Hello there! Sorry this is so late, you see, I intended to start updating on monday but my computer had a virus and wouldn't let me use this website. It's fixed now, though, so here's NaLu week prompt #1: birthday.
"The worst is over now, and we can breathe again. I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away." –"Broken", Seether & Amy Lee
"I…lost?"
Lucy heard more than felt herself fall to the ground. She lost. She couldn't believe she lost. She'd been doing so well! They'd been head to head, but after Flare was caught in the act of threatening Asuka, Lucy had the upper hand. Urano Metria was the most powerful spell she knew, she was just about to win, but then…what? Then what? Everything just disappeared, dissolved into nothing, but how? Not just the spell itself, but Gemini was gone and so was all of her magic. Lucy felt the beginnings of tears in her eyes as Flare was declared the winner. Anger boiling, the celestial wizard watched as her opponent stood from her crouching position and proceeded to act as if she'd had their match in the bag all along. Lucy should have won. She could have, easily, because Flare was no stronger than she was and she was just about to show Flare who was boss. She promised she'd win.
But she didn't. She lost. She let everyone down. And on her eighteenth birthday, no less.
Lucy wanted to scream. She wanted to kick and cry and throw something and break something else. She felt like throwing a tantrum. But mostly, she wanted to beat Flare to a pulp. It was obvious she'd cheated, and if there was one thing Lucy Heartfilia couldn't stand, it was cheaters. The blond wasn't normally one to resort to violence, but this was a different matter entirely. Flare made a complete fool out of her and her guild. That was not something she could let go unpunished.
But she couldn't. She couldn't do anything, not right then. She was shaking with fury, angry tears soaking her face. Lucy was just about ready to explode, and it rendered her useless. Her anger was so strong, she couldn't even bring herself to get up for fear of what she might do. She could hear the spectators laughing at her. Mocking her. Even when she'd been kicking Flare's ass for the majority of the match, one loss, because her opponent pulled more than one dirty trick, made her the laughing stock. Made Fairy Tail the laughing stock. And what was worse, she was stuck, shaking with rage and humiliation, in the fucking fetal position.
This had to be the worst birthday she'd ever had.
"Hey."
Lucy glanced up at the face of her best friend. She hadn't even heard him approaching. She studied him, feeling a twinge of surprise as she did so. Natsu wasn't angry, or upset, or even the least bit frustrated like he had been when Gray came in last in the competition. But, even more surprising, he wasn't wearing that goofy grin he usually had when he was trying to make someone feel better. he wasn't being an obnoxious dork, slapping her on the back and cackling like he knew how, saying "well, you know, it's not entirely your fault…" or some other vaguely reassuring comment, only to deny that he was trying to cheer her up. No, this time, when he came to console her, Natsu looked…sincere. Like he was actually taking something seriously that didn't involve explosions and fighting. Like he actually, really cared.
"It's okay. You were great."
Natsu was smiling gently, his words quieter than normal, and his eyes…was that affection she saw? Was this seriously Natsu Dragneel? "I-it's just so…so f-frustrating…" Lucy choked. He held out his hand, offering for her to take it. "Yeah, I know. But zero points? That just makes it more fun, don't you think?" He grinned then, but it was still different somehow. "Save the tears for when we win, 'kay?" Stifling her sobs, she took his hand in her own. "Y-yeah…I'm all fired up…"
Natsu smiled at her use of his catch phrase. "That makes two of us! Now, come on," He took hold of her other hand and hoisted her up onto her feet. "Let's get you to the infirmary; your magic's probably drained from that mega-powerful spell you did!" She complied, smiling slightly at his compliment, and let him carry her on his back with a quiet word of thanks. The last time he carried her like this, she thought, was when she and the girls had gotten very, very drunk and she asked him to carry her to the bathroom. Come to think of it, Erza, Levy, and Juvia had gotten quite the kick out of teasing her about that. Those three were probably squealing with excitement right now. God knows what they had in store for her after this.
When they reached the infirmary, Natsu didn't even wait for Porlyusica's acknowledgement, but set Lucy on a bed before going to speak to the older woman. Briefly, it occurred to Lucy that Natsu had put her down gently rather than dropping her like she'd expect him to. She watched in silence as her best friend conversed with Porlyusica. His mannerisms were the same as always he was still talking with his hands, using some improper grammar here and there, his sentences going for what seemed like forever. But there was still something different. She couldn't put her finger on it, and it was probably going to drive her nuts.
"Hey, Luce?"
Said girl snapped out of her reverie, realizing that Natsu was standing in front of her. "Yeah?" He cleared his throat, his eyes downcast. Now this was unusual. When did Natsu start acting like Edolas Natsu? "Porlyusica said she had to go get some bandages for your feet; she should be back in a couple minutes. But, uh…I know today's your eighteenth birthday, and that's kind of a big deal, so I just wanted to say happy birthday."
That was all? Then why was he acting like he was about to propose or something?
(Wait…did she really just think about Natsu proposing to her? Oops.)
"See, I meant to talk to Mira about planning a party for you, but I forgot, so that fell through. Sorry." Lucy giggled at the sight of his sheepish grin. "That's okay. Thanks. I was hoping today would be better, though…" She sighed. "Oh well. I'll have lots of other birthdays, right?" Natsu chuckled quietly. "Yeah…uh, Luce, I sort of…well, I got something for you."
Lucy straightened up, surprised. "Really?" She inquired. Maybe that's why he was acting so strangely? He was afraid she'd get mad about whatever it was? Of course she wouldn't. She'd never expected him to even remember her birthday, much less give her a gift. Why would she be mad that he was being thoughtful? Or maybe he thought she wouldn't like it? That was silly. It's the thought that counts, she always said.
"Yeah," Natsu reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, white cardboard box, which he thrust into her hand, avoiding eye contact. "Here." Lucy took the box from him, amused at the prospect of him thinking she wouldn't appreciate the gift. "Thanks, Natsu. This really means a lot." She flashed a grin at the flustered-looking Dragon Slayer before taking the lid off of the box. Her eyes brightened at what she saw inside. It was simple, just a chain with a little pendant made of metal and plastic. It seemed childish, but there was one thing about it that struck her.
The pendant was designed like a flame.
Lucy took the necklace out, admiring it as if it was diamonds. It was simple, yes, and probably very cheap, but there was something about it that seemed so much more valuable than it really was. "Do you like it?" Natsu asked, anxious for her reaction. She somehow managed to pry her eyes off the little charmed and smiled so bright it was almost blinding. "Natsu, I love it! Where did you find it?" Natsu rubbed the back of his neck, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. "Well, I was at the department store a few weeks ago, you know, since I burned half my clothes by accident, and I saw it and thought of you. Then I remembered your birthday was coming up, so I thought, why not?" Vaguely, she realized that what made the simple gift seem like such a big deal was the fact that Natsu had given her a necklace with a flame pendant in the first place. Flames were his thing. But he said he thought of her when he saw it. Did she really mean so much to him that he'd associate something that he considered half of his identity with her?
Suddenly, the image of Levy, Erza, and Juvia smirking deviously came to mind. No way she meant that much to him. Those three were delusional.
"So…you do like it?" Natsu asked hopefully. "It's the best gift I've ever gotten. Thank you," She looked up at him, a light blush dusting her cheeks. "Will you put it on me?" Natsu's eyes went wide for a second, and she could tell he was taken aback by her request, but he grinned like he always did. "Alright, then," She handed him the necklace, folded her legs underneath her, and lifted her hair out of the way. He sat beside her and draped the chain around her neck, clasping it in the back. "There you go."
Lucy turned to face him once again, admiring the pendant. "Looks good on you," He commented, sounding rather pleased. "You think so?" She smiled widely, her eyes bright, and threw her arms around the boy she called her best friend. "Thank you, Natsu. I'll wear it all the time." Natsu cautiously returned the hug, his face hot. "You're welcome. I'm glad you like it. And happy birthday. Again." She giggled, letting go of him. "It is now."
Before either of them could say anything else, Porlyusica entered the room and barked at Natsu to leave, which he did immediately, saying goodbye and throwing a wave over his shoulder at her as he left (she didn't blame him for dashing out of the room; Porlyusica could be kind of terrifying). The healer didn't comment on Lucy's new necklace, but as she was bandaging the celestial wizard's feet, Lucy swore she saw Porlyusica glance at it and smirk knowingly. It didn't bother her, though, because despite her fluke of a loss, she felt light and cheerful again. She traced the shape of the pendant, smiling to herself. Natsu, she realized, could be incredibly sweet when it came down to it.
Maybe this wasn't going to be her worst birthday after all.
Okay, so I'm starting out super fluffy. But there will be angst in the near future. Brace yourselves.
Anyway I have a few things I'd like to add here
1. I'm thinking of turning this into just a little drabble series for NaLu and continuing to add to it after NaLu week, but I'm not sure. If anyone's interested in seeing this story continue after this week is over, please let me know!
2. NaLu week ends on the seventh, and on the eighth, GrayZa week begins. Yet another pairing I'm emotionally invested in. So, there's that, and LyVia week was last month. There's also going to be a brotp week, though I don't know when, there's talk of a Raijinshuu week (I'm like in love with those three you don't understand), and I missed JerZa week, ElfEver week, and GaLe week on tumblr. I'm definitely posting for GrayZa week and LyVia week, and I'm considering doing the others just here on for anyone who's interested! But I'm not sure if I'll have time (or ideas) for the extra ones, because my summer is essentially over after this week (summer PE class), so anyone who's interested, definitely let me know! :D
3. I'm thinking of starting up a Kinabra week on tumblr (KinanaxCobra, just in case anyone had never heard the ship name), but I haven't gotten much of a response. I know my friend wants to do it, but if anyone on here happens to be on tumblr as well and would be interested in a Kinabra week, tell me so I can get it started up :D
4. I missed out on a few of the NaLu week bonus prompts, so they will be up as well: I've written "home" and a combination or "Summer" and "NSFW" (don't worry it's not smutty, just ridiculously suggestive). I'll post those once I'm through with all of the actual prompts :)
Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, followed, and favorited this story, I really appreciate it! I'll be back tomorrow, I promise! No viruses this time. :D
