Author's Note: 5/22/2015 Hello! It's been awhile! I'm back momentarily. I've been really busy with band stuff and end of the year school things. It's been really difficult to find space to try to write for this story, some upcoming comics, and an upcoming Gruvia story that I'm planning on. Anyways, I'm still on a hiatus, but I'll try to update when I can. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Fairy Tail and It's characters belong to Hiro Mashima
Chapter Thirteen
The rest of the month of March went by swimmingly. So did the month of April. Natsu had been promoted to Manager at Fiore's FroYo, meaning better pay as well. Lucy had began taking speech therapy and her speech was progressing. However, her voice sounded very hoarse and couldn't be fixed without medical procedures. Our darling Juvia Lockser had confessed many times to Gray Fullbuster who "rejected" her, but never minded when they acted lovey-dovey. Levy McGarden, who had received a letter of acceptance from Magnolia University, and Gajeel Redfox were still trying to convince everyone, including themselves, that they were not romantically linked. Yet, the gang of friends continued with their daily shenanigans.
May, however, was more eventful than the past months.
"Who set goddamn fire to the earth." Gray whined.
"Satan." Cana choked out.
"So Natsu, right?" Gajeel interjected.
"No, that's just pure blood spawn in the flesh." Loke added in.
"Fuck you guys." Natsu said. It was hot as balls in Magnolia and Fairy Tail High's favorite gang was not taking it very well. Lunch time was held outside, meaning everyone felt like they were slow cooking. The table they resided in was indeed shaded, but wasn't air conditioned. Being May, it was getting even more hot for the upcoming summer. It was only 96 degrees, but summer would hit harder.
Everyone sat at the table and moped on about heat. Even the ever so cheerful Levy had a change in attitude. The Heartfilia girl suddenly bolted up from her seat next to Natsu, looking quite shocked as she held her phone. All her friends turned to stare at the blonde. Her eyes turned glassy as she sat back down. She shook her head to try and make it seem like nothing was wrong. Juvia, who wasn't buying it, passed a look to Levy. The petite bluenette snatched the phone from the owner's clutches.
"From Dad. Sorry. I know you're at school, but ever since Juvia informed me of your small success in speech at the Games and on-going speech therapy, I've been cooperating with doctors to see what we could do about your condition..." Levy stopped reading out the text. All eyes were on her and she kept going.
"After a month of research and years of bank savings, I can pay for a surgery!" Levy's voice grew louder in excitement as she read on. Juvia snatched the phone to look for herself and read the rest for the group to hear.
"You will be able to speak again!" At that Natsu let out a large "Whoop!" and tackled the blonde beside him., who was now openly sobbing out of joy. Natsu whispered to her as he hugged her.
"I told you there's hope..."
The hours after school were precious to the family of friends. Almost everyday, everyone would occupy Fiore's FroYos. It was a tradition created by them from freshman year, before Erza, Gray, Natsu, and Lisanna got jobs there. With all their rowdy spirit, everyone who worked at the shopping centre where the yogurt shop was located practically knew the teens. Sometimes, they wouldn't even buy anything. They would actually just chat with Erza, Natsu, Lisanna, or Gray while they worked their shift. However, there was a slight change.
When Lucy, Juvia, and Levy befriended the rambunctious group, they were invited to hang out with them at the yogurt shop as well. They would come majority of the time. As of recently, Lucy began disappearing after school and coming home late. (Information via. Lisanna Strauss) Natsu, being the nosy, feisty guy he is, decided to confront Lucy after two weeks of ditching the "family tradition."
"Lucy," Natsu had cornered her after seeing her leave her last period class. "Where are you going?"
"Uh. C-co-o-mm-e." She replied. By now, Lucy could only speak slightly. If asked to define slightly, meaning she could speak broken English in an almost whisper.
The blonde held the male's hand and lead him to the front of the school where Mr. Heartfilia sat in the drivers seat of the gray Acura. He was so fully engulfed in the book he was reading that he hadn't seen the two teenagers (one being his own flesh and blood) at the side of his car. Lucy tapped on the window and Jude turned to look at her, surprised that she had brought Natsu.
"Hi there, Mr. Heartfilia." Natsu said awkwardly as Lucy got into the passenger seat. "Lucy wanted me to come along?"
The result of that was, Natsu sitting in the back seat of the Acura with Mr. Heartfilia telling him stories about Lucy when she was a baby. With every chuckle Natsu let out, Lucy's face would redden and attempt to tell her father to stop. This continued until the car had arrived in front of Saint Vermillion Hospital. The teenage boy muttered under his breath,
"I'm guessing this is where you've been going…"
The trio sat in the office of Doctor Cornelia Clive. The room felt stuffy and weighed down the mood of the atmosphere. Natsu fidgeted with his thumbs, while Lucy swung her legs back and forth on the bed as her father spoke with the doctor.
"After much testing, it is for sure, that she is eligible for a surgery." Dr. Clive said. She was a brunette with average height and slightly resembled the teens' friend, Cana Alberona. "We've gone over this before, Mr. Heartfilia, but there is another outcome to the surgery."
"Other outcome?" Natsu's voice arose with seriousness to his tone. The male was leaning forward in his chair and his expression was grave, something the Dragneel wouldn't wear often. The elder woman straightened herself in her seat before replying.
"It's either the surgery will allow her to speak smoothly and without difficulties. Seeing her improve her speech with out surgery at the therapy sessions, has given us more insight. However, it shows her vocal chords may be already at its extent of repair, like how wounds close over time. But if we tamper with it while it's already healed to its max, she might lose ability to speak altogether."
Everyone suddenly tensed. A dead silence filled the room. The two males were quiet. Uncomfortably quiet. Lucy's eyes darted between them, praying that one of them would just speak already. She needed to hear something being said, something of decision, reassurance, or defiance. However, she knew the only one who would say anything would be her. Well, writing. The blonde scribbled something on the napkin she had in her bag with her pen. She abruptly stood up and planted the napkin onto the desk.
Dr. Clive peered at the note curiously from behind her black framed Ray Bans. After clearing her throat, she read, "It has occurred to me that this is making the both of you really uncomfortable. As it is to I. However, I feel our efforts will turn to nothing if don't at least try the surgery. If I lose the remains of my voice, so be it. Bring it."
They all looked at Lucy, who was smiling confidently at the doctor. Mr. Heartfilia let out a deep chuckle and got up from his chair.
"Well, if that what she wants, I will support her a thousand percent." He threw his arm around his daughter, bringing her to a shoulder hug. She happily returned the hug, but after being released she looked to Natsu. The teenager was smiling, but she could see the worry in his eyes.
Dr. Clive stood up from her desk and walked towards the Heartfilias. Her hand was held out and the thin line on her lips contorted into a small grin.
"Alright then, Lucy. You father and I will discuss surgery fees and dates. Unless you want to listen over?" Lucy took her hand and shook it.
"N-o t-t-hhanks." She said shakily. The doctor nodded to her and went back to her desk, while her father led the two outside of the office.
"Please just wait for me outside, alright?" Mr. Heartfilia asked. However, Natsu had different plans.
"Actually, can I take Lucy out for the night?" He asked. The elder man cocked a brow at him and shrugged.
"If she wants to, but bring her home before nine. It might rain tonight." After patting Natsu's shoulder, Mr. Heartfilia headed back into the office.
"Want to grab a FroYo?" Natsu asked.
After the long walk back to the school, Natsu finally united with his beloved Honda. From the school, they drove to the shopping center where Natsu worked part time. The duo paid for their frozen treats then seated themselves at one of the tables that littered the shopping center. As the two sat across from each other, none of them said a word.
Lucy's thoughts were scattered around her brain. There were too many things going on inside her head. Whilst her head was a mess, her emotions were out of range as well. A pout graced her lips as her head spun. This caused Natsu to look at his companion worriedly. He slowly reached for her hand across the table and place his own hand on hers, squeezing slightly.
"Luce?" His voice was small and distant sounding. She nodded to him and typing on her phone.
I know you're going to ask if I'm ok. Lucy showed him the phone. Natsu looked at her once more before returning his gaze to the phone.
To be honest, I don't know. I don't even know if I'm supposed to be excited? Happy? I'm thankful to my father and Dr. Clive, but inside of me it's different. All these emotions are jumbling together and it's becoming harder. Lucy's hand trembled a little as she continued holding the phone for Natsu to see and the tip of her nose colored red. I still don't know how I exactly feel all together. But I'm scared!
As if on cue, rain began to fall. Slowly and lightly, the rain landed and left spotting on their clothes. However, it rained harder by the second. The blonde's hair dampened as she was openly weeping in the rain. Natsu stood up and grabbed her hand to lead her for a dry spot near a shop.
The male hugged Lucy tightly around her shoulders and inhaled her scent of strawberries and vanilla. Her shirt was wet from the rain and her mascara had smudged. He could feel her body trembling against his own out of cold. Natsu opened his hoodie for both of them to shelter from the rain. The skies were still gray and raining down on the earth while the blonde cried into the shoulder of her companion. She snuggled into him as if he was a puzzle and she was the missing piece. He whispered comforting things to her while rubbing her back.
As her crying reduced to sniffling, Lucy's hands slowly reached up to place her hands on Natsu's back to bring him closer. She was holding on to him like he was the most important thing to keep her from falling apart.
Maybe, in that moment, he was.
During the drive back to the Heartfilia residence, Lucy had curled up in Natsu's olive hoodie, and traced patterns of rain droplets on the passenger seat window. He had tried amuse her with mindless chatter of past quarrels and adventures, which she would giggle at in return.
It was still raining by the time Natsu had dropped Lucy back home at quarter to seven. However, he didn't leave without giving her a life squeezing hug. Her eyes twinkled at him as she waved him off. Only when he had driven off, he had forgotten his beloved jacket.
It didn't matter. It suited her better anyways
Fear and Loathing
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Onyx eyes stared at the clock and time never went any slower. He felt worried and he couldn't understand why or what made him feel this way. Lucy was only undergoing a minor surgery, so why did he feel so affected? Natsu's head ached to know what he wanted.
Then it came to him like a baseball to the mitt.
He needed to tell Lucy.
Author's End Note: I hoped you liked this chapter! Please check my profile for the poll I have put up to incorporate into a future chapter. Thanks and have a lovely day.