Sarcasm isn't the best way to communicate a no

[danzanelfuoco]

Fandom: Fairy Tail
Ship: Lucy Heartfilia/Loke
Rating: SAFE
Wordcount: 1010
Prompt: Leone (Lion)
Challenge: COW-T #9, missione 12

Lucy didn’t know what was worse. 

At first Loke would fly from her like she had the plague, jumping at her sole presence and Lucy resented it - even though she would never admit it, not even under torture. 

But she kept asking herself what was wrong. She wasn’t ugly, she wouldn’t go as far to say she was beautiful, but pretty… yes, she knew she was pretty. 

So why did Loke flee every time she was there? 

She had tried to not let it go to her head.
Probably Loke was just an idiot and was avoiding her because - because - She couldn’t find a real reason and that was driving her mad. 

Oh, but then the reason was there. He was a stellar spirit, and no simple stellar spirit, but the Lion, no less. 

And that’s were thinks had started to go downhill. 

Because he went from his avoiding her as he would the grim reaper to actually courting her every single time he was summoned in this world - and he even when he wasn’t. 

Lately the Lion had taken on him to appear without being summoned to “help” her and “save” her even from the most trivial of problems. 

Like, yes she was actually falling from the chair she had put against the counter and had climbed to reach the higher shelf, but surely that wouldn’t require Loke popping up in her kitchen and catching her in his arms, carrying her bridal-style. 

“Could you please stop?” 

“Why, my dear Lucy? I was merely suggesting a date.”

The girl rolled her eyes. “What would you do if I were to actually accept it?” She asked sarcastically. 

“Really?!” Unfortunately the sarcasm was intentionally lost on Loke. “You accept?”
“Wait a second, I never said -” Lucy tried, but the Lion wouldn’t allow her to retreat. 

“Oh, yes, I shall start preparing immediately for tonight.”
“Wait, tonight?”

“Doesn’t it suit you? Are you busy?”

“No but -”

“Then it’s perfect! I’ll be collecting you at your house tonight. Seven o’clock sharply” he said, allowing her gently on her feet.  

“Wait -” 

But the Lion had already disappeared. 

* * * 

So that’s how Lucy found herself debating on which dress put up for a date she never wanted from the start. 

Really, she should have just put on whatever and hope this would end as soon as possible.

Yeah, she should. 

But was the blue dress - the one that highlighted her cleavage - the best choice, or should she go for the pink one, that made her look thinner? 

“What are you doing?” 

Lucy jumped, startled. 

Natsu, with Happy on his shoulder, was watching her from the door frame.

“Oh, please, just make yourself at home, it doesn’t matter I could have been naked!” she sneered. “Never heard of knocking?” 

Natsu shrugged. Oh, apparently it wasn’t her day with sarcasm. 

“So, what are you doing, Lucy?” asked the blue winged cat. 

“I’m deciding on what put on tonight.”

“Where do you have to go tonight?” Inquired Natsu. 

“I - I have a date with Loke.” 

“What?!” screamed Happy. 

“So you said yes to him at last?”

Ignoring the cat, Lucy just let her despair show. “Unwillingly.” 

“Oh, come on, it won’t be that bad.”

“How do you know?”

“Hey, it’s Loke. He knows how to be pleasant, that’s why he has a lot of girls falling for him.” 

“Yes, and that’s probably the reason I should not go. He has a lot of girls. It would be like just being one of the many.” 

Natsu looked at her with a half smile. “Do you really think he would do such a thing to the girl he entrusted with his key?”

Lucy eyed him, considering. “When have you become so wise?” 

“Don’t you know? Dragons are very wise.”
“Well, you aren’t!” 

“So much of a thank you for my advice.” 

“Look at it this way, we are even for you breaking into my house.” 

“I didn’t break into you house!”

“You let yourself in, uninvited!” 

“Like I don’t always do it!” 

“That’s not an excuse!” 

* * *

She had opted for a black dress at the end, more out of tiredness than anything. She couldn’t believe she was nervous. 

She didn’t even want to go to this date! 

So why was her heart beating so furiously in her chest and why was she sitting on the couch, - already full dressed, make up perfectly applied - eyeing the clock every few seconds, wondering if he would be on time? 

She tried to convince herself she wasn’t looking forward to it. She wasn’t.

It was just because it was her first date, nothing more. 

She sighed, looking at the clock again. Another two minutes had passed. It was five minutes to seven. 

Would he appear in the living room, right by her side, like he had done that morning? 

Another three minutes passed, and yet she could not stop fidgeting with her hands. 

She was so on edge that when the doorbell rang she almost feel from the sofa. 

Was it him, at the door and not just showing inside her house like every other member of Fairy Tail used to, from Natsu to Gray to Erza? 

Recomposing herself, straightening the folds of her dress, Lucy went to open the door. 

Loke was standing in his celestial suit, leonine hairs spiked on his head. “Are you ready?” 

Lucy nodded, her mouth suddenly dry. 

She closed the door after her, but didn’t move, the feeling of not knowing what she was doing gripping her. 

“You know,” Loke said, noticing she hadn’t followed him into the street, “you could have just ordered me to cancel. You wouldn’t even have needed to summon me.” 

It hit her that yes, she could have. She should have thought it as her first option. So, ok, maybe - just maybe - a little part of her wanted this.

“May I?” he inquired, offering his arm, and Lucy, unbelievably, felt the need to say yes.