Previously
"No problem, Luce. Just don't forget our deal, Little Angel.", he said with a smirk while Lucy's ears and cheeks turned into shade of red.
"S-Shut up!"
Chapter 9 (Piercing Smile)
"Do I really have to?", a voice yelled from within the bathroom.
"Don't be shy. Just come out Luce~", Natsu sang while smirking.
The pink haired teen had insisted that the blonde should do her little 'favor' today and practically dragged her to her room.
"This is so embarrassing, where did you even get this?", Lucy asked while looking at herself in the mirror.
"Dunno. Just found it my closet.", said a deep voice making Lucy's head snap towards the direction of the voice.
"Natsu! Don't just open the door! What if I'm still changing?!"
"I know you aren't.", he said while wearing a cheeky smile.
"Now Lucy, call me, Master.", he grinned wide, and Lucy stopped herself from smacking his face as she blushed deeply.
Grandeeney was getting frustrated.
There were a lot of things to do at work and at home. She still had a big report to prepare and do some grocery shopping. Or... Grandeeney smirked.
She could just go into demon-mode and threaten Natsu to do it.
Yeah, that was definitely a good idea.
She grabbed her camera since she had a feeling that she would see something good; she felt like someone in heaven was telling her so.
She tiptoed towards Natsu's room but frowned when she found it empty. Suddenly she heard voices coming from Lucy's room and she immediately tiptoed her way there.
She gasped when she saw her future daughter-in-law (yeah, her imagination of blonde and pinkette babies brought her that far) wearing a rather, revealing maid costume; but the blonde looks so cute in it nonetheless, and her son was looking at the blonde with a smug look on his face.
Lucy was kneeling on her bed behind Natsu who was sitting cross-legged. The blonde's hands where on each side of her son's shoulders and she looked like she was just giving him a massage.
The blue-haired woman's fingers moved faster than lighting, immediately pressing down the capture button when Natsu turned his head and looked at the blonde; their eyes locking with each other.
The elder woman fought back a squeal and was relieved that the flash mode of the camera was turned off.
"What do you want, Master?", she heard her favorite blonde say.
"You don't look pretty as a maid."
Grandeeney didn't know who to smack harder... her stupid son or herself for raising such an idiotic brat; you don't go saying those things to a girl!
Restraining herself, she continued to listen in on their conversation. The blonde was fuming by now, making the blue-haired mother grimace. She silently prayed to God to let her son get through the blonde's rage alive.
"You stupid jerk! I'll-", Lucy cut herself off when Natsu suddenly turned around to face her; their faces inches apart. He placed his hand on his chin and thought hard. Lucy's face turned red again, but this time, not in anger but in obvious embarrassment.
"Yup, there's something missing.", this time, he placed both hands on her shoulder.
"W-What are you talking about you idiot?", Lucy said, and though she didn't mean it, it barely came out as whisper as her voice was caught in her throat.
And once again, she found herself entranced by his dark onyx eyes.
She suddenly felt both of his warm hands tracing her shoulders, to her neck and then to her jawline until it rested on her cheeks. They never broke eye contact and Lucy could still feel the tingling sensation on the path trailed by Natsu's calloused hands.
They were moving closer.
She felt as if they were in their own world. She thought that his lips will meet hers.
But she snapped out of it when she felt a stinging on her cheeks.
He pinched her cheeks!
He laughed, and it was the most beautiful sound she heard; though her murderous mind at that time drowned that thought.
He stopped when he saw the scowl on her face and the reddening of her cheeks. He smiled and patted her head.
"Smile, will ya? You look prettier when you smile.", she didn't smile, she was too shock to do so, but inwardly, she did.
"Come on slave, serve your Master with your sweetest smile.", he suddenly said with a teasing smirk; and no one blamed the blonde (not even Grandeeney who was still watching) when she smacked the backside of his head, the victim falling of the bed and landing on the floor with a loud thud.
The elder Dragneel smiled though, and without her knowledge, a tear escaped from the corner of her eye.
Natsu grumbled out what suspiciously sounded like curses.
One minute, he was having fun with Lucy and the next minute he had two bumps on his head.
One, caused by falling off the bed; definitely Lucy's fault, and the other from a smack to the head from his mom when he whined about doing the groceries. So now, he was stuck walking alone in the aisles of the grocery store trying to find all of the things his mom needed.
Seriously, how could she need this much? Her list literally reaches the floor!
Well, it was mostly food so he could somehow understand that but still! Must he do all of this?
Another thing that irritated him was the fact that his day with Lucy was destroyed! He was actually having fun, apart from the fact that he fell off the bed because of her, he liked that he had all of Lucy's attention on him.
He simply loved the way her brown eyes met his, and the way she would smile at him. Heck, he still thought she was pretty even when she was glaring dangerously at him!
His thoughts suddenly fixed on one word.
'Love, huh.'
When Grandeeney entered the room a few hours ago, Lucy was dying of embarrassment.
The woman just smiled at her though, and didn't ask questions; and somehow, the blonde was thankful for that. Lucy changed into her normal clothes and smiled the moment she saw the painting in her closet. Her fingers moved against the rough edges of the dried paint and somehow, it reminded her of Natsu.
The boy might be rough at times; violent and a pyromaniac (she saw him playing with fire, not just once but thrice!), but his every action always held a thousand meaning. She was cut off her thoughts when Grandeeney knocked on her open door to get her attention.
"A phone call for you dear... "
"Thanks for coming Lu-chan!", Levy beamed at the blonde.
The bluenette girl was the one who called earlier and Grandeneey was more than happy to let Lucy hang out with a friend.
The woman was truly glad that Lucy had made friends. She even gave her "future-daughter-in-law" some jewels to spend that day; which Lucy declined at first but shyly accepted after some coaxing.
"Hey, Levy-chan!", she replied just as cheerfully. She got to admit that she was also excited for this little hang out with Levy today. They decided to meet in front of a small cafe near their school and the park where Lucy and Natsu first met.
Somehow, Lucy felt like she had spent a lot of her time in that place before.
She was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt delicate hands wrapped around her arms.
The bluenette grinned at her and Lucy did her best not to let a single tear to fall out of her eye. That would be a little weird for the fun atmosphere but she really couldn't help but feel so nostalgic.
"Well, let's go! I have a perfect day planned out for us! We could also go shopping for some new bikinis for our special friends-outing next week! You will go, right Lu-chan?", Levy said enthusiastically while the blonde just nodded. She remembered Natsu talking about that last night.
"Of course Levy-chan. Natsu told me about it last n-", the blonde was cut off when the bluenette suddenly hugged her.
She placed her hands on the smaller girl's head and patted a little. She couldn't help but let her tears fall from her eyes. When Levy let go of her, she was crying a little too but her smile never left her face.
"I'm sorry, I was jus.t.. I don't know why... but you kinda remind me of someone I know, I just can't remember who. Oh, what's up with these stupid tears, I'm weird aren't I?", Levy laughed a little.
Lucy just smiled at her because honestly, she felt the same way too.
Once again, Lucy was having the time of her life.
Shopping and eating with Levy was so much fun! Not that she was not having fun when she was with Natsu, but being with Levy was different. She felt like a girl who was having a reunion with her best friend after the years that they were apart.
They also went to buy their own bikinis for the beach outing next week and Lucy couldn't help but be embarrassed for showing too much skin.
"You look great Lu-chan! I'm sure Natsu's mouth would hang open after seeing you in that.", the bluenette said with wink making Lucy's cheeks burn red in embarrassment.
'Would Natsu really like it.. ?', she felt steam coming out of her ears when she realized that she was thinking about what Natsu would say; and Levy's constant teasing didn't help at all.
When they were done shopping for bikinis, playing in the arcade, and simply, having fun that day, they decided to exit the mall and stay at the same cafe they decided to meet up earlier that day.
They both ordered chocolate mousse and a slice of chocolate cake as they were both craving for chocolate that day. Lucy squealed a little at the taste of the food Levy had ordered.
"Do you like it Lu-chan?"
"Yeah, this is so great! I really love it! Thanks, Levy-chan."
"Don't mention it. I mean, you did spend the day with me today so I guess I gotta repay you or something."
"Nah, Mom asked Natsu to go and buy the groceries anyway so I didn't have anything to do at home."
"Your mom asked Natsu to do the grocery?", the shocked bluenette asked making Lucy's eyes widen.
"Ah! No! I mean, Natsu's mom, asked him, I just call her mom too.. ", she explained while waving her hands. There was a hint of red on her cheeks making Levy smile deviously.
"Oh, so even the family approves of you, huh?", she commented. Lucy would have explained herself but she was too embarrassed by her thoughts of 'family with Natsu' to talk.
The teasing was followed by an awkward silence and Lucy felt like Levy was bothered by something... or someone. Lucy smiled sadly and took a sip of her chocolate mousse to calm her nerves.
She needed to finish her mission with Gajeel and she had a feeling that Levy could help him. She also felt like she wasn't doing this mission for herself anymore, but rather, she just wanted to help her new friends. She held Levy's hands which were resting on the table and smiled softly at the bluenette.
"You know you can tell me anything, Levy-chan."
Levy's eyes met hers again, and this time, the tears that had already flowed down her cheeks told the blonde that she was ready to confide everything.
It was almost sunset when Natsu got home. His shoulders were sore from carrying all the bags of groceries home. Now, he just wanted a massage from his personal maid for the day.
The thought instantly made him smirk as he placed the groceries on the kitchen counter then went to the blonde's room. His eyebrows knitted when he found Happy alone there, sleeping on Lucy's bed with Plue, and hugging the stuffed fish he gave.
'Maybe she's in my room.', he thought and made his way towards his room but frowned again when he didn't find her there. He called out for the blonde but no one answered.
"Luce?"
"Lucy?"
"Where are you Lucy?", he was starting to panic and was about to go out to look for the blonde when his mom suddenly came out of her room.
"Oh, you're here. Took you l-"
"Mom, have you seen Lucy?", he asked frantically.
"Yeah, she went shopping with Levy. Apparently you have an outing to the beach next week and you didn't even tell me! It was a good thing that Levy called so Lucy could buy what she needed.", the elder woman slightly scolded while planting her hands on her hips.
Natsu, on the other hand, sighed in relief upon knowing that Lucy didn't actually leave him. It took him a while to realize the other words his mother said though.
"Wait. What? You let Lucy go somewhere without me?!", he said with an accusing tone.
"Don't raise your voice at me young man, and it was to go for shopping for girl stuff. It's shopping, you hate it remember? And Levy is your friend, Lucy's friend, so she has the right to go out with her sometimes."
"But mom! It's not safe! Lucy should always be with me."
"They're just going to the mall Natsu, to buy some bikinis, and the place is pretty close."
"I don't care! I don't care if Lucy's went shopping for bikinis, or other girly stuffs or even shopping for tampons! I should always be with Lucy! How can I protect her if she's not with me-", Natsu froze and blushed as his own words sank into his brain.
He looked at Grandeeney who looked at him skeptically with a raised brow before her lips widened into a full blown smirk; which made his blush grow darker.
"What?", he asked; trying to maintain his composure despite the now smug look his mom was giving him with her arms crossed.
"You'll actually go that far for her huh?", she said with a teasing tone but then her smile turned soft.
"Lucy's already a big girl Natsu, she can take care of herself...", Grandeeney sighed at the hurtful look on her son's face and waved her hand.
"Actually you're right. A pretty girl like Lucy shouldn't be out this late, especially now that it's getting dark. Get your ass out there and bring her home safely, Natsu."
A grin immediately appeared on his face before dashing out of the house.
"Honestly Igneel, that boy reminds me so much of you when we're younger... even if he's not our own."
It was already dark outside when Lucy and Levy exited the cafe. After Levy confided her insecurities and doubts to Lucy, the bluenette felt better and their conversation soon drifted into books afterwards.
Levy didn't know why she wasn't surprised to know that the blonde knew a lot about books. Actually, she had expected that they would have almost the same taste.
Lucy herself, on the other hand, was surprised that she knew a lot about books. She didn't know why, but every book Levy mentioned, she knew all about it; from the author to the characters, and she even had her own opinions about the story.
They had been having so much fun that they didn't realize that it was already dark when they got out.
They walked through the park since it was easier way to get home.
"Uh, Lu-chan?"
"Yes, Levy-chan?"
"Would you.. Uh.. Would you mind spending a few more minutes with me? Just a few. I know Natsu's home now and he'll be looking for you but-"
"Look Levy-chan, the stars are so bright tonight aren't they?", Lucy pointed at the stars with a smile, "I don't remember much about my parents, who they are or where they are, I don't remember. But.."
Her smile turned to that of a blissful one, "I do remember that when I was small, I used to always watch the stars with my mom. I can't remember what we used to talk about, but I do remember that the stars, they always gave me courage. No matter how small they seem to be, no matter how far they are, they will always shine no matter how dark it is.", the blonde smiled at the bluenette.
Her hands found Levy's cold ones and wrapped them in hers before looking back up again, silently telling the bluenette that she is always there for her
"But do you know what I like best about stars? Is that they are never alone. Together they make wonderful constellations.", the blonde chuckled and squeezed Levy's hand.
"Kinda like us, right?", Lucy said then looked at Levy.
The bluenette only nodded in response, as she tried to swallow the small lump in her throat.
"Y-You're right. Thanks Lu-chan."
"Anytime, Levy-chan. Come on, let's go home."
"Yeah. Let's go home."
They walked hand in hand. Lucy couldn't help but smile at the happiness growing in her chest. She felt that she and Levy are much closer now.
She also smiled at the thought of having good friends, like the bluenette that was with her.
She was snapped out of her reverie when sound of twigs snapping, caught her attention.
She gripped the bluenette's hands tighter and tried to calm her raging heart. She could make herself invisible but what about Levy? She couldn't just leave her friend there.
When Levy squeezed back, it took all of Lucy's courage not to run.
Her eyes scanned the whole place. She saw a shadow move behind a tree.
That was the last straw.
She ran in the opposite direction, pulling the bluenette along.
The bluenette let out a squeak and tried to keep up with the blonde. She was panting hard and her legs were aching with all the running.
She suddenly stepped on a rock causing her to lose her balance.
"Levy!", the blonde shouted and Levy winced when she tried to stand up. She had twisted her ankle.
"Go on Lu, call for help!"
"No! Do you think I'll just leave you here?!"
"But-"
"Now, now, listen to your friend little one."
They both froze when they heard that voice. It was malicious and unmistakably dangerous.
"Yeah, no need to be scared, we're just going to have some fun.", another voice said and the next thing they knew, they were already surrounded.
One of them walked closer to the two and harshly grabbed Lucy's blonde hair. The blonde let out a gasp as she felt the sting in her scalp.
"Lu-chan!"
"Is this her, sis?", the man, who had purple hair, asked the girl who was standing with the group.
"Yeah, that's his girlfriend, nii-chan."
Levy's eyes widened at the source of voice.
She recognized that girl. She was one of Natsu's fangirls. She also remembered her as the purple-haired girl who baked a strawberry cake for Natsu but the pink-haired just shoved it onto her.
"She's the bitch that Natsu loves so much.", the girl sneered, "So do whatever you want with her, I want to see that bastard crying when he sees what happened to his little girlfriend."
"Well, she's a cutie, ain't she?", he said then moved to lick the blonde's cheeks. Lucy screamed and tried to kick the man and escape.
"Let go of me!"
"Feisty huh, I like it.", the man pulled harder at Lucy's hair. The blonde let out a scream as she felt like her head was splitting in half.
Flashes of memories engulfed her vision and the next thing she knew, she was on the ground while Levy was standing in front of her. She felt her clothes a bit ripped off and she felt tears in her eyes as she tried to cover herself. She forced herself to look up and saw that it was Levy who have saved her.
The man's eyes were now murderous and before she could warn Levy, the man had already raised his hands to slap Levy. It never came though as someone quickly punched the man in the face.
Levy couldn't believe her eyes. She stumbled a bit after her savior had punched the guy. It was a bit dark and she couldn't see well, but she knew that figure even from miles away.
It was Gajeel.
He moved like a shadow in the night and his punches were as hard as the bat steel he holds. Almost half of the men were already down and Natsu's former fan girl was just looking at him in shock.
The man from before stood up and wiped the blood from his lips.
"I know you.", the man said with disgust.
"You're Black Steel Gajeel right? Why are you acting like a hero now? Trying to impress your princess?", the man mocked. Gajeel stopped fighting and glared at the man who seemed unfazed.
"Look at you, trying to be knight when in truth, you are just as worse as we are. You're a monster. Do you think that you can try to change?"
"Stop it! How dare you talk to Gajeel like that! Gajeel, don't listen to him!", Levy desperately shouted but the black-haired man couldn't hear her.
All he could think about was how he had hurt Levy before.
"You're a monster Gajeel. You can't change that. And isn't that why your father left you? Soon, one by one every person you know will leave you."
"Shut up!", Gajeel shouted. His hands let go of his bat and it fell to the ground with a loud thud.
"Why? Can't accept the fact that you're a monster?"
"I said shut up!", Gajeel shouted.
Kneeling on the floor, his vision was now blinded by Levy's bright blue hair falling to floor and Metallicana leaving him.
The men decided to take advantage of his paralyzed state and started kicking Gajeel. They all laughed at him, telling him how pathetic and monstrous he was.
Gajeel only clutched his ears, trying to block out their voices.
"Stop! Stop it!", Levy desperately pleaded as she tried to get out of the man's hold on her.
The men stopped kicking and the bluenette gasped when she saw Gajeel, bloodied on the floor.
Rage pumped through her veins as she twisted her body and kicked the man in the groin. She limped towards Gajeel.
Her injured ankle was screaming at her for to stop, but she didn't care.
Standing in front the injured man to shield him, she looked at the men with narrowed eyes, "Leave him alone! How could you do this to him?! How could you say such cruel words to the man who had endured a lot of hardships?"
She brought a her hand up to wipe the tears that started to stream down her face, sniffing while doing so, before looking back up at the men, "Gajeel is.. Gajeel is always alone. He is always sad! He may have done nasty things before but he changed and is still making an effort to get better!"
Her voice dropped low as a lump formed in her throat, her eyes covered by her bangs as her lips trembled, "He always.. always tries to shoulder things alone. He is always trying to make people think he's okay even if he's not. He always cares even if most of the time it is not reciprocated."
She snapped her head up, her eyes narrowed in anger, as her voice raised higher with each word, "So how could you.. how could you say such cruel words to a strong man like him?!", she yelled, hastily wiping her tears again.
"I maybe small. I maybe weak. But I will never, never let you hurt him again!"
The bluenette's tears kept flowing down her face but she continued to hold herself up. Her brown orbs held passion, determination, anger and hate towards the people in front of her. It was silent for a while until the leader chuckled.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here? A damsel trying to stand up for the monster. What are you going to do little girl? Cry? Plead? Scream? Do you think that can stop us? Though, I would love to hear you scream.", the man chuckled darkly.
"Nii-san, stop it already. I don't care anymore. Let's go.", the purple-haired girl said.
"Shut up! You don't tell me what to do. You go home if you want. We're finishing this.", he said with a devilish smirk making his sister's eyes widen.
"Nii-chan, please.."
"I said shut up! Or I'll do the same to you."
"Y-You won't."
"Trust me. I will.", the girl looked away. Frightened by the sudden change in behavior of her brother. She took a step back and blinked the tears away. She didn't mean for things to go this far.
"Now, now, guys, let's have some fun shall we? And don't forget little miss blondie at the back.", he chuckled darkly and was about to grab Levy when a large arm implanted itself in his face, making him fly a feet back.
Levy's eyes widened.
There stood a bloody, bruised and panting Gajeel hunched over slightly, his piercing red eyes shining through the dark while he took down the rest of the man's pawns. Levy watched as tears trickled down her cheeks, "Gajeel..."
Even though it was only a whisper, the raven-haired man turned to look at the bluenette with a soft smile.
"I owe ya one, Levy.", he said while knocking another guy off his feet. Levy sighed as her legs finally gave out, and the bluenette slumped to the ground in the process.
Lucy whimpered. Her head was killing her.
She saw a blonde teenage girl; she was running again.
The next image was a blonde girl, she was laughing while playing with a doll. The girl ran towards a blonde woman calling her Mama.
She was snapped out of her thoughts when one of the men from before, grabbed her arms harshly. She bit her lip as she felt like her arm was about to break.
Suddenly, the man let out a scream. It was all a blur. She could hear grunts of pain and the sounds of punches.
Soon, she felt a cloth drape around her shoulders and was immediately enveloped in a warm embrace.
"Lucy? Lucy? Lucy are you alright?"
"N-Natsu?", the blonde girl gripped onto his shirt tighter.
"Those bastards! How dare they lay a single finger on you!", he said and Lucy could feel him shaking with rage.
In the corner of her eyes, she could see Gajeel punching the last man and Gray was standing a few feet from them. Juvia was also there, helping Levy.
"N-Natsu, my head hurts.", she rested her head against his chest as she sobbed while the pink-haired teen hugged her tighter.
"Shh. It's okay Luce, it's okay. Close your eyes.", he covered her eyes and tried his best to soothe the pain she was feeling.
He suddenly felt an increase in weight in his arms as her sobbing stopped. He kissed her forehead and held her closer.
"You're safe now."
.
.
.
Lucy was walking alone in the alleyway. She didn't know how she got there. The last thing she remembered was a painful throbbing in her head and being caged in the arms of Natsu.
It was cold and dark outside. She also realized that she was at least 2 to 3 years younger and all she had was a small backpack and a pink suitcase. Lucy was confused, but she knew that wherever she came from, she had a strong feeling that she didn't want to go back.
Her heart was pounding loudly in her chest.
Where was she?
"Heya pretty girl. Come join us!", a drunk man leered while his two companions looked at her like she was their prey.
She was about to scream when the man was suddenly punched hard; same with the other two drunkards. Her savior just grunted and started to walk away; Lucy trying her best to recover from her shock to follow him.
"Thank y-"
"What are ya doing here late at night?", said a gruff voice. Lucy's head snapped towards the direction of the voice and found a familiar pair of eyes.
"Gajeel.", she gasped.
The said boy raised his eyebrows at her but just shrugged.
"So you know me blondie? Most people call me 'Black Steel' rather than my name though. So why are ya here?"
"I ran away from home.", was her immediate answer. Lucy froze at this, she ran away from home when she was younger? Why?
"Figures with that big bag of yours and stuff. Why?"
"It's my dad.", she felt like her mouth had its own mind. It knows the things that even she doesn't know.
"Must be rough then."
"How about you? Why are you here?", she said, trying her best to focus on her mission and help Gajeel.
"Nothing. Just looking for a fight. Too bad those drunkards weren't much of a fight."
"Why do you wanna fight?"
"And why would I tell you blondie?", he snarled. She frowned at the sudden change of his mood.
"I answered your questions, I believe it's only fair to answer mine."
"To get stronger. Satisfied?"
She only shook her head.
"No. Why do you want to be stronger?", she asked with determination in her voice.
"To protect, I guess.", he said with a shrug then stopped in his tracks. He didn't even know why he was confiding to a stranger. A stranger he didnn't even know.
"Who?"
"A shrimp.", he simply said making Lucy bite her lower lip.
"Does she know?"
"Know what? And why are you assuming that it's a girl?!"
"That you strive to get stronger to protect her. And of course it's a girl. It's kinda obvious in your eyes, you know.", she rolled her eyes.
"How would she know? All I am to her, is a monster."
"How do you know?"
"Well, what else would you call your bully, bunny girl? A savior? A prince?", Gajeel said with a mocking tone.
"I don't know, I'm not her. But just so you know, not all people judge by how you look or act, sometimes, they accept people for what's inside of their heart. Kinda like the saying 'Don't judge a book by its cover.', you know."
"Books huh?", he muttered silently but she still heard it.
"Yeah. 'Cause people are like 'em. Sometimes they have the ugliest cover, but the moment you read what's inside, you'll just find yourself wanting to know more about it.", she smiled at the younger version of Gajeel who seemed to be pondering about what she said.
"And why are you calling me bunny girl?", she said while tilting her head a little. He offered a small grin.
"'Cause you're weak-",
"Hey!"
"But it just makes people want to protect you, save you and be your dragon." Lucy blushed a little at this. The image of Natsu encircling her mind.
"Tch. Now I'm spouting crap. Where do you plan to go?", he muttered then started to walk again; Lucy following shortly.
"Hargeon. The train station is near right?"
"Yeah. I'm going there anyway so might as well stay close to me for now.", he said making Lucy raise one of her brows and smile.
"Really?"
"Yeah, really. Now keep quiet and just hop bunny girl."
And while clutching his aching knee, Gajeel later confirmed that bunnies can actually kick; hard.
.
.
.
"Gajeel."
Lucy murmured in her sleep. Natsu frowned because she was mumbling another man's name in her sleep, again, but he knew that it was probably the mission-thing. He placed one of his arms on the back of her knee while the other one was supporting her back. Lucy's head rested on his chest and he smiled at her peaceful expression.
"Call the police, ice head."
"I'm on it, flame head."
"Also, call dad.", Gray nodded and made his call. Gajeel was standing quietly, while Juvia was trying to give Levy's foot some first aid despite the smaller bluenette's protest.
"I know Gajeel-kun, Levy, I know that he won't like it if I treated him first without making sure that you're okay. Besides, Gajeel-kun is strong, he can handle his own injuries. He would hate it more to see you hurt like this.", Juvia smiled, and the blush on Levy's cheeks told her that she wouldn't protest anymore.
"They said they'll be here soon.", Gray said while tucking his phone into his pocket.
Natsu held Lucy closer as he was feeling a little tired. He looked at her as he felt her moving. Suddenly she opened her eyes; revealing her beautiful brown orbs.
"Natsu.", her voice was soft and sweet as she said his name, and at that moment, Natsu's heart started to beat loudly again.
"Look, Gray-sama! Shooting stars!", Juvia gasped while pointing at the sky. She had a smile on her face and soon, she closed her eyes, clasping her hands together and she wished.
The others looked at the sky too, including Natsu. He slowly let the blonde onto her feet and rested his hand on her waist; pulling her closer to him.
He looked at the shooting stars once more and closed his eyes.
'I wish... that Lucy, will stay with me forever.'
He suddenly heard a grunt and saw a man holding a knife charging at Lucy. Natsu quickly spun around to shield Lucy who gasped.
"Oh no, you don't! Don't you dare hurt my stupid son!"
"Hey!", Natsu shouted in protest but grinned.
The police arrived and immediately arrested the whole gang, including the purple-haired girl who was already crying. They later learnt that the group was actually a wanted gang that the police had been trying to catch.
Igneel came to the station and as soon as the papers were finished, they were all free to go. The elder Dragneel offered to take the teens home (and in Gajeel's case, he insisted to take the injured teen to the hospital to treat his wounds) although Gajeel refused.
Levy looked at Gajeel with worried eyes but he just patted her head.
"Don't worry Shrimp.", he flashed her a small smile, "And thanks for always looking at what's best in me. No matter how ugly my cover is.", with that he left, while Levy was left crying and smiling at the same time.
On the other hand, Gray promised Juvia, that he would check on Gajeel later and just leave him be for now, when he saw the worried look on her face. Soon, they dropped Levy and Juvia at Levy's house (Since Juvia learnt that Levy will be alone because Levy's parents are on a business trip.) despite Igneel's insistence that they stay at their home instead.
When they reached home, Igneel patted his son's shoulder and quickly went to tell his worried wife what happened.
"Are you okay, now?", Natsu asked Lucy after she got out of the bath. They were in Lucy's room and Natsu was sitting on her bed while patting the still sleeping Happy.
Lucy nodded and sat down next to Natsu. She was wearing fluffy pink cotton pajamas while Natsu had changed into something comfortable too.
"I'm sorry.", Lucy said while clutching the towel in her hands. She felt bad that Natsu risked himself for her earlier. Heck, he even tried to shield her from getting stabbed earlier! He tried to save her, he tried to save somebody who already died.
"What are you saying sorry for, ya Weirdo?", he ruffled her wet hair. He grabbed the towel from her hand and dried her hair.
"Though, I must admit that I'm disappointed because you didn't tell me about your shopping plans, Luce. I don't care if I'm doing anything else, I'll always put you first. And besides, you could have at least told me to come fetch you when you're ready to come home. I know that you can take care of yourself. But it's never bad to be careful.", he smiled a little.
"But, I'm just glad that you're safe Luce."
"S-Sorry."
"Don't say that.", he rested her forehead against hers, stroking her hair gently.
Lucy looked at him teary-eyed.
She couldn't deny that she felt so safe with him..
She couldn't deny that she wanted to always be by his side..
She was being greedy.. but was it really so selfish of her if she said that she was starting to like him? Love him?
Lucy wrapped her arms around Natsu and buried her face on the crook of his neck.
Then she cried.
Her loud sobs and strangled cries made it harder for her breathe but she didn't care.. she needed to let her sadness out, even for a bit.
"Shh, don't cry Lucy, you're safe with me.", he hugged her body tighter.
If only she could stay with him forever.
'Natsu.. I'm sorry.'
Author's Note: So.. how's this chap? Did I make you laugh, smile, sad or cry? Lol. What's your favorite part? XD I always update late don't I? Don't kill me though! It's really hard to write a chapter and I made this one longer for you guys. I usually aim for 3 000 and starfire makes it 4 000 words but now it's 6 000+ (without the A/N) I still feel bad for always updating late though.
So the deal is to be his maid for the day. Not very original haha but I hope it made u smile :) if ur updated in the manga, you can definitely imagine Lucy in her new maid costume ;) And just so you know, the content of the previously-thing will always be last scene that happened to Natsu and Lucy. Doesn't matter if I ended the chap using other characters, it will always be the last NaLu.
QUESTION NO. 4
If you're a wizard of Fairy Tail (or any other guild u like), what would be your Magic?
- I would like something like Erza's or Lucy's (in the manga now) magic so I could requip clothes, it's kinda cute haha. But I prefer something with fire. Since I love fire. I'm not really a pyromaniac or something but I think that fire is so beautiful, so I wanna be a fire mage. Or maybe teleportation mage since I'm so lazy and it will save me from walking and stuff haha just kidding though.
Manga Spoiler: Lucy is so cute. So cute and sexy in her maid costume that i still can't get over it even after all those chaps that I saw her in it XD So many people are actually right. Gray's still nakama, he's just pretending. Makes me happy that he didn't join a freaky guild haha. That Mary is getting on my nerves with the creepy smile and star on her eyes though XP I miss the Team Natsu action, I can't wait for the next one. I'm all fired up!
Still 7 days and 94 more to go!
Here's my reply to my lovely guest reviewers:
Kaito1412: Hello! I'm glad that u took the chance to read this story of mine XD and yeah, ur right. One of 'em is next. Thanks for answering and I hope that u enjoyed reading this new chap X3
Star-chan: Yeah, I've been really evil on Gajeel lately huh? And what do u feel that's the same as Natsu? O.o Well here's the update! Thanks for answering!
Gruvia 3 : Well, explanations are quite necessary or else you'll all murder me for making a very confusing story haha. Thanks for answering! And I hope that u enjoyed this new chapter.
IamMrsStyles: Thank you haha XD and FT characters are so weird and awesome u'll definitely want to use them ;) Thanks for answering! Hope u liked the new chap :)
Zyrah: Well, here's the deal ;) haha, I hope it was quite satisfying :) well here's the update so I hope u liked it and thanks for answering!
KOu FutABA: Haha, hope u liked the deal ;) it wasn't much but still some NaLu action :3 thanks for answering, hope u liked this new chap ;)
FairytailIsLife: I always fail to update fast so forgive me for that XD but made this one longer I apology. And yeah, I'm always inspired by reviews. No matter how long or short it is :) thanks for answering! Hope u enjoyed this new chap ;)
SECRET XD: It makes me smile to know that people spend their precious time to read this story! Haha, well here's the new update! Hope u liked it ;)
juviafeels: Wow, thank you :D The deal isn't much but I still hope that u enjoyed it XD haha. Thanks for answering. Hope that u liked this new chap ;)
Milianameow: I don't know, but I do know that I'm so happy to hear that XD what do u mean by stopping at 60? :) Thanks for answering XD hope u liked this new chap!
SassYIncheoNGurL: Haha thank you! Wow, you actually reread the chapters? The earlier chaps have a lot of errors though. But I'm editing them whenever I have time :) Well, I hope u liked the new chap and thanks for answering!
LOL: Aww thanks :D I fuckin' love reviews too so thanks for reviewing! Haha. Hope u liked the new chap!
Romeokise-kun: Thank you, as always ;) You say the sweetest things XD Hope u liked this new chap!
Milen: Haha thank you! Those are some heart-warming descriptions! Ur reviews always makes me look like a crazy person smiling at my laptop haha XD well here's the new update ;)
boss: Haha wow thank you! I can't wait to reach that part too! We're one step closer though 'coz mission #3 is next XD NaLu is my OTP too (pretty obvious since I always use them as my main XD) Well I hope u enjoyed the new chap and #AyeSir!
Jili-chan: Noooooo! I don't have a sched :( I update randomly and I just write whenever inspiration strikes me. And well, that's the new one so I hope u liked it and thanks for answering!
8Nevermore3 : Haha thanks. And wow, I can't believe u keep on reading this story even late at night XD And yeah, I don't like perfect relationships much and I really try to be as realistic as possible XD Haha yup, all of this is crazy ;) Well, that's the new chap so I hope that u enjoyed it :D
Nicole: Haha, the deal isn't much but yeah, here ya go XD thanks for answering! And I do hope that u liked this new chap of mine :)
Maysie: Hehe thank you! And no wifi sucks so I'm glad that u enjoyed the last chap. Well, hope u liked this new one too ;)
Krissa Cheon 18: I'm glad u liked the Gajeel story :3 and well, here's the new chap ;) hope u liked it and thanks for answering!
Sting-sama: Well, hope u liked this new update ;) and no need to thank me, your reviews are more than enough :D
quenieeeeee: Haha thank you ;) Well, there's more Lucy/Levy friendship in this chap :D and yeah, hope u liked this new chap ;)
Aya: Yeah, please forgive for always updating slow XD Waaah don't cry! And who should be together? xD Well, here's more GaLe feels for u ;) Don't cha worry! There's more NaLu next chap :D Hope u liked this new chap!
armika: Waaah don't die! We're still far from the ending! Haha. And here's moooooorrreeeee for u ;) Hope u liked the new chap xD
leapyearbaby29: Haha wow, thank you for all the love u give for this story ;) Haha friends are crazy like that ne? Thanks for answering and I hope u like this new chap! Haha I don't know that song. I'll check it out sometime ;)
casper3333: Haha thank you. It's great that u think I'm getting better :D Thanks for answering! And I hope that u like this new chap ;)
PluMaplEGG33: Thanks ;) overly romantic lol. Guess I am really a romanticist. Many are really requesting for some NaLu angst. I tried to add a little but we'll have it soon someday :3
JohnTeggi28: Thank you ;) and your reviews will always be cheesy, no matter what XD haha. Thanks for always supporting this story, John and I do hope that u liked this new chap!
Kellykahmia0667: Haha thank you. Sorry for always updating late :( And yes, she does xD Haha. Hope u enjoyed this chap though.
Zyra kyung: Haha thank you ;) and yes, thank u for always supporting this story. You and ur reviews are one of my greatest inspirations to continue writing this story :) And thank yoouuuu! Hope u liked this new chap!
animegirl: Wow, thanks for taking ur time to join the game and answer the question :) it means a lot ;) hope u liked this new chap!
Matteo XD: Aww thanks for understanding my slow updates *gives you virtual hugs* I'm so happy that u like the GaLe and stuff. Was that a cliffy? *grins widely* well here's the next part for ya. Hope u'll enjoy it ;) Thanks for answering! Love ur reviews as always!
And Matt, I'm always inspired by ur reviews ;) so yeah, a million and one thank youuuusssss XD
nashi dragneel: Hello nashi! Well I'm sure I added some NaLu here but there will be more on the next chap so i hope I'll see u then ;)
Edited-07-22-16