Disclaimer: Mr. Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail.
A/N: Lucy's PoV
Previously on Struggles of Fate…
As the song ended, the people around us started cheering and giving us their regards. With all those cheering, I failed to notice Gray leave.
Chapter 18: And I Love You So
"The way he looked at you. I got it then. He loved you, and it was killing him. He won't get over you, Clary, he can't." –Cassandra Clare, City of Glass
It's been five days since our eventful Cultural Festival ended. And guess what? Our Hostess and Host Club booth was the most popular. We won because of me, as my classmates put it, since I am the current reigning Titania of Fairy Tail. The fairies kept on coming to our booth to see how their queen looks like. Being called and crowned as the queen of the fairies is kind of… Well, it would be Mira-san if she participated in the contest.
Anyway, as I've said. Our first Cultural Festival here in Fiore Academy finally ended and the students life of normalcy resumed but not for me.
The events that happened during the festival were written in Sorcerer Weekly, the official newspaper of Fiore Academy. And of course, the thing that happened between me and Loke were also written there.
"Fairy Tail did it again! This is year, again, Fairy Tail surprised the whole population of Fiore Academy by making the girls squeal and men cheer not because of their usual antics but because of LOVE! Yes! You read that right! Because of love. Two fairies, Loke Denecbola and Lucy Heartfilia, both first years, were the source and center of this happening. Loke Denebola hijacked the Hot Seat event to surprise Lucy Heartfilia, his girlfriend, heiress of Konzern Heaartfilia and recently crowned Titania of Fairy Tail. The people behind Hot Seat have agreed with Mr. Denobola's plan and talked to the audience about the plan. They wanted to spice their event, didn't they? And they didn't fail! As Ms. Heartfilia came into vicinity, the audience started handing her roses. Now, I wonder how much did that cost Mr. Denebola? Well, of course, that is a secret. And with that, Mr. Denebola expressed his love for her through a song. Ms. Heartfilia was then asked to come up the stage and asked if she wants to say something after the song. She was rendered speechless for a few moments and when she recovered, she also expressed how she feels through a song. Mr. Denebola would sometimes join her in singing as if he was answering her. It felt like they were talking about something that were hidden behind the lyrics of the song and only the two of them knows. If you were there, you would find it mysterious, lovely and romantic at the same time. We, the Sorcerer Weekly staff, would like to send our regards to the two of them." Levy read aloud the contents of the newspaper she was holding. "Wow! That was detailed."
"I wonder who wrote that?" I asked as I rested my chin on my hand.
"Don't know. It only says Tears here." She answered as she closed the newspaper and placed it on my desk. "You're really popular now, Lu-chan." She added.
"Hmmm." I hummed. It's not like I wanted this sort of popularity.
"Someone's in love." Levy cooed.
"I'm not!" I instinctively answered. I saw Levy's reaction and it was pure shock. It's not only her, I was also shocked with what I did. "N-No." I stuttered.
"L-Lu-chan?"
"I was happy." It's the truth. It's not always that someone would do something like that for you. Especially with the words he exchanged for the original lines* I was supposed to sing. I was happy but…
Levy smiled.
I told myself that I'd continue the love that he's giving me… but why can't I bring myself to do it?
Maybe… maybe, I am not yet ready.
"What's this?" Another voice joined in.
I looked up and saw the source of my uneasiness. "Loke!" I exclaimed. Did he hear it?
"Good morning." He smiled. I sighed in relief. He didn't hear.
"Good morning, Loke." Levy greeted. "Seen Sorcerer Weekly?"
''I don't need to see it anymore. I already know what's in it because the people outside were giving me thumbs up and were cheering for me."
"You surely did caught the attention of the academy and also Lu-chan's heart." Levy teased.
"Levy!" I swatted her.
"Did I really caught it?" Loke smiled once again, a sad smiled this time.
He heard.
"Hey! What's with this atmosphere so early in the morning?!" Natsu stomped his way towards us with Gajeel behind him.
"Good morning, Natsu, Gajeel." We greeted to them.
"Good mornig." Natsu greeted back and then turned to Loke. "I haven't said this to anyone before but maybe I did? Can't remember for sure but I kinda admired what you did back there at the festival. Only a bit though."
"Are you shy?" Loke joked.
"Are you an idiot?" Natsu then turned to me next. "It's almost your birthday, Luce."
"Yep." I smiled.
"So, what's the plan? Is the party on set?"
"About that… I cancelled it. I want to have a simple celebration with mama and papa and you guys."
"Awww! Lu-chan's so sweet!" Levy squealed.
Afternoon: After class dismissal
"Want to go over the apartment?" Loke asked as I pack my things. "I have something to give to you."
"Sure." I agreed. I wonder… if he'll say something about this morning.
After packing my things and saying goodbyes to our classmates, we left.
We are walking to his and Gray's apartment and when we finally reached it, we saw Gray and Juvia standing in front of the door with Gray's back facing us. They seem to be arguing.
Thump.
"Gray-sama!" Juvia exclaimed with full of worry in her tone.
"I don't need to say anything anymore." Gray coldly said and then turned around and met my eyes.
"Did we walk in the wrong timing?" Loke awkwardly asked.
"No." Gray blandly answered then walked away with Juvia running after him.
"I wonder what happened to them." Loke said after we got inside the apartment. "Anyway, seat anywhere you like. I'll just get something." He said and disappeared somewhere.
I sat on the sofa and remembered the first time I came here.
Gray…
I stood up and went over to the kitchen to grabbed a drink. "I'll just get some water!" I shouted to let Loke know where I went. When I came back to the living room/bedroom, Loke was already there sitting on the sofa. He stood up and walked over to where I am.
"Close your eyes." He said.
I looked at him with curious eyes but I obeyed him in the end. I slowly closed my eyes. Few seconds after, I felt him removed my earrings and replace them.
"Open your eyes now." He said and I did.
He handed me a mirror and I looked at my reflection to see what he did to my earrings. He replaced my pink heart clip-on with piercings with a design of a black heart and a silver star beside it.
"They're pretty." I said, still looking at my reflection on the mirror.
"Want to guess the meaning behind those?" He led me to sit down the sofa.
"…Sure." Somehow, I felt guilty. All the things Loke does for me are all overwhelming. "Let me guess, to let me know that you'll always be here for me to light my way whenever I'm lost in the darkness?"
He chuckled. "It's the other way round. I'm the black heart and you're the star."
"I doubt it." I also chuckled. Seeing how he's always the one who lights my path.
He looked down and said. "I will also have my darkest days and that might actually my end." He looked up once again with a smile plastered on his face but his eyes showed sadness and were like pleading.
That made me nervous and worried. It was like he's saying that he'll suddenly disappear and die.
"W-What do you mean that it'll be your end?" Worry was clearly evident on my face. I mean, who would stay calm after hearing that?
"Hey. Don't take it seriously." He gave a hearty laugh. "I was just joking. I'm glad to know you're worried about me."
My hand quickly landed on his face after he said that. "How could you joke about something like that?!"* I yelled. "I was really worried!" I was about to slap him again but he caught my hand and held it tight in front of his face then sat down the sofa.
"I'm sorry." He looked down. "I'm sorry. I was just worried that you'll just leave alone."
…
…
"… I won't" Empty promises. I heard someone say. Perhaps it was my conscience. "I'm sorry I slapped you."
"I love you." He said and held my hand tightly.
I know I'm not supposed to but… I want to cry. Loke…
…
…
…
"I… I love you too."
Empty words. There was it again.
"Gray haven't gone back yet." He said after a few good time when we both finally calmed down. "I wonder what happened to him and Juvia." He added and then placed some food on the table.
"Maybe…" I paused. "Maybe I should help them."
Thump.
Loke looked into my eyes and then sat down. "Lucy." He said. "Just because you know something doesn't mean that you have to solve their problems."
"But…" I tried to retort.
"Look here, Lucy. Don't act to help everyone because you can't." He paused. "They have their own problems. You don't have to solve those problems that they have to solve on their own because if you do and take on their roles, it will only go worse. Those things are beyond your control." I stared into his eyes. I kind of understand now what's he saying. Remembering how things turned out when I tried to help Levy.
"You can't force things to happen. They will happen in their natural course." He continued.
…Everything he said made sense to me.
Next Day
Classes already ended and I'm now walking my way to exit the FT building. Along the way, people would smile at me. I was almost at the exit when I saw Gray with his back leaning on the wall.
"Going home?" He asked when he noticed me.
"Yes." I answered.
"Where's Loke?"
"He already left awhile ago. He said he has to go somewhere." Speaking of Loke, he looked really pale the whole day. I wonder if he's all right. "How about Juvia?"
"…We fought." He simply answered.
I'm sorry, Loke. I mentally apologized. I understood what he said but I can't ignore Gray. Sorry for being hard-headed. "…Want to talk about it?" But this is the last time I'll do this.
The being said. We left school and went to the hill where he brought me last time to see the city lights.
"…So what happened?" I asked as I stared at the vast land of Fiore.
"I just don't get along with her." He answered as he also stared down the city. "We're not compatible."
Not compatible? Is it because they're still in the first few phase of their fate? "You should give her some time. Give the both of yourselves some time to adjust."
… I still find it hard to say this things to Gray…
Gray's PoV
"You should give her some time. Give the both of yourselves some time to adjust." She says. It's not a matter of time, adjustment, or compatibility. I don't love Juvia. Heck! I don't even like her. I shouldn't have asked her to go out with me. I shouldn't have followed what Lucy said to make her happy. I should've followed what I really want. God! I was such a fool!
"You can't understand her because she's… a little bit weird." It's not a little bit. She's really weird. "Someday in the future, you will be happy with her." I don't want to be in or see that kind of future. "She loves you, Gray." But I don't feel the same for her. "Gray, are you listening to me?" She turned when I didn't answer to any of what she said.
"Yes." I answered.
"Good." She said and then turned to the city again. "Just give her and yourself some time and then you might find yourself compatible with her."
I don't think so.
She looked at her phone and then turned to me once more. "Sorry but I have to go home now."
"It's okay." I said and added. "Sorry. I still have to go somewhere so I can't take you home and thank you for your time."
"It's okay and you don't have to." She smiled. "See you tomorrow at school."
"Yeah." I replied and she turned around then walked away.
I love you.
Lucy's PoV
I turned around and then walked away down the hill. I hope I were some help to Gray. I was thinking if I said the right things to Gray when it suddenly felt like I heard his voice inside my head saying I love you.
I…
To be continued…
Owari!
A/N: I'm back! Yay! I'm already typing the next chapter and currently working on the further chapters! Viva!
*If you're not familiar with Calc, I suggest you search for the english lyrics.
*Do you find if familiar? :D
Review replies corner!
*Le' CarolinnaXannej421: Don't worry. I'll also make you suffer. Lols. JK. Actually, look forward for chapter 20! There's a GrayLu there. On chapter 19, I think there's a little teensy-weensy bit of GrayLu. I don't know if that's even considered a GrayLu moment.
*fairytaillover416: Awwie. Thanks. I'll make the GrayLu moments much sweeter! Oh, and I'll tell you how Juvia and Shua met some time… in the future… maybe.
*Katsuyne-Kazunami: It's obvious, right? :D I want a love story that suffered a lot so that it'll be the sweetest.
*jdcocoagirl: The song Lucy sang is entitled Calc. It's a vocaloid song.
* LoganRessel: Thank you for finding my story interesting. BUT! Love stories doesn't always go smoothly, right? There have to be problems and the problem/obstacle here in the story is when Lucy and Loke became couple (though it will end soon). And I am writing a Loke ending as thanks to Mina for supporting me ever since. No offense and I'm not being rude, I think it's my choice whether I write a Loke ending here or not.
*Oishii-.-Flakes: Maligayang Pasko din sa iyo! :D Uh. That was late. Sorry for that late greeting. It's because I haven't opened my account here since I posted the previous chappy. Lols. And about the LoLu ending… Well… it's just an teensy-weensy one. I think it would only be a size of my reply to Carolinna up to my reply to you. I don't think it's even considered a LoLu one. It's more like a sad ending for Lucy. And of course, THIS is a GRAYLU STORY. You can always skip the 'LoLu' ending. :D
*MinaBlahBlahBlahAnimeFan: Uwaaa. *cries* They hate Loke!
*Bbb: Lols. I don't know how to reply. You reviewed a whole lot! :D Anyway, thank you for reading this and I also want to thank your friend. And what do you mean by put Rogue lucy in? Sorry, I didn't get that.
*Chatty catholic: Try to search the red string of fate. Well, I don't think it will help you much since I mostly made up the things here with the string of fate but don't worry. Everything will be clear when Shua finally shows up.
*FairyLove5: Awww. Thank you. And yes! You better look forward to the GrayLu moments!
A/N: I hope you won't get disappointed with the upcoming GrayLu moments but not every chapter will have them.
Thank you to the ones who read, reviewed, followed and faved.
Sorry for the lack of appropriate words, grammatical and typographical errors.
Thanks for reading!
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