Crystal: Well I know this isn't smart of me to start yet another story but illustraice on Tumblr inspired me to make a Nalu soccer au and well I started typing away lol. I really hope you guys like it! This was made in a 3 hr car ride in the trunk of my own car with my phone so excuse typos *sigh*

Story name: Red Card

Rating: T for now for colorful cursing, suggestive themes, kissing, etc.

Pairing(s): Nalu with a side of Sting x Yukino, Gajeevy, Gruvia, and Jerza

Summary: Lucy had always been a hard core soccer fan despite her girlish appearance. Her idol being, Fairy Tail's number 14 and forward, Natsu Dragneel. When by chance she's gifted tickets for a meet and greet of her favorite team, she excitedly sets off only to unknowingly bump into a disguised Natsu who was on the run from his fans. What could this encounter unfold? Nalu

Setting the Net

Full on concentration. A complete and calculated concentration. Swift movement of feet and disheveled grass thrown aside by the quick and very sudden movements. The ball kicked with such grace as it soars and rolls to its next caretaker until it finally, with a piercing blow, is sent past the white line known as the edge of the net. The greatest excitement and disappointment all in one go. Cheers from those who saw the glorious entrance of the ball while the others yelled a string of curses or slapped their hands on their face knowing that was a point for the team not of their own. Soccer, a sport of passion.

"Yes! Gooool!" A blonde squealed prancing around the room with her arms flailing about, her face contorted in joy and her chocolate brown eyes glowed. "Uh, L-Lucy, you really do love soccer, huh?" A silver haired girl with brown eyes smiled nervously from the couch as she saw her friend go crazy around their apartment living room. The blonde turned to her roommate as a blush spread at her cheeks.

She scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "Sorry, Yukino. It's just I've loved soccer since forever. It's so exciting! It's such a rush even when you yourself aren't playing." Lucy breathed dreamily as she went to slouch on the couch. The silver head could only examine her. Her blonde locks in a high pony tail. The meticulously applied make up on her face in addition to the perfect manicured nails. The pale pink dress at her thighs and even the nude heels. The epitome of girlish. At that Yukino let out a snort of amusement, startling the blonde.

"W-What?" Lucy questioned as she saw the woman beside her begin to laugh to herself. "S-Sorry! It's just…your looks…totally contradict your hobbies and interests", Yukino apologized while still chuckling in between her explanation. The blonde shrugged thinking about it herself as she allowed herself to giggle at the truancy of the words. "You're right, which is why I can't date a guy unless I can talk to him about soccer", she joked lightly.

Another fit of giggles and Lucy was yet again entranced with the game going on the tv. No one, but Yukino knew at the university about Lucy's infatuation with the sport. Not that the blonde would mind them knowing, but she liked it better that way because boys would tend to kiss up to her for a date and knowing her secret would only lead to a fake 'same' interest on their part. Yukino blinked when she noticed Lucy's eyes brighten up suddenly when a specific player got the ball with ease.

Yukino looked at the male player and noticed off the bat, the pink colored hair he possessed along with some beautiful emerald eyes. He wore a red jersey with a fairy insignia at the left side of his chest with the words 'Fairy Tail' right under. The number 14 was plastered at the back with 'Dragneel' written above it. "Do you like him?" The silver head asked suddenly as the blonde squeaked in response. "I love him! Natsu Dragneel is just amazing. He's Fairy Tail's prodigy, their best forward followed by their second forward and number 11, Gray Fullbuster. What I would give to meet him", Lucy explained with such a love struck expression on her face. Yukino let a discreet smile pass her lips as she retrieved her purse lying behind the couch.

"Hmm, is that so, the I'm sure you'd like these", the petite girl sang as the blonde turned to her. Yukino held two tickets in her hand and waved them teasingly in front of the blonde's face. Lucy tried looked over them and read the words "Fairy Tail meet and greet 5pm at Magnolia". "Oh. My. God!" Lucy yelled as she hugged the silver head tightly.

"Where did you get those?" Lucy questioned as she looked at Yukino as if looking at a goddess. the latter only smiled knowingly. "Oh, I have my ways, and just so you know, this is today just when they're game finishes~ So you should retouch your make up, and go or else you'll be late", Yukino sang as Lucy jumped up to run into her room while still squealing uncontrollably.

"Oh boy, if only she knew how I got these she'd go crazy", the silver head smiled to herself.

~~xXXx~~

No later, Lucy had run out of her apartment, purse in hand and tickets safely inside. It was 4:30 and she'd be late if she didn't hurry up. "Dang! My make up and finding my jersey took longer than I thought", she scolded herself. She'd put her jersey in her purse for her idol to sign and just the thought of seeing him made her heart race. So much, in fact, that she'd started running again to ensure she would definitely not be late. She crossed the street despite the crossing sign with the red standing man still lighted up. Looking around for any policeman, she ran down the street.

She squeaked apologies as cars honked furiously at her reckless action as she ran towards the other side. She almost felt panic rise in her when she noticed the train bars begin to lower signaling the subway coming in the way. "Not today!", she growled as she kicked off her heels and carried them from the straps as she ran as fast as she could. After all, a former soccer player like herself was still just as fast as she used to be as she sprinted down the street.

The bars lowered and she picked up the pace managing to go under them and running past as the subway train began to pass over. She fist pumped the air feeling a sense of victory and she leaned down to set her heels on the floor. She wiped her feet from the light dust and dirt on them and looked around making sure no one had seen her, which she doubted since the street was bustling with people and cars.

Regardless, she strapped back on her heels. She breathed relieved for a few seconds before continuing to run taking a sharp left turn and hitting straight into someone. She fell back with such a force on her bottom that she almost cried from the sting especially from the scrape at the side of her leg when she fell backwards. Out of all things, she just had to go and get herself hurt. She even figured her dress was a little dirty now.

"Shit! Oi, are you okay?! " a male's worried voice questioned as he looked around him as if looking out for someone. However, he looked down to her bleeding leg. "Oh, man that was a stupid question", he huffed embarrassed as he offered to help her up. She wasn't really angry since he was being so attentive. She took his hand and was shocked with his strength as he picked her up effortlessly. Lucy felt weird though, there she was allowing a complete AND suspicious stranger treat her to some coffee after properly treating her wound. He was wearing a red hoodie and his face was for the most part concealed. That made him even more suspicious, but he had helped her and was now in a public place with her so he would probably not be a danger

"Uh, you really didn't have to buy me coffee", she finally interrupted the silence between them. The way his form was positioned gave off an apologetic vibe. "I had to. I did hurt you really bad", he motioned to her leg which now had a scab where it had healed when he had carefully cleaned it. She felt slightly guilty for making him feel unintentionally responsible.

"I mean, I was running too so it was partially my fault. Thank you, regardless", she smiled. "Why were you in such a hurry, anyways?" he asked interested in continuing their conversation. She blushed at that trying to formulate the words to say.

"Meeting up a boyfriend?" he chuckled, but she shook her head and crossed her arms defensively. "Definitely not! Er well, I don't really have one", she muttered.

"No way! You're beautiful! How does someone like you, not have a boyfriend?!" he questioned almost outraged and seemed to look away when he realized what he said. The atmosphere became awkward as she answered his previous question. " W-Well, I was… heading off to Fairy Tail's meet and greet", she finally confessed as to which the stranger perked up. "You like soccer? I mean are you going to see the 'hot guys'?" he questioned.

"Well, not really, I mean the guys being hot are a plus, but had they not been handsome I'd still definitely go", she smiled fondly as leaned on her elbows. "Why?" he followed up.

"Well, I've loved soccer and Fairy Tail since I was young. I remembered watching Igneel play when I was younger", she began to explain before the latter interrupted her. "You knew Igneel!?" he questioned startling her. "Yeah! He was one of the reasons I myself played soccer from middle school and high school, but then I just stopped after my father demanded I quit that nonsense and then Igneel retired", she sighed sadly a longing beginning to show in her voice.

The stranger remained silent and Lucy almost felt he was judging her. "I'm strange, aren't I? A girl and a girlish one at that who likes soccer. You must be bored", she sounded apologetic. " Not at all. I think you're awesome! But don't you think it's waste of time to go to superficial meet and greets?" he questioned. She hummed in thought before giving him a wide smile.

"Of course not. For real fans like myself these events are the world. The players themselves might not realize that it means the world to them. To see the person you admire, your idol, in person, is a dream come true. I've always wanted to meet Natsu Dragneel. He was my idol after I first saw him play. His skill on the field is spectacular. The smooth passes, the force of his kick and those rare occasions of corner kicks as they curve beautifully is something I've always admired. I have hope that he'll become the next Igneel. They do have a similar style", she explained so animatedly.

"You really think so?" he almost muttered. "He's amazing! Of course, he can. If he keeps playing as passionately as he always does. I believe in him", she chuckled. "You speak so fondly of him even though you haven't met him", he laughed. She blushed furiously. "I k-know, but I feel he loves soccer more than anyone just like me which is why I talk like that", she sputtered embarrassed.

The stranger just gave a hearty laugh and Lucy felt she really liked it after how reserved he had been at the beginning. "I'm Lucy by the way. Lucy Heartfilia", she smiled. "Hey, isn't the meet and greet over, Lucy?" he asked her and she looked at her iPhone's clock. Her face immediately deflated, but then she huffed and smiled once more. "Yeah, that's fine. I had a very enjoyable time regardless. I'm just as content watching them on tv", she mentioned as she settled to fix her belongings.

"I could still get you to meet the team", he casually mentioned. The blonde looked at him incredulous. "No way!" she squeaked as her grin widened. He only nodded . "Are you like someone important at the event?!" she asked excitedly as he stood as well. "Uh, you could say that", he smirked secretively as he guided her out of the shop and down the streets.

"So how come you listened to your father and stopped playing the sport you loved?" he asked her as they walked while he dipped his hands into his jean pockets. "Well, my mother died when I was in my sophomore year of high school and I still played soccer even after that but he guilted me into quitting saying that I had to listen to him in my mother's stead and so I stopped after I graduated", she sighed looking straight ahead at nothing in particular.

"If you could play again, would you?" he asked as they finally crossed in front of the establishment of the event. "Many more times again and again." He smiled lightly as he approached the guard at the door. From his pocket he pulled out a tag and without hesitance was led inside as he motioned for blonde to follow him. He led her down a series of complicated hallways holding her wrist to avoid her from getting lost before they reached a door which had big white letters with the name Fairy Tail on it.

She breathed heavily as she tried containing her excitement. He seemed to sense it as he turned to her. "Ready?" He asked teasingly. "Nope, but really nervous and excited", she muttered as he finally opened the door. "I'm back", he drawled really casually. "Damn you! I can't believe you got away with it, flame brain!" a voice howled as Lucy almost felt she would faint at seeing Gray Fullbuster in front of her. He had black hair and dark blue eyes with firm features.

"Oh my god! Gray Fullbuster", she whispered as she clutched onto the shoulders of the stranger. Gray blinked as he looked at the blonde. "No way! You brought a girl? This is the end!" Gray laughed as all the players seemed to near them in shock. Lucy felt overwhelmed as she met their 2 of their defenses Jellal and Elfman, numbers 3 and 5, respectively and two of their mid fielders, Loke and Gajeel, numbers 7 and 12, respectively. The rest of their team seemed busy getting their things together.

"Hey what's your name?" the black haired male asked her. "L-Lucy", she mumbled.

"Okay, idiots, chill. She's a huge fan and you guys are scaring her", Lucy's companion interrupted. "Didn't mean to. Nice to meet you, Lucy", Gray grinned stretching out his hand to shake hers. She grinned as she shook his hand vigorously. She seemed to look around in hopes to find her idol and not finding him.

"Hey Salamander take off that ridiculous hoodie already", Gajeel motioned annoyed. Lucy noticed that it was awfully hot to be wearing such a thing as she looked at him expectantly. He had to be some sort of manager or maybe even a friend of theirs with the way they spike so casually to him. And by Gray's words, she was probably the first girl or even person this man had brought with him to meet them team. She was extremely grateful to him for indulging her so.

"Haven't properly introduced myself, huh, Lucy?" he smiled at her as she nodded in confusion. This whole time he had been nameless to her and she felt almost ashamed. He grasped the hoodie by its hem as he pulled it off with one pull. His shirt rid up a little and the blonde was shocked to see the glimpse of defined muscles. He threw the red hoodie at Gray who cursed under his breath as he shoved it to the floor. "Stupid", he mumbled irritated. "Chill, ice princess", he motioned with a cackle.

Lucy returned to look at her companion after he began to laugh at the black haired male and she felt herself remain speechless at the sight of a handsome face with pink spiky locks, gorgeous smile, and beautiful emerald eyes. He stretched out his hand a large grin still plastered on his face and feeling amused as her face became beet red in both embarrassment and shock. He chuckled lightly as he stretched out his hand to her.

"I really had a good time with you. I'm Natsu Dragneel by the way. Nice to meet you, Lucy."

Crystal: Welp that's the first chapter! I hope you guys liked it. I was really excited to write this sort of au. Please do tell me what you think! And wait up for next chapter!