So sorry for taking so long, my life just keeps getting really hectic and it distracts me from my 'new chapter every ten days' plan. -.- But here is the chapter, and I'm hoping it's worth the wait for you guys! I worked really hard for you!
Disclaimer: I own the ne—Oh, wait, don't want to spoil it…-giggles- I don't own Fairy Tail
Chapter Seven: Lucy's Fairy Tale
"Lucy's twenty three tomorrow! Whoo hoo!" Lucy always knew that Levy was a happy drunk, but it was still amusing to see her dancing on the sidewalks of Magnolia. A car drove by and whistled at the short black dress Levy wore, though Levy was too drunk to understand their meaning. The intoxicated girl giggled and turned to the car, throwing her fist up and cheering. "They wanna say Happy Birthday too!"
"Let's stay over here," Lucy said, grabbing Levy's arm and pulling her away from the curb. Though slightly buzzed herself, Lucy had promised herself she would not get drunk to the point that Levy was at. Natsu was off with Lisanna; Lucy couldn't rely on him for help. Being semi-sober let her know those guys would scoop up Levy if they were given the chance. Lucy did not want to see Gajeel kill anyone, especially since it was her birthday tomorrow.
"Did those pigs just whistle at Juvia?!" While Levy was a happy drunk, Erza was hell bent on destroying anything that happened to rub her the wrong way. Mira giggled at the forgetful memory of Erza, trying to get her attention through her correction.
"No, it was actually—"
"I'll kill them all! Get your asses back here right now!" Erza shouted, chasing the car that was now speeding away in fear. Even in her heels, Erza was a danger when buzzed. Fire seemed to billow out around the girl, and Lucy was afraid they were going to get arrested.
"Well this night has been much more fun than I expected!" Lucy felt herself stumble at the cheerful tone of Mira. She held onto Juvia, who was sobbing into the older girl's bare shoulder. From the loud wails from Juvia, it was obvious who Levy chose as her drinking partner. Mira was the only girl who would be able to pass a sobriety test, and yet the odd statement sounded like she was drunk. Lucy awkwardly laughed, not quite sure how Erza chasing cars and Juvia's unstoppable tears could be considered 'fun'. Then again, Mira was used to Fairy Tail. Compared to that zoo, this was a walk in the park.
"Juvia loves Gray-sama! Why does Gray-sama hate Juvia?" It was the third time since they left the bar that Juvia asked that.
"He doesn't hate you, sweetie. Gray is just a very introverted man. He likes you a lot, I can just tell." Mira had taken the responsibility of calming the overly emotional girl down. It was probably for the best, since Mira was the most patient of the four. Plus, Lucy knew Mira was the only one who could confidently see straight. Even Lucy was having a hard time keeping herself from wobbling. Wondering if she really should have had that birthday shot with Levy, Lucy tried to keep the happy drunk from running into the street while answering Mira's statement.
"Good thing they're staying at my house tonight. You're welcome to join us as well." Mira nodded at the invitation, the two of them managing to rope the three wild girls up the stairs of Lucy's apartment. Knowing her landlord was going to kill her for the noise so late in the night, Lucy locked her front door before leaning against it and sighing. Juvia was now on the bed, crying over Gray while Mira rubbed her back. Erza was scolding Levy (while calling her Lucy) for something, but Levy continued to laugh and roll around on the floor. Lucy smiled at the wild scene in front of her, wondering how it was that she got into this mess.
But really, she was thankful. When hearing about Natsu's date falling on the day before her birthday, Lucy didn't want to be alone. Levy picked up on her mood, and instantly decided they should have a girl's night out. They rarely had nights with just the girls, especially now with Lucy's matchmaking pairing everyone up. Deciding that a drink or two could help ease her mind, Lucy said yes to Levy's invitation. Levy dragged Erza and Juvia along, while Lucy asked her fellow bartender to join in. She wanted to get some alone time to talk to Mira about Laxus anyways. They had gone to a bar within walking distance from Lucy's apartment, sharing hours of laughter and drinks. They got the cute guy bartending to sing Lucy happy birthday, making the buzzed Lucy giggle like a school girl. They brought her out a cupcake with a candle and the same guy's number written on a napkin.
Her excitement slightly faltered when a flash of Natsu's smile shot through her mind. Though the guy's grin was cute, it didn't compare to her best friend. Nobody's did, really. Since she had met the guy, Lucy had always been looking for someone whose smile made her as happy as Natsu's did. It had been years, and still nothing. She simply loved Natsu's face when he grinned. Was it possible to just love a face? She blamed her weird train on thought on the second fuzzy navel she was sipping on and shoved it to the back of her head. On the way out of the bar she stuffed the number in her purse, knowing she would never call. She tried to reason with herself, picking up on his flirty Sagittarius nature and dismissing the possible chance at true love. They would never work out; it was in the stars.
Only in her alcohol hazed mind could she admit it was because of Natsu.
"You have so many books, Luce!" Lucy looked over to Levy, who seemed to have calmed down when seeing her bookshelf. It had been an hour since they had gotten to Lucy's apartment, allowing most of the alcohol to subside. Mira had found cups in Lucy's cabinets, and supplied each of the girls with some water to drink. Juvia had ceased crying, and Erza stopped trying to fight everyone in the room. Levy was now able to stand on her own, sipping her water through a straw. Her fascination with the books proved she was back in her sober mind, and her natural literature curiosity had her scanning the names of the novels.
"A lot of them were given to me," Lucy said, shifting on her bed when Levy started to pull some of the books out. Her shoulders tensed when Levy's fingers brushed closer to her mother's collection, knowing she hadn't touched them since she put them on the bookshelf. If Levy wanted to read them, how would she explain her situation? Bringing up such a sensitive topic on her birthday was not her ideal situation.
"You shouldn't touch things that aren't yours, Levy." Almost finished with her glass of water, Erza seemed much calmer than before. She rested against the side of the bed next to Mira, her legs crossed and eyes stern. Levy frowned at the warning, but sparked up a smile when Mira chimed in.
"Could we read one? That red one looks pretty interesting!" A relieved breath escaped Lucy's lips when Levy pulled out a book not connected to her mother. It was a present she had received during a Yankee swap in high school. The fact it was an astrology book was simply a freaky coincidence.
"Cosmic Coupling; the Sextrology of Relationships." Levy read the name of the book out loud, giggling before wiggling her eyebrows at Lucy. "A sex book?"
"It's not porn or anything! It's how your sex life is affected by you and your partner's sign. I haven't really had time to read it." More like no desire. She had only had sex with one guy, and she didn't need a book to tell her how much it lacked. She leaned her elbow on her thigh, her head sitting in her hand. Maybe if she had read the book, her sex life wouldn't have been such a flop. She shook her head, refusing to believe a book could fix the structural problems her and her ex had. It had been more than just the sex. He just didn't have the passion to be in love with her. He was goal-oriented, intelligent, and a business man at heart. He was a great guy…for someone else. There was just no changing that. Lucy had felt a little sad about breaking up with him after so long, but now she knew it was the right decision. Sometimes, she almost forgot she ever dated him.
"So who should we look up first?" Before the question could even come out, Juvia pressed her cheek against Levy's.
"Juvia wishes to see her and Gray-sama!" The girls burst out into laughter at Juvia's enthusiasm, knowing she would be the first one in line. Levy looked to Lucy, who nodded with a smile.
"Alright; look up the Aquarius man and the Pisces woman," Lucy said, remembering her earlier assessment of the quiet guy. It didn't take long for her to realize just what sign he belonged to. Levy nodded, easily flipping through the pages.
"Ah, here it is! Oh, your relationship is called The Re-dress." Levy let her tongue roll the 'r' in the beginning of the title, giggling soon afterwards. Lucy watched her best friend, realizing there really were two sides to the Gemini soul. Levy was the librarian and vixen wrapped in one body. She had an angelic face with sultry eyes that Lucy knew were aimed toward a particular metal head. If he didn't realize how fortunate he was to catch such a dynamic person, Lucy was going to kill him.
"That sounds pretty risqué," Mira said, watching Juvia's face brighten with excitement. Levy let her finger skim the page, Juvia hanging onto every word.
"According to the book, the Aquarius and Pisces relationship is a soulful connection. They tend to form a friendship first before becoming lovers. Aquarius will get much needed emotional support from the Pisces, while the Pisces sees the Aquarius as a beacon of light in her life. No other zodiac female puts Aquarius's soul at rest like Pisces. The loyalty in this relationship is so strong; friends may worry about how much attention Pisces gives the Aquarius. Aquarius are very possessive of their Pisces lover as well, even if they aren't as open about it."
"They should have just called this relationship The Gruvia," Mira teased, smiling at the squealing girl. Juvia's smile was unnaturally large as she clutched her hands over her heart.
"Gray-sama is Juvia's beacon! Juvia is Gray-sama's possession. Gray-sama will always lead Juvia's life, because she is in love with him."
"But that's not all," Levy continued, pulling Juvia away from her own daydreaming. "This sexual connection is a bond so satisfying that it doesn't leave them wanting like other pairs. However, the road to a relationship may be avoided for a long time. Pisces plays a supportive role for Aquarius, who is skittish with his emotion. Pisces will be more aware of her sexual feelings, while Aquarius will struggle to express his desires openly."
"That doesn't surprise me," Lucy said, sending the worried Pisces a reassuring smile. "The Aquarius male has some trouble expressing the deep emotions he has. When they are pressured or put on the spot, they normally clam up. You're very…spirited when it comes to your affection of Gray. There's nothing wrong with that, but the smothering could make it harder for him to focus on his true feelings for you. It's like the idea of never knowing what you've got until it's gone. If you're always around Gray, he'll never reflect on his own feelings for you. Aquarius are very introverted people, so they need to be alone to discover things that seem really obvious to the rest of us."
"But…Juvia doesn't know what to do when she's not with Gray-sama. Being with him makes her heart happy."
"Well, you could focus on your work. You really have a knack for your social work, and the Aquarius is impressed with success in careers. If Gray sees you excelling, it will leave an impression on him even when you're not around." At Lucy's suggestion, Juvia slowly nodded and tightened her hands into determined fists.
"Juvia will do her best to follow Lucy's advice."
"If you do, be prepared for some kinky bondage." Levy's advice broke the serious tone of the group, Lucy instantly flushing at the blunt statement. Juvia didn't seem to mind, looking over to Levy again in interest. "It says here that the Aquarius likes to do some submissive work in the bed. And that you're more than happy to play along, so long as it doesn't get too extreme."
"Juvia would do anything for Gray-sama. If he wishes to tie her up or blindfold her, Juvia will not resist."
"Too much information!" Lucy said, laughing along with Mira.
"Let's look at someone else before this gets a little too personal," Erza said, Levy nodding and flipping through the pages again.
"We could look at the guy that Lucy hooked Erza up with. What was his name again?"
"Jellal Fernandez? I didn't really do much for that one; they were engaged before and all. He's a Scorpio, and Erza's a Cancer," Lucy informed, still giggling from Juvia's earlier comment. Erza shifted in her seat, a blush showing just how uncomfortable she still was with the set-up.
"It's not necessary to look our—"
"Fooooound it!" Levy sang out, ignoring Erza's objection to read. "Their relationship is called The Bunker. According to the book, you two were meant to meet by fate, and not in the normal sense either. The Cancer woman who seeks out a Scorpio has had her fair share of hard knocks in life, but has kept her feminine nature despite these troubles. She can dress in high heels and skirts while maintaining her feminist nature. Because of this, the Scorpio man holds her in the highest esteem. He seeks a maturity that only the Cancer woman can give him, and he enjoys how she doesn't need constant attention to show she is loved.
"The Cancer woman sees his autonomy and pessimism refreshing for life, since most men she attracts have their heads in the clouds. Scorpio hides how much the Cancer affects him, but loves to control the relationship in the bed. Their sex—"
"Levy." Erza sharp tone made the blue-haired girl hesitate. Soon the book was taken from her grasp by Mira. The bartender sent Erza a kind smile, but Lucy knew there was more to it than met the eye. Despite how sweet Mira was now, Lucy had heard stories of the rebellious soul that once lurked inside of her. As kids, Erza and Mira fought more than Gray and Natsu; probably more violently too. The only reason Mira changed was because of her sister's illness, making her take on the role of the mother figure. Mira, it seemed, was one of the only people not afraid of Erza's strength. The two had a mutual respect for each other that nobody could touch.
"It's rude to interrupt, Erza. I'll continue, if you don't mind." It was obvious she did, especially from how red her face was. Mira's drive to see her friends in love caused her to ignore the signs and delved into the sexual side of Erza's relationship. "Their sex is balanced between leather and lace. The two make a perfect sexual fit, and always have mind games going on with each other. They don't consider themselves kinky despite their wide range of toys, because of the deep bond beneath their sexual play. Cancer gives herself over completely to him sexually, which causes the Scorpio to grant her every intimate fantasy. Cancer's faith in the Scorpio male makes him wish to get better in the bed as well as out."
"That was kind of…" Lucy trailed off, looking over to her overly steamed friend. From the wide eyed gaze and lack of movement, Lucy wasn't even sure Erza was still conscious. Erza never could handle sex talk. Levy and Juvia were both blushing as well, but Mira seemed happy with the exposed side of Erza and Jellal's relationship.
"At least we know he'll take care of her," Levy finally commented, breaking the awkward silence in the group. Erza snapped out of whatever held onto her, grabbing the book from Mira and glancing to Lucy.
"I think it's only fair to read Levy and Gajeel's relationship now."
"What relationship?!" Lucy smiled at her energetic friends, leaning off the bed to help Erza find the relationship pairing.
"The Camp." Erza read the passage so smoothly, it almost sounded like she had rehearsed the words before. Despite being put in the spotlight, Levy's natural curiosity wouldn't let her play naïve for long. She had crossed her legs on the floor, placing her elbows on her knees to listen to Erza read. "Though the Gemini woman is normally not comfortable with macho men, the Taurus man's calm nature soothes her. She seeks to help him, whether in life or his career, and is one of the only signs to get a real rise out of him. The Taurus man is a sucker for her cutesy boy-style, and attracted to her ballsy nature. Even though Gemini is more forthcoming with her emotions, she still defers to him for big decisions and makes him drive the relationship. Both are homebodies, and Gemini will love to cater to the large group of men Taurus will always have around them. Even so, she will not hesitate to put him in his place."
"Oh yeah, this is Gajeel and Levy alright," Lucy said, thinking back to how many times Levy had ordered the huge guy around. Sometimes, she wondered if Levy forgot how easily it would be for Gajeel to toss her. Even with his height and strength, she knew Gajeel would never hurt Levy.
"Shh, don't interrupt!" Levy said, waving to Lucy while continuing to stare at Erza. Lucy sighed, wondering if Levy realized how obvious she was with her feelings. She kept her thoughts to herself as Erza nodded and continued.
"They are a good sex match, surprisingly. Even though Taurus men are bigger by nature," Erza paused at this, seeming to understand the double meaning only after reading it. She arched and eyebrow to Levy, whose blush said she got it as well. "…they are calm enough to please the Gemini. Gemini like to have bigger men, in all parts, without having to deal with the macho personality. This she finds in the Taurus male. She also likes to be in control of sex, which the Taurus doesn't mind. Afterwards the Gemini woman will praise the skills of her man in bed, diminishing his negative view of himself. She sees perfection and beauty in him, and will find comfort in his passive way of life."
"That one was cute," Mira said, seeming to enjoy hearing about her friend's love life. Juvia looked to Mira's smiling face, a sense of worry on her own.
"Juvia only wishes she could help Mira find someone as well." Lucy silently agreed, remembering one of her goals for the night.
"There's no sign you really want to know about, Mira? We have all night to look over the couples in Fairy Tail." At Lucy's offer, Mira placed her finger to her lower lip in thought.
"Well, I would like to see about the Aries male Virgo female. Or rather, how my little sister and Natsu pair up. I have a feeling I know what it'll say, but I'm interested in hearing it just in case I'm wrong." Though she tried to hide it, Lucy could feel her smile starting to fade at Mira's response. She had been hoping that Mira would say something about Leo. This was the worst possible outcome to her plan, and she felt her heartstrings tug when Erza flipped the pages of the book.
"The Aries male and female Virgo are called The Puzzle."
"Well that sounds a little ominous," Levy said, Lucy nodding her head in agreement. Mira's smile, however, only seemed to grow as Erza's reading continued.
"The Aries thinks Virgo is a woman of extreme quality. In the same respect, Virgo is attracted to the masculinity that an Aries naturally has. Though these two are not compatible most of the time, Aries will always be attracted to a Virgo's innocence. Virgo goes more for the sexual aura of Aries, promising to take her right off her feet. She wants someone who will make a first move, since she hates initiating any romantic partnership. Ironically, it will be the Virgo who will be more likely to pull the rug out from under him, and leave him dumbfounded. She will mold herself into whatever he wants; as her motto is 'I serve'. No matter if the relationship works or not, Virgo will always hold emotional strings for Aries. As her sign is the virgin, the Virgo will be the least jaded sexually, as well as the most insatiable. Though she is daunting to an Aries when it comes to sex, the Virgo will do any type of fantasy he wishes to see. Sex slave, anal, or bondage is not out of bounds for her if it's to please her partner. Though she seems to enjoy bringing toys into the sex life, the Aries does not. In this relationship, the Virgo makes the Aries want to be good enough for her. Their sexual chemistry is slightly off-putting for both of them."
"I guess Lucy wasn't kidding when she said they were a bad pair," Levy said. Mira didn't seem to mind the book's view on the two, almost looking like she expected it. Lucy looked to the older woman, wondering if she truly did think Lisanna and Natsu were not right for each other. Would it be too bold to ask? Her friends were already suspicious of her feelings for Natsu; would they assume she was trying to sabotage his chances with Lisanna if she asked?
"I don't think they make a very good couple." Mira said it so bluntly that Lucy almost fell off the bed.
"Why so?" Erza asked, seeming surprised at her ex-rival's admission.
"Natsu and Lisanna are looking for different things. Natsu's got the right determination, but he lacks control. I feel like Lisanna would do better with someone who was more mature and understanding of themselves. Natsu's a young soul, and I love him like a brother. But he would need someone with an energetic personality that would be willing to run wherever he wanted without question. Lisanna needs something different."
"What does Lucy think?" At Juvia's question, Lucy furrowed her brows.
"Well, one sign does come to mind. When I think of maturity and calm power, I normally suggest someone of the Leo sign."
"Are there any Leo in Fairy Tail?" Juvia asked, Levy nodding quickly.
"I believe that the master and Loke are both Leo. And Lucy called out Laxus on his sign, remember?" As if a light bulb went off in her head, Lucy's eyes widened. How could she have forgotten that Lisanna and Mira were both Virgo? Quickly covering her look of shock, Lucy looked to Erza with an extended hand.
"May I see the book? I'd like to look up Virgo women with Leo men. Just in case Lisanna's date with Natsu goes wrong."
"Which I'm sure wouldn't be all that upsetting for you." Even with Levy's teasing, Lucy flipped through the pages of the book while glancing to Mira. It was almost too easy to help her friend. Mira seemed more intent on Lucy's search than any of the others, which only furthered Lucy's suspicions of Mira's interest in Laxus. She couldn't outright say it in front of the other girls; it would only result in Mira denying the accusation and hiding her feelings more. Like the book had said earlier, Virgo hated to make the first move. Lucy would have to play her cards extremely carefully if she wanted this to work.
"Ah, there it is!" Lucy smiled as she flipped to the right page, clearing her throat before she read. "The Calling. The Leo male is a natural born leader. He could be called a hero like the Aries, but his rebellious nature deters that name."
"Master created Fairy Tail for rebels like himself. The leader of rebels suits him well," Erza said, a content smile on her face. She had always had a close connection to the old man, and he had never shied away from his pride in Erza.
"What else does it say?" Levy asked, Lucy looking back to the book and continuing.
"In comparison the Virgo is somewhat of a flower, needing someone to break her out of her shell. The Leo does just that. Leo are swayed by women with curves, which Virgo tend to possess naturally. Leo realize there is something to treasure about the Virgo. She is a woman of substance, and to pick her over more defiant women is a sign of settling down. Virgo sees him as her personal savior, and she makes a perfect queen in his kingdom. She never surpasses him, but wants to stay by his side on the throne. Her more traditional view on relationships keeps both signs happy. Though she is a bit more submissive, there is a hidden fire in this zodiac's pretty furnace.
"Leo are loud, but find trouble in raising their voice with the Virgo. He sees her as a person, and not just one of his lovers. Since the Virgo can be self-conscious, a forceful lover such as the Leo male is good for their sex life. Virgo love to be controlled from behind, a favorite position for both of them. She is happy to praise him during sex, a turn on for her counterpart. She loves her men hands on, and really digs muscles or tattoos. He lacks skills with his mouth, but she finds his boyish fumbling sexy and sweet. In this relationship, it truly is the thought that counts most."
"It's like a match made in heaven." Juvia's assessment seemed agreed upon by the rest of the girls. Lucy already knew that Leo and Virgo were one of the best pairings in the zodiac, but she kept quiet while looking to Mira. The bartender had a faraway look about her, seeming lost in her own thoughts. Still, Lucy smiled at the soft blush showing on Mira's pale cheeks.
"But could you really see Lisanna with Laxus?" Levy asked, rubbing her chin at the thought. Not realizing Lucy was still watching her, Mira's eyes widened a smidge before falling back to their normal size. She didn't give any input into the conversation, listening to the other girl's thoughts on the couple. Lucy stayed silent as well, watching for any other indicators from her bartender friend.
"Laxus has known Lisanna for a while, right? Juvia thinks anyone would be lucky to have Lisanna as their girlfriend."
"But the question really falls on if Lisanna and Laxus would fit well together. There is a six year age difference there; she may be too immature for him to really settle down with." Erza's opinion made Levy nod, looking to Lucy in confusion.
"What do you think? Would you match the two of them together?" Lucy froze at the question, wishing her best friend hadn't turned to her for advice. Mira looked over to her with a smile, but Lucy knew too much to pretend this conversation wasn't bothering her.
"It…depends," Lucy said slowly, trying to figure out how to get herself out of the situation at hand. Levy tilted her head with a blink, showing she wasn't satisfied with the answer.
"On what?"
"Well…Every sign has a ruler, which I'm sure you've heard me talk about. Each planet controls a lot of the sign's energy. For instance, Lisanna and Mira's ruler is Mercury. This causes them to have a lot of the same traits, but you'll notice that they differ on some things. Mira is more of a social butterfly and is content with staying a bartender at Fairy Tail. Lisanna is more quiet and reserved, but has goals of going further in life."
"But they have the same sign," Juvia said, not seeming to understand Lucy's explanation.
"Yes, but their sub-rulers are different. Because Mira was born in a later part of September than Lisanna, her sub-ruler is Venus. That brings out her flirty and more relaxed personality. Lisanna's sub-ruler is also Mercury, which makes her more intellectual and focused."
"So even though the two are the same sign, and have a ton in common, there are sub-rulers that can tweak some of their personalities?" Levy asked, Lucy nodding at the girl.
"The same goes with all of us. Laxus and Loke are both Leo, but Loke was born with a different sub-ruler than Laxus. Loke's the fun guy at the party, which is influenced by his sub-ruler Jupiter. Laxus tends to be more of the rebellious Leo, which relates to his sub-ruler, Mars. But in reality, both are very bold, very egotistical men who fall under the Leo sign."
"I think I understand where you're going with this," Erza said, slowly shifting her position on the floor to look toward Lucy. "So…even if the Virgo and Leo sign may be good together, their sub-ruler may make a key difference in their relationship. Laxus and Lisanna may not match particularly well because of Mercury and Mars not going well together."
"Exactly." Lucy smiled at her intelligent friend, happy that her point got across. Once she felt like her friends understood her explanation, she looked over to Mira and continued. "If Natsu and Lisanna don't work out, I could help match her up too. If she's okay with it, that is."
"I think she would really enjoy that, thank you." Mira giggled as Lucy grinned, happy to see Mira back in good spirits. Though she didn't exactly get to talk to Mira about Laxus, Lucy knew there was something there. It would be too awkward to bring it up now after just discussing her sister with Laxus, so Lucy turned to her friends and waved the book.
"I'm going to put this away if we're done with it."
"Wait!" Before she could even get off the bed, Levy scrambled over and snatched the book from Lucy's hands. "We never got to look up anyone for you."
"Me? But…I'm not seeing anyone," Lucy said, confused.
"Well it could just be for fun. Isn't there anyone at Fairy Tail that you find appealing?"
"N-No way! I'm their matchmaker; it'd be unprofessional to check out the men for myself."
"Juvia wishes to know about Loke. He's not one of Lucy's clients, right?" Lucy shook her head quickly at Juvia's suggestion, trying to squash the idea.
"Wait a minute—"
"And then there is that bartender…his name was Dan, right?" At Erza's suggestion, Lucy groaned. Were they really that desperate to hook her up with any guy she had talked to before?
"I think we should look up her sign with Natsu." A slight silence followed Levy's suggestion, Lucy's eyes wide at her friend's devilish smile. "Come on, we've all thought of the two of them hooking up before. Would it be so weird to see them in a relationship?"
"Me…and Na-Natsu? Did we forget he's on a date with Lisanna?"
"But you're the one who said they are a horrible match," Mira said, giggling at Lucy's flushed face.
"But that doesn't mean I'll be any better."
"Juvia wishes to look it up!" Before Lucy could protest anymore, Levy and Juvia quickly started to search the pages. Erza, seeming to understand her friend's distress, moved to sit next to Lucy on the bed while rubbing her back.
"There are plenty of Aries men out there if it bothers you to think of Natsu that way." Lucy smiled weakly at Erza's comforting words, knowing she was right. Still, it was hard not to think of him.
"Found them!" Levy and Juvia exchanged high-fives, Levy looking back down to the passage. "The Aries man and Cancer woman, the—oh."
"The oh?" Lucy's brows furrowed at the widening of Levy's eyes and opening of her mouth. Juvia seemed slightly surprised herself, though kept her composure more so than Levy. Concerned, Mira scooted over and gently took the book from Levy's hands. After reading the same thing that shocked the two girls, Mira smiled and looked up at Lucy with knowing eyes.
"There was another reason I never thought my sister and Natsu would work out…it's because you two are simply meant for each other."
"W-wh-wha…" Lucy couldn't get her mouth to work through her embarrassment, not knowing how to deal with the soft expression Mira was giving her.
"Your title is The Fairy Tale," Mira whispered, making both girls on the bed tense. Taking their silence as a means to continue, Mira looked down at the page. "Cancer is the zodiac's Cinderella, while Aries is considered the knight in shining armor. Though they are not aware of their destined bond, these two will have at least one fling in their life with the opposite sign. The Cancer woman strives for a traditional male, and the he-man personality of the Aries appeals to her. No matter her background, the Cancer has a feminine, all American look. The chemistry between these two signs is so strong, you can taste it.
"Sex is core in this relationship. The Cancer is able to see past the shortcomings of the Aries in a way that many other signs cannot. Aries views Cancer as the type of girl that he could bring home to his mother and be proud. Cancer is the woman he envisioned the mother of his children to look like. She likes to play the damsel-in-distress, and Aries has no problem saving her from any danger. The Cancer woman is needy, and the Aries man needs to be needed. Both signs have shadows to their personalities. In this pairing the Aries can ditch the Clark Kent act to show his sexual beast while Cancer's cheerleader persona gives way to an insatiable vixen after dark.
"Unlike with other women, Aries doesn't have to hold any of his personality or sexual needs back. He has a high libido, which the Cancer can satisfy easily. She thinks of herself as a sexual being, and takes the Aries as a challenge. Cancer can make a guy's eyes roll back into his head, and no sign appreciates a no-holds-bar personality in the bedroom like an Aries. She loves a manly chest and strong scent, something that naturally comes with an Aries man. Though many signs dislike the Aries for their arrogance, the Cancer praises and prides his sexual swagger. Sexually, the two are a perfect match. But something else that is extremely important for this couple is the determination to build a wholesome life together."
"That…" But that was the only thing that Lucy could get out of her mouth. After that there was nothing, no words to explain what Mira had just read. Lucy was out-done by her own book. She had never really looked at the Aries-Cancer relationship, because the only client she had that was a Cancer was Erza. Already having hooked her up with Jellal, there was no need. Sure, she knew that Aries and Caners weren't the worst pair. They were actually one of the more disputed pairs, astrologists supporting and dismissing the couple as good. But this…
"Lucy?" Levy's soft voice entered the air, and Lucy sent her friends an uneasy smile.
"I think I'm going to need another drink."
With little warning, morning started its early rise over the building peaks of Magnolia. What was once enshrouded in darkness came into view for anyone who was crazy enough to be awake. The streets were quiet, the city looking more like a ghost town than anything else.
"Thank God for coffee," Lucy whispered, sighing blissfully while she sipped on the side of her coffee mug. She had a blanket over her shoulders, but still shivered from the coldness of the morning. Even if it was the first day of July, the morning didn't tend to get hot for another couple hours. Blowing softly on the steaming beverage in her hands, she took another sip and silently stared at the horizon. Really, she wanted to scream. The night before was still fresh on her mind, making it impossible for her to sleep. She had to creep her way onto the porch to not disturb the others, who were strewn about on the floor. She wanted them to get a full night's sleep after the girl's night out they had just had. She had paused in the doorway to her balcony, looking back at her passed out friends. She knew, even before the morning hit, that she had the best friends that a person could ask for.
"Speaking of friends…" She pressed her lips against the porcelain mug, her eyes closing half-way. Natsu hadn't texted her after his date like she thought he would. Normally when something exciting happened to him, she was the first one he contacted. Was it different when it involved girls? Did he talk to Gray or Gajeel instead? She shook her head, doubting he could go to either one of them for this type of thing. So then…why didn't he call her? Maybe he was still with Lisanna. Would Natsu go for a sleepover on the first date? Her fingers clenched the coffee mug, not liking the jealousy in her heart. But why was she envious? Natsu was just her friend, right? She should have been happy that he did well on his date with Lisanna. But she couldn't muster up the right feelings. What was wrong with her lately?
"I really am going to kill those guys," Lucy blinked at the familiar voice, her eyes widening when a flash of pink appeared on the side of her balcony.
"Natsu?" At her question the guy swore, nearly falling off the terrace he had just climbed up. She quickly dropped her mug on her table as she ran over, helping the guy over the railing and onto her balcony. She helped him sit up, feeling his heavy panting from the hand she had rested in the middle of his back. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you," He replied, looking over to her and grinning. "You're never up this early, so you kind of scared me there."
"If you didn't think I was up, why did you come so early?" She asked, her eye twitching at the confused look on his face.
"Huh, I never really thought about that…"
"How did that not cross your mind?!" She smacked her forehead before standing up, moving back over to her chair and yanking the blanket around her again. Her feet were freezing from the stone floor, and she shivered while pulling the blanket closer to her.
"How was your girl's night?" She watched him move to the seat next to her, the chair creaking when he plopped down into it. She returned the beverage to her hands, hoping the coffee would restore her warmth.
"It was a lot of fun, to be honest. We went to a bar in town and the girls got very intoxicated. You should have seen Levy running around. Juvia wouldn't stop crying about Gray, and Erza is even more lethal when she's drunk!" Laughing at the memory, Lucy let herself smile for the first time all morning. "And then we came home, sobered up, and just talked for a couple hours. The girls sang happy birthday to me afterwards, and then somehow we all went to bed. It was definitely one of my better birthday parties."
"Oh." At his lack of a real answer, Lucy glanced over to Natsu's pouting face. He was staring at the sunrise, one of his legs bent against his chest while the other hung off the side of the chair. She tilted her head, unsure of why he looked so upset.
"Did something happen?" She asked, watching him shake his head sharply. Pursing her lips together in slight frustration, she leaned on the armrest closest to him. "Did the date go bad?"
"No, it was really good. Lisanna and I had a nice time, and the restaurant was fantastic." Lucy hid her wince, her fingers tensing on the armrest. For a moment, she had almost wanted him to say her matchmaking had failed. Then again, Lucy knew her skill as an astrologer. She had told Natsu everything that he needed to know about Virgo to keep Lisanna happy all night. She had done her job well. So then why was forcing a smile so hard to do now?
"So why are you making that face? You should be happy about your success."
"I just don't get why you could only have girls over. You've never excluded me before." That was what was bothering him? "I wanted to come over last night, but Gajeel and Gray held me hostage. They even stole my damn phone so I couldn't text you!"
"Hostage? That seems unlike the two of them." If anything, it sounded like something Natsu would do.
"The girls made them promise they wouldn't let me crash your party. Something about you needing "time away". What's up with that?" Lucy blinked at the new information. So it was the girls who set the boys up to do it…that made way more sense. "What was so important that you had to exclude me?"
"Natsu, we weren't trying to 'exclude' you. But why would you want to go to a girl's night anyways?"
"Because I wanted to be the first one to wish you a happy birthday today." He said it like it was a known fact, looking over to Lucy in irritation. "I was going to text you, but it didn't feel genuine unless it was in person…and the assholes stole my phone."
"But…but you were on a date."
"I made sure it ended with plenty of time to make it to your house. The two bastards locked me in Gajeel's bathroom all night while the two of them did God knows what to each other. Seriously, when did those two become chummy? It's like my worst nightmare come to life!"
"You are such an idiot!" Lucy yanked the blanket over her head, trying to hide her embarrassment from him.
"What are you talking about?" She could hear his confusion, making her cheeks puff out in irritation.
"Why did you worry so much about my birthday when you were with Lisanna?" She knew she was taking this the wrong way. After the conversations last night, her head was all muddled and she couldn't decipher her readings from the real relationship she had with Natsu. They were just friends! It was just her heart that was getting the wrong impression. Her heartbeat rapidly pounding in her chest, Lucy was scared Natsu could hear it through her blanket.
"It doesn't matter who I'm with, Luce." She felt him pull the blanket over her head, Natsu grinning despite the upset look Lucy gave him. "You're my best friend. We aren't always together, but you'll always come first to me."
"You…really mean that?" Lucy asked, smiling when he nodded without hesitation. His smile chased away the momentary feelings of jealousy she had toward Lisanna, making it easier to laugh with him.
"Of course. Oh!" His eyes widened, Natsu quickly shoving his hand into his pocket and yanking out a small box. It was wrapped in bright pink paper, with a little red bow on the side. He dropped it into her lap, shoving his hands into his sweatshirt while looking away. "I got it before I got kidnapped by those two idiots. Good thing I had the lady wrap it, or it would have been a crappy surprise."
She slowly picked up the box, smiling at his scribbled name on the corner of the paper. Ripping the wrapping paper off, Lucy opened the black box to reveal a small chain inside. Pulling the necklace out, she giggled at the tiny pink dragon that hung from the chain. On its side was her name written in beautiful cursive. Lucy looked up when she noticed Natsu shifting next to her, and watched him yank his scarf down. Lucy blinked when seeing a matching red dragon around his neck. His own name was written on the dragon's side, though she guessed it before she even saw the letters.
"Where did you find these?" She watched him scratch his cheek and shrug, trying to sound nonchalant.
"I got them from a guy that owed me a favor. He makes jewelry, and I know you like sentimental stuff. Add that to my obsession with dragons, and there ya go."
"You didn't have to get me anything," she said, shifting the little dragon in her hand. It was cute, and something she knew was one of a kind. Well, except for the one around Natsu's neck.
"But now I know that even when we're not together, you'll still know I'm there for you." She looked up at him quickly, but his attention was on the rising sun again. She held onto the present tightly, feeling her emotions swell in her stomach.
"Natsu…"
"Happy birthday, Lucy. Next year I'll definitely be the first one to say it!" It was in that moment that Lucy realized her feelings for Natsu went deeper than friendship. She truly did have a crush on her best friend. It wasn't because of last night's conversation, or the drinks she had ingested. These were just her honest feelings slowly coming to the surface. She truly was Cinderella, and Natsu was her knight in shining armor. When had that happened? She jumped slightly in her seat when he looked back at her, holding his hand out. "Let me put it on for you!"
"Sure." She slowly handed him the necklace, leaning her head forward as he unhooked the tiny clasp. Her breath caught in her throat when his arms circled her, his face focused with the task at hand. She tried not to blush, but her startling revelation kept circling in her head. How had this happen? She always knew Natsu was a great guy, and it wasn't like she ever hated him. But to actually have feelings for him? She closed her eyes when he pulled away, his hands dropping to rest on her shoulders. She slowly opened her eyes to see him staring at her with a pleased smile.
"It looks good on you, Luce." She looked away quickly, knowing this wasn't helping her already shot nerves. Nervously she brushed her hair behind her ear, staring at the ground in embarrassment. His touch was warm against her bare shoulders, and heated her more than the blanket now pooled around her hips. Goosebumps rose when his fingers slid over her collarbone and down her exposed skin, gently fingering the pink dragon in his hand. She peeked at him through the corner of her eye, realizing he was watching her still. His stare was unreadable, but it made Lucy shiver. What was he looking for?
"Not to interrupt," Both jumped at the sweet voice by the door, Lucy looking to see a cheerful Mira peeking her head out. "But I was trying to make some more coffee for the girls. They are starting to wake up, and Erza is not a happy camper right now. Where do you keep your filters?"
"I'll get them; Lucy always puts them in the weirdest spot." Natsu pushed out of the chair, stretching his arms over his head. Like a king, he sauntered into the apartment like he owned the place. Instantly Lucy heard a group of screams followed by Natsu's complaints of 'not caring who he stepped on'. Seeming to know a fight was about to happen inside, Mira stepped onto the balcony and slid the door shut behind her.
"The necklace is very cute, Lucy." Feeling like she was caught doing something wrong, Lucy's back straightened her posture while she nervously laughed.
"I-Its just a birthday present. Nothing more."
"Ah, I see. Either way, it really suits you." At Mira's words, Lucy looked down to her necklace while sliding her fingers over the dragon. She didn't respond to the compliment, but closed her eyes when Mira's voice softened. "I'm not sure how his date went with Lisanna, and I truly do wish for my sister's happiness. But, as your friend, I hope you listen to what your heart wants as well. Natsu is a great guy, and deserves the best match from you. No matter whom that is."
"I'm supposed to be objective, and yet I think I'm starting to fall for one of my clients. What do I do now, Mira? How can I be Natsu's matchmaker if I don't want him with someone else?" Lucy looked up at the older woman for advice, watching her take the seat Natsu previously occupied.
"Listen to me closely. I'm happy you're taking your job seriously because Master and I put a lot of faith in you. I know you think of yourself as a Fairy Tail member, and you pride yourself on being everyone's friend. But, before anything other title, you are Lucy. You need to do what's right for Lucy the woman; even if it means pairing up an Aries with a Cancer instead of a Virgo."
"But if Natsu really likes Lisanna, who am I to get in their way? For all I know, these feelings are one-sided. I don't want to hurt Lisanna or Natsu." And that was the truth. Lucy owed Fairy Tail so much, so hurting anyone in the guild wasn't an option for her. That included the two people in question.
"If Natsu really liked my sister, do you think he would have planned an end time to their date?" Mira asked. Lucy slowly shook her head, yanking her blanket closer to her. It felt like nothing compared to the heat that Natsu had transferred from his earlier touch.
"I guess not." The two sat in a comfortable silence after that, the only noise being from the people inside of the apartment. Lucy glanced into the clear door, watching Erza chase Natsu around with the rolling pin Lucy received for Christmas. It was amusing enough to make her mood slightly lift, as well as her mind wander away from the troublesome topic. Realizing that she finally had some alone time with Mira, Lucy looked back to her friend. "Mira, I have to ask you something."
"Hm?"
"When you wanted to know about how Leo worked with your sister's sign…was it just for your sister?"
"Ah, so you've noticed." Mira didn't lose her smile as she answered, making Lucy wonder how the older girl had such control over her emotions. Just one thought of Natsu made Lucy go into panic mode, and yet Mira looked like she was talking about the weather. "I've been interested in the Leo-Virgo pairing for a little while, but I'm sure it'll pass soon. There's no need to worry yourself over it."
"Why didn't you ask me to help you? You say you have confidence in my skill, but yet—"
"Having a relationship with a Leo would be lovely, but I'm too busy for that. I have Fairy Tail to take care of as well as my brother and sister. Plus the master always needs extra hands, and there'd just be no time for me to have a Leo around. And even if there was one around I was interested in, there's no saying that Leo would be interested in me. If that Leo was somehow connected to my job, it would make everything terribly strained. You understand my reasoning for not asking for your help, right?"
"Mira, we're not just talking about a hypothetical Leo here, are we?" Mira didn't respond at first, slowly pushing herself out of the seat to stand. She quietly walked back to the door, placing her hand on the handle before finally responding to Lucy's question.
"It's easier to think we are." Mira smiled at her own statement before opening the door, throwing herself into the fray of the apartment. Lucy turned to watch the white-haired girl trying to calm the enraged Erza down, Lucy's heart breaking. Virgo were not known for showing their true emotions. They found it awkward and made it a point to keep them tucked into their own personal shelf. It didn't mean they felt any less than the other eleven zodiac signs. Lucy knew Mira's feelings for Laxus weren't something that would go away; she probably had them for a while now. But Mira was so busy trying to make everyone else in the guild happy; she'd never be 'selfish' and make a move on him. And Laxus was pretty dumb when it came to any type of social contact. This case would probably be even harder than Gajeel and Levy.
"I will find you happiness, Mira. I promise," Lucy whispered, refusing to back down from the challenge. She was a Fairy Tail member, and she made it her duty to make everyone of her friends happy.
Even if it meant facing Laxus head on again.
And the final pairing is revealed! Will Lucy let Mira's love slip through the cracks? How will the other pairings start to form? Will Lucy ever tell Natsu about her feelings? And what will his response be? And who else wants a guy as cute as Natsu?! I do! Stay tune for the next chapter!
Chapter Eight: Mistaken Perception