A/N: Hello there~ ^_^ Err... That's not really what I'm supposed to say. T.T
Wah! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! for the sudden hiatus! *bows down to the floor* And as much as I'd rather not speak about it, school schedule really gets too hard for me to handle at times that I have to sacrifice my leisure time(reading and writing stories) for it. ;( Gomenasai T.T
But...! But..! I'd like to thank all those who reviewed and read this story from the very bottom of my heart! :') Thank you so so much! *hugs and kisses*
Pardon for being like this, I really really missed fanfiction so much and the people in it~ ^3^ So, straight to the point, here's chapter 9, much apologies for the delay and another thing I feel bad about is the dramatic downfall of my writing ^^" Well, three months of not writing anything of my fancy(news articles! ugh!) would most likely be the reason. Sorry :( I'm extreeeeeemely nervous now *sigh*
Enough of that, really. I hope you don't feel too disappointed. Please do enjoy your read. :')
Chapter 9: More Than Just That
Loke's POV
Morning light shone brightly upon her golden locks. I sat there on the floor, watching her sleep peacefully, my head resting on the comfy pillow on the side of her bed. Better be careful if I want to survive the wrath of my demon of a best friend, Laxus. I already used his bed for my 'surprise' sleepover so I bet sneaking into his sister's room for some sightseeing won't do me any good. He's such a morning person after all. Note my sarcasm, please.
"About time you wake up, my little princess." I whispered into thin air which is quite funny for I didn't really want to wake her up – just yet. I began to play with her hair a little, brushing off some stray strands from her cheeks, twisting them between my fingers and tucking them behind her ear soon after. Doing this, I get a better view of her serene face, thick, long lashes, perfectly smooth and fair skin, small, pinkish lips, beauty that can rival the goddess of beauty herself, maybe even better.
Lucy's eyes remained shut, her mouth slightly left agape. Must've been pretty tired if she sleeps so deeply. Her hand rests near her cheek, fingers curled up a bit. I took hold of her right hand and unconsciously started to make circles going around her ring finger. "This is what we are now." Then maybe, when the odds ever come in my favour, it'd be her left ring finger… that's too far ahead but something inside me likes the thought of it so much that I didn't even realize I've been grinning to myself, stopping only when a delicate finger moved ever so lightly. I thought that Lucy was starting to wake up so I free her from my hold.
The softness of her hand lingered on my skin, her warmth radiating a good feeling into me. And that didn't last long.
Rustling behind Lucy gave me the chills and that's when I realized that the once sleeping Laxus was already starting to kill me with his glare. "Loke, just what the hell are you doing? AND…" Here it comes. "Just why are you in my sister's room?!" I present the boy with a huge sister complex. "I do not have one!" And he's been quite defensive, really. Wait…
"Are you a mind reader or something?" I asked, confused as to why he suddenly had a response to my insult but when Laxus chose to keep his glare at me instead of answering, I fake a smile up at him as I casually stood up and moved away from Sleeping Beauty with small side steps. "I just wanted to appreciate the view. Might be once in a lifetime opportunity after all."
Laxus gave me a better-not-be-more-than-that look and gave up on interrogating me further. He settled down on one side of the bed and Lucy stirred in slight disturbance but she was still in deep sleep as ever. I returned my gaze to my little princess, a smile gracing my lips. Laxus seemed to notice and spoke up. "Oh sure it'll be once in a lifetime because you're stupid." He flat-out stated.
My eyes twitched and blood began to boil within me. Is he insulting me? "Look, we talked about this and I—"
"Loke Celestine - a what you call the typical player, a womanizer since birth, goes for all types of girls. Flirting has always been his hobby, proved to be easy for him with his self-proclaimed deadly looks and charm but now look at him…" He cut off with a half-smirk.
"What are you getting at now? Are you a dictionary or something?" I said immediately between his statement, eventually got ignored though.
"…helplessly staring at the one girl he has fallen madly in love with. Well, I guess even the greatest play boy in the whole universe has his own weakness. Even someone like me… once… did…" Slowly, his voice trailed off and I know better why. Too sensitive of a topic to bring up.
To my surprise, all I could say was, "Bull's eye." My hand ran through my hair in a swift moment as I barely let out a laugh. I'm so lame I can't help but laugh. "I could just tie a collar around her. It's as I could lose her anytime when she's not even mine."
Silence took over when Lucy muttered Lyon's name. Laxus clicked his tongue with his brows furrowed and I clenched my fists with a sigh. I know the blonde dude has more to say so I stay quiet, eyes still set on Lucy.
But as Laxus was about to speak, a knock on the door beat him to it. "Laxus-sama, Loke-sama, the master has asked for your presence in his office."
"Virgo." Laxus huffed and neared the door. There stood a pink-haired girl of small stature clad in a frilly maid outfit. Her face was still as nonchalant as I could recall but hey, she's a good girl. She is Lucy's personal maid after all.
Well, let those two talk for a while over there and I'll take my time sightseeing over here.
"Oi, helpless Casanova."
Shifting my gaze from a snoozing Lucy to an impatient looking Laxus, I saw the message his eyes were giving me. "Okay. OKAY." I said submissively, my hand raised in mid-air. Laxus went off ahead with this, me trailing after him.
Right before the door shut behind me, Lucy whispered loud enough for me to hear. "Thank you, Gray."
My slightly shaking hands held on to the door knob tightly as I peered inside her room. Lucy was still fast asleep, contentment and joy written on her face. I was utterly lost for words. How am I supposed to react to anyway? "Sleep talking… huh?" Then, that one time, in the classroom…
"Loke!" Laxus called out, his voice impatient.
One last look, "Coming!" and I turned back, a sigh escaping my lips. The door closed with a click that echoed longer than I had wanted it to last.
Gray's POV
Perhaps this is…
"Hey, Gray! Gray! Gray! Gray~!"
"…"
"Just remember to tell me when something else comes up, okay? Don't hide anything."
"…"
"Okay, thank you, Onii-chan!"
… a little too awkward.
And why in the world am I walking to school with these two fellas again? Loke pestering me on the right and Laxus obviously separating me and Lucy on the other side. If I remember correctly, I came to fetch Lucy this morning and their front door burst open with Laxus' glower to greet me. Loke came hopping along with a goofy grin on his face, exact same time when he started to call my name like a wrecked recorder. Then, Lucy… I couldn't get the chance to talk to her with Laxus here. I wonder why he's being so protective so early in the morning…
"Gray! Gray! GRAY~!"
That is just it! I think I've reached my limits. "What do you want?! And would you please just stop hopping already!"
Loke's grin just grew wider and to my surprise it was Laxus who spoke. "Don't mind the doofus."
Well, if that was a surprise what more would it be when Lucy continued her brother's statement. "I heard Papa talked to him this morning and it went quite well." She had to bend forward a bit to give me a smile for Laxus was blocking our sight of each other. Butterflies ran in my stomach and I can't help but avert my eyes a bit. Was the sun 'that' high up already? It's too bright. "I don't really know what it's about though. They won't tell me, Gray." Lucy continued with a pout.
"He what?" I managed to ask without sounding so surprised.
"Oh not just 'he' rather, 'they'." Lucy tried to correct but I quickly shook my head to dismiss her current thought.
Laxus and Loke started to walk a phase faster than us, leaving me walking alongside Lucy. "No, not that Luce. The first one." The distance between us lessened and I finally got the chance to keep her for myself. No Loke who ran off when he saw the cheerleading squad, typical player. Ugh. And no Laxus who tried to stop Loke but failed and forgot all about my presence near his sister. "Loke just what?" I questioned, clearly this time.
Lucy paused and gave me a thoughtful look, a finger touching her cheek as if she were in deep thinking. "Oh, his talk with dad?" I nodded. "Ah, they were practically enjoying their selves with random stuff this morning. A total click, gave me quite the surprise to see them get along so well."
No kidding. I bet anyone would be as shocked as I am if ever they know her father personally. I didn't nickname Laxus 'Jude Heartfilia THE SECOND' for nothing. Multiply the said guy's protectiveness by a hundred and you get Mr. Heartfilia. "That's something. I've known your father for years and while we're on good terms with everything else, I always end up hiding behind you whenever he gets the wrong idea about us." Though I wish for those ideas of his to come true at times…
My best friend just gave out a hearty laugh but somewhere between it, I sense something off. "Wrong idea, huh?" She said with a small smile. Was there anything wrong with what I've said? My curiosity started to bug me but when Lucy held my hand as we walked, it quickly faded away. It went like that with comfortable silence between us. I could just feel my blood rushing to my face even though holding hands was something normal between us.
When we reached our shoe lockers, my hand was chopped away from Lucy's. I decided not to take a look at the threatening cause for this. I don't really want to see the demon straight in my face. "Fullbuster, not on my watch, you hear me?" Crap, I almost forgot about him. I thought he went ahead to class but I guess he waited for us.
I tried not to gulp hard, "Y-yes, Laxus." and ended up stuttering a bit instead.
Raising his head after a while of glaring at my hand, his signature haughty smirk suddenly ran across his face. I concluded that he saw something so good behind me that it actually brought back his good mood in a jiffy. "Oh, lookie here."
I almost sighed in relief when he removed his ominous stare on the tiny space between my hand and Lucy's. I let go as soon as he took notice but now I'm filled with regret. I want to take that hand back, never let it go if possible. But, mine's not the warmth she seeks. Enough of that, really.
Out of interest, I turned around and so did Lucy. So there she was, clenching the strap of her bag tightly. "G-good morning…" she hesitantly greeted, to us. I mean, not to Laxus. She probably didn't notice him but the said guy was a little…
"Hey, there. We meet again." Laxus chuckled softly and ran a hand through his blonde hair but Lisanna gave him a confused look.
She creased her brows and frowned. "Excuse me? I don't know what you're talking about." Her face was questioning but her eyes spoke the opposite. There was this quite the same acknowledgement as Laxus' in them. Or maybe I'm just thinking too much?
Seeing this, he shrugged his shoulders and waved us goodbye, his smirk never leaving his face. "Weird chick, really." I heard him say to himself. And he was gone from our sight.
I gave Lisanna a do-you-know-him look and she shook her head in response. What was that all about then? She was awfully quiet with Lucy around but not for long.
Lucy switched glances between her brother's retreating back and Lisanna and settled her gaze on the latter after a short while as she raised a hand out. "Good morning, Lisanna!" she beamed. "Ah, I haven't introduced myself to you properly yet. Im—"
"Lucy… Heartfilia." Lisanna cut off with a straight face but as she continued, she smiled. "Right?"
My best friend nodded in confirmation, too stunned to speak perhaps. "H-how did you…?" Lucy asked.
"From Natsu" she replied quickly, her smile slowly fading but she kept it there as much as possible. I could just tell she was forcing it. "I… was afraid you already have a bad impression about me."
Lucy approached the silver-haired girl and clenched her hands tightly between hers. She understands what Lisanna meant and knowing her, she's definitely not happy about it. "Why would you think that? I think you're a nice girl Lisanna. Rather, I know. In fact, I'm sorry about Natsu… he was… being mean and all. I couldn't even believe he can actually do that."
Lisanna shook her head and smiled. "Oh, Lucy. You're too kind. I can see why Natsu has taken such a liking into you." Woah. Woah! No mentioning about that topic please! "Thank you but I… maybe I… deserve this kind of treatment from him. We're family after all. I shouldn't have left him."
'Family?' I thought and when my eyes met Lucy's I know she was thinking the exact same thing. Natsu… was an orphan.
As Lucy was about to speak, Natsu's booming voice came ringing my eardrums goodbye. "LUCY~! Good! Mor! ning…" When he came near enough, his enthusiasm died down along with his voice. "What the hell are you doing with her?" His distant tone was back as he gave Lisanna a cold look.
The youngest Strauss avoided his gaze and Lucy faced him with a frown. "Natsu!"
"Tch. Nevermind, I'll go ahead." Natsu left without looking back. Knowing him, he was trying to avoid getting into an argument with Lucy because of his attitude towards Lisanna. Lucy's not the type to tolerate such a thing after all. He'll definitely get a scolding session sooner or later. Still, I wonder what he came here for.
Lucy looked down and tried to find the right words to say and I'm currently entering my panic mode. What if she cries here and now? That damn flame-brain!
"Really now, Lucy. Gray's gonna die in panic if you cry now. I'm fine." Lisanna winked at me and that seriously caught me off-guard. Good thing they just laughed it off. Still, I should be grateful to Lisanna for cheering her up. Her smile means a lot to me. She means a lot to me. And I can live through with the thought that we'll never be more than what we are now. Not with her feelings for Lyon. They still haven't died out.
Lucy's POV
There was an awkward silence when we entered the room, especially with what happened with Natsu. Freed-sensei couldn't come to class because he was being all lovey-dovey with his fiancée, or so Miss Evergreen says. Never knew of that, though. Other than that, things were the same. Oh, maybe not all of them. I looked to my side where Gray was currently sighing in distress. "Good grief, Luce. Your brother definitely has a sister complex or something!"
I laughed at his statement. "He gets that a lot!" And he smiled warmly at me. My laughter died down. Chocolate brown clashed with midnight blue. What is this feeling I'm getting? Warm and cozy but still it confuses me. And I've been getting this feeling more often now. "Gray, I dreamt of you last night." I spoke unconsciously and when I came to realization of what I had just said, I slapped a hand over my mouth in fear. "Well, I… mean…" Stupid Lucy! Stupid Lucy! This is embarrassing!
"Oh? Really?" Gray hummed with a teasing look, his head propped on his open palm and his lips curving into a smile. "Fell for me already, Luce?" I knew he'd say that! I knew what he'd say but I can't believe he got me all flustered.
And here I was supposed to be answering 'So not happening!' but instead I stared at him, questions filling my mind. "Honestly, I don't know."
Gray's mouth hung open and his hand slipped from his cheek, causing a loud collision between his chin and his table. I couldn't tell if it was the impact that made his cheeks as red as tomato or plainly what I've said. "L-Luce, w-wa-wait… y-you…"
I tried not to laugh at his reaction. But it was futile with him stammering like that. "Bet you didn't see that coming! Got you didn't I?" I gave him a wink and obviously I lied. I meant what I said and it was really silly of me to actually say that to him face to face so I brushed it off as a joke.
He sent me a glare and I mouthed him a sincere apology. Picking up my handkerchief inside my pocket, I stood up and gently replaced Gray's hand – the one covering up his sore spot – with the soft fabric in my hand. Surprisingly, he leaned into it like a cat seeking for more comfort. "Now that's better. Thanks, Luce." He uttered in a low tone of voice, eyes half-closed as he nuzzled his nose near my wrists. "Now, don't you just smell good?"
"Erza~! Stop me from squealing, please!" Levy's voice surprised me pretty bad and if I'm not mistaken, Gray as well. She was pulling on Erza's arm and her cheeks were definitely flushed the same color as the said girl's hair.
"Levy-chan, what are you doing?" I asked, trying to compose myself. Though in fact, I think I know what got into her. They say best friends tend to be more giddy-happy than you at times like this.
Levy jolted up and dropped her hands to the side. "Nothing Lu-chan! I wasn't thinking that you two look just adorably cute together and such!" She said, trying to be evasive. I tried not to release an exasperated sigh at this. She giggled softly, her hands shaking excitedly before her as she turned away. She was mumbling something about an upcoming dance or whatsoever. That's when I realized that I was still holding onto Gray.
I instantly pulled my hand back and left my handkerchief with a smirking Gray. Oh dear, Lucy, why are you being so nervous all of a sudden! He's just Gray. Just… Gray.
By lunch break, before our P.E. class, as I went to change into my rubber shoes, a small piece of paper glided slowly to my feet. I picked it up read the scribbles written over it. I felt a sudden throb in my chest as my eyes landed at the name of the person who left it in my shoe locker.
This is something urgent. Please go to the library tomorrow after school.
-Juvia Lockser
Juvia-san? But why?
"Luce? Your face looks pale. You okay?" Seeming to have snapped out, I turned to my side and remembered the presence of my long time childhood friend, Gray. He looked worried, seriously worried.
I shook my head with a smile in hopes of assuring him and slid my shoes on. "I'm fi—" Before I can even finish my sentence, the pain of something slicing through my flesh dropped me on my knees. My eyes widened at the sight that greeted me, blood seeping through my sock and shoes. The pain hit me again and Gray hurried to pull my shoe off. Something shiny falls to ground, clattering. "A nail?"
A/N: Ooh, long chappy~! Very crappy~ ^_^ Hehe, I hope this makes up for not updating, even if just a little. I'd really really appreciate a review. Don't hesitate to state whatever you'd like to say. I don't mind criticisms. Only, just please go easy on me, ne? I have to admit that I'm not really that good.
Then, another big big thanks to those who reviewed again, you guys know who you are. ;)
R&R~
Love lots,
MartiaLae