Chapter 19
In the end, there could never be an "us" – Part 1
Natsu and Lucy pulled up to the school with excitement. Hand in hand, they entered through the side of the building that lead directly into the gym. Except now it looked far from a gym, the entire room had been transformed. Lucy gazed in awe as Natsu led her to the coat check, he took off his coat then proceeded to take off her coat for her. He handed them to the coat check lady with a smile.
"Wow, this is stunning, Mira really outdid herself." Lucy said astonished. The ceiling had small fairy lights and crystals that twinkled down onto them. There were silk blue and white scarves that adorned the walls and snowflake cut outs were mixed in everywhere. Even snowflake confetti laid on the ground for which they stood on. In the center of the room was a DJ playing some upbeat music, but what caught Lucy's attention was the photographer.
"C'mon! Lets get our photo taken!" Lucy said excitedly, she pulled on his arm as they went to go stand in line for their picture.
Natsu felt like he couldn't breathe, between how beautiful Lucy looked and his plans for later tonight, every word died in his throat, slaughtered by a mix of anxiety and sheer excitement. His hands felt clammy in Lucy's, but she hadn't seemed to notice. He wandered how tonight would go, he knew Lucy would of course accept his love, but he still felt an irrational fear that maybe she wouldn't, maybe she would run in fear from the strength of his love for her. He quickly attempted to quiet the thoughts as Lucy continued to pull him towards a photobooth on the other side of the room.
The two couldn't seem to spot their friends as they waited in line. Lucy figured they hadn't arrived yet, but once they did, she would too drag them to get a group photo taken. They soon reached the front of the line and stood on the black tape line for the photographer.
"What a lovely couple you two are, smile and look here." The photographer said as she pointed to the lens of her camera. Lucy gave a sweet smile for the camera, but Natsu didn't. He looked down at Lucy with a small smile on his lips. He wouldn't stop looking at her for a second, he would make sure each memory from tonight was embedded into his brain for life. He didn't want to miss a second of her, not a single smile, laugh or comment. The photo was taken like that, with Natsu staring down lovingly at his date while she smiled for the camera, forever capturing their love on paper in that moment.
Lucy thanked the Lady as they went to the other end of the booth where the photos would be printed out. Sitting there handing out the photos was Mira, the organizer of the event herself.
"Hey Lucy! Hey Natsu! You both look amazing tonight! You enjoying your evening so far?" Mira asked as their photo printed out.
"Yes, Mira, you truly outdid yourself! The photo booth was an amazing idea, I can't wait to frame it when I get home." Lucy said eagerly.
Natsu nodded at Mira, he took the photos from her as she handed them. She had printed out two of their photo, thus each could keep one. Natsu handed Lucy her copy of the photo and she quickly shoved it into her pocket, she wanted to make sure she didn't loose it.
"Well, I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening, if you need something you can find me here!" Mira said cheerfully.
Although Mira spent most of the class focused on her own homework, she had noticed Natsu, and Lucy's bond grow over the course of the music class. Mira felt beyond happy for Natsu, she had pretty much grown up with the boy, to see his smile return was something that lit her own heart ablaze.
When Natsu had approached her a few weeks ago and told her the plan, she was beyond happy to help the boy out. He told her how he to planned to ask Lucy to be his girlfriend that night with the big gesture. The memory of it still warmed her heart, Natsu was living proof that true love still existed, like a light in all the dark.
Lucy slid her hand back into Natsu's as they wandered from the photobooth, they continued to search for their friends when they finally spotted them all at the entrance. Natsu moved his hand to the small of Lucy's back as he lead her to their friends.
"Hey guys." Natsu said casually as he got within earshot of the group.
"Hey Natsu, nice suit!" Levy said. She then approached Lucy and gave her a big hug.
"Oh Lu, you look absolutely beautiful tonight!" Levy said as she held her friend by the elbows, looking at Lucy with a big smile. Levy thought back to merely months ago when she had met the blonde, back then she remembered how hard Lucy struggled with her fear. She felt proud of her friend for overcoming her fears and opening her heart to love once more.
"As do you Levy! You look so gorgeous… surprised to see Gajeel isn't drooling." Lucy said as she laughed. When the girls looked over to see Gajeel, they saw him faintly drooling looking his girlfriend. In a split second the girls broke out into laughter at the sight.
"Hey what's so funny!" Gajeel asked as the girls pointed and laughed. They silenced when he asked, but then broke down once more into hysterics. Gajeel muttered something about women being weird as he turned to talk to the guys.
"I mean this is the least fruity way possible… you guys look good." Gajeel said.
"Nah, saying it isn't fruity doesn't make it not fruity." Natsu said nonchalantly. Grey and Jellal laughed.
"I swear to god I every time I try to be nice to you idiots you make me realize why I never try in the first place." Gajeel grumbled
"It's okay Gajeel." Jellal said as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure Levy would understand that you swing both ways."
With that the men all broke down into laughter. Jellal was not exactly a man of many words, but like Erza, he always managed to say the most unfiltered shit at the best times.
"Seriously though, we all look like well established young men if I do say so myself." Grey said after they finished laughing.
"Unfortunately for you, you're all a bunch of hooligans instead." Erza said as she joined in on the conversation.
"I am in fact no longer a hooligan." Natsu said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I have revoked my hooligan life and in turn have become a respectable young man."
"And how per say did you do that Natsu?" Juvia asked curiously
"Well for your information, I got my full license." Natsu responded
"Oh Jesus Christ super star." Grey said as he placed his hands on his face. "I pity the poor fool you crash into; we should start warning the citizens of Fiore now that all hell has just been released on wheels."
"HEY! I am an amazing driver ice brains." Natsu retorted. "Just ask Luce."
Lucy turned to join the conversation with Levy. She paled when he asked Lucy to back him up. On the drive there alone Natsu had blown two red lights claiming that they were simply "pre-green" as justification. He also spent most of the short drive riding on the curb. To say the least, he was one of the worst drivers she had ever seen and assumed he bribed the examiner into letting him pass.
She walked closer to her date and patted him on the back. "Sorry bud, your on your own for this one." Lucy said. Natsu looked at her with shock.
"What! I thought you said I was doing great!" Natsu said to her.
"What did you want me to say? Natsu your going to kill us and the rest of this city if you continue to ride the curb like a rollercoaster? I thought if I stressed you that we both wouldn't make it here in one piece." She stated. The group proceeded to burst out in laughter, they all saw Natsu being a terrible driver coming, but Lucy blatantly calling him out on it made it all the more hilarious.
Natsu mocked hurt at Lucy as the group continued to laugh and make joked about his driving skills. Lucy, who felt slightly bad for embarrassing him, got on her toes and kissed his cheek.
"Sorry but I can't lie, I won't risk their safety on behalf of your ego." She continued.
Natsu gawked as the group proceeded to laugh harder. Lucy joined in, teasing Natsu was one of her favorite things to do. After a moment of pretending to be mad Natsu also began to laugh as well. He pulled Lucy to him by her waist and planted a kiss on the top of her head. He loved seeing her like this, so carefree and full of light. At first, she had only been like that with him, but now, as he watched her light up the room with her smile alone, he realized she had finally let everyone else see the real her. He relished in the feeling as the group saw her true self too.
The night now began as they all ran to the dance floor. They danced to the fun music and tried not to laugh as Levy started doing the sprinkler. After she continued the group had joined in too, garnering stares from others as they all stood, legs planted wide, knees bent, doing the best sprinkler they could.
It was moments like these that made life so beautiful to live for Lucy, the small moments where everyone's hearts were open and full. Moments like these had once been a rarity to her, but now they were present in her every waking minute. For a short second Lucy felt like a simply teenage girl dancing with her date at the dance, no traumatic past, no threats to worry about, just a girl and her friends being all they needed to be, kids.
Time continued to roll by as the group had their fun. They would dance until they would tire out, then head to the snack bar for some food, only to return back to the dance floor. Lucy graciously thanked herself for wearing the running shoes instead of heels as she watched as each of her friends pried off their shoes, blisters adorning their feet. The girls would have to go barefoot as they could not longer stand the death traps. Lucy laughed as she watched Levy took Gajeel's socks from him so that she had something to cover her cold toes. She felt so at ease, so full of laughter, that Laxus had finally slipped her mind, giving her a long overdue sense of peace in her mind and body.
The music soon slowed into a slow song; A thousand Years by Christina Perri slowly began to play as the dancers all coupled off for the slow song. Lucy felt Natsu pull her to him, his hands on her waist as she placed hers around his neck. They began to slowly dance to the song.
"Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt
Suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer."
Lucy and Natsu swayed to the music, her head buried in his chest as his head leaned in hers. He felt electricity wherever she touched him, sending waves of pure shock straight to his heart. He pulled away as he slowly spun her around. She let out a soft laugh as he spun her, her dress spinning with her and glittering under the fairy lights.
"I have died every day waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand yeas
I'll love you for a thousand more…"
Lucy looked up into Natsu's eyes, in them she saw her entire future clear as day. She would spend forever with the boy, together they would face the world. Together, they would be okay. Natsu caught her gaze and gave her a sweet smile. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, she blushed and leaned her head back against his chest, letting the song and Natsu envelop her in its warmth.
"Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath, everyone hour has come to this
One step closer…
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I have loved for a thousand more
All Along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more."
Natsu held Lucy tightly to him, scared the moment would fade away if he loosened his grip. This moment had been everything he wanted, everything he searched for after Lisanna. He had spent so long lingering on the past he almost had missed the girl right in front of him. From the minute he met her in the restaurant a year ago, she had taken up a special place in his heart and made it a home. She had picked up the pieces of his soul and mended them back together with her very being, her love made him whole, and he couldn't wait to tell her that. He continued to sway Lucy to the music as the song lulled them forward into a beautiful future.
"One step closer…
One step closer…
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more."
As the song came to an end his eyes wandered to Mira. It was time, Mira gave him the nod which let him know the Gazebo was prepped and ready to go. As the songs began to change Natsu grabbed Lucy's hand.
"I wanna take you somewhere." He said softly. She looked up at him and nodded, he pulled her gently as they soon left the Gym and walked outside.
Lucy didn't even notice the cold as she entered the outdoors. A path from the Ball's exit had been made from white flower petals and candles. She stared down in awe, the path lead to the Gazebo which she could see had been decorated with more flowers and candles from a far. She looked at Natsu, awe in her eyes. He gave her an endearing smile as they slowly walked down the beautifully crafted path.
When they reached the Gazebo Lucy gasped, Fairy lights lined the rails and banisters of the structure, small snowflakes hung from the ceiling and a bouquet of blue roses sat in the center. The soft sound of music flowed in the air from a hidden speaker in the gazebo, it played chasing cars by snow patrol. Natsu said nothing yet as he led her up the stairs.
Lucy struggled to form a coherent thought as she looked around her, Had Natsu done this? How long had he planned this for her? She opened her mouth the speak but no words came, she simply continued to stare in absolute astonishment.
Finally, Natsu broke the silence, he looked her deep in the eyes and began to say all the words he had wanted to all this time. "Luce, I have spent my entire life in the dark, searching. Searching for light, for someone to help me see. For the longest time I sat alone, scared I would forever be stuck living trapped in a darkened world. That was until I met you. You came in like a wildfire and lit my world ablaze. You picked me up off the floor and gave me the strength to see the world through the light, to see its beauty, to see your beauty under the sun. You unlocked parts of me I didn't even know I had stowed away, you reminded what the courage to fight looked like. You came and all of the sudden, the world wasn't so scary, with you the world is such a beautiful place." Natsu started. He had completely forgotten the script he had written so he chose to speak from the heart. He took a deep breath and took her hands within his shaking hands. He spoke once more, this time with more confidence as his hearts words overflowed into the air between them. He wanted Lucy to hear it all, every word, every thought. He wanted to give her a glimpse inside his mind.
"Lucy, I want you by my side, I want to be the person you run to on your best days, on your worst ones, and everything in between. I want to nap in your bed, I want to have pillow fights, I want to be yelled at by Alex for breaking all his mugs." He laughed. "Luce, there are so many things in this life I am unsure of, but you... You are the one thing I know for certain. I know that I am in love with you with my entire heart, soul and being. And every time I look at you, I fall in love all over again. I never believed in fate, but I think the universe was meant for me to find you. Luce I- no, Lucy…I-I love you… My heart has found its home within your arms… to me, you are my home, and always will be."
Lucy began to tear up, the passion is his voice brought forth a fire in her soul. She stared at the boy before her as he laid his soul raw for her to see. She felt a tear slip as she smiled. Unsure of what else to say, she let her heart respond.
"I love you too Natsu, I love you so much. I can't imagine a world without you by my side."
Natsu grinned widely as he felt the weight lift off his shoulders as Lucy responded. Suddenly it felt like pure light ran through his veins. He felt unstoppable. His smile so wide his cheeks hurt. He moved his hand to cup her cheek, wiping the tears the slipped free.
"Say you'll be mine." He said quietly. Lucy let out a soft laugh.
"Oh Natsu, but can't you see? I'm already yours."
Natsu took no time to lean down and kiss her, he wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled him flush against her. They both laughed and smiled as they kissed. They stayed like this for awhile, wrapped in each others embrace. Together the world was fight they could handle, in each others' arms, they had found a home.
Oblivious were the two to the on coming trouble. In the depths of the darkness Laxus rose, it was now time he made Natsu pay. It was time to set his plan in action; he would violently rip Lucy and Natsu from their dreams, scattering their souls into pieces on the floor. If only the couple new that what would be heading their way would shatter the ground beneath their feet…
Authors Note: AHHHHHH! Not gonna lie I thought I was gonna get more plot into this chapter but I'm not too mad I didn't. As much as I want to rush into the action I recognize that would ruin the story. I want my story to have detail, to give color to every detail. Anyways I hope you liked Natsu's confession. I kinda struggled to write it but I think it turned out okay, kinda cliché but this entire story is a best friend to lovers trope so I mean I'm already half way there. Anyways let me know what you think! I may reread this tomorrow and rewrite some parts but I won't be changing the plot of the chapter, just reword some things at most. Time to go study for my Biology Exam, Cya!
I DO NOT OWN THESE CHARACTER'S; I simply write the plot:) All rights are reserved by the creators of Fairy Tail.