Chapter 29
The next day around one-thirty, Lucy pulls up to the Dragneel house. She is here half an hour before the shindig actually starts to offer a helping hand if need be. Grabbing her purse, gift bag for Natsu, and plastic bag with her bikini and towel, she gets out of her car and rushes to the front door. She still feels as though she is being watched and wants to get indoors.
Has she told Capricorn about it? Of course. Has she requested he send someone to be with her? Not yet at least. Maybe tomorrow if the feeling is happening for a third day in a row…
Lucy races up the two front porch steps and flings open the door, nearly hitting Grandeeney who is walking by. "Oh, are you all right?" she asks with worry, stepping back onto the front porch.
"I'm fine," Grandeeney assures her, chuckling a bit. "Just a little jump scare."
"I'm sorry."
"So why the hurry?"
There is no way Lucy can tell her. She is not even one hundred percent sure someone is following her. She has yet to even catch someone actually doing that. She has only felt as though someone is watching her. "I was just excited to be here," she answers. "Big day for Natsu and all."
Grandeeney peers past her, looking outside for anything that might be off. "Is that so… ?" Then she makes eye contact with Lucy. "Well, come on in. No sense in leaving the door open with the AC on."
So Lucy steps over the threshold and moves to the side.
"Natsu is around here somewhere," Grandeeney says, closing the door behind her. "Last I knew he was out back."
"Then I'll look for him there first."
"Just listen for him being loud," Grandeeney suggests as Lucy walks away.
Lucy laughs. "That's the best way to find him!" She strolls into the kitchen, and someone squeals at her presence.
Levy stops cutting vegetables for the vegetable tray and sets the knife down. "Yay, you're here, Lu!" she says, making her way around the kitchen island to hug her.
Lucy had been in such a rush that she did not even notice Levy's car parked out front. "As if I'd miss this," she jokes, hugging back.
The dup breaks apart, and Lucy asks a question. "So why are you here early?" She is more than Gajeel is somewhere around as well.
"Gajeel and I offered to help get ready before two o'clock. What about you?"
"Same reason."
Levy nudges her playfully. "Or you can't get enough of your boyfriend…"
"The birthday boy boyfriend," Lucy playfully corrects.
"Speaking of him, I think he's up in his room."
"His room? Grandeeney said out back."
Levy shrugs. "Who knows by now where he actually is? But if Grandeeney said backyard, then I'd check there first."
"At least I know a second place if he's not there."
"I'm sure once he catches wind that you're here he'll find you."
Lucy laughs. "That sounds like Natsu!"
"I'll finish up in here, but go find him."
"Or have him find me," she jokes, walking towards the back door. She opens it and steps onto the wooden patio, closing the door behind her. It is easy to spot Natsu and Igneel standing by the grill as they clean it for later use.
Happy looks up from his curled up position on a cushioned chair and meows at her. He and Carla are both outdoor cats so it is not a surprise to find them outside. Although, they typically stay within the fenced in yard.
Natsu immediately whips his head around to look at Lucy, a grin already on his face. He is already wearing his fire themed swimming trunks and a black muscle shirt. "Luce!"
She is surprised. "How could you have possibly known it was me?" After all, he had his backed turned to her when she stepped outside. He seemed pretty positive it was her before he said her name.
"Happy meows a certain way when he sees you," he replies matter-of-factly, leaving Igneel's side to walk over to her.
"Oh." She knows he meows at her, but she never it was different than his normal meowing.
Natsu hugs her tightly before letting go and stepping back to give her some space.
"Hi, Lucy!" Igneel greets, waving from his spot.
She looks over at him. "Hey! Having fun?"
"I was until my son ran off," he teases.
"Pfft, Luce is waaay better than you, old man!" Natsu says.
"She's prettier, I'll give her that! Not by much, but still prettier than me!"
Lucy laughs. "Ain't that the truth?" Then she looks at Natsu, holding out his gift bag by the handles. Since she sucks at using wrapping paper, she always uses gift bags and tissue paper. Because of Natsu's birthday, she went with a red bag and black paper. It is a color combination she knows he loves. "Happy birthday."
Taking the bag, he gives her his best puppy dog eyes. "Can I open it now?"
She giggles. "If you want to. Like I'm going to tell the birthday boy he can't."
He lights up with a smile and leans in to kiss her right cheek. "You're the best, Luce!"
"There's no card," Lucy says as he digs through the tissue paper.
He pulls out the frame first, softly smiling at him. Then he makes eye contact with her. "I'm sure I have a few photos in mind already that I wanna use for this."
"Do whatever you want. It's your gift after all."
"Thanks, Luce. I love it."
"Oh, there's one more." She takes the frame from him so he can use his free hand to grab it.
Slightly surprised, he reaches in and pulls out the tiara. His eyes light up as he grins from ear to ear. "I'm wearing this all day!"
"Wearing what?" Igneel asks, turning so he can see.
Natsu proudly puts the tiara on his head and faces his dad.
Igneel cracks up. "I'm stealing that when it's my birthday!"
He dramatically gasps. "No way! It's mine!"
"Didn't we teach you to share?"
"Yeah, but this is from Luce! So it's off limits!" Then Natsu looks back at Lucy, still smiling. "I love them. So much. And I'm gonna rock this tiara."
She laughs. "I'm glad you like them."
Natsu holds open the bag so she can safely drop the frame inside.
"Oh, do you need to change or anything?"
She blanks out for a moment. "Change?"
"Are you wearing your bikini under your clothes?"
She holds up the plastic bag. "I still have to change." She did debate putting her bikini on under her clothes earlier, but in the end just tossed it in a bag along with a towel.
"You can change in my room then."
"It better not be a mess…" Lucy shudders at the thought of the last time she saw it.
"It's better now. Promise."
She hopes he means it.
"I'll put this"-he raises the bag slightly-"away while you change. Sounds good?"
"Sounds like a plan."
So the duo enters the house and goes different ways because of their differing destinations. Lucy hears Levy burst into a fit of later and assumes she must have seen Natsu's tiara. When she reaches Natsu's room, she cautiously opens the door, mentally preparing herself for the state it might be in.
Her jaw drops open when she sees it. It is clean. The most clean she has ever seen it. Newly vacuumed. No clothes on the floor or hanging off of furniture. Everything is in its proper place. "Wow…" she murmurs, shutting and locking the door behind her.
She notices something taped to one of Natsu's closet doors and walks over to read it. The piece of paper says "open at own risk" in Natsu's handwriting. Lucy muses that he tossed whatever was remaining in there.
Then she steps over to his neatly made bed and tosses the plastic bag onto it. Just as she is reaching for the hem of her tank top, she stops when something catches her eye. Resting on his nearby nightstand is a framed, eight by ten photo that is black and white. Lucy instantly recognizes the image she is looking at. It is from the shoot she did with Natsu for the perfume add. He is stealing a peek at her while half of her face is visible.
Lucy cannot stop the smile from forming on her lips. Although, she is surprised that he has not mentioned a single word about it before to her. Of course, she will have to ask him about it later.
x-X-x
With the sun shining down, the shindig is well under way. True to his word, Natsu is still wearing his tiara. He even refused to let Gray wear it when he asked to try it on.
Currently, Lucy and Erza are sitting on poolside chairs, making pleasant conversation.
"Wow, who would have guessed that's how you and Natsu met?" Lucy muses, still wrapping her head around the story she just heard.
Erza nods. "Even to this day it's a precious memory of mine."
Lucy will be sure to ask Natsu if he feels the same way about what had happened in the past.
"So, Lucy…" Erza begins slowly, a little smile on her face as she thinks.
"Yes?"
"I take it your friend from a couple of days ago will not be coming?"
She makes a mental note to text Jellal that Erza asked about him. "No, not today."
Her smile deflates a little. "Another time perhaps."
Lucy nods eagerly. "Definitely. I'm sure Jellal would love that."
"That's good to know."
Dripping wet, Levy walks over to the duo and takes the empty seat next to Levy. "I can't keep up with those guys!"
"Especially when they're in the deep end…" Lucy teases.
Levy makes a face at her.
"Shall I defend your honor, Levy?" Erza inquires, sitting up a little. "After all, your fiancé didn't even bother to."
She considers it, a devious smirk growing on her lips. "If you don't mind..."
So Erza takes off her sun hat and sets it down on the little table where her cell phone is. "Time to face my wrath!" Then she jumps into the pool where the guys are.
They scramble out of the way, hoping they do not fall victim to her. They all know she will not show mercy.
Natsu is able to scramble out of the pool before she can lay a hand on him. He is either graced with luck, or perhaps Erza did not target him first considering today is his day. When he stands up, he touches his tiara to ensure he is still wearing it. Then he walks over to Lucy and Levy, claiming Erza's empty seat.
"Who sicced that monster on us?" he pants, eyes still wide as his heart returns to a normal beating pattern.
Levy crosses her arms under her chest. "You all deserved it."
"Hey, I didn't do anything to you!" Natsu points out to defend himself.
"You encouraged the guys," Lucy comments.
Levy nods. "Exactly. So you still took part."
"O-oi, Shrimp!" Gajeel calls as he is stuck in a headlock, courtesy of Erza. "Call her off of–" His head disappears underwater in bubbles.
"A few more dunks and I think he'll be good," Levy tells Erza.
Of course, she gets right to work.
"She's scary…" Natsu breathes, then looks at Lucy. "You'll protect me from her, right?"
She shrugs. "Maybe."
"Maybe?"
"Did I stutter?"
He gulps.
Out of nowhere, Erza is standing before Natsu, glaring down at him with arms crossed under her chest. "Did you dry off before sitting down?" she asks coldly. Although, it is obvious he did not due to the dripping puddle beneath him.
He gulps. "Shit."
"Food's ready!" Igneel hollers, unknowingly saving his son's life.
"No fighting while eating!" Natsu tells Erza. "That's a rule we have, right? So it activates now!" His hopes rise that he is safe… for now.
"Then prepare yourself for after." She bends down and leans in just to intimate Natsu before she grabs her hat. "Until then."
Natsu finally exhales a big breath when she walks away. He holds a hand over his heart. "I think I just lost a few years…" he says in a shaky voice.
"Serves you right," Levy comments.
"Wh-what did I even do?" he stutters.
"You sat your wet butt down on her seat," Lucy replies. "Duh."
"Come on, Lu," Levy says, standing up. "Let's get some food together!"
Natsu is quick to stand up and hold Lucy's left hand with his right. "Hey, no stealing my girlfriend from me. Especially when I'm right here!"
Levy makes a face at him. "Fine, just for today. But it's your fault that we met."
He rolls his eyes. "Yeah, yeah…" Then he gives Lucy's hand a gentle squeeze. "Too bad that I met her first."
"All because of pizza," Lucy comments.
"A stuffed crust pizza topped off with mushrooms, cheese, and pep," Natsu corrects.
Lucy smiles, actually finding it sweet that he remembers that order from months ago.
x-X-x
Now it is dark out and fireflies are glowing in the backyard, acting like little beacons of light. All because Natsu loves flames, there is a nice fire in the fire pit courtesy of his handiwork. Currently, Lucy is in the middle of Gray and Levy. Lucy had left a space for Natsu, but Gray took it because Juvia wanted the free chair next to him so they could be together.
Satisfied with fire for now, Natsu turns around and sees his spot has since been taken. Taking matters into his own hands, he walks over to Lucy and stands in front of her. Without a word, he picks her up with ease.
"Wh-what are you doing?" she squeaks in surprise. "Put me down!"
He simply sits down and lets her sit on his lap. He wraps his arms around her waist, keeping her in place. For a final touch, he places a chaste kiss to the skin of her left shoulder.
Accepting her fate, not that Lucy is complaining about it, she snuggles in to get comfortable.
"You good there, Flame Brain?" Gray snickers.
"Perfectly happy, Ice Princess," he replies.
"Oh, Juvia wants cuddles, too!" Then she stands up to promptly sit on her boyfriend's lap.
In turn, Gray adjusts so they both can be comfortable as he tries to hide his bashful expression. He is not one for public displays of affection, and only Juvia sees his sweet side.
Grandeeney and Wendy bring out supplies for s'mores. "Who's ready for Natsu's favorite campfire treat?" Grandeeney asks.
"I bet that I'll eat the most!" Natsu announces.
"You're on!" Gajeel says.
"Juvia believes Gray will win!" she voices.
"I doubt it," Gray mumbles. "He's an eating machine when it comes to s'mores."
Lucy looks around at the faces illuminated by the dancing flames, taking in the moment. She is surrounded by good company and is having a good time because of all of them. Best of all, she is with her caring boyfriend. Who can ask for more?
A/N: Longer chapter than normal to say thank you for those who nominated CAF for The Favorite Fairy Tail Fanfiction 2016! To say the least, I was surprised to be informed that it's in the running for that title :D Some info down below about it!
**EXCITING NEWS BELOW**
So pucksabrinadaphne from FFnet informed me that Cute As Fuck has been nominated for The Favorite Fairy Tail Fanfiction 2016! It's already made it to the Primary Round! It would mean a lot to me for you guys to go and vote for me if you enjoy CAF :D
If y'all go to their page, you can find the information there under The Favorite Fairy Tail Fanfiction 2016 story! On their fourth page, you can see all of the stories you're able to vote for! You're allowed to vote up to 4 stories, and I'd love to have one of those votes if you do decide to do up to 4! Oh, and I suggest PMing pucksabrinadaphne on FFnet to place your vote! (voting will end August 9)
Thanks in advance :D
~RayreeAnne
Jessyka Lyn: That's what my fiancé says! I made Natsu do what he did. Start with the first half and then add on XD
Anon: Eyy, thanks :D Next arc will be coming up next chapter! (psst, that tiara does exist in real life!) Gah, I liked having Capricorn for that role XD And thank you so much for reading :D
Anonymous: Gah, that's great to hear :D I'm happy you're enjoying this work so far! Omg, I feel honored you think that of my work! Thank you!
Guest: Um, tbh, I haven't thought about those ships. Perhaps. I'm open for it if they happen! But yay, I'm glad you like it so far :D Thanks for reading! Ha, punny of you to say!
Phoenix Deity: Woo, I'm happy you like it so far :D Gah, I do love me some humor! It's fun to write it, too! I'm still debating when to reveal who's been following Lucy… I'm sure the moment will come to me!
Guest: I try writing/updating on my off days. Typically Saturday evening to Monday is my window. But sometimes life happens or I work Mondays (like I did today). I try making time to write/update when I can.
