With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 21

At that moment, Natsu was doing everything he could not to start sweating. He wasn't any better a dancer than Gray, yet here he was, awkwardly moving across the floor—with his longtime crush, no less. He silently begged the universe not to let him screw it up.

"Are you okay?" Lucy asked, tilting her head slightly. "You've barely said a word since we started dancing."

"I'm just a little nervous," he admitted, trying to play it cool. "It's not every day I get to dance at a party... especially with you."

That earned a soft laugh from her, the kind that made his heart stutter.

"Shouldn't you be dancing with Loke?" he asked, only half-joking. "Not that I mind you dancing with me."

She shook her head. "He couldn't make it. Honestly, he's been flaking on me a lot lately, and he never gives a reason."

"I'm sure he has his reasons," Natsu offered gently.

"Maybe," she said with a shrug. "I've stopped trying to figure him out."

They danced in silence for a beat before Natsu spoke again. "So... I didn't know you were working as a model now."

"I'm not," she said with a smile. "This is just volunteer work—helping raise money for animal sanctuaries they're building in different countries."

"That's actually really admirable."

"Really? My dad thinks it's kind of a waste of time."

"Well, clearly he doesn't understand how amazing animals are."

She smirked. "But you do, I bet."

"I do give to animal charities when I can," he said. "But if you really want to meet someone who's obsessed with them, you should talk to Gray. He's been studying animals practically his whole life."

"Oh, is he here?"

"Yeah, over there," Natsu said, nodding toward the other side of the room. "Dancing with one of the other models."

Her eyes followed his gaze. "So that's Juvia's new crush."

"You and Juvia are friends?"

"Not exactly. We met during rehearsal, and I've heard her go on and on about this new guy she met. I didn't realize it was Gray... but I guess I'm not surprised. He is pretty cute."

Natsu chuckled. "I didn't think she was that into him. Then again, I didn't think any girl was ever really into Gray."

"Don't be mean. He's a great guy."

"I know. I live with him now. He's just never had much luck with girls. Then again, neither have I."

She smiled warmly. "You know, I think you have a lot more potential than you realize. Any girl would be lucky to date you."

Natsu blinked, caught off guard. "Thanks, Lucy. That... that means a lot."

He couldn't believe how well things were going. For once, the night felt perfect. But perfection, as Natsu was about to learn, rarely lasts.

Just outside the building where the party was being held, Jellal lurked in the shadows.

After failing to track down Erza, he'd decided on a new plan: find the two heroes who had stolen her away from him. He'd followed Natsu and Gray's scent all the way to the venue, but with so many guests inside, it was impossible to isolate their presence from the crowd.

So he chose a more... dramatic approach.

With a crash, Jellal burst through the tall front windows, sending shards of glass scattering across the floor. Gasps filled the ballroom as he grabbed tables, chairs—anything he could get his hands on—and began hurling them across the room. Furniture splintered. Screams erupted. Panic took hold.