Lucy was now on a "fake" date with the most famous model of Fiore, Ace. An she didn't really know how to feel about the whole facade, about their plan to make Natsu act on his feelings. She had mixed emotions to be honest.
Lucy had personally met Ace during one of her many grand photoshoots in Crochus and had even done a few shoots with him. Ace was a big fan of Fairy Tail guild so it didn't take him long to recognise Lucy. Ace was such a good guy, they had become friends within only a few days. The guild's sudden disbandment news had shocked the model. He almost forced Lucy to let him help her settling down in Crochus after hearing that she was all alone there. Ace even used to visit her often when she got busy with her journals and couldn't do shoots as much as before.
After everything had settled down peacefully in Magnolia, Lucy met Ace again at the guild one day. He had come for a photoshoot with the members for the magazine's war celebration. Ace was really surprised to see that Natsu and Lucy weren't dating each other yet despite all the sexual tension between them. Although he didn't know much about their relationship, what he heard about him from Lucy was enough to tell that they were definitely not just friends. Not to mention the frequent rumors going on about them even in Crochus. He was certain that either of them had definitely asked the other one out by then.
Before returning to Crochus, Ace somehow managed to convince his friend to make the first move on Natsu but Lucy backed out at the last moment saying she was scared of ruining their friendship. He just couldn't see them walking on the line between friends and lovers anymore. He had to do something as a friend.
And his prayers were answered. Ace got a week off from his daily shooting this month and Magnolia was the best place to spend his spare time. Besides it'll give him the chance to make things work between Natsu and Lucy. Ace couldn't think of anyone better than Fairy Tail's own she-devil to help him. She was known for being a great matchmaker!
~Yesterday~
Lucy was reading an ancient book which she had borrowed from Levy while sipping her usual strawberry milkshake. She sighed as the noise of non-stop brawling interrupted her reading. She turned around on her stool to see Natsu walking towards her with a very satisfied grin. Which clearly meant he won their stupid brawl. Gray and Elfman were still fighting each other though.
"Yo Lucy!" He called out. He brought his arm over her shoulder as he peeked at her book. "Always reading something huh..." Lucy rolled her eyes at him, "Hey! At least I'm not fighting people twenty four seven like you." She said closing the book. Natsu's arm was still over her shoulder which made her heart beat faster for no reason.
"It's fun y'know," he grinned as he removed his arm and sat on the barstool beside her. "I wanna take a job. It's bee-" Natsu was cut off by an overly excited Mirajane, who was suddenly dragging Lucy with her.
"Mira-san! What happened?" Lucy asked in a tensed voice. Apparantly the white haired mage was dragging her like the world was about to end in a few minutes. "Mira-saaan!!"
"Lucy just come with me! You'll see..." she said and the celestial mage saw a mischievous glint in her eyes. What the hell was she upto? As soon as Lucy was brought outside of the guildhall, her eyes widened at the whole situation in front of her. It was Ace dressed in a tuxedo with a bunch of roses in his hand and a little ring box in his other hand. Beside him stood Jason with a camera who kept screaming the word "cool" and it didn't end there.
There were other Sorcerer Weekly board members standing behind Ace and they were holding a huge banner together which had something written on it- "Will you go out with me?"
Before Lucy could say anything Mirajane tightened her hold on her wrist and whispered in her ear, "Just say yes for now and play along with it. I'll explain later..." Then she flashed Lucy an innocent smile with not so innocent intentions.
"But Mira-san why-" Lucy couldn't finish as she could almost see a demonic aura around the take over mage. She sighed in defeat and nodded, the demon barmaid was again plotting something and it frightened the blonde mage. But Lucy forced herself to smile for the time being anyways.
Natsu at first thought Mirajane dragged Lucy for some girly work or something but his sensitive ear picked up people's cheers and claps outside of the guild a few minutes later, he felt like something was up. One look wouldn't matter now would it? Besides it seemed like Lucy's name was mentioned by someone.
Natsu came outside, only to feel a sharp sting of pain in his chest. As if something was burning inside. Anger bubbled up inside him as he saw a blonde guy putting a ring on Lucy's finger. It wasn't an unfamiliar feeling, he had felt it multiple times before. But he couldn't bring himself to comprehend it. What the hell was happening to him?
Eventually all of the guild members came to see whatever was happening there. They were surprised to see Ace but they were even more surprised at the whole situation with him and Lucy. Some random people also gathered around the place.
"Aww this is sooo cute! Lucy finally got a boyfriend!!" Mirajane exclaimed as she glanced at a somewhat angry dragon slayer. This was gonna be interesting to say the least. "Natsu! Come here..." she called out. She was gonna tease him to death now. Natsu reluctantly walked over to the white haired mage.
"What the heck is this Mira-san?" He asked in a bitter voice making Mirajane giggle internally. "Who the fuck is that guy..." he glared at him as he saw Lucy awkwardly looking at the ring on her finger and blushing. "C'mon Natsu! He's Ace Rutherford. The top male model of Sorcerer Weekly." Mirajane answered. She was having so much fun seeing the pink haired mage getting all jealous over his partner. "Aren't you happy that our Lucy got a prince charming like him?"
He scoffed and Mirajane smirked at his expression. Natsu wasn't happy at all, he was beyond pissed at the whole stupid proposal thing. Why does Lucy need a boyfriend so bad? She's better off being his partner and going on jobs with him.
"Tch. I couldn't care less about who she dates...it's fine as long as she's safe and happy." He said, he again felt a sting of pain in his chest as he glanced at his blonde best friend and her now boyfriend. In all honesty, he did care.