Chapter 8
Lucy adjusted the strap of her satchel as she walked down the light grey paved streets. The occasional car zoomed past, making her blonde hair flutter. It was now 3 months since her sleepover at Natsu's house that day, and since then she practically lived at his house. His parents were now like parents to her, and she was like a daughter to them. Since her and Natsu walked home together every day she usually just went to his house and stayed there. It was much more fun staying with them than sitting by herself in her apartment.
The guest room was now called Lucy's room, and she slept in it more than her own bed. She even kept her top and shirt outfit there now, along with her uniform. She would usually help Grandine make dinner every day, since the Dragneel family had quickly established that they loved her cooking. Lucy had also established that the Dragneel family was both childish and at times completely bonkers. Natsu and her came home one day to find Grandine, Igneel and Wendy running around like madmen having a water fight, complete with water guns and water balloons (they joined in of course)
School continued to be the boring hell school was. Lucy continued to get death glares from almost every female in the whole place. Lissana continued to be her insufferable self and use Natsu as a personal teddy bear, much to both his and Lucy's annoyance. She made sure to shot nasty glares and sneer and Lucy the minute Natsu's back was turned. The stream of insults never ended and she tried pushing, shoving and tripping Lucy at every opportunity. Luckily she rarely succeeded, thanks to her friend's constant presences. Occasionally Lucy would allow herself to fall, just because if Lissana didn't get at least one success she wouldn't stop until she did. Fortunately, Natsu's strong arms never failed to catch Lucy anytime Lissana did succeed.
Natsu and Lucy had become inseparable. Natsu was overjoyed that Lucy was now at his house so often. He'd started sleeping in her bed instead of his own. Lucy kicked him out every morning at first, but then she gave in and just let him stay. After all, he had to have the highest body temperature possible for a human being, so her bed was constantly nice and warm when he was in it. They always ended up cuddling. As much as she wanted to deny it, Lucy had fell for the adorable idiot, and nothing made her happier than waking up in his arms.
The same went for Natsu. He simply couldn't help but climb into her bed at night. He realized a while ago that he was in love with the blonde. He just wanted to hold her close and never let her go. She was always so beautiful in the morning and she smelt incredible. He couldn't describe how amazing it felt to wake up with the girl you love in your arms. Even if she didn't know it, and even if he couldn't kiss her senseless like he desperately wanted to.
Lucy turned a corner to see her apartment. She was going to Natsu's house anyway (she had after school writers club with Levy. Natsu usually would have basketball practice and the two would walk home together like normal but it was cancelled so he went ahead) but she frowned when something caught her eye. There was an old woman in her apartment! Lucy raced through the open door. The old woman turned and looked at her in confusion.
"Can I help you dear?" she asked kindly. Lucy's mouth flapped in astonishment. All her stuff was gone! "What are you doing here?" she croaked. The old woman frowned. "I'm taking a look around. Mr Dragneel put this apartment on sale yesterday, so my niece asked me to take a look for her" she explained. Lucy gasped. Just what on earth was going on? She mumbled a quick "Thanks" to the old woman and ran out the door.
She raced over to Natsu's house. "Igneel?" she called out. She heard shuffling coming from upstairs. She hurried up the staircase and found the noises were coming from her room. She extended a hand to open the door when it burst open and Natsu fell out. He grinned up at her from where he was lying on the floor. "Hey Luce" he said. "What -" Lucy started but the sentence died in her mouth when she looked up. Igneel, Grandine and Wendy stood in her room. All of her stuff was set up just like her old apartment.
She gaped in shock, struggling to form a sentence. Natsu got up and stood beside her. "Um…" he started nervously. Lucy turned to him. "We thought…that since you spend so much time here you might like to move in with us" he said. Lucy's jaw dropped in shock. "You don't have to if you don't want to" he quickly added. "We just thought you might -" his sentence was cut short as Lucy flung her arms around him and squeezed him tightly. "I'd love to" she choked her eyed tearing slightly. Natsu hugged her back tightly and sighed in relief.
Lucy turned and ran to give Igneel, Grandine and Wendy a huge hug. "You guys are the best" she said. The three of them grinned happily and returned the hug, high-fiving. Lucy pulled back and wiped her eyes. "Well, now that that's settled" Grandine said clapping her hands together. "Lucy, we have some serious work to do". "Huh?" Lucy asked. "I will not allow you to continue living your life with that measly excuse of a wardrobe. We are having a shopping spree!" she giggled excitedly clasping Lucy's hands.
•••
True to her word, Grandine dragged Lucy out of bed on Saturday for an all-out shopping spree. Grandine insisted on buying everything, despite Lucy's protests. A few hours later they were laden with numerous bags (holding absolutely everything –t-shirts, skirts, jeans, shorts, boots, shoes, flats, coats (including a very nice fur-lined coat with matching boots), swimwear – you name it) They were now on dresses, had a few picked out already and Lucy was trying the other ones.
"What do you think?" Lucy asked, stepping out of the changing room. She was wearing a simple dark blue sundress with a glittery golden belt. Grandine's eyes sparkled in delight. "You look gorgeous honey. Give us a twirl" she said. Laughing, Lucy twirled in a full circle. She stopped and curtsied while Grandine applauded and cheered. Lucy froze as she heard the high pitched voice she knew all too well. She dived back into the changing room and dragged the red curtain across, just a Lissana appeared.
"Grandine!" she called. Lucy watched through a crack in the curtain as Grandine turned to the approaching white haired girl, her smile becoming fixed and rigid on her face. "Lissana" she said, her voice blank and emotionless. Lissana grabbed her wrist. "So nice to see you" drawled. Grandine pulled her wrist sharply out of Lissana's grip and said "Mhm-hmm" "Shopping?" Lissana asked. She walked past and called out over her shoulder. "Good idea. You need it"
Lucy gasped. Rude much? Grandine glared daggers at her retreating back. Lucy slipped out to stand beside her and they watched as Lissana sauntered up to a pretty brunette who was admiring a pink dress. Lissana snatched the dress out of the girl's hands. She smirked and said, "This one's taken" before marching away, leaving the flabbergasted girl in her wake.
Grandine and Lucy let out simultaneous snarls. "That girl needs a good slap around the face" Grandine muttered darkly. Lucy nodded in agreement. "You know she came to our house once? Walked straight through the door and kicked off her shoes like she owned the place. Said she was there to see Natsu and decided to invite herself to dinner". Grandine shook her head, an ugly scowl on her face.
"We couldn't say no, so we had to put up with her. Igneel and I both were itching to give her a good kick. Natsu looked like he was about to punch her in the face, and even Wendy looked ready to smash something". Lucy shook her head. "I swear, someday I'll break her nose myself" Lucy growled. "When you do, tell me. I'll give her a black eye while we're at it" Grandine said. The two of them laughed together before they linked arms and walked up to the cash register.
•••
"Aww…He's so cuuuuttteee" Lucy cooed at the pink haired baby. Grandine laughed. "Yeah, time really flies" she said, placing the baby photo back in her purse. "So…" she started, a sly smirk creeping up onto her face. "You seem awfully close to my son Lucy" Lucy flushed and swirled the dark brown liquid in her white cup with a wooden stirrer. They were in the same French Café she visited with Erza, Levy and Juvia.
"I guess…" Lucy said. "You know a lot of people would think you two are a couple" Lucy's face went red. "Umm…Well…" she stuttered. "Do you like him like that?" Grandine questioned, her eyes soft and gentle. Lucy twisted her hands nervously. "Umm…well, I guess I…Oh fine I do ok! I have crush on him! Heck I probably love him" she squeaked, burying her face in her hands. Grandine grinned as she reached across and gently peeled Lucy's hands away from her scarlet face. "Well, if I know my son, I'd say you've got a very good chance my dear"
•••
Natsu sighed loudly as he lay on the large sofa in the living room, staring at the ceiling. Wendy was at her friend's house, and Lucy and his Mom were out so he had nothing to do. He didn't feel like watching TV, playing video games, or inviting Gray over. He just lay there and stared at the white ceiling, thinking about Lucy. He was always thinking about her. Her hair, her lips, her eyes, her laugh, her smile, how amazing she was, how lucky he was to know her, how much he wanted to kiss her, how much he loved her…God he missed her.
"Natsu!" Natsu yelped and fell ungracefully off the sofa. Rubbing his head he dragged himself back up to see his father watching him. "I was calling you for about five minutes" Igneel said. "Oh, sorry" Natsu mumbled. "There's something I want to talk to you about" he said. Natsu raised an eyebrow. "It's about Lucy" His heart jumped. "What about her?" he asked warily. Igneel shrugged. "You two seem very close. I wanted to ask what she is to you"
"She's…my best friend, obviously" Natsu replied, a blush coating his cheeks. Igneel looked unconvinced. "Is that it? Or is she more to you? Do you like her? You know, as in like like?" "No, I don't like her" Natsu said. Igneel narrowed his eyes. "I love her" he said softly. A soft smile spread across Igneel's face. "Why don't you tell her that?" Natsu let out a frustrated sigh and ran a hand through his hair. "Because, she probably doesn't like me like that" he muttered.
Igneel sighed and placed a hand on Natsu's shoulder. "Son, a guy only meets one woman that means absolutely everything to them. For me, it's your mother. Lucy isn't going to wait around forever, so you better grab her before someone else does. That girl is one of a kind. You're never going to meet someone like her ever again. So grab her, hold her close, and don't ever let her go" Natsu grinned at his father. "Thanks Dad, I will"
They both turned as the door swung open. "We're back!" Grandine called out. Her and Lucy entered the living room, both carrying a mountain of bags. Natsu brightened up immediately. "Luce! You're back!" he said rushing to her side. "Hey" she said, leaning back slightly as one of the bags tilted dangerously. "Her, I'll take those" Natsu offered and took a couple of hers, as well as all the ones his mother was carrying. "Thank you dear" Grandine said and Natsu and Lucy made their way up the stairs, chatting away. Grandine turned to Igneel.
"So…" she asked. "Oh yeah, he's in love with her" Igneel replied. Grandine giggled and clapped her hands excitedly. "I knew it! Lucy's in love with him too". She grasped her husband's hands as she grinned her evil matchmaker grin. "We have to get them together. Oh just think of the cute babies! We're going to have such adorable grandchildren!" she gushed. They both started jumping up and down, eyes glittering as they grinned like maniacs. "Umm…Are you guys ok?" They turned to see Natsu and Lucy standing at the bottom of the stairs giving them weird stares. Grandine and Igneel sweat-dropped and laughed nervously. "We were just leaving" they said in unison, leaving dust clouds in their wake as the raced away. Natsu and Lucy gave each other a look, then shrugged and went back up the stairs.