{There will be a Harry Potter spoiler from the last book/second to last movie for those who don't know! It's only a character death (one of many from that series…), but I still feel like there should be a fair warning for some!}
Chapter 27
A couple days later, Lucy is out and about with her editor and good friend, Jellal Fernandes. They just finished having lunch together and going over Lucy's current work.
The man walking beside Lucy has blue locks, dark eyes, and a kind face. There is an intricate red marking above and below his right eye. "I think we had a good session today," he comments.
She nods in agreement. "We got a lot done for the book for sure. I'm excited for it!"
He smiles a little. "As you should be."
They are about to pass Levy's favorite antique store when Lucy recalls something Levy had said. Erza owns the flower shop next door to it. She looks to see the shop's sign is white with a single scarlet word written in scripty font that says "Scarlet". Out front of the shop are bunches of flowers on display, soaking up the sun and adding color to the scene.
"Can we stop in the flower shop for a bit?" she asks.
Jellal shrugs. "I don't see why not?"
Due to the wonderful summer weather, the doors to the shop are propped open. The wonderful aroma is everywhere inside the building. Sound is coming from a nearby water fountain along the wall to the left. Little trinkets are decorating the shelves and tables that have plants and flowers on them.
Apart from Lucy and Jellal being the shop, there is one other person. The young woman has long dark scarlet hair cascades down to her waist and sideswept bangs to her right. Her skin is fair while her dark brown eyes are fierce.
"Hello and welcome to my shop," she greets warmly.
Jellal seems utterly awestruck by her presence while Lucy is able to speak. "Oh, you must be Erza!"
She studies Lucy for a moment. "I'm sorry, but do I know you?"
"Not exactly," she replies. "My name is Lucy and–"
Erza gasps. "Are you the one dating Natsu?"
Lucy nods. "That's me."
In the blink of an eye, Erza is standing in front of Lucy and holding her hands tightly. "I've been telling Natsu that we need to meet, but he hasn't listened to me. But here you are!"
Lucy accepts that she is literally in Erza's hands. "Uh, yeah. I was just walking by with my friend when I decided to stop in. Levy had mentioned you owned this flower shop."
"Both Natsu and Levy have talked about you to me many times before," Erza says. "I feel as though I already know you."
Lucy can only hope they have not revealed anything embarrassing about her. Although, she expects that from Natsu and not Levy.
Erza looks over at Jellal. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you." She releases Lucy to hold out a hand for him. "I'm Erza."
"You're wonderful," he breathes. Then he snaps back into reality. He fumbles with grabbing her hand to shake. "Uh, what I meant was–"
Erza begins to laugh. "It's quite all right. Really."
He merely smiles at her. "Wonderful."
Lucy eyes Jellal carefully, wondering if Erza put some sort of spell on him. She has never seen him like this before. He is clearly smitten!
Erza looks back at Lucy. "Is there anything I can get for you? Perhaps a small tour?"
She reasons it is all right to spoil herself from time to time. "Can I get some pink roses?"
x-X-x
Now back at her apartment, Lucy is balling her eyes out. It happens every time she rereads this particular death scene of a character from the Harry Potter series. There is no helping it. It gets her right in the feels.
She actually sets the book down to walk around in an attempt to calm herself.
Without warning, the door to the apartment opens and Natsu strolls inside. "Man, it's good to be off work–" He stops talking when he notices the state his girlfriend is in. "L-Luce!" Forgetting all about closing the door behind him, he rushes over to her side to hug her tightly. "What's wrong? What happened? Why are you crying?"
She clings onto him, gripping onto his work shirt. "H-he died!" she sobs.
He immediately stiffens up and inhales sharply. Then he squeezes her for extra measure. "It'll be okay, Luce…" he says solemnly. He cannot cry as well because he knows he needs to be strong for her.
Her crying is the only thing heard from inside the apartment. "He died f-for Harry and his f-friends!"
Natsu slowly process her words. "Wait… what… ?"
"It's just so sad!" she wails. "He was free and he should have l-lived a happy life!"
He pulls his head back to look slightly down at her due to their height difference. "Luce… who are you talking about?"
She looks up at him with blurry tears. "D-Dobby!"
"Who?" Now he is trying to remember if she has mentioned a friend named Dobby. Or maybe it is a nickname for someone he does not know.
"Dobby the free elf!"
He makes a face. "Dobby?"
"He's a house-elf from Harry Potter," she sniffles, getting some control over her emotions.
"You mean that he's a fictional person?" he deadpans.
"He's not, like, a human person since he's a house-elf."
"Fictional?" he stresses.
"I cry every time his death scene happens," she continues like he never said a word before. "It's just so sad."
"So your dad isn't the dead one?" he asks for confirmation.
Lucy blinks in surprise at him. "My dad? No, he's not dead. He's still at the hospital. I visited him after I was with Jellal. He's fine."
Natsu sighs in relief and buries his face into the crook of her shoulder and neck. "At first I thought you were talking about your dad before you said the name…"
"He might be in the hospital, but he's not on death's door," she assures him. "He just needs to recover."
"That's good…" he exhales.
She pats his back. "I'm sorry I put you through that."
"Ugh, I'm emotionally exhausted. I need to sit down."
"Do you need anything?"
Without a word, Natsu tightens his grip around her and easily lifts her off of her feet. He trudges over to the couch and lies down with her. After a quick adjustment, they are both comfortable. Facing each other, he has his back towards the couch and has his head tucked under her chin.
"Just you," he says, finally answering her question.
"Hey, Natsu?" she asks.
"Yeah?"
"You left the door open."
"Oh."
She cracks a smile. "Oh? That's all you have to say."
"I mean, I don't wanna get up and get it."
"Then I will."
"But I don't wantcha to leave me."
"I'll be right back."
"But I don't wantcha to leaveee meee," he whines, giving her a gentle squeeze for emphasis.
Lucy giggles at his behavior and toys with his hair. "You're extra clingy today. Did something happen."
"Before I left for work, the family was talking about our trip to France this summer. It's coming up fast."
She nods a little, knowing all about their trip. "July twenty-fifth. It's the ninth now. It'll be here faster than we know it." She notes the unenthusiastic tone he had a moment ago. "Aren't you looking forward to it?"
"Yeah. It's something I getta do with my family each year. We always have loads of fun."
"Then why do you seem down about it?"
"Because I'll be gone a week and won't be able to see you. It'll be the longest time we've been apart."
Lucy snorts. "I didn't know you existed until you delivered that pizza to me that one night."
"The longest time we've been apart since we started dating," he corrects.
"I'm sure we'll be fine. You can call me every day if you want."
"It'll be more than once. Twice at least to tell you good morning and good night. Maybe more just to hear your voice."
"You'll have to account for the time difference," she points out.
"I'll be six hours ahead of you."
"Six hours isn't too bad."
"Not having to worry about a time zone difference would be great though."
She smooches the top of his head. "You can't have everything." Then she attempts to slip away from him.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Natsu asks.
"I'm getting up to shut the door. You can time me if you want."
He finally gives in. "Fine…"
After getting up with ease, she makes her way over to the door to close it.
"Eight…" he counts. "Nine… Ten…"
Feeling giddy, she rushes back to have a faster time. She cuddles up right to him to return to her original position. "What time did I have?" Lucy asks.
"Too long," he replies. "But now I can take all the time I need to recharge with you."
"After the emotional and mental trauma I put you through?" she teases.
"Exactly."
"Then I guess I'll let you be my personal furnace."
"Good." He presses his lips against her skin for a quick kiss. "I love you."
She smiles and kisses his head. "I love you, too."
"I love you sooo much."
"I think you like saying that."
"I love you with the power of a thousand suns."
"A thousand seems under dramatic."
"What about the power of a thousand suns exploding into a supernova, huh?"
"That's more realistic I suppose."
He snorts. "Well, good. Whatever makes you happy."
"You make me happy."
"That's great." He nuzzles his face against her. "And you make me really happy, too."
Lucy closes her eyes and takes in the moment. She is with her boyfriend who loves her. Of course, she loves him back. What more can she ask for?
A/N Part 1: A total filler chapter, but some good moments I think! Brought in Jellal and Erza. And I wanted to mess with Natsu XD Plus, Harry Potter is always great! And, ya know, it sends up a future arc… Because of my time zone in the USA and France is 6 hours, I'm giving this fic 6 hours. Easy to keep track of!
A/N Part 2: That ending after they say I love is something that the fiancé and I have done before XD Seemed fitting for these two dorks. And Natsu's line is gonna get longer haha (y'all can thank the fiancé for that!)
A/N Part 3: Not related to CAF at all, but I finally finished More Than a Princess at Chapter 50! Was a big moment for me :D Woo~
Lyonsgirl: Woo, I'm happy you think so! I love how Natsu is with Lucy :) So great! I have a plan for Erza. Not sure about Cana or the Strauss siblings though…
That guy who: Ayyy, what luck! Good for you!
Jessyka Lyn: Totally cute indeeeeeed! :D
Guest: Aww indeed XD
Anon: I gave myself a pat on the back for it XD NaLu is total goals! And I feel like it's fitting for Natsu to have a sweet side to her :) Thank you! And thanks for reading!
Guest: Woo, I'm happy you like it! I have arcs lined up, but I hafta figure out the order for them is all XD Well, Natsu learned about Lucy's name a couple chapters ago already. I do have some later planned drama though. But updates for sure :D
Aya Rose: Good feels are good. Not sure what she'll do about the fans. And happy reading to ya!
Guest: Adorable is a good word for the two dorks XD
wishyouweremedon: That's something my fiancé and I do. I'm the one always asking if he means it. Felt fitting for NaLu since I see myself and my fiancé with them.
