Chapter 16

By now, the trio is in a great mood. Natsu is all sorts of loosey–goosey from the buzz he is currently on. Lucy is holding off because she knows she will be the one driving afterwards. On the other hand, Gildarts is still going at it with his amber drinks.

"And he's lucky that Wendy was too little to remember him streaking through the house naked!" Gildarts hollers with laughter, finishing the story.

Natsu's cheeks tint pink, but not from the alcohol buzzing in his system. "Hey!"

"That's pretty funny," Lucy giggles, and picks up a fry to nibble on. A thought occurs and she chuckles. "And nowadays it's like he can't keep his clothes on!"

"Ain't that the truth?" Gildarts shouts before taking a swig of his drink.

"But I thought you were on my side, Luceee!" Natsu whines.

"I mean, have you seen your modeling photos?" she asks rhetorically. "You hardly ever wear a shirt. If you are, then the front buttons are undone. Orrr some other times you're just wearing underwear…"

Natsu arches his eyebrows and leans towards her a little. "Have you seen photos I don't know you've seen?"

She merely shrugs, trying to be nonchalant about the matter. "I may or may not have done some research…" She proceeds to munch on more fries.

"Oh, do you like what you've seen?" Natsu asks with a cheeky grin, waggling his eyebrows.

"Oi, I'm right here you two!" Gildarts says, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Save the bedroom eyes for when I'm not around!"

Lucy chokes and grabs her glass of clear bubbling soda to relieve her airway. Sure, she and Natsu have been for a month now. However, they have not done much in any bedroom. Although, they have experimented in some hot and heavy make-out sessions before. Lucy is fine with waiting since her parents had her at such a young age. After all, she does not want history to repeat itself with her.

Meanwhile, Natsu is cracking up at Gildarts' comment. "Does it look like either of us care?"

Waving the thought away with a hand gesture, Gildarts turns his attention to Lucy who has since recovered. "So you know this kid delivers pizza and models. What do you do?"

"I write," she replies.

Gildarts tilts his head to a side, in a way that is very similar to what Natsu does. "Write?"

"C'mere. I'll explain." Natsu ends up leaning towards him and whispering in his ear.

Gildarts' eyes slowly grow wide. "Famous author… ?" he echoes quietly.

Returning to his original position, Natsu nods enthusiastically. "Yep! Her books are great!"

Lucy laughs. "He's just taking Wendy's word for it."

"Nuh-uh," Natsu says, shaking his head.

"Then who else?" Lucy asks, feeling slightly confused. "Levy? Juvia?"

Natsu looks her in the eye, a sly grin on his face. "Me."

"You?" Lucy questions.

Gildarts laughs. "You?" He laughs some more. "I can't even remember the last time you picked up a book to read for fun!"

Natsu sticks his tongue out at his godfather. "That would have been yesterday."

Both Lucy and Gildarts are surprised. "Yesterday?" they ask unison.

"Yep! And I'm almost done with it!" He seems rather proud of himself.

"So when did you start reading, Natsu?" Gildarts inquires.

"Oh, I started reading her books 'bout a month ago," he replies. "Wendy's been letting me borrow hers."

Lucy's jaw drops open. She knows Natsu is not one to read. He really has never been according to Igneel and Grandeeney.

"I started with Right Place, Right Time since that's the first one she wrote," Natsu continues. "I'm almost done with Elvina. I've got a couple more chapters to go!"

The impact of his words hit Lucy hard. She is beyond touched and feels so special that he has taken the time to read her work. He even started with the one that started everything for her.

Natsu looks at Lucy, a caring smile on his lips. "I mean, what's a better way to get to know you than read what you've written?"

Not giving it a second thought, she leans forward and grabs the side of his head so she can kiss him. It is sweet and to the point. When their lips break apart, Lucy smiles at him. "You are incredibly thoughtful and caring. I really hope you know that, Natsu."

His cheeks tint pink as he looks at her. Then he grins from ear to ear at her. "You're not so bad yourself, Luce."

She playfully whacks his shoulder. "Not nice," she scolds lightly.

Gildarts seems preoccupied with his drink to have noticed their little interaction. After all, he wants them to have some space. He is secretly cheering for his godson to have scored such a great girlfriend.

"Hey, I have to go to the bathroom." Then Lucy eyes Natsu carefully. "No eating my fries while I'm gone."

Fear flashes in his eyes. "Aye, sir!"

"Don't worry about it!" Gildarts says. "I'll make sure he doesn't!"

"The same goes for you, too!" she says before leaving the table.

"A-aye, sir," Gildarts says in a defeated tone.

Natsu cracks up. "She knows you by now!"

She walks inside and makes her way to the other side of the building where the restrooms are located. All while avoiding walking into people, she goes up a small staircase and passes a pool table with guys surrounding it.

Once inside the restroom, she takes a moment to collect herself. Her boyfriend is insanely sweet for what he has been doing without her knowing. Wendy never gave any hints that she has been letting him borrow her copies.

After she takes care of business and washes her hands, Lucy leaves the bathroom to make her way back to Natsu and Gildarts.

A hand gently grabs a hold of her left bicep. "Hey, Halie!"

Lucy looks over in surprise at the young man. Along with his dark skin, he has very dark eyes and black hair.

"Oh, you're not Halie." However, he keeps a hold of her.

"No, I'm not," she confirms lamely.

"Whoops, sorry about that," the guy chuckles.

"It's no problem."

"I'm Ren by the way."

"Lucy."

"Ah, Lucy. That's a pretty name."

She has no time for idle chit chat with an absolute stranger. "Look, I have to get going. People are expecting me."

"Aww, why don't you stick around for a bit?" He winks at her. "I'm sure you'd enjoy the company here."

Lucy tugs her arm away, but Ren keeps a hold of her. "Last chance. Let me go."

"Or what?" he asks coyly.

Without a word, she uses her right leg to deliver a strong Lucy Kick directly between his legs.

Eyes nearly popping out of his head, his face contorts. He crumples to the wooden floor, clutching himself where the pain is resonating from. The others around the pool table who saw what just occurred make sure to not make any eye contact with the one who brought their friend down with one blow.

"Or that," Lucy says to Ren, clapping her hands together at a job well done. She makes a move for the stairs, but stops when she sees a familiar face.

At the top of the landing is Natsu, staring at her with a mix of awe and fear. He feels pretty sober now after what he just witnessed his girlfriend do. "Wow… Looks like I didn't need to save you. You can totally handle yourself."

"I might know a thing or two." Then Lucy proceeds to walk over to him.

Panic flashes in his eyes and Natsu is quick to cover his crotch with both hands.

She notices and laughs. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"Good to know." Natsu takes a quick glance at Ren who is down for the count. "Remind me to never mess with you. Ever."

"I think you already know that," Lucy chuckles.

"Good point!" Then he smooches her head. "Head back to Gildarts. I'm gonna take a leak."

"Don't run into any trouble like I did," she says, walking down the stairs.

"No promises!"

When Lucy makes it back to the table, she discovers Gildarts busy with his phone. "Did you find something interesting?" she asks, taking a seat.

"Ashley." Then he looks up, making eye contact with her. "Ashley the famous author."

Lucy casually nibbles on a fry. "Annnd… ?" She is slightly curious to what he has to say.

"Wow. Just wow." Gildarts puts down his phone to give her his attention. "So why the penname?"

"It's easier than using my real name."

He tilts his head to a side yet again. "What's wrong with Lucy?"

"It's my last name," she clarifies.

Gildarts thinks for a second. "Natsu didn't mention it…"

"I don't think he even knows it," Lucy admits.

"Why not?"

"Because it shouldn't matter. I'm still Lucy without it."

"Wait, let me get this straight. You guys have been dating for a month now and he doesn't know your last name?"

"Pretty much."

Gildarts gives her a scrutinizing look.

"It's not like I'm hiding anything bad," she assures him. "I really don't associate myself with the family I was born into."

His gaze softens. "But family is important."

She thinks of her long time friend, Yukino. The people she has met because of Natsu pop up in her mind. Finally, her boyfriend is a clear image she can picture. They are all her chosen family. "Not all family is blood related."

Gildarts softly smiles, thinking of Natsu and the family he has because of adoptions. "Good point."

"I'm baaack," Natsu announces as he makes his way back over to the table.

"Hey, we just weren't talking about you!" Gildarts says sarcastically.

Natsu eyes him carefully. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Lucy laughs. "Nothing at all."


A/N Part 1: So that Ren was totally Ren Akatsuki from Blue Pegasus. I like sticking with FT characters rather than making up my own.

A/N Part 2: But y'all get another chapter so soon because y'all are so awesome! :D So here's to you guys! Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement! Everything means so much to me :3


Guest: I think they're pretty adorable, too!

Jessyka Lyn: It's always great knowing I haven't disappointed a fan XD And thanks! I'm happy you enjoyed it :D

Army4life: AYE, SIR! And I'm happy you're enjoying it so far :D