Hello! I am so happy that you all enjoyed the first chapter, and I'm hoping that the second doesn't disappoint. Once again I owe thanks to my lovely gopher Taylor, who makes these chapters so much more bearable for my readers. She is beyond irreplaceable, even if she tends to sporadically fangirl...
Disclaimer: If today was opposite day, I'd so own the crap out of Fairy Tail!
Chapter Two: The First Time we Met
"I'm not sure I can do this." But really, could Lucy pull out now? She stared at the bar in front of her, which was filled with the normal Friday bustle. Lucy yanked on her pink tube top, smoothing over her tan skirt to try and keep herself calm.
"You were more than confident this morning while you were stuffing your face." Lucy rolled her eyes, glancing over at her pink-haired friend.
"At least I used utensils."
"Why bother? My fingers are just as good. And I saved you time washing pointless dishes, didn't I? You should be thanking me!" The fact that people considered him civilized was still amusing to Lucy. Despite nerves hitting the inside of her stomach, Lucy felt herself smile at his loud laughter. No matter the situation, Natsu made her realize it wasn't the end of the world. Even if she made a fool out of herself tonight, split every drink she made, and guessed every astrological sign wrong, she would still wake up tomorrow. And Natsu would probably be the one jumping on her.
"I guess I'm just a little worried about failing."
"But you won't." He said it with such confidence, that Lucy felt herself believing him. "This is 'Operation Layla'; you're the only one who can succeed. She believed in you, Luce. And so do I."
"Thanks, Natsu." He sent her a cheeky grin before he looked around the bar, his hand shooting over her head to wave at Erza and what looked like a younger version of Mira. With a bob cut and bright blue eyes, Lisanna Strauss had been friends with Natsu since they were kids. Lisanna had been gone for a while, disappearing off the face of the earth to fight a disease nobody in their area knew how to cure. It was a year before Lucy came around, and it really had been a black cloud hanging over Fairy Tail. It was just recently that Lisanna appeared on Fairy Tail's doorstep, completely healthy much to the happiness of everyone in the guild. Lucy didn't hang out with the girl much, but she knew she was pretty. No, not pretty; gorgeous. And it wasn't just skin deep. Lisanna was intelligent, funny, and had an ability to befriend any living creature she came upon. As far as Lucy had seen, Lucy had yet to meet a person that disliked the silver-haired beauty. Even Lucy loved the positive girl's personality.
Giving her a final pat on the shoulder, Natsu tilted his head toward their friends.
"Erza said something about me not bugging you on your first shift, so I'm going to go hang out with them while you work. It won't be long till the ice prick shows up and I'll have to show him who really is the strongest in this bar. I'll walk you home tonight when you're done with your shift."
"Only if you leave after dropping me off." She knew he heard her by the tensing of his shoulders, but he pretended he didn't while running across the open floor. He dropped into the seat next to Erza, saying something that made Erza roll her eyes and Lisanna laugh. Watching the group, Lucy felt a calmness come over her. Mentally thanking Natsu for his earlier words, Lucy took a deep breath and moved toward the bar. It only took a moment for Mira to notice her and send her a sweet smile.
"You ready to start your first night?"
"I think I should be asking you that. You look kind of busy." Since it was a Friday night, Lucy knew the place was going to be full. The men were full of Friday night fever, and were ready to get drunk until Sunday morning. Pitchers of beer were already being passed around, and from what Lucy could see, orders were still pouring in. If there was one thing Lucy knew, it was that Fairy Tail loved to party. But even in the chaos Mira only giggled and handed Lucy an apron.
"Of course! But that's why you're here, right?" Lucy nodded quickly, jogging behind the bar while tying her apron tight.
"Y-Yes!"
"Well then, let's get to it!" And for over an hour, Lucy got a crash course in bartending for Fairy Tail. She was wearing as little as she could (which probably attracted an even bigger crowd), and she was still sweating from how quickly she had to move. Every time she turned around, another person needed a refill or a table wanted a round of drinks. She had to occasionally slap the older man's hands away from touching her skirt, which made her wonder if that was why Mira always wore longer dresses. The most embarrassing part of the night was serving the table her friends were at. By now both Gray and Levy had entered the bar, each teasing her when she nearly spilt Natsu's beer. She never really was the most coordinated girl around. She couldn't really stay mad at them when seeing a ten dollar tip from Gray and the 'Do your best' note Levy had written on the bill. The money she made in tips was nice, despite feeling like a train had run over her. Even with just a little rough estimation, Lucy felt bartending would have more perks than her secretary job.
"I think I got them all," Lucy said, dropping her serving tray onto the bar and letting out a long breath. Mira nodded in approval, but her hand pointed over her shoulder and into a corner.
"Well I think I can handle the bar now. You've got your first client waiting for you. Actually, she's been waiting since you walked in the door." Lucy blinked at Mira before slowly looking toward the corner table, unable to see the person waiting for her.
"She has? But I've been here for almost an hour."
"Her waiting this long doesn't surprise me." What did that mean? Lucy slowly pushed away from the bar, untying the apron while she moved. As she moved closer to the deserted table, she could hear the volume from the rowdy bar dimming. Mira really had picked a good table to work with her 'clients'. It was to the back of the club, and seemed to be the perfect area to talk about more intimate matters. She couldn't even see the figure's face from the bar. She draped her apron over the back of her chair as she sat down, looking up to the enshrouded person at the table. Her eyes widened for a second at the kind smile she received.
"Juvia?"
"Hello, Lucy." Well, now she understood Mira's response. Juvia Lockser was a friend that Lucy had slowly made throughout the years at Fairy Tail. She was the same age, but already had done much with her life. She had graduated college with high ranks, and now worked at a well known social work program in the city. Did Lucy mention she was the youngest social worker in the company? Not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Juvia was anything but ordinary.
But Juvia also had her hang-ups. She was probably the first one to sign up for anything concerning the word 'love'. Valentine's day was Juvia's Christmas, and she became obsessed with love novels. Everyone in Fairy Tail knew what half-naked man really made Juvia's heart pound. Lucy could see Juvia continually looking toward their friend's table, probably hoping to see her love interest looking her way. Juvia frowned when he didn't look and then turned her attention back to Lucy. "Juvia wants Lucy to teach her how to love Gray-sama's astrology sign."
"That's…not how this works," Lucy said slowly, trying not to irritate the blunt girl in front of her. Being friends with Juvia was fun, but it had taken Lucy a long time to win Juvia over. From day one of Juvia's arrival, the blue-haired woman always thought Lucy had taken a liking to Gray. It was a rumor that started after Gray told the gossipy bar-maid that his first impression of Lucy was 'cute'. The comment was fueled by too much alcohol and a little probing by Mira, but Juvia didn't care. The moment she found out, she saw Lucy as an enemy. Almost two year afterwards, Lucy somehow managed to win over Juvia's favor. The process had been slow and was still very fragile, but Juvia's gaze no longer held hatred for the astrologist. Instead, Juvia merely blinked and shook her head.
"Then teach Juvia how it works."
"Well, I start with your sign. You're a Pisces I'm assuming." Lucy felt herself relax when she saw Juvia nodding quickly, showing she was hanging on Lucy's every word. Despite knowing Juvia was a grown woman, she could almost see a child-like fascination within Juvia's concentrated gaze.
"How does Lucy know that?"
"It's kind of second nature for me, I guess. Since your emotions are so…ranging, I narrowed it down to the water signs. There's only three of them; Cancer, Pisces, or Scorpio. You're very open and tend to have a big creativity streak in you. You are slim, and have clear, pale skin. You have slight temper, and you get depressed much easier than most of our guild mates. It's not hard for you to fall in love, and you tend to be a little…gullible. Add that to your charming smile and large eyes, it wasn't hard to assume you were a fish." At Lucy's explanation, Juvia's shoulders relaxed and she smiled. It made Lucy let go of the breath she had been holding.
"Lucy is correct; Juvia was born February 28th."
"Okay, great! We are both water signs so we're supposed to get along really well." Lucy laughed at her luck; leave it to fate to give her a compatible sign as her first client. Talking to Juvia would be pretty easy, especially since Juvia seemed to believe in Lucy after her evaluation. That wasn't surprising; Pisces trusted easier than any other sign in the zodiac.
"Juvia believes Lucy will help her win Gray-sama's heart."
"I sure can try my best. See, what I do now is look at Gray's sign to determine how compatible the two of you are together. By doing this, I can gauge what a relationship would be like with them. I can suggest first date ideas, or conversations that both of you will have a common interest in. I'm also able to point out some problems you may have, and how to effectively deal with them. Normally Pisces go really well with other water signs or—"
"But Juvia only wants Gray-sama." The one thing that stuck out to Lucy about Juvia was how emotionally involved she became with people of interest. Juvia had actually come to Fairy Tail after Lucy, and had been very reserved and quiet at first. Though people tried to talk to her, there always seemed to be a depressive cloud following her around. Little was known about her past since the girl never talked about herself. The only person she would really converse with was Gajeel, another misfit of Fairy Tail. Whenever he was around, Juvia seemed a little more approachable. Still, she hardly talked and would never fully meet the gaze of anyone who approached her.
That was until Gray was pushed into her life; literally. A brawl had broken out in Fairy Tail (like every other day Natsu was around) and Juvia had somehow gotten caught in the middle of it. Before she could move to leave the bar, someone had shoved her into the arms of a shirtless man. Looking up had been her downfall. Peering into confused dark pools of blue, Juvia had felt her heart skip a beat. Though the connected glance only lasted a second in the real world, Juvia felt herself drowning for a lifetime. Her heart leapt into her throat, and her lips mouthed wordlessly in amazement. This half-naked man was perfection in human form. By the time she caught her breath, she had been placed back in a chair away from the scuffle. Her mystery man returned to the brawl, seeming unaffected by their chance meeting. But for Juvia, it made her whole world turn upside down.
That had been two years ago. Since then, Juvia had gotten to know more about Gray Fullbuster than even he did. Countless times she had proclaimed her love for him, which the introvert seemed to hate. If anyone spoke ill of Gray, Juvia threatened them in a way that made sure they knew she wasn't kidding. The woman, despite her huge heart, could be scary when she wanted. She could be anything really; so long as it was for Gray. Even though he barely gave her affection, Juvia seemed to live off the rare moments he did. An occasional smile sent her way, or him thanking her for some small favor would have the girl's spirits up for weeks. And the one time he casually asked her to dance at the Fairy Tail Christmas party? Juvia was in heave for months afterwards.
"You sure have your mind set on Gray, huh?" Lucy instantly tensed at the fiery glare Juvia gave her, knowing her friend had taken the statement the wrong way.
"Why does that matter? Does Lucy intend to take Gray-sama for herself? Does Lucy love Juvia's Gray-sama?" Not this again.
"No way! Gray and I are just friends, I promise."
"Hmph!" Juvia continued to glare, and Lucy quickly tried to think of anything to calm her down. What happened to compatibility? To the build-up of friendship over the two years? This matchmaking thing was going down in flames before it even got started! A part of her wanted to call it quits right then and there; the doubtful part of her mind telling her this was a horrible idea. But she knew she couldn't just walk away. She sent a glance toward the bar, Mira seeming to have extra pep in her step. Her smile was full, and Lucy was sure some of it had to do with her and Juvia's 'conversation'. She didn't want to give up without a fight. Taking a deep breath, Lucy focused on Juvia.
"Gray is an Aquarius, which is probably the worst sign for me. I need emotional support, something that an Aquarius has trouble doing. They are hard workers and focused on their careers, but have little time for love and romance. That's a Cancer's main goal in life. We're kind of the Cinderella's of the zodiac. Gray would need someone who was patient and understood his emotional withdrawal. Though I completely admire the friendship that Gray and I share, I would never consider him someone who I would date. I've been down that road once before, and I don't intend to do it again."
"Juvia sees nothing wrong with him! And Juvia will wait forever for Gray-sama to love her."
"Well then I guess there's nothing I can do but support you two. I'm not saying the relationship between your signs is ideal, but it's much better than a Leo or Libra. And it's definitely better than mine with an Aquarius." Juvia's anger turned into hope quicker than Lucy could blink, and her hands were captured tightly in Juvia's grip.
"Thank you, Lucy! Juvia is happy!" She stared at her friend's hopeful face, feeling a smile wiggle its way onto her lips. The start had been a little rocky, but Lucy knew it was worth it to see her friend this way. Juvia was a great girl, and it always upset the members of Fairy Tail to see her sad. She had picked a complicated man to fall in love with, but wasn't everyone in Fairy Tail hard to understand? If Lucy could help Juvia at least get on one date with Gray, then she would feel accomplished. The rest, she knew, would simply be if they both had real feelings for each other.
"It's no problem; I'm happy to help you." And as the night went on, Lucy started to realize Juvia wasn't the only one she wanted to find true love for. Several times she was yanked away from her duties at the bar to meet with the people of Fairy Tail. Age, sex, or race played no factor in the clients that Lucy served. Some were open and honest (Evergreen had a list of things she wanted in a man), while others clammed up in embarrassment (Erza, a fellow Cancer, had nearly passed out when she realized what Mira had signed her up for). Lucy took her time with each person, explaining her craft and what she planned to do. No matter who the person was, they seemed shocked by her ability to calculate their preferences in relationships and life. Questions were asked by all, and Lucy did her best to answer anything she could. By the end of the night, Lucy had seen over twenty different people. Even with every personality and zodiac sign she faced, each of Lucy's clients had one thing in common.
"These people know nothing about dating." Like it was the heaviest chair in the room, Lucy slowly flipped the seat over, placing it face down on the table. Between the physical challenges of the bar, and the mental stress at the astrology table, Lucy was about ready to pass out.
"It's harder than you thought, right?" Mira finished wiping the bar top off, Lucy nodding and leaning on the table.
"A little, but I can handle it. I'll never let 'Operation Layla' fail." Lucy yelped when she heard a dark chuckle, turning her head to see a man towering over her. With black hair resting on his shoulder, red eyes almost glowed in the darkened lighting. A quiver went through Lucy's knees, but she relaxed when the sinister man swept under the table and slinked away.
"Don't laugh at her, Gajeel," Mira chided softly, sending a disapproving look the giant's way. Though Lucy didn't have much conversation with Gajeel, she knew more about him than she ever wanted to. Gajeel Redfox had been the newest addition to Fairy Tail before Lucy, though it wasn't the same warm welcome she had received. Before Fairy Tail, Gajeel had been a part of a grungy gang called 'Phantom Lords'. They were thugs without a sense of right and wrong, always taking what they wanted by force. Each member was ruthless, and physical harm was not out of their comfort zones. They would terrorize the streets of Magnolia, heckling anyone who crossed their paths.
The only ones who didn't seem afraid of the gang were the members of Fairy Tail. The club was a strong group of people, which explained why there were so many brawls in the bar. Their rugged lives toughened them up. Even the women were strong, Erza being one of the most feared members they had. Levy McGarden, Lucy's best friend in the bar, was not the strongest. What she lacked in strength she made up for in speed and intelligence. She, along with Erza and Cana Alberon, had been walking to their favorite hangout when the three were confronted by a few Phantom Lord members. The highly intoxicated group tried to 'persuade' the girls to come back with them, which the girls refused. When one got too touchy with Levy, Cana and Erza wasted no time beating the shit out of each man. The lackeys were no match for the strong-willed brunette and red-head, and the Phantom Lords ran with their tails between their legs. When Cana told the story to her fellow guild-mates, they group patted Cana on the back and bought her a beer in celebration. Levy, who was a bit shaken by the encounter, excused herself to the archives. Books helped calmed her down, and organizing the library would do her some good.
It wasn't until later that night that Levy would realize her mistake. Being in the front of the large library, Levy didn't notice the opening of the window in the back. A creak in the floorboard was her first indication that someone else was in the archives. Running into one of the aisles to hide herself, Levy watched in horror as five men started to destroy everything in sight. Books, tables, wallpaper and chandeliers were all laid to waste by the destructive group. She could tell their intent was to lay waste to whatever they could. She pressed closer to the shelf of books she had been organizing when seeing the containers of gasoline in their hands. It didn't take much intelligence to realize they were planning on burning Fairy Tail down from the ground up. The people inside wouldn't even know until it was too late. Her eyes brimming with tears, Levy knew she had to warn the others. She had barely moved an inch when she heard the snickering coming from behind her. She turned to face a group of men sneering at her, making her heart stop.
Their branded jackets proved they belonged to Phantom Lord, but these men seemed much stronger than the ones the girls had encountered. Especially their giant, black-haired leader. With devilish red eyes and a careless scoff, Gajeel had simply told the girl to leave through the back door and never look back. She stayed frozen in her spot, unable to heed his demand. She watched as one of his lackeys moved toward the bookshelf, a match starting to be lit. Without a second thought she ran forwards, knocking the matches out of one of the male's hand. She was promptly rewarded with a swift shove to the ground. And the roughhousing didn't end there. With an indefinable grimace, Gajeel silently watched the gang sadistically toss the petite girl around. It wasn't until they tried to rip her shirt off that Gajeel stepped in. He snapped at the group, warning them to keep the roughhousing to a minimum. She was 'just a shrimp from Fairy Tail' after all. By this time, Levy was a shaking mess on the floor.
It was then a miracle appeared in the entrance of the archives. Going on an unexplainable 'instinct', Erza had dragged the complaining Natsu toward the library to check on their fellow member. When seeing the scene behind the archive door, the red headed woman was quick to rush to Levy's aid while her counterpart charged at the group of men. Despite being smaller than every opponent, Natsu easily took out the scum before focusing on their leader. Seeming less than impressed with Natsu, Gajeel moved from his slouched position and offered himself as the short boy's next opponent. Natsu was ready, but Erza intervened. Her eyes blazed with desire to fight, but she offered a deal to the scowling outsider. If Natsu lost the fight, Fairy Tail would admit defeat to the Phantom Lords. Natsu saw red at the deal while Gajeel's smirk expanded a mile wide. If he lost, however, Gajeel would have to face their master for his final punishment. Gajeel didn't take Natsu's strength seriously, and agreed to the Fairy Tail member's deal.
The fight between them was long, each getting their fair share of bruises and bloody wounds. Natsu always said he had won with one punch, but Levy told another tale. At times, she was worried her friend wouldn't get back to his feet after being knocked down several times by the giant. Erza, to this day, said she never doubted Natsu for a moment. She wasn't dismissing Gajeel's strength, or simply siding with Natsu because of their friendship. It was the fact that Erza knew Natsu's devotion to Fairy Tail's pride. Natsu would have rather died than let someone like Gajeel make a mockery out of Fairy Tail. And in the end, she was right. Natsu had stood over an unconscious Gajeel, a bloody smile on his face.
Natsu was positive the guy would back out of the deal, but Gajeel had begrudgingly appeared on Fairy Tail's door the next night. The place went silent at his appearance, and Erza quietly walked him to Makarov's chambers. It was there the two men talked in private, the only person allowed in being Mira. Nobody saw Gajeel leave, but they did notice the bittersweet smile on the Fairy Tail owner's face.
It paled in comparison to the shock on Natsu's when seeing Gajeel cleaning the beer mugs the very next morning. Natsu being too stunned to form words, it was Gray who had to ask what Gajeel was doing there. The sulking guy refused to speak, so Mira explained the Master's offer to Gajeel. Knowing that Gajeel had been on the streets for years (Makarov had been watching the Phantom Lords for a while), the master knew Gajeel was just a victim of circumstance. Phantom Lords sought out members who had nowhere to go. Gajeel had been abandoned on the streets years ago, and did whatever he could to keep himself alive. So, instead of hurting him or throwing him back to the street-rats, Makarov made an offer of occupation. Gajeel would work at Fairy Tail to make up for the physical and emotional damage he had allowed to happen. Knowing that someone working for Fairy Tail would never be allowed in Phantom Lords, Makarov offered Gajeel a chance to get on his own feet. He would help Gajeel get away from the group that would only fasten his arrival in jail or a graveyard. Seeing his way out of the dead-end path he was heading, Gajeel decided to work at Fairy Tail in retribution for the damages.
Ever since, the brooding man had worked under Mira and Master at the bar every week. Some of the guild members still held resentment toward him, but most had given way to time. Gajeel had cut ties with his former gang, and Lucy had been told his demeanor had changed throughout the years. Though he was still rough and tried to keep to himself, Gajeel was more accepted by the people of the guild. He semi-participated in Fairy Tail events, and barely complained when helping out Mira or Erza. Natsu, the one who brought him into the guild, was the one who picked fights with Gajeel the most. The two would go back and forth, but their fighting had softened throughout the years.
Even Levy had managed to forgive Gajeel's past. Though she never quite got over the actual attack, her fear of the brooding guy started to melt away. A huge chunk of that came from the Master's mandatory order of Gajeel being the one to repair the damages to the archives. At first, Erza would stand guard while Gajeel begrudgingly fixed the destroyed bookshelves and chairs. Levy was always in the library, but did her best to stay as far away from Gajeel as possible. It wasn't until weeks into the repairing that Gajeel gruffly offered his height to Levy, who was unable to reach the book she wanted. Too nervous to speak, Levy quietly nodded and averted her eyes when handed the novel. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't ignore the fact that her fingers were trembling at the exchange. He didn't call her out on her fear, or mock her like she expected. Instead, he grasped one of her hands, which was still bruised from the attack, and muttered a quiet 'sorry, shrimp'. The exchange was only a few seconds, and he didn't give her time to respond before he walked back toward the table he was fixing. Still, Levy felt a weight release her shoulders, and was left speechless at the encounter. From then on, Erza's watch was no longer needed. Levy kept Gajeel company through his work, the two forming a strange friendship through the mayhem.
Years had gone by since the incident, and Gajeel's work on the archives had long since passed. Still, Lucy sometimes caught him watching her blue-haired friend scurry to the isolated room with an unreadable look on his face.
"Not my fault Bunny girl lives up to her hair color."
"Hey!" Lucy pouted at the guy who snickered and disappeared into the kitchen. Despite wanting to chase after him and give him a good hit to the head, Lucy focused on her final task of the night. It was really late, and she was sure Natsu was going to try and use the time as an excuse to stay over again. Maybe she should take her first paycheck and buy him his own bed. But it's not like I really mind sharing my bed with him. Not that she would ever tell him that. If she did, he would never leave. Smiling, Lucy stretched before tossing her rag into the dirty towel bucket. She jumped when the lights dimmed and left the place looking creepier than she'd ever seen it.
"Lucy, make sure to take the trash out through the back before you go home. Gajeel's locking the kitchen and archive doors before he leaves. I'm locking the front door on my way out, so make sure to shut that door tight."
"No problem, Mira. Just let Natsu know I'll meet him in the front."
"If he isn't already running around the place looking for you." Mira giggled at her own joke, Lucy knowing the scenario was possible. Natsu tended to have trouble staying in one place for long. Waving goodbye to Mira, Lucy dragged the two trash bags through the bar and out the back door. The alley behind the bar was big, the dumpster being the only thing in it.
"I cannot believe you are so pig-headed!" Lucy had just finished throwing the second bag into the top when she heard a voice enter the deserted alleyway. Swearing to herself, Lucy ducked next to the dumpster as the voices came closer to her. Lucy realized the voice belonged to Evergreen. And hearing the insult she used, Lucy knew just who she was talking to.
"I wasn't being anything but a man!" Yup, that was Elfman alright. What were these two arguing about now? Peeking her head out, Lucy was surprised to see Evergreen dressed so formally. Her hair was down and curled, with a beautiful green dress sculpting to her body. With a dress only Evergreen would dare to pull off, the long evening gown implied she had just returned from somewhere extravagant. Her satin gloved hand pushed her glasses up her nose before she sent a scowl Elfman's way.
"I'm more independent than the other little troll-ups you may show affection to. I don't need to be coddled or paid for." Lucy winced at the arrogant tone that Evergreen used, knowing what was really going on. Something, whether Elfman meant to or not, had hurt Evergreen. The Scorpio being too prideful to show her pain, Evergreen used anger instead.
"A man always pays for dinner, especially at a high class place."
"And how many woman have you treated, hmm?" The jealousy was so obvious to Lucy, she wanted to hit Elfman over the head with it. From the naive face he was making, she was sure he was missing this point entirely.
"I pay for my sisters anytime we go out for lunch." At this point, Lucy wanted to smack her forehead. She would have too, if not in fear of them hearing the noise. Evergreen's shoulders tensed at the reply, and fire seemed to pour around her.
"So I'm like your sisters now?" Before he could respond, Evergreen threw her purse at his head and started to storm Lucy's way. Panicking, Lucy hid closer to the dumpster and prayed that the infuriated girl wouldn't see her. If she caught Lucy spying, Evergreen would have no problem dicing her body into little pieces and tossing her into the dumpster.
"Of course not! A man would never date his sister." The heels stopped, and Lucy let out a silent breath when she heard Evergreen turn back toward Elfman.
"Are you implying we're dating?" Well, at least the jealousy had disappeared. Feeling safe to look back at the couple, Lucy pressed her hand to the dumpster and leaned closer to her own private production. Though she was far away, she could see the tall man was flustered by the comment. If Lucy wasn't mistaken, she could have sworn she saw a blush on his face.
"Who would date a banshee like you? Always screaming at me and throwing things! Like this purse, a woman shouldn't act like that." He shook the purse at her, which seemed odd in his huge hands. Lucy giggled, then covered her mouth and prayed their anger toward each other would hinder their hearing.
"And a man shouldn't piss a woman off so much!" Evergreen reached to grab her purse from his hand the same time he tried to yank it away. The result was Evergreen stumbling forwards, quickly being caught in a firm embrace. Her heel dug into his foot, making her gasp before she looked up in slight worry. "Sorry, I lost my balance. Did that hurt?"
"Nothing a true man can't handle." He smiled down at her, which made her own face turn bright red. Instantly the worry was gone, Evergreen beating on his chest.
"More like a beast. Let me go you big oaf."
"Fine, you crazy woman." His hands slackened on her back, but didn't completely release her. At his softened touch, Evergreen stopped her assault and kept her eyes fixated on his chest.
"But I guess a thank-you is in order for taking me to dinner. It was much more eloquent than I assumed someone like you would take me."
"I figured you'd like the private atmosphere. I was surprised you cleaned up so well." She scoffed at his insult, but their voices lacked the animosity from before.
"Idiot."
"Wench." There was a moment of silence between them, but the atmosphere made Lucy's heart pound. With wide eyes, Lucy watched a large hand grip Evergreen's soft chin. She hardly resisted as he lead her into a titillating kiss that brought her to her tip-toes. The moonlight was perfect, spilling over their silhouettes and creating an air of enchantment between the two. Evergreen's hands slid up his chest, linking around his neck and deepening the passionate kiss. Lucy nearly cried out in happiness at the kiss, crazily debating if she should take a picture for Mira. She shook her head, knowing this moment was too private to ruin. She almost didn't even want to watch it! The two finally pulled away from the kiss, but barely moved their mouths.
"You still kiss like a Neanderthal." Evergreen's mumble was counteracted by her softened tone and darkness of her cheeks. Not to mention the added 'still' in the sentence implied they had done this before. Lucy paused, wondering if the two were further along in their relationship than they let on.
"You still need a straightjacket." At the blunt comment Evergreen pulled away, smoothing her scrunched dress to hide their earlier touch. His hand pulled from her face, crossing his arms over his chest. "Next time, I'm taking you sky-diving."
"Sky-diving?" Evergreen paused at the thought before she casually looked away. "That sounds pretty dangerous. I doubt most women would want to do something so reckless."
"Of course not! But you're not most women. You've got fire that no other woman I've met can possess. A man like me needs a strong woman by his side." His compliment was a bit different, but it seemed to stroke Evergreen's ego enough for her to smile. Lucy was sure that he wasn't sure of himself by the awkward cough he produced. "Mira suggested it on a whim, and I'm up for anything to show off my manliness."
"Mira? Didn't she suggest this restaurant as well?" Despite Evergreen's confusion, Lucy made the connection to her first conversation with the bar tender. She really had told Elfman about it? From the way that Evergreen's eyes lit up behind her glasses, Lucy knew the suggestion was a hit. Feeling pride in correctly guessing the right types of dates for the two, Lucy mentally patted herself on the back. Maybe she was meant to do this matchmaker thing after all; she was the one who saw the chemistry between the two before anyone else.
"She got me two tickets for next Tuesday, if you're available."
"Well, I guess I could go so you don't cry like a baby on the plane." Her laughter dimmed as she left the alleyway, a protesting Elfman quick on her heels. Lucy waited several minutes after they left, making sure they were really gone before she popped out from behind the dumpster. Knowing that Natsu was going to complain about her taking so long, Lucy ran down the alley and around the building. By the time she finally saw a tuff of pink hair, Lucy was out of breath. Hearing her boots on the cement, Natsu turned his head toward her and scowled.
"Luce! What took you so long?!" Even though she heard his whine, Lucy didn't slow her pace before jumping onto Natsu's back. She didn't worry about her weight; she knew she wasn't heavy enough to strain the toned guy under her. Almost instinctively he grasped under her legs, hoisting her to rest comfortably in his hands. She could feel his quizzical stare, but she hid her smile by burying her face in his shoulder. "What's gotten into you? Eat some weird fish with Happy?"
"Let's just say I had my first small success with 'Operation Layla'. And there's plenty more where that came from." Despite her positive outlook, Lucy felt ten times better when Natsu spoke.
"The first one's got to be the hardest, right? So it's easy street from here on out, Lucy!"
She could only hope the other couples would be just as easy. Letting the thought go, Lucy allowed Natsu to chat her ear off while piggybacking her home. She tried to keep awake, but the long day and even longer night drained her. She felt herself getting drowsy on his back, and her friend didn't complain when she passed out. Natsu's warmth against her heart was the last thing she remembered before Lucy's dreams drifted toward the first time she had ever heard the name "Fairy Tail".
"Lucy Heartfilia, why did you break up with him? He was the perfect gentleman for this family!" Lucy stared in anger at her father's outraged face, knowing this fight was long overdue. For almost a year, Lucy had stayed with the man that her father picked out for her. Or rather, for the future of his business that he intended for her and her husband to take over. It had been twelve months of awkward kisses, pointless fighting, and uncomfortable make-up sex. She had tried to push through it, promising herself the 'this is wrong' feeling that tainted their relationship would fade away. But it didn't, and on her birthday Lucy finally listened to the voice in her head telling her to leave.
"We weren't right for each other. All we ever did was argue about pointless stuff. We didn't have the same views about anything, and he was only interested in your company. I don't want a business partner for a husband; I want a lover."
"What was so wrong with him, Lucy? He was smart and very charming; any girl would want a proper man like him in their life."
"He wasn't anything like the guy Iwanted, though. I don't need proper or polite; that doesn't matter to me. I just want someone who's passionate and kind. A person who will want to travel with me and not make a diagram about the reasons it's a waste of money. My husband has to laugh more than yell; smile more than frown at me! He has to be someone who puts me before my father's business." She knew her father wasn't listening by the way he turned away from her. Instead he focused his attention on the stormy weather outside his office window. Lucy wrapped her arms around herself, hurt by his lack of compassion. No, Lucy didn't ever want to marry a man like her ex. Because he was going to turn out just like her father.
"You want those things because your mother told you that." Lucy felt her heart constrict at the mention of her mother. Knowing what was coming, Lucy held herself tighter in preparation for the pain. "I should have never let her teach you that ridiculous astrology. Nothing good ever came from you learning that make believe art."
"It was right though, Dad. He was just how an Aquarius—"
"Enough." Lucy fumed at her father's lack of respect. How could he just cut her off like that? She was an adult now; he couldn't talk down to her anymore. "You will forget everything your mother taught you. You will go back to his house and beg him to take you back. You will be the daughter I raised you to be. The heir to this business, and the wife I've told you to become."
"No." Her father turned to her, Lucy dropping her hands to her sides and balling them into fists. Rage filled her at his disapproving look, her body shaking in emotional turmoil. "I will not do any of those things. I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm a woman with her own mind and her own dreams, none which contain this stupid company or you!"
"Lucy Heartfilia, you will not talk to me like that!" She turned from him then, her pace fast as she headed toward the door. Her hand paused on the handle when she heard his voice echo through the office. "If you leave this office—"
"Why would I stay? The only thing that's left is the corpse of a man who I used to believe was my father."
"Do you think there's any place I can't find you? A safe haven that will protect you? My company is known by all; my power is limitless. I own you!" It was then that Lucy realized the man her mother fell in love with his disappeared without a trace.
"Thanks for saying happy birthday." Lucy tightened her hold on the door, pulling it open and letting go of any ties she had with Jude Heartfilia. Lucy no longer had a mother or father. Within an hour, Lucy had packed everything she valued in her car, covering her mother's prized books with her own jacket before locking them in her trunk. She sped away from the mansion, refusing to let herself break down until she had a place to go. But it was late, and after being denied by the last hotel in the area, Lucy discovered even more bad luck. She had locked her keys in her car. She yanked on the handle several times before she fell to her knees, wondering if she was going to be forced to go back.
At the thought, Lucy shook her head viciously. How could she go back to a man who viewed her memories with her mother as pointless? Who said her version of love was a fantasy instilled in her by her mother? How could she face herself in the mirror if she followed his demands? Feeling tears slide down her face, Lucy looked up at the sky in pain. All she wanted was to be saved from the emptiness she was feeling. For years, she had been handling the pain on her own. Lucy had always been the strong girl on the outside. She refused to make her maids at the mansion worry, no matter what she truly felt inside. Her eyes closed at the loneliness she felt leaving everyone of them behind. She didn't even have time to say goodbye.
But even with the people she had met at her father's mansion, Lucy was never truly complete without her mother. The people she laughed with and talked to were only there for her father; without pay, they would eventually leave Lucy too. For years, Lucy had truly been alone. Lucy didn't want to be alone any longer. She needed a friend. A place to call home. She needed a miracle…
"Yo!" Lucy turned her head toward the voice, which came from the biggest smile she had ever seen. Instantly, a sharp memory of her mother's voice entered her head. If you ever meet an Aries man, you'll know by his kind smile. And when you find that perfect smile, don't…She blinked when the memory faded, wondering why she had flashed back to that. And why couldn't she remember the rest of her mother's words? She squeaked when she felt a jacket draped over her, taking a second to realize the stranger had come closer. "Here, wear this."
"Thank you." On the inside Lucy wasn't nearly as calm. Had she lost her mind? What kind of stranger would give her their coat in the middle of a storm?
"What are you doing out here in the rain?" He asked, helping her to her feet before checking her for any injuries. His hand skimmed over her forehead, as if checking for a bump or bruise. He probably thought she had hit her head, and was disoriented. That logic made more sense than her actual reason.
"I locked myself out of my car." Lucy quietly prayed that the storm masked the fact that she had been crying. Rain hit the side of her arm, making her shiver and pull the jacket closer to her. She really wasn't dressed to be out in this kind of weather, and she was grateful for the coverage. Once deeming her uninjured, his attention turned toward her car, the stranger's eyebrows furrowing together in concentration. Lucy took in the young man's appearance, realizing he was quite handsome. She could only guess he was somewhere around her age. He was slender but fit, showing he took care of himself well. His baby face was cute, and made his eyes almost look too big for his body. His hair was scruffy and unkempt, but it worked for him. Though he seemed a bit on the smaller size, the stranger held himself like he was six feet tall and able to take on anything thrown at him. Yup, without even trying to think of it, Lucy knew this boy was an Aries.
The red t-shirt he wore now clung to his body from the rain, making Lucy feel guilty for taking his coat. While it was true he still had a scarf around his neck (who wore a scarf in July?), the shirt did little to hide him from the freezing rain. She felt worse when she realized she kind of liked the view. Then again, it was her birthday. Was it so wrong for her to want one thing for herself? She pulled the jacket closer to herself, enjoying the soft scent of firewood that came off it. It warmed her body, and for a moment she felt cared for. It was a crazy thought, but it had been a crazy day for Lucy anyways. What harm could a little fantasizing do?
"…Have you tried opening the door?" Lucy nearly fell over at the question, realizing he was being serious when he jiggled the handle.
"Of course I tried that!" She shouted, grabbing his arm when he started to yank on the handle. Though she had just done the same thing a few minutes before, this guy looked strong enough to do damage. That was the last thing she needed. "You're going to rip the whole door off , idiot!"
"You really think I'm strong enough to do that? I can't wait to rub it in Gray's face."
"It wasn't a compliment you know!" He let go of the handle, both of them stumbling to the sidewalk. Lucy shrieked when her skirt flared out, leaving her panties exposed to the wet ground. She jumped up quickly, trying to shake the water from the wet cotton. She glared over at the guy, who slowly pushed himself up before staring at the car again.
"Shit. What do I do now? I don't how to break into cars! I could call Gray, but I just got into a fight with him a couple hours ago. Maybe Erza? No, she's off with gramps getting ready for the Fourth of July party. Gajeel's the car junkie, but there's no way I'm begging him to help me. And I know he'll make me beg that bastard! I could drag Levy into it, but then those two would probably fight…" He ran his hand through his pink hair, which flopped right back into his eyesight. The annoyed look on his face made Lucy smile. Before she could stop herself, Lucy burst out into laughter. He lifted his head up to look at her as she continued to laugh. "What's so funny?"
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to laugh." Even as she said it, she continued to giggle. The annoyance she had felt for him had vanished faster than she could even notice. He grinned at her, holding his hand out.
"I'm Natsu Dragneel." She smiled back, shaking his hands gently.
"I'm Lucy…uh, just Lucy." She knew her father was well known, so she refrained from using her last name. He was probably right in assuming nobody would shelter her from his investigators. Not as the heir of Heartfilia cooperation at least. Plus, she had already decided to never go back to her life as Lucy Heartfilia. Now, she was just a girl named Lucy. She wasn't ready to tell a stranger that information, so she let him tilt his head in confusion.
"You don't have a last name? You're not a criminal or illegal immigrant are you?" He leaned closer to her, a droplet of water sliding off his nose and hitting her cheek. She blushed at the proximity, shoving him a few steps back before shaking her head.
"I was born here and I've never even gotten a traffic ticket! A-And what about you? How do I know you're not a murderer or some creep trying to lure girls into his torture chamber?"
"Impossible! If I ever hurt a girl, Erza would beat the shit out of me!" Who the heck was this Erza girl? He kept throwing names at her like she should know what he was rambling about. Natsu rubbed the back of his head, glancing away from her. Drenched in the rain, Lucy couldn't help but describe the guy as 'adorable'. "Besides, I wouldn't ever do something like that. Guys like that really piss me off. You just…looked like you needed help. And Gramps said that you should never walk away from someone who needs help. I wasn't trying to be creepy."
"I know, and I'm sorry. It's just been a long day," Lucy said, feeling slightly bad for accusing him of things she knew weren't true. She had always had a good judge of people, and nothing about Natsu screamed danger. In fact, he was very open for a stranger. She knew he probably had some secrets, it was human nature. But his eyes were honest, and he spoke like he had never known pain before. It was refreshing.
"You're telling me; I just got my coat hijacked by some girl I met on the street." He gave her a cheeky smile that had her laughing again, though she had no idea why. What was it about this guy that just made her…happy?
"I didn't steal it; I'm borrowing it!"
"Why don't you have your own coat? And what are you doing out so late in such crappy weather, anyways? Shouldn't you be home? I bet someone's really worried about you." At his prodding, Lucy slowly stopped laughing to let a sad smile fill her face.
"I should be going." She gripped the jacket closer to her, knowing she couldn't stay outside forever. It was already ten o'clock, and the rain wasn't stopping. But where was home now? She couldn't make herself go back to the Heartfilia mansion. Her mother was gone, and everyone she ever considered a friend was on her father's payroll. Even if she had her car keys, where would she go? If she got her phone, who could she call? It was the first time she was on her own in this world. She hadn't felt like this since her mother had died. An ache in her heart started to form, and Lucy felt her lower lip quiver as she tried to ignore the hopeless feeling swirling inside her stomach. She heard her voice crack as she started to slide his coat off her head. "I should re-return this before—"
"Damnit!" Lucy gasped as she was dragged into a hug, warmth surrounding her shivering body. She blinked once, tears slipping down her face without her knowledge. When had she started crying? She felt a hand on the back of her head, pressing her to rest her forehead against his shoulder. Even though the rain continued pour down, Lucy couldn't feel it. Natsu's warm body chased away the cold. "I really don't like seeing girls cry."
"Sorry," She whispered, closing her eyes. She felt more tears swell beneath her eyelids, the pain continuing to prick at her heart. She felt his arms tighten around her, Lucy burrowing her face into his shirt. Her body shook with her tears, though she tried to hold them in.
"I don't know if its cause of Erza, but I just can't sit by when a girl cries. I saw you earlier, and I just knew. That's why I came over. I just…wanted to see you smile."
"H-How embarrassing," She cried out, clutching to his shirt as she sobbed. How did she end up like this? She was supposed to be strong, and yet she was being supported by a guy who she had only met minutes ago. Was that how alone she truly was? "I just…don't have anyone to go back to anymore. I don't have anything, Natsu! What do I do? Where do I go?"
"Don't worry; I know how much it hurts. Knowing you're alone, I mean." She lifted her head slightly, catching the distant look on Natsu's face. It was gone in an instant, Natsu glancing down to her and grinning. "Come with me."
"Huh?" Her eyes widened as he grabbed her hand, yanking her down the street. She looked back at her car, which was quickly disappearing from view with their hurried pace. "What about my car?"
"I'll have the bolt-head—I mean, Gajeel come get it in the morning." Because that was the type of guy Lucy wanted having access to her car.
"I still haven't found a place to stay!" She said, yelping when he dragged her over a stone bridge in the middle of the town. It was an area Lucy hardly ever went to, her father always complaining of the 'hooligans' that ran rampart in this part of town. Not wanting to associate with people who could do nothing for him, her father never permitted her to go over the bridge. Lucy, despite always wanting to give people a chance, had never disobeyed her father's wish until now.
"I'm sure Erza or Levy will let you stay at their place. And I've got an extra room too if they're not there. It is kind of late, now that I think about it, so they'll probably be home by now. But Gramps will be there for sure! Or Mira at least."
"There? Just where are you taking me?"
"To Fairy Tail."
"Eh? What are you talking about?!" Was this guy crazy? There was no place called Fairy Tail!
"You've just got to trust me! Can you do that, Lucy?" They took a sharp left, Lucy losing her balance from the sudden turn. Natsu was there to catch her, Lucy falling into his chest. Her breathing was heavy from their frenzied pace, his hands on her shoulders to keep her balanced. What was she doing? Lucy wasn't impulsive, and she knew it was crazy to trust someone she had never met before. She looked up at him, ready to refuse the idea she could trust someone so soon. Her voice froze in her throat when she met his gaze. Without a word, he was encouraging her to keep going. Not just with him to this crazy place she still thought he made up. There was more to that serious gaze. He wanted her to keep pushing forward in life, through the pain and loneliness. He had said he had gone through the same thing, without hearing a single fact about her situation. He just knew. He understood and wanted to stay with her. To help her. Nobody had ever willingly stayed by her side before. Feeling her emotions overflowing, Lucy pushed back to her own feet and linked her fingers with his.
"Yeah. I'll try, Natsu." The two of them ran fast, Lucy holding onto the jacket and Natsu's hand. She feared letting go of either of them would ruin the magic. Her legs burned from the strain, and her tired body was worn out from the emotional turmoil she had been through before. Still she kept running, unable to let go of the sliver of hope that Natsu gave her. They stopped at the bottom of a long set of stone stairs, Lucy's eyes widening when moonlight peeked out through the clouds. Like a castle from a movie, a tall building glowed in front of the full moon. She felt a small squeeze on her hand, Natsu's arm extending as he walked up some of the stairs. He stopped on the fourth step, looking back at Lucy. He kept his hold on her hand, speaking quieter than he had since she had met him.
"Fairy Tail can be your new home, Lucy. We can be your new family; how does that sound?" Lucy stared up at him, silently wondering how a simple smile could brighten such a rainy night. Or how a guy who knew nothing about her already had understood what she was missing. A home. Friends. A family to call her own. Even though she didn't understand it, Lucy's eyes filled with tears as she grimaced and struggled not to cry.
"Why are you doing all of this for me?"
"Because it's what gramps did for me."
"Gramps, Erza, Gray and Levy….some guy named bolt head! You talk like I'm already a part of your Fairy Tail," she mumbled, wiping her eyes with her free hand. He scowled at her, seeming annoyed with what she said.
"I already said you were!" He let out a peeved breath before yanking her up to the stair he was on. She closed her eye when he brushed her tears off her cheek, leaving one open to watch his never dimming smile. "So stop crying Lucy and come home with me."
"I…" She looked back up at the building, unsure of what to say. Would they truly accept her here? Or would it be just like her father? Could a real family actually exist after her mother's death? Lucy didn't know for sure, but she couldn't just walk away. She wanted to know who these people Natsu talked about were. She needed to see what was so magical about Fairy Tail. Something inside her pulled her toward the building. She held her breath and took a step forward, Natsu letting her lead him silently. She had used their conjoined hands to push open the door, her eyes widening at the warmth that captivated her. She entered Fairy Tail's magical world, and she never once looked back.
She had always given thanks to Fairy Tail for saving her from the darkness she had been facing in her heart that night. The friends she made there were impossible to replace. Her wounds were healed, and her past became nothing more than a bittersweet memory. Yes, Fairy Tail had repaired her broken soul. But in Lucy's heart, the real hero who saved her was the pink haired man who offered her a jacket and a second chance at being happy.
Well? Doesn't that ending just warm your heart? I hope you all enjoyed it! Let me know what you think! So, can Lucy handle the challenges of an astrologist? Will Juvia capture Gray's heart? And will a new face stir up old memories for one Fairy Tail member? Better hold onto your seats, the story is just about to get interesting.
OH! And, since Taylor is a wonder artist, she drew out some pictures for chapter one! Check them out here: messyenough. tumblr post /51953076575/ this-took-way-too-long-but-i-thought-i-would
Just remove the spaces! And give her lots of praise, she deserves it!
Chapter Three: The Past Meets Present