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Lucy walked into the guildhall, fully prepared for another boring day since Natsu had been banned from going on jobs by Makarov. He destroyed part of the guild again. Makarov just wasn’t having it and decided Natsu had to rebuild the entire thing back up by himself. Until then, he couldn’t leave to go on any other jobs.
Lucy felt like it was the perfect punishment, maybe if he understood just how much work went into building towns, he would learn to be more careful. But now, nearly a week later, she was bored out of her mind without the dragon slayer around.
So when she walked in and the guild was more energetic than usual, which was quickly becoming overwhelming, Lucy was confused. “You’re finally here! You little angel of love!” Mira shouted, causing Kucy to blush.
“Angel of…what?” Lucy stammered. Mira poked the girl in her side with her elbow. “Oh come on! We know all about how you helped Elfman pick out that ring for Ever!” She smiled widely, eyes almost sparkling with endearment.
“Yeah, but like…they’re the ones who got together, I just helped. Like a friend would.” She rubbed the back of her neck almost sheepishly. “They’re calling you their good luck charm!” Mira said in a sing-song voice as she twirled away.
Lucy just stared ahead at the happy couple, surrounded by their friends and congratulations. Ever laughed at something someone said and glanced up, her eyes landed on Lucy. She watched to a bright smile, one that was strange to see on the usually stoic woman. Ever raised a hand to call her over, which Kucy obliged.
“Hey Ever, Elfman.” Lucy smiled. Evergreen grabbed the girl by her shoulders, bringing her close to the two of them. “There you are! We’ve been waiting forever!” She grinned a little menacingly at her.
“We set a date for our wedding!” She continued. Lucy couldn’t help the wide smile that took over her face at the news. “Really?!” She exclaimed. Evergreen nodded.
“Help me and the girls pick out a dress?” She asked, knowing Lucy couldn’t refuse. Not that she would, but the girl had seemed a little more intent on running away from everyone recently.
“Of course!”
…
Lucy sat with Laki, Lisanna, and Mirajane, all faces she recognized. Then she turned to her left, eyeing faces that seemed familiar, but she couldn’t quite place. One woman with long brown hair and gloves shaped like the paws of some sort of beast, she sported fake horns that sat symmetrically on her head. She sat next to a tan woman with bright blonde hair, a cat-shaped hat sat on her head along with a stoic expression. She seemed to be staring at something the others couldn’t see.
“Mickey! Chico! You made it!” Evergreen smiled widely upon seeing the two girls in front of her. She wore a, rather ugly in Lucy’s opinion, bedazzled white dress that seemed Incredibly uncomfortable.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world Ever!” The animal-seeming girl said, Lucy remembered that her name was Mickey now. “Idnevermissthisforanythingintheworldimliteralysoexcitedforyou.” The other girl breathed out, so quickly that her words seemed to run together. Ever just smiled, like she understood what Chico had said.
“I don’t mean to be rude, Ever.” Mira began. “But please tell me you're not actually considering that dress.” She gestured vaguely to the outfit she was wearing. Evergreen laughed heartily, shrouding Lucy.
“Oh god no. I had wanted to try and convince you all I wanted this one, but I got so excited from seeing old friends.” She widened her smile. Lucy about melted in her seat from how…nice evergreen was being.
She came out of the dressing room a few times with various dresses. The first was a large ball gown that she glided easily in. It made sense to Lucy as she had considered herself a queen at one point. But Evergreen didn’t like how hot it was underneath it, Mira didn’t like the way it seemed to swallow the woman, and Chico said that it made her look like a balloon. The others had been on the fence.
The next dress was loose and flowy, it draped loosely on her body, creating cascading waves that brushed against the ground. Evergreen seemed more comfortable in this one, noting that it was easier to walk in and wasn’t as hot, but she frowned upon looking in the mirror.
Lucy said it didn’t seem to fit her usual elegant style, to which the others agreed. “You’re right, it’s comfy, maybe something I’d wear on a date night. But for my wedding?” She shook her head.
The next few dresses after that were okay, which was the problem, they were just okay. Not elegant and beautiful in the same way Evergreen was.
She insisted on trying on one last dress.
…
When she came out of the dressing room, Lucy’s heart leapt into her throat. If she wasn’t so hung up on Natsu and Evergreen wasn’t with Elfman, Lucy could confidently say she’d shoot her shot with the beauty before her.
She stood proud and tall, hair pulled back like it had been when they first met. Her dress was sleeveless, and a straight neckline hugged her chest, tastefully showing some cleavage. It was form-fitting, hugging her curves ‘in all the right places’ Laki had exclaimed. It continued that straightness until it met her ankle, shaking off her heels. A long veil was fastened to her bun and dangly earrings were placed in her ears.
Ever couldn’t hide the wide smile on her face. Not that she would’ve, but it was so bright Lucy was sure they could see it even if they turned the lights off.
“Sooo, is this the one?” Mickey asked, eyes gleaming with nothing other than pure excitement.
“This is definitely the one!”
…
Lucy sat with the other girls at a cafe. They carefully helped her plan the event, taking what she had discussed with Elfman before into consideration. She had felt embarrassed that she was surprised Evergreen wouldn’t steamroll Elfman in the whole process.
The others had arrived late due to running into Natsu while he was on an errand. They didn’t divulge just what had happened, but if Mira’s rather displeased look was any guess, Lucy supposed it was a fight.
She was now left alone with Chico and Mickey. It was awkward at first, but with the two being so talkative( they eased into a sense of familiarity quickly.
“Andthenitoldhimthathismotherwasahag,” Chico said quickly. Mickey laughed, paused, then turned to Lucy and repeated what she had said, but slowly.
“Seriously, I don’t know how you put up with those customers Chico.” Lucy shrugged as she took another sip of her drink.
“It’s…not…easy.” Chico drew out. Lucy was beginning to learn that her rate of speech was incredibly random. It added a bit of charm to the girl. “I’m serious Chics! You should pummel the next guy who ogles you!” Mickey said, grinning her fist into her other hand.
Lucy nodded in agreement. “I know, but it might be bad for business.” Chico sighed. It seemed she was in her normal rate of speaking.
“Well, I don’t like it! Next time tell ‘em you got a gal already and don’t need a man.” Mickey crossed her arms. Chico’s face got flushed. “I don’t think that would make them back off.” She muttered.
Lucy blinked. “Wait. Are you two together?” She asked, pointing between the two. Mickey raised an eyebrow and Chico just smiled.
But before she could speak, Mickey but in. “Why y’a got a problem with it?” She crossed her arms. Her tone was stern, but she let a little hurt slip in. Lucy shook her head and held up her hand defensively.
“No way! I love It actually, you’re super cute. I’m just not good at picking up on people who are in relationships usually.” She sighed. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m more dense than Natsu.” She rubbed her forehead.
Chico and Mickey looked at each other then paused, before busting out into the laughter.
:…
Lucy wasn’t explicitly a bridesmaid like the other girls. She was left wondering just what her real role in the wedding was. Evergreen seemed to value her opinion highly, whether that was because her opinion was similar to Evergreens or not, she didn’t know.
She was left to ruminate on it until Elfman showed up at her apartment one day, a gaggle of men standing behind him. He waved sheepishly at her. “Uh, come on in?” She moved aside to let Elfman and the parade of men behind him enter.
Everyone looked familiar, Gray stood near Lucy, feeling more comfortable next to her than the others. Max looked around, intrigued by the decorations of his guild mate. Warrod examined the potted plant by her door. Laxus, Bickslow, and freed stood awkwardly at her doorway.
“What’s up?” She turned to Elfman who had been fidgeting nervously. “I need your help picking out a suit. These guys are hopeless.” He gestured vaguely to the group.
Lucy laughed but agreed.
…
“Something that makes you feel and look manly, right?” Lucy flexed her arms, showing off her muscles as she spoke. “What about something more traditional, like what you used to wear?” She eyed a black suit that matched what he had in mind. It was similar to what Elfman used to wear but decidedly more formal.
“I was thinking that too.” He gently ran his hand against the sod fabric, and a warm smile bloomed on his face. Lucy looked at him and wondered if Natsu could ever look like that.
The rest of the fitting went smoothly, though her mind was visibly elsewhere. She had a friend throughout most of the visit, but the others didn’t pay her much mind either way.
When she realized that she wasn’t being a good friend, or at the very least she felt like she wasn’t being one, she felt so guilty for it. As she was walking home, Gray stopped her outside her apartment.
“You okay? You seemed kinda off.” He placed his hands in his pant pockets, shirt long discarded back at the shop. Lucy gave him a weak smile. “I’m happy for them. So unbelievably so. It’s just…” she shrugged.
“What we talked about before?” Gray asked. She nodded. “Do I tell him?” She fidgeted with the ends of her shirt. “Obviously later after the wedding.” She added.
“I’ve been telling you since you first confessed to me about your crush on Natsu, you’ve got to tell him! Hell, you’d be better off kissing the fool just to get him to understand!” He waved his hands wildly in the air. Lucy laughed.
“Maybe you’re right. He tried to kiss me once, now that I think about it. But he didn’t seem…I don’t know, interested?” She sighed.
“He…tried to kiss you?!”
…
Lucy gently brushed out Evergreen’s hair, not wanting to pull or hurt the woman. Chico and Mickey were doing her makeup, sleek, sharp, and most of all, perfectly evergreen.
She began to pull back all of it, working it into a tight bun and making sure it was smooth. She eyed her thoughtfully in the mirror, making sure it looked right from the front.
Lisanna and Mira were making sure the dress was wrinkle-free and smoothed out. Laki was preparing the decorations and ordering around the staff.
Everyone had come together, finally to help her. With a last tie of her hair and the gentle curl of her fringe, evergreen’s hair was done. She would’ve smiled at it if Chico hadn’t been insistent on keeping her face neutral while she applied lipstick.
Lucy took a step back and eyed herself in the mirror. A smile, a green dress, thin straps holding it up, and a silk skirt that came to her knee. It was different from what the bridesmaids wore, but that was because Lucy wasn’t a bridesmaid. Nor was she a groomsman. She was their lucky charm, as they called her.
Really, she was the ring bearer. The only one they trusted to walk carefully and not drop them. Nor make a fool of herself during the event.
…
Lucy was near tears now, she never thought she’d be the type to cry at weddings. But watching the two exchange rings and kiss, Makarov absolutely glowed as he announced them, man and wife, filled her with an emotion she couldn’t name.
She’d say she was proud of them, but it didn’t seem to fit. That was what she was feeling, she also felt joy and excitement. But at the bottom of her stomach, there was a longing she couldn’t quite name. She was honestly surprised Natsu had been able to make it and sat quietly through the whole thing.
She supposed it helped that he was sat next to Erza, who likely kept him in line during the ceremony.
During the reception, she watched from afar at how the two laughed and danced and looked at each other like there was no one else in the world. She leaned against a table and slowly sipped her champagne.
She tuned the world out as she just watched them dance so effortlessly like they were floating across the floor. Slowly, she found herself swaying to the music, letting her head swing in time to it.
She didn’t know Natsu was watching her with keen interest as to why she looked so melancholy. Why Lucy seemed so happy and proud yet there was a twinge of sadness at the corner of her smile.
He had to visit her tonight and find out why.
…
Lucy let a sigh of relief escape as she tore off her heels, letting herself fall into her plush armchair. In a moment she would work up the energy to get up and shower, to wipe away her makeup and hairspray but also the strain of the night.
She let her head touch the back of the chair and rested her eyes only for a moment. A loud ruckus of her window broke that peace. Natsu landed on her floor, avoiding her bed because she had yelled at him too many times about shoes on her bed.
He walked in front of her, sitting on her coffee table. Maybe if she pretended to be asleep, he would leave and she could go back to being his best friend and not a girl who was so in love with him that she couldn’t stop herself from saying so.
Gray’s words ran through her mind. She thought she’d wait until way after the wedding to say anything at all. If she said anything at all. Maybe it was the thought she’d be hung up on him for the rest of her life or maybe it was the thought she’d never know the truth, but something during the wedding had lit a fire beneath her.
Natsu huffed, seeing her not awake to his movement. He reached a hand out and brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear. “I don’t get you, Luce.” He muttered.
Her eyes shot open and he opened his mouth. “What don’t you get, Natsu?” She asked. She might have been going crazy but she swore there was a twinge of blush on his cheeks.
“You looked so sad at a wedding, those are supposed to be fun! Right?” He took on the pose of an excited kid before blinking and clarifying with her. She giggled. “Yeah, they are.” She smiled and returned the action he had done for her, gently pushing some of his hair away from his eyes.
He watched her hand carefully. “Then why were you sad?” He asked, placing his hands on his knees and leaning forward. Too close for. Her liking and yet she wanted it to be closer.
“I just realized that I might never get that…'' she whispered. “What?!” Natsu almost shouted but remembered to whisper at the last second. “Luce, you’ll find someone someday! I know Happy and I tease you-“ she held a hand up to stomp him.
“No it’s just-“ she looked at him now, staring deep into the confusing pool that was Natsu’s eyes. “I just don’t think the guy that I…like…love? I don’t think he thinks about that kind of stuff.” She huffed.
“We’ll have you asked?” He said. Lucy stared at him confused. Such a normal thought to have that she for a second thought that she might’ve been dreaming. Natsu being sensible, hell must be freezing.
“No.” She replied. He raised an eyebrow at her. “Then ask! Can’t do y’a any harm right?” He flashed a toothy grin.
Lucy’s mind almost shut down, but she spoke before it could catch up. “Are you interested in romance, Natsu?” She asked, a furious blush taking over her face.
His grin dropped and he opened his eyes to study her face. Her heart hammered in her head as she just watched him watch her. She was about to rescind the question as something stupid, but he spoke before she could.
“Course I do.” He said, a gruff whisper. She notes the way his ears were turning a shade of pink that rivaled his hair. She felt her heart swell, maybe she could dream a little.
“With who?” She leaned forward, but he didn’t move back. She could see the thoughts run across his mind before he stopped and seemed to settle on one.
“You.”
….
Lucy’s mouth hung open for a few seconds as her brain malfunctioned. She could feel the heat spread across her face as she stared at Natsu, who was just staring at her. He blinked and leaned back. He seemed to think about something for a moment and got that focused face Lucy thought was so adorable.
He opened his mouth to say something, but paused when she placed a hand on his. “Natsu do you really mean that?” She asked, her eyes appeared glassy, reflecting the stray rays of moonlight from her windo. He stared at her, they looked a lot like the sky they saw on that island.
“Yeah.” He said, voice determined but shy. His face went red. “You know I was talking about you, right?” She almost laughed. He tilted his head before his eyes widened in understanding. Almost immediately his face turned into a wide smile as he all but tackled her.
She pushed against his chest lightly and he quickly conceded. Lucy looked up at him with eyes full of love and adoration. His held similar feelings as he took everything about her in. The way she looked right now, how she smelled when going to fancy parties (he discovered that he liked her perfume), to the dorky smile she had in this moment.
She leaned forward and he closed the distance, a quick kiss if either could really call it that, that meant so much more than the action itself. The very act sealed their affections for one another.
“Love you.” She murmured against his shoulder as they melted into a hug. He just smiled, she always understood the intent by those smiles.