The Farmers Market Inspiration

Fermenting in wooden barrels outside of a small shop, the farmer's market fruit of the day gives off a sickly sweet smell. Lucy stares intently at the fruit, debating about what she wants. Natsu hates jackfruit while she loves them for their sweetness. He would rather get bell peppers or a dragon fruit, though neither of them very much like dragon fruit, Natsu would buy them for the name alone.

"I say to get the kiwis," Erza advises, arms full of paper bags that hold her foods of choice.

Lucy sighs. "Ever since I lost that bet to Lily, I've been buying kiwis for him non-stop this past week and I'd rather stay clear of that fruit for the rest of my life, if I can."

She leans forward enthusiastically, taking on a sparkle to her dark brown eyes. "Then go for the strawberries."

"I can't now that you've bought the entire place out," Lucy chuckles.

"Oh, right, sorry about that. I couldn't help myself."

She gives in and buys one of each fruit. Beside the kiwi's, that is.

In the heat of the summer sun that comes down without mercy, Lucy took the opportunity to wear her new summer dress, tapered at the waist and flowing down to her knees, making her blossom with femininity. Which is why she can't understand how Erza can wear her armor, blinding Lucy whenever it reflects in the right angle of light. Erza does have to go on a mission as soon as she drops her food off at home, but can't she take the opportunity to change then? Maybe the armor acts as a sort of insulation?

The farmer's market crowd swarms the girls as they make their way to the other side of the market, away from the foods and towards the merchants who sell hand-made items. The soaps, perfumes and skin care items tempt Lucy, but like every time she comes by this area she restrains herself. Her rent is more important. So is food. She'll have to take an extra mission alone to pay for all these indulgent things.

That doesn't stop her when an emerald bottle catches her eye.

In a small booth with an insignificant atmosphere to it, the merchant of this establishment has his back to her as he reads through a small handbook. Her bottle of interest sits on a cloth covered table surrounded by other bottles of different shapes and colors, but it's what the bottles says it does that makes her pause.

Lucy taps a knuckle against the table to get the clerks attention. "Excuse me but … um, that bottle—"

She's startled into silence when he suddenly spins around, his vast amount of necklaces clacking together. "Ah, the young lady has an eye for the rare, I see," he says enthusiastic. He quickly goes to the table and waves a hand out at his potions. "All of my potions are organic and hand-made, you can count on that. What is that you seek? I can give you hair that shines like today's sun. Or perhaps you're interested in attracting the eyes of all who are around you? There is one that forever gives you the smell of wax-flower, a lovely feature, if I do say so myself."

"No, no, it's none of those things," she interjects, trying to take control of this man's over-bearing marketing strategy. "It's that bottle, the one with the long neck to it. It says 'Strength Potion'. Can it really do that? I mean, how strong would I be?"

The clerk purses his lips. "Why would a beauty like you be interested in something so boorish? I regretted making that potion the moment my husband suggested it."

She hiccups when her cheeks become hotter. "Why I want it is none of your concern."

In all honesty, her first thought is to use it against Natsu. During their sparing matches, when the fights aren't serious and laughter accompanies the tussling, there's a sense of intimacy that lingers between them. She's psychically closer to her boyfriend in those moments then she is when they're on the couch in her apartment.

To Lucy, it seems that fighting is Natsu's one way of knowing what it means to not be afraid of her body. She's seen how enthralled he gets whenever she fights. That blush of pride and the nod of approval he unconsciously gives. He's more comfortable with her chest pressing against his in their fighting matches then he is in the privacy of her home.

To feel his breath rough against her as he exerts his strength, to close her hands around his lean muscles and to see his canine-teeth come out as he grins with their play, sometimes it gets to her head and she has to stop. Doing so is never a good thing as it confuses Natsu, making him continuously ask her what's wrong. It's something she can never admit to him out of embarrassment. Many times she's turned their matches into a challenge to not lose her cool and jump his bones.

That's exactly why she wants the potion though. It's been such a long time since those moments between them took place. She just wants to spend some intimate time with him, and if that's the only way currently without him shying away then so be it.

"It sure will make you strong," the vendor reassures. "All you have to do is add the hair of the strongest warrior you know of and that potion will adhere to that strength. Drink it and it will last you about fifteen minutes."

"That's it? Fifteen minutes?" She puts her grocery bags on the display table, pushing some of the bottles aside and panicking the merchant, seeing his precious item treated so poorly.

Lucy asks about the pros and cons. Are there side-effects? What can be done for her if something goes wrong, because she sure will get her money back if it doesn't work? Are there any other positives to it? But that one is apparently a dud. Its strength alone that she will get.

What she doesn't ask is how this will affect her boyfriend. What would happen if she could physically out do him? Pin him to the ground and … and seduce him?

Out of nowhere, with that one thought, she sees the use of this potion in new light. The thought alone sounds stupid, but to a boy with a fighting spirit and dragon instincts to boot, it could help him work past his shyness. She could take their intimacy to a new level doing this.

Natsu wouldn't know what she was doing. No way would he. The only time he figures out flirting is when it's shoved straight in his face, and then he starts panicking. But to fight him into seduction? To dominate over this head-strong boy … she can't help but wonder what it would mean for the dragon side of him.

After all, it's hard to fight against nature.

Lucy smashes her face into her hands and mutters with a groan. "Oh, listen to me. I sound like some sex fiend."

"Excuse me, ma'am?" the vendor says.

She jumps and straightens her back. With these naughty thoughts in mind, buying the bottle is no longer a small task. "Oh, um, I uh, will take the potion …"

"Very good choice! I can wrap that up for you, if you wish. One last thing, do you know whose strength you wish to borrow? It will only work if you know the person." He takes the bottle and her cash, unknowingly withering away the cheapskate part of her as the last of her money goes.

"You said it had to be their hair I used, right?" Lucy turns to look at Erza who stands at the booth across from her, fingering the strawberry barrettes and marveling at their beauty. "I have someone in mind," she smirks.

Author Notes:

I know this exposition is long, but I felt it was necessary. Despite the fact that this is, indeed, just a smut fic, I hate getting straight to the action, you know? I want there to be a reasoning behind all of it, especially if it's a "virgin story". I tried re-writing this and having this exposition flow into the upcoming sex scene, but it was just one LONG exposition after another, interrupting the flow of the smut. And while it is just smut, I want it to be well written smut.

I know most people will probably skip the first few chapters to get to what they want, but I'm okay with that. I'm happy with the way this starts.