What Fairy Girls Want

by Ulquiorra9000

Chapter 16: twice the sexy fun

Natsu was about halfway Mr. Michello's sleep-indlucing History 101 lecture at MCC's campus when he felt his phone buzz in his shorts pocket. Hooray, an excuse to goof off on his phone! But he had to be careful, 'cause Mr. Michello was rumored to have a trophy case at home full of confiscated phones! So, Natsu slouched a bit in his seat and discreetly checked under his desk to see what was up.

How about tonight? For a date, said Elfman's text. Evergreen said she's free! Are you free, too?

Natsu kept one eye on Mr. Michello as he texted back I'm wide open. But r u asking me to be a third wheel?

I meant a double date, Elfman texted right back. You're only dating Lucy now. Why not bring her? She's delightful!

True and true. Natsu also wondered if it would be weird to go on a double date with the ultra-protective brother of the girl he recently dumped. It had only been two weeks since the soccer team returned from the Crocus trip. How fresh were those emotional wounds for the Strausses?

Nah. Wounds was too strong a word, but seriously, would bringing Lucy along make it seem like Natsu was telling Elfman "your sister wasn't good enough for me" or the like? Well, what if he phrases it as... uh...

"Hmmmmmmm," Natsu wondered, scratching his head.

"I didn't get that part, either," a certain Kinana muttered as she leaned closer to Natsu. "What was that about the Council Edict again?"

Natsu blinked. "What now?"

"Can I see your notes?" Kinana whispered.

"I don't got none," Natsu said, managing to sound even dumber than usual. Sheesh.

"But what was that 'hmmmmmmm' about?"

Natsu jolted. "Oh! Uh, I was just..."

"You're blushing."

"Nuh-uh!"

Then Kinana leaned even closer and peeked at Natsu's phone screen. How naughty! "A double date?" Kinana whispered gleefully. "Oh, my! That sounds fun!"

"You're not invited!" Natsu blurted out.

"Double date?" came another girl's voice as Laki Olietta leaned over from Natsu's other side. Her glasses panes flashed with excitement.

"Natsu's double-dating with Elfman, Lucy, and Evergreen," Kinana whispered to her.

"That wasn't agreed upon," Natsu hissed back. "And butt out!"

"So rude," Laki muttered, adjusting her glasses like a dork. "You should polish your manners, young man, before you go on any dates!"

"Sorry," Natsu whispered to everyone.

"Say yes!" Kinana said, pointing at Natsu's phone. "Live a little, Natsu."

"We're rooting for you," Laki added with a playful smile.

"Is there a problem?" Mr. Michello called out, pointing at Natsu's trio. At once, Laki and Kinana popped back into their seats, sitting rigidly upright like the ace students they pretended to be.

Natsu cleared his throat. "Naw, prof. We're cool."

"Hmph. Good. If there's any funny business, I'll end up adding another trinket to my trophy case," Mr. Michello said. Then he turned and started writing something on the dry-erase board.

Natsu got the shivers and pocketed his phone before it met its fate. He felt like he already needed another vacation! And this lecture was a total snoozefest. Stupid gen-ed requirements...!

After class let out, Laki and Kinana cornered Natsu until he texted Elfman back in the affirmative, gladly agreeing to a double date tonight.

"Oh, and I hope you're packing protection," Kinana said with a sly smile. "I've heard how hot and heavy you and Lucy are for each other. Yowza!"

"Do you think they'll do a group scene?" Laki wondered. "Four people in one bedroom in an orgy of the flesh... I wish I could be there."

Kinana made a face. "Wow. Keep it in your pants, weirdo."

Natsu, meanwhile, was already picturing that scene and resolved that he'd do it if he and Elfman avoided eye contact. And if Elfman agreed to not yell out manly phrases the entire time.

Better hit up the store for condoms on the way back to the apartment!

Laki slapped Natsu on the back. "Hit 'em dead for me, stud."

"It's knock 'em dead," Kinana corrected her, giving her friend a little shove out the lecture room door. "C'mon, let's get lunch in the student union building."

"Okay, okay..."

Natsu watched the girls go and wondered what the hell he was in for tonight. What was Lucy expecting from him, now that they were exclusive? The two of them had traded some friendly and spicy texts since returning from Crocus, but no promises had been made yet. And this would be their first date since their trip to Crocus All-Star with Lisanna.

Then it occured to him. Of course!

o*o*o*o*

"So, what are you up to, big sis?" Lisanna Strauss asked idly as she stretched out on the luxurious couch in her and Erza's apartment that evening around dinnertime. She was half-watching a game show on the huge flat-screen TV that Jellal had bought for Erza's birthday last year, wondering if Erza would be any good at these games.

"Oh, not a lot. Laxie and I are just enjoying a quiet night in," Mirajane said brightly on Lisanna's phone screen. "Ever since we got back from Crocus, he and I have tried scaling things back a little. Simpler feels better right now."

Lisanna smiled. "Is this because of the jumbotron incident?"

"What?! Says who?" Mirajane yelped.

"Just kidding," Lisanna teased her, even though she knew it was 100% true. "You and Laxus work so hard, big sis. I think you deserve to take things easy for a while. Are you comfy?"

"Does this look comfy?" Mirajane turned her phone to show the candlelit dinner she and Laxus were having. Laxus waved at the camera, so Lisanna waved back.

"I'm just taking things easy, too," Lisanna told her sister. "It's summer! It's too hot to get all worked up, right? And you know warm weather makes me sleepy."

"Oh, I know that feeling," Mirajane said fondly. "But if I recall, you wanted to push yourself this year, Lisanna. Don't tell me you haven't gotten started yet?"

"It's... a little harder than I thought, okay?" Lisanna said, feeling her gut clench. "I'm not sure where to start. It feels a little scary."

Mirajane's expression softened at once. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pressure you too much!"

"You're not, big sis. It's okay," Lisanna assured her. She rolled over on the couch to find a cooler spot. "I should be pushing myself! I just didn't realize how tough it would be to take the first step. I... I admit, I feel like I'm disappointing you."

"You could never disappoint me, Lisanna!" Mirajane cried. "Please don't talk like that. I have such faith in you."

"Thanks, big sis." Lisanna made a watery smile while still feeling terrified on the inside. She had already talked through her feelings about the breakup with Mirajane soon after returning from Crocus, so with the past taken care of, that left one thing: the future. It loomed over her like a giant.

"If you called me because you needed someone cheering you on, remember that I'm always with you," Mirajane told her fondly. "And whether you start building your future tomorrow or next week or next year, I know you'll accomplish something amazing we can all be proud of. I couldn't ask for a better little sister."

Lisanna felt happy tears stinging the corners of her eyes. "Oh my gosh... big sis...!" She put a hand to her heart.

"Whatever you decide to do, Lisanna, you have my support! Be brave, be bold, be silly, be YOU. Good luck!"

It was funny, the Strauss sisters switching places like this. Mirajane was the campus queen, now humbled and stepping back so silly little Lisanna could step up to the plate. Was this the end of an era?

No. It was the start of another!
"Tomorrow it is," Lisanna decided, thrusting up a fist. "Every day, I'll do something to show you the new me!"
"Woo hoo! Amazing! I know you can do it," Mirajane cheered, throwing up the peace sign. "Tell me all about it tomorrow. For tonight, I've got a meal and a gentleman waiting for me." She gestured at the dinner setup, and Laxus waved again.

"And then...?" Lisanna asked.

A naughty smile spread across Mirajane's face. "Once we're fueled up and boozed up, Laxus is gonna plow me so hard in that bed -"

"Oops, I lost the signal! Oh no!" Lisanna hastily pressed the call button, feeling herself go warm in the face. Good grief...!

Then the front door burst open, and Erza Scarlet swaggered right in, humming to herself.

"Oh, my. You're in a good mood," Lisanna said, sitting up to greet her roommate.

"Mmm-hmm! Am I ever," Erza said, tossing her lovely red hair. "I just accomplished something incredible, Lisanna."

"What? What?" Lisanna asked eagerly.

"I finally got accepted into the club of my choice after the sixth time applying," Erza said proudly, puffing out her chest. "Bwahahahahaha! MCC will never be the same again!"

Lisanna felt herself breaking into a cold sweat. "Don't tell me..."

"That's right, missy!" Erza declared. "I have joined... the theater club!"

Lisanna winced and tried to pass it off as a smile. "Y... yay...!"

o*o*o*o*

"I don't even know where to start with this thing," Natsu commented, flipping through the lengthy menu. "It would help if there were pictures."

"Oh, you big silly," Lucy teased him, seated primly to his right. "You could pick something at random if you're feeling brave."

"I'm always brave," Natsu declared. He closed his eyes and jabbed his finger at something, then peeked at the results. "Uh... can I go again?"

Elfman burst out laughing, drawing funny looks from the other diners here in the Riverside Garden, one of Magnolia's fanciest restaurants. Normally, cash-strapped college students didn't hang out in a joint like this, but Elfman insisted, so Natsu insisted Elfman put it all on his credit card. Try not to break the bank, buster!

"This is real nice," Natsu added warmly as he gave up on random chance and scanned the menu for something yummy and cheap. "I've never done doubles before. And here we all are!"

Lucy smiled. "It's my first double date, too. Actually..." She went pink and fanned herself. "This is my first date with a steady boyfriend. I'm a little nervous, I admit!"

"It's quite all right," Evergreen said, tossing her hair. "This is also my first serious date with a serious partner." She glanced over, giving Elfman an appraising look.

Elfman cocked his head. "For real? I would have thought you'd dated a bunch in high school, Evergreen."

"What gave you that impression? Don't tell me our classmates made up a rumor."

"It's just..." Elfman shrugged. "You're so beautiful and classy, Evergreen! I was so sure you were popular in high school. I bet you got asked to prom by half the boys in your grade!"

"Only fourteen of them," Evergreen said casually. "I had to turn them down."

Lucy nearly choked on her sip of ice water. "F-fourteen?!"

"Damn, you must have felt so flattered, Evergreen," Natsu said, trying to choose between braised pork chops and veal cutlets (what the heck was that?).

"Hardly, Natsu. My parents forbade me from attending prom," Evergreen told him. "They didn't want anything getting in the way of studying."

Now Natsu cocked his head, too. "I don't remember hearing this story before. How come you never brought it up?"

"It's hardly a story, Natsu. It's just... how I was raised. That was my life," Evergreen said with a polite shrug. "It's not something to chat about at Cana's house parties."

"Guys, let's not talk about it if Evergreen's not comfortable with it," Lucy piped up gently.

"Crap. Sorry," Natsu said meekly, hanging his head.

"I'm sorry too," Elfman said.

"Actually... this is for the best," Evergreen said. It sounded like she realized it as she said it. She took a deep breath and added, "Since this is my first serious date, I'm feeling ready to open up. I'm an open book, my good friends. I think we should all get to know each other better."

Natsu shared a look with his three friends. "Hey, that's a pretty slick idea," he said brightly. "I mean, I know Elfman pretty well, but not you, Evergreen. We never really hang out much." He turned to Lucy with a fond smile. "And I really wanna know you better, Lucy. On our first few dates, I was just getting started."

Lucy returned his smile. "The feeling is mutual, my dear sir." She turned to Elfman and Evergreen. "So! How should we do this? Who will start?"

"Why don't we start with some grub?" Elfman said, waving at the waiter who approached them. Everyone placed their orders, and Natsu hoped that his dinner wouldn't have too many vegetables. Who needed them, anyway? Then Evergreen asked for a wine menu, something Natsu had never seen before.

"They have a whole menu for just wines?" Natsu asked in disbelief as Evergreen perused that list. "How much can there be? Just red wine and white wine, right?"

"Oh my, Natsu. You have so much to learn," Lucy said, hiding a giggle behind her hand. "I grew up with a father who took pride in his wine collection. He had vintage bottles from all over Earthland! He told me all about them."

"Goodness me. I only saw my parents drink wine on special occasions," Evergreen said. "I developed my own wine tastes after I moved out."

Elfman spread his arms wide and grinned. "This is terrific! We're getting to know each other so well."

"It's fun," Lucy agreed, sharing his smile.

"Can I try wine, too?" Elfman asked his date. "What kind is the best?"

Evergreen glanced up in thought. "Hmmmm... good question."

Lucy giggled again. "Oh, my. Ask that question in the right crowd, Elfman, and you'll start a heck of a debate!"

"But it's all just fancy booze," Natsu protested. "What's the big deal?"

"This is the big deal, Mr. fire drinker," Evergreen said primly as the waiter returned with a bottle of bright red wine. The waiter poured a glass for Evergreen, and Evergreen motioned at it. "Flaming shots are just for show. The unique flavors and aging process for each wine bottle tells the story of the region from which it came."

Natsu scratched his head like a chimp. "I don't get it."

"Observe." Evergreen sipped the wine, then licked her lips. "This clearly came from the Kingdom of Stella, aged about 5-6 years, with a hint of cherry wood and blackberries. Not bad at all."

Then she looked at the slack-jawed Natsu and Elfman. "What?"

"These guys are more used to beer in red plastic cups," Lucy joked, motioning at them. "Natsu can win at beer pong, but he won't know what kind of wood a fine wine was aged in."

Natsu gave his friends a knowing look. "First of all, I could never beat Erza at beer pong. Second, aren't we all craving a real drink right now?"

The friends shared the same look. One minute later, all four had a heavy, full mug of beer and raised them. "Cheers!"

The mugs clinked together, and Natsu downed his glass in one go. "Whew, that's the stuff! Yee-haw!" he cried, drawing more funny looks from the posh clientele. "Okay, I've got an idea. Let's use drinking games to share facts about ourselves."

"That's the spirit," Elfman said, gesturing with his half-empty mug. "Evergreen, I can't wait to hear your stories!"

Evergreen washed down her beer with another sip of wine. "Good luck. I don't get drunk easily."

"How about Truth or Drink?" Natsu suggested eagerly. "That's an easy one. Someone asks a question, and the other person either answers honestly or takes a sip."

"So drinking is how I duck a question I don't want to answer," Lucy concluded. "That's... interesting! Let's play, Natsu!"

"As soon as I recharge my booze meter. Waiter! More, please oh pretty please!" Natsu cried, raising his empty mug and waving it. The clearly irritated waiter arrived with fresh booze, and the casual game was ready to begin.

"I shall start," Evergreen volunteered. "Natsu! Do you plan on sleeping with Lucy tonight?"

"Damn straight!" Natsu declared, puffing out his chest. Lucy went bright red and glanced away, but Natsu still caught that excited grin crossing her lips. Wooooo!

Elfman chuckled. "No holds barred, I see!"

"Mmmmmm. Yes," Evergreen said, toying with her wineglass in one hand. "You'll find that while I'm proper and polite in public, I have a savage side no one ever sees coming."

"Where did that savage side come from?" Elfman stared in awe.

"Play the game, and you'll find out."

"I was asked, so I go next," Natsu said. "Elfman! Is it true you used a cheat sheet on your last exam in Econ 201?"

Elfman went pink and took a hasty drink.

"For shame!" Evergreen said, swatting his shoulder.

"I didn't say nothin'!" Elfman yelped.

"You drink was all the answer I needed."

"I see the appeal of this game," Lucy noted. "Drinking doesn't confirm or deny anything, but players are free to suspect whatever they like! Mind games!"

Natsu grinned wickedly. "Now you're getting it."

Elfman cleared his throat and gestured at Evergreen with his beer mug. "Do you find me sexy?"

"I sure do, you lovable beast," Evergreen said, licking her lips again.

Elfman looked like he was on Cloud Nine.

Evergreen targeted Lucy next. "Why do you study journalism?"

"It's how I explore the world and the people in it," Lucy said happily. As she spoke, everyone's dinner was served, and Natsu dug right in. "With the power of words, I see how the world turns, and I put my finger on the pulse of human life. Whether it's tragedies, good news about the economy, or even news about the mayor's dog doing tricks, it connects me to the world. Now, I want to return the favor and let the world know what's happening thanks to my typewriter."

Elfman raised his beer mug. "To Lucy and her wonderful future career!"

"Cheers!" Clink, drink, ahhhhh!

"Now it's my turn," Lucy said, and she shot Natsu a naughty smile. "Question! Natsu, what made you decide to enroll at MCC?"

"I have absolutely no idea!" Natsu declared, and everyone chuckled at that.

Then Natsu returned the favor to Lucy: "Am I good enough in bed, or were you just being nice during our test-run dates?"

"Natsu, that's such an intimate question! My goodness," Lucy said. She look scandalized.

Elfman gestured with his open hands. "Whoa, whoa. I'm calling off the game -"

"And I shall answer it," Lucy said, tossing her blonde hair, her brown eyes bright with good humor. "Natsu, you're fine so far. And now that we're really together, we can figure out our rhythm. I can't wait, can you?"

"I can't wait!" Natsu agreed.

"That counts as Lucy's question," Evergreen cut in. "Natsu, who's next?"

"You!" Natsu stated, pointing right at Evergreen. "Did you go to college to get away from your parents?"

"Very insightful. Yes," Evergreen told him. She rounded on Elfman next. "Why do you brag so much about manliness?"

"I... well..." Elfman looked around as though expecting someone to help, like calling on the audience in a game show. He worked his jaw, then took a hefty chug from his beer mug. Hmmmmmmm!

Elfman wiped his lips with his cloth napkin. "Ahem. Evergreen, are you still mad at me for being a bad listener when we first started dating?"

"No, I'm not mad," Evergreen told him simply. "I'm glad you improved that side of yourself."

Elfman beamed. "It was my pleasure."

"Are you dating me just to prove that you can score a hot chick?"

"Nuh-uh! I like you for you, baby girl!"

Evergreen made a sour face. "Please don't call me that."

"Of course, homegirl."

"Or that."

"Sorry, sugar pie."

"Or that."

"Uh... honey?"

Evergreen hesitated, then took a sip of wine. "Good enough for now, I suppose. Now, who next..."

Around the table they went, getting a few refills along the way, and boy did Natsu learn plenty! Lucy once had a pen pal from Iceberg who told her all about his camping hobby, while Evergreen confessed that she once snuck out of the house at night to go to an indie rock concert at midnight, and Elfman professed that he put on a sock puppet show for his high school's talent show in his first year. Natsu, meanwhile, admitted that he still had his old skateboard even though he had given up on that hobby after breaking his shin in an accident, and he kept that old board because it reminded him to stay curious and try new things even if it sometimes hurt.

Oh, and Evergreen was always savage on the inside, it turned out. She just hid that side of her behind her polite exterior, a habit she got from her parents. Natsu made Evergreen promise to start showing her true self from now on and be free!

Most importantly, Lucy realized she had a soul sister in Evergreen!

"It must have been so tough, having your parents controlling you like that!" Lucy sobbed after a few more beers. "Forcing you to study, not letting you have friends, even picking your outfits for you! I'm so sorry! Come here!"

Lucy got to her feet, and a sobbing Evergreen stood up to wrap her in a tight hug. She even patted Lucy's back.

"It must have been so hard losing your mother," Evergreen blubbered. "And your dad overcompensating by controlling you... if only I had been there to support you! I would have been your pen pal, too! Or I'd help you sneak out your bedroom window with a rope made of bedsheets!"

"My parents made me a total snob. I swear I can have fun, too!" Evergreen cried. "It's just hard to unlearn old habits. It still feels right to act all prim and proper. But I can show you my carefree side too, if you want!"

The girls sat back down opposite one another, with Evergreen wiping the sweat off her warm, pink face. "Whew," she said. "Who knew honesty could feel so good?"

"You had a lot bottled up," Elfman told her, gently taking hold of her shoulders. "That's the weight of years being lifted off of you."

"Thanks, Elfy." A giddy Evergreen leaned up and kissed Elfman's cheek. "You're getting second base tonight, bare minimum. My apartment."

"I'm so there."

Lucy, meanwhile, put a hand to her heart. "It's one thing to think about journalism and writing," she confessed. "But it's another to tell my friends! Natsu, I'm more fired up than ever. I need to get home and commit something to paper!"

"Like a poem?"

"How about a play?" Lucy declared, foldng her arms with a cocky smile. "Natsu, did you know the college theater club tapped me to write a one-act play for them? That's right, I'm Lucy the playwright! Are you excited for me?"

"Wow! That kicks ass!" Natsu cheered, pumping his fist. "Can I go see the play when it goes live?"

"Why yes, you can! Bring all your friends," Lucy declared. "Erza has the lead role. Be sure to cheer her on!"

"You got it!"

"And now," Lucy added, fanning herself, "I need a drink of water before we head out. Don't you? I'm getting woozy..."

Natsu waved for the waiter yet again. "H2O, comin' right up. Then what?"

"What do you think?" Lucy reached over and took hold of Natsu's package. "We pay the bill, get back to my place, kick out Bisca and Cana if necessary, and then..." She leaned in closer and whispered things in Natsu's ear that made Little Igneel roar to life in Lucy's grip.

No time like the present to find that bedroom rhythm!

And along the way...

"I'm impressed, Natsu," Lucy said fondly as the two of them rode a taxi back to Lucy's apartment.

Natsu folded his arms. "I sure can hold my liquor, can't I?"

"You big silly." Lucy reached over and took hold of Natsu's hand in her own. Ah, it felt so warm. "I know what you've been doing for Elfman, and Evergreen couldn't be happier. You molded Elfman into a proper gentleman for his lady."

"That's what best buds are for. You should've seen Elfman when he first moved into my apartment. What an ogre!"

"You'd think a guy with two loving sisters would be more elegant from the start."

"Elfman loves them to death, but he ain't pretty and proper like they are."

"Well, Elfman is nice and proper now," Lucy said, nodding with satisfaction. "And you know what? I like my gentleman Natsu Dragneel, too. Going to college here was worth it just to meet him."

"Aw, babe, you're makin' me blush."

Lucy leaned over and kissed her boyfriend. "Am I making you hard, too?"

As an answer, Natsu dug into his pocket and smugly held up his seven condoms.

Lucy whistled. "Look who's thinking ahead! You're going to need those."

"I bought ten earlier today, but I gave three to Elfman."

"You're an even better friend than I thought."

"Don't you know it."