Hurt so good •Nalu•

17

It was finally the day of the party, after spending most the day looking over some documents along side Brandish and Uraraka. I was more then ready to loosen up.

I leave work on time and arrive at the hotel where the party is being held. Natsu and I meet up out front, the moment we step inside, "Oh man, talk about fancy."

Hearing the nervousness in his voice I try to redirect it, "Yeah, but I bet the food here is amazing!" I say while looking up at him, I nudge him playfully on the arm. He returns my smile as Levy joins us from the left, Gajeel in tow.

"Lucy-Chan! You made it!"

"Yeah! Thanks for the invites!"

After a bit of Levy and I catching up, Gajeel and Natsu leave us to get drinks. Still huffing and puffing at one another. 'Makes perfect scenes.' I think, due to just finding out that their cousins.

"Lucy?"

"Huh?"

My thought is disrupted due to a male voice I do not immediately recognize. Levy and I both turn in the direction of the voice. Their stands a guy from work, Dan Straight, a loud and obnoxious man with short drown hair. He often tries to flirt with me at work, but I'm constantly turning him down.

"Oh, hey, Dan."

He greets me and steps forward, in the dimly lite room I notice his cheeks are tinted red. "Well, well, I didn't expect such a beautiful-"

"Lucy, your drink."

But before Dan could finish what he was saying, Natsu and Gajeel reappear with our drinks. Dan gazes at Natsu, who steps out from behind me.

"Hm, pity, looks like you have a partner after all." In a snarky, annoyed tone.

"Well, Yeah. I'm quite capable of finding a partner. Thanks."

"Hm, so, who is This? Care to introduce him?" In the same tone Dan inquires, making no effort to hide his curiosity.

Not wanting to make Natsu uncontrollable, I hesitate on what to say as I feel a inhumanly warm arm slipping around my shoulders. 'Hm! N-Natsu?'

"Evening, I'm Natsu Dragneel, one of Lucy's good friends." He stands up to Dan, proud and tall as if confronting him. Natsu held out his right hand to Dan.

"Hm, Natsu, huh? A man with manners, I see." Dan meets his gaze and gives him a firm handshake. "I'm Dan Straight, so Mr. Dragneel.. or can I call you Natsu?" Dan eyes Natsu dubiously as if judging his reaction.

"Sure. Let me call you Dan, then." Natsu smiles back at him, not to be outdone.

Dan then turns to me, "So, Lucy, what's your relationship with Natsu?"

"Well, um, if you must know, he's a resident at Fairy Hills, like me and Levy."

"Oh, I see, He must also be friends with Laki as well-"

'He know's Laki?..' Laki being a girl I rarely talk to, she's an environmentalist.

"Oh! Now that you mention it, Laki mentioned a creepy guy matching your description hitting on her in Gray's bar." Gajeel and Levy cut Dan off, bringing me out of my thoughts. 'Oooh! That's right!' reminding me of the cringey story Laki has told Levy and I.

"Heh, your a funny little lass aren't ya?" Dan sneers at Levy. Dan receives a snarl from Gajeel accompanied by a death glare, before turning back towards me. Dan glances at me briefly, then looks back at Natsu. "Well, enjoy the show, I've got better looking fish to catch."

"Wo~w. That's the guy you were talking about?"

I look at Levy, "Yeah, but it's pretty clear he's drunk."

"What a jerk, let's take our seats though and enjoy the show like he said." Natsu says with a clinched fist an a little flustered.

We all agree with a yes, Gajeel kisses Levy on the forehead and we take our seats. Dragon's Iron is the main event of the party and is has everybody pumped up. The band gives a brilliant performance, Gajeel's voice intoxicates the crowd. After a while, the music gradually slows down and the guitarist plays a slow melody. The band is playing one of their instrumental songs. Soon, couples are flocking to the dance floor.

'It's time to dance! I wonder if Natsu will ask me..' I think back to our dance practice a few days ago. I don't think Natsu will be eager to do it again.

"Lucy.."