The loud thud of another box of books being unceremoniously dropped on my bedroom floor startled me out of my thoughts of Thursday night. I looked up to see Cana taking a swig of whatever liquor she put in her flask today as Erza and Wendy filed in behind her with the last two boxes. With all the boxes now on my floor and waiting to be unloaded, I realize the shelf space in my room may be inadequate.
Since he took the entire week off to make sure I was doing alright and accompany me to the botched police interview, Natsu had to go to the office this morning to take care of a mountain of paperwork. He tried to push it off until Monday, but Gray had threatened to bring it all here, so he left as soon as the girls were through the door, knowing he doesn't need to hover over me at all hours of the day - and not wanting to intrude upon my "girl time."
We talked about how each of their weeks went as we unloaded my books and arranged them on the shelves. Wendy started an overloaded schedule at Magnolia University this week, working hard to become a doctor. Cana spent her week evaluating the chemical imbalances in the soil and water to figure out what may be causing problems for a local winery. Erza started a new assignment as a PI, investigating some corporation - which she can't name due to confidentiality issues - for unspecified shady dealings.
And then they got to me. Thanks to Erza and Jellal coming to my rescue, the other two already know about my concussion, and have been impatiently awaiting the details of life in the penthouse - all three were happy to hear how much I love my room. Once again, I left a few things out. My crazy friends don't really need to know about the kissing or the date - Natsu and I haven't really talked about whatever it is we have right now, and until we do, I don't want to share with these three gossips. Though, with the looks they're sharing, it seems they've already caught on to the fact that I've left things out, and are just waiting for an opening.
"You're leaving things out again, Lucy," Cana sing-songed. "Dad told me he saw you and Natsu just two days ago and that Natsu was going to take you on a date."
Fuck.
Erza and Wendy perked up at this new piece of information, though they seemed a little less believing than they had on Sunday.
"Dad?" I don't recall ever meeting Cana's dad, but maybe he recognized Natsu while we were out and described me? Who the hell knows; my life is getting so fucking strange these days.
"Yeah. Gildarts Clive - he said he's your lawyer and is taking the lead on anything and everything to do with Bora. He also said you've had some problems with the cops being jerks, and he'll be taking care of them as well."
"Oh."
Gods. Fucking. Dammit. Can't anything be private around here? Just one fucking thing...that's all I want, just one thing to stay out of their ears until I'm ready for them to know.
"Yep. So, how was the date?"
"And how did that happen? I thought you said you were just friends?" Thanks for that, Wendy, super helpful. I never should have encouraged her to join our gossip sessions when she got to high school; it's biting me in the ass hard.
"It...it wasn't. I mean, we're...It's just," I paused in my denial, uncertain of what to say or even if I wanted to say it. I like Natsu, so what harm is there in telling my closest friends? Aside from the possible gloating. And the digging for details. And all of them hounding me about it until the day I die. A defeated groan escapes me as I flop myself down on my bed. "The date was good."
"Are you going to do this willingly," Erza began, "or do we need to drag the details out of you?"
"Willingly," I sigh as I sit up and grab a pillow to hug against my chest. The girls pile on my bed with me, sitting like kids at storytime, and I can't help but smile at them. It was so easy for me to forget how much they all care about me when I isolated myself. Maybe this is the chance I needed to make up for all the time I lost. "Where should I start?"
"Outfit choice," Cana prompted. "Did you wear something sexy for him?"
"Cana," I huff at her, not dignifying her question with a proper answer. I'd say she had a one-track mind, but really, it's all about sex and booze. "He didn't tell me where he was taking me, just suggested that I dress comfortably and wear sensible shoes." And just like that, my mind was wholly centered around Thursday night again. Natsu told me what time to be ready to go and left me alone in the apartment while I prepared for the first date I'd been on in a long time.
Sitting on the floor of my closet, dressed only in a fluffy robe and the towel wrapped around my hair isn't exactly how I had planned to spend nearly an hour, but here I am. Small piles of denim, cotton, and silk surround me, and I cannot decide which to wear. Honestly, 'dress comfortably' is not exactly helpful when I'm trying to get ready for a date.
Okay, I can do this...it's just Natsu, I tell myself over and over again. Unfortunately, each time I tell myself that, I'm left wondering what his expectations are for tonight. He hasn't kissed me again since Tuesday, so I don't even know if that's something he would want. Is it something I want? I find an easy 'yes' to that question as I think back to how his lips left me feeling warm and set loose a shit-ton of highly-caffeinated butterflies in my stomach. It was unlike anything I'd felt before.
I look at each pile of clothes in turn, trying to decide which will be the most appropriate for a date. After a short eternity, I chose something simple: jeans paired with a blue and white blouse, and a pair of sneakers. The rest of the clothes stay strewn around my closet as I head back into my bathroom to do hair and some light makeup. The sound of the front door opening lets me know Natsu is home while I'm applying a second coat of mascara, and I head to the livingroom to wait for him once I'm finished, since it's almost time for our date.
He finished getting ready a little later than the time he set, and I had every intention to give him hell for it until he stepped across the threshold of the hallway, his forward motion halting abruptly when he saw me lounging on the sofa. The look on his face was one of awe - as if he's seeing a masterpiece for the first time. It takes a few moments for me to realize he's looking at me like that, and I don't really understand why. For a moment I consider that I may be over- or under-dressed, but Natsu is wearing dark jeans and a collared shirt, so that can't be the cause of his staring.
Three large steps and he's in front of me, holding out a hand to help me to my feet.
"You ready?"
"I hope so," I say, taking his hand so he can pull me up. "Is what I'm wearing okay?"
"Yeah," he answers after his eyes appraise my choice of clothing.
A short drive through the streets of Magnolia later, and we arrive at our destination. I think. Natsu drove us to a part of the city I've never visited - the riverfront docks - and I'm more than a little confused. Again. I throw him a curious glance when we step out of his car, hoping for some sort of explanation, but I receive none. He walks around to my side of the car and takes my hand, lacing his fingers through mine with a smile.
"C'mon," he urges, tugging my hand lightly and leading us closer to the river. "It'll be fun, I promise."
I forget sometimes that Magnolia is such a short distance away from the ocean. The river winds south through town to Hargeon, and boats come and go daily with fresh fish. Our first stop on this date is a fish market, and it's like nothing I've ever seen before. A crowd watched as workers stacked fish on the displays, sifting through piles of ice to make sure everything stayed fresh. When an order was placed, one of the workers would pull out a fish and throw it to the man behind the register, who would catch it with ease each time. Natsu and I stayed to watch for several minutes, laughing when a young boy got too close and was almost hit in the face as a fish was flung past him.
After that, Natsu led me around the crowd and into a small restaurant behind the fish market. Once we had our food, we found a place to eat at one of the tables next to the water, making smalltalk and tossing chips to the seagulls squawking nearby. His hand finds mine on the table as we laugh, giving a gentle squeeze; in that moment, the light breeze coming off the river is not responsible for the slight shiver that runs through my body.
Hours were spent roaming in and out of small shops selling everything from tourist-trap tee-shirts, to hand-made crafts, to rare imported goods, and everything in-between. Natsu revealed it had been a while since he'd come to the waterfront, which explains why he seemed just as excited as I was.
There was one bookstore hidden amongst the shops, a bell above the door announcing our arrival as we stepped inside. At first, it seemed just like any other tiny, used book store, but Natsu gave me a mischievous grin and pulled me into an off-limits back room, and I realized that was not the case. As much as I didn't feel right being in the room, I scanned the shelves, gingerly picking up a book that was at least fifty years old. I opened the front cover to the title page to find it was a first-edition. I placed it back on the shelf and grabbed another, finding the same result.
"It's all of them," Natsu commented after I checked a third and then fourth random book.
"How did they get so many first printings all in one place? Many of these books are antiques."
"We also have a few ancient scrolls and manuscripts, but those are kept in a special case in the office," a weathered voice said from behind me. "And we know a nice young man who helps us bring in these books from all over Earthland."
I turn to find an elderly woman who is looking at Natsu with a warm smile on her face.
"And it looks like he brought in a lovely lady friend for once," spouted a man who came to stand next to her, extending his hand for Natsu to shake. "It's been a while since you came by the store. Thought you'd forgotten all about us."
"Sorry 'bout that," Natsu mumbled in reply as he shook the man's hand. "Things have been a bit hectic this year."
"Too hectic to introduce us to your friend?"
"Sorry. Lewis, Fran, this is Lucy."
Lewis gave me a firm handshake, and Fran pulled me into a hug, holding on long enough to whisper to me that she was grateful Natsu had finally found a nice girl to settle down with. My body temperature raised at the comment, and I could feel every inch of my skin turning red.
"Please don't embarrass me too much," Natsu interjected before either had a chance to say much more. "I'd like to take Lucy out on more than one date before you scare her away."
"Oho, I see what's going on," Lewis laughed, turning a playful glare at Natsu. "We thought you came in for a visit, but you're really here to impress sweet Miss Lucy!" His words would have sounded harsh if it weren't for the huge grin on his face. "Soooo...this young lady looks smart - maybe a little too smart for the likes of you…"
"Hey!"
"Though I know you're not the type to tout your accomplishments to impress just any pretty face, and you brought her into the back room, which means that you brought us a reader." Lewis' eyes sparkled at the notion that he might be right.
"I do enjoy a good book," I admit to him. Both Lewis and Fran smile brightly at this information, and we settle into several minutes of casual conversation.
I didn't notice Natsu had left the three of us to chat until he was at my side again, his fingertips trailing down my arm to get my attention.
"Any chance you two will allow me to steal Lucy away?"
"Alright," Fran sighed, though the gleam in her eyes showed nothing but mirth. "Just this once, and only if you promise to come back soon."
"We will," I answered before Natsu got the chance.
"So, what's next?" I asked after we said our goodbyes and stepped out of the shop.
"The fun part," Natsu said, taking my hand once more.
"I thought the bookstore was the fun part."
"It was only a bit of it. The rest is just a little further along."
Yet again, Natsu was right. Shortly before reaching our destination, I could hear it: the din of a crowd, bells and sirens going off at random intervals, and a mish-mash of various music blending together. It's been years since I was at a carnival of any type, and Magnolia just happened to have one that was opened during tourist season. Food vendors and game booths and several rides were all packed together, creating a lively atmosphere filled with people from all walks of life.
I found myself wondering for just a moment if this is what it would have been like eight years ago. This date was anything but conventional; I was expecting something stereotypical romance - dozens of red roses, a fancy dinner, maybe box seats at some orchestra performance or opera. Would our date back then have been such a unique and unexpected experience? Would it have blossomed into that mysterious 'more' that people talk about?
I only allow a moment for those thoughts to fill my head before I push them away. The past cannot be changed; for all I know, things could have gone horribly and Natsu and I wouldn't even be friends right now. Instead of dwelling, I take in the sights around me and focus my sights on the games.
Several failed attempts at winning and two bruised egos later, we decided on one more game of Natsu's choosing: High Striker. I suspect he only chose this game because I spent several minutes fawning over a cute white puppy plushie that was one of the prizes.
"Ladies first," Natsu said as he paid the game operator.
"Thank you, kind sir." I smiled and winked at him as I took hold of the giant mallet. Taking my stance, I raised the mallet into the air and slammed it onto the target as hard as I could. It wasn't enough to ring the bell at the top, but I did manage to send the puck most of the way up. Natsu looked supremely impressed, and the operator looked dumbfounded, as if he didn't realize women could be strong, too.
After regaining his wits, the man handed me a keychain with a blue kitty on it and took Natsu's money, all the while taunting Natsu about how embarrassed he's going to be when he can't get it up like I could - which he said as he was looking at me like I was a piece of meat. At the comment, Natsu's grip tightened until his knuckles were white. One deep breath later, and he smashed the mallet down on the target, the bell giving a harsh ring as the puck struck it with unnecessary force.
The operator was even more stunned than when I played, handing Natsu a large white plush which he transferred directly into my arms. It wasn't until we were walking away that either of us noticed that, instead of the puppy, Natsu was handed a snowman. He almost went back to confront the man, but both of us were laughing too hard to really care. I didn't care that I didn't get the puppy, as it mattered more to me that I got to spend this time having fun with Natsu.
After a few snacks, my feet were hurting and the day began catching up with both of us. I expressed my desire to head home.
"Just one more thing before we leave?"
I followed his line of sight to a double-decker carousel and couldn't help but agree. It's a ride I had always wanted to go on as a child, but mom died before I had a chance, and dad was never really interested in amusement parks. We made our way towards the monstrosity, and I was more than delighted to find out there were more than just horses to ride on.
Natsu and I got in the short line and took a minute to stake out which mounts we wanted. After the second pass, as the ride was slowing, we spotted the perfect pair: a red dragon next to a bright blue kelpie. Directly in front of the pair we chose was a small, sleigh-style seat that was perfect for my 'dog' plush - Plue - to sit in. All riders disembarked, then it was our turn, Natsu pulling me along as he rushed to our row. The kelpie was in the high position, so he gave me a boost and situated Plue before hopping onto the dragon.
An infectious smile settled onto Natsu's face as the music became slightly louder and the carousel began to move. After the first rotation, he leaned away from me and reached out towards a small slide, quickly grabbing two small rings and handing one off to me.
"What are these for?"
"When we go around again, there's a clown mural," Natsu explained to me. "If you land the ring in the clown's mouth, a bell rings."
I saw the clown approaching and took aim, tossing my ring just as Natsu tossed his. My ring ended up hitting his and flying into the clown's mouth, causing the bell to ring, while his dropped unceremoniously on the ground. He looked at me with a pout that he couldn't hold onto as we both laughed at my luck.
Much too soon, the ride slowed to a stop. My mount was again in the high position, and Natsu offered to help me down. I rested my hands on his shoulders while his found my waist, gripping tight as he lowered me back to the platform. Warmth spread through me at how close we were - once again - as soon as my feet touched down. Natsu's right hand slid up my back just high enough that he could play with my hair. His fingers twirled through the curls as we just stood there, waiting for something, though I'm not really sure what.
Everything around me fell away. I found myself lost in deep, dark eyes; the only things I felt were his hands - one steady on my waist, the other continuing to play with my hair - and the skin on the back of his neck as my fingertips skimmed back and forth of their own accord. Butterflies flutter erratically in my stomach and I find myself pushing up on my toes so that I can lean closer to Natsu, and feel him leaning down to meet me.
"PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE EXIT AFTER THE RIDE HAS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP."
The booming voice jolted us apart before our lips had a chance to meet, Natsu almost falling over after his back collided with one of the support poles. I stifle a giggle and he grabs Plue. We mumble a half-hearted apology to the ride operators as we pass through the gate, holding hands and laughing again as we make our way back to Natsu's car so we can head home.
"Lucy!"
"What?"
"You kinda spaced for a minute there," Cana said, pulling her hand back from my shoulder. "Were you thinking of all the dirty things you and Natsu got up to on your date? Or maybe, after your date?"
"Nothing like that happened, you pervert!" I smacked her face with the pillow I'd been strangling to my chest. And it was the truth. Natsu ordered another round of takeout as we walked to his car, which we picked up on the way home. We ate dinner on the couch and watched movies until we fell asleep. We didn't kiss that night, but I woke up Friday morning with Natsu curled against me, his warm breath puffing against my neck as he slept. "We went down to the river for lunch, then to the carnival. It was fun, and Natsu was a gentleman."
"That's so sweet," Wendy cooed. "Does this mean you two are together now?"
"I…" I pause, chewing slightly on my lower lip. "I don't really know. I mean, I like him, and I know he likes me, but…"
"But what, Lucy?" Erza's voice is soft and caring instead of demanding. It's a nice change from what we're all used to, and I try not to let my voice tremble when I answer her.
"Liking each other doesn't change our circumstances." My eyes are burning as I say the truth I've been ignoring for days, but I take a deep breath to steady myself as I push forward. "As long as Bora is out there, he is a threat. Which means that every second I spend with Natsu puts him in greater danger. I just...I don't think I could live with myself if he was hurt because of me."
My lower lip trembles, and my throat tightens. The first tears break free as I await the usual retorts I get when I speak about Bora, but they never come. Instead, three pairs of arms wrap around me, the girls holding me while I cry. Whispering words of love and encouragement, they assure me that they're all in this with me, and will do what they can to help.
So, so sorry for taking almost a month to get this out. Life has been hectic and kinda shitty, and I had to restart the date flashback four times because I kept second-guessing my instincts. Ugh. Oh well, at least it's out NOW, which I think is what matters? I hope.
Thanks to all who fave/follow this story, and much love to all who reviewed: jessifer89, samurai of sunflowers, Copperreign12, LadyNerdyNerf, XAshiaraX, and RequiemMage.
I hope y'all liked the new chapter. I'm going to let my brain rest, then I'll get started on what's coming next.
TTFN, Lovelies!