I Dare You
Chapter 8
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.
Lucy's P.O.V
The sound of the whistle blowing echoes throughout the train, signaling that we have arrived at our destination and bringing me out of my sleep. I flutter my eyes open and realize I must have fallen asleep on Gray's lap, he was playing with my hair as I started waking up.
I blinked at him and smiled, "What?"
"Nothing. You're just so beautiful." He answered back so casually, no awkwardness in his voice, just complete admiration.
I got off him and stood up, stretching a bit as we got off the train, finally home in Magnolia. Everyone parts ways as they all go home to unpack and unwind from the trip. I put up the handle to my suitcase and started wheeling it behind me, Gray next to me with his duffel bag strapped over his shoulder and carrying my giant polar bear he won me at the arcade. I saw it last night sitting on the bed all adorable and got all excited over him. Gray told me how he won it for me and I thanked him, even slept snuggling the bear last night to Gray's disappointment. He started teasing me that maybe he shouldn't have gotten it for me if it meant that he was going to lose out on our snuggle time.
"Did you want to go home first before the guild to put your things away?" I asked him as we walked through the town.
"Actually would it be alright if I kept some of my stuff over at your place?" He asked, a little shy.
It's cute seeing this side of him. "Oh um of course. I don't mind, I'm sure I can find a drawer for your clothes."
He then took my hand in his and intertwined our fingers, bringing my hand to his lips and kissing it. I smiled up at him in awe at how sweet he really can be. I love knowing that I can bring this side out of him more often. Once we arrived at my apartment, I dug around my bag for my house keys, finally finding them I opened the door to let us in. I plopped my keys in the basket that I have on the end table sitting by the door and plop my bag there as well. I kicked off my flip flops, only wearing a strapless pink tube top with a tan skirt today. I then go into my room and plop my suitcase on my bed, sighing. I go through it and put all my dirty clothes in the laundry basket and put my toiletries away in my bathroom where they belong. While I'm busy unpacking Gray just sets his duffel down by my writing desk and puts the bear by my closet in the corner, then stands there.
"Do you need me to do a load of your clothes too?" I asked him.
He smiled, "You don't mind me doing my laundry here?"
I giggled, "Of course not. I just don't know if you can use my detergent, you aren't allergic to anything, are you?" I ask, worried.
He chuckled, "Not that I know of."
I smiled at him, "Well good. You can unpack your things here too, ya know. You've never stopped making yourself at home at my place before." I joke.
He chuckled, "I know Lucy. I just don't really have a lot to unpack, just some deodorant and shampoo. Rest is dirty clothes."
I nodded at him while I finished putting everything away and stored my suitcase once more. I grabbed his empty duffel bag and stored it with my suitcase in the bottom of my closet.
"Mind if I grab a shower?" He asks, I blush.
A shower. Here. In my apartment. Alone. My mind started wandering about how sexy he would be with water dripping down his shoulders and muscular chest… No! Get ahold of yourself Lucy! You've showered with him in the other room dozens of times, there is no reason to be this nervous. It's literally the same thing. Quit freaking out!
"Sure thing. Go on ahead." I managed to get out.
He smirked down at me, shirtless now. "You know if you want to come in with me, you can."
His breath was hot on my neck, sending shivers all over me. I pouted at him and play-hit his arm.
"Gray!"
He chuckled, "What I'm just saying, I don't mind if you look at me. It's only fair, I've seen you."
I gasped, this man seriously is pretty pervy but not that I mind. Why did I just admit that? I mean it is kinda nice to be noticed in that way. Being wanted feels good.
"Oh my god, did you have to remind me? That was so embarrassing." I groaned, remembering that time I accidentally lost the towel that was covering me up during the phoenix princess events.
He laughed then kissed my forehead and headed into the bathroom while I made myself busy and started cleaning up my apartment. Not being in it for 3 days was starting to make it smell musty and it was very dirty with it all collecting. I grabbed a bandana and tied it around my head to hold my hair back as I cleaned. I carried the dirty clothes bin downstairs to the little laundry room at the bottom of the building, between my dirty clothes and Gray, it made up one load so it wasn't really that bad. I poured in the detergent that smells like hibiscus and tropical scents, turned the dials of the washing machine and pushed the button to start it. I then left my basket in front of the washer and made my way back up to my apartment. I sighed and plopped on my couch once I got back inside to see a freshly showered Gray coming out into my living room in nothing but a towel around his waist and a smaller one to dry his hair with. It almost felt like my heart skipped a beat as I looked at him, crap he is incredibly attractive.
"Where did you go, princess?" He asked me.
"O-oh um I started the laundry."
"I would've helped you if you had waited." He says.
I nodded, "I know you would have. I just figured to get it out of the way."
"How long does your washer take?" He asks.
"Um, about a half hour. Why?"
"I was thinking of taking you somewhere." He said.
"Like a date? Our first official date." I asked, starting to get excited.
"Yeah, our first date." He said with a smile.
"Okay, but nothing too fancy. I am not in the mood to change." I said, giggling.
He laughed a little at that, "You got it. Nothing fancy, I think I have just the place in mind then."
"Great, just let me go fix my hair first." I said, already walking past him to get to my bathroom.
He nodded as he still had to get dressed, which I am assuming he left clothes out to change into. Once I get to the bathroom, I undo the bandana and set it on the counter then I grab my brush and brush out my hair. Then put it up in a high ponytail, and put my heart locket necklace on to give a nice touch to my outfit. Walking back out to my bedroom I catch Gray fiddling with the buttons on his shirt, already in his black cargo pants and black combat boots. I smile at him and go to him to help him with the rest of his shirt buttons. He smiled down at me then took notice of my locket, he reached out to touch it and my breath hitched a bit at the back that his hand is resting on top of my chest now.
"I've seen you wear this before. You used to wear it all the time, almost never taking it off. I remember it was a gift from Natsu last Christmas."
I smiled, "Yes I know."
"May I?" He asks, I nod.
He opens the clasp to find an old photo of my mother and father on one side and the other is of my mom holding me when I was a baby. One of my few cherished possessions.
"After I found out my father died when we finally got back home from Tenrou Island, remember the job Natsu and I went on?"
He nodded. "Well it technically wasn't a real job. I needed his help to go to my old family home to clean it out and put things in storage or to keep and bring home. Well going through some things I came across some old photos of me and my mom that I didn't even remember I had. When he gave this to me, he told me he remembered that and wanted me to always have my mom with me. He engraved the back, Lucky Lucy Heartfilia, since that's how I got my name." I explained.
He raised an eyebrow and I chuckled, "Oh right I don't think I told you that story. Okay so basically my parents met and fell in love at a merchant guild and after they got married and pregnant with me, their first business together was called Love & Lucky. But the sign wasn't fixed yet, the 'k' to lucky was missing so that's when mama had the idea to name the baby she was having Lucy if the baby was a girl." I explained the story, smiling at the memories of when my mother first told it to me.
"You never told me that story before. But Natsu knew?" He asked, a bit zoned.
I looked at him confused then grinned, "Wait, don't tell me you're actually starting to get jealous over Natsu." I teased.
He scuffed, "It's kind of hard not to, Lucy. He knows you more than anyone probably does, your close bond with him is something else. I want that closeness with you. I want to be the one you come to, not him." He admitted.
He sits on my bed looking a little defeated, I sit next to him and look at him with concern at his confession. I grabbed his hand.
"Oh Gray. You know that Natsu is just a friend, you're the one I want. We have forever to keep learning about each other." I said, trying to reassure and comfort him.
He sighed, "I know that. I just can't help but wish I were closer to you than he is."
I laughed at him, he really can be an idiot at times too. "Trust me Gray, you're plenty closer to me already. I won't let Natsu do this."
I started kissing his lips, softly and gentle as I guided his hands over to my waist. He smirks on my lips and pulls me closer to him and kisses me back.
I pulled away from him, "Better now?" I asked.
He smiled back at me, "Much."
"Come on, let's go." I said, grabbing his hand.
We both walked over to the door and as I grabbed my keys and my bag, I slipped on my flip flops once more as we left my apartment. I locked it up then we both walked down stairs into the streets, we walked for a while until we got to Delish, a popular cafe in town. I ordered a berry smoothie and chocolate chip muffin and Gray got a mango smoothie and a bagel sandwich with cheese and ham. We sat down to enjoy our meals, I opened my mouth for a bite of his sandwich and he happily shared. He was right, it is fun this way. We were sitting outside enjoying the weather and each other's company, it was a lovely first date that is until clouds started forming.
"Woah where is this freak weather coming from?" Gray asked out loud.
I looked up and all around until my eyes settled on the girl standing behind Gray. Her head down and hands clasped together and I can tell she is squeezing them tight. Juvia.
I stood up from my seat, Gray looked at me confused then did the same, turning around I swear he sucked in some air.
"J-juvia." He stuttered out.
"When I overheard Mira talking to Laxus at the guild about love rival and Gray-sama being together, I didn't believe it. Now it's starting me in the face. You'd rather be with her."
Her words were like knives stabbing me. Juvia, I'm sorry. Maybe I am a horrible friend after all.
"Juvia-" I started but she cut me off.
"Save it. I don't want to hear from you. I thought you were my friend but you only wanted me to think that so you could get closer to Gray-sama."
I gasped a little, hurt that she'd think that low of me, "That's not at all what happened, Juvia."
Gray touched my shoulder, "Let me go talk to her. I'll be back, okay?"
I looked up into his eyes and saw how uncomfortable and hurt he was over knowing how this could end badly. I nodded and watched him sigh and leave as he went over to Juvia.
"Juvia, you know I never meant to hurt you. You are still one of my dearest friends and I appreciate all that you've done for me. I just can't, I can't return your feelings for me. I was already in love with someone else, I just never acted on it before because I know what it would do to you and well Lucy and I are friends. I didn't think she would return my feelings for her." Gray said, explaining it to her.
"I understand. Lucy has Gray-sama's heart, not me. It is not such a surprise for me, it just hurts to know it's real. I already knew this could happen someday. I noticed all the times you looked at her while I looked at you. I know love when I see it. That's why Lucy is my love rival, but not anymore since there is no competition to win your heart." Juvia said, sadly.
"I really am sorry Juvia." He said, looking down.
She nodded, "You do seem to be happier now and that's all I really want for you. I will learn to let you go but I'll always have a place for you in my heart."
She then sighed and walked over to me, reaching out for my hand. I let her take it. "Take care of him, Lucy."
I smiled at her, "I will."
She sighed then looked around her, realizing she might have interrupted a date she started blushing.
"Apologies, enjoy the remainder of your date." She said, bowing then walked away.
Once she left the skies went back to normal and we let out a breath we didn't know that we were holding. We paid our bill then decided to go back to my apartment, finish up the laundry, and just try to relax after the long day we've had. We were sitting on my couch now, watching a movie. He was sitting up right and I was laying on him as he played with my hair. I sat up and kissed Gray's cheek.
"I'm going to get some iced tea, do you want any?" I asked as I was getting off the couch.
"Sure." He said, kissing me.
I walked out to my kitchen and grabbed two glasses from the cabinet, setting them on my island countertop, then went in the fridge to grab the tea pitcher and put it back. I then open my freezer to get out my ice cube tray, only to realize there is no ice left. Gray walks out with me and smirks as he makes some ice cubes with his magic to put in our drinks.
I giggled, "Of course you would."
He chuckled then took a sip of his tea as I did the same. He walked over to me and brought me in close for a kiss. Then broke away a short time after, smiling at me.
"At least you'll know that you will never be out of ice now." He said, grinning.
I giggled and play-hit his arm, "You are such an idiot."
I reached up to wrap my arms around his neck and kissed him again. I may not know what the future may hold for us but what I do know is that all of this was worth the risk. Some people are worth risking it all.
Writing this story was really fun and I hope you all loved it as much as I had writing it. I am honored by all my fans for supporting me in writing this fanfic and those who kept motivating me to get this done. Thank you all for your love and support, it really means alot to me. Now, on to the next story.
-AngelWings46846