For those of you who don't know, after my last MTAP update I had been dealing with someone in an ugly, nasty situation. A user stole works from authors on FFnet and posted them on her Wattpad account. She had the audacity to copy word for word, even down to the author notes. She even stole the cover images from the works. A couple of readers of mine informed me that this user stole MTAP and claimed it as her own. She then stole a one-shot from me since I was annoying her in asking to remove MTAP fromher page. Of course, I didn't tolerate that.
As of now, all stolen works have been removed from the user's Wattpad page. Hopefully things stay that way. But I want you guys to be aware of what happened. I'll admit, I did feel crushed someone would steal my work that I have continued to pour my heartinto. This has been the first time I know someone has stolen from me at least. However, even with the situation, I hope I'll not be deterred in future updates and posts of my fanfics. I'd rather not just update/post just on my Account because the support I receive on there I want to happen because my readers believe I deserve it and wish to support me.
I love writing and the support I receive from each one of my readers on the sites I post to is incredibly awesome. It keeps me going and keeps me writing. And when Elvina is published someday, I can truly say it's because of you guys!
And now, he's the next chapter!
Chapter 19
It is clear to see Lucy is apprehensive at the task Natsu expects her to do with him. After all, she has no experience at all for this sort of thing.
"You've told me you've never done this before so I thought it'd be fun for you!" he reasons, trying to get his girlfriend pumped.
"This won't end will for me," she mutters.
"Well, that'll be the case with that kinda attitude," he points out.
Of all the places to be at, they are inside a chilly ice skating rink. Natsu succeeded in pulling off another birthday surprise without a hitch! Before he left his place earlier, he packed a beanie, a coat, and extra socks for Lucy in his trunk. She had been clueless with what was happening until they pulled up to the building.
Currently, the couple is standing just outside the rink where people are having fun going around the ice. She is all bundled up while he is still wearing his clothes from earlier because he can handle the temperature.
"I'll go out first if that makes you feel better," Natsu offers.
"It'll give me time to escape…" Lucy says under her breath.
"Oh, please," he playfully scoffs. "You waddle like a penguin in those skates. You won't get far before I getcha." Then he jerks his head towards the ice. "You'll do better out there. Promise."
She folds her arms under her chest and huffs, "At least I'm a cute penguin…"
"Adorable," he agrees, smooching her cheek and stepping out onto the ice. He turns with ease to face her, holding both hands out for her. A grin lights up his face. "C'mon, Penguin!"
Swallowing hard, she wobbles across the mats and over to the edge of the rink. Holding on to the entrance with both hands, she steps down with her right foot. "Nope," she says while raising it up.
"C'mon, Luce. You at least gotta give it a try." Natsu gives her his best puppy dog eyes. "Pleaseee?"
Taking a deep breath, Lucy puts her right foot back down and then her left. She lets go and keeps her arms out to balance herself. She slowly starts smiling as she looks down at her feet. "I-I'm doing it." She looks up at her grinning boyfriend. "I'm doing it!"
"Great! Now it's time for you to move."
Dread trickles down her spine. "Oh, no. I made it out on the ice like you wanted, Natsu."
He playfully rolls his eyes. "And by giving it a try, you at least hafta make it once around the rink."
"I never agreed to that!" When she starts losing her balance, Lucy flails her arms out and locks her knees.
Natsu is quick to skate forward and steady her with a hand as she clutches onto him with both of her hands. She scoots herself forward so she can really secure her bearings. "Thank you," Lucy says.
"No problem," he says. "You know I'm always here for you." Then he takes the opportunity to peck her lips. "Now let's get started!"
x-X-x
Lucy's rear might be a little sore, but she can honestly say that she did have fun ice skating with her boyfriend. Although, she is fine taking her time until the next time she goes back there. Now she and Natsu are at her favorite diner for lunch. They have a spot next to the window that overlooks the nearby pond.
"Luche, look!" he says, his voice slightly muffled.
She looks up from the menu to discover he has two straws tucked under his upper lip, making him look like a particular mammal. She instantly cracks up. "Wh-what are you doing?"
"I'm a walrush!" He seems rather proud of himself.
"More like a dorky walrus," Lucy corrects.
Then Natsu takes out the straws and puts them into his carbonated drink. "I bet I'm the best walrus you know!"
She giggles when a thought occurs to her. "Great. I'm a penguin and you're a walrus."
"We make quite the couple," he says, waggling his eyebrows.
Lucy cannot help but smile at him. "We sure do."
"Excuse me," an unfamiliar voice says from the side of the table.
The couple looks over to see a high school girl giving Natsu her sole attention.
"So me and my friends"-she points over to where three other girls are seated in a booth "happened to notice you and we're all wondering… Do you model for Lamia & Cait?"
Seeing no point in denying it, Natsu simply shrugs. "Yeah."
The girl squeals loudly, clasping her hands in front of her chest. "I knew it!"
Because of her reaction, her friends back at the table grow excited.
"So you are Natsu!" the girl squeals.
"Hey, keep it down," he scolds lightly, not wanting to draw even more attention. Because of the girl, some people are staring and trying to figure out what is happening.
"This is just so exciting," the girl gushes.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to get back with her," Natsu says, gesturing towards Lucy with his left hand.
The girl waves a hand to dismiss the thought. "Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt things with your cousin."
He makes a face. "Cousin?"
Lucy's heart drops. She does not want others thinking she is related to him in that sense. After all, they are dating. "Actually–" she begins.
"Hey, can me and my friends get a picture with you?" the girl asks. "Please?"
Natsu looks at Lucy, as if asking for permission or to see if she minds. She merely shrugs in response.
He looks back at the girl and holds up a single finger. "One photo. Then I get back to my date with my girlfriend."
The girl's eyes grow wide. "G-girlfriend?!" She finally glances at Lucy, looking her up and down. "Well, I guess you could be prettier if you're dating–"
"Could be?" Natsu scoffs. "Lucy's absolutely beautiful and gorgeous. She can rock a dress or a pair of sweats. She doesn't even hafta try!"
Lucy feels her cheeks heat up. Her boyfriend is saying embarrassing things to a complete stranger he did not meet until now!
The girl merely blinks. "Oh…"
Natsu scoots back his chair a little so he can stand up. "Like I said, only one picture. Then I wanna get back to Luce."
The girl snaps back to reality and nods eagerly. "Thank you!"
He walks around the table and smooches the top of Lucy's head. "Be back soon."
She cannot help but watch Natsu and the girls interact. They have him stand in the middle while they all crowd around him with a waiter as the photographer. Lucy can understand how fans can be and act around their idol. She is thankful Natsu can understand with fans are with her.
"That was painless," Natsu says as he slides back into his seat.
"You're a good guy," she says.
He softly smiles at her. "You're not so bad yourself, Luce."
She puffs her cheeks out. "Hey!"
He chuckles. "I'm only kidding. You're awesome."
She smiles a little.
"And, best of all, you're mine," Natsu adds with an ear to ear grin.
"You're mine, too," Lucy says.
"Have you decided what you want to order?" the waitress asks when she swings by the table.
Lucy looks at Natsu. "You order first." Then she looks at the waitress. "And you might want an extra notepad or two."
She seems confused. "What?"
Natsu eagerly rubs his hands together. "Okay, my order will be…"
x-X-x
Inside the bathroom and changing area, Lucy is finishing up tying her hair into two low twintails. She then checks over her appearance in the mirror, making sure everything is in order. She is wearing her favorite bikini set that is white and has pink hibiscuses.
While the couple was still at her place, Lucy was using the bathroom while Natsu was quick to grab something for her to swim in without her knowing. Mermaid Heel is a popular outdoor pool that has different areas for activities. The weather is absolutely perfect for it, too.
Lucy leaves the small building and steps outside, spotting Natsu quickly. He is wearing a pair of red trunks that have black flames outlined in yellow along the bottom. His body certainly looks great and she cannot complain. "Natsu!" she says to get his attention.
He looks over and his eyes grow wide. This is the least amount of clothes and coverage Natsu has seen Lucy in. "Luce…"
She stops in front of him. "Yes?"
He quickly averts his eyes from her cleavage to look at her face. "Uh, wh-whatcha wanna d-do first?"
"Cat got your tongue?" she teases.
"Whaaat? Pfft, no." As his cheeks turn pink, Natsu folds his arms across his chest. "As if."
Lucy giggles at his frazzled state of being. "Well, I think I'm up for the lazy river first. I do like drifting in a tube."
"Lead the way," he says, gesturing with both hands as he bows at his waist.
Instead, she takes his right hand with her left and starts walking. "Let's go!"
Along the way, Natsu cannot help but glare at everyone who ogles his girlfriend. They all should be minding their own business anyways.
"So what will"-she glances over and notices his scowl-"What's wrong?"
He looks at her, his sour expression disappearing. "Huh?"
"Do you not want to go into the lazy river?"
"No, it's not that. Promise."
She arches an eyebrow. "Then what is it?"
Natsu takes a deep breath and starts speaking quickly. "Because people are staring at you and you're mine. Not mine mine though. I don't own you or anything. But we're dating so it's kinda like that. And the same goes for you, too.
It only takes a little bit for her to process everything he just said. She merely smiles at him. "Then you shouldn't have to worry about who's staring because we're dating."
His face lights up with a grin and he gives her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm so damn lucky to have you."
"I mean, some people do call me Lucky Lucy," she says dramatically.
Mischievousness glints in Natsu's eyes. "But you're not the lucky one!" He quickly sweeps Lucy off her feet and carries her princess style into the start of the lazy river.
x-X-x
Towards eight o'clock, Lucy and Natsu are cuddled up on her couch while watching a movie. After the busy and entertaining day, they are both happy to be lazy for a change. He is lying on his back while she is lying on top of him, the front of her against him.
"I've had a fun day," she says suddenly.
Looking away from the screen, he looks down at her. "Really?"
She nods, her head rubbing against his chest. "I can honestly say that it's been a great birthday."
"Oh, that reminds me!" Natsu grabs the nearby remote and pauses the movie.
Lucy raises her head to look at him. "What is it?"
"There's another surprise!"
She is certainly surprised. "Another one? I thought the last one was the pizza."
"This'll be the last one." He smooches her head before sliding out from under her, rushing into the kitchen.
She sits up with a leg tucked underneath her. She has no clue what he has up his sleeve.
Natsu strolls back into the room with something cradled in both hands. It is a cupcake with pink icing and a single blue candle that is lit.
Lucy can feel herself tearing up. "Natsu…"
"Happy birthday, Luce," he says warmly.
She comes undone and starts crying.
"L-Luce!" He sets down the cupcake on the nearby table and sits down next to her. "Hey, what's wrong?"
She throws her arms around his neck and continues to cry. "Th-thank you." She sniffles loudly and leans back to look at his face. "Thank you so much."
He smiles and wipes away her tears with his thumbs. "Anything for you, Luce."
"You're the best boyfriend ever. I can't ask for anyone better."
Natsu gently presses his forehead against hers. "There's nobody else I'd rather date either."
After she is able to recompose herself, Lucy leans away and looks down at the cupcake. It might be a little gesture, but it means so much to her.
"So are you gonna blow out the candle for your birthday wish?" Natsu asks.
She looks at him. "I can't think of anything to wish for. I'm happy with what I have around me. I'm happy with what I have going for me. I'm happy I have you…" Something comes to mind and she grabs the cupcake. Closing her eyes, she makes her wish before blowing out the candle.
"Whatcha wish for?" he inquires.
Lucy lowers the cupcake and looks at him. "If I tell you, then it won't come true."
He pouts. "Fine. I see how it is."
She pulls out the candle and boops his nose with the end that was in the cupcake, getting some icing on him. "I guess you'll have to stick around and find out what I wished for."
Natsu grins. "You can count on that."
A/N Part 1: Thank you all for bearing with me! Writing and work have been a thing :P As well as life. I still live at home, but the fiancé just moved! I can literally walk to his place from my work! So I've been busy helping him settle and haven't been writing as much.
A/N Part 2: Anywayssss, since it has been awhile since I updated CAF last, y'all get a longer chapter than normal! Woo~ And just so y'all know, that'll be the end to that arc! I think I know which one I want next!
A/N Part 3: Omg, sooo many of y'all loved that last chapter! Especially that "baby scene" XD Although, not gonna lie, that scene happened with the fiancé and I not long after we started dating! He has some Natsu-like qualities and he's great inspiration for writing what a love interest should do/say! Especially when it comes down to Natsu XD
A/N Part 4: Also, some of y'all were thinking Natsu would have thrown Lucy a birthday party. Even with some friends. But I reasoned that Natsu wanted to be "selfish" in a way and have Lucy all to himself for the day!
craycraynalufan: I'll try updating when I can! Promise!
girl505: Yay, I'm glad you're enjoying this fic so far!
Guest: Not gonna lie, that "baby scene" happened with my fiancé and I not long after we started dating. He has some Natsu-like qualities and he's great inspiration for writing what a love interest should do/say!
Flamexofxchaos: Gah, thank you! :D
FanFlower: Aye, sir! Got around to that update!
Jessyka Lyn: They are great goals to have, trust me :3 And I'm glad the picture is clearly painted in your mind! I really do enjoy writing this fic and more is to come for sure :D
Anonymous Guest: Yay, I'm happy you enjoyed it so much :D And the fluffy feels are absolutely wonderful to write about it! And more NaLu feels to come for sure :)
JustBenifet: Got around to that update finally :P And more to come for sure!
