Being a member of the guild for several years now, Lucy is no stranger to the spontaneous parties Fairy Tail throws nearly every day. Really, it's just a way to have everyone let loose and have a few drinks here and there; there never is a real reason to get together.
But then there are those rare parties when there actually is a legitimate reason to get together. Alright, not entirely legitimate, but it's enough for the guild to steal this chance to host another party.
"It's going to be National Matching Day!" Mirajane happily declares to the guild. "Make sure you have someone to match with this weekend!"
"Is that even a real thing?" Lucy questions aloud once the guild begins to scatter around in search for a matching partner.
"I read about it somewhere," Levy mentions. "It's a holiday in some country."
"It's not like all of us are actually going to find someone to match with," Gajeel snickers. "This is just Master's way of having another party."
"Even if it is, we're still matching!" Levy tells him firmly, not giving him a choice.
"Do you have any ideas?" Lucy asks.
"Give me a few days." She places her chin on top of her fist in thought, humming to herself.
Lucy nods in understanding, noting that she should probably be thinking of her own ideas, as well. Though, it isn't like she has a partner to match with in the first place. Well, there is one person, but she wouldn't dare go up to him with the situation they are in right now; however, it'd be better if she had at least had something in mind.
The next few days at the guild are spent brainstorming—literally. Laxus nearly electrocutes the entire guild after being told Freed wants to wear something that completely represents them.
And when only one day remains until the matching party, it appears as if everyone has found their partner and picked what they'll be wearing together. Everyone except Lucy, of course.
She needs ideas. Also, she needs to find someone to match with. Fast. Scoping the area, she goes up to the first person she makes eye contact with.
"Who are you matching with, Lisanna?" Lucy asks as casually as she can.
"My siblings, of course!" Lisanna smiles proudly. "We're all going to wear matching animal shirts."
"A real man can wear a cat shirt in public," Elfman declares.
Sending the siblings an approving thumbs up, Lucy twists her seat to the other side of her to ask Cana. "Who are you matching with?"
"This gorgeous right here," Cana answers, lifting up a wine bottle she is currently chugging out of. "I've got the perfect outfit to match with this."
"You're just going to wear your normal clothes, aren't you?" Lucy assumes with a disapproving frown.
"You bet I am!" Cana howls before taking another swig. "Want some?"
"Nope." Lucy shakes her head while hopping off her seat. She scans the tables in search for another matching group, immediately heading towards Levy once their gazes connect and she beckons her to come to her.
"So, what did you decide to wear?" Lucy asks.
"I'm going to match with Jet and Droy," Levy replies. "Jet's shirt is going to say This One and Droy's shirt is going to say That One."
"What about Gajeel?" Lucy raises a brow, noticing the scowl that surfaces on Gajeel's face. "Do you not like it, Gajeel?"
"It's horrible," he mutters.
"Don't say that!" Levy exclaims. "You know you love it."
"What does it say?" Lucy leans forward in anticipation.
"My shirt is going to say The Other One and Gajeel's shirt is going to say Is Mine," Levy announces smoothly.
"That's brilliant!" Lucy proclaims with a grin.
"Shut up," Gajeel groans. "I thought it was obvious by now that she was, so the whole guild doesn't need me to tell them."
"Oh, you know you love it," Lucy giggles, standing up from her seat to go on to the next matching pair. She can already hear the two bickering with one another even though they're across the guild.
"Juvia already made the shirts, so Gray can't change his mind!" Juvia discloses with a pout. Noticing Lucy in her peripheral vision, she swivels to her. "Lucy, tell Gray that he isn't being fair!"
"What is it?" Lucy shifts glances at the two, watching Gray hastily rub his hands across his face.
"Juvia didn't tell me she was finished making the shirts, and I had a better idea," Gray explains with a sigh.
"What do your shirts say?" Lucy asks.
"Juvia's says, If Found, Please Return To Gray," Juvia states.
"And mine says, Keep Her," Gray finishes.
"Are you serious?!" Lucy's jaw drops in bewilderment.
"It fits us," Juvia and Gray respond simply.
"Too well." Lucy lets out a nervous laugh, not being able to understand how they managed to agree on that. She's surprised Juvia is okay with it, but in a way, it really does fit the couple.
"What is Lucy going to wear to the party?" Juvia questions.
"Good question." Lucy smiles bashfully. "I haven't decided yet. Or picked a partner, really."
"Why aren't you matching with Flame-brain?" Gray quirks a brow.
Lucy open her mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. There is a reason she hasn't asked—she is certain Natsu is going to match with Happy. That's what she keeps telling herself at least.
"No reason," Lucy eventually answers with a shrug. "Anyway, I'll see you guys later!"
Leaving the conversation as fast as she can, she spins around and makes a beeline to the bar. After ordering her usual drink, she twists her bar stool while lost in thought. She doesn't even realize she's being spoken to until there's a sudden snap of fingers in front of her face.
"Don't scare me like that!" Lucy gasps, turning to Natsu with large eyes. Once her heartbeat has slowed down, she takes a deep breath. "What's up?"
"So, what are our matching shirts going to say?" Natsu asks her with a raised brow.
"What?" she blurts out incredulously. "We're matching?"
"Why wouldn't we?" he counters.
"B-Because we haven't spoken in the past week," she replies, confused that he appears to have forgotten. "You told me you were mad that I bought the last candy apple during the festival."
"I wasn't mad." He shakes his head in disagreement, his hand flying up to the back of his neck. "I was just a little bothered, you know?"
"Yeah, I get it." She nods in understanding. Lucy didn't think it was that big of a deal, but apparently it is since Natsu has been keeping to himself for the past week. He cares about food too much sometimes.
"I'm sorry," Lucy tells him with an apologetic smile. "I'll make sure you get the last one next year, okay?"
"Thanks." Natsu sends her a wide smile. "Anyway, what do you think our shirts will be?"
"Let me think," she hums as she thinks to herself. "Oh, I have an idea! Come by my place before the party so I can give you your shirt."
"Alright!" he responds with a nod.
Lucy doesn't waste any time to return to her apartment after that, making sure the shirts for the party are perfect. Once they're made, she doesn't think the party can come fast enough. She can't hold back her excitement when Natsu stops by an hour before the party starts.
"This shirt is great!" he proclaims.
"I'm glad you think so." She smiles with content. "Now, let's go the guild before the party starts."
With their matching shirts, the couple makes their way to the party with large grins and twinkling eyes. Lucy takes a mental snapshot of all the expressions she receives once they entire the guild.
Their eyes start with Lucy – I only date bad boys.
And then, there's Natsu – Super bad boy.
Okay, let me just start this A/N by telling you guys that I didn't even realize there were two "National Days" one-shots! It wasn't until I finished writing this prompt when I looked back at Flowers and thought oh no.
I was going to rewrite Flowers, but I decided to keep it the same... They're both entirely different, so you guys can let this slide, right? :')
Anyway, I got the idea for Natsu and Lucy's shirt from Mashima's art! It's so cute, I had to put it in this okay.
See you tomorrow with my personal favorite prompt: Pregnancy!