Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its characters; they belong to the one and only Hiro Mashima.
I do own the idea for the fic though.
My candy.
(A I.-.-.I Kuroyagi I.-.-.I's original fan-fiction story.)
Finale: Operation FFAOHC; Part I.
(Full Frontal Assault on Hot Chick.)
Previously…
"Levy!" She snapped out of her thinking to the sudden call, turning around on her feet to see Natsu running up to her with a hand extended to reach her; she didn't understand first, but when her vision moved upwards and showed her the roof and the stairs that leaded to the second floor, she get it.
She walked straight to the stairs that leaded to the basement and her partner tried to warn her.
But she was so much into thinking that she didn't hear him, thinking that he was still asking for advices or something of the sort.
She closed her eyes and screamed his name, hoping that her friend would be fast enough to stop her fall.
He did, in fact, Natsu felt his blood rushing at incredible speed at the sight of a friend in trouble, moving his body at what was humanly impossible and caught her in mid fall in a tight hug; spinning in the air to get the damage the pink-haired closed his eyes and waited for the crash.
And when Levy noticed, she was on top of an unconscious Natsu, a small amount of blood surrounding his head and staining his shirt while his right arm was twisted in a weird angle.
She covered her mouth with her hands.
Her eyes contracted and watered at the sight.
And she screamed again.
And now…
"What happened?" Porlyusca asked with serious eyes, checking the pink-haired boy lying unconscious on top of one of her beds.
"We don't know! We just brought him!" Jet and Droy, who helped Levy to carry Natsu to the Nursery, responded with frightened voices while retreating towards the door and going back to their original responsibilities. It was a great strain of mind to carry a bleeding guy with a twisted arm to the only person who might be able to help him when you don't have the stomach to even see such thing in pictures.
"He tried to stop me from falling down the stairs…" Levy said while looking down, tears still streaming down her face and a few sobs escaping her mouth.
"Huh, it sounds like something he'll do." Ultear muttered while eyeing her past' best friend hurted body lying on a bed with a bleeding; she was calling for every bit of herself to not jump on top the petit blue-haired to question her further about the incident. And… her sobs and short replies just annoyed her.
"C-can you help him?" Levy asked after a few seconds passed, cleaning her eyes from any remaining tears.
"Sorry, but I can't, he needs specialized attention." Porlyusca answered immediately, turning with a sharp look to her assistant that was quickly understood. Ultear nodded and walked quickly to the phone inside the head doctor's office.
"You mean…"
"Yes, we'll take him to the hospital."
6 hours later…
"He's stable now, his forearm is broken because of the fall, it was put back in its original place and casted, he'll have to stay with it for a few months until the wound heals and the bones mend themselves together."
"And his head?"
"Just an open wound on his forehead, nothing more, we've checked and there's no serious concussion or brain damage."
"That's… good… when will he go back home?"
"Tomorrow, he needs to rest here to remain under supervision, nothing serious, just procedure."
"Can I go see him?"
"If you want; visitors' time ends at 6pm, so… you have an hour, miss…?"
A day later…
*Bip! Bip!*
Are you okay, Natsu?
From: Levy
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 18:20
I'm fine, just need some
rest… why?
From: Levy
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 18:24
I… just wanted to say
I'm sorry for what happened!
I never wanted for you to get
hurt! I was distracted, that's all!
From: Levy
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 18:27
It's okay, Levy, don't worry too
much…
From: Levy
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 18:30
But what happened!
You got hurt and might not see Erza
in some weeks!
From: Levy
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 18:33
It's alright… I guess it was bound to
happen…
From: Levy
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 18:35
No reply for twenty minutes…
Levy, don't worry, I'll find a way to
talk with her… don't worry too much,
okay?
From: Levy
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 18:56
Another day later…
So… in bed, huh?
From: Gray
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 20:56
Yeah, being the nice guy has its
ups and downs…
From: Natsu
To: Gray
XX/XX/11 21:00
You were a nice guy?
From: Gray
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 21:02
Yeah, funny, I AM a nice guy,
droppy-eyes, unlike you…
From: Natsu
To: Gray
XX/XX/11 21:04
Shut up! I'm a nice guy too!
From: Gray
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 21:06
And only Lucy can vouch for you,
how sad…
From: Natsu
To: Gray
XX/XX/11 21:08
I'm going to break your arm again!
From: Gray
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 21:10
Come and try, lazy-ass!
From: Natsu
To: Gray
XX/XX/11 21:11
*sighs* Look, Natsu, what are you
going to do with Erza?
From: Gray
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 21:14
I don't know… I'll just let things go as
always…
From: Natsu
To: Gray
XX/XX/11 21:20
Seriously? You should do something!
From: Gray
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 21:22
And what do you suggest?
From: Natsu
To: Gray
XX/XX/11 21:24
Tell her that you need someone to
take care of you while you are
recovering. And later try to get things
flowing between you two.
From: Gray
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 21:28
That's the lamest idea I've ever hear!
And I've read some of Lucy
mushy novels…
From: Natsu
To: Gray
XX/XX/11 21:30
Oh, yeah? I didn't hear you proposing
something by yourself, moron! And
they are not mushy… they are…
well-written…
From: Gray
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 21:32
Shut up! And who cares?
I won't call her for something
like that!
From: Natsu
To: Gray
XX/XX/11 21:35
Maybe you should! This is the last time
you'll see her, dumbass!
From: Gray
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 21:37
I'll… think about it… okay?
From: Natsu
To: Gray
XX/XX/11 21:40
Do as you want, I don't care anymore.
From: Gray
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 21:48
3 days later after the accident…
Having followed Levy's plan to the disastrous end of having a wound on his forehead and disabling his right arm for at least 3 months, Natsu allowed himself to rest a little and resume his usual mannerisms of every day; graduation was just about the corner and the Fantasia Parade preparations were ready for the festivity to start right after it. So, he turned off the light, lie on his bed, put his earphones and delivered himself to the wonders that music can do to a tired mind and body. Feeling content enough to feel a smile creeping on his face as he listened to his old-trusty playlist without concern of waking up earlier tomorrow to follow a girl's plan or to someone's advices regarding women.
He had that night for himself and he would be damned if he didn't use it…
*Bip! Bip!*
…though, friends always find the way to screw with you when you feel the most happiest. Opening the lid, he tiredly stared at the one who dared to bother him when he was enjoying himself, reading the name as "Annoying glasses", he immediately recognized who was the one that was about to die.
Natsu! Lucy told me that
u needed a hand with
Erza! ;D
From: Annoying Glasses
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 18:56
Natsu narrowed his eyes at the winking and smirking symbol of the end, feeling annoyed just by imagining the guy doing that exact same face if they were talking personally; he sighed and clicked on 'Reply', typing out his answer with his feelings of annoyance and tiredness obvious enough on the message for that guy to understand that he wasn't in a talking mood, right now. Why couldn't they leave him alone for just one day?
No help, Loki, I'm good.
From: Natsu
To: Annoying Glasses
XX/XX/11 19:00
Just what he needed, another of his friends… well, he wasn't a friend… more like the guy or girl you tolerate because he/she is in good terms with the rest of your team. Anyway. Receiving a message from him was the last thing he wanted, especially now when he already come to terms with his decision about the whole business. Oh, another message.
Come one, man! You know
you need my help! ;D
From: Annoying Glasses
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 19:02
Gritting his teeth strongly, Natsu tried his best to not break his phone against the wall of his bedroom… or with his hands while he typed out his answer; a vein showing itself clearly in his neck as a forced grin appeared on his face.
Loki, my man, I don't
need help. I'm okay!
From: Natsu
To: Annoying Glasses
XX/XX/11 19:05
Come one, man! You know
you need my help! ;D
From: Annoying Glasses
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 19:06
Come one, man! You know
you need my help! ;D
From: Annoying Glasses
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 19:06
Come one, man! You know
you need my help! ;D
From: Annoying Glasses
To: Natsu
XX/XX/11 19:06
Okay. Three messages in a row with the same content were certainly annoying.
And you don't need me to notice that, right?
Natsu clenched his teeth even stronger, his hand clutching the cellphone so hard that the device eventually gave up and it automatically shut itself down to save itself from the scrapyard. The pink-haired sighed at what happened, his surprised eyes for what happened turning into sad ones when remembering his decision with the deal called… E.R.Z.A… Extra Reason for Ztaying Around… Yeah, "Ztaying" goes with an "S" but Natsu just couldn't find a good word to fit the "Z" in "ERZA"… And I didn't find one either.
He was going to drop the subject completely. There was no reason to pursuit anyway, she was surely interested in Jellal and he didn't have something interesting in himself for her to stay with him, it was one of those… how did Lucy call it? One-sided love? Oh! Unrequited love situations, yes.
Sigh.
"Besides… it's not like anyone will care for this, right?" He said in a soft whisper, looking down at the turned-off phone with regretful eyes before looking at the handkerchief on top of his bedside table.
Flashback.
Being a person that did as she was told, the president didn't hesitate to do as the pink-haired boy said and smacked him across the face. Her features going back to normal as she extended a hand down to help the boy stood up, her other hand going to her shirt pocket to hand him a handkerchief for him to clean his bleeding nose.
"Dragneel, right?" She asked him while helping him to stand shakily on his two feet again, withdrawing her hand and showing the one with the handkerchief rather quickly. Natsu nodded with a little movement of his head to avoid staining his white shirt with the red liquid, he took the offered piece of cloth to wipe away the small trail of blood coming from his nose, at the same time his thumb rubbed the sore spot where her fist collided; being that one his left cheekbone besides his nose. She nodded at his answer, walking to lean on the railings next to him, to his left side as she waited for him to finish cleaning himself. "Why were you late?"
"Huh? Ah, that, well…" Natsu stopped his hand for a moment and hesitated to answer, looking at the door intently as if thinking that running away was better than answering her question.
"Don't think of running away, I 'will' punish you if you do." Was her mind-reading statement, already guessing what he was thinking while looking at the door, though, that brought a question from our pink-haired friend.
"Y-you aren't going to punish me for being late?" She shook her head in answer; he tilted his head in confusion. "Why?"
"I'm part of the cause for your lateness; it wouldn't be fair if I punish you for it." She said as a matter of fact with close eyes and crossed arms, surprising the boy next to her with her sense of justice. "But that doesn't mean that you can be this late always."
"I-I know! And thanks…" He said sheepishly, turning to look to the right and avoid looking at her.
"Don't thank me…" She was cut-short before finishing her sentence.
"Sorry then, I won't be late next time…" He said seriously, going to stare back at her with his hand moving to return the blood-stained handkerchief. She looked at him and later at the object in his hand, moving hers to close his hand and push his arm back while shaking her head in disapproval.
"Have you no manners? Clean it first, and then give it back." He blinked twice at her before nodding, moving to save the piece of fabric inside his shirt pocket. "Let's get back before break starts."
"A-aye Pres!" He answered quickly, already walking to the exit with the scarlet-haired girl leading the way.
"My name is Erza, not 'Pres', Dragneel." She said opening the door and crossing it first, leaving the pink-haired boy behind with his eyes wide and mind blank.
Sigh.
Who knows? Maybe he should give it a chance, but… how? He was certain the phone was broken and that Loki wouldn't continue to pester him with the deal now that he didn't answer…
*Knock knock!*
"Natsu?" Someone said from behind his bedroom door before opening it to reveal a tall man with bright spiky red hair at the other side of it with one hand on the doorknob and a phone on the other one, he looked at his son's lap to see the broken phone and sweatdrop before extending the phone in his hand with a twitching eye. "A friend of yours; please, don't break this one too."
"Don't worry, old man, I won't break it!" Natsu exclaimed, jumping from his bed to grab the phone with his healthy hand, push his father outside and close the door. He knew who was calling and he was sure to take the chance now.
On the other side, his father sighed, a small smile playing its way to his lips while thinking about the reason for his son's anxiety. He shook his head and went down the stairs, he needed some rest after a hard day of work… and school romance wasn't exactly his thing, if experience was something to go by… he could leave his annoying blue-haired female friend with those matters.
'Ah… young people…' He thought idly, turning on the TV to see if there was anything interesting in it as he got comfortable on the couch.
"Hello? Loki?" Natsu asked without a second thought of who might be calling him, already knowing who was.
"No, I'm Elfman, real man don't pretend to know whose calling!" Loki said from the other side of the line, playing Elfman's 'manly voice' with a hearty laugh at the end that was cut short immediately, he meant business… annoying business. "Come one, man! You know you need my help! Blink of eye!"
And another 'annoying' laugh. It took Natsu every bit of his patience to not throw the family phone against the wall; he wanted help now that his head was clear, so, he took a deep breath and voiced his answer. "The 'blink of eye' wasn't needed… and yeah, I need your help… so… what do you have in mind?"
"Oh, I have many things in mind, many of them undressed, but you surely are talking about Erza, right?"
Teeth and hand clenching, forced smile.
"Yeah, I'm talking about Erza…"
"Well, I have her undressed too… and I also have a way for you to get her, but, tell me…" Loki turned serious and it seemed he was really serious right now, if Natsu's good ear didn't fail to notice it. "Did you ever hear or saw how I deal with girls?"
"No… Not much… Why?"
A sigh. "Because I need you to use some of my natural talents with her for this to work…"
"Didn't she shrug you off when you tried to hit on her?"
"That was in middle school!" Throat clearing. Recovering composure. "Okay, now listen, I learned from my mistakes and I learned a bit more about how to deal with her, you just…"
"Did you stalk her?"
"Of course not! Not much anyway…"
"That sounds like a 'yes' to me…"
"Whatever, listen, she likes people that are honest in what they mean… that goes for everyone, but! With potential suitors…!"
"That's an old word to use…"
"As I was SAYING!" Loki yelled from the other side of the line, getting no more smart replies, he continued. "With potential SUITORS, she likes them more when they are themselves."
"And how did you fail then…? Don't tell me, you…?"
"Yeah… I'm not like I show myself to be…" Pause. "Anyway, that's a story for another day… Just be yourself… but to show her that you mean something serious just add 'a bit' of charm to your original character…"
"And just how I'll do that, doctor Heart?"
Laugh from Natsu, silence; let's continue.
"Just give 'hints' in your words that you want her more than just friends or anything, you know, subliminal messages… and done!"
"I still don't know how I'll do that… I told you, I didn't pay much attention to your flirts…"
Sigh. "It seems these are going to be three long days…"
"I can't stay with you on the phone for three days, you know?"
"Then I stay over at your place, right?"
Silence.
"Seriously?"
"Yes."
"For three days?"
"Yes."
"For three whole days?"
"Yep! Why not?"
"There are many reasons… Where should I start?"
"Shut up. And there are also many 'white lies' to tell, just say we're studying for an exam to pass this high school year and it's done! Your dad will believe it; he surely knows I'm not that good in school just like you."
"And you are certain of that because…?"
"My brother, Caprico, works with him and they are good friends…"
"Okay…" Sigh and rub of eyes. "It's settled then…"
"Yep! We'll study and get you better with women in three days!"
"Wait! We really need to study?"
"Of course! Don't tell me you forgot about the exam you missed yesterday?"
"I… I…"
"I know you did, and I missed it too… because… you don't need to know…" He was able to picture the grin on the guy's face at the other side of the phone and he didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
"I'm sure I don't…"
"Okay, I'll be at your place in an hour; Caprico will call your dad and tell him about it… but not the whole thing…"
"I know your brother is not dumb…"
"Hey! That sounded as you 'implying' that I AM dumb!"
"And if I'm not implying?"
"Then I'll say, 'Good luck with Erza! I'm sure you two will be a great couple when you're both sixty!' got my message?"
Sigh.
"Yeah, I got it…"
"And…?"
Another sigh.
"You're smart, Loki…"
"Thank you! And just to prove it, and to show you my kindness! I'll train you in my best tactic to get women ever made!"
"And that's…?"
"FFAOHC!"
"Fack what?"
"FFAOHC! You know? An Aconymy… Acrony… Acrouny…"
"An acronym?"
"That's the word! Yes!"
"And what does it means?"
"Full Frontal Assault on Hot Chick!"
Silence.
"Yeah, I know it's awesome, you don't have to say it…"
"I wasn't…"
"Okay, Natsu! I need to get my stuff ready! See you in an hour!" The call ended and Natsu sat on top of his bed with his eyes staring at the phone for a few minutes before turning to stare at the sunset outside the window, the sun's light painting the sky with different shades of red that resembled the scarlet he was yearning to see in the past three days… if Loki said that he was ready to go for it, he was going to see it… and maybe every day from then on.
'Just wait… I'll show you why I can be better than anyone else you've ever met!'
"Natsu?" A knock on his door. "Are you done with the phone? There's a show on TV offering one million jewels to the first caller and I really need the phone now to win them!"
Sigh.
"Yeah, I'm done with the phone…"
To be continued.