Chapter 9
After a few minutes of running, Natsu has finally viewed the apartment of his best friend. With his unnoticed growing smiling on his face, he quickens his sprint and soon enough he stands before the door and rings the doorbell.
Without a minute wasting, Lucy quickly opens the door and glares instantly at the newly arrived visitor.
"Hurry up," Lucy hissed as she pulls Natsu inside the apartment. Despite being surprised of being pulled inside immediately, Natsu somehow anticipated a panicking blonde.
"Okay, calm down already. I'm here" Natsu said, once Lucy let goes off his wrist and allowed him to take off his shoes and change into a home slipper
"Natsu, what are we going to do? Your grandma is here" Lucy asked in panic
"Let's just play it cool. If you're too nervous, she might see you through" Natsu replied finally standing in his full height before smiling to the blonde, "So relax"
"How can I relax Natsu when practically your grandmother went straight to me instead of yours or aunt Grandine's!" Lucy said furiously but in a whispering voice
"Well, you have to calm down because grandma is very good in seeing through people" Natsu then began to grab Lucy by the shoulder and gave a soft squeeze to her shoulder to lessen the tension
"Aren't you nervous at all?" Lucy asked in confusion as she secretly enjoyed the free massage
"Seeing my grandmother, nope. But lying to her, a little" Natsu then shrugs off his nervousness as she continued to massage Lucy by the shoulder
Before Lucy could even comment back, a very distinct voice suddenly spoke which made Lucy and Natsu freeze for a second.
"Why are you people taking so long there?!"
Natsu and Lucy suddenly looked at one another but Lucy was the one to react first, "She's coming"
Natsu then nodded to Lucy before saying, "I got this,"
And just as he said that he saw his grandmother walk into them. So quickly acting into the situation, Natsu slightly moved to make sure his grandmother was going to see what he would be doing. And just in time he moved, his grandma looked up and saw him.
With Porlyusica's attention now, Natsu quickly leans towards Lucy and pecked her lips. It was brief and short, but it caught Lucy off guard. She wasn't able to understand fully how and why Natsu suddenly kissed her. It wasn't the first time for him to do that because they were once dared to kiss during Juvia's birthday party. But this was the first time Natsu would kiss her intentionally with no one telling them to do so.
"Oh, grandma!" Natsu quickly chimed after a brief glance to a surprised blonde
"Ay, you brat humans showing so much affection to the point it's disgusting!" Porlyusica exclaimed when Natsu finally faced her
"Oh come on grandma! I know you missed me!" Natsu then began to walk closer to the older pink-haired elder, with his arms open, asking for a hug
"Ay! You big brat, stop being too cuddly!" Porlyusica said as she showed her disgusted look towards Natsu, but the young man was not fazed by his grandmother's reaction. Instead, it just made him want to hug her even more. And so, when he was an arm away, he quickly enveloped his grandmother in a tight hug and squeezed the life out of her.
"Oh, grandma! I missed you!" Natsu cooed as he tightens his grip
"Ya! Let go of me you brat!" Porlyusica said as she tried to loosen the grip of her grandson but when it wouldn't budge, she tried to reach anything near and lucky enough she was able to get a bundle of newspaper. Soon enough she started hitting Natsu's tight grip on her
"Ah!" Natsu squealed in surprise when he felt a soft slap to his arm, then the slapping went on and made him let go of his grandmother. Soon enough, the slapping of the paper went on to his head and that made him back away from his grandmother and hid behind Lucy, who was suddenly snapped out of her disorientation, "Luce! Protect me!"
"Wha-woah!" Lucy suddenly ducked as a flying newspaper flew towards her
"You big brat, I said I hate too much cuddling!" Porlyusica then huffed in annoyance as she sent daggers to the young adults
"Gomen, grandma!" Natsu then foolishly grin to his grandma
Sighing in exasperation, Porlyusica suddenly shook her head and walked back to the living room. When the elder was gone, Lucy curiously looked at Natsu who just grinned back at her, "She's good now..."
"Are you sure? I think you just made it worse" Lucy then raised her brow at the man who scratched his head in embarrassment
"Ehh...I hope not" and with that Natsu took Lucy's hand and entwines it. Without having the chance to protest, Lucy was suddenly pulled towards the living room, wherein Porlyusica was patiently waiting for them.
"Um, hello again obaasan (grandma)..." Lucy shyly greeted as she and Natsu stood before her
"What are you two standing for? Sit down, you're making my neck hurt looking up" Porlyusica said which made the two quickly follow the order of the elder
"Hai..." They said as they took the couch
As they were all seated, no one quickly initiated the conversation. Lucy and Natsu didn't want to begin the talking because it would just be a way to catch them lying, and so they waited for the elder to begin her asking.
Soon enough, after the long stare and agonizing silence, Porlyusica cleared her throat and looked at Natsu, "So you're engaged..."
"Hai, sobo (grandma)" Natsu then grinned to his grandmother
"Since when? You're mother never mentioned that you were in a relationship" Porylusica then cocks her head sideways as she suspiciously looked back at the adults
"Ha-ha-ha...well, okasan didn't know as well" Natsu then rubbed his neck as he felt embarrassed
"Grandine didn't know? How is that possible? When it comes to her children, she is always the first person to know" Porlyusica then narrows her gaze to her grandson who suddenly swallowed hard, "Unless this is fake"
"Iie!" Natsu quickly countered as he and Lucy's eyes widen in fear. The elder's suspiciousness suddenly just grew as she observed the couple, "I mean...this is real," Natsu then entwined his hand to Lucy and stared at her in the eyes, and continued, "I'm marrying her..."
Without control, Lucy suddenly blushed at the sweet affection Natsu was showing to her in front of his grandmother. Despite being aware that everything was just for show, she couldn't stop the feeling of butterflies in her stomach as she stares back at Natsu's gaze.
"Funny," Porlyusica suddenly said, snapping the two out of their staring contest, "just when I gave you the ring, you suddenly tell us that your getting married"
"Oh...well, I guess I took it as a sign to ask her to marry me" Natsu then looked back at the flustered blonde, "Planning a wedding proposal took us quite a rocky road"
With what Natsu said, Lucy couldn't help but agree after recalling the ridiculous made up proposal story they made.
"So, you're the brat of Jude and Layla" Porlyusica suddenly asked as she changed the topic. And with that change of topic, Lucy quickly looked at elder and stunned gazed back.
"U-u-um...y-yes, obaasan," Lucy said as she nodded
"Why are you stuttering? Are you nervous?" Porlyusica suddenly questioned which stiffened the blonde
"u-um..."
"Oh, sobo, don't be mean to my fiancee" Natsu childishly cooed as he rubbed the backhand of Lucy to his cheek, "Nat-"
"Shut up brat! I'm not talking to you!" The elder scolded, making Natsu cringe behind Lucy
"Anyways," Porlyusica continued after sighing and shaking her head in disbelief, "how old are you?"
"I-I'm-"
"She's 28, sobo" Natsu suddenly answered for Lucy, which irked the elder but she tried to control her anger
"So, I guess you're both in the right age to make decisions such as marriage. I heard you're a magna cum laude" Porlyusica then looked at Lucy with interest
"Ah, ye-"
"Yeah! She's so smart that her grade nearly reaches a Summa" Natsu then chuckled as he glanced at Lucy who just smiled back in embarrassment
"Is that so?" Porlyusica asked again, though it was said in a venomous intonation
"Hai..." Lucy nodded as she looked back at the elder, "I had this low score in chemistry that I nearly failed the exam and it quite pulled down my grades."
"Well, I assume science is not your favorite subject" Porlyusica was then about to smile but then she heard the voice of her grandson again
"Yeah, she hates it!" Natsu chuckles before glancing at Lucy who softly slaps him in the arm, "She's good in almost all subjects except science, specifically chemistry. Lucky for her, I'm always her lab partner"
"So when will you stop butting in?" Porlyusica suddenly said deadpan, leaving the two silent until Natsu asked, "Why are you asking Lucy to stop butting in if you keep asking her questions?"
"I meant you, brat!" The elderly bellowed furiously making Natsu cringe again behind Lucy and this time he apologized as he zipped his mouth
"Good..." The woman then sighed, "You know, you talk endlessly like your father"
"Hey-"
"Amp!" Porlyusica then glares at Natsu as if to threaten him as she signaled to him to keep his mouth shut and as a response, he nodded and zipped his lips again
"So," The two women then looked at one another and the elderly continued to ask, "What is your degree?"
"I'm a graduate of bachelor of arts in journalism major in English literature" Lucy proudly answered
"From what school?"
"Magnolia De Fiore University"
After Lucy answered, Natsu suddenly raised his hand as if he was to recite in class, "What?" Porlyusica annoyingly asked
"Aren't you the new dean in MDFU for the school of medicine?" Natsu proudly asked
"Yes, that is why I'm here, 'cause all the deans will be having a meeting tomorrow"
"That's great! I heard Wendy is planning to apply for medicine" Lucy then looked at Natsu proudly
"Yeah, and I'm planning to offer my apartment when she starts school here" Natsu and Lucy then smiled at one another until suddenly Porlyusica asked something
"You're apartment? Are you planning to buy a bigger house when you two get married?"
"Huh?" Lucy was suddenly struck that they were an 'engaged couple' and living together is one of the plans after marriage
"Yeah, somewhere near to our old home. It's cozy in that village, and besides close to the city as well" Natsu confidently answered despite the sudden question
As Lucy observed Natsu, she thought that Natsu pretty much had more details on their relationship as a fake couple than she does, who initiated the lie. But even if it was odd, she thought she just has to shrug it off and be grateful that everything was still going smooth.
"So, Lucy" the elder called out, making her snap out of her trance
"Huh?" Lucy exhaled as she snapped her gaze back to the older pink-haired woman
"With that Latin honors of yours and base from what school you came from, I'm assuming you're in a good place of work"
Lucy then shyly smiled as she nodded, "Yes, I believe so"
"You know-" Natsu started to butt in again but he was quickly stopped when Lucy pinched his thigh as soon as the poker face of the elder returned. Knowing what is best, he silently trailed off and imaginary zipped his mouth again
"Seeing you two together gives me the impression that..." Porlyusica then trails off making the two stiffen in anticipation, "Lucy has more common sense than you, Natsu"
"Oh, grandma! She does have a lot of common sense and I think she has a lot more than she should" Natsu then grins widely as Porlyusica stifled her laughter. In return, Lucy blushed and slaps Natsu by his legs but the man seems not to worry at all.
"Well, if that's the case, then it's good because you don't have much" and with that, Lucy and Porlyusica let themselves laugh as Natsu widens his eyes in surprise
"Hey!" Natsu expressed but the two women just continued to giggle
"I agree with you obaasan" and with that, Natsu pouted as he watched the two women of his life laugh at him
Despite being aware that she is late for work already, Lucy just shrugged it off because she had to deal with her current situation. She made breakfast for the three of them and soon they continued their talk in the small dining room.
"You seemed to be prepared to be a good wife..." Porlyusica commented after taking a bite to her breakfast. With that comment, Lucy couldn't help but blush and what made it worse when Natsu added, "that is why I always eat breakfast here"
Slowly taking her seat, Lucy tried her very best to shrug off the compliment but the idea just wouldn't leave her alone, knowing that they were like projecting the idea that they were totally ready to get married when in fact, they were not a real couple.
"May I see the ring?" Porlyusica suddenly asked as she extended her hand and waited for the blonde to offer her hand. Taken aback for the request, at first, Lucy calmed herself first before placing her hand on the engagement ring to the elder's grip.
Soon enough, the grandmother keenly observed the ring being worn by the blonde. She saw how perfect the ring fitted the slim finger of the blonde, and with that thought, she smiled to herself.
"Sobo," Natsu suddenly called as he watched his grandmother observed the ring, "I have a question"
"As long as it's sensible, go ask..." Porlyusica said as she brought the hand of Lucy closer to her gaze
"Lucy once told me that when she tried taking off the ring, she said she couldn't remove it at all, after " Natsu said as he moved closer to observe the ring as well, "Why's that?"
Looking up to her grandson, Porlyusica gave a curious look to the two. When Lucy realized what Natsu was trying to do, she quickly tried to follow his lead, "I wanted to take off the ring when I wanted to wash my hands. But no matter how I tried, the ring wouldn't come off, so I ended up washing my hands with the ring."
"Well, you shouldn't worry about the stones of the ring because they said it doesn't break nor fades its color. It's like a magical ring" Porlyusica said before placing the hand of the blonde back to the table. Lucy then takes her hand and pulled it close to her as she repeated the elder, "Magical ring? What do you mean?"
Sighing first, Porlyusica looked at the young adults and saw their curious look. And so, she began her story, "Back to the era when mages and dragons existed, there was once a mage who created a ring as a sign of love for his lover. When the mage proposed to his supposed lover, the woman accepted but later on told him that she can no longer do it for she didn't love him. And so when the mage was hurt, he cast a spell to the ring he once made. The spell was when the owner of the ring gives the ring to his lover and is easily removed by the woman, then the woman is not his eternal love. But if the ring is unremovable to the finger of the woman it would mean, that the owner of the ring has found his eternal love."
Hearing the myth story of the ring, Natsu and Lucy couldn't help but feel suspicious about the story. They were in a modern era already, and believing in magical stuff were very hard to believe. So, with the looks they were giving to the elder, Porlyusica just shrugs it off as she said, "Even if there is no proof for this myth to be real, I'd like to believe it is true. This world holds a million secrets, and who knows the truth of it all."
"Well, that's very...magical, " Lucy said after a long silence
"it is indeed..." Porlyusica then gently smiled to the blonde
Despite being a fan of fairy tales, Lucy couldn't bring herself to believe in such myth because if she did, she was like believing the idea that she is the eternal love of Natsu. It's not like she didn't want to after all her ideal man has something in common with him. But still, she finds it ridiculous to think that just because the ring wouldn't come off her finger it meant her best friend is like her soulmate.
"It's not to offend you obaasan, it's just that, magic stuff doesn't exist," Lucy said in a dismayed and embarrassed tone
"Oi Luce, out of all the people I know so well, it's you who I know who believes in happily ever after...which is close to magical experience" Natsu countered after hearing the blonde
"Yeah, I do believe in happily ever after, but things like this," Lucy then pointed at the ring, "it's not. I mean, seriously a mage would put on a spell on this beautiful ring? People make up stories and try to make people believe in things. And when things go wrong, they blame on the object that holds nothing magical"
"Believe what you want...whether the myth is true or not, the fact that the ring is on your finger, it means you and this brat will get married. And all the people around you hope for a happy marriage" Porlyusica then said and this somehow taken aback the two adults.
What the elderly said was true, that in an engaged couple, whether the ring that the soon-to-be-bride wears are a magical object or not, what is important is that the couple is strongly decided about their new life as a married couple. But the only thing that the grandmother was wrong about, was the ring meant nothing at all to them because the engagement is just for show. Her parents and Natsu's family may be hopeful for them in their 'marriage', but their friends know better, that this show would end even before the real wedding would even play.
"Anyways, I better go..." Porlyusica suddenly stood up, somehow startling the blonde, "Thank you, Lucy, for the breakfast"
"Oh that's nothing, obaasan" Lucy then stood up as she bowed her head
"I'll walk you to the door sobo" Natsu then stood up and took the handbag of his grandmother. Soon enough the two relatives were standing by the door and bid one another goodbye.
"See you around again grandma," Natsu said before attempting to hug the elderly
"Ay!" Porlyusica scowled at the gesture of the man, "Stop being so cuddly to me!"
"Oh come on grandma, you'll miss this brat hugging you!" Natsu teased as he attempted to hug the elder again but the same growl came from the woman, which made Natsu laugh, "Fine, fine...how about a kiss on the cheek?"
"Aish! Damare you spoiled brat!" Porlyusica then stepped down the stairs and headed to the waiting vehicle by the street. As for Natsu just chuckled as he watched his grandmother leave and sit inside her car
"I love you too grandma!" Natsu shouted before his grandmother closed the door. And just when the elder was about to close the door, the young pinkette saw the smile of his grandmother and soon, the vehicle left.
When Natsu returned to the dining area, the table was almost cleaned up except for the glasses. And so, Natsu took the glasses and headed to the kitchen, where Lucy was placing the dishes.
"That wasn't so bad..." Natsu said as he placed the glasses next to the dishes wherein Lucy was starting to scrub. When Lucy glanced at him, she just gave a half-hearted smile and said, "Yeah, I guess..."
"Well, at least we have an idea why that ring won't come off, " Natsu said as he leans to the counter and watched Lucy wash the dishes
"Yea, and it's because of a supernatural reason..." Lucy said as she shook her head
"You believe in magic..." Natsu said in a matter of fact tone, and Lucy suddenly looked at him
"Like I said, not to this kind of magic stuff...A magical experience, feelings, that is what I believe in..." Lucy then looked back to her task
"So you don't believe that I'm your infinity man?" Natsu asked, and with his question, Lucy suddenly froze. Slowly looking at him, she saw the seriousness of his face.
Trying to avoid to answer, she said back, "It's eternal love, not the infinite man..." Lucy then looked away, knowing that her face was beginning to heat up
"Whatever...so you don't believe that I'm your eternal love or infinite man?" Natsu asked again and this time, Lucy looked back at Natsu with a tint of pink on her cheeks already.
"Why? Do you believe in that myth?" Lucy asked trying to sound doubtful despite her blush
"I'd like to think so...just like grandma. And besides, why not? We're best friends" Natsu then grins to Lucy. With what Natsu said, Lucy was able to breathe again, realizing that Natsu was still somehow dense.
"I guess you just don't understand what the myth is all about" Lucy then turns off the water and headed close to the refrigerator to clean dry her hands. When she looked at Natsu again, he still had a serious face, "what?"
"I almost forgot," Natsu said before walking up to the blonde and suddenly hugged her. With the sudden embrace, Lucy was left stunned and left her arms dangling, unsure if she would return the hug, "U-uh...N-Natsu?"
"I'm sorry for last Saturday..." Natsu mumbled to Lucy's shoulder then he tightens, even more, his embrace, "I almost lost my wits thinking that you were mad at me..."
Hearing his apology, Lucy finally relaxed in his embrace and returned the hug. She began to tap his back and gave a soothing rub to his back. In return, Natsu just tightens his hold to her and mumbled sorry again.
"Don't feel so bad anymore..." Lucy said and then Natsu somehow pulled away to look at her, "I forgive you..."
"Really?" Natsu asked in excitement and Lucy shyly nodded
"I also would like to say sorry for dragging you into my own mess..." Lucy then looked down to her feet as she tightens her grip to his polo. Before she knows it, Natsu cupped her cheek and made her look back at him, "Hey, what are best friends for? And besides, I wouldn't want to see you pretend to get engage to another guy..."
"It's not like I'm really engaged..." Lucy then smiled at the pinkette who gave a pout back
"Still, what if some stupid guests would ask you to kiss the guy, that would trouble, " Natsu said in a matter of fact tone. But the moment he finished his sentence, he earned a slap, "Ow! What was that for?!"
"That was for stealing a kiss from me by the front door!" Lucy then stepped back from the man as she recalled the soft and warm lips. Unconsciously she brought her fingers to her lips and ran it across.
"It's not your first!" Natsu countered back
"Still!" Lucy then turns and heads back to her room as she felt her face all red
"Oi Luce! Where are you going?" Natsu asked as he watched the blonde walk away
"I'll be changing for work!" Lucy shouted back and soon a closing of the door was heard
When Lucy was all dressed up, she and Natsu both headed out for work. Since Natsu usually gets motion sickness when he's not the driver of the car, he insisted to the blonde that he would be the one driving her to her work.
And so, as they rode the vehicle, the two remained silent but it wasn't an awkward silence. The two seemed happy enough to know that they have apologized to one another already and that they were back to being their usual selves.
When Natsu reached the building of FairyTail, he neutralized the car and opened the vehicle. Soon enough, Lucy followed and switched places with the pinkette.
"Are you sure you don't want to borrow my car and just return it tonight?" Lucy asked as she stood by the door and Natsu was standing on the sidewalk already
"Nah, I'll just walk" Natsu then grinned to the blonde who nodded in acceptance
"Okay, take care" And with that Lucy lowered herself to enter the car but before she could Natsu called on to her again, "Yeah?" Lucy answered as she stood up straight
"Um, are you busy tonight?" Natsu asked
"Not really...why?" Lucy asked in confusion
"How about we grab some dinner tonight together and talk...you know, about what really happened last Saturday and today..." Natsu said as he bashfully rubbed his neck
Before Lucy could reply, she closed the door to her car and walked towards the pink-haired man. Confused at first why Lucy closed her car and left it, he finally realized what Lucy was about to say when he saw her smiling face.
"Well then, since we are an engaged couple, I think it's best if you drive my car and pick me up here at work later by 6pm so that people wouldn't suspect" and with that Lucy kissed Natsu on the cheek and left to enter the building.
When Natsu finally snapped out of his trance, he ran his hand to his cheek where Lucy kissed him and gave a goofy smile to himself. And with that, he walked to the car and entered it to drive himself to work. As he drove, he reminded himself, 6pm pick up Luce for our date...
To be continued
