Sorry this chapter took a while to write. This is a bit of a filler chapter, it's not the best but at least it's set me up for the next chapter! Which will be out this week ;)
Mira had started making hot chocolate for the students in the bar during the days when the temperature had dropped to cold figures, the long days of warmth from the sun were over and the vast colours of the summer colours darkened in to violent and midnight blue.
Lucy had been thankful for the warmth the hot chocolate had on her. She had finished her classes for the day and had ended up walking in to Gray and Natsu at the bar; to which she was surprised they had yet to start arguing.
"So what's got you bothered Natsu?" Lucy asked, noticing her pink haired friend staring in to space for the billionth time that week.
"Lisanna. She's away on a trip at the moment and sour face over here is pinning for her," Gray said, smirking. Lucy smiled sweetly. Natsu had become a softy over the last few weeks, attending to Lisanna and making sure she was okay and had everything she needed - as she was studying fashion which involved a trip to the fashion city where it was known the be filled with so much inspiration for the students it was almost over welling for them. Lisanna had explained that one year a few students had fainted from the amount of clothes and fashion shows they had attended - it was almost too much.
Lucy had sighed, remembering she had no trips with her course to any adventurous places. But then again she had learned a little over the past few months about her writing ability and she was sure she had somehow improved.
"Bless him. Natsu she'll be back by next week." Lucy smiled, to which Natsu did a full one-eighty on them and beamed a genuine smile.
"Yeah you're right!" Both Gray and Lucy looked at one another, one minute he was unhappy and the next he was back to normal. It was going to be an excruciating long week of the multi-mood swings that Natsu would throw their way.
It was at that moment where Gray and Lucy had watched Natsu's mood change that Loke had sat beside them.
"Hey Loke!" Gray greeted, offering a smile to his friends way whilst Lucy sent him one of her smiles. The orange haired boy returned their welcome with one of his smiles.
"Well, my day has just become much better now that I've seen your face Lucy." Lucy blushed, what was it with the guys today? Natsu having mood swings and Loke was in full Loke mode.
"Leave the cheap lines back home Loke," she laughed, taking a small sip of her hot chocolate which had now gone to a perfect temperature.
"LUCY I NEED YOU!" Lucy sighed; was there a moment where she could have at least two minutes with her hot chocolate? Although the sight of Levy dashing in from outside and slaming the doors almost off their hinges was a sight to behold.
"What is it Levy? Everything okay?"
Levy caught her breath, she had ran the whole way from their building in such a panic that she had gone dizzy for the moment.
"Gajeel…" she breathed hard, her eyes wide on Lucy "Gajeel just asked me out on a date!"
Lucy sat there, she couldn't utter a word, even if she wanted to her brain was in shut down. Nothing rolled off her tongue and the boys were just as bad.
"When?" Loke asked, noticing the lack of brain functionality coming from the others, Levy looked at him, her fear even more noticeable.
"TONIGHT! LUCY I NEED YOUR HELP. WE NEED TO GO SHOPPING NOW!" Lucy didn't even have time to even protest as she was dragged hard by her small best friend out the door, she held a sob as she watched her hot chocolate being left unfinished on the counter.
"Do you think Lucy will mind if I have her drink?" A curious Natsu asked before deciding it was fine.
Two hours later Lucy had come to the conclusion that Levy was done with shopping, she even managed to bag a few bargains on her underwear - although it did raise the question on Levy's lips if they were to be warn for Loke. The blonde had formed a blush on her face indicating that such a thing was not to be warn for a guy but for herself, after all buying nice underwear was always something nice and a great confidence boost; not that she needed it with Loke complimenting her every time she saw him…
"I just don't understand how such little fabric can be worn," Erza had also been dragged in to the matter of Levy's date and Lucy had noticed a large rest blush had taken place on Erza's face also at the sight of certain underwear.
"You'd be surprised Erza, Lucy wears it all the time - she's never once complained."
"Thanks Levy…"
It was almost midnight by the time Lucy had heard the sounds of Levy and Gajeel making their way down the corridor; of course this didn't stop the curious blonde from pushing her ear against the door to hear what they were saying
"Thank you for tonight Gajeel,"
Lucy could feel a blush creeping up on her face, Levy was too sweet sometimes - that and the fact Lucy was so proud of her best friend for going on a date.
"No problem small fry. If you're lucky I may take you out again." Lucy frowned, did Gajeel really just suggest that, he was definitely hanging around Loke too much if that was the case.
"I would like that. Hey, don't suppose you want to come in for a bit? It's late I know, but still?" Lucy inwardly clapped her hands; Levy was growing up so fast and was turning in to a little minx.
Of course an hour twenty minutes later - not that she was counting; Lucy was already regretting the praise she gave Levy; there had been moans going on for the last thirty minutes and Lucy was lying in her bed trying her hardest to sleep. What made it worse was the moans coming from Levy's room which wasn't even that close to Lucy's!
Can you hear this?!
She had hoped Erza was also listening to this, although knowing the scarlet haired woman she was probably outside their room listening.
Unfortunately I can. If this continues I will have to take drastic measure
Lucy gulped, knowing full well what Erza was capable of. Of course, this also brought Lucy to a new idea. There was no way she could possibly hear Levy and Gajeel having sex if she was in the boys dorm right? A small smirk rose on her face as it was the perfect idea.
Lucy stood outside of Loke's door, she had sworn she heard him mumble something as he opened the door and saw her.
"Missed me?" His lips curved in to a smirk as he greeted the blonde. She blushed before she waved off the comment. Looking at him now she realised the he was just standing there in black boxers, his sculptured body on show, just for her at that persist moment.
"Can I just stay here for a bit tonight? Levy and Gajeel are having sex and it's keeping me up." Lucy mumbled hiding the blush on her face as well as holding Loke's hoodie he had given her a while back over her knees to stop the cold from bothering her.
"Jealous?" Loke laughed, he had a slight feeling Gajeel was up to something; and more to the point he would have to thank that overly tall man hulk when he next saw him for this opportunity.
"No." But the blush was apparent on Lucy's face, she knew her blush was betraying her. "Can I just come in?" Hoping this wasn't another terrible idea.
"A kiss would allow you entrance to the Loke pad," he gestured with his eyebrow wiggling up and down towards Lucy. Who was she kidding, this was a terrible idea.
Who was she kidding, she liked being in Loke's company; stupidly she took the bait and kissed him on the cheek. Taking no time to watch his reaction on his face she walked under his arm and made her way to her destination. The bed.
Loke quietly shut his door as he watched Lucy get under his duvet and curl up. A smile was present on his face as he saw she was still wearing the hoodie. His hoodie.
"You sleep in my hoodie huh?"
"I'm cold, and I'm not admitting anything," he heard Lucy mumble in to the sleeve of his hoodie. He climbed in to bed, next to her and wrapped his arm around her, bringing her back to rest in his chest causing a slight squeak escaping Lucy's lips.
"You don't have to admit anything, but I can clearly see you wear my hoodie more than you care to admit."
Was Loke really deciding to have this conversation right now? When it was past midnight and the fact she was tired, cranky and frankly never going to be able to look at Levy and Gajeel for quite a long time.
"You know, you really do act like a lion Loke. In more ways then one," she smiled, she knew she had caught his attention away from the subject, and she supposed if they were going to be bringing up what they were then they may as well do it now.
"Oh really?" He smiled in to her hair, embracing her more, Lucy giggled, "Would you like to tell me?"
"You're protective of me; I've seen you do it more than once. Especially if Natsu and Gray are brawling you always end up protecting me. You look out for me, although sometimes you do go a little overboard… And you're loyal. But you know what? I wouldn't change that for the world." A large smile took over Loke's face as Lucy nestled in to him more. She was right about him, everything she had mentioned described him down to a tee in his mind. Especially around her; she was different to other girls he had been around, they had all fallen for his charms so quickly and easily.
Lucy was different. She took time to open up to his ways, yes they were friends and yes he may have hung around her a little too much but that wasn't the point. A lion never allowed their prey out of their sight.
He chuckled to himself. Did he really just describe Lucy as prey?
"I've become very fond of your company Lucy, I thought you would have seen that by now. And especially how we always end up getting in to these positions. It almost suggests you like me."
Lucy was sure she felt Loke smirk, damn that lion. She rolled over, facing his chest she looked up to him, he was holding that smirk she was sure he was doing.
"There's no point putting the blame on me Loke, you have also shown your true feelings, although I do wonder if you do this with other girls."
He kissed her, catching her off guard; they were defiantly having this conversation. A small moan escaped Lucy's lips as Loke held on to her tightly, not wanting to let this moment go.
They broke away from each other, pink shades filled Lucy's face as Loke looked back at her, a stern look in his eyes.
"I love you Lucy. And the fact that I would do anything to show you how much I love you, wether that is setting the fire alarm off to steal you away from class or to lure you outside and keep you away from other guys' eyes roaming your amazing body," Lucy began to smirk, she knew that was the real reason he had done all those things. "Lucy, I love you, more than words could ever describe."
"Silly Loke." she breathed, her eyes full of playfulness and the smirk to add; "I love you too. But I was sure you were about to ask me out instead of confessing your love,"
Loke was taken back, he was sure they were dating, after all nothing had been mentioned that they were single; and the fact people knew they where off the market. Even Mira had commented to him how much they acted like a couple. The only people who didn't think they were officially dating were themselves.
"Well, why not make it official now?" he asked. The blonde looked at him, he was serious. His olive eyes showed no playfulness, no normal Loke she had become fond of and loved, he was dead serious about what he asked.
"Official? Like boyfriend and girlfriend?" She knew she was blushing now, more than likely she was probably lighting the room up with how bright her face had become.
"Like boyfriend and girlfriend." Loke replied, allowing those words to roll off his tongue with ease. Lucy couldn't help but smile, it may not be as she had read in her romantic novels, but it was their way and in some ways it was romantic, especially how she was in the warmth of Loke's embrace in bed and how close they were to one another.
Another laugh erupted from her, she was happy and she knew she was, Loke had asked her out after all this time of non stop flirting and hanging around one another, even a little foreplay! Although that night was never mentioned again between them even if Loke always teased her about it.
"Well, when you put it like that. It does have a nice ring to it doesn't it?" She teased, Loke smirked.
"Of course Lucy, my girlfriend is very clever when it comes to things like that," he allowed the words to roll off his tongue once more, whispering it in to her ear. Lucy shivered at the warmth, but she was sure this was Loke's way of being a tease. She bit her lip, taking on a bold move as she kissed Loke's neck.
"First you waltz in to my room and claim my bed, next you become my beautiful girlfriend and now here you are teasing me? I thought you were only using me for my bed," Loke teased nibbling Lucy's earlobe, which caused her to almost shriek with the sudden pleasure.
"I'll have you know I did not waltz in to your room, I was forced out of mine and there was no one else I could think of at the time."
"Natsu and Gray didn't spring to mind?" Loke's eyebrow wiggled as Lucy glared at him,
"Have you been in their rooms? Natsu eats like a pig and thus his room is a state, and Gray? I swear to god Gray sleeps with the window open twenty-four seven no matter what the weather is. And do I need to mention his nakedness? I'm pretty sure you would have loved that," Loke sniggered at her thoughts of Gray and Natsu; she was dead right however, both were terrible in their own ways.
"And I'm pretty sure Juvia has been following Gray around like a lost puppy. The other day I caught her glaring at me for being too close to him when we were at the bar! And Natsu is actually dating Lisanna now, so I'm pretty sure that option has been taken from me - and all the luck in the world to Lisanna for putting up with that pig."
"Had enough bitching?" Loke laughed, amused at how Lucy could ramble on about his two friends - of course he would never allow any of this to reach the two clueless boys, after all he would rather deal with their anger than have the wrath of Lucy.
"So you're officially dating? I thought you already were!" Mira pouted as she served Lucy her drink that morning; Lucy laughed at the poor girl who was so sure she had been dating the orange haired boy already.
"We are, I suppose I could thank Levy and Gajeel for that, but after what I've been hearing this morning I'll leave it for a while,"
Mira laughed, "Yeah a couple of girls this morning have already said how loud it was last night and how it went on for quite a while, I think you did well escaping whilst you could."
"Poor Levy, she'll be blushing so much when she enters here later. If she ever comes out," Both girls burst in to laugher at the thought of their friend.
"I don't understand what's so funny?" Natsu asked, devouring a breakfast that would feed one person for a month.
"Oh Natsu, I don't think you ever will for a while love. But Lisanna told me that she sends her love." Mira replied.
That caused Natsu to turn the same colour as his hair, causing both girls to start laughing again.
"So does this mean Lucy is no longer a rival for Gray's love?" Lucy could have sworn she almost lost her life from falling from the bar stool at the sight of Juvia.
"Uh, yes?"
Juvia looked at Lucy, blinked a few times and then smiled to herself.
"Good. You are now off the list," Lucy didn't even know she was holding her breath until Juvia had left; it was common knowledge that the blue haired woman had a serious crush on Gray and didn't even bother to hide it from the world. Lucy had seen on more than one occasion that Juvia would walk behind Gray just to make sure he got to his lessons and would practically be absorbing his words spoken to her after he would tell her off for it.
But it was also common knowledge to others that Gray had a soft spot for Juvia, and if she ever knew that Lucy was sure Juvia would pass out in bliss. Lucy smiled, it would only be a matter of time until she saw those two sitting together.
I'm sorry this isn't my best chapter! But I promise the next chapter is much better!
Also thank you so much to all the reviews, you have no idea how happy they make me feel when I read how so many of you love it and are following and favouriting it - I am one happy girl right now :)