You guys...I'm a terrible person T_T So...I really have no excuse about this hiatus I unannounced-ly went on :'( I settled into college around the time I went off the grid, and as it happened...I left all my drafts and everything I'd typed for this story back home T_T Soooo~ I just got my hands on the back ups roughly an hour ago, and I had to get this posted! That said, these chapters that I have had sitting around, waiting to be posted for as long as you guys have been waiting to read, and I haven't touched or read them since. So, to be completely honest...they're not fully revised? I don't remember them too well? I hope they're okay b/c I can't wait another second to post them-!
I hope you guys enjoy...I'm so sorry for this hiatus! THank you, everyone, for being patient and if you're reading this now, it means you didn't give up even if it seemed like I had T_T I'm sorry! (I PROMISE I'm gonig to update MUCH quicker now that I have my material and notes and rough drafts back :pSorry guys!)
Disclaimer: I own nothing, and I'm super sorry!
Hibiki consciously eyed what had been described to him as 'meat'.
It looked like a solid black mass of charred coal, crumbled together with shades of a deep red peeking under a crust of black.
He questioned his informant on whether it was edible or not.
"Meat is the manliest food! Every man's diet should consist of meat!"
Hibiki frowned. That didn't exactly answer his question...
"Elfman, could you help set the tables?"
Whatever eloquent speech on 'manly' Elfman was building up to recite was lost at his sister's request, and instantly he shied from the grill to assist her, leaving Hibiki to eye what Elfman insisted was still considered meat.
He jumped when a light touch tapped his shoulder.
"Hibiki, are you alright?"
"Lucy," He smiled, careful to keep his eyes on her own. She was dressed in that infamous swim suit, the pink one that always brought back memories, though she had the decency to wear a light cover up at the moment (Not that it did much to cover her up).
"How's the grilling coming along?"
Hibiki had been nudged to volunteer alongside Elfman in the preparation of the grill by Lucy herself. He wasn't so against the idea, he just felt that maybe the task should have been lent out to someone else. Say, Natsu or Macao or anyone who was actually apart of Fairy Tail. But, no one had objected (Not even Makarov) and Elfman was more than happy to oblige in the instruction of grill, between one man to another.
As it would happen, Natsu and Macao were busy setting up lighting of torches, which was going as predicted; a complete disaster. Somehow Gray, who was assisting with the cooler and chilling of drinks, had become involved and now patches of the grass were on fire, though no one paid any heed to the duo.
Most everyone, who wasn't aiding in the preparation of the food or setting up the dining area, were enjoying the pool.
"Come join us!" Lucy motioned, herself about to slip into the water.
Hibiki eyed the meat.
"Elfman just-"
"He won't mind! Besides," Lucy eyed the meat just as warily as Hibiki, "I don't think it can burn any further..."
Hibiki didn't even bother asking what monster the chunk had been cut from, or how it could withstand smoldering for so long in an open fire.
Stripping from his shirt, Hibiki eyed the pool. Levy and Jet were at one end, the shallowest, trying to coax Droy to join them (There peace offering consisting of a floating device) while he reluctantly eyed the food, which still had yet to be served. Not far from them, Bisca and Alzack were teaching Asuka to swim, and the cheering toddler waved at "'Biki" through her stiff arms held afloat by floaties.
Cana was sun bathing beside the pool, a martini in hand (So long as it was alcohol, she didn't care which kind it was), with Erza beside her, ex-quipped in a suit to obtain maximum sun. The Strauss siblings were preparing food, but Mira gave Lisanna the alright to enjoy some pool time before they ate, so the younger girl was currently splashing in an adorably half-seal form with Romeo. Wendy sat poolside, her feet cooling in the water as she laughed at the two.
"You coming in?" Lucy asked, already having stepped into the pool with the water at her thighs. Hibiki nodded after her.
"Shame you didn't visit back in the good ol' days," Wakaba greeted as Hibiki and Lucy made there way to a group of swimmers consisting of Wakaba and Macao and Warren and the rest.
"We had a water park, everyone had their own pool and attraction-"
Lucy shivered involuntarily beside Hibiki.
"Shame..." She repeated, her voice a low growl of bitterness that Hibiki noted to ask Lucy about later.
From beside the pool, Juvia stood indecisively, looking between the pool, which she clearly wanted, and Gray, which she clearly wanted.
"Come on in, Juvia!" Someone cheered.
"But Juvia wants to be with Gray-" No sooner had she spoken that her wish came true, as Natsu sent a punch at Gray that flew him back into Juvia. Despite the abrupt contact, Juvia looked positively pleased, even as the duo crashed into the water, Gray half drowning in his curses at Natsu.
"Gajeel, why don't you join us!"
Gajeel gave one look at the pool from his current position at the table (Eating the silverware that Mira had set until she switched to plastic disposables to thwart him) and then glanced at Levy. A moment of indifference passed between the two before he whipped his head back to his meal and grumbled a curt, "No thanks."
Hibiki raised a brow, also making note to ask Lucy about that particular exchange, but the thought was lost when suddenly someone had gripped his hand.
"Let's play chicken! Hibiki, let's be a team!"
Before Hibiki could even question the request, Lucy was pushing his shoulders low in the water. He'd later learn that the challenge had approached her while his focus had been on Gajeel, and she being stubborn Lucy, she refused to back down from the challenge (Money being the betting factor).
Hibiki finally managed to slip Lucy's legs over him, and as he straightened his back, he realized how much of a mistake this was.
Lucy's thighs sat on either shoulder, her skin smooth and wet and her stomach pressed against the back of his head. Which left her rather...endowed chest just above him, her fingers gripped through his hair for balance.
So lost in thought over their position, Hibiki didn't even know who their opponents were until they were already in front of Hibiki, grasping for Lucy above him.
It was a sloppy combination of Max and Nab, Max being the lighter on top. For a moment, anger flared through Hibiki at Max (a male) gripping for Lucy (a female) and he almost jumped after the boy himself, save that Lucy's weight was weighing him down.
Not that he needed to, as Lucy could hold her own and within seconds had flung Max into the water.
Hibiki smiled, self satisfied, and cheered with Lucy at their victory.
"That looks fun, I want to try!" Lisanna suddenly cried, turning to Warren to be her partner.
Hibiki tried to glance up at Lucy, to ask if she was comfortable up on his shoulders, but instantly regretted the motion.
The view from beneath Lucy was compromising to say the least.
Silently, he turned back to face his opponents.
They had a glorious winning streak, victory after victory as they became the couple-to-beat. Trouble came when their wins brought attention to the more competitive spirits. Natsu insisted Gray let him climb a top his shoulders, which Gray refused, so Natsu passionately declared he'd fight the two on his own (Despite Mira informing him he needed a partner to play chicken).
Gray, thinking strategically, asked Juvia to be his partner, which Juvia interpreted as a moment to prove his superiority over love rival Lucy. Naturally, the tidal wave she sent did knock Lucy over, but Lucy protested that the use of magic was cheating. This spurred a whole new round of chicken, turning into a tournament, but after Juvia became impassioned and Aquarius was summoned, needless to say the 'Grand Magic Chicken Games' ended (There was a moment where everyone thought to retaliate in an all out brawl, but then Erza decided to enter at the rebellion was quickly squashed).
And not a moment too soon.
"The food is ready!"
No sooner had the word food been uttered that Droy was at the buffet line, eyeing the barbeque delicacies with a determined eye that Hibiki had never seen matched. Jet was next in line (His speed) and everyone else followed. Lucy squeezed herself and Hibiki in beside Levy, immediately turning to the blue haired beauty to discuss something or other.
Hibiki picked between the foods, avoiding the charred beast which Elfman was promoting through loud declarations of "Manliness", to which Evergreen who demand he shut up to.
Bickslow shut them both up by declaring, "Well we know what won't be served at the wedding!"
Fried did not defend his friend during the ensuing argument.
With his plate overflowing, Hibiki sat between Lucy and Kinana, eyeing precariously where to start.
He then became aware of Lucy staring at him, to which he responded by staring back.
"What..?"
"Have you ever eaten barbeque before?"
Hibiki scowled.
"Of course..." Just never in this sort of setting.
Lucy picked at a rib, ignoring her utensils, biting into the meat in a repulsively sloppy manner.
Smirking, she winked at him.
"A Fairy Barbeque," She mused.
Hibiki snorted.
"Here I thought fairies were dainty."
Lucy stuck her tongue out at him.
"You should eat you food before it gets cold...or Droy eats it."
"H-hey!"
After the meal, everyone had gathered along the patio surrounding the pool, a few brave souls re-entering the pool despite the temperature drop, as Natsu lit a small fire, which every male insisted on frequently prodding and feeding. Cana was asleep, snoring with her head leaning towards Laxus who looked, bored eyes darting between his grandfather (who was amusing Asuka) and the Raijinshu (who were arguing...again).
Lucy had squeezed into a lawn chair with Hibiki, both sitting upright. She stared contently at the fire, yawning suddenly as a wave of exhaustion hit her.
Hibiki, without thinking of the repercussions, reached his arms around her and slowly pulled her backwards.
Lucy started to argue, but stopped and allowed Hibiki to lay her backwards against him, lifting her feet up onto the chair and snuggling comfortably with her back to him. Hibiki said nothing, turning on his side so they both could fit, and thanking that no one was paying the pair much attention, all eyes drawn on Max who was beginning a story, captivating the audience.
Lucy fell asleep quickly, her breadth slowing, and Hibiki decided he'd wake her later, when it seemed everyone else was leaving as well. She looked far too peaceful and pretty to disturb, and he wouldn't waste the chance of having her this close and comfortable to him again.
He looked up from Lucy, catching the eye of Levy, who was smiling silently at the pair.
Levy winked knowingly, causing Hibiki to blush and quickly turn away.
A/N: Again, I'm so sorry! I knew this was bad when two weeks passed, but a month later, and I got a PM (Thank you, BTW, and I'm so sorry!) Asking if I was going to continue this story?! Fate smiled upon me, b/c I got ahold of my writings and I'm back~! Sorry, everyone! And Thank you! Again! :)
Of this chapter... haven't even reread it haha I've completely forgotten what happened :p If you have any questions abou tit or really want some random fact by me, leave a comment and I'll go and read the chapter and try to answer you XD Sorry, I'm just in a rush to get this posted! Haha again, I'm sooo sorry and I hope you enjoy!
