A/N: Hey, guys! I hope you're all doing well. Life's been super crazy lately (university admission and scholarships and stuff), but I still managed to crunch some writing time. I hope you like this chapter! Minerva and Lucy give me life. A quick thank you again to everyone who's left a review for this fic! I'm not gonna rave for the ten millionth time about how I can't believe OMAM's popularity, but seriously. Somebody pinch me.
You guys are awesome, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
March
"Let me get this straight: You want me to teach you how to seduce Dragneel?"
"I- um, yeah?"
Lucy fidgeted awkwardly, her face aflame from the embarrassment of her request. It was lunch period, and Minerva had been looking forward to some time alone with her greedy-fingered angel in a broom closet. As per usual, Lucy Heartfilia made it her personal mission to ruin Minerva's plans. With pink cheeks and jittery hands, she'd pulled Minerva to an empty classroom and started rambling in a hushed voice. Something about her being in love with dragon-boy (No shit, Minerva thought) and that she had no clue what to do about it. Minerva sighed, swiping a hand down her face. As far as requests went, this was definitely one of the stranger ones. What the hell kind of succubus needed help seducing people? Lucy Heartfilia. That's what kind of succubus needed help. Lucy Heartfilia was such a sexually repressed goody-goody that she seemed to be more akin to a Girl Scout than a seductress. Minerva eyed her warily before sighing.
"I suppose it's my job as your Lilith to make sure you don't starve."
"Thank you," Lucy breathed, eyes lighting up. "You'll never know how much I appreciate it. I promise to be the best student-"
"Stop," Minerva groaned, rubbing her temples. "If we're going to do this, you'll have to not do that nervous ramble-thing you always do when you think about boning Lizard Boy."
"I do not-"
"Yes," Minerva interrupted. "You do. Every fucking time."
"I- Fine," Lucy admitted, sighing. "I ramble. It's just- Natsu makes me nervous."
"Really," Minerva asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow as she moved to sit atop a desk. "I thought you were friends."
"We are," Lucy insisted, waving her hands. "We're best friends! When we're just hanging out and being buddies, I'm fine. But any time I think about trying to start something more romantic, I choke. What if he turns me down and things get awkward between us? What if-"
"Jesus Christ, cut the teen angst bullshit," Minerva interrupted. Lucy looked taken aback.
"What?"
"If Natsu turns you down, an awkward rift in your relationship would be the last of your worries. You would starve to death," Minerva growled. "You have to look at this as if failing isn't an option because, frankly, it isn't."
"Okay," Lucy mumbled, fussing with her hair. "I guess you have a point."
"Damn right I do. Besides," Minerva said, eyes speculative. "The odds of him turning you down are practically nonexistent."
"You think," Lucy asked, voice timid and eyes hopeful.
"First off, he already offered to bang you. Right now, it might just be a pity fuck, but I doubt it. I think it's stupid that you'll only have sex with him if he professes his undying love to you-"
"That's an exaggeration," Lucy cried, offended. "I just don't want to have sex without knowing that there's something deeper there. And I definitely don't want it to be out of pity."
"Whatever," Minerva huffed, rolling her eyes. "I don't think that'll be a problem. The idiot looks at you like you invented the sun."
Minerva watched Lucy's face sizzle with heat as she stammered silly denials. A small part of her was jealous. Minerva never really had the chance to play the love struck, blushing maiden. She'd been educated on her purpose at the tender age of fourteen and had since given up on any notion of giving her heart away. She and Sting had been having casual sex since they were fifteen (even though their arrangement felt far from casual). Minerva always had to go after what she wanted directly, or else she wouldn't get it. Things never fell in her lap, after all.
Minerva told Lucy to meet her in the foyer after school and slipped away. There was only so much of Lucy's starry-eyed love sickness that Minerva could take at a time. It didn't take long for her to find Sting, who was busy chatting it up with some sophomore Nymph. Minerva clenched her fists, glad that she had long since gotten over the lack of physical restraint that had led to many schoolyard brawls in her youth. Looking back, all of them had been with trashy brats that decided to fawn all over Sting. Strange coincidence.
"Sting," Minerva called, reveling in the way his eyes instantly met hers across the crowded hallway. It was almost as if he'd been waiting to hear his name on her lips, despite his annoying flirtations with some other girl. "Have you eaten?"
"Do you really care," he called back, lips pulling up into a smirk that suggested he thought himself clever. Minerva glared at him, knowing he could see the glint of wicked intent in her eyes.
"Of course," she said nonchalantly. "You see, I think a miniature Chimera got locked in one of the janitor's closets. I need someone with enough stamina to help me tame it."
"That sounds dangerous," Sting said, sauntering over as he went along with the rouse.
"It probably is," Minerva replied, eyes dark. "I heard it scratches. And bites."
"That's unfortunate. I told myself I'd stop tangling with dangerous creatures. The other day I wrestled with a chupacabra, and I still have the claw marks on my back to prove it."
Sting turned and pulled the back of his shirt up, revealing the deep red streaks that swelled on his back. People that saw gasped, appalled at the sight. It only made hunger burn in Minerva's gut. She liked seeing that she left an unmistakable claim on his body. She'd always been the possessive type, and this occasion wasn't any different. See, she wanted to tell their spectators. He's mine. All mine. He turned back to her, looking like he was waiting for her to make the next move.
"If you're not up to the task, it's okay. I'm sure I could find someone else," Minerva threatened, relieved when a jealous spark ignited in his gaze.
It felt like empty threats were the only way she could lure him into bed nowadays. Or a hall closet, in this case. Every time she propositioned him, he would be difficult and refuse to give her a direct answer. But why me? his eyes would always ask. He didn't seem satisfied with the explanation of her merely being hungry anymore. The only way to make him desperate for her the way he used to be was to suggest that she find someone else. Otherwise, he'd beat around the bush as if attempting to draw secrets out of her. In the back of her mind, Minerva knows what he wanted her to say. She also knew that saying it would mean giving the last part of herself over to him, which was something she couldn't do.
So they continued this game of cat and mouse, and Minerva dreaded the day Sting finally got tired of the chase. She feared that it was coming soon.
After a romp in the closet that was even more aggressive than usual (Minerva wasn't the only one biting and scratching this time), she went back to class. Energy coursed through her, settling in her bones along with a pleasant rush of dopamine. There was guilt there, too. Sting had been acting strange after sex lately. Aggravated. Disappointed. There was also a bit of self-loathing that Minerva could so closely identify with that it hurt. He used to always look elated afterwards, and seeing that the effect was now the opposite left a bitter taste in Minerva's mouth. It was something akin to shame and regret and wariness. Minerva hated it. She thought of the fact that demons used to be expressly forbidden from even interacting with Nephilim. She used to think the rule was inane, but she now knew why it'd been upheld in the past. Angels needed protection from demons' sinning mouths and hands. Heavens know that Sting certainly did. Slowly, piece by piece, Minerva was tearing him apart. She would ruin him.
After class, Minerva went to meet Lucy in the foyer. She was already waiting where Minerva had instructed her, golden hair falling in a gentle slope down her shoulders. She was texting someone, glaring at the screen of her phone with furrowed brows and a frown twisting her lips. When she saw Minerva, she immediately stood up and shoved her phone in her pocket.
"Something important," Minerva asked, gesturing to where Lucy had stashed her cell. Lucy sighed.
"It's just the Cupla," Lucy groaned. "Ever since Natsu and I made up, it's been super intense. I can practically feel his heartbeat. And Natsu has a better hang of it than I do, which is frustrating. He's been texting me nonstop, and it's kind of annoying."
As if on cue, Lucy's phone rang. She groaned and set it to voicemail, but it only lit up again. Minerva rolled her eyes and told Lucy to answer it, which she did with apologetic eyes.
"What," Lucy barked, already knowing who was on the other end of the line. A moment passed.
"No, I did not call you annoying," Lucy told her caller, rolling her eyes. "Okay, fine. I did. But it's only because you keep texting me! You don't have to call me every time I feel nervous or anxious. I'm a big girl, and I can handle it."
Pause. Lucy sighed again.
"Yes, Natsu, Minerva's with me. No. She's giving me succubus advice! Natsu, she's actually been really helpful. Yes, I know she used to be a bitch-"
"I can still hear you," Minerva growled. Lucy gave an apologetic smile.
"Look, I've gotta go. And no, you cannot fight Gray. Don't play innocent. The bond works both ways. Promise me. Okay. I have to go. Bye."
Lucy hung up, refocusing her attention back on Minerva.
"Sorry," Lucy said, clapping her hands together in apology. Minerva rolled her eyes.
"Whatever. Follow me," Minerva commanded, walking out of the foyer. Lucy trailed closely behind. They exited the school and made their way to the nearest bus stop. As they waited at the bench, Lucy fiddled with her nail polish and tried not to look too anxious.
"Where are we going," Lucy asked, looking nervous. Minerva smirked, glancing back at her.
"We're going to find you someone to seduce."
XOXOXOXOX
Flirting was officially the most horrendously embarrassing thing in the history of ever. Lucy had never minded the occasional wink and smile to get her way, but beyond that? She was clueless. The only one more frustrated with her lack of coquettish expertise than Lucy was Minerva, who'd been granted the task of molding Lucy into something even slightly sexually appealing.
Minerva had dragged Lucy all over the mall and shoved her at any teenage boy that crossed her path. At first, Minerva had tried getting Lucy to practice a simple lust spell. This, as it turned out, wasn't so simple after all.
"Close your eyes and imagine your aura," Minerva said. "Picture your aura wrapping around your target and pulling them closer. Then say 'illecebra'. Watch me."
Minerva went up to a guy running one of the stands that sold sunglasses, her stride oozing confidence. After a flip of her hair and the smallest movement of her lips, the man's entire demeanor changed. He was beside himself with utter fascination, his eyes glued to Minerva. The heat in his eyes made Lucy, a mere observer, blush. After a moment of small talk, Minerva left the stand with two new pairs of Ray Bans in hand. Sunglasses that, if Lucy wasn't mistaken, Minerva didn't pay for.
"Here," Minerva said, handing Lucy a pair. "See? Easy."
"Did you just steal from him," Lucy asked, aghast.
"These were a gift. You see, Heartfilia, seduction is the absolute best way to get something you want. If someone desires you, they'll give you anything you ask for."
"This is wrong," Lucy insisted, clutching the glasses. "I'll go back and pay for them."
"These usually retail for 20,000 Jewels. Each."
"I will make up for this someday," Lucy commended, sliding her new shades into her hair and dropping any notion of doing the right thing. She had rent to pay, after all.
Minerva soon enough pushed Lucy towards the food court in hopes of Lucy mimicking her demonstration. It soon became painfully obvious that Lucy didn't have a chance in hell of matching Minerva's prowess. Maybe it was because Lucy hadn't fed, and her level of magical power was significantly lower than the standard succubus. Her kisses with Natsu were enough to keep her from having hunger pains and running her body into the ground, but they weren't enough to give Lucy the magical energy to do much of anything. Ever since the potion mishap with Mirajane, Lucy hadn't even been able to perform an aura spell. Either way, it became abundantly clear that Lucy would have to charm her way into Natsu's heart the old fashioned way.
"Illecebra," Lucy murmured, on her third attempt at using the simple spell. The guy just blinked at her.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Nothing," Lucy sighed. "Sorry to have disturbed you."
Lucy slinked back to Minerva like a dog with its tail between its legs. This whole thing had been so embarrassing. She just wanted to crawl under a rock and die. Trying to woo random strangers was something she never wanted to do ever again. It was just too humiliating.
"You're a disappointment," Minerva huffed. Lucy groaned.
"I know, I know. I just don't think I have enough magical energy to do any spells," she groused, her tone bordering on whiny.
"Then I guess you'll just have to get Natsu into bed using your girlish charm," Minerva observed dryly.
"Yeah," Lucy agreed. "It's probably better that way. I'd feel guilty if I magicked him into wanting me."
"I guess my job here is done," Minerva said, backing away. "This was a complete waste of time."
"Wait," Lucy cried after her, running to catch up. "How am I going to figure out how to flirt with him the normal way?"
"There's this thing called the internet," Minerva called back. "You can find pretty much anything on it!"
And that was how Lucy's browser history ended up being clogged with searches along the lines of "How to make boys fall in love with you" and "How to get a guy to want you" and "I'm in love. HELP!". Between her bouts of intensive research, she texted Natsu. He'd texted her while she was out "training" (What is Minerva making you do? I've been feeling embarrassed for the past hour for no reason!) She insisted that he shouldn't come over because she had a project to focus on. This was half true. She just didn't say that her project was making Natsu fall in love with her.
The night ended without Lucy finding a sure fire way to drive her best friend crazy with need for her. She flopped down onto her bed, face-down, and screamed into her pillow. It didn't take long for her phone to start buzzing in her pocket, and Lucy groaned. Natsu must've sensed her frustration through the Cupla.
"This Cupla is really getting on my nerves," Lucy groaned into her phone, not bothering with a greeting. Natsu laughed.
"I like it," he said smugly. "It makes annoying you easier than ever."
"As if you didn't already have an arsenal of ways to get under my skin," Lucy muttered. Natsu laughed.
"You know you love me," he chuckled.
Suddenly, he stopped. Lucy felt a flash of realization and embarrassment through the bond as Natsu realized the implications of what he'd said. An awkward silence took hold of the conversation, and Lucy debated between responses. Should she just laugh it off? Maybe this was the perfect opportunity to confess. Actually, you're right! I've sort of been pining after you for months. Surprise! Yeah, maybe no to that.
"Anyways," Natsu said awkwardly, breaking the silence. He must've sensed Lucy's hesitation through the bond and misinterpreted it. "Why are you so frustrated?"
"Why are you so nosey," Lucy countered, glaring at her ceiling.
"Can't I be a concerned best friend?"
"Yes, you can. You can also be an exhausting one that calls every five minutes," Lucy teased. "And you are."
"Luuuce."
"How was your day," Lucy asked, changing the subject. "Anything interesting?"
"Not really. Erza's been acting weird, but she's Erza," Natsu huffed. "And Gajeel keeps complaining that Levy's dragging him to that school dance next week."
"I totally forgot about that," Lucy gasped, sitting up in bed. "It's the Spring Formal, right?"
"How could you forget about the dance? The flyers are all over. I can't even look around the hallways without being attacked by glitter and neon colors," Natsu complained.
"I've been preoccupied," Lucy huffed. "I used to only notice school dances because of all the people asking me to go, but nobody's asked me this year."
"That's weird," Natsu laughed uncomfortably, making Lucy feel like he had something to do with her lack of suitors. Her heart skipped a beat. Maybe she could bait him into asking her?
"I probably won't go," Lucy sighed, trying to sound casual. "I wouldn't have anyone to dance with."
"You could dance with me," Natsu volunteered. "I thought we already established that I'm a pretty rad dancer."
"Are you asking me to be your date?"
"Yeah," Natsu said, making Lucy's heart skip a beat. Success! Did she actually stand a chance?
"I mean," Natsu continued. "Friends go on dates, right?"
Immediately friend-zoned.
"Yeah," Lucy sighed, trying to push back the swell of disappointment. "Friends go on dates, I guess."
"Don't sound so thrilled," Natsu muttered. "If you don't wanna go-"
"I wanna go," Lucy interrupted a bit desperately. "Definitely. I've got some pretty rad dance moves of my own, you know."
"Oh, really? You gonna impress everyone with your ballroom skills," Natsu teased.
"Just you wait, Dragneel. I'm gonna blow your mind," Lucy teased.
"I'm counting on it," Natsu teased back. His voice had this hint of a flirtatious growl that sent violent shivers racing up Lucy's spine.
"Is your room cold," Natsu suddenly asked, sounding concerned. "I can feel you getting goosebumps."
"I left my window open," Lucy lied. "I should probably go so I can, um, close it. Seeyoutomorrowbye."
Lucy hung up and felt wisps of Natsu's confusion through their bond. She didn't exactly feel comfortable explaining that Natsu had just experienced her being turned on through The Bond. She actually didn't feel comfortable explaining any of the feelings he gave her, preferably ever. Talking was awkward, and Natsu was the type of person who understood things much better through actions than words anyways. Lucy would just have to show him how she felt. It was this revelation that made her finally bite the bullet and call Levy for the favor she'd been meaning to ask.
"Lu-chan," Levy answered, sounding confused. "It's kind of late. Are you okay? What's up?"
"I was wondering," Lucy paused, gathering the strength to make her request. "Does the library have any books about Dragon mating rituals?"
Levy gasped.
"Oh my God, finally."
XOXOXOXOX
Natsu really loved the Cupla. Like, a lot. He'd always spent about eighty percent of his time worrying about Lucy and what she was doing and how she was feeling. So having a sudden link to her at all times was pretty much the most useful thing ever. He could feel every time she was sad or upset and do his best to make her feel better. Another pro? Finding out that she secretly loved all of his super lame jokes. He'd given her hell over that one.
There was one huge fault of this connection, though. He couldn't turn it off. At all. Not even to masturbate. Look, Natsu wasn't a sexual fiend or anything. Masturbation was not so ingrained in her daily routine that it was impossible to live without. But the sexual repression was driving him absolutely insane. He hadn't masturbated since Gray had mentioned him being loud in the shower out of sheer embarrassment. And by the time the humiliation had faded, he and Lucy were having a fight. And pathetically enough, Natsu had been too sad to rub one out. Which was super lame, but whatever.
And when he and Lucy had finally made up, the bomb was dropped. She'd told him, blushing, that they'd formed some sort of demon bond after making out in the library back in January. ("It's a combination of trust and physical connection," she'd told him.) Suddenly, everything made sense. That irritating feeling of hair rubbing the back of his neck even though his was short. The random mood swings. The phantom pain he felt when Lucy stubbed her toe on the coffee table or tripped over the leg of a chair. He'd always attributed these things to sympathy or his own imagination. It didn't take long, however, for Natsu to figure out that this meant all of their sensations were shared. Which meant that if Natsu decided to choke the chicken, Lucy would know.
If that wasn't super embarrassing, Natsu didn't know what was. The very thought made him cringe. He'd complained about it to Gray, but the idiot didn't understand. ("Shouldn't she be fine with you masturbating? Orgasms feel awesome.") Natsu had to make a few comparisons for Gray to understand the seriousness of the situation. ("Imagine if Juvia felt it every time you jacked off." "Fuck. That.") Ultimately, Natsu had only gotten a sympathetic pat on the back and a "Sucks to be you". Which was so fucking helpful.
Not.
So by the week of the school dance, Natsu was pretty tightly wound. Everything seemed to turn him on. The sway of Lucy's hips when she walked. The curve of her smile. The brush of her fingers against his collar when she frowned and adjusted his sloppy necktie. Fuck, even the way she did her math homework was sexy. It even felt like she'd been flirting with him lately, which made no goddamned sense at all. It was all Natsu could do to not be constantly aroused. He was lucky that Lucy's succubus appetite made her frequently confuse his arousal with her own hunger. The consequences would be too painfully unthinkable otherwise.
The results of Natsu's sexual frustration were actual frustration (even the way Gray breathes is annoying) and unwarranted aggression (because Gray deserves to be punched in the face, even if the reason why is not yet apparent). In the end, the only one that might be more exasperated with Natsu's blue balls was Gray, who was the target of all of Natsu's pent up aggression. Looking back, Natsu almost felt bad about it.
"What the fuck was that for," Gray hissed one day at lunch, cradling his jaw. "Why in the hell did you just walk up and punch me?"
"Because I was pissed off by your ugly face," Natsu growled back.
"Don't be a dick because you need to get laid," Gray grit out. Natsu bared his teeth.
"You motherfucker-"
They were interrupted by the sound of someone sitting at their table. The two of them looked up, and their stomachs instantly dropped. Erza. They hadn't even noticed her coming in their rage. They held their breaths, waiting for her to violently berate them for their misconduct. But nothing happened. She just ate her food in a daze, her unfocused eyes trained on the table.
"Erza," Gray prodded cautiously. She looked up.
"Yes?"
"Are you… okay?"
"Of course," she smiled, looking tired. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"You didn't yell at us for fighting," Natsu blurted out, hissing when Gray elbowed his side. Erza frowned.
"Oh. I didn't notice. I'll do better next time," she promised, sounding distant.
Erza went back to eating. Natsu and Gray shot each other confused looks, neither saying anything. What could they possibly make of this? They should probably be relieved, but neither of them could rest. Worry started to eat at Natsu. This was definitely not the Erza that had scared him away from the path of juvenile delinquency. This wasn't the Erza that had beaten him within an inch of his life back when they were thirteen, having found him in an empty classroom with a gallon of gasoline and fire fluttering from his fingertips. This was not the Erza that'd trembled as she patched him up afterwards, telling him that evil deeds hurt those who loved you the most.
Natsu's back straightened when she felt Lucy approaching nearby. She entered the lunchroom a few moment later, and it was like someone had suddenly shone a spotlight in the crowded room. Gray caught were Natsu's attention was focused and rolled his eyes, scooting over to make room for the blonde. Lucy's face broke out in a huge grin when her eyes found his, and Natsu couldn't help but grin back. She practically skipped over to their table, and Natsu felt her happiness at seeing him through their Cupla. It made a giddy feeling bubble up in his stomach.
"Hi," she breathed, sitting right next to him. The entire right side of his body buzzed when her arm brushed his.
"Hey," he breathed back, lips twitching up in a grin.
"Hi, Gray," Lucy said, smiling at him across the table. Gray gave an absent wave, his eyes focused on something in the distance. Natsu scented the air and scoffed when he realized who it was. Juvia. A quick peak across the room and Natsu saw that she was eating lunch across the table. With Lyon.
"That's weird," Natsu frowned, observing the pair. Gray scowled.
"Whatever. It's not like I care," Gray muttered.
"I think they're going to the dance together on Friday," Lucy said, voice nonchalant. Natsu could feel her intentions through The Bond, though. She was curious, wanting to get a rise out of Gray. Natsu gave her a smirk, knowing she could get a vague sense of his thoughts. Fiend. She smothered her grin.
"No, they're not. She'd never go with him," Gray said, not sounding too confident despite his words.
"She told me herself," Lucy murmured. "She said no one else asked her, so I told her to go with him. It looks like she took my advice."
"You didn't," Gray accused, looking betrayed. "Why would you tell her to go out with that loser?"
"Why not," Lucy asked innocently. "Is there another loser that she should go with instead?"
Lucy didn't get an answer to her question. Gray abruptly got up and left, not even bothering to take his tray with him. Natsu cackled evilly, somewhat relieved that he wasn't the only guy in their social circle with girl troubles. Lucy sighed, staring after Gray.
"I was hoping he'd go after her," she whined.
"No way," Natsu said, throwing an arm around her shoulder. "The only way they're getting together is if Juvia finally wears him down. She was getting pretty close, but this Lyon business might've hurt her cause."
"She doesn't even like Lyon," Lucy hissed. "I told her to go along with it so Gray gets jealous and goes after her!"
"Gray doesn't handle jealousy well. You probably ruined their relationship for good," Natsu teased.
"Argh," Lucy groaned, facepalming. Natsu laughed, earning an elbow to his ribs.
"Jeez," he complained, rubbing his side.
"What do you think, Erza? Is there hope," Lucy asked, trying to draw the redhead into the conversation.
"What," Erza asked, confused. "Sorry. I wasn't paying attention."
"Are you okay," Lucy asked, looking concerned. "You've been kinda out of it."
"It's nothing," Erza said, turning back to her food. "I'm fine."
Lucy shot Natsu as worried look, which he reciprocated. They'd already mastered nonverbal communication, and the addition of the bond had made it ridiculously easy for them to have private conversations in a room full of people. He could practically hear her voice in his head. What's wrong with Erza? He shook his head. I don't know.
After a few more unsuccessful attempts at drawing Erza into conversation, Natsu and Lucy settled on keeping the conversation between the two of them. After lunch was over, he walked her back to class. They were mostly quiet, walking close enough for their arms to brush. It was moments like this, when they were both silent and oh so close, that the air between them seemed to crackle with electricity. It was enough to drive Natsu insane. When they reached her class, she turned to him with humor in her eyes.
"What color tie are you wearing for the dance? We should coordinate," she joked. Natsu grinned.
"I don't know. I might follow Gray's lead and show up naked."
"That might not be the best idea," Lucy laughed. "Besides, I'm looking forward to seeing you all dolled up."
"Oh, really," Natsu murmured, a flirtatious lilt to his voice.
He stepped forward, entering her bubble. The move was somewhat predatory, and a part of him was worried that he'd invaded her space. She had the tendency to skitter away like a mouse when frightened. Lucy shocked the hell out of him, though. She didn't bolt- didn't even take a step back. With a devious flutter of her lashes, she hooked her fingers in the belt loops of his pants and pulled him even closer. Natsu breath caught in his throat, and he tried not to stumble. His heart was beating a million miles an hour, and he was struggling to form a coherent thought.
A jolt went down his spine, and his fingers twitched. Natsu felt this simultaneous urge to both cradle her gently in his arms and throw her up against a wall to ram his hips against hers. Seeing as how he couldn't do either, Natsu restrained himself to shoving his hands deep in his pockets and looking down. This was Lucy Heartfilia. Sweet, perfect, untouchable Lucy Heartfilia. Even though she was a succubus, there was no way that she'd want him to touch her with his calloused hands- especially not in the way he so desperately wished he could. But damn if the look she was giving him now didn't make him almost forget he didn't stand a chance.
"I'm going to wear red," she murmured, regaining his attention and drawing his eyes up to meet hers.
"That's my favorite color," Natsu replied, throat tight. One side of her mouth quirked up into the smallest of smiles.
"I know."
Natsu was pulled from his daze when a loud beep sounded over the intercom. It was a good thing that the bell for class rang in that moment because he had no clue what he would've done otherwise. Kissed her, probably. Hard. It wasn't like they hadn't kissed before, but this kiss would've been different. It wouldn't have been to feed her. Its sole purpose would've been to satiate his need to taste her tongue and feel her softness pressed against him. The kiss would've been for Natsu, without any pretense of necessity or survival. The thought of her knowing how he felt was a little bit terrifying.
Natsu stepped back, heat flooding his face. Lucy's confidence seemed to falter, because she ripped her hands away from the belt loops of his pants like they'd burned her. Blush spread across her cheeks, and she dropped her gaze to the floor. The two of them stayed like that for a moment, eyes restlessly flitting around the hall. They looked everywhere but each other, and Natsu wished more than anything in that moment that he wasn't such a coward.
"Um," he stammered. "I gotta get to class."
"Of course," she squeaked. "We can talk later."
"Yeah. Uh, bye."
He left her there, in front of her class. This time, it was Natsu that skittered away like a mouse.
I hope you guys enjoyed this one! Next chapter: School Dance. I have it mostly written, but I'm struggling to finish it. So how about this:
If I reach 1,350 reviews by Friday (yes, this Friday) I will upload the next chapter then. If not, I'll post it on the 15th as per usual. I just think this is a good way to motivate myself to get the damned thing finished. Sound good to you guys? Review, follow this story, and add me on Tumblr! (My username is the same as it is on here.) See you later, gators!
~Mya