NaLu Fluff Week - 2017

Affection

Summary: Friends as children, Natsu and Lucy meet again after being separated for a few years. The two get to know each other again amidst all the turmoil surrounding them. The only thing left uncertain, is where they lie with each other.

    NaLu

    Rating - T for language and themes

    Genre - Romance & Friendship

    Word Count - 28,701 Words

    Chapter Word Count - 4,876 Words

       

Affection

-noun

fond attachment, devotion, or love

—

Lucy stood there, waiting, watching, but by herself. The gown she was in was truly made to stand out for the occasion. The light pink fit against her skin, making her seem more like a porcelain doll than a real girl. The length was down to the floor, a train behind her. Her hands gloved in a deep red silk, lightly rubbed at her bare arms, shivering from the cold. The corset made it hard to breathe, which made it harder to get warm as well. Over all, the dress was formfitting, but it made sure to keep a few secrets. Like her legs. Her legs were covered by the silk fabric, and they were hidden even as she danced. At least they were warm.

Lucy was the center of attention, but she was alone. So very alone at the dance that was for her, to find her a match. As if she would be able to fall in love with someone in an instant. She knew that only happened in fairy tales, and she certainly was not in a fairy tale.

Her eyes wandered, looking around the room for something to catch her eyes. But there was nothing of interest. Just females in large ballroom dresses, so unlike her own slim dress, dancing with men in fancy suits. Must it be so cold in the ball room?

"Miss Lucy," she looked in front of her to see a man holding his hand out. "May I have this dance?"

Lucy closed her eyes, internally grimacing. She wanted to say no, she truly did. But she didn't get her way very often, and when she did, it was usually something simple, like an extra hour of writing time. So, when she opened her eyes, she smiled and curtsied. "Of course."

The man took her hand and led her out to the dance floor. "It is very lovely to see you all grown up."

"Thank you sir..." She realized then she didn't know his name.

"My name is Capricorn. I was a good friend of your mother's." Lucy's eyes widened in joy and the man in front of her laughed. "We have met before, when you were younger. Layla had me tutor you in some of your dancing lessons."

"I remember." A soft smile was on Lucy's face as she danced with the man.

"Before the dance ends — I just wanted to say happy birthday, and that I hope, even through this 'suitor's ball' your father is putting up, that you will find happiness."

"Thank you sir Capricorn, it means a lot to hear that. I will surely enjoy my birthday, knowing my mother's friends are still as kind as ever." Lucy did a light curtsy when the music ended, before another man came over to ask her for a dance.

She accepted again and was led to a different spot on the floor. This time the man was more her age. A little bit older most likely. He was handsome enough, but he didn't have that spark. And on top of that, his hands wandered. They wandered to places they should not have gone, and Lucy carefully grabbed his arm and put it in a more respectable position each time it moved.