III- Speak Now

This is not what she had in my mind about confronting the one she idolized 10 years ago. It wasn't supposed to look like this. Her tackling him on the ground and them surrounded by reporters.

Natsu looked at the girl before him, a blond beautiful person with brown round eyes who looked very disheveled just fell from out of nowhere. The face she's making at the moment consists of horror and a 'swallow me ground' look, which he found rather funny. So he laughed out loud.

Grinning from ear to ear, the person before him was more confused as hell on what's running on the guy's mind.

"Now you got my attention." he said while the person he's talking to turned into a stone not knowing what to do. He leaned in to her ears to just make fun of her some more.

"This is not the first time I've been pushed but you are very straightforward, princess. You think we can stand now?" The husky voice spoke to her.

Ugh. Lucy snap out of it! This is not the time to straddle him!

The people around the two got eerily quiet, trying to figure out what the hell just happened.

With every ounce of strength she had, Lucy tried to get up but her legs seemed to be jelly at the moment. The young man fascinated by her, helped her stand up holding her hand for levering, which made her blush to a redder shade than before.

"I-I'm very sorry that happened. I'm Lucy from Sorcerer News. I would like to interview you sir!" she bowed her head down so low she felt like her stomach will hurl. She holds her mouth making a barfing sound, glad it didn't come out but knew that this is not a good sign.

She heard him chuckle again, telling her to stand up. She slowly looked at him, as he was trying to hold back his laughter. Feeling incredibly embarrassed about what had transpired, she tried to fix her stature.

"Did you go drinking on a work night?" he whispered to her.

She had never been this embarrassed from all of her life. Looking down at her clammy hands, she felt dizziness taking over, feeling like she will be hitting the ground anytime soon. But then, a hand stopped her, holding on to her shoulders and steadying her. That very hand also scooped her bridal style. He was looking at her with a funny look remembering her dream last night, or rather just a little while ago.

If there is a redder shade that could transpire on her face, it's at this moment. Her head spinning on the unexpected events. She couldn't handle anymore than this!

"Let's run, Lucy." he said, surprising her yet again.

"Wha-"

She was not able to react as they bolted out of the other reporter's reach and into the company building. She then saw a glimpse of Erza Scarlet looking at them with a murderous intent on her face.

"Natsu! I'm going to murder you once I find you! You better know how to hide!" she shouted at the man who's still running, and now looking as if he's running for his life as well.

"Oh shit. I'll explain later Erza! Don't kill me!" he shouted back still grinning like he enjoyed raging his manager.

While Lucy, on the other hand just shut her head down from thinking. Her head's spinning, literally as well. She just doesn't know how to react to everything as it all happened so fast. Her being a mess that she is, being laughed at by the guy who she once admired, and him carrying her bridal style, running to who knows where.

After running for about a few minutes, Natsu came to a stop at a big white door.

"Can you stand up now Luce?" he asked her.

Now he calls me weird nicknames too?

"Y-yeah. I think I can." He then gently put her down on her feet opening the door they just stopped into.

"Come on in. Seat wherever you want." he commanded as he ushered her inside. She blindly obliged, looking around the room. It was a classy modern room with a desk at the far end. At the front, were two white sofas facing each other with a coffee table in the middle.

She then sat while Natsu stared at her feeling his eyes on her every move. Which is by far adding up to the tension around. Natsu on the other hand sat on the opposite sofa facing her, sitting very relaxed still intently looking at Lucy with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Uhhh. I-is there something wrong with my face?" she finally found her voice after some grueling minutes passed.

His face contorted as if he's trying to stop himself but then unexpectedly laughed at her face face trying to hold back his laughter but failing miserably.

"HAHAHA! You are so funny Lucy. How come I've not seen you before!?" he said in between his laughter.

She just wanted the floor to swallow her in this situation. She by far does not know who this guy is. Never in her life knew that the guy she obsessed before is this kind of person. Totally out of character from her dreams, and very very far at that. Except the fact that he's really good looking up close. Not that she would ever say that.

"W-well yeah, I'm really sorry about that. Let's move on from that sir, please." she wanted to just beg him to forget whatever stupid thing she did.

"Natsu." he suddenly said as he stopped laughing.

"Uhm sorry what?" she said confused on what he was trying to say.

"Call me Natsu. Not sir. Don't be too formal, Luce." he grinned at her. She in return nodded at the guy, just going with the flow.

"So… what do you need from me, Lucy of Sorcerer News?" he inquired relaxing his muscles at the top of the sofa, looking gorgeous as ever.

Lucy, stop gawking at his biceps!

She snapped out of her fantasy land, slapping her face lightly which caused Natsu to again looked at her weirdly.

"You're very weird Luce, has anyone ever told you that?" he said making fun of her yet again.

"Has anyone ever told you how weird you are as well?" she snapped back, not being able to hold her stupid mouth, slapping her mouth now.

This alcohol is affecting my brain! Why did you even drink Lucyy...

"Haha! I get that a lot." he said, feeling very proud of his achievement, if you can call it that.

"O-oh okay. I guess, then." she paused.

"But, I'm here because I want to ask you about Zeref Dragneel." she finally said, getting in the topic. She looked at him as his body became rigid.

"What does he have to do with me?" he said, a hint of a murderous glare in his eyes. She felt her body tensed to how he's looking at her. Swallowing, she's surprised that she can still find her voice.

"I-I heard that you two are brothers."

He stood up now looking bored, then walked around.

"And who did you heard that too Lucy?" He inquired.

"I-I don't think I can say that." She told him nervously. Natsu now at her back leaning on the sofa she's sitting on.

"Luce. I don't just do interview easily. Especially if it's about a guy named Zeref, though I might give you a little of my free time if you want to get to know me better." he whispered to her ear.

Though with a hateful intent on his speaking, she still felt her body going hot. She must be a freak.

"But if it's about that guy, you'll have to somehow compensate me, since you might be crossing boundaries here, Hm?" He casually hang his arms on her shoulders encircling them to her, trapping her.

"W-what kind of compensation?" She asked feeling very conflicted about the whole ordeal.

"You have to pay with... your body." He said in his husky seductive voice, still embracing her. While he grinned casually.

The door suddenly opened.

"N-A-T-S-U! What are you doing again?!" the red haired woman entered the room going after Natsu.

"E-Erza! How did you know I was-" he wasn't able to finish his sentence as she yanked on his ear.

"Oww! You're going to tear my ear!"

"YOU KEEP DOING THIS AND I'LL DUMP YOU IN THE NEAREST TRASH BAG!" The red haired woman angrily shouted at his ear.

"Ugh! I didn't do anything!" holding on to his ear scared that it would tear any minute now.

"You didn't do anything?! Do you see how petrified she is?! What did you do?" she asked again, glaring at the cowering guy.

"I was just joking with her I swear!" She finally removed her hold, now trying to look at the other girl.

Lucy on the other hand, just lost it. She felt like a rock solid, still confused about the whole ordeal. What's happening in her life, she's not sure anymore. This has been one hell of a roller coaster ride. She didn't think that Natsu Dragneel was this unpredictable.

"Lucyyy. I was kidding are you there?" Natsu waved his hand in front of her face.

"How come girls like it when I whisper in their ear but Lucy's weird." He muttered.

Erza hit his head hard.

"You idiot! They're your hardcore fans! Don't do that to everyone you meet!" she tried to make some sense to his stupid mind.

"Yes Sir, yes sir." He replied looking bored of Erza's nagging.

Natsu looked at Lucy's face playing with her hair. She stopped breathing, already full of it all.

"Stop playing with me!" As she reflexively pushed his face making him tumble on the floor.

He looks surprised holding his hand to his face with a stupid look, then he laughed.

"I really like you Lucy!" He told her as he laugh some more. She on the other hand is cursing herself from doing reckless things and unbelievably being this bold to the pink haired guy. If her past could see her now, she would be disappointed with her.

"You deserve that and what are you two even talking about?" Erza butted in asking Natsu.

"Eh. She asked me to do an interview regarding Zeref." Erza was shocked on the information but was still able to make a neutral face.

"What about him?" the red haired asked again.

"She's telling me I'm his brother." He stood up dusting his clothes.

"Hm. Where did she heard it from?" Erza sat on the sofa looking at her seriously.

"Well she doesn't want to say. But I've got a clue who it is." he nonchalantly replied.

Are they talking about me when I'm here, like I'm not here?

Lucy thought just looking at the both of them talking as if she's air.

"But I won't do it. Sorry Luce." He told her as he made his way to the door.

He won't... do it?

"W-wait! Why would you not do it?" She asked feeling very drained on what she heard. If she cannot interview him she'll be out in the dump.

"It's not fun to do interviews Lucy." he said slowly walking at the door.

"And I don't really want to talk about that guy," he added.

This is hopeless.

"Thank you for entertaining me for a bit there. I still have a lot to do so if you'll excuse me." he walked out of the door.

Erza on the other hand looked at the speechless girl before her, crossing her arms. She kind of pity the blond girl who looked like her life was drained out of her.

"Lucy, is it? Sorry but Natsu really isn't fond of interviews."

"I know he won't do it. Anyway, thank you for being concerned Erza-san, but I have to catch someone right now." she bolted out of the door, running to where Natsu headed.

"Wait Lucy!" Erza tried to stop her but she was already out of sight surprising her with her sudden run.

Lucy already had it in her mind that he doesn't really deal with reporter's that much. In fact, he doesn't care about them. But her job and dream is on the line, she can't give up now!

Running in a corner, she bumped her head on an object falling back.

"Oww, what is wrong with you!?" the figure asked while Lucy was busy collecting herself from the fall.

"Lucy?"

She looked above seeing that she just bumped into Natsu again.

"Natsu! Please give me another chance!" she said holding on to his arm.

"Uhh... what?"

"Let me interview you please!" she begged him, desperate for her life.

"You are really stubborn you know?" he said feeling troubled by her.

"I really need to interview you. Please do me a favor." still holding on to his arm, not looking at his eyes out of embarrassment.

Natsu thought for a minute, seeing as this girl wouldn't budge even if he told her he wouldn't do it.

"I'm going to think about that, Luce. Since you look like a fun person."

She felt relief flooding her senses as she looked at him.

"But in one condition."

No matter how many conditions, as long as you say yes! She thought yet again, feeling excited and a little scared.

"You'll have to let me borrow you for a week." he grinned at her, looking like a demon planning to devour her.

A… what?

"This offer only last for 10 seconds Lucy, or I won't reconsider doing your interview if you don't answer at the given time. And I'm starting now." he said in a low voice.

"10." he started to count.

"W-wait what am I going to do for you in a span of one week?!" she asked feeling very nervous about this thing. He shook his head, not wanting to tell the details of it.

"9,"

"8"

"7"

His voice sounded like an alarm for death as he counts down. She squirmed trying to desperately think if she should take it or not.

"6. We're almost halfway. I thought you wanted to interview me badly, Lucy?"

"5, and... 4" he sang the numbers as if it's bells ringing.

Oh damn it. Let's not think anymore!

"3-"

"Ok. Fine! I'll do it! I'll do it!" she finally uttered feeling very stressed about his counting.

He grinned at her answer, Lucy feeling regretful on saying yes as she has no idea what's on the other person's mind.

"Alright! Good thinking, Luce. I'll see you tomorrow. I gotta run now!" he patted her head then sprinted, leaving a dumbstruck girl.

"Wait! Natsu!" she tried to call him back but he's already out of sight.

What... just happened?

A/N: Okay I'm on a roll this week! But next chapter will definitely come out next week already. Need some ideas that you like for Natsu and Lucy to happen! ;)

Thank you for reading!