Lucy sighed as Natsu held back another flow of bile. "I don't understand why you don't use those patches I bought you!" Lucy's knuckles whitened as her fists clenched. "You knew we were going to be visiting my parents." Lucy pulled a small box out of her purse. Ripping the packaging, Lucy peeled the backing off the small round sticker and roughly brushed Natsu's hair away from his neck. Natsu moaned as Lucy pushed his head to the side so she could stick the sticker behind his ear. "There. It should kick in within the hour."
Lucy sighed with relief when the patch started to kick in 45 minutes later. Relaxing into her seat, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. "We have one transfer at Magnolia Station. Wake me up when we get there." Lucy ignored Natsu's babbling about the country side and how the sway of the train wasn't bothering him.
After transferring at Magnolia Station, Lucy handed Natsu a suit bag from a high end clothing store. He looked at her confusedly. "What's in this bag?" Lucy sighed. "Clothes, Natsu. You need to get changed before we arrive at the station." Natsu looked at her indignantly as he asked his next question. "What's wrong with my clothes? And how can you afford these clothes?"
Lucy sighed. "Please just change? I don't want you to grill me for answers before we get to my parents'. I would much rather enjoy the rest of this train ride before I have to deal with my father disapproving of me." Natsu nodded, but Lucy could see the determination in his eyes.
Natsu came out of the bathroom in their private car mostly dressed. Lucy took one look at his disheveled clothing and haphazard buttoning, and burst into raucous laughter. "What?!" Natsu seemed genuinely confused as to the cause of her laughter. Lucy rose from her seat and made her way over to him.
Taking the tie from his hands, she fastened the button at his neck, flipped up his shirt collar, and began to tie his beautiful green silk tie in an Eldredge knot before she flipped his collar down. Lucy then proceeded to button the delicate pearls at his wrists and placed the small, silver dragon cuff links at the wrists of his suit coat, while pinning his tie in place with a matching silver dragon tie tack.
Turning from Natsu, Lucy pulled a dress bag from a hanger against the wall and disappeared into the bathroom. Almost a half an hour later, Lucy emerged from the bathroom, her hair coiffed to the highest of fashions and her heavy silk gown, with its' copious layers, matched the color of Natsu's vest, tie, and pocket kerchief perfectly.
Natsu turned as he heard the door to the bathroom open. His eyes landed on the most stunning figure he had ever seen in his life. He hadn't realized his mouth was hanging open until Lucy gently closed it with her silk clad fingers. The gloves encased her delicate arms to mid-bicep. A delicate strap of silk bisected her shoulders, holding her dress in place.
"Lucy..." Her name was a breath passing gently from his lips. Reaching his hand up, his calloused fingers skimmed across the exquisite column of her throat before curling his fingers behind her neck and pulling her roughly against his chest, crushing her lips beneath his.
Lucy moaned into Natsu's mouth, her hands placed lightly on his chest to ground herself in the now. After several long, intense moments, Lucy pulled away from Natsu, her lips swollen from the rough conquest of her frangible lips. Their breathing heavy, Natsu leaned in once more, slowly this time. Pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, he whispered against her skin. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." Running his finger across her plump lower lip, his lipstick stained lips quirked. "You might need to fix your make-up before we make the station. Lucy rushed back into the bathroom to do just that.
The large double doors opened smoothly as Natsu led Lucy into the foyer. A man in a suit spoke in loud clear tones. "Presenting Miss. Lucy Heartfilia, and her escort, Natsu Dragneel." Lucy looked straight ahead. She had warned Natsu to do the same, sadly, he wasn't. His large eyes flitted here and there, taking in the magnificence that was her family home. Lucy discretely elbowed him in the ribs. Natsu snapped to attention and followed her lead.
Moving to the Grand Entry, Lucy looked to the top of the double staircase, knowing her parents would be standing sedately at the top. Lucy dropped into a perfect curtsy, Pulling Natsu into a passable bow. Lucy held the curtsy until her father spoke. "Lucy. What a wonderful surprise. We weren't expecting you...and your young escort." Lucy could hear the sneer her father's face never even hinted at as he led his wife down the left side of the staircase.
"Yes, well. I do so enjoy these little surprise visits." Lucy's voice belied the venom she felt boiling within. Everyone but Natsu knew very well that Lucy had been sumoned to her parent's home. Had she not come voluntarily, a bodyguard would have been sent to retrieve her. Nobody refused Jude Heartfilia. Nobody. Lucy squeezed the crook of Natsu's elbow, letting him know it was ok to stand up.
"Shall we take a light lunch in the billiard room?" Layla Heartfilia was always trying to ease the tension between father and daughter. Before Jude or Lucy could say anything to the contrary, Layla dropped her husband's elbow and strode away, head high and light steps clicking softly against the marble flooring.