Chapter 36
Lucy surfaces and fills her lungs with the chlorinated air that is just everywhere in the water park, staying trapped because of the walls. She is in the deep end with the others and the waves are easily going above her head. The short-haired bluenette is clinging onto her boyfriend who is keeping her safe due to her lack of height. Juvia is thoroughly enjoying herself and the dark-haired guy is smiling just because she is smiling.
Realizing a certain someone is missing, the blonde starts looking around for her boyfriend when a pair of strong arms wrap around her from behind. The waterproof black cast is an obvious giveaway. Natsu leans forward to smooch her left cheek. "Boo."
She cannot help but smile. Then she looks over her left shoulder and smooches her lips together, letting him know what she wants.
The pinkette gladly kisses her mouth with his, keeping it chaste because he knows how she feels about public display of affection. Then he steals another one from her. "Having fun?"
She nods eagerly. Gajeel certainly had a great idea suggesting Mermaid Heel for their triple date!
Noticing the incoming wave, Natsu hoists his girlfriend up so the water misses her. With a sly grin, he lets go so she splashes into the water, disappearing underneath it.
By the time she surfaces, her boyfriend is nowhere to be seen. Lucy turns around, looking for his distinguishing pink locks, but cannot find a trace of them. In fact, she is not quite sure how he was able to disappear so quickly. So much for a quick revenge.
A wave she was not expecting knocks her underwater and carries her away. She pushes off the ground only to bump into something that is blocking the surface: a plastic inner tube. The first thing she does is panic, scrambling for air. She ends up opening her eyes and looking with blurred vision, searching for to the other side so she can refill her lungs.
Moving away from what is blocking her, the blonde presses her feet to the ground and breaks the surface this time. She immediately starts gulping for air, blinking away the water dripping down her face. Meanwhile, the person in the inner tube is completely unaware of what just occurred.
"Luce!" The pinkette takes a hold of her, clutching her to his torso. "Hey, I gotcha."
She clings onto his sturdy frame, legs wrapped around his waist and arms around his neck.
"I'm gonna getcha outta here so ya can take a breather." With that, he heads to shore as he weaves in and out of people enjoying themselves among the waves.
Her heartbeat is slowing down along with her breathing as she becomes calmer. Since she is facing the direction the waves are coming from, she keeps her eyes open so another one cannot sneak up on her again. She will know when to hold her breath this time.
Once Natsu reaches the shore, he simply strides over to home base. He is simply oblivious to any of the stares they are receiving.
On the other hand, Lucy closes her eyes so she does not have to see anyone watching her. She does not like attention after all.
When they reach their spot, the pinkette takes a seat and gently rubs circles on her bare back. "Do ya want a towel?"
She shakes her head.
"Take as long as ya need, alright?"
Soon enough, she feels much better. She pulls her head back to look at his face.
He merely smiles at her, only now stopping the mini back rub. "Better?"
She smiles back.
"Want something to drink?"
She nods.
Natsu takes her waist and moves her to the side so he can stand up. He turns to face her. "Anything specific?"
"Natsu!" a cheery voice calls.
The couple looks over to see a familiar face wearing a periwinkle bikini.
"Lisanna?" he questions, clearly surprised to see her. "Whatcha doing here?"
"Having some fun at a water park. Duh!"
"Oh, right." He walks over to her and hugs her tightly.
For a split second, Lucy can see the duo as a couple. Now with that thought engraved in her mind, time seems to slow down. Is it a possibility that they used to date? She knows they are friends and the white-haired girl has been teaching him sign language when he asks for help. Is there more to them than she knows?
She slowly stands up and sneaks away. The blonde glances over her shoulder, noticing the two are so absorbed in their small talk that neither of them saw her leave. With no real destination, she strolls aimlessly with arms wrapped around her torso. Thoughts are racing through her mind as she over thinks the situation.
Lucy really has not known her boyfriend for all that long in the grand scheme of things. After all, they are still learning about one another. Just recently she learned he is allergic to kiwis of all things. A few days ago, Gajeel was mocking him because his cat Panther Lily loves them, but the pinkette cannot lick one without breaking out into a rash.
She manages to avoid two children before they can plow into her. She would tell them to not run, but she doubts they know sign language. The blonde sighs. Being mute really does have its disadvantages.
But her boyfriend is learning it. He first started learning sign language so he could understand her and, most of all, ask her to be his girlfriend. He not only learned it for her, but for them. She cannot help but smile. He is caring and sweet. She is truly lucky to have him.
Lucy thinks back to when they first met that fateful day. It really was the right place, right time for things to happen. Everything simply added up just so the two could meet. She is still sure of that now.
Realizing how ridiculous she is being about this, she turns around only to end up smacking into a bare chest. Her jaw nearly drops at the sight of the person that is steadying her with his arms.
A/N: Not gonna lie, I haven't come up with an arc after this water park. I do have the last arc planned out, but I was hoping to add more in between…
Gh0st's buddy: It totally makes sense if he does it, but nobody else XD
PoptartEmpress: Good point! ^-^
mkben: I am too :3 It's come a long way for sure! I have the final arc/ending planned out already, but I'm not sure what will happen after this water park arc…
Dark-Angel-of-Wicked-Chaos17: He totally will XD
huishensiwang: Between Loke and Dan, Loke makes sense because Dan was from the other state. Having Loke appear again has crossed my mind though! For now, I've decided to go with having Lisanna here along with Bickslow!
Nekokittygirl: It is always appreciated! I like the feedback and interacting with you :D And update I did!
ThatOneExoticPotato: YOU ARE MOST WELCOME :D FAIRY TAIL OTP'S FOR THE WIN ^-^
RynerFeruna: Aye, sir! A triple date to a water park :D I have thought writing a scene similar to that, but we both hafta wait and see what happens XD
Kowareta1468: I do too XD They're rather fun to write too haha~ I'm glad you enjoyed last chapter though :3
Dark Mystique: I'm glad you're loving this fic :D But sadly, there will come a time that happens~