When Lucy had woken up the next morning she thought she was still dreaming.
She was tangled up in Natsu's arms like she was his wife and her entire face was instantly flushed as she listened to his soft snores. He was incredibly warm and it didn't help that her nightie was hiked up to her waist and her entire panties were on full display. She was glad she was the first to wake up and she shifted herself to pull away from him to avoid any misunderstanding. But as she turned to lay on her side, she felt Natsu reel her into his chest and she was scowling at nothing in particular.
She was stiff and quiet, wondering if he was awake but the way his snoring rumbled in her ear, she let out the breath she held.
Was this how it felt to be held in bed? Why did it have to feel so good when it came from Natsu of all people?
Its not like she had the experience to compare it with but it made her pissed off that she didn't have the experience to compare it to. Now Natsu was automatically number one in her chart because he was the only one on her chart. And this guy had the biggest head she's ever seen and she knew she shouldn't give him the satisfaction of him being a good cuddler (is this even a thing?) but he was. He was warm and hard against her body and he made her want to fall back asleep.
She didn't even know she did till she woke up and found her boyfriend staring at her with his arm hung loosely around her hip. Lucy had jumped half a mile away and she had to stifle the scream that bubbled in her throat as she jerked away. He seemed amused and watched how she yanked the blanket over herself and scowled at him, sticking to the other side of the large mattress.
"W—what are you doing, creep?"
"Just watching my girlfriend sleep." He said so casually with a toothy grin.
It made her narrow her eyes and growl, clutching the sheets closer to her. "I know that," she hissed. "Why?"
"Because you're pretty," He shrugged and Lucy already cursed the higher ups for putting her in such a position. "And you talk in your sleep. It's cute."
"I—I do not!"
Natsu just ignored her cries of protest as he stretched like a cat, groaning as his joints popped. "They said breakfast was ready and to come down whenever we're up."
"How long ago?"
"Uh, maybe twenty? Thirty?" He looked up to the ceiling as if it had the answers.
Lucy groaned, feeling embarrassed and shaken up so early in the morning. She knew she should have just gotten up and fought him off this morning and now here she was, face fifty shades of red, and heart pounding. And she was still in her nightie! She couldn't imagine the lewd classless things he must have been imagining as she laid there, vulnerable and defenseless to his eyes.
Lucy felt like she's been in this constant loop of stress and embarrassment and she could only groan before burying her hand in her hands.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" She asked while he got out of bed.
Natsu looked over at her while he scratched the side of his abdomen, shrugging. "You were cute."
"Don't say those kinds of things so easily!" She cried out, tossing a pillow in his direction but it missed.
Natsu could only roll his eyes as he picked up the pillow to toss back on to the bed. "You're mad when I'm nice and you're mad when I'm an asshole. Pick a struggle, Lucy." He snickered at the scowl that mirrored her face and he watched as she tossed the blanket off of her before she was stomping into their shared bathroom. He appreciated the nightie once more as she did her business and then she came out with a silk robe wrapped around herself and it made him smile even more. "I dig the robe."
"You 'dig' everything." Lucy rolled her eyes while she came over to stand in front of him.
His eyes raked across her body, seeing how she had shifted her weight to one leg to pop her hip out and how she had her arms crossed for her voluptuous chest to be pushed up even more. She had a small blush on her cheeks as she looked at him with a pout and even with the mess of her bed hair, he was nodding in approval.
He mirrored her stance, lolling his head to the side with a smirk. "Damn, Lucy, are you always this hot in the mornings?"
The way her face grew crimson was enough for him and he chuckled, turning away to leave as she cried out yet another insult at him.
The two were in good spirits as they came out of their room, playfully nudging one another and rolling their eyes. They all seemed to be surprised and pleased at the progression the two had made when they came into the dining room. It grew quiet with curiosity and the two were feeling awkward and spied on as they took their seats.
"What?" Natsu was first to ask as he reached for the orange juice to pour himself a glass.
"How was your night?" Grandine was first to ask, smiling wide and looking over from Lucy back to her son. "Anything interesting?"
"No?" It was more of a question than an answer as he now reached for some pancakes.
"Really?" Layla asked, a small pout on her lips as she turned to look at her daughter who raised her brow. "Nothing?"
"What are you implying?" Lucy scrunched her face up, picking up a bowl of fresh fruit.
"Nothing," Layla sighed, exchanging disappointing looks with her best friend who also frowned. "Well, we're planning on going down to the beach today. Wendy really wants to," Layla smiled at the small child across from her and the said girl beamed. "Figured we could get our belongings together, have the chefs pack us some lunch, and head down around eleven."
"Sounds like a plan," Jude piped up, supporting his wife in anything and everything.
"We can get the net set up for some volleyball." Igneel said, making Grandine coo and clap excitedly. "I'll have to look for the ball."
"Thank god it's volleyball," Natsu smirked at Lucy who glared at him. "Or are you just bad at all sports, Lucy?"
"Shut up, Natsu, I can most definitely beat you!"
"I'd like to see you try without cheating."
Lucy scoffed, taking a sip of her morning tea. "Sore loser."
"Cheater."
"Liar!"
"Whiner."
"Ugh!" Lucy looked over at her father who was at it again with the ignoring to stay out of it. "Daddy!"
Jude exchanged a knowing look with Natsu who smiled back, a wink being tossed his way while Lucy gawked in disbelief.
"Actually," Igneel spoke up before anything else could get stirred up. "We Dragneel are pretty competitive and good at sports." He flashed a grin at his wife who perked up at this. His eyes landed on Layla's who was smirking at him from across the table.
"The Heartfillia's are the same," Layla waved her butter knife around. "Most definitely competitive."
"Oh, no." Jude said, making Layla's grin widen.
"Oh, yes."
"That settles it." Igneel slapped his palm against the table catching everyone's attention. "Dragneel versus Heartfillia. Volleyball match at twelve. Be there or be square."
"You guys have one extra player, that's not fair." Layla said pointing at Wendy who was too busy buried in some kind of medical book she had brought along. She didn't even seem like she noticed until she looked up at the eyes that were staring at her.
"I'm sorry, what?" She asked, cheeks dusted pink from the attention.
"Wendy can referee. Doesn't that sound fun, Wendy?" Grandine leaned in to grin at her daughter who blinked in confusion. "Our sweet referee. You'll be in charge of everyone here!"
Wendy's face widened at this. "Really?"
"And you better do it right!" Natsu said in between a mouthful of eggs. "No playing favorites just because you like Lucy."
"I'll do my best!"
—X—
As Lucy finished up tying her bikini top, she brushed her hair to tie it into braids. After her mom had shouted about how great the Heartfillia's were in anything and everything, her and Natsu's dad seemed to butt heads on the entire volleyball game. They were quick to finish their breakfast and run off to get dressed and ready for the beach and for their not-so-friendly game of volleyball.
Natsu had already been laying in bed, dressed in his swim trunks and a muscle tee he owned as he waited for his girlfriend to finish up.
Lucy felt nervous about this since she knew how her mom got when it came to games. She was competitive and mean and shrill (more than she already is) and she really didn't want to get into it with her future in-laws.
She didn't know how the Dragneel's were compared to her mom and dad but to be safe, games were banned in the Heartfillia household due to certain… wars. Lucy didn't remember the last time she had played games with her parents since they were always screaming and shouting about who won or didn't. She remembered when she was just a little girl, her mother had flipped the monopoly board and made her burst into tears because she had a couple of hotels and her mother had landed on her property.
Lucy shivered as she remembered the memory and she walked out of the bathroom while finishing up her second braid. "Natsu, could you grab my book for me and put it in the tote? I want to finish it."
"You're going to be reading again?" He rolled his eyes, not even bothering to move or look up from his phone. "Who the hell reads on the beach?"
"Literally everyone," she growled as she nudged him with her foot. "Please?"
"Fine," He huffed before he was sitting up to look at her. He smiled at her and she rolled her eyes, already walking away before he could bother her. "I like the pig tails!"
"Shut up!" She shouted back but the smile on her lips cared to say otherwise. Once she had tied the end of her second braid, she grabbed her sunglasses to perch them on top of her head and she pulled on a coverup. She came back out to see her boyfriend shoving her book into a tote along with whatever else he needed and he had to swing over his shoulder in no time. She could only giggle as he turned to look at her. "Nice purse."
"Thanks," he smirked. "It's my girlfriend's."
Lucy felt the blush return to her cheeks and she groaned as Natsu snickered at her.
"Ready to get your ass handed to you?" Lucy asked as she slipped on sandals.
"Please," The Dragneel heir scoffed, shoving his feet into his own sandals while he tossed a towel over his shoulders. "We Dragneel's are the best at everything. We're winners."
"I guess I can't take any offense to that," Lucy shrugged while they started to make their way to the kitchen to meet with everyone else. "Since I'll be one, too."
"No, you'll be the only exception." He guarded himself while Lucy swatted at him.
"When I win, you're going to be sleeping on the couch so I can get my peace and quiet."
"Alright," Natsu snorted. "When I win, you owe me a kiss."
Lucy popped red as she turned to look at the smug expression he sported. "What?"
"You heard me," He smirked, leaning in while she reeled back.
Lucy didn't even realize they weren't walking anymore and he basically was leaning into her space in the hallway. Her heart pounded in her chest and she felt dizzy with the way he was so close and how inviting his lips looked and how hot he looked with his lazy smirk and hooded eyes. Lucy didn't even know when she started to find this man so attractive and irresistible. Was this the effect of kissing? She made a mental note to research that later as she swallowed hard and her eyes darted from his lips to his eyes.
Lucy quickly leaned in and pecked him on the lips, catching the heir off guard as he reeled back in surprise. Lucy felt the pride in her chest as he blushed and she was now the one smirking.
"There, now even if I win or lose, you lose." She started to walk away, trying her best to not melt or stutter with the way her heart pounded in her chest. "And close your mouth, you'll catch flies."
Natsu was stunned with the boldness of his girlfriend, seeing how she disappeared around the corner and he pressed his hand against his mouth. His lips tingle and he didn't know how to react since he wasn't expecting her to do that. He thought he had the upper hand but now he doubted it as his eyes narrowed.
He couldn't help but grin behind his hand as he realized this woman was feistier and braver than he acknowledged. He somehow felt proud of her in some weird way.
"What are you doing?" Igneel asked as he walked around the corner, seeing his son standing in the hall with a grin and hand over his mouth. "Nice purse, son."
"Shut it, old man." Natsu scowled, following his father who eyed him weirdly.
"What? Lucy finally whipped you into shape?" He snickered and Natsu could only glare and nudge him. Igneel nudged him right back and the two were shoving one another into walls while they ran and chased each other.
They finally came out to the kitchen where the rest of the family were waiting, the others turning to see how Igneel and Natsu came around practically wrestling one another.
"Finally!" Layla shouted, hands on her hips. "Thought you were going to chicken out Iggy."
"Yeah, right," The red-haired Dragneel snorted. "I just set the volleyball court up so we're in full motion. Let's go!" He ushered everyone to file out the house.
Grandine was on the balcony with Wendy, spraying her with sunscreen while they took turns. Grandine was in a white one piece with her long blue hair tied up in a ponytail. Wendy had the same hairstyle but with two pony tails as she wore a similar matching one piece. Layla only cooed while she came over to pinch Wendy's cheeks, talking about how she remembered when Lucy used to be so small and willing to match back in the day.
Lucy could only sigh as she kicked off her sandals and descended into the sand, her toes buried in the hot sand. She carried her sandals and saw how Natsu helped Jude and Igneel bring the ice cooler and the wagon of chairs and umbrellas.
She was grateful for the privacy of their own backyard beach. She could see others lined up on their own properties ways away and the water seemed nice enough to take a dip, seeing how others were in the water, too. She could see the volleyball net Igneel had set up and she was worried her mother would turn into the monster she truly was. Maybe then Natsu would know not to mess with her, seeing how she was her mother's daughter.
Natsu had set up the chairs and umbrellas for everyone, digging the pesky thing into the sand while Wendy offered to help by laying out towels. Lucy helped her mom and Grandine lay out the large blanket they had brought along and Wendy went sticking steaks into the sand to keep it in place.
Once they were done, Layla and Grandine were running over to the volleyball net while shouting at their husbands to come along.
Lucy could only sigh as she discarded her cover up while she began to spray herself with sunscreen. Wendy helped with getting her back and Lucy was giggling with the younger girl about sunburns and safety.
Natsu could only watch from a distance while he blew up the volleyball with more air, seeing how sweet and gentle his girlfriend was.
He still couldn't get the kiss out of her mind and he blamed the redness of his cheeks on the heat as they all gathered by the volleyball net.
"Alright, ground rules before we begin." Igneel started while getting eye contact with Layla and his wife. "No cursing. No arguing. Referee has the ultimate say in the end. No fighting. No screaming. No threats. This is not personal, it's just a game." He ended up looking back at the older blonde woman who scoffed and rolled her eyes. "This is a friendly game of volleyball between two amazing families who love one another dearly. Let's remember this," his eyes found Layla's again who crossed her arms in a pout. "This. Is. Not. War. Am I clear?"
"Crystal." Jude and Grandine choursed and Igneel looked at Layla who refused to look at him.
"Layla, you heard me?"
"Yeah, yeah, no cursing, no fighting, I heard ya. Come on! Let's play now!" Layla was squealing, trying to snatch the ball from Igneel's hands but he was quick to pull it away. "Hey!"
"Layla, I'm serious."
"I said I heard you!"
"And no shit talk!"
"That's the best part about playing!"
"Jeez, how competitive is your mom?" Natsu asked as he came over to where Lucy stood on the other side of the net. The distant arguing was tuned out as the two looked from their parents.
Lucy could only sigh, shaking her head back and forth. "You don't want to know."
"Guess I'll find out when we win."
"You already lost."
"Just 'cause you kissed me doesn't mean you won," he smirked her way, leaning over as he tangled his fingers into the net. "That just means you wanted to kiss me that bad so you did."
"Whatever you want to believe in, Dragneel," Lucy rolled her eyes, keeping her gaze away so she didn't blush. "I still won."
"When I win, I want a longer one. Tongue and everything."
"Gross," Lucy tried to nudge his leaning body away and he was just grinning. "Pervert."
"Just appreciating how good lookin' my girl is."
"Stop saying stuff like that," Lucy scowled, the blush now returning to her cheeks in defeat.
"Alright, come on! Team Dragneel versus Team Heartfillia!" Igneel had shouted after Layla had ripped the ball from his grasp, claiming they deserved to get to serve first.
"Good luck," Natsu purred from the other side and Lucy only rolled her eyes before she came over to where her parents were.
They got into a circle, huddling in as Layla looked over her shoulder and started to whisper to her team. "Alright, Lucy, you're going to stay in the back. Jude, you're up front since you're the tallest and I'm going to linger in between to help assist both of you." Layla mapped out as if she was in war.
"Mama, promise me you're not going to go buck wild." Lucy groaned at the look her mother gave her. "Don't embarrass me."
"Lucy Heartfillia, how could you say that your mother will embarrass you?" The woman gasped, hand pressed against her chest. "We are winners, Lucy. Heartfillias—"
"—are winners and strive to be number one in whatever they do. Yeah, I got it." Lucy fought the urge to roll her eyes once more, reciting the same mantra her mother and father liked to say time and time again. "Could we just please maybe try to make it fun and not go through this whole mess of a situation that would turn into a fight? Don't you remember when you made me cry when we played monopoly when I was only seven?"
Layla flushed at this, looking at her husband who avoided eye contact and she was sputtering, trying to explain herself but Lucy only sighed.
"Are you three done over there?" Grandine's voice brought them back. "Some of us aren't getting any younger!"
"Let them pray about their defeat, mom," Natsu shouted right back, a wide grin on his face. "They know they're not good enough to beat us."
Layla gawked at this, looking over at her future son-in-law to her best friends. She turned back around with fire in her eyes and she looked right at her daughter. "We're going to kick his ass. How dare he, that asshole!"
"Finally! I've been saying this!" Lucy threw her hands in the air and Jude was shaking his head back and forth.
"Now, Layla—"
"Jude, I'm not going to deal with your negativity right now. Lucy, we're winning this."
"Mom—"
"Layla—"
"Alright you sore losers! Prepare for the ultimate Heartfillia trio!" Layla shouted, throwing her hands in the air as she grinned wickedly. "Serve, Lucy!" She tossed the ball over to her daughter who fumbled to catch it and the younger blonde was giving her dad a worried look. Jude could only smile and shrug, putting his arms up to show off his guns and Lucy just shook her head in defeat.
She looked over at her future in-laws and saw the wicked grin Igneel and Natsu had on their faces and it made her shiver. Grandine looked too smug for her liking and Wendy looked as innocent as ever, sitting on a chair on the sideline as she cheered on everyone. Such a sweet girl.
Gulping, Lucy wondered if she should play hard or just let them win but she felt like she was in a lose-lose situation no matter what. Her mother would have her head if she purposely lost since she's known Lucy had played volleyball since she was six and if she won, she was afraid of what would happen with her counter team where they would most likely get into a fist fight. Lucy was sure her mother would swing first and swing on Igneel out of all people.
Taking in a deep breath, Lucy got into stance before tossing the ball up to smack it right over the net. It started off slow with Grandine coming over to toss it up to pass it back to her husband who bounced it to Natsu and he didn't even hesitate to jump up and slam the ball down in between Layla and Jude.
The couple was mouth ajar as Wendy blew her whistle, seeing how the ball now laid on the ground and they were naïve to think Natsu wouldn't play so hard. Grandine and Igneel were giving their son a high five as the pink-haired one snickered, raising his arms in victory while he turned to look at the blondes.
Lucy also looked baffled, unsure if she should be worried about Natsu or herself as her mother grabbed the ball to stomp over towards her. She reactively flinched and watched how she leaned in to her. "Lucy, if you don't get your head on straight, mama is going to blow up. I did not put you through years of volleyball and spent all that money for you to not play to your full potential."
"Mama—" Lucy tried to say but stopped when she shoved the ball into her arms. Lucy just groaned, narrowing her eyes at the she-devil and then looking over to see her boyfriend smirking at her and looking so smug she wanted to punch him in the face.
His face was enough to fuel her rage and she nodded, looking over at her mother. "Alright, mother, your wish is my command."
Lucy tossed the ball up and tossed it over the net. The Dragneel's were as eager as before, Grandine coming forward to pass it back to her husband who passed it to his son who was hit as hard as he did the first time. Layla was on alert this time around and she had dived right in between to pass it to her husband who bounced it back to Lucy.
"Lucy!" Her mother's plea was loud and clear and Lucy bounced the ball up with her fingers to give herself some time to prepare herself. Lucy aimed her arm to go right but at the very last minute she pounded the ball to the left, catching the other team off guard.
Grandine had dived to the right, missing by a lot while Natsu froze in the middle when he realized the ball had gone the other direction. Igneel threw his hands up in the air in defeat when he saw the ball hit the ground to the right of them and Wendy's whistle blew to indicate the point awarded.
"Ohmygosh, Lucy!" Layla squealed, coming over to high-five her daughter while Jude came to do the same. "That's my girl!"
"Guess all those volleyball lessons weren't for nothing, huh?" Jude nudged his wife who nudged him back, a smile on her lips. "Great job, Lucy. As expected from a Heartfillia."
"The game ain't over, fools!" Grandine shouted, fire now burning in her eyes. "This is only the start!"
"I'd like to see you try!" Layla had stomped over to shout at her best friends.
Lucy saw the look on Natsu's face and was surprised to see he looked satisfied, proud even as he gave her a thumbs up. She didn't know why she blushed but she did as she looked away.
—X—
Lucy had made it clear that she refuses to play games with her family and Natsu's family from now on. She saw that it got too competitive and she had tried to warn Natsu and cut it off when he started to talk all this shit and get his own father involved but of course when her mother had thrown a punch at Igneel that was the breaking point of it all. Jude had to drag Layla away while Grandine had to drag Igneel away while he barked at the blonde woman who wailed about murdering him.
Wendy had eventually bursted into tears and Lucy had to comfort her as she remembered her small self crying about how her mother ruined the game for her, too.
Natsu enjoyed the scene a little too much as he cackled and rolled around in the sand and that's how the game of volleyball had come to an end and it had become banned between Dragneel-Heartfillia's.
And now as Igneel and Layla shared condolences and a beer, Wendy was in the water with Grandine and her older brother as Jude sat in between the two to ensure no more fists were thrown.
Lucy had decided to finish up the last bit of her book, laying on her back to absorb some well needed rays. She had a baseball cap on her head and sunglasses that slid down her nose a bit too often for her liking and she was glad that game was over. She was terrified about what would happen if she had won or even had lost. It made her shiver at the thought of having to kiss Natsu with tongue and it made her sick to think how the Dragneel's would have reacted to losing.
She kept her girlfriends in the loop, sending photos of whatever to have them reply back about how jealous they were she was away somewhere warm while snow had already begun to fall back at home.
Lucy finished the very last bit of her novel before she decided to reply, holding her phone out to stick her tongue out and show them the book she had just read. Once she snapped the photo, she squinted to look at it and groaned when she saw Natsu photo-bombing her photo.
"You are always just appearing. I can't just get rid of you." She sat up to see Natsu coming over to shake himself like a dog. Lucy cried out as he splattered salty ocean water all over her and she growled. "You are such an ass!"
"And you're boring." He snickered at the angered expression she sported. "Come in the water! It's really nice."
"I wanted to finish my book," She said, looking down at the photo of her and Natsu. Now that she thought about it, they didn't even have a single photo together at all. She sent it to them anyways, tossing her phone back into her open tote as she looked up to squint at him through her hat and glasses.
"You're still not done with that book?" Natsu said, coming to a squat to be face to face with her. "How interesting could it really be?"
Lucy pushed him away slightly, creating distance as the drips of ocean water touched her legs. "You might like it. I'll let you borrow it."
"Borrow?" He scoffed, tilting his head to try to shake the little bit of water left in his ear. "That book will be mine. In less than seven months, actually."
"Here we go again…" Lucy rolled her eyes to sigh, shifting away from him to stand up. "For someone who hasn't even proposed, you sure are big on this husband and wife thing." She peeked through her bangs as he stood back up.
Natsu smirked at her. "Doesn't matter. We're still to be wed. Who gives a shit about the proposal?"
Lucy frowned at this, crossing her arms. "Uh, I do. And our parents do. And you should, too!"
"We're going to be married regardless of the proposal." He rolled his eyes, twisting his wrist in the air. "It's nothing but words. Literally, a proposal." He scoffed and the frown on her face deepended. Lucy stopped herself from blowing up and just scoffed, turning to walk away. "What? Now you're mad?"
"Screw you, Natsu."
"Lucy, you're taking this way out of proportion." Natsu reached out for her and when she felt the brush of his fingers she jerked her arm away, whirling around to glare at him.
"Maybe I am Natsu or maybe you're just an asshole!"
"Yes I am and don't you forget it." He had a twitch of a smile on his lips.
She was seeping with anger. Her loudness made everyone else turn to look at them. "You're such a cocky self absorbed prick! You don't think about anyone else but yourself!" she jabbed him right in the chest. "You had your fun and experiences but I haven't! The least you can do is use that stupid tiny brain of yours and think about me for a change! You're the absolute worst! I hate you!" She then snatched her tote and sandals before she was stomping away while he watched in total shock.
He stood there blinking for a minute and then he looked over to see their parents giving him uninviting looks. His mother looked disappointed as usual and his father was just shaking his head. Layla was crying with Wendy while Jude was the only one to look worried.
He just continued to blink, looking around for some help till his mother was yelling at him.
"Well, go after her!"
Natsu was groaning as he turned to chase after the blonde. He could see she had just entered the home while he began his walk back, grumbles of frustration and unwanted words being uttered. He came back in the home through the back after brushing all the sand off of him and he trekked through the house to their bedroom. When he tried to open the door it was locked and he sighed, leaving immediately to go around it to come around their other door which he knew she probably forgot about.
When he did round the house, he was pissed that she did remember the lock and he groaned. He took a step back and stared at the window for a minute, wondering if this was worth it before he heard his mothers nagging in his head again.
Natsu sighed and then went over to the window to snap it open and he shook his head in disapproval. He made a mental note to teach his wife-to-be how to properly protect and lock all sorts of entrances and he jumped right in.
As soon as he landed on his feet, Lucy had just come back out from the bathroom now dressed in a dress and she let out a blood-curdling scream. She had slammed her back against the wall and then let out a sigh of relief when she realized it was her stupid boyfriend and she placed a hand on her chest.
"How did you get in?"
"The window." He jabbed his thumb behind to show the open window. "If you're trying to keep people out I suggest you lock all entry ways."
"Get out. I don't want to be around or near you at all."
"Lucy, you're being a bit dramatic about this. Regardless of a proposal or not, we're to be wed. I was just stating facts and you blew it out of proportion." He watched how she flicked her hair and sat down on the bed in a huff.
"Are you going to propose?" She asked, arms crossed.
"I have to do so," He shrugged and it made her roll her eyes. "What?"
"You're such an asshole."
Natsu was confused, looking at the blonde on the bed who had a pout on her cute face. "What do you want from me? I tell you I'm going to propose and you're mad and I tell you a proposal is stupid and you're mad. There is no winning with you!"
"A proposal is a big thing, idiot!" Lucy shouted, anger flaring up again. "If it means so little to you then why wait? Just hand me the stupid ring and get it over with! Not like you're going to do the grand old thing you selfish prick!"
Natsu groaned, grabbing his hair in frustration. "You are so confusing! So do you not want the grand proposal or what?!"
"I do! But you don't! Why would I force you to do something that you don't want to do and fuck it up and ruin my proposal! Proposals are supposed to be memorable and romantic! And you are neither!"
"Now who is being an asshole?" He grumbled and he ignored the glare Lucy gave him. "I already told you I'll fucking do it."
"Whatever, just get out. I'm tired of fighting about this." She magically found a book and she started to flip through.
Natsu let out a loud sigh and he came over towards the bed, standing at the end to cross his arms and look at the woman on the bed. "What is your dream proposal then?" He asked and he was greeted by silence which ticked him off. "Hello?"
"Are you hard of hearing? I told you to get out."
"This is my room, too. You can't kick me out."
"Fine, then, I'll leave." She tossed the blanket off and grabbed her book to stand. "You're suffocating."
"Listen, our parents are going to throw a huge fit if I leave without making amends with you so can you stop being childish and talk about it with me?" He stepped in her path, annoyance laced in his voice. "I don't want to do this as much as you do but I'll be damned if I let this stupid thing ruin my vacation."
"I don't know if you know that you're a dick or if it's just natural for you but I think you need to reevaluate yourself before you try to say that I'm the childish one. You don't even know why I'm upset in the first place and you only want to make up because you don't want to deal with our parents—not because I'm upset." She hissed, clutching her book right against her as she growled. "You've always been and always will be a selfish asshole and until you realize that the world does not revolve around you then maybe you'll finally see how big of a dick you really are!"
"I'm not a fuckin' mind reader!" He raised his voice, slamming his palm against his chest. "I don't know shit about girls and what the hell they're mad about now or then! I need you to tell me or I won't know! I already apologized so what the hell is it that you want from me?!"
"Nothing!" She shrieked and she tried to go around him but he blocked her again. "Get out of my way!"
"I told you I'll do the proposal. I asked what you liked which you ignored and I already apologized. What. Do. You. Want." He growled, reaching for her arm to grab on tight. "I'm not here to play games, Lucy."
Lucy shivered with the way he said her name and she tried to take her arm back but his grip tightened. "Stop it, you're hurting me!"
"Then tell me!"
"I want the proposal, alright?!" Lucy cried out, ripping her arm away from his grip. "I want the damn proposal but I want you to want to do the proposal and for you to actually treat this like it is a relationship! You're my boyfriend and—and my husband-to-be and I haven't even gotten a proper date or—or flowers or anything! Nothing! And you're sitting here telling me I look beautiful and you fuckin' kiss me—" Her cheeks grow pink and Natsu was surprised to see the tears in her eyes. "But then you act like it's nothing and I feel played and like a doll! I have feelings. I haven't experienced half of this and you were my first kiss and my first boyfriend and you're going to be the first guy ever to sleep with and is it wrong that I want a nice proposal?! A nice boyfriend?! I am going to be the mother of your children one day and you treat me like shit! You're a terrible person!" She lashed out, cheeks red, breathing heavy, and eyes watery.
She was trembling and had her teeth gritted while Natsu stared at her in shock and disbelief.
Lucy seemed to finally process everything she had said and she grew even redder, throwing her arms and head back in a roar of frustration. "Get out of my way!" She said, tears rushing down her face in embarrassment.
Natsu grabbed her, having her thrash and try to jerk away but he pinned her against the wall. "Let me go!" She shrieked and Natsu could only watch as she jerked her arms he had in a death grip. "I said let me go!"
"Lucy," he said, leaning to press his face against her neck and shoulder.
Lucy immediately stiffened at the contact, her senses on high alert.
"I'm sorry," he whispered against her throat and she shivered. "You deserve better."
Lucy felt her lip quiver and she blinked up at the ceiling, refusing to let her tears spill again.
"I like you, you know." He said, hiding his own blush against her shoulder.
Lucy felt herself tense up at his words, eyes searching for whatever she was looking for up on the ceiling.
"I've had girlfriends before. I've kissed girls. I took them on dates and had even gone further than we ever have." His breath was tickling her neck. "But… I haven't ever felt this way about them as I do you."
Lucy felt the blush spread across her cheeks and down her neck to the tip of her ears. She had ceased all types of movement and she did a sharp inhale. "Wha… huh?"
Natsu let her arms go and he pulled away from her, refusing to meet her eyes as he casted his eyes down between the little space they had between them. Lucy could only rub her arms where he had held her and watched how he struggled to find words.
"You're a spoiled condescending bitch of a woman," Lucy scrunched her face up and opened her mouth to retort but he beat her to it. "But you're my spoiled condescending bitch of a girlfriend."
She looked at him with wide eyes, pressing her back further into the wall.
"I don't hate you. There are things you do I dislike but that's everyone. There are things we have to do that I hate. There's wedding planning, our parents interfering with our lives and plans, there are obstacles in the way but I like doing them with you."
"Wha—what are you trying to say?" She said, trying her best not to melt.
"I like you, Lucy," his cheeks spread into a blush. "And I… I will propose to you in a way you'd like because I think you deserve that and…" he groaned, pressing his hand against his mouth as he fought off his embarrassment. "And I'm sorry I've been such a bad boyfriend to you. I don't know my boundaries with you and I—" his eyes flickered over her face before he was now looking up at the ceiling. "And I just really, really want to kiss you. Like… all the time. I… think about it, too."
Lucy was sputtering now as she pressed her hand over her gaping mouth, gawking at the blushing, scowling male in front of her. She was silent, watching his flustered movements where he tried to tuck himself under his arms, trying to look smaller. His face was red as if he had a fever and he looked as if he had crazy eyes, dizzying in a way.
She didn't know how to respond. She felt like a fish out of water, opening her mouth to close it right away because in all honesty she never thought Natsu Dragneel would confess his feelings for her. And be embarrassed about it. She wasn't sure if she should be so trusting of his words either and she was in between confusion and skepticism.
"Can you say something!" He shouted, making her jolt in surprise. "I'm dying here!"
"I—I—" Lucy stuttered, swallowing hard. "Do you mean that?"
"Yes," he hissed, narrowing his eyes. "I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it."
"You like me?"
"Jesus, Lucy," He pressed his hand against his forehead, keeping his eyes elsewhere. "Do you need me to write it out for you?"
Lucy shook her head, still in shock. "I…" she flushed deeper. "I like you, too."
"You do?" He perked up at this, looking how Lucy twiddled her fingers.
"Sometimes." she glanced at him and quickly looked away when she noticed he was staring at her. "And I… think about… kissing…" she started to trail off, her voice growing smaller. "Too."
Natsu stood there for a second to blink at her before he leaned in and grabbed her face to kiss her right on the lips. Lucy made a sound of surprise from the back of her throat. He pulled away just enough to tilt his head the other way and kiss her again, adjusting to the pressure and position as she kissed him back. It was sweet and kind, as if it was her first and she had tingles run down her spine and hands as the smacking of their lips echoed.
When they pulled away, they were breathless and red and Natsu had to hold her up because she was starting to wobble. Her lips were bruised and pink and her eyes were glossy as they searched for answers in dark onyx orbs.
And Natsu didn't know what else to say but kiss her again. And she kissed him back.