Welcome back my lovelies, couldn't leave you guys hanging like that now could I?
As always, Hiro Mashima owns all.
Hope you guys like this chapter! Don't worry... It's not the last!
Much Love,
BlackRose999
"Just" Friends?
Chapter Seven: Freedom
Timeskip - One Month Later
Lucy was avoiding him.
She barely spoke to him, looked close to tears when he tried to strike up a conversation to break the mind-fucking silence between them, and often isolated herself to her room when he was home. She choreographed with him for their next concert, acted like nothing was wrong with friends, and put on a 'Public Face' for everyone else. To be fair he was no better, he avoided her too and often averted his eyes because he couldn't hide the shame and despair on his face when he looked at the thought of what he'd done to her.
He could see her bottle every emotion, shoving and locking away each negative reaction in public, and he knew she was a timebomb.
He needed to make her explode… Before she blew up in public and ruined herself.
He could hear her at night sometimes, crying herself to sleep or making herself sick. She took to taking more baths to hide the effects of her tears on her perfect skin. She was a wreck, he was too but he could hide it better, and finally, he couldn't take it anymore.
"I don't see the problem here. We're over, I don't have to deal with his ego anymore, and now everyone knows he's a lying, manipulative asshole. I NEVER cheated on him, he fabricated that story to replace me with that whore Lucy Heartfilia…" Lisanna scoffed during her interview as one of the newest Top Models in Fiore, trying to do as much damage as she could to the bitch that had bruised and blackened her face. She'd had to turn down gigs for almost a month before she could hide it with makeup enough to seem normal.
"So he lied?" The host asked hesitantly, knowing her volatile nature.
"Of course he did!" Lisanna screeched, then immediately backed off and smiled pleasantly, "I mean… why would I lie?" Natsu stared at the screen before him, dumbfounded. Lisanna had just dealt a potentially devastating shadow on Lucy's newfound stardom. And if they didn't do some serious PR Control they'd lose both Lucy and the band to a 'scandal' Lisanna could potentially sue them for.
'Fucking bitch… Alright. Lucy first. Lisanna can eat crow later.' He thought worriedly.
Lucy was getting ready for their concert, locked away in her dressing room putting on her sexily scandalous outfit. Without thinking he burst in and slammed the door shut. "Lucy I-" He stopped to see her half-naked with her head in her hands, seemingly praying with tears streaming down her cheeks. At the sound of the door she startled and quickly wiped under her eyes, then when she saw who it was she sagged once more and went back to praying. She wasn't religious, he knew that for a fact, but the sight of her praying because of what he'd done to them hurt like hell.
"Lucy… Forgive me."
"There's nothing to forgive," she replied woodenly, all expression gone from her face. "We agreed on this." He walked over to her and spun her chair around, making her flinch and letting him smell a faint wisp of alcohol on her breath, "Damnit Lucy look at yourself! Look at what our 'agreement' is doing to you! To us!" Finally, he got what he was looking for, a reaction. "Us?... US? There IS no us! You made that so fucking clear that night! I'm sorry this hits me harder than it does you but fuck you for making me out to be the bad guy because I'm taking steps to deal with my feelings for you!"
"I never said I didn't have feelings for you!"
"You may as well have! What the hell else was I supposed to think when you say 'I need to sort out how I feel'? Fuck Natsu!" She paced back and forth, running a hand through her hair and trying hard not to smack him senselessly. "I knew you were dense but goddamn it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out 'do I like this girl or don't I?'!" His hand suddenly lashed out and slapped her, hard. He wore an expression of rage she'd never seen before, and suddenly she flew at him, she wanted to hurt him, maim him, anything to make him feel how she was feeling.
But she'd had a drink or two, and he hadn't.
He grabbed her wrists and slammed her to the floor, covering her mouth with his when she screamed obscenities at him, slowly she kissed him back. Devouring him the way he did her. A knock on the door pulled them apart with a gasp, and a voice called out "You're on in five!" He quickly climbed off her and pulled her up, holding her face in his hands. "I never said I didn't love you, I never said I didn't have feelings. I said I didn't know what I was feeling at the time. I love you. I want you. I fucking need you, Lucy."
He kissed the top of her forehead as tears once again streamed down her face. "Come back. Come home and stay with me." She nodded and motioned for him to leave. "I gotta get dressed… Oh, and Natsu?" She called as he started to leave. "I'm sorry for the song I'm about to sing. I can't change it now."
He nodded. He understood.
Lucy stood in the mirror, eyeing her makeup and making sure her tears and racing heart couldn't be seen. She wore a sensual gold studded black bralette, and matching gold-embroidered black short-shorts. Her feet were covered in black heels with gold bottoms and she wore gold jewelry to complete the look. She looked dark, dangerous, and seductive. She nodded and walked out past Natsu, who eyed her to gauge her mental state, and took her place laying on her back center stage. The sensual Indian-ish music started and she slowly eased herself up into a standing position, then in unison with her dancers, she began to move her hips and hands like a belly dancer, slowly bringing her hands up her face and beginning to sing.
Nobody believes me when I tell them that you're out of your mind
Nobody believes me when I tell them that there's so much you hide
You treat me like a queen when we go out
Wanna show everyone what our love's about
All wrapped up in me whenever there is a crowd
But when no ones around…
She slowly walked up and grasped the hand of the male lead. He pulled her up the rest of the way and held her leg up around his waist in a 'lover's embrace'. He then gripped her hair and pulled it back, prompting her to begin the verse.
There's no kindness in your eyes, the way you look at me, it's just not right
I can tell what's going on this time, there's a stranger in my life
You're not the person that I once knew, are you scared to let them know it's you?
If they could only see you like I do… Then they would see a stranger too
He spun her around and dipped her, like a kind man would their beloved partner, and then pulled her back to him and wrapped his hands suggestively around her body.
She pulled away from him and walked toward the crowd, slowly and softly singing.
Did I ever do anything that was this cruel to you?
Did I ever make you wonder who was standing in the room?
You made yourself look perfect in every way
So, when this goes down, I'm the one that will be blamed
Your plan is working, so you can just walk away… Baby, your secret's safe
Natsu bit his lip and took a breath. She didn't mean it anymore, maybe she did a little, but not nearly as much as she did now.
There's no kindness in your eyes, the way you look at me, it's just not right
I can tell what's going on this time, there's a stranger in my life
You're not the person that I once knew, are you scared to let them know it's you?
If they could only see you like I do… Then they would see a stranger too
She slowly sank to her knees, gripping her hair like she was in pain.
Such a long way back from this place we are at
When I think of all the time I've wasted, I could cry
She suddenly jumped up and made eye contact with Natsu on the side of the stage, looking crestfallen but remaining out of sight. For a moment, her heart broke, and then it reformed as the last verse belted out.
There's no kindness in your eyes, the way you look at me, it's just not right
I can tell what's going on this time, there's a stranger in my life
You're not the person that I once knew, are you scared to let them know it's you?
If they could only see you like I do… Then they would see a stranger too!
She ended the song and half-smiled at the crowd, then blew them a kiss and let Natsu take the stage, avoiding his hand when it reached out to brush hers. He smiled softly and began.
(Bold: Natsu, Italics: Backup Vocals)
(I'm an angel with a shotgun, shotgun, shotgun
An angel with a shotgun, shotgun, shotgun)
The click-click of a gun made her whip around, staring at him in shock before realizing it was part of the music. Strangely, she found she couldn't turn away from him as he sang.
Get out your guns, battles' begun, are you a saint, or a sinner?
If loves a fight, then I shall die, with my heart on a trigger
They say before you start a war, you'd better know what you're fighting for
Well baby, you are all that I adore, if love is what you need, a soldier I will be
I'm an angel with a shotgun
Fighting til' the wars won, I don't care if heaven won't take me back
I'll throw away my faith, babe, just to keep you safe
Don't you know you're everything I have?
And I, wanna live, not just survive, tonight
He eyed her as he sang, gauging her reactions, and he was pleasantly surprised to see her enraptured by his song. He pressed further, hoping the words would reach her.
Sometimes to win, you've got to sin, don't mean I'm not a believer
And major Tom will sing along, yeah, they still say I'm a dreamer
They say before you start a war
You better know what you're fighting for
Well baby, you are all that I adore
If love is what you need, a soldier I will be
I'm an angel with a shotgun
Fighting til' the wars won, I don't care if heaven won't take me back
I'll throw away my faith, babe, just to keep you safe
Don't you know you're everything I have?
And I, wanna live, not just survive, tonight
He walked toward the side of the stage, toward her, before checking himself and stopping. He dropped his voice to a soft tone, one he often used when they were together at home.
Oh, oh whoa whoa oh whoa
I'm an angel with a shotgun
Fighting til' the wars won
I don't care if heaven won't take me back
He whipped back around and faced the raging crowd, hyping them up further.
I'm an angel with a shotgun
Fighting til' the wars won
I don't care if heaven won't take me back
I'll throw away my faith, babe, just to keep you safe
Don't you know you're everything I have?
(I'm an angel with a shotgun)
And I, want to live, not just survive, tonight
(Live, not just survive)
And I'm gonna hide, hide, hide my wings tonight
He dropped his voice low again, this time openly singing to her.
They say before you start a war, you'd better know what you're fighting for
Well baby, you are all that I adore, if love is what you need, a soldier I will be…
When the song ended, she realized she'd cried a little. So she discreetly wiped under her eyes and tossed her hair out of her face. She stepped out under the stage lights and waited for Natsu so they could sing their final song, he had her join him center stage. It was a duet, and it seemed to fit their situation completely. Probably compliments of Levy. He walked toward her slowly, feeling the music as it began.
(Bold: Natsu, Italics: Lucy, Both: Duet)
Been sitting eyes wide open behind these four walls, hoping you'd call
It's just a cruel existence like there's no point hoping at all…
He reached out and touched her face, hearing a soft sigh and her leaning into his touch as he rubbed her cheek with his thumb. And intimate gesture that didn't go unnoticed by the crowd as murmuring began.
Baby, baby, I feel crazy
Up all night, all night, and every day
Give me something, oh, but you say nothing
What is happening to me?
I don't wanna live forever, 'cause I know I'll be living in vain
And I don't wanna fit wherever
I just wanna keep calling your name, until you come back home
I just wanna keep calling your name, until you come back home
I just wanna keep calling your name, until you come back home
She walked away from him, hiding a teardrop and running her fingers through her hair.
I'm sitting eyes wide open, and I got one thing stuck in my mind
Wondering if I dodged a bullet or just lost the love of my life, oh
She turned back to him and shook her head, she looked at him pleadingly. No longer singing for the crowd.
Baby, baby, I feel crazy
Up all night, all night, and every day
I gave you something, but you gave me nothing
What is happening to me?
I don't wanna live forever, 'cause I know I'll be living in vain
And I don't wanna fit (fit, baby) wherever (wherever)
They walked back to each other and joined their fingers together as they started the next verse.
I just wanna keep calling your name, until you come back home
I just wanna keep calling your name, until you come back home
I just wanna keep calling your name, until you come back home
Lucy looked down, her eyes brimming with tears, and she had to bite back a sob.
I've been looking sad in all the nicest places
Baby, baby, I feel crazy
I see you around in all these empty faces
Up all night, all night, and every day
I've been looking sad in all the nicest places
Give me something, oh, but you say nothing
Now I'm in a cab, I tell 'em where your place is!
What is happening to me?
I don't wanna live forever, 'cause I know I'll be living in vain
And I don't wanna fit wherever
I just wanna keep calling your name, until you come back home
I just wanna keep calling your name, until you come back home
Until you come back home…
He stood on the stage, staring out to the sea of cheering fans, screaming men and women who couldn't get enough of them. And then resolve hit him. "Lucy. Come here." Stopping her as she moved to walk away, he watched as confusion filled her, but at the crook of his finger, she obeyed. He closed the distance with speed, pulling her into a very happily reciprocated kiss. The crowd went wild as they kissed on stage, knowing the cameras were rolling and that Lisanna was likely watching, and screaming in rage.
He kissed her like he was begging for forgiveness because he was. He'd put her through hell, for nothing. He kissed her like she was air and he was a drowning man. When he pulled away, he took her hand and turned to the crowd. "I have a confession to make. I've been in love with this girl for the entirety of our friendship, so roughly three years," Both him and the crowd laughed while Lucy bit her lip and looked down, embarrassed. "And I made the biggest mistake of my life a month ago. I told her I wasn't sure how I felt about her when I knew I wasn't being honest."
Lucy gripped his hand a little tighter, feeling her anxiety growing. He wasn't going to do… that… was he? To her obvious relief, he firmly stated "I love you, and goddamnit I'm tired of hiding it. Be with me for real Lucy." Not trusting herself enough to speak, she nodded and kissed him, feeling tears drip down her face.
They were finally… finally, coming clean.
Songs in Order:
'Stanger' by Hillary Duff
'Angel with a Shotgun' by The Cab
'I Don't Wanna Live Forever' by ZAYN/Taylor Swift
