Chapter 12. assumptions

For the past couple minutes Natsu had been arguing with Laxus over whether or not he should be attending the party that Fairy Tail was throwing, mostly for Lucy's sake but also to celebrate handing the illusionist mage Kane over to the council. Laxus shrugged at Natsu's previous comment "I really don't need her to apologize she's done nothing wrong by me."

"That's bullshit your just dying to see her again aren't you besides Luce really wants to talk to you. I can tell that she's worried your angry with her."

Laxus rose an eyebrow "really?"

"Yea really, show her a good time tonight and get together already jeez!" Natsu put his hands behind his head and leaned back as well.

Laxus glanced sideways "You really think that's possible?"

"Of course! What Lucy needs more than anything right now is someone to talk to and treat her like she should have been treated."

"And that someone is me?"

Natsu just looked at him with a stupid expression on his face.

Laxus smiled "like I could never leave it to anyone else right? I'll be there if your sure she's ok to deal with me."

"Hell yea, your the only thing that's still bothering her...I think."

"Bothering who?"

Natsu turned to see Lucy standing over him "Luce!"

"What were you talking about?" Lucy asked leaning closer to Natsu.

"Nothing... just... well... yea never mind."

"Natsu I have something to ask you, I've been talking to Loki and I have a question for you."

Natsu grumbled that zodiac son of a bitch could he not take a hint "what is it Lucy?"

"Um" she looked at Laxus with a slight blush in her cheeks "do you mind if we go to the bar?"

Natsu looked at her then to Laxus "yea I guess come on" they took a seat at the bar "whats up Luce?"

"Loki said I should talk to you he says there's something you've been keeping from me" she paused "I was going to ask you what it was but I think I know." Lucy didn't want to embarrass him by asking him directly about his feelings for her.

"So you remember then?" Natsu's voice was low.

"I think so yea but Natsu why didn't you come to me earlier?"

"I couldn't Laxus had asked me not to."

Lucy covered her mouth "how did he take it?"

"It was hard for him, he really didn't want to leave your side."

"I just cant believe I've never noticed!"

"It's not your fault you've been through a lot it just took a while for you to remember everything."

"I guess."

"So your not mad then, I mean I did try to hide the truth from you."

Lucy smiled "no I'm not mad just glad I know now. I think I should go back home I have a lot to sort out before tonight. Oh and about tonight am I meeting you here or are you coming to my house first?"

Natsu grinned "what kind of date would I be if I didn't personally escort you to the party?"

"Ok I'll see you later then" Lucy left the guild and headed back home.

Natsu returned to his seat.

"What did she want?" Laxus asked looking at Natsu.

"She knows I lied about saving her she says she remembers it all." Natsu looked straight at Laxus.

Laxus had an uneasy look on his face "she didn't say she was angry?"

"No I asked she said she wasn't angry."

"I mean about that night she didn't say anything about being angry with me?"

"No why?"

"Well I did take advantage of her irregular state and I may have stolen a kiss."

"You what?" Natsu jumped to his feet.

"Relax what are you getting all riled up for? Don't tell me after all this your jealous?"

Natsu crossed his arms "I just don't think its fair, I've been friends with her longer. Hell I'm the one who found her I should have gotten a kiss too."

"You idiot it's not like she had a choice anyway I kind of made her do it, you know just in case I never got another chance but the fact that she isn't angry, maybe that means she liked it." Laxus let out a small chuckle before getting up and leaving the guild.

Lucy had reached her house and laid down on her bed.

"I'm so confused now, Loki said Natsu was keeping something from me and after that dream I had about when I was saved I can only assume Natsu likes me!" and he practically admitted it when I asked him just now he even said Laxus was taking it hard. I wonder if Laxus thinks that I like Natsu. she groaned no wonder he asked me to the party what am I going to do? I have to make it clear to him I don't feel the same way but I want to stay friends and partners what if he gets angry with me? And Laxus I have to tell him I can't go out with him because of Natsu's feelings I don't want to hurt him, uh that's probably why Natsu wanted me to talk to him so bad he thought I was going to turn him down. I bet Natsu wanted Laxus to have some closure.

Lucy let out a huge sigh before getting up and looking through her things for an outfit for the party. She picked one and soon after as it was almost time for the party Lucy had changed into her outfit. It consisted of a short black dress with some white accent stitching. She also wore a black choker with a silver heart dangling from the front and a pair of mobster inspired black and white flats. Her hair was done in a simple half pony, she gave herself a once over in the mirror and figured she looked pretty good, then she heard a knock on the door and Natsu's voice

"Luce are you ready to go?"

Lucy gave a quick spray of her perfume and went to meet Natsu.

"Yes, you ready?"

"Wow Luce you look amazing! I bet you'll be the prettiest girl there looking like that."

Lucy grinned "lets go Natsu."

She followed him all the way to the guild. When they got there, the guild hall had already been decorated and Mira was at the bar serving drinks and of course Cana was already tanked. A large space had been cleared in the middle of the hall for a makeshift dance floor. Lucy looked around until she found Levy and Gajeel sitting at a table she tugged at Natsu to go sit with them.

"Levy!" Lucy squealed "you two look so cute together."

Gajeel huffed at her, "can it bunny girl I'm already sick of this suit and I'm about one drink away from blowing this popsicle stand. Why cant they play any good music I tried telling them to let me preform but they refused, can you imagine?" Lucy sighed good thing and yes she could imagine why they refused to let him play. Lucy looked all around the guild eager to see who everyone else had brought as a date. She saw Erza and Jellal together as well as Elfman and Evergreen, Grey and Juvia were also at their table.

Lucy gasped "no way he actually asked her to the party! Way to go."

"Actually I think he was tied down and forced."

Levy leaned into her "but that could just be a rumor."

Lucy scanned the rest of the guild her eyes passing Freed and Bickslow before they came to rest on him. Laxus was leaning against a post, he had a black button up shirt with just enough buttons left undone that Lucy could see a glimpse of some very toned pecs, he had his sleeves half rolled up showing off some muscular forearms. Dropping her eyes a bit lower she saw he was wearing a pair of very well fitted black dress pants. Lucy noted that they were very well fitted. Her attention was pulled back to her present company by Levy's giggles.

"I know that look in your eye this is almost like deja view except I know Laxus is a good man." Levy smiled as Lucy blushed at being caught in the act of starring once again.

"Ah..."

Lucy had opened her mouth to deny it but really what was the point, she was caught and he really is very attractive down right hot when he looks like that, and after all those things hes said to her and trying to saving her like he did, she thought she may very well have fallen for him, maybe she already was if it weren't for Natsu's feelings. She just couldn't bring herself to do that to him she thought of him as her best friend after all.