A/N: Wow... it has been long huh? Took me a while to publish it but I am still not near the end of it and I will see this story have proper ending, not rushed one. I managed to battle through a lot, mostly my own inspiration and determination to continue this story due to reason you... probably already know. Right now I am looking for a reason why I am writing it and to whom shall I dedicate it.
It has been three weeks since Lucy fateful answer and the big monster she expected to appear and crush her down into the ground was yet to appear. Now, there were only two things that bugged her mind. That nagging doubt that this all could just be yet another elaborate plot to get on her good side has never truly left, but other emotions managed to temporarily dial it down and make Lucy forget its existence. Happiness. It has truly been long since she felt it, since she felt that simple state of bliss which came with encouragement that everything will be alright. Natsu… he didn't change. He was still a bother, a stalker who managed to be around every corner and sneak up on her when she least expected and just when she thought she has seen through every act he had to pull, he would manage to surprise her once again. She had difficulty trying to understand if he was jealous or just overprotective. And Lucy knew this was not something natural to Natsu, best indication was Gray who would be caught staring in disbelief at actions of his friend. Natsu managed to accomplish impossible, he made her feel safe while still keeping distance from her groin.
The truly astonishing fact was that she loved it, all of it. His presence around every corner, texts she received every hour, his newly acquired overprotective trait… It made her feel safe, gave her few feel of relief and content, enough to breathe again without the weight of mountain on her shoulders and she allowed herself to cultivate a single, small seed of hope. Maybe, just maybe… things will finally take a turn for the better.
And then, there was the other thought that occupied her mind. It wasn't so much of a thought as it was a fear. Things were more than fortunate on one field but the other one suffered greatly and Lucy began to realize that this happiness demands a certain sacrifice. This year will come to an end and she needs to have enough points in order to receive scholarship for another year to come. Her grades were high but that was not enough for Fairy Tail was renowned for cultivating talents, talent that she could not express. Her attendance to Professor Justine's drama classes was not sufficient… as he explained recently, she needed to excel if was to give her much desired points and that meant devoting both herself and time. She needed to read more, to once again accustom herself to works of immortal bards and writers of old… and with jobs she had, it was only possible if she was to sacrifice her own sleep. There was a solution… she needed to quit one of the jobs and spend more time studying. That is where problem lied. Her budged was already tighter than corset that crushed ribs and lungs and with one less job, she would have to cut expenses. Problem was… there was not much left to cut.
She didn't sleep all night. Her eyes were peeled to notebook filled with lists and numbers as she tried desperately to find any way to lower her expenses. Nothing related to Michele could be reduced… she couldn't bring herself to allow her own daughter to suffer this crisis, after all… this was all for her. Her guts clenched as she began calculating again and again, constantly reducing amount of money she could spend every day. Each time, numbers would come out different but one thing was constant. It was not enough. Around the morning, just before the sun managed to cast its first light on still sleepy town, she came to painful realization… there was one thing that could balance her budget.
Lucy prepared herself for another day. It was a rare thing for her to not be late but given the circumstance, she didn't felt exhaustion. After taking a deep breath, she left her room and headed downstairs where Elizabeth was already preparing breakfast. Her heart began racing, fingertips lost all of their pleasant warmth, becoming just a set of icicles clenched into a fist.
"Good morning…" Lucy greeted with shaky voice and followed by clearing of the same just enough to retain its tone.
"Oh, good morning dear." Elizabeth greeted back. Pleasant lines of her face instantly curved into a smile as she heard Lucy "Did you have a good sleep?"
"Yeah…" Lucy replied but realized that there was no point in lying "No, not really, I didn't sleep last night…"
"Is something wrong?" Elder woman asked, worried about Lucy tone enough to move the pan from the stove and turn around to see her.
"Yes… I have to quit one of the jobs." Lucy said with heavy heart but this was not over yet "I need to study more to maintain scholarship and…"
"And?" Elizabeth asked, prompting Lucy to continue after long pause she made.
"And I can't afford you…" Lucy's voice finally broke down once again; half of her words were a mix of voice and whispers "My salary is not high enough to afford your help around... I am barely managing as it is but… One job won't cover it…"
Elizabeth saw what was happening. It was nothing she didn't expect to happen. Though when Lucy hired her, it was to maintain the house and help around Michele, eventually Lucy became more and more dependent on her. Rare were days when Lucy would tuck Michele to sleep and at one point she could see that her own daughter saw grandmother in elder lady, one she never had… and now she had to bear the burden of once again taking the entire weight on her shoulders.
"Is that what is bothering you, dear?" Elizabeth asked with her usual soft voice, prompting blonde to look up at her. The smile never left face.
"Of course it is bothering me." Lucy shot back, not even realizing her tone was elevated "If I don't pass this year with scholarship I will have to pay for tuition and… I don't have that kind of money." The realization hit her once gain. Lucy knew this already but only when she said it out loud did she felt the true weight of those words. Both she and Elizabeth knew very well that with just highschool she could never land a job that would provide financial stability she needed to ensure Michele's childhood is a happy one. She would have to resort to part time jobs and constant looming fear that new day may be last one on her workstation… it would be a vicious cycle of either working as part timer or finding job with low salary. Elizabeth was not worried, she had her faith in Lucy but she couldn't even begin to fathom the weight this poor child had to drag with her every single day. She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
"It has been seven years since Thomas passed awawy…" Elizabeth said in low tone as the memory of her husband flashed before her eyes "He was always a stubborn man but never lazy. I remember someone asking me what I saw in that man when I married him… It was his sense of humour and kindness that made me fall in love. For forty years, every day he found a way to make me laugh…" Another long sigh ensued as her smile revealed a simple sadness that lurked behind it "Our children have their own lives, their own children. They rarely visit nowadays and it is rather lonely life."
There was nothing Lucy could say to these words but she could easily recognize the bitter sting of loneliness and what horror it brings. Elizabeth continued "Though you may find it hard to believe, it is not the money that makes me come here every day." Smile once again returned to Elizabeth's face, wide and sincere "It is company and purpose. My pension is enough to give me what I need and I am here not because I need to be, but because you need me to."
Even though she didn't say anything, Lucy was caught speechless. Fortunately, Elizabeth knew exactly what to say "So you don't worry about my pay. I can work for free if that would mean helping with your situation."
It didn't take long for Lucy to approach and hug Elizabeth. To her, this was nothing short of a miracle, a blessing disguised as old woman sent to take away the horrible weight that threatened to pull Lucy down into the murky depths of despair… and she did just that. With this… she just might pull through…
"I think I my ball is stuck…" Natsu commented, shaking his left leg and stretching it to the side.
"So that's how you intend to ruin my day huh? Mental images… Aren't you wearing a cup?" Gray asked as he collected breath. Quick glance toward Natsu and his expression was all the answer he needed "Here's a better question, why aren't you wearing a cup?"
"Felt a bit uncomfortable." Natsu gave best excuse he could muster at the moment, still stretching his leg to the side as if he was sumo wrestler.
"Yeah, forget about all the safety precautions." Gray added, tone filled with sarcasm. Their practice has reached its inevitable end as did coach Strauss's relentless torture. "I mean it's only your future at stake. One slip of the leg and you may yet have promising future as soprano in opera."
The lack of retort was more than concerning. If anything, Natsu always had something to say to Gray's teases but today he was uncharacteristically silent about it. Past three weeks were more than just a simple indication that certain aspects of him changed. Though the essence was there, Gray could've sworn he was becoming less of an asshole.
"Trouble in paradise?" He asked.
"Hm? What?"
"You and Lucy, everything alright?"
"Yeah, everything is peachy." Natsu quickly responded, sporting a wide grin that Gray already knew well. There was something in there, buried deep inside of pinkette that was like a thorn. Long practices and countless drills that coach implements always made that walk to the showers as long as one can possibly feel "I kinda like the pace…" He said, letting the stream of hot water splash his head, washing away the sweat "Sure, it is slower than usual but…"
"But?" Gray asked, prompting Natsu to continue his train of thoughts.
"It feels oddly… satisfying… not having to rush things, not having to give it my all."
"Not that you actually needed much effort to begin with." Gray quickly threw in comment.
"Yeah. But now I don't need to worry about it. I mean, I try to see her as often as possible during study hours, that and texts. When it's time to happen, it'll happen."
"Well colour me impressed, you are almost a moth." Gray commented once more, not even trying to hide the chuckle that revealed amusement. "And speaking of 'happening', I have a bone to pick with you."
"What did I do?" Natsu asked as he soaped himself.
"You cock-blocked me." Gray barked back but Natsu showed no signs of understanding the meaning behind Gray's concise explanation "That serenade you made me sign with you… guess who found out about it."
"No way… really?" Natsu asked, lips began curving up into smile and excitement.
"Oh yeah. Someone filmed it and uploaded on YouTube. 'Blast from the past' that's how they titled our… performance." Gray continued through gritted teeth "And guess who found out about it…"
"Juvia is jealous but she wouldn't be jealous of Lucy. I mean it was for my sake!"
"Oh she is not mad because it was Lucy, she was livid because, apparently, I forgot to sing under her window. Where is my serenade? How come you can sing for Lucy and not for your girlfriend? You are actively working on screwing my sex life Natsu…"
"Come on, once she cools down she'll… uh… well you know… I am sure she is gonna see the… Ok I got nothing, she's nuts!"
Gray kept growling at Natsu, throwing one curse after another, mentioning everything from barren crops to shrivelled balls. Natsu found it highly amusing since they were always physical when it came to arguing. Black eyes, bruises and bloody noses were ritual more practiced than saying 'hello'. But they grew up, they transcended fists and kicks when they entered Fairy Tail… though that was less of the wish to oblige to faculty law and more about the fear that coach Elfman may fulfil his promise and beat the crap out of them. Though he grumbled and cursed, Natsu knew that Gray would've done it again if he was asked and it was that very thought that comforted him. Some friends come and go, some move on with their lives and leave the memories of old locked deep inside their minds but at least two of them may survive.
The silence that ensued during showering gave Natsu time to once again evaluate his relationship. He didn't lie that he enjoyed slow pace but there was another bug that refused to leave… Will this last? How long will it last and if it won't, on what terms will they split? Break ups were never hard for Natsu, even when he was on the receiving but the thought of this one ending gave him familiar clench in his stomach. He worked hard for this… for her.
Gray did not utter a word until they left the locker-rooms. Jokes aside, Natsu knew that this was something that Gray cherished more than anything and it was his burden to carry until air is clear between him and Juvia. But Gray's woes had to wait, for an eerie sound that echoed through the halls of Fairy Tail made living statues out of both of them…
"Gray! Natsu!" Shout came once more from the demon itself, removing any doubt about her identity along with any hope of escaping. Erza, though not in bad mood, was always a worthy reason for them to leak into their pants "Excellent, you are both still here!" She uttered in firm voice as she came close to them.
"Whatever I did, I swear it's a lie!" Natsu quickly responded, making a slight motions with hands, cupping his still aching groin.
"I have something for both of you." Erza said and handed two envelopes to them. Both of their names were on the said envelopes and they hurriedly opened them.
"We are happy to invite you…" Gray mumbled as he read the content "… wedding of Laxus Dreyar and Mirajane Straus…"
"This is in two weeks." Natsu interjected, raising both his eyebrows as he read.
"Indeed it is." Erza confirmed "Laxus asked me to deliver these to you and I expect both of you to come."
"Don't you mean 'hope' for us to come?" Gray looked up toward Erza whose facial expression tried to appear stern but the grin was almost impossible to hide "I mean, maybe I have prior engagement."
"Nonsense." Erza quickly dismissed Gray's words "You will both appear, no excuses, no backtalk. Understood?"
"Yes ma'am." They both said in unison, swallowing hard at her subtle threat.
"Don't you think she is a bit too excited about this?" Natsu asked as he watched Erza walk away, speaking only when she was outside of hearing distance.
"To skin us alive or to go to wedding?" Gray chuckled at his own question.
"Remember what happened last time at her cousin's wedding when she failed to catch flowers?" Gray shivered at Natsu's words as pinkette offered a small nod "I thought that wedding was gonna turn into funeral."
"Well let's hope world doesn't end in two weeks." Gray commented, eyes once again fell down on the paper. Low hum escaped through his nose as he reached end of it "I need to find that 'plus one' of mine… I think I found a way to get on her good side… What about you? Gonna ask Lucy?"
"Yeah. I think she might enjoy it." He added with a pat on Gray's chest and moved along, leaving Gray on his perilous quest. It wasn't a surprise that ceremony was this soon, from what Natsu heard, this was planned for years and Laxus leaves nothing to chance. Then, a thought appeared… An utterly selfish thought that his mind conceived in form of Lucy wearing a formal dress for this occasion. His smile became apparent but he couldn't stop what came next… a simple flashing image before eyes, shorter than a blink of an eye… Lucy in white. It was that thought of white that made him entirely red.
Natsu quickly shook his head as he tried to expel the image. Many thoughts found safe haven in his head but this one had to be thrown away. Too early he screamed silently inside his head and quickened his pace toward the exit. By now, she was probably on the way home and if he hurried he might catch her for today he failed to see here every time he tried. It was then he fully understood what Gray's words meant and what it means to be in actual and meaningful relationship.
As he stepped out of the main building, he spotted a peculiar figure in the distance, right at the gates of Fairy Tail premises. A familiar blonde, standing, talking to a face he recognized from afar. His pace quickened even more, moving around other students as he kept his eyes peeled at pair… Closer he got, more apparent it became that Lucy wanted out of this but the moment she tried, hand grabbed her above elbow and prevented her from moving away… That was the red light in Natsu's head.
"Listen to reason." Sean growled as he tried to pull her closer to him.
"Let. Me. Go!" She said as she tried to yank arm away but without success. Anger was just one of the emotions she experienced now, dominant one was fear "This is no longer your concern."
"Like hell it isn't!" Sean snarled once again, louder this time "She is my daughter and I have right to see her."
"Then why didn't you see her when I was in hospital?" Lucy shouted "Where were you for nine months? Where were you when I screamed all alone in hospital? Where were you when she got small pox?"
"I thought you aborted. It is not my fau-"
"Don't lie!" Lucy pulled her arm once again and successfully removed herself from his grip "You knew about Michelle all this time, you just didn't want the burden."
"You can't keep going like this and you know it. Sooner or later you will-"
The sentence was rendered moot as Natsu stood in-between two of them. Eyebrows bent into frown, fire erupted from his eyes with neigh-murderous intent as he stared at Sean "Get back." Natsu threatened as he clenched his fists. Sean didn't need long to recognize the hair… though eyes were different. Last time, in the club, he looked less threatening, less dangerous… now he looked like he was looking for an excuse to throw first punch.
"A friend to the rescue huh?" Sean snorted "This is between her and me."
"I am her boyfriend now." Natsu shot back at him and watched the surprise on Sean's face "I'm pretty involved in this so back away or have your nose broken… I won't ask twice."
"This is not over." Sean said to Lucy over Natsu's shoulder but in that very instant pair of hands slammed against his chest and grabbed shirt, pulling him closer toward Natsu who looked like an angry dragon who just had someone touch his treasure…
"No, this is over, you understand?!" Natsu barked at Sean, proving that there is a huge difference in their strengths "She doesn't want you near Michelle and I don't want you near Lucy."
"Let. Me. Go." Sean said through clenched teeth but instead of complying, Natsu clenched his fists around shirt he held.
"Or you'll do what?" Pinkette dared him "You'll get restraining order for me too?" That line threw Sean off. The very mention of it brought a rather painful memory and his tongue instantly brushed over new set of front teeth that replaced shattered ones "I am not Loke… He can't get this close to you, but guess what, I can." Smile appeared on Natsu's face, not out of amusement but sheer lunacy that hid behind his intentions "And I'll do more than him if you keep pestering her. Got it?"
Natsu released Sean's shirt and pushed him back a few feet. Man in question staggered abut quickly gained composure. He wondered if he could be the one to throw that first punch but from what he has seen, doing so to Natsu may yet prove to be perilous task. Sean looked at Lucy one more time before he left, leaving her to let out a sigh of relief.
"You alright?" Natsu asked as he turned and so did his expression "He didn't hurt you, did he?"
"N-no, I'll be fine…" Lucy said, rubbing the spot where Sean dug his fingers. It was all Natsu needed to realize she is not fine. Still, Lucy took the pain better than any girl and soon a soft smile curved on her lips "Thank you…"
"Hey, don't mention it." He replied in kind as he tried to reassure her… and he succeeded. Little did he know that the moment she saw his hair before her, she felt safe. He came out of nowhere… like a true superman does "So what was that about? Still trying to get to Michelle?"
"Yeah. He is not giving up on that…" Lucy replied to his question, blood once again circulated through her limbs and her hands started to warm up.
"Well neither am I." Natsu added and made Lucy flash another smile. It was all he needed to see "You still look a bit concerned…"
Lucy took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. She turned around and made toward the exit with Natsu following her closely "I have to quit one job if I am to find time to study… my finances are going to be tight for a while so… I'm a little tense."
"That much I can understand." Natsu added. He finally remembered reason why he was searching for her "You just need to relax for a day."
"Well good luck with that. I have all the time in the world…" Lucy mumbled sarcastically.
"I have an idea." He quickly said as he stopped walking. Blonde turned around and walked a bit closer, curious as to what he meant "Lucy…"
"Yeah?" She asked sceptically.
"Would you do me the honour…"
"Umm… Natsu?" She asked, eyes peeled at him as wide as they possibly could be as he reached into his inner pocket. Her heart started beating fast, aching to escape through her chest as the feeling of cold feet once again returned "What are you doing?"
"Asking you important question." Natsu added and resumed his previous line "Would you… do me the honour… and be my plus one at the wedding in two weeks? I am kinda short on the list of people I can ask and… well… It's gonna be awkward if I ask Gray."
Lucy looked at the envelope he held in his hand, dumbfounded by what he just said. It took her good ten seconds to finally snap out of her blank state and rub her eyes "You're an idiot…" She mumbled "I swear I thought you were gonna-"
"I was gonna what?" Natsu asked but Lucy quickly turned away and started walking. Pinkette was left with little choice but to follow her.
"Nothing!" She quickly shouted, groaning lowly at the thoughts that occurred to her.
"You didn't answer me. Will you come with me?" He asked again.
"No!"
"Why not?"
"Natsu…" She turned around to look at him. At this point it was useless to cover the red tint on her cheeks that appeared out of nowhere "Wedding is a special thing. It is most important ceremony in life and I can't show up looking like this. I don't even have anything remotely suitable to wear."
"Is that the problem?" Natsu asked, arcing his brow "That's it?"
"What do you mean 'that's it'? That's enough!"
"See… that would've been a problem if I asked about a month ago." Natsu said as he pulled out phone from his pocket and went through contacts "However, about a week ago I got something that might help you."
"Natsu? Who are you calling?" Lucy asked in low tone. Anxiety levels rose through the roof as she watched him lean phone against his ear. There was no telling who will answer.
"Hello? Yeah, it's me, Natsu… Yeah I know my name was on display, I have a favour to ask… Yeah it's about Lucy…" The mention of her name all of Lucy's blood drain from her face and the cute blush disappeared in matter of seconds "Can you come to her house? Yeah tonight works… Alright, see ya?"
"Who were you talking to?" Lucy asked in thin, almost silent voice.
"That was your best friend with crazy blue hair."
"Since when do you have Levy's number?"
"Since last week when she gave it to me for emergencies. Anyway I have to run so I'll be at your place around… eight. Gotta run!"
Lucy was left completely baffled by the situation. It wasn't enough that she had to go through two traumatizing events today but everything she just witnessed promised a third one. She knew well what Levy was capable of and she learned that Natsu is equally, if not more, capable of twisting her life beyond her control. The worst was yet to come…