusion evident in her features.
"That box was passed down to me by my father together with the legacy. He told me to give that box to you if I may be able to meet you. He said that box is from his great-grandfather and has everything he wanted to say to a genie named Lucy Heartfilia." Lucy whipped her head at the red-headed man as if looking for doubt but all she sees was pure sincerity.
"I'm glad that I met you. At first I was doubtful if genies are real or just pure imagination and even consider naming my father as a liar, but the moment I heard your name, I just couldn't help the feeling of wanting to see you. You, Lucy, is just like what my father described you to be. I'm happy I was the one who found you. It may be because I was the one who ended this legacy and granted my father's last wish; to find you and give you that box."
"Actually, I was the one who found her." Natsu commented while raising his right hand, wanting attention for being left out of the conversation, but was ignored.
"How…how can you say that I'm a genie when you haven't had any proof to prove it?" Lucy asked.
"The look on your face when my husband told you about Natsu Dragneel says it all." Grandine said and smiled.
End of Flashback
After that, Gray and Lucy took their leave and headed home. But the atmosphere on their way back is the total opposite of when they came there at the Dragneel's. Instead of Lucy being the annoying type as she is— which is Gray's perception of her— she remained silent, holding the box tightly on her quivering hands, eyes that had lost its glints were set on the roads ahead, and walking aimlessly— she wouldn't even be home by now if Gray wasn't there by her side, guiding her to the right way.
Gray couldn't understand why she's sad in the first place. She now knows that Natsu is her "precious" master's descendant. They even gave her a box that was said to be given to her by her "loved" master. So why?
He wanted to ask, really. But, he guessed this isn't the right time?
Gray sighed and looked at the box just below Lucy before looking up at Lucy's sad face again.
"Why aren't you opening the box?" Gray asked curiously, noticing that Lucy never considered opening it.
If it was possible for a person to look depressed as he/she already is, then that was what Gray saw in Lucy after his question. He regretted it, but what was he gonna do about it? She will hurt herself more if she continued to keep it without knowing what's inside.
"I'm scared." This happened to stop Gray's train of thoughts but not enough for him to say anything. He waited for Lucy to continue but the silent atmosphere made it more awkward for him to take. This made the raven haired lad to gulp a mouthful of saliva he's been keeping unconsciously.
"Why would you when I'm here?" he said hesitantly, looking away.
Lucy's features changed from being scared to a surprised one but later smiled, when she saw how Gray shifted uncomfortably on his seat due to her intensive gaze.
She nodded her head and took the box. Again she felt nervous.
"What do you think is inside?" she asked wearily and Gray shrugged as his reply.
"What do you think Natsu wanted to tell me with this?" and again, Gray shrugged, but this time a bit irritated.
"What if it has something in it that will hurt me?" and for the third time, Gray shrugged. One more question and he's—
"What if—"
"Are you gonna open it or not? How are you supposed to know what's inside when you're asking me questions I never got any idea how to answer when I, myself, never saw what's inside?" Gray snapped.
Lucy scowled but sighed in defeat. Yea, Gray's right. And with determination and a little hesitation in her eyes, she gathered all her courage and placed her hand on top of the lid.
Lucy breathed in deeply before she opened the box, slowly and carefully.
.
.
.
.
.
"AAAAHHHHHHHH~!"
"What?! What is it?!" Lucy hysterically said after closing the box, looking around to find anything suspicious before facing Gray again. Her heart stops when she saw Gray's smile.
He patted her head soothingly that brought warmth to her insides. This was how Natsu used to do to her, and it made her heart flutter. It calmed her.
"You're so stiff; I just had to do that." He commented, "Don't be scared. I'm here."
With this said Lucy smiled to herself before looking up and locking gaze with him. Her hazel-brown eyes that were so innocent and soft once again held its glint on place. Gray could only look on its beauty. How much he wanted to get lost in them forever. He wondered why he only saw how pretty they are now. How he missed his everyday not noticing how beautiful those orbs are. But now, even if just for a moment, he can have it all to himself, looking only at him and not to anyone or anything else.
Gray's dark blue orbs were simply amazing. She believed she fell in love with it the first time she saw them. It feels as if she's getting drowned just by looking at it. But she doesn't care. She loves looking at his eyes, how deep and relaxing they are. They could be intimidating most of the time, but sometimes, like when she stole glances at him during class hours, she can see how gorgeous they are without any traces of anger and hurt in them. She's somewhat happy that at this moment, his eyes are only looking at her, not looking threatening as they used to, but soft and smiling down at her.
They didn't know how long they stayed looking at each other like that. It's as if time stopped the moment their eyes met. They didn't even notice why and how their distance got closer. Their bodies leaning closer together. Lucy inclined her head upwards towards Gray, the latter doing the same, also leaning down towards Lucy's.
With their breaths ghosting over each other's lips, their eyes slowly closed as their unconscious waited for the contact to take place. Both of them fisted their hands at their sides, heart's both on neutral paces.
THUD
Their eyes snapped open and realize that they were so close to kissing. Both their eyes widen in surprise as they distanced themselves from the other, eyes diverted elsewhere.
Lucy blushed so hard that all she wanted was for the floor to open up and gobble her up. How she wished for Gray not to see it. But, now that she think about it, what could be Gray's reaction to it?
She stole a glance at him and saw him looking the other way with his one hand placed over his mouth and hair shadowing his eyes.
His warm breath still lingered on her lips. What would happen if they ki—
Lucy shook her head. I shouldn't be thinking about this! Pull yourself together, Lucy! She mentally scolded herself for thinking such things. They are not supposed to go beyond their master-servant relationship. She won't let herself get hurt again.
She then felt dismayed.
How does it feel to have his lips pressed against hers again with no one urging them to?
Some part of her wanted to know, but most part of her are shooing the thought away, but it kept getting back.
Lucy questioned herself how they snapped out of their reverie. Then she remembered the loud THUD. She looked at the floor but saw nothing.
Tilting her head to the side she became more curious.
"You dropped this." Lucy looked to her side and saw Gray handing her the box she was holding a while ago. She looked at her lap and realized that the box must've fallen when the two of them are about to—
Lucy blushed once again and took the box hastily from her companion's grasp. Now she wonders if Gray had thought the same thing and came looking for what had interrupted their supposed ki—
Lucy groaned in annoyance, mainly to herself.
"Aren't you gonna open it?" he asked, bored.
Lucy looked up at him and saw how bored his face looked. His eyes lost that effect on her, and it somehow disappointed her but she didn't go there as she felt the veins on her head pop. I'm probably having a mental breakdown here because of what happened and here he is not even affected at the least?
But she left that thought and sighed to calm her nerves.
On the other hand, Gray was trying his best not to come anymore closer to the blonde companion. God only knows what he's gonna do when that happens. The feel of Lucy's breath remained lingering on his'. He never imagined kissing her again. Some of his insides craved those lips again and he was so pissed at the box that interrupted them. Why did it have to fall?
A vein popped on his forehead. Damn you, Gray! Stop fantasizing about stupid things! You only need her to get Juvia back—
He stopped his train of thoughts as he wonder: does he still want Juvia back?
His eyes landed on Lucy again and it confuses him so damn much. Why her?
Lucy looked at her lap and saw the box's lid had been taken off. A look of surprised suddenly sprang on her face. "Uhm, the lid's probably been tossed off somewhere when the box fell." Gray suggested as he saw the look on her face.
Seeing her not flinching and still focused on looking at the box, Gray suddenly became concern. He took one glance at the box but saw nothing interesting. His eyes widen when he saw something drop on her hand that he noticed is beginning to tremble.
And when he looked up, he frowned as he saw her tear-stricken face.
..ooOoo..
Hahahah~! I'm so mean! Sorry for only updating now after I-don't-know-how-many months. ,
Next chapter, what do you think will happen? Should I need to explain why she's crying? Hahaha. Of course, I must! Her time with her beloved master will be revealed. Watch out for the next update, ne? :DDDD
Replies~
GoldenRoseTanyaTemporaryHIAT US: hihihi, here you goooo~! :D
WolfieANNE: so sorry for the late update, ne? :D yes, Gray is jealous, and it will get stronger with ever chapter.. wahaha, btw, you're mean as well! Ending SIL like that! , oh, oh, oh! I'm still gonna read ALTLF! :D
jdcocoagirl: thanks so much! :D hahaha, hope you'll like this as well. :D
Hachibukai: ne, Joy-chan! Ndi pa ko tinatawagan ni HR ee,, so I couldn't text you pa. baka Thursday o Friday.. gusto ko na din matuloy 'tong balak natin! Hahaha, you guessed right! Galing galing mo talaga! Haha, ang tagal nitong other half na to no? dami kasing revisions. (thesis? Hahaha) I typed this a long time ago, but then didn't post it because I didn't like it. hindi ko pa rin sya gusto but, so far ito na ung pinaka maayos. Thanks for the review! Hihi, :D
Animelover4LifeXD: I know how you feel. And sorry about that! , *bows*
Fullbusterrulesmyheart: waah~! Another good guesser! Yay~! Haha, you did awesome figuring out how this was going! But, it's natsu's great grandfather. Yea. Waaah~! I love love triangle! I adore it so much! But, yea, it hurts when one gets left behind. :( oh, school's fine, I guess. Haha, my ojt just ended so I took my time in revising this chapter. Haha, thanks for reviewing! (I know you fancied yaoi but I'm happy that you're still there for me~! :D thank you! *kisses*)
Urusaii: hahaha, Pi-chan talaga? Oo, pero okay na naman un,, pang-asar lang ni Lucy un,, hahha, nah, it's okay. I'm happy na you're reading it~! :DDD miss na kita~! And thank you for the review~! :D
PurpleDiva888: Vivian-chan~! I'm missing you so much~! Where are you now? How are you? I don't have any news from you! *cries* hehe, now you know. :D it's okay, knowing you're still reading make me happy~! *grins* I know right? See ya soon~! *kisses*
SpiritFrozenInTime: really? Haha, thanks so much~! I'm glad I got you thrilled~! Keep reading! :D thanks again for reviewing~! :DDD
Lucy-Heartfilia-chan: thanks~! Thumbs up to you too~! Hihihih :D
KawaiiOdango: thank you~! There you go, hope you like it~! :D
lalala (Guest 8/7/12): waaah~! Me too~! Haha, oh, and you can call me Angel (everyone calls me that, hihiih) did I answer your question with this chap? :D thanks a bunch~! :D
Le' CarolinnaXannej421: hahaha, sorry kung late na ung update ko sa BoY huh? And I'm gonna write chap 31 after this, since wala na naman akong kelangang gawin, hihihi,, I know you na, hihi, but I'm not gonna use it here because I know you don't want anyone to know your real name!:D
liveluvlax18: heheh, here you go, hope you'll like it~! :D
Pansy08: waaah~! Sorry for the long wait! , hahah,, I know what you mean~! I love a jealous Gray, soooooo darn much~! :D
Princesx Mystery: hihi, thanks so much~! Hihi, so glad you liked it~! :D aww, thanks! I'll do more~! :D
Joker07: waaah~! So very sorry~! I hate cliff hangers too, but the chapter became too long that I had to cut it, and since luck isn't on my side, I lost my files and had to retype all of it but then I don't like the result and had to revise it again, and again and again…until I have this. I know this isn't good enough, but I really hope you'll still like it~! thanks for reviewing~! :D
Meowers: thank youuuuu~! :DDD
anja: I know, and I'm so sorry~! , haha, okay lang, mas ayos nga kung tagalog ee,, dumugugo na ilong ko, hahaha, aus lang naman, ikaw ba? I miss youuuu~! :D
emma-nyaaan: waaaah~! Gomenasai~! Haha, but I'm glad you like it~! :DDD haha, I know~! A jealous Gray is so cute~!
Nimra: I'm glad you liked it~! :D hope this'll satisfy you. :DD thank you so much~! :DDD
Derpin'Derp: So sorry for the super duper late update~! , I had trouble with this chapter you see. But I hope this'll be enough? :D thanks for waiting so darn long. *bows*
Heartlockellie (Guest 10/25/12): waaaaah~! So sorry~! Didn't know there are still people who wanted to read this story of mine. This has no plot, and I'm struggling to finish this. Hihihi, please have patience with me! *bows* thanks for reviewing~! I'm glad you love it~! :DDD
TheCelestialDragonSlayerxx: waaah~! You like both GrayLu and NaLu? If you do, I'll love you forever~! :D sorry for the cliff hanger~! , hope you like this chap~! :DDD
thanks so much everyone~!
until next time! (but I really don't know when that 'next time' will be. hahaha XD)
Ja'ne
