Later the next day, Lucy found herself in a big boutique full of colorful dresses, shoes, and everything in between. The white walls adorned by racks of dresses, with a three sided mirror in the middle. Before they entered the store, Erza had come up with a game plan; they were to browse for half an hour and reconvene to try on and compare dresses together. With a determined gleam to her eyes, Erza began rifling through dresses with a single mindedness that scared even the most determined saleswomen away.
Giggling, Lucy grabbed Levy's hand and tugged her towards the other side of the store.
"Soooo, how's the living situation going with Natsu?" Levy asked, glancing at Lucy while she looked through the dresses on the rack.
"Surprisingly well actually. He's a lot more mature than the old Natsu, that's for sure. And he can actually cook now which is super nice." Lucy answered, grabbing a red dress from the wall.
"Wow, I mean he and Gajeel went on a few joint missions, but they fight like brothers so I haven't really seen that side of him"
"Also, spill! I heard from a covert source that you and Gajeel moved in together!" Lucy giggled, giving Levy a sly look.
"How did you find that out? I hadn't even told Makarov about the address change?"
"Duh, Juvia told me"
"Okay, but it's literally impossible to keep anything from her, when she turns those puppy eyes at me I can't say no!" Levy pleased. "I promise I was going to tell you!" She continued.
Lucy laughed. "I knew you would! But I like to surprise you so it worked out" Levy groaned, and bumped her shoulder into Lucy's.
"But seriously, it's been so long since we actually talked and hung out. How's my girl?"
At this, Lucy bit her lip and looked down at her feet. "I'm doing better. A few days ago, not so much, but Natsu's been staying over and it helps a lot. It was weird at first, but I think we both worked out our problems and now it's like old times, and surprisingly, he's not as difficult to live with as he used to be!" Smiling, Levy shifted the dresses in her arms to grab Lucy's hand.
"I'm glad it's working out, given your history with him, but if you ever need some girl talk, i'm always free" Levy said firmly. Lucy smiled back, and squeezed her friend's hand.
"Of course! Now let's go try on these dresses!" Lucy cheered, pulling Levy towards the fitting rooms, where she could already hear Erza's demanding voice coming from.
"I think this is the one" Lucy said, stepping out of her dressing room, to where her friends were sitting, waiting to see Lucy's choices. Lucy stopped, and held her arms out, and did a slow spin for her friends.
While she had liked the dresses she had tried on previously, the minute she tried this one on, she knew it was the one. It was bright red, and hugged her curves. There was a slit in the fabric, that exposed one leg, and it was backless. The front was low cut, but not enough to be sleazy.
"Oh Lucy! You look lovely" Was Juvia's response, as she held her hand over her mouth with a gasp. Levy also agreed. "You look so hot, this is the perfect dress" She chimed in, with a devilish smile on her face. Lucy smiled, and looked at Erza, who was eyeing her dress critically, rubbing her thumb over her bottom lip.
"I like the choice, it is the perfect look for a bachelorette party, sexy, yet sophisticated. You must get this dress Lucy" She finally said, standing up to clap Lucy on the shoulder.
"Girls. I think we are set! Let's go get some food and then prepare for tonight!" She cheered, pulling Juvia and Levy up to pull everyone into a group hug. As soon as Lucy changed back into her regular clothes, the girls went to buy their dresses. Taking this slow moment, Lucy pulled out her phone, and unlocked it. Smiling to herself, she found a few texts from Natsu.
These new recruits are babies. They nearly fainted during the warmup.
Giggling, Lucy opened the video he sent with the text- showing a group of kids freshly out of high school attempting to run through an obstacle course, which Lucy recognized as one of Gildart's old training courses.
How's the shopping? I hope you didn't buy out the entire store
Shaking her head, Lucy typed back an answer.
It's going really well, we all found dresses and yes the store is still standing you weirdo. Have fun with the new recruits ;p
With that, Lucy locked her phone again and slid it back into her pocket, and slid her arm through Levy's as they all walked out to Erza's car to drop off their dresses, and walk the few blocks to 7island, Juvia's favorite restaurant.
"God it's been so long since we had a girls night!" Lucy exclaimed, turning to face her friends where they were all seated getting ready in Juvia's living room. Lucy held a curler in her hands, and wound a piece of her hair around it.
"Right! Do you remember that one time we all went out when we were at the Academy, and Juvia threw up in Makarov's office after we broke in on a dare from the guys" Levy said, laughing.
"No! Don't remind me please! I swear that Makarov thinks of that every time he looks at me!" Juvia cried, putting down her lipstick.
"Come on, at least you didn't fall over in the middle of the sidewalk like Lucy! We had to call Natsu to come and carry her back. Except she had to pee halfway back to the dorms and when Natsu set her down to pee in the woods, she fell down and rolled into the river at the bottom." Erza chimed in.
"Come one guys, that was my first time ever being drunk! Give me a break!" Lucy cried. It had been the night of her 21st birthday, and since she was the last of her friends to turn 21, it was a big party and she ended up drinking way too much. Poor Natsu spent most of the night helping her puke, something he still reminds her of to this day.
"Do not worry. I will be vigilant tonight.I will take care of you all" Erza stated, getting up, and helping Juvia curl a few pieces of hair she missed in the back of her head.
"Thanks Erza, but make sure to have some fun too please" Juvia's soft voice said from behind Erza.
"Of course, Via. But this night is all about you! You are the first of us to get married! You know, I always thought it would be Lucy and Natsu" Erza answered.
"Me too! Remember that bet we had?" Levy laughed.
"What!? What bet?" Lucy gasped.
"Oh, nothing. We just had a bet on how long it would take you and Natsu to get together. Though the little pink haired turd ruined it when he decided to date Lisanna" Levy dismissed, waving her hand.
"You guys! What-" Lucy sputtered, cheeks turning red.
"Come on. You guys practically lived together. Natsu basically lived in your room during our time at the Academy." Levy cajoled.
"Oh my gosh" Lucy cried.
"But hey, aren't you guys staying together again? How's that going?" Levy sang, winking at Lucy.
"Yeah, but it's nothing like that! Makarov ordered us to work together, believe me it wasn't all peachy in the beginning. We are just starting to get back to normal now" Lucy said.
"You guys looked real close the other day in the park" Juvia chimed in, a light lilt to her voice.
Erza, Levy, and Juvia all shared a smug smile, their eyes sparkling.
"No! Do not give that look!" Lucy ordered, pointing her curling iron at the other girls. "Let's just focus on Juvia- it's her night, remember!" She continued.
"Fine, fine, whatever you say Lucy" Levy said. Lucy bit her lip and turned back to look at her reflection in the mirror. Fluffing her hair, Lucy spritzed some hair spray, so her curls would stay in place all night. Her eyes were accentuated by dark eyeshadow and eyeliner, and her lips matched the bright red of her dress.
Levy looked flawless, with her contrasting blue hair and silky orange dress, which she somehow pulled off. Erza cut an imposing yet beautiful figure in a purple halter dress with thigh high boots. Lastly, Juvia was in her usual blue, her hair fell in soft curls around her face, and her blue dress fell in ruffled around her thighs.
"What's Gray up too tonight?" Lucy asked, slipping on her heels and coming to stand by the rest of her entourage.
"He's with Natsu and Gajeel, they are having their guy time, and waiting to pick us up" Juvia answered.
"So they are playing video games and fighting" Levy answered.
"Most likely" Juvia laughed. "Now, let's go party!" She cheered, putting on a sash that read "Bride to be" and a plastic crown that they had bought earlier in the day. Outside waited a cab, that would take them to the club downtown.
"Before we go, let's take one for the road" Erza said, and brought a bottle of alcohol, and poured it into 4 shot glasses. Giggling, the girls gathered around, and on the count of three Lucy, and the rest took the glass and drank the contents. Squealing, the girl's, arm in arm, made their way out the door and piled into the cab.
"Take that Flamebrain!"
"No! What the hell!"
Groaning, Natsu slumped backwards, as Gray cheered. The TV screen announcing Natsu's defeat. Gajeel barked out a laugh, slapping his knees.
"Wooow, you suck Salamander" He laughed.
"I'd like to see you do better, metalhead" Natsu growled, chucking the video game remote at his head.
"Ow!" He yelled, lunging at Natsu, and putting him in a headlock.
"The girls just left to go to the club" Gray interrupted. Huffing, Gajeel let go of Natsu, and with a growl, Natsu pushed him off.
"Did Juvia say where they were headed? Lucy didn't say" Natsu asked.
"To that new one that opened downtown, Club Magnolia" Gray answered. His phone dinged again, and Gray held it up to the two other guys.
On the screen was a picture of the four girls on front of the club, arms around each other and laughing. When Natsu's gaze fell on a certain blonde, his heart stopped.
"Ooooh Salamander, I know that look" Gajeel chuckled. "Dude, you've got it bad" Turning on him, Natsu lunged, but Gray grabbed his arm.
"Look, I was planning on crashing anyways, so you can get your chance with your girl" Gray said, letting go of Natsu, and leaning back, crossing his arms.
"She's not my girl" Natsu denied.
"Come on, you used to have the biggest crush on her, you can't deny that you still have feelings for her" Gray responded.
"Yeah, but it's too soon. I mean her father just died, and we only started talking again a few weeks ago" Natsu muttered, his cheeks turning red.
"Natsu, since when have you been cautious?" Gajeel said, suddenly serious. "You like her, and it's obvious that she likes you, just go for it"
"I know I know, it's just that I finally got her back, I don't want to risk that" Natsu said firmly, running his hands through his hair, causing it to stand on end.
"Well, no matter what you decide to do, you ARE coming to the club with us. You don't want to leave Lucy alone in a club looking like that" Gray said, getting up. Natsu looked up in alarm.
"Oh no. You don't think-" He started, fists clenched.
"Cool it pyro, let's get ready, you'll be with your girl soon enough" Gray interrupted, pulling Natsu up from the ground.
"Ugh!" Lucy groaned, setting down another shot glass, and stumbled into Juvia who was beside her. "Oh sorry!" She yelled, over the loud music that was pounding around them. Juvia giggled and slurred "Ohhh it's all good Lushe! Oooh! I know! Let's go dance!"
"Yes!" Lucy laughed, and arm in arm, her and Juvia wound their way to the dance floor, where Erza and Levy were.
The lights made her dizzy, and Lucy knew she was definitely drunk. As a new song started, Lucy threw her hands in the air. Feeling a hand on her waist, she looked over, to where a man was, dancing beside her. Giggling, she threw her arms around his neck.
"What's your name, beautiful?" He asked. Lucy looked him up and down. He was blonde, and muscular, wearing jeans and a black dress shirt.
"Lucy, what's yours?" She asked.
"Lucy, the name suits you. I'm Loke. What's a lovely lady like yourself doing in a place like this?" He asked, his arms going tight around her, pulling her close to his body.
"A Bachelorette party" Lucy laughed, tripping a little, but Loke's arms held her upright.
"Oh, are you the lucky bride?" Loke asked, stopping his dancing for a second, unlatching his arms.
"Oh. no, noo! My friend is getting married!" Lucy said, resting a hand on his arm.
"Phew! Don't scare me like that" Loke laughed. "So, can I buy you a drink?" He asked. Nodding, Lucy smiled, and stumbled to the bar beside him.
"A shot for the pretty lady, and whatever drink she wants" Loke said to the bartender, leaning over the counter.
"Oh no, I don't need another shot" Lucy laughed.
"Nonsense, it's part of the fun, doll" Loke purred, sliding the glass into Lucy's hand. Laughing, Lucy downed it, with a cough, and took a sip of the other drink the bartender gave her.
The liquid burned as it went down her throat, so Lucy drank more of the drink in her hand.
"Want to go dance?" Loke asked, after she finished most of her drink.
Before Lucy could answer though, another voice cut in.
"Sorry, but i'm borrowing her from you"
Looking over, Lucy gasped. Standing beside her was Natsu, in dark jeans and and a white and blue striped dress shirt.
"Natsu!" Lucy cried, and threw her arms around his neck. Laughing, Natsu's arms wound around her, steadying her as she stumbled, giggling.
"What are you doing here?" Lucy asked, pulling away, but keeping a hand on his chest.
"You know Gray, he just couldn't stay away from Juvia" Natsu said. "Also, you look stunning" He whispered, leaning down to speak into her ear.
Blushing, Lucy smiled up at him, and leaned up to kiss his cheek.
"Let's go dance" Lucy slurred, dragging Natsu along behind her, trying her hardest not to trip over her heels. Keeping a hand on her waist, Natsu helped her along, until they reached the dance floor. Seeing her in person was even more breathtaking, and Natsu had to remind himself to breathe.
Lucy wound her arms around his neck, and he put his hands on her bare back, and pulled her close.
"Nashu, I think i'm drunk" Lucy giggled, stumbling, slipping in her heels.
"I can see that." Natsu laughed, steading her. "Do you want to head out?"
"Yeah, let's go home! Though I need to find the girls! Erza will freak if I leave without telling her" Lucy agreed.
"I think I saw her over by Gray and Juvia, leads head over there" Throwing his arm around her shoulders, he lead her over to the other side of the bar, where Erza was watching Juvia fawn over Gray, and Gray throwing warning looks to all the rest of the guys in the club.
"Lucy! I was wondering where you went" Erza called, as she and Natsu walked up. Erza pulled Lucy into a hug.
"Hey, we are going to head out, are you guys all good?" Natsu asked.
"Yeah, Gray's going to drop me off at home" Erza reassured.
"Thank you so much for coming Lucy! It was an amazing night" Juvia gushed, reaching forward to pull Lucy into a tight hug. Gray smiled, and kissed her cheek, then reached over to bump fists with Natsu.
"See you guys later" Natsu said and raised one hand in a wave, and rested the other on Lucy's back.
Leaning her head on his chest, Lucy let him guide her outside. The cool air helping her dizziness and cooling her off,the air refreshing after being in the cramped club for hours. Feeling Natsu press his lip to her forehead, she turned up to look at him, a smile spreading across her face.
"Did you have fun?" He asked. Lucy nodded.
"Tons of fun! Though i'm happy you came, that made it more fun"
"It is more fun when we are together" Natsu agreed, laughing.
Though, twenty minutes later, when Natsu finally got Lucy back in her apartment, he was seriously beginning to change his mind.
Drunk Lucy is and always was a handful. She made him carry her up the stairs, and how she wanted him to help her get her dress off.
Sighing, Natsu turned her around and helped her unzip her dress, and catching her when she tipped over, trying to pull it off.
"Sorry" She giggled, throwing the dress on the ground. Trying to keep his eyes on her face, Natsu did his best to guide her to her bed.
"Come on, let's get to bed" Natsu said, making her sit down on the bed.
"Come on Nashuuuu!" Lucy giggled, and pulled him down too. "You are so warm" She cooed, curling up against him, and nuzzling her face into his shoulder. Snorting, Natsu tried to pry her off, so he could go sleep on the couch, but Lucy started crying the minute he tried to get up.
"Fine. I'll stay!" He finally relented, sliding into the bed next to his drunken partner.
"Thank you" She giggled, and reached up and gave him a sloppy kiss on the lips.
"Goodnight Nashu" She mumbled, falling back onto her pillows.
"Goodnight Lucy" Natsu said, smiling, and pushing the hair out of her face, and pulling the covers over them both.