I Dare You
Chapter 5
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. No copyright intended. I do own the story line, because I made that all up with my brain.
Gray's P.O.V
I stand there hardly believing what has just happened before my very eyes. She reciprocated my feelings for her. I am beyond happy. I want to know so much more about her now, like how she discovered that she even thought of me in that way. Or how long had she secretly felt something for me but brushed it off in the name of friendship. There is so much we need to talk about but for now, I need to see where this goes from here. Here goes.
"Lucy, will you be my girlfriend?" I asked her, smiling nervously.
"Of course." She said, that smile of hers shining at me.
"Are you two finally going out now?!" Mira yelled over to us.
"Yes." We both answered her in union.
We soon then walked back over to the group, Lucy immediately getting swept away by the girls to go off somewhere to get all the details.
"Good for you man, I'm happy for both you and Bunny girl." Gajeel said, congratulating me.
"Thanks man. Same goes for you and Levy. Now it's just Natsu's turn." I said, smirking at the dragon slayer.
"What? Is everyone just getting together today?! First Gajeel and Levy and now you and Luce. Just cause you two decided to be random doesn't mean that I do. I wanna do somethin nice for Lisanna, maybe take her on a date or somethin." He said annoyed at first then turned a bit sheepish at admitting his more sensitive side.
"Whelp, better get to planning something. Cause unless you tell her before tomorrow, she'll be hearing it from me." I teased him, reminding him of our deal. I kept my end and now it's his turn.
Natsu sighed annoyed, "Yeah, yeah I know."
"Besides, it'll be perfect payback for playing a bit too rough with Lucy. You caused a bruise on her, hot-head." I explained.
Natsu's eyes got wide at the realization, "I did? Oops."
"Oops is all you have to say?" I said getting irritated at him.
"What?! I already apologized to her plus she said that she's fine!"
"Sometimes fine isn't fine! She just doesn't want you to feel bad, you freakin pyro!"
"She's tough, she can handle it. I think I know MY best friend more than you, ice princess."
"Yeah well she's MY girlfriend, pretty sure that beats the best friend!"
"Nuh-uh, frostbite!"
"Oh yeah? How so, moron?!"
"Boyfriends come and go but best friends are forever!"
"Well too damn bad cause I'm not planning on leaving her anytime soon! So deal with it!"
"What are you gonna do then, marry her?!"
"Possibly, what's it to ya, lava brains?!"
"Oh nothing, just the fact that she clearly has poor taste in men, if she's got the hots for you, you pervy streaker!"
"Alright. Enough!" A voice shouted out, as our heads got smacked together.
The red-headed requip mage standing over us with arms crossed, like she's a mother scolding her two unruly children. I always hated that look on her face. I'm 18 years old, I don't need to be scolded like that. Most of us are around that age, I know Lucy is 17, Natsu is 19 now and Erza is 20, etc. Natsu and I grumble, arms crossed and looking away from her.
"Now boys, isn't it best to use this time to spend peacefully getting along and having fun with our comrades on this generous vacation that Mira worked so hard to set up?"
"Yes, ma'am." We said in union.
Lucy came up to me, her hand over her lips trying to hide a smile. She gets on her tiptoes to kiss the spot on my forehead that got smacked with Natsu's head. Those soft perfect lips soothing the pain, and I smiled back at her.
"You two I swear." she giggled while shaking her head.
I smiled at her then pulled her up to a kiss, spinning her around. She giggled as she let go and noticed bystanders gawking at us.
"Maybe we should refrain from the PDA."
I scuffed, "I don't care. I'll kiss you as many times as I want to."
She blushed and giggled at what I said but it's the truth. I don't care where or who is around, I want the world to know that she's mine and I am hers. She looked away then took my hand.
"C'mon let's go. I need to talk to you, privately." She said, whispering so the others don't hear her.
I don't know why but I suddenly got nervous. I let her lead me down the beach, both of us walking along the shore for a while, holding hands in silence. She sighs before she finally speaks.
"How long have you had feelings for me? I'm still trying to wrap my brain around everything."
I sighed, understanding now why she wanted us to be alone. "I can't exactly pinpoint it, I just always knew the feelings were there."
She nodded, "Why didn't you say anything before?"
I rubbed the back of my neck, "Well, we were friends. I didn't want to screw anything up that was already between us plus I didn't think you felt the same way. And there was Juvia."
At the sound of her name, Lucy stopped, looking to the ground. Watching the waves go back and forth with the tide.
"Right. I understand." She said quietly, still looking away from me.
"Hey don't be like that, I didn't mean it in that way. I admit I do care for her but I see her as nothing but a friend and she knows it too. If anything she annoys the shit out of me, I hate being fawned over like that, I really do not like that kind of attention. It makes me seriously uncomfortable. It's just hard for me to say anything knowing it'll crush her. I don't like seeing anyone upset, especially if it's because of me." I tried to explain.
She shook her head, "N-no I get it. Trust me, I do. It just makes me feel like shit, being in love with you."
I'm taken aback, is she seriously hating herself for how she feels about me?
"Woah, what?"
She sniffed and that's when I realized that she was crying, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to say it like that. It's just, Juvia is my friend. We're not exactly close but she is still a dear friend. I know exactly how she feels and I know how it is to lose someone you love. I never thought I could steal my friend's crush but here we are. But I also know it would kill me inside if I didn't admit my feelings for you. I love you Gray and I want to be with you. She is seriously going to hate me when we get back home and she hears the news."
I bring her in for a hug knowing her words are true. I admit it does make me feel horrible too, I know full well that this is going to break Juvia's heart but I just can't love her the way she wants me to. My heart is already in someone else's hands way before she even knew.
"Hey, for one you didn't steal me from her. I was never her's to begin with, Lucy. I know she'll be heartbroken but she'll heal over time. I also know that you are a very good friend, the empathy and compassion you have is unmatched. But sometimes you need to put yourself first and know that's okay to do so. You can't make everyone happy all the time, Lucy. It's not your job to please everyone, just be happy with yourself. You deserve to be happy, Lucy, more than anyone and if I have a part to play in keeping that happiness alive in you, then I am glad to do so."
I felt her nod against me as her tears stained my chest, but I didn't care. "You really are amazing, you know that?"
I smiled down at her and hugged her tight, "We'll get through this, alright?"
She sighed and took my hand once more, head resting on my arm as we stood there side by side, looking out at the horizon.
"So, when did you start to realize you totally had the hots for me?" I said, lightening the mood and teasing her.
Her laughter filled the air between us, "Honestly? Last night. The girls helped me through that realization."
I smirked, "Oh?"
"Yeah, it helped to say all that was jumbled in my mind and once they got me to talk about it, it became clear. I think it was there in small bits but I never entertained those thoughts. But that had more to do with me than with you."
I raised an eyebrow at her, confused. She sighed then sat down, legs criss crossed, I sat down next to her.
"What I'm about to say is a bit embarrassing. I don't usually talk about this kind of stuff unless you're Levy." She started, I nodded understanding her close bond with the solid script mage.
She let out a breath and rubbed her hands on her lap, "Okay. Sometimes it's hard for me to believe that anyone could ever love me. I've always been a nuisance in my father's eyes, so I grew up believing that's all I will ever be. Being here, in Fairy Tail, opened my heart to possibilities. That there are those out there that truly care about me, those that love me. It's still strange to me but I'm getting used to it. I cherish this guild and everyone in it. So the idea of you ever having feelings for me, was always absurd to me, I'd wave it off. Being friends is all I'd ever be with you."
"Lucy…" Was all I could say at hearing one of her more vulnerable confessions. She's trusting me with her heart.
She bit her lip, getting nervous, "I told you it was embarrassing."
I grabbed her hands in mine and squeezed them, reassuring her. "Not at all, thank you for trusting me enough to tell me. But I'm not lying to you in any way possible, I do love you and I'll do anything to prove that to you. You will always be loved by me, I don't ever want you to think otherwise."
"Okay."
She sighed wiping her tears and tried laughing, bringing a small smile on her face. "Now that the heavy stuff is out there I need to make some boundaries as far as intimacy goes."
"Of course, I won't do anything you are not comfortable with."
She nods, "I know you won't, one of the reasons why I love you."
I smiled at her and she smiled back. "Firstly, have you had any girlfriends before me?"
"Well, I've had a few dates here and there but nothing serious. If you want to know if I'm still a virgin, the answer is yes. You don't have to be shy with me, Lucy." I said, smirking playfully at her.
She giggled, "Okay. Same for me." She said then sighed.
"I just want to take things slow for now as this is new to me."
I nodded, "That's fine, Lucy. We can do things however you're comfortable with."
"Yes but I want to make sure that you are okay with it too. Like, I'm not just going to jump you or anything if you don't want me to."
I laughed at that, "Trust me beautiful, if you wanted to jump me and have sex on this beach right now I totally would. There's nothing I wouldn't want you to do to me."
Lucy blushed madly almost instantly after hearing me tell her that. I love knowing that I could get those reactions out of her. I laughed at her reaction and she smiled, laughing with me. We both sighed and decided to get up. The sun was setting and it's getting late, soon it would be time for dinner. Lucy grabbed the shirt she had on before from her back pants pocket to put it back on but before she could I snatched it.
"Hey!" She said,
"I like you much better with it off." I teased.
She puffed out her cheeks irritated but couldn't hide her blush. "Haha, very funny."
Once we met back up with the group everyone decided to go get ready then come back down to leave for dinner. I threw on a t-shirt and pants while Lucy changed in the bathroom, came out wearing a purple tank top and tan shorts, putting her hair up in a ponytail. Mira told us of some fancy restaurant in the resort. She thought it would be a nice idea to go there and celebrate the new couples. Everyone sits around the table eating.
"That does sound lovely Mira but I don't know if any of us packed for a fancy night out." Lisanna says.
"Oh that's fine, there's plenty of shops we could go to around the town. I'm sure we will find something." Mira said happily.
"Ooo shopping." Levy said, hand clasped together in excitement.
Lucy laughed as she looked over at her friend, "Well if we want to find something by tonight I suggest we get going before the stores all close." Erza said, standing.
The girls all nodded in agreement, after putting their dishes up to the dirty dish cart we all left. Luckily the town wasn't that far from the resort, just about a 20 minute walk. Mostly the girls chatted on the way there like what kind of dresses they wanted to wear, walking all ahead of us. Gajeel chuckled to himself as he adjusted Levy's wallet in his pocket.
"Not even together for a whole day and these women already have us carrying their stuff for them." He said amused, darting eyes over to my shoulder where I'm carrying Lucy's bag.
I chuckled, "To be fair, we offered."
"True, what were we thinking?" He said with a smirk.
"We will probably need to find a dress shirt or somethin." I said, thinking aloud. I wouldn't want to stand out like a sore thumb.
Gajeel cringed, "Don't remind me. I hate wearing those monkey suits but if it'll make Levy drool over me it'll be totally worth it."
"I don't even know how to buy those kinds of clothes." Natsu admitted.
I smirked, "Don't worry buddy, we will help you."
"Mira!" Lucy yelled at her, which got all of our attention.
"I can't believe you just said that! I am so not listening to this anymore." Lucy said, covering her ears for emphasis.
"Lucy, there is nothing wrong with being curious." Mira said, giggling.
"She has a point though Mira. I love you but I don't need to hear about you and Laxus getting all hot and heavy." Lisanna said, shuddering a little.
"Plus I don't think she should take any tips from you, Mira." Erza interjected, matter-of-factly.
Levy started laughing, "Yeah with your advice, Lu would be pregnant in a week."
The girls all erupted in laughter but I just kinda paled there, blush heating up on my face. Is this what these girls always talk about?
"What are you talking about?!" Natsu asked, annoyed walking over to the girls.
"Oh nothing Natsu, just some girl stuff." Lisanna said, avoiding the subject.
To which the idiot just shrugged it off and walked away, finding the men's formal wear shop. Gajeel shook his head as he handed Levy her wallet and kissed her forehead before leaving and catching up with Natsu. I walked up behind Lucy and lowered my lips to her ear.
"Don't worry princess. I won't get you pregnant any time soon, unless you want me to." I said, voice low.
I felt her stiffen against my breath on her skin. I know full well of what I cause this girl to go through and I am most definitely enjoying every second of it. I then kissed her neck, while putting her bag strap in her hands. Making her blush instantly more than what I already caused. I walked away to catch up with the rest of the guys with a smirk on my face, listening to the girls swoon over our interaction.