Ch. 50 - Finally!

Lucy's POV

I still couldn't believe the fact that Natsu kissed me in front of our batchmates. But, it wasn't intentional since he had to save my life. EVEN SO! I got scared when the fact that almost all the grown ups who have encountered us doing something about lovey-doveying, they would always approve of it. All I can say is, I haven't seen an appropriate grown up who would separate the two of us from being public displays of attention in front of them.

"Heya, Luce."

I almost let out a shriek when I almost fell from the booth I was sitting on beside the pool when Natsu sat beside me on the very same booth, making me hold to my chest. "Natsu, what the hell? At least give me a warning when you're near me."

"You've been avoiding me since you woke up." he observed. Using my peripherals, I could feel him intensely staring at me which wasn't good yet at the same time, also good but not now since I was still feeling awkward of what he had done.

Even though it was needed. It was still my second kiss.

He looked away from me, playing with his fingers. "Did I do something wrong again?" he raised his hands up, "I'm thinking aloud here but, I always seem to mess up whenever I do something to you. You would always end up being rude and mean to me."

I gulped, I wish I could tell you why. But, for now, "I... I just realized--Thank you for saving me, Natsu. I just felt awkward since it felt like...we kissed for the second time and this time, in front of them all."

He shrugged, "So? What of it? I had to save you. You're special to me, Luce. I can't just let any other guys kiss you in front of me. That would be worse." he paused, wrinkling his face with his furrowed eyebrows. "Wait, are you mad at me for the cpr?"

I quickly shot a surprised look at him, rapidly shaking my head. "Wha-? No! No, no! I'm not mad. Why would I be mad? I should be grateful for you saving me. Just...don't mind me for now. I'm feeling like a drama queen again. I'm just--oh nevermind. I'll end up looking like I'm bullying you, so..." I pouted at the end of my sentence when I felt him caress my head.

"Luce, I have something I need to tell you." he stated, making me nervous for all of a sudden.

My eyes widened at his statement. "Well, this is new."

He covered his mouth, looking down on his hands for a moment but then, he turned his gaze upon me, a blush rising to his cheeks. I felt my cheeks burn when he held both of my hands. "Lucy, I-I've been feeling strange around you ever since the first kiss."

I felt down when he said that. "Y-You mean... strange as in you're creeped out--"

"No." he quickly declined, tucking strands of my hair behind my ear. "I... I think... I... My heart always beats faster whenever we stare at each other. I-I would always, always stare at your back to make sure no one would do anything to harm you. I know it's creepy, maybe you're thinking I'm a stalker but, I'm married to you."

"Natsu! Y-You can't say that out loud here. If anyone hears you, we're doomed!" I said, looking around to make sure nobody heard us.

He shook his head, face redder than before. "I-I don't care. The truth is that... I think I like you. T-That I think what I'm feeling here is something affectionate and... and something I should have felt when I married you." he looked deeply into my eyes, straight, his hands squeezing mine. "I like you, Luce Heartfilia." As he mouthed those words I've always wanted to hear all this time, my heart beated faster than before. Without any warning, I simply rushed in after his confession by hugging him as tight as I could.

"Natsu, I-I also--"

Our little momento was rudely interrupted when someone blew the whistle as a signal for us to get out of the pool for the next activity. The principal held her microphone and announced ecstatically, "Now then, everyone had their fun. And this time, it is to announce that you are given the time to find something. In fact, ten things we've hidden in this area. We'll be giving you each a map to tell where you are and the list of things you have to search for. Once you're done, you will race back into the lounge of the hotel and hand us the things you've found."

Everybody groaned at the thought, already whispering comments about this activity as I ignored them and listened attentively. "Anyway, don't think you won't be rewarded for the rewards for the first three groups to finish this quest will be to have the feast for free tonight! We'll be choosing your groups since I know not all of you have friends. The members of your group is stated in your map."

I gulped, looking at Natsu's back by my left where he was talking to Gray about something. And that something is the topic I can only guess is about food.

Yep, the feast will be a good way to inspire Natsu to win this. I wish we'll be teamed up together. Natsu just confessed but, he hasn't even heard mine.

Natsu's POV

"I'm telling you, I already told her I like her." I continued to shrug as Gray's eyes widened everytime he asks about me being serious about this.

"Gray, I swear, one more time you ask, I'll--"

He put his hands up as a sign of forfeiting. He nodded, "Okay, okay, alright, I believe you. But, I swear I didn't know you had it in you." he grins like some proud dad at me as he bumped my fist. "Good luck with her. You better take care of her."

"Don't talk like you're her dad. It's creepy as hell. Besides, you know my place in her life." I grinned back at him. "So, it's a sure win!"

"Group number three; Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, Levy McGarden and, Lisanna Strauss." the principal spoke, making my eyes widened.

"WHAT?!" I shouted in shock, too surprised to move an inch after finding out my teammates.

"Oohhhh, tough day, huh?" Gray chuckled and smirked as he playfully pats my back.

How could this happen?! I was expecting to be paired up with Luce and yet...

"Group four, Sting Eucliffe, Lucy Heartfilia, Juvia Lockser and, Gajeel Redfox."

This was worser. Sting in the same team with Lucy?! This, I need to configure out. I went through the crowd then, went towards Lucy who seemed to be panicking when she was talking to Levy.

"Levy! How could this happen?! I'm not teamed up with you..." she pouted as she held both of Levy's hands.

"Aww, don't you worry, Lucy. Everything will be fine. But, are you sure you're really worried about me? Or about Natsu teamed up with Lisanna?" Levy smirked, making Lucy shiver.

"O-Of course I'm disappointed with that fact, too, knowing Lisanna might tease me for it." she blushed as she turned around. Her eyes widened when she saw me so, she turned back to look at Levy, who turned to look back at me.

"Lucy, you got this." Levy pushed Lucy, making her plop to my chest as she made her way to Gray.

"Natsu, you talk to her. Haha! See ya." she waved goodbye as she went to talk with Gray.

Meanwhile, we were left alone together. She escaped from my chest and turned away from me. "Y-You heard us, didn't you...?"

"Well, yeah. I did but, I was too shocked to believe my ears. I wasn't eavesdropping since I just got here and heard it all."

She wasn't even turning around to face me. She must be nervous since I just confesed. But, since I was the man, I made the first move.

"Hey," I held both of her hands, making it a bit more awkward for the two of us but, I tried my best to be casual about it. "I'm actually...quite disappointed, too, since Sting is grouped up with you." I admitted as I rubbed her hands with my thumb.

She pouted, a blush rising to her cheeks. "I-I told you, nothing was going on between us."

"Look at me." I told her and she did, after a few minutes. "Nothing is going on between me and Lisanna, too. You're the girl I like and that's not going to change."

Her face became redder even more, looking away by covering her eyes with her hands. "H-How come you've become so cheesy after confessing...? I'm...so not used to it."

I chuckled at her response. "I'll make you get used to it."