Chapter Five: Good Time, Good Life
Good energy
Come follow me
Oh, it's gonna be a fun night
Juvia smiled brightly as she waved to Gajeel and Levy, sighing happily as she watched Gajeel choke on his tongue at Levy leading him around. Juvia didn't think she had ever seen Gajeel let himself be manhandled like that by anyone. Except Juvia that is.
"Gajie!" Juvia called clinging to his other arm when the two got close enough. "Juvia is so happy Levy brought you with her! Now we will have two guides!"
"I'm afraid we're down to the one," Lucy pouted, crossing her arms over her chest as she glared in the direction of the cabins. "Cana was supposed to meet us here, but honestly who knows where that girl ended up."
Juvia smiled at Lucy's obvious irritation with Cana, but the anger disappeared quickly from her pretty brown eyes. They all turned to Gajeel, who seemed to pale under the expecting smiles of all three girls. "So, where is Gajie taking Juvia and her new friends first?" Juvia asked.
"Would ya stop with the nickname, Rainwoman?" Gajeel grumbled, lips pinched in his signature pout. He always remind Juvia of a fluffy Great Pyrenees, intimidating to look at until you realised he thought he was a lap dog.
"I think Gajie is a cute name," Levy said offhandedly. Gajeel squawked, coughing loudly and lifting the arm that Juvia held to try and mask the noise. Juvia met Levy's clever eyes, stifling a giggle of her own, lest she send Gajeel into a sulk. He had a habit of hiding for a few hours when too embarrassed.
"Oi, don't you start either, Shrimp."
Levy's smile fell to a dangerous glower, grumbling under her breath at the nickname. Juvia wanted to ask why she seemed so upset, nicknames from Gajeel showed a comfort few were graced with. Juvia considered hers an honour. "Why doesn't Gajie show us the studios first?" Juvia offered instead, smiling brightly at the other two girls nods of approval. Gajeel grunted his lack of disdain for the idea, allowing Juvia to half lead him in the direction of the studios. She was eager to see what kind of floors they would have for the dance areas.
"What song are you humming?" Lucy asked, falling into step beside Juvia.
"Oh, was Juvia singing out loud? She apologies." Juvia said, blushing brightly as she turned her gaze on the path before them.
"No," Lucy said back, smile kind as she gently rested a hand on Juvia's arm. "Don't apologize! It sounded really pretty."
"She was singin' I Can Hear The Bells from one of her musicals." Gajeel grunted.
"Gajie remembered the name!" Juvia cooed happily, squeezing his arm tighter.
"It's not like you don't sing it every time some guy smiles at you," Gajeel grumbled, nudging Juvia kindly with his elbow but keeping his face forward. Juvia knew he didn't understand how Juvia could open up so easily, especially after their shared past horrors, but Gajeel also yearned for the embrace of a lover. Juvia knew it. It's just while she kept hers on her sleeve, Gajeel carried it buried under several layers of snark, sarcasm, muscle, and glaring.
"You thinking of Gray?" Levy asked, peering around Gajeel's chest. Juvia noted that Levy had to take two steps for every one that Juvia and Gajeel took. Something that Gajeel also seemed to be aware of, by the way he slowed his gait. Interesting. Those thoughts would have to be looked at another time, however, as Juvia was drawn into a blushing mess at the mention of her infatuation.
"He's pretty cute, isn't he?" Lucy asked, eyes bright as she leaned into Juvia's space. "With his dark hair and dreamy eyes and brooding aloofness. All you could want in an emo boy."
Juvia balked at Lucy's wagging eyebrows. Her lips drew into a thin line as realisation dawned on Juvia. "Is Lucy to be Juvia's love rival aside Natsu?"
Gajeel groaned loudly at the same time as Lucy sputtered. "Juvia, I am not interested in Gray! He's like my brother!" Lucy complained, pouting at Juvia. Juvia saw through her denials however, bright blush loud on her puffed cheeks. Besides, how could someone not be interested in Gray? He seemed so sweet and protective and indeed dreamy.
"You could do so much better than that prick, woman," Gajeel said. He rolled his eyes at Juvia's frown, guiding them along the left fork of the trail.
"Gajie is just jealous that he isn't the main man in Juvia's life now," Juvia teased. She giggled at his low grunt and muddled curses.
"Juvia," Levy started, tone cautious, "when we met you said you didn't have any friends, but it seems like Gajeel is your best friend."
"Oh, that's because Gajie isn't Juvia's friend. He is her brother."
"Oh!" Levy said, shocked as she looked between Gajeel and Juvia. "I'm sorry, um..." she trailed off.
"You two look nothing alike." Lucy said, comparing Juvia and Gajeel's faces intently.
"That's 'cus we ain't related. Juvia just lives with me and I've known her since I was a brat." Gajeel smiled at Lucy, crooked grin the most relaxed Juvia had seen it with more than two people present.
"Sounds like you two are basically siblings." Levy hummed, grinning easily at Gajeel.
"Gajie is the only family Juvia knows. And Gajie's family is Juvia's family."
"Awww," Lucy and Levy said at the same time, Juvia blushing under their attention. "Well now you have family and friends." Lucy said brightly. Juvia smiled back at her, a little in awe of how pretty Lucy was. Juvia would be in trouble with her bid for Gray's attention, but perhaps being around her chiming giggles and enchanting smile for so long would have numbed Gray to Lucy's siren like effect. Juvia would much rather have Lucy as a friend than Love Rival. Or perhaps they were destined to be both.
"Yes," Juvia said instead.
They continued to walk and make small talk between the three girls and Gajeel's highly expressive grunts, Juvia enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face and the easy sounds of people around her. "Juvia wants to dance." She said suddenly, beaming up at Gajeel. Juvia's friend rolled his eyes, as he often did around her, but stopped them in front of a single story white building that looked like it could fit seven school buses nose to bumper in it. Large glass windows gave light into the last four rooms, the rest with average windows on their side of the building, wooden trim giving it a clean but still woodsy feel.
"Well go on in and check out the rehearsal space, Rain Woman."
Juvia clapped her hands excitedly, running into the building. She passed pairs of doors, each with a small window and letter on the natural wood, light blue paint on the walls scuffed around knee height from instrument cases banging against them over the years. Juvia burst through the third last door on the left, standing still as she basked in the feeling of being back in a dance space. This is where Juvia felt at home the most. Looking around the room, Juvia was able to see a fairly updated sound system, and a barre that wrapped around three walls of the room at waist height, above the wooden panelling. Juvia bounced on the balls of her feet, taking in how much give and bounce the floor had. It was better than Juvia's rehearsal space at school!
Juvia did a few channe turns to the centre of the room, her skirt swirling around her legs making her smile, spotting to a tree out the large wall sized window. There was so much natural light, it made Juvia giddy and want to dance. Juvia wondered if she could sneak back here after turn in and dance a bit. It always made Juvia feel better.
"Don't worry, she gets like this when she finds a new studio. Or crush."
Juvia turned towards the door, rocking on her feet and hands clasped behind her back, smiling at where Gajeel stood, Lucy and Levy peeking around his bulking figure. "Gajie, come dance with Juvia!"
Gajeel blushed and scoffed at Juvia's out stretched hand, Levy and Lucy giggling and looking up at him slyly. "But Gajie always dances with Juvia," Juvia said softly. Had she done something? Gajeel bit his lip, blush darkening on his skin as he fidgeted, eyes darting between the wall, Juvia, and Levy. Ohhh, so that was Gajeel's problem. And he said Juvia had a dramatic streak! As if he had forgotten the time he scoured the allies for weeks trying to find a cat after Natsu and Wendy had gotten their kittens.
"Awww, that's so cute!" Levy chimed, grinning up at Gajeel. Juvia's love sense tingled, and she fought letting out a high squeal. Setting up Gajie and Levy would be an excellent distraction when Juvia needed a break trying to woo Gray from Lucy's charms!
"Gajie, come dance with Juvia! Please?" Juvia batted her eyelashes at Gajeel, clapping happily when Gajeel's shoulders slumped and his whole face flared bright red.
"One dance." Gajeel said through his teeth, stalking towards Juvia in the centre of them room. "Got it, Waterworks?"
Juvia hummed as she nodded, holding out her hand expectantly. She grinned brightly when Gajeel took it, rolling her eyes when he stood tense and awkward in front of her, like they hadn't done this a hundred times.
Gajeel cracked a small grin when Juvia started into a swing routine she had had to learn for an audition for Grease in the advanced after school program, and had promptly forced Gajeel to practice with her until she couldn't feel her thighs. Well, Gajeel always said forced, but Juvia had only needed to cry and beg for ten minutes before he caved, which was frankly a record. Usually it took a few hours of pestering him. Juvia squealed and laughed when Gajeel did the full lift, swinging her in the air and on either side of his hips, motions easy and needing as much thought as breathing. She panted slightly when he put her down, his large hand patting her head to signal he was done. She beamed up at his fond look, straight line that his lips were usually set in slightly curled up and eyes soft, like when he looked at Pantherlily. He also reserved this look for when Natsu made him laugh, though Gajeel would rather choke his cousin than admit to seeing him as a brother.
Juvia bowed exaggeratedly when Lucy and Levy began clapping, both standing in the room now and excited by even Juvia's standards.
"Everyone here is so talented!" Lucy awed. Juvia thought she heard of tinge of jealousy in Lucy's voice, but it was quickly pushed aside when the blonde smiled brightly. Juvia felt her cheeks heat when she smiled back shyly. "Just like that boy who was singing earlier. He sounded amazing."
"The mysterious boy did sound quite good to Juvia," Juvia agreed. She looked at Gajeel in confusion when she noticed him snort and shake his head. "What is Gajie thinking?" Juvia asked.
"Nothing, Water Works," Gajeel brushed off, grin wide and sharp as he looked down at her. He patted her head before walking back to Lucy -and Levy, more pointedly- leaving Juvia in the middle of the dance studio. "Now come on, unless you don't wanna see the lake side," Gajeel grunted.
He left the room with the girls, Juvia sharing an excited look with Lucy and Levy before following her tall, dark, and brooding friend. Juvia blinked as both girls looped their arms through hers, physically pulling her into their conversation as all three chased after Gajeel. Her new friends.
Juvia couldn't wait for camp to really begin.
Gray leaned back, elbows resting on the riser step behind him as he looked at the empty stage just behind the large bonfire pit. Steps were carved into the ground in a semi circle around the stage, wooden planks bolted down for seats. This was what he had imagined when Lucy had first brought up the idea of a summer camp to him. Outdoorsy and a little run down, wood everywhere. Not the state of the art recording studios and practice spaces Gildarts had shown him when he took Loke and Gray on a rough tour -including where the female staff hung out. Why Gildarts would be chasing after twenty-somethings was a thing Gray didn't want to think about, but might also help explain Cana's constant silver flask.
And he thought he had a weird relationship with his family.
Whoops, bad thoughts. Think about how big of a drum set could fit on that dinky little stage. Better.
Gray looked over the sea of faces around him, taking in the ages. He was suddenly thrown back to his first AFI concert when he was 13, an endless crowd of young teenagers screaming along to surprisingly dark lyrics. Gray had truly found his people that first concert. And that black was his favourite colour.
"Look at all these cute little kids," Lucy cooed, eyes shining as she caught sight of one that even Gray had to admit made him wish for another sibling, even if it was only so he wasn't the youngest anymore. His attention shifted from the little lost looking girl with blue pigtails to the boy running around with no shirt between the aisles, something that Gray hoped was chocolate or dirt smeared over his chest as he chased his friend.
"They sure are there." Gray drawled, keeping an eye on the screaming twelve-year-old even as he turned back to Lucy, making sure that he had plenty of time to make a break for it in case the snot nosed brat tried to put his grubby hands on Gray's limited edition Nine Inch Nails tour shirt.
"Stop being a butt," Lucy swatted at his arm, distracted when she began waving for Levy to join them. Gray bit back a grimace, seeing the hulking figure of his death metal bunk mate behind Lucy's friend, and the knowledge that where Gajeel was there was the unfortunate chance of seeing Flame Head. What kind of scene punk dyed their entire head pink like that? Gray's thoughts were thankfully saved from thinking more about Natsu when he caught sight of blue hair and even bluer eyes peeking out from behind Gajeel's back, pale skin flushing as she met Gray's gaze and hid fully behind the six-foot-something mass of black clothed muscle.
It was kind of cute how shy Juvia was, but also kind creepy. The jury was still out.
Gray kept his face blank when Juvia sat down next to him, pointedly ignoring how her skirt was slit to reveal the smooth skin of her thighs, pressed tight together as Juvia made herself take up less space. Gray furrowed his eyebrows when it clicked in his head, remembering how Lucy used to sit the same way in front of her father. He met Juvia's eyes and gave her a small smile, feeling unnatural as the corners of his lips forcefully turned up slightly. He was determined to never make anyone feel like how Jude made Lucy feel. He'd be the family she deserved, like how she was the family he didn't.
Juvia squeaked loudly, face turning bright red before she scrambled away, hiding on the other side of Gajeel. He turned to Lucy, smiling slipping away. "Did I do something wrong?" he asked, glancing at the ball of blue and fur that Juvia had become.
"You mean other than existing?" A voice said beside him, Gray snarling as he turned to look up at him.
"Was hoping you fell into the river," Gray spat back, frown deepening when Natsu sat down beside him.
"Both of you be nice," Lucy sighed, Gray rolling his eyes at her motherly tone. "And no Gray, all you did wrong was stripping your shirt before smiling at her."
"Wha- goddamit." Gray said, looking around and catching sight of the turned inside-out black of his shirt, snatching it off the ground and brushing off the wood chips.
"Are you like, trying to get arrested?" Natsu asked. Gray's head snapped to him with an insult on his lips, stalling when he only saw curiosity in Natsu's eyes. Holy shit, did the idiot wear contacts too? Who had green that bright as a natural colour?
"Uh, no. I don't mean to get naked all the time," Gray explained, scratching the side of of his face. He didn't even know why he was explaining this. Half his brain told his mouth to just say 'fuck off' and drop it, but the other half of his brain had different ideas. "My aunt was a competitive rock climber and used to take me and my cousin with her. She liked to train uh, with less clothes so the cold wouldn't bother her and Lyon wanted to be just like her, and I couldn't let Lyon beat me. So uh, the habit kinda stuck."
"Huh," Natsu said, nodding as he looked at the stage as well. "So pervert runs in your genes. Or outta them, I guess."
"You pink haired dipshit," Gray snarled. "You're lucky people are around or you'd be at the bottom of the lake."
"It's nice to see you two talking!" Lucy beamed at them, grin bright and a little forced as she leaned forward to look at both him and Natsu. "This camp is the time to make friends and explore our own identities! Aren't you guys excited?"
"Uh, is there something funny in the water I should be worried about?" Natsu asked, cheeks pink as he eyed Lucy but gaze wary.
"Nah," Gray grunted, slinging an arm around Lucy's shoulder and pulling her closer to his chest. "She just read too many brochures and is as optimistic as a fucking beam of sunshine." Gray smirked when he noticed Natsu curl into himself a bit, eyes flicking away from Gray's and his lips turning down. It was better Natsu accepted that he had no hope with Lucy anyway. He didn't think he could stand sharing a room with that idiot mopping over his best friend all summer, all dopey eyes and dumb smiles. God it would be so gross.
"Gray," Lucy complained, smiling as she pushed herself away from under his arm. "Just because I'm not still in my emo phase doesn't mean I'm a beam of sunshine."
"I think you're pretty beamy," Natsu mumbled. Gray sneered at him, Natsu returning the look briefly. His attention was turned to Lucy again at her soft giggle, Natsu's eyes widening as Gray's snapped to Lucy. She was blushing, eyes cast down and her fingers playing with her ponytail tip.
"That's a stupid thing to say." Gray grumbled, slouching back against the riser. He pulled at the neckline of his shirt, cloth itchy and hot suddenly.
"I thought it was sweet." Lucy defended. Gray held Lucy's warning glower, 'tch'-ing before looking back at the stage. If Lucy knew the truth she wouldn't be so eager to flirt with the pink haired bastard. Gray was stopped from telling her just how not 'sweet' the pink fuckwit was when someone spoke on stage.
"Hello there brats!" Makarov said, voice carrying even without a microphone over the wide group. "It's good to see you all again. Here at Fairy Tail we like to keep things informal, don't need at those blasted rules holding us back, do we brats?" He grinned, mischievous twinkle in his eye reminding Gray why Cana's dad fit so well into the staff here. "So be free to try new things and explore! Bend and break the rules of what you were told you can and can't do! Whatever makes your heart sing can't be all that wrong, can it? We do have some guidelines though, the themes of the weeks coming up to give you growing brats some structure!
"So without further adieu, here is the lovely Mira Jane to introduce them." Makarov motioned to the side, a pretty white haired woman waving her hand. Well, Gray couldn't exactly tell her age, she had the kind of face that could be fifteen or twenty-five. Gray jerked when he felt Lucy's nails dig into her upper arm, grip vice like as she clung to him. Gray could practically see the stars in her eyes as she gaped at the stage.
"Gray! Gray look! Gray oh my God it's Mira Jane!" She whispered loudly, shaking him with each word. Gray was pretty sure she was breaking skin at this point.
"He literally just said that," he pointed out dryly, trying to pry her off one finger at a time, and failing. When the fuck had she gotten so strong?
"No," Lucy hissed, "I mean it's the Mira Jane Strauss! World famous model and rockstar? Part of the mysterious band She Devils? I have her poster above my bed, dummy."
Gray was pretty sure he didn't care. And that he was losing circulation in his arm.
"The She Devils are famous?" Natsu asked, incredulous as he eyed the stage. Gray glared at him, no one was even talking to the idiot. "Nah," he said after a pause, grinning easily at them as he leaned back in his seat, beanie starting to pull back and show his cheap pink dye job. Natsu quickly fixed it, continuing on as if nothing had happened. "It's just Mira and Erza and Ever! If they were famous they wouldn't be hanging around at our camp, no matter how great the program is."
"Erza's in the She Devils?" Lucy gasped, nails definitely cutting into Gray's arm now. He might lose the limb.
"Yeah! She's the main guitar, Mira's vocals and rhythm guitar, and Ever is drums and vocals. Though, they ain't exactly been getting along since last summer..." Natsu trailed off, face paling as he looked at the stage again. "They are called the 'She Devils' for a reason."
Gray snorted as he eyed Mira Jane over again. Her smile was kind but shy as she fiddled with the projector, a pretty but simple summer dress that fit her snugly enough to remind Gray that he was a teenager. "She doesn't look all that scary."
"She makes Erza look like a baby." Natsu said flatly, dead serious as he held Gray's gaze. Gray felt a shiver of fear travel his spine at Natsu's words, turning to look back at the stage. Wait, no, that chill was just the evening air on his bare spine.
"Fuck," Gray hissed, looking around to find his shirt. Again.
"Careful or Erza will hear you," Levy cooed, eyes sparkling as she giggled at Gray's sudden stiffness. He put a hand over his heart, trying to get it to restart.
"Levy don't tease him like that, he nearly had an asthma attack in the cafeteria." Lucy chastised lightly. Gray whipped his head to see Natsu snickering at him, rage boiling under his skin. How dare that dumbass laugh at him! At least he didn't have a dozen piercings in his ear, no matter how much he had been trying to save up to get his own done. His would look way cooler! Gray dug his elbow into Natsu's ribs, grinning when the air left his lungs in a pained gasp. His grin sharpened when Natsu was stopped from attack by Mira Jane finally speaking.
"Hello everyone! My name is Mira Jane, but you guys can call me Mira. I'm the camper coordinator, so if you guys ever need to talk to someone about the events or need a friend I'm here! Gildarts is our professional counselor for more serious or personal matters, as I am a camper just like you!" Mira smiled, taking a breath. Gray wondered how many times she had done this, considering how rehearsed and polished she sounded. "We have some very exciting themes this year that focus heavily on teamwork and collaboration and trying new things. The rest of this week will be for settling in! Some meet and greet events but nothing too major, including the camp favourite: Karaoke.
"The first theme is different talents! This will last three weeks and will end in a miniature camp showcase. You all remember checking the second box on your application forms, and will be grouped with someone who chose your main skill as they're secondary!" Mira gestured to the screen, where pictures of smiling kids faces were opposite to the words she had just spoken in point form. "Then the next theme will be different genres, where we will pair you with someone of the same main talent in a different genre. This will be the last week before the break, where you guys can have a little R and R before coming back. The sixth and seventh weeks will be the collaboration weeks, where you get to choose your partner. The staff thought by then you should have enough time to see who you work best with and what suits you! The eighth and ninth weeks will be the group weeks where you will be split into several groups to work on choreography and stage presence, and the last and final week will be all about preparing for the final showcase for all your parents and loved ones!" Gray scoffed at her overly cheery tone. He wasn't sure if he would count his family as his loved ones.
"Of course," Mira continued, pulling Gray's attention back to her, "there will be several student organized events scattered throughout the weeks, so keep your eyes on that cork board and your ears open. Now, who's ready to rock?"
The crowd met her energetic question with a loud roar. Gray was pretty sure he heard someone screaming about being 'manly', whatever that meant. He looked over at Lucy, jolting when he saw the beginnings of tears in her eyes. "Uh, Luce?" he asked, unsure what to do.
"She's just so beautiful, Gray," Lucy whimpered, clutching her hands to her chest. "And she's a camper here! Gray what if I bump into her and spill a drink all over her? What if she hears me singing? What if she doesn't like me singing? What if she hates my songs Gray?"
Gray sighed, patting her head and rolling his eyes at her warbling lip. He forgot how much of a fangirl Lucy could be sometimes.
"Nah, she'll love ya," Natsu assured, smile bright as he looked at Lucy. God did Gray want to punch him, something heavy curling in his chest.
"He's right, Bunny Girl," Gajeel chimed in, "Mira's crazy but she's nice enough."
"She's the only one who listens to him try and sing," Natsu whispered loudly, sharing a sneaky grin with Gray over mocking Gajeel before beaming at Lucy's high giggle.
"Oi, it's 'cus she's the only one 'round here who can recognise talent," Gajeel spat out, glaring at his cousin. Gray had heard Gajeel humming before he left the cabin. He wasn't sure he'd call whatever Gajeel had 'talent'. He kept his mouth shut, though, not seeing a good escape route and preferring not to start a fight in the middle of a crowd.
"All you brats get your butts back to your cabins, lights out is in ten and I have no clue where our lovely Erza is at the moment." Makarov called loudly, grinning at the petrified crowd before hopping off the stage.
"C'mon you knuckleheads, I dunno about ya but I'd rather not play hide and seek with the crazy redhead my first night here." Gajeel said gruffly, standing and making a path through the crowd. Gray and Lucy shared a look, shrugging as they stood and followed after him, Natsu and Loke striking up a conversation as they followed. Traitor. Actually, if Gray thought about it this was the first he had seen of Loke in hours. Weird.
Natsu was pretty sure if it wasn't for Happy sleeping on his chest and pinning him to the bed that Gray would be dead.
"For the last time, it's 'the goddamn door'!" Gray snapped, throwing a wadded up piece of paper at Natsu's head. He bared his teeth in return before rolling his eyes, wishing he had a rock or something harder than his pillow to throw in retaliation.
"I thought an emo like you woulda known it was 'a goddamn door'," he hissed.
"Oh my God it's been three hours you're both giant music nerds just fucking look it up. We do have internet here," Loke sighed. Gajeel had put in his headphones a while ago, so the group was saved from his creative and explicit threats, although Loke might be nearing the 'murder' point pretty soon. They had been stuck in the cabin for the last four hours due to a sudden thunderstorm that made it nearly impossible to see your own hand in front of your face outside. The weather was due to clear up before karaoke, which was at eight; another six hours away.
Natsu didn't know if he could survive another six hours in this damn cabin.
"Lucy's saying that the girls are playing truth or dare and 'having girl time'," Loke continued, "I wish I was with them, having Cana probe my sex life would be much more enjoyable than listening to you two bicker over song lyrics."
"Stop being melodramatic and just fucking google it, seeing as you're the only one in here with a signal." Gray snapped, throwing a pillow at the orange haired boy this time. Hah, that dumbass was out of pillows now.
"If it'll make you two shut up for a bloody second then fine."
Natsu perked up as he waited for Loke to prove him right, shove that in Frost Bite's face. As if anyone knew Panic! At The Disco better than him. That band had practically raised Natsu through his early teens, he wasn't about to misremember the lyrics of one of their most iconic songs. Although it wasn't Natsu's favourite, it was still up there alongside Nine In The Afternoon.
"Oh my God."
"What!" Natsu asked, upper body hanging over the barricade of his bunk bed as he looked down at Loke, eager to be proven right. A grin spread over his face at the rueful smile on Loke's face, eyes flicking in Gray's direction above him apologetically.
"Natsu's right."
"You're dead to me."
"Fucking suck on that you fake emo!" Natsu crowed, squeezing Happy in a victorious embrace. He closed his eyes, imagining Lucy laughing and beaming at him as he proved Gray wrong, a little exasperated but fond and soft.
"I can't believe I was wrong," Natsu heard Gray whisper, looking sideways to see Gray staring at the wooden ceiling blankly.
"Erm," Natsu said, suddenly unsure of how good his win was. Gray looked shaken by the revelation. "You okay there Frosty?"
"What else have I been wrong about. How can I call myself a fan. Who am I?"
Oh God Lucy would never forgive him if he broke her best friend. And Natsu would much rather deal with the piss baby Gray than this, if he were to even care about Gray. Which he didn't.
"Oi, Loke. I, uh, think Gray's having an identity crisis." Natsu said, giving Gray another concerned pass over. The boy looked near comatose actually.
Loke rolled his eyes, texting with someone quickly as he ignored his friend above him. "Give him a smoke and an hour and he'll be fine." Loke said dismissively. Several more minutes passed as Gray mumbled to himself before Loke groaned loudly and threw himself into a sitting position. Natsu watched curiously as Loke dragged one of the suitcases from beneath his bunk and rummaged through it, finding his prize with a huff. He stood, kicking the suitcase under the bunk irritably before whipping the cardboard box at Gray's head. "Fucking light up but if Lucy asks I'm ratting your ass out."
"Does anyone have a lighter?" Gray asked in a lost voice, dark eyes glazed and freaking Natsu the fuck out. He lobbed his over wordlessly, Gajeel's attention finally caught by all the flying objects.
"Wait!" Natsu said, sitting up in a cross legged position and lifting his hands to cover the smoke alarm placed over the middle of the bunk. While Natsu had feared any batshit ideas Gajeel might have come up with wake him up when he first noticed it, he was thankful it was in reach now. He raised his arms, covering it easily before nodding at Gray to continue. "Don't need Gildarts bustin' in our door on our second day 'cus you needed a drag. Or worse, Erza." Natsu shared a shudder with Gray at the thought who gave a barely visible nod in recognition before lighting the cigarette between his lips.
Gray laid back down wordlessly, eyes becoming distant again even as the end burned a dull red and orange, travelling down the white stick with each inhale. Natsu watched, curious as the greyish white smoke puffed out of Gray's nose effortlessly. He had considered taking up smoking to give himself more of an authentic growl in his voice when he was thirteen before his dad had found the pack he had stolen from Gajeel and promptly shoved a handful of poupore in Natsu's mouth for being 'a miniature dumbass'. He'd never admit it, but he'd always hoped to look as cool as Gray did when he envisioned himself smoking. Then the thick burning-tar scent hit his nose and his face scrunched. He definitely didn't need whatever could make a smell that gross filling his lungs, thank you very much.
Minutes passed and Natsu felt his shoulders and the back of his arms start aching from the awkward position. "You almost done there Mr. I-Make-Bad-Life-Choices?" Natsu hissed. He rolled his eyes when Happy curled up in his lap, purring contentedly at his warm spot. Gray ignored Natsu, his eyes far away. He put the stub of a cigarette out on the odd circular object he had been tapping the ashes onto, quickly pulling out a second one and lighting it up. Great, his bunk-mate was a fucking chain-smoker.
"Has anyone seen my mirror?" Loke asked suddenly, Natsu hiding a snicker when he noticed what Gray had been using as an ashtray. Natsu was stopped from telling Loke exactly what his mirror was being used for by Gray's mumbles becoming clearer and louder as he pulled the cigarette from his lips, still laying on his bed and staring at the ceiling.
"So baby pull me closer in the back seat of your rover that I know you can't afford, bite that tattoo on your shoulder."
Natsu blinked and squawked when Gray rolled over groaning loudly, face burying itself in his pillow and smoke dangerously close to his blankets. "Uh, Gray?" Natsu asked, ducking his head awkwardly to look closer at the dark haired boy.
"How can I know the words to that trash song and not I Write Sins Not Tragedies?" He wailed, voice muffled by the cotton stuffed fabric he was trying to smother himself with.
"Because you're an idiot?" Natsu offered.
"Fuck off," Gray mumbled into his pillow.
"Stop being emo," Loke called up, eyes still glued to his phone and thumbs flying effortlessly. Natsu wondered who he'd be texting so obsessively.
"You fuck off too."
"You're all stupid and I'm one noise away from throwin' both of your dumb asses out into the storm," Gajeel barked. Natsu decided he was done helping Gray and dropped his arms, hanging his body over the railing on his bed to look at his cousin. Happy meowed loudly, upset at his spot moving.
"Words not working?" Natsu asked. Gajeel sat surrounded by balled up scraps of paper, Lily claiming Gajeel's abandoned pillow for his own, pencil nearly bit in half. Gajeel always got pissy when he couldn't work out a song properly, and while Natsu was happy that it meant his cousin wasn't trying to sing he was also very, very afraid because it meant Gajeel was one too-loud-breath away from trying to put his pencil through someone's eye. Natsu didn't think Lucy would dig a dude in an eye-patch.
"No, it's going like a fuckin' dream," Gajeel snarled, pencil snapping in his hand. Natsu gulped, scurrying back onto his bunk. Gajeel had seemed more surprised at the shattered wood and lead but Natsu really did not want to be thrown into the rain. It always made his piercings itch.
"Hey, Natsu?" Loke called. Natsu cocked his head, unsure of what it meant that Loke was talking to him.
"Yeah?" he asked. Gray was still mumbling into his pillow and his cigarette was out, so Natsu was thankful there would be no cabin fires tonight. Natsu was bound to set one off eventually, but he'd rather know for a fact he had been the one to cause it when he got blamed.
"You got your guitar here?"
"I always got Fev," Natsu said, even more puzzled.
"Is she acoustic?" Loke asked.
"Nah, she's electric," Natsu said, his pride seeping into his voice when he thought of his guitar.
"Cool, use mine. It's acoustic."
"Uh, 'kay?" Natsu said slowly. He had no clue what the fuck was happening anymore.
"I have a request." Loke said, still looking at his phone and typing faster than any girl Natsu had seen at his school do.
"Erm, sure?" he replied. Gajeel passed Loke's case up to him with a low grunt, obviously still working over his lyrics in his head if he was willing to help out Natsu before he asked.
Loke waited until Natsu had the guitar settled in his lap and partially tuned before speaking.
"Play Wonderwall."
"Get fucked," Natsu howled, whipping the guitar pick at Loke's face. He grinned broadly at Loke's sly smirk, fishing another pick from his jean pocket before strumming. He began to sing in the most contrived, hipster voice he could, voice warbling as he sang. Loke joined in shortly, harmonising nicely with Natsu. Even Gray lifted his head slightly from his pillow, amusement and disgust equal in his curled lip and narrowed eyes.
"Hey Strawberry," Gray said, rolling onto his side. "Play Welcome To My Life next."
Natsu cackled mid word, resuming his very serious and artistic persona as he nodded at Gray's request.
At least it was better than worrying about what the fuck Natsu was going to do about karaoke tonight.
Cana leaned back against the railing, watching as a boy probably around fourteen or fifteen got off the stage, shy smile at the light applause of his karaoke performance, the few people eager to perform but too scared to do it when all attention was focused on them performing before the actual event.
No one here would pass up the opportunity to listen to Lady Gaga, even if it was done by the cracking voice of a boy on the cusp of beautiful, beautiful puberty.
Her eyes scanned the crowd, looking for either Lucy or Juvia, both girls definitely in need of a perpetual chill pill and Cana was only too happy to comply as substitute for a happy visit from the pot fairy.
Cana snorted at the thought of Loke wearing a pink tutu and flinging sparkling packets of weed wherever he went. Such a shame the camp had a strict no drugs policy. She wondered idly how difficult it would be to forge a prescription for medical marijuana as she straightened and strolled over to the karaoke sign up sheet. The forgery itself wouldn't be the hard part, she thought as she signed herself up, smirking at her song choice. No, the hard part would be slipping the forgery past Gildarts keen eyes.
That was a challenge for another day however. For the moment, she settled on perfecting the handwriting of the next three people that would very generously be performing after herself- though of course none of them would be able to top her own performance.
"Signing up for kareoke?"
Cana turned to find Natsu peering over her shoulder, a few tufts of pink hair sticking out from under his beanie.
"Want me to add your name?"
Natsu snorted.
"God no."
"Why not? Don't tell me you get stage fright. Y'know hot people aren't meant get that, right?"
Natsu blushed at the compliment as someone pushed past him to get to the sign up sheet. Cana shoved them back for his sake before handing over the pen and moving out of the way herself.
"I'm not hot," Natsu rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly before shrugging, "And I get anxiety."
"Well I got a fix for that," Cana smirked. She could tell from their previous conversations that Natsu wasn't going to take her word on his hotness level -which was fairly high in her professional opinion- but she knew the fix to anyone's nerves easily.
"Wha-" Natsu jolted when Cana presses her flask to his hands, squeaking as he tried to hide the plain silver canister in the breast of his hoodie. Cana snorted as she plucked the pen back from the plastic set up table, twirling it lightly between her fingers as she waited for Natsu to unfreeze.
"Just polish that beauty off and you'll be set!" She grinned, writing down Natsu's name for him as he continued to gape at her. Cana would've pegged him for a punk and rule breaker with his piercings and pink hair and the mischievous smirk he wore when he wasn't getting lost in that dense mind of his, but so far he'd been as adventurous as Lucy. Which was to say more than the normal person, but not quite on the same level as Cana.
The whiskey should fix that out.
"Uh," Natsu said, sniffing the flask lip before jerking his head away. "What even is this, eighty proof?"
Cana grinned, impressed. The boy at least knew something about drinking, which was enough to make him good in Cana's books. "Close," she hummed, winking at him. "It's eighty eight."
"How are you even alive right now," Natsu sniffed the flask again, nose wrinkling in a way she knew Lucy would find adorable. Damn it, now she had to get them together. Not to mention that meddling in Lucy's love life was basically her job description as one of Lucy's best friends.
"Sheer will power," Cana drawled, tapping the bottom of the flask up so it hit his lips. Natsu would never woo Lucy if he couldn't grow the balls to go on stage and sing a fucking karaoke song. Natsu shot her another -completely unnecessary- disbelieving look before taking back a hard sip.
Cana nodded, impressed again by his ability to handle a shot.
He took another shot at her encouraging nod, Cana distracted as she lifted a hand in a peace sign as Loke walked over.
"Just because you're an alcoholic doesn't mean you need to convert my bunk-mate," Loke said flatly, arms crossing as he gave Cana that look. It was both disapproving and amused and Cana always rolled her eyes at it.
"As if you wouldn't be pushing it on him if you'd seen what a wreck he was. He doesn't even think he's hot!" she scoffed. Natsu choked, denials catching on his tongue at Cana's truth speaking. His cheeks had already gotten a bit of a flush, which meant her idea was working.
Loke snorted, eyebrow raised as he looked at Natsu. "Not everyone has the self confidence you project Cana."
"Well they should." Cana stuck her tongue out at her friend, Loke laughing and slinging an arm around Natsu's tense shoulders.
"So what do you need Cana's favourite liquid courage for?" he asked, eyes lighting in the way they always did when Loke sensed fresh meat to hit on. Cana narrowed her eyes at him, mentally telling him to back off. Pinky was gonna be for Lucy, and Cana was determined to beat off anyone that even hinted at flirting with him. Which probably wouldn't be helping his apparent self esteem issues, but Cana liked to take one problem at a time. And right now, that problem was her ginger friend thinking with his dick.
"'Cus he's too chickenshit to get on stage and woo Lucy with a karaoke performance."
Cana raised her eyebrows as Natsu choked again, face flaming as he took a long and third sip. Loke's face pinched, Cana watching as his gaze flickered to where Lucy was standing with Gray and Juvia. Levy was off with her band-mates -Jet and Droy she was pretty sure their names were. She had felt a little bad for them, what, with their obvious fawning over the short girl completely either going over Levy's head or flat out ignored.
"Am not!" Natsu said hotly, pouting under Cana and Loke's laughter.
"Prove it," Loke jabbed him in the ribs. "Sing her a love song."
Cana snorted despite herself.
"Lame," She drawled, "They met like three days ago, it's a bit early for Whitney Houston don't you think?"
Natsu's nose crinkled at the song implication, but Loke ignoring it. The arm over Natsu's shoulder tightened protectively.
"But what if he will always love her?"
"Doesn't matter," Natsu hiccuped, "I'm pretty sure I couldn't hold those notes anyway."
Cana rolled her eyes. Did he even hear himself when he sang? She'd only heard him belt it out once and she had been impressed enough to wager the kid had a hell of a vocal range on him. So, that song probably wasn't his preferred genre, but Cana was willing to bet his rendition would be interesting.
"So what are you going to sing then?"
Loke pulled away to inspect Natsu's response to Cana's question. Without the support, Natsu swayed a little, and Cana couldn't help but mask a smirk. She watched as Natsu scratched his head in thought, the motion pushing his beanie back enough to free the turfs of hair he'd hidden earlier. He made no move to correct himself.
All of a sudden his hand dropped and Natsu chuckled as he grinned to himself.
"What? What have you thought of?"
"Hehehe, Gajeel will be so embarrassed." Natsu's chuckle turned into maniacal laughter.
"Gajeel?" Loke grimaced, "You want to sing a love song to your cousin?"
Natsu threw the flask at Loke, hitting him square in the shoulder. Cana managed to catch it before it hit the ground.
"I know what I'm going to sing!" Natsu practically screamed before running off into the crowd.
"That was my playing arm!" Loke shouted after him, cradling himself as though he'd just been shot.
Cana watched Natsu run in what was very obviously not a straight line.
"Shut up you idiot, we have to go after him!" She slapped Loke on his wounded side, "We have yet another Operation Lightweight on our hands."
Lucy watched her two friends running after Natsu for the fourth time in ten minutes as she took her seat beside Gray in front of the karaoke stage. She had to admit, she was a little concerned. It seemed Cana was trying to hide her notorious flask in Natsu's crumpled beanie, which was also filled with leaves. Natsu didn't seem to notice the absence of what Lucy had guessed was one of the boys many crutches as he told her two friends to stop following him at a very surprising volume. Loke seemed only mildly irritated by the whole situation, but for some reason his right arm was bundled up in a sling made out of a hoodie.
"Fucking morons." Gray muttered to himself as he watched them go by.
"Should we save them a seat?"
Gray seemed to think a moment before shaking his head.
"I get the feeling this is one of those times where we've no choice but to pretend we don't know them."
"You mean like that time we went to Hargeon on a school trip and Loke got his hand stuck in the condom vending machine they had in the hotel?
"And Cana tried to use peach schnapps as a lubricant to get him out? Yeah, exactly like that actually."
Lucy nodded, remembering the sickly feeling of hoping no one would realise she was sharing a room with the girl screaming 'I know one of you bastards brought lube with you goddamnit' down the hallway. She still had nightmares about what the elderly couple from Alverez must have thought.
"Why was Loke in need of some, um, protection?" Juvia asked from Lucy's right, having overheard their conversation.
"I ask myself that question every time I find one in my bunk."
"He brought condoms to camp?" Lucy grimaced.
"Yup. So far I've found eight in my bunk. Still in the wrapper- thank god. Yesterday, I woke up in the middle of the night to find him leaning over that pink haired moron's bed. I know he's an idiot, but no one deserves having Loke unknowingly in your bed- we don't know where he's been- and I was about to warn him but then I realised Loke was just hiding a rubber in the smoke detector."
"Why would Loke need a-a, erm, one of… those in a smoke detector?"
Lucy and Gray sighed in unison.
"Because," They answered, voices completely lacking emotion, "His sex is on fire."
Juvia's nose wrinkled in response. Lucy was inclined to agree.
Lucy leaned forward in her seat, trying to find her friends in the crowd. She spotted Cana pulling Natsu and Loke into a team huddle off to the side of the stage. Lucy's brows furrowed.
"Did either of you check the karaoke list?" She asked Gray and Juvia.
"Juvia thought about signing up, but decided she does not want to make her camp debut yet."
"I didn't think drum solos counted as karaoke so I didn't bother. Why?"
"We have left Cana to her own devices for over an hour." Lucy observed.
"Shit."
"Why is this a bad thing?" Juvia asked them.
"It might not be." Lucy admitted, "But we should always be weary when we spot Cana with a flask."
Juvia's face turned very serious.
"Juvia shall remember this."
"I swear to god, if that ass-hole has signed me up I'll-"
Gray was cut off by a dramatic fanfare as the lights were dimmed and Gildarts stepped onto stage with a clipboard and a wild grin. Lucy applauded with the rest of the crowd at his entrance, excited for the night of performing to begin.
Gildarts announced the first performer and the show began. First up was no one Lucy knew, but their talent was undeniable. If the rest of the night went like this they were all in for a treat. As the show worked through the first couple of performers, Lucy wondered at everyone's talents. Although karaoke was mostly for singers, some brought their guitar with them for an acoustic song, while others went up with friends to ease their nerves- like Levy and her band-mates.
Lucy stood and cheered loudly as they walked onstage after Gildarts introduction. Jet and Droy carried guitars with them while Levy stepped straight up to the microphone, bouncing on her tiptoes to reach it until Gildarts reappeared to lower the stand for her. Lucy could see the small girls blush from the audience.
"Alright guys!" Levy's voice chirped over the speakers, "We're Shadow Gear and we hope you enjoy this song!"
Lucy smiled to herself as she recognised the opening of the song. She noticed Gray's surprised expression from the corner of her eye, not expecting a song choice such as this from a band named Shadow Gear.
"We were both young when I first saw you,
I close my eyes and the flashback starts
I'm standing there,
On a balcony in summer air."
Levy's voice was sweet as it carried over the crowd, all the audience swaying in their seats at the easy melody. To Lucy, Levy seemed perfectly content in front of the microphone. She seemed to grow more confident as the song went on, even detaching the microphone from it's stand and walking across the stage as she sung, enchanting the audience. Though Lucy did spot her quickly turning away after meeting eyes with someone in the crowd. Lucy turned to see who but couldn't make out the shape of the person she suspected it was in the dim lighting over the seats.
Her attention turned back to the stage as Levy neared the climax of the song, her passion stealing Lucy's breath from her.
"Romeo, save me, I've been feeling so alone
I keep waiting for you, but you never come.
Is this in my head? I don't know what to think,
He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said…"
Levy lent her body towards the crowd and held out the microphone, a smile beaming on her face. Lucy was the first to stand up and continue the song, followed by most of the other girls in the audience.
"Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone,
I love you and that's all I really know."
Levy brought the microphone back to her own lips and finished the song with the crowd singing along with her. Lucy was beaming with pride for her new friend by the time the song drifted off. But even as everyone stood and applauded them, Lucy thought she saw a hint of doubt on the blue haired girl's face. But perhaps it was just the light.
"Who knew Shadow Gear would be a pop band?" Gray smirked as he applauded too.
"Juvia saw Gray mouthing the words. Does Gray adore love songs like Juvia does?"
Lucy snorted.
"That and he loves country music."
"I do not." He protested.
Lucy laughed, but Gray could do nothing as he was once again interrupted by Gildarts presence on stage.
"Thanks for that Shadow Gear! Next up is…. Ah! The amazing, the wonderful, the beautiful- my daughter- Cana Alberona!"
Lucy clapped as Cana swagged on stage, unable to stop herself from shooting an apprehensive look at Gray, who matched her own curiosity.
"Alright losers," Cana's voice purred as she pulled the microphone from it's stand where Levy had left it, "Let's get this party started."
Cana pressed play on the karaoke machine and began to sway her hips. The first notes floated over the crowd and Lucy's muscles clenched with dread.
"Why do they even have this song on there?" Gray hissed beside her.
As if she could hear them, on stage Cana smirked and winked in their direction before she began singing.
"Sex with me's so amazing,
All this hard work, no vacation
Stay up off my instagram, pure temptation."
Lucy covered her face with her hands. Relieved as the song continued that Cana at least had the sense not to sing the n-word in front of children. At least she hadn't gotten drunk enough to forget she was white.
"Vodka and water, and a lemon,
And a few other things I cannot mention."
Lucy peeked through her fingers to see Cana slut-dropping on stage, oblivious to the thirteen year-old with a nose bleed in the second row. Equally obvious was Gildarts, who was beaming from the side of the stage, eyes filled with pride for his daughter as he did some strange middle-aged version of twerking.
"I'm now certain we died in a horrible car crash on the way home," Gray shouted in her ear over the music, "Because we're definitely in hell."
"Well you were the one driving." Lucy reminded him.
Gray shot her a look she understood perfectly. They had only themselves to blame for not giving Cana the correct amount of supervision.
"Sex with me, sex with me, sex with me,
So amazing, so amazing, mmmm."
When the song finished there was a very long moment of complete silence as Cana smiled proudly from the stage. Lucy glanced at Gray to see him shaking his head at her. No, they would not reward her for her shameless behaviour.
Though most of the other boys in the camp seemed to have a different idea to Gray as they shot to their feet applauding and whistling.
Cana bowed low, providing the audience with a pretty clear view of her cleavage. The applause grew louder.
"God, guys are so disappointing sometimes." Gray sighed.
"Juvia does not think Gray could disappoint her at anything."
Lucy was too busy watching Gildarts hug Cana onstage to acknowledge Gray's discomfort at Juvia's statement. Clearly this was the point at which Cana had gotten her mitts on the sign up sheet. She wondered at what point during the show her friends meddling would cease.
Gildarts finally released his daughter as the applause died off, once again consulting his clip board.
"Alright next up is Gray-" Gildarts frowned, he turned the where his daughter had just exited the stage, "Cana! You know Gray can't sing, that's just cruel!"
Beside Lucy, Gray sunk down in his seat groaning. Juvia leaned forward on Lucy's other side and offered him a sympathetic smile.
"Juvia is sure Gray has a wide range of other talents."
Lucy patted Gray's shoulder as he groaned once more.
"Alright, ignore that," Gildarts continued, "Next up, Lucy Heartfilia!"
It was Lucy's turn to groan, pushing herself from her seat before Cana wadded her way through the crowd and dragged Lucy on stage herself. It was official, either her or Gray had to be on Cana Duty at all times. Cleary Loke couldn't be trusted. She sent a half-hearted glare at her alcoholic friend when Cana blew her a kiss.
Lucy's mood brightened when she noticed the keyboard was plugged in still, settling down at it tentatively. Lucy laughed under her breath when someone wolf-whistled from the crowd, Loke always the flatterer.
She took a deep breath, running her fingers over the keys without any pressure, gaining a feel for the new instrument. Lucy played the first chord, already knowing what song she wanted as her camp debut.
"You bought a star
In the sky tonight
Because
Your life is dark
And you need some light."
Lucy lost herself as she played the notes from memory, singing along to her favourite comfort song. It had been there during her worst fights with her dad and her loneliest nights without her mom, the one that made Cana push her back to music after she caught Lucy singing it in the shower. Lucy was also willing to admit that it was easier to perform with the keyboard in front of her, the white and black keys stealing her focus from the sea of faces watching her pour her heart and soul into her voice.
"And still you'd like to think you own me
You keep buying stars."
Her fingers flew along the keys, emotions building and swirling inside her as she sang out the chorus again, meaning only those who truly knew her could understand. Lucy had cried when she first heard this song, and she felt tears prick the corners of her eyes again now. She belted out the next verse, loud and powerful and raw and more than than the gentleness of the original track.
"You're buying stars to shut out the light
We come alone and alone we die
And no matter how hard you try
I'll always belong in the sky."
The rest of the song was a rough blur, Lucy's fingers playing without thought and the lyrics pulling from her lips as easily as breathing.
"It's who you are."
Lucy pulled her hands back into her lap after releasing the final notes, blinking in shock at the loud applause she was greeted with. She saw Gray and Cana standing side by side, her arm thrown over his shoulders as she hollered expletive riddled praise. Her other arm was around Juvia's shoulders, Lucy beaming at the blue-haired girl's tear streaked face and enthusiastic clapping. She had to flush when she caught sight of Natsu by Loke's side, green eyes bright and beaming as he grinned at her, hair wild in a way that made Lucy's heart pick up and blush coating his cheeks. Loke too was giving her a standing ovation, pride making his chest puff out. Lucy bowed awkwardly, hurrying off stage when she caught Gray's 'encore' floating through the noise of the campers.
Lucy smiled brightly at all the small congratulations people gave her as she passed, finally coming to stand on the other side of Gray with a huff.
"That was amazing Luce," Gray greeted, pulling her in for a rare hug. She hugged him back just as quickly, not even caring that he was shirtless again.
"Thanks," she mumbled, grinning at him when he pulled back. They took their seats, Lucy ignoring Juvia's pout two people over as she focused on Gildart's return to the stage. He was wiping a tear from his eye, looking at Lucy almost as proudly as he had looked at Cana after her performance.
"And now, though I don't know how he'll top Lucy's beautiful rendition of Buy The Stars by Marina and the Diamonds, is Loke!"
Cana and Gray snickered at Loke's muffled whine from offstage, Lucy blushing at having the attention turned again on her so soon. "Oh shit," Cana hissed, scrambling from her seat between Gray and Juvia and stumbling over Lucy as she tried to get down the stage. Gray and Lucy shared a look, sighing tiredly as they silently agreed to plead ignorance for whatever Cana had gotten herself involved in. Lucy ignored Loke's slow swagger onto the stage when she saw Cana grip Natsu's elbow, whispering something in his ear before rolling her eyes and dragging him out of Lucy's eye-line. Worry pitted in her stomach. It was never a good sign when Cana was dragging people away.
Loke was playing his guitar and singing some generic love song -quite well and with so much feeling Lucy was sure everyone who was interested in men at the camp was swooning over him- but Lucy couldn't help but favour craning her neck to try and track where Cana and Natsu had gone.
Mainly Cana.
Lucy wasn't keeping an eye out and worrying her lip over a boy she had known two days. Because that would be silly. And creepy. And yet, here she was, keeping her eyes open for any flash of pink amongst the crowd. Lucy had been pleasantly surprised to see him without his ever present beanie, especially now as it made him easy to track in a crowd.
God, she really sounded like a stalker.
But honestly, she was just concerned for his well-being. Cana was capable of roping almost anyone into something that, under normal -sober- circumstances, they would never agree to. She could only hope Natsu was more resistant to peer-pressure than she was. Though knowing the strength of the alcohol Cana carried with her, that hope was pretty far fetched.
As if on cue, Lucy spotted pink at the side of the stage. As Loke wrapped up his song, Natsu was high-fiving Gildarts as Cana hid a giggle behind them. Lucy tried her best to shoot Cana a glare, but from this distance there was no way her drunken friend would be able to see her. If the way Natsu was swaying slightly on his feet was any indication, Cana had certainly succeeded in roping Natsu into something his sober self would never have agreed to.
The audience broke into applause at Loke's performance. Lucy clapped along, but Loke had barely finished taking a bow before Natsu strolled onto the stage, not even waiting for Gildarts to announce him. Loke barely rolled his eyes and patted the pink haired boy good luck on the shoulder.
"Hey everybody!" Natsu shouted into the mic as he tore it from the stand, "My name's Natsu and this is Damned If I Do Ya!"
The music began and instantly Natsu was jumping about the stage, excluding an energy that had the crowd cheering in moments. Lucy's draw dropped in shock. This was a far cry from the bashful Natsu she'd been getting to know over the last few days.
"I fought it for a long time now
While drowning in a river of denial
I washed up, fixed up, picked up all my broken things."
Lucy stared at the stage in wonder, completely awestruck. That voice! That was the voice everyone had heard singing the other night! She turned to Gray to share her surprise, but her best friend only shrugged, as if he knew Natsu had to have had something hiding up his sleeve.
On stage, the singer himself was singing with his eyes closed, hand over his heart as if it had truly been him that had ended up alone after one stupid call. From the second row, Lucy was enthralled. People behind her were standing up and cheering as Natsu sang out the second rendition of the chorus as he pointed out to the crowd. Lucy wasn't surprised when she finally realised she was grinning from ear to ear. He was amazing! Why was he so shy if he could make people go crazy like this?
Lucy let out a yell of support, punching her fist into the air. She hadn't expected him to notice in such an exhilarated crowd, but his head snapped in her direction as soon as the sound left her lips. Even after knowing him for such a short while, Lucy would have expected him to blush, but instead Natsu's smile only grew bigger as he changed course on stage.
The crowd went wild as Natsu knelt and jumped off the stage. The girl sitting in front of Lucy jumped up in excitement, but Natsu ignored her, instead squeezing between the girl and her friend until he was standing right in front of Lucy.
"Make a fool of myself when you hang around,
When you're gone
I'm a match that's burning out
Could have been, should have done, what I said I was going to.."
Natsu's green eyes were intense and his smile bright as he sang. Lucy couldn't move, she was so surprised. He was close enough to smell Cana's whiskey on his breath.
And that's when it hit her.
The festival. The taste of whiskey on her tongue. The pink hair. The kiss.
Now she knew why he'd known her name when they'd first bumped into her. Thoughts racing, she didn't even notice as Natsu turned away to finish the song on stage. She'd seen him before. They'd spoken before.
And they'd kissed.
A/N: Long time no update but we're back! And with a pretty big chapter too! We hope you enjoy and please let us know what you think!
- HN & NJAF