prompt fifty: eternity
rate: M for Mature content
fifty out of one hundred.
I had a hard time deciding which prompt to choose for the big 50 but I totally forgot about this one. I am incredibly sad but so excited to reach halfway and I really am so happy I got one of these done. Here is one last glimpse of best friend's sister to lovers. The epilogue we all desperately needed. This is a back and forth between POVs
"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity." —Henry Van Dyke
x
.
Staying in Magnolia was never the plan for her. She always thought that moving out of Magnolia would help her grow and become someone she thought was worthy in her eyes. She thought she had that dream in her hands for a moment until it went crashing down on her and now as she resided back in Magnolia, she didn't think it really had to be the place but instead, her mind and heart.
Maybe a little part of her always thought this was because of a certain someone. Even if she didn't realize she has a copious amount of love and adoration for a certain pyromaniac, a part of her always knew.
Because now she couldn't imagine a life without Natsu and their relationship proved how obsessed and addicted they were of each other.
Even now, nine months later, they were still in that phase where they couldn't get their hands off each other nor spend a day without one another. Whether it was at her place or his or during one of their lunch breaks or after work, they always found their way back to one another and it couldn't have been any better.
The news shocked the majority of their friends, seeing how two people who couldn't stand one another were so in love. Gray still hates the idea of knowing that his best friend and little sister were in love and dating but he was supportive nonetheless. Now her parents were a whole nother story as her mother bursted into tears and claimed she had been wishing upon the stars for the two to get together. It shocked her more than anything because her mother had never once pushed her towards Natsu but seeing how Natsu just laughed and claimed it just took him a little longer than expected, she had realized they had conspired long before.
Even Gray mentioned how he kind of sort of knew but Lucy called his bluff but he never elaborated further, shrugging his shoulders and smirking at the blonde.
The two had wrestled one another to the floor, shouts of obscenities and lame insults flying at each other as their mother sighed and Natsu laughed. Eventually, he had broken the two of them apart and Gray was wailing about how he had lost his best friend but of course Natsu always knew how to sizzle down a fire so he wrapped his arm around his shoulder and offered to buy him drinks all night.
And that's how everything went and it was as easy as breathing. Lucy had no idea why she thought the world was going to burn down in flames when they found out about them but guess that was just a perk of dating a fireman.
Natsu lied. He cannot wait any longer. He thought he could but nine months in and not even a year out he was itching to claim this woman as his for the rest of his life. Maybe it was because he was naturally an impatient man or he had been waiting over a decade to finally have this woman but he really was over it.
There were many times he wanted to blurt out the sacred question but he had caught himself many times in embarrassing himself.
He knew Lucy loved him but he just didn't know if she was ready to marry him. But people have long engagements so even if he had to wait another year, that'll be fine, right?
There were too many times he had uttered the words "will you—" and then it would end there as he would realize what he was about to say. Most of the time she would stare at him with a quizzical expression and an eyebrow raised but he always saved it by asking if she could pass him the nearest thing to her. Or ask her for a glass of water. Or ask if she would still love him if he was a worm.
It was maddening and he thought he really was becoming a bit delusional. Who could blame him?
He bought that engagement ring for her not even a week into their relationship and he had it hidden deep in his closet. Sometimes he would find it without even trying and end up in the same wind whirl of emotions as he tries to convince himself it is too soon.
But when is it too soon or too late? Or right? He didn't know. How is anyone supposed to know?
He's known her for a very long time so it's not like he had to get to know her before proposing. He knew he wanted to marry this woman the day she agreed to be his girlfriend but Lucy would freak out if he got down on one knee a week into their fresh start.
Would she still freak out nine months later?
Pounding on the wooden door, Natsu's annoyance skyrocketed as he had been standing out here for a good five minutes doing this same repetitive motion. Normal people would have been at the door in less than ten seconds the first knock came around and normal people would probably walk away if the said door didn't open but Natsu was not normal nor was any of his friends.
Because he knew damn well that Levy and Gajeel were home and Gajeel was probably ignoring him like he always did because he was a fucking asshole but this was urgent.
Which is why he was pounding on the door as if his most precious possessions were inside of that room and he really debated if he should just kick it down. He knew the perfect one power kick that would really throw it off its hinges but he didn't know if he wanted to pay for a new door in particular.
Finally, he could hear the stomping of the feet and soft muffled words behind the door before it swung open.
He was greeted with a red-faced Gajeel who dripped water from his wild locks and Levy was just barely peeking over the corner in just a towel and also dripping wet.
That explains why they weren't opening the fucking door.
"Fucking finally, do you know—"
And neither of them knew what he was going to say as Gajeel's fist shot out and clocked him right on the jaw.
Safe to say it turned into a brawl before Gajeel's towel slipped and Natsu shrieked like a little girl, hands covering his eyes while he squawked about his poor innocences being tainted.
So one fist fight, many colorful words, and slight bickering between the couple later, Natsu had made it inside with frozen peas pushed against his face while Gajeel had the bag of frozen carrots against his.
"I want to propose to Lucy."
"What?" Gajeel barked out while Levy was mid-sip, freezing at his words. "You two haven't even been dating a year, yet."
"Unlike some people," he cleared his throat as Gajeel's stare darkened. "I know what I want."
It was a clear jab at the long-haired one and Gajeel looked one second away from flipping the table over so Levy was quick to recover and clear her throat, sitting down in the chair beside her lover.
"Okay, so?" Levy tilted her head as Natsu moved the peas to the other side of his face. "Did you want my help?"
"Yes and no." He furrowed his brows as he felt the throbbing on his face subside slightly. "I need to know if Lucy would say yes. I feel like she would—she had to, right?" The stare the two gave him didn't help or answer his question so he continued. "And also if I'm being batshit on trying to propose so early."
"No fucking shit—"
"No, I don't think so at all." Levy cut Gajeel off, slapping the backside of her hand against his chest to keep him quiet. "With the circumstances of how long you two have known each other and the rate you're going at, I don't think it's too early. If you want to be technical and go by your timeline, I would say you're a little late, don't you think?"
And this is why he fucked with Levy so heavily even though her boyfriend is a fucking asshole because Levy was always so logical and will tell you the truth. She didn't spend most of her time with her nose inside of a book for nothing. She was rational when she had to be, logical when she was, and of course, supportive. She wouldn't stray him away from his goal and she was also Lucy's best friend. This woman was the one person he could go to if anything were to happen because he knew Lucy would do the same.
"But, who knows how Lucy feels." She shrugged and his smile slipped just a bit. "Didn't she just move in with you?"
"Yeah, she moved in two months ago."
"Has Lucy mentioned anything about marriage?"
"No, not really. I haven't really brought it up because I don't want to scare her."
Gajeel scoffed and said something under his breath and Natsu could only shoot him a warning glare, daring him to say something so his fist could be introduced to him again.
"Maybe ease her into it?"
How the hell was he supposed to do that? Natsu was not someone that just 'eases' people into things. He was straight to the point, direct. He didn't care to beat around the bush and especially with how everything turned out, what the hell is he supposed to do?
But this goddamn ring was haunting him and taunting him as if he was some kind of bitch and he was not some bitch.
He had just turned twenty seven and Lucy twenty five not so long ago and he felt as if it was time. He knew his end goal from the beginning but now as it was one year of Lucy returning back to Magnolia and life has been fantastic, all he could simply want now was to marry the girl of his dreams.
Maybe he should just say fuck it and go for it. The worse she could say is no… right?
Lucy didn't know why but Natsu was being weird. And this man has the audacity to say she was weird when this man is being weird. He also wasn't the type to beat around the bush nor was he good at hiding his feelings so maybe that was why he was the way he is because he's hiding something.
Maybe he accidentally broke her favorite pair of heels or spilled something on her favorite, most expensive dress. Or maybe it was work related and he was stressed but then he would have said something by now.
Or was something happening to someone else? Or is he seeing someone else?
And everytime she asks, he just deflects the conversation elsewhere and or distracts her in the best type of way.
"This isn't going to work every time, I hope you know." The blonde huffed as she slipped back her panties with Natsu laying back against the bed, watching. "I want to know what's going on."
"I think I heard the doorbell," he perked up, smiling at her as her eyes narrowed. "Or not."
"Natsu."
"Lucy."
"What's going—"
"Geez, if you want round two, all you have to do is ask." He smirked, reaching for her hand but she backed away and shot him a glare. His smirk faltered and he frowned, giving her puppy eyes that she scoffed at.
"Natsu." She hissed and he groaned, flopping back against the bed as he ran his fingers through his hair. She kept her eyes on his face while trying to ignore how sexy he looked with his muscles out on display and his manhood out in the open.
He wasn't wrong.
She did want round two.
After he told her what the issue is.
"Natsu, you have been weird for the last couple weeks. Every time I ask you, you just say it's nothing or brush it off or distract me!"
"Have I told you how hot you are when you're mad?"
"See! You're doing it again!" She shrieked and Natsu was throwing his head back, groaning. "I deserve answers!" She stomped her foot on the ground. "Are you cheating on me?"
His head snapped up and he gave her a furrowed look. "What? Of course not! How could you ask me that?"
"Then what is it that you can't tell me?" She huffed, crossing her arms across her bare chest. "I won't be mad."
"I'm not concerned about you getting mad," he grumbled under his breath and she was in disbelief as he got out of bed to look for his own clothes.
"Then why won't you tell me?" She was following him as he collected his clothes from the ground.
"Because it's nothing."
"Nothing my ass." She scoffed, watching how he pulled his briefs back up his legs. "You're lying to me."
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
Sometimes she wonders who really was the older one here. Natsu always acted as if he was a child stuck in a man's body and sometimes he did act his age but most of the time, he didn't. He's always been like this though and as her boyfriend, she realized he did it even more but now she found it adorable and endearing rather than being repulsed at the idea of him acting childish.
And to think just a year ago she would have.
"Why can't a man have his own shit to deal with?"
"Because you're not the type to keep stuff to yourself! You tell me every time you take a shit, Natsu."
She was growing irritated at this conversation and for her to wait this long to confront him about it really showed how much she's grown. Especially since Natsu looked like he was a second away from bursting from the pressure of holding whatever inside. Maybe if he just had one more push then maybe she would get him to finally spill whatever he has been hiding from her.
"Just tell me what you've been hiding, I won't be mad or judge you. I just want to help you, Natsu. You've been on edge for a little and I can't help if I don't know."
"I told you to forget about it!" He ended up raising his voice and she looked at him in bewilderment, eyebrows raising to her hairline.
Natsu never raised his voice at her and when he did it was usually when they got into heated arguments as a child. But now?
Feeling her face grow hot with anger, she gave him a disappointed glare before storming off. She didn't care about anything else and as she heard Natsu calling for her, all she did was slam the door and disappear into the night.
He was fucked. He fucked up so badly and now Lucy was for sure not going to accept his proposal because he fucking yelled at her. All because of her persistent attitude and him on the edge of holding such a secret.
Natsu felt like he had to throw up. And maybe throw himself off a bridge, too.
Lucy had not come back home since she left hours prior and as he paced, called, texted, cried, and spent the last hour moaning and groaning, he felt like absolute shit. He couldn't believe he had raised his voice like that and he couldn't believe he thought keeping this from her was a good idea.
Lucy knew him for way too long and she would obviously know if he was acting a little weird. He should have just said it then and there but Lucy deserved more than that. He wanted to actually set up a nice romantic gesture to show her how much he loves her and wants to marry her but not it seems like he was going to have to wait longer or just scrub the whole idea.
Lucy thinks he's cheating and he wished it was that simple. It's just that he's been wanting to pop the question for so long and he had no idea how to go around it. He's been looking and acting like a guy who has been holding in his shit for way too long and god knows he can't keep a secret for long.
It was a miracle he kept Lucy and him a secret for so long but now trying to keep a proposal? He saw her every goddamn fucking day and that ring haunted him like a spirit with vengeance.
Natsu wanted to slam his head into the wall till he bled out. He was screwed. And he had no idea where Lucy had gone. And he couldn't call anyone or else they would know they got into a huge fight that resulted in Lucy walking out on him. Gray would have been pounding at his door threatening to murder him so he knew she didn't go there. Neither is her mother frantically calling him. And for him to muster up the courage to call Erza or even Levy had been out of the question.
He decided that she would have to come home eventually.
But he was wrong.
Because this bitch of a woman who was more stubborn than an actual bull (says something considering he's also hard-headed) never returned home. Even as the hours went by, not a peep came from her. She would very much keep up with this petty act because he knows her. She would not admit defeat nor would she come crawling back to him to apologize because quite frankly, he should be the one apologizing but Jesus fucking Christ, where the fuck is she?
Which is why it frustrated him that it was nearly twleve in the fucking morning, her phone was off, and she wasn't answering any of his goddamn messages.
He completely forgot all about the proposal because he was fucking pissed.
How could this woman just up and leave and not return after they fight? She could be anywhere! With anyone! Someone could hurt her! And he wasn't even there to protect her if she needed it.
Natsu was one second away from shooting up the entire building and as he jammed his feet into shoes and grabbed his keys, wallet, and phone, he could only feel the emotions of worry and frustration claw at him. As soon as he found her, he was definitely going to have a couple of strong words with her. And maybe a very hard, punishing kiss. And some good smacks on the ass. And maybe even a little bit of—
He clearly was not in his right mind as his head spun and his cock grew rock hard at the thought of it. His girlfriend was missing and he's over here thinking about plowing her as a punishment. Would this be considered a punishment? Maybe.
Natsu had a couple of ideas where his little mouse could have run off to. But it was very much late in the evening and she wasn't that dumb to be out in the cold this long so he went to the one place he thought was logically the best place.
The bar.
It was the only place that had to still be open this late at night and if this didn't work, he would hunt down Levy and then Erza and then the rest of fucking magnolia to drag his girl back home.
And low and behold, his fucking girlfriend who was so blasted out of her fucking mind that she was standing on top of the bar counter, having the patrons chant her name as she chugged a whole glass of whatever liquid was inside. He could tell she's been here for a while and she was hammered by the way she was slurring and hiccuping while cheering for her own goddamn self.
Her hair was a disheveled mess, eyes hazy, cheeks flushed, and her clothes all wrinkled in the way as if she had slept in it.
She was still the most beautiful woman in his eyes but it didn't help that she's been MIA for the last eight hours and he found her at a bar, wasted.
As soon as his eyes locked with hers, it seemed as if she had become frozen. Like a statue or even a child who got caught stealing from the cookie jar. Again.
He had to bite back the smile that was threatening to crawl up his lips and he marched over to where she was, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised in her direction. She had wobbled down into a seat, her butt firmly planted on the bar counter as her feet dangled over the edge.
"Are you done?"
The way she hiccuped and then rolled her eyes made him well aware she was not indeed done.
"You always come in and ruin my fun, Natsu," she said in a whine, a small pout on her lips.
"Do you know what time it is? I was worried sick."
"It's not even ten, relax princess." She rolled her eyes and as she slipped off the counter, Natsu was quick to grab at her as she nearly fell to the floor. He pressed his lips into a tight line to avoid saying anything to make it worse, helping her get back on her feet as she wobbled. "I'm fine." She tried to push him off of her but she stumbled into his chest. "Or not."
"Luce, it's nearly twelve in the morning. Actually, probably closer to one at this point."
"No, it's not. I just got here! It's only—" she hiccuped in between as Natsu thrusted his phone to her face, showing her the adorable lock screen of them two and the bright numbers that flashed 12:23AM right at her.
She stood there squinting at his phone, closing one eye and leaning in to see if she was seeing right and soon enough, she scoffed and pushed it out of her face. "You need a new phone. It's broken."
Natsu let out a frustrated sigh as he wrapped his arm around her waist, steadying her against his body. He could feel her lean into him with the majority of her weight and he pushed back, keeping her upright. "Come on, let's head home."
"But I'm not done being mad at you!" She whined, dramatically throwing her head back against his shoulder. Thankfully, she wasn't as difficult as she was the first time he's ever had to drag her out the bar. She just merely whined and bitched while he pulled her along. "Wait!" She suddenly gasped, ceasing his movements with a frantic look. "I didn't pay!"
"Of course you didn't."
"And I forgot my wallet at home."
"Of course you did."
"And I need you to pay."
"Of course you do." He let out a sigh. "Anything else you need?"
"Six shots of gin."
"How about six shots of water." He dragged her over to an empty table, disposing of her there as she hiccuped and kicked her feet back and forth. "Stay here. I'm going to close out your tab."
She didn't respond but merely flop back into the booth, giggles erupting from her lips as she drunkenly mumbled to herself.
It was so hard to be mad at her when she was so fucking adorable. He missed her, too, so there was that. How could he be mad at her for ditching him nearly the entire day to get pissed drunk when he was the reason why she did that? He had no right to raise his voice and even if he wanted her to drop it, he shouldn't have spoken to her like that. He made her this way and he'd have to deal with the consequences of his own actions and makeup for his shit behavior. And if that meant he had to pay for her ridiculously high tab and take care of her while she threw up her entire body weight then so be it.
Not like it was the first time nor will it be the last.
Returning to the booth where he had laid Lucy prior to his bill signing, Natsu felt stupid to think she would just remain where he asked her to be. She never listened to him. And how could he be so naive to think she would when she was two sheets to the wind?
Looking around the bar, Natsu quickly scanned the crowd for a blonde bombshell. It wasn't hard to find her when cheering and her name was being chanted once more and as Natsu approached the table full of what definitely looked like underaged kids using fakes, he was growing pissed off to see what kind of attention Lucy was gaining.
Even with her casual wear of leggings and a sweater, her curves were defined in the way anyone could see the roundness of her ass and breasts. With her cheeks so beautifully flushed and hair all over the place, she looked perfectly aroused.
Meaning, she looked like she's been freshly fucked and he would be damned if any of these motherfuckers tried to do anything.
"Lucy!" His commanding voice instantly stopped the group from continuing their drinking conversation and he watched how she turned to look at him with a scowl. "Seriously? I asked you to stay and you wander off."
"You're not my dad." She said in a slur and the soft chatter at the table irritated him.
"That's not that you were saying last night," he snapped at her, prowling over to snatch the shot glass from her hands, slamming it down on the table. "Now let's go."
"Ugh, you're such a buzzkill, Natsu," she hiccuped, trying to push him away but she was more whiny and bratty than anything. "I'm just trying to drink with my new friends."
"They're not your friends and you don't want to be acquainted with a bunch of underaged kids at a bar." He clicked his tongue and he ignored the way the group eyes widened, heads swirling around as they tried to whisper to one another about their status. But with how many drinks they have already poured down their throats, Natsu could hear them quite clearly.
Seeing how his girlfriend was being difficult (shocker), Natsu decided he had enough and bent down to throw her over his shoulder in a fireman's hold. She merely went limp over his shoulder, limbs dangling like a dead body. He wished it was this easy every time he had to wrestle her to get her home after a night drinking. And though it has been easier since they started dating, she was still a menace when drunk and sometimes, the bratty Lucy would come forward and he would have to deal with her crabbiness.
Just like now.
How she does it, he doesn't fucking know.
"Put me down, Natsu! I want to go to the canal! The canal!" She whined, kicking her limbs as he walked down the streets of Magnolia once again. It felt nostalgic in a way as he remembered this time last year he was doing the same thing. "Put me down!"
"You're going to fall in there, Lucy," he replied, keeping his steady pace and arms around her squirming figure.
"You always say that and I never do!"
"Well, you never know, tonight might be the night."
"Put me down!"
He only put her down because he still felt bad about earlier and he hoped that if he allowed her to go touch the canal then maybe she wouldn't be so angry with him later on when she sobered up. And also because she was starting to really squirm and it was hard for him to keep a good grip on her without risk of her slipping out of his arms. She would be really fucking pissed at him, then.
She was quick to book it, leaving him chasing after her as she ran towards the edge of the canal. The soothing sounds of the rushing water could be heard in the late night and he had his arm wrapped around her waist to keep her from falling head in.
He found her utterly adorable and he felt like he was falling in love all over again as he watched her coo at the water, wide sparkly eyes pinned to the liquid. Her long arms reached the water for her to run her fingers against the stream, soft giggles pouring out of her lips as hiccuped followed not long after.
Natsu reached forward and brushed her hair behind her ear, smiling lovingly at the blonde who turned to blink up at him. He leaned down to brush his lips against hers, tasting the alcohol and sugar she had poured down her throat.
"I'm sorry, Lucy," he said in a soft whisper. "I'll say it again when you're sober but I want you to know I am."
"You know," she hiccuped, leaning into his chest as he placed his hand on top of her head. "All you had to do was tell me," she shrugged, returning her attention to the water. "And all of this could have been avoided."
Natsu rolled his eyes but didn't dare to respond. Thankfully, he was stone cold sober this time around and didn't have to deal with an argumentative attitude.
Listening to her splash around in the canal, he just allowed her to enjoy her time, listening to the sounds and watching the stars twinkle high above.
"And by the way," she slurred, catching his attention. "You're a fucking idiot."
"Gee, thanks." He deadpanned, giving her a flat look.
He watched as she ripped herself away from him and stumbled back, causing him to freak and thrust his hand out to reach for her but luckily she caught her footing and pushed back away from the edge of the canal. He let out a sigh of relief, seeing how Lucy now stood in front of him, arms crossed and a scowl on her flushed face.
"I wish you were more honest."
"I am honest. When have I ever lied to you?"
"Then what is it that you can't tell me?"
Natsu pursed his lips, giving his girl a hard look which showed he wasn't going to relent. If he can't do this with her sober, what makes her think he would outright tell her when she was blasted? She wouldn't even remember and of course that was the perfect start to their forever.
With the silence now stretching out between them, he could see how pissed Lucy was growing. She was clearly still pissed about whatever happened between the two of them earlier that day and even though she was drunk as a skunk, her emotions definitely were up and ready.
"UgH! Screw you, Dragneel!" She nearly shrieked before whirling around to stalk away. But before Natsu could even reach out to stop her from leaving, she spun a bit too fast resulting in her stumbling over her feet and falling face first onto the cobblestone floor.
This was definitely reminding him a little too much of the night they first met and he rushed to help her off the floor.
"Luce, are you alright?"
"Big idiot Natsu," she said in a whine, lifting herself up as she had a pout and tears pricking the corner of her eyes. "Dummy."
"Yes," He sighed. "Yes, I am." He hooked her arm over his shoulders before hoisting her dead weight up. She stumbled against him as he caught her, ensuring she was steady.
"I want to go home." She whined into his ear and he let out a sigh before holding her up by her shoulders.
He ensured she was on her two feet before he spun around and came down into a squat, having her fall into his back before lifting her up. He jumped once to adjust her on his back and then he was off, walking into the night while a drooling drunk slept against his back.
He was thankful she didn't throw up that night.
Apparently when you don't throw up the night prior, you're likely to throw up the next morning. Because that's all Lucy did. Throw up. All morning. Extremely violently. And aggressively. To the point he was seconds away from blowing chunks himself.
He tried his best to take care of her. Brought her water. Tied her hair up for her. Rubbed her back.
She just cried and whined and sobbed until she was curled up on the bathroom floor forty five minutes later. He brought her back to bed and tucked her in, leaving water and painkillers by her side before he was up.
He spent a good hour pacing his living room, thinking about if he should just fucking go for it. The worst she could say is no. Or tell him she's not ready yet. But he would rather take that than be rejected flat out. He could suggest a long engagement. Fuck. He should wait. Right?
But he just felt like it was a good time. He's been waiting ten fucking years, did he have to wait ten more? No. He fucking knew what he wanted. Lucy was going to be his wife one day and he's been a patient man for a decade so he thinks to hell with everything else!
Now the dilemma of how he should do it was now clouding his mind. It freaked him out to the next level as he started to sweat. He was surprised he didn't leave track marks on the floor considering how long he's been pacing back and forth. He probably looked like a fucking weirdo.
He blames Lucy for that one. She's been rubbing off on him.
Natsu rushed to the bedroom, carefully tiptoeing over to his closet as he watched her sleep the entire time. Once he got in there, he gently shut the door and started to rummage through his belongings. He found the ring pretty quickly, his large fist choking the velvet box. He stared at it for a moment, millions of emotions withdrawing from his chest.
He could always do it now and then tell her he'll plan something grand later on.
Or is that too shitty?
Can he plan something grand? Like what? A fucking helicopter ride and something spelling out the important words?
Or a flash mob? No. Lucy hated attention. Restaurant? Fireworks? A dessert platter?
Man, he wished this wasn't so difficult. All he wanted to do was just go right to her and ask her to marry him. All this extra stuff needed planning and time. And money. At least a week. Maybe he could rush to the store real quick while she's passed out. It was still pretty early in the morning and Lucy had been violently throwing up so she would most likely be dead for another couple. He could bring back some greasy shit she would love to eat during her hangover.
But the idea of this is not romantic at all! How is he going to propose to his girl who was half dead from the world and probably feeling as if she got hit by a truck?
Leaving his closet, Natsu shut the door and stood by it as he stared at Lucy's passed out figure in their bed. He approached her quietly to make sure he didn't stir her awake but knowing how she was after a night drinking, someone could have come and robbed the entire damn place and she would have slept through it.
Peering over the bed to watch her sleep for a few moments longer, Natsu could only brush his knuckles against her cheek and push the hair back to ensure it didn't get in her mouth. He smiled softly at the way the corner of her lip twitched and she chased after his hand, the warmth lulling her further into her sleep.
"Luce," he whispered, testing the volume of his voice. When she didn't stir or respond, he swallowed thickly as he leaned over to brush his lips against her forehead. "Marry me."
His heart pounded behind his chest and he could hear it in his ears. He could only stay frozen in place as she continued to snooze, completely oblivious to the sweating male hovering above her. He dug in his pocket and pulled out the velvet box, looking down at the rectangular thing while twisting it in his palm. After a minute longer, Natsu gently placed it down on the nightstand beside their bed and left it there, contemplating his decision for a second time.
Before he could change his mind, he quickly left the bedroom and left to go get the rest of the bullshit he needed.
He just hopes by the end of today, she would no longer be his girlfriend. He was kind of sick of the title anyways. Fiancé sounded great but wife sounded heavenly.
Lucy didn't know why she continued to drink as if she had such high tolerance and if she was immune to hangovers. Because she was indeed a lightweight and she very much loved her sugary drinks so hangovers were definite at this point. But she had a good reason last night. Pretty much by the time she was one drink in, her anger had fizzled down and by the time she was on her third, she forgot all about it.
She only wanted to blow some steam off but ended up blacking out by whatever time it was. She kind of sort of remembered seeing Natsu so that's how she concluded that's how she got home. How did he find her? She had no idea. She just stormed out of the place with only her phone in her hands and she hoped Natsu had closed out her tab last night.
Now as she laid in bed feeling like death herself, she could only roll around underneath the covers to keep the sunlight from peeking into the room and keep her in a darkness that will hopefully swallow her.
She only had Natsu to blame. If he wasn't such an idiot and knew how to properly express his emotions (thank you parents!) then maybe he wouldn't have had to raise his voice at her like he did. She was still going to rip him a new one for that one. How dare a man raise his voice at her. He was lucky he got the civil end of the fight because she sure as hell was about to kick him where it hurt.
And speaking of her idiotic boyfriend… where did he end up going? She's been awake for at least thirty minutes moaning and groaning like she was dying and she knew he had good fucking hearing so why the hell isn't he at her side taking care of her like he should be? She didn't want to call out to him nor get up to see. She was near death. He should be seeking her out. And she knew he was fucking home because she heard all sorts of noise coming from the other side of the door, that was what woke her up in the first place.
There was no smell of breakfast so he definitely wasn't cooking her a 'I'm-sorry-and-i-love-you' meal.
Throwing the comforter off herself, Lucy cringed at the bright light that was now swallowing her room and she hissed as if she was some vampire that was caught in the light. She yanked the curtain closed and cursed Natsu once more for being useless. With her head pounding, she looked around with a grimace on her face and she was happy to see the water bottle and painkillers laying right beside her.
She was quick to grab at it and swallow the drugs, gulping down large copious amounts of liquid that would surely drown her if she didn't slow down. She let out a belch after she chugged and as she took in her surroundings, she could only scowl.
Same messy bedroom. Nice comfortable bed. Missing boyfriend. A nice velvet red box. Annoyingly loud mysterious sounds from behind the door. Missing phone.
Lucy froze in her spot as her eyes brought her back to the nice velvet red box that now sat on the nightstand beside her. How did she miss this when she was grabbing for the water bottle and painkillers? What is it and where did it come from?
Natsu would surely not have left that out if he didn't want her to see it but why was she so fucking afraid? Her limbs were tense and she could only have a stare down with what clearly was a jewelry box. Small enough to host maybe a pair of earrings or even a ring. If small enough, a bracelet could even do but Natsu doesn't buy jewelry. Or does he?
Her heart was pounding and she had to talk herself into reaching for it because her curiosity was getting the best of her. Natsu definitely left this out for her to either see it or have it. He left it right next to her head by the water and drugs.
With shaky fingers, Lucy had no idea why she was being so nervous about jewelry. He was her boyfriend, jewelry was nothing.
But god fucking damn it. This wasn't just jewelry and wasn't nothing.
Staring down at the very big and very shiny diamond ring, Lucy could only sit there and gawk with wide eyes and a slack jaw.
Okay, no need to panic. This could definitely just be a promise ring. Maybe a 'I-love-you-and-I'm-sorry' ring? Or just a ring because he loves her?
But who the fuck gives what looks to be at least a three carat diamond ring as a 'just because' ring? This was definitely not a promise ring or anything light… this was…
Taking the golden ring out, Lucy had no words as she inspected the large round diamond that sat perfectly on the dainty golden band. The gem glistened when it would hit certain lighting and Lucy had to pull the curtain just to see it in the light.
It was blinding.
Her hands shook and as she slipped on the piece of jewelry on her finger, Lucy could only gasp as it slipped right on and sat as if it was practically made for her. She stretched her fingers out and stared at the ring for a moment, completely in awe and in love with the piece that she felt like she was dreaming.
This wasn't a promise ring nor was it an apology.
It was an engagement ring.
Natsu was fucking proposing. In the most Natsu way possible. Leaving the goddamn fucking ring next to her head and expecting her to wear it.
And she is.
How practical can the two be?
Lucy let out another groan and she dragged her hand down her face, feeling the cool metal band brush against her flushed skin. Is this what was eating away at Natsu for so long that he's finally snapped and decided to just leave the ring on her table side to wake up to? Was she the reason behind their fight and why Natsu had given up on keeping it a secret? But why did he have to make it so difficult?
Throwing the covers off, Lucy stumbled to her feet to hunt down her boyfri—fiancé and let him know that she accepts and maybe apologize. Her head was still pounding and the drugs had yet to kick in and she was desperate for something greasy but she had to find him first.
Opening the bedroom door, Lucy was instantly stopped when the random streamers scared her out of her skin. She nearly screamed at the flimsy things coming flying at her and as she tried to calm her racing heart, she could only register her surroundings. Noticing the trail of flower petals leading her down the hall, Lucy could only slowly follow the path. Her heart wouldn't calm down, threatening to leap out of her mouth the closer she approached and as she turned the corner to peek into the living room, she swore she could burst then and there.
Sitting in the middle of the living room with a tank of helium, a pack of balloons, an entire mess of trash and other plastic, and already more than a dozen blown up that stuck to the ceiling, Natsu looked like he was going through more stress than running into a burning house.
And that man was a firefighter.
He was cursing under his breath, low whispers echoing into the air as he blew each balloon up and then tied them up, attaching string before allowing them to float up and bob against the ceiling. She could see there were candles that were lit around the area and rose petals that lead to the living room but other than the large bouquet of flowers sitting on the counter, she knew immediately he wasn't done.
She wondered to herself if she should just sneak back into their bedroom and wait till he came to get her but as soon as she took a step back, the creek on the floor had Natsu whipping his head over to stare right at her.
Everything as comically dead silent as the pair stared at one another and anyone would have been able to hear a pin drop. Lucy had held her breath the entire time, wide eyes staring right back at surprise.
She could see how his eyes darted all over her body, making sure she was safe and unharmed and also how she was doing. She wished she went to the bathroom first to check up on her appearance but it was a bit too late for that. She knew she was a wreck. She felt like a wreck. Dressed in only a dirty oversized t-shirt that didn't even belong to her and having a bird's nest as her hair currently, she could only feel the embarrassment swell further in her chest. And here she was, standing in the hallway staring at her boy—fiancé? as if he had two heads.
His eyes pinned to her left hand and Lucy was instantly aware he was processing everything and she quickly brought her hand up to her chest, clutching her imaginary pearls as she felt the heaviness of the ring.
She parted her lips to say something but nothing would come out, her hairline moistening and her cheeks growing hot. Why was she so embarrassed? She's known this man for almost twenty years and now she was having a hard time talking?
"I—I," she stammered, feeling even more embarrassed as he slowly rose from his spot. "Um, I saw… th—the ring…" she didn't even know what to say and as he approached her, her body grew rigid. "The ring."
She swallowed thickly, staring up at him with wide eyes. She didn't know what to expect or what to say but as she watched him stand in front of her with an unreadable expression, she felt her throat grow dry once more.
"I—" she tried again but clamped her mouth shut when Natsu dropped down to one knee in front of her. It took everything out of her not to jump or ask what the hell he was doing. She watched in utter shock as he grabbed her hand and held it in his large one, holding it out for him to stare at the rock on her finger.
It was as if mere seconds turned into hours and she didn't know what to do. She could only watch him stare at her ring and soon she was staring at it too.
"Lucy," he finally spoke, his voice barely a hush but firm. He lifted his head up and looked right at her, making her gulp and tremble slightly.
"Y..yeah?"
The way his eyes softened and how gently he gave her hand a squeeze had her heart fluttering.
"Marry me."
The few seconds that ticked by felt like forever as well, chocolate brown pinned on dark onyx. Her lips parted for no words to escape once again and as she felt the sting of tears well into her eyes, she could only feel the warmth in her chest that spread like a wildfire.
"You're already wearing the damn ring, just say yes." Natsu pleaded after sitting on his knee for too long. "I waited ten years and I'll be damned if I have to wait any longer to finally call you my wife."
Hot salty tears spilled from her eyes freely and she felt the laughter bubble up from her chest. She must look like a whole train wreck as she sobbed and laughed, bobbing her head up and down.
"Yes! I—yes, Natsu! Yes!" She was laughing so loud as Natsu finally surged to his feet and picked her up. The sudden movement made her stomach twist uncomfortably and as soon as Natsu heard her gag, he put her down, his eyes wide as dinner plates.
"Are you still—"
"Yes," she dry heaved once more, hand pressed to her mouth as her other one swung frantically in front of her. "But it's fine. I took the pills," she cringed as she looked at her now fiance. "This is so unromantic and gross. I'm sorry."
"Luce, I'll propose to you even if you threw up all over me. I'll do it as many times as you want and need." His eyes gleamed with sincerity and adoration, not a single ounce of disgust showing up. "I love you for you and this is… you."
She scowled at him but he grinned right back, wrapping his arms around her to hold her tight and pepper her face with kisses.
"I love you."
"I love you." She responded back, eyes softening and smile widening. "More than you'd ever know."
For eternity is nearly not even enough.
x
.
fin