Hello! Sorry this is the only story I've been updating recently. I'm just really into this part of the story and am excited for what's to come. It's not mentioned this chapter, but Natsu is getting attention at school. It's just Natsu is stupid and he doesn't really realize it or cares really. Once it's Lucy's POV, we will see her feelings about it and her frustration. Also, I just started the new chapter of tainted, in case anyone's wondering. Rein Serenity requested I updated it once I asked what story I should write next and they always leave the best comments so I wanted to update one of the stories they requested. Thank you! I'm promise I'm getting there, just be patient please! Anyways… I hope you guys have fun and yeah! Tell me what you think! ^_^
Jellal entered his home with a deep sigh and a furrow in his brows. He dropped his briefcase on the steps leading upstairs and heeled his shoes off before following his nose into the kitchen where his beautiful scarlet haired wife was cooking up something delicious. She took his breath away every time he saw her with her long, scarlet hair pulled back in a long ponytail with just a sports bra and baggy joggers on. She must have been working out. "I'm home." He immediately collapsed on a kitchen chair and leaned back so sloppily. Usually he wasn't so laid back. Well, he was laid back as a person. You kind of have to be to marry a woman like Erza Scarlet, but he was usually more proper with his posture and things like that. But he was tired. Jellal was a big detective before he met Erza again in the capital city of Crocus. There was a lot of crime, a few murders… He dealt with a lot. But he moved to a Magnolia to find Erza, and started working at the police department here. Magnolia is such a small and calm city compared to Crocus. The most he's had on his plate was a missing child, but that was resolved easily… The little girl was with her divorced father. Granted, it was terrifying for the mother, but it was resolved by the end of the day. There's things like MIPS and drug usage, but that wasn't his responsibility. He was a detective, he didn't deal with minor stuff. His job here mostly consisted of paperwork and leading a few other cases that he didn't have much actual involvement in. But this thing with Lucy… it was very taxing. The school wanted it resolved as soon as possible, and Erza was getting on his back. Luckily they've kept this issue from the public or things would be bad. But despite how this wasn't his toughest case, it was very mentally draining. He was still unsure if the claims against Miss. Heartfilia were true. They had no evidence that it was… at least until Natsu uploaded that video. But Lucy didn't seem to have any special feelings when he showed her it. Though, Erza was the one who sent him the video. It apparently was going around the school and she happened to see it. He supposes Lucy could have seen it before he showed her it.
"Tough day at work?"
Jellal sighed in content as Erza snuck up behind him and ran her hands up and down his arms while pressing many kisses to his neck. Her long, scarlet ponytail dropped over his shoulder, and he couldn't help but reach his hand up to run his fingers through the strands. Her hair was special to the both of them. It's why their last name was Scarlet… because he was entranced by her pretty hair when he first saw her as an orphan.
"Yeah…" Jellal sighed but he smiled at all the love she was giving him. Erza still managed to make his heart flip even after all these years.
"Would you like to talk about it?"
"I just don't know what to believe." He shook his head. "I know you think she's innocent but…"
"But what?"
But he just found one thing suspicious about what Lucy and Natsu said. Jellal thought it was odd the first thing Natsu said was how he should question the one who made the accusation of his relationship with his teacher. Of course, Natsu was a child… it's common for a kid who hasn't matured to place blame on someone else. Though that could be the case if it really wasn't true. But one would think he'd start asking questions or seam shocked, but to Jellal, it looked like he was almost expecting it. He thought it was a bit peculiar, but didn't think about it after that. But then… Lucy did something strange. She also mentioned the one who sent in the tip about their relationship, but she did it in a different way. Lucy went out and said Stings name. He was shocked, and for a moment, he was thrown completely off guard. Not only did she say Sting's name, but titled him as her ex. He was about to completely drop the case and say that she was innocent, but on his way home, he got to thinking. It'd been so long since he actually had to do real detective work that it took him a while to start thinking about this differently.
When he first questioned Natsu, it's like he wanted him to say Sting's name, and when he said it was anonymous, he got frustrated and started to blame Sting even though he had no idea who he was. And then with Lucy… it's almost like she was waiting for the right moment to casually drop Sting's name. And that was strange. Both of them wanting to mention Sting was very odd and seemed more than a coincidence.
"Jellal?"
He tilted his head around to look at his wife, and sighed heavily. "Sorry, Erza… I don't want you to start acting strange at work. You know I can't tell you much."
Her brows furrowed, and she pulled away with a little swish of her hips to place herself at the kitchen again. He sighed even deeper, and ran his fingers through his hair while cursing the awful luck he has. Erza likes to be in everybody's business so it was difficult to keep the case private because he doesn't want her opinion or demeanor towards her coworker to change. Lucy could be innocent so he doesn't want Erza to march into Lucy's classroom and start questioning the new teacher. It was easier to just keep her in the dark than let her know what's happing in his head. Even if she got a little mad at him.
Jellal called Sting to the police station the next evening. He took him to a questioning room with Sting leaning against the table and Jellal crossing his arms over his chest while standing across from him. Sting was an attractive young man, and he did notice a little bit of a resemblance to Natsu. The thought just confused him even more because why would Sting involve his cousin like this?
"I'm going to get straight to the point."
Sting nodded and raised a brow at him. "What? Did you catch her? I highly doubt she'd say anything stupid. Lucy is really smart."
He never really thought about that until now. He happened to look into Miss. Heartfilia's background, and what he found was very surprising. She was the only heiress of the Heartfilia clan, only the most rich and powerful family in all of Fiore. They were primarily a railroad company, but they expanded outwards and owned only the most luxurious hotels and resorts in the country, and even had hotels in other countries. Lucy went to the most prestigious private academy for school, and graduated at the top of her class. Then after that, everything about her is unknown. Her father doesn't seem to know where she is, but it turns out she was here in Magnolia this whole time. She was on a scholarship and supposedly lived with an old teacher of hers during college. She got her teaching degree, graduated school, and then worked up until now. Lucy seemed like your average, hardworking adult who was just trying to get her life under control. He wasn't sure if Lucy was still in contact with her father, but he also didn't see a point in bringing him up. Jude Heartfilia has nothing to do with her relationship with a student. At least he didn't feel the need to bring it up with her yet. He can use it as leverage and shake her nerves if he's really questioning her, but so far, he's just asked her questions and she answered them. He didn't feel the need to really go all detective on her. That may have to change soon though.
Jellal sighed and tightened his arms to his chest. "What's your relationship with Miss. Heartfilia? She mentioned to me that you were her ex, and you've been visiting her apartment often…"
Sting's eyes widened and he slammed his hands down on the table in panic. He must have known what he was insinuating because he suddenly seemed almost helpless and like he desperately wanted to take control of the situation. "No! You can't let her turn this against me! She's smart! Don't let her manipulate you like she does with everyone!"
Manipulate? Did Lucy manipulate him? It seemed impossible. Such a nice woman who seemed almost innocent to him couldn't be so mischievous and cunning. But he just has this nagging feeling that maybe… maybe she did lie. It seemed like she was so honest though. But if she wasn't, it meant lying was second nature to her and she did it so flawlessly. But then what he learned about Lucy's past popped into his head. She was no longer in touch with her father and it almost seemed like Jude Heartfilia couldn't find her. Was it really so easy for her? Did she flawlessly escape from only the most influential business man in the country who happens to also be her father? He wonders how she did it. How she lied and pretended like everything was okay, then the next day, she was suddenly gone and never seen again. It's kind of scary. Did she really lie about her relationship with Natsu? Was she really doing something so illegal? She seemed perfect online. There's newspaper articles about how perfect Lucy Heartfilia was. Beauty… intelligence… grace… and the most suspicious one… a flawless social standing with everyone she meets. He couldn't find anything suspicious about her… no scandals, no romantic flings while she was with her father. She seemed like the perfect lapdog Jude Heartfilia groomed for the business world. All the photos taken of them were perfect smiles like she was acting the entire time. Manipulating her father, other business men and woman around her, the celebrities she's met and any other person she comes into contact with. He knew Lucy was smart but he didn't think she was conniving and almost evil.
But still… just because she has a past like this, doesn't mean she is having an affair with her student. There's been no evidence that she and Natsu are together. She seemed almost innocent up until yesterday, but his suspicious are growing more and more.
"What about Natsu." Jellal asked the blonde man sitting at the steal table. "Is it true you're his cousin?" Sting everted his gaze, causing Jellal to sigh. "You have to admit that's kind of suspicious…"
Sting snapped his gaze up to him. "I know. I know she's really smart! I should have told you all this from the beginning, but you don't understand how desperate I am! She loves him! She loves Natsu! She's never loved anyone before this, so why just a kid?! Why my stupid cousin who doesn't even have any plans for the future?! He can't possibly take care of somebody like Lucy! It was supposed to be me! I was supposed to sweep her off her feet! I thought I'd give her time! I thought a break from her would be good! I could hold myself back even though she was spending her nights with different people! But she never loved anyone before this so why? Why Natsu of all people?!"
Jellal stared at the man he was questioning as tears started to slip down his cheeks. He knows… Sting seems to have an unhealthy obsession that he was quite concerned about, but he also has a good sense of who's lying, and it didn't seem like Sting was lying. But then his conversation with Lucy came into mind. She didn't really seem like she was lying either. He didn't know who to believe. Someone who was so cunning and manipulative, but didn't seem to lie. Or someone who had an unhealthy obsession with the woman in question, but also didn't seem to lie either. He already went through Lucy's history, but he hasn't been through Sting's. What if he was lying, and what Lucy said was true. Because it did seem to be true. She mentioned Sting had an obsession with her and it's obvious he has one. Was he just frustrated that she dumped him and thought of this crazy scenario to make sure nobody could have her? Or was he telling the truth and was just a man in love desperate to keep Lucy out of Natsu's hands?
God, he hasn't done so much detective work in a while. His brain is fried and isn't coming up with anymore questions to ask. Damnit, he needs to get his shit together. He doesn't have time to dilly dally like this. He needs to figure this case out before the school board and Erza get on his case even more. Why was this so hard to figure out? He was a famous detective in Crocus! He solved any case that came his way, including murders and drug rings, but a little student teacher affair was giving him so much trouble. He lost his game with his time away from the big city. He needs to figure this out before he sends an innocent person to jail, or before Sting does something stupid.
You could say Natsu was surprised. It had only been a few hours since he posted the video of him singing and he wanted to check to see if a certain someone commented. He knew he was too hopeful with his thinking. Lucy wouldn't be stupid enough to comment on a video where he was singing about her. She wouldn't do that even if they weren't under suspicion right now. Then he saw all the comments on the video. He didn't really care about what they said. Yeah, the ones saying his voice was nice and that he was very talented made him very happy, but he didn't care about these people commenting about his looks and what not. But once he saw the number of comments, he quickly scrolled back up to see the view count and his eyes widened. Almost two million, but despite his new fame, he wasn't all that happy about it. He was unbelievably depressed, and singing always made him feel better. He didn't post the video to be famous or get peoples attention. He really only wanted one person to see it, and he hopes she did.
He listened to sad music and would sing around the house, he even snuck a headphone into his ear during class just to stay distracted. He missed her. He really did. But he got the feeling Lucy felt the same way he did. She would refuse to look at him during class… like if she did look at him, she would want to run over and hug him so tight. The thought filled him with so much joy just thinking about it, but then he got sad again when he realized he couldn't hold her.
Natsu was always staring at her though. The way her long, pretty hair followed her while she walked, her gorgeous brown eyes that shined like chocolate, but was now dulled over like cocoa powder. He stared at her pretty lips while she gave her lesson and watched how concentrated she was while she graded at her desk. He loved to watch her body move while she walked, despite how angry it made him to see other guys watching that too. It was frustrating because she wasn't his right now… he was the same as everyone else. All he could do was watch, and hope that the day they can be together again was soon. He couldn't touch her or be touched by her, he couldn't kiss her or hold her. Or mumble I love you into her ear. And worst of all, he couldn't hear those same three words from her like he so desperately wanted.
He closed his eyes with his palm to his ear, which also had a headphone sneakily strung through the sleeve of his zip up sweatshirt so he could stay distracted during class. The lyrics played in his head, and he imagined Lucy. He imagined how beautiful she was… and imagined seeing her dance to the lyrics, even though he's never seen her dance. He imagined her wiggle one finger for him to join her, and he always would. He could never say no to her if she really genuinely wanted something. He would spoil her rotten and give her all the love she deserves.
He had a love hate relationship with his sixth hour because it was the only time he could see her, but it was also hard to see her at the same time. Like someone was taunting him and dangling something in front of him but he couldn't grab it. It was annoying. Class wasn't much today. To anybody who knew Lucy like he did, you could obviously tell she was depressed. She wasn't energetic during class… she didn't make corny English jokes, and she wasn't as involved with the students. She mostly had them working with each other instead of the class as a whole. Like right now, he, Gray, and Loke were discussing a short story Lucy had them read and they had to answer a few questions about it. He made sure to read it because he still wanted to impress her so he worked especially hard during her class, despite how distracted he may be.
"Loke," Natsu turned his head at the sound of her voice, but he was disappointed that she didn't call him over. The pussy cat turned towards their teacher and raised a brow with a silent question. "Can you come here for a second? I want to discuss an assignment with you."
Natsu growled when Loke nudged his arm and made indecent facial expressions about their teacher and his girlfriend. Natsu knows he only does it to get on his nerves and keep his reputation of wanting a piece of Lucy for himself, but it still annoyed him. Natsu watched as the stupid cat discussed something with Lucy while she pointed down at her desk and what he assumed to be his homework or something.
"You know…" Gray mumbled turning his head from looking at Lucy and Loke. "I don't understand how you got pulled into the whole ordeal with Miss. Heartfilia. I mean, I was the one who hugged her…"
Natsu's brow ticked in frustration. What? Does he think this is something to brag about? It's stressful, and even if he didn't have a special relationship with his teacher, he still wouldn't be happy because Lucy would be getting blamed for something she didn't do. But since Natsu is the one at fault, he felt extremely guilty. If it wasn't for him, Lucy wouldn't be in such a situation. And it was frustrating. He wished he was just one year older then everything would have been okay. This was so annoying and Gray acting like it was something to brag about didn't make him very happy.
Anger flared as he grabbed Gray by the collar of his shirt. He was miraculously wearing it… the fucking stripper… "Shut up, ice queen. Acting all high and mighty like you're better than everyone! You're not special! Get that through your thick skull!"
Natsu socked him in the cheek and pushed him away, causing Gray to sneer at him, and he quickly stripped his shirt off. "What the fuck, man?! Why have you been such a fucking asshole?!"
Gray tackled him to the ground with everybody getting up from their desks as the two pushed them out of the way with their bodies. "You don't know how it feels to be the one to hurt her! I'm not fucking happy being her weakness!"
"Boys!" Small hands suddenly grabbed Natsu by the back of his sweatshirt and she pushed him away from the stupid ice princess on the floor. He was too angry to realize who had touched him and snapped his gaze over to the one who separated him from punching Gray. Once his eyes landed on an angry pair of round chocolate ones, he gulped and quickly looked away. "What the hell is your problem?! Gray, put your shirt on and go down to Mrs. Scarlets office! Natsu, you can leave now!"
She grit his name out so hard that it stung his heart. He didn't feel happy when she finally said his name. He thought Lucy would call him by name once they could finally meet again and it would be filled with warmth and the love she felt for him, but it wasn't like that at all. She was obviously mad. Lucy has never raised her voice at him… and he felt guilty. He just did something really stupid, right?"
Natsu frowned, but nodded and grabbed his bag off the floor, along with the stuff on his desk. As he walked past, Loke moved in front of him so he stepped into his shoulder. Not in the mood for his shit, Natsu opened his mouth to say something, but the cat discretely slipped a piece of paper in his hand. Natsu snapped his gaze up to him and frowned at the serious, yet disappointed look in his eyes. The ginger did a small shrug, then stepped out of the way with a sneer. "You act like you're just as special, but you're no better than Gray. Learn your place, you flaming idiot. You could never be important to her."
Natsu scoffed, but it was just for show, then left the classroom with the door slamming shut behind him. He quickly ran to the bathroom and shut the stall behind him, then quickly uncrumpled the sticky note. His eyes widened at the familiar writing… Written in small, cursive font, it stated…
Thank you for the video. It made me happy, yet sad at the same time. I don't know if I'll be able to see you over break so Merry Christmas and I love you.
Miss you so much, Natsu.
Love,
And then there was a lip print with berry colored lipstick on the pink sticky note. Her lips were so pretty… Pink and pouty looking. He couldn't help but bring the sticky note to his own lips and press it to his. He felt a jolt in his heart and his cheeks felt a little hot. He doesn't know why he was feeling embarrassed… just being in the bathroom all alone and kissing a sticky note is kind of weird. He didn't know what to do with it. The smart thing to do would be to dispose of it, but he couldn't make himself do it. The toilet was right there. He could flush it and be done with it, but this is the first thing he's gotten from her since they separated. He knows it's stupid, but he slipped the paper in his back pocket and left the bathroom.
His next priority was Gray. Lucy did that for him. She called Loke up so he could hand him the sticky note to give to him… she risked it just so she could give him a small message. And yet, he did something so stupid for no reason. It's obvious that's why Loke gave him that look in disappointment. And Natsu was disappointed with himself. Man, he was such an idiot.
He waited by the stairs until his raven haired friend came into view. Gray immediately turned his head away and scoffed. "Shouldn't you be at Mrs. Scarlets office, asshole?"
"I thought we could make a deal."
"And why the hell would I want to do that? Miss. Heartfilia's already pissed at us enough."
Gray walked right passed him, so Natsu grabbed his arm and yanked him back. "Look I'm sorry, okay?" He turned his head away, but didn't let go of Gray's arm. "I guess I'm just mad that you hugged her."
"It's not like it was anything special." Gray shook hand arm off, but turned his body so he was facing him. "Miss. Heartfilia treated me like she would to any student. I guess I just don't get why you're the one they're suspicious about when you're too nervous to even speak in her class."
Natsu ignored the kind of diss at his manliness. Gray didn't come out and say it but Natsu knows what he is saying. Why would she be with him when he acts shy around her in class? Well, Natsu knew the answer to that… He didn't want to be a bother and cause trouble for her, and he never asked for help with his essays or anything because he already gets help from her. He can't tell Gray that so he just grumbled under his breath with a scowl. "Yeah, me either…"
"So what's this deal?"
"Uh… I'll tell you a little secret." Natsu took a step forward and whispered lowly. "She won't call Mrs. Scarlet because we were fighting over her. She doesn't want to look any more suspicious, so if we just pretend this never happened then we can help her."
Gray looked unsure. "Are you positive she won't call her? Cause I really don't want extra detention because she found out we skipped out of going to see her."
"Yeah, I swear she won't." Natsu slapped his best friend on the shoulder and grinned. "So… since I got you out of this mess, will ya do me a favor?"
Gray sighed, and shooed Natsu's hand away with his droopy eyes staring at him. "And what's that?"
"Get a job with me."
"Why the hell would I do that?"
"I need money to get Christmas presents. I don't wanna do it alone though."
"Doesn't Zeref usually give you money?"
Yeah, Zeref usually gives him money to give presents to his family, and his aunt or one of his uncles will give him cash to give presents to Zeref. But this wasn't for Zeref… it was for Lucy. And he wasn't about to give her a gift he bought her with somebody else's money. "I… want to use my own money this year."
"Well look at that." Gray grinned, looking especially pleased with himself. "Little Natsu is acting more mature."
"Shut up and just tell me if you'll do it."
"Yeah, sure… I could use some extra cash."
Natsu grinned at the snowflake. He's been kind of an ass to Gray because he likes Lucy, but he missed this. He missed his best friend. Though he didn't know what he was going to get Lucy for Christmas, he knew it had to be amazing. But there was only ten days till Christmas so he couldn't get her something too elaborate, though he hopes he'll be able to give it to her in person. He didn't so much as care if she gave him anything, since she already gave him a present. Her feelings in writing so he can look at it when he's feeling sad and misses her, and a lip print with her lipstick. He instinctively touched his back pocket with the sticky note and grinned. He'll have to put it somewhere safe when he gets home.
