I think, this is the longest chapter I've made for OA :)
And good news! I'm almost done with typing the story! Hoorayy!
Well, I was thinking of some things:
1. Should I update faster? Because I'm excited for you guys. Hahaha
2. What does AU means? :PP
3. Have you seen the latest manga of FT? Well I think the dragons will come from the gate itself. Hahaha Sooo excited for the next update. :DD
Well, about this. Hope you'll like it. From this on, it'll be called "DOOM CHAPPIES"
Chapter 19
"Where are you taking me?!" Lucy said as she tried to pull her hand from Natsu's.
They were now at the hotel's fire exit when Natsu suddenly stopped and entered the only deserted part of the entire establishment.
He turned and faced her. Lucy looked at Natsu curiously and felt nervous. Lucy knew that Natsu already knew about her father. Probably everyone already knows because her father is just the owner of one of the multi-companies all over the world. His death would be one heck of breaking news all over the world.
She struggled to loosen his grip from hers. Lucy shook their hands roughly but Natsu's hand won't budge. "Let me go!" She started to feel irritated.
Natsu looked down on their hands that were linked together.
"I don't know why but I don't want to see you crying.." He suddenly spoke.
Lucy's eyes widen. She raised a brow at him, to which he didn't notice. Was he on drugs now? Lucy knew this guy would die early if he continued on with his vices.
"..but now I want to see you cry."
Her mouth gaped a little trying to find her voice. "No! I won't! Why would I cry in front of you?!" She faked an irritated smile, but the tears on her eyes were slowly filling the surface of her eyes, threatening to fall anytime.
He could see it. He could see right through that facade. "I just.. I want you to show what you truly feel." His eyes widening in anger. Anger of Lucy's stubbornness. His grip on her forearm tightened. "Just put off your fucking show!"
"Let go! You're hurting me!" Lucy shook it rougher this time. When Natsu realized it his grip suddenly loosen and Lucy was able to free her hand. There was silence in between them. Natsu was looking at her and Lucy's eyes were on the floor while rubbing her sore arm. Then she spoke in a low, soft yet serious tone. "You don't have to do this. I am capable of taking care of myself."
He remained silent.
"I don't want to look weak in front of anyone, so I won't cry." Her voice started to shake as her tears started to fall slowly. "There are people who're testing my abilities, people whose eyes were all on me, people who're always observing me. Their judgement.. what they see of me will affect the company's future. And I.. I won't risk it.."
"But you're just with me right now." She looked up to him. It's not his voice that made her look at him, it is what he said.
"You don't understand me Natsu!" She clenched her fists. Tears still slowly falling. "This company is everything that was left to me. I have nothing!" She yelled. "What the Board would say matters. Nothing else.. If they see any kind of weakness or inability to run the company, then no one will surely be on my side. Th-they'll be taking the company from me.."
Natsu didn't know the circumstances she's facing when it comes to the company. He himself doesn't have any interest in it, but seeing Lucy in this state made him want to go to where those Boards where and punch them right in their faces for giving Lucy so much to worry.
"I'm.. I'm all alone. Father left me.. They all left me." Natsu's body tensed.
You still have me. I'm here..
He shouted it in his head. He wanted to say it. He wanted to tell her who he really was. Will that ease the pain she was feeling? Right he understood her more. The feeling she had during the past 10 years they were gone. She felt alone. And now she's feeling that she is completely.. left alone.
"I.. I understand you!" He yelled back. "I know what you're feeling! And I.. all I was asking is for you to let it all out! You don't need to keep it all to yourself!"
"NO! NO! You don't. No one understands me. How would you? You don't even know me. How could you say you understand me? You're just a carefree, playboy, douche guy I accidentally knew! How would you understand me, if we're on a different track? You don't know what I feel. I'm alone. I don't have anyone right now! It's just me.. and the company." She sobbed.
He was taken aback. So this is how she sees him. It doesn't really surprise him, he already got an argument with Makarov about this matter. Still, his eyes widen at her angered voice. Right. They were really different, but he knew he could –No. He will try and figure things out for them.
"I know I've been a jerk around you.. Yes. I don't really get what is it about you and that stu –" She glared at him. "..company. But what I was pointing here was you're not alone as what you think, Luce."
"Don't call me Luce! Go back to your band. Go back to Li –" She suddenly stopped, which made Natsu look at her in confusion. "Just.. Just go back. I'm fine!"
He wiped her tears which surprised Lucy. She was crying unconsciously. She shoved his hands away and rubbed her eyes.
"T-This aren't tears of sadness.."
He chuckled.
"I was mad at you! You jerk!" She said hitting him on his chest.
He pulled her and hugged her tight.
Lucy was just as surprised as Natsu was. He still cannot process what he's doing. It hasn't sunk in him yet that he was actually showing his feelings now. At this very moment that destiny.. is it fate? No. Whatever it is that has given him this chance. Should he continue?
"Lucy, just.. I want you to cry. I don't want you to hide any feeling you're keeping inside. Let it all out, don't hold back." It doesn't seem to convince her. He could feel Lucy still keeping the distance in between them. He was thinking of a way on how to make Lucy trust in him. But what could it be?
" I'm.. I'm Natsu."
Oh my God. He just said who he was. Now what? He could sense Lucy stiffened under his hold. He held her tighter. Maybe he'll explain himself later, it's Lucy who matters right now.
"You can tell me everything.. Luce, you could always cry on me. Besides we're all alone in this fire exit. I'm the only one who'd see you cry and for that you could always show me your weak side 'cause I'll be there to fill those weakness, you're hiding. And I'll make you strong." Natsu encircled his arm around her waist and another holding the back of her head. He rested his head on top of hers. Lucy's eyes widen. But she didn't resist under his hold, she was just so surprised. "It's not bad to show others you're weak. If you knew what your weakness are you can do something about it and you'll be stronger. Like I said, I'll help you with that." He smiled.
"And.. you're not alone. If Erza and the others would hear that, what would you think they would feel? They're.. No. We're always here for you. Don't ever think you're alone."
There is a comfortable silence between them. They stayed in that position for a moment."W-Why are you suddenly out of character Natsu?" Lucy asked still shocked and confused of what was happening to Natsu.
Yeah why? He's not like this. "I know this is the opposite of what you knew of me, but this still is me. Natsu." Maybe it was just because he was the new, Natsu Dragneel.
Hearing that name made her whimper. She held her tears but she suddenly put her arms around Natsu's waist and hugged him tight.
He knew what she was doing. "Cry." He said softly in her ear. And with that she burst. That was easy, too easy for her to give up her façade and let the heavy feeling she's been keeping.
"I-I was alone! He left me already." Lucy shouted. "I have nothing left, except for this company."
Natsu patted her head and run his hand through her hair. "And it was all yours. Plus you have a bonus, you have us, right? You can never be alone, I won't let that happen."
"M-My dad he.. he's de.."
"Shhh." He cooed. "You don't have to say it. Even if he's not here anymore.." She cried harder. And at the same time he regretted he said it, but Lucy just has to accept it. He too has to be strong in comforting her. "He'll always, always Lucy, always look after you. He'll always be there for you right?"
Lucy stopped for a while, what Natsu has said made her remember her dream. And the memory of her dream continued in her thought.
(Continuation of Lucy's dream)
Jude hugged her daughter tightly, he was very touched of what his daughter said. He looked up and saw Natsu smiling at them. Standing a meter away from them holding something behind him.
"Oh hey Natsu!" Jude greeted the little boy.
Lucy looked to where her father was looking and saw Natsu, who at reflex smiled at her. She instantly glared and looked away.
"Hello, uncle." He runs towards them when he noticed Lucy's still mad at him. When he reached them he tapped her shoulder. "Hey Luce!"
"I don't want to talk to you."
"Lucy.." His father reminded her of her attitude. "..manners." And with that Lucy looked at Natsu.
She was greeted with a small yellow flower. Her eyes glimmered and she immediately forgot her anger to the little boy in front of her. "It's beautiful!"
"It was really difficult to get that. I climb mountains! I swam across three seas and fought different monsters, including a giant octopus and a very large dragon! Thankfully I have my Fire Dragon Slaying magic!" He said boastfully.
Jude laughed a little cause Natsu's acting what he was saying.
"That's just a story." Little Lucy said pouting, knowing that Natsu was lying.
Natsu chuckled. "You got me. Anyway, I just protected this flower from being crushed by our car."
"And in return you picked it up."
"Well yeah, so I could protect it."
"But you just killed it." Lucy retorted as she puts the flower near her nose and smelled it. She giggled at the sweet scent of the flower.
"I'm trying to ask for forgiveness here!" Natsu snapped a little, reminding Lucy that she should listen to him. "I picked it so it could be with me forever. I know I hurt 'it' but, I promised to protect this flower always. And now that I gave that to you, I too, will always be with you."
Lucy's eyes watered.
"Oh hey! Hey! Hey! Don't cry! I'm sorry! I was just saying sorry!"
Suddenly Lucy jumped from her father's lap and hugged Natsu. They tumbled on the ground; Lucy's dress was covering most of Natsu's body. "Thank you! I'll always be your best friend forever!"
"Yeah right." He said like it was nothing. He just felt irritated that Lucy was jumping up and down holding the flower not minding that she was sitting on him.
"You're heavy" He mumbled.
They stayed like that for quite a moment until Lucy pulled away and looked at him in his eyes.
"Just like my real Natsu."
He stiffened. Yep, he just said it right? Natsu confessed to her who he really is. He just put Lucy's life in danger a while ago. Is she asking for an explanation on what really happen, already? He left her alone for who knows how long. Nah. 10 years got to be it. Is he ready to explain?
"Hey?" She asked trying to stop her tears. She spoke making Natsu snap out of his train of thoughts.
Natsu didn't remove his arms around her, so she won't escape, as Lucy wiped the tears on her cheeks. Maybe he's just got to say it with conviction so she'll believe him.
"I'm the real Natsu!" Natsu said with all his might and pulled her into a hug again. "I'm glad you cried."
"What I meant was the Natsu in my past. I call you Pinky because I don't want to mix you up." He felt down. All his efforts were wasted. Wait, she said"Just like my real Natsu." So she doesn't get it? Is she too negative, or not even hoping, that he's coming back? Natsu sighed. After gathering his strength to tell her who he was, she doesn't get it. But he understood her. It's confusing if she knew two Natsus. He sighed. Maybe, some other time when she's better, when he's ready.
She cried again. "A-And I-I'm not used to you being so caring. So Pinky, why?"
He didn't answer. He was asking himself too. But deep inside, he knew why. Lucy pulled away to take a better look at Natsu.
"Nats.. Pinky?" She tried to touch his face but a blurred image of a white haired girl appeared in her mind and retracted her hand. Lucy looked everywhere aside from him. She could feel her face heat up and she mentally cursed herself for thinking it might be something. She want to slap herself for asking.
Suddenly she heard people screaming and remembered about the on-going event. She stepped back and decided she'll go back to the Band Battle Royale. Although she felt a bit awkward, she gathered all her strength and spoke again. "Hey, I'm.. I'm g-going back. You sh-should h-head back t –"
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He pinned her to the wall and kissed her, senselessly. She was shocked but for some unknown reasons Lucy find herself kissing him back. His arms caressing her back as it goes lower on her body. He lifted her leg and put it on his hip, and his hand massaged her lifted thigh as his other balanced her in their position. He pulled her even closer, filling every gap there was in between their bodies. Slowly, Lucy found her arms moving on their own and reached his shoulder. Her hands held on to it for her knee was getting weak as they continue to kiss. Their lips were moving in sync with each others' like they're dancing. Lucy's hand ended up on his hair holding his pink locks and pulling him closer. Natsu slipped his tongue inside her mouth the moment she accidentally opened her mouth. This gesture surprised Lucy, but soon melts into it. Their tongues danced in rhythm as Natsu's hand caressed her curves and Lucy's hands were entangled with his pink locks.
Suddenly, they felt each other's need for air. He pulled back, both of them breathing heavily. "I didn't know you could kiss like that." Natsu said smiling at her. "Should that answer your que –" He looked at Lucy and she was shocked at what they just did.
Lucy can't speak at all. What the hell did just happen? She can't seem to process it all. She was having a hard time absorbing every bits of what just happened. She just kissed him back and for god's sake he isn't her boyfriend or anything close to that. Still, she could feel heat all over her face. He got her first kiss and now he also made her make out with him. And she doesn't even know why it all happen.
He released her leg and pulled away from her. The cheers of the people became louder, probably the show's starting. "I-I think we should go back." He noticed that her hair and lipstick was messed. Natsu pulled his hanky and wiped the smudged lipstick gently.
Her eyes were still red and puffy. She watched as Natsu gently remove her smudged lipstick. She could see his were quite red too, but lucky for him he's not as messed as she was.
"There, I like you with no makeup on." Natsu tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and she blushed, which is not really noticeable because her face is already reddish. "Think we should go back. They might be looking for us, don't cry again!" He warned. "If you do, I'll call you cry baby."
Her brows twitched. She's not a crybaby. She even got mad at him for wanting her to cry. She can't speak of anything. Her throat was blocked of something she doesn't know. And for some reasons, she found Natsu's face a bit frowning but she shrugged it off. She was amazed at how Natsu could just let things go, act like nothing has happen.
"C'mon!" He said as he smiled and pulled her.
Lucy tried to smile back hoping he would buy it. She will just go with his act. Like nothing has happen, but in fact she was dying to know why the hell did he kissed her? And the fact the she kissed him back made her feel guilt run through her stomach making her feel sick. She just broke her promise to Natsu Dragneel. Lucy wanted to cry due to frustration. She is not loyal to Natsu Dragneel, she cheated on him.
While walking back to the backstage, their hands were linked, loosely. Lucy was confused now than ever and if you add what just happen to her father, she would be completely devastated. It all rooted from the kiss they just shared. She kept on asking herself on why did she kissed him back and for a moment totally forgot about the Natsu she knew in the past. Lucy can't understand herself. She wanted to ask him why he kissed her but can't find the neurons that would tell her mouth open and speak up. She was hoping the reason he kissed her was the same of why she replied on it, so she would understand. But then again, maybe it's all just because he just wanted to. Maybe that kiss was something he just want as a pay for making her feel comfortable for a while. And for that, she wanted to thank him with a punch. Now, she's wishing she just run off the moment Natsu lets go of her hand.
When they reached the back stage Gray was about to open the door and both were surprised.
"Good thing I don't have to look for you two." Gray said lazily.
Natsu walked pass him pulling Lucy. "Good thing you didn't."
Gray looked at him confusedly. He knew what Natsu said has meaning behind it, and it just hit him. Maybe.. just maybe.. they were really the best of friends for they can talk indirectly? But Lucy seemed to be still in a state of shock. Why is that? Gray shrugged it off.
They walked towards Erza and the others. "Hey Erza!" Natsu greeted them with a beaming smile.
"Where did you two run off to? We're next!" Jellal shouted. In the back ground they could hear Blue Pegasus being introduced. "We're up before The Sabers!"
But Natsu didn't pay attention to him. "Did you buy the extra large hoodies I asked?" Natsu asked cheekily.
"Yep. Just because you said Lucy needed it. And now that I looked at it I don't think she needs it." Erza said looking at Lucy's beautiful black dress, which reached just right before her knees. Lucy looked at herself too and then to Erza but find nothing wrong with her.
Natsu grabbed the red hoodies from Erza and handed it to Lucy. "I chose extra, extra large to hide some things and the people won't suspect a thing. Wear it!" They both looked at him confusedly.
"What are you talking about?" Lucy asked. Still Lucy wore it, not even knowing why she did.
"Now! Let us welcome, Fairy Law!" The host of tonight's Band Battle called for them and one by one the members went to the moving stage until it was just Natsu they were waiting for.
"Come on Lucy, I want you to enjoy this night. So I can see you smile." He pulled her.
Lucy blushed but no one noticed because of the darkness. Why was he being so kind to her again? Now she's feeling butterflies in her stomach as he grinned at her. Why was he able to do this? She can't understand what's happening to her.
Erza just can't do anything about it. She noticed Lucy's aura has changed, might as well agree with Natsu on this one. She smiled at Lucy who was looking at her asking for help. "Go! Enjoy this." She said with an encouraging smile.
When Lucy stepped into the stage she felt the same chills she had the first time she was pulled by Natsu on stage. The Fairy Law band members, settled down on their respective places, were shocked at her existence on stage but smiled later on knowing it was Lucy. The crowd was screaming when Natsu has entered. Lucy will never get used to this kind of popularity. She doesn't like these things. Her knees are weakening and right now she wishes she won't faint.
She noticed that Natsu removed his fanned feathers, which Jellal put before he entered the stage, from his ass and put it in his shoulder.
"Pinky! What did you do? You're ruining your costume!" She whisper shouted. And with that she too, started to act like nothing happened.
Natsu grinned at her. "Relax. It's still part of me, so I'm still in costume. Right? And look at them." He pointed his lips behind Lucy and she saw Gajeel had his on his right arm while Gray had his on his back, on his shoulder blades to be exact.
Lucy let out a soft scream. "You rule violators!"
"We're not." Natsu chuckled. "They just said we have to wear what was given to us, we just changed where it should be."
She lost.
Maybe Natsu was smart when he was on stage. He must stay there more often. She stopped and looked at the crowd once more. She used to be on that side and not on this side where she will be the one watched. A lot of people were taking pictures and there were reporters. She just hoped no one recognized her.
"Hey don't be nervous." A squeeze on her hand made her look at Natsu and he grinned at her. She could feel that she'll melt if he'll smile at her more with that kind of grin. And another blur of white came into her mind and frowned a little as she looked away from him. She has a promise to abide to and this Natsu has someone he's cared for. So most probably what Lucy thinks is just right. After the event, she should confront him not to do any of those again, or he'll just hurt Lisanna's feelings. "It's not your first time so you should know what to do now. I'll be here for you! Don't worry. And this time I'm not letting you go 'til this was done or until I just see that genuine smile on your lips."
Lucy rolled her eyes. In the end, what else can she do? There's nothing she can't do with this now. It's just a moment to enjoy right? Will her father get mad at her being happy when he just died? She looked up and the stars were twinkling brightly. Natsu squeezed her hand. She looked at him and he just smiled at her. She looked back to the sky; maybe the twinkling stars are the sign that his father wanted her happy for this moment.
Fairy Law went to the platform they were assigned to and they were lifted at a certain level that was just for their band. Then the host walked to the center again. "That was Fairy Law, who just ranked 2nd during the scheduled concerts." Some fans booed. "Well, let's just hope they'll do better next. Lastly, everyone's new favourite!" The crowd roared. "Okay, okay. They were just new, I mean their members are new but they were a hit!"
Natsu looked at the center of the stage with narrow eyes, still holding Lucy's hand.
"Let's all welcome, The Saber!" The host said lively.
The group was led by the only lady in the group, Minerva. They were assigned a tiger costume and they just have no problem showing off their assets.
"Why the hell do they have a nicer costume?" Gray asked standing next to Lucy.
Natsu pulled Lucy behind him protectively and Gray was surprised at his reaction.
Lucy peaked on Natsu's shoulder giving Gray an apologizing look. "Gray was trying to talk to me idiot!" Lucy said then looked at Gray with a smile. "I didn't assign it, Jellal picked it. This was draw lots."
Gray raised one eyebrow what just happen but shrugged it off.
"Who was that?" Levy asked pointing at the person with The Saber, that person seemed to be very suspicious for she was covered all over and there was a mask on her face and one last thing that made all of Fairy Law look at the person was that that person was staring back at them.
Natsu looked away. "Maybe someone who just –"
"Ehem. Ehem." Minerva cleared her throat. "As you can see Rogue is not here, well that's because he can't be here due to some business matters. So tonight will be the revealing of our new band member." She smirked. "But you'll just have to wait 'til later." The crowed groaned in disappointment. "Don't worry! You'll recognize this person before you know it."
"There you have it! I will explain how this event goes on." The host said walking back to the center holding a cue card. "We will be choosing a certain category of songs and from there just go on grab your mic and start singing and there you'll have the spotlight. So the first person to grab their mic would be the one to have the prestigious spotlight. As you can see the whole place is dark, and you're the only ones who will be seen all through the moment. If a band suddenly sings they will be having the spotlight so better get the attention you needed for it depends on how strong your impact to the crowd was." The host chuckled. "We will be counting on how long you're going to sing or own the stage until another group gets the spotlight. Well if you're asking how to steal the spotlight, it was easy. Just match a word or words from the opponent band and you could go on with the singing, if the spotlight goes to you then make it last. The one who will be able to own the stage and finish the song will have the whole time of the song they sang and not just the time you sang. And one more thing.. no repetition of songs. We were very strict on how you will be able to continue a song so be careful!"
And the host looked at the crowd. "Lastly, the band that'll be able to have a mistake will be losing a turn." The crowd booed. "Okay, okay. I can't wait too, let this Band Battle Royale, begin!"