Ladt chapter! To be honest, I've had a lot of fun writing this and im happy you all are enjoying it too.
Natsu didn't think it was possible for him to feel this way. He was always so neutral when it came to women. He's never fallen in love with somebody before. He should of realized a year ago, when he started to feel different around her, but he ignored it because he wasn't exactly ready. Plus, they were always in some sort of deadly situation, he wasn't exactly thinking about wanting to get together with anyone at the time.
He groaned and took a sip of his fire whiskey. He only realized all of this around a week ago, but it still hit him hard every time he thought about it. Along with this realization, he's been getting this urge. This feeling. He wants Lucy. He wants her now. Just looking at her gave him this urge. He told himself that with everything that happens, he wasn't ready for such things like a relationship. But now, he couldn't stop thinking about it.
He loved her and he wanted to be with her. He also told himself that he knew Lucy's feeling for him, but with these feelings came his insecurities. Did she like him back or did she just get embarrassed easily? Was she just messing around with him? Did she liked someone else like gray or loke? He growled at the thought. He didn't like thinking about Lucy with another man, especially someone like Gray or loke.
"Hey Natsu!" He heard a voice say from behind him. Despite his annoyance, he smiled when he turned around. Lucy could always get him to smile. She ran up to him and sat down next to him. After calling over Mira for a drink, she turned to him with a bright smile. "Aren't you excited for the cherry blossoms festival?" He shrugged.
"I've seen it a hundred times before." Her smile disappeared momentarily as she gave him a pout. She crossed her arms.
"Well, the last time I was there to see it I got sick so I'm excited," she then giggled. "Ya know, I already thanked you before but I wanna say it again. Thank you for floating that tree down the river, it was so thoughtful of you and Happy to do." He looked at her with mild surprise before looking away from her shy face.
"I never said we were the ones that did anything."
"Oh Natsu, it's been years since then. You don't have to hide it," She paused and got a good look of his expression. "Or...are you shy about it. Aw! That's so cute of you!" He choked on his drink and wipped his face with an embarrassed scowl. If she keeps this up, she's bound to find out about his feelings. As much as he wants her to know, rejection isn't something he wants to experience.
"A-As if! The only reason we sent that tree down the river was because you would of whined about it the next day." She placed her hands on her hips and smiled as she rolled her eyes.
"Say what you want, but I know the truth."
"Tch, whatever." Natsu tilted his head up and drank the rest of his fire whiskey, Lucy watching his every move. He gave her a sideways glance and raised his brow at her. She squeaked and looked away. "You okay, Lucy?"
"I just...wanted to ask you a question." She squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze and shifted slighting towards him. She was wringing her hands, but when she saw he noticed, she placed him between her thighs to stop her from moving them around. She looked truly nervous.
"Ask away." He patiently waited for her to muster up the courage to ask him whatever she wanted to. She opened her mouth a few times as if she was going to say something, but stopped herself. He felt himself start to get nervous as well, trying to anticipate what could of gotten the blonde so nervous.
"I uh, wanted to ask you if you w-wanted to...um- to spend the festival with me? Like just us two." She leaned forward slightly so that her hair hid the side of her face. He could still tell that her cheeks were bright red. He felt his stomach grow restless as his ears burned. She looked completely serious. "I mean if you want we can take happy, but I thought if it was us two, then it would kinda be like a da-"
"Sure, we can do that if you want." She looked up in shock.
"R-Really? Just the two of us then?" He swallowed thickly and felt himself figit. Her look gave him that urge again, he had to physically hold himself back by digging his nails into his arm. If she gave him that look one more time, he wasn't sure he would be able hold it all in.
"Y-Yeah. It'll be fun." She stood up and hugged his arm, kissing his cheek when she knew nobody was watching. He gripped the table as he felt himself go red. When she looked back at him, she smiled shyly.
"Pick me up at five okay?" She giggled quietly and ran out of the guild. After realizing what he just agreed to, he ran his fingers through his hair. I don't know the first thing about dates. What am I supposed to do? He then felt himself brighten. He could ask for a little bit of help.
"I heard the whole thing, salamander. I think you could use some help." Gajeel said as he came over to Natsu. Natsu glared at Gajeel's egotistical smirk.
"I don't want any help from someone like you, metal head."
"I don't think you have much of a choice. I honestly didn't even want to help you, but Levy saw what bunny girl did and insisted that we both help you." Natsu felt his eye twitch. Not only did he have to deal with Gajeel, Levy was going to help. It's not like he didn't like or trust Levy, but she could be such a perfectionist. This could get ugly quick. He hated ti admit it, but Gajeel did have a point. He doesn't have much of a choice.
"Fine, whatever." Gajeel grunted and pushed Natsu towards Gajeel and Levy's table. He forcefully sat him down across from himself and Levy. Levy bounced with excitement and grabbed one if Natsu's hands.
"I'll help you with Lucy. Just count on me!" Natsu laughed awkwardly. He was starting to think that this was a huge mistake. "First," her voice pulled him out of his inner turmoil. "You need to act the part."
"Yeah? I was just thinking of being myself ya know-"
"No! Be the exact opposite. You must be polite and considerate on a date. Lucy wants to see the romantic side of you, not your... unromantic side." He growned in irritation. "Let's go outside, we won't have people breathing down our neck." She shuddered as the guild tried to listen in. Gajeel's glare had them turn away quickly. All three of them stood up and left the guild, going behind it onto an open field.
"Jeez salamander, you suck at this." Gajeel chuckled as Natsu tried to act romantic towards Levy, imagining Lucy.
"Shut up, idiot! I'm not used to this!" Natsu screamed. He was already frustrated with all this and Gajeel wasn't making it any better.
"From the top, Natsu!"
"Okay, jeez!" Natsu released a sigh. "S-So Lucy, you like the festival so far. The trees are...nice."
"Booooo!"
"Gajeel, you prick! I'm doing my best!" Levy groaned and rubbed her temples. She then took a seat on the grass and started to think.
"Okay, this obviously isn't working. Natsu, just imagine having a normal conversation with Lucy. Don't act so awkward, but don't be completely friend like or normal. You have to show her that your feelings are more than ones of a friends." Levy encouraged.
"This is too complicated! Why can't I just pick her up and we walk around the festival and then we sit down under the sakura trees. Why do I have to act all romantic when she already knows how I feel about her."
"She obviously doesn't know about your feeling towards her. You and i both know that Lucy can act a little...air headed at times. And you have to act romantic because you're going on a romantic date! You'd be an asshole if you treated her completely platonic." Levy sighed in frustration. Natsu shifted uncomfortably and just sat down across from her.
"I just don't want to ruin the night by being too romantic or too awkward and scare her off." Natsu confessed. He was scared that he wouldn't be good enough for the blonde mage. He looked up from the ground when Gajeel laughed obnoxiously.
"Trust me Natsu, she'd never run away from you. For some reason, she likes you. Even though you aren't good enough for her." Natsu frowned at stood up to get in Gajeel's face, he was allowed that privilege when he got taller.
"Oh yeah? And what are you, her dad?"
"No, but she's like a sister to me so if you ever make her cry..." Gajeel trailed off dangerously. Gajeel loved Lucy like she was his own flesh and blood. He wouldn't let some idiot that was denser than a rock break her heart. Lucy had always been kind to him, even when he beat her up as a member of Phantom Lord. He wasn't proud of those days, but that's how he met Lucy and he was glad he did. She really meant a lot to him.
"Enough you too! C'mon Natsu, let's try again. Like i said before. Act as if I'm Lucy, but just be a little more formal. You don't have to act completely out of character, just don't act as if manners is a foreign act for you."
"Yeah yeah..."
...
"Now you gotta look the part! You have an hour to get ready!" Levy said as she looked at the clock. It read 4:03. Levy had taken them to a fancy store, picking out a tux. She held it up to Natsu's figure, trying to figure out which one would fit and look good on him.
"Mavis, Natsu! You're so wide and bulky, how are we gonna find anything that fits you?" Natsu just shurgged at the short mage. She put the tux she was holding back and found a bigger one. She gabbed the side of the shirt and held it to his waist. She nodded to herself. "Looks like this'll do. Try it on and Gajeel and i will be waiting outside of the dressing rooms to see how it looks." Natsu grumbled, but grabbed the suit from out of her hands.
He trudged his way up to the dressing room and slammed the door shut. He heard as Gajeel laughed again, but ignored him. Even though this was such a hassle, he smiled to himself. This will be the chance he finally gets to really express his feelings towards his partner. He really did love her. He took off his vest and squeezed on the top. It was slightly tight at the shoulders but it wasn't too bad. The pants fit just fine. He stepped out. He watched as Levy's face brightened.
"Oh Natsu, you look so handsome! She'll probably faint when she sees you." Natsu flushed slightly but gave a smirk in Gajeel's direction. Gajeel only huffed and turned his head away from the two of them. "Okay Natsu, I'll pay for it quickly but you have to leave right now. It's almost five now." Natsu nodded and waited for Levy to pay. When she did, he thanked her and left. "Hey!" Levy stopped him.
"What?" He asked her.
"Make sure to get her flowers. Cherry blossoms, her favorite. Me and Gajeel will meet you two at the festival, I hope that you took my advice!" He gave her a dazzling smile and nodded. He ran to the nearest flower shop and bought her the cherry blossoms.
"Yup, these'll glow rainbow once the trees do. Your lover will be thrilled." The shop owner said, smug. Natsu felf himself heat up at the word lover, but he chose to ignore that.
"Thanks old man." He tossed him the right amount of money and ran out of the shop. It was five minutes till five. He had to run just to make it there on time. He contemplated going through the window but the little voice in his head (Levy) told him that wasn't how you picked up a girl. He nodded at the little levy in his head and decided to knock on her door.
"Just a minute!" He heard her say. He also heard several curses and the sound of her tripping on something. "Fuck!" He heard through the door before it was ripped open, almost off it's hinges. He just blinked down at her, she was stunning.
Her hair looked slightly shorter and the sides were held up up in the back, creating a ring of sorts around her head. She had two bobby pins in her hair that has zodiac on each. Cancer, her own sign and Leo. She wore a red spaghetti strap dress that was tight at the waist and flowed beautifully to just above her knees. On the dress, a black bow was tied in the back at her middle. She wore dark tights with black high heels. Her lips were glossy, she must of just put lip gloss on. He felt his mouth grow dry.
"N-Natsu! I thought you were gonna jump through the window. You must of heard me in there, that's embarrassing." He shook his head, trying to rid himself of certain thoughts. He held out the flowers he had behind his back. He practically shoved them in her face.
"You look beautiful tonight, Lucy..." She blinked and went as red as her dress. She put a piece of her golden strands behind her ear.
"Thank you, these are beautiful flowers Natsu. How did you know that cherry blossoms are my favorite?"
"Well, you love the festival so much," she gave him a look, telling him she didn't believe him. "...Levy told me."
"Should of figured. Oh well, it doesn't matter. It's the thought that counts and i didn't expect it. It was very sweet of you." She smiled softly and put them in a vase on her coffee table. She grabbed her black bag and took his hand in hers. "Ready?" He felt a shiver crawl down his back at the contact.
"Ready."
"By the way, you look reallyy handsome. You clean up nice." He looked away with a blush. They left the building and made their way to the park. It was where the bingo was being held. They decided that they'd try out the bingo challenge and then split off from the rest of Fairy Tail and check out the rest of the festival. They found Fairy Tail members sitting on multiple picnic blankets. They were all in their respective groups. They found themselves joining in with Happy, Gray, Erza, Juvia, Levy, And Gajeel.
"Oh Lu-chan, you look absolutely beautiful!" Levy giggled and hugged the taller mage. Lucy thanked her and complimented her back. Levy then smiled deviously and whispered over to Lucy. "I picked out his suit, do ya like it?" Lucy blushed red and placed her face in her hands.
"Levy-chan! Stop embarrassing me!" Levy only laughed and pat the blonde's back. Natsu had watched the situation and grunted in embarrassment. Though he did like that Lucy liked his outfit and thought he was good looking.
"Wow flame brain, you do clean up nice. Of course you'd only do it for Lucy." Gray chuckled and rolled his eyes. Juvia positioned herself close to Gray, hugging his arm. Erza was on the other side of him, eating a piece of strawberry cake.
"Ooo, he likes her!"
"Shut up, Happy!"
"Jeez ya heater, I thought Levy and me taught you to act polite on this date."
"Wait, Gajeel and Levy helped you? Priceless!"
"Gray, don't act so rude. I think it was sweet that Natsu wanted help to give Lucy the perfect night."
"Yes, juvia agrees. It's very cute!"
Natsu groaned at the many voices talking about his private business. He just ignored everyone he was sitting around and pulled Lucy close to him as Mira passed out the bingo cards. Mira smiled and yelled into the microphone, which got everyone's attention.
"Hello and welcome to the festival! I hope you're enjoying it all so far! So here we have three prizes that are being presented for three winners. The third place prize is a ticket for a free meal at the guild. The second place prize is a fifty-thousand jewel cash prize, and the first place prize is," She paused as everyone was on the edge of their seats, waiting for her to continue. "Is a modeling gig to be on the cover of sorcerer weekly magazine!" She smiled and ignored the disappointed moans of the men, and even some women.
"What a crap first place prize. I'd take the second place prize." Natsu scoffed. He looked over at Lucy to see her excited face.
"Wow, I'd kill to be on the cover of sorcerer weekly. I gotta win that first place prize." He frowned deeply at this. If she was on the cover, men would no doubt buy the magazine and ogle her body. He clenched his fist in anger. He then heard Erza chuckle.
"Good luck Lucy, but I plan on winning this year's first place prize. It wouldn't be too bad to be on the cover." Natsu now really hoped Erza won. Lucy narrowed her eyes in determination, but she smiled.
"You're on, Erza." That's when the game had started. Natsu looked at his card. He had gotten three in a row so far. He looked at Lucy's from the corner of her eye. She hadn't gotten one yet. He sighed in relief.
"G24!" Mira announced. He watched as Lucy's face lit up.
"Finally. I thought I was going to lose, but maybe my luck is starting to change."
"Bingo!" Someone had yelled, but it was reluctant. Lucy's face dropped and she pouted, her bottom lip sticking out. Natsu had the sudden urge to kiss her plump lips. He inwardly groaned as his thoughts were starting to come back. Everyone laughed as Elfman stood and handed in his bingo card for Mira to check.
"Yup, good job Elfman! You get the first place prize." Elfman looked uncomfortable taking the first prize, but he stood tall. Everyone kept laughing as he was led away by Jason so that he could get, quite on quote "fitted" for the cover. The game kept on going, everyone going for the cash prize. Natsu's eyes widened as he looked at his card. He got a bingo. He stood up quickly.
"Bingo!" Everyone sighed in disappointment as Natsu made his way to get the prize. Mira checked his card and handed him the jewels. He hadn't planned to keep it, but he wanted to give it to his date. He ran back to Lucy and tossed her the jewels. She caught it and looked up at him in shock. He just smiled. "I would of rather wanted the free meal. You can have my prize." He knew she was short on money. It may not have been a lot, but it would get her by. Her lips twitched into a smile and she jumped up and hugged him.
"Thank you so much, I'm so grateful to you!" He laughed and hugged her back. The rest of his group either smiled or rolled their eyes.
"Ew, salamander, do that somewhere else. My teeth are starting to rot at this heartfelt moment." Gajeel gagged, making everyone laugh. Natsu glared at him and held up his middle finger. Gajeel just laughed with the rest of them.
"Hey, Lucy? Want to check out the rest of the festival?"
"Sure, Natsu. I was loosing anyway." Lucy giggled. They left everyone and ran off the the other side of the park, where the civilians were celebrating. There were multiple booths they could try food at and grab free masks and other trinkets. Lucy had ran up to a booth that had Fairy Tail plushies on them. "Oh look! It's me!" Natsu gazed at the little Lucy plushie and suddenly picked it up. He stuffed it in his pocket when she didn't notice. Lucy grabbed a Happy plushie and they left the booth. Little did he know, she grabbed Natsu's plushie counterpart when he wasn't looking.
"Hey little lady, wanna try some cotton candy?" A man had asked behind his own booth. He was old and round, but looked and acted very polite. Lucy had smiled brightly and look it from him, thanking him. She took a bite and grinned. She held it up to Natsu.
"Wanna try some, Natsu. It's so good!" She was so happy, he couldn't refuse her. He grabbed a piece of the cotton candy and popped it in his mouth. It was really good.
"Eh, its alright." She giggled at his neutral reaction.
They had done that for most of the day. They would go to all kinds of different booths and try new things. That would laugh when the other did something silly and tease the other when they got embarrassed. Levy had told him to act more romantic, but him being himself had worked out to be a great idea. He hadn't seen Lucy smile so much in weeks. Their evening had finally slowed down when the trees started to glow. Both Lucy and Natsu were sitting on top of a hill, Natsu had told her it was a great place to view the cherry blossoms as they turned rainbow.
"Natsu, this has honestly been the best day of my my life. I've had so much fun." Lucy smiled shyly. She slid closer to him and waited for his reaction. He felt his cheeks burn, but a smile had also made it's way to his lips.
"Me too, Luce. Like you said, it's always more fun when we're together." She squeaked as he teased and poked fun at her. Her face went red as she hid from him in his shoulder. She pouted and called him a jerk, but he knew she didn't mean it. That was when the blossoms started to turn rainbow. Lucy ripped her face out of his shoulder and gawked at the sight.
In all the years he's seen this happen, he never actually realized how beautiful the trees were. Maybe it was Lucy's excitement that made him study the trees and realize their true beauty. He sighed, he guessed this was as good a time as any. "Lucy...?" She stopped looking at the trees and shifted her attention to him. "I need to tell you something."
"Y-Yeah?" She asked, nervousness making it's way to her face. She didn't look uncomfortable, that was a good sign. He slowly felt himself lean in closer and to his surprise, she did the same. "I..."
"You...?" She whispered, inches away from his lips. A pit of warmth was pooling at the bottom of the his stomach by now. He didn't know just how long he was waiting for this moment.
"I love you." He crashed his lips onto hers and she kissed him back not even a second later. They slowly started to move their lips in sync, he then licked her lips, making her gasp. It allowed him to slip his tounge into her mouth, their tounges starting to fight for dominance. Just as they were starting to really get into it, they were stopped by a sudden voice.
"Natsu! Lucy! Where are you two?" Happy had shouted, a distance away. Gajeel and Levy were behind him. Lucy and Natsu ripped away from each other, trying not to get caught. They looked into each other's eyes for a short while. Lucy decided to speak up.
"I've been waiting for that kiss for a while now..." He felt himself grin brightly. He pecked her lips quickly.
"Really? I guess we both have something in common in that department."
The End! I had a lot of trouble coming up with this idea, but I'm glad I thought of this. This was so fun to write. Maybe I'll do something small like this again some time, but for now I hoped you all enjoyed this story.