:~:~:~:
The young man was running around frantically, trying to find his keys and black wallet with his wavy and messy blonde hair sweeping just barely above his dark eyes. His companion much taller than him watched him amused.
"Eve. Where are you going in such a hurry?" the husky voice asked while strumming the strings of his yellow white base guitar.
"Hibiki" the flustered Eve spoke while pulling his black blazer on his torso "Cancel all meetings today. Tell the Sabertooth duo their demo will have to wait. And tell *Uri-chan I will have to miss our cake-shopping for the celebration."
"Hooo hoo~" the attractive male stood up with a smirk "If you're purposely missing a chance to be with Uri-chan this must be important"
Eve rolled his eyes, "My WORK is important. If this goes well the future of your career and those Sabertooth guys will sky rocket!" he grabbed his luggage and keys. Hibiki had his eyebrows risen in surprise "Oi, so you're telling me you found us our missing bad member?" the excitement in his voice was notable.
Eve, smiled, before turning the knob of the door clock wise and leaving in a hurry "Maybe~!" he called back.
:~:~:~:
"So…this is what the new guy looks like hm?" Hibiki murmured while sitting at Eve's desk. Eve texted him that he all ready left for his flight and he will be landing in three hours. He said if Hibiki wanted, he could get a look at who the possible band member will be on his file.
"*Gurei Izotz?* Not bad. Clean fresh face, nice features, and good body exterior. Knows how to play every goddamn instrument. Eve has found a looker for sure, maybe even too perfect. Eve better ransack this one clearly."
"Eve?" a high but cute voice rang cutting Hibiki's thoughts short. The young man smiled "Uri, come in!"
The door flew open revealing a girl with nice dark brown eyes and long black hair. Her pink lips drew into a smile when she caught sight of Hibiki "Hey Hibiki!"
"Hey Uri" the boy smiled, he closed the laptop, not knowing whether or not to tell Uri the news of what was to come.
"So where's Eve? He told me to meet him at one." The girl said as she plopped herself down in one of the office swivel chairs. Before Hibiki cold answer two other voices interrupted.
"Come on Rogue! Please! Just for one night!" a strained voice asked pleadingly while walking through the office doors. The boy in front of him remained emotionless before replying "No."
The male voice pouted, "Why~ Lector loves you, he won't cause trouble I promise!"
Uri giggled at the scene, two boys arguing which was usually uncommon to see, where here. Hibiki rolled his eyes "Rogue just let Lector sleep over. You know you're a better care taker for pets than Sting will ever be."
Sting gritted his teeth as he glared at Hibiki "Shut your trap pretty boy!"
"Oh? Make me!"
Rogue sighed as he took a seat next to Uri who couldn't help but laugh at the two boys "Those two really love to fight"
Rogue nodded, rubbing his temples in slight annoyance "It's because they're both blondes" he muttered. Uri giggled, "That's your theory why they can't get along? It's the same as saying we can't get along because we're brunettes."
At this, the boy gave a small smile "But we're different. For one we actually have a brain…"
"WHAT THE HELL ROGUE" both blondes screamed now trying to aim their fists at the silent boy. He merely dodged causing them to fall to the floor.
"Since Sting is really pathetic I'll watch his cat since it seems he will be busy tonight" Uri stated promptly. The two boys looked at her odd, except Sting who was grinning brightly.
"Uwah!~ Thanks Uri-chan," the blonde said in excitement. Hibiki rolled his eyes while Rogue stood stiff with arms crossed, half annoyed.
She grinned "Besides, it's been such a long time since I played with Lector. I don't mind really." She waved the thought off.
"You're too nice Uri" Hibiki snorted, "You shouldn't waste your kindness on this fool."
"I agree." Rogue simply stated. Sting only pouted, "Well screw you guys too. Anyway where's Eve? He hasn't given the schedule for recording."
"Ah!" Uri exclaimed "And we were supposed to go cake shopping too!"
"Oh yeah. He left. Sorry I was supposed to tell you guys earlier" Hibiki said while flicking some of his dark blonde bangs off his face. The three looked at him skeptically "Left? Eve wouldn't leave when we still have so much to do for the Wonderland performance!" Uri said, half doubting Hibiki's words.
Rogue and Sting nodded "Yeah she's right. And there's also a case with our missing recruit. He wouldn't leave when we still have that problem to fix" Sting said with pursed lips.
Hibiki sighed, should he tell them? 'Well Eve didn't mention that I shouldn't…'
"Unless he all ready found our member" Rogue spoke quietly out of nowhere. Uri and Sting looked at him bemused but also grinning at the thought "The missing fourth member? You're serious? Hibiki?" they turned to Hibiki for confirmation.
He chuckled, leave it to Rogue to figure it out, though it's no surprise "Yes. He left to go see him. His debut performance is tomorrow and Eve will be there to see if he makes the cut. Apparently an old partner recommended him"
"Wah yay!" Uri giggled "The fourth member the fourth member!" she chanted. At this Sting also joined in. Rogue and Hibiki merely looked at them amused.
"Well I can't blame them" he shrugged "They've been waiting for the record company to finally promote the band. Heck I was anxious too. And I'm confident that you were too Rogue?"
Rogue grunted, "Well we have to remember not to expect much from this guy. He can still not make the cut."
"Hmm I wonder about that..." Hibiki responded while rubbing his chin in deep thought "You know how Eve is. He does things himself, that's how he discovered all of us… but to take someone's recommendation…don't you think he values this person's opinion so much he takes it to consideration?"
"Unless he's desperate to find a new member" Rogue said while scratching the back of his head. Sting just sighed "But that's probably not the case. Who is the old partner of his anyway?"
"Hmm I believe it was Vastia? They used to work together before Vastia was transferred to another company. Apparently he only worked where Eve went for experience and training."
"Seems determined. Does the guy have a trade name?" Uri asked feeling curious.
Hibiki shook his head "I don't know much of this guy so who can tell? But it probably doesn't compares to Eve and mines" he smirked smugly.
Sting rolled his eyes "Well yeah Eve's is cool! 'Holy night' but yours seem like a knock off from his"
Hibiki's eyes twitched and kept his jaw shut, trying to refrain from setting another argument with Sting.
"I agree with Sting" Rogue spoke "Yours is fine. 'Hundred Night' but…not good compared to Eve-kun's"
Uri nodded in agreement "Even Ren-san's is better than yours Hibiki. 'Silent Night' it's dark and mysterious."
Hibiki groaned 'Not you too Uri, I thought you'd be on my side!' he thought agitated "Tch! Whatever."
Sting laughed "Mine and Rogues are whole lot better than yours!" he shouted teasingly. Hibiki snorted "Not really, yours are a knock off of each other! 'The White Dragon' and 'The Shadow Dragon' pfft."
"Hey don't make fun of the Sabertooth dragons!" Sting roared.
"Guys cut it out" Uri persuaded.
"Hmph!"
"Hmph!"
She sweat dropped, the blondes really had it in for each other. They were both vain in their looks, confident in their singing, and they both want to be center stage.
'Hmm maybe Rogue is right. Maybe it's because they're both blondes," she giggled.
xxxoxxx
Gray stared blankly at his lunch before him, he decided to go up and eat at the school's rooftop since the cafeteria was too noisy to his liking. So it was just he and his lunch and lyric book.
He sat in silence while watching the busyness of the town go by; he loved the warmth he was basking in. He hummed quietly the tempo of the song the guys would be doing tomorrow. Because of his concert he doesn't have to work too much for the class' haunted house.
But there was still things bothering Gray though. His band mates have been acting…well acting secretive around him and every time he would mention about their behavior they would merely pass it off as his paranoia.
"Being anxious my ass" he stated while taking a bite off of his fluffy yellow egg.
There was also blondies' situation. Isn't she nervous? Tomorrow is when her brute of a father and Harris will be joining her to approve of the engagement. But she seems calm, maybe happy? Or was it his imagination?
"Tch. Why am I the only one not in the loop?" he asked while munching some of the rice he packed in his lunch. No one would give him a clue on what was going on, not Levy, Mira, Erza, Natsu, Gajeel, and Loke, not even Heartfilia.
"Jerks…" he muttered, the crease on his forehead deepening with concern. He didn't hear the door of the roof open slowly.
"Hello?" a familiar voice asked. Gray's ears perked and pulled his head up. His dark blue eyes met worried brown ones.
He cocked his head to the side, still having some food in his mouth so he swallowed, "Heartfilia?"
"There you are" Lucy said while having her hands on her hips and a big frown on her face "Break is almost over and we still need to finish decorating"
"Hnnn" he hummed before turning his head away so she couldn't see his face "My duties are done for the day. Or should I remind you I'm also working my butt off for tomorrow's performance hmmm?"
Lucy narrowed her eyes before having a big pout; she was annoyed but didn't have anything to say back. He was right. But still he should do some work "Fine." Her lips tried to make a smile but it seemed rather forced "Do. Whatever. You. Want."
Gray raised a brow, he wanted to laugh at this, and her face all red and annoyed was rather a funny sight. "Why don't you join me then?"
"Eh?"
He shrugged before grabbing another egg, "You don't have to, but it sure beats being in there" he plopped the egg in his mouth.
Lucy eyed him carefully, the offer sounded tempting but she was supposed to go back and tell them when she would make her leave. Plus she was starving, getting to school early caused her to not have breakfast and she was too busy to get lunch.
Before she could politely decline, her horrible stomach betrayed her and started to growl. Gray chuckled while her face turned automatically red. "Come on Heartfilia. Live a little."
She sighed while muttering inaudible words that Gray couldn't hear. She sat across from him frowning, feeling bad that she was up here instead of helping the others getting ready for the festival.
Then there's the fact that she is up there with Gray.
Alone.
Her heart started thumping quickly, it's been a while since she has been with the young Fullbuster, with all the preparations for the festival and his band rehearsals they haven't seen each other that much. So really this is the most they have spoken to each other this whole week.
'Stay calm Lucy. It's just Fullbuster, it's not like he can hear your heart beating anyway' she thought assuredly.
"Heartfilia?"
"Huh!?" she snapped out of her thoughts "Sorry what was that?"
He laughed, "I was wondering if you want one of my onigiri?"
"Huh?" her face flushed "I couldn't do that" she waved her hands up frantically "That's your lunch!"
"Easy!" Gray chuckled. It was just lunch. "I can make plenty of more at home. Did you even eat anything today?" he asked concerned.
Lucy huffed up her cheeks in annoyance "I uh—" her stomach growled.
"I see that answers my question," he said smirking with a shaking of his head. Lucy sighed, embarrassed. "Here" he said handing her one of his rice balls "Take it"
Lucy begrudgingly accepted it with a frown, but her eyes were sparkling with happiness and hunger. "Thanks for the meal" she muttered. He nodded while watching the girl with amused eyes. She could be so stubborn at times.
"Itadakimasu~" she grinned once having a generous bite of the big fluffy rice ball. "It's so good!" she cried.
Gray laughed, "If you want I have plenty of more" he said while opening his bento box to show proof, that he indeed is not lying.
The girl's mouth watered once setting her sights upon the bunch of rice balls in Gray's lunch. "You made all of these?" she asked in disbelief.
Gray shrugged, "I always cooked. How do you think Lyon has lunch every god damn day? The guy wouldn't even know how to make cereal to save his life"
"Well this is really good" she giggled "Thank you" she said with a cute smile.
Gray's chest made a 'thump' sound when he caught sight of Lucy's smile; he looked away quickly hoping that the beating was just a matter of his imagination. 'What is this…'
"So tell me. How is the band doing? Are you guys ready for tomorrow?" she asked while munching on another rice ball.
Happy that a conversation started, he answered "Oh yeah. I think it will be our best performance. I'm sure that Mira will be surprised once we blow the roof off this place" he grinned wickedly "I'm actually getting excited for this"
Lucy giggled, "Well that's good. Usually you seem to find everything boring. I never seen you get this excited about anything"
"Oh is that so" he laughed while scratching his cheek "Music used to be something that I enjoyed before I had to quit. So this is kind of like the first time I had actually got back into it after such a long time"
"I see. As long as you enjoy it that's all that matters" she grinned "That's why I write stories"
"You write?" he asked intrigued. For only spending ten minutes with the blonde, he is all ready finding himself knowing more about her "Uh yeah..." she flushed with a sheepish grin " I can't believe I told you that"
"Why?"
"Well um..." she fiddled with her fingers nervously "Well cause I never told any one about it before?" she said unsure.
.
.
.
.
"Are you serious? You haven't told any one? Not even Levy?" he asked in complete disbelief. Lucy nodded "Don't make it sound do bad!" she whined.
He scoffed, "So you write stories? What kind?"
Grateful that he stopped taunting her with other questions answered "All kinds!" she chirped happily "Mystery, humor, Action, Suspense, even Romance!"
Gray rolled his eyes at the last genre; he was more into dark and stoic literature "Remind me to read one of your works one of these days…"
"No!"
Gray looked at her baffled at her outburst, Lucy realizing what she did looked away quickly, her face dramatically changing to many tones of red "S-sorry. Is just that I don't want anyone to read them"
Gray raised a brow at this, "Why? Isn't that the point of writing? To let others read your work and share and go into deep thought with the same ideals of creativity?" he asked while taking a sip of his juice pouch that was set next to him. Like brother like brother?
Lucy looked down "I just don't know if its good enough or not..." she said quietly.
"Well that's why I said you should let me read them" he smirked smugly "Then I'll tell you if it's good or not"
Lucy laughed, "Okay. Okay then. When I finish one I'll let you read it all right?"
Gray grinned, "I'll hold you to that promise blondie~"
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"
xxxoxxx
"We better get going" Lucy said after having her third rice ball, Gray was laying on his back watching the blue sky form white puffs of clouds.
"Relax Blondie" he said while trying to turn his back over, he really wanted a nap "We still have a good few minutes before Jellel or Erza come looking for us" he yawned.
"My name is Lucy. LU-CY. And no, we should be leaving. NOW."
Before he could retort to the blonde's irritable reply, the door slammed open revealing a grinning pinkette "YO there you guys are!" he laughed.
"Natsu!" Lucy yelled, "You need something?" Natsu nodded, smirking before pointing a finger at Gray "I need to borrow this idiot"
"Tch. Natsu you're looking for the wrong person. Gajeel is downstairs"
Natsu chuckled, "No. You're the idiot. Mira wants us to set up and see if the amp works fine. We also need to decide our positions. And Loke wants to go shopping" he said the last part bitterly "And we can't do that until we have YOU"
Gray sighed before getting up from his comfortable position "Fine Fine. I'm coming."
Natsu grinned, "Great! Luigi want to come too?"
'Luigi?' Gray thought confused 'Did Natsu just call her—"
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"
Natsu pouted, "Aww come on Lucy!" he whined, "It sounds cool calling you that!"
She rolled her eyes "No it is not cool! Why are you calling me that? I thought I told you a long time ago that I preferred to be called Lucy. Luigi sounds like the Mario brother! Do I look like him? Hmmm?"
Natsu actually took a minute to ponder about it, "Well if you grew a mustache…"
"DIE!" she yelled, suddenly kicking him flat on the face. Gray's jaw fell. Though happy at Natsu's current state, he never knew she could pack a punch…
'Note to self. Never get on Blondie's bad side' he shivered watching the blonde continue to beat up the pinkette. 'But why did Natsu call her Luigi?'
"Natsu you're going to pay for that!"
'I have a funny feeling about this'
"Sorry Lucy!" Natsu cried, "Forgive me!"
'Now that you mentioned it….'
"I bet you I could come up with a good nickname for her before you can!"
"That's what you think huh?" Gray smirked "Fine I'll take on that bet! And who ever loses..."
Natsu chuckled "Has to do whatever the person says…"
"For three days.."
"Deal"
'Oh…that…'
"Natsu, I'll forgive you," she finally said after five minutes of tormenting the pink haired boy, she let go the collar of his shirt as he groaned hitting his head on the floor.
"Itai…" he murmured while rubbing his head. Lucy 'hmphed' before leaving out the door, she was madder at him for interrupting her time with Gray than for him calling her 'Luigi'
And more that he would suggest that she looked like the Mario plumber brother if she grew a mustache. How dare he!
"Jerk" she said as she walked off, Gray looked at the beaten up boy with pity and with pleasure "Strike one Dragneel boy. She probably hates that name more than 'blondie' "
"Oh shut up"
Gray grinned, "OH~ Hit a sore spot"
"Whatever droopy eyes. We should get going for rehearsal or everything won't work out in the end," he said as brought him self up dusting off his pants. Gray sighed; he looked at the boy with keen eyes "Yeah. Tell me again how my performance will help Heartfilia with her issue tomorrow?"
Natsu kept silent before chuckling to himself "Don't worry about it. Just do your best performance Droopy eyes"
Gray scowled, half expecting that Natsu would answer him like that and not telling him what he needed to know. But though he won't get his answers, he trusts the Dragneel boy and so what ever is going down tomorrow will come out right even though he doesn't know the shots.
"Fine squinty eyes. We better rock it out tomorrow for our nakama's sake"
Natsu smiled, "So you finally accepted her huh?" he said with a sly grin. Gray looked away sheepishly with a tint of blush forming on his cheeks "Nakama is nakama."
"Well said. Though it's weird that you call her nakama but can't even pronounce her name~"
"Shut up"
But Natsu was right. They were friends now right? So the least he can do is call her by her given name. Plus Heartfilia is a mouthful to say. But no matter how much he tries he can only pronounce the Lu part. Hasn't he said her name once? Why is his body reacting like that to her name? How can he correctly address her when he can only say "Lu?"
Or maybe he can.
xxxoxxx
"Gee that stupid Natsu calling me Luigi" Lucy muttered angrily as she trudged herself back home. Okay maybe she was a little mad that he called her Luigi.
"Oh Lucy. I just wanted to come up with a nickname for you" she mocked Natsu's voice of what he explained to her later today "Pfft. At least come up with something better than Luigi"
"Still mad about that Blondie?" a teasing voice asked walking beside her. Lucy rolled her eyes "Go away Fullbuster. I want to fume to myself"
Gray laughed, "You do know that this is my route home for five more minutes right? You're stuck with me."
Lucy groaned, "Don't talk to me until you can properly address me Fullbuster"
Gray laughed, "Well maybe if you called me Gray I would stop calling you Blondie"
Lucy froze, was he serious? Her eyes widened in shock "Then what would you call me if you stopped saying Blondie?" she asked, her question full of doubt and curiosity.
"hnnn" he hummed, he gave her a coy smile "That's a secret"
She pouted, "No fair. Tell me all ready!"
"Nope!" he grinned, "Not until you call me Gray"
She blushed, why was he being so determined now? "Y-you want me to call you G-g—"
"Gurei" Gray pronounced "GU-REI. And you say I have the problem Heartfilia"
She gulped; averting her eyes from the boy's warm blue ones. But she wanted him to call her by her name. Was that too much to ask?
"G-gray" she said timidly. Her heart was beating rapidly and she couldn't help but look away shyly. The silence was killing her. It was a few moments but Gray hasn't said anything. She looked down 'Idiot!' she thought 'This is beginning to feel so awkward…'
But on the contrary, Gray was feeling ecstatic. He didn't think that he would feel so much happiness from Lucy saying his name. Isn't it her first time also calling him that?
'What are you thinking? You're acting quite weird Gray' he thought. He coughed to clear his throat "See?" he said regaining back his old demeanor "That wasn't so hard…"
"I-I guess"
He ruffled her hair, causing her to pout and turn red "Hey!" she screamed, finally going back to her usual state "You're messing up my hair"
"Hahah" he laughed loudly "Luce makes a crab face when she gets mad!"
"I do not!" she stomped her foot "I do not look like a crab!"
"Yes you do. Why do you think I do it then?"
Her mouth fell agape "Baka Gray! You know how long it takes to fix my hair every time you mess it up?"
"An hour? To be honest it still looks the same…"
"Idiot!"
He grinned before backing a few paces back. He hadn't had so much fun teasing the girl in a long time. Plus the joy it brings him when she calls him by his name makes it even better.
"Luce you're the weird one. Caring about hair"
"I'm not weird" she pouted, he shook his head "You are"
"Well you're weird too"
He rolled his eyes; they hadn't realized they were all ready at the intersection where they separate ways.
"Woah. We're all ready here. Well I'll see you," he said giving her a smile before heading off. Lucy now only noticing where they were gave him a hesitated nod. Sad that their fun was cut short.
He waved her goodbye as the street sign glowed green indicating that he could cross
"Weirdo" he said catching her attention, she narrowed her eyes "I AM NOT WEIRD!"
He laughed, "Says the girl who hasn't noticed anything…"
She gave him a bewildered look, notice what?
"What do you mean by that?"
He waved her off, finally hitting the corner across the street "Never mind Luce. See you tomorrow"
"Okay.. see you later.." she watched him leave, still not understanding what he meant.
Then it hit her.
'Luce'
She blushed, feeling the pulse of her heart go faster than all of the times she's been with him combined. She was unbelievably happy.
.
.
.
.
Her face might stay that red for a long time.
Augh. This took so long to write. I didn't have the inspiration but you know that doesn't stop me! Chapter 17 (which will say 18) will be the big chapter guys! But don't worry the story is not even half over yet! fufufu. Just letting you know the updates will be slow. Probably not until mid june I will get back to updating normally. But thankfully this chapter is so long! Thank you for the faves, reviews, follows, pms, they mean so much! It's complicated has been my biggest success and I couldn't do it without all of you! Arigatou!
So tell me what do you think? FINALLLY A GRAYLU MOMENT AFTER THREE CHAPTERS SODJCSDK I know I'm quite slow. HE CALLED HER LUCYAYANDSHECALLEDHIMGRAY SDKKSD
hahaha
*Uri- means God of light and power in latin
* Gurei Izotz - Lyon's alias for Gray. SO they won't be prejudice or biased if they knew he was a Fullbuster. Izotz means cold and Ice of the ancient language Basque.
Please support my other stories "Fluffed up Memories" "Love and Lost" "Nine Years later" and please please tell me what you think about my newest one "Guns!" I probably won't update much until I reach my goal for that story of getting a certain amount of views. Thank you!
x Pika-Chan