Natsu leaned against the door, staring up at the dark sky, long after Levy had left to rejoin the party. He found the rooftop was a good place to think. It was quiet and void of distractions; not even the noise of the city reached him up there. When his fingers went numb, Natsu thought about returning to the party but decided against it. The party was honoring Lucy's engagement, and that was something he didn't feel like celebrating. Especially when she was engaged to a possible Deadman. The thought of those two together made Natsu's anger flare up. It was taking everything in him to stop himself from going down there and just eliminating Loke from the picture.
But she still wouldn't be safe.
The small voice of reason held him back. Barely. Levy was right. Until he discovered who was truly targeting Lucy, he would have to restrain himself and wait for the right opportunity to strike. He curled his fingers into fists, his anger impatiently waiting for that moment. Loke and whoever was puppeteering him from the shadows would regret ever trying to harm Lucy.
Natsu stuffed his fists under his armpit—to bring some warmth to his fingers and to keep himself in check. He had to focus on figuring out what was really going on. There was a mess of information in his head he had to sort through. The revelation that Levy was part of the Underworld was still shocking, and he hadn't really come to terms with that. With the information Levy had on him, she could have ended his life. He knew she realized how powerful that information was, but instead of using it against him, she had protected him. It meant he had an ally—someone he could really trust. Trusting someone in the Underworld was equivalent to handing that person a knife you knew they would eventually use to stab you in the back. Trust was usually death with a smile. But Levy wanted the same thing Natsu did: to protect Lucy. He knew he could trust Levy not to turn on him, and that feeling of trust was something Natsu hadn't felt in this world in a long time.
"I wonder what her plan is, though," Natsu pondered aloud. He was more than capable of finding things people wanted to keep hidden. However, he knew unearthing the identity of a Deadman was no easy feat in the Underworld and was beyond his abilities. Levy's skills were terrifying, but would they be enough? He would just have to do as she asked, trust her, and wait until tomorrow. He sighed, sending out a cloud of air around him. Patience wasn't a strength he possessed.
"What do I know," Natsu said, trying to grasp the situation better and to keep himself occupied. "Well, Lucy and the bastard met five years ago. That much is confirmed. He brainwashed—" He paused, sighing loudly and tugging at his hair. It was a habit of his when he was frustrated. "He didn't brainwash her, but somehow the Loke bastard persuaded Lucy to marry him. Their wedding was never real due to the interference by Lucy's father, Jude Diamanti, who just so happens to be one of the world's wealthiest men. Well, was. Something happened that made Loke leave Lucy. According to what he told Lucy, it was because of her father's threats, but is that really the case? If Loke was scared of Lucy's father, then he would have never approached her to begin with or even be so bold to marry her when he knew her father would be against it. Lucy said her father had died and that's why Loke was able to return, but the timing is just too perfect. If Levy's Deadman theory is true, why would someone target Lucy, though?
"As his only heir, Lucy would be a prime target for kidnapping and ransom. The Underworld doesn't typically use Deadmen for that kind of work. Deadmen are used for more serious operations. If it was for the Diamantis' fortune, then the better target would have been her father. It doesn't make sense!" Natsu banged his head against the door, trying to knock the information in his head together so it did make sense. All it did was give him a headache.
He mumbled profanities into the night air and looked out into the city. New York glistened in the dark, but the lights of the city polluted the sky, blocking out the stars. How many nights had he spent away, imagining his return to this ugly and dirty place? His mission had forced him to venture into unimaginable hells, but the memories of this city had become Natsu's beacon of light. He shook his head. No, it wasn't the city. It was whom he had left there.
"Lucy." The sound of her name escaped his lips like a prayer. The thought of her warmed Natsu, despite the cold. Never had someone had this affect on him. She was such a mystery but familiar all the same. It was hard to explain how his heart felt when he thought of her or how it reacted when she was near. The feeling was new to him, and he didn't know what it meant. All Natsu knew was he wanted Lucy to be safe—to be happy. He would do whatever it took to make sure she was. He didn't know how to do it just yet, or who he needed to take out. But he would set her free.
In all his imaginings, though, he never dreamt to return to this—Lucy practically engaged to the Underworld. He thought he had been so careful. He thought he had protected her enough, trained her to be able to protect herself from the most basic of threats. But he hadn't done shit.
The memory of Loke kissing Lucy flashed in his mind, halting his anger. His heart squeezed tightly when he remembered how she had smiled at the bastard. The air blew colder, making Natsu shiver. "But what if I'm wrong?"
A voice of doubt crept inside of him, making Natsu question his actions. What if he was wrong about all of this? What if Levy's theory was just that, a theory? What if Loke really loved Lucy, and his story was true? What if Lucy...
"What if she really loves him?" Natsu forced those words out. He had to acknowledge it—to look at that possibility head-on. If he truly wanted her to be happy, despite the uneasiness he felt toward Loke, if Loke turned out to be a normal guy then could Natsu just step aside? He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small box he had taken from his safe in London. Opening it, he smiled down sadly. Do you know what a man's greatest treasure is?
The door suddenly opened, sending Natsu reeling backward. He quickly shut the box stuffing it into his coat pocket, before his head hit the ground.
"Oh! I'm so sorry I was just—There you are!"
Natsu blinked, trying to rid his vision of the black spots scattering across his sight.
"Lucy?" Natsu looked up at Lucy, who was frowning down at him. "What are you doing up here?" He asked as he righted himself, rubbing the sore spot on his head.
"I should be asking you that. It's freezing out here!" She wore a black, wool coat over her dress, a pink scarf wrapped around her neck, and black gloves, but still she shivered.
He shrugged, not really knowing what to say. I'm trying to restrain myself from killing your fiancé, because I believe he's an Underworld operative didn't seem like the best response.
Lucy just shook her head, giving him a disapproving look at this lack of response. "I know bullets and blades are more your style, but hypothermia can kill you too."
"Lucy. Lucy." Natsu laughed, shoving his hands into his pockets. "If I was a lesser man, then sure. But I'm too hot for the cold."
The corner of her mouth twitched. Lucy looked down at the ground in a poor attempt to hide the smile tugging at her lips. "More like hot-headed." She rolled her eyes when she looked at him again, but he could see the humor dancing in them.
"All I hear is you saying I'm hot," he smirked.
This time, Lucy didn't try to hide her smile or the blush burning on her cheeks. "It's so quiet up here," she said, changing the subject. She looked away, her gaze wandering around the rooftop until it landed on the skyline. She walked to the edge slowly. "I almost forgot I'm in New York."
Natsu joined her, watching her as she watched the city. "I almost forgot—" The wind blew, taking her next words away. Lucy frowned, turning back around.
"You almost forgot…" Natsu trailed off, reaching out for Lucy to pull her back. She was too close to the edge for his comfort.
"It's nothing. Forget I said—Look at your hands!" Lucy exclaimed, staring at his outstretched hand. She grasped his hands, turning them over as she inspected them. "They're so cold." She quickly took off her gloves and grabbed his hands again, briskly rubbing them to bring some warmth back into them. She bent over his fingers and breathed over them.
Natsu stared at her, completely frozen in spot as she continued to rub his thawing fingers and breathe on them. His heart was beating so fast and filling with an emotion he couldn't put into words. Inside, he felt the warmth from her touch spreading through him.
"Lucy…Why aren't you at your party?" The reason he came up to the roof was to meet the Alley Cat assigned at his request by Nichiya, which turned out to be Levy. Natsu had been careful not to make his disappearance from the party noticeable. Lucy had been too preoccupied with her guests...and with Loke. Had she really noticed he was gone?
"Hmmm?" Lucy's focus remained on his hands as she talked. "Levy was on her way out with Gajeel and said she saw you go to the rooftop but never saw you come down. I thought you might have gotten stuck up here, so I came to check."
Levy…you...
"I could have kicked the door down if that happened," he chuckled.
"Well, I came here to save the door, then." Lucy laughed. Her hands cupped his. "Can you feel this now?"
She looked up at him then, her large brown eyes were all Natsu could focus on. Lucy was standing so close. Their exhaled breath mingled together in the cold night air. He wondered if she could hear how loud his heart was pounding.
"Yes," Natsu breathed, barely managing to keep his voice steady.
"Good." He could feel her touch slipping from his hands. "You need to be more careful." She smiled at him; his heart skipped a beat.
"I'm giving you a chance to willingly walk out of her life while she can still smile at you..."
"Lucy." Natsu grabbed her hand, wrapping his fingers tightly around hers. He had moved without thinking. This was their first moment alone since Natsu had returned. He didn't want her to leave—to go back to him. "Don't—"
She stepped closer, her words prodding for an answer. "Don't what?"
Don't go. Don't do this. Don't marry him. The words he wanted to say pressed against his lips. Natsu bit down on his tongue, trying to control himself. A sinking feeling developed in the pit of his stomach. He remembered it well from the last time he had felt it. He had felt this same feeling when he had found out that Lucy had been kidnapped by Leon. It was fear—fear he would lose her again.
But, if he said those words, what then? Would Lucy even believe him if he told her he suspected her fiancé to be an Underworld operative that was trying to manipulate her? Natsu had no proof, no evidence to support his claim. Yet. All he had was his gut feeling. He needed Lucy to believe him. Right now, Lucy believed she loved Loke. Natsu knew he couldn't go against love with gut feeling alone. Until he had proof, he had to let her go. Her hand slipped from his and it killed him.
"Natsu?"
Fuck it.
"Don't let me leave here without a dance with you," Natsu finished instead, holding out his hand to her again. If he had to let her go, he would steal at least this moment.
"The last time we danced together was at Levy and Gajeel's wedding," Lucy spoke softly, looking at his outstretched hand. "I was supposed to be dancing with Gray, but—"
Natsu smirked, remembering that moment clearly. "I saved you from enduring anymore dances with the Princess."
Lucy slid her hand into his, stepping closer to him. Looking around at the empty space, she giggled before asking, "Who are you trying to save me from now?"
"Right now?" he whispered as his hand slid to the small of her back, pulling her closer to him and erasing any distance between them. "Myself."
Without any music to guide their steps, Natsu launched them into a waltz across the rooftop. He held her close to him, acutely aware of every point of contact they shared. The cold that froze the night disappeared. The threat of the Underworld vanished. The bastard Loke didn't exist. In that moment, it was just Lucy and Natsu and the dance they shared.
He spun them around and around, twirling Lucy out and back to himself until she was nothing but grins. Her smiling face beamed at him, and Natsu felt his heart nearly leap out of his chest. He grabbed her hips, hoisting Lucy up while spinning across the rooftop. She spread her arms out and laughed. Natsu swore the night rippled around them with joy at the sound of it. As he brought her down, their dance came to a halt. The space between them was charged with energy as they stared into each other's eyes. He was swimming in her gaze, unable to look away. He held her tighter, never wanting to let her go. He leaned in, unable to control the magnetic pull he felt toward her.
Natsu stopped himself, jerking away from her as he set Lucy fully on her feet. "You should head back down," he suggested, turning his back to her. It was freezing outside, but he could feel his cheeks burning.
What was I about to do? He covered his face with his hand. The warmth of Lucy's touch still clung to it. Natsu had let himself get caught up in the moment. His heart hammered inside of him, as he took giant gulps of the night air, trying in vain to cool down the heat he felt flaring up under his skin. He had almost gone too far. He had almost...
"R-right. I should get back," Lucy agreed, her voice breathy and quiet. He heard her take a few steps toward the door, before stopping. "Aren't you coming?"
There was no doubt that Loke had noticed Lucy's absence. If they returned together, that might cause the bastard to be even more on edge. Natsu would have loved nothing more than to see Loke's flustered face when he realized his fiancée had left their engagement party to look for another man. However, this wasn't the time for games. Levy's earlier cautions had made Natsu see how dangerous and precarious the situation was for Lucy. One wrong move and Natsu could lose her, forever. He had to be careful.
"I'm going to head out. I'm not the biggest fan of parties that don't involve some degree of danger," he joked. His voice sounded stable enough. He turned around, trying not to look her directly in the eyes again, fearing what he might do.
"Sorry to disappoint. There are no Underworld wolves on the guest list," she said, shaking her head. There was a silent tension to her words. A shiver shook her body, and it was hard to tell whether it was from a memory or the cold.
If only you knew. Natsu held back his grimace.
The pair rode the elevator down to the lobby, Lucy insisting on seeing him off herself. The confined space didn't help his struggle for control. He focused on the descending numbers, exhaling a breath of relief when the bell chimed as they reached their destination
"It's a shame you're leaving so early," she said as the elevator doors slid open to the ground floor. "Are you sure there isn't a way I can convince you to stay?"
"I can think of a few, but your fiancé wouldn't be too pleased," Natsu muttered to himself, smirking at the idea. Fuck, stop. This isn't about upsetting the damn bastard.
"What was that?" Lucy cocked her head.
"N-nothing, I need to go." There were things he needed to do. The longer he stayed with Lucy, the more he wanted to take her and just run away. There was only so much control he could exhibit in one night.
"Well, if you're heading home, take this. My gloves won't fit you, so this will have to do." Lucy removed her scarf and wrapped it around his hands like a muffler.
"Black is more my color," Natsu teased when she was done. "You don't have to worry about me, though. Richard is outside with the car. I won't be outside for long."
"Don't tell me not to worry about you," Lucy frowned. The emotion in her voice startled him. He wasn't expecting her to react that strongly. "I worry about you, Natsu. Every time you walk away, sometimes I fear it's going to be the last time."
That shocked him. Natsu wasn't expecting Lucy to worry about him to that degree—or at all if he was being honest. He could take care of himself. He had been trained almost his entire life to do so. She was the one to worry about. After Leon kidnapped her, every time Lucy was out of his sight, he felt something horrible would happen to her. In a blink, she could be gone and he wouldn't be able to do anything to stop it. And that's exactly what had happened.
"Lucy—"
"I mean, that's what friends do, don't they? They worry about each other." She rushed out, her voice a little too chipper. "I worry about Levy, Gajeel, Grey, and Juvia, too. It's not like it's just you. I know you can take care of yourself; it's just at times I think about you and then—wait I'm not saying I think about you a lot. I do think about you, the normal amount of time you think about a friend." Her words spun out quickly, tumbling over one another. Natsu couldn't keep up or figure out what she was rambling about. Lucy's cheeks blushed furiously the more she talked, her hands waving in front of her as if she was trying to direct her words to make sense. The sight just made Natsu smile.
"I'm not going anywhere," he said when Lucy finally trailed off her nervous ramblings. Natsu freed his hands from Lucy's scarf and wrapped the scarf around his neck instead. The pink scarf stood out in contrast against his all-black attire. "I kept my promise to come back to you, didn't I?"
Lucy nodded her head, her eyes softening. "You did."
"So this time, I promise I won't leave until I return your scarf. Don't expect it back anytime soon, though." He winked as he walked backwards toward the exit. Lucy's stunned expression made him chuckle.
"You're lucky it's my least favorite scarf," Lucy called after him, smiling before she turned and headed toward the elevator. He watched her go, entering the elevator to return to the bastard secretly threatening her. "Natsu," she yelled across the lobby, as the doors started to slide close, ignoring the stares of the other guests. "Remember, it's a promise! You can't—" The elevator doors slid close, cutting off her words but Natsu knew exactly how that sentence would finish.
I can't break it.
"To your right, we have Snowdrop; on your left is Snowfall, and finally, we have Snowflake in the center. Each collection was specifically chosen to compliment your Winter Romance theme." The shop assistant beamed at Lucy as she explained the linen display she had set in front of her. "Is there one that immediately speaks to you?"
Winter Romance? That's news to me.
"Well," Lucy looked at the three linen samples and tried hard not to frown. They all looked the same. How could anyone see any difference in these? Each sample was the same shade of white with snowflakes bordering the trim. "It's hard to choose. These all seem…" Lucy struggled to find a word. "Nice."
"I understand. This is a very important decision to make, so take your time in deciding. I can't even tell you how many weddings I've seen that were complete disasters because of a bad choice in linens. I still have nightmares from a wedding I attended where they laid out cream, taffeta napkins on—" The girl paused and shivered as she remembered her trauma. "Ivory, cotton tablecloths!"
"No," Gemi, a petite man with unruly light blue hair and eyes, gasped loudly from his seat on Lucy's right.
"You poor thing!" Mini stood from her seat on Lucy's left and shook out her pocket square, handing it to the sales assistant who looked to be on the verge of tears. "You never should have suffered that."
Gemi and Mini were the wedding planners Loke had hired to help Lucy with their wedding plans. The pair were identical in looks except Gemi's hair was always unkempt and Mini's fell in straight locks to her shoulders. Despite their young appearance, the twins owned a highly successful event planning business. Their speciality involved weddings. They were the best in the wedding industry, and they had an exclusive client list.
The sales assistant smiled at Mini, whispering her thanks as she gingerly dabbed at her watery eyes. The pair consoled the sales assistant, telling her stories of the weddings they had created with the proper use of taffeta napkins. "Oh, Ms. Heartfilia, you don't know how lucky you are to have such wonderful people working on your wedding. I wish all brides-to-be had such excellent wedding planners."
It was an effort for Lucy to smile at the sales assistant instead of cringing. Loke wanted Lucy to plan the wedding of her dreams, to make up for the rushed ceremony they initially had. As a personal favor to Loke, the twins had agreed to clear their schedule and devote their time to Lucy. Instead of feeling elated, Lucy felt suffocated.
When Lucy agreed to start again with Loke, she meant it. However, she wanted time for them to get to know each other again. To close the gap the five years apart had created between them. They were engaged but the actual wedding wouldn't be for a few years, at least. Loke was always too busy to come to any of the meetings with Gemi and Mini. It was always Lucy alone with the twins and their never ending ideas. This wasn't how she wanted to plan their wedding. At this point, it didn't even feel like it was even their wedding. Gemi and Mini were running rampant with everything.
There wasn't a set date, so Lucy didn't think they needed a wedding planner, let alone two. But after the engagement party last week, Loke had insisted on hiring Gemi and Mini immediately.
"Plan a hundred weddings if you want," Loke had said when he first introduced her to Gemi and Mini to her. "I just want you to have the perfect day."
Lucy appreciated the sentiment, but for the past week she had done nothing but run around the city with Gemi and Mini for tastings, fittings, and meetings. The twins were with her constantly, but Lucy hardly had said a word about any of the plans. They kept changing the theme and color scheme of the wedding. One day the theme had been Golden Autumn with soft golds and scarlets; the next day it was changed to Pastel Paradise with turquoise and pale pinks. The changes even affected the type of wedding cake they were to have. Lucy had thought the twins had settled on a chocolate cake with raspberry filling; the next minute it was changed to a strawberry cupcake tower. Most days, Lucy felt like a doll being tossed around by the whims of the twins.
"I am partial to the Snowflake collection myself, Gemi." Mini picked up the center linen sample. "Imagine this placed on crystal plates."
"But the Snowfall has a more romantic feel, Mini," Gemi said holding up the linen. "But now that you mention crystal plates, maybe we should rethink the Winter Romance theme and move towards a Crystal Palace theme instead!"
The sales assistant clapped her hands together. "Let me show you the crystal collection. My sample book is just over here."
Gemi and Mini rushed after the sales assistant, leaving Lucy alone at the table. She sighed, thankful for the momentary relief from the wedding madness. Sometimes the twins would get caught up in the wedding plans and completely forget about her. It was these moments Lucy looked forward to. Looking around, she couldn't spy the twins or the sales assistant. An idea came to her. Before the twins could return to collect her, Lucy made a quick decision. She grabbed her things and slipped out of the room. It was time for a much needed break.
Lucy left the building, switching off her cellphone. If Gemi and Mini called her, she could blame it on a dead battery. She knew it was rude, but Lucy was in desperate need of a break. Without a second thought, she dropped her phone in her bag and continued down the busy street. It wasn't that she wasn't used to busy days. She missed her hectic schedule at Urano Metria. Planning her wedding was supposed to be a fun way to fill the hours until she found another job. She had eventually broken down and signed the papers Aquarius had hassled her to sign after the woman threatened the employees would go without pay until Lucy did. With the amount of money she inherited, Lucy never had to work another day in her life—or her next twenty lifetimes. But she didn't want to touch the money. She was still thinking of ways to get rid of it, and that was an entirely different headache.
There wasn't a destination she had in mind as she roamed the streets; Lucy just let her feet and the crowd move her along. It was a week before Christmas, and New York's streets were crowded with tourists and locals alike, running into stores, balancing parcels, and enjoying the holiday festivities the city put on display. A young couple held each other close against the chill, smiling at one another as they rushed past Lucy. She could see how much in love they were, as if they couldn't even feel the cold because the love they had for one another was enough to warm each other up.
Most of her Christmas shopping was done; all except for one person. But she had no clue what to buy Natsu. What do you even buy a treasure hunter? She had thought about asking Levy for help with this, but she hadn't had time to speak with her or any of her friends. The twins had monopolized her time entirely. Besides the endless line of sales assistants, the twins, and Loke, Lucy had had zero contact with anyone. The isolation was another reason she needed to leave today's appointment. It was reminding her of a time in her life she wanted to leave behind.
The sign for Fairy Cakes glittered up ahead. The last time she was here, Natsu was with her. She could still remember the taste of the strawberry cake they ate. That was right before he had left, right before she lost her company, before her father died, before Loke returned, before everything changed.
Her thoughts turned to Loke, and she frowned. Loke had already agreed to take things slow with the engagement, but now things seemed to be going so fast. Loke had said she could take all the time she needed, but it didn't feel like that. After the engagement party he kept talking about wedding dates and asking her how the wedding plans were coming along. It was all too much for her. Shouldn't she be excited, planning their future together—planning for the life they should have had?
Maybe this is a mistake?
"Lucy? Is that you?" A familiar voice shook Lucy out of her thoughts before she could dwell on that more. Scanning in the direction the voice had called from, it didn't take long for her to pick out Aries's cheerful face from the crowd. The sight of her friend instantly lifted Lucy's spirits. It had been an especially long time since Lucy had last seen Aries. The last time they had talked, Aries was heading out of the city. Her doctor had recommended for her to take in some cleaner air to make her new medicine take a stronger effect. It seemed to have worked, for Aries was back in the city and looking well.
"Aries!" Lucy hurried over to her, bundling her into a warm hug. "I'm so happy to see you!"
Aries returned her hug, echoing Lucy's sentiment. "I returned to the city yesterday. I'm so sorry I missed your engagement party last week. I got your message, but I'm sorry; I just wasn't strong enough to travel yet."
"Don't even worry about it, please. Your health is far more important than a silly party."
Aries's smile titled down into a frown. "I really wanted to meet your fiancé, though. Everyone was texting me and telling me how charming he was and how happy you looked."
"Loke is charming," Lucy agreed, remembering some of the comments she had overhead at the party. That was one of his many qualities that people instantly noticed about him. Loke had the ability to make people feel at ease, like they were the only people in the room that mattered. He had won over her old employees and friends instantly. Everyone liked him. Everyone except Natsu...
Before her mind could focus on Natsu or the fact she hadn't seen or spoken with him since the engagement party, Lucy looped her arm with Aries. "Are you busy at the moment, Aries? Want to try the best strawberry cake in the city?"
Moments later, the two were seated at Fairy Cakes with steaming mugs of tea warming their hands and two orders of strawberry cake on the way. The cafe was busy, but thankfully, a table had cleared when they had arrived. Fairy Cakes still sported the same decor from the last time Lucy had visited. Except now, there were Christmas decorations dressing up the windows and tables. There were new cakes added to the menu as well that reflected the festive time of year. Lucy's sweet tooth hadn't been affected by the several cake tastings she had sat through with the twins during the week. As her eyes scanned over the menu, she made mental notes to order a few slices to try later tonight.
"This place is so enchanting!" Aries stared wide-eyed at the the assortment of cakes and sweets waiters placed in front of other guests.
"Wait until you try the cake," Lucy sipped her tea. "You'll truly be enchanted."
Aries giggled, her eyes becoming dreamy as she watched a young couple to their left sharing a large parfait with chocolate hearts decorating the confection. "I would love for someone to take me here on a date," she sighed. "You said you've been here before, right? Did you come here with your fiancé?"
"Someone else brought me here." Lucy couldn't help the smile that spread on her face as she remembered the day Natsu had planned for her. It seemed like another lifetime ago.
"Someone you really liked, I see," Aries noted.
Lucy choked on her tea, sputtering as she tried to dispel the liquid from her lungs. Aries instantly began apologizing, believing she had crossed a line with her statement. It took a few moments for Lucy to recover before she could say anything.
"No, you're fine Aries," Lucy reassured her. "My tea just went down the wrong pipe." It took a few minutes more before Aries could be halfway convinced that Lucy wasn't cross.
"Sorry, you just had a dreamy look in your eye. I just thought—I'm sorry; I shouldn't assume things," Aries apologized again.
The arrival of their cakes stopped another round of apologies from Aries. Lucy clapped her hands together, when the strawberry perfection was placed in front of her—happy to change the subject. She watched Aries pick up her fork, cut into her slice, and take a bite. Her friend's eyes widened, sparkling with the same joy Lucy had felt the first time she had tried one of Fairy Cakes' desserts.
"It's—It's magic!" Aries swooned.
Lucy laughed, remembering those were the same exact words she had used to describe the cafe's desserts. She took a bite of her own slice, nodding her head in agreement.
Magic.
Lucy insisted on picking up the bill after they were done. While she waited for the waiter to return with her card and the extra slices she ordered, Aries had excused herself to freshen up in the ladies room. With Aries away, her thoughts drifted to Natsu. Aries's earlier comment still weighed on her mind. Had her eyes really looked dreamy when she had thought of him?
The time the two of them had spent together on the rooftop, Lucy had seen as a test. A test she had failed miserably. She had gone up there to check on Natsu as a concerned friend. However, once she had seen him, she couldn't stop her heart from reacting to his presence. It had beaten wildly, trying to escape her chest and into his arms. When she had looked into his eyes, she had felt like she was drowning in an emotion she had never felt before. That didn't happen when she looked at Gray. It didn't happen when she looked at Loke. And that's what frightened her.
And when they had danced. Time had stopped moving, and it had become a world of their own. There hadn't been any music, but she had heard a melody nonetheless. She had felt light as a feather in his arms, and Natsu had been the warm wind allowing her to float into the night. There was such heat when they were together. Her body was warm wherever he touched her. And that moment when he had looked into her eyes, she had felt herself leaning into him, wanting to close the space that existed between them.
If Natsu hadn't pulled away when he did, Lucy didn't know what she would have done.
"There's my beautiful fiancée," Loke slid into the seat Aries had been occupying. Lucy jumped, shocked at his sudden presence as he smiled across the table at her. Had her thoughts summoned him here?
"Loke?" Was this the universe's or fate's way of reminding her of the choice she had made. "What are you doing here?"
Loke's smile faded slightly, worry filling his eyes. "Gemi and Mini called me when they noticed you were gone. They couldn't get a hold of you and didn't know where you had gone. I was helping a client nearby, so I left the appointment and started running around the streets, asking if anyone had seen you. I saw you from the window as I walked by and came in." He reached out for her hand across the table, squeezing her fingers tightly. They were surprisingly warm despite coming from the outside. "I'm just so glad you're alright."
A wave of guilt hit Lucy. She hadn't meant to make anyone worry about her. But how could she explain the truth to Loke? Telling him how she really felt about the wedding would break his heart. After everything her father had put him through, Lucy couldn't do that to him.
"I'm sorry, Loke. I forgot I made plans with my friend. I was going to send Gemi and Mini a text, but my phone died," Lucy lied, hating herself for doing it. It was the only way she could explain the situation without hurting Loke. "When I get home, I'll call Gemi and Mini and apologize to them before they decide to drop us as clients."
Loke laughed. "Drop us? They love you! Gemi and Mini were worried about you, but they were more afraid you were sneaking off to meet another wedding planner. They are having so much fun helping you plan our wedding."
The effort it took for Lucy to maintain her smile was a feat in itself. "That's good to hear."
"So," Loke looked around, his eyes scanning the room as if he was expecting to see someone. "You said you were meeting a friend? Was it someone I met at the party?"
Lucy latched onto the change of subject like it was a lifeboat. She was more than happy to tilt the conversation away from any wedding talk. "That's right, you two haven't met yet," Lucy smiled and this one was genuine. "She's been out of town, but just got back yesterday. I'm glad you're here because she's been wanting to meet you."
"She? Well, I'm always eager to meet any of your friends," Loke said, no longer scanning the room.
Lucy looked over Loke's shoulder, spotting Aries returning to the table. "Here she is now," she waved at Aries as Loke turned in his seat to greet her. "Loke, let me introduce—"
"Leo," Aries's gasped. Her eyelids flutter as she swooned, her body falling toward the ground. Loke's eyes widened with alarm. He reached for her, his arms outstretched to catch her before she fell. At the same time, a nearby waiter saw Aries's swaying form. He raced toward her, forgetting he was carrying a tray of loaded cakes as he attempted to save her as well. Aries landed in Loke's arms, as the waiter crashed into Loke's back. The tray of cakes flew into the air, causing the sweets to rain down onto them.
"ARIES!" Lucy shouted, rushing toward her friend. The cafe went silent. The entire room focused in on them, transfixed.
"Call 911!" Loke yelled at a waiter, who looked sadly at all the ruined cakes and broken plates strewn about. The waiter snapped to attention at Loke's demand, rushing away to call an ambulance.
"I think she just fainted," Lucy said, sighing with relief as she knelt beside them. When Aries first started working at Urano Metria, she had had a terrifying episode when her heart stopped during a meeting. It was because of that moment that Lucy had allowed Aries to work from home most days. This time, Aries wasn't exhibiting any of the symptoms she had then. Lucy checked her pulse just to be sure. She wasn't medically trained and only knew the basics for providing aid, but the strong pulse she felt pushing against her fingers was a good indicator that she was alright.
"Aries's has a weak heart though." For an instant, fear filled his gaze as he looked at Lucy. He shook his head vigorously and looked away. "I just remember one of your old employees mentioning that at the party last week. They said that's why Aries wasn't there, right?"
"Y-Yeah that's right." Lucy was impressed with his memory. He had met a lot of her friends and old employees last week. To remember that detail was impressive.
"I called an ambulance! They should be here as soon as they can," the waiter shouted as he rushed back to them. His eyes went to Aries, looking at her nervously. "Do you think it's alright to move her? We have a couch she can rest on in our breakroom."
Loke looked down at Aries; his eyes filled with worry for a moment. He closed his eyes, exhaling slowly. When he opened his eyes again, the emotion had disappeared. "Thank you for doing that. My fiancée is right, though; I think the girl just fainted. But let's take her to the back so we won't disturb the rest of your customers."
"Thank goodness." The waiter sighed with relief. "The boss is out today, and I wouldn't know how to explain this to her. Um, the breakroom is this way. Please mind the glass."
Lucy quickly gathered her things and Aries's, following as Loke carried her friend to the breakroom. The room the waiter led them to had a bright yellow couch nestled in the back. Loke placed Aries's unconscious body on the couch, stepping away from her quickly.
"I'll go and wait for the ambulance out front," the waiter stood in the doorway, taking in Loke's appearance. "There's also a bathroom through those doors, sir, if you would like to remove some of the cake from your clothes." He pointed to a door the the left, his voice implying Loke should visit it.
Loke looked at his clothes, noticing for the first time how covered in cake they were. "I'll be right back then." Stepping into the bathroom, Loke left Lucy alone to watch over Aries.
Lucy stood in the breakroom still confused by what had just happened. She couldn't get the image of Aries fainting out of her mind. Maybe it was because this was the first time Aries had met Loke? Girls often swooned over him. He was charming and handsome, but Lucy could tell it was different with Aries. Her friend wasn't like that. Lucy looked to the door where Loke had just left through, frowning.
And why did she say 'Leo'?
The paramedics arrived before Lucy could dwell more on the issue. They looked over Aries and claimed she was alright. Given her heart condition, they decided to take her to the hospital just to make sure. They wheeled her out of the room, just as Loke emerged from the bathroom. He looked calmer and had significantly less cake on him.
"How is your friend?" Loke asked, his voice sounded slightly strained as his eyes flicked to the empty couch.
"The paramedics believe she's fine," Lucy said, shrugging on her coat. "They just want to observe her until she regains consciousness because of her medical history. I'm going to head over to the hospital so she doesn't wake up alone."
"Good," Loke sighed, the relief he felt obvious in the way his body visibly relaxed. "I'm glad she's alright. Well, let me know if there is anything I can do. I can come with you if you want."
Even though his offer sounded genuine, it seemed like Loke wanted to do anything but that. Lucy shook her head. It would be better if she went alone. Aries had reacted strangely. She didn't want the same thing to happen when she woke up. "Thank you. I appreciate that, but I'll be okay by myself."
Loke nodded, disappointment and relief momentarily warring on his features. "Okay, let's head out then. I'll help you grab a cab."
Lucy grabbed her purse and the cakes another waiter had brought back to her, following Loke as they left the cafe. The cheery atmosphere had resumed in Fairy Cakes. The mess from earlier was cleared away. All the broken plates and ruined cakes were swept away, not a crumb in sight. If only Lucy could make her uneasiness disappear just as quick. Loke was stiff at her side, like he was barely holding onto whatever calm he had managed to muster when he was alone. She wondered what was going on in his mind. Why was he acting so peculiarly? Was this really the first time a girl had fainted in front of him?
The encounter with Aries was hard to overlook or pass off as nothing. She knew Aries. Her friend was the last person who would respond that way for no reason. Lucy didn't want to think Loke was keeping secrets from her, but he seemed guarded at the moment. The pair have never met, but the level of reaction from Aries suggested a different story. And the fear she had seen in Loke's eyes—What was the meaning of that?
They stepped outside, and Loke raised his hand, trying to hail a cab for Lucy. "I'll head back to the office and call Gemi and Mini for you, so don't worry about it." Loke avoided eye contact with her, speaking toward the street. "It's going to be a late night for me, too. I'll just stay at my place tonight so I won't wake you."
"O-okay." That was rare. When Loke came back to her place late, it never bothered her. They still slept in different rooms, so it wasn't like he would wake her. Would he actually be working or…. Lucy stopped herself from finishing that thought. He hadn't given her reasons to distrust him. This incident with Aries was startling, but Aries could have just had an episode or a strange reaction to the medicine she was now on.
"I'll call you when I leave the hospital—" Shoot. Lucy had forgotten she had lied about her phone. This is why she hated lying. "I mean, I'm sure there's someone with a charger at the hospital I could use."
"Good. Good," Loke responded, obviously not remembering Lucy's lie from earlier. A cab pulled up to the curb, and Loke opened the door for her. He quickly kissed her cheek. "I'll see you later, love. I hope your friend checks out fine." Loke spoke with sincerity, but there was still some tension around his eyes. Was it Lucy's imagination, or was Loke avoiding saying Aries's name?
"I'm sure Aries will be just fine. She's a lot tougher than she looks," Lucy assured him, smiling up at him. The sound of Aries's name made him tense. Loke just nodded; his returned smile looked forced as he closed the door behind her.
"Where to, miss?" the cab driver asked, as he pulled away from Loke. She instructed the driver to take her to the hospital the ambulance had taken Aries to. She needed to talk with her friend and figure out if she was alright or if there was more to her fainting spell.
"And just who is Leo?" Lucy murmured, as she looked out the window with more questions filling her mind.
A/N:
How do I even begin to thank everyone who helped me FINALLY upload this chapter. My betas are angels and miracle workers. Thank you to Nina and Yulia for being the first ones to read the chapter and offer your feedback. A special thank you to Ras! Honestly, this story wouldn't be the same without you. All my love to you lovely ladies!
Hello stars!
It's a new year and I'm bringing you a new chapter! One of my resolutions is to finish this story! Considering I'm not even halfway done with Part II and there's still Part III to tackle...It's daunting, but this has been a labor of love. I can't wait for you all to read the story in its entirety. Thank you to all the fans and new readers! Your patience with me is just Olympic Gold Medal worthy. Please let me know your feedback for this chapter and the story overall! I love reading your comments and seeing how you think the story is going to unfold. I hope you all have been well and the 2019 is your year! I know I'm going to make it mine. Until the next chapter, here's all the love in the world.
