Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"You can't just do that! That's not how a relationship works!" Lucy yelled as the soreness in her throat ached due to the loud tantrums she was throwing just over twenty minutes ago. Justifiably.

She still was, just not as much.

However, now, she was holding back from crying with all her might.

What an emotional rollercoaster this conversation was.

"Oh yeah? And what makes you such an expert?" He mocked.

"That doesn't even make sense! We've been dating for a year! D-Does this not mean anything to you?!" She questioned as she pointed back and forth at her and at the man standing in front of her.

The grin on his face seemed to ache her heart even more in agony. He was a prick indeed. To any normal person, that look of 'enjoyment' would infuriate them.

Not Lucy though.

The deep and one-sided emotional attachment she had to him suppressed the anger she held within her. At least in this moment.

"I've dated plenty of girls before you. I am your first. That makes me the expert, Princess." His grin just kept growing wider. It looked forced, however.

"Who cares who dated who?! That does not give you the right to smack that girls ass!" She reasoned; her tears threatening to fall down her sore eyes once more.

"And right in front of me too..." her tone grew softer as the strength within her faded, causing tears to roll down her cheeks. She bit her lip trying to maintain her composure, but she was obviously failing.

She was hurting. She really was. Seeing her fiancé break the strong bond she thought she had with him, pained her.

"Well... you should know I did more than smack it." He said, making her heart sink in an instant.

It was like he was enjoying this. Or better yet, it was like he wanted this to happen.

Before she could muster up the courage to speak, she felt her airways tightening, leaving her breathless and speechless. Her knees weakened and her legs shook as she attempted to keep her balance.

She fell hard on the ground and covered her face with her hands, suppressing her cries into her palms.

The pain she felt could be heard from down the street of her apartment.

Yes, this was her first heartbreak. It was the first time her innocent heart ever knew betrayal.

Cheating holds enough power to break the strongest relationship apart, and she knew it.

He just stood there as he watched her life fall apart right before her eyes. He knew how much he meant to her. He knew of her wedding plans with him since the big day was only three months away. He stared at the big rock on her ring finger and sighed, knowing it was over.

All he could do was stand there, feeling slightly guilty for being the reason a woman cries.

But who are we kidding, he would forget about this tomorrow.

He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, knowing it was the last time he would see her.

He wanted to end this relationship either way. But for some reason, it didn't feel as good as he thought it would.

"LEAVE!!" She cried out in disgust as she pulled the ring harshly off her finger and threw it at him. Her red eyes now revealed as she looked up at him.

Just like that, he turned around without picking it up or saying another word, and left. He lightly slammed the door on his way out.

He left a woman crying on her knees in the middle of her apartment, and never looked back.

At least he thought he wouldn't.

At the Bar 2 hours later

"Another drink." The blonde requested as she lightly slid her empty glass on the bar-table to the bartender.

"Ma'am, you've had 5 shots already." He sighed.

"Who's paying who? I said another." She rolled her eyes.

Her mind was foggy and her eyes were blurry. Everything felt a bit hazy. All she knew right now was that she needed to drink her feelings away.

This wasn't unusual, though. She would visit this bar often and she wasn't a light-weight.

"Feisty one aren't you," The blonde heard a deep, raspy voice comment next to her.

She turned her body around with the assist of her bar stool, only to see a hazy image of a man in a black-suit with salmon colored hair. His olive eyes matched his tie and his hair was ruffled up, as if he came here after a long day at work. His lips were glossed up, probably from the amount of drinks he endured.

"And you are?" She asked, gesturing her hand at him drunkly.

"Not important," He said as he looked away, taking another sip of his drink. His watch looked heavy and his sharp jawline could cut a brick.

"You interfered in my conversation. The least you could do is introduce yourself," She claimed with her eyes half open, resting her tilted head on the palm of her hand. The golden strands of her hair falling on the table.

He gave her an unreadable look. He roamed his eyes around the radius of her body, admiring every inch of the blonde woman next to him.

In all honestly, he was seeing if she was worthy of a conversation.

She had a tight blue dress on that defined her curvy figure. It reached down to her mid-thighs as her legs were crossed, exposing their juicy-ness. Her V-neck revealed how her large breasts were round and lifted.

He smirked, satisfied by her appearance.

"How drunk are you?" He asked, changing the subject as he looked back up into her eyes, taking notice of her curled lashes and beautiful honey orbs.

Her eyes were red, though. It was either because of the crying or the drinking... impossible to tell.

"Drunk enough to wanna talk to you," she smiled, her bangs drifting as she tilted her head.

"Is that your way of flirting?" He asked as he took another sip of his drink, fully turning towards her on his bar stool without breaking the intense eye contact they were having.

"Here you go ma'am." The bartender interrupted as he placed her 6th shot in front of her. "Last one, okay?"

"I think she's had enough," The mysterious man claimed as he took her drink off the table before she could reach it. He drank it instead.

"And why the hell do you care?" She asked narrowing her eyebrows, bothered by his intrusion as she looked back up into his eyes.

He chuckled,

"I don't, sweetheart. I have other plans for you, but you need to sober up before you could follow through with them." He stood up from his bar stool and reached into his pocket, taking out his wallet.

"I don't want to~" she whined like a baby as she knocked on the bar table in rejection, causing a commotion. It was mostly an act, but she didn't care for acting proper right now.

The bartender sighed as he walked away.

The man held both of her wrists with one hand, stopping her from causing any more loud noises.

"Stop that. Come with me," He demanded as he dropped a hundred dollar bill on the table then walked her towards the exit, not letting go of her wrists.

Her breathing grew heavy as she realized she was being dragged out of the bar by a stranger.

"W-Where are you taking me?!" She cried out as she tried to jiggle her hands out of his grasp.

The music was too loud and everyone was too drunk to care.

She kept releasing struggled noises as he pushed the exit door open and walked to the parking lot.

"Let me go!!!" She yelled, jiggling her wrists more aggressively.

"Stop yelling," He demanded as he stopped in his tracks and turned around to face her. It was giving him a headache.

The night crept long ago. The roads were empty and only a few parked cars were in sight. It was almost closing time.

He noticed her heavy breathing and her eyes roaming around them, as if seeking for help.

He let go of her wrists, stepping back. He hadn't realized how this might've looked.

"I'm not going to kidnap you if that's what you're worried about," He said, calming her down.

She paused for a moment as she stroked her wrists before speaking up again.

"What do you want with me?" She asked, a tad of anger evident in her voice.

"I wanna sober you up," he smiled. His eyes were red the closer she looked. He didn't seem like he was in the right mind himself.

"Why?!"

"Don't wanna take advantage of what seems like a drunk girl with a broken heart,"

She paused. Was she that obvious?

"I'm not drunk," she argued, disregarding his insightful remark. "I'm perfectly capable of making my own decisions right now,"

He crossed his arms, narrowing his eyebrows in disbelief.

"See that bar right there," She said pointing at it, "my good friend Mira owns it. I have high tolerance pinkie, 5 shots are child's play."

He chuckled. He had five times that tonight.

It was cute how she argued.

"Oh yeah, hot shot?"

She nodded as she folded her arms, surprisingly acting mature all of a sudden compared to a minute ago.

"Then what's with the red eyes?" He questioned, pointing back and forth at them.

"I was crying. Don't pry any further." She sternly said.

He chuckled,

"I couldn't care less about why you were crying."

Ouch.

A moment of silence passed before she spoke up again.

"What do you want from me?"

Just as he was about to answer, a limo pulled up in front of them.

Ah, that's what he was waiting for.

He opened the door,

"Get in."

"Like hell!!" She retaliated as she straightened out her arms and clenched her hands into fists, angry and confused as to why he would think she'd agree to leave with a stranger.

"Before you do so, I need a name."

"Didn't you hear me!? I'm not getting in!" She yelled, annoyed.

He leaned in closer to her as he rested his arm on the car door,

"Watch your attitude." He firmly said as he looked her straight in the eyes.

She froze for a second as she felt shivers run down her spine... the way he said it scared her.

"What do you want from me?" She questioned again, furrowing her eyebrows.

"I want me inside of you."

.

.

Woah...

He seemed more drunk than she was.

It made her tingle in sensation.

She liked it. His bluntness and honesty. His ability to reach out for what he wanted in all confidence, without playing any games.

She wanted it too. Ever since she laid eyes on his salmon hair and olive eyes that pierced right through her, she knew she needed him. Just for the night, and just to get over her fiancé. I mean, ex fiancé. Then she doesn't care for seeing him again.

But for tonight, she needed him. To forget.

"Patience is running low sweetheart. You want to or not?" He sighed.

She relaxed her shoulders and looked him in the eyes, contemplating her decision.

She normally wouldn't do this, but who cares. One night won't hurt, right?

This would help get her mind off of him.

"I'll be using you as a rebound tonight..." She said, giving him the same courtesy of being blunt as well.

"You don't need to share your reasons with me." He responded.

"To be clear, this will be a one night stand." Lucy stated.

"Glad your intentions align with mine."

"So no being friends after, right?" She questioned, unsure of what he would respond. She didn't know the rules for this, after all.

He could tell she had never done this before.

"Strangers." He responded.

"One rule though," He continued.

"No kissing on the lips."

She looked at him confused.

"Lips are personal. Anything else is fine."

Although she found it weird, she nodded and went along with it.

Without another word, she got in the car and he got in after her.

"Name?" He asked.

"It's Lucy." She responded, smiling. Her bubbly self coming out.

Lucy.

He looked at her smile and felt the positive aura she carried. She was cute. Cute and new at this, that was for sure. He signaled for the driver to drive off.

"Yours?" She questioned.

"It's private."

"That's not fair! Why would you make me say my name then?"

He looked over to her,

"Who's going to who's house? Wouldn't you want to know the name of the person you're inviting over?... My name is irrelevant." He reasoned.

'What's with him?' She thought to herself.

The ride to his place was tensioned and quiet at first.

He could feel her being upset about not sharing his name. It was a heavy silence.

As they made their way to the main road,

"Arthur, close." He demanded.

Her gaze left the window and landed on the driver who felt like he was a mile ahead of her. She saw him slide the window—separating the driver from the passenger—shut.

Her heartbeats increased.

She looked back at pinkie, finally realizing his expensive suit, Rolex watch, and high class limo.

"Just... how rich are you?" She questioned. She didn't realize she had asked that out loud until she heard her own voice.

He looked over at her and held her by her waist, drifting her closer to him.

"It's sound proof."

Was all he said.

"Uhm ok... show off." She said, rolling her eyes.

He looked at her confused.

"I get that you have money, but you don't need to brag about it." She further explained.

His glare grew longer as he formed a smile and began chuckling,

"What?" He questioned.

She truly was innocent, huh.

Her cheeks heated at the sound of his laugh.

That's new. He's actually cute when he's not so serious.

Why's he laughing though...

He explained himself by delicately placing his hand on her inner thigh and caressing it, causing chills to run all over her body.

His glare intensified as he slid his hand upwards, under the dress, gently massaging her thigh.

Her breathing delayed as she rested her head back, looking into his eyes as he looked into hers.

Suddenly, she felt his fingers landing against her panties.

She softly moaned as she closed her eyes, feeling tingly and itchy.

Glad I wore a dress...

He held the tip of her panties with his fingertips as he slid them down. She lifted her body up, assisting him.

She gulped, feeling needy yet scared at the same time. More needy, though.

He placed his hand on her thighs again and slid his hand up smoothly.

She was exposed.

Without any warning, he landed his two fingers against her clit, and began rubbing it in circles.

She breathed loud.

"You like that?" His heavy voice whispered into her ear as he rubbed her, causing her feels to intensify.

His voice alone was enough to turn her on. His rough fingers being gentle on her sensitive spot just made it better, too.

He rubbed her in cursive, causing her heavy breathing to grow into moans at the feel of him. She shut her eyes hard as she moaned louder and hung her mouth open, not able to contain herself.

Only one image appearing in her mind:

Sting.

Get him out of your head L-

"Ahhhhuh!!" She moaned even louder as he suddenly shoved a finger inside her. He began going in and out effortlessly, before she could finish that thought.

"Sound proof." He repeated, smirking.

She smiled as he continued with his motion. Her mind went blank as he thrusted another finger in her, hard and aggressive, moving in and out, hitting her exact sweet spot.

Her legs began to weaken and shake... completely filled with pleasure as she began to lose control over her vocals.

She moaned loud as she gripped onto the seat, attempting to contain her indecent noises that are escaping her lips, but failing. Her breathy moans turned him on, too.

She could hear the sound of the juice dancing inside of her as his fingers thrusted into her.

He then smoothly shoved another finger in, causing her to arch her back in pleasure.

His gentle yet firm movement inside of her built up her urge subtly.

She moaned loud with her hanging jaw as she grabbed his leg, gripping it hard as she hit her climax. Her eyes rolled back and her whole body stiffened as his fingers went deeper and faster into her.

"I-I'm about to—" she could only say between her moans and breathing.

He understood. He could feel the warm liquid around his fingers.

The tighter she gripped onto his leg, the faster he thrusted, not stopping as her moans grew louder and her breathing began buffering.

It made her go crazy. Insanely crazy. Talented fingers, they were.

She let out a loud moan as her nails dug deep into his leg, then released.

He slowly slid his fingers out and it was practically dripping.

She looked at him with half opened eyes and heavy breathing, completely ready for what awaits her.

He took out a napkin from the inside of his suit and cleaned himself off very professionally.

If this was that good, then I wonder how he'll be in-

"You're ready for me now." He whispered into her ear.

Chapter Text

The salmon haired man kicked his bedroom door open as he licked and sucked the gorgeous blonde's neck.

She breathed heavily as he swayed her to his bed.

He swiftly parted only to push her dominantly on his sheets. She fell laying back as she stared into his green orbs with desire.

Leaving her there wanting more, he walked to his closet and began taking off his suit. 

She sat up and unzipped her dress, then completely took it off.

After doing so, Lucy laid back again and looked up at the ceiling, breathing heavily, feeling her urges but at the same time feeling a rush of guilt.

Is what I'm doing wrong?

He came back walking towards her with nothing on, revealing his wide chest, muscular arms and body. His biceps were enough to attract any woman... but his defined abs. 

Her eyes dropped to his lengthy shaft and she felt herself gasp. Could he even fit? 

She looked up into his eyes in a little embarrassment. She just couldn't stop staring at him.

Neither could he as he looked at her curved, hourglass figure, covered only with a black laced bra and underwear, laying on his sheets. Her lifted mounds and juicy thighs slightly spread for him. 

He wanted to take her right then and there. 

One thing was clear, they were both insanely attracted to each other.

He smirked and made his way onto his bed. He sat on top of her, mounting her as he watched her breasts go up and down from heavy breathing. 

He leaned down and kissed her neck as he smoothly undid her bra, wanting it out of the way. He flung it across the room mindlessly. 

As he continued sucking on her, he caressed her waist as he made his way down to her underwear, held the tip of it with his fingers and then slid it down her legs as she lifted herself up to assist him. 

Her moans filled the air as he tackled the sensitive part of her neck. She could feel his tongue swirling around her delicate skin. 

He removed his lips from against her neck and straightened out his back as he glared at her now revealed breasts.

She heavily blushed at this still moment. She felt an urge to cover them up with her arms, but she knew there was no point. 

He looked up into her eyes, 

"God you're beautiful." He breathed. 

She turned scarlet red and looked away, slightly feeling guilty that he's not Sting.

She felt as though she was cheating on her ex-fiancé, which she found laughable since he actually cheated on her and now they're broken up.

Her kind and loyal heart was betraying her.

The salmon haired man smirked as he looked at her red face. He held her chin with his hand and turned her to face him, 

"Didn't know you were so shy."

She looked at him, thinking about what she could say.

Before she could do so, she was distracted by the blunt head of his hot, hard shaft sliding along the length of her slit, coating himself with slick wetness. 

He clung his mouth on the sensitive part of her breast and began licking around it and massaged the other with his firm hand simultaneously, as he buried himself within her tight walls with one hard thrust. 

Natsu then released her breast from his mouth's tight grip only to let his own harsh groan out at the feel of her. She was so silky and warm and surrounded him in a way that made him want to stay like this forever; completely vulnerable. 

The images in his head enticed him even more as he imagined himself reaching the inside of her womb, from how deep he had successfully thrusted in her. 

His thought urged him to finally move. He started out at a slow pace, completely enjoying the journey before the blonde woman whined for him to go faster. 

He gradually picked up enough speed and depth so that he was rutting into her like an animal in heat. The swollen head of his shaft kissing her cervix with each hard thrust. 

Lucy uncontrollably threw her head back into his sheets as she slammed her eyes shut and let out a loud, pleasurable moan.

Her free hands scrabbled for anything to grip, only to end up landing on Natsu's muscular back. Her nails dug deep into his skin as she colored it with red lines, which only made Natsu growl in painful pleasure. His thrusts momentarily rougher upon feeling the sensation. 

"Fuck Lucy!" He grunted. 

They were both insanely sweating at the feel of each other. Their itch kept intensifying the harder he thrusted into her. 

"I- I'm close." At her words, Lucy's walls started fluttering dangerously around his sensitive shaft and he knew her end was extremely close.

Dropping his mouth to her ear, Natsu licked the shell of it and whispered, "Cum for me, Lucy."

Lucy immediately reacted to him, screaming out before biting hard into the flesh where his left shoulder and his neck connected. 

Her walls closed tighter around him than a fist, leaving him no choice but to push deeper until he bottomed out, grinding their pelvises against each other. 

Natsu's roar rivaled that of even the loudest dragon.

The intense feeling of it threw Lucy into a final blinding orgasm, her eyes rolling back in her head and her arms losing their hold of Natsu completely as she fell flat, into deep slumber.

Giving her a soft kiss on her cheek Natsu pulled out, causing a wet slurping sound as he pooled into her then onto the sheets. 

Looking closer, Natsu noticed she'd actually passed out from over stimulation. Allowing himself a quick satisfied smirk, he took the liberty of cleaning himself up and her up. 

After everything was taken care of, the pinkette hopped back onto the bed and covered himself and her up with blankets, and fell soundly asleep.

Maybe he's not so bad of a man.

.oOo.

The Next Day

She fluttered her brown eyes open after a deep sleep, gazing upon the unfamiliar ceiling. 

The morning rays gleaming through the French windows had brightened up the dark room, causing Lucy to squint due to the overtaking light. The curtains were blindingly open for some reason.

"Morning beautiful." 

She heard a familiar voice say. She looked next to her and saw a certain pinkette staring.

A flash of memories invaded her mind at the remembrance of the events that last night held. Her face flushed in embarrassment.

"M-Morning.." she stuttered, quiet shocked she did this. 

"Nastu." He smiled. 

"Huh..?"

"My name. It's Natsu Dragneel." He sat up the bed, stretching his arms. 

His muscular, red-lined back was facing towards her. 

Are those marks from her?

"W-What made you want to tell me now?"

"Because we'll be seeing more of each other." He said as he looked back at her for a brief moment. He then got out of bed and slid his feet into his black slippers.

A flashback of the pleasure she was feeling yesterday flooded her mind, causing her to tingle at the memory as she looked at him and blushed heavily. She squeezed her legs together, wanting to contain her itchiness. 

"I thought we'd be strangers?" She said softly. It sounded like a mock, but she was questioning genuinely. 

He chuckled, 

"I'm pretty confident you wouldn't want to be a stranger after last night." 

He's right... I definitely wouldn't. 

"Well neither do you since you wanna see me again." She responded, definitely not wanting to look desperate. 

He smiled, 

"Like I said, you're feisty." He said right before turning around and walking into his bathroom.

Am I suppose to just sit here?!

As she felt the cold breeze of his air conditioning, she realized that she was completely naked and exposed since the blanket reached to her waist, not covering her at all.

"EEEKK!!"

She instantly sat up, roaming her eyes around for her dress. 

Where is it?!

Not finding it, she panicked. She got out of his bed and rushed to his closet. She scrambled through his clothing, looking for anything she could quickly wear. Spotting some t-shirts, she picked up a black shirt and some boxers, then quickly slipped into them.

"Helping yourself I see?" She heard him ask from behind her. 

She turned around embarrassed. 

"I- I didn't see my dress anywhere." She defended. 

"Dry cleaning." He said as he swished his towel over his shoulder and walked over to his expresso machine that is causally placed in his bedroom.

He must drink coffee a lot. 

"I- I don't even know where this house is located, how could you let me just sleep!? I have work today!" She clenched her hands into fists with straightened out arms, annoyed. 

"Sleep? You passed out sweetheart. And I called in for you at work. I told them you were sick today." He said as he began pouring hot brown liquid that scented his whole room into his black mug.

"H-How do you know where I work at??" She questioned, frankly scared.

He chuckled, 

"Don't worry, I'm not a creep. I gave my assistant your name and told her to call in sick for you at work,"

She paused for a brief moment, not quiet understanding.

"And you have the power to do that?" She muttered.

"Well, yes, being the owner of GM and all that." He responded casually as he mixed his coffee with a table spoon.

"Y-You're t-the owner of..."

"Yes." He said in sighing as he sat on his bedroom couch, not caring to hear her reaction or what she had to say. 

"Aren't you like one of the richest men in the country?" She sat on his bed right across of him, amused and impressed.

"It's no big deal." He took a sip of his coffee.

She paused.

"Well, whatever, still doesn't make sense how you knew where I work at."

"It's not that hard to find your occupation, Lucy, loosen up."

I mean I guess...

"I thought you'd know who I was after hearing my name," He continued, taking another delightful sip.

"I mean it was obvious that you're someone important from what you wear, your cars, and your house and stuff. But I had no idea who you were." She responded, still not registering who this man is.

"Well, that's good. I didn't want to tell you because I was afraid you'd recognize me." He opened up as he took another sip.

"And that's a problem?" She questioned, curious as to why.

"The girls I slept with used to cling and obsess over me after I introduced myself. It was a hassle, so I decided not to do it again. I'm not a liar which is why I didn't lie about my name." He continued.

"Then why'd you end up telling me your name?"

He chuckled,

"Isn't it obvious?" He smirked. "Yesterday was on a different level of breathtaking and we both know it. Which is why I wanna keep doing it." He spoke as if he was negotiating.

She looked down on the ground, trying to process everything. His offer, who he was, and last night.

He is right... last night was something else. I've never experienced such pleasure with anyone before. Not even with Sting. 

She looked back up into his eyes and said, 

"No."

"No?" He repeated, obviously shocked but hiding it very well. 

"As great as yesterday was, I don't want to be some toy that you play around with whenever you're having urges." She responded, wanting to value her self-worth and proudly so.

"It wouldn't be like that,"

She took a second before responding again,

"I gave you my answer,"

He didn't reply for a minute, quiet stunned by her response. 

There was nothing left to say, anyway.

"I- If that's what you want..." He stuttered, for the first time ever. 

He seems like he doesn't get rejected much.

"Soo... I think I should take my leave now," She stood up from his bed, "thank you for last night." She said before walking over to the door where her shoes laid.

"How're you going back?" He asked as his gaze finally left the blank space she occupied a second ago and landed on her as she was tying her shoe laces by the door.

"I'll call an Uber." She said smiling, grabbing the door knob."Oh, and, thanks for cleaning me up." She said before walking out the door and closing it shut, leaving him sitting in awe.

I'm pretty sure this is the first time he's heard a 'No' in his life. 

Maybe I came into his life to humble him.

Chapter Text

1 week later

"What can I get for you Ma'am?" The blonde asked her costumer as she slipped out her pen and a small note-pad from her apron's pocket to write down their order.

"Umm.." The customer lagged as she slowly looked through the menu, taking her sweet time. 

Lucy, being the patient blonde that she is, waited with a calm heart for a response as she roamed her eyes around the restaurant. She saw different tables occupied by diverse people as they calmly chit-chatted in a civilized manner.

This restaurant privileged her with good money since it was high-class and fancy, circumstantially making all her costumers insanely rich and with the ability to tip good.

She at least made two hundred dollars a day; that is, after splitting the tips with all the other workers.

She was able to cover all her bills with no issues and have extra money on the side sometimes to spoil herself a little. 

She felt content with her financial situation, given that she was raised in an insanely rich household and she once was the "insanely rich costumer."

It was a big change for her, leaving the life of riches. But it helped her grow, immensely. 

She had her friend group whom she'd see on the weekends and she'd work on the weekdays.

Usually she'd spend her time with her fiancé after work, but now that he's out of her life... she feels a spec of emptiness inside her. The same emptiness she felt when her mother passed away. 

In reality, that emptiness never left her. Sting just temporarily fulfilled it with his presence. She needed someone to be there for her after losing her only mama, anyone...and Sting was that man.

Although Lucy would never admit it, her feelings for Sting were infatuation rather than love. She battled with her inner-self when they were dating, convincing herself it was love that she was feeling. 

Only because he offered her all the things she wanted. He gave her love and fulfilled the void her parent left her with by smothering her and showing her care. That is, until he cheated and ruined everything. 

Maybe he was doing her a favor...

Lucy's eyes saddened at the thought of him as she zoned out. 

"Go get me a Butcher's Steak." The customer said harshly, as if she was demanding, interrupting Lucy's thoughts.

"Alrighty." Lucy responded, brushing her attitude off as she wrote her order down. 

If there was anything Lucy was good at, it was keeping her composure when it came to such situations. She's been a waitress for two years; she's gotten use to this kind of treatment from entitled imbeciles.

"Mashed potatoes and vegetables for my side."

"Drink?"

"Umm.."

The short boy-like orange haired woman buffered again as she looked through the Beverages section like she had all the time in the world.

This began to stress Lucy out.

"Carrot juice."

"Okay." Lucy responded as she finished writing everything down. It might be an easy order, but Lucy's memory is down at the dumpsters. "It'll take 45 minutes." She said as she took the menu off the table.

"45 minutes?! This is insane! If it does not come out in twenty minutes or less, I am suing!!" The customer attacked.

Lucy looked at the woman like she was crazy, not fully understanding why she's acting this way.

"Umm Ma'am—"

"I'm on precious time! I have an important job to get to, I'm sure you wouldn't understand."

"Ma'am—"

"Ugh! Call me your manager and shoo out of here."

The blonde raised her finger pointing at her, about to give the costumer a piece of her mind, before a familiar voice from behind her interrupted and took over.

"Now that's no way to speak to a lady." The manly voice said as he was approaching the table.

Lucy looked over her shoulder only to see a certain pinkette standing behind her.

"You?!"

"Hey sweetheart." He smirked at her.

"I am a lady as well!!!" The costumer defended herself against Natsu.

Natsu's face went blank, 

"Oh... I apologize. I thought you were a man." He said, knowing exactly what he was doing.

"Y-You!! How dare- UGH!!!" The costumer gripped onto her yellow purse and stood up. "You'll pay for this." She said, looking Lucy dead in the eyes. 

All Lucy did was smile, making the costumer go crazy on the inside.

The orange head deliberately bumped into Lucy's shoulder as she made her way out of the restaurant.

"What's up with her?" Natsu asked the blonde as he laid eyes on the angry costumer's back, making her way out. 

"Right." Lucy chuckled as she looked at the costumer with him in cinque.

"Why're you here?" She questioned as she looked back at Natsu again.

"To give you this." He handed over a bag.

"What's that?" 

"Your dress." She took it from him. 

"Is that all?" 

Natsu smirked and then sat down on the table the customer was in.

"I'd like to order."

"Oh really?" She chuckled. "What would you like to eat today Mr. Dragneel?" Lucy mocked, as if she was role-playing.

"You." 

She paused, flustering up. 

"I'm afraid I'm not on the menu," She gathered herself up to say.

He chuckled, 

"Make an exception? I'm starving," He flirted, causing Lucy's cheeks to turn pink in shyness.

"Come on, what's the harm in trying this out, huh?" He asked, breaking the momentarily silence. 

"You're breaking your own rule you know. You said you wanted to be strangers, yet here you are—"

"Well I didn't know fucking you would feel so good." He interrupted, as blunt as ever.

"Would you, shh!!!" She complained as she tapped her notebook on his shoulder harshly, as if it'd do anything to him. "This is my job, if anyone heard you—"

"They'll do what? Fire you? Don't make me laugh, Lucy." 

She sighed, 

"I already told you I want no business in filling your sexual desires."

"Which is why it wouldn't be business. It would be pleasure, sweetheart." He argued.

"You know what I mean! I already gave you my answer. It was a one-night stand, that's it." She whispered the last part aggressively. 

Natsu stood up, fixing his suit-jacket. 

"A date then."

He knew this was the only way to get through to her.

"No,"

Natsu grinned as he swayed his lips close to her ear, "Don't challenge me Lucy. I always get what I want." He loudly whispered, as if he was warning her.

She froze, her hands straightened out by her sides and her lips glued together as chills ran down her spine... not knowing how to respond. 

"I- I only refuse because I know you have ill intentions."

"You're right, I do have ill intentions." He stated, looking into her chocolate orbs. "Intentions I'm open to you about. Here's the deal..." He said as he leaned his behind on the table and crossed his arms. "I'll give you what you obviously want. I'll take you on dates and take care of you financially. I'll give you whatever you desire. In return, you'll give me what I want. Sex."

"Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?"

"No sweetheart. I don't do girlfriends. Think of it as a symbiotic relationship."

"I'm confused..."

"I read people well, princess, I can tell you're the typa girl who fantasizes about movie-type of romantic relationships. I'll give that to you, just without the love part. And you can give me what I want." He shrugged his shoulders, as if it were that simple. 

Lucy paused for a moment, contemplating whether to accept this offer or not.

It didn't sound too bad... and he was right.

"I don't usually make this offer, so—"

"I'd be fooling myself if I accept." She interrupted.  "Yes, I want a guy to come sweep me off my feet and show me the stars. But I don't want it to be fake." 

"That's the best I can do." Natsu responded.

M-Maybe this'll temporarily fill the void within me... I can use him as the company I needed from Sting. Maybe this can be like a rebound type of thing... just maybe this can help me get over him...

"So?" Natsu impatiently rushed her.

"Get to work, Lucy!" The manager demanded from a distance as he overheard a little of their conversation, enough to tell the pinkette isn't ordering food.

"Okay!" Lucy responded after she turned around and looked at her angry manager.

"You need to leave." Lucy said as she looked back at Natsu again.

"Tomorrow at seven. I'll pick you up." 

She paused. 

"O- Ok... fine," 

Chapter Text

The Next Day

Lucy's Apartment

The blonde lifted her eyes from the book she was reading to glance over the clock that hung on her yellow wall. 

'6:40PM' She read.

"Crap! I have 20 minutes to get ready!" She mumbled to herself as she shut her book and placed it on the table in front of her.

She stood up from her couch and stretched her legs and arms, for she has been seated in the same position for approximately three hours.

But, that was Lucy. 

Her engagement in and love for books takes up a huge part of her. It not only helps her improve her writing, but it takes her completely out of reality and into a world she only dreams of being in. 

Her crave for proper romance was satisfied by what she read in her books— satisfied by the ink on paper. 

She quickly rushed to her room and picked out rose-pink dress from her closet. It’s tight on the waist and flows well on the thighs.

She thought it would fit the occasion perfectly. It fits the social standard of what's considered "casual" and "semi-formal." So she was ready for any outcome.

It complimented her figure as it revealed the curves of her breasts and waist; it was also short enough to show off her fare legs and juicy thighs. Her hourglass body was completely evident in this fit. Innocently enough, she wasn't completely aware of the effect she could have on many men out there; she is a beauty indeed. 

She accessorized it with white pearls for a necklace and a silver bracelet. She wore black heels and held a mini black purse to put her wallet and phone in.

After getting dressed, she realized that ten minutes had already passed.

She stumbled towards her bathroom as she was wearing her heels to apply a little bit of makeup.

"Why the hell did I even agree to this." She thought to herself as she brushed her lipgloss across her bottom lip. 

She applied a little bit of mascara that only made her hazelnut eyes pop out more. 

Before she could fix her hair, she heard a knock on the door. 

She froze in her place.

"Ugh!"

She put down her mascara brush on the bathroom counter, not bothering to clean up after herself as she pulled out her hair tie from her hair. She quickly brushed her strands with her hair brush before she heard a knock on the door again.

"I'm coming!" She said in the distance.

She looked at herself in the mirror one more time and sighed, 'Is there really a point to all this...'

She heard the door knocking again, louder this time.

"I said I'm coming!!!" 

She walked out of her bathroom, went by her living room and finally opened the door, revealing Natsu.

"Hey sweetheart." The pinkette said as he held up a singular red rose.

"Is that for me?" She asked as her lips curled into a smile.

He looked her up and down slowly, admiring every inch of her body.

"Aren't you beautiful," He said as he handed over the rose to her. She gracefully took it from him and placed it by her nose, where she could fully take in its beautiful scent. 

She opened her eyes and smiled, 

"You're such a flirt." She said as she playfully and weakly punched his chest. 

Now she realized he was staring at her breasts, which made her fluster up.

"Are we just going to stand here?" 

He chuckled and looked back up in her eyes, taking in the different chocolates that swirled around her orbs. 'Exquisite.' He thought to himself.

"Shall we?" He questioned as he put out his arm for her to hold.

.oOo.

"So, where are we going?" She asked as she looked over at him.

They were seated in the back of his limo; she was served wine and a chocolate for complementaries when she got in.

"It's a surprise," He looked at her and smirked.

"And here I thought you weren't the romantic type," She laid her head back on her seat and smiled.

"Only when I wanna be," He responded. "Besides, I need to make one thing clear."

"What is it?" She asked as she took a sip of her drink.

"No feelings. No attachment. And that's that."

She looked at him confused. She knew he wasn't interested in romantic relationships, but she'd thought he'd at least slightly opened up to the idea since he asked her out on a date.

"Then why take me out on a date?"

He sighed, 

"I thought you understood. We made a deal, didn't we?"

"Yeah..." She looked at him questionably. 

"That deal was for me to give you the things that you want. Take you on dates, show you good company and take care of you financially. In return, you—"

"Fuck me. Yeah. I got that. I just thought that maybe if we get to know each other, we'd—"

"No, Lucy. I told you I don't do girlfriends. If you don't understand that then this needs to end here." He firmly responded.

He didn't want her having the wrong idea. He wanted her to comprehend his ways. He didn't want her to have hope, because he knew she'd end up disappointed if she did. 

She sighed, 

"I know you don't do girlfriends. All I meant was that you don't know what happens in the future. But anyway, it doesn't matter since this is temporary for me and I only agreed to it for a reason of my own." She said as she looked out the window, not realizing she had said too much.

"And what reason would that be?" He curiously questioned as he took a sip of his drink.

"Uhh.." She looked back at him.

"Would that reason have anything to do with why you were crying the night I met you?" He insightfully pointed out.

"We've arrived sir." The driver interrupted.

Lucy who looked out the window curiously to see where they had gone.

"Thanks Arthur." Natsu responded as he opened his door and walked over to the other side, and opened Lucy's door.

"Well aren't you the gentleman." Lucy said as she took the hand he was holding out for her and got out of the car.

"Gentleman? Always." He responded softly as he held her hand and lead her outside of the parking structure.

"Where are we?" She asked as she looked over to Natsu, still making their way out.

"You'll see." He said, grinning.

When they finally got out, she saw the beautiful sea before her. Sunset perfectly set the horizon, for light was shining glamorously at the blue water. 

She took a deep breath of air, inhaling the fresh, salty wind.

Small boats were parked in the sea and there were only a few people there.

"What is this?" Lucy questioned as she smiled, looking at Natsu.

"Come on." He said as he held her hand and lead her to a person standing by the sea's built-walk-in entrance.

He was wearing a fit like a waiter.

"Reservations for two. Name is Natsu." He spoke to him.

"Oh..Natsu Dragneel.. Of course! Please just wait a moment." The waiter said as he rushed and walked away.

"Natsu..what is this place?" She asked as she poked his black suit, trying to get an answer. 

Natsu looked over at her, 

"Wow, you're such a bad observer." He said as he smiled. "Just look." He continued as he pointed to his left, revealing tables lined up on the sea’s built-in ground—each couple’s table surrounded by glass with yellow lanterns to lighten up the place.

Wow...

She giggled, 

"It's beautiful!!" 

He smiled at her positivity. 

"Please follow me, Mr. Dragneel." The waiter said, coming out of nowhere.

They both followed him in as he lead them to a table.

They both seated themselves as the waiter gave them menus. He then handed them a buzzer that allows them to press a button that calls for a waiter to come.

"Whenever you're ready, I'm a click away!" The waiter said cheerfully.

"Thank you." Lucy responded smiling.

"Well, Natsu, you've got taste." Lucy complimented as she poured herself some water into her glass cup.

"Never shoulda been any doubt." He said smirking, revealing his cocky self.

"So are you gonna answer my question?" He went straight to the point.

"What question?" She asked as she took a sip of her water and looked at him.

In this moment, he took notice of her beautiful golden hair freely moving with the rhythm of the wind, and her curled lashes that fluttered every time she blinked.

"Who made those beautiful eyes of yours cry?" He asked as he leaned his arms against the table.

She coughed as she felt herself choke a bit. She either got startled by his question, or the water genuinely went down the wrong pipe.

"Well.." She said as she fixed her throat. "That's for me to know and for you to wonder." She said smiling, leaving a hint of mystery written all over her face.

In reality, she was just not ready to open up yet.

"So it's gonna be like that huh..." He said as he leaned back on his chair.

"Well you did say you 'couldn't care less about why I was crying'" She mocked the words he had said to her when they first met as she held up her menu.

"Well now since we're on a date, circumstances have changed. I didn't want you to know who I was which is why I didn't want to learn about you. It's different now." He reasoned.

"How different?" She asked as her gaze fixated on the menu before her. "We might know each other's names, but you fail to inform me anything personal about yourself. Only reason you want me here is to fuck me." She bluntly said, looking up at Natsu in the last part.

"Well that's no secret." He shamelessly responded. 

Pfft.

"Though I respected you enough to tell you my intentions firsthand. I never lied to you." 

He was right. She knew he was right.

"I'm having the almond chicken." She said, changing the subject. 

Natsu simply pressed the buzzer and the waiter came not 30 seconds later.

"What can I get for you ma'am?" The waiter asked, his gaze lurking at her curved, revealed breasts, for a moment before looking back up...trying to be respectful.

This did not go unnoticed by Natsu; however, he also noticed his attempt to restrain himself from looking.

Lucy was clueless.

"I'd like to have the almond chicken please." She said as she smiled, showing her warm heart as she did with everyone else she's met.

"Alright." The waiter said as he wrote it down and looked back up at her again.

"Anything else?" 

"That's it." 

"Are you sure?" He continued, obviously trying to keep the conversation going. "I mean we have—"

"The steak." Natsu interrupted.

The waiter finally diverted his attention from the blonde, to Natsu.

"R-Right." He responded

"Medium well." Natsu continued.

"Ok." The waiter responded as he wrote it down and stepped away to leave.

"Aren't you gonna ask me if I want anything else?" Natsu questioned prettily, stopping the waiter in his tracks.

"Of course! What else would you like?" The waiter asked.

"Nothing. You can go now." Natsu responded with intentions of provoking him.

"Alright then," He took the menus off the table before taking his leave.

"What was that for??" Lucy asked irritated, leaning in.

"What?" 

"You acting that way with the waiter."

"I didn't do anything." 

"Don't forget that I'm a waitress too, Dragneel. I know when customers are being rude."

"Well I wasn't."

She paused as they looked into each other's eyes.

"Ugh. Nevermind." She rolled her eyes, leaning back, knowing damn well he'd never admit to anything.

"You know you don't need that job anymore." Natsu said.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Well, since I take care of you financially now, you won't need to work."

She laughed, 

"No you don't. It's a good thing you brought it up, I've been meaning to talk to you about that." She begun.

"What?"

"You don't pay me anything. You're not buying me off with this deal. I make my own money and I depend on myself. That's it."

There was a momentarily silence.

"Why would you refuse the offer I'm making you?"

"I told you why."

"It's not that I'm buying you off. We're just helping each other out. Besides, wouldn't there be something you'd like to do besides waitressing?"

"Waitressing is a fine job I'll have you know that." She responded firmly, slightly provoked by his choice of wording.

"No that's not what I mean. I'm just wondering if there may be a passion of yours you'd like to pursue other than waiting tables,"

All Lucy could think about this moment was her writing passion. Her big dream ever since she was a little girl was to write a book, publish it, and have many people read it. Her passion was writing and if she could make money off of it, she would quit her job today.

"Well.."

"Ahuh. So there is something." He smiled.

"I've always loved writing. I do it a lot in the little free time that I have, but I would never land a job that'll help me support myself with such a career."

"Well that's why I'm here. I told you I can-"

"Here you guys go!" The waiter interrupted as he placed Natsu's steak and Lucy's almond chicken in front of them.

"Anything else you need, please do not hesitate to ring the buzzer!" The waiter exclaimed as he was looking at the blonde, obviously only talking to her.

"We're good." Natsu responded for her.

The waiter flustered up for a second before takin his leave.

"As I was saying—"

"It's a kind gesture. Really, it is. But I'm afraid I'm gonna have to refuse. Although I love writing and I wish I had more time to write, I cannot depend on a person I had just met to pay everything off for me,"

Natsu sighed, understandingly. 

"I had a dream once too."

Chapter Text

"I had a dream once too."

"Oh yeah?"

"It was to run a powerful business." He began cutting his streak. "I've always been a fan of cars...and now here I am, the owner of General Motors."

Lucy smiled as she chewed on her salty chicken.

"You know how I got this far?"

"How?" She swallowed.

"I strived for it. Countless hours a day—no sleep, no social life, isolation, and my giving it my all. I quit my job and depended on my savings for a living."

"Mm. You trying to hint something, Dragneel?" She raised her eyebrow, able to read between the lines.

"Glad you caught on." He smirked. "What I'm trying to say is: I had a dream and I worked hard to achieve it. It couldn't hurt for you to do the same. I'm a prime example of what you should do to achieve your own dreams, Heartfilia.”

She shook her head, 

"I can't just quit my job... I don't have the same advantage as you had back then. I have no savings to live on."

"That's where I come in." He smirked.

She smiled at his diplomatic ability to negotiate and convince others using deductive reasoning.

He had nothing to gain from insisting on helping her out financially. She had already agreed to sleep with him in exchange for dates and good company. She didn't ask or need his financial help. She needed him as a rebound from Sting, nothing else. Yet here he is, offering her a chance to chase after her dreams with no catch.

"Why do you want to help me out so much?" She questioned curiously.

He chuckled, 

"I have the resources for it so why not. Plus, I always take care of my girls."

"Your girls? So you've done this before?"

He shook his head, 

"I've already made it clear that this is the first time I've made such a deal with anyone, so obviously not. But I have slept with countless of girls before and I always took care of whatever they needed. That's just how I work."

"Ah.. is that why they end up clinging to you?"

"Precisely. Especially that one girl. After her, I stopped doing that; I kept my identity hidden the last two times before you."

"That one girl?"

He looked up at her, sensing that things are getting more personal than he intended. 

"My point is," he paused. "I can take care of you while we have this deal between us, if you let me." He ignored her question.

She looked at him with an unreadable expression.

Lucy was surprised innerly, but she covered it up well. She hadn't expected him to be so...sweet. He was being completely genuine and she knew it; there was no ulterior motive to his offer. She liked it. This side of him that he had unintentionally revealed to her. His words might seem harsh at times due to his bluntness; his pride might be through the roof and his ego might be high... but she couldn't deny, he had a sweet heart.

Sigh, 

"Okay Mr. Dragneel. If you insist..." She gave in.

He smirked, 

"Glad you smartened up."

"Hey!" 

They both chuckled.

Their date went on; they both enjoyed each other's company. They talked and laughed. They clicked and understood each other on a deep level. Although frankly, Natsu hadn't revealed anything personal about himself and neither has she. They didn't talk about their family, friends, love life, or anything like that. They weren't ready to share such information and they both don't think they ever will. 

Instead, they had a soul nourishing conversation and connection. They talked about uncomfortable big dreams, interesting concepts and new ideas. They challenged each other and made the other think bigger, wider, and broader in an eye-opening manner. With all that being said, they knew not a thing about what lies in each other's personal lives or past. It was just the two of them, there, sharing their thoughts. It was refreshing to say the least.

She had brought up a side of Natsu that he had forgotten.

But then again, he would never let it get to his head. 

'She's just a girl. I'm here to fuck her. That's it.' He had to remind himself. He straightened up and leaned back on his chair after reading into her, and returned to his old self.

"How's everything going so far?" The waiter interrupted as he stood in front of them, coming out of nowhere.

"Good," The pinkette responded.

"And for you ma'am?" He smiled.

The blonde attempted to speak, "I liked-"

"Good," Natsu cut her off.

The waiter looked like he was trying too hard with Lucy. It didn't sit well with Natsu. 

Lucy turned her head and looked at Natsu annoyed, not understand what his problem is.

"O- Okay. If you need anything, I'm a click away!" The waiter cheerfully uttered his phrase again.

Lucy noticed Natsu glaring at him, causing the waiter to walk away irritated.

"Seriously?!" Lucy began.

"What?"

"I don't appreciate your tone with the waiter."

"I don't need you to." He wiped his lips with a napkin.

"Why're you being like this?!"

"Being like what?"

"One minute your kind and the next you're an asshole. Choose a personality, will you?!"

She picked up her purse attempting to leave. She never appreciated a rude customer, and frankly, it was a huge turn-off. 

Natsu stood up and held her wrist, stopping her from moving.

"Sit down." He demanded.

"Let go of me." She looked back into his eyes.

"I will if you sit down."

Pause— the two stood there, staring at each other; both being stubborn in their own ways.

She groaned and sat back down, 

"Why're you acting this way?" She maturely questioned, wanting answers.

He sat down after her, 

"That waiter has been tryna flirt with you the whole night, sweetheart. You're clueless to your surroundings. Pay more attention. If I wasn't here, who knows what he would've done."

"What?! You're crazy! Besides, what's it to you? It's not like I'm yours or anything." She lost her cool.

He sharply looked her in the eyes, sending waves of intensity with his glare.

"For now, Heartfilia, you are." He exclaimed firmly.

"We already made it clear that we're not together..."

He leaned on the table and got closer to her, 

"As long as I'm fucking you, you're not fucking anyone else."

The blonde felt her area warm up with a tingling sensation; he turned her on, but she'd never admit it.

She leaned on the table, mimicking his actions as she crosses her legs to simmer down,

"I can do whatever I want." She loudly whispered, obviously trying to provoke him.

He leaned back on his chair, 

"Your feistiness will never fail to arouse me. But don't let that get to you. As long as we have this deal, your body is mine."

She huffed and leaned back, crossing her arms.

"I don't share." He exclaimed, shrugging his shoulders.

"So that means you won't be sleeping with anyone else either?" She raised her eyebrow, making sure there were no double-standards.

"Obviously." 

"...Fine then." She gave in.

"That doesn't make you my girlfriend, though, don't get it mixed up." He restated, making sure it was clear as he took a sip of his fancy wine.

From how much he had to emphasize on this, I'm sure the girl he was talking about earlier made him go through hell. 

"I know. This is only temporary. Only until—"

"Until what?" He caught her slip.

Only until I get over Sting.

"Personal." She smiled, leaving him curious.

He was definitely aroused by her and her ways alright. 

He hadn't expected her to be so... pleasant. He wanted her to enjoy the date so she could be satisfied with the deal they made. At the same time, he wanted this date to pass by quickly so he could get his treat at the end.

But now that he was sitting here, with her, it was different. 

He didn't expect to... enjoy it.

The conversation just flowed smoothly with them. Even in between topics—they had comfortable silence. Her presence was light and joyful, which made her company congenial. 

She was definitely different from the other girls he's met. She obviously wasn't a gold-digger, that's out of the question. But the aura she held...it was just so positive and upbringing. She was intense yet easygoing; strong yet sensitive; elegant yet naughty. 

It intrigued him, but then again... he would never let it get to his head. 

"Dessert?" He smirked.

.oOo.

"How was your date Lu-chan??!!" The bluette screamed from the other end of the line.

"It was good. I'll call you back, okay?" Lucy seemed rushed to hang up.

"Okay, but don't forget to! I need details." She giggled then hung up.

It was 11PM, and they had just finished their date. The blonde sent a quick text to her friends in the limo telling them the date was over when the bluette automatically called her after reading her message.

Now, Lucy had just arrived at Natsu's place to give him his treat.

It was beautiful alright. She felt as though his house perfectly matched the aura Natsu held. It was a part of what made him attractive to her, aside from his perfect body shape, slick hair, and sharp features. She wouldn't mind fucking him everyday if she could...but she'd never tell him that. 

She hadn't even told her friends about that part of her relationship with Natsu. None of them know about the deal. She wanted to keep it between her and Natsu because she felt embarrassed to share that information with anyone. Besides, they'd most likely lecture her and tell her it's not a good idea, which is why she wanted to keep it secret. 

No one can know how desperate she was to get over her ex-fiancé.

She opened the door to his dark bedroom and saw everything just as neat as she did one week ago. 

If she's being honest, she wanted this just as much as him...but she'd never admit it. 

"You just gonna stand there, sweetheart?" He said smoothly from behind her as he wrapped his arms around her waist and gave her a kiss on her neck. He pushed his manhood against her behind as he gripped her close to him.

She closed her eyes enjoying the sensation of his warm tongue on her sweet skin. Her taste never failed to arouse Natsu even more.

"Mmm" She hummed in pleasure as his tongue swirled around her sensitive part and began sucking it.

He parted his lips from her after leaving his print, 

"Let's take this to bed." His half-opened eyes spoke volumes about his need for her right now.

He caressed her shoulders then held her hand and lead her to his bed.

She crawled on his side of the bed, curving her back...not knowing the effect she has on him in this moment. 

"So you wanna play it that way, huh?" He smirked.

She turned her body around and laid on her back, then gave him an innocent smile.

This girl...

He walked to his closet and took off his suit, coming back with only his boxers on. He found her butt naked laying on the sheets, as she shivered due to the air conditioning cooling her up... without his body heat to comfort her. Her light pink dress was laying on the floor next to the bed, along with her black lace underwear and bra.

"I'll warm you up." He sexily spoke.

He took off his boxers, exposing his manhood, then crawled up on bed and mounted her. Their bare skin touching each other freely was a different kind of turn-on for Natsu. 

Her breasts were perfectly lifted as he stared at her hard nipples, probably from the chill in the air.

Her face was slightly blushing, but she was more comfortable since she'd already done this with him before.

Her brown eyes fluttered open as she looked upon his defined chest, admiring his muscles and veins. His abs aroused her in a different kind of way though. She lifted her hands and gently touched his abs with her hands, tracing his lines.

He smiled, enjoying her exploration of his body. 

"Why can't we kiss?" She suddenly spoke as her eyes fixated on his abs.

"They're too personal, princess," He said as he held his manhood in his hand, teasing her entrance with his tip.

She began breathing heavily as her eyes filled up with desire, 

"But it'd be more intimate..."

He bent down and clipped his lips onto her nipple, then began licking around it as he grabbed her other one and began massaging it.

Her moans were soft and high.

She loved the pleasure he could give her...she loved this talent of his.

After sucking on her for a little while, he parted his lips and spoke,

"There are different kinds of intimacy we can explore." He smiled, looking back at her directly in her brown orbs.

Without a chance for her to respond, his hands guided his shaft inside her... sliding himself down into her. 

He groaned at the feel of her silkiness surrounding him... he loved the fact that she was already wet. 

Natsu groaned when he bottomed out inside of her, for he is now fully into her. He looked at her expression, only to find her eyes tightly shut and her fingers gripping the bed sheets next to her. He smiled, then slid out of her. He went back in harder this time...forcing a moan out of her as his shaft grind her cervix. 

He loved the way she sounded, for it made the whole process more arousing. He continued thrusting into her at a normal pace, causing her breathing to shake and sounds to escape her lips in pleasure. 

"Faster.." She moaned.

He was getting there, he just enjoyed the journey too much. 

He picked up his pace and began going in harder, causing a clapping noise to fill the room for now he is humping her like an animal in heat. Her moans became uncontrollable...it ringed like music to his ears. His shaft hit her cervix with each hard thrust, causing him to groan in pleasure and her to lose her mind. Her hands gripped onto his back muscles as her nails dug deep into his skin, trying to contain herself. This momentarily made Natsu rougher with each thrust he had pleasured her with. 

He had the talent of sending her into a different world of desire... One she had never visited before. He made her feel things she never knew she could feel before. He was like a missing piece in her body...one she needed in her or else she wouldn't be whole.

"Fuck Lucy! Why do you feel so good, huh?" He thrusted harder than usual, ripping her insides and reforming her guts with his exceptionally large gift. Her moans turned into screams as sweat roamed freely around her skin and her eyes blurred out completely... not able to contain her orgasms. 

"I'm going to...cum..." 

He already knew that for her walls closed up on him, surrounding him tighter than a fist. He was obliged to deepen in her until he bottomed out, kissing her insides. Her last orgasm wave clashed in her hard, for it blinded her completely. She released as he pooled into her at the same time. 

"Fuck..." He said as he slid out of her, and laid down next to her. 

He took a moment to breath, then looked to his side...only to find Lucy completely asleep.

"I wasn't done with her yet..."

Chapter Text

Ring-ring. Ring-ring.

...

Ring-ring. Ring-ring.

"Fuck..." The pinkette groaned in her ear with his deep, raspy morning voice. His hands were tightly wrapped around her naked waist and his face was buried in the crook of her neck. She could feel his naked body against her back. They were spooning, for the first time ever.

Ring-ring. Ring-ring.

"Can you just...stop that noise already," She whined sleepily as she opened her blurry eyes to look for the source of that treacherous noise, right before they closed again. They were just so heavy.

Natsu unwrapped his arms from around her and sat up the bed, rubbing his eyes. 

He picked up his phone from the bedside table and checked the time, 

"Crap...It's already 11AM?" He panicked. His voice gruff and low.

He found seven missed calls from his assistant. 

She never called him that much this early in the morning... She was aware of how much Natsu valued his sleep.

"Who is it?" She attempted to enunciate but her tiredness was getting the best of her. Her eyes were tightly shut as she spoke and her lips were extremely dry. 

"It's just work. I'm late."

A momentarily silence passed by where she felt the stress and intensity in the air, vibrating from Natsu's energy.

She rubbed her eyes harshly and built up the strength to sit up the bed. She attempted to look at Natsu who was sitting right next to her, but there were red and blue dots taking over her poor vision; streaks, they call them.

"Hey, what's wrong?" She placed her hand on his shoulder instinctively.

He looked at her hand then looked up into her brown orbs.

"Everything's fine." He smiled as he lightly pushed her hand away and got out of bed.

What's up with him?... I wasn't trying to be intimate or anything.

"What time do you usually go to work?" She began stretching my arms, brushing it off.

"Whenever I want, but usually no later than 10AM. I'm sure I'm missing important business right now." He went through his phone, reading the multiple text messages he was receiving from his assistant. 

She grabbed the water bottle that was placed on the bedside table and began drinking it out of pure dehydration. 

"Speaking of..."

"Hm?" She looked up at him.

"Apparently my office is throwing a cocktail party for me tonight,"

"Really?" She rose her eyebrows. "That's so great! What's it for?" She wiped her watery lips. 

"It's stupid really," he put his phone down. "I closed an important deal a few days ago that'll bring us millions in, but those kinds of deals happen often. So I don't get what the fuss is about," He rolled his eyes as he stretched his arm.

"You have to celebrate everything you accomplish, Natsu!" She stood up on her knees on the bed, a little too excitedly. "You have to validate your success! Plus, who doesn't like a fun party?" She encouraged with a warm smile.

"Oh yeah?" He smiled at her positivity. 

"Of course!~" She stood up on the bed, not able to contain her excitement. "Imagine the fine wine and delicious salmon and sushi...the fancy dresses and slick suits...the bright chandeliers and the elegant music...the candles and long tables...Everything is just so perfect!!" Her eyes lit up as she brought her hands together.

He chuckled,

"You've never been to a cocktail party before, Lucy?" He asked, admiring her. 

"No..." She pouted as she sat back down—crisscrossed on the bed. 

Although she came from a rich household, she was way too young to attend such events.

"Well then, I'm glad you got the general idea of where we'll be going to tonight," He crossed his arms, his biceps clenching. 

"We?" She looked at him.

"You wanna be my date?"

...

"Okay!" She sat up enthusiastically as her eyes glistered. 

I've always wanted to attend such fancy parties. I've never been to one... I want to dress up fancy and eat some fine food— it reminds me of the life I had growing up— kind of like my comfort. I'd never want to permanently get back to it, but it'd be nice to visit it every once in a while. Now that I have Natsu, it's the perfect balance.

"You're still naked, you know." He pointed out as his eyes explored her body with no shame.

She instantly threw her arms over her breasts, covering them up.

"And so are you!" She looked at his full, lengthy body.

He chuckled,

"Get use to it, sweetheart." He said.

With that, he turned around and walked into his bathroom to freshen up.

She laid back down and sighed, covering herself up with the silky blanket.

Mmm. What am I gonna wear today?...

Ring-ring. Ring-ring.

She sat up the bed again and grabbed her phone from the bedside table.

She answered the phone after seeing it was Levy calling.

"Lu-Chan, where are you?!" She startled her, screaming at the other end of the line before the blonde got to speak.

"Uhh—"

"I'm at your apartment and I can't find you anywhere,"

How can I tell her where I am...

"I'm—"

"Are you okay?!"

"Yes,"

"Did you forget about our breakfast date this morning? I was suppose to pick you up which is why I'm here,"

"N-No I didn't forget..." She lied, instantly cursing at herself. "I'm... I'm actually at Prime & Toast right now waiting for you. Sorry, I forgot you were picking me up." She stuttered. 

She's always hated lying, especially to her best friend. But she just couldn't tell her where she was...

Her eyes flickered up only to see Natsu leaning his back on the bathroom door, folding his arms with a towel over his muscular shoulder, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her.

Crap... he caught me lie.

His eyes were piercing through her soul, as if she was sinning. She could feel the guilt building up inside her.

Stop looking at me like that...

"How'd you get there if you don't have a car?" She insightfully questioned.

"Uhh—" she stuttered, looking up to Natsu as if asking for help. "I...used an Uber,"

Natsu began silently chuckling at her inability to lie properly. 

"Okay, Lu-Chan. Sorry to keep you waiting. I'll be there in 15!" 

With that, she hung up the phone, leaving Lucy panicked.

"Crap! I have 15 minutes!" She rushed out of bed, running around looking for her shoes, forgetting that she was completely naked.

"You're putting quiet a show for me, Luce. Keep running like that," He smirked, still standing by the bathroom door.

She glanced at him and saw his manhood get hard. 

Heat rushed to her cheeks in embarrassment. She ran to the bed, swiftly grabbing the white sheets and wrapping them around her naked body.

"Pervert!" She yelled. "Put on some clothes, will you?!"

"I could say the same to you but I'm enjoying this too much." He walked towards her, approaching closer and closer as her heartbeats sped up.

"Wh-"

He leaned down and pressed his lips against her red cheek, giving her a sweet morning kiss.

"I'll never get tired of how easily embarrassed you get." He looked into her brown orbs.

"I..." She softly whispered, feeling sweat trickle down her spine. Her whole body was heated and her face was flushed. 

He smiled,

"Get dressed. You're gonna be late." He turned around and walked over to his closet.

What just happened?

Ring-ring. Ring-ring.

She sighed in stress,

"I'm sure it's Levy,"

Leaving the phone ringing, she ran to the bathroom with the bedsheet still wrapped around her. She found her pink dress along with her bra and underwear in the laundry basket.

Natsu must've put them here yesterday after I slept...

She grabbed her clothes and dressed herself up swiftly. 

She had to be there before Levy got there. She has no time to waste. 

She used her spare toothbrush that Natsu had kindly prepared and brushed her teeth. She took out the hair tie from her messy pony tail and let it loose, fixing it a bit. 

Her mascara was all over her eyes, making her look like she had double eye bags. She washed her face thoroughly and then put on some of Natsu's lotion. It smelled masculine and just like him, so she loved it. 

Fifteen minutes have passed by and she still wasn't there.

She walked out of his bathroom,

"Where are you suppose to be going again?" He questioned as he made himself some coffee using his expresso machine in the corner of his room.

"Prime & Toast, the breakfast place. Can one of your drivers lend me a lift?" She asked as she quickly placed her belongings into her black purse.

"Sure, but you don't need it. Prime & Toast is right across the street, 3 blocks away."

She silently began to bless God and thank her luck.

"Perfect, thank you. I'll see you tonight." She swung her purse on her shoulder and turned around, heading out of the door.

"Woah woah, hold up," He stopped her in her tracks.

"What?" She turned back around.

"I don't have your number. Give it to me so I can contact you and take my number for any emergencies."

"I don't need your number for emergencies, though,"

"Just take it."

She sighed as they exchanged phones. They typed their numbers into each other's phones.

"Don't misuse it, Dragneel." She said, giving his phone back to him.

"Wouldn't dream of it," He smiled.

She turned back around to leave,

"Why didn't you tell your friends about me?" He stopped her again, a smirk plastered on his face. 

She paused.

"I don't have time for this," She walked out of the door.

.oOo.
Prime & Toast

"Lu-Chan!" Levy greeted after the blonde had been waiting in the restaurant for her for 20 minutes. 

Can't believe she took so long and I was in such a hurry...

She stood up from the table and gave her a tight hug.

The bluette was wearing her orange headband and a flowy blue dress that reached to her knees. She was petite, to say the least. 

"I've missed you!" The blonde expressed.

"Me too!" She broke the hug and sat across of her.

"I called you to tell you I'd be running late 'cause I couldn't find my wallet anywhere, but you didn't answer. I had to go back to my apartment to grab it," She placed her purse on the table and got comfortable.

"It's okay, don't worry about it." The blonde smiled. 

"I haven't seen you in so long, Lu-Chan! It's been a whole week! What have you been doing?" 

"I've just been so busy with work," She sighed. 

"And why haven't you been attending classes?" She raised her eyebrow as she rested her chin on her palm.

"I only missed two classes, let's not be dramatic." She rolled her eyes and smiled.

Work has actually been crazy this whole week, which is why I haven't been seeing much of anyone really. I mean, except for Natsu...I spend every night with him.

"Well, it's not like you to miss classes. Plus, Erza, Juvia and I have been hanging out in cafés almost everyday and you never come. It's not like you, Lu-Chan. I'm just worried."

"Don't worry, everything's okay. Like I said, this week has been hard with working. Although this won't be an issue anymore since I'll be quitting soon,"

"Quitting?! What?? Why? How are you going to support yourself?" She bombed her with questions.

Crap. I forgot I wasn't suppose to tell her that. How am I suppose to explain to her that a man I recently met will be taking care of my financial needs?! 

God, even thinking it is weird. 

"I just need some time off to focus on my writing, you know?" 

Well, I didn't really lie.

Her shoulders rested as she sighed,

"Yeah, I get it."

Wow. I expected her to put up a fight or something. 

"Soooo?" She grabbed the menu as she smirked.

"What?" The blonde smiled at her due to the face she was making.

"You didn't tell me much about Natsu! I know you've been busy with him, hm?" She teased.

The blonde giggled shyly as blush greeted her cheeks,

"It's been going...well," She grab the second menu on the table, trying to avoid talking about it. 

"Details!!"

With a flushed face, she managed to tell Levy about the dates she's been going on with him...obviously leaving out the sex part.

"How are you feeling now about the whole Sting thing?..." she questioned.

Her smile dropped instantly at the mention of his name. It was out of nowhere. A rush of memories flooded her mind, draining her of her excitement. 

"Sorry, Lu-Chan, I didn't mean to upset you." Her voice went soft as she looked at her expression. 

"You know what, Lev?" She looked up at her. "He hasn't crossed my mind for a while now. Not once." She gently smiled.

Her eyes lit up, 

"That's good! Maybe that Natsu is doing something right..."

She giggled,

"No no. It's not Natsu himself, it's just the distraction I get when I'm accompanied by him."

"Wait... don't tell me you're using him as a rebound, Lu-Chan!"

Crap...

"Uhh... not exactly a rebound..." She looked at her menu, not wanting to look Levy in the eye. 

He is one hundred percent my rebound attempt. Dammit. There I go with lying again. 

She sighed,

"Well if it's working, then why not I guess." She smiled.

"Hi there! What would you like me to get for you today?" The waitress questioned, interrupting their conversation.

The blonde paused for a moment, looking at her features thoroughly, taking in her look. 

"You look awfully familiar...have I seen you somewhere before?" She questioned, completely lost in her thoughts as to who she may be.

"I don't believe so," the waitress smiled. 

"Oh...Okay, sorry for the confusion."

"Oh no, it's okay!"

"I'd like to have the veggie-egg please." Levy spoke out. 

"Gotcha. What about you, Miss?"

"Umm... I'll have the same order as her, just add hash browns and pancakes please."

I'm starving.

"Alrighty!" She took the menus off the table.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me!" 

We smiled at her in approval. 

"If you don't mind me asking, what's your name?" Levy asked, stopping her from leaving.

I bet she thinks the waitress looks familiar too.

She pointed at her tag,

"My name is Lisanna!"

Chapter Text

Later that day

The blonde and the bluette parted ways after their enjoyable breakfast at Prime & Toast. They ended up befriending the waitress; they took her number so they could meet up with her sometime. Her company was just so sweet and nice. They really liked her; besides, her being so familiar to Lucy embarked a sort of curiosity as to who she may be.  

Levy headed to the "library" afterwards to "study" for her exams, but Lucy knew damn well she went to meet up with her new love interest: Gajeel. Levy was just too shy to talk about it...as she always is when it comes to topics about her love life. However, the blonde would definitely want to meet him sometime.

Lucy headed to her apartment to rest after the athletic days she had been having with Natsu; he for sure knew how to tire her out.

Her nap lasted a few hours before she woke up and decided to get some writing in the day.

She was currently writing in her novel that she started when she was 16 years old. She was comfortably seated on her bedroom desk with a portable-white-lamp shining on her paper as her hands motioned her blue pen, inking scribbles consistent of strings of words. 

Ding-ding.

Her phone interrupted her train of thought. She placed her blue pen down and picked up her phone.

(313)-576-xxxx

Natsu: "I'm coming to pick you up in an hour. Be ready." 

Read: 6:14PM

Lucy: "Okay.”

Delivered: 6:15PM

Just like that, she shut her book and stood up from her desk. She stretched a bit before walking over to her closet. 

She began scrabbling through her owned clothes. She needed to find the perfect dress for tonight. It is an occasion that celebrates Natsu after all; she can't make him look bad since she's his date. 

She knows he only invited her as his date to uphold his end of the deal. It bothers her a little that nothing between her and Natsu is "real" in a sense, since it's all just a "contract."

She believes he found it as the perfect opportunity to take her as his date because he saw how happy it would make her to attend the event...and if she's happy, that only means he'll get a hell of a treat afterwards.

She hated the fact that all the time spent with him aside from sex is purely because of the deal and not because he actually wanted to spend time with her. 

Although that didn't stop her from wanting more; she just couldn't help it.

Although she knew Natsu wasn't someone she'll be with, she also knew that he's the only one who can heal her from her past. 

He's the only one who could give her the distraction she needed from Sting—her ex fiancé.

He was her medicine for now.

The perfect rebound.

She shook her head, attempting to shake off her thoughts. She always hated her toxic habit of overthinking everything.

After about 20 minutes of going through her closet looking for the perfect fit, she paused, reflecting on the room around her. It was a mess indeed. Hangers scattered all over her bed and hard-wood ground, and dresses and jumpsuits were scrambled and thrown randomly behind her.

She sighed,

"I'm never going to find the perfect dress," she whined to herself.

She turned back around hopelessly and looked into her closet one last time, only to notice a red dress deep inside, hiding from the eyes view. She took it out and looked at it.

A bloody red dress that would reach her thighs with thin strands that would hug her shoulders. It was close to a V neck and would be completely tight around her body. 

"This must be the one I bought with Erza when we went shopping the other day," Her eyes lit up in excitement.

Thank god...

She instantly placed it down on her bed neatly and began taking off her clothes. She pulled up her white baggy shirt and pulled down her pink PJ shorts to slide into the dress.

After doing so, she looked at herself in her closet's mirror, admiring her curvy figure. Her cleavage was revealed just enough to make it look more sexy than it already was. Her fare legs and juicy thighs were proportioned in a way that’d drive him crazy. 

She walked into her bathroom where her makeup-kit laid. 

After applying some concealer, mascara, and some blush, she decided to tie her hair high up in a pony tail and let a few strands down, revealing her collar bone and smooth shoulders.

As she was putting on her black high-heels, she heard her door-bell ring. 

"Just on time." She smiled as she grabbed her black mini purse and made her way to her door.

She opened it, revealing Natsu in a perfectly fitted black suit with a red tie. Red, being his favorite color. Red, being her favorite, too.

“We're matching!" The blonde over-excitedly said as she brought her hands together, forgetting to greet him. She wasn’t aware of just how beautiful she looked and how much effect she had on him.

Natsu's eyes blew open as he took a step back, admiring her whole figure, completely astounded and mesmerized by her beauty...to the point where he didn't even hear her speak.

His mind went blank as his eyes took in every inch of her body. Her uplifted melons round and full, her juice thighs, her snatched waist. He never felt so...still. He was completely captured by her to even say anything.

After a moment of silence of Natsu’s eyes stuck on her, Lucy started feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"Are we going..orr.." 

He finally brought his eyes to meet her brown ones as he gave her a gentle smile.

"You look beautiful." He reached out his hand and held her own, lightly stroking her palm with his thumb.

Lucy intensely blushed—her cheeks turned just as red as her dress.

"Come on. Let's go." He offered his arm, and she took it with a smile.

.oOo. 
In the Limo

With her head resting on the back of her seat, she blankly looked out her tinted window as she absentmindedly witnessed buildings pass by, people standing on side-walks, jeeps and sport cars of different colors driving by in speed, and mini shops placed by the side of the road selling necessities whilst occupied by lively people. 

Her eye caught a glimpse of a couple sitting on a bench laughing and kissing each other with no care in the world.

I wonder what Sting is doing right now. Does he have a new girlfriend?... No. He wouldn’t... right? Would he actually be able to forget everything that happened between us?

Just how easy was it for him to ruin what we had?

Does he still care for me?...

...Did he ever care for me?

I'm afraid of finding out. 

But at the same time, I can't keep dissing school just because my mind is constantly consumed by him. I don't know how I’m suppose to get my life back together after—

Her thoughts were interrupted by a warm hand laying itself soundly over hers, taking her out of the zone she was in.

She flinched and turned, landing her gaze upon a pair of jade eyes.

"Hm?" She questioned.

"You ok? You've been quiet this whole ride." He looked at her in concern.

She hadn't even realized how much time had passed by since they got in the limo. Her thoughts just aimlessly wandered, leaving her lips zipped.

"Tell me. What's on your mind?" 

"Oh...it's nothing," She brushed it off as she looked the other way again, unbothered by his warm hand over hers.

He leaned in close to her ear and whispered,

"Don't make me choke it out of you." 

His hands squeezed hers as those words escaped his lips. Blood rushed to her cheeks, making her turn scarlet red. She could hear the grin in his voice as he spoke. Shivers ran down my spine as she tingled in sensation. Warmth spread in her body from the sacred place Natsu had invaded many times already. 

She turned her head embarrassedly to his direction only to see his face but an inch away from hers. His half-opened eyes paired with his sly smirk as he gazed deep into her brown ones, raised the butterflies in her stomach from their slumber. 

"Ch- Choke me?" She whispered hesitantly.

All he did was smile and watch her fluster. He absolutely loved the effect he had on her. 

"We've arrived." Interrupted the driver as he made his way into the parking structure.

Natsu leaned back to look out of his window,

"You don't need to park here, Arthur. Just drop us off at the front door."

"But sir,"

"You won't be waiting for us tonight. You can head off, we'll be here for a while." Natsu interrupted him.

The driver nodded and turned back around, making his way back out.

"How long will we exactly be here?" She questioned, looking at him.

"You don't know my friends. They won't settle down till at least midnight." He rolled his eyes.

"Friends? I thought they were people you work with?"

"The people that I work with are my friends."

She looked at him confusedly. 

I've never heard of such a relationship between an owner of such a big company and his workers. I never saw that from my dad, that's for sure.

He noticed her confused expression,

"When I was younger, I gathered all the friends that I made in my trips around Japan to welcome them into my new company. The ones that had faith in me joined me, and the ones who didn't are probably cursing at themselves right now for declining the life I could've offered them." 

She paused for a moment, registering. 

"Wow...Natsu. That's incredible,"

"The friends that joined me are now my head council. They all are the bosses of different areas of the company."

"So just like you?"

"The difference is, I own the company as a whole. I mean, I created it." He explained.

"Do they ever step over their bounds?" She questioned.

My father always told me to never mix business with personal relationships. He said that I'll always fail in life because people will overstep their bounds and get too comfortable...I wonder if that's true.

"No. They're smart enough to respect authority, whether we're friends or not. It's why I chose them. Business is business, Lucy." He clarified. 

"I understand..." 

Arthur parked in front of a wide building that looked too luxurious for anyone in normal standard. 

"So, where's this party?"

Instead of responding, Natsu opened his door and stepped out. He opened her door and held out his hand.

She took it gracefully and got out of the car. 

He looked her up and down slowly and licked his bottom lip. He wrapped an arm around her little waist and drifted her closer to him.

"How can I control myself when you look like that? Huh?" He whispered into her ear.

Her cheeks turned rosy as she curled her lips into a smile, 

"You'll get your treat," she whispered back.

Natsu smirked,

"Speaking of..." He began walking, leading her into the building. "No one must know anything private about our relation. If anyone asks, you're a family friend." He quietly spoke as he looked straight ahead, not batting an eye. 

"Ok." She responded simply. 

I mean, I wasn't even planning on telling anyone.

They made their way into the building, through the wide entrance. 

Once they got inside, she found it to be a huge restaurant; it had three floors and was filled with laughter and chatter of high-class people wearing elegant suits and dresses. Kind of like the restaurant she worked at, except it was three times bigger. There was a huge bar where a lot of people were standing by, drinking and talking, too.

"Woah..." escaped her lips unconsciously.  

“Come on.” He lead her deeper into the restaurant until they reached the other end of it, where there was a huge balcony. 

"Our table isn't inside?" She asked as he lead her out of the balcony, revealing a huge terrace filled with lights, tables, and chairs all arranged in a curved line, matching the curved barrier between the restaurant and the sea. The salty air and yellow lights around them made it look magical—along with the bright moon above that was the cherry on top. 

"Nah. Here's way better."

Her eyes spread wide as she took in the sight before her.

"Beautiful..."

High chit-chattering noises and pleasant laughter could be heard all across. There were people standing with cocktail drinks in their hands, people sitting and eating, others eating while standing. It was extremely crowded and lively. 

"So which ones our table?" She questioned as she roamed her eyes around, admiring the area.

He looked over to her,

"Lucy, they've rented the whole building for tonight. The people inside and out are all here for the party." He smiled at her ignorance. "So all of the tables, you could say."

She looked at him with wide-eyes,

"What?!" 

Her heart began beating fast—her social anxiety hitting her like a truck.

"Hey man. Glad you finally made it." A voice suddenly popped out of nowhere.

She looked up only to see the familiar, venomous face she had been loathing yet loving in a contradicting and suffocating manner. His hand wrapped around Natsu's as they shook. 

Her heart stopped in an instant. She felt her stomach clench at the sight of him. It was like someone had punched her straight in the gut. She began abruptly sweating all over her body as she felt her chest tighten up, leaving no space for her heart to beat properly. Her eyes wide with her body stiff, he finally looked into her eyes. 

"Lucy?!"

Chapter Text

Cocktail Party

"Lucy?!" Sting reacted to seeing his ex-fiancé standing before him, in this event nonetheless— somewhere unusual for her to be in. What was she doing with the owner of General Motors?

The blonde couldn't help but freeze in her place at the sight of him. Her arms were straightened out by her sides and her eyes were wide open. She looked him in the eye like a deer caught in the headlights.

"You two know each other?" Natsu pointed back and forth at them. 

Lucy's hearing began blurring as a buzzing noise blasted in her right ear. Her airways tightened and her throat grew heavy, not allowing her to speak. Even if she could, she wouldn't find the words. 

Discomfort rudely invaded her stomach as her urge to vomit began to risen. Nausea swirled inside her as all the memories of the man standing before her came hitting her like a truck.

It was too soon. Way too soon. Seeing him, standing there, brought back every ounce of emotions and heartbreak he left her with. 

His pink lips and bright blue eyes with his slightly darker blond hair that perfectly matched hers reminded her of everything she loved about him, and everything she now hated.

"She's..." He dared to speak.

"We're..." She spoke, then gulped. "...family friends." She continued softly, without breaking eye contact. The look they exchanged was so intense it could be cut by a pair of scissors.

Natsu definitely noticed it. 

She stretched her fingers apart and clenched her fists, feeling every speck of sweat develop and trickle down her spine.

"Uhh,"  Sting stuttered in confusion. 

Natsu stayed silent as he watched them back and forth look at each other intensely. Something was definitely going on that he didn't know about.

"I need to go to the bathroom. If you'll excuse me," She finally took her gaze off him and looked at Natsu, who just looked confused and concerned. She gave him a small smile before turning around and walking back into the restaurant. 

With her heartbeats still racing, she looked left and right for the woman's room. Her breathing grew heavy and her heart clenched; her stress was definitely rising.

"Wh—Where's the women's room?" She stopped a random waiter by his shoulder to ask him.

"Right there," He pointed to her left.

Lucy nodded in thanks and made her way there, walking in between the tables while trying her best to keep her composure. She twisted the doorknob and walked into the bathroom.

Thankfully it was empty. 

The blonde walked over to the sink and ran the cold water, then began washing her face. 

She didn't care for her makeup, she just needed to calm down.

She splashed the freezing water on her face as some drops fell on her dress. Her hair was already tied up in a high-ponytail so nothing further got harmed.

She took in deep breaths before looking at her reflection in the fancy mirror before her, only to see mascara dripping down her cheeks. She sighed and began washing her face again, scrubbing harder as she tries to take her makeup off completely since it was already ruined. 

"Luce?" A voice behind her called out. 

She swiftly turned around while the water continued on running, and faces the man before her.

"What are you doing here??" She furrowed her eyebrows and clenched her fists, with water dripping off her face.

"I came to see if you were okay," He took a step forward, approaching her.

"Stay away!" She signaled with her hand as she hit her behind onto the sink's outer-layer.

He stopped in his tracks.

"Lucy..." He paused. "Are you okay?"

"I was fine before you showed up! What the hell are you doing here?!" She outburst.

"Me?" He pointed to his chest—a chest clothed by a black suit and a pink tie. "I should be asking you that,"

The door suddenly bursted out open and another man walked in. Both their gazes drifted to the door.

A brief moment passed by as he looked back and forth at the both of them. 

"What the hell is going on here?" Natsu questioned, his voice more strict than usual.

He saw Lucy go in the bathroom and not a second later Sting went in after her. Something was definitely up and Natsu wasn't just gonna let it go. He needed to know if she was safe, and he needed to know of their relation. 

This looks really bad...

Sting flustered up and rubbed the back of his neck while Lucy's breathing began to shake.

Natsu finally looked at the blonde girl with a raised eyebrow,

"Is he giving you trouble, Lucy?" He took a step towards her.

"Uhh—No I'm... I'm fine," she could only say.

"I should leave," Sting said before turning around to walk out the door. 

Natsu stopped him by his arm and turned him around to face him. 

"Why're you here?" He looked him dead in the eyes. "Did you not see the female sign out the door or are you just naturally blond?" 

Sting looked at him in shock, 

"No I just..."

"Naturally blond then. Get out." He pushed him away causing Sting to take a few steps back to keep his balance.

Sting huffed and fixed his suit jacket as an attempt to restore his dignity, then turned around and left the bathroom without another word. 

He definitely did not want trouble with the boss for God's sake.

"Why was he here, Lucy?" Natsu turned back around and faced her.

"He just..."

He began walking towards her, closing the distance between them as she spoke.

She nervously played around with her fingers,

"I... I told you he's a family friend. He was just... telling me his mom misses me,"

God, an idiot wouldn't believe that.

"Telling you his mom misses you, huh?" He stepped closer and closer, his knees now touching her own as her behind leaned on the sink.

"Y-Yes," 

"You know what I hate more than a stuck up bastard?"

Is he talking about Sting?

"What?"

He swayed his lips close to her ear,

"A liar."

She paused. 

A moment passed by in silence. 

She didn't know what to say. 

She placed her hands on his chest and gently pushed him away from her ear. 

"Stop breaking your own rules, will you?" Pause. "You first say that we'll be strangers after our one-night stand. Then you ask to see more of me. Then you say that we shouldn't know anything personal about each other. Yet now, here you are, being all in my personal business! Give me a break!" She scoffed. 

Natsu smiled.

Why the hell is he smiling?!

He grabbed her wrists together and pinned her to the wall beside the sink. He placed her hands above her head, restraining her from moving.

"What the hell are you doing?!" 

He placed his knee against the wall in between her legs.

"When are you gonna learn how to properly speak to me?" He loudly whispered.

Lucy's breathing grew heavy as he leaned in closer and placed his chest against her breasts, her hard nipples now piercing through her thin cloth against him. 

He leaned close to her ear and whispered,

"I make the rules here. And when necessary, I will break them. Got that?" He whispered with deep, rusty voice.

Noisy fast breathing escaped the blonde's plumped lips—it could only mean that she was extremely turned on.

He had this effect on her.

"Well then. I'll break some of my own too." Her voice shaky as she took advantage of his looseness on her wrists and snatched one hand away. She placed it on his chest. 

He looked into her brown orbs with his jade ones, curious as to what she wanted to do.

She ran her hand gently down his body, passing his stomach, reaching his crotch. 

This was the only way he could forget this conversation. A good method of distraction. And frankly, she was extremely sexually aroused by him right now. 

She grabbed it full with her hand and placed a firm yet gentle pressure on it, enough to make his breathing heavy. 

She didn't break eye contact as she began squeezing his crotch with her small hand. The chocolate pools in her orbs were full of desire as he explored them.

Natsu curled one side of his lips into a smirk.

"So you wanna do this now?" 

The blonde smiled and nodded—a seductive look she was giving him. 

He unpinned her other hand and caressed her waist as she squeezed him. He held her hand and moved it away from him.

"I want to pleasure you." 

With that, he lifted her dress up smoothly, revealing her hips and underpants. He placed his hand against her panties, applying pressure with his fingers. 

Lucy let out a soft moan at the feel of it.

He slid his hand under her panties and put out his middle finger, reaching her clit. He rubbed it roughly, going in circular motion, making her feel everything at once.

She shut her eyes and rested the back of her head on the wall behind her as all her senses got consumed by pleasure. Her moans grew louder as he rubbed her in cursive. 

The feeling of anyone coming in at any moment just made this whole experience more arousing, more dangerous, more out of control, and definitely sexier. It sparked a feeling of excitement and thrill in the both of them. 

With that, Natsu slid a finger inside her slowly, already feeling his finger surrounded by wet silk. He pushed it up and down inside her which only made her moan out loud. He pushed another finger in and began thrusting into her, going deep inside of her. 

Lucy grabbed onto his shoulders with her eyes shut and moans so loud he was afraid someone outside might hear her. 

He pushed a third finger in and thirsted harder, faster inside of her as the juice in her began to dance with his motion. 

Lucy dug her fingernails into Natsu's suit and moaned so loud Natsu had to slam his free hand against her lips, shutting her up as he continued going in her hard, not stopping for a second. 

After a while of fingering her, hard, fast, and aggressive, Lucy's eyes began squeezing shut and her legs began to shake. Her hands on his shoulders helped keep her balance. 

With her walls closing up on him, he knew she was reaching her climax. His fingers going in and out, hard and fast, deep and slickly, she was bound to lose her mind. 

She almost finished. Almost. 

But suddenly, he stopped with his motion—leaving her squirming and craving more. He slid his fingers out just like that, denying her the pleasure she so needed. Denying her to relax and let loose. Denying her to release. 

She opened her eyes.

With his fingers dripping wet, he ran the water in the sink next to them and washed his hand.

"Wh-Why did you stop?" Her breathing so heavy she could barely speak. She looked at him with anger, desire, confusion, and sadness all in one. 

He dried his hand with a napkin.

He turned towards her, looking into her big brown orbs.

"That's what you get for lying,"

Without another word, he turned around and threw the napkin in the garbage can before walking out the door, leaving her dripping wet in the bathroom alone—completely stunned and craving for him.

"That's so fucking cruel."

Chapter Text

The blonde decided to finish the job herself. She went into one of the bathroom stalls and came out five minutes later, still not satisfied the way she wanted to be but it was better than nothing. She cleaned herself up pretty well before fixing her hair and dress. 

The blonde walked out the bathroom, sternly looking for Natsu.

She was not happy.

Her eyes roamed around the restaurant looking for him until finally her gaze landed on the window that separated the indoor-restaurant and the terrace, spotting Natsu holding a glass of wine whilst conversing with a stranger. 

She furrowed her eyebrows and made her way out to the terrace. In the distance, he stood in between two tables with his back to her, chuckling and conversing with no care in the world... as if he hadn't just left a woman dripping wet, craving for him in the bathroom. 

She stomped towards him.

"Seriously Natsu?!" She interrupted his conversation as she stood behind him.

She was definitely not pleased with his little stunt. 

He turned around and faced her with a smirk. 

He knew exactly why she took so long to come out. 

He held out his hand, expecting her to take it. 

Everyone around them went silent, causing Lucy to look around her confusedly.

Every pair of eyes were on them.

The attention was bound to be on him, and consequently as his date, her as well. 

Lucy felt the need to step-up her game and meet everyone's expectations of her; the inevitable and unspoken expectations that is put on the company owner's date.

Natsu probably wasn't thinking anything of it but Lucy knew better. 

She has to be perfectly elegant, sophisticated, and worthy.

With that thought, she pushed her emotions aside and gracefully took his hand. He gently drifted her closer to him so that she was standing right by him. He turned back around and faced his friend with his arm snaked up around the blonde's waist.

Lucy felt a little embarrassed for raising her voice at him just a second ago with everyone staring. Her cheeks were rosy at the thought.

"Jellal, I'd like you to meet Lucy," He introduced.

The blue-haired man wearing a dark purple tuxedo bows as a gesture of respect. He held Lucy's hand, swayed it to his lips and respectfully kissed it.

What a gentleman.

"It's an honor to meet you, m'lady." He straightened up again.

She hadn't been addressed in such a way for a long time, but she had to get use to it if she was going to keep attending events with Natsu, and that's a big if. 

Who knows how long this deal will last.

Blood rushed to her cheeks as his lips were against her hand, but she kept her composure.

She cannot slip up.

"Lucy, this is Mr. Jellal Fernandez. He's the owner of Nucor, one of the biggest steel companies in the country. We buy our car's steel from them."

Lucy's heart began to race. She was definitely not ready to meet such important people. Her hands felt sweaty and her shoulders felt heavy from all the pressure put on her in this moment to behave properly. 

She had to be perfect as the person representing Natsu's general taste in women. She had to look the part and act the part. 

This wasn't vocalized between her and Natsu, but she was smart enough to know how the upper-class world works. She was in it, after all. 

Lucy slightly bowed her head dignifiedly, as a sign of respect.

"It's an honor to meet you too, Mr. Fernandez,"

Natsu smiled, showing slight proudness of having such a woman as his date.

While her thoughts wandered on whether or not she was good enough, Natsu's thoughts were fixated on the fact that he couldn't have made a better choice. 

Even if this event was just like the many others that have taken place to honor Natsu, it was the first time he brought a date with him. He never involved his previous girls in his business or work, but he couldn't resist not bringing Lucy with him after she made that whole speech on how cocktail parties work. He didn't think it was a big deal since his team see her as a family friend only, so all is well in his mind.

"Mr. Dragneel has told me much about you,"

"Did he now?" Lucy smiled and Natsu rolled his eyes sneakily. 

He didn't want her to get the wrong idea... Everyone knows it's a formality to talk about your date in such events. Especially when people ask about her. It's not like it's his fault.

"I hear you're a very hardworking lady with high ambitions," He complimented.

Did Natsu really tell him that?

Lucy smiled and Natsu looked away irritated for a second, knowing she'd hold this over his head. 

"Well, being the owner of such an outstanding company yourself, I can but call you humble," 

Jellal chuckled,

"Much of my thanks goes to your date. He really is something," 

What does he mean by that?

The blonde gently smiled and decided not to pry on what he meant. However, she did understand that Natsu had something to do with Jellal's current position from the way he phrased that statement.

"If you'll excuse me, m'lady, Mr. Dragneel," Jellal slightly bowed at the both of them before making his way in between them. He walked towards a man standing by the terrace door, waving at him like they've known each other forever.

'Wow. This man's aura reminds me so much of Erza.' Thinks the blonde as she watched him walk away.

Natsu fully turned to her with his hands behind his back,

"Why'd you take so long to come out?" He smiled, mocking her reason.

"You know why! You didn't have to leave me like that," 

"And you didn't have to lie. I hope you learned your lesson," 

Pfft.

"Whatever," She rolled her eyes and attempted to walk away, but Natsu stopped her by her arm. 

"Who is he to you?" He suddenly asked. 

"If you didn't pull that stunt earlier, I might've actually told you," She attempted to walk away again but Natsu gripped her tighter.

"I'm serious. Why was he comfortable enough to follow you to the bathroom?"

Her breathing heavies. She definitely wasn't ready to talk about him, let alone with Natsu. 

"Can we just talk about this later?" The blonde loudly whispered. "There are people looking."

He looked around them and realized strangers standing around them, lurking; listening; observing.  

Natsu had eyes and ears everywhere, always.

There were always enemies who attend such events to "honor" Natsu. It was the best way to get insider information. It was also the best disguise. No one would guess that a person honoring Natsu's success would actually be an enemy. Which is why he always had to keep his guard up. 

There were also friends around who just liked to pry. 

He let her go.

"Fine," 

He held her hand and locked his fingers with hers, 

"Cmon. I wanna introduce you to some people."

.oOo.
5 Hours Later - 1AM 

"And when Gray told that story about how he tripped and fell in front of the president," The blonde laughed hysterically as she spoke, "I couldn't stop laughing!" She continued on with one hand wrapped around her stomach.

They were in the limo, heading back home.

Natsu chuckled with her,

"I've had to listen to that story quiet a lot. It's like every time he meets someone new, it's a ritual to tell it,"

They didn't drink that much but they sure were acting drunk.

After calming down a bit,

"My favorite was Juvia. She's actually a friend of a friend, but I don't think she knows who I am,"

"Really? Who's your friend?"

"Her name is Levy, they're like childhood friends or something. Both of them and my other friend Erza go out together all the time. I mean, I've only met her once before but I don't think she recognized me today,"

"You have a memorable face. I'm sure she did,"

"You think so?" The blonde smiled and Natsu nodded. "Although she's Gray's assistant, she sure is gutsy with expressing her feelings," She chuckled a bit. 

"To tell you the truth I think Gray has a thing for her too, but he'd never admit it,"

"No way!" Her eyes widened as she held Natsu's shoulder, like he was talking crazy. "I could've never guessed! He acts so cold around her. But you know, now that you mention it, he might not show affection like she does but he never pushed her away from him or told her to stop." Lucy placed a hand on her chin as if she was thinking and analyzing something important.

Natsu watched her with a smile. He was learning something new about her every second.

She sure can be adorable when the beast in her is asleep.

He chuckled,

"It's obvious, no?"

"Well I couldn't tell," She shrugged her shoulders. 

"Did you have fun today?" Natsu asked, without taking his gaze off of her.

She took out the hair tie from her ponytail and let her hair loose since it's been tight the whole night. It started to give her a headache. She needed to give her scalp a break. 

"It was so much fun. Especially when we all sat down together and everyone just started talking. It felt so refreshing and I felt like I could actually be myself, y'know?" She looked into his eyes. "I didn't have to put up this barrier with them. They were just comfortable to talk to,"

Natsu watched her rosy lips move as she spoke and her eyes flutter every time they blink. Her golden hair flowing with the rhythm of the wind that the open-window privileged them with. 

She looked beautiful. 

He was amused by her. She had never spoken so many words in one seating. She actually seemed...comfortable with him.

He smiled,

"I'm glad," 

"Mr. Dragneel, where would you like me to drop Ms. Lucy off?"

Natsu looks over to her,

"It's your choice. Are you tired?"

"I'm okay." She gave him a small smile.

He understood what she meant.

"To my house, Arthur."

.oOo.

"I never really got to explore your house. Can you show me around?" She asked as she walked into his home from the front door. 

"Yes, lemme just take off my suit." 

"Okay,"

Lucy sat down on the couch by the door and Natsu headed off to his room to change. She roamed her eyes around, looking up in the ceiling and all around her, admiring the art that is his house. He came back ten minutes later with a black shirt and black sweatpants on. 

He walked up to her and held out his hand,

"Shall we?"

She took it and stood up. He took her for a tour around his house. 

He showed her his living room, kitchen, bathrooms, guest room, and finally...

...his swimming pool.

"You have an indoor pool in your house?!" Lucy let go of his hand and walked in deeper, only to see the clear blue water and two resting chairs. 

He nodded with hands in his pockets.

"And why am I just knowing about this now?" She twisted her back to look at him behind her.

"Well you never asked," He shrugged his shoulder.

She rolled her eyes with a small smile and looked at the pool in silence for a moment.

He walked from behind her and landed his hands on her waist, wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin on her shoulder.

It sent strong shivers down Lucy's spine.

"What are you thinking about?" 

A moment passed before she spoke up again,

"Why don't we..."

Chapter Text

"What are you thinking about?"

"Why don't we...”

With those words escaping Lucy's lips, she began taking off her heels with the support of her other foot.

"Why don't we what?" He asked.

After taking off her heels, she stood barefoot on the ground and reached the two straps of her dress on her shoulders. She slid them down, obviously hinting what she wants to do next. 

It was already in the plan since it's their deal, but here...? In the pool?

He lifted his head up and stepped back from her.

"Here?" He asked.

After taking the straps off her arms completely, she began difficultly sliding her dress down her body until it finally fell to the ground and made a circle around her feet. 

He watched her. 

She then took off her red-laced underpants that matched her red-laced bra, sliding them down her legs and then dropping them on the ground next to her.

Her juicy, round, bare ass now revealed.

She'd never been this blunt and out there before, but frankly, she had a really hard day. Seeing her ex-fiancé put an emotional hold on her and she needed to forget. Although she had a great night after he left, he still didn't leave her thoughts. 

She turned around and faced Natsu, who was eyeing her up and down shamelessly. She wrapped her arms around his neck while still keeping a little distance between them.

"Why don't we do it in the pool?" She suggested.

He held her waist with his firm hands and caressed her up and down, enjoying her smooth skin that felt just like a baby's butt.

"That'd be very irresponsible of us," He teased. 

She looked away sadly, 

"Oh.."

Suddenly, he lifted her body up and carried her over his shoulder effortlessly as she began squeaking and jolting her legs up and down. 

"But I'm all for breaking rules," He stated.

She couldn't hear him from her yells.

"What are you doing?? Let me down!!" She bounced her legs and hands up and down, trying to get off. But his arm was tightly wrapped around her back, not giving her the chance to. 

He devilishly smirked as he walked forward, 

"You sure you want me to do that?" 

"Yes, let me down!!" She swung her legs.

"Okay."

With that, he held her waist and threw her body into the pool, abiding by her wishes as she screamed. Her back lands on the blue water with her legs wide open, giving Natsu a hell of a show. Water splashed everywhere, including on Natsu.

He laughed hysterically as he watched Lucy sink underwater. An actual, genuine laugh escaped his lips for the first time in a long time. 

She took a moment before she floated back up. She gasped, taking in a deep breath, as if she hadn't had oxygen in years, being her usual dramatic self.

His laughing simmered down as she drifted her wet bangs off her eyes, breathing heavily. She looked at him while furrowing her eyebrows and placed her hands on her waist underwater. 

"Did you have to do that?!" She pouted.

His smile changed into a seductive smirk. 

He took off his shirt revealing his ripped body, and slid down his pants and boxers at the same time, exposing his long length that she oh so loved.

Her gaze dropped, landing on it as a little unintended drool escaped her lips. He didn't notice it though, since her whole face was already wet. 

She looked back up in his eyes shyly, as if she shouldn't be looking or something. 

He dived into the water like a professional and swam to her in speed, like he was hunting prey.

She stayed still, watching his muscular body underwater making his way towards her. Finally reaching her, he wrapped his arms around her thighs and she squeaked in fear. He lifted her up playfully as he finally poked his head out. Lucy let out a small scream mixed with a giggle as she looked down at him carrying her. 

His face now leveling with her stomach as her hands rested on his shoulders.

"In the pool, you say?" He restated her words.

His wet bangs covering his eyes like a curtain. It aroused her in a different kind of way. 

She nodded as the blood rushed to her cheeks. 

Why was she suddenly getting so shy?

She shook it off and reminded herself that they've already done this twice, almost thrice before...so there's no need to get embarrassed. 

She touched the bra strap hugging her back and unhooked it, giving him quiet a show... unaware of the one she gave him earlier. He watched her as she finally took it off, revealing her bare breasts as they slightly bounced due to her motion. She threw her bra off the pool on the hard ground then looked back at him.

"Why don't we play a game?" She smiled and tilted her head a bit to the right, being as random as ever.

He was distracted by her hard nipples that were just screaming for him to clip his lips onto them and begin sucking. 

He licked his lips.

"Game?" He asked, without taking his gaze off her bare breasts. 

"Yes,"

He looked up into her chocolate brown eyes, realizing that she was actually being serious. He suddenly released her from his grip, causing her to fall hard underwater without warning.

She fully sunk before swimming back up. 

She poked her head out and wiped the water off her face and eyes.

"What was that for?!" She breathed.

Thankfully the water wasn't so deep so they could both reach the ground with their feet. 

"The only game I'm playing is the one where I'm inside you," He firmly stated.

She pouted and crossed her arms,

"I never said you wouldn't be." She mumbled.

"Oh?" He held her waist underwater, then slides down his hands and grabs her ass. 

She nodded as she lifted up her knees and wrapped her legs tightly around his waist; his shaft and her vagina now kissing each other. She caged his neck with her arms in the process.

He locked his arms around her back and brought her body so close to his that her hard nipples laid against his chest. Yes, it was on purpose.

"And what game is that?" They intensely look into each other's orbs as he raised his eyebrow. He teased her entrance with his hard shaft underwater. She could feel his tip against her, just waiting to go in.

She breathed heavy. 

He knew she couldn't resist him when he was so close to being inside her.

"You...I..." She attempted to speak as Natsu suddenly shoved an inch inside her. Only an inch, but it was enough to make her slightly moan. 

He didn't want her talking nonsense. He wanted to do this, now.

"Let me finish speaking." She breathed as she gulped.

"I'm not stopping you." He said, looking deeply and innocently into her eyes, before suddenly sliding his lengthy shaft into her with one hard thrust, not giving her a warning at all. She let out a loud moan and he groaned in her ear. 

Her wet, silky, warm cave that perfectly surrounded him in a vulnerable way just sent a warm sensation all around his body... it made him feel high. He closed his eyes and held her body closer to him, resting his chin on her shoulder as she hugged him tight in return, breathing heavily against each other's bodies. Her eyes were tightly shut as she felt him deep inside of her. 

He stayed in her for a while, enjoying the taste of each other on the inside, before he finally decided to move. 

He slid out slowly, 

"You were saying?" He asked in between breaths.

"I..."

He shoved his shaft in her hard again. She tilted her head up and moaned as her face heated up and her heartbeats increased. He groaned harshly. 

This never felt so good. 

"Hm? I didn't get that?" He breathed as he slid out of her, then thrusted in her hard again—this time grinding her cervix with his shaft due to reaching so deep in her. 

Her moans grew louder as her body began heating up. He took that as his response.

Without another word, he held her waist and pushed her out of him, then pushed her in as he thrusted in her simultaneously—doubling the impact. He let out his own harsh groan as she moaned loudly. He continued on doing that, leaving them both sweaty, going harder each time. 

"Fuck Lucy, you're gonna be the death of me. You know that?" He groaned in her ear, which only made her go crazy.

He gradually picked up enough speed and depth so that he was rutting into her like an animal in heat. The pressure of the water just made their whole experience more arousing. The waves danced with the rhythm of their motion. 

She turned into a moaning mess. The echo of her voice ringed around them, which only made Natsu rougher with each hard thrust. The air filled with her whines. Her voice was all that was needed to make him go harder, deeper, faster.

"Natsu! I'm gonna...cum,"  She moaned.

He continued thrusting into her, hitting her sweet spot, hard and fast underwater as her breasts bounced in the rhythm of his motion. 

"Cum for me, Luce." He whispered into her ear with his deep voice, which only made her loudly react to him. She closed her eyes tightly as he destroyed her insides with each brutal thrust; her legs now shaking underwater in the process. 

Her hands lose strength and her grip on him released. He kept her up by holding onto her waist. He continued to thrust in her harder, rearranging her guts. Her moans almost turn into screams as her arms and legs loosened up—her body trembling.

The final, hard, and deep thrust sent Lucy into a blinding orgasm. Her walls closed up on him tighter than a fist. Her climax hit and she felt the world around her stop. His shaft grinding her cervix roughly felt like they were going to have a baby right then and there. His sperms were definitely flowing into her from how deep he reached. Her eyes rolled back as she moaned loud—it was like music to his ears. He pooled inside her as she released, both losing their minds. 

"...fuck." Natsu slid out of her, his body completely relaxed and tired. He wanted to rest himself, but he couldn't do so because if he let Lucy go, then she would just sink underwater due to her vanished strength.

He opened his eyes and took a look at her, only to find her head dropping to his chest from over stimulation. 

"Lucy?" 

He called out her name gently in fear, and she slightly nodded with her eyes closed. He understood that she was ok but she just needed rest.

He gripped onto her waist and swam tiredly to the built-in stairs underwater, and took himself and her out of the pool.

He carried her and laid her on one of the resting chairs.

He looked back at the pool and scratched the back of his head, 

"Someone needs to clean this up..." He uttered, then turned back around. 

He took a glance at Lucy one last time, watching her sleep peacefully. Her bangs covering her eye as she took in deep breaths innocently. Her plumped lips and curled lashes just added to her beauty. He took a step towards her and gently stroked her hair away from her covered eye, then ran his fingers down her cheek. 

His thumb went to her mouth and he gently rubbed her closed lips. 

"If only I could allow myself to kiss you..."

Chapter Text

The Next Day - 11AM

"Did you take your birth-control pill yesterday?" He questioned as he stirred her tawny coffee with a table-spoon.

She had asked him for two spoons of sugar and three spoons of coffee-mate, because "coffee is too bitter," she argued.

Natsu thought she was absolutely ridiculous. "Coffee is delicious because it's bitter," he reacted. But he followed through with her wishes anyway.

As Lucy was peacefully asleep an hour ago, her phone rang absurdly loud, waking her up in scare. It was her dear friend Levy. Although now, Lucy wouldn't consider her to be so dear. 

She was in deep slumber dreaming about her mama when Levy decided to call and buzz her phone non-stop. 

One she woke up, she found herself laying in Natsu's warm sheets, wearing his loose red boxers and an over-sized black shirt that he owned. He must've changed her and carried her there last night. 

She found him peacefully asleep next to her, completely naked. 

It was at that moment she realized that she had never seen Natsu sleeping since she would always knock out before him after sex. It was a weird sight to behold. He looked so... innocent. Not only that, but also zipped-lipped for the first time in forever.

Even with those thoughts, she was still in a bad mood. She would always get cranky when sleep deprived. That was just her, ever since she was a little girl. 

Unfortunately for Natsu, she took it all out on him when he finally decided to wake up. 

He handled her like a charm though. 

He found her sitting in his balcony, cozily wrapped up in his silky black blanket, looking up at the bright sky.

He freshened up and changed, then decided to make them both coffee. He immediately regretted offering her though after he learnt how she likes so much sweet in it.

"Yeah I took the pill, as always. Why?" She questioned him.

He sighed in relief,

"I thought for sure I got you pregnant yesterday," He walked towards her, holding a white mug of coffee in his hand. "We gotta be careful. Make sure you always take'em." 

"Pfft, you don't need to tell me twice." She eye-rolled as she took the warm mug from him.

There was her attitude again.

She leaned back on the comfortable chair as she had her knees up, still wearing his clothes with her hair tied in pig tails. 

His view was like none-other; there were countless amount of trees and a river in between, blessing her lungs with fresh oxygen every breath she took.

She took a sip of her hot coffee, then immediately scrunched her face at the taste.

"It's still so bitter, Natsu!" She complained, speaking to him through the open balcony door as he stood inside his room making his own coffee.

"Do you want me to get you some milk, Luce? Maybe a pacifier with it?" He mocked.

"Whatever." She scoffed. "Thanks anyway." She mumbled as she took another sip.

However cranky she may be, she still had manners. Natsu always found it amusing how she speaks with so much elegance and politeness, even when she's upset. 

He's seen the purity of her tongue with her civil choice of words and how she would phrase certain sentences sophisticatedly. He noticed these little things, mostly at the cocktail party where she had to speak to many people.

He wondered if she would ever share her family background with him. 

They had agreed not to share any personal details with each other. And frankly, if she had to share her family history, then he had to share his... and he was definitely not ready for that—not that he ever will be.

After making his own cup of coffee, he headed out to the balcony and seated himself next to Lucy. He was wearing his long, comfortable black robe. 

They drank their coffee in peacefulness and comfortable silence for a little while, taking in the fresh air and the bitter-sweet taste of the hot, dark-brown liquid.

"What did Levy need from you?" He leaned back on his chair and looked over to the blonde, who was sipping her coffee next to him, lost in thought as she looked at the clouds above her.

"Lucy?" He brought her out of her thoughts.

"Hm?" She said startled as she looked over at him. "Oh, you heard that conversation?" She said after registering his words. "I thought you were asleep."

"I'm a light sleeper," He responded.

"She was just inviting me for an outing tonight,"

"Is that so? Where will you be going?" He questioned, lifting his chin up.

"Just to the bar. Where we first met, remember?" She let out a soft giggle at the memory.

"Yeah, I remember." He responded. "Just you and her?"

"Yes, and a waitress we met recently is also coming with us. What was her name?..." She looked away, zoning out for a second as she tried remembering. 

"Are you waitresses your own little community or something?" He chuckled. "Not that I'm complaining. I've always had a thing for waitresses,"

Lucy playfully hit his shoulder,

"It's not like that." She giggled, not taking notice of his comment. "She's just really sweet. We clicked with her, so we exchanged numbers. I believe the waitress reached out to Levy and invited us both to hang out at the bar tonight. Seriously, what was her name?!..." She rubbed her forehead with her free hand as she closed her eyes, intensely thinking as she tried to remember. It was a fog.

"You're going out with her and you don't even know her name?" He chuckled.

"Hey! I only met her once before. Besides, she looks very familiar to me...I wanna know where I might know her from,"

"Familiar? I mean, she did invite you to the same bar you always go to with your friends. Maybe you saw her there sometime." He pointed out.

"Hmm...maybe."

"Yeah, it's definitely a possibility. If she invited you to that bar that means she's been there before. And according to you, you always go there. Connect the dots." He took a lavish sip.

Natsu's always been a rationalist. It's what made him so successful in his career. He collects the facts and finds a connection between the variables, allowing him to form a logical conclusion. His impatience lost him a lot of deals, but his rational mind made up for it ten times over.

"I mean, it's not so weird for her to invite us there since the Fairy Tail Bar is so popular. I believe I told you before that my close friend, Mira, owns it. She tells me that people come from out of town just to go to her bar," She said proudly. 

"Interesting. I've went there twice before and found nothing special though." He said, as blunt as ever.

Lucy hit him again on his shoulder,

"Hey!! Be nice,"

He playfully backed away with a chuckle in fear of getting hit again.

"I'm just teasing you," he lightly pinched her cheek, causing her to blush a light shade of red. 

"What time will you be going there again?" He placed his mug on the black, round table before him.

"I'm not sure. Maybe around 10PM. Why?"

Ignoring her question, Natsu reached his hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

He tapped his screen a few times as Lucy diverted her attention to the clouds above her, giving him some privacy. 

The white, puffy smoke decorated the blue sky in an eye-opening, mesmerizing manner. She began zoning out as she watched them float in the sky, thinking about her mama. She missed her a lot. She always believed that dreaming of her meant that her mama was visiting her. She never questioned the logic behind it, she just wanted to believe it was true...and so she did. With all her heart. 

"Whatsup Gray," Natsu spoke to the other end of the line with his phone against his ear.

...

"Yes, I need those papers on my desk by Thursday. Don't worry about that now though, it's the weekend," He leaned back on his chair.

A brief moment of silence passed as Natsu listened to Gray's response. Lucy sat patiently next to him as she sipped her drink, minding her own business. She needed a book right about now. Especially with the warm weather that flourished her skin. 

"Ok, ok. Listen, bring Juvia and come to the Fairy Tail Bar at around 9:30PM tonight." 

Lucy turned to Natsu in one quick motion as she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. 

She placed her mug of coffee on the table and tapped his shoulders in frustration. She moved her lips, silently mouthing some words that he just couldn't understand...but had an idea what it was about. Her hand gestures were definitely showing him that she wasn't happy.

"Ok great. See you then." He hung up the phone.

"What?" He looked at Lucy.

"What the hell are you doing?! I never invited you!!" 

"Last time you went to that bar, I fucked you. You're not going there that late without me. You don't know what happens," he paused. "There's no negotiating this." He placed his phone on the table, picked up his mug, then left the balcony all too quickly...leaving Lucy sitting out alone.

"Who does he think he is??!" She yelled frustrated under her breath, speaking to no one in particular.

After a minute of Lucy mentally battling with herself on whether she should text Levy and tell her she would bring a few friends, or go in and fight with Natsu...she sighed.

She picked up her phone and tapped the screen a few times, going to her and Levy's messages.

(313)-244-xxxx

Lucy: "Hey Lev. I'll bring a few friends with me tonight. Is that ok?"

Delivered: 11:32AM
Read: 11:36AM

Levy: "Of course Lu-Chan! You don't need to ask."

Read: 11:36AM

Lucy: "Great! Also, one of them is going to be Juvia, your friend."

Read: 11:36AM

Levy: "Ohh! I didn't know you guys were friends. I thought you only met her once."

Read: 11:36AM

Lucy: "Apparently she works for Natsu! She's coming as someone's date I believe."

Read: 11:37AM

Levy: "Date?! Are you talking about Gray??"

Read: 11:37AM

Lucy: "You know him?!!"

Read: 11:37AM

Levy: "Well not personally but Juvia always talks about him to me and Erza."

Read: 11:37AM

Lucy: "Speaking of, is Erza coming?"

Read: 11:37AM

Levy: "I didn't ask her since this was only suppose to be us and Lisanna, but since Juvia and your friends are coming, I'll tell her to come."

Read: 11:37AM

Lucy: "Right, Lisanna! Sounds good."

Read: 11:37AM

Levy: "I guess I'll bring Gajeel too then. He won't be a stranger since Juvia was the one who introduced me to him. I believe they work together...so they must work for Natsu too! And they're close friends, so it won't be awkward!!"

Read: 11:38AM

Lucy: "Gajeel works with Juvia?! And of-course, you don't need to explain."

Read: 11:38AM

Levy: "Yeah, why do you sound surprised?"

Read: 11:38AM

Lucy: "No it's nothing. Umm... won't this be inappropriate since Lisanna doesn't know any of these people and it's our first time going out with her?"

Read: 11:38AM

Levy: "You may be right. I'll talk to her and ask if it's okay."

Read: 11:38AM

Lucy: "Alright, let me know."

Read: 11:38AM

She placed her phone back on the table and sighed. She looked up, only to find Natsu sitting right beside her again.

"AHH!!" She jumped up. "You scared the shit out of me! What are you doing here?! Weren't you just inside??"

Natsu chuckled, 

"Breathe." He calmed her down. "I went and made another cup of coffee, now I'm here." He smiled charmingly.

She sat back down,

"You and your stupid addiction to coffee." She mumbled as she rolled her eyes.

And just like that, he grabbed her face firmly with as he dug his fingers into her cheek, turning her harshly  to face him.

"What was that now?" He said, his voice gruff and low. 

"Nothing," She mumbled, her heartbeats racing. 

"Good." He let her go. 

She definitely liked it.

"Anyway, who were you so intensely texting?"

"Levy," She rubbed her hurting cheeks. "I was telling her that I'll be bringing some friends with me tonight,"

"Good."

"Speaking of," She began.

"Hm?" He looked into her eyes as he took a sip of his fresh, hot coffee.

"Do you know a guy named Gajeel? Does he work for you?" She asked in curiosity. 

"Yes. He's one of those friends I picked out from my trips around Japan; one of the people who believed in me. He's in charge of the steel that we ship from Mr. Fernandez's company for our cars." He explained.

"Oh okay. Such a small world."

"Why?"

Lucy shook her head softly,

"It's just that Levy and Gajeel are kind of a thing. So technically, I had a connection to you through him and Juvia before I even met you,"

He smirked,

"Connection huh?"

"Why do you make everything sound so perverted?" She rolled her eyes with a nervous smile. 

"You're the one with the dirty mind." He chuckled as she stood up.

"Whatever," She stretched her legs, bending down. "I'm gonna head off now,"

"Alright. My driver is by the door. Tell him to drop you off home,"

"Okay, thanks for the coffee," she smiled. 

"See you tonight,"

She walked back into his bedroom and gathered her belongings. After doing so, she walked out of the door. Instantly after, she received a text message. She slipped out her phone from her pocket and read her notification, 

(313)-244-xxxx

Levy: "Lisanna said it was okay. She said she'd love to meet everyone."

Read: 11:58AM

Lucy: "Perfect."

Read: 11:58AM

___________________________________

Chapter Text

Later that day - 8:45PM

Ring-ring - Ring-ring

Lucy landed her finger on the yellow page of her book, pointing at the last word she read so she doesn't lose her place. She looked up and searched for the source of that noise.

Ring-ring - Ring-ring

She found her phone buzzing on the table in front of her, with the word "Rebound" written across the screen.

She thought it was funny to name Natsu in her contacts like that so she could never forget his purpose. Although maybe it was time to change it...I mean, he's become some kind of friend now.. is he not? Of course, the benefits are there as well.

The blonde sighed as she shut her book and picked up her phone.

"Hello?" She greeted.

"Hey sweetheart." A gruff voice responded. A sort of echoing noise could be heard, like he was standing in an elevator or something.

"What's up?" She rubbed the corner of her eye as she spoke. Her mouth felt dry and her legs felt numb from sitting in the same position for a long time.

"Don't you miss me?" 

She could hear the smirk in his voice. The sound of heels clicking on hard ground, too.

She rolled her eyes,

"I was with you this morning," she smiled.

"It's been hours though. That's enough to make anyone go crazy," 

"I'm not anyone. What do you want?" She sighed.

She felt drained. Her legs felt shaky and weak and her shoulders felt heavy, urging her to lay down and sleep. Her mood started out bad in the morning, and it only kept getting worse throughout the day.

"Open your door," He suddenly said as the clicking noise stopped.

"Huh?" The blonde looked over to her white wooden door in the corner of her living room.

"Open it."

Without a word, she stood up with her phone still against her ear and walked over to the door. She twisted the door knob with narrowed eyebrows and opened it, only to be greeted by a salmon-haired man wearing a red and black suit, looking as classy as ever.

"N-Natsu?" She was slightly taken aback by his charming look.

He leaned his shoulder on the door-frame and folded his arms,

"If you didn't miss me, then why are your eyes sparkling?" He asked flirtatiously, teasing her. 

Natsu is always flirting. No one can ever tell when he's being serious. It's one of his charming traits. 

She rolled her eyes and stepped aside, opening the entrance and ignoring his question.

She didn't have the energy to deal with him.

"Come in," She gestured.

He crossed the threshold and roamed his eyes around her small but tidy apartment,

"Nice place you got here."

"It really isn't, but thanks." She said from behind him as she closed and locked the door.

He turned around to face her with his hands in his pockets,

"I mean I like it. But if you don't, I can always upgrade you." He stated firmly, looking into her brown orbs in the distance...being dead serious.

A small smile appeared on her lips,

"Sweet, but I'm good here." She slid her hand in the back-pocket of her short light-blue jeans. "Besides, I haven't quit my job yet so I don't need your money now."  She continued.

"Mm. Alright."

"Why're you here anyway?" She walked over to her kitchen and opened the white cupboard to grab a glass.

"Just came back from a meeting and realized it was already late." He fell back on the couch, laying his arm on the cushion by his side and crossing his legs. "So I decided to come here since we're heading to the bar in a bit anyway." 

"Wait. What time is it?" She looked up at him as she poured water into her glass.

He flicked his wrist and looked at his glassy black watch that was wrapped around it,

"Almost 9 o'clock," 

She chugged her water.

"Crap, I need to get ready!" She wiped her lips with the sleeve of her white hoodie.

"You have like an hour, it's fine."

"Still. And why did you have a meeting today? Isn't it the weekend?" She began pouring herself another glass of water. Her mouth felt dry and sticky from how dehydrated she was.

"Yeah, the conference was spontaneous,”

She chugged her second glass, 

"Oh." She uttered after swallowing. 

She placed her glass down on the table and sped-walked to her bedroom. She stopped mid-way and turned to him,

"Make yourself at home." She warmly smiled before going into her bedroom and closing the door.

He picked up the book that was laying on the small wooden table in front of him and opened it, curious as to what she always reads. He skimmed through the pages. Lucy always talked to him about her love for books... so he always wondered what was so special about them.

As she scrambled through her clothing, she stumbled upon the perfect night-club kind of dress, even though they're going to a bar.

She took it off the hanger and dropped it on her bed, then slid out of her outfit. 

After doing so, she slipped into her dress. She felt like it was a bit tight, but after looking at herself in the mirror she was satisfied with it. 

She then applied some blush and mascara as she gazed upon her reflection. She brushed the locks of her hair with her pink hairbrush, letting it flow loosely to her waist, then sprayed a vanilla mixed with strawberry scented perfume on.

That perfume was Natsu's favorite. He always took in her lavish scent whenever she was too close to him, and she noticed. 

She wore it to the cocktail party yesterday as well. Her thoughts rallied on the events of last night, remembering meeting Natsu's coworkers and friends. The memory of meeting Sting attacked her, following up with how Natsu left her dripping wet, craving and squirming for him in the bathroom.

A devilish smile greeted her lips.

It's time for some pay back. 

After getting ready, she walked out of her bedroom and met her eyes with Natsu's form, sitting on the couch reading her book.

He gazed upon her after smelling her presence, and swallowed her whole with his hungry eyes, looking her up and down. He shut the book and stood up slowly, placing it back on the table whilst admiring her hourglass body that completely belonged to him. 

"You look..." He attempted to speak, then licked his lips.

"I look...what, Natsu?" She seductively walked towards him, slightly tilting her head and arching her back.

"...like you're screaming for me to fuck you right here and now." His guttural voice took over as he smirked. Her breasts round and mellowed, her waist snatched and her thighs as thick and as juicy as ever. 

She stood an inch away from him, gazing into his jade orbs as he looked into her brown ones. She smoothed her hands up his chest, causing his breath to grow ragged. Her curled lashes and hazelnut eyes that sparkled embarked a warmth feeling in his chest.

Their exchanged look was silenced by tension. It left her tingling and him twitching in sensation. With her hand against his chest, she gently pushed him to the couch, and he lets himself fall on it—curious as to what she wanted to do.

She continued gently pushing him down to lay down on the couch. He went with it and laid back. He was ready for anything. She spread her legs and mounted him, wrapping each leg around his waist. Thankfully the dress is stretchy.

"I'd have you know, I'm not wearing any underwear." She smiled without breaking eye contact. 

She had taken it off to do this.

"Is that so?" He smirked as he grabbed her hips from each side, caressing them in circular motion.

She nodded seductively as she began moving her hips back and forth gently, playing with him.

His breathing un-evened as she rubbed him.

She kept moving her hips in that motion with her hands still against his chest.

He held her hips firmer than before as she began going a little harder, grinding him back for forth like she was riding a bull. 

Her bare sacred area rubbing his crotch firmly.

He groaned with his half-opened eyes and carefully watched her every move, wanting to rip that dress off of her.

Her hips rocked back and forth, rubbing him harder as she felt his manhood almost piercing through his pants.

Swaying her hips like she was swinging on him made him grunt and groan as he rested his head back and shut his eyes. His fingers dug into her hips, trying to restrain himself from taking her right then and there.

"Fuck..." He mumbled under his breath.

She smiled, satisfied—knowing she was doing it right.

As his breathing grew faster... she suddenly stopped moving, staying completely still. 

Natsu shot open his eyes and looked at her. 

She smirked,

"That's what you get for—"

She was interrupted by him suddenly sitting up and holding her hips firmer, bringing his face but an inch away from hers.

"Don't you dare." He warned, looking her dead in the eyes.

She smiled,

"What? You can tease me but I can't tease you?"

He smirked as he began swaying her hips back and forth against him,

"Precisely."

Natsu might be toxic, manipulative, and selfish...but he's all those things to your face.

.oOo.
At the Bar

"I have reservations for 7, Natsu Dragneel." Said the charming pinkette to the bartender, after him and Lucy made their way into the bar.

"Don't know why ya need reservations for this place," Rolled her eyes the brunette who was working the bar that night. "Follow me," She continued, unbothered. She was wearing a black bra and a white unbuttoned shirt as her fit with tight black pants. 

Natsu looked over at Lucy and leaned close to her ear as they followed the bartender to their seats,

"She's right y'know. What kind of place is this?" He whispered.

"A great one." She rolled her eyes, defending her friend, Mira's, pride.

They both took a seat at a long black couch far back the bar, long enough to fit eight people. With a table in the middle it had the chairs across the black couch.

"No one else arrived from our party?" Lucy questioned the bartender.

"No," The brunette responded as she placed the menu's down on the table and then took her leave, without another word. 

No pleasantries? 

"Well she has an attitude," she said.

"Look who's talking." He opened up his menu, looking at the different kinds of alcohol they served.

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes, knowing he's right. "Where are Gray and Juvia?"

"Gray texted me when we were in the Limo and told they were twenty minutes away," he responded, looking at the 80% alcohol section.

"Great. Levy and Gajeel are suppose to be here in a few too. I don't know about the other girl..."

"You still don't know her name?" He chuckled as he looked at the blonde.

"I forgot to ask, what would u like to order?" The brunette appeared out of nowhere with a note-pad and a pen in her hand.

"Whiskey sour with a float of fruity red wine." He  responded, dropping the menu back down.

"And you, blondie?"

"Um... lemonade please,"

"Huh?" He and the bartender reacted at the same time.

This was a bar. Ordering anything other than alcohol was a joke. 

"I want a lemonade. You know, the sour yellow drink." She mocked their intelligence.

Being a waitress herself, she knew that the staff should never question their costumers orders. Which is why she didn't like that reaction from her.

"Lu-Chan!" Yelled a bluette from a short distance, interrupting the conversation. She was wearing an orange flowy dress that reached her upper thigh and a yellow headband.

A spiky, long, black-haired man was standing next to her wearing an all-black suit. He had small circular metals for eyebrows, and a line of them on his nose. His shoulders were broad and his biceps were almost ripping out of his body; his presence itself sparked tension in the whole bar area. His eyebrows were furrowed—making him look intensely serious.

Gajeel Redfox.

He walked side-by-side with the petite blunette, who looked even smaller next to him.

Lucy stood up from the booth, greeting the duo who just walked in. Formalities and all that.

The bartender stepped aside to let the newly arrived party take their seats.

"Levy!" Lucy hugged her tightly. 

"Boss." Gajeel greeted as he shook Natsu's hand firmly.

"How have you been, Gajeel?" 

"Doing well." He simply responded as they all took their seats. Levy and Gajeel sat on the white chairs right across the duo who sat on the black couch.

"I'd like some beer." Gajeel uttered to the bartender standing by them.

"Alright. And you?" She looked at the bluette.

"She'll have a strawberry milkshake." Gajeel responded for her, earning him a hit on his shoulder from the petite girl next to him.

"Ignore him. I'd like some beer as well please." She stated.

"Alright. The name's Cana. If ya need anything, I'm right by the bar." She said as she took the menus off the table before leaving. 

Levy diverted her attention to the blonde and the salmon-haired man sitting next to her. 

"You must be Natsu." She smiled at him, then looked at Lucy and winked. A wink that could only mean 'you've done well'. Lucy blushed at her being so obvious about it.

"I've heard a lot about you from both Lucy and Gajeel," she said. "Who would've known Lu-Chan and I would date men who work together and are friends too?" She continued, chuckling.

The blonde blushed intensely at her comment. 

Natsu and I are definitely not dating and Levy knows that! Why would she say that?!

Natsu brushed it off,

"It is a small world." He responded, then diverted his attention back to Gajeel. "I didn't know y'were dating anyone." He raised an eyebrow.

"I'm a private man, Mr. Dragneel." He simply responded.

"Mhm." Natsu smiled as they both exchanged looks... remembering the countless amount of times Gajeel, Gray and Natsu would get drunk and talk about all the girls they've had sex with, making Gajeel definitely not a private man. The girls next to them were left dumbfounded.

But since he had never spoken about Levy, she must mean quiet a lot to him.

It wasn't like Natsu spoke about Lucy either.

"It's nice to meet you, Gajeel!" Lucy poked in. "I've been wanting to meet you for a while now, but someone was too shy!" She looked at Levy teasingly, leaving her blushing.

"It's nice to meet you too, Lady Lucy."

Why do Natsu's friends and staff always call me that?

"How'd you two meet?" Natsu asked the both of them.

"Juvia Lockser is a family friend of mine. We've been close ever since we were kids. She and Gajeel both work for your company, so she introduced me to him one day." Levy landed her hand on Gajeels arm, caressing it in gratefulness. 

He nodded in understanding,

"Her and Gray are coming by the way,"

"I've missed her! I haven't seen her in a long while, so it's gonna be nice catching up."

Ding. 

Levy received a message on her phone.

"Excuse me," She said as she picked up her phone and read the message.

(313)-620-xxxx

Lisanna: "Hi Levy! I'm so sorry for texting you this late, but I won't be able to make it tonight. Something urgent came up. Maybe another time?"
Read: 10:35PM

Levy: "Oh! That's so sad to hear! But of course I understand. Yes, we can hang some other time! 
Delivered: 10:35PM

......

Levy looked at Lucy as she placed her phone back on the table.

"Lisanna won't be able to make it tonight," she sighed.

"Oh really? But why?" Lucy raised her eyebrows.

"She said something urgent came up," The bluette shrugged her shoulders.

"Ahh."

Did she just say...Lisanna?

.oOo.
Lisanna’s POV - 10 minutes ago

I parallel parked my sister's car in front of the building.

She's sleeping in tonight and my car has been in the mechanic for a couple of days now, so I had no choice but to take her car. I hope she doesn't mind.

I twisted the car keys, shutting the engine down before taking them out. I opened the door and grabbed my purse from the passengers seat, then stepped out and closed it.

I unzipped my purse and dropped the keys in it as I walked towards the entrance.

I have always been so proud of my sisters success in this bar that I like to bring everyone I meet here. Levy and Lucy seem so sweet too - I love making new friends! I hope tonight will go well. I don't wanna do anything to mess it up!

"Excuse me ma'am," An old man said, taking me out of my zone. Just then did I realize I was standing by the door, blocking people from exiting the bar.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" I stepped aside, making way for him. He walked out and I stepped in the bar, roaming my eyes around looking for them.

The longer I looked, the faster my heart beat. I was extremely nervous for tonight. I have never really been social, but I was trying to get out of my comfort zone just as my sister, Mira, always told me to do. 

It was why I initiated the first step and texted people I just met to go out with them. I wanted to make new friends and try to meet new people. The stomach might be turning and swirling around from nervousness but I was extremely excited as well.

"Sup Lis." A voice suddenly greeted me. I looked up only to see Cana standing next to me—my dear friend, who was apparently working the bar tonight.

"Hi Cana!" I gently hugged her. "Have you seen a blonde and a bluette here anywhere?" I asked her.

"Oh you mean that weird lemonade chick? They're in the booth deep inside." She pointed.

"Alright, thanks!" I smiled, quiet confused by her statement but I brushed it off.

I made my way in deeper and finally landed my eyes at the table...

...only to see that salmon-haired man sitting right by Lucy there as well. 

My eyes widened as my whole body stiffened, going in complete shock. My heartbeats accelerated in an abnormal speed as sweat began to trickle down my spine, completely shaken at the sight before me.

"He's.." I mumbled to myself, as tears began to develop in the corner of my eyes.

My breathing grew heavy as I bit my lip, trying my best to keep myself from crying.

As he was about to turn his face towards me, I instantly turned around.

I walked out the bar looking at the ground before me, trembling.

H-How can I face the man who broke my heart...

Chapter Text

Levy looked at Lucy as she placed her phone back on the table,

"Lisanna won't be able to make it tonight," she sighed.

"Oh really? But why?" Lucy raised her eyebrows.

"She said something urgent came up," The bluette shrugged her shoulders.

"Ahh."

Did she just say...Lisanna?

"Who's not coming?" Gajeel questioned the bluette next to him after overhearing a little of their conversation.

"This girl we met at a restaurant. She's the one who planned the hangout for today," she responded. 

No... I'm sure it's a different girl. Lisanna is in Italy right now, so there's no way.

"She was so sweet! I've never warmed up to anyone so quick," Lucy smiled. 

Gajeel just nodded, not really caring about the details.

Ring-Ring - Ring-Ring

Natsu's phone buzzed on the table. He picked it up read "No Caller ID."

He fixed his throat,

"If you'll excuse me," He stood up from the couch. Everyone nodded and he walked away, placing his phone against his ear.

Lucy watched his form disappear into the crowd as he walked out the exit due to the overwhelming noise.

"So, Gajeel, how's it like having Natsu as your boss?" Lucy questioned, making it seem casual but she actually was curious about Natsu's authoritative personality at work. 

"Like hell on earth." He rolled his eyes with folded arms. Levy chuckled; she already knew all the details.

"Really?" She rested her chin on her palm, eager to know the tea. Although she wasn't really surprised. 

"But it's why he's built such a successful business." He smirked. "He has one rule. Just one absolute rule that has never been broken," he continued. "I believe it's one of the reasons for his great success. That rule torments all his workers every single day and night, making them work harder and more efficiently than normal."

"What is it?" She furrowed her eyebrows in curiosity. Levy looked at Gajeel silently, eager to know this rule as well.

"No second chances." He firmly stated. "That's the rule." 

She leaned back on the couch, taken aback by such an absurd code.

"What do you mean exactly?"

"One slip, and you're out." He continued. "His workers and staff aren't given second chances. It's that simple."

"I don't get it... Everyone makes mistakes, how are people suppose to learn and grow otherwise?" She critiqued.

"Hey it's his rule not mine," he shrugged his shoulders. "Mr. Dragneel likes his workers to be disciplined."

"Does that apply to his friends as well?" Levy asked, concerned for Gajeel and his position.

He nodded,

"Everyone. It applies to everyone. In fact," He was about to speak before he felt a hand lay itself on his shoulder. He froze, not moving an inch as his heartbeats pathetically raced. 

"Sup man." A familiar voice spoke.

He turned around only to face a raven-haired man wearing a black suit and a blue tie, with a(nother) bluette clinging onto his shoulders, wearing a baby-blue tight dress that reached her upper-knees. Her hair tied up in a pony tail.

A sigh of relief escaped his lips. 

He stood up and turned around, firmly shaking his hand. Gray Fullbuster. His co-worker and friend. 

"Been a while, huh?" Gajeel smiled.

Lucy and Levy stood up after him, greeting Juvia who finally let go of Gray only to embrace them in brief hugs. 

"I've missed you so much Levy!" She expressed.

"Me too, Juvia, it's been forever!" Levy broke the hug to look into her eyes. 

They've known each other since childhood. They couldn't be closer at heart.

Lucy smiled as she watched such a warm-full reunion between all of those fine people. 

After finishing up their small talk, Juvia turned and noticed Lucy standing by, waiting to greet her. 

"Hi there!" She smiled brightly as lifted her hand for a shake. 

"Hi! It's nice to see you again." Lucy shook her hand as she smiled.

Where's Natsu? It's gonna be awkward without him here...

"Greetings, Miss Heartfilia," Gray slightly bowed as a gesture of respect. 

They were acting the same, just as the day she met them at the cocktail party. She warmed up to them already, but for some reason, the formalities were still there.

Lucy gracefully bowed back, 

"It's nice to see you again, Gray." She smiled.

With that, they all began taking their seats.

Gray took a seat on the black couch next to Lucy, whilst Juvia sat down on the white chair—right across of him, next to Levy.

"Here ya guys go." Comes in the brunette, holding all their drinks on a silver tray. She passed out their orders and eyed Lucy as she handed her the lemonade drink, still weirded out by her. "Anything else ya guys want?" 

Lucy cleared her throat as she felt a little lump in it. She felt uncomfortable. She needed Natsu to come back now. Although her best-friend Levy was there, she still felt mostly surrounded by Natsu's friends and workers, which made it weird without him present.

"I'd like a frozen sangria." Responded Gray.

"I'd like whatever Gray-Sama is having!!" Juvia excitingly said.

"You got it." The bartender scribbled down their orders on her note-pad before taking her leave. 

"Did you see Natsu out there by any chance?" Lucy turned to Gray and asked.

"Natsu? No I didn't see him." He responded. "He didn't go to the bathroom or something?" 

She shook her head,

"No, he had a phone call and took it outside. I'm sure you just missed him,"

A brief moment of silence passed as she clipped her lips onto her straw and began gently sucking in, drinking the sour liquid.

Why's he taking so long. 

Suddenly, Lucy's favorite song started playing in the background, blasting out loud as the crowd in the bar began to cheer and stand up from their seats. People began drunkenly dancing by the bar loudly, as Lucy and her table turned around to face them. 

Levy swiftly turned to face her,

"Come on Lu-Chan! This is your favorite song!" She leaned in against the table to hold her hand. "Come on, stand up! Let's go dance!" She giggled contagiously. Lucy stuttered as she stood up and got dragged to the semi-dance floor.

Juvia watched them from her seat before turning to Gray,

"Let's go dance!" 

He shook his head, 

"Nah, you go." 

She's usually nag on it. Insist and annoy him a little. But she just decided to get up and follow the girls. They looked like they were having too much fun.

Gajeel changed his seat and sat down next to Gray on the couch, only to have a better view of the dance floor so he could keep an eye on Levy. Gray secretly kept an eye on Juvia as she made her way in-between the crowd, reaching them.

"Y'guys dating or something?" Asked Gajeel, who usually only hung out with Gray whenever Natsu was around. 

"Nah. She's just a friend." He responded, still not taking his eyes off of her. 

"Mm." 

.

.

"Levy, you're gonna be the death of me!" Lucy giggled in the middle of the crowd. She was surrounded by strangers as her bestfriend held onto her hands, swirling her around to urge her to dance. 

"Let yourself go, Lucy!!" Juvia screamed in the midst of loud music with her hands high up in the air, moving to the rhythm of the beat.

Lucy giggled as she began loosening up a little,

"We should at least take shots then!!" She suggested, her voice so loud the strangers next to her heard her, although the loud music didn't make anyone look.

Levy nodded as she danced her way to the front of the bar, the girls following behind her. They requested three shots and got them almost immediately. 

They each held their glass and chugged it with one smooth swallow. 

"Another!" Lucy requested with her face scrunched up due to it hitting hard. 

"How 'bout I buy it for you, miss?" A ginger head standing next to her on her left suggested, with his arms leaning against the table and his head slightly tilted. 

Cana put down their shots on the table, and the trio chugged them immediately. It was too loud for Levy and Juvia to hear anything from where they were standing: next to her on her right. 

"Whoops. Too late." She smiled drunkenly at the man.

"Keep them coming, Cana!" Levy yelled, earning her a nod from the bartender. 

"The next one, then?" The mysterious man smirked. His eyes sharply shaped and his lips as plumped as ever.

Multiple shots get placed down on the bar-table in front of the trio at once.

Lucy looked away and began chugging one glass after the other, ignoring his presence. 

"Woaah, why don't you slow down a little?" He smirked, watching her get wasted. He just enjoying the show, hoping for the after-show to be even better.

Lucy placed down her last glass as she panted and scrunched her face at the strong taste, feeling a little light headed already.

I mean, she had taken eight shots...

"Come on!!" Levy, feeling extremely light-headed herself, dragged both girls from their hands deep into the dance-floor.

The lights began flickering on and off, adding a marvelous effect to the night.

Lucy almost immediately forgot about the man as she 

raised her hands high up in the air, swaying her hips left and right smoothly, feeling every bit of the music in her.

She watched Levy and Juvia dance with their eyes closed, completely taking in the flow of the beats with each move they make.

The music was vibrating in their bodies.

She smiled and closed her eyes, trying it too as she continued on dancing.

Suddenly, she felt hands on her waist, helping her sway her hips left and right, more exotically. 

She smiled, already knowing exactly who it was.

Natsu.

She turned around and drifted closer, her breasts landing against his chest as she moved her body smoothly, drunkenly, and completely out of it.

Firm arms get wrapped around her as he danced with her, exotically too.

She laid her head on his chest, trying to find some stability due to her dizziness. 

Instead of feeling warmth radiating from the body like how she usually did, she felt coldness. Instead of sniffing the strong, masculine scent she was use to, she didn't smell anything. 

She fluttered her eyes open and lifted her head up, meeting the eyes of the stranger she had met just a second ago by the bar. 

She swiftly backed off from him,

"Who are you?!" She furrowed her eyebrows and squinted her eyes due to the overtaking light and sound. 

"The name's Loki." He smiled, thinking he finally got the chance to introduce himself.

A figure suddenly stepped in between them, pushing Loke off her by his shoulder.

Everything was so hazy she could barely focus.

"Loki, is it?" A familiar voice said.

"Who are you?" He responded.

"Someone you shouldn't mess with." His glare grew intense. 

"But—"

"Unless you want your ribcage inverted, take your leave." He looked him dead in the eye. The next moment was silent. The stranger didn't know whether to fight back or retreat. 

But the deathly glare he was receiving sent shivers down his spine.

Going head to head with this man looked like a death wish, that much was obvious. Loki did the smart move and bowed down, as a form of an apology before he walked away. 

Lucy tried with all her might to concentrate on the back faced towards her, only to finally realize it was him. Natsu.

She wrapped her arms around him, hugging his back,

"Where did you go?! Huh??" She cried out, obviously showing her worry. Although she was bound to be dramatic from how drunk she was.

"You're drunk." He sighed. He held her hands that'er around his chest and moved them away before turning around to face her. 

"What made you think it was ok for you to drunkenly dance here without me around?" He looked into her brown orbs. His eyes not as gentle as she was use to, she noticed. 

"Just...I'm just dancing around with my friends," She squinted, turning her head left and right looking for them. She looked back at him, "Where were you, though?"

"Your friends have Gajeel and Gray to look after them." He snatched her by her waist, landing he against his chest as he gripped tighter. He swayed his lips to her ear, "How many times do I have to tell you that your body is mine?" He exclaimed with his throaty voice. "Meaning the lowlives here are not allowed to touch you." He continued. 

She furrowed her eyebrows as she met her eyes with him again, their faces but an inch apart,

"You're not answering my question! Where did you go?!"

"What are you, worried?"

"What are you, jealous?!!"

"No." He responded to her question. 

"No." She responded to his question.

They both stood there, silent, looking deeply into each other's orbs as the craziness around them went on.

Chapter Text

"So when I walked into his house, I found red petals scattered on the ground. There was a trail of it leading me to his living room where he had our dinner table set up. He dimmed the lights and lit the candles to set the mood. Not only that, but he had a chef prepare professional cooked meals for us too!" Levy explained as her eyes glistened at the memory. "That was our first date," she widely smiled as her mind clouded itself with dopamine. Her hands together as she felt something fluttering in the center of her stomach.

It truly was nice to share this side of Gajeel with her friends, since no one gets to see him through her eyes.

In Gajeel's eyes, however, this was the normal way to treat a woman. 

Nonetheless, he felt like he was sitting butt-naked right now for being exposed so much—especially in front of his boss and friend. He knew Gray would hold this over his head till the end of time.

She turned to face him, only to find him extensively blushing, hiding the fact with a serious and straight face. She wrapped her short arms around his buff shoulder, resting her head on him in the process.

"He truly is the most romantic thing," she teased.

Natsu kept his hand wrapped around Lucy's thigh the whole time, occasionally drifting it upward, causing her to lightly slap it away with a shy smile as she tried to focus on Levy's story. Then he'd do it again, and she'd slap it away again. A fun game, he found it to be.

The blonde kept her chin resting on her palm as her gaze focused on Levy. She tried her best to keep a straight face with all the feelings Natsu's inappropriate hand was embarking in her. 

"Gajeel being romantic?" Natsu gave him a teasing smile as he caressed Lucy's thigh from under the table, causing chills to run down her spine at the feel of his firm, warm hand on her.

"Who would've known." Gray continued his sentence with a small chuckle. His arm is resting on the couch as he gave Gajeel a sly smile. He was seated next to Lucy, allowing him to see Natsu's assault on her. He felt a little embarrassed being so exposed to such indecency in public. But he chose to ignore it alongside Juvia's intense glare from across him.

"I'm so happy for you, Lev." Lucy warmly smiled. "You're a really lucky woman, you know," She carelessly commented, not completely aware of it in the first place. The alcohol in her system sure was making her blunt.

With those words escaping her lips, she felt Natsu slowly drift his hand away, making her take a quick glance at him in confusion before she looked back at Levy.

The bluette seated next to Levy sighed,

"Juvia wishes Gray-Sama would do something romantic for her," 

With that, an awkward silence reigned on them for the next couple of moments. 

Gray cleared his throat, as if he hadn't heard anything. 

Levy nervously giggled.

Natsu suddenly stood up from the couch and fixed his suit-jacket, then held Lucy's arm and lifted her up from her seat. 

"Gentleman, ladies, we're excusing ourselves for the night." He stated, farewelling their friends. The tipsy blonde clung onto his shoulder for dear life; she was going to fall over any second.

Gajeel stood up from his seat and lifted his hand for a shake,

"It was nice seeing you again Boss."

Natsu shook his hand with a slight nod for respect.

Gray stood up after him with his hands in his pockets,

"It was nice spending the night without you yelling at me every second." He joked with a smile.

Natsu huffed as he rolled his eyes, knowing it was true.

"Take good care of her!" Levy lectured.

With his hand snaked up her waist, she laid her head on his shoulder as he walked her out of the bar.

.oOo.
In the Limo Back

"Arthur, head to Lucy's house." Natsu commanded as he shut his door. Lucy was seated beside him, leaning her head on the window with her eyes shut—one hand was wrapped around her stomach as she felt the nausea swirl inside her. 

"Yes sir." Arthur closed the window separating the driver from the passenger and then started the engine, ready to take off. 

Natsu looked over to Lucy with a sigh, placing his hand on her shoulder as he rubbed it in comfort.

"You shouldn't have drank so much." He lectured. His voice so gentle and quiet, knowing that her ears were sensitive at the moment from any loud noises. 

"Mm." She nodded her head weakly with her jaw clenching, feeling like she could throw up any second.

.

.

.

The salmon-haired man looked out the window—his finger rubbing his lip as he watched buildings pass by—the moon following his gaze every turn they made.

"What's got you so deep in your thoughts?" Lucy mumbled with her half-opened eyes, looking at him like she just got hit by a truck.

He bent towards her, snaking his arm around her waist and drifting her body closer to his.

"Just thinking about work." His large hand laid her head against his chest as he began running his fingers through her blonde locks of hair. 

"You know...I never ended up telling you about who Sting is to me." She mumbled as her eyes struggled to stay open—the alcohol in her system clouding her mind and judgement in the moment.

"Mhm. I was waiting for you to bring it up." His lips curl into a small smirk as his fingers continued to rub her scalp. "Tell me." He said, knowing damn well she was drunk enough to expose herself.

"Waiting..for..me?" She mumbled, feeling comfort consume her due to Natsu's gentle voice and soft touch.

"Ehmhm." He responded softly.

"Why..." She unintended-ly stalled.

"Just a way to measure your trust in me. Once you decided to tell me, I'd know you were starting to feel comfortable." He responded—knowing she won't remember this conversation later. 

“I do feel comfortable with you, Natsu. Sometimes I really do." She mumbled sleepily, like she was going to knock out any second.

"Sometimes?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Mm." She nodded her head against his chest.

He chuckles, knowing she couldn’t get more honest than that in this state of hers. She felt his chest hum as that sound she found so beautiful escaped his lips.

"Well I guess I can be intimidating." He rested his chin on her head as his hand slid down to her shoulder, caressing her. 

"So, who is Sting to you?" He asked after a momentarily silence.

Lucy's heart felt itself race at the mention of that name—completely forgetting she was the one who brought him up in the first place. Her lips quivered as her eyes began to swell up with tears. Still, she was restraining herself from crying with all her might.

"He's..." Her voice so soft and weak. "He's my ex-fiancé." She blurted out as a tear streamed down her cheek. Her heart felt like it was aching as her mind visited all the memories she had made with that man. He wasn't just a name to her...he was love itself. And now, all that is gone. 

Granted, the alcohol did intensify her feels. But still.

Natsu's hand stopped in motion. Lucy felt the air go still as tension began to build up between them. She drifted away from his arms and sat up again, meeting her eyes with his, trying to see what he was thinking about from his expression.

"Engaged?" He looked back at her.

She nodded,

"Just for a month. But we dated for a year." 

"So..." He crossed his arms, "You were engaged before?" He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and shock.

"Yeah." She rested the back of her head on her seat. 

"And with Sting?" He raised an eyebrow, still not registering the fact.

She nodded.

"Why the hell would you go for a guy like that?" 

"I mean..." She looked down at her legs for a couple of seconds, "I thought he was a good man. I really did. " She bit her lip, looking at her fingers as she played with them nervously—feeling guilty, confused and upset at herself—her emotions definitely spiraling up.

"Did he give you what you want?" He questioned. "Is that why you got engaged to him?"

"Huh?" She looked back up at him, into his jade eyes, confused.

"What is it that I want exactly?"

"Love." He looked into her brown orbs.

She paused—her hazy mind rallying through different ways she could answer his question. 

"It's love you want from a man, isn't it?" He questioned.

Stuttering noises began escaping her lips.

"I saw how you were acting during Levy's story. It's obvious that love is something you crave." He stated. "And if you were so committed to him to the point where you got engaged, then that means he loved you the way you wanted a man to. Right?" 

"Uh," She stuttered. She looked away for a split second before meeting his orbs again, taken aback by such a heavy question. "I mean..." She paused. "Kind of. He did. For a while." 

"For a while?" 

"We've arrived sir." Interrupted Arthur, the driver, as he parallel parked the limo in front of Lucy's building.

Natsu sighed and opened his door, closing it before walking around the car and opening Lucy's.

She held his hand for support and got out out of the car. 

"Can you just... Can you just take me upstairs to my apartment please," She mumbled with her fingers rubbing her forehead. A severe headache was suddenly hitting her.

"Come on." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and helped her walk up to her apartment. 

.oOo.
In Her Apartment

He helped his blonde date change her clothes, wash up in the bathroom, take off her make-up, and hold her hair back as she vomited a couple of times.

She was feeling a little better now that she threw up the alcohol in her system. 

Natsu held the blanket and slid it up her body, covering her with it after she laid back comfortably and placed her head on her fluffy pillow.

"Good-night." He loudly whispered as her eyes began to shut down slowly.

Just as he was about to turn to leave, he felt a hand stop him by his wrist. He turned to her and saw her chocolate orbs open and swelling up with tears.

"Please don't go." She mumbled weakly. Her voice so soft and weak that even the coldest heart wouldn't be able to resist.

"You've gotta sleep now," He stepped towards her.

"Yes but I don't want you to go." She sniffled. 

After a moment of Natsu completing leaving or not, he sighed.

"Move a little." 

A small smile greeted her lips as she drifted her body slightly to the left, giving him some open space. He sat on the bed and leaned a little against the bed frame as she scrunched her body near him, placing her head on his chest and wrapping her arm around him. 

His soft fingers ran through her arms in a slow motion, back and forth, helping her sleep.

"Lucy," He spoke gently.

"Hm?" She mumbled sleepily. 

"Is this deal that we have... good for you?" 

"What do you mean?" She responded almost instantly, with her eyes still shut. Her voice so quiet and fragile.

"I mean, I can be preventing you from living the life you wanna live."

At this point, Natsu felt like he was a parasite rather than a symbiotic influence. 

He gets to fuck her anytime he wished, and so far it has been everyday. 

But what does she get? Certainly not the love she wants and deserves. Not the love she got from her past relationship. 

Are those dates enough for her? Is his cold company enough? Because she seemed consumed by the idea of real romance rather than short-term dates if anything. 

"It's what I want."

"No." He responded. "What you want is something I'm not capable of giving." His fingers continued to run down her arms, causing chills to travel down her spine from his soft touch. ‘Though her mind fogged in confusion due to the words escaping his lips. 

"Natsu, I don't need that from you." She exclaimed. "You give me other things that I need."

"And what is that?" His eyes go gentle as he blinked, ready to hear any convincing reason this relationship was good for her.

He didn't really care how this deal would effect her before; he just cared about what he got out of it. But now... the more he was getting to know her, the more sensitive he was getting towards her. 

Not that he cared or anything, he had to remind himself. It's just him being a gentleman by considering his deal-partner's feelings. 

"I mean... your company enough distracts me. You're helping me move on from the life I thought I wanted." Her eyes opened up as she spoke, knowing what Natsu was considering right now. 

She didn't want to sit up and give the conversation the attention it deserved so Natsu wouldn’t think it was a big deal. 

She needed him. She wasn’t done with him yet. She can't lose him. And she certainly won't. 

He sighed,

"As long as that's enough for you."

Chapter Text

1 Week Later

He locks his fingers with hers as he continues thrusting in her harder, hitting her sweet spot on the dot.

She squeezes his hand as she screams his name, not able to contain her body from trembling in pleasure. 

He keeps her hands from breaking loose by gripping them tighter onto the sheets, not allowing her to move as he abused her insides with each rough thrust—rearranging her guts in the process.

Her legs begin to shake out of control as he goes faster, rutting into her like an animal in heat. Clapping noises could be heard everytime their bodies collided. 

Natsu let's out a loud gruttal sound, completely consumed by the warm cave hugging his shaft as he harshly kissed her cervix with each ruthless thrust. 

Climaxing, he let's her hands go— knowing damn well she'll grasp his back muscles due to the indecent sounds escaping her lips. 

Her silky cave tightens around him like a fist, forcing him to deepen into her until he bottomed out - staying completely still whilst breathing heavily. She dug her nails deep into his skin and colored his back with rough red lines as she held her breath, making him huskily groan at the feel.

Her mouth hangs open as her eyes close shut, losing herself in him— completely consumed by him and under his control. With that, her legs relax as she releases, and he pools into her simultaneously, both feeling the intense high they always get when they're inside each-other.

Slurping noises take effect as he slides out of her, breathing heavily in the process. Lucy's hands fall onto the sheets as he falls next to her on the bed and looks up at the ceiling, catching his breath as he laid his hands on his stomach. 

"That was..." He spoke into the hair, still not able to catch his breath— it's the first time it takes him this long. 

He looks to his side and finds Lucy doing the same, except her eyes are closed.

"Does this girl always fall asleep or what?" He mumbles to himself.

"I'm awake." She weakly responds in between her heavy breathing with her eyes still shut.

He chuckles as he turns to his side and wraps an arm around her stomach under the wet sheets, bringing her body closer to his as he rested his head on her shoulder, closing his eyes. His soft hair-texture rubbing her bare skin whilst his shampoo-scent travels to her nostrils. 

She half-opens her eyes and wraps her arm around his head with a smile, running her fingers through his hair. 

"Morning sex huh? That's a first." He speaks huskily, getting comfortable in her arms— or to be more specific, breast.

She weakly giggles,

"Right."

A moment of silence passes as Natsu enjoys the soft fingers rubbing his scalp. 

He's never been in so much peace. 

"Fucking you really is the best." He adds with a small chuckle, though he's being completely serious.

She giggles in frail.

"We could spice it up a notch." She suggests, looking up at the ceiling with raised eyebrows.

He tilts his head upwards, looking towards her.

"Oh yeah?"

She nods with a smile as she meets her chocolate orbs with his olive ones. 

"There's this game-"

Ring-ring Ring-ring

He sighs as he rolls his body to his bed-side table, finding his phone buzzing on it. He picks it up whilst furrowing his eyebrows and squinting from the light that's shining so brightly through his balcony. 

"Fuck." He mumbles in sighing. 

"Is it them again?" She asks with a concerned face.

He turns his head towards her,

"No don't worry. It's just my assistant." He swiftly takes the covers off him and stands up from bed, fully naked with no shame, picks up his phone and walks away from her, disappearing out the bed-room door.

Lucy sighs in tiredness.

"It's definitely them." She rubs her eyes, not having the energy to get out of bed just yet. 

She looked over at the black layered clock hung on the wall and reads 9AM. 

Today she's suppose to quit her job and begin focusing on her writing, following through with her deal with Natsu. Though right now she didn't know if it was the best idea.

As she thought more about it, she considered the following facts: how long will this deal with Natsu last? It's definitely not stable and could be broken apart at any moment. Could she really financially depend on a man who's presence isn't certain in her life? 

He walks back into the room whilst hanging up the phone.

"What did they want?" Lucy questions.

"What did who want? I told you it was just my assistant." He throws the phone on the bed.

"Natsu I always see you secretively talking on the phone with someone." She admits. "And I know you saw me catch you. Whenever they call, your face gets all tensed up, just like now." She points at his face whilst sitting up.

"It's nothing." He sighs as walks to his couch and picks up his laundered boxers that were neatly placed on it, along with other clothes.

"I thought you didn't like liars." She brings her legs down, ready to stand up from the bed completely naked. She got use to it by now.

His eyes intensely shoot up looking at her, 

"I don't." He firmly states.

"Then why are you..." She stands up from the bed and her legs begin intensely shaking, losing her balance and almost falling to the ground.... before Natsu hurried to her and caught her by her waist.

"What.. happened.. I can't stand!" She looks into Natsu's orbs worriedly, thinking there's something medically wrong with her. 

He chuckles as he lifts her up against his body,

"I fucked you too hard huh?" He seats her down gently on the bed whilst she pants in stress. 

She had absolutely no idea what was going on— this never happened to her before. A year in with Sting and she had yet to experience the "can't walk after sex" stage... a week in with Natsu and she's already having it.

"So... it's your fault?!" She furrows her eyebrows.

He taps her nose playfully,

"You can blame me all you want, I'm still going to fuck you the same if not harder next time." He smirks.

She pouts,

"Well how long am I gonna have to sit here?" She asks as he holds her legs up, laying them straightened out on the bed as he lays her head on the pillow.

"Till they stop shaking." He leans down and kisses her forehead, finding it cute how innocent she is. "Or better yet, till I get home from work." He turns around and walks towards his closet to pick out his suit for the day.

"But I have work too and I have to go!" She argues as she sits up the bed again, knowing her lesson this time not to stand up.

"You don't need to go there to quit your job. Just call em and break the news."

"No I..." She looks away. "I decided I'm going to work there part-time instead. Like this whenever I need my full-time job back, I can just ask." She states, looking at him again. 

He sighs as he begins wearing his pants,

"Do whatever makes you happy." He buttons up his pants. "I'm having Arthur run the errand of making you a credit-card for me, so you'll have it by tomorrow." He states.

"Thank you..." She blushes, feeling a little warmth spread in her chest at the thought of someone wanting to take care of her. 

She hadn't had that in a long time. The last time she felt secured was when her mama was still alive... and that was when she was 6.

Her father however...

He closes the closet door after putting on his dark blue and black suit. 

"Sleep." He looks back at her. "It's still just 9AM; I'll be back around 5PM and you definitely can't go to work like that." He walks towards the bed with his shoes in his hand. "I'll call them for you, letting them know you can't make it today." He slips into his socks. 

She sighs in relief as she lays her head back on the pillow,

"Alright." 

"And after that," He wears his black formal shoes. "I'll take you on a date." He turns looking towards her. "You gave me my treat in the morning and I'll give yours at night." He smiles before standing back up. 

"A date? To where?" Her eyes sparkle as a slight blush appears on her face.

"Somewhere nice." He takes his phone from the bed, neglecting to answer the question.

"I'll tell the chef to bring you some breakfast-in-bed." He holds the door knob and twists it open before turning around facing her. "Anything you need, tell the staff downstairs. Any emergencies, call me." 

She nods,

"Ok dad." She mocks. 

He smirks revealing his white teeth and fangs, and winks before closing the door.

"Well that was weird." She sits up the bed and sighs, before it hit her, causing her to intensely blush.

Ding-ding

Lucy turns around looking at her phone on the bed-side table, and finds a notification.

She picks up her phone and taps her touch screen a few times, going into her messages.

_______________

(313)-620-xxxx

(313)-620-xxxx: Hey Lucy! This is Lisanna speaking. I got your number from Levy. I was hoping we could meet up to have a little talk?

Read: 9:29AM

Lucy: Hi Lisanna!! Yes of course.When and where would you like to meet up?

Read: 9:29AM

(313)-620-xxxx: Maybe today? Central Park at around 1PM? That's when I get off my morning shift. 

Read: 9:30AM

Lucy: 1PM, Central Park it is! I'll see you there :).

Read: 9:30AM

(313)-620-xxxx: I'll see you!

_______________

With that, the blonde places her phone back down and sighs.

I wonder what she wants to talk about.

The room suddenly echos with two knocks on the door.

She instantly covered her whole body with the blanket.

"Come in!" She yells out.

The door opens slowly revealing a tall bulky man, wearing a black suit with a chefs hat holding a tray. 

"You're Natsu's chef?" She raises an eyebrow with a smile.

"Morning. I am Chef Dreyar." He walks into the room.

"Good-morning Chef Dreyar." She greets. "What's this?" She looks down at the tray he's holding.

"Scrambled eggs with bacon and hash-browns, just as what Mr. Dragneel ordered."

She looks back up at his face, noticing a scar slit down his eye. 

"Thank you very much." She gratefully says as he unfolds out a mini break-fast table and places it on her lap, then places the tray of food on it. 

"No problem." He turns around to leave.

"Wait!" 

He stops in his tracks, turning back around.

"Mm?" He looks at her.

"What happened to your eye?" She questions, pointing at it. "...if I may ask." She added.

He smiles,

"I use to be Mr. Dragneel's bodyguard." 

"Oh. And now you're the chef?" She looks at him confused.

"Cooking was always my dream. It cost me one conversation with the boss before he made my dream come true." He says in admiration.

"One conversation?" She questions.

He chuckles,

"Y'know no ones asked me about my eye before. Thank you for your concern." He smiles, causing her to smile too. "I wanted to quit my job to pursue my dream job in cooking, but he didn't allow it. Instead he used his credibility to make me a chef, then he hired me as his own." He scratches the back of his head with a huge grin on his face.

She blushes with a smile as she looks down at her sheets,

"He really is a good guy huh...”

Chapter Text

The blonde steps out of the shower after cleaning off the sperm Natsu embedded in her vagina just a few hours ago. 

Today and some other recent days, Natsu has been acting rougher in bed for some unknown reason. More possessive, to be precise. He would stay in her longer, deeper, and enjoy her smooth skin more than usual. 'Though she enjoyed it too much to ask about it or complain.

She slips her wet feet into her pink fluffy slippers and wraps a towel around herself before blow-drying her hair by the sink, where it had a mirror right above it to reflect on herself while doing so.

Finishing up, she got out of the bathroom to change.

It was almost time to meet up with her new friend, Lisanna. 

I wonder what she wants with me...

The blonde thought to herself as she approached the musky scented bed, where it had her outfit neatly laundered and ironed on it.

She could also smell Natsu everywhere around her, which made his room her favorite part of the house; it definitely started to grow on her. In fact, for the past month, she's spent more nights over at his place than at her own home. 

Due to that, she wondered if this deal was beginning to consume a huge part of her life, to the degree where she barely sees her friends. 

She even switched her face-to-face college classes to online classes, which just allowed her more time with him. She originally did it to focus more on her writing though, as per Natsu's constant lectures about growth and self-development. 

His lectures were usually brief, quick, sweet, and in bed during late-night talks after sex... but she had learned a lot from him. With all the knowledge he possesses as a successful business man, she could use him as an advantage to pursue her dream career in writing and succeed in it. 

She slips into her pink crop-top and short light-blue jeans, then wears her white shoes.

It's time for her to head out.

.oOo.

Lucy: "Hey, I'm here."

Read: 12:56PM

Lisanna: "I'm just 2 minutes away!"

Read: 12:57PM

____

With that, the blonde closes her phone and places it next to her on the bench facing down. She anxiously bounces her leg awaiting for her arrival, nervous as to what Lisanna wants to talk about.

She takes a deep of fresh air, inhaling the grassy wind to mentally calm herself as her eyes fixated on the plants beneath her feat. 

Her gaze finally leaves it and lands on a small playground in the distance. 

She watches a family playing by the swings; a little girl swinging up and down with the support her father gently pushing her. The little girl's giggles filled up the warm air and reached everyone around them. A little boy stood next to them, joyfully clapping his hands as high-pitched chuckles escaped his small lips.

A warm smile creeps on Lucy's face, feeling tender from the inside at the sight of such wholesomeness. 

Oh what it would be like to have an actual family some day.

Ring-ring 

"Hello?" The blonde instantly placed the phone against her ear and answered the call, hoping that Lisanna has arrived to finally answer the endless swarming questions in her head.

"I'm getting off work early today." 

"Natsu?"

"Be ready for our date at three." A gravely calm, manly voice responds from the other end of the line. 

"Oh, okay, three it is." She smiles. "But I still need to-"

"Where are you?" He interrupts after hearing background noises of people talking around her.

"I'm just at the park, about to meet a friend."

"Who's your friend?"

"Sir, Mr. Fernandez is waiting outside." A background feminine voice speaks out from a distance.

"Let him in."

"I'll talk to you later." Lucy speaks up, wanting to give him some privacy.

"Wait, who's your friend?"

"Remember that waitress girl?"

"Lisanna?"

"Yeah."

"Mr. Dragneel, it's good to see you." Another manly voice speaks up from the distance at the other end of the line.

"I need to go." Natsu says before hanging up the phone with no warning.

She sways her phone in front of her and stares at her screen, blinking a few times at the sudden cut off.

"Lucy?" A voice calls out from next to her, bringing her back to reality.

The blonde looks up and meets her eyes with a pair of ocean blue ones.

She labors a smile across her face,

"Hi Lisanna," The blonde stands up from the wooden bench she was seated on and embraces her in a brief hug. 

"It's good to see you." She responds as she breaks it and seats herself next to Lucy, leaving a little distance between them not to make it awkward.

"It's good to see you too. Tell me, how've you been?" Lucy goes on, hiding her bewildered emotions that'er spiraling up inside her well.

"Oh you know, as usual. Work has been stressful lately but other than that everything's good." The whitette slightly blushes.

Lucy nods with a pleasant smile whilst turning her head a little, meeting her eyes with the grass— her mind still crowding with perplexed thoughts; thoughts on what Lisanna called her here for.

This was surely all too stressful for her little unbarring heart. She just wanted to get it over with at this point.

"What did you want to talk about?" Lucy goes straight to the point, growing impatient as she meets her eyes with Lisanna's again.

"Well..." 

The whitette place her hands on top of each-other on her lap, looking shyly at the ground as if the topic was too embarrassing to bring up.

"What is it?" Lucy questioned after seeing Lisanna's nervous state.

"It's just that..." She slowly turns to her. "I don't want you to take this the wrong way." She looks straight in her eyes with a nervous blush appearing on her face.

"I won't.. what's wrong?" Lucy narrows her eyebrows in scare.

"You see.. I was there that night at the bar." The whitette exclaims looking down again, leaving Lucy with even more questions.

"Okay so.. why didn't you approach us?" The blonde plays along, trying to figure out where this conversation is going.

Lisanna takes in a deep breath,

"Lucy," She turns her body fully to face her, scaring Lucy a bit by the serious tension that built up. "I'm here to warn you about Natsu." She finally lets it out.

A brief moment of silence passes.

"W-Warn me?" Lucy backs away a little at such a statement. "Natsu? How do you know him?" She questions after registering his name.

"Well.. I saw you with him at the bar. His arms were around you and his friends were at the table. Gray and Gajeel, if I remember correctly?" She exclaims.

"I don't understand, how do you know them?" Lucy narrows her eyebrows.

The whitette let's out a sigh,

"They were all my friends once." Her eyes go sad at the memory.

The blonde's silence spoke volumes of her confound state. She stayed quiet, intently listening to whatever Lisanna was saying, trying to make sense of it.

"When I was younger, I use to go out with Natsu." She blurted, causing Lucy's eyes to widen in shock.

"What?!" The blonde exclaims, quiet surprised since it was so unexpected.

"Lucy," The whitette reestablishes the seriousness of the situation. "I need you to listen to me very carefully." She stretches her arms and holds her shoulders, fixating her gaze straight into Lucy's eyes, causing her heartbeats to wildly increase as she looked back into her blue orbs.  

"Natsu broke my heart, and he will do the same thing to you." She pauses. "Whatever you guys have, I can assure you it's all a game to him. He will use you for his own pleasurable desires, then throw you out like trash once he's done."

Silence filled the air after those words rolled out of her tongue, and it was extremely loud. 

Birds were chirping around them whilst trees ruffled. Children were running around and small giggles filled the area here and there.

Lucy sat there shook and bemused by such a baffling statement. 

"N-Natsu isn't like that..." The blonde finally speaks.

Lisanna huffs,

"Trust me, I use to be just as naive as you." She lets go of her shoulders and meets her eyes with the grass again in somber.

"What exactly happened?" Lucy curiously questioned, finding the whitette to be uncanny.

After a brief moment, she finally breaks the silence.

"That man, he... he used me for my body. He took my virginity from me and had sex with me whenever he wished, and my naive self let him." She pauses. "I was in love with him." Her eyes go glassy as she speaks, leaving Lucy hushed.

"We didn't do it that often, but it was all he cared about and all he wanted from me. When I finally asked him for more... he cut me off completely." She admits, gazing back at the spiky grass beneath her as she visited her old memories, which she considered to be traumatic from how much pain it caused her.

"I... I don't understand?" Lucy reacts with a low tone, still not able to register the fact. 

The whitette sighs and looks back up at her,

"Two years ago, I was getting interviewed by him to work for his company, and that's how it started." She pauses. "After a few dates, I found it in me to open myself up to him and sleep with him, thinking he was the one." She blushes at her own statement, still keeping her serious face on. 

"And.. then what happened?" Lucy narrowed her eyes in curiosity.

"After a couple of weeks of us just having sex, I asked more from him. I asked for an actual relationship... something I thought of verbally addressing so we could officially be together. And that's when he... just cut me out of his life without a word." She explains, leaving Lucy silent for the next few moments, still in shock.

"Lucy," She looks her straight in the eyes. "He used me for sex, don't you see? He made me fall in love with him so I could sleep with him, and then the minute I asked for more... he just left." 

The blonde gulped, feeling chills run down her spine at the thought of such an ugly side of Natsu. 

"...I don't understand. Did he not tell you he wasn't into relationships?" The blonde questions.

"No, he never told me that. If he did I wouldn't have gotten myself tangled up in him. He just lead me on. He made me believe we were going somewhere, and then instantly cut me off when he saw that I wanted more." 

The blonde's heart went uneasy, thinking about what Lisanna has went through.

She literally gave herself up for a man she loved, only to be left by him after asking him to love her back.

What an awful thing to go through.

"I understand that must've been hard for you, Lisanna, I'm sorry you had to go through that." The blonde places her hand above the whitette's, showing her sympathy. "But why are you telling me this?" She questions with narrowed eyebrows.

"I don't want you to go through what I went through." She pauses. "After seeing you with him, I instantly knew I had to warn you about this. It took me a whole week to muster up the courage, but I just had to tell you." 

"Lisanna..."

"He's going to use you just like how he used me and many other girls in the past." Her blue eyes develop tears at the thought. "So please, be careful." 

The blonde sighs as a small smile forms on her lips. 

"Don't worry, Lisanna. We have a clear understanding, and we both don't want to be in a relationship."

She lies. She so, awfully lies. 

.oOo.

The blonde holds the door knob and twists it open as she sighs, widening the door, revealing Natsu's bedroom.

It was currently 2:30PM and she had just gotten back from the park.

Their conversation went on for a while, just talking about their pasts and things they've gone through.

If anything, the blonde just wanted a drink of water and a good nap right about now.

Lisanna's words were engraved in her mind like stone, still replaying every now and then. She knew Natsu wasn't into relationships, but the absolute confirmation of that fact just made her question everything she has with Natsu. 

Although she knew that nothing more could happen between them, the confirmation of it just made her wonder if it was worth it to continue. The point to this deal has gotten blurry now, and she doesn't know what to do.

She now knows that if she ever wanted anything more with Natsu, he will leave her just like how he left Lisanna. 

"Natsu?" Lucy exclaims after stepping into the room and finding Natsu's form laying on the bed, wearing his suit pants and a black buttoned shirt, his eyes closed and his arms crossed behind his head. "What are you doing here?"

He opens his eyes and looks at her as a smile appears on his lips,

"Is it that surprising that I'm in my own bedroom?" He says sarcastically as he sits up the bed.

"I mean, don't you get off work at three?" She placed her purse on the couch across the bed. 

"Yeah, well, I had to leave early to clear my head a bit." He stretches his arm. "Come," He pats next to him on the bed, calling for her to come lay down.

"We just had sex this morning though..." She exclaims, standing still facing him whilst playing with her fingers.

"What? Who said anything about sex?" He narrows his eyes.

"I mean... it's what I'm in your life for, is it not?" She lets out. 

God, she didn't expect her inner worries and emotions that produced from her conversation with Lisanna to project on him like that...

As soon as she blurted it out, she wanted to take it back. 

Lucy bit her lip as silence filled the room for a brief moment, feeling guilty for mentioning it already.

"Where's this coming from?" He asks confused.

He lets his legs fall to the ground and stands up from the bed, his gaze still fixating on her like laser.

"From no where. I'm just saying the truth." She exclaims.

"Lucy," He approaches her. "Are you upset or something?" He holds her shoulders, looking in her chocolate orbs, trying to read what she's thinking. 

She sighs,

"No I'm not." She holds his wrists and sways them away from her. "I should leave." She says as she turns around and holds her purse.

"Leave where?" He narrows his eyebrows, completely dumbfounded as to what is suddenly going on. "We have our date at three, so where are you going?"

"No just forget about it. I don't want you to trouble yourself." She looks him in the eyes before turning around to walk out, but suddenly stops in her tracks by a hand firmly wrapped around her wrist, preventing her from taking another step.

"Where do you think you're going?" His tone grows angered.

She looks back at him cheesed off. 

"Let me go." She looks him dead in the eyes.

He pulls her against his body, looking deeply into her orbs, trying to unmask her hidden worries with his gaze.

"I'm not letting you go till you tell me what's going on."

She breathes heavily and takes a step back from him,

"I just don't think this deal is worth it anymore."

Chapter Text

Recap

He pulls her against his body, looking deeply into her orbs, trying to unmask her hidden worries with his gaze.

"I'm not letting you go till you tell me what's going on." 

He demands.

She breathes heavily against his body as she looks back and forth in his eyes, feeling stressed and pressured to out with it.

She places her small hands against his broad chest and pushes herself off, taking a frustrated step back from him as she looks away, meeting her eyes with the ground, keeping a little distance between them.

"I just don't think this deal is worth it anymore." 

She exclaims.

______________________

With those words escaping her lips, silence dawned upon the duo.

The only thing that could be heard was the clock slowly ticking, and ticking, and ticking. 

Natsu's breathing delayed itself as he tried to register her sudden decision. 

"What?" 

He finally spoke, in a loud whisper, truly not expecting her to end it just like that.

"Are you serious?" 

His voice grew deeper, tightening the air between them— the tension building itself due to his intense gaze.

She lets out a shaky sigh as her eyes met his again, not fully convinced with her impulsive decision, but she knew it was the only way she could move on with her life and achieve her dream future.

Her thoughts wandered aimlessly in her head, visiting the memory of that wholesome family she saw at the park earlier.

The parents swinging their kids with smiles plastered across their faces. Happy giggles filling the area, radiating warmth all around them from their love.

Warmth she needed to feel, experience, have, anything. She just wanted it.. so bad. And she knew she could never have that with him. Would she even want to? Who knows. She definitely won't think about it since there isn't a chance anyway.

"I am, Natsu." 

Her voice escapes her glossy lips, uttering the words Natsu so deeply did not want to hear.

She clenches her teeth instantly after, feeling a stinging pain shoot in her chest. 

She never expected to do this so soon. 

Even though so much time has passed, she felt like it went by in a blink of an eye. 

He shut his eyes and tilted his head up, facing the ceiling as a loud sigh left him. His Adam's Apple now in perfect view. 

She gulped, feeling somewhat guilty for having to do this.

'Though it had to end some time, right?

"What.. happened?" He slowly looked back at her, his breathing noticeably growing heavier.

"We were good this morning. I even had a date planned and... I don't get it. What happened?" He expressed. His olive orbs inspected her brown ones, searching them for answers. Any answer. Anything.

She looked away for a second as she felt her tears threatening to escape her, before looking back into his dark pupils again.

She hated to do this. She had unconsciously grown this attachment to him that she seemed to be cutting by a pair of scissors right now, and it hurt. 

"I just..." She gulped as she felt her throat grow heavy. "I want a future for myself, you know? I want to find love...I want a husband and kids... I want a family." She explains the best she could, as a tear forcefully streamed down her cheek.

The memories she made with him... they were just so much. Their endless dates, their late-night talks, their cuddles, his warm hugs before sleep, his exceeding support in her and her career, his touch, his feel, him rutting into her, being inside her... it'll all just be gone. Was she truly ready to end it?

That singular tear that slowly passed down her cheek was a result of all those memories swarming in her head in this moment.

All the memories she had to let go.

His silence was loud as he explored her teary chocolate eyes, trying to register what was happening. 

He tried to imagine her with the future she so wanted. Kids, a family, a happy life, and.... another man by her side. A husband. Someone else to stand by her, support her, love her, fuck her. 

"I can't have that if I stay with you." She brushed her hand across her cheek, wiping away her tear.

She knew she was going to end it sooner or later, so why is she crying? This was never suppose to last. Why is it so upsetting?

He slowly stepped forward and held her wrist. He swayed it away from her face to look into her eyes. 

"If you wanted to leave me, you wouldn't be crying." His tone so firm as he spoke.

She sniffled as she looked into his sharp olive orbs, knowing he was right. But at the same time, she had to do what was best for her.

"It's just that... I'll miss you." She hiccuped as another silent tear rolled down her cheek. 

God, she needs to control herself.

He cupped her face with his big hands and wiped away her tear with his thumb, looking deep into her eyes.

"Then don't leave." 

He made it simple.

She sniffled as more tears escaped her, feeling a heavy weight in her chest. She wishes life could work like that, but she knows it can't. With so much of her time spent with him, they've grown this connection to each other. A connection she now had to destroy for her own good.

She can't be consumed by a man who'll never love her forever. She needs to find the strength within her to let go. 

She formed a small smile as she hesitantly placed her hand on his cheek, making him unconsciously relax at her touch. She caressed him with her thumb without breaking eye contact, looking into the eyes she always found to be so dominant yet charming.

"Can I... kiss you?" She softly spoke.

Never in her life had she needed to ask such a question. But knowing his boundaries, she needed permission. Permission to farewell him with a first and final kiss. Something memorable to leave him with. 

Just like that, with those simple words escaping her lips, anger built up inside him. 

He knew exactly what that meant. It was her way of farewelling him. A way of saying good-bye. 

Was it that easy for her? To just end it? Did she not care about all the time they've spent with each other? Whether this deal was suppose to end or not, it was never suppose to be this sudden and surely not this one-sided. 

He aggressively sighed as he pushed her hand off him, backed away from her and turned around, really hating everything about this— her decision, her way of ending it, the timing. It was way too soon, right? Even if it wasn't, just why now? It started to irritate him.

"So you really wanna leave just like that?" He mocked with an angered tone as he clenched his fists.

She looked down on the ground with glassy eyes before she looked back up at his figure, meeting her eyes with his back shirt from behind, realizing his tense posture.

"Natsu..." She sniffled one last time before rubbing her eyes and gaining back her composure. "You knew this was going to end some time." She reminded him.

"I asked you." He firmly stated. "I asked if you wanted to end this deal for your own future, and you said no." He paused. "You said that what we have is what you need." He turned around to face her again. "So what changed your mind now, huh?" He antagonistically spoke. 

"I..." She looked away for a second, trying to find a way she could explain it to him. She absentmindedly pressed her nails against her palms, digging in moon-shape marks as she felt an intense pressure all of a sudden. 

"Can you tell me what the fuck happened?" He looks her dead in the eyes, making her look at him back from his sudden tone. "I'm not going to play this guessing game. What suddenly happened to make you feel this way? I mean, you were excited for our date today just an hour ago." He narrowed his eyes in confusion. 

The lack of sense in this current situation truly started to piss him off.

"Can you calm down?" She pauses. "This was suppose to end anyway." She lets out.

A brief moment of silence passed as they exchanged looks, before he spoke again.

"That Lisanna girl you were with today. What does she look like?" He finally asked, having his suspicions in due place.

He knows that Lisanna is in Italy... but, what if she isn't? The only person Lucy met with before she decided to end this deal was that waitress. Maybe... maybe it really was her?...

"You already know how she looks like, Natsu." She spoke like it was obvious.

There it was. 

Confirmation.

It was her.

Of course it was.

How could he have missed that.

"Lucy.. are we talking about the same person here?" He needed to reestablish. "Short white hair, blue eyes?" He questioned.

"Yes Natsu. I know you know her. I know of your past with her."

Natsu's eyes slightly widened as his mind ran a million miles per second, rallying through confusion and realization.

"...Lucy, is she the reason you want to end this?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

The blonde paused as she tried to think of a way she could answer his question.

Before she knew it, her silence was enough response of a for him.

He took a few steps forward,

"You, what, listened to her side of the story and all of a sudden I'm the bad guy?" He anticipated, aggravated by Lucy's inability to communicate right now. 

"Natsu. I know everything I need to know. Besides, she isn't the reason."

"Then what is?!" He grabbed onto her shoulders, staring right into her brown orbs with his angered look as his salmon bangs fall over his eyes. 

"Why're you so mad?! You already knew this was going to end in someway or another!" Lucy outbursts, not understanding his anger or where it's coming from.

To say the truth, he didn't understand his anger either.

Ring-ring Ring-ring

His phone buzzed on his bed-side table, annoyingly ringing loud, interrupting their moment.

He sighs.

"You're very frustrating, that's why." He swiftly let her go, turned around and walked towards his bed-side table. He picked up his phone and read the same three words that've been calling him ever since that night in the bar.

"No Caller ID" 

He groans, truly not having the energy to deal with that right now.

"Is it them again?" Lucy questioned from a distance, concerned. 

He looked at her briefly before answering the phone.

"What?" He uttered after placing it against his ear. 

"Have you considered my offer?"  An auto-generated voice changer questioned from the other end of the line.

"For the last time, no. Leave me the fuck alone or else I will track you down and end you." He hung up the phone instantly, not caring to hear their response. 

He looks back at Lucy as he places his phone back down on the table, like nothing just happened.

"When are you gonna tell me what they want from you?" Lucy questioned, irritated at the fact that this has been going on for longer than a week now and she barely knows anything about it because Natsu is extremely secretive for some reason.

"If you wanna end it, Lucy, then just leave." He gestured to the door. 

Those words were like shots of pain in her chest. If anything, that was the last thing she expected him to say.

She did not want to end it on a bad note. 

"Natsu..." 

"Leave."

She sighed. 

There was no point in talking more about this. 

She picked up her purse from the couch to take off.

His reaction was just not it. Not what she had expected. Not as understanding as she hoped him to be.

"But before you do,"

She stopped in her tracks and turned her head towards him.

"Just know, you won't last without me." He exclaimed, giving her a provoking smirk, quiet confident she'll run back to him.

A brief moment of silence passed as Lucy tried to register his challenge. 

"I will do just fine." She rolled her eyes, feeling nausea swirling in her at the thought of Natsu angry at her, or hating her, before storming out. 

"We'll see about that." He spoke to the empty room.

Chapter Text

Another cold, empty day passes.

The blonde lets out a tired sigh as she injects her key and unlocks her apartment door, ready to tuck herself in under the warm blankets and cuddle with her pillow— as she's been doing for many lonely nights now.

It was currently 11 PM and she had just gotten home from her full day at work.

She swings her door open as it creaks, before meeting her eyes with the same boring, dull, small living room she's trapped herself in for the past ten days— ever since that night with Natsu.

She shuts the door behind her using her foot before opening the lights. She then throws her keys on the kitchen counter. With half-opened eyes, she walks over to her cabinet and opens it to grab a glass.

As she's pouring herself a drink of water, her phone buzzes.

Ding-Ding

Her eyes shoot up to the counter where her phone laid. Reading the screen, a disappointed sigh left her.

It was just Levy.

She chugs her water then places her glass harsher than intended on the counter. She wipes her watery lips using her sleeve and then picks up her phone.

Her gaze fixates on her screen with narrowed eyebrows as she opens her notification to read the message. While doing so, she walks out of the kitchen and to her bedroom, without needing to watch her step.

_____

(313)-244-xxxx

Levy: "Hey Lu-Chan! Tomorrow 
we're going shopping with the girls,
you coming along?

Read: 11:26PM

Lucy: "Uhh, I'm not really sure."

Read: 11:27PM

_____

She replies back right before throwing her phone on the bed without a care in the world.

She had unknowingly been distant with her friends lately. Granted, Levy's always with Gajeel and Erza's always with Levy— so her choices were limited. 

She didn't want to be around Natsu's friends; she wanted to move on from her life without feeling like anything is pushing her to stay. From what she knows, though, Natsu hasn't been around Gajeel or Gray whenever they go out with Lucy's friends either.

Her daily routine consisted of going to work, reading, a little bit of writing, and sleeping. On the weekends, however, she'd go to the Fairy Tail bar to meet up with Mira and have a couple of drinks. She occasionally meets up with Lisanna there as well, which to her shock, came out as Mira's sister. She finally realized why she looked so familiar to her.

She pulls up her soiled work-shirt before pulling down her blue skirt that her horny customers always seemed to love. After doing so, she slips into her comfy PJ's— pink shorts and a baggy white shirt. 

Ring-ring Ring-ring

She sighs at the sound of her phone ring. She closes her closet door and walks over to her bed, where her phone was buzzing like crazy. 

She picks up the phone and answers the call before placing it against her ear,

"Yeah, Levy?" She initiates.

She's had a really rough day and all she needed right now was to sleep.

"You're coming tomorrow! Okay? I don't want any excuses. I haven't seen you in forever!" Levy speaks out from the other end of the line.

The blonde sighs before sitting down on her bed as it bounces a little.

"Who's going exactly?" She questions.

"Me, you, Erza, and Juvia. Who else?" 

A brief moment of silence passes as the blonde contemplates her decision.

"Okay then... I guess." 

"Yayy!" The bluette squeaks. "Listen, Lu-Chan, I know you've been upset about the break-up but-"

"How many times do I have to tell you that it wasn't a break-up, Lev? We weren't even dating." Lucy cuts her off, a bit aggravated by Levy's choice of words.

She sighs,

"Whatever you say, Lu-Chan." She responds defeatedly. "I'll pick you up at around 2 PM. You don't have work tomorrow, right?" She questions.

"I have a morning shift. I finish at 11 AM, so 2 o'clock sounds perfect." The blonde tucks a strand of hair behind her ear with her fingers.

"Alright, see you!" 

With that, Lucy hangs up the phone and gets ready for her much-needed sleep. 

What events might tomorrow hold, she wondered.

.oOo.

The Next Day

Ding-dong Ding-dong

The blonde flutters her eyes open at the sound of her doorbell aggressively ringing. 

She looks at the blurry ceiling as she felt her mind go foggy from her sudden wake. Nevertheless, she swiftly sat up the bed and dropped her feet to the ground at the sound of her doorbell still ringing nonstop. She stumbled her way out of her bedroom and to her living room.

With utter confusion, her heart jumped as she closed the distance between her and the door.

Was something wrong?

She finally held her doorknob, twisted it, and flung the door wide open with heavy breaths.

Her hair was in a messy bun and her brown orbs were half opened as she was still half asleep. Her fair skin's face and arms were imprinted with sleep marks that only proved her to have had a deep sleep over-night, before interrupted.

"Arthur?" She exclaimed after meeting her eyes with his shaded sunglasses— the same ones Natsu's driver always use to wear. 

She opens her eyes wider to make sure this is reality.

He had his suit neatly fitted and his black hair slit back professionally. 

She rubbed her eyes before taking a second look, only to find Arthur, indeed, standing in front of her.

"What are you doing here?" She questions, before dropping her eyes down to his hands, where he held two suitcases. 

She looked back up into his eyes for an explanation.

"Mr. Dragneel asked me to drop off your things," Arthur responds as he walks into her home, brushing her shoulder in the process with no sense of boundaries whatsoever.

Her gaze blankly fixated on the empty space he occupied just seconds ago before turning around to face him standing in the middle of her living room.

"What things?" She asked as she narrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"I believe you left some clothes over at Mr. Dragneel's house." He responds. 

After a moment of thinking, 

"Oh, right." She says. 

She felt her palms go sweaty as she reminisced her time with Natsu at his place. In his bedroom, swimming pool, shower... she must've left a ton of things there. 

"Where would you like me to put them?" He questions. 

"Just- just in my bedroom, please." She nervously responds. 

This felt too final.

Arthur nods before making his way to her bedroom to drop off her things.

With a long sigh escaping her, she glanced over at the clock hung on the wall and read 8:40 AM. 

"Crap, I'm going to be late for my shift!" She panics as she realizes how her sleep dragged on for too long. She must've forgotten to set the alarm from how tired she was. 

Arthur leaves her bedroom and walks into her living room again.

"Thank you, Arthur." The blonde says.

With a silent nod, he begins walking to her door.

"Arthur?" She turns to face him right before he walked out.

He turns around and looks back at her. 

"How- how is he?" She questions, nervously playing with her fingers. 

"Mr. Dragneel is completely fine, m'lady. He sends you his regards." He responds with a cold tone. But that's just Arthur.

The blonde forms a small smile as she looks down on the ground with a small nod.

I really miss him...

.oOo.

The blonde heavily breaths as she runs in-between cars in the parking lot, heading to her restaurant's entrance at full speed. 

It was currently 9:13 AM; she is thirteen minutes late for her shift.

Finally reaching, she pushes the doors open and attempts to catch her breath.

She sloppily puts on her apron before straightening her back and roaming her eyes around the restaurant, looking to see if her manager noticed her being late.

"Lucy," A voice spoke out from her right.

She freezes in place knowing all too well who that voice belonged to.

She hesitantly turns to face him.

He had his white hair jelled back as he wore a lavender suit, matching his restaurant's theme. 

"You're late." He points out.

"I-I know I'm sorry." She responds, biting her lip instantly after.

He sighs as he interlocks his fingers behind his back.

"Well, it doesn't matter." He takes a few steps towards her, closing the already-small distance.

"Really?" The blonde's chocolate eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes. I'm sorry to say, Lucy, but you're fired." He sternly said as he looked into her orbs.

The blonde felt her stomach drop as those words escaped his lips. Her eyes widened as she clenched her hands in stress, truly in shock.

"What?!" She squinted and furrowed her eyebrows.

"I said you-"

"No, I heard what you said." She said in a slightly louder tone, making the tables around them turn to her. "What I don't get is why?! I've worked here for more than two years and this is how you repay me??"

"Lucy, listen-"

"No, you listen! You're firing me because I'm ten minutes late for my shift?! This is the first time this happens! And you-"

"Lucy! Calm down, you're drawing attention to us!" Her manager loudly whispers, trying to defuse the situation.

With angered breaths, the blonde looks around her and finds groups of people sitting at different tables completely quiet and turned towards her, listening in on what's happening. 

She bites her lips before looking back into her manager's black orbs.

"Come with me." He demands as he turns around and walks out of the doors.

The blonde looks to the tables one last time and musters up an apologetic smile, before following her manager out.

"Lucy," He establishes authority with his firm voice as he looks into the blonde's orbs, standing right outside of the restaurant. 

"I'm sure you're familiar with Mr. Dragneel." He states.

Her chocolate eyes shoot open as she freezes in place, blankly staring back into his eyes in confusion.

"W-What?"

"Mr. Dragneel bought this restaurant two days ago, and demanded that we fire you." 

The blonde's heart dropped as she took a step back in utter shock, not believing her eyes or what she's hearing.

D-Does he really have the power to do this?

"He threatened that he'd shut down the place if we didn't.

"Th-This is..."

"I know, I know." He interrupts. "I'm sorry." 

The blonde bites her lip as she felt her tears threatening to escape her glassy eyes. She clenched onto her apron trying to hold herself together, but on the inside, she was falling apart. 

Would he really do this to me... 

"I wish you a good life, Lucy. I really do." Her manager, known as Kyle, placed his hand on her shoulder and farewelled her as he gave her a warm smile.

Lucy only nodded, knowing there's nothing more he could do with teary eyes as she looked down on the ground, trying to hide her overwhelming emotions.

With those being the final words said to her, Kyle turns around and walks back into the restaurant, leaving Lucy out in the warm air as the sun shined on her golden hair, standing in awe.

She turned around and walked deeper into the parking lot, biting her lip hard in hopes of physical pain overcoming her emotional one. 

How is she supposed to provide for herself now? How is she supposed to pay her bills? How is she supposed to go on without any money?

If there was one thing Lucy knew for certain, it was that her anger at Natsu began building up by the second.

Was it the attention he sought? Or did he want her running back to him?

She hadn't realized she had accepted a challenge she cannot turn away from.

.oOo.

"He did WHAT?!!" Levy screamed at her blonde friend as they walked side-by-side into the mall.

"See? I mean, how could he." Lucy scoffed. 

It has now been a couple of hours since Lucy learned she lost her job. That little amount of time did no favor in helping her cope with the reality of it, but her anger had defused.

Once she realized that that was what he wanted, something clicked in her. She wasn't going to give him what she wants. Not now nor ever. 

"I don't understand, Lu-Chan! Why would he do that?!" Her petite friend outburst as they stepped onto the escalator going up. 

Lucy sighs,

"He just wants to get to me. But I won't let him." She responds, standing on the same step as her friend.

The blonde turns to face the bluette and looks her straight in the eyes,

"I'm not running back to him, Lev. I'm not giving him what he wants." She firmly states, as if it were a promise.

"Good on you!" Levy supports her, still truly irritated. 

"What are you going to do now, though? You still need a job."

"I'll find one elsewhere. Maybe in Mira's bar?" Lucy says as they stepped off the steps.

"Lucy! Levy!" A voice calls them out in the distance.

The blonde and the bluette turn their heads left and right, looking for the source of that noise.

"I'm right here!" The voice gets closer.

The duo turns their heads to their right and finds another bluette jogging towards them. She had her hair in a pony tail and wore a wide smile on her face. Behind her in a short distance, walked a red-head carrying two shopping bags, walking calmly.

"Juvia!" Levy smiles as they embrace each other in a warm hug. 

"Lucy!" The bluette breaks her hug with Levy and wraps her arms around the blonde.

"I've missed you!" She says as she holds her shoulders and looks into her chocolate orbs.

"I missed you too, Juvia!" The blondie responds.

"Come on, girls, there is no time for this. We need to continue shopping." Another voice comes in and states firmly.

The blonde blushes as she meets her eyes with the woman known as Erza Scarlet. 

Oh, how she had missed her.

The blonde squeaks as she attacks Erza with a hug.

"I missed you!!" She says excitedly.

Out of all, she hadn't seen Erza the longest.

The red-head's cheeks heat up at the sentiment as she had her hands straightened out by her sides. After a moment, she hugged her back.

"I missed you too, Lucy." She smiled.

With that being their heartwarming reunion, the quadruple went on their day shopping for tops, pants, dresses, make-up, and other items. 

They took mini breaks in-between and grabbed themselves some ice-cream and drinks, before continuing on with their day as Erza demanded them to. 

No time was to be wasted since that mall closes at 8 PM and they only had six hours to shop, which wasn't enough for them.

They ended their day by eating at the food-court.

"The mall closes in thirty minutes, so we need to leave after this," Erza states as she chews on her Chinese food noodles.

"Let's go to a cafe or something," Levy proposes as she takes a bite off her burger.

"Yeah! Let's go to the Fairy Tail Bar!" Juvia suggests as she dipped her sushi piece into some spicy mayo.

"That sounds perfect!" Levy responds before turning to Lucy, who was sitting right next to her. "Lucy, you wanted to ask Mira something." She winks. "Maybe this is your chance."

"Yeah, okay." The blonde smiles as she plays around with her Indian food using her fork. She had ordered some butter chicken with rice, but it was too spicy for her taste.

Being around her friends always felt like a lift was off her shoulders. She felt like she could depend on them and relax with them. She felt safe like she always had people to turn to when in need.

"I don't have a problem with that." Erza states. "It sounds like fun," She smiles. "Plus I get to see Mira, which I haven't for a while now."

"Maybe we can change into one of the outfits we bought today!" Juvia says avidly.

"That sounds great," Levy responds.

"I'd like to show Gray-Sama my new dress." She brings her hands together as her face flushes up just at the thought. 

"Oh, n-no I'm sorry guys, I don't think I'll be able to make it." The blonde says.

"C'mon Lucy!!" Levy pushes, not realizing her reason.

'Though Erza instantly knew.

"Nonsense," The red-head responds. "No guys allowed today." 

"O-Oh, of course," Juvia says, giving her an apologetic look. 

"No really, it's fine I just-"

"This is a girl's night out, Lucy, we want to be together," Erza says.

The blonde sighs,

"Okay." She smiles. "We can get ready at my place."

"Sounds good!" Levy smiles.

.oOo.

The quad enters the bar that was filled with blue led lights. All the tables were occupied by drunken people as wild chatter and laughter filled the air; it could be heard from outside of the bar. 

"We have a reservation for four under the name Lucy," The red-head spoke out in a loud tone so she could be heard by the brunette bartender who was wiping down glasses.

"Right, lemonade chick." The brunette, known as Cana, smirks as she looks at Lucy who stood behind the red-head.

The blonde nervously giggles at the memory.

She's wearing a tight-black dress that perfectly defined her curvy figure as her cleavage neatly presented itself.

"Follow me." She says as she walks out of the bar and leads them deep into the bar.

"Here," She gestures at the same table Lucy and her group had sat in when Natsu was with her. 

She felt her chest ache at the memory as she stared at the blank space that was occupied by her and Natsu just a little over two weeks ago. 

"Come on," Levy held her arm and lead her to her seat, knowing damn well what Lucy was thinking about.

The blonde and the red-head sat side-by-side on the black couch as the bluettes sat right in front of them on the white chairs.

"Here are your menus," Cana placed them on the table. "I'll be back to take your orders in a bit."

"Thank you!" Levy responds, before the brunette took her leave.

"Why does she call you the lemonade chick?" Erza turned to face the blonde sitting next to her.

"Last time I was here, I ordered it and she thought it was funny." Lucy chuckles. 

"Well, she has no humor." She responds.

"I think it's because she has this weird addiction to alcohol." Levy speaks up. "It's rumored that she only works here for the free drinks." Levy gossips as they all begin to chuckle.

"If you'll excuse me, I have to talk to Mira about something." The blonde stands up. "I'll place your order by the bar in the meantime. What would you like to have?"

"Okay. I'd like a beer please." Levy speaks up.

"Make that two." Erza adds.

"Three!" Juvia concludes.

Lucy chuckles,

"Alright then." 

She grabs her black purse from the couch and walks over to the bar.

Leaning her arms against the bar-table, she speaks up,

"I'd like to place an order,"

"I'd like to place an order,"

Two voices spoke up at the same time.

As the blonde registers her moment in cinque, she realizes that the voice is familiar.

She turns her head to her right and meets her eyes with a pair of hazel ones.

"Oh, it's you." Lucy speaks up, recognizing his orange hair and glasses. 

"Hey blondie." He smirks.

"Loke, was it?" She rolled her eyes in disgust at the remembrance of his assault on her, before looking back at Cana.

"I'd like three beers and a lemonade please." She orders her drinks. 

"Comin' right up!" 

"Hey hey, what's with the attitude?" He turns his body fully towards her with that smile still plastered on his face, like this is some kind of game. 

Lucy swiftly looked back at him with narrowed eyebrows.

"Don't pretend you don't remember what you did." She firmly states.

"Okay, okay. I admit, I was a douchebag. But I was drunk." He justifies.

"I don't care what you were, just go away." She turns away from him and attempts to walk away, but he lays his hand on her shoulder firmly, stopping her in place..

"Where do you think you're going, sexy? I wasn't done talking."

Her breathing grew heavier as she clenched her hands into fists, afraid and angered as to what he wants with her. 

"Get your fucking hands off her." A husky voice behind them spoke out.

Lucy's muscles freeze in place at the sound of the familiar voice. His voice. The deep and manly voice that she's been oh-so craving to hear. 

Chapter Text

Recap

"Get your fucking hands off her." A husky voice behind them spoke out.

Lucy's muscles freeze in place at the sound of the familiar voice. His voice. The deep and throaty voice that she's been oh-so craving to hear.
_____________________

With labored breaths, she slowly turned to face him in refusal to believe her own ears.

Her eyes met with a pair of olive orbs, causing chills to travel down her spine and her stomach to instantly flutter at the sight of him.

It was him.

Her breathing grew heavy as she widened her eyes, consuming his figure with her sight. She felt her chest clench, forcing her heart to beat faster in nervousness.

His gaze stubbornly fixated on the ginger-head man next to her— not batting an eye or acknowledging her existence, giving him a deadly stare.

"Oh, you again," 

Loke responded, rolling his eyes as he drifted his hand away from the blonde, turning to fully face his challenger.

The salmon-haired man slid his hands out of his pockets as he took a step forward, closing the distance between him and Loke as he devoured him merely with his look. 

"Get out of here before I make you regret it." 

His face but an inch away from his as he muttered his threat— his gaze drilling into him like a thousand swords.

Loke crossed his arms,

"Oh yeah? And what are you gon-"

Before he knew it, a firm first collided with his cheek, causing his body to twist with the rhythm of the force and fall face down on the bar counter.

The blonde took a step back as she gasped, slapping her hands over her mouth with wide eyes, in utter shock that that just happened. She looked back and forth at both men— at the one defeated on the bar counter and at the other confidently standing behind him.

Cana, the bartender, stood still at the sight of the scene occurring before her. She swarmed her head left and right with the drinks in hand, looking for someone to do something about the situation, not realizing it was her responsibility.

Loke swiftly placed his hand on his red cheek as he moaned in pain. His glasses had flown off, causing his vision to go blurry before he squeezed his eyes shut.

The pinkette placed his hand against his back as he leaned down to his ear,

"Don't test me again." 

He whispered, and the ginger head only nodded against the table in pain and fear.

Natsu straightened his back again before looking towards the door. He gestured to his two bodyguards standing by it to handle the situation.

After doing so, he turned towards Lucy and met his eyes with her brown orbs.

A brief moment of silence passed as the duo looked into each other's eyes, visiting all sorts of memories with their gaze. The blonde bit her lip as she felt her chest ache at the sight of those compelling olive orbs she's oh-so missed to see.

"You." 

She said softly, not finding anything else to say really. 

He looked at her for a couple of seconds longer before turned around to walk back to his table, as if nothing had just happened— ignoring her remark.

"I suppose I should thank you," 

She said in a slightly louder tone, stopping him in his tracks.

He turned his head to his side and gave her a slight nod, before attempting to walk again.

"But I won't." 

She continued. 

He sighed as he stopped again, before turning to face her. 

"Do you want something from me, Lucy?" 

He questioned. 

She clenched her hands into fists, gathering up her strength to confront him. She took a few steps towards him, closing the distance between them as she silently gulped. 

She looked him up straight in the eyes as the crowd around them went on chattering, laughing, and acting drunk in this self-respected bar. The bodyguards had begun escorting Loke out in the process. 

It was only the two of them, standing there, not an inch apart, consuming each other's gaze as all sorts of thoughts swarmed in the other's head.

He silently waited for her to speak as he looked back down into her eyes and explored the chocolate pools of different shades in her orbs— feeling his breathing growing slightly heavy from the tension.

"You fired me." She stated. "Why?" 

She questioned, going straight to the point as she tried to keep up a confident front. 

He looked back and forth into her orbs, narrowing his eyebrows in confusion in the process.

"Answer me." She spoke up again.

"I don't have time for this." 

He stated coldly before attempting to turn back around, but she swiftly placed her hand on his shoulder, stopping him in place.

"Wait,"

She said, causing him to look back into her eyes in frustration. 

"I have a meeting I need to get back to." 

He only said, holding her wrist and swaying it away from his shoulder before he turned around and walked back to his table.

She clenched her hands as she felt her heartbeats racing and gulped as she watched him walk away, feeling her chest ache at him being so cold to her.

"Lucy?" 

A familiar feminine voice called out from behind her as a hand gently placed itself on her shoulder.

Lucy turned around and met her eyes with her petite best-friend whom she absolutely needed right now.

The bluette's face turned sad,

"What's wrong, Lu-Chan?" 

She softly questioned as she placed her hand on the blonde's cheek.

"Why are you crying?" 

She gently asked as she looked into her brown orbs, before wiping away her tears with her thumb.

"I'm- I'm crying?" 

The blonde's face turned confused as she placed her fingers against her cheek, feeling them wet with her tears.

"O-Oh I'm... I'm sorry." 

She said, silently wiping away the careless tears that continued on rolling down her cheeks.

The bluette stayed still for a moment as she looked behind Lucy, flustering up all of a sudden.

"U-Uh, let's get out of here," She stuttered. "You can tell me all about it in the car."

The bluette said as she held the blonde's shoulders.

"What is it?" 

The blonde narrowed her eyebrows as she followed the bluette's gaze and turned around, only to find Natsu sitting at a table with another woman— gazing into each other's eyes as they talked and laughed like she barely has seen him do so before. 

The blonde stood frozen still as her eyes widened, feeling all sorts of emotions spiraling up inside her. Her stomach clenched in stress as she gulped the pain down her throat. 

"Come on, let's leave." The bluette sighed in frustration as she held the blonde's shoulders and walked her to the exit. 

The blonde kept her gaze fixated on Natsu and the beautiful woman he was having drinks with, as her breathing grew heavier by the second.

Why is this so upsetting to see?

The olive orbs glanced over at the blonde as she walked past him with the bluette, and stared into her brown orbs as he watched a tear stream down her cheek, right before she disappeared out of the bar. 

"Come on Lu-Chan,"

The bluette directed her to her car as she held her by her arm.

The blonde sniffled as she wiped away her tears and followed the bluette to her car.

Buckling up in her passenger seat, the blonde let out a long but shaky sigh as she rested the back of her head on her seat.

"I'm sorry I don't know what came over me." She wiped away her final tears as she regained her sense of reality.

"I'm just very stressed," 

She continued, refusing to look into the bluette's eyes.

"It's okay to feel this way, Lu-Chan." The bluette placed her hand on Lucy's shoulder, causing her to look at her.

"You lost a job you needed and a man you cared for. But it's all for the best, believe me." The bluette gave her a small smile in comfort. 

"I just... I grew this attachment to him, and it hurts." She vulnerably said, trusting her best-friend with her feelings.

"I get it," She responded. "It's not easy, but you can get through this. You don't need a man who would cost you your livelihood just because of a stupid challenge." 

The blonde looked at her friend's hazel brown eyes in remembrance. 

She sighed,

"You're right." She stated. "Can you just take me home please?" 

The blonde looked ahead again, just wanting to get out of here.

"Of course." 

The bluette responded as she started the engine. 

.oOo.

Lucy's Apartment

Lucy shut her door closed and walked into her living room. She threw her purse on the couch before she tiredly sat on it with the lights still off.

All she needed was some peace and quiet, by herself.

Her eyelids felt heavy as they began to slowly shut, taking her into the depths of sleep. 

30 minutes later 

Ding-Dong Ding-Dong

The blonde fluttered her eyes open at the sound of her doorbell ringing with her heartbeats racing, startled by her sudden wake.

She looked over at her door while squinting, still not grasping reality. 

Ding-Dong Ding-Dong

She sighed as her legs fell on the ground and found the strength within her weak body to stand up.

She stumbled over to her door as she rubbed her eyes in tiredness.

Holding the doorknob, she twisted it and swung the door open.

She met her eyes with a pair of olive orbs and messy salmon hair, still clothed the same way she last saw him.

"Natsu?"

She questioned with wide eyes and heavy breaths, as her stomach tingled at the sight of him.

He had his arm on the door frame as he looked straight into her eyes.

"Can I come in?"

He questioned gently.

The blonde gulped as her eyes stuttered back and forth, unsure of what she should do. 

"I won't take a second of your time." He assured her.

She nodded hesitantly before stepping aside, opening room for him to walk into her living room. 

"What do you want?"

She closed the door and turned to face him, where he stood in the middle of her living room.

"Open the lights, I can barely see you." He said with a small smile.

The blonde chuckled as she reached for the light switch and flicked it open.

Her vision took a minute before it adapted to the intensity of the light, causing her to squint as she looked at him. 

"So nothing here's changed." He turned, roaming his eyes around her apartment with his hands in his pockets.

She sighed,

"What do you want, Natsu?" 

She questioned, walking into her kitchen to grab herself a glass of water.

A brief moment in silence passed as he walked up to her kitchen counter and placed his arms on it, leaning into her as she poured herself some water on the other side of the counter. 

He looked into her eyes as she looked down at her glass, not minding him. 

"When you were waking out the bar, you were crying. Why?" 

He questioned, causing her to look into his olive orbs back.

"I don't believe that's any of your business," 

She turned around to place her pitcher back in her fridge, feeling a little embarrassed that he saw her. 

"Come on Lucy, don't be like that." 

He said, straightening his back.

"Me?!" 

She turned around aggressively, meeting her eyes with his again, causing him to narrow his eyebrows.

"You're the one who got me fired for absolutely no reason! And now you're here to see if I'm doing okay?!" 

She placed her glass firmly on her counter as her breathing grew heavier. 

He went silent as he just stood there, looking at her.

"What's wrong with you! Why would you do that to me?!"

She finally started letting out the anger she held within her.

He slowly took a few steps around the counter and went into her kitchen, standing directly in front of her.

"Lucy I-"

"No." She interrupted. "I want a real explanation, I don't want some excuse."

"Listen-"

"Did you want me running back to you? Is that it!?"

"Would you shut up?!" 

He slammed his hands on either sides of her head, pinning her to the wall behind her.

"Let me speak!" 

He demanded in a throaty voice. 

Her breathing grew heavy as her heartbeats raced, staring right into the depths of his olive orbs as he gazed into her brown ones. 

"You're clueless, Lucy. Don't make assumptions on things you don't understand!" 

His tone grew more aggressive as he looked back and forth into her orbs. 

"What's that suppose to mean?" 

She questioned confused, in between breaths.

He let out a troubled sigh as he drifted his hands away from the wall, and turned around frustrated. 

"I gave you everything you need. Don't look for another job, that's all I'm asking for." 

He firmly stated with his back to her.

The blonde took a moment to register what he said before speaking up again,

"What the hell does that mean?!"

"Why were you crying, Lucy?" 

He changed the subject immediately as he turned back around, facing her again as he took a step closer to her. 

She took a step backwards and pressed her back against the wall.

"I..."

"What is it?" 

He gently placed his palms against the wall on either sides of her head as he leaned down to her, looking deep into her eyes.

Her stomach fluttered as she looked back into his consuming eyes, feeling her heart beat for him. 

"It's..."

"Because she was just business, Lucy." 

He said, causing the blonde to gulp nervously.

"I never said..."

"Your image has been haunting me ever since the day you left me." 

He loudly whispered as she felt his minty hot breath on her cheek. 

His eyes fell to her pink plumped lips, hating the distance between it and his own. 

"Natsu..." 

She whispered, looking down at his lips nervously as she felt her heart pound out of chest. 

Like a magnet, he found himself slowly leaning into her as he tilted his head, watching her lips, imagining what she might taste like— craving it.

Her breathing grew heavy the closer he leaned into her.

In a split second, he swiftly took his hands off the wall and turned around, clenching his fists in the process.

"I can't!" 

He angrily scolded himself. 

She placed her hand on his shoulder,

"Natsu..." 

Her voice so soft and gentle as she called him out, before gulping. 

"I'm sorry." 

He only said before he walked away from her, and went out of her door. 

The blonde stood in her kitchen, alone, confused and sweaty all in one.

She let out the heavy breaths she's been holding in and brought her hand to her chest, calming herself down as her mind swarmed endlessly. She felt warmth in between her thighs, fluttering in her stomach and warm feeling in her chest as she abruptly sweat all over her body.

"Where we... about to kiss?"

Chapter Text

The blonde flutters her eyes open. 

The white rays shine through her bedroom window, creaking through the curtains.

With a few deep morning breaths, she sits herself up the bed and stretches her arms wide.

A new day. 

A new beginning. 

A couple of days have passed since Natsu's visit—days in which she dreaded, cried, and angered over what she allowed to happen.

How could she be so foolish?

Allowing him to walk back into her home after ruining her livelihood? 

Not ruining, she reminded herself. He could never do that. She could always find herself another job. 

But just... why?

She dropped her feet to the ground and slipped into her pink fluffy slippers, yawning eagerly. 

She headed to her bathroom to freshen up. Blonde strands of her hair scrambled up messily and dark circles were around her eyes. She hasn't been treating herself all too well.

Gazing into the reflection of her brown orbs as she brushed her teeth, she felt pity for herself. 

She's been beating herself up over a man she left—a man who doesn't even love her nor want a future with her. 

What was she thinking?

It's been half a month since her second breakup with the second man in her life, yet he still lingered in her mind here and there—more times than she would like. 

And for what? It's not like they were engaged. It's not like he was her fiancé. It's not like he cheated on her. 

How could she mourn the breakup of a man who doesn't care for her? Nonetheless, buys the restaurant she works in just to fire her?

"This is ridiculous." She mumbles to herself as she steps out of the bathroom.

Today, she is going to visit Lisanna at the restaurant she works in—Prime & Toast. It's been a while since she's last seen her and it would be nice to catch up.

Maybe she can take her mind off things. 

She, too, went through a break-up with Natsu after all.

Not only that, but she was wondering if she could ask for a job. Maybe she could work with her.

After all, that whole plan with working for Mira at the bar won't work. She definitely doesn't want to encounter guys like Loke again. 

She won't always have Natsu to save her.

Nor would she want him to.

A restaurant is always safer.

As she walks towards her closet, she spots the suitcase Arthur brought over a while ago laying next to it. Sighing, she walks up to it and lunges it on her bed. She zips it open and flicks the top off. She sees all her clothes neatly folded and color coded—something only Natsu's workers would do. 

A small smile sneaks up her lips at the memory each clothing held—at the remembrance of her bra being flung away in the pool right before he thrusted into her eagerly, taking her breath away. Literally. 

His hands snaking up around her waist as he pushed her breasts against his chest and railed so deep into her, he bottomed out. 

At the sound of his low grunt and his hot breath against her cheek. 

She shook her head, trying to jumble the memories away.

She eyes something golden sticking out of the suitcase's pocket. Her eyebrows narrow as she reaches for it and slides it out. 

She flips it to see the front of it, and reads:

"LUCY HEARTFILIA: EXPRESS"

A credit card. A golden credit card. 

"What the..." She mumbles in confusion.

She smudges her hand in the pocket again to search for something else that might explain this, and finds a folded paper. She flattens it out and finds sloppy handwriting. It reads:

"This is your credit-card, as promised. You have 500,000 US dollars in it. Use it well.

-Dragneel"

The blondes breathing grew heavy as she took a much needed seat on her bed. She looked at her credit-card again in utter shock, truly not believing her eyes.

"Five-hundred thousand dollars..." She mumbles, her thoughts scrambling on what she could do with that money.

Suddenly, she remembers his words. 

"I gave you everything you need. Don't look for another job, that's all I'm asking for."

Realization dawned upon her.

She's had half a million dollars laying in her bedroom this whole time. 

She's been complaining and crying over what he's done, without knowing he'd given her half a million dollars. 

Her heart fluttered for a moment as she envisioned all the things she could do with this money. She can start fresh and work towards her dream career. This is more than enough to keep her going and strive for the life she's always wanted. 

Without warning, her thoughts perplexed on all the different possible reasons Natsu would do this. 

Why would he just give her the money?

What does he have to gain?

She furrowed her eyebrows. 

Why would he fire her?

Just... just what is the point to all of this?

He's trying to buy me off isn't he...

Then, she remembered something else.

"You're clueless, Lucy. Don't make assumptions on things you don't understand!"

She groaned, laying back on her bed, as confused as ever.

.oOo.

"Lucy?!" Calls out the whitette as she wiped her wet hands against her apron.

The blonde smiled as she clenched onto her black purse—her new credit-card in it—and made her way deeper into the restaurant.

She's not too sure why she's here.

"Hey," She greeted her with genuinity as they embraced each other in a brief hug.

"What are you doing here?" The whitette asked.

"C'mon Lis, we don't have all day!" A familiar yet scrappy voice from the kitchen called out.

"Coming!" She turned around and responded.

Lucy fixed her throat as she looked around the restaurant, finally realizing it is completely empty. Chairs are laying upsidedown on the tables and the floors are wiped.

Lisanna grabbed a chair from the nearest table and landed it on the ground.

"Here, take a seat, I'll be with you in a second." She winked right before walking into the kitchen.

"I'm here I'm here." The blonde heard her distant voice as the kitchen double-doors slowly shut.

She sighed before taking a seat and slumping her purse on the table. She tapped the surface with her fingers, patiently waiting as she roamed her eyes around the restaurant. She still remembers the first time she came here with Levy. 

How could she have known that her waitress that night would be the man she was fucking's ex? It's quite a story.

She couldn't hold herself back from noticing the fact that Natsu's house lays on the same street. 

She shouldn't stay too long, she noted.

Maybe working here isn't a great idea. 

Do I even still want to work? Should I accept this money?...

A moment later, Lisanna walks back out with a cold bottle of water in her hand, interrupting her thoughts. 

"Here." She places it on the table in front of Lucy and sways a second chair on the ground before taking a seat across of her.

"What's up?" She initiated, leaning back. "It's not like you to show up out of nowhere." 

The blonde shrugged her shoulders,

"Just thought we could hang out, I haven't seen you in a while." She forced a smile, instantly regretting her lie. 

"I know, I know; I'm sorry. I've been busy with work. Things are going well here." 

The whitette's face looks rested and her skin is glowing; the blonde knows all too well what that means. She's happy. She seems happy. Content, maybe fits better. Last time she'd seen her, she wasn't like this at all. She was more anxious and tensed up. Something is different. But what is it?

"Where is everyone? You closed up early today? It's only 10AM," The blonde questioned, her arms comfortably crossed. 

"Well, actually," Lisanna leaned against the table with a smile plastered across her face. "Ever since the owner changed, we've been closing and opening whenever we wished."

"Owner changed?" Lucy narrowed her eyebrows in confusion—it not being the only part confusing. 

The whitette hummed in agreement. 

"And the whole staff got an extremely generous raise," She slightly blushed.

The blonde chuckled.

Maybe working here is good.

"And who exactly is this generous owner?"

"His name is Sting Eucliffe," She stated, causing the blonde's eyes to flow wide. 

"You might know him since he worked for Natsu, but he got fired three days ago," 

The blonde could barely catch her breath as her heart thumped out of her chest. 

Did I hear that right?

"Oh, there he is!" The whitette excitingly says. 

She could hear heavy footsteps approaching their table from behind her, making her whole body freeze.

There's no way...

Lisanna stood up from her chair,

"Sting, this is Lucy, my good friend." She introduced, but Lucy didn't move a muscle. She is seated, hands clenched with her back to her ex-fiancé.

Sting walked towards the whitette and stood next to her, facing the blonde, no evident expression on his face. 

Lucy's heart grew ragged as she began abruptly sweating all over her body. With every breath she took, she felt her chest tighten, caging up the chambers of her heart. 

"And Lucy, this is Sting, the owner." The whitette exclaimed, looking over to the blonde man next to her. "And my boyfriend." She smiled as she landed her lips against his cheek, hugging his shoulder in the process.

Too much to process. Way too much. She could hear the sound of her own breath. She could feel the heaviness in her chest. Her nails created moon-shaped marks on her palms as she pressed harder, not wanting to look at him. She can't look at him. How could she. Her nervousness will be revealed. She can't look vulnerable. Not now nor ever.

"Lucy?" The whitette looked towards her in concern. 

The blonde gulped. 

"It's nice to meet you." Said the blond man.

The audacity. 

Just what game is he playing at? What's he trying to accomplish? 

She forces a smile and tilts her head up. 

Before speaking, she fixes her throat, making sure not to stutter.

"It's nice to meet you too." She went along with it. 

If he wants to play the game, I'll show him I can play too.

Sometimes you have to play the role of a fool to fool the fool who thinks they're fooling you.

And she's pretty good at it. 

And she'll do it. Just until she figures out his motives.

He smiled with a small chuckle before grabbing a seat, casually. 

"So, Lucy, what might you be doing here at this time of day?" He questioned, swaying his arm around the whitette's shoulder, making her giggle. 

The blonde looked at his arm for a split second, cursing at him innerly. The disrespect. 

"I came to see Lisanna, but I'm leaving." She said with a soft tone—a kind tone—a forced kind tone.

She won't sit here and play house until she figures out exactly what is going on. 

Lisanna grabs her hand gently, 

"Stay for a little, we were just closing up. We can go grab ice cream or something." She said with a hint of sparkle in her eyes.

So that's why she's glowing. Her new found love sits next to her. 

She let out a false chuckle,

"No, really, I have somewhere to be. I just wanted to check up on you." 

The blonde chewed up all the words she wanted to say, and forced those untrue words out of her mouth. She had to. Lying is what's required in this game they're playing after all. 

It's the smart thing to do. To go along with it. Just until she figures everything out.

The whitette sighed,

"Alright then. But let's hang out tonight. I want you to get to know Sting better." She held his hand as she looked into the blonde's brown orbs. 

"But—"

"No buts! I'll text you where we can hang out." She winked.

The blonde had no choice but to nod in agreement. 

Right before walking off, she took a glance at Sting and saw his revolting smile across his face. A smirk. Something obviously intended to mean something. A challenge, maybe? 

She won't make assumptions about anyone or anything until she learns what's happening. 

She made her way out the restaurant, her hands still clenched onto her purse nervously, mapping her next destination.

Natsu.

She needs to go to him now. 

It's a good thing his house is just a few blocks away. 

Finally standing in front of his house, she sighs, readying herself to walk into his home. Something she was mad at him for doing just a few hours ago. 

Lifting her balled fist, she knocks on the black door three times. 

Not a second passes and a maiden unlocks it, swinging it open.

"Hi," Lucy initiates, feeling all her adrenaline leave her body as a flow of stress takes over. 

"Uhm," she fixes her throat. "I'm here to see Natsu?" She posed that as a question for some reason. 

"He's not here m'lady." The pink-haired woman responds. Her eyes a bright color of blue as they gazed into the blonde's orbs, scaring her a little.

'Though she knows all too well what that means.

Natsu instructs his staff to say that to any and every visitor by default, unless he instructs them not to. 

She sighs,

"Excuse me," Lucy said, walking in the house uninvited as she brushes her shoulder with the maidan. 

"M'lady!" 

"Natsu!" The blonde called out, going up the black spiral stairs that lead to his room.

"I know you're here," she yelled out.

"M'lady!" The pink-haired girl followed behind her.

The blonde took her final step up before speed-walking towards his bedroom door. 

The maiden stood defeated behind her. 

She swings open the door, barging into his room, and finds him laying shirtless on his bed with his arm crossed behind his head and grey sweatpants. His chest broad and his abs slickly defined, the blonde noticed. Just as she remembers if not better.

A book is on his lap and his lights are closed, allowing only the sunlight from his French windows to extensively brighten up his room. 

He looked up and met his olive orbs with her brown ones as she stood there frozen in place, feeling nervous all over again.

"Hey sweetheart," he said.

Chapter Text

"Hey sweetheart," he said.

Her body froze—heart thumping in her chest harder and faster than before as she looked into his eyes, laboring her breaths.

Being here, now, like this, makes it harder to confront him. 

But still, it's necessary. 

"I need to talk to you," she said, clenching tighter onto her purse. 

She hates herself for how weak that sounded. She can do better. She will do better.

Raising his chin slightly, he gestured to the maiden standing awkwardly by the door to leave.

Knowing her place, she briefly bowed her head as a sign of respect before turning around and closing the door behind her, leaving only the two of them in his room.

Like old times.

Natsu shut his book and placed it on his nightstand next to him, sensing some seriousness in her tone—his ripped body revealing the cut of his muscles with every move he made.

A faint blush greeted her cheeks—as if she hadn't laid under that already.

"Well," he gestured, looking into her eyes. "Talk."

She looked back into his orbs fiercely, gathering up the courage to just out with it. 

A whole bunch of questions swarmed in her head. Should she question him of the credit card? Of why he fired her? Or of Sting and why he fired him? Or of Lisanna and Sting's new found relationship? 

Maybe she should question him about everything. 

Maybe they're all connected.

But he knows why she's here, right? I mean, he must know.

"I'm done with your games. I want to know what's happening, detail for detail." She blurted, demandingly. 

Yes, that sounded right.

He narrowed his eyebrows, sitting up the bed, giving her his full attention.

"What exactly happened?" He questioned.

"Lots of things. Everything. And it all starts with you. And I wanna know why." 

A brief pause took place before he chuckled, dropping his feet to the ground.

"You sound stressed," he said, rising and walking barefoot on his comfortable carpet towards his coffee machine. "Would you like some coffee?" He glanced towards her as he flicked open the on-switch for the grind and brew. 

"No, I said I came here to talk," She responded solidly. 

"Alright, I'll listen." He stated, grabbing a table spoon from the drawer—his back given to her. "But I want to speak first," He said, scooping and pouring different powders into a black mug.

She took notice of his defined, ripped, well-toned back. She watched his muscles clench and unclench with every simple movement of his. Faded red lines marked across his skin—like firm nails dug deep into them. Then she instantly remembered. That was her doing. Her nails. Her uncontrollable need to grasp onto him as he railed her. That was not so long ago, she noted.

Oh how she missed him inside her.

He's like a drug. You take one dose, and you can never take it out of your system.

She shakes her head instantly, wanting to get rid of those thoughts. She can't think about all that right now. 

She can't get caught up in this again—in him again.

She cleared her throat,

"What?"

He turned to her, leaning against his coffee table and crossing his arms—his biceps clenching.

"I'd like to apologize." He said in a serious tone.

The blonde furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and surprise.

"My last visit," he stated. "I had too much to drink. I wasn't really aware of what I was doing. I'd like you to disregard my actions that night and forget that it ever happened."

She felt her chest clench as she registered his words.

Does he really want to erase the only sincere moment they had? He wants her to forget that he almost kissed her? Something he promised he would never do... What does that even mean? 

Should she even care?

He fixed his throat and turned back around towards his coffee machine, picking up his table spoon again and pouring in different powders into another mug— a white one. 

"Wait for me in the balcony," he only said, changing the subject, not waiting for a response. 

For a moment, she considered obeying. 

But no. 

He's done much worse than visiting her uninvited. 

"Is that the only thing you're going to apologize for?" She spoke up, tightening her grip onto her purse in stress. 

A pause took place before he responded,

"That is," he only said, pouring in the hot liquid into the mugs.

"What about the fact that you bought the restaurant I worked in just to fire me for some stupid challenge?" Her voice grew angry. "You're not going to apologize for that?" Her tone gained volume.

He spun the liquid with his metallic spoon, not acknowledging her words.

"Natsu, I'm speaking to you. Look me in the eye and give me the respect I give you." 

He froze for a second before he turned his body towards her with those sharp eyes of his, holding both mugs in his hands.

He took a few steps towards her, stretching his arm, handing her the white mug.

"Here," 

"I said I didn't want any."

"Take it anyway. You seem like you have a headache and I don't want you to give me one too."

She huffed, sliding her hand into her purse and picking out the golden credit card. 

"And what is this?" She held it up for him to see. "Are you trying to buy me off like some hooker?" She threw it at him in disgust. It hit his chest before it fell to the ground.

His eyes never left hers. 

That sharp yet deadly gaze drilled into her. 

His lips stayed sealed as silence filled the air around them for the next couple of moments.

Never had anyone spoken to him in such a manner. 

"You call this respect?" 

Her breathing gained weight. 

"It's what you deserve,"

His gaze grew sharper.

"What? Nothing to say?" She pushed. "Nothing to explain yourself with?" She provoked.

"Enough." His voice went solid and firm. 

She only looked him straight in the eyes with those big brown orbs of hers, her knuckles turning white from clenching so hard onto her purse.

"Come," he walked passed her. He stepped out into the balcony and landed his feet on the white-blocked ground.

He took a deep breath of fresh air as the warm wind greeted his skin. It was definitely a means to calm himself down.

"Where are you going," she turned to him annoyed.

"You want answers?" He questioned, placing both hot mugs on the black round table before him. 

Her silence was enough of a response. 

He turned towards her again, meeting his eyes with hers in the short distance.

"Then come and sit. Let's talk." 

Clenching her hand into a tight fist, she stood there solidly before she huffed and made her way to the balcony. 

He sat down on the nearest chair and she seated herself next to him, beside the view.

He wrapped his fingers around his mug's handle and brought it to his lips, taking in a divine sip of black coffee as the ball of fire creaked through the clouds, coloring the sky with different shades of yellow and orange. 

"So?" She impatiently questioned.

He looked towards her—in her earthly eyes—squinting a bit from the brightness the sun granted.

"Sting Eucliffe, your ex-fiancé." He stated, landing his mug against his leg.  

"Yes," she responded, wanting to know what the deal with him is already.

"He's not who you think he is," 

"What do you mean?"

A pause took place before he fixed his throat,

"Do you remember that story I told you a long time ago? About how I crisscrossed Japan and handpicked the people I wanted to join my company?" He questioned. 

She only nodded, listening intently.

"Well, Sting was one of those people. Except, I offered him a more authoritative position than the rest." 

"Wait, but you told me that the people you handpicked were your friends?" 

"He was a family friend. Our fathers were in a business together. I felt obliged to invite him into the company I was trying to build, as a form of respect to our lineage." He stated, taking another sip of coffee. "But he refused." He placed it on the table.

"Refused your offer?" 

He nodded, looking back into her bright brown eyes.

"In fact, he challenged me. He said he wanted to build a business of his own and make it bigger than mine will ever be." 

The blonde stayed silent, her jaw slightly loose as she tried to register his words.

'Though she didn't understand what this has to do with anything, she was still curious.

"And then what happened?"

"It only took two years for my business to flourish. GM became the best selling company in all of Japan. I began reaching out to the whole continent, until I eventually had a base everywhere in Asia."

"So you proved him wrong."

He shook his head,

"I didn't do any of it to prove anything to anyone. I built my business for myself. To test my own potential." 

"Okay but what does this have to do with—"

"Just listen." He interrupted. "Three years ago, which I'm guessing was two before he met you, he reached out to me. He begged for the position I was offering him before."

"And you gave it to him?"

"I don't give second chances." He firmly stated. "I told him that if he wanted to work for me, he'd have to start from the bottom and work his way up. Just like any other worker." 

Ding-Ding  Ding-Ding  Ding-Ding

"Sorry, that's my phone," the blonde dug her hand into her purse, reaching out for her device.

"Just mute it and listen. It was about time I told you everything anyway." 

She sighed, dropping her phone back into her purse right after muting it, without looking at the three messages she received. 

"Okay continue," she got comfortable in her chair as she fully turned towards him, opening her ears. 

"He kept on getting promoted by his bosses and working his way up. I was taken aback by his strategic skills in marketing and business. In fact, he was an asset. Just like his father was to mine." 

Lucy grabbed her coffee mug off the table and took a sip of it as she was listening, remembering all those times Sting would take her out on dates whenever he got a promotion at work. It was often and he was always so happy about it. 

"Now that I remember," Lucy interjected. "Just four months ago, he talked about how he wanted to reach the top at work and best out everyone." She narrowed her eyebrows in remembrance, seeing all the puzzle pieces falling into place.

"Bingo." He smirked. 

"I reevaluated some of the files he worked with and saw him attempting to leak inside information to my competitors. He'd do it subtly and without leaving any trace of evidence behind."

Lucy's eyes widened.

"Instead of firing him instantly, I first needed evidence to such accusations, but I also wanted to know what he was trying to do. But it wasn't too difficult to put the pieces together."

"He wanted your position." She said.

He nodded, 

"And he would do anything for it. I dug deep into his history to see if I could hold anything against him, and I found something. Something relevant."

"What is it?"

"At age 7, Sting was diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder." He stated, causing the blonde's heartbeats to race and her eyes to widen even more. "That means he'd do anything and everything to feed his pride. The pride I hurt when I bested him with my business."

The blonde gulped, not able to grasp anything.

It makes perfect sense.

How he treated her when they were together. 

How he cheated on her, manipulated her, gaslighted, lied, and did everything wrong only to play the victim at the end. She remembered how she laid down on her knees crying in front of him and he didn't feel a thing. Instead, he walked out, leaving her to her own misery. 

Everything makes perfect sense.

"But... but that means he's dangerous..." Lucy spoke out. 

She suddenly felt a warm hand lay itself on her small one, holding it gently. 

She looked up into his olive eyes with heavy breaths. 

"I don't want you to worry." He said, leaning in, wiping away a careless tear that escaped her eye. 

It wasn't from sadness. It was from shock. 

She gulped, rubbing her eye with her free hand.

"I'm sorry I don't even know why—"

"I understand." He said, giving her hand a small squeeze. 

He cleared his throat,

"Thankfully, the information he gave out wasn't so vital. I made sure he didn't handle any important business after that and I always kept an eye on him."

"Why couldn't you just fire him?"

"Because I can't fire anyone without a reason. That would make me and the company look bad. Everything is on record, Lucy, don't forget."

"But you had a pretty good reason,"

"With no evidence. A fact with no proof is as useless as a glass hammer." 

She stayed silent, understanding.

"So how did you fire him three days ago?"

He sighed. 

"That day in the Fairy Tail bar, I got an anonymous call, remember?" 

She nodded.

"The person speaking was using a voice changer, so I couldn't tell who they were. Once they threatened me to forfeit my company to them, I had a pretty good guess." 

"No... you don't think it was..."

"I've been indulging myself in a battle with him in secret this whole time. He didn't think I knew who he was, so I had the upper hand."

“What did he threaten you with?" She questioned instantly.

"Let's just say... he wasn't so happy to find out we were together that night at the cocktail party." 

"Me?..."

"He was your ex-fiancé, wasn't he?" He stated. "I hurt his ego enough with building a successful business. Now imagine fucking the woman he meant to marry." 

"This... this just doesn't sound like Sting at all..." she said, looking away in fear. 

She knows he can be deceiving, cunning, manipulative and a cheater... but a criminal?

"The day after you left me is when I put all the pieces together. Everything made sense, from head to toe." He explained. "You just made it harder for me to protect you." He looked into her brown orbs. 

She let out a troubled sigh,

"What did he say he'd do to me exactly?" 

"I told him you moved in with me so he wouldn't know where you're living currently, but that just provoked him more. He threatened to buy the restaurant you worked in so he'd always be near you. So he could always stalk you. So he could always be a danger to you. And so he could always have something over me." 

The blonde's heart dropped, feeling her breathing growing heavier by the second. 

She just couldn't believe her ears.

Her palms turned sweaty and he felt her stress, so he caressed her hand with his thumb as he spoke to calm her down.

"And I believe you know what happened after that. I beat him to it. Protecting you was my first priority and I got that accomplished by firing you." He stated.

The blonde's eyes just kept widening, feeling all sorts of emotions swirling inside of her. 

She was so wrong... so so wrong. 

"You're clueless, Lucy. Don't make assumptions on things you don't understand!"

He was right. She was clueless. Extremely clueless. In a deadly way. 

"I didn't give you the credit card because I wanted to buy you off, Lucy. That's just absurd. I did it because I didn't want you working anywhere else. He could easily find you and you'd be in danger all over again."

"I gave you everything you need. Don't look for another job, that's all I'm asking for."

She sighed, drifting her hand away from his and placing them over her eyes. She rubbed her forehead harshly, still trying to process all this information. 

He gave her a minute in silence before he spoke up again. 

"I confronted him in my office three days ago. He tried denying it at first but it wasn't too long till his true colors showed. I told him I'd put him behind bars for what he's done. As soon as I said that, he signed the resignation papers and promised to back down, like a little coward."

"But he didn't. He didn't back down." Lucy looked up to him again as she spoke. 

"Yes I know he didn't. He bought Prime & Toast the day after, right?"

She nodded.

"He did that to stay close to me since I live on the same street. But he also did it to hold something else over my head, Lisanna." He stated.

"Of course... you and Lisanna dated so he's threatening you with her now," 

"First of all, we didn't date." He said. "But he didn't threaten me with anything. He's just showing me he can have the upper hand if he wants to, even though that isn't the case." 

She nodded, still not believing Sting would do all of this. 

"I've been in contact with my lawyers ever since. We're trying to gather up as much evidence as we could to take him to court."

"Good." She instantly said. "And—but—wait— Lisanna... I have to warn her!" She immediately reached into her pocket to pick out her phone.

He swiftly grabbed her hand, stopping her.

"What are you doing? You can't warn her of anything."

"No you don't understand," Lucy looked him in the eye. "Th-They're dating..." 

Natsu leaned back on his chair in genuine shock, 

"Well that's unexpected. Unexpected but not surprising." He stated. "He was with you and I got with you. I was with her and now he's trying to get with her. It's the whole feeding his pride thing." 

"The only problem is that I've never felt anything for Lisanna, so he's wasting his time with whatever he's trying to do." He continued. 

"None of that matters," Lucy interjected. "I have to warn her!" 

Lucy picked out her phone defyingly and tapped her screen open. 

She found three messages from Lisanna. 

She glanced at Natsu before glancing back at her phone,

"I got three messages from her..."

"Lisanna?" He questioned. 

She nodded.

"What do they say?"

________________

(313)-620-xxxx

Lisanna: "Hey Lucy!"

Lisanna: "Let's hang out tonight the Katsuya Restaurant, it's a sushi place that I'm sure you'll love."

Lisanna: "Come at 7PM! It'll be me you and Sting. I'm so excited for you to get to know him!"

Read: 11:49AM

________________

Lucy leaned in closer to him to show him the screen. 

"She wants you to get to know Sting?" He questioned with narrowed eyebrows and a mock smile. "How did you even know they were dating?" He leaned back again and looked into her eyes.

She sighed,

"I went to by Prime & Toast earlier today to ask for a job since you fired me." She looked at him accusingly. "I mean seriously, was it so easy for you to do that?" 

"Yes it was easy for me. For your safety. For your safety anything would be easy." He replied almost instantly, firmly and without hesitation.

She smiled, a genuine one with faint blush on her cheeks. 

"Well, I'm sorry I just assumed the worst. But you still should've told me what was going on."

"I didn't want to worry you or put this burden on you. You would've been in constant fear. I wanted to handle this slickly and quickly. I didn't want anything holding me back." He explained. 

"I suppose I should thank you," she said.

"But you won't?" He smirked, recalling the day at the Fairy Tail bar. 

She giggled.

"How did you keep a straight face seeing them together?" He questioned.

"He pretended he didn't even know me..."

"He's trying to play a game here isn't he." He said thoughtfully. "Well, we'll just have to make sure the game plays him."

Chapter Text

The blonde's cell-phone vibrated on her dresser as she brushed her lipgloss against her bottom lip. She popped her lips together before zipping up her makeup bag and picking up her phone.

It was a message from Natsu, telling her that he's arrived and's waiting for her in the limo.

She sighed, looking back at her reflection in distress.

"Lisanna won't forgive me for this..." she mumbled under her breath.

...........................................

Hours Earlier

The blonde leaned back on her chair and crossed her arms, eager to know what he's thinking.

He looked into her brown orbs as a smirk crept on his lips.

"And how do we do that exactly?" She questioned eagerly.

"It's simple really," he said. 

"Sting won't stop until he takes over your business and takes me with him," she stated, "if he had the power to threaten the safety of the woman he were to marry, then he has the power to do anything." 

"Not over me he doesn't."

"No, Natsu, it's dangerous. He's dangerous. And I don't know what more he's capable of," she paused to take a harsh gulp down her throat.

She was scared. She really was. Someone she thought she knew better than anyone in this world, someone she loved and ought to marry, turned into this monster—turned into someone who'd hurt her. 

He sighed, leaning in as he gently placed his warm hand over hers, looking into her earthy orbs.

"Nothing is going to happen to you as long as I'm here." he paused. "He won't touch you, Luce. I promise you that." he vowed. 

She smiled as her cheeks turned rosy, admiring his jade eyes under the sun. 

Wings fluttered in her stomach at the feel of his sharp gaze on her and at his thumb stroking her hand in comfort. 

It reminded her all too well of his soft touch, running his hand along her cheek as he fucked her, not too long ago. 

Her eyes flickered over his soft lips before looking back up into his orbs, and she noticed he was doing the same. 

His lip twitched as his gaze fixated on her plumped lips, feeling himself slowly drawn into her like a magnet. 

A magnet trying to resist its temptation and compulsion.

She gulped, feeling her breathing heavy.

He suddenly cleared his throat and leaned back on his chair, drifting his hand away from hers and looking away.

A paused moment took place before he spoke up again.

"Come on, let me tell you what I have in mind." He stood up and grabbed both mugs off the table before walking back into his bedroom.

Lucy clenched onto her seat's hand—her heart excessively racing.  

"He was going to do it..." she mumbled.

...........................................

Present

She opened the limo's door—her hair swaying left and right due to the aggressive wind.

She wore a thick tight black dress that reached onto her thighs with a V neck mercifully revealing her uplifted breasts. It matched Natsu's all-black suit too. She did it on purpose, but she'd never tell him that.

It was easy for her to move in and it flattered her hourglass body, giving her justice. She accessorized it with a pearl necklace and a mini white purse. 

She got in and let out a relieved sigh as she closed the door. 

"You ready?" The man next to her questioned, eyes lingering over her exposed breasts before looking back up into her brown orbs. 

He didn't like how exposed she looked, especially that Sting is going to be there, but he wouldn't say anything. Their relationship is too sensitive right now. And it's not like he has the right to anyway. 

She nodded,

"Yeah, let's just get this over with," 

"Arthur, take off." He looked ahead and signaled.

"I'm really nervous..." she anxiously cracked her knuckles.

He placed his hand on her knee,

"Don't worry, I'm with you." he looked her in the eye and gave her a gentle smile. 

What that meant to her was different than what it meant to him. 

She thought it meant he'd have her back if she was put in an unsafe situation. He'd defuse the danger and get her out of there.

What he actually meant, however, was that he'd knock Sting's teeth out if he dared lay a finger on her and obliterate anything that stands in his way. Even if that meant he'd rot in jail right next to him. 

She smiled before taking in a deep breath and nodding slightly.

"How far is the restaurant from here?" she questioned.

"It's just a few minutes away," he responded, looking out his tinted window and drifting his hand away from her. 

"Do you have it?" She turned to him, nervously rubbing her hands together.

"Yes,"

"But what if it doesn't work?"

"It will, Lucy, just calm down,"

A moment of silence passed as they both thought of what's about to happen—she still had doubts, but she trusted him. She'd trust Natsu with anything. She has faith in him—has faith that he can handle any problem that falls on him and overcome any obstacle before him. And rightfully so. 

"My question is," he met his eyes with hers, "what are you going to do after this? You'll be Sting free," he smirked.

She sighed, leaning her head back on her seat.

"I don't know," she responded. "I guess I'll just have to wait and see..."

"We've arrived, sir," interrupted Arthur, sliding his window open.

Lucy took in a deep breath before letting out a shaky sigh, calming herself before preparing for the show she's about to put on.

"All set?" He looked towards her, awaiting for her answer before opening the door.

"As I'll ever be," 

"Let's go." He got out of the car and opened the door for her.

They both stood in front of the restaurant's building, hand in hand, ready to go in.  

...........................................

Hours Earlier

"So, what's your plan?" she sighed, slouching on his bed as it bounced a bit. 

He stood by his closet, looking through it—still shirtless. 

"Well," he paused. "We bluff."

"Bluff?"

He turned towards her, holding an all-black suit in his hand.

"All the evidence my lawyers have gathered so far are circumstantial. They won't be admissible in court."

"I have no idea what you just said,"

He chuckled,

"We basically don't have sufficient evidence to take him to court."

"So what are we going to do?"

"Make evidence." He walked over to his couch and dropped his suit on it. 

"What?...How?" She leaned back, placing her hands behind her on the mattress, intently listening.

"Easy," he looked at her as he began sliding down his pants, thankfully wearing his black boxers. "We push him to self-incriminate and confess." 

Her jaw loosened up as she tried to grasp his plan, completely confused as to how they're suppose to accomplish that. 

"And we do that by bluffing?"

He slipped into his pants, 

"Exactly," he buttoned up, "I know what files he tried to leak to my competitors. If they were actually vital, then my company would've lost at least a hundred million US dollars, but luckily they weren't. If he succeeded in what he was planning, then that would've been a minimum of fifteen years in prison, and that's excluding the blackmail. But the attempt of it gets him five."

"Woah..."

"He doesn't know that the files weren't vital, though. I'll show him the files and tell him that my lawyers have all the evidence needed against him and that they're ready to take him to court."

"And do your lawyers have the evidence?"

He chuckled,

"They don't. Not yet at least. Which is why we're bluffing." 

She began understanding.

"So, what if he doesn't yield?" 

"He did it, Lucy. He's guilty. And although my lawyers don't have such evidence, he'll think they do and that's gonna make him back down." he paused. "And if we're lucky enough to get Lisanna on our side, we'll threaten him to use her as our witness."

"But all of this is built up on lies...we don't have the evidence to take him to court..."

"But he'll think we do. And that's how he'll self-incriminate." 

"What's the use of self-incrimination if the court isn't there to see it? They aren't just going to take our word for it," 

"Ah but they won't have to." He walked over to his nightstand and opened his drawer, then took out a device.

"You see this?" He held it up for her.

"What is that?..."

"It's a recorder," he stated, causing Lucy's eyes to widen. "We'll record his confession."

She smiled.

"Okay, I'll play."

...........................................

Present

"Reservation for—"

Natsu held her arm, stopping her from talking to the hostess of the restaurant.

"He reserved for three. I'm not suppose to be here." He whispered into her ear.

She nervously giggled,

"Excuse me," she said to the woman behind the desk before turning to Natsu.

"Do we just walk in?" 

"Come," he held her hand, awkwardly smirking to the woman as he passed her and lead Lucy into the restaurant.

They walked in between tables and booths, passed by staff and waiters and waitresses, until they finally spotted a couple seated on a red booth at the far corner of the restaurant.

One with standing-out white short hair and the other with ruffled up blond.

Lucy took in a deep breath.

She couldn't seem to control her breathing.

"You're my girlfriend, don't forget," 

"I know," she mumbled, innerly cursing at herself for Lisanna being there.

Sting thinks they're together and that's the only thing keeping her safe for the moment. He thinks she's living under Dragneel's roof, therefore she cannot be touched.

And although that is not the case, they'll still have to act it in front of him. 

And in front of Lisanna.

...........................................

Hours Earlier

"But how are we going to get him to confess?" 

"That's the issue," he said, buttoning up his shirt. "There's a good chance he won't break with Lisanna being there, because she could go against him. I'll have to push hard." he stated.

"Right." she responded. "And when you tell him your lawyers have everything they need to charge him, he'll coward up and try to negotiate his way out of it. He'd drop his act 'cause he'd be too afraid of going to jail," she continued.

"Yes, that's another thing," he began working on his collar.

She sighed, laying back on the bed.

"It's a good plan, but it's not going to work."

He paused.

"Why?" 

"He'd know what we're trying to do as soon as you walk in that restaurant with me."

"I wouldn't be there if I didn't have an ace up my sleeve. I mean, I really don't, since we're bluffing. But he'll think I do. So if anything, that's a good thing." 

She sat up the bed,

"Lisanna will be there..." she said in panic, as if it suddenly hit her.

"I know,"

"No, Natsu, she can't see you. She hates you."

"I don't mind," he shrugged his shoulders, as if that mattered.

"I don't want her to hate me too!"

"Lucy," he turned to her, looking into her eyes. "You're not going to this dinner without me. Not with Sting being there." 

"He's not going to harm me or anything, he won't dare to since we'll be in a public place and Lisanna will be there too." 

"I said no."

"It's not your choice,"

"I don't care, you're not going alone. He's too dangerous," he paused after seeing the blonde narrow her eyebrows. "Plus, we have to get this over with. I have to be there for the plan to work."

She sighed, knowing he's right. They can't wait too long.

"Fine," she said. "But you have to promise me something."

"What is it?"

...........................................

Present

Natsu felt Lucy's hand go sweaty as he held onto it, leading her to their table.

He didn't know how Sting would react to seeing him, or if he'd react at all.

But Lisanna knows that Natsu use to be Sting's boss and that Natsu fired him, so neither will have to pretend to like each other at least.

The white-haired woman smiled widely once her ocean-blue eyes met with Lucy's, glistening up with excitement.

The sparkles left her eyes once she saw Natsu, her ex-something, the person who broke her heart, standing alongside Lucy, walking up to their table, holding her hand.

Oh how she wished to fall in a hole right about now. 

Why would she do that to her? Just what reason...  

Once Lucy met her ex-fiancé's blue orbs, she noticed that revolting smile on his face.

The same one he gave her that night they broke up.

A smile that only says:

I can see right through you.

Chapter Text

Hand-in-hand, the duo walked towards Sting and Lisanna's table. 

Natsu kept his back straightened and his hand firmly holding onto Lucy's in possessiveness, like she's about to get snatched away any second.

He didn't seem to like the idea of her being around Sting, at all. But of course, there was no choice.

Sting stood up from his seat as they reached. 

"Mr. Dragneel," he lifted his hand up for a shake, that revolting smirk still plastered on his face—a smirk Natsu could see through.

He knew what was coming for him.

Natsu glanced down at his hand before looking back up into his gem-eyes, then let out a chuckle in mockery.

A degrading sentiment.

"Sit down, Sting." He demanded, that deadly gaze drilling into him as he calmly gestured.

His mere presence was heavy. It made Sting gulp. But he'd never let him win.

The blond retreated his hanging hand and took a seat again, rubbing his chin in angst. 

Lisanna's heart was thumping in her chest faster every second, feeling her throat grow heavy just at the sight of him. Her mind just couldn't grasp the fact that Natsu was here. And that Lucy, her supposed friend, brought him. 

Just how could she?

Why would she do this to her?

Lucy felt guilt spread in her chest as she looked at Lisanna. She didn't want to upset her. She didn't want any of this. She just wanted Sting out and defeated after everything he's done.

He's attempted to take down Natsu and the company he's built by threatening her safety.

If anything, she couldn't hate him more right now. And frankly, she was ready to do whatever it took to bring him down.

Lucy let go of Natsu's firm grip and felt her hand sweaty. 

Was Natsu gripping her too hard? Or was she just scared?

She scooted in the red couch across the whitette and the blond, barely looking at Sting. Her eyes were only on Lisanna.

It'd just feel weird to look at him, after everything he's done, and after everything they've been through together. 

He was too focused on Natsu anyway.

Natsu took a seat right next to her, his gaze never leaving the eyes of his former employee.

"Well," Sting initiated, before Natsu could speak. "What'd you come here for?" He asked, locking his fingers together against the table, wasting no second.

Natsu could tell how desperate he was to show that he was confident. 

His fear was written all over his face, after all. Written in ink only Natsu could see.

Lisanna looked towards her ex, laboring her breathing, waiting for an explanation. Anything to explain whatever this is. 

Why would he come here, knowing that she's here? Doesn't he hate her?

Lucy harshly gulped. She still didn't know how their plan was going to go. The uncertainty of it weighed heavily on her stress and anxiety.

Nastu smiled, leaning back on the couch.

"You don't know?..." he responded, laying his arm on the couch's cushion, behind Lucy. 

Sting shrugged his shoulders,

"Am I suppose to?" 

"You tell me." Natsu said in sighing, already hating the pretense. He slipped his hand into his inner suit-jacket and pulled out a neatly folded paper.

He slammed it on the table and slid it across.

"What's this?" Sting muttered, not even glancing at it.

Lucy and Lisanna watched. The blonde awaited for the plan to unfold whilst the whitette's thoughts rumbled, confused as ever. 

"All the crimes you've committed." Natsu responded coldly, no spec of emotion detected. "They're numbered and color coded too," he smiled in amusement. "Y'know, organization is Lucy's specialty."

Lisanna narrowed her eyebrows, trying to take a peak at the paper Sting has scrunched up in his fist. 

She was confused.

What are they talking about?

Sting chuckled.

"Crimes, huh?" He said. "I haven't done anything. You can't prove anything." 

"Oh but that's where you're wrong," Natsu leaned his arm against the table.

"You're indebted to me, bastard. You owe me, and Lucy, a life sentence in prison. Are you ready to pay that price?" He said, his voice being gravely calm, his gaze unmerciful. 

"Pay for it? Don't make me laugh. I didn't do anything. And you have nothing to prove I did anything, either. Stop with this charade you're putting on." 

Natsu leaned back again, not losing eye contact. 

It was like a staring contest. 

Drilling into each other's souls with their intense gazes. Whoever looks away first, loses. 

Lisanna's heart kept beating faster and Lucy's head kept pounding. 

No one knew how this was going to go down.

"That confidence of yours will be the end of you." Natsu advised. 

"My lawyers have all the evidence they need against you. They have your blue print on the files you've attempted to leak." He stated. "May I remind you, that's called Insider Trading, which gives you at least twenty years in prison." 

Lucy gulped. She knows this is false. They in fact do not have the evidence needed. 

But hopefully this'll scare Sting enough to confess. 

If this works, then real evidence would present itself since the recorder is on.

Sting gritted his teeth. His heartbeats increasing.

Do they really have the evidence? If they do, he's done for.

But how can he be sure they do?

"Show me then. Show me the evidence you have against me."

Lucy bit her lip. This is not going to work. She knew this wasn't going to work. How're they going to show him anything...when they have nothing to show?

Natsu smiled.

"Patience." He only said. 

Sting held his tongue.

"My lawyers tracked the anonymous phone calls I've been getting too. It lead them to your name. To your address. To you. They have proof you were behind all of this, too." 

He paused, allowing him to sink all this information in. 

"You do understand the shit hole you're in right now, don't you?" He continued. "This gives you life without parole, as a minimum."

Sting kept silent. 

What's the next best move? Is there a next move?

Is it check? Or is it check mate? 

Is any of this even true?

"Yes I know it would get me life in prison with no parole." He paused for a second before continuing. "But you don't have proof of any of it. I'm sticking by my statement. I didn't do anything." 

"Wh-What?....What evidence?... Files?... Calls?... What's going on?" Lisanna looked towards Sting. "What's going on, Sting?? What is he talking about?" She held his shoulder, shaking it for a response.

They almost forgot she was there.

She just kept quiet the whole time, listening intently, taking in everything. 

She couldn't grasp any of it. She just felt panic spread through her as she registered every word being said out in the air.

"Do you wanna tell her, or should I?" Natsu pressed.

Sting stayed silent, thinking about his options.

After a moment of quiet, Natsu spoke up again.

"Your boyfriend here blackmailed me using a fake number. He demanded that I hand over my company to him, and that if I didn't, then Lucy here would 'suffer.'" Natsu's gaze didn't leave Sting as he spoke, anger lurking in his orbs. Just the thought of Lucy being hurt, or involved in any of this, sparked fire in his chest. "Are you gonna deny it, Sting?"

He stayed silent.

Lisanna's breathing grew heavy. 

"Is it true??" She shook his shoulder as her voice trembled. "Did you do this??"

"I didn't do anything." Sting said. "And you have no proof I did." He repeated, standing his ground.

Lucy sighed, leaning back. 

She knew this wasn't gonna work. She knew Sting would see right through them. She knew him the most, after all.

Lisanna grabbed her purse harshly muttering an "I'm out of here!" as she stood up from her seat. She squeezed in between the table and Sting's legs to get out of the booth.

"Wait, Lisanna!" Lucy yelled, calling her out as her figure disappeared in between people and staff.

"She's gone now. You can drop the act." Natsu spoke.

"But your recorder isn't," Sting responded. "You really think I'm that much of an idiot, Natsu? C'mon, we grew up together after all. You really think I would say anything with that wire of yours?" 

Lucy froze.

Natsu chuckled. 

"Guess I shoulda known better," he plucked out his wire from his inner suit-jacket and took out his recorder, smashing it on the table. "It's gone. Are you ready to negotiate, or not?" 

"Negotiate what? And it's not like your girlfriend here doesn't have a recorder too. Where is it? In her boobs?" He questioned, looking towards his ex-fiancé's orbs. His lips curled into a smirk. "Can I search your chest, princess? Y'know, just to be safe." 

Natsu leaned in against the table, his olive orbs drilling into Sting's blue ones. 

"I won't hesitate to cut off your tongue, Sting, and then your dick after that. Don't fuck with me and don't you dare fuck with her. Or I swear, I will end you." 

Lucy's heartbeats kept racing. She couldn't seem to speak. Her lips seemed glued together. If she was being honest, though, she felt her cheeks heat up at Natsu's words.

Was he jealous?

What's he so angry for?

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today," Sting raised his hands in sarcastic defeat.

"Lucy, follow Lisanna, see if she's ok." Natsu said, his eyes not leaving Sting's.

She nodded before taking her purse. 

She laid her hand on Natsu's shoulder and leaned in to his ear,

"Please don't forget your promise," she whispered. 

He nodded. 

She gave Sting a disgusted look before taking her leave, following Lisanna's footsteps.

Sting chuckled,

"What? Did you get j—"

"Six tables to your right," Natsu interrupted. "sits your partner in crime." He gestured. 

Sting's gaze followed to where he was pointing.

Once his blue eyes met that silky onyx hair in the distance, with those deathly black eyes, a shudder of panic ran through his veins. The man's soft lips were clipped onto a straw as he drank his orange juice, afraid to look Sting in the eye.

"Rogue..." Sting muttered, his breathing buffering. 

"He's ready to testify against you, in exchange for immunity, of course." Natsu said. 

"But..."

"He didn't wanna do it. Rogue didn't want to be any part of your sick game. Yet you still forced his hand to assist you with everything, dick." 

Sting's eyes just kept growing wide, refusing to believe any of this.

If Rogue testifies, his whole life ends. 

"Six tables to your left," Natsu gestured with his other hand, "sits police officers undercover. If you look closely, you'd see their badges and guns hanging by their belt." 

Sting slammed his hands against the table and stood up in one quick motion,

"IS THIS SOME KIND OF JOKE?!" 

"Shhh..." Natsu said, "sit your ass down and zip your lips. Don't cause a scene or else you'll be arrested on the spot."

There were already eyes on them everywhere. Natsu kept his composure, though. As hard as it was.

"You're cornered, Mr. Eucliff. You move a muscle, you utter a false word, you blink, and you're done. You hear me? You're done." Natsu leaned in against the table, speaking his firm words in a silk motion.

Sting's breathing grew angry as his face scrunched up. 

He trusted Rogue. How could he go against him?

He seated himself slowly, knowing that if he does any wrong move, he'll be put down.

"What do you want from me?" He loudly whispered.  

"I want you rotting in jail. I want your name erased and your existence annihilated."

Sting gulped. 

It's definitely check mate.

"C'mon Natsu. We're old buds, aren't we? All of this over some files and calls? Huh?" He let out a false chuckle, forcing a smirk. Sweat leaked in the back of his neck and under his arms, afraid of the future that awaits him. 

"You think I care about the damn files?" Natsu's voice gained volume. 

Sting narrowed his eyebrows.

"You dared threaten Lucy; you threatened her safety before me, you fucking bastard. You think I'm gonna let you off easy after that?!"

"What do you want from me, huh?! What is all this?? Why don't you just arrest me and get it done with?!" Sting lashed out. 

"You should thank Lucy for that." Natsu said. "You missed your chance with her Sting. You fucked up bad. And yet she still looks out for you..."

He clenched his jaw. 

"It's funny, isn't it? You broke her heart and yet here she is, not allowing me to break your future apart."

Sting gulped.

"F-Fine, I'll do anything." He pleaded. "Just don't send me to prison. I'll do anything." 

Natsu slipped his hand into his inner suit-jacket again, and pulled out a ticket.

He slammed it on the table and slid it across,

"You take this, and you leave the continent. A one-way ticket to America. You don't contact Lucy, me, or Lisanna ever again. You hear me?"

Sting nodded shamefully.

"You dare come back, and I'll send you to prison." He growled. 

"I wouldn't be so nice if it weren't for Lucy. So you better not mess up."

"Do you even care to ask why I did all of this?" Sting defeated my spoke out, his head down as he looked at the ticket. 

"I couldn't care less," Natsu stood up from his seat and dropped a hundred dollar bill on the table as a tip. They didn't order anything, yet his manners weren't limited. 

As he attempted to walk away, Sting held his arm. 

"Wait," he stopped him. "Ever since you were a child, you'd get everything handed to you by your father..."

"I said I didn't care," Natsu snatched his arm away. "Never show your face again." 

And just like that, he left. Rouge and the officers followed him out. 

Leaving Sting's story unheard. 

Guess we'll never know.

.oOo.

After farewelling Rogue and the officers, Natsu slipped his hand into his pocket reaching for his phone.

He dialed in Lucy's number and placed his phone against his ear. 

Where was she? 

He was currently standing in the middle of the parking lot as the heavy wind swayed his salmon hair left and right. In the epitome of the night's darkness.

"Looking for me?" Lucy sneaked up behind him. 

He turned around and let out a sigh in relief. 

Her golden hair was moving along with the wind.

He took off his suit jacket,

"Where were you?" He asked, stepping closer to her and wrapping it around her.

The dress she was wearing did his eyes justice, but it's definitely too cold for her. 

"I was waiting for you in the limo. I couldn't find Lisanna," she smiled as a thank you as she pulled the jacket tighter around her shoulders. 

He scratched the back of his head as he looked around, as if he would spot her now. 

"Well, do you wanna look for her or go back home?" He asked.

"I think she needs to be alone right now. I'll talk to her tomorrow."

"Ok, well, let's go," 

"Wait," she held his arm. "How did it go?" She asked.

He smirked,

"Did you ever doubt me?" 

"N-No..." she smiled shyly. 

She doubted the plan, but never him. 

"I kept your promise. Don't worry. I'm not sending him to prison."

She sighed in relief as she dropped herself into his arms, giving him a wholehearted hug.

"Thank you." She pressed her head deeper into his chest and tightened her arms around him.

She was truly grateful. She didn't want to see her ex-fiancé die in prison. She'd want him to live his life, just far away from her.

He stood frozen for a second before he slowly wrapped his arms around her. Getting comfortable, he warmly tightened his grip as he placed his head in the crook of her neck, taking in her oh-so addicting scent.

He didn't mean to. He just did. 

After a moment of their embrace, they gained self-consciousness and broke apart. 

They looked into each other's eyes, drinking each other's souls with their gaze. 

She gulped,

"S-Sorry..." she said shyly, apologizing for she doesn't know what as she attempted to walk away, back to the limo.

He held her wrist and slammed her body against his, looking deeply into her chocolate brown eyes.

"I want you to be mine." He loudly whispered. "Be mine." 

Her breathing grew heavy as she looked into his olive orbs, not registering the words he's saying.

"Please..." he glanced at her pink plumped lips before looking back into her eyes. 

"Date me." 

She gulped, her stomach fluttering and her cheeks heating up at his words.

"And for real this time, with genuine intentions." He continued, his voice raspy and deep. "I don't want to lose you, Lucy. Not again." He looked into her earthy orbs, devouring her with his gaze. "I don't want to miss my chance with you." 

Her chest warmed up. She couldn't believe her ears. 

"B-But... I thought you didn't date..." she muttered, her eyes exploring his as she spoke. 

He ran his fingers down her cheek in delicacy, 

"How can I not when it's you?"

Tears hung in her brown eyes as a smile spread across her lips. Her heart was thumping in her chest and her stomach felt tingly in all sorts of ways.

She hadn't felt like that, ever before. 

And his heart pounded fast in his chest, too. 

Just as fast as hers. 

When two people fall in love and look into each other's eyes, their heartbeats sync, after all. 

Chapter Text

He pushed his bedroom door open with his foot as his lips sucked the sensitive part of her neck. 

Her breathy moans made him hard as he swayed her to his bed. 

"Natsu..." she breathed, moaning with her jaw slightly hanging open as he sucked on her. 

He groaned against her skin. He took his suit-jacket off, dropping it on the ground before he gently pushed her on the bed, laying on top of her, kissing her neck. 

She moaned as his hands drifted down her, caressing every inch of her body before sliding up her dress subtly. 

"Stop," she breathed, and so he did. He looked into her eyes as she laid under him. 

"What?" 

She smiled with her eyes half open. 

"It's my turn tonight," she said as she turned his body around, laying him under her as she mounted him. 

"What's this?" He narrowed his eyebrows, confused, not use to losing control. 

"I said it's my turn," her delicate hand slowly unzipped his pants as she looked into his eyes with a small smirk. 

The same smirk he always gave her. 

He chuckled. 

He found it adorable how she was trying to mimic him. 

"I'm all yours," he said, which made her heart skip a beat. 

She unbuttoned his pants as she slid them down along with his boxers, causing his lengthy shaft to pop out.

She looked at it for a moment, realizing he hadn't been in her for a while. It'd take her some time to adjust to his size again. He was usually hard to fit. 

"Scared?" He asked, his voice low and deep, realizing her hesitance. 

She looked him in the eyes as she bit her bottom lip. 

"You just...hurt...sometimes," 

He narrowed his eyebrows as he slowly sat up,

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked, concerned. 

She wrapped her arms around his neck as she looked into his eyes.

Those jade eyes. 

Oh how she missed them. 

Missed him.

All of him. 

She slid her hands down his shoulders, going around his chest before she began unbuttoning his black shirt. Not losing eye contact.

"I missed you," she blurted softly, her voice cracking, not realizing she had said it until she heard her own voice escape her lips.

He placed his large hands on her delicate cheeks, cupping her face as he looked into her eyes. Those brown eyes. The ones that always lured him in. The windows to her pure soul. The small tint of sparkle in them were apparent. The sparkle he oh-so missed to see.

"I missed you more," he said, lost in her earthy orbs. 

His eyes dropped to her plumped lips. Those glossy, rosy, soft lips. 

Suddenly, he felt his shaft surrounded by a fist. 

Dropping his hands, he let out a groan as his eyes half-shut at the feel of her. 

She smiled as she placed her free hand on his bare, ripped abs, and lightly pushed him to lay back. 

She stroked him up and down, gently yet firmly, going at a moderate speed. 

She watched his chest move faster as his breathing grew heavier. 

He watched her as he placed his hands on her hips, caressing them in circles.

He smirked,

"It amazes me," he breathed.

"Hm?" 

"How you can go from innocent to naughty in a second," 

Her smirk grew wider. 

He took notice of her flushed face, however. How her free hand laid on his chest, keeping him in place. How she was trying to dominate him. He found it cute. How she can do all that with her intense blushing. 

She began going faster, stroking him up and down, feeling his texture, feeling it hard and hot. Her face was red, but that didn't effect her talent and skill. 

The skill she got from all those times with Sting. But she'd never tell him that. 

As her hand gained speed, she watched him rest his head back and shut his eyes, letting out a gruttal groan. 

"Fuck..." he breathed. 

His hands went down to her thighs, touching every inch of her body as he let out breathy curses.

Tightening her grip, she went even faster, which made his nails dig into her hips. 

"Mph," he let out, over and over again.

Until his eyes rolled back. And he felt that intense high. That sweaty, itchy, fast-heart-beat kind of high. 

And then suddenly, she stopped. 

Denying him to relax. Denying his body to let loose. Denying him to cum.

He opened his eyes suddenly and looked at her. Frustration building up inside of him.

"Why did you stop?" He furrowed his eyebrows. 

She smiled,

"Remember that day in the bathroom?...I'm still not over it," she shrugged one shoulder, teasing him.

He rolled his eyes as he sat up, looking into her eyes as he slid up her dress.

"You've punished me enough by leaving me,"

She widened her eyes, not expecting him to say that. 

He held her body up by her waist and slowly guided her, sliding her opening on his shaft, looking straight into her brown orbs while doing so. 

She moaned as she felt his hot, rough texture sliding into her. 

She felt a sharp pain as he fitted himself inside of her, but it all too quickly turned into pleasure.

She caged his neck with her arms as she dropped her head against his bare, muscular chest, shutting her eyes, feeling all of him inside of her as he bottomed out and she sat. 

He groaned against her neck, breathing heavier.

She was adjusting to his size in this still moment. 

They stayed like that for a while. His eyes half open with hers completely shut. Her arms around his neck and her ear against chest, listening to his fast heartbeats. 

Feeling him filled up inside of her. 

Not moving, just sitting there.

He, on the other hand, had his arms around her waist, feeling a warm cave hugging his shaft tight. She was always tight. Feeling himself grow sweaty the longer they stayed like that.

Her moans were breathy and hot against his chest. He grew impatient, but didn't say a word—just waited for her. 

Until she finally decided to move. 

She lifted her head up and looked into his half-opened eyes. 

She gently pushed him to lay back, and he did so without complaints.

She rocked herself up and down his shaft, getting gruttal groans out of him with her motion. 

She shut her eyes as she tilted her head up, facing the ceiling, sliding up and down, filling herself up, as if massaging his shaft inside of her. 

He grabbed onto her waist tight, assisting her to go faster. He moved his hips to collide with her mid-way, intensifying and hardening their force. 

"Shit...fuck..." he breathed, watching her wet pussy get fucked by him. 

She felt the blunt head of his hot, hard shaft abuse her insides. Rearrange her guts. Reach the inside of her womb. It was all too much. His length was too much. He was too much. 

Her whiny moans filled the air around them. It was like music to his ears. 

Finally, her eyes rolled back as he gripped onto her snatched waist tighter simultaneously. Her breathing paused and so did his as their heartbeats rang louder and pumped harder into their chests. 

That high again. That intense, lavish, extreme, chill-down-your-spine high again blinded her. 

And him.

And then they released. He pooled into her as her hot womb let out that warm liquid.

He groaned in sighing, every bone and muscle in his body relaxing as his hands dropped on the bed.

She slid out of him slowly before she laid down on the bed next to him. Her breathing fast and heavy, and so was his. They were both sweaty and tired. Relaxed and sleepy. 

She crunched herself up next to him and laid her head on his chest, wrapping her arm around his body. 

He placed his hand on her head, playing with the golden strands of her hair—both quiet with their eyes half open—both breathing heavily against each other's naked, sweaty skin—both slowly falling asleep.

Until they did. 

.oOo.
A Few Hours Later

He felt a cold shiver run along his bare chest and body.

He heard some noises. A shoe fall. Footsteps creaking his wooden floor. Jumbled up noises. 

As he opened his eyes, squinting, he looked to his side and found it empty.

He sat up the bed swiftly, roaming his eyes, looking for her. 

"Lucy?" He called out with his raspy, gruff voice. 

His vision was blurry, causing him to blink more than usual. 

She snaked up her head, startled.

"What are you doing?" He asked, after spotting her sitting on the couch across of him, sliding into her heels—already wearing her dress. Her hair was messy and her face looked sweaty and tired.

"Sorry I didn't mean to wake you," she paused. "I'm going home," she replied, standing up and awkwardly walking to where her purse lied—on the floor next to the bed. 

He narrowed his eyebrows.

"What time is it..." He mumbled to himself as he reached his phone from the bedside table. He was not aware of anything right now. His mind was foggy and his mouth was dry. He was dehydrated and tired.

He touched his screen and read 3:49AM.

He looked back up to her confused.

"Why are you leaving now?" He asked as he dropped his feet to the ground, rubbing his eye in circles with his palm. 

She sighed as she slipped her belongings into her purse, standing on the other side of the bed.

"I just need to think about some things," she said, vague and rushed. 

She didn't want to confront him right now. She hoped she could leave before he woke. She just wasn't ready for it.

He jerked up his head, furrowing his eyebrows as he stood up. 

"Think about what?" He asked, facing her. 

She paused, looking straight into his eyes in the short distance. 

"I just...I'm not sure about all of this," 

He paused. 

He scratched the back of his head, frustrated and confused.   

He walked around the bed—to her—as she stood in place.

"What are you not sure about?" He asked as he held her hand, looking deeply into her eyes, trying to uncover her worries with his gaze. 

She sighed as she snatched her hand away from his, brushing her shoulder with his as she walked to her phone on the couch. 

"I don't know," she picked up her phone and turned to him. "One day you tell me you don't want a relationship and the next you're telling me to date you," she paused as the air around them went heavy. "I just need to think about all of this," 

"Was yesterday a lie?" He asked after a moment, gulping dryness down his throat instantly after.

"No, no," she rubbed her forehead in stress before looking back into his eyes. "It wasn't. It was just a moment of weakness," she explained. "I just...I don't know how I'm suppose to feel about all of this..."

He stood there for a moment. Silent. 

"What do you feel?" He spoke up, stepping closer, closing the distance. "Do you feel the same way about me as I do you?..." He said gently, standing in front of her—a little too close.

She stayed quiet for a moment.

"You're confusing, Natsu," she said. "I just don't know what to think or how to feel anymore. I don't know if I can trust you when you say you want me,"

There it was. 

He took a step back. 

She pressed a button she shouldn't have. 

"Lucy..." he said. "I've never done this before," he paused. "I've never told someone I wanted them," he looked into her eyes. "And the one time I do, you think it's a lie?" 

"Can you blame me?" She said, more aggressive than intended. "You give mixed signals all the time! You tell me one thing and then do another. You tell me it was punishment when I left you, yet you were the one who told me to walk out the door. How can I trust anything you say? How can I believe you when you tell me you want me after all that?" 

"I was angry, Lucy." He stepped closer as she stepped back, her heartbeats racing. "You suddenly left me and I was angry. Don't ask me why because I don't know the reason, but I blurted that out in a moment of anger." She pressed her back against the wall. "But I regretted it the moment I realized you were gone." He said softly as his voice cracked in the end, pressing his hand against the wall, looking into her eyes. "You hurt me..." he said softly. 

Her breathing grew heavy. Her stomach went uneasy as he blurted out those last words. She never wanted to hurt him. She cares too much about him to ever do that. 

She gulped. Her eyes flickering to his lips from how close they were. He was doing the same. There was always tension. Always sexual tension. The sexual tension was their only way of expressing how they felt about one another. They both didn't know how to do it any other way. 

But he was trying to learn. 

So he backed up. He stepped away. 

He clenched his fist. 

"I'm sorry for hurting you back." He said. 

"I just..." her voice cracked. 

"I get it," he said, interrupting. "Take your time. I'll wait for as long as you want." 

She paused, looking up into his eyes. She relaxed her shoulders and stepped closer, cupping his face with her hand, stroking his cheek with her thumb as she kissed his jade eyes with her brown ones from their intense eye contact.

"Thank you for understanding." 

And with that, the blonde took her leave, leaving him standing alone in his bedroom, with a sharp pain in his chest. The pain he hides so well.

He'll wait for her. As long as it takes. But he can't lose her. He won't. Not again. 

Chapter Text

"Thanks Arthur," she spoke out as they arrived, seated in the back of Natsu's limo. 

"No problem," he smiled through the mirror.

When Lucy left Natsu's house, she found his limo waiting outside to drop her off home. Natsu must've told his driver to do so since it was 4AM. Anything could happen to her that late at night if she went home alone. He didn't want to take that chance. 

She stepped out of the limo and closed the door, sighing as she walked into her apartment building.

She'd been contemplating her whole ride home on what to do. She was overall confused and conflicted. She didn't want to hurt him. But she didn't want to get hurt either.

She pressed the elevator's button and it immediately opened. She walked in. 

She could still smell Natsu's scent all around her. She'd been wrapped around his body the whole night, to say the least, so it made sense. But the sharp scent of his masculine entity surrounded her, and it made her feel so many different emotions. It made her feel safe, though. That's what's important. 

The elevator opened. 

She walked out and down the hall of her apartment. 

Once she reached, she found her door slightly opened. 

She narrowed her eyebrows as she took a step back, confused as to how. 

She slid out her phone from her back pocket, keeping it in her hand just in case. 

Maybe she just forgot to lock it?

She swung her door open slowly as it creaked.

"Hello?" She spoke out, roaming her eyes around her dark living room. 

She realized her keys weren't even with her. She definitely just forgot to lock it. 

Sighing, she closed the door behind her and flicked open the lights. 

And saw a figure sitting on her couch. As if he was patiently waiting. His blond hair messy, his blue orbs sharp with under eye bags, and his arm laying on the couch's hand—wearing a leather jacket and a sly smirk.

Her breathing fastened and her eyes widened as she took a few steps back.

"You..." she muttered, feeling fear dominate her. 

Her stomach swirled as she felt the need to vomit at the sight of him. It was either fear or disgust. Or both. 

He stood up from his seat, looking her in the eye. 

"Lucy," he said.

Her back hit the door as she tried laboring her breathing.

"What are you doing here?!" She nervously spoke out. She intended for it to be a scream, or a yell, but her voice was too shaky. Her blood felt frozen. Her legs felt weak. She felt sweaty, like she was going to faint. 

Her heart thumped out of her chest. She could hear her heartbeats pumping in her ear. 

He put his hands up, as if surrendering, and began approaching her slowly.

"I just came here to talk..." he said. 

Her eyes dropped to his brown belt, checking to see if he had any weapon, but he didn't. Or maybe he was just hiding it. Either way, she couldn't take that chance.

She pressed a button on her phone—without looking—hoping it was the speed dial to call the cops, subtle enough for him not to see.

"No," she defied as she turned around and held her doorknob to run out of her apartment, but suddenly felt a hand grab her by her golden hair and pull her back. 

"Where do you think you're going?" He spoke out with a throaty voice. So venomous. Much like a snake. 

She screamed loud as he pulled her down to the floor by her hair. She hit her head against the hard ground and breathed out loud, in fear. Her phone fell, breaking apart. Her purse dropped, causing everything inside it to spill out. Including her home keys. 

"I told you I wanted to talk," he crouched down, meeting her level on the ground. His eyes so poisonous as he drilled into her. 

Her brown orbs were full of terror as she looked back at him. But that didn't stop her from roaming her eyes around, looking for anything she could use against him. They were near the kitchen. She could get a knife. Yes. She could threaten him with it.

"What do you want from me?!" She slowly sat up, looking him dead in the eyes, envisioning her next move. 

He smirked,

"Did you really think I'd leave without giving you a goodbye kiss?"

She narrowed her eyebrows, feeling disgust go up her lungs. She spit in his face. And then immediately slapped her hand against her mouth, realizing instantly after what she had done. It wasn't like her at all. But nevertheless, it was needed. 

With his eyes squeezed shut due to her saliva dripping off his lids, she stood up from the ground and attempted to run into her kitchen before he held her by her leg and she fell flat down on the ground—using her hands as support. 

"Let me go!!" She turned around and yelled.

"Why are you home late? Huh?" He wiped her saliva off with his hand. "Were you with him? Were you with that bastard?" He pulled her leg forcefully and she slid on the floor, her hair straight behind her. 

"Let me go!!" She jiggled her leg aggressively out of his grasp. Then she realized she was wearing heels. So she pressed her foot against his chest, hard and aggressive, hoping it would hurt and he'd back off. 

"Shit!" He stood up and stepped back, rubbing his chest in pain. 

She swiftly stood up with heavy breaths, walking backwards towards the kitchen.

He quickly stepped forward, walking towards her as she walked back. 

"Don't waste your goodbye kiss on me. Save it for your life once Natsu finds out you're here," her hand slid across her kitchen drawers' surface until she reached the one that had knives. Her back hit the hard bricked wall, and that was when she realized she was cornered.

Could she be fast enough to grab the knife? And if she did, could he take it from her? If he does, he'll use that as his weapon. She lacked in muscle training, so he was definitely stronger. He was quiet bulky too, which made it worse.

He could take the knife from her and use it against her.

But she could also use it against him if she was quick enough. 

Should she take that chance?

Her mind ran a million miles per minute as her hateful gaze shredded into his blue orbs. 

His smirk was solid, though. 

Her finger tickled as her hand brushed over the drawer's knob from next to her.

He placed his hands against the brick wall, caging her. 

"Kiss me." He demanded.

She widened her eyes. Her breathing grew heavy. Her heart pumped like a hammer against her chest.

When she realized his face was slowly leaning closer to her, she swiftly opened the drawer and scrambled for the knife with her hand. Her eyes were still in contact with his, not daring to look away in fear of what might happen.

He immediately noticed and stepped back, grabbing her hand aggressively as he looked into the drawer and saw what she attempted to reach for.

He looked at it for a moment before he turned to her and dreadfully gazed into her eyes.

"You wanna kill me, Lucy?" He questioned, pretending to be hurt.

When she didn't respond, he tightened his grip on her wrist.

She let out squeaking noises in pain.

"What do you want from me, Sting?! Didn't we give you a chance to live out your days in America?? What's wrong with you?!" 

He squeezed harder. 

"What's the use of going there if you'll stay with him?? He takes everything that's mine! I've had enough." 

"I'M NOT YOURS!" She yelled as she snatched out of his grip, pushed him back, and ran out of the kitchen.

He clenched his fists, still facing the kitchen's brick wall. 

She ran into her room and closed the door behind her shut. She looked around her for anything she could trap herself in with. Her desk. She can push it against the door.

And so she did. It wasn't as heavy as she thought it would be.

Mid-way, her door barged open. 

He walked in slowly. He looked angry. Angry enough to be dangerous. 

With her heavy breathing, she looked around her room, trying to find anything she could use against him. 

There's a pen. A pen on her desk. 

She looked back up into his eyes, and realized the rage radiating off him. 

A pen won't work. A pen won't hold off that. 

As he stepped closer, his eyes turned duller. 

Before she could step back, he gripped onto her shoulders aggressively and pushed her onto her bed. 

"What are you—" 

He pressed his hand against her neck—thumb digging into her throat, silencing her. Chocking her. Strangling her. 

She was screaming silently, gasping for breath with her eyes wide. Small ragged gasps were escaping her throat. 

He used his free hand to undo his belt and then flung it across the floor.

She looked down and realized what he was about to do. 

Her heart thumped hard and aggressive. Slower. Louder. Her face turned red. Her brain went foggy. 

She let out squeaky screams. Like a balloon deflating. He pressed his palm against her throat harder, silencing her. She could feel her esophagus closing.

He unbuttoned his jeans and unzipped them. 

"Shut up and take it," 

Tears hung in her wide eyes. Too scared to escape her orbs. 

And that's when suddenly, she heard her main door barge open. 

"Lucy?!" She heard him yell out her name from the living room. His voice full of worry. 

"Lucy where are you?!!" His steps grew closer.

Lucy's wide eyes went to the door as she attempted to scream, but Sting just squeezed her neck tighter.  

Realizing he had little time, he decided to do this quick. He slid up her dress as she attempted to aggressively jiggle her way out of his grasp, moving left and right, and that's when he came in.

Natsu stood there stunned. His eyes not registering his vision. 

But he wasted no second in grabbing Sting by his shirt in a flash, throwing him away from Lucy.

He fell on the desk and broke it.

Rage. Full of rage. His heart pounding out of his chest. His hands clenched into tight fists, creating moon-shaped marks on his palms. His knuckles turned white. His whole vision went blurry. 

He's pretty sure he blacked out. He barely remembers what he did that night. 

There was a lot of blood. A lot of punches. Strangling. Kicking. He remembers pressing his foot against his neck as he laid on the ground, practically stepping on him with his full weight. He doesn't know how long he stayed pressing. Sting coughed out blood and white stuff, he's pretty sure. He doesn't remember. He vaguely heard Lucy screaming and whining for him to stop behind him. He does remember breaking his jaw, though. And his nose. And his ribs. He enjoyed that. Hearing his ribs crack. He remembers chocking him against the wall. Sucking the breath out of him. The life out of him. He remembers kicking his balls, harder with every passing second. Abusing his unborn children. He actually might not be able to have children now. After all that. He remembers mounting his stomach as he threw punches left and right. He doesn't know if Sting was conscious. But he heard Lucy crying. She was definitely crying. She might've been crying for him to stop, but hearing her cry just made him more angry. More aggressive. It made him punch harder. 

His knuckles were now red instead of white. His white shirt was full of blood. People might think he was wearing red to begin with. The bottom of his house slipper was drenched with blood, too. Probably from the kicking. He doesn't know where his other slipper went though. 

He came rushed to her apartment when Lucy speed dialed him. He secretly put his number as her speed dial not too long ago. He did tell her to take his phone number for emergencies, after all. So he did warn her. Which is why he came here wearing his black sweatpants, white shirt—now red, and home slippers. 

As he blinked a few times, readjusting to reality, he looked around the room as if the first time seeing it.

Then he realized someone was cupping his face. It was Lucy. Her big brown orbs full of tears as she looked into his eyes. 

Why was she crying?

He held her wrists, narrowing his eyebrows, about to ask her that very question before the noises around him sunk in. 

He looked on the ground and found Sting, laying there, in a pool of blood. 

Then he saw the cops. Wearing their uniforms, all around them.

He looked back into Lucy's brown orbs in shock. Finally realizing what had just happened. 

Gulping, he wrapped his arms around her and brought her head to his chest. 

Not saying a word. Not finding it in him to say anything. 

She sobbed. Loud. It hurt him, hearing her. 

"Natsu...you..." she said softly, her voice shaky. 

She backed away to look into his eyes, but before she could say anything, he kneeled down on the ground before her. 

He brought his head down.

"I'm sorry." He said. "I'm sorry." He repeated. "I'm sorry."

He didn't know how far Sting went. He didn't know Sting didn't succeed in his attempt. He thought he did it. He thought he was too late. 

"I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner." He paused. "I'm so sorry." His chest ached. Tears fell down his eyes. Wet tears. They were hot against his cheek. He didn't know they were escaping his eyes though. He just felt them. It was new.

Lucy kneeled down in front of him, her breathing ragged and heavy. Hiccuping from her crying. 

She cupped his cheeks, lifting his face to look into his eyes. 

"It wasn't your fault," she said softly, making sure her voice doesn't crack. 

When he didn't respond, she took him into a tight embrace. 

"Thank you," she whispered in his ear. 

And that's when he saw a handful of officers surrounding Sting in a circle, taking pictures of his body.

And that's when he realized...

He had killed him. 

Chapter Text

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be used against you in a..."

Everything was a blur.

Their voices were a blur. 

Like he was underwater.

With his wrists handcuffed behind his back, an officer uttered and repeated those mandatory words as he held onto his arms—specifically biceps—harshly.

He heard Lucy yelling behind him, pleading to not take him away. She tried explaining, justifying, clarifying what happened.

They wouldn't listen.

Her desperate voice pained him. He wanted her to stop. Just so he doesn't hear her that way. 

She watched him get taken away.

He didn't resist or say a word.

He's Natsu Dragneel, after all. No mere handcuffs can take his power away. So he walked with pride. No guilt evident in him. 

.oOo.
2 Hours Later

"You finally answered!" Lucy wiped her warm tear away from her cheek. 

She was sitting on the edge of her bed with her leg bouncing up and down, awaiting for Arthur to pick up the phone, until he finally did.

"I'm sorry Ms. Heartfilia, I was with the authorities getting questioned," he said from the other end of the line, getting into the limo's driver seat.

She stood up with wide eyes, her tears still silently rolling down her cheeks.

"Tell me where," she said. "Which station? Where did they take him?" 

He didn't respond.

"Tell me where they took Natsu, please," She bit her lip instantly after.

"I don't want you to get yourself into trouble. Mr. Dragneel wouldn't forgive me,"

"Tell me!" She insisted, her voice coming out more demanding than usual. Maybe she really did pick up some of Natsu's habits. 

He sighed.

"Station 2400," he said.

She sniffled her runny nose and wiped away her final tear,

"Can you give me a ride?" 

.oOo.

"Thank you Arthur," she said right before getting out of the limo and slamming the door shut. 

She took in a deep breath as she stood in front of the building, clenching her hands into fists from nervousness.

It would utterly hurt to see him behind bars. She didn't know if she could handle that sight of him. 

Being handcuffed like some criminal. 

Being caged like some animal. 

Being restrained and at loss of power. 

It made her stomach turn just at the thought of it. 

But still, she moved her heavy feet and walked into the station.

"I'm here to see—" she sniffled, "Mr. Dragneel?" She spoke to the brunette lady behind the desk, trying to keep her composure. 

"This isn't the hotel Miss," the lady said, raising her eyebrows in mockery. 

"He—He has salmon hair," she gestured, "tan skin," she tried explaining, but just more tears fell.

"Are you a family member? A wife?" The officer asked.

"N-No," she shook her head, "I'm just...a friend,"

"Then you aren't allowed to see him," she gestured to the door. 

"Miss," the blonde heard a man call out from behind her. 

She turned around only to see the same officer who radiated her house, approaching her. 

"Yes?" Lucy responded softly, her eyes full of tears and her mind still foggy from shock.

"We need you for questioning," he said. 

He was holding documents in his hand. Her documents. Her identification. 

"I didn't get a call for that," she responded, narrowing her eyebrows.

She expected no less. But still, she wanted to see Natsu now and answer questions later.

"Please, come with me," he held her arm, leading her down the hall. 

"P-Please I just want to see Natsu—"

He lead her into the interrogation room were there were only three metallic chairs and a metallic table evident. 

He seated her down on the singular chair and seated himself across of her.

"Lucy Heartfilia," he said in sighing, placing the documents down on the table before him, looking through it. "Age 21, not married, no occupation," he mumbled as he read her stuff, his eyes scanning the papers.

After a while, he placed the documents down and locked his fingers together against the table.

"These papers won't tell me what I need to know," he said. "We need you to tell us what happened in that room." 

"No," she shook her head.

"Miss," he warned.

"I won't say anything until you promise me I could see him," she said, her tears threatening to escape her eyes.

He paused.

"What is he to you?" He asked. "A friend...a boyfriend?..."

She stayed silent.

He leaned back on his chair,

"Mr. Dragneel is in here for murder, Ms. Heartfilia," he said. "This is no easy business."

"It was self-defense." She mumbled. 

"What was that?"

"Self-defense," she said louder. "He didn't do anything wrong. Yet here you are, locking him up like some kind of beast!" 

"How was it self-defense? Explain it to me," he said.

"No," she responded. "I'm sure he already explained everything to you and you're just trying to see if my story aligns with his. I can assure you it does," she paused. "But I won't say anything until you promise me I could see him,"

He took a moment in silence, looking into her eyes, seeing her restrained tears. He noticed her fast breathing and clenched jaw. 

Her worried eyes.

This wasn't the sight of someone caught. This was the sight of a victim. He'd seen enough to know how to tell them apart.

"Alright," he said. "You can see him as long as you answer all my questions with your best narrative of the truth,"

She leaned in, nodding. 

"I'll tell you everything,"

.

.

.

"Why would you call him instead of 911?" He asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I-I couldn't properly call anyone because Sting was standing right in front of me," she explained, "I could only hit speed-dial without looking at my phone,"

"And can you provide your phone as evidence?" He asked.

She shook her head,

"N-No my phone broke when he pushed me to the ground," she said, hoping to God he'd believe her. "My broken phone is in my apartment, if I could just get it,"

"That'd do us no good." He responded. "Tell me about the door," he said, "there were no signs of breaking in, yet you're telling me you arrived home at 4AM when Mr. Eucliff was already there waiting for you?"

"He was," she responded. "I... I left my door open before I left the house. I just forgot to lock it. It was a stupid mistake,"

He hummed, leaning back on the chair.

"I could see in the records that Mr. Eucliff use to be your fiancé," he said. "And now Mr. Dragneel is your love interest. Y'know it's common when the current boyfriend kills off the ex boyfriend," 

"I'm telling you the truth!" She said, frustrated. "It was self-defense!"

"Tell me about your relationship with Mr. Eucliff," he said. "What would lead him to sexually harass you?" He questioned.

Her breathing grew heavy. She couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't take any of this. Everything and anything she said was twisted and turned back against her. 

"How should I know!!" She reacted. "He's the sick one! You should ask him that!"

"I would. But he's dead." He said. 

Heaviness lingered and hung in the air. Tension. An absurd amount.

"Tell me about your relationship with Mr. Eucliff," he repeated.

She grit her teeth, biting at her words, trying to restrain herself from lashing out.

"He...was my ex-fiancé. There isn't much else to it."

"Why was he an ex?" He asked. 

"He cheated on me," she said.

He hummed.

"So he cheated on you, and now he's dead." 

She sighed, rubbing her forehead harshly in angst.

"Look, I know how this looks," she looked up into his eyes. "But I'm telling the truth," she said firmly.

He raised his hands as if surrendering,

"I never said you weren't," he paused, "I'm just tryna connect the dots here, alright?"

"Well you're connecting the wrong ones!" She spoke up. "Yes, Sting was my fiancé. Yes, he cheated on me. But that ended a long time ago and I long since forgot about him. I met Natsu after and everything just...changed," she said.

"Changed how?" He squinted, analyzing.

"I became...happier," she said. "I just...I had him. I had Natsu. And that was the best thing that happened to me," she expressed.

"So how did Sting fall back into your life?" He asked.

She paused, narrowing her eyebrows in confusion. 

"Didn't Natsu tell you?" She asked.

He leaned back on his chair with one arm straightened out on the table.

"Tell us what?"

.oOo.

"Thank you for answering our questions, Ms. Heartfilia," he said, swinging the metallic door open.

"No problem," she said, standing up from her chair. "So, where is he?" 

He pulled out a card from his pocket,

"Walk down the hall and go to your right. He's in cell 304. Give the guards my card and they'll let you in," he said.

Her cheeks heated up. She grabbed her purse then walked to him and took the card. 

"Thank you," she smiled.

She began walking down the hall.

"Miss," he stopped her. She turned around. "You only get 15 minutes," he warned. She nodded.

.

.

.

She found him seated on the bench—or bed—with his head leaned back against the bar and his hands cuffed in front of him.

He had his eyes closed.

He looked peacefully asleep. 

His Adam's apple was evident with his stretched neck. 

He was shirtless, too. His biceps and muscles all clenched. His ripped abs in perfect view.

His shirt was full of blood, after all.

She made sure her steps were light as she reached, not to startle him. 

She wrapped her hands around two bars, looking over to him with teary eyes. 

She was right.

Seeing him like this was too much for her to handle. 

"Natsu?..." she loudly whispered, making sure to be gentle with her voice. 

He opened his eyes instantly and looked over to her. 

"Lucy?" He blinked, making sure he was seeing right.

Silent tears streamed down her cheeks. She just couldn't help it.

He stood up, walking towards her.

"What are you doing here Luce?" He wrapped his hand around hers, looking into her brown eyes. 

She looked broken.

"I'm sorry," she said. "It's my fault you're in here," she sniffled. "I'm so sorry,"

"Hey hey shh," he cupped her cheek in between two bars, wiping away her tears with his thumb as he looked into her honey orbs. "I don't want to hear you say that again. You hear me?" 

She placed her hand over his warm one and rubbed his hand against her cheek as more tears fell. 

"Seeing you like this..." she paused, "it hurts," 

He stroked her cheek silently, before drifting his hand away.

"Do you trust me?" He asked, his voice gentle and delicate with her.

She nodded as she sniffled and wiped her tears,

"Of course,”

"Then trust me when I tell you everything's going to be okay." 

She started hiccuping. Seeing him in front of her and yet behind bars ached her chest. It squeezed her stomach and created a pit in it.

"I don't want to see you crying," he said. "Wipe those tears off and get out of here," he stepped back. "This place isn't for you,"

"But...just...why..." she clenched tighter onto the bar. "Why did you kill him? I told you many times to stop and you just kept going...and now you're...here," 

"I don't regret it," he said. "I'd do it three times over."

She had to look up into his eyes to make sure she heard right.

"Don't say that!" She reacted. "Do you really want to be stuck here right now?!"

"Who said I'm stuck?" He curled his lips into a smirk. "You think I can't afford the million dollar bail?" 

She paused, narrowing her eyebrows.

"What?" 

"I'm exactly where I wanna be, Lucy,"

"5 minutes left," interrupted a security guard in the long distance.

Lucy turned back to Natsu.

"What the hell does that mean?"

"It means you shouldn't worry," he said. "Now go,"

She paused.

"Why didn't you tell the officers that Sting blackmailed you through anonymous phone calls?" She asked. "Why didn't you tell them he tried leaking your files?"

He stepped closer,

"Did you tell them?" He asked.

She nodded,

"Of course I did, it would help your case!"

He sighed as he pressed his head against the bar and closed his eyes. 

"Please, don't tell them any more or anything else about this," he said before looking back up into her eyes.

"Natsu...you need to tell me what's going on," her voice cracked in the end.

He held her chin and lifted her head up, looking straight into her eyes as he rubbed it with his thumb.

"Many things are going on," he said. "But I need you marrying me to be one of them,"

Chapter Text

Her heart pounded out of her chest as she walked out of the station. She felt it ringing in her ears. Her mind was replaying the last 15 minutes over and over again. 

As she opened the door, the cold wind of the night greeted her, causing chills to run down her spine. 

It wasn't that cold. She was just lacking his warmth.

After he uttered those words, she had no time to process anything going on. Security guards were escorting her out before she could say anything.

She doesn't even know what she would say. 

She lifted her gaze, only to see Natsu's limo waiting for her. Arthur. Natsu's right handed man. He must've waited for about two hours without leaving.

She took a few heavy steps towards it, her hands clenched by her sides, not sure what to make out of any of this.

"Lucy?" A familiar voice called out from behind her, right before she entered the limo.

She turned around.

"G-Gray?" She blinked a few times, not registering him being there. 

"What are you doing here?" He asked, stepping closer.

"I came to see Natsu..." she paused. "What are you doing here?"

He sighed as he scratched the back of his head,

"I came as soon as I heard," he said. "And so did everyone else. They're all in their cars," he pointed towards the parking lot, where multiple limos stood in rows. 

She followed his gaze.

"Who told you?" She asked, looking back at him as she narrowed her eyebrows.

"You don't know?..." He paused. "Natsu's all over the news,"

She brought her hand to her chest,

"What?" She whispered with wide eyes. 

"There's paparazzi everywhere, Lucy. People are going crazy. You can get yourself into danger if you stay out here, okay?" He laid his hand on her shoulder. "Go back home before Natsu finds out," 

"He doesn't know about the paparazzi?" She asked.

"He does. That's why I'm here. I need to talk to him and see what we're gonna do about this. It isn't good for the company's image—"

"Who cares about that, Gray?!" She interrupted with a louder tone, tears forming in her eyes. "He's in jail for murder! And you're worried about how the company looks right now?!"

"Hey, calm down, okay?" He placed his other hand on her shoulder as he looked into her crying eyes. "Natsu's the one who called me and told me to handle it," he explained. 

She groaned as she pushed his hands away and stepped back in annoyance, bumping her behind onto the limo's surface. 

Frankly, she couldn't handle a guy touching her right now. She didn't feel safe with anyone but Natsu.

Natsu.

The man locked up right now. 

"He's out of his mind..." she wiped a tear away, provoked at his way of thinking. 

Then something clicked.

"Gray...can you bail him out?" She looked up into his orbs, hopeful, holding her breath.

"He can bail himself out anytime he liked," he said. "But he isn't. So there must be a reason for that,"

"The reason is that he's insane!! Why would he want to stay another minute in that place?!" She spoke, angry tears lingering in her orbs. 

He sighed,

"I don't know, Lucy, but we gotta trust him,"

She couldn't help but feel guilty for everything going on. And here he is making it worse on her. She just needed him out. Now. Or else that pit in her stomach would never go away.

She suddenly widened her eyes, as if the light bulb over her head finally lit. 

She turned around and got in the limo without saying a word, hearing a "Lucy!" from Gray before she shut the door.

"Arthur, take me to Natsu's place," 

He drove off.

.oOo.

She twisted the door knob and slowly opened his bed-room door, feeling his scent surrounding her already. His warm, strong, masculine scent. She missed it. She missed him, already. 

Everything around her was him. His clothes, perfumes, shoes, watches, slippers, even that damned coffee machine. Everything was compounded by his entity. 

She took a few steps in, gazing upon the bed where she just yesterday lied with him in... before everything fell apart.

It was hard. Seeing it so empty and silent, with him nowhere in sight. He was in jail. Her mind still couldn't grasp it. 

She felt a warm tear trickle down her cheek. 

But then immediately wiped it off.

It wasn't time for crying. 

She needs to look for her credit-card. 

It had half a million dollars in it, just enough money to bail him out. She can't watch him rot in jail anymore. Even if he wants to.

With that thought, she began going through his stuff. 

She opened his closet, looking through his suits' pockets and so on.

She opened his bedside drawers and scrambled through his belongings.

Where could he have put it?

Last thing she remembers, she threw it at him in disgust and it landed on the ground next to his feet... that was before she understood everything. 

She felt her stomach clench at the thought.

She should've trusted him. But then again...how could she have known?

Is it wrong not to trust him now like how she didn't trust him before?

Who knows. But she doesn't care. Even if he has good reasons, she can't watch him locked up for another second.

The credit-card might've been forgotten about after it fell to the ground.

A servant might've taken it.

It could be anywhere.

He might've thrown it away...or took the money back. 

She saw him place his phone in his sock drawer before. That was when he was receiving those anonymous calls, of course. So he must hide stuff there. It might be there. 

She took a few steps towards the drawer with narrowed eyebrows. 

She opened the first one and found a bunch of black socks scattered around. 

He only has one color?!

Brushing them left and right, she looked for the credit-card. 

Not finding it, she opened the second one and did the same thing. These were gray socks. 

Still not finding anything, she opened the third one. 

She scrambled through the white socks, pushing them apart, looking for anything in between. 

Then, she spotted a box in the corner. 

Holding her breath, she reached for it and pulled it out of the drawer.

It was a small black box that could probably fit a few valuable items inside. 

The card must be in there. 

She flipped the box around, looking around it, searching for a lock or a key code... but couldn't find anything.

It must be open.

So she opened it up. 

She found three unidentifiable items. Next to one of them, laid a credit-card. Her credit-card. 

She sighed in relief as she took it out.

But there was something else. 

A smaller black box. 

She narrowed her eyebrows and walked over to the bed. 

She placed the box down and laid the credit card next to her, then took out the smaller box.

Her heartbeats accelerated. 

She knew what it was. 

Or at least she thinks she does.

But she couldn't believe it until she saw it with her own eyes.

With her heart pounding out her chest and her fingers turning sweaty, she flipped it open.

She gasped out loud, slapping her hand against her mouth.

A diamond ring. 

Her stomach fluttered intensely and her brown eyes sparkled at the sight of it, feeling a rush of emotions overwhelm her. She felt a tear roll down her cheek as her jaw hung open.

What could this mean?

Had he planned for a proposal this whole time... before any of this happened?

Was this always what he wanted?

He couldn't have bought this after their conversation today, that's for sure. He couldn't have bought this after he killed Sting.

So when did he buy this? For how long had he been planning to propose... 

Did he ask her to marry him tonight because it was convenient for his case....or because that was always what he wanted?

Her mind rambled and rallied through thoughts, unsure of how to feel right now. 

But that didn't stop her eyes from warming up with emotional tears. That didn't stop her heart from beating harder and faster every second. That didn't stop her from breathing so goddamn fast, she could barely keep still from shaking.

She tilted the box that had the ring majestically laying on it left and right, and watched it glister with different colors. It was so white and clear and sheeny that she couldn't believe her eyes. It looked polished. It felt heavy, like it weighed a thousand carrots. 

Her mind drowned with the vision of her dream future. A future she could have with him. One where she could lie beside him and call him her husband. One where she could allow herself to love him. One where she could finally relax, and call herself happy. 

With that thought, she immediately shut the box, shutting out those hopes and dreams with it. 

Her face turned straight as she sniffled and laid the box back where she found it. 

She wiped away her tear and stood up, taking it to the drawer and placing it back. 

How foolish. 

She could never have that future with him. 

Ever since she met him it had been games and manipulation and toxicity. 

Ever since she met him she had doubted anyone could ever love her because he didn't love her. 

He had told her he didn't want to be with anyone, ever. He had told her not to get attached. He had told her not to catch feelings. 

And she obeyed. She obeyed so well that she forced herself, day to day, not to feel anything at all. To be numb. Because he had told her to do that. 

Everything she told him the last time she was in this room was still true. She doesn't know how to feel or whether or not to accept to date him, better yet marry him. 

It is not that she doesn't love him.

No.

It's that she hasn't allowed herself to love him for so long now, that it would be hard to reverse it.

It would be hard to trust him when he says that he wants her, when for so long now he'd been so convincingly telling her he never will. 

Not to mention...her past with relationships never boded well. 

She closed the drawer.

She won't be thinking about this now.

All she needs to do is bail him out. 

Half a million dollars. 

She has that. From his money. She'll use it to free him...and then she can think about all this.

For now, though, she can't sit here on his silky bed whilst he sits on the hard-wood bench in jail. 

.oOo.

She shut the limo door after getting out of the car and widened her eyes as she gazed upon the entrance of the station.

There were a crowd of people holding cameras and microphones, taking pictures and asking questions about Mr. Dragneel to every being that walked out of the station. 

Can she even go through them? 

"Do you believe Mr. Dragneel is guilty?"

"How long will he stay in there?"

"Is his business going into ruins?"

Questions, questions, questions. Asking the officers, the security guards, and anyone they could see. 

She sighed.

This is going to be harder than she thought. 

She lifted her heavy feet and walked towards the crowd.

Her tiny self in the midst of the tall gentleman and ladies squeezed in between the crowd, wanting to go into the station. 

It wasn't long until everyone spread out and formed a circle around her.

"Miss Heartfilia!"

"Miss Heartfilia!"

"This is her!"

"This is Mr. Dragneel's woman!"

"People are saying he killed for her!"

She heard many things. 

"Did he do it?!"

"Did Mr. Drageel kill his former employee after he fired him?!"

"Were you there?!"

She clenched her hands. She couldn't bare to hear any of this right now.

Blocking out the noises, she hurried and went in between them, until she finally reached the door.

She walked in with heavy breaths. 

The officer sitting behind the desk sighed,

"Yes, Miss?" She said, bothered at the fact that she'd seen her twice now in the same night. 

"I'd like to bail Mr. Dragneel out," she said firmly. 

The officer squinted with narrowed eyebrows, then chuckled.

"You got half a million dollars for me?"

The blonde reached for her wallet and took out the credit card, then handed it to the officer.

The officer looked at her in disbelief as she slowly took it from her.

As she processed it through the system, the transfer of money was a success. 

She handed her the credit card back. 

Without saying another word to her, she spoke through her pager alerting the other officers and security guards that Mr. Dragneel's bail has been successfully transmitted. 

"You can wait outside Miss," the officer looked back at her.

"The...paparazzi..."

"Take the back door," she said. "They'll be escorting Mr. Dragneel out through the back door as well to avoid the press."

She nodded.

She walked deeper into the station until she reached the back door, and stepped outside. 

It was still cold. The moon was nowhere in sight. It was just a black sky with a few stars here and there, glistering through the night. It reminded her of that ring. How it sparkled the same way the stars do.

Everything will be okay now.

She wouldn't feel guilty anymore once he's out. 

They can handle the trial later. 

But for now... he gets to go home.

And that's all that mattered to her. 

She waited a while longer, pacing left and right, nervously playing with her fingers. 

He's taking long.

Her thoughts wandered. Would she reject him if he spoke about this matter again? Or would she not if it were to help his case? 

If it were for the trial, she'd do it. She'd marry him to avoid testifying. 

But what if he has different intentions in mind?

Would she reject him if there were no case at all?

The door opened. 

It was him. 

Handcuff free, wearing a fresh black shirt with his black sweatpants, holding his wrist. 

His eyes.

They were drilling into her as he stepped towards her slowly. 

She smiled,

"Natsu!" 

He didn't smile. 

He looked angry. 

Like he was ready to punish her for what she had done. 

Chapter Text

"Give me your phone," he said solidly.

She flinched.

Why's he being rude when I just bailed him out...

Nevertheless, she reached into her pocket and took out her phone.

She looked into his eyes as she handed it to him.

His jade eyes. Anger lurked in the center of them. Dissatisfaction and disappointment radiated from him as he took it from her harshly. 

It made her upset. It made her upset how he was upset. He hadn't been upset with her for a while now. It just felt... scary. Because this time, she knows she messed up. However, she wouldn't change a thing.

Although it's selfish, she's happy she doesn't need to feel guilty anymore. Even if it does go against his word. 

He tapped her screen a few times before he placed the phone against his ear.

"Arthur," he said. "Drive to the back door of the station." He demanded, then hung up the phone. 

He kept the phone in his hand, not looking her in the eye, waiting. 

She wanted to ask for it back...but he looked so tense that she was afraid to do so. 

Not a second later, his limo parked in front of them. 

He opened the door.

"Get in." He demanded. 

Narrowing her eyebrows, she opened her mouth to speak, but his gaze sent waves of intensity as he drilled into her brown orbs. He wasn't in the mood. 

She better keep her mouth shut, she thought. At least for now. 

She chewed on her words and got in the car.

He shut the door and walked to the other side, then got in too. 

"It's good to have you back, Mr. Dragneel," said Arthur as he smiled through the mirror.

"Drive home," He responded as he shut his door.

"My pleasure," he hit the gas.

"Wait, but I wanna go to my home," Lucy looked over to him, complaining.

He was tempted to lose it. 

But he kept his composure. 

"You're not going anywhere." He spoke, not batting an eye as he observed the paparazzi screaming his name by the entrance. 

"But—"

"Arthur, avoid our usual route." He interrupted. "If we get spotted, the paparazzi won't leave us alone,"

Lucy sighed.

"Uhh, sir, I think it's too late for that," Arthur responded. 

Two motorcycles from either sides of the limo were catching up with them sharply as they held cameras in their hands. 

They were wearing all black with helmets on. The noises were loud. Blindingly loud. 

"Mr. Dragneel!"  They yelled as they tried to get him to open his window. Tapping on it, screaming, harassing. 

Flash after flash after flash. 

Taking pictures, asking questions, yelling through the fast and heavy wind that went against them, cornering their lane with their motorcycles.

Natsu sighed loudly. 

"It could get dangerous if they get too close," Arthur warned.

"Take a turn when I tell you to," Natsu ordered. 

This wasn't abnormal. He always faced paparazzi. Not that Lucy would know, since he always took his bodyguards when he went out with her. He never risked her safety. Now, though, it was at risk. 

They were still screaming, taking pictures, yelling, cornering. Their motorcycles barely touching the limo. A centimeter to the left or to the right, and they crash. 

Lucy gripped onto her seat. She was afraid of their speed and closeness. Afraid of their absurdity. 

The flashes on the other side began. They were now taking pictures of Lucy through her window. 

"For fuck's sake..." Natsu wrapped his arm around her, bringing her head to his chest as he covered her up with his body so they wouldn't get a clear shot. 

She went along and stuffed her face in his chest. 

He was so warm and comfortable. She felt so safe in his arms, like he'd protect her against anything and everything. Like nothing could happen to her. She felt a warm feeling spread in her chest. A fluttering feeling in her stomach. She felt herself relax and breathe through her nose, calmed. 

They wouldn't stop taking pictures, though. No matter how much at ease she felt, they wouldn't stop. 

"Take a left now," Natsu ordered. 

When Arthur so suddenly turned the wheel, the limo hazed up and Natsu instantly held her tighter against him. 

"We lost them," Arthur said. 

They took a left and the motorcyclists continued straight, not excepting their change of route. 

He held her a little longer. He felt her warm breath against his chest. He knew she felt relaxed in his arms. Safe. Secure. As she should.

But then he let go of her, coldly. 

She slowly sat up as she fixed her hair. 

"Th-Thank you..." she said.

He didn't respond. 

She sighed. 

"Are you mad at me because I didn't trust you?" She asked. 

...

"Or because I didn't respond to your proposal?"

...

"I found the ring..." 

He grit his teeth.

But he didn't flinch. He was still looking straight ahead, ignoring her, just more intensely now.

She groaned,

"Can you not ignore me? Talk to me! Please," she laid her hand on his leg, wanting to catch his attention. 

He didn't move. 

She drifted her hand away and laid her head back on her seat, staying silent, awaiting their arrival. 

.oOo.

She walked into his bedroom whilst nervously playing with her fingers as he walked in behind her. 

He slammed the door shut, startling her.

She turned around, facing him. 

He locked the door. 

"When I tell you to trust me, what does that mean?" He asked, slowly turning to her. 

His voice venomous and drenched with anger.

"Oh so now you're talking to me?" She provoked. "What happened to the last thirty minutes that we've been on the road? You just ignored me the whole time!"

"Would you have wanted me to do this in front of Arthur?!" His voice gained volume as he stepped closer. 

She gulped. 

Her heartbeats sped up. 

She wasn't sure if she had seen him this angry before.

"I told you I had a plan, didn't I?" He controlled his vocals as he stepped even closer, looking into her eyes, trying to find an explanation.

"Y-You did but...what kind of plan could work when you're locked up in jail?..." 

"There you go again," he stopped. "Not trusting me," 

"I do trust you," she stepped closer. "But it just...doesn't make sense," 

"Lucy!" He startled, making her look into his eyes. "You don't get to choose what makes sense and what doesn't when you have no fucking idea what's going on!" 

"What is going on?!" She stepped even closer, abusing his bubble as she looked into his jade eyes, just an inch away from him. 

He stepped away from her. 

"Why would I trust you when you don't trust me?" 

"Can you stop with that!" She reacted. "I do trust you! I do!"

"Shut up." He demanded, his raspy and gruff voice taking over.

She widened her eyes. He hadn't spoken to her like that before. Her breathing grew heavy.

"Stop running your mouth if all you're gonna do is blurt out lies," 

She clenched her little fists. Her lips were glued. She couldn't seem to find a response. But it made her angry. His words made her angry. Because he was right. 

She didn't trust him...and chose to bail him out in protection of her feelings. Selfish feelings.

Losing trust in him, made him lose trust in her. 

And he didn't trust many people. 

"It's...not that big of a deal...okay?" She tried calming him. "I just...didn't want you in there any longer,"

"Lucy," he stepped closer, licking his lips. He cupped her face, looking into her eyes. "You do understand that you messed up everything, don't you?"

"What...what did I mess up?"

"Everything."

"Tell me!" She pushed his hands away. 

"Oh?" 

She nodded with narrowed eyebrows. 

"You really wanna know?" He said, raising his eyebrows. 

"Just tell me!"

"If I tell you—"

"Tell me what!"

"Don't fucking interrupt. You asked, you listen."

She clenched her jaw.

"Your fucking bitch of a father is the reason you almost got raped." He said all too quickly. Way too quickly. As if it was nothing. As if those words meant nothing.

She widened her eyes. Her heart thumped and thumped and thumped. She could hear it in her ears. She felt sweat trickle down her spine. Her stomach clenched tighter. She couldn't seem to control her breathing. She replayed what he said over and over again in her head, not believing it.

"How do you like that...huh?" He drifted closer, looking into her watery hazelnut orbs. 

"Don't say that!" She reacted, holding back her tears. "Don't say that's about my dad! I won't forgive you!"

He looked back and forth into her eyes, realizing just how in denial she is. 

But he can't have that. 

"Your father...Lucy. He's the reason you almost got raped."

She slapped him across the face. 

Anger was building up inside her. Quickly. Her breathing was fastening. Her adrenaline was rushing through her.

But when she realized what she did...her immediately blood froze. She doesn't know what came over her. It all happened so suddenly. Her heart pumped out of her chest. Her breathing grew ragged as she looked upon his sharp jawline. She slowly brought her hand down as she began shaking. 

He slowly turned to her, drilling into her with his sharp, deadly gaze. 

Her lips quivered.

"I'm—I'm s-sorry," she stuttered, her stomach clenching in fear. 

He suddenly wrapped his hand around her neck, choking her as he harshly landed her against his bed. 

"N-Natsu..." 

He swayed his lips to her ear,

"Do it again," he threatened. "I dare you."

He wasn't squeezing. Not hard, at least. She could breathe. 

But it was a warning.

She was still shaking. Tears started rolling down her cheeks. 

Her breathing. She couldn't control it. It was fast, shaky, and hot. 

She gulped against his palm. 

He looked into her eyes as he laid on top of her. 

Her tears. They kept accumulating. Developing. Draining her chocolate eyes. 

Looking at her so close, she looked innocent. Like she really was sorry. 

Like she was Lucy. His Lucy. Remembering her, and who she was to him, he let her go and stood up from the bed. 

She hiccuped as she brought her hands to her neck, feeling it hot, rubbing it. 

"Get up," he said.

She slowly sat up.

"I...I don't believe you," she sniffled as more tears ran down her cheeks, looking down at her feet. 

"Those tears of yours tell me otherwise," he pointed out. 

She looked up into his eyes as she stood up. 

"What does he have to do with any of this? Tell me!" She demanded. 

"Get out." He suddenly said, looking away. 

He truly was angry. He couldn't even look at her. 

She messed up everything. Ruined everything. All because she didn't trust him. No...all because he trusted her. 

She gulped.

"O-Ok. It was about time." She said, as if challenging him. She in fact did not want to leave before finishing this conversation, though. "I told you I wanted to go home anyway." She rolled her eyes as she attempted to walk past him, brushing his shoulder, but he immediately grabbed her arm and pulled her back, in front of him. 

"You're not going home." He said, looking into her eyes. "You're staying here. In this house. Sleep downstairs. The maids will arrange your guest room."

"What?!"

"You think I'm gonna let you go home alone after what happened last time?" He said. "You're sleeping here. Under my safety." 

She narrowed her eyebrows with heavy breaths. His hand on her arm was clenching tight. Once he noticed, he swiftly let go of her. 

She slowly turned her head, glancing upon his bed.

He held her jaw, turning her to face him, his thumb digging into her cheek. 

"I want you out of my sight." He said, calmly, looking into her eyes. "You're not sleeping here."

Her heart. It hurt, hearing those words. She never expected him to be so harsh, especially with her. Her chest ached. 

She gulped dryness down her throat as she looked into his jade orbs. They weren't as gentle as she remembers. 

She thought she did a good thing...bailing him out. Although she knew it was selfish...she still thought it was good. Even if it was going against his word. 

But she never expected this to be his reaction. 

She never expected him to value trust this much. 

Then she remembered something...something that was said to her long ago.

"He has one rule. Just one absolute rule that has never been broken.

No second chances."

She gulped.

Chapter Text

A few days passed. Almost a week.

He'd been ignoring her. Having private calls. Private meetings. Private everything. 

He'd been distant. 

She always had her food delivered to her room, so they wouldn't dine together either.

She was permitted to go out anytime she liked, but his bodyguard would have to accompany her everywhere. She'd have to be back by 9PM, too. A curfew, you could say.

Her father was still out there, so she wouldn't have it any other way. This was good, for now. Just until she started feeling safe again. Just until he felt she was safe again. In other words, until he handled this. 

He wouldn't talk to her, still. Or look at her, sit with her, even acknowledge her.

She didn't know if he was still angry at her, or if he didn't trust her enough to inform her of his plans anymore. Either way, it was bad. 

She slept lonely nights in her fresh white sheets. She'd go out on lonely walks with her sculptured-looking bodyguard. She'd eat alone. Read alone. It started overwhelming her.

She was now in her room, wrapped up in her silky blankets. It was cozy. Quiet. It made her think a lot.

Maybe he wasn't angry at her anymore. Because if he was angry, he wouldn't be silent about it. Right?

Maybe he just didn't trust her. 

But that would be worse...way worse. 

She'd rather have him angry at her than that. Anything but that. 

But still, she showed she didn't trust him first. So she chewed on her feelings and took it in. 

Her feelings. They were a mess. Every night before bed, she'd stare up at her boring ceiling and think about everything.

Including her father. 

Would he actually do this to her? Just because she ran away from home? How would he even find her... or better yet, why would this be his response? Or why would he respond now since it has been a little over two years...

There must be something else. 

Whatever it was, she was sure Natsu knew. But he wouldn't talk to her. He wouldn't even greet her when they'd pass each other in his halls. 

She noticed he went to work a few times. Not everyday, though. He must've been arranging deals with his lawyers, meeting up with his business partners, and fixing this mess. 

Or he might've been making it worse. 

Who knows. 

Either way, the trial wouldn't begin until two weeks from now. So they had time. He had time.

If anything happened to him...if the law rules against him...she'd never forgive herself. 

And that was one thing Natsu would never want her to feel. Guilt. He'd rather cut someone open again than have her feel that. 

She just hopes they get through this. Because if they don't, that would mean a life sentence in prison.

She shook her head, trying to shake out her thoughts. 

She was sinking into her fluffy pillow, looking up at that same ceiling again. White, flawless, and perfectly boring. Her thoughts rallied. She tried not to think too much of Natsu right now. 

Or of her father. 

As the days passed, she became less and less surprised that he'd do something like this to her. 

But he wouldn't do it without reason.

She turned, ruffling up her sheets as she laid her cheek on her silky pillow and her hand under it. 

She blinked a few times in the darkness, feeling a little chilly. 

It was cold. His air conditioning was always cold. 

She wrapped the blanket tighter around her with her fist. 

She missed him. A little too much. His warmth. His somewhat kindness. She missed the real him, when he wasn't like this. When he had gentle eyes. When he'd tease her, mess around with her, cuddle with her. When he'd make her bitter coffee, take her out on dates, fuck her.

She even missed him being angry at her. Yelling at her. Being annoyed with her. 

Anything was better than the silent treatment. 

She sighed. 

She picked up her phone from the bed-side table and tapped her screen to check the time.

It was currently 3:56AM. 

Still no sleep.

She placed her phone back.

Her thoughts wouldn't stop buzzing in her mind. They wouldn't give her a break.

Sting.

He's dead.

That's weird to think about.

She couldn't wrap her head around it, still. It was as if it never happened. As if he was living his days out in America. 

The person she were meant to marry...just dead. Killed by the person asking her to marry, nonetheless. Or was asking her. He didn't mention it again. He didn't even address the ring.

She sighed loudly as she rubbed her forehead, trying to rub off her poisonous thoughts. She just couldn't stop thinking. She hated it. Being so alone. 

Taking in a deep breath, she sat up the bed. She dropped her feet to the ground and picked up her phone. She slipped into her slippers then tip-toed out her door, making sure not to cause any creaking noises. 

She went up the stairs, slowly.

As she reached his bedroom, she wrapped her hand around the doorknob, already feeling her heart beating faster. 

She twisted it and slowly swung it open. 

He was laying on his side, shirtless, having his muscular arm over his blanket. His chest was moving with the rhythm of his breath. Slow. Cold. Peaceful.

She was afraid to wake him, now that she was here. 

But she couldn't be alone any longer.

"N-Natsu?..." she gently knocked on the door. 

He opened his eyes and looked over to the door, as if his instincts took over. 

He narrowed his eyebrows with squinted eyes, adjusting to the view. He had been sleeping for only an hour now.

"What's wrong?" He asked with his low, gruff voice.

"I can't sleep..." she responded, slowly shutting the door behind her. 

He sighed and laid his head back down on his pillow.

He thought something happened. 

"I've been...thinking about S-Sting and I just..." she gulped, nervously playing with her fingers. "Can I sleep next to you?"

He held the blanket from the other side and flipped it, giving her open space, gesturing that she can. His eyes still shut. His mind still foggy. But hearing her talk about Sting, and how she couldn't sleep because of it, he couldn't refuse her.

She smiled as she walked over to his bed and laid herself next to him. She slid the blanket over her as she tucked herself in and rested her head on the fluffy pillow next to him. 

It was so warm. He was so warm. Even though they weren't touching, just being near him heated her enough. 

His back was to her. His muscular, defined, ripped back. His salmon hair, ruffled up. His biceps. 

She missed him. She wanted to cuddle with him. To be wrapped around his warmth. To feel safe again in his arms. 

She gently laid her small, soft hand on his bicep.

He didn't react. Or flinch. 

So she stroked him, slowly, up and down. Caressing him. 

Physical touch...that was the only language they both knew how to speak. Other than that, they fail at proper communication. Maybe because that was how they met. Maybe because that was how they set the foundation of their relationship. 

Or maybe because they both suck at figuring out feelings. 

He sighed.  

He turned his body around, facing her. 

He looked into her eyes. The eyes he'd been avoiding for a while now. Those brown orbs.

She gulped, looking back into his sharp, jade ones...a little afraid.

"You wanna turn me on or something?" He asked. His breath so hot and minty. His body so near yet so far away. 

"Maybe..." she mumbled. 

As he looked into her hazelnut orbs, he held her petite hand with his large one, bringing it closer to him. 

"Well, it's working." He pressed his lips against her hand, giving her a kiss. 

Her heartbeats couldn't stop racing. She felt so cold just minutes ago, but now she felt herself sweating. Being so close to him. So intimate. Looking into his eyes. His voice. She missed his voice. Especially that he'd just woken up, it sounded so throaty and rough that it made her stomach flutter. His soft lips against her skin made her tingle. 

"Do you..." she paused, gulping, not able to continue her sentence, intimidated by his gaze. His eyes still weren't gentle. They were more intense. More sharp.

But he knew exactly what she meant.

"Really?" He asked. "After what happened?"

"I feel safe with you." She said softly. 

Probably the only man she'd ever feel safe with.

He leaned in closer, closing the provoking distance. He looked into her eyes, then her lips, then back into her eyes. 

"Are you sure?" He asked, his voice coming out as a gruttal whisper.

If he was in his right mind, he wouldn't have done this. But this moment just felt so vulnerable. So weak. So fragile. And he was already twitching.

She nodded against her pillow.

He let go of her hand and placed his on her waist under the blankets.

He caressed her as he looked into her orbs. Both their eyes half open. Both suddenly itching for each other with their closeness. It was late. Warm. Dark. They were in bed, so close, filled with overwhelming intensity. It was bound to happen, if anything.

He held her shorts along with her panties, and began slowly sliding them down her legs. 

Reaching her knees, her breathing hitched.

He stopped.

"Are you sure?" He asked again. 

She nodded,

"I...need you," she mumbled, rubbing her juicy thighs together. 

So he took them off her. She laid vulnerable, exposed, open for him. 

He sat up the bed as he groaned and pulled down his black boxers.

He didn't plan on doing this. He was still angry. Infuriated with her, in fact. But he could never resist her. Not when she's so close and bare.

His shaft poked out, already hard just at the thought of Lucy laying naked next to him. 

He looked back at her.

"This is wrong," he said.

She paused, her eyes still half open and her thighs still rubbing together, urging for him. 

"But fuck it." He sighed, sliding on top of her, still under the blanket. 

He reached his hand down, grabbing her vagina as he put his fingers in, making sure she's wet for him. 

She already was.

But that didn't stop him from rubbing her a few times. In circles. He was rough, this time. Not as gentle as he use to be.

Maybe because he was mad. Or maybe because he wanted to do this quick.

Her breathing turned into moans. Just the feel of his fingers rubbing her made her go insane already. 

"Does this mean...you forgive me?" She managed to say in between breathing and moans as she looked at him with half-opened lids.

He looked up into her eyes as he continued his motion beneath.

"Shut it,"

He was still angry. But he was itching for her. 

She gulped. 

She knew his attitude wasn't a good thing, but for some reason...it turned her on more. Just in bed. In a normal conversation, it would've pissed her off. Just as it did a few days ago. But now...saying it so roughly and dominantly in such a vulnerable position made her moaning grow.

He felt the warm silk surround his fingers.

"Well don't cum now..." he said, looking into her eyes, pulling his fingers out. "Wait for me," he continued, guiding his shaft. 

He adjusted it to her opening.

"What is this...then," she breathed. "Hate sex?" 

"Didn't I tell you to shut it?" He grabbed her jaw as his thumb dug under her chin, forcing her mouth shut as he began sliding into her.

This felt just as good as when he choked her. He was just as gentle now as he was before. It didn't hurt. She just felt properly dominated, which she liked. Only in bed. 

She let out a compressed moan at the feel of his hot, thick shaft stretching her. 

He grunted at the feel of her. She was so silky and tight and surrounded him so stressfully. 

He slowly pulled back, making sure not to hurt her, remembering the words she told him the last time they did this. He then pushed into her again. Still slow. As if massaging his shaft inside of her.

She moaned as she shut her eyes tight. 

"Am I hurting you?" He asked.

She shook her head weakly as she moaned.

It was hurting. But it wasn't like he could do anything about it, so she lied.

She felt him slowly fill her up each time...and it felt so goddamn good. 

She needed it.

And so did he. To relieve him from all the stress. 

Just for tonight, at least.

He increased his speed, trying to make it as gradual as possible.

He knew his size was exceptional. But he never thought it would be painful until she pointed it out. 

It wasn't long before she began whining for him to go faster, which gave him the green light. 

He was now drilling into her as she screamed and moaned his name.

Taking out his anger on her tight hole. Aggressive, rough, harsh.

She felt wet, silky, warm. He fucked harder. Abusing her insides. Rearranging her guts. 

He lengthy shaft bottomed out, kissing her cervix with each hard thrust. 

Her moaning filled the air around them. He groaned as he kept hitting her sweet spot, grinding against her end before pulling back and thrusting harder into her again. Like an itch only the other can scratch.

Her breathing was fast and uncontrollable. He groped her boobs under her loose shirt and began massaging them as he rutted into her like an animal in heat, humping her.

He groaned as she squeezed tight around him, moaning his name loud. He groped her harder. 

"Say my name." He demanded, wanting to hear it roll off her tongue. It was always music to his ears. 

So she did. She moaned his name loud as she gripped onto his back, digging into it, painting red lines, as she usually does. He momentarily thrusted harder and faster upon feeling the sensation. 

His bed was creaking with each rough, rude thrust. They clapped together, wet noises filling the air.

Her legs began insanely shaking, not able to keep still as her hands weakened and let loose. She moaned again, and again, and again...

Her voice alone just made him groan.

Reaching that high. Reaching that intense, blinding high. With her mouth hanging open and her eyes rolling back, her breathing stopped. And so did his, but it only made him go harder. Ruining her. 

Until she finally released as he pooled into her, then onto the sheets as he pulled out. 

He laid on top of her, resting his head on her bust as he wrapped an arm around her waist, breathing hot against her skin.

Their minds were blank and their bodies were filled with pleasure. It didn't wear off yet—that high. 

It took a couple of minutes before they both simmered down and caught their breath. A couple of minutes before her legs stopped shaking.

He held her tighter as he had his cheek against her soft breasts. She was just so comfortable. Better than a pillow. He felt relaxed, having her with him. He missed her.

He partially did this for her. So he could take her mind off of everything that happened with Sting. 

But he did this for him, too.

Still, he didn't want her to get the wrong idea. He didn't want her to think they're ok now. Because she really messed up. And he doesn't think she understands just how bad. 

It wasn't like he wasn't trying to forgive her and trust her again. He was. He just needed time. And space. Time and space. He might've been a little harsh with it, but that's all he needed, really.

But being here, in her arms, he couldn't help himself but to relax.

"Natsu?" She asked weakly, letting out heavy breaths.

When he didn't respond, she knew he fell asleep. 

He was already tired, having slept for only an hour.

She smiled as she ran her soft fingers through his hair, feeling herself drifting into sleep too.

.oOo.

She fluttered her eyes open. The sunlight was gleaming through the large windows, brightening up the room. 

She took in a deep breath as she stretched her arms wide. After a moment, she looked to her side, only to find it empty.

She narrowed her eyebrows,

"Natsu?" She spoke out, roaming her squinted eyes around the room as she slowly sat up. 

"Morning," he said. He was standing by his closet, fixing his lavender tie. 

She rubbed her eye,

"Where are you going?"

"Out," he responded. 

"To work?" 

He suddenly took out a black luggage bag from his closet, causing her eyes to widen. 

"You're traveling?!" She said in panicking. 

"Just for a few days," he responded, landing it on the couch before zipping it open. He wanted to make sure his maids arranged everything he needed already. And they did. So he shut it again.

"What?!" She dropped her feet to the ground, carefully standing up. "You didn't tell me!"

"I'm telling you now," he zipped it up. 

"Where are you going?!"

"A business trip,"

"With who?!"

"Lucy," he turned around, facing her. "Calm down, alright? You're fine with the staff here. And I won't take long."

"B-But,"

He pulled out his wallet, slipping out a credit-card.

"Here," he stepped closer, handing it to her. "I made you another one. A million dollars. Use it as you wish, just for fuck's sake don't bail anyone out,"   

"W-What are you—"

He held her petite hand with his large one and gave her the credit-card. 

"You're not working now so you'll need it." He said, looking into her eyes.

"You'll be gone for that long?!"

"I'll be back when I can," he turned back around, grabbing his luggage from the couch.

"B-But what about your trial?"

"My trial is two weeks from now,"

"Please tell me you found a way out of it..."

"I haven't yet,"

"Then what are you doing leaving so suddenly?!" She stepped closer.

He turned around, looking into her eyes again in the short distance. 

"The chef will prepare your meals, there's security around the house and my bodyguards will go wherever you go. If you need anything, call me," 

She felt sweat trickle down her spine. Her heart pounding out of her chest. Her fists nervously clenching and unclenching. She didn't know what was going on. She was confused. It was all so sudden. 

What scared her the most, was that he wouldn't even tell her where he was going or what he was going to do.

Maybe she was right. Maybe he wasn't as angry at her anymore...he just doesn't trust her. 

He stepped closer, holding the back of her head as he dug his fingers into her hair, looking into her hazelnut eyes. They looked so worried. He drifted closer and landed his lips against her forehead, giving her a kiss. 

"I won't be long, I promise," he said gently. 

She gulped. 

And just like that, he took his luggage, and left.

Chapter Text

He was comfortably rested back on his seat.

First class, of course.

They had served him wine and some dark chocolate as complementaries. 

Once they knew it was Natsu Dragneel who walked in their airplane, they immediately cleared up his row and the radius around him. Respect and all that. Privacy, too, being one of the richest men in the continent, with all that authority, power, and popularity. He could shut down their whole airline if he wished. They definitely wouldn't like that. 

He didn't ask for anything though. Nor did he acknowledge their acts. All he wanted to do was rest. 

There were many reasons he decided to travel, at this time nonetheless. 

He was in the middle of a murder accusation by the court of law, in the middle of rebuilding his company's reputation, in the middle of strategizing against Lucy's father. Jude Heartfilia. The root of all his problems. Not to mention, his issues with Lucy.

But yet he still chose to take this trip. 

He didn't lie to her. It is a business trip. He will accomplish what he needs to in America. 

But that might as well have been a cover up. 

With all his money, with all his power, he could've accomplished what he needed to from back home. 

But no...there was something more he sought. 

Distance.

Space.

Time.

This wasn't because Lucy bailed him out. Nor because he killed someone not too long ago. This wasn't about any of the "predicaments" he had been facing, as so he liked to call them. 

He was always calm and collected in the face of crisis.

No. This was different. This was about all the complicated thoughts and emotions he'd been facing towards Lucy. 

Everything changed in his life from the moment he met her. 

It wasn't normal to him. His feelings. And he needed to figure things out. Distance would always help.

The lights went off as he heard the wheels roll on the ground. It wasn't long after that the plane took off, flying heavy towards the sky. 

"Do you need anything, Mr. Dragneel?" Asked a soft, feminine voice. 

He looked up, only to see a heavy cleavage popping out of a tight uniform, almost right in his face. He drifted his eyes up. She had vibrant red lipstick on with brown wavy hair that reached her shoulders. Her waist was curvy and her thick thighs were almost squeezing together as she looked at him seductively. She was leaning in, with an indecent smile plastered across her face.

He looked into her eyes. They were ocean blue. 

Nah, not his type. Not anymore, at least. 

"I'm good," he looked away. 

She leaned in her cherry lips to his ear,

"I'll be waiting at the back if you change your mind," she whispered, tickling him with her breath before she walked away. 

He sighed. 

This wasn't unusual to him. It happened quiet often whenever he'd attend company flights and not his jet. Any woman would fall head over heels for him and take any chance she had to merely speak to him. 

That flight attendant didn't waste a second in doing so. 

A handsome millionaire, of age. Who wouldn't want him. 

It wasn't that he didn't take pleasure in it before. Because he did. Many times. Lost count, too. But now, it seemed revolting just thinking about it. 

He had someone waiting for him at home.

With that thought, his eyelids grew heavy. He clicked his tongue, feeling it dry and thirsty before drifting off to sleep. 

.

.

.

"Z-Zer-ref..." his voice trembled as the name of his brother escaped his lips. 

His hands were shaking, tremendously. His whole blood was excruciatingly freezing in his veins. His eyes were wide open, not believing his sight. His heart thumped, and it thumped, and it thumped—almost ripping the cages around it apart, out of his chest. He heard it ringing in his ears. His breathing. It was so heavy. Taking in a sharp breath, and letting it out again. His chest rising high and falling slow. 

His mind. It was blank. Almost too blank, like an unborn baby. Black dots. He could see black dots here and there. They were invading his vision. Sweat. He could feel it trickling down his spine. 

His heart thumped, and it thumped, and it thumped. 

"W-What a-are you..." he let out, barely hearing his own voice as a buzzing sound blasted in his ears. 

"Natsu..." Zeref, the charcoal haired man, stood frozen. His pale face splashed with reddish blood. His fare skinny hands drenched with raw, fresh, crimson gore. 

He dropped the blood-stained knife on the ground, as if just realizing what he had done. His little brother. He saw him. Reality began sinking in. And suddenly, he wished he could take the last five minutes back. 

The smell. It was a heavy metallic hanging in the air. Natsu could feel it burn through his nose. 

His wide eyes dropped to the ground, next to his brothers' feet, only to see his father, laying dead in a pool of blood. His mouth hanging open. His eyes staring at the ceiling, into nothingness. His body cooling right next to his mother's. Her mouth closed. Her eyes to Natsu's feet. Solid. Frozen. Dead. Their chests, still spilling out blood on the same rug they used to get yelled at for dropping crumbs. Their bodies, pale and icy. 

"Natsu..." he dared speak, stepping over the bodies slowly, towards him. 

The salmon haired child stepped back, his hands aggressively shaking as he looked back up into his brother's deathly black orbs. 

"What have you done..." he said under his breath. His eyes still wide, trying to make sure he was seeing right.

"Natsu...I need you to listen to me," the man said, widening his arms as if about to embrace his little brother in a hug.

The boy ducked under his spread arm, dodging him as he took light steps towards his dead parents. His shaky knees fell to the ground, looking at their breathless bodies.

"What have you done?!" His throaty, traumatized voice took over. 

Zeref turned around. His little brother's tiny back was towards him. 

He took in a sharp breath.

"M-Mom," he cried, drifting his small hands to his mother's fare, soft ones laying on her chest. He held them. "M-Mom p-please answer me," he sobbed, shaking her, his tears flowing out of his eyes. Warm and fresh against his tanned cheeks. "Dad..." he looked over to him. His lips quivering as more tears fell. "DAD!!" 

"Natsu," Zeref laid his hand on his shoulder. "That's enough." 

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!!" He screamed. "MOOM! DAAD!" He cried, shaking his mother's body aggressively, like he could bring her back to life. She was cold. Stiff. 

"Natsu. They're dead. Let them go. Okay?" 

His hand, as if having a mind on it's own, held the knife off the ground, turned around standing up, and strook his brother's chest. Straight into his heart. His eyes full of anger and hate. His gaze was a blade on it's own as it pierced through his black orbs. His intense furrowed eyebrows and his hand trembling as it aggressively held onto the hilt, trying to keep it still. He swung the knife out, and strook it back in. Out again, in again. "YOU BASTARD!!" Out. In. "THOSE WERE OUR PARENTS!!!" Out. In. Out. In. And he kept going, until the weight of the knife gravitated and fell to the ground. 

His legs were shaking. He was going to fall. 

But his brother beat him to it. His black eyes wide and his breath leaving his body before dropping hard on his knees, causing a thump on the hard-wood ground, before falling on his back, ready to cool next to his parents.
.

.

He gasped awake. 

His right hand shaking aggressively. A tic. His body trickling with sweat all over. His breaths heavy. 

He instantly held his shaky hand with his other, stopping it from moving.

Those dreams. Or more accurately, memories. They were back again. 

Killing Sting must've triggered it.

He gulped dryness down his throat. 

He needed water. He needed to hydrate and to wash his face. 

He looked around him, looking for any flight attendants. But it was empty. Silent. 

He took off his seatbelt and slowly stood up. His breath still heavy as he roamed his half-open eyes around for his server. 

Not finding her, he walked down the hall, to the back, where he knew she was.

He slid the navy curtain open, finding her wearing a black thong and a thin black strap for a bra, barely hiding anything. She was seated with one leg over the other, swaying smoothly. 

"You came," she seductively smiled. 

"I'm thirsty," he said, looking around her for where they place the food and drinks. 

She had her smirk still stuck on her lips, placing her hands on his body and drifting them up to his chest as she slowly stood up. 

He blinked a few times, not entirely conscious of what was going on. 

Where was the water. 

"Well you just had to say so," she slid one hand down him, reaching his crotch, grabbing it full with her hand, giving it a small squeeze. 

He grunted. 

Not expected, but it felt good. 

He gulped. 

"Water..."

She squeezed harder, giving him some painful pleasure. 

He groaned before blowing his eyes open wrapping his hand around her neck, hitting her back against the wall in aggressiveness.

"Don't touch me." He threatened.

"You like it rough, huh?" She breathed, frankly turned on by him even more now. "Let me make you feel good if you promise to be good to me," she whispered. 

His grip on her neck loosened.

She took that as an invitation. 

She clung onto his belt, undoing it, not losing eye contact with him. 

She slid his pants down, along with his boxers. His hard shaft poked out. It was bound to be hard with all that squeezing. 

He heard her innerly gasp. 

Could she take it?

He still wasn't sure what was happening though. It was all so fast and sudden.

She held the strap of her thong, smiling shyly. "I'm-I'm already wet," she said. "All ready for you." She pulled down her thong, spreading her legs. 

In one sudden movement, he grabbed her ass and lifted her legs up, wrapping them around his waist as he slid into her. Fast. Aggressive. 

She moaned loud and he slapped her mouth. "Hush." He thrusted in and out. Hard and fast. Her head rested back on the wall as her eyes rolled back, completely enjoying him ruining her. Destroying her insides. 

He fucked. And he fucked. And he fucked. 

Until he came and slid out. 

Relaxed. That's what he felt. 

"Bathroom?" He asked, sliding his pants back up and buttoning it.

She was on the floor. Her legs shaking, barely able to keep it together. 

"T-To your left," she responded, trying to catch her breath.  

With that, he left to it.

.oOo.

"Do you like this color?" Lucy asked her bodyguard. 

Natsu's bodyguard, actually, but he had to accompany her wherever she went.

The bodyguard stood there with his hands behind his back, looking at her through his tinted shades, wearing an all-black suit, not responding. Standing like a statue. 

"Sheesh. It's okay to talk to me, you know," she said, returning the hanger on the rack.

"Lu-Chan!" The bluette walked out of the fitting room, towards the blonde. "What do you think of this?" She spun for her. 

It was a silky off-shoulder orange dress that reached beneath her knees. It had a thin black belt that wrapped around her waist and a cut to her "cleavage."

"It looks beautiful!" Lucy brought her hands together  with a bright smile on her lips.

"Do you think I should buy it?" She asked, holding the garment's tag that was stuck on her back as she looked at it. "It's a bit expensive..." her face turned a little upset.

"I can help you out," Lucy pulled out her wallet from her purse and slipped out her credit-card. "Natsu gave me another credit-card since I haven't been working for a while now, so we could just use it," she smiled. 

"Another credit-card?" She questioned, not even knowing there was a first one. "Why would he do that?" 

The bodyguard fixed his throat behind her. 

Natsu must've made sure Lucy didn't spill anything through him. His eyes and ears.

"O-Oh, I just mean, he gave it to me so I can shop today," She tried.

"Why's he here again?" Levy leaned in and whispered.

The blonde chuckled,

"Just go change so we could buy it. I'm still looking for a dress,"

The bluette blushed.

"Thank you Lu-Chan," she embraced her in a brief hug. "I'll help you look once I'm out," she spoke out as she walked back to her fitting room.

Lucy sighed as she turned to the rack of clothes again, knowing she won't find anything. 

Ding-Ding

Her phone buzzed. She pulled it out from her purse and tapped her screen, opening to her messages.

She got a "where are you" from him. 

After she responded, he didn't text again.

That was weird.

She wonders if he was doing okay. And if he was still angry at her. She just wants to get everything over with. The trial, her father, everything. 

"I think I like this one..." she held up a simple rosy dress.

Chapter Text

He woke up gasping, his right hand shaking aggressively. 

His breathing heavy, almost panting as he felt sweat trickle down his spine. He felt hot, like he needed to rip off his clothes and skin.

He held his shaking hand with his other, forcing it still.

Those dreams. 

They were back. 

Killing Sting must've triggered it. 

He gulped dryness down his throat as he rubbed his pounding forehead. He was thirsty. Dehydrated. He needed water. 

After a moment, he roamed his hazy eyes around, looking for his server. 

Not finding her, he began unbuckling his seatbelt.

Then stopped. 

Everything felt too familiar. Like de ja vu. He rested back, completely confused. 

Ding

"We have landed. Please unbuckle your seatbelts and prepare to leave. Thank you for joining us at..." A robotic voice spoke through the speakers.

He blinked a few times, looking around him. There was barely anyone. They left the radius around him empty for comfort and privacy. 

He was unsure of how long he slept. Unsure of what exactly was happening. Had he been knocked out this whole flight? 

The harder he thought, the foggier everything seemed.

Wasn't he just heading to the bathroom?

Did he go and fall asleep again after coming back?

The girl.

The was a girl.

He fucked the girl.

The smoke cleared out as a rush of memories flooded his mind. He remembered. 

He widened his eyes as reality began sinking in. 

Did...Did that happen? Did I...

His once icy heart thumped, hard and aggressive against his chest. Afraid. Afraid of what he might've done. 

He was just as bad as Sting, if not worse. 

She won't be able to take this. She won't get through this. She's already went through enough. And because of him...because of him, she'll have to go through it again.

She said she felt safe with him. Safe. He ruined it. He ruined everything. 

He clenched onto his seat's hand as he felt his stomach turn at the realization. The realization of what he had and broke apart. Of what he killed. 

A sharp pain pierced through his chest as he gulped, afraid of how Lucy would react...thinking he was now going to lose the most important thing in his life. Lose the only thing he cared about. The only thing he would burn the world down for.

He tightened his grip in anger. 

His breathing grew more aggressive. His stomach turned, and turned, and turned. He wasn't sure what this feeling was. It might've been guilt. Or loss. Maybe both. But it felt like it was suffocating him. 

He wasn't even sure he wanted her to forgive him.

He left her in his home, waiting for him to come back. He asked her to trust him, only for him to betray it. He felt a pang in his heart just at the thought.

A hand laid on his shoulder from behind him, startling him. He went stiff.

"Why didn't you come?" she moaned in his ear. He didn't move. "I told you I was waiting for you, but you never came," she whined.

He paused for a moment, registering her words. 

I didn't go?...

I didn't go.

He breathed. He finally breathed, not realizing he'd been holding it. Like a wave of relief clashed through him, allowing his shoulders to relax. 

It was just a dream. Just a dream. 

He slumped in his seat as he rested his head back and closed his eyes, letting the air flow through him. His Adam's Apple apparent as he gulped, thankful nothing happened.

It felt too real. His dream felt too real. 

For a moment there. Just for a moment...he knew what it would feel like to completely lose her. 

He never wanted to feel that way again. 

She rubbed his shoulder,

"Mr. Dragneel?" She whined again.

He calmly stood up from his seat, turning to her. 

He met eyes with her gem blue ones.

"What's your name?" He asked. 

She smiled, playing with the chocolate strands of her hair. 

"Emily," she chewed on her gum. "Emily Boldwon," 

"Go grab me a bottle of water Emily," he demanded. 

She nodded, 

"My pleasure," she smirked, right before turning around and walking away.

He sighed as he reached for his luggage above his seat. Suddenly, his right hand began excessively shaking. Again.

"For fucks sake," he said under his breath. He held onto it tight, trying to stop it.

It wasn't the time for this.

After a couple of moments, it finally stopped. 

He was able to grab his luggage and gather his things. 

"Here you go," she suddenly appeared, handing him a bottle of water.

"Great," he took it from her. "You're fired." 

With that, he turned around and left.
.

.

He had two limos waiting for him. One for his luggage and one for his escort. He could see them through his shades.

As he walked down the steps against the heavy wind that swayed his hair left and right, he slipped his hand into his pockets, searching for his phone. 

He wanted to check up on Lucy. Talk to her for a little. He needed it. 

But he couldn't seem to find it anywhere. 

"Mr. Dragneel," the driver greeted him, standing by the white limo. "Please, let me handle your belongings," he spoke, grabbing the luggage from him. 

Natsu took off his sunglasses. He could barely hear him through the airplane's engine and sharp wind.

Once they both got in the limo, Natsu sighed.

"Take me to the Crown Plaza hotel," he ordered.  

"As you wish," he responded, starting the engine. 

"But we need to make a stop first. I need a new phone." He added.

.oOo.

She slouched on her bed as it bounced a bit,

"And this is where I've been living," she widened her arm, gesturing to Levy.

The bluette's jaw hung open as she roamed her eyes around the wide living space. 

"Your room is bigger than my entire apartment!" She expressed, her eyes glistening at the sight before her. 

The blonde giggled,

"This is just temporary,"

Levy sat next to her, soaking into the bed as she looked into her eyes,

"I'm glad you're staying here, under his protection," she expressed.

"Y-Yeah, I guess,"

"Can I ask you something?" The bluette said. "I didn't want to bring this up today but..."

"What is it?"

"How are you feeling?" She asked. "You know, what happened with Sting...and the murder investigation and all that,"

"I'm fine," she responded. "Really, I am," 

Even if she wasn't okay, she wouldn't talk about it with anyone.  

"You shouldn't be alone here though. Natsu shouldn't have travelled at this time,"

"No, it's okay, really," she responded. "He had a business trip so he had to travel,"

"Why didn't you go with him?" She questioned. "Natsu's trial is going to begin soon so you might not get another chance..." 

"There's no way, Levy," 

Her friends had seen the news. They knew the story. The only thing they didn't know, though, was that Lucy's father was behind it all and that she was in explicit danger every second.

"You've been sitting here in your room depressed as ever Lu-Chan," the bluette said. "I mean you called me today almost crying because you felt so suffocated. I'm sure our shopping trip didn't heal you from that," she paused. "You need a vacation. And plus you have that one million dollars..." 

The blonde paused for a moment, thinking. 

Yeah, if my father doesn't kill me, Natsu will.

"No Levy, I don't think I can do that," she said, a little sadness in her voice. "Plus there are so many things I want to do here. Like I still need to speak to Lisanna,"

The bluette sighed,

"This isn't the time to be thinking about others," she responded. "You need to take care of yourself first, Lu-Chan,"

"I owe Lisanna an explanation. I saw her hovering over the police station when I walked in to bail Natsu out," she said. "She's confused and alone. I have to help her." 

"Do you want me to be with you when you tell her everything?"

"No it's okay," she responded. "I need to do this alone,"

Levy breathed out. 

"Alright. Well, if you need anything, just call me, okay?" 

"I will," the blonde smiled.

She dropped her feet to the ground and stood up. 

"I'll see you later?" 

"Yeah,"

She leaned in and embraced her in a brief hug.

"Keep your phone next to you, I'll check up on you when I can,"

With that, she grabbed her purse and took her leave.

Lucy picked up her phone from the bedside table and tapped her screen a few times, dialing in Lisanna's number.

.

.

"Hello?" She spoke from the other end of the line.

"Hey, i-it's me, Lucy," she said, a little shy.

"Oh," was all she said.

"Listen, I wanna meet up with you today. I'd like to have a talk. Are you free?"

"U-Um well...I don't..."

"Come on Lisanna, let me just explain everything,"

She sighed.

"Okay. But I'm just free for an hour. I'm working my sister's bar tonight and my lunch break starts at 9 o'clock," She said.

"Perfect, I'll come to you," Lucy said before hanging up the phone.

She could finally clear things up. 

Lisanna lost her boyfriend so suddenly. If anything, she was the most conflicted and confused out of everyone.

Not only that, but the news show her that Natsu Dragneel was the murderer. 

She didn't believe it.

How could she?

But still. She needed an explanation. 

As she was about to put her phone down, she got another text from Natsu.

"Are you home?" It asked.

After she responded, he didn't text again.

That was odd. 

But she didn't put much thought into it. 

She brushed it off and decided to get some writing in the day. 

.oOo.

She walked out of the house, ready to head to the Fairy Tail Bar.

She was wearing her new fit that she bought today. Her light rosy dress with black heals and a black purse. She kept her long hair flowing down, reaching her waist. She applied a little blush and mascara, and brushed her lips with some gloss. 

She felt fresh.

The limo was waiting for her right outside. 

As she walked towards it, her bodyguard followed behind her.

She stopped and turned around.

"Hey, look, I'd like to go alone today," she said.

He stayed silent, looking at her through his shades. His arms behind his back. 

"I wanna have some privacy," 

"I can't do that Miss."

"Natsu isn't here to tell you what to do. I am. And I'm telling you I want some privacy," she insisted.

He stayed silent. 

When she turned around and walked again to her limo, he followed behind her. 

She stopped and turned around again, quite provoked.

"Did you not hear what I said?"

"I don't follow your orders Miss."

She paused for a moment. 

"Let me text him then,"

She slipped out her phone from her purse.

She tapped her screen a few times, going to her messages with Natsu.

"Hey. I'm going to meet Lisanna at the Fairy Tail bar right now to have a talk. I need some privacy. Can you tell your bodyguard not to follow me?" She texted. 

Not a second later she received a text back. 

"Ok." was what it said. 

She turned her phone, showing the bodyguard. 

"See? And this is his number if you don't believe me."

The bodyguard narrowed his eyebrows, confused.

With that, she got into the limo and the bodyguard stayed behind. 

The driver started the engine and drove off. 

The wheels rolled against the rough texture of the roads. It was mostly empty, silent. No cars were there. The trees ruffled against the wind of the night. The stars glistered and twinkled in the black sky.

She had her eyes set on the moon above her as she looked out the window. 

She wondered if somewhere out there, Natsu was gazing upon the same moon too.

Chapter Text

"Yes, I got his phone with me," she spoke through the phone, seated in the taxi. "And I texted her through it. She told me her location without any hesitance,"

"Is she alone?" Jude asked, seated behind his office desk. His voice firm and authoritative. 

"Yes. That fool didn't even take her bodyguard," she suppressed a laugh.

"And David?"

"He's with her right now. I scheduled for the private jet along with all the other arrangements. She should be at your doorstep by tomorrow."

"Good work, Emily. For the first time, you succeeded in your task."

She rolled her eyes,

"Yeah yeah. It wasn't that hard. He was asleep the whole flight. Anyway, where do I pick up my check?" She chewed on her tasteless gum.

.oOo.

"How long till we get there?" Lucy asked as she laid her head back on her seat, feeling all hot and sweaty. The air conditioning was off. It was dark. A little musty. The seat was uncomfortable too, not like she was use to. It felt smaller. The space felt smaller. 

Something was off.

Not only that, but they had been on the road for a while now. The Fairy Tail bar wasn't that far, she recalled.

"Hm?" She asked again after not hearing a response.

She leaned forward, peaking her head at the driver's seat. 

"Arthur?" She asked again.

...Until she realized it wasn't Arthur driving her.

Nor was this her limo.

.oOo. 
2 Days Later

He walked out of the hotel, wearing a half buttoned black shirt—revealing his muscular chest, with black pants. His heavy watch was wrapped around his wrist and his silver-chain necklace was hanging by his neck. The weather was hot and humid. The sky was empty. A tasteless day, he found it to be. 

But that didn't matter. He was ready to meet Rogue at the bar that was located right by his hotel. The business he originally came here for.

They prepared to meet and discuss the business deal Rogue and Sting originally had with Jude.

That was before Rogue was smart enough to betray the both of them and switch sides, allying up with Natsu, holding onto his morals. He constantly fed him information, which was how Natsu caught Sting and Jude in the first place. 

Sting wasn't that smart, however. 

And because of that...he was dead. 

Natsu had been trying to contact Rogue for the past two days, but he hadn't been answering his calls. So he awaited his message back at the hotel, enjoying some time to himself in his suite. 

The time he so needed. 

Still, it wasn't like he had proper rest during that time due to the dreams. The dreams that had inconveniently come back. But he had space, at least. 

He wondered whether that space he so yearned for was the cause of those dreams.

Would he be having them if he were with Lucy?

Probably not. 

And he knew it. 

He needed her. In his bed, in his arms. To be around her flourishing scent. He missed her. She brought him some kind of calmness and ease. Some kind of peace.

And only when he strayed away from her did those dreams come back.

With that thought, he slipped out his new phone from his pocket and dialed in her number.

He hadn't called her yet, ever since he travelled, due to that space he so needed.

But he wanted to hear her voice.

Just for a little, at least.

So he pressed his phone against his ear as he walked. The walk was long to the parking. That was the only thing he hated about this place.

"We're Sorry, You Have Reached a Number That Has Been Disconnected or Is No Longer in Service...Please Try Again Lat—"

He closed the call, and tried again.

Same message. 

He narrowed his eyebrows, walking with his eyes stuck to his screen. 

It was around 4AM in Japan's time, after all. So it wasn't that surprising. She probably shut her phone to get a good night's sleep.

But still.

He had to make sure she was okay. 

"Gray," he spoke through the phone as he walked on the caramel bricked ground, toward the limo that was now in sight.

"Natsu?"

"I need you to do me a favor..." he said as he opened the door and rode in.

.
.

He walked into the bar, roaming his jade eyes around, looking for the onyx haired man. 

After spotting him seated on the bar stool, he walked towards him.

"Mr. Dragneel," Rogue greeted, turning to him as Natsu took a seat on the bar stool right next to him. "You finally made it," he said. His voice soothing calm and quiet, just like always. 

"A bottle of beer," Natsu signaled to the bartender who was wiping down glasses.

"Comin' right up," She said, glancing at him momentarily.

She had a sleeve tattoo and a birth mark on her right cheek. It looked like a red stain. Her hair was inky black, tied up in a high pony tail, and her eyes were a dark kind of chocolate. 

She looked familiar. 

He wondered where he knew her from. 

But he brushed off that thought quiet quickly to focus on the matter at hand.

"So, did you get it?" Natsu spoke, going straight to the point. 

Rogue pulled out a yellow folder containing files and placed it on the bar counter right in front of him. "Did you really doubt me?" He smirked. 

Natsu turned his head, looking straight into his charcoal eyes. "How?" He asked, not expecting it. 

"Does it matter? They're with you now." 

He clenched his jaw. He didn't like this. The secrecy. But still, Rogue had proven himself to be faithful.

"Did it reach Jude, or did you get to it before-hand?" He asked as he opened the file, checking to see if all the right documents were in it.

The same file that Sting attempted to leak to Jude. 

Contrary to what he had told Lucy, those files were vital. Extremely vital. So vital, in fact, that it could ruin his life and the company he built alongside with him. 

In the wrong hands, disaster could strike. 

But he knew how to handle it. He always knew how to handle it, with his sharp mind and cold heart.

His calmness often stood as a question to his allies and competitors. 

Competitors like Jude and others. 

And his confidence would cause fear. 

Rogue took a moment as he looked away, staying silent with a straight face. 

"I'm not sure if I was quick enough..." he said, disappointment evident in his expression. 

Natsu sighed as he scanned the papers before him.

"Well, we wouldn't be sitting here if you weren't." He said, right as his glass was placed down on the counter before him. 

He grabbed it and took a large sip, tilting his head up for more access—his stretched neck exposing his larynx moving with each swallow.

Then he placed the glass back down. 

"Aren't you gonna ask why I asked you to meet here, of all places?" Rogue said, with a hint of a smile on his lips.

Natsu turned to him, looking into his eyes, waiting for him to spill it. 

"Jude comes here every Thursday to gamble with his friends," he said. "He should be here any minute now... You could finally have that face-to-face chat you've been yearning for."

Natsu smirked. 

This couldn't have been more perfect. 

He then felt a hand lay on his shoulder. 

He turned, and met eyes with a pair of hazel ones. She had tanned skin and tawny hair that reached her waist. She was wearing a sky blue dress that perfectly lifted her heavy chest, revealing just enough. 

"Buy me a drink?" She asked with a smile on her face. A sweet one. 

He had already noticed all the girls eyeing him ever since he entered the bar. He hadn't expected anyone to have the courage to walk up to him, though.

He held her wrist, moving it away from him. 

"Don't touch anyone without permission next time," he said. His voice solid and insulting. His gaze sharp, shedding through her.

Frankly, he had enough. 

She stuttered for a moment before she backed away, and got lost in the crowd. Her face was flushed.

Rogue felt embarrassed for her. 

Ding

His phone buzzed with a message.

He picked it up from the counter and tapped his screen. 

"Bad news. I couldn't find Lucy or anyone else in your house. Any idea where they could be?" Texted Gray.

Natsu's eyes slightly widened as his whole body went stiff. Every muscle clenched tight, keeping him frozen. 

"What is it?" Asked Rogue. 

He stood up from his seat and walked with light feet out the bar, dialing in his bodyguards number, without a word.

His heart thumped aggressively against his chest.

The warm wind greeted his tanned skin as the door closed behind him. 

He placed the phone against his ear, waiting for him to pick up with a tight fist. 

If anything happened to her, if anyone dared lay a finger on her, he would bring hell upon earth. 

He felt that anger and passion excruciatingly burn in the depth of his chest as he felt his blood boil.

The phone was ringing, but there was no response. 

He had to remind himself that it was 4AM their time. All his workers were at home and asleep.

But that didn't stop him from dialing again. And again. And again. 

"Mr. Dragneel," he heard a voice behind him. Rogue's voice. "I—I think you should come and see this..." he said hesitantly, holding the door open wide from the inside. 

Natsu furrowed his eyebrows as he brought his phone down and walked into the bar again, following Rogue right behind him.

As they walked in deeper, Rogue stepped aside to give Natsu a better view.

He landed his gaze on the corner of the bar, where Jude sat on a black couch.

And next to him was Lucy. 

With a smile on her face. Drinking liquor with her father, clinking glasses together with joy. She watched him roll dice on the board, playing against a man seated across of him, wearing a lavender suit. They laughed. And talked. And gambled, as Lucy was seated next to him, looking like she was enjoying her time. Her giggle pierced through his ears, even in the distance. 

He stepped forward, his eyes wide and stuck on her, as if disbelieving his own sight. 

His blood froze. 

His heart raced rapidly as his mind tried to register. 

His fist was clenching so tight, his knuckles were turning white. It was shaking. Shaking in a fist. 

From anger. From devastation. From the sharp sting of betrayal. 

This couldn't be. 

There is no way. 

She giggled even louder. 

His heart felt like it might stop. 

Had this...had this been her plan all along...Had she been...conspiring with her father against him?

His gulp was harsh and hurtful down his throat. It felt like every breath he took weighed a million tons. It was so heavy, he could barely feel it in his lungs.

How foolish he had been...How utterly foolish of him to believe her as an angel? To trust her and put faith in her? To love her?

Those dreams of finding such a person should've died with his childhood.

But yet...but yet he had hope for her. Hope for a future with her. Hope that she had fallen from heaven, right into his arms. 

Pathetic. How utterly pathetic. 

His body was sweating as his deadly gaze laid on her, still trying to register. Betrayal. How unpleasant to be meeting with it again. 

His anger silenced the air around him. His chest. It was clenching so tight around his heart. It hurt. His stomach stressed. His jaw was clenched so tight, his teeth would break if they weren't hard enough. 

Rogue was too afraid to step forward and say anything from the dark, unyielding aura radiating from him.

He looked like he was going to kill.

He would've taken a bullet for her.

The least he excepted was for her to be holding the gun.

Chapter Text

He stepped forward, toward their table, each foot landing heavy against the ground. His hands clenched by his sides as his biceps suffocated his tight sleeves, causing his sharp veins to pop out. His heart battered aggressively against his chest as his eyes stuck on her, watching her laugh with her father.

Rogue stayed behind. He knew he shouldn't interfere. Not with him in this state.

Jude laid his eyes on him in the short distance, and curled his lips into a smile as he recognized his luck. That salmon hair. Those sharp, jade eyes. That buff body. He hadn't met him in person before, but he was sure it was him. 

"Ah, look who finally joined us," he loudly whispered to Lucy.

Her eyes drifted to him as she brought her glass down, and her smile immediately dropped. Her lids widened. Her heart pounded faster. She hadn't expected to meet him here. Or now. He shouldn't have seen her. 

He stood in front of her, his gaze drilling into her. Deadly. Venomous. Devouring her with it. His eyes scrolled down her body. She was wearing a black sheeny dress that reached her upper thighs. Her V neck reached down to her stomach, sharply. Her heavy chest was perfectly lifted. His eyes scrolled up. Her lips were glossy. Her eyeshadow had a hint of golden, matching her nails. Her lashes were curled. The blonde locks of her hair looked neatly brushed and put together as they reached to her hips, resting on her seat. He looked back into her honey eyes. His jaw clenched as all his sharp features grew sharper. Steadier. Shedding through her. 

"Mr. Dragneel, what a pleasure." Jude said. "Please, take a seat," he gestured to the couch across of him, next to the man he was gambling with. 

Natsu wouldn't look. He wouldn't even speak. His breathing was growing heavier by the second. 

What the hell was she doing here, with him, looking like that?

The lavender-suited man stood up from the couch and breathed out.

"Well, that's my cue," he said, with a lisp. He was chubby and of small height, about Lucy's. He had glasses on and gapped teeth. 

But he was of high class. Of status. Soaked in wealth and wrapped in luxury. His mind was heavy with knowledge and wisdom, and his back held the weight of influence and power.

A strong ally he was. 

Was.

He reduced to dust once he declared Natsu Dragneel as an enemy not long ago. His business was failing, just like Jude's.

If only he knew that the man standing next to him was him. Mr. Dragneel.

Unfortunately for him, he didn't. 

He hadn't had the pleasure of meeting him before, either. Him and Jude were in America. He was in Japan. Yet still, even in the distance did he devour them. 

Natsu didn't notice his presence. For his presence was nothing.

Jude stood up after him, lifting his hand for a shake,

"Always a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Sackerman," he said.

They shook.

"And I you," he responded.

Sackerman. That sounded familiar. Doil Sackerman. 

As they farewelled each other, Lucy was seated, frozen in place. She was looking back into his unmerciful eyes, laboring her excessive breathing. She felt her lips go dry and her blood turn icy. 

She was in trouble.

"Lucy," Doil called. 

She turned to him startled and stood up in one quick motion, slackening her arms by her sides, brushing her shoulder with Natsu's muscular chest. 

"When shall we meet again? My son is free any time this week," he said, fixing his glasses.

She gulped as her heart pounded harder. 

He couldn't have come at a worser time.

"I..." she stuttered.

"I will arrange it," Jude replied for her, placing his hand on her shoulder. 

Doil nodded with a smile,

"It's settled then. It will be most pleasant, I'm sure," 

"Indeed," Jude responded. 

With that, Doil nodded and left. 

She turned to Natsu, feeling her body shake already. He had his gaze drilling through Doil's back, shocked, before he looked back into her eyes. She was biting her bottom lip, stopping it from quivering. 

Angry. He looked angry. His blood was boiling. His exposed chest was rising high and falling slow. 

Son? Did he hear that right?

He felt himself sweating as he looked back and forth into her orbs. Disappointed. He gulped harshly down his throat, feeling every muscle in his body wanting to let out his rage. His knuckles were turning white from tightening his fists so hard.

Her eyes stuttered back and forth, not finding the courage to look him in the eye as she tried to control her breathing. 

"Mr. Dragneel," Jude called, trying to catch his attention.

The noises were a blur to him. His eyes were glued to her brown ones, unsure of what he should do with her now. 

"N-Natsu...just, take a seat," she said hesitantly, gesturing. "Please..." she felt her stomach twisting into a knot.

She wasn't sure she had seen this look on him before.

After a moment, he stepped back, seating himself slowly on the couch across of them. Elbows on his legs. All his muscles clenched.

Jude and Lucy sat after him. Her legs shaking. 

"Speak," he demanded, looking into her bronze eyes.

Jude smiled,

"Well, I believe—"

"I was talking to Lucy," he said, not lifting his eyes off of her.

She gulped down her throat as she tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear.

"Just...just listen to what he has to say...please,"

His jaw twitched, giving her a final look before drifting his gaze to Mr. Heartfilia. 

Awaiting.

"Now, now, Mr. Dragneel. That's no way to speak to a lady of the upper class," he said, which made Lucy's heart drop to her stomach. 

She felt he was going to rage. He was going to lose it. Rage and flip the table. She gripped onto her seat.

But instead, he laid back, and placed his heavy arm on the couch's cushion as he spread his legs for comfort. 

He lifted his chin. 

"Oh?" He asked. "What is the proper way then?...Shall I hire a rapist?" 

Jude clenched his jaw. Lucy felt her whole body shiver. 

"That is not..."

"Get to the point, Jude. What is it you want?"

Jude looked at Lucy for a moment before he turned back to him, and fixed his throat. 

"I have an offer which will benefit the both of us. You shall hear me out," 

"Or what?" He responded almost instantly, narrowing his eyebrows. 

"Or you will lose...a great deal," Lucy said. 

His eyes drifted to her, looking as empty as they did when she first met him. 

"I ask for twenty percent shares of your company, that is all. I have eyes and ears everywhere, Mr. Dragneel. Sting Eucliff was one of them, of course. You cannot hunt down and kill the rest as you did him. They are very much alive and breathing. They may even be the closest people to you at heart. You shall take this deal if you wish for them to back down," he proposed.

Natsu raised his eyebrows. 

"Oh?" He asked, before looking back at Lucy again. "And you knew about this?" He pointed with his finger. 

She didn't respond.

"You do not want me to dig deeper than I already have." Jude warned. "I've already found enough..."

Ah. So Jude did see those files. He had seen them, which meant there was a possibility Lucy had seen them too. 

That wasn't a warning. That was a threat. 

And Natsu does not do well with threats. 

"And what if I refuse?" He asked, gravely calm.

"Then what I have found shall be leaked to the public. That way, you and your business go down. You either keep eighty percent of your company, or you keep nothing and it all goes to ruins. The choice is yours..."

He chuckled for a moment. 

Then looked back at Lucy.

"What do you think about this?" He asked.

She straightened her back as she looked back into his jade eyes.

"I think you should take this deal." She said, trying to keep her voice as steady as possible.

A moment passed as he explored her eyes, searching them to see if she was lying.

"You shall remember, Mr. Dragneel, that I still win if you choose not to take this deal." He caught his attention. "Having my competitor go to ruins would benefit my business greatly. However, not as greatly as having twenty percent of General Motors." He chuckled. "We could either both win, or I win. Choose wisely."

Nastu smirked. 

The type of smirk that takes admiration to how Jude thinks he could talk to him like that. To how Lucy thinks she could play him like that. To how people think he could get cornered and not break the goddamn wall. To how it was so utterly hysterical that he was expected to accept this deal. As if anyone could take Natsu Dragneel down. As if anyone could threaten him and get away with it. As if they forgot the power he held. 

Maybe being so humble didn't pay off in the long run. 

Maybe he had been too kind for too long now, and people started getting the wrong idea. 

Maybe it was time to remind them of who he was and why he held the title of The Salamander. 

"I'll think about it," he said, with that smirk still plastered on his face. His heavy arm still laying on the cushion. His legs still spread. 

That was more sarcastic than anything. But of course, it would fly over a dimwit like Jude's head. 

"The deal signing will take place one week from now at my company, Chrysler. You shall be there at twelve o'clock in the afternoon. If you are not, I will know your answer." 

He looked back at Lucy, straight into her tawny eyes. 

"And you?...Will you be standing alongside your father?" He asked. 

"I..."

"She is my daughter after all," Jude replied for her. 

Natsu hummed with his deep, raspy voice in mockery. As if it were obvious. Of course. She is his daughter, and he is her father. A father who wanted her raped, and a daughter who ran away from him. He should've known she would be standing alongside him. Why not. Only a fool would assume otherwise. 

"Is that it? Are you done?" Natsu asked.

"That is all, for now," Jude replied.

He gazed upon her again. She was nervously playing with her fingers, trying hard to keep up a confident front. Her legs were crossed and her chest was rising and falling fast. She looked tense. Like she wanted to spill her heart out, but couldn't. Her tawny orbs were fluttering more than usual. Her muscles looked stiff, like she was trying to keep still from moving or looking out of place.

"I want Lucy with me until the day of the signing," Natsu demanded, not lifting his gaze off of her. 

She gulped. 

Jude cackled,

"That is not possible, Mr. Dragneel. I'm sure she is beautiful and all. However, she is to be married in two weeks' time. She cannot be seen with another man until then."

He clenched his jaw and grit his teeth, balling his hand into a fist, still looking into her eyes. 

The sting was sharp in his chest, as if he had endured a bullet straight into it. He felt his insides crawling and tensing in anger, feeling a strong, sharp urge to take her right then and there, in front of everyone, showing them who she really belongs to. 

"That is my bargain. If you want me to put thought into this deal, then Lucy is to be with me until then." 

Her heart was racing rapidly against her chest. She felt sweat trickle down her spine. Her stomach was twisting into a tight knot as she felt her hands slightly shake. 

Jude chuckled. 

"You can have her until the signing takes place. Play with her as you like, I do not care. But you must have her back in one weeks' time, and it will be the last time you see her."

Lucy swiftly turned to her father as her jaw slightly hung open.

Was she some toy they were playing with? Some object they were passing around? It made her stomach turn and have a strong urge to vomit. 

A pathetic excuse for a father. 

But another thought was clenching her stomach tighter than ever before in fear. Another thought made her ear pound with every heartbeat. Another thought made her breath so heavy she could hear it and feel her mind fog. 

She had to spend one whole week with Natsu, alone, after finding out she betrayed him.

Chapter Text

He opened the limo door for her, heavy silence lingering in the air. 

She willed calmness in her breath as she got in and seated herself, not looking him in the eye. She tried her hardest to control her speedy heart as he got in the limo and seated next to her, shutting the door with unnerving calmness. 

"To the hotel," was all he said. A sharp order. His voice gravely mellow, almost concerning. 

He didn't say another word the whole ride, and neither did she—not that she dared to. The silence was loud and deafening. She pitifully attempted to labor her breathing, to at least try and seem calm—even though she knew all too well he could hear the heaviness of it from next to her.

She looked out her window, urging her thoughts elsewhere. She watched the trees ruffle with the harshness of the wind, the shadows lurk in the bushes. 

The sky was pitch black as a few stars glistened here and there, floating far and distant from each other. They seemed lonely, and bored. Tired of their duty. Almost fading, almost wishing to fall to their deaths. However selfish it might've been, she hoped for it, too. For them to fall, that is. Or one. One star falling would do. Maybe then she could make a wish. Maybe then she could hope her life away, and be granted a new one. 

She watched them sparkle for a moment more, and was reminded of the ring. Her sparkly, polished, sheeny ring. She was reminded of everything she was offered, and everything she couldn't have anymore. Of the life she could've had. Of the future he wanted and she refused. Reminded of the overwhelming love she knew he had for her, but hardly showed. 

Love she believed vanished, like it never existed. Those jade eyes. They had never looked so empty. Maybe if a star were to fall, she would wish for all the stars to die out instead. Just so she wasn't reminded of the ring, and everything that came with it, again. 

"We've arrived, sir," spoke the driver as the car slowed down, and stopped in front of the grand building. 

"Thank you, Sethan," he replied. Civil, he seemed. More civil than she was use to. 

She wondered what he was thinking, being so calm and collected after the intense conversation they had with her father just a while ago. 

He opened the door for her. 

She got out of the limo, her golden hair flying back as she clenched onto her purse, looking in every direction but his eyes. They were sharp, olive, and held the weight of all her memories with him. The memories she was sure he now regretted. It would be self-harm to look and remember them. Self-harm to remind herself of her love for him. Self-harm to see them empty again, with no love for her.

"Walk," he demanded. His voice laced with suppressed aggression, she felt, yet it was calm.

So she moved her shaky, heavy legs, and walked. He walked behind her.  

She would obey. For this one week, she would obey. She wouldn't want him more mad at her than he already was. Especially that it was the last week she was to spend with him and see him. 

Her black heels clicked on the toffee bricked ground, following the carved path to the entrance of the hotel. Although he made no sound, she could feel his unnerving, sharp presence. Dark. Heavy. Clouding her.

She felt death follow her every step. 

It was unsettling. 

She tried not to mind her aggressive heart thumping against her chest, pounding in her ear. 

She wondered what he planned to do with her. He had one week. That was enough time to do anything. 

Yet even still, she knew... she knew she could endure it. 

Whatever he had out for her, she could endure it. 

If it meant that he be safe. 

He protected her for long enough, even without her knowledge. 

It was time for her to do the same. 

Even if that meant she could never be with him. Even if that meant she had to throw her life away, and obey her father's every demand. Including marrying someone else. 

Her father. The man she hated most. 

'Though still, however much she hated him, she loved Natsu more. And that overwhelming reality only dawned upon her when she had to choose between the both. 

That truth, and that truth alone, was all she knew for now. All she cared to consider.

She was certain Natsu wouldn't understand if she explained everything to him. Not that she could, anyway. That would be defying her father's orders. For now, though, all she knew was that she was protecting him by siding against him. She couldn't tell him that, but still, she thought she was doing what was best for him. And that was all that mattered to her.

The elevator ride was silent, too. Maybe because a stranger accompanied them, but she was sure it would've been silent anyway. Just until they reached his suite, at least. Maybe that silence was loading everything he wanted to lash out on her. 

Even if she could have small hope for him to want to talk things out calmly, she couldn't. Because there was very little she could tell him, if anything at all. And that would probably make him more angry, if he was willing to listen in the first place. 

Knowing his nature, he probably wasn't. 

He opened the door to his sweet with his card.

"Get in," he demanded, widening the door.

Her hands were gripping tightly onto her purse, trying to keep them from shaking. 

She walked in, and he followed, shutting the door behind him.

She stood in place, roaming her gaze around. 

"Is this suite rather small for a lady of the upper class?" He mocked. Sarcasm dripping off every word. 

She gulped, her stomach clenching and tightening into a knot.

She felt his voice drenched with pettiness and aggression. She could feel it. His aura, being so uneasy. Yet he kept himself calm, no matter his words. 

"This suite is just fine," she said, hoping her words sounded kinder than her tone. Hoping her voice was steady and confident enough to convince him of the act she was putting on. Though it wouldn't take much convincing anyway. She knew he wouldn't trust her again. She lost that privilege, along with his love. It made her chest ache just thinking about it.

"Take a seat, Lucy," he said, loosening his tie as he dropped his limo's keys on a stand. 

She turned around, facing him. 

"What will you do with me?" She dared ask. 

Her father handed her off to him with the specific words: play with her as you like. That was unnerving, to say the least. 

He clenched his jaw, sliding his gaze to her, looking into her tawny eyes. 

"Sit down," he demanded. 

She felt pinned in place with his gaze. They were still empty. Still, horrifyingly, empty. She turned around and walked to the singular nude couch, awkwardly seating herself on it, placing her purse on her lap. 

He walked into his bedroom and closed his door. 

She had to wait in silence. All she could hear was the air conditioning. Time crawled excruciatingly slow. She could hear and feel every second tick. He came out about ten minutes later, wearing a loose black shirt and gray sweatpants, holding two water bottles in his hands.

He placed it on the polished wooden table in front of her, then took a seat on the couch. He laid back and lifted his legs, crossing them on the table, getting comfortable. 

Then turned, and looked into her eyes.

"So," he initiated. "What did your father promise you?" He asked. His voice calm, tranquil. A moment passed in silence as he waited. "'Cause he didn't promise you money, that's for sure. You have that one million dollars I gave you, right?... So what could he have possibly promised you to get you on his side?" He asked again, just more clear this time. Still, silent. Gulping. Her heart racing, feeling sweat trickle down her spine.

She felt all too exposed sitting next to him with that dress. It wasn't meant for him. It was meant for Mr. Sakerman's son. To seduce him, as per her father's orders. She had to attract him and make him willing for marriage. Not that he had much of a choice, since his father, Doil, was already enforcing it. But still. Jude wanted him happy with this arrangement so he could get all the benefits out of it. But sitting here, with that dress, made her more tense. More careful with her movements.

"Are you not going to say anything?" He spoke, interrupting her thoughts. She looked into his eyes again as her body stiffened, startled. 

Why was he being so... soft with his tone? 

Although she could feel his anger in her bones, he still seemed collected. Gentle, even. 

Not what she expected.