"This festival has to be perfect" Erza announced for probably the 20th time that day. I admired her commitment, it must've been a difficult night for her. I remember she had called me 3 times at 3 am in the morning. She wanted me up bright and early to help her blow up the balloons. She ordered 4000. Obviously I agreed not wanting to ruin her fun however upon arriving at the guild with Natsu and Happy at 4 I was no longer needed. Wendy used her magic to inflate all the balloons.
The guild roof was invisible by the time Erza ordered another 3000 and Wendy blew them up. Everyone was slaving away with different tasks set by Titania herself. Gray was creating hundreds of ice sculptures, Gajeel and Levy were putting together floats, Mira was preparing the bar for a crazy night of work and I was buying masks. Natsu decided to tag along in order to get out of taste testing the food.
"I'm surprised you didn't jump at the chance to eat food" I looked at the pinkette strolling down the peaceful streets of Magnolia. The guild was going crazy preparing New Years but the town was relaxing before the big night.
"I don't want to fill my belly just yet, cause I wouldn't have room for food later on" He explained.
"Fair enough, now how many boxes are we picking up"
"Erza said there should be six-"
"Thats nothing"
"-ty"
"What!?"
We ended up using a magic mobile, of course I had to drive while Natsu's green face sat next to me and in the back the boxes. It was about 12:00pm and I was already feeling tired. Getting up at 3 really does something to you.
"God I seriously need a nap" A few seconds after I huffed those words the vehicle came to a stop. My eyes opened and I looked down to my wrist. The magic converter had been yanked off by the pinkette.
"Natsu I know your sick but we cannot stop, Erza needs this done" I exclaimed.
"Lucy if your tired you should take a nap or your going to fall asleep before New Years" He argued with me. I knew he was right but if we didn't bring these boxes back Erza would kill us.
"Let me drive at least" He began to connect himself to he converter.
"Don't be stupid, you'll crash us with your motion sickness" I snatched it back tapping his head lightly. He looked at me worryingly but I reassured him with a smile. I would not miss out on new years, I thought I could easily stay awake.
Finally arriving at the guild we unloaded all the masks and handed them to guild members. The next task was to deliver them to the towns people.
"Erza can someone else do it, Lucy is super tired" I opened my eyes to Natsu pleading with the red head. It was sweet but I could fight this, sure my legs were about to drop and my eyes were slowly closing.
"I'm fine Natsu, seriously its not that hard" I pushed through.
"She's fine Natsu, if your so worried then you can help her but hurry up" Erza ordered without a second thought.
And back out of the guild we were. Looking at my reflection through the window I could see my massive eye bags. I guess it was nothing a little concealer couldn't fix before tonight.
"Why are you so worried anyways, I'll easily stay awake" The dragon slayer and I made our way across the town this time on foot.
"Well I want you to experience New Years"
"I have for the past few years it wouldn't matter if I missed one anyway"
"This time is different" He turned to look the other way. This unusual behavior obviously got me curious.
"Why"
"You'll see"
"Actually I won't" I chimed ready to get the answer out of him. It was silly and maybe I should've let his surprise stay a surprise but truthfully I didn't actually know weather or not I could stay awake. I would try to push through and hopefully adrenaline from the festival would keep me awake but there was always a possibility.
"Why not" He looked me in the eyes this time.
"All this work I think I'm going to just go to bed and wake up next year" I lied. His jaw dropped and he stayed silent.
"So what makes this year different, give me a reason to actually stay awake" I joked.
"Because I was going to do this" His voice was deep and shaky. He was nervous but why.
My question was answered when he suddenly placed one of his hands on my waist and pulled me close. In the blink of an eyes his lips smashed against mine, they were burning and rough but I liked it. I processed what was happening before kissing him back running my fingers through his soft bubblegum hair.
Finally he released me and our lips parted. Heat imminently rose to my cheeks and my blush mirrored his.
"Wow" was all I could huff out.
"Yeah" He breathed.
"Stay awake and it'll happen again" His confident self was back.
"Maybe I will" I linked arms with his as we continued our task.
It was 11:57, 3 minutes until new years. I leaned on Natsu's shoulder fighting my urge to sleep. I wanted to kiss him again so badly I fought the sleep all day.
"Lucy you can't fall asleep" My eyes yanked open at the sound of Erza. Standing next to her were Gray and Juvia.
"You will miss the New Years kiss, from anyone but Gray" Juvia smiled.
"She is right Lucy it's a tradition" Gray chimed in.
"Well I'm not kissing anyone with you three gawking around" I joked earning a giggle from Gray and Juvia.
"You heard her, take your leave" Natsu raised an eyebrow at the three. I couldn't help but laugh at his seriousness. I guess I wasn't the only one looking forward to this kiss. The three left giggling with each other.
"We have 30 seconds left" Natsu looked me in the eyes, my extremely sleepy eyes.
"About 20 now"
"10 actually"
"5" the crowd began shouting and some people readied their fireworks.
"4" I leaned closer to the pinkette.
"3" He placed his hand on my cheek and it instantly warmed my whole body up. Tingles ran down my spin and the butterflies in my stomach went crazy.
"Fuck it, I'm not waiting" Natsu swore before our lips collied once again. I heard cheers when we hit new years but I was too in the moment to care. His fingers tangled my hair and his tongue intertwined with mine. It was everything I wanted and I was glad I stayed awake for it.
Pulling apart finally I collapsed on his lap.
"Goodnight Lucy" I heard him whisper before I finally closed my eyes getting the sleep I deserved.
