#I fumbled Juvia and for that I am sorry | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

mdelpin · 5 years

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@fuckyeahgratsu request for Anon AO3 | FF.Net

Summary: Ever since the Fairy Tail members from Earthland had returned home Natsu Dragion could not stop thinking about his counterpart, about how much he wanted to be like him. When he walks into the guild to find Lucy Ashley hurting Gray Surge again, he channels his best Natsu Dragneel and comes to the rescue.

Disclaimer: All Fairy Tail Characters Belong to Hiro Mashima

"L-leave him alone!" Natsu protested as he walked into the guild hall only to find Lucy hitting Gray, again. He was terrified, his legs literally shaking as he yelled at Lucy Ashley to release Gray but he stayed firm.

He was tired of her constant bullying. Raising his arms and forming his hands into fists, he placed them in front of his chest, thankful there wasn't a mirror to show him how pathetic he must look.

Gray looked over at him, his eyes widening as he shook his head solemnly. Lucy stopped what she was doing long enough to stare at Natsu, she didn’t look intimidated in the least.

“What did you say to me?” Lucy enunciated every word, wanting to let Natsu know that she wasn’t amused in the slightest. She let go of Gray and started walking over to him.

"Y-you heard me," It took every ounce of courage he possessed to not turn around and run out of the guild, but he was determined to see this through.

What he wasn’t counting on was his best friend running towards him, grabbing him by the arm and dragging both of them out of the guild before Lucy Ashley could reach him. Natsu had no idea how Gray could even run that fast considering how many clothes he was wearing.

They kept running, hearing Lucy scream after them and she must have thrown something at them because Natsu could feel something flying just to his right, but they didn't stop until they were both out of breath.

“What were you thinking?” Gray scolded, his breath coming in pants, his face covered in sweat. He studied Natsu intently and suddenly released his arm as if he’d just noticed he was still holding on to it.

“Aren’t you tired of her shit?” Natsu asked, rubbing his arm where Gray had been dragging him, knowing he’d have a bruise before long, “What did you even do this time?”

Gray shrugged noncommittally and muttered something under his breath.

Natsu waited for his friend to repeat himself, but Gray remained quiet, eyes staring off into the distance.

“I have been a little bit,” Natsu took a deep breath and tried to catch Gray’s gaze, “Thinking that is.”

That was one hell of an understatement, he'd been doing nothing else since the members of Earthland Fairy Tail had returned to their home, taking Lisanna with them. It's not like he had a hell of a lot else to do during the long drives required for the guild's supply runs. He was happy he at least got to continue driving, Levy had managed to redesign his car to not use magic.

Gray turned to look at him, head tilted to the side and lips curled in a confused smile that Natsu found incredibly endearing. His chest felt tight as he looked away for a moment, fighting off the sudden flush of his cheeks that threatened to give his feelings away.

Gray noticed this and his brow furrowed a bit. Natsu wasn't sure what that meant, but Gray had saved him, or actually they'd saved each other, and for now, he wasn't about to let the futility of his feelings ruin that for him.

“What have you been thinking about?”

"I'm just," Natsu thought hard about what he wanted to say, he'd never tried to voice his feelings before and he wanted Gray to understand the changes that were happening within him, "I guess, I've been thinking about the other me, Earthland Natsu. How he's everything I'm not -- brave, confident, strong. And I keep thinking, even if he is from another world he is me, and I am him, you know?"

Gray bit his lip, distracting Natsu again, but it was often like this between them, Natsu had it bad. “I wouldn’t say that, Natsu. I think what you just did would count as brave, well suicidal actually.” Gray chuckled. “You do realize I can barely feel her through all my clothes, you didn’t have to do that for me, you --.”

“It doesn’t make it right, someone needs to stand up to her, why not me?” Natsu interrupted, still furious about Lucy picking on Gray.

“You didn’t let me finish, I still appreciated it,” Gray said as he sat down, once again grabbing Natsu’s arm and pulling him down to sit next to him. “Anyway, why don’t you tell me more about what you’ve been thinking?”

Had Gray always been this grabby with him? Natsu shook the thought away and continued, "I mean I know I don't have any magic or know very much fighting, but even he must have started somewhere… Sometimes I just want to get in my car and just keep driving, see what else is out there, maybe try to be the man I want to be."

"You want to leave?" Gray's shoulders slumped, and his lower lip trembled, but he turned away and stared off into the distance once again before Natsu could see any more.

Natsu found himself blurting out, “You could come with me.”

Natsu covered his mouth as soon as he said it but it was too late, he'd just given much more away than he'd intended, but perhaps it was for the best, wasn't it better to know?

“W-what?” Gray stammered, he found Natsu’s eyes and searched them quickly, glancing away at whatever he found in them. His fingers moved to his coat as he fidgeted with the buttons nervously.

"Forget I said anything," Natsu felt like an anvil had landed on his chest making it hard to breathe, but he needed to pretend everything was okay. It was just as he'd suspected, Gray only had eyes for Juvia, it's how it had always been, and he was a fool for getting his hopes up. "I don't know what I was thinking --"

"I'd like to." Gray breathed shakily, and he grabbed Natsu's hand again.

"I-- I don't understand," Natsu sputtered, and he didn't. He was confused and hopeful, and that was a bad combination.

"I've been thinking too," Gray smiled, it was tentative but no less genuine, and Natsu had no idea what to think anymore because their eyes had connected and neither one was looking away. "I saw the way you looked at Earthland Gray and I-- I didn't like it."

"I didn't, I--," Natsu didn't like where this was going. Gray had caught him ogling Earthland Gray? Natsu's eyes darted around, desperately searching for an escape route. How could he tell Gray he'd been thinking about him the whole time, wondering if underneath all those clothes he looked the same. Personally, he preferred his sweet Gray to the always grumpy ice mage, no matter how hot the other one was.

“Don’t bother to deny it,” Gray made a sound that sounded almost like a growl as he glared at him with an intensity that Natsu had never seen before, and he couldn’t even begin to interpret it.

"I'm sorry, it's just I'd never seen you without all your clothes on, and I couldn't help it," Natsu babbled on, increasingly more horrified with every traitorous word that came out of his mouth but he couldn't seem to stop, "He was hot, I mean you were hot, I mean-"

“You don’t have to apologize Natsu,” Gray spoke softly, his tone meant to be reassuring, but there was a twinkle in his eyes that betrayed his amusement at Natsu’s discomfort. He soon turned serious and added, “Seeing the way you looked at him, it forced me to confront something I’d been avoiding for a while.”

Natsu finally understood how the animals that would sometimes freeze in front of his car’s headlights felt. There was so much fear, but at the same time, there was also this odd fascination that kept you from running away to safety. You just had to face it head on and hope for the best while wondering if this was how you would meet your end. Natsu found himself looking at Gray and wondering if his next words would be the ones to end him.

Had he discovered Natsu's feelings for him and been shocked when he saw them so obviously displayed? Gray had only ever had eyes for Juvia, it was quite possible that he'd be disgusted to learn Natsu had feelings for him. Natsu tried to prepare himself for the worst, already wondering if they'd be able to salvage their friendship after this.

Natsu’s face must have reflected some of what he was thinking because Gray was watching him with a concerned expression. He grabbed both of Natsu’s hands in his and locked his eyes with his, further reinforcing the feeling of being caught in headlights, “The truth is,” Gray paused for a moment and let out a nervous cough before soldiering on, “I wanted you to look at me that way.”

Natsu's mouth gaped open as he absorbed the words, it was difficult for him to believe, but after running them through his head several times, they still sounded the same, "Y-You did?"

"Yeah, surprised me too," Gray chuckled softly, and Natsu found he loved the sound, it was light and airy and he could listen to it all day.

“But what about Juvia?”

“What about her? I can like both men and women, dimwit. It’s a thing.” Gray grinned at him, willing him to believe.

"No, I know, that's not what I meant." Natsu was flustered, he wanted to take Gray at his word but there had never been any indication, and while he tried to be brave like his counterpart he was terrified of being hurt and losing the most important person in the world to him.

Still holding Natsu’s hands in his own Gray held him in place, moving his face ever closer until finally pressing his lips against Natsu’s, who immediately closed his eyes and nibbled gently on the soft lips he’d thought he’d never get a chance to taste.

Years of repressed feelings burst through Natsu as he bungled his way through his first kiss, worried it wouldn't be any good, but Gray didn't pull away, and after much fumbling they quickly got the hang of it, Gray let go of his hands at some point to caress his cheek with his fingers. It was everything Natsu had hoped for, the joy that coursed through his body at Gray's touch unmistakeable. Much too soon for Natsu's liking the kiss ended, and Gray licked his lips slowly, smiling as he tasted Natsu on his lips.

Natsu was too flustered to really look at Gray, and he tried to disappear behind his bangs. Gray didn't push, just let him hide, but continued to give him gentle caresses as Natsu got himself together.

“We’ve always been there for each other, Natsu. You’re the only one who’s always accepted me just the way I am.” Gray moved Natsu’s bangs out of the way to gaze into his eyes as he confessed with a smile, “You’re the one I want, Natsu, not her.”

Natsu didn’t know how to respond, as much as he’d hoped, he’d never expected this to happen. The whole thing felt like a dream he didn’t want to wake from. His lips began to twitch before they stretched into a grin that was wider than any he’d ever managed before and that seemed to be enough for Gray.

"So let's do it, let's get into your car and go," Gray urged, looking back at the guild hall they'd just run away from. "Nothing is keeping us here."

It was true, they’d had some good times over the years, but most of those had involved each other. Natsu was sure the guild would miss them, but they’d also move on without them. The idea of just getting in the car and starting a new life somewhere with Gray was very appealing. It was sort of what he’d already been planning, although he’d thought he would be doing it alone. This was much better.

“Don’t we need to get clothes or something?”

Gray looked down at himself and laughed, “I’m already packed.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yeah, I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

They remained where they were, watching the sunset in each other's arms while saying goodbye to the place they'd called home. By the time they'd gotten up, night had fallen, and the temperature had plummeted, leaving Natsu shivering as they walked to the car. Gray took one of his coats off and wrapped it around his lover, kissing the top of his head as he buttoned it up.

Natsu looked up, and they kissed again, less hesitant and more eager. They laced their fingers and walked to the car, not once looking back. They drove away into the night, excited about the new adventures that awaited them. Together at last.

A/N I realized I’d never really written Edolas Gratsu so this appealed to me. I hope you like it Anon! As always, fluff is my kryptonite.

#fairy tail #edolas gratsu #gratsu #ftlgbtales #fuckyeahgratsu request #ftfanfics #fluff #edo natsu #edo gray

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not-just-any-fangirl · 7 years

Text

Days Of Summer Ch 7

A/N; Hey guys! We’re back and with words! and plot! Ain’t it grand lol? Go and drop by @hannah-nobody‘s inbox and let her know how much you loved this chap!

Here’s the updated playlist!

Summer has arrived, and with it the start of the two month long music camp; Fairy Tail! Full of new songs, friends, and adventures, the campers learn things they never knew about themselves and one another. And just how easy it is to sneak booze and a full sized karaoke machine out into the middle of the woods.

Camp Rock!AU

Pairing: Nalu, Gajevy, Gruvia, others mentioned; Fairy Tail

Words: 7408

Rating: T

Parts: Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six, Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven: Don’t Delete The Kisses

When I see you, the whole world reduces

To just that room

And then I remember and I’m shy that gossip’s eye will look too soon

Lucy was a bundle of nerves as she walked into the cafeteria that morning. She paid no attention to the fifty people long queue for pancakes as Cana and Juvia rushed off to join it. Instead she scanned the room for a shock of pink hair.

Natsu was sat in the back corner of the room, adjusting his beanie to cover his wonderful hair a moment after she’d noticed it. He didn’t look up from the notebook he was hunched over and intently scribbling in as Lucy noted the rest of the table was empty, and his breakfast tray lay untouched in front of him.

“Oh god,” She moaned, “He hasn’t eaten his pancakes.”

Behind her, Gray sighed. Loke stepped forward and offered her a tentative pat on the shoulder.

“There, there, sweetness. Maybe they just gave him the wrong toppings?”

Lucy nodded, but she didn’t believe it. The few times they’d eaten with Natsu he’d always had the biggest appetite out of all of them. She even remembered Gajeel complaining to her about how he always eats all the pigs-in-blankets at Christmas before he can even get to his cousin's house. If he had no interest in food he was clearly upset.

“I am the worst person.” She whispered to herself.

“Stop being so fucking dramatic,” Gray huffed, “You just need to explain the situation and apologise.”

“I need to explain the situation?” Lucy whirled on him, “How about we explain the situation? Y’know, since this is partially your fault?”

Gray was never one to show much emotion, but she could tell by the slumped set of his shoulders that he still felt a little guilty. But whatever guilt Gray felt was nothing compared to her own- poor Natsu must think she was pretending not to know him this whole time. He probably thought she was a completely horrible person by now.

Lucy shook her head to ward of the thoughts. It didn’t matter what he’d come to think of her. If he thought she was horrible she’d just have to change his mind, and that all started with telling him the truth.

She grabbed hold of Gray’s wrist and dragged him to the rear of the cafeteria where Natsu was sitting. Gray didn’t fight her. She knew it was more likely he was willing to apologise to Natsu more for Lucy’s sake than for any offence towards his cabin-mate, but at least he was trying.

When they reached his table, Natsu didn’t look up from his notebook. He was tapping out a beat with his pen on the table, his brows furrowed deep in thought at the scrawl covering the page of his notebook that was slightly too messy for Lucy to read upside down. For a second her stomach churned at the thought he was deliberately ignoring them, but she reassured herself he was just immersed in his work before finally gathering the courage to speak. She caught sight of a patch of his jaw yellowed and tender looking, Gray holding his hands up in surrender at Lucy’s sharp look. She turned back to Natsu, who was still oblivious to their approach, and took in a deep breath before speaking.

“Natsu.”

The boy in question looked up from his work in surprise. The second he realised who had spoken his cheeks turned pink.

“Heya Lucy.” His gaze turned to Gray, “Popsicle.”

Before Gray could come up with an epithet of his own Lucy cut in.

“Natsu, we need to talk. Can I sit down?”

Natsu groaned, the pink of his blush turning almost stop-sign red.

“Lucy, I am so sorry. I wasn’t thinking I-”

“What? Natsu, you have nothing to be sorry for. If anyone here should be apologising it’s me. And Gray.”

“Really?” Natsu’s eyebrows shot up, “I know Gray should really apologise for burdening us all with his existence, but what do you have to be sorry for?”

Lucy glanced to Gray, who was visibly trying to restrain himself from retorting to Natsu’s jab. It was probably best she do the talking.

She sat down across the table from Natsu, with Gray reluctantly sinking down beside her. Natsu closed his notebook and placed it on his lap out of the way.

“You went to ‘Rock On In Hargeon’ right at the beginning of the summer, right?”

“Right.” Natsu fidgeted awkwardly.

“Well, so did we. With Loke and Cana, obviously. And you know what Cana is like-”

“So you were drunk when you kissed me, I know. Ice Princess said you never would have otherwise. It’s probably the only time he’s ever been right in his whole life.”

Natsu avoided her eyes as he spoke. His words squeezed at her heart, and for a second it was painful to breathe. She hated it that Natsu thought so low of himself. She hated it even more that she had unwittingly contributed to that feeling.

“Don’t sell yourself short, loser,” Gray rolled his eyes, “If she thought you were good-looking with drunk goggles on, imagine how great you look when she’s sober. Assuming she has her contacts in of course and you’re not just a vague pink blur.”

“I’ve had my contacts in this whole time I’ll have you know and I think he’s better than good-looking.”

Lucy caught herself a second too late, her last reserves of anger at Gray making her too desperate to come up with a witty retort for his compliment-but-masked-as-an-insult-because-I-can’t-show-any-emotion-too-positive-or-I-will-be-in-violation-of-the-emo-handbook. Gray was emitting positive emotion however as his lips quirked upwards at Lucy’s misstep. He glanced towards Natsu to gage the other boys reaction and Lucy followed his gaze.

Natsu had gone stop-sign red again, but this time his eyes were wide with surprise, and the hint of a smile played on his lips.

“Anyway, what I’m trying to say is,” Lucy fumbled to recover, “That I wasn’t pretending not to know you this whole time. I just didn’t remember you, or the kissing, or most of the festival actually…”

“And that’s my fault.” Gray admitted, “Not the not remembering the festival part- that was Cana’s-but her not knowing you. I never told Lucy about the kiss. I didn’t want her to be embarrassed about throwing herself at strangers.”

At that, Lucy felt her own cheeks burning.

“And I am so sorry about that-”

“Don’t worry, you didn’t throw yourself at me.” Natsu interrupted, “You just fell on me.”

“Fell on you?”

“Yeah.” Natsu chuckled, but his smile soon turned shy, “And as for the kiss… don’t worry about it. It was… it was my first too and it was actually, uh, pretty great. Amazing actually.”

Her blush intensified. Beside her, Gray made a retching sound.

“Alright, I’m clearly done here.” Gray motioned vaguely with his hands to them as he stood, “I’m off to get pancakes. Feel free to join after you two have y’know… furthered the plot or whatever.”

Gray walked off, leaving the two of them in silence, both blushing too furiously to pluck up the courage to look at one another. Natsu leant his elbows on the table, his fingers fiddling with a guitar pick as he waited for Lucy to break the silence it seemed.

“So… you don’t hate me then? You don’t think I’m a terrible person.”

Natsu smiled softly.

“I never hated you. And I don’t think you have it in you to be terrible at anything, to be honest.

Lucy laughed lightly.

“I’m still sorry. I know I wouldn’t have felt so great if our roles were reversed. I’d probably overthink myself crazy.”

“I almost did.” He admitted, rubbing his neck sheepishly. “I should apologise too. I can’t imagine my performance at karaoke was that great if it triggered such a traumatic memory.”

Lucy swatted at him playfully.

“It wasn’t a traumatic memory. From what I remember it was… were you shirtless?”

Natsu groaned.

“Yeah. It was a hot day.”

“Yeah, really hot. But, uh, you know. Falling into some shirtless guy’s arms is the dream of most girls.”

“I highly doubt they picture my face in those dreams.”

“Some might.” She tried for a laugh, but it feel sort as her face overheated.

Natsu glanced away bashfully. She spotted a smile a smile on his face however, and when his eyes finally met hers again, they were bright with amusement. And something she desperately hoped was a growing confidence.

“And as for your performance,” She continued, “I’ve never been serenaded before. It was quite the experience. Good song choice by the way.”

Natsu dropped his head onto the table, his groans of shame absolutely pitiful. Lucy stifled a laugh.

“I can’t believe I did that.”

“I will admit, after already encountering the effects of Cana’s notorious flask, I’m surprised you had a go at it yourself.”

“She said it was a good cure for stage fright. I figured it couldn’t hurt but clearly, I was wrong.”

“Well, despite your method, your performance was amazing. You had most of the crown on their feet.”

“I don’t know why. Singing isn’t really my forte.”

Lucy reached out and took his hand, the pick that flitted between his fingers falling onto the table. He looked at her painted finger-tips as though it were an alien hand come to take him to another world. The touch sent sparks racing up her arm, but she held her grip firm.

“Doesn’t matter if it’s not your forte, you’re good at it Natsu. You should have more confidence in yourself.”

Natsu avoided her eyes, but his hand squeezed hers in return.

“Confidence doesn’t really come easy to someone like me.”

“What do you mean someone like you?” She asked lightly, “What sort of person do you think you are Natsu?”

She could see a hundred thoughts swirling inside him. His mouth twisted in a way that made her think he was desperate to tell her- to tell somebody - but he just couldn’t set them free.

He withdrew her hand from hers.

“I’m sure you’ll figure that out for yourself,” He smiled weakly, “If you still want to be friends that is.”

Lucy looked down at her hand, the one she’d reached out to Natsu. There was no trace of him there other than the lingering warmth. She looked back up at him to find him watching her nervously, as though he were afraid she would turn round and shout no! Never speak to me again!

She offered him the brightest smile she could muster. It seemed to perk him up a little, but she could see still the worry in his eyes.

“Of course. Friends.”

Levy rested her head on the table, even the sounds of the busy cafeteria unable to keep her eyes open. Her tummy was full of pancakes with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, her cabin mates weren’t sending silent death vibes or pacing around in the dark, and the wood tabletop was making a surprisingly comfy pillow on her forehead. Maybe she’d be able to recover a few precious hours of sleep before the first week assignments would be posted...

“Oi, is Shrimp here dead or somethin’?”

Levy scowled, both at the nickname and how her heart skipped a beat at hearing his voice. Stupid, dumb, musclehead and his stupid arms and stupid laugh and-

“Oi,” Gajeel said again, pushing a finger into her head a couple times. “Shrimp, I don’t think it’d be the best idea to fall asleep where my cousin could find ya with a sharpie.”

That stupid nickname.

Levy lifted her head, scowling as best she could while craning her neck to look at him.

“For the record, I’ll break Natsu’s pen and then smear it all over his dumb face if he so much as tries to draw cat whiskers on me,” Levy hissed, stabbing a stray strawberry for emphasis, keeping her gaze levelled with Gajeel’s dark and amused one. “And secondly, if you’d had to have spent the night dealing with Lucy and Cana then you’d be exhausted too.”

“I spent the night dealing with Gray and Natsu. You wanna bet your girls are worse than my chucklefuck bunkmates?” Gajeel snorted, dropping his tray heavily to the table and claiming the spot to her left. Levy glared half heartedly. She had been meaning to save the spots for Jet and Droy, but she figured they’d want to spend some time with their own bunkmates, Max and Warren. At least, she hoped so.

“Fair,” Levy sighed. She drew a smiley face on her plate in the syrup, using a strawberry to smear it and return it to the shapeless blood of strawberry flavoured liquid sugar. She looked over at Gajeel’s plate, a stack of five pancakes loaded with enough whipped cream to make her cavities ache. Sniffing, Levy leaned closer, narrowing her eyes at the plate of food as she finally picked out the fruit she thought might be on his. A piece of green fruit with black seeds and a white core slid out from under the pile of whipped cream. “Really? Kiwi?”

“It’s a good fruit,” Gajeel glared at her. He ripped open a packet of apple syrup with his teeth and poured it over his pancakes. Levy wasn’t sure if she was horrified at his taste or unimpressed with his dramatics. She was stopped from commenting on it by Cana slamming a bottle of -uncorrupted- orange juice on the table.

“Alright folks, now that those two both understand what happened in their special moment it’s time to start taking bets on when they’ll figure out why they can’t stop thinking about the other in the shower.” Cana announced, somehow loud but not drawing attention from more than a table or two away. “Dates start in a week, who thinks they’re gonna get their shit together like functional human beings?”

“Firstly,” Loke drawled, finding a spot on the other side of Levy, “you don’t need to be so crude. I don’t think Gajeel here is too eager to imagine what his baby cousin thinks about in the shower.”

“The walls are thin at home. Trust me, I don’t need to use no fuckin’ imagination.”

Levy cringed at Gajeel’s flat voice, his eyes hollow as he sneered at his food, shoving his fork into it hard enough that Levy thought he was trying to stab the memory itself.

“Tragic.” Loke said without a glance at Gajeel’s direction. “Secondly, I don’t think you’re one to talk about functional human beings.”

“I never said I was one,” Cana grinned at him, sitting on the table and taking a swig of her juice.

“And thirdly , put me down for the summer solstice night thing. It’s gonna take them at least a month to hook up.”

“Now hold on,” Levy asked, lifting her fork to point between Cana and Loke, “Are we talking dating or hooking up. Because those are very different things and I won’t be cheated of my winnings by some technicality.”

“Hmm, I’m gonna say they kiss once in like three weeks and then are super awkward and don’t date for another week or two,” Cana said, nodding wisely to herself. “But no, must be full dating for you to win.”

“What are we betting,” Gray sighed, his voice worn like someone who had to deal with Cana and Loke’s plans on a regular basis would be; warily accepting and without the energy to fight it.

“When those two idiots are gonna accept they looove one another,” Loke sang, scooting over and making room for Gray. Levy’s thigh brushed Gajeel’s under the table and she jerked back, face heating as she stared at her plate pointedly. Levy firmly believed in personal bubbles, and she had a feeling Gajeel would be the type of guy to appreciate it. She knew she could get carried away, Levy was still mortified that she had grabbed his arm so casually that first day, but thighs under a table... Levy bit her lip and forced herself to pay attention to the conversation surrounding her again.

“Obviously,” Gray grunted, halfheartedly rolling his eyes. “I mean what are we putting in the pot for the winner. Which will be me, because that pink haired dumbass isn’t gonna push himself on Lucy, and none of ya know her as well as I do. They don’t get together until the end of camp.”

“The buy in is five bucks and the one who eats it the worst has to sing a song to the winner,” Cana grinned at Gray, sharp and challenging. It was clear that she expected to win, and was expecting Gray to be the furthest from winning. Levy almost didn’t want to know what song Cana would pick out if she was right.

“I say sixth week. Give Strawberry a chance to realize how miserable he is without her during the break and Bunny Girl enough time to be worn down by his pathetic puppy dog eyes.” Gajeel said. The table was silent for a moment before Cana whooped at his involvement, pulling a pen and paper for somewhere and marking his time down beside a ‘Ga’. She filled in the rest of their bets, grin wide to herself and humming a familiar tune under her breath. She tapped along with the pen beside the names when she was done, Levy smiling when she remembered that Cana was said to be one of the best drummers at the camp.

“Put me down for third week. I think they’re cute together.” Levy smiled before looking over her shoulder at where Lucy and Natsu sat several tables down. They kept blushing and looking away from one another, reminding Levy of two kindergarteners rather than teenagers. She felt a pang of envy at their giddy and nervous energy, both unsure of the other but unwilling to walk away. She knew Jet and Droy had a crush on her -maybe loved her- but all she felt for them was sibling love.

“Alright, all we need is Juvia and then a few other-“ Cana cut off as she whipped her pen at Gray, hitting him squarely in the forehead.

“Oi!”

“LOOK AT THAT THEY’RE HOLDING HANDS.”

All heads whipped around, the table obvious in their gawking at the pair a distance away. And indeed, Lucy’s hand was in Natsu’s, her smile shy and her head dipped so she looked at Natsu from her lashes, Natsu beet red and his whole body slowly leaning into the middle of the table, almost as if gravity was pulling him closer to her.

Loke spoke up, eyes quick as they snapped between Cana and the love birds. “I’m saying two weeks. Look at that. They’re basically having sex on Natsu’s pancakes.”

Levy nodded, unable to help her grin at one of her bunkmates and a quickly developing best friend. Lucy looked happy, and Levy felt the seed of jealousy melt away at that fact.

“What is Juvia supposed to be part of?” A confused voice asked. Levy took her eyes off the pair to look at Juvia claiming a spot beside Cana’s calf, her two pancakes covered in a mountain of blue and blackberries.

“Look over there Juvia and tell us what you see.” Cana gestured towards the opposite end of the cafeteria.

Levy watched Juvia as she stood up a little to properly see where Natsu and Lucy was sitting. The girl’s smile lit up in an instant, her grin almost mischievous.

“It appears that Lucy will not be a love rival after all.”

Juvia sat back down and tucked into her pancakes, unaware of the confused glances of her friends.

“Look at that moron,” Gray scoffed, seemingly paying no mind to Juvia’s strange words, “His face is practically as pink as his hair.”

“Why does he always cover it up anyway?” Loke mused, “It’s such a rosy pink.”

“The kid’s got issues.” Was Gajeel’s curt reply.

Levy could have sworn she detected defensiveness in his tone. He acted like he didn’t care, but she knew Gajeel would be the first to throw a punch if anyone other than him bad-mouthed his cousin.

“Oh oh oh, he’s retracting the hand.” Cana motioned dramatically, shifting forward so far Levy was sure she’d fall off the table.

“A mistake.” Loke tutted, despite the fact he was more concerned with checking his pores in the front camera of his phone rather than the brewings of a love story across the cafeteria. Levy stifled a laugh as he prodded at the flawless skin under his eye, scowling into the camera.

“What does this all even mean.” Gray sighed.

Levy laughed at his inability to understand real human emotion before turning in her seat to watch the show. She couldn’t quite see Lucy’s face from this angle, but she was certain the girl was looking down at her hand. And Natsu- poor, sweet, love-struck Natsu- was looking at her the way they always wrote about in those cheesy romance books she refused to admit to reading.

“It means true love is a fickle thing Natsu and Lucy are destined to fight for. Juvia believes love is worth fighting for, do you not, Gray?” Juvia sighed, her chin sinking into her hands as her gaze pierced through Gray. Levy met Gajeel’s smirk as Gray literally began to thaw, face turning pink and his throat clearing awkwardly. He shrugged noncommittally, suddenly focused intently on his pancakes.

“Don’t scare him off, hun, don’t you know Gray can only handle one dose of happy emotions before noon?” Cana cooed, patting Juvia’s shoulder. The musical major’s shoulder slumped, lip wobbling in defeat as she poked at her pancakes with much less enthusiasm. She didn’t even swat at Cana when she stole a blackberry, though Levy thought that might be the girl’s calm and giving disposition rather than her sadness.

Levy looked back over her shoulder, gaping at what she saw.

She slapped at Gajeel’s arm, not stopping at his squawking as she tried to get her excitement out in the least attention grabbing way. “She’s eating his food. You guys! You guys Lucy’s eating Natsu’s food .”

“What?!”

“There’s no fuckin’ way that dipshit ain’t hoarding his pancakes like some kinda addict.”

“I want to change my bet!”

“Juvia would like to double down on three weeks before Love Rivals are officially no longer her rivals.”

“Ohhh, I’m so gonna win this,” Levy squealed. She kept her eyes glued on Lucy playfully stealing a piece of his pancakes again, Natsu’s grin wide as he pretended to try and stop her. He used his pen when she went in for a raspberry, the two mocking a sword fight and giggling with one another.

“This is more obscene than if they were having sex,” Gray scowled, corner of his lip twitching up despite his disgusted tone.

“It’s true love!” Cana crowed. “Look at that! Boys don’t share food unless they’re gonna get married! OH MY GOD GONNA THEY'RE GONNA GET HITCHED. I CALL MAID OF HONOUR!”

“Does Juvia get to be a bridesmaid?” Juvia asked, perking up at the mention of weddings. Levy smothered a laugh at Gajeel’s suffering sigh, both knowing who Juvia would claim for dance practice, no matter how impossible an actual wedding happening would be. He scowled at her. Levy stole one of his kiwis. She stuck her tongue out at his deepened glare, his mouth falling open in shock. Levy saw a glint of silver flash on his tongue, but quickly diverted that train of thought.

She looked over her shoulder at where Natsu and Lucy were when Loke whistled low, the sound a warning of trouble like when someone got called to the principles’ office in school.

Lucy and Natsu were both staring at the table, bright red and pissed off. Lucy stood quickly, smiling at Natsu shyly before running off -and sending a gesture with her hand directed towards the table that made Levy raise her eyebrows. Natsu grabbed his book and plate of food after a minute, slowly making his way towards their table.

Levy turned back to her pancakes trying her best to look innocent, as did everyone else. Except Cana, who most likely was overjoyed at being caught spying- though she did hide the book of bets by tucking it into her bra. Levy frowned, wondering how Cana got away with just wearing a loose netted top that ended before her ribs did, blue bra -or bikini- basically being showed off, considering the camp dress code was very clear on what was and wasn’t appropriate.

“Whatchu guys lookin’ at?” Natsu asked, smug tone despite his sneer and narrowed eyes.

“True love,” Juvia sighed. Cana and Loke barked out a laugh as Natsu turned a deep red. He pulled his beanie lower so his hair was covered more fully and scoffed, looking away.

“You must have been watching Loke and his reflection then.” He retorted a beat too late.

“I can’t believe I fretted over you,” Loke sniffed.

“He has a point,” Gray smirked, taking a bite of his pancakes and lifting a smug eyebrow at Loke’s pout.

“E tu, bae?” Loke gasped. He pouted at the table’s laughter, turning back to his phone with a grunt. Natsu and Gray shared a knowing smirk before realizing they weren’t actively hating one another and looking away pointedly. Levy felt relief wash over her as the group returned to it’s regular, but less-than-functional, dynamic. All that was left was-

“Yes Natsu, what was happening over there?”

Erza.

All of Natsu’s colour drained as he fell into his seat beside Juvia. He squeaked, refusing to look away from his pancakes. Levy couldn’t help her grin as she noted that the only bite taken had been from Lucy. “Nothin’.” Natsu said between his teeth. Erza slid into the place beside Natsu, placing her hand on his shoulder comfortingly.

“It didn’t look like ‘nothin’,” she said. Levy met her eyes, happy to see amusement flicker in Erza’s deep brown gaze before she turned back to a mortified looking Natsu. “It looked like you might have been flirting with a certain blonde haired girl. I can’t remember the last time you shared food with anyone but Happy.”

“We ain’t flirtin’. We’re just friends,” Natsu defended weakly. He stabbed his pancakes and lifted one whole, losing part of the fruit and whipped cream as it slid back onto his plate. He got a bite in before Erza slapped his hand. He met her narrowed eyes with his own glare before sighing and cutting off a quarter of the pancake with his fork and shoving it in his mouth. Erza nodded, pleased with his action, and Levy was awed at how easy their interaction felt. She knew first hand how... much , Erza could be, but watching the scene before her was like watching an overprotective and strict big sister lecture her suffering baby brother. The scene was only strengthened when Natsu spoke with his mouth half full and indifferent to Erza’s disgusted curled lip. “Lucy only likes me as a friend, so that’s all we’re gonna be.”

The table groaned at his obliviousness, Natsu swallowing and squawking in confusion, looking at Levy for answers. She looked at him flatly before putting a much more reasonably sized cut of food in her mouth. “I wish you wouldn’t sell yourself so short Natsu,” Erza sighed, squeezing her shoulder. “You have much to offer, and that Lucy seems like a sweet girl. Don’t resign yourself to a fate that hasn’t yet happened.” Natsu flushed, a hint of hopefulness lifting the corner of his mouth as he looked at Erza. “Though I will remind you that any inappropriate meetings between campers will have repercussions.”

“Erza!” Natsu objected, choking on his shout. Juvia squeaked loudly, Gray and Gajeel made their own noises of disgust while Cana nearly fell off the table she laughed so hard. Erza held up her hands in surrender, playful smile brightening her face but her gaze warning underneath her teasing.

“I’ll leave you be while I help Mira set up the lists. Be sure to be at the announcement board twelve thirty sharp.” With that Erza walked off, leaving the group to leer at Natsu, the boy himself flushing and groaning in embarrassment.

“I can’t believe Erza was the one to give you the talk,” Loke chortled. “I was looking forward to doing that. Maybe I’ll slip Lucy one of my condoms and watch her face go through the five stages of grief.”

Levy choked on her drink, feeling milk come out her nose. She whined in pain while the table began to laugh again, even Juvia unable to hide her giggles behind her hand. She glared at Gajeel through her watery vision, his head thrown back as he cackled at her. His lip ring caught on the light, eyes pinched shut and full lashes pressed to his cheeks. Levy felt her heart lurch into her throat. She ignored the feeling, stabbing four more pieces of kiwi from his plate and shoving them in her mouth, ignoring her burning airway the same way she was ignoring her emotions. The apple syrup tasted disgusting on the tart fruit but Levy swallowed, pleased when Gajeel sneered at her for stealing his fruit. It was his own fault for laughing at her.

Juvia pushed several pieces of fruit from her plate onto Gajeel’s, blueberries rolling in his whipped cream and syrup. Levy pouted, and Juvia smiled at her sweetly before discreetly winking at her. A blush burned her cheeks at Juvia’s knowing look and encouraging smile, her innocent facade replaced immaculately.

“Rain woman loves me,” Gajeel grunted, grin mocking as he looked at Levy.

“Are you saying Levy should love you too, Gajeel?” Natsu asked impishly, obviously pleased at no longer being the center focus. His eyes danced when Gajeel tripped over his words, flustered. He settled on glaring silently, an aura of death radiating from him.

“Juvia agrees with Natsu. Does Gajie wish Levy to share her fruit with him?”

“I think he wants her to share more than fruit , if ya know what I mean.”

“Cana could you not make everything sexual, once in your life?”

“But Gray, where’s the fun in that?” Cana cooed, subtly stealing a fingerful of whipped cream from Gray’s plate. Levy raised her face from out of her hands, glaring at the table. Gajeel was more coloured than Natsu’s hair, which had begun to peek out from under his beanie.

“Juvia wishes to place a bet. Put me down for Gajie and Levy for a month and two weeks.” Juvia said, looking at Cana intently. The brunette blinked twice before a large grin broke across her face. She took out the bet book and wrote down Juvia’s date.

“I knew you were my type of girl, Juvi!”

“Oi!” Gajeel shouted, betrayed.

“What’re you guys talkin’ ‘bout?” Natsu asked, looking around in confusion. Levy whined pitifully and buried her face back in her hands. She knew she should have saved those spots for Jet and Droy.

All around her was a sea of people, and she was on a boat far, far above them, with a special view of the stage. Her own little personal view! Lucy giggled at the idea- that the band was performing just for her. Where did the band go anyway? Maybe if she yelled loud enough they would come back on. Lucy took in a breath and screamed at the top of her lungs, her shout soon turning into laughter.

“Oi, be quiet up there will you? I’ve got enough noise in my ears without adding your squealing to it,” snapped the young man whose shoulders she sat on. He was so strong. Strong Gray. Silly Gray! How else was the band supposed to come out if they didn't hear her scream? Lucy didn’t trust her mouth though, the drink Cana had given her made her tongue feel fuzzy. Well, it was more than one drink now, maybe two, three at most. Either way, Gray was still silly. Lucy ought to tell him that.

She tapped the top of his head, prompting the raven haired boy to look up at her -at such a funny angle Lucy had to giggle- and glower slightly.

“What?” he barked out at her.

Lucy pouted down at him and stuck out her tongue.

“Gray,” she said in as serious as a voice as she could muster, “You’re silly.”

“And you’re cut off.” Gray said while rolling his eyes and turning his head back to the stage. Lucy stuck out her tongue at him again, hoping a part of him would feel her mocking him, and looked back at the stage too. Bored by the empty stage, Lucy looked around at all the other people that were on their friends shoulders. They were little boats too! She was part of an arsenal of boats meant to cheer on the musicians! Really, another band should be coming out soon, it was quite rude to keep her and all her other boat friends waiting. Maybe they were waiting for Lucy to make more noise! This time she took in an even deeper breath and raised her hands off of her thighs so she could wave them above her head. They felt heavier than usual, but Lucy didn’t really care as she continued shouting, imagining the band was still performing.

They were definitely waiting for Lucy to make more noise.

“Oi, what did I just say? If you keep squirming around up there I’ll drop you.” Gray shouted up at her, not even bothering to lift his head in her direction.

“Graayyy,” She whined, partially out of breath from her latest scream, which was quite impressive if Lucy would say so herself. “you’re my friend, and friends don’t drop friends.”

“Yeah well friends don’t give friends back problems either; you’re heavy and I’m putting you down.”

“Are not!”

“Are too.”

“Nope,” Lucy giggled and put her hands back up, looking at the stage again. Suddenly she felt a shift under her butt and then the stage was being replaced by the afternoon sky. She couldn’t see all her other boat friends now. Lucy realized she was also falling, but her other boat friends seemed more important. She really should be bracing for the ground now, she was sure to hit any second. Was she screaming? The sea was so loud she couldn’t really tell. Mean Gray.

All thoughts of boats and mean Grays left her head as Lucy collided with a soft object and finally hit the ground with a very undignified ‘oomph’.

Lucy let out a low groan as she stayed on top of her very comfy cushion. It was probably a person. Lucy had probably just crushed some poor innocent soul with her falling. Now her head was against this poor innocent soul’s chest - a man she realized from the shirtlessness - and she really ought to move. Lucy lifted her head to look down at her saviour, and realized that she just crushed a god. Sun kissed skin was pulled tightly over muscles across his chest and arms. A strong jaw and a straight nose, not to mention cheekbones that should be worshipped themselves. And beautiful dark, slanted eyes. Were those more of an olive or an onyx colour? Lucy couldn’t tell right now. But those indescribable eyes were staring up at her so widely that he looked like a puppy. A puppy God. Lucy had to giggle at the thought that she had just crushed a puppy God.

The strange Puppy God’s face turned red and he shot up to his feet quickly, pulling at a strange white scarf around his neck. It was much too warm to being wearing a scarf, although he wasn’t wearing a shirt so Lucy decided that it made sense. Lucy realized that he had a hand extended down to her and was shyly smiling at her. His smile was cute. Cute Puppy God. Lucy took his hand and let her haul him up. Looking up at him she was finally able to see his hair. Pink.

Her Cute Puppy God had pink hair.

Of course he would, he was adorable like that, her Cute Puppy God. Was it dyed? His eyebrows were pink too though, so maybe it was natural? If it was natural then that could only mean that... No, Lucy shook her head slightly, mentally berating herself. Cana was having far too much of an influence on Lucy’s poor innocent mind. Looking back at the boy’s face she realized that he was apologizing. This boy was apologizing to her after she had fallen on him and then thought about his.... Bad Lucy!

“No, no, no,” Lucy smiled at him and waved her hands in a shooing motion, “Don’t be sorry! It was Gray’s fault. He’s so meeeean.”

Lucy felt her smile fall off her face as she thought about Gray. He wasn’t Strong Gray, he was Mean Gray. Stupid Gray. All thoughts of Stupid Gray flooded from her mind again as she saw a smirk pull at his face, taking over his shy smile. Lucy definitely liked the smirk more, it added a mischievous light to his eyes. Was that a slight fang she saw peeking out from his grin? No way could that be real. Although it would fit her smirking Puppy God. She smiled again at the thought of her new pet name for this mystery boy. Puppy God. She should thank him, but how? Lucy bit at her lip as she thought about it, and took in more of his face. Oh, she knew!

Stepping closer, Lucy put a hand on his chest, and most certainly not because she had been dying to touch him since they had stood up. No sir, she was a good girl after all. Letting out a soft ‘thanks’ Lucy raised herself onto her tip toes so that she could reach his face and press a soft kiss into his right cheek. She pulled back slowly, allowing herself time to drink in the sight of his face. He had on such a, a bewildered expression that Lucy couldn’t contain how cute her Puppy God was.

“You know,” she said out loud as her eyes traced his wild hair. He really could use a brush, or her hands running through it right now, “You’re pretty cute.”

She didn’t wait for a response as she leaned in again and pressed her lips against his warm ones. She wrapped her arms around his neck, trying to pull her body closer to his as she felt him pull her close as well. She’d never done this before, but her books always mentioned something about tongues. Cana did too, but Lucy felt it was a bit too soon for her to put anything Cana had told her to practice.

Pushing her tongue against the seam of his mouth, Lucy was a bit surprised by how easily he opened up for her. Feeling brave, she started to explore his mouth with her own tongue when she felt him start to prod at her mouth with his own. His tongue was much more forceful than hers had been and she let him take control, feeling warm pressed up to him as he pulled her even closer against his shirtless body. She lifted a hand and played with the hair at the nape of his neck, and Lucy was certain that it was not the alcohol making her this warm, but this boy. This boy and his rough hands on the small of her back, his warm lips moving against her own, his hot tongue that kept delving into her own mouth. But just as she was reaching to twine her hand more solidly into his soft, pink hair, the warmth was gone and an arm wrapped around her waist was dragging her away.

Lucy picked up her speed as she walked from her cabin to the showers, hanging her head in embarrassment.

“I can’t believe I called him Puppy God,” she mumbled to herself.

She kept playing the memory in her head, unsure of the extent to which Lucy was remembering Natsu’s hotness without his shirt was accurate or if her drunk mind was embellishing it. She wondered where that cocky smirk from the festival had gone, only hints and glimpses of it flashing through in the few days she had known him. The karaoke night had been most like the other version of him, loud and wild and so overwhelming Lucy couldn’t help but lose herself in him- in his performance , she corrected herself quickly. He hadn’t looked drunk at the festival, though Lucy was unsure given her own compromised thoughts.

Lucy brushed her fingers over her lips, the memory bringing phantom sensations to her; the heat of his mouth against hers, the taste of citrus pop when his tongue had brushed against hers, the feeling of his arms around her and his hands pressed to the bare skin of her back.

“Stop thinking like that! You two agreed on being friends and that’s all!” Lucy hissed to herself, shouldering open the door to the shower building just between the loop of cabins and the outdoor activity area, the building two storied with a pool on the main level and the showers and washrooms above. Lucy sighed as she breathed in the smell of chlorine and looked through the glass barrier between the entrance hall and the pool itself.

It was fairly small, only ten meters across and barely twice that in length, but it made up for it by the diving boards, the highest of the four nearly two stories high. Musical notes and inspired designs littered the white and seafoam green tiled walls in mosaics, the splash of colour matches to the lining of the pool itself. Lucy marveled at how rich the camp must be to afford all of its equipment and facilities, the slide on the left corner beside the diving boards as tall as the top platform, a steady stream of water spilling from the yellow lip at the bottom, a Fairy Tail insignia stamped on the bright plastic midway up in white. Lucy loved the design, something whimsical while still in the shape of a bird like figure, beak curling towards its talons facing right, two streaks of a profile wing lined up with the swoop of its tail to the left.

Lucy carried on, taking the stairs that led to the showers above two at a time, her fluffy pink towel draped over her arm and her shower bag in the other. She hadn’t showered since arriving, and Lucy was looking forward to not feeling gross, and it had nothing to do with suddenly being worried about how limp her hair looked in front of a certain boy.

Lucy’s face fell into a scowl as she pushed the door open with her shoulder, trying to out dumb thoughts like that out of her head.

“Well we’ll see about that at the performance. You’re not the ones who don’t need me.” The door was yanked from under Lucy’s weight and she stumbled forward, colliding with something soft.

“Get off me!” The same voice as before snarled, a hand pressed to Lucy’s arm and shoving her away. She fell, yelping as her tailbone met with the concrete floor of the washroom. Lucy glared at the person who had shoved her, paling under the other girls deadly look. Long curls of brown hair tumbled down either side and framed her face, her glasses making her seem half a decade older than Lucy rather than the one or two years it really was. She was pretty, but her beauty was covered by her sneer and hard glint in her dark eyes. “Pathetic.”

Lucy was left gaping as the girl walked out, shock quickly bleeding into rage at how rude she had been.

“I’m sorry about that, are you okay?” Lucy looked over her shoulder in surprise, not realizing there had been a second girl. And that that girl was Mira Jane.

Playlist:

Don’t Delete The Kisses - Wolf Alice

I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You - Haley Rienhart

Bubbly - Colbie Calle

Into You - Ariana Grande

Steal My Sunshine - Len

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bacomelon · 7 years

Text

Gruvia AU - Strangers: Chapter 4

That day Juvia allowed herself to wake up later than usual. The bluenet sat on the bed with a defeated look and absentmindedly ran a hand through her messy hair as she tried to recover from the feelings that one of her dreams brought. She had dreamed of Gray, of course. It was incredible how he could always be so present in her life that he invaded her unconscious.

The woman had dreamed about the day she and the dark haired man were trapped in the elevator of Lucy's building after the blonde's big birthday party. He offered her a ride when he was leaving, and then they got stuck in the big glass box for almost an hour.

Flashback On

"You didn't look very excited today. Something happened?" Gray said after they both sat side by side on the floor.

"It's nothing."

"I've known you for some time. I know when you're lying." He shrugged. "But you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"It's a full year now that Juvia is living in Magnolia." Juvia whispered after a few seconds.

"This is bad?"

"In a way, yes." The bluish one smiled when the man looked away from her face, clearly annoyed by her response. "It wasn't bad to meet Gray-sama. Please don't misunderstand." She lightly bumped her shoulder on his and laughed softly, making him a little flushed.

"That's not what I was thinking!"

"Juvia made incredible friends and is very happy here."

"But?" Gray looked at her again, confused.

"Two days ago was the death anniversary of Juvia's uncle." She said with a sad sigh. "Juvia told you about him."

"Just a little. The house where you live today was his, right?"

"Yes. Juvia remembers coming to see him all the time when she was little; he would always pick her up at the train station, and then we'd stay on the beach longer than inside his house." Juvia felt nostalgic as she remembered those moments. "When Juvia's adoptive parents moved away, after a few years, these visits became rarer and rarer. When Juvia finished her studies, she got a job and began working for an independent life. When Juvia went back to visit him, he was already sick. " She paused in her little monologue. "He passed away and left the house to Juvia because she was the only one who loved the sea as much as he did." A few tears formed in the corner of her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Juvia..." Gray pulled her into a hug, and the bluenet laid her head on his shoulder.

Flashback Off

They almost kissed for the first time on that same day, but before it happened the elevator suddenly started to work again and only then they realized the proximity of their faces and what was about to happen. Gray's eyes widened and he was the first to get up, trying his best to hide the blush on his cheeks.

Concentrated on her atelier, working with the sewing machine on some fabrics and listening to some songs from a CD that Gajeel had lent her, Juvia kept herself busy for most of the morning. As she was about to finalize some details of the dress of one of her best clients, the doorbell and her dog's barking stopped her.

'Maybe a break is not so bad.' The bluenet thought as she walked to the front door. She peeked through the magical eye and a big smile formed on her lips.

"Oh my God! Juvia can't believe it!" She fumbled with the keys, but managed to open the door in a hurry. "Meredy!"

The pink haired girl also had a huge smile on her face. She was always traveling - for work and also fun - and they didn't see each other so often anymore.

"Juvia!" Meredy said cheerfully and hugged her best fiend tightly.

"Why didn't you tell Juvia you were in town?"

"I arrived at the hotel last night, and I thought it would for the best to come personally and make a surprise." She shrugged and then spotted the bluenet's dog in the room, wagging his tail quickly and looking at her expectantly. It took a second for Meredy to run to the animal and begin to pet him. "Aw, dear! You grew up! I missed you so much. Is your mother taking good care of you?"

"Come in, please." Juvia giggled. Those two sure suited each other very well. "So how was the trip? Juvia saw the photos on your facebook and found the place amazing!"

"First of all, I want to know about you, Ju. How are you?" Meredy returned her attention to her friend, looking at her with sadness.

"Oh.. Juvia is fine." She spoke softly as she stared at the floor.

"I will pretend to believe you." The pink haired girl let out a heavy sigh and hugged her friend once more. "I'm sorry I wasn't around. I'm a really bad friend."

"Of course not." Juvia answered honestly. "You're here now, and that's what matters."

"What do you want to do? We could eat junk food all day and watch some really crappy movie as we talk about how Gray is an idiot."

"Juvia gained six pounds, so I think she'll pass." The bluenet smiled.

"Hm..." The other girl thought for a moment. "We could have lunch in a nice place, then. What do you think?"

"That might be a good idea." Juvia smiled anxiously at her friend.

While they were having lunch, Meredy told Juvia about her last trip to Juvia, while the bluenet told her about being separated from Gray.

"Please tell me you're still going to Italy." The pink haired woman said, looking at her seriously.

"Juvia doesn't know, Mer." She let out a long sigh. "Nothing seems right, now."

"But it's an incredible opportunity and-"

"Why don't you tell Juvia about that urgent thing? Juvia is very curious." Juvia changed the subject.

"That talk doesn't end here, young lady." She narrowed her eyes at the bluenet. "What I wanted to tell you is that... Lyon and I are going to a date. A real one."

"You what?!" Juvia almost screamed in the restaurant, catching the attention of almost everyone.

"Ju, it's not that difficult to believe." Meredy struggled not to roll her eyes at her friend's exaggeration.

"So you're... Hm... Almost dating?"

"No! We're just exchanging messages." The girl blushed a little at the word 'dating.'

"Juvia doesn't even know what to say." Juvia laughed softly. "You and Lyon? That's great!"

"Nothing is happening."

"Yet!"

"But I have to admit that he is very cute."

"And what else? Tell everything to Juvia."

"There is not much to tell." Meredy shrugged. "We were always meeting at your house or Gray's apartment because of some commemorative dates, so one day he asked for my number and... We've been talking to each other for a few months now."

"Why didn't you say anything before?" The bluenet asked curiously.

"Because it didn't look like anything was going to happen before. BUT-" She emphasized the word. "When I was traveling, he started flirting a lot and I liked it. Really liked it." She whispered with a wicked grin. "Then I started flirting with him, too."

"Juvia is happy for you." Juvia spoke with a big, genuine smile on her face.

"Let's let things happen naturally!" The pink haired girl spoke excitedly, with an anxious smile. "Maybe we should start sending nudes to each other."

"Meredy!"

"What?!" They both laughed.

In the afternoon, Juvia accompanied Meredy to the hotel where the pink haired girl was staying, and then returned to her own house. She took Cho for a walk, and when she returned, she turned her attention to the incomplete work in the atelier. It was not long before the dress was ready - all it needed was a few details - and then the bluenet needed a new distraction. Luckily, she remembered a book Levy lent her and read it until she slept on the couch.

When it was dark outside, Juvia was still asleep in the living room - until her cell phone started ringing. She took it without even looking at the name in the display and answered with a sleepy voice:

"Hello..?"

"Hey Juvia! It's Lyon."

"Oh, Lyon!" She sat down and ran her hand over her face, trying to be more awake. "How are you?"

"I am fine." He gave a nervous laugh. "I need your help. Can we meet?"

"Of course. Did something happen?"

"E-Er... More or less."

"Where can Juvia find you?"

Juvia entered a diner in a search of the white haired man, finding him seated at a table by the window. He looks very nervous, tapping his foot and drumming his fingers on the table. She walked in his direction and sat down in front of him.

"You came!" He spoke in relief.

"Of course Juvia came. She's here to help."

"So... I... Hm... It's about your friend. Meredy."

"Meredy, huh?" Juvia opened a big smile and placed two hands under her chin. When the man blushed, she let out a amused laugh. "What about her?"

"I asked her out." He spoke quietly.

"Really ?!" The bluenet pretended to be surprised. "And how exactly can Juvia help you with that?"

"Could you give me some advice? You know her well and-"

"Juvia will love it!"

"Thank you, Juvia!" He took her hand and offered a sincere smile.

After taking Juvia to her house, Lyon thanked her again for the help, said goodbye and then left.

She took a long shower, prepared to sleep, and when she was lying on her bed, her cell phone began to ring again that day.

'Is it Lyon again?' She thought, answering immediately.

"Hello?"

"Juvia."

"G-Gray?"

#gruvia #gruvia fanfiction

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muffindragon227 · 7 years

Text

I’ll Keep Your Secrets Safe - Chapter 23

AN: Gah! I am so sorry for how late this chapter is. I've been suffering from a block and depression for the last month and a bit with all that's been going on, but the good news is I've managed to work through it. I want to thank you all for your patience with this chapter, it was probably the hardest to write yet. I've rewritten it between three to four times now before I finally was satisfied with the result.

Either way, it's done, it's here. Thank you so much for all the love and support and the next chapter is two scenes in and my life is kinda back to normal so I'm hoping it's smooth sailing from here.

I want to dedicate this chapter to Gaara, who came and fangirled with me at Anime North! That totally made my weekend and it was great getting to meet you. ^-^ Also to @chanting-to-u, who's birthday is today! Happy birthday hun, thank you so much for getting me through the last two months. :)

Links to the other chapters can be found here: http://muffindragon227.tumblr.com/muffinstories

Talk It Out

Lyon paced the floor. His feet tapped against the tile and his heart raced in tandem to the sound of Juvia's knife hitting the cutting board as she chopped vegetables. He paused and fished his phone out of his pocket, and hit the home button. The screen flashed to life. 1:19; two whole minutes had passed since he last checked it. Eleven minutes to go, provided Mered wasn't running late.

He inhaled deeply then resumed his pacing.

"Can you stop that? You're giving me anxiety," Gray snapped.

Lyon paused and turned, offering Gray a guilty look. "Sorry."

The chopping stopped and Juvia set the knife aside, she wiped her hands on the hand towel then came around the island and wrapped Lyon in a hug from behind. "You need to relax. Everything's going to be fine."

"But what if it's not?"

"It's going to be. You two already talked, he's coming here to work things out. You're over thinking this," Juvia said.

"Just because he agreed to talk, doesn't mean he's ready to let it all go," Lyon said.

Gray frowned and crossed his arms. "So? It's not like you're the only one who made mistakes or hid things, right?"

"I know but-" Lyon sighed and carded his hands through his hair.

"No buts." Juvia tightened her hold on him. "You've both made mistakes, and you've both upset each other, but you both want to fix it. Hence the talking. Besides, it's obvious he's into you."

Lyon perked up, and glanced over his shoulder at her. "You think so?"

Juvia smiled back at him and rolled her eyes. "Yes."

Lyon felt a wave of warm and affection flow through him. "Thanks."

"Now can you stop panicking?" Gray asked, shooting Lyon an unimpressed look.

Lyon's mouth thinned into a straight line. "No. Now I need to go change. I don't even know what I was thinking when I put on this shirt, but it doesn't go with these pants and-"

The doorbell rang.

Lyon stared wide-eyed at Juvia. "Stall him. I'm gonna run upstairs and change."

He whirled around, but Juvia grabbed his shirt before he could dash away.

"No stalling. You look fine, go talk to him," Juvia insisted.

"Fine?" Lyon screeched. "Fine?! I can't just look fine."

"Damn fine then," Gray grumbled. He stomped around the island and began herding Lyon towards the door. "If the shirt's that big of an issue then just take it off. But whatever you do, go answer the damn door," he said and shoved Lyon out of the kitchen.

Lyon glared back at him, before dusting himself off and straightening his outfit. He turned and took a deep breath, steeling his nerves, and marched forward as the doorbell rung again.

He made it to the door just as Mered started to ring the bell in quick succession, and hauled it open.

Mered turned and quirked an eyebrow at him. "Took you long enough."

"Sorry. Uh, I was just- umm…." He trailed off as his mind went blank. Heat rushed to his cheeks.

"S'cool." Mered shrugged and let his gaze wander up and down Lyon's figure. A small smirk crept onto his lips as their eyes locked. "Hey."

Lyon swallowed. "Hey."

They continued to stand there, staring at each other. The wind bit at Lyon's skin, causing him to shiver.

"You gonna let him in or what?" Ultear called from the landing. "You're letting all the heat escape."

"Right." Lyon fumbled backwards and Mered followed him in, closing the door behind them.

Lyon's eyes wandered across Mered's shoulders as he slipped the coat off, and held it out for Lyon to take. Lyon glanced down at the coat and then back up at Mered.

Ultear cleared her throat, drawing their attention. She raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow at Lyon and smirked. "You might want wipe the drool from your mouth."

"I'm not drooling," Lyon spat, his cheeks burning at the accusation.

Mered peered at his lips. "You're right, no drool. Just gawking then."

Ultear burst out laughing. She launched herself off the last step, bounded forward and wrapped Mered in a tight hug.

Lyon bristled, and pressed his lips together in a tight line. He couldn't believe the two of them were mocking him.

Mered flashed Lyon a toothy grin. "Aww, someone's pouting again."

"Oh my God, you don't need to look so put out," Ultear said while rolling her eyes. "We're just teasing you, relax a little."

Lyon's brow furrowed and his nose flared as he huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "Whatever."

"Aww, come on Mr. Pouty Pants," Mered said and managed to loop his arm through Lyon's. "You wanna talk, let's go talk."

Lyon's mouth twisted. He wanted to protest the nickname, but one look at Mered's smile, which had lost it's teasing edge and he felt himself relenting.

He tugged Mered towards the stairs. "Come on, my room's this way."

"Ooo, taking me to your room, eh?"

Lyon rolled his eyes and refused to rise to the bait.

"Have fun you two!" Ultear sang as they ascended the stairs.

"It's not like that!"

Lyon groaned. So much for not rising to the bait.

Juvia moved on auto pilot as she strained to listen to the conversation being held out in the hall. A part of her wanted to join them, but she wanted to have dinner underway before Ur and Silver got home, and she figured she'd done enough meddling at this point. Still, she listened for any sounds of distress or frustration. Her instinct to protect Lyon was still present, even though she knew he'd be fine.

Ultear's voice echoed from up the stairs and Juvia, knife held slightly aloft, stilled. The conversation was muffled and she strained to hear, while fighting the instinct to intervene. Lyon could handle this, he wasn't in any danger. The worst was over.

"You okay?" Gray asked.

Juvia nodded, and her gaze flickered to him, grateful for the distraction. "Yeah, sorry. Just worried."

"Don't be," Gray said, as though it were as simple as that.

Of course it wasn't. It should be, but Juvia had always been inclined to fix other people's problems, especially when it meant she could avoid her own.

Ultear's laughter resonated down the hall. Juvia lurched forward, a frown on her face.

Gray caught her arm before she could go any further.

She frowned at him.

"He's fine Juvia." Gray stared down at her, his eyes boring into her as he stepped closer. "He's a grown man, he can handle it."

Juvia closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of Gray's cologne. She forced herself to relax and leaned closer to him, letting his proximity ground her. Her eyes fluttered open and she stared back up at his.

"Better?"

"Mhmm." She reached up and rested her hand against his chest.

Gray jerked back. His hand dropped away as though he'd been burned. He turned his back to her and picked up the discarded carrots and turned on the tap.

Juvia frowned, but said nothing.

It had been like this all day. One moment Gray was caring and doting, then the next he was pulling away and freezing her out.

She kept trying to make sense of it, but at this point she was left at a loss. At first she assumed it was because other people were around. Ur's demeanour hadn't magically changed overnight like Lyon had hoped, so it made sense that Gray might be trying to avoid digging a deeper hole for them, and she could understand he might still be wary of Lyon's feelings on the matter as well. Hell, she didn't even know if Lyon had talked to Gray about her, so she didn't want to jump to conclusions, but now?

They were alone and he was still pulling away. She had to wonder if he hadn't changed his mind over night and decided her lying wasn't as forgivable as he'd initially thought.

She sighed and returned to chopping the vegetables. It was going to be a long, lonely week. Ur was freezing her out, Gray was flip flopping all over the place, and Lyon was likely going to be distracted with Mered and their budding relationship. Even Silver seemed to be holding her at a distance. He'd ushered her out of the kitchen this morning with a guilty look, telling her to let him take care of breakfast. She knew it had more to do with Ur being seated at the island than anything else, but it still hurt.

She continued to tell Lyon everything was okay, but the truth was she felt like an outsider. In fact, the only person who had warmed up to her was-

"It's time to celebrate!" Ultear strode into the kitchen like a force of nature, drawing both Gray and Juvia's attention as she waltzed over to the wine rack and plucked a bottle of red from it.

Gray rolled his eyes. "Day drinking again Tear? I thought Mom talked to you about this."

"Oh, don't be such a stick in the mud. It's a special occasion." Ultear grabbed two wine glasses in her free hand and set them down in front of Juvia, and proceeded to uncork the wine.

"I fail to see how Lyon and Mered having a conversation qualifies as a special occasion," Gray said.

Ultear filled the glasses almost to the brim, before pulling a cold beer from the fridge and using the magnetic bottle open to pry the cap off. She set the bottle down in front of Gray with a loud clink. "Really? Because from where I'm standing, if everything goes well Mered could end up being my actual brother. I'd stay that's reason to celebrate."

Gray sighed and took a swig of beer. "Getting a bit ahead of yourself, don't ya think?"

Ultear shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, once Mom sees them happy she'll be more inclined to ease up on her mood, which can only benefit the two of you," she said, gesturing at Juvia and Gray.

Gray glared down at the bottle in his hand. "Mind your own business, Tear."

Ultear smiled victoriously, turned to Juvia and raised her glass. "To our boys."

Juvia forced a smile onto her lips, and clinked her glass against Ultear's. Her feelings of isolation and frustration returned full force at Gray's response and she swallowed a large gulp of wine in an attempt to drown them. She set the glass down and glanced at Gray.

His back was to her again, and he was scrubbing a potato harder than strictly necessary.

Juvia wished she could tell what he was thinking. She felt certain they were on the same page last night, but this morning it seemed like they weren't even looking at the same book. She couldn't figure out what had changed between them and it was driving her mad. The only thing different about her was that she was single and available. Maybe now that he could have her the allure had worn off.

She shook her head. She knew better than that. Gray wasn't the type to go after a taken woman, Lyon had said so himself.

She raised the wine to her lips and downed half the glass, desperate to get rid of the voices that told her Lyon had lied. The ones that said Gray hadn't even wanted her in the first place.

"That's the spirit!" Ultear cheer and refilled the glass as Juvia set it back down.

Gray turned and frowned. "I don't think that's such a good idea, she's gotta cook still."

Ultear waved him off. "Get over it. No one gave you a hard time about the stupid life choices you made. She's been taking the brunt of Mom's anger, you can't really blame her for needing to take the edge off."

Gray glanced away from Ultear's unwavering gaze and folded his arms across his chest.

Juvia couldn't help but think that sulking seemed to run in the family.

Ultear smiled and leaned forward, placing her hand over Juvia's. "Just so you know, it'll pass. She never stays mad at anyone for very long." Ultear patted Juvia's hand and straightened, raising her glass and motioned for Juvia to do the same. "In the meantime, I recommend getting buzzed. Makes our whole family a lot more tolerable."

Gray responded with a disapproving grunt.

Juvia hesitated, unsure if she wanted to invite further scrutiny upon herself. Her mind wandered back to toe curling kiss under the mistletoe, and then to him recoiling not moments before Ultear walked in and she decided to say fuck it. He could figure himself out and let her know when he did.

She tipped the glass back and drank.

"So-" Lyon paced the far side of his room as his mind bombarded him with a swarm of disjointed words. Topics whirled through his head like a cyclone, leaving his thoughts in a complete disarray, and he struggled to pick a place to start.

"So…." Mered prompted, as he propped himself up on his elbow, from where he sprawled across the bed.

Lyon expelled his frustration in a long sigh and collapsed onto the desk chair. The momentum sent him rolling backwards and he crashed into his desk with a loud bang. He winced at the sound and slumped back in the chair, scrubbing his hands over his face. His words came out muffled. "This is a complete mess isn't it?"

"Actually, you're room's pretty clean if you ask me," Mered said.

Lyon pulled his hands away from his face so he could glower at Mered. "Could you take this seriously?"

Mered rolled his eyes and flopped onto his back. "Why? You're taking this seriously enough for the both of us."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lyon snapped, straightening himself up in the chair and tensing.

"It means you need to relax," Mered said, shooting him an unimpressed look. "I'm not here to pick a fight or start slinging around accusations. I want this to work as much as you do, so chill."

Lyon took a deep breath and forced himself to recline back into the chair. He wanted to relax, but he had no idea where this conversation was going, or what he was going to have to answer for. Never mind the fact that he wanted answers as well. For all that Lyon wanted to just pick up from Wednesday, he couldn't ignore the fact that Mered had hidden a lot from him.

Mered huffed, and his bangs fluttered against his forehead. "You're way too high strung, you know that?" He rolled over onto his stomach and propped himself up on his forearms so they were face to face. "Want me to start then?"

"Sure?" Lyon wasn't exactly sure he liked putting the ball in Mered's court, but since he couldn't figure out where to start he didn't have much of a choice.

"Don't sound so eager," Mered teased.

Lyon stuck his tongue out in reply, which made Mered chuckle and grin at him.

"There you are."

Lyon couldn't help but smile at that. "Yeah, yeah, just get on with it. I'm dying over here."

Mered rolled his eyes. "Okay well I guess I wanted to know if what Juvia said yesterday was true. The whole bit about your ex bailing on you."

Lyon's stomach knotted, as he remember the guilty look Max had given him as he wrapped an arm around some girl and introduced her as his girlfriend. He tightened his grip on the arm rests. "Yeah, that happened."

"And that's why you freaked out about me wanting you to come out?" Mered asked.

"Pretty much." Lyon shrugged, and rubbed the side of his chin while he pondered how to explain it more eloquently. "I just, I dunno, every time I go out on a date that's always there in the back of my mind. It's like everyone can see right through me, and any minute they're gonna call me out and everything's gonna go straight to hell."

Mered grimaced. "Kinda did anyways, didn't it?"

"Yeah, well, apparently I've got shit luck with first dates."

"I'll say," Mered sighed. "That sucks, man, I wish you'd told me. I always thought you were happy being out. You made it sound like things were great down there."

"They were, after a while. And I don't know, I didn't wanna tell you about all the shit parts. You messaged me looking for some hope, I didn't wanna scare you off with all my drama and insecurities," Lyon said.

Mered's lips curled into a wicked little grin. "Scare me off what? I thought you weren't interested in dating someone from around here."

"Scare you off of being out and open about it. You've always been pretty sure of yourself, I didn't wanna taint you with all my-" Lyon gestured at himself, unsure what to call the numerous issues he had surrounding his sexuality.

"Well you still shoulda told me. Woulda made it a lot easier to tell you I knew your family and stuff," Mered said.

Lyon frowned. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Uh, cause you freaked the second you saw where I was from?" Mered said arching an eyebrow at Lyon. "You were ready to bolt, no way in hell you woulda stuck around if I said I knew your fam."

Lyon shot him a sheepish look, knowing he was probably right. "So why not tell me Wednesday? I mean, at that point you knew I wasn't going anywhere."

Mered shrugged. "I don't know. I thought it would be cute to show up on Friday and be all, hey so, I know these guys, we're good. I mean, looking back on it, it was a shit plan and plain dumb, but I had no idea you were terrified of coming out. Hell, I thought you were planning to come out anyways, and that that's why you had Juvia come home with you."

"Right, that kinda makes sense. Probably what I should have done." Lyon sighed. "I seem to like to complicate my life a bit."

"I'll say. Who the hell still fakes an entire relationship in this day and age?"

"It's called having a beard, and it's more common than you think," Lyon said, a faint blush dusting his cheeks.

Mered shook his head and smirked at him. "If you say so."

Silence fell between them and Lyon's mind drifted to the latest hurdle their relationship was gonna face. He knew he ought to bring it up, but he had no idea how to broach the topic without souring the mood.

"For what it's worth, my first boyfriend was an asshole too." Mered locked eyes with Lyon and for once his expression was solemn. "We'd only gone on a couple dates, but I ran into him and his friends in public and he pretended not to know me."

"Are you fucking kidding me? What did you do?" Lyon asked. He felt dirty even hearing about it, and more than anything he wanted to find the asshole and punch him in the face.

"At the time, nothing. I let him walk away. Of course, that night I dumped his ass via a text message; told him it was hard enough coming out and I wasn't gonna be anyone's dirty little secret."

Lyon cringed as he put two and two together. "That's why you walked out on me, you thought I wanted to hide our relationship."

"Pretty sure I wasn't wrong about that one." Mered said. "I mean, you had a whole fake relationship in place to hide the fact that you were gay."

Lyon scratched the back of his neck. "Sure, but that was about me. I never intended to hide you, I just wanted to make sure you weren't gonna bail. People here already talk, and it only gets worse when you give 'em reasons."

"No shit." Mered scoffed shooting him an unimpressed glare. "You think I don't know that? I've been out since I moved back here, and yeah, there's looks, and comments and all that shit, and sure, when they see us together all hell's gonna break loose, but I'm not hiding from 'em. They wanna fight, I'll fight right back."

"You sound like Juvia," Lyon said with a laugh. He smiled at Mered then rolled himself towards the bed and reached out.

Mered placed his hand in Lyon's and smiled back. "Does that mean you'll start listening to me then?"

"Mm, maybe. She'd tell you not to hold your breath."

Mered rolled his eyes. "You're lucky I've got a soft spot for idiots."

Lyon wrenched his hand away and shot Mered a playful glare. "You're an ass."

"Then it's a good thing you like asses," Mered replied with a shit eating grin.

"Only cute ones."

Mered's grin widened. "Then I'm still good."

"I don't know…." Lyon said, as he let the smile drop from his lips and his voice took on a somber cadence. "I'm pretty sure you outed me to Ultear."

Mered blanched. "Listen about that-" He struggled for a few moments before his entire body slumped in defeat. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have, but I didn't know what else to do. I'd already agreed to come to the party, and she could tell I was upset and I just- I didn't want her to find out when I walked in the door and you recognized me."

Lyon arched an eyebrow and kept his features schooled into a look of reproach. "You mean the way I found out you knew my family?"

Mered stared at him, mouth popped open, and eyes wide. "Okay, that was a dick move, but I mean I'm- I…" He trailed off with a frown. "I don't know what to say. I know I shouldn't have, but I knew she wouldn't care, and I- You had Juvia and I had no one, and I was hurt and scared to see you again."

"I know." Lyon let his lips twitch upward into a smile.

Mered's eyes narrowed at Lyon. His palm collided with Lyon's chest, sending the chair rolling back into the desk behind him.

Lyon cackled. "You should have seen your face."

"Fuck you!"

Lyon grinned salaciously. "If that's what you want."

Mered's face went beet red, and he glowered at Lyon. "I like you better when you're flustered."

"The feeling's mutual." Lyon pushed himself up off the chair and seated himself next to Mered, taking his hand yet again, and this time raising it to his lips. Lyon glanced at Mered from over top of his knuckles and murmured. "But you're right, I like cute asses."

Mered looked away and pouted. "Whatever."

Lyon snickered. He felt the weight that had been sitting on his chest rise as a silly grin spread across his face.

Mered flopped back on the bed and let out a loud sigh as he stared up at a the ceiling. "I really am sorry. I shoulda warned you about being at the party, and I shouldn't of told Ultear without your permission; especially knowing you didn't want to come out."

Lyon shrugged. "I'm mostly over it. I mean, there's a part of me that's gonna need some time, but I don't want that to get in the way." He turned to face Mered. "I like you."

"I like you too."

Lyon's heart leaped at the sincerity in Mered's voice.

Concern tugged at the back of his mind, reminding him there was still one issue left. The one he didn't want to talk about, and still had no idea how to broach without trampling the groundwork they'd just laid out. Already he regretted not bringing it up first, but it wasn't exactly something he could have lead with either.

"What's up?" Mered asked.

"Hmm?"

"You have thinking face. Something's buggin' you."

Lyon frowned and searched his mind for the right words and came up empty. He'd never done this before. Most trans people he met were acquaintances at best, and even if they hadn't been he knew prodding questions weren't exactly welcome.

Still, if they were going to date they'd need to talk logistics sometime, right? Sooner seemed better than later, it was just a matter of finding the words.

"Would you spit it out already? You're freakin' me out," Mered snapped.

Lyon took a shaky breath, then let the words spill out of his mouth in a rush. "I think I might have an issue with you being trans."

Mered went ridged.

Lyon's eye widened at what he'd said. "Shit! Sorry, no. That came out all wrong!"

Mered's gaze met his and Lyon could see the thoughts and fears running through Mered's mind and he rushed to correct himself. "I don't have an issue with you- That is, you being trans isn't an issue. I have an issue. Me. There's something wrong with me."

Mered was holding his breath and the tension in his shoulders hadn't let up one bit. He pushed himself up with his arm and made a move to leave the bed.

Certain that Mered was about to walk out on him Lyon planted a hand on Mered's chest.

Mered stopped and met Lyon's gaze with a hollow look.

"Mer, please…. I'm sorry, I can explain. I swear it's not like that."

Mered took a deep breath, then another.

Lyon waited. His hand trembled in its place and he felt certain he'd messed everything up all over again.

"Okay. Explain," Mered said at last.

Lyon let his hand fall from Mered's chest and placed it over Mered's hand, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "Thank you."

Despite his words, Mered's face was still pinched and his expression was pained. He gave Lyon a curt nod.

Lyon knew he had to tread carefully this time, but he was grateful for the second chance.

"Look, what I meant was I have- I've had performance issues in the past. Namely, when I was dating Sherry… and it's not that I see you differently; because I'm definitely still attracted to you, and turned on, and all that. I'm just afraid that if I have issues you're gonna be dissatisfied, and eventually you're gonna get frustrated and dump me." Lyon held his breath and closed his eyes. If he was about to get his heart ripped out again, he didn't want to see it coming.

Mered scoffed and his weight shifted backwards. "You're such a dumbass."

Lyon's eyes flew open and he face screwed up in anger.

"Honestly, I don't even have anything to compare you to, how the hell would I know you're falling short on your end," Mered said.

Lyon sighed, carded a hand through his hair, and shrugged.

Sherry wasn't any more experienced. It hadn't happened overnight, but eventually she'd realized something was wrong. In the end, she'd found him lacking, and even though he'd never seen her that way either, it still hurt when she cheated on him. Apparently much deeper than he'd ever thought or given credence to.

"People know when they're not being satisfied. And maybe you'll be patient at first, but you're gonna get tired of having issues. You're gonna want things to work the way they're supposed to."

"Pretty sure there's a pill for that," Mered said. His lips were quirked in a smug little smirk.

He looked so freaking seductive as he leaned back across Lyon's bed, propped up on his elbows, that Lyon began to wonder if he wasn't making something out of nothing.

"That's it?" Heat bloomed on Lyon's cheeks, and he reigned in the part of his ego that said he shouldn't need a pill. "That's your solution? Take a pill."

Mered shrugged. "Solves the problem."

"But wouldn't it bother you?" Lyon asked.

Mered frowned and looked at him quizzically. "Wouldn't what bother me? You're not the first dude with a limp dick. Don't see what that's got to do with me."

"I don't-" Lyon bit back the protest, and folded his arms over his chest. "I've had no problems at college. Only with Sherry." His mind flashed back to Juvia pressed against him and his skin crawled. "And one other girl."

Mered's eyes narrowed. "What other girl?"

The mistrust written on Mered's face told Lyon he already suspected the answer. Lyon glanced away. He wanted to lie, and he could almost convince himself it was the right thing to do for both of them, but they'd agreed to come clean and Lyon was so sick of lying to the people that mattered most to him.

He sighed, closed his eyes and resigned himself to his fate. "Juvia."

"I thought you were just friends," Mered hissed.

"We are." Lyon rolled his eyes but forced himself to meet Mered's glare. "I was drunk, and heartbroken. And I'm not saying that excuses it, but nothing ended up happening. In fact, that was pretty much the nail in the I'm gay coffin. I had like, zero interest."

Mered pursed his lips and said nothing.

Lyon sighed and bowed his head. His shoulders slumped and he leaned forward. "I know it's not what you want to hear, but all I could think of was you, and after we both felt sick for it." Lyon licked his lips and peered up at Mered from beneath his lashes. "I can't tell you she means nothing to me, cause I love her with all my heart, but I can tell you that there's room for you too. That, and I know I don't want a relationship with her, not the kind I want with you."

Mered stared back at him, but his face softened and finally he sighed and collapsed back on the bed. The springs creaked beneath the sudden weight and the mattress bounce. "You're a giant fucking dork."

Lyon blinked and he felt his lips twitch into a smile. "I am." He watched Mered, a small frown creased Mered's brow, but otherwise he looked more defeated than put out. Lyon bit his lip and decided to take a chance. "I could be your dork."

Mered's frown deepened and his eyes fluttered open and locked with Lyon's.

Lyon's heart stopped.

Mered rolled his eyes and rolled back up and reached out and flicked Lyon in the forehead. "Don't be stupid, of course your my dork. I wouldn't be here putting up with your shit if you weren't."

Relief washed over Lyon like a tsunami and he broke into an ear splitting grin. He launched himself forward, and flung his arms around Mered. Lyon clung to Mered as the two of them crashed back into the mattress.

Muffled curses and whines of protest met Lyon's ears, and hands shoved at his side half-heartedly, but he paid Mered's gripes no mind and held him tighter. The noises and squirming died down quickly and Mered settled with his head in the crook of Lyon's shoulder.

Lyon closed his eyes, letting the moment wash over him.

"Look, I know you're all self conscious and shit cause of your past, and so am I," Mered said, draping his arm around Lyon's waist, "But I'm willing to work with your shit if you're down to try working with mine."

Lyon's heart fluttered and warmth spread through him.

This was happening. Mered was offering to work with him and they were actually going to do this. He was going to have a boyfriend; one that his parents would know about. Excitement thrummed through his veins. Before he could second guess himself, Lyon rolled them over and caged Mered beneath him, propping himself up on his forearms.

Lyon stared down at Mered and smirked, then slowly lowered his face.

Mered jolted beneath him. "What the hell are you doing?"

Lyon smirked and his eyes darted from Mered's eyes, to his lips, then back again. He licked his lower lip. "Something I was hoping to do Wednesday, but never got the chance."

"Oh." Mered was bright red and his hands fidgeted with the hem of his sweater.

Lyon leaned onto his left arm and placed his right hand over Mered's, stilling Mered's hands. Lyon locked eyes with him. "Can I?" Lyon's heart drummed against his chest.

Mered's lips curled into a tentative smile that eventually reached his eyes. He took a deep breath, chest rising to brush against Lyon's, then nodded.

Lyon beamed, and closed the distance between them, letting his lips brush softly against Mered's. He pulled back a hairsbreadth before repeating the action pressing just a bit more firmly. His heart soared when Mered responded, and he melted completely into their first kiss.

It was easy for Lyon to get lost in the way Mered's lips moved against his, and the feel of tentative touches that traced along his body. Touches that Lyon mimicked. He wasn't usually the type to take things slow, but Mered was still inexperienced, and Lyon found himself enjoying the slow exploration and languid kisses more than he would have thought.

It made him feel cared for and cherished in a way he'd never realized he wanted, and he longed to stay there forever. Or at least the rest of the night.

Alas, the bubble bust when his parents called out to everyone from the front door, announcing their return.

Lyon found himself hunched over on the end of the bed, fighting his mounting anxiety.

He knew he shouldn't be anxious, everyone knew he was gay and they'd accept him, but some deep seated fears still lingered in Lyon's heart. It was one thing for them to say the words, but it was a whole other thing to be faced with him having a boyfriend. The thought of even holding hands in front of his parents sent a shock of ice down his back.

He couldn't even fathom kissing Mered in front of them.

"You gonna be okay?" Mered's hand rested firmly between Lyon's shoulder blades, and moved in slow circles. It was warm and soothing. He sat beside Lyon, watching but not pressing for anything.

Lyon swallowed hard and took a shaky breath. "I think so."

His mind conjured the image of the two of them walking down the stairs hand in hand to greet his parents and his stomach roiled. "Maybe not."

Mered rolled his eyes then rested his chin on Lyon's shoulder. "Talk to me."

"About what?"

Mered elbowed his side lightly. "What do you think you dumb ass."

Lyon bit down on his lower lip, and felt a fresh wave of shame and guilt wash over him. "I don't trust them."

"Trust who?"

"My parents."

Mered sat up and studied him with a scrutinizing eye. "With what? And why?"

Lyon shrugged. "That they're really gonna be okay with this…." He motioned at the two of them. "Us."

"You're overthinking. Again." Mered huffed, with an exasperated shake of his head. "It's not like they're going to chase us out of the house with a pitchfork."

"I know that. But that doesn't mean they're suddenly gonna stop being who they are either. Last night, the look on my Mom's face, the way she's been acting today…." Lyon carded his hands through his hair, and stared at his door. Dread pooled in the pit of his stomach, like a ball of lead.

Mered's hand slipped from Lyon's back and his fingers curled around Lyon's. His brows dipped in concern, but he said nothing. Every once in awhile he would squeeze Lyon's hand, then slowly release the pressure.

Lyon focused on the feel of it, and the rhythm. He breathed in time with the action, in on a squeeze and then out, just as slow. The frantic gallop of his heart slowed, and the weight on his chest lifted. The tension began to bleed out, and Lyon slumped against Mered's shoulder, and tried to rest his head against it, only to find the angle awkward. He shifted, pulling his hand free so he could wrap his arm around Mered's waist, then returned his head to Mered's shoulder. It still wasn't a comfortable position, but his neck stopped feeling like it was going to snap.

"Sorry," Lyon muttered.

Mered shook his head. "Don't be stupid. The whole point of this dating thing is you're not alone. I'm with you, we'll face this shit together. Plus Tear and Juvia are here, so it's not like we don't have back up."

Lyon took another deep breath and nodded.

A small strangled whine escaped Mered's throat, and his shoulders tensed. "Stop that!"

Lyon grinned wickedly as he pulled away. "Are you ticklish?"

"No!"

Mered started to pull away but Lyon's fingers found his sides and dug in tickling his abdomen.

Mered shrieked in protest, and flailed wildly, knocking himself off the bed and onto the floor with a loud thud.

"Shit! Are you okay?" Lyon asked leaning forward to check on Mered.

Mered threw his feet and hands up in the air, blocking Lyon's path. "Don't even try it!"

"I'm trying to check if you're okay!" Lyon huffed. He towered over Mered, arms crossed and lips set in a thin line.

Mered glared up at Lyon, limbs still flailing in the air. "That's what you all say, but it's not true. It's a ploy and I'm not falling for it!"

Lyon rolled his eyes. "You must have hit your head, that's retarded."

"Dude," Mered frowned at him. "Not cool."

Lyon arched his brow, uncertain what Mered was getting at.

"Seriously, going after the mentally challenged?"

Lyon felt a rush of embarrassment and guilt hit him. "I didn't mean it like that."

Mered stared back at him unimpressed. "No one ever does."

"Right." Lyon cringed at his own words and remembered the way he'd felt when Gray had called Natsu gay. "Sorry, that was shitty."

"It's fine, just work on it."

"Right." Lyon nodded. He sighed, frustrated that Gray wasn't the only one who'd picked up a few bad habits. He wondered how many other things he needed to work on.

"So, you ready to do this?" Mered asked.

Lyon sighed and carded his fingers through his hair. "No. But I doubt I'm ever gonna be so let's just get it over with."

Mered rolled his eyes. "Well that's romantic."

Lyon gave him a light shove. "Shut up, you know what I mean!"

"Do I?" Mered asked, arching an eyebrow at him. "You know when I agreed to date you I was under the impression there'd be some grand romantic gestures before we turned into a boring married couple."

Lyon sighed and pushed himself to his feet, then turned and presented his hand to Mered. "Would you do me the honour of allowing you to present you to my family as my partner."

Mered broke out into a goofy grin and slid his hand into Lyon's and shrugged. "Yeah, I guess I can agree to that."

"And you complain about me not being romantic?" Lyon scoffed.

"Hey, I never sold myself as romantic. You knew I was a snarky asshole from day one. You agreed to date me anyways, so that's your problem," Mered said.

"I suppose it is. I suppose it is…." Lyon said, hauling Mered to his feet. "Well, come on boyfriend, time to meet the parents."

Mered bounded into the kitchen, dragging Lyon in after him by the hand. They stopped in the entrance and Mered beamed at Lyon's family and raised their intertwined hands in the air. "Victory!"

Heat burned Lyon's cheeks and neck, and he kept his eyes locked on Mered's face, terrified to see the reactions from his family.

Shrieks of delight erupted in the room as Juvia and Ultear charged around the island and launched themselves at Lyon and Mered. Lyon winced as they went from yelling across the kitchen to yelling in his ears, as they wrapped him and Mered in a hug. Despite the discomfort to his ears he hugged them back.

Ultear broke off from the group hug, and dragged Mered out with her, so she could bombard him with questions.

Juvia hung from Lyon's shoulders like a rag doll, swaying in his arms. She buried her face in Lyon's neck, and he felt like if he let her go she might slide down the the floor.

He could smell wine on her lips and glanced at the island. Two half empty wine glasses sat next to two empty bottles of wine. Lyon mentally cursed Ultear as he pulled Juvia a little closer. "I take it you've been trying to keep up with Ultear," he muttered.

"Mmm, maybe," Juvia hummed in his ear, with a small shrug.

"She's been matching her glass for glass for the last couple hours," Gray said, frowning at Juvia's back.

Juvia bit her lower lip and glanced back at Gray from over her shoulder. "We offered you some too."

Gray folded his arms across his chest and glanced away, looking more than a little annoyed.

Juvia stiffened a little and the smile she'd been sporting fell from her lips at his disapproval. Her brow furrowed, but she didn't move from Lyon's side.

Lyon cradled her a little closer and finally risked a glance at his parents.

Silver beamed back at him. It was a smile that radiated warmth, and eased most of the tension Lyon felt.

Ur's expression was a mask of complete neutrality, but her shoulders were tight and she stood just a little too straight.

Lyon felt himself standing straighter in response. He couldn't tell if it was Juvia, or his relationship, but something was bothering her and his gut twisted over it.

He opened his mouth to say something, to call out to her, or draw her attention, but Silver had sauntered over and proceeded to wrap an arm around him and pat his back.

"I'm happy for you, Kid. Both of you," Silver said, glancing over at Mered and opening his other arm to invite Mered in as well.

Juvia slipped from Lyon's side as Mered came to join the hug and she wobbled over and grabbed her glass from the counter, taking another sip.

"Same," Gray announce. He didn't move from his place, but he met Lyon's gaze with a steady and genuine look. "I'm glad you're happy."

Lyon smiled at that, and he glanced at Mered. "I really am."

"You better be," Mered teased, and grinned back devilishly.

Lyon pouted. "You're never going to say anything nice to me are you?"

"Mmm, probably not… maybe for your birthday or something."

Lyon rolled his eyes and wondered exactly what he'd signed up for, but his lips were still quirked into a smile.

"Well, I think dinner is ready," Ur announce and glanced at Lyon and Mered. "Could you two go set the table?"

Before anyone could respond she turned and started scooping the pasta into a large casserole dish.

Lyon's heart dropped. The lack of acknowledgement hurt, and confirmed his suspicions that Juvia wasn't, the only one in the dog house anymore.

Mered placed a hand on Lyon's shoulder, and gave it a squeeze, as Silver and Gray shot him concerned looks.

Lyon glanced nervously towards Juvia and then to Ultear.

Both were scowling, and Juvia turned to meet his gaze.

Lyon shook his head. Picking a fight before dinner didn't seem like a good idea and he doubted Ur was in any state to actually listen to what Juvia had to say.

Juvia huffed and grabbed the stack of plates herself and marched into the dining room.

Lyon lingered, willing his mother to turn around and face him, but she kept her back firmly turned to the rest of them, even after the pasta was transferred. Lyon sighed, and his shoulders sagged and he turned and followed Juvia into the dining room.

He wanted to be angry, or hurt, but the truth was the only thing he felt was numb.

#ftfanfics #gruvia fanfiction #fics for vera #Lyredy #IKYSS #fairy tail #ft fanfiction #gruvia #lyredy fanfiction

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riverofmemoriesft · 7 years

Text

. In Tenebris . 17

Lucy blinked when they stepped into the house to find the two dragons and Yukino leaning over the banister above their head, Juvia peering through the bars of it on her knees. "How long were you guys up there?"

"A while." Rogue tilted his head. "We wanted to know what happened."

Levy grinned up at them and tucked Wendy under her arm. "We have someone new coming and here in the next few weeks, Wendy is going to go and live with Makarov's friend, who turned out to be a blood relative. She's Wendy's aunt."

"That's wonderful!" Yukino said with a pleased smile.

Gajeel ignored the rest of them as he pushed his way up the stairs. Natsu was quiet, and then suddenly scampered up the stairs to drag Sting and Rogue away, speaking to them urgently. Levy exchanged a look with Lucy and then rushed after them, abandoning Wendy and Lucy.

Rubbing her temples as the voices chattered in her head, Lucy started for the stairs. "Yukino, we've come up with a somewhat plan for everything. According to Makarov, Zeref somehow established people to work on this kind of thing nation-wide, maybe even in other countries-"

She clapped a hand over her mouth in horror. "How does this kind of thing spread? What is the government doing?"

Juvia pressed her lips together, fumbling with her fingers. After a moment, she murmured, "The government is associated with it. Some advisor of the king is keeping it from him and his family in a very impressive manner."

Lucy took a deep breath, shaken by that very idea. Wendy trotted off to go and stand with Natsu as he spoke urgently with the other two dragons. "We have another experiment coming in. Turns out that Makarov's grandson - Laxus, remember him? - smuggled a girl out. I told him that if anyone needs help or...rehabilitating, I suppose, they can come stay here. But to combat this mess that's been happening...we've formed what Mirajane's calling a guild. A group of people dedicated to ending this."

Understanding flickered through Yukino's eyes as Juvia said, "The bad group Juvia was a part of...they called themselves a legion. Like a group of warriors. It makes Juvia sick now, but Juvia thinks is a much better group."

Lucy nodded and then smiled at Yukino. "Minerva Orland is infiltrating a group in Crocus-"

In a flash, Sting was bolting over. "Hold on," he said, abandoning the other dragons. "Minerva Orland?"

"She's one of our friends," Yukino said excitedly. "She was really worried when Rogue and Sting went missing."

"Well then you'll probably like this suggestion." Lucy folded her arms, grimacing as Aquarius made a snide comment in the back of her mind, echoed by several others. "Makarov thought about setting up groups of our own throughout various areas. How would you guys feel about setting up one in Crocus?"

Sting's eyes widened and he exchanged a look with Yukino as Rogue joined them, shocked. "You'd trust us after what we did?" Rogue asked quietly. "To do something that big?"

"Look," Lucy said with a small huff, amused that they were so hesitant. "I played twister with you guys. You're fine. And the voices agree." She tapped her head and then flinched. Yukino gave her a sympathetic look, touching her own. Because they didn't, they were all protesting. They didn't want to separate from the three that Yukino held.

But Lucy cautiously put her foot down, snapping, "Shut up!"

They fell silent.

"Sorry," she mumbled to the stunned dragons and Yukino. Sting gave her a wary look as she took a deep breath to calm herself. "Anyways, we trust you guys because we know that what happened wasn't any of your fault."

"...I think it'd be nice." Rogue raised his chin. "Could we select some of our friends to help?"

Lucy thought over this and looked for Levy, but Levy was nowhere to be found. She'd left to find Gajeel. Lucy had a suspicion that another temper tantrum was on its way. "I think you'd have to talk with everyone involved there. There's a risk bringing friends in. Even if you trusted them before you were...changed," she paused to wave at them, "It doesn't mean they can be trusted with this. Not everyone is like us."

"We know," Sting promised. He looked excited, bouncing up and down like Lucy had seen Natsu do when it came to food. Lucy gave he and Rogue a long look. She wanted them to appear as a regular person before they left, but their scales didn't seem to be receding.

If anything there were more.

Natsu and Wendy wandered over after a small chat. They studied Lucy's thoughtful look patiently, waiting, and Juvia asked softly, "Lucy? What are you thinking of?"

"Their scales." Lucy waved at Sting and Rogue. "They won't go away. There's actually more scales."

Natsu squinted, studying Sting's face before nodding slowly. "Looks like it."

"I know we're kind of anti-experiment here," Lucy said slowly. "But we're going to have to start trying to figure that out. See what you three are doing differently than them. Sting, Rogue, do you have any ideas?" They shook their heads.

Wendy licked her lips. "We'll figure it out," she said seriously. "I mean, we couldn't get rid of them for a long time."

"Nah. We went years," Natsu agreed, resting an elbow on Wendy's head gently. She leaned into him, the two reluctant to separate now that Wendy would be leaving soon.

"Well, I think we'll do it," Sting said excitedly. "The Crocus thing. But we can't until we've gotten rid of the scales, like you said. We can wait until they're gone." He studied his arm, touching white scales that streaked up it.

Lucy noted this and then turned to Natsu, suddenly exhausted. "I'm going to contact Zeref after a quick nap if that's okay."

Everyone grew somber. Rogue and Sting hadn't met Zeref himself, they'd told them, merely delivered messages that were relayed to them. But everyone knew that it was a serious situation that was going to happen, and none of them were looking forward to it.

"Okay," Natsu said quietly, jaw working. "I'll just watch...TV 'til then. I want to listen to the phone call. Can you tell me before you call him?"

"Of course," Lucy promised, flashing the dragon a quick smile before suddenly asking, "Before I go nap...Rogue, Sting, what did Natsu want to tell you about when we got here? You've never dragged them off like that, Natsu."

Sting opened his mouth to answer and then was cut off. "I, uh, was tellin' 'em about Gajeel. He might snap while I'm gone. I don't want him running around killing everyone because I'm not here."

Lucy nodded. "That's smart," she murmured, giving her approval. "Okay, I'm heading for my nap now." She gave them a little mock salute, her shoulder and head throbbing and in pain as she stumbled for her room.

Levy kicked her legs, sitting among the roots of Mavis' tree as she waited. Gajeel had slipped away to be alone, and she'd decided to patiently wait for him to come back. While she was feeling rather impatient about the matter, she simply skimmed through social media on her phone.

It seemed like ages before someone wandered in. Levy looked up but found it not to be Gajeel, but - to her surprise - Juvia. She hadn't spoken much with Juvia - or Yukino and the two newest dragons, to be honest. She wasn't a socialite like Lucy, who'd been trained by her father to be friendly and work with people. She'd grown up an only child, surrounded by books rather than friends. It was over those books that she'd met Lucy and through school that she'd been introduced to Jet and Droy.

Levy was still grateful that she'd been dragged to Fairy Tail by Lucy, who'd spotted it while they were hanging out.

Juvia paused when she sw Levy sitting there, and then moved to backtrack, but Levy offered a smile. "Looking for Gajeel?"

Juvia faltered, but nodded. "Juvia wanted to know about how the shop was. But Juvia can't find him."

"Better to not approach him right now," Levy told her. "He's in a mood."

The water woman was disappointed, but came over to perch on a root beside Levy, fumbling the hem of her shirt. Lucy had lent it to her, and the deep midnight-shaded blue accented her pale skin and blue eyes and hair perfectly. "Gajeel was always grouchy in the past, but...he was never mean to Juvia. Juvia was his best friend."

Levy gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry."

Juvia shrugged. "Juvia thought he was dead. Metalicana was very sad when he disappeared, but said that he'd show up some day. Juvia felt bad when he didn't get to see Gajeel again. Juvia would stop to give him coffee a lot when passing by his store." Her gaze softened.

Levy chewed on her lip thoughtfully and then told her, "Juvia, you never told us what happened. How you ended up in Zeref's...well, whoever's clutches."

Juvia snorted delicately. "They said that they'd tell Juvia how to find Gajeel, that Gajeel wasn't dead. They lured me in and then trapped me in their white prison. And then they experimented and somehow Juvia turned into this." Juvia sneered in disgust as she let her fingers turn to water. "Juvia fought, but...they told Juvia that Gajeel was dead. That they'd lied to me. That even if he was alive, he wasn't truly himself, and it hurt Juvia enough that Juvia wanted to punish the people behind it. They told Juvia that bringing Lucy and Natsu to them would be enough for vengeance, that they'd take care of them because they were the reason that Gajeel was dead. But then Juvia got here and…" She made a small gesture.

Levy studied the water woman. "How long?"

"Did they have Juvia?" Juvia considered this, and then shook her head. "Years. Three, maybe more or less."

Levy's gaze softened, sorrow for the woman filling her. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I really am. No one deserves that."

Juvia shrugged. "Juvia is glad. Because now Juvia isn't alone."

The petite woman agreed with that and sat back a little. "My life's certainly changed and filled up since we found those three." She smiled a little, her gaze gentle. "I'm glad we found them. Wendy and Natsu in particular deserve to know what a real life is like." She drew her knees to her chest. "I hate that Zeref's ruining lives without taking into consideration for the rest of us."

Juvia scowled and pressed her lips together unhappily. "Juvia doesn't either."

They sat together in silence for a while before Juvia sighed and climbed to her feet. "Juvia is going to go see if Lucy is okay. Juvia knows that she's upset about having to call Zeref for Natsu. Juvia thinks she'd much rather Natsu do it himself."

Levy snorted softly and replied, "If he did it himself, Lucy's phone - or my own, depending on which one we use - would end up in pieces or melted."

Juvia smirked and without another word, headed off, wandering away. Levy watched her go thoughtfully. She didn't talk to Juvia often. But she certainly liked the quiet and fierce water woman.

Levy stretched and glanced at a watch that decorated her wrist before frowning, resting her chin on her knees. She'd been waiting for nearly two hours. For Gajeel to show up again. She was particularly fond of the dragon, and she was worried that he'd been so cranky again.

Suddenly, a head swung down in front of her. Levy jumped to her feet with a shriek of surprise as Gajeel squinted at her, long hair swinging beneath him. He seemed to perch with ease on a lower branch of the tree, upside down, arms folded. "What the hell are you doing in here, Shrimp?'

Levy sniffed, trying to not be so startled. She spared a look up and then blinked. "How are you doing that?"

"Spikes. Drove 'em into the wood. Don't want to do it too often or I'll damage the tree." Gajeel cocked his head. "What are you doin'?"

"Waiting for you to show up actually." Levy bit the inside of her cheek. "I wanted to make sure you were okay. I know you have those...moments. I remember the last one." Her fingers skimmed thoughtfully over the scar that had formed on her cheek. "I just...you know. I was worried."

He blinked. "I'm fine. For now. Got a while 'fore you have to worry about it, I think." Gajeel suddenly dropped down. Before Levy could so much as blink, he'd whipped his body beneath him and caught himself on his feet before he could hit the ground.

Levy pressed a hand to her heart, which fluttered wildly beneath her fingers. "You're going to give me heart failure," she told him, frowning.

He cracked a sharp-toothed grin and retorted, "You're like a rabbit. If I jump out at ya, you're gonna fall over dead."

She rolled her eyes and folded her arms, a smile tugging at her lips. "And you're a jerk who ran off for a long time and left me waiting without a clue as to what to do." He pointed out that she didn't have to wait for him, that she could have made herself useful.

She kindly flipped him off and stalked past him for the door to find Juvia and send her after him.

He trailed after her, not at all bothered, still smirking. His crimson gaze slid down her petite form thoughtfully - nearly appreciatively - and Levy suddenly whirled around. He swore under his breath, ripping his gaze away and pretending he'd been looking up at the ceiling.

Now it was Levy's turn to smirk. Hand on her hip, she used her free hand to point at him and said, "You were looking at my butt again, Gajeel Redfox. I give you three seconds to explain yourself before I call Erza."

For some reason, a chill ran down his spine. "Here's your explanation," he retorted hastily. "I wasn't."

She gave him a long look through slitted eyes and then turned back around. She smirked to herself. "I'm sure you weren't. Liar." She swept out into the large main room, where everyone had gathered on regular occasions. She glanced over its occupants. Juvia was nowhere to be found, nor was Lucy, but Natsu and Wendy were bent over a game board with a frustrated Sting, amused Rogue, and giggling Yukino.

"What are you playing?" Levy called as she strode over to look.

Sting didn't look up. "Monopoly."

"Natsu's winning," Yukino explained, and the dragon's onyx gaze slid around the board, calculating. There was a manner in which he did it, in which he expertly calculated how much money he could spare and collect, that made Levy shiver.

And then he made his move. "Give me a hotel, Yukino," he said gravely, paying out the highest amount of money he could. "I want it."

"That's a big risk," she told him, but gave it to him.

Levy was in tears when not even five minutes later, Sting was bankrupt and Rogue had handed the majority of his money over to Natsu. Natsu beamed, proudly cradling his fake money. Wendy looked terrified as Yukino warily made her move. And then Wendy rolled.

"No!" she screamed as she planted her little silver dog piece on Natsu's hotel.

Natsu whooped and held out a hand.

Levy gawked when Wendy handed over the full amount and still had quite a bit left.

"We're good hoarders." Levy glanced over her shoulder at Gajeel when he spoke, head cocked. "Part of the dragon stuff, I guess."

"You know," Levy commented as she settled down between Wendy and Yukino to watch, "I've been doing some research."

"Oh?" Rogue murmured, rolling the dice. He moved his piece - and then full out growled at Natsu, who held his hand out when Rogue landed on a spot that held four houses. Clenching his jaw, he gritted out, "What have you been looking into?"

"Magic. The existence of it." They all paused in Monopoly to look at her. Her eyes flashed a little as she sat back. "From what Lucy's said of those...voices, and Yukino, correct me if I'm wrong, magic was a common occurrence what must have been thousands of years ago, right?"

Yukino nodded, listening to voices they couldn't hear. "Libra says so. Pisces says that it faded out centuries ago. Maybe before the first century. Ancient civilizations used it and prided themselves over it. They were tied to the stars though, so they can't give much more other than magic must have diluted itself into no longer existing throughout the years."

"That's what I was thinking." Levy bit her lip. "Magic doesn't exist in our world, it's not real. Well, I guess it might have been real. But even with these five," she paused to gesture at them, "We can't really say that it's a real thing. For all we know, Zeref's just come up with a formula that makes us think they're similar to dragons. They're might be some creature we know nothing about roaming in another country that he used to turn them into what they are. Magic doesn't exist."

"Then how do you explain Juvia?" Gajeel grunted. "She ain't a dragon or hearin' voices. 'Sides. What else are we gonna call it?"

"It's not magic," Levy disagreed. "The right sciences could change the composition of Juvia's body and mind. Or something like that. I want proof that real magic exists before I'll call it magic."

Yukino moved her piece around the board, pausing to pay Wendy, and then turned her eyes on Levy quietly. "Ophiuchus agrees with you, Levy. Magic no longer exists."

"It never did," Levy huffed. "It can't have. There would be records of it. I mean, no offense to you and Lucy, but those voices could very easily have been crafted with the right formula. Injecting that into your mind could fool you. Victims of mental illnesses think what they hear and see is real. Why should I believe otherwise?"

"She has a point," Sting admitted grudgingly. "We're not magical creatures from fantasy books."

"It'd be nice if we were," Yukino muttered. "Then we'd be able to beat the bad guys."

Natsu's nose twitched as he looked at Levy. "Zeref said that we descended from some dragons or something. In his letter."

"I was thinking about that, too," Levy told him with a heavy sigh, "And I mean...what if Zeref's just crazy? I mean, he's smart to have come up with...well, you guys, but he's probably the definition of insane.

"There's so much possibility to him and you," she continued. "That you guys are truly descendents of magical beings, though I don't really believe that. But in our reality, it's more likely that they've just messed up your bodies and minds. And I'm not... trying to be mean, or make you guys think you're messed up or anything. I just don't see how magic is an explanation."

"Those keys that Lucy's Spirits, or whatever they call themselves, are talking about," Natsu said suddenly. "If we found those things, would they...would that mean that magic is real? That it exists?"

"I…" Yukino trailed off, hesitating to speak. "Ophiuchus says there aren't keys."

They looked at her. "Libra and Pisces disagree," she added, "But Ophiuchus says there aren't."

Levy waved at her. "See? This is why I'm not entirely sure magic is a real thing." She took a deep breath, rubbing her temples. "I don't really know what to think at all anymore…"

Gajeel snorted, watching as Sting proudly snatched Monopoly money from Rogue, who handed it over and promptly took it back not even a moment later when he drew a good chance card. "Who the fuck cares? We don't need magic. We don't give a damn if it's real or not, or if it's an explanation for whatever the hell we can do. What matters is taking down Zeref and all of those fuckers who have begun to fall into his ideals."

Words of agreement echoed around him.

"We'll go to Crocus," Sting said sharply, pouting as he handed money to Wendy, who counted it proudly. Levy blinked. Had Yukino taught her that?

"You gave her an extra ten," Natsu corrected, handing the extra back to Sting after swiping it from her hand.

Natsu knows how to count money? Levy's eyebrows rose, but she chose not to question it.

"We have to figure out how to get rid of the scales first of course," Rogue murmured, "But it is time we returned home."

"Home," Yukino murmured, studying a small house she'd purchased for one of her properties.

Natsu flopped onto his back, looking up at the ceiling of the massive building he'd lived in with Wendy, Gajeel, and Zeref. The building he now lived in with Wendy, Gajeel, Lucy, Levy, Juvia, and more to come. He remembered the loneliness of the dungeon-like area they'd been kept in. He remembered the brightness of the days that those strange women had brought with them.

And he smiled at the ceiling above.

Home.

Dinner had come and gone and Natsu eventually decided to gather up his cat and find Lucy. Happy dug his claws into his shirt as he walked, balanced with ease on his shoulder. His blue fur brushed gently against Natsu's cheek. Natsu hoped they'd take good care of him while he was gone.

He checked her bedroom first and peeked in. He frowned when he found that she wasn't there. His head cocked a fraction. "Lucy?"

Nothing.

He closed the door and moved on.

He tried to drag in that familiar warm scent - what he imagined sunlight to smell like. They all had somewhat ruined that, moving back and forth for hours, and he found nothing.

It took an hour of searching the bottom levels and the third and fourth floors before he finally caught the scent of Lucy Heartfilia. Happy purred as he jogged down a destroyed hall. It was covered in rubble. Gajeel's work from long ago, maybe, or even hidden experiments. Maybe it was just time.

Happy suddenly leaped from his shoulder, bounding ahead. Natsu followed him up a flight of stairs and to the very last room on the fifth floor. He ducked in without hesitation - and then stopped.

Lucy was shivering in the darkest corner of the room. He could smell blood and the salt of tears. A sob ripped from her throat. Her hands clutched her head, her nails digging in, and she was whispering desperately, as if pleading-

"Luce?" Natsu said hesitantly, faltering. He'd been intent on going to find her. He'd wanted to get this mess with visiting his brother over with, but now…

She jolted, skittering back, her legs moving slowly. She shuddered violently. She didn't look at him, but he could hear her muttering, whispering names and words in a language he didn't recognize.

He took a step back.

Lucy wasn't bilingual. They'd talked about that, Levy explaining what that meant. Levy spoke several languages, Lucy only one and fragments of another despite Levy teaching her.

He thought through the names he heard her whispering, the names he remembered her claiming spoke. She sobbed again, shaking her head desperately, pleadingly-

And then cut herself off with a hum. A soothing hum, gentle, kind. Whispers ordering Lucy to calm down, that they would figure it out. It wasn't Lucy ordering herself to calm down, Natsu realized. It wasn't Lucy he was looking at. He was looking at her body, but it wasn't Lucy.

Happy hissed, arching his back.

"Lucy," Natsu growled, this time fierce. He'd protected her from Sting and Rogue. He'd helped her try to get past the abuse she'd suffered from. She had become as much his family as Wendy and Gajeel.

But he couldn't help her now.

And it made him want to burn something.

Suddenly, Lucy staggered to her feet, her face bewildered. He flinched at the blood that had dripped from her nose, pooled down her chin and stained her shirt. "What's going on?" she slurred. "What's this place? Where am I?" Sharp brown eyes locked on Natsu and narrowed warily. "Who are you?"

Natsu's hands shook. "You're not Luce."

She - it - snorted. "Lucy's not here right now. I'm Leo."

Something in his heart broke.

#fairy tail #fanfiction #au #in tenebris #riverofmemoriesft #nalu #natsu x lucy #gajevy #gajeel x levy #natsu dragneel #lucy heartfilia #gajeel redfox #levy mcgarden #happy #wendy marvell #sting eucliffe #rogue cheney #juvia lockser #yukino auguria

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sleepy-grandpa-blog · 7 years

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Kissing Booth

Summary: "I paid and now I think I deserve my kiss. I'm the one who is following the rules. It is you who has to meet the end of the bargain." He said, his warm breath fanning over her face as he spoke, thumbs rubbing circles on the exposed skin that made Lucy suck in her breath. "I am going to kiss you now." He announced, brushing his lips temptingly over Lucy's. Rating: T Story: Of course, who wouldn't want to kiss strangers? Lucy doesn't. Natsu and Lucy, kissing booth. Nuff Said.

Kissing Booth ... Kiss Me? ... Aislinn-Black

"Mira, this is stupid." Lucy complained—it was bad enough that she was stuck in this stupid forsaken kissing booth on a hot day; but the fact that she had to wear a stupid top that had the words Kiss Me emblazed on it. No, that wasn't even the real reason why she was salty, it was more so because Lucy had initially planned on working at the dunk tank with Juvia along with the cotton candy stand—but no, here she was possibly giving up her first kiss to a stranger who probably had a cold sore or something. Every summer, Fairytail High hosted their own fair to raise up money for school events or for other charity causes. Clowns, dunk tanks, cotton candy, food-eating contests—all that good stuff. This year wasn't different, if it wasn't for Erza's "gentle persuasion"—and by gentle she meant having a sword-held-up-to-your-throat-gentle, Lucy would be home curled up in bed with a good book. Wrinkling her nose, Lucy supposed that it was her own fault for even agreeing to help with the fair knowing that her friends would be involved. No offense to them, but crazy things tended to happen—especially if it was all of them involved. Charity or not, this girl was not lip-locking with some douche. "Oh cheer up Lucy," Mirajane hummed happily, "It isn't that bad." Lucy grumbled, "Says you," she snorted, "just look how much money you made." It's true, having a pretty girl in front of a kissing booth really reeled in the money. It could almost top the dunk tank's income—well if it wasn't that the school used their varsity sports players to sit in the tank and taunt the crowd. "Oh, Lucy." Mirajane chuckled. Lucy rolled her eyes and glanced down at the clipboard in her lap that had the rules printed on the white paper. 1). Five dollars per kiss. "Five dollars for a few kisses seems pretty expensive." Lucy commented, in which Mira shrugged saying something along the lines of "It's business." 2). Set the timer for three minutes. 3). Put the money in the jars and set the full ones under the counter. Lucy squinted closely at the sloppy handwriting near the end. 4). Ten dollars for a French kiss. Whoa, whoa, whoa. "I am NOT French kissing anyone." Mirajane winked setting the empty jar on the table, "You say that now and then some hottie is going to slam a ten down on the table and make out with you." "And I would tell him no." Lucy deadpanned. Mira pouted, "Come on, Lucy how are you supposed to meet any guys?" "At a kissing booth? Do you really think I'm trying to meet some guy who is allegedly Mr. Right at a kissing booth?" Yet, the bright creepy smile never left Mira's face, "No, you silly, not Mr. Right, more like Mr. Right now." "Right, because that totally makes this better." Lucy grumbled. Mira frowned, her friend just needed a little bit of a push. The white-haired beauty's smile widened like a light bulb had gone off in her head. Lucy also took notice of this. "I don't like that look on your face." "I am going to help you." Mira declared. "Um, that's okay," Lucy said raising her hands up in surrender with an uneasy smile spread across on her face. "I don't need help, really." But Mira didn't take no for an answer, "I. am. going. to. help. you." Now, Lucy wasn't so sure on who was scarier: Mirajane or Erza. And so Lucy couldn't fight back as Mirajane pounced on her.

Volunteer at the fair, they said. It'll be fun, they said.

"Look how much money I made!" Mira cried shaking the jar in front of her friend's face. It wasn't surprised, Mira was one of the, if not, hottest girls at the school. She had the long silver locks and piercing blue eyes and flawless skin, and that smile hypnotized everyone. Uninterested, Lucy tucked a strand behind her ear and turned the page of her book, "Props." "How about you? How much did you—" Nosily, The white-haired girl looked on the other side of the booth to glance at the jar sitting on Lucy's table. Mira's blue eyes widened in disbelief, "You haven't kissed one person?!" "Nope." Lucy said without missing a beat. "Luuucy," Mira wailed. Lucy rolled her eyes at her friend's dramatic scene, "What? I told you that I didn't want to help at this stupid kissing booth—" "Right," Mira said, "Because you wanted to work at the dunk tank with those guys." "At least I wouldn't have to kiss anyone." Lucy shrugged, "Now shush, let me finish my book." Mira snatched the book out of her hands, "No." "Hey!" Lucy cried, "I was reading that!" "Oh well, I did your hair for you-" Mira did do a nice job with the braid, "And even tried giving you advice!" Mira snapped, then the beauty paused with a mischief grin on her face, "That's it I'm bringing my friends over here. You are going to kiss someone!" Lucy swallowed the hard lump against her throat and suddenly the heat had begged her to go hide and get some water. Kissing a stranger? That would do absolutely nothing for her. If she was as confident as Mira or her other girl friends then this wouldn't be a problem. But for her, she felt very...she felt like somebody's toy. "You just need a little eye candy." "I DO NOT NEED EYE-CANDY!" "Be right back," Mira winked and left the entire booth to the blonde. Lucy sighed seeing as boys walked over to the booth wanting to get something. "Sorry, boys the kissing booth princess went on break." One of the attractive boys wiggled his eyebrows, "Then why don't you give me a little something?" Arrogant. Lucy sneered, "My face is up here buddy." She snapped at his friend and then turned to the red-haired, "And you, if you don't leave in four seconds I am going to kick you in the balls." The color drained from their faces, if they had tails they would for sure be in between their legs as they quickly left the booth. Never again was she planning on helping at the school fair. "There's Lucy! LUCY!" Mira's distant voice called waving her hand dramatically to get Lucy's attention. Lucy muttered under her breath, "Great." True to her word, Mira had brought a couple of friends: two guys to be exact. The clumps of shadows blocked the sun out of her eyes which she was grateful for. Mira stood in front grinning widely as she shoved the boy's forward like they were on a display. Boy number one had short choppy blonde hair with a large fit body: broad shoulders, bulging biceps, and his abs were clearly visible under his tank top. His eyes were a bottomless blue, bushy eyebrows and a large thunder scar on his right eye that went down to his cheek. "This is Laxus." Said boy just huffed. "Kissing booth?" The second person, who was definitely a male, chuckled immaturely. Lucy rolled her eyes, this was probably some lame-o boy who wanted to prove to his friends that he could kiss a girl. "Yeah and it's closed." Lucy snapped. "Oh really?" He asked, amused. Lucy raised her brow, "Yeah." "It's says open right there." He smirked showing off the tiny fang in his mouth. Dammit. For some reason this boy irritated her, whether it was because he had unnatural colored hair (it was pink for Mavis' sakes), whether that cocky smirk had yet to be wiped off from his face, whether he was a good looking guy who seemed like a douche, or maybe it was the fact that he continued to stare at her. "Lucy?" Mira caught the blonde's attention, "Can you hold down the fort while...Laxus and I get something to eat?" Lucy eyed Mira and how her hand fumbled towards Laxus—oh, oh, that's why, thank Mavis she didn't have to kiss him. Lucy waved the girl off, "Yeah, yeah sure." Mira beamed, "Thanks, Lucy! Natsu try not to piss Lucy off too much, she has a temper." "I do not!" Lucy objected. "See?" Lucy huffed, crossing her arms. "Bye Mira." "Okay, okay, see you in a hour, Lucy-goosey!" Lucy flinched at the stupid nickname watching how Mira and what's-his-face had already began to walk down to the food area. "So," The guy who went by Natsu trailed off, leaning on the counter, "how much for a kiss?" "I told you it's closed. The princess just left, so if you want a smooch you're going to have to wait." Natsu smirked, "But," he leaned closer, "You're the one wearing the cute kiss-me shirt. So I'll ask again, how much for a kiss?" Lucy leaned back, exhaling loudly, focusing on anything but his obsidian-green eyes. Sure he was attractive: a muscle shirt with the school's emblem, khaki cargo shorts, clean shoes and pink tousled hair, everything about him screamed: hottie alert! His colorful eyes trailed around the booth and locked onto the pricing, "Five dollars, huh." "That's what it says Captain Obvious." "Roll back the attitude there, Lieutenant Sarcasm." His lips parted into the most adorable grin—wait did she just say that he had an adorable grin? Natsu fished in his pocket, "If you don't want to be kissed then why are you here?" "Not by choice, obviously." Lucy crossed her arms over her chest. Natsu hummed, "Too many bad kissers? Don't worry, Luigi, I'll be the prince today." He leaned forward, eyes flicking down to her lips. Mavis, why did he smell so good? She didn't even bother to correct him about her name. Lucy was flustered, "Seriously though, if you wait about an hour the real deal will be here." "I don't want the real deal," he said breath fanning her face, "I want you." He took his hand and played with one of her loose strands, "Besides I have my five dollars right here." He whispered huskily. Lucy shoved him, "I already told you I am not kissing anyone." "And?" Lucy growled, "And that means I plan to fulfill that!" Natsu laughed. To be honest, Lucy wouldn't mind hearing that baritone laugh everyday—get your mind out of the gutter, Lucy! Keep him away! "Natsu." "Luigi." "My name is Lucy. Now shoo, fly. Don't bother me." The blonde snapped. Gosh as cute as he was, he was very obnoxious. The smile on his face faded, "Fuck this." he said dropping the five into the jar. "Thanks for donating." Lucy said monotonously. Before Lucy could blink, Natsu had slipped behind the booth and stood right in front of her. "I paid and now I think I deserve my kiss." His toned arms flexed as he stepped towards her. Lucy found herself backed up against the booth's wall. Her eyes widened in fear, to her surprise and disgust, she wanted him to touch her. Wanted him to run his arms around her body and— "No!" Lucy cried trying to push his weight off of her. "I already told you-," Natsu smirked, "And yet you're not trying hard enough to push me away." He was right, she wasn't putting in her full effort. Mavis, why did he smell so good? His scent was like a bonfire mixed with cinnamon: fresh and desiring. "I'm the one who is following the rules. It is you who has to meet the end of the bargain here." He said, his warm breath fanning over her face as he spoke. His hands ran up and down her sides before resting on her waist, thumbs rubbing circles on the exposed skin that made Lucy suck in her breath. They locked gazes. Natsu's eyes flickered down to her lips and back up to her brown eyes. "I am going to kiss you now." He announced, brushing his lips temptingly over Lucy's. Lucy freaked out on the inside because when he bent down for their lips to fully meet she hadn't stopped her. Instead, she enjoyed his soft lips move leisurely against hers. And soon, Lucy found herself lost in Natsu's kisses. Her eyes slowly closed and her hands slipped down to his chest. Natsu growled, yanking her closer to him until her body was pressed firmly against his, mouth moving furiously. Her hands slid down his chest and under his muscle shirt to trace his abs. Natsu growled again and in response he nipped at her lower lip. And to fill her embarrassment even more, Lucy moaned. Laughter and chatter of passers-byers reminded her that there were still people all around her and she wasn't into PDA. But something about Natsu made her not even care about being watched. Did she even start the timer? She loved the taste of his minty cool breath, moving her lips right along his. Natsu teased her lips with his tongue, sucking, nipping, and licking just to draw a moan from her which he found so sexy. Kissing Natsu wasn't so bad. Mm. Her first kiss. Wait one second! Her first kiss! "Hey, Lucy I'm back—" Lucy's eyes widened and she pulled away, shoving Natsu in the process. Natsu grinned widely, panting; while Lucy's fingers trembled against her lips. She gave this complete stranger her first kiss. Lucy looked around the area, praying that no one saw what happened. But then, she heard that voice; and then her eyes locked onto the shocked blue ones. "M-M-Mira, you got it all—" "OH MY GOD!" "—wrong..." Once again—volunteer at the fair they said, it'll be fun they said. Lucy inwardly huffed. Liars.

There we go first chapter is done. Please, I'd love to read your thoughts if I should continue this or not, I would appreciate it. Excuse the errors, please I will fix them again, I hope you have a fantastic day and remember: YOU ARE LOVED. —Aislinn-Black

Chapter: 2

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firedragonalchemistofcourage · 7 years

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A/N: I am notoriously bad at coming up with names. You may have noticed none of my one-shots even have one. When this AU was still going to be a two-shot, I figured it didn’t need a name. In fact, it’s saved in my drafts as just “Super Fairy Tail,” which makes it sound like an old SNES tie-in game for the show. But now I’m planning on at least five chapters, and I can’t come up with a good name. I want it to be something cheesy and Silver Age superhero-y, that relates to both Natsu and Lucy, but I just can’t come up with anything. If you have any ideas, feel free to message me and I’ll credit you when Part 3 comes out! (Great tip for successful writing: If you can’t come up with anything, ask your fans to do the work for you! That’s all they’re good for anyway, right? (The previous statement was merely a poor attempt at humor, I love all of you and thank you for reading the garbage I put out on an irregular basis))

(Find Part One here)

“Seriously, how do you mess up this bad? I’m majoring in chemistry, why would I ever want to take a creative writing class?” Going in to school during his winter break was never Natsu’s favorite pastime. Waiting in an enormous line to see his adviser to fix his messed-up schedule was even worse.

Well, now was as good a time as any to check his phone. Let’s see, a message from Gray, “Hey flame-breath, how’d you like your presents this year?” Natsu hadn’t even set up a tree this year, but Gray had still fulfilled his annual tradition of sneaking into Natsu’s dorm room and placing a present, labeled “From Santa,” with a piece of coal inside. Even more impressive this year, considering Gray had moved to a city three hours’ drive away from Magnolia over the summer. A couple messages from Juvia, “Have you seen Gray? Juvia can’t seem to find him,” followed by “Never mind, he’s back now.” Both dated Christmas Eve. Man, I need to check my phone more often. A...voicemail from Erza? Why didn’t she just text him?

“Natsu, you know I can’t get you your Christmas present if you don’t tell me what classes you’re taking next semester.” Erza had apparently wanted to continue her tradition, too. Unfortunately, he had forgotten to tell her his schedule, so she couldn’t buy his school books for him this semester. Might be just as well that I didn’t tell her, if I can’t get this mix-up sorted out soon.

One last message on his phone, a text from Gramps, sent this morning:

“Brat,

Get down to the orphanage as soon as you can. There’s someone here you need to meet.

Signed,

Makarov Dreyar”

It always annoyed Natsu that Gramps couldn’t just type out his message like a normal person, but that irritation was overshadowed by a strange curiosity. Something about this seemed off. As if Gramps was intentionally holding back information, not for the sake of a surprise, he never did that, but because he had something to hide. This could only mean it had something to do with the Other Guy. (Even thinking his name in a public place is dangerous. Never know who might be a telepath) Maybe Gramps had found some clues, or a witness had turned up?

“Hey, man, stop holding the line up! You can check your phone later!” Startled, Natsu looked up to realize the person behind him was right. The line had moved pretty far forward while he was checking his messages.

“Sorry!” he said, taking a step forward...And bumping into the girl walking past him, accidentally knocking her open backpack out of her hands, where the contents spilled all over the floor.

“Ouch! Hey, watch where you’re going!” She knelt to pick up her stuff, and Natsu, looking back and forth between the line (There were only three people in front of him now!) and the huge mess on the floor, sighed, stepped out of line, and started helping her pick it up.

“Sorry. Here, let me help.” As the incredibly long line moved forward without Natsu, the girl looked at it for a second, then shook her head and held out her hand.

“No, it’s not entirely your fault. I should have been paying attention, too. My name’s Lucy. You didn’t have to get out of line to help me, you know.”

“I’m Natsu. And yes, I did. I’m cleaning up the mess I made here. Annd...Looks like that’s the last paper!” After handing it to her, Natsu turned to head to the back of the line, until he heard Lucy gasp.

“Where is it? Did it fall off when he bumped into me?” Natsu turned back around to see Lucy fumbling around in her backpack.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Did we miss something?”

“Yeah, my key-or, well, no, it’s not really a key, it just looks like one-an old charm my mom gave me, it looks like an elaborate golden key, and I really need to find it. Could you help me again? I’m really sorry, I just-it’s just really important to me, and I don’t want to lose it.”

Natsu glared at the line for a second. Why were none of them volunteering to help this girl? None of them were even looking in her direction. He sighed, and got back down on his knees.

An hour later, Natsu and Lucy were still searching. They had covered the entire room multiple times, but still they couldn’t seem to find it. Natsu and Lucy had gotten to talking while they were searching, and Natsu learned Lucy had just moved here a few weeks ago in preparation for the new semester, that she was an English major, that she really didn’t want to talk about her father, and that she loved superheroes. Her favorites were the new one, Zodiac Girl, and of course the hotshot hero of Magnolia himself, Salamander. (Natsu smiled a bit when he heard that. Good to know Salamander’s hard work wasn’t going unappreciated)

“So, uh, why are you here today?” Natsu asked her.

“Buying books. My creative writing professor wants us to get the book he wrote, which of course is only available here, at a stupidly expensive price. I swear, I’m going to be so mad if this Professor Clive’s book isn’t all it’s cracked up to be…”

Wait a second. Wasn’t Clive the name of one of his professors? Natsu quickly dug out his schedule and checked.

Yep. Professor Gildarts Clive, teaching a Creative Writing course at 9:00 am on Mondays and Wednesdays. Honestly, if it weren’t for the early start, Natsu might have kept the class despite not needing it for his major. He’d heard Professor Clive was a pretty cool guy.

“And I knew I should have signed up sooner! His stupid 9 am course was the only one left!” Huh. Looked like she was gonna be in the same class as him.

“So, why’d you come here, Natsu? What were you doing in line?”

Natsu’s brain went into overdrive:

Step 1: Help out a pretty girl

Step 2: Be in the same class as said girl

Step 3:????

Step 4: Gray can never tease me about not having a girlfriend again!

“Oh, uh, just checking up on some stuff with my adviser. What time did you say your class was again? I think I might be in that one, too.”

“Professor Clive’s 9 am class on Mondays and Wednesdays?” Lucy asked, peering at the schedule Natsu held out to her, “Wow, that’s so weird! Well, I guess I’ll see you there!”

YES!

“If we can ever find my charm, that is.”

NO!

“Wait-”

MAYBE?

“What’s-Natsu, you’re not going to believe this.”

“What? Did you find it?”

“I am so sorry, but-it was in my pocket the whole time!”

Natsu’s jaw dropped. In Lucy’s hand was what looked like a large key, shining gold, with a complex design on it.

“I guess, uh, thanks for helping me look for so long. Here, let me make it up to you. Give me your phone.” Somehow both mentally crying out in anguish over all the time he’d spent and cheering over the way the current situation seemed to be headed, Natsu handed Lucy his phone.

She snickered for a second, then started outright laughing.

“What is it?” Natsu asked, before realizing it could only be one thing.

“I-I’m sorry,” Lucy sputtered, “But I really wasn’t expecting-that-as your background.”

“What’s wrong with Happy the Cat? It’s a great educational show!”

“Yeah, for little kids trying to learn about different types of fish. From someone like you, I’d expected a picture of Salamander, or maybe the Scarlet Queen.”

“Well, I just so happen to like fish. So there.” Natsu pulled his phone back and stuck his tongue out at Lucy.

“Alright, fine, I’ll stop. *Ahem* So, uh, back to what I was saying before, why don’t I treat you to lunch tomorrow? I’d do it today, but I’ve kept you from your line long enough. I’ll text you the details later. Bye!”

It wasn’t until after Natsu had gotten back up to the front of the line that he realized that, since he had decided to keep Creative Writing, he really had no reason to be waiting to see his adviser anymore.

#Tomato Overlord Fanfiction #Superhero AU #Nalu #Fairy Tail

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