Chapter 21
Lucy feels like she is surrounded by everything she is not accustom to in the photography world. From the gigantic white sweep background to the lights and reflectors. She feels somewhat lost. However, she has Natsu to guide her through it all.
"Cooool, we have our models are set!" the loud photographer named Jason says. "Let's get this started!"
The duo gets into position and stands ready. Lucy's job is very easy. All she has to do is basically keep her back towards the camera and pretend that she smells the cologne on Natsu's neck. Although, she does not have to pretend because the cologne is quite pleasant. It is refreshing, much like Natsu's personality. On the other hand, Natsu has to look at the camera and be mindful of his facial expression.
"All right, work it, you two!" Jason says, firing away at the camera. "Give me emotion. Give me smell!"
Lucy cracks a grin at the silly words, her lips brushing against Natsu's exposed skin. In response, his right hand automatically goes to her waist, pulling her flush against him.
"Good, yes!" Jason encourages. "Give me more! I'm not feeling it now!"
An idea pops in Lucy's mind and she goes with the flow of things. While her left arm wraps around Natsu's neck, she uses her right hand to tug at his tie. She goes to loosen the knot and slips it down. Her fingers expertly undue the top button, showing off more of his neck, and remain close to his collar.
"Woo, I like it!" Jason shouts with excitement. "Keep at it!"
She leans in more, her nose and lips brushing against more skin. Then Lucy inhales deeply, her stomach feeling like butterflies are zooming around. "You smell really good…" she whispers softly, her warm breath tickling
Natsu's grip on her waist merely tightens just the slightest. He cannot risk speaking because he might throw off Jason's groove. He has focus and keep the expression Jason will want for the shot.
Jason gasps. "Sooo coooool! Yes!" He keeps firing his camera. "This is what I want! Yes! Gah, this is so great!"
Lucy is not sure how much time passes before the shoot is wrapped up.
"And that's it!" Jason announces, satisfied with what he captured. "Thanks, everybody!"
Lucy removes her hands from her boyfriend and just drops them to her sides.
"So we're good?" Natsu asks, speaking for the first time since the shoot started.
"Yes!" Jason confirms.
In a fluid motion, Natsu gently grabs the sides of Lucy's head and plants one on her. He makes it deep and long, attempting to make up for the time he could not kiss her senseless.
She is utterly flustered, unable to react. Her arms remain right where they are because they feel like jelly. Her legs might as well be noodles because they are barely supporting her as is.
Natsu pulls back and presses his forehead against hers. "You really had me going, Luce," he whispers. "You made it really hard to concentrate."
"W-well, you just–" She stops talking to refill her lungs with air. She did not know she had been holding her breath until now.
He chuckles softly. "Looks like I took your breath away."
"You're so weird," she says.
"But I'm not the weirdo in this relationship," he points out.
"Pfft, as if!" Lucy giggles.
The duo finally breaks apart.
"Hey, do you wanna get some food?" Natsu asks. "I'm hungry."
"You're always hungry."
"Food is so good though!"
She considers it for a moment. "I get to choose what we eat."
His face lights up. "Sounds great! Let's change and get going then!"
They turn and leave the set, heading towards where they can get back into their normal clothes.
"Princess!" a male voice says, snapping Lucy back to her past.
She stops in place and looks over to her left, trying to believe she is actually seeing him. Loke Regulus is making his way towards her. He has since grown out his orange locks so now they are long and luscious. He still has his blue tinted glasses that he wears over his deep eyes.
"L-Loke…" she murmurs, a weak attempt at convincing herself that he is real.
"Oh, sweet princess!" Without a second thought, Loke picks up Lucy and twirls her around. "I've missed you so!"
She pushes back, trying to put distance between them. "Hey, put me down!"
"Your wish is my command." He gently sets her down on the ground and takes one of her hands to kiss it with his lips. "My celestial princess, your dashing knight in shining armor has come!"
Lucy tears her hand away and wipes the back of it against her dress. "I'm more into dragons than knights."
However, her words simply go over his head. "To what do I owe the pleasure if you gracing me with your presence?"
"She's here with me!" Natsu says, finally finding his voice. He had been too caught up in the moment to say anything before.
Loke arches an eyebrow at him. "With you?" he scoffs. "Why you?"
"Because he asked me to model with him," Lucy harrumphs, folding arms under her chest. "I'm his girlfriend."
Loke's jaw just about drops to the floor and he looks at Natsu for confirmation. "G-girlfriend? You're dating"-he motions to Lucy with crazy gestures-"her?!"
A cocky grin forms on Natsu's lips, but he does not say a word.
Then Loke starts laughing, holding his stomach. "Y-you two almost had me going. There's no way the lovely Lucy would date someone like Natsu."
"Grr, and why's that?" Natsu challenges.
"Because she's Lucy," is his simple explanation.
"We are dating," Lucy affirms. "We've been dating."
Loke stares at her. "Really… ?"
"Really," she confirms.
Loke turns his gaze to look at Natsu. "So the girlfriend you've mentioned before…" But his voice trails off.
"Has always been Lucy," he states. "Anywaysss, how do you and Luce know each other?"
Loke blinks. "Did my princess not tell you?"
"I'm not your princess," Lucy hisses. "I never was."
Natsu glances back and forth between the two, feeling totally left out of the loop with their history.
"Well, we were supposed to get married..." Loke says coyly.
Natsu and Lucy both have different reactions to Loke's statement. While his eyes grow wide and his jaw drops open, she harrumphs and rolls her eyes.
Loke reaches out and take her hands in his. "I suppose it's never too late–"
"We were never going to happen anyways," Lucy deadpans, tearing her hands out of his grasp. "Even with an arranged marriage."
"Arranged marriage?" Natsu finally squeaks.
Loke looks genuinely surprised. "Oh, so she really didn't tell you…"
"And how does one casually bring that up in a conversation with their significant other, hmm?" Lucy questions. "Oh, by the way, Natsu, I used to be engaged to this guy named Loke. It might have been an arranged marriage, but I didn't have any romantic feelings for him. Anyways, can we cuddle now or what?"
Taken back by her words, Loke has no response.
Natsu's growling stomach breaks up the tension. While laughing he pats it. "Whelp, I guess it's time Luce and I get going."
Loke looks at Natsu with little emotion. "We need to talk."
He blinks. "Now?"
"No, not now," Lucy says. "Not ever. You have no reason to talk to him about me, Loke."
"And why's that?" he challenges.
"Because you should have no part in the current relationship we have."
"What makes you think he's good enough for you?"
Lucy is surprised by his words. "Excuse me?"
"I wasn't good enough for you back then. What makes you think Natsu is now?"
Vexation boils up inside of Lucy's veins. "Because I'm the one who gets to decide for my future," she says in an unsettling calm tone. "No one else. I won't let that happen again."
"But, Lucy–"
"No buts," she interrupts, coming off harsher than she meant to. Then she takes a deep calming breath and looks at Natsu, her lips parted open at the sight she is seeing.
He is remaining silent, avoiding eye contact by staring at his feet.
Lucy finds the sight unsettling because he is not acting like his normal self. "Natsu… ?"
He does not respond.
"Natsu?" she asks again.
His head jerks up and he looks at her. "Huh?"
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." However, his tight fists down at his sides do not loosen up.
Lucy reaches out to touch his shoulder, and he instantly becomes less stiff. "Hey," she says.
He gives her a weak smile. "I'm fine."
She links arms with him, holding his arm against her chest. "Let's get going." With that, she leads the way and he simply follows her. Neither of two says a word to Loke who just stays quiet and watches them leave.
Switches clothes is easy enough, and the couple leaves the studio hand in hand. Natsu is wearing the jacket Lucy originally brought for him.
"Hey, Natsu?" she says suddenly.
He gives her hand a little squeeze. "Yeah?"
She takes a deep breath before speaking. "One day I know I'll be comfortable telling you about my past. Unfortunately, I'm not sure when that will–"
Natsu engulfs Lucy in a sudden hug, holding her close. "Take as much time as you need, Luce. I'll be ready when you want to talk."
She blinks back tears. "Thank you…"
Once again, Natsu's stomach rumbles and adds humor to the tender moment.
Lucy chuckles. "All right, it's time for food!"
A/N: Finally got around to updating D: Life has been hella busy. I've been working 6 days a week for the past couple weeks :P With some more to come… But here's the next chapter! Woo~
craycraynalufan: Yay, that's great to hear :D Haha, I'll be sure to tell him :P Byeeeeee!
Korn22: Gah, that's awesome to hear :D
Meltedchocolate: Ugh, I'd love to update more often. Trussssssst meeeeeeee!
Guest: Of course! Cute feels all around :)
SURFER DOOD MAN: k
geilee dragneel: Gah, thank you! That's wonderful to hear :D
Guest: I loved how sly Natsu was. He pulled a fast one over Lucy! I'm hoping all of that stolen work from that user stays in the past. It seems that way for now. And writing is great! :D Omg, RPRT will forever have a special place in my heart! And you stay meow-velous!
Anonymous Guest: Woo, glad that you're back! And I'm happy you enjoyed it! I'm still trying to work at my writing since I wanna improve :D You can count on that for me! And I enjoy writing the NaLu feels myself XD The fluff is always great :D And I did get around to that update finally! :P
Guest: Yay, I'm happy you think it's amazing! And it's great hearing you love this fanfic! Thank you for reading it!
Nashii Dragneel: Gah, that's awesome! Thank you so much!
Annabelle: (Chapter 4) Glad I gotcha to smile :D You're welcome!
