prompt nineteen: picking up the pieces
rate: T for Teens and Up
Nineteen out of one hundred.
So here's the thing. I made this in hopes it'll be a cute little one-shot for my prompt story but honestly… why am i liking it so much. I may continue this in some future chapters and i really debated if I wanted to make this into a story in itself by posting it separately but ehhhhh I'll see what happens but enjoy! (this was also supposed to be M but I made it too long hehe)
"Life goes on, and one should look forward not backwards." —Sonali Bendre
x
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When Lucy had turned five she had gained a new brother. He was two years older than her with jet black hair and a weird stripping problem and the two of them did not get along for the life of her.
She didn't understand why mama and papa aren't together anymore and why mama had married some other man that wasn't her papa and brought along this rascal of a child who tugged on her hair and stole her toys. She especially hated the fact that he was older than her and picked on her and there were many days where she would angrily storm over to the man (mama tells her to call him Mr. Silver but she didn't care!) and ask when he was finally going to leave her house with his stupid son.
That only made things worse cause her mother got bright red and yelled at her and Mr. Silver laughed out loud like she wasn't right there fuming about his presence.
On the bright side, this hatred didn't last long because mama and Mr. Silver was 'in love' and this was their new life now. So she was kind of stuck with this brat of a brother named Gray of all stupid colors and learned to live with him.
When they got older and he was more tolerable and she loved him like an actual brother, he made things worse. He befriended some wild pyromaniac as a friend and she came home to Gray and his stupid friend melting the faces off her Barbie dolls and she was horrified as she screamed bloody murder and cried her eyes out for a good couple hours.
That was when things went downhill for her.
First, she had to get stuck with Gray and his goddamn dad but now Gray had to befriend some pink-haired maniac that liked to play with fire and destroy her things?
And it seemed like he was to stick around because she saw him all the goddamn time and they would always bicker back and forth as if he was her brother too. Every holiday, dinner get-together, random days in between after Gray's practices, and honestly all the goddamn time would she see Gray and stupid Natsu.
Things got a lot better once they got a bit older and she didn't see Natsu around as much since Gray was hanging out at other places besides home and so was she. Anytime they did, he would just always poke at her till she was red to the face or screaming at him to go die. But when they got into high school and people got busy she didn't really care to see fit in why she had to entertain Natsu's bantering as he looked like he only got a kick out of her reactions.
More and more she saw less as they grew older and when Gray and Natsu were finally old enough to go to college, she actually celebrated.
She was so excited to not see them for the next four years and then she was off to college herself so she didn't have to deal with them for another how many years she was gone.
That's when her life started becoming peachy and she did wonders in school and in life. She landed the perfect job, had an amazing boyfriend who she's been with since college, and she was out living in a whole new city all the way across the country.
Life could not get any better for the twenty-four year old blonde.
"Life cannot get any worse," Lucy grumbled to herself as she slammed her forehead against the table causing the glassware to clatter obnoxiously. "How could this happen?"
"I think I can name a few…"
"Levy, hush and pass me the wine."
Sighing loudly, the petite bluenette grabbed the half drank wine bottle on the table and passed it over to the blonde who snatched the thing from her before dumping the rest of the wine into her glass. Lucy was quick to down half the glass in one go before she let out an unladylike burp and buried her head back into her arm.
In a span of a week not only did she lose her job but her boyfriend of three years dumped her, too.
That was enough for anyone to spiral as Lucy packed all her shit up and moved back home where she hadn't been to in almost seven years. There was a reason why she went to college all the way across the country and even moved to a completely different state than where her childhood was and for her to just come back all these years later…
"Pathetic."
"Lu, stop saying that. You're not pathetic."
"Yes, I am, Levy and you don't even have to deny it." Lucy sighed, lifting her head back up as she ran her hand through her greasy hair. "My life sucks major dick. Big dick."
"Well, at least it's big." Levy offered an encouraging smile but it only made Lucy glare before slamming her forehead back down on the table.
The last thing Lucy wanted to do was leave the city but she literally didn't have anyone back where she was. They've only been realistically living there for a year so she only had her boyfriend and maybe a couple coworkers she was becoming friendly with but nobody that could really help support her during one of her hardest times. How could she survive being jobless and being dumped all alone in a city hours away from her friends and family?
That's why she drove ten hours to come banging on Levy's door with tears rushing down her face and a broken heart not that long ago. She hadn't even seen Levy in a year or so due to their busy lives and her moving across the country but they always stayed in touch. She was glad she had her to hold her together because she sure as hell was not going to be moving back in with her mom and Mr. Silver.
She had enough of that heartache shit, she didn't need her own mother breathing down her neck and constantly poking the bear.
"We should go out tonight."
"Again?" Levy let out an exasperated sigh and Lucy turned to shoot her a look. "I mean, again?" She tried to say more excitedly but she knew she wasn't kidding anyone as Lucy rolled her eyes. "Lu, I just really have to finish this last PowerPoint, my presentation is due tomorrow. I really wish I could do more. I promise this weekend we can go out with the girls."
Lucy blew her bangs out of her hair in a frustration, feeling defeated and slightly bad about dragging her friend into her life problems.
"No, you're right, Levy. You have stuff to do and I'm being a bother," Lucy stood up from her chair, a low groan escaping her lips as she rolled her neck. "Maybe I should go out and get some air or something."
"There's that new bar that just opened up the street, maybe you should go and check it out."
"On my own? Isn't that kind of pathetic?"
Looking up from her laptop, Levy gave her best friend a look that shouted 'are you really in the position to be saying that?' And Lucy flicked her the bird, snatched her wine glass from the table, and then left to go to her room to shower for the first time in days.
By the time she was showered and dressed, she had already made up her mind that she was going to go because she cannot sit in Levy's house and bother her till she finally bursted from the constant whining. It was bad enough that Levy was letting her crash at her place for the time being, she didn't need to bring her down with her.
But she wasn't going to go alone! For once, Gray was willing to entertain her and said he'll meet her there. (Well, is it really entertaining if he said he was already planning on heading there and she could join him?) but it's the thoughts that count because at least she'll have someone to whine and bitch to.
And Gray wasn't such a pain in her ass anymore since they had grown up (yes he still was a pain in the ass but not as bad) so she was kind of excited to hang out with her brother. She hadn't seen him in person since she had graduated college and moved to the city.
She was quick to get dressed in a black mini skirt and paired it with a nice off the shoulder sweater since the nights are starting to grow cold with fall approaching. Once her heeled boots were zipped up and she ensured she had everything shoved into her small purse, she kissed Levy goodbye, told her not to wait up, and she rushed over to the new bar that had opened up to meet her brother.
She was so tired of crying and feeling sorry for herself. She wasted too much time and too many tears on stuff that doesn't matter anymore. She looked good tonight and she was going to enjoy herself even if it means she's going to have to wake up and do this all over again.
Ignoring the ache in her heart from remembering her ex-boyfriend and her old job, she walked into the surprisingly packed bar for a Wednesday night. It took her a minute to find Gray but he was easier to pick out as he was the only one without a shirt and creating a stir in this fine establishment.
"The day I see Gray Fullbuster with a shirt on his chest will be the day that hell freezes over." She came over to the man who was leaning against the bar counter who gasped when he realized his shirt was in his sister's hands and not on his torso.
"Hardy-har-har, you're so hilarious." Gray said while rolling his eyes but the small curve on his lips showed he didn't care too much. "Hey baby sis, long time no see."
"Shut up, stop callin' me that," Lucy scowled, flushing slightly as Gray pulled his shirt back on before waving his hand up to catch the attention of the bartender. "I'm not your baby sister anymore. Can't you just be normal and say sister?"
"You'll always be my baby sister, Luce," Gray smirked, tucking a straw in between his teeth before ruffling the hair of the blonde who shrieked and swatted at him. "Drinks are on me tonight."
"Well I hope so. I'm unemployed so I can't really afford it." Lucy smiled at the pointed look Gray gave her before he was accepting shots from the bartender and thrusting it out to her.
"Yeah, kinda forgot about that."
"How do you forget that—?"
"Lucy, shut up and just take the shot." He cut her off, already annoyed with the fact she was trying to get into this with him. Lucy threw back the shot and hissed as Gray switched it out for the one he held. "Take this one, too. You need it more than me."
"Aw, I always knew you cared." Lucy cooed at the male who rolled his eyes while she tossed back the drink before handing it to him to stack together. "When did this bar open up?" She dragged over a stool to sit down and face the male who continued to lean against the counter.
"Not that long ago," Gray said while he was holding up two fingers at the bartender who seemed to understand his wish. "I think maybe four months ago?"
"It's nice. Wish they had something like this when we were still here."
"You mean when you were still here." Gray snickered as he bumped shoulders with the pouting one while chewing on his straw.
Lucy frowned and furrowed her brows. "Isn't the point of growing up moving out of your hometown?"
"Not exactly," her brother happily accepted the drinks the bartender had brought them. "Gotta remember we're only in our twenties." He slid over the shots towards Lucy while he kept his glass of beer, fingers wrapping around the chilled glass.
She raised her brow at quizzically while pointing at the shots. "You're not taking these with me?"
"I'm already three beers and two shots in deep, sis," he chuckled, making her look at him with wide eyes and concern. "Relax, I didn't just get dumped or laid off," he smirked at Lucy who gasped before punching him right on the shoulder. Gray pretended it didn't hurt but his hand went to rub over the sore spot on his shoulder. "Just enjoying the moment."
"Aren't you a little too old to be going out to bars and getting trashed?"
"Aren't you a little too unemployed and single to be lecturing me about how to live my life?"
Lucy didn't hesitate to punch him again and this time he yelped. The ink-haired man narrowed his eyes at her and he only got a finger to the face as she took back one of the two shots.
"And besides, I figured you need those a lot more than me."
"Well, I already drank a whole bottle of wine at Levy's before coming here." She shrugged, reaching for her second shot.
"Oh good, then this shouldn't suck too bad."
"What wouldn't suck too—?"
"Yo! Is that crybaby Heartfillia?"
Lucy felt her entire body grow cold (which was weird considering her body was really warm from those three shots and wine bottle) as she heard the familiar voice of a certain pyromaniac that traumatized her from an early age.
Please dear god don't let that be—
"It is you! Since when did ya get back into town?"
Lucy felt her entire mood shift as the same toothy grin came into view and she was staring right back into dark onyx eyes.
He looked exactly the same as he did all those years ago—same spiky pink hair, wide toothy grin, scaly white scarf, and that loud obnoxious voice. He was a bit taller since she had seen him last and more mature as he had lost that baby face to him. He also seemed more muscular and fit as her eyes ran over his body and took in his adult male structure. She honestly hadn't seen him since he was maybe nineteen and now what was he now? Twenty six? When did twenty six look so good and when did Natsu look so—?
"Ew, stop looking at him like that." Gray swatted at her and she jolted in her seat as she came back from her thoughts. "Are you really that drunk already?"
"Huh?" She said stupidly and she flushed when Natsu had started to laugh out loud and she forgot how loud he truly was. "No, I—what? Gross, Gray," She shoved her brother away from her as her cheeks flared. "I was just trying to process for a second. What the hell is he doing here?"
"We came together."
Suddenly Lucy felt betrayed as she glared at the one beside her and he immediately held his hand up in surrenderance and took a step back.
"So, when did you get back into town, Luce?"
Turning to look at her brother's best friend who was standing too close for comfort, she reeled back slightly and tried to appear composed when she truly was not.
"Not that long ago," she reverted back to her last shot she desperately needed. She tossed it back and hissed as the burning ran through her body and she wiped at her mouth before looking back at him. "Good to see you, Dragneel. I see you haven't changed much."
"Really? You think so?"
"It wasn't a compliment," Lucy rolled her eyes at the way he smirked and she was already tired of being around him. She turned her back to him and waved her hand in the air to catch the bartender's attention, politely asking for a gin and tonic while offering her sweetest smile.
"What are you doin' back? Just visiting?" Natsu came to the other side of her to lean against the counter, coming back into her line of vision.
She turned her head away, trying to create some distance between them but this man never knew what personal space was. "Um, no, I'm staying for a bit."
"Is that so? Why is that?"
Before she could even open her mouth and give him one of her weak excuses, Gray had beaten her to it. "Lucy got fired from her job and dumped by her boyfriend so she moved back."
"Gray!" She shrieked, horror etching her face while the blush returned tenfold. She was looking between Gray who looked like he honestly didn't give a single fuck back to Natsu whose eyes brows shot up to his hairline, unsure what to say. "Thanks a lot! Why don't you just shout it out to the entire world?!"
Gray shrugged, ensuring he was far enough she couldn't punch him again as he sipped from his chilled glass. "It's just Natsu, who cares?"
"It doesn't matter if it's just him! I didn't want him to know how sad and pathetic my life is!"
He was now rolling his eyes and Lucy was one second away from reaching across the bar and smashing one of those empty beer bottles against his head because how dare he—
"That's alright, shit happens," Natsu shrugged and Lucy whirled around to face him again, blushing heavily. "I'm surprised you aren't bawling your eyes out like you always do."
"Oh, she did, don't worry," Gray snorted and Lucy was back to plotting his murder.
"I'm not seven anymore! I'm twenty-four, goddamn it!"
"Shit, really?" Natsu's eyes went wide as if he was given some crazy news, his eyes darting from her face to look at Gray before looking back at the blonde who scowled. "When did you get so old?"
Lucy could only let out a frustrated shriek, swatting at the pink-haired laughing maniac before she was storming away from her brother and his annoying best friend. She made sure to take her drink with her as she aggressively sucked through the straw while making her way to the dance floor.
Leave it to her brother to blab his fat fucking mouth to his butt-buddy about her current situation. She was sure to get him back for that one because not only did Natsu know she was back but she was unemployed and recently dumped.
How great.
Next thing she knew she found herself flirting with men to get them to buy her drinks as she needed the source of temporary relief with no other way to obtain. She was three shots deep when Gray had found her and dragged her back to a table before she was offering to do body shots.
Lucy whined and clawed at the once shirtless man but she shut the fuck up real fast when he brought her over to a table where an extra large supreme pizza sat at. Natsu looked like he was already two slices in and that fueled her eagerness as she knew if she wasn't quick enough, these two would swallow this pizza in mere minutes.
So she scooted into the booth so close to Natsu she stumbled over his lap and ended up knocking her chin against the back of the bench.
"Jesus, Heartfillia," Natsu jolted when she landed on his lap, the male immediately leaning back to create the space as they locked eyes. "You could have just asked to sit on my lap if you wanted to so bad."
Lucy's face grew crimson as she felt the alcohol pump through her body and she vaugly heard Gray shout "ew shut the hell up, asshole!"
Blinking like an idiot, she shoved herself off of him and made sure to slide all the way down so they could fit another person in between. "As if!" She made sure to turn her head away from his line of vision so he couldn't see the angry red that was painted across her skin. "Perv! I just wanted to sit but your fatass were hoggin' the entire bench!"
"Really? I thought you just wanted to sit on my lap."
"Alright, shut the hell up about this sittin' on the lap bullshit," Gray scowled, waving his hands in the air as if he was trying to swat away the topic. "Save some for the rest of us." He plopped down on the other side of the bench to start dragging slices to his mouth.
Lucy couldn't help but scowl at the smirking male beside her and eat her slice in a fury of emotions. She made sure to only face Gray and only acknowledge him as she refused to entertain Natsu. Especially today of all days. She's had too much of a shitty week to be taunted by this asshole. No matter how handsome he is or how broad his shoulders got or how big his arms are or how—
"Take a picture, why don't ya? Can't speak or acknowledge the man but can blatantly stare huh? Feel like that's kind of against the rules in whatever fucked up childish game you have going on here."
Lucy sputtered, ripping her eyes away from the man she didn't know she was even looking at as she was so engrossed into thinking about him.
Fuck, she might be in trouble.
The drinks are catching up to her and she's on the brick of no return. She was seeing spots and she knew she was happy to be coming back into reality as the grease and carbs soaked everything up. She glared at him while she drank out of Gray's beer glass and then flicked him off, refusing to respond as he rolled his eyes.
"Can we not do this tonight?" Gray sighed, already irritated at the bickering of Natsu and Lucy as he lazily held his pizza up. "I don't want your fighting getting in the way of my fun."
"Then tell your friend to back off." Lucy jabbed her thumb behind her where Natsu gawked.
"I'm not even doing anything." Natsu said in confusion, hands held up with his eyebrows pinched. "I'm just sittin' here eating pizza and you're the one here actin' like a baby."
"I am not acting like a baby! I just choose not to entertain you any longer."
"So ignoring me when I'm right in front of you is the 'adult thing' to do?"
Lucy huffed and tipped her chin up, whirling away to show him she was done talking. Natsu's jaw dropped and his eyes narrowed before he was looking at his best friend and Gray was rolling his eyes, holding his hand up to stop them from continuing.
"Real mature, Lucy." Natsu scoffed, going back to his half-eaten pizza. "I see you haven't changed, either."
Lucy turned to glare at him, a small growl escaping her lips as he smirked at her.
Natsu always knew how to push her buttons. From a small age he always teased and taunted her and she hated him for it. The many times he would yank her hair or laugh at how she looked like a clown when she first did her makeup or they way he would eat anything and everything in his sight. She doesn't remember how many times she had thrown hands with Natsu over the last bite of whatever it was.
She could see he was still that asshole as she eyed him slide over the last slice into his mouth.
Why couldn't Gray befriend someone who wasn't such a slob and a brat? The only thing Natsu got going for him was his boyish charms and looks. She'll give him that much and age just made him look even better.
Screw him!
After finishing the pizza that helped Lucy come back from her haze, she was back to pounding shots and drinks down her guzzle.
Can anyone blame her? She just got fired and dumped. She needed this.
Lucy was back to dancing on the dance floor with strangers and she was a giggling mess whose entire face was flushed with alcohol. She spent time with everyone around (mainly avoiding Natsu) and by the time eleven o'clock came around, she was as blasted as a rocket.
She was slurring and swaying as she laughed out loud to whatever someone was saying to her and nothing else mattered. She didn't feel the sadness or loneliness that edged into her heart after the unfortunate events that occurred. She felt happy for once as her mood brightened and she had one too many drinks on a Wednesday night.
But hey, she's unemployed so who cares? The real question was: why was everyone else here on a Wednesday night?
"Hey," a gruff voice came up behind her and she turned her head to the side to see her brother's best friend handsome face looking down at her.
But even she was a bit too drunk to care so much as she smiled and threw her arms over his shoulders to bring him into a hug.
Natsu made some sound of surprise as she yanked him in and she was giggling as she absorbed his warmth.
"Hey, you!" She cooed happily, a slight slur attached to her lips. "Are you here to drink these with me?" Lucy motioned towards the bar counter with wide arms where six shots laid. Natsu's eyes widened slightly to see the shots and then he turned to look back at her, eyebrows furrowed.
"No. We gotta go. I told Gray I'll take you home."
"Where's Gray?"
"He's wasted. I already called him a taxi but I know you're walking distance so I told Gray I'll make sure you get home safe. He'll kill me if he finds out I left you here."
Lucy only giggled, swaying in her spot as she turned back to face the rosy-haired man. "Natsu, when did you get so cute?"
"I've always been cute," he scowled, swatting away her hand as she reached to poke him in the cheek. "Today is the only day I'm allowing you to be a brat. I know you've been going through some shit but we need to go." He tried to tug on her arm but she whined and jerked away.
"We need to finish these, Natsu," she pouted, curling her arms around the six full shots as if she was trying to protect them. "It's such a waste!"
His face scrunched up to confusion. "Did you even pay for these?"
"You're right," she hiccuped as she held her hand out to him, curling her fingers inwards. "I still need to close out my tab but I'm broke. Gray was supposed to pay for me but he already ditched me soooo.."
"So, what? You're expecting me to cover your tab for you?" He asked in disbelief, looking at her outstretched palm to her wide grin.
"Ask Gray to pay you back. He said drinks were on him tonight."
"Oh, I will." He grumbled, already digging into his pocket for his wallet while Lucy squealed. She was all giggly and bubbly as Natsu handed his card over to the bartender and she was oblivious to his glare.
"Thanks, Natsu!" She chirped excitedly, leaning into his side to lean her head against his shoulder. "You were always my favorite."
"Liar," he now had a small smile curling up his lips as the bartender came back with the receipt. "You always hated my guts."
"True," she lolled her head to the side. "But only because—" she hiccuped in between. "—you're such an asshole."
"Here we go, again," he rolled his eyes while sighing, sliding the receipt away from them before tucking his card back into his wallet. "Come on, take those so we can go."
"Take them with me!" She grabbed his arm, yanking him closer when there was no more room. He stumbled into her and ended up stepping on her foot where she yelped, shoving at him as he reeled back. "Asshole! You stepped on my foot!"
"I didn't mean to! You just suddenly yanked me forward and I lost my footing!"
"Gosh," she twirled around dramatically, her hair whipping Natsu in the face causing him to spit out whatever got stuck to his mouth. "I don't even understand why you came over if you weren't going to take these shots with me."
Natsu gave her a stank face as he watched his best friend's little sister take one of the six shots. "Because I told Gray I would make sure you got home and I'm not going to just let you wander by yourself especially when you're hammered."
"I'm not hammered, just a bit buzzed." She pursed her lips when Natsu scoffed calling her a liar. "And I am not a child, I can go home all on my own." She was now taking the second shot, a soft burp erupting out of her lips as the liquid slowly settled. "And I certainly don't want to go home with you of all people."
Natsu scoffed, crossing his arms across his chest as he looked down at the hazy blonde. "You certainly wish, sweetheart but you're not my type and I got work in the morning so can you hurry the fuck up? I want to head home."
"Not your type?" She completely ignored the rest of his sentence as she whipped her head to squint at the flat expression Natsu gave her. "I am everyone's type!"
"Not mine," he shook his head as he reached for a shot to throw it back. Lucy gawked at him, growling at the male who hissed at the harsh liquor rushing down his body and he violently shivered. "Why the hell are you drinking straight gin?" He made a sour face at the empty shots before looking up at her.
"I'm going through some stuff right now," she offered a pinched smile before she tossed back her third shot without any grimace. "I would appreciate it if you could just leave me alone so I can wilt away in peace."
"I just told you we're leaving."
"And I just told you I'm not leaving with you."
"You have to. There's nobody else here that would take you home."
"You sure about that one?" She smirked and Natsu was rolling his eyes as she giggled drunkenly.
"You're not in the right mind to be going home with someone and didn't you just get dumped?" Her smile dropped and her eyes hardened as she stared at one of her childhood friends, eyes squinting at him as he sighed. "I just don't think you're sober enough to make good decisions and I'm not going to let you go home with some rando when you're vulnerable."
"Didn't think you cared so much."
"Of course I care about ya, Luce," he frowned, furrowing his own brows as she stared at him as if he confessed his deepest darkest secret. She stood there staring and blinking stupidly at him as he did the same, waiting for her to respond or react. "Um, hello? Did you short circuit or something?" He waved a hand in front of her face and Lucy flushed, coming back from her disassociation.
She pushed his hand away from her face and scowled, a small hiccup bubbling from her mouth. "Whatever. I'm still not ready to go home."
"It doesn't matter if you're ready or not, we're leaving. Take those shots so we can go."
"No," she huffed, irritation building.
"Yes," He responded back, leaning against the counter with one of his arms as he gave her a hard look.
Lucy blinked and stared at him as she couldn't understand for the life of her why suddenly she was finding this man so attractive at this moment. Was it her drunk goggles making her see people different? When did Natsu starting looking like some hot hunk with these muscles and assertive attitude?
It was such a turn on.
"Ma'am, is this guy bothering you?" Someone stepped towards the two against the bar counter and the two turned to squint at him. A tall dark-haired male with a scar on the left side of his face stood in front of them, turquoise eyes darting from Lucy's flushed face to Natsu's irritated one.
"Matter of fact, he is." Lucy gave Natsu a smug smirk as his eyes widened.
"Lucy—!" Natsu shouted in disbelief as the newcomer now came closer, holding his hand out in front of him.
"Sir, the lady said no."
"Get the hell away from us," Natsu growled, swatting at the hand he held up at him. "She's my best friend's little sister and I'm trying to take her drunkass home. Some of us have a job to get to in the morning."
Fire burned behind those chocolate eyes as she clenched her hands in a fist. "Screw you! I definitely don't want to go home with you!"
"The lady says she doesn't want to go," he shrugged. "I think you have your answer."
"Jesus fucking—" Natsu slapped his palm against his forehead, taking in a deep calming breath before he looked back at Lucy who stuck her tongue out at him and the stranger who stood before him. "Listen, buddy, I know you're trying to play hero or some shit right now but she's not the one and I'm not leaving. I promised my buddy I made sure his sister got home safe and we need to go. Now." His eyes met Lucy's and she was rolling hers in response, returning to her remaining shots.
Lucy remained quiet as she allowed the boys to handle their beef as she hissed and fanned her face, feeling her body growing warm once more. Before she could even finish her last shot, she was suddenly scooped up and tossed over Natsu's shoulder in a fireman's hold and she was shrieking, flailing her limbs around.
"Natsu! You asshole! Put me down! I said I'm not leaving!" She gasped as she saw the earlier hero on the ground with a red mark on his face. "Natsu!"
"You've gotten heavy, Luce," he grumbled as he whirled her around and she squealed, suddenly facing the doorway while Natsu quickly took the last shot before he was burping. "We're leaving."
Lucy screamed for him to put her down but he had such a strong hold on her, she couldn't do anything but shout obscenities and colorful descriptions on how she was going to kill him.
By the time they were away from the bar and in the streets of Magnolia, he had come to a halt and put her back down. She stumbled back a few steps where Natsu shot his hand out to grab her by the wrist and she stabilized herself, wobbling slightly with her high heels.
Lucy flicked his hand off of her and she glared at him, rubbing at her wrist he held to sooth out the burning sensation she felt from his touch. "You are not the boss of me. I can't believe you just kidnapped me like that."
"I didn't kidnap you," he scoffed, crossing his arms across his chest. "You were actin' like a brat and I told you we had to leave so we left."
"You are so annoying!" She groaned out, stomping her foot on the ground. "I'm not a kid! Stop treating me like one!"
"You certainly act like one."
"Says you!" She twirled around to storm away but got dizzy and lost her footing in the process to fall right on her face.
Natsu slapped his hand against his forehead and dragged it down, groaning out in annoyance as the blonde whined. "Are you alright?" He asked in an exasperated sigh, coming over to where Lucy had now sat up on the cobblestone, swaying. "Get up, Lucy."
Natsu didn't know what she was going on about but he came to a squat to grab at her to help her up but she shoved him away. Lucy rolled before she was on her feet, wobbling as she tried to dust off the dirt but she swayed violently. Natsu grabbed her by the arm before she fell again.
"Lucy, come on, let's get you home. Where is your place?"
"I'm staying with Levy down on Strawberry street," she hiccuped, pinching imaginary lint off herself. "It's just down the street."
"I know where strawberry street is." He said and the two were walking down the street, silence mushroomed between them.
The click of her heels echoed in the street but the couple stayed quiet as Natsu's vice grip on her arm remained. She tried to wiggle out of it a couple times but his grip would tighten and his sharp eyes would glare at her and she would just roll her eyes and follow.
"When did you become so boring? You used to stay up all night and party and now you're some boring serious robot." She asked, hiccuping once more as they reached the rushing canal. She perked up and tried to steer over but Natsu dug his heels in the ground and yanked her over to the other side of him to keep her away.
"I'm not boring," he scoffed, his pace much slower to match her stumbling ones. "I'm an adult. I have a job and bills to pay. I can't be doing stuff like that anymore."
"Just because you're an adult now doesn't mean you can't have fun." She pouted, turning her head away as Natsu sighed.
"Can we just make it home? I have to be up early tomorrow and I really don't want to be having this conversation with you when you're not going to even remember it."
"Yes I will! I'm not that drunk!" She argued but the way she was slurring wasn't convincing anybody.
Natsu chose to ignore her and it made her huff out in annoyance, finally ripping herself out of his grip to create distance between them. He didn't come back to grab at her so she took that as a good sign and walked on her own. Till she finally remembered the canal and she peeked over to see Natsu not paying attention so she slipped behind him when he took a couple steps forward and made a dash for it.
She could hear Natsu curse and shout at her but she was much faster as she came over to the edge and leaned over to see the rushing water. She tried to reach for it but was yanked back, the blonde wailing as Natsu spun her back around to face him.
"Do you want to fall in there? Why can't you just follow a simple direction?"
The annoyance on his face was as clear as day but she couldn't help but find it funny as she giggled. His eyebrows furrowed further and he growled, clearly not appreciating the way she was laughing at him.
"Can you relax?" She pushed him away once more, leaning back against the cobblestone edge while hiccuping. "You need to go get laid or something, jeez. You know how many times I've done this?"
She couldn't lie and say she didn't get a kick out of annoying her brother's best friend. He always annoyed her and made it his life's mission to pester her as kids so what's a little harm in poking the bear now? She hadn't seen him in years and she most likely won't again anytime soon but she kind of forgot how funny Natsu's expressions were when she plucked a nerve with him.
She flashed him a wide grin and she knew that was the tipping point for him because she was back on his shoulder and she was screaming as they approached Levy's apartment.
Lucy was fuming by the time he had made it to the apartment and she refused to look at him as he finally put her back down.
Natsu rolled his eyes at the way she pouted and faced away from him with her arms crossed. He stood right behind her with his arms crossed, impatiently waiting. "Do you have your keys or should I call Levy?"
"I'm home now. You did your job. You can leave." She flicked her wrist at him, shooing him away.
"I'm not stupid, Lucy. You're just going to dart out of here the second I turn my back."
"No, I'm not!"
"Yes, you are. You're known for running away."
Lucy whirled back around and scrunched her face up, looking right at the taller male. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Natsu sighed out loud, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Nothing. Now can you hurry your ass inside or I'll call—"
"No," she shook her head, taking a step forward to come closer. "What do you mean by that? I'm known for 'running away'?" She curled her fingers around the words and squinted at him.
"You just like to run away when things get hard, no biggie. Whatever. Give me your keys—" he tried to reach for her purse but Lucy jerked away, almost falling on her ass but catching herself against the wall of the building. Natsu had shot his arms out to catch her but sighed in relief when she didn't fall over.
"Are you fucking serious, Dragneel? Since when do I run away?"
"Are you fucking serious, Heartfillia?" He furrowed his brows in irritation. "How could you say that when you literally haven't been back in almost seven years."
"Keeping count now, are we?" She scoffed, crossing her arms across her chest while Natsu scowled. "Didn't realize how much you missed me."
"It's not about missing you, it's about you running away to some other state to leave everything and everyone behind."
"It's called growing up. Maybe you should try it sometime, Natsu."
"Get the fuck inside, Lucy. I'm done with this conversation." He took a step forward to tower over her, growling angrily at the blonde who didn't seem fazed by his sudden change in tone. She could only smile smugly, enjoying how angry he was getting. "I mean it."
"You don't scare me," she scoffed, dismissing him. "Like I said, I'm a grown woman and I don't need to be babysat, especially from the likes of you."
"It's funny how you keep mentioning that you're grown but you don't act it at all." He scoffed right back, sneering down at the blonde. "Now get your ass inside the goddamn house woman or I'll—"
"You'll what?" She snapped, glaring right back at the seething man. "You'll throw me over your shoulder and force me back inside? How original and how masculine of you. Such a hero! Taking your best friend's drunk baby sister back home in the middle of the night," she pouted at him sarcastically as he grew more and more irritated. "They should post your photo all over the newspaper and have everyone in town slap you on the back for a job well done! Maybe name a street after you!"
"Goddamn it Lucy, why are you being so difficult? All you have to do is march your pretty ass inside and yet here you are, running your fucking mouth because what? You're bored?" His hands were flying with his words as his own face grew red with anger.
"Aw, you think I'm pretty? I thought I wasn't your type." She giggled, placing her palm against her already flushed cheek.
"Get the fuck inside, Lucy!" He roared and Lucy laughed in response, making him slap his hand against his forehead and groan. "No wonder you're such a mess."
This made Lucy stop laughing and turn and look at him, her smile dropping as anger overwhelmed her. "Excuse me?"
"Oh, you hear that but not the other five fucking times I told you to get inside."
"How dare you," Lucy sneered, jabbing her finger against his chest. He didn't even move, unfazed by her as he watched her with a flat expression. "You don't even know what happened and you want to sit here and call me pathetic?"
"I didn't even call you—"
"Newsflash! I already know! I know I'm not doing great! Everyone around me constant fucking reminds me and let's not forget that I had to pack up my life and move back home because I just got fired and dumped! Poor little Lucy with her sad pathetic life, boo-hoo."
Her voice was loud and shrill as she screamed at Natsu and she was sure to wake her neighbors and even Levy but she didn't care. She was pissed. Nobody else in the entire world could make her so angry and upset like Natsu could. He was always such a ball of energy that wrecked things in his path and he always tormented her till she was in tears or red to the face screaming. She didn't want to or have to deal with his shit anymore. She was a grown ass woman and if this man didn't stop treating her as if she was some child, she was going to have to throw him into the canal.
And she sure as hell was close to it as he stood there glaring at her.
"Listen, it's not that big of a deal. Shit happens. So what if you got fired and dumped? Move on. You'll find a new job and you'll find another boyfriend. It's not the end of the world."
"Oh wow," Lucy gasped dramatically, planting one hand on her hip while the other curled around her chin. "How come I didn't think of that? Let me just move on. How silly of me not to."
"Please just go inside, Lucy." Natsu whined, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tilted his head up to plead to the stars to help. "I have work in the morning and I honestly—"
"Then go!" She shouted, stomping her foot down and groaning out loud. "I don't understand why you have to hover!"
"You think I'm just going to dump my best friend's little sister off at her front door when she's two sheets to the wind and be alright with that? It's almost midnight and you're wasted! Who knows what will happen to you!"
"Why do you care?!"
"Gray's my best friend! If anything happened to you, especially when I was tasked with this tedious mission, he would kill me!"
"Gray isn't the boss of me and you certainly aren't, either." She huffed, adjusting her strap on her purse before turning on her heel to walk away. "I am not dealing with your shit, anymore, Dragneel. Goodnight."
Before she could even take a step, Natsu grabbed her by the arm and whirled her around. Her vision became dizzying and she almost fell as she stumbled against his body. She felt the threat of her festivities bubble inside of her and she dry heaved as she fell against Natsu, nails digging into his arms to steady her.
"Don't you dare throw up on me." He hissed and she snapped her head up to glare at him.
"I'm not going to—"
"Liar," he cut her off, scowling. "If you're going to throw up that's fine but just not on me, alright?"
"I'm not going to—!" She started to shout but it got cut short when she gagged once more.
"God fucking damn it. Why me?" Natsu whined into the air before he was dragging her away from the building to the edge of the canal where Lucy was more than happy to be at as she leaned over to dip her fingers into the cool stream. She completely abandoned her purse as the strap slid down her arm and fell to the ground by their feet.
Natsu wrapped his arms around her waist to keep her from falling in as his scowl deepened. "Don't—" He didn't get to finish his sentence as Lucy suddenly started to spill her entire guts out into the water in front of them. He cringed at the sound of it splattering in the water, cursing under his breath as he grabbed at her hair to hold it up for her. He adjusted himself so he was behind her, his arm around her tight so she didn't fall while the other held back her long golden locks.
She went at it for a few minutes, gagging disgustingly loud and the smell itself made Natsu gag himself.
Lucy moaned out, pushing herself up to stand upright with Natsu right behind her. She ignored him but she could feel her back pressing against his front and his arm around her was comforting in a way. Even if it was only there to make sure she didn't slip and drown into the canal.
She wiped at her mouth, tears streaming down her face as her body felt fatigue. She was sure she was going to be having a grand old time tomorrow but it's not like she was doing all that great in the first place.
"You good?"
Lucy shivered when she felt his hot breath tickle her neck and she turned her head to see he was right on her. She felt her cheeks flush at the way he looked at her and how he just witnessed her throwing up.
"F—fine," she gulped, stepping away from him to give him a gentle push as his arms finally left her body. "I'm fine." She let out a soft burp and she made a face at the flavor that swelled in her mouth. "See what staring at your ugly face all night does?"
Natsu rolled his eyes, not moving from his spot as he crossed his arms. "Right. I'm the reason why you just threw up and not the many drinks you were pounding down at the bar hours prior."
Lucy moaned once more and sat herself down on the edge of the cobblestone wall, the coldness of the stone making her shiver.
"If you're cold you can just head inside. I bet it's a lot warmer inside than it is outside." Natsu jerked his thumb behind him to point to her building and Lucy just shot him a glare.
"I just want a minute, it feels good."
"Not like I have work or a life to live tomorrow," he muttered under his breath before sighing out loud. Lucy made sure to kick him in the shin and he yelped out, clutching at the spot while shooting her a glare. "Asshole."
"Learned from the best himself," Lucy offered a smile to the rosy-haired one and he scoffed.
Silence came between them once more and the night air was swirling around dragging fallen leaves with them. Lucy sighed heavily as she leaned back, palms flat against the stone behind her as she tilted her head back to look up into the night sky.
The sky was one thing she missed when she moved out of Magnolia. There was so much light pollution where she lived in the city that she could barely enjoy the view and she honestly forgot how nice and bright the sky was until now. The stars twinkled brightly as if they were greeting her back home and she could see the constellations that connected within. She found herself smiling to herself as she greeted those who came to see her tonight, soft eyes twinkling right back.
She used to tell her ex all the time she would bring him here one day and he could see for himself how beautiful the stars truly were. He never understood her obsession with it and it was probably because he didn't grow up seeing this type of beauty. But then again, he dumped her for someone else so why did it even matter? He clearly didn't have a taste for finer things.
And now as she sat in her hometown, drunk and staring up at the sky, she could only feel the crushing pain of loneliness hitting her once more.
She truly did think they were going to be endgame. She met him in her senior year of college and they dated through adulthood. She even moved in with him to the city and she was excited to live such an amazing life with an amazing boyfriend who loved her like no other.
Maybe she was just blind to the way he was sneakily trying to end things with her because she was so in love.
What was so wrong with her that everyone always ends up leaving? Her mama always told her she was her bright shining star but at this moment? She felt dull and she would most likely describe herself as a dying star. Did her ex really think those things about her? Was she honestly too blind to see him falling out of love with her? Too blind to see her job was waiting for the perfect moment to let her go? Was she the problem?
"Hey, what's wrong? Why you cryin'?"
Blinking stupidly and shifting her gaze to the man she totally forgot about that was standing in front of her, she watched how his face twisted into confusion and concern. She reached up to touch her cheeks and she was surprised to feel the wetness of her tears streaming down.
"I—I didn't even realize," she muttered, leaning forward to bring her other hand up to her face to wipe them away. "Sorry."
"You don't have to apologize for cryin', Luce. It's alright."
"No," her voice became wobbly as she tried to wipe the tears away but they just kept coming. "It's not alright."
"Luce, it's alright—"
"No, it's not, Natsu." She said harshly, rubbing at her face more aggressively. "It's not alright because I'm pathetic. I'm sitting here crying to myself, getting drunk to forget all the shit that happened in the last week, and the worst of all?" She raised her head to look at him with blood-shot puffy eyes. "I still love him."
Natsu's facial features seem to harden as they locked eyes, his jaw tensing with how hard he clenched it. His hands were shoved into his pocket and his scarf was flying wildly around them but she couldn't tear her eyes away from her childhood menace who oddly enough was comforting.
Lucy laughed bitterly, casting her head down to stare at the space between them. "Yeah, I know. Pathetic." She scoffed, twiddling with her fingers. "You know he broke up with him over the phone?" She missed the way Natsu's expression twisted into surprise when she tucked her head down to wipe at her face. "We literally lived together and I came home one day to find all his stuff gone and when I call him he just tells me it's over! Just like that! Like, what kind of man does that?" She couldn't help but laugh at herself as tears streamed down her face.
Her laughter died down into sobs and she was now full on bawling her eyes out with her hands pressed against her face.
Honestly, how pitiful can she really get? Sitting outside with only her childhood wreck to witness her breakdown. She really had to get herself together.
Natsu came down into a squat in front of Lucy and he gently peeled her hands away from her puffy face. He offered her a small smile, reaching up to wipe at the salty tears that wouldn't stop.
"You know Luce, you're not the pathetic one here. He is." Lucy laughed at that and he gave her a bigger smile, tucking a strain of hair behind her ear. "He's not a real man if he can't break up with you in person. It's unfortunate that it happened this way and you wasted a lot of time on that piece of shit but think of it this way," he wiped at the tear that reappeared on her cheek. "You're one step closer to finding the one for ya and they'll be lucky to have someone as bright as you."
Lucy sniffled as she felt her cheeks grow warm and her vision become less blurry. She was sobering up in the dead of the night with the cold nipping at her skin and her throwing up all the alcohol that once burned her body from the inside out.
"Since when are you this nice?"
Natsu scoffed, the corner of his lips curling up into a half smile. "I'm always nice."
"Not to me."
"Only because you're such a brat."
"You said I can be one tonight." She huffed and he was now giving her a full smile. She let out a sigh as she felt herself calm down and the tears came to a stop. "Thanks, Natsu. Sorry about the whole… crying my eyes out part. Didn't mean to do that."
"Nothing I'm not used to," he smirked as she gasped and gawked at him. "I don't call you crybaby Heartfillia for no reason."
"Ugh! Stop calling me that!" Lucy swatted at him as he laughed, now standing up to take a step away so she didn't swing on him. "Just when I thought you were actually nice!"
"It's true, ain't it? You used to cry all the time over the smallest things and you still do."
"This is different asshole!" She tried to kick at him but he jumped away, cackling. "You and Gray always used to tease me and ruin my things! And I was just a kid back then!"
"Yeah, alright," he snorted and Lucy was growling, ready to pounce on him.
"God, you are such a dick." She huffed, standing on her feet to grab at her purse she had thrown to the ground to adjust the strap on her shoulder. "I wouldn't be surprised if your dick is so small since you like to use it for your personality so much."
"Don't need to worry about my dick being small, sweetheart," he barked out in laughter as he watched her brush her hair out her face. "Haven't gotten a complaint yet."
"Praying for those who have been through it and will go through it in the future," she shook her head and it was Natsu's turn to be shouting obscenities out at her. She giggled at the way Natsu scowled and she came forward to wrap her arms around his shoulders. He tensed in her hold and she plopped her chin on her chest to smile up at him. "Thanks, Natsu." She cooed and she could see the faint pink painting his cheeks. "For taking me home and dealing with my stubborn ass. You're a good friend."
"You better be," he scoffed, wrapping his arms around her to hug her back. "You're a menace when you're drunk. I'm never going to agree to taking you back home and Gray can suck my dick if he tries to get me to do it again."
"At least he won't choke since it's so small."
"Watch it, Heartfillia," he hissed down at her and she was giggling again. "You wouldn't even be sayin' that if you only knew."
"Know what? That your dick is small?"
"I'm starting to think you just want to see it since you keep talking about my dick."
Lucy pulled away from him but kept close, her arms now lazily hanging off his shoulders as she looked into his playful eyes. "I thought I wasn't your type."
"You're not."
"What's wrong with me? Is it my hair? Are you not into blondes?"
"Nothing to do with your hair color," he pulled away from her to smirk, hands shoved into his pockets. Lucy gawked at him, slightly offended that he might be implying she wasn't pretty enough for him. "Don't give me that look," he rolled his eyes at the way she puffed her cheeks out and crossed her arms. "Why does it matter if you're my type or not anyways?"
"Because you're implying I'm too ugly for you and that means I need to do some major changes because if someone as ugly as you—"
"Hey—"
"—doesn't find me attractive than I'm going to be single for the rest of my life!"
The older man sighed, running one hand through his hair to push it back out of his face while he stared down at the short petite one. "It has nothing to do with your looks, alright? It's not a big deal."
"Then was it? Is it my personality? Are you trying to say nobody will date me because I'm that awful?"
"Are you still drunk? Where are you hearing these words come out of my mouth?"
"You're implying it!"
Lucy watched in irritation how this man just huffed and dragged his hand down his face. It was how he showed he was exasperated and done with the conversation but she was not going to let Natsu Dragneel of all people tell her she wasn't good enough. She liked to think she was a catch. She worked hard studying her ass off and focusing on school so she knew it wasn't because she was dumb. Her body definitely isn't the problem either because she had a banging body (well, she could do more considering she hasn't been to the gym in a couple years and she had been eating away her feelings the last week) and she'd like to think her personality was fine.
She was fun, flirty, sexy, and at times, a mess but who wasn't?
"You're really not going to let this go?"
"Not until you tell me why I'm not your type if it has nothing to do with my looks or personality like you claim." She popped her hip out and crossed her arms across her chest, her cheeks puffed out.
"If I say it you can't say anything about it, alright?"
"Depends what you say," she narrowed her eyes at him, lips twisting to the side.
Natsu stared right at her, his lips twitching in amusement. She watched him just stare at her for a minute and she felt a bit flustered under his gaze but she kept her stance and kept her eyes on him as she waited.
"It's because you're my best friend's little sister."
"That's why I'm not your type?" Lucy asked in disbelief, blinking at him in confusion.
Natsu held a hand up to her, smiling. "You said you won't say anything."
"I never agreed to those terms!" She swatted at his hand and glared. "But that's not even a good reason—"
"How is that not a good reason? I'm telling you that you're off limits because I'm that close with your brother. I literally watched you grow up, Luce."
"No, I get that but it just doesn't make sense why I'm not your type. Me being Gray's sister has nothing to do with me. Being someone's type is like… hair color," she held up a strain of her golden hair to show him. "Or—or eye color?" She pointed at her eyes which Natsu snorted at. "Or maybe size? I don't know, but that isn't a good reason why I'm not your type."
"Okay Miss literal," he rolled his eyes. "Maybe it's not a type thing but more so rules I abide by."
"So then I am your type?"
"Why are you so obsessed with the idea that you might be my type?" He leaned in closer with a smirk making her lean back and stare at him with wide eyes. "You got a crush on me or something, Heartfillia?"
"In your dreams!" She shoved him back by the shoulder and he was laughing out loud. She felt her face flush in embarrassment at the way he kept laughing at her and she was one second away from giving him an old fashioned Lucy kick to his family jewels.
Her liking him? Natsu was always that annoying kid her brother brought around. He was the total opposite of her type. Lucy liked nice, sensitive, romantic guys, not someone who is as brash, loud, and wild like Natsu.
Yeah, he may be easy on the eyes and he wasn't so bad when he wasn't terrorizing her but… what would it feel like just to kiss him? His lips looked so inviting and warm and she could just imagine how hot it would feel against her own. She won't lie and say she's never had a crush on Natsu before but she was just a kid and what sane thirteen year old won't fall in love after seeing her brother's best friend shirtless and sweaty?
But that was years ago and she was not a kid anymore and Natsu was not a kid anymore and she was thinking more lewd things than she should. This was her brother's best friend! Why is she thinking about him shoving his tongue down her throat and his fingers—
"Why you lookin' at me like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like… you're about to do something stupid." He eyed her warily and she realized she was way too close to Natsu and alone. Her eyes darted around nervously but they kept landing back on his face and she swallowed hard, taking a step back to create distance between them.
"No, I, um, it's just—"
"Just what?" He took a step towards her and Lucy's eyes widened, her knees feeling a bit wobbly as her cheeks flushed crimson.
"Nothing! You just—I—we—"
"Spit it out, Heartfillia."
"Can you back up?" Lucy shrieked, shoving her hand out in front of him as he kept coming closer and closer and her poor heart couldn't handle it anymore. "I'm not thinking or doing anything!" She stomped her foot down, turning her head away to puff her cheeks out. "You are so pushy."
"Is this because I said you're not my type?"
"I am your type. I am everyone's type." She huffed, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Sure you are," he snickered and she missed the way his eyes dragged up her body while she was pouting.
"I am." She argued but the way he was smirking was irritating her. "I am! You said so yourself!"
"I never said—"
"You said it has nothing to do with my looks or personality but the fact that I'm Gray's sister." She gave him a pointed look. "So if I wasn't Gray's sister you're implying that you would find me attractive."
"I never said you weren't attractive," he shrugged. "I just said I wouldn't do anything with you because you are Gray's sister."
"See! There! You said it!" She pointed a finger at him as if she caught him stealing from the cookie jar. "So you do think I'm attractive and I am your type."
Natsu sighed and rolled his eyes, dragging his hand down his face. "Alright, princess, I think it's time for bed." He reached for her to try and guide her back to the house.
"Why can't you just admit it?" Lucy grumbled as she allowed him to bring her back to the front of the building.
"I am not agreeing or disagreeing. I am simply just trying to get you to go to bed so could you please?"
"Not till you say it!" She whirled around to look at him again and she slapped Natsu in the face with all her hair again as he blew raspberries and scowled.
"Say what exactly?" He sighed, rubbing at his eyebrows tiredly.
"Say that you find me attractive and that I am your type."
Natsu gave her a flat look as he waited for her to say she was kidding but they stood there in complete silence as they stared at each other. Lucy had her hip popped out and her eyebrow raised, her hand in the air as she twisted her wrist in a circle. "I'm waiting."
"Does this really mean that much—?"
"Yes. I won't tell Gray if that's what you're worried about."
Natsu groaned as he pressed his hands against his face, rubbing at it in hopes he could just disappear. He kicked his leg out and placed his hands on his hips to tilt his head up to whisper some sort of prayer to the stars before he found her eyes again.
"You're my type and I find you attractive. Happy?"
Lucy smiled brightly at his words and she actually giggled, feeling some weird type of butterfly attack inside of her stomach. She shouldn't be feeling like a love-sick fool but something about Natsu saying this to her made her feel giddy. Maybe it was because she was just recently dumped or maybe she was still drunk.
Why was she so goddamn warm?
"Now, was that so hard?" She tilted her head to the side and she swore Natsu growled at her. "Now tell me I'm pretty."
"Is this really—"
"Tell me I'm pretty!"
Natsu shook his head and sighed. "You're pretty."
Lucy clapped her hands together in excitement and Natsu scoffed, finding it very hard to not smile at her adorable ways.
"Alright now go inside and go to bed."
"Only because you think I'm pretty." She teased and Natsu rolled his eyes, feeling his cheeks burn in embarrassment. Lucy fished out her keys to look for the one key Levy had given her and she finally unlocked the door. She shoved her keys back into her purse and looked over her shoulder to see Natsu still standing there and she found herself smiling because he really was the sweetest sometimes.
Turning back around, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and brought him closer. "Thanks, Natsu. It was so nice to see you."
"Welcome back, Luce," he hugged her right back, tucking her head under his chin. "I'll see you soon, yeah?"
"Yeah," she sighed, pulling away from his warmth. "See you soon, Dragneel." She smiled up at him before she leaned in and planted a quick kiss on the tip of his nose. She pulled away from his arms and giggled at how he gawked at her with his slack jaw and crimson cheeks. "Goodnight!"
Feeling pretty good about herself, Lucy turned around and only took one step forward before she felt a hand wrap around her wrist and pull her back. She yelped at the sudden yanking and she whirled around to see Natsu reaching for her and before she knew it, his hand was cupping her face and his lips were on hers.
Her eyes were wide in shock as she felt the warmth of his lips press against her own and she didn't know if she was still drunk or dreaming because why the hell was her brother's best friend kissing her?! And most importantly, why was she liking it and kissing him back?!
When Natsu finally pulled away, Lucy was embarrassed to gasp for air as if he was holding her underwater. Her hand came up and slapped across her own open mouth as she stared at him with wide, watery eyes.
He looked equally embarrassed with his own hand over his mouth and they were just frozen in place, staring at each other as if they were daring the other to speak first.
"Okay, goodnight for real this time." He sputtered out and held his other hand up in a quick wave. He tried to high tail it out of there but Lucy grabbed him by the scarf, pulling him right back.
"Wait," she said before her mouth was on his again and they were kissing.
It was like nothing she's ever experienced before as her entire body warmed up and tingled. Her fingers were gripping onto his scarf like a lifeline and she worried she might stretch it but her thoughts were shoved out the door when she felt his tongue slide across her bottom lip. She moaned into his mouth when he finally stroked her tongue with his and she felt him wrap his arms around her and bring her closer. It gave her a chance to let go of his scarf and wrap her own arms around his shoulders and she ended up tangling it through his bubblegum pink hair that surprisingly were soft to the touch.
When they pulled away the second time, Lucy was still gasping for air and she was red from head to toe as she looked right into his hazy eyes.
Since when did Natsu become so sexy to her? The way he was looking at her made her heart pound and toes curl as she struggled to breath and she was clearly out of her mind to be thinking of wanting to bring Natsu upstairs and—
"So you do have a crush on me."
"Wha—?" Lucy said stupidly as he smirked and she was mortified to come to the realization that she had just made out with her brother's best friend. "No I don't!" She was quick to try and scramble away, back pressed against the doorframe as she curled her hands into her chest and stared at him with wide eyes.
"Damn, you really are cute, Luce." Natsu chuckled as he wiped the corner of his mouth with his thumb, a wicked grin coming on his face.
Lucy felt her knees buckle and she quickly grasped for the door, trying to find anything to ground her. "I—you—we—I'm—perv!"
"Perv? You kissed me first."
"Not on the lips!" She shrieked, unable to push down the wild blush on her face.
"The first time, sure." He shrugged and she was trying her best to not melt right there.
Natsu crossed his arms and quirked a brow at her and Lucy found herself wanting to be back in his arms with her lips attached to him once more. She slapped herself on the forehead and shook her head furiously as she tried to get the image and thought out of her head.
"G—goodbye Natsu!" She shouted a bit too loudly considering he was right in front of her and she made a dash for it inside before slamming the door shut. She leaned back against the door with her heart thundering and her mind racing as she kept replaying that kiss in her head.
And the craziest part was that it was the first time she's ever felt such a spark and she wasn't thinking about her ex at all.
Only… Natsu.
X
.
Fin.