I Dare You
Chapter 7
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
Lucy quietly finished eating the cinnamon roll I got for her, humming as she ate. She would pull some pieces apart to feed some to me. I tried to decline at first but this girl is too stubborn sometimes for her own good and lets not forget dramatic. Told me she wasn't going to eat for the rest of the day if I didn't let her share. I shook my head at her a bit, this girl, just won't quit until she gets her way. Afterwards she grabs some clothes and goes to change in the bathroom, I take that as an opportunity to change as well. Getting in my black cargo shorts and purple shirt, putting my sandals on as she comes out wearing her teal top that splits down under her boobs and a blue jean mini skirt, her hair up in a side ponytail. I watch her silently for a while, watching her grab some lotion and rub it all over her arms, neck and chest and re-adjusts her boobs in her bra. I bite my lip to keep myself in check.
She looks over and notices me watching her, "What? If guys can openly fix their junk in public I should be able to fix mine."
I chuckle and shake my head, "Fair point. Though I'd stop doing that in front of me, unless you want a recurrence of last night."
She blushed, "Sorry."
Then she looked up and smirked at me, mischievously. "Am I seriously that tempting to you?"
I smirk back, "You have no idea."
"I'll keep that in mind." She said, giggling as she now sits and puts on her tan wedges.
I shake my head at her then notice how after she's done buckling the straps, her fingers linger on her ankle and I watch how she moves her hand slowly up her leg, resting at her knees. Then ever so slowly up her thigh, pulling back her skirt then just before her panty line she gets up and walks away. Grabbing the room key she puts it in her bag then puts it on her shoulder. Such a tease.
"Coming, Gray?" She asks, tilting her head, acting innocent.
I walked up behind her and hugged her, "I'm totally getting you back for that later."
She giggles, "Whatever do you mean?"
I purse my lips at her and shake my head, choosing to let it go for now we both leave our room and head downstairs to the lobby where everyone else is probably waiting for us.
"LuLu!" Levy shouted excitedly as she saw her best friend.
Lucky giggled as she hugged Levy. "You're awfully cheerful this morning. What happened?"
"Love Lu, love happened. Gajeel and I, Gray and you and now Natsu and Lisanna. Last night after you went to bed, the both of them confessed and are together now. So much love and happiness is all around us. It's wonderful."
Lucy smiled, a smile so genuine it makes your heart ache.
"Yes, that is wonderful. You're right."
Levy's eyes just about bugged out of her head when she caught a glimpse of Lucy's ring on her right hand. She grabbed her friend's hand then looked at her, expectedly. Lucy was confused at first since it's the same hand her pink emblem is on, then started blushing once she figured out what Levy was asking. Kind of amazing how close of a bond they have to know what the other wants to say without even saying anything. I wonder if that'll ever happen between Lucy and I.
"Oh that. Gray surprised me this morning with a promise ring. See, he has one too." Lucy said, taking my hand to show Levy.
Levy's eyes sparkled in awe, "Oh that is the sweetest thing. Gajeel, why don't you do sweet things like this for me?"
My lips went flat as I tried to suppress laughing out loud. Gajeel got annoyed quickly as his pride was just wounded.
"What? I wrote you a song before!" He yells in defense.
Levy pouts and sighs, "I know."
Lucy rubbed her friend's back for comfort, "Awe Lev, I'm sure with Gray's help Gajeel will become quite the romantic too."
"The hell! I'm plenty romantic! And I don't need help from anyone!" Gajeel yelled.
"It wouldn't kill you." Levy muttered, looking down at the ground and kicking her foot.
Gajeel then turned to me and I put my hands up in surrender, "You are not gonna show me up, ice boy." He said, pointing at me.
He then strutted over to the girls and swooped Levy off her feet and kissed her, in front of everyone including strangers and the staff of the resort. He spun her around then put her back down, Levy stubbled a bit as she tried to regain her footing.
"Now how's that for being romantic?" He asked her triumphantly.
Levy blushed and giggled, "I love you, Gajeel."
Lucy laughed smiling at her best friend and leaned over to me, "They are so cute together, don't you think?"
I nodded and kissed her temple, "They are but on a real note, I'm more romantic right?"
Lucy looked up at me and smiled, "Most definitely."
In that single moment I knew how lucky I was to be with the girl beside me. Euphoria, pure happiness wash over me in a tidal wave and I never want that feeling to go away.
"Natsu!" Lucy yelled, waving over to him as she left my side.
He looked over and smiled at Lucy as she hugged him. "I am so happy for you." She told him, smiling.
He blinked a few times, "What do you mean?"
Lucy pulled away and looked at him confused, "Uh you and Lisanna? Levy told me you're together now."
He started blushing, "Oh y-yeah we are."
Her smile came back in an instant, "So, aren't you gonna tell me how?"
Natsu shrugged, "Well we were dancing and I looked at her, she was just so pretty I ended up blurting it out that I love her. Then that's that."
"Aw, that's sweet Natsu."
Natsu saw Lucy's hand too and grew wide eyed, "Luce! You and Gray are married?!"
He grabbed the poor girl's arm and started to freak out causing a scene in one of the only ways Natsu can, this got the attention of everyone else and they all came over here and circled us. I looked around annoyed, then caught Erza's eye and was left afraid. That look on her face was as if she might kill me.
"Gray?! If you forced Lucy to elope I will end you." Erza said, I was taken aback by the viciousness in her voice.
"You guys are married?" Lisanna asked, confused.
"Oh my well that was fast. How soon will there be babies?" Mira asked.
Lucy looked around all our friends, clearly embarrassed and not knowing what to say with all the overwhelming auras everyone was radiating.
"Uh…" Was all Lucy could get out until I had enough of the bombarding.
"Shut it! Lucy and I aren't married, it's just a promise ring. Geez guys, can't a guy do something nice for his girlfriend without all the crazy assumptions?!" I yelled, not caring who heard me.
Silence followed at my outburst and Lucy and I were met with blinking and blank stares, until they all erupted in cheer for us. The girls swooned and Natsu looked surprised.
"Who knew you had it in ya." Natsu said.
"It's so nice to see there's a sensitive side to you, Gray." Erza said, happily and smiling as if her death glare to me didn't just happen.
After a while everyone started to calm down and talk among themselves as we walked out to the patio, enjoying the nice weather.
"Well, today is our last night here at the resort so what does everyone want to do?" Mira asked.
Lisanna giggled, "You mean you don't know? I thought you planned the whole vacation."
"I did mostly. But it's the last day and I'm stumped, all there is really left to announce is that the train back to Magnolia leaves at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning. I have everyone's ticket to hand out as we wait for the train." Mira said, sighing.
"What about the spa by the hot springs?" Levy asked.
"You're right we haven't checked that out yet. Let's go then meet back here for lunch, sound good?" Erza asked everyone.
Lucy started getting excited as she started rambling about all the services they provide. Mud bath, seaweed wrap, manicures and pedicures, hot rock therapy, sauna/steam room, waxing and lastly a massage.
"Ya know, if you need a massage that badly you can ask me." I said, teasing her.
She blushed faintly then smiled, "I know."
That was all she said before kissing my cheek and joining the other girls towards the facility. All us guys stayed behind a bit as the girls left, we all shared looks.
"Do any of you really want a spa day?" Gajeel asked.
Natsu shrugged, "Not really."
"Same. I can only deal with so much heat, I'd die if we went into the sauna." I admitted.
"Ooo I know! There's an arcade somewhere, why don't we go there." Natsu suggested, getting excited.
Gajeel smacked Natsu on the back then patted it a few times, "For once you don't have a bad idea, salamander."
Natsu grinned at his good idea then we all started walking towards the arcade. They had a bunch of games in there from pinball machines to air hockey. I'll have to take Lucy to a place like this sometime, I know she'll have a blast here. We played many games having fun, collecting up on our tickets to cash in for prizes. I've got my eye on the giant stuffed polar bear wearing a blue bow tie ribbon for Lucy.
"That's game Natsu, pay up." I said, cockily holding my hand out for some of his tickets.
We bet on whoever won air hockey that they'd give up a portion of their tickets, Natsu begrudgingly handed me a handful of them.
"Thank you, kindly." I said smirking, this should be enough tickets now to get that bear for Lucy.
I look over at the clock, the time reading 4:36pm. Hmm the girls should be all done with their spa day, I let the guys know of the time and we all agreed to finish up here at the arcade then make our way over to the dining hall. I got the bear for Lucy, Gajeel found a charm bracelet for Levy and Natsu won Lisanna, a stuffed snow leopard from the claw machine. I went up the room first to put the bear on the bed, I'll surprise Lucy with it later. I then went down to the dining hall and the guys and I found all the girls chatting and eating. I walked up to Lucy and gave her a hug from behind. She almost choked on her strawberry that she was in the middle of eating by my sudden presence.
"Hey, princess."
She coughed a little then smiled and squeezed my arm, "Hey. What happened to you guys?" She asked, taking another bite.
"We hung out at the arcade." I told her.
"Yeah, a spa day didn't interest us as much. We're glad you ladies had fun though." Natsu explained.
"Oh, that sounds like fun." Mira said.
I leaned down and nodded to Lucy, she looked back at me a bit confused.
"Oh, did you want some?" She asked, holding her half eaten strawberry.
I opened my mouth and she fed me the rest of the berry, giggling. "You know you could just use your words next time."
I fished, chewing the sweet fruit and swallowing it, "Where's the fun in that?"
She giggled, "You're so weird."
"So are you." I said back, smiling at her.
"So what did you girls do?" Gajeel asked, sitting down behind Levy.
"We got mani and pedis, and massages. Oh and did you guys know that Sting was here? I guess he and some of his guildmates are here on vacation as well. Anyways he started bothering Lu, you should've seen her man handle him, it was so funny." Levy said, recalling the memory.
Lucy was shaking her head at the girl, telling her to quit talking. Levy puts her hands over her mouth and says 'oops, sorry Lu' then she puts her head down as she just spilled something Lucy obviously asked her not to tell me about. What was that about? Does she not want me to know about when other men hit on her?! The hell.
I stiffen at the news, growing annoyed, "And why didn't you tell me?"
She rolled her eyes, "Because you guys just got here and because of that reaction right there."
"What? Is it wrong for me to want to defend you?" I asked.
"No but I can take care of myself. I've been doing it way before you were in the picture, I'm not some damsel in distress." Clear irritation in her voice.
"I never said you were, what's with the attitude?"
She shrugged, "There is no attitude."
"Could've fooled me." I muttered.
Everyone shared looks, feeling the tension now between Lucy and I. Mira was the first to speak. "Lucy, Gray knows you aren't incompetent, honey. There's nothing wrong with your boyfriend wanting to defend your honor."
"There is if I know he'll murder that person for the shit he tried to pull." She grumbled under her breath.
The girls shared knowing looks and nodded in agreement, "Anyone care to fill me in?" I asked, irritated.
"Sting forced a kiss on Lucy." Lisanna admits, mouthing a 'sorry' to Lucy.
I could feel myself growing with anger, the arrogance of that asshole has been going on long enough. Lucy slumped over the table and groaned.
"Guys, thanks a lot for keeping that between us." She said, annoyed and sarcastic.
"We are sorry Lucy, but Gray should know." Erza said, arms crossed over her chest.
"I seriously didn't want this to become a thing, it's not that big of a deal. I handled it, end of story. Can we please drop this now?" She asked, sighing.
The girls sighed not wanting to push the irritated blonde any further to avoid a fight so they started chatting about different topics like wondering what to do the rest of the night and when to have time to pack for the morning so we can catch our train. Natsu and Gajeel engaged in the conversation but I couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to find Sting and punch the ever living shit out of him. I watched Lucy as she was stolen, lips tight in a frown. Suddenly she got up and announced that she was going to walk the shore line if anyone wanted to join her. I immediately got up and walked behind her, the rest of the group staying behind to give us some privacy.
I followed her in silence as we began walking with her holding her shoes by the straps. I know she likes to feel the warmth of the sand beneath her feet. She suddenly stops and plops her shoes on the sand and lays down. I laid down next to her, holding myself up with an arm, looking over at her.
"Can we please not do this? I really don't want to argue." She said, stubborn as ever.
"Fine. We won't argue, we'll just talk."
She sighed, "Fine."
"Can you tell me why Sting keeps bothering you?"
She shrugged, "Cause he's an asshole. We have a past."
I stayed silent as I was not expecting that answer to come from her lips. She sighed seeing my expression and sat up, picking at the sand with her hands.
"It was after the GMG's and we made amends with Sabertooth. Anyways sometimes on the jobs I'd take by myself, I'd run into Sting. We became friends. He started writing letters to me every so often and I'd answer him. I developed a crush on him and we even almost dated until I caught him with another girl. He led me on then crushed my heart. He knows it and continues to use that knowledge to his sick enjoyment to boost his stupid ego and be the arrogant prick we all know today." She explained.
I nodded understanding. "Lucy, you don't have to be afraid to tell me these things. I'm not going to go on a rampage like you think. Yes I will definitely want to fight the asshole for what he did to you but I know when to pick my fights and if you want to just let it go and move on then that's what we'll do. I just seriously hope that asshole got the hint now or I won't hold back. He's bothered you twice now while we've been here."
She smiled slowly, "I kneed him in the groin, sure to wound his pride that way."
I chuckled at that, just imagining it, is hilarious. We both laughed softly at it then she grew quiet again.
"He came over to me at first saying things about you." She admitted, tears glossing her honey brown eyes.
"Like what?"
"He said I shouldn't be dating you, I should date a real man. I told him that you were twice the man that he thinks he is. That's when he grabbed me and said I should let him show me how to properly turn me into a 'woman' instead of you, accusing that you'd be bad in bed. I told him that my intimate life is none of his business and to get a reality check. Then he said that he was going to prove it and that's when he kissed me. I bit his lip really hard enough to end up drawing blood, then kneed him in the groin and then I smacked him across the face and told him to never touch me again." She finally explained everything that happened.
"Okay. I can't promise you that I won't pummel the shit outta him the next time I see his arrogant, narcissistic face."
She smiled and giggled, leaned over to me and kissed me. She pulled away shortly after and looked me in the eye.
"I know. But just know that he isn't the one I see my future with so whatever he does or tries to do, it doesn't matter to me. You're all I see."
I looked at her, her eyes shining in the sunlight making them look like deep topaz and her hair cascading her face in the most perfect way. She really is breathtaking. I reach up to brush some hair behind her ear and pull her in for a kiss. I really, really love this girl. In every language, in every lifetime, I am completely and utterly in love with his girl. Unconditionally.