It was almost ridiculous how fast everything had happened since the beginning of the school year. The dance marked just two months into the first semester; they all had an entire school year stretched out in front of them. Lucy thought it was almost laughable at how cliché the whole ordeal was. Lucy couldn't help wondering what the chances were that she and her friends would all end up together… Literally together, all at once. She felt herself start to worry that maybe the reason that she and Natsu were dating now was because they both felt the pressures of everyone else around them getting together.
"Hey, Natsu? Are you sure you're ready for this… You know…?"
"Ready for what?" Natsu glanced down at her in confusion and Lucy's brow creased.
"You know, us being together?" Lucy worried, her hands finding the hem of her dress, nervously tugging on it.
"Wha- Why are you all of a sudden so unsure?" Natsu looked dumbfounded, he forehead scrunched up.
"Well… I just don't want you to feel pressured or anything just because everyone else is doing it…"
"Luce! Why would you think that? That was never a thought in my mind… I don't want you to think that because you've always been special to me and you know I don't care about what everyone else is doing." Natsu stated looking concerned. Lucy relaxed a bit, she knew she was being silly about the whole thing and it was reassuring knowing Natsu felt the way he did.
"Thank you." She smiled at him widely.
"You're so weird… But it's okay, I like it." Natsu snickered as she scowled.
"I am not weird. Would you quit saying that!"
"Scary Lucy is making an appearance tonight!" Natsu gulped in faux fear, shielding his face with his arms.
"Shut up!" Lucy glared while stifling laughs. The night was winding down as the dance was coming to an end. The last song was soon played and they all gathered together once more. It was almost always a slow song that they ended with; Lucy didn't mind, it made dancing more intimate rather than a bunch of sweaty people jumping around to the music. Though they were all together, each pair was absorbed in their own moment. Lucy felt Natsu clasp her hands in his gently and pull her closer to his body.
"My lady." Natsu directed to her impishly; Natsu always found a way to make her smile and she gladly accepted his offer to dance. Even though they were trying to keep their relationship a secret, at least for now, Lucy rested her head on Natsu's chest and fell into a comfortable, slow step. He wrapped his arms around her torso and rested his head on top of her own. Lucy caught a glance from Levy who gave her a knowing look; her blue haired friend could barely contain her beaming smile. Lucy mouthed the words 'shut up' over to her and Levy broke out into giggles causing Gajeel to eye her curiously.
"Just so you know," Natsu whispered to her in a serious tone, pausing a few moments before continuing one, "this is the last time for a while that I go dancing."
"You are so mean! And a big liar because you've totally been having a good time." Lucy countered back at him as he grinned.
"Of course I have, I'm just kidding. But seriously… I may need a break for a few… Forever." Natsu snickered and Lucy just batted at his chest.
"Whatever you big baby." Lucy allowed herself to relax further into Natsu's embrace as he aimlessly rubbed small circles on her back.
"Look at you two! You guys are too cute." Lisanna suddenly appeared startling the pair. Lucy felt her cheeks flush and Natsu stiffened in surprise.
"Oh, hey Lisanna, did you have a good time?" Natsu asked casually and the white haired girl nodded furiously.
"Oh, definitely! Bickslow and I had a great time, I'm probably just going to head over to his place afterwards with Mira and Elfman to go hangout with Laxus and Evergreen. I hope that's okay since I know we were all going to spend the night together! Did you guys have fun tonight?"
"Oh, don't worry about it, have fun later!" Lucy regained her composure and reassured the younger girl. "We've had a good time as well, I'm happy to hear that you and Bickslow had a good night! I'm really glad we all got to go together before we all graduate… I can't believe this is our last Homecoming." Lucy stated nostalgically.
"I know, I don't know what I'm going to do without all of you!" Lisanna fretted looking genuinely worried.
"Look after Wendy, that's what you can do." Natsu smiled at her and Lisanna smiled back brightly.
"Of course. Hey, Lucy," Lisanna gestured for her to come closer so she could whisper to only her, "I'm really happy for you and Natsu by the way. I always knew you two would be together in the end." Lisanna giggled as Lucy looked back at her astonished.
"How did you know…" Lucy wondered and Lisanna let out a chortled.
"I don't know how more of them aren't questioning you two because it's almost painfully obvious! But really I am so happy! You really deserve each other." Lisanna affirmed and Lucy searched her expression for any form of dejection or ruefulness but she was met with nothing. Lisanna was indisputably happy for them and that made Lucy fill with a sense of joy.
"Thank you, Lisanna, really. I… I think in the past I've been a little senseless about the whole thing… I think you know what I mean and I am sorry for that…"
"Don't apologize, Lucy. I understand and really, I don't blame you. If I were in your shoes I wouldn't know what to think either but I want you to know now that I am truly happy. You and I are friends and I'm really thankful for that!" Lucy gripped Lisanna suddenly in a tight hug and Lisanna returned it equally.
"Thank you." Lucy repeated once more.
"Well, I think they're just about to end. I suppose we should rally everyone up to meet at the cars!" Lisanna cheerfully announce. "I'm gonna go get Bickslow, I'll see you guys again in a few minutes!" She called over her should and Lucy nodded.
"Well, am I allowed to talk now?" Natsu smirked, standing behind Lucy.
"Geez, you act like we told you not to speak." Lucy rolled her eyes.
"Well, as you can see, Lisanna has always just wanted to be friends with you."
"And I never once doubted that. She was always my friend, I was the one being irrational." Lucy admitted wholeheartedly. The lights soon flickered on and people all around them stood squinting at one another, rubbing their eyes at the sudden change in brightness. As suddenly as it began, their last Homecoming dance came to a close sending sentimental emotions through Lucy.
"It's kind of sad that it's over, you know?" Lucy confessed.
"Yeah, I know what you mean but it's not the end. It's just high school, it's really not even the end, it's the beginning." Natsu proclaimed slightly stunning Lucy.
"I suppose you're right. Look at you being all philosophical." Lucy nudged Natsu affectionately.
"Besides, we have plenty of time still."
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks Natsu." Lucy smiled and grabbed his hand as they merged with the rest of their friends.
"Time to head on home." Levy sighed leaning into Gajeel.
"We've still got the rest of the night ahead of us, it'll be fun!" Lucy encouraged the rest.
"Of course. I made extra strawberry cake just for tonight." Erza stated proudly and Jellal chuckled beside her. Bacchus and Cana reached them both looking tired.
"Time to get her home safely." Bacchus muttered, half carrying the brunette.
"Time to get you both back to my house safely." Erza ordered in a stern tone; obviously not approving of what the two had done the entire night.
"Oh, Natsu! I just want to let you know I'm going over to Chelia's tonight, I already told mom." Wendy said as she dashed up to them.
"Alright well, just be careful, who's driving?" Natsu questioned.
"Sherry, you know, Chelia's cousin? She's going to bring us back and she'll drive me home in the morning." Wendy confirmed and Natsu grunted.
"Sounds like a good time, Wendy. I'm glad you had a good time tonight!" Lucy smiled and Wendy looked exuberant.
"Me too! I'll see you guys tomorrow!"
"Would you like us to help with anything when we get back to your house, Erza?" Juvia asked politely and Erza shook her head no.
"I've got everything all set and my parents don't mind that you're all coming over anyways. They're away for the weekend and won't be coming home until Monday." Erza informed them.
"Good, now we don't need to sneak the two drunks inside." Levy joked gesturing to Cana and Bacchus stumbling into Mira's car.
"Oh, dear. Seems like someone had too much fun." Mira's brow creased as she helped them in. "Don't worry, I'll get them over to the house safely."
"Thanks Mira." Lucy glanced at her apologetically.
"We'll meet you at my house." Erza instructed and led the rest over to her car. After cramming into Erza's car and much grumbling from Gajeel and Natsu who ended up being on the verge of fighting, they finally made it back to Erza's and Lucy breathed a sigh of relief. She was excited to get into her pajamas and just relax for the rest of the evening. Cana and Bacchus went straight to bed but that was no surprise to anyone while Lisanna and Mira bid them a farewell and headed off to Bickslow's house. Lucy went up stairs to where she left her things and happily shrugged on her more comfortable clothes, washed off her make-up, and threw her hair into a ponytail. It seemed like the rest had the same idea because Lucy was greeted with a group of clean faced, comfortable looking girls.
"Looks like we're all ready for the night." Levy mused as they headed down to the living room. They were met with the boys who managed to all have messy hair and were wearing baggy sweatpants. Gray, of course, was without a shirt once again causing Juvia to shower him with compliments and made the others roll their eyes.
"Would you put some clothes on, Gray!" Erza scolded.
"It's too hot." Gray complained, flipping on the ceiling fan.
"Gray's actually right," Lucy turned her attention to Natsu and too her alarm, he too had removed his shirt, "It is too hot."
"Oh my god, will you two please put some clothes on! You're always hot anyways, Natsu!" Lucy gasped.
"Ooh, are you flirting again Lucy?" Natsu toyed with her, a devilish smirk on his face.
"Yeah Lucy, that sounds a little provocative." Gray leered at her.
"Th-that's not what I meant and you know it!"
"This looks like the beginning to a really bad porno…" Gajeel muttered causing the boys to guffaw and the girls to look extremely uncomfortable.
"Gajeel!" Levy scolded.
"Gihi… I'm just stating it how it is."
"No one wants to hear it…" Lucy grumbled feeling her cheeks heat up even more.
"Gray shouldn't have to put a shirt on, he is hot." Juvia folded her arms across her chest.
"You know, it is pretty hot in here." To everyone's discomfort, Gajeel now sported a bare chest, swinging his shirt around his finger.
"This is getting really freaking weird…" Levy yelled out, her cheeks bright red.
"Ah, okay that's enough." Erza shouted looking flustered, her eyes darting to Jellal who was the only one still clad in a shirt. "Please, everyone who is shirtless put one on. This is not Blue Pegasus." Lucy giggled thinking about what Erza had said. Blue Pegasus was a host club at Fairy Tail Academy and the boys that were part of the club were rather extravagant. Lucy had to agree that this looked like a scene that could fit right into the club. The three boys finally put their shirts back on after snickering amongst each other.
"Children. They are children, I swear." Erza shook her head.
"Why don't we continue on with our plans, Erza?" Jellal soothed the red headed girl.
"Right. Let's get cozy and enjoy the rest of our night. I'll bring out the cake!"